In 1538, Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries and Reading Abbey was destroyed. By the sixteenth century, Reading was a thriving town with a population of over five thousand people and had a prosperous cloth trade. In the eighteenth century, an iron works was erected in the town and the city became known all over Europe for its brewing trade. The town continued to experience growth during the eighteenth century, and by the beginning of the nineteenth century the town had a population of almost ninety-five hundred people. Manfacturing increased in the town and the population continued to grow. By 1851, the population was over twenty-one thousand people. Throughout the twentieth century, the city continued to expand and eventually annexed Caversham. Today, Reading is an important city that is called the commercial capital of the Thames Valley. This city is home to several large corporations which are either based out of, or have a headquarters in Reading. These include Bang & Olufsen, Harris Corporation, Symbol Technologies, Agilent Technologies, Sage, Symantec, KPMG, Ernst and Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Nvidia.

Reading has had many prominent residents over the course of its history. Past residents of the city have included Henry Addington, David Gill, Natalie Dormer, Dick Poole, Kenneth Branagh, John Kendrick, Eliza Bennett, Lucy Benjamin, Dawn French, Solomon Joel, Ricky Gervais, Richard Burns, Mike Oldfield, Angela Browning, Deon Burton, Jane Griffiths, George Palmer, Michael Foot, Mary Russell Mitford, Rufus Isaacs, Lawrie Sanchez, Charles Simeon, Kathy Smallwood, Daniel Blagrave, Jeff Minter, Anna Winslet, Beth Winslet, Kate Winslet, Hugh Cook Faringdon, John Blagrave, Cormac Murphy O’Connor, David Lean, Sam Mendes, Ayrton Senna, John Madejski, David Byron, Louise Setara, Michael Sprott, Dennis Smith, Kevin Warwick, Joseph Huntley, Marianne Faithfull, Levi Stanley, Rudolph Walker and William Henry Fox Talbot.

A popular attraction in the city is the Museum of Reading. The Museum of Reading is in Reading’s Town Hall and contains galleries illustrating the history of the city and its industries. The museum has several sections which include the People and Place Gallery, the Silchester Gallery, Green Space, the Huntley and Palmers Gallery, the Windows Gallery and the John Madejski Art Gallery. The People and Place Gallery documents the city’s history from its beginnings as a Anglo Saxon settlement, all the way to the twentieth century. It features an extensive collection of presentations and interactive displays. The Silchester Gallery houses archeological artifact from around the area of Reading. The Green Space tells the story of the natural and geologic history of the area and contains a fair collection of specimens. The Huntley and Palmer Exhibit illustrates the history of the biscuit making industry in the city. The Windows Gallery displays a decorative art collection that spans from the twelfth century to the twentieth century.

Another popular attraction in Reading is the Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens. This wildlife park is located by the Thames River and has three sections; exotic and farm animals, gardens and a children’s area. Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens was started by Gilbert Beale in 1956 and was created to be used as his own private park. The park has been expanded throughout the years, and today has railway, wadding pools, sand pits and a petting zoo. One of the main features of the park is the Beale Center. The Beale Center is a venue that is used for craft shows, wedding receptions, art showcases and other special occasions. Located in the Beale Center is the Peacock Restaurant which offers many catering ideas and personalized menus that will fit any occasion. The Little Tikes Village is an area that is made just for the kids. It contains many play houses, sandpits, activity gyms and a play garage. This area also has kid driven vehicles that allow the children to scoot between the areas of the village. Other attractions in the park include the Education Room, Little Tikes Indoor Play Area, Thames Rivercruise, Deer Park, Mid Thames Model Boat Club, Fishing Areas and Play Areas. Wildlife in the park include Midas Tamarin, raccoons, Patagonian Cavy, marmoset, Black Tailed Prairie Dogs, meerkat, Red-necked Wallaby, British Giant & French Lop Rabbits, Berkshire Pigs and Dwarf Zebu.

The Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin is another popular attraction to visit in Reading. This site was originally a nunnery in the tenth century that was founded by the wife of King Edgar. But, the nunnery was destroyed in the eleventh century when the Danes sacked the city. In the eleventh century, the current church was founded by King Henry VIII. The church was severely damaged during the Protestant Reformation, but was extensively refurbished during the sixteenth and seventh century. After World War I, a war memorial named St. Edward’s Chapel was added to the church. A few yards away from the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin is St. Mary’s of Castle Street.

