Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Jul11

What You Should Know About Pre-Diabetes

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What You Should Know About Pre-Diabetes

While having pre-diabetes does not mean that you’ll automatically develop Type 2 diabetes, it is still a serious health problem. This is because it means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal (although not high enough to be classified as diabetes), which then raises your risks for developing not just Type 2 diabetes, but stroke and heart disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one out of three American adults (approximately 84 million) have pre-diabetes. The sad part, is 90% of people with this condition don’t even know that they have it. Pre-diabetes often goes undetected as you can still have this condition for years but experience no clear symptoms.

Borderline diabetes and its risk factors:

Pre-diabetes refers to the stage right before developing full-blown diabetes. It increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (five to ten times higher than those normal blood sugar levels) within ten years unless you change and improve your lifestyle. Diabetes management centers in American Fork note that this means losing weight if you are overweight and getting more exercise.

Pre-diabetes has no clear symptoms, but there are some risk factors you need to be aware of. This makes it important to consult your primary care physician and have your blood sugar tested, especially if you have the following risk factors for pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Being 45 years or older
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs during pregnancy) or have given birth to a baby weighing nine or more pounds
  • Being physically inactive habitually
  • Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Identifying pre-diabetes:

If you are at high risk for diabetes, your doctor can conduct a test to confirm the diagnosis. These include:

  • A1C – Measures the average of your blood sugar levels for over three months
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) – Checks blood sugar levels after not consuming anything other than water for the last eight hours
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) – An optional two-hour test that measures your glucose levels two hours before and after consuming a syrupy glucose drink

You can learn more about the recommended tests for identifying prediabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NDDKD).

Preventing or delaying diabetes:

If your doctor tells you that you have pre-diabetes, do take note that this does not necessarily mean that you’ll eventually be diagnosed with diabetes. It is best to engage in positive lifestyle changes or ask your doctor for recommendations in delaying or reversing the course of diabetes. Some of the things that can help include:

  • Quitting smoking if you do
  • Working with a dietician to eat healthily
  • Losing weight if you are overweight (losing about 5 to 10%  your weight can significantly lower your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes)
  • Working with a trained coach to get more exercise or physical activity
  • Managing stress
  • Getting support from those with similar challenges

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Learn more about diabetes and your risk of developing it by contacting your primary care physician. You should also make an extra effort in adopting positive lifestyle changes to lower your risk of diabetes and other serious health problems.

Jul11

What You Should Know About Traumatic Brain Injury

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What You Should Know About Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) could be a result of an impact blow, jolt, or bump to the head or serious head injury that interferes with brain’s normal functions. However, not all jolts or blows to the head will cause TBI. A TBI can be mild to severe, with mild TBI characterized as a fleeting change in consciousness or mental state, and severe TBI characterized as a prolonged period of amnesia or unconsciousness following the injury. A traumatic brain injury can likewise cause many different psychological disturbances that range from minor disturbances to severe emotional and intellectual impairments such as psychosis, mood disorders, behavioral issues, anxiety disorder, and depression.

How a Traumatic Brain Injury Impacts Your Mood:

Depending on the severity of your injury, it could change how you express and/or feel emotions. In some cases, affected individuals might feel their emotions intensely and very swiftly, or feel like riding a rollercoaster of emotions. This is known as emotional liability. The main problem with this, is that their emotional responses are usually unprovoked and come very suddenly, which could be extremely confusing for other people who might be thinking that they did or said something to offend or distraught the affected individual. Understandably, the side effects of TBI can make it very difficult to work. If your injury was at the fault of others, you might want to consult with a firm like Jim Glaser Law (Or a similar firm in your local area) to help ease that burden.

Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy from Traumatic Brain Injury:

Studies have shown that a previous history of psychiatric disorders and poor level of functioning prior to a TBI are significant depression risk factors. It is, however, crucial to note that depression following a TBI isn’t the same as daily, standard depression because the change in mood is due to an actual natural alteration in the brain because of the TBI.

