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10 Easy Paleo Recipes For Beginners That Actually Taste Amazing

You’ve probably heard a lot about the Paleo diet in the last couple of years and have heard how many people have had success with weight loss and maintaining following this eating style. Perhaps you’re only just beginning your Paleo journey and need some inspiration for meals you can make. For this reason, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Paleo recipes for beginners that I hope will help you on your Paleo journey.

Eating Paleo definitely doesn’t have to be boring – there’s a HUGE variety of foods you can eat. You just need to be creative with your meals. Remember, this shouldn’t be like a diet to you but rather like a lifestyle and way of eating. Keeping your meals interesting and yummy truly helps with this.

The Paleo recipes down below are seriously delicious and easy to make. If you want to see the full recipe you can click on the link below each image. Let me know if you like them or not and what your favorite Paleo meals are!

This post may contain affiliate links, see my full affiliate disclaimer here.

1. Paleo Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole

An easy, paleo, zucchini noodle casserole that’s Whole 30 approved, high protein, and low carb. Wholesome yet healthy, this dish can feed a family! A great way to use your spiralizer and boost your nutrition.

Found from Cotter Crunch

Tip: If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, you definitely need one in your life – trust me it’s worth it! You can easily get a great one on Amazon here!

2. Oven Baked Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

This Oven Baked Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast has an avocado salsa for a quick and easy, kid friendly dinner that’s paleo, keto and Whole30 compliant!

Found from Food Faith Fitness

3. Creamy Bacon Garlic Spaghetti Squash

Easy Whole30 creamy bacon garlic spaghetti squash bake. Paleo, healthy, and easy to make! Get ready to dig into some serious delicious and healthy eats!!

Found from Paleo Gluten Free

4. Cashew Beef Stir Fry

Here is a Cashew Beef stir-fry recipe that pairs well with cauliflower rice. It can easily be doubled to make enough leftovers for lunch the next day or re-purposed into a new meal by adding some vegetables and making an egg frittata out of it.

Found from Cook And Savor

5. Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

These Whole30 loaded sweet potato fries will surprise you with just how delicious they are. With bacon, fried eggs, guacamole, green onions, and garlicky ranch dressing, you’ll never feel like you’re depriving yourself on a Whole30 with this recipe in your arsenal.

Found from 40 Aprons

6. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

These slow cooker stuffed peppers are so easy to make, only require a couple of ingredients, and can be added right to the slow cooker or assembled and frozen for later.

Found from New Leaf Wellness

7. Citrus Grilled Shrimp and Zoodles

Fresh citrus grilled shrimp and zoodles create a light, healthy and super tasty lunch or dinner! A cilantro, lime, and orange vinaigrette acts as both a marinade and dressing for the dish, which can be served warm, or cold, as a zucchini noodle salad.

Found from Paleo Running Momma

8. Mushroom Risotto with Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice soaks up the savory flavors of garlic and beef in this Paleo version of risotto!

Found from Paleo Hacks

9. Sweet and Spicy Paleo Chicken Fingers

These paleo chicken fingers are sticky and sweet with just the right amount of spice. They’re quick and easy to make, and your whole family will love them!

Found from The Endless Meal

10. Paleo Pizza Soup

This Paleo Pizza Soup is so delicious! Filled with all the flavors of pizza and so easy to make. Gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30.

Found from Jays Baking Me Crazy

If you liked this collection of easy Paleo recipes for beginners and would like to keep it close at hand or share it with others, save this pin below to your recipes board on Pinterest.

January 7, 2018
Blog Income Report for November 2017: How I made $165.48 online in my third month of blogging

Hey guys, welcome to my blog income report for November 2017 – my very first blogging income report!

To be honest, I’m a little nervous and surprised to be writing an income report so soon in my blogging journey. I’ve only been blogging for almost 3 months now and didn’t expect that I’d really earn anything in such a short amount of time.

Now I know $165.48 isn’t much, but for me it’s awesome, especially considering the fact that I only get to work on my blog over weekends – and not even every weekend!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclaimer here.

Just a little background on how I started…

Before I started my blog, I remember reading income reports from other bloggers that were easily making $10k + a month with their blogs. It seemed so far out of reach for someone like me who knew absolutely nothing about blogging. Still, I decided to give it a try and started my blog at the beginning of September.

Now I mostly worked on my blog over weekends, and on some Friday nights when I had the time. That’s why I’m so happy to see all my hard work is starting to pay off!

If you’re looking to start your own blog, I created this easy step by step tutorial to show you how. You can start your blog today for as low as $3.95 per month using my special link. Plus, if you sign up today for 12 months or more, you can also get a free domain name. Don’t miss this special offer!

