Month: March 2022

Categories
Adulting

Life After First-Time Botox: 5 Ways Things Get Better

As people become more skin-conscious, the popularity of anti-aging procedures is on the rise. Botox is among the most widely-acclaimed ones as it works for everyone and offers effective outcomes. It is safe and simple, so you can go ahead without second thoughts just as millions in the country do. But first-timers are often apprehensive about life after Botox. The truth is that you can expect it to get better in more than one way. Here are some facts you must know to have clear and realistic expectations about first-time after Botox.

How Things Get Better After Botox

Results are visible within a few days

When you get your first Botox injections, you may have a miracle in mind. But the results may not be visible right away and appear only after a few days. The first treatment takes time to act, so you must be patient about it. You will see full effects within a few days or a couple of weeks, though timelines may vary from person to person. But you will have ageless and beautiful skin eventually, so go ahead without thinking twice.

Pain isn’t a concern

As a first-timer, you will probably worry about the treatment being painful. But it does not hurt because Botox needles are small, and most patients do not even feel anything. Everything depends on the skills and experience of the practitioner as they know where to inject using the right technique. Opting for Botox at Rana Facial Plastic Surgery covers you on all fronts. Even if you may experience some discomfort, it should be only minimal.

Minor after-effects may occur

While pain is not a reason to worry, you may experience minor after-effects following the injection. Small red bumps may appear immediately after your treatment, but these go within half an hour. You may notice minimal bruising, but it resolves within a couple of days. Your Botox specialist will suggest medication to address these possibilities. However, you must avoid aspirin after the injection.

A little after-care goes a long way

Botox injections make you look youthful, but there’s very little the procedure requires in the name of after-care. You can expect it to take only 20 minutes to an hour, and even go to work right after your appointment. Just make sure you do not lie down for four hours. You will also have to avoid touching or massaging the area, working out, being in the heat, and drinking alcohol for a day after the procedure.

Results stay for several months

Another good thing that comes after Botox is that results stay for several months. Typically, the effects of Botox remain for three to four months, though the period may vary for individuals. It means you do not have to worry about forehead wrinkles, frown lines, or crow’s feet for months. Even when the effects start waning, schedule another appointment and restore the look.

Life After Botox

Life after Botox makes you more beautiful and confident as aging is no longer a concern. All you need to do is schedule regular visits to the clinic, spend a bit on the treatment, and bask in the glory.

Categories
Health Healthy Living

Why Biltong Can Be A Great Weight Loss Snack

When we talk about weight loss and healthy living, snacks are often a subject of focus, but on the negative. We hear, “Stay off snacks if you want to lose weight.” But it ideally should be, “stay off unhealthy snacks if you want to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.” Emphasis on unhealthy. That’s because there are indeed healthy snacks. One healthy snack that has recently gained prominence among Americans is Biltong.

What is biltong?

Biltong is a form of dried, cured meat originating from South Africa. Different kinds of meat sources are used, including beef and game meat. It is sliced into strips before cooking and then drying. It is air-dried.

Due to the preparation process, biltong is typically softer than beef jerky. They are quite similar but are not the same thing.

What makes it the ideal weight-loss snack?

Biltong is one of the healthiest snacks known for weight loss. Its low-fat content of about 3% and high protein content make it great for building healthy muscles while losing weight. But that’s not all.

By snacking on this protein treat, you feel less hungry for some time (protein makes you feel full for longer than carbs). This prevents you from craving food or other unhealthy snacks. So it’s a great treat to chew on between meals to keep you full and increase your protein consumption while losing weight.

What makes it better than other healthy snacks?

Biltong typically contains fewer kilojoules than other snacks such as chocolate and chips. It has only about 75 calories per 25-gram serving. One serving also provides about 50% of your daily protein requirements. That’s significantly better than most snacks you’ll come across.

Additionally, it helps you stay full longer than fruits and vegetables, which are also healthy. Biltong is one snack you wouldn’t be afraid to buy and stock your fridge with.

Should you eat biltong every day?

Although it’s a great snack that can be eaten every day, it should be consumed in moderation.

Is it healthier than jerky?

According to their nutritional facts, biltong is noticeably healthier than beef jerky because it’s typically leaner. Also, while jerky is smoked, the other isn’t, making its flavor more decadent and satisfying.

What are some other health benefits of biltong?

