Author: Ms. Elle

5 Must Haves for Mom on a Budget Bloggers

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Juggling a full-time job and a family life is huge, and with blogging on the side, how huge do you think it could get. There are times when things get so overwhelmingly hectic that a momentary hiatus from blogging is a welcome breather. That’s right, just surface out for a bit of air before diving right in again. This gives me the needed time to relax for a little while and organize my thoughts on just about anything.

With tons of mom-work to do, office works to finish,  and blog posts to write, I’m just so grateful that there are a few great things that are actually making my life as a mom blogger easier. Whats more is that these are all affordable, and if you are super tight on the budget, some of these have free versions which are already more than good enough. Mom on a budget like me couldn’t be for more happy and grateful.

Here are some of the things that are definitely useful for mom on a budget blogger like me.

  1. Adobe Lightroom CC. Photography enthusiasts, food and travel bloggers are probably familiar with lightroom.  It is an photo editing software that could be downloaded from the internet to a PC. My husband has got this as he is into photography. He loves it! It’s easy to use and very intuitive. I, on the other hand, do not have the patience to study the intricacies no matter how easy it is. However, I also  do not like presets. What I was looking for was an editing tool that is simple, handy, and gives quality results. And yaas! I found it, the Adobe Lightroom CC. I stumble upon it while looking for an photo editing tool at the App Store. It is super simple, the terms used are easy to understand. No need for an in depth study. And because it is a mobile app, I could edit my photos anywhere, anytime, both online and offline. I could work on my photos while waiting for my kids, or in between breaks in the office. Most of my photos here as well as my travel blog pauperslens are all edited using this.
  2. Adobe Spark Post. If you are looking for graphic designs and photo collages, yet got no time to sit in front of your PC or laptop; this is the app for you. It is a mobile app that allows you to create unique, personalized graphics for your blog, social media, and other businesses anytime, anywhere. It has hundreds of different, attractive, and beautifully designed templates to choose from, and each and every one of these templates can be personalized to your liking. I have several blog posts that I could not find an appropriate photo to go with, so I always turn to Adobe Spark Post for the needed idea. For example, Diverse Outdoor Activities for Children is a list type post; I have got photos for each activity but I needed one graphic or photo to show at the beginning of the post.

    mitchryan's blog
    created using Adobe Spark Post
  3. PowerDirector is a video editing app for mobile phones. What I have is a free version, nevertheless, it does what it is made to do and it does it well. It has the usual features of video editing app and more.  Splitting or cutting video clips is what I like about it,  simply because this is often unavailable in most free video editors I have came across so far.  And with so much fuss about  copywrite infringement in Youtube,  I’m glad PowerDirector has its own line of music that are free and Youtube ready.
  4. A smartphone is a blogger’s bestfriend! Phones have indeed become smart. Its functionality has exceeded far beyond its predecessors. Nowadays aside from voice call, smartphones are capable of video conferencing and more: blog, vlog, edit photos and videos, engage in social media, pay bills, research; the list is limitless.
  5. DesignCap is an online poster and flyer maker.  The poster I’m using for this post was made using DesignCap.  Lovely,  isn’t it?  There are plenty of templates to choose from.  I designed this poster in my laptop,  so it is easier to manuever in,  out,  and around the work space.  Personally I would prefer to save my photo in my computer before sharing it in social media. DesignCap allows you to do this which I am so glad for. Also,  you could design your business posters or flyers straight away without creating an account though it would be great to have one so you could manage them better. And most importantly, it’s free!

Here are some of its  features.

  • Hundreds of poster and flyer templates available 
  • Thousands of resources including clipart images, shapes, fonts, and backgrounds
  • Fully customizable that you can make your own unique poster and flyer
  • Convenient and quick: no download or registration required

Being busy and on a tight budget are not that bad after all,  thanks to these absolutely awesome blogging help.

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Helpful Tips for Losing That Baby Weight

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Happen to stare at yourself in the mirror after giving birth and wonder, “Where did my body go?” All women find themselves in this position. After carrying your child around for nine months, your body has taken quite the beating. Your baby has all but drained you and left behind stretch marks and a few pounds that you didn’t have prior to getting pregnant. You barely recognize the woman in the mirror, and as tired as you are from caring for your newborn you just really want to get back to a healthy weight.

