6 expert tips on how to create a luxury dining room

Jagruti Kothawade, an Interior Designer in Pune has been creating beautiful residential/commercial interior designs for homes and corporate offices for more than a decade. She has worked with established architects, international

If you're looking to find out how to design a dining room or simply after some top tips on how to add some extra flair to your entertaining space, we've got your covered.

1. CONSIDER YOUR DINING MOOD

Mood is unique to each person, so ask you yourself if you prefer a dining atmosphere that’s dark and intimate, bright and rambunctious, or quiet and calm?
To find what mood speaks to you, try writing down how you imagine your dream space would feel. I like to find a single item in my mind that evokes that mood and then use that as an initial building block that I can build the dining area round. Lighting is often a big mood creator, and dining room lighting can create the perfect mood for dining and entertaining.

2. PICK DINING CHAIRS WISELY

The duration of dinner parties is a vital part of designing an elevated dining experience. If you’re an entertainer who likes to lounge around comfortably with a brandy snifter in one hand, then time in the dining room might be short-lived before you usher everyone into a second location.

In this case, the comfort of the chairs may not be as important. There are many chairs that looks stunning, but you wouldn’t want to sit on it for hours (Wishbone chairs, we’re looking at you). And no one wants to see their guests squirming uncomfortably between courses.

3. ADD COLOR AND TEXTURE TO YOUR DINING SPACE

So you’ve picked a mood, and decided on your chair’s comfort level, now what? To execute mood, think of two colors you want to incorporate to evoke that feeling. Fabric is the best way to build an initial color story, but you could gather paint chips or objects too. Even if the room has no fabric, people respond well to tactile colors, physical materials that you can use as an inspiration even if you don’t use the fabrics at all in the space.

4. BUY PRETTY CROCKERY FOR YOUR TABLE

The biggest mistake in a dining room is not having dishes that fit with the masterful vibe you have created. A beautiful table with ugly plates is almost like wearing a wedding dress with muddy gumboots. It may seem like a small thing, but it’s the last 10% that can make or break the design, so get the pretty tableware!

5. CREATE A TALKING POINT

Functionality and aesthetics need to be equally considered, but how do you make the dining table a conversation piece? Grey dining rooms might not make the most interesting talking point, so maybe include one item that is completely outside of your comfort zone.

6. THE FINISHING TOUCH

The perfect finishing touch to the dining area would be adding flowers or botanicals. These soften the space, give you an opportunity to add color, height and bulk -whatever the table needs.

Top 10 Best Beneficial Insects For Gardens

Bugs that are beneficial for the garden are commonly referred to as "beneficial insects." They can benefit gardens by eating insects that can harm your plants. What are the most beneficial insects to have in your garden?

Bugs that are beneficial for the garden are commonly referred to as "beneficial insects." They can benefit gardens by eating insects that can harm your plants. What are the most beneficial insects to have in your garden?

Typically beneficial insects fall under the three categories listed below:

Pollinators The Pollinators are the ones who are the ones that pollinate your garden's fans. This group that is beneficial to insects generally comprises bees, butterflies moths, flies, and butterflies.

Predators The ones that kill bugs by eating them. They include praying mantises, ladybugs and green lacywing larvae.How To Discuss

Parasitizers Also, they prey on other insects, just as predators do, however their method is slightly different from predators. Parasitizers lay their eggs on or on bugs that are bad. Once the eggs hatch the larvae feed on insects that host them. The main part of this group is the parasitic wasp.

Learn all you must know about most beneficial insects to garden and how to draw good insects to your garden and much more.

Top 10 Beneficial Insects for Gardens Plantsheaven.com - plantsheaven.com

What Are The Best Beneficial Insects For Gardens?

Insects that are beneficial to your garden is important to your garden especially to ensure the health and productivity of your garden.the well-being and efficiency of vegetable and ornamental gardens..

Here are some beneficial insects to consider for your garden. And you may even see insects in the backyard.

1- Ladybugs

Ladybugs (AKA lady beetles) are the gardeners' most loved insects due to their ability to eat Aphids whiteflies, mealybugs as well as other insects.

They are also formidable predators, despite their humorous appearance and name. Ladybugs begin their lives as larvae, scurry around in the dirt they eat Aphids before changing their colors into glowing red. It's fascinating to know the ladybug's larva could consume more than 40 Aphids within only one hour.

The larval lady bugs look like tiny alligators. They are as with the adult lady beetles, they're also fierce huntersof the same insects.

Top 10 beneficial insects for Gardens Plantsheaven.com - plantsheaven.com

2- Green Lacewings

Green lacewings are among the most important and the most beneficial insects for gardens. Similar to ladybugs the lacewing are also very beneficial to gardeners.larvae are incredibly hungry and feed on Aphids.

Their larvae feed on soft-bodied garden pests, which include caterpillars and aphids. However adult green lacewings feast on pollen and nectar.

Their larvae appear as if they were a hybrid of an alligator and a slug. Larval Lacewings eat diverse garden pests like mealybugs and aphids as well as mites as well as scales.

Adult green lacewings are insects that live in the night and some species feed mostly on pollen and nectar while some prey on insects.

