Snoring is definitely a nuisance to anyone around you at night and it means that you are not sleeping as well as you should. It used to be considered no big deal because it’s such a common problem, but more studies have shown that it’s something worth getting checked out. When you snore, you expend a lot of extra energy just to breathe because your airways have narrowed so much.

If you have a serious case of sleep apnea, you will definitely want to consult a physician to seek out remedies for your specific situation. Whether it’s a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device, physical therapy or even surgery, these may all be routes to consider if you have a significant problem breathing at night.

In this article, though, we’re here to address those casual snorers who may be dealing with a seasonal allergy or other minor issues that cause them trouble while sleeping. We’ve compiled a list of simple remedies, tips and products that you can try in your efforts to stop snoring and get a better night’s sleep.

1. Sleep on Your Side
When you lie flat on your back, there’s much more pressure on your throat. Sleeping on your side can significantly reduce that pressure. Put something behind your back (or even attached directly to your pajamas) when you get in bed. Use a tennis ball, golf ball or anything that will cause you some discomfort if you naturally roll over onto your back while sleeping. This will help train you to stay on your side through the night.

2. Weight Loss
Studies show that your weight can affect your sleep habits, including snoring and increasing chances of developing sleep apnea. Watch what you eat and work to shed a few pounds in order to help you try and have more snore-free nights.

3. Avoid the Night Cap
Alcoholic beverages naturally relax the muscles in your body, including your tongue and throat. When you drink right before bed, it increases the chances of snoring. Do what you can to limit your alcohol intake late at night.

4. Stop Smoking
Cigarettes can also be a cause for snoring because smoking can cause significant damage to the lungs and throat. Consider quitting altogether or at least switch to an e-cig like those found on NJOY.com to improve your nighttime breathing and reduce the chance of snoring.

5. Strengthening Exercises
A few times a day, put the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and make a fast “tsk, tsk” sound. It may look or sound silly to anyone around you, but it is an exercise that has shown to improve tongue strength and can help reduce snoring. Or, take up playing a wind instrument to strengthen your lungs and throat for better air flow.

6. Nasal Strips
In some cases, snoring is caused by nasal congestion and these strips (when properly applied) can help improve nighttime breathing for users. It is definitely an inexpensive and easy solution that is worth trying before more extreme measures.

7. Therapy Pillows and Adjustable Beds
Different types of anti-snoring pillows are available on the market that can either help you sleep on your side better or tilt your upper body upward slightly to reduce pressure on the back of your throat. There are different types of adjustable beds and mattresses, as well, to help you achieve this natural upward tilt in a comfortable fashion.

8. Oral Devices
Consult your dentist or oral jaw surgeon about getting a mouthpiece that will move the jaw forward and open the breathing passageway more while you sleep. This can be an expensive option because the most effective mouth pieces will be custom-made for you, but it is worth exploring if other options aren’t effective.

9. Humidifiers
If your snoring is a result of nasal congestion or your allergies are worsened by dry air in your home, then consider using a humidifier at night. It may be a simple solution to your particular problem.

As you can see, there are multiple causes for snoring and many solutions you can consider. If you think you might have sleep apnea or another major issue that is causing your poor sleep, you should definitely consult with a physician to identify your specific problem.

Otherwise, you can try some of these simple techniques and readily available products to enjoy a better night’s sleep—for you and anyone around you!

Has anyone else noticed something strange and kind of wonderful going on with dads lately? Everywhere I look, I see fathers who have forgone the Hawaiian shirts (good riddance!), ditched wearing socks with those leather sandals, and shaken off the tyranny of the comb-over (just ick!). And perhaps even more unbelievable, these same dads who once embarrassed us with their numbskull social blunders have become, well, cool and generally safe to bring around friends. Yup, it’s a brave new world we live in. Gone are the days of the frumpy father! Long live the Modern Dad!

And what, pray tell, distinguishes this newly evolved creature from his decidedly uncool ancestors? He’s hip, I tell you. He dresses better than the women that surround him. He visits the salon once a month to have his hair perfectly coifed. He’s suddenly become a tech guru a la Steve Jobs. And when he opens his mouth, behold, out of that dark cavern floweth wisdom on global matters of great import (instead of baseball stats). Seriously, who the heck is this guy?

