Embracing Efficiency: Ways to Automate Household Chores

In today’s fast-paced world, the last thing we want is to be bogged down by endless household chores. Fortunately, there are various automation tools that can help lighten the burden and make our lives more convenient. From robotic vacuums to smart home systems, automation has revolutionized the way we manage household tasks. In this article, we will explore easy ways to automate household chores and free up more time for the things that truly matter.

Smart Home Technology: The cornerstone of home automation lies in embracing smart home technology. Start by investing in a reliable smart home hub or controller that serves as the central point for managing all connected devices. From there, you can expand your smart ecosystem by incorporating smart bulbs, plugs, thermostats, and security systems. With smart bulbs and plugs, you can remotely control lights and appliances, optimizing energy usage and creating the illusion of an occupied home when you’re away. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, learn your preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, promoting energy efficiency and comfort. Meanwhile, smart security systems enhance home safety with features like remote monitoring and automated alerts.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner: Bid farewell to the days of manually pushing a vacuum cleaner around the house. Robotic vacuum cleaners are intelligent devices designed to autonomously clean your floors while you focus on other tasks. These nifty gadgets navigate through your home, avoiding obstacles and adjusting their cleaning patterns based on the floor type. Some models even offer mopping capabilities to keep your hard floors shiny and spotless.
Automated Lawn Care: Maintaining a pristine lawn can be time-consuming, but automation can come to the rescue. Robotic lawnmowers are designed to trim your grass regularly without any intervention. They operate on a set schedule or can be activated remotely through a smartphone app. With robotic lawn mowers, you’ll enjoy a perfectly manicured lawn without breaking a sweat.
Automated Kitchen Appliances: The kitchen is often a hotbed of household chores, but automation can streamline the cooking and cleaning process. Consider investing in appliances like smart ovens, which allow you to control cooking settings remotely. Additionally, dishwasher models with smart features can be programmed to run during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower, saving you money and time.
Home Automation Routines: Most smart home systems offer the functionality to create custom automation routines. These routines can be triggered by specific events or schedules, making it easy to automate several tasks simultaneously. For example, you can set up a “Good Morning” routine that turns on the lights, adjusts the thermostat, and starts brewing your coffee at your preferred time. Similarly, a “Good Night” routine can lock doors, turn off lights, and arm the security system before you head to bed. Like a home care aide, these automated routines can be very helpful for the elderly.
Explore Voice Assistants: Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can be your virtual helpers in automating household chores. They allow you to control smart devices using voice commands, eliminating the need for manual interactions with various apps and interfaces. With just a few words, you can dim the lights, turn up the music, or check if the doors are locked.

Apart from the common household chores mentioned earlier, you can also automate various other chores to simplify your daily life. Here are some more examples:

Automated Laundry Systems: Laundry can be time-consuming, but some advanced washing machines and dryers offer automation features. These appliances can be programmed to start and finish cycles at specific times, allowing you to take advantage of off-peak energy hours or ensuring your laundry is ready when you need it. But if you really want to save more time and energy, subscribe to a laundry delivery service. They’ll do your laundry perfectly according to your requirements and you’ll also look your best.
Automated Prescription Refills: Many pharmacies now offer services that allow you to automate the refilling of your prescription medications. You can set up automatic prescription refills, where your community pharmacy will proactively refill your medications when they are due. This way, you won’t have to worry about running out of essential medications. Furthermore, some pharmacies have online stores where you can buy home healthcare products, personal care and even household products and deliver to you as well.
Medication Dispensing Devices: Some advanced medication organizing and dispensing systems can automate the process of organizing and dispensing pills. These devices sort and dispense medications according to your schedule, often with built-in alarms and alerts to remind you to take your medication.
Online Vitamin Subscriptions: Many vitamin and supplement companies offer online subscription services. By setting up a subscription for your preferred vitamins and supplements, you can ensure that you receive a fresh supply regularly without the need to reorder every time you run out.
Automated Bill Payment: Setting up automatic bill payment through your bank’s online platform can save you time and help avoid late fees. Many utility companies and service providers offer the option to set up recurring payments, allowing you to pay your bills without manual intervention.
Automated 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?
Automated Pet Feeders: If you have pets, automated pet feeders can be a lifesaver. These devices dispense pre-measured food at scheduled times, ensuring your furry friends are fed even when you’re not at home.
Automated Plant Watering: For those with indoor plants or a garden, automated watering systems can keep your plants healthy and hydrated without requiring daily attention. These systems can be set on timers or triggered by moisture sensors.
Automated Grocery Delivery: Many grocery stores now offer online ordering and home delivery services. By setting up recurring grocery orders or using grocery subscription services, you can automate grocery shopping and have essentials delivered regularly.
Automated Calendar and Reminders: Use digital calendars and task management apps to automate reminders for appointments, birthdays, and other important events. These apps can send you notifications to ensure you never miss a crucial date.
Automated Garbage and Recycling Systems: Some cities have started implementing automated garbage and recycling collection systems, where special bins are equipped with electronic sensors that notify waste management companies when they need to be emptied.

