Category Archives: ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Tips from fixing the room to finding health remedies in the kitchen.

BEAUTY, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Brushing Dos And Don’ts: Are You Getting It Right?

Brushing Dos And Don’ts: Are You Getting It Right?

We all know it’s important to look after our teeth so that we can enjoy healthy, attractive smiles for years to come. But have you thought about your dental health impacts the rest of your body? Studies show that caring for your teeth and gums has incredible benefits for general health. Research suggests that poor oral health increases your risk of a host of health problems, from heart disease and dementia to strokes and diabetes. It’s never been more important to pay attention to your pearly whites, so are you getting it right? Here are some simple tips to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to keep your dental health on track.

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Have you got your brushing technique down?

Brushing your teeth is essential because it eliminates harmful bacteria and food debris from the mouth. If you don’t brush, there’s a good chance that plaque will form. Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance, which you may be able to feel on your teeth when you first wake up. It clings to the surfaces of the teeth and the gums, and it’s made from bacteria, food particles, and saliva. Plaque is the main cause of dental decay and gum disease.

Brushing dos

Do brush for 2 minutes

It’s not enough to whizz a brush around your mouth and hope for the best. You need to pay due care and attention when you brush. Set a timer to make sure that you brush for at least two minutes. It may not sound like a long time, but you may be shocked if you timed how long you brush for at the moment. Take care to clean every tooth, and angle the head of the brush so that you can clean along the gum line.

Do swap your toothbrush every 3-4 months

Be honest. When was the last time you swapped your toothbrush head or bought a new toothbrush? It’s essential to replace brushes every 3-4 months, as work bristles don’t work properly. Some brushes are fitted with colored bristles, which show you when you need to buy a new brush. If you’re not sure which brush to buy, your family dentist will be able to give you tips and recommendations.

Brushing don’ts

Brush too hard

You may think that the harder you brush, the better the results, but sadly, you’d be wrong. Brushing vigorously can actually do more harm than good, as it can wear away the enamel. When you’re brushing, use small, circular motions, and be gentle. Once your enamel is worn, it’s not possible to repair it.

Rinse after brushing

Many people assume that they need to rinse their mouth out after brushing. However, it’s actually better to avoid doing this. If you use fluoride toothpaste, rinsing the mouth removes the fluoride, and prevents it from benefiting your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral, which helps to strengthen the enamel and reduce the risk of decay.

Most of us have been brushing our teeth twice a day for as long as we can remember, but have you been getting it right? Hopefully, these simple dos and don’ts will enable you to hone your brushing skills and reduce your risk of developing troublesome dental diseases.

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.

FOR THE GUYS, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Dreams Of Building Your Own Home? Ask Yourself These Crucial Questions First

Dreams Of Building Your Own Home? Ask Yourself These Crucial Questions First

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Building your own home is the ultimate domestic fantasy for many Americans. Having an idea of a charming colonial style or flipping through plans of McArthur Homes, can be the ultimate experience of power when it comes to being able to design it from the bottom up, so it fits your style, your ethos, and your specifications is an extremely attractive prospect. But, as you might imagine, it doesn’t come without its own difficulties. From the costs of materials and labor, to time and emotional effort, there’s a lot to consider before you take the plunge. If you share the dream of building your own home, make sure you ask yourselves these questions before you dive in head first.

Can we afford it?

At first glance, building a home from scratch appears cheaper than a ready-made home. Unfortunately, this figure doesn’t often take into account reality. When delays in the build happen then labor costs increase as a result, and it’s often the case that once the builders get on the site, people realize there is more to be done to prepare the land than previously anticipated. While there are ways to keep the costs down, make sure you can afford the initial quote or have your loan secured, with a fair amount extra for wiggle room too.

Are we patient enough?

The process can be long, drawn-out, and stressful. If you want a new home as a quick fix, this probably isn’t the right way to go about it. Even beautiful modular homes built off-site can take a few months before they’re erected and completed. You’ve got to be a patient person with the ability to deal with stress to be able to enjoy the process.

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What do you want from it?

What are your needs, goals, and desires from the house? Does every invested party, including the kids, agree on the end product? Write a list of everything you want from your home, all the way down to the types of door fittings, and spend some time categorizing as “want†and “needâ€. Don’t allow yourself to compromise on something you need, because you could end up regretting it years down the line.

Can we withstand the pressure?

A project of this magnitude can put immense amounts of pressure on couples and families, so it’s important that you ensure you’re all in the right frame of mind, and that your lifestyle is stable enough before you take on the commitment. The last thing anyone wants is for the stress of the endeavor to put undue pressure on your marriage.

Who will do it?

Do you have a builder in mind to undertake the project? Will you opt for prefabricated, modular homes which are built off-site, or would you prefer a full construction team on-site every day? Remember to factor this into your costs. Choosing the right builder could make or break this construction, so don’t take the decision lightly.

