Maximize Your Bedroom Space With Bunk Beds

Sofia, one of my classmates in our French class invited me yesterday to have lunch with her family last Friday. Since we didn't have class in the afternoon, I was so stress-free to go with her and visit her apartment for the very first time.

Sofia cooked Chicken curry which we paired up with garlic rice. The ice-cold cola went well with the meal. Her two children ate more than I did which made me a bit surprised. Anyway, dinner was great and we discussed about doing it one more time with me as the host.

After doing the dishes, Sofia has shown me the rest of their apartment. It is in fact a little place for the family. There's a tiny living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. Sofia's two little boys (she's got twins) are sharing one tiny bed which Sofia isn't really happy about. Due to the very small area, they can't add up another bed.

This morning, I met Sofia in the school's library. We chatted a little about almost everything. She talked about how her sons were doing in school and her family back in their homeland. Since she mentioned her sons in our chat, I suggested checking some Bunk Beds for her sons. She said that she thought about it too but didn't really push through with the plan. So, I helped her looked for some cute bunk beds for her to consider. When she spotted the Voyager Contemporary Bunk Bed (please refer to the photo to your right), she smiled at once said, "That's perfect for my boys."

Remember that it is important to have comfortable beds for people of all ages. Uncomfortable beds result to disturbed sleep which negatively affect our daily activities and health. So make sure to sleep on the bed your body feels at ease with.

Baking Soda As An Exfoliant

Baking soda (also known as Sodium bicarbonate) is a must in my kitchen especially when I am baking or even when frying pork fats (not healthy but it makes pork fats a lot crispier). Baking soda also helps whiten teeth but I suggest not to mix it often with your toothpaste as it makes teeth really sensitive. Aside from that, baking soda is also used as a cleaning aid. There are even some who refer to Baking Soda as an all purpose cleaner. Yup. You heard me right. Baking soda effectively rinses away tea, coffee and red wine spots on glassware, shines stainless steel and silver wares, cleans sinks, toilets and bath tubs and many more!

Aside from all these, baking soda is also known as an effective exfoliant. It is actually categorized as a physical exfoliant even centuries ago. It is known to remove the dead cells of the skin without resulting to excessive irritation unlike other chemicals do.

So, how do we exfoliate dead skin cells with the help of baking soda?

• Whenever you do your normal routine of washing your face at night, just measure a small amount (about a pinch) of baking soda and place it on the palm of your hand. Add the usual amount of your facial wash product and mix the two ingredients.
  
  

• Massage the mixture onto your face using an upward circular motion and gently wash it with water.
  
  

• Pat dry and apply your moisturizer to keep your skin smooth and soft.
  
  

• If in case your skin becomes irritated or shows signs of redness after using the mixture, decrease the amount of baking soda on your next washing treatment.
  
  

• You can also add baking soda on your water when bathing. I usually add only three tablespoons of baking soda to the water. Always remember to massage enough amount of lotion onto your body afterwards otherwise, your skin will turn out dry and dull.
  
  

When having dry and cracked feet and heels problems, you can also use baking soda as a solution.

Dry and Cracked Feet and Heels

Why do I get dry and cracked feet and heels?

Dry and cracked feet and heels are two common problems people are suffering from. Many however do not care so much about it as our feet are hidden in socks and shoes while doing our routines during the day or while going out at night with friends. Truth is, we do not like having dry and cracked feet (especially the heels) as the condition makes our feet heavier and sometimes painful therefore making us feel uncomfortable most of the times.

During the day, our feet perspire a lot especially when they are wrapped in shoes and socks. Not having enough room to breathe, our feet retains the moisture. Our feet also produces body heat. As the heat is trapped, it is makes sweat warm which dries the top most layer of the skin. By the time we take off our shoes and socks, the skin of our feet are immediately exposed to air which results to further drying of the skin. If this occurs day after day, you will eventually see that your feet show signs of cracking. Cracking usually begins on the heels which will then spread towards your toes if not dealt with in an early stage.

