If you have always enjoyed being in the kitchen, it is very likely that you are always looking for inspiration. From food blogs like Prepared Cooks to cooking lessons and more, we can be inspired from almost anywhere in this day and age. However, sometimes, cooking may not be the most joyous occasion we thought it was set out to be. You might have gotten a lot of cooking gifts throughout the year, but does it take away your cooking time?

How many times have you looked for recipes and spent ages making dinner? It says 15-minute meals, but why do they always take you an hour?! Being able to cook faster is a huge advantage for any parent. When you are too busy, you could purchase a ramen kit or other instant food items from a japanese food store online or from a nearby grocery store. It frees up more time to take care of the many other parental responsibilities you have. Well, what if you found out there are a few simple ways to cook faster every single evening? It’s true, and here they are:

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Invest in better cooking equipment

For me, two main issues always arise:

1. Things don’t seem to cook fast enough
2. It takes ages to cut ingredients up

Both problems can be addressed with new cooking equipment. Get your hands on some premium cookware that heats up quickly and cooks your food a lot more efficiently than old stuff. Brands like Made In Cookware that sell aluminum pots and pans are always useful as aluminum gets hot quickly and cooks food faster. Also, get a sharp new knife set, or perhaps a machine that cuts things for you. It speeds up your slicing and dicing instantly. You can shave minutes off your total cooking time, and these ideas are also great gifts for mums!

Try Using Different Equipment

If you are tired of it taking an age to cook food you might want to consider using different equipment and appliances in your kitchen. For instance, you could consider using a Ninja Foodi with a grillgrate. Combined, the devices will heat up your steak in no time and ensure that it’s cooked to perfection. This ninja foodi steak device will cook your meat in just seven minutes!

Prep your food

Be sure you prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. A big mistake is to chop onions, add them to a pan, then chop other ingredients, etc. Instead, chop everything up and have it ready on the side. If you’re adding spices, get all the right measurements on a plate. Now, you simply add ingredients as required. It streamlines the whole process and makes cooking a lot easier.

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Always pre-heat

Whether it’s your oven or your stove, be sure to always pre-heat before you need to start cooking. This ensures everything is hot and ready to go. Do this while you get all the prep started. It prevents you from preparing ingredients, then waiting 5-10 minutes for everything to heat up.

The same rule applies to water, kind of. Instead of heating water in a pan, boil it in a kettle. This works much faster and means you can cook things like pasta in under 10 minutes, rather than waiting 10 minutes for the water to boil, then cooking the pasta for 8-9 mins.

Clean while you cook

Lastly, clean up after yourself as things cook. Most recipes give you time to let things simmer or bake. Use this time to clean everything you can. It makes time go faster, so the meal feels like it’s ready sooner. But, it benefits you by reducing the washing up after dinner. Now, you just have a couple of things to clean, instead of a bucketload.

See, four simple ways to speed up your daily cooking. If you want a bonus tip: cook in batches! This is perfect as you can sometimes spend two or three days cooking, but have enough meals for the entire week. I’ve put this as a bonus tip as it depends on your fridge/freezer space. If you don’t have much room, you can’t cook in batches.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that businesses operate on a daily basis. Plenty of establishments have hired commercial cleaning services or require staff to do a daily deep clean. The state guidelines differ across the country in regards to capacity requirements and if certain businesses are allowed to be open. Keeping your family safe is going to be your top priority and this starts in the home. Enforcing social distancing is important as a parent even if you have a teen that you want to go hang out with a group of friends. Cleaning the home is going to be another facet of keeping the family safe but not all tips are intuitive. The virus is not like other sicknesses as it is extremely contagious and can live on certain surfaces for days. Below are tips to help you clean and disinfect your home during Coronavirus.

Cleaning Areas the Entire Family Touches Often

Coronavirus home cleaning is going to be more intense than your usual cleaning routine. The fact that the virus can live on certain surfaces like plastic or metal means the virus could be living in your home now! You need to clean areas that are touched frequently on a daily basis. This will include toys that your children have taken out of the home and even the toilet. Phones and computers should also be cleaned but make sure to do this delicately as to not damage your electronics. Products that should be used should include at least 70 percent alcohol to kill COVID-19. The following are tips to clean your home in the correct way to prevent the spread of the virus:

• You need to wash something with soap and water first. This does not mean that the job is done as you will have to go over the same surface with disinfectant. Wearing gloves is recommended as many cleaning products can be harmful to the skin especially when you are cleaning daily.
• Allow the disinfectant to sit on the surface for a few minutes so it can actively kill viral germs. Wiping down a surface too quickly does not allow the disinfectant to do its job.
• Do not use vinegar as the main disinfectant or any other natural remedy. These will not kill the virus so it is better to opt for cleaning products that specifically note they help combat the virus.
• Take the time to disinfect your dishes or items your partner/child takes to work with them.

