Winter Drinks You Can Make At Home

Winter is creeping up on us. The sun is rising later, the days are drawing in earlier, the temperature is dropping, and we face more harsh weather conditions. Wind, rain, sleet, and snow will appear in abundance over the coming months. So it’s not all too surprising that many of us will be reaching for means of warmth and comfort. This will be in the form of clothes, food, and drinks. For now, let’s focus on drinks. We’ll pick up plenty of winter warmers when we’re out and about – at coffee shops and restaurants. But have you considered making some of your own at home? Here are a few winter warmers you might want to try!

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Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is a firm favorite when it comes to the winter. Not only is it warming, but it’s sweet, delicious, and can be jazzed up with all sorts of additions. There are a few different ways to go about making hot chocolate. You could use a powder, or you may find that you prefer a squeezy chocolate sauce or a stir-in chocolate stick. Generally, it’s best to make your hot chocolate with all milk – cow or plant-based milk. This will make it thicker and more creamy than using hot water. Once your hot chocolate is warmed, pour it into your cup and leave a gap at the top. This can then be used to squirt whipped cream or whipped plant-based cream on top. Some people add marshmallows, some sprinkle chocolate powder, and some drizzle chocolate sauce.

Latte
Lattes are another popular option you might like to take into consideration. Unlike hot chocolate, this will give you a caffeine kick, perking you up when needed. A latte is created using a shot of espresso, but if you don’t have an espresso machine at home, you could always use a spoonful of your favorite instant coffee. This is then topped up with warm milk or plant-based milk. If you want more flavor, you can always add syrups. There are plenty of festive syrups available on the market, such as cinnamon, caramel, or even pumpkin spice syrups. Alternatively, you could follow a recipe such as a copycat Starbucks chai tea latte recipe. If you want to go all out, you could even try some latte art or use a stencil to sprinkle cinnamon or chocolate on top in a decorative design.

Hopefully, some of the suggestions above will meet your needs regarding winter drinks that can be easily made from the comfort of your own home!

Successfully Planning a Road Trip With the Entire Family

Taking a road trip with the entire family can be daunting, but with a little planning, it can be a great way to bond and make memories that will last a lifetime. Yet, when you first think of the idea, you may not know the best way to bring it to life. What plans do you have to make for your road trip to go off without a hitch? When you want to pack the kids and the dog up into your van and hit the road, you must approach it the right way. Let’s take a look.

Choose Your Destination Wisely
For starters, you’ll want to know where you’re going. Not all destinations are created equal when it comes to road trips. When choosing your destination, consider factors such as how far away it is, what there is to do there, and whether or not everyone in the family will enjoy it. A little research goes a long way in ensuring everyone has a good time.

Make a Packing List
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget essential items when packing for a road trip. To ensure everyone has everything they need, sit down as a family and make a packing list of all the items each person will need for the trip. This list should include clothes, toiletries, medications, dog food, and other essentials. Once everyone’s packed, go through the list again to ensure nothing was forgotten.

Make the Drive Enjoyable
Now you will want to ensure that the drive will be enjoyable for everyone. Ensure you have enough room and that you’ve not overpacked (and allowed stuff to take up too much space). Also, be sure you’re done choosing a truck seat cover early so your dog will be comfortable too. Then, think of road trip songs or games you can play along the way to keep everyone entertained.

Plan for Breaks
A road trip can be taxing, both physically and mentally. To avoid anyone getting too overwhelmed or cranky, make sure to plan for plenty of breaks along the way. Whether stopping for lunch or taking a quick stretch break at a rest stop, giving everyone regular breaks will help keep everyone refreshed and happy.

Be Flexible with Your Plans
No matter how much you plan ahead, there’s always the potential for going wrong on a road trip – and that’s okay! The most important thing is that everyone is safe and having fun. If something doesn’t go according to plan, don’t sweat it – go with the flow and enjoy the ride!

With a little planning, taking a road trip with the entire family can be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your next road trip is one that everyone will remember fondly for years to come.



How To Find Peace In Your Daily Life

Whether you’re overwhelmed at work or dealing with issues in your personal life, it can sometimes feel as though peace is hard to come by. After all, there’s so much happening in the world around us (and within our own minds), that we’ve come to accept feelings of stress and anxiety as part of our routine.

Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash

However, it does not have to be that way – and it’s crucial that you make positive changes that will enable you to better care of your mental health. With that in mind, here are some simple ways to find peace in your daily life. 