Though it would be nice to just snap back into place after having a child that isn’t always the case. To get rid of the excess baby weight you’ll need to adopt more healthy lifestyle choices. Keep in mind, however, that everyone’s body is different. As eager as you are to bounce back to your pre-baby weight, it can take time so don’t beat yourself up. Here is some advice on how to get rid of that baby weight.

Breastfeed

Nature seems to have a way of helping you to get your body back without much effort. For mothers who have chosen to breastfeed, you’ll be surprised to see your waistline decreasing as the weeks go on. Though it is recommended that breastfeeding women consume more calories to provide the body with energy to produce milk, those calories are being burned during the feedings. You won’t see drastic results, but it is a great start to your weight loss journey.

Pilates

Are you tired of staring at that baby pouch you’ve got going on now? Well, once you’ve been given the stamp of approval by your doctor, you can try pilates to get rid of it. Working heavily on the core, there are various techniques that help women who have just given birth to strengthen those ab muscles again. Just be careful as going too fast too quickly can cause injury. There are surprising benefits to pilates toe socks and athleisure workout gear to help make you as comfortable as possible.

Skip Refined Carbs, Sugars, and Processed Foods

After having your baby it’s not uncommon to still have those crazy pregnancy cravings you used to have. As tempting as it might be to get those french fries with ice cream or double cheeseburger with extra pickles, you have to be mindful of what you’re eating. Try to stick to a diet that’s low in refined carbs, sugars, and processed foods. Eating organic and clean foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats are recommended. The good news is there are tons of food products and online recipes for healthy alternatives to your favorite cravings.

Get Some Rest

Okay, okay, this one might seem like a joke, but it’s necessary. Somehow, you have to find a way to get more sleep into your day. Did you know that your body actually burns calories when you sleep? If you don’t get enough of it, unfortunately, you don’t burn as many calories. Not to mention, lack of sleep reduces the amount of energy your body has to burn calories throughout the day. Poor sleep also increases your appetite, increases your urge for cravings, and increases your calorie intake causing your body to produce stubborn fat that is hard to get rid of. So, ask hubby to pitch in, older siblings, your parents, or even hire a night nanny for a few weeks to get those eight hours of sleep.

The last bit of advice for women trying to lose that baby weight is to not stress over it. Stress isn’t good on your body and can also cause weight gain. Just relax and go with the flow. You’ve just given birth which is a serious medical procedure and your body needs time to heal. Using the above tips at your own pace can help you get back to your pre-baby weight before long.

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Kayaking: What You Need to Bring

Posted on by Ms. Elle


One of the major outdoor activity we had recently was kayaking. Kayaking is to move across a body of water through a kayak, which is low-to-the-water with double blade paddles, and paddlers sits forward with legs in front. Kayaking started with the Inuit as a way for hunting and fishing. And through the years kayaking became a sport, and nowadays people kayak for recreational purposes. In our case, we kayaked in a river called Wang Sai Thong in Langu district, Satun, Thailand.

Satun is one of the provinces in Southern Thailand, rich with natural beauty and resources like lush green rainforest, waterfalls, caves (Phu Pha Phet and Chet Cot); rivers, and a must go beaches; one of these is Koh Lipeh. Aside from this, the “disappearing tribe” of Thailand called the Sakai tribe can also be found here.

We went kayaking with our children, and of course they were beyond themselves with excitement. The first time we went there, they were still too young to go on a kayak. But this time, we thought they could already handle it, since the water was not so rough. If it was, we would not risked it for sure.

outdoor activities
Diverse Outdoor Activities for Children

Having gone there, done it; here are some of the things that we found important.

1. Bring your own kids life jackets. Usually life jackets are available and are provided by the accommodation, however,  the sizes may not be the right fit. It is essential that life jackets fit, otherwise it could be uncomfortable and could possibly ruin the moment. And also it could restrict movement as well as block ones view of the surroundings. And another thing, if you are super particular about hygiene I think having your own life jacket is a great idea.