Of course, out with the old dad and in with the new (as great as this is), means we have to rewrite the rulebook when it comes to shopping for him. No longer will a random power tool from Home Depot suffice. No longer will an oversized polo shirt from J.C. Penny’s do the job

(and shame on you for ever thinking that it would). Your modern dad now has modern standards. Good thing for you there’s a site perfectly designed for the new man dads everywhere have become, one devoted to modern apparel, accessories, home decor, gadgets, and more: TouchofModern.com.

Of course, you want some specific suggestions to help navigate this new shopping territory, and we’re happy to oblige. So, without further ado, our must-haves for the modern dad:

For his new sense of style. The modern dad wants to look good, and you can help by purchasing him classy and sophisticated accoutrements. For instance, every modern man wears an attractive timepiece, and your dad will want one too. Find something simple and elegant that nonetheless speaks to his masculinity. And just in case you were wondering, no smartwatches. We know we said above that dads have become tech gurus, but that’s not the same things as a tech geek, and right now smartwatches can’t compete with the time-honored style of a classic timepiece. The modern dad also appreciates a pair of custom cufflinks, a personalized money clip, hip sunglasses, and dapper shoes. Any of the above will help him cultivate the suave, modern image he’s after.

For his tech obsession. Tech guru that he’s become, he already has a smartphone, a tablet, and a high-end laptop. So what else is there tech-wise that he could possibly need? Plenty, young grasshopper, plenty. How about a smartphone or tablet case hand carved from walnut (or any other wood you can think of)? How about an ergonomic Bluetooth mouse to help him eliminate needless cables and increase productivity while away from the office? Bluetooth speakers can make a great gift as well, and you can find them in novel shapes and various sizes. But make sure you don’t skimp when it comes to sound quality because your dad’s probably become something of an audiophile lately. And speaking of sound quality, studio-grade headphones might be just the thing for him. He’ll hear his music with a clarity and precision he never knew possible.

For his (finally) expanding mind. Yup, the dad in your life has said some pretty embarrassing, insensitive, offensive, and just plain dumb things over the years. But then one day he started reading the New York Times and the New Yorker. He started using words like entropy and ennui and you’re pretty sure you saw him come out of the bathroom one day with a copy of Gravity’s Rainbow in his hand. He’s cultured now. He’s stopped reading books written for moody teenagers about sexy vampires and preadolescent wizards and replaced them with, drumroll, Literary Fiction. So, why not encourage his newfound love of all things literary and cultured by getting him a gift card to your local independent bookseller? Or purchase him a subscription to one the nation’s leading literary magazines.

Your dad’s all grown up now. He a classy, cultured, modern man of the world. It’s time you start treating him that way by purchasing him gifts that suits his new life. We hope the above suggestions will help you with that. And as we bid you farewell, let’s all take a moment to thank the heavens that we’ll never have to see our dads wear black socks with cargo shorts ever again.

We all know that the weather at home can leave much to be desired, which leaves many of us hopping on a plane with our families to escape. So here is a run down of the top five family fun destinations, with plenty to do whatever your age.

The Canary Islands

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cortomaltes/4806869978/sizes/l

The Canary Islands have long been established as a family favorite, with year round sun it is perfect for that winter get away. Lanzarote is famous for its water sports, from surfing to banana boats there will be plenty to keep the water baby in your life entertained. If food is more your thing, you’ll never get your kids to eat a fish finger again once they’ve tried some of Lanzarote’s fresh fish.

2. Turkey

Looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday with an interesting culture to match? Head out on an all inclusive to the lesser known Sarigerme to escape the crowds. Offering you a tranquil time lying by the pool or taking in a boat trip, the region proivides a great escape from the hectic 9-5 routine. Featuring some great all inclusive hotels, complete with water slides, bowling, basketball and even an aerial assault course, there is loads for the little ones to do while you unwind.

3. Portugal

The Algarve is a great destination for families whatever their budget, perhaps consider staying in a Villa; paying a bit more upfront allows you to save while you’re there, giving you the option to make your own meals (lots of them even include an outdoor kitchen and BBQ area). Portugal is also famous for its dolphin population, who make a delightful addition to any boat trip!

4.The Balearic Islands

Consider Majorca for your next family holiday, if you and the kids get restless sunbathing by a pool all day then consider spending the day exploring Majorca’s capital city, Palma. You can head down to the water front to take in some lunch, and see how the other half lives. Where the rich and famous congregate to show off their latest sports car or yacht, its bound to leave the man in your life drooling.

