Tag Archives: food for thought

Dec15

Have You Lost Weight?

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Have You Lost Weight?

Trigger Warning – This post discusses eating disorders!

Hi everyone! Have you ever received a compliment that made you a little upset? As a recovering bulimic, I admit that I still worry about my weight a lot even though I haven’t purged in several years. So, when I was asked twice in one work day if I lost weight it definitely had me feeling some type of way – even though I don’t really do anything to work out except for a couple of short walks once or twice a week.

I genuinely hate being asked if I lost weight because the thoughts that instantly form in my mind go along the lines of “was I overweight before?” and “challenge accepted, I’ll lose more”. It is extremely triggering for me and, although I have much better coping skills now, I still have to deal with those thoughts and I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t still thinking about it.

A lot of people think that asking someone if they have lost weight could be a compliment but I know firsthand that it is anything but. I encourage all of you to really think before you ask someone that and would advise to only ask it if you know for a fact that the person is actively trying to lose weight for a healthier lifestyle. You have no idea if the person you’re asking has or had an eating disorder, an illness, or tons of stress that has attributed to their recent weight loss. What you think is a compliment could actually be harmful and has the power to hurt feelings and exasperate issues that people are currently struggling or used to struggle with.

If you genuinely want to compliment someone in regards to their weight, I would recommend just telling them that they look good. “Hey, you look nice today” has a lot less of a negative connotation than straight up asking if they lost weight. Some people might roll their eyes when they read this post as they are sick of having to “monitor” what they say. But, as writers, we all know that words have power and effect everyone differently.

I know all of the statements in this post to be true for me personally and I just wanted to open everyone’s eyes to a comment that they might not even think about before they make it. Choose your words carefully and don’t use them to cause anyone any additional stress – with the state of the world right now, I promise that we all have a lot more important things to deal with than racing thoughts about if you lost a couple of pounds. Just something to think about!

What is a “compliment” that you hate receiving? What is a compliment that you like to give to people? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Oct26

7 Pandemic Proof Jobs You Could Try

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7 Pandemic Proof Jobs You Could Try

While COVID-19 has meant that many people have lost jobs, it has also highlighted those jobs which are needed more than ever. If you have been left unemployed or you are only just starting out in your career, then perhaps these jobs are something you should consider:

Teacher:

Parents have never appreciated teachers more now that they have had the experience of homeschooling their kids. Teachers are always going to be needed, and while a lot of teaching has or will move online, this will be an addition to the face to face learning meaning that there will be more jobs for teachers. Thanks to the use of video conferencing, it will be more commonplace to teach to people all over the world. So if teaching is something you have a passion for, then there are people who will always need you.

Skilled Tradespeople:

Plumbers and electricians, for example, can still do their jobs with little risk as they can social distance and wear PPE to protect themselves and their clients. You can also usually learn on the job with an apprenticeship such as this one here: https://www.abcksmo.org/training/plumbing-program/. Check it out and see if it’s right for you.

Healthcare Workers:

Again, healthcare workers have never been so important, and this will continue to be the case. While the world will be more prepared for a pandemic should one happen again, there will always be a need for more people to help people. Whether it’s those in a hospital or living in care homes, there are many vulnerable people who need health care.

Exercise Coaching:

While many gyms and exercise centers had to close due to the pandemic, exercise is still extremely important and very popular. A lot of personal trainers moved online, and this is something that will look to continue as people want to exercise from the safety of their own home but still want to learn and to be pushed by someone.

Delivery Drivers:

As more people order online, whether it be food or shopping, there is a higher demand for delivery drivers, and this doesn’t look set to change any time soon. You can start by working for somewhere like Amazon Flex or Deliveroo if you just want to make some money on the side.

IT Professionals:

We’ve also never been more reliant on technology and software engineers, web developers, and online security specialists are in demand. Digital skills are required in all industries, from e-commerce to automating processes in factories, so there is huge growth in this sector right now. There is also a lot of competition, but there’s no reason why you can’t beat that and be the one to get the job.

Cleaners:

Offices which are now open have to be extra vigilant with their cleaning, as do shops and services. Also, places like holiday homes need extra attention, so there is a greater need not just for more cleaners but for a deeper clean to eliminate the risk of COVID.

