Author: Robin Strong Elton

  • Comcast Comfort and Joy: A Green Gift for Someone Who Has Everything

    Comcast Comfort and Joy: A Green Gift for Someone Who Has Everything

    Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.

    ―Jane Austen

    *Xfinity has a whole lot to offer families! A big thanks to them for sponsoring this post: enter to win a Nest programmable thermostat below! #XfinityMoms*

    Baby, it’s finally cold outside, and while I respect those intrepid souls who brave low temps to go caroling or outdoor ice skating, nothing seems as appealing to me after dark as snuggling up under a nice warm blanket and catching up on my shows. 

    It’s a specific kind of comfort and joy: that no-pressure time with your close family, where you’re free of commitments for the rest of the day, free to wear your most comfortable clothing, free to cuddle and laugh and maybe drift off to sleep.

    It’s something you wish you could wrap up and give to those who don’t already have it. And in a way, you can.

    I’m all about gifting experiences rather than things during the holidays, and when I recently visited the Comcast store in Cherry Hill it struck me that for those who don’t already have them, the newest perks Comcast has to offer are awesome out-of-the-box gift ideas. Not only do they provide the framework for family time, but they’re gifts that keep on giving all year long providing comfort and joy. 

    How? Well, I’ll tell you.

    5 Ways Comcast Xfinity Provides
    Year-Round Comfort and Joy

    They’ve partnered with Netflix

    Seriously, how did we survive before Netflix? Having to wait for shows and movies to air on TV seems torturous now. I love me some solid Netflix time with my kids, but the WORST is when it lags. Not only is it frustrating, breaking up the continuity of the plot of whatever we’re watching (Black Mirror just doesn’t have the same impact watched in five minute increments), but the kids will give up and wander off to the far corners of the house to do their own thing if it doesn’t resolve quickly.

    With the integration of Comcast X1 and Netflix, you’re not at the mercy of your wi-fi. No more slow buffering. No more “loading” screen or timed out connection. It’s a Christmas miracle!

    Littles can safely hang out in the Kid Zone 

    Remember when PBS was your only option for keeping kids entertained during the day unless you had extended cable or a steady supply of VHS tapes? Not to knock PBS, of course, but variety is the spice of life and I remember watching a ton of soap operas when I was young simply because it was on and I’d already watched whatever PBS was running at that hour.

    The Comcast X1 Kid Zone is a super kid safe entertainment. Parents set the age limits, and have the comfort of knowing their kids can safely explore within this programming and choose what to watch next on their own (the voice-controlled remote makes this especially easy). You can have the next show autoplay for ongoing entertainment. If you’re wondering about a specific show, you can check the details and ratings provided through Common Sense Media. Parental control settings are saved in the cloud, so even if there’s a power outage kids can’t reset and access non-approved content.

    Obviously, kids shouldn’t be in front of the TV all day, but sometimes you just gotta get stuff done, and I see this feature as being particularly helpful for people babysitting. (I still can’t figure out how to start movies on my brother’s DVD player.) 

    Fun fact: simply being in the room viewing kids’ shows with them helps them to learn from what they are watching.

    Never miss an episode, guest appearance or game again

    This feature will bring joy to hardcore fans who want to see it all. Tell your DVD to record every episode of Doctor Who, or every time Twenty One Pilots appears on a show. Comcast also has a ton of sports packages available— you can get 24/7 coverage of football, basketball, baseball, hockey. Soccer fans can see every team and over 240 regular season games. You can track multiple games or access stats in real time without taking your eyes off the game you’re watching. And you can take the game with you on your phone or other mobile device.

    And, you guys. You can take all this stuff on the go with you. You’re not tied to the cable box. Just download the Xfinity TV app and you can access most channels and everything on your DVR from your phone or tablet. Long drives with kids, time consuming commutes on the bus or train, sitting in waiting rooms or waiting for a table at a crowded restaurant… all that has changed.

    Fun fact: watching football (or participating in other “epic fandoms”) can make you happier and healthier.

    Integrated apps bring the web to your big screen

    Xfinity X1 not only curates trending top TV shows and movies for you: it also gathers together digital content from the web, from viral YouTube videos to digital content from your favorite magazines. And, using integrated apps, you can easily pull up your Facebook live video from your tween daughter’s winter band concert to play during dinner at Grandma’s. I bet she’ll really like that. (Grandma, that is. Your tween will probably disown you for the evening.)

    Xfinity Home keeps you safe and connected

    The future is now. Xfinity Home is the definition of comfort when you’re away from home, with options for 24/7 professional security monitoring and live video monitoring.

    • You can see for yourself that your kids arrived home safely, or that the nurse stopped by to check in on your father.
    • Install enabled light switches or outlets and you can turn indoor and outdoor lights on and off while away from home (or when you’re too tired to get out of bed, whatever, no judgment here).
    • Double check that you closed the garage door, and make sure your curling iron isn’t going to burn the house down.
    • Remotely let in the neighbor so they can feed your cat, and then remotely lock the door behind him.
    • Access your programmable Nest thermostat so you’re saving energy during the day but only bumping up the heat when you know you’re about to walk in the door.

