Category Archives: ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

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

FOR THE GUYS, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

An App A Day Keeps The Doctor Away: Keeping On Top Of Your Health

An App A Day Keeps The Doctor Away: Keeping On Top Of Your Health

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We all want to keep healthy but often find it difficult to find the time around work and other responsibilities. But there are easy ways to keep fit and in good health that don’t involve hours down the gym on the treadmill. Nowadays, we’re more attached to our phones than ever. This can be a hindrance: you might spend hours checking your Facebook newsfeed when that time could be better spent on self-improvement. But you can also use new technology to your advantage. The health and lifestyle industry is booming, and there are now all sorts of apps out there that will help you to check and monitor your health. Here are a few of our favorites.

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Personal Health Apps

Personal health apps can help you to check your symptoms without leaving the house. The Doctor App, for example, allows you to have a video or phone call with a qualified medic within minutes, check your symptoms in real time and have 24-hour access to healthcare support. If your symptoms aren’t severe or indicative of an emergency, this is ideal. It saves you searching your symptoms on a search engine and scaring yourself sick with horrific, far-fetched diagnoses. It will also help you to know whether you can care for yourself from home or whether you should seek further professional help. Remember, if you are experiencing chest pain, severe bleeding, fits or seizures, difficulty breathing or bouts of losing consciousness, call 999. These are emergency situations and no time should be wasted in getting them seen to.

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Pedometer Apps

You have your phone on you all day. Your phone can track how many steps you take and how many flights of stairs you ascend and descend. It is recommended that the average adult takes 10,000 steps a day. So check how you measure up to this. You might find that you’re a lot more sedentary than you originally thought. If you are, take a stroll in the park after dinner. It’ll boost your steps, get some fresh air into your lungs and leave you feeling relaxed and healthier.

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First Aid Apps

First aid is a skill that many of us lack. This is concerning. Basic first aid should be part of everyone’s knowledge. Download a first aid app to learn basic skills. For example, how to carry out the Heimlich maneuver, how to do CPR, take care of minor burns or scalds, minor bandage cuts and stop minor bleeding. These are all things that could prove life-saving in medical situations.

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Mental Health Apps

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. There are mental health apps out there to help you. Some apps specialize in breathing exercises. Others offer basic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Whatever your problem, there is an app to guide you through it. If you are worried that you could pose a danger to your own or other’s lives, you need to seek professional help immediately. If you can wait, arrange an appointment with your GP. If your issue is urgent, contact emergency services or phone 111 for advice.

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

Surviving a Long Distance Flight

Surviving a Long Distance Flight

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Traveling to a new place is incredibly exciting, but long plane journeys can be tedious. You’re sat in the same spot for hours on end, you’re restless, bored and there’s probably a baby screaming its head off nearby- typical. Thankfully there are things you can do to make any long distance flight run as smoothly as possible. So you’re at your destination enjoying yourself before you know it!

Bring Lots To Do

While most flights will offer movies and entertainment, it’s so worth bringing your own stuff too. When tablets are so portable, bringing yours on board gives you endless opportunities. While in-flight wi-fi is still in the early stages, you could download plenty to watch and do before you leave home. You could download a full series to watch, a long flight gives you lots of time to really indulge in some tv. And we all know how quickly time passes when you’re watching something you enjoy! Plug sockets on planes are usually restricted to first and business class, although many will offer a USB charging port which is suitable for a tablet. So find out beforehand what’s available on your flight. If not, you’ll need to pack a couple of good quality portable chargers. You can play games on it, read books and if you invest in a Bluetooth keyboard you could turn it into a mini laptop and get some work done. While working might not be the most exciting, it will still keep you occupied. And when you have a long stretch of time ahead of you it’s good to make the most of it!

Get Some Sleep

There’s definitely an art to sleeping on a plane. But it’s well worth trying, even if you’re not sure if you can. It will make your journey go by more quickly, and you’ll be less exhausted when you reach your destination. If you have a night flight it will be easier, but even if you don’t there are ways around it. An eye mask to block out light and some ear plugs to block out sound should get you well on your way to drifting off. You could check out an ear plugs guide to work out which will be the best to go for. A supportive neck pillow is a useful investment for traveling, as if you do manage to drift off you won’t wake up with a cricked neck!

