Help your child to establish a good oral hygiene routine that will stay with them for life

As a parent, you want the very best for your child so that they grow up healthy and happy. This might mean pushing them to do well in school, encouraging a love of exercise, and demonstrating the importance of a nutritious, balanced diet. However, looking after your teeth is also a hugely important aspect of self-care for top physical health, and you have the power to show your child just how important it is to look after your teeth. Here is how you can help your child to establish a good oral hygiene routine that will stay with them for life:

Brush together

Kids learn by example, so brushing your teeth together every day clearly shows them the importance of oral hygiene and what a good routine consists of. Brushing together allows you to show your child the correct brushing and flossing techniques that will clean their teeth thoroughly while not harming their delicate gums. Dentists recommend that you spend at least three minutes on brushing for clean teeth; kids might struggle with this length of time, so by brushing together, you can ensure that they clean their teeth thoroughly, and you might even make the process fun by introducing brushing songs or a timer.

 

Make the dentist fun

Regular visits to the dentist are essential for monitoring teeth health and rectifying minor problems before they become serious issues. This is especially important for growing kids as their teeth are developing; however, with the bright lights, dentist’s chair, and scary-looking equipment, a visit to the dentist can be traumatic for many children. Carry out your research before deciding on a dentist for your child, and find one that has a bright and welcoming office with friendly staff. A dentist who specializes in children’s oral care will ensure that your child feels comfortable and unafraid in their office. Check out bafdentistry.com for more information about finding the right dentist for your child in your local area.

Use child-friendly brushing tools

It might take your child a while to properly get to grips with the correct tooth brushing technique, and using the right brushing tools can help with this process. A child’s toothbrush will have a head that is small enough to fit into a child-sized mouth and reach the very back of their teeth; its bristles will also be gentle to ensure a deep clean while not harming gums. Children’s toothbrushes are available in lots of fun designs to help make tooth brushing time that bit more fun. Furthermore, it is common for children to dislike the somewhat strong and bitter taste of minty toothpaste, and therefore be reluctant to brush for long periods of time, if at all. Children’s toothpaste comes in a number of different flavors, such as strawberry and bubblegum, to get them excited about brushing again. Just make sure that they use a pea-sized amount and spit the toothpaste out after brushing.

Isaak gets his braces off in two weeks. It will be fun to see his teeth once again!

OBYMEUS Men’s Tennis Shoes Review

Isaak typically gets shafted with all things new. He get hand me downs from Mica. I try and get him a few things here and there that match his personality. He doesn't get into all of Mica's space and science obsessions. 

I got a pair of lightweight tennis shoes to review just for Isaaak.  

Brand:

OBYMEUS - It's not a brand I'm familiar with. 

Where to get them:

You can pick them up on Amazon for $44.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QR3LP6C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details.

Colors:

They come in five different styles/color options. When I looked they didn't have as many. The only selection when I ordered were black and grey. The black ones were out in his size. 

• Cool Blue - They look super cool. Kind of a midnight blue.
• Blue - This confuses me because the shoe is actually grey with a green design on it. Possibly they have the wrong picture in there. 
• Active Grey - The same picture is in this shoe selection as the blue one. I'm thinking this is the right photo. It's grey with a green design on the side. 
• Brave Black - It's black with a sleek black design on the side. 
• Grey - The one we got to review.

Had they had all these options when we ordered, and all were in Isaak's size I would have gone with Cool blue or Brave Black. The design on the sides of those options remind me of the design lines he opted to put in his hair last year. 

Perks:

• They are lightweight and breathable. 
  
  
• The shoelaces aren't too long, or too short. 
  
  
• I like the neutral colors. To me neutrals aren't as fun as bright colors, but they go with more things. 

Cons:

• They don't have a ton of traction. They are advertised as being a gym shoe. I think just casual day to day walking shoe is more like it. 
  
  
• The tongue of the shoe is all part of the shoe. I don't know how I feel about that. I have never seen that before. It made it hard for that extra lace hole to go in. 
  
  
• I feel like the rubber tip (*see photo above) should go higher. The shoe could get scuffed easier because it's shallow. 
  
  
• Cost wise it's $44.99-$49.99. In one way sure they aren't as expensive as most shoes. In another way they aren't a brand I've ever heard before. The design isn't a shoe that would last. 
  
  
• I wish the color/design selection would have been there when we got this pair. Although this is the pair I agreed to review. 

All in all I'm glad Isaak has another shoe selection. He likes having new things. 

Do you like shoes that are colorful, or neutral? 

Disclaimer: I got this pair of shoes for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Mens Tennis Shoes Review

Both Mica and Isaak have been growing like weeds! It helps when I get shoes, boots, clothes, or food to review! 

Last week Mica got to pick out a new pair of shoes.

Where to get these tennis shoes:

You can get them on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08N18KHQT. They are $46.99 on Prime. They did ship really fast. 

Colors:

One downfall is that they only have this color in his size. He's in a size 10 1/2, but we went with a size 11. That's not too gigantic. My dad wears size 15 1/5! 

• White with Blue - Like he got
• All Red
• Blue with white soles
• Grey with orange soles - This is the one he wanted. I like that they are neutral which goes with a lot of things, yet have a pop of color.

Pros: 

They are breathable and lightweight. I hate when I have really heavy shoes that make a lot of noise when I walk. These are not like that. I also feel that because they are breathable there's going to be less stinky feet. Ha! I think the pop of blue coming through looks good. The laces aren't too short, nor too long. 

Cons: 

The color section was limited, for the size we wanted. The soles don't make a lot of noise and are lightweight, but have very little traction. Traction is something I look at when I'm buying in a store. I want the boys to be able to be boys. These aren't climbing, running, or hiking shoes. For an off brand - Damyuan - that I've never heard of, they are still fairly expensive. Almost $50. Like I said, they aren't super great, with little traction. 

Do you wear tennis shoes, or other kinds of shoes more?

 
Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. The company did not tell me what to write. All opinions are my own.

Making Kombucha #diy Step One

I’ve been making Kombucha for awhile now. I’ve never great with remember the steps on making things that have extended processes - in the kitchen that is. 

My mom got me this starter set a few years ago. I think I waited a half a year to use it. Mainly because I got it at Christmas time, when very little options of fruits can be purchased. 

I’ve made three flavors. I happen to like peach, orange, mango, ginger, and cardamom. Any recipe you find online is great. You can substitute different fruits as long as it’s the same amount. 

What You Will Need: 

•A kombucha starter kit. 

•Inside it will have a code to get the scoby. You do not need to get this until you are ready to make your first batch. It does not cost extra for the scoby. Inside the box there is instructions on prepping the scoby. 

•Organic black tea either loose or bagged. 

•Organic sugar. This helps activate the scoby. 

•Organic fruit, and spices when you are ready for the last step. 

•Jars, which I’ve been keeping Italian soda bottles, and fancy vanilla bottles just for kombucha. 

First Step:

•Boil 4 cups of water in a big pot. 

•Cool for 2 minutes. 

•Add 6 bags of organic black tea, or equivalent of that for loose leaf tea. If I use bagged tea, I tie the strings together. Steep for 15 minutes. 

•Pour 8 cups of filtered water in with the scoby to the big jar that comes with the kit. 

•When the 15 minutes is up, pour in 1 cup of organic cane sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon, until it’s dissolved. It took me around two minutes of stirring. 

•Pour the tea, sugar water into the big jar that has the scoby and additional water. 

•Put a cloth over the jar, add a rubber band, and place it into a dark place for a week. We usually put it into the box the kit came in. Don’t forget about it. 

That is it folks. It's as easy as brewing tea. I tend to make it more of a process in my mind, since it's not something done in one setting. I will follow up with the next step in a week. 

Why drink Kombucha?

The drinks are promoted as improving digestion and diabetes, strengthening the immune system, reducing blood pressure and being detoxifying. Proponents also contend kombucha helps rheumatism, gout, hemorrhoids, nervousness and liver function and fights cancer. *Source

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been consumed for thousands of years. Not only does it have the same health benefits as tea — it's also rich in beneficial probiotics. Kombucha also contains antioxidants, can kill harmful bacteria and may help fight several diseases.

Do you like Kombucha? 

Random Tid Bits

1. We've been binge watching Ozark. Have you watched it? My sister-in-law used to live in the Lake of the Ozarks. I asked her if the people that are depicted in the show how they really are there. She said, "For sure." I don't remember them being that wacky and back woodsy. 

2. The boys got done with school. That means no more dropping Isaak off, and picking him up. 

3. That also means I need to start going into work. I can't work with blabby boys around me. 

4. I only have a week left at work. I gave them my notice on Monday. Switching jobs again isn't what I wanted to do. I could think of a ton of reasons to stay, but also some major reasons to leave. In the end much of my work that I was happy with they weren't using. They wouldn't even talk about it. I kept doubting myself, and it wasn't healthy. 

More about the job I'm heading to in a week. 

5. My niece Margaret is doing really well. The only thing she's struggling with is solids. My sister has been trying for few months, and she's not into them. Kids with Trisomy 18 typically have weak necks and throats. She's holding her head up ok. I wish she'd take to food, so she doesn't have to get tube fed.  

Assignments for the Week

I thought I'd share these. I had an assignment this week. More about that later. 

I had to do an email blast about a new mobile app! 

+ a poster about a new sushi place being in Nashville. 

I was given fonts, images, and color swatches to use. I could use my own images with the things given to me, so I added one of my rainy images to the Nashville poster. 

Which image do you like better? They did not have to look the same. 

Frisson

Have you ever looked at art or listened to music and got goosebumps? Possibly one of the two art forms brought tears to your eyes. 

It's happened to me quite a few times. So much so I find it embarrassing when it happens. Someone typically asks, "Why are you crying?" Um, Because I was moved to. It's just kind of awkward. 

To make an audience feel is an artist's job. It doesn't always have to be that strong of an emotion. Storytelling should be in work that's created. 

Frisson ( French for "shiver"), also known as aesthetic chills or musical chills, is a psychophysiological response to rewarding auditory and/or visual stimuli. Apparently if frisson has happened to you, you have a special brain. Here's an article that talks all about it.

Do you have a special brain and are moved with frission? 

Happy Birthday Isaak

I now officially have two teenagers on the house! You turned 13 today. We’re a ball of emotions at the Apel house. Man it’s been a wild 12th year for you. Covid + remote learning was a struggle.

You get your first vaccine on the 25th of this month. You are afraid of needles. Aren’t you glad you don’t get three shots a month like I do? 

Big news: You got accepted to be on the anchor team, for morning announcements! It’s one thing you really wanted to do. You said it will be hard to go to school so early. I think that part is a blessing because it interferes with my day less. 😂 You were also nominated by your art teacher to be in a club called Aca Pinta. You don’t think you’ll get into that, but I think it’s a great thing that you were nominated. 

You also get your braces off next month! Note the no teeth smile below. You were so happy to get braces. Now...the happiness has worn off. I’ll be happy to have the sink looking less like a food trap, when you’re done brushing your teeth. I remember the feeling of my braces coming off. Too bad you don’t have that feeling on your birthday. 

Likes: 

•You like going to school more than being remote. 

•You formed a new friendship with a kid named David. He stood up for you, and you’ve stood up for him. 

•You like coffee. We only let you have a cup on the weekends, and on your birthday. 

•You like Sunny your gecko and Warhol my gecko. 

•You like tacos and pizza.

•You like wearing your piano socks every day. It’s too bad piano lessons went out the window with covid. 

•Practicing beat boxing is something you do all the time. 

•You like hiding in your room, but not as much as Mica does.

•You like hanging out with your cousins Evan and Elijah.

•Bike riding is an adventure. 

Dislikes: 

•You really don’t like mean, disrespectful kids. There are unfortunately too many kids out there like that. 

•Like any 12-13 year old, you dislike chores. 

•You dislike longer hair. Even in these photos your hair is too long, for your taste. I refuse to get your hair cut a lot in a pandemic. 

•Directions! You suck at going just a little away from home. 

•Being called Zeek. Sorry it was a given nick name from birth.

What you asked for, for your birthday: 

•For David to come over. 

•For a back massager. 

•For a new pair of shoes (would have gotten you those anyhow)

•For an office chair. You got a new desk too. 

Happy Birthday Sir Isaak Jaxon Apel! 

Birthday Party Cheesecake Jellybean Boom

Whenever it's any one's birthday I get the song, It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine..." by REM stuck in my head. There's some fast lyrics in there where he sings, "Birthday party cheese cake jellybean boom."

Isaak's going to be 13 on the 19th. 

He wanted 3 things:

1. A new office chair - If you remember Isaak built up a desk, so the office chair goes with that. Unlucky (because they are closing), but also lucky for me my old work of 18 years sold me a fairly unused office chair for $30. That's way better than the cost of them online. 

2. A new pair of shoes - I would have gotten him those anyhow. He wanted them for his birthday. I found a pair that looks just like a jacket he wears all the time that are ASICS. They were $20 cheaper on Amazon than they were in the store. Yay me.  

3. A back massager - An odd request for a 12 - soon to be 13 year old, but he wanted one. 

This back massager is fancy! I came in a cool case, with all kinds of attachments. Eight to be exact. 

The brand name: Trace Kasa

I've never heard of that brand name before, but it is rated well on Amazon. 

Where to get it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KCTMMFX

Cost: $69.98 

The cost I feel like is reasonable. I looked at their competition, and they sell them from $39 all the way up to $399!

Why Get a Back Massager?

On the Apel side, they have a history of having a bad back. Instead of paying for Chiropractic care it's good to maintain back care with exercises and a deep tissue massage. I already to Isaak that he's going to use this on his dad's back too.

Muscle Soreness Relaxation 

Trace Kasa percussion massage gun can relieve body stiffness and soreness with deep and powerful muscle massage after doing exercise, or for a warm-up before exercise.

It is suitable for personal use. 

Rechargeable Battery 

It does have a rechargeable battery. I kind of prefer a plug-in with most things. 

Do you have a back massager?

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Shampoo for My hair - Review

I have been looking for a shampoo that suits my hair growth + deals with dryness. I haven't gotten my hair cut, since well before the pandemic started. Even though I'm vaccinated, I still have this mindset that I shouldn't go to places unless I have to. Do you still feel like you shouldn't go out and about, while COVID is still a thing?

Along with my hair getting longer, I straighten it. It's not curly, more like very frizzy! It gets dry. 

I think I finally found the shampoo I've been looking for. 

It's called Pureauty Naturals Biotin Shampoo. 

You can get it here: https://pureautynaturals.com/products/biotin-shampoo. All Pureauty products are made in the USA, which I can stand behind.

This shampoo is for thinning hair and hair loss. My hair has always felt thin in comparison to my sister's thick hair. Biotin shampoo pairs with a conditioner to support healthier, fuller-looking hair. 

It came wrapped in plastic, to ensure there was no leaks in the shipping process. I'm not one for waisting packaging, but I have had liquid products leak so it's great they are careful with their product.

I've washed my hair(s) three times, since I got this shampoo. It makes my hair feel silky. I don't really feel the full feeling yet. Maybe that will come. I plan on using this shampoo after three washing of the other shampoo I have. Then it stays healthy, yet I use up product that's sitting around. 

I like that this shampoo is for guys and girls. It's annoying to have tons of products in the shower just because brands market to one sex or another. This shampoo doesn't seem girly or masculine. It's just great shampoo. 

What's in it?

Biotin oil, Pisum Sativum - Pea Sprout Extract and Pro-Vitamin B5

When I put it on my hand it's really clear. When I rub it into my hands it suds up a bit. Shampoos are actually best if they don't suds up a lot. If it does, that means that there's a lot of chemicals in it that are harmful. 

If your hair(s) feel thin, and/or get dried out then this product is for you. Biotin Shampoos are popular hair thickening products for women. Ditch the hair loss treatments for hair growth. Natural shampoos are going to be important for hair health. 

Cost: 

1 Bottle (Single Pack) - $26.45 per bottle | 3 Bottles (Recommended) - $21.50 per bottle | 6 Bottles (Super Saver) - $18.40 per bottle

I think that's a pretty good cost actually. 

What shampoo do you use? What hair type do you have?

Disclaimer: I got this product for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.