All posts by Tia

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Are Hidden Dangers In Your Home Making You Ill?

Are Hidden Dangers In Your Home Making You Ill?

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A home is supposed to be a safe haven from all the dangers of the outdoors. But have you ever stopped to think that there could be hidden dangers lurking inside your home too? Many of our houses contain bad chemicals and bacteria that can make us ill. Here are some of the common perpetrators that are worth taking a stand against if you want to keep your home safe.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is most commonly found in loft insulation, consisting of thinly spun glass wool. There have been claims that it could be carcinogenic, although no evidence has found this to be true. Particles can, however, come off in the air and cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Keeping your loft sealed up or covering over loft insulation if you live in a converted loft could reduce the chance of this happening.

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Lead paint

The manufacture of lead paint was banned in many countries in the 70s and 80s. However, it’s believed that many homes still have lead paint in them without owners knowing. Lead is renowned for its toxicity and it is possible that flecks of paint could come off and be ingested, causing lead poisoning. This should particularly be a concern if you have young children, who are likely to put anything in their mouths.

Read: WHY YOU CAN’T FORGET THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

There are many companies, such as LM Blast Cleaners that can professionally remove lead paint from your property. Victorian lead piping is also worth checking for – whilst most properties have had this removed, some old houses may still have it.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a material known for its incredible heat resistance and was once used in as an insulator in many homes. However, this material has since been banned in fifty countries after studies showed it was highly carcinogenic. This is caused by fibres, which can come off and float in the air when the asbestos is disturbed (which could include anything from drilling a hole in a wall to accidentally knocking it and causing it to flake). Like lead, asbestos is best removed by a professional.

Gas leaks

Carbon monoxide is a big killer and is hard to detect, given that it’s colorless and odorless.  If you’ve been feeling unusually nauseous or sleepy, this gas could be to blame. It’s usually the result of a gas leak, either from a faulty gas light or an oven ring. Carbon monoxide detectors can alert you if there is a leak in your home. Your first point of call should always be to turn off the gas if on and then get out of your home into the fresh air as soon as possible.

Unclean air con

Air conditioning units need to be regularly cleaned. When not used often, they can build up dust and mold and become a breeding ground for bacteria. This then gets pumped around the air the next time the air con is switched on, which can cause breathing problems and sickness (in extreme cases, Legionnaire’s Disease). Using a company such as All Hours Air conditioning and heater repair service could help to prevent this. Regularly using air-con can also reduce the chance of bacteria build-up.

Mold

Mold is a fungus that can appear in homes as a result of dampness. Some people can be more susceptible to it than others – in some cases, it can cause sickness, rash, wheezing, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms. It can also quite often bring on symptoms of asthma. Fixing leaks promptly and buying an air dehumidifier can help to prevent mold from appearing. You can usually clean it off yourself with soapy hot water and a sponge, although bleach may be needed for more stubborn outbreaks (in this instance, wear gloves and protect your mouth).

Read: COULD YOUR MOLDY HOME BE MAKING YOU FEEL SICK?

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Your kitchen worktop

You might not consider your kitchen worktop to a common offender, but quite often, it can be a leading cause of sickness and bugs in the home. Without thoroughly cleaning it on a regular basis, germs such as salmonella can easily breed. However, quite often, it’s not forgetting to clean the worktops that do it, but the tools we use for cleaning. An overused sponge or dishcloth could simply be coating everything it touches in more bacteria. Replace sponges regularly and put dishcloths through the wash (given that they’re so cheap to buy, you can even replace them). Another way of limiting bacteria spreading is to use different chopping boards for meat and vegetables and to keep these thoroughly cleaned.

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram. 

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

Is Your Home Making You Ill?

Is Your Home Making You Ill?

For many of us, our home is our castle, and it is the one space in which we feel most safe and secure. But is that really the case?

Even though you may think your house is completely perfect, there could be some small imperfections that you aren’t really aware of. And these imperfections could be having a negative effect on your health. Want to make sure that your house isn’t dragging your family’s health down? Here are some things you need to check.

bottles-1868175_960_720Image From Pixabay

The Refrigerator

If you already throw out old food from your refrigerator on a regular basis, you might think that you are doing everything you can in the battle against food poisoning. Think again! There are some very sneaky ways your fridge could be increasing the spread of germs. Does your fridge have an electrical coil in it? This freezes once in a while and then thaws. When it thaws, it drips water, which needs to be cleaned up regularly If it isn’t cleaned, it will evaporate and spread germs throughout your home. And don’t forget to wipe out the vegetable tray every now and then!

