We are buying a second hand car seat. But unlike last time and the abandoned (money) seat in the garage, I am not going in blind… I’ve been armed with questions from #CarseatFullstop and intend not to come home with a denim covered car seat of unknown origins.
Winter can take its toll on your skin. The cold weather dries out your skin leaving it flaky, dry, and itchy. Therefore, it is important to switch up your skin care regime to help combat the effects of the colder months.
To break-through these struggles we need to build our motivation and self-esteem from the inside out. This means that at the beginning of each day you should take a conscious look at how you are doing. For example, you should score yourself out of 10 on physical energy, emotional wellness, mental sharpness and connection to purpose or a greater cause. Where you score lower, you can ask yourself what you need to make happen in your day ahead that will raise that score. What are you grateful for right now? What is your intention for today? What affirmation can you choose or create to frame your day ahead?
Done with compassion and genuine curiosity, this “checking in” morning practice will not only get you conscious, but will also support you in building and staying true to healthy personal habits.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses that although pneumonia vaccines are not effective against COVID -19, vaccinations against respiratory illnesses are highly recommended to protect your health and lowering the risk of becoming infected with any respiratory disease during this time. WHO also states that globally more children, under the age of 5, die from pneumonia than malaria, AIDS and TB combined. In SA, flu and pneumonia rank second – after intestinal infectious disease – as the leading cause of children under 5, which doesn’t make sense when vaccines are available in both the private and public healthcare sector for children and adults. Bonitas Medical Fund recommends having a flu vaccine, it is the first line of defence when it comes to protecting yourself. For those who are at risk of pneumonia, a second vaccination against Streptococcus pneumouniae is also recommended. What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. Many organisms can cause lower respiratory tract infections or pneumonia. Mixed infections with multiple viral and/or bacterial infections are common. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium known to be a common cause of bacterial pneumonia in South Africa. Pneumococcal infection may cause mild disease such as a middle ear infection or more complicated infections like pneumonia or an infection of the blood called bacteraemia. In South Africa, individuals at risk of more severe or invasive pneumococcal disease include the elderly, HIV-infected individuals and individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g. chronic lung disease). Severe disease may require hospitalisation for treatment and may result in death. These streptococcal bacteria can spread from the nose, throat and ears of infected individuals. Pneumococcal vaccine Two pneumococcal vaccines are registered for use in adults (over 18 years of age) in South Africa: The 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). PCV13 is also included in the South African Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) for childhood vaccines and is given to infants at 6 weeks, 14 weeks and 9 months. These vaccines aim to provide immunity against the types of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are most commonly associated with severe disease. According to local clinical guidelines from the South African Thoracic Society and Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa, since the introduction of the PCV13 into the EPI there has been a reduction in the number of cases of pneumococcal pneumonia caused by these types of Streptococcus pneumoniae in South Africa. Who should have the vaccination? Infants routinely receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13) as part of the EPI for childhood disease*. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for individuals who are at risk of developing severe disease*: individuals 65 years or older anyone with chronic medical conditions affecting the lung, heart or kidneys HIV-infected individuals Those with a compromised immune system due to other medical conditions (e.g. individuals with cancer) Pneumococcal vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic The pneumococcal vaccination is not active against the novel coronavirus and will not protect you from becoming infected; it will offer protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) states the following, ‘any intervention to lower the risk of becoming infected with any respiratory disease at this time may be of benefit. Lowering the risk of acquiring a respiratory infection, will allow for less visits to clinics and less hospital admissions, thus decreasing the burden on the health infrastructure at this time and lowering ones’ exposure to acquiring COVID-19 in the hospitals/clinics.’ Although pneumococcal vaccination does not protect against COVID-19 mild or severe disease or COVID-19 pneumonia, it could play a role in preventing secondary pneumococcal pneumonia infections in those with underlying conditions and the elderly. When to get vaccinated? If you think you may be within one of the groups at risk of severe pneumococcal disease, contact your pharmacy to check whether stock of the vaccine is available and schedule an appointment to be vaccinated. Most medical aid plans offer a free flu vaccine annually to members as well as a once off –pneumococcal vaccine for those over the age of 65. As part of the preventative care benefit this is taken from risk cover so it doesn’t deplete members’ savings. Bonitas says that despite the evidence of the efficacy of both the flu and the pneumonia vaccinations, there is not enough uptake. To address this and encourage more members to get vaccinated the Scheme runs email and SMS vaccine drives targeted at the elderly, high risk/emerging risk members as well as children. It reports that this has shown an improvement in people taking the necessarily precautions, but the Fund still believes there is a long way to go.
The term “superfood” is relatively new, but it has become extremely popular. “Superfoods” refer to foods that have exceptionally high nutritional value in the form of vitamins and minerals, and minimal calories. They are also known for being packed with antioxidants.
