All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

For Our Furry Friends

Arthritis in Dogs: Sensible Yet Simple Ways to Stop the Pain for Your Pet

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There is nothing harder for a dog lover than to see a cherished pet in pain. They look at you with those sad eyes, never complaining, but wondering why you, the beloved owner who looks after their every need, are not doing anything to help. It can make you feel very helpless but, like anything involved in pet care, you just have to get on and do what you can. As animals can suffer the pain and restrictions of arthritis as much as their owners, and arthritis is a condition you are both going to have to live with for a long time, it will pay to find out what can be done to help.

What Are the Danger Signs?

Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage (the tissue that coats the ends of the bones to enable them to slide over each other in a joint) gradually wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other. This is painful and restrictive for movement.

Arthritis can strike any animal at any age, but some factors can increase the risk:

The older the animal, the more likely it is to develop arthritis.
Some animals may be congenitally more disposed towards arthritis than others.
Injuries to joints and bones at a young age can develop into arthritis later in life.
While all the above are things you can do little about, there is one other factor that often predisposes an animal to arthritis, which is being overweight.

First Steps

The earliest sign of arthritis is likely to be an animal slowing down or limping. Your first response, if the symptoms do not go away very quickly, is to take your pet for examination by a vet. This will eliminate more serious conditions, confirm the diagnosis if it is arthritis, and set you up with advice straight away.

If your dog is overweight, then you should immediately enforce a diet. While reducing the overall calories, you want to make sure that your dog is getting an adequate supply of the nutrients which are particularly good for joints. This might involve either a specialist diet or supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin.

Exercise is very important for the management of arthritis. Make sure that your pet gets regular, short spells of exercise to keep her joints moving and her muscles toned.

Pain Relief

Even if you start treating the symptoms straight away and slow down the progress of the disease, it is almost impossible to reverse the effects of arthritis, so pain management is likely to be an ongoing issue.

Long-term use of conventional painkillers for animals can come with unwelcome side effects, although they are useful for preserving quality of life during periodic flare-ups.

What About Cannabis?

Much interest is being shown currently in the possibility of treating animals with cannabinoids. These are a group of chemical compounds which are produced by plants of the genus cannabis.

All animals have what is known as an endocannabinoid system, a group of receptors present throughout the central nervous system. This system appears to have numerous functions, one of which is the control of pain. When these receptors bind with cannabinoids derived from the plants their function (including pain control) is stimulated. The most significant cannabinoid for pain treatment is cannabidiol, or CBD.

It is important to note that CBD is different from THC, the familiar chemical compound which causes the “high” of marijuana. CBD is, in practice, derived from industrial hemp, which contains little or no THC.

Because the legal status of cannabis is ambivalent, there has not been as much controlled testing of the effects of CBD as it deserves. However, the research that has been done seems to concur with theoretical expectations and anecdotal experience to show that it appears to be effective for treating chronic pain in animals with few apparent side effects.

Incidentally, if you want further information about how CBD can help people as well as animals, these specialists market CBD to both two-legged and four-legged sufferers.

We Do What We Can

Frankly, as a pet owner, there is little that you would not do to help a dog who is experiencing the misery of pain and immobility that arthritis can bring. Some of what you can do involves insisting that they do what is good for them, like eating and exercising sensibly, but some of it means keeping up with the progress that is being made towards effective treatments.

Amelie Bell practices holistic medicine and is always on the lookout for ways to heal others. Her articles are available on a number of health and wellness websites.

Educational

Why a Healthcare Career Could Be Right for You

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Would you like to help other people by starting a career in healthcare? There are many different healthcare roles available, to suit all kinds of individuals who have different requirements when it comes to their careers. Below are some of the main reasons why you should consider a career in healthcare.

There are Plenty of Opportunities to Progress in Healthcare

Unlike many other sectors, there are plenty of opportunities to advance in your healthcare career once you have gained the appropriate qualifications and experience. For example, if you decide to become a nurse, you have a wide range of advanced bachelor of science in nursing courses to choose from.

Once you have graduated from an online bachelor of nursing degree program offered by a college or university like Rutgers Online, there are many different high-quality career options you can follow. As your experience increases and you complete further advanced courses, you can put yourself in an extremely strong position and work in senior healthcare positions that come with many personal and professional rewards.

It’s Rewarding and You Will Be Helping Other People

When you work in healthcare, you are directly or indirectly helping other people and making their lives better. Knowing this fact is personally rewarding and it’s a feeling you don’t get when you work in many other sectors or industries.

You Will Have a Good Standard of Living

Working in healthcare not only benefits other people but it also improves your standard of living and that of the individuals who are closest to you, such as your family members. If you decide to progress further in your healthcare career, you can raise your standard of living even more and be able to live the life you want.

