Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 83

Rejuvenate Your Work Space With These 4 Accessories

by Guest Author

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Rejuvenate Your Work Space With These 4 Accessories

Small as it is, your work space says a lot about you. At the same time, the way your table or cubicle is set up can easily affect the way you work and how you handle the stressors thrown at you on a daily basis. From time to time, you’ll need to change up the look and feel of your office to fit your personality, as well as to enhance your productivity and help you deal with stress. Here are a few small work space upgrades that can boost your concentration, productivity and efficiency:

An indoor fountain: Ideally, your office space should shield you from noise and other forms of distraction that can steal your attention from your work. In real life, however, you can’t completely avoid distracting conversations or music from the other people you share your office space with. To work around this, some people listen to ambient sounds that help them keep their focus. Others, however, go the extra mile by bringing a tabletop water feature, like a small fountain, to work. The sight and sound of flowing water from this tiny accessory can drown out unwanted noises without requiring you to use your headset. In addition, the natural noise it produces can be quite soothing , particularly during highly stressful times. If your company has the budget for it, you can suggest getting a bigger fountain that can impress guests and help purify and humidify the air inside your office.
An ergonomic chair: In an office setting, it’s inevitable that you’ll be spending most of your time sitting down. To reduce the pressure on your lower back and to avoid body pain brought about by poor posture, you must have a chair that’s designed to support the rest of your body properly. An ergonomic chair allows you to sit naturally and minimizes the strain and aches that can be caused by sitting for too long. There are many models available commercially, but choose one that provides ample lower back support. Additionally, even if you already have a comfy chair, it’s still a healthy decision to stand up and walk or stretch periodically.
A potted plant: Add color to your desk by taking care of a small plant. This living accessory not only adds a refreshing green spot to your cubicle or table, but it also helps purify the air, alleviates stress and improves concentration. However, since a plant is a living thing, you need to take care of it properly by giving it enough water and, if needed, providing it with enough sunlight. If you have limited space, you can always go with a small succulent or bonsai. You can also pair your potted plant with a small water fountain if you want to give your space a nature-inspired design.
An inspiration board: If your bare and utilitarian work space is making you feel stressed out, then you can make it a bit more homey and lived-in by adding a few of your personal belongings to it. Nothing too fancy or huge. Think simple, like a picture of your family or loved ones, or perhaps a small desktop trinket that speaks about you, your hobbies or your goals. Just make sure that you avoid cluttering up the space, as a disorderly table can have a negative impact on productivity. Add your personal effects to your desk but leave enough space for you to work effectively and efficiently.

Before you add anything to your table, first check the office rules. You want your items to still be there when you come to work the next day! If you do get the green light, then by all means, decorate away to create a space that encourages productivity, calm, focus and efficiency.

The article Rejuvenate Your Work Space With These 4 Accessories by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Back Pain? How to Safely Train at the Gym

by Guest Author

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One of the most common ailments an athlete experiences is back pain. Whether it shoots down the region of your leg and buttocks or it’s an irritating soreness that hits the mid to lower areas of the back, a bad back can be an annoying barrier that prevents you from achieving your fitness goals. So, how do you safely train at the gym when you have a bad back?

Start Out Slow

Back pain can happen for a number of reasons. It can be as simple as picking up something off the floor or a wrong move on a nature walk with the kids. It can also come from poor form or repeated high impact exercises. If you lift weights, the bending and heavy lifting can also take a toll on your back over time. If you’re looking to train at the gym with a bad back, you want to start out slow. Keep your weights on the lower end and gradually increase the amount that you lift over time. You also want to focus on your core muscles as they can help reduce injury and provide support to your back muscles.

Enlist the Help of a Back Specialist

Getting sidelined at the gym due to an injury can prove frustrating, especially if you’re unable to work out for weeks at a time. Organizations like AICA Orthopedics can help you to find personalized care for your back pain, so you can recover quickly and get back to your active lifestyle. They also provide an assortment of non-surgical and surgical options that will allow your back to heal and you manage the pain.

