Where can I get the best stocking fillers for kids? It's a question I've asked multiple times as it's something 'Santa' always struggles with in this house. Here's what I've found:
Claire's*
Claire's has to be the ultimate shop for stocking stuffers. There's so much choice from jewellery to stationary and the best thing is they always have offers. I bought some stocking fillers from there recently and it was buy 3 items get 3 free.
PLAYin CHOC
PLAYin CHOC is something I have found this year. The majority of children love opening chocolate which contains a small toy and this brand provides exactly that but they are health and planet focused too which makes them brilliant.
Their chocolate is organic, vegan and made with just 3 ingredients. The toy inside is not made of plastic (hooray) and they try to focus on learning about the natural world and how we can preserve it.
At the moment they have animal toys and also a Christmas range to choose from. One box (perfect stocking filler size) costs £2.95 (at the time of publishing this post). Head over to this link to find out more, playinchoc.
Prezzybox
Prezzybox has lots of quirky, unique finds. It's got plenty of fun ideas for stockings. My favourite picks for stockings are the Desktop Arcade games and the world's smallest range. There's a world's smallest game of catch and a very cute classic telephone. Head over to their website for lots more ideas, Prezzybox.
Stib Pencils*
It's been a tough year for everyone, especially kids who have missed school and their wellbeing has taken a plunge. Stib pencils are designed to get children talking and thinking. They are for sparking conversations and for positive affirmations. The pencils come in a tube and each pencil contains an inspirational statement. There are also a sheet of stickers included.
The range is designed around 12 spark words which are each matched to a Stibler animal character. There are phrases such as 'great leader' and 'story teller' on them.
My girls have a set of their own and they love them. My eldest keeps asking if she can take them to school to leave in her pencil case as she thinks they are perfect for school. They are nice and thick so a good size to hold for small hands. They've been a big hit in our house.
They are an ideal size for stockings and you can purchase them directly from Stib Pencils.
Rex London
Rex London has stuff for all the family but in particular kids. They have a section dedicated to stocking fillers which makes searching for them much easier. There's lots of wonderful things such as classic toys, stickers and mini games and they are very reasonably priced.
Some of my top picks are the top secret stamp and ink set, the space age kaleidoscope and all the temporary tattoos. Head over to Rex London for more random but fun gift ideas.
I am yet to meet a child that doesn't adore Smiggle. The store is what dreams are made of for kids. It's bright, eye catching, sparkly and has scented things.
There's plenty to choose from for stocking fillers such as key-rings, pencils, craft bits and more. They also have a sale on at the moment so head over there quickly to grab some bargains.
*Please note that brands that have been marked with this Asterix have gifted us this Christmas, however all words and options are my own*
Images from Prezzybox, Rex London and PLAYinCHOC are not my own.
Similar to soy sauce, oyster sauce brings a new dimension of flavour to food and works particularly well with Asian food. This winter, with everybody, stuck indoors, you might be interested in a few delicious recipes you can make yourself using oyster sauce. These recipes are excellent as stand-alone meals or as part or a festive family gathering. Get your bookmarks ready, and read on.
Stir-fried beef with oyster sauce
Everybody loves a night in with some delicious authentic Chinese cuisine, but you don't always want to pay the delivery charge. What's more, you sometimes want to challenge yourself to make the meal at home. This excellent beef stir-fry recipe is the perfect way to combine all these aspirations; it is also very healthy and can be eaten weekly or as a one-off treat. To make it even more delicious, try it with a side of boiled rice or spring rolls.
Pork and Potato Hash with Mushrooms
If you want a show-stopping festive dinner or something different for a social gathering, consider This delicious recipe. Pork and potato hash with mushrooms is a feast that's also healthy if you use top-quality ingredients. It combines pork cuts with delicious vegetables, topped with a fried egg and flavoured with oyster sauce. If you want to make the dish even more, stand out why not incorporate black pepper and chilli flakes. No matter the occasion, this dish is sure to impress.
Braised Shin of Beef With hot and Sour Shredded Salad
For a dish that's both hearty and fresh, consider braised shin of beef with hot and sour shredded salad. This is the sort of thing you might order at a restaurant or as a special treat from the Chinese takeaway. You can enjoy this dish as a snack or as a main meal, making it super flexible and definitely one for the recipe bookmark. To give you an idea of its flavour, imagine ginger root, wine, soy sauce, and cinnamon sticks, contrasted with a salad made of spring onions, chilli flakes, and coriander.
Firecracker Prawns with Stir-fried Greens
If you want an exciting dish for the festive dinner table or a fiery snack for the weekend, then what about Firecracker prawns with stir-fried greens. The dish uses tiger prawns prepared with spring onions, chilies, and oyster sauce. You can serve it with stir-fried greens made of pakchoi and ginger. Although it looks impressive, this dish is super easy to make and excellent for sharing at a gathering or special event. Don't miss out this Christmas; bookmark the recipe and start cooking a festive favourite.
