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In Our Right Mind: Getting Free From Addiction Using The Right Tools

June 11, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

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Suffering from any addiction is crippling in the mind and body. When we suffer a problem that we can’t appear to overcome, is it about mind over matter? Our mindset has a lot to do with overcoming any obstacle in life, but can we use this to break free from addiction? When we have numerous bad habits in life, from biting our nails to smoking cigarettes, it’s mostly about the power our brain has. So does this mean we’ve got to put our brain into gear to get over some sort of addiction? It appears so, right? How can we use our mindset, or acquire one to ensure that we put a stop to an addiction that is harming us?

Assessing Our Current Mindset

The big problem that we have in terms of addiction is that we stand in our own way. Maybe we don’t have the ability to admit that we’ve got a problem. As is the usual procedure, when we need help, it has to be us that instigates the fact that we need some sort of support. By assessing our current mindset, it could very well be done independently. When it comes to quitting something, we have to look at which mindset we currently have. Tolerance is one of those mindsets that are connected with addiction. It’s a physical and psychological process. But what happens is, when a behavior is repeated, you become less sensitive to something. You develop a physical or mental tolerance. And on the flip side, we experience withdrawal, either in physical or mental symptoms. And it’s these two things that can get in the way of truly addressing our addiction.

Looking At Our Fixed Mindset

If we have a fixed mindset, this provides a major obstacle to overcoming any addiction. It’s about being immovable on a subject. We may embody a fixed mindset in a very black and white way. For example, if we fall off the wagon, we consider ourselves to be a failure. We may feel our abilities right now determine that they cannot be moved. This is something that provides a major barrier to overcoming any form of problem in our minds, not just addiction. Once we start to establish that we have a fixed mindset and that these things can be moved, this is when we can start to make progress.

Establishing A Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is all about progression. In a simple way, it’s about positivity, but having a growth mindset allows you to progress forward. In a biochemical sense, it can help to create extra neural pathways. It’s all about this idea of habit. We’ve learned new habits throughout our life, but it’s about breaking the ones that don’t help us. Sometimes it’s by assimilation; we could go to a group therapy practice, or involve ourselves in a sober living community so we are influenced by others that are going through the same issues. Because we stand in our own way of success, when we see others undergoing the same problems, or are just far along in the recovery process as us, it’s humbling, but it’s also a perfect way to provide stimulation and motivation. A growth mindset is vital for recovery, and it’s something that can be harnessed. Counseling is one approach; especially with counselors who provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Developing New Thoughts

Because we have specific thought patterns that we may think are fixed, this is what will lead to a more negative mindset. Issues like a self-fulfilling prophecy, negative opinions of oneself will begin to cloud our judgment. A growth mindset is not just about training yourself in terms of new thought processes; it’s about undertaking the right practices that will help you on the road to recovery. This could very well be about getting rid of certain pressures in life. It could be through social situations, or friends that are a bad influence on you. Once we start to liberate ourselves of our old thought patterns, we can begin new thoughts, and grow to become a completely different person.

Making It Work Together

Naturally, all of these things are fantastic in theory, but can be difficult in practice. The most important piece of information that we can all learn in life is that it takes as long as it takes. When we are learning a new skill, or overcoming a dependency on something, we’ve got to break free of the antiquated notion that we are “limited.” That there’s only so much we can accomplish. Time and time again, it’s been shown that the mind and body are more than able to overcome obstacles, either by highlighting the effect that neuroplasticity has on our brains, or the fact that our body is a machine, and was built for physically demanding situations. When it comes to making all of this work together, it is mind and body, but also spirit. Whether you are religious or not is beside the point; once we equip ourselves with the tools, it’s about making it all work together according to what we want.

Like they say in rehab facilities, “we provide the tools, but it’s down to you to make sense of them.” Nobody can hold our hand through a unique problem like addiction, because we are suffering from it in our own heads. We can ask for help and guidance, and we can be given the tools, but it’s down to us to make it all work. Learning as much information as possible about overcoming something, disregarding the irrelevant tools, and making the most of the relevant ones can be a lengthy practice; but it’s all about ensuring that you are going in the right direction.

Is It Mind Over Matter?

It’s such an antiquated expression, but it is mind over matter when we have the tools at our disposal. Getting “over” an addiction isn’t about taking a magic pill. Addiction is something that can stay with us long after the physical symptoms have gone. This means that we have to develop a sense of inner strength, but also equip ourselves with all the necessary information and tactics. In this respect, it is mind over matter.

•Have you struggled with an addiction? How were you able to overcome it?

•If you’re still struggling with addiction, what are some tools that would help you be successful in breaking that addiction?

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

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Is It Time For A Full Body Detox?

June 5, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Our bodies are designed to naturally get rid of all the bad stuff. However, we can often end up shoving so much of this bad stuff into our bodies that they cannot cope with the demand. Undertaking a full body detox can help to flush out the backlog of toxins in our body, allowing us to feel fresh again. Here are just several ways in which you can go about giving yourself a full body detox.