Treatments for dry and cracked feet and heels:

Although there are many products and several procedures available for everyone to try, nothing delivers instant solution to problem feet. The healing process may take time. But you can minimize the issue by doing some of the steps below:

• Use a pumice to scrub off the dry and flaky areas of your feet while having a shower. Do not put so much force on your feet as it might break your skin and might result to bleeding. Do it gently. Do not expect to have immediate results after doing this routine the first day. Continuous application of this step will lead to smoother and healthier skin. Apply your favorite moisturizing lotion or cream after.
  
  

• Foot bath with liquid moisturizing soap at least once a week is a great way in dealing with dry and cracked feet. You do not need to have an expensive foot bath device for this. All you have to have enough amount of warm water in a pail or basin, drop in a tablespoon of rock salt and 20 to 30 ml of your favorite liquid moisturizing soap. Mix them together until the mixture becomes somewhat a bubble bath. Soak your feet for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub your feet gently using either a pumice or a brush. Apply your favorite moisturizing cream or lotion after the procedure. (The warm water relaxes the skin and opens the pores allowing toxins to be released from the body while salt exfoliates the dry skin and the moisturizing soap keeps the skin hydrated and soft.)
  
  

• Try soaking your feet once a week with vinegar-warm water-dishwashing liquid mixture. Add a cup of white vinegar and a drop of dishwashing liquid to a basin of warm water. Then soak your feet for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly then dry them with a towel. Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to keep it soft and smooth. (The vinegar softens the skin while the dishwashing liquid keeps the skin soft.)
  
  

• In a gallon of warm water, dissolve half a cup of baking soda. Soak your feet for 30 minutes. Rinse your feet and pat them dry. Apply a general amount of moisturizing cream or lotion. (The baking soda makes your feet clean and very soft as it gently exfoliates dry skin cells. Read more about it here.)
  
  

If you do not have the time to do some of the steps above, you can also try some skin care products such as:

• Creams containing alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which scrubs off dry flaky skin. It is best to apply this cream before going to bed. Wash your feet first, pat them dry and then put a generous amount of the cream. Cover your feet with cotton socks to allow AHA to penetrate the skin for better results.
  
  

• Using meneral oil or castor oil before going to bed is also useful as it prevents the moisture from escaping. It keeps the skin softer and smoother.
  
  

• You can also mix 50 ml of any baby lotion (dye and perfume free) with 1 ml of sprearmint oil and 1 ml of eucalyptus oil. Apply the mixture onto your feet before going to bed. Remember not to use this on the face or other parts of the body as the skin might result negatively to the concoction. (The baby oil keeps your skin soft and supple while the oils help in sealing in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and smooth.)
  
  

• Flexitol Heel Balm is another preparation which helps in treating dry and cracked feet. It contains Urea (removes dead skin cells), emollients (penetrate and smoothen hard, rough skin), occlusive (keeps in moisture) and moisturizers (to keep the skin soft and supple). This product is recommended to be used twice a day for the first seven days and at least once each day after the first week. It is also safe for diabetic patients.
  
  

• Dr. Scholl's Cracked Heel Relief Cream contains antiseptic and anesthetic properties which prevent skin infection. It is a rich, non-greasy formula that restores moisture therefore relieving excessively dry and cracked skin. This product is not recommended for people with diabetes, circulation problems (heart, liver or kidney problems) and to women who are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Precious Award From Jenny

I've received this Loyal Friend And Visitor Award from Jenny weeks ago. However, due to my hectic schedule, I needed to reschedule doing the tag until the time I get to feel a bit relaxed.
I am about to go to bed already but my boyfriend is still up doing some paperworks and so I've come up with the idea to stay for a bit longer. Instead of just sitting down to watch Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl's funny film "Knocked Up" I've chosen to blog a bit more and finally post Jenny's wonderful award for me!

