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Fun stuff in the Everyday Life of a Busy Mom & Entrepreneur

The Basics Of Braces – 5 Tips For Parents Who Suspect Their Child May Need Braces

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Photo from Luis Quintero  via Pexels

Train tracks, metal mouth, brace face – it seems like there are endless nicknames for kids who get braces. Orthodontists estimate about 45% of children need braces to fix functional problems. So, there is a reasonably high chance that your child may fall into that group. If you suspect that your child needs orthodontic work, we have some tips to figure out the best way forward.

 

Take Out Dental Cover

Braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your child’s treatment. It’s enough to put a significant dent in anyone’s bank account, which is why it’s worth hunting down some affordable dental cover. Your small weekly payment will ensure that you’re covered for major and minor dental expenses.

Look at the inclusions within different packages to see what you and your family might need. You also need to compare the various waiting periods. If your child doesn’t need work done immediately, you may be able to access a more affordable plan. Conversely, if the treatment is urgent, it may be worth paying a slightly higher premium for a package that has no waiting period.

 

Explore the Options

There are multiple options when it comes to dental treatment. The standard solution to crooked teeth is to use braces with brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Nowadays, braces can be metal, clear plastic, or white ceramics, which are less noticeable than the traditional style. Another option is to go with clear removable braces. Also known as aligners, these plastic trays are changed every two weeks or so to gradually move the teeth into alignment.

 

Understand the Consequences

You should check with your dentist or orthodontist what the long term consequences are if you don’t take action. Will the issue impact your child’s ability to clean their teeth properly or chew their food? Or is it primarily an aesthetic consideration?

You also need to consider the impact the treatment will have on the child’s jaw, lips, and profile, as your teeth have a significant effect on your facial structure. If you are concerned about the advice the dentist has given you, it is worth doing more research and potentially getting a second opinion.

 

Talk Through It

It’s natural for your child to feel a bit apprehensive about getting braces. Teenagers can be incredibly self-conscious, so they might be worried about how they will look or whether they will end up with a lisp. They might also be concerned about the pain of having braces fitted and discomfort while wearing them.

Talk through their concerns and try to focus on the positive outcome. You can also reassure them that they can manage any minor discomfort they experience using Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and dental wax to stop the braces rubbing.

 

Audit the Pantry

Stock up on lots of soft foods as your child’s mouth will likely be sore when they first have their braces fitted and each time that they need to tighten them. Pasta, rice, and mashed potato are ideal.

To remove temptation, clear the pantry of hard foods like rock candy, nuts, and popcorn; chewy foods like gummy bears; and extra sticky foods like bubble gum or lollies. Sugary food and drinks like soda and cake are also best avoided unless they brush their teeth straight afterward.

Remember, the investment will be well worth it when your child is filled with confidence with a mouth full of strong and healthy teeth.

The Shame Game – 4 Ridiculous Things New Moms Are Shamed For (And Why It Should Stop)

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The parenting community is divided on many issues, making it difficult for parents to know whether or not they are making good choices for their children. Here are four ridiculous things new moms are shamed for, and why it should stop:

  1. Choosing To Breastfeed Or Formula Feed

Of all of the controversies that currently plague the world of new mamas, this is probably the hottest debate – breast vs. formula. So many people dogmatically insist that “breast is best” and the underlying tone implies that if you really love your baby, you will do whatever it takes to provide breast milk. Though breast might be the natural method, at the end of the day, what matters is ensuring a child is fed.

On the other side of the debate, moms who opt for infant formula often categorize breastfeeding moms as judgemental and self-righteous by default. This can lead to them judging moms who breastfeed in public or continue to breastfeed when their baby is a toddler. The truth is, none of the judgement on either side of the debate is helping anyone.

 

  1. Choosing To Stay At Home Or Go Back To Work

Stay home, or return to work? There’s such a horribly skewed perception of both working moms and stay-at-home moms. Setting aside the practical aspect – many moms need to work in order to support the family – there’s also the question of choice. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and what fills one mom’s cup might empty another’s.