Other attractions in Reading, Berkshire include Forbury Gardens, Basildon Park, Silchester, Mapledurham House, Madejski Stadium, Museum of English Rural Life, Reading Abbey Ruins, Marks and Spencer, The Oracle, UK Wolf Centre, Kennet & Avon Canal, Stratford Saye House, St. Laurence Church, Wellington Country Park, The Hexagon, St. Giles-in-Reading Church, St. William of York Church, St. James Church, Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, The Reading Festival, Museum of Berkshire Aviation, Cole Museum of Zoology and Harris Botanic Gardens. Reading also has a number of pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels.

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This is why I decided to drastically change my outlook on life:

Life is short and temporary

Last year, my younger brother died; a sibling four years younger than you is the last person you would expect to pass away first; but he did, in my case. Ever since then, I prioritize appreciating what I have: genuine relationships, my beautiful children, irreplaceable wife, financial security, and the ability to be alive, rather than feel inclined to focus on the things I did not possess, like additional money or nicer material items. I try to savor every moment now, experience my life rather than watch it through a screen, and embrace the present rather than constantly dream of the future.

I knew I could be so much happier than I was

In the past, I used to only settle for what was “good enough” in every area of my life rather than the things, relationships, and experiences I actually wanted and deserved. I knew it was due to the fact that I didn’t think much of myself then – but I’m different now: I know I am, and always will be, a person worthy of love, joy, and life. By breaking out of my comfort zone and refusing to make any more excuses that prevent me from accomplishing goals, I learned that taking action is the only way we can make ourselves happy and satisfied – otherwise, nothing happens or changes. It’s always easier to complain about what we want to change, rather than make an effort to do anything about it. Believe me when I say that you should always keep fighting and working towards what fulfills you. There is a never a designated time to start manifesting your dreams; rather, every second that ticks by is a perfect starting line.

There are values and lessons to be learned from all our experiences

Throughout life, I came to realize that when difficult circumstances are overcome, we understand a little bit more of both the world and our character. In addition, we develop the emotional resilience to keep moving forward and rolling with whatever punches life throws at us. Resilience enables us to constantly handle adversities with grace and strength, rather than fear, and enables us to cultivate a more authentic and stronger identity.

My mindset and attitude will always directly affect my actions

Your mindset is the ultimate catalyst for either success or failure, happiness or sadness, and fulfillment or dissatisfaction. Once I was able to see that through trial and error, I make sure that every action I take now matters and positively contributes to the bigger picture. I also invest more time into staying conscious of the choices I make in the present moment since they set the foundation for that type of future I will live. For example, an incredible decision I made was to enroll in family therapy with my wife and children; one of my priorities in life is to be the best father possible, and I thought that specifically taking time to discuss the dynamics or concerns my family had would strengthen our relationship with one another and enable my wife and I to become better and more understanding parents to our children.

Rather than continue to stay self-absorbed, I would become more empathetic and compassionate

Because we have busy lives with endless to-do lists and obligations, we have a tendency to understandably and solely focus on ourselves and forget the world and other people around us. But when we stop directing all our focus inwards, we break free from our egotistical and self-absorbed mindset of tunnel vision. It’s important to always remember every now again that we aren’t the only people living in this world and experiencing it; doing so makes us more empathetic to the adversities of others, and keeps us compassionate and kind, rather than assumptive or judgmental.

The most important lesson that can be taken away from drastically changing one’s outlook on life is that nothing is ever going to be perfect: the choices we make, experiences we have, or reactions – but that’s okay. Despite the fact, our lives will significantly improve the moment we choose to value it and truly become aware of the impacts of our thoughts and actions. My life isn’t exactly what I want to be yet, but I believe that working towards making it the best it can be is what truly matters the most, and I hope you are able to do the same for yourself.

The post Why I Decided to Drastically Change My Outlook on Life appeared first on Coffee For Mom.

The Innotab 3 learning tablet comes pre-installed with 12 apps that open up a whole new world of learning, fun and even a camera that rotates to 180°, my sons favorite thing so far is the video recorder, he loves it, he feel like a little adult!

The tablet has all the parts you need to get started including a rechargeable battery pack which is awesome because batteries and kids cost me a fortune!  There is also a stylus pen, cartdridge, USB Chord and instructions booklet.

The first thing I did was add the batteries that came included, there are two battery covers and you just press down the middle button then push on each cover to release them.  Once they are released insert the batteries by clipping them in lightly and pushing them down, super simple, nothing complicated!

