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Whether through personal choice or enforced as a result of Covid, working from home is a very likely outcome in 2021. While you managed to survive the challenges in 2020, the fact that this is now a long-term issue means you’ll need a long-term solution. Start by creating a return to work checklist. Ensuring that the property is built to deliver a positive work-life balance is vital.

The small changes often make the biggest impact. Here are eight great tips that will set you on your way.

1. 1. Declutter. A clear working environment will enable you to enjoy far greater productivity. As well as the home office, you need to clear the entire home. Otherwise, the knowledge of problems around the property will cause mental distractions. For a similar reason, try to go paperless where possible. There are several commercial scannning services that you can avail of to digitalise your files.
   2. Get a door lock. Creating a designated workspace is one thing, but you need it to provide a barrier between yourself and family distractions. Installing a door lock is one of the simplest upgrades you could ever hope to complete. Nonetheless, its impact on daily life can be huge. It also stops the threat of items being misplaced.
   3. Add a houseplant. Working from home can be a little depressing at times. As well as the comfort of family photos, a houseplant can work wonders. Experts at Love My Bonsai can provide a low-maintenance plant that will add a slice of nature and boost the vibe. The benefits are plentiful and it can be a talking point during video calls.

• Increase the natural lighting. Keeping the home office well lit is a step that’s regularly overlooked. However, dressing the windows to allow more light in will brighten your mood as well as the room. It can also help reduce the strain on your eyes during the working day. If privacy is an issue, window films are available.

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• Go green. Working from home will inevitably see your energy bills rise. Therefore, you should aim to regain some control over the situation by investing in LED lights. Further steps include more efficient heating and the use of Smart tech. When this is coupled with claiming back the costs that you are entitled to, the results will improve.
• Boost your WiFi. The reliance on internet communications is greater than ever. As such, you should want to boost your WiFi signal. This can be done by moving your router or buying a signal extender kit. Crucially, though, you will need to choose the right broadband provider. A comparison check combined with a speed test is vital.
• Get a coffee machine. Staying hydrated is crucial for any worker wanting to remain alert and productive. A Tassimo coffee machine will make life a lot easier while the little perk can keep you motivated too. Not least when getting out of bed in the morning. Besides, compared to coffee shop trips, the machine pays for itself in weeks.
• Remember other rooms. Establishing a strong work-life balance is a goal shared by millions. This is even more significant when working from home. A lounge of backyard space that allows you to truly relax and switch off from work will serve you well. Of course, a better bed and bedroom surroundings can enhance all aspects of life.

The transition into working from home on a permanent basis will take a little time to get right. When you do, though, the results are simply phenomenal.

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Christmas is officially over and we are all back to our normal routines once more. Since the pandemic isn’t going anywhere soon this means that many of us are back to staying at home and working, and not being able to see the people we love.

It is easy to get the blues in January after the festive season is over, and in 2021 especially there is a certain melancholy now that we are locked down in our homes once more for the foreseeable.

However January blues are not a good enough reason to fail at our healthy goals, and today we want to show you some simple things you can do to make a change to your diet and beat that January bloat.

Small changes can make a big difference to your mind and body and today we want to share with you what you can do to drop the pounds and feel healthier this year.

Don’t eat after 8pm

The first thing you need to consider when you are making changes to your diet is the time of day you eat. It is all too easy to slip into the habit of eating snacks until late at night in front of the TV but in the new year you should try to avoid this. When thinking about the signs of poor gut health, do you often feel bloated or need the toilet more? By eating and stopping at 8pm you will be giving your body chance to digest the food you’ve had before you go to sleep and your gut health and sleep quality should improve.

Consider swapping grains

When cutting out certain habits in January it is important to think about small changes you can make to your existing diet. For example, you could consider swapping white bread and white rice for its wholegrain equivalent – and even though it might seem like this is a small insignificant change it can actually be important for your body. By swapping out complex carbs like these your body can digest easier and you will also experience less bloating and retain less fat. If interested, you can check out this blog that speaks about cannellini beans vs butter beans substitute. You can gain more information on healthy substitutes, if possible.

