Giving Your Back A Little Extra Care As You Get Older

tabbyspantry

Wear and tear is all a natural part of the human process of aging. However, there are some parts of the body that take it a little rougher than the rest and, without the right care, can cause some bad pain. Given that back pain is the single leading cause of disability amongst adults, it should be clear that it can strike anyone, and that you need to do a little extra to keep your back healthy. Here are a few tips to do just that.

 

 

Keep your core strong

Gravity is the primary force that’s wearing down on your spine and your spine supports your body to effectively fight against it and keep you upright. However, you can support your back as well to make sure that your spine gets some backup, as well. Our core muscles are rarely used during our everyday activities. As such, you need to make sure that you’re putting effort into actively doing core exercises, which can strengthen your abs as well as the muscles in your back, which can then help support your spine. If you’re already feeling some back pain, core exercises are often recommended as a way to help relieve that pain, as well. Of course, exercise, in general, is highly recommended, and we’ll cover another reason that this is the case, next.

 

Consider your weight seriously

Unfortunately, there is a very strong correlation between being overweight and back pain. Your spine doesn’t grow to accommodate the extra weight. If you’re heavier, you’re putting more stress on it, which doesn’t make it strong like it would a muscle. As such, if you are overweight and you’re feeling back pain, there is a good chance that controlling your weight might be able to lead to some relief. Even if you do not feel very mobile, there are options for everyone to start making a difference in their activity levels, as well as their diet, that can make it easier to start gradually making progress towards a weight that isn’t as likely to stress your back.

 

Make sure that you’re sleeping right

Your choice of bed and mattress might have deeper health implications than you might think. When you sleep is supposed to be when your back muscles and spine have the opportunity to relax but if you’re not giving them the proper support, then that might not happen. Which kind of mattress is best suited to you will largely depend on the position that you sleep in. The most important factor, however, is that you’re getting the support that your spine means. If you’re a back sleeper, for instance, this means that you should be using a firm or medium-firm mattress. If you sleep on your back, you should also consider placing a pillow between your knees to make sure that your hips stay balanced, distributing your weight more evenly on your back.

 

See the doctor early

When it comes to your back, you really shouldn’t be taking any chances. When you start to feel any aching or other symptoms there, you should make sure that you’re looking for some professional advice. You might think that some types of back pain are nothing to worry about, perhaps just caused by lying in your bed wrong, but if you’re feeling a sore back that worsens while walking, after sleeping, or after sitting, it could be a sign of a herniated disc. The sooner that you get it treated, the better your chance of treating the degeneration of the back tissue before it leads to a much more painful disc prolapse.

 

Try to maintain your posture

It might sound like you’re being told off by a teacher or parent as a child if you’re told to sit up straight or stand up straight. However, there’s plenty of good reason to make sure that you’re not slouching too much in your daily life. If you slouch or are slightly bent over, it puts more pressure on certain parts of your back, which can lead to some of the early degeneration mentioned above. Try to maintain a good posture while standing, walking, and sitting. If you need some help, investing in an ergonomic chair might be able to help you manage it more easily.

 

You might not be able to stop the aging process and completely eliminate the chances that you will ever get back pain. However, if you take care of your body, you can make sure that you’re less likely to suffer the worst symptoms of wear and tear that can lead to debilitating pain.

Free and Low Budget Marketing For Home Businesses

tabbyspantry

Small businesses often have a tight marketing budget to work with, which can make promoting your business very tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to market your business without much or even any money. 

 

 

Create A Free Google My Business Account

For local businesses, a Google Business Profile has become one of the most effective free marketing strategies there is. This allows your business to show up on Google Maps, the local section of Google Search, and the right-side Knowledge Panel for branded searches. 

 

In order for your Business Profile to show up higher on Google Maps or local results, you need to optimize it. To do this, you need to have verified ownership of it which is done through your Google My Business account. 

 

Post And Engage On Social Media

Increasing social media engagement and building a community online is a free way to grow your business while expressing your brand’s personality and building audience trust at the same time. Create accounts for your business and take part in sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and more. You can do this whenever you have a few minutes to spare. 

