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The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is coming back in popularity with full vengeance, and for good reason. Breastfeeding yields numerous benefits to both the baby and mother. In the same vein, there is no shame or discouragement towards formula feeding. Breastfeeding is a natural option that comes with pros and cons that should be well thought out before making a decision.

Pros

Bonding: The physical touch that happens while breastfeeding is unlike any other. There is a chemical response in the brain of both mom and baby that bond the two together. Also, the time that is spent with each other adds to the natural bond that breastfeeding encourages. As you both interact with each other throughout the day, both will have better mental health.
Health of the Baby: The mother’s body will tailor the breast milk to help the baby’s body fight off infections. There are loads of antibodies that are delivered through the milk to the baby, which make their immune system more robust. On average, breastfed babies don’t experience as many ear infections, colic, or allergies as formula babies.
Weight Loss for Mom: Moms love the fringe benefits of breastfeeding as well. It takes all of that weight gained during the pregnancy off of you, and on to the baby. Your body will convert the extra storage of water and fat and transport it to the baby through the milk. Of course, moms still need to eat well-balanced meals and exercise throughout the day, but breastfeeding makes bouncing back much easier.

Cons

Only Mom Can Feed: A downside to breastfeeding is the time constraint put on mom. Other family members who would be willing to help feed, simply can’t. Mom is the only one who has the ability to give the baby what they need. Every time the baby cries during the night, she has to be the one to answer it. The baby has to go with her everywhere for the duration of the time the baby is breastfeeding. This can become taxing on mom because she never gets a break.
Knowing How Much the Baby Is Getting: Because the amount of milk ingested through breastfeeding isn’t measured, it can be difficult to know if the baby is getting enough nutrients. Formula is easy because the bottles are measured out every time. How much the baby consumes depending on the latch and how vigorous the baby is trying to nurse. If your baby isn’t reaching its weight requirements, you may have to supplement with formula.
Pumping: Pumping takes time, and it’s uncomfortable. You have to set aside to strap up to a device and pump to create a storage of milk.
Monitor Food Intake: Mom is still the main source of nutrients for the baby. You had to be conscious of what you ate while you were pregnant, and now you have to still be careful of what you eat while you are breastfeeding. Everything that you consume will eventually make it over to the baby, so you can’t eat all of the things that you might want to.

The adventure of parenthood is exciting, but it comes with many decisions. You always want to do what is best for the baby, and sometimes that means taking care of yourself too. Do what is best for everyone in the family, so everyone can be healthy physically and mentally.

The I “Do’s and Don’ts of Weddings – Wedding Guest Etiquette

It’s a beautiful thing when two people come together to pledge themselves in love to one another. Both parties bring all of their loved ones together in one place, for the ultimate party. It’s great fun, but it’s more formal than a typical house party. Follow a few simple rules to be the best wedding guest imaginable.

Wedding Etiquette Do’s:

Bring a wedding gift from the registry: The bride and groom went through several stores and found all of the items that they want to create their home together with. Stick to it. It makes life easier for you and them. They get a gift that they want, and you don’t have to search high and low for the perfect present. Find something that is within your price range, hasn’t been purchased yet, and give them something that they can cherish for years.
Be on time: Weddings follow a very prompt schedule. It’s a formal event, and you should treat it as such. There isn’t a discreet way to “drop-in” once the ceremony has begun. Guests should be seated before the bridesmaids start down the aisle. The last person to enter the room should be the bride.
Turn off your phone: Don’t take away from their wedding by distracting others with an obnoxious ringtone. Silence any devices that will ring or make noise to give everyone’s full attention to the beautiful couple at the front.
Abide by the dress code: The bride has taken the time pick out bridesmaid dresses, the men’s attire, and her own. You can infer what the type of dress should be by the time of day the ceremony is and the venue that the event is taking place. Some invitations will explicitly state how formal of attire you should wear. Remember, it’s always better to be overdressed than to be underdressed.

It goes without saying that men and women should avoid wearing white on the bride’s big day. Having some white in the outfit is fine, but leave the solid white dress to the lady of the hour.

