Get Out In The Garden: Creative Ideas for Pansies

Available in all different colours and suitable for containers as well as flower beds, pansies are a great flower to work with. Their diversity makes them one of my favourite flowers.

Growing

For optimum growth, use compost and plant fertiliser or plant food. Preferring sunny or partially sunny spaces, pansies are easy to move about after planting as their roots don't grow very deep and stay in a kind of 'ball'. 

My Projects

The Pansy Rainbow

Lovely for showing support for gay pride, or alternatively can just be used to add colour to your garden. Use other plants like herbs for the green colour in your rainbow.

Using flower pots in colours of the rainbow I have selected matching pansies from a mixed batch I bought. These weren't too expensive (I think they were about £10) and the variation was amazing, ranging from white to orange, red, blue and a deep purple. Try lining all your plant pots up in a row, either spreading them down one side of your garden or placing them in a more empty space to add interest.

You Will Need:

• Coloured Plant Pots - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple and Pink (use 1 lighter and 1 darker shade  of each colour for a better effect)
• Matching Pansies (buy a mixed batch)
• If you don't have all the right colours, they can be bought individually
• It is possibly to paint the plant pots if you can't get all the colours you need - acrylic paint works well but is not weather proof 
• Compost and plant feed/fertiliser
• A trowel (or just use your hands!)

Rockery With Pansy Highlights
I've used leftover concrete slabs piled artistically ontop of each other in a corner of my garden to create a sort of recycled rockery. Obviously this is not as aesthetically pleasing as a more finished-looking rockery, but it does it's job in terms of pleasantly highlighting an otherwise neglected corner of the garden.

You Will Need

• Leftover concrete slabs or a pre-made rockery
• Four matching flower pots
• Four matching pansy plants (all of the same shade)
• Compost
• Plant feed (optional) 

Photos to be added soon!

 

DIY Miniature Lanterns

Great for use indoors or outdoors, and can be a fun project to do with the kids! (Never leave children unattended with miniature lanterns as they are not child-proof.)

You Will Need:

• A tealight candle (citronella is a good choice for outdoors)
• A glass jar with a lid (remove all labels)
• Newspaper or scrap paper
• Tissue paper
• PVA glue
• A paintbrush or spatula
• A lighter or matches

1. Make sure your jar is clean and free of all labels
2. Lay down newspaper or scrap paper to protect your workspace
3. Coat the jar in PVA glue using your paintbrush or spatula
4. Rip the tissue paper into small strips and begin wrapping them around the jar at different angles
5. Add another layer of PVA glue over the tissue paper and repeat step 4
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as many times as desired (about 3 or 4 should be plenty) 
7. Finally, add a thick layer of PVA glue over your completed tissue papered jar (this will help it stay shiny and weather-proof) 
8. You might also want to tissue paper the lid of your jar - this can make it look a bit prettier overall
9. turning the jar upside-down, repeat steps 4 and 5 on the base of the jar and leave to dry
10. You can use a fan or hairdryer to speed up the drying process (times vary but usually will be at least half an hour)
11. Place your tealight inside and light it
12. Leave the lid off until you want to put the candle out (I experimented with making holes in the top but the lack of oxygen meant the candle kept going out, no matter how many holes I made)

Well Done! You now have a pretty, home-made miniature Lantern :)

Photos to be added soon!

Pregnancy Challenges of The First Month (Source: What to Expect When You're Expecting)

Around 6 weeks is the usual time that symptoms present themselves, however, everyone is different. I experienced symptoms very early on, at about 3 weeks. They presented themselves as a reluctance to smoke, drink or eat red meat. My appetite strangely dissipated too. I didn’t really feel nauseous or sick but I knew something was up.

