4 Alternative Ways to Celebrate Halloween

By Milvian Prieto

October’s spookiest day is around the corner, which means it’s time to get creative and put together a halloween disguise. Now, you may be thinking that going door-to-door around the neighborhood and yelling “trick-or-treat” might be a thing of the past for you. If that’s the case there’s no need to panic!

Whether you’re scrambling around for a last-minute costume or you’re just tired of the idea of trick-or-treating, there are many alternatives to celebrating Halloween that don’t include knocking on doors across the neighborhood and asking for candy.

With October 31st slowly creeping upon us, here are four alternatives to trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

Decorate a Pumpkin

‘Tis the season of pumpkin spice and everything nice. What better way to celebrate Halloween night than to make a visit to your local pumpkin patch. Find your perfect pumpkin and then purchase a carving kit and begin decorating. You can print free stencils online or put your artistic skills to the test and carve your pumpkin freehand. If you’re feeling competitive, a pumpking-carving contest can be a great contest to have amongst your friends.

Have a Scary Movie Marathon

the_nightmare_before_christmas_2944550316 — The Nightmare Before Christmas

Ditch the scary costumes and put on a few scary movies. Set the mood by getting some popcorn and turning off the lights. If you’re watching with friends, see how long you can go without getting spooked. Perhaps you can turn it into a drinking game and take a shot every time someone screams. But if you’re not into scary movies, try putting on some Halloween classics such as “Casper” or “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to get you in the Halloween spirit without all the jump scares.

Host a Halloween Party

Try bringing the festivities to your home. Put together an epic monster music playlist and have your family and friends arrive in their best costumes. Entertain your guests with a bunch of halloween-themed games and activities such as “pop goes the pumpkin” or “bobbing for apples.” Instead of going door-to-door for candy around your neighborhood, spread halloween cheer by purchasing a bunch of treats and having your guests indulge in all of the sweets. You can even host a contest to see who has the best costume.

Have a Spooky Bonfire

If you’re not feeling a halloween party, you can enjoy the crisp autumn air by cozying up with some friends in front of a bonfire. Make this low-key night a festive one by heating up some s’mores and pouring out some warm apple cider or hot chocolate. Grab a hoodie and a scarf, kick back and relax, and exchange spooky stories.

Avoid the doorbells and doorsteps this halloween. Whether you feel like you have outgrown trick-or-treating or are just looking for something different to do this year, spend your evening with these fun alternatives.

Milvian Prieto is a contributing writer for YourSitch.com

Twitter: @MilvianPrieto

Get Your Health Fix On and Drink These Types of Tea

By Milvian Prieto

Iced or hot and black or green are not your only options when it comes to tea. Whether you’re an avid tea drinker or only sip it when you’re feeling blue, tea has been known for its many health benefits. Tea contains many antioxidants that can help your body prevent loads of illnesses, cancers and even prevent a heart attack.

If you’re a relatively new tea drinker, get your water boiling and pick up your mug as some of these teas might interest you.

Oolong

Similar to black tea, Oolong is fermented for a shorter time which provides a stronger taste. This tea has the second-highest caffeine level (after black tea) and is rich with antioxidants. If you’re looking to manage your weight, oolong helps with controlling the metabolism by activating specific enzymes in your body.

White

Mild in flavor and containing less caffeine, white tea leaves are picked young and are often uncured and unfermented. Similar to green tea, this tea contains catechin, a type of antioxidant that may help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Chamomile

Commonly known as the “night time” tea, this daisy-like herb helps with boosting the immune system, easing insomnia and even reduces menstrual cramps. The antioxidants in this tea also help with complications from diabetes such as vision loss and kidney and nerve damage.

Herbal

Packed with a combination of herbs, dried fruits and flowers, some may argue that herbal teas are not teas at all. Also called “tisanes”, herbal tea is caffeine-free and hydrates the body. The look and smell of the herbs and the spices will definitely pleasure your senses. This type of tea is enjoyed best when it is deeply steeped.

There are many health benefits that come with drinking these different types of teas. If you’re interested in purchasing them, you can find most of them at your local supermarket. If you’re not sure which one would be best for you, just try them all! Get going and sip away!

Milvian Prieto is a contributing writer for YourSitch.com

Twitter: @MilvianPrieto

The Best Plants to Improve Your Home or Office’s Air Quality

Is your living space feeling a bit stuffy? Take these plants into consideration to up-level your indoor air quality.

By Milvian Prieto

Are you ever feeling a bit stuffy at home or at the office? Does this stuffiness cause you to have adverse reactions such as sneezing, dizziness or fatigue? Well if you’re feeling this way, it may be due to poor air quality. The cause for this poor indoor air quality may be inadequate air circulation, causing toxins or chemicals to be trapped indoors. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some sources of indoor air pollution include:

Household Products used for cleaning
Dirty Central heating and cooling systems
Excess moisture
Certain materials used in furniture
Fuel-burning appliances

Although we may use the above products and appliances on a daily basis, there are some simple steps we can take to reduce pollutants from entering our home eco-system. To start, switch to “green” cleaning products that do not have strong smelling, irritating ingredients like ammonia and artificial perfumes. Limit the use of products off-gas and leave behind odors and pollutants that linger in the air. Above all, introduce beautiful plants that will naturally purify the air. House plants have the ability to brighten up your indoor space while helping to clean and filter the air around you. Here are a few of the best air-cleaning plants to bring into your home or office:

Boston Fern — Said to act like a natural humidifier, this plant removes pollutants such as xylene and formaldehyde, a colorless yet strong smelling chemical compound that is commonly used in building materials. The Boston fern is one of the top air purifiers among plants so it is important to provide it with the best care. Not sure how to tell if the boston fern needs more water? If the leaves start to turn yellow, then the plant is not receiving enough water. This plant prefers to be in indirect sunlight and must stay hydrated.

Peace Lily — This perennial plant is easy to grow, can live for years and will flower for much of the summer. The peace lily has the ability to remove benzene, a common carcinogen and household chemical. This plant is best kept in a shady area and is ideally placed in bathrooms, laundry rooms or kitchens due to its ability to remove mold spores in the air. The peace lily also removes airborne chemicals found in household cleaning products such as trichloroethylene, removing acetone and alcohols.

Bamboo Palm — Similar to the Boston fern and peace lily, the bamboo palm is proven to filter formaldehyde and remove pollutants such as benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. This plant thrives when it is away from direct sunlight and when its soil is moist but not entirely drenched in water. In addition to filtering your home’s air, the bamboo palm serves as a spider mite repellent. This plant is pet-friendly and can grow up to 12-feet high, making it as stunning to look at as it is beneficial to air quality.

Aloe Vera — Aloe vera is one of the easiest plants to care for. Place the plant on a window that is exposed to a lot of sunlight and keep it well hydrated. Not only does aloe vera filter formaldehyde from the air, this plant’s leaves are great for your skin and digestive system. Containing a liquid gel filled with vitamins and amino acids, aloe vera serves as an alternative medicine for skin conditions such as eczema, dry skin, psoriasis, inflammations and sunburn.

If you’re looking to add some functional decor in your home or office, look no further. The plants mentioned above can be found in your local nursery or garden center.

Milvian Prieto is a contributing writer for YourSitch.com

Twitter: @MilvianPrieto