You can:

  • Promote your blog posts, which will drive traffic to your site
  • Talk to your followers to express your brand voice and create more engagement
  • Run polls and ask for feedback
  • Take excerpts from longer content and make quick, informational posts that are easier to digest
  • Advertise on video with OTT marketing (what is OTT?)

 

Whatever your motivation, make sure you are active and proactive on the accounts that you create. Be consistent, create community, collaborate, and be committed. 

 

Develop An Email Marketing Plan

Email marketing is a great way to get new visitors to engage with you as well as maintain relationships with your existing customers. Email marketing isn’t new, but it’s still one of the most reliable ways to achieve a strong return on your marketing investment. 

 

To do that, you should:

  • Put thought and creativity into your subject lines
  • Make sure every email has an offer that encourages your readers to take the next step
  • Track your performance and run A/B tests to see what copy and offers resonate with your list

 

Try some more easy email marketing ideas:

  • Get new website visitors to sign up for your newsletter by offering a bonus content piece or coupon/discount for subscribing 
  • Nurture your subscribers via email until they are ready to become paying customers
  • Start your promotional email campaigns with a free email marketing service

 

Host Classes and Events

Plan an event or a class, then print out some flyers and post them on community bulletin boards in the local library, coffee shop, college, and adult education center. Most community bulletin boards don’t allow businesses to advertise, but they will usually let you post a flyer that promotes an educational event or a class.  

 

If you can’t host an event, attend local events that would benefit your business. You never know where you might meet your next business partner or customer. 

DISNEY+ SHOWCASES NEW SERIES FROM LUCASFILM TO CELEBRATE STAR WARS DAY

tabbyspantry

DISNEY+ SHOWCASES NEW SERIES FROM LUCASFILM IN CELEBRATION OF STAR WARS DAY 

“Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett” Launches Exclusively on Disney+ Today

 

New Docuseries “Light & Magic” Debuts July 27

 

Star Wars Day is officially here, and Disney+ is joining in the celebration by showcasing two new exclusive series from Lucasfilm.

 

“DISNEY GALLERY: THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT”

“Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett” explores the behind-the-scenes story of the legendary bounty hunter’s return to the sands of Tatooine with mercenary Fennec Shand, who together seek to claim the territory and crime syndicate once run by the late Jabba the Hutt. In this insightful new special, filmmakers, cast and crew reveal never-before-seen footage, groundbreaking technology and the practical effects that brought it all to life. “Disney Gallery: The Book of Boba Fett” makes its debut today exclusively on Disney+.

Following the new trailer and key art, which debuted this morning to kick off the fun, the Star Wars Day celebration will continue for “Obi-Wan Kenobi” with star Ewan McGregor making a guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” tonight. The “Obi-Wan Kenobi” limited series will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, May 27, with the first two episodes. Following the premiere, the series will stream weekly on Wednesdays, until the finale on Wednesday, June 22.

Twitter: @DisneyPlus

Instagram: @DisneyPlus

Facebook: @DisneyPlus

TikTok: @DisneyPlus

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus; #MayThe4thBeWithYou; #StarWarsDay

First Look at Turning Red Alternate Ending – On Blu-ray Today

tabbyspantry
Disney and Pixar’s TURNING RED is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD TODAY!

The Blu-ray release includes an alternate ending in which Mei, finding herself sitting next to her 4*TOWN dream-idol Robaire on a flight to California, has some feelings.

Film SynopsisIn Disney and Pixar’sTurning Red, confident, dorky13-year-old Mei must balance beinga dutiful daughter with the chaos of adolescence. Her slightly overbearing mom is neverfar from her daughter. And, as if changes to Mei’s interests, relationships and body aren’tenough, whenever she gets too excited, she “poofs” into a giant red panda!

How To Improve Your Approach To Family Cooking

tabbyspantry

 

 

Whether you like it or not, family cooking plays a pivotal role in your daily life. Therefore, it is one aspect of your world where making suitable improvements will deliver a plethora of rewards. 