Read: ARE HIDDEN DANGERS IN YOUR HOME MAKING YOU ILL?

Heating And Cooling Systems

One of the biggest causes of illnesses caused in the home is the heating and air conditioning system. Air conditioning can leave traces of water it the system ducts. These small pools are great for encouraging germs and bacteria to breed. All of the bacteria can then cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and allergies. To make sure your family never suffers from these conditions, make sure your systems are professionally serviced every year.

Soft Furnishings

We all have our favorite chairs and sofas that we love to lounge in. And I’m sure you also enjoy spending lazy weekend mornings in bed! But did you know that your soft furnishings and bed sheets could be hiding a dirty secret? Over time, dust mites will collect in these soft items and make themselves at home. Bed bugs could congregate in between your sheets. These can cause skin irritation. While it is impossible to remove all dust mites from your home, a thorough cleaning every couple of months should keep their numbers down to a minimum.

Read: COULD YOUR HOME BE MAKING YOU ILL?

Cleaning Products

You may think that cleaning products are one of the most helpful tools you can have in your home to help you in the fight against germs and bacteria, but, in actual fact, they could be doing more harm than good. That’s because the strong chemicals in the products could be carcinogenic and cause cancer as well as headaches and skin irritations. Don’t worry; you don’t have to stop cleaning your home. Instead, you should just make the switch to natural cleaning products. Most of these are organic and eco-friendly and aren’t harmful to humans or animals.

I hope this blog post hasn’t scared you too much, but it is always worth knowing exactly how our health could be affected by the environment around us. At least now you know how to improve things!

Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram. 

BEAUTY, SEX & LIFE

Tips on How to Fight the Plights of Old Age

Tips on How to Fight the Plights of Old Age

If you don’t want to ‘grow old gracefully’, and you want to fight the impact aging has on you, then you have every right to do so. If you want to fight the plights induced by old age, then you do so. Whether this means doing all you can to fight the appearance of aging. Or whether it means doing all you can to fight the ailments of aging. You do it. And if you choose to do it, make sure to check out some tips on how to do so below.

Grandmother Women Old Age
Grandmother Women Old Age

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First of all you should know that you can be as beautiful as you are wise when you grow old, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this. You can fight the impact aging has on your skin in the form of wrinkles, and there are now more ways to do this than ever before. You can do so by making changes to your lifestyle. And one change you can make is to simply ensure that you always get a healthy amount of sleep and that you always sleep on your back. This is because sleeping on your front or your side can etch lines into your face, and when these lines get etched in enough, they will be tough to get rid of.

Read: 4 WAYS TO BEAT THE PAIN OF AGING

Another change you can make to your lifestyle in order to fight the plight of wrinkles is to stop smoking. But you don’t just have to make changes to your lifestyle as you take this venture. No, you could seek a BOTOX injection in order to fight wrinkles too. Whichever route you choose, just be sure that there is nothing wrong with wanting to tackle wrinkles, and there’s nothing wrong with actively tackling them. They are one of the biggest tell-tale signs of aging, so there is nothing wrong with them being the first plight of old age that you seek to fight.

But it’s not just about fight the appearance of aging. It’s also about fighting the plights of old age that physically hold you back from living. And one thing that can hold you back during your twilight years is bad eye health. Aging can have a detrimental impact on eyesight, and you shouldn’t allow for your eyesight to be changed in this way. A way to do this is to make changes to your diet.

By opting for cereals that are ravished in whole grain. By choosing foods that are a good source of protein. And by cooking in a way that makes any fats you consume as healthy as can be. By implementing these three aspects into your diet, you will be doing all you can to fight the plight of old age, which is bad eye health.

Another key to staving off the feeling of aging is to stay social. You don’t have to retreat into your own home, avoiding contact with others. (Well, at least after the pandemic is over.) Instead of introverting, try to stay as social as possible. Laughing with your friends brings youth. Community and group spirit can work wonders for the soul! This is evident right into the depths of old age – groups such as Seniors Helping Seniors go to show just how positive bonding with others and helping others where you can is for your health, happiness, and wellbeing.

Read: 5 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR AGING SKIN AND HOW TO USE THEM

Now, this is not to say that you have to fight these plights of old age. It’s just to say that you should fight them if they ever make you feel uncomfortable. Neither is it a case of ‘growing old disgracefully’. It’s a case of wanting to look and feel as great as you can for as long as you can.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Making Your Living Space Wow!

Making Your Living Space Wow!

