Arts and crafts can be an amazing medium to help children communicate. But it's not just limited to kids or artists, it is proven to be an effective form of therapy for adults as well. There are times in life where words spoken or otherwise cannot comprehensively express what one is feeling. The major goal of therapy program incorporating the use of arts and crafts is to help you acknowledge your uncertainties and fears, through a creative platform. It can be a refreshing experience for people struggling with depression and anxiety disorders. The best part about such kind of therapy is that it doesn't label or quantify your state of mind. Human feelings are even more complex than rocket science, every person is different, and that is why the healing techniques also vary from person to person. One can easily seek the help of an art therapist who will implement a creative process for healing, depending upon their core issue. They deal with all kinds of clients who may have psychological, traumatic or physical setbacks. It is also used for couples and in groups. An art therapist aims to capture the crux of the client's issue, by observing how the client responds to the creative healing process. But, anyone can enroll for an art therapy program. It is a great opportunity to rejuvenate and escape from the usual stress of life. In the past, few years art therapy has gradually gained momentum in medical facilities, educational and developmental centers and in cultural communities too. Depending on your problem, your art therapist will design certain forms of activities for you to do. They could involve drawing, painting, craft, maintaining a journal, anything that will allow you to have the freedom to creatively express the chaos you cannot articulate verbally. Art therapy is still an emerging form of therapy. Some people might feel hesitant about trying it, as it involves art and the most common misconception about art therapy is that you need to have a talent for it. For instance, if your creative healing process involves painting then don't get worried, it's your masterpiece with only one person as an audience that is your art therapist. Take advantage of this liberty. The key is to keep it honest and not perfect. Similarly, if you are told to make a collage or maintain a picture journal, go ahead and find that favorite magazine of yours. Find visuals that inspire you, that make you happy, and include them in your project. Remember anyone can seek out for the assistance of art therapy, so the next time you feel the dire need to get out the monotony go ahead, it'll give you an opportunity for introspection and self discovery.

African violets are scientifically known as Saintpaulia. This flower plants was first discovered by Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, then the German governor of a place in Africa in 1892. Till now, there are 21 species that have been found. It is one of the most popular house plants in America and Europe. African violets are small, adorable, easy to grow houseplant. They bloom in lower light and best grow in bright indirect light. To plants your own African violet, you can either use the potting mix of an actual African violet plants or an all-purpose potting soil. African violets only grow in Africa naturally. They are not found in any other country growing on their own in the wild. If you want to grow you own African violet, you can do so with the help of existing plant that you have. There are many ways of doing so: You can start with a leaf from the existing plant cutting it from its stem and placing it in a bottle. The cut you make of the leaf from the plant must be 45 degrees. After the stem is placed in the bottle with lukewarm water in it and the lead is resting on the periphery of the bottle, cover the leaf and the bottle top loosely with a plastic. Placed in a warm place, the cutting will begin to sprout baby African violets. Same can be done with potting a leaf in soil. You must make sure the soil you are using is the right one. You can also grow new plants from the existing plant's seeds. Remember to choose the right soil and selecting the right pot not just for planting a new African Violet, but also for repotting. Things that you will need to consider while caring for your African Violet plants are light, water, air, soil, pot and pruning. Once all these things are taken care of the right way, your plant will always flourish. You will need to provide your plant moderate to bright, indirect, indoor light. The soil works great when moist to dry. Wait for the soil around the roots to dry out before you water them again. Doing this will encourage blooming. You African violet will grow well in a pleasant environment. What pleasant and comfortable for you, is pleasant and comfortable for them as well. However, additionally, the temperature you should keep around your African violet plants should be at least 70F and not less than 60F. African violets are perennial plants and very beautiful to look at. They are highly attractive too. When care for the right way, they will be their blooming best.