2. Wear a comfortable attire.  Most of the kayaks used here are sit-on-top,  with the foot rest almost the same level as the seat. So wearing jean shorts or other attire made of stiff fabric can be very uncomfortable and could cause abrasions on the skin. Cottony shirts and shorts are fine. Beachwears like top-bottom set,  burquini-type and wet suite-type beachwears are also great. One-piece or bikinis might be a little too much for the culture here,  and besides it won’t give so much protection in case the kayak tips over.

3. Anti-mosquito lotion. The place is surrounded by greeneries and water; two things mosquitoes love the most. Protect yourself from malaria and other diseases brought by mosquitoes. Anti-mosquito lotion is available in convenience stores and other SkinStore.

4. Pain relieving ointments. You would find this really handy and helpful as muscles would be stiff and sore the next day or even a few hours after. Wang Sai Thong river is 7 to 10 kilometers long, this could be a lot for the not so trained muscles.

5. Water-proof camera. Yes, yes, yes! Document every moment of it, every scream, every laughter; capture the emotions, the beauty, as well as the risks.

Oh by the way, the kayaks are generic. There are no special kayaks for our little ones. That’s why our children had to go with a guide.

Have you gone kayaking? Where? How was the experience?

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Mom on a Budget Strikes Again: Four-Ingredient No-Churn Avocado Moringa Powder Ice Cream

Posted on by Ms. Elle
diy
Avocado Moringa Powder Ice Cream

We are a family of ice cream monsters. Yes all of us! We simply love ice cream. On special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and the Yuletide season, ice cream is a mainstay. An occasion would not be complete without ice cream.

Although commercial ice cream is affordable and can be easily bought from almost all supermarkets and convenience stores, I still want to try my hands on it. Anyways, it is possible nowadays to do it at home without any fancy machine. And of course there are hundreds of recipes available online, thanks to so many foodie bloggers out there.

I surfed the internet for a recipe that fits my finances. I found just what I need from Kirbie’s Cravings; her recipe only has three ingredients (avocado, condensed milk, and heavy cream). However, heavy cream on this part of the world is a luxury; it is so damn expensive! Since I’m a mom on a budget, I used evaporated milk together with the condensed milk instead of heavy cream. And I gave it a bit of a personal touch by putting in Moringa powder which my children did themselves. This is one creative way to feed Moringa to your child.

So here it is.

 

Avocado Moringa Powder Ice Cream

Ingredients

1 big avocado (mango)

1 can condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

Moringa powder (quantity depends on your preference)

 

Procedure

In a blender, add avocado, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and Moringa powder. Then hit that button.

Make sure everything is well blended. Freeze until solid, but give it a stir every now and then to prevent it from crystallizing. If you forget, it’s fine as long as it is well blended, it will still turn out delicioso!

 

Are you a big ice cream fan? Do you have any easy ice cream recipe I could try?

 

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Things to do in Costa Rica

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Costa Rica is one such dream destination, that narrowing down to the best of all the fun activities becomes quite a task. The lush green jungles, the exotic bird life, pristine unspoilt beaches and the spectacular scenery all go into making this country a paradise for holiday makers and nature lovers alike.

 

This striking and diverse terrain which is a heady combination of sun, outdoor fun and nature offers something or the other to every traveler, right from the Pacific coast to the Northern plains. Stunning Costa Rican villas amidst jungles and beautiful valleys, make for perfect retreats.

 

To make it easy for the first time visitor, some of the leading attractions of this enchanting country are highlighted here.

 

NICOYA PENINSULA

 

A four hour drive from San Jose will bring you to the northwestern tip of Costa Rica where the Nicoya Peninsula extends right up to the Pacific coast. The sparkling shoreline which is all of 80 miles long, offers a plethora of fishing, cattle ranch communities, mixed with trendy restaurants and hotels which have sprung up to cater to the influx of the increasing number of tourists that throng here round the year.

 

ARENAL VOLCANO

 

Every year, between the months of February and April, visitors come in hordes to have some of the best undisturbed views of one of the most active volcanoes of the world, namely, Arenal Volcano. Standing 5000 feet above sea level, this constant spewing mountain can be viewed in its splendor from the Arenal Observatory Lodge, which occupies a vantage point.