Wedding Etiquette Don’ts:

Assume you can bring a date: If the invitation states you get a “plus 1,” then start asking around to find a guest to go with you. If it doesn’t, then that means that there is only room for you. The buffet is priced per head, and the bride and groom need to stick to a budget. Not to mention, if it’s a plated dinner, then your guest may not have a seat at the table!
Bring an oversized gift to the wedding: There will be limited space as it is. Don’t crowd the gift station with one large present. Mail the gift to their house, or save it for the wedding shower and other parties.
Have one too many: If there is an open bar, then it’s there to be enjoyed. Have a great time, but don’t get too carried away. You don’t want to get too sloppy or become a chore to the others guests.
Arrive too early: The caterers, photographers, florists, and officiator all need time to get their things together. Don’t arrive too early and make people feel compelled to entertain you while they are trying to set up. The earliest you should arrive is 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

There’s so much fun to be had at weddings. You can have a drink with the bridal party, take photos, and dance the night away. Reminisce with old friends, and meet new friends. It’s a good thing when you get to stand next to someone you love for a major life event like marriage. Keep the spotlight on them, and have a great time celebrating with them.

Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Everyone loves saving money – especially on things that they use and buy every day. We all love food, and we all want to save what we can on food items. You don’t have to change the store that you shop at to keep more money in your pocket. Keep going to the same place that you know and love, and get better deals. Here’s how you can save money on groceries:

Red Plum: Red Plum is a great tool for penny-pinchers, or moms on a budget! This circular is a packet of coupons and ads that come together twice a week that tell you about what sale items are around you at local stores. If you don’t have the time to cut paper coupons, then you can print off their online coupons to redeem at the counter.
IBotta: This app is free to use, and you get money from buying the same things you’ve already purchased. Click the items that you purchased at the store, then take a picture of your receipt to verify, and viola! You have money in the bank. It may be as little as $0.25 per item, or it can be as much as $3 per item. Either way, money is money, and it’ll add up over time.
Search the Circular: Find what’s on sale, and stick to the specials that are posted weekly. Make your grocery list form the circulars and try not to veer from it. It’s one of those times where you may have to eat more on sale hamburgers instead buying the full-priced chicken.
Look Up and Down: The name brand items are typically located on the middle shelf at eye level. To get the same products at a better price, look up and down to see if there is a better deal. Peanut butter is peanut butter, so why pay an extra dollar or two for the same thing?
Raincheck: Don’t forget to ask for a raincheck slip if you try to buy something that is on sale, but has sold out. The grocery store will still honor the sale price as long as you have the that raincheck slip. Whenever you get it, you’ll have to tell them exactly the number of things that you want to purchase. You can’t break up that number between different purchases. Whenever you redeem your raincheck price, then you’ll need to buy all of those items at the same time.
Don’t Shop Hungry: It seems silly, but it’s so true – never shop hungry! You’ll be tempted to buy and eat everything in sight when you are shopping hungry, especially if you don’t have a list. Have a decent meal under your belt, and then hit the aisles to restock the fridge.
Buy Fresh Foods: To keep costs down, buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Not only is it cheaper to buy produce that is in season, it also tastes better. When they are in their peak, the flavors are rich and keep fresh longer.
Cut Your Own Fruit: Don’t waste money on convenience unless it’s absolutely necessary. You’ll pay two to three times more than what the fruit costs when bought wholesale. You’re only paying extra for the convenience of it being precut.

Everyone knows and loves using their loyalty card–those cards that the grocery stores give out which gives you extra deals on the store bought items. Use everything at your disposal to save a little more to give more to your family. You’ll have full bellies and fat wallets with these money-saving tips.

Best New Children’s Books of 2018

Reading always has, and always will be, one of the best ways to travel and visit other places without leaving the couch. You can learn so much about different locations, history, and personal development all from books. Engage your child’s mind by giving them new books that they want to read to keep them hungry for more. Books and learning stop becoming fun when it’s a chore. If they choose something that interests them, what the fire in their eyes ignite. You’ll have a hard time getting them to put the books down. Here are the best new children’s books of 2018:

The 5 O’Clock Band: This short story takes you through a journey with Shorty, a young boy who plays the trombone in a New Orleans band. Show your kids the power of music, teach them about New Orleans culture, and what it means to be a leader with this bedtime story. This book is great for kids aged four and up.
Bat and The Waiting Game: This children’s book is about a boy who is on the Autism spectrum. It goes through thoughts, feelings, and emotions and how to process them. It’s helpful for children who are on the spectrum, but it can also be enlightening for children who are not. It can give them understanding of their own thoughts and feelings, and help them be more understanding of other children who are autistic. This story is best for children aged five and above.
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea: This book is a story about two sisters who explore the seaside on an unforgettable beach trip. It’s a great book for children who are eight and up. You’ll learn about the ocean, the sea creatures, and how to get along with your family, all in one book.
Elementals: Ice Wolves: This book has a sequel! It’s a beginner chapter book for older children ages nine and up. It’s a fantasy world where a brother and sister must work together to harness their powers to find their place in this new world. These two are shapeshifting twins, that will leave your kids spellbound.
The Journey of Little Charlie: This one is more tense and speaks about harsh realities about growing up. It takes you through the saga of a young boy during the late 1800s. His father died, there’s no money, and he strikes a deal with a tough man in town. His conscience is conflicted. Will he survive? It’s a beginner chapter book for kids nine and above.
Al Capone Throws Me A Curve: This is part of a series of Al Capone stories. You visit Al Capone and other dangerous criminals who are in Alcatraz. It’s a story about a boy named Moose who lives on the island where the prison is located. He is asked to watch over the prison for the warden, and things start to get interesting. These chapter books are great for kids eleven and above.

Make reading a daily habit for both you and the kids. If they see you reading, then they’ll want to imitate you and read more. The more literature they consume, the better they will do in school. Reading gives kids a strong foundation for the rest of their life. You can’t go wrong with these new children’s books of 2018!

Fast & Effective Workouts That You Can Do Without A Gym

You don’t need to have hours of free time to get fit. Take 15 minutes every morning and do a small routine to keep your muscles strong. Generally, men struggle with flexibility and leg strength, and women struggle with upper body strength. Don’t avoid the thing that you aren’t good at. Work your weakness, and stick with a plan so that you can see measurable results.

Abs
1. V-Up’s: We all know what crunches are, but V-ups add in a extra punch. As you sit up, raise your legs at the same time. You want to touch your toes as you complete your crunch. Bring your arms and legs back down to the flood in a controlled manner, and raise them back up at the same time again. This is a quick way to work every abdominal muscle. It also challenges your balance, flexibility and coordination.
2. Leg Raises: Lay flat on your back, and have your hands out by your side on the floor. Keeping your feet together, pick your feet off the floor about 6 inches. Raise your legs together to about 60 degrees off the floor. Lower them again, but don’t let them touch the floor. Keep going for sets of 10. As you advance, make them sets of 15.
3. Vertical Crunches: Bring your feet up so that your soles are parallel to the ceiling. Raise your arms, and pick your shoulder blades off the floor to try to touch your toes. Keep your legs locked out with straight knees and flexed feet. You’ll feel this burn fast in your upper abs.
4. Russian Twists: This is great for the obliques. Sit on the floor, and raise your feet about 6 inches. Keeping your feet off the floor, rotate and touch the floor with both hands next to your hips. If you want an extra challenge, hold a weight and touch the floor with it.
Legs
1. Lunges: Lunges are excellent for the glutes. Step forward and bring your back knee to the floor. The front leg should have the shin perpendicular to the floor. Drive through the heel on the ground to stand.
2. Squats: With wide feet, send your hips back first, and descend to a seated position. Keep your chest high by raising your arms as you go down. You want to have your hip crease and your knee be at the same level. For an extra boost, take 3-4 seconds on your descent and shoot up to complete the squat.
3. Glute Bridges: Lay on your back, and bring your heels as close to your backside as possible. Shoot your hips up to the ceiling, keeping your feet, arms, and shoulders on the floor. You should have a sharp diagonal line in your torso.
Chest/Back
1. Push Ups: Start in a plank position with your hands on the floor. You want to keep your arms close to the body, with the elbows pointing towards your feet. Lower yourself down to the floor, and press out.
2. Superman: Lay on the floor face down. Raise your arms and legs off the floor at the same time. Keep them as high as you possibly can, and hold this position for 30 seconds at a time.
3. Handstands: You can lean against a wall, or you can do this free. With a tight core, hold yourself upside down with your arms locked out for 30 seconds at a time. For an extra challenge, try and touch your shoulder with the opposite hand.

Do a few of each movement every day, and you will see results within a week. You can increase the number of reps as you go. Make sure to write it down so you can see the progression as you get stronger. Doing these body weight movements are simple and easy things that you can do anywhere at any time.

How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Pollution and carbon emissions are plaguing our environment everywhere we look. As the industrial revolution exploded, businesses and scientists took little time to evaluate the impact that these new inventions would have on our earth. You can be a big help to the planet by reducing your personal carbon footprint. If we all make changes to preserve what is here, then future generations can enjoy earth’s natural beauty for many years to come. Start eliminating your carbon footprint with these 5 steps.