    Amazing, right? Check out Comcast Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Home for yourself and put it at the top of your list as a no-clutter gift solution for that hard-to-shop-for someone who has everything.

    Don’t worry, they’ll still have something to open: it’s hard to not act like a kid with a new plaything when you’re faced with a voice controlled remote.

    I also feel compelled to note that Comcast is listed as one of the Top Ten Companies for Veterans, according to DiversityInc; they’ve saved over 15 million gallons of fuel since 2010 thanks to fuel efficient vehicles and self-install options; they’ve recycled over 8 million pounds of e-waste in one year.

    Locally, Comcast recently gave over 14,000 pounds of food to 93.3’s Preston & Steve in their annual food drive!

    Giveaway!

    Comcast Xfinity is providing a Nest thermostat to give away. Trust me, you want it:

    • automatically adapts to your schedule after a week of use
    • can be remotely controlled from your phone; the app shows daily and monthly use so you can improve
    • studies show it can save an average of 10-12% on heating and 15% on cooling bills, paying for itself in under two years
    • different ring styles available, so it looks great whatever your home decor style
    • and now, it lights up when you walk into the room!

    Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below; this giveaway ends on December 20th, 2016 at midnight. Good luck!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

     

  • Top 10 Reasons to Care For Wild Birds this Winter

    Top 10 Reasons to Care For Wild Birds this Winter

    I realized that if I had to choose,
    I would rather have birds than airplanes.

    -Charles Lindbergh

    I read a lot of press releases every day for a lot of reasons. Usually I just take note of a company name or a post idea, but I thought this one was cute and worth sharing 🙂

    Wild birds may not really be in a humorous mood as they look at what lies ahead for them this winter. So BirdFeedersPlus.com has developed a Top 10 List to draw attention to their plight. It’s intended to be a tongue-in-beak, bird’s- eye view of what they’re probably tweeting about this Christmas season. However it is a serious matter to wild birds trying to make it through the difficult weather conditions they’ll be facing. Humans can make a difference in improving their chances of survival by providing them with food & water.

    TOP 10 Reasons to Care For Wild Birds this Winter
    –from a birds’ eye view:

    10. Have YOU ever tried bathing in the snow?
    9. Spring is HOW far away?
    8. WE should get some credit for being the FIRST ones to start the “tweeting” craze – and we did it without cell phones
    7. It’s not like we’re asking for steak & potatoes – just seeds would be fine (plus some heated water)
    6. We don’t have fur coats like our other outdoor companions
    5. You think we LIKE those stupid unheated houses with one little hole & no windows?
    4. We’re your feathered friends!
    3. How would YOU like to go months without mating?
    2. You think YOU hate cats!
    1. It’s still politically correct & you’ll be a better person for caring about us.

    ____________________________________________

    (This is me writing again.)

    Birdfeeding in winter is hugely rewarding, especially for kids. The bare branches on the trees make birds easier to spot, and since normal meals aren’t as abundant (insects, berries), they’re much more willing to visit feeders close to your house.

    Learning bird identification hones observational skills and critical thinking; invite your kids to research their backyard birds, sketch them or graph their finds for bonus educational boosting. Journal bird sightings and then bring the journal back out next year to predict when your favorite birds will reappear.

    But mostly backyard birding is a good way for kids to become familiar with the way that nature depends on our care… and the way the lively lilt of a bird’s song and happy tilt of its head make our own lives richer.

    It doesn’t take much. There are tons of tutorials on DIY birdfeeders from upcycled materials, and storebought birdfeeders and baths make lovely holiday gifys that keep on giving. But really, it can be as simple as seed tossed outside your window.

    Seriously, try it. You’ll be amazed at how checking in every day lifts you from your seasonal stress.

    Are you a birder? Do you set out feeders in winter?

     

  • Gifts to Reduce Stress and Stay Healthy

    Gifts to Reduce Stress and Stay Healthy

    christmas tree farm

    There’s nothing sadder in this world
    than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.

    -Erma Bombeck

    Just kidding. The Christmas season is magical and exciting no matter what your age, but it can be harder to hold on to that Yuletide spirit as you get older. Choosing the perfect present becomes burdened by a budget, decorating and winter concerts are a strain on an already busy schedule, holiday parties are enjoyed with a guilty mental calorie count. I’m not even going to bring up travel.

    The truth is that for a lot of people the holidays can be stressful, and stress puts a serious damper on your immune system. Add that to the number of people you’re around in relatively close quarters and the scene is set for sick days you simply don’t have time for.

    I’m kicking back with gift ideas for those people on your list who could do with some relaxation: parents, teachers, party throwers, workaholics… and you.

    Treat yourself and stay happy and healthy through December and into the new year.

    gifts that reduce stress and boost immunity

    Note: affiliate links follow.

