It’s that time of year again. Holiday parties are just around the corner in the Boston area, so if you’re planning on hosting or attending a party, take a moment to make sure you and your family are ready for such an event. Follow the tips listed below to not only make the most of your holiday party, but to also help the people you love to make the most of their own events. It’s the season of giving, after all. So do your best to give, both to yourself and your loved ones. Look Your Best A big part of holiday prep before a party goes into looking good before the event starts. Start getting ready early so that you can take your time. Dry clean your holiday outfits and if you plan to host parties at home, make sure you take your tablecloth and linens to the cleaners, too. With so much cleaning to do, it is best to simply schedule a laundry pickup to save time. While you’re working on looking your best, take a bit of time to make sure your home looks great too. If you’re hosting a holiday party at your home, have cleaners pay your residence a visit so that they can professionally clean your upholstery. Stay Healthy
You will always look your best when you also feel your best. Taking care of yourself is an important part of your life no matter what time it is, but if you want to look great for holiday parties and not miss any fun due to illnesses, focus on staying healthy. Get a flu shot and take your medications (and make sure you have enough on hand so that you’re not rushing to your local pharmacy at the last minute). To prepare yourself early for all the holiday food you’re going to enjoy, stock up on digestive aids. Too Busy Preparing for Holidays? The thought of preparing for a holiday party can be overwhelming for plenty of people, especially those with extremely busy schedules. If the thought of getting a party prepared sounds daunting to you, consider the family members who are hosting this year. It’s probably as difficult to prepare a party for your aging parents as it is for you. Think about sending help their way by hiring an experienced home health aide that can take some of the load off of them, and offer meaningful companionship should your loved one get the holiday blues. Stay Warm The holiday season can be bitterly cold in Boston and the surrounding areas, so do your best to stay warm. Check your home’s heating system and make sure everything is working the way it should. If you use propane, make sure you’re working with a fast, responsive propane provider that will be available to fill your tanks whenever you need. This way, you’re unlikely to experience any sudden emergencies that’ll occur if your propane runs out at an inconvenient time. Consider getting some propane lamps and firepits to add a little warmth to your outdoor spaces during your upcoming holiday party. Happy holidays from us to you. Remember that no matter what you celebrate, we sincerely hope you have a great holiday season. Enjoy safe, memorable holiday parties with the people who mean the most to you. If you feel like you haven’t spent enough time enjoying this fantastic season yet this year, don’t worry. We have just four simple and enjoyable ways to help you get outside and in that amazing New England fall foliage! 1. Take Your Exercise Outdoors We all know how important it is to exercise our bodies — especially those of us who have jobs requiring us to sit down and stare at a computer all day. But, more often than not, motivating ourselves to get out, go to the gym, and do a workout is not nearly as enjoyable as we’d like it to be. Luckily, there is an easy solution that allows you to both exercise and enjoy the fall weather simultaneously! You can try walking or biking on one of Massachusetts’ rail trails if you tend to enjoy walking, running, biking, or other more aerobic activities.
If, on the other hand, you’re more of a gym-equipment type, you could still take advantage of the beautiful fall season by going to a park with outdoor fitness equipment such as cardio walkers, sit-up benches and vertical ladders. Many communities in Boston offer outdoor gyms where you can easily mesh your workout time with some much-needed outdoor time. Find one in your neighborhood here. Exercising keeps you healthy and saves the time and costs of doctor’s visits and medicines from your neighborhood pharmacy, not to mention the pains of illness. 2. Take A Trip to the Park with Your Kids Maybe bringing your exercise routine outside doesn’t sound great to you, or perhaps you simply would rather make your outdoor time family time. If you’ve got kids (who probably can’t get enough of being outside in the fall), a nice family trip to the park might be an excellent option for you. There are parks all over the city — from smaller parks in residential neighborhoods to larger, more public parks — and you can be sure to find one that is just right for you and your family. Your children can enjoy the slides, swings, climbers, play structures, and when they are hungry, you can serve healthy sandwiches in a picnic shelter or on the lawn. 3. Go on a Walk with Your Parents Speaking of family, don’t forget about your parents! A quick visit to your parent’s home can