Physical Changes

• Spotting as the fertilized egg implants in the uterus (5-10 days post-conception) this is experienced by only 1 third of women
• Breast swelling, tenderness, darkening of areolas
• Bloating and wind
• Fatigue and drowsiness 
• More frequent urination
• Nausea, possibly accompanied by vomiting
• Sensitivity to smells

Emotional Changes

• Mood swings, irritability and tearfulness
• Anxiety surrounding taking a pregnancy test

Challenges

It can be daunting, coming to the realisation that whatever decision you make, from the moment you become pregnant your life will never be the same again. The next chapter in your life can be the most ecstatic, and more anxiety-provoking time you will ever face.

To cope with all these sudden changes, I found that the following were incredibly helpful in keeping my sanity (and stomach contents!) in place and intact.

1. Get outside every day - this will help give you breathing space to think about the future
2. Talk to a close friend - they can support you, whether you choose to continue with the pregnancy, want to go for an adoption or if you feel termination is what is best for you and your circumstances
3. Cut down on caffiene - this is good for you and your developing foetus, and can help relieve headaches (which are made more severe by caffiene). It will also allow you to rest as you can feel when you are tired rather than trying to avoid the feeling.
4. Take some time out - resting is just as important as exercising and it's important not to over-do it in these first few weeks especially. Your body will be coping with a lot of sudden changes.
5. Stay hydrated - this will help keep headaches at bay and is also important for amniotic fluid
6. Carry ginger biscuits and fruit snack for those times when nausia hits
7. Above all, work out who the father is, and tell them - the sooner, the better. If you don't wish to get in touch, then that is your choice, but if you want the father to be involved it would be unwise to leave this news too long. Leaving it until 'the right time' can cause issues such as raised concerns of why it was kept secret, what was preventing you from telling the father, and can increase your anxiety (not good for you or baby!

Sources
What To Expect When You're Expecting New 4th Edition -Heidi Murkoff with Sharon Mazel

Hot Topic of The Day -Eating During Pregnancy (Source: Precise Nutrition)

Eating during pregnancy:
Foods that support your health – and your baby's

By John Berardi, Ph.D.

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Most women realize that what they eat during pregnancy can have important effects on the health of their baby. However, very few women know exactly what to eat and what to avoid.
So, in this article, I’ll be sharing with you strategies for eating properly to support your own health – and the health of your baby.
Also, for those of you interested in preventing excess weight gain, gestational diabetes, and more, these tips are just what the doctor ordered.

• Want to listen instead of read? Download the audio recording here…
• We also created a cool visual guide. Check out the infographic here…

Pregnancy means building

To begin with, pregnancy is a period of anabolism, or building.
Like weight lifters building new muscle tissue after their strength training sessions, pregnant women’s bodies are in building mode. But instead of building your own muscle tissue, you’re building the baby’s tissue.
To this end, it’s critical that you’re getting more calories, more macronutrition (protein, carbohydrates, fats), and more micronutrition (vitamins and minerals) than you normally would.
But how much extra should you be eating? Well, research shows that an extra 300-500 calories per day will do the trick.
If you exercise regularly, you’ll want to shoot for closer to 500 extra calories per day. And if you’re not exercising regularly, the extra 300 calories should do.
While this represents a respectable increase in food intake, don’t go overboard. Adding two healthy snacks to your regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule can easily help you meet your extra caloric needs.
Of course, you’ll want those snacks to be full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients – all critical for health. So make sure you’re making the right choices.
For help in that department, see the food listings below.

Pregnancy and weight gain

One question I’m often asked is this: how can I know if I’m eating enough? Well, that’s simple. Here are some guidelines for healthy weight gain during pregnancy:

• Women starting out underweight should gain between 30 and 40 lb
• Women starting out normal weight should gain between 25 and 35 lb
• Women starting out overweight should gain between 15 and 25 lb
• Women 5’2” or shorter should gain between 15 and 25 lb

I understand that many women gain far more weight than this. And there are a few scenarios where that’s a necessary consequence of complications during pregnancy.
But for most healthy pregnancies, a combination of exercising and eating right can help eliminate excess weight gain, promoting just the right amount.
Now, here’s an important note for those fitness buffs out there. The levels of weight gain suggested above aren’t negotiable.
Indeed, studies show that less weight gain than listed above can result in infants with low birth weights. And this may mean delayed development.
You see, the mother’s weight determines fetal weight. In other words, if the mother does not gain enough weight, the fetus may remain small simply to protect the mother’s own body.
So again, you’ll want to gain the right amount of weight. Too little – or too much – can harm both you and the baby.