 

So, what are the best ways to address your family’s cooking activities to create a better situation for your family? Here’s all you need to know.

 

Make It More Affordable

 

Now more than ever, it’s imperative that your food bill becomes manageable. After all, energy prices and a host of other living costs have skyrocketed in recent months. This guide to affordable family eating covers a range of aspects. Whether it’s making smarter food choices or addressing the volume of food you purchase, the benefits can be incredible. 

 

When you no longer need to worry about the financial aspects of family cooking, you can spend more time enjoying it. For that reason, this should be your obvious starting point.

 

Go Healthier Without Losing Enjoyment

 

Every family should want to adopt healthier eating habits. Not least because obesity is one of the most common problems in modern society. However, this doesn’t mean you should fall into the trap of bland foods. Instead, recipes like naturally sweetened black bean brownies are your best friend. They focus on healthier trades that still promote tasty treats.

 

Reducing your refined sugars intake will work wonders for your family health. Achieve this without stopping your kids from having treats that they love for optimal results.

 

Make Food From Scratch

 

Cooking from scratch is a great solution for many reasons. It will have a positive influence on your budget while also making it easier to track what you eat. Better still, it is a great way to educate children about nutrition. It’s additionally a cheap way to spend time together. The memories you create will be the most rewarding factor of all.

 

If you are actively looking to spend more time together as a family, you’ll find that sharing mealtimes is also vital. You might not do it each day. But do it as often as possible.

 

Host Social Events

 

In addition to sharing mealtimes with your household members, you can extend this to other friends and relatives. Hosting a BBQ, for example, can be the perfect reason to spend more time together. It’s cheaper, more convenient, and more comfortable than heading out for a meal. It also adds a little versatility rather than always using the stove.

 

The key is to actively associate home cooking and family time with enjoyment. Once you achieve this outcome, your relationship with family cooking will greatly improve.

 

Be Flexible

 

Finally, a little versatility goes a long way to improving your approach to family cooking. Eating the same meals each week can get a little boring, even if they are beautiful dishes. Likewise, you should not feel restricted to rigid recipes. Feel free to mix things up by adding a new spice or creating side dishes. Allow yourself to be creative.

 

It’s a simple move that can make cooking far more enjoyable and engaging. In turn, it will become a far happier and natural part of your daily routines.

 

4 Unique Personalized Gifts You Can Make at Home

tabbyspantry

Looking for a unique gift to give your loved ones? Why not try making something yourself! Personalized gifts are always a hit, and they’re easy to make at home. This blog post will discuss seven different types of personalized gifts that you can make yourself. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to create each one so that you can get started right away. 

 

 

1) Photo album: 

 

A photo album is a great way to preserve memories and share them with others. To make a personalized photo album, simply gather your favorite photos and arrange them in an album. You can add captions or handwritten notes to each photo to make the album even more special. 

 

To create a basic photo album, you’ll need: 

 

-A stack of photos

 

-An empty photo album

 

-Glue or double-sided tape

 

Begin by flipping through your stack of photos and choosing which ones you’d like to include in the album. Once you’ve selected your photos, it’s time to start placing them in the album. Begin by adding one photo to the album’s first page, then add another photo to the opposite page. Continue adding photos until all of your chosen photos have been used. Once you’re finished, close the album and admire your handiwork! There are endless possibilities when it comes to personalizing a photo album. You can get creative with the layout, add embellishments like stickers or ribbons, or even create a theme for the album. For example, you could make an “Our Favorite Moments” album that includes pictures from special occasions like birthdays and holidays. Or, you could make a “Family History” album that tells your family’s story through photos and captions. The sky’s the limit!

 

2) Customized mug: 

 

Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee in the morning? If you know someone who can’t start their day without a cup of joe, then a customized mug would be the perfect gift! All you need to make a personalized mug is a white ceramic mug and some permanent markers. Next, decorate the mug with a design, pattern, or message of your choice. You could even include the person’s name or initials to really make it unique. Once you’re finished decorating the mug, bake it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes to set the design. 