You Will Always Be Busy

Some industries and business sectors come and go, but there will never be a lack of demand for healthcare professionals. There is always a need for doctors, nurses, and a wide range of other healthcare professionals so it’s highly unlikely that you will ever be out of work during your working years. This is particularly true for people who continue their studies and obtain further qualifications because they then have a wider range of job opportunities available.

Your Skills Can Be Used Anywhere in the World

Healthcare professionals are required all around the world, so there are plenty of opportunities to work and travel at the same time. In many places, your skills and experience may be valued more than they are in your local area and you have the potential to be rewarded better if you decide to move to these destinations. One way or another, getting the chance to work abroad and use your healthcare skills is an opportunity of a lifetime and one you will remember for a long time to come.

Almost anyone can work in some area of healthcare and your skills and experience will always be in-demand. Once you decide what area of healthcare to specialize in, you have the potential to benefit in each of the ways mentioned above.

Volunteer Work

Rewarding Ways to Give Back to Your Community

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Would you like to give back to your local community? The more people who do this, the more your community becomes a friendlier, better place to live in. There are always things to be done and people to be looked after in every village, town, and city, so there are plenty of opportunities to take part in rewarding activities. Below are some of the most rewarding ways you can give back to your community.

Counseling

Every community needs people who have advanced counseling skills and counseling experience. Students and people with learning difficulties or mental health issues need specialized help that only these types of professionals can provide.

If you want to work in this area, you need a qualification, such as an online masters in counseling degree. Once you have completed one of these online counseling degrees, you will then be in a position to help out at local charities and outreach centers.

Volunteering

A wide range of local organizations such as hospitals and charities are always looking for volunteers and people to give up some of their free time to help less fortunate members of the community. If you have some spare time each week, this can be a rewarding way to spend it and improve the lives of many people along the way.

Coaching, Mentoring, and Helping Local Sports Teams

In most areas, there is a local football team, basketball team, or other sports-related organization. Once again, these organizations are always looking for help from people who are willing to give up some of their free time. Typical ways you can help include coaching, mentoring and helping out in other ways with local teams and the people who play on these teams.

Get Involved in Local Organizations

A wide range of community-based organizations exists in every village, town, and city. Joining one of these organizations is the perfect way to get more involved in your community and make a real difference. For example, you could offer to join your local community board and help out in whatever way you can.

Be Respectful to Your Neighbors

Sometimes, it’s the simple things that can be the most effective. If you want to have a positive impact on the people who live near you, you should always be respectful of your neighbors. For example, make sure you keep the noise down, always keep your home clean and tidy, and offer to help your neighbors whenever possible. Setting a good example in this way is catching and other people will be more inclined to do the same thing as you.

The people who live in any community are its most valuable assets. If you are in a position to help other people and your community in general, you will find that it becomes a much more pleasant, enjoyable place to live in. The points above will make this a much more rewarding experience and you will be making an extremely important contribution to your village, town, or city.

Health

What You Feed Your Children Can Impact Mood and Emotional Well Being

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Most new moms become interested in childhood nutrition from the very moment they learn that they are pregnant. The recommendation that many doctors give is to feed children as much organic food as possible. Some moms even make a choice to feed their children diets that are free of meat. There are classes that online nursing programs teach to nursing students and even new parents who are interested in childhood nutrition, but that knowledge has to be applied if it is going to be helpful. The truth is that is can be expensive to provide children with healthy meals every day, and even then, they may not respond as positively as you’d hope. Here are a few reasons that you should encourage your children to eat a balanced diet that doesn’t revolve around weight and fitness.

Excess Sugar Consumption in Children

As a parent, you will probably find that your number one battle involves limiting the amount of sugar your children consume. When you offer them a bottle of water, they’ll be asking for a can of soda instead. Not only do you have to be the one to say ‘no’ on a consistent basis, you also have to monitor what your kids eat while they are at school.

Sugar produces a kind of rush, especially when you eat a lot of it at once. While children certainly enjoy the flavor of sugar laden foods, they can also become addicted and start experiencing mood swings and withdrawal symptoms if their intake isn’t monitored.

Feeding Your Child Too Much Salt and Saturated Fat

There are also children who develop a taste for heavy, fatty, deep fried foods early in life. Sodium intake can become a problem in early childhood if kids are not taught about the five main food groups. Most doctor of nurse practitioner programs cover how high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are rising among adolescent patients. Imagine how sad you would be if you found that your child needed to start taking medication to manage his or her high blood pressure as a result of a poor diet. Remember that a child doesn’t have to be visibly obese to be at risk for these kinds of ailments. Kids try very hard to fit in, and being given a poor health prognosis could lead to depressive behaviors.

Putting Extreme Dietary Restrictions on Your Children

While some parents are a little too relaxed in what they allow their children to eat there are kids who have their diets micromanaged down to the teaspoon. Feeding your child nothing but organic foods, banning artificial sugars in your home, and never allowing your child to eat fried foods can certainly lead to better overall health. At the same time, your child may not be happy about having fewer options when it is time to go out to a restaurant or when they want to stay over a friend’s house. This behavior might actually encourage your child to sneak unhealthy foods in excess whenever you are out of sight.

