Best flooring for educational spaces
Have you been given the task of choosing material for a K-12, university, or other learning environment and have no clue where to begin? Look no further, I’m spilling the basics to help you pick the best flooring for your educational space.
Flooring is what leads you in and out of the building, and transitions you from one space to another. It expands from each room individually and into common areas. Flooring in educational spaces is part of heavily-trafficked areas, and that’s why you want to make sure you’re getting quality flooring that is going to last. No one wants to throw away money on something that is only going to last a few years.
Best classroom flooring
When it comes to classroom flooring the aesthetic matters more than most people think about. You want the students to focus without being distracted, and comfortable without losing focus. Can’t forget about them being safe and skip resistant. Oh yeah, and they need to take a beating from chairs pushed, shoes, desk rearranged, and more.
Carpet tiles in a school setting should be low profile, which helps make them more durable under heavy foot traffic, plus they are slip-resistant. They come in a wide variety of color and pattern options, which can be good and bad when you’re trying to come to one choice. Carpet tiles are great for grade school classrooms or specific subjects such as math or history. Carpet tiles are NOT great for a science lab or art classes where things can spill.
Vinyl tile comes in two forms vinyl composition tile (VCT) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). VCT has been used in schools for decades. However, this porous material is a little bit high maintenance as it requires to be waxed and polished regularly. On the plus, it’s durable under high traffic and inexpensive. Luxury vinyl tile or LVT tile is the preferred option in educational spaces nowadays. Unlike VCT that is made of vinyl, limestone, and other ingredients LVT is 100% vinyl and less porous. LVT is designed to last longer and hold up better when it comes to foot traffic than VCT will—plus it doesn’t require constant wax applications. LVT will run you more than VCT, but it’ll be less maintenance in the long run—which really is what you’re going after anyway.
Laminate used to be the most popular option, but it seems like its days of being the go-to has come and gone. Other flooring options like LVT have caught up and surpassed this option, but it’s still worth mentioning. Laminate is resistant to fading, scratching, and other kinds of damage.
Best hallway flooring
The hallway gets a lot of traffic, you want something that will be resilient and give you your most bang for your buck. This means you’re going to want to look at VCT or LVT. Remember though, VCT is going to require maintenance while LVT will cost you a little more, it will not require the maintenance that VCT does. Rubber flooring has also become popular due to its variety. Mainly because you can customize it with any pattern, logo, or color.
31 Things To Do in May
From gardening and farmers markets to road trips and more i’m sharing 31 ways you can get the most out of May.
- Happy May Day! This fun springtime tradition is all about making a colorful handmade May Day basket, filled with candy or flowers and then you leave it on your neighbor’s porch. I absolutely love this sweet tradition.
- May is National Bike Month. Spend time on the trails, rent a bike from a metropark or head to the city and rent a bike and start exploring.
- We could all use a moment of zen, and in hour of Garden Meditation Day, take time to slow down and absorb your surroundings.
- May the Fourth Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day. Celebrate by watching your favorite Star Wars movie.
- Welcome Cinco de Mayo with a tacos and nachos served up charcuterie style.
- Setup your outdoor space. Are you stocked up on wood for bonfires? Are you chairs and table cleaned for outdoor dining?
- Happy National Tourism Day! Today is the perfect day to make a list of the places you’d like to visit.
- Add a new wreath to your front door. Pinterest is filled with plenty of ideas if you want to DIY your own.
- Happy Mother’s Day to all the mama’s out there—I see you dog mama’s. From brunch, to treks in the woods, however you celebrate I hope you have a fabulous day.
- Trees and gardens are bursting with blooms. Get outside and take a walk around time and enjoy all the beauty spring has to offer.
- Head out for a hike. You know this is my favorite. Not only do I love discovering new (to me) trails, but I also love my tried and true ones.
- Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers to brighten your day. Peonies are starting to pop up in stores.
- The weather is getting nicer, and we’re all spending time outdoors—are you stocked up on sunscreen and bug spray?
