Importance Of Children At Home and In The Family

The thought of motherhood is not usually associated with unprecedented health and wellness. Instead, most women imagine stretch marks and the loss of their waistlines. However, surprisingly, there are many benefits that giving birth bestows upon a woman and many of these benefits greatly improve a woman's health and overall wellness.

Decreased Predisposition to Cancer

Giving birth actually reduces a woman's chances of developing several types of cancer. Breast cancer is one of them. This is possible because giving birth causes the breasts to completely mature, making them less susceptible to cancerous changes. Another perk is the fact that estrogen levels decline significantly during pregnancy and the protective hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) circulates through the body.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has amazing benefits as well. Women who choose to breastfeed can enjoy all the health benefits breastfeeding creates for the baby as well as for herself because breastfeeding prevents precancerous cells from forming in the breast tissue. However, in order to receive this health benefit, a woman must consistently breastfeed for several months.

Diminished Female Problems

If you are a woman who suffers from endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or polycystic ovaries, you'll be happy to learn that childbirth often diminishes the painful symptoms of these disorders and sometimes makes them disappear altogether. The process of pregnancy and childbirth has a tendency to lessen the impact of many of these female disorders.

Happiness

Women with children tend to be just as happy if not happier than their childless counterparts. Women with children statistically feel more fulfilled and experience fewer instances of loneliness and isolation. Just as many manufacturers have discovered the benefits of using wood poles within the utility industry, many women have discovered the value and depth that caring for someone other than themselves can create in their lives. Research has also revealed that women who have children and maintain good relationships with them are also happier later in life and experience less depression.

There are many healthy benefits that can be derived from having children. From a reduced risk of several forms of cancer to more happiness and satisfaction, motherhood definitely has certain privileges and benefits. For example, just as a mother's milk is the best nutrition for the baby, breastfeeding is extremely healthy for the mother as well. Even though many women associate the loss of their waistlines and other aesthetic maladies with motherhood there are many amazing health and wellness benefits to experience just by making the choice to give birth.

Aerial Plants

I recently bought some aerial plants to decorate my lanai. If I'm not mistaken, these are called "pakpak lawin".  This kind of aerial plants are really good for outdoor rooms and porches.  I used to have these before hung on our terrace but unfortunately, this didn't last long.  I don't know what went wrong but from experience, this kind of aerial plant is very difficult to thrive if not attached to the bark of a tree.  This has been my second time to give it another try since I really love this "pakpak lawin". 

This time, I tried adding some charcoal in a small plastic container and this is where I put the "pakpak lawin".  I wouldn't say that I am 100 hundred per cent successful because not all of these repotted aerial plants survive.  I still have few left though, but I was a bit disappointed not all of them survived.  I'm still searching whether it is because of the absence of sun light or because the small plastic container do not have holes to drain water.  I think if I have to buy another of this variety, I must try attaching this onto a drift wood.   

Since I failed with this for the second time, I am thinking of trying another aerial plant variety that's not too hard to maintain.  Maybe water plant or "Manaog Ka Irog".

At this stage, I'm still not satisfied with my garden.  I still want to grow more varieties of ornamental plants and probably a vertical vegetable garden.

I can't wait to post here my vertical vegetable garden which I have just started.

Till my next post!

Adding A Modern Touch

The front room of the home, often known as the living room, is one of the areas that you want to showcase more than others as it's the room where visitors will see first and where the family will spend the most time. When you begin adding frontroom furnishings, think about an accent wall where you will place a couch as well as a wall that you might want to paint a different color so that you can highlight your favorite decorations and accessories. This could also be the wall where a fireplace would be in the room. A plant or two could be added on each side of the fireplace or a modern bookcase in the center of the wall with chairs on each side. 

A idea if you plan on entertaining or if you have a large family is to get two large couches, positioning them across from each other with a coffee table in the center. Gold accents with dark gray or black couches and added white furnishings is a modern trend that is popular in many homes. Natural textures in a room that is full of beige and white is another option if you want a modern look. Teal, orange or blue would be ideal to place with the natural background. The natural setting gives a relaxing environment while maintaining an eclectic appearance. 

