Posts made in April 2021

Six Facts You Should Know Before Moving to Florida

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

Are you thinking about moving to the Sunshine State? Florida has so much to offer, from unspoilt beaches and ocean-facing houses to great schools and an immersive culture that’s ideal for families and retirees alike.

Discover the facts you need to know before you make the move to the Sunshine State: 

Luxury properties mean you’ll be spoilt for choice

Whether you have a generous budget and are considering Vero Beach luxury homes, or you’re moving with retirement in mind and the famous golf courses of the Gulf Coast are at the top of your wish list, when you search for properties in Florida, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you see yourself overlooking miles of unspoilt beach in a family home, or you’re searching for a property with nightlife, restaurants and glamour in mind, you’ll find famous landmarks, gated communities, great schools and ocean-facing properties in abundance throughout the Sunshine State. If you’re unsure of which region you want to reside in, start with a list of your essentials and factors that are important to your chosen lifestyle and begin your search from there.

Tourists are part of the culture

Living in a state that is famous for its landmarks, landscapes, beaches, theme parks and persistent sunshine and heat, doesn’t just attract homeowners and families looking for a better life. Tourism is a huge part of life in Florida and moving to the Sunshine State means dealing with large numbers of visitors throughout the year. Florida is renowned for being a friendly, welcoming state so make sure you keep up appearances!

Southern Florida and its hurricanes

Although Florida is famous for its heat, it’s just as infamous for its severe weather conditions, particularly in the South of the state where hurricanes are prevalent during the aptly named “Hurricane Season”, which typically lasts between June and November each year. Before moving to Florida, it’s worth reading up on hurricane safety and the precautions that many residents take every year to protect their homes.

Be ready for election fever

Florida is a swing state, which means casting votes here carries a lot of weight and influence. As a major swing state, residents can expect election fever to sweep their locality in the run-up to presidential elections every four years. This means flyers, ads, knocks at your door, TV crews, and even heated debates with friends, family and colleagues during this dramatic period. Something worth keeping in mind if you’re not currently politically minded!

It’s not all for retirees

Retirees and seniors are everywhere in Florida, after all, wouldn’t you like to retire somewhere warm, friendly, and tax-friendly? However, don’t let this demographic put you off moving to the Sunshine State. While seniors might be in abundance, Florida is a diverse and captivating location, with something for all ages, families, singletons and couples alike.

And finally, the cost of living is low

Thanks to its generous stance on income tax, and its utilities coming in cheaper than the national average, Florida can certainly mean a cheaper cost of living, allowing you to enjoy the life you want for yourself and your family, without breaking the bank.

3 Tips on How to Promote Good Humor in Your Children

This post is sponsored by Community Care Plan. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

While the past year has definitely been one of challenges and uncertainties, my family and I decided that we were going to make the most of every situation. One of the ways that we have learned to deal with unfortunate circumstances is by finding humor. I firmly believe that laughter and good humor truly are the best medicine for the soul. Good humor and laughter not only provide a great way for us to connect as a family, but it also provides a sense of positive self-esteem and makes life more enjoyable overall.

Did you know that April is National Humor Month? National Humor Month is meant to bring awareness to humor and to showcase how it can bring therapeutic value in our everyday lives. In fact, the creator of National Humor Month, Larry Wilde, stated, “The idea of laughing and the use of humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is growing. Scientific research now indicates that the curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.”

The people at Community Care Plan appreciate how good humor, particularly in children, promotes a positive impact on the health and wellness of those around them. There’s a reason that Community Care Plan is known as the health plan with a heart.

Speaking of getting healthy, did you know that scientific research has proven that humor is a tool to relieve stress while helping us to heal emotionally and physically? When it comes to humor in children, I think it is important for them to realize that laughing and good humor is not only good for the soul, but it can make them feel good physically as well. There is just something about a good old-fashioned laugh that makes your entire body feel good!

