A garden can be a thing of beauty, especially when properly cared for. Sadly, not everyone has the time, resources or even inclination to keep their gardens well kempt. This means that, what could be a beautiful and colorful backdrop to your home, is instead a wild and unruly mess that causes naught but issues. However, there is hope! A number of products exist to help reduce the work required to maintain a gorgeous garden and this article is here to suggest some of the best potential options to remove the work. 

The Automatic Watering Oya

An incessant and often irksome requirement of maintaining a luscious garden lies in proper watering practices for your plants, especially if you live somewhere like California where the sun is hot, and the rain is rare. This usually means that you have to spend a good portion of your days trekking across your garden, delivering water to your plants and checking them to make sure they seem properly hydrated. However, there is an alternative in the form of a ceramic watering device called an Oya.

These pots are simply buried deep in the soil near plants that need consistent watering, with the neck of the Oya sticking out. The Oya can then be filled with water which it will slowly release into the soil around the plants, watering them far more effectively than surface watering is capable of. This could even help to keep more sensitive plants well-watered.

Artificial Turf

Like watering, one of the biggest and most consistent hassles of keeping a garden looking good is the seemingly constant need to mow the grass. This problem only increases the larger your garden is and is one of the most time-consuming and least satisfying aspects of gardening. Fortunately, companies such as US Turf offer artificial turf installation services that allow you to keep ideal looking grass year-round with no need for constant maintenance. This kind of service helps to cut down the busy work of gardening and allows you to spend the little time saved on the projects that interest you.

Online Garden Planner

If you want to enjoy the looks of a garden bursting with life but you don’t want to have to sink hours getting into the nitty-gritty technical gardening knowledge, then an online gardening planner might be useful to you. These sites allow you to plan out your garden in advance, and one of their more useful functions is that they often have preplanned gardens for all kinds of conditions, meaning you can simply pick out a garden plan that you like the look of and get planting.

Alternatively, they offer a variety of options for planning out your garden in detail so that you can get it right the first time. You don’t have to spend nearly as much time in trial-and-error situations with your plants and you can get your garden looking the way that you want it to. There, you’ve just grown a set of green fingers!

Community life can feel wonderful to be part of, especially if it relates to your particular neighborhood or area of interest. When you move into a new house, many of us can feel somewhat isolated until we meet the neighbors, and it’s true that in the last year, meeting the neighbors hasn’t been that good of an idea.

So - how can we become more integrated in our local community as the world slowly returns to normal? Asking questions such as these can help us more readily feel connected and collaborative in our neighborhoods, and this goes even if you live in a large apartment block, or if you live in a rural area where the houses are quite far apart from one another.

Furthermore, it’s worth considering why you wish to become more integrated. Are you looking for a social life, or to support a cause more appropriate to your needs? Do you wish to feel safer on your street? Or, are you just taking part in it because you enjoy doing so? All of this is totally valid - let’s see how it’s achievable.

Consider Community Programs

Community programs that help bind a community together can be really helpful, even if that means supporting local charity initiatives to help you raise money for a local cause. It may also be that promoting choosesolar.com to your local council meeting, or to push forward neighborhood watch efforts, can truly help you not only connect with your community but help you all live at a higher, better and more ethical standard. A cause like this can certainly bring people together and help you become prouder of where you live.

Contribute To Local Events

Local events may look quite humble and sometimes ineffectual, but they really do bring people together and the more people attend, the more people will come. This may simply mean heading to local celebrations in your community, volunteering for fundraising events, or spending some time helping out a local charity store or small business events. This can not only help your area seem more appealing on the surface for newcomers, but it adds to the fellow feeling and production capacity of those running such affairs.

Knock & Meets

When the world returns to normal, simply introducing yourself to your neighbors can be helpful. At the very least, speaking to those either side of your house, or saying hi to those you usually see in the parking lot can all be a helpful idea. At the very least, this way you can see who is friendly and who would rather just be avoided or waved to, but nothing more. This may help you in a time of difficulty, or it may allow you to report issues or protect people if necessary (such as by spotting suspicious behavior outside of their household).  Being integrated in your community often means having even a simple awareness of those who live their lives near you. It can’t hurt to try.

With this advice, we hope you can become more integrated in your local community. We’re sure they’re lucky to have you.

Playing games as a family is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to bond while having fun together. However, as a parent, you might sometimes want to include more learning-based games. Learning-based games are a great way to encourage your children to develop their skills in a fun and relaxed environment. The list below offers a range of fun learning games the whole family can enjoy.