If you are on the hunt for a job, get inspired with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: 14995841 from Pixabay

Oct13

How You Can Start Decluttering Your Home

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How You Can Start Decluttering Your Home

As we approach winter and the festive period, you may be wondering exactly what you could be doing in your home that can have a positive impact on your life. Aside from getting excited about what is to come, you can make some big improvements in your home. Decluttering and clearing away mess, then organizing the chaos can help you to feel happier and more content in your home. So what can you do to get started? Here are some of the things to think about:

Find a solution for the things you want to keep:

One of the biggest issues we can find when it comes to our homes is feeling like we have no choice but to get rid of some of the things we want to keep, because our homes just can’t house them right now. Maybe pieces of furniture or other big items like baby and kids beds. Something you may want for the future, but have no need for now. Decluttering doesn’t always mean selling, donating, or disposing of things, it can mean storing correctly. Using a secure self storage facility could be a great option to consider. Meaning you can store items you want for one day, such as when family dynamics change or you have a bigger property.

Start with five minutes a day:

Often, it is the small things that can start to drive you crazy when it comes to decluttering your home, so you may want to not overwhelm yourself when you start the journey. This is when just using five minutes a day can start to make a big difference. Grab a bag and walk around your home for five minutes, getting rid of bits of rubbish, odd items, and clutter. Then go through it and decide whether it needs to be disposed of or not. This method is great for cleaning papers and other recyclable items. Helping you to have a clearer space to work with.

Seek out inspiration:

If you are struggling, then you may want to seek out some inspiration online or through visual videos and programs. This is when The Home Edit, the Marie Kondo TV series on Netflix, or following the account on social media could be great sources of inspiration. There are some simple things that you can do to store items better such as using canisters in cupboards or folding clothes in a specific way. The inspiration could help you to come up with ways to store the items in your home more effectively.

Focus on one room at a time:

If it feels like you have a lot to go through, then focus on one room at a time. You can then dedicate the time you have to going through drawers, decluttering items, and storing them differently or more effectively. The one room at a time method gives you a focus and once it is done it can be a huge motivation to carry on with the next project.

Get to decluttering more effectively with the tips above! Happy cleaning!

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Oct13

Steps To Take Towards A Healthier Pregnancy

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Steps To Take Towards A Healthier Pregnancy

For a lot of women, simply getting the good news that you’re pregnant can be work enough. However, it’s about to get a lot tougher after that due to the range of health issues that, even if they’re not serious, can plague a pregnancy and make it much tougher to get through. Aside from following all of the advice from your doctor, here are tips that can help you achieve a healthier pregnancy:

Folic acid and Vitamin D are key:

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is important when you’re pregnant, but there are a few vitamins and nutrients that are worth giving a little more focus. In particular, vitamin D is crucial for developing healthy bones and muscles, while folic acid can help decrease the risk of a wide range of birth defects. As such, talk to your doctor about taking folic acid supplements. These are often prescribed to expecting mothers and are usually taken up until the end of the first trimester when you should be out of the woods.

Keep moving:

Pain is a greater risk when you’re pregnant. You’re gaining weight, a lot of it on your belly, which can change the way that your body handles the pressure caused by gravity pushing down on that weight. This can lead to very achy joints and back pain. For that reason, it’s a great idea to make sure that you remain as active as you safely can through all stages of the pregnancy. There are pregnancy exercise classes that you can do in person or online, whichever is safest at the moment. Otherwise, even daily stretches and walks can make a big difference.

Tackle your pain head on:

By being more active and addressing posture issues, you can make sure that your added belly weight isn’t stressing your body out as much as it otherwise would. However, chronic pain is a regular part of many women’s pregnancies and one that should be addressed with care. As such, look for professionals like a chiropractor that offers specific treatments for pregnant women that take into account your additional health concerns. There are also maternity massages that ensure your baby bump is kept safe while offering you some much-needed relief.

Don’t ignore your mental health:

We naturally complain more when we’re pregnant. We’re in more physical discomfort, we might be anxious about the upcoming birth, we’re planning for a huge life change. However, if you’re having real trouble with your mental health, then it is worth taking the time to reach out to a counselor. Nowadays, it’s much easier to find trained professionals online who can help you deal with a wide range of anxieties and insecurities. Don’t feel like you would be too much of a burden talking to friends and family, either. Everyone wants to make sure you get through this in tip-top shape.

Your doctor’s advice is always paramount when it comes to deciding how you deal with a pregnancy. However, the tips above can be a good supplement to that and are worth keeping in mind!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct12

Keeping Clothes You Love Looking New

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Keeping Clothes You Love Looking New

When you fall in love with a piece of clothing, whether it’s your new jeans or an elegant blouse, you want them to last for as long as possible. Unfortunately, when it comes to fashion, nothing lasts forever. Clothes are made to be worn, and as such, they can develop signs of wear and tear. It’s part of their life cycle.