In the last article I touched briefly about budgeting and if you are serious about saving money then setting up a monthly budget is something that is particularly important to do. The reason being is because you need to know and understand where your money is going every month otherwise how you are going to find ways to save it!
The flu season is officially underway and, while Coronavirus is bringing the world to a standstill, it is important to remember that flu can be deadly too. Which is why it is important to have a flu vaccine.
As countries around the world, like South Africa, grapple with easing lock-downs and rebuilding economies, COVID-19 remains part of everyday life. Protection from the novel virus is likely to remain a high priority for the foreseeable future. Maintaining our health and supporting our immune systems has probably never been so important for our families. Many South Africans are also tightening the purse strings on their household budgets as the financial consequences of the pandemic response become starker and global recession looms.
As the number of COVID-19 infections creeps closer to 20 000, both public and private healthcare is going to be under constant pressure. The World Health Organization (WHO) says its COVID-19 data to date suggests that 80% of infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe infections, requiring oxygen and 5% are critical infections, requiring ventilation.
Did you know that about 70% of our immune system is housed in our gut (or “gutter” as Mila calls it )? Well to be more precise, your gut lining houses 70% of the cells that make up your immune system. (1)
I am a careful driver. I don’t have any history of accidents, whether from my own doing or anyone else’s. But I also don’t have any illusions – almost every other day I have some kind of close call situation. There are always people who don’t look before driving… Or change lanes without checking their blind spots… Or who reverse out of a parking spot without checking. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of those things and only remain accident-free thanks to good luck and quick reflexes. With Harley along for the ride, I’m even more aware of the risks, and the importance of car seats, particularly rear-facing car seats. But there were some rear-facing concerns that arose.
Infertility affects between 80 and 100 million couples worldwide
Timed sex, never-ending costs, raging hormones and disappointment…
Bonitas Medical Fund believes that as an expecting mom your pregnancy should be a unique and joyful experience. Through targeted support during each trimester, pregnancy education and specific related engagements – via telephone and digital channels – we aim to help you achieve this. With the new Maternity Programme we hope to improve the health of moms-to-be and, as a result, reduce possible complications.
Back pain is a common occurrence during pregnancy and can be frustrating to deal with. Unfortunately, if you have any pre-existing back problems you are more likely to struggle with back pain during your pregnancy. If you are suffering from back pain during your pregnancy and are wondering what you can do to help reduce it; we explain what causes it and how you can find some relief. What causes back pain during pregnancy If you are experiencing back pain during your pregnancy you are probably wondering what is the root cause of it. Generally there are two types of back pain that expecting moms deal with. Pelvic pain, which is felt in the pelvic tailbone area, and lumbar pain which is similar to any lower back pain felt when not pregnant. There are a few culprits of back pain during pregnancy. Hormones, stress, weight changes and posture are all causes of sore and uncomfortable back. During your pregnancy, your hormones change. One of them, known as relaxin, softens the joints in the pelvic region. This can directly impact on your back’s ligaments, causing you back pain. Stress can also cause your back to ache, whether you are pregnant or not. If you are worried about your job, family or pregnancy, you can find that this added anxiety can contribute to back pain. This is due to the fact that anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can then translate into back pain. Changes in weight as your baby grows and shifts in your centre of gravity can also be a cause of a sore back. If you’re already struggling with poor posture or back ache, then back pain during your pregnancy becomes far more likely. What can help relieve my back pain? Completely alleviating your back pain may not be possible, but there are things you can try that could help ease and manage your pain. Avoiding lifting heavy objects, opting for flat, supportive shoes and getting plenty of rest are all things you can try to improve your back ache. Exercises that help strengthen your glutes and abs can also help relieve back pain. Prenatal yoga and water aerobic classes are examples of gentle exercises which can help strengthen your body. However, if you are feeling cramps, experiencing vaginal bleeding, feeling feverish, numbness or sporadic pain you should consider consulting with your doctor, as these are all more than just normal pregnancy back pain symptoms.
When it comes to investing in items for your kids, it’s important to remember that all our needs are different. The items we choose are dependent on our lifestyle, our financial situations and what’s best for baby. When choosing an infant seat, find a reputable brand that you can trust, that has the highest level of safety… A seat that’s functional and comfortable for your child considering that they spend quite a chunk of their lives in various seats.
The gift of time…something we all wish for and never seem to have enough of. Now that we have it, despite the circumstances we are experiencing, why does it seem that we can’t wait for it to end?
We’ve been cooking up scrummy, nutritious baby and toddler meals and snacks since 1992. It may seem like common sense to us today, but making sure little ones ate a varied diet, full of texture and taste from real fruit and veggies, was a much less talked about idea back then, when our healthy-eating campaigner Lizzie Vann founded Organix. After searching in vain for healthy organic baby and toddler food she decided to make her own and this was how Organix was born.