not only make their entire week but also help them enjoy the beautiful weather outside. As we age, it can get more challenging (or less desirable) for us to go out and walk around, but it is still crucial for our bodies to get movement. So, stop by your parents and get them to go out on a little walk with you to enjoy the fall foliage. If you are genuinely too busy, you can also hire an in-home caregiver to do this, so they can still get out and move around before it gets too cold. 4. Go Camping If you’re a camping fan or have an RV, you can completely immerse yourself in the stunning New England fall foliage by heading to a campground. Even if you’ve never tried it before, you can find a perfect leaf-peeping campground that will have you enjoying the fall season in no time! Make sure you bring a propane tank for heating and cooking while you’re there so you can enjoy some lovely warm beverages and delicious camp cooking! The fall season is arguably the most beautiful season in Boston. With the colorful and vibrant fall foliage, crisp weather, and delicious warm treats and beverages, most of us look forward to this time of the year. But, it can be all too easy to miss out on the glorious season if we’re busy with work and classes or even distracted by our screens. So, take advantage of the four activities listed above, and don’t miss out on this beautiful season! As the end of the summer break approaches, it’s natural for students and their parents to start planning for their return to school. Starting a new school year can be exciting, daunting, challenging, and nerve-wracking for children, so as parents, we need to help them get ready for the new school year. Here are a few back-to-school tips. Organize Your Home
Over the break, it’s normal for your home to have become somewhat messier than normal. Make a team effort with the whole family to clean up, de-clutter and get organized. Not only does this put everyone back into work mode and set the scene for being back in school, but it also means your kids have no excuse for not being able to find their gym kit or book bag the night before going back in school. If you’ve got lots of junk to get rid of, save time by renting a dumpster. It’s so much easier to be able to toss things away as you’re sorting, rather than maneuvering around piles in your home and making multiple trips to the local recycling center. Clean Out Your Closets Linked to above, make sure you sort through your closets while getting your home in tip-top order. If your child has had a summer growth spurt, it’s better to know beforehand instead of finding out they have nothing suitable to wear for their first day in school! It also helps your child find everything they will need for their schooldays. Get rid of clothes and shoes that no longer fit or are showing signs of wear and tear. You can donate items in good condition and discard the rest. In case you open the closets and discover a huge pile of hidden laundry, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed — get practical time-saving help from your local laundry or dry-cleaning service. Get Vaccines School can be a veritable breeding ground for germs. When kids start mingling again in school, you might find that your child comes home with colds, sore throats and earaches more frequently than when they’re off school. Head to your local pharmacy to get the family updated with their flu shots. While you are there, you can also conveniently pick up various school supplies and other back-to-school items like backpacks. Check School Updates in Advance Nobody likes being surprised on the first day back to school. Put your mind at rest and check for pertinent updates on your school’s website and prepare accordingly. Are there any special supplies your child needs for the next academic year? Give yourself plenty of time to make any necessary purchases. Confirm the actual first day back and read up on your school’s most recent COVID policy. Get any required COVID supplies like masks while you are at the drug store as well. Arrange Activities It doesn’t need to be all work and no play when the kids go back to school. Keep your kids engaged and motivated outside of the classroom by making sure they have plenty of fun with their peers in the evenings and on weekends. It can be as simple as arranging with other Boston parents for kids to meet up in the neighborhood park or playground. Alternatively, take a look at your town’s library calendar to find diverse activities and events geared toward youngsters. Set those school year daily routines in motion, like school transportation, lunches, study habits, bed time, etc. Finally, give your child a good pep talk, a pat on the back, hugs and kisses, and send them off to a good start! I can’t afford to hire a housekeeper, and I work full time. I don’t have other family members to share the burden of taking care of household chores. How do I keep my house in order and maintain a good quality of life? Automate! Here are some ideas. Cleaning the floor with robots Let the Roomba or similar robotic vacuums clean the floor for you while you are at work! This is a major time saver. Landscaping service or robotic mower?
