When we talk about health, we usually look at the broad spectrum. However, health is actually made up of lots of different elements. There’s physical health, mental health, oral health, and hearing health. Other types of health exist as well, but we’re going to focus on your hearing health today.
I'm Ellen, a thirty-something gal who blogs about finance, home decor + organizing, fashion, and my 4 Chihuahuas. I love sharing my tidy home and debt free lifestyle and giving advice to others. I'm also the author of Fixing Your Finances!
To learn more about me or to figure out where to start click on the links below. Keep scrolling to see my latest blog posts!
Stop It! You're Damaging Your Hearing Health Without Even Knowing It
Friday, February 28, 2020
When we talk about health, we usually look at the broad spectrum. However, health is actually made up of lots of different elements. There’s physical health, mental health, oral health, and hearing health. Other types of health exist as well, but we’re going to focus on your hearing health today.
My Favorite Netflix Series Roundup
Everyone knows I’m a sucker for a good Netflix series….well today I decided to round up some of my long time favorites. If you’re in a Netflix binge state of mind, check out these series for some juicy twists and pure entertainment.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Photography can be an important part of your daily life whether it's taking photos for your blog or website, photographing products for your business, or photographing people as your career. Whether you're just starting out or you've been dabbling for a while, these tips can really help you get the best out of your camera and your photos.
Dealing With The Effects Of Stress
It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by stress and worry in the modern world. The average person has so many responsibilities to think about, from attending full time work to paying bills on time, all whilst caring for yourself and potentially a family too. Dealing with this much pressure can ultimately cause mental and physical side effects, and have a negative impact on the general quality of your life. However, there are many positive coping mechanisms that can encourage you to heal and grow no matter what life throws at you, and you can help to ensure that you achieve the best mental and physical wellbeing despite high levels of stress. So, if you’re struggling with worry and anxious thoughts and would like to find out more about how you can convert these negative emotions into something beneficial rather than detrimental, then read on to uncover some of the most productive ways that you can deal with the effects of stress to start feeling noticeably better in no time at all.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
If there's one thing you can say about modern life, it's that you can never be totally sure what it's going to throw at you. One of the most common mistakes that a lot of people make is that they don't pay attention to their life as it happens around them and that leaves them dazed and confused when things don't go exactly how they were expecting it to. If you end up in that situation, things can become very stressful very quickly. However, that's not the way things have to be. Here are just a few situations that you need to learn how to handle and how being able to roll with the punches can make your life a whole lot better.
Could You Be A Mean, Lean, Fifteen-Minute Cleaning Machine?
Owning a house is great, isn’t it? Finally, you can create the space you want however you want it, and shut the door on the rest of the world after a long day. You don’t need to worry about landlords or pushy parents; it’s all down to you. Sadly, so is the cleaning.
Why You Need to Sacrifice For Your Financial Goals
When it comes to getting yourself in a better financial situation, it’s common practice to set specific goals. Maybe you want to build up a nice savings fund so you never have to stress out in an emergency. Perhaps you want to pay off your credit card debt and student loans. Maybe you simply want to get on a budget and stop living erratically desperately waiting on your next paycheck. Whatever your goals are, I am telling you that it’s nearly impossible to achieve them without making some sort of sacrifice.
Taking Care Of Your Health Can Be Simple
Taking care of your health doesn’t have to be the massive uphill battle that it is constantly being made out to be. Sometimes it can feel this way, but that doesn’t mean that’s necessarily how it is. In fact, looking after your health doesn’t require much from you at all, just some of the basic things that you should really be doing anyway! There are some simple things that you can do to keep yourself healthy, and we are going to be looking into some of these things in this article. If you want to know more about this topic and find out what you can be doing, then keep reading down below.
Eat The Right Food
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
5 Of The Best Spring Time Flowers For Your Garden'
Keen gardeners often look forward to the end of winter, as the spring draws near we start to see a little color return to our gardens. There are so many beautiful flowers that can complete your springtime garden. For a few ideas, these five flowers are some of the best picks.
Why You Should Try Toe Socks
You might not give too much thought to your socks. They are functional, things that you need, but that aren’t particularly exciting. You might have different colors for different outfits and even patterns, or you might just buy whatever you can find when you need new ones.
But your socks are more important than you might think. They keep your feet warm and dry, stop you from getting blisters on your heels in new shoes, and mean that you can take your shoes off without worrying about what you’ve got on your feet. And they can be much more exciting than you might think.
Toe socks are a great example of a sock with a difference, and they come with a range of benefits of their own. Here’s a look at some of them.
CC0 Licence - https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-wearing-pair-of-white-girls-rule-text-printed-socks-2041397/
Books I Recommend You Read [February]
Check out some of the great reads I cozied up with this month!
Monday, February 24, 2020
A good night’s sleep can be more beneficial to you and your body than you think. Repairing your body is important, especially after a busy day of work and play. Here are four benefits of a good night’s sleep.