1. Scrabble

It’s an old-timer, but scrabble is an iconic family game for a reason. One of the reasons the game continues to be enjoyed by so many people is because it challenges players of all ages. The competitive nature of Scrabble encourages children to learn spelling and word skills. Scrabble also helps children to build and broaden their vocabulary. A great way of helping your children learn more words and develop the skills that are used in scrabble is to use a word tool. This tool can also prove very useful when it comes to settling any scrabble disputes.

2. Mario Typing

Are your children constantly asking to play video games? If the answer is yes, then Mario Typing might be your ideal solution. This learning video game allows your children to play a game that features their favorite characters from the Mario Bros. franchise. As the name suggests, this is a video game that is played on the computer and helps your children learn how to touch type. The gameplay consists of a letter being featured on the screen, and players then have to type in the correct letters to move Mario, Peach or Luigi across the screen. Best of all, this game is completely free to play.

3. Jeopardy!

If you love watching Jeopardy! as a family, then why not take things up a level and play the video game together? The game functions across a wide range of consoles, such as Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox. What is particularly fun about this game is that it is challenging for all the family. It is a great way to help your children learn more general knowledge and develop their problem-solving skills.

4. Top Trumps

Top Trumps is a fun card game that can help children learn more about a specific topic. There are so many different varieties of Top Trumps to choose from, making it a fun way for your child to play a game while learning about their favorite topic. To win a game of Top Trumps, a player needs to win the most cards. Cards are won when the data of one player’s card is higher than any other card selected for that round. Each pack of cards has a theme, such as books, dinosaurs, movie characters, or cars.

5. Articulate!

Articulate! is a board game the whole family can enjoy. Players are split into teams of two, and the players take turns being the guesser and the explainer. The team with the most correctly guessed cards wins the round. Aside from the time pressure, the challenge of Articulate! is explaining what is on your card without using any language written on your card. There are six different categories: object, nature, random, person, action, and world. The game is great for helping develop language and communication skills.

Did you know most new moms try to breastfeed their baby, yet only thirteen percent manage to breastfeed the entire recommended six-month period successfully?

Given this fact, if you’re looking for breastfeeding help or alternatives - you’re not alone. In fact, you’re part of the majority!

Below, we’ll take a look at six useful tools and alternatives to breastfeeding so you can be sure to find the right feeding solution for you and your baby.

Most New Moms Need Help with Breastfeeding

A survey conducted by UC Davis Medical Center in 2013 found that ninety-two percent of new moms experienced breastfeeding difficulties within the first week, with many reporting problems within the first three days. Fifty percent struggled with latching and related issues (such as nipple confusion), forty-four percent found it too painful, and forty percent worried they weren’t producing enough milk. Unfortunately, these common issues became the chief reasons why most of the surveyed mothers ceased breastfeeding, along with a lack of breastfeeding support.

Thankfully, with the help of a few simple tools and tips, you can overcome these potential hurdles with ease.

1. Seek the Help of a Lactation Specialist

Researchers involved in the aforementioned study stressed that one of the main reasons so many women struggle with breastfeeding is because they don’t have a breastfeeding expert on-hand during the first week (or few weeks) of breastfeeding.

Seeking the advice of an in-home lactation consultant or looking at online lactation counseling doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Rather, it ensures your breastfeeding journey will be much easier and healthier for you and your baby.

2. Nurse Frequently to Avoid Breast Engorgement

Particularly during the first few weeks of breastfeeding, it’s normal for your breasts to feel full and heavy. However, if they’re also extremely uncomfortable or painful, you may be suffering from engorgement. This tends to indicate that not enough milk is being removed from your breasts when your child nurses.

To overcome this, nurse your baby frequently - around 8 to 12 times each day (including through the night) is recommended. Be sure to not omit any feedings, and you can make sure your baby is getting enough of your milk by learning the right latching techniques. This can also help you avoid other common breastfeeding difficulties like cracked and/or sore nipples.

3. Find the Time and Right Equipment to Pump

One of the most common reasons why women stop breastfeeding is lack of time due to other commitments, e.g. work or other children. By creating a pumping routine, you can not only get into the habit of producing enough pumped milk for your baby, but may also be able to build up a good milk supply in your freezer!