How I get traffic to my blog:

The main source of traffic for my blog comes from Pinterest. A lot of other bloggers recommended Pinterest, so I also signed up for a Pinterest business account and created pins for my posts using Canva. And it really works you guys! It took me some time figuring out how to create pins, but it’s really something you get better at the more you do it. Best of all, both of these are free to use!

Follow me on Pinterest here to see what new pins I create!

So if you’re looking to start your very own blog, or if you already have a blog but want to get more traffic, I highly recommend that you use Pinterest.

Income Report:

Okay so you probably want to know how I earned the $165.48. Here’s the breakdown:

Google AdSense: $149.25
ShareASale (Taildwind): $16.23

I was luckily enough to get accepted for Google AdSense in my second month of blogging near the end of October. I actually applied at the end of September (my first month blogging) but it took almost 20 days before my blog was approved. At the start of November, I started displaying ads on my blog and earned $149.25 during that month.

I also signed up for the Tailwind affiliate program via ShareASale. From this I received $16.23 when someone signed up for 1 year using my link.

I use Tailwind to schedule my pins to Pinterest so I don’t have to manually pin all hours of the day. Since I started using Tailwind, I’ve seen a huge increase in my traffic! If you’re a new blogger and in need of traffic, definitely give Tailwind a try. You can sign up for the free version here using my link – no credit card required.

And that’s it for my blog income report guys! November was the first month where I started monetizing my blog. It was also only the third month since I started blogging. It’s an awesome feeling being able to earn some money even while I’m sleeping. And you can definitely do it too!

If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, I highly recommend that you get started as soon as possible! I wish I’d started sooner! Don’t just keep thinking about it, take action! It’s really much easier than you think, and if I could do it, so can you! Head over to Bluehost to start your blog today at an affordable price of only $3.95 per month (payable upfront) when you use my link. It is completely worth it and a great gift to yourself as an investment in your future!

You can also check out my step by step guide on how to start your own blog! It’s super easy and you can just follow along and you’ll have your blog up and running in no time!

Let me know if you have any questions or comments down below in the comments section, I’d love to help you out!

December 24, 2017
10 Super Easy Steps to Start a Money Making Blog Today

So, you’ve decided to take the first step and start a money making blog. It’s definitely a decision you won’t regret! Blogging can change your life in so many ways. You can earn a full time income, connect with people all over the world, and have a platform to voice your opinions. Whatever your reason – you won’t regret it, trust me!

In order to start a blog and get your blog online, you’ll need a domain name as well as hosting. The domain name is the name of your blog and the address people will see when they visit your blog – my domain name is blastaloud.com. Hosting is the service that will allow your blog to be visible on the internet.

Now if this all sounds complicated to you, please don’t worry! Below I’ll show you step by step where and how you can get all these things to get your blog up and running in no time. And it will be much easier than you might think! In fact, you can do all this in 10 minutes or less! And don’t worry, you don’t have to be tech savvy to do any of these things, you can just follow the steps below! Ready? Okay, let’s get your blog set up!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclaimer here.

Click here to sign up for hosting with Bluehost from as little as $3.95 per month with a free domain name!

Step 1: Sign up for hosting

There are many different hosting providers out there, but the number one I recommend is Bluehost, mainly because they make starting a blog super affordable. You can start your blog from as little as $3.95 per month on the basic plan, which is the one I recommend because it has everything you need. And as an added bonus, you’ll also get a free domain name if you sign up for a year of web hosting, how awesome is that!? I don’t know of any other web hosting that does this, so it’s definitely a bargain to get right away!

With Bluehost, its really simple and easy to get your blog up and running with WordPress. They have an easy to understand panel and they offer one click WordPress installation, which is what you’ll use to start your blog. And if you ever get stuck, they have 24/7 technical support so you’ll never have to worry about not having someone around to ask for help!

Click here to sign up for hosting with Bluehost from as little as $3.95 per month with a free domain name!

Step 2: Choose your domain name

Now that you’ve chosen your hosting package, it’s time to choose your domain name. Bluehost will tell you whether the domain name is available or not.

Choosing a domain name can be a bit difficult at first, especially since there are already so many websites out there. But be patient and try to come up with a list of possible names for your blog, so that you have some backups if your first choice isn’t available. When I tried to come up with names for my blog, I probably went through about 15 names that were unfortunately already taken before I decided on this one which was available at the time.

Tip: I’d definitely recommend that you go with a .com domain name, as search engines tend to trust domains ending in .com better. This becomes important later when you start driving traffic to your blog.

Step 3: Complete your personal information

After you’ve chosen your domain name for your blog, fill out your personal information.

