All posts by Tia

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Plugging Up Your Home’s Spending Leaks While on Lockdown

This is a time of great anxiety for many of us. The Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown are beginning to take their toll on our health, our wellbeing and our budgets. Many of us are struggling financially. Some freelancers and business owners have lost clients, some employees have lost their jobs or been placed on furlough without pay. Even the luckiest of us will likely have had to take a pay cut of at least 20%. 

Image by Igrow via Pixabay

Still, it’s easy to think of our financial wellbeing as something beyond our control. However, this mentality does us no favors in the long term. All it does is cause us additional stress, and as we all know, stress can compromise our immune function. Which is the absolute last thing we all need right now. As such, let’s look at how we can take control of our financial health by plugging up some of the spending leaks that can occur while we’re on lockdown.  

Electricity

We’re all relying heavily on our energy supply right now. Most of us are cooking more at home, but we’re also spending more on heating and / or AC since the whole household is indoors all day. Not to mention powering the myriad TVs, computers and electronic devices that the whole family relies on to work and stay entertained all day and night.

That all adds up to a lot of energy usage. While much of this may be unavoidable, spending over the odds is not. Here are some ways you can take control of your energy spend;

  • Carry out a price comparison and see if another provider can give you cheaper energy in line with your usage.
  • Limit use of TVs and games consoles to specific hours in the home. 
  • Encourage kids to read books, play board games or spend time in the garden
  • Stop charging your phone overnight. 
  • Stop leaving TVs, consoles etc. on standby overnight. This uses almost as much energy as if they were switched on. Turn them off at the plug. 

Auto insurance

Many of us will be overspending on our car insurance during lockdown, but this is entirely avoidable. First, see if your current insurance company is prepared to offer you a smaller premium in line with your reduced vehicle use. Failing this, there may be options to pause or cancel your policy or remove members of your family to save money. If all this fails, maybe you should consider switching to a new auto insurance provider. It’s a common fallacy that insurance companies will reward your loyalty. The truth is that they’re counting on you to let your policy roll over so they can hike up your costs.

Food

Finally, food is an essential expense. But paying a fortune for it isn’t. As important as fresh fruits and veggies are, resist the urge to overspend on them. If you don’t use fresh produce quickly, it will start to wilt and it may end up wasted. Get plenty of canned and frozen goods in and master the art of batch cooking. You’ll be amazed how far you can stretch your grocery budget. Not to mention emerging from quarantine leaner and healthier than ever.

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, SEX & LIFE

Making Plans For The Future of Aging Parents

Making Plans For The Future of Aging Parents

Nobody wants to think about their parents getting old and potentially suffering from poor health.  We must, however, be prepared for the event that they develop a chronic health problem or increased fragility, because if or when the time comes you may need some extra help.

What do you do if that time comes and your parents need home care agencies near you in Pennsylvania or any other area around the country? Where a parent will live and who will be taking care of them can be a heavy and emotional topic, especially if you’re in the middle of a crisis. Prepping ahead of time can ease an already difficult situation. Such decisions need to be shared with the whole family so that everyone knows what to do if the worst happens.

In the early stages of the transition, contact a Denver elder law lawyer or someone your parents already trust, because knowing your parents’ legal wishes can help defuse any future arguments if they should lose sound mind.

Here are some helpful in-depth ideas on how to plan for the future of an elderly parent.

Image credit: Pixabay CC0 License

Talk to your parents

It will never be a simple or enjoyable conversation to have, but nevertheless, it is an important one. This concerns your parents, and this is only fair that you speak to your parent(s) about the plans when they are fully in a position to have the conversation. If you have brothers or sisters, do try to include them in the conversation, because everyone needs to be on the same page to prevent any conflict from arising in the future. Things to take into consideration include:

  • Their needs when it comes to future care 
  • Their wishes as they grow older
  • Where they would like to live
  • Their financial situation
  • Any support that they may need now 

How this discussion will pan out depends on your family dynamic, so try to pre-empt any triggers for potential fallout and tension during the conversation. This way, you can have an appropriate response ready beforehand to try to keep the discussion as calm and as productive as possible.

Read: HOW TO ENSURE YOUR ELDERLY LOVED ONE MAINTAINS POSITIVE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Assess their needs

You may have concerns regarding your parent’s health and wellbeing now. Maybe they have recently lost weight or had a few falls, or begun to forget the occasional thing. Maybe their vision and hearing are not quite what it used to be. If this is the case, you need to think about and assess whether they have any urgent needs, such as mobility aids or more specialist care.

Most people will have strong feelings when it comes to their living arrangements when they are older, so it is important to talk to your parents about the options available to them and be sensitive when it comes to it.

Talk about their housing options

While your parents might be lively and able to live an independent life at the moment, they might one day need a little more support like memory care Danvers, MA offers or perhaps in-home care. To ensure they enjoy a good quality of life, it is worthwhile talking about their different senior housing options, such as:

For example, a nursing home might be the best option if your mom or dad requires a high level of medical and one-to-one care.

