Image by Denise Husted from Pixabay
If you're looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle and you don't know where to begin then don't worry, you have definitely come to the right place. With so many incredible ways to change your lifestyle it can be a little overwhelming at first but, honestly, the more changes you make the better. From eating a healthy diet to focussing on your mental health, you may be surprised at the difference a small change can make. With that in mind, here are 4 ways to live a healthier lifestyle:
- Ensure You're Eating A Healthy Diet
One of the best ways to improve your lifestyle is to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet. Whilst this doesn’t mean that you have to go on a strict calorie-controlled diet, it does mean you need to think about what you’re eating and when you’re eating it. From increasing the number of vegetables you eat to cutting down on your sugar intake, there are small changes you can make that will make a huge difference to your health. For guidance, you can visit this guide to improving your diet here.
- Cut Out Bad Habits
Another great way to live a healthier lifestyle is to cut out any bad habits that you may have. Although it may be incredibly difficult to cut them out at first, taking the first steps to do so is always going to be the hardest. Some of the bad habits you can cut out include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Over-snacking or over-eating
- Over-spending and ignoring your financial health
- Saying yes to everything
- Not getting enough sleep
If you’re struggling with any of these habits, it might be worth looking into professional help. For example, if you’re with an alcohol or drug addiction you might want to consider an inpatient drug treatment program.
- Exercise As Often As You Can
If you’re looking for a way to improve your overall health, exercising as often as you can is a great place to start. Whether you have a good diet or not, exercising is a great way to ensure you’re doing everything you can to look after your body.
If you struggle when it comes to exercise, it’s important you start small. From going to the gym once a week to hiring a personal trainer to give you guidance, you may be surprised how much difference the small changes can make. For tips and tricks when it comes to getting starting with exercise, you can visit this site here.
- Look After Your Mental Health
Finally, you need to be sure you’re looking after your mental health too. All too often people forget about their mental health and focus only on what they physically see. Whilst that can be effective for a short period of time, it will soon take its toll.
Are you looking for ways to live a healthier lifestyle? What can you do to change things up a little? Did we miss anything off the list? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.
*contributed post*
It will be of no surprise to you to know that the world we are living in is under threat.
Businesses, both large and small, are damaging the environment through their polluting manufacturing processes. And they are also disrupting the planet's eco-systems by using materials from unsustainable sources, such as the wood that comes from much of the globe's rainforests.
And with our reliance on cars, chemical-laden products, and our own bad habits, we are adding to the carbon footprint that is damaging to the Earth's atmosphere.
Thankfully, hope for the planet is not lost. By living green, we can do much to protect the world around us. And while we could take giant leaps forward in the way we live our lives, such as ditching our cars in favor of hybrid alternatives and remodelling our homes with solar technologies, we can also take smaller, simpler steps to manage our carbon footprint.
Here are just a couple of the steps you could make in your daily life.
#1: Change your shopping habits
We mean this in two ways.
Firstly, only buy from those stores that have proven green credentials. We are talking about those retailers who sell products made from sustainable or natural materials. And we are talking about those online retailers who commit to green practices within their shipping and packaging methods.
And secondly, think about the products you buy. Sure, you could buy something overladen with chemicals when purchasing beauty, cleaning, or healthcare products, but the safer alternative is to buy something created with natural compounds. Look for green certifications on the products you buy at the supermarket, and buy from those online retailers who specialize in environmentally-friendly products. Check out xohempofficial.com, for example, when buying health-related items.
By changing your shopping habits in such ways, you are taking active steps towards protecting the health of yourself, your family, and the planet we live on.
#2: Cut out the need to shop
In some cases, you don't need to go shopping at all.
If you can cut out the need to shop, you then reduce your carbon footprint on the roads (and that of delivery drivers), and you reduce the risk of buying something that isn't particularly eco-friendly.
Take clothes shopping, as an example. According to cbsnews.com, the fashion industry is responsible for more than 8% of the global climate impact, so you could rethink your approach when looking for new clothes. Rather than buying new, you could hold a clothes party at home and swap with your friends. You could also do the same by attending a local swishing party, an ethical event that has become a global phenomenon.
And think about the other products you might buy. Rather than buying new furniture, you could repurpose what you already have. And you might do the same with those items that could be considered waste, including plastic bottles and cardboard boxes. You would then save money, and reduce the amount of toxic waste on your community's landfills.
Another way to create a simple green life is by using a professional cleaning service. If you live in Chicago you can find Companion Maids who can help keep your home clean and green!
Another way to create a simple green life is by using a professional cleaning service. If you live in Chicago you can find Companion Maids who can help keep your home clean and green!