Cut out dairy

Dairy comes in many delicious forms from cheese to cream to milk and yogurt – and although it is full of calcium it is important for us to limit the amount we eat if we are to stay healthy and lean. Cut back on the cheese you have within your normal meals and try to reduce the milk you have in your coffee. Black coffee although strong can actually be a huge boost for the body and boasts numerous health benefits. Dairy can encourage us to store fat so by cutting it down or out for a month you will see a big difference in your life.

Reduce processed foods

Processed foods such as biscuits, pasta, crisps, chips, chocolate and more are tasty; we all know that. But if you want to make a change in January and get rid of that festive bloat it is time to cut out the artificial stuff for real foods’. When snacking, reach for a piece of fruit rather than a packet of crisps; instead of a pasta dish try making a salad or homemade sweet potato gnocchi. Make changes to your diet that allow for more fruit and vegetables and protein. It will make a huge difference to you and your health.

Eat colourful

If you were to take a photo of your Christmas dinner for Instagram, you would notice very quickly that the plate is mostly beige and yellow. Beige and yellow foods like mash, roast potatoes, meat and more are amazing and flavourful but they lack a lot of the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Every meal should have colour on it whether it be some spinach on your morning bagel; a salad for lunch; and roasted vegetables alongside your dinner. Eat colourful foods as much as you can and imagine you are modelling every single plate for Instagram fame. This way, you’ll get into good habits and add salad leaves, vegetables and good stuff to every meal.

Eat little and often

It is easy to not eat all day during lockdown and only eat one massive meal – but this is not the best way to go about things for a happy body. To beat the bloat you get after a large meal consider instead eating little and often throughout the day to keep your metabolism going and to allow your body to fully digest between meals. It is so important to eat little and often because it will allow your body to stay alert and awake all day without that extra weight carried around through bloating.

Drink lemon water

Lemon water should be at the top of your list when making a change to a healthy diet. Lemons are packed with vitamin C as well as other minerals and they will wake you up with a bang each morning and fight off that bloated feeling. Lemon will boost your metabolism no end and drinking it first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before your first meal will switch on your metabolism and help you to digest food more effectively – and will stop you feeling bloated and lethargic during the day. Alternatively, you could look at mixers that could make you a orange mimosa, if you are in the mood to party a little! As long as you get you get your Vitamin C!

Eat ginger for circulation

If you tend to struggle a little with your circulation in the winter and the heat never seems to reach your fingers and toes – it is a great idea for you to start eating a piece of ginger every morning to improve this. Ginger is spicy but it is also a powerful tool against bad circulation and high blood pressure. Ginger will promote great circulation and will allow you to feel warm all the way from your fingers to your toes every day. Ginger is also great for waking you up in the morning so it is well worth taking some to help you concentrate and stay alert.

Consider intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is a type of diet control that aims to eliminate bloating and allow the body to effectively lose weight. If you constantly feel bloated throughout the day it is worth trying this method of eating to help you manage your body. The idea is that you restrict your eating to a window of time during the day. 8 hours is the most common however some people go as small as 4 hours for the best results. It means that if you eat your first meal at lunchtime, you will want to eat the rest of your meals in that window and then nothing after. It is a way to allow your body to recover after meals and to flush out any toxins or fats.

Drink plenty of water before meals

It is important when trying to eat less and feel less bloated that you drink lots of water before you have any meals. Water is an essential part of our diet and it is a great way to help curb appetite. Did you know that often when you feel hunger pains it is actually caused by your body wanting water? By drinking water 30 minutes before a meal and when you start to feel hunger pains you will soon find that you aren’t hungry that much of the time at all and in fact, you eat less.

Try 50:50 on your plate

If you want to make a positive change to your diet this year an easy way to start is by changing to a 50:50 diet. Instead of a full plate of your favourite pasta dish or lasagna – try 50% pasta and 50% salad for a leaner and more nutrient rich meal. By doing this you will eat less of your regular meals and will have more leftovers so this is a huge bonus!

Planning to buy an electric fireplace this winter for your home. It’s a great idea. But, before executing your plan of purchasing an electric fireplace, there are minor details that need your high consideration. Ignoring them could result in putting your money on fire. Therefore, we have created a list of minor details to know about before going to shop.