    Wake Up Right

    I’ve been attempting to carry out a personal crusade against the alarm but my husband is the kind of the multiple snooze button. Ideally, you want to have a good bedtime routine and go to sleep early enough that you wake up automatically, without an alarm, but I know that’s not realistic for everyone, especially during the dark mornings of Daylight Savings Time. Instead, forego the adrenaline jolts and resulting sleep inertia and be awakened gently with increasing light, simulating sunrise. (This gentle wake-up light alarm clock also allows you to choose nature sounds to wake you, and works the other way, gradually decreasing light at bedtime to help you fall asleep.)

    gentle wakeup light alarm clock

    Meditation in the morning

    79% of those surveyed in an IDC Research report admitted to checking their phones within 15 minutes of waking up (89% of 18-24 year olds, yikes). That’s stressful, guys. You’re jumping right into the fray by dealing with emails, scanning the news, reading up on whatever the latest outrage is on Facebook (Reese’s peanut butter trees not looking like trees, by the way: not really an outrage, just an aggregation of a handful of people making observations. We’ve reached this weird place where people become outraged about other people being outraged, when nobody was actually outraged to begin with). And then, too much time has already gone by and you’re already running late, rushing around.

    Instead, take some time to ease into the day. Clear your mind entirely for calm, focus on your intentions with optimism or empowerment. Studies support again and again that meditation is good for your mind and your body, both short term and long term. For those who can’t shut down their monkey mind or SQUIRREL! mentality, try a guided meditation. I like the OMG I Can Meditate app, which has daily meditations for morning or night as well as short on-the-go options and special meditations for dealing with anxiety or attracting abundance. There’s a free option which can be upgraded to full access paid monthly or yearly.

    meditating

    Aromatherapy to energize your afternoon

    We’ve all experienced the way that certain smells can evoke emotions and memories: there’s no denying the feel-goods associated with walking into a house where Thanksgiving dinner has been cooking, or the cleansing of the sinuses and the soul you get from the scent of pine, whether it’s in the forest or a nursery filled with just-arrived Christmas trees. I was sent the GuruNanda Essential Oil Diffuser set for review purposes and I love diffusing the included peppermint oil in the afternoon, when I tend to slump/crash and burn. The set also includes lavender oil, which is calming and great for destressing and relaxing you into sleep.

    We use ours in the living room, where everyone can enjoy it and it’s a nice welcome for those walking in the front door, but I keep thinking it would be a great option for a child’s bedroom at night. (Or both. It’s lightweight and easily moved around.) The cool steam would help ward off the dry nasal passageways of winter, the muted changing color lights could act as a nightlight, and the quiet hum is comforting. Plus, the unit shuts down once all the water has evaporated— about 2.5 hours. At $20 for the set it’s honestly a great deal; you only need to use a few drops of essential at a time, so the bottle will last a long time. It’s also easy to pick up since it’s available at Wal-Mart; a similar model from the same company is available from Amazon for a few dollars more, but you have to buy your oils separately.

    inexpensive essential oils diffuser

    Take time for tea

    The Brits are spot on here. Although there’s not a whole lot of concrete evidence that tea itself does a whole lot for stress, the act of making tea can. Making tea promises comfort, warmth and psychological escape, and one study found that putting the kettle on reduced stress in its subjects by up to a quarter.

    My favorite teas of the moment were sent by Choice Organic Teas; organic, fair trade, and manufactured in a certified organic facility where Green-e Certified renewable energy certificates (RECs) from wind power are purchased to offset 100 percent of the facility’s electricity. I love the Breathing Space (peppermint, echinacea and eucalyptus) in the morning, Irish Breakfast ironically in the afternoon, Simply Detox for Sunday brunch, but they offer tons of delicious and health-centric options. Loose leaf teas are available.

    organic tea

    Sweat away stress

    Getting your daily 30 minute sweat session in clears your head and fills you with those feel good hormones, along with all the obvious health benefits. Exercise helps you to sleep better and can strengthen circadian rhythms, although you may need to experiment to find the best time of day (some people will find it harder to fall asleep too soon after exercising).

    I personally recommend a high intensity program like CrossFit, which keeps you completely mentally involved during your relatively short workout: no room to stress about things. You could gift a month of classes to CrossFit, Zumba, swimming, whatever works for you and promise to meet up for class a certain number of times a week. Or, gift a race registration and train together. Just get out there and move— and as a bonus, you won’t pack on those pesky winter pounds.

    crossfit class

    Brain dump before bed

    Losing sleep has many adverse health repercussions along with increased stress levels and suppressed immunity. If the chaos of the holidays along with a never-ending to-do list and a chatty brain keep you from easily drifting off to sleep, journaling can be an immense help. I recommend keeping a notebook next to the bed and on the fronts of pages, dump out the contents of your brain: everything you need to do, things you need to pick up, people you need to call, etc, until the well runs dry. Then, turn the page and list three things you are grateful for that day so that you’ll see them tomorrow night. You’ll go to bed relieved of the burden of worrying you’ll forget something, and with gratitude in your heart.

    I’m a firm believer of nice notebooks, they’re just a joy to use and keep you committed. This black leather-bound journal is 8 inches tall with nice paper and gilded edges for just over $11.

     

    leather journal

     

    What are your favorite ways to destress for a healthier, happier you— during the holidays and beyond?