Tips for Laundry

One of the scariest things about the virus is that it can survive on clothes for an unclosed amount of time. Researchers have already stated that the virus can live on plastic or metal which many items of clothing include. Below are some tips for doing laundry in a way that will combat the global pandemic:

• Do not shake out your dirty close that this can lead to the virus being emitted through the surrounding air. If you must do this it is important to do it outside with some form of protection on whether it is a mask or gloves.
• Use hot water to wash your clothes along with your favorite detergent. The importance of drying the clothes in a dryer to kill the virus shouldn’t be undervalued. Do not let your clothes air dry as this could be a recipe for disaster as the virus could survive.
• Your laundry bin also needs to be cleaned regularly as it could be holding unwanted germs.

Personal Cleaning Station at Home/In the Garage

There are people that have to go to work around large groups of people whether they work in the service industry or medical field. If you have a garage you should have a laundry bin out there along with a bin where you can put your shoes. Changing and washing up before entering the house might seem extreme but these are extreme times. Keeping hand sanitizer in the garage is an option as those in the medical field might want to do this regularly in order to stop the spread of all kinds of sicknesses.

Keeping our families safe during this time is going to take effort. Following social distancing rules is going to stay of utmost importance but cleaning your home in the appropriate manner is essential as well.

We all like to think that we would be the last people in the world to be targetted by crime. However, it’s those who don’t give security a second thought who are most likely to suffer the consequences. Most criminals are opportunists and will go after the easy targets. Here are a few steps to take to make sure that you’re not that easy.

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Deterrence

As mentioned, criminals are opportunists. This means that they will go after the easy homes, but are also less likely to go after any homes that show a higher chance of being caught. If you have any kind of security systems, advertise that fact with a sign on the wall of the home. It’s a good idea to have some outdoor lighting that makes the exterior of the home highly visible. This way they’re not likely to want to go skulking around it.

Awareness

One of the great things about CCTV systems is that they also work as part of the deterrence strategy mentioned above. They’re a highly visible threat to any would-be criminals looking at your home. That’s not all, however, they offer you the chance to be keenly aware of any threats, with many a security camera installation allowing you to record any instances of movement within their range of vision. Smart security cameras can even let you take a view of the feed from outside the come, connecting to digital devices like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop over the internet.

Alarm

If deterrence doesn’t work, then you want to make sure that as soon as any criminal makes an attempt to breach the home, you are notified as soon as possible and the police are on the way. Wireless security systems can be set up to do just that, offering you peace of mind that even when you’re away from the home, they will make sure that no intruders are able to simply get into the home without any sort of defense. The extremely loud alarms that come with these systems can also act as yet another line of deterrence, too.

Defense

Lastly, you want to make sure that even if someone goes ahead and tries to infiltrate the home, there is resistance against them every step of the way. Make sure that you buy ar-15 pistols to ensure that you have the safe in case of danger. First, installing secure doors with police-approved locks is a good idea. Inside the home, you should make sure that you have a decent safe for your most valuable assets, be it jewelry, cash, or something else. There are even devices you can use to secure electronics like TVs and monitors to shelves. By confounding the criminal every step of the way, you make it much harder for them to get away with anything of value.

When you’re preparing your home against the risk of intrusion, make sure that you’re not just installing a single system, but rather investing in a comprehensive security set-up that tackles all four elements of security above. It might be quite an investment, but it’s worth it if you have things to protect.

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If you’ve struggled with your weight for most of your life, no doubt you’ve considered or heard of Gastric Bypass Surgery. When you’ve seemingly tried everything and the weight never seems to stay off, surgery may feel like the best option.

As with most surgeries, gastric bypass comes with its risks, but it can also be a saving grace for many people. Read on to see if this surgery is right for you.

What exactly is Gastric Bypass?