Cut Out the Bad Stuff

In order to stop all the bad stuff from piling up, you need to temporarily stop putting this stuff into your body. Some of the biggest culprits include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, refined sugar, and trans fats. Try going a week without consuming these ingredients or try significantly lowering your intake – while the cravings may make you feel worse at first, you’ll feel so much better a few days in when these unhealthy ingredients are no longer in your system.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It’s when we’re asleep that our body does most of its natural detoxification. If you’re not getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, you’re likely not letting your body complete this process. By upping your sleep for a week, you could help to rejuvenate your body. You’ll also recharge your energy reserves, making your brain feel much more alert and your body feel much more limber.

Drink More Water

Drinking lots of water will help to flush out all the toxins in your body. Focus on trying to drink 8 glasses of water per day. You can also try other drastic rehydration methods. To get all the toxins out of your bloodstream, you could consider IV hydration. Meanwhile, if you’re constipated and bloated, you could give colonic hydrotherapy a go.

Consume More Probiotics

Probiotics are your body’s source of healthy bacteria. These are needed to balance out the unhealthy bacteria in your gut. Too much unhealthy bacteria could be affecting your ability to digest food, your ability to absorb nutrients, and your ability to fight bugs and infections. Probiotics can be found in various foods such as yogurt, kefir, miso, and sauerkraut. They can also be taken as supplements.

Stay Active

Exercise is also important for detoxing your body. When we are active, our blood flows faster around the body, allowing antibodies and nutrients to get to the right places more quickly. Exercise helps us to get oxygen into our bodies faster and also helps to speed up our digestive system. All in all, it’s essential for a full body detox.

How do you detox your body? How often? Share below!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

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Surprising Causes of Headaches and How to Stop Them

June 4, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Did you know that it isn’t just stress and colds that can cause headaches? Sometimes little things, like cleaning your home or even sleeping in, can cause them too. If you want to help yourself then here are the top surprising causes of headaches.

Relaxing

Do you find that headaches strike you more on the weekend? Especially on a Saturday morning? If this is the case, then there is a very good reason. As you relax, the tension from the week subsides, and your stress hormones start to drop. This can cause a release of neurotransmitters, which sends out impulses to the blood vessels in the brain. When this happens, the vessels constrict and dilate. This can cause serious headaches, and it may cause you to suffer all weekend as a result. If you want to stop this, then try to avoid the temptation of sleeping in on the weekend. Instead, go for a yoga class or a walk.

Pent up Anger

When you are angry, all the muscles that are in the back of your scalp and your neck really tense up. Of course, this will cause you to experience a constricting sensation around your head, known as a tension headache. If you want to try and stop this from happening, then try to breathe in deep and slowly. Also, focus on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will relax your back and your neck.

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Poor Posture

Poor posture can create a lot of tension in your upper back. This can cause you to experience a headache, and you may find that you get a throbbing pain in the back of your skull. If this is the case, then avoid sitting in one position for a long period of time. If you get pain behind the eyes, this could be because of an eye problem. If this sounds like you, then check out Biotrue ONEday for astigmatism. I have astigmatisms in BOTH eyes, so I know the pain and frustration associated with it.

Perfume

If you think that housework gives you a headache, there is a high chance that you could be right. Cleaners, fragranced air fresheners, and strong perfumes can all contain chemicals which are notorious for bringing on headaches. If you want to fix this, then try and avoid heavy perfumes, and also make sure that you keep your windows and doors open as much as possible. The same applies to your workplace as well. When someone is spraying perfume, open the window and always make sure that you turn on your air conditioner where possible.

Bad Weather

If you are prone to getting headaches, you may find that they are brought on by high humidity, increasing temperatures, and even grey skies. Pressure changes can trigger electrical and chemical changes in the brain and this can irritate your nerves. This can then lead you to developing headaches and other side effects. If you want to stop this, try and take some pain relief for when bad weather does strike. I get terrible migraines, and they’re almost always due to the barometric pressure (or a change in air pressure). High humidity causes mine, as well. When in Ohio, where it’s always over 50% humidity, I get severe migraines. Here in Las Vegas, the humidity is almost always under 10%, and I get fewer migraines!

Do you get headaches? How do you combat them? Comment below!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Fitness Health Uncategorized

Why Helping Yourself On Your Fitness Journey Isn’t A Bad Thing

May 29, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 7 Comments

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Like anything people can become passionate about, the fitness community can sometimes have those who take everything they do with utmost seriousness, and can become quite draconian when imparting advice. Of course, when this comes to matters of health and safety, or when it comes to actually promoting what works, this is completely fine. However, sometimes you may be intimidated, thinking that unless you are following ‘the perfect way,’ you’re not following a way at all.

Fitness is a metaphor for our life, in that if we want something, we have to stay committed and work for it. However, over time this can prevent you from making the progress you want despite putting work in. Fitness, like anything you do to better your life, should be enjoyable and something you look forward to when it’s at its best. If you hate every gym session, every healthy meal, and feel as though you simply have to suffer through it – you’re not going to last very long at all.

This is why, especially in the beginning, helping yourself out on your fitness journey isn’t a bad thing at all. After all, if you want to climb a mountain, it’s a good idea to bring climbing gear.

