Family * Travel * Food

Simple Things You Can Do To Relax

I don't know about you, but I have a very hard time relaxing. I can't understand why it is, but I have been this way since I was a kid. If you are a mom with a lot on your plate, you might also have a hard time trying to relax. I have tried pretty much everything I have read about or researched online, and only a handful of things seem to do the trick for me. Check out my list below. 

Gardening & Houseplant Care

Gardening has really been a great activity that helps to calm my mind, while giving my body a great workout. Even the act of repotting a plant gives me such a sense of peace and enjoyment. I have about 30 houseplants all over my home. Each day I start by checking the leaves, and watering and spritzing as as needed. It's really such a peaceful way to start my day. 

Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

While this might seem like an old lady type of activity, it is actually very relaxing. I keep a card table set up in my living area that we keep for doing puzzles or playing board or card games. Sometimes other family members will join in to do a puzzle together and it's a great time for casual conversation and a lot of laughs. 

Playing Solitaire and other Online Games

I have been playing solitaire on my laptop for several years now. I don't know what it is, but I feel so relaxed and at peace while I am playing. Sometimes I play while streaming one of my favorite comfort shows on Hulu or Netflix. I like challenging myself to try and beat my best score. Solitaire is like a brain bender and brain break all in one. I can say that I definitely get a lot of enjoyment out of a classic game of solitaire. I always find myself saying, "Just one more game!"

I recently discovered another fun online game that involves finding hidden objects in a garden. It's right up my alley! 

Doing House Chores

Yeah, I know it might sound crazy, but cleaning and laundry work so well to calm my nerves. There is a a lot of satisfaction (at least for me) in folding and putting away a fresh load of laundry, hand-washing a sink full of dishes, or even bleaching down my kitchen countertops at night. Who doesn't appreciate a fresh-smelling home? 

Getting Outdoors

Sometimes a little sunshine and fresh air does the trick. Whether I am lounging on my back porch or taking a drive with the sunroof open and the windows down, being outside can definitely relax me. It's even better when the weather is more fall-like. I could sit outside for hours and do some birdwatching or just listen to the sounds of nature all around me. My favorite outdoor space outside of my own back yard is definitely the beach. How can you not be relaxed by the sounds of the waves crashing into the shore while breathing in that delicious salty air? Ahh! 

Now that I have shared some tips on how I relax, I want to hear from you. What do you do to relax? 

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Action-Packed Schedule Announced for Everything Outdoor Fest

Whether you’re in the camp of the curious, the brave or the explorer, Everything Outdoor Fest has something to satisfy. Organizers have announced an action-packed lineup of experiences with competitions, hands-on clinics, and demos for the new festival to be held November 4-6 at Historic Hopkins Farm in Simpsonville. 

“Everything Outdoor Fest has something for everyone! We welcome explorers from all walks of life to come out for three days of outdoor recreation, including fun family activities for children and dogs,” said Jacqui McGuiness, President and Owner of event producer JBM & Associates. “This is a wonderful time of year to be outside, and Historic Hopkins Farm is the perfect setting to appreciate nature and connect with outdoor experts and enthusiasts.”

The current schedule includes more than 35 hands-on clinics, plus trail runs, demos, a playground for all ages, kids zone, the DockDogs® canine aquatics competition, and UltiMutt Race obstacles – all free with festival admission. A music stage and food trucks will run throughout the event. A complete schedule of activities with dates and times is available on the festival website, everythingoutdoorfest.com. Check back often for updates.

Tickets are required with online purchase only. Admission cost for adults is $10 for a day pass and $25 for the entire weekend. Military and seniors 65+ are $8 per day. Children ages 4 to 12 are $5 per day and $12 for the weekend; kids 3 and under are admitted free.

Some of the world’s biggest brand names in outdoor recreation will offer professional guidance and the latest gear and equipment. Exhibitors interested in reaching thousands of outdoor enthusiasts can contact chelsea@jbmshows.com. 

Everything Outdoor Fest sponsors are Academy Sports + Outdoors, Adventure Golf Carts, Angels Three Development, Boyd Cycling, Dicks Sporting Goods, Greenville Water, HOKA, The Nobel Dog Hotel, PS Group, REI, Rocket Revolution, Run In, South State, and Winnebago.

Everything Outdoor Fest is a production of JBM & Associates, producers of many of the Southeast region’s largest and most popular consumer boat shows, including The Charleston Boat Show, Savannah Boat Show, Charleston In-Water Boat Show and Wilmington Boat Show. For information, visit JBMshows.com.

