Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Author: Rosie

  • You Family Will Love This Holiday Idea

    Are your family itching to get on holiday. Well…are you itching to get on holiday? If you’ve had a stressful year where you feel like you haven’t done much, your life has been a bit overwhelming, and your body is just crying out for a break, then it might be time to think about what your family holiday is going to be. There’s still time to book something last minute, and as long as you have the money set aside, all you need to do is get planning. The planning process is what we’re here to talk about. Because we know how stressful it is trying to plan a holiday abroad, so we’ve got the solution for you. Take a camping trip rather than a holiday that requires you to get on a plane, and we promise you you won’t regret it. If you need a little persuading, here’s why we think you’ll love this family holiday idea.

    Photo by Dvir Adler on Unsplash


    It Feels More Relaxed

     

    Think of everything that you might find stressful about going on a family holiday, and wipe it out of your mind. Because a camping trip really isn’t stressful at all. There’s no rush to get through an airport, there’s no stress of keeping the kids entertained on the flight, there’s no long transfer at the other side. It’s all stress free. Well, the only thing that you might find slightly stressful is setting up the tent, but as long as you coordinate as a family, it should be up in no time. Due to knowing you’re in your own country, the whole holiday does feel more relaxed. You don’t have to stress to find directions, you’ve got your own car to go exploring in, and you can go to any part of the country! It also feels like more of a family bond is built. It might be hard to get used to at first, being in a tent altogether. But, in the long run, you feel more of a family!

     

    It’s So Easy To Sort

     

    All you need to do is get the equipment, pack your car, and find a location. You don’t even have to stick to just one location, you could go wherever the wind takes you! So, first of all, check out this link for more info on the camping equipment you might need. It’s all relatively cheap considering you’ll get many uses out of it. Then, do some Googling, and find the best locations for camping in your country. There will be so many of them around! Then, figure out what activities you would like to do when you’re there, and pick a date that you want to go!

     

    There’s So Much Adventure To Be Had

     

    Just because you’re not going abroad, it doesn’t mean there’s no adventure to be had. In fact, we believe that with a camping holiday, there’s way more adventure to be had. If you go in peak season, and you head to an official campsite that’s managed, you’ll find plenty of activities. If you head to one that’s slightly off the beaten track, you’ll definitely find loads of things to do such as kayaking, biking trails etc.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • When can I exercise again?

    When can I exercise again?

    Choosing to have plastic surgery is a major decision. You are about to allow a surgeon to alter your body in a way that could be permanent. It’s a decision that should never be made on an impulse. You should take your time as you consider the reasons why you want to enhance your figure or your face in some way. In the end, you should feel like you are about to have a personal transformation that will help you to be the person you truly want to be. Plastic surgery offers you a way to feel good about your appearance. It can give you a lift in spirits and improve your self-esteem. Once you have done some soul searching and some research, you can move forward with confidence. Even though you may feel like you are prepared, you are sure to have questions. One pressing matter for many clients is figuring out when they will be able to get back into a physical fitness regimen.

    Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash

    When Will You be Able to Exercise Again?

    When you opt to have plastic surgery, you have goals for yourself. You are aiming to improve your appearance in some way. The last thing you want to do is sacrifice your exercise routine. You don’t want weight gain to creep up on you. That being said, you need to be patient with your body. When you have surgery, you need to give your body an opportunity to heal. Your type of surgery will determine your recovery plan. If you have had a more involved or extreme procedure, expect to wait longer to jump back into your normal routine. If you have had something as minor as the addition of facial fillers, you may be able to resume physical activity sooner. As a general rule of thumb, plan on resting for the first forty-eight hours after your procedure. Your body needs a break. After that point, you should gradually become more active. You need to pay attention to what your body is telling you as well. If you experience severe discomfort, you need to stop what you are doing and talk to your doctor. Your plastic surgeon will give you recommendations as well. Each situation is unique.

