Category: Health

The Green Kitchen: Can it Exist?

It sounds like the name of a quirky restaurant, but today’s article is about anything but this topic. Instead, it’s about green in the eco-sense of the word, and just how you can implement these principles into your kitchen.

Sound interesting? Let’s take a look at some of the best ways you can introduce this to your home.

There’s a reason behind the energy efficiency ratings

On first glance, it might sound like marketing spiel. However, if one were to conduct research on the modern appliances, it would soon become clear that they save significant amounts of energy in comparison to those which are years old.

It means that if you haven’t got such a device, try and opt for an A+++ version (that’s right, these do exist). Or, if yours is somewhat neglected, consider looking at reputable services such as Service Force tumble dryer repairs to help you out.

The beauty of the modern-day microwave

Staying on the subject of appliances, let’s turn our attention to a slightly smaller one. Sure, microwaves might get something of a bad name courtesy of the quick meals that you can conjure up in there, but from a green perspective, they are a Godsend.

It’s understood that your energy usage can drop by 80% if you use a microwave as against cooking in the oven and suffice to say, this is a number worth taking note of.

Your cooking techniques matter as well

Of course, it’s not all about splashing vast sums of money on the latest and greatest devices. Sometimes, staying green might just relate to your own cooking techniques.

For example, the next time you boil water on the hob, consider placing a lid on the pan. This might seem like a small course of action, but by covering this pan you are keeping the heat in it. The result? Your energy usage will drop considerably as the pan won’t be losing any of its heat.

The perils of non-stick pans

For some of us, non-stick pans have been an absolute savior. After all, the days of that fried egg sticking to your pan are long gone.

Unfortunately, this comes at a price. Studies have been conducted which show that when these products are produced, a substance called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is produced. This is something that can’t break down, meaning that it stays in the air indefinitely. With further research showing that this is likely to be a human carcinogen, try and turn to metal pans the next time you deck out your kitchen.

Cleaning products are even affected

Finally, let’s end proceedings on cleaning products. A lot of people don’t realize that most of the standard products are full of all sorts of chemicals, most of which are toxic and don’t degrade. It means that simply cleaning your kitchen can do great damage to your kitchen.

Fortunately, help is at hand. It’s now possible to buy biodegradable products, some which might be made of plants, so it’s much better for the environment.

Setting Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Children

Are your children familiar with the concept of New Year’s resolutions? If not, explain to them that those are goals they would try to reach during the upcoming year and that they would have to invest some effort into doing it. However, tell them that the effort doesn’t have to be theirs alone and that you will always support them. And finally, through examples, make them aware that those resolutions should be healthy and useful ones. Here are some that fall under that category.

Be kinder to your planet

When it comes to preserving the environment, pointing your children in the right direction from their earliest age is essential. Let one of their resolutions be to do something positive for our planet every day. For example, teach them to always separate trash, so that everything that can be actually gets recycled. Plant a tree in your backyard together or create a vertical garden on your balcony with some fruit, vegetables or herbs. They could decide never to litter and to pick up whatever trash they can from the green areas around them, as long as their hands are protected. And finally, explain that this is a resolution they need to stick to not just this year, but for as long as they live.

Challenge general opinions

If you want your children to grow into intelligent and responsible people, they need to detach themselves from everybody else’s opinions and start forming their own. For instance, just because a toy comes in a pink box, it doesn’t mean it’s for girls only and that cars are only for boys. Also, the fact that a TV commercial says your child can’t do without something doesn’t mean they actually need it. Therefore, a good New Year’s resolution would be that your kids give valid arguments for anything they want or they think they need. For instance, if they want a jacket with their favorite cartoon character on it, a good argument would be that their old one is too small or worn out. If they only want it because everybody else is wearing it, tell them that’s an invalid argument and that the jacket they already have is perfectly fine. Teaching them to think critically can improve their academic success and provide them with a more realistic perspective of the world.