- Grilling season is finally here. Whether you’re cooking veggie kabobs and pineapple or more traditional burgers and brats put your grill to work while the weather is nice.
- Head to the zoo. If you haven’t heard the Detroit Zoo has a baby polar bear that is the cutest thing ever and definitely worth the trip.
- It’s World Baking Day today. Celebrate by whipping up something new. I’ll be making some lemon bars.
- Make a pizza on the grill.
- Farmers market season is in full swing. From fresh baked breads and desserts to early produce and fresh cut blooms you’re sure to find something.
- Visit a local metropark and venture to a state park.
- Plan a camping trip. You can tent camp or look on Airbnb or Outdoorsy for campers you can rent.
- Hit the open road with the windows down on search of a new town. Road trips are my favorite during the summer and the possibilities are endless.
- Rent a scooter and see the city from a different perspective.
- Visit a greenhouse and start picking out flowers, herbs and produce you want to plant in your yard this year.
- Bocce ball, horseshoes and bags, oh my! Break out the yard games.
- Have a picnic.
- Go horseback riding.
- Find food trucks to eat at.
- Grab some popcorn and snacks and get ready because Cruella is released in theaters and Disney+ Premier today.
- Make homemade lemonade
- It’s the perfect night to have a bonfire and enjoy popcorn and s’mores over it.
- Happy Memorial Day. Rock that red, white and blue—BBQ and play some backyard games. The unofficial start of summer has begun.
Advice from Dr. Ryan Shelton, Zenith Labs Medical Research Director – Creating a Better Green Smoothie
Many popular health and fitness programs want you to mark the beginning of a “health kick” with a promise of a huge, dramatic, overnight change. This mindset sets you up for failure before you even begin. I’ve been known to fuel my body with processed junk—shoutout to long workdays, lack of time, being overwhelmed, and the convenience of fast food.
My BFF introduced me to something that quickly changed my life—green smoothies. The blend of fresh fruits and dark leafy greens brought me back to life, gave me energy and it was a fast and healthy alternative to fast food. As Dr. Ryan Shelton from Zenith Labs put’s it, brassica vegetables, like kale, “help the liver to detox from the ubiquitous environmental toxins that we’re all exposed to, but they also help to keep your DNA telomeres long and to prevent the aging process”.
Create a better green smoothie:
1. 60/40 rule. Warning, don’t just throw things in the blender, not only is there a good chance it will come out brown and unappetizing looking, but it will probably also taste awful. To save you from smoothie-fails grab those measuring cups and fill your blender with 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens.
2. Ditch the ice. Freeze fruit instead. I always have my freezer filled with frozen bananas, strawberries, mangos, and pineapple. The frozen fruit is what makes all the difference in your smoothie.
3. Use a good quality blender. I recently bought a Vitamix and let me tell you, it changed my smoothie-making game. No more leafy chunks, just a thick and delicious smoothie. If you do not have a high-powered blender, blend up your leafy greens and liquid base first. Then, add your remaining fruit and blend again.
The formula for the perfect green smoothies:
1 cup leafy greens
½ – 1 cup liquid
2 cups fruit
What are leafy greens? Spinach, kale, swiss chard
What kind of liquid? Water, coconut water, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk
What kind of fruit should I use? Anything and everything! I always start with frozen bananas and just add what I have on hand in the freezer. Strawberries, pineapple, mango, blueberries, raspberries, dragon fruit, and more.
Give your smoothie a boost with add-ins like chia seeds, hemp hearts, almond butter, or flaxseed.
Nutrition Tips & Tricks
I am not a nutritionist, but one thing is for sure I am always working towards living a happier and healthier lifestyle. With that being said, I thought I would share some of my favorite nutrition tips and tricks:
1. Always have a snack on hand for when hunger strikes. That way you’ll reach for something healthy instead of something naughty.
2. Meal prep! I know, I know, you’ve heard it all before. I actually will prep food for only a couple of days, and it has to be something that I can change up because I am not a fan of eating the same thing every single day.