Top 10 Beneficial Insects for Gardens Plantsheaven.com - plantsheaven.com

3- Praying Mantises

Praying Mantises are also fierce predators. They hunt pests that can be dangerous to your garden like grasshoppers, moths, beetles and flies..

It is crucial to understand that praying mantises could be an issue for your garden, even though they are beneficial insects. They are ruthless enough to devour other beneficial insects like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and even one another.

Top 10 beneficial insects for Gardens Plantsheaven.com - plantsheaven.com

4- Spiders

Spiders are highly effective at combating insects. It's no surprise that many people overlook them for being the best insect to gardeners.

Spiders are primarily consuming live insects because the movement of their prey lures their attention. The jumping spiders and the wolf spiders manage pests more efficiently. The 10 most beneficial insects for Gardens The plantsheaven.com website. plantsheaven.com

5- Ground Beetles

They are useful in both adult and larvae. They are able to consume a variety of insects like caterpillars weevils nematodes silverfish, thrips, as well as snails.

Ground beetles form the most common predators that feed on insects and slugs that are found in the garden during the night..

In the daytime they are hidden away within nearby vegetation, beneath rocks, or within soil crevices. Through preying on pests and insects in the soil or under the top, their larvae can be also beneficial.

Certain varieties of ground beetles can last for between two and three years, and require wintering in remote areas which include annual plants or clusters consisting of grasses. 6- Soldier Beetles

The beetles belong to an array of insect communities. Some species feed off plants and some prey on worms insects, and snails.

Soldier beetles that are adults belong to the beetle families that pollinate flowers as well as eating nectar and pollen.

Larval soldier beetles love night that develop under humid and shady conditions, which protects objects from the elements in which they feed on insects and slugs as well as plant material.

However, certain beetles, such as adults Japanese beetles are destructive to your garden. If you've got a tiny garden, it is possible to remove them manually.

The Top 10 Most beneficial insects to use in Gardens The plantsheaven.com website plantsheaven.com

7- Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs live up to their title because both adults and nymphs have an incredibly long, sharp mouths that they use to capture the prey. They then inject enzymes into their victim through the beak and then liquefy the body's contents and then sucking it back out through the beak.

The best beneficial insects for your garden Theystrangely appear like a combination between a squash bug as well as a praying mantis. They can also be mistaken for adult form as squash bugs. They hunt down a wide variety of insects that are in the garden, using their jaws that are razor-sharp.

The most well-known and most massive assassin bug is known as the wheel bug due to the cogwheel-shaped structure that is found on the back of the adult insect's body. Don't try to fight this ferocious predator as it could deliver a an extremely painful bite to a human.

Insects called Assassin bugs are among the most beneficial insects to have in gardens. They prey on pests in the garden, such as caterpillars, aphids and aphids. Japanese insects, beetles and even leafhoppers. The Top 10 Most beneficial insects to use in Gardens The website plantsheaven.com

8- Robber Flies

They generally pollinate the plants and also eat pollen and nectar. Adult fly species, like robber flies, eat other insects during flight and a lot of fly larvae consume garden insects.

Deer flies, horseflies and house flies all have negative reputations due to the painful bites they cause. The long legs of robber bugs make them pest-eating machines. They may scare you however, they aren't as aggressive like horseflies. They feed on a wide variety of common garden bugs.

Insects belonging to the Tachinid fly family are formidable parasitoids. The majority of the time, the adult flies consume nectar, while the females lay eggs or larvae inside the host insect.

Commonly targeted insects of insects of the Tachinid fly family comprise Colorado the potato beetle, its larvae grasshoppers as well as gypsy moth caterpillars. squash bug, Japanese insects, beetles as well as stink bug. The Top 10 Most Beneficial Insects for Gardens Plantsheaven.com - plantsheaven.com

9- Hoverflies

The hoverflies are also on the top ten list of beneficial insects for your garden. The hoverfly looks like tiny yellow jackets that lack any stain. They are important pollinators that are a source of pollen and nectar.

Their larvae are hungry predators that cause death to their victims by sucking juice from them. Their main victims are caterpillars, aphids beetles, and thrips..

Flies belonging to the Syrphid family, often referred to as hover flies or flower flies are often garden visitors who rely primarily on nectar and pollen as food. Furthermore the larvae of several Syrphid species are key predators of Aphids.

Top 10 Beneficial Insects for Gardens The plantsheaven.com website plantsheaven.com

10- Parasitic Wasps

They're so small that you won't be able to see them even when they're in action. However, that doesn't diminish their effectiveness. The parasitic wasps lay their eggs on or on other insects.

Following the hatching of the eggs of their hatchlings, larvae feast on their hosts alive , before they develop into adults. From caterpillars eating brassicas and sawflies to Aphids and even ants. eliminate numerous garden insects.

Wasps pollinate plants as well as eating nectar. In general, they devour a variety of insects and spiders. They also provide food for wasp larvae.

The most commonly encountered wasps are called social wasps that include paper wasps, yellowjacketsand hornets.

Female wasps paralyze insect or spider with venom , in certain species, and then put the live prey inside their nestst. The female lay her eggs upon the impervious prey, which serves as food for the larvae of wasps when the eggs hatch. Wasps generally have their preferred food source, including stink bugs, larvae of beetles or cicadas.