EVERYTHING OUTDOOR FEST – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

Friday, Nov. 4

All-day Demos and Exhibits:

Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding One-on-One Instruction by REI Co-op Experiences

UltiMutt Race Obstacles for Owners and their Dogs

Upstate Archery Range: Take Your Best Shot

Vdovichenko Bee Farm

Wall of Shame presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Heritage Trailer Nature Museum and Real Fur Exhibit presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Clinics and Competitions:

REI Co-Op Clinics – Stop by the REI tent for the schedule of the day.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – All Levels Flow Yoga Class

12 p.m. – Flat Tire Clinic

12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – DockDogs competitions

1-2p.m. – Introduction to Stand-up Paddleboard Yoga

1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Mountain Biking Skills Session and Trail Ride

1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Natural Habitat Pup Walk and Talk

1 p.m. – Nutrition Strategies for Health and Wellness

1 p.m.-2 p.m.  – Yoga, Shine Om Vinyasa

1:30 p.m. – Outdoor Eats: Elevate Your Dinner

2 p.m. – Introduction to Fly Casting

2:30 p.m. – Challenges of a Girl in the Outdoors

3 p.m. – Bike Wash Clinic

4 p.m. – The Importance of Sleep, Stress Management and Recovery for Optimal Health

Saturday, Nov. 5

All-day Demos and Exhibits:

Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding One-on-One Instruction by REI Co-op Experiences

UltiMutt Race Obstacles for Owners and their Dogs

Upstate Archery Range: Take Your Best Shot

Vdovichenko Bee Farm

Wall of Shame presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Heritage Trailer Nature Museum and Real Fur Exhibit presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Clinics and Competitions:

REI Co-Op Clinics – Stop by the REI tent for the schedule of the day.

9 a.m. – HOKA Trail Experience

10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Leaf Rubbings & Compasses for Kids

10:30-11:30 a.m. – Mindful Vinyasa Class

11 a.m. – Nutrition Strategies for Health and Wellness

11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – DockDogs competitions

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Mountain Biking Skills Session and Trail Ride

11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Introduction to Fly Fishing

11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Natural Habitat Pup Walk and Talk

12 p.m. – How to Prepare for a Gravel Race

12 p.m. and 2pm – Hook the Future Kids Fishing Clinic

12 p.m.- 2 p.m. – Trail Mix & Knot Tying for Kids

12:30 p.m. – Challenges of a Girl in the Outdoors

12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Outdoor Eats: Elevate Your Dinner

1 p.m. – Intro to SUP Yoga

1-2 p.m. – Cricket Challenges: Building Outdoor Skills and Connecting with Nature

1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Discovering the Outdoors for Kids

2 p.m. – Nutrition Strategies for Women as We Age

2-4 p.m. – Packing a Backpack & Creating Hiking Boots for Kids

2:30 p.m. – How Do I Get There?

3 p.m. – How to Choose a Gravel Bike

3-4 p.m. – Cricket Challenges: Building Outdoor Skills and Connecting with Nature

4 p.m. – The Importance of Sleep, Stress Management and Recovery for Optimal Health

Sunday, Nov. 6

All-day Demos and Exhibits:

Mountain Biking, Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding One-on-One Instruction by REI Co-op Experiences

UltiMutt Race Obstacles for Owners and their Dogs

Upstate Archery Range: Take Your Best Shot

Vdovichenko Bee Farm

Wall of Shame presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Heritage Trailer Nature Museum and Real Fur Exhibit presented by S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Clinics and Competitions:

REI Co-Op Clinics – Stop by the REI tent for the schedule of the day.

10:30 a.m. – Yoga, Mindful Vinyasa

11 a.m. – Nutrition Strategies for Health and Wellness

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Kayak Bass Fishing Demo

11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – DockDogs competitions

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Mountain Biking Skills Session and Trail Ride

11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Introduction to Fly Fishing

11:30 p.m. – Clinic: Challenges of a Girl in the Outdoors

12 p.m. – Flat Tire Clinic

12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Outdoor Eats Clinic: Elevate Your Dinner

1 p.m. – Nutrition for Athletes

1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Natural Habitat Pup Walk and Talk

1pm and 3pm – Hook the Future Kids Fishing Clinics

1pm and 3pm – Discovering the Outdoors with Jo Hackl

1:30 p.m. –  How Do I Get There?

1:30 p.m. – Intro to Kayak Bass Fishing

2 p.m. – Wellness Coaching Q&A Session

2 p.m. – Yoga-Mindful Flow

3 p.m. – Performance Coaching Q&A Session

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Great Food, Great Music and Great Times at the Lowcountry Fish and Grits Music Festival

Watterson Brands presents the Lowcountry Fish and Grits Music Festival in association with BurnBush Entertainment, Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice and the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor. On Oct. 1, join the community at Celebration Park, 90 Pope Avenue, from 1 – 6 p.m. for the festival of the year! 


The goal of the Lowcountry Fish and Grits Music Festival is to bring awareness of the diverse Gullah Geechee culture and its connection to the vast African diaspora. By curating international and local musical talent, unique crafts, and indigenous cuisine not easily accessible outside of the Lowcountry, the festival provides a unique cultural experience for everyone.

