New Jersey Mobile Phone School Ban

Have you heard of the New Jersey Mobile Phone School Ban?

TRENTON, N.J. — The days of TikTok scrolling between classes may soon be over for New Jersey students. State lawmakers voted Monday to approve a sweeping ban on student cell phone use during school hours, a move that’s already sparking debate among parents, teachers, and teens alike.

The legislation, which passed both chambers with bipartisan support, bars students in all public elementary, middle, and high schools from using personal mobile devices during the school day — including lunch and in-between classes. Exceptions would be made for students who need phones for medical reasons, or as part of an individualized education plan.

Supporters say the ban is a much-needed step to curb classroom distractions and social media-driven anxieties. The new rules would require students to keep their devices powered off and stored away, either in lockers or in designated pouches provided by schools. Teachers and administrators would be allowed to confiscate phones if students are caught using them without permission. The law also instructs districts to develop clear policies for emergencies and parental communication.

Reactions have been mixed. Many educators welcomed the move, saying it’s long overdue. However, some parents, though, worry the ban goes too far. “I want to be able to reach my child if there’s an emergency,” said Teaneck parent Rachel Kim. “There needs to be a balance.” Student groups have also raised concerns, arguing that phones are essential for organizing clubs, managing schedules, and, at times, documenting unfair treatment.

New Jersey is finally joining a growing list of states considering strict school phone bans. France and parts of Australia already have similar laws in place, and several U.S. districts — including New York City — have moved to limit cell phone use in recent years.

Governor Phil Murphy may sign the bill into law in the coming weeks. If enacted, the New Jersey Mobile Phone School Ban would take effect in September of the next school year, giving schools time to update their policies and inform families.

Whether students will actually unplug remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the classroom, for better or worse, may soon look a little more like 1999.

So, what do you think of the New Jersey Mobile Phone School Ban? AS a parent, do you support this ban? Leave comments!

Do You Need 300 Pieces of China in Your Victorian Parlor? Spoiler Alert: Yes, Obviously

Let’s get something straight: If you’re decorating a Victorian parlor, one teapot isn’t. going. to. cut. it. You’re going to need a lot more than that—at least 300 pieces of china, minimum. Why? Because the Victorians knew that more is more, and if you could still see any surface of your parlor, you clearly weren't putting in enough effort.

In the 1800s, parlors meant more than just a room, they made a statement. They showed off that you had enough time, money, and sheer willpower to accumulate as many fragile, delicate, and completely impractical as you could. China topped this list. Porcelain, ceramic, gilded—if it was breakable, it belonged in the parlor.

Every Available Surface Should Be Covered—Preferably Twice

Victorian parlors had no space for minimalism. Empty surfaces meant you were failing at life. Mantels, side tables, windowsills—every inch of your parlor needed to be occupied by something adorned and unnecessary. Your china collection serves as a good example, artfully (and I use that term loosely) displayed over every available inch.

Teacups, plates, saucers—these weren’t just for tea time. They were for every time. Especially if that time involved someone coming over to marvel at your good taste. Victorian interior decorating was about making sure every visitor knew that you owned at least three times the amount of tableware necessary to feed a small army.

But Is It Hand-Painted? If Not, Please Leave Immediately

Anyone can buy a teapot. But is it painted by hand? Does it have tiny detailed floral patterns that will never see the light of day because no one dares actually use it? If the answer is no, I’m afraid you’re simply not cut out for the parlor life.

During the china-painting craze, entire magazines were dedicated to helping genteel women paint intricate designs on their ceramics making sure each piece was as unique (and as unused) as possible.

More Is More: The 300 Rule

In a Victorian parlor, a few items was a starting point. Two or three pieces of china? Please. Come back when you have at least 300. Your collection should be sprawling enough to require its own cabinet, perhaps even its own room. If you haven’t had to install extra shelving to hold your burgeoning horde of teacups, you’re simply not doing it right.

People expected the abundance of decorations. A well decorated room had walls, surfaces, and maybe even the air packed with items, all vying for attention. After all, why have one vase when you could have 17? And if those vases happen to be fragile, expensive, and completely impractical, pshhh even better.

Matching Sets Are For Amateurs

Victorians didn’t care about matching. In fact the more mismatched your collection the better. Each piece of china should have its own story. You might have bought it at a high end auction or found it in a dusty corner of a secondhand shop. What matters is that you own it now, and it’s going on display.