How are kids puzzle games suitable for learning?

It's a well-known fact that playtime contributes to learning. Different toys influence your child's development in varied ways. Hence, it is essential to benefit from the various games. When you identify the key areas, picking suitable toys for kids becomes easy. This depends on your child's interest, growth stage, cognitive ability, etc. Besides this, you should also buy toys that develop essential life skills.

Puzzles make the perfect fit for this purpose. They are deceptively simple and a favourite among educators. The fundamental idea is arranging independent pieces to create a whole picture. This acts as excellent brain food for children whose imagination comes into play. They learn by using their creativity to solve the puzzle. Such brain exercising helps in understanding the essential aspects like:

Spatial awareness

Piecing a puzzle together involves paying attention to details. This includes understanding the relationship between different pictures and how they connect. As a result, spatial perception becomes an essential part of joining them. Children learn to identify which pieces fit together by recognising their shapes, colours, and relatability. Initially, they opt for the trial and error approach. But slowly, they do this in their heads by learning.

Problem-solving

The skill of identifying problems is essential in learning any activity. As kids look at the pieces and figures, they understand which ones fit together. This develops the crucial skill to recognise the problem areas and solve them accordingly. Then, there is no shortcut to solving puzzles for kids. The only way to complete them is by finding the right pieces. This makes kids think logically, which helps in learning complex concepts.

Memory

Depending on the size, puzzle games become complex. They require recalling the pieces to fix them in the right places. This is a constant activity until you finish them. Hence, memory has a huge role to play in solving them successfully. That does not mean you need a great memory, to begin with. The best thing about such games is they do not come with set goals. You learn as you go and develop skills.

Social skills

Another beneficial aspect of playing with interactive kids puzzle games is the fun group interaction. Kids play with their friends and try to figure out the solutions. It helps them communicate better and learn new phrases. They also become empathetic and social in the process. This happens naturally without any stimulator. They subconsciously use words they hear around and use them to communicate.

This is a valuable lesson that you cannot teach them with learning sessions. Socialising helps them interact better and create bonds with their friends.

Homemade Trail Mix: 5 Healthy Recipes You’ll Love Snacking on

By Dale Harris

Whether you’re hiking up a mountain or lounging around the house, trail mix is a quick and guilt-free snack choice.

Depending on your type of mix, different homemade trail mix recipes have different benefits. From healthy fats to antioxidants, there’s a variety of blends that you can choose from to suit your tastes and needs.

We’ve compiled a list of trail mix recipes that will help fuel your next hike or serve as a healthy snack!

5 Healthy Homemade Trail Mix Recipes

Creating a trail mix recipe is a fun task that involves picking your favorite healthy snacks and putting them all together.

However, we recommend strategically pairing certain snacks together for the ultimate nutrient intake. Combining a type of nut, fruit, and seed is just the start. Have fun with it!

Here are some trail mix recipes with a healthy twist. For each of these recipes, mix the ingredients into a large bowl, then pack them away in a tightly sealed bag or container.

1. Granola Trail Mix

Granola is a fantastic addition to trail mix, as it adds low-fat fiber to your snack. This simple granola recipe will keep you full and satisfied. The peanuts and sunflower seeds offer a subtle salty flavor that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients.

Recipe

• 1 cup of low-fat granola
• 1/2 cup of peanuts
• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 1/3 cup of sunflower seeds

2. Salty and Sweet Trail Mix

Mixing sweet and salty ingredients will solve both cravings when they strike. Plus, the dark chocolate chips add a healthy sweet addition alongside the addition of tart cranberries.

Recipe

• 1 cup of salted peanuts or cashews
• 1/2 cup of salted pretzels
• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds

3. Fruit and Nut Trail Mix

This recipe is for the dried fruit fans. With its variety of dried fruits and hints of chocolate, this snack provides a sugary tart flavor with every bite. The addition of almonds provides essential healthy fats and fiber into this snack. You can substitute banana chips for coconut chips for a tropical twist.

Recipe

• 1/2 cup of dried banana chips or coconut chips
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 of dried strawberries
• 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup of almonds

4. Tastes Like Candy Trail Mix

On days where you really want to reach for a cookie, this trail mix is the perfect substitute. The M&Ms, dark chocolate chips, raisins, and a sprinkle of antioxidant-packed goji berry powder provide a sugar rush without the guilt.

Recipe

• 1 cup of cashews
• 1/2 cup of almonds
• 1/2 cup of M&Ms
• 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 2 tablespoons of goji berry powder

5. Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix

This nut-filled recipe is for the spicy food fans. With a mix of homemade spicy cashews and wasabi chips, your trail mix will pack a flavorful punch. For the tastiest results, roast the nuts in the oven at 350° for around 10 minutes. After roasting the nuts, combine the ingredients into a mix.

Recipe

• 1/2 cup of spicy cashews
• 1/2 cup of wasabi chips
• 1/2 cup of honey-roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup of butter toffee peanuts
• 1/2 cup of candied almonds

Pack the Perfect Snack

Each homemade trail mix variation has its health benefits. It doesn’t matter if your ideal trail mix recipe has cashews instead of almonds—your snack has all of the essential nutrients you need for your next adventure.

