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Health

Take an audio adventure with some of the best 'binaural soundscapes'

All you need is a pair of headphones.

binaural beats, npr, headphones, meditation, visualization, mental health
Canva

A total mind expanding experience is a click away.

I found a hidden gem on the Internet this week: NPR has a Soundcloud set of "binaural soundscapes." Strap on your headphones — it's going to be a surreal ride.Important note: If you have hearing loss, this may not work well for you.

Maybe you don't know what a binaural recording is.

Basically, the deal is, you have two ears.

They are the width of your head apart. And there's a big lumpy meatball in the middle. So your ears hear different things. Then your brain processes these two distinct streams of information and uses them to position stuff in space. Standard stereo recording often uses a couple of mics, but it's not trying to position them in a way that mimics your ears.

Recording artists have started building these crazy microphone setups that imitate the position and direction of your real ears.

Then they take them around the world. The results are astounding. You really can feel the birds singing as they move through space, or people passing you on the street.

It's like a window into other landscapes. It makes the world feel so close and small and familiar.

Here are a few of my favorites.

(Oh, and this doesn't work with regular speakers. Use your headphones.)

First stop: A regular day on a street in Tibet.

(Close your eyes. Trust.)

Wasn't that just amazing?

Next up, a stop in the Ecuadorean rain forest to hear the song of the orapendula. (It's a bird. I looked it up.)

I could listen to that all night.

Let's wrap up with a visit to Dzanga Bai, a clearing in the Central African Republic, where elephants gather as evening closes in.

For more magical journeys, check out the rest of NPR's Binaural Soundscapes.

This article originally appeared on 01.05.15

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Joy

Unlikely couple falls in love after man rents woman’s spare room as an Airbnb

The funny thing about love is that the person we fall in love with, more often than not, we run into by accident. Another strange twist is that the love of our life is likely to show up when we least expect it.

The following story, which feels like the promise of a hit rom-com, comes courtesy of a twist of fate created by the World Cup and an Airbnb.

In 2013, after six years of battling an illness, Ana was living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Having been financially drained by years of being sick, she invested the last of her money to buy two bunk beds and convert one of her bedrooms into an Airbnb for small groups of friends.

The Airbnb was a last-ditch effort to pay her rent and medical bills. A year later, the modest investment grew into a success, Ana’s health began to return, and the World Cup, one of the largest sporting events in the world, was coming to Rio.

To take advantage of the soccer fanatics flocking to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), Ana and her roommate, Fabio, turned a half room in their apartment into an Airbnb rental to give tired soccer fans a place to sleep.

“Though it was a small (pantry!) room, we added a bunk bed and listed two beds on Airbnb. One day after the listing went live, we had tons of requests for ‘Fabio’s Pantry,’” she shared. “It was fully booked for the entire World Cup period except for one week in July.”

Around this time, Ana was feeling well enough to go on her first vacation in years and took a quick trip to Uruguay. Just before she left, Ana received a reservation from a man named "Darko B." for the only unbooked days in July.

“I have always been a big fan of the movie ‘Donnie Darko’ and thought it was a strange coincidence, but didn't think anything of it,” Ana wrote. “I accepted the request, let him know I would not be there for check-in and Fabio would care for him until I was back the following week.”

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Pop Culture

Here’s a paycheck for a McDonald’s worker. And here's my jaw dropping to the floor.

So we've all heard the numbers, but what does that mean in reality? Here's one year's wages — yes, *full-time* wages. Woo.

Making a little over 10,000 for a yearly salary.

I've written tons of things about minimum wage, backed up by fact-checkers and economists and scholarly studies. All of them point to raising the minimum wage as a solution to lifting people out of poverty and getting folks off of public assistance. It's slowly happening, and there's much more to be done.

But when it comes right down to it, where the rubber meets the road is what it means for everyday workers who have to live with those wages. I honestly don't know how they do it.

