Category Archives: Advice

Oct 28 2018

Autumn essentials for kids

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So the warm weather has officially given way. The central heating is on, the Kleenex is out, and my flip shops have been binned. We had a good run of it this year, but now we’re set for an all too familiar rainy season that promises bring with it colds, sulky kids and darkened school runs. Some people love Autumn, but I don’t. Only yesterday I waded through dog poo mistaking it for wet leaves.

When you have kids, Autumn through to Winter brings with it even more hassle - tacking on an extra 20 mins onto your morning as you get them wrapped up to face the school run. Toss in all the strops over lost gloves and you end up drinking way more gin than you’d ever admit to your doctor.

But I am here to help .I’m 6 years into this parent game now, and I might not be an expert, but I’ve learned a few things along the way. Here are some Autumn essentials for kids that make things that little bit more bearable.

Take those vitamins!

Healthy kids are more alert and less prone to illnesses. Yet latest research from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), shows that Children aged 11 to 18 years are barely eating half of the recommended 5-a-day quota of fruit and vegetables, and a staggering 96.5% of children aged 2 to 18 years do not meet the oily fish intake recommendation. Omegas are vital for brain health so poor intakes could affect children’s learning, memory and behaviour.

To help bridge children’s scary dietary gaps, Equazen (the Omega 3/6 supplement specialists) have created a unique formulation aimed at children. New Equazen + has the same specific, clinically tested Omega-3 & 6 formulation but now has added nutrients including A, B, C, D, E, K, Iron and Zinc, with the following health benefits for growing children:

DHA contributes to normal brain function
Vitamin A supports normal vision and iron metabolism
Vitamin B5 contributes to normal mental performance
Vitamin C supports the immune system
Vitamin D essential for normal growth and development of bones in children
Vitamin E protects cells from oxidative stress (an antioxidant)
Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
Iron contributes to normal cognitive development of children
Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function and normal protein synthesis

My fussy-eaters Dexter (6) and Heidi (4) both love these and I get the peace of mind of knowing that any deficiencies resulting from poor food choices are topped up daily.

Get yours for £13.99 (RRP) for 60 Equazen+ tropical fruit chewies at Boots, independent pharmacies health food stores, Amazon and the Equazen web shop at www.equazen.co.uk.

Ski-suits aren’t just for ski’ing…

Clockwise: NEVICA MAG SKI SET (pink/black) from SPORTS DIRECT £159.99 / WED’ZE CHILDREN’S SKI SUIT from DECATHLON (blue/multi) £36.99 / CAMPRI SKI SUIT (pink) from SPORTS DIRECT £74.99 / PRINTED SPLAT II PUDDLE SUIT CYPRESS (camo) from REGATTA £34.95 / MUDPLAY III BREATHABLE WATERPROOF PUDDLE SUIT (black/white) from REGATTA £34.95 / SUMACO KIDS’ INSULATED WATERPROOF SKI SET (black.blue) from TRESPASS £34.99

Whether your child’s school follows compulsory Fresh Air Fridays or Wellie Wednesdays, outdoor days are either hit or miss with most children. I got lucky with my son, but my daughter hates feeling wet and windswept so moans each week. These insulated and fully waterproof get-ups really help seal in the warmth - better to be sweaty than freezing cold right?

Ski suits are fab as they come with several velcro adjustments to ensure the perfect fit. Team with bobble hats, wellies and mittens (don’t forget the string) to allow them to play outside in all weather.

In their pockets

You never want to overload your kids pockets - they’re prone to losing things after all. But I always make sure they have these bad boys to hand - even if it’s discreetly stowed in their school bag.

Hand cream is essential for combating dry hands - a frequent problem for my two when the weather changes. Soaps & Glory’s hand food smells divine and is available in travel size for sneaking in their school bag.

Yet dehydration is not limited to hands, my son also suffers from extremely dry lips in the colder months. At 6, his response is to simply lick them, but this only serves to dry them out more. Vaseline’s lip therapy tins are super handy and gentle enough to smear all over his mouth when it all gets too much.

Finally, I never let them out with a packet of Kleenex pocket-sized tissues each. Snotty noses not only look unsightly, but also cause irritation to delicate noses when left untouched (or swiped with the sleeve of their school jumper! Grr).

Invest in a cool mist humidifier

Having just thrown out my ancient humidifier, this is definitely on my list to Santa this Christmas. The noiseless Babymoov Hygro + humidifier helps ensure the air in your child’s room is healthy - therefore creating the perfect environment for snuffle-free sleep. This one looks great as it has a multi-coloured night light to create a dreamy ambience (and help them find the loo in the dead of the night!), and you can control the humidity at the touch of a button.

Finally there’s also a built-in essential oil diffuser to help alleviate common cold symptoms. Add in a few drops of eucalyptus to help ease blocked noses and chesty coughs, or lavender to promote a relaxing sleep environment.

Oct 23 2018

9 ways to save money on your family holiday

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Source: Pixabay

Spending quality time with the family is a rarity, and holidays are a great way to not only come together but to break up routine. The good news is that there are still plenty of tempting deals to be found – and a bank of new memories to make.

The holiday bill can quickly grow with expenses, and Vanquis bank have provided 9 effective tips to save money for a family holiday. Cutting back costs doesn’t have to affect the excitement of the holiday, it just means that you’re being a little more financially savvy.

