Lilac City Momma

Lynn

Four Easy Ways to Watch Your Health in Winter

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With winter comes the excitement of Christmas, the crisp tread of snow, and a whole host of festive activities such as seeing in the new year with those you love most. When thinking about this time, the chances are taking care of your health doesn’t spring to mind but watching out for your wellbeing is extremely important during the winter months as this is the time where coughs and colds are all around and the chances of becoming ill are high. There are lots of things you can do during winter to make sure your health doesn’t go down the pan, you just need to know where to begin. To help you out with this, this quick guide will give you some tips to watch your health in winter and stay well all year long.

Get your vaccines

When winter rolls around, it is of paramount importance that you protect yourself from the nasty illnesses that are all the more prevalent during this season, such as the flu. Going to your local doctor’s surgery can finding out what shots and vaccinations you need, as well as the ones that are not deemed necessary but highly recommended, will help you prevent bad illnesses before they strike.

However, another important thing you need to keep in mind is the issue of medical negligence. While we like to think these occurrences are rare, there is nothing stopping you from being the victim of a misdiagnosis or a badly administered injection. Should this happen you need to investigate how to make medical negligence claim so that you are able to get the compensation you deserve.

A balanced winter diet

When it is so cold outside, the temptation to indulge in comfort foods every day can take over, so it is then important you educate yourself about what foods you should actually eat during the winter months. Oatmeal is rich in zinc which helps the immune system function properly and is also full of soluble fiber that helps keep your heart strong. Try pairing this with cranberries full of antioxidants or potassium-rich bananas that can give you an energy boost to make the perfect breakfast.

Staying active (even when it’s cold outside)

It can be hard to motivate to keep yourself getting outside and exercising when the temperature drops, but there are ways to maintain your exercise routine in the cold so that you don’t have to compromise your health. Before venturing out for a run, do five minutes of jumping jacks or running on the spot so that, when you do get outside, the cold isn’t so much of a shock but rather a refreshing breeze.

Simple rules

Finally, an easy way you can keep a watch on your health as winter approaches is by following these two simple rules: stay warm and stay hydrated. These may seem obvious but are actually some of the best ways to keep your overall health and energy at a consistently high level.

Weekend Family Getaways Near The San Francisco Bay Area

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There are points in our lives when everything seems perfect as usual but all you want to do is pack up and leave for some faraway place, away from all the hubbub of the city. But because of our jobs and daily duties, it isn’t always possible to just pack up and go somewhere. It doesn’t mean that you cannot get away to have a lovely time with your partner, though, because North California is full of the odd, the charming and the majestic. Merely a drive away from the bustling city of San Francisco are getaways where you can let your worries slip away and relax with a wine in hand. Or, if you are one of those power couples that enjoy adventuring together, you may take long meandering hikes among the tall redwoods or go surfing in the Pacific.

And if you want to make it an extended family affair, renting a minibus or mini coach bus out of San Francisco is the perfect way to make sure that everyone arrives on time, and no one gets lost along the way.

1. Bodega Bay

A mere ninety minutes’ drive away from San Francisco lies Bodega Bay. A jewel in the shining crown that is Sonoma country, the place is bustling with gorgeously golden beaches, shops full of beautiful oddities and tastefully eclectic dishes that feature seafood at its centrepiece. Here in Bodega Bay you can while your time away simply with a book in hand and a wine and your lover by your side. But if lazing around is not your thing, head to the Chancellor Stables and take yourself for a ride. Literally. The guided tour that you may spend on the back of a gorgeous equine specimen will lead you through rolling dunes and soft meadows, sparkly beaches and around tall peaks.

And when that long yet breathtaking journey inevitably makes you hungry, you may ravenously eat yours through the deliciously comfortable food available at the Terrapin Creek Café. The place won a Michelin star for its delicious goodies and you will soon know why as you let the strangely familiar and mouth-wateringly new flavours take over your taste buds.  Or, if you are in the mood for less cheese burst and more organic green, head to the tasteful dining rooms inside Bay View restaurant. We promise it will not disappoint you either.