About 10% of those who have suffered a TBI develop apathy, and 60% of them develop both depression and apathy. Apathy is marked by a lack of motivation, disengagement, disinterest, and inertia. Additionally, people with TBI usually develop anxiety and feel irrational and persistent fearfulness, tension, and worry that, in some cases, are due to reduced processing speed and other cognitive deficits post-injury. When you enter a search for “neurology specialist near me“, the professional you choose should be someone you feel fully comfortable sharing these changes in mood with. With complete honesty, your doctor will be able to advise on the best course of treatment.

The Need for Comprehensive and Multifaceted Treatment:

Treating personality and mood changes following a TBI is a complex undertaking. It must include many different rehabilitative interventions and drug therapy. Preferably and, if applicable, acute and intense rehab must be started on the exact day of the injury itself, especially in cases where severe TBI is suspected. Rehabilitation should also be multifaceted. You need to undergo a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment so that the doctor can properly evaluate any emotional and cognitive changes. This assessment will pinpoint specific strengths and weaknesses that will serve as a baseline following your TBI. We realize this is a lot, but it truly is the best way to go. And, if your injury was not a fault of your own, professionals like Floyd Hunter Personal Injury Attorneys (or a similar option in your local area) can really help when the bills start to come in.

Your team should be made up of capable experts who you feel comfortable sharing your problems with. Your doctor can make referrals to rehab facilities, specialized doctors like Dr Timothy Steel, or counselors to assist in your treatment. The multifaceted approach isn’t limited to treatment on the medical side but services that allow for an improved quality of life too. This includes transportation, help at the job site, or access to housing with programs like those offered by https://www.adeoco.org/ or something similar in your local area. Combining medical and personal wellness can mean optimum success.

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Getting Help for Filing a Personal Injury Claim:

As you can see from above, treatment for a traumatic brain injury can be very costly. With that said, if another individual or entity has caused your TBI, try to document the injury’s effects and maintain all medical records pertaining to your injury. You should also seek help from a brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles to discuss your situation and determine if a lawsuit or a settlement is best.

Jul11

School’s Cool: Top Four Signs Your Child Loves School

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School’s Cool: Top Four Signs Your Child Loves School

For many kids, school is a place they do not feel like going to. They associate it with lots of work and studying, which they think is boring and unnecessary. They associate it with pupils who impose. Some think that strict teachers and schools are inseparable. While stress is normal among kids, excessive amounts of it can be difficult to deal with. They may feel anxiety due to the sheer volume of activities and sometimes, due to bullying.

However, there seem to be a lot of kids who enjoy school. They usually consider it as their playground, as their safe haven. They look at school not only as a place for learning but also for fun. Whether your child is studying at a private school or at an international school in Manila, Philippines, there are some ways you can tell that they are enjoying it:

Your child talks a lot about school:

You know your kids are happy when they talk about something nonstop. They want to share their interests and the things that make them smile with you. If your kids talk a lot about school and their stories are mostly positive, that means that they are having a blast.

They get good grades:

When kids have a good school environment, learning becomes much easier. When kids learn faster and absorb useful information efficiently, the effects reflect on their grades. Kids are probably enjoying school when they are also enjoying getting good grades. That is a good indicator that your kids have goals or they already have an idea about the importance of goal setting.

If your child is exceeding in all areas of their education, they might begin to feel bored or not challenged enough. This can really impact your child’s love of learning so listen to them. Perhaps they could benefit more from a structure like this Florida Private School (or a similar school in your local area). Schools like the one mentioned provide a student centered program that allows them to learn at their own pace and set their own goals. This can give them the tools to move onto bigger and better things in their educational journey.

Their teachers talk to you about them:

Every once in a while, it is important that you talk to your child’s teacher. That is one way of finding out how they are faring. Sometimes, the teacher takes the initiative to talk about your kids, this is especially true when they are more than pleased about the work that they are doing. Which is something that all of you should be proud of!

They have a lot of friends:

Notice if your kids talk about their friends. Having a lot of friends means that your child enjoys socializing. And when that is the case, you know that their free time in between classes and at recess is occupied with positivity.

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When your child is enthusiastic about school, learning becomes much easier and more meaningful. The things they learn from school will always be of great use, especially if you want them to have a brighter future ahead of them. Now is the right time to help your kids understand and appreciate the value of going to the school, so get started today!