While we are talking about robots, do you know there are robotic lawn mowers and weeders? These innovative products are offered by Automated Outdoor Solutions. Check them out! Laundry We all use washers and dryers, so laundry is automated. And if you use a programmable washing machine, you can schedule it to run at a convenient time, for example, two hours before you can come home to move the clean laundry to the dryer. But you can save more time by simply packing your laundry in a bag and call the local laundry delivery service. Your clothes will come back clean, fresh and ready to wear! You can further “automate” by subscribing to a weekly or biweekly delivery. Maid service Hey, automation doesn’t have to be by machines ;-) The robotic vacuum can only clean the floors. You can use automatic toilet bowl cleaners like Flush 2000. However, you’ll still need the clean the shower and the kitchen, do some dusting, etc. and there are no robots for those yet, as far as I know. Scheduling the cleaners to come every two weeks will do the trick! Rent a dumpster for cleanupsDe-clutter your house at least once a year to make your daily cleaning easier. Save yourself trips to the town recycling center and rent a dumpster instead. The dumpster rental company will haul your junk away for you and take care of the recycling, too! Online food delivery service No time for cooking and clean up afterwards? There’s nothing more convenient than having your favorite food delivered to you! You can use an app like UberEats, or order from your favorite local restaurant or supermarket as well. Drugstore deliveries You have probably used apps that allow you to refill prescriptions and have them delivered to you. But many drugstores, like the pharmacy near me, also have online stores where you can buy home healthcare products, personal care and even household products and deliver to you as well. Check them out! Automatic propane delivery If you use propane for heating, cooking, etc. for your home, sign up for automatic propane delivery. With automatic delivery, the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You’ll never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Isn’t that a life saver? Sign up for autopay I use autopay for all my utility bills, credit card bills, etc. It saves time and I’ll never get any penalties. There are so many ways to automate and make our lives easier. It pays to be on the lookout for more automated solutions! As you head outdoors, don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray, clinicians urge RACHEL COPPOLA | COVERAGE, NEWS SERVICE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MASSACHUSETTS As summer vacation season kicks off, taking commonsense precautions to avoid sun, heat and insect-borne illnesses can help ensure a fun and safe season. Follow these summer safety tips:
“It’s important to be prepared and take these necessary precautions,” Yeats says. “But the good news is that many of these conditions, including moles, rashes and bug bites, are highly amenable to being evaluated and screened through telehealth.” “We want you to get outside with your family and go for runs and hikes and bike rides,” Yeats says. “But we also want you to be safe.” PICTURE OF DR. ASHLEY YEATS BY MICHAEL GRIMMETT Coverage is a news service of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
With 23 unique neighborhoods, Boston offers endless moments of discovery and excitement for you and your friends and family to explore and enjoy. Whether you live in the city or are visiting during summer vacation, you’ll never be bored. In fact, the choices can be overwhelming so we are here to give you a few good ideas to start the summer. Break out the walking shoes and sunscreen! Enjoy the Water
Nothing’s better than being by the water on a sizzling summer day. Enjoy the sea in Boston by taking a ferry ride or grabbing a spot on a Boston harbor cruise. Many visitors and locals enjoy taking a quick ferry ride over to Spectacle Island. There are plenty of hiking and swimming opportunities for everyone! If you’d rather just relax on the water, lounge on a cruise around the Boston harbor. Grab some motion sickness medicine from your local pharmacy if you tend to get seasick. Soak up the Sun Is being near the water not your cup of tea? Don’t worry. There’s still plenty you can do as you visit Boston. Pack some fresh fruit, a linen sheet, and allergy medicine for an outdoor picnic in The Public Garden. It’s a great location to quickly escape the hustle and bustle of the city. For a more active day, take a stroll with friends or family around the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University near Jamaica Plains. It’s a free public park and a botanical research center, easily accessible by MBTA Orange Line’s Forest Hills station. Dive Into the Entertainment There’s no shortage of Boston activities in the entertainment category. Between sports and live shows, you’ll keep busy. Visit the iconic Fenway Stadium for a Red Sox game. Stuff your face with hot dogs as you enjoy America’s favorite pastime. If you’re a music lover, check out local band performances at nearby bars or parks. Keep an eye out for flyers around town and popular concert venues, including the Paradise Rock Club or House of Blues. Relax at Home Believe it or not, one of the best Boston activities is enjoying a day at home. With lots of daylight and warm weather, Boston is a beautiful city to be in summer so you might as well soak it up. How about a cookout in the