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Toddlers and babies grow and develop everyday, and there are a variety of educational toys on the market to assist them in their development. Toddlers’ minds are like sponges; they soak up everything while developing their construction, social, sensory and speaking skills; and finding ways to enhance those skills will benefit your child in the long run. Studies have even shown that educational learning toys can help increase your child’s IQ by up to 50 points during their key initial learning phases, which take place early on in life. (more…)

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Mother’s Day 2010 falls on 14 March, so there’s still time to get your mother a gift she will love. But if you’re stuck for gift ideas, why not go the tried and tested route? Every woman loves a great fragrance. If you’re not sure how to choose the right perfume for your mother, though, this guide will help you pick a scent that matches your mother’s style and personality. Of all women’s perfume, Chanel No. 5 is possibly the best selling, and definitely the most timeless, but there are many other great options as well. (more…)

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If you need an excuse to eat salmon, look no further. Research on omega-3 fatty acids (abundant in fatty fish like salmon) shows that they’re called ‘essential’ fats for a reason. These good fats make you smart, keep your heart healthy, and even help with the ageing process. While the bad kind of fat – saturated fat – found in meat and dairy should be avoided, the body can’t live without omega-3 fatty acids. The brain, for example, is about two-thirds fat. But not just any kind of fat. There are two kinds of fat the body and the brain can’t make, and can’t live without, and one of them is omega-3 fatty acid, found in the highest amounts in cold water fish. (more…)

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It’s always great to have a set of plain crockery that suits every meal and occasion, but there are also times when you need something special to really set the scene for a themed party or dinner. The best way to get ordinary crockery to be really interesting and entirely your own is to transform a boring crockery set with your own designs. It doesn’t have to look horribly old-fashioned, and it’s easier than you think. When you think of hand-painted crockery, it’s probably not a pleasant image. But you don’t have to hand paint pictures of ducks and bunches of grapes onto your plates – simple designs that enhance ordinary crockery with their colour are often a good way to go. (more…)

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The cliché that breakfast is the most important meal of the day is more true than most of us imagine, but for many people that’s just not enough reason to take the time to bother with breakfast. If you’re one of those people, perhaps all you need are some healthy breakfast ideas to inspire you. Once you get into the habit it’s a lot easier than you think to start your day off with a good meal. You might think a double shot espresso is enough to get your day going, but eating a full breakfast can also do wonders. The best part? You’ve got all day to burn off the calories. (more…)

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Your country home is likely to be a place of rest and relaxation, so keep the look of the place relaxed. Relaxed, however, doesn’t have to mean sloppy: incorporating crisp fabrics and some modern touches will keep the look fresh and appealing. Instead, country casual means a focus on simplicity and a love for the details that this simplicity will show off. It’s easy decorating a country home – just follow some simple rules, avoid perfectionism and perfect symmetry, and choose what you love. One thing you can always do is to select a theme and then follow it throughout your decorating process. And, of course, you will still need add your own personal touch no matter what. (more…)

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The little beauty problems we all face at one time or another always seem to require expensive, shop-bought beauty remedies, but there is an alternative: you can create natural beauty remedies in your own home, and you might just find that they work more gently and more effectively. Hands and feet are used a lot during the day, so it’s no surprise that they’re often left feeling tired and rough. Something to try at home for your feet is a relaxing soak with Epsom salts – just place a few tablespoons of the salts in some warm water and soak your feet in them to give them a really clean, refreshed feeling, and to get them ready for exfoliation with a pumice stone. (more…)

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The word yoga means ‘union’ in the ancient Indian language Sanskrit. Yoga originated approximately five thousand years ago and has been a popular form of exercise ever since. It incorporates every part of the mind, body and soul, and is said to bring a sense of peace. Yoga can do wonders for the body. The movements and postures performed in classes aren’t arduous or straining, they’re easy, slow movements, so people with pain or injuries need not worry about hurting themselves further. Muscle tone will gradually improve by gaining strength through balancing exercises. (more…)

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Although it does depend on the weather and finding a good camping site, many travellers find camping highly enjoyable and prefer the ‘back to nature‘ feel of a camping trip to staying in hotels. Camping has picked up in popularity with more travellers opting for a nature filled experience at home, rather than a typical holiday in the sun abroad. Last year was a record year for the Camping and Caravanning Club, as member recruitment went up by a quarter. The Club is the oldest and largest club in the UK for all forms of camping, and has a range of camping tips for new campers. (more…)

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A social movement aimed at helping producers in developing countries, fair trade is certainly a good idea. But high prices make consumers reluctant to embrace it fully, whilst concerns also exist over whether it actually makes a difference. Is fair trade really worth the extra cash? Fair trade encourages consumers to buy fair trade products that help disadvantaged producers in developing countries to be financially independent. In many developing countries, wages paid to workers to produce goods that are exported to developed countries are too low for them to sustain themselves and their families. (more…)