However, more often than not, the items you love don’t even make it to “old age”, so to say. Your fall haul shopping may not last longer than a couple of months if you can’t prevent damage. If you’ve been choosing new clothes to keep you warm in fall and winter, here is a brief reminder of how to avoid those rookie fashion care mistakes.

Read the label:

It might sound silly, but you’d be surprised to know that most people are quick to snap the label off without reading it. It makes sense: Labels can be itchy and unpleasant against the skin. Yet they contain valuable information. If you’re going to cut it, make sure to store it safely for future reference. Your label will display different symbols related to wash, bleaching, tumble dry, ironing, dry cleaning, and additional instructions. A hot wash and tumble dry are the most common places where damages can occur! If you’ve removed the label without reading it, your best bet is to apply the following principles:

  • Warm wash for cotton and similar fabric
  • Hand wash for silk, satin, underwear, lace, mesh, and wool fabric
  • Avoid tumble dryer for wool, non-stretchy clothes, and fragile clothes such as underwear, tights, or mesh skirts

Check your water:

Do you find white marks on your clothes after washing them? It could be limescale. Hard water can damage the fabric and leave white stains that are difficult to remove. Ideally, you want to consider hard water removal solutions such as a water softener. You can test your water to figure out if it is relevant to you. However, the easiest way is to check for limescale in the kettle, around the taps, and on the shower curtains.

Sort your colors and fabrics:

Granted, nowadays, you can throw all your clothes in the wash at the same time and add a color catcher sheet to avoid color bleeds. Do these sheets work? Yes, more often than not, they can be highly effective. But it takes only one lousy sheet to ruin your laundry, so it’s best to learn to sort out your clothes. Ideally, you want to end up with distinctive piles: whites, darks, lights, denim, delicates. Color sorting is only one step! Make sure to consider fabric weight – hence denim VS delicates for instance – heavily stained garments.

Keep your washing machine clean:

A dirty washing machine will damage your clothes. Simple steps such as removing debris after a wash like pet hair and small particles and not leaving wet clothes inside the machine for too long can avoid unpleasant odors. You can also run a cleaning cycle as most washers have one nowadays. You won’t need a machine safeguarding assessment if your washing machine isn’t functioning as it should but a call to a local handyman will do just fine!

If you’ve had your love affair with a piece of garment cut short because of unexpected damage, now’s the time to stop the story from repeating itself! Keeping your clothes for longer means becoming more strategic and organized with your laundry routine.

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Sep10

Breakfast Burrito Bonanza

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Breakfast Burrito Bonanza

Howdy! My boyfriend, Johnny, is somewhat of a breakfast aficionado and I revel in when I can actually make breakfast for him over the weekends. A few days ago, however, breakfast for dinner was the move and it ended up being one of my favorite things that I’ve made in a long time. So, get your orange juice and coffee ready because we are talking breakfast burritos!

The last time I went to the grocery store, I went a bit wild because we literally had no food in the apartment. In this “we’ve gotta stock up” stupor, I had no problem purchasing all of the goods to make delicious meals at home. A girl has gotta eat. 😀

One of the things that I love about Johnny is that he is willing to try new things. For example, I am a strict vegetarian while he is the furthest thing from it. While there is meat at our place for him, there is MorningStar veggie sausage patties and chicken nuggets for me… And for him too, because he likes the vegetarian products as much as I do!

I decided that breakfast burritos would be a delicious way to go and something that Johnny would love. So I purchased tortillas, shredded cheese, shredded hash browns, vegetarian sausage patties, and eggs for the filling. In fact, when I mentioned it to him when I got home from shopping he asked me if I could make them right at that moment, lol!

I didn’t make the burritos right at that moment but when I did the following day they were a huge hit! In one pan I scrambled eggs and in the other I combined the hash browns and sausage together, breaking apart the patties into pieces once they were cooked enough. After everything was prepared, I mixed the eggs, hash browns, and sausage into one pan and then I put some shredded cheese in each tortilla. Then, I added the filling and wrapped them up. Breakfast for dinner is served!