Embracing automation in various aspects of your life can be a game-changer in terms of time management and convenience. By automating household chores, bill payments, prescriptions, and other routine tasks, you’ll free up valuable time to focus on activities that bring joy and fulfillment, leading to a more balanced and stress-free lifestyle. Take advantage of the technological advancements available today and explore ways to automate tasks to optimize your daily routine.

Are you ready for holiday parties?

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.

Welcoming Fall in Boston

New England is known across the world for its gorgeous fall colors, and Boston is no exception. As temperatures begin to drop, it is also high time to prepare for the colder winter ahead. Here are a few tips on getting your home and life more organized as you welcome the fall season in Boston.

Clean Up Your Yard

Boston is famous for its stunning fall foliage, with vibrant shades of red, orange and gold. People travel from far and wide to witness the glorious colors, as the trees change from hues of green, and living in Boston gives you prime viewing of seasonal splendor.

However, falling leaves also need cleaning up to reduce the attraction for pests. Fall is also the time to get your vegetable patch in order for next spring.

Give your grass one final mow before the winter, feed the lawn, rake up dead leaves, trim back dead tree and shrub branches, power wash the deck and plant fall flowers. Take time to de-clutter your yard and clean your gutters, too.

If removing debris and leaves seems like a big task, why not consider renting a roll-off dumpster to make your clean-up project smoother?

Organize Inside Your Home

As well as tidying up outdoors, have a thorough clean and tidy inside your home. Clean out cabinets and closets and get rid of any clothes that you no longer wear. You could consider donating unwanted items to charity.

Store your summer garments for next year and make sure your warmer winter wear is conveniently at hand. Wash any items that need freshening up after being folded away over the summer, and buy anything you’ll need to see you through the winter, such as a new coat, sweaters and footwear.

You’ll soon want warmer bedding for the colder nights. Freshen up blankets and comforters with a trip to the dry cleaners to make sinking into bed on a cold evening even cozier.

Heat Your Home

Check that all your heating appliances are in good working order. After all, it’s better to arrange any necessary repairs in fall than over the winter.

If you use propane to heat your home, you’ll likely have noticed that prices have recently increased. Research suppliers and make sure that you have a reliable propane supply to fend off the cold when the temperatures drop even further.

Stock Up

Snuggling up at home is especially appealing on cold days, and having well-stocked pantry and medicine cabinets is a great idea for those times when you simply don’t want to go out or think about trying to order goods.

Fill your pantry with long-life staples, such as canned and dry goods, so you’ve always got a supply to fall back on.

The colder weather is, unfortunately, a peak time for catching bugs and getting sick. Stock up on fall medications to keep your family as healthy and comfortable as possible. Buy things like painkillers, allergy products, cough medicine, throat lozenges and nasal sprays, making sure to also have items suitable for younger members of the family, to get ready to stave off colds and germs. You might also like to add vitamin supplements to your list.

Don’t forget to buy seasonal personal care products too, such as items to prevent chapped lips, combat dry hair and nails and keep your skin in great condition.

Practice Self-Care

In today’s busy world, it’s all too easy to be so focused on taking care of others that people forget to take care of themselves.

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s essential.

You may have been focused lately on getting the kids ready to go back to school, and settling them in. Buying uniforms and supplies, arranging after school clubs, sorting lunches and transportation, helping with homework and dealing with other school-related matters can quickly start to take its toll.

Have you also been taking care of elderly parents? If you’re in need of a breather, get some valuable time to rest, recharge and feel more in control of your life with temporary respite care services. Your family will benefit much more from a rested you; being frazzled helps nobody!