Consider:

A Shoulder To Lean On

A gym can be an intimidating place to be your first time there. You likely do not know what most of the equipment is outside of the obvious fixtures, and trying to navigate a busy gym during peak times can be a nightmare. This is why it can be important start with a gym induction, and to simply walk around the place to see what you can and can’t do. Asking questions such as what the weightlifting chalk policy can help illuminate what actions you should be taking.

Sometimes, it can be hard to simply get in a routine schedule. If you haven’t gone to the gym for some time, what makes your current need so different? Also, how might you ingratiate yourself into the fitness lifestyle well? We’d recommend that finding a shoulder to lean on could be a great idea. Perhaps you could look online at a forum dedicated to your local area, and try to find a gym buddy that way. Perhaps you might ask one of your friends to start this new lifestyle with you, if they have also suggested that they wish to become fitter.

When you have someone waiting on you as you’re waiting on them, both of you will find it much harder to let the other person down. This can help you both enjoy one another’s company and also gain a stronger and more dependable approach when helping each other overcome their lifts.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this. In fact, it can be a much safer method of attending the gym. For example, having someone ‘spot you’ on the bench press can help you avoid being punished by gravity if placing too much weight on the bar. You can also both help each other with scheduling, your diets, observing the other’s form, and giving one another safety pointers. In fact, the more specialized an athlete becomes, the more they will have to rely on the opinions and help of other people. So as a novice, there’s absolutely zero shame in finding this for yourself, and the same goes for the use of excellent personal trainers.

Getting Active & Alert

While many of us love attending the gym, getting up at an early hour in the morning, walking to the gym in the pouring rain, and having to wake yourself up on the treadmill or by lifting weights can be enjoyable, yet a little rough to experience. Sometimes, we might wake up feeling full of energy and well rested. Other times, we might feel the complete opposite.

Does that mean we should cancel our gym session the moment we feel just a little tired? Of course not, that would be rather ridiculous. But it might also be that we need just a little help in getting active and alert each morning. For example, it might be that you decide to homebrew beautiful filter coffee to keep you alert and active each morning. You might also decide to use pre-workout to help you get in the zone. You might decide to run to the gym in order to wake up, or perhaps join a certain specialized class you must attend in order to get the blood moving. On top of that, ZMA supplements can help you feel more alert after a great night of rest.

Getting active and alert is the key to success with your fitness lifestyle. We would recommend you consider the powerful benefits of doing this. You never know just how much it could help.

Supplementation

Added supplementation can be a wonderful thing. From using Vitamin C and D supplements to help your immune system (preventing you from catching something such as a seasonal flu from gym equipment,) purchasing T5 fat burners to help you drop weight naturally, and also fulvic acid can help you gain minerals you might have lost out on before.

Protein supplements can help you repair your muscles after an intense gym session, and help you meet your daily macro requirement. On top of that, weight shakes can help you bulk up and put weight on, allowing you to exceed your daily need for certain calories if hoping to build muscle. BCAA’s can help your muscles repair even more appropriately, as they are literally providing the amino acids necessary to help you heal in the most fundamental manner possible.

If you have a fitness issue, either hard work, readjusting your schedule, sleeping, eating better, or supplementation can help it. But supplementation is often a dirty word, because of all the questionable products that can be sold, especially overseas. But enjoying the use of these, if properly vetted, can help you get to the next level of your fitness life. To that extent, this can be a net positive.

With these tips, you’re certain to help yourself on your fitness journey!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

The Relationship Between Work & Health

May 28, 2019 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

You have heard plenty in the past about the work/life balance – but what about the work/health balance? While it is not necessarily clear cut to say that working more means having less health, there is something of a link there which is worth looking into if you want to try and make the most of your life. Your health is obviously the most important thing to you in the world, and as long as you are living in a way which pays respect to that, you should find that you are moving in the right direction. But there are many ways in which your work can get in the way of that, and it is a good idea to try and look into what you can do to stop that from happening too much. In this post, we will look at some of the ways in which your work and your health are related, and what you can do to make sure you find the right balance.

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Choosing A Job

Let’s be honest: most of the time, people choose jobs based on circumstance and chance rather than a top-down kind of objective approach. That is the nature of working in the world today, and that is the reality for most people. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t choose to try and put a little more effort into finding a job that you will hopefully love, and one which is not going to cause you too much strain or trouble with your health. If you are thinking of switching jobs or getting a job, you will want to keep your health at the forefront of your mind. As long as you do that, you should find that you are much more likely to get hold of a job that will be fairly good for you, or at least not do you too much harm. Again, this is not always possible to do, but insofar as it is, you should make sure that you are happy to make the right choice and always put your health first ahead of any job.

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Working Safely

An important way to make sure that your work is not going to negatively affect your health is by focusing on what you need to do to work safely. The more that you are able to work in safety, the more likely it is that you will keep your health where it needs to be, and that’s obviously what we all need and want. There are many things to consider here to make sure that you are working as safely as necessary. For a start, there are likely to be a number of health and safety rules which you need to adhere to in your workplace, so make sure that you are aware of these and that you appreciate what they mean and really entail. You should also make sure that you approach your work with common sense and don’t do anything unsafe on purpose, and that you don’t do anything physical which you know you probably can’t do. Remember that your employer has their side to keep up here too, and if they don’t then you should seriously consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to get their legal assistance. As long as you do that, and you work safely, you can at least be sure that your work won’t cause you any actual injuries, which is a hugely important thing to be aware of on the whole.