One mom might find the idea of working and raising children overwhelming. Another mom might need to maintain her identity outside of the dirty diapers and laundry. The best mom is the mom whose needs are met. No-one gets to decide for another what her needs might be.

 

  1. How They Gave Birth

Does natural birth automatically better qualify a mom? One would think that in this day and age, we can see past something like the way in which a baby arrived in the world. C-section rates have risen across the globe, and while many of them are not necessary, the truth is that it’s no-one else’s business. While many people are happy to share interesting tales of their birth, it’s an incredibly intimate process that is deeply personal. The only appropriate response to hearing another’s birth story is compassion, you never know if a mother is deeply grieving over the fact that she didn’t get the birth she wanted.

 

  1. Choosing A Vegan Lifestyle

Vegan moms have heard it all – “your breastmilk won’t have enough protein,” “you won’t be able to recover your strength after giving birth,” “you won’t have the energy to care for your child.” The truth is that any group of people that restricts certain foods will be populated by those who are doing it properly and those who aren’t.

Unfortunately, many vegans are nutrient-deficient simply because they don’t eat a balance of healthy foods. This can happen whether you are vegan or not. Moms should have the freedom to rebuild their strength and enter motherhood following the eating plan that makes them feel empowered and able to be the best mom possible, without judgment.

The natural conclusion that flows from these debates is that you should be the mom you want to be. Frustrating though it may be, you will face criticism regardless of what you do. Both sides to any argument have some valid points, but also some potentially negative outcomes. When you follow your heart, it’s easier to embrace the effects of your decisions.

Secret Santa – 6 Savvy Gift Ideas to Get Your Secret Santa Swag Sorted Early

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Image by Harry Strauss from Pixabay 

If you’re like most people, you may not be so sure what to get your co-worker for the office secret Santa gift exchange. Even though you spend every weekday with your coworkers, it’s a challenge to find that one perfect gift that’s sure to please.

To help you get this task out of the way early this year, we’ve compiled a list of several great items any of your coworkers would be thrilled to receive. Don’t stress about secret Santa this year – ROCK IT!

 

1. Branded Corporate Gifts

What says “I appreciate you” more than a gift that’s actually usable? From USB Memory Pens to durable duffle bags, branded corporate gifts tend to go over well with most people.

The nice thing about these types of gifts is that the receiver can’t forget where the gift came from since it has the name of the company on it, and if you choose wisely, they’ll be able to use the gift regularly.

 

2. Fun Printed Socks

Everyone wears them, so why not take advantage of this and buy a pair of fun printed socks for your secret Santa? With a wealth of options online to choose from, there’s something for every personality.

Is the person you’re buying for a pizza lover? These pizza printed socks may make the perfect gift!

 

3. Hi-Tech Cleaning Cloth

Dust, oil, and smudges leave the screens on our devices downright filthy and it’s common to see people cleaning them with tissues, shirttails, and paper towels. All these things can damage the delicate glass, so giving your secret Santa a hi-tech cleaning cloth will help extend the life of their devices.

Designed in a wide array of colors and styles, these smart clothes are dual-sided to clean and polish any device screen surface.

 

4. Handy Cord Keepers

While technology constantly pushes us toward a more wireless existence, the reality is, everyone owns a pair of corded headphones or two no matter how crazy their tangled cords make us.

Help your coworker stay a tad saner with handy cord keepers. Handmade and designed to be simple to use, a pack of three gives your coworker plenty of ways to keep all the cords in his or her life tangle-free.

 

5. Adult Coloring Book

Let’s face it – the job can be stressful. Even if your colleague loves her job, the daily grind can get a bit overwhelming at times.

You can give her a stress-reducing gift that’s sure to help her relax with an adult coloring book. While not necessarily work-friendly, this gift is one that your coworker will surely enjoy at home after a tough day at work.

If you decide an adult coloring book is a perfect gift, don’t forget to include a pack of colored pencils or markers to go with it.

 

6. Have Wheels, Will Gift

If your coworker is into cars, then few things will make them happier than the opportunity to tinker in their garage with new car parts. With everything from garish automotive bling through to blow off valves and other turbo accessories available online, you’re only a couple of easy clicks away from added a few thousand additional revs to your colleague’s festive season.

