- Page 2 of 323 - Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

4 Great Natural Remedies For Nausea

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We all experience nausea from time to time and usually, you just have to wait for it to pass. But if you get it a lot, it can start to become a bit of a problem, so you should look for ways to relieve it if you can. There are medications that you can take but there’s no need really because there are so many great natural remedies out there. These are 4 great natural remedies for nausea.

4 great remedies for nausea — Image From Pixabay CCO License

Ginger

You may have heard of this one already because it’s a very popular remedy. It is not known exactly how it works but it is believed that some of the chemicals in ginger work in a similar way to the chemicals that you would find in anti-nausea medication. The best way to take it is to just get some dry ginger, but you can also make it into a tea. Usually, it is perfectly safe and you don’t have any side effects but you do need to be careful about eating a lot of ginger if you are taking blood thinners because it could cause complications. If you are unsure, seek the advice of your doctor.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another great natural ingredient that could help to relieve your nausea. Peppermint tea is one way to take it, but there is no solid evidence to suggest that it will help your nausea. However, a lot of research has been done into peppermint aromatherapy. The results show that breathing in peppermint oil can significantly reduce feelings of nausea in most people.

CBD Products

CBD products are so popular right now and people are using them for all sorts of different health issues like anxiety, pain, and insomnia. But did you know that they can also be a great natural remedy for nausea? More specifically, CBDA products are best for treating nausea, and you can get them in lots of different forms. It can be ingested as an oil dropped onto the tongue but there are also drinks and even sweets with CBD compounds in. Just remember that CBD products are still fairly new and there is not a lot known about them, so you should always speak with your doctor first and get their advice.

Stress And Anxiety

A lot of people don’t realize that their nausea could be more mental than physical a lot of the time. Scientists are only now beginning to understand the link between gut health and mental health, but it is clear that they both affect one another in a big way. If you are particularly stressed or anxious, it can cause you to have a lot of stomach problems and nausea. It also works the other way, so digestive issues can contribute to bad mental health as well. If you find that you are suffering with nausea on a regular basis, you should consider whether it might be a mental problem and look for ways to manage your anxiety. You may find that it makes a huge difference.

You should try these 4 great natural remedies for nausea next time your tummy feels upset, instead of taking medications.

5 Comfortable Shoes For Women That Don’t Sacrifice Style

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Looking for comfortable shoes for women that don’t compromise great style? Click here for our list of 5 cute and comfortable shoes to wear this fall! How often do you look at all your shoes in the morning and think, “Should I go comfortable or trendy today?” I believe that’s not a decision you should have to make. More than believe – I know you don’t have to. How? Well… by buying the right shoes!

Now, I know what you’re thinking… you bought all the pairs of shoes you own because you believed those were the right ones for you, duh. But are they the perfect mix between comfort and style? Here are some of the most comfortable shoes for women that you should add to your wardrobe this fall!

comfortable shoes for women

Ankle Boots

Does any style of footwear scream “fall” more than ankle boots?

If you’re looking for shoes that are versatile and go with almost any type of garment, this is 100% the right choice. Whether you get a flat pair or one with heels, this type of shoes will take your outfit to a new level and keep your feet always warm!

Luxury Sneakers

If luxury sneakers are within your budget, trust me, they’re a very good investment to make.

Not only do they look cool and lush, but because the materials are so high-quality, the level of comfort is undeniable. Check out Gucci at SSENSE and all the shoes they have. It’ll be hard to pick just one pair!

Ballerina Shoes

Imagine a comfy slipper that actually looks chic. That’s a ballerina shoe.

These are the perfect choice for a casual occasion like a family get together or a brunch with your girlfriends. There are so many different styles and colors available that it’ll be pretty much impossible for you not to find a pair you love!

Wellington Boots

Fall comes with some inevitable rainy days and not wearing the right type of shoes for that weather can get really uncomfortable.

Wellington boots are super comfy and easy to put on, which is always a plus. And no, you won’t have to go for the green, simple ones. The color and style options are endless!

