Things I Love – Cheap Books

Recently, I went to one of my favorite stores. It’s a bookstore where every item is literally $1! From best selling titles to encyclopedias, they have it all. The total duration of this trip was about an hour. It’s small but its packed with a ton of well organized sections and they have carrying bins and small shopping carts to make it even easier to get more items. 

For most the most part, I am an in/out type of shopper. I like to give myself a time limit along with a budget to make sure of that. Even when thrift shopping, I manage to find what I want and leave quickly so I dont overspend. Bookstores are a different story. I seem to get lost in these places, especially the cheap ones. 

I filled up my cart with all the books I was interested in- about 12. My son managed to slip in another handful also.

Even though we homeschool and have our own book collection, we visit the library often. However, we like to keep a variety of reading books in the house at all times. For non-homeschooling books, if I can’t get them at the library then my typical rules for purchasing are:

  1. Can it found online for free?
  2. Is it less than $10?
  3. Will it be used for more than one person in the house?
  4. Can it be later gifted to a friend or family member?
  5. Will it actually be read?

Now, here comes the fun part. Actually finding a place in my already overflowing shelves to put these new items. Maybe I’ll DIY one of my projects from my last yard sale haul or maybe they will end up on the floor -who knows? 

Updated Morning Routine 

Most mornings I wake up drink a cup of coffee or tea and do like most people, browse social media and check the news. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how counterproductive this was to trying to start my day positively. 

 First off, let’s start with the caffeine. Of course, I already knew it’s bad for me but what I didn’t know was how it was effecting my body’s start for the day. Naturally, our body naturally releases a hormone called cortisol throughout our day. In the morning, it wakes us up and makes us feel alert. 

Also, when the body is stressed, our cortisol levels rise. Serotonin levels tend to drop as a result of high cortisol levels too which makes us feel sluggish or dull. Exactly the opposite of what im trying to achieve in the morning!

My new routine has been modified to stay on track to living a positive and stress free life. Here’s what I looks like: 

  1. Pray or meditate to ground myself and decide on a positive affirmation for the day
  2. Get out of bed & open up my window shades in the house 
  3. Read a chapter in my kindle book or an inspiring article online  
  4. Brush my teeth, and wash my face
  5. Drink glass of fruit juice or smoothie

My son wakes up around 8-9 most mornings so I still need something to get myself energized for our homeschool day.  Orange juice is great for boosting energy so I make sure to include that in my morning drinks. I’ve been keeping this routine for a few days now and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. 

Have you adjusted your morning routine since the New Year? Let us know :)

      20 Activities to Reduce Stress

      Life can be stressful and demanding. It’s always good to be able to find new creative ways to find happiness. Take some time out for yourself and spend some time relaxing. Here are some ways to get you in a positive place. 

      1. Walk on the beach
      2. Get a massage or facial
      3. Listen to your favorite song
      4. Go swimming
      5. Read a good book
      6. Dance in the rain
      7. Go for a jog or run
      8. Buy a new outfit
      9. Plant a garden
      10. Go to the aquarium or museum
      11. Take a dance class
      12. Go ice skating or roller blading
      13. Have a good cry
      14. Try a new restaurant or recipe
      15. Take a self-defense class
      16. Take a nap
      17. Plan a vacation
      18. Meditate
      19. Do yoga or pilates
      20. Watch your favorite movie

      What other activities would you add to this list? Leave a comment below.