3. Drink more water. Use a straw it’ll help you drink more water.
4. Eat more fruits and veggies, this is where green smoothies come in handy!
5. Check on your mental health with Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs.
6. Give yourself some self-care, when you feel good, you’ll eat well.
7. Go for an evening walk.
Destination: New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy
With travel being at a standstill I have found myself spending more time looking for new places to visit. A new destination that I just added high onto my bucket list is New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy region.
Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides, billion-year-old coastlines snd every kind of adventure you could imagine. Set up camp at Fundy National Park, hike, bike, or drive along the Fundy Trail, rappel down craggy cliffs at Cape Enrage, and visit The Hopewell Rocks. If you want city life, head over to Saint John—the only city on the Bay of Fundy.
Bay of Fundy is home to the world’s highest tides
The tides in the Bay of Fundy can rise an unbelievable 46 feet with 160 billion tons of seawater gushing in and out of the bay twice a day. The tides are best experienced at The Hopewell Rocks, where you can walk around giant sea stack monoliths at low tide then watch the tide rise around them. During high tide, a kayak is perfect to adventure around The Hopewell Rocks.
Just to give you a little bit of perspective, in other parts of the world, the average tide is 3 feet or less, while at the Bay of Fundy tides can reach a height of 46 feet twice a day.
How to witness the tides at Bay of Fundy
Head over to The Hopewell Rocks, and walk along the ocean floor, and gaze up at the beautiful formations. Or kayak on top of the tides and meet the formations eye-to-eye. I want to do both.
The Hopewell Rocks will leave you breathless
When visiting Bay of Fundy, one thing you can’t leave without doing is visiting The Hopewell Rocks. Even though I haven’t seen them in person, the pictures are what hooked me and made me realize I have to visit Bay of Fundy.
What are the famous flowerpot rocks?
Over thousands of years of high and low tides, the sea carved the famous “flowerpot” rocks at The Hopewell Rocks at Bay of Fundy one of New Brunswick’s top destinations. Make sure you wear shoes/boots you’re okay with getting mudding as you explore these beautiful formations.
The dramatic high and low tides have spent years sculpting The Hopewell Rocks, and they truly are nature’s artwork. Some of the rocks have come to have fun nicknames like Lovers Arch, E.T., and Mother-in-Law.
Fundy Trail Parkway
The Fundy Trail is 6,323-acres and features 19-miles of parkway hugging the southern coast of New Brunswick. With stunning views of the world-renowned Bay of Fundy.
Drive the paved parkway that hugs the 820 feet coastal cliffs, explore trails that connect to paths or stairways leading to pristine beaches and river estuaries, cross a 275 foot suspension footbridge, see tumbling waterfalls and Precambrian rocks,275-foot or stop by the interpretive center and discover the rich history of a once-thriving lumber industry.
Fundy Trail is home to the beginning of the Fundy Footpath hiking path, one of the top 50 hiking trails in the world!
Hiking trails at Fundy Trail Parkway
You know I can’t plan a trip without hiking. Whether you’re looking for a short, easy stroll on a wide trail or a longer more challenging hike on a footpath—Fundy Trail Parkway has something for you.
EASY – For those who feel comfortable walking 2 to 4 hours a day on mainly level terrain.
MODERATE – For those who feel comfortable walking 3 to 5 hours a day. Walking trails can include smooth and/or uneven footpaths and some ascents up to 400 feet.
STRENUOUS – For more experienced hikers who feel comfortable walking 3 to 6 hours a day and have a higher level of fitness to fully enough the challenges of this classification. Trail may have an uneven terrain with some steeper ascents from 1000 to 2400 feet.
Waterfalls at the Fundy Trail Parkway
Every adventure is better when waterfalls are involved and at Fundy Trail Parkway you’ll find four unique and beautiful waterfalls.
Fuller Falls
Fuller Falls is one of many favorite attractions in our park and is easily accessed as it is very close to the parkway. Here you can have a look from the upper viewing area or walk down the cable ladder to the lookout landing below.
Long Beach Brook Falls
If you have some time, you may wish to hike the footpath to Long Beach Brook Falls. It’s a moderate hike with a couple of steep sections.