Assisted living allows them to retain independence as much as possible. However, in-home care can provide your elderly parents with extra support within the home, such as help with laundry and meal preparation so that they can maintain a reasonable level of independence. Hospitality Laundry services are just one of several services that get overlooked when parents age. Clean clothes and personal hygiene are an important part of assisted living since many of the elderly struggle with general self-care practices. Options like these can help your parents maintain a healthier lifestyle and keep more common bacteria infections like Staph at bay.

Read: CAN YOUR ELDERLY PARENT STILL LIVE INDEPENDENTLY?

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

My Nose Has Never Been So Itchy

My Nose Has Never Been So Itchy

Image by Roland Schwerdhöfer from Pixabay

While under the self-quarantine and social distancing effects of COVID-19, we all find ourselves highly acute of certain bodily habits. I can hear a person sneeze from a mile away. And there’s a very distinct difference in the sound of someone covering their mouth when they cough and when they don’t!

There are a few things that we can do to reduce the spread of Covid as well as reduce touching our nose and face. Wearing a mask when feeling sick is going to help prevent the spread of many germs. Keeping hair off your face will help reduce touching your face. As for the nose, well, keeping the nose clean and moisturized with nasal irrigations like the ones found on https://serp.co/best/nasal-irrigation-products/ can help reduce nose itching.

Let’s take a look at why your nose could be itching like crazy during this pandemic and what to do about it.

It’s not paranoid; it’s awareness

Paranoia is defined as being panicked over something that is unlikely to happen. Awareness is when you realize there is a potential for something to happen and you take action on prevention.

So, why is my nose itching?

Particles in the air touch our noses multiple times a day, every day. From dust to a stray hair, we have never thought twice about brushing it away. However, since we have been told repeatedly not to touch our face, we are now fully aware of when we actually want to. It’s being hyper-sensitive to the surroundings of your face and hands.

Is it safe to touch my nose?

Yes. But with the pandemic in full rise, it’s best to wash your hands before you touch your nose and, here’s the important part, AFTER. This has always been the case. Yet, it’s so obvious now with the coronavirus and its ability to be so contiguous. For example, COVID-19 could be on your hands. Then, you touch your nose and within hours or days, it could enter your system. Another example is, the virus is already in your nose. You touch your nose then, touch a surface. The surface now has COVID-19 on it which has the ability to survive for days just waiting for someone to touch it.

So, Washing hands before and after can help reduce this problem.

Reduce chances of catching a virus through your nose

Yep, you read that correctly. The most likely reason for a virus getting in your bloodstream is that the nostrils are dry. This allows the virus to rest within the canal, to eventually, seep through the dermis and enter the bloodstream. An easy prevention is to keep your nostrils moisturized. Saline solution kits and refills for the nose are a good routine to help keep your nose clean and moisturized. If a virus enters a clean moisturized nose, mucus has a chance to potentially cover the virus, which you will eventually expel through blowing your nose or coughing out.

The ears, nose and throat are all connected so well to help prevent catching bacterial, fungal and viral infections. But remember, we need to help the system out by washing those hands before and after, as well as cleaning the nasal kit after use.

How to Stop the Nose from Itching

There’s no great science behind stopping an itchy nose. The nose itching could be a sign of stress from being hyper-aware. If that’s the case, try breathing in and out in a calm manner. Focus your attention on something else. That might cause the itching to stop.

You can also try scratching somewhere else on your body. That has worked for many in the past. It is connected to the nerves being satisfied elsewhere and removing the itch or pain from the original location.

If you have an itch that just won’t quit, wash your hands and get a tissue. There’s nothing wrong with scratching an itch, just be safe and clean about it.

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, SEX & LIFE

4 Ways To Cover The Cost Of Unexpected Car Repairs

4 Ways To Cover The Cost Of Unexpected Car Repairs

Unexpected repairs are just part of being a car owner, and your car isn’t going to wait until it is convenient before it breaks down. This can be a big problem because repairs are incredibly expensive and if you don’t have the money to pay for them, you could find yourself in some financial trouble. You rely on your car, so you can’t just leave it, which means that you need to find the money from somewhere. The good news is, there are ways that you can cover the cost without completely ruining your finances. If you are hit with unexpected car repairs that you can’t really afford, here’s what you can do. 

Image From Pixabay CCO License

Shop Around 

Before you start thinking about how you are going to find the money, it’s important that you shop around for the best price. The cost of repairs varies a lot depending on the mechanic, and some mechanics will try to rip you off if they suspect that you don’t really know what is wrong with the car. If you want to make the cost more manageable, you need to shop around and compare prices. You should also check out reviews of local mechanics so you can find somebody that you know is going to be reliable. 

Get a Repayment Plan 

A lot of people don’t realize that you can get a repayment plan to help you pay for your car repairs. Companies like Optimal Warranty offer auto repair payment plans, so you can get the repairs done and then pay it off in installments over the coming months. This makes it so much more manageable and you can fit it into your budget, rather than rushing around trying to find a big lump sum from somewhere. 