Check Out The Power Supply

Do Not Ignore The Flaming Effect

Considering Room Size

Study Maintenance Factor

Features Addition

• Check Out The Power Supply

As the name emphasizes, electric fireplace, there is no way that it can work without electricity. Hence, it is important to check the nearby power supply outlet. Keep in mind, most electric fireplace works with a standard power cord and plug. Therefore a nearby plugin connection can solve your purpose. But if you are using built-in fireplaces, it needs to be hard to wire at your home electrics. You need to buy an additional power kit. If you’re unsure of the power connections, then be sure to consult the professionals. When it comes to working with electricity, one can never be too careful, and it’s important to consider the safety of you and your family. You can either look to some tips from professional electricians that can help you with power cord considerations and installation, or you can simply hire one to help out with everything.

• Do Not Ignore The Flaming Effect

Fireplaces are purchased to experience the flaming effect. But, an electric fireplace works on the artificial flame. This flame is created by reflecting light off and rotating mirrors. That looks wonderful and gives you a soothing experience with the look and ambiance of having a real fire in your home. Therefore, while buying electric fire, check what brand or lightning effect you want to experience. Bear in mind, low-cost fireplaces have a less realistic flame effect and high prices have a better flame vision.

• Considering Room Size

Examining room size is important while deciding on a room heater. There are two types of heaters used in electric fireplaces: fan-forced heaters and infrared heaters. But the choice of the heater solely depends on your room size. For example, when going for an electric fireplace insert in bedroom or similar rooms, using a fan-forced heater will be a good option. On the other hand, heaters for the living room or areas about 1000sqft require an infrared heater. Remember, infrared heaters are meant to cover larger space, therefore these are expensive heaters over fan-forced.

• Study Maintenance Factor

When you are weighing an electric fireplace on maintenance factors, remember one thing. The flame of the fireplace is not real. It requires bulbs or led lights to give it a catchy and flame-like appearance. Bulbs in fireplaces are less expensive than lead. Therefore, the life of bulbs is also less than led to fireplaces. Hence, if you choose led over the bulb, its maintenance cost is definitely less. So, do not forget to check your budget for bearing regular maintenance costs.

• Features Addition

Many electric fireplaces available with a number of breathtaking features, such as:

• Remote control
• Thermostatic control
• Timer functionality
• Overheat protection
• Flame only functionality
• Flame speed and brightness control
• Multi-color flames

This means you can have the liberty to choose your featured fireplace model. One-click from the remote can help you to set temperature while sitting on the couch. Moreover, some models of the fireplace also have an option to enjoy flaming in summer without heating. You can explore more such varieties from a store like Zoroast (visit this website to follow up) and get it installed from a similar shop in your area of residence.

Getting first-hand knowledge helps you to choose the right type of fireplace for your home. So do not forget these tips when you are going fireplace shopping.

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Although it is not something that many of us like to think about the fact is that medical malpractice does occur. Your doctor is someone you should be able to trust but doctors sometimes fail to do their job in the best way possible.

When this happens it can have devastating consequences. You may find yourself dealing with medical complications that you never had before. This can get expensive fast.

To offset these costs, you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. However, there are some things you need to know about medical malpractice so that you can be informed about what to do.

What Can a Doctor Be Sued for?

A doctor can be sued for failure to diagnose. If it can be proven that your doctor could have made a different diagnosis that would have led you to be cured, your doctor can be sued for malpractice. Medical malpractice and medical negligence, although quite similar, can have certain differences. If you’d like to know more about the difference between med mal and negligence, you can find many articles with useful information online.

Improper treatment is also grounds for a lawsuit. If your doctor gives you medication or treats you in a way that is outside what any other doctors would do then they can be sued for malpractice. This could also include things like childbirth injury that causes disabilities like cerebral palsy where a Cerebral Palsy lawyer in Clearwater and other regions could help you to get the compensation you deserve for yourself and your child.

If the doctor pursues a treatment option and fails to advise you of known risks, this is also grounds for a lawsuit. For example, if your doctor gives you medication and doesn’t inform you that this medication has been known to cause a heart attack or a stroke they can be held liable.

Requirements for Medical Malpractice Cases

When you decide to sue your doctor for medical malpractice you should know there is a time limit involved. You have to act fast depending on where you live.

