Mandy, Author at Serendipity Mommy

How Self-Care Teaches a Woman to Find Love on the Inside

April 19, 2021 by Mandy

Photo Credit: Gustavo Fring | Pexels

There’s no single definition of love. We all have different values, beliefs, styles, and preferences, and that’s what makes us uniquely beautiful. But one thing that we all agree on is the vital role of self-care and how it affects our self-worth.

And just like love, self-care looks different for every woman. However, there are a few common threads that weave us together. So while you have your own way of loving yourself, here are a few self-care habits that you can include in your routine.

● She indulges in alone time

Alone time can be rejuvenating and restorative, whether it’s getting lash extension supplies in Toronto or treating yourself for a foot spa. It’s a great opportunity to recharge. Work and family life can often drain us, so spending some time alone helps you refill your own bucket.

In spending time alone, you get to discover, accept, and eventually love yourself more. It also makes you better at empathizing with other people and fosters stronger, healthier relationships with your loved ones. Set aside time for self-reflection and adopt a mindful approach to enhance your sense of wellbeing. It’s also an effective way to prevent and treat depression.

● She makes sleep a top priority

Based on Harvard’s research, sleep and mood are interconnected. When we lack sleep we become cranky. An exhausted person usually looks and feels unhappy.

Sleep deprivation and poor sleep affect your mood by causing stress and frustration, while good sleep lifts your spirits and makes you happy. Moreover, long periods without sufficient sleep can increase the risk of developing depression, anxiety, or other mood problems. On the other hand, long periods with good quality sleep make you feel strong, joyful, and healthy.

Insufficient amounts of sleep have also been shown to cause negative consequences on our body, which may lead directly and indirectly to thinning hair and hair loss. Lack of sleep may result in increased stress levels which have been proven to cause hair loss. It might be a good idea to undergo a hair transplant procedure to address this problem. There are various establishments offering hair transplant treatments especially in Toronto, Canada.

● She exercises

Photo Credit: Cliff Booth | Pexels

Self-care isn’t confined to just face masks and massages, although they certainly help. Self-care 101 is loving your body enough to exercise. It should be on top of our health priorities, but usually, it’s the most neglected aspect. Everyone knows that they should be exercising every day, but we don’t usually follow those guidelines, which may result in disappointment and subconscious shame.

Putting ourselves first and engaging in regular exercise gets rid of the numerous concerns we have about movement and exercise. Also, there’s ample evidence that shows the critical role of exercise in addressing anxiety and depression and nurturing mental health.

● She has creative outlets

Creativity is an essential element of good mental health and self-care. Individuals who engage in creative hobbies have better moods, feel more interested, and have lower heart rates and less stress.

Having a hobby also makes you feel accomplished and boosts your serotonin levels. When you feel uninspired, a hobby can help break your dead-end routine. Getting in that “flow” has all the positive benefits you need to feel more fulfilled and happier.

● She treats herself daily

If you’re working yourself to the bone without any sort of reward for yourself, this is an excellent way to quickly burn out and end up in a foul mood. While you might think it’s counterintuitive, depriving yourself is simply an unhealthy way to build good habits.

A life without any pleasures will only result in feelings of depletion, resentment, and frustration. Instead, a treat or reward should be integrated into your daily routine so you can give yourself something to look forward to. It doesn’t need to be expensive. Small treats can be just as effective in promoting self-care and making yourself feel good.

The concept of self-care varies from person to person. Yet, we know deep inside what makes us feel happy and worthy of love. For some, it can be as simple as freshly baked cookies, while for others it can be a vaginal rejuvenation treatment. The key is to do whatever makes you feel joy. We all deserve to have a little pleasure in our lives especially in these tough times. Whether you live in Madrid, Bangkok, or Toronto.

6 Special Gifts for Moms to Be

April 19, 2021 by Mandy

Are you looking for gifts for moms to be?

Having an expectant mother in your life can be an exciting experience. You get to support your friend during her pregnancy and celebrate with her as the baby grows and prepares to enter the world.