Taking Regular Breaks

One of the ways in which work can affect your health is if you work too much, an affliction which many people find that they adhere to from time to time. If you do work too much, then it will only mean that you are going to cause your body and mind to experience much more stress, and that will inhibit the function of your immune system to the point where you are considerably more likely to develop an illness at some point in the future. This is clearly no good for you at all, and absolutely not worth the extra working hours. Instead, you should aim to take regular breaks wherever you can, so that you can be sure you are going to keep that stress as low as necessary, and not allow it to become too much. There will be a legal requirement for break time which you should follow, and hopefully your employer will let you take a little more too, so make sure that you are happy to do that if you want to really look after yourself. Taking breaks is essential for your health.

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Eating Well

Many people fail to eat properly when they are at work. This might be because they are rushed off their feet and they don’t find it easy to get hold of good food, or it might be that the stress of the day means that they crave fast food. Whatever the underlying reason, you need to try and make sure that you don’t go too far down that hole. Instead, try to make a point of eating as well as you possibly can when you are on lunch break and other breaks. You can do this by preparing a healthy meal at home which you bring in, or simply by making sure that you make a point of making better decisions when you buy your lunch. The healthier you eat during the working day, the better off your health will be on the whole – and you will also find that it makes it much easier to carry on working without getting too overwhelmed or stressed too. Food is one of the most important parts of this whole process, and you should make sure that you treat it as such. Your diet is the central pinnacle of your health, especially when you are already stressed from work.

Understanding the relationship between work and health and taking the steps above will help you to lead a much healthier and happier life!

•How do you balance your work and health life?

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health Nutrition Reviews

Food Intolerance Testing with York Test Labs Pt 2: Results

May 28, 2019 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

A couple weeks ago, I shared about Part One of my food intolerance testing with York Test Labs. Quick summary: I was given the opportunity to take an at-home food and drink intolerance test. I sent two little cotton swabs of blood to be tested for over 200 common intolerances. Note: this blood test checks for intolerances (some are possible intolerances), not allergies.

Disclosure: Lipton Publicity provided a sample, and the opinion I express is 100% my own.

I’m back to share my results with you! Via email, I received these results:

The top red ones (in the first photo) with the black dots are what my blood reacted to. The only one I’m sad and surprised by is the cocoa bean! I’ll definitely have to get more info on the specifics of that. If I can’t have chocolate ever, what kind of life would that be?! 😉

I’m not surprised by the milk and eggs (including yolk). I’m bummed about beef, because I love a good cheeseburger. With the eggs, it’s funny: exactly 5 years ago, I started eating food that only felt good in my body, even though some of the foods I couldn’t eat were considered healthy. Here’s the post:

That post was specifically talking about eggs! Eggs have always made me feel bloated, despite never feeling full. It felt good reading these results and knowing it wasn’t all in my head.

The yellow food/drinks with the black dots are things my blood sort of reacted to. Those are possible intolerances, but not a “for sure.” Everything else, I didn’t have a reaction to! Pretty awesome.

Had I taken this test a year ago, I’d be so sad about the intolerances to wine. But, luckily, I no longer drink, so it’s not a big deal to me.

•••

After receiving the results, you’re given a phone number to call and schedule TWO 30-minute nutritional therapy sessions! You’ll talk with a professional to better understand your results and ask any questions. You’ll also receive a food diary and guidebook.

I feel extremely satisfied with the testing process with York Test Labs, and the results I received. I highly recommend checking out their website to learn more, & to purchase your own kit! There’s nothing more important than your health.

PS: There’s currently a SALE happening! Use code MAY20 to receive 20% off!

Thank you for reading!

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Healthy Family: 4 Habits You Should Teach Your Kids for Better Health

June 11, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Nothing reassures parents more than knowing even when they’re absent; their kids can take care of themselves and remain healthy. As a parent, your kids look up to you; they pick up on your habits. What you teach your kids today plays a vital role in their future development. Therefore, it is essential to teach them how to take care of themselves as early as possible. Additionally, explain to your kids why these habits are vital to prevent power struggles and become their second nature. Here are some of the habits you should teach your kids for better health.

Skincare

From a young age, your kids should learn how to protect their skin from the sun and other harmful environmental elements. Teach them how to take baths and apply safe products to their skin. Teach your kids to moisturize, avoid popping pimples, and take care of cuts and wounds. If you notice your kids’ skin turning pink, it’s an indication they’re getting sunburned and need to learn to take care of themselves while out in the sun. Teach them to apply sunscreen with SPF 30, wear protective clothing, and stay in the shade to prevent the possibility of getting skin cancer in the future.

Dental care

Although milk teeth eventually come off, it’s necessary to teach your kids how to take care of their teeth at a young age, so it grows into a habit even when they acquire permanent teeth. Until the age of eight, you can help in cleaning their teeth, then teach them how to do it regularly. Be firm with when your kids should brush their teeth, for example, in the morning and before bedtime, and do it together for them to get used to it. Make a habit of visiting https://sunrisedentalstudio.com/ regularly for checkups to keep their teeth healthy.

