Do you know what is in the cleaning products you are buying?
Photo Provided by Guest Blogger, Heather R.
The EU and many other countries ban them, but in the United States, many of these toxic chemicals are still found in cleaning products such as bleach. These include sodium lauryl sulphate, formaldehyde and ammonia. If ingested these can poison and possibly kill someone. Even if sprayed or used on an item or surface, they can cause allergies; especially among children.
There are some top tips, however, on how to cut these dangerous substances out of your life, save some money and have a healthier, more natural home which is still clean. These tips even work for baby products, toys, and clothing. I have written an in-depth guide which explores the different chemicals, what they do to you, and how you can use lemon juice and white vinegar to create totally natural cleaning products for your home.
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.
Want To Feel Stronger? It’s All In Your Bones (And These Great Exercises)
When most people embark upon an exercise plan, it is usually for one of two reasons: to improve general fitness, or for weight loss. There are hundreds of different diet and exercise plans that exist, written by various health professionals, which claim to give you great results. But as we are so focused on losing fat or gaining muscle, we often forget one other very important part of our bodies, and that is our bones. When you choose to invest time and effort into taking care of your bones, you are making a lifelong investment. We only have one set of bones to last us a lifetime, after all. Plus, what with many bone disorders being related to old age, keeping strong bones in your younger years can lower the risk of you being affected in the future. So if fitness is your thing, how can you switch up your workouts so that you focus more on building up bone strength?
If you love lifting weights, you will be pleased to know that this is an easy way to help promote bone strength and development. Any resistance caused by the lifting of weights strengthens the muscles and the tendons. As all our bones are surrounded by muscles and tendons which help our bones to work normally, this can help support them. However, be aware that lifting weights that are too heavy could cause damage to your bones, especially if you are not trained in how to lift correctly. Always speak to a professional before attempting any kind of weight training.
In order to build strong bones, it is best to engage in any activity that requires you to stand on your own two feet. This could be something such as running, or you may choose to take part in a fitness-based class such as Zumba. When you are supporting your own bodyweight, your feet and your legs have to work harder, in turn making them stronger. You should be able to do these exercises for a fairly long period of time providing that the impact of them is not too high. For example, running for a long time on a very hard surface can put you at risk of shin splints, so be mindful of where you are exercising. Taking some time out and learning the bones can help you understand what is good for your body and what isn’t.
Sometimes, our bones can come into difficulty, or perhaps we have an accident that causes a fracture. If this is something that has happened to you, you may think that you need to avoid exercise for the foreseeable future. Whilst it is advisable to let your body rest and recover after an injury, there are still some workouts you can do that will keep your bones healthy even in ‘time off’. These are low intensity exercises such as swimming and cycling – basically anything that doesn’t ‘jolt’ the skeleton too much. Stick with these until you are fully recovered and then you can go back to your usual routine.
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.
If you’re gearing up to host a holiday party, there are a few tips and tricks you should use to make sure your party is a hit instead of a flop. By avoiding some of the most common hosting mistakes and using some easy holiday party hacks, you’re sure to throw an amazing holiday party that people will be talking about for years to come.
You can stick with tried-and-true themes like Winter Wonderland and Ugly Sweater Contest, or you can get nostalgic with A Christmas Story or White Christmas. No matter which theme you choose, be sure to tie it into your drinks and tablescapes to really amaze your guests.
2. Up your cocktail game
Sure, you can serve the old standby cocktails at your party, but why not get creative and knock the holiday socks right off your guests. Try making festive cocktails by pouring champagne and Perrier over pink cotton candy. Or, try a spiced citrus cocktail with cranberry syrup, vodka lemonade, and gumdrop skewers. Whatever cocktails you choose, be sure they tie into your theme.
If you want to make your home cozy for your party, make some homemade potpourri with oranges, cinnamon, cranberries, cloves, and nutmeg. You can simmer it on the stove in a pot or purchase a small Crock Pot for simmering. Other items that create a cozy feel include essential oils such as peppermint and pine. Use a diffuser or put a few drops in a bowl of pine cones or yarn balls.
4. Don’t forget the games
While you don’t want to make guests feel like they’re running a marathon because you have planned too many activities, you should plan a few games that will keep the party hopping. A few favorites that are sure to get some laughs are Christmas Carol Pictionary and Minute to Win It. Remember to make a list of items you’ll need for the games ahead of time because it’s easy to overlook the supplies for the games in the chaos of preparing for the party.
5. Crowd-pleasing food
Your guests will arrive hungry, and you should have crowd-pleasing food that won’t break your budget or take you hours to prepare. Simple finger foods like bruschetta, bean dip with pita chips, apple fritters, and stuffed mushrooms look like you spent a ton of time making food but take little time to make and are easy to eat.
Whatever food you plan, make sure it ties into your theme (see tips #2 and #3) and is something that you can prepare or at least partially prepare ahead of time. You won’t feel like you’ve thrown an amazing party if you’ve missed most of it because you were in the kitchen practically the whole time.
