Food is your body’s source of energy. Not everything that you eat will benefit you, and that is why you should learn what a healthy diet entails. By leading a healthier lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and any other potential disease or health problem. In order to boost your immunity and feel like the best version of yourself, consider adopting the following habits. Be realistic If you are prone to eating junk food and other processed meals, you likely will not stop these habits overnight. Instead, slowly cut sugar out of your diet, and incorporate the natural and healthy alternatives, which are outlined in the following section. Eat well-balanced meals A balanced diet entails eating meals that are a healthy mix of the five different food groups. The groups are fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and grains. Each food provides you with different vitamins and minerals that give you energy, improves your immunity, and allow you to sleep better at night. Make sure that you eat everything in moderation, and focus on getting your five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Eating a healthy diet does not have to be boring! It can give you an opportunity to experiment and cook with ingredients from different cultures. You can learn new methods for preparing food, so long as it keeps nutrition in mind. Aside from paying attention to the food that you eat, you should drink up to eight glasses of water a day. Keeping hydrated improves your physical performance, boosts skin health, maintains body temperature, flushes out toxins, and prevents countless diseases from manifesting. Follow the advice from a weight loss company A good diet will result in a healthy weight that makes you look and feel good. It’s not always easy to come up with your meal plans, and this is where following the advice from a reputable company comes in handy. Shake That Weight offers low-calorie meal plans that you can tailor to your lifestyle. Rather than browsing on the internet for hours on end to come up with a recipe, you can find all of the information you need on one succinct site. Food that you should not eat There is always food that you should stay far away from when you visit your local grocery store. Some of this includes: • Artificial sweeteners • Processed deli meat • Frozen meals • Cheese in a can • Lunchables • Doughnuts • Fast food • Soda In essence, stay away from food that is high in fat, sugar, is filled with chemicals and is overly processed. It’s normal to treat yourself to ice cream or pizza every so often, but it shouldn’t become normal to eat these types of meals every day. Eat healthy snacks Whether you are at work or on the go, there will be situations where you want to snack on something. These are the moments where you might be tempted to buy a bag of chips, especially if you don’t know what a healthy snack entails. The next time you are craving something, consider eating: • Raw nuts • Fruits or vegetables • Air-popped popcorn • Roasted seaweed • Granola • Dark chocolate • Trail mix A healthy diet can do wonders for improving your quality of life, both mentally and physically. You don’t have to take this article’s word for it; you can adopt these habits yourself and notice the difference they make.
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There’s been a lot of talk in the media over recent years about the rise in numbers of children who are not toilet trained by the time they start school. Meaning teachers are finding themselves not only changing nappies during lesson time, but taking on the bulk of the potty training and, often, blaming parents for being too lazy to take responsibility. However, sometimes, there’s a very good reason why a child isn’t continent by the time they start school: autism. As an autistic parent, I wanted to share my tips and experiences. Autism and incontinence - facts Learning to use the toilet can be particularly challenging for autistic children and is usually related to sensory issues connected to the condition, physical issues, or communication difficulties - or a combination of all three. Studies have shown that around 20% of children aged over 5 years have delayed bladder control, while that figure jumps to 42% of children aged over 4 years who have delayed bowel control.(Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477513115001588 ) Many of these children also have greater occurrences of urinary tract infections and impaction of the bowel. Many autistic children take longer to become continent because they are unable to recognise the signals that their body is giving them about needing to go to the toilet; some don’t realise that their bladder is full and they need to go. A common indicator that a child may be ready to toilet train is when they recognise they have soiled or wet their nappy, but in many autistic children, this awareness is not evident. For some, the physical act of opening their bladder or bowels over an open toilet can be terrifying! For others, a lack of appropriate language or communication skills can hinder their continence development. Autism and incontinence - our story My daughter showed absolutely no signs of being ready to toilet train at the ‘typical’ age many children start - around 15 - 18 months. We didn’t know she was autistic at this point, although she clearly had some communication and language issues. She had been frequently constipated as a baby and, as she got older, she began to ‘withhold’ - she would not have a poo, holding on to it for days; resulting in mild laxatives being needed. We could see by her stance when she was holding it in, and she would scream in pain when she eventually passed something (I even took photos of the biggest poos to show my husband, they were so massive!). It became incredibly debilitating; if