As the holiday season draws near this year, it’s normal to start worrying about the office secret Santa gift exchange. This year, however, put that worry aside and get a head start on the gift-buying task with the great suggestions listed above. With a gift idea for every budget and personality, this year’s secret Santa will be easier than ever.

 

Top 10 Tips For Introducing Solid Food to Your Baby

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Starting your baby on solid food is an exciting yet intimidating milestone. Baby food is mostly mashed up food, how difficult can it be? It is a bit more elaborate than that. You are essentially teaching your baby how to eat. That’s right, babies have to learn how to chew and swallow. And their body is becoming accustomed to digesting something other than breastmilk and formula.

Typically, 5 to 6 months is the ideal age to introduce solid food to a baby’s diet. This is when a baby can sit with support and has neck and head control. However, you shouldn’t rush feeding solids; duly consult your pediatrician to learn the right time to begin.

We have put together some helpful tips to help you embark on this tricky new phase.

 

  1. Start slow

Eating food is an entirely new experience for your child. Taking that into account, try to space out introducing a new food by 2-3 days. Not only will this allow your baby to familiarise with different tastes and textures, but it’s also easier to detect any allergies or intolerances.

Usually, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or rashes appear within a few hours of eating. In such cases, consult a physician immediately.

 

  1. Take your time

Even adults need time to get accustomed to a new cuisine. Similarly, your baby will start enjoying solids only after a few tries. It takes 10 or more tries before your baby will accept a new food.

So don’t throw in the towel if your baby initially rejects the food. Keep trying with gaps in between or mix it with something your baby already enjoys.

 

  1. Don’t shy away from the variety

The assortment of baby food available will truly astonish you. You can start with simple foods such as apple sauce, rice cereal, mashed bananas and pureed squash and then move on to complex items.

Alternating between different foods will keep your baby interested, and something will certainly strike his/her fancy! You can get everything from apple cereal to pureed meat on BritSuperstore.

 

  1. Seasoning is fine

Of course, at first, you should start with completely bland food. But eventually, there is no harm in introducing some seasoning into the mix. A bit of salt, cinnamon or cumin is perfectly fine.

 

  1. Meat is fine too

Baby food isn’t just limited to fruits and vegetables. You can add pureed beef or chicken to your baby’s diet. Eating meat ensures proper intake of iron and zinc, which are important nutrients for growth and development.

 

  1. Veggies before fruit

Though there is no solid evidence that a baby would prefer fruits over vegetables, it’s better to stay on the safer side. It’s recommended to start vegetables before fruits as the baby isn’t used to the sweetness of fruits.

 

  1. Avoid sugar and other additives

Carefully read the label and reviews before purchasing any baby food. Stay clear of added sugars and preservatives. Thickening agents such as flour and starch are a big no-no. They are difficult to digest and lack nutrients. Also, avoid highly salted food.

 

  1. Get organic food

Organic food is highly nutritious and safe. Look for organic baby food with no added preservatives or sugars. If you are unable to find affordable, organic baby food, you can always get organic ingredients and make it at home.

 

  1. Focus on solids

When you are introducing new foods, keep it limited to solids. Avoid overly sugary juices that promise nutrients and vitamins. These just add unnecessary sugars and preservatives to a baby’s diet.

 

  1. Use a spoon

Though food pouches are quite convenient for feeding, they don’t actually teach your baby how to eat. Whether you are feeding from a jar or a pouch, use a spoon.

In conclusion, learning how to eat and enjoy food takes time, so be patient. If you are confused about anything, it’s always advisable to reach out to a doctor.

Say Cheese – 4 Secrets to Getting Back Your Confident Smile

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It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but as the saying goes, I’d rather cry in a Lamborghini than on a bike. Likewise, looking good doesn’t automatically make you a strong confident person, but it certainly helps. Read on to discover five ways to bring back that fearless spirit you had as a child.

 

Say cheese.