Don’t waste anything: Everything that you have can be put to good use. Bacon grease? Yep, keep it. It can be refrigerated for weeks, and it makes for excellent cooking. Old towels? Make them into car wash rags. Get creative with the things that you no longer need and repurpose them. Our lifestyle has grown us accustom to tossing something the second we no longer need it. Reduce, reuse, and recycle doesn’t just happen at a recycling plant. You can do the same thing at your home.
Compost food: There’s no need to throw away uneaten food. Put it in a compost bucket! Have a small sealed bucket that sits outside that you dump your uneaten food in. It will rot and make great fertilizer for soil. That is the richest fertilizer out there that you can get—and it’s free! Your plants will be happy, and you will have completed the life cycle of the food back to the earth. You’ll see fuller and richer plants with your compost treatment.
Donate instead of trash: If you can’t find another way to reuse something that you no longer need, then maybe someone else can use it. Donate your unwanted items to the Salvation Army so that people in need can have affordable things. It also gives you a slight tax break from donating items. Give your things a second life and let them benefit someone else. You never know what someone else might have a purpose for. Do your part in not filling up the landfill by giving it to someone else.
Plastic:
Get water bottles and stop buying plastic bottles: Plastic is killing our planet. It takes billions of years to break down, and we are making plastic at an unbelievable rate. There’s no way to completely stop the production of plastic, but you can make the decision to avoid buying it. Get a metal bottle to fill up with water to take around instead of buying cases of bottled water. You’ll get much more life out of that bottle, and you’ll be a part of the reduction of plastic in our oceans.
Buy glass Tupperware: Stop buying cheap Tupperware made out of plastic. There are more durable options like glass that are better for the environment (and you). The glass Tupperware containers do a better job at storing your food, and then don’t junk up the landfills. You can safely microwave those without worrying about poisonous BPH chemicals leaking into your food. Whenever you are done with them, you can donate them, or send them to be recycled.
Use beeswax paper to store food instead of plastic bags: Another plastic thing that clutters up our earth is plastic bags. You know about the plastic bags that you carry your groceries home in—I’m talking about the everyday sandwich bags that are in your cabinet. How are you supposed to keep food fresh? There are other alternatives, like reusable beeswax paper to wrap foods. It keeps prepared foods equally as fresh, and it’s created from a sustainable resource. You can reuse them for the entire year. Feel confident when you throw these away, knowing that they will quickly disintegrate because they are biodegradable.
Turn off the lights and the faucet: We’ve all heard this before, but it bears repeating. Turn off lights and water when you aren’t using it. You’d be surprised at how many things are electricity vampires that suck up more energy than you know. By turning things off and unplugging them, you’ll save the planet and keep your utilities bill low. We all know that the amount of freshwater on this planet is less than 1%. Why would we ever waste such a precious commodity? Be mindful of what you use and how much you use.

Our Earth is a beautiful place, and we should strive to keep her that way. By being aware of how much you use, you can start to make changes to help you keep your carbon footprint as low as possible. Have a goal to leave this world better than when you found it.

Upgrading Your Spring Wardrobe

This spring, the look is very light and airy, from the makeup down to the shoes. Nothing has harsh lines this season. Makeup is about a natural glow with a splash of color, and same goes for the clothes. It’s all about finding naturally comfortable clothes, but adding in a statement piece.

Pattern Skirts

You’re going to see lots of pattern skirts this spring, paired with flowy neutral tops. Spring is all about a fresh start, and this year, it’s all about floral patterns. Don’t be afraid of color, either, as long as you tone it down with your other accessories. Try pairing your floral or pattern skirt with a pastel or a neutral-colored top, and letting your pattern skirt be the center of attention.

Lace Blouse

Lace is coming back in full force. This isn’t your grandmother’s lace, either; it’s form-fitting and sexy. It’s a way to be completely covered with just a peak at the skin underneath. The opaque parts give it a nice geometric cut, and the lace adds a feminine softness. It’s the best of both worlds!

Flowy pants

Spring is about relaxing, and you should show off your cool demeanor with your relaxed style. Forget about restricting skinny jeans and stifling leggings–throw on some breezy pants to keep you cool during the warm spring days. The movement of the fabric also gives you a laid-back look that’s perfect for a stroll through the park.

Floral Dress

That perfectly fitting floral dress is what you need to complete your spring wardrobe. A bright floral print tells everyone that you are ready for spring to be here. You’ll match all of the natural beauty around you. It’s a fun way to express yourself. You can go for small repetitive patterns or a big bright splash of color across the fabric. Let the dress come to your knees and flow away from the body to fit in with the flowy and relaxed look that is dominating this season.