Jenny, even if we haven't met yet in person, I am so thankful to have known you through blogging. You are a great person inside out and for that, I am really happy to have you as a friend.

Is Your Man Good For Your Health?

Based on a study conducted in the UK, the man (your husband or partner) you are living with has a strong influence on your physical health. His lifestyle and habits may not work for you resulting in a negative impact on your well-being. Below are some tips on how you can make his behavior work for you.

• Never Make His Stress Your Stress

According to a study conducted by the Stress Management Society (UK), men are focused on single-minded activities such as stress while women are better in multi-tasking. Meaning, while women try to diverse themselves away from stress-related matters, men focus much on the problem.

Women who are living or spending most of their time with men who are always stressed about life tend to suffer more from hypertension and risk of heart attack.

Due to this fact, it is advised that women should try to distract men when they are stressed by watching a movie, going to concerts, etc in order to calm him down. The more he is relaxed, the more you feel relaxed, too.

• Eat Like Your Man... Wisely

A fact backed up by scientific studies state that women require higher amount of iron intake due to the reason that women lose huge levels of iron during the monthly periods.

Most women try to avoid eating red meat especially when they are on a diet. Fact is, red meat is considered to be one of the best source of iron which is easier for the body to metabolize and use compared to iron that are available in vegetables.

Men love to eat red meat, so get some for yourself, too!

• Never Sleep With Him If He Snores

If your bed partner is a snorer and it disturbs your sleeping habit, you might one day suffer from stress-induced conditions such as high-blood pressure, dizziness and vomiting.

According to a study conducted in the University of Chicago, lack of sleep may also result to weight gain. This is due to the fact that glucose and carbohydrates are mostly metabolized during sleep.

In order for you to avoid lack of sleep due to his snoring, ask him to sleep on his back as this may lessen the loudness of his snore. His snoring will also be milder if he does not eat heavy meals an hour or two before going to bed. If nothing of these two works, ask him to use anti-snoring devices such as nasal strips (read more about nasal strips here) as these anti-snoring aids are proven to be effective.

If your partner's snoring seem to be severe, it is necessary for him to consult his physician as he might be suffering from sleep apnea (read more about sleep apnea here).

Sleep Apnea: General Information, Types And Possible Treatments

Definition:

Sleep Apnea is a common health disturbance wherein people have pauses in breathing while sleeping. Stops in breathing may last some seconds to minutes after which, the normal breathing process begins again usually with a loud choking sound.

The types of sleep apnea are categorized into three which are obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, central sleep apnea or CSA and mixed apnea.

• Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is considered to be the most common type among the three mentioned. It takes place because there is an obstruction in the airway while sleeping. During sleep, the soft palate muscles and the uvula will relax which then blocks the passage of air completely. People who are overweight are the usual ones who are suffering from OSA.
  
  

• Central sleep apnea or CSA is a neurological disorder which involves the central nervous system. During sleep, the brain, instead of giving a continuous breathing process signal, it sends incorrect command to the breathing muscles thus, disrupting the proper breathing process. As the amount of the blood becomes less and limited, it makes the person sleeping gasp for air.
  
  

• Mixed apnea is a combination of OSA and CSA.

To correct the abnormal sleeping pattern of people with sleep apnea, the following treatments are advised:

• Going down some pounds for obese persons – excess fat especially around the neck causes the narrowing of the airway canal which then leads to breathing problems during sleep.
  
  

• Sleep positioning therapy – breathing becomes better by sleeping on the side.
  
  

• Dental devices – help the patient breathe continuously as the device keeps the mouth and the airway opened, allowing air to pass.
  
  

• CPAP – (further explanation of CPAP here) or the continuous positive airway pressure is a machine which is effective is treating obstructive sleep apnea. Pressurized air is being driven to the patient’s air passage which stabilizes the patient’s breathing. CPAP is now considered as the most common way of combating sleep apnea.
  
  

• It is also important to correct the kind of lifestyle a person has. By avoiding alcohol, smoking and some sedative and muscle relaxants can relatively improve breathing.
  