Choose healthier food

As far as wellness goes, the most important decisions you and your child can make involve healthy food and physical activity, which is why some of their resolutions should be about better food choices. Start with investing in a premium Bosch refrigerator and loading it with fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy food options. This is important since the way you store your food determines how long it maintains its quality and taste. Once your child is surrounded by healthy food, instead of salty and sugary snacks, set some smart and fun resolutions. One of them could be that your child tries a new fruit or vegetable every week, or that you switch from supermarket granola bars to the ones you make together at home. Other resolutions might include drinking water or home-made smoothies and lemonade instead of bottled sodas, a bowl of fruit salad instead of cookies for their afternoon snack and using honey instead of white sugar for sweetening their tea or cereals.

Be more active

No child should sit and stare at any screen for hours a day. So, instead of spending time watching TV and playing computer games, have your child set a resolution to spend some time every afternoon playing outside. If their friends are busy, make it a family affair and play dodgeball or Twister in your backyard. Furthermore, clever resolutions would include trying a new sport and sticking to it for at least six months, cutting down on screen time and taking their pet for a walk for an hour every day. These healthy resolutions can help your child develop better, lose any excess weight and even boost their metabolism and immune system.

Be friendlier to others

Developing empathy in your children should start before they even know what the word means. There are many resolutions they can set to support this. For instance, once or twice a year they can donate their old clothes and toys to an orphanage or a children’s shelter. Your children can promise to do or say a nice thing to one of their neighbors or their schoolmates every day. These things can be small, like complimenting them on their behavior, a project well-done or even lending a hand to somebody who has fallen in the schoolyard, instead of laughing at them. They could help carry their neighbor’s groceries or volunteer with you in a local hospital or a retirement home. The point is that they try to gain better insight and understanding of people around them, which can build your kids’ character.

This year help your children set New Year’s resolution that will improve the quality of life for them and your whole family. And since it’s your job to always be there for your kids, help them go through with all of their good decisions throughout the next year and longer.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a full-time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

Ways of Providing a Safe and Healthy Environment for Your Child

Becoming a parent means making it your lifelong mission to keep your children as safe, healthy, and happy as possible. You’ll turn your home into a safe haven, choose the best schools and teachers, as well as take any action you can to ensure they’re safe physically and emotionally. However, if you want to achieve all this, you have to know how. Here are some ways for you to provide an environment in which your little one can grow into a happy and healthy individual.

The way we treat people

The first thing your nestling will know about this world is your smell, your touch, and your voice. Similarly, their earliest development will be greatly influenced by your behavior and the way you treat them and other people in your life. Make sure you nurture a stable and loving relationship with them, that you teach them by example how to express any emotions they might experience, and how to communicate with those around them. Show them your love and support through words, but also through other signs of affection, like hugs, kisses, and your presence whenever they need somebody to listen to them or comfort them. Also, if you treat the people around you with the respect and kindness they deserve, your child will pick up on that. This especially applies to your relationship with your partner. Avoid arguing in front of your little one, but rather be tender and loving, since that’s what you want your child to consider normal.

A healthy home is a safe home

If you want to raise a healthy child, you have to make your home a safe and healthy place. Above all, this means you have to maintain its cleanliness, using only natural cleaning products that aren’t a health hazard and that are ecological. Children are more sensitive than adults, which means that they might have a reaction to some pollutants your body doesn’t even notice, so make sure your home is free of cigarette smoke, mold, and dust. Investing in a HEPA air purifier and HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaner is always a good idea. Avoid wall paint containing VOCs. Choose furniture made of natural wood, and which hasn’t been treated with glue or paint containing formaldehyde. When it comes to carpets, opt for a lovely jute rug, which won’t only look amazing on your kid’s floor, but is also eco-friendly. As for clothes, mattresses, and the bedding your child sleeps in, make sure they’re made of organic materials. These things might not have been important to you when you weren’t a parent, but they are definitely something you have to think about how you’ve become one.

