Sitting is the new Smoking

January 26, 2023February 24, 2023 ~ Loreeebee ~ 3 Comments

Have you heard? Sitting is the new smoking, in terms of what is bad for us that is. What is really ironic is that this advice comes to us in the midst of a pandemic lockdown where we have been advised to sit on our couch and stay at home.

We (should) all know why smoking is bad for us by now, that is nothing new. Although many people continue to smoke, research has been telling us for years of the damages smoking causes to our bodies.

Why is Sitting Bad for us?

Harvard Medical School reports that sitting is unhealthy for the following reasons:

it relaxes your largest muscles. Even if you’re reasonably active, hours of sitting—whether reading a book, working on the computer, or watching TV—tighten the hip flexor and hamstring muscles and stiffen the joints themselves. Overly tight hip flexors and hamstrings affect gait and balance, making activities like walking harder and perhaps even setting you up for a fall. Plus, tight hip flexors and hamstrings may contribute to lower back pain and knee stiffness, scourges that many people suffer with every day.

So, how can we Flex our Muscles Instead?

We can flex our relaxed and tightened muscles by consciously adding more activity into our daily routines. Many of us working from home are expected to spend the day on our computers. If you cannot remember to do so, set a timer to remind you to get up and move around more. Here are a few suggestions of things you can do to ensure those muscles are not stiffening up:

Answer or make your phone calls while standing up. Walk around while you talk
If working from home on a computer for extended amounts of time, get an adjustable computer desk so you can stand up while working.
Sit on a stability ball, instead of in an armchair while watching TV. This activates your core muscles as you try to stay upright. You might not want to try this while using your computer.
If your joints are aching, find exercises to keep the joints loose. Aching joints are a vicious circle, the less you move them the achier they get, but the achier they are the harder it is to exercise them.
If you have multiple levels in your home, make a point of using the stairs as you walk around. I used to leave stuff on the steps to take upstairs in one trip, but now I go up every time. Sometimes I forget why I went up, but I do go up!
Find online exercise routines to follow if you are used to going to the gym.
Take up yoga, starting with beginner poses (find them online too). Work your way up to the more complicated (flexibility required) ones.

My personal in-house exercises are planks, high knees, squats, lunges, and yoga poses. I do most of these on a regular basis in the winter months when my garden business is literally buried under the snow.

Of course, if you can, get outside for your exercise, even in the winter. Fresh air and sunshine are more than just good for your muscles. They are also good for your mental health, immune system, and more.

When I’m Sick

January 8, 2023January 8, 2023 ~ Loreeebee ~ 5 Comments

I hate when I’m sick. I realize not many people like it but some definitely cope better than others, more content (the advantage of being introverted, I guess) to lounge around day after day. Not me, it’s driving me crazy!

A Cold or RSV but not Covid?

These past two weeks I have been feeling miserable, with a hacking cough and sinus infection. Hubby caught whatever it is a few days after me. His coughing is worse (chestier) than mine as his lungs are weakened by allergies. He typically suffers much longer than I do too.

It hit me the day we were scheduled to host Christmas dinner, a mere week after we arrived home from Florida. I woke up with a scratchy throat, assuming it was from a poor sleep. I performed a rapid antigen test, the kind we have available at our local grocers, just to be sure it was not Covid related, so I could warn family members (before they arrived) if it was.

I have repeatedly tested myself for Covid since then with negative results. Who knows though, if rapid tests are capable of detecting the current variants.

Immune Systems

My immune system used to be much stronger, in fact, at one point in my life its over-reaction was the final verdict (after thousands of tests) in the saga of my stillbirths.

Within the past (almost) three years that hasn’t been the case. Instead, I seem to catch everything that goes around. I know I’m (aren’t we all?) getting older but this seems drastic to me, considering otherwise I’m in good shape and health. I guess that’s why they have an over 60 category in vaccination availability, I just keep forgetting that this category refers to me.

My immune system has definitely been significantly weaker since I was sick with a brutal cold in February of 2020, the worse one I’ve ever experienced. I now believe that the virus that struck me down back then was Covid-19, before Covid was a household name here. At least here in Canada. Suspicious theories have it lurking long before we reacted to it (shut down) in mid-March, 2020.

Due to our weakened immune systems, and the desire to travel and spend time with our six rapidly-growing, active grandchildren, we obligingly rolled up our sleeves for four rounds of Covid vaccinations over the past two and a half years, and one flu shot most recently. I hate to think how sick we would be without all those shots; it sure does make you wonder about their efficacy. But that’s a whole other story, one I’m quite happy to let the scientists rule on.

Limited Accomplishments When I’m Sick

I’ve been getting lots of rest, in fact wake up in the mornings thinking I’m better, only to be frustrated with a return of coughing fits and green-filled (gross) sinuses around 2 pm. I did the same that other time I was so sick, thought I had recuperated when I had in fact not. Passing out in the shower was the rude awakening then, so this time I am trying to be more patient. Pun intended.

I’ve managed little things around the house, like (lovingly) banishing Christmas decorations to the garage for another year. And sprouting and potting up new plant babies that were meant to be birthday gifts for my two late-December-celebrating daughters-in-law. I figured with no human babies due this year (that I know of) some plant babies would be appropriate. If you two are reading this, your (plant) babies are still here waiting for me to be healthy enough to drop them off. And, I cannot wait to spend time with your real babies! And you and your husbands of course. That is the worst part when I’m sick. Hands down, this extrovert misses her family.

Spending time chatting with my youngest son has also been a bonus as he’s been home from Victoria for a month over the holidays. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to go out much; lunches at new (to us) spots are our favourite. We did go check out the outdoor Christmas lights in our neighborhood and downtown one evening though. And cheered on the Canadian hockey team as it competed in the World Juniors tournament, emerging as the champions in the final game. Some of the games, including the final, were a little too nail-bitingly exciting, with the winning goal delayed until 3-on-3 overtime. Despite my cold, I was able to hold my breath (both in fear and anticipation) as well as yell and cheer loudly, joining many other hockey fans across this hockey-loving country.

That’s about the extent of my excitement though, so far this year…Cheers to a happy and healthy 2023!

photo credit

Melaleuca Products: The Power of Nature

November 17, 2022February 24, 2023 ~ Loreeebee ~ 3 Comments

I was reminded recently of just why I love Melaleuca products so much. They are not the cheapest on the market, but they are natural, bio-degradable, non-toxic to the environment and the user, as well as allergy friendly. And they work. They work extremely well.

What are Melaleuca Products?

This video explains the evolution of Melaleuca products as well as how and why they work. It also touches on the business side of the company. If you are interested in becoming a preferred customer (PC) to ensure you get the best prices and other perks, contact me to help you with the process.

I started using them years ago when I finally noticed how my body reacted to other cleaning products and personal care products.

My Favourite Melaleuca Products

There are tons of products, from make-up to cleaning products with healthy food and drink items, vitamins and supplements too. Here are just a few of my favourites:

Cleaning Products

This post was inspired this morning when I was cleaning the top of my kitchen cupboards prior to decorating them for the Christmas season. Don’t judge me, but this is about the only time these cupboard tops get a good cleaning. I am always amazed at how dusty and dirty they get. For this specific task, I choose Melamagic, a heavy-duty cleaner. I also use this miraculous cleaner to wash floors at the cottage and home and even to get rid of the black gunky stuff in our pedal boat every spring. It comes in liquid form (just add a bit to your bucket of water) or in handy wipes.

Soluguard, concocted from thyme and lemon, is my go-to for spraying door handles, kitchen, and bathroom counters etc. It too comes in liquid or wipes. The wipes are great to keep in your purse for cleaning things you come in contact with outside your home. This was (still is) particularly helpful during our obsession with the Covid-19 virus.

I am also fond of Melaleuca dish soap, dishwasher pods, and laundry soap.

Make-Up and Personal Care Products

Although I don’t order the make-up products (I don’t use much) I do like their unscented, aluminum-free deodorant and their lip balm. There are many flavours of lip balm to choose from that include protection from the sun. These are perfect for outdoor sports and for those of us that work outdoors. I order lots for stocking stuffers as my whole family (including the men and grandkids) love them.

I’m also stuck on Renew Body Lotion as a moisturizer that I slather all over, especially after showering and before bedtime. It makes a great make-up remover too, safe for use all over your face, including around your eyes. Renew comes in a few sizes, from purse size (also great for stocking stuffers) to the largest, most economical pump bottle.

Essential Oils

Another category of Melaleuca products I love and order regularly are essential oils. I use them to make my own bug spray, air fresheners, skincare, and more.