Next I inserted the cartridge, just slide it until it clips in. The cartridge gives you some game previews and lets you discover more!

Once you turn on the tablet, you have to set it up, which is fairly simple. First you enter the date, then the time, then it asks for your childs name.  Once you have all of that set up you can take a picture of your child with the camera, as you can see Dylan was super happy!  After you have your child’s picture set up this is where the learning and fun begins!

The actual screen is brighter than this but when I took this picture the sun was shining on it which doesn’t help..  Anyway, once you get to the main screen it gives you the option to connect to the Learning Lodge where you get 2 download credits, we have yet to set that up but I will get onto it this week!

The 12 apps that are included are the camera and video recorder, movie maker, art studio, wonder cam, e-reader with story dictionary, play games app, My Magic Beanstalk game, notes clock, calendar calculator and globe.  All of the essentials are included which is great and the beanstalk game is fun too!

The camera that is included also has over 55 special effects and the video is recorder so much fun for making movies, my son is always trying to grab mine and he isn’t very gentle with things so now he has his own!

There is an easy to use on and off button, an outlet for a headset, volume buttons, help button and a home button, they are all a good size and easy to navigate for little fingers.  You can also tilt the screen to view it in lanscape mode, Dylans favorite.

I attempted to cut Dylans hair myself, but he wouldn’t sit still and started freaking out, can you see the mess I made? A trip to the hairdressers will be happening next week..  anyway back to my review. My favorite features so far have to be the camera and rechargeable batteries!  Dylan has been having non stop fun with the camera!  You can also connect mp3 music to the Innotab which is another cool feature, I still need to figure that part out but I’m sure it will be easy.

The Innotab 3 is designed for enjoyment whilst learning and sharpening your child’s skills in math, problem solving and a whole lot more, it’s easy to use, has a great picture and Dylan is loving his new new tablet!

Buy It

Click Here if you want to read more or purchase the Innotab 3 for your little one, the price is amazing at only $59.99!

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OshKosh has the perfect clothes for winter and for those fun holiday parties that the little ones go to throughout the holiday season.  I picked up and adorable Poncho for my daughter Sophia along with some super cute winter boots and leggings, then when I was about to check out I decided to browse around a bit more and see what else they had for the holidays.  I ended up buying an adorable Sparkle Tulle Jumper, Sparkle Star Print Top and some other pretty things, I couldn’t help it, their holiday line is too adorable!

Having my daughter look nice but also feel comfortable is a must and OshKosh B’gosh has the perfect clothes for that, I mixed and matched some of the clothing items to make the perfect outfit, my daughter couldn’t wait to try it all on, she is a little fashion queen in the making!

In the first photo my daughter is wearing the Sparkle Star Print Top, It has a gorgeous gold pattern and two buttons on the back to button up. She is also wearing the Sparkle Tulle Jumper which is adjustable and matches perfectly with top!

In the above photos my daughter is wearing the Ponte Leggings, you can’t see it in the pictures but they have cute little buttons at the bottom on the side of the legs. The leggings are paired with the Sherpa Lined Ankle boots that keep her feet super warm and cozy! You can’t really see it but under the Poncho she is wearing the Sparkle Star Print Top that matches nicely with the leggings. The Hooded Fair Isle Poncho is super soft, it just slips over her head and she can put the hood up to help stop her ears from getting too cold and it’s just adorable!

Save 25% Off your Next OshKosh B’gosh Order of $30 or more!

Use coupon code OKBG3223 Online or print off this coupon and show it in-store when you check out!

Giveaway

I have one $50 OshKosh B’gosh gift card to giveaway, enter below for a chance to win! (US Only, Gift card will be shipped directly to the winner.)

The post Style and Comfort with OshKosh B’gosh appeared first on Coffee For Mom.

Seawicks Candle Company scents are a direct reflection of life on the coast, Candles are poured by hand in small batches using 100% soy wax from American grown soy beans.  The wax used is 100% vegetable based and made with pure soybean oil.

The unique fragrances are delicately blended to ensure freshness and evoke memories of all the times shared with both family and friends.  All candles are beautifully packaged and right now they have around 26 scents available in 3 different size options.

Seawicks Candle Company wants to give you the chance to win a $75 Value Mystery Box which will include one of their popular Beach Girl candles and some mystery products!

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I have partnered with quite a few companies this month and will be bringing you all lots more fun giveaways!

