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Street Signs – Nametags For the Open Road

Street signs are the name tags of the asphalt world. Used to provide the name of the stretch of road that you are on, they are the basis for all directions and addresses in the modern world. Typically found at intersections, atop tall poles, the street sign is one of the most common traffic signs in the world. Prior to the 1900’s bridges and buildings were used to identify the street that they were on. You would easily find a sign posted on a building or cornerstone that was chiseled with the name of the street on it. As more and more roads popped up however, and travel from one’s hometown became more common, a need for signs in places without buildings or bridges emerged, and thus the street sign was born.

Street signs are available in a variety of color combinations, ranging from the most common green with white reflective writing, to red and white, white and black and more. Some municipalities use uniquely colored street signs to distinguish them from other neighboring towns. Some private communities will have custom palettes and designs created to add to the ambiance of their neighborhood. Regardless of what they look like though, the purpose and function is the same – to help people to know where they are.

It was not until the 1900’s that street signs started popping up on utility poles and other poles designed expressly for the purpose of holding the street sign. Most intersections that post a street sign will have two signs mounted one atop the other and set perpendicular to one another, identifying both streets that are crossing. At modern, large intersections that have a traffic signal overhead, these signs are often much larger and hung from the wires or beams that the lights themselves are installed on. These larger signs are much more visible, making it much easier to navigate quickly through busy downtown areas.

Custom street signs are often ordered by businesses or individuals that are looking to place an identification on their own private roads. Although these signs may not actually denote a road that can be found on any map, they still mark off the street, allowing visitors to easily determine that they are at “Kim and Mark Place”. For all the best in street signage needs, visit Champion America today at http://www.champion-america.com With many color options available, you can design and order street signs that will meet your needs quickly and easily.

Eczema: Reaching the other side of the road where the grass is greener…My healing reflections

When you have eczema all you do is wish you could have normal skin, wish that you could be anybody else who didn’t have to deal with this. Wish that you will wake up one day and it will just finally leave you alone.  I remember at first how reliant I was on what the … Continue reading
My Eczema Tales

How can family help substance addicts on the road to recovery?

Substance addiction can bring in a very powerful, negative impact to any individual and the people around him. In fact, substance addiction costs the US government around $ 200 billion per year, so the problem is indeed very demanding. But how can substance abuse impact an individual? Let’s find out!

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The negative effect of substance addiction for any individual

  • Young adults tend to isolate themselves from their family and friends
  • People start dealing with major negative effects such as anxiety, depression, aggression, paranoia, mood swings, psychosis and many others. Things only worsen if a person is subject to prolonged substance abuse
  • Constant substance abuse can generate hormonal imbalances, cancer, AIDS, gastrointestinal diseases, prenatal as well as fertility issues and organ damage
  • Aside from all of the above, the substance abuse can lower confidence; it generates an addiction to alcohol and smoking
  • It encourages people to embrace a world of crime, so they can get more money to purchase the desired substance
  • Substance abuse is also known to cause accidents and public impairment. Improper chemical and substance storage can also cause damage to the environment.

Aside from that, abusing any type of balance will cause a lack of productivity and many times the person in question will even lose his job. It can also lead to a loss of friendships and many times substance addiction can also terminate relationships if it’s not handled in a proper manner.

How can family help with substance recovery?

Even though it can be hard to cope with the idea that a loved one is dealing with substance abuse, you need to try and go past that fast. This is a time when any substance addict needs his family the most, as they can help him speed up the recovery process.

So, how can family members help a substance addict? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Study the effects of drug and alcoholism dependence. Understand what your friend/loved one is going through, as it will offer you a good insight into what you can do next.
  • Always try to offer your support. You need to be there for the substance addict regardless of the situation, so visit him often, make him laugh and distract him from the challenges that come from their recovery treatment.
  • Always express your love and show them that you will be there no matter what happens. As we mentioned earlier, proper moral support can do wonders and it can boost the recovery process quite a bit.
  • Remember that the recovery process is ongoing, so do make time to stay with the addict often. Avoid covering up for him, do not assume their responsibilities, but offer them the guidance they need. Show them how they can go past this problem with flying colors.
  • Stop arguing with the loved one, do not preach about anything and try to be a role model. Allow the addict to see the best behaviors in you, and then he will be able to replicate that on his own.

Recovering from substance addiction/abuse is not an easy road. Every family member needs to understand that while this process can take a lot of time, the results that come from a good recovery process can be more than impressive. If you are a family member, try to use the tips above and make sure that you are near your loved one. Don’t preach about anything, just try to show support and help as that’s what really matters for any substance addict!

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Navigating the bumpy road of weaning an allergic child.

We often get asked for tips on weaning babies with eczema and allergies.  So we asked Emily who writes the great blog afreefromworld to tell us about her experiences of weaning her daughter Elianah who suffers from multiple food allergies and eczema.

Weaning onto solids is an exciting milestone in any child’s life. Celebrating the first moment they open their mouths readily at the sight of their favourite food, signing ‘more’ when they’ve already devoured a whole banana, picking up a spoon and aiming it in the approximate direction of their salivating tongues. All these occasions are times to be treasured by parents of all children, with allergies or without.