backyard. Grab some steaks, hotdogs and chicken wings, propane for the grill, cut up a watermelon, and make fresh lemonade for your family. You’ll never regret moments surrounded by your loved ones. A fun family day is also a great excuse to give your elderly family member’s in-home companion the day off. Your family members can help watch over your aging parents and spend some quality time together. Sunny Days: A Summer in Boston No one ever forgets their first summer in Boston. This historical city offers plenty of chances for laughter, smiles, and adventure. Don’t sweat the household chores. Let the dry cleaner do the laundry and the maid service do the cleaning. Soak up the sun near the sea or in a park. Cheer on the Red Sox or your favorite band. Or take a day to put your feet up in your own backyard. Have a great summer! Whether you’re a city native or a visitor, there’s much to enjoy in the Boston area at any time of the year. But with Father’s Day and graduation around the corner, you’re likely gearing up to celebrate, Boston-style. Here are a few tips to help you plan a happy and memorable Father’s Day or graduation celebration. Dine at One of Boston’s Many Fine Restaurants Whether you’re celebrating graduation day or hosting a Father’s Day event, you, your family, and your loved ones will enjoy having a night out and eating a nice dinner. And with many restaurants offering al fresco dining, you may even consider reserve an outside table. Make it memorable by getting a makeover, dressing up in your favorite dresses and best evening wear, and taking lots of pictures. Before you go, take these fine garments to a Boston dry cleaner to get them cleaned and conditioned. Be sure to dry clean them again afterwards to remove any food stains and keep them in shape for the next wearing. Enjoy an Outdoor BBQ
Or, instead of going out for dinner, why not stay in and host an outdoor BBQ party for your Grads and Dads celebration? Not only does BBQ make for a quintessential American party, it is also the best way to enjoy the early summer weather. (But if it’s going to be hot, you can always opt for some shade in your backyard or deck, or take your party to the local park picnic shelter.) And when it comes to BBQ, you might want to invest in a propane grill if you don’t already have one. Propane is a clean fuel and propane grills are easy to start, easy to control the flame, and easy to clean. Just don’t forget to fill your propane tank or get propane delivery from a trustworthy provider. Because of the warm weather, you can expect to work up a sweat and maybe get food on your clothes. If you are too tired after the party to do laundry, just call your local wash and fold delivery service! Bonus Tip: Where to Buy Gifts Every dad and new grad deserves a gift on their special day. If you had been too busy with party preparation and either forget or can’t spare time to shop for a gift, you can find gifts suitable for both dads and grads at the local drug store. For example, you could put together a gift bag of bathing products including bar soap, bath soaks, cologne, aftershaves and more. If all that great food at the restaurants and BBQ gives you a bad case of indigestion, you can also rely on your local pharmacy for digestive help. Hope you find these ideas useful and wish you a great Father’s Day or school/college graduation celebration with your family and loved ones. The average American eats a whopping 3,000 calories and 150 grams of fat on Thanksgiving — and that’s not even counting seconds. Besides all the cleanup and extra laundry and dry cleaning you need to do, perhaps you find yourself getting a bit too stuffed after Thanksgiving celebrations every year as well. This time around, you want to be prepared. Specifically, you want to know how to make yourself feel better quickly if you’ve eaten too much. We’ve got you covered for Thanksgiving 2021 and beyond. Unbuckle your belt and read on for our best tips to get yourself back on track post-feast. 1. Hydrate
We’re not encouraging you to grab a filling pint of beer or a sugary cocktail after Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, if you’re feeling overly stuffed, you should try and sip as much water as you can. Water can ward off constipation, and it can help reduce bloating faster. Just be sure not to drink too much at once, as chugging water while you’re stuffed will only add to that feeling. Sip slowly and often instead. 2. Skip the Snooze Some people need prescriptions to help them sleep. For them, a post-Thanksgiving dinner nap might be a welcome part of the day. However, that shut-eye after your meal could be stalling your digestion. Try and stay awake for at least one to two hours after you eat to keep things moving and relieve your discomfort sooner. 3. Get Moving If you’re feeling like you have enough energy to do more than just stay awake, head outside for an after-dinner walk. A little bit of movement can stoke digestion, and it can help balance out blood glucose levels, too. That might feel a bit ambitious for you after such a big meal, and that’s okay. Try getting up and going through a full-body stretch. Even something that gentle can have the same positive effects on your post-Thanksgiving state. If you have an elderly loved one, take him/her out on a walk to share some quality time together. It’s better than hiring a home caregiver. 