    Guidelines for Exercise After Liposuction

    When you have liposuction, you have a small incision site where fat is removed. You may think that this is no big deal and it shouldn’t slow you down. For the first couple of days, take it easy. Plan on doing something light, like walking, for three to four weeks. You can gradually add in cardio exercises. By six weeks or so, you can pick up the intensity.

    What to Do after a Tummy Tuck

    A tummy tuck is much more involved than liposuction. You will have an incision that stretches across your body in addition to liposuction and the use of sutures to tighten your abdominal muscles. You are going to give your body time to adjust. At first, it will be a challenge to sit up, stand, and shuffle your way to the bathroom. You won’t be able to rely on your core. You’ll need to use your arms and legs as you get moving. Plan on light walking for the first month or so after your surgery. You can pick up your intensity after the first month, adding more cardio exercises. Six weeks into your recovery is a good point to add more variety to your routine. It’s recommended to wait at least ten weeks before you do any type of exercise that is going to put a strain on your abdomen or target your abdomen.

    Exercise After Breast Augmentation

    When it comes to surgery involving your breasts, whether it is breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, you are going to need to avoid any heavy lifting. Ten pounds is the maximum amount you are allowed in the weeks following your procedure and that doesn’t mean grab your weights to work out. Be careful when you are pushing or pulling on anything. You could strain your chest muscles. You can walk and do cardio exercises, but avoid anything that is going to have you bouncing up and down for that first month. You’ll be able to do more once you have made it through the first month. However, anything that targets your chest or involves heavy lifting may need to wait up to twelve weeks. You don’t want to risk making your implants move or injuring yourself. An injury can slow down the recovery process.

    What Can You Do After Surgery that Targets the Face?

    For up to a month after a facial procedure, you are going to want to steer clear of anything that is going to get your blood pumping harder or faster. Otherwise, you could cause more bleeding and swelling in your face, as well as other complications. Walking at an average pace is an exercise that is acceptable during this recovery period. Once you have waited a month, you can start adding cardio exercises to your routine. At six weeks, you can get back to what you normally like to do. As a rule of thumb, you’ll find that most surgical procedures take at least six weeks of healing time before you can get back into a more rigorous exercise routine. However, you can still take good care of yourself. Daily walks and yoga may be helpful in making you feel fit during this crucial time in your recovery. Watch what you eat, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. All of these steps will help you to feel your best as you embrace the changes that have been brought on by plastic surgery.

    Talk to Dr. Steinbrech About Your Plastic Surgery and Exercise Plan Today

    Call Dr. Douglas Steinbrech’s office today to answer any questions you may have about plastic surgery and exercise during your consultation. Dr. Steinbrech has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is considered one of the best in his field. He’ll be able to give you the guidance you need as you make this important decision about your body.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

     

     

  • Treatments for Nasal Obstructions

    Nasal obstruction is a condition that makes breathing through the nose more difficult. Nasal obstruction limits the airflow in and out of the nose. Also known as nasal congestion, nasal obstruction is caused by enlarged turbinates, nasal congestion, nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, tumors, and enlarged adenoids. Nasal obstruction includes anything which impedes the flow of air in and out of the nose thus, affecting one or both passages.

    In addition to this, the nasal obstruction can also be caused by an anatomical blockage or swelling of the nasal tissue which narrows the nasal cavity as well as congested passages. Nasal obstruction can be so uncomfortable when it frequently occurs which can affect one’s quality of life.

    Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on UnsplashPhoto by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

    Nasal obstruction can lead to several problems such as:

    Trouble sleeping
    Snoring
    Headaches
    Breathing difficulty
    Reduced sense of taste and smell
    Recurring sinusitis
    Obstructive sleep apnea
    Post-nasal drip
    Sleeping disorders

    Temporary causes of nasal congestion or obstruction

    Chronic sinusitis
    Cold or flu
    Some high blood pressure medication can cause nasal obstruction
    Environmental irritants like dust or smoke
    Nasal and sinus surgery

    Anatomical factors that can bring about nasal obstruction

    Enlarged turbinates- bony structures
    Nasal tumors such as cancerous or benign
    Nasal polyps such as benign growth in the nasal cavity
    Deviated nasal septum- deformed cartilage within the nose which blocks the airway

    Nasal obstruction consultation and evaluation

    The consultation starts with a comprehensive analysis of any associated medical history. It is vital for the doctor to understand what one’s sinus-connected symptoms are, their duration as well as any previous medication one has been taking. A detailed physical exam usually is conducted to seek anatomical clues such as deviated septum, allergic or swollen nose, enlarged turbinates or adenoids, sinus lining, masses or polyps which will help the doctor to understand the cause of the obstruction. Once done, the doctor will formulate a complete treatment plan which will involve medication trials as well as further testing. Typically, the follow up is done after weeks to determine whether the treatment is effective.

    Nasal obstruction treatment

    Nasal obstruction treatments are meant to make one’s breathing easier; improve their day-to-day activities, as well as the quality of their sleep. Some nasal obstruction treatments can be done from home. When one understands what causes their nasal congestion, it helps determine the best medication for them. One of the treatments that the doctor will recommend are home treatments.

    Home treatments procedures that are useful in relieving nasal congestion and decreasing snoring include:

    Avoiding known allergens
    Using a saline solution with distilled water to irrigate the nasal and sinus passages. One can use a bulb syringe, buy a pre-made saline solution or use a neti-pot to water the passages.
    Using a humidifier will help keep open the nasal passages
    Blowing one’s nose before bed will not allow mucus to build up hence making the passage as clear as possible
    Taking a hot shower before going to bed – this will help steam up the nasal airways thus, opening them
    Drinking lots of water also helps to keep the mucus flowing
    Avoid smoking- smoking is an outside irritant hence, can make worse the congestion
    Sleeping on one’s side-sleeping on one’s back can lead to mucus building-up

    The severity of the nasal congestion including the cause will determine what the doctor will describe for the patient:

    Nasal corticosteroids -Fluticasone, Budesonide, Triamcinolone
    Nasal antihistamines -azelastine, olopatadine
    Oral antihistamines
    Oral anti-leukotrienes –Montelukast
    Antibiotics in case a bacterial infection is detected

    All of these medications come with their advantages, disadvantages as well as side effects which the doctor will elaborate to the patient. In some cases, over-the-counter medication trials for such like nasal saline irrigation such as Neti-pot and Guaifenesin is recommended. Oral steroids such as prednisone are used to treat both chronic and acute sinusitis, although their long-term use is not recommended. Topical decongestants like Oxymetazoline can be used for relieving symptoms in critical situations. However, great care must be taken due to their addictive nature after a few days of use. These kinds of medications are useful in the most case. Nevertheless, some few cases may require surgery when anatomical sources are present.

    Sinus and nasal surgery

    Nasal and sinus surgery is conducted to widen the openings that drain the sinus, to effectively treat such conditions like rhinitis, nasal congestion, polyps, sinusitis and others.

    In-office treatment for nasal congestion

    There are various types of sinus surgery, most of which can be conducted through minimally invasive procedures that need no hospital stay and no incisions such as radiofrequency turbinate coblation. This kind of procedure involves a minimally invasive process which includes decreasing the turbinate tissue using radiofrequency energy. Other surgical operations that a doctor will recommend for anatomical nasal obstruction include:

    Septoplasty

    This kind of surgery is done to straighten the nasal septum.

    Turbinate reduction

    This type of surgery is also known as turbinoplasty or turbinectomy. It is typically conducted when the patient is under general anesthesia, to reduce airway resistance by decreasing the turbinate size.

    Image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery

    An endoscope is used to perform this kind of surgical procedure on outpatients to restore the drainage and ventilation the nasal cavity.