Loafers

Wearing heels too often can have a negative impact on your body, like back pain and stiffness on your calf muscles.

So, if you’re looking for another option that you can take to work, I’d say you should go for some loafers.

They always look chic and even if you pair them some casual jeans, they still give your whole outfit a professional look. Perfect!

Comfortable Shoes for Women… That Look Cool? You Got It!

Oh, how good it is to look stylish while wearing shoes that simply feel right on your feet!

If you finish most days with an annoying foot (or back) ache, it’s time you change the way you choose new shoes to purchase.

The ones I listed are only a few of the comfortable shoes for women there are. Finding the right pair for you is only a matter of trying new styles and models.

So… time to go shopping?!

If you enjoyed reading this article, make sure to check the “Fashion” section of my blog!

Great Oven Maintenance Tricks For Keeping Your Stove In Top Shape

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If you love to cook, you also know how messy your oven and stove can get. Without the proper oven maintenance, your appliance could break or become unusable. To keep your oven in tip-top shape, read on for a few helpful tips that will ensure you get the most out of your stove for years to come.

oven maintenance

Keep the Oven Clean

When it comes to proper oven maintenance, cleanliness is key. You should wipe up any spills and drips inside the oven as soon as possible, but make sure that it’s completely cooled down first. All of those small spots of food can catch fire, resulting in a serious hazard if you’re not careful. Keep a close eye on the oven door window since that area can stain once the food heats up if it doesn’t get cleaned off.

Apply a heavy-duty degreaser if you end up with caked or baked-on spots on the window. Wipe the window after every time you cook to make this cleanup process easier.

As for the inside of your oven, you’ll want to remove the racks and soak them in warm, soapy water for around 10 minutes. Don’t leave them in the oven when you run the self-cleaning feature or they could become warped.

If you see a caked-on mess on the racks, scrub it clean using a kitchen sponge. Use special oven cleaners for the inside of your oven, or you can apply a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and water to remove nasty food residue.

Unplug your oven when you clean it to be safe. If you’d rather use the self-cleaning feature, be sure to follow the directions per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ideally, you should thoroughly clean your oven every month to every three months.

Stove Cleaning Tips

The stove is a bit easier to clean than the oven, but make sure you use the right cleaning products based on your manufacturer. In most cases, a light, non-abrasive cleaning solution, and a sponge should do the trick.

Never apply cleaner directly to the stove. Apply it to a cloth or sponge first, then gently work it into the stove as you scrub.

You might be able to remove the control knobs on your stove to get them clean. If so, take them off carefully and soak them in a mixture of dish soap and warm water to remove excess gunk.

Be aware that new stoves use intricate electronics that might get damaged if you get them wet or take the knobs off. Ideally, you should simply wipe your stove’s surface and control panel area clean every day after you cook.

Gas Oven Maintenance

If you’re cooking with gas, there are a few things you can do to improve your appliance’s efficiency. Try to keep the flame as low as possible when you cook to avoid using too much gas.

Keep lids tightly on pots and pans as you cook with gas to trap the heat inside. This will allow you to keep the flame at a lower level and save.

Make sure you use the correct size pot or pan for the corresponding burner. This will ensure that the pot or pan has enough heat applied in reference to its surface space. If you place a small pot on a large burner, you could waste quite a lot of excess gas that you don’t need to use.

Pay attention to the gas flame on your stove. If it turns a yellow or orange color instead of blue, this means your cook top is not running as efficiently as it should. Contact your gas company to see if there’s a leak, then check with your manufacturer to schedule service.

Refer to oven maintenance tips to make sure everything is in excellent shape.

Important Oven Facts

If you see smoke or flames coming out of your stove or oven that seems unusual, it typically means that your appliance needs to be cleaned. Pay close attention to any grease buildup, as this has the potential to start a fire.

Any food debris can cause a fire if it’s not cleaned up, so always make sure your oven and stovetop are as clean as possible. Keep your owner’s manual handy just in case you run into any issues with your oven.