McLeod Brook Falls
McLeod Brook Falls is accessed by following the McLeod Brook Trail.
Walton Glen Gorge Falls
Walton Glen Gorge Falls is situated in the Little Salmon River Protected Natural Area (PNA) adjacent to the parkway, visitors will be in for a treat. The falls are thought to be the second-highest waterfalls in the Province.
Flower Pot Rock
Even if you visit The Hopewell Rocks, I still feel like Flower Pot Rock is a must-see destination in the Fundy Trail Parkway. If you follow Flowerpot Scenic trail at Fownes Head you will see Fundy Trail’s beloved flowerpot rock. Named because of the tuft of vegetation that grows on their tops, the proper term for the formation is a sea stack. This is one stage that occurs during the process of coastal erosion.
First Time Visitor Itinerary Fundy Trail Parkway
from the Fundy Trail Parkway website
One Hour
Stop at Fox Rock and catch your first glimpse of the magnificent Bay of Fundy. Continue to Fuller Falls. View the falls from the upper observation deck or walk down the cable ladder to get a closer look. Continue to the Interpretive Centre for a quick visit and, if time still allows, hurry over to the Suspension Footbridge – cross this 84-m footbridge across Big Salmon River.
Three Hours
Stop at Fox Rock and catch your first glimpse of the magnificent Bay of Fundy. Stop at Fownes Head and hike down the Flower Pot Rock Scenic Footpath. Continue driving the parkway to Fuller Falls. View the falls from the upper observation deck or walk down the cable ladder to get a closer look. Continue to the Interpretive Centre to learn about the former lumbering community of Big Salmon River. Head over to the Suspension Footbridge – cross this 84-m footbridge across Big Salmon River. Head back to your vehicle to travel east through the rock cuts. Once through, stop at whichever lookouts are of interest. Stop at Long Beach Lookout and then head to Long Beach to enjoy some time.
Five Hours
Stop at Fox Rock and then drive to Fownes Head and hike down the Flowerpot Rock Scenic Footpath. Continue driving the parkway to Fuller Falls. Continue to the Interpretive Centre to learn about the former lumbering community of Big Salmon River. Head over to the Suspension Footbridge by foot and then return to your vehicle to travel east through the rock cuts. Once through, stop at whichever lookouts are of interest. One of them will be a great spot for a picnic lunch. Stop at Long Beach Lookout and then head to Long Beach for some relaxation. If you are up for a moderate to strenuous hike, why not try Long Beach Brook Falls Trail? Next, visit each of the 6 new lookouts just after Long Beach!
Peony Tulips
Peonies are a favorite in many gardens (including mine) and for good reason. Peony blooms contain layers of soft, delicate petals in the prettiest shades. It’s no secret that out of all the flowers out there peonies are my absolute favorite. As you can imagine when I saw the words “peony tulips” in an Instagram post I had to know more.
If this is your first time hearing about peony tulips, you’re not alone. As someone whose favorite flower is peonies and enjoys tulips, I was shocked and a little disappointed that I had never heard of them before. But that was all about to change with a trip out to the country to visit the sweet little honest shop I discovered last year. I picked up my mum, and we headed out on our journey to the Shue Shed to get the most beautiful bouquets of peony tulips. Let me tell you the trek used nearly an entire tank of gas, but it was worth it to get these stunning flowers.
One thing that makes peony tulips unique is they are scented. Traditionally tulips have no scent, and if scents bother you peony tulips may not be right for you.
What are peony tulips?
Peony tulips are a type of double late tulips. As the name implies, the large double blooms resemble that of peony flowers. Not only are peony tulips breathtaking, but they’re also long-lasting blooms and they’re scented (tulips are traditionally unscented).
What colors do peony tulips come in?
Peony tulips come in shades of pink, orange, yellow, purple, red, and white. Some varieties are solid-colored, and others are bicolored, you’ll find some that have feathered patterns on the petals and others have fringed edges.
Fashion meets Food 