We are what we eat

What your child eats can have a crucial influence on their overall health. Again, you need to teach them by example, since it would be ridiculous to expect your child to eat broccoli and apples while you munch on potato chips and chocolate. The meals you serve them should be home-cooked, and if you can include them in the preparation of those meals, their benefits will multiply. Normally, if you don’t have time for home cooking you can always buy organic ready food. For example, this comparison between little spoon vs nurture life shows you the nurturing and healthy benefits of these kinds of baby foods. A child will be more likely to eat something if they helped make it and watching you cook will set a great example for when they become independent and have children of their own. Make sure their diet is loaded with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. If they eat nutritious food, with all the vitamins and minerals they need, their immune system will be stronger and they will be readier to fight any viruses or illnesses. Instead of shopping in big supermarkets, opt for your local farmers’ market and have your child tag along when you go. Choose home-grown, organic products and don’t forget to teach your kid that eating healthy is a choice, not a punishment or a chore.

A healthy lifestyle for smart and healthy kids

Make sure your kid is physically active, that they don’t spend their days sitting in front of one screen or another. Take them to the park, to a swimming pool, or get them a bicycle and go cycling with them. Have them spend time outdoors, playing with other children or with you. Read to them, introduce them to art, music, and games that develop their imagination, creativity and motor skills. Also, it’s important that they get enough restful and uninterrupted sleep. Establish a routine that will get them in and out of bed at approximately the same time every day, even on weekends. Try to incorporate some basic organization into their daily life. Disrupting this routine can cause them to lose sleep, which can affect their health and mood. Teach them how to care for their planet. Plant a tree together, adopt a pet, explain that littering is out of the question and that glass containers and paper or cotton bags are a better choice than the plastic ones. Always bear in mind that the safety of your child depends on the safety of the world they live in.

In order to create a safe and healthy environment for your child, you might have to change your own lifestyle and habits. It might seem difficult, but you have to be persistent. After all, just remember who and what you’re doing it for.

Create an eco-friendly environment for them

There are a few different ways that you can provide an eco-friendly environment for your child. One way is to make sure that they have quality jute rugs. Jute jugs are great because they are eco-friendly and help keep your child safe from harmful chemicals. Make sure to choose quality jute rugs that are made with organic materials. This will help ensure that your child is safe and healthy. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Commercial cleaners are loaded with harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both your child and the environment. There are many great eco-friendly alternatives available that work just as well. Using natural fibers in your home opting for natural fibers like cotton and bamboo instead of synthetic materials will help reduce your carbon footprint and keep your child safe from harmful toxins.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a full-time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

How to Inspire Yourself to Work Out More

Most people who are engaged in regular exercising activities will tell you that the first step was the most difficult to make and that once they got used to the routine there were few problems afterward. We all know that changing our habits and behavior is rarely easy. It takes determination and dedication, to begin with, but if the desired goals are not met, motivation drops and we tend to go back to the old ways.

So, what can we do instead of giving up? How can we keep the motivation level high enough to be able to enjoy the benefits of working out? Let’s take a look at some tips that have proved to be effective for many people around the globe.

Set realistic goals

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One of the most common problems that lead to giving up is the failure to achieve the set goals. Unfortunately, in most cases, the goals were unrealistic and could never be reached. That’s why it’s vital to set the goals that can actually be met. In order to be spot on with them, you should consult your doctor and fitness coach and see what they have to say based on their experience. Also, your goals need to be measurable, rather than general. So, instead of “I want to feel better and lose some weight”, say “I want to lose 5 kg this month”, for example.

Reward your achievement

If you’ve implemented changes to your lifestyle with an aim to boost your health, you’ll need to keep the motivation high at all times. There are people that workout even on holidays, or doing exercises daily while traveling the world – once you gain this good habit, it’s easy to keep on! One of the ways to do that is to reward yourself when you meet certain goals. Your brain will associate the new routine with success and this extrinsic motivation is a very helpful tool in the process.

If you persist long enough, this motivation will become intrinsic and you’ll feel great after each workout session. The endorphins that are released will be a reward good enough for you, so you won’t need to think about any treat.

Don’t do it alone

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Experience has shown that working out in a group helps to maintain high motivation levels. Very often people don’t feel like exercising but don’t want to look bad in the eyes of their friends, so eventually, they get ready and leave their house to get some workout. Even if you started exercising alone, at some point you might want to find someone to be your workout buddy. If you are short of ideas, check here how to find your soulmate program.

Commitment contract

Most of us find it relatively easy to break a promise made to ourselves. Nobody knows about the promise and we see no harm done to anyone. What we often forget is that in many cases the damage is done and it’s done to ourselves. On the other hand, if we promise something to other people or commit to something in writing, we are much more likely to do everything to fulfill our obligation.

Let’s say you commit to a workout routine of visiting the local gym three times a week over three months. Tell your friend that you’ll pay him some money for each session you skip, no matter what the reason is. If there is a threat of paying a penalty, we’ll be more likely to do our part of the agreement.

Keep a diary

Keeping a diary about your experience and feelings from day one can be a useful tool in inspiring yourself to go even further. When you put down your thoughts and feelings into writing and revisit them when you feel less motivated, you’ll notice that you’ve already been through similar phases and that you’ve managed to overcome such problems. This also requires dedication and commitment, but the benefits can definitely be worth the effort.

Motivation is one of the key aspects of changing bad habits and leading a healthier life. That’s why it deserves a lot of attention on your behalf since nobody likes to fail and feel like a loser.

4 Helpful Things You Can Say to a Suicidal or Depressed Friend

They were celebrities at the pinnacle of achievement in their fields. Legions of fans and industry insiders worldwide respected them, yet both took their own lives last week.

No one is immune to suicidal thoughts — not even a successful public figure like Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade. Suicide and depression know no boundaries of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin. Statistically, it’s likely you know at least one person who struggles with suicidal thoughts. In a typical high school classroom of 20 students, at least 3 have seriously considered taking their lives in the past year.

What to say when a depressed friend reaches out

This concerns most of us who question our ability to respond to someone in need. Will we know what to say if that friend, neighbour, or student reaches out to us? Will we be able to help?

As a trusted confidant, you can show someone who’s struggling you care with only a few simple words.

  • Are you thinking of taking your life right now?

If your friend has already put together a suicide plan or is about to take their life, immediately call 911 and get emergency assistance. You should let trained professionals help rather than try to handle it yourself.

  • When did you start feeling this way?

When a suicidal person reaches out for help, they really want someone to hear their story. Asking open-ended questions — and listening — lets them do that. Don’t be judgmental or dispense advice. Simply pay attention and affirm their experience.

  • You’re not alone. I care about you, and I’m here to help.

Why would someone struggling with suicidal tendencies reach out to us? They’re in a battle for their lives, and they don’t want to fight it alone any more. Telling them that we’re there, we care, and we want to help assures them they’re not alone any more. It also opens the door for them to be more specific about how you can help.

  • Have you considered getting professional help?

When someone confides to us about their personal battle with depression and suicidal tendencies, it shows they trust us, so many friends and teachers wonder if they should keep this information secret. The answer is emphatical NO.

In fact, the goal of any discussion with a suicidal person is to get them to seek professional help. If our friend had malignant cancer, we would encourage them to go to the hospital, even if they were reluctant at first. It’s the same with a life-threatening condition like suicide.

We shouldn’t give up if the person resists. We can tell them we’re asking because we care. We can offer to help them find and schedule an appointment with a mental health counsellor. We can go with them.

What to do if your friend doesn’t reach out directly

Many times, a depressed or suicidal friend won’t approach you directly and ask for help. Recent studies have uncovered a correlation between excessive time online and depression. If you notice a significant change in someone’s behaviour (if they seem habitually withdrawn, down, disengaged, or angry) you might want to initiate a conversation with one of these leading questions.

4 Questions to Break The Ice When You Notice a Change in Someone’s Behavior

  • You don’t seem yourself lately. [Add observational details]. Are you all right?
  • I’m concerned because I’ve noticed a change in you. [Add observational details]. What’s going on, and what might help you feel better?
  • You seem upset. Do you need to vent? I’m here for you, and I’ll listen.
  • You seem to be going through something tough. Can I do anything to support you right now?