The easiest way to get your smile back is to fake it. Pretending you’re happy tricks your brain into releasing dopamine and other positivity chemicals so you can literally fake it ‘til you make it. If you’re worried about your chompers, invest in some teeth whitening or get them straightened. If you’re happy with your smile how it is, then more power to you but if you need a little extra help, don’t let guilt or fear hold you back from what’s essentially a fairly cheap and relatively noninvasive way of boosting your self-esteem.

 

Flash some cash.

Remember how money can’t buy happiness? Don’t go out and throw money at unnecessary items that are way out of your budget, but if you’ve got the cash to spare and you’ve really been wanting that new outfit or to get your hair or nails done, then go for it. This comes back to that wonderful little neurochemical dopamine, which, surprise, is also released when you shop or pamper yourself. Just make sure to set a limit and stick to it or your pleasurable treat could turn into a spiral of debt.

 

Don’t diet.

We were once told a diet has its name because it makes you want to die and while that may be a bit of an exaggeration, dieting certainly isn’t fun or even healthy in most cases. Ensure that you’re getting your servings of fruit, vegetables and required vitamins then allow yourself freedom with the rest of what you eat during the day. Don’t binge because this will just make you feel worse both physically and mentally, but if you maintain balance in what nourishment you give your body, your confidence will receive an automatic boost since you’ll feel better emotionally when your body is well taken care of.

 

If you don’t love it, lose it.

Likewise, although you’ll probably groan at this one, you should work out. If you don’t already, start, and if you do, lift your game. Sure everyone tells you to exercise, and with good reason (our good old buddy dopamine) but what they don’t tell you when it comes to staying motivated, is that if you don’t enjoy the way you work out, you’re not going to stick to your plan. This is true no matter how many happy chemicals get released so make sure you find a way to exercise that you’re actually keen to do. If the gym isn’t really your thing, join a dance studio or make a point of taking the dog for a run each morning. Remember, it doesn’t matter how you do it, just as long as you do.

Confidence isn’t some magical unachievable ideal, but it is something you need to work towards having and keeping. If you look good and feel good physically, then you’re going to feel good mentally and emotionally. This boosts your confidence, which eventually leads to a self-perpetuating cycle of kicking goals and staying positive. Remember that no one feels 100% all the time. Do what’s best for you and the rest will fall into place.

Whiter and Brighter – 6 Great Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers

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Dental veneers also referred to as porcelain veneers, are thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain or composite material that is physically bonded to and covers a tooth’s enamel surface. Veneers offer a more permanent solution to many common dental issues, which is why they are one of the most popular options among patients.

You may want to consider getting dental veneers if you experience tooth issues that make you hide your smile or feel self-conscious around other people. Here are several reasons to consider getting dental veneers:

 

1. Teeth Whitening

There is a plethora of teeth whitening products on the market today. Some work better than others, but ultimately, these products are a short-term solution to a not-so-pearly-white smile. Dental veneers, on the other hand, offer a more permanent fix for stained, yellowed, and discolored teeth that don’t respond to traditional whitening techniques. They can be applied to one or all your teeth. If your veneers only cover one or two teeth, your dentist will make sure they match your natural teeth completely. If your veneers are covering all your teeth, you’ll be able to pick how bright and white they will be.

 

2. Change the Shape of Your Teeth

Because dental veneers are thin shells that cover your existing teeth, they can be molded into any shape or size necessary. This means if you have oddly-shaped or worn teeth, veneers can correct these issues for an aesthetically-pleasing result.

 

3. Veneers Address Single or Multiple Tooth Issues

Dental veneers are used to correct individual teeth. Each problematic tooth is covered individually, which means you can have as little as one tooth or as many as all your teeth fixed with dental veneers. Veneers are a great option for those who have issues with multiple teeth.

 

4. Long-Term Beauty

Dental veneers are one of the longest-lasting dental fixes available. When cared for correctly, they can last as many as 20 years. If you get dental veneers, you’ll need to practice good dental hygiene at home and keep regular cleaning and exam appointments with your dentist. You will want to stay away from eating anything hard or overly sticky to avoid damaging the thin coating.