As the number of Covid-19 infections moves over 10 000, the health minister Zweli Mkhize has expressed concern about the huge risk group of South Africans suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. In other words Comorbidities.
We all hate putting our children through any pain, but when it comes to protecting them from some pretty scary diseases, it is the least we can do for them. Our children are constantly exposed to many different viruses, bacteria, and other microbes from the time they are born. Most are not harmful, some are beneficial, but a few can cause disease. The body’s immune system helps protect us against these harmful infections. When we are exposed to infection, the immune system triggers a series of responses to neutralise the microbes and limit their harmful effects.
With COVID-19 following us into winter we are going to have many more other viruses to worry about. Viruses that cause the common cold and Influenza are going to peak over the next few months. Since many of these respiratory illnesses share common symptoms it can become confusing trying to figure out which virus is responsible for your symptoms and even cause you to panic unnecessarily every time you get a tickle in your throat thinking it’s Corona.
Car seats are expensive. Better car seats are more expensive. The cost of car seats is a common debate, even though in the end it isn’t really relevant. The safest car seat for you is the best one you can afford that installs safely in your car and matches the weight, height and age needs of your child.
Dairy is such an integral part of our family’s healthy eating that we don’t want lockdown to compromise our daily enjoyment of these nutritious and versatile products. At a time, when we want to look after our health and support our immune systems, dairy in our diets has so much to offer as a unique high-quality protein source with a wide profile of essential micro-nutrients. Luckily, there are a variety of product solutions and lots of fantastic new hacks, shared by Rediscover Dairy, to help you easily manage, buy, store and use dairy during lockdown.
The health of the gut is tied to our children’s overall health and wellness, their immune function, their brain function and even their temperament. (1) (2) (3)
As parents we worry a lot about our children’s health and most especially now, with this new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2). With so much information currently available online about COVID-19 it can become difficult for us to sift through the real from the fake news. I hope to simplify things a little in this post and share some of the more convincing theories we have on COVID-19 in children.
Let’s face it, saving money today is not easy and I am the first person to admit it! I am a wife and a mom of 2 young boys, and it is very difficult. Society is not helping things in this department at all. It is getting more and more difficult to save money because everywhere you look there are big billboard signs, adverts on TV and social media, we are being bombarded all our waking hours with wonderful looking products, getaways, houses, cars etc they want YOU to buy.
Knowing what your little explorer should be having in their diet, from good nutrients to the perfect portion size can be confusing. GOOD NUTRIENTS As your baby grows into a toddler, it’s a time of rapid change and development. Everything is a big new adventure which can make things tricky when it comes to food and mealtimes. Organix (a brand dedicated to making tasty and nutritious organic baby and toddler food) has put together a guide to find out what nutrients your toddler needs… Vitamin D: Needed for healthy bones. Under 5s will need to take a supplement as what they need can’t be found in food alone. Vitamin A: Helps keep little one’s immune system tip top along with their vision. Find it in liver, sweet potato and leafy greens. Zinc: Great for healing scratches and grazes and an energy boost. Lots of dairy foods, meat, fish and eggs contain it. Vitamin C: Helps with growth and repair of skin and other tissues. Oranges, mango, cauliflower, broccoli and berries all contain it. Iron: Essential for making healthy blood cells & carrying oxygen. It’s in red meat, fish, poultry, eggs & beans, lentils & dried fruits. PORTION SIZES There is no ‘ideal’ portion size for toddlers, they should be eating a balanced and healthy diet along with these portions of the four main food groups a day. 5-a-day fruit and veggies: Offer at each meal & as some snacks. Go for a rainbow of colours! 2-a-day protein foods: Meat, fish, eggs, crushed nuts, nut butters & pulses. 5-a-day starchy foods: Such as bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and cereals. 3-a-day dairy foods: Milk, cheese & yogurt (or calcium enriched plant-based alternatives).
Parents play a big part in shaping children’s eating habits. In a fast paced world where most parents have to juggle their time between work, play and home and are faced with all the latest food fads, it is no surprise that some parents may need some help understanding what healthy food for their little ones is. Getting children to eat what’s best for them can be a challenge, and giving in to their pestering for less-than-nutritious food can make it awfully confusing. Remember you are the parent and you do the shopping.
Cosmetix (best known for Caribbeantan, CATRICE and essence) is proud to introduce you to their newest product launch, ViroClean, an advanced hand sanitizer. Manufactured by Cosmetix in Cape Town, this fast-drying, non-sticky sanitizer contains 70% alcohol.
Our Three-Cheese Broccoli Pizza isn’t just family-friendly, it’s also SO easy to make. A meal that practically cooks itself and takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table!
World Meningitis Day is on 24 April and the theme for 2020 is #DefeatMeningitis. The aim of this day is to raise awareness about Meningococcal Meningitis in particular, a disease that can be devastating, with high fatality and a life-changing permanent impact on survivors, even when adequate treatment is provided.1a+f