Victorians loved to mix and match creating a chaotic, over-the-top look that felt deliberate (even if it looked like a ceramics factory exploded in your sitting room). Patterns clashed, colors popped and your guests were left wondering if they’d walked into a museum—or maybe a flea market.

Good Luck Dusting

Of course, there’s a tiny drawback to cramming your parlor with china: the maintenance. All those fragile items need attention, which means dusting. A whole lot of dusting. But then again, no one ever said being a Victorian was easy.

So while you might spend your afternoons cleaning 300 teacups just keep in mind—you’re doing it for the look. The beauty. The sheer satisfaction of knowing that no one absolutely no one will ever be able to out-decorate you.

And that, my friends, is the true spirit of Victorian interior decorating.

Optimize your Health with Mushrooms

Mushrooms are considered to be a very powerful food source to promote healing. A number of medical researchers believe that mushrooms are medicinal and have the ability to fight diseases. They discovered that mushrooms contain powerful antioxidants that make the immune system stronger. A stronger immune system enables the body to fight diseases such as cancer, tumors and heart disease. You will enjoy the wonderful taste of mushrooms and the arsenal of health benefits they provide. Mushrooms can either be cooked or taken as a supplement for you to obtain the health benefits.

Here are some mushrooms that are known to produce healing.

Maitake Mushrooms contain chemicals that increases immunity and protect the body against various forms of cancer.

Shaiitake Mushrooms fight cancer, viruses and heart disease.

Reishi Mushrooms are known for having anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties

5 Brilliant Ways to Be Healthier Behind Your Office Desk

There are so many temptations when it comes to food in the office. Donuts on Mondays. Bagel Wednesdays. Not to mention there is always a cake or a cupcake taunting you every time a coworker's birthday rolls around. It can seem almost impossible to be healthy when your entire workplace is offering you otherwise unhealthy and fattening snacks every five seconds. But I'm here to tell you that there is a way to be healthier behind your office desk! And if you already caved in and ate that donut, don't feel as if the entire day is shot and you should just keep eating donuts. You can still salvage the day and turn your unhealthy morning letdown into a much healthier rest of the day!

1. Drink water.

You know how they say to drink 8 glasses of water a day? Well I'm going to say it again. You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day! Keep in mind that your body sometimes just thinks that it is hungry when really it is just dehydrated. Instead of picking up a bag of gummy bears in the break room, pour yourself a glass of water. I promise this will help curb your hunger cravings.

2. Skip the chips.

When you make the healthy decision to skip the fast food and opt for a deli sandwich for lunch, you can completely blow your quick health kick by adding a side of chips or a big glass of soda. Skip the bad stuff when you order out for lunch. Whether it is fast food or a five star rated restaurant, those meals are loaded with calories. Skip all the nonsense and just order the main meal. You will be eating half the calories that you would have eaten had you gotten a full meal, chips and all!

3. Keep healthy snacks in your office.

We all get hunger cravings throughout the day. But how we choose to subside the feeling differs between people. A quick trick I've learned is to keep healthy snacks in your office drawer. This way when you are feeling hungry, you won't be tempted to walk to the break room and grab some candy. You will have carrots and celery sticks a mere inches away from you!

4. Take a walk.

When your body starts to crave some sugar at that mid-afternoon point, take a walk! Chances are you are just tired and your body is craving something to wake itself up. Instead of giving in to a candy bar, take a quick stroll around the office. This will boost your energy level and gives you a quick exercise in the middle of the day!

5. Don't stress.

Everybody is stressed about certain things. Maybe you are stressed about your home and it's lack of alarm system. I know of a company called http://www.smithmonitoring.com/Hurst-home-security/ that has made me much less stressed about the safety of my home. And when I'm less stressed, I don't eat as much! You know what I'm talking about. You start to think about all the things going wrong in your life and you binge eat to take your mind off of it. And that binge eating usually results in the consumption of one too many cookies! If you minimize the amount of stress in your life, you are less likely to eat fattening foods to make yourself feel better. Less stress, less stress eating. Simple as that!

About the author: Carly is a health freak. She loves anything outdoorsy and all things athletic. She is always tweeting her activities and instagramming her food.