Foods to include, foods to avoid

I know that nausea and food cravings both come into play when pregnant. However, it’s important to remember that you’re still in control. In other words, it’s your choice as to what you eat and what you don’t eat. So choose wisely.
Giving in to cravings for junk food, or avoiding food because of fear of nausea, can subject your growing baby to a host of birth defects.
Heck, research has shown that inadequate nutritional status during development can also have consequences for the child later in life, increasing his or her risk for cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and Type II diabetes.
So let’s talk about what you should be eating and what you should be avoiding.
The following table provides a list of foods that should be actively sought out during pregnancy – as well as foods that should be minimized and/or avoided.

Foods to include

Protein

• Eat 1 gram of protein per pound of your body weight every day (i.e. if you’re 150 pounds, eat 150 grams daily)
• Opt for lean meats (preferably grass-fed, organic)
• Include a small amount of dairy if you can tolerate it
• Supplement with natural, unsweetened protein powder if necessary

Omega-3

• Flax
• Walnuts
• Chia
• Hemp
• Algae or fish oil supplements (non-liver)
• Seaweed

Vitamin D

• 20-30 min sun exposure 2-3 days per week
• Vitamin D-fortified foods

Zinc

• Legumes
• Nuts
• Whole grains
• Animal foods

Folate

• Dark, leafy veggies
• Legumes
• Folate-fortified foods

Calcium-rich foods

• Dark, leafy veggies
• Bok choy
• Tofu
• Legumes
• Figs
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fortified milks
• Fortified cereal grains

Vitamin B-12

• Animal foods

Iron-rich foods

• Dark, leafy veggies
• Dried fruits
• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Animal foods

What To Limit

Avoid or minimize

• Alcohol
• Caffeine (aim for less than 300 mg per day)
• Cured/deli meats
• Artificial sweeteners
• High sugar intake
• Using cravings to justify poor food choices

Completely avoid

• Raw or undercooked animal foods such as meat, seafood, and eggs
• Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish (cooked or raw)
• Soft cheeses (mold-ripened, blue-veined, unpasteurized)
• Tobacco

Supplements

Most medical organizations now recommend a daily multi-vitamin/multi-mineral for most people. Pregnant women are no exception.
Indeed, research has shown that vitamin supplementation can improve pregnancy outcomes while even reducing nausea and “morning sickness.”
When choosing a multi-vitamin supplement, be sure it contains adequate B-vitamins (including B-12 at 3 µg/day and folic acid at 400 µg/day).
Most prenatal formulas on the market will do the trick. Further, if you’re not getting adequate sun exposure during your pregnancy, you might also include a vitamin D supplement (1000 IU/day).
In the end, the research is clear: eating right during pregnancy is a must.
Step 1: Choose the right foods (from above).
Step 2: Monitor your weight gain to ensure you’re not gaining too much (or too little).
In taking these steps, you can rest easy, knowing that you’ve done everything in your power to ensure a successful pregnancy.

Eat, move, and live… better.

Yep, we know… the health and fitness world can sometimes be a confusing place. But it doesn’t have to be.
Let us help you make sense of it all with this free special report.
In it you’ll learn the best eating, exercise, and lifestyle strategies – unique and personal – for you.

Sources
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/what-to-eat-during-pregnancy

Hot Topic of the day- Stacey Solomon anxiety ( loose women)

This video is talking about how people having children later in life and the fact that this one woman would be a pensioner before her daughter would leave school. Say Stacey Solomon then talks about how she feels about dying specially when she is a single parent.

When I first watch this clip. I don't know that I have the same anxiety as she does and it's nice to know someone who's a celebrity can feel the same things that I can.