 

The base village of Fortuna, offers perfect opportunities to viewers to access Arenal, and fog or no fog, travelers come here in numbers to enjoy the experience.

 

BIRDWATCHING

 

From toucans,macaws, parrots and a host of tropical birds, Costa Rica with around 800 different bird species, is a mecca for birders. The top bird spots around the towns of Arenal, Puerto Viejo, Osa Peninsula and Montverde are all a haven for naturalists. Many hotels provide conducted tours with an expert guide to take enthusiasts bird watching either through forest hikes or from observation towers.

 

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

 

Accessible only by boat or a light airplane, the TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK is located in the North Eastern part of Costa Rica and is an extremely popular tourist destination. The major attraction here are the phenomenal sightings of endangered species of turtles, like the green turtle, hawksbill and other varieties that come onshore during the breeding season in their thousands to lay their eggs.

 

CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

 

This biologically rich rainforest area is home to some of the most exotic animal species like the jaguar, anteaters, tapirs, a diverse bird life with the water bodies sheltering crocodiles and bull sharks.The abundance of mangrove swamps are reminiscent of scenes from any popular nature film.

 

GUANACASTE

 

Nestled on the border with Nicaragua, this area is home to sleek resorts and luxurious retreats along the Pacific coast. Rainforest, Savannah and an active Rincon de la Vieja volcano, leaves visitors spoilt for choice while visiting Guanacaste.

 

TRAVEL ON HORSEBACK

 

Simply one of the best way to see the beaches and mountains of Costa Rica is on horseback.Though locally a common activity, visitors today can visit almost any popular destination, especially in Guanacaste. Horses can be hired from the local farmers at a nominal charge and are great options while visiting beach towns, such as Samara, Tamarindo or Montezuma.

 

SUNSET CRUISE

 

One of the most relaxing and romantic activity along the Pacific coast is to go on a sunset cruise along the many beautiful beaches. Towns like, Playas del Coco,Playa Tamarindo and many others offer this excursion to let visitors get a feel of the ocean and view marine life. Snorkeling equipment, water, snacks and drinks are all included in this super romantic activity.

 

GO ON A ROAD TRIP

 

Embarking on a journey by road through Costa Rica is a breathtaking experience. It allows one to venture off the beaten path and explore the cities and its surroundings in a more natural and authentic manner. A trip through Central Valley for example, offers stunning landscapes and let’s the motorist experience the small town life and taste local cuisine which otherwise is not possible in the more touristy zones.

 

FINCA 6

 

Located in the Osa Peninsula, is a unique UNESCO world heritage site dedicated to spheres made of stone. Though their origin and purpose have still not been established even till today, this mysterious site is a great attraction and of incredible interest.

 

CATARATA DEL TORO

 

Dropping from a height of 270 feet, this stunning waterfall is the tallest in Costa Rica. Located inside an extinct volcanic crater in the Central Valley, the steps down the waterfall offer a great walk and close-up views of the cascading water. The waterfall can be reached while driving to La Fortuna from San Jose. Private cabins are available for overnight stay at this reserve.

 

RAINFOREST BY TRAM

 

This is the ideal way to see the rainforest from close for those who cannot hike or endure strenuous excursions. The tropical jungle unfolds a variety of bird and animal life and the guide is always ready with the names of the different flora and fauna. The tram passes through many vantage points which offer stunning views of the rainforest. This facility is available at Arenal and Monteverde, while there is one on the Caribbean side and Jaco as well.

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Diverse Outdoor Activities for Children

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Engaging kids in outdoor activities has loads of benefits not only to the physical growth of children but it also reinforces cognition and learning, promotes social and emotional development. Children who are always around people and nature have a better sense of social interaction, empathy, and has a stronger concept of self identity and self-worth.

We have been trying our best to expose our children outdoor and encourage them to be active and interact with peers. The need to be active is especially important for our children as they are asthmatic; they say asthma is a modern-day disease.  Although modern medicine has provided us with effective asthma treatment, having a sound body and a healthy lifestyle would certainly make a load of difference.

