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Holiday Homesick

Holiday Homesick Not everyone can be home for the holidays. If you're far from familiar people and places, the holiday season can be tough. Know that you're not alone.  Perhaps you associate the holiday season with spending quality time with loved ones. Maybe you made pasta, baked cookies, picked out a Christmas tree or went to see light displays.  The holiday season can also be tough if it left much to be desired growing up, or you're grieving. So what should you do if you're experiencing holiday homesickness? ***This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Give Yourself Grace Feeling homesick during the holidays is normal. The holiday season can be a stressful time filled with busyness and expectations. It doesn't have to be. Don't consider yourself a grinch or scrooge if you're just not feeling it. Do all the things if it makes you happy. Do nothing if it...
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7 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts

7 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can cost you. Americans planned to spend an average of $823 on Christmas gifts in 2022 according to a  NerdWallet  survey.  This amounts to a staggering total of $178 billion in gift spending. What's concerning is that one third of gifts in 2021 were charged to credit cards, the balances of which are not yet paid off ( NerdWallet ).  The average credit card interest rate in America is over 24% according to  lendingtree . Those Christmas gifts will cost a lot more than what's on the price tag if you can't afford to buy them outright, or to pay off your credit card balances in full when the transactions post. You can do Christmas without going into debt. Let's look at some ways to save money on Christmas gifts.  ***This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for you...
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What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie.

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie. I think Holiday Heart IS the title of a Hallmark movie, but I'm referring to something more serious - the spike in emergencies around the holidays. In medicine, holiday heart syndrome refers to an increase in abnormal heart rhythms around the holidays.  Let's explore some factors that can lead to holiday heart syndrome, or other emergencies that uptick during the holiday season. What Causes Holiday Heart Syndrome?  Dietary Changes  Think about your holiday menu. Do you often make the same foods that you've had growing up?  They might not be the best options. Foods such as ham and canned goods can be high in sodium.  Ingesting too much salt can lead to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. Consider serving an alternative, or providing a variety of options for yourself and guests. Too Much Alcohol People tend to drink more alcohol during the holiday season compared to other times of the year ( ...
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Pumpkin Carving Alternatives. 8 Substitutes for Pumpkin Carving.

Pumpkin Carving Alternatives. There are many ways to decorate a pumpkin if pumpkin carving isn't your jam. Pumpkin Carving is messy! I don't blame you if you're not up for it. Keep in mind that some of these pumpkin carving alternative ideas may still require prep such as cleaning the inside of the pumpkin.  **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions for qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! 8 Substitutes for Pumpkin Carving 1. Painting Pumpkins  The possibilities for painting pumpkins are endless.  Acrylic paint  is the most adherent, but not the easiest to clean up if you have kiddos. Thumbprint designs are especially adorable if your little one likes to finger paint. Use  spray paint  for allover coverage, and  dual tip acrylic paint markers  for finer details. Consider paint pour or splatter if you don't mind getting messy (best done outdoors). Don't forget  paint smocks !  2. P...
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Cat Theme Halloween Treats for Humans!

Cat Theme Halloween Treats for Humans!  If you love cat culture, then these cat theme Halloween treats are for you! Whether you make treats for your kids, relatives, neighbors, classmates or students, these cat theme Halloween treats are sure to be a hit!  Include non-food items in case of food allergies, preferences, restrictions, etc. Packaged foods are safer than homemade so recipients can easily identify the ingredients. These cat theme Halloween treats are cute, easy to put together, and can be used for any occasion if you omit the "Happy Halloween" insert.  **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Supplies (commissions earned)  quart storage bags   alcohol prep pads zig zag scissors cat ear headbands cat stress relief toys paw print stickers goldfish crackers Instructions use an  alcohol wipe  to remove the label from the  quart storage bags . pu...
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What Can I Do With Empty Gerber Puffs Containers? Easy Ghost Craft.

What Can I Do With Empty Puffs Containers? Easy Ghost Craft. Gerber Puffs  seem to have the youngster snack market in a chokehold. My toddler has loved them for years. My teenage niece still loves them! That's a lot of empty puffs containers. I love crafts, but lack patience and like to use items I have on hand. This easy craft using empty Gerber puffs containers was simple to do. While I used my ghosts as decor, there are lots of other things you can do with them. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks that result in qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Supplies  Empty  Gerber Puffs  containers, clean with label removed  Black  Sharpie Permanent Markers   Burlap Wired Ribbon  or  spooky ribbon Instructions Draw the ghost face with the Sharpie Embellish with ribbon around the narrow part of the empty Gerber puffs container  Versatility Decoration/shelf sitters Teache...
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Screening colonoscopy prep and procedure: a firsthand account

Content warning: mentions cancer and death If I had a dollar for every time a patient came into my office and said they “want to be checked for cancer,” well…I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog post! There is no single universal test for cancer, but common things happen commonly. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined ( cancer.org ). Screening for colorectal cancer should be on your list to be “checked for cancer.”  For those at average risk, screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 45 ( cdc.gov ). If you want to know more about colorectal cancer incidence, risk factors and screening methods, then check out last week's blog post  here . I am at increased risk for colorectal cancer, because my father died from complications of colon cancer when he was only 45. So though I’m only in my thirties, I’ve already had my first screening colonoscopy, which is the gold standard screening method for individuals a...
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Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!

Looking to save money? 4 High Yield Savings Accounts you should check out!  Let’s talk high yield savings accounts (HYSAs). Gone are the days of having “mattress money.” Or at least they should be. Why? Because you should not be keeping your emergency fund under your bed! Wouldn’t it be better to put your money where it could make you MORE money while you sleep instead?   If you have an emergency fund, you are already ahead of the game. Check out this article  that states only 44% of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency expense from their savings. An emergency or rainy day fund is just what it sounds like: money set aside for unforeseen costly circumstances. Think car or home repairs, medical emergencies, pet injuries - you get the picture. These things can happen to anyone, so we should all prepare for them. You’ll find that the more prepared you are, the less emergencies you will experience! So what should you do? First, aim to have $1,000 set aside. Ideally, you will...
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What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween?

What Do Different Colored Pumpkins Mean on Halloween? From pillowcases to pumpkin pails, kids carry all kinds of candy receptacles to trick-or-treat. While much thought might not go into using a grocery bag, the use of different colored pumpkins for trick or treat could be intentional.  Just as trick-or-treaters can send a signal with what they carry to collect candy, people passing out treats can do the same with their Halloween decor. Whether you collect or pass out treats, arm yourself with the knowledge of what different colored pumpkins mean on Halloween to prepare for all sorts of trick-or-treaters. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Teal Pumpkins  Teal pumpkins represent food allergies. Your child with a food allergy can carry a  teal pumpkin trick or treat bucket .  Decorate your porch with a  teal pumpkin  to provide a more inclusive tr...
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