Learn the Proper Techniques

If you’ve suffered a previous back injury, you may want to take a look at your form. A great way to learn the proper techniques is through a certified trainer. This professional has gone through extensive training and can offer tips on the right stance and arm movements. A trainer at the gym will also be able to show you how to use each piece of equipment to the best of your ability. If you’re recovering from an injury, they may also be able to provide alternative exercises that can protect the back or increase its strength. Although it may cost additional money to seek the assistance of a trainer, it can be worth every penny if they can prevent you from re-injuring your back.

Incorporate Other Back-Friendly Exercises

Whether your training consists of lifting weights or running, you want to incorporate other back-friendly exercises into your fitness routine. Workouts such as stair climbing, biking, swimming, walking and stretching can keep the back feeling limber and relaxed. The activities also give your back a much needed break from the excessive pounding and strain that you put your body through during training. Because you use different muscles, varying your exercise routine also allows you to strengthen your core muscles. This is especially important, as the core of the body is what assists you in reducing back pain.

Take Time to Rest

Although you may want to shed pounds and get in better shape, your body needs time to rest in between workouts. You can prevent back pain by developing a plan that allows you to fit in cardio, stretching and weights into your training schedule. Include two or more days of rest in between exercising. If you suffer from reccurring back pain, you also want to listen to your body. Twinges, discomfort and pain are signs that you need to rest. You can still stay limber and in shape with walking and stretching exercises.

Find the Necessary Support

A back specialist and a certified trainer are excellent support resources when you want to train with a back injury. But you may also need other support mechanisms, such as a back brace. Whether your injury stems from improper lifting, strained muscles, genetics, arthritis or an awkward movement, a back brace can provide support to the weakened or injured muscles. Rigid back braces are produced with a more serious injury in mind and restrict a person’s movement. Soft braces are usually constructed with elastic. As a person moves, the brace stabilizes the muscles as a person goes about their busy day.

For anyone who has ever dealt with back pain, you know how quickly the discomfort can take control of your life. But if you’re looking to train, you can still stay in shape and stay aware of your back pain. The above tips will also prove helpful in strengthening your body and preventing future back injuries.

The article Back Pain? How to Safely Train at the Gym by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

4 Reasons to Consider Alpha Lipoic Acid for Neuropathy

by Guest Author

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Alpha lipoic acid of the mitochondrial family is a fatty acid that fights against oxidation and inflammation. It is among the top fatty acids in energy metabolism. The body can synthesize this fatty acid when you consume meat, fruits and some vegetables.

Also found in supplement form, alpha lipoic (or ALA) has proven itself as a great weapon against inflammation and oxidation. Additional benefits include protection against heart and liver disease and neurological slump brought about by age.

Let’s take a comprehensive look at the top four reasons you should consider taking alpha-lipoic acid for neuropathy.

1. Relieves Neuropathic Pain

ALA is a clinically proven remedy for decreasing pain in conditions that affect the pelvis and lower-back. This anesthetic action also applies to neuropathic pain. A study revealed that neuropathy patients reported a decrease in various pain-related conditions, like burning sensations, superficial pain and pain intensity after taking ALA.

A 2015 research study discovered that ALA contains anti-allodynic properties that lessen neuropathic pain. Allodynia is pain resulting from a stimulus that doesn’t typically cause pain.

2. Safe and Effective in Diabetic Neuropathy

ALA – an insulin-emulative – assists in managing diabetes by balancing insulin levels, reducing inflammation and enhancing antioxidant defenses. A study printed in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders contrasted the effects of conventional therapy–pregabalin and carbamazepine– with ALA in diabetic neuropathy. A decrease in neuropathic pain was reported in all groups. However, the quickest pain relief was noted in pregabalin, followed by ALA.

