What if Money *Could* Buy Happiness?

What if Money Could Buy Happiness?

According to new study, money might indirectly buy happiness if it’s spent on the right services, that is services that save us time.

Do you ever wish that there were more hours in the day? Are you so busy that you barely have time to relax and do the things you enjoy? We’ve all heard the cliché Money doesn’t buy happiness, well a new study from the National Academy of Sciences (Whillans, et al) may have found a loop-hole in that theory.

The study found that participants experienced greater “life satisfaction” (i.e. happiness) from being able to purchase services to perform their mundane, everyday tasks, like chores, shopping, and cleaning. Participants that used such services reported experiencing higher levels of life satisfaction as a direct result of the time that they saved. The participants were then able to gain back the time they would have been devoting to boring tasks and chores and use that time in other areas. This suggests that, under the right circumstances, money just might be able to indirectly buy happiness.

So, if we follow this simple formula, we just might end up with more time to devote to relaxing, spending with our families, on our hobbies, with friends, etc. What would you do with an extra hour or two?

We would be happy to help you gain back some of your precious time, here at CleanSpace House Cleaning. Please call us at 408-215-8285 for more information or visit us at www.cleanspacenow.com

 

Reference

Whillans, A. V., Dunn, E. W., Smeets, P., Bekkers, R., & Norton, M. I. (2017). Buying time promotes happiness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,114(32), 8523-8527. doi:10.1073/pnas.1706541114

Back-To-School Tips to Make Your Parenting Life Easier

back-to-school

By the end of the summer, most parents are ready to send their kids back to school, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a little difficult to get back into the swing of things. We’ve compiled the ten best back-to-school tips that will help ease the transition from summer time to school time in no time!

Back-To-School Tip #1: Stock Up on Supplies

Most schools have a back to school supply list that we all take in on the first day or to Meet the Teacher night. It is a really good idea to have a surplus of these supplies from the start.

This prior preparation will help you avoid the bedtime panic when your child tells you they forgot something they need to take to school the next day. You’ll be able to reassure them that you already have extra loose leaf paper. They can grab some and put it in their backpack, then head to bed for a good night’s rest.

Back-To-School Tip #2: Post the Daily Routine

This is especially helpful for younger children who are still getting used to the school routine in general. It may be helpful to put the routine on paper with pictures, and hang it up in their bathroom or bedroom, or by their backpacks. This way they know exactly what to expect all day long. It won’t surprise them to know they have soccer practice, or bedtime is earlier now than it was over the summer.

Back-To-School Tip #3: Pick Out Clothes For the Week

This is especially helpful if your little one that has favorite outfits they like to wear. It will assure them that these clothes are clean and ready to wear when they want them. It will also save you the stress of having to send kids back upstairs to put on something that matches in the morning.

Getting a shoe organizer and labeling it with the days of the week will really help ease some of the morning tension over what everyone is going to wear.

Back-To-School Tip #4: Change Your Routine Ahead of Time

Everyone always worries about the first week of school being hectic. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes the first week of school is so full of adrenaline and excitement that the mornings are pretty easy and everyone is ready to go. The second week of school, on the other hand, might not go as swimmingly.

For that reason, it might be a good idea to start the school year routine the week or two before the school year actually starts. This is especially pertinent if your kids like to sleep in and stay up late. This will get them on the new schedule and hopefully avoid any bedtime and wake up meltdowns.

Back-To-School Tip #5: Chat About Upcoming Events

If you notice that your child has some anxiety about the upcoming school year, it might be nice to take some time at breakfast or at dinner to talk about the upcoming day. Let your children know what afterschool activities are planned for them. Ask them about any testing that’s on the horizon, what they will do at recess, or what special events they have that day.

This casual conversation offers them the opportunity to discuss any anxiety they might have about upcoming events, and it gives you the chance to assuage their fears and help them work through their emotions.