It doesn't take a lot of effort to live a greener life, so consider our suggestions. And then commit to green habits around your home, such as recycling your waste and reducing your electricity usage. You can make a difference to the world, so make an effort today to bring about a positive change to the environment around you.
*contributed post*
Your health should always be a priority and if you feel that something is wrong, you should see a doctor. But in some cases, people find that they cannot manage their medical bills and finances become the priority, not health. It’s a tough position to be in because ignoring health problems will only make them worse, but you also don’t want to end up in financial trouble, so what are you supposed to do? Luckily, there are ways that you can reduce your medical costs and make things more affordable without compromising on your health. These are the best ways to balance your health and your finances.
Improve Your Overall Lifestyle
The best thing that you can do for your health and your finances is improve your overall lifestyle. If you have a very unhealthy diet and you never do any exercise, you are far more likely to develop health problems, and that means you will be back and forth to the doctor all of the time. It will take a toll on your health and your finances, but if you live a healthier lifestyle, you can avoid seeing the doctor in the first place. Simple things like improving your diet, getting more sleep, and exercising regularly will all make a big difference. If you want to balance your health and your finances, this is the best way to do it.
Know When To Go To The Doctor
It’s also important that you know when it is a good idea to see a doctor and when it isn’t. If you rush to the doctor every time you have a sore throat, you are wasting a lot of money because you don’t need to see them. If they are prescribing you medication for these small issues, you could be damaging your health as well because you will build a tolerance and when you actually do need medication, it will not work effectively. If you have some minor symptoms, you should wait a few days and see if you can treat them with over the counter remedies. In most cases, the symptoms will pass in a few days and you will be fine. If they persist and get worse, then you should see a doctor. There are a few exceptions to this rule because certain symptoms like chest pains or a severe fever could point to something very serious, so you should get checked out. Knowing when to see the doctor and when to treat yourself will help you to look after your health effectively without spending money on unnecessary appointments.
Claim Compensation For Injuries
If you have been injured and you need medical attention, you should think about claiming compensation. If somebody else was to blame for the injury, it should be down to them to cover the medical bills so you can get the care that you need. If you speak with a personal injury attorney, they will be able to tell you whether you have a case and, if so, what you need to do to move forward. Often, it’s the financial strain of a serious injury that people find the hardest to deal with and claiming compensation can make things so much easier for you. All of the medical costs will be covered so you just need to worry about recovering and looking after your health.
Get The Right Insurance
One of the hardest things about balancing health and finances is knowing which health insurance plan you should go for. If you want to keep on top of your finances, you may decide to go for the cheapest possible plan. The problem is, that doesn’t cover you for a lot of treatments and medications, which means that you are forced to make a tough decision. Do you prioritize health over finances and pay for the treatments that you need or do you neglect your health problems so you can keep your finances in order? It’s not a decision that you want to make, which is why it’s best to go for a more comprehensive insurance package. However, if you take out an insurance policy that gives you full coverage for everything, it will be incredibly expensive. That cost is simply not manageable for most people, so you need to find a good middle ground. Try to find an insurance policy that you can comfortably afford, which also gives you good coverage for most common health issues. The cheaper policies don’t really save you money because you have to pay so much on top whenever you need treatment.
Balancing your health with your finances is tough, but if you follow these simple tips, you should be able to find a good compromise.
*contributed post*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared a couple of weeks ago, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I am also excited to share that these devotional posts will soon be available (without the tie to When Calls the Heart) in a new and upcoming devotional book, February Caravan, that will be released February 1st. Stay tuned for more information to follow! In the meantime I am excited to start sharing again with y'all and I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
Throughout the last four seasons of When Calls the Heart there have been numerous times where the town has gathered to help each other through love when a crisis hits. But it is also the everyday lives of the people we see that has a great impact on people who are new to the town. Words of encouragement and inspiration are routinely spoken, people put love into action like it is second nature, and most of all it is a safe and inspiring community for all who enter into Hope Valley, no matter their past.
Instead of looking inward and focusing on themselves, people in Hope Valley consistently look outward in ways to practically help each other. Every time that I consider this I am beyond inspired in my own life to look a little harder to my own neighbor next door, the people that I encounter on a daily basis, my co-workers, my family, the mailman, the grocery store clerk, etc. I am inspired to really examine how I can be a blessing to them and really help them. Am I loving those in my life well no matter the cost to me? What am I willing to sacrifice for another's good?