Jul11

A Guide To Buying A Home In The Philippines

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A Guide To Buying A Home In The Philippines

Buying a home is a major life purchase. The wrong choice can result in years of regret, so you will want to do it right. However, the housing market in the Philippines can be a complicated thing to navigate through. To make it simpler for you, here are a few tips to help with your house-buying journey:

There Are a Multitude of Choices:

One of the first things you’ll notice when you enter the Philippines real estate market is that there are many choices available. Looking for a house and lot for sale in Cavite and other regions in the Philippines should be a breeze since you’ll be swimming with options. The trouble, is that you’re only buying one of them. The Philippines still has much land for houses to be built on.

You’ll want a property close to urban centers. This increases the price of the property significantly and does narrow down your choices. To help reduce your options, you should pick out the region where you want to put down roots and focus your search there.

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Get a Broker:

When hunting for real estate, it is best not to do it alone. You will want a partner that knows how the market works and can guide you through it. There are dozens of real estate brokers out there, and they can be a big help. However, note that many of these brokers work on a commission basis. They’re aiming to sell you a great property, but they won’t do it cheaply. This is why you’ll want to clear things up and talk with them about the budget you have for your purchase well beforehand.

Follow the Steps:

It can be tempting to skip ahead and pay off the seller to get your hands on the property. But, if you wish for no problems, then you will want to do it by the book. Start with a property viewing with your broker so that you know what you can buy. If you like what you see, send out a letter of intent. After that, pay the seller the agreed price and collect all of the necessary documents. This includes the title certificates, tax forms, and more. This is where a broker can be a big asset since they can help with the paperwork as well as the processing of the various fees. When done correctly, you will have your new property completely and legally under your control.

Be Prepared to Pay Extra:

When buying property, you will not just be paying the seller’s price. You might also end up paying several “hidden” fees. This can mean that your initial payment price is not enough. Always have extra money during the purchase so that they can be paid. Don’t be fooled by the price tag since that often does not include a variety of charges that are not associated with the payment. For example, you may plan to use a bank loan to pay for the purchase. This means you’ll need to pay the bank charges for the loan.

When you make that house purchase, you are committing yourself to a significant step. With the tips above, you should be able to buy without any regret. The property you buy will meet your needs, and it will be something you can be proud of.

Jul11

Welcome To My Crib: New Curio Cabinets Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: New Curio Cabinets Edition

Hi everyone! While working at one of my client’s homes a few weeks ago, I noticed some gorgeous curio cabinets that they had in their kitchen, which were moved from the living room that they are renovating. I never even knew that they existed and I complimented them because they looked like something that my grandma would have had at the funeral home. And, we all know that my decor style is “funeral home chic”, for sure!

My client’s mom told me that they were getting rid of them and the only reason why they were still there and not at Goodwill was to hold their vacation supplies for their beach trip. I asked her how much she wanted for them, because I knew that I wanted the cabinets for my apartment and she was having none of that. She told me to consider it as my housewarming gift and her and the family dropped them off at my apartment this past weekend.

I recently had time to move some of my knick knacks and treasures from my desk in my office onto the cabinets. And, now, I can see them every day during living room hangs! Check it out:

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My cabinets include a lot of things on them that I love like gifts from my clients and their families, decorations that they helped me pick out during work, and trinkets from my grandma’s funeral home. All of these things are treasured so dearly by me and I’m so happy to have them displayed somewhere that I can appreciate them, because I don’t use my office very often.

The cabinets made a great addition in my living room and filled up one of the blank walls nicely. It is also my tallest piece of furniture in the room, which looks really good with my vaulted ceilings. It adds levels of height to my furniture now, instead of everything being on the same plane and it definitely makes the room more interesting to look at.

My new curio cabinets are already so well loved after just a week of being in my apartment and I am so thankful to the amazing families I work with for their generosity as well as the honor to provide care for their children! ❤

Where do you keep your treasures at at home? How do you add visual interest to a room? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

Duolingo Update

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Duolingo Update

Yo! It has been a while since I gave an update on my language learning festivities, so here we are. This past month, I have added Czech to my trifecta of languages that I have been working on with French, Spanish, and Italian. And, let me tell you, it has been about a bitch. I decided to start Czech because of my halfsies heritage with my mom being one hundred percent Czechoslovakian. And, I plan on starting German in another month or so as my dad is almost one hundred percent in his nationality.