How To Stay Positive When Things Aren’t Going Your Way
We all have days (and weeks or months) where everything just seems to go wrong. Things break, your finances get messed up, your mood is completely shot, and you may have a lot of stress and anxiety about your job or home life. It can at times see impossible to keep our head up, but I promise you that it’s something you can work on. I have always been told that I have such a positive attitude even when my life seems to be in shambles and it got me thinking, what do I do to keep positive when it feels like the world’s against me. I decided I’d share what I do to stay positive and keep going when times are tough and it seems impossible.
Doggy Disasters: Coping With A Dog With Behavioural Issues
It can be extremely difficult to accept that your dog has behavioral issues, especially if you’ve had them since they were a puppy. When a dog has behavioral problems, it can begin to feel like somewhat of a blame game; this is why many owners are hesitant to say that their dog has these kinds of issues, due to the stigma related to admitting that there’s an issue.
Basic Deck Maintenance Tips
A deck can be a wonderful finishing touch to your garden, giving you somewhere to relax, entertain and look out over your plants. When you have a deck put in, it’s important to properly maintain it. With proper care, your deck will look good and stay sturdy for many years to come, saving you the cost of repairs or replacement.
Friday, February 21, 2020
I have such exciting news but you may already know about it if you follow me on any of my social media channels. I now do custom paintings of...well...anything really, although pets seem to be the most popular!!
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Believe it or not, your skin is affected by pretty much everything you do. Whether it’s by coming into contact with laundry detergent or even harsh sun rays. If you want to start taking better care of your skin, then you have to make sure that you are looking out for the main causes of skin damage so that you can do your best to avoid them.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Have you ever walked into a room in your home and realized how much of a hot mess it is? The more you avoid it, the more overwhelming it gets until eventually you have to deal with it in a rush because you have guests coming over. I know it feels super overwhelming and time consuming, but today I’m going to show you how to break it down into a process that will allow you to sort through, declutter, and re-organize ANY room in your home.
Monday, February 17, 2020
People always say when they find out I have 4 SENIOR chihuahuas that I must be broke. Now, when I first had 4 chihuahuas I was definitely struggling but then it got to a point where I realized I needed to get my stuff together and set money aside for not just their regular vet expenses but also any emergencies. And when Rocky was diagnosed with his heart issue and I learned he’d need 2 cardiologist appointments a year, I started doing some specific things to save money overall. The things I’m about to list below are what have worked for me. They could work for you too but don’t be afraid to tailor my advice to better suit your specific needs.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
If the 2010s were all about ‘the future is coming’, then the 2020s will be about ‘the future is now’. The business world will be a pioneer in contemporary technologies, being implemented to make our everyday lives easier. Future-proofing in any business is not easy, because you’re beholden to what the industry can provide you. There are many ways in which you can slowly implement better technologies and despite cutting edge software and hardware being new to your employees, the sooner you make them familiar the better. The toughest part of planning for the future is teaching employees how to use the new equipment.
How To Run A Successful Facebook Group
Facebook groups are definitely where it’s at right now for bringing people together. Whether you’re selling a service, on a spiritual journey, or just needing advice and support, a Facebook group seems to be the go-to place. There are even commercials for utilizing Facebook events and groups features now, which shows me that it’s really an important tool for businesses and individuals alike. So how can you run a successful Facebook group of your own? Well, seeing as how I have like 4 Facebook groups I run (true crime, finance, local group, and a study group), I figured I’d share some tips that have really helped me personally with mine.
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Gardening is a great hobby that provides you with a way to relax and fresh produce. The food you produce is cheaper and more nutritious than what you can buy in the store. There is also something rewarding about eating what you grow. If you live in an area with limited gardening space, don’t become frustrated. Here are some tips to help you garden no matter what your living situation is currently.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Don’t be mislead by this post title because college can come with huge costs but it can be really worth it, especially if you’re smart with your finances before, during, and after. For those that wish to attend college but are worried about the costs, here are some tips to help you make the entire experience of college more affordable.
Reduce Stress and Regain Your Spirit
The pressure from work, family and worrying about the future can be a real burden. Once in awhile you need to take a breath and try to reflect. Stress is one of the biggest causes of health problems and even accidents. To help you to improve your mindfulness, self esteem and general wellbeing, consider these easy tips in order to stay calm this year.
Self-Love | Why It Matters + How To Practice It
We throw around the word love a lot these days. We love things, we love people, we love places, and we say we love ourselves too but that doesn’t always seem to be true. We also throw around the term self-love but it’s as if we just act like we know what it means without ever really discovering how radically it can change our lives. Here’s the thing… loving your self is amazing AND important. Radical self-love will get you through anything in life and today I’m going to talk about why it’s self-love is important as well as how you can practice loving yourself even more. And NO, self-love is NOT selfish in any way shape or form. Some of the most grounded and blissful people practice self-love every moment of every day and they are some of the most selfless people out there. So before we even get into detail, DO NOT allow yourself to associate self-love with being selfish AT ALL.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
From The Top Down: The Best Home Renovations For Big Resale Value
One of the most profitable investments is, hands down, real estate. If you are looking to renovate your home and sell it on, you can almost guarantee a profit. But this isn't always the case. Not every home renovation can guarantee a decent return on the investment. So many houses need upgrading that they can be too much of an investment. And if you've bought a property for the sole purpose of selling it on you need to know the most profitable parts of the home that needs replacing. What are these?