In most instances, you only have six months to two years to bring a case to court. If you don’t bring the lawsuit within this specified time then the court is likely to dismiss your case.

Depending on where you live six months or two years will begin from the time your doctor performed a negligent act or from the time you discovered the injury.

You may need to submit your claim to a review panel first. The panel of experts will hear arguments from both parties. If you used a foreign doctor or you’re abroad, you might need to submit your legal papers in another language so that both parties can understand your claim. Getting your Legal document translated is a time-consuming process as legal wording is very precise and translations must be accurate, so leave plenty of time to get things prepared.

The panel will then review the evidence and call in expert testimony. They will then decide if medical malpractice has occurred. The decision of the panel will not replace the medical lawsuit itself.

The panel cannot award monetary compensation for damages. However, it is often a step that patients must go through before they bring their case against a doctor to court.

The findings of this review panel can work in your favor or not. This is because the court will often rely on the review panel’s decision to decide whether or not they should throw out your case.

Informing Your Doctor

Before you can file a malpractice claim, you may be required to give your doctor ample notice of your intention to file a malpractice claim against them. You will need to give them a basic description of why you are filing a malpractice lawsuit.

Depending on the location where you are filing a malpractice lawsuit you will need different experts to testify on your behalf. Expert testimony or expert affidavits are required by a malpractice review panel.

Who does and does not qualify as an expert in medicine varies based on where you live. However, generally speaking, an expert is someone who has had a vast amount of experience in a particular branch of medicine.

There are circumstances however where expert testimony is not required. For example, if a doctor left a towel or a sponge inside you during a surgical procedure. You do not need expert testimony to verify this. This can easily be proven by x-rays.

Doctors Who Work with the Military

If you are in the military and experienced a wrong diagnosis or improper treatment you may be wondering if you have grounds for a lawsuit.

This is because those who work for the government especially in the military often have special federal protection. While this is true, there is a legal clause called the federal tort claims act statute of limitations by which you can claim for damages.

If a military doctor performed any form of surgery that lead to you becoming more debilitated than you were or if you got medication that had an adverse effect you will need to sign up a Standard 95 form and submit it to the relevant federal agency.

This form can be tedious and it is best to get the help of a lawyer. This is because if the form is not correctly filled out it can result in your claim being denied. If the federal agency fails to deal with your filing in six months you can take the case to federal court.

In some cases, you may not have discovered that your doctor has done you harm until two years after the treatment. If this happens to you some federal tort claims acts will allow you to file a case against your doctor under what is known as the discovery rule. This could be especially helpful if it was impossible for you to have known beforehand that clinical negligence was committed.

Getting Compensation

Dealing with a medical malpractice case can be tedious, to say the least. There are a lot of legal loopholes that you may have to jump through to get compensation.

This is why it is best to avoid going it alone. If you feel you have an airtight case it is best to hire a lawyer to assist you.

A good lawyer will ensure that all the paperwork is filed correctly and that the evidence is presented clearly. Often, paperwork that is not filled out correctly or which has not been filed in a timely manner is the biggest reason why a case is dismissed.

Get legal help from the beginning. In this way, there will be no legal loopholes that your doctor’s defense team can use to prevent you from being compensated for your injuries.

• Additional resources:
  • A medical negligence attorney can help give victims closure and justice
  • Steps to file a personal injury claim
  • Psychological benefits of aerobic fitness on injuries

This pandemic has not been kind to our mental health. Many of us have struggled to cope without seeing friends and family.

The situation has been even worse for people in care homes, thanks to the combination of deadly disease and bans on visitors coming over. The human tragedy has been enormous.

Living at home in isolation is difficult, especially for people living with disabilities. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to combat loneliness.

Create A Support Bubble Of Your Choosing

Isolation can be harmful to human beings for several reasons, but particularly in terms of mental health. Being on your own with your thoughts all day long is enough to send anyone into a depressive spiral. You don’t have any connections to the people around you, and your thoughts can run wild.

It’s a good idea, therefore, to create a support bubble of people of your choosing – individuals you can trust to meet your needs. Groups like Freedomcare allow recipients of care, for instance, to choose the professionals who visit them to administer services. People living alone can forge relationships with family and friends to provide support and even arrange Medicare-based payments for them to carry out their roles.