Do Repairs Yourself 

In some cases, you may be able to do the repairs yourself. When you first buy a new car, you should spend some time looking through the manual and learning the basics of how the engine works. You are not a mechanic so there will be a lot of things that you cannot do, but if you spend some time learning, you may be able to do simple repairs on your own. This saves you a lot of money and even if you do have to go to a mechanic, knowing a bit about your car will make it harder for them to rip you off. 

Get a Loan 

 If none of the other options on this list are possible, you may need to get a loan. You should always exhaust all of the other possibilities before you do this, and if you need to get a loan, make sure that you avoid payday loans with crazy interest rates. It’s much better to put the money on a credit card or take out a loan from the bank so you are only paying a reasonable amount of interest. 

Unexpected car repairs can throw you a financial curveball, but these are all great ways to cover the cost without ruining your budget. 

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

Boost Your Immunity

Boost Your Immunity

Image by Sumanley xulx from Pixabay

As the world braces after hearing The WHO declare a global pandemic, most search for ways to maintain health. How is it that some people that are infected with COVID-19 are barely showing symptoms while others are aren’t so lucky?

Lord only knows…

The infected number is climbing at alarming rates as the death toll continues to rise. Clean hands, closures and social distancing is helping slow the cases. But human nature tells us, ‘We need to do more’. The major organizations request that people stop buying masks. However, people are looking for ways to feel proactive. To keep fears and anxiety at bay, there are some helpful suggestions, finally, being sent our way.

We Know… Wash your hands

Yes, it’s surprising this is number one on every preventative list. It’s amazing how many folks can forget this on a regular basis. Many, many years ago, it was discovered that rinsing hands, alone, doesn’t have the same impact as adding soap into the mix. Nowadays, timing is everything. For as long as I can remember, I have sung my ABC’s while washing my hands. As a child, it was considered adorable. Yet, as a teen, my friends would tease. And as an adult, well… lets just say, I sing it in my head, along with a head bob every now and again.

Recently, people have created new versions of 20 second washing by using show openings and classic hits. However, according to a poll, what is the song that people are singing in their heads while scrubbing down their paws? The census appears to be ‘Happy birthday’. Good choice. Just remember to sing it twice!

Supplements

Supplements are always a tough suggestion when dealing with any illness. Their mere presence can cause backlash, especially since most aren’t FDA approved. Plus, as a nutritionist, I can honestly say, ‘I don’t know your personal history’ to safely recommend a one size fits all cure-all. (Btw, there is no, one size cure-all, as far as I know.) When the SARs outbreak happened, many took to natural viral fighters like, turmeric. Really? Yes, but listen… Supplements like turmeric are amazing as long as they are right for you, personally. Curcuminoids that are found in turmeric supplements are bad-asses that can kill many things in vitro (in a test tube). Yet, the way it works on your specific body could be different. Always talk to your doctor before starting a supplement or vitamin. They will know you best and what interactions to look out for.

Exercise

We all know exercise is good for us. But, seriously… there seems to be a connection to COVID-19 patients who exercise daily with things like, stretching or yoga and their lack of symptoms. So, why not add a bit of exercise into your daily. It’s good for your heart and your immune system.

Healthy diet

This is a given for any immune system. Eat fresh. Eat a variety. Green and leafy veggies have plenty of chlorophyll to toughen up your immunity. Veggies with lots of color tend to have lots of nutrients. Buying caned or frozen will still give you a good deal of nutrition. Look for foods that are packed with vitamins. Vitamins in the B family are always important to keep the cognitive aspects in check. New studies have shown intakes of Vitamin D have had effects on blocking and/or shortening viruses. And who could forget, Vitamin C. Look for some vitamins that might have the combo you need like Vitamin C + D chews. Eat several small meals a day, so you can get more variety. Also, it might be more beneficial to ration your meals if you find yourself in quarantine.

Rest

Getting a good amount of sleep is important for any immune system. However, getting extra sleep is important to fight off germs and viruses. Don’t neglect your body. If you feel tired, take a nap. Taking several periods of rest through out the day can cause a surge of healthy cells to do their job and fight off the bad guys trying to take up residence in your system.

Reduce Anxiety

Shortness of breath can also be a symptom of stress. This pandemic is unnerving for most individuals. Follow the guidelines of your country, city, town. The rules laid out to stay home or keep away from crowds are there to protect you and others. Don’t lie, we have all been self-serving at one point or another, but this is about the bigger picture.

Feeling overwhelmed? Try deep breathing exercises: Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale very slowly from your mouth. Repeat several times. Try a pressure point for relief. Pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth and holding it there for several seconds can ward off a panic attack.

Stay calm; stay kind. Make plans with neighbors if any one of you should get sick. Remember, pets can catch this! Keep your pets away from your tissues and bodily fluids and wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with theirs. Check on the family and the elderly with a phone call. Cover your mouth when you cough, yawn or sneeze, by using the crook of your elbow. Wash hands for at least twenty seconds. Don’t like to count? Try singing a song. Don’t fight with your fellow man over toilet paper or any other store item.

And God bless us, every one!

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.