Check out our blog for more informative articles!

7 Things to Do Before Bringing Home a New Puppy

by Dale Harris

Bringing home a new puppy can be very exciting, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. And if you’ve never had to care for a new puppy before, it can be downright overwhelming.

But, by being prepared and making sure that you have all of the necessary essentials, you can ensure a smooth and lovely homecoming experience. Interested in learning more? Continue reading and we’ll walk you through everything that you need to do before you bring that new puppy home.

1. Safe Places to Sleep and Play

Whether you’re bringing home your own real-life teddy bear dog or a lovable mutt, you should get a playpen and crate for your new puppy. Until your puppy learns how to behave in a house, it will need a safe and confined space that it can call its own.

You probably won’t need to have this playpen for more than a year. Plus, this is seriously going to help prevent your puppy from peeing everywhere and chewing up all of your furniture.

Many people are under the assumption that a crate needs to be big in order to be effective. However, this simply isn’t true.

Your puppy’s crate really just has to be big enough so that it can comfortably stand and turn around. All you really have to do is buy a crate that can fit the adult-sized version of your dog and then use dividers to make the size more appropriate for your puppy.

2. A Good Supply of Healthy Treats and Food

Dog nutrition is complex. In fact, it might be even more complicated than human nutrition.

There are a huge variety of dog foods out there and it can be confusing to navigate. To start, ask the current owner of the puppy what they’ve been feeding it. You want to put in place a slow transition to whatever new food you choose, otherwise, your pup could experience gastro upset.

Ask a veterinarian for their recommendations as well. Remember, price doesn’t necessarily equate to quality.

Puppies usually need to at least eat three times a day. So make sure that you’re not underfeeding your dog. A healthy puppy will eat when it’s hungry and then stop when it’s full.

3. A Durable Leash and Collar

You should get a leash and collar that are appropriately sized for the age and breed of your dog. With puppies, it’s recommended that you get an adjustable collar since they’ll grow out of it quickly.

You should examine the collar regularly to make sure that it’s in good condition and that it fits well. You should be able to fit two fingers through the collar. The collar shouldn’t be too tight but you don’t want it to be so loose that it slips over your dog’s head.

Similar to the collar, it’s recommended that you get a leash that’s appropriate for your dog’s size. Rope leashes are comfortable and strong. If your puppy likes to chew the leash, consider getting a chain one.

A standard leather leash should be saddle soaped or oiled so that it’s kept supple and clean.

4. Chew Toys and Play Toys

Puppies love to sleep. In fact, they can very easily 18-20 hours per day. But they’re also both curious and intelligent.

And when you’re puppy is up and awake, they’re ready to play and explore. In order to keep your dog mentally stimulated, provide her with plenty of toys that incorporate a variety of shapes, sounds, and textures. These early interactions can make a big difference in how your puppy grows and learns.

Right after weaning, puppies start chewing. During the teething stage, they only chew more.

They can even go their whole lives with a desire to chew. This is why buying chew toys is so crucial.

Consider getting hollow toys so that you stick peanut butter or cheese in them.

5. ID Tags

If your puppy gets lost, it probably won’t be able to find its way back. This is why it’s so important that you get some kind of identifier for your dog.

Get an ID tag that’s easy to read. The tag should have the name of your puppy, your surname, and your contact information. Don’t think that just because your dog is confined to a playpen that it can’t escape.

6. Water and Food Bowls

Water and food bowls are total necessities from the very start. Consider buying non-slip bowls so that you don’t get too many spills. And elevated bowls can make eating more comfortable for your dog.

Stone and stainless steel bowls are good options because they’re dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

7. Toy Box

Before you know it, your house could quickly become a total mess that’s filled to the brim with dog toys. In order to keep your home free of clutter, get yourself a shallow and large dog toy storage box.

Keep the box in a place that’s easy to get to. This way, when you have people over, it will be easy for everyone to play with your puppy.

The Importance of Knowing What to Do Before Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy comes with a lot of responsibility. But, if you do it right, your puppy will love you unconditionally and you’ll have a beautiful friendship. Make sure that you follow all of the advice listed above in order to provide the best start for your new best friend.

Interested in reading other helpful articles? Check out the rest of our blog today for more!

4 Good Habits For Healthy People

Having good habits is an effective way to keep your health on track. It’s not as hard as you might think - if you know what habits are worth investing in!

Having good habits is an effective way to keep your health on track. It’s not as hard as you might think - if you know what habits are worth investing in!

This article will offer you some easy-to-follow, healthy habits that can help you lead a healthier life. Read on to find out more!

1. Develop an exercise routine

A good exercise depends on the goal of the person doing the exercise. For example, if someone is looking to increase their flexibility, then they might want to do yoga or Pilates while someone who wants to improve their balance might want to do a balance board or stability ball exercises.

Similarly, if someone wants more strength, then they would want to do exercises that challenge them in that way such as weight lifting exercises for a beginner.

2. Eat a healthy breakfast

You may have heard that a healthy breakfast should be high in protein or veggies. However, many people have different preferences and you shouldn't feel bad if you’d like something sweet.

