Your mortgage application is more likely to be approved on an unexpectedly sunny day, according to a new study.
from Bankrate.com » Mortgages http://ift.tt/1MeIKCD
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Go Noodling
When we’ve been sitting for awhile, we like to take movement breaks to help our brains stay active. One of our favourite sites to do this is Go Noodle. Who doesn’t like jumping and dancing to music?
from Ms. Cassidy's Classroom Blog http://ift.tt/1Wcrtfx
G/Fore Made High Tops for The Masters
It's been a disappointing Masters thus far.
I realize that might sound ridiculous considering the tournament hasn't even started yet. There's plenty to look forward to. Rory's first Green Jacket? What about Bryson DeChambeau, the amateur with the weird clubs and awesome cap? Can old Phil play like young Phil? JDay is a solid pick, right?
I'd put my money...well, actually, I'd be more comfortable waging your money, on Dustin Johnson...and no, I'm not kidding. #1 in Strokes Gained putting last week. That really happened.
Disappointing Gear
So yeah, great things may lie ahead, but on the gear front, more specifically, the limited edition Season Opener/First Major/any other way to describe The Masters without saying The Masters front, gear has been disappointing.
Sure, Scotty did the same tired headcover thing (spoiler alert - they sold out), the parade of unoriginal staff bags marches on too, but it has largely been a disappointing year for commemorative creativity. One bright spot...potentially the only bright spot in this year's Masters-themed gear category comes from G/Fore, a company best known for its premium gloves worn by, among others, Bubba Watson, Tom Watson, Jonas Blixt, and Justin Timberlake.
For Bubba the company created a line of Augusta-themed footwear to go along with the gloves, the signature piece, which Watson may or may not wear, is a pair of mostly-Augusta-green high tops.
It's official! Gallivanting with my new @gfore fam! #G/FORE #GLOVES #GALLIVANTER #whatsonmyfeet!!? #Mastersweek http://pic.twitter.com/OQUvCT4b2Y
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 6, 2016
While we like to give credit to Nike Golf (Michelle Wie's pink Blazers) for starting the trend that has led to the recent run of high tops, a G-Fore representative says the company's inspiration actually comes from Yves Saint Laurent SL/10H Court Sneaker (which currently sells for $645 at Barney's).
High fashion.
So yeah, I just mentioned Yves Saint Laurent in a story about a golf shoe. Kanye West fans feel free to rejoice while I attempt to drink enough to forget this ever happened.
The First?
It should also be pointed out that G/Fore first showed off the Crusader golf chassis (the foundation of the new high top) last summer, so there's some legitimacy in the claim that G/Fore is ahead of this high top curve.
We expect the G/Fore Crusader will eventually make its way to retail, and while it probably won't get the attention within the golf world that Nike, PUMA, and probably eventually adidas will get, the company is showing that neither creativity nor the golf high top is even close to dead.
We think that's a good thing, but by all means, feel free to disagree.
from MyGolfSpy http://ift.tt/1S2bIYG
Obstacle Course for Kids: 9 Ideas that are Super Simple
I have to confess. The idea of making an obstacle course for kids always stops me in my tracks.
I mean, my kids love obstacle courses. They’re amazing gross motor activities. There’s really no going wrong with them.
But…. setting them up? Holy cow, they seem like a lot of work.
However, I’ve come to realize they really don’t have to be. It can be pretty simple, or you can make it more complicated if you’d like.
My mom even sets up an obstacle course for the kids every once in awhile. They live on the farm, so it usually consists of a hay bale or two and they’re always a blast!
And the boys make obstacle courses for each other in our hallway….
I am promising, right now, that this summer, I will make an obstacle course, outside, with all the works.
But until then, I’m sharing some ideas fro an obstacle course that we’ve done in the past that were a huge hit with the kids, as well as some ideas I’ve found for inspiration.
… and these obstacle courses are super simple to make. I promise!
Super Simple Ways to Make an Obstacle Course for Kids:
- Spy Training Obstacle Course for kids from One Creative Mommy. An agility course that includes stepping through rings (just throw out some rings!), crawling under a table, and a tightrope!
- We did a Learning Obstacle Course. Super simple, just stick sticky notes everywhere with letters (or numbers, math problems, etc) and make them answer then and then stomp on it! Put them in odd places, on tables chairs, and under them.