I am a little obsessed with this video right now, have you seen it?  I loved Saved by the Bell (Zac is still hot!) and I’ve watched this twice now.

I recently just got finished watching Orange is the new Black on Netflix, it’s awesome and the end of the last season was even more awesome, I can’t wait until the next season!

Well that is about as exciting as it gets around here right now, how about you? Any exciting news? What’s on your TV this month?

The post Lets Celebrate! $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! appeared first on Coffee For Mom.

Microsoft Office 365 Home has all of the tools you need to plan for festivities this year and help keep you organized,.  I have recently just started using OneNote, you can use it anywhere on all of your devices which makes it easy to take your notes wherever you go and keep up to date!  If you need to share your notes, you can easily do so with colleagues, family, college friends and work together!

You can also save web pages to OneNote, send emails and take pictures while on the go.  I like OneNote for planning trips, creating grocery lists, putting together little pictures and generally just staying organized wherever I am!  I have a huge holiday list this year and everything I need is right beside me with the flexibility of OneNote.

Send Holiday Cards with Word

Most of my family live in Scotland, I don’t send paper holiday cards as it gets really pricey mailing things overseas, Microsoft Word isn’t just for creating word documents, you can also choose from a wide range of holiday cards, save them to OneNote and send them straight to their email!

You can also insert your own images, text, fonts and your own personal message, there are so many different features to use and endless customization options!  Microsoft word also works across multiple devices, it’s easy to read, easy to write with and helps you stay on track.  You can also use word to open up PDF documents and share your content with anyone so you can work together..

With Microsoft Office 365 Home you can install it on up to 5 devices includes Mac, Ipad, Windows Tablets and PC.  There are many applications included such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access, you will have the tools you need to stay organized, work and keep up to date with things wherever you go!

Extra Benefits

With a Microsoft Office 365 Home subscription you will also get 1 Terabyte of online storage which is huge!  It’s the perfect way to store all of your documents, list, photos and more!  That’s not all, you can also add up to 5 different users who will also have their own storage space.

If you use Skype you will also get 60 minutes of free call time each month which can be used to call 60+ countries around the world. I use Skype a lot, almost every day and the free call time is a wonderful feature for me since It usually costs a fortune to call the UK on a regular basis.

OneDrive

The thing I absolutely love about OneDrive is how easy and clean it is to use.  I can create folders, drag and drop images into each folder and organize them and see all of my folders on one screen.

You can also look through your shared documents, upload files and more, from now on I will be storing everything I need to keep safe and secure on OneDrive!

Check it out!

Wether you want to stay organized for the holday season, use office for work or college, everything you need is right at your fingertips!  Microsoft Office 365 Home is only $9.99 Per month or you can save 16% with a 1 year subscription, there are also lots of other packages to choose from,  Click Here to check it out!

Giveaway

Enter below to win a 1 year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 Home!

The post Keep Organized this Holiday Season with Microsoft Office 365 Home! #giveaway appeared first on Coffee For Mom.

My first every baby gate was for Dylan when he turned 2, it was a lifesaver (sleepsaver) and worked it’s magic until this day, it was also a basic gate and we mainly got it to keep him in his room when we converted him to a toddler bed because no matter what we did, he wouldn’t stay put, after I got the gate he learned quickly!

I was excited to learn about the Dreambaby® Royal Converta 3 in 1 Play Yard and Wide Barrier Gate, it works as a smart, versatile and amazing play pen and can be used in so many different ways.

Set up was easy and there was an hex key included to lock the pieces together, it took my husband all of 5 minutes to set up (He is a bit of a handy man so it may take around 10 minutes for others).

The gate includes 6 easy to adjust panels and can be used to guard a fireplace or kitchen, fitted to guard a bedroom which I will be doing when Sophia gets moved to a toddler bed and you can also put the whole gate together so it forms a hexagon, it’s also easy to change into another shape which is great for smaller spaces.

One thing I love about the gate is that it can keep my baby inside it so she isn’t wandering all over the house, she has just started dragging herself along the ground (almost crawling) and tends to pick all kinds of objects up off the floor, my house is usually messy, I clean it at night, I don’t have the time or patience to constantly pick up after kids and I am teaching my son to clean up after himself.

Usually what you would see is a whole lot of toys on the floor, including baby toys and I love that I can keep them enclosed so they don’t get thrown all over the floor and makes cleaning up an even bigger pain.

