Back to the Past

 

 

Do you feel like you’re living life in a whirlwind? Is everyday rushed and frantic? Are you constantly struggling to keep on top of daily life? Do you wish you could live a simpler, more stress-free life that’s kinder both to you and to the environment?

Well, you’re not alone. Many people are getting fed up of the hectic pace at which we live our lives and want to make their home environments and lifestyles simpler. Here are a few ways in which you can take inspiration from days gone by to simplify family life whilst having a positive impact on the environment:

 

Transport
Almost every family today has at least one car but 60 years ago, only the wealthy would have had their own transport. Think about the journeys you make and rather than automatically jumping into the car, try cycling or walking instead. Not only is this better for your health but will help cut your carbon emissions too.

 

Clothes
Whether the buttons have fallen off your shirt or you just feel like something new to wear for a night out, it’s become normal to buy new clothes on a regular basis. Rather than mending clothes, we choose to buy new ones and with low prices and more choice than ever before, most of us have wardrobes bulging with cheap items that are only worn a handful of times. In the past, people cared for their clothes a lot more carefully and would mend items rather than replace them. By investing in fewer but better quality items, you’ll have a more stylish wardrobe and feel less stressed when deciding what to wear. And in addition you’ll be helping the environment by reducing the number of textiles sent to landfill and help cut the energy used in producing new clothes.

 

Recycling
In more frugal times, nothing was thrown away if it could be reused or repurposed. Think about the things you throw away and see if there is a new use for them. For example, empty jam jars can be washed and used as pretty flower containers, old envelopes can be used as scrap paper and empty boxes can be given to children for craft projects.

 

Cooking
Today we throw away more food than ever before. Of course, during the wartime rationing of the 1940s and 50s, many ingredients were incredibly scarce and people simply wouldn’t have dreamt of throwing food away. Today’s supermarkets and convenience food makes it easier than ever to buy and throw away food. Try making a food plan for the week, just as households in the 1940s and 50s would have done and then you will only need to buy the ingredients that you know you are going to use. Not only will this save you money and cut waste but could also lead to a healthier diet as you plan nutritious home cooked food rather than relying on ready-meals and takeaways.

 

Of course, many aspects of life in the 1940s and 50s were much tougher than today and it’s great that we have access to mod-cons and luxury items that make life easier but if you’re looking for easy ways to make your home environment and lifestyle simpler and more relaxed, then these by-gone eras may have lessons to offer.

 

For more information about creating a green family lifestyle, visit: www.futurefriendly.co.uk

Categories: Clothes, Food, items, life, nbsp

Are You Making This Serious Post-Workout Mistake?

If you are like most of the women in the world, you probably have a super-comfortable pair of workout trousers. You put them on every time you are doing any form of fitness, and no matter how much weight you lose, you still cling to the old, comfortable favourites. These trousers are so very snuggly and comfortable that you wish you could wear them all the time – to business meetings or on a night out. Since that is not really considered socially acceptable, for now you have to settle for wearing them to the gym. After your workout, you will be extremely tempted to keep them on for hours afterwards, to stay cosy and comfortable.

 

If you want to protect your wellness and wellbeing, however, then you should take off your workout clothes and shower as soon as you can. Keeping your workout clothes on when you have finished exercising is really bad for your health, as it can cause yeast infections (in much the same way that keeping a wet bathing suit on for too long can). This is the case no matter where you exercise, whether that’s in a warm and comfortable gym or outside in the cold – both of these are bad for you, as it’s the general dampness of any workout (and the sweaty undergarments) which cause infections.

 

The best advice we can give is to take a shower as soon as you finish working out. This is even more important if you have been working out in the open air and have any allergies, such as hay, grass or pollen, as these stick to your hair and clothes when you are out and about.

 

If you know for sure that you haven’t got time to have a shower afterwards (if you have to do errands or something) then at least make sure that the clothes you work out in are made from synthetic materials that are designed to keep the sweat away from your body.

Categories: Clothes, comfortable, mistake, nbsp, post, shower, Workout, workout clothes

How to Rid Your Home of Mothballs and Protect Your Health

In 2008, the European Union banned the sale of mothballs due to the fact that they contain a volatile chemical, naphthalene, which gives them their recognisable smell. In the U.S and other parts of the world, the compound is still widely used in mothballs. It’s even classified as a possible human carcinogen. A new group of Australian and New Zealand has found that naphthalene should be banned because of the damage it can cause to babies’ health, namely brain damage. Previous studies have found classic mothball chemicals could be very harmful to the health of adults, children and pets because of the exposure to gas vapours. The immediate risk to some peoples’ health is even greater, with nontoxic alternatives becoming more popular. Australian researchers believe that around five per cent of people of Asian, African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and babies with this condition who are exposed to mothballs could suffer from profound brain damage. It could even be fatal.