Step 4: Choose the right package & optional add-ons

On this step, it’s important to make sure that you have the right hosting package selected. I’d highly recommend that you take the 36 month plan, that way you get the lowest price for your domain and you don’t have to worry about renewing it every year. Now guys, its only $142.20 for a whole THREE years, which is an amazing price. I monetized my site in my second month of blogging and made MORE than $142.20 in my third month of blogging (and my income has been climbing each month). So it’s definitely an investment that pays itself off really quickly – within the first few months of starting your blog!

On this page you can also select additional add-ons and services for a small fee that’s then added to your purchase. The only thing I’d recommend you take here is the Domain Privacy Protection option. This will keep your personal contact information private in WHOIS databases. If you’d like more information on this, you can read about it here.

Step 5: Add billing information and password setup

Next, you’ll need to add your billing information. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to choose the password for your account.

Step 6: Create your account password

Great job for making it this far! You’ve now created your Bluehost account, so it’s time to choose a password. Make sure it’s a secure password as this is the password to gain access to all of your site’s content! And of course, don’t forget this password.

After you’ve successfully chosen a password, you should see the success show below screen below. Don’t stress if it doesn’t appear immediately, it can take a minute or so to process.

Step 7: Choose a theme

Bluehost will allow you to choose one of these free themes for your blog. You can choose anyone you like here for now. You can easily change your theme again later.

After you’ve chosen your theme, you should see the success message below. Go ahead and click “Start Building” to start building your WordPress blog.

Step 8: Choose your blog type

You’ll now be prompted to choose what type of site you want to create. In most cases, this will be a personal site such as a blog, but if it’s for your business you can also select that.

Step 9: Fill in site details

After you’ve chosen your site type, you should see a screen with an option to launch your site. After you click it, you’ll have to fill in your site title and description. The site title will typically be your blog name (e.g. BlastAloud), and the description is just a few words to say what your site is about.

Step 10: Launch your site

After filling in your site title and description, click on “Next Step”.

Congratulations! You have just set up your very first blog!

You can visit your site domain name (e.g. mine is www.blastaloud.com) to see what it looks like. Typically WordPress will create a sample page and post for you titled “Hello World”. You will be able to delete these and create your own posts and pages.

So, what now?

Now that that your blog is successfully up and running, there are a few things you’ll likely want to work on.

Create pages

Before anything else there are two pages I’d recommend you create: An “About” page and a “Contact” page. The “About” page is just a page with a little bit of background about you and the reason you started your blog. This is just for readers to get to know you a bit better. The contact page is where you tell readers how they can get in touch with you. This page can have a contact form on the page and/or include your email address or social media links.

Create posts

Now I’ve seen a lot of bloggers recommend that you first have to write 15-25 blog posts before you launch your blog and make those posts public. I personally didn’t do it this way. Rather, I made my blog public with 0 posts, and published each post as I created it. There was no waiting until I had a certain number of posts before I published them all. I can however understand why some bloggers recommend you do it this way, because if you have plenty of posts, you’ll have more content for readers to go through. I didn’t really find that it made much difference, so I think it’s up to your personal preference.

Find a theme you like

You don’t have to keep the free theme you chose when you set up your site. You can if you want to though. There are some premium themes that give you a lot more functionality and ways of customizing how your site looks. I found my theme on ThemeForest for $49. Of course, you can always use a free theme at the beginning and upgrade to a paid theme later if you want.

Get traffic

Once you’ve got your basic pages and a couple of posts available on your website, it’s time to start focussing on traffic. When your blog is still new, you can’t really rely on getting traffic from Google. But one platform that can bring in a lot of traffic is Pinterest. It’s what I use to drive traffic to my blog and it works like a bomb, trust me!

Monetize

When you have enough content on your site to keep users interested and you’re starting to get a bit of traffic, then it’s time to start thinking about monetizing your site.

Now there are lots of ways to do this. The easiest, and quickest option is running ads on your website. As a newbie blogger I’d recommend you sign up for Google AdSense as they don’t have strict requirements in regards to the number of page views you need a month.

Another way to monetize your site is through affiliate marketing, such as with Amazon. This way you can promote products/services on your site and you’ll receive a small commission whenever someone makes a purchase using your link.

Don’t give up

Now guys, this is really important. Do not give up! There will be days where you feel overwhelmed, frustrated or even just too lazy to work on your blog. But don’t give up. That’s the only way your blog will be successful. And the sooner you start, the sooner you will get there. So start a money making blog today!

November 28, 2017
16 Best Eggnog Desserts You Need To Try This Year

Every year around Christmas time, my family and I make traditional homemade eggnog to celebrate the festive season. Now, we love our traditional eggnog, but this year, we’ve decided to try something a bit different. Instead of the usual, we’ll be trying our hands at making some delightful eggnog desserts! And to do this, I started looking for some eggnog dessert recipes and found some amazing recipes!

