Random life hacks thread

[bunnymendelbaum]

@justdairy usually starts these, but I have 2 from this weekend.

Are the GoNoodle videos old news? DD1 showed me them this weekend. I guess they used to do them in preschool to get energy out. They are funny dance/activity videos. Maybe slightly wacky-hipstery. We did the Pop See Koo ones (roller coaster) from YouTube. It was pretty hilarious.

Second one, a while ago when DH and I were in couple's therapy for maintenance type stuff, our therapist suggested the "embrace to relax" trick. I'm not a touchy person, but man, it works. If one of us is feeling stressed or we are out of sync, you just hug for however it takes to truly relax and feeling yourself calm down. Our lives as extra stressful right and I'm so glad we remembered this trick.

[Deleted]

I really need to do and remember the second.

I had a good life tip the other day and now I can't remember it..I'll get back to you.

By all means anyone can start these threads. I just get bored. And I like these posts.

[namasteak]

I like the "embrace to relax" idea!

[spk926]

I love GoNoodle! We do it at least twice a day in my first grade classroom, sometimes more!

[namasteak]

The last few days I have been struggling with swaddling tight enough and went to youtube. I managed to get a tight swaddle by using the "double swaddle" underneath a swaddle me m.youtube.com/watch?v=EOnsKlluHIg

[Deleted]

We just had DH's birthday party here and did it Costco style: veggie tray, mild italian sausages baked in oven over pepper and onions with some beer, buns. It was SO EASY and pretty cheap. We fed about 20 people and it was zero stress and really little work. I did black bottom cupcakes for dessert (no frosting required). It was a great, low key party that he really enjoyed. I'll do the sausages again if I need to feed a crew. We also grabbed hot dogs for the kids and just microwaved those.

[niq]

The dishwasher safe name bubbles are also laundry safe!

[stretchad]

I know this is kind of obvious and not a total hack, but I just made mini frittatas in a muffin tin and now I have a healthy, portable breakfast for the entire week. 2 WW Points each. Prepping breakfast for the whole week on Sunday is the best.

[Brie]

I got a small stick vacuum recently. The long handle part comes off...which makes a perfect toddler sized vacuum. He thinks it's super fun, my floors get clean. Win win.

[bananapancakes]

Sept 27, 2015 21:09:22 GMT -5 spk926 said:

I love GoNoodle! We do it at least twice a day in my first grade classroom, sometimes more!

Do you have recs for good ones, especially for kinder? I browsed through but wasn't super impressed.

[bananapancakes]

I've been super frustrated with constantly digging out toys from under the couch so I googled and found a seemingly good solution. Put a pool noodle or foam pipe insulation under there to act as a bumper. I haven't tried it yet but will update when I do.

[spk926]

Sept 28, 2015 4:54:28 GMT -5 bananapancakes said:

Sept 27, 2015 21:09:22 GMT -5 spk926 said:

I love GoNoodle! We do it at least twice a day in my first grade classroom, sometimes more!

Do you have recs for good ones, especially for kinder? I browsed through but wasn't super impressed.

My first graders love the 'Race with Us' section. I think that's the name. It has a torch as the icon. They have track & field Olympians teach how to do their sport (hurdles, sprint, long jump, shot put, etc...) and then after stretching and practicing a few times the kids compete in an event. That and the Kangaroo ones are probably their favorite.

[Deleted]

I've been making the time to make kids great breakfasts. They seem to eat the most then, I can shove the most healthy stuff in them as a result and they generally like breakfast foods the most. It also cuts down on the snack whining rest of the morning because the had more than cheerios. I don't go all hardcore. Today it was fried eggs and toast, dole smoothies. Easy. I keep toaster waffles, french toast sticks, I make extra pancakes to freeze when I have time...etc. Serve with fruit and done.

I'm also into dish ware lately and my kids want the big people stuff. I took a bunch of grandma's handmedowns from her death (the ones that weren't worth anything/overly sentimental) and use them on the daily. I troll garage sales/Goodwill for dishes. When they break they break, whatever. Also fits my mix and match style.

The Swiffer Duster is awesome! So easy. DD loves it. Actually dusts. Win Win.

[noodleskooze]

Sept 28, 2015 7:50:42 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

Sept 28, 2015 3:46:29 GMT -5 Brie said:

Which did you get? I have one in my Amazon cart - I think I'm more apt to use it regularly than lug out my big vacuum.

I'll rec the Electrolux Ergorapido Plus Brushroll Clean, 12V Cordless 2-in-1 Stick and Handheld Vacuum EL2021A. I caught it on Lightning Deals one day. I'm in love with this vacuum.