If you have a warranty on the appliance, make sure you have the paperwork and contact number if you need service. Never put your oven on self-cleaning mode when you aren’t at home.

Use a timer whenever you bake something so you don’t accidentally burn your goodies or start a fire. Make sure pots and pans are out of reach of children so they don’t accidentally pull a hot pot of water down, which can cause burns.

The life span of your oven will vary depending on how often you use it and how well you keep it clean and maintained. Ideally, a high-quality oven and stove should last for many years.

Make Your Oven Last

With the proper care and regular oven maintenance, this important appliance should serve you well. Keep everything clean as often as possible and pay attention to your gas usage.

You can use the self-cleaning feature as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When in doubt, call your appliance company for service so you can ensure your oven remains in good working order at all times.

You can get more information about health, great recipes, and home tips here.

How to Deal with a Family Member’s Mental Illness

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Mental illness affects everyone. Whether you’re suffering from depression or caring for someone who is, half of the battle is learning to deal with a family member’s mental illness constructively. Understand that you can’t fix their depression, but you can help them manage it. Here are a few healthy habits that will help you and the rest of the family deal with your loved one’s mental illness.

family member's mental illness

Accept your family member’s mental illness

When depression or anxiety strikes a family member, it’s easy to feel like you may be responsible. That couldn’t be more false. More importantly, your loved one does not want you to feel responsible for their mental illness. In fact, it may even make them feel like you don’t understand their struggle.

Likewise, discounting a loved one’s mental struggle will cause them to pull away. Do not tell your son or your spouse to simply get over their depression. If they could, they would. Accept that their mental illness is just that- an illness. Know that a bad day out of depression can be as bad as the flu. Treat them accordingly.

Encourage and support their treatment

It’s likely that if your family member is suffering from a severe mental illness that they’re seeking outside help from a counselor or therapist. If this is the case, let them know that you’re proud of them for doing so. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma around seeking the help of the therapist (especially for men). Verbally showing your support for your loved ones healing will help them stay strong in their treatment.

Tell them that you’re proud of them for seeing a therapist. Encourage them to use the healthy coping mechanisms that therapy is teaching them. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help support that treatment. You may even find that your family member enjoys having you involved in their treatment process.

Learn about your family member’s mental illness

It’s natural for human beings to be scared of what they don’t understand. To conquer that fear, take the time to learn about what is afflicting your loved one. Between Google and simply asking your loved one how their illness affects them, your family member will know that you are there for them.

NAMI is a great resource for those who are supporting a family member with mental illness. You may also consider talking to your loved one’s therapist to learn about common warning signs of mental crisis.

Learn to stay calm during behavioral outbursts

As you probably learned by now, mental illness can cause a variety of behavioral issues. But even when your teen is yelling at the top of their lungs “I want to kill myself,” it’s important to understand that they’re not trying to threaten you. They are in distress. Do not belittle their emotions or raise the emotional ceiling and join them in the chaos. Instead, talk to them calmly and try to facilitate a safe environment for everyone involved.

For example, if your loved one is having a panic attack now is not the time to tell them to just calm down. Recognize their panic attack and let them know that you’re there for them. If possible, talk to them when they’re in a calmer mood and ask how you should react when they’re having an outburst. Even if they don’t have an answer for you right away it will get them thinking about how they want you to be supportive during these times.

Remember to take care of yourself

When you’re supporting a family member with mental illness, it’s important to make time for self-care. Caretaking in any way, shape, or form takes a toll on you. If you don’t take the time to take care of your own mental health, you’ll quickly find that you need someone to take care of you too. Don’t sacrifice self-care time or your hobbies because of you are caretaking a family member with depression. Instead, call in the rest of the family to help you support that person. The old saying that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else applies here.

More importantly, self-care will give you a break from the pressure caretakers often feel. Doing activities and hobbies that truly make you happy will help you stay grounded and in turn, help you ground your family member.