Maybe my sacrifice will be in tearing a part of a loved one's item to help another like Abigail did in season 1 to help keep Carla's babies warm. Maybe my sacrifice is in rejoicing with others. Maybe my sacrifice is in offering encouragement to someone who desperately needs it as they start a new season. Maybe my sacrifice is in committing to speak life-giving and affirming words. Maybe my sacrifice is taking the time to focus on someone in front of me without expecting anything but the person's best interest in return.
It may feel awkward and uncomfortable at first, but this scene reminds me that I have the opportunity to change the world in front of me. Everyone dreams of wanting to "change their world" and this is truly a beautiful sentiment, but what if changing the world could start today with you and I? What if it could start by just simply loving and helping the people that are right in front of us?
We may never know how much of an impact that we can have on another person as we quietly love them. We may never know the beauty that comes far after our investment into our neighbors lives is finished. Times and seasons change but love has an impact and a legacy that will never be destroyed. Our legacy is every single person that we touch with love.
This week we have the most unique and interesting opportunity as this season comes to a close on Sunday night. We can move forward, remembering the inspiration we have seen these last several months and take that out into the people before us. That world that we want to change or wish was like Hope Valley? It is right in front of us. That legacy we hope to leave? It goes beyond a TV show and sows beautiful seeds of hope into our broken world. This is our worlds. Let us love on them deeply, faithfully, and let us rest assured that just like Coal Valley changed Elizabeth we will be changing our world for all of the "Elizabeth's" we encounter.
"...Love one another as if your lives depended on it."
-I Peter 1:22, The Message-
-I Peter 1:22, The Message-
*originally published on Caravan Sonnet in April 2017*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
When you're going abroad on holiday or for a long trip, there are loads of things you need to do and think about but one of the most important things is to make sure you're healthy enough to go as soon you won't be in the UK with easy access to healthcare, so it's best to get the thumbs up from a professional to make sure your health is in good shape. Got for a regular check-up anyway and as well as this to make sure you're in tip-top shape, do the following:
Vaccinations
Find out if you need travel jabs or just make sure your vaccinations are up to date. If you're going somewhere where you need vaccinations, then a full vaccination schedule should be started at least eight weeks before you go. Also, be aware that some travel vaccinations can expire, so it's best to keep a logbook with you at all times to keep track of when you last had your jabs.
Existing Conditions
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, then make sure you have a sufficient supply of medication for your trip. Also, when you're travelling, it's always a good idea to split your medication between hand luggage and checked luggage in case one of your bags goes missing. If you suffer from tinnitus, then don't worry about the flight as most people don't experience any adverse effect on their condition whilst flying, but do make sure that you avoid using earplugs during a flight. When you seal out background noise, your tinnitus may become more pronounced. Also, try chewing gum or suck on a sweet which will cause you to swallow more often and help equalise the air pressure during take-off and descent.
Have A First Aid Kit
You don't need a fully equipped first aid kit but prepare a few essentials such as sun cream, painkillers and antiseptic. It is best to get a waterproof container for them so you can forget about it and avoid damage over your travels.
Don't Forget The Sun Cream
When looking for which suncream to take with you make sure that the bottle says the letters "UVA" and has at least SPF30 sunscreen to protect against UVB. If you’re only taking hand luggage then you could either wait until you get to your destination to buy it or get smaller bottles that you can take through security at the airport.
Travel Insurance
Whether you're off on a six month trip around Australia or a family holiday in France, it's vital to have the right travel insurance. Make sure your policy covers your destination and how long you're staying for as well as any activities that you might do.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
If you're going on a long haul flight, then be aware of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT),
Make sure you get up from your seat to walk around and stretch your legs whenever you can.
Drink regularly, but avoid alcohol, and wear loose, comfortable clothes too. If you're worried about this, then speak to your doctor about it before you go.
*contributed post*
A lot of people seem to go through the motions in life. They do what is expected of them, the apparent right thing, the thing society demands of them, but somehow this does not satisfy them. A hole begins to develop inside them, some deep longing that they are unable to cater for, some unhappiness, discontent. There is no apparent reason for this void, but it is there nonetheless. This can make the bearer feel very alone, as no one can understand. Unfortunately, this situation is the perfect combination of events for something untoward to be bred into you to fill the emptiness, something negative, an obsession perhaps, something detrimental to your health and happiness. Yet, this clutching at anything does not fill the space within; in fact, it stretches instead beyond recognition.
The good news is there are some simple methods to help you build something positive in your life:
Timeout
The first thing you need to do when you begin to feel this sense of discontent is to take some timeout away from everyone and sit and think about what it is you can do to make yourself happier. You could partake in a little meditation and clear your mind that way. Alternatively, you could focus on something positive, some goal you personally want to attain, like going to an art class. Focusing on a goal can increase your positive vibes.
