Taking Drugs While Pregnant

Once you have made the decision to try for a baby, chances are you don’t want it to take forever and would like to know how to get pregnant fast. Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take which will maximize your chances and get you on the right track not only to conceive quickly, but healthily too.

Body Weight

Being outside the normal healthy weight range for your height (whether underweight or overweight) can have an adverse effect on ovulation, with both groups displaying disruption. Steps should therefore be taken to get within the healthy weight range. If you are overweight, even slightly reducing body fat can help and if underweight, just a little gain can trigger ovulation.

Alcohol and Drugs

If both parties regularly drink, fertility can decline by around 50%. Alcohol is know to have an adverse effect on an early pregnancy so it makes complete sense to avoid it throughout pregnancy. It goes without saying that illegal drugs should be avoided. With regard to over the counter and prescription drugs, always mention to the pharmacist that you are trying to conceive and check that the drugs are safe. Less considered is the potential effect of caffeine. It is known that caffeine (as found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some fizzy drinks) can reduce the chances of conception so keep consumption to a minimum. Read the rest of this entry »

How much weight gain is appropriate during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 25, the ideal weight gain should be somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds. An initial weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds is usually followed by a weekly gain of 1 pound in a normal pregnancy. If you have twins the gain usually falls between 35 and 45 pounds. Women who were overweight at the time of conception usually gain around 15 pounds and those who were underweight gain between 30 to 40 pounds. In case of obesity, your gain should not exceed fifteen pounds.

The most obvious impact of the weight gain can be seen in the form of pains and aches that you will have as your pregnancy progresses. A back ache is the most common complaint, followed by an awkward walk (thanks to your new found tummy). Another complain is of swollen legs, but that has nothing to with weight. It is a result of increased blood flow.

If you’ve had weight problems in the past or are generally finicky about your weight, you might find the gain hard to accept. But there is absolutely no reason to get agitated about the extra weight. In fact it is a sign of a healthy child growing inside you. You just need to pay attention to what you’re eating in terms of nutritional value. Also, you can track your weekly weight gain, and if you have any doubts in mind, you can consult your doctor. Tracking will also help adjust your diet according to the gain in order to get the best for your child. A stop on junk food and a start on some exercise will also help you along the way. Understand that eventually, all those extra pounds will wear off once you’ve delivered your little one. Read the rest of this entry »

As everyone knows exercise is reaps hug benefits no matter what your age. But, sometimes just the word makes you want to hide. Exercise doesn’t have to seem like work if you do it with someone else. Here are five fitness ideas for families who want to be healthier and need a little boost in the right direction.

A family workout has many benefits. First of all, you have each other for accountability. When one person wants to slack off, their loving family members can help them see the light. Secondly, you have a buddy to push you to do your best. It is a friendly competition that can help you achieve fitness goals you never thought possible.

1. Backyard sports – it’s probably been a long time since you played a game of dodge ball or kick ball. Now’s your chance. Get the family together and start a game on the weekends. This type of stop and start movement gets the heart rate up and works the muscles. Other ideas include basketball game, softball game or volleyball.
2. Take a class together – for example, martial arts centers have programs from youth to adult. Each person can learn skills and then practise them together. Aerobics classes are another idea for a family exercise session. The guys in the family may not feel co-ordinated enough to do a step aerobics class but there’s always spinning, swimming or kickboxing classes to choose from at your local YMCA or the gym.
3. Enjoy nature – families feed off of each other. If one person can do it, the others want to try to do it also. Go for a family hike. Parks have some beautiful trails that range from easy to more challenging. Outfit your family with the proper gear and learn about nature together. Along the same lines as hiking is mountain climbing. There are trails here too. Help each other climb the rocks and take in some breathtaking views. Both activities work your heart, lungs and lower body. Even on a cool fall day you will feel the burn and the cleansing sweat of a good workout.
4. Do yard work – no one wants to choose outside work but if you do it together it can be fun and heart pumping. Take turns mowing a section of the yard. Pushing a lawnmower works the upper and lower body. Rake leaves in the fall. For more fun, jump into the big pile and then let everyone help rake them up again.
5. Play a video game – video games have become more athletic and virtual these days. The big talk is about the Wii game console. Using the Fit board or the regular games, your family will have plenty of laughs and even more exercise as they move to make the characters move in the games.