3. Protects Nerve Health

ALA exhibits its antioxidant properties in numerous ways. Being a nerve support supplement, ALA lessens oxidative damage and helps in exercise-generated muscle damage repair. Oxidative imbalance or stress between antioxidant and pro-oxidant agents in our bodies is recognized as one of the causative elements of neuropathy. Extremely high glucose levels in people with diabetes creates systemic oxidative strain, resulting in nerve cell damage. Studies suggest that ALA–an antioxidant–curtails nerve cell damage in diabetic neuropathy.  

Additionally, ALA’s antioxidant traits are valuable in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, as it safeguards nerve cells from noxiousness. These activities also help in the healing of minor nerve injuries.

4. Benefits Healing Post-Neurotoxicity

Thiols are chemical compounds of particular importance when it comes to the brain’s antioxidant defenses. ALA is one such thiol antioxidant that bears neuro-protective properties. ALA cuts across the blood-brain impediment and augments the brain’s antioxidant defenses. In addition, ALA wields neuro-protective action during entrapment neuropathy, and it safeguards the brain’s neurons and astrocytes against perishing in reaction to nerve injury.  

In summary

ALA combines neuroprotective and antioxidant actions in neuropathy treatment. Research reveals that ALA is effective in diabetic neuropathy management. ALA also alleviates neuropathic pain and is a safe and affordable option compared to other pain relief medications.

More research is needed to determine ALA’s effectiveness when used together with alternative therapeutic agents and whether it’s healthy in the long-term.

The article 4 Reasons to Consider Alpha Lipoic Acid for Neuropathy by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

April is National Stress Awareness Month

by Susan Bowerman, M.S., RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress Eating – Exchanging Unhealthy Habits for Healthier Habits

Stress happens and, when it does, many people turn to chips, cookies or the candy and other junk food for comfort. At any given time, we have all turned to food to comfort us when we are dealing with a stressful situation. Whether you are looking to change one, two, or more bad habits, there are some basic principles to consider when it comes to navigating your way through the behavior change process. Registered dietitian Susan Bowerman offers the following tips for smoother sailing:

Create a meal plan. When you write out a detailed meal plan, it helps to firm up your commitment. When you create your menus, you can also map out how you’ll spend your calories. You can also use your menus to organize a detailed shopping list and meal prep for a few days at a time.

Eat five times a day. Plan to have three meals and two small snacks, and try to eat every 3-4 hours. It makes it easier to eat smaller portions at meals and snacks when you know you’ll be eating every few hours. Your snacks can be mid-morning, mid-afternoon, or evening—it’s up to you. If you have a busy schedule, you might want to consider meal replacement protein shakes, including Herbalife Formula 1 Roasted Peanut flavor, which contains 21 essential vitamins and minerals.

Eat more vegetables than fruits, eat more fruits than starches. Aim to get most of your carbohydrates from veggies and salads. Keep your fruit intake to just one or two servings per day and skip the starches. Vegetables have the fewest calories per bite, but they’re filling and nutritious, so load up on salads and cooked vegetables. Have your fruit as a snack or add it to your protein shakes.

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Start every meal with a glass of water. A glass of water won’t necessarily fill you up very much, or for very long, but many people find that it does help. Many people do not drink as much fluid as they should, so starting each meal with a glass of water may help to establish this healthy habit.

While you might find it hard to incorporate all of these tips in one day, adopting one or two healthy habits weekly will get you on the path to a healthier and happier life.

For more nutrition tips and recipes by Susan visit DiscoverGoodNutrition.

 

 

The article April is National Stress Awareness Month by Susan Bowerman, M.S., RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Are You a Woman with an Image?

by Rachel Duran

I think that women often have an image of themselves based on what we think we should look like or by the titles we hold. Unfortunately, in my opinion, appearance and ‘titles’ can have too much influence on the image a woman develops. I want a woman to have a self-image based more from her character, presence, personality, self-worth and love. Any woman can have gravitas, sometimes she just must develop it. Frequently, our society places too much emphasis on success based on education, degrees obtained, credentials, etc. In addition, for women success is highly intertwined with their appearance.