she was having a period of withholding, we found it challenging to leave the house until she was relieved. She was in pain, not eating properly, tired and miserable. Then there was the fact that she was almost five years old and still wearing nappies, needing to be changed in public bathrooms that didn’t have suitable facilities. Despite the fact she was obviously aware that she needed to poo, she showed no awareness at all that she was wet, and was very resistant to our suggestions that she could try using the potty or toilet. It was getting to the point where the largest size of nappies available in the stores were just too small. I wish I had known about Aeroflow Urology at this time. Aeroflow Urology specialise in offering diapers and other incontinence supplies for children like my daughter who suffer with incontinence due to medical reasons. What’s more, I have heard many stories from other parents with older, incontinent children who had to rely on getting there’s delivered in huge quantities and having nowhere to store them. A regular subscription of diapers in larger sizes, delivered monthly to my door, like Aeroflow offer, would have been a lifesaver! What’s more, if your child is incontinent due to Autism or other conditions (such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida), it’s well worth looking to see if you can qualify for this service via Medicaid. There’s more information on this here. Our story took an unexpected turn when, on the morning of her 5th birthday, she took off her overnight nappy and declared she wanted to use the potty - which she did (although by this point she was way too big and most of it went on the floor!). She asked to wear underwear and, to this day, has been dry day and night for over two years, never wearing a nappy or pull-up again! She’s certainly an all-or-nothing kind of girl! We were very fortunate that it all happened so quickly and naturally in the end, and her constipation and withholding also improved immensely once she was happy to go to the loo. I believe that leaving her until she was ready was the right thing, but this may not be the case for all children, and some may need much more help and support to become continent, and it could take several years. Writer: Kelly Kemp: www.itsatinkthing.com @itsatinkthing We’ve done the research, we’ve decided it’s a good idea, we’ve even ordered the products.
You’ve done your research, you’ve decided it’s a good idea, you’ve even ordered the products. What’s next when it comes to giving your dog CBD oil? The DOSAGE, but of course. Let us walk you through this one. Being a first-time dog parent to administer CBD oil to your beloved pup can be nerve-racking – you may be anxious to give your dog too much or too little, and that’s totally understandable. However, that’s why we’re here, to make the process a little bit easier. Are you ready to dive right in? Let’s not waste any more time. What’s the Correct Dosage to Administer to My Dog? Things To Consider Giving a straightforward answer to that question is near impossible – it all depends on the dog. Think about it this way: Are you going to give your 12 lb. chihuahua a four-drop dosage four times a day if they get anxiety during the fireworks or during a thunderstorm? Absolutely not. Are you going to give your 15 lb. Maltese a four-drop dosage four times a day if they have cancer? It’s a possibility, depending on the cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the symptoms resulting from the cancer. Although, it is always best to administer smaller amounts and work your way up if the smaller amounts don’t seem to work. On the other hand, are you going to give your 75 lb. German Shepherd only one to two drops of CBD oil to treat his or her inflammation? Probably not. It works both ways. Basically, what we’re saying, is that the size of your dog and the weight of your dog will definitely matter when you’re trying to figure out the correct dosage to administer. What Else Might Matter When Administering the Correct Dose? The ailment that your dog is facing will always matter. Does your dog have cancer? Does he or she struggle with anxiety and depression-related symptoms? Is loss of appetite or slow metabolism an issue in their daily lives? Does he or she have arthritis or dysplasia in their joints? All valid questions to ask before deciding on where to start with dosage. Think about it this way: You’re not going to give your dog the same dosage throughout the day for a sleep-related issue as you would a cancer-related issue. What is the General Guideline for Administration? Every CBD product, including the oils, that you purchase from companies will give you a recommendation on how to administer their products to your dog – you should follow this. However, if you’re ever in any doubt, you should always start on the lower dose side and work your way up until you see the results you want to see. On almost all packages, the directions read that you should administer two to four drops of CBD oil two to four times a day, and to do so accordingly. If you have any specific questions about administration, all CBD companies have phone numbers to reach their personal CBD professionals and consultants. You can always check in with your veterinarian, too. Los Angeles is known as the home of Hollywood studios as well as all the glamour and excess, but it’s also been a key location for the music industry. In addition to being at the center of much of the music industry’s history, it’s arguably one of the best places to find live music in the US today. Whether you’re looking for live music, souvenirs or simply to walk in the footsteps of your musical heroes, Los Angeles is a must-see destination. This essential guide outlines the best places for music lovers who are headed to the City of Angels.