Are you also looking to satisfy your eggnog cravings this Christmas? Then you should definitely try some of these eggnog desserts recipes! Below I’ve rounded up some of the best eggnog desserts I’ve found – hope you enjoy!

Salted Caramel Eggnog

Found from The Cookie Rookie

Eggnog Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Found from Liv For Cake

Eggnog Truffles

Found from Small Town Woman

Eggnog Fudge

Found from Baking Beauty

Eggnog Cookies

Found from Cooking Classy

Eggnog Crumb Cake

Found from Life Love And Sugar

5 Minute Homemade Blender Eggnog

Found from The Chunky Chef

No Bake Eggnog Cheesecake Trifle

Found from Inside Bru Crew Life

Eggnog Macarons

Found from Baking-Sense

Eggnog & Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches

Found from Cherry Tea Cakes

Spiked Eggnog Cake

Found from Liv For Cake

Dutch Eggnog Tiramisu

Found from In Simones Kitchen

Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls

Found from Crazy For Crust

Eggnog Ice Cream

Found from Baked By Rachel

Eggnog Donuts

Found from Yummy Healthy Easy

Eggnog Pie

Found from Crazy For Crust

Dutch Eggnog Tiramisu

Found from In Simones Kitchen

So there you have it, some awesome ideas to put a twist on the traditional favorite. Hope you’re as excited about trying some of these as I am!

What’s your favorite eggnog recipe? Will you be trying any of these this Christmas? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you!

November 26, 2017
2017 Black Friday Deals You’ll Regret Missing This Year

Every year various companies partake in Black Friday where you can find huge discounts on various items. Black Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season and is filled with all kinds of bargain deals. This year its no different, and lots of 2017 Black Friday Deals have already been revealed.

Below you can find some amazing deals available only during this event. Most of these deals are available from Amazon while stocks last.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclaimer here.

2017 Black Friday Deals

Amazon Kinde Paperwhite – Only $89.99 (save $30)

Replace your books with this best selling high resolution eReader that reads just like paper.

Echo Dot – Only $29.99 (save $20)

Add Alexa to any room with this hands-free, voice-controlled device.

iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity – Only $274.99 (save $100)

This iRobot model is not just WiFi enabled but also integrates with Alexa. It’s also down to the lowers price its been yet.

PlayStation 4 Slim 1 TB Console with VR Headset – Only $549.99 (save $137)

Looking to buy that great “big” gift for someone (or yourself!) this year? Been wanting to try out VR? This is sure to impress your family and friends.

LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box – Only $27.99 (save $7)

If you’ve got a lego addict in your life like me, this will make an awesome gift.

LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader – Only $19.99 (save 20%)

Another awesome LEGO set that your kids or LEGO crazy friends will love!

Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headset – Only $99.99 (Save $30)

You can go all out while exercising with these wireless headphones. This will make a great gift for someone who loves exercising and working out. They are compatable with both iPhone and Android phones.

Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit – Only $149.99 (save $100)

Give the gift of home security with Samsung’s home monitoring kit. This kit includes everything to start your smart home at an affordable price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 7-inch, 8GB – $97.99 (save $30)

Get a tablet at an amazingly affordable price this Black Friday. This one has great battery life and can take an SD card to expand the device storage.

Wealthy Affiliate Yearly Deal – Only $299 (save $60 on the yearly plan and $229 on the monthly plan)

If you’re looking to start a blog or website with the intention of earning an income online, then check out this deal. Wealthy Affiliate is an online training platform that provides you with all the information you need to do get started online. This includes live video classes, training, step by step tutorial and 24/7 online help, community discussions and lots more. Also, you can host up to 25 of your own domains or websites on this platform (this website is also hosted on Wealthy Affiliate).

Hope you are as excited about these 2017 Black Friday Deals as I am! If you have any questions or comments please do leave them below!

November 18, 2017
36 Keto Christmas Cookies That’ll Make You Feel Like You’re Not on a Diet

Christmas is around the corner, and we all know the festive season usually involves lots of yummy foods and desserts. And like me, many of you are probably trying to stick to a diet or trying to eat more healthily. And let’s face it, it can be pretty damn hard with all the temptations around. But it doesn’t mean you should miss out on satisfying your sweet tooth. There are tons of healthy alternatives out there, including these amazing and delicious keto Christmas cookies!

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full affiliate disclaimer here.

If you’re following the keto diet or just trying to keep to a low carb lifestyle, you should definitely try these out! These keto Christmas cookies will satisfy your cravings and allow you to enjoy some treats like everyone else! You won’t even feel like you’re on a diet. I’ve rounded them up for you from around the web. If you’d like to see the recipe for any of these cookies, click on the links below the images. Hope you enjoy!