How often as a woman have you been asked by acquaintances, peers, co-workers, neighborhood or school moms questions such as; what college did you go to? What do you do for work? Where do you live? How many children do you have? Do we need justification to make us feel successful? I don’t think so, but it is common to feel that way. As women, unfortunately we put a lot of emphasis on both how we see ourselves physically or how we think others perceive us. Do we need to have titles or degrees to feel successful or accomplished? Or do we have a beach body to feel attractive? I don’t think women need to look like a fitness model to feel sexy or voluptuous? I don’t want women to feel like they should have to hide under our clothes, or under our own skin. I think we should embrace the beauty within us.

I feel that our mindset or perception of ourselves can cause an absence of emotion or enthusiasm. This ‘negativity’ then overpowers our mind, body and soul. This results in not allowing positive thoughts and energy to allow happiness into our hearts. Women often get stuck in a dangerous self-destructive path. It affects our ability to love, laugh and live. We tend to be so unkind to ourselves and our bodies just because of what we think how others perceive us. Some of us may be lucky to have a beautiful body and some of us must have to work at creating the body we desire. It’s okay to be uniquely different! We should never allow anyone to make us feel unattractive in our own body! In conclusion it is important for women to recognize that all the ‘negative self-talk’ can lead us to believing we’re not worthy of success, love, happiness or a life full of abundance. It is re-learning how to bring positive thinking back into your mind, body and spirit and having gratitude inside your heart and soul.

Here are a few tips to reconnect and rewire your mind:

Tip One: I challenge you to say three positive things about yourself and your body in the mirror EVERYDAY. (First start with clothing on but once you are comfortable do so while naked)

Tip Two: I WANT you to start your morning with an “I AM STATEMENT” (example “I am beautiful” etc.)

Tip Three: You will give yourself some me time for 10-15 minutes each day. (read a book, listen to an audiobook, listen to a positive podcast, listen to positive affirmations, take a walk, etc.).

(I listen to a podcast as I am walking my dog or while I am on my HIIT run/walk. I also read a book as I am waiting in line to pick up my son from school or I read one chapter in the bath tub). Tip Three can be done if you make the time for yourself to allow yourself the 10-15 minutes.

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Life is full of love, kindness and happiness. You just must look at it from your heart, so open your heart and look at the beauty around you. It will be amazing once you see the world has beauty and love.

 

 

The article Are You a Woman with an Image? by Rachel Duran appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Are you a woman with an image?

by Rachel Duran

 

I think that women often have an image of themselves based on what we think we should look like or by the titles we hold. Unfortunately, in my opinion, appearance and ‘titles’ can have too much influence on the image a woman develops. I want a woman to have a self-image based more from her character, presence, personality, self-worth and love. Any woman can have gravitas, sometimes she just must develop it. Frequently, our society places too much emphasis on success based on education, degrees obtained, credentials, etc. In addition, for women success is highly intertwined with their appearance.

How often as a woman have you been asked by acquaintances, peers, co-workers, neighborhood or school moms questions such as; what college did you go to? What do you do for work? Where do you live? How many children do you have? Do we need justification to make us feel successful? I don’t think so, but it is common to feel that way. As women, unfortunately we put a lot of emphasis on both how we see ourselves physically or how we think others perceive us. Do we need to have titles or degrees to feel successful or accomplished? Or do we have a beach body to feel attractive? I don’t think women need to look like a fitness model to feel sexy or voluptuous? I don’t want women to feel like they should have to hide under our clothes, or under our own skin. I think we should embrace the beauty within us.

I feel that our mindset or perception of ourselves can cause an absence of emotion or enthusiasm. This ‘negativity’ then overpowers our mind, body and soul. This results in not allowing positive thoughts and energy to allow happiness into our hearts. Women often get stuck in a dangerous self-destructive path. It affects our ability to love, laugh and live. We tend to be so unkind to ourselves and our bodies just because of what we think how others perceive us. Some of us may be lucky to have a beautiful body and some of us must have to work at creating the body we desire. It’s okay to be uniquely different! We should never allow anyone to make us feel unattractive in our own body! In conclusion it is important for women to recognize that all the ‘negative self-talk’ can lead us to believing we’re not worthy of success, love, happiness or a life full of abundance. It is re-learning how to bring positive thinking back into your mind, body and spirit and having gratitude inside your heart and soul.