  

• Surgery is also another option but only to patients who have severe sleep apnea problems.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a procedure done to remove unwanted hair. It uses an intense, pulsating beam of light which passes through the skin. The beam is then attracted to the pigment of the hair passing the energy to the hair shaft. This is absorbed by the hair follicles which are in the active growth phase. The energy of the beam passed disables the hair follicle in the deeper layer of the skin therefore stopping hair regrowth for an unspecific amount of time.

This procedure is recommended to people who want to get rid of unwanted hair in their body. Mostly, the targeted locations are the legs, upper lip, chin, bikini lines and the armpits. Remember that this process does not promise permanent hair loss. However, it does lengthen the hair-free period, hence replacing waxing, electrolysis, shaving and bleaching. The amount of time varies from person to person as it might be from many months to several years.

The success of laser hair removal mostly depends on the person’s skin type. Most success rates are observed to those who are dark- and light-haired persons. The process is also applicable to those who have even darker skin types. Let it be noted that laser hair removal is not recommended to people having white, blond, light brown or light red hair as the method does not usually work for them.

Some patients may experience side effects such as:

• Incomplete hair removal – this is due to the fact that some hair are considered resistant to the laser approach. There are also instances wherein the hair grows back after the treatment.
  
  

• Hyperpigmentation – or the darkening of the skin which is considered to be a temporary state.
  
  

• Hypopigmentation – which is the reverse of hyperpigmentation. This is the lightening of the skin which mostly occurs to people with darker skin.
  
  

• Other side effects such as blistering and scarring, changes in the skin texture and crusting or scabbing may also appear due to the treatment but is such happen really rarely and are temporary.
  
  

One good thing about laser hair removal is that when the hair grows back, new hair will be finer and lighter in color.

Things to remember:

• The length of each treatment depends on the area which has to be treated. It might take from several minutes to some hours to finally complete the procedure.
  
  

• Not all hair follicles are active at the same time. Due to this fact, laser hair removal is a process requiring multiple sessions as it only targets actively growing hair.
  
  

• There are patients who experience slight redness of the treated skin. There are also those who have mild swelling around the hairs after the procedure. This conditions are just but temporary.
  
  

• Treated areas which are usually exposed to the sun like upper lip, arms, legs, etc should be protected by using sunscreen.

Your List of Memory Vitamins

I've come up with this list as I know that the list will come in handy for me one day.

Anyway, there are instances when people lose their focus and find it difficult to remember important things. Memory loss is a problem in people of all ages. Therefore, it is just right to know the different substances which can help us retain and stimulate our brain to retain its memory.

Here are some vitamins and nutrients which are proven to help avoid memory loss:

• Bacopin- supports the nervous system and improves the intellectual capacity of the brain allowing it to concentrate more even in a shortened time of learning.
  
  

• Choline- is a kind of nutrient which supports the proper mental functioning of the brain. It enhances the brain's working memory capabilities. Some of the foods rich in choline are milk, liver, eggs and peanuts.
  
  

• DMAE- which stands for Di-Methyl-Amino-Ethanol is considered as one of the memory nutrients. It increases the brain's memory, learning and intelligence. The common food which contain DMAE is fish.
  
  

• Folic Acid- which is commonly contained in spinach, dark green vegetables, brewers yeast, lima beans, watermelon, wheat germ, liver and some organically raised animals boosts the memory level of the brain.
  
  

• Gingko Biloba- enhances the memory. It is also known to be effective in improving the circulation of the blood by reducing blood platelets' stickiness.
  
  

• Gotu Kola- is a kind of herbal extract which is common in parts of Asia and Europe. It has the capacity to improve brain circulation promoting better brain activities and mental performances.
  
  

• Hawthorn- is proven to eliminate the toxins in the brain therefore strengthening the brain's blood vessels and tissues. It makes sure that enough amount of oxygen is transported to the brain allowing it to function at its best.
  
