Blog Posts

Eight Quick Ways to Relax

Life can get stressful. Rather than letting it knock you down, take a chance to breathe and relax at your Canyon Park apartment this month. In today’s blog post we’ll be sharing some relaxation tips so you can give your mind and body the break it deserves. We hope you have a peaceful week here in Puyallup, WA! Exercise. Get your heart pumping. This can help you to let go of worries and help you to feel more control over your life. It doesn’t matter what form of exercise you choose. Getting active will bring benefits. Practice meditation. Meditation is a great way to let go of stress and worries. Spend a few minutes breathing and noticing your thoughts but choosing to keep your attention on your breath. Use Headspace if you’ve never practiced meditation before. Listen to your favorite song. What is a song you know all the words to? Whether you’re in a place where you can belt it out or not, even simply listening to something you enjoy without doing anything else could be just what you need. Go for a walk. You’ll be surprised just how relaxing this one can be. Next time you’ve had enough, step away from whatever you’re doing, go outside, and walk around the block. It will clear your head and give you a small moment of physical activity, as well. Drink tea. Tea can calm your body and mind. Try sipping some chamomile tea before bed or drinking green tea during the day. Take a hot bath. A bath can relax your body, therefore relaxing your mind. Use some bath salts or a bath bomb for an extra relaxing experience. Look out the window. This can be a much better alternative to staring at a screen in an attempt to relax. Rather than straining your eyes, spend five minutes observing local nature right out your window. Take a break. When you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by something, take a break. Get up, stretch, breathe, or do something you enjoy (any of the above ideas, for example!) for a few minutes. For more tips and ideas check out this list from Greatist. Do you have any other tips or ideas that you would add? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

Short Reads for the Middle of the Month

This week on Canyon Park Blog, we’re bringing you a few mid-month reads that you can finish in no time! While short novels or books are often associated with younger audiences, these selections are enjoyable reads for a variety of ages. On top of that, they’re filled to the brim with wisdom. Whether you need something to read on your commute to work or you’re looking for a bit of reading to cozy up to in your Puyallup, WA apartment at night, make sure to try out one of these books this month. Here are Amazon’s summaries of each of them: Sula “Two girls who grow up to become women. Two friends who become something worse than enemies. In this brilliantly imagined novel, Toni Morrison tells the story of Nel Wright and Sula Peace, who meet as children in the small town of Medallion, Ohio. Their devotion is fierce enough to withstand bullies and the burden of a dreadful secret. It endures even after Nel has grown up to be a pillar of the black community and Sula has become a pariah. But their friendship ends in an unforgivable betrayal—or does it end? Terrifying, comic, ribald and tragic, Sula is a work that overflows with life.” The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember “There are few personalities who evoke such universal feelings of warmth as Fred Rogers. An enduring presence in American homes for over 30 years, his plainspoken wisdom continues to guide and comfort many. The World According to Mister Rogers distills the legacy and singular worldview of this beloved American figure. An inspiring collection of stories, anecdotes, and insights--with sections devoted to love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty, The World According to Mister Rogers reminds us that there is much more in life that unites us than divides us.” The Little Prince “Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. Richard Howard's translation of the beloved classic beautifully reflects Saint-Exupéry's unique and gifted style. Howard, an acclaimed poet and one of the preeminent translators of our time, has excelled in bringing the English text as close as possible to the French, in language, style, and most important, spirit. The artwork in this edition has been restored to match in detail and in color Saint-Exupéry's original artwork. Combining Richard Howard's translation with restored original art, this definitive English-language edition of The Little Prince will capture the hearts of readers of all ages.” Off: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life “Off: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life isn’t about reverting to a tech-free way of life—it’s about balance. Digital entrepreneur Tanya Goodin offers a guide that will free up hours of your time and lead you back to the pastimes (and people) you love. Learn to cultivate a healthier relationship with your digital devices by adopting simple practices that encourage mindfulness, deeper connection to others, more restful sleep, and increased creativity. Illustrated with serene and inspiring photography, Off will help you free yourself from technology and be more present in your own life.” Looking to support a local bookstore? Check out these titles and more at A Good Book !

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Canyon Park Blog has a few ideas to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year! We have games, party snacks, and decorations for your St. Patrick’s Day party in your Puyallup, WA apartment. We hope you enjoy our post and this holiday! St. Patrick’s Day Games Party 411 has plenty of St. Patrick’s Day game ideas you can try this month. We love the “Pot of Gold Toss.” Make your own pot of gold with a cardboard box, gold spray paint, a plastic tub, a paint brush, and gold coins (or chocolate coins). Whoever wins your “Pot of Gold Toss” will win a prize. St. Patrick’s Day Desserts Green Velvet St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes from Garnish & Glaze Switch out your red velvet for green velvet on St. Patrick’s Day. We love the frosting. Use cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and sprinkles to make it. Top it all off with a chocolate coin. Shamrock No-Bake Cake Batter Truffles from Who Needs a Cape? These shamrock no-bake cake batter truffles are extremely easy to make. White cake mix, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract combine for a treat that is minty and delicious. Coat this dessert in white chocolate and St. Patrick’s Day themed sprinkles. St. Patrick’s Day Decorations St. Patrick’s Day Pot of Gold Tutorial from The 36th Avenue Make your own pot of gold and use it to store your chocolate coins this St. Patrick’s Day. Make it as small (or as big) as you’d like. Gift it at the end of the night to the person who wins the most games at your party. 25 Free St. Patrick’s Day Printables from Pretty My Party Decorate your home with cute St. Patrick’s Day Printables. Make your own picture frames to personalize the posters. We like the idea of printing off the St. Patrick’s Day Photo Props and making your own photo booth for St. Patrick’s Day. Are there any St. Patrick’s Day events coming to the area that we should know about? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Three Women in History to Appreciate and Learn From