One celebrated tradition that happens with every pregnancy is giving the expectant mother gifts. While it can seem like an easy task to complete, giving gifts to your pregnant friend can be a little tricky. You want to give her something she’ll use but not something that is purely practical.

Fortunately, by thinking outside of the box, you can find a gift that is as fun as it is practical. If you are looking for a gift for the pregnant woman in your life, here are a few gifts she might love.

1. Baby Essentials

One of the best gifts to give at a baby shower is baby essentials. You can gift your friend a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, and more. You can supercharge your efforts by including an adorable baby headband from steviejs.com.

2. Sleep Sound Machine

One gift expecting moms will love is a sleep sound machine. This is a great way to encourage a great night’s sleep, something every pregnant woman needs. You can choose a machine that plays soothing music, white noise, and more.

3. Foot Massager

Whether you are expecting or a new parent, getting a foot massage can feel life-changing. Carrying around the extra weight of a child puts stress on your entire body, including your feet. By gifting a foot massager, you are giving your friend the gift of pain relief.

4. Ebook Reader

If your pregnant friend loves to read, why not gift her an ebook reader? She can catch up on her favorite books and magazines and find new stories to keep her entertained. You can supercharge your efforts by buying a few parenting books to get her started.

5. A Day at the Spa

Part of any effective prenatal care routine is encouraging relaxation. A great way to do this is to gift her a day at the spa. She can relax, be pampered, and ease any stress she is feeling.

6. Baby Keepsake Library

A baby keepsake library is an organizational system that helps parents organize all of their baby’s keepsakes. This is a perfect gift to give to an expectant mother to help her save and organize her baby’s items from the start. If you are struggling with finding a perfect gift, consider a keepsake library.

Gifts for Moms to Be: These Are the Items She Might Need

If you need gifts for moms to be but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you.

One of the best gifts you can give is baby essentials. You should also consider a sleep sound machine, a foot massager, or an ebook reader. Consider giving the mom to be a day at the spa or a baby keepsake library.

Use one or more of these ideas to buy a gift your friend or family member will love.

Don’t forget to browse our site for advice on health, family, relationships, and more.

How Do Commercial Playgrounds Facilitate Your Child’s Learning?

April 9, 2021 by Mandy

For children, every play session is an opportunity for learning.

This is something that was widely recognized last year, with many calling for a ‘golden age of play’ when the kids of America inevitably went back to school. It is an outlet for expression, nurturing abilities they posses already whilst gradually phasing in new ones. Therefore, the playground is the perfect backdrop for all these varying developments.

How do these settings facilitate your child’s learning? Read on after the jump to find out.

Developing Social Skills

When kids gather in a playground, they will invariably begin to interact with one another.

Whether they build friendships or experience dealing with a few difficult characters, they will develop their social skills. They may begin to contemplate lines of enquiry like:

Where can I find common ground with others?
Which types of people should I steer clear from?
How do people respond to my behavior?
What slang or speech patterns make me seem cool with my friends?

Their answers to these questions will understandably be elementary, but they are the building blocks to a stronger understanding. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has left many children feeling anxious and isolated in their homes, so there is also the consideration that public playgrounds for kids are needed more sorely than ever today. Social stimulation is integral for the wellbeing of all, and your children can be their truest, happiest selves in these types of environments.

Teaching Recycled Construction

Even the way some parks are built can present a worthwhile learning curve.

The commercial playground equipment from BigToys is exemplary of this, helping to preserve the environment and foster imaginations equally. They answer one of their most frequently asked questions, “What Makes BigToys Green?”, with an explanation that they use conditioned woods and recycled metals and plastics to build their playgrounds. Kids often take one thing and imagine it as another, and a compatible philosophy has been applied here with great results.

This means that the children playing in these environments can respect the space too. After all, the teens of today are becoming more environmentally conscious by their own merit, so if these types of ideas can be introduced early through the playground, even more positive change in future generations can be assured.

Expanding Cognitive Capabilities

While on the surface it might seem like the playground is just a simple way to have fun, it is a framework that may encourage more complex forms of thinking in your child.