1. Keto Amaretti Cookies

Found from Ruled

2. Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Found from KetoDietApp

3. Keto Chocolate Fudge No Bake Haystacks

Found from I Breathe Im Hungry

4. Keto Oreos

Found from ThePrimitivePalate

5. Classic Italian Keto Christmas Cookies

Found from AllDayIDreamAboutFood

6. Sugar-free Gingerbread Cookies

Found from WholesomeYum

7. White Chocolate Butter Pecan Fat Bombs

Found from TasteAholics

8. Maple Cream Sandwich Cookies

Found from AllDayIDreamAboutFood

9. Snickerdoodle Crème Cookies

Found from ASweetLife

10. Peanut Butter Squares

Found from LowCarbYum

11. Chocolate Drop Shortbread

Found from MyTableOfThree

12. Coconut Shortbread Cookies

Found from SugarFreeLondoner

13. Chocolate Peppermint Stars

Found from AllDayIDreamAboutFood

14. Keto No Bake Cookies

Found from HowToThisAndThat

15 Keto Lemon Bars

Found from I Breathe Im Hungry

16. 5-Ingredient Chocolate Cookies

Found from KetoDietApp

17. No Bake Chocolate Clusters

Found from EssentialKeto

18. 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Found from BakingOutsideTheBox

19. Traditional German Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne)

Found from SugarFreeLondoner

20. Grain Free Low Carb Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

Found from SugarFreeMom

21. Flourless Almond Zucchini Cookies

Found from FoodByMars

22. Flourless Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Found from PeaceLoveAndLowCarb

23. Cinnamon Butter Cookies

Found from KetoSizeMe

24. No Bake Coconut Cookies

Found from WholeNewMom

25. Samoa Bars

Found from AllDayIDreamAboutFood

26. Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars

Found from SugarFreeLondoner

27. Cranberry Almond Biscotti Cookies

Found from LowCarbYum

28. Sesame Seed Low Carb Chocolate Cookies

Found from LowCarbMaven

29. Cream Cheese Cookies

Found from LowCarbYum

30. Chewy Ginger Cookies

Found from LowCarbSoSimple

31. Pecan Snowball Cookies

Found from SugarFreeMom

32. Iced Lemon Cookies

Found from JoyFilledEats

33. Flourless Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Found from KalynsKitchen

34. Homemade Thin Mints

Found from AllDayIDreamAboutFood

35. Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies

Found from KetoConnect

36. Matcha Pistachio Yoghurt Bark

Found from SugarFreeLondoner

So, if you’re on a diet or trying to maintain low carb eating, these keto Christmas cookies are perfect for you! Now you can enjoy celebrating the festive season without feeling guilty.

Are you looking for more amazing keto friendly Christmas desserts? Then check out this awesome Christmas Dessert Freedom Cookbook that is packed with delicious Christmas recipes that you can enjoy guilt-free!

Will you be trying to eat healthy this festive season? Let me know down below! And if you try any of these or have any questions or comments, please leave me a message down below! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Related Post: 30 Mason Jar Gift Ideas For Christmas and 16 Amazing Eggnog Dessert Recipes

November 10, 2017
15 Easy DIY Christmas Ornaments That’ll Make Your Tree Look Amazing

It’s that time of year again. Christmas is around the corner and all the stores are busy busting out their best Christmas decorations. Christmas trees, sparkling lights and gifts all around, the festive feeling is already in the air. So why not plan to decorate your tree this year with some super easy DIY Christmas ornaments?

Decorating your Christmas tree doesn’t have to be expensive, boring or typical. If you’re tired of using the same old Christmas tree decorations, or if you’re just looking to give your tree a personal touch, you should definitely try out some of these completely easy DIY Christmas ornaments. They’ll make your tree look super cute and will impress all your family and friends!

Best of all, most of these can be made with items you possibly already have or have easy access to. And if you have children, ask them for a helping hand and make it a fun family activity!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclaimer here.

1. Popsicle Stick Sleds

Found from CleanAndScentsible

These popsicle stick sled ornaments are so easy and quick to make! Not to mention they can serve multiple purposes if you get creative. Hang them as ornaments on your tree, use them to decorate gifts or even use them as name tags!

2. Glitter Dust Balls

Found from TheVaultFiles

Add a bit of sparkle to your life (and tree) with these beautiful glitter dust filled balls. It can get a bit messy while making them but they are so fun to make!

If you’re looking for clear fillable plastic balls, you can easily get them here. Or if you want to opt for glass balls, you can also get them here.

3. Pom Pom Pinecones

Found from One Little Project

How adorable are these colorful pom pom pinecones?! All you’ll need to make these are some pinecones, pom poms, glue and some ribbon or string.

