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Book Review: Harvey the Hippo meets Mickey Mandarin

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What a radical and riveting way to present an extremely relevant yet sensitive issue to its targeted audience! I ndeed, Abby Pete’s book, Harvey the Hippo meets Mickey Mandarin thoughtfully rules out exclusivity to embrace inclusivity with a tenderness that is apt for young minds. Acceptance of the fluidity of gender and a non-binary approach towards others are the fresh perspectives that this engaging read offers. Click HERE to buy the book You can also by the book in Barnes and Noble and L.H. Press The story is about Harvey, the hippo , who being a “he” and a “him”, lives in the zoo with his family and friends. They are Zo, the Zebra, who likes to be called “they” and “them”, Ginger, the giraffe, whose preferred pronouns are “she” and “her” and other animals too. However, their differences in identities do not affect their friendship but rather strengthen their bonds. In fact, the animals accept their friends as they are and engage in pl...

To Dread Midlife

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They say that the 40s is midlife, and it's a crisis! H aving recently stepped into the fussy yet fascinating Forty Club, there is one thing I get to hear from friends and familiars alike. It is called a "Midlife Crisis"! Yes, you read that right. Be it someone not getting her long-deserved promotion and sulking over it or someone becoming quiet in a relationship (I bet the years of togetherness often render one speechless!), it is the midlife crisis that has to shoulder the blame. On the other side, if a so-long introvert suddenly starts churning out recurrent reels on her reinvented self and revamped life, again the clueless crisis is held culpable for it. Even a parent reacting to the tireless tantrums of her teenager (that's me!) is labeled as going through that particular phase of life. Every change physical, mental, financial or social, for the better or the worse (depends on the beholder) is callously yet confidently pushed within this b...

Nurturing Yourself Through Grief

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Healthful Healing After Losing a Child L osing a child is an incredibly painful experience. The level of grief that accompanies this profound loss can be overwhelming, completely exhausting your mind and body. While your grief may feel all-consuming, taking care of yourself and prioritizing your well-being is crucial to healing. Setting healthy goals can serve as a guiding light, providing you with a sense of purpose and a direction on which to focus your energy. In this article from Quotidian Tales , we’ll offer some small steps you can take to nurture yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally as you navigate your grief. Chase Your Professional Dreams Losing a child can prompt a shift in your sense of identity and purpose. Pursuing your professional dreams may be a good way to rediscover yourself and reconnect with your passions. For example, if you like the idea of working as an entrepreneur, consider channeling your grief into creative energy and starting a ...

Book Review : Up Bow Down Bow

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I am a string mom of a 5th grader who invariably looks forward to her son improving his listening skills and identifying the upbows. R eading the book "Up Bow Down Bow" by Nancy M. Schwartz and April E. Beard made me sense that same excitement in Nancy, a mother, who saw her youngest son Alex's desire to learn and love music. She felt the pure bliss and emotions of music seep into Alex and positively impact every facet of his development. The love for music is reflected even in the words of April, Alex's music teacher, who narrates every other chapter in the book. She is a core believer in Alex's abilities! The writing style is elegant and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story of Alex. The vivid descriptions of Nancy, April, and Alex's teamwork are also deftly woven into the narrative. It is a powerful reminder of staying true to one's passion. Every section of the book recounts a mighty beam of hope, a learning ...

Book Review : Beachcombers

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Who doesn’t long for an amazing adventure and that too on a beach with friends and fun? And how effectively can a book entertain and empower at the same time? A Answers to such questions lie embedded in the interesting story, lucid language, evocative illustrations, and engaging exchange of Beachcombers: A Clementine the Rescue Dog story. In this book, Kyle Torke, the man who believes in the power of imagination and the possibility of exploration, narrates the story of three adolescents, Taliss, Conrad, and Coover, and their fantastic canine friend, Clementine. As the story progresses, the beach comes alive to the reader with its beauty and bounty. Any little enthusiast gets to meet sandpipers, starfish, purple crabs, grey snakes, seagulls, and pelicans along with cliffs, surf, flowers, and waves. Simultaneously, conscious activities that need to be undertaken to preserve the beach and its ecosystem are categorically mentioned. For instance, the removal of plastic for r...

Health Information - Overweight and Obesity

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Are you struggling with your weight and feeling down about it? D id you know that being overweight or obese can have a significant impact on your mental health? In this blog post, we'll explore the ways in which excess body fat can affect your mood, self-esteem, and overall well-being. From depression to anxiety to social isolation, we'll delve into the psychological effects of carrying extra weight and offer tips for managing both your physical and mental health. So buckle up – it's time to take a closer look at how our bodies and minds are interconnected when it comes to staying healthy! Introduction to Overweight and Obesity Overweight and obesity are major public health problems in the United States. More than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Me...

Zen Unlimited

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That's me. A gawky girl with a head full of frizzy hair and a heart full of woolly emotions. An adolescent, in essence. I' m waiting for my school bus to arrive. Yes, I'm still left with putting on my socks and shoes but that was just a minute's job. The moment captures the one activity I did every single day before I left for school. Though I'm smiling in the pic, it was a forced one back then. Simply because I was not interested in getting myself clicked. But right now when I look at it, I feel so happy and grateful that my father had clicked us together that day. The white puppy with fiercely intelligent eyes (I know I'm being the bragging mom here!) and a really wet snout was Zen. I called him by that name the day he came into life. Of course, I can boast about the Zen philosophy here and put in some profound thinking that was behind the dog's dubbing. But no, nothing of that sort happened. Rather, a car called Maruti Zen had been...

Book Review : I am Mixed and I am Me

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To be proud of one's identity! A cceptance of the self and others through appreciation and empathy lies at the heart of Sarah Porter’s book I’m Mixed and I’m Me . And while the subject seems one that needs to be pondered on, the presentation is just the contrary. A delightful read, it can aptly address tender minds and enable them to imbibe the message, which is crucial and compelling. The book begins with Snacks introducing himself and his sister, Wiggles, and promising to tell the reader "our own story," which he admits is rather unique. The first thing that we get to know is that their parents are from "different places," an aspect that gets starkly noted due to their obvious difference in skin color. Nonetheless, black lips kiss as softly as white ones and both parents are similar in showering love and shaping lives. Click HERE to buy the book Snacks assert that they are lucky to have dissimilar parents as that allows them to go on ...