It has been frequently argued that screens endanger kid’s imaginations, so the only viable solution to this problem is to send them outside into environments where their creativity is boundless. This is what a playground provides in plentiful supply. For example, a themed playground design in a spaceship, pirate ship, or castle may flare their imaginations considerably.

Not only this, but inclusions such as climbing frames may encourage them to problem solve somewhat by intricately coordinating their movements to get higher. Moreover, swings may subtly teach them a little about physics and momentum. In the end, while the features of a park can be fun for kids, they are not included randomly for mindless glee, but for subtle and practical learning opportunities.

5 Must-Try Nordic Recipes That You’re Missing Out In 2021

April 5, 2021 by Mandy

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Food is one of the most basic forms of entertainment. You can use it in any social event or gathering so much as events are incomplete without them. One such flavor-rich cuisine is Nordic Food. According to Norden, the Scandinavian nation has grown by 8.1%, including a sector of the immigrant population. It would only be a matter of time before their cuisine is famous; it hits international and local markets. You can get a head start and enjoy these recipes first. Here are some for you:

1. Caper Fish Balls: It is a delicious dish which consists of fish with a side of potatoes. Start by:

Using 600 g of peeled potatoes and cut them into chunks. Put them into a boiling pan of salted water and once they’re tender, strain them.
Then add 3 tbsp of milk with pepper as per preference, mash them together, and set them aside. Your next step is to prepare the fish.
Use sardines as your choice of fish. Use a 140 g tin of sardines in oil, holding onto the oil. Heat the oil in the frying pan and add shallots, fish, and lemon juice from one lemon into the mash and make about 20 balls.
Use two eggs and beat them together to prepare an egg wash. Roll the balls in the egg wash and then add them into 3 tbsp plain flour.
Fry your fish balls till they’re nice and golden. Finally, warm 200 g of creme fraiche and add them to 1-2 tbsp of dijon mustard. Add the balls to the mix, top it off with lemon zest and serve.

2. Little Coffee Pavlovas:The great thing about Scandanavian dishes is they range from savory to sweet. There’s a treat for everyone. If you like the recipes so far, click here for more. With that, let’s dive into a tasty dessert:

Start by preheating your oven to 248 F and lining your baking pan with baking sheets. In a large bowl with three egg whites till peaks start to form.
Add about 150g castor sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until the mixture turns glossy. Whisk in ½ tbsp instant espresso powder and 1tsp cornflour. Make swirls on the baking sheet and put them into your oven.
Make sure you bake your pavlovas till they’re crisp outside for one hour and let them cool on the wire rack. In another bowl, beat 125 g mascarpone and then add about 200ml of double cream. Whisk until soft peaks form, then add 1 tbsp icing sugar. Follow it by adding ½ tsp vanilla extracts and 1 ½ tbsp coffee liqueur.
Then add 100g blackcurrant jam. Pour this mixture on top of your pavlovas and serve immediately.

3. Skagen (Prawn Salad: This is an easy and delicious meal to make. If you like seafood, why not add it to your menu:

In 1 tbsp of olive oil, add 2 tbsp sour cream, use the zest of ½ a lemon and 1 tsp of juice. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to your taste.
Then add about 200 g of cooked and peeled prawns, followed by ½ small chopped red onion. You can add about 2tbsp of chopped parsley and serve your salad. You can even enjoy this tasty treat on top of bread or eat it alone.

4. Jansson’s Temptation.A very delicious and traditional Scandinavian dish. It is best with salad and bread:

To start, preheat the oven to 392 F. Layer the baking sheet and slice six medium potatoes into matchstick sizes. Add about two finely sliced Spanish onions and one tin of chopped anchovies, draining them properly.
Pour 248 ml double cream in the pot and add a small amount of butter. Then add a sprinkle of 4 tbsps of fresh bread crumbs and pepper according to your taste.
Cover and bake your dish for the first twenty minutes. After which, you should uncover and bake for a further 25 more minutes for that crispy exterior.