You should also try to keep in touch with family and friends, even if that means having a set time to call them every week. If you’re a bit more flexible, why not do some online gaming with your mates in the evenings? It’s a great way to connect and have fun, and you can play your favourite games like Fortnight, Call of Duty or Rust. Rust hosting with oxide mod support can enhance your gameplay further, and there are mods for many other games out there that will help to keep things fresh and exciting as isolation drags on.

Introduce Yourself To Networking Apps

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The pandemic has been a disaster for our personal relationships. Many of us haven’t seen our friends for months. Some of us are still off work and don’t even have colleagues to keep us company.

If you’re in this position, try introducing yourself to networking and communication apps, like Skype, Zoom, Facebook messenger or Facetime. This way, you can regularly communicate with people in your circle of relationships and stay in touch. Just talking to somebody can make you feel so much better about your situation.

Try A Bit Of Online Dating

Online dating can be a risk if you go into it expecting to live happily ever after. But if you take a laid-back approach to it, it can be a lot of fun. You get to chat with interesting people, and it can be something that takes your mind off the current situation. However, it is best to keep in mind that you need to be extremely careful in the online dating world as well. Many catfishes and scammers can be found on these platforms, which is why you should always ask yourself questions, like is adult friend finder legit? Is Tinder legit? If you go online with both eyes open, you might be able to avoid the catfishes and have some fun. Look for established websites and apps with good reviews. You might want to check out mobile applications like SkipTheGames (you can click here to learn more) to find legit escort or adult dating services. Whichever app you choose, remember to go through the reviews to remain cautious.

Take Regular Breaks From Work

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If you’re working from home, it’s a good idea to take regular breaks from work. Just hammering away on your laptop all day long in an empty flat is enough to drive anyone insane.

Start A Gratitude Journal

If you’re struggling to see the good in the world, start a gratitude journal. This way, you can talk about all the positives in your life and keep the bad stuff – like COVID-19 – in perspective.

Try Listening To Music

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Music is one of the few things in the world that can make just about anyone feel better. It bypasses our brain’s defences and goes straight to the pleasure centres. It can be a great way to combat a sense of loneliness or depression. If you like dancing to music, try that too.

Don’t Check The News

Finally, if you’re the sort of person who gets affected by the news, don’t check it. Give yourself a break. /b>

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The pandemic has been a disaster for our personal relationships. Many of us haven’t seen our friends for months. Some of us are still off work and don’t even have colleagues to keep us company.

If you’re in this position, try introducing yourself to networking and communication apps, like Skype, Zoom, Facebook messenger or Facetime. This way, you can regularly communicate with people in your circle of relationships and stay in touch. Just talking to somebody can make you feel so much better about your situation.

Try A Bit Of Online Dating

Online dating can be a risk if you go into it expecting to live happily ever after. But if you take a laid-back approach to it, it can be a lot of fun. You get to chat with interesting people, and it can be something that takes your mind off the current situation. However, it is best to keep in mind that you need to be extremely careful in the online dating world as well. Many catfishes and scammers can be found on these platforms, which is why you should always ask yourself questions, like is adult friend finder legit? Is Tinder legit? If you go online with both eyes open, you might be able to avoid the catfishes and have some fun. Look for established websites and apps with good reviews. You can check out mobile applications like SkipTheGames (click here to learn more) to find legit escort or adult dating services. Whichever app you choose, remember to go through the reviews to remain cautious.

Take Regular Breaks From Work

Pexels – CC0 License

If you’re working from home, it’s a good idea to take regular breaks from work. Just hammering away on your laptop all day long in an empty flat is enough to drive anyone insane.

Start A Gratitude Journal

If you’re struggling to see the good in the world, start a gratitude journal. This way, you can talk about all the positives in your life and keep the bad stuff – like COVID-19 – in perspective.

Try Listening To Music

Pexels – CC0 License

Music is one of the few things in the world that can make just about anyone feel better. It bypasses our brain’s defences and goes straight to the pleasure centres. It can be a great way to combat a sense of loneliness or depression. If you like dancing to music, try that too.

Don’t Check The News

Finally, if you’re the sort of person who gets affected by the news, don’t check it. Give yourself a break.

