Single Mom Health: Feeling Stressed? Can’t Sleep?

by | Dec 5, 2008

I came across Morning Mom’s blog and she had a question about insomnia. I was able to answer here question about what to use to get some sleep because I’ve been there. As single moms we have so much to think about and worry about. Our minds start to race, especially in highly stressful times so sleep becomes illusive. We may fall asleep but can’t stay asleep or sleep just won’t come at all.

To get to sleep I do several things as listed below. Give them a try if you are ever facing insomnia. They will likely help. They are non-habit forming and have been used for centuries.

Lavender
I suggest that you get some lavender. It can be lavender essential oil, lotion, and candles. I use this when I have insomnia and it works well without poisoning my body with medication.

Valerian Root
I’ve also use Valerian herb. It comes in capsule form and though it doesn’t smell great it also helps you relax enough to fall asleep. For more information about this herb

With these two natural remedies you will be sleeping like a baby.

Writing
The most important thing is to find out why your mind is racing. You probably already know but it is helpful to really focus your mind on it then WRITE it down.

Writing does wonders. It empties your mind because as long as the thoughts are running rampant in your head you will never get rest. Do what is called stream of consciousness writing. Just write until you can’t write another word. After you are done you will be exhausted and able to rest.

Single Mom Health – Preventing Winter Illness Naturally

by | Dec 3, 2008

The cold and flu season is closing in fast. My kids are already having sinus problems and flu-like symptoms. I am not interested in having sick kids this year so I am reaching back to the old home remedies my mother and grandmother used. I’ll share them with you.

For some these remedies may seem too easy or too far fetched to work, but I have been using them off and on for years and they work. I’ve tried to modernize and use the over-the-counter meds but I just end up feeling worse. Maybe it’s my low tolerance for drugs, but it seems my colds (and the kid’s) last longer with OTC medications.

As single moms we have to stay healthy because there is no one else around to pass the responsibility to. So here is what my mom and grandmother taught me to use. (more…)

Hydrogen Peroxide – Natures Cheap and All-around Sanitizer

by | Aug 21, 2008

I have been using Hydogen Peroxide for years now. My mom used it when I was a little girl whenever I scraped my leg or arms. It stung for a minute and bubbled up but it worked. I never got infections and it healed pretty well.
A couple years ago I found out that Hydrogen Peroxide has many more benefits than I could have imagined. It gets out blood stains, disinfects tooth brushes, is a great mouth wash and tooth whitener, and so much more. Do a search on the “benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide” and you many websites will come up that tells you in much more detail than I can. But here is what I came up with and summarize.
Hydrogen peroxide is the world’s most natural effective
sanitizer. Why? Because it is the only anti-germicidal
agent composed entirely of water and oxygen.

The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H202, and
the body produces it naturally when in a state of
optimal health. When the body becomes weak or diseased,
it is unable to produce the high amounts of H202 needed
to kill off infection and when the body is unable to
fight off infection, disease results.

H202 works by creating an environment of intensive
oxidation, which can be described as a type of chemical
reaction which causes the breakdown of organic
substances. H202 is vital for maintaining the body’s
natural health. In fact, the effectiveness of
penicillin is related to its capacity to rejuvenate the
level of H202 in the body. In essence, penicillin works
by helping the body build up enough H202 to fight off
bacteria and viruses. Most harmful bacteria are
anaerobic, which means they can not survive in a highly
oxygenated environment.

Newer research suggests that we need certain levels of
hydrogen peroxide in order to facilitate normal
chemical reactions and to maintain the proper balance
of good bacteria in our system. Good bacteria are
generally aerobic, which means they will function well
in oxygen rich environments.

Aside from the health benefits of hydrogen peroxide,
there are many other uses for this “wonder” compound.
Anecdotal information suggests that hydrogen peroxide
can be used all over the house, in the following ways:

1) To clean and sanitize the kitchen. Use a 3%
solution to refresh counters and sanitize lunch boxes.

2) To clean vegetables and fruits. Add 1/4 cup of H2O2
to a sink of cold water. Add vegetables and fruits wash
thoroughly and rinse with cool water. This will prolong
the freshness and taste.

3) Wound care. Bathing or misting a wound with hydrogen
peroxide will help clean it while it speeds healing.

4) For your toothbrush. Soaking your toothbrush in
hydrogen peroxide between uses will keep it clean and
prevent transfer of germs. This would be particularly
helpful when your or someone in your family has a cold
or the flu.

5) As an astringent. Dabbing hydrogen peroxide on
pimples or acne will have you on your way to clearer
skin.

These are just a few of the many ways you can use
hydrogen peroxide in and around your home. There are
many others. Some people swear that ingestion of small
amounts of food grade, diluted hydrogen peroxide
provides complete body cleansing. (But only do this
under a doctor’s supervision). People also use it to
help household plants grow, and to sprout seeds for new
plantings. The variety and possible uses make hydrogen
peroxide a “must-have” for a well stocked house.

No matter how you choose to use it, it’s clear that
regular use of H202 will keep your house fresh and your
family healthy.

Rich Single Momma

Got the Blues? Get Moving!

by | Aug 7, 2008

Feeling blue? At the end of your rope? Just can’t it anymore? On the verge of screaming? Well get moving!

Too many times we let our emotions reach a boiling point then we explode. Instead of allowing yourself to get all worked up, go and work out. Who has time for that you ask? Well you do as a matter of fact. All it takes to get the feel good hormones going is five minutes of rapid movement. No, not your mouth chewing on a chip, but your body.

You don’t need equipment or a gym membership just your body and a tiny bit of motivation. This moving method is called intervals and it only takes five minutes. The goal is to get your heart pumping for 1-2 minutes then rest. Do it again, then rest. This is intervals in the simplest terms. There is a lot of information on the internet about this type of program so I won’t go into details. The best thing type of exercise is that it burns calories quickly, even after you are done.

What kind of exercise can you do to get moving? How about good old fashioned jumping jacks? See how many you can do in a minute. Jump roping is another good one. Jogging in place or around your house. So your kids will think you have gone crazy, but who cares! Your main goal is blowing off steam in a constructive way. After you are done you’ll barely remember what you were upset about. Do this everyday and pretty soon nothing will be able to get you down plus you will have the added benefit of shedding a few pounds.

Now I know that what I’ve said hasn’t been backed up by data and a lot of statistics, so you can search for that kind of information yourself on the internet. My only goal is to motivate you to move so you can feel better. The clearer your mind the better you will feel about creating wealth for yourself. Now get movin’!

Rich Single Momma