After a heavy week on the Best Boot Forward front last week, the lovely Chloe is lightening things up with some great questions on love and smiles to reflect on in our weekly linky.

Do you have something or someone in your life that makes you smile on a regular basis?

The someone has to be my son Ramsey who is a comic genius with fantastic word play. He also has a very expressive face which can make me chuckle without him saying a single word. He is very aware of his charisma and the power of it which I think will serve him very well in life.

My other children make me smile too of course but can’t drag me out of a down day as much as Ramsey.

What do you love about your life?

I love how balanced it is now with family, friends, work and play. I enjoy time both inside and out. I also enjoy I am no longer blighted by depression so can just decide to have a go at something without stressing about it. I love that my FB blogging groups and the Best Boot Forward FB community for women are going from strength to strength with very good hearts coming together. I love enjoying the present and having faith in my future.

2.How can you draw on this special feeling to help you keep moving forward on your quest to reaching your goals?

I think that I answered that a little in question 2. This is very typical of me and I have embarrassed many an interview panel as they asked me the first question and then I incorporated the other questions on their list into my first response. I guess I have a lot to say.

Seriously though, I think I move forward quite naturally now and want to encourage others to do so as it is so easy and so negative to get stuck.

I intend to review my Best Boot Forward goals in detail monthly but keep them in mind all the time so that they happen or if not, that there are very good reasons why not.

3.Can you do, or have you recently done something positive for someone in your life? Often, a great way to feel good about ourselves is to do something selfless – big or small. Could you perhaps lend a helping hand to a friend or maybe you have recently raised funds for charity?

I have a strong record of supporting charities by donating, volunteering, working for and managing them. To some extent doing this with such commitment took its toll on my wellbeing.

I now help charities via my blogging and social media and have a really interesting charity story coming soon from an amazing woman.

I give to good causes when I can and I am moved by the appeal.

I like to use my blog to support women who I still feel can get such a raw deal in society.

”Best

You can find out all about Best Boot Forward and get involved.

For women who don’t want to have babies, knowing he perfect birth control to use is necessary to ensure that goes smoothly to plan. Ut it is often said as though it is entirely down to the woman. In fact, it is all about both of you in your relationship, and what you both think you should be doing to reduce your chances of having a child. There are many reasons you might not want to have a child – overpopulation, careerism – and the days are long gone when you would be shamed for such a decision. Now, the important thing is how to ensure that you get it right. In this post, we are going to look at some of the best birth control options available to you and your partner, and which you might want to go for yourself.

 

Birth Control

 

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The Pill

 

Many people see the invention of the pill in the 60’s as a defining moment in female emancipation. The pill gives us more than the ability to control the likelihood of birth. It also means the ability to control periods a little more accurately, and for many it is also a symbol of sexual freedom. Whatever you opinion, you have to admit that it is one of the most powerful contraceptive options – and not for no reason at all. In fact, it remains one of the most trusted contraceptives in the world, and for many women it is still the go-to when they are looking for a permanent solution – rather than, say, condoms.

 

But the pill is not for everyone. It is full of hormones, and you will find that – depending on the brand – it is likely to have certain effects on your body which you might not like. You might also be surprised by just how much it can affect your mood – something which a lot of women are not prepared for, and as such it can come as a huge surprise. If you are going to take the pill, look at the packaging to see the side effects of that specific brand, because they all differ slightly. You might be beginning a process of going back and forth from one pill to another for years and years, trying out and trading off different side effects. Be sure that you are genuinely ready for the one that you are going to take, and make sure that your doctor agrees it is the right choice as well.

 

As long as you can manage to find a pill you are happy with, it might well be the perfect contraceptive for you. The main failings of the pill are that it can be easy to forget to take it, and missing even one reduces the effectiveness greatly – and that some of the rarer side effects can actually be pretty extreme. But for the majority of women, this is still the go-to option for a reason. These days, you can order your contraceptive pill online and make it even easier to have it on time, so there is no excuse not to take it every day once you do start taking it.

Birth Control

 

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The Coil

 

The coil provides a more permanent – if a little more frightening – solution than the pill, and in fact it also happens to be the single most effective contraception that there is on planet earth. It is a small T-shaped device which releases copper, which in turn kills sperm, and more and more women are turning to the coil as their main form of contraception.

 

The main advantage of this method is its permanence; once it has been installed, you don’t need to do anything, it will just protect you for up to five years, over 99.99% of the time in over a hundred thousand cases. This reliance is what causes many medical professionals to say that it is the single best contraception out there. But the question is: is it the right one for you?