If you want to start the day with a hearty cereal or oatmeal, that is absolutely fine! Make sure to add protein and healthy fats so that it will keep you full until lunchtime. If you are craving something sweet in the morning, try some toast with peanut butter and jam or an on-the-go smoothie.

3. Get chiropractic care

A chiropractor is a healthcare practitioner with training in spinal adjustments and musculoskeletal-related health care. Chiropractors use their hands to apply controlled pressure and a system of manipulation to make adjustments in your spine that they deem necessary to correct any misalignments.

Chiropractic practitioners believe that problems throughout the body may be due to tension or stress in the spine. These may result in chronic headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain and more.

Using hands-on techniques like spinal manipulation may allow them a restoration in your range of motion.

4. Practice self care techniques

Self care is the act of taking care of oneself - something that everyone needs to do. The practice involves people caring for their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical selves.

The importance of self-care cannot be understated as this practice can significantly widen one's sense of well-being and happiness. It also has a number of benefits for society as these initiatives contribute to more productive, capable, and happier human beings.

One of the most popular ways to implement self-care practices is through meditation or mindfulness, which can take many forms such as attending lectures or retreats focused around these topics, sitting in silence for five minutes a day, or using an app.

You may want to check out this free meditation app from Smiling Mind.

Wrap up

The examples above are to develop an exercise routine, eat a healthy breakfast, get chiropractic care, and practice self care techniques.

It is important that we adopt healthy habits for us to become more successful. These habits would be good to develop for us to live healthier and happier lives.

Try This Amazing Date Night Recipe

By Dale Harris

According to a study from the Marriage Foundation, married couples who have a date night once a month were the most likely to stay together.

There’s no denying the power of quality time spent together to make a couple feel closeness and happiness. Date night recipes are a great way to combine that quality time with delicious food. You can even develop your cooking skills at the same time!

Read on for a great date night recipe you can try this month!

Date Night Recipes: Brined Pork Chops

Brining is one of those fantastic cooking techniques that’s both easy and makes an amazing difference in the flavor of your food. Not everyone learns how to brine growing up, so with this simple addition to your cooking repertoire, you’ll take your easy date night dinners to a whole new level!

One of the most common troubles with cooking is making sure that you don’t dry out your meat. Brining not only adds flavor on its own, but it also makes it easy to avoid drying out your meat. In fact, your brined pork chops will end up juicier and moister than even the most carefully prepared pork chops without brining.

To properly brine your pork chops, you’ll need a brining bag. A good brining bag will not only allow you to comfortably brine plenty of meat at the same time, but it will also make it much easier to clean up after your cooking. Plus, you can use it for many, many other delicious date night dinner recipes at home that call for brining!

Before you put your pork chops into the brine bag, you’ll want to make sure they’re completely unfrozen. Sugar is a great addition to a brine solution, helping to brown the meat and add extra flavors.

For this recipe, you’ll also need a heavy bottom frying pan. There are inevitably tiny differences in the thickness and density of the bottoms of frying pans.

These little differences mean that the surface of your pan is hotter in some spots and cooler in others. The result can be unevenly cooked meat.

A heavy bottom frying pan helps to maintain a nice even temperature so your meat is cooked perfectly all the way through. This delicious date night dinner idea will become a go-to choice when you can’t figure out what to cook for a date!

After your pork chops are done brining, don’t be afraid to rinse them off and pat them dry. The juices and flavors penetrate deep into the meat, so this won’t hurt the meat’s flavors in any way. On top of that, a clean, dry surface on your meat will allow you to apply a delicious dry rub.

Check out this link for more details on making the perfect pork chop brine.

Make Your Special Night Together As Memorable As Possible

We hope you learned something helpful about great date night recipes in this brief piece. To find more recipes to enjoy cooking and eating, especially from the Mediterranean, check out our other pages!

This Is How to Get Vitamin D in the Winter

By Dale Harris

Do you want to know how to get vitamin D in the winter?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble mineral that regulates calcium and phosphate in the body. We need this to help promote healthier bone growth in our body. Thanks to the sun, we get our daily dose without any problems.

When the sun’s ultraviolet rays hit the skin, it activates a protein that promotes the production of vitamin D. During the winter, however, it’s harder to get enough UVB to produce the vitamin with the clouds blocking most of them. However, the sun isn’t the only source of the nutrient, here are some ways how you get in the winter.

Take Vitamin D Supplements

There are two kinds of vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D2 comes from plants or fungi and Vitamin D3 that’s found in animals. Both vitamin D2 and D3 improve the immune system, remedy fatigue and muscle pain, and help with depression.

For some people, taking vitamin D tablets is good enough. However, vitamin D3 is the only supplement most experts recommend for you to take. This is because vitamin D can’t bind to tissues well and D2 has a higher concentration than D3.

Eat Vitamin D Rich Food

Another way for you to increase your vitamin D intake during the winter is to eat meals that promote production. What’s great is that these foods are easy to get and store during the Fall season. They’re also easy enough to find during the winter.

There are many meals that can provide enough vitamin D during the winter days. Fatty fishes and seafood provide up 386 IU of vitamin D per serving, making it one of the richest natural sources. Eating mushrooms can be another source of this nutrient as they contain vitamin D2.

