When in…..

Family, Surviving Chaos

Online Virtual Museum Tours

The Traveller's Wife
Natural History Museum

While we are all doing our part to shelter in place and/or work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will definitely need something to keep your children busy. These are definitely stressful and anxious times so how about a virtual get away? I’ve compiled a list of museums form all over the world offering free virtual tours of their museum and exhibits. These tours are fantastic and will definitely spark your kids interest to learn more. Enjoy!

Want more surviving chaos tips?

Subscribe below!

When in

Seoul, South Korea and Lizards

The Traveller's Wife
Seoul, South Korea

Seoul the capital of South Korea is a city my husband has visited many times, including this past August. He enjoys the culture, temples and especially the food in South Korea. Fun fact….Did you know that Seoul is the home of fried chicken and barbecue??? Who would of thought!! This was right up my husbands alley and now I see why he visits so often. While there he visited the Coex Centre in the Gangnam district, home to Asia’s biggest underground shopping mall complete with casino, kimchi museum and traditional Buddhist temple. While there, he also visited the Joseon Royal Tombs, Garden of the Gods that has the tombs of the Joseon dyanasty. The Joseon dynastry lasted for 519 years and produced 27 kings! And if you like the Olympics check out the Jamsil Olympic Stadium aka the Seoul Olympic Stadium home to the 1988 Olympics. But it not just and Olympic stadium, it also served as the stadium for the 10th Asian Games in 1986, music concerts, and the centerpiece for Seoul sports.

Here at home, we were sorta settling into the 3rd week of school. School starts in August in the South so we were trying to get our school groove back from footloose and fancy free over the summer. And of course this was the week that all the after-school activities started, tons of paperwork for fundraisers and events for the year were being sent home and the parents opportunity to visit with your child’s teacher to review the curriculum for the school year. After a week full of activities, I was FINALLY getting a chance to stop, catch my breath and absorb all the info I had received ……or so I thought. It was Thursday evening, the house was quiet and was about to settle into bed when I saw it….a shadow cast from my nightstand lamp on the wall. At first, I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me from sheer tiredness and having filled out tons of school forms. But no. There was clearly a shadow on the wall. But it wasn’t just any shadow….it was a small shadow with legs….4 legs to be exact. Due to the position of the shadows, whatever it was was closer to me than I thought. Completely frozen, I finally found the courage to turn my head to see what was there……a LIZARD!!!! Let’s be honest…..yes, I squealed and yes I jumped out of bed to the other side of the room. Considering where I live you would think I would be accustomed to this sort of thing but alas, I’m not. It starred at me and I starred at it. I have no idea how it got into our bedroom but didn’t have time to process the logistics. And then to my horror it scurried behind our bed. Ugh!!! At that point I had to think quickly assess the situation-my husband was on the other side world, I was NOT going to bed with the lizard in our room, it’s night time and my kids are fast asleep so we can’t leave. I knew at that point it was him or me! Thus began the hunt to find the lizard, which happened to blend in with everything. By the time I found it I had……moved 2 nightstands, flipped the mattress and box spring to vertical positions, knocked over a plant, etc. Chaos has ensued trying to find the lizard that our room looked like a tornado hit it. Once I finally found the lizard, I trapped him in a cup and put him outside (it took a TON of courage). I did call my husband and explain what I had just encountered….which was met with a ton of laughter (yes, he laughed at my pain). Nonetheless……I survived.

Our bedroom…surviving chaos

Here are you surviving chaos tips:

  • Bundle Paperwork: If deadlines permit, complete school paperwork all at one time and send them to school all at one time. This frees up your weeknights for other activities, keeps you organized, and sane.
  • Be Strong & of Courage: No matter what life throws or crawls at you, be brave!! Find your inner strength to conquer your fears (this applies to life in general, not just lizards).
  • Backup plan: If this had been a more dire situation….snake, tarantula, fire, etc have a plan to call someone for backup or leave the house. Always have a plan, you never know when you will need it.
  • Wine: This is self-explanatory.