Here are a few tips to reconnect and rewire your mind:

Tip One: I challenge you to say three positive things about yourself and your body in the mirror EVERYDAY. (First start with clothing on but once you are comfortable do so while naked)

Tip Two: I WANT you to start your morning with an “I AM STATEMENT” (example “I am beautiful” etc.)

Tip Three: You will give yourself some me time for 10-15 minutes each day. (read a book, listen to an audiobook, listen to a positive podcast, listen to positive affirmations, take a walk, etc.).

(I listen to a podcast as I am walking my dog or while I am on my HIIT run/walk. I also read a book as I am waiting in line to pick up my son from school or I read one chapter in the bath tub). Tip Three can be done if you make the time for yourself to allow yourself the 10-15 minutes.

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Life is full of love, kindness and happiness. You just must look at it from your heart, so open your heart and look at the beauty around you. It will be amazing once you see the world has beauty and love.

 

 

The article Are you a woman with an image? by Rachel Duran appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

10 Dangers in Your Home and What to Do About Them

by Hilary Thompson

Creating a safe home environment is your top priority. However, there are a number of serious health hazards that lurk around your home, including floods, fires, and choking hazards. Thankfully, there are a number of precautions you can take to eliminate these hazards and keep your family safe. Take a look at 10 common dangers in your home and what you can do to protect your family.

 

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning. High levels of carbon monoxide in the home can cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, impaired vision and even death. Carbon monoxide is impossible to detect by smell, sight, or sound. To ward off carbon monoxide-related injuries, you should install a carbon monoxide detector. These detectors plug into the wall and immediately alert you if carbon monoxide levels get too high.

 

 

 

Drowning. Drownings aren’t just an outdoor risk, they’re an indoor risk as well. Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drownings. Of these 10, two are children aged 14 and younger. To help prevent accidental drownings in the home, you should closely monitor infants, young children, elders, or the mentally handicapped during bathtime and ensure that hot tubs and swimming pools are gated.

 

 

 

Burns. The convenient appliances used everyday in the home can pose a risk for burns, especially for young children. There are approximately 450,000 people who receive medical attention for burns every year. Curious, little fingers often come across hot surfaces that can result in serious burns. This includes stoves, hot pans and plates, fireplaces, and large amounts of steam. To reduce the risk of burns, make sure your dishwasher is securely latched to avoid being scalded by steam. Use back burners and stove knobs to reduce the chance of stove burnings.

 

 

Poisoning. There were over two million poisoning related incidents in 2016. Several household items present poisoning hazards, including household cleaning items and maintenance supplies. A little diligence and taking the right steps can decrease the chance of anyone in your family becoming a victim. By properly storing medications, keeping paint out of reach, and securing chemicals, you avoid the chance of family members accidentally ingesting poison.

 

 

Fires. Candles and unattended appliances could lead to an accidental fire in the home, resulting in extensive damage to your property and belongings. Fires cause an estimated $7.3 billion in property damage and claims 2,500 lives each year in the US. Luckily, there are number of things you can do to prevent fires. Regularly checking your fire alarms and changing the batteries ensures you have adequate warning, should a fire occur. Keep candles away from curtains or loose materias. Ensure all appliances are in good working order to reduce the chance of a fire.

 

 

 

Mold. You can expect to find mold in your home in moist, damp areas or in places with poor ventilation. According to the Mayo Clinic, mold spores can trigger asthma attacks and lung infections in people with chronic respiratory disease. To eliminate mold from  your home maintain a consistent cleaning schedule. Also, you should always,thoroughly dry carpet, drywall, and insulation. Discard any that was left wet for two or more days—this is a breeding ground for mold spores. Always ensure your home is well-ventilated.