Using UV Lights

A UV-light lamp can become a good source of vitamin D in the winter. It can be a good substitute for the sun, and you can use them whenever and wherever you please. This is because they produce UV radiation that’s like the ones given off by the sun.

This also means that they bring the same dangers that overexposure to the sun brings, though. Overexposure to radiation for a long time can lead to your skin burning. Remember that the average usage of a UV-light should be around 12 -15 minutes.

Learn How to Get Vitamin D in the Winter Today

During the winter, you shouldn’t content yourself with the small amount of vitamin D you get from the sun. With most of the sun getting blocked by the weather conditions that the season brings, finding alternate sources is important to keep yourself healthy. Learn how to get vitamin D in the winter and promote your health today!

Do you want to learn more about what your body needs? Getting vitamin D shouldn’t be your only priority when promoting a healthy body. Check out more of our guides and posts to learn all you can today!

Fun Christmas Home Decor Ideas That Showcase Holiday Spirit

By Mini Mehta

Styling your home with unique and trendy home decor accessories has become common these days. Here is a guide for you on fun Christmas decor ideas.

The calendar months of November and December bring along a lot of festivities and cheer. And, out of all the sets of holidays in these months, Diwali followed by Christmas happens to be the perfect occasion for you to revamp your home decor. Let us talk about Christmas home decor accessories per se. The Christmas fete provides you with that much-needed opportunity to surpass yourself in displaying creativity and aesthetic design. Fret not! We will help you get a grip on the same. Whether you are all about finding that perfect spot to hang decor artefacts and festive lights, curating handmade decor items to spice up your living space, or settling on attractive home decor table settings, here is what you can do.  We have compiled a list of several Christmas handmade gifts and home decor accessories to amp up your space with festive feels.

So, if you are all set to bring home some beautiful decor artefacts, you may want to click through some of the best choices available on online home decor stores like Adikala. It is time you bring some holiday cheer home! To help you find home decor online, we have listed down a few playful DIY home decor accessories priced affordably for every corner of your house. And, trust us, when you explore these Christmas handmade decor ideas, you will fall head over heels with the festivities around and, of course, the holiday cheer.

Christmas Tree Made With Festive Cards

Every holiday season, you are bound to receive numerous Christmas cards, which is not bad! People love you, and they want to send personalized wishes. But, do you know what’s even better? You can pick the ones you love and put them together in the shape of a Christmas tree. These cards can get displayed on your wall. Indeed a hearty look!

Prize Ribbon Christmas Tree Home Decor

We hope you were as fond of those prize ribbons from gifts as a kid as much as we were! Well, considering this, there can be no reason for you to not be able to find the perfect spots for some on your Christmas tree. All you have to do is loop a set of vibrant streamers together and make an exceptional garland handmade decor.

Chalkboard Santa Greeting

Like you love written festive greetings, undoubtedly even Santa and his ride, Rudolf will highly appreciate one handwritten chalkboard greeting addressed to them, as well. So, when they come for milk and chocolates, they should be able to get a glimpse of it! Isn’t it a super creative concept for handmade decor accessories to work? To us, it is.

A Wreath Supported By Ice Skates

You may have employed a variety of home decor accessories to brighten your living space. But have you heard about trying an unexpected aesthetic design such as an ice skates wreath alongside tiny silver ornaments and colourful pom-poms? If not, then try it this year. It is time to take a step ahead from using the traditional wreath.

DIY Citrus Fruits Garland - Perfect Handmade Gift

Well, the idea of including a variety of fruits in your Christmas handmade decor setup sounds pretty appealing to us. It brings about that much-needed fun twist to your traditional home decor accessories. So, try to make your garland out of dried citrus fruits this holiday season. You may want to assemble them with the help of a twine, wire, or nylon thread.

The Simplistic Green Leaf Garland

The garland requires you to display your creativity a notch higher. You can dress your decor artefacts like the Christmas dinner table with a handmade decor of DIY leaf garland. How? It is simple. Take a green-coloured craft paper and several tiny red jingle bells to bring about the perfect season look.

Festive Berries In Abundance

If you are looking to make your simple garlands stand out at the holiday entrance, this is what you need to do. You can up your garland game to the next level by beautifully wrapping it in red berries. And, this way, you land up making one of the perfect home decor accessories to frame your mighty door. Post doing that, hang a wreath in a similar design to pull it off.

Vibrant Festive Cushions And Pillows

We do not need to remind you that watching a series of your favourite holiday flicks will get way more entertaining and enjoyable with a cosy cushion pillow to support your back. All you have to do is buy a bright coloured throw pillow, preferably red, wrapped in white ribbon and a tinge of greenery. Such cushions are available as a part of home decor online with Adikala. This home decor piece will even beautify your regular sofa chair.

We certainly hope that these festive home decor accessories brighten up your holiday spirit! Happy home decor scouting!

What is a snake plant and How does it purify the air?

The snake plant is a member of the Lily family. Another name for the snake plant is mother-in-law’s tongue.

Snake plants are the perfect choice for apartment dwellers; they have durability and can handle lighting issues.