Designing and building your own home to your personal specifications can be hugely rewarding when it’s done right. There is no room for error, though, so make sure you’ve got everything in line before taking the plunge.

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.

FOR THE GUYS, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Get That Tech! Three Ways To Modernise Your Home

Get That Tech! Three Ways To Modernise Your Home

Update Your Technology

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If it’s been a while since you last updated your technology, now might just be the time to do it – after all, it’s still the start of a brand new year, so why not try out a brand new you? If you still have some of your Christmas bonus left over, then you’re probably thinking about what exactly you could do with it. Now could be the right time to upgrade your laptop to the latest model. If you’re not entirely sure which one would be the best for you, write down exactly what you need from your laptop. The requirements of a serious gamer would be very different from someone who just likes to send some emails and browse the internet from time to time! Talk to a shop assistant about what exactly you need. You could also add some speakers to your front room, especially if you really enjoy watching TV in the evenings, as surround sound will really improve the experience.

Go For A Smart Home

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If you’re really into technology and thinking about new innovations, then chances are you’re already looking into smart living and the possibility of home automation. This works by connecting the appliances in your house to the internet so you can access them and control them no matter where you are – for instance, you could turn all your lights on or off without being at home. It could help you save money, improve your home security, improve your home entertainment system, and help improve your health by decreasing your stress and improving your sleep. If you’re really looking for a home that belongs in the future, home automation really is it. You can even use voice commands to tell your kettle to boil its water so you can make a cup of tea! Look online to learn more about home automation.

Use Different Energy

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If you’ve been lagging behind the rest of the world in the environmental revolution, now is your chance to change the way you think so you can reduce both your greenhouse emissions and your energy bills. If you’re in a part of the world where the sun shines, why not go for solar energy? Not only is this fully sustainable but it just involves the one time cost of installing the panels on your home, meaning that in the future your energy bills will be far lower. The same would be true if you replace your traditional light bulbs with LED lights. They last for longer and use far less energy. If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are way up over the winter, there are also a few practical solutions. Firstly, check your windows and doors for draughts, and use draught excluders to keep the cold air out. Secondly, add more insulation to your attic. You can buy lagging at any good hardware store. Heat escapes through your roof just like it escapes through your head – you need to put a hat on your house by adding more insulation to the roof to keep it nice and warm.

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

Tell-Tale Signs Your Elderly Parents Need Help

Tell-Tale Signs Your Elderly Parents Need Help

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Aging comes to us all, no matter how strong and healthy we may be. We will all have to deal with at some point, but before old age affects our own health, the first hurdle we will have to face is coping with elderly parents. As our parents get older, we will need to take a lot more care and attention of them as they become frail and weak. However, not many elderly parents want help from their children, no matter how much they need it. So how do you know when it is time to step in and make sure your elderly parents get all the help they need? Here are the tell-tale signs.

Home And Garden Maintenance Increases

Next time you go around to your parent’s home to visit them, take a look at the property and see how it looks. If there is quite a bit of maintenance that needs doing and repairs that need to be made, this could be a sign that your parents are struggling to cope with some household jobs and tasks. You could suggest to your parents that you start going around once a week to help them maintain their home. If you don’t have enough time, what with work and your own family, you might prefer to hire a gardener or handyman who can take care to bring their home and garden up to scratch.

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Out Of Date Groceries

It is also worth taking a look in your parents’ kitchen and looking at the expiry date on all their fresh groceries. Are there quite a few that are out of date or have spoiled? If so, this could also be a sign that your parents are struggling to cope at home. They may have kept hold of expired groceries rather than go to the supermarket to buy fresh ones. This could be because they are getting quite frail, and can’t cope with a weekly shop at their local supermarket. It could also be a sign of a developing illness, such as Alzheimer’s, and their forgetfulness could be a symptom.

Poor Personal Hygiene

Do you notice a distinct funky smell when you visit your parents now? It may not be a nice thought, but maybe it’s your parents? As we get older, we often forget things and try to get by without doing too much. As a result, many elderly people forget to wash every day or feel that they don’t need to. You should ask your parents and make sure that they still keep up with their personal hygiene. There are some other signs to look out for that are giveaways of poor personal hygiene. For instance, very long nails, unkempt hair, and poor oral hygiene.

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Not Eating Regularly

One sign which lots of people notice in their parents is that they lose any interest in preparing meals and eating. They may also not be eating at regular intervals. This can be a difficult sign to notice at first, especially if you don’t visit them at meal times. One way to spot this change in their behavior, though, is to keep an eye on their weight. If you notice that they start to lose weight quite quickly, then they probably aren’t eating right. Offer to cook for them a few night’s a week or invite them over to yours for dinner to ensure that they get one good meal in them.