 

3) Cook or bake:  

 

One of the best gifts you can give is your time, and what better way to show someone you care than by cooking or baking for them? Whether you’re whipping up their favorite dish or baking a batch of cookies, they’ll appreciate your effort in making something special just for them. If you’re not sure what to make, the apple curd recipe is a great option. This homemade apple curd can be used to top pies, tarts, or even pancakes! 

 

4) Personalized book: 

 

Books make great gifts, and you can make them even better by personalizing them! Simply choose a book that you know the recipient will love to create a personalized book. Once you’ve selected a book, use a permanent marker to write a message on the inside cover. You could also include the person’s name or initials to really make it memorable. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even decorate the book’s cover with stickers or ribbons. 

 

These are just a few ideas for personalized gifts that you can make at home. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with endless possibilities! So get started today and show your loved ones how much you care.

 

PURELL® Brand Expands Consumer Portfolio with Launch of New Foam Hand Sanitizers

tabbyspantry

We got Purell free in exchange for an honest post.  All opinions are our own.

 

I don’t know about you guys, but my little guy catches everything.  I always have hand sanitizer with me everywhere we go.  Now a days we don’t go out too much, but when we do we use a ton of sanitizer.  Our hands end up getting so dried out.  I love that they have a foaming moisturizing 2 in 1 out.  They even have the mini packets that I can throw into my purse and have ready at any time.  These are a must.

AKRON, Ohio (March 29, 2022) – The PURELL® Brand today announced the launch of its latest innovative solutions for consumers – PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals Foam and PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer 2in1 Moisturizing Foam. These new formulas are perfect for anyone looking for a trusted hand sanitizer that is tough enough to kill 99.99% of most common germs that may cause illness while being gentle on skin – even clinically proven to maintain skin health.

PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Naturals Foam: Help those you care about kill germs on their hands with this luxurious formula made from plant-based ethanol with 91% biobased content. This product has a USDA Certified Biobased Formulation made with naturally renewable ethanol and is available in recyclable 10 oz pump bottles at Walmart, Target, and CVS. Gel versions of our Naturals formula are also available.

PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer 2in1 Moisturizing Foam: Rejuvenate skin and eliminate germs with a unique blend of moisturizing ingredients, including antioxidants and Vitamins B3 and E, which hydrate and moisturize skin. Kills 99.99% of germs while nourishing skin. This product not only maintains skin health but also improves skin condition with repeated use. Hands feel clean and soft after use – not sticky. PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer 2in1 Moisturizing Foam is available in recyclable 10 oz pump bottles at Walmart, Target.com, and CVS. Gel versions of our 2in1 Moisturizing formula are also available.

 

The rich foam of both products clings to hands for mess-free sanitizing and dries quickly. Both are naturally fragranced with a blend of essential oils – which are all clearly listed on the label. Neither product contains harsh preservatives, dyes, triclosan, parabens, or phthalates.

 

“After 75 years of developing hand hygiene products, we know that formulation is vital when it comes to alcohol-based hand sanitizer – and I think consumers have realized, and experienced, that more than ever over the past two years,” says Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D., PURELL® hand hygiene expert. “While the percentage of alcohol is very important, the entire formulation is what impacts its performance and the user experience – and if both of these elements aren’t there, consumers won’t want to use the product. We formulated these foam hand sanitizers specifically for consumers, so they can have peace of mind that they kill the germs that can make them sick, while also enjoying the feel, smell, and ease of use.”

 

PURELL® products, including hand sanitizer, soap, surface spray, and wipes, are available online and at stores nationwide in a variety of sizes and formulas. PURELL® Hand Sanitizer remains America’s #1 hand sanitizer. For more details, visit PURELL.com. Helpful information about hand and surface hygiene best practices is available on the PURELL® Brand Well-Being Center.

Giveaway Sadie and Rose GLO-Up doll set

tabbyspantry 4 Comments

 

 

This is by far my absolute favorite doll line. The GLO-Up Girls fashion doll line builds on the massive cultural phenomenon of #GlowUp – a hashtag with more than 40 billion video views on TikTok. The dolls offer a full “Glo-Up” experience including spa, nails, hair, makeup and fashion play, and even a real beauty mask for the girl! The dolls retail at approximately $19.99 USD each. The fashion doll line was a Toy of the Year Award nominee in the Doll category and is currently sold at Target stores. At the time of this post, the dolls are on sale for $14.99!