Snake plants are one of the most tolerant plants and can survive in many reverse growing conditions. Snake plants are hard to kill. It has a sword-like foliage design and is suitable for the forgetful gardener.

Air-purifying qualities

Snake plants also have amazing air purifying qualities. It is a superb air purifier and is perfect for indoor space. In a study performed by NASA, it is clear that this plant removes toxins like formaldehyde, xylene nitrogen oxides, and toluene.  

These chemicals are found at workplaces or industries as plywood, aircraft plants, carpeting, automotive plants, shops printing and offices, paint makers and sellers, etc. It will be very beneficial to keep some snake plants around these areas.

Release oxygen

Plants convert a lot of carbon dioxide to oxygen at night that making them an ideal plant for your bedroom. If there is no airflow in your room then play 6 to 8 plants nearby. Generally, most plants uptake carbon dioxide and release oxygen during the daytime through photosynthesis.

They uptake Oxygen and release carbon dioxide while respiration at night. But some plants like snake plants can perform a type of photosynthesis known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). In this process, plants can uptake CO2 to minimize water loss.

Snake plants open stomata at night In CAM photosynthesis. The plant needs CO2 at this time and it is stored in vacuoles as malate. Snake plants fight against Sick Building Syndrome and allergies. Snake plants absorb toxins from the air and release oxygen and moisture helps to lessen the airborne allergens.

If you are suffering from an allergy then place some snake plants in your home. They are cheap and the best way to stay healthy. Snake plants also decrease the effect of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) where no specific illness can be identified.

These symptoms appear in poor indoor air quality areas; they can cause nose, ear, throat, irritation, dizziness, itching, coughing, and nausea. They also can cause chest tightness, muscle aches, fatigue, and lack of concentration? These symptoms are not gone from a building very soon.

If your building has no proper ventilation system then it does not distribute air chemicals from coffee machines, upholstery, carpet cleaning agents, and pesticides. The snake plant is a perfect remedy for SBS.

Low maintenance plant

Snake plants can tolerate negligence for some weeks. The sharp leaves and architectural shape give them a fresh look. They can handle your lack of attention and are easy to look after. It will give clean air to your home.

Snake plants take little space, can be placed anywhere, and can handle a long time without water. It is a tough succulent and a good starter plant for everyone; you can grow it indoors and outdoors as well.

Caring tips

Snake plant is known to cope with low and high light as well although it prefers bright light conditions. You can water it about every 2-3 weeks. Be aware while watering during the winter it prefers the dry side. Keep the plant moist but not wet. Clean the leaves irregularly to make them free from grease and dust.

A snake plant is a succulent that stores water within its foliage. So there is no need to keep the soil damp. When the soil becomes dry then water it from spring to fall. But in the winter season watering is enough only once a month. Be aware of overwatering the plant as it can cause root rot.

Snake plant is considered one of the most popular air purifying plants with its attractive foliage and easy to grow nature. It absorbs poisonous gases in the air and releases oxygen during nighttime as snake plants fight from sick buildings Syndrome and have anti-allergic properties.

It will give you a natural humid atmosphere. Some people consider snake plants to be bad Feng Shui plants. It is not true. It brings Feng Shui energy when you place it in specific areas of your home.

11 Vintage Christmas Decorations to have natural touch of Festive season and New

By Reagan

If you are looking for some vintage Christmas decorations to add a natural touch to your holiday home, then look no further. We have gathered 11 vintage Christmas decorations that will help you create a festive atmosphere in your home.

Christmas Candle Centerpiece

If you want your centerpiece to be a bit fancier, add a vintage candleholder with a sprig of mistletoe hanging from it. This is the perfect way to make your centerpiece more festive without going overboard. Add some charm by adding needle-leaf evergreen sprigs, laurel, holly, and berries.

Wood Slice Fireplace Cover

We all love the look of a roaring fire, but we also know that it can be dangerous if not properly put out. And there's nothing worse than having to clean up a mess after the fact.

Thankfully, we've got you covered with our Wood Slice Fireplace Cover! This handmade, rustic-looking cover will keep your logs hidden away when not in use and adds tons of cozy charm to any fireplace.

Made of dozens of small wood slices, this fireplace cover will keep your logs hidden away when not in use. It also adds tons of cozy charm to any fireplace.

Vintage Sign

You can find the vinyl cutting machine in any craft store or online. If you don't have one, you can use a razor knife instead. You'll also need some paint and a palm sander to create the finish on your signs.

Here's how to make this project:

Step 1: Make sure your vinyl cutting machine is set up correctly before starting. This will ensure that the vinyl cuts evenly and cleanly through your sign material.

Step 2: Use painter's tape to secure your sign material in place so that it doesn't move during cutting or painting later on in this project.

Step 3: Place your prepared sign material onto your work surface using painter's tape (make sure there are no holes in the bottom of your sign for air flow).

Step 4: Cut out the shape you want from your sign material using a vinyl cutting machine or razor knife (make sure to cut through all of the layers of cardboard). Remove all of the excess cardboard using pliers

Arrow Ornaments

If you’re looking for a unique and memorable gift for your loved ones this holiday season, look no further than our selection of Arrow Ornaments. They come in all shapes and sizes and can be used as decorations or as practical gifts.