 

 

 

Flooding. Water can wreak havoc on your home. Over the past 20 years, flooding disasters affected more than 2.3 billion people. Floodwater causes damage to a home’s foundation, insulation, drywall, flooring, and electrical systems. To prepare for water damage, direct rain gutters away from the house, set up barriers, and purchase insurance if you live in a high-flood area.

 

 

 

Fireplaces. Whether it’s wood, gas, or electric, there are a number of potential hazards your fireplace holds. Gas fireplaces are particularly dangerous in the home—especially for children. They can increase levels of carbon monoxide in the house and can increase the chance for burns. There are a few tips for keeping safe around your gas fireplace. Installing barriers, turning the fireplace off, and monitoring your children around the fireplace decreases the chance of your children harming themselves.

 

 

 

Choking hazards. There are a number of items around the home that pose a potential choking threat to children. In fact, choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under five. Most of the biggest household choking hazards come from small toys and hard food that can easily block the airway. To keep your home choke-free, remove any small toys or loose parts that little hands can pick up. You’ll also want to keep small, hard foods (like nuts or hard candy) out of reach of children. Be sure to monitor children during meals, as well.

 

 

 

Cuts. Cuts and scratches can happen to anyone in your family, at any time. There are a number of common household items that contain sharp edges on which cuts can occur. To prevent cuts from occuring, there are a number of precautions you can take. Safely storing kitchen supplies, putting away yard tools, pointing knives and forks down in the dishwasher and in drawers, and closing the trash can all reduce the chance of cuts in the home.

 

 

Nothing is more important than keeping your family safe. There are a number of potential hazards in your home that can pose danger to you and your family. Knowing what to look out for and what precautions you can take makes your job as protector a little bit easier.

The article 10 Dangers in Your Home and What to Do About Them by Hilary Thompson appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

What to do With Photos on Your Phone

by Cascia Talbert

Do you have way too many photos on your phone? If you answered yes below are some suggestions on what you can do with all those photos. Taking photos has become a lot easier today. People snap images any time they want by just using their cell phone. Moms can capture every precious moment as their children grow up. The days of dropping off film to be developed are over. But now that you have thousands of photos on your cell phone, what are you going to do with them?

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What to do With Photos on Your Phone

Take Your Phone to Your Local Photo Center and Print Them All

Averaging about 20 cents a photo this sounds like a great idea, however, printing all of them would cost roughly $200. If you just want to preserve the best ones it might take you a while to find them all. Uploading thousands of photos to a computer kiosk takes a long time as well. Printing all your photos would not be a good solution.

Save them on Your Computer or the Cloud

All you need to do is plug your phone into your computer, make a few clicks to get the upload started and walk away. In a couple of hours you will have thousands of memories saved. Go ahead and delete them from your phone. But this doesn’t solve your problem. You still have thousands of photos.  So, now what are you going to do with them?

Email Them to Friends and Family

You have a photo of little Joey sitting on Grandma’s lap. Send her a copy.  You snapped a shot of a beautiful rainbow last month and cousin Amanda loves rainbows. Shoot her an email with the rainbow as an attachment. You went out with the girls Friday night and the waitress took a photo of all of you with your cell phone. Email it to your friends.  We all share our photos with our friends and family, but they are still on our phones.  Those photos you sent are now added to the already thousands of photos on your friends and family’s phones. This doesn’t solve the problem either.

Share them on Facebook

Everyone has a Facebook page. Moms and Grandparents love to share the latest stories and images of their children and grandchildren. Most people can’t stand the Facebook friends that share dozens and dozens of photos every single day.  Facebook notification: Jane added 24 photos.  Didn’t she just add 50 yesterday? Oh, and she tagged you in 16 of them. Nobody wants to be Jane on Facebook. Sharing your photos on Facebook is another bad idea.

What Should You do With Photos on Your Phone?