 

One major disadvantage is just how invasive it can feel to have the coil inserted. You will need to have it inserted by a doctor, and many women complain of pain during this procedure. After insertion, you might also have to worry about cramps, nausea and even blood for a time, and your periods might feel more painful or seem a little heavier for about six months. All that being said, it remains popular for the very good reason that it is the most effective contraception there is. If you are really concerned with not getting pregnant, it might be the best option, as there is no pill to take – or to forget to take.

Birth Control

 

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The App

 

You might have heard in the news recently about an app which has been said to be one of the most effective contraceptives going. Natural Cycles is an app for your phone which has been certified by a number of global medicine industries to be an effective contraception, and more and more women are trying it out as we speak. So how does this work, and how can you possibly avoid getting pregnant using an app?

Basically, it uses your temperature to tell you whether or not you are currently in your fertile phase – and based on that information, you can then know whether or not it is safe to have sex. This might sound over-simplistic, but the fact is that hundreds of thousands of women around the world are using it, and it has been proven to work very reliably in many cases. Basically, it is an app which helps you with the process of natural planning. An obvious disadvantage of this is that it does not mean you can have sex at any time, whereas other contraceptives will allow you to do just that. It is also likely that many users will fail to record their temperature properly, or forget to do it for days in a row, and this will make it less reliable. You need to make sure you are genuinely ready to use it otherwise it might not work at all. But as long as you use it properly, it could be a non-invasive contraception which really works.

ethannevelyn.com
My Random Musings

 

 

Feature Image Credit: Dmitry Zimin/Shutterstock

 

Buying a baby pushchair is quite like buying a new car, and to be frank, almost just as expensive. There are so many things to take into consideration when investing in such an item. How much storage space do you need? Do you live in a busy city, or the countryside with bumpy roads? Are you strictly buying the pushchair to suit a new born baby, or are you expecting to use it for longer? Fortunately, there are pushchairs out there to suit all needs and budgets (almost).

Prams

Credit: Fusionstudio/Shutterstock

A pram is a great choice for new-borns as it allows the baby to lie completely flat. A carrycot on wheels, prams can only be used for the first 6 months of the baby’s life, until they can start supporting their heads on their own. Lately new designs incorporate both a pram and a standard buggy in one, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Travel system

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This is a great option if you own a car and need a car seat for your baby. The travel system usually combines a standard buggy with a detachable car seat and sometimes they may even feature a pram or carrycot. However, car seats are a safety tool for transporting the baby while in a vehicle and should not be used on long walks, shopping trips or to sleep in at home. Leaving a child in a car seat for more than 2 hours could put his or her life and health in danger.

3-wheeler buggy

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As the name suggests the 3-wheeler buggy has (surprise surprise) 3 wheels, one in the front and 2 in the back. The wheel in the front can be either locked or let free to swivel. Depending on the potential use, size and weight, there are several types of 3-wheel buggies: urban 3-wheelers, twin or tandem 3-wheelrs, all-terrain pushchairs (ATP), jogger buggy and 3-wheeler travel systems.

Lightweight buggy

Credit: Oleg Mikhaylov/Shutterstock

The ‘stroller’ or lightweight buggy is great for those with a busy city life, who usually walk or take the bus around town. They can weigh less than 6kg (0.9 stone) and they can be folded, so they are more compact making them easy to carry and store. When your baby has reached toddlerhood, this buggy may not be suitable for him or her anymore. Another potential disadvantage is that you cannot overload it with bags or other items as, due to its light weight, it can easily be tipped over.

Standard buggy

 

Credit: Oleggg/Shutterstock

The standard 4-wheeler buggies are suitable for both new-borns and babies over the age of 6 months. They are slightly harder to manoeuvre than the 3-wheeled buggies, but there is not much in it. The prices for standard buggies can go from around £100 pounds to over £600 for a designer one.

Rear and forward-facing buggy

Credit: Vera Petrunina/Shutterstock

This is a great option as it contains a reversible seat unit which allows parents to either have the baby facing them or forward. Some studies suggest that children prefer facing their parent while in the buggy. This makes them happier and more interactive.

Twin buggy

Credit: Li_Al/shutterstock

Twin buggies can either be for twins or siblings of similar ages. Both children are free to look around and interact with each other. Pushing a twin buggy around all day can be very hard, therefore it is best to look for lightweight twin buggies which can weigh under 15 kg. (2.4 stone)

Tandem Buggy

Credit: Patryk Kosmider/Shuttersock

The tandem buggy is similar to the twin buggy in the sense that it allows you to carry 2 children at a time. However, with the tandem buggy they are essentially one on top of the other, rather than next to eachother. You can use this option with either a toddler and a new-born or two toddlers.