Pack Some Skincare

Flying is notoriously bad for your skin. If you find you end up with breakouts or dryness after a flight, there are things you can do on board. Remove your makeup using cotton pads and some micellar water, a gentle yet powerful makeup remover (bearing in mind you can only take 100 ml or less of liquids onto planes, so you will most likely need to decant this into a smaller bottle). Use a light, hydrating face mask to replenish the moisture and then follow this up with a moisturizer afterwards. You can always re-apply your makeup half an hour before you’re due to land if you don’t want to go bare-faced at the other end! A makeup bag with all of your essentials is a handy addition to your flight bag.

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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

Mmmmm Is For Massage – Your Guide To Relaxation

Mmmmm Is For Massage – Your Guide To Relaxation

After a long day at work, there is nothing more soothing than doing nothing for a few minutes. Of course, what we face when we open the front door is a house full of hungry kids, pets and partners! If you find it difficult to grab those few minutes to yourself, then why not make it your resolution to change things? Here are just some of the ways you can relax and unwind each day:

Massage Chair – According to http://www.shiatsuchairs.net/, there are lots of different chairs on the market that provide a much-needed massage in the comfort of your own home. You can use them while you’re reading with the kids, watching the TV or catching up with your blog! Some are, of course, pretty pricey. Others are simply backed cushions you place on your regular chair. If you can’t get out of the house for a massage, then a massaging chair could be a great alternative.

Massage Therapies – There are dozens of different massage styles out there. If you can find the time each week for a regular appointment with your masseuse, then you could be on the way to a more relaxing lifestyle. Indian head massages, sports massages, Swedish massage – the list goes on! You and your partner could also take classes to learn how to do these things yourselves. It could become a regular thing you do for each other, like date night. Use essential oils to help you feel deeply relaxed and refreshed.

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Yoga – It is possible to massage yourself with Yoga. There are several poses that could relieve tension in the neck, back and shoulders. Some say that Yoga can help massage your internal organs too. This might help relieve indigestion and other digestive disorders. Combined with special breathing techniques, Yoga can be ideal for helping you to relax. Best of all, it can boost your energy levels and focus too. There are plenty of online courses to get started. Why not book a weekly class as part of your ‘me’ time.

Bubbles – A bubble bath can be a wonderful way to relax and unwind after a tough day. Of course, if you have a jacuzzi bath it can be even better. Many jacuzzi baths have adjustable whirlpool jets that can be directed onto your achy areas. These can be ideal when you’ve been on your feet all day or overdone a workout. You can soak away all that tension and enjoy the scent of your candles too. Dim the lights, and enjoy a glass of something yummy.

Handheld – There are plenty of handheld or portable devices on the market that can target specific muscles in your body. Some are battery operated. They might add extra warmth and vibration to ease the tension in your muscle. Others are simple wooden roller balls that knead the area until you are soothed. They come as pillows, rollers, and even little mushroom shaped devices. If you have a bit more money, you could even buy an electric one that will heat up the area and may even prevent cellulite! How do you like to relax?

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, Responses from Tips

Design Tips for Your L-Shaped Kitchen

By Guest Blogger, Marie N.

Design Tips for Your L-Shaped Kitchen

As the name itself suggests, this type of kitchen is in the shape of the letter L due to the cabinet organization. It can vary in sizes and lengths, but all such kitchens can sometimes be hard to organize and decorate. In order to avoid claustrophobic cluttered feeling in your kitchen, here are some tips to follow.
Position of the Units
If your kitchen has different-length runs, you should place the upper cabinets above the longer run. Such placement will provide you with more storage space, while the glasses and cooking condiments will be easy to reach. However, if the window is placed here, too, it will prevent you from continuing the cabinets; but if there’s no window, you can easily keep placing the cabinets around the corner and onto the shorter run. On the other hand, you can install floating shelves or glass-front doors to provide an airy open feeling in the kitchen and make it look bigger.
Separate the Cooktop and the Sink
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Kitchen with the same-length runs layout offer a bit more flexibility. In this situation you can and should separate the cooktop and the sink and place them on different runs. This separation allows you to create a distinction between the cook zone and wash zone, while the preparation zone should be between the sink and range. Such organization leaves you with plenty of space on the countertop and you can freely prepare each meal without making too much mess.
Go All-White
go-all-whiteL-shaped kitchens usually look small and claustrophobic, so you will need to extend the space with bright colors. The best choice is going all-white. Opt for white cabinets, countertops, shelves and appliances. Make sure the windows are bare in order to provide enough natural light and place under-cabinet lighting fixtures for more light while preparing the food. This airy and light atmosphere will instantly open up the space and make it look big, but you will need a soft transition towards the dining room. You can achieve this with some darker flooring or, as the experts from DecoRug recommend, with a simple weave rug in complementing colors of the dining area.
Create an Island
No matter what are the proportions of your kitchen, an island will make a nice useful addition. With this addition you can house the sink or the cooktop, thus providing more free space on the counter. Also, you are allowing more storage space for all the utensils and you can even make the wine rack you always wanted. However, an island can also be used for socializing, and you just need to add a few stylish tall chairs for your wine sipping with friends and family.
Add Chairs and Tables
Grey kitchen featuring Greystone color hardwood floor (Maple-Greystone) For more information, visit www.miragefloors.com
Grey kitchen featuring Greystone color hardwood floor (Maple-Greystone)
For more information, visit www.miragefloors.com