Healthy eating habits

What your kids consume now affects their entire life. Prepare healthy meals for your kids, consisting of fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, natural oils, and ensure they hydrate with enough water. Sugar is among the most addictive substances. It causes obesity that leads to other life-threatening diseases; reduce its intake. In addition, limit their consumption of highly processed foods and beverages with added sugars like sodas.

Washing hands regularly

Washing hands is a simple act, but it can save your kids and the entire family from harmful germs that cause infections. It’s evident with the COVID-19 virus how vital it is to wash your hands regularly. Explain to your kids the importance of cleaning their hands and the kind of occasions when they should do so. These can be before and after meals, after playing, leaving the bathroom, blowing their noses, or being outside and touching surfaces. Finally, teach them hand washing techniques; you can make it fun by singing. Explain that when there’s no access to water, they can always use hand sanitizers.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to help your kids develop healthily. Teach them healthy habits like brushing teeth regularly, skincare, and make them their daily practices. Be a good role model and avoid bad eating habits that your kids can pick up on.

Thank you for reading!

Food

What Are America’s Top 5 Favorite Foods?

June 10, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

What do you think that nation’s favorite food is? If you’re like most people, you’ll pick something quintessentially American, like hamburgers. But you’d be wrong. It turns out that burgers are actually quite a long way down the list. Topping the charts is a food of Italian origin. Can you guess what it is?

#1: Pizza

Yes, right at the top of the list sits the pizza. Granted, the US version is a little different from the traditional Sicilian variety people were whipping up a couple of centuries ago. But it’s still recognizably Italian. There’s the dough base, bright red tomato sauce topping, and cheese. And don’t forget all the other additions: the olives, pickles, mushrooms, ham, ground beef, and so on.

Why is pizza so popular? Researchers think that it is because it pushes all of our taste buttons at the same time. You have the carb hit of the base, then the tangy sourness of the sauce, followed by the richness and gooeyness of the cheese. It’s a killer combination that makes it almost irresistible.

#2: Steak

Coming in at number two on the list of the nation’s favorites is steak – no surprises there. People have been making beef chuck roast in these lands for centuries.

There’s something magical about steak, especially if you choose the right cut. The way it melts in the mouth is like nothing else. Plus, if you pair it with the right sides, you can create a wonderful meal that ticks all the right boxes. The perfectly roasted jacket potato with sour cream and a wedge of lettuce with ranch dressing seals the deal.

#3: Cheeseburger

Coming in as the nation’s third-most favorite meal is cheeseburgers – something very much home-grown.

Cheeseburgers today come in a variety of styles. But the most popular offer similar taste sensations to pizza. You have the bread bun, cheese, meat, and then something sour, like pickle, ketchup, mustard, or relish. The hamburger can also come with extra additions. These include favorites like bacon, guacamole, chili mince sauce, or battered pineapple rings.

#4: Tacos

Tacos are fast becoming more popular in the US. Originally, tacos were only a small part of the diet. But Mexican influence on the culture has led to an explosion of people now enjoying this traditional Hispanic food.

The great thing about tacos is that they give you options. You can dress them your way!

#5: Pasta

How exactly Americans like their pasta depends on who you ask. But the most popular continues to be pasta with meatballs and marinara sauce, with plenty of cheese on top for good measure.

There are, however, plenty of other ways you can eat pasta. One of the most delicious is to make an avocado, basil, and pine nut pesto in a blender, and then mix it into the pasta. You can also try creating your own carbonara sauce by combining cashews, water, nutritional yeast, salt, and a dash of cider vinegar.

What is your number one favorite food? Let us know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading!

3 Ways To Tell If Your Doctor Is Right For You

June 9, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

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Your doctor is a very important figure in your life, no matter the status of your health. Whether you have chronic illnesses that require constant attention, or you rarely visit the doctor, you need to know that your GP (General Practitioner) is there for you when you need them the most.

Finding a doctor you trust takes time. While we all want to intrinsically trust doctors, sometimes your current GP just isn’t a good fit for you.

Let’s take a look at three ways to tell if your doctor is right for you!

Your communication styles match

Doctors all have the same amount of training in order to be qualified, but that doesn’t mean they are all the same. Doctors are only human after all, meaning that their ways of communicating to their patients will vary based on their personality.

Some doctors communicate bluntly and directly, getting straight to the facts, while others have a more measured, empathetic approach. Whichever style suits you, you should make sure that the doctor you see regularly can communicate in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Visiting the doctor is a vulnerable situation, meaning that you want to be treated in the way you would treat others in that scenario.

Your doctor is up to date on your conditions and is ready to listen

If you have specific health concerns, such as endometriosis or PCOS in women, you might want to find a general practitioner who has specialized knowledge of these conditions. It can help to feel as if you are in the presence of a true expert, although of course, all doctors are highly trained to deal with a wide range of health issues.

In addition, if your doctor is not fully aware of all your symptoms or side effects, it is good to know that they are ready to listen to your experiences. Ultimately, your visits with your doctor and the subsequent treatment should be a collaborative effort; your ideal doctor should listen to you and your concerns with care.

You feel comfortable opening up about your concerns.