Four Things to Know About Getting Your First Credit Card

You're probably enthusiastic about getting your first credit card. Your friends and family members using credit cards could have inspired you to start using one. Whatever the case, it's a good idea for you to be a credit card holder and to reap the benefits that you may receive. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you begin your credit card hunt. Here are four things to know about getting your first credit card.

Why Do You Need One?

Before you start the application process, think about why you need a credit card. When it comes to credit cards, you should be certain that you're applying for all the right reasons. Make a list of the reasons why you need a credit card. You could need one for emergency funding, building a good credit report, earning purchase rewards, managing a budget, online shopping safety, and fraud protection. You might also need a credit card because it's more convenient instead of carrying around cash.

Always Shop Around

Comparison shopping is key when you're on the hunt for a great credit card. Don't be quick to settle for the first credit card that you're offered. As a first-timer, you can shop around to learn about a variety of credit cards that are available and which ones fit your needs.

Pay On Time

Always pay your credit card bills on time. Your credit score is likely to increase when you pay your bills in full and on time. Keep in mind that your credit score can also drop if your payments are late. You could also be subjected to other penalties for late payments.

Do Your Research

Don't forget to learn as much as you can about getting a credit card and how to use it responsibly. You should also be aware that you can get a rejection when you apply for a credit card. Don't get too frustrated if you get a rejection from credit card issuers. Keep in mind that most credit card issuers will provide you with an explanation for the rejection. Some common reasons for your credit card application being denied may include your low income, unstable employment history, too much debt, no credit history, or too much credit card debt.

How to Cope With Your Unpaid Medical Debt

Will your unpaid medical debt go away over time? Perhaps not. According to research, more than 23% of Americans currently haveunpaid medical bills. Even if you have health insurance, there is a possibility that you could end up with medical debt that creates an ongoing burden for you. You can have substantial medical debt if you have a serious medical diagnosis that is not covered by your insurance or have to pay hidden medical costs.

You can feel overwhelmed if you’re struggling to pay off your medical debt. If you’re dealing with this problem, here’s what you can do.

Review

Are the charges on your hospital bill accurate? It is common for physicians or nurses to make billing mistakes. Always take the time to check your medical expenses to determine that you were accurately charged for medical services. You also need to check for duplicate billing, unauthorized charges, or possible errors. Do not hesitate to contact your medical provider once you identify an issue with your bills.

Medical Bill Arrangements

Can you make medical bill arrangements with your medical provider? Consider setting up a payment plan to pay off your medical expenses. You can opt for a payment plan that allows you to make equal payments over a few months. You must also opt for a payment plan with minimal or no interest. Use this strategy if you’re unable to pay off all your bills in one payment.

Don’t Ignore Medical Bills

Always pay close attention to all your medical expenses. These can consist of expenses accumulated from a hospital, dentist, and other health-related services.

Financial Assistance

You can get harassing phone calls from debt collectors if you fail to pay off unpaid medical bills. That is why your mounting debts should not be ignored. With millions of Americans amassing billions of dollars in medical debt, you need to learn how you can keep up with your payments.

Paying off your debt does not have to become a monumental challenge. Fortunately, there are debt relief counselors that you can consult with to learn how you can minimize your financial struggle.

A team of professionals is available to help you cope with the stress of dealing with angry debt collectors. Contact our National Debt Relief Service to settle your unpaid medical bills. Get a debt settlement that can make your life easier today!

Read about how you can build an emergency fund

Creative Activities For Young Children During the Summer

There are indoor and outdoor creative activities for young children that are fun and educational. One of these is container gardening. This is a great hobby that parents can introduce to their kids to keep their minds occupied. Container gardening is ideal for everyone, especially young children. With such a hobby, they will learn how plants are grown, how to care for plants, and watching them grow to different lengths.

A child's first time should not be complicated, nor should the plants take too long to grow. Choose home growing edible plants that are easy to germinate such as tomatoes, chili peppers, and radishes.

When kids are learning how to grow their own herbs, fruits, and vegetables the process should be simple for them. They will have a better time understanding how to grow a variety of plants, this hobby helps them to be more observant, and they will be more encouraged to eat plants they've grown themselves. Container gardening for kids is a rewarding hobby that holds their attention. Since there is less labor involved, kids will not feel bored and lose interest learning about nature. What vegetables or herbs would you suggest for your kids to grow? Please leave comments!