If you don’t like adding an island or it simply cannot fit, you can easily add a table with chairs at the end of the kitchen. It’s a perfect spot for casual meals, wine tasting or snacks with friends and it extends the kitchen space. Also, it can function as an additional area for meal preparation or for a simple chat with your neighbor. Simple table and chairs can serve any purpose you need and they make a subtle transition towards the next room.

L-shaped kitchens can sometimes be awkward if you don’t know how to utilize them to the maximum. Extend the space with colors, make subtle transitions towards the dining room and provide yourself with plenty of storage and workspace. Don’t be afraid to invest into an island or a table, they only provide more flexibility and don’t forget to make use of every small corner of your kitchen.
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

Kids Moving On? Time To Style For The Grown-Ups

Kids Moving On? Time To Style For The Grown-Ups

When you have children in the house, you know the furniture and interiors are going to suffer a few scrapes and mishaps. You might have deliberately styled your family home with the kids in mind. They can be pretty destructive at times even when it’s not intentional! But now they are older, and perhaps moving on to college or University, you might want a change. Why not go for an attractive yet grown-up style to celebrate getting your home back to yourselves?

Having children often means sacrificing those regular decorating updates. Your interiors may feel a little stuck in the past. If it’s been a while since you last got the paint brush out, why not try something completely different? Olives are looking quite popular again this season. These tones are quite soothing and certainly appeal to that grown-up look you may be aiming for.

14211466038_fe3a2fac90_bThanks to Flickr.com for the photography

Add a patterned paper feature wall to create a fresh new look. The trick is to paint the ceiling first. You might choose a slightly off white with a matt finish here. A new light fitting in the modern style could work well too. Why not try a contemporary chandelier in the living room? Coving and skirting boards should match as they frame the wall. If you’re keen to follow a contemporary style, why not install a lighting wall? LED lights fit behind a faux wall to create a glow. Then you can add your favourite family photos to the wall.

After years of using throws and covers to hide the splits and spills from your kids, it’s time to invest in a lovely new sofa. You might want something like a brown leather Chesterfield to meet your traditional style. Or perhaps you would prefer a contemporary cinema-style recliner? Choose cushions that belong to the same colour palette as the rest of your room. Intersperse them a neutral colour like white or black.

Luxury wool carpets and gorgeous patterned rugs can finish the living room beautifully. Of course, with a spare bedroom in the house, you might move your old furniture up there for a den or games room of your own. Some people like to use the spare bedroom for a hobby or even a gym. You may want to keep it as a bedroom for when the kids come back. Why not give it a makeover so it can act as a spare room for guests to stay too?

The garden is one of the parts of your home that can become most neglected when you have children. Trampolines, scooters, paddling pools and ball games can make a real mess of it. Now it’s time to tidy the toys, remove the pitch paint, and create a beautiful outdoor space for the grown-ups. A decking area for your outdoor dining and a covered seating area could be perfect relaxing with a drink in the evenings. Why not invest in a cheeky hot tub?

Now the kids are older, it’s time to reclaim your home and enjoy all those things you’ve been dreaming of. Your beautifully styled home can also become far more practical and functional with the extra space. What will you do with your house?

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.