Find a support group of your own

Nearly 17 million Americans suffer from depression or another form of mental illness every year. So if you’re thinking you’re alone in supporting your family member, you’re not. You can find an array of support groups both online and in the real world that will help you support your family as you deal with a loved one’s mental illness. In a sense, this is a form of therapy for you too.

By interacting with others who are supporting a family member with mental illness, you can gain a sense of community. This community can relate to you and understand the struggles that come alongside dealing with a family member who is mentally ill. You may even find lifelong friends by doing so.

Believe in your family member’s ability to cope

As cliche as it may sound, don’t lose hope. Though mental illness may not be cured it can be well managed. Have faith that no matter how hard things are right now, your family members can improve their coping mechanisms and in turn improve their life.

Expect the Unexpected During Home Renovations

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As exciting as home renovations can be once they’re completed, it’s no walk in the park. From the planning process to completion there are a bunch of unexpected circumstances that could throw a wrench in your plans. While these circumstances shouldn’t persuade you against getting renovations done, being aware of what they are can help you prepare and hopefully, avoid the same things happening to you. Check out these unexpected circumstances during home renovations and ways to keep the stress at a minimum.

Changes in the Budget

A renovation job isn’t always cut and dry. During the construction stage, contractors discover problems that need to be addressed before moving forward. Since these matters weren’t factored into their estimate, this means you’ll have to sacrifice some things on your renovation or come up with the additional funds.

The best way to prepare for this is to create a home renovation budget and factor in additional funds as a cushion. You should also prioritize the things you want to be done in the home just in case you have to sacrifice to pay for something more important.

Dust and Clutter

No one pays attention to how messy a home renovation can be. From sawdust and garbage to equipment and materials your home literally becomes a construction zone. This can be very uncomfortable to deal with and also unsafe.

The best solution would be to relocate until the renovation is completed to avoid inhaling dust and other elements that enter the air during construction. However, if you’re going to stay, you should start by gating off areas that aren’t safe. This is where contractors can store their equipment but your children and pets won’t get hurt. Lastly, cover your furniture in surrounding areas to prevent having a huge clean up on your hands.

Pests

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to have to deal with pest issues after a renovation. The noise, movement, and rearranging disrupted pests that may have been hiding in walls, underneath the floors, and elsewhere in the house. Now, they’re invading your living space.

Immediately after the renovation is done you should contact Moxie Pest Control or another pest control company near you to resolve the matter before it gets out of hand.

Noise During Home Renovation

Another overlooked matter to consider during a home renovation is the noise factor. The banging, clanging, drilling, and moving will most certainly disrupt anything you have going on at home. Not to mention, contractors coming in and out of the home talking to each other and on the phone. It can be a real disturbance, particularly if you work from home.

Home Renovation Delays

When the contractor makes an assessment of what needs to be done, they provide you with a timeline of when they believe they can complete it all. This timeline often does have some cushion, but there are things beyond the control of the contractor that could delay things. If a member of their crew gets sick, they discover an issue that needs to be resolved, the supplies don’t come on time (or aren’t the right materials), or anything along those lines pushes the time back.

Just like the contractor, you can’t control all elements of a home renovation. As the above-mentioned scenarios are beyond your control, all you can do here is be prepared. Be sure that you’ve budgeted enough money, that you have a comfortable place to stay, and you’ve made any other necessary changes in your routines or lifestyles.

Increased Stress

As excited as you are to be renovating your home you have to be prepared for a bit of tension. The constant “invasion” of contractors in your home, the noise, and the inability to access certain parts of the home can cause anyone to become a bit stressed out.

You can try to eliminate the stress by finding things to do that you enjoy as a family, spending more time out of the house during construction hours, staying a few nights in a hotel, going for walks, and other stress-relieving activities.

Most homeowners don’t become aware of just how stressful home renovations can be until they’re in the midst of it. Save yourself the headache and frustration by planning in advance for unexpected but common mishaps during a renovation. Knowing that you have a solution to the problem makes it easier to get through.

Is It A Gluten Intolerance, An Allergy, Or Something Else?