Have you ever wondered about the genetic makeup of your dog? Why is his fur in an odd pattern? Or why does your dog tilt her head before barking? You may dismiss these as odd quirks of your pet, but often it is their genetic makeup that gives them those little weird habits. If you are curious about your dog’s genetic makeup, you can get home a dog DNA test kit and find out everything about your pet’s family history, identity, and exact breed. Moreover, such tests are useful to know whether your dog is at the risk of any diseases in the future. There are a number of dog DNA test kits available in the market. How to know which one is the best? Read on to know about some of the most popular dog DNA test kits preferred by many dog parents. Embark Dog DNA Test Kit This is one of the most popular dogs DNA test kits among pet owners with its highly detailed health screening, paternal and maternal tracing, and a high number of genetic markers. This test is known to be done in as much depth as the DNA test for humans are done. Moreover, this dog DNA test kit has got some of the best reviews on online retail websites like Amazon. The tests include examining for 256 quadrillion genes and for more than 200 dog breeds. Additionally, it also includes a test for detecting wolf or coyote genes. Furthermore, the tests will screen your dog for more than 160 diseases and known health issues of dogs. Embark has one of the most responsive customer services. The wait time for test results is 3-7 weeks. The price is around $199. Wisdom Panel 3.0 Canine DNA Test For dogs that are of mixed breeds, this is one of the most suitable dog DNA test kits for its biggest breed database. This kit tests for nearly 250 canine breeds, which is nearly 50 breeds more than other kits in the market. It also offers an optional genetic disease screening. This kit combines the traditional DNA test with a disease detection test. The test will screen a dog’s DNA for more than 150 common genetic health conditions in dogs. Moreover, it will also test whether a dog has wolf or coyote genes. The waiting period for test results is 2-3 weeks. The DNA test kit is available for about $80. If the Disease Detection kit is added, the price will be around $150. HomeDNA Orivet Dog DNA Test and Life Plan This dog DNA test kit is known to be perfect for new dog parents. It includes a life plan with a customized breed diet, playtime routine, and exercise plan. The HomeDNA Orivet Dog Test kit is known for providing the most overall information and for going past genetic information. The kit tests for more than 220 breeds. Moreover, it also offers a health screening that tests your dog for more than 100 genetic diseases. It also tests for the presence of wolf and coyote genes. The wait time of the test results is around 3 weeks. The price of this dog kit is around $125.

It is difficult when you find out that your HP laptop battery is not working well. You may find this out by checking whether your laptop charges well. If not, then it’s time for you to change your laptop battery; or before reaching any conclusion, you may just get your laptop checked by a professional or from the store you bought your laptop from. As buying a new laptop would be expensive, it’s better to replace just the battery. And, buying a new HP laptop battery doesn’t need a lot of effort. Here are some things you should consider before buying a new laptop battery: Find out if your laptop has a removable battery You should know this when you buy a laptop. If you are not sure about this, it's alright. You may simply check this on the Internet and know if the model of your laptop has got a removable battery or not. Check the serial number of your battery Check the serial number of your HP laptop battery. You may find this written on the battery. Go to the HP recall website Irrespective of the type of battery you got, removable or non-removable, go to the HP’s recall website and fill out the form located at the bottom of the website. Provide all the requested information. You may also take your HP laptop or your HP laptop batteries to the store you purchased it from. Buy it from HP laptop stores If you don’t have good knowledge of laptop or laptop batteries, then it is advisable to go to a professional. HP laptop stores may be the best help as they will guide you perfectly. It is always recommended not to buy HP laptop batteries from any other brand. Laptops have become a necessity in our lives. So, it is always better to keep it checked by some professional, especially after you encounter some issues. This will make the laptop durable, and you will be left with no worries.

The Christmas tree beauty Christmas trees are the essence of the festival of Christmas and celebrating it without a pine Christmas tree would be dull and boring. The joy of going with kids to pick out your own pine Christmas tree is something that cannot be described in mere words. The excitement as we leave home together, the joy in looking at the many real Christmas trees for sale, ranging in sizes and smelling of their sweet scent, the kids fighting over which one to pick, and finally picking one that would be perfect for your home. The part about getting a Christmas tree where the kids get excited the most is decorating the tree. Once the tree is set up in a cozy corner and everyone has admired its stature, begins the decoration of the tree. Kids and adults alike get extremely excited about the ritual of decorating the Christmas tree. The decoration usually begins with the north star placed on top of the Christmas tree followed by the many miniature baubles that go all over the Christmas tree. Some of the most commonly used baubles for decoration are Santa, bells, tiny stars, turtle doves, popsicles, candy canes, etc. The balsam hill trees add an ethereal glow to our homes, and our main concern is how to keep them fresh. How to keep your pine Christmas tree fresh:

• Choosing the right tree: While picking the tree, try to pick a green tree with very few brown needles.
• Trimming the tree right away: When you go home, cut a thick fresh inch of the bark and place the tree in a bucket of warm water.
• Ensuring the tree is kept away from heat exposure: Keep the tree away from electrical appliances and fireplaces, so that the tree doesn't begin wilting from the excess heat.
• Immersing the tree trunk in fresh water constantly: Ensure that the trunk of the tree is always immersed in water as resin forms easily on the trunk and the tree tends to dry out quickly if it's not immersed in water. Though some say that additives like bleach, aspirin, and sugar help keep the tree fresh, it is always better to use just water to keep the tree fresh.
• Maintaining a cool room temperature: Keeping the tree by windows and away from radiators and fireplaces will help keep the room cool and at the same time preserve the life of the Christmas tree.
• Picking the right time to take your Christmas tree down: Take down your tree before it completely dries out, because in that case, your floor is going to be completely covered in dry brown needles.

Follow the given points mentioned, and your pine tree will indeed be as fresh as new.

Investment firms help people grow their money and manage their finances. However, there are many such firms in the country, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming, especially for new investors. To simplify the process, here is a list of the five best firms offering various investment products. These companies provide significant transparency and have an excellent track record. This list will help anyone wanting to invest money wisely and efficiently.

Fidelity Investments
Established in 1946, Fidelity investments features among the top five investment firms on the lists of many financial experts. The firm currently manages around $4.23 trillion in assets, with over 40 million customers. They provide an assortment of investment products and services, including stocks, ETFs, fund distribution and investment advice, retirement services, wealth management, life insurance, cryptocurrency, and more. Fidelity Investments is well-known for its low-cost mutual funds and index funds. Both new and experienced investors can benefit from their research tools and calculators to manage finances effectively.

Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is one of those investment firms that offer the best research and investment tools. They also have various investment products to meet the diverse needs of customers, such as stocks, bonds, ETFs, futures, and more. An investor-friendly firm, Charles Schwab offers trading platforms for both new and advanced investors and the option to invest in thousands of mutual funds. However, you may have to look for other options if you are thinking of investing in cryptocurrencies, as they have limited options. 

BlackRock
BlackRock is one of the top investment firms in the country and the world’s largest asset manager, with $7.43 trillion in assets under management. Founded in 1988, they offer access to mutual funds, money market instruments, and investments related to retirement income, savings, and ETFs. Over the years, BlackRock has made a lot of acquisitions. The notable ones include iShares, eFront, Aperio, Cofense, and FutureAdvisor. The investment firm has clients in more than 100 countries. 

State Street Global Advisors
State Street Global Advisors is a subsidiary of State Street Corporation. With $4.14 trillion in assets under management, they are the world’s fourth-largest asset manager. The firm provides investment options for various institutional clients, including retail investors. State Street Global Advisors was founded in 1978 and was a pioneer in index, ETF, and ESG investing. Interestingly, they were among the first companies to launch ETFs, making them an experienced option in the industry.

Vanguard
With over 30 million investors, Vanguard is one of the country’s best investment firms to consider. It was founded in 1975 and manages close to $7 trillion in assets. Vanguard is known for its passive investing and low expense ratios on funds. The firm’s investment avenues include hundreds of mutual funds, a variety of low-cost index funds, and ETFs. It also offers brokerage services, variable and fixed annuities, financial planning, and more. The company has an excellent tool called Vanguard Portfolio Watch that scrutinizes your portfolio and provides recommendations.

Investing in these five best investment firms gives you access to experienced professionals and intensive research resources. Consult the financial advisors of these firms, compare their services, and select the one that helps you build a custom portfolio of investments designed specifically for your future goals. But do not forget to inquire about any terms and conditions and read the fine print carefully before investing.