Back-To-School Tip #6: Don’t Skimp On Nutrition

In the summer we all tend to get a little lazier about providing nutritious meals. After all, we’re outside a lot, swimming in the pool, and just generally more active during the summer. However, it is a proven fact that when children enjoy a nutritious meal for breakfast before school, it can help them to focus more in class and give them the energy they need to get through their day.

Make sure you start the school year right with healthy back-to-school breakfasts that include a protein for extra energy for your kids’ day.

Back-To-School Tip #7: Find a Sleep Routine

Just as getting up in the morning is difficult, going to bed at an earlier hour can be hard, too. This is especially true if your school is in session in early August when daylight lingers fairly late. Try these tips to make your bedtime routine a bit easier:

  • Invest in blackout blinds for your children’s rooms so that they can have a cool, dark place to get to bed, especially if their bedtime is before the sun is completely down.
  • Use calming essential oils if your child has some bedtime anxiety
  • Stick to the same bedtime every night so that your children know it is not an optional or moveable time. Their bodies will automatically start to get tired after a few weeks of the same bedtime.
  • It may help your child to have a soft night light, a diffuser, or a noisemaker to lull them to sleep at night.

Back-To-School Tip #8: Provide a Homework Routine/Space

Most kids thrive on routine and knowing what to expect. If you can, try to set up a time when they always do their homework. For some kids, it might be best to get it out of the way right when they get home. Some children might need to decompress, and getting it done before or after dinner is better.

Try a few different times to see what works best for your children. It is also helpful to have a space dedicated to homework where they won’t be distracted by the television or other people within the household.

Back-To-School Tip #9: Schedule Some Free Time

Once children go back to school it seems there is a never-ending schedule of wake up, eat, get dressed, go to school, do homework, go to lessons or practice, come home, shower, and go to bed. Then, on the weekends, there are recitals and more practices and games, not to mention birthday parties, playdates, and family time.

Kids need a chance to just be kids. Try not to schedule all of their time and give them a break to do whatever it is they choose. It will help them be happier in every other activity they participate in.

Back-To-School Tip #10: Meal Prep

This one is for the parents, but it will benefit the kids, too. It is easier throughout the week if you know what you’re going to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s even better if you even have some of your meals pre-made.

Taking a few hours on a Sunday afternoon to make a nutritious breakfast casserole for everyone to eat all week long, pre-cut some after school veggies, or maybe even go the distance and pre-prep some crockpot dishes you can just dump in the crockpot in the morning and have ready by dinner, will make your life so much easier. In turn, it will also make your kids lives easier as you will have more time to spend with them in the evenings. Better yet, you’ll always know the answer to the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?”

One final back to school time saver is to hire a cleaning service to take care of your home while you’re taking care of everyone in it. Rather than stress over cleaning the house in the evenings after work or on the weekends when you could be doing more fun things with your family, call CleanSpace today to get your complimentary estimate.

We have weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly schedules, and will customize a cleaning plan to fit your specific needs. Let us take the stress of keeping your home a clean and healthy environment off of your shoulders, and schedule your first cleaning today!

5 Easy and Healthy Fourth Of July Recipes

healthy fourth of july recipe

The Fourth of July is a great time to spend with family and friends celebrating America’s Independence Day. While all the parties are fun, chances are there will be a lot of great food that is not-so-great for you.

Whether you are hosting or pitching in, here are five easy and healthy Fourth of July recipes your loved ones will love (and may not even recognize as healthy!)

Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #1: Brownie Batter Dip

Brownie batter dip and the word health in the same sentence? Yup, you read that right. The ingredients speak for themselves, and if you don’t tell anyone, they may never know that it’s secretly good for them.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas or black beans
  • 2 tbsp regular or dutch cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup quick oats (or almond meal or 1/3 cup flour of choice)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup sweetener of choice, such as pure maple syrup (Sugar-Free Version)
  • pinch uncut stevia, or 2 tbsp additional sweetener of choice
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup nut butter or oil of choice
  • chocolate chips, and other add-ins if desired
  • milk of choice, if needed for a thinner dip

Directions

Combine all ingredients except add-ins in a high-quality food processor until completely smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips before serving. Leftovers can be covered and refrigerated 3-4 days.

Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #2: Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto

Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan Pesto will wow your friends and family at any gathering. It is super quick to prepare and can be made the morning of your party so you don’t have to cook it while your guests are with you or when you get to where you’re going.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 6 zucchini
  • Olive oil

Directions

Combine basil leaves, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor; pulse until well-blended. Gradually pour in 1/2 cup olive oil and Parmesan cheese; pulse again. The pesto should be very thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper, as desired.

Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise; brush lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle lightly with salt and black pepper. Grill until marked on both sides and tender (about 1 minute per side); remove and cool. Spread about 1 teaspoon of pesto on 1 side of each grilled zucchini slice; roll up and secure with a toothpick.

Healthy Fourth of July Recipe #3: Berry Sangria

Yes, there is a healthier way to make sangria and no, you’ll never go back to the normal sangria again!

Ingredients:

  • 1 750-mL bottle Vinho Verde
  • 1 cup Sauternes or ice wine
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1 star fruit, sliced
  • 1 cup chilled plain seltzer
  • Ice

Directions

Combine wine, Sauternes, blueberries, strawberries and star fruit in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in seltzer. Serve over ice.

Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Stir in seltzer just before serving.

Check out the nutrition info here.

Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #4: Mango Chocolate Sparklers

Having something for the kids is always crucial, and if it is healthy, the happier everyone will be! Try these amazingly delicious chocolate dipped fruit on a stick at your 4th of July party.

Ingredients:

  • Mangoes- sliced
  • Dipping chocolate- milk and white
  • Sucker sticks
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles

Directions

Slice up your mango, and insert the sucker stick into one end. Melt your milk chocolate and white chocolate in a bowl. Dip the end of the mango stick into the chocolate, and either dip or shower the chocolate end with sprinkles. Lay onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper and freeze. Bring them out when the kids are ready for a tasty treat!

Healthy Fourth Of July Recipe #5: Grilled Blackberry, Strawberry, Basil, and Brie Pizza Crisps

Wow, that is a mouth-full of a name, but a mouth full is what your friends and family will want of these sweet and savory pizza crisps!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound recipe of your favorite pizza dough
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 16 leaves basil chopped + divided
  • 8-12 ounces brie sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups strawberries chopped
  • 3/4 cup blackberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey

Directions

Prepare the dough 1-2 hours ahead of time.

As the dough rises, make the honey balsamic glaze. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey to small saucepan and simmer until reduced by half. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use.

When ready to grill the pizzas preheat the grill the high heat.

Add the blackberries to a bowl and add about half of the basil. Lightly mash the blackberries with a fork.

Invert a baking sheet and generously dust with flour.

Divide the pizza dough in half and roll each half as thin as you can, but make sure not to rip the dough. Cut the dough into 12 to 16 squares or circles (I did both). Add the olive oil to a small bowl and brush both sides of the pizza rounds with the olive oil and place on the baking sheet.

Carefully add half of the pizza rounds to the hot grill and grill for no more than 2 minutes. The dough will bubble up, this is good! Remove the pizzas using tongs and repeat with the remaining pizza rounds. When all the pizzas are grilled, turn the heat on the grill down to medium.

Top the grilled side of each of the pizzas with slices of brie, but make sure to leave a 1/2 inch border around the edges so the brie does not melt all over the grill. Then top with lightly mashed blackberries and the chopped strawberries. Carefully return the pizzas to the grill and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the brie has melted and the pizzas are crisp. Top with the remaining fresh basil and drizzle on the honey balsamic glaze.

To make the American flag pizza place the blackberries in the left-hand corner of a square pizza crisp and then push the strawberries into the brie in rows. Grill as directed above.

If you’re hosting the Fourth of July bash this year, CleanSpace is here to help you in the Silicon Valley area of California. Call us today to get your appointment scheduled for a house cleaning before and after your big party! We can get your house looking great before your guests arrive for your Fourth of July party and clean up your house after they leave! We look forward to serving you!