Who says family workouts have to be boring? Get together as a family and do something that you love to stay healthy.

Article courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

Many herbs — and their essential oils — have antibiotic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. They provide a safe, inexpensive alternative to chemical cleaning products.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Better — and safer — than the popular antibacterial cleaners on the market today, this cleaner is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.

2 tablespoons borax
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 cups hot water
20 drops tea tree oil

Combine borax, lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Cap and shake well to dissolve borax. Add tea tree oil and shake again. Use as you would any commercial all-purpose cleaner.

Lavender Antibacterial Spray

This spray smells wonderful and can double as a disinfectant and air freshener. It’s perfect for garbage cans.

1 cup warm water
25 drops lavender essential oil

Combine water and oil in a spray bottle and shake well to blend. To use, spray into the air or onto the surface you’re disinfecting.

Rosemary Soft Scrubber

This creamy cleanser is gently abrasive, making it ideal for sinks and showers.

1/2 cup baking soda
1/8 cup liquid vegetable-based soap
10 drops rosemary essential oil

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and stir until you have a smooth consistency. To use, scoop a small amount onto a damp sponge. Scrub the surface you’re cleaning with small, circular motions. Rinse well.

Study Room Fragrance

To empower a space for concentration, clarity, and mental focus, a room for learning, creativity, and imaginative play…

2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Pine
4 drops Lemon

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

These three stimulating fragrances not only heighten mental power but also increase the enthusiasm and determination to overcome obstacles and meet the challenges of the day.

Dream Lover Room Fragrance

4 drops Bergamot
2 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Rose

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

To release fantasies and daydreams of great delight, this blend of beautifully enticing fragrances in the air awakens desire and sets loose thoughts of passion in the most erogenous of zones.

Finding Stillness Bedroom Fragrance

3 drops Lavender
3 drops Marjoram

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

These essences floating in the air form an invisible barrier to the world, creating that most precious time in which serenity may be found in stillness.

Love In The Clouds Bedroom Fragrance

2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Jasmine
2 drops Rose
2 drops Ylang Ylang

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

An intoxicating combination for lovers who wish to lose themselves and walk together in the clouds, this almost over-whelming fragrance of yearning lingers like memories of love.

Wonder Bedroom Fragrance

1 drop Chamomile
2 drops Lavender
3 drops Sandalwood

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

Before entering the world of dreams, these essences in the air remind the woman of those perfect moments of pure union when life filled her heart.

Summer Room Fragrance

4 drops Grapefruit
3 drops Lavender

Vaporize in an oil burner or apply to a Diffuser.

Reminiscent of sun-drenched fields and shaded lawns, of long evening when life feels wonderful, Grapefruit and Lavender evoke the lush essence of summer.

During childhood, we develop both physically and mentally to prepare ourselves for the challenges of adulthood. The skills we learn during games and interactions with others have a profound effect on our individuality.

When a child suffers from symptoms of depression and anxiety, many of those activities can be severely disrupted– and cognitive development can greatly suffer as a result.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 children suffer from some form of anxiety disorder, including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Anxiety disorders are diagnosed in just as many boys as girls, and can affect children even in the stages of infancy. It is devastating to see a child suffer from symptoms of depression, and extreme care must be taken to appropriately address the often painful symptoms.

Parents and siblings of a depressed child may feel guilty and helpless, but it is important to remain positive and focus on the small things that can make a big difference in the depressed individual’s outlook.

Similar to identifying anxiety disorders and depression in adults, diagnosing children is not a simple task, either. Different evaluations will be performed and a treatment plan will be recommended based on a thorough examination by the child’s physician.