4. Wine Cork Angels

Found from One Little Project

Looking to add some friendly faces to your tree? Then you should absolutely try making these lovely wine cork angels.

If you already have some wine corks saved up, you finally have a use for them! If not, you can also easily get some at your local craft store.

5. Frosty Pinecones

Found from KidsCraftroom

If you’re not too fond of the pom pom pinecones, an alternative you can consider are these gorgeous frosty pinecone ornaments. They’re perfect for a white, winter themed tree!

If you’re in need of some pinecones, you can easily buy them from Amazon here.

6. Rustic Twig Ornaments

Found from SimpleAsThatBlog

If you’re looking for a more rustic, down to earth feel for your tree, check out this tutorial that shows how you can make various ornaments from twigs and twine.

7. Photo Keepsakes

Found from SimpleAsThatBlog

Fill your tree with memories by using some of your favorite photos to make these amazing photo keepsake ornaments. They only take 10 minutes to make and will truly give your tree that personalized touch!

8. Clothespin Snowflakes

Found from KristenHewitt

Got a lot of clothespins lying around? Then try making these creative snowflake ornaments from clothespins! Paint or spray them any color you like to match your tree.

Want to stock up on clothespins? Easily get them here.

9. Mini Woodland Wreath

Found from ThriftyAndChic

With a few birch discs that you can get from your local craft store (or backyard if you’re lucky) and some glue, you can make this cute mini wreath to decorate your tree.

10. Cinnamon Stick Trees

Found from CraftsUnleashed

How adorable are these cinnamon stick tree ornaments!? Not only will they make your tree look festive, but they’ll make your whole home smell amazing too!

11. Wooden Strips Message Ornaments

Found from TheSwenglishHome

These wood strips ornaments are so inexpensive and easy to make and will still give your tree that personalized feel. Paint them any color you like and add your very own messages to them.

12. DIY Paper Ornaments

Found from DiyInspired

These paper ornaments may seem daunting to make, but they’re actually quite easy and super fun to make if you follow the tutorial linked above. Definitely give them a try if you like paper arts!

13. Mini Pallet Ornaments

Found from LoveCreateCelebrate

Love the look of these mini pallet ornaments. You only need popsicle sticks and some wood stain to stain them if you want to achieve the same look for the pallet.

In this tutorial Lindi uses a Circut Explore to cut the deer shape, but you can just as easily cut out a shape from some fabric with scissors or even paint something on the pallet yourself!

14. Jingle Bells

Found from TheCraftingChicks

Create your own jingle bell ornaments easily with some bells, ribbons, hot glue and silver pipe cleaners. Really quick and easy to make!

Get tons of pretty jingle bells in assorted colors here.

15. Chalkboard Ornaments

Found from FirefliesAndMudpies

These chalkboard ornaments are so creative and also really easy to make! Get the whole family involved and have everyone draw or write something unique on their own ornaments.

So, there you have it! These are some great ideas to create your own easy DIY Christmas ornaments. Do let me know if you try any of them this Christmas or if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you!

October 28, 2017
10 Awesome Free Things To Do In Cape Town That You’ll Definitely Love

Cape Town is one of the most alluring cities in South Africa, and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg in order to experience its beauty. If you’re travelling on a budget but still want to make the most of your trip, there are plenty of free things to do in Cape Town that are so worth your time!

Below I’ve rounded up some of the best activities that you can enjoy in this lovely city, all for absolutely free!

1. Do Wine Tasting

Cape Town is known for many of its beautiful wine lands. If you love the idea of having a good time with the sound of clicking glasses and sipping on wine, then you should definitely try out some wine tasting!

You’ll find plenty of wine tasting packages offered in Cape Town if you look online, but some places will also offer free wine tastings! One of these places is Wine Concepts, where they offer free wine tastings daily between 16:00 – 19:00 on weekdays and 11:00 – 15:00 on Saturdays.

2. Tour The City

If you want to explore the hustle and bustle of this beautiful city, why not take a free walking tour? Cape Town Free Walking Tours offers a number of different tours across the city that takes about 90 minutes per tour.

Taking a walking tour is an excellent way to explore and familiarize yourself with this bustling city. You’ll get to learn more about the history of different areas in the city and might also discover some hidden gems.

3. Take A Hike

If you’re a person who likes the outdoors and being adventurous, Cape Town offers plenty of wonderful hiking experiences.

A free hike which the locals always recommend is hiking up one of the trails to Lion’s Head. Once at the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, Cape Town and Camps Bay.

Do this hike early morning to watch the sunrise or later the evening to enjoy the sunset. And remember to bring your picnic basket!