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This indoor smart garden redefines the farm-to-table experience from the comfort of home

Discover the joy of home-grown, pesticide-free produce with The Rise Garden

Gardening is a tradition that transcends time. It blends the simplicity of nature with human ingenuity. As we navigate the rhythm of modern life, the allure of bringing nature indoors blossoms. And while the concept of indoor gardening isn't new, a company called Rise Gardens is taking the idea to a whole new level. Their indoor smart gardens blend simplicity, modern technology, and nature's bounty into a sleek design that effortlessly finds its place in any home.

The farm-to-table movement underscores the value of fresh, locally sourced produce. Rise Garden amplifies this ethos, narrowing the space between the farm and your table to a few steps. The joy of harvesting fresh, pesticide-free produce right from the comfort of your home and having it on your plate is unparalleled. Beyond the health benefits, understanding the origins of your food and the nurturing hands that guide it adds a wholesome dimension to your meals. Rise Garden is more than a gardening kit; it's a voyage from seed to plate, cultivating a deeper connection between you, your loved ones, and the nourishment you partake in.

A Smart, Modern Approach To Gardening

Gardening can often seem daunting, especially with urban spaces constricting our green aspirations. That's where the Rise Gardens swoops in to save the day. The setup process is as simple as pie. Once the garden arrives at your doorstep, a clear set of instructions will guide you through assembling your new green haven, even if you've never potted a plant before. The setup is designed with greenhorn gardeners in mind. And it's not just a one-time setup; the modular design allows for expansions as your green thumb gets greener.

Imagine having a garden that communicates its needs, taking the guesswork out of gardening. Its blend of technology and nature simplifies the gardening process, ensuring you don’t need a degree in horticulture to grow a garden. The Rise Garden is smart, intuitive, and grows with you, making the journey from seed to harvest rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable.

With its patent-pending SmartCare technology, the Rise Gardens app is your personal gardening assistant. The app takes over the mentoring process from the moment you plant your seeds. It guides you on when to water your plants, when to add nutrients, and even when it's time to harvest. The app is available both on the App Store and Google Play, making it accessible no matter what device you use.

Variety and Versatility

The Rise Garden extends an invitation to explore the diverse world of plants from your living quarters. With the capacity to nurture up to 108 plants, the choices are abundant. From leafy greens to aromatic herbs and colorful flowers and fruits, the Rise Garden is equipped to host a wide array of plant life. The over 80 seed varieties rigorusly tested and curated by their plant experts ensure that there's something for every palate and every home decor. The freshness of home-grown basil, the crunch of just-harvested lettuce, or the aroma of mint leaves plucked straight from the stem are luxuries that are now accessible.

The magic doesn’t just lie in the variety but also in the garden's modular design. It’s crafted to blend with the interiors of any home effortlessly, be it modern, traditional, or anything in between. The Rise Garden fits right in whether you live in a spacious suburban home or a cozy city apartment. It comes in single, double, or triple-level configurations, allowing you to choose based on your space and needs. And as your love for gardening grows, so can your Rise Garden with its easy expansion options. It's not just a garden; it's living decor that evolves with your lifestyle, adding a touch of nature to your living space and bringing a slice of countryside freshness to your urban dwelling. This modern, modular indoor garden breaks the barriers, proving that space is no longer a constraint in pursuing the joy of gardening.

A Healthy, Sustainable Alternative

Navigating the grocery store aisles for organic, pesticide-free produce can be akin to a treasure hunt, with the prize often weighing heavily on your wallet. The Rise Garden offers a way out of this dilemma. It provides the framework for you to grow your pesticide-free produce. The freshness is unbeatable, and so is the nutritional value. When you pluck a vegetable straight from the plant, you get the maximum nutritional bang - something often lost in transit with store-bought produce.

On the flip side of the coin is the environmental footprint, or rather the lack of it, which makes the Rise Garden a noteworthy contender in the journey towards sustainability. Traditional agriculture is a thirsty affair, consuming a large chunk of the planet's freshwater supply. However, Rise Garden's hydroponic system is a water miser, using 95% less water than its soil-based counterparts. Additionally, by eliminating the need for transportation from farm to store and eventually to your table, the Rise Garden helps reduce the carbon emissions associated with food transport. It’s a small yet significant step towards reducing your carbon footprint while enjoying fresher, healthier produce.