Variations in a child’s behavior that seem to have no apparent cause should be carefully evaluated, as well. Sadness that results from a loss -death of a loved one, changing schools, moving – or sadness that lasts more than a few weeks should be considered possible depression and checked out.

Other anxiety disorders in children can cause more severe symptoms. In the case of bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), mood swings will be intense and abrupt with alternating periods of hyperactivity, sadness, explosive tantrums and rages. Sometimes the symptoms of bipolar disorder overlap or are mistaken with attention-deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder.

Unfortunately, anxiety disorders and depression are complex illnesses, and there is no specific test to definitively identify a single cause. Risk factors that could predispose a child to depression include a family history of mental illness and loss of a parent at a young age due to death, abandonment or divorce. However, symptoms have also been observed in infants before some of these factors come into play, so it is believed some forms of depression in children are related to chemical imbalances– although depression can result as a combination of factors, as well.

Some symptoms of an anxiety disorder can be easily noticed by a parent, sibling, or teacher. They can resemble symptoms of adult depression and may include:

* Prolonged sadness and irritability
* Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness
* loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
* Appetite changes
* Irregular sleep patterns
* Difficulty concentrating
* Anger
* Headaches and stomachaches or other unexplained physical pains
* Fluctuations in activity and energy levels (the child either becomes more lethargic or more hyperactive)
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Parents should be aware that a healthy diet provides the groundwork for both physical and mental health for the entire family. Natural remedies combined with a healthy lifestyle can greatly support balanced mood and well-being. Overall health is especially supported through a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean meats.

Regular exercise -preferably outdoors- will enhance blood circulation and the delivery of fresh oxygen to the brain and major organs to help maintain systemic balance. Also, when possible, try to practice a group activity or sport that includes the entire family. This strengthens bonds and helps the entire family group feel supported and positive to conquer the challenges lying ahead.

Related Products:

K-OK Kiddie Calmer – Helps reduce nervous tension, specific fears and phobias in children.

Nerve Tonic – To support brain and nervous system health to support balanced mood

Tula Tantrum Tamer – Helps reduce tantrums, soothe fiery tempers and reduce frustration in young children.

Moms Magic Trauma Sprinkles – Promotes comfort in children with distress due to shock, trauma and general upset.

MindSoothe Jr. – Support balanced mood and stability in children.

KiddieCool – Soothes irritability and restlessness, and promotes the effectiveness of child’s natural cooling methods.

PureCalm – Aids nervous system in stress resistance for balanced moods and feelings of well-being.

BrightSpark – Support concentration, sharpen mental focus, and promote calmness.

Focus Formula – Support concentration, memory and ability to focus attention without distraction.

Brain Tonic – Supports brain health and maintains healthy concentration, memory and balanced mood in all ages.

StudyPlus – Supports brain health, healthy concentration, mental alertness and memory function.

TestCalmer – Supports calmness and confidence in children and teenagers prone to test nerves.

Testimonials:

“My 9-year-old … forgets EVERYTHING you tell him. There is a big difference since he has been taking the Triple Complex Brain Tonic – the other day he even reminded me about a school meeting. It is such a relief to find something that works…” – Sandra G.

“[With PureCalm] I sleep better, I can handle everyday stress better, I’m not nearly as irritable, and I feel better about myself, and for the first time in years feel genuine peace of mind. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” – Kim, Washington, DC, USA

“Thank you, thank you, and thank you! The pills are so tiny and easy to take, he gobbles them down without a fuss– my son calls them his “focus vitamins”. I am really looking forward to him returning to school next month and seeing if his interaction and focus in the classroom is that much better.” – C.M., MA, USA

Today’s tips are from The Ladies’ Union Cook Book, published in 1903. These are from the section called “Serviceable Suggestions”.

A spoonful of vinegar put into the water in which meats or fowls are boiled makes them tender.

In boiling custard or anything containing milk, do not salt till removing from the fire, and the milk will not curdle.

When butter is too hard to cream easily, heat the bowl slightly; never warm the butter.

More tips from later in the book:

Salt and vinegar will remove stains from discolored cups, etc. and will clean copper and brass.

