​We all go through phases of exercising to lose weight, but some of us make exercise a
regular part of our lives, not just to lose weight, but to improve both health and fitness. Exercise has many benefits. Here are just some of them.

Improving physical coordination
Taking part in fitness activities or sports can help improve your coordination. Team sports such as volleyball rely on working with other members of your team. The maximum contact with the ball before getting it over the net is three, so this means each hit or touch of the ball counts. As you improve your coordination skills, you’ll become a better player.

When the weather is colder, it’s difficult to motivate yourself to take part in outdoor sports. So, if you want to find the best volleyballs for indoor play, you can read the reviews on Ace Volleyball. Although your team’s performance is mostly down to their skill and increased abilities over time, getting the best equipment, such as a professionally recommended volleyball, can help you and your team get in the right mindset for success.

Mental health
Exercise can improve your mental health. While severe depression and other mental
illnesses will still need to be treated by a professional, exercise can help. Getting out of your house will always be more beneficial for your mental health, and being active produces endorphins, which make you feel happier naturally. This is a healthier habit to form, without the unhealthy use of alcohol or unprescribed drugs.

Making friends
When you take part in a team sport or join a local running club, one great thing is meeting new people. You all have something in common; an interest in fitness and your chosen sport or activity. You can motivate and encourage each other, so if one person is struggling, the others in the team or group can keep them going.

Many sports teams have social events too, so you can improve your fitness and expand your social circle at the same time.

Improved confidence
There are so many reasons exercise can improve your confidence. Reaching your goals is a big confidence boost, making you feel more capable of tackling other things in your daily life. As you lose weight, improve your sporting abilities, or see positive changes in your health, you are more likely to feel confident. If you compare this to staying in and bingeing on the latest box-set while eating unhealthy food, it’s not difficult to see which is better for your physical and mental health. If you’re making progress through exercise, then you’ll be more inclined to eat healthier foods and take better care of yourself, which will also boost your confidence in other areas of your life.

The main motivation for exercising is often weight loss, but as you can see, there are other benefits too. These can go beyond the physical improvements and give you a much-needed boost to pursue other opportunities which can further improve your lifestyle.

In today's world, the higher tech something seems to be, the more kids tend to be interested. Whether it's gaming, STEM toys, or even cool things like robotic toys, my kids are all about anything that uses science to work. They're just fascinated by toys that, in their words, "do cool stuff." 

Can you blame them? I like toys that do cool stuff as well. 

Recently, we got to check out a few totally rad robotic toys, perfect for upcoming snow days or even Spring and Summer breaks! These toys are affordable, durable, and are sure to kill any boredom that may exist in your household. In fact, a couple of these may even make your house feel a wee bit safer, too. More about that in a few. 

I love a good bag. As a mom, I have loads of stuff to tote around on a daily basis. Whether it's snacks, masks, sanitizer, books, or even a first aid kit for emergencies, I love having a bag sturdy and large enough to carry it all without any issue. 
 
The Handmade Leather Tote from Galen Leather Co. fits the bill perfectly! This gorgeous tote bag is expertly crafted using only the finest, full grain cow leather. This ages beautifully, and will ultimately have that coveted, vintage look that's so desirable in leather goods. 

A friend of mine recently had a show at The Odeon in Cleveland. This is an iconic concert hall, located in the Flats district of The Land. We were helping sell raffle tickets to benefit The Providence House in Cleveland, a non-profit crisis center for women and children going through hard situations.

Well, we also got a HUGE surprise....The powers that be knew Xander could rap, and they invited him to join the bill of very talented performers that night. He performed MGK's debut hit, Chip off the Block....The coolest part? He performed with Cleveland's BEST DJ, THE Bobby Booshay! (Yes, he skipped the bad words, so no pearl clutching, please.) 

He KILLED it, totally rocked the house, and he got to meet so many established and respected Cleveland area (and beyond)  creatives and artists. DJ Ace, Mooky, Lost in Vegas, Kevin Tyler, and even MGK band members, Rook and Slim! He even met EST Legend, Ryan Yex. If you don't know Ryan, look him up on YouTube. It's truly inspirational. 

Everyone was SO sweet, and their collective advice was consistent. They said he's really good, that he absolutely has potential, to keep going, and to never, ever stop. 

This kid is having a magical childhood, and is really going places. Stay tuned, because this just made him that much more determined to work harder, and keep reaching for his dreams. With the love and support of our EST family, and seemingly from the EST crew itself, the sky is the limit if he works hard. 

You can follow the kid on YouTube at EST KID XX for more. He likes having his own little section of the interwebs. Please note: This is monitored heavily, and I will block any unkind people. 

Do you love coffee? 