A Fun Communal Activity For The Whole Family

The Rise Garden isn’t just a hub of greenery; it's a catalyst for community and familial bonding. Gardening, by nature, is a nurturing and collaborative activity. When done together, it transforms into a shared endeavor filled with discoveries, little victories, and the joy of collective harvest.

Families can find common ground, quite literally, as they come together to plant, nurture, and harvest. It’s a shared journey from the anticipation of the first sprout to the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal made with home-grown ingredients. Similarly, friends and extended community can share tips, celebrate harvests, and enjoy the garden's serene ambiance. The conversations around the garden are as organic as the produce it yields. Relationships bloom through every seed planted and every leaf harvested, making the Rise Garden a verdant ground for plants and social interactions.

Learn More

The Rise Garden seamlessly integrates nature's verdancy with modern technology's conveniences, bringing the farm-to-table ethos right to your doorstep. It's a blend of education, nourishment, and community, wrapped in green leaves and ripe, ready-to-pluck produce. It’s a gentle nudge towards healthier living, a step towards sustainability, and a journey back to nature. The beauty of it all? It fits right in your living room, awaiting your green touch. So, as you seek fresh, pesticide-free produce and a greener lifestyle, let the Rise Garden be your companion in this verdant venture. Click here to learn more.

Family

Mom shares 5 questions to ask your kids after school, instead of 'How was your day?'

Tired of hearing, "Good," "Fine" or "OK"?

via TheMotherhoodKit/TikTok and Mary Taylor/Pexels

Questions to ask your kids instead of, "How was your day?"

Have you ever picked up your kid from school and asked them, “How was your day?” and they responded with a one-word answer such as “Good,” “Fine,” or “OK”? This all-too-common interaction can be disheartening because, as a parent, you want to know what your child did during the 6 hours you were apart.

Let’s be honest: not every day can be “fine.” There are probably some days that weren’t so great that got glossed over. Or, some beautiful days, but your child didn’t feel like doing the emotional or mental labor of recalling everything.

Yamel Belen, a mother of 5 kids ages 7 to 25, who lives in Tampa, Florida, was tired of hearing the same old responses from her kids, so she started asking open-ended questions to get the ball rolling. She shared her conversation starters on TikTok, and the view has really resonated with parents, earning 740,000 views.

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This family-owned puzzle company has been piecing together memories for decades

With White Mountain Puzzles, Exceptional Quality Meets Charming Designs

In a quaint little town of Jackson, New Hampshire, back in 1978, two ambitious friends embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. Their small poster company, born the same year as Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, gradually morphed into what we now cherish as White Mountain Puzzles. The evolution wasn't swift like the ice cream duo, who shot to national fame but was steady and meaningful. Today, it's a brand synonymous with quality puzzles, standing tall among the top puzzle brands in the United States.

The charm lies not just in the puzzles they craft but also in the hands that craft them. The founders, Cronan Minton and Ted Wroblewski, handed the reins to their sons, keeping the business within the family. This transition wasn't just about passing down responsibilities but preserving a legacy of creativity, community, and quality. The picturesque village that houses White Mountain Puzzles is part of their enchanting narrative, an element as integral as the puzzles themselves. From a small poster company to a beloved puzzle brand, the journey of White Mountain Puzzles is a tale of passion meeting purpose.

The Family Legacy

The magic of White Mountain Puzzles isn’t just in the colorful, fun puzzles they create but also in the family bonds that hold the company tight. The story didn't end with Cronan Minton and Ted Wroblewski, the original founders; it got a new chapter when their sons, Sean and Colin, stepped in. They took over the daily grind, ensuring the family’s vision continued soaring high. It's like passing the baton in a relay race, ensuring the legacy sprints forward, across the finish line, into the future.

The essence of White Mountain Puzzles lies in its ability to bridge generations, both within the family and the community. The brand signifies unity, collaboration, and the joy of creating something beautiful together. It's not just about fitting pieces together; it’s about piecing together memories, experiences, and a rich legacy as enduring and intricate as the puzzles they craft. Through every puzzle sold, White Mountain Puzzles shares a part of its family, history, and community-centric values, inviting puzzle enthusiasts to become a part of a larger narrative, a larger family.

