Mommy Has to Work

Is Mauritius a family holiday destination?

October 28, 2013 By Anne

The island of Mauritius is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and alluring holiday destinations in the world. Situated in the striking turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, this idyllic location boasts a favourable year-long climate, white sandy beaches, a remarkable landscape and some stunning hotel resorts.

Therefore, Mauritius is considered to be the perfect destination for newlyweds on honeymoon or couples seeking a romantic getaway. But is it suitable for families as well as couples?

Accommodation

Although there is accommodation for adults only, thankfully there are several hotels and resorts that cater for families with children of all ages, so you’ll easily be able to find a place to stay that meets your family’s requirements.

Several hotels will have some sort of kids’ club for both younger children and teenagers, meaning you can relax and unwind while you’re offspring stay entertained. You may even be able to find accommodation where under-18s stay for free, but this is likely to depend on the season.

And for couples looking for a peaceful and tranquil retreat, you can rest assured that children won’t disturb tailor-made romantic packages.

Activities

Despite the relatively small size of Mauritius, there are numerous things to do and see for the whole family. Not only are the majority of beaches of exceptional quality, they are also incredibly safe. What’s more, the gentle sea means children won’t be dealing with strong currents.

In terms of places to go, highlights include the interactive exhibits at L’Aventure du Sucre eco-museum, giant tortoises and crocodiles at La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes, and remarkable marine life at Pointe aux Biches aquarium.

For parents, the natural hospitality of the Mauritian people coupled with spa and wellness centres will guarantee you return home feeling reinvigorated and revitalised.

Food and drink

Mauritians create dishes made with fresh local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques that have been inspired by its cultural heritage. Although several ‘table d’hôte’ or local, specialised restaurants exist on the island, the majority of hotels will serve a mix of cuisine for every individual’s tastes.

Various award-winning chefs have also established restaurants in Mauritius that now stand-up against some of the best culinary establishments in the world.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Understanding Cholesterol

October 28, 2013 By Anne

This is a guest post.

Many people think that cholesterol in and of itself is bad for them. This isn’t true: a high cholesterol level can be dangerous, but cholesterol itself is vital for normal bodily functions. The key to good health is not having too much bad cholesterol.

Cholesterol, Defined

Per Medical News Today, cholesterol is a lipid (also known as a fat) produced by the liver. All cells in the body contain cholesterol in their outer layers.

Cholesterol has several essential functions. These include insulating nerve fibers, metabolizing vitamins, converting sunshine into vitamin D, assisting bile production, protecting the membranes of cells, helping in the production of hormones — including androgen, estrogen, cortisol, and aldosterone — and dictating cell membrane permeability.

Good vs. Bad Cholesterol

There are two forms of cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

According to Harvard Medical School, LDL makes up between 60 and 70 percent of cholesterol in most people. LDL is fat-containing cholesterol that acts as a sort of highway system, delivering cholesterol to parts of the body that need it. However, if a person has too much LDL in their bloodstream, the extra cholesterol is deposited into their arteries. This can lead to blockages and, ultimately, cardiac arrest. Individuals should try to keep their LDL levels low.

HDL is the other type of cholesterol. Rather than being made up of a lot of fat, HDL consists mostly of protein. HDL acts like a vacuum system for the body, sucking up excess cholesterol and sending it back to the liver (which either uses it to make bile or recycles it). HDL is beneficial, as its actions help protect the heart against disease. High levels of HDL are helpful.

Foods High and Low in Cholesterol

There are some foods that are much higher in cholesterol than others, including egg yolk, caviar, shrimp, butter, cheese, processed meats (such as sausage, duck, and bacon), oysters, and foods fried with animal fats. Many of the options available at fast food restaurants are high in cholesterol.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are many foods that actually help lower cholesterol. Some of these foods include bran, flax seed, foods consisting of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as avocados, peanuts, and olive oil), garlic, almonds, walnuts, green tea, and dark chocolate.

Ways to Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes from two sources: the body and consumed food. Some people have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, and these individuals may have a difficult time controlling their LDL levels. Most people, however, find that lifestyle changes can help decrease bad cholesterol and increase their HDL levels.

Some of these lifestyle changes include eating better, limiting foods that are high in cholesterol, maintaining a diet low in saturated fat, speaking with a doctor about how to suppress appetite cravings for fatty or fried foods, maintaining an optimal weight, not smoking, and exercising regularly. The latter three things can also help increase the heart-beneficial HDL levels.

For people who are unable to control their cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, prescribed medication may be useful.

Anne

Halloween Nails

October 27, 2013 By Anne

My daughter and I had fun painting our nails for Halloween. Not professional but cute and fun. We’ve already gotten a lot of compliments on them!

Anne

Embracing Your Natural Beauty

October 27, 2013 By Anne

This is a guest post.

