Seeking Simplicity

30 Fun Family Activities

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 28, 2010.

1. Visit a zoo in a nearby town – if you are like my family you have been to your local zoo numerous times. Why not change up the scenery a bit and visit a nearby zoo?
2. Go camping – you can camp at your local State Park or even your own backyard.
3. Make smores – you don’t have to have a campfire to enjoy smores. Put a marshmallow on a wood stick or fork to roast over your stove. Add to a graham cracker and chocolate and enjoy!
4. Play frisbee
5. Make a collage – use old magazines, newspapers, and other items you have around.
6. Have a picnic
7. Bake a treat – treat yourself and try a new recipe.
8. Go on a nature trail hike
9. Family movie night – rent a movie, make some snacks, and snuggle up in front of your TV for a family movie.
10. Play a board game – break out the old Monopoly, Scrabble, Trouble, or other fun board games that you have.
11. Play “find the toy” – hide a small item in the backyard and have the kids find it (my kids love this game).
12. Make playdough – mix the following ingredients together: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and 2 tablespoons cream of tartar.
13. Make slime – there are many recipes for homemade slime, here is my favorite.
14. Visit the library – you can borrow CDs, DVDs, books, and more at the library.
15. Color – grab your crayons or paint and print a summer themed coloring page online.
16. Make a piñata – how to make a simple pinata
17. Go swimming or to a water park – Google “public swimming pools” to find public pools in your area.
18. Visit a museum – Museum Day 2010 is on September 25. Check for local events here.
19. Visit a national park – find your nearest national park
20. Make a terrarium – making a terrarium is great fun for everyone! Here is a getting started guide.
21. Go to the movies
22. Go roller or ice skating
23. Have a water balloon fight
24. Make crafts – there are a multitude of online craft ideas. Here is one of my favorite resources.
25. Eat dinner at a restaurant – find out where kids can eat for free.
26. Clean the house together – turn up the music and have a cleaning party!
27. Go for a bike ride
28. Decorate your driveway – use sidewalk chalk and get creative.
29. Family Volunteer Day – participate in a family volunteer day.
30. Visit a local theme park – find your local park.

Simple Design: Gray Sofas

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 23, 2010.

Simple Design: Wall Clocks

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 16, 2010.

Simple Fitness

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 15, 2010.

Who doesn’t want to be fit? How many New Year’s resolutions revolve around getting fit?  How many people really follow through with this goal?

Exercise. For many people this is an ugly word, but it doesn’t have to be. Find something that is fun and start there. A simple fitness routine requires little or no equipment and can be done anytime and anywhere. Too many people get hung up on starting complex routines and buying expensive gizmos.

Jumping out of the gate doing hours of tough workouts will just lead to burnout or even worse injury. Start out gently!

Fitness is based on three key elements:

Cardiovascular Health

Go for a walk most days. It might not seem like much, but a thirty minute walk five days a week is already more exercise than most people do! Walking is easy, requires no equipment and is very safe. Walking is a natural and gentle entry into exercise. This habit can become a gateway into running. Spending time outdoors is a wonderful way to stay healthy!

Strength

A very simple routine of pushups, squats, and crunches can be done with no equipment at all. For motivation there are iPhone apps for Hundred PushUps, Two Hundred Squats, and Two Hundred Situps (Crunches), but they are not necessary. These three exercises will hit virtually every muscle group.

Flexibility

Finally, flexibility is the third key component to being fit. A simple stretching routine after walking, running or resistance training is all that is needed. Yoga is great for stretching and can have some elements of cardio and resistance training.

Fitness is about living life to its fullest while maintaining good health. The time invested in a simple fitness program will pay huge dividends.



Simple Design: Shower Curtains

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 14, 2010.

Morning Routines

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 13, 2010.

Mornings can be a chaotic mess. The rush combined with the sleepiness many of us feel early in the morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. A rough start to the morning can set the stage for a “bad” day.

Planning is key! Here are a few ideas to help minimize the morning blues:

The night before:

• set out clothing for the next day
• prepare briefcase, purse, wallet, backpack, etc
• know what you are making for breakfast
• pack or at least plan lunch
• go to sleep at a reasonable time

In the morning:

• get up when you hear the alarm (no snoozing!)
• eat breakfast
• focus on the positive

These steps form the foundation for an efficient start to the day. Try to stick to the same routine everyday. An organized morning routine is the perfect opener to a peaceful day.

Simple Design: Outdoor Planters

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on April 13, 2010.