Going out is something that my husband and I are not accustomed to doing as we are home-buddies and introverts. However, having children is a whole new story, especially that the kids have a rather outgoing personalities. The activities below are those that are available around our community. Some may not be possible with you however we hope that these could give you some ideas.

So here are some few of the things that we have been doing to get the children out of the house and catch some rays.

 

Kayaking. is another great family outdoor activity. It is something different from what children usually do, so they would find this exciting.  Although there are few risks to think about, but if the water is not too rough, it is pretty safe for kids.

kayaking @Satun Thailand

 

Bicycle around the house or neighborhood. Now that my son already knows to ride a bicycle,  he’s excited to go out of the house and go on an adventure as he would call it.

Walk along the beach and collect some shells. Our house is just a block away from Chalatat beach.  So it’s so easy to stroll on the beach, collect some shells, and breathe in some fresh sea air after school.

Figurine painting with water color. Another favorite activity that my children love is painting at the beach.Plant some vegetables. I’m keen on growing our own produce and so I thought of a garden in the city.  Our place is tiny,  but we managed to turn a portion of the patio into a mini garden.  My kids caught up and planted their own vegetables. Now one of their favorite household chores is watering plants.

Go spelunking caves. Thailand is extremely abundant with natural resources like caves,  jungle,  and waterfalls.  These are great places to explore and experience the beauty of  nature with your family. In one of our trips in Satun Thailand, we visited Phu Pha Phet Cave or the Diamond Cave.  Unlike Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai, where a young soccer team was trapped for 18 days, this cave is big and super spacious inside, as well as dry and dusty.

Spelunking Phu Pha Phet

Enjoy a waterfall. As mentioned there is no shortage of waterfalls in Thailand.  One particular waterfall we like is the Wang Sai Thong in Satun Thailand, the entire waterfall basin and paths have high deposits of calcified limestone.  So the place is not slippery. Pretty safe for super active children.

Wang Sai Thong Falls: Satun Thailand

Chill out at the beach. Whether the purpose is to swim or simply hang out there, a beach is an awesome place and children love it.  Aside from swimming, my kids love to feel the sand and build sand castles. A nice way to reconnect with earth, and boosts your child’s immunity by contact with microbes living in sand.

Going to museums. A museum is a great place to learn so many things about history, arts and crafts, sciences,  and many others.  What’s awesome with some of the museums here,  is that they are situated in pretty interesting sites like on top of a hill,  park,  and temples.

Explore and Experience

Family time at the park. For city dwellers city parks are the closest to nature one could get. And there are so much stuff kids could do, like play with their Frisbee, fly kites,  bike around,  explore the place and find different plants and insects,  or may be just run around while Mom and Dad are chilling out with their read.

Camping, may it be day camp or an overnight camping, is an exciting outdoor activity that would surely encouraged children and adults alike especially if they do this together with peers. This is a great venue for them to interact with others and exercise their learnt interpersonal and social values.

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Day Camp @Samila Sheep Farm

 

Nature photography is another great outdoor activity families could engage to bond, learn, and have fun.  Our daughter is showing interests in photography and is following dad’s footsteps. Below are some of her photos during a day trip to the zoo.

Empowered Kids Corner: Following Dad’s Footsteps

 

Take self-defense lessons like Taekwondo. Apart from self-defense, children can also develop motor coordination and balance.

Play basketball, football, or any sports your kids are into.

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How to Use Essential Oils Safely

Posted on by Ms. Elle

If you like to live a healthy and natural life, then you have probably heard a lot about the benefits of essential oils. They are not only a natural product, made from flowers and herbs, they are also thought to be good at restoring peace and health to the body. However, there has been some misinformation regarding essential oils, so it is important that you always use them in the correct way.

 

Do Your Research

If you are considering using essential oils on yourself or others, then it is important that you first learn about how they work. These are highly potent chemical compounds that can be harmful if not used correctly. For example, if you are looking for essential oils for dark circles, then you need to know which one is best. It is also good to remember that essential oils may have a different effect and use to the ones used from the original plant. That is because the concentrating process can alter the way the oils react to the body. If you are considering entering an essential oil business, be sure to find out if you need any specialized training or licenses before going into practice.