Gastric Bypass is a form of bariatric surgery that creates a gastric pouch, roughly the size of an egg, that “bypasses” the stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine). With a smaller stomach, the amount of food (and therefore calories) you can eat is restricted, making you feel fuller faster and encouraging weight loss. 

What are the requirements for Gastric Bypass?

Not everyone is a candidate for this type of surgery. Typically, doctors recommend gastric bypass to someone who has a Body Mass Index of 40 or more, or is more than 100 pounds overweight. Some people see gastric bypass as a jumpstart on their health journey, but be clear that it is not the be-all-end-all. You will have to be careful after surgery and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

What happens after surgery?

After the surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days so your doctors can monitor you. You’ll be on a liquid diet for a few days and you won’t be able to eat as much as before. This means you may need to start taking supplements to ensure you’re receiving enough nutrients that may be missing from your diet. Ensuring you are physically active and eating a healthful diet will be a top priority that will need to be maintained for the rest of your life. 

Weight loss may be dramatic in the first few months. Sometimes up to one pound each day. Gastric bypass has also been shown to provide other health benefits such as lowering high blood pressure, improving diabetes and other weight-related health problems. Weight loss can also alleviate joint pain, sleep apnea, and arthritis. 

What are the complications?

All surgeries are not without risks. With gastric bypass, you risk infection, blood clots, stomach ulcers, and sagging skin from weight loss. Some patients opt for plastic surgery, but after at least 18 months to make sure any dramatic changes are done taking place. 

You may also want to work closely with a nutritionist to make sure you are following a proper diet. Some patients experience “dumping syndrome” in which you experience nausea, sweating, faintness, and sometimes diarrhea (hence the name) after eating. Sweets may also pose this issue. 

Since this surgery does induce a dramatic lifestyle change, you may experience many emotions surrounding your weight loss. Remember to talk with trusted friends and family, or even a doctor. 

Gastric bypass can be a great option to “bypass” the initial hard work of a weightloss journey, but you’ll have to catch up afterwards with maintaining an exercise and diet regime to stay healthy. This is by no means the “easy” way out, so be sure to explore all of your options and get consults from a few doctors before making a decision. 

They say home is where the heart is, but is your house more hectic than heavenly? Moving house is a very stressful process. Maybe your property was on the market for ages and you didn’t think you were going to be able to sell it. Maybe you went to theeasyhomebuyer.com and sold it in 5 days. Maybe you’ve moved out of a rental. Whatever your circumstance, it’s important that you make your house feel like home as soon as possible. Here are some tips to turn your house into a haven.

Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-home-printed-rug-beside-door-2949992/

Decluttering, cleaning and tidying

Clutter can look unsightly, and it can also contribute to increased stress levels. If your home is a mess and you feel like there is stuff everywhere, you might struggle to relax. There’s also the problem of wasting time trying to find things you want. Decluttering and tidying might not be the most exciting activities, but they can make a huge difference to the aesthetic of your home and your wellbeing.

The key to a successful decluttering operation lies in organization. Adopting a methodical approach will enable you to tackle the job efficiently and effectively. Go through each room in the house, taking care not to miss drawers, boxes or cupboards that tend to attract miscellaneous items. Create a series of piles in each space by sorting out what you want to keep, what you want to throw away and what you could sell or donate. Once you’ve got rid of the items you want to get rid of or to donate to charity, find a home for the possessions you want to hold onto. If you have a shortage of storage, it’s worth having a look online or taking a trip to a home store and exploring new products and storage systems. From inexpensive tubs and crates that are ideal for children’s toys to chic shelving units for living rooms and bedrooms, you can find practical solutions to keep clutter at bay.

When you’ve finished decluttering your home, and you can see the floors again, make it your mission to keep each room looking tidy and clean. Polish surfaces, vacuum and mop floors and deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free will reduce stress, maximize space and lower the risk of accidents and pest infestations.

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Home security

Most of us assume that our homes will never be targeted by thieves, but there are no guarantees. Statistics suggest that there are over 2 million burglaries in the US every year. It’s not always possible to avoid being targeted by opportunists, but there are measures you can employ to lower the risk. Installing deterrents is one of the best ways to make your home less appealing to thieves who are deciding which property to break into. If you have cameras or an alarm on the side or front of your home, you have CCTV, or your home is surrounded by a fence or protected by electric gates, for example, the project becomes much more complex and risky. Thieves would rather opt for a property with no visible deterrents. So now is the time for you to check out a website like fwfence.com to get your home protected.

