Mandy, Author at Serendipity Mommy

Exploring French capital with Kids

April 26, 2016 by Mandy

The city of Light- Paris is like one great piece of art. Every single street, corner, district or neighbourhood, everything has a unique and painterly character. Relive the artistic and charismatic moments in this amazing city with your family and kids and introduce them with the iconic symbols of the city- Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower, Mona Lisa and some paintings of the legends that lived and worked here.

Once you are in the city don’t feel tempted to overdo the sightseeing especially when you are travelling with kids. Utilize your kid’s summer vacation and head to Paris for a fun and hassle-free holidays. If you are staying in the city for a week for longer than look for renting a luxury Paris Serviced Apartment since the city rewards the concept of living like the locals.

Search out smaller museums

The concept of visiting smaller museums is that smaller museums are rarely crowded. In case you have plans to visit popular museums, make sure to book a kid-friendly private tour (there are many groups that offer kid-centric private tours). Though the iconic museums are absolutely worth visiting but you’ll find many other attractions to explore than just those which require big tickets. You’ll surely fall short of time to explore unusual and exceptional small spots in the French capital. These places are usually less crowded which makes it easier for you to see with kids. Some small yet attractive museums you can explore are the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature and the Musée Marmottan Monet.

Go for picnics

If you travelling to Paris in summers, you’ll find some ideal picnic locations to enjoy with kids. You can sit under the warm sun and enjoy delicious food and wine while kids can run and play around in the picturesque green space. Bring your own food like breads, meats, cheeses and tarts from local markets that all of you can enjoy. Some of the great places for picnic are the Tuileries beside the Louvre, the sprawling Bois de Boulogne and the Jardin des Plantes.

Kids love Eiffel Tower

While kids love the Eiffel Tower and you’ll surely visit this iconic monument but the biggest decision will be whether to take the stairs or the elevator. Prefer the stairs if you want to save some extra Euros and also to get the better understanding of the gigantic structure. The stairs will take you to the 2nd level only but the queue is shorter than the ground level but it will take around 45 minutes to reach. Hence, Pre-book your tickets for the elevator, which are available around 3 months in advance. This saves significant time when travelling with kids.

You can also visit Eiffel Tower at night and enjoy a walk all around to see the Parisian lifestyle.

Eat big breakfast at your apartment

Enjoy amazing full Parisian breakfast each morning at your apartment. You can only explore the city with enthusiasm and stamina on a busy tour schedule if the entire family is well-fed. So, have a fulfilling and nutritious breakfast at your room before leaving. Paris city is perfect for quick meals so go for a tasty lunch from street side vendors and bakeries, selling crepes and sandwiches. Avoid multiple sit-down meals everyday (wastage of time and money both). Kids or even picky eaters will surely find some interesting delicacies and sweet treats to satiate their hunger.

About the Author

A traveller by heart and blogger by profession. I like to dream, meet new people, explore places and share my experiences. Currently, I am working with London based travel company- thequare.re premium serviced apartments on rent to business and leisure travellers. The company has its presence in cities like London, Paris and New York.

Vintage Fun: 90s Toys and Games You Can Still Buy

April 6, 2016 by Mandy

The 1990s was a revolutionary and exciting time for games and toys. These were the days when board games and video games still shared equal spotlight in the family room, and the era when portable gaming really took off. Innovative designs were integrated into simple, classic concepts and made even better. If you want to relive your own ’90s childhood, or introduce your kids to the pastimes that you loved, here are a few games and toys from the 1990s that you can still buy.

Tamagotchi

Having a pet isn’t new, but having a digital one sure was. This widely popular digital toy was one of the first to engage both boys and girls equally. This was also one of the first portable gaming systems, and was so well made that many will still function even after years of inactivity. You can find the classic Tamagotchis on EBay for a variety of prices, or mix new with old and download the modern cell phone app.

The Super Soaker 50

One of the few times that outdoor sports made a real splash (pun intended), was with the Super Soaker series. These innovative expansions on the simple water pistol were a sure-fire way (again, pun intended) to get the kids out of the house on a summer afternoon. The Super Soaker 50 was created in 1989, but was popular throughout the following decade. This vintage item is popular and expensive, appealing equally to boy and girls, kids and grownups, and typically costing over $100.

Crossfire

This board game is a combination of table-top and video game, and very cleverly played upon the “fight game” phenomenon that was so popular with arcade and console games at the time. There are still many entertainment companies, such as Breaking Games, that still follow this trend of producing similar board and video-type crossovers. This game is now a Collector’s Item valued at almost $400, a testament to its popularity.