    Nasal valve surgery

    A surgical process customarily conducted under general anesthesia. It involves reconstruction or repairing of the internal and external nose structures to allow air to flow correctly into the nasal passages.

    If you are undergoing nasal congestion or obstruction as well as disruptive snoring caused by nasal blockage, book an appointment with one of the doctors at the Becker Ear Nose & Throat Center to have your nasal congestion repaired. Find more information here: www.beckerent.com.

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • Making Maths Fun For Young Children

    Making Maths Fun For Young Children

    Maths. It’s a word similar to dentist in that it has the ability to strike fear into people at its mere mention. When I think back to Boo’s age I didn’t have the best relationship with maths . It wasn’t until I had a fun lesson one rainy winters day with our school priest who taught us how to do our nine times table the easy way – two columns of ascending and descending names from 0-9 and voila you have a fool proof way of always knowing your 9 times table. 

    After that there was no stopping me when it came to maths, not because I’d suddenly developed Einstein type maths skills overnight but because I’d acquired confidence and in time it became my favourite subject. Fast forward to today and my love of maths from childhood is still with me – I’m a die hard believer in mental maths and have been determined to make it fun for Boo. 

    Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

    Maths doesn’t need to be a subject that is shied away from – I try to teach Boo that maths is one of the best subjects as there’s always an answer at the end of the challenge. 

    Finchley Nursery agree that as important maths is it should never be hard instead of fun so have come up with their tops tips when it comes to doing maths activities with your child.

    Finchley Pre School - How To Do Maths Activities

    Do you have any other tips to add? Let me know in the comments below…

    Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

  • A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    If there’s any downside to travelling as a family is that sometimes I overlook what’s available on our doorstep. I’ll hold my hands up to not being the biggest fan of staycations and I tend to keep days out to within the M25 as a die hard city girl. As part of their #TravelWithCondor campaign Condor Ferries challenged us to think outside the box when it comes to days out and invited us to head to Guernsey for a spontaneous day trip.

    A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    So with an early start to our Sunday, we drove down to Poole port ready to board the Condor Liberation – the check in and boarding process was quick and simple and before we knew it we were on board and taking our seats in Ocean Plus at the front of the ship. Say hello to recliner seats, vista views and the ever handy power sockets. Guernsey is less than 3 hours from Poole and is the perfect destination for those seeking a little more from a day trip without venturing as far as the continent. We arrived at the Channel Island, docking at the capital, Saint Peter Port, in time for lunch we headed off to explore the area by foot – the great thing about being a foot passenger is that we were off the boat in moments and making the most of our day trip.

    A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    After a delicious lunch at The Catch – which on top of great fresh local seafood has one of the best views of the harbour we went off to look at all the boats and have a general stroll. It’s amazing how the Channel Islands are a special mix of British culture and sentiments of holiday; perfect for a vacation mode top up.

    Top tip: if you get the chance to sample Guernsey ice-cream… do it! The Channel Islands are famed for the dairy and I am going to make the bold statement that I had the best rum and raisin ice cream EVER there.

    A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    We boarded the Condor Liberation late afternoon and the views where beautiful as we sailed out of port.

    A Day Trip To Guernsey with Condor Ferries

    On the return sailing back to Poole I took advantage of the genuinely great duty-free, with lots of special offers available on top of the tax free savings. All the facilities onboard are on one deck meaning that we got through dinner and shopping super quick leaving us time for a cheeky nap – call me an old lady but I always sleep so well at sea!

    There is no way to see everything Guernsey has to offer in a day, but day tripping with Condor Ferries is affordable and means that now we have the perfect reason to head back, so we can continue our adventures.

    So next time someone asks you ‘What did you get up to at the weekend?’ Instead of saying the usual of shopping/heading up to town, don’t settle for the same old next weekend, head to Guernsey…

    Disclosure: This is a collaboration with Condor Ferries, a fee was received for my time.