Winter's Coming: Here's How To Prepare Your Home For It

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You know when winter’s around the corner because the air gets crisp and the leaves turn golden! Whether you live in the middle of a bustling city or are out in the remote backcountry, preparing your home for winter makes sense.

Preparing for winter isn’t just about having some cozy blankets to hand or keeping your feet warm on cold floors. It’s about checking your home will keep you all safe and warm - whatever the weather.

To that end, take a look at these practical suggestions to help you winter-proof your abode and keep stress levels to a minimum:

Check For Drafts

Firstly, you should check all external doors and windows for drafts. When the air gets chilly outside, your indoor HVAC system will have to work hard to keep you warm, which ultimately results in higher heating costs.

If you find any drafty doors or windows, find suitable ways of sealing them, such as replacing damaged frames or sealing holes with silicone sealant. It’s an important check you should conduct every year before winter.

Service Your HVAC System

Another annual check you must complete before winter approaches is servicing your HVAC system. It’s a job that you should ideally let a professional complete, as certain safety risks are involved during HVAC maintenance.

Some HVAC maintainers offer annual maintenance plans to help you budget for the cost and not worry about unexpected repair fees. Consider getting quotes from a few suppliers to help you determine the average cost you can expect to pay.

Service Your Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers are invaluable for keeping driveways and paths clear of leaves and even snow during winter. They are simple machines to operate and are easy enough for any competent DIYer to maintain and repair.

If your leaf blower isn’t working as expected, the good news is that leaf blower replacement parts are available here. It can also make sense to buy a second leaf blower to have as a backup.

Test Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Keeping your family and yourself safe will undoubtedly be your top priority. One way to achieve that goal is by testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before the winter months arrive.

That’s because you’ll most likely use your home's open fireplaces and gas heating appliances during that season. Testing those devices is straightforward, and if any of them don’t work, it usually means you have to replace the batteries that power them.

Insulate External Pipes

One final winter task to complete before the snowy season arrives is insulating all external pipes, such as those that provide water to outside faucets. Thankfully, it’s an easy task to do as you can insulate them with lightweight foam material that “slides” onto the pipes.

Final Thoughts

The above examples are some of the most essential tasks you can complete to make your home winter-ready. Always have a professional carry out maintenance on systems like HVAC and furnaces to ensure their safe and efficient operation.

Adagio Teas Advent Calendar Review!

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 I received a gift certificate for the sole purpose for this review

Ever since becoming extremely caffeine sensitive about 15 years ago, I've become a huge tea lover. No tea bothers my caffeine sensitivity so I don't limit myself (I do stay away from Yerba Mate and Oolong) and love to enjoy tea hot or iced. When Adagio asked me to review their new Advent Calendar I quickly obliged. I can't turn down the chance to try some good loose leaf tea!

I was sent the new 2023 Advent Calendar to check out! This is such a fun one for the month of December and counting down to the Holidays. And inside was some YUMMY tea options. Most are no-low caffeine, a few are higher, but my daughter indulged in those. 

This advent calendar is officially available to purchase, as of today!!!!

How Moms Can Put Their Own Mask on First

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If you've ever flown on a plane (or maybe even if you haven't), you'll know that, in the event of an emergency, you're told to put your own mask on before helping anyone else. This is because you're better prepared to help others if you help yourself first. And this is a lesson that all parents should take to heart, even outside of the context of an extremely rare aircraft failure. By taking care of yourself first, you can be a better mom. When you're happy and healthy, you're able to be there for your children more fully. There are several ways you can make sure you're putting your mask on first.

Make Time for Self-Care

Self-care isn't just about the basic things you do to care for yourself every day, although things like showering and brushing your hair can come into it too. It's all of the things that you do to care for your own needs, both physically and mentally. Your self-care might include taking a few minutes for yourself each morning or evening, or making sure you follow a healthy bedtime routine. There are different types of self-care, such as emotional, spiritual and physical self-care, which can all help you be healthier.

Image from Pixabay - CC0 License

21 Dishes to Make with Acorn Squash

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Best Vitamins and Supplements for Summer + GIVEAWAY!

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 I received a sample from Superior Source Vitamins for the sole purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

August is the month of Summer Sizzle and HOT deals! This month is all about encouraging you to take care of your bodies by eating right, exercising, and working to prevent disease.Taking vitamin supplements can play a role in optimum health. Superior Source Vitamins has over 70 vitamins and supplements to aid your quest for a healthy lifestyle.These micro-tablets dissolve fast with no pills to swallow, or water needed. Clean.Pure and Simple—with NO ingredients you can’t pronounce—just the way nature intended.

What Makes Superior Source UNIQUE: They’re Clean...Pure & Simple! Superior Source Vitamins are MicroLingual® and dissolve on, or under, the tongue in seconds for quick absorption into the body–NO pills to swallow, or water needed! They use only clean ingredients.

NO chemicals, GMOs, preservatives, excessive binders, dyes, fillers, or artificial colors.

I received Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin A and Vitamin B-12

4 Approaches to Ensure You're Spending Quality Time (Not Quantity Time) as a Family

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Ensuring we can get more out of life as a parent is about making the most of the time we have as a family. Many parents can make the mistake of thinking that the more time they spend with their family, the better, but it's actually about the quality of time you have, especially in this modern world. So what can we do to ensure that we are focusing on quality time rather than quantity time?

The Role of Pediatric Dentists in Promoting Healthy Oral Habits

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Developing good dental health routines early is essential to your child’s oral and overall physical health. Pediatric dentists have specialized training that helps them better understand and care for young patients’ mouths.

They can also help kids break bad habits like thumb-sucking and teeth-grinding, leading to serious problems later in life. This is accomplished by creating a positive experience during their appointments.

Early Visits

When your child’s first tooth erupts, they should make an appointment with a pediatric dentist. This will allow them to get specialized treatment, direction, and education about oral health that they won’t receive at a general dentist’s office.

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to understand the anatomy of primary (“baby”) teeth, and they have plenty of experience working on them. They know how to treat problems like tooth decay and help kids overcome dental anxiety.

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists found that early visits for advice and having lay support during the first two years of life were associated with a reduced likelihood of unfavorable oral health behaviors, such as putting children to bed with bottles. Regular dental appointments and consistent brushing and flossing will keep excess bacteria under control and prevent diseases like gum disease and cavities. They will also ensure that your child gets enough fluoride, which can aid in developing strong and healthy teeth.