If you don’t already have a camera or an alarm system in place, it’s wise to explore your options and think about taking extra security measures. You could equip not only your home, but also yourself, to face any potential threats that could cause disturbance or damage. Be it burglars or unwanted wild animals, owning a shotgun could be one way to deter them from entering your property. However, ensure that you are aware of gun laws wherever you reside and that you can also handle a weapon as safely as possible. Do your research using online resources here and on other informative websites before you buy a shotgun to protect your home. Further, there are some very sophisticated, innovative products on the market, including cameras that link to your smartphone. Browse websites, read reviews, and compare features. Some products and systems may suit your requirements and your budget better than others. Once you’ve decided on the innovations you want to purchase, it’s a good idea to search for experts to get your system up and running for you, like a firm that specializes in Nest Smart device installation. Hiring professionals enables you to eliminate the hassle of setting the product up, and you can also learn how to adjust and program settings to suit your needs. With many modern gadgets and gizmos, you can use your phone to monitor your home when you’re not in and to receive updates and alerts.

As well as fitting deterrents to lower the risk of break-ins, it’s also crucial to avoid leaving windows and doors open and to make sure your social media accounts are set to private. If you’re posting photographs or tagging yourself in exotic locations, thieves will know that you’re not at home. Leaving a car parked in the driveway and asking your neighbors to collect your mail can also help to create the illusion that somebody is home.

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Creating tranquil zones

Many of us lead frantic lifestyles, and we often crave downtime. If you have a demanding job, you work long hours, or you’re raising kids, it’s so important that your home affords you the space you need to relax and unwind. Creating distinctive zones enables you to design a home that is practical and functional, but also serene and calm. Away from the hustle and bustle of the family kitchen and the playroom, use a spare room, an attic or even the landing to establish a sanctuary to read, listen to music, draw, write, paint or simply lie back and chill out. To add ambiance and induce relaxation, choose soothing tones and colors, add soft furnishings and low-level lighting, use diffusers or scented candles and finish with flowers or potted plants.

It is particularly important to ensure your bedroom is a quiet spot to retreat to after a busy day. Your sleeping environment has a significant impact on sleep quality. To make your bedroom more relaxing, choose neutral colors or soft pastels, avoid clutter and mess, opt for soft lighting and use blackout blinds or thick curtains to ensure total darkness when you turn out the lights. Before you go to bed, get into the habit of spending at least half an hour doing something that makes you feel calm. It’s beneficial to get your body and mind ready for sleep and to set a time for going to sleep and getting up in the morning so that your body clock adjusts.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/string-lights-hanged-on-bed-frame-1329711/

Reducing the risk of accidents

Some accidents are inevitable, especially if you have young children, but often, our homes harbor hazards. Damaged flooring, obstacles on the stairs, hidden steps and slippery floors can all increase the risk of trips and falls. If you have small kids at home, use stair gates to prevent them from tumbling down the steps and make sure you keep dangerous items, for example, medicines and cleaning products, in locked cupboards. It’s also essential to be mindful of the risks of house fires. Keep a close eye on the stove if you’re cooking, use fireguards if you have a fire roaring on a chilly day, and turn appliances off at the socket when you’re not using them. Avoid smoking indoors and invest in a fire blanket and a small fire extinguisher. If you don’t already have smoke detectors on every floor of your home, now is the time to buy and install new devices. You could even consider calling a company out for fire modelling services. That would allow you to see where a fire would be likely to spread in the house, helping you to create a safer escape route.

If you have children or pets, it’s essential to consider potential risks outside your home, as well as indoors. Fence off ponds and pools, secure fences and gates and avoid using pesticides or gardening products that could pose a risk to animals. You should also check the condition of paving, patios and decking on a regular basis and repair or replace broken or damaged planks or paving stones.

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Making the most of outdoor spaces

Many of us enjoy spending time in our gardens, and studies suggest that being outside in the open air improves mental health and wellbeing. If you’ve had a stressful day, or you’re tired, it’s wonderful to be able to get out into the garden, enjoy the evening sunshine and breathe in fresh air. Even if you only have a small yard, you can create an attractive space that provides a base for recharging your batteries and spending quality time with your family. To cater to the needs of children and adults, it’s a fantastic idea to section off parts of the garden or yard. Kids love growing plants or vegetables, playing games and having space to get their toys out and splash around in a paddling pool on a sunny day, while adults can benefit from peaceful spots to kick back and relax and social spaces to dine al fresco and catch up with friends. You can use different materials, for example, turf or astroturf, bark chippings, paving, gravel and wooden decking to separate areas and add furniture and accessories to inject serious style. Think free-standing lanterns, rattan chairs, blankets and cushions for the grown-ups and colorful beanbags, floor cushions and hammocks for the kids.