General Tso's Chicken
If you want to bring some of that awesome fast food flavour into the home this Christmas, we've got the perfect t recipe for you. You might have heard of General Tso's chicken; it's the classic American favourite that combines chicken thighs, chilies, wine, and peanuts; the sauce is made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili sauce; and the noodles are made from egg noodles, oyster sauce, and Chinese mushrooms. You might find this recipe a bit hotter than the original, but it tastes just as amazing.
*This is a collaborative post*
Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Water is essential to the human body. Science suggests that the body is 70% water and relies on it for a wide array of physiological processes. This fluid plays a critical role in maintaining correct body temperatures, ensuring ideal electrolyte balance and lubricating joints.
Now that you know how vital water is, here is how you can increase your daily water intake.
How to Drink More Water
Set A Goal
Before you increase your water intake, you ought to know just how much water your body needs every day. You can then use this as a starting point for creating your water consumption strategy.
Most health organizations recommend that people take eight glasses of water daily. Although this is not accurate for everyone, you can use it as a guiding framework for the amount of water you should drink.
You may need more water if you:
Live in a hot area,
Are breastfeeding,
Exercise regularly
Work outside for long hours
Start Early
A great way to drink more water is to include it in your morning routine. Most people go about their morning routine in an almost mechanical way, which is great for consistency in drinking water.
For instance, you can start drinking a glass of water as you wait for your kettle to boil or as you clean your braces for straighter teeth. To help you remember to hydrate, keep an empty glass of water near the kettle every night. That way, you will always refill the glass and drink water every morning.
You could even keep some water on your bed stand and take it first thing every morning. Within no time, this habit will be ingrained, and you will increase your water consumption tremendously.
Infuse Flavor
If you find water to be too plain, infuse some flavor into it. You can use citrus fruits like lemons, limes and oranges to do this. Other fruits that will impart a wonderful flavor to your water include strawberries and passion fruits. You could also use herbs or slices of cucumber to make your water tastier.
Use a Water Bottle
If making eight trips to the water dispenser is too tedious a task, why not buy a water bottle that can hold more water? You can always carry the bottle with you wherever you go, which is quite convenient.
Additionally, having the bottle around encourages you to keep sipping water, which will increase your daily intake considerably. Better yet, investing in a reusable water bottle is environmental-friendly as it reduces your use of plastics.
Take Water Before Meals
You could also make a habit of drinking some water before meals. Not only will this increase your intake of water, but it could also help you eat less since you will feel full faster. This is particularly great if you are trying to lose weight.
Conclusion
As you can see from the tips in this post, drinking more water needn’t be overwhelming. You can increase your daily consumption by making a few changes to your daily routine. Start today and enjoy the numerous benefits of adequate hydration.
*This is a collaborative post*
YouTube Embed:
Half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health illness or disorder within their lifetime. This statistic is similar in most developed countries throughout the world. While the spectrum of mental health disorders is broad, this does mean many of us will find ourselves at some point in our lives in a rut that it can feel incredibly challenging to get out of. When we do begin to recover, then it is good to take the opportunity to consolidate the recovery by creating healthy habits that will boost our mental health. Here are a couple of handy thoughts about how to get your life back on track when you are ready.
Exercise
Exercise may sound cliche, but the evidence for its mental health benefits is now so strong that doctors prescribe it as a treatment. Exercise energizes you and can help give your life small goals and structure. If you have had a period where your daily living has felt unfocused, then taking time to exercise is highly recommended. The other benefit of exercise, if taken outside, is fresh air. Getting outside is an excellent way of boosting your mental health. It can give your vitamin D a boost, and even seeing nature can reduce stress and anger levels.
Take A Trip To The Dentists
This suggestion might sound a little odd, as the thought of going to a dentist can be anxiety-inducing for many of us. According to the Oral Health Foundation, almost half of all adults are fearful of a dentist's trip. This statistic could be why, during bad periods of mental health, our oral hygiene can decline. If you can build yourself up to it, a trip to the dentist can be a real turning point, proving to yourself that you are capable of retaking control of your life. Dental Excellence can give you a significant boost in confidence. Many dental specialists are happy to talk through anxieties with you and put procedures in place to recover your smile without heightened anxiety. Taking time to focus on your smile can make you happier. By seeing a dentist in a period of good health, you are also future-proofing your smile in the eventuality that your mental health and oral care may decline again. Take the opportunity to protect your smile for when you might need it in the future.
Finally, remember that very rarely is any recovery a straight trajectory from feeling bad to feeling excellent. There may be bumps and setbacks along the way, but none of them are insurmountable. If your exercise or oral care stops, that does not mean you can't pick it up again whenever you are ready. Habits are hard to break, so that you may slip back into an old way of thinking. But habits being hard to break also means that they will be robust and strong once these new habits are established. The healthy habits will make you more resilient and help you maintain a new way of thinking that boosts your life's positivity.
*This is a collaborative post*