The tiny cured strips are also an excellent source of:

  • Iron
  • Vitamin B12
  • Zinc
  • Creatine

This treat makes for a great post-workout snack to help your muscles develop. It offers a better taste than supplements, so you might want to carefully consider what your next purchase should be.

Top ways to enjoy biltong

Aside from snacking, you can pair it with certain dishes for a wholesome treat. Below are some ideas:

  • Paired with boiled eggs
  • Together with some jacket potato
  • Add to cheesy dishes
  • Baked breakfast goodies
  • Paired with roasted vegetables
  • As droppings in a quiche
  • To spice up a sarmie
  • Salami alternative in pizza
  • As a garnish

Wrapping up

Whether you’re eating it alone or paired with a dish, biltong is a great and healthy keto snack for everyone. But like with everything else, try to keep moderacy in mind.

Categories
Adulting Health Healthy Living Mental Health

How to Support a Loved One Struggling with Addiction

Struggling with Addiction

When someone you care about has an addiction, it can be difficult to know how to support them. You want to help, but you don’t know what to do. If a friend or family member is struggling with addiction, the best thing you can do is offer your love and support. Addiction is a painful and difficult journey for everyone involved. 

You may feel overwhelmed by the situation or scared for your loved one. It’s okay to feel this way; as long as you continue supporting your friend or family member in small ways, they will have a better chance of recovery.

If you’re worried about your loved one’s health or safety, there are many ways that you can help. The most important thing is to check in on them and let them know that they have someone who cares about them. Next, offer to listen and to talk through the issue with them. Finally, if you feel like they need more help or you don’t feel comfortable talking with them anymore, encourage them to speak with an addiction counselor. 

Struggling with Addiction
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What is Addiction?

Addiction is a disease of the mind and body. Addiction can be defined as any behavior that leads to repeated use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances despite their negative consequences. The addicted individual will compulsively pursue substance use though it may cause them harm. They may constantly crave their drug of choice and often be unable to stop using it. 

It’s not uncommon for those around an addict to feel anger, confusion, and frustration with the disease. However, it’s important to know that addiction isn’t a character flaw or moral failing, and there are many things you can do to help someone struggling with addiction. Addiction can be successfully treated, but it requires time and patience. 

How to Be There for Someone with an Addiction

It can be difficult to know how to support someone with an addiction. They’re going through a tough time, and you want to help, but you don’t know what to do. If a friend or family member is struggling with addiction, the best thing you can do is offer your love and support. Addiction is a painful and challenging journey for everyone involved.

You may feel overwhelmed by the situation or scared for your loved one. It’s okay to feel this way; as long as you continue supporting your friend or family member in small ways, they will have a better chance of recovery.

How Can an Addiction Counselor Help?

An addiction counselor will be able to help your loved one by providing them with guidance and support. They will be able to take the time to listen to your loved one and give them strategies for how they can stop using drugs. They may also provide referrals for treatment if necessary. There are many options for American Addiction Centers that may be able to help your loved one overcome their addiction.

Your loved one knows best what they need from you, so be open to their needs as well as yours. Remember that each person’s journey is different. Let them know that they are never alone in this process while continuing to offer a listening ear when needed. Above all, remember to love them unconditionally and be there for them when they need you most.

Support a Loved One Struggling with Addiction

Addiction is a complicated and pervasive problem that affects many people and their loved ones. There are many ways to help someone struggling with addiction, but the most important thing you can do is be supportive and encourage them to get professional help if they need it. Remember that with time and patience, addiction can be treated successfully. 

Categories
Adulting

A Quick Guide to Hiring a Criminal Defense Firm

A criminal charge is a life-altering event that could jeopardize your reputation and career. When you or your loved ones face this kind of charge, one of the most important questions to answer is whether or not you intend to hire an attorney. Time might not be on your side, so you need to act fast and hire someone who will help exonerate you or lessen your charges. This quick guide to hiring a criminal defense firm can make the process a little easier.

Hiring a Criminal Defense Firm, Criminal Defense Firm
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Tips For Hiring a Criminal Defense Firm

Maintain an open line of communication

The criminal process can be very draining and complicated. Since you cannot navigate the murky waters of the law by yourself, you need to hire a good defense firm to lead you every step of the way. Hire a defense firm that provides multiple channels of communication such as email, text messages, and calls. With different methods, you can reach out in case of any queries.

Vet your attorney during your initial consultation

Before hiring a criminal defense firm, consider how accessible they are over the phone the first time you reach out. Avoid a defense lawyer who takes too long to call back or those who seem disrespectful and unwilling to listen. The first consultation via a phone call should give you a clear picture of your attorney’s tone and communication skills.