2. Big Sur 

Tucked right into the land that lies between southern and northern California, Big Sur will take you about three hours to get to. And every minute of that journey you might consider worth it once you let your eyes feast on what can easily qualify as one of the USA’s most breath-taking holiday destinations. Here you find the beaches slowly mingling with the towering majesty of the redwoods. But in case you cannot find a place to stay in Big Sur, which is somewhat unusual, you may also look for places you can rent in places nearby including, but not limited to, Carmel, Cambria and San Simeon.

If you are visiting with your lover, makes sure to head to the purplish and sandy expanse of the Pfeiffer beach. And once you are done letting your feet caress the soft sands, pamper yourself a little bit by heading to Sierra Mar, the slightly posh but amazingly elegant restaurant where you may dig into the delicacies on offer while enjoying the sight of the Pacific Ocean through the pristine floor to ceiling windows. But if you prefer to swap tale and ale with the locals, you might want to visit Nepenthe instead.

While the two places listed in this article definitely takes the cake, North California is teeming with way stranger yet wonderful options you might choose to visit with your loved ones. Santa Cruz is a fantastic place to take your family to, with the beaches and the food and amusement parks ready to take the breath away of everyone in the family. And the best part? You can do all this and more and yet return to the office on Monday, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to take on the world.

How To Have A Mental Reset 

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Life can sometimes make you feel like you’re going 100 miles an hour. When your mind and body are working overtime, you’ll soon find yourself close to burning out before you know it. With a busy schedule, work commitments, a social life and other responsibilities to cram in, it’s easy to stretch yourself too thin. But before you crash and burn, take a moment to reboot and have a mental reset – even if for just five minutes a day – and see how much better you feel for it almost instantly. Below are five easy ways to have a mental reset.

Have A Bath

Take a hot bath to wash away the mental stresses of the day. This mental reboot is the perfect way to unwind before bed and mentally prepare for rest, as the hot water relaxes the muscles, lowers your blood pressure and can improve blood sugar control. You can go one step further and set up relaxing music and soothing candles for more Zen vibes!

Have A Massage

If you need to properly take a moment to de-stress and have some time to yourself, then look into holistic therapy. This can be as simple as a relaxing body massage to recharge and refocus, in a calming and cozy environment. Heaven and Earth Massage provide a number of treatments to help you release all your tension and worries from your hectic week. Take a moment to treat yourself, mentally reset, and you’ll find yourself feeling ready to take anything on.

Take A Stroll

Taking a walk in nature is a great way to mentally unwind. It doesn’t matter if it is only for half an hour; spending some time away from stresses and responsibilities can help us re-engage with ourselves to actively manage anxiety and stress. Rather than focusing on everyday worries, rather enjoy the nature around you and get your blood pumping at the same time. If your brain is on overdrive at the moment, then get your mental energy back into gear by giving yourself some time to detach from these stresses and focus on being outside and at one with nature. A recent study found that taking nature walks can be associated with many mental health benefits, grab your boots and get walking.

Listen To Music

Listening to music or a podcast is a really simple and effective way to take some time to yourself, no matter where you are. You can listen with headphones or in the car on the way to work, while your cooking dinner, or just before bed. Music can help you sleep better, particularly if you stick on a relaxing playlist just before settling down. On the other hand, music can also lift your mood instantly and help to get you motivated should you be in a mental slump.

Read A Book

Keeping a book on the go is a great way to have some quality me-time without having to leave the house or make too much effort. Keep the book in your bag, in your car or by your bed, and try to spend at least a small part of your day getting lost in its pages to forget the stress the day has brought. Reading a book can also give our eyes a break from blue screens, which is particularly important before bed.

Fashion trends for children this fall/winter

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If you’re interested in purchasing a few new items for your child’s fall and winter wardrobe, simply continue reading to discover some of the latest fashion trends for children this fall and winter!

Fashion trends for children this fall/winter:

1. Boots

Boots are a practical yet stylish footwear option for active kids, who still plan on spending time outdoors during the cooler fall and winter months. This year expect knee-length leather boots to be offered for girls, while ankle length leather boots will be the most popular option for boys.

2. Animal print clothing for little girls

Expect to see bold animal print clothing being released for little girls. Examples of which include fluffy animal print coats, cute animal print cardigans, and adorable animal print gloves, scarves and berets.

3. Wool newsboy style caps

Wool newsboy style caps are tipped to be one of the latest fall and winter trends for children’s fashion. So if you love to purchase accessories to take your child’s outfits to the next level, it’s well worth purchasing a stylish yet warm wool newsboy style cap for your child.