 

Be Careful on the Skin

Adding essential oils to the skin is one of the best ways to cure ailments, but, it can also be harmful if not applied in the correct way. You shouldn’t apply any essential oil undiluted to the skin, because it is so concentrated, it can cause burns. There is also the risk of overdosing on the oil as it is absorbed through the skin. The oils should always be diluted to the appropriate strength before being used.

 

Don’t Swallow

While essential oils are good for you on the outside of the body, they can be harmful and even toxic if taken internally. For that reason, you should always keep essential oils out of the reach of children and animals. If you think that a child or an animal has swallowed some oils, then you need to seek professional medical attention immediately. You should also take the bottles with you, so the medical team knows what was ingested.

 

Test Yourself

Even though essential oils are natural products, there can still be the risk of an allergic reaction. That is why before using the oils, test them on a small patch of your skin. If you start to get an allergic reaction, then you shouldn’t use that oil. You also need to do the same for any other new oil you decide to use as they can have different reactions.

Before using any essential oils on yourself or anyone else, it is vital that you discuss it with your doctor. That is because certain essential oils can cause damage to existing problems such as liver or kidney disease. Essential oils are a great natural way to cure ailments and improve mood. They are also powerful compounds that need to be treated with care.

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How to Create a Healthier Diet for You and Your Kids

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Our health is the most important asset that we have and having a healthy and nutritious diet is the key to achieving lifelong good health. As parents, an effective diet is also important to give us the energy we need to keep pace with our children, but of course our first priority is always to our kids’ health, so it’s essential that we pay full attention to their diets as well. Cutting down on junk food and adopting healthier options can make a vast difference to how you feel and how your children feel, so let’s look at how easy it is to do.

 

Increase Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Fruit and vegetables are nature’s gift to us all, as they provide us with the essential vitamins and minerals that we need on a daily basis. Expert opinions vary on how much fruit and veg we should consume, but they all agree we should eat between five and ten portions per day. That can sound like a lot but reaching the target can bring huge benefits to your health, fitness and energy levels. If your children are reticent to eating vegetables, or anything healthy, try hiding root vegetables like swede and turnip in among other foodstuffs, or encourage them to find one or two vegetables or fruits that they really like.

 

Cut Down on Sugar

Many of us have a sweet tooth, and there’s no denying that cakes, chocolate and candy taste great, but they are far from great for our health. Sugar is an addictive substance, and it features heavily in almost all the readymade and processed food stuffs that you can buy. It’s also a leading cause of obesity and linked conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so it makes sense to reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. One way to do this is to cook your meals yourself using fresh ingredients rather than turning to ready meals or take-aways. This may seem difficult at first, but your body will soon forget its sugar cravings and love its new healthier diet.

 

Reduce Weight Naturally

Being overweight has an adverse effect upon every aspect of your life, so if you want to lose weight you’ll have to exercise more and eat less. That’s a simplistic equation of course, and some people find that they have to turn to a diet plan to help them say goodbye to their excess pounds; in this case, they should opt for diets based upon purely natural ingredients, such as the HCG diet. You can find more information on this hormone-based diet through expert websites such as Hcgdietreview.Com and this also means that you’ll be able to find the best HCG drops and supplements at the best possible prices.

A healthy diet and lifestyle adopted in childhood is likely to remain in place throughout an adult life, and the best way to encourage your children to eat healthily is to eat healthily yourself. Wave goodbye to processed foods filled with sugar and excess fat and say hello to homemade meals full of natural ingredients such as fresh fruit and vegetables. You’ll be amazed at the transforming effect it can have on you and your family.

 

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Asthma Treatment: Find a Specialist Near You

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Here’s a demonstration on how to use a babyhaler by my son, Derick. 

The prevalence of Asthma, a modern-day disease nowadays, is a complex issue that has baffled medical practitioners. Commonly known to be caused by allergens like dusts and pollen, as it turned out, there seems to be other causes for asthma. Only half of the population of asthma patients are actually connected to allergies while the other half is still unknown.  Fortunately, for those patients whose asthma is caused by allergens, treatment is available.

For allergen-caused asthma, treatment has become effective and efficient now more than ever. Applied science has definitely done its job.  It should be noted though that early treatment plays a significant role, the earlier the treatment the better.