Nobody wants to find that their stored winter clothing has been chewed through by moth larvae, but opting to use mothballs isn’t the safe alternative to a damaged wardrobe. While the mothball chemical association with brain damage in children is alarming, the volatile nature of common mothball chemicals means that it’s in everyone’s interest to avoid using them. When you smell mothballs, you are immediately inhaling the insecticide. These balls are only meant to be used in an airtight area, in order to limit the exposure animals and people suffer. But most people don’t use the product correctly, so they pose a health risk. There are ways to avoid damage to your clothes without putting you and your family at risk of toxic chemical inhalation.

To begin with, clean clothes correctly. Clothing moths are more likely to feast on clothing made of animal fibres, such as wool, as well as on hair, dust and stains in unwashed clothes. Because of this, washing your clothes correctly before you store them will help to save their quality. Vacuuming regularly will cut down on the risk of moths and other pests thriving in your home, so pay particular attention to skirting boards and air ducts. Plant-based moth deterrents are far safer for your health than mothballs, so opt for lavender and sandalwood to keep the bugs away. Fill a cotton tea bag or an old handkerchief with cloves, tansy or sweet woodruff, as this is also popular for preventing moths. Some people put mothballs in the garden to prevent insects, snakes and other animals. However, it can also contaminate the soil and water, possible even poisoning beneficial insects. You should also know how to deal with a moth infestation in your home, should you be unlucky enough to develop one. Clothing moths feed on lint, pet hair and human hair, so remove this from your clothing to limit the spread of larvae feeding on it. You can also freeze infested clothing, although this may not be practical for anyone. Generally, keeping your home vacuumed and clean will help to avoid moths from laying larvae in wardrobes and clothing. You may wish to take your clothes out of storage every few weeks and give them a shake to air them and disrupt moths from laying eggs there. When you do this, vacuum and dust the storage area to remove any dust or hair from the space.

Categories: Clothes, clothes correctly, clothing, clothing moths, family health, health, Home, mothball chemicals, mothballs, Moths

How to Get a Decent Night’s Sleep in Spite of Allergies

Asthma affects your wellbeing with chest tightening, wheezing and coughing, so is it any wonder that many asthma sufferers have trouble sleeping at night? As an added wellness bonus, asthma and allergies often go hand-in-hand, and a new study published in Internal Medicine has found that 44% of people with allergies report waking up fatigued, despite getting a normal night’s sleep.

Dr Jonathan Horbal, DO, fellow of allergy immunology at University Hospitals in Cleveland says that if you’re losing sleep, you should blame your breathing. When your nose is congests, your body is getting less oxygen, which leads to a restless night’s sleep. However, Dr Horbal has provided three simple changes that you can make to send your allergies packing tonight, and get your full forty winks.

Firstly, at the risk of sounding like your mother, pick up those clothes off your floor! Dr Horbal explained that pollen is your number one seasonal allergy threat, and it just so happens that this seasonal irritant loves to cling to your clothes. Instead of dumping your clothes on the floor or on your bed, or even putting them away for another day’s wear, you should throw them in the laundry basket as soon as you strip off for bed.

Also, take a long hard look at your bookcase. Sure, everyone loves the smell of an old book, but if mould has you sneezing and sniffling, your much-loved classics could be to blame. Dr Horbal advised that ditching your old books for eBooks, or at least keeping your dusty bookcase out of your bedroom, can help you to have a more restful night. While we’re eliminating dust, try freezing your pillow! Your favourite pillow is loaded with dust mites, but Dr Horbal said that a 12-hour dip in the freezer every 1 to 2 weeks will kill the mites – and keep them from coming back.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) it is estimated that 75 to 85% of asthmatics have an allergy. If you believe you have either condition, you should consult a board-certified allergist, because they are the best-trained health professionals for performing testing and for treating both asthma and allergic diseases effectively. Contact your doctor or look online for more information.

How to Get a Decent Night’s Sleep in Spite of Allergies

Categories: allergies, Asthma, Clothes, dr horbal, Frozen Pillow, horbal, night, sleep