 I am the main carer of my children and I do not live with my partner. My worries who will look after my children. How would my children cope in a new environment. My children are my everything and I find it very hard to think that I would put them in any harm, even if that would be me having an early grave. We have it built into ourselves to protect our children.
I feel like my anxiety has become an obsession with making sure I'm eating the right things. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't take drugs, I don't drink coffee, I don't drink tea and I try not to take paracetamol into I really need it. I feel like this is starting to ruin my life, in the fact I Can't Help But read something that may give you cancer even though there's no truth behind it, I will still probably avoid those foods.

Something I overly think about it why is anxiety morning is there more anxious people always our anxiety always there?
Love to hear your thoughts

Day out with my active learner

My child is a very active child. My child finds it hard to sit down for a long period of time. When I've tried to teaching staff sitting down in our living room and go over his numbers over and over again. I was wondering why he wasn't getting it, until my health visitor told me that he's probably active learner. This has helped me a lot in understanding how his mind works and how I can help him.

My son pushing my daughter on the swing. He kept asking her if she was okay and if she wanted to get down.

What is an active learner?
An active learner is when a child has to do an activity or be physically involved with an activity he/she is doing.
They will do something, review it, learn from it and then apply it in the next time they will do it.

My son finds it very hard to learn in a classroom-like setting, so I help him by taking him out and teaching him that way.

My son playing with a board game (that I bought from the charity shop for 95p) while my daughter watches.

Because it's in a different setting my son is able to relax and run to the box when he has got the pair. This activity is made more physical and therefore it helps him learn understand what he is doing.

Freedom with clothes

Most days I let my children choose their own clothes not just to stop argument but to let them have their say in what they going to wear. They are not my little dolly that I will dress up. They have their own thoughts and feelings. They are at a stage when they know what they want. The only thing I do not let them do is wear something that isn't weather appropriate but other than that they are allowed to express themselves through their clothing.

My little children with odd socks.

I think it's very hard for them to be able to express themself. And as we Express ourselves through clothing I think it's only right that children get to do so too.

What's your thoughts and feelings on dressing your children up? And you give your children choice of what they get to wear?

The unbreakable bond of sibling hood

 Little bubble around them that protects one another.

My children's hands nearly always hold hands when they are in the buggy.

Having two children has showed me the bond of siblinghood and as a child you were just so kind and protective of your family members. My children will try never let anyone else get between them and they're very stuck to each other.

My children prefer to sleep together in their own beds, will frequently hug each other and asked how the other is doing. I don't know if this is down to my parenting or this is just in my character to do it. Don't get me wrong they do you sometimes fight but  most of the time they are very happy and content with the each other's company.



Do your children do this?

Relaxation with a toddler.

Before I had kids I thought having kids and doing things like taking them to the spa and stuff was a bit pointless, more for me than that. I started realising when I had my daughter that she started to enjoy the stuff I enjoy. He was very interested  with makeup and loved all the other girl each.

Me and my daughter.

The questions I ask myself is why did I think it was wrong to let my child have her nails painted. I think I saw a lot of women were trying to grow their children up too fast and I didn't want to do that to my own.
My 2 year old daughter has her nails painted on nearly all weekly basis now, a lot of people would tell me that this is wrong and I should not be doing it. My child does not put hands in her mouth and she always wait for it to dry. I just think it's a little moment that me and her can enjoy together. If I don't do it will try to do it herself anyway.

What do you think should we let our children have their nails painted?

The Blackout realisation

Going through a whole day with no power and with two kids. I have the realisation that how much rely on technology today. I felt like I didn't really know what to do because everything go do, I use electricity for. I could not use the Hoover the kids cant  watch TV. I can't even have warm water. The coping of mechanism of letting my children watch tv so i couls have a break and to clean the house was gone. Realising how my ancestors would have had to live, and how much they would have had to do. I sat down and plays with my children but when it came to cleaning I literally felt like it made everything 10 times harder. I love the fact that there is no phones and no one got distracted by other devices. Make me realise how much do we use our devices and how much do we need to use a devices and only because we've got them that doesn't mean we have to use them all the time.