When in

Staying Healthy While Flying

The Traveller's Wife

Now that our travel season is underway, I figured this would be the perfect time to share our favorite tips on staying healthy while on the plane. As all travellers know, when your in the airport your focused on getting to (or running) to make your next connection, scouting out the best place to eat, or reading the ever evolving arrival and departure flight board to see which gate your supposed to be at. So its so easy to forget to put on hand sanitizer or just simply wash your hands. With as much traveling as my husband does all over the world, we’ve managed to determine a good game plan to keep him healthy. We definitely do the basics….hand sanitizer, cover you cough or sneeze, etc but did you know there are other things you can do while your on the plane that will keep you healthy? Lets discuss….

Wash your hands….often!

So this concept isn’t technically new but it is definitely worth saying. It’s so important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds….yes you can spare 20 seconds!! 20 seconds is equivalent to singing the Happy Birthday song (in your head). Think about all the door handles, bins, armrests,etc you touch in the airport and you will see why you definitely need to wash your hands. Additionally, don’t touch your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) unless your hands are clean. These areas are by far the easiest way to introduce germs into your body. A sleep mask is a great trick for keeping your hands out of your eyes and helps you get more restful sleep.

Hand Sanitizer

Also not a new concept but it needs to be in your carry-on bag….so you can actually use it! Hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol and should be used an as alternative to hand washing. This is quick and effective way to keep your hands clean and with all the wonderful scents they come you will smell lovely to the person sitting next to you.

Pick the window seat

When flying, choose the window seat instead of the aisle. Once you’ve sat down, stay there and don’t get up. Why? People are pretty much moving/walking around on the flight (unless the fasten seat belt sign in on) which helps spread any possible germs to others. Additionally, people who sit in the window seat don’t get up….which reduces the number of people moving around….and also reduces your chance of coming in contact with any germs. Its a win-win. A word of caution: be sure to use the restroom BEFORE you sit in a window seat….because if you have to get to go to the bathroom it defeats the whole purpose.

Open your air vents

Open the air vents above your seat to improve ventilation and angel it to blow air AWAY from you. Basic science: germs can be spread via air circulation. Opening the air vent keeps air ventilation flowing so germs don’t get a chance to “stop” and land. You basically get a wind barrier from germs from an air vent. Clever!

Use Sanitizing Wipes

So this trick may get you some strange faces or raised eyebrows but it is totally worth it. Use sanitizing wipes to wipe down the tray table and arm rest. The tray table is the dirtiest place on the seat…..have you ever seen a flight attendant wipe them down….NO! Wipe it down yourself and save yourself from a headache or cold or whatever else is still hanging around. Sanitizing wipes are cheap ($1) and can be found everywhere so buy more than one and put them in your carry-on.

Stay Hydrated

Be sure to drink plenty of water. Basic science: drinking water allows your body’s natural immune fighting mechanisms to work properly and keep your mucous membranes in your nasal and throat passages from getting dry. It is recommended to drink 8 oz of water for every 1 hour of flight time but be sure to adjust this amount to fit your body’s needs. NOTE: Remember that window seat….in order for all this to work properly follow this process: 1) Drink water before the flight 2) Go to the bathroom before boarding or before take off 3) Sit in the window seat.

BYOE – Bring Your Own Entertainment

The second most germ place is the seat pocket full of magazines in front of you. The seat pocket get used for everything….food, tissues, diapers, trash, etc. Bring your own magazine, movies, games, etc on your next flight so you have don’t even have to touch the seat pocket. Head to the Surviving Chaos->Family section of my blog for easy entertainment ideas that you can make ahead for the whole family! If your looking for book recommendations, head to my Books of 2019 post or my Instagram Stories “Books” for some ideas. I add my latest reads to my Instagram page. Additionally, almost all commercial airlines offer from Wi-fi for movies, T.V shows and games you can stream on you laptop and/or tablet….so put it to good use. Just don’t forget to download their app so you can access it.