5. Egypt

Blessed with scorching sunshine all year round, Sharm El Sheikh has become increasingly popular for family holidays. By day, it is best to soak up the sun, or take the kids swimming. By night, head into Naama Bay (most hotels will offer a free shuttle service) it is great if you want to take the family out for dinner.

So there you have it, these five destinations have plenty to offer every family, the hardest decision you’ll have now is trying to pick just one.

Image by cortto used under the Creative Commons License.

Okay, we all know that there’s really no such thing as ‘perfect’ but it’s not impossible to come close to perfect, especially for a family vacation. Family vacations can be extremely overwhelming to plan since there are so many aspects, but if you follow these top 3 tips your family will be well on their way to the perfect vacation.

Location First

Have your children ever been on an airplane? Maybe this family vacation is the perfect time to hop on one. Whether you’re driving, flying or even boating, it’s important to find a destination that meets the entire family’s needs. If you’ve got a small family, consider something more intimate, like the Princess Bayside, which appeals more to couples or if you’ve got a couple of rugrats a family resort might be the perfect getaway. Family resorts, such as the Princess Royale, have in-house activities that cater to both parents and children of all ages.

Pre-Plan Activities

So now that you know where your destination is, do a little research to find out the local events and family hot spots within that area so you can have a set schedule and maybe figure out a few ways to save a couple bucks unless you’re lucky enough to have friends that Plumfund your entire trip for you. Being familiar with your destination will allow you to quickly think of things to do when you find you have some down time. If you’re staying at a resort, try and call them prior to your vacation and ask what types of activities they offer or what attractions are popular in the area. The more prepared you are, the more your kids will stay active and happy.

For a family-friendly adventure, resorts such as those in Punta Cana offer a range of activities and accommodations perfect for all ages. Imagine your family enjoying a day on a catamaran Punta Cana, where you can explore the stunning coastline and crystal-clear waters together. If you’ve got a couple of rugrats, a family resort might be the perfect getaway. These resorts often provide kid-friendly amenities such as water parks, organized activities, and spacious family suites. A destination like this ensures that both parents and children have a memorable vacation experience. Whether it’s lounging by the pool, participating in fun activities, or exploring local attractions, family resorts are designed to cater to everyone’s needs.

Pack Only What You Need

It’s easy to over pack and it’s always a fear to under pack – however, there is an in-between. Encourage your children to only pack what they’ll need such as comfortable clothing and personal essentials. If you’re able to purchase it at a Wal-Mart or a local big box store than do so when you feel you need the item on your vacation, otherwise, it’s probably best to leave it at home. Packing smart also means you’ll have more room for souvenirs on your way back home.

Summer is upon us which means the kids are finally out of school and now is the perfect time for summer vacations.  We are doing a few short trips this summer like the beach and Upstate New York but a dream of mine is to travel overseas to Europe and visit Rome.

I have wanted to visit Italy as well as Germany for as long as I can remember.  I am not 100% sure why Melinda and I haven’t made the journey yet but I am hoping one day we will get a chance to go.  I would love to see the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum.  I hear that Rome is so beautiful and the views are absolutely amazing.  I think if Melinda and I went to Italy I might eat myself to death, LOL.

Traveling is one of those things I would love to do but the thought of packing and flying more that 6 hrs sometimes deters me from ever wanting to travel.  I know if we traveled overseas to Europe it would by far be the best vacation that we have ever been on and I know one day we will get there it just might be a few more years before that happens.

Don’t get me wrong I love going to Ocean City, NJ and chilling on the beach then cruising the boardwalk and eating snacks the entire time but the thought of a vacation to Europe sounds really awesome!!!!!

Have you ever been to Rome? If so what spots are a must see?

If your young daughter’s birthday is coming up, chances are she probably has a long list of items she would like. Of course, if she’s like most little girls, in addition to toys, she will probably ask for some pretty crazy things like a pony or a talking robot. If you’ve already snagged up all of the most important items, the toys she’s been talking about for months and weeks, but you still want some ideas for some more practical or less complicated gifts, check out some of these ideas to add a little extra fun to your daughter’s birthday spoils.

Gifts for the Glamour Girl

For the little girl who loves to play dress up and is constantly asking to try on your makeup, get some gifts that will make her feel glamorous but won’t make you feel like she’s growing up too fast!