Your guests won't be able to get enough of these little arrow ornaments. Outfitted in twigs, small feathers, wooden beads, hemp cord, and jute upholstery webbing, they'll look amazing on a tree or, well, anywhere.

If you want to make the most out of your party theme this year then adding an arched shape to your décor is perfect!

Paint a Christmas vibe wall art

A variety of colors: When painting canvas art, it is important to have at least three colors in your palette. You can use white as the base color and then add a secondary color, such as yellow or red, which will contrast nicely with the main color on the wall. You can also use two different shades of the same main color if you want something more dramatic and eye-catching.

Wide range of sizes: One thing that makes canvas paintings so attractive is their size range. You can go from really small and simple ones that fit on a decorative plate to larger ones that fill an entire wall in just seconds! If you want something more substantial than that, then consider using one of our large canvas prints instead!

Simple design: Don't get too caught up in trying out new ideas with your textured brush strokes when painting on canvas art!

Pine Branch Christmas Tree

When it comes to Christmas trees, there are a few options. You can go with the classic pine tree that everyone loves, or you can opt for something more unique. The latter option is what we’re going to focus on today. It’s called a “pine branch” tree and they look pretty cool!

So, maybe a classic Christmas tree isn’t your thing. In this case, consider an alternative Christmas tree that can be prettily displayed on your wall. This one looks particularly rustic with its pine boughs and neutral colors inspired by the outdoors.

Wood House Candleholders

These wood house-shaped candle holders give new meaning to the phrase “home for the holidays.” They’ll look even more eye-catching when you group several together in different colors.

They’re also a great way to add a little whimsy to your dining table. The candleholders are available in various sizes and styles, and feature a hand-sculpted design that’s sure to please even the most discerning of Christmas tree lovers.

Family Canvas Print

Relive your favorite family moments with a custom canvas print. The art is printed on a premium cotton canvas, which is coated with a protective coat and then wrapped in more protective acid-free tissue paper. This makes sure that your moments last on your walls forever.

Shiplap Ornament Display

This is a unique way to spotlight silver bells or the tiniest of Christmas ornaments. With this DIY project, you'll create a Christmas tree shape attached to a piece of well-loved shiplap.

The design is simple, but it's also clever. It has two sections — one that holds the bells, and another that holds the ornaments. The base of each section is covered in shiplap and then attached to the other piece using a bracket screw.

Mason Jar Sconce

Here’s your chance to learn about woodworking, or add yet another project to your roster. This pine tree sconce is the epitome of rustic décor, and it has a base to display a glowing candle.

The branches are made from scrap wood that you could easily find around your house. The base is made from an old candle holder, which are sanded and glued together with 3M Command adhesive.

Development toy ideas for 5 to 8-year-old kids

Children play from the moment they are born. It is how they learn about new things. Every parent wants to utilise this in the best way. Kids around the age range of 5 to 8 are beginning to understand and grow. Getting them suitable toys is imperative to boost their physical and mental development.

Now, with the wide varieties, it can get confusing to choose toys for 5-year-olds. However, learning about their needs and activities helps. This is crucial to ensure they benefit from the games based on their growth stage.

Outdoor: Playing outside is the best way to boost physical growth. Children enjoy running around, crawling, playing catch, etc. You can give their unstructured play direction by introducing toys like a ball, play tents, jump rope, rollerblades, ping-pong, badminton, etc. These games induce exertion, which is required for physical development. Five and eight-year-olds are hyperactive who get to channelise their energy through such playthings.

Construction: Open-ended and constructive games help kids learn about patience, problem-solving, empathy and other skills. It is essential to include them in your child's play. Some examples are - building blocks, train set, roller coaster builder, puzzles, Lego bricks, etc. These toys are also helpful in developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

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Make-believe: Pretend play is an important aspect involved in growth years. It shapes up the mentality in kids. Kids do it by imitating others around them, re-enacting scenarios and playing in groups. Here, the 5-year-old games to give them are dolls, stuffed animals, puppets, etc. For slightly older kids with better understanding, magic kits, kitchen set, make-believe professional equipment, action figures, dollhouses, etc., are a good choice.

Learning: If your focus is on the educational aspect of toys, there are many options. You can choose between memory booster games, electronics, and interactive playthings. Word, spellings, and shape charts are great for young children. However, the 8-year-old toys are slightly advanced like puzzles, video games, human body model, science kits, etc. These encourage activity-based learning among kids, which is effective compared to reading books.

Arts and crafts: Developing creativity and imagination is important besides academics. It enables children to become intuitive thinkers. This helps them in their school years when they face complex challenges that need quick solutions. Some crafty toys for 8-year-olds include crayons, playdoh, model vehicles, musical instruments, colouring tools, papercut art kits, swing sets, etc. These games require you to guide and involve in child play.  

Listening: During the development stages, kids explore new things. They learn about language, words, phonic sounds, etc. You could boost their learning by giving them rhythmic toys, rhyming activities, dolls with tunes, etc. These toys are entertaining and teach kids about new sounds and musically appeal to them. Your kids are sure to get obsessed with them in no time. It may get noisy, but it is essential to make them aware of new sounds.