This family-friendly event features easy access from the festival grounds to the adjacent Adventure Playground and to The Sandbox Children’s Museum. There will be live performances by recording artists Latrese Bush, Votte Hall, Gwen Yvette, Angela Bonaparte, Latin percussionist Frankie Quinone֘s, and newly added McIntosh County Shouters, spoken word presentations by Louise Cohen, Vascola Stoney and more. Numerous local artisans, food trucks and craft beer venues will be featured throughout the park.

Festival organizers are proud to announce our partnership with the Holiday Inn Express Hilton Head Island located at 2 Tanglewood Drive. The package offers a great nightly rate that includes two (2) festival tickets! Follow this link or call 877-424-2449 and ask for Group Code: FGR the Fish and Grits Music Festival package.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice. Festival also sponsored by Native Island Business and Community Affairs Association.

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The Average American Family Spends $240 on Airport Food & Drinks due to Flight Delays

Travel Snack Surtax: The average American family spends $240 on airport food & drinks due to flight delays, reveals data. This is equivalent to 26% of their flight ticket costs. Families flying out of Delaware airports spend the most on food & drinks.

Airport Armageddon: A surge in flight delays this summer has created chaos in airports around America, with the delay domino effect leaving travelers spending more time (and money) inside airports while they await their unpredictable departure. Airports are infamously renowned for their massively marked-up food and drink charges. In fact, an outrageously-priced $28 beer from a vendor at LaGuardia Airport recently made headlines due to its alarming cost. For passengers on standby (and who perhaps weren’t expecting to spend much money at the airport), flight delays can result in unforeseen, but unavoidably exorbitant, purchases of meals, snacks, and drinks. This can rack up significant costs – especially for traveling families – and particularly so if there are specific dietary requirements that are necessary.

FamilyDestinationsGuide.com analyzed flight data, including the average air ticket fare* per family**, in each state to determine how much more of families’ vacation budgets are being eaten into (literally) by flight delays. This found that overall, the average family flying out of airports across America spends the equivalent of 26% of their flight ticket costs on food & drink surcharges alone, while awaiting their departure – that’s $240.51! 

When analyzed by state, Delaware airports were found to have the highest figures for families in terms of additional food and drink costs: the average family spends 87% of their flight costs on these purchases. By comparison, those flying out of airports in Alaska spend 16% of their flight costs on travel snack surcharges. 

Created by Family Destinations Guide • Viewlarger version

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How to Manage Pain the Drug-free Way

Do you suffer from muscle pain due to participating in sports-related activities or exercise? I can speak for everyone in my family that we have had our share of muscle aches and pains. One of the best remedies is drinking a lot of water, resting, and using a muscle stimulator known  as a TENS unit. You might have experienced this type of treatment at the chiropractor's office. The Auvon brands makes it so affordable to have one at home. 
 
**This post may contain affiliate links. There is no charge to you, and we will make a small commission if you make a purchase.** 

The TENS muscle stimulator works by connect the wires to the electrode pads, and setting the intensity to what works for you. This particular unit is battery-operated (3 AAA batteries provided) and has a convenient clip to attach to your belt area or pocket for when you need to move around. You can use up to 8 electrode pads at once. 

This Auvon TENS Unit is a must-have for pain, and is perfect for travel especially since it comes with its own travel bag. 


This unit has a flip-open door with the buttons to turn on/off and for setting time and intensity. I recommend taking a glance through the instruction booklet to have a better understanding of how to use these functions correctly. It will initially feel like you are being zapped, but as you use it, you will get used to the feeling, and will gradually be able to handle a higher intensity. 

Product details:

  • Drug-Free Pain Relief. This electric muscle stimulator machine stimulates sensory nerves and muscles, activate specific natural pain gate mechanisms so you get immediate pain relief anytime you need!
  • 4-Output TENS Unit. This unit runs 8 pads simultaneously, and 2 channels can be set in different intensities as you like, e.g. CH1: mode 7 intensity 3; CH2: mode 7, intensity 10.
  • 29 Modes TENS. Professional users can set pulse rate & width with 5 custom modes while others can start quickly with 24 pre-modes. The timer and continue mode allow you to set how long therapy lasts.
  • Thoughtful Accessories. This TENS device provides 8 square electrode pads for your neck, back, thigh, etc. The cable tie keeps the wires organized and the pad holder stores the pads while not in use.
If you know someone who suffers from pain, this would make a thoughtful gift. You would be surprised how useful this little gadget is! We use ours frequently, and it's always a better option over taking pain medication. You can purchase one from Amazon for around $40, and there is even a coupon. 

Thank you Auvon for the product sample. As always, all opinions are our own. 

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