Explore Trough Creek State Park with us! Join our family, including our adventurous dog Meatball, as we hike over suspension bridges, visit the iconic Balancing Rock, and discover picturesque spots along the creek. Perfect for hiking, picnicking, fishing, and camping, Trough Creek is a must-visit destination near Lake Raystown. Read more about our weekend adventure!
Read MoreCelebrate Earth Day 2022: 8 Fun Ways to Show Your Love for the Planet
Happy Earth Day, everyone! Today is a special day to celebrate our planet and everything that she provides for us. There are so many ways to show your love for the earth, and we have compiled 8 of our favorites below. From planting trees to reducing your carbon footprint, there is something for everyone to do on this important day. Let's work together to make Earth Day 2022 the best one yet!
Plant a tree
Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree! Trees are one of the earth's most important resources. They provide us with oxygen, shade, and homes for wildlife. planting a tree is a great way to show your love for the planet.
Recycle
One of the best ways to reduce your impact on the earth is to recycle. You can recycle items like paper, plastic, and metal.
Reduce your carbon footprint
There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. You can carpool, take public transportation, or ride your bike instead of driving to reduce pollution. You can also save energy by turning off lights when you leave a room and unplugging appliances when they're not in use. Help create a sustainable future by doing your part and reducing your carbon footprint.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the earth. You can help clean up a local park, plant trees, or work with an environmental organization.
Educate yourself and others
Learning about the earth and its many wonders is a great way to show your love for the planet. You can also teach others about ways they can help protect the earth and increase awareness.
Buy eco-friendly products
When you're shopping for new products, look for items that are made from recycled materials or that are eco-friendly.
Compost
Composting is a great way to reduce food waste and help the planet. You can compost kitchen scraps and yard waste to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Check out Loomi! This is a way to turn your food and some plastic leftovers into compost!
Celebrate nature
One of the best ways to show your love for the earth is to simply appreciate all of the natural beauty around you. Spend time outside, go for a hike, and take in all that mother nature has to offer.
Which of these Earth Day activities will you be doing? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to share this post with your friends to spread the love. Together, we can make a difference!
Tips for Keeping Your Home in Tip Top Shape
Do you want to know how to keep your home in tip-top shape? There are many home maintenance tasks that need to be taken care of on a regular basis. We will discuss the most common home repairs and home maintenance tasks that need to be done regularly. This way, your home can stay in great condition!
Sinks
One of the most common home repairs that are needed in the kitchen is fixing leaks. A leaky faucet can waste a lot of water, so it is important to fix it as soon as possible. Another common kitchen repair is replacing a broken light switch. If you have a dark kitchen, then installing some more light fixtures can be helpful too.
Windows
Another of the most common home repairs in the bedroom is repairing a broken window. If you have a broken window, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible. Getting a replacement window ensures the safety and also can help lower your gas and electric bills! Look for more Energy Efficient.
Outside
One of the most common home repairs that are needed outside of the home is sprucing up the decor and ensuring all entryways are clear of debris. This includes the trim, the porch, and the driveway. Making sure that all of these areas are clean will help your home look nicer and also be safer for guests.
Checking Your Air Filters
If you don't change the air filter regularly, it can cause the HVAC system to work harder than necessary and increase your energy bills. Be sure to also clean the coils on the outside of your HVAC unit at least once a year.
One of the most common home maintenance tasks is changing air filters in heating systems like furnaces and heat pumps. This prevents dust from circulating through your home which can lead to respiratory issues such as asthma for those who suffer from breathing problems. Another commonly neglected home maintenance task that must be done regularly is cleaning dryer vents on gas or electric clothes dryers. Lint build-ups create fires so make sure this gets cleaned out at least once a year!
Entryways
Another often overlooked home maintenance task is checking caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. If these are not in good condition, cold air can seep into your home in the winter, making your heating bill skyrocket. Be sure to check these areas every few months and replace them as needed.
These are just a few home repairs and home maintenance tasks that need to be done regularly to keep your home in good condition. Comment below if you would like more home maintenance tips!
Ground Hog Day: The History Behind the Holiday
Groundhog Day is a day to commemorate the groundhog, more commonly known as "Punxsutawney Phil." Every year on February 2nd, Groundhog Day is observed. The 128th anniversary of Groundhog Day will be celebrated February 02, 2022.
History of Ground Hog Day
Groundhog Day is a centuries-old holiday in the United States that was originated by German settlers in Pennsylvania. The first Groundhog Day celebration was held in 1887, but the practice of monitoring the groundhog goes back much further. The first people to observe how the groundhogs behaved and whether or not they saw their shadows were German settlers in Pennsylvania. They would watch to see if the groundhogs saw their shadows or not, then use that information to predict when spring would arrive or if there would be four more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Day has grown in popularity worldwide since then. People celebrate it by watching movies about it, eating dishes that are connected to it, or simply keeping an eye on the groundhog activities.
Groundhog Day Celebrations
Ground Hog Day is observed in a variety of ways by many people. Some people watch the film Groundhog Day to commemorate the day, while others celebrate with ground hog dishes, and still more people simply observe what happens on Groundhog Day. Have some fun however you choose to celebrate it, and don't forget to learn something about the groundhog's history as well. After all, that is what Ground Hog Day is all about!
Facts about Punxsutawney Phil
-Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous groundhog in the world.
-Phil has made predictions about the weather for over 125 years.
-Ground hogs only live for around six or seven years, so Phil is quite old!
-There are many other ground hogs that make similar predictions throughout North America, but Phil is the most famous.
-Ground hogs are able to predict weather because they hibernate and during that time, they monitor how much sunlight each day.
-There is a lot of debate about whether or not groundhogs actually help predict the weather, but it's still a fun tradition to celebrate nonetheless!
