Category: Lifestyle Page 15 of 20

Stories about food, fashion, travel, and other topics relevant to our readers’ interests.

What Would the World be Like Without Moms?

On May 6, 2019

It’s impossible to fathom a world without mothers—there would be far fewer people in the world, for one thing. But let’s take a moment to imagine such a scenario. What would the world be like without mothers? Read on for some possibilities.

We’d miss mom’s cooking terribly.

A meal at your city’s top restaurant is great, sure, but nothing compares to mom’s cooking. Few things are as comforting as a slice of home-baked apple pie after school, or a bowl of stew on a blustery evening. And while moms are usually generous enough to pass on their signature recipes to us, they just don’t taste the same.

We’d be sick more often.

Moms have a magical healing touch that can ward off fevers, sore throats, scrapes, and all sorts of body pain. They just know what to do to make you feel better (and they also know when to take you to the hospital should your ailment be beyond their healing powers’ limits).

There’d be way less love to go around.

Moms are amazing at soothing teenagers’ heartaches, chasing away kids’ bad dreams, and dealing with toddlers’ tantrums. Without mothers, you can expect to see more moody, angsty people in dire need of hugs and love.

We’d have really unhealthy eating habits.

Moms are notorious for squirreling away junk food to promote healthy eating habits. When there are no mothers to hide the chips and chocolate in the pantry, we’ll succumb to temptation faster than you can spell ‘candy’.

We’d lose a lot of things.

If you’ve ever lost something at home, chances are your mom knows exactly where it is. They just seem to always know where everything is. With no moms to guide us in the right direction, our lost things will most likely be gone for good.

A world without mothers is a lonely world, indeed. That’s why you should treasure every moment with your mom, and take each opportunity to let her know just how amazing she is. Do just that with a Nixplay Frame stocked with her favorite family photos—every picture should let her know just how much she means to you and your family.

Don’t miss the chance to get up to 25% off selected Nixplay Frames for Mother’s Day, only until May 13!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

5 Netflix Programs to Binge-Watch on Mother’s Day

By Nixplay Team

On May 3, 2019

In Lifestyle

The notion of motherhood that we see in movies and social media presents only the glossy, picture-perfect aspect of the experience. Not captured by the lens are the messy diapers, sleepless nights, unexplainable tantrums, and countless headaches. It’s not always a glamorous experience, but that’s what makes it more worthwhile.

Below, we compiled a few shows you can watch on Netflix right now to celebrate motherhood and all its ups and downs. Get the tissues and popcorn ready!

Workin’ Moms

Motherhood is not easy, especially when you’re dealing with postpartum depression, sexism in the workplace, relationships, and your own dreams and aspirations. That’s why Workin’ Moms is so relatable: This Canadian sitcom revolves around four Canadian women’s return to the workforce after having babies, humorously capturing the tricky balancing act all working mothers go through.

Gilmore Girls

This classic drama-comedy focuses on the lives of Lorelai, a thirty-something single mom, and her teenage daughter Rory as they navigate the ups and downs of suburban life in Connecticut. This sweet, well-loved series is guaranteed to bound on your heartstrings.

Bad Moms

Another hilarious movie about the struggles of “having it all,” Bad Moms tells the story of Amy Mitchell, a suburban mom of two who finds herself spread too thin while balancing the demands of her job and her responsibilities as to her kids. When she meets a laid-back single mother and a hands-on stay-at-home mom at a bar, they get inspired by one another and hilariously become better versions of themselves.

Mamma Mia!

Is your mom a fan of ABBA? If so, Mamma Mia! Should be on your must-watch list. You and your mom will enjoy singing along to the romantic musical’s song numbers, and you’ll want to hug her a little bit tighter once the credits start rolling.

Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife

Want a laugh-out-loud show? Stand-up comedienne Ali Wong’s brash, witty tirades about family life and motherhood, fueled by raging pregnancy hormones, should strike a chord and tickle all your funny bones. The best part? You don’t have to be a mom to relate to Wong—you just need a great sense of humor. A final warning: This show isn’t for uptight folks!

While you’re at it, you might as well give mom a gift that will remind her of all the fun she had while raising you! Give her a Nixplay Frame loaded with photos of her with her family, and she’ll feel like the luckiest mom in the world.

Get up to 25% off selected Nixplay Frames for Mothers Day! Hurry, offer ends on May 13!

How to Throw a Fun Cinco De Mayo Party

By Nixplay Team

On May 2, 2019

In Lifestyle

For most Americans, Cinco De Mayo—the commemoration of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, in which a ragtag Mexican army defeated the better-equipped French troops—symbolizes the very best of Mexican resilience and culture. It’s the best day to immerse yourself in all things Mexican–eat Mexican food, listen to Mexican music, patronize Mexican businesses, and know more about Mexico’s history.

Throwing a party is a great way to celebrate the holiday. But first, make sure you’ve got all the supplies on hand before you start!

Theme

When you hear “Mexico,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Cacti, Aztec temples, sombreros, Mariachi music, Frida Kahlo? Pick a theme and plan your party’s decor around a Mexican motif of your choosing. Your guests can dress up as famous Mexican artists, or you can give small potted succulents as party favors.

Invites

Sure, you can print out elaborate invites, but let’s be real here: Your efforts will be better put to use to prepare food and drinks. Just create an event on Facebook, or send a pretty email to everyone in your guest list. Make sure your theme is reflected in your invites, be it in the graphics or in the copy.

Food

A Mexican-themed party would be incomplete without delicious Mexican food! Arrange a taco bar for your guests, mix some guacamole, and serve some nachos and elotes, and get ready for a scrumptious Mexican feast.