4. Puffer vests

As temperatures start to plummet, it’s a wise idea to start layering your child’s clothing, in order to keep them warm, dry and toasty.

If you’re curious about how to style a stylish kid-friendly outfit which features an on-trend puffer vest, you may want to consider dressing your kid in a pair of chinos or blue jeans and a chambray or plaid shirt with a puffer vest. Alternatively, you may want to pair a sweater in a bright color with a cute puffer vest in a contrasting color.

5. Camo patterned fashion

Expect to see camo on display in most stores which offer children’s fashion. Statement camo pieces to keep an eye out for include camo patterned parkas, camo vests, and camo chinos.

6. Snood style scarves

Snood style scarves are set to trend this year in children fashion, which is great as snood style scarves are incredibly practical as they stay looped and won’t come undone like most scarves. So if you want your child to stay warm and stylish for the duration of fall and winter it’s well picking up a few snood style scarves, in a variety of fun bright colors.

7. Wool capes

If you’re looking to invest in purchasing a new wool coat for your little one and want to purchase a chic coat which is fashion forward, you may be interested in purchasing a stylish wool cape. If you’re unsure of what color to opt for it’s wise to opt for a neutral such as a beige cape or a black cap, which your child will be able to wear over most outfits.

8. Bomber style jackets

If your child loves urban streetwear they’ll love being able to pick out their very own bomber jacket. Bomber jackets come in a variety of fabrics and it’s possible to purchase a leather kid’s bomber jacket or a cotton bomber jacket as well as a silk style kid’s bomber jacket.

So if you’d love to be able to purchase children’s clothing at an affordable price, it’s well worth picking up some of the fashion forward pieces which are listed above!

How To Live a Healthy Lifestyle

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If you’ve made the wise decision to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle but don’t know where to start, continue reading to discover a few helpful tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

How to live a healthy lifestyle:

  1. Take up as many activities hobbies as you have time for

If you don’t want to spend all of your free time in a gym, you may want to consider signing up for a few new active hobbies, which will help you increase your current level of fitness. As examples, you may want to incorporate swimming, cycling to work, skiing and stand up paddle boarding into your lifestyle. As every minute which you spend exercising per day will have a positive effect on your health.

  1. Use 45 minutes of your lunch hour in order to get a quick workout into your day

While you may want to spend 15 minutes of your lunch hour enjoying a healthy, nutritious lunch. It’s well worth using the first 45 minutes of your lunch hour in order to increase your daily active minutes. As an example, you may be interested in going for a power walk or a jog or to complete a quick 7 minute HIT workout in your local park.

One of the benefits of working out during your lunch is that exercising will help your body produce endorphins which are a natural drag which will instantly improve your mood. As an added benefit you’ll also have extra energy in order to complete the rest of your working day.

  1. Visit your grocery store 2-3 times a week instead of 1 per week in order to purchase fresh produce

In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to consume a healthy, balanced diet which is packed full of fresh produce. In order to be able to purchase fresh produce, it’s definitely worth getting into the habit of visiting your preferred grocery store 2-3 times a week, instead of once a week.

Unfortunately, life does get busy, especially if you have a family to provide for, or if you work multiple jobs and long hours. Luckily, fitness muscle meals offer fresh, delivery services with nutritious food. So if you can’t make it to the grocery store often, you may want to consider your options.

  1. Make your own homemade lunches instead of purchasing lunch at a cafe

If you want to be able to control the number of calories which you consume on a daily basis, it’s a wise decision to start making your lunches each morning instead of purchasing your lunch from a cafe. As you’ll be able to prepare healthy, nutritionally balanced lunches which are low in fat and high in nutrients and vitamins.

As a bonus, if you start packing your own homemade lunches you’ll also be able to slash your food budget in half, which you may choose to put towards your gym membership or active wear.

  1. Consider walking short distances instead of driving between short distances

Another way to increase your daily activity is to start walking short distances, instead of relying on your car to drive between short distances. As an example, if you typically use your car to drive from one shop to another shop with is located 500 meters away, it’s well worth walking for the extra exercise.

If you follow the five life-changing tips above, you’ll be sure to lead a healthier, happier life.