Back to School: Tips for Parents in Boston

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!

Enjoying Summer Safely

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:

Stay sun safe
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection on all exposed skin, and reapply it every two hours regardless of SPF rating or more if you are swimming or sweating. “Consider a mineral-based sunscreen instead of a chemical-based one because it reflects UV rays away from the skin, and make putting it on part of your everyday routine like eating breakfast and brushing your teeth,” says Dr. Ashley Yeats, a family physician and VP of medical operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Wear sunglasses, a broadbrimmed hat and long-sleeved shirt or clothing with built-in sun protection, and try not to go outside midday when the sun is most intense. Yeats also advises doing monthly skin checks according to the ABCDEs to help identify concerning moles: Asymmetry (half of the mole doesn’t match the other), Border irregularity, Color that is not uniform, Diameter greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser), and Evolving size, shape or color.
Keep critters away
Yeats advises applying insect repellant with EPA registered active ingredients such as DEET that are appropriate for the age of the person to ward off ticks and mosquitoes that can carry and transmit Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and to bathe before bed to wash it off. Yeats also recommends wearing pants tucked into long socks, especially if you will be hiking or walking in high grass, and avoiding activities at dawn and dusk. When you come in from the outdoors, check your skin for ticks and a bullseye rash that can indicate a tick bite. “Symptoms of Lyme disease, West Nile and EEE are fever and lethargy — unfortunately the same as COVID-19,” Yeats says. If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor and discuss your recent activities.
Stay cool and hydrated
As temperatures and humidity climb, Yeats notes it’s important to guard against dehydration and heat stroke by staying cool. “The very young and very old are less capable of dispersing body heat than others,” she said, so special care should be taken to keep babies and the elderly cool. Drink plenty of water: “If you are thirsty, you are past the point when you don’t have enough water in your body.” Make sure you have a fan or air conditioner or cool down by putting a cold washcloth on your neck. Additionally, she recommends checking in on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors, especially now, when many of the climate-controlled places these folks used to go to, such as the mall or senior center, may be closed because of the pandemic. Yeats says to be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses, including a rash, fever, nausea, light-headedness and fatigue.

If you have a medical concern, Yeats says, call your primary care provider as a first step.

“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.

Fun Things To Do This Summer in Boston

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!

Celebrating Dads and Grads

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.

Celebrate Easter with These Traditions

Easter is this Sunday, April 17 — just a short bunny hop away! Whether you’re celebrating this holiday for a religious reason or because of certain traditions your family holds, check out the following ideas that can help you plan for a fun and memorable Easter this year.

Have an Easter Egg Hunt

Easter egg hunts are one of the most popular traditions held on Easter. What could be more fun than running around outside on a beautiful, spring day and searching for colorful eggs that have prizes or candy inside?

Looking to add something extra special to your Easter egg hunt this year or just want to change it up? Try writing activities such as “go for a bike ride together as a family” or “family game night” on pieces of paper and put them in the eggs. Let the kids redeem the activity they’ve found and enjoy spending some quality time together as a family!

If you’re hosting an Easter egg hunt for your kids outside, don’t forget to purchase some bug spray so that you can keep those pesky bugs away. Also, be sure to grab some allergy medication in case anyone struggles with spring allergies.

Dyeing and Decorating Easter Eggs

Another popular tradition that has been a part of Easter celebrations for decades is dyeing or decorating hard boiled eggs. Whether you’re using an Easter egg dyeing kit or prefer to use your creativity by using items from your kitchen or home, your family and friends are sure to make memories with this fun tradition.

Want to get extra creative this year? Purchase some pretty spring stickers to place on the outside of your eggs to give them that extra pop! You may be able to buy them from a nearby community pharmacy, where you can conveniently get some Easter gifts and cards as well.

Spend Time Outside

Invite your family members or friends over for a barbeque. If you are cooking on a propane grill, make sure to have a propane tank handy so that you are able to heat the grill and cook your food.

If you have kids, head over to your community park playground and have a picnic under a tree or picnic shelter! Whip up some traditional Easter food such as ham, deviled eggs, candied carrots and your favorite vegetable.

Whether you’re planning to have people over your house or meet up at a local park, make sure your table linens are clean and ready to go. If you’re short on time, or just prefer to have a professional clean your table linens, schedule a laundry delivery at your local dry cleaner in Boston.