Being fluent in French made Spanish and Italian fairly easy to work on, since the Romance languages are pretty similar. I also took Spanish from kindergarten to eighth grade and some of that (But not much!) is definitely coming back. Italian has proven to be more challenging than I thought it would be, but I finally think I am getting a better grip on it after over three months of working on it.

The real difficulty lies in Czech because it sounds SO different than any of the other languages that I am familiar with. None of the words in Czech sound anything like English, which is so helpful in my Romance languages because you can make an educated guess even if it sounds vaguely like something you have heard before. I went into Czech blind or, deaf, I should say because aside from a few random words I’ve heard from my mom and grandma, I’ve never even heard it spoken before.

But, Lil Red never backs down from a challenge and I plan to continue working hard on Czech as well as the other three languages in my arsenal. In the meantime, does anyone have any tips on learning a new language? Czech in specific? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

New Lucky Brand Sunnies

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New Lucky Brand Sunnies

Howdy! If there’s one thing I’m a sucker for (other than shoes, jewelry, hats, clothing, and accessories lol), it’s sunglasses. My eyes are very sensitive to the light and I always need to wear them when I’m outside to prevent irritation and squinting – which, in turn, prevents premature wrinkling! 😀

Whenever I spy a cute pair of sunnies, I normally always buy them, because I know that I am going to use them. And, a lot of the pairs that I have are older and have been breaking, which puts a lot of empty spaces in my collection. So, I was happy to find these gorgeous bubblegum fun Lucky Brand sunglasses at TJMaxx to fill that gap. Take a look:

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I have never owned a pair of sunglasses like the ones above and I am absolutely obsessed. I love the mini cat eye, the clear frame, and the clear pink color. They are just pure sweet, fun, and sassy and I have been wearing them every day since I bought them this past weekend. Lucky Brand accessories are the best and I have plenty of their jewelry but no sunnies so it was an obvious choice to put them in my shopping cart.

My only qualm is that the lenses are not the most protective to sunlight because of the pale pink color. They still do a half decent job, but you can definitely tell the difference in protection between these and a dark lens. But, they’re cute as can be and that’s a small price to pay, I guess!

What is your favorite brand to shop for accessories? How do you protect sensitive eyes in bright light? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

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Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

Are you looking for ways to improve your home, but aren’t sure where to start? Making improvements to your home can be extremely satisfying and you can customize it all to your liking. If you are on a limited budget, it can be hard to know which parts of your home should be prioritized when carrying out a renovation. If you are looking for improvements that will help to add some extra value to your home and, potentially make it more appealing to future buyers, these ideas should help:

Replace Your Windows and Doors:

Your home’s windows and doors are one of the first things that people will notice about your house; as they are one of the most prominent features on your home’s exterior. Over time, windows and doors are subjected to the elements and have to withstand everything from heavy snowstorms to the hot sun beating down onto them. It’s little wonder that every now and again it is a good idea to get your windows and doors replaced. As windows and doors are such an integral part of your home and perform such an important role, it is vital to choose replacement windows and doors which are well-made and of the highest quality. Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors offers a fantastic range of replacement windows and doors, which are sure to improve the appearance of any home.

The installation team you choose for your windows will have a range of different options to pick from. They might have windows from an aluminium windows trade supplier, for example, for a secure yet aesthetically pleasing result. Aluminum windows can be especially sleek for a modern home but also offer a classic, timeless aesthetic for older properties. Your installation team will work with you to determine the best style for your home.

It might not seem like it, but changing your front door can really make a big difference. You will want to make sure what you choose is something that you are going to be completely happy with. Look through ideas on Pinterest or pop on HGTV. Then, enter a search for “discount doors houston” or your local area to see your vision come to life.

Convert Your Loft:

Your loft is a part of the house that has enormous potential. If your attic is currently being used as a storage area, then why not bring it to life and get some real use out of it? Your loft offers endless opportunities for use as an extra living space in your home. Using your loft space to add extra bedrooms and bathrooms can really increase the value of your home, and make it all the more appealing to potential buyers. If you have no immediate plans to sell your home, a loft conversion still has its benefits. All the extra living space that you create makes a perfect place for guests to stay and is ideal if your family is still growing.