What’s the Hype with Crystals?
If you have 2 eyes and are on social media at all these days, you’ve likely seen stuff about crystals and people charging them in the full moon light, carrying them in their bra, or holding one closely and setting an intention with it. So, what’s the deal? Is it legit and what kind of stuff can crystals really “do”?
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
You may have heard of animal or pet therapy, which has become an important part of mental health treatment. Since research found substantial evidence that people benefit spending time with animals and it is extremely good for their health, it has become a very popular treatment. Teen mental health programs now incorporate equine therapy programs that actively involve horses because the connection between people and horses allows people to address their emotions and issues through a powerful, direct experience of nonverbal communication.
How To Love Your Yard Area
You could argue that we should all be spending more time outdoors than we currently do. It can bring so many benefits to our lives, and asks so little in return. While it’s important to build some time in true nature into our lives, we can also look a little closer to home, too. And by that, we mean much closer to our home -- our yard areas! With a little bit of time and effort, you can put together a yard space that you positively love, one that might just become the most favorite area of your property. We take a look at how you can do this below.
Monday, February 10, 2020
You may have noticed over the last few months with my social media feed I am sharing altars, nature, and spiritual type posts. I share my altar each wheel of the year holiday, I make nature mandalas out of leaves when I’m outside, and I set intentions with candles and carry crystals around at all times. So what’s the deal?
Friday, February 7, 2020
I always jokingly say how my dogs live THE absolute best life ever, but they really do. I mean no wonder they never try to run away from home. If I could come back as anything, it’d be a dog…owned by me. Seriously, I know I don’t have kids so maybe that’s why my dogs live like humans, but either way I figured it’d be fun to look at a day in the life of my dogs.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Anxiety is an incredibly common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It is often tied into depression and together they can cause a multitude of problems that are both worrying and scary. Anxiety can manifest in different ways, some may display symptoms physically such as an attack or panic, others may suffer with migraines, digestive issues or lack of concentration. The symptoms are endless and it is vital that you can learn to help yourself on a long term basis to ensure that anxiety doesn’t start ruling your life. Your health comes first and it’s important to start learning how to assist these feelings.
Photo: Pixabay
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
I was recently thinking of little life hacks or tricks I do in the Winter that help save me money or prevent me from spending it. Cabin fever is a real thing and as much as you may be tempted to sit in front of the computer ordering things on Amazon or going shopping in a store just to get out of the house, there’s better options that’ll save you in the long run.
Monday, February 3, 2020
We all know that sugar isn’t good for you and you shouldn’t eat too many sugary snacks, but a lot of people underestimate just how damaging it can be. People also don’t realize just how much sugar they are eating because they tend to associate it with candy or soda. But even if you cut those obvious sources of sugar out, there are a lot of foods with hidden sugars. Fruit juice, for example, is packed with just as much sugar as a soda. A lot of foods that are advertised as being fat-free will have more sugar added to make up for the loss in flavor. Ready made sources are also filled with sugar. That means that you may be eating a lot of sugar, even if you are making an effort to eat a healthy diet, and it could cause you a lot of harm. Cutting out sugar is one of the best things that you can do for your health because it leads to a wide range of health problems. These are some of the biggest reasons why you should cut sugar out of your diet.
Image From Pexels CCO License
Glucose Spikes
When you eat a lot of sugar, it causes your glucose levels to spike and then drop very rapidly, and this has a lot of negative effects. When you hit that slump after a sugar high, you can experience fatigue, mood swings, and headaches. It will also cause sugar cravings, which leads to more snacking and an increased chance of weight gain. But if you cut out sugar, you will see an improvement in your mental health and you will find it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Risk Of Diabetes
Eating too much sugar can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes if you do not cut back. While most people assume that you have to be eating lots of candy all the time or drinking soda every day before you develop diabetes, that isn’t the case. These effects can be caused by hidden sugars in other foods as well, so you need to be careful. If you are concerned about your risk of diabetes, you should test your blood sugar levels right away. If they are high, seek advice from a doctor on ways to cut back on sugar and reduce your chance of developing diabetes.
Tooth Decay
Even if you have a good oral hygiene routine, eating too much sugar can lead to serious tooth decay problems. If you are not careful, you may end up losing your teeth entirely. If you want to protect your smile, cutting out sugar is one of the best things that you can do.
Premature Aging
You can spend as much money as you like on expensive anti-aging creams, but it won’t do much if you are still eating lots of sugar. When sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to certain proteins and the mix of these proteins and the sugar causes your skin to lose elasticity, which makes wrinkles appear more easily. If you cut out sugar, you should notice a big difference to your skin. Sugar also ages you on the inside, so it’s bad for your overall health as well as your skin.
If you are going to make one change to improve your health this year, cutting out sugar is the best choice.
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Hawaii Poke – Camp Hill | Restaurant Review
Last year, a small shopping center went up just about a mile up the road from my house. When I learned there were several restaurants going in that seemed to be focused around healthy and nourishing food I was totally stoked. One of those restaurants, Hawaii Poke, has become my absolute favorite!! I could literally eat it every day.