Feed your children fresh fruits and vegetables and try to prepare meals in the healthiest ways possible. You should also talk to your children about how to measure portions properly, but you don’t ever want them to feel like they don’t also have some control over their own diets. Find out what your kids really like to eat and then see if you can all compromise on the way that meals are dished out at home.

baby

8 Essential Gadgets For New Moms – Top Tech To Make Life Easier For Mom & Baby

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These days, there is a bewildering array of high-tech gadgets that are being advertised as indispensable for parents, so it can be really hard for new mums to sort out flashy gizmos from truly innovative, must-have tech.

Technology has moved on so much in recent years, especially using the internet to integrate into everyday products ( internet of things )

Below are 8 essential gadgets that will make your life a lot easier when you become a parent:

Mimo Smart Baby Breathing & Activity Monitor

Onesies are incredibly cute, but this garment from Mimo truly deserves being called a “smart” garment. The Mimo Smart Baby onesie is a comfortable garment that continuously monitor’s your baby’s breathing, instantly alerting you to any problem via a smart phone app. The Mimo Smart Baby also tracks body position, temperature, and when your baby wakes up. You can monitor all of your baby’s activities remotely from anywhere in the world, and the app keeps a detailed history of all the data for your own use or for sharing with your pediatrician.

iiamo Home Baby Bottle Blue/Green

The iiamo baby bottle is a smart twist on a classic design. The bottle is ergonomically designed for comfort and ease when feeding your baby and is specially engineered to reduce colic. When you place the iiamo bottle on the included base, it safely warms up to six ounces (177 ml) of milk up to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) in four minutes. Designed in Denmark from 100% BPA-free materials, the iiamo bottle is perfect for feedings throughout the day or during the middle of the night. The iiamo baby bottle can be easily dissembled and cleaned after use.

Calm Knight – Star Projector and White Noise Sound Machine

Probably the best bit of tech that you can have to send your baby off to sleep.
It’s a star projector / night lights with a difference. Not only does it look pretty neat, but it also a star projector, a white noise machine and the best bit is the built in auto-cry detection! How good is that! When your baby or child wakes up in the night, the projector will turn itself on and help soothing the child back to sleep. It automatically turns on when it detects crying from your child and helps them get back to sleep without you having to get out of your nice warm bed.

Withings Smart Baby Monitor

Baby monitors have been around for a while, but the Withings smart monitor perfectly marries the latest innovations in internet tech with a compact and durable camera. The Withings baby monitor streams live, high-resolution video to any Apple or Android mobile device. The Withings baby monitor also allows you to remotely tilt, pan, and zoom the camera so that you never lose sight of your child, and it comes with a built-in night vision mode that won’t disturb Baby’s sleep.

The Withings monitor also allows you to transmit your voice via the mobile app as well as play lullabies and other soothing sounds. You can also remotely activate a multi-colored night light with the Withings monitor. The monitor also tracks the humidity and temperature in your baby’s room as well as all noises and motion so that you can enjoy peace of mind whether you’re in the next room or halfway across the world.

Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

From one of the leading manufacturers in baby products, the Philips AVENT steam sterilizer lets you quickly and safely sterilize baby bottles, breast pump parts, pacifiers, feeding spoons, cups, and other accessories using your microwave. The AVENT steam sterilizer will kill 99.9% of bacteria after being placed for just two minutes in the microwave, and it will keep the contents sterile for up to 24 hours if the lid remains closed. The AVENT steam sterilizer is made of 100% BPA-free materials and will fit in most microwave ovens.

Tranquil Moments White Noise Sound Machine for Baby

Newborns can be incredibly fussy sleepers, so one of the best natural ways to encourage healthy rest is with this white noise sound machine by Brookstone. The sound machine has six different clinically tested white noise settings to allow you to find the right one for your baby. The sound machine has a Sleep Enhancement button that gradually slows down the sounds to allow your baby to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Boon Squirt Silicone Baby Food Dispensing Spoon

The concept behind the Boon Squirt is so simple, you’ll probably wonder why no one ever invented it before. A large silicone base is filled with the baby food of your choice which you can then squeeze to dispense exactly the right amount of food into the spoon. The Boon Squirt can be easily used one-handed and comes with a cap for storing uneaten food. The Boon Squirt holds up to three ounces (89 ml) of baby food and is made from 100% BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free materials.

Summer Infant Pacifier Thermometer

You’ll never have to mess with rectal thermometers ever again with the Summer Infant Pacifier Thermometer. The easy to read display glows green when Baby’s temperature is in a healthy range but will beep and turn red if it indicates a fever. The Summer Infant has both a Fahrenheit and Celsius setting and comes with a protective cover ideal for storage when not in use.