Why do we take photos with our phones? The main reason why people take so many photos is to preserve memories. Having them just sit in our cell phones is not the best way to preserve the memories. Back before cell phones we would use a regular camera that took film. Remember those? Then we would drop the film off to get developed or mail it in to a photo center. We were then able to hold those images in our hands and save the best ones in photo albums. Now times have changed and there are better ways to get your photos printed.

CanvasPop offers the best solutions to preserve your favorite photos from your cell phone.  Taking your image and turning it into a beautiful photo pillow is so simple. These pillows look amazing and match any home decor. Your friends and family will be impressed when they see your child’s face printed on a pillow.  These pillows are American made and so easy to make.  Visit canvaspop.com, scroll down and click on photo pillows, pick your photo, customize your pillow and decorate your home.

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Your pillows will be the perfect personalized touch to any space. After ordering your pillow, CanvasPop can transform your other photos into gorgeous canvas prints for your walls. They use the highest quality canvas available and professional printing technology. Each canvas print is laminated by hand. CanvasPop protects what is important to you ensuring that your memories last a lifetime. Their canvas prints are coated with a protective, scratch-resistant UV laminate, so you don’t have to worry about damage or fading.  They are also hand crafted in the USA and stretched by hand.  Visit CanvasPop today and order your custom pillow and canvas prints.

 

The article What to do With Photos on Your Phone by Cascia Talbert appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Create a Game Plan and Keep Your Family Safe During Spring Break

by Guest Author

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Ready or not, here comes Spring break!

What you want: Fun for the whole family

What you want to avoid: Accidents and misadventures

Just as with any other holiday, there are pitfalls to skirt around. But with preparation and planning, you can have a good time while steering clear of time and money-draining mishaps. Need a game plan for family safety? We have you covered.

Plot Out a Family Calendar of Events For Spring Break

Having a clear itinerary for each day will help you spot where the holes are, and at what times your kids might need something to do. It’s not that you need to be entertaining them the whole day, but you do need to have a basic idea of where they will be and which parent will be on call. This is particularly true if they are at an age where they still need supervision. Many fatal accidents and tragic stories stem from children left at home alone without a grownup nearby. Prevent that from becoming your story.

Don’t Forget About Your Teen!

It might seem cliché, but around this time of year, headlines often show teens engaging in dangerous party behavior, resulting in tragic consequences. And statistics show a spike in DUI arrests. Teens need to be educated about how dangerous certain behaviors are and how detrimental certain actions can be to their future.

According to Noll Law Office, criminal defense attorneys in Springfield IL, “In some instances, your driver’s license may be revoked without a hearing. For example, if you are charged with DUI and get involved in a crash that lead to serious injury or fatality, the Secretary of the State may take away your right to drive completely.”

No matter how much your teens dislike your pep talks, help them avoid fateful mistakes.

Keep the Sunscreen on Hand

Planning on spending time in the springtime rays? Just be sure to cover your whole crew up with sunscreen, hats and other protective gear. The actions you take now will help your children carry these healthy habits with them into adulthood. But of course, that’s not the only reason to be wearing sunscreen. The primary reason is protection from skin cancer. According to SkinCancer.org, more Americans are diagnosed with this cancer than all other cancers combined.

Tips for sun protection include avoiding hours when the sun is at its peak, which is between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. If you do want to be outdoors during this time, pick shady spots and make sure everyone is wearing hats and clothes that cover most of the skin. Additionally, always apply sunscreen. These guidelines apply even for cloudy days, as the sun’s rays can still pierce cloud coverings.

Be Extra Careful Around Water

Among fatalities from preventable accidents, drowning takes the lead for children under the age of 5. It is also the second leading cause of fatality for children between the ages of 5 and 14. During spring and summer, the rates of drowning increase, as families take their children to play at pools and beaches. The devastating part of this is that all drownings are preventable by proper oversight. Never leave your child alone near a body of water. It only takes 2 minutes for a child to lose consciousness in the water, and 4 minutes for brain damage to occur. A good rule of thumb is to always stay within arm’s reach when your kids are splashing about in a kiddy pool or even the bathtub.