- Make an activity obstacle course for kids by designating small areas to do a quick task (like jump 3 times, spin around, or something else). Have them carry something from beginning to end to complete the course.
- Our string obstacle course for kids is always a favorite and really easy to do. Thread the string back and forth between a hallway of chairs. Clip items to the string and have your child remove the items as they crawl, or step through the course.
- If you have PVC pipes, this obstacle course is fun to set up in the backyard! Make tunnels to crawl under, hurdles to jump over and poles to weave through.
- The Golden Gleam put together a really simple color obstacle course for kids, complete with ‘swimming through a lake’. Love it!
- Set up a tape obstacle course and have your kids jumping, balancing and so much more! This is awesome from Adventures at Home with Mum.
- Animal Obstacle Course for kids from Lalymom. This is fun for little kids, and oh-so-simple to set up! Go hunt for some animals now!
- Have your kids collect objects as they slither through a spy obstacle course!
Bonus Obstacle Course for Crawlers! Young kids can get in on the action too, even if you have a crawler. Set up couch cushions and pillows to have them crawl over and under propped up cushions! See our crawler obstacle course.
I think I just pumped myself up to make one… these don’t look too hard after all. What about you?
Will you make an obstacle course for kids soon?
Obstacle Course for Kids: 9 Ideas that are Super Simple on handsonaswegrow.com
from Hands On As We Grow http://ift.tt/1V8QIzW
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Zepp Golf Swing Analyzer Just Got Even Smarter
Swing analyzers, swing trainers, whatever you want to call the technology, the digital side of golf is evolving rapidly. So rapid is the evolution, in fact, that the Zepp Website actually changed while I was using it. That is to say that I left it up last night, and when I came back to the computer this morning, the site had been overhauled to celebrate the arrival of Zepp 2 (the next generation).
As you'll recall from last year's Swing Analyzer Test, we're big fans of the first generation Zepp product. It's the easiest to use of the current crop of 3D swing analyzers, and that makes it exceptionally golfer-friendly. It provides enough data to be useful, yet not overwhelming, and its suite of tools make addressing the swing flaws detected by Zepp manageable.
Basically my mom could use. Well, not my mom, but maybe yours could.
While there's nothing truly revolutionary in Zepp 2, it builds on the already solid foundation of the original, while leaving the door open for significant expansion of its capabilities in the not so distant future.
Introducing Smart Coach
The most noteworthy addition to Zepp's feature set is what the company calls Smart Coach.
If Smart Coach works as advertised, after you've taken ten swings, the software intelligence will analyze your swing and provide you with a detailed lesson plan (videos featuring Michelle Wie, Keegan Bradley, Rick Smith, and Pat Shea). As you work your customized program, the app will track your progress over time.
There is also a fitness training component with drills and exercises designed to help increase flexibility and core strength. Zepp's goal is to make you a more well-rounded athlete, or at least a less round athlete.
Again, a good bit of this is just a refined approach to what Zepp already does, and the good news is that Smart Coach will available to users of the original Zepp.
It's Still Easy
As with the previous model, Zepp 2 can measure the following aspects of your swing.
- Club Speed
- Club Plan
- Hand Plane
- Backswing Position
- Tempo
- Hip Rotation
3D and video analysis carry over as well.
The easy-to-digest data presentation and simplicity of use carry through as well.
New Hardware
More promise and intrigue than beneficial reality at this point is Zepp 2's updated form factor. The new circular sensor features two accelerometers, two gyroscopes, is Bluetooth LE compatible, and offers twice the battery life.
In addition to the hardware upgrades, the sensor is designed to more easily embed into equipment...and that's where things could get interesting.
Looking at the Zepp 1 vs. Zepp 2 comparison chart, you should note that the new version is Smart Equipment Ready.
What does that mean?
Imagine what might be possible if you could take the Zepp sensor off the glove and embed it into a club grip, maybe clip it to the shaft, or potentially affix it to the sole of a driver or the cavity of an iron. Possibilities are limitless.
Zepp's vision of the future involves and open-source, industry-standard sensor solution that can be integrated into all kinds of devices. Thus far the only real-world example is the Mike Trout Old Hickory Smart Bat Powered by Zepp. Using the Smart Bat as a proof of concept, it doesn't take much imagination to see how Zepp could expand its reach into the golf world.