Update Your Kitchen:

Changing your kitchen can be a large project to undertake, but it is totally worth it when complete. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it a space that is as attractive as it is functional is important. Kitchen renovations can be super expensive, but you can adjust your makeover plans to suit your budget, and still make a big difference to the way your kitchen looks. If you are on a tight budget but still want to change things up, why not simply change the doors and worktops, instead? Replacing the doors and worktops may be cost-effective but can still make a dramatic difference to the overall look of the room.

If you fancy going all-out on redesigning your new kitchen, then you may decide to gut it entirely and start again from scratch. Going back to basics means that you are able to utilize the space better and get the kitchen exactly how you would like it. If you are planning on a full on renovation, search for a kitchen remodeler in Tampa, FL or your local area to get started. The experts will be able to walk you through the merits of additions such as high-end integrated appliances, attractive tiles, and kitchen islands that can really help to add value to your home.

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Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

Renovate Your Bathroom:

Alongside the kitchen, the bathroom is the other room in your home that usually costs the most to improve. Due to the costs involved, a beautiful bathroom can have a really positive impact on your home’s value along with how much it appeals to potential buyers. If you have a small bathroom, you may look for ways to redesign it so that it appears bigger and less cramped. This can be achieved by installing a corner bath and corner sink so that less of the floor space is taken up, and every part of the room is utilized.

Be mindful of your budget, make a plan, and soon your house will be feeling brand new with an increased property value, to boot!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul8

Accessory Story: SJ Pearl Jade Necklace

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Accessory Story: SJ Pearl Jade Necklace

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the next Accessory Story from my TJMaxx haul where we will be discussing another gorgeous piece by SJ Pearl. This longer in length jade necklace features a Laughing Buddha pendent, which we already established yesterday as a symbol for good luck and abundance in life. The beads on my new necklace are made of jade which offers wisdom and compassion among other good stuff. And, as I work with people with special needs, I can always use some of that! Take a look:

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Very much like my beloved grandma, when I find something that I like, I tend to get it in every style and color. So, picking out my second Laughing Buddha necklace by SJ Pearl was a necessary evil that I am so not mad about! I love the rosary style length of this necklace and the subtle but beautiful coloring of the jade stones.

Like the obsidian necklace on yesterday’s post, it feels so nice to have the weight of my new jewelry around my neck because it just feels good, ya know? It makes me feel positive and kind of like the dark clouds that sometimes cover me are lifted ever so slightly. My SJ Pearl necklaces make a statement that’s both stylish and meaningful and it doesn’t get much better than that!

How would you style this necklace? Which symbols mean a lot to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul7

Accessory Story: SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace Edition

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Accessory Story: SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace Edition

Hellooo! Does anyone remember the Power Bead bracelets? You know, those round bead bracelets that were made with precious stones that each had a different meaning. I used to love those when I was younger and I wish that I still had mine and that they were still being sold because I love wearing jewelry that symbolizes something. But, I think I found the necklace equivalent of them in the following beaded necklace by SJ Pearl as well as the one that you will see on tomorrow’s Accessory Story. Check it out:

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I found this gorgeous Buddha inspired obsidian necklace at TJMaxx (Surprise, surprise!) and I added it to my cart as soon as I saw it. It was love at first sight. The Laughing Buddha pendent, as most of us know, offers good luck, contentment, and abundance in one’s life. While the obsidian beads act as a powerful protector.

The combination of the powers given by each symbol sounded exactly like what I needed and I like how heavy this necklace is. You can definitely feel its weight when you wear it and the stones are smooth to the touch, which makes it nice to clutch onto when you feel like you need that extra boost of strength or inner peace throughout the day.

Not only is this SJ Pearl necklace meaningful but, I find it absolutely beautiful, too. It adds a unique touch to any outfit and it makes me feel good on the inside and out to wear. I can remember putting my first Power Bead bracelet on when I was younger and feeling that little surge of contentment as it went on my wrist and I could definitely feel it as I put this around my neck in the mirror at TJs. I am so looking forward to wearing this necklace often as well as the other one by SJ Pearl that I purchased – so tune in tomorrow to see that!

Does anyone own any symbolic jewelry? What is your favorite symbol of good fortune? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah