Loving Our Home | Home Tips, Advice, and Easy Recipes

Simple Home Tips and Solutions

Natural Ways to Keep Your Face Healthy and Beautiful

By Leave a Comment

Everyone wants gorgeous, glowing, young-looking skin. Here are a few simple tips to keep your face healthy and beautiful.

Tip #1: Coconut Oil Wash

Skin care products can be extremely pricey and the ingredients are not understood by the average consumer, so you may be unaware of the reactions your skin will have. You may want to consider trying an all natural product, that costs less and is much more beneficial to your skin. Try starting your day by washing your face with organic coconut oil. It may sound absurd, especially if you have oily skin, but try it! It doesn’t matter what skin type you have.

First, rinse your face with warm water or place a warm damp cloth on your face for a minute or two. Since coconut oil tends to solidify in colder temperatures, take about a 1/4 teaspoon of the coconut oil and place it into the palm of your hand. Your body’s warm temperature will immediately begin it to melt. Rub your hands together and lightly message the oil into your face. Next, rinse your face with warm water. At first your face will be oily, but the oil will be absorbed into the pores of your face. You will be amazed on how soft your skin will feel for the entire day.

Tip #2: Natural Exfoliate

If you feel that your face needs to be exfoliated, I have a home remedy — it contains two simple ingredients: organic coconut oil and baking soda. Mix approximately 1 tablespoon of oil and a teaspoon of baking soda. Again, begin by rinsing your face with warm water. Then place a little of the paste into the palm of your hand and use your fingers to gently make little circular motions around your face. Make sure you avoid your eye area to avoid irritation.

Tip #3: Watch What You Eat

What you eat and drink plays a major role in maintaining healthy looking skin. Eating foods that are high in vitamin C on a regular basis is very beneficial to the skin. So eat more fresh fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts of vitamin C on a daily basis. If you can afford it, purchase organic fruits and vegetables. I especially recommend eating anti-oxidant rich foods, like kale. It is a dark green leafy vegetable that’s loaded with vitamin C. The fruits I choose to consume on a daily basis are blueberries and strawberries. Blueberries are loaded with vitamin C.

I also like to start my day by drinking a cold, 16 ounce glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon (vitamin C and good for balancing your body’s alkalinity). Drink lots of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated.

Tip #4: Smoothie Time!

If you don’t like the idea of eating veggies and fruits daily, then make a smoothie. Each morning I fire up my Nutribullet and make a smoothie that I call my “food of life”. I put kale, spinach, blueberries, strawberries, 1 teaspoon of unpasteurized raw organic apple cider vinegar and 1 scoop of whey protein powder. Instead of water, I use freshly brewed green tea. This one smoothie mixture gives me energy for the rest of the day and nourishes my skin, keeping it soft and healthy.

Use these tips every day (start today!) to give your face a better, smoother, younger and more beautiful appearance. If you are consistent, you may even start to see results in as little as a week.

Posted by Eve

 

 

How to Cope With a Traumatizing Loss of a Loved One

By Leave a Comment

Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of losing a loved one. Whether it be a parent, sibling, niece, nephew or pet, there is inner pain that hurts to the core of your soul. The problem one faces when mourning is, how do you restart your life pain free? Meaning, when is it alright to have fun, feel good again, smile or laugh?

Experts say that there are five stages to the grieving process when there is a loss:

1- Denial/Isolation
2- Anger
3- Bargaining
4- Depression
5- Acceptance

The first stage is explained as a temporary response during the onset of the death, that is said to be a normal defense mechanism for all. Personally, I believe that to isolate yourself will only worsen the depression that a person feels, so try not to spend too much time alone. Just find a person that cares for you to sit with you even if you sit in silence.It may even help to go to a church or other place where you feel comfortable and welcome to be around others.

The second stage is when your anger is misplaced and directed towards family, strangers or on the deceased. What helped me not have anger towards anyone was the fact that I was surrounded by nothing but love. So if you are surrounded by negativity, remove yourself from their misguided energy and remain near people who are positive.

The third stage is generally when you begin to question if there was anything you could have or should have done to prevent the death. To me, it is a normal behavior to have. Following my own family loss, I instead remained focused on the love that I felt for the departed my entire life. It helped to ease the pain.

The fourth stage is when you experience sadness and regret. Sadness, is an emotion that no one enjoys. Yet, it was a vital part of my healing process. I felt more saddened by not being able to visit my loved one again alive and regretted the fact that I felt the death was sudden.

The fifth and final stage is where you begin to heal and move forward with life. This can take weeks, months or even years to happen completely.

Since every person’s emotional wellness during the grieving process is different, I don’t know if all people experience all five stages in that order. I myself, did not, but I was witness to other family members going through all five stages in order. I believe the relationship that each specific person had with the departed tells how a person will mourn.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one definitely isn’t easy. I think the most important aspect to remember is that the memories of the loved one will never fade. When you are able to experience a positive memory and laugh is when I feel that the recovery process begins.

It’s important to realize that no one is immortal — we have to appreciate and love life to its fullest while we’re here. This is the message that a deceased loved one would probably want to share with family and friends if it were possible.

BIG HUG

Posted by Lorraine

heart

 

 

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

By Leave a Comment

With so many negative influences in the media, on the radio, in newspapers and on television, it can be difficult to stay positive in a negative world. Here are a few tips for how to stay positive — tips for how to resist those influences and maintain an upbeat mindset, no matter what.

Call Family & Friends More

dreamstimefree_189438
© Light Habersetzer | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Surrounding yourself with positive friends and family can instantly bring fun and laughter to any day. Some of us think that the only time we are meant to interact with family members is during holidays and special events, but that’s not true. Call up your closest sibling, with whom you have always had a positive relationship, to reminisce about the “good times.” Bringing up happy or funny childhood memories can really put a smile on your face and robust laughter in your soul to overpower negative influences. Your close family members can also share their experiences and advise you on how they are managing to stay positive.

Simply enjoying a conversation or a meal with a friend you love can lift up your spirits and bring you hours of enjoyment to distract you from negativity. Be mindful to pick the friends that are good company and won’t drown you with bad news or gossip. Avoid the friends that are always complaining about work, relationships or their children. Call up the friends who always make you laugh, support your dreams and have a positive word to tell you in every situation. Also, be that friend to them in return.

Appreciate What You Have

To a person who is homeless or living in a car, a tiny apartment would be such a blessing. When you put things into the proper perspective, you’ll see that if you have good health, water, food and shelter, you are doing pretty well. You may not like your career choice at the moment, but be thankful that you’re receiving a check at the end of each week or month. You may not have the latest cell phone, but you do have the ability to speak and communicate with the people you love. Separate needs from wants and appreciate that your needs are met. Appreciating every day, every moment and every breath you take is the best start toward a happier life.

Have a Hobby or Special Interest

If you feel overwhelmed by negative influences, fill your days and hours with activities that make you happy. Getting a hobby is really as easy as pulling up an online classified listing and searching the events section. See if there’s a new dance class in your town or an interesting meet-up group to attend on the weekend. Drive out to a special lookout point every day to watch the sun set. Don’t be afraid to try something new — just do it. A new hobby doesn’t have to be expensive — it can be as simple as taking a long walk in the park while feeding ducks or becoming a volunteer for those less fortunate than you.

Each person has a choice — you can live your life full of positive adventures and experiences or allow your days to be consumed by negativity. The more positive people, the better our chances of shifting society into a better place, so make a conscious choice to stay positive and keep pushing forward, no matter what.

Tips for Reeling in Out-of-Control Spending Habits

By 1 Comment

We live in a society that has become accustomed to buying lots of unnecessary material things. That includes expensive cellphones, clothes, televisions and other non-essentials. The exact reasons behind this buying behavior vary from shopping addictions to the desire to “keep up with the Joneses.” But there comes a time when you must take a hard look at your spending habits and how they may be affecting your financial future.

Time is money
© Pryzmat | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Record Your Purchases

Carry a little journal with you when you go out of the house for anything. If you stop and make a purchase, write down each item that you bought and its cost. At the end of the month review the list of items to get a snapshot of exactly where your money is going. Add everything up in Microsoft Excel to get a grand total of the non-essential items. Think about the fact that the money you spent on all of that stuff could have gone into a savings fund or invested in a business idea. You may be a little surprised and upset at what you bought and how much it cost you. That is a good thing—that list should motivate you to make a change.

Write a List of Needs vs. Wants

Sit down and write two lists. One list is of your needs, like food and gas money. Then start writing down your wants, like brand new clothes, trips to the nail salon and outings to movie theaters. Chances are your list of wants will be much longer than your needs. Once you have these lists, buy everything that you need first and then if you have the extra funds available, you can pick one to three items from the “want list” each month.

Cash and Carry

Start carrying around cash and leave your credit or debit card at home. Using a card for purchases makes it too easy to overspend. Budget a reasonable amount that you need each month to cover your everyday expenses, such as food and toiletries. Withdraw that amount from your bank account and put it in a safe place. Each time you leave the house, withdraw just enough cash from your stash to get what you need during that outing. If you run out of cash, then your day of shopping is over—time to go home. Even if there is still something out there that you really wanted, going home will give you time to really think about whether or not you really need the item at all. This is how you prevent impulse purchases.

In order to change your out-of-control spending habits, you must change your learned behaviors and your mindset about what is a need and what is a want. Write lists, limit your shopping trips, avoid browsing around in stores without a specific goal and carry cash to get what you need instead of using cards.

Teaching An Aging Parent to Use & Understand The Internet

By 1 Comment

Teaching an aging parent to use the internet can be a challenge — it requires great patience and consistency.

My mom is a vibrant, healthy outgoing older woman. Yet, convincing her to use the internet was challenging at first.

I Love You
© Pixeljuice | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Recently, she finally gave in and agreed to learn. So we began early one morning. I called her on the telephone and told her to put the phone on speaker and place it next to the keyboard, so that she could use both hands. I then explained what the internet is and how people use it in their everyday life. I made sure to tell her to ask me any and all questions, that she may have had.

I told her of the many uses of the internet, from work to play. I described how she can send and receive emails to/from her grandchildren, look up recipes, watch instructional videos or just visit different parts of the world. I had her first turn on her monitor and computer tower. Once the screen appeared with the icons, I instructed her to locate the icon that connects her to her internet provider. It took a while, but she soon located the proper icon. Then I started to explain how I was shadowing her on my computer. I did this to make sure she was navigating correctly.

I began to explain to her about the different search engines we were going to use and their general purpose. She was amazed at having the ability to read local news stories and news stories from around the world. To make sure she understood the site to its fullest capabilities, I let her choose a story to read first. She chose a story that looked interesting to her and off we went! She was not overwhelmed by the amount of information I was giving her on our first lesson. I tried not to use technical terms, but used terms that I knew she could relate to. She said using the internet was just like reading a newspaper. The only difference, she said was that, she had more choices of what topics she would read about. I was proud of her.

We spent about 45 minutes on that one particular site. I then wanted her to visit another site. She was excited to continue. I then told her about another popular, well known search engine that I use on a daily basis. I explained to her how amazing this search engine is. I told her that this particular search engine answers any and all questions regarding who, what, where, why or how. I gave her an example that she could relate to, recipes. I had her type in the search box, ” how do I make low fat brownies.” I had her then hit enter. She was ecstatic about the number of recipes that appeared on her screen in seconds. She laughed and stated that she regrets not using the internet years ago.

That lesson, I believe lasted for several hours. I wanted her to understand the vast amount of information she could obtain on the internet. Since then we have had at least 2 lessons a week for a month. Not before long she was using the internet like she had been using it for years. All it took was for me to have extreme patience, time to help her over the telephone and my desire to bring her into the new age of using modern technology. You rock mom!!!

Posted by Lorraine

Why You Should Consider Growing Your Own Vegetables

By Leave a Comment

Feeding yourself and/or a family healthy produce is very challenging, these days. The worst, is that the cheaper the food, the more unhealthy it is for you. With the prices of quality produce consistently on the rise, growing your own produce has become popular by demand. The only question you must ask yourself is what kinds of produce do you and your family consume and enjoy the most. Once that question is answered you now know what to grow in your produce garden.

I personally like knowing exactly where my vegetables came from. When I visit my local supermarket, I have absolutely no idea where there produce comes from and what kind of soil and fertilizers were used to grow it. I don’t know about you but this gives me the “willies.” More people are now eating healthier and smarter. What would be better than having a garden full of wholesome vegetables in your backyard?

Parents can convince their children to enjoy the pleasures of growing food. Another fantastic outcome will be that your kids will be more likely to eat their vegetables because they helped grow them. They will always remember the effort and dedication it took to grow a quality produce garden. Thus, as adults choosing to continue to eat quality produce, only.

Tips for Growing Your Own Vegetables

– It’s important to remember that there are certain times of year that are best to begin your garden. Do some research on what months are best to start growing the vegetables you want.

– Choose an area in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight with minimal shade.

– The size of your garden should depend on how many types of vegetables you want to grow. On a piece of paper map out what you want to grow.

– Prepare your plot. Use a shovel and a pitch fork to remove the grass,rocks, debris and any roots in that area, then even out the soil with a rake. I highly recommend that you visit your local gardening center to purchase nutrient rich soil to mix with your current soil. Ask a lot of questions to ensure that you purchase the correct soil for your garden. I personally, prefer to use organic soil because it does not contain any harmful chemicals or additives. Mix the new soil with your existing soil with a rake. Make sure that the soil has no clumps and is even.

– While at the garden center ask a knowledgeable garden expert about purchasing the best seeds to plant. They are the ones who will know if the seeds have been genetically altered.

– Follow your map to place the seeds in the spots you chose and don’t forget to water the area when done. Make sure that your garden receives proper watering daily, to help the seeds grow.

When done properly, your garden, depending on its size, can produce food that can be bagged, frozen or canned that you and your family can enjoy for months to come.

Join with me and countless other home farmers to help end unnecessary obesity and illnesses that are brought on by an unhealthy diet. Let’s start with the vegetables!!!

Posted by Eve