Naturally just like any other parents of asthmatic children,  we sought professional help.  A Pulmonologist is a doctor specializing in allergies and other diseases affecting the lungs including asthma. A Pulmonologist makes the preliminaries – like tests and a lot of questions about history of family allergies, span of time the child has been having symptoms, medications taken so far, and many others. After the diagnosis,  treatment follows.

These are exactly the procedure we followed with our children. Albeit different medicine type, the treatment procedure was similar.  

1. Prescription – Flixotide for my daughter and Seretide for my son. Flixotide (orange) inhaler or puffer contains a medicine called fluticasone propionate. This medicine is frequently called “steroids” but not the “anabolic steroids” abused by athletes. This puffer also contain a medicine called “preventer” which prevents asthma attacks. Fluticasone propionate and “preventer” when taken every day or as prescribed by the doctor lessen the swelling and irritation in the walls of the air ways in the lungs and prevents asthma attacks (medsafe.govt.nz).  Seretide is a 2-in-1 asthma medication. It contains fluticasone propionate from the orange inhaler and salmeterol xinafoate, a Long-Acting Bronchodilator from Serevent inhaler (green) which keeps the air passage open (seretide.co.nz).

2. Dosage.  Two puffs a day,  one in the morning and another in the evening every day, non-stop  for 6 months. If in case you missed a day or two, you would have to re-set the counting, and start anew. If within 6 months there are no asthma attacks, the doctor may lower it to once a day for another three months. In case of asthma episodes within these months, the doctor would tell you to continue with two puffs a day for another two to three months or until there are no more asthma attacks before lowering the number of puffs.

3. BabyHALER is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.  It is a device that helps babies and toddlers take inhaled medicine in this case the Flixotide and Seretide inhalers. To get acquainted with the parts of a babyhaler please head to parts of a babyhaler.

 

I hope you find this helpful and please share to those parents with asthmatic children.

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How to Build Safety Nets for Your Business

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Not too long ago, we discussed how to run a business and a household. Being a working parent is hard enough; being a parent while trying to get a business off the ground is even more challenging. The market is growing right now, but there are still plenty of ways your business can fail.
Fortunately, failure is a risk you can anticipate. To safeguard yourself and the future of your household, you can put in place safety nets for added protection. These tips and tricks will help you get started.

 

A Fallback Plan

Always have something to fall back to when you are venturing into the world of entrepreneurship. Ask yourself, “what can you do when the business doesn’t work?” Having a career to get back to or a job that you can pick up immediately will help you keep the family afloat during the tough times.
Some business owners, even the more established ones, are even going back to school for the same reason. They attend the best surgical tech programs Oklahoma has to offer or pursue an MBA from top universities so that they are always ready for a job if needed.
If you already have the skills for a job, what you can do is keeping yourself up to date. Pick up new skills by taking short courses, learn new things and stay in tune with industry updates, and make sure you maintain your relationship with those still in the industry.

 

Insurance Policies

Many business owners make the mistake of not paying for insurance when they can. The insurance premiums are seen as added costs that are not really necessary for the business. One small mishap, however, and you may be relying on the insurance coverage to keep the business growing.
Some basic insurance coverage types are essential. Having sufficient liability insurance and adding a business insurance on top of that should add the necessary layers of protection that will keep your business from collapsing in the event of an accident.
Don’t forget workers’ insurance too. Make sure you provide your employees with health and workers’ insurance so that the business doesn’t end up picking up the bills. Besides, you are protecting the business’s biggest assets by offering employees a good healthcare package.

 

Other Businesses

The last layer of protection can only be added once the business is mature enough. At a certain point in the business’s lifecycle, you want to start thinking about diversification. Don’t just enter a new venture either. The best way to diversify is by looking uphill or downhill.
If you run a coffee shop, for instance, you can diversify by opening a coffee roaster. You can then buy beans directly from farmers or import them from various sources. Roasting your own beans give you the ability to create new product lines, including your own instant coffee and ground coffee for other shops.
The rest should be easy from there. Diversifying is one of the many safety nets you can add to better protect your business from unnecessary risks.

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