Quality and Craftsmanship

White Mountain Puzzles takes the cake when it comes to quality. Every puzzle piece results from careful crafting, ensuring that when you pick one up, it fits perfectly with its neighbors. The process starts with sturdy blue chipboard on recycled paper, making sure each puzzle is not just fun but also eco-friendly. The magic continues as they transform these materials into interlocking pieces, each waiting to find its place in the picture.

The designs aren’t just about pretty pictures; they are stories waiting to be pieced together. Whether it's a nostalgic scene from the past or a beautiful landscape, each puzzle is a door to a different world. Through meticulous design selection, they ensure there’s something for everyone, making puzzle-solving a cherished pastime for all ages.

The Puzzles

Whether you are into vintage signs, historic landmarks, or nature's beauty, there's something for everyone. The categories are as diverse as they are captivating, offering a unique blend of educational and entertaining themes. The puzzles cater to various age groups and interests, making them a perfect family activity. With each puzzle, you uncover a new theme, a new adventure.

Now, let's talk specifics. The top-reviewed "Barn Quilts" puzzle is a beautiful exploration of rural life, a tribute to the simplicity and beauty of the countryside. On the other hand, the best-selling "Cereal Boxes" puzzle is a nostalgic journey back to the breakfast table of our younger days. And the anticipation is building for the upcoming "Christmas in the City" puzzle, promising to deliver a slice of holiday cheer. Each of these puzzles represents what White Mountain Puzzles is all about – quality, nostalgia, and endless fun. They are not just puzzles; they are memories waiting to be pieced together, one beautiful image at a time.

Impact and Recognition

White Mountain Puzzles isn't just a local company; its excellence is nationally known. One shining moment was when they got an invitation to the Made in America Showcase at the White House in 2018. It was a proud moment, standing as one of the 50 companies representing the spirit of American entrepreneurship, one from each state. This spotlight wasn't just a pat on the back but a testimony to their quality and dedication.

Over the years, the accolades have continued pouring in. They've been named one of the top family-owned businesses in New Hampshire by New Hampshire Business Magazine, not once, but for five straight years. And in 2021, they were listed among the top 5 fastest-growing private companies in the state. Each award is a nod to their relentless pursuit of quality, community, and customer satisfaction. It's a journey marked with hard-earned recognition, reflecting the brand’s commitment to delivering nothing but the best, one puzzle piece at a time.

Learn More

White Mountain Puzzles is more than a brand; it's a warm, welcoming community. The enduring appeal lies in its quality puzzles, rich themes, and a legacy rooted in family and community values. Every puzzle is an invitation to become part of a larger story, a bigger family. So, why wait? Dive into their diverse puzzle collections, find the ones that speak to your heart, and start piecing together your own beautiful memories. With White Mountain Puzzles, every piece brings joy, every completed puzzle is a celebration, and every day is a perfect day for puzzling!

Click here to learn more.

Family

Baby meets his dad's twin brother in an adorable viral video

Parenting is hard. Adult twins interacting with a baby? Hilarious.



Adult twins interacting with babies is pretty hilarious.

I know firsthand because I am a dad and a twin.

On my list of regrets as a dad, I'll place "not rolling video when our babies interacted with me and my identical twin" near the top of the list.

Thankfully, a dad shot some footage of his young son meeting his twin, and our lives are better because of it.

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A letter to the woman who told me to stay in my daughter's life after seeing my skin.

'I'm not a shiny unicorn. There are plenty of black men like me who love fatherhood.'

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Dad and daughters take a walk through Disneyland.

True
Fathers Everywhere

This article originally appeared on 06.15.16


To a stranger I met at a coffee shop a few years ago who introduced me to what my life as a parent would be like:

My "welcome to black fatherhood moment" happened five years ago, and I remember it like it happened yesterday.

I doubt you'll remember it, though — so let me refresh your memory.

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