It’s pretty important that our homes are pleasant environments to be in, as this helps us relax and decompress from the stresses of the outside world. But how well does your home do this? Is it as pleasant as it could be, or does it need a little extra something to get there? If so, keep reading for some tips that can help you raise the level of your living environment from OK to Wow!

Light

First of all, one way that you can raise the standard for your living environment is to look at the lighting situation. Most people don’t put too much thought into the light in their homes. Apart from turning the one’s that are already there on and off and opening and shutting the curtains. But this is a big mistake because, with a little extra thought and care, the light in your home can make a massive difference.

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For example, are you just going with the light fixtures and fitting that we were in the house when you moved in? Or have you considered replacing them with one that you have chosen yourself?

You can get all sorts of lights these days, and they can be used to create specific moods in a room. You can use long pendant lights to add interest to a boring dark corner. Or you can use smart lights with colors to have the flexibility of changing the lighting along with your mood.

Read: TRANSFORM YOUR HOUSE INTO AN OASIS OF LUXURY AND COZINESS

Cleanliness

Another important aspect of raising the standard of your living accommodation is keeping it clean and tidy. You can live in a palace, but if it is a mess, then you’re not going to enjoy it very much.

Different people have different ways of dealing with keeping their homes clean and tidy. Some folk uses the KonMari method. Others have a cleaning schedule that shows them what to clean every day, week, and month. Still, others use cleaning services like Domestic One to help them out.

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Think carefully before you make a choice on how you will keep your home clean. Remember, if you are working full time, having a system or someone to help you can make all the difference.

Heat

Another aspect of having a pleasant home is that you are able to keep your living area at the right temperature. Of course, this has a lot to do with how old the house is, how it was built, and whereabouts in the world you live.

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Homes in colder countries like Sweden are built and designed to retain the maximum amount of heat, even when the snow is falling outside. Although a lot more new homes around the world are being built to a more energy efficient standard. But if you want some extra flexibility in heating and cooling your place, you might choose to use underfloor heating.

This is when pipes are installed under the flooring. They heat the room from the bottom up and provide a wonderful ambient heat in the floor.  Perfect for when you wander into the kitchen barefooted in the middle of the night to make a snack or get a glass of water.

Read: WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS THROUGH SELF-IMPROVEMENT

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

Turn Your Home Into An Earner: How To Create A Successful B&B

Turn Your Home Into An Earner: How To Create A Successful B&B

Have you been wondering how you could make a bit of extra cash? One of the best ways is to turn your home into an earner and set up a B&B business. Then all you have to do is rent out your spare rooms to holidaymakers or other people visiting your local area. Not too sure what goes into setting up a B&B business? No problem; here are my top tips to help you make a successful B&B.

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Do You Need To Extend?

If your home is quite small, you may need to extend the property slightly. Many homeowners do this if they currently only have one spare room. By adding an extra, they will be significantly increasing the income they could get from renting out two bedrooms. You will need to make sure that you get all the required permission from your local authority before you do start to build. You may also need to carry out some minor building work if your home isn’t up to current health and safety standards. For instance, you may need to add an extra exit to the building so guests can safely evacuate in the event of a fire.

Read: SMART BUSINESS TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Smarten Up The Bedrooms

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As people will be paying to stay with you, you need to make sure that the bedrooms are very smart and comfortable. It is a good idea to decorate them before you start inviting guests into your home. You may have different people staying with you each night. So you need to prepare yourself for regular room changes! To do this, it is a good idea to get in touch with bedding suppliers so that you have plenty of bed linen to change the beds each day if needed. Remember to add some thoughtful touches to each room as well. Things like tea and coffee-making facilities and free toiletries will always go down well with guests.

Don’t Forget About Breakfast

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Your guests will expect a filling breakfast each morning. So you will also need to prepare a breakfast room. Make sure that you invest in top-quality dining tables and chairs. These may be expensive, but you won’t have to replace them as often as cheaper ones as they can handle all the wear and tear. It is important to offer your guests a wide choice at breakfast. Place fresh fruit and cereals in the breakfast room so that they can help themselves. It is also important to offer a cooked breakfast. This could be a full English or an American-style breakfast with waffles and pancakes. The more choice you offer, then your guests will certainly enjoy their breakfast and feel like they are getting good value for money!

Read: WHAT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT AS A NEW BUSINESS OWNER

Marketing

Don’t forget that you need to market your B&B. Otherwise, no one will hear about it! Set up social media accounts for your home. It is also a good idea to get in touch with a local tourist board. They will be able to advertise your B&B for you for a small fee.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.