Statistics have shown that children are believed to laugh 10 as much daily as the average adult. Therefore, good humor should be a vital part of their life! Here are several ways that we can help to promote and encourage good humor in children:

  1. Create an environment that promotes humor in children.

It’s true that laughter improves your mood and makes you feel better. This is why good humor inside the home is so important. Create a positive environment and teach your children that even in the midst of difficult circumstances you can still laugh, have a good time, and be happy. Our children will look back at our time together at home and remember the laughs that they had as a family. They will especially remember those challenging times and how we as parents tried to promote a positive view of the situation. Laughter is so very good for the soul.

  1. Teach children that it is okay to be funny and to have humor.

My husband and I want our boys to know that laughing and having good humor is a vital part of our lives. If our boys see us laughing and having good humor, then they are more likely to follow suit. We want them to realize that people want to be around those who are happy and have a good sense of humor. Laughter is contagious. The ability to laugh and to have good humor shows our personality. The more we laugh, the more that others will want to be around us. In fact, one of the qualities that I admire in most people is their ability to laugh and to have a good sense of humor.

It is okay to be funny.

It is okay to laugh.

It is okay to be silly.

I guarantee that our children will remember the memories that are made of laughter and silliness more than any other in their lives. Let’s teach them that laughter is good for our relationships, both in-home and out in the world.

  1. Be a good role model and showcase good humor in your life.

Not only am I a parent, but I am a Paraprofessional Educator as well. Being an educator allows me to be a good role model to those children that I come in contact with each week. One of the ways that I can be a good role model is to promote good humor among my students. I want them to see that I am funny and witty, and that even though things may not always go as planned, that I can still have a good attitude and humor about the situation before me. I can’t tell you how many times that I have said something, and it came out the wrong way. I just laughed about it and did not get flustered. This, in turn, made my students laugh. I have learned to laugh at the little annoyances that may take place in the classroom, and to not take myself so seriously.

Happy National Humor Month! Don’t forget to take some extra time today to laugh with your children and those around you! I love this quote from Charles Dickens, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Spread joy today and remember that laughter is medicine for the soul!

Be sure to check out Community Care Plan on Facebook, Instagram and You Tube for more details on benefits, coverage, and more. They also offer several resources to help you make self-care a priority. The health plan with a heart serves the health of their community through access to a high standard of health care and community resources. Their health plans cover a wide range of local medical services, offering an excellent choice of physicians and benefits that help members get and stay healthy. Put your health in good hands with Community Care Plan.

Sam’s Club Membership Deal: Free $45 Gift Card with Membership Purchase! (like getting it for Free!)

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

This awesome deal is back! If you have been waiting for another deal on a Sam’s Club membership, this is a great one! Through June 13, Sam’s Club is offering a FREE $45 Gift Card when you purchase a one-year membership for only $45! That is like getting your membership for Free when you factor in the gift card! 

GO HERE to take advantage of this offer. After you enter your email address they will send your promo code right away. You can join online or at your club. Check your email for a link to join, or simply visit your nearest club.

Redeem your $45 gift card in club.

After joining, head to your club’s Membership Desk. It is that simple! 

Italian Turkey Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner

(All posts may contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my disclosure policy)

One of my absolute easy, quick, and delicious dinners is a Sheet Pan Meal. You just throw everything on the pan, put it in the oven, and dinner is served! This recipe for Italian Turkey Sausage and Veggie Sheet Pan Dinner is packed full of flavor in every bite! I love that you can really customize it and use whatever veggies that you have in the fridge at the moment. This is a great meal too if you are watching your calories and doing a program like Weight Watchers.

Ingredients: 

1 package of Butterball Italian Turkey Sausage (you could use regular Italian Sausage as well, but these have less fat) I personally have to use 2 packs of sausages when I make this meal as my boys like to eat. 🙂

Chopped up Veggies (use whatever you have on hand. I used broccoli, peppers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini.

Drizzle of olive oil to coat everything

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all ingredients on a sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil making sure all the veggies and sausages are coated.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes or until sausages and veggies are cooked through.

Enjoy!