Unplug at Night

Sleep is sometimes the last priority during our busy life. We are emailing, texting, and instagramming all the way into the moment our eyes close for some shuteye. However, all this productivity could be harming your body's time to relax.

Instead of sacrificing your sleep, why not separate yourself from your cell phone? One blogger did just that - at night she began putting her phone away in order to get the optimal level of sleep. In this blog from apartmenttherapy.com she takes a look back at the last four months to document how her routine has changed. Keep reading to find out what she discovered:

About four weeks ago, I declared that I was going to stop keeping my iPhone at my side overnight. I'm happy to stay that I've stuck with the plan, and the results have been positive across the board.

First, thanks to everyone who expressed support for the idea. Telling you about the plan and knowing I wanted to report back were key in getting me to stick to it.

These days, my lonely little phone spends nights on the TV room coffee table, or on a particular window sill in a well trafficked hallway of my house. On the few nights where I've gone on autopilot and brought the phone into my bedroom, I've tucked it into the top drawer of my dresser so I won't be tempted to waste time looking at social media feeds before sleeping or when I first wake up. I've used my laptop from bed at night once or twice more than I would have before, but never for as long as I'd use my phone (which I'd attribute to the device's size).

While I expected to notice the change the most at night, the morning has been the biggest improvement. Using a dedicated alarm clock has actually helped me get up earlier. I'm hitting snooze less often; the alarm has only one, pretty annoying sound. But really, it's the peacefulness of letting my mind ease into wakefulness, rather than checking to see who's shared an interesting photo of flowers or dogs, that makes me happiest about reshaping my habits.

What do you think? Would you be able to unglue the phone from your hand to help your sleep schedule? Leave us a comment and let us know!

DIY Beauty Products

There are many things in your home that you can DIY or use all natural products. These items include food, cleaning, clothing, and even beauty products. You can learn more about how to DIY these items at Good Housekeeping.



Happy Hand Exfoliant
Say good-bye to dry, cracked hands. Even if your gloves haven't been doing their job this winter, this easy-to-make exfoliant will slough off all those dead skin cells. Plus, it cleanses and moisturizes, leaving hands soft and smooth.
Ingredients:
1 ounce ground almonds
1 teaspoon clear honey
2 teaspoons walnut or sunflower oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice



Directions:
Mix all ingredients together into a thick paste.
Rub a heaping teaspoon all over the hands for two to three minutes and rinse off. Use whenever your hands need some extra TLC.



From Natural Superwoman by food consultant Rosamond Richardson
Peach-and-Honey Mask
This revitalizing peach and honey mask is almost good enough to eat. But what you'll really love about it is how it leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
Ingredients:
1 large peach or nectarine, skinned
3 teaspoons honey
A pinch of lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt
Directions:
Mash the peach and honey together, add a little lecithin powder or 2 tablespoons yogurt until you have a workable paste. Pat evenly over your face and neck and around the eyes. Lie back and relax for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry, then tone and moisturize as you normally would.
From the California Tree Fruit Agreement



Apple-Pectin Toner
Apples have been used in beauty products for centuries. And thanks to a high concentration of vitamins A and C and potassium, when applied as a facial toner, apple pectin can sooth and refresh all skin types. Please note: If you have especially dry or sensitive skin, reduce the amount of witch hazel in the toner.
Ingredients:
1 apple, cut up with peel, seeds removed
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup witch hazel
Directions:
Place the cut-up apple in a small saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain out the apple chunks. Stir in the witch hazel and pour into a clean container.
To use, spray or apply to skin using a clean cotton ball.

Don't Forget About These Household Items

What items have you replaced in your home lately? Here is a list of items that many people forget to check on. Make sure these items are clean and regularly replaced to avoid discomfort and contamination. You can learn more at apartment therapy.


1. Sponge — The thing you're using to clean needs to be clean! You can make it last as long as possible by washing after every use and allowing it to dry completely, but don't hesitate to replace it often (as in twice a month) or immediately if it develops any sort of smell.

2. Spices — Dig out all those dusty jars in your cupboard. If they smell bland then they'll taste bland and it's time to toss 'em.

3. Makeup — Yep, it's a bummer when it's time to ditch your expensive cosmetics before you've used them all up, but the last thing you want is to spread bacteria-laden lotions on your gorgeous face! Rule of thumb here: replace mascara after three months, foundation (and other liquids) at one year and powders after 2 years.

4. Sports Shoes — This is tricky because even if shoes look pristine on the outside (thanks to indoor gyms), the support they provide on the inside may have deteriorated without you realizing it. If your shoes don't feel as supportive as they used to (or you've put over 500 miles on them) then it's probably time to spring for a new pair. Remember, you're working out in order to make your body healthier, and well-functioning equipment is essential to keep you in top shape.

5. Toothbrush — Even through you use it everyday, it's easy to forget to replace your toothbrush (chances are you're using it when you're groggy in the morning or sleepy at night). Since you're wide awake right now, take this as a sign to pick a new one up on your way home tonight.

6. Water Filter — Water tasting a little tinny? Filters often degrade so gradually that we just don't notice. So do a careful taste-test of your water right now or simply switch out the filter and make the commitment to keep track of the time-to-change dates from now on.

7.Vitamins/Painkillers — If, like me, you're somewhat gun-shy when it comes to pill-popping, then that nearly full bottle of Advil may be long past its prime. Or perhaps, you're lax when it comes to your vitamin regime? All pills have an expiration date and, once passed, won't perform properly (and could very well be dangerous) so check your labels before you pop.

8. Fire Extinguisher — Even if you've never used it, over time a fire extinguisher can become de-pressurized, leaving it useless. The last thing you want is to discover that your extinguisher's a dud when you actually need it, so replace or have it serviced every five to ten years.

We're feeling better (and more prepared) already.

Happy Fourth of July and Trivia Answer!

We hope you have a great Fourth of July with friends and family. You can find the answer to your trivia question below.

Answer: Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.

Did you get it right?