 

5. Veneers Offer a Beautiful Smile

When it comes to creating a normal-looking smile, veneers are the best way to get the beautiful smile you’re looking for. Many people turn to veneers when traditional whitening methods fail to provide the results they desire. For cracked, chipped, oddly-shaped, and discolored teeth, veneers are the ideal option.

 

6. Natural Tooth Enhancement

Your dentist will ultimately decide if your tooth issues warrant veneers, but your candidacy relies on how healthy your natural teeth are beforehand. If you don’t have any gum disease, decay, or any other underlying issues, you may be a good candidate. Be warned, however, that if you already have an attractive smile that simply needs a little whitening, your dentist may try to steer you away from dental veneers because their application requires permanent alteration of your natural teeth. It’s important to educate yourself and listen to your dentist before deciding on dental veneers as a fix for your dental problems.

Dental veneers are a popular option among dental patients as they provide a more permanent solution to several tooth issues. From damaged teeth to teeth that aren’t as white as they could be, dental veneers are a good choice. If you think veneers might restore your smile and build your self-confidence, speak with your dentist to find out if they’re the right option for you.

You’re Back, Baby – 4 Tips to Getting Your Pre-Baby Body Back Post-Partum

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You don’t have to resign yourself to gazing longingly at your pre-pregnancy jeans, remembering the good times when you could wear them comfortably—you can absolutely get that pre-baby body back! It may look and function a little differently this time around, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go after it. Give yourself room to be “new and improved,” and check out these 4 tips to help you on your way back to your pre-baby body.

1. Exercise

Exercise is key after having a baby (once approved by your doctor). It is essential as much for your mind as for your body. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which boost your mood and help to ward off post-partum depression while you get yourself back in shape. If you aren’t sure where to start with exercise, or what your body can handle, don’t be afraid to sign up for some personal training sessions with a professional who specializes in post-pregnancy training and can help you find the appropriate routine. You can also look for “Mommy and Me” fitness groups in your area that incorporate baby into your exercise routine.

 

2. Self-Care

Exercise forms part of the broader concept of self-care. It is easy to forget about yourself, and focus solely on the needs of your new baby and your family. If you want to return to that pre-baby body, you need to make sure that your mind is in the right place so that you can make good decisions about food, exercise, and sleep. If you didn’t practice self-care before, here are some ideas for how to do so now. Many gyms will help with your self- care by watching your child for 2 hours when they are as little as 3 months old.

 

3. Nutrition

Most pregnant women are aware of what foods are off-limits while they are pregnant, but few pay the same attention to their diet once the baby is born. The most important thing you can do to get your pre-baby body back is to pay attention to what you eat. Your nutritional intake can affect not only your body but also your mental health and your sleep. There is no doubt you will be pressed for time and distracted, so keep a few different healthy snacks on hand and in the diaper bag for those hungry moments when you don’t have time to make a meal. If you divide your snacks up into portions in advance, you won’t have to worry about overeating.

 

4. Sleep

There is no way around it, sleep is incredibly challenging during your baby’s first year. That being said, getting adequate sleep is a huge factor in weight loss. When you don’t sleep, your body craves sugar and carbohydrates and tells you it is too tired to exercise. Your metabolism also becomes groggy and does not process food the way it usually would, causing it to allow fat to hang around in your body longer than it normally would. Combat these adverse side effects by taking every opportunity to sleep. When baby naps, put aside that desire to do something “productive” and grab some precious shut-eye.

You do not need to initiate yourself into the world of motherhood by purchasing a new, larger wardrobe. You can get your pre-baby body back! Don’t be afraid to invest in the health of your own body through a little self-care and exercise. Set yourself up for nutritional success by keeping healthy snacks on hand, and take advantage of every opportunity you can to get some sleep.

Rapid Recovery – 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Recovery From Injury

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Injuries have a funny way of striking right when you’re in your prime. Your heart breaks, not so much from the pain but from the realization of what lies ahead: a long road to recovery along which much of the progress you’ve made towards your fitness goals will be lost.