Again, your lactation consultant can offer great breast pumping tips and will be able to advise which pump is best suited for your situation (i.e. a hands-free option that allows you to multitask while you’re expressing).

4. Avoid Nipple Confusion by Establishing a Nursing Routine Before Introducing Bottles

Breastfeeding by bottle is a great way to share feeding responsibilities with your partner and to gain some freedom; however, try not to introduce bottle feeding until you’ve established a nursing routine first. This should help avoid nipple confusion where your baby doesn’t latch properly or rejects your breast. In turn, this should help prevent engorgement because you’re fully emptying your breasts while nursing.

Allow around three to four weeks for your baby to get used to breastfeeding, and be sure to check your baby’s diapers regularly to ensure they’re getting enough to eat.

5. Consider Using Breastfeeding Alternatives like a Donor Milk Bank

The benefits of breast milk are proven and frequently quoted but, sometimes, breastfeeding might not be right or comfortable for you. In these cases, there’s an alternative to formula milk -- donor milk.

Often available from local hospitals or donor banks, donated milk comes from moms who produce more milk than their babies can consume. Each mom is rigorously tested before they donate to ensure their milk is safe for consumption.

What are the benefits of donor milk vs. formula?

Donor breast milk provides the same plethora of benefits as your own milk. It helps prevent infections, builds up a strong immune system in your baby, and gives them much-needed nutrition to help them grow and develop successfully. It also gives you peace of mind that your baby is getting the absolute best start in life, while taking any unnecessary pressure off you to breastfeed.

6. Try Switching from Breastfeeding to Formula

If you’ve tried some of the above or are finding breastfeeding impossible, it’s time to consider switching to formula. Remember, any amount of breastfeeding has proven vital to your baby’s health. So, while at least six months of breast milk is recommended, you shouldn’t feel like a failure or under pressure to meet this goal.

Look for a recommended formula that’s closest to breast milk and chat through your options with your lactation consultant. Feeling happy and healthy in your choices is ultimately the best solution for you and your baby!

Breastfeeding is Unique to Every Mom and Baby

It’s important to remember that what may work for one mom may not work for you. Try a few of these alternatives to breastfeeding, seek advice, and do what feels right for you.

There are plenty of qualities you need to look for in flooring if you have pets. It needs to be stylish yet functional, durable, and easy to clean and maintain. Dogs and cats don’t like certain types of flooring such as laminate because it’s slippery. They may like other types like carpet too much and chew or scratch it. It’s essential to find the flooring that will last a long time but create a comfortable environment for your pet. Fortunately, there are many types of flooring that are perfectly pet-friendly. Here are the top five examples.

Vinyl flooring

If you want to take great care of your dog, then vinyl is a popular choice. It’s less slippery than laminate and dogs and cats are comfortable walking on it. As well as providing decent grip, it will maintain its temperature making it a cool place to lay on in the summer. It’s not as cold as other floorings such as stone or ceramics, however. Vinyl is good for pet owners as well as it’s easy to clean, cheap, durable, and pretty much scratch-proof.

Sustainable woods

For an eco-friendly flooring solution, you could try sustainable woods like bamboo or cork. These are actually very durable materials, not to mention uniquely attractive. They’re also easy to clean and they won’t get damaged if your pet has an accident. These types of woods are microbial which means they’re less likely to develop mold or harmful allergens.

Stone flooring

For a luxury finish, there’s nothing like stone tile flooring. It’s stunning to look at and very durable. The only downside is that it can get a bit cold, but that’s what dog beds are for. To walk over it’s very comfortable and has plenty of grip. Stone will be totally resistant to even the sharpest claws and it’s a type of flooring for life. If you’re looking to the long term, it might be worth investing in.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic is actually one of the most common types of tile in the home. It’s perfect for statement walls or flooring areas as it can be very decorative. Ceramic is water-resistant, durable, and muddy paw prints will wipe away in seconds. The only issue is that it can be a bit slippery like laminate. Older dogs may need stepping stones of other types of flooring or rugs to help them.

Comfy rugs

If you opt for a slick type of flooring, there’s always a solution. Comfy rugs will prevent your pets from slipping. They’ll protect you and your family from having an accident as well and enlisting the help of a personal injury lawyer. It’s better to err on the side of caution when choosing your flooring. Rugs can be decorative as well as functional so avoid skids by investing in a couple for common areas. If you get one with dark patterns pet prints will barely be visible. Choose the right flooring design for you and create a safer, more comfortable home for your pets.