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It’s something, no doubt, someone you know has, and a gluten intolerance is something that we all may have to an extent. Some may have a sensitivity, and although we feel better if we consume products without gluten, what if the gluten problem you suffer from isn’t actually caused by gluten? You might feel tired, achy, or very, very gassy. It may very well be another issue. Let’s see if we can get to the bottom of it.

A Food Sensitivity, A Gluten Intolerance, Or Something Else?

If you have already checked that you don’t suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease, the problem could still stem from a problem on a food map. It’s important to look at the symptoms you have. Because, if you tend to suffer from colds or flu-like symptoms you have to cross off other culprits, and start to keep a food diary. Keeping an eye on what you feel like after certain foods is crucial. And if you don’t see any symptoms, but still suffer from flu-like symptoms or you generally feel foggy, it’s worth consulting a specialist like an ear nose throat doctor just to check that it’s not another problem. Many people that suffer from gluten intolerance feel sluggish and sleepy. That could very well be caused by something like sleep apnea. But at the same time, you need to look at your sensitivity to specific foods. You may very well have a food sensitivity, but this is where you have to start eliminating certain components such as fructose, lactose, and polyols.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If you feel bloated, or suffer from various abdominal pains, IBS could very well be the culprit. The way to identify if you suffer from IBS is to undergo a food sensitivity test, but you have to consult your doctor before making specific dietary changes. It could very well be down to foods that contain a high amount of gas, in which case, altering your diet and making certain lifestyle alterations could make significant changes. A lot of people suffer from IBS and it could very well be due to certain sensitivities, but if the symptoms you have are more than bloating or diarrhea, and it starts to affect your focus or frame of mind, it may very well be more than IBS.

Lyme Disease

Symptomatically speaking if you suffer from headaches, chills, and achy muscles, these can be associated with celiac disease, but you might also ponder the idea if you have Lyme Disease. The one difference between a gluten intolerance and Lyme Disease is if a rash appears after 4 weeks, as well as flu-like symptoms. This disease is infectious and is transmitted to humans by ticks, so if you suspect this you need to see a doctor right away. Lyme Disease is treatable but while it can seem like something that only people get while traveling the world, you have to ensure that you get the root cause established.

Crohn’s Disease

Linked to celiac issues, Crohn’s Disease is an autoimmune problem that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss and inflammation. Crohn’s Disease is incredibly rare, and if you suspect that you have stomach pains, you should speak to a doctor so they can complete a blood test, as well as an endoscopy or colonoscopy. It is one of those conditions that can stay with you for life, but it can be treatable.

Colitis

This is inflammation of the large intestine or colon. Similar to celiac disease, symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain. If you ever have dark-colored stools, checking with a doctor is crucial. Colitis can be treated not just with medication, but lifestyle alterations.

An Underlying Mental Health Problem

Sometimes, the symptoms we feel are psychosomatic. With something like allergies or a gluten intolerance, they can be symptomatic of something like hypochondria or obsessive-compulsive disorder. If we feel that we have an intolerance to something like gluten, it’s always important to undergo an elimination diet just to make sure that we are checking for symptomatic relief. But when we have symptoms like excessive sleep, fogginess, and an inability to focus, an underlying mental health problem may need to be addressed. With all of these issues, it’s always worth going to a doctor to ensure that you have the adequate blood tests. But, when we have an underlying mental health problem, we can find that by treating the issue, it has a benefit on the rest of our lives.

Living with a gluten intolerance can be pretty miserable, but you have to find the culprit, just in case it isn’t an intolerance to gluten, but something worse, or something that can be treated easily.

How To Manage Your Money When Trying To Buy A Home.

