Scoop and Snap

Modern cleaning products contain harmful ingredients. Anyone in contact with these products can be affected rendering health problems like irritations, allergies or even respiratory illnesses.

It cannot be denied that household cleaners available in the market will give us outstanding results. But, are they truly safe for us to use? Be extra careful in choosing cleaning goods. Loads of toxic ingredients might be in the formulation and just waiting to attack.

Toilet bowl cleaner for example has chlorinated phenol that are harmful in respiratory and circulatory system. Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether is present in all purpose cleaner and other cleaners damages nervous system, liver and kidney. Deodorizers has formaldehyde, which is a respiratory irritant and probable human carcinogen under conditions of unusually high or prolonged exposure.

These are just few of the many hazardous chemicals composing cleaners. Unfortunately, it is not easy to pin point goods with hazardous ingredients. If you are not familiar with the them and not even sure if it's safe, stick with the eco-friendly merchandise which do not contain unnecessary chemicals. The chemical composition of this household cleaners is simple. They don’t harm the environment and will not harm us either. Nevertheless, we must remember that producers can claim that their products are eco-friendly, organic, green or safe but still have some toxic ingredients. Not all products have list of ingredients in their labels since not all of household stuffs are regulated. But, still, read the labels. Ask questions to manufacturer to verify their claims. 

It's always up to us, how we can make our home dirt-free in non-toxic ways. One great idea is to use natural household cleaners. Use the traditional recipes of our grandmothers in cleaning stubborn dirt. Grab your bottle of vinegar and baking soda. They will do the chemistry and will surely give us pleasant results.

What do you use to keep your house as clean as a hound’s tooth?

Being married for more than thirteen years does not make me an expert to relationship and family. But it is certain that those years made me the better person I am now and I hope that it is the same with my husband. I personally believe that keeping your marriage healthy, sparkling and smooth boils down to open communication and plain understanding. Aside from these two factors, there are other ways to keep you tied up to the man or woman you say "I Do".

• Put Jesus Christ in the center of your relationship.
• Pray together.
• Be careful with your words when speaking to your spouse. Always choose nice words towards the love of your life. Easy to say, but what if you are angry or mad? Stay away from him or her until you are calm enough rather than confronting each other which might lead you to say words you will regret later.
• Stay sweet and loving. Consider giving gifts once in a while to show your love and appreciation. 
• "Me time" is important for each person even if you are already married. Don't chain your spouse to you. He or she needs time time to unwind on his or her own. 
• Trust and respect each other. These two things are the basic foundation of faithfulness. 
• Love each other with full honestly and never keep record of his or her wrong doings. 

1 Corinthians 13

New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

 I am not a dermatologist but I know how to take care of my skin. I don't get pimples except when my period is about to come. But that is tolerable as it's only one or two on the forehead. 

We all know that there are plenty of good ways to take care of our skin. You may have your own tricks too. Allow me to remind or share with you the following basic skin care.

Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Our body uses up water in all our activities, if not replenish, our skin will show dryness or sometimes other skin problems like pimples. 

Smoking cigarettes won't help. Stop is you are, don't dare if you're not. Smoking contributes in narrowing your tiny blood vessel leaving your skin dry. Not to mention the other diseases connecting to cigarette smoking.

Always protect your skin from the sun. Use products that can protect you against the harmful rays of the sun. Products with SPF 15 or more are recommended. If you are out swimming, bring with you your sun lotion and re-apply every two hours. 

 Every home needs a strategy to save money out of something. One of the best way to save which we seldom neglect is to save few bucks by using our home energy wisely and accordingly. If you do it right, you'll have good amount for a family holiday. How does it sound?

• Have you heard of LED lights? This is now a good choice to use at home as it is "85% less energy and lasts 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs". You can buy one from 80 - 1000 luminosity depending on what room you will put it. The options are endless you just need to be very keen in choosing one that best suits your needs. 
• Another no brainer thing to do is to switch off lights and appliances that are not in use. This is often neglected especially when we are too busy with our daily chores. 
• Use timers in water and home heating. Switch off heating in rooms that are not needed. 
• If you are living in house that doesn't have a double glazed window (even if you are), close the curtains to eliminate the loss of heat at night (especially on winter). 
• Have your boiler and other appliances serviced regularly. 
• If you play musical instruments at home, make sure to switch off those instruments when not in use, unplug those pianos and digital drums. A simple thing plugged in can consumed 10-20 % energy still. 
• Reflect back heat by using foil behind the radiators. In that way, heat is bounced back into room. 
• When cooking, put lids over your pots to conserve energy and even reduce condensation in the kitchen. When boiling water for coffee or tea, boil the quantity you just need. 
• Be wise in washing clothes. Lowest water temperature is better. To compensate proper cleaning, choose the right laundry soap that will work on cool washing. 
• Have a proper ventilation at home. Make sure that there's sufficient fresh air around the house. Open window once in a while to avoid moisture and pollutant build-up. 

Up for a challenge? How about putting together 1000 pieces Jigsaw Puzzle? Okay, you may find it not challenging or relaxing at all but it is really. Not to mention, it is one of many activities that can refresh our ability to concentrate and think strategically. 

A box of Jigsaw Puzzle for €2

Parents should be well aware of the ability and capacity of their child before buying a puzzle best for him or her. Don't just rely on the age guideline written on the box. Children should be encouraged to play jigsaw puzzles not only because it's fun but also of the great effects. 

Effects of Puzzle 

• Develop the sense of patterning which supports the child's skills in reading, logic and math.
• A child learns how to think strategically as he put pieces together.
• You may heard a child talking to himself while doing the puzzle, it is the sign that he is trying to solve the problem. Analyzing which piece goes to a place. 
• Concentration is another important thing that is developed not only to a child but also to adult. This is the reason why jigsaw puzzle is such a relaxing activity. You are focus in doing one thing. This is definitely a good way of freeing your mind from other things.
• Playing puzzle creates a quality time with family and improves cooperation seen by sharing techniques or strategy. 

Framed Jigsaw Puzzle

The effect of puzzles have been proven so many times. Although, it is very important to match the puzzle's difficulty to the age  and ability of a child or an adult. Otherwise, a person might get bored because it is too easy or discouraged because it is way to hard. 

You must choose a design that is appealing to a child or to you (whoever will do the puzzle). A very familiar thing, place, animals or even cartoon characters are very good options. 

 " A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep."  You bet it is but I'm glad mine came true just recently.

Our recent trip was at Disneyland Park Anaheim, Los Angeles. We thought at first that it was not a good idea for our 32 months old girl. But everything turned to her way. Okay not all rides are for her but there are plenty of good ones that brought flawless smile and laughter in the air. The joy and the excitement grew with every ride and attraction. 

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Thank you to the gift of technology to capture sceneries that I may not see again and sounds that I may not hear again. We were so delighted that we got every moment using our cameras. (Good thing selfies and groupies are not so awkward nowadays. 😉) And hey, Disneyland now have photographers posted in different beautiful spots to take picture of you and your family and friends. Those shots are uploaded directly to your online account by scanning your Disney Photo Card. It's free to view but can be printed for a good price.