4. Return to Your Regular Routine Some people make the mistake of yo-yo-ing on the day after Thanksgiving. By that, we mean they follow up their indulgent feast with a very light day of eating or even a crash diet. This is never a solution to the post-holiday bloat. Instead, just return to your normal way of eating. Incorporate lots of healthy, nutritious and fiber-rich produce to keep your digestion rolling. However, you don’t need to overhaul your diet completely — just go back to the way you usually eat. 5. Ask Your Pharmacist If you’re really having digestive issues and the above tips don’t help, you can always ask your pharmacist for help. They may be able to point you in the direction of a medication or supplement that can boost your digestion, relieve bloat and otherwise diffuse the discomfort you feel after such a big meal. Make the Most of Your Thanksgiving Celebrations Everyone indulges on holidays, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up for enjoying your Thanksgiving celebrations. Instead, eat what you want, then take the steps necessary to get back to feeling like yourself. We’re thankful it’s that easy, too. Boston Massachusetts is one of the gems of New England and a great place to bring the family. Fall in Boston is arguably the best time to visit. Thinking about a vacation in Boston? Here is a must-see/do list that you will need for your fall vacation destination. 1. Oh, the Food! One thing that you must do is compare the two famous bakeries just one block from each other in the upper north end of Boston. Bova’s has been in business since 1932, and Mike’s since 1946. Take a walk through Chinatown for some authentic Chinese bakeries and restaurants, and for a bit of cultural immersion. And, don’t worry if you dropped a little something on your shirt at dinner, let the folks at Utopia Cleaners handle that for you. 2. Arts & History Attractions in Boston
Wednesdays after 3 pm at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is only $5, and always has some great installations to check out. Allow yourself at least an hour as the museum has 3 levels and over 51,000 square feet of art space to enjoy. If you’re into a different type of art, you won’t want to miss these:
While the weather is great, seasonal allergies do happen. Don’t let hayfever ruin your day. Stop by your local pharmacy for some allergy medicine. 3. Boston Has Great Parks & Playgrounds Did you know that Boston has over 200 parks? There are waterfront parks, parks downtown, and plenty of parks with playgrounds to take the kids to. The Boston Public Garden is in the heart of Boston, attached to the Commons. And, Franklin Park is the largest in the city. 4. Nothing Beats A Halloween in Boston Bostonians love the fall, and especially Halloween. There are plenty of bar crawls, parties, and events all across the city to celebrate the spooky holiday. Salem is only a short drive away and they start celebrating early with a parade in early October. They will have scary witch-themed events throughout the month and end with a huge fireworks display on Halloween night over the Harbor. Take the night off, you deserve it! Leave the kids with the babysitter, and call into Visiting Angels for companion care for your elderly loved ones. 5. Leaf Peeping All over the New England area, the fall foliage brings visitors from near and far to see the leaves changing bright tones of red, orange, and yellow. This plus the crisp cool air makes for great camping weather. Throwing dinner on the grill is one of the favorite fall activities in Boston. Don’t forget to fill up the propane tank at AGP Gas beforehand! Fall in Boston! Beantown is always a lively place to visit at any time of year. Fall in Boston, however, is very special as the leaves are brightly colored and the air is crisp and cool; plus, all the seasonal foods and drinks to enjoy while exploring the city. Need some spooky season inspiration? Well, then you’ve come to the right place. It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to drop, the weather gets crisp, and ghosts roam the streets. And while there are tons of fall activities to do this season, it can be extra fun to get into the spooky spirit too. Keep reading to learn 5 Halloween celebration ideas for 2021. 1. Throw a Costume Party If you want to have a wild Halloween night, invite some friends over for a costume party. To prepare, put up some Halloween party decorations, put out party food and drinks, and get the spooky music blasting. And if you’re over 21, make some fun Halloween cocktails or get pumpkin beer! Pro tip: if you want to have the perfect costume, get it dry cleaned or altered before the party. 2. Make Spooky Treats
If you’re over eating Halloween candy, make some spooky treats instead! Here are some desserts you can make:
3. Watch Scary Movies There’s no better time to watch scary movies than Halloween night! So grab your popcorn (and maybe some candy) and get ready for a fright. Here are some of the best ones to watch:
4. Play Halloween Games If you have children, playing games is a great way to celebrate this holiday. Here are some of the best Halloween games you can play:
5. Decorate Your Home Even if you’re not planning Halloween parties, it can be fun to decorate your house for the occasion. Here are some awesome decoration ideas:
Did You Like Those Halloween Celebration Ideas? No matter which of these Halloween celebration ideas you choose, you can’t go wrong. So whether you throw a big costume party or watch a few scary movies, you’re sure to have a blast. Just watch out for any ghouls and goblins on Halloween night! |
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