5. Frozen Daim Bar Almond Cake:Another delicious treat for you to enjoy with your tea or a light snack. As always, when it comes to baking, always start by preheating the oven:

Preheat the oven to 338 F. Whisk about four egg whites in a bowl into soft peaks. Add about 150g of sugar and make the mixture even stiffer. Gently fold in about 100g of ground almonds. Butter a round baking pan and add the mix for baking.
Make sure it bakes for about 20 minutes, then cool the tin. Now bring your attention to the parfait. Whisk about five egg yolks and 100 g of sugar into one bowl and place the bowl over the water to let the mixture simmer.
When the mixture is thick and fluffy with a pale consistency, then leave it to cool down. Add 150 ml of double whipping cream and 20 ml of amaretto to form medium peaks, and then gently fold this mixture into your egg mix. Add crushed daim about 4 bars of 28 grams each and work through the combination gently.
The idea is not to let any air out. Put the parfait on top of your cake and cover it tightly with clingfilm for 4-6 hours or leave it overnight. Take it out and cut it into pieces and then put it back into the freezer for a few more minutes and then take it out for serving. You can also add chocolate and caramelized chopped almonds if you wish.

Wrap Up

Scandinavian dishes make for a tasty treat. The recipes mentioned bringing a festival of flavors in your mouth. Not only are these dishes they’re easy to make and nutritious. With your seafood mix, you can quickly cook a tasty treat for your palette that you can enjoy with fresh bread or a side of salad. Maybe you want something sweeter? Indulge in an almond cake with parfait or treat yourself to a lovely pavlova. You can take your culinary skills to the next level by either cooking for yourself or enjoying with your coworkers at office parties and enjoy these delicious Nordic wonders.

6 DIY Tips For Stay At Home Moms

April 5, 2021 by Mandy

Have some spare time up your sleeves and want to get stuck into some DIY projects around the home?

Check out these 6 quick and simple DIY ideas to get you on your way.

1. Sparkling Dishwasher

Over time dishwasher’s collect a lot of grime and germs. It’s usually a good idea to clean them monthly to avoid the build up of germs and keep your dishwasher from smelling.

Have you ever noticed that little drain at the bottom of the disher getting blocked? It can happen quicker than you think. Check out how to unblock a drain here.

For a DIY alternative to using cleaning tablets you can add 1 cup of vinegar to an empty dishwasher cycle. Baking soda also works a treat on an empty cycle.

2. Clean Out Old Drains

Speaking of blocked drains, it might be a good idea to check up on all your drains around the home. The kitchen sink often gets clogged with food causing your drain to smell. You can find some simple tips on how to unblock a sink here.

It’s not just the kitchen sink that can clog, be sure to check your shower and bathroom drains. Typically they will get clogged with human hair and need to be cleaned regularly to avoid any hassle down the line.

3. Patch Holes In The Wall

We all know a coat of paint can transform a home or room but, before painting that wall you must make sure it’s prepped right.

That means getting comfortable with patching any holes or dents in the wall. You can do this by using a paint scraper to scrape any debris away. Cover the hole with a fast drying wall patch and aim to get it level with the wall.

Let it dry for 24 hours and sand smooth with a sanding block. You’re now ready to paint.

4. Painting Interior Walls

Painting shouldn’t be hard but that doesn’t mean it’s all that easy either. Planning your paint work does set you out on the right track.

Take the time to prep the wall the right way and then go and pick your color of choice. You’ll want to use the right tools for the job that are high quality. Use a good brush to cut in the edges then go ahead and roll the rest of the wall.

5. Maximize Corner Space

If you live in a smaller home or apartment you’re likely pressed for space. One area often overlooked is the corners of our home.

Most people will push their square couch into the corner and call it a day but you’re missing out on unused storage space if you leave it at that.

Take advantage of those corners and instal some DIY shelves. You can pick up some floating shelves from your local hardware store or IKEA.

6. Panel Your Walls

A huge trend is to instal DIY wall panelling. Another awesome DIY project to take on to really change the look of your home.

This one won’t break the bank either but will add a ton of value to your home. Wood panelling is available in most DIY stores or hardware stores.

If you’re up for a bit more of a challenge then have a go at a full DIY wall panel. Pick up some MDF strips of wood and start piecing together the measured strips. You’ll need a bit more woodworking knowledge here so make sure you’re confident in your abilities.