Exercise
Doing daily exercise is good for the mind. It is a natural high and is good for your health. If you know that your weight and fitness is a major contributing factor to your unhappiness, you must exercise. It only needs to be twenty minutes a day, but the results can be priceless. Even if you have a busy life, you could take a brisk walk to the store instead of driving, for example.
Say “No”
If you are one for putting other people’s needs above your own, then you need to get into the habit of looking after number one. Saying no to a night out that you don’t want to go on, or no to going completely out of your way for that toxic friend who does not deserve you, can feel amazing. Saying no can start to build your self-esteem if this is something you lack. Also, say no to that little devil inside you, which tells you that you must have that bottle of wine tonight. Breaking bad habits is an excellent way to make you feel happier.
Diet
Think about what you are eating. Do you consume a lot of fast food? Next time you are at the supermarket, put more fruit and vegetables into your basket and fewer pizzas. Think about your meals by making a meal plan. Or, perhaps you are already obsessed about what you eat, and going to an eating disorder treatment center might be beneficial for you.
Anything you can do to break you out of the rut you have gotten yourself into and will start forcing you to think along new lines will brighten your mood exponentially.
Anything you can do to break you out of the rut you have gotten yourself into and will start forcing you to think along new lines will brighten your mood exponentially.
*contributed post*
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful start to the week! Today I am so excited to share my Zaandam ship review from our Holland America cruise that we took in August! As I mentioned on Friday, this cruise was extremely special and I can't recommend it or Holland America enough. (If you are looking for answers to FAQ about Holland America in general you can read more about those HERE.)
The Zaandam Ship is one of Holland America's famous ships, named for Zaandam in the Netherlands (which is close to Amsterdam). The Zaandam ship holds sailings in Mexico and Hawaii in the winter, Canada and New England throughout the summer (like we did) and then in December and January can be found hosting cruises in South America and the Antarctic.
The Zaandam Ship is one of Holland America's famous ships, named for Zaandam in the Netherlands (which is close to Amsterdam). The Zaandam ship holds sailings in Mexico and Hawaii in the winter, Canada and New England throughout the summer (like we did) and then in December and January can be found hosting cruises in South America and the Antarctic.
A sister ship to the MS Volendam, MS Rotterdam, and the MS Amsterdam, the Zaandam was christened by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. The ship was built in 2000 and features a variety of different opportunities and experiences for its guests.
The Zaandam exemplifies in many ways the epitome of Holland America Cruises with its elegant and timeless design that y'all will see throughout these pictures.
On board there is a sun deck (that opens and closes depending on the weather which was awesome), an observation lounge, a captains lounge (which was a favorite of mine), a large pool, hot tubs, outdoor bars, a smaller pool in the back, a library, a spa (that was delightful and amazing), a workout gym with incredible views, a wonderful theater, fantastic dining choices with specialty restaurants, and many more elements.
I have said this many times about the cruise but as you step on board the ship you feel that you have truly stepped into a resort quality vacation. At each place that you turn there is little details that go a long way in ensuring that you not only feel comfortable and at home in your time on the Zaandam but that you also feel like you are being treated like royalty.
Boarding the ship after each excursion was incredibly easy. For those of you who have been on other cruises you know the hassle that can sometimes come after an excursion and then getting back onto the ship with swiping cards and going through security. This was the opposite experience. It was simple, easy, and so quick.
We were always greeted warmly, and there was often staff members waiting for us with fun drinks to take with us after checking back in. It was a little thing, but it was incredibly well organized and laid out and the extra little touches made you feel special.
One of the things that was an absolute treat was the way that the staff interacted with people. We were incredibly impressed with not only the friendly nature of the staff, but the joy that they obviously had for working for Holland America. The overall service was incredible. We were personally so impressed with each of the staff members who was always going out of to help accommodate everyone on board. They did an incredible job of exuding warmth and compassion with incredible professionalism to each passenger on board. I have an entire post regarding the staff aboard the ship so I won't go into more now, but suffice it to say that it was absolutely incredible.
.If you have been dreaming of a wonderful cruise to Canada and New England (or to the other places that the Zaandam sails to) than this one - with the Zaandam is a definite and obvious choice to consider. It has honestly been one of my favorite cruises to date and the service and the extras were a beautiful gift. There were numerous times that I would turn to my mom and say- Holland America has this down to a beautiful perfection in every way. 
I hope that this review of the Zaandam Ship on Holland America Cruise has been helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions! I would be happy to answer them!
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