While your body does need time to heal, it’s not all bad news. There are some key things you can do to get yourself back up and running in record time. Read on to discover the five essentials to rapid injury recovery:

1. Bring the Professionals to You

It’s not until you have an injury that you realize just how much strain everyday tasks can place on the affected joint, muscle or bone. Even the seemingly simple process of getting into your car or taking public transport can become a mission that puts you at risk of re-injuring yourself. The best way to save yourself this drama is to sign up for mobile physiotherapy. You’ll get a trained therapist delivered to your door along with all the necessary equipment to take care of your rehabilitation safely at home.

2. Get Plenty of Sleep   

While physiotherapy is key to rapid recovery, if you’re not getting adequate rest, you’ll be hampering your progress. It can be hard to sleep when you’re going through the pain and discomfort of healing an injury. However, finding a way to do so is vital as it’s when your body is at rest that it does the bulk of its healing. Talk to your doctor and physiotherapist about pain management and bed set-up options that will optimize your chances of getting quality sleep consistently throughout your recovery period.

3. Stay off the Booze

It’s easy to get a bit down in the dumps when your life has been put on hold by an injury. However, the last thing you want to do is drown your sorrows in a beer (or seven). It may help your mood in the moment, but alcohol can be problematic during the healing phase in a number of different ways. Putting aside the potential for re-injuring yourself (or scoring a brand new injury) if you get legitimately drunk and your coordination goes out the window, there’s also the simple fact that alcohol increases inflammation in the body.

4. Cut Back on Sugar and Caffeine

While sugar and caffeine won’t have you stumbling around like alcohol will, they too are known to create inflammation in the body while interfering with sleep quality. In everyday life, most of us are pretty well equipped to deal with a few extra bursts of inflammation here and there. However, when you’re recovering from an injury, your body’s resources are already heavily taxed.Therefore, anything you can do to take the pressure off will allow for the full force of your natural healing capabilities to be directed towards your injury.

5. Stay active

The way you do this depends on the nature of your injury. However, it is vital for both your physical and mental health to stay as active as you safely can during recovery. If you create a workout plan with your physiotherapist and stick to it, you’ll keep your active habits and healthy mindset going throughout your recovery and will be ready to hit the ground running as soon as you are able.

Sustaining an injury can feel like a monumental setback. However, if you enlist the help of medical professionals, ensure you get plenty of rest, cut back on inflammatory substances and stay (safely) active, you’ll be back on track in no time.

Cozy Cooking – 5 Ingenious Ways to Save Space in a Small Kitchen

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Photo by Brooke Lark on Stocksnap

If you live in in a small home, a studio apartment, or a big city where space is at a premium, and you love to cook, you may feel frustrated some days by the minuscule size of your kitchen. There is hope! Instead of allowing the size to discourage you, you could flip your perspective and enjoy the creative challenge of a small kitchen. Below are five ingenious ways you can kill it in the kitchen when the space is tight.

 

  1. Don’t be Afraid to Hang Things

Get out the hammer, nails, and ruler and prepare yourself to hang everything you can. Get your knives up off the counter onto magnetic strips, capture potholders on wall grids, and scoop up your measuring spoons into little containers that you can string off of racks with hooks. When shelf space is a struggle, don’t be afraid to hang your cookware from your ceiling above your stove. Another way to save space and make cooking more convenient is to attach your most commonly used utensils on the wall above your stove.

 

  1. Get Vertical

What can’t fit in drawers could go up! Vertical shelving could be your ticket to additional storage on your counters, above your appliances or in any open space. If you remove the doors, you can add an artistic flair to your kitchen as you thoughtfully decorate with pieces like mixing bowls and mugs. If you do incorporate open shelving, consider investing in either matching or purposefully mismatching jars to store your various flours, grains, and spices—your kitchen will look attractive, clean and organized!

 

  1. Roll Whatever You Can

Your small kitchen most likely does not include a kitchen island, so consider purchasing a rolling island to create some additional counter space anywhere in the kitchen. Another option on wheels is a tiered storage or bar cart that you can seasonally decorate and scoot from place to place easily if company arrives. Finally, if you are feeling crafty, you could consider making your very own rolling pantry.