Nintendo 64 or Gameboy

When it came to home gaming systems, Nintendo was the unmistakable ruler of the 1990s. As if the console wasn’t enough, with titles like Starfox and Ocarina of Time, we also had the Gameboy. The era of Role Playing and Portable digital gaming had begun, and Nintendo was its first ambassador. Plenty of the old games are still available on the newer Nintendo consoles as classic compilations, and older Nintendo 64 systems (along with several games) are still available online, often for the same prices for which you originally bought them.

Furby

The Furby phenomenon dates back to the 1990s and still continues on its adorable way to the present day. Recent productions like Furbacca, the very first Star Wars furby, are currently available for retail sales. This toy has retained its popularity with two simple but very effective characteristics; versatility and cuteness. Available in a plethora of colors and themes, these fuzzy little guys are a cheerful, low-maintenance addition to any desktop. Hasboro still makes and sells them, and you can find vintage ones online or at your neighborhood garage sale for a variety of prices.

Certain trends come and go, as anyone who saw the big hair of the 1980s will tell you. The quality games that were genuinely fun and innovative are the ones that withstand the test of time. Don’t be afraid to enjoy that Nintendo 64 system along with your kids, or invest in that grown-up income to re-live your glory days as a Supersoaker Badass. You’re a child of the 1990s. Put that Furby on your desk with pride!

Thomas Black is a keen writer who draws inspiration from daily life with 3 kids. His articles mostly appear on parenting and lifestyle blogs.

Java Jolt: Is Coffee Good for Your Eyes?

April 4, 2016 by Mandy

Let’s face it: you couldn’t survive without your morning coffee, right?

Well, there may be one more reason to love it. Your eyes. New research shows that coffee may have multiple protective effects for your eyes. It’s been associated with a multitude of health benefits. Medical News Today reports that drinking coffee might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But, what’s more exciting for those of us who wear glasses is that drinking a cup or more per day may help protect against deteriorating eyesight.

It can even protect against blindness.

Researchers from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY showed that coffee has multiple protective effects for the eyes. Raw coffee beans contain between 7 and 9 percent of a substance called CGA or chlorogenic acid.

This is a potent antioxidant, and has been associated with numerous health benefits, like weight loss and blood pressure reduction.

And, while past studies have shown that CGA is a powerful neuroprotectant, there’s been a lot of interest in identifying protective compounds in coffee that will block hypoxia or oxygen deprivation.

A Cup Of Coffee A Day Keeps The Doctors Away

Researchers found that coffee extract and the substance known as CGA protects mice against retinal degeneration. The retina is a thin layer of cells at the back of the eye. It’s made up of light-sensitive cells, sort of like a sensor on a camera. It also contains nerve cells. These cells are responsible for receiving an organizing all of the visual information our eyes take in.

However, they’re also susceptible to oxygen deprivation. And, since the retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body, it needs lots and lots of oxygen. And, when it doesn’t get the oxygen it needs, problems like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are all more likely.

The researchers found that both the CGA and coffee extract reduced RGC death by preventing the down-regulation of Thy-1, which is a cell surface protein.

This study is one of the first that shows that CGA is responsible for the reduction of RCG apoptosis (cell death) that’s induced by hypoxia. This is how the researchers came to the conclusion that drinking coffee may be beneficial. If it works in mice, it may also work in human beings.

Of course, for visual acuity problems, like nearsightedness, you need surgery, corrective lenses, or a combination of both. You can read this to get a better idea of the procedures available in the UK and how they work, as well as what they cost.

Various procedures, like LASIK, correct vision problems by reshaping the cornea of the eye so that light bending at the cornea is refocused at the back of the retina. For most people, this will solve the visual acuity problem.

However, keeping the eye healthy overall is still important, which is why this research is so amazing. For the first time, there is evidence that something widely available and consumed by so many people, may be helping people. So, if you’re a coffee drinker, you may have been improving the health of your eye without even knowing it.

Melissa Berry works as a medical receptionist. A people person, she also enjoys writing; her articles usually focusing on an aspect of her work in one way or another.

Christmas in July: Visiting Xmas Island in the Summer

March 27, 2016 by Mandy

Christmas Island is a beautiful destination for a holiday or even just a quick excursion during your cruise holiday. It was discovered on Christmas Day in 1643, and it has been left relatively undisturbed by its human residents over the years. Most of the island is made up of a national park, in which a huge variety of endemic plants and animals can be found. Visit in the summer and you will be able to explore a truly amazing holiday destination.

But what should you do when you arrive?

Take a Walk

Walking is one of the most popular activities here because it is such as great way to discover the natural beauty of the island. There are many trails all over the island for all abilities, and you can go with a guide and try to spot some of the rare species of plants and animals that inhabit the island.