• Costume jewelry like cute clip earrings. Costume jewelry is cheap and can easily be replaced so it won’t be a big deal if something gets lost or broken. Clip on earrings have the added benefit that they can be worn by little girls without pierced ears.
• A small piece of nice jewelry. Baby bracelets and rings come in very small sizes so they can be worn by little girls. These are popular gifts for birthdays, baptisms, first communions, etc. A small piece of jewelry will make her day if she loves glamour and dress up, but you may want to hold on to this item for her and keep it for special occasions.
• Nail stickers. These are a great way for little girls to have their nails done without a whole lot of mess.
• Fun dress up items like feather boas and little plastic high heels. You can also go to thrift or consignment stores and stock up on inexpensive jewelry, shoes, and clothes for dress up.
• Take her for a beauty day. Get her hair done and take her to have her makeup done professionally. Buy her a nice dress for the occasion and maybe even take her for a photography session.
• Drama classes or fashion design classes. For a little girl with a flair for glamour, sign her up for a kids’ acting class. It might be just the thing to help her get creative with her passion.

Gifts for the Creative Girl

For the little girl who loves to be creative, there are lots of gifts out there that can help her develop her skills and help her find new ways to be creative:

• A child’s easel and child-safe paints. Other supplies could include sidewalk chalk, nice crayons, papier-mâché kits, etc. Go to your local crafts store and get a few kits and find out what she likes best. If you have a hobby you already know how to do, buy her some supplies and show her how. For example, if she sees you knitting regularly, she would probably love her own small plastic needles and a set of fun rainbow colored yarns in a little yarn basket of her own.
• Science kits and engineering toys. Help her see new ways to explore her creativity by shopping outside of the pink aisle! Kits for little science experiments as well as toys as simple as blocks and train kits could be great fun for a little girl who already likes to do make and build stuff. Help her design her own dollhouse and then take her along to choose and buy the supplies and actually go through the process of building it herself along with you.
• Books! If your daughter is especially young, consider activity books. Creative kids frequently love to read so check out some of the current bestsellers for kids but also try to remember some of your own favorite books from when you were growing up. Your daughter will probably love a set of books that you can bond over. Ask other adults in her life like grandparents, teachers, etc. for their own favorite childhood books and put together a whole mini library.
• Musical instruments. If she’s too young to start taking lessons, you can buy kid-friendly versions of lots of instruments like inexpensive keyboards or mini guitars. Make sure to pay attention to any type of music or instrument she especially seems to like.

Gifts for the Little Athlete

For the girl who is a hands-on explorer who likes to play in the mud and climb trees, think about gifts that will encourage her to explore those passions and maybe find some new ones:

• A little explorer’s outfit. You can buy costumes that look like explorer’s clothing, which your daughter will probably love to have. Make sure to get her pants with lots of pockets and backpacks with lots of compartments for bringing home specimens.
• Sports equipment. If she already has a sport she loves, buy her equipment for that sport like CCM hockey equipment, new soccer shoes or a basketball. You could also consider buying her equipment for a new sport to try out, especially if it’s a sport you can do together.
• Items for the explorer: a camera, a bug collecting kit, books about plants and animals, a nature journal, binoculars, etc.

Choosing Gifts

When thinking about gifts to give your daughter, the most important thing is that you consider her individuality. Pay attention to what your daughter already loves most. This should get you started with lots of gift ideas that she is sure to love!

I think my main problem in why I haven’t cleaned our rugs is because it’s so hard to decide on the best steam cleaner to buy.

For us we don’t clean our rugs as often as we probably should.  As a matter of fact we have never cleaned our rugs and we have lived in our current house for 4 years and that’s probably because we don’t own a steam cleaner.  I know it’s a little gross so don’t judge but believe it or not our rugs don’t look that bad.

I have looked at steam cleaners online many times but there are so many to choose from that it starts making my head spin.  They all have different features and options at all different price points some with steam some without and the list goes on and on.

I know that some grocery stores rent steam cleaners so I may have to do that until I can decide on a steam cleaner but my next excuse will be time and how I don’t have any, LOL.  The last thing that I want to do after getting home from work at night is steam clean the rugs.  I have thought about hiring a company to clean the rugs but I am afraid that I will pick a company that will not do a great job and then I will just have to clean the rugs myself anyway.

This is a battle in my head that I have been having for four years so that is probably why our rugs have never been cleaned.  I need to get over my problems ASAP because with 3 dogs I know that our rugs need a very good cleaning.  So I need to decide on a steam cleaner, find some time on the weekend and just get it done.

If you have any suggestions on a steam cleaner let me know as any help would be greatly appreciated.