Visit Capitol Records So many legendary artists have recorded their music at Capitol Studios in LA that it’s impossible to list them here without doing some a disservice. Needless to say, it’s well worth visiting the studio and taking photos of the tower and the Hollywood Jazz mural. Tourists aren’t allowed inside generally, but sometimes ticketed events are available. Relive Rock History on the Sunset Strip The Sunset Strip runs along Sunset Boulevard and is around 1.5 miles of music venues, rock clubs, and huge billboards. Made famous in the 1960s as the place to be for any up and coming musician, it has been frequented by many of the world’s musical legends including Jim Morrison and David Bowie. Catch a gig at one of the clubs such as the Viper Room or The Troubadour. Do Some Record Shopping at Amoeba Music Amoeba Music is one of the biggest and most famous record stores in the world. Spread over two floors the store is a music lover’s paradise and has even hosted free live gigs by artists like Paul McCartney who recorded his 2007 EP – Amoeba’s Secrets – in an unannounced performance. Take a Stroll Down the RockWalk While the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a popular attraction for tourists, music fans tend to gravitate towards the Guitar Center RockWalk. This is a section of the sidewalk reserved for rock musicians and is outside the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard. Take a trip to the RockWalk to find the handprints of some of rock’s greatest legends from Iron Maiden to The Cure. Catch a Live Gig at the Hollywood Bowl The most famous venue in LA is the Hollywood Bowl, which opened in 1922. Many of the world’s most legendary acts have played there from The Beatles and Tony Bennett to Lady Gaga and Nine Inch Nails. Even if you don’t see a gig, it’s worth a visit just for the free museum. If you’d rather discover some new music, then you’ll be spoilt for choice as there a vast number of bars and venues with live music including The Echo in Echo Park, Teragram Ballroom in Westlake and Silver Lake’s The Satellite. Of course, if you fancy a break from music during your trip, then why not catch a live sports game as well? Take a look at www.ticketsales.com to find out what’s on during your trip. Visit the Grammy Museum The Grammy Museum is a must-see attraction for music fans. It includes a wide range of artifacts from music history as well as rotating interactive exhibits about musical genres and individual artists. There are also events and lectures in the museum’s Clive Davis Theater. Tour the Los Angeles Music Center The LA Music Center is downtown and consists of the Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by architect Frank Gehry), the Keck Amphitheater, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Mark Taper Forum. You can take a free 90-minute tour of the buildings to learn about their history but make sure you check the specific tour days. Grab a Sandwich at Canter’s You’ll not only enjoy a delicious sandwich at this delicatessen but can also experience a piece of rock history. The deli has been a favorite hangout for rock musicians since the 1950s because of its location amidst rock and comedy venues. The owner, Marc Canter, was a childhood friend of Slash of Guns ‘n’ Roses and rumor has it that a fight broke out here between The Bags and Tom Waits. Often, we can be so caught up in the busy bustle of life that we sometimes forget to look after the most important thing - ourselves. Contrary to what society may condition us to believe, self-love is not selfish, in fact, it is essential. Without making time for yourself, to do the things you want to, it can lead you down a dark path of unhappiness and un-fulfilment of life. There are small changes you can make that can actually make a big difference, and allow you to put yourself first.
Have Your Own Hobby If you don’t already have a hobby, consider getting one. This can be literally anything but should be something you do simply because you love doing it. This may be something such as gardening, painting, collecting or walking; something that you can do alone or with others. Having a hobby allows you to take time out of your normal life and do something that you have a genuine passion for. There are so many hobbies you can take up, and they don’t have to break the bank! If you don’t have one, take a look at this list of hobbies for inspiration. Exercise This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go out, buy a pair of new trainers and go on a two-mile run, or indeed fork out for a monthly gym membership. Exercise can be as vigorous or gentle as you like, so if you’re not keen on the idea of sweating it out on a treadmill, consider something like yoga, swimming or dancing. Exercising is incredibly beneficial for your physical and mental health, so can boost your mood and make you feel amazing. Have a look in your local fitness centre - there may be classes that interest you: Pilates, Zumba, boxing… Even if you’ve never done any of these before, have a go - you may be surprised and fall in love with a new sport! Love Your Career Slightly bigger than the previous two but loving the career that you’re in is perhaps one of the most important things - after all, you are doing it almost every day! If you come home every day, dreading having to go back in the morning, or spend the whole day clock watching, then have a think, are you actually enjoying work? Or are you doing it because you feel that you have to? Life is short, so do something that you love. You could turn your hobby into a career, such as getting a career in Yoga Teaching if you love yoga or would prefer a more active career. There are endless possibilities and swapping to a career you love means putting yourself first and doing something that makes you happy. Life is short so take time out from your busy day to do something that makes you happy. Even if it’s 20 minutes of meditation or reading your favorite book, it’s important to look after ourselves! |
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