Image Source

In recent years, there has been a high level of emphasis placed on embracing your natural beauty and reducing the amount of make up, fake tan and beauty products that are used to create a look which isn’t exactly realistic. For some time, women in particular are guilty of using beauty products from companies such as http://www.broschdirect.com to enhance their natural features or for some, disguise them completely. Hair has gotten bigger and bolder, skin colour now resembles an orange and make up is plastered on which gives a misrepresentation of how a person really looks and simply supports the idea of fake being better.

Society has encouraged people to increase their reliance on beauty products as they hold celebrities up in such high esteem and constantly promote the idea of having a perfect body. What is often neglected is the fact that women that grace the front covers are heavily airbrushed, celebrities have a team of people to help them look a certain way and that natural beauty is highly attractive. Instead of masking features, they should be enhanced with the support of beauty products rather than a total reliance upon them to hide the areas we are most unhappy with.

There are so many subtle ways to include things such as make up and fake tan whilst creating a more natural look that leaves you looking radiant and elegant rather than an unattractive and unrealistic appearance.

Be Fresh Faced

Making sure your skin is glowing and healthy is the best place to start. The skin, especially on the face is a good indicator to health and will represent your age and care over your appearance.

Use a foundation that matches your skin tone for the more natural look
Have a good cleansing routine to improve the appearance of the skin, the better the skin the less make up that is needed
Protect the skin from the elements and use a SPF factor make up or moisturizer to prevent and reduce wrinkles

Glossy Locks

Hair is the crowning glory and can help seal an attractive and natural look.

Clean and glossy locks that are bouncy and healthy will improve how you feel about yourself
Choose hair colours that suit your skin tone, normally tones that warm the complexion
Opt for a style which accentuates good features such as a pixie cut for strong cheekbones

Smile

No one has naturally perfect teeth but things can be done to improve the overall look, as they are such an important part of general appearance.

Make sure teeth and oral hygiene is a priority
There are teeth whitening products available either through the dentist of home products
If teeth are a real cause of unhappiness seek advice from a dental professional

Be Body Confident

Everyone has parts of their bodies, which they aren’t entirely happy with but instead of hiding away embrace the parts that are good and attempt to cover any areas that are not welcomed.

Dress accordingly to accentuate better areas and features
Use clothes to disguise areas that cause unhappiness such as floaty tops to cover love handles
Eat healthily and exercise regularly

Most importantly if you feel confident in your natural appearance it will show on the outside!

Anne

Beating the Bulge and the Blues: The Benefits of Being Active

October 25, 2013 By Anne

This is a guest post.

In today’s world our lifestyles are becoming more and more sedentary. With people not having the time to exercise or simply being too lazy, many individuals are forgetting the range of benefits that being active can bring. It’s not just about staying slim and looking good, it’s about your health and general well being of your family too.

More Bonding Time

Getting your kids involved with exercise not only means more time spent with you, but getting them active at a young age means that they will carry an active mentality with them for the rest of their lives which should lead to them being fit, healthy adults and living longer. There are many activities you can do with your child. You could play a simple game of tag or just kick a ball around the yard. You could also be active by doing fun activities such as hiking, swimming or bike riding. Biking is a great form of exercise for all the family. Don’t have a bike? Luckily, there is a great range of bike accessories for kids on the market today.

Fat Loss

Obviously, fat loss is a major benefit of living an active lifestyle. Along with fat loss, muscle mass can also be gained. Having more muscle boosts your metabolism and causes you to burn significantly more calories throughout the day, as muscle needs more energy to function. It is important to have a body mass index that is appropriate for your gender and height. There are many tools available to help you work this out or discuss with your doctor if you are unsure. Carrying around too much fat can lead to high blood pressure, stroke and type two diabetes among other serious medical complications. Being active will help to alleviate and even cure these issues.

Depression

In many studies, being active has proven to be extremely beneficial in combating depression. The endorphins that are released when exercising have an extremely beneficial effect on a person’s well being, both mentally and physically. There is no exact scientific reason as to why people find being active helps with depression, but there are both physical and psychological benefits that have been observed. Being active can also give your brain a chance to take a break from the stresses in your life. For example, exercises like Yoga and Pilates can be extremely calming and good for the mind as well as the body.

Energy Levels

Another benefit of being active is the energy boost you receive. Exercise helps to get the blood flowing throughout your body, causing more oxygen to be transported to your brain. This will cause you to feel more aware and alert. Those who tend to be more active during the day also tend to sleep longer and deeper at night, which can make you to feel more awake the following day.

Self Esteem

Being active is a great way to boost your self-esteem. When you begin to meet the goals that you set for yourself and you begin to notice that you have lost weight or that your clothes fit in a more attractive fashion, this can be a positive mental boost. Being able to keep up with your children or peers, as well as receiving the occasional compliment, can also be incredibly rewarding.

Overall, being active has a whole host of benefits both mental and physical. Anyone can experience the above benefits by getting active so what are you waiting for. Go get those trainers!