Salt thrown on soot or fresh ink on a carpet will help to prevent stain.

A damp cloth dipped in salt will remove eggstains from silver or tea stains from china dishes.

From: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/

There are great reasons to line-dry clothes. The sun can kill dust mites, the sun can whiten and deodorize, there is no electricity used, and more. But the convenience of the dryer is something most of us rely on with gratitude.

Not only does it take no more time than it takes to move the laundry from the washing machine to the dryer, but you can easily dry clothes at any time of day or night. Fortunately, a few simple steps can help lessen the energy load your dryer may be costing you.

* Dry full loads, but don’t overload the dryer as it will take more energy to dry the clothes.
* Don’t overdry. Some new dryers have moisture sensors that automatically turn the dryer off when clothes are dry.
* Size your washer and dryer for equivalent load sizes.
* Wash and dry similar types of clothing together. Different fabrics dry at different rates.
* Clean the lint trap before every load.
* Be sure the dryer is vented to the outside to avoid moisture and lint build-up in the house.
* Be sure the outlet venting duct is free of tight turns, or elbows. Lint can build up at elbows, slowing airflow out of the machine, increasing drying time and creating a potential fire hazard.
* Rigid venting is better than corrugated flex vent at keeping air moving and avoiding blockages.
* Avoid kinking or crushing the vent material.
* Don’t exceed 25 feed of vent length (or per manufacturer’s instructions).
* A front-loading washer spins out clothes better, reducing drying time.
* Run loads in succession to capture residual heat of the previous load.
* Use the cool-down cycle to complete drying.
* If you like how your towels feel after coming out of the dryer, try using it for only ten minutes or so and then hang dry.
* If your clothes tend to take longer to dry than they used to, perhaps the thermostat or heating element has gone bad. Are the clothes hot but not dry? Check the venting system.
* Never vent a dryer into a crawlspace or attic.

Adapted from The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy Smart by Paul Scheckel (New Society Publishers, 2005). http://www.care2.com/

What to do with your coffee grounds? You can use them straight up as mulch on plants that love an acid soil (azaleas or blueberries anyone?), in potting soil and more. Here are five ideas for using coffee grounds and more:

Coffee grounds have long been a favorite addition to compost piles. But did you know that they are also an excellent amendment to potting soil? They’re lightweight, porous, high in organic matter and attractively dark. Plus, if your soil is alkaline, their natural acidity helps balance the pH. A good source of used grounds is your local coffee shop, where they’re usually happy to give them away.

You’ll be surprised at all the other uses you can find for them.

Grounds make a dark, attractive mulch around acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, hydrangeas, hollies, and blueberries.

Slugs don’t like caffeine, so a mulch of coffee grounds, which retain much of the chemical, will help keep the slugs away from your hostas and other vulnerable plants. Just be sure to spread the coffee grounds no more than 1 inch deep around the plants. In cool, moist weather, an unsightly but harmless mold can form on the mulch.

Keep grounds on hand for mixing into potting soil. Spread them out on newspaper for a day or so to dry then store them in a plastic bag.

If you have grounds from only a pot or two of coffee, add a spoonful or two to houseplants and a cup or two to larger container plantings. Work the grounds lightly into the soil.

Put a paper filter full of coffee grounds in the bottom of a plant container or planting hole to nourish new plants.

Adapted from Yankee Magazine’s Panty Hose, Hot Peppers, Tea Bags and more for the Garden: 1,001 Ingenious Ways to Use Common Household Items to Control Weeds, Beat Pests, Cook Compost, Solve Problems, Make Tricky Jobs Easy, and Save Time (Yankee Books, 2005). From http://www.care2.com/

This is a good formula for well-used furniture. The vinegar works wonderfully to pull dirt out of wood.

* 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
* 1/4 cup water
* 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
* A few drops jojoba or olive oil.

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, saturate a sponge with the mixture, squeeze out the excess, and wash surfaces. The smell of vinegar will dissipate in a few hours.

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Labeled glass jar with a screw top

http://www.care2.com/