If you plan on changing your decorations during the year, consider a neutral color with the couches, chairs and other large items that are in the room. Stagger the height of the couches with chairs as the eyes will have something to take in while scanning upon entry. The neutral colors will allow for adding bright pillows, lamps and other decorations that will pop in the room. If you have an open space, then consider overstuffed couches and chairs as well as larger accessories, such as a wall clock and coffee table that take up more room than the traditional design. You'll find that this idea makes the room seem full instead of using furnishings that are of a traditional size in a bigger room.

Cheaper Alternative For Home Decors

I think decorating on a budget would always be the concern of every Mom. I know that it isn't a must to decorate if you are really on a tight budget, but what about if you can have some improvised home decors without having to spend much. You just need to have an ounce of creativity and you will surely come up with some exciting ideas that's not only unique but attractive. 

Let's take this jar as an example, which I made out of the empty plastic dog food container.  I have one of this every month and I keep these instead of throwing because I know that I can turn these into something decorative and useful.  You ca use this as extra storage jar for anything that you would like to store and because it is dressed up, it can be a decorative piece, too. 

Another one I made is this cute corner decor which is actually made from twigs and small branches that I just took from the backyard.  I spray painted it for an extra color, added some flowers from recycled plastic bottles and just added some string lights for an added drama.  This really looks awesome during night time when the living room is dim. It is simple but looks elegant.

Now, I'm up to doing more weekend projects in time for Christmas! :)

Getting Ready to Sell? Simple Ways to Improve Your Home’s Value

A lot of people who are looking to sell their home feel like they can list their house and get a fair price pretty quick. After all, most markets are in an upswing right now. Even if yours isn’t skyrocketing like some, most markets are doing pretty well for sellers.

The fact is that you may be limiting the amount of people who want to buy your home if your house isn’t in the best possible shape. From basic curb appeal, to maintenance that you’ve been putting off, you can’t expect to get top-dollar for a home that isn’t in very good shape.

You could also be walking away from bids over the asking price if your home doesn’t look its best. Remember that in competitive markets, sellers often get more than they asked when motivated buyers really love a house.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to make sure you get the most money from your home when you’re ready to sell.

Spruce Up Your Lawn

Your lawn is one of the first things that people will see when they come to your home. Whether you’ve got an open house or not, people will need to park at your home before they can see the interior.

To really make a big impact from the first time somebody comes to your house, consider replacing the grass on your lawn. Re-sodding your lawn may cost you a little bit of money, but it’s one of those investments that you’ll easily get back when you sell your home for more.

Another option you have to make your home nicer is to plant some new flowers and trees around your home. Even small trees that aren’t mature can make a big difference in how your landscaping looks to prospective buyers.

Repair Your Driveway

Like your lawn, the driveway in front of your home is one of the first things people will see. To make the most of your home, consider hiring a driveway sealing company to help you out. 

When you get your driveway sealed, you’ll save a considerable amount of money over simply redoing it. Sealing your driveway will also last at a handful of years, so it’s a wise investment even if you aren’t selling.

DIY Garden Accesories

I have made these cute DIY garden accessories out of empty plastic bottles.  The idea came out when I saw our plastic bottles at home accumulating in number.  I saved all these in a big plastic container until I have the free time to make these into flowers to adorn my garden.  This is very easy to make. All you need is to cut the upper portion of the plastic bottle, form this into petals and spray with paint on any color of your choice.  I just have started with this first but I will be making more accessories like bugs and butterflies and I also would like to have more colors like blue and yellow.  I think that would really bring life to my garden.

I am really a great fan of arts and crafts.  I am so amazed that so many things can be made out of trash so you only have to spend a minimal amount to turn them into something useful and decorative.

What more? It brings out the creative side of me.

It's a win win situation actually! :)

More on my craft projects on my future posts.