4. Visit Sea Point Promenade

If you’re visiting Cape Town, your visit is not complete without breathing in the fresh ocean air and taking in the stunning sea views from the seaside promenade.

The promenade is always bustling with runners, cyclists, skaters and tourists. Take an evening jog, get your sweat on at the outdoor gym or visit one of the many lovely green parks in this area.

5. Set Sail

If you’re looking to go sailing, then you should definitely sign up for a free sailing experience at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

While your sailing experience does determine your place on the boat, you are still welcome to join even if you don’t have any. Just remember to reserve your place in advance by emailing membership@rcyc.co.za. The sailing times are normally from 16:00 for 17:00 – 19:00.

6. Wish On The Stars

At 20:00 on every second and fourth Saturdays of the month, the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) opens its doors to the public.

There you can learn more about the wonderful night sky with a 45 minute presentation. If the weather plays along, you will also get a chance to gaze at the stars through various telescopes.

You can head over to www.saao.ac.za for more information on the events and topics available.

7. Go Cycling in The Moonlight

Once a month, cyclists and bike lovers join together at dusk to ride through the streets to promote the benefits of environmentally friendly transportation. This is a delightful way to explore Cape Town’s charm in the moonlight.

You can join for free by signing up to the Critical Mass event. The event usually lasts from 20:00 until 23:00.

8. Discover The Biodiversity in Green Point Urban Park

Bask in nature and natural beauty in Green Point Park while getting to know the various plant species around you.

The park has over 300 Cape plant species, all clearly labelled to be as informative to guests as possible. That makes it a great free alternative to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

The park is family friendly and you can unwind and also enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature.

9. Get Your Art on In The Evening

Celebrate artistic expression by joining ART Thursdays in Observatory where you can experience local art at its finest.

This initiative is focussed on promoting art, galleries, hard crafts, music and performances. It takes place on every second Thursday of the month between 18:00 and 22:00.

10. Take a Diamond Tour

Book a free and educational diamond tour to learn how rough diamonds are transformed into sparkling gems of glitz and glam. You’ll also get some information on the history of South Africa’s diamond and gold trade.

Oh, and did I mention a complimentary glass of sparkling wine is included in the tour? Another reason to book your free Sparkling Tour.

Whether you’re looking to explore Cape Town on a budget or just looking for some activities to keep yourself busy, there are plenty of free things to do in Cape Town.

If you want more information on any of these activities, or have any comments or questions, let me know in the comments section down below, I’d love to help you out!

October 7, 2017
7 Foods To Get Rid of Bloating That Actually Work

Bloating is certainly not a pleasant feeling. It causes discomfort, makes your stomach puff up and can also give you gas. Luckily, bloating is temporary, and there are ways you can reduce bloating naturally. One of these ways is by eating certain healthy food items. That’s why I’ve researched and rounded up 7 different foods to get rid of bloating.

Yoghurt With Probiotics

Probiotics in yoghurt are healthy bacteria that can help clean out your digestive tract and reduce gas. A lot of the gas in your stomach is actually caused by bad bacteria breaking down your food, and gas is released in the process. Probiotics will help kill these bad bacteria in your gut and help everything run more smoothly.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not only tasty and healthy, but has tons of other benefits too! It is high in fiber and will fill you up without puffing up your stomach. The high soluble fiber in oatmeal will help you maintain regular bowel movements and reduce gas in the process.

Ginger

Ginger has a lot of health benefits associated with it, one of which is to reduce bloating and gas. This is because it contains the enzyme Zingibain, which breaks down proteins, alleviates stomach cramps and calms intestinal activity.

If you love sushi, the pickled ginger that you get as a palette cleanser at sushi restaurants is perfect to help get rid of bloating. Alternatively, you can also try eating candied ginger or drinking some ginger tea. If you don’t like the taste of ginger, there are lots of ginger supplements in pill form that you can try too.

Peppermint

Similar to ginger, peppermint has been used for centuries to treat gas and stomach bloating. It has a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal tract and allows gas to pass more easily. Peppermint is also antibacterial and can help clear out infections in your gut.

To reduce bloating, you can try sipping on some peppermint tea, take peppermint oil supplements or even just eat your favorite peppermint candy.

Pineapple

Who doesn’t love pineapple? This yummy tropical fruit is not only delicious and healthy, it can actually reduce bloating and help flatten your stomach!

Pineapples contain an enzyme called Bromelain, which is believed to help digest protein and relieve bloating. It also contains potassium, which helps fight against water retention caused by the intake of too much salt.

Bananas

Bananas make for great snacks, they fill you up and are easily portable, so you can take one with you no matter where you go. Not to mention, they are an excellent source of prebiotic fiber. Bananas feed the good bacteria in your gut and helps to improve digestion.