Polka dots and stripes

Do a throwback with a fun polka dot pattern. Go with the classic navy and white dots, or have a fresh look with a pastel background and a white dot. Stripes are also coming back for the nautical look. It’s time to be out and around the water, which naturally makes stripes come out to play. Choose one article of clothing to have the pattern, and the other ones can be a lace or a neutral color to let them pattern shine.

Jean Jackets

It’s spring, but it still has that chill in the morning and evenings. Keep warm with a classic jean jacket. Find a perfectly tailored jacket that hits you right at the hip to wear with shorts, dresses, those flowy pants, and skirts. It’s the perfect tagalong to any outfit. This year, you can even do jean on jean. The Kardashians and Polo are leading the way on this jean-everything look.

Ruffles

Along with the lace, ruffles are big this year. Off the shoulder ruffles with eyelet lace is all the rage. Tiered sleeves and ruffles down the arms are what you are looking for. Play up this fun look by pairing it with the pattern skirt.

Mix and match your new pieces to create a new, fresh look for spring. Spring is about bright colors, comfortable clothes, and making a statement. Keep things easy and flowy for a light-hearted, natural look that’s sure to turn heads.

6 Reasons to Get Excited For Spring

It’s been a long, cold winter, and the cold weather is trying to hang on. Luckily, Spring is breaking through and we are finally starting to warm up and thaw out! The snow can be beautiful, but the Spring weather and flowers are much more forgiving for planning fun activities or just enjoying mother nature. If you’re struggling through your allergies right now, take a second to remember why Spring brings us all so much joy.

Longer Days: Winter has ended, and with the warmer weather, we also get longer daylight hours. It’s wonderful to wake up naturally with the daybreak, enjoy the sunrise on the way to work, and then when you leave work, it’s still sunny! There are still the same number of hours in the day, but it makes it feel like you can accomplish more with the longer daylight hours. The best part is that the days keep getting longer and longer every day. Now you can take that evening bike ride, or go for a walk and not worry about visibility.
Outdoor Activities: The weather is just right, and it doesn’t make sense to stay indoors. Everyone wants to get outside no matter what they are doing. You can have a picnic outside, take your exercise routine outside, read a book on the patio, or even go for a swim if it’s warm enough. When you go outside, you’re more likely to start moving around, which makes you feel better through the day and sleep better at night. Not to mention, by moving more, it’s easier to keep the pounds off. Getting outdoors is one the number one natural stress reducer. By taking time to feel the grass under our feet and listen to the birds in the trees, we relax our minds and take things a little slower.
Beautiful Blooms: It goes without saying that Spring is one of the best times of year to see the world come alive in beautiful color. The trees, gardens, and fields begin to bloom and show off their best flowers. It’s easy to fall in love with Spring when there is so much natural beauty to admire.
Festivals: Not only is it a wonderful time to go outside, it’s also a hot season for festivals. Everyone wants to take advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery, so many people plan their festival trips in Spring. You can find fun Spring events like wine festivals, beer festivals, garden festivals, concerts, and more happening all around you. There’s no reason to be bored on the weekends. There’s always something going on outside during the Spring months!
Vitamin D: Now that we have more daylight hours, we also have more time in the sun. The weather is warm, so we start to peel back the layers of clothing, and let the sun hit our skin making us feel warm inside and out. When the sun’s rays hit our skin, our body produces Vitamin D, which is excellent for a host of things. One of the number one things benefits of Vitamin D is that it’s a natural mood booster. You can find happier people all around you now that the sun is at work! Of course, too much of anything is a bad thing. You can still get the sun’s Vitamin D effects without the sunburn by applying a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection.
Sports: It can be a long few months after the football season ends. Yes there’s March madness, but it doesn’t bring with it the same kind of enthusiasm as football and baseball. Spring is here and football practice starts again, and baseball is in full swing. There’s nothing better than a warm spring day out at the baseball field with some peanuts and a hotdog. It doesn’t get more American than that.

Soon enough, Spring will come and go, and then we’ll have our hot summer days ahead of us. Take advantage of all of the beautiful weather days that you can and plan outdoor trips with the whole family. Go hiking or fishing with the kids, or plan a few lazy afternoons under a tree with a picnic and a book. Spring is one of the best times of year, and there are so many reasons to embrace it!