In this country, we usually get a little snow each winter, enough to transform the look of your garden. Lots of us love snow, but even a little bit can be a worry for gardeners, like rain. No matter how beautiful the snow looks, it can cause some real problems in your garden. Snow is not just cold, but also heavy, which can damage your plants and garden structures. There are some steps that you can take to help your garden stay safe during snow. 

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Protecting Plants From Heavy Snow

It’s best to get your plant protection in place before the snowfall happens, but of course, it’s possible to be caught off guard. Luckily, the snow has an insulating effect, so a light covering of snow can actually act as a protective blanket against low temperatures. 

Deeper snow is a bigger problem and needs to be planned for in advance. Snow is heavy. How heavy snow is depends on the moisture content. The wetter the snow is, the more likely it is to squash your plants. 

Small plants are easy to protect from snow. You can use a sturdy plastic box to put over the plants as a cloche. Look for transparent boxes if you think you’ll have to leave them on for a while, and remember to clear the snow off them so the light can still get through to the plant. An opaque box is okay if you’ll only be using it for a day or two. In a pinch, an upturned plant pot will do the job. For seedling, cut the bottom of a plastic drinks bottle and use that. 

If you have large plants, these are best protected by low tunnels, and it’s easy to make your own. Plastic water or gas pipe is a cheap option for making hoops and is easy to cut to size with a hacksaw. Make sure your hoops are securely fixed in place so they don’t collapse under heavy snow. Slide each end over a length of rebar hammered into the ground, or feed the ends into rigid plastic piping. Link them with a central crosspiece. You can reinforce your tunnels by cladding them with wire mesh before adding a cover. 

The tunnel’s curved shape shed snow naturally. Plastic covers will keep plants dry and warm. Make sure you remove any snow that is building up so your tunnel doesn’t collapse. Don’t use horticultural fleece, as the weight of the snow can tear the fabric. 

Garden Structures And Snow

It’s not just your plants that are at risk of damage from snow loading. Make sure you dislodge any snow from the roofs of sheds or greenhouses where you can. If you have polytunnels, the shape of them should encourage snow to slip off on its own, but if it does cling, it can cause the whole structure to collapse. Make sure you knock it off so this doesn’t happen.

Fruit cages are often forgotten about in the snow, but despite having a lot of holes, a netting roof can actually hold quite a lot of snow. When this snow caves in damage both the netting and the fruit cage frame. Heavy snow landing on the plants inside could break branches too, meaning you’ll be able to produce less fruit next season. 

It’s a good idea to remove the roof netting from your fruit cages if you expect snow. As soon as your autumn fruits have finished for the season, put away the roof netting, in case you get any early snowfalls. You can put it back when it’s fruit-growing time again. 

Remember to keep your guttering clear and in good repair, so when the snow melts, the water has somewhere to go. The importance of gutter installation and maintenance can’t be over-estimated. If water can’t drain properly, it can cause major damage to your roof, including leaks. 

Harvesting In Snow

It can be worrying to find that your winter crops have been buried under a blanket of snow, but the snow actually insulates the soil and prevents it from freezing too solidly. This means it is actually often possible to dig down through the snow and lift root crops that have been left in the ground. As long as you can find them, you should still be able to harvest them. 

Brussels sprouts, cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli, and the hardier varieties of the leek can all stand up to a covering of snow and remain in good condition for harvesting. 

As wonderful and magical and fulfilling as parenthood can be, there are also moments where you find yourself thinking “there must be an easier way to do this.” Well, we are here to tell you that you’re probably right! There are plenty of tools that new parents need that can do wonders for simplifying your life. Take a look at our top five products that are sure to make your life as a new parent much, much easier!

1. A Sleep Sack

Is your little one struggling to get comfortable and fall asleep? Consider getting them a sleep sack! Sleep sacks are designed to regulate your baby’s body temperature without overheating them, ensuring that not only are they comfortable, but also that they are safe. There are sleep sacks in a variety of colors, designs, fabrics and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect sleep sack, whether you’re on the hunt for your six month old baby or your two year old toddler.