We hope you found these tips helpful; we know some of them are not traditional but they have kept us (and my husband) healthy on flights. Do you have any tips or tricks for staying healthy while flying? Let us know!

Want more travel tips and tricks delivered to your inbox?

Subscribe Below

Food, Surviving Chaos

Kid Friendly Fish & Chips

The Traveller's Wife
Fish and Chips

In honor of our most recent trip to London, here’s a recipe for kid friendly fish and chips! This traditional British dish, served in all the pubs in London, is a great meal or snack while your taking in the local sights and sounds. This recipe is quick, easy and customizable. We hope you enjoy our take on this traditional dish

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lbs of any firm white fish fillet (cod, hake, etc)
  • 1 1/3 cups Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 1/2 tsp of Thyme
  • 1 tsp of Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp of black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 packet of oven baked chips (substitute potato wedges or steak fries)

Let’s Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 410 F / 210 C
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil, lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Slice fish into smaller pieces.
  4. Add flour, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper and salt into bowl. Mix well.
  5. Add bread crumbs to separate bowel.
  6. Lightly beat eggs in a separate bowl.
  7. Place fish into flour bowl first, cover well but remove any excess flour.
  8. Next, dip flour covered fish into egg bowel, cover well.
  9. Next dip egg covered fish into bread crumb bowl then place on baking sheet.
  10. Repeat steps 5-7 for remaining fish pieces.
  11. Bake fish for 10-15 minutes until golden.
  12. Bake chips per packet instructions.

Want more recipes in your inbox?

Subscribe Below!

Family, Surviving Chaos

Surviving Chaos: Brain Quest Workbooks

The Traveller's Wife
Brain Quest Workbooks

Need to keep your kids busy on long flights but keep them learning? Check out Brain Quest workbooks! These workbooks are my absolute favorite busy activity for our kids when we are training. Why? The are small and compact, no pen or paper needed, fit easily in our carry-on, and it helps our kids continue learning. Our kids love the quiz style format of the workbooks and all the fun illustrations throughout. I have been known to bring these out on weeknights when I am trying to get dinner ready. #survivingchaos

Each Brain Quest deck is a fast-paced question-and-answer game that challenges kids on the stuff they need to know, when they need to know it. The workbooks are jam-packed with curriculum-based activities, exercises, games and challenges, all in full color. There is workbook for each grade level from pre-kindergarten thru 6th grade. These will keep them busy for hours!

Brain Quest Workbooks

Want more learning tools, tips and tricks for kids?

Subscribe Below!

Food, Surviving Chaos

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

The Traveller's Wife
BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Here’s a fresh take on pulled pork sandwich….pulled chicken! This recipe is to make and doesn’t take all day to cook in your Crock-pot. With leaner cuts of meat, this meal is healthier and lighter that your traditional pulled BBQ sandwich. And its freezer friendly which helps for late weeknight dinners after all the kids activities.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Make It

  1. Mix together paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Rub spice mixture all over chicken pieces
  3. Put chicken in slow cooker
  4. Pour 1/2 cup BBQ sauce over chicken and toss to coat.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours
  6. At the end of 5 hours, change slow cooker to warm setting and remove chicken and place in bowl.
  7. Leave liquid in slow cooker but remove any fat on top of liquid.
  8. Allow chicken to cool and then shred chicken.
  9. Heat remaining cup of BBQ sauce in small saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat.
  10. Pour hot BBQ sauce over chicken in bowl then toss.
  11. Transfer chicken mixture into warm slow cooker
  12. Serve chicken on whole wheat buns

Surviving Chaos

  • Freeze: Make extra or freeze left overs for quick and easy weeknight dinners
    • Frozen chicken last up to 2 months in the freeze
    • Thaw chicken in refrigerator
  • Toppings: Add onions, lettuce or cheese to you BBQ pulled chicken sandwich
  • More Meals: Use leftover chicken in quesadillas, soups, salads, etc.

Want more recipes delivered to your inbox?

Subscribe below!