Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

5 Gifts For The On-The-Go Parents To Be

One of the hardest things about becoming a parent is feeling constrained — especially when you’re used to traveling or not being much of a homebody and feel the need to always on-the-go. For second time parents, things may become a bit easier as the first baby was practice and maneuvering through the trickiest situations has become a breeze. Still, the new challenge of baby number two is being able to become a pro at being on the go with two kids instead of one. For the parents to be, especially the ones that love to travel, here are a few gift ideas to make life easier for parents and comfortable for baby.

Birthing Classes

For many mothers-to-be, thinking about their approaching to giving birth triggers different feelings such as fear, anxiety and stress. The common reasons for this include misconceptions about giving birth and delivery and many other unknowns. How it will all go, if the baby is going to be alright etc etc. Many different scary thoughts goes in the minds. So it’s highly suggestible to visit some birthing classes. See this review of some the best childbirth classes and choose before giving birth.

Compact Stroller

From running errands, getting around the airport for travel, or meeting with friends for lunch, having a convenient stroller is a game-changer. The best strollers are lightweight, compact, have room for storage, and easy to fold and unfold such as Ergobaby strollers. When choosing a stroller, make sure that it’s also comfortable for baby. Some of the things to look for is the size of the canopy, mesh panels to provide ventilation on warmer days, a comfy seat pad that provides enough padding and can be removed to wash, and you’ll even want to pay attention to the design of the wheels to make sure it rides smoothly. Ultimately, using a lightweight stroller is not only best for your baby, who will feel safe and comfortable, but sleek and modern strollers are usually easier to take with you on your travels than the bulkier models.

Portable Bottle Warmer

Anything portable is any new mom’s best friend. Whether mom is planning on breastfeeding or using the formula, she’ll need to warm up both. Bottle warmers such as The Baby’s Brew allows you to travel anywhere from 8 to 12 hours once it’s fully charged. This bottle warmer can even save a trip to the kitchen for parents who make bottles using formula. Keeping a formula station in the nursery can make it convenient for those late midnight feedings.

Seatbelt Cover

Since busy parents tend to spend a lot more time on the road, using an eZtotZ seat belt buckle cover prevents accidental unbuckling from happening, especially if you have an older sibling riding in the backseat. It’s best to also use one for your toddler and older kids that are using a car seat or booster seat as they tend to unbuckle themselves at times while being curious or playing around.

Shopping Cart Hammock

A lot of new moms get intimidated at the thought of making a trip to the grocery store with their babies. Trying to figure out how to lug the car seat back and forth while dealing with the groceries seems overwhelming. A Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock will allow mom to leave the car seat in the car, while baby lays comfortably in the baby hammock that easily attaches to the shopping cart. Not only does this create more space for groceries, but it also gives moms a break from carrying a bulky car seat in and out of the car.

When shopping for parents on the go, always remember convenience. If it’s convenient, it will make for the best gift as they think about you and how grateful they are in the moment where your gift made life easier.

Secure Your Child’s Financial Future With These Simple Ideas

Watching your children grow into happy, healthy, responsible adults is one of the many privileges that us parents get to enjoy. We can set them up to make good decisions regarding their physical health, teach them the importance of relationships, patience, working hard, and how to always prioritize their mental health.

Have you ever thought about how you can prepare your child for the financial responsibilities of adulthood? It’s easy to overlook. After all, when they’re older, your child will get a job and start a financial journey of their own. But there are ways that parents like you and me can give them a helping hand and hit the ground running.

Want to know more? Read on for how you can secure your child’s financial future with these simple ideas.

A junior ISA

Giving your child a hand with their future plans is easy with a junior ISA – this site can help you build a pot of money for your child – it’s a tax-efficient way for you to save your money and allow it to grow each year. This money can only be accessed when your child turns 18, giving you plenty of time to create a good nest egg for your child to make the most of.

Start saving before they’re born!

If you’re currently expecting your child, then there’s no better time to start saving. The sooner the better! You don’t have to worry about putting aside vast amounts each month, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Between now and when your child turns 18, you could slowly build a strong amount that will give them a much needed financial head start.

Life insurance

Taking out life insurance for you and your partner is a simple yet effective way to support your children in case something should happen to you. Depending on your policy, your mortgage may be covered as well as funeral expenses. If you suddenly fall ill then your family won’t be plunged into a financial black hole that’s incredibly difficult to get out of. Especially while the family is grieving.

Normalize money and teach your kids about it!

Some aspects of money can be incredibly complicated. However, it’s important to teach your child the basics of money so they have a brighter financial future. Teaching them about saving, the importance of making a budget, avoiding debt and good money management are all financial building blocks your child needs to make informed choices as adults.

Write a will

Death is a difficult subject for any family, but leaving instructions for the family you’ve left behind is essential. Writing a will and leaving your children as the benefactors can help secure their futures and ensure that all your assets, property, and money goes exactly where you want it to. You’ll find lots of free will writing facilities online or reach out to a lawyer for more advice.

Final thoughts…

Teaching your kids about money and preparing them for financial responsibility is an essential part of parenting. Start as soon as possible!

Everything You Need To Know About The Instant Pot

Want to whip up a quick, delicious meal after a long hard day at the office? Maybe you are on limited time and need something quick before you head out the door. The microwave might seem like the most convenient option. There is no denying that it will get the job done, but it’ll likely suck out all the food and flavor. Plus, it is not the healthiest option out there. This is where the instant pot comes in handy. Not only can these devices whip up a good, healthy meal, but they can do it faster than you’d imagine. That being said, instant pots come available in a variety of designs and styles, and using one might seem like a straightforward process, but that isn’t always the case. Whether you are entirely new to instant pots or just looking to enhance your skills with your new device, here are some things that you need to know.

Might Take Longer Than Imagined

There is no denying that an instant pot is quick. It can whip up an entire, delectable meal in just a matter of minutes. However, it is not as fast as you might be thinking. It’s nothing like a microwave. It’s not like throwing a burrito in the microwave, heating for 5 minutes, and being done. There is no way that you can whip up a poached chicken breast in 8 minutes. You can’t make steel-cut oatmeal in 3 minutes either like some sites might have you believe. However, this doesn’t mean that the device isn’t fast. The thing with the instant pot is that the cooking process doesn’t start until the pressure builds inside. On top of this, it doesn’t end until all the pressure is released. That being said, you should set aside at least anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes just for the pressure to build and 30 minutes for it to release. A more accurate time for those oats might be more like 23 to 28 minutes as opposed to 5.

The Saute Feature

Everything you should know about how the instant pot tapioca pudding is different can be found out this website, but it really is the saute feature that sets the device apart. The saute feature is one that will allow you to caramelize onions or toast spices without pulling another pan. It is also a feature that you can take advantage of when you are done cooking soups and sauces to let them simmer for a bit. This is something that is a real pain with the slow cooker.

Not Just A Pressure Cooker

The instant pot is not just a pressure cooker like you might believe. It offers a number of unique features in one device. It acts like a slow cooker, a rice cooker, and it can make yogurt as well. Whether you are looking for a device that can do one of these things or you are looking to eliminate a device from your pantry that can do one of these things, it is the instant pot that can do them all. While the instant pots are rather large and take up a lot of counter space, you have to remember just everything they are capable of.

The Customized Kindergarten Program For The Little Ones

The kindergarten programs are good for children for giving them the opportunity of practising and learning the social, problem solving, emotional as well as study skills. Everything they will get is based on schooling. It also gives the development of the system that lead to the achievement of the important goals. The kindergarten programs have all the necessary structures of teaching a child everything from the scratch. Painting, storytelling, knowledge about folk tales, poems, and rhymes, along with basic counting and mathematical activities, there are multiple ways in which any kindergarten program allows a child to grow.

Benefits Of The Kindergarten Program

• Kindergarten programs lead to the promotion of the learning of the child. They have a well-structured setting with a group of children and teachers. They give the opportunity for sharing, following instructions and beginning with the foundation level of schooling.

• They go beyond the known levels of examination, assessment, and evaluation. With the right structure of pedagogy and learning methods, the children learn all the basics of communication and it helps them to develop into a fully formed and well-knowledgeable individual.

• Kindergarten programs promote the development of cognitive skills and learning languages. The child builds enough knowledge in the language in which environment. There are also teachers who help in the development of language skills by making use of thought-provoking questions.

• The kindergarten programs will boost the literacy skills and numeracy thus enabling young children to grow.

• The kindergarten is responsible for the promotion of emotional and social development by building trustworthy relationships. There are high-quality early childhood programs that will strengthen the relationship between the parents, children, and teacher. Games are the ways through which children get to know their spirit and to which way they are inclined.

• The real-time environment gives a good opportunity for learning many new things in life. The kindergarten program teaches children to take care of themselves and others.

• There are high-quality early childhood programs that will give the successful participation in the classroom. Overall, children build good hand-eye coordination along with the balance due to the high-quality kindergarten programs.

Services By Kindergarten Program

There are special kindergarten programs for 4 years old where children attend the schools around 15 hours each week. The schooling will also come along with a long daycare centre. Early start kindergarten also conducts 15 hours of the low cost of kindergarten per week. There are some three-year-old kindergarten programs that will build good overall upbringing for the children. Supported by community groups, councils, and long daycare program for kindergarten will give plenty of additional programs as well.

These kindergartens are under government supervision that ensures better learning. The professional kindergarten programs are good because they offer the specialized integrated programs for ensuring that the child gets ready for the schooling. The programs are specially designed for the three to five-year-old ones. The personal development of the child will give them the development of good basic knowledge and overall health development.

Children become interactive and culturally rich with a diverse range of qualities in them. The kindergarten programs lead to the development of the cognitive skills in the children that you will not find elsewhere. Moreover, these are centres are totally regulated to maintain the norms sticking to the government. There is a real-time monitoring system for the overall development of the child that makes them successful enough in achieving their objectives. The kindergarten programs are licensed and verified to ensure that at any cost it will not ruin the prospect of the child. When you hire the best kindergarten programs for the children, always try to ensure that they are licensed, they have the right medical and emergency facility for the children.

How to Help Your Child Manage Their Asthma

Discovering that your child has asthma can be somewhat overwhelming, especially when you don’t know how to handle the issue. Will you be able to cope when your child is struggling to breathe and gasping for air?

However, if you know what to do, you can teach your child how to manage their condition, and significantly reduce the amount of stress for both of you, that such a situation can sometimes cause. The following are some important things that you can pass on to your child so that they can cope with their asthma.

How to recognize triggers – asthma is triggered in different ways for different people, so both you and your child must make an effort to find out what it is that triggers his/her asthma. These could include animal hair and dander, air pollution, pollen, dust, cold weather, infections, or exercise. Familiarizing yourself with these triggers will help you to avoid them in the future and prevent asthma flare-ups.

What to do in the event of a flare-up – it’s not only about asthma attacks though. Children frequently have flare-ups where their air passages become inflamed or narrowed, and they don’t feel it. Although breathing might feel normal, inflammation can still be caused by those everyday triggers. Knowing that this is a risk to your child means that you can help him/her recognize when their airway isn’t functioning as it should be.

Establish daily breathing tests – daily breathing tests can often help to prevent flare-ups. With the help of a device called a “peak flow meter”, you can measure your child’s breathing ability. If the peak flow drops, it means that inflammation is increasing. A peak flow meter can even detect a small amount of inflammation, even if your child doesn’t feel ill, which will give you time to treat a flare-up even before it occurs.

How to use their medication – there are various forms of asthma treatment, such as pills, as well as devices like nebulizers, inhalers, and as above, peak flow meters. Your doctor will tell you which option/s is best for your child, and it is essential that your child learns how to use them correctly in order to maximize their efficiency.

Nebulizers work well with small children, but by about the age of 2 or 3, an inhaler should be easy for them to use on their own. However, if your child is this young, it is recommended to connect an inhaler spacer to the device. This eliminates the need for eye-hand coordination and will allow your child to use his/her inhaler quite easily.

Whether oral or inhaled asthma treatment is prescribed for your child, you can help him/her remember to take it every day, by making it a part of their daily routine, like before or after meals or when brushing their teeth.

Help your child to establish a plan of action – as soon as you have figured out how your child reacts when they have an attack or a flare-up, help him/her to recognize the difference between a flare-up and an attack, as well as what to do if and when they happen. Your child should establish his/her own plan of action so that they can handle their own treatment or medication. As soon as your child has established their own plan of action, he/she will become more adept at handling the condition.

Even though asthma can make life difficult for both child and parent, with a little bit of effort and know-how, it is very possible to control asthmatic conditions and live a basically normal life, like everyone else.

7 Carry-on Hacks When Traveling With Kids

One of the biggest struggles that parents have when they’re traveling with their kids is the number of items they pack in their luggage and carry-on.

Traveling is especially challenging if you have smaller kids with you since you want to be able to get a hand on them at all times. When you’re carrying your items with you, it’s even more difficult.

Your kids are going to need specific things to travel comfortably, so you’re going to be lugging around a big bag for their needs alone.

As parents, you’d want to make your life a lot easier all the time, especially when you’re somewhere far away from home. Hence, these seven carry-on hacks for your travel with kids should help you have an easier time:

Pack only a week’s worth of clothes

One of the reasons it’s so difficult to travel with your kids is because you have to bring a lot of items with you. Most of them will be all the variety of clothes and other baby clothing that you’ll need.

Therefore, the only way to have a manageable number of clothes with you would be to pack only a week’s worth of clothes.

If you want to make it easier for you, you should start by looking for ways to remove the number of clothes you bring with you. You should limit yourself only to a week’s worth of clothes.

You can always pay for laundry service or book a place that has a washing machine and a dryer. Instead of bringing your entire wardrobe with you, reduce your stress by limiting your packing to one week’s clothes.

Use packing cubes

When you’re traveling with your kids, you want to access the items that you need at any time. Therefore, you should be more deliberate and organized with how you pack your items, even in your carry-on.

One thing that will help you pack well would be by using packing cubes to help you pack your items.

Packing cubes are especially helpful for keeping and adequately compartmentalizing your other smaller things. You can use packing cubes to separate items based on which items are for which people.

Having one large compartment makes it a lot harder to organize several items that come in different sizes. With the help of packing cubes, you can have smaller compartments for your smaller pieces, and they’ll be easier to access and find because of that.

Travel size your toiletries

Travel-sized toiletries are something that you should already be doing in the first place. One tip to be able to have more toiletries is by using solid toiletries instead of liquid ones. There are even shampoo and conditioner bars that both won’t count as a liquid toiletry.

If you don’t have any specific concerns or needs, you might also want to consider not bringing toiletries with you. Instead, you can buy your toiletries at your location.

Wear bulky clothing items

One way to reduce your luggage’s weight is by wearing your bulkiest clothing items when you go on a flight.

Once you’re properly seated, you can start removing the bulky clothing if it’s bothering you. Doing this will help you reduce the weight of your luggage. That way, you won’t have to rush through the entire process of boarding a flight hauling a big suitcase.

Bring three pairs of shoes at most

Aside from limiting your clothes, it would help if you also restrained yourself by bringing only three pairs of shoes at most. Please limit that to two, if you can. Also, try and wear your bulkiest shoes on the flight.

Limit electronics devices

You don’t need to bring all your electronic devices when you’re traveling with your kids. You don’t need those camera lenses as much as you thought you did.

Having a tablet and a portable power bank can provide you with all you and your kid’s needs.

Give your kids their bag

If your kids are a little older, you should consider getting them their bags. That way, you’ll have a new place to store the items that your kids would want to access.

You can store their toys, snacks, blanket, and more. Plus, it will get your kids to feel more independent.

Over to You

All those horror stories that parents have when they travel with their kids might intimidate you when the time comes for you to do the same. However, the simple act of preparing beforehand will do wonders for reducing your stress on the day of your trip.

These seven carry-on hacks are just a few of the things you can do to ease some of the load that comes with traveling with kids.

As you continue to go with kids, you might find more methods that work best for you. Also, remember to have fun during your travel and to have patience with yourself and your kids.

Get Your Decoration Ideas For Kitchen From Pros!

The kitchen is a part of our home where family spend most of the time. When we put our mind on re decorating or renovating the kitchen, we’re always stuck! The hardest parts are where to begin and what exactly to do. To ease your mind we have tips from professionals that are working on home renovations and decor on daily basis!

4 Tips You Need to Follow to Decorate – Kate On Thin Ice

Moving can be pretty exhausting and overwhelming. But that’s just the first step when it comes to starting your new life in your new house. Once that’s finished, you need to turn it into a home, a place you feel comfortable in and truly love. Creating your kitchen as an environment that always makes you feel wonderful, is one of the steps!

You’re probably fully aware that the whole decoration process can take a lot of time and energy. However, it’s not impossible, and if you follow some guidelines, you will enjoy the whole thing and get the results you’ve always dreamed of. We got you covered with these 4 tips that will surely help a great deal with the decoration.

Everything starts with moving. Make it easier.
Old and new furniture
Redecoration doesn’t always mean something totally new
Don’t wait with the decoration. Start right away!

Experience tells us that those who don’t begin redecorating their homes right after the move, will probably never start. If you really want to experience the feeling of a new home, don’t wait around. If it feels overwhelming, you can go with small, simple steps. You’ve got to strike while the iron is hot and before you feel like settling into a daily routine.If you have a lot of projects you want to finish as soon as possible, like painting a room or replacing the flooring in certain places, you can start them before you move in. It’s a lot easier to get the messier tasks like painting and flooring finished before you arrive. Just start doing the things you’ve envisioned and slowly everything will change around you.

Kitchen Renovation : 5 factors to consider – KIKI Interiors

A kitchen renovation will Increase the Appeal and Value of your Home
Upgrade your Appliances
Sinks, Faucets and Hardware
Wall Design
Revamp your Cabinets

Cabinets are one of the first features to be upgraded as they are an obvious requirement. They are also the first thing to get stained or damaged. If you want to modernize your cabinets, you can start with the hinges, and latches, as this improves the look significantly. Some homeowners even go so far as installing self-closing cabinet mechanisms which prevent slamming and allow you to take whatever item you want out of the cabinet and walk away without worrying if you have left it open or not.

Creative Kitchen lighting – Gully Creek Cottage

Several years ago I had purchased some under cabinet lighting that was inexpensive (Ikea), and had never used them. I installed those and now that allows for very nice lighting when needed for work but also allows a neat glow in the evening so you don’t have to have the entire kitchen lit up.
I wanted something totally cool and different with substantial lighting since the island workspace will be used for lots of food prep. So a little thinking outside the box came into play when I saw this beautiful table with great detailing.

Kitchen Updates for Rental Property – Wellington Home Team

Are the doors on your kitchen cabinets becoming an eyesore so you are thinking about replacing those cabinets? Try removing the cabinet doors on the upper cabinets and doing a little refurbishment on them as an alternative. Because people tend to pay less attention to the lower cabinets, you can make the uppers your visual priority. Just one cabinet with no door can be an attractive shelf and useful, though you must fill in the holes from the door hardware. However, if the kitchen has all upper doors that are unsightly, removing them all will lower the appeal and functionality. In this case, replace them all. By focusing on the upper cabinets as a set, you do not have to match the lower cabinets, as contrasting upper and lower cabinets is a popular design trend currently.

Small Decorations for Small Kitchen – A Focus on Kitchen Rugs – Rugman

1. Narrow and Long Rugs

A long narrow rectangular rug would work well as this is often the typical shape of the average small kitchen. Even where that is not the case and you only want it to cover a specific part of the floor, the narrow rug or hallway rug is convenient for this role. Imagine the front of the kitchen sink or lower kitchen cabinets, underneath the kitchen stools or along the length of the kitchen island. You could also use a narrow rug at the entrance of the kitchen.

2. Round Rugs

Round rugs may feel a little out of place in tight spaces such as the floor of a small kitchen. You can find ways to make it work though like going for smaller rugs. A round rug can be a great fit underneath pet bowls or in front of your kitchen sink. If you are fortunate to have a walk-in pantry despite the size of the kitchen, round rugs can give your pantry that added touch of flare. You could also place the rug beneath kitchen stools.

3. Breakfast Table Rugs

Small kitchens can have breakfast tables only that they’ll probably be smaller than what you’d have in a conventional kitchen. If you have a breakfast table, you can accentuate it with a rug. Kitchen tables may be round, square or rectangular so your choice of kitchen rug should take this into account for symmetry.

4. Outdoor Rugs

The kitchen rug doesn’t always have to be something specifically designated as a kitchen rug. You can re purpose outdoor rugs for instance. They are great for the kitchen thanks to their durability and sturdiness. Think about the rigors of the kitchen environment such as spilled liquids, fallen food, broken dishes and the high foot traffic.

Outdoor rugs are meant to withstand dirt and harsh weather so will easily surmount whatever the kitchen throws at them. Better yet, they can be given a thorough clean regularly without any significant deterioration to their quality.

The Best Window Treatment Ideas: Top 6 Trends to Follow

Make this 2020 the new year you start shedding light into your home with newer window treatments. Whether it’s to give your windows a facelift or purchase new curtains, something’s got to change for the better.

Even the smallest alterations can spruce up your rooms! But where can you start? Read on to find out the top six window treatment trends you can follow today!

1. Home Renovation to Welcome the New

I’m sure you’ve watched home improvement shows at least once in your life, and that you, or someone you know, is addicted to it!

The old home restoration trend goes beyond our favorite shows and will continue in many homeowners this 2020. While some renovations start to modernize, others will want to stick with the older home’s foundational design, utilizing what they have at home to make into something new.

You can incorporate traditional window treatments such as box, pencil, or pinch pleat curtains. These are perfect for older homes.

2. Open Floor Plans For More Light

Open floor plans are already becoming very popular because of how it adds flexible space, making a home look bigger. It also adds in more light and a nice view of your garden or backyard for a more positive ambiance.

You can embrace the open space and let even more light in by adding lightweight window treatments and pair it with breeze, open curtains without any blinds or sheers. This accentuates a good view while having a home look even brighter and more open.

3. Palettes Go Coastal

Did you know that Classic Blue is Pantone’s Color of the Year this 2020?

That’s why it’s time to usher in coastal-inspired colors, such as blues, crisp whites, and/or fresh greens! You can do this with your window treatments as well, which can make your home look stylish and trendy.

For those who have the neutral decor in their home, opt for a blue accent in your window treatments, accessories, and pillows. You can even opt for trendy patterns while matching the color trend, whether you want stripes, plaids, florals, or whatever design you want to achieve. This will give the area a peaceful and tranquil vibe while connecting all parts of your room and personality together.

It isn’t just the curtains and blinds to think about, but your curtain rods as well. Pair your coastal-colored window treatments with steel hardware, which is becoming bigger than ever. The curtains will embellish the simple and sleek rods, so look into bronze, nickel, or chrome materials that will give your windows a significant upgrade.

4. Shutters Start to Gain Popularity

Blind products are beginning to grow in popularity, and it’s going pretty quickly! Blinds and shutters offer classic style and more privacy to a home, as well as shade during the hot, sunny days. However, shutters alone can have your room look a bit cold.

Soften the look of the shutters by adding drapes or curtains, with your rods long enough to clear your shutters, easily opening and closing it. The curtains or drapes won’t only add design and color, but more privacy as needed!

Extra tip for those who want shutters: If you want wood plantation shutters but are on a budget, go for 2-inch wood blinds!

5. Rattan For Added Texture

Rattan and wicker furniture was once a trend that faded out but is now coming back this year. The all-natural and eco-friendly look adds more warmth and beauty to a home, having you feel like you’re away from home and in the tropics.

If you want to try this trend, invest in woven wood shades in bamboo or rattan for the textured and casual look. You can choose between dozens of colors and weaves to suit your preference! For those with a more traditional style, add contrasting binding tape to Roman shades, which adds formality.

Note that rattan and woven shades are usually see-through, depending on its weave. If you don’t want liners (these block-like completely and are visible from the outside of your home), opt for curtains over the shades, adding privacy and some softness.

6. We Go High-Tech With Our Curtains and Blinds

This is an exciting new addition to this 2020’s trends that we haven’t seen from previous years. If you have a device-activated home, you can invest in motorized blinds or curtains, the latest home technology rising in popularity today.

Activate the window treatments using a remote control, your smartphone, or your home devices like Alexa and Google! While enticing, the downfall is its cost, which can go around $300 to $1,000 per window, depending on the size and window treatment type you want. This doesn’t include special hardware and installation fees!

But if you have the budget, then it’s time to give your entire home an upgrade, including the windows. No need to walk up to them to draw curtains out or cover your windows anymore!

For those who don’t have the budget, not to worry. You can simplify the function and look of your blinds by investing in cordless lifts from Shuttterup Brisbane Blinds. These window treatments are easy to use and are a safe choice for children’s rooms and nurseries. Furthermore, they give the windows a clean and modern look.

So if you want to give your windows a new look, don’t wait any longer and try any of these treatment ideas today.

What is the Gut Microbiome and Why Should I Care?

Recent research suggests that the gastrointestinal tract, also known as the gut, plays a much larger role in maintaining overall health than previously thought. For example, researchers have found new indicators that connect the gut and immune health in recent years.

Now that the medical community knows more about the function of the gut microbiome, you may want to learn more about this internal environment and how it impacts your health.

Gut Check

The gastrointestinal tract (“GI tract” or “gut”) starts at the mouth and ends at the rectum. This system is responsible for breaking down all the food and beverages a person consumes, then discarding the remains, absorbing the necessary nutrients along the way.

Various organs compose the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. At a basic level, food passes through the gut as follows:

Food enters through the mouth then passes through the esophagus
The food enters the stomach, which uses acidic juices to break down the food into chyme.
The chyme drops down into the small intestine, which is composed of three sections. Nutrients are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream with the help of the pancreas and liver.
As the food is further broken down and digested, it passes through the large intestine.
Finally, it’s disposed of through the rectum.

Microbes and the Gut’s Microbiome

Now that you recall how the GI tract works, it’s time to dig in deep to understand its internal microbiome. Trillions of microbes (microscopic living organisms like viruses, fungus, and bacteria) live inside the gut, primarily within the large intestine. Essentially, this collective environment acts like another organ within the body.

The Essential Role of the Microbiome

The gut microbiome has a diverse array of uses. Some microbiome functions include: supporting heart health, managing blood sugar, regulating metabolism, and even improve brain health, according to some research. However, the two most predominant functions are:

Digestion– When it comes to assisting digestion, the microbes within the GI help break down fiber. It also helps prevent digestive diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Immune System Regulation– The microbiome controls what many people refer to as “the immune system in your gut.” This system sends messages to immune cells to help the body respond to infections.

The Dangers of an Unhealthy Gut

What does it mean to have an “unhealthy gut?” This term refers to a microbiome that allows unhealthy bacteria to grow in excess or limits the growth of healthy bacteria.

Paying close attention to the food you eat is an integral part of maintaining a balanced gut microbiome. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may indicate that your gut health needs some attention. If the symptoms appear severe, see your doctor right away.

Food allergies and sensitivities
Gas, bloating, or poor digestion
Inflammation
Mood swings
Irritated skin
Fatigue
Inability to concentrate
Unexpected weight fluctuation

A System of Balance

When it comes to gut health, balance is key. There are many foods that help promote a healthy microbiome, and others you should try your best to avoid or limit (for example, sugar). Focusing on gut-healthy food is a great way to maintain balance within your GI tract. Look for food items rich in:

Prebiotics– Garlic, onions, asparagus, bananas, chocolate, apples, and leeks
Collagen– Bone broth, eggs whites, chicken, beans, berries, and greens
Probiotics– Yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kombatcha

If you have a difficult time working these foods into your diet regularly, you can always take daily supplements.

Give Your Gut the Support it Needs

Taking care of your gut is an essential part of maintaining overall health. Taking steps to eat healthily and focus on proper nutrition and supplements will help to ensure your body can produce the bacteria your gut needs. Before making any dietary changes, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor. With their OK, you’ll be all set to begin a new lifestyle that’s gut-health friendly.

Avoid a Car Accident With these Simple Auto Tips

Did you know that thousands of car accidents happen on the roads every day? Thankfully, many people walk away with minimal injuries, however, in some circumstances the victims are left with life-changing injuries, and their family is left to deal with the aftermath of a fatality.

When we learn how to drive, we’re always taught about how to keep ourselves safe and to keep other road users in mind, sadly the more time we spend on the roads, the less cautious we become and in some cases, the more likely we are to be involved in a crash. So, with this in mind and to keep yourself from getting complacent behind the wheel, I’ve gathered some simple auto tips that will help you avoid a car accident (and hopefully not needing a car accident lawyer).

Never drink and drive

It’s a sad fact that many people still get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of alcohol. It slows down our reaction time, makes coordination difficult, and hinders our judgment, putting lives at risk. Not only can a DUI ruin your life – can you go to jail for your first DUI in PA? Click the link to find out – but it could even result in destroyed property, the loss of your job, failure in getting ahead in your career, and facing the shame from your friends and family.

Always wear a seatbelt

Reminding people to buckle up in 2020 sounds ridiculous, but many people still neglect to fasten their seatbelts before driving. Not only does a seatbelt stop you from hitting your head on the dashboard/steering wheel, but it also keeps you in place for the airbag deployment to work correctly. It also prevents you from being flung from the vehicle (the leading cause of death in a car crash) and you’re also more likely to be conscious after the crash, allowing you to escape the vehicle.

Don’t tailgate

Driving bumper to bumper with the car in front is classed as aggressive driving and causes accidents. Of course, it’s frustrating when you’re stuck behind a slow driver, however, if the driver in front suddenly brakes, you won’t have a chance to react, causing a crash that will be entirely your fault.

Take extra care at night

Sometimes driving at night is inevitable, which means you should be extra cautious. Be wary of late-night joggers, dog walkers and cyclists, as well as motorcycle riders who aren’t visible enough, and a general reduction in your visibility levels. Always keep a safe distance from other vehicles and reduce your speed.

Service your car

A faulty engine or brakes can often help cause road accidents, along with other faults with your car. A car service every year is your best bet at keeping your car problem-free and safe to drive. With an annual service a mechanic who knows what they’re looking at will check over your car to certify it’s condition and may replace certain car parts that look like they may soon break. A car service is recommended every year for your car and not only will it keep it safe to drive, but it will also maximise its resale value too.

Bonus tip: Be wary of drink drivers at night – and report any strange driving activity to the authorities.

Final thoughts

If you find yourself caught up in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.