While I preferred some salsa on mine, Johnny liked his plain. Either way, they were SO yummy and I definitely plan on making breakfast burritos again. Next time, I might consider different toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or cheese sauce. I also might add some sliced red peppers for a tangy crunch. However you dress your breakfast burrito, it is sure to be a hit no matter what time of the day you eat it. 😀

What is your favorite meal of the day? How about your favorite meal to cook? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep1

Staying In Your Own Home As You Age

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Staying In Your Own Home As You Age

If you’re planning to stay in place and remain at home as you age, then the key is to plan ahead. Many things change as we get older and new challenges that we need to overcome start to present themselves. Here are some things that you may want to consider if you want to age in your own home rather than entering a care facility:

Make your wishes known:

If you have decided that you want to age in place, then the first thing that you should do is to make your wishes known to your friends and family. By letting those close to you know your intentions, they can start to think of ways in which they can best support you. If you fail to let your relatives know your wishes, then you risk them fighting you when it comes down to making the decision.

Start looking at the support you have available:

It is never too early to start familiarizing yourself with the home health care services and aged support available to you in your area. How about getting started by checking out www.careforfamily.com.au/ ? You can get virtually any kind of help you need at home, though you should be aware that most of these come at a cost. If you know the cost of aging in-state early, then you can begin saving for these expenses to help you afford them. Don’t forget to research the benefit schemes that may also be available to you and to look into other funding sources such as equity release.

Identify areas in which you may need help:

If you already have an existing medical condition, then plan ahead to try and identify areas that could potentially prevent you from aging at home. Are you worried about your mobility? Do you struggle to keep up with the housework? Do you forget things? By identifying these potential issues early, you can put safeguarding measures in place that will allow you to stay safe in your own home.

Start socializing with other local seniors:

One of the biggest issues with choosing to age at home is the isolation that it can cause. People who choose to move into a care facility often have access to group activities, other residents, and the company of staff, but if you choose to age at home, then these may not be available to you. To prevent loneliness and boredom, try to get involved with social clubs and to make friends in your local area that are around the same age as you.

Boost your security:

Last but not least, although no one wants to think about people preying on the elderly, you need to ensure that your home security is robust enough to keep you safe. You may want to consider installing CCTV, a monitored alarm, or additional outside lighting to deter intruders and to notify the authorities if someone tries to break into your property.

Most people would like to stay in their own homes for as long as possible while they age but are let down by a lack of funding and pre-planning. By thinking ahead and budgeting for the cost, you can ensure that your wishes become a reality!

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Aug28

Preparations To Make Moving Day A Breeze

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Preparations To Make Moving Day A Breeze

Moving day should be an exciting one where you step right into your next adventure. However, there’s a lot to remember and the idea of moving can be pretty overwhelming. To help you, the ideas below should make the day a breeze. Take a look and see what you can do to make this a much easier task:

Don’t Panic About Doing The Hard Stuff Yourself – Hire Somebody:

Stop panicking about doing the hard stuff yourself. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. Contacting a service like Burnett’s Moving Services will take a literal weight off of your shoulders and give you the help you need. You may also want to ask family members and friends for help.

Donate Items That You No Longer Use Or Want:

Don’t take absolutely everything with you on moving day. There are likely some items that you can donate as you no longer use them. If you haven’t used something for six months or more, chances are, you won’t use them again.

Organize Your Boxes:

Remember, don’t make one box too heavy or an innocent helper or removal expert could end up dropping all of your things when the bottom opens up. Make sure your boxes are a fair weight and that you have organized them well. For instance, you should label each box, not just with the room but what’s inside of it. This will help you if you need to grab something quickly.

Create A To-do List In Advance:

Your moving preparations should start months, or at least weeks ahead to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Make to-do lists so that you can stay on top of everything. You’ll need to make sure you do the following things:

  • Inform your utility suppliers of your move.
  • Redirect mail to your new address.
  • Inform neighbors that you’re moving.
  • Look for a new school if you have kids.
  • Prepare your pets for the move.
  • Use up all of the food in the house.
  • Hire the necessary services and ensure they are available on the day.

Try Not To Have Kids and Pets There On Moving Day:

Kids and pets can slow you down on moving day, especially if they are feeling stressed about the whole thing. See if you can find a sitter if you’re not moving too far away and let the adults handle the rest.

Get Smart As You Pack:

You can get smart as you pack, for example, wrapping up your dishes and other breakable items with clothing, socks, towels, and t-shirts to cushion any impact. You can also leave your drawers intact and simply wrap them up with plastic to keep the content’s safe. Try filling up things like hampers, laundry baskets, and storage bins with clothes and other items to double their use up.