Keep Diet Health and Food Safety in Mind

What does vacation time mean at your house when it comes to food? Do you barbecue more? Eat out at restaurants more frequently than usual? Pack up your food and eat at a park? It’s great to change up your regular eating routine from time to time. But such changes can mean forgetting to stick with your usual healthy eating plan. Or food safety precautions. Dining out increases your family’s sugar and salt intake, which is fine from time to time while you are on vacation, but it isn’t good for one’s health on a long-term basis. Make sure that everyone still gets the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables on a regular basis.

Also, make sure kids wash their hands before they start to eat, even when eating at a restaurant or when enjoying a picnic. Don’t leave your packed picnic in the car without it being kept at an appropriately cool temperature. Spoiled food can lead to food poisoning and unpleasantness for the whole family.

The article Create a Game Plan and Keep Your Family Safe During Spring Break by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Ensure Your Travel and Vacation Safety With These Steps

by Guest Author

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Vacations are usually fun, but they sadly don’t always end that way. Let’s start with a bit of a morbid list: the top 10 causes of death for Americans on vacation:

Maritime Accidents

Natural Disasters

Drug-related crime

Terrorist action

Air accidents

Drowning

Other accidents

Suicide

Homicide

Car accidents

As a silver lining, the vast majority of Americans will never have to deal with these kinds of tragedy during their travels. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t subject to other potential issues both during their trip and at home while they are gone. The vast majority of these incidents can be sidestepped with just a little planning and effort. Here’s how to put it together.

Safety Before You Leave

While you’re thinking about your fun trip, is anyone thinking about the safety of your home or apartment? This could mark a prime time for robbery, and criminals may take advantage if you make it obvious you are gone. For starters, try to put a stop order for mail and newspapers with your local post office. A pile of mail is an indicator that no one’s home. In the same mindset, don’t be in a rush to advertise all over social media that you’re going away. You never know who may be watching.

Sometimes, there are other ways you want to keep safe. For example, during cold months there is a real risk of pipes bursting, especially if you’re not around to shut off the water. Consider leaving a key with a trusted friend to make sure they check your faucets. You also want to make sure all that your appliances are unplugged before long trips to protect from power surges.

Safety While You’re Away

Depending on where you are traveling, it may be worth it to try and implement a little good practice in terms of protecting your money and valuables. While you may physically be okay if something is stolen, it can easily disrupt your entire trip and potentially lead to issues when you get home. For one, make copies of your ID and passport, and store them separately. Travelers abroad can make use of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service for U.S. citizens and nationals. This allows them to enroll with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which can assist during an emergency, such as a lost or stolen passport.

By the same token, be mindful of how your wallet is set up. Some people use “false wallets” to deter pickpockets, and there are other things you can do, as well. Make sure you only carry the cards you plan on using, and avoid unnecessarily flashing your wealth. Similar to social media at home, there’s no need to potentially set yourself up for a crime of opportunity.

Of course, you need to account for the possibility of having an accident on vacation, as well. This can occur due to a number of different reasons. For example, different states and countries have different traffic laws, and not being aware of them can lead to a potential accident.  Combine this with the fact that many people take advantage of their trip with a little bit of recreation. While you can make memories to last a lifetime, there are also plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong. Here are a few activities that may require more thought for your safety before jumping in:

Skiing
Snowboarding
Boating
Watersports
Hiking
Biking
Ziplining
Parasailing

And this is only the beginning. To hedge your bets in this area, there are a few things you can do. Start by doing research on potential medical options, especially if you are traveling in an area where the standards aren’t up to most Western countries. Also have an emergency contact in case you are traveling alone and need emergency services to reach out quickly to friends or family.

The good news about this type of care is that you don’t have to let fear linger over your vacation. In reality, most of the work in this area is done before your trip even starts. Taking the time to invest in safety now will save you a lot of potential concern later. Just treat it as a step, the same way as you would with booking your hotel or planning out what attractions you will visit.

The article Ensure Your Travel and Vacation Safety With These Steps by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.