No matter how you choose to celebrate, be sure to have some fun! And don't forget to learn a little bit about the ground hog's history too. After all, that is what Ground Hog Day is all about!
BONUS: The 1993 movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. What could be more perfect for this holiday than a classic movie? Watch it now on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
New Year's Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier You
The New Year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. It's the perfect opportunity to take stock of your life, set some goals, and make plans to achieve them. The best way to stay motivated is by setting small measurable resolutions that you can track as you go along. In this blog post we'll cover New Year's resolutions for 2022
Make a Bucket List
Making a bucket list will help you to prioritize your goals and dreams. We all have some things that we'd like to accomplish, but it can be difficult prioritizing day-to-day life over our personal goals. Making a bucket list is the perfect way for you to get started on achieving those long term resolutions!
Invest in Yourself
Investing in yourself can mean a lot of things. Investing in self care, your career and education, or even your money! Either way, making an investment in your future self is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health.
Invest in self-care products. Taking care of your skin, hair, and nails is a great way to feel good about yourself. Make sure to choose products that are good for you and your skin type.
Invest your money! New investment trends such as NFTS, Bitcoin, and entrepreneurial endeavors are great but building up an old fashioned savings account can also make an immediate impact into your mental well being. Save money fast by cutting out subscriptions you do not use. The Truebill app! It allows you to sync all of your bank accounts into one central place and will even help cancel subscriptions! Cut down on Ubereats. If you really want to feel bad, print out your last 3 monthly bank statements and highlight each UberEats deduction. Try cooking from home and meal prepping. (See next section!)
Eat Better
When you eat better, it's not about depriving yourself; in fact the opposite is true! Eating more whole food will make your body feel so much better, and give you more energy than if there were processed snacks on hand. And when we talk nourishment - think of all those essential nutrients like antioxidants and vitamins that keep us healthy from within outwards appearance too?!
The most crucial thing is not what kind or quantity, but rather how well-balanced our diets are: getting just enough protein with each meal (and snack), along with carbs and fat sources such as leafy greens...not forgetting any other groups.Start by making small changes in your diet:
Focus on adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals.
Cut back on processed foods and sugary drinks.
Replace white bread with whole grain bread.
Drink more water throughout the day.
Once you have been able to make these changes for a few months and you see success, it's likely you will feel less stress, slim down and start the year off on the right foot!
Exercise More Often
Do you find it sound boring? We promise it's not! Exercising more often doesn't have to be all jogging on the treadmill; there are so many different ways of exercising that fit everyone's lifestyle.
Set fitness goals to be active for 30 minutes a day: This doesn't have to mean going to the gym. You can take a walk, go for fun bike rides with people you know, or play sports on your day off!
Create an exercise routine. This could mean waking up half hour earlier to work out before work every morning, making time after dinner to take the dog for a walk around the block, etc. Whatever works best with your schedule is what you should go for.
Make an effort to be more active at work. This could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking around your office during lunch breaks.
The important thing is to find something you enjoy doing so that you'll be more likely to stick with it in the long run.
Sleep More
Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health and well-being. Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night, but many of us don't get nearly that much. Try your best to turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime, and make it a point to go to sleep earlier.
Connect with Others
One of the best things you can do for your happiness and health is to connect with others. socialize with friends and loved ones, join a club or group, or volunteer your time for a good cause. Spending time with others will make you feel connected and supported, which is essential for a happy and healthy life.
Let January be the month for setting resolutions....and KEEPING THEM! By following these tips, you can set yourself up for a happy and healthy New Year! Try incorporating one or two resolutions at a time and don't be afraid to challenge yourself. Sticking to your goals is easier when you have support from friends and family, so make sure to let them know about your resolutions and ask for their help!
How You Can Take Part In Keeping Our Oceans Clean. World Oceans Day 2019
Today is World Oceans Day. Why not celebrate by educating yourself on how you can make a difference in the world? Every effort helps. You can start by making a simple transition to eliminate single-use plastics in your daily routine. Think of how many plastic straws you’ve used in your lifetime. How many pieces of plastic silverware have you used? These are things we take for granted, myself included. We have evolved into a world of speed and simplicity. Hence all the single-use items we now have in our lives today.
Mass production of plastics began in the 1950’s, and not until recently was there any survey or tally as to what those numbers look like. The scientists involved were horrified by the numbers they found. Click here to read an article from National Geographic titled, “Planet or Plastics? A whopping 91% of Plastics isn’t recycled”. There are plenty of people who still don’t recycle, and for those of us who do, we assume we are doing the good thing and everything we throw into those bins is being recycled. No harm, no foul right? From what I’ve been reading, a large majority of those recyclable items are NOT in fact being recycled. A massive quantity is ending up in landfills and the ocean.
I could go on and on regarding this topic, but I’ll spare you. What I can suggest are a few items to try. The first being a stainless steel straw. If you follow Frugal Fashionista then you have probably heard about the Mermaid Straws. They are amazing! I have replaced my single-use straws with ONE Mermaid Straw. How simple is that? If you’re interested in giving one a try click here. They make a wonderful gift as well. I chose to partner with Mermaid Straws because a portion of the proceeds goes towards funding an ocean clean-up project every month. So not only are you eliminating a single use item from your life, but you’re helping to fund an ocean clean-up at the same time.
Today I ordered these reusable sandwich bags. I can’t wait to give them a try. I’m not sure about you, but I go thru disposable sandwich baggies very frequently. If these work well, this will be a simple but HUGE change for the amount of waste our household produces. I’ll update you guys on their arrival and provide you with a review.
I close in challenging you to own up and take part in saving our oceans. Sit for just a few minutes and brainstorm on how you can eliminate single-use plastics in your life.