There's infinite potential here. We'll just have to wait and see what comes of it.
Zepp Golf 2 retails for $149.99. More information is available at Zepp.com.
from MyGolfSpy http://ift.tt/1N6S5Y1
How to Teach Kids About Recycling When They’re Young
Do you recycle in your home? Do your kids help? We do the basics, and the kids help out here and there, we love to upcycle our recyclables a lot. But today, Swapna from Practical Mom is sharing some tips on getting your kids recycling and also learning about the recycling process itself. I always think its better when you expect something of someone to explain why it matters, what difference it will make.
It’s the weekend, so my 4 year old glances at the recycle garbage bin that is exclusively “assigned” to him.
“It’s full! Let’s go empty it!”.
He pulls out the garbage bag and carries it down to the basement where our main bins are. Softly humming a vague tune (with added sound effects!), he pulls out each item from the garbage bag, and toss it in the big bins according to plastics, paper & organics.
He is still figuring out paper is spelled p-a-p-e-r and plastic is spelled p-l-a-s-t-i-c, so he confirms before he begins, but overall he knows the drill. He is satisfied when the bag’s empty.
We go back to our home and he pulls out a cup of apricot flavored yogurt, slurps down every bit of it and announces “this cup is recyclable!” and tosses it into the recycle bin.
(Which makes me wonder- how come Danone’s Minion branded sweet yogurts cups are not recyclable, yet their natural ones are?)
(Also makes me wonder whether we should switch to Lays from Pringle on the basis of which cans can be recycled; despite the extra saltiness?)
What if every person on this planet thought this way? What if even a tenth followed this process? Think of the resources we would be saving!
Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil & 4100 kwh of electricity (Source: Macaw Book’s Go Green: Let’s Recycle).
Guess what?
I figured out a *brilliant* way to make this work.
To start recycling young!
Young children are enthusiastic, absorb details like a thirsty sponge and join in with gusto! (Try this with a teenager or an adult and you’re likely to get a perfunctory nod.)
But seriously, young kids? How do we even begin to teach them how to recycle?
*This list contains affiliate links for your convenience and as a way to support Hands On As We Grow at no additional cost to you.
1. Make it sound like an adult, grown up job: Little kids can’t wait to grow up! Grow up and do cool things such as drive mama everywhere & cross the road on their own! They’re pretty much game for anything that even “kind of” sounds off-limits.
2. Don’t oversell it: “WOW! look at this cool thing that does cool stuff! Mama’s gonna have so much fun with it because it is so cool!” is something that will guarantee a blank look if not an utterly suspicious “oh boy, what is it this time?” one from your kid.
3. Read to them: *ANYTHING* can be taught to little children with the help of good books. It is the easiest way to break down complicated concepts. The clearer they are with the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ the easier it is to convince them to do it. Here are my top 3 picks.
Forget about the environment, let’s first get this recycling thing straight. What exactly happens after the recycle truck drives away? They further sort items according to the number stamped inside the recycle sign. The plastic bottles are melted into plastic pellets and then molded into… well about anything! carpets, fleece jackets, sleeping bags or bottles again! Suzanne Slade’s A Plastic Bottle’s Journey is absolutely perfect. I cannot imagine a more articulate and engaging description!
What about glass? And organics? Usborne’s See Inside Rubbish & Recycling is your pick.
And finally, the big picture. How do little habits serve the world around us? Go Green: Let’s Recycle by Macaw Books (sorry, I am unable to find this available on Amazon, check you local library) takes you through that journey. Go Green is a simple series of books depicted by conversations between family members. Conversations that effortlessly connect to children!
4. Lay out specific tasks. Each kid to be assigned jobs. For example, each child gets his or her turn to sort items into plastics, paper, glass, organics & empty the bin. As a rule though everyone in the family looks for the recycle logo before tossing stuff out!
5. Be consistent. It’s not just an “Earth Day” fun activity, but a consistent task to be done regularly! Only consistently will ensure a life long habit that will make the whole family proud!
How do your kids help recycle in your home?
By the way, Earth day is Friday, April 22 this year.