Speaking of listening, it is crucial that you feel comfortable opening up to your doctor about any and all health concerns you have. Some of these could be a little embarrassing to discuss, so having a GP who you trust to listen empathetically is very important. There is no point in visiting a doctor if you are going to conceal your true concerns.

Have you had a problem with your doctor?

As we said before, doctors are human – meaning that they occasionally make mistakes that could have dire consequences. If you have had an issue with your doctor, you should learn more about legal action or the complaints process before you act.

To sum up…

If you are considering switching doctors to someone who suits you better, why not use this guide to help you find a doctor whose personality and expertise match your needs? If you have had issues with your doctor, click the above link (learn more) to find help on this subject!

Thank you for reading!

4 Simple Habits To Maintain Good Health

June 4, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Committing to a healthy lifestyle is one of the most meaningful gifts that you can give to yourself. By taking good care of your health, you can serve as a role model to those around you. It is the goal of every individual to be happy and healthy, despite their age. Maintaining good health can decrease your likelihood of developing certain conditions such as injuries, stroke, heart disease, and cancers.

There are many different ways to achieve and maintain good health. They include the following;

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Our body needs food to stay functional and strong. However, the wrong food choices can be the poison that incapacitates and destroys your body slowly. Food’s impact on your body is determined by what you eat and how often you eat it.

The common misconception is that vegetables and fruits are the only constituents of a healthy diet. However, maintaining a healthy diet entails establishing a balance between the key food groups, including fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is vital to stay away from unhealthy processed foods which may be filling your body with excess fats and harmful toxins.

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Get Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can help prevent health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer, and stroke. It can also help to treat high blood pressure, depression, and osteoporosis. An exercise routine can help you keep your weight under control and leave you feeling better emotionally.

Make the deliberate effort to work out at least three to four times a week. You can make achieving your activity goals easier by selecting the activities you enjoy, such as walking, yoga, or swimming.

Maintain Proper Personal Hygiene

One of the easiest ways to maintain a healthy body is by keeping it clean. Proper personal hygiene helps to ensure good health by eliminating any bacteria and pathogens that may be lying around in your hair, skin, or mouth. This, in turn, helps prevent infections such as dermatitis, UTIs, dental cavities, and many more.

Practice oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily. If you have any issues with your oral health, such as bleeding gums, bad breath, or cavities, visit your favorite local dentists as soon as possible. Ensure that you also take a shower or bath at least once daily and change into clean clothes. You might be surprised at the significant impact these simple hygiene practices have on your overall health.

Protect Your Skin

Excessive sun exposure can cause skin cancer. Therefore, it is vital to limit the time you spend in the sun and ensure to wear protective clothing such as sunglasses or a hat whenever you anticipate spending a significant amount of time outside.

Additionally, ensure to apply sunscreen to any exposed areas such as your face and hands for UV protection. Bear in mind that the use of sunscreen should extend all year round, and not only in summer. You should also avoid using tanning booths and sunbathing as much as possible.

Every individual should aim to stay as healthy as they possibly can. Consider incorporating the above strategies and activities into your routine to achieve good health.

Thank you for reading!

Food

The Secret To A Perfect Steak

June 1, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

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Anyone who enjoys eating meat would agree that a steak really is one of the very best kinds of meat out there. If you are like most home chefs, however, you might find that you have often struggled to make your steaks come out quite right. The truth is that making a perfect steak is not too challenging – there are just a few key things that you need to keep in mind along the way. In this post, we’ll take you through some of the major pointers that will help you to cook the perfect steak at home.

Don’t Forget The Seasoning

It might sound simple, but you do need to make sure you are seasoning your steak. If you don’t, there is just no way that it is going to end up being as good as you would hope, so this is something that you really do need to think about. All you need is salt and pepper – you don’t have to do anything fancy to make a steak really sing. However, you should consider the following tip from Marco Pierre White: always over-season your steaks, because most of the salt and pepper will come off into the pan during the cooking process.

Choose The Right Cooking Method

There are many ways to actually cook your steak, but you need to make sure that you are choosing the right one for the kind of steak you are cooking. There is practically no kind of steak that won’t be cooked wonderfully using a smoker from BBQGuys, and you can also always consider using a simple frying pan. What is often a good choice too, is to use a griddle – this gives you the benefits of both a pan and a grill, and it is something that can be used to create deep, delicious flavours.

The Best Cooking Fat

You also need to think carefully about what type of fat you cook your steaks in. There are many kinds that you can use, but they each have a different smoke point and provide different kinds of flavor. There is a lot of personal preference that goes into this, but as a general rule of thumb you should stick to flavourless oils like sunflower and groundnut – the latter having just the right smoke point for most steaks and pans. Make sure the oil splits in the pan before putting the steak in – but don’t let it smoke.

Resting

Not enough people realize just how important it is to rest the steak after cooking. The process of resting the meat actually allows the fibers in it to form together more strongly. Essentially what this means is that the steak develops a deeper flavor, and retains more of its juices. All you need to do is rest it for around five to ten minutes – any longer, and it might be cold, so be careful of that.

And that’s it – if you follow these tips, you will cook a perfect steak in no time!

Thank you for reading!