I received my two favorite GLO-UP GIRLS to review and must admit I’m thrilled beyond words. 

 

Meet Sadie.  She has the most awesome hair on the planet! Sadie is a kind hearted girl who loves to give.  She is warm hearted and empathetic. She wants to create social harmony and sees the best (GLO) in everyone. She also loves fashion.  Her aspiration is to be a famous fashionista.  Her style is fancy and frilly.

 

Sadie comes with everything shown here, including a face mask for your child, a bath bomb with hidden makeup brush surprise, color changing nail color and extra fashions.

 

Meet Tiffany! She reminds me a lot of myself.  She is a loyal friend.  She is shy at first, but becomes a fast BFF who will fly to the moon and back for you.  Her dream is to create the #1 Social App, and her style is casual chic.

 

 

Tiffany comes with everything you see here. She is so pretty! 

Fans can follow the GLO-UP GIRLS’ social channels on Instagram and TikTok @gloupgirlstv.

About GLO-UP Girls

The GLO-Up Girls fashion doll line builds on the massive cultural phenomenon of #GlowUp – a hashtag with more than 40 billion video views on TikTok. The dolls offer a full “Glo-Up” experience including spa, nails, hair, and makeup play along with fashion surprises. Each doll comes in stylish pajamas and 25 accessories to give your doll a total Glo-Up. In addition, each doll comes with a real beauty mask for the girl! Six different characters are included in Series 1, with a retail price of approximately $19.99 USD each. The dolls will be available at Target stores in the United States approximately March 1, 2022. Learn more at www.gloupgirls.tv.

About Far Out Toys

 

Far Out Toys Inc. is one of the fastest growing companies in the global toy industry, with full-scale product development, marketing, sales and vertically-integrated manufacturing operations. Far Out Toys leverages extensive relationships with inventors, distributors, IP holders and mass retailers to launch brands across categories – including vehicles, games, licensed collectibles, electronic toys and fashion dolls. The company’s subsidiaries, Far Out Studios and Far Out Records, produce a range of original entertainment for today’s social-first audiences. For more information, visit www.farouttoysinc.com.

Be sure to check out my post featuring the newest GLO-UP girls and the latest news!

 

GIVEAWAY 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One winner will receive a Sadie and Rose GLO-Up doll set (RV $39.98). Open to the US 48 contiguous states.

All entries will be verified—only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Any person who has won a prize (or whose household has won a prize) in any promotion sponsored by the Sponsor in the past thirty (30) days before this contest start date is not eligible to win a prize in this contest. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Entrants who have created social accounts purely to enter Competitions or Sweepstakes will not be eligible to win. All social accounts used must be public.

The winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 48 hours before a new winner is chosen. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household, please. Chatty Patty’s Place,  The Review Wire and Tabbys Pantry are not responsible for the shipment of the prize. Ends 5.16.22

 

Giveaway: Autographed Anne Wilson ‘My Jesus’ cd

tabbyspantry 1 Comment

 

Check out Anne Wilson’s Debut Album, “My Jesus”, which released April 22nd!


Many thanks to Universal Music Group for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

I was given the opportunity to attend a virtual live concert last night featuring Anne Wilson and her music from her debut album, My Jesus.  I enjoyed the music and experience so much.  The album is fantastic! Every song is so good.

We received a special surprise when Hillary Scott (from Lady A) appeared to perform the song Mamas, along with Anne Wilson from the album.  The official music video for this song will be released on 5/4 for Mother’s Day. It includes footage of Anne surprising her mother with the song, and Hillary Scott and her daughters. 

By the end of the performance I felt so enlightened.  The music is so uplifting. I’m excited to be given the opportunity to give away an autographed cd of Anne Wilson’s album ‘My Jesus’. See below to enter.