Identify the cause
Sometimes, it can feel as though we are stressed or anxious for no good reason – whether these feelings manifest in our thoughts or through physical symptoms such as dizziness and chest palpitations. However, identifying your stressors will enable you to reduce your exposure to them or at least help you determine which coping mechanisms come in handy during these times. 

Turn to your faith
Whether you are a part of the Living Church of God or a smaller church, many people find peace through reaffirming their faith. For example, you could attend church more regularly or pray. Many people also find that faith can help with loneliness and anxiety by providing you with a community to rely on when things get tough. 

Practice self-care
Adopting daily self-care habits is another great way to find peace in your daily life. This is because self-care is geared toward teaching you how to relax but ensuring that your needs are met daily. Simply put, the more you practice self-care, the less likely you neglect your wants and needs, making finding peace within yourself much more manageable. 

Accept what you can’t control
Sometimes our worries and anxieties are grounded in practicality. For example, you may be worried about a job interview as you want this new position. However, on other occasions, worries are impractical because what we worry about is beyond our control. For example, this could include worrying about the weather in a few days. Accepting what you cannot control will help you find peace, as you’ll be able to spend less time in your head thinking about the what-ifs.

Learn from, then let go of, your mistakes
We all make mistakes from time to time – but how we respond to them determines how they impact us. For example, when you hold onto a mistake and continue to chastise yourself for it, or wonder what other people are thinking, you’re putting a barrier between yourself and peace. However, when you view the mistake as an opportunity to grow or learn something, you can put the past behind you and move forward with your head held high. In short, it stops you from dwelling on the past, so you can focus on the present. 

Paul’s Promise (Giveaway Winner Announcement)

Hello Beautiful People,

Are there friends or family members who need to change their lives for the better? You know that no matter what you have done for them or said to them, they stubbornly refuse to listen. You understand that the only way for them to change is to pray and ask God to move on their heart and help them understand why the change is necessary.

This theme is the focus of the new movie, PAUL’S PROMISEPaul’s mother is praying for her son, battling his emotional trauma and struggle to change his life. Based on the inspiring true story of Paul Holderfield; PAUL’S PROMISE brings to light many vital topics, including racism, faith, family, forgiveness, and facing past demons.

Here is a chance to see the movie’s trailer.

Click HERE to find a theater near you showing this impactful movie.

Giveaway Winner Announcement
In conjunction with the opening of PAUL’S PROMISE in theaters, we recently offered a giveaway for our readers. I am pleased to announce that the winner is

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Congratulations, Jennifer! Yeah! You have won a $10 Amazon gift card. We will be in contact with you about getting your prize!

Stay Tuned for our next giveaway!

5 Rules Every Solo Traveler Should Stick By

If you’re planning on traveling solo, you should keep a few things in mind. These five rules will help make your trip more enjoyable and less stressful. So whether you’re just starting to plan your first solo trip or already on the road, stick by these guidelines!


via Pexels

Do your research
This is probably the most important rule for any traveler, solo or otherwise. But it’s especially important for those traveling alone. Before you go anywhere, make sure to do your research on the destination. Read up on the history, culture, and attractions. And most importantly, be aware of the potential dangers. Know where it’s safe to go and what areas to avoid. This will help you stay out of trouble and have a more enjoyable trip.

Stay in touch with home
Solo travelers are often more likely to experience problems while on their trip. Whether it’s getting lost, getting sick, or encountering other difficulties, it’s always good to have someone back home who knows where you are and what you’re up to. Also, make sure to stay in touch with your family and friends while you’re traveling. Check-in regularly and let them know if you’ve changed plans or run into any problems.

Be prepared for the worst
This rule goes hand-in-hand with the first one. When researching your destination, make sure to also look into what to do in an emergency. Know where the nearest hospital is, how to contact the police and the embassy number. It’s also a good idea to have travel insurance if something happens. And finally, always make sure you have a backup plan. If your first choice of accommodation falls through, have a second (and third) option in mind.

Be flexible
One of the best things about solo travel is that you have the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But that doesn’t mean you should ditch all plans and spontaneity. A little bit of both goes a long way. Make sure to leave some time each day for exploring and trying new things. But also build in some downtime so you can relax and recharge. And if something doesn’t go according to plan, don’t be afraid to change your plans on the fly.

Get insurance
This is another important rule for any traveler, but it’s especially important for those traveling solo. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers you in an emergency. This will give you peace of mind while on your trip and help you if anything happens. A personal injury attorney can also help if you’re ever in an accident abroad.

Following these five rules will help make your solo trip more enjoyable and less stressful. So whether you’re just starting to plan your first trip or already on the road, keep them in mind!

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