I love coffee. So much, in fact, that my kids used to call it "Mommy Go Juice" when they were younger. Nowadays, they understand that unless I have had my morning cuppa, it's best to be on good behavior....At least until my cup is done. 

Recently, I learned about an awesome, Veteran owned brand of coffee, Fire Dept. Coffee. This coffee is not only delicious, it goes to benefit a truly good cause: Taking care of our injured or otherwise in need first responders and firefighters. 

As someone on (sloppy) Keto, I often have a hard time finding good options for breakfast. You see, I don't like eggs. Not one bit. And eggs, sadly, seem to be a Keto breakfast staple.  Because I can't in good conscience just eat a pound of bacon and call it a day, I try and fit in proper morning nutrition in other ways.

This is where Healthy Skoop can help! 

I recently tried this Healthy Skoop Plant Powered Breakfast Protein in Vanilla. This is an organic, gluten-free, and vegan friendly powder that mixes beautifully into the liquid of your choice. Here we drink both Almond and Oat milk, and occasionally coconut milk. We leave cow's milk for baby cows because they need it more than we do.

As the Holidays approach, many are hunting for the perfect gifts for our loved ones. I've got some really fun ideas to share, especially if you enjoy puzzles and plushies! (And who doesn't love puzzles and plushies?!) 

These gifts from YWOW and ONE ANIMATION are great, unique gift ideas for the person who has it all. Some even have a hint of nostalgia for us big kids. I know seeing the Kool Aid Man busting through walls takes me back to my own childhood. I can even hear the iconic, "Oh Yeahhhhh" in my head. 

If puzzles aren't your cup of tea, maybe you'd like the adorable Oddbods! They have assorted plushies and vehicles that are certain to bring the biggest smiles! 

All of these gift ideas can still be ordered in time for Christmas, and are conveniently sold on Amazon! Here's more info on some of my favorites! 

Running a home can be expensive, even if you’re good at budgeting. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected expenses that catch us off guard. Here are some ways to deal with these.

Appliance breakdowns
Our household appliances can be some of the costliest items we buy for the home, with washing machines, fridge-freezers, and dryers accounting for a big percentage of our appliance costs. We all rely on these items but never realize how much until they stop working. Buying a replacement is an unexpected expense most of us haven’t planned for. In winter, it’s no longer possible to dry clothes outside, so your dryer breaking down can make drying clothes difficult. Using a clothes horse to air clothes will take much longer, and can lead to dampness and mold in the house. There could be a simple fix, like a dryer heating element, for much less than it would cost to buy a new dryer.

Other household appliances may be cheaper to fix too, so it’s always worth looking at other solutions before buying a replacement.

Unexpected or higher than expected bills
Most of us are careful about leaving lights on, turning off computers and laptops when not in use, and monitoring our heating usage. Sometimes we still get unexpected bills, or our utility bills are much higher than we anticipated.
Most of these bills are higher in winter, so if you can, add a little to your budget the rest of the year to help save for higher bills in the winter.

Pet emergencies
Pets are often thought of as part of the family, so if anything happens to your pets, you’ll do whatever you can to help them. Often this includes expensive vet bills. All or most of these can be avoided by taking our pet insurance. We take out health insurance and life insurance for ourselves, so it makes sense to protect our pets too. Some plans will cover all the costs of your pet’s treatments, while others only cover most of them. This at least takes a lot of the financial pressure off you, as you’re less likely to feel the impact of paying monthly for pet insurance, compared to one lump sum for vet bills.

Car repairs
While car insurance will cover a lot if you’re the victim of an accident, repairs through general wear and tear can be difficult to plan for. Often we don’t realize there’s a problem until it stops the car from working as it should, or when getting an MOT. Just like preparing for unexpected household bills, you can try to save a little each month to help with future repairs.

Price increases
If prices are going up, but your pay rise isn’t matching this, it could be time to look at the things you buy and find alternatives. There might be cheaper brands you can try, or looking around second-hand shops could help you find what you’re looking for, in good condition but cheaper.
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Unexpected costs might fill you with dread. By preparing for them, they won’t be so daunting. Sometimes, items can be fixed instead of replaced, or by saving a little extra, you’ll be financially prepared to deal with them.

You know those blue tins, that promise to contain rich, flavorful, buttery cookies, but usually contain sewing supplies? (At least in my Granny's home, the Universe keep her soul, that's what was in the tin.) I absolutely LOVE those elusive cookies. They're so tasty, when you can find them instead of being disappointed by thread, needles, and pin cushions that look like tomatoes. 

Anyway. 

You know that flavor I mean....That rich, buttery goodness that hits your taste buds just right, from the very first bite. If you can't dig into a cookie, I have some GREAT news for you: Little Bites® ​ Butter Cookie Muffins are back, but for a limited time only! Now you can have all the buttery flavor you crave, in a convenient little pouch!