Random Reads

Clutter - we all have it in our homes. It could be drawer, a room, under the bed, a space or even the whole house. Did you know clutter actually cause stress? A lot of people would agree and the next question comes. Where do i start from and how can i maintain a clean space constantly. Think of brain - it is organised in such a way that you can retrieve most information if given the right clues. Your home space should be a haven of relaxation and enjoyment.  Why do you think we enjoy staying in hotels so much - or now AirBnBs . It is because the space is clean, tidy and organised. Your home can be similar to living in a hotel.  Tips to achieve a clutter free space; TIME  Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to clean out a draw, space or corner (light cleaning). Make it fun and play some music while cleaning, makes all the difference. Dedicate about 2 hours a week to deep clean or hire a cleaner once a month.  Did you know you waste alot of precious time looki...

As the lock down measures has been lifted gradually, some children are back to school while some are still home schooling. It can be quite difficult to keep children inspired and not bored. Let's face it, even the best toys, best outdoor gadgets and video games gets boring after so many sessions.  Be flexible As a parent, sticking to a routine is great but including spontaneous activities can make things a bit more interesting and fun for your little ones.   Sports on TV Running out of shows to play on TV? Try watching basketball, tennis, football and lots of previous national games together and talk about the players and the sports. You might just ignite a new interest in your child. Sports will also keep them moving, my girls love watching gymnastics and ice skating.   Arts This can get very messy but lots of fun and children spend hours on it. If you find out all your play-doh has dried out, try making fondants for cake or using mud. Toddlers lo...

   The lockdown has been eased and we still need to stay alert. Here are some tips as mentioned on BBC about keeping yourself and others safe while shopping.   1.      Shop alone if possible, the less people in shops the better for everyone. 2.      Stay 2 meters away from people if possible, if not due to size of shop cover your face or wear facemask. 3.       Look for the new signs, arrows on the floor to help navigate the shops in a seamless way to avoid crowing an aisle. 4.       Avoid touching things you are going to buy, if not possible use a glove. 5.       In addition to your wallet, make sure facemask and gloves are part of your daily contents in your car, shopping bag and bicycle. 6.       Pay with contactless always. 7.       Exercise more patience, everyone is getting used to the new norm and checkout...

Lessons from historic pandemics An epidemic is an infectious disease in a community at a particular while a pandemic has a P which is like for passport so it's an epidemic that has traveled across different regions mostly international. COVID-19 aka Coronavirus started in Wuhan China Dec 2019 was the first time it appeared in a human being. It has been named Covid-19 aka - coronavirus disease of 2019. This new virus spreads incredibly quickly between people and because it is a new virus , no one on earth has developed immunity to it. The WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic in March 2020 when millions of people were infected with it. Let us dive into historic pandemic that shook nations. HIV/AIDS Pandemic First appeared in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, the mode of transmission is mainly via blood contact. The virus has killed more than 36 million people since 1981. Thanks to the evolution in medicine and technology, people are able to live a productive life with HI...

What are some positive things to tell a child? A lot of parents are homeschooling due to the global lockdown of schools, and as much as we dont admit it , sometimes we just want to scream our heads out. Kudos to all the teachers, we appreciate you even more during these times.  Positivity has a way of boosting a child's moral. A child models what they see and its important as a parent, aunty , uncle or gran to encourage the youngsters around us. Child are faced with peer pressure, low self esteem and negative words around them. Think about your childhood- do you remember a situation where something negative was spoken to you and how does it make you feel to this day. Some humans tend to remember the negative memory compared to the positive . The more positive input the greater the positive output. 1. You are helpful A lot of adults take for granted a child that is helpful, with opening the door, picking up items from the floor, tidying up or even clearing up the table afte...

How are you feeling today ? Happy, sad, angry, fearful, tired, bored, calm, hyped, or just a mix.  Whatever you are feeling at the moment is a phase. Remember, emotions and feelings are temporary. Research suggests doing the things we love, tends to change our emotional state. Pick up a musical instrument and play a random tune, read a book, sing a song, exercise, cook a new meal, visit a friend that makes you laugh, pray, meditate, dance to a fun music or challenge your mental skills with games and puzzles. There so many things to do and loads of information out there to provide support during an emotional roller coaster episode. Check out  Emotions  on healthline for additional information.  The key to managing our emotions is through self -control. For the christians, this is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and it is vital to help us navigate through difficult situations.  More information available on  Self-control  . Reach out to your local me...

A healthy diet is the key to getting the iron you need Iron stores One-quarter of the world’s population is anemic, meaning they don’t get enough iron to produce the red blood cells and oxygen-carrying hemoglobin needed to nourish their myriad cells. In the United States, blood loss is the main cause of iron deficiency and anemia. Among women, heavy menstrual periods and childbirth account for this. Among those age 65 and older, the causes of iron deficiency and anemia are likely to be internal bleeding, difficulty absorbing iron and other nutrients, and eating a less varied diet. The average American man harbors about 3.5 grams (one-eighth of an ounce) of iron in his body. The average woman has about 2.5 grams. Without enough stored iron, an individual can develop anemia .  Symptoms include fatigue, loss of stamina, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, and a pale, unhealthy complexion. So precious is iron for your health that the body uses a protein called ...

DANGERS OF CONSUMING GARRI/ CASSAVA FLAKES/TAPIOCA                                   To all the Nigerians who know what I’m talking about when I say “ Garri” nod your head. Yes it is a popular meal consumed by Millions of Africans across the world. The process of making garri includes the main ingredient Cassava tubers.   Traditional processing includes six steps to achieving the final product of garri: peeling, washing, grating, drying, sifting, and frying. C assava tubers are peeled, washed and grated or crushed to produce a mash. The mash is placed in a porous bag and allowed to ferment for one or two days, while weights are placed on the bag to press the water out. It is then sieved (or sifted) and roasted by heating in a bowl. The resulting dry granular garri can be stored for long periods. It may be pou...