Determine whether you will hire a solo attorney or a law firm

There is also a question of picking a team or a solo attorney. Frankly, there are pros and cons in going for either a solo attorney or a firm. According to criminal lawyers at Hickey & Chung, a reputable firm will have a team of top attorneys who can put their heads and resources together and develop a solution for a complicated case. That said, do your due diligence before picking any firm or solo attorney to avoid frustrations after signing a contract.

Visit their website and read testimonials and reviews

After you have met with your criminal lawyer in person, go a step further and dig into their website. Reading testimonials and online reviews on their website will give you a clear picture of their professionalism and ability to handle cases. Steer clear of defense firms with negative reviews or multiple complaints.

Make sure they have many years of experience before hiring a criminal defense firm

An experienced law firm has had many years to familiarize itself with the judicial system. Chances are, they have dealt with a case similar to yours and know exactly what to do to help you. Ask them up front if you are unsure about their experience in defending criminal cases or their website doesn’t have a clear indication.

Hiring a Criminal Defense Firm

Depending on your case, a good defense attorney can protect your future and advise you on the best possible outcome. Just steer clear of attorneys who promise you a silver lining only for them to run off with your money. It would be best to compare the prices of various defense firms to find the one that fits your budget.

Categories
Parenting

How to Balance Parenting and Caring for Your Own Parents

Having both children still at home and elderly parents can be hard to handle. If you have one or more parents who need some extra support and care, it’s tough to balance parenting and taking care of your own parents. You need to know how to use your time wisely if you want to manage everything that’s on your plate while also having your own life. It’s a stressful thing to do, but it’s not impossible if you know when to ask for help and how you can make the most of the time and energy that you have available.

If you’re trying to balance both parenting your children and caring for your parents, here are some of the things that you can do to make it work.

Balance Parenting

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How to Balance Parenting and Caring for Your Own Parents

Ensure You’re Not Doing It Alone

One of the toughest things about parenting and looking out for your own parents is trying to do it alone. You might feel like you have to take on all the responsibility yourself, but there’s almost always help available. First, you should ensure you’re asking for help from family and friends. If you have siblings to help care for your parents or a partner who can share the load of childcare, make sure they do their fair share. Even if you don’t have friends or family to help out, you can often find organizations that offer support.

Schedule Your Time

You only have a limited amount of time available on any given day or week. Trying to get everything done can be pretty tricky when you have a lot of things to do. Being able to schedule your time effectively is important if you have to balance being a parent and caring for your own parents. Getting onto a good schedule or routine can be helpful if you want to manage your time effectively. It can help to lower stress and even show you that you have more time than you think you have.

Get Professional Help with Care

Sometimes it’s not enough to rally the troops and get your friends and family to help you out. There are times when you need to seek professional help in caring for either your children, your parents, or both. You might consider looking for more help with babysitting or even hiring a nanny if you can afford to. If your parents need more care than you can give, there are various options. You could consider home care, assisted living, and nursing homes. Just be sure to thoroughly check any services you’re considering using. If anything goes wrong, you may have to connect with a nursing home abuse lawyer to protect your family member. You need a reliable service with experienced and trustworthy staff.

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Practice Self-Care

When you’re busy caring for other people, it can be hard to stop and take time for yourself. But it’s just as important to take care of yourself as it is to look after others. In fact, it’s difficult to provide adequate care for other people if you’re not at your best. Taking time out for self-care is essential, and it’s something you can include in your routine. As well as doing small things each day to take care of yourself, you can make arrangements so you can take a break. For example, you could arrange for respite care to free up some of your time.

Prioritize in a Healthy Way

Being able to prioritize all of the things that you have to do is a must. You might have multiple things to juggle, but some of them can afford to be dropped sometimes. It’s ok to not do some things or to do the minimum if it means you can focus on the more important things. Knowing how to prioritize can really help save your sanity and it can help you to not feel guilty when you don’t do everything perfectly.

Combine Your Family to Help Balance Parenting

If you have to care for both your children and your parents, consider whether you can combine your family branches. Having everyone live in the same place as a multigenerational family could really help you. If everyone wants their own space, you could have a separate living space for your parents so they can remain independent. It could save you a lot of time and money too.

Balance Parenting and Caring for Your Own Parents

Having to both be a parent and care for your parents is a tough job. But there are ways to manage your time and make it work.