Dark Chocolate

As if we need any additional excuses to eat more chocolate! We’ve all heard before that eating dark chocolate can actually be good for you. This is because the good bacteria in your gut actually feasts on the fibre found in cocoa beans.

Just make sure that the dark chocolate you eat is at least 70% cacao. And remember not to overdo it – stick to one or two squares a day!

We’ve all experienced bloating. It makes your stomach puff up like a balloon and can sometimes even make you feel an uncomfortable pressure in your stomach. If you have trouble with bloating and gas, I’d highly suggest you try out some of these foods to get rid of bloating.

Now if you have any questions or comments on these foods or on bloating, please do let me know in the comment section below, I’d love to help you out however I can!

September 30, 2017
7 Packing Essentials For Europe You Absolutely Cannot Affort To Forget

I’ve recently been on a trip to Europe for the first time with a dear friend of mine. We visited France, Monaco, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands during April – May and enjoyed it immensely. As it was our first time to Europe, we did a lot of research beforehand on what to pack and thought we had it all. Turns out we still missed a few packing essentials for Europe.

Listed below are the things that I feel you simply can’t skip out on if you want to make the most of your Europe trip.

Comfortable Walking Shoes

It may seem obvious that you’d need comfortable walking shoes, but don’t underestimate how far and how long you will walk while exploring Europe.

Flip flops or normal sneakers with hard soles are not going to cut it. Rather invest in comfortable walking shoes with proper support for your feet. You don’t want to be too tired to walk after only a few days, or have to deal with blisters made by uncomfortable shoes. Trust me, this is exactly what happened to so many other travellers we met.

Rain Coat/Umbrella

I recommend taking a rain coat/rain jacket with you just in case, and then buying an umbrella in Europe if you need one. This way you don’t have to pack a bulky umbrella in your suitcase, but you’re still prepared if it starts raining.

If you do pack or purchase an umbrella, make sure its a sturdy one. We went through more than one umbrella since a couple of them broke with the strong winds that accompanied the rain.

Scarves or Clothing Items to Cover Up

I’d definitely recommend you bring a scarf along for your trip to Europe. This is for two reasons – to use when it’s chilly outside, and to cover up when visiting cathedrals in Europe.

If you don’t want to bring a scarf, then I’d recommend you bring a few longer sleeved chiffon type tops. Most cathedrals in Europe require that both your knees and shoulders are covered before you are allowed to enter.

Travel Adapter Kit

Make sure you have a travel adapter kit that you can use in all the countries you plan to visit. Not all power outlets are the same in Europe, so having an international travel adapter can come in handy.

The ones we got could be assembled into one big unit, so we didn’t have to worry about losing any of the parts. You also get some pretty neat ones out there with USB ports that you can use for charging your electronics.

Lockable Backpack/Bag That Goes Across Your Body

You absolutely need to have a backpack that you can lock or a purse/bag that you can sling across your body. Trust me guys, this can save you from soooo much trouble and headaches. It can be a real nightmare if you get pick pocketed, especially if your travel documents are lost. You should try and make it as difficult as possible for people to rip away your purse or bag.

We bought ourselves some cute looking backpacks that had double zips and also bought couple of small locks. We locked our backpacks using the locks and double zips and kept the keys with us on some awesome necklaces. This way we could walk around with our backpacks on our backs without any fear of being pick pocketed.

Survival Kit

Before you go on your trip, create your very own survival kit. This should contain items to help with things that you personally are prone to suffer from. Think about things such as any medicine you may need, headache, anti-histamine and motion sickness pills, help for allergies you have, vitamins, plasters, hand sanitizer, eye drops, lip balm, etc.

If you’re visiting a lot of countries, I’d recommend you take some immune system boosters and vitamins with you – you don’t want to get sick while on your trip!

And just a general note, you can buy these things while in Europe. But from my experience, the language barrier can be an issue and you could struggle to get exactly what you want. Don’t expect everyone at the shops to speak or understand English – in most cases (we found) they actually don’t.

Documents

It’s certainly obvious that you can’t leave without documents such as your passport and visa. In some countries, you also need proof of onward travel, so make sure about which documents you need beforehand.

A good idea which I’d recommend everyone does, it make photocopies of all your important travel documents. Keep them in a safe place such as your suitcase, in case you lose the real documents. Also make sure you have printed out versions of your itinerary, accommodation and flight details in case you lose your phone.

There are plenty of tips out there on packing for your travel adventures. These packing essentials for Europe is by no means an exhaustive list. They are simply the items that I feel you absolutely need to take with you.

Hope you have safe and wonderful travels! Let me know if there are any items that you feel are essential for a European trip that you can’t do without. Would love to hear your thoughts!

September 23, 2017