What To Wear On a First/Blind Date

Dating can be exciting and daunting. One of the biggest struggles is to know what to wear on your first date. You want to find something that is comfortable, attractive, and speaks true to who you are. Be stress free by being a little more carefree. You want to keep things casual, while feeling confident.

Keep makeup simple: If you normally wear makeup, then stick to your daily routine. Don’t go overboard with the eyes and color. Keep true to yourself and let your features shine by enhancing them, instead of covering them. A natural look usually goes further than an overdone face.It always brings an added element of class with a bright red lip, or a smokey eye. Choose one feature to highlight, and let the others be softer. Show off your best feature by choosing a bold color.
Nothing overly trendy: Yes, you want to look your best, but if there is a risky trend that you want to try, save it for another day. Sometimes, your clothes can speak louder than your words. How you present yourself sends a strong message. Be you, but make sure that it’s not overly distracting. You don’t want the attention to be on your clothes. You want the attention to be on who you are as a person so your date can get to know you!
Not too much skin: You want to feel confident and attractive, but just like with the trendy clothes, you don’t want the attention to be elsewhere. To get to know someone, you want to have their full attention. Keeping it a little conservative yet flattering is the way to go.
Be comfortable and confident: It’s incredibly distracting if you’re focused on your clothes. Wear something that you won’t be fidgeting with all night. Don’t wear anything that you can’t comfortably eat in, sit in, and walk in. Nothing is more unattractive than an uncomfortable date who is distracted. The adage of “pain is beauty” isn’t always true. Wear something that fits well. You don’t want anything that is too loose, or anything that is too tight. Ill fitting clothes can make you look older than you are. Let it hug you in all the right places, and fall away where it needs to.
Dress for the occasion: Dress according to what you’ll be doing. If your first date is out to a restaurant, then research the feel of the restaurant to know what kind of clothes to wear. When in doubt, go with a business casual look. It’s something in the middle that you can quickly dress down or up depending on the atmosphere.

At the end of the day, the most important thing that you need to wear is your smile! Bring your best attitude, and don’t be in a rush. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to listen. It’s hard to pay attention to someone when you’re worried about what you’re wearing. Stay true to yourself!

Weird Sports That Used to Be In the Olympics

The Olympics originated in ancient Greece over 3,000 years ago. It was designed as a time of peace, where nations could show off their best athletes. In the late 19th century, we revived this concept and opened up the games to the world. During the first few years of the Olympics, the sporting events weren’t yet settled. There were several very surprising events that used to take place.

Live Pigeon Shooting: This event only made it to the Olympics one time during the 1900 Olympics at Paris. Over 300 birds were killed during this one event. The Belgian, Leon de Lunden, took out 21 birds to take the title. No one ever got a chance to beat his record, because it only appeared once. Later, in 1921, the UK made pigeon shooting illegal. The live pigeons were replaced with clay pigeons, which we still use for targets to this day.
Tug Of War: This childhood classic game was once an Olympic event. This simple game isn’t just for field day in elementary school. It has specific rules and was once a well respected sporting event. Tug of War made it to the Olympics 5 times, from 1900-1920. (There were no Olympic Games held during 1916 due to WWI.) A team of 8 men had 5 minutes to pull a rope with the opposing team on the other end 6 feet over a central line. If no one made it over the line before 5 minutes, then the team that pulled the rope the furthest, won. America, stand proud–a team from the Milwaukee Athletic Club competed and took home the gold in 1904.
Croquet: You may be asking yourself–What is croquet, again? You may have seen this outdoor game played in movies with affluent Europeans in it. Croquet originated in France around the 1800s. It is a series of hoops or wickets that are stuck in the ground, and the players must get a ball through the hoops using mallets. This sport only showed up once in the Olympics in the year 1900 at Paris. It was removed from the Olympiad event list, after only 1 spectator showed up to watch the event.On a side note, this was the only sport that women were allowed to enter and play. They played alongside their male counterparts, which is uncommon, even for today.
Rope Climbing: This event showed up 5 times in the Olympiad from 1896 to 1932. The athletes started in a seated position and would only use their arms to climb the rope. In 1896, the contestants climbed to the top of a 49 foot rope. In later years, they shortened the rope to 25 feet. In 1904, a team from St. Louis, Missouri entered the event. George Eyser took home the gold, which is incredibly impressive because he had one wooden leg.

Since its inception, the Olympics have been a major global initiative for the world’s nations to come together peaceable and compete in athletic strength. Even though the spo

rting events come and go, the idea remains the same. It’s a beautiful thing to see people of every nationality shine in so many different arenas.