The gate is constructed from durable, sturdy metal and I don’t think think it’s even possible to break anything even if you try.  To open the gate there is any easy switch, it’s not hard for an adult to push open, but safe enough so baby can’t open it themselves. All of the panels have attachments that connect to one another securely, there aren’t any tools or screws required which makes it easy to store away or use for travelling.

The gate is 3.7m wide and 74cm tall which makes it large enough for your child or baby to play in and move around as they please without feeling constricted.

As soon as the gate was up, Dylan was the first one to check it out and pretended to go to sleep.  Then he invited the dog..

As you can see this Play Gate has multiple uses (It’s not specifically made for a dog but great idea!).  One thing I would like to add is that if you have wooden floors and you are using the gate as a playpen, put a rubber mat or rug down so it doesn’t slide around, Sophia has just started pulling herself up to a standing position (as you can see from the top image) so we will be adding a rug to go underneath!

If you want to see how many different ways this gate can work, Click the image to the left for a larger picture.

Overall I could not be happier, I am so impressed with this gate, how sturdy and how useful it is.

I will be mainly be using the Dreambaby® Royal Converta 3 in 1 Play Yard and Wide Barrier Gate as a playpen because the size is absolutely perfect and I can store all of Sophia’s toys inside it.

When Dylan was younger he had a pack n play too, a really fun one which he didn’t like and I am guessing it is because he could barely see out of it, I love how open this gate is too, it’s just super convenient and eveything is so easy to install, move store and use.

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Ivy Kids who kindly sent me this box to review is a brand new educational monthly subscription box service for kids 3 – 8 years old.  The activity kits have been created by certified early childhood teachers and will help to ensure that your child has a solid foundation in math, literacy and science!  The activities included help your child build confidence and be well-rounded in all disciplines to ensure future academic success.

Ivy Kids boxes aren’t just like learning, they are fun too and you have the tools at your fingertips to create quality time and an exciting learning experience with your child!

Ivy Kids Review

Website – www.ivy-kids.com

Price – $38.95 Month or less with a longer subscription

Shipping – Free

Each month you can expect a new book, bookmark reading guide, materials to retell the story, Science Booklet, Science experiment, Art Projects, Math projects, board games, fine motor skill exercises, literacy activities, detailed instructions on each activity and an item personalized for your child (with a 6 month subscription).

When I opened the box I was shocked, in a good way!  There are so many items and activities included in each box I think it will take my son a whole month to get through all of them!

Each subscription box includes a detailed image of all the learning activities and each activity has a name!

The Book

Mouse Paint

This book is great!  When I showed it to my son we sat down and he was pointing out the colors and counting the mice (he is only 3, but can count to about 20 and knows his colors pretty well).  The book provides a lesson in color, which I think worked well for my son as he is constantly learning his colors and I like to keep him reminded!

The Activities

Each activity includes an instructions sheet that includes – Materials provided, How to play, Tips, Question to ask your child, Learning goals and development skills.  Everything is also included for each activity (aside from scissors which is great because it could definitely be a safety hazard and i’m pretty sure everyone has scissors).

Make Your Own Mice

Use the magical magic clay to create your own mice! Leave your creations to dry.  Once the clay has hardened, paint your mice. Make as many mice as you desire by dividing the clay into smaller pieces or if you wish, make any one large mouse!

They recommend an adults cuts all the materials, but I think it depends on the age of your child, mines is 3 for instance so he isn’t very good at cutting paper, but he does love to paint!

All All about colors

Now this one is cool!  I haven’t introduced my son to all the activities included yet (working on it), but this was the first one we tried!

There are six little bat things and pictures, you match each color of bat up to the correct picture, e.g. purple grape purple bat. You can play “I Spy” whilst looking through the bat and ask your child to find something purple!  My son loved looking through the bat and seeing everything in a different color and he also matched his colors up to the pictures good too!

Mess-Free Finger Painting

Anything that is mess free is a win for me, my son recently drew on my fireplace with a permanent marker, so yeah, mess free is awesome.

Use the primary colors to make secondary colors just as the mice in the story did!  Squeeze red paint into  one of the bags provided (not shown in picture) and in the same bag squeeze the yellow paint.  Close the bag securelyand gently squeeze it to mix the colors then see what happens!  Do the same with red and blue, and blue and yellow!

Making Patterns!

Lay one of the pattern stripes on a flat surface, Place the matching color chip on the strip to recreate the pattern!