 

  1. Enlarge your Cutting Board

If you are struggling for space to chop your vegetables or roll out your pie dough, you may want to invest in a cutting board that fits over the top of an open drawer, your sink or the stove. You will immediately gain counter space instead of your cutting board monopolizing precious real estate.

 

  1. Fold Up Your Kitchen Table

Don’t worry, this is not where you go back to your early twenties and eat off a folding card table—instead, it is where you might consider adding a table that can fold up into your wall, similar to the functionality of a murphy bed. Instead of a typical kitchen table chair, you could use a soft bench to create a seamless flow to the room when the table is folded up and make the absence of the table less obvious.

If you enjoy cooking you are going to spend a great deal of time in your kitchen, so why not create something that captures your style while strategically allowing you to save space? When shelving is tight, don’t be afraid to add more and go vertical. Maximize your counter space by hanging whatever you can, finding a cutting board that fits over your sink and adding a rolling island or bar cart. You can even throw tradition to the wind and put in a kitchen table that folds up into the wall. Allow your small kitchen to morph from your nemesis to your most significant accomplishment.

How To Calculate Your Due Date And How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are

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In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used a woman’s urine to establish if she was pregnant or not. They would urinate on certain grains and if the grains germinated, the woman knew she was pregnant. Imagine having to wait a few days for the result. Fortunately for us, times have changed, now we simply pee on a plastic stick and we have the results in a matter of minutes.

When you do find out that you’re pregnant, one of the greatest joys is knowing exactly when to expect your baby’s appearance into the world. This gives you a sense of control so that you can plan everything in advance and prepare yourself for your little one’s arrival.

Continue reading to find out how to calculate your due date so you can be prepared for your little one’s grand entrance into the world.

 

Using Dates

Most women are not 100% sure when they ovulated or when conception took place. To help in ascertaining the due date, science has made it quite easy. Your due date or EDD, Estimated Date of Delivery, is calculated by adding 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This might seem a bit odd because you were not pregnant on the first day of your period, but this helps the medical field to calculate your due date as precisely as they can. You can, therefore, take the date of your last period and use a diary and start adding 280 days to find your due date.

 

Ultrasound

Another way to calculate your EDD and therefore how many weeks pregnant you are is by asking your doctor to do an ultrasound. This is done in the first trimester, and the earlier the better. This is because the measurements provided in the first trimester are the most accurate estimation of your baby’s age because all fetuses tend to develop at the same rate.

The doctor will measure the baby from one end to the other, also known as the crown-rump length (CRL). Due to decades of research on many embryos and their crown-rump length measurements, the doctor will be able to give you a precise due date. Determining the EDD is generally not done this way in the second and third trimester because babies development rates are different in these gestation periods.

 

Due Date Calculator

But what if you can’t get to your doctor just yet and you really want to know your due date and how many weeks pregnant you are? Then, the due date calculator is the easiest way to calculate your due date. There are loads of apps and websites that you can use. All you have to do is enter the first day of your last period date and it automatically calculates your due date.

These handy tools use Naegele’s rule. This rule states that if you add one year from the date of your last menstrual period and subtract 3 months and add 7 days to that date, it will give an accurate due date. But instead of you having to figure it out, it does it for you automatically.

 

Accuracy

Very few babies are born on their projected due dates. They either make their appearance a few weeks before or a few weeks after the EDD. There are some other factors which may influence your due date, for example, if progesterone levels climbed more slowly in the first weeks of gestation, the baby can take longer to come. Also, the longer the embryo took to implant, the longer the gestation period.

Basically, the baby’s development rate causes late or early birth. In other words, the baby will come when he/she is good and ready. Think of it this way. Parenthood is a great way to work on the patience aspect of our personalities. Baby is just giving you a sneak peek of what’s coming.

 

It’s All Good

Whether your baby is early or late, try not to fixate on that date. Rather start daydreaming of the birthday parties, hugs, and kisses that you will share with your baby. And enjoy your pregnancy. It really is a miracle from heaven. You were chosen to be this baby’s mother and you are going to be a great one!

 

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