 

Elianah

However, for some parents, weaning decisions have to go far deeper than choosing whether to follow Gina Ford or Annabel Karmel, wean at 4 months, 6 months or later, use spoon or fingers, follow baby led weaning or make purees. When your child has food allergies, every meal time becomes a moment of potential allergy triggers. Parents’ hearts racing as new foods are introduced. Making a mental note of the procedure if my daughter were to show signs of a reaction. Piriton at the ready. Mobile phone to hand. Eagle eyes watching every inch of my daughter’s face, preparing to note any change in colour or size. Cautiously moving foods into the safe column after a few days of testing with no reaction.

 

Determined to eat every spoonful…

I have honestly found the whole experience stressful, frightening on occasion and full of guilt. The time I tried my daughter with blended chickpea with her usual safe vegetables, only to end up running into the doctors surgery screaming for medical attention. The first few months of my daughter’s life, before the blood results came through, when she was reacting violently to the allergens in my breastmilk.

 

Food is such an integral part of life. It’s also wound so tightly with our emotions. We share meals together when we celebrate occasions, food provides comfort when we’re feeling low, it lifts our blood sugar levels when we lack energy, it forms a significant part of Christmas festivities. Food is both essential nourishment and family time; a quick snack on the go and a hearty replenishing dinner; an offer of hospitality and a business meeting. You can’t get away from it. Our little ones can’t hide from their allergies. As parents, we have that privilege and responsibility of helping them face their food battles, learn how to read for hidden allergens on ingredients lists and show them a love for food that doesn’t have to be hindered by their challenges.

 

My daughter, Elianah, is now 13 months and has food allergies to wheat milk egg soya and nuts. We are waiting for further test results after other recent reactions. At times, we have been fazed by the scale of her allergies. She is still breastfed as for her, the best milk has proved to be diet controlled breastmilk. As she eats more and more solid foods and we look for ways to get all her calcium and fat needs from foods, my husband and I have discovered a wealth of adaptable recipes and food ideas. We have come to share in her free from world, and the diet she is on is pretty balanced considering key missing foods. I started a blog to encourage other parents or eczema and allergy sufferers in a similar situation that there is no need to face the ‘free from’ world alone.

 

How much mess can I make with this banana!

Ten years ago, the choice of food for allergy sufferers in supermarkets was poor, and the medical awareness and treatment of eczema was far from the standard it is now.

 

On my blog are posts on which supermarkets stock the best free from selections, a whole stash of recipes free from wheat milk egg soy and nuts, and regular blog posts on eczema and allergies in the news, and generally how we get on as a family in our free from world.

 

There is no getting away from the fact there are added complications when weaning a child with food allergies and eczema.  There is also no disputing the fact that ideas and support are out there.  There is no need for our children to face their free from world alone.

Top tips:

  • Increase one new food at a time
  • Add a food to the safe list if no symptoms show after 3 days
  • Adapt existing recipes
  • Rice milk should be used from aged 6 plus
  • Try not to show your child you’re worried or stressed during meal times (I play music to distract me and make me show silly faces and dance moves to my daughter as she eats)
  • Let your friends know about your child’s allergies so they only give safe food
  • I have found baby signing a great way to have fun during mealtimes (signs for ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘more’, ‘all done’ help your child be in control of food time too)
  • Treat yourself and your child with delicious free from snacks

https://afreefromworld.wordpress.com

 

 

Everything For Eczema

Pecan and raspberry Rocky Road – Low Fodmap

Rocky road is so easy to make and a great looking snack, but not for regular consumption as it is very calorific! This version is not too sweet as dark chocolate is used and the recipe is low fodmap.  I like to view this as ’emergency rations’ – what do I mean? Well, when out hiking, and particularly if the hiking is up mountains, you need to take something with you to eat if you get stuck in bad weather. This was training we received when preparing for Duke of Edinburgh’s expeditions. The food needed to be calorific and I can think of no better snack than rocky road – although we often used dark chocolate coated Kendal Mint Cake when I was younger. Now, whilst hiking I have never actually had the need to call for mountain rescue services or had to make a shelter to protect me from very severe weather. These days preparation is usually about checking the weather forecast prior to venturing out and modern forecasts are considerably more reliable than in the past – but the advice is still pertinent according to the link above. A small slice of this chocolate heaven is a very nice treat when you finish your hike though! A low fodmap diet can help with diarrhoea and IBS enabling people to be more adventurous and active so if you want to try see a registered dietitian to help you through it!

Ingredients

200g of dark chocolate (I used 70%)

a handful of raisins

70g of pecan nuts

2 tablespoons of light margarine

1 packet of raspberry marshmallow* (check for fructose based sugars)

5 gluten free digestive biscuits

Method

Chop the pecan nuts at right angles to their length (this makes them look pretty when the rocky road is sliced.) Cut the marshmallow pieces into four or eight depending on your preference, and break up the digestive biscuits into small pieces. Melt the chocolate in a bowl placed over hot water (take care not to allow any water into the bowl as this will set the chocolate solid.) When melted add the margarine and other ingredients and mix well. Stir to cool the mix a little then pour into a cling film or grease lined tray and refrigerate. Cut into 15 small slices.

If you want a sweeter version add 3 tablespoons of golden syrup.

Some people with IBS have an exaggerated gastro-colic reflex, too much chocolate can result in immediate diarrhoea, so remember portion size is important – don’t eat too much at once.

* I used Art of Mallow marshmallows purchased specifically for the recipe.

Rockyroad2

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