2. Easy Baby Clothing

There are loads and loads of baby clothes out there to choose from. However, some are definitely more inconvenient than others. Can we just acknowledge how terrible those pajamas are with a million snaps on them? You deserve easy baby clothing. Zipease baby rompers are a great option, featuring a zipper specifically designed to simplify diaper changes. Not only are they easy to use, but they’re available in a variety of styles.

3. The Right Nose Products

Don’t fall for the false notion that the only way to clear your baby’s nose is with one of those suction bulb contraptions. Not only are they uncomfortable for your little one, but they’re wildly ineffective. We highly recommend getting your hands on a nose frida for easy snot removal, as well as a few packages of boogie wipes. Trust us- between these two items, your baby’s nose will be well taken care of.

4. A Tricked Out Baby Swing

You’ve likely received the advice of getting yourself a baby swing. We totally agree- most babies do incredibly well in a baby swing, and it can be a great tool for calming and entertaining your little one. We’re going to take things a step further and say that this is a baby item that you should splurge on. Get the swing that has preset motions that imitate the womb, play music and white noise, and have toys hanging from the top to hold their attention. You won’t regret it.

5. Smell Saving Diaper Pail

The last thing you want is your home or baby’s nursery smelling like a dirty diaper. You’re guaranteed to be handling a few thousand diapers in your time as a parent, so treat yourself to a smell saving diaper pail. They’re designed to hold a number of diapers at a time, capturing the smell and containing it within the pail so that the rest of the room can stay smelling fresh.

Parenthood is sure to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your entire life, and you deserve to equip yourself with all of the best tools and tricks to make it as easy as possible. Consider some of our favorite baby items that are sure to simplify things for you!

The way you decorate your home has a significant impact on its attractiveness and comfort levels. The bedroom, mainly, often displays your taste. Although it is among the most private rooms in a house, it should provide you with the utmost relaxation. This explains why more people are investing in mirrored wardrobes.

Read on to discover the top benefits of purchasing mirrored wardrobes.

Styling

When it comes to styling, only a few materials can match mirrored doors. Mirrors are available in a broad range of styles, colors, and sizes. As a homeowner, you can customise the colors and finishes of the tracks and panels to suit your preferences. Even better, you can pick a style that matches your interior décor, such that the closet does not appear out of place.

For example, you can use lacquered or decorative glass door if you want to improve your bedroom’s visual appeal. Suppose you want to give your home a coastal feel, consider investing in crystal clear or stained glass.

Versatility

Because of their stylishness, the mirrored door can be used in multiple home areas besides the bedroom. To even make your mirrored wardrobe adaptable, install racks on the outer side for storing small appliances and accessories like laptops and jewelry. The doors can be used for looking at yourself when dressing up, dancing, exercising, etc. With wardrobe doors being mirrored, there is no need to purchase an additional standing mirror that takes up more floor space.

Illusion of Space

Another benefit of purchasing mirrored closets is that they make the space look bigger than it is. The ability to reflect light can make a confined room appear spacious. If you live in a house with a small bedroom, it would be wise to invest in a wardrobe with mirrored doors.

Maximising Storage

Most mirrored wardrobes have sliding doors, meaning that they won’t take up a lot of space like hinged closets. When you opt for a mirrored wardrobe, you do not have to worry about spatial constraints. Furthermore, you canmaximise the storage area by addend racks, hanging rails, and shelves to the door’s interior side. With storage space at a premium, every little alcove and cranny can prove useful.

Conclusion

Even in the most spacious bedrooms, fitting the bed, side tables, and closet can be a significant challenge. If you are lucky enough to invest in a wardrobe, it can come in handy in improving your home’s organisation, its visual appeal, and keeping clutter away.

Mirrored wardrobes are gaining more traction among homeowners because they make small spaces appear bigger. This particularly applies to people who are short of space. They are also more stylish, customisable, and versatile than other materials used for finishing closets. Even better, they are not as expensive as wood.

On the downside, glass is more brittle than other materials, making it susceptible to breaking. You need to be careful when you are close to a mirrored wardrobe unless you want to reinvest your money on replacements.

Meal kits are a growing trend in the west, but it is North America that has really taken to the idea. Meal kits are a bit like if you combined grocery shopping with a restaurant menu – you scroll recipes, select the ones you like the look of, and voilà, your chosen meals have arrived on your doorstep.