Some of the best places to walk to include Margaret Knoll, from where you will see some lovely views, and Hugh’s Dale Waterfall, which you can stand underneath.

Go 4-Wheel Driving

If you don’t want to walk, you can hire a 4-wheel drive and go on an off-road adventure. This is a great way to see a lot of the island in a short space of time.

Go Snorkelling and Diving

There are many varieties of tropical fish to see when you go snorkelling and diving, but in the summer months you may even be able to see a whale shark. For the best swimming and snorkelling area, head to Flying Fish Cove. Snorkelling is a great activity to do when you stop off on your cruise because it is so easy to arrange. Find a cruise that stops here using an Australian website, then hire some gear or take your own.

The diving is incredible because there are kilometres of spectacular drop-offs to explore, and you only have to venture a short way out from the shore to see the walls. There are also many corals, especially off the north coast, and you are almost guaranteed to see a wide range of fish including surgeon fish, butterfly fish and even dolphins.

See the Red Crab Migration

The world-famous red crab migration takes place between October and December, but the exact date depends upon the weather. During the migration, about 50 million crabs leave the forest and head down to the beaches to breed in an incredible spectacle that can last over two weeks.

See the Amazing Birdlife

There is a diverse range of birdlife to discover on Christmas Island, with hundreds of species to spot. Many of these are endemic, such as the Christmas Thrush, the Christmas Island Hawk Owl and the Christmas Island Frigatebird. Go on a tour with a guide and see what you can spot.

Catch Some Fish

Christmas Island is one of the best places for big fish in the whole of South East Asia. Deep water is located very near to the coast, and you will find some real monsters in the area, including tuna, sailfish and other large fish.

Discover Christmas Island for Yourself

Christmas Island has all of these things to discover and more. It is a fantastic destination, no matter whether you are staying for a week or longer, or just stopping off as part of your cruise holiday. If you are planning to visit this summer, start planning what you will do when you arrive and try to see and do as much as possible during your time here.

Ryan Posa explored the high seas as the former District Sales Manager for Carnival Australia and then founder of Cruise Republic in 2008. With a great passion for life aboard and travel opportunities and cruising offers, he often blogs about his favourite destinations and tips for modern cruising to inspire others to see more of the world. You can keep up with Ryan on Twitter.

The Things Your Dentist Wants You To Do

March 16, 2016 by Mandy

One of the main reasons that people have a fear of a dentist is that they have had a bad experience in the past. They probably had to have a something done in the past which may have hurt them a little. The thing is, if you look after your teeth properly, a visit to the dentist is a piece of cake, as they do not have to do anything!

Many dentists would prefer just to have to do check-ups rather than procedures, as that would mean that everyone’s teeth are healthy. There are many things that your dentist wishes that you did! Here are a few of those things:

Regular Check-ups and Visits to the Hygienist

Your dentist in Brisbane, or in your local area, is happy to recommend that you have a check-up, at least, every six months, although you can visit as frequently as you want. As well as getting your teeth checked, it is also an excellent idea to visit the hygienist to have a scrape and polish while you are there. Regular checks and polishing will help to keep that winning smile, and also prevent any damage to your teeth before it is beyond repair.

Eat Healthy Meals and Drinks

Whenever we eat, there is acid in our mouth which softens the enamel of our teeth. Because of this, it is recommended that you limit the frequency with which you eat snacks and drinks. Three meals a day and two snacks should be plenty for most people. Doing this will help to prevent tooth decay, as well as keep your teeth beautiful and white. Stay away from sugary drinks such as sodas and certain fruit juice brands, and limit the amount of sugary food that you eat also.

Floss your Teeth on a Daily Basis

One thing that your dentist wants you to do is to floss your teeth once a day. The best time to floss your teeth is at the end of the day, and you can remove all of the particles of food that have accumulated over the course of the day. Removing the food particles will help to reduce the acid in your mouth so that the enamel of your teeth remains hard and intact. With a bit of practice, you will be able to floss between all of your teeth in a couple of minutes; and along with brushing, will leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean.

Brushing your Teeth

We should spend at least 2 minutes a day brushing our teeth, and it is also important that you use the correct technique, to maximise the efficiency of brushing your teeth. You should start with the top row of teeth and clean the front of each one thoroughly, then move on to the lower jaw. When you have completed this, you will want to start cleaning the back of the teeth on the upper jaw, and again move down to the lower set of teeth when you have finished. You will then want to clean the top of the teeth making sure you get your brush into all of the nooks and crannies. To keep your breath sweet and fresh, scrub your gums lightly with your brush, as well as the inside of your cheeks and your tongue.

If you look after your teeth correctly, you will have a winning smile for a long time to come!