How to Teach Kids About Recycling When They’re Young on handsonaswegrow.com
from Hands On As We Grow http://ift.tt/1qrCFZM
Monday, April 4, 2016
It’s Time to Bring Back Victory Gardens
During the first and second world wars, many countries encouraged their citizens to grow gardens, often called “Victory Gardens.” This relieved some of the burden on the public food supply and was marketed as a way to help the war efforts. In fact, some sources report that 41% of the food consumed during these times was grown in these home gardens.
Vacant lots and public parks became fields of vegetables and many people grew gardens in their front yards or on rooftops.
The New Battle
Thankfully, we don’t currently face a world war (and hopefully won’t ever again), yet today, we fight a much different type of battle, but one that is claiming many lives and is now attacking our children as well.
This enemy is one we willingly let in and it attacks us from the inside out.
Of course, I’m talking about our food supply and the current state of health in our country. We aren’t facing an enemy armed with rifles, but a much smaller invader that we often willingly consume and feed our children.
Much of our food is a source of inflammatory substances like polyunsaturated oils, sugar and processed grains. We consume sugar to the tune of over 100 pounds per person per year and recent studies show that many of us are lacking in the basic vitamins and minerals we need for basic health.
Most sources agree that the majority of us are not consuming enough vegetables and fruits. In fact, the CDC reported that only 27% of us are consuming the recommended amount of vegetables per day (and many experts claim that the recommended amounts are lower than they should be anyway!)
Rising Food Prices
Another problem we face is rising food costs. Prices are rising on all types of foods, and organic vegetables and fruits are often especially pricey. In fact, even in the comments on this blog, the most common reason cited for not eating enough vegetables or choosing organic options is the prohibitive cost.
Sadly, this problem doesn’t seem likely to get better any time soon. Food prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming years and choosing organic produce will only get more difficult.
A Solution To Both Problems
I’ve said before that there is much wisdom we can learn from older generations, and their victory gardens are no exception. Though about 40% of US households grow gardens of some kind (according to 2008 data), increasing this number could address both rising food costs and increasing health issues.
Having a garden provides other benefits as well!
Statistically, gardeners live longer and there are many potential reasons for this. They spend more time outside, getting natural Vitamin D and coming in contact with the earth. Dirt has benefits of its own and the simple act of getting our hands dirty can provide immune benefits. Many people also report stress relief and better sleep from spending time outdoors gardening.
A side benefit for families is that gardening is a great activity to do together and an excellent remedy to spending too much screen time and not enough outdoor activity. How many things could be remedied if families would garden and walk/hike/play together?
Ways To Grow a Victory Garden
No matter how much (or how little) space you have, you can grow some organic vegetables. From tiny-scale gardens like sprouts and microgreens in the kitchen to a large-scale garden in the backyard, we can all grow something.
A Full Garden
Those who have enough room can grow much or all of their own food on their own property. Where we live, many people do this, and I’ve heard my in-laws talk about how they grew all of their own produce growing up. Even a 10 x 10 garden can grow a tremendous amount of food and is a great family activity.
Those without enough backyard space have gotten creative and some people are even growing beautiful front-yard vegetable gardens to make use of limited space.
New to gardening? Consider using an app (like this one) to plan and know optimal spacing and planting times for your zone.
Square Foot Garden
A highly efficient way of gardening that has gained popularity in recent years, square foot gardening allows those with small yards to produce a large amount of food.
Square foot gardens are typically raised beds that add soil on top of the existing ground and soil. They are more expensive up-front but are easy to maintain and typically produce very high yields. In fact, one small square foot garden can grow enough produce for an entire family if cared for correctly.
Square foot gardening turns the idea of traditional garden rows on its head and maximizes space by planting in one-foot square blocks.
Container Garden
Families with limited outdoor space can grow a container garden of some kind. A small planter can grow lettuce, spinach or herbs, while a larger planter box can grow a small square foot garden. Even a tiny window box on the outside of the window can contribute some greens or herbs.
Sprouts + Microgreens
Even families with absolutely no outdoor space can grow some food indoors. Foods like sprouts will grow easily in glass jars on a kitchen counter, and with a little more work, a tray of microgreens can create a lot of nutrition for a family.
I challenge you to start your own victory garden! Are you up to the challenge? What are you going to grow this year?
Continue Reading...It’s Time to Bring Back Victory Gardens
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