Maintaining Health In The Modern World: 8 Commonly Overlooked Issues

June 1, 2021 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Nothing in this life is more important than our health. And the pandemic has certainly underlined this fact. As such, millions of people are now paying greater attention to their physical and mental wellbeing than ever before. While this is fantastic news, the vast majority will fall into the common traps. If you are eager to maintain your health, it’s imperative that you put the right preparations in place.

Learn to focus on each of the eight key features below, and you will notice a significant improvement with short and long-term effects. Let’s get started.

1. Sleep Quality

A good night’s sleep is the foundation of physical and mental health. As such, most people who are determined to unlock a better life will naturally try to increase the duration. However, quality is just as important as quantity. The body needs to reach the REM stage to unlock the full benefits. This includes stress hormone regulation and improvements for your physical appearance. Therefore, you should be eager to invest in the best mattress and bed sheets.

When coupled with avoiding screens before bed and actually allowing your body to drift off, the rewards are huge. You will finally start and end each day in style.

2. Fitness Alignment

Whether looking to lose weight, tone up or simply keep your organs in good health doesn’t matter. Fitness will play a central role in the healthy living strategy. Nonetheless, a lot of people cause unnecessary harm or experience limited results. This could be due to ignoring what the body tells them. Or it might be a result of following a generic plan that isn’t linked to what you want to achieve or your current fitness levels or limitations.

Aside from getting fitter, it will enable you to avoid the injuries that would cause a lot of negative results. Prevention is always the best form of protection.

3. Suitable Diets

Alongside fitness, you will be eager to get your diet under control. While following a nutrition plan that’s set out by an expert is a good starting point, it might not necessarily be the best move. As with fitness, any strategy should be matched to your needs. Taking food intolerance tests is a very wise move. Meanwhile, you should be sure to take your height, weight, body type, and activity levels into account. This will yield far better benefits.

Healthy but unsuitable diets are still better than unhealthy habits. But if you are looking to gain the best health rewards, tailoring your strategies will make all the difference.

4. Financial Insecurities

Mental health is just as important as physical wellness. Given that money worries are the most common source of stress, financial instability simply won’t do. While confirming that your income outweighs your outgoings is vital, it’s not the only key step to success. Retirement savings should be a priority while long term care insurance should be put in place too. Without those safety nets, a single unforeseen circumstance could spell disaster.

Conversely, the knowledge that your finances are in good health should have a telling influence on your mental wellness. For many years to come.

5. Life Vulnerabilities

Staying with the topic of mental health, the knowledge that something could go wrong is often as bad as something actually happening. So, leaving yourself in a vulnerable position is simply not an option. Home security is an area that needs your full attention. Adding CCTV and video doorbells will have a telling influence. Investing in better door locks and window locks should also feature high on the checklist of jobs to do.

In today’s world, digital risks are equally important to tackle. It aids your mental health with immediate results. And, crucially, prevents the need to deal with any resulting issues.

6. Postural Problems

Bad posture is one of the most common issues to impact people in this modern era of office working. We spend hours slouched over computer desks or on the sofa. Wearing supportive posture correctors will help reverse the damage. Meanwhile, you must take the time to get measured for your underwear as ill-fitting clothes can cause unnecessary strain. A standing desk for the workplace is another great option. Not least because it also aids productivity.

Of course, practicing yoga or other exercises that actively make you feel more supple will play a positive role. The key is to act now before you pass the point of no return.

7. Social Inadequacies

Human interactions are the nucleus of a happy life. Unfortunately, the last 18 months have forced millions to abandon social interactions due to the pandemic. Now is the time to make up for lost time with days out, social gatherings, and other activities. However, you should also use this opportunity to review existing friendships. Cutting ties may seem harsh. But if it enables you to unlock a better version of yourself, it’s certainly worthwhile.

Good social habits are great for your emotional wellbeing and can also slow cognitive decline in later life. You’d be a fool to miss out.

8. No Rest

This post started with a focus on daily rest via a good night’s sleep. In the hectic modern world, it’s equally important to take regular breaks to recharge the batteries. A few days out for a road trip, city break, or staycation can make a world of difference. Aside from the obvious mental rewards, a chance to relax will yield a plethora of physical health rewards. Better still, you will be ready to return to normality in a far stronger position.

When used to complement the other steps mentioned above, enjoying a healthier and happier life is assured. It’s the least you deserve.

The Final Word

Starting a new healthy living routine requires a conscious effort to improve your life. Therefore, you should not settle for anything less than the best results. If avoiding those common pitfalls will keep you on the right track, you must not ignore this part of the process. Once it becomes second nature, you’ll never look back.

Thank you for reading!

Fashion

4 Celtic Inspired Clothing & Fashion Ideas

May 27, 2021 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Throughout the history of time, there are certain groups of people who place their mark on the earth. Even after these people have gone, their legacies live on in everything that we do. Most notably, we see civilizations come and go, with periods of time that pave the way to exciting new things and ideas. The Victorian era in the UK is a fantastic example – many of the classic Victorian buildings and architectural designs are still used in modern times and often replicated.