Welcome to March at Canyon Park Apartments in Puyallup, WA! We hope you’re excited for good things to come this month. We are! We’re especially excited because March is Women’s History Month. Celebrate by taking note of women all around you and around the world. To start with, we’re highlighting just three notable women in history we can all learn from and get inspired by. Harriet Tubman (1819 or 1820 – 1913) A Civil War Nurse, abolitionist, Civil Rights activist, and prominent figure in the Underground Railroad, Tubman is often called the Moses of her people for leading so many of them out of bondage to freedom, according to HistoryNet. She was the first woman in America to conduct an armed military raid. She was born into a large family of slaves, and after years of slavery managed to escape. She managed to return for her family members, leading them and countless others to freedom. She continued to work tirelessly as a community activist, humanitarian, and active member of the suffrage movement. Susan B. Anthony (1820 – 1906) Originally an activist searching to reform efforts for anti-slavery and temperance, Anthony learned as a teacher that male teachers were paid several times her salary. When she was told women weren’t invited to a convention to speak, she promptly enlisted in the cause of women’s rights. She and other activists including Elizabeth Cady Stanton built the women’s rights movement through their newspaper and their works pushing for the woman’s right to vote. Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) Through her writings and activism, Angelou has defied social norms and inspired people everywhere to overcome prejudice, discrimination, and abuse, as Women of the Hall describes her influence. She was raped by her mother’s boyfriend and withdrew as a mute for five years, but her grandmother introduced her to literature. An actress, writer, and leader, Angelou’s works have brought her numerous awards. She was nominated for a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Pulitzer Prize. Check out some of Maya Angelou’s works on Amazon . Of course, these are just three of the literally countless women we should all take note of, this month and always. Who else would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading. Take time to support and express thanks to women in your life this month and the rest of the year.

Building a Basic Skin Care Routine

With so many opinions out there on how to take care of your skin, it can be confusing to know which advice to follow to keep your skin clean and clear. This week on Canyon Park Apartments Blog, our goal is to help guide you toward the three most essential steps in any skin care routine. While everyone’s skin is different and individual regimens may vary, these three steps serve as a strong foundation. Start implementing these in your Puyallup, WA apartment today! Cleanser Cleansing your face should always be the first step in any skin care routine, and it’s a habit that should be consistently developed before you add anything else to the mix. Since your skin is exposed to bacteria, dirt, chemicals, and other unknowns nearly all day long, it’s crucial to wash it both morning and night. This will help your pores from clogging up and breaking out excessively. Depending on if your skin is oily or dry, the right cleanser may look like a foam or a cream, but there is certainly a product that is fitting for your skin type! Toner While washing your face cleans your skin, using a toner will help to balance it out. After removing most of the dirt with a cleaner, a toner will typically enhance your skin by adding to it something that might not already be there. For example, a toner with hyaluronic acid will help your skin to retain moisture, while one with rose water and green tea will reduce any irritation and redness you might have. This is a great step to implement once you’ve build a habit of washing your face, and it can be applied quickly afterward with cotton pad. Moisturizer As its name implies, a moisturizer helps keep the skin soft and hydrated. Facial moisturizers often include sunscreen with them, and they’re recommended to be used at all times of the year. Again, the type of moisturizer you use will depend on what type of skin you have, but there is something that is right for everybody. Implement these products one-by-one. Make sure you’re consistent with them so your skin doesn’t get overwhelmed. For additional information and for further discussion on these three products, check out this guide to building a skin care routine from The New York Times.

National Tortilla Chip Day

The 24th of this month is National Tortilla Chip Day, and we here at Canyon Park Apartments want to help you celebrate it! There are hundreds of brands and styles of tortilla chips out there, and while we won’t be able to cover them all, we’d like to highlight four different chips for four different reasons. Keep reading to find the perfect chip for the things you love! The Salt Lover If you love a salty chip, then Tostitos Crispy Rounds is the right kind for you. They have enough salt to where eating them plain is perfectly tasty, but they also work well with the right salsa or salsa con queso. If you like less sodium on your food then you’ll probably prefer another chip, so be aware of that going into your tortilla chip eating session! The Guacamole Lover Are you looking for a chip that can withstand the weight of the heaviest guacamole? Mission Tortilla Strips are ready to get the job done. In fact, these chips have the right amount of salt to perfectly accompany the creaminess of your guac, so they might just transform your entire snacking experience. If you whip up a bowl of fresh guacamole this month, make sure to buy a bag of these to go with it! The Homemade Chip Lover Sometimes your average bag of store bought tortilla chips just doesn’t cut it. Lucky for you, On The Border Café Style chips always taste like they were made fresh at a restaurant! Buy a bag of these to accompany a fresh salsa or eat them plain! They have the right amount of salt and grease to make a tasty snack on their own. The Bargain Lover The best price we’ve seen on tortilla chips is hands down Santitas Tortilla Triangles . They’re consistently priced at around two dollars almost anywhere you go, and they have everything a good chip needs! They’re salty enough, crunchy enough, and they work well for dipping. These might just be the best day-to-day chips out there! Do you agree with our choices? Let our Puyallup, WA apartment community know your favorite chips in the comments below!