  

• Omega 3- stimulates brain activities thus increasing the memory and mental awareness of a person.
  
  

• Rosemary- improves the brain's concentration and memory.
  
  

• Schisandra- promotes better blood circulation enhancing the mental well-being awareness.
  
  

• Vitamin B6- is considered to be one of the most popular substance in keeping the memory active. It has proven its worth in retaining memory and maintaining a healthy brain.

Ibuprofen Overdose

Ibuprofen is very effective in easing minor muscle pains, headaches, toothaches and cramps. As it is an over-the-counter drug, it is the primary choice by most people (just like me) to help relieve pain. People tend to misuse the drug by taking in too much than what is instructed believing that the more tablets one takes, the quicker the results are.

Unknown to some, Ibuprofen overdose can lead to damages of internal organs such as the liver. There are cases wherein the damage caused in the liver is permanent and irreversible.

Other common side effects of Ibuprofen overdose are:

• blurred vision

• ringing in the ears

• nausea and vomiting diarrhea

• stomach pains

• drowsiness

• depression

• hyperkalaemia

• tachycardia

• etc.
  

People who are rushed to the hospital due to the overusage of the drug are treated by using liquid carbon or charcoal. Charcoal is widely known for its ability to absorb the excessive amount of drug in the system before it reaches the systemic circulation. Gastric lavage is another method in treating Ibuprofen overdose. Although this method is not really a very popular one, it is considered to be the best choice if the intake has already reached its severe stage and is performed within 60 minutes after the intake of the drug.

400mg/kg doses of the drug is considered to be an overdose while below 100mg/kg is said to be safe.

Some Good Habits To Reduce Cellulites

If you hate cellulites, you are not alone. I hate it, too which is why I always try to check if I have traces of it on some parts of my body so I can treat them as early as possible.

A cellulite is formed from deteriorated fats in the body. They are commonly located on the thighs, butt and the stomach area. Several factors which contribute to production of this unwanted body fats are genes, gender, age, thickness of the skin and the percentage of fat in the body.

To check the degree of the cellulite in your body, you can do the following tests:

STAGE ONE CELLULITE: is the invisible cellulite. The appearance of cellulite is difficult to notice. However, dermatologists can detect the presence of it.

STAGE TWO CELLULITE: skin is smooth however, dimples appear upon pinching the skin.

STAGE THREE CELLULITE: skin is rough and the dimples are permanent.

STAGE FOUR CELLULITE: skin is weak with firm lumps and the dimples are permanent with fluid retention.

To minimize the amount of cellulite in the body, here are some good habits to follow:

• Reduce intake of sugar and transaturated fats (trans fats). Ready made food contain a huge amount of trans fats which does not undergo metabolism in the body. Both sugar and trans fats contribute to the aging process of the skin.

• Eat fruits and vegetables which enhances the beauty of the skin. Some examples are blueberries and broccoli - contain antioxidants, salmon and nuts - contain essential fats that repairs damaged cells, lecithin in eggs and soy - promotes skin strengthening, meat and fish - contain amino acids which boosts the level of collagen.

• Exercise daily, sleep well and try to lower the level of stress in your daily life.

• Allow yourself to get a massage regularly. Getting a massage is not only fun and relaxing. It also helps in minimizing the amount of cellulite in your body.

Sleep: General Information

We are all aware that sleep is the natural state of our body to rest. Yes, we often neglect the importance of it due to our busy lifestyles.

According to sleep studies, the brain isn't actually resting while we sleep. When a person sleeps, there is a lot more going on in the brain even when the body is at rest. The brain has it's own cycle throughout the night and remains active.

Here's the recommended average amount of hours of sleep per day:

Newborn: up to 18 hours
1 to 12 months old: 14 to 18 hours
1 to 3 years old: 12 to 15 hours
3 to 5 years old: 11 to 13 hours
5 to 12 years old: 9 to 10 hours
Adults (including elderly): 7 to 8 hours
Expecting mothers: 8 hours or more
Source: Wikipedia.com

Enough sleep per day helps maintain good health enabling one to function better in each day. On the other hand, insufficient amount of sleep can result to health problems including concentration difficulties, memory loss, anxiety, irritability, depression and weak energy.