Picture via https://www.pexels.com/photo/house-surrounded-by-green-grass-below-clouds-and-sky-226407/

Is your home a heavenly haven, or is there work to do to create a tranquil, safe retreat that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed? If you’re looking to turn your house into a serene spot that is perfect for family life, there are several things you can do to enhance safety, reduce the risk of accidents and prevent break-ins, as well as steps you can take to promote mental wellbeing, enjoy spending quality time together and create the right ambiance. Securing your home, decluttering, cleaning and removing hazards can all help to keep you safe, while setting up peaceful areas, making the most of your outdoor space and designing soothing bedrooms will enable you to relax and enjoy every moment you spend at home.

Schools are closed. Playdates have been postponed. Summer vacations have been canceled.

The coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented time. It’s hard for adults, but it is probably even harder for kids. Keeping your kids engaged in fun activities can help keep them calm and happy. Luckily, we’re still allowed to go outside for exercise as it is an open and safe environment. With traffic at an all-time low, it’s never actually been safer to enjoy the great outdoors. The only thing you’ll need is suncream to protect from the sun, and maybe a good, strong pair of ballistic sunglasses if you’re thinking of going on a hike. And don’t forget a mask just in case!

There are so many safe things you can do outdoors that are low Covid-risk. Here are six activities you can do outside with your children while still safely practicing social distancing.

1. Take a stroll around the block.

Ride bikes, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblade around your neighborhood. You can also put your baby in the stroller, attach your Stroller Controller, and jog around the neighborhood. Fresh air will help ease some stress or just give you a change of scenery. This is an easy way for the whole family to get exercise and still safely stay at least 6 feet away from others.

2. Turn a nature walk into a scavenger hunt.

Create your own or print off a fun outdoor scavenger hunt for kids. Then put on your hiking boots and adventure through a nearby hiking trail. If parks and trails are closed in your area, go on a walk around your neighborhood or even your backyard. Maybe you can even plan for a linger hike by looking at walking routes provided by apps like Visorando – Walking planner or the ones like them that can offer free walking plans. That said, nature has a lot to offer, and you usually don’t have to go far to find it.

3. Play ball.

Grab your mitts and baseball and play catch in the backyard. Put on some knee pads, helmets, and rollerblades and play a little street hockey in the driveway. Since your kids aren’t having their regular gym class and their spring and summer sporting activities were probably canceled, playing sports at home turns exercising into a fun game.

4. Have a backyard campout.

If your backyard is big enough, teach your kids to set up a tent, and then let them color or read books in it before you make s’mores on the grill. After s’mores, you can stargaze and enjoy sleeping under the beautiful night sky.

5. Go fishing.

Fishing has always been a solitary sport, making it the perfect outdoor social distancing activity. So head to your favorite lake or find a nearby river and teach your kids to fish. Wherever you go, make sure to follow any local regulations. You may even be lucky enough to reel in dinner! Before you hop into the car check out best mid-west fishing spots and tell all your friends where you are heading.

6. Plant a garden.

If there’s ever been a time to create a family garden, it’s now. If you have space in your yard, do it there, but if you don’t, then build a garden box for your patio or porch. Let each family member take turns watering the garden and have a plant they’re responsible for if they’re old enough.

Remember that if you’re not in your own yard or driveway to keep a safe distance from others and try not to touch things that others may have touched. But above all, have fun with your kids! Fresh air and physical activity are just what the doctor ordered (or would order) for all of us right now.

Shopping eyewear online just got easier (and cooler!) with the launch of a new app from SmartBuyGlasses, developed by 6over6. 

The Lens Scanner allows customers to quickly and effortlessly perform their own eye test to retrieve their glasses prescription online. This advancement in digital healthcare technology is completely free of charge and set to revolutionize shopping for glasses online. Because as we all know, it is extremely important to look after your eye site. 