Pack An Emergency Box For Each Family Member:

Pack an emergency box for each member of the family, including things like a drink, snack, charger, book, toy, and anything else they may need when they are making their way to or have arrived at the new place. You’ll minimize tantrums and keep everybody happy!

Good luck on your move!

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Aug25

How To Take Better Care Of Yourself

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How To Take Better Care Of Yourself

It’s not always easy to take the best care of yourself. Even though you know deep down that you need to look after your health and wellness, that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, life gets in the way. And when that’s the case, you may find that you put yourself and your care to the bottom of the pile. But this is never a good idea. Because, before long, you will find that it catches up with you and you will find yourself feeling sick or run down. So, it’s important for you to make sure that you know how to take care of yourself. This can be especially important if you are feeling stressed or burned out. Here’s what you can do:

Get More Sleep:

To start with, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re getting enough sleep. It’s easy to think that you are, but it’s more likely the case that you are not. Especially if you are feeling off! However, you may find that when you sleep better, you’re going to feel great too. You will feel healthy and much better in yourself. So do what you can to make high-quality sleep your priority.

Look After Your Body:

From here, you’re then going to want to make sure that you are looking after your body as much as you possibly can. It’s important for you to keep your nutrition in check and to keep on top of your exercise. This is something that will always make you feel better in yourself. So make this a big part of your routine.

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Get Your Check-Ups:

You’re going to want to make sure that you are getting yourself medically checked out too. You know that you need to see a doctor when you’re sick or for a general check up, and you have to do the same with your dentist too. So why not access their website and make an appointment. It’s something so small but it can really make a difference to your health.

Be Kind To Yourself:

It’s also important for you to make sure that you are as kind to yourself as possible. If you feel stressed or you are beating yourself up about something, it’s going to have an affect on your health. So, you need to make sure that you are working on your mental health so you can keep viewing yourself in a positive light.

Finally, you are also going to want to make sure that you’re making self care a priority. You can’t just rush through life stressed out and feeling overwhelmed – it’s not going to do anything for your health. However, if you can slow down a bit and make sure that you’re having some me time, it will really help your health. Things like taking a bath, pampering, drinking more water, having cozy evenings, and just relaxing can really help you to take better care of yourself. Enjoy!

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Aug21

Going From Renter To Homeowner The Easy Way

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Going From Renter To Homeowner The Easy Way

If you are keen to put down roots but you are used to being a seasoned renter, you might not know where to begin when it comes to home ownership. The thought of buying a piece of real estate and taking out the largest loan of your life to afford it can be terrifying but it can also give you the chance to build up equity and have your own little patch of bricks and mortar. Home ownership is still a luxury for many. However, if you have the cash saved up, you no longer want to move from rental pad to rental pad, and you’d rather not throw money at a faceless landlord, you need to read this guide to help you go from renter to homeowner the easy way:

Finances:

The most important part of buying a house is making sure that you have your finances in order. It’s all too easy to go house hunting without sorting out your home loan and property lawyer first. To make life easy for yourself, begin saving your hard-earned cash as soon as you have an inkling that you want to buy. Don’t venture into your overdraft for at least three months prior to putting an offer in on a house and demonstrate to home loan lenders that you are a responsible borrower. This means paying off the full balance of your credit card each month and not being flash with the cash, paying out for big-ticket items like new cars or luxury holidays. Be frugal and you could find more favorable home loan interest rates available to you.

Moving:

When you are renting, it can be difficult to get your lease end date and your moving date into your new pad merging together perfectly. While the second-best option would be to collect the keys to your new dwelling prior to your lease ending so you can move your items from one place to another, it doesn’t always work out like that. If you need to move out of your rented home before completing your property purchase, you may need to look into storage units to house your furniture, heirlooms, and items for a short while before you can eventually start setting up house. While timelines can get a little muddled, don’t allow your logistics to get in the way of signing for your home.

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Image by cottonbro on Pexels!

Location:

If you know the area that you want to move to, it still always pays to do some research. If you’re looking to outperform the market and you don’t mind having a go at some home renovations, it can pay to buy the worst house on the best street. If you are wanting to buy in a well-established and highly desirable area but don’t have the budget, this can be the ideal way to get your foot on the property ladder. Hold some cash back from your deposit and change up the kitchen, put some more modern decor into your new living spaces, and give your garden an overhaul. Doing this will increase the value of your first home and leave you more equity in your bricks and mortar. This is key if you are looking to move again in the future.

You don’t have to rent forever. Take the plunge and you can evolve from seasoned renter to homeowner!

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