They’re not cooked already, though this is a service you can also find. Instead, the ingredients are measured for you ready to go, and in some cases, fully prepared. You can find meal kit companies all around the globe, and their trend looks set to continue and challenge major supermarkets on every continent. 

This article will cover the top companies in North America, such Hello Fresh, Chefs Plate and Blue Apron. Despite Blue Apron choosing not to expand to Canada, we will explore how and why these companies are thriving in NA, and what are pros and cons of each.

• Population sparsity

Both Canada and the USA share something in common that not many other countries do – land is plentiful. With only modest population figures yet huge land, their population is sparsely covering a large land mass. This makes grocery shopping a very different experience compared to somewhere like Europe.

In Europe, it is common to go to grocery shops a couple of times a week. Often a short walk around the corner, or at most a 10-minute drive, food is accessible. However, in North America it’s not uncommon to only shop once every ten days or so for food. Clearly, the latter culture is more suited to online meal kit deliveries.

• Awareness of healthy eating

North Americans are, in general, quite health conscious. Gyms have become a cool place to hang out and healthy plates of food have become a staple of the Instagram feed – a bit like how fitness has become fashionable in the past half decade. YouTube and podcasts have also played a huge factor in providing information to North Americans regarding health and lifestyle, something they have an appetite for.

Meal kits go hand-in-hand with this. Those wanting to learn how to cook can do so by ordering the ingredients without the extra hassle, and are provided an instruction list.

• Higher disposable income

Both Canadians and Americans have one of the highest disposable incomes in the world. The spare money is essentially an opportunity to start paying for more time. Given that we are all constricted by time, those with enough money can buy some of it back.

On top of this, meal kits offer fresh, organic ingredients. This high-quality produce isn’t always easy to find in supermarkets, so this becomes the higher quality, more costly alternative. It’s very unlikely that the poorest in America are paying for meal kits for much the same reason why meal kits aren’t a thing in developing countries.

• Long work hours

The US tends to have longer work hours and fewer days off than many European countries. Their culture of high work ethic means that there are millions of Americans who have little free time, and decide that opting for convenience is important to freeing up what little time they have left. 

Time and convenience are perhaps the biggest reasons for meal kit companies’ demand. Though, with the abrupt lockdown restriction last April, it was likely the obstacles that faced Americans when shopping, that led to online alternatives.

Do meal kits exist outside of NA?

Meal kits do in fact exist outside of NA. In particular, they are rising in popularity in Europe for much of the same reasons as above. There is a rising culture of being health conscious (partly from American Instagram influencers), as well as a middle class who are looking for convenient, healthy cooking in a time of a pandemic. 

Europe has many of the same companies that NA has, though there are many of their own too. Gousto, Square Meal, and Feast Box in particular are popular in the UK. Hello Fresh, which is perhaps the largest meal kit company in the US, Canada, and the world, is a German company.

Which are the biggest meal kit companies in North America?

The US and Canada share many of the same meal kit companies. The biggest is arguably Hello Fresh, as mentioned earlier, which is valued at over $10bn. With over 30% market share, Hello Fresh is the go-to for many people wanting reasonably priced, good quality recipes and a reliable service.

Home Chef is perhaps the next biggest North American meal kit company. This is a 2013 company founded in Chicago, and is owned by Kroger. Home Chef is rated the best company by many reviewers, with its great recipes, fresh ingredients and easy service.

Blue Apron is also a big hitter, but they do not operate in Canada. In fact, they were struggling for many years until the pandemic struck, where they then saw their best growth in a long time.

Freshly, EveryPlate, Sun Basket, Green Chef and Purple Carrot are some of the other noteworthy meal kit companies, who each have their own pros and cons. 

For example, Freshly offers ready-to-eat meals, so there’s no actual cooking required. This takes meal kit convenience to a whole new level, but of course at the cost of freshness. There’s no way that the meal can taste as fresh when reheated, though you could argue the ingredients are of the same organic quality.

As we can see, there is no single best company. It’s worth trying a few different ones before settling, as you can decide which suits you best. On top of this, you can make use of the promotional offers for new sign ups, meaning each company can be rinsed of their discounts before you consider paying full price.