Tag: outdoors

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One year anniversary of COVID-19

Believe it or not, March marks a year since our lives changed drastically. At the beginning of March 2020, COVID-19 spread throughout the world, requiring individuals to forgo their usual routines and adapt to a new lifestyle. Now, a year later, we are living our lives very differently.

Not only are we more conscious of our surroundings, but we are more hygienic. For example, if you go to a store or a gym, you will see employees or trainers sanitizing equipment and merchandise every few minutes. We spend more time washing our hands and taking care of ourselves than we ever did before.

“I forgot my mask!” is a common phrase you catch yourself saying, and traveling out of the country or state is an all-too-real distant dream. With all the isolated time we have been given during the pandemic, we have learned how to slow down, organize our homes and closets way too  many times, bake banana bread, and enjoy the outdoors.

With all these new hobbies we have acquired, all we want to do is to continue living our lives the way we did a year ago, but it is not that simple.

University of Michigan senior, Donna Neuman, longs for an in person graduation ceremony more than anything. “I really just want a graduation and nothing else right now is important to me. My friends and I have turned a lot of negatives into positives; for example, instead of going out with friends we hang in together. Those things are replaceable, but graduating is not.”

Our lives have changed in many more ways than one. As we sit and reflect on the one-year anniversary of COVID-19, it is hard to believe that it has only been a year.

When I think about the timeline it almost feels like a century. Masks are a part of our uniform and getting tested for COVID is the new trend.

Since it is risky for older adults with health restrictions to spend time with their younger loved ones, we have utilized FaceTime or Zoom to still get our personal family time.

Fortunately, the vaccine has been distributed to many essential workers, and soon to the rest of the world.

With the new year, all we can hope for is to say goodbye to COVID-19 and hello to living. By March 2022, I hope for good health, love, and for our lives to be more adventurous and spent with the ones we love most.

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Celebrate the ones you love

Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with love, discounted chocolates,
and flowers galore. No matter how you choose to celebrate, here are a few ideas for a memorable Valentine’s Day with the ones you love.

If food is the way to your significant other’s heart, wake them up with breakfast in bed or, following COVID safety guidelines of course, go to a nice Valentine’s Day dinner. Many restaurants off er a special menu and decorate to add to the experience. Call ahead and make the evening a night to remember.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, pick up food and bring it to a nearby park or beach to enjoy your partner and the atmosphere around you.

If you are looking for something more lowkey, order takeout from one of your favorite restaurants, snuggle up with a romantic Valentine’s Day movie, and spend time together. After the crazy year we had, why not keep the night simple and enjoy each other’s
company?

If you want to be in the comfort of your own home, but spice things up, try an online cooking class. You and your partner can create a dish and enjoy it together. Sur La Table and Cozy Meal are just a few online cooking class options.

Galentines 

Gather your best girlfriends and get ready to have the best Galentine’s Day. Stay in and have a spa night or go out on the town for an outdoor dinner. Whenever you are with your closest friends you are guaranteed a good time.

At the end of the night, cozy up with a classic chick-flick. Mean Girls, Bridesmaids, and Valentine’s Day are a few options to get your Galentine’s movie marathon started! Whatever you do, focus on your girlfriends and realize that you do not need a significant other to have a fun time.

However you decide to celebrate the holiday, remember that Valentine’s Day is to show your appreciation and admiration to your loved ones, whether that be family, friends, or romantic partners. Get out there and show some love!

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Gift Guide 2020

Tenth Street Hats, an Oakland California company, makes all kinds of hats,  from bowlers to straw boaters, from Panamas to Pork Pies. Brown Derby is  shown $56 tenthstreethats.com.

For the cocktail connoisseur in your life, miniature drink mixers are single- serving craft cocktails for the sophisticated set. Simply pour the contents of one bottle over ice, add a shot of the desired spirit (or not if you prefer a zero proof), and fill to the brim with club soda (or tomato juice for the Bloody Mary). Recipes for each flavor are printed on the box. Includes Mojito, Salted Paloma, Hurricane, Lemon Drop & Bloody Mary $22. https://www.elguapobitters.com/.

Silk pillowcases from Celestial Silk range from $35.99-$39.99 depending on size and can be found at celestialsilk.com or Amazon.

UV CARE Pocket Sterilizer is great for cell phones, keyboards, doorknobs, and countertops. It eliminates germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens, and molds using UV-C light technology. It’s powered by four AAA batteries or a mini USB cable. $42.99 at https://theuvcare.com/ or Amazon.

Thinking of something extra special for your 2020 COVID-quarantine sweetheart? Perhaps all she wants for Christmas is a 14K white gold pendant  with .45ct of diamonds. $1,500 at David Barry Jewelers in Boynton Beach.

B3 Blitz by Creative Brainworks is an engaging, fast-paced game of  skill that will keep kids and adults occupied and help prevent them from going COVID-crazy. B3 Blitz can be played indoors or outdoors, with bean bags or pong balls, and distance from the stand increases the skill level required. Game comes complete with a stand, buckets, 8 bean bags, 4 pong balls, and a convenient drawstring backpack to keep everything in one place. $29.99 on Amazon.

LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls are “a reusable, energy- saving alternative to dryer sheets. They naturally soften clothes without the use of unwanted harmful chemicals contained in dryer sheets.” This $39 set also comes with a 2 oz. bottle of “Sweet Dreams Linen Mist,” and a spring of lavender. https://www.loo-hoo.com/.

Interested in combining your experiences of the past with the technology of today to make sure your memories truly last forever by digitizing your precious moments for future generations? Enter Legacybox. Prices start at $32.99 and up. Simply send your old home movies, photos, memorabilia, and more and they will do the rest.

Dermatologist approved, this CBD infused tinted body shimmer oil is cruelty-free, made in the USA, and comes in three shades. The oil can be applied to face, lip, hair, and body. CBD adds a soothing feel to your daily routine. $45 shopmajorbody.com.

Love to listen and jam out to music whether at the gym or during downtime? Apple Airpods are the best gift for someone who likes to block out their surroundings and tune in to the beat of the music. Buy yours on sale today on Amazon for $159.

Mahjongg wipes are for the man or woman who has everything, and we mean absolutely everything. We bring you Mahjongg wipes from Parkland resident Jill Fox. $11.99 and up at mahjonggwipes.com.

Dangerous Minds Brewing Co. in Pompano Beach. Growlers & Crowlers To-Go of your favorite local brew are the perfect way to imbibe at home, with your socially-distanced crew, or as a gift for the holidays. Growlers $5/ea. Refills vary depending on the variety of beer $10-21/each. https://dangerousmindsbrewing.com/.

Get calm this holiday season. The Calm Gift Set supports everyday stresses, but we like to think of it as spreading peace and relaxation for the holidays. A botanical blend of lemon balm and Charlotte’s Web hemp extract in the tasty Calm gummies plus the high concentration 60mg CBD oil will ease winter days and nights. Add a hemp-infused roll-on to take wellness one step further with aromatherapy self-care. Starting at $115.47. Visit charlottesweb.com/calm-gift-set.

A family’s struggle with their 5-year-old daughter’s cancer spawned the non-profit Colorado company Brave Hoods, selling incredibly soft and comfortable hoodies, T-shirts, mugs, bags, and robes. For every shirt it sells, the company donates one to a child fighting cancer. An incredible variety for all ages, prices range from $12 for a mug to $45 for a hoodie. Visit BraveHoods.org.

Philanthrobee.com offers a plethora of honey-based skincare products for men and women. There’s even a $10 gift card on the site. Prices vary.

Doshi is the company that makes vegan belts, bags, wallets, and more. Items from $20 and up. Lady Bag 2 is their statement vegan bag. $189 at Doshi.shop.

Meet Stealth – the fitness tool that makes sneaking in a workout at home as fun and easy as playing a game! Their unique platform device uses gameplay technology to transform your body into a game controller. $99 on Amazon.

Do you know your Jackson Pollock from your Yayoi Kusama? This modernism edition of “The Museum Tour” can help your whole family learn more about these famous artists. $45 from cityspotsonline.com or Amazon.

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SoFlo Gardening: November

What to plant:

Annuals/Bedding plants: Create a display of fall colors with cool-season plants. Some examples include impatiens, strawflower, cape daisy, and pansy.

Bulbs: Many bulbs like to get their start in cool weather. Bulbs to plant this month include amaryllis, crinum, and the many varieties of elephant ear.

Herbs: Continue planting herbs from seeds or plants. A wide variety of herbs like cooler, dryer weather, including cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and thyme.

Vegetables: Lots of choices exist for November including beans, broccoli, kale, snow/English peas, and strawberries.


What to do:

Perennials: Divide and replant overgrown perennials and bulbs now so that they establish before the coolest weather arrives.

Lawns: Watch for brown patch and large patch until May. These fungal diseases cause areas of grass to turn brown. Since treatment is difficult, prevention with proper cultural practices is key.

Scale insects: Take advantage of lower temperatures to apply horticultural oil sprays to control scale insects.

Irrigation: Turn off systems and water only if needed. Plants need less supplemental watering in cooler weather.

Poinsettias: Watch for hornworms on poinsettias planted in the landscape. This pest can quickly defoliate a plant. Handpick or treat only the infested area.

Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension

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