All you need are your current pair of glasses, a smartphone and a computer to obtain your free prescription. Simply download the app and follow the prompts to scan your current glasses’ prescription. Once the scan is complete, your prescription will be displayed on the screen. It will automatically be saved and added to any glasses you wish to purchase on the SmartBuyGlasses.com. 

The app is developed by 6over6, an Israeli tech start-up. The fact that the company was recently acquired by the American eyewear industry leader 1-800 Contacts is a testament to its success and continuous development. 

The Lens Scanner meets the industry guidelines for accuracy (ANSI-80.17) and has been developed to simplify the process of getting an accurate prescription reading, making it easier and cheaper to order new glasses online. The service extracts the optical parameters from your current glasses and as such, it does not replace an eye exam. Your current glasses prescription must be valid, typically within a 24 month period from when the initial prescription is issued at the conclusion of an eye exam. The app may not be used for multifocal or progressive lenses and for certain eye conditions, as the software cannot guarantee an accurate reading. A minimum age of 18 years is required for someone to use the app. For more details, please read the full terms and conditions. 

SmartBuyGlasses Lens Scanner is compatible with both iOS and Android and available for free in both the App Store and Google Play Store. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYUGfqQF-A&t=3s

About SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group, is one of the world’s leading designer eyewear e-retailers. With operations across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas, SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group has become the market leader in over 30 countries worldwide, including SmartBuyGlasses.com in the US and VisionDirect.com.au in Australia. They offer a catalogue of over 80,000 products from more than 180 brands. SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group works with certified and highly respected opticians to provide the latest news and accurate information regarding eye health to consumers. 

Keeping the air in our homes clean is just as important as it is challenging. Everyday items in our homes are accumulating dust and contain pollutants that most of us aren’t aware of and aren’t thinking about.

According to studies, the air quality inside a home can be up to five times worse than outside. Wondering what makes the air inside the house so dirty? Many factors contribute to poor indoor air quality. In particular, air pollution from outside enters through doors and windows contributing more to the impurity of indoor air. Remember that just as our lungs need to breathe to ensure that clean air enters and dirty air leaves, so do our homes. Human survival depends on being able to breathe and the fact that this air is pure makes a huge difference in that survival. Purified air is essential for a good quality of life, as it feeds the lungs, the blood, and, ultimately, the rest of the organs with oxygen. So, in order to purify air at home easily and quickly, homeowners can purchase a medical grade air purifier that can trap allergens, viruses, and microscopic particles to eliminate them before they can affect the health of the family members.

However, those who are in favour of implementing a simple at-home purifier instead of purchasing one can check out four of our favorite ways to keep your air clean!

1. Charcoal

We aren’t talking about what you use in your grill – activated bamboo charcoal goes through an activation process that helps it to oxidize, which then allows it to remove odors and contaminants in the air. Snag a charcoal air purifying bag and put it in your laundry room, bathroom, or really anywhere where you need a little extra help with odor and moisture. Not only is this a guilt-free, natural air purifier, but it eliminates the odor completely instead of just covering it up. Definitely a win-win!

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils are another great way to go. Not only have they been proven to lend aid to various aspects of one’s health, but they also do a wonderful job of purifying the air, all while leaving a great scent behind. Break out your diffuser and combine a few drops of essential oil with water and let it work its magic. Some good options for air purification include peppermint, chamomile, lavender, tea tree, and more. Try out a few and find which one you like best to keep your air clean and smelling fresh.

3. Beeswax Candles

What makes beeswax candles so great for air purification? Other than being all-natural, they have been proven to release negative ions into the air which neutralizes particles from air pollutants. Snag a few beeswax candles, spread them throughout your house, and light those babies to naturally purify your air. They are also fantastic for anyone who is sensitive to smell, giving off a subtle scent of honey and nectar.

4. Houseplants

Are you the kind of person that absolutely loves getting a new houseplant? Today is your lucky day because houseplants are another natural way to purify the air in your home! They get rid of pollutants in the air, water, and soil by absorbing the gases through their leaves. Plants like Spider Mums, Gerbera Daisies, English Ivy, and more are some of the best for air purification, but almost anything will do. Spread those air purifying plants around and leave them to work.

Whatever road you decide to take for natural air purification, you can find peace of mind in knowing that you are keeping the air in your home clean for you and your loved ones. Stock up on your air purifiers today!  

A lot of the time pregnancy is just one big ball of emotions. One day you’re going to be so full of joy at expecting your bundle of joy, the next you’ll wake up with a flurry of hormones that leave you feeling sick, confused, tired, and often worried. When we’re carrying a tiny human in our bodies everything is heightened. Sense of smell, touch, taste, and the ability to feel emotions are all on a high. So when you do feel like you’re going through a bit of a pregnancy worry stage, it can be really worrying. Your mind may start to think about all of the things that could be going wrong with your body, that might be wrong with the house, all of the money you need to save. The list of worries goes on, but you need to know that it’s so common for every single expecting mom to go through these periods of worry. If you’re going through one right now we’re going to try and relax your mind about a few worries you might have floating around in your mind. Keep on reading to find out more.

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Baby Worries

You will no doubt have so many baby worries on your mind at the minute. It’s so surreal to have so many fears about a baby you haven’t met yet, but you will no doubt have this overwhelming need to keep them safe. So you might start to worry about everything going on during their development. What we’d recommend to calm your nerves is to make sure you have all the relevant tests done to make sure your baby is developing as it should. There are certain tests that can check for disabilities, and having regular check ups ensures the baby is growing as it should be. Some women pay to go private to have more regular check ups than what the hospital provides.

Worries About Preparation

In the lead up to the final trimester, it can start to hit you that you actually need to have everything ready for your new baby when they arrive. You need to have all the usual things like a cot, blankets, nappies, bibs, clothes and a pram. You can find things like prams, high chairs and car seats on a site like https://nunababy.com/au/demi-grow-single-to-double-stroller, which should help you to feel more prepared. Essentials like these should be high on your priority list, and things like toys and bedroom decor can come after when your budget allows for it.

Worries About The World

There are so many worries about the world when life is relatively normal, so at the minute we know how stressed you might be about carrying a baby whilst Covid-19 is circulating. If there’s one thing to be sure about pregnancy during coronavirus, it’s that your baby is going to remain safe as long as you do. As a pregnant woman you should still be socially isolating to reduce the chance of infection. Eating a healthy balanced diet will also help to keep your immune system functioning well and yourself feeling more happy and healthy.

Worries About The Aftermath.

The worry about what’s going to be like after you give birth might be one of the biggest worries, especially if you’re a first time mum. Your worries will melt away as soon as your bundle of joy is born and you settle into a routine. Being a mom will come naturally, it’s finding the routine that most women struggle with. Hopefully you will have a supportive father of the baby, if not make sure that you lean on family and friends to support you.

Most people try to start some sort of savings plan because we all know that sometimes cars break down and need a mechanic, and things like our fridge suddenly stop working, and we are in need of an appliance repair. But how do you start saving when you don’t have a lot to put away? 

There isn’t an easy answer, but there is a range of small steps you can take to help you start a small savings plan. 

Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash

Debt

This might be one of the scariest things to deal with, but once the debt is all paid off, it can free up a lot of money. And that money can go into your savings. If you are only paying off the interest, you might just find that you feel like you aren’t paying off anything at all. Make a list of everything that you need to pay off, and then start looking at which ones you can tackle more easily. 

Small Amounts

You don’t need to save huge chunks of cash to start a small fund. Instead, you can say smaller amounts on a weekly basis. Even a few dollars a week will add up over the year. Automated savings applications can help, they calculate what you can safely save, or can round up on what you do spend and put a small amount away every week. 

Separate

If your savings and primary income are in the same account, it might be time to look at opening a bank account that is designed for your savings. This way, you won’t accidentally spend money that you had wanted to save. If you do this, make sure that your separate account is easy to access in case of an emergency. 

Goals

Have a goal in mind. Is your money for a house deposit? Or perhaps you want to save for the vacation of a lifetime. It might be as simple as you want to have enough money set aside ‘just in case.’ Whatever your reason for saving up, write a financial goal down. 

Pressure

Try not to put pressure on yourself to put money in your savings and paying off everything as fast as possible. Money is often a significant source of stress; take it slow and think of it as something you want to do and need to do. But don’t beat yourself up when you need to dip into the savings or don’t hit your monthly goals. Ease the pressure, enjoy the savings. 

Pay Day 

One of the ways you are less likely to miss any money, no matter how small the amount you are saving is to make sure that you set it aside as soon as you are paid. If you wait until later in the month, you might find that it disappears on things you might not need because it’s ‘spare.’ 

It is a good idea to write everything down on a monthly basis, this will give you the figures of your savings, and give you the encouragement you need to keep going.