 

FUN FACTS: 
 


  • Anne Wilson is the first female solo artist debut single to reach #1 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart

  • Anne Wilson’s debut single “My Jesus” was the longest #1 single on Billboard’s Christian Air- play chart of 2021 at 7 weeks total

  • “My Jesus” was nominated for a 2022 Billboard Music Award for “Top Christian Song” against Kayne West. The awards will broadcast live coast-to-coast on May 15 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC. It will also stream live on Peacock. 

  • “My Jesus” Hit #1 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and #19 on the Rolling Stone Top 25 Trending charts

  • Anne Wilson was featured as Billboard’s October 2021 Chartbreaker Artist in their 21 Under 21 issue


Album Track Info:
 


1. Prelude (Scatter)


2. Scatter


3. My Jesus


4. Devil


5. Sunday Sermons


6. Hey Girl


7. This House


8. Mansions


9. Mamas (with Hillary Scott)


10. No Place Like Home
 11. God Thing


12. That’s What We Need


13. Something About That Name
 14. Closer To God


15. My Jesus (feat. Crowder)

 © 2022 Momentum. 

 


Stream Anne’s new album now!


Album Link to Stream/Buy https://annewil- son.lnk.to/MyJesus0F!MN





“My Jesus” Official Music Video: 




“Anne’s My Story” Video: 

Official Hashtags: #AnneWilson #AnneWilsonMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

 

Giveaway: Autographed CD


a Rafflecopter giveaway

One winner will receive an autographed Anne Wilson ‘My Jesus’ cd (RV $11.98) Open to US 58 contiguous states

The winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter and contacted via email. A reply to the winning email is required within 48 hours before a new winner is chosen. Void where prohibited by law. One person entering per household, please. Chatty Patty’s Place and Tabby’s Pantry are not responsible for the shipment of the prize. Ends 5.3.22

Skills Every Homeowner Should Cultivate

tabbyspantry

 

 

When you own your own home, you are responsible for its upkeep, and unfortunately, that kind of stuff doesn’t come with a manual. 

 

So, if you want to keep your home safe, secure, and as attractive as possible, there are a few things you should learn including the following:

 

How to unclog the sink

 

There are lots of plumbing tips for homeowners that are useful to learn, but clogging the sink is one of the most basic and commonly needed, and luckily it’s very easy to do. Simply fill the sink with water and plunge until the blockage is cleared. If it is very deep, the drain snake should be all you need to get rid of the debris that is causing the clog. 

 

How to change a fuse

 

Fused don’t last forever and when they fail, your electrical appliances can stop working. Luckily, it’s really easy to change a fuse as you will see in this great guide. Just make sure, if you sare dealing with a fuse box, that you always turn the electricity off before you touch anything, and that goes for any electrical works you may be doing from changing a lightbulb to wiring in a light fitting.

 

How to fix a faucet that’s leaking

 

Leaky faucets are one of the most common household problems. In most cases, it is just a matter of replacing the washer, which you can do by turning off the water and removing the screw in the top of the handle. If there are no cracks in the plastic or rubber, remove the washer, replace and then put the faucet back together again. Job done.

 

How to hang things on drywall

 

Whether you want to hang family photos or a beautiful work of art, then it is a good idea to learn how to hang heavy things on drywall, especially if it is quite thin because, if you get it wrong, you could end up doing serious damage to that drywall.

 

What’s the secret to hanging heavy items on thin drywall? Don’t use one-shaped plastic anchors, use a toggle bolt instead. Yes, it really is that simple.

 

How to get rid of mold

 

Mold is such a big problem in so many homes. It is unsightly, bad for your health, and bad for your home’s integrity too. Luckily, it is actually quite easy to get rid of mold by washing it with a solution of water and bleach in the first instance, and then ensuring that your home is as dry as possible in the second instance. You can also use things like mold-resistant paint to prevent future mold growth, and it’s a really good idea to do that if your home is particularly humid or you have a lot of issues with mold and mildew.

 

If you cultivate all of these basic homeowner skills, you will be able to keep your home in great condition without having to spend lots of money on contractors and handymen which is always a good thing!