Need a Little
SPICE IN YOUR LIFE?
Spices and herbs add much more than flavor and aroma to your favorite beverages and treats. They also offer many health benefits. When properly utilized, these spice rack staples can ease a variety of symptoms. Ready to find your new holistic health kick? Read on. Nutmeg This spice, known for its earthy, nutty flavor, has anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Want to calm nagging pain? This spice has been used to treat joint pain and arthritis. It can even be used to remedy bad breath. Nutmeg is most potent when it’s freshly grated, so it’s recommended you purchase whole nutmeg seed, found in most specialty food stores. You can incorporate nutmeg into your diet by taking it as a supplement in capsule form or simply sprinkling it into your next chai tea. Your achy joints will thank you. Ginger This root is an essential natural anti-inflammatory. It can help ease an upset stomach and finally tame your nausea. You can
safely eat it raw, candied, as a supplement, in tea, or in baked goods. Ginger is most effective when it’s ingested raw or in capsule form. If you have morning sickness, raw ginger might do the trick. Just ask the people of ancient China. Like many spices, ginger’s use as a supplement goes back centuries. Southeast Asian countries used it to ease their own common ailments. Call it tried and true. Peppermint You can use peppermint as an essential oil, steep the leaves for tea, or take a supplement capsule. Each form comes with its own benefits. As an essential oil, peppermint is great for treating colds. It’s a mild decongestant, and it helps with coughs and stuffed-up noses. It also soothes sore throats and headaches. Rub one or two drops under your nose, on your temples, or over your sinuses and feel the relief wash over you. Even further, a study published by The BMJ found that when administered as a capsule, peppermint helped reduce the symptoms of IBS in a majority of patients.
Which Furry or Speckled Friend Is Best for Your Child?
Teach Your Kids Responsibility With Pets
Pets are more than furry friends to cuddle with during a Netflix marathon or spunky critters to watch dash around woodchips and newspaper shavings. These creatures, no matter how small, can benefit the entire family. Just taking care of a pet is rewarding in and of itself, and all that responsibility can do wonders for your children. But, no matter what type, age, or temperament of pet you choose, you will need to devote time, money, patience, and commitment to that relationship. Although no pet is commitment-free, some are better than others for children who need to ease into their new role as a pet owner. Leopard Geckos The appeal of cold-blooded creatures may be less obvious than that of fluffy, cuddly mammals, but reptiles make cool pets. When shopping
bite, and they interact with humans by squeaking and playing hide-and-seek. These rodents prefer to live in groups, so consider adopting two female Guinea pigs. In addition, long-haired Guinea pigs require daily grooming, which is great practice for those children yearning for a dog. Older Dogs and Cats Though the overwhelming cuteness of puppies and kittens is quite tempting, they don’t make good starter pets. These furry friends require a lot of patience and training if you want them to grow into well-adjusted pets. Instead, adopt an adult dog or cat from an animal shelter. Older animals tend to be more tolerant of children, and trained and socialized animals are easier for kids to take care of. But, even the gentlest dogs and cats require a lot of work, so they are better suited for older children.
for one, consider looking at small lizards like leopard geckos. These docile reptiles are low maintenance compared to larger lizards, snakes, and turtles. Though they are delicate in infancy, they grow into resilient and hardy adults.
Caring for a pet can be an incredibly rewarding learning experience. Pets provide companionship, entertainment, and educational opportunities for kids who are ready to meet the challenge. Taking on the responsibility for an animal can teach your child to feel empathy for others, and that everlasting bond can provide immeasurable fulfillment for everyone in your family.
Guinea Pigs Often overlooked for their smaller cousins, these gentle rodents make great pets for kids. Guinea pigs rarely
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