Throwing an amazing holiday party takes a bit of forethought and preparation, but if you follow these tips, you’re sure to throw one of the top holiday parties this season.
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.
Amateurs Beware! When Not To Attempt Household Repairs
Many of us fancy ourselves as an amateur tradesman. If there’s a paint job that needs doing or a leaking pipe, we suddenly become an expert and roll our sleeves up. In some cases, attempting your own repairs is fine. In others, it can have disastrous consequences. Here are some scenarios when it’s best to relinquish maintenance jobs to the professionals.
As you know, I will attempt many things on my own, but electricity is a solid ‘No’ for me. Whether it’s an Electrical Service Panel Upgrade or wiring a new light fixture, I call in a professional. Not only is there a chance of getting hurt, but if anything is faulty and causes a fire, you become solely liable for the mishap.
So, if you’ve got a problem with your wiring, steer well clear.
Electrical injuries can be life-threatening. You may have excelled at circuits at school or done a few basic jobs in your time. But it’s always best to be on the safe side. Electricians have advanced training, and they are much better placed to ‘the do’ than you are. If you think there’s something up with the electrics in your home, search online for a local electrician or ask family or friends for recommendations.
Complex plumbing issues
You may be able to shift a minor blockage in the sink. However, if you come across more complex plumbing issues, it’s best to investigate professional plumbing services. In your quest to resolve the problem, you could do a lot more harm than good. You may be at risk of injury, and the bill could increase significantly. Examples of problems you may need a plumber for include leaking pipes, hot water issues, and decreased water pressure.
Damp
Damp is a very common problem in older houses. It usually stems from leaks in the roof or cracks in the wall, which lead to excess moisture. You can often see patches of dampness on ceilings and walls. There can also be a distinctive musty smell. If you spot signs of damp, it’s best to tackle the issue as quickly as possible. This is a problem that will only get worse, especially during the winter months.
If you have problems with your heating, this usually indicates furnace malfunction. By all means, have a look at the control panel, and see if there are obvious issues. But don’t try and rectify problems by removing parts of the furnace or playing around with dials. If the furnace is faulty, this can be very dangerous. It’s best to call a qualified, certified engineer. They will be able to carry out an assessment, and hopefully, find a solution.
If you spot loose roof tiles, resist the temptation to get the ladders out and embrace your inner Spider-Man. Going up onto the roof poses a risk of injury. If you fall, you could suffer fractures, dislocations or even head and spinal injuries. Call a roofing firm and leave it to the experts. They have the safety equipment and experience to do the job properly.
Sometimes, doing jobs around the house can save you time and money. However, it’s essential to know when a scenario requires expert attention. If you encounter any of the household issues listed above, don’t put your safety at risk. There’s a reason why people train for years to do dangerous jobs.
​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.
Escape The Worry Of Home Security This Christmas With These Top Tips
Home security is obviously something we should be clued up on and aware of all year round. But the festive season just seems to be the time of year when a burglary is at it’s highest. Perhaps this is because many people are absent from their homes more often, visiting people for the holiday season. Or maybe it’s the increase of potentially high priced items being stored ready to be gifted on Christmas day. Whatever the reason, it’s important to ensure we give our homes a health check when it comes to security. Which is why I thought I would share with you the top tips for escaping the worry of home security this festive season.
Our locks on our home are the one thing we don’t change too often. Unless, of course, we are forced to. But old locks can break, and they can also be manipulated by people trying to enter your home without permission. Sometimes it’s worth updating and investing in new lock systems like rekey locks to keep your home secure. After all, it’s the main way our homes are kept locked. Why wouldn’t we check them more often?
Install an alarm system
An alarm system is a noise and visual deterrent. Often just having one of these on the exterior of your property is enough to deter anyone to even try and enter your home. But again, just like our locks an alarm system needs upgrading over the years. So it might be worth considering what is out there on the market. Often these more up to date systems can use video surveillance to add an extra security method.
As the nights are getting darker, it can become very obvious when your home is vacant. At this time of year, you may be out and about quite a lot visiting family and friends. A great tip is to use timers to ensure that lights come on when it gets darker. It works for lamps and even Christmas tree lights.
Don’t put things on show
Another great tip is to ensure that you don’t have things on display. Having flashy gifts and technology on show is just screaming for someone to try and enter your home and steal it.
Consider more modern approaches
These days alarm systems, video surveillances, and even doorbells can all be linked to your smartphone. Allowing you to always be in control of your home. Ensuring that you have the maximum security. There are plenty of options out there to suit all budgets just by doing some research online.
Keep things off social media
Finally, it’s worth remembering to keep your privacy settings high on your social media profiles. We all have a tendency to overshare, at this time of year especially. From recording when you are not at home to broadcasting your latest purchases. Keeping things private on social media stops unwanted eyes knowing your business.
I hope these tips help you keep your home secure at this wonderful time of the year.
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.