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Life can be so utterly complicated and confusing that it can feel impossible to face up to and deal with. Sometimes you can look around, and other people seem to have their lives together so much more than you do. It’s hard not to feel like a kid in a room full of adults. The truth is, it’s not that complicated to take control of your life and feel like an adult. This is especially true when you’re trying to do something really significant like buying a home. After all, that’s not the kind of thing that you can do if you’re not in control of your life. That doesn’t mean that it’s always easy. A lot of the time it actually takes a heck of a lot of work. In the end, it’s pretty likely that one of the biggest factors to that is money. By getting on top of your finances you can take much more control of your life, which will make being able to finally get your foot on that first rung of the property ladder that much easier. Here are some important parts of your finances that you need to take control of when you’re getting ready to buy a home.

buy a home

Get a handle on your spending

We all love to treat ourselves. It’s an important thing to do. No one wants to spend their lives denying themselves things that they enjoy. The problem comes when that spending starts to get out of control. If you’re an impulsive spender, then it can be very easy to put yourself into financial trouble. The best thing you can do is to budget. You might look around at friends and wonder how they’re able to afford houses, cars, and vacations. Chances are it’s because they manage their money and budget properly. That way they can set aside money for important things. By doing the same, you will be able to as well.

Take control of your credit

One of the most important things that a lot of people need to come to terms with is that modern society is one that runs almost entirely on credit. Without a decent credit rating, it’s often hard to be able to get a handle on any kind of financial situation, let alone one as significant as buying a house. You need to make sure that you’ve got a handle on your credit before you start the process of buying a home. You might think that it’s as simple as just not getting into any level of debt but it’s not quite that simple. The truth is that having no credit can be as much of a problem as having bad credit. The key is to make sure that you’re paying off any debts right away. Whether it’s a cash advance loan or a credit card that you use for your weekly groceries, paying off your debts in a timely manner is one of the best ways to improve your credit score. Without that, you can kiss your chances of buying a home goodbye pretty quickly.

Don’t hide your head in the sand.

Whatever you’re spending your money on, the absolute worst thing you can do is to ignore your finances. It can be very tempting to hide your head in the sand and ignore any financial problems or commitments that arise. Make sure that you’re checking your bank balance frequently and paying close attention to what’s going both in and out of your account. By doing that, you can ensure that you’re not going to come up against any problems when you’re not expecting them. The last thing you want when you’re doing something as significant as buying a home is to end up dealing with any nasty financial surprises.

The truth is that no matter what you do, buying a home is always going to be one of the most significant, stressful, and challenging things that you will ever have to deal with. Making an effort to get control of your finances will most certainly make that entire process a whole lot easier and that’s something that you need to be willing to face up to. However, if you assume that it’s going to be smooth sailing just because you’ve finally gotten your finances in control, then you’re in for a pretty rude awakening. You need to make sure that you do your research and that you’re ready for all of the challenges that come with trying to buy a home really entails.

How To Tell If That Previously Owned Car Has Flood Damage

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Texas, Midwest, North Carolina. The thing all these places have in common is heavy flooding in 2019. With so many areas flooded, with homes and autos under water, how can you tell if the previously owned car you are thinking of buying has been damaged in a flood?

One of the best ways to guarantee that the vehicle you want to buy has not been in a flood is to buy from a reputable dealer, such as Steve Jones Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Kansas City. Every Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, and RAM Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) has to pass their stringent certification process guaranteeing that only the finest vehicles get certified. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles get a 125 point inspection. You also get a Carfax® vehicle history report.

Here are some things to look for when buying a used vehicle to help insure that it does not have flood damage:

Get a Carfax® Vehicle History Report. This report will tell you if the car has any history of salvage, fire, flood damage, odometer problems or lemon history.

Check under the hood. Look for signs of mud or sediment in the battery box, in the air intake, or hard to reach areas.

Look under the seats in the car. If the springs or seat mounts are rusty, this is a sure sign the car has been in water.

Sit in the car and take a sniff. If the car smells musty or moldy, that probably indicates that it has flood damage.

Look at the headlights and taillights. Mud and water are hard to remove from these areas.

There are many more signs of flood damage to a vehicle. But if you use all your senses to inspect the car, and still want to make sure there is no damage, take it to a mechanic you trust and have them inspect the car. If the car passes inspection, you can feel confident that it has not been flooded.