Drinks

What’s a party without great drinks? Prepare aguas frescas and horchata, and try to get your hands on Mexican Coca-Cola, which supposedly tastes better than its US counterpart. Don’t forget the tequila, mezcal, and cerveza!

Entertainment

Prepare a Spotify playlist of upbeat Mexican songs to keep your guests on their feet the whole night. For games, your guests can take turns guessing Mexican words in a fun game of charades. Don’t forget to take photos of all your shenanigans, and display them on a Nixplay Frame so you can always look back at the great night you had with your loved ones!

PS: Take advantage of Nixplay’s Mother’s Day Sale to get up to 25% off bestselling frames! Hurry, offer lasts until May 13!

How To Celebrate Earth Day, Every Day

By Mars Salazar

On April 23, 2019

In Lifestyle

Earth Day may be held on April 22, but if you ask us, we should be celebrating it every day. It just doesn’t seem right to impose a 24-hour window for becoming an eco-warrior. The Earth is the only planet we have, after all: We should do everything in our power to take care of it and keep it beautiful so our children and their children will have a better world to live in.

That said, here are some easy measures you and your loved ones can do to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, greener, better world. Read on!

Pick up litter when you’re out and about

Trash is never a nice sight, whether it’s a pile of garbage or a plastic bag floating in the air. If you see even a tiny plastic wrapper on the street, don’t hesitate to pick it up and toss it in the appropriate trash can. And while you’re at it, you can also (gently!) reprimand people you catch littering. Being a litterbug is never a good look on anyone!

Buy less, and buy wisely

How many times have you bought something you don’t really need, or only used once? We’ve all been guilty of this, and it’s a really hard habit to break. Starting today, carefully evaluating all your purchases. Before you head to the cashier, ask yourself if you really need the item you’re checking out. It also helps to buy from smaller local businesses, instead of from mass-market corporations—this reduces your carbon footprint while giving you access to handcrafted, unique items that aren’t owned by a lot of people.

Another way to be a better consumer is by supporting companies that give back to the environment. Nixplay is proud to support Trees For The Future, a non-profit organization that improves the lives of impoverished farmers by planting Forest Gardens, which have been proven to be more beneficial than conventional agriculture methods. Through our Seed For A Seed campaign, a tree seed gets planted in one of Trees For The Future’s Forest Gardens with every purchase of a Nixplay Seed Frame. To date, we have planted 209,643 trees—and with your help, we can plant thousands more.

Say no to plastic

We discard millions of tons of toxic plastic every year. These end up nearly everywhere, polluting our soil, our forests, our rivers, and our seas. In fact, there is are already at least two main trash dumps in our oceans: the Great Pacific garbage patch and the North Atlantic garbage patch, each spanning thousands of square kilometers.

While it might take a lifetime to rid our seas of the plastic soup, you can contribute in small ways. Start by being mindful of your plastic consumption—refuse disposable straws and utensils, avoid buying bottled water, and use a canvas bag when shopping so you don’t waste plastic bags. These actions might seem small, but when they’re done by thousands of people, they can add up and make an impact.

Walk (or bike) more often

Instead of driving to a restaurant located less than a mile away, why not take a leisurely stroll going there? It shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes, and this adds to your daily cardio count. You can also ride a bicycle to get around: It’s quick, free, and good for the body!

Don’t waste food

According to The Economist’s 2017 Food Sustainability Index, the average American wastes 277 kilograms of food annually. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people around the world are starving. Don’t add to the problem by mindlessly buying food. Before leaving the grocery, check expiration dates, finish what’s in your pantry before going to the grocery, and use your food waste to create compost pits.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

4 Ways to Help A Survivor of Brain Injury

By Nixplay Team

On April 12, 2019

In Lifestyle

Caregiving for a loved one with a brain injury can cause stress in many ways. Family members of individuals with memory disorders resulting from injury report that the main problem is not the injury itself but the ambiguity it causes.

Adding to the stress, unpredictable memory loss brings a rollercoaster of absence and presence. While each survivor’s recovery is unique and many experience lifelong consequences, there are strategies to cope with these uncertainties:

Awareness and Education

Family members should try to gain as much information about brain injury as possible. Knowledge increases confidence and may reduce the anxiety that many feel when confronted with the unknown. The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey has an extensive guide, available in English and Spanish, that outlines what families can expect after a loved one has sustained a brain injury.

Connection with a Support Group

Joining a support group will help both family and survivor connect with people going through similar circumstances. This provides social and emotional support—a safe place to vent frustrations, share ideas and learn new strategies. Brands like Nixplay can also offer survivors of brain injury, their families and friends a way to unite the moments from the past and present. Memories shared in photographs can help reinforce a support system which is crucial to brain injury rehabilitation.

A “Both/And” Mindset for Family Members

Caregivers are encouraged to adopt a “both/and” mindset as opposed to an “either/or.” For example, rather than thinking the care recipients have to be either here or gone, think of them as here and gone. This type of thinking is thought to be less stressful over time and practice.

Keeping it Simple

For people who have sustained a brain injury, memory issues can present different kinds of challenges. Memory changes are common even after a mild concussion, often a result of injury to the frontal and temporal lobes and limbic system. To cope, researchers suggest “keeping it simple.” Break information down into smaller pieces and try to keep a routine. Having an organized life can help reduce the burden of memory and learning. Using memory aids, such as calendars, lists, and notebooks, will help recovery of important details.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the impacts of brain injury, you can contact BIANJ Helpline at 1-800-669-4323. You can also donate to vital programs and services advocating for brain injury survivors.