One common sleep disorder is what we call insomnia. It is a common problem which affects everyone at some point. People suffering from this disease have problems falling asleep, staying asleep or have abnormal sleep-awake rhythm.

Perseverance, Patience And My Baking

I discovered my talent in baking months after moving here in Sweden. Since everything's affordable in the Philippines, all I need to do when I begin craving for a delightful slice of chocolate cake if to simply rush to either Goldilocks or Red Ribbon - just a few of my favorite bakeshops where I can surely find the type of chocolate cake I desire.

In Sweden, prices of cakes, cookies or brownies aren't that friendly at all. To cut off expenses without sacrificing my love for sweets, I have looked for baking tutorials on YouTube and have searched for recipes. Most of the first few attempts have been unsuccessful. Nevertheless, I have never given up my goal to one day wake up my hidden passion for baking. I can say that my huge amount of perseverance and patience have actually paid off. Now, I am into baking cakes, cookies and brownies - delicious treats I never imagined I could create myself.

Facebook - Too Personally Yours?

I have been Facebooking for months and I kinda like how Facebook works. I like the idea that I can compete with my friends through different Facebook games. I just hate it whenever they beat my score! Grrr! There have been days when I sit in front of the computer for hours trying seriously to beat my friends' highest records. But is unlucky enough to succeed.

Aside from online Facebook games, I also enjoy playing Farm Town, YoVille, Restaurant City and FarmVille. Such games give me an opportunity to work with friends. It's a good thing that in such areas, my friends and I (and of course, family/relatives) try and help one another to level up in every aspect.

Another Facebook feature I really enjoy doing is updating my status everytime I get the chance to. Bonus is my friends can directly comment on each shout I post and of course, I can as well react to whatever they say. It's like a delay chat system and it's really working great for me.

However, people are getting too personal at times. I mean, it's 100% okey for people to post whatever on their wall. There's no restriction whatsoever. After all, it's your life and you can definitely do whatever you want to do. Don't get me wrong. I just believe that there are certain areas in our lives and relationships which is better to be discussed face to face with the people concerned. Obviously, bitching each other on Facebook (or in any online community) won't do you any good. Well, perhaps, you are looking for sympathy from the people on your friends list. More than less, people will read the lines wrong and misunderstand everything. Worse, even judge you as person.

The message which I am trying to shout out today is that I hope more Facebook people will just enjoy Facebook features and not overuse the community to either collect sympathy from others or start a fire. As others say it, "At least always leave a little room for self-respect and dignity." I am not forcing you to listen to what I say. But could be that it's worth reflecting on.

Liposinol™

Liposinol™, a preparation designed especially for those who are going on a diet has been released here in Sweden in 2008. Its basic component is Litramine which is a patented fiber complex from Opuntia ficus-indica (a cactus). Litramine has the ability to bind fats and most of all control an individual's dietary fat intake.

Unlike other weight loss pills, Liposinol™ is not considered a drug since it is made up of 100% natural plant extract that contains soluble and non-soluble fibers. These fibers are clinically proven to bind fats without resulting to any harmful side effects to the body.

Liposinol™ is a highly recommended product to those who are overweight. Weight loss is 99% of the time directly related to improving your health by alleviating weight-related health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol problems and even diabetes.

Caution: Take your medicines 2 hours before or after taking in Liposinol™. It is not recommended to take Liposinol™ together with your medicines, pills or vitamins at the same time due to the fact that Liposinol™ may interfere with the actions of your other medications.

Recommended Liposinol™ Intake:

***Calculate your BMI here.

One box of Liposinol™ costs more or less EUR17.00 to 30.00 (contains 60 tablets) depending on where you order the product. Yup! Expensive!