From a fashion perspective, you can find inspiration from all four corners of the globe, and all periods of time. Today, we’re going to focus on one collection of people who have inspired a very specific type of style; the Celts. Celtic heritage comes from different areas of Europe but is most often linked to Ireland and Scotland. Their legacy lives on to this very day, inspiring lots of cool fashion trends and accessories. If you’re interested in learning how to bring some Celtic inspiration to your outfits, here are a few clothing and accessory ideas to try:

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Celtic Jewelry

We can’t talk about Celtic inspiration without starting with jewelry. This is probably what the Celts are most known for in modern times. Certainly, if you look for Celtic-inspired things online, jewelry will always come up as the number one search. This is because there’s a very specific style to the jewelry, and it’s rather unique when compared with anything else.

You’ll find lots of different Celtic pieces to try, but the most common options are either rings or brooches. Certainly, things like Claddagh rings white gold are extremely popular. These are very traditional Irish/Celtic-inspired rings that feature hands clasping over a heart, with a crown on top. This design is typical of the Celts, and it is supposed to convey meanings of togetherness and friendship. Celtic brooches are popular as well, typically coming in a range of styles and patterns to do with crosses.

Harvest Dresses

A harvest dress is a beautiful item of clothing that’s straight from the Celtic heritage. Back when these people were around, they did a lot of plowing the fields and growing crops. Indeed, much of Ireland and Scotland is full of greenery today, and there are plenty of rural areas where this continues to happen. As a result, the communities would get together and celebrate the harvest, which would result in the women donning their harvest dresses.

Here, you have a cotton dress that’s somewhere between a midi and a maxi. It blends the lines between complementary and reserved, making it a great option for everyday wear. Traditional harvest dresses are quite neutral in their colors and don’t have crazy designs. But, you can find some these days that are slightly more modernized. They’re perfect to wear on hot summer days but are equally effective when paired with some leggings during the colder evenings.

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Linen Wrap Dresses

A lot of Celtic-inspired clothing revolves around dresses. This is for no reason other than women used to wear dresses a lot in the Celtic times. If you’re looking for a figure-hugging number that makes you feel beautiful, a linen wrap dress could be perfect for you.

Again, soft linen is used here, and the idea is that the dress wraps itself around your figure. It’s designed to let nature do all the talking in an impressive display of confidence by the wearer. This is something you can wear to feel comfortable, but it’s also something of a statement when you’re feeling good about your body. These dresses are typically worn with leggings, but nobody will stop you from wearing one without!

A Long Overcoat

If you want something to wear when it’s cold outside, the Celts had an answer for this. Traditionally, they would wear long sheepskin overcoats to keep the cold at bay. These big fluffy coats are still popular today, though you can get faux versions if you don’t want to use real sheepskin and would prefer a more ethical and sustainable alternative.

Either way, they’re quite the sight! You will look extremely cozy walking around in your long overcoat as it envelops you when the hood is up. Perhaps not ideal when the weather is wet, but this coat is still a fantastic outfit accessory when you want to wrap up warm.

Celtic-inspired clothing and fashion items are very unique. They give off a specific style that can’t be replicated by other things. If you fancy adding a touch of Celtic heritage to your outfits, consider any of the options listed above!

Thank you for reading!

Home

Garden Jobs To Do In Preparation For Summer

May 26, 2021 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

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Now that June is almost here, most of us are getting ready for an exciting summer where we can go out and spend time with the ones we love.

During the summer months, the garden really comes into its own and now is the time for you to prepare for this exciting part of the year. Here are some of the things you can do in your garden now to get it ready to thrive in the summer months.

Plant seedlings

The first thing you can do to prepare for a fun summer in your garden is plant some plugs or seedlings in your flower beds. You can do this at the end of May and the start of June and this will give the seedlings a chance to grow into small plants by July and august. This means you will be able to enjoy plants such as pansies and marigolds throughout the summer. If it is still a little cold where you live, you can start some seedlings on your kitchen windowsill and this will help you to ensure they grow strong by the time you plant them outside.

Arrange a hanging basket

Hanging baskets are a fun feature to bring into your garden and you can hang them in lots of different places around your garden. You could put them on each side of your door or window, hang it on the shed, or even on a bird feeder pole. Hanging baskets can be filled with flowers such as pansies and lobelia and will soon bring a dose of colour and vibrancy to your garden. It won’t take long for your hanging basket to bloom and become a beloved feature of your outdoor space.

Clean the gutters

Now that summer is on its way you can start considering cleaning out the gutters to get rid of any muck that has collected over winter. This is a job you can do yourself or you can bring in exterior cleaning experts to help you. Once you have done this consider installing a water butt to your gutters and collect rainwater to use for your garden in the summer.

Sprinkle wildflower seeds

If you are looking for a low maintenance garden this year, why not buy yourself a wildflower seed mix and sprinkle this over your beds? Wildflowers will attract bees and butterflies to your garden and they will bring some stunning primary colours to your flowerbeds without any effort at all. Doing this will bring colour and fun to your outdoor space without the work and they will come back year after year to bring colour and joy to your garden.

Cut the lawn edges

One last job to do now ready for the summer in your garden is cut your lawn edges clean so that the lawn stays separated from your flowerbeds. This will cut down the need to pull grass out of your flowerbeds in the summer and will make your garden look tidier overall.

Thank you for reading!