 

Winnettes
Mummies Waiting
My Random Musings

When you’re trying to cater for everyone, it can become an impossible task to find the perfect holiday destination that will keep all the family happy.

We thought we’d put a stop to the family disputes and come up with a few family-friendly holiday ideas to get you inspired for your next summer break abroad!

  1. Explore to Your Heart’s Content

A family of adventurers should head to France to experience some of the stunning sights that the country has to offer people of all ages.

From the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris to the lessons in World War II in Normandy, France is iconic. If you don’t mind the cold, head to the snowy French Alps for some skiing lessons, whilst enjoying the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc. Younger children can toboggan down the slopes and there’s a waterpark and mountainside restaurants to keep you busy on your holiday.

If you prefer to have your feet on more solid ground, head to Dordogne in central France for a huge variety of things to see and do for the whole family. Medieval castles overlooking the river, adventure parks and old cave paintings are all things to add to the itinerary.

  1. For Foodie Families

If food is what bonds you all together, Italy is the place to be for your next family holiday! Tuscany, Sardinia, Florence, Sicily – these Italian paradises offer hearty food made from the freshest ingredients, along with a delicious glass of wine or prosecco to wash it down with.

Head to the coast for some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever find, such as the charming city of Portoferraio, which is perfect for food-lovers of all ages!

  1. Accommodation That’s Fun for Everyone

When looking for spots that will keep the whole family happy, how about camping? But not camping as you might know it – a luxury mobile holiday home in a Eurocamp holiday parc in various destinations in Spain, France and Italy.

With shops, restaurants, water parks, BBQs, kids’ clubs, zip wires, climbing walls and many more activities, there’ll certainly be something for everyone when you book holiday accommodation like this, and it’ll all be right on your doorstep! What could be easier?

 

If you’re stuck for ideas for your next holiday, keep all the family happy with one of the fun destinations above. Whether you’re looking for good food, adventure or relaxation, Europe has it all, and you can experience the best of it with our holiday tips above.

The Pramshed
Mummies Waiting

When you can’t open your Instagram app without stumbling across dozens of food pictures from the most popular lifestyle bloggers, it’s easy to see how far the phrase “you are what you eat” has come. In the social world, you are truly what you eat, or at least what you put on your plate _ there is rarely photo evidence that Instagramers indeed eat what they post online. Maybe the colourful and healthy breakfast they showcase with the neon-green kale smoothie is only for the camera, and in reality, they gorge on pop tarts and microwaved crumpets. It’s impossible to know. But as the entire profile popularity can be constructed on your ability to display the food you claim you eat in the most elegant and stylish manner, it seems that our social choices of food define who we are and whether we’re worthy of social approval, aka of a like. But aside from the social media world, in real life – #OutsideofInstagram – the food you eat make you the person you are. And here’s how it works!

You Are What You Eat

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When the wrong food hurts you

If you think that food should be a pleasure, you’ll immediately sympathise with the constant pain of people who suffer from IBS. According to patient.info, the irritable bowel syndrome is a medical condition in which certain types of food are painful to digest. Patients experience stomach cramps after eating, and they often struggle with bloating and constipation. Unfortunately, the only solution to tackle this disease is to change your diet. The sensitive guts of people with IBS means that they need to reduce their intake of onions, pulse, apples and fruits that contain stones, milk and dairy food, fatty meals, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. In other words, you can avoid most restaurants and nights out because IBS doesn’t want you to have fun.

When a little bit of the right food can turn your mood

Thankfully food isn’t always your enemy. If you’re experiencing high stress, sometimes a little treat can go a long way. For instance, a lot of people, can worry about money or maintaining a healthy work/life balance. But when you feel that you need a break from your stress bubble, it’s time for comfort in caloric but homeopathic doses! A square of dark chocolate can help to improve your mood visibly as it increases the production of serotonin, aka the happy hormone. If you need something warm, have a large cup of tea or homebrewed coffee to help you relax. There’s a comforting feeling in holding a warm mug between your hands.

The food that protects you

Finally, if you want to stay healthy and avoid colds and infections, you need to find ways to boost your immune system. Garlic has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and helps to promote healthy gut flora. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A and help to keep infections from entering your body. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory which helps to get rid of toxins. And don’t forget your dark leafy greens that are rich in vitamin C!

Are you really what you eat? The answer is yes. While you may not want to draw a personality report from the food on your plate, you can certainly decide on your health when you choose what to eat.

Mummy in a Tutu