Enjoy spending time with your family this Easter and getting outside for some fresh, spring air!

Back to Normal for St Patrick’s Day: Tips for Celebrating in 2022

With a pandemic raging, the last couple of years have been some of the strangest in modern times. From school and work closures to the banning of large gatherings, people have not been able to socialize and have fun!

With people getting back to work and school, what better way to get back into the swing of things than to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Parades are a traditional way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Boston’s traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade is back for 2022 on March 20th at 1:00 pm.

If you can’t make it to the parade, why not do a celebration of your own? Here are a few things you can do!

Take It Outside

Invite some guests for a backyard BBQ. Don’t forget to make sure you have a full propane tank for your grill! If you want to serve traditional Irish food, make some corned beef and cabbage or beef stew. It’s also fun to make as many green foods as you can, like green soda bread, cookies, cupcakes, candy, etc. Serve a great Irish beer like Guinness and your St Paddy’s party would be perfect! Make sure to have some digestive aids on hand for the next morning!

Green Balloons

Helium balloons are always a crowd-pleaser. Get yourself a helium tank and some green balloons for the St. Patrick’s Day decorations. Attach the green balloons to the mailbox, a post in the yard, and even in the house.

Balloons always create a festive atmosphere and once the party guests arrive, don’t forget to play some Irish music.

Have a Park Party for the Kids

Kids always love to play on the swings and slides at the park. Even if you’re not Irish, you can still load up on some green snacks and drinks, bring a few green balloons, and dress yourself and your kids in green tee shirts for an impromptu St. Patrick’s Day party at the park playground.

While the kids rest after playing, pass the snacks around and tell them the story of St Patrick:

St. Patrick lived during the fifth century and is the patron saint of Ireland. Although he was born in Roman Britain, he was captured and taken as a slave to Ireland. The Catholic Church credits St. Patrick with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

There are several legends surrounding St. Patrick. One of the most well-known is how he taught the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of the Shamrock (Irish Clover).

When is St. Patrick’s Day? People celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th — the day of St. Patrick’s death. Although the celebration falls in Lent, the Church waives the requirement for abstinence from meat if the day falls on a Friday.

Amid the not-so-perfect weather of March, St. Patrick’s Day offers a fun respite from the dreary days of the pandemic. Do take advantage of it!

How Well Do You Know Your Local Pharmacy?

You probably think of your local pharmacy as a place to stop and buy various medications and pharmaceuticals. And indeed, this is the key role that most pharmacies play. However, many pharmacies have a lot more to offer. Here are some additional, helpful services to check for at your local pharmacy.

Medication Compounding

Some pharmacies offer compounded medications. This means that they custom-mix medications to suit customers’ needs. They may take a medication that is usually provided in pill form and formulate it in a liquid. Or, they may compound a medication with a specific dose to suit your unique needs. If you’re allergic to inactive ingredients in a certain medication, a compounding pharmacy may be able to formulate a product that’s free from your allergen.

Compounding can be a good option for patients who need personalized hormone balancing medications. Sports injuries often specially compounded pain medicine to help reduce pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and other conditions. Some pharmacies will even compound medications for pets with a valid veterinary prescription.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Visit your pharmacy to learn what supplement brands they carry. There are advantages to buying vitamin and mineral supplements through your local pharmacy, rather than from online vendors. You can read various labels in person and ask the pharmacist for recommendations. Some pharmacies will even schedule a personalized consultation with a certified specialist, so you can get supplements recommended for you according to your needs.

Mobile Prescription Refills

Gone are the days when refilling a prescription meant driving to the pharmacy, waiting for them to look up your records, and then waiting even longer while they filled the prescription. Now, many pharmacies offer mobile prescription refill services. You can submit your request via an app on your smartphone, and your medication will be ready and waiting when you arrive.

Events and Workshops

Check your local pharmacy’s schedule to see what events and workshops they are offering. They may have a workshop on monitoring blood pressure or one on designing a healthy meal plan. Some of these events are hosted by their own pharmacists, but they may also invite other healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, and dietitians to speak on common health concerns like COVID-19, seasonal allergies, menopause, and use of sunscreens, for example. This is a great way to ensure you’re getting health information from a reliable source.

Your local pharmacy is an excellent resource for the products, services, and information you need to remain healthy. Stop by and talk to the pharmacist or staff members to get a better idea of what’s available to you.