Hotels

Whether you opt for an all-inclusive trip including all amenities or opting for room only – I would advise you to check for special family deals, from discounted rates to free meals for children; many international chains offer these. Most hotels and guesthouses provide breakfast, but unless it’s included in the room rate, it’s often a waste of money for children, particularly if they only eat a piece of bread or a bowl of cereal. If breakfast isn’t included, try asking for ‘complimentary’ ones for the children.

Cache and cookies

Source: Pixabay

Did you know that an airline or a booking website can record your browser history by installing cookies on browsers? What does this mean for you, you ask? Well, it means that they can compare their price with what you have viewed previously and bump up the price as they see fit. I would suggest that you clear your browser cache and cookies and turn on private browsing before you go window shopping on airlines or booking websites.

Travel comparison websites

Before committing to a purchase, there’s little to lose in taking a few minutes to check for a cheaper alternative. Every little helps and becoming a savvy shopper is a great skill to master as inflation remains high. There are many comparison websites, check quotes from leading companies in the market and it saves a heck load of time. Skyscanner.net shows all the fares available on or around your chosen dates.

Indirect flights

Source: Pixabay

We know it isn’t ideal to wait for the next connecting flight for a fear hours, however saving money wherever you can is a plus. Make the most of the time, and instead of sitting on a chair bored mindlessly, have some fun with the kids. Instead of whipping out the nifty Ipad, explore the airport and you may even have time to look around the area. Think of it as an opportunity to bond with the kids, as these are the type of memories we’ll always remember fondly.

Buses over taxis

Source: Pixabay

Taxi costs can rack up a considerable bill at the end of the trip. By travelling by using a bus, you can save more than a few pretty pennies. Buses also enhance the travelling experience, and makes the holiday feel more of an adventure. The kids would love to sightsee and play spot the local tourist attractions. Go to the ticket office, as some transport companies offer a family travel discount.

Travel insurance

Source: Pixabay

Before heading out to your favourite family destination, remember to pack in travel insurance too. The average cost for overseas medical treatment is £1,300, but can be much higher. Medical bills without insurance, can create a massive dent in your pocket – and I’d advise having a search on comparethemarket.com as you can compare the best (and most cost effective) travel insurance on the market. Travel insurance is never a waste of money, it provides you with the comfort of knowing your whole family is fully comp.

Travel size containers

Take a look at your bathroom shelf, and count how many full sized products you can pop into a travel sized container. However, there is nothing worse than opening your suitcase to find your sandals soaked in shampoo. Ensure that all the lids are tightly sealed, to prevent such a scene. Not only are travel containers re-useable, you’re single-handedly reducing the amount of plastic production. Go you!

Excursions

Source: Unsplash

Get creative with your holiday sight-seeing, as you can mix and match your holiday excursions. For example, instead of purchasing a full day trip, you might fancy only exploring particular tourist attractions. Be mindful and think about whether the kids can stay put in venturing out all day, or whether they would jump at the idea of freely roaming around.

If you’re keen to book an excursion online, be security conscious and check if they have a review page. Be on the ball, and snoop online on review websites such as TripAdvisor.

Budget planner

Source: Unsplash

Budget isn’t the most attractive word in the dictionary, however it does help us to stay on top of our funds. Budget planners are great to stay on track, you might just have to be financially savvy with your approach. Take a note of what you’re spending on during the day, and total up the sum before you hit the pillow. You might find that you’re more peace of mind knowing, that you’re staying in budget – or close to it.

Follow these simple tips every time, and bag yourself those precious family holidays for less.

Jun 20 2018

What to eat after you’ve undergone a dental implant

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If you have had missing teeth for quite some time, you may warmly welcome a dental implant. It’s a great solution to brighten the smile and keep oral health in good condition. However, after undergoing the surgery many wonder what the best foods are to eat.

Whether you have just had single or multiple tooth implants, this article will list some of the easiest foods to chew. This way you can promote the healing process and keep the implants in top condition.

If you are local and searching for a trustworthy practice for Sydney dental implants, Sydney CBD Dental is a great place to look.With over 30 years’ worth of experience in dental implants, they are the trustworthy source of help who have served the community of Sydney for decades.

If you have just had the work done, follow this eating regime and stick to the following foods:

After The First Few Days

This time is crucial to setting yourself up for the best recovery time and results possible. This means you want to adhere to strict foods and do all the right things. Soft foods work best after the surgery so anything such as:

- Scrambled eggs

- Yoghurt

- Mashed potatoes

- Ice cream

- Pudding

- Porridge

These foods work well to give teeth the maximum amount of time to rest and heal.

For The First Two Weeks

The initial two weeks after undergoing the implant are by far most important. This is because the implant is taking full root and setting major disturbances could end up harming your overall results. This means you want to drink juice and sodas using straws all the time. This doesn’t matter if it’s simply fruit juice, you need to tread carefully.

After The First Two Weeks

So, we have established that the first two weeks you should eat mainly softer foods. After which, your main diet should still tread carefully. You will want to be eating things such as:

- Boiled vegetables

- Pasta

- Cut chicken

- Fruits that are soft such as bananas or oranges.

As time passes by, you can gradually transition into harder foods and step things up. But remember to keep the changes as gradual as possible so you give your new implants plenty of time to set and heal. If you have any questions it’s wise to talk to your doctor or dentist for help.

Other great foods for the healing process:

  • Avocados
  • Breakfast cereals (softened by whatever milk you have)
  • Beans
  • Protein shakes
  • Quinoa
  • Pudding
  • Tofu
  • Smoothies
  • Pancakes

Anything along these lines will be perfectly fine for you. Remember to listen to what your teeth are saying and if anything feels too fast too soon, take a step back. It’s important you tread carefully during the healing period.

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