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Their Mobility Declines

Are your parents struggling to get around their house? They might find that getting up and down the stairs is now a struggle. If so, and they don’t want to relocate to a bungalow, you could always suggest that they think about the possibility of home lifts or chairlifts. These will help them get upstairs and downstairs with ease, allowing them to go about their usual activities. If your parents find it also hard to walk and balance on level ground, it may be time to get them a walking stick or zimmer frame. In some extreme cases, a wheelchair may be necessary.

Their Driving Is Becoming Very Dangerous

As we get older, we start to lose our sight and our hand-eye coordination becomes quite poor. This has a direct effect on our driving. If your parents start to get into more bother when they are out driving – maybe they end up committing more driving violations and end up causing a couple of accidents – then it could be time to make them stop driving. However, they may not be too happy with this idea as it can greatly limit their independence! But you need to tell them that it is for their own safety. Lots of towns and villages are now well connected with public transport routes, and many elderly people will be able to get discounts on their travel tickets. Explain this to them, and they should start to come round to the idea. You should also offer to give them a lift whenever you are free to do so.

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They Now Lose Track Of Medication

Most elderly people are on various types of medication. Each different type will require your parents to take a certain dose at varying intervals. This can be quite difficult for old people to keep on top of. If you notice that your parents are starting to lose track of their medication, they might need some help every day to take their tablets. If they can’t keep on top of their medicine, and there is no one to help them with it every day, then they might end up having to be hospitalized. One way to help them keep on track is to create a daily schedule for them. Write out exactly what they need to take on each day of the week, and how often.

Watching our parents age can be very distressing and upsetting indeed. However, if you are able to spot the tell-tale signs that they are struggling with their age, you will be able to help them take better care of themselves.

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

From Optimism To Success Via Dread: The Five Stages Of Home Renovation 

From Optimism To Success Via Dread: The Five Stages Of Home Renovation

Renovating a home is something we all find ourselves doing, eventually. We know it has to happen, and yet few things can prepare you for the mood swings that are to come. Between deciding to do it, and sitting back down in your renovated home, you’ll experience highs and lows that will leave you with whiplash.

Maybe it’s an old house you’ve just bought, and you’re fixing it up, or perhaps it’s one you’ve lived in for so long that you now need to look at replacing the plumbing with help from experts like https://callthegeneral.com/plumbing-installation/ or similar. One way or the other, you know that it needs to be done and it’s time to get on with it. But be aware there is nothing you can do to interfere with the Five Stages Of Home Renovation…

Stage One, Optimism:

“I Think We Can Have This Done In A Few Days”

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Much as you may tell yourself to be realistic, you need to bring some optimism to the party or you’ll never get started on a renovation. So you will budget time, and even if you know it’s likely to take longer, this is the time you’ll quote to other people. “Yes, we’re hoping to be done by March!” you smile, masking the fact that inside you’ve already begun…

Stage Two, Dread:

“Why Did I Talk Myself Into This?”

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By now, you’ve walked around with a pad and pen writing down all the jobs that need doing. It’s more than a little basic maintenance. “A few days” was always a little joke. Now, a few weeks looks optimistic. It’s not too late to call it off, is it? Well, you’ve already ordered the new couch. You’re in it now and if you turn back, you’ll just have to do it later.

Onto the next…

Stage Three, Renewed Enthusiasm:

“The Sooner We Get Started, Sooner We’re Finished!”

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The glazed smile on your face may be unsettling to some, but you mean it. What’s the point in sitting around getting glum? You’ve called the likes of Bay Wide Hauling for help, and now you need to pull out the things they’ll be taking away.

This early on, a lot of what you will be doing is removing the bad parts other people put in. It’s fun, and you get to hit things with a hammer.

But put that hammer down, it’s time for…

Stage Four, The Inevitable Delay

“It’s Going To Take HOW MUCH Longer?”

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When you budget time for a home renovation, a good idea is to take the time it SHOULD take to do each job, and potentially double it. Why? Because things can go wrong. Unless this is something you do for a living, mistakes happen. The wrong paint is bought – and you only realize after finishing a room and a half. Or you knock through a wall – not with a hammer, but with your face when a ladder topples.

It will need to be put right, and this is going to take time. But you get stuck in, and you pull yourself through it, because you’re nearly there now. You paint walls, lay new flooring and fit new appliances and an updated boiler. Things fall into place, with the main bulk work behind you.

You smile, because it’s time for…

Stage Five, Success

“Now Let’s Not Do That Again For About Fifteen Years”

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Couldn’t have put it better myself. With the finishing touches, like new surfaces in the kitchen and artwork on the walls, you’re there. Time to enjoy the house you’ve spent weeks and months overhauling.

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.