I Spy With My Little Eye

Place the picture side up, divide the chips equally between you and your child. When it’s each players turn, secretly select an image and give clues to help to other person guess the picture!

I think my son is a little young for this one and might not understand it fully but hopefully when he is around 4 we can start with guessing games, this will come in handy!

Storyboard

After reading the mouse book for the first time, read it again then use the materials to act out the story!

This is a really cool idea, and I definitely think it will help with building up your kids memory, as well as pretend play!

Hide the Mice

Let your child place the cat at the top of the board, then remove the mice from the board.  To do this your child should hide the mice from the cat by matching each mouse to the correct colored space.

Another great way to learn shapes and colors!

Run Away from the Cat!

Each player chooses a mouse then places it on “start”.  Spin the wheel and if you land on the cat, move your mouse one space backwards.  The game ends once all players reach the end safely!

My son didn’t quite get the grasp of this, he loves cats (although he is not getting one since i’m allergic) so I don’t think it bothered him moving back one!  But it’s definitely a game to play once he is a little older!

Mouse Sun Catcher (Personalized)

Create a beautiful decoration for your home, a fun and simple activity!

Spread the glue on the rough side of the transparent sheet, place tissue paper squares on top of the glue. Remove the paper from the four corners of the sun catcher then stick on a window!

Pretty cool idea!  I think I did this in school when I was a kid, or something similar!

The Fun

The Verdict

Ivy Kids has one amazing subscription box for preschoolers and older kids!  I love how the activities are all different and I love the curation of the box!  I couldn’t believe how many activities were included, I don’t even think my son learns this much in a week of preschool!

I didn’t do a cost breakdown obviously because most of the items are specially made for the box.  And to be honest, the fact that the box is so well put together, with all the items included, instructions and a theme, this totally makes the box more than worth it for me, just think about how much a week at preschool costs!

Ivy Kids also wants you and your child to spend some “quality time” together, and this does just that, kids love being around there parents more than anything, whether it’s playing a game, doing crafts, this box covers it!

If you would like to find out more about Ivy Kids or Sign Up Click Here!  Don’t forget to use the coupon code “IVYLAUNCH” for $5 off a 1 or 3 month subscription or $10 off a 6 month subscription! Stay tuned because I will be reviewing the July box in a couple of days (yes, I know I’m backwards)!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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So, what do you do?

Well, you’re a mom, so you just keep swimming. You “swim” through sleep deprivation, battles over leaving the house and watching Finding Nemo for the 3,547th time. And then it happens. You look in the mirror and notice crow’s feet. Those weren’t there when you checked last week. Or was it last month? Last year? What is time, again?

Ok. Now, it’s time to get serious about keeping your youthful glow. Or at least maintaining whatever is left of it for as long as possible.

Fortunately, there are ways you can fit in some self-care while taking care of your family.

Check out these ways to keep yourself looking youthful when you have a full family.

Plan healthy meals

This one may take a little time and some effort, but it’s worthwhile for your entire family. Not to mention that it’s probably the best way to keep you looking young.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and you will be chock full of antioxidants to fight those age-enhancing free radicals.

Drink more water

This one may seem obvious, but I know you’re not doing it, so it needs to be said. Most of us skimp on the water throughout the day. How could you drink water when you’re sipping on a constant flow of caffeine?

If you’re struggling to get enough water throughout the day, here are a few things you can try:

1. Drink from a gallon jug. You’ve probably seen those jugs on Pinterest that have clever milestone sayings, right? If you think that’ll work for you, do that.
2. Jazz up your water. Fill a pitcher with water and add cucumber slices. Bam. Cucumber spa water. Who’s wearing the fancy pants now? You are, and you deserve them.

Avoid alcohol

Mommy may need some wine time, but when wine time involves three glasses and happens every night, there may be a problem. That problem may or may not be alcoholism.

You don’t necessarily have to be an alcoholic for alcohol to age you. Since it’s a diuretic, alcohol robs your body of much-needed hydration. And as it’s dehydrating you, it’s ushering out nutrients that are essential to your beauty and youthfulness.

With that said, there’s nothing wrong with an occasional drink. Just keep it causal if you want to keep looking young. If you or someone you know has trouble stopping, get help. There’s no shame in seeking intervention. We can’t be expected to do everything ourselves.

Until they actually discover, or invent, the fountain of youth, the best thing we can do is maintain a youthful appearance for as long as possible. And the best way to do that is to take good care of your body. We only get this one, and we don’t want it looking haggard.

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