Spotting an Eating Disorder: 6 Subtle Signs

There is a societal misconception that everyone who has an eating disorder will either lose a lot of weight, gain a lot of weight and/or refuse to eat, make themselves sick after meals, or binge on foods. In reality, eating disorders are much more complex, and the impact on a person’s health is not always visible or obvious. Eating disorders tend to worsen gradually over time, and the early signs can be easily missed or dismissed as unimportant. If you are concerned that a friend or family member may be struggling with an eating disorder, here are six subtle signs to look out for.

• Talking about food excessively

In some cases, people can become obsessed with food and cooking in response to a period of restriction or starvation. They may want to cook more but choose to give others food and refuse to consume it themselves. This is particularly relevant if they have never had much of an interest in food or cooking before. Other people may learn a lot about nutrition and become obsessed about eliminating certain food groups such as carbohydrates or adopting a gluten-free diet (with no medical reason to do so).

• Sticking to a strict eating routine

Eating disorders can lead people to become compulsive in their eating habits, e.g., they will only eat at certain times of day, eat the same foods repeatedly (as they know their calorific value), or will only eat using particular utensils, plates, and bowls. They may also have to eat their meals in a specific way, e.g., vegetables before carbohydrates, or always cutting their food in small pieces. They may become upset or irritated if circumstances prevent them from sticking to their routine.

• Reluctance to eat in front of others

When a person consistently makes excuses as to why they do not want to eat when around others, it could be a sign of an eating disorder. They may feel self-conscious about their appearance, concerned about being ‘judged’ for the food they eat or may be trying to hide an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder. For more information about binge eating disorder and possible treatment programs, visit edentreatment.com.

• Severe mood swings

The food we eat directly impacts our physical and mental health, and poor nutrition can be a contributing factor to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and stress due to hormonal imbalances. Becoming withdrawn and avoiding social occasions could also be an indicator of anxiety and/or depression which could be related to their eating disorder.

• Excessive use of condiments

Some people may begin to choose low calorie, bland foods, but cover them with condiments which add flavor but are also low in calories, and some might cover food with a sauce they do not like to deter themselves from eating.

• Wearing ill-fitting clothing

Eating disorders are usually intertwined with a distorted body image and poor self-care. This might become noticeable when a person wears clothes which are too big for them or keeps clothes which are too small with the intention of fitting into them again. Some people with anorexia who have lost a lot of body fat are likely to feel cold temperatures more severely, and wear lots of layers to keep warm.

 

4 Ideas for a Fun Kids Party at Home

If you are looking to throw your child a truly awesome birthday party, then you can’t go far wrong organizing something yourself at home!

Think about it. At home there is no cost per head, and if you ask the parents of the other children you will be able to get more than enough help to set up (and clean up) a truly memorable party that has been exactly tailored to your child’s favourite things.

To make a party truly magical, it’s really effective to pick a theme and let it inform your choices of decorations, clothing, food and games. Read on for some inspiration …

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is a fantastic theme for a party because the story is so wacky and fun, almost any part of it will make a fun party feature!

When you’re thinking about your party you have a lot of options, you can take your inspiration from the original book, from the Disney movie or from the later Tim Burton movies. Or you could even go for a combination of all three.

The Mad Hatter’s tea party is a great setting for a kids party, with lots of food and party games. Or you could take inspiration from the court of the Queen of Hearts and have a giant game of chess!

Party planner Matt James has some wonderful suggestions for three dimensional invitations, costumes and suggestions for food and drinks. It’s the little touches that really make a theme come to life!

Dinosaurs

Kids and adults alike love dinosaurs! If you want to have a roar-some time (sorry) then dinosaurs are a great theme option.

As with any theme party, it’s the little touches that can really make your party special. Some ideas that could work well for your dinosaur related party are:

• Instead of party hats, create some DIY dinosaur headbands! You could do this yourself before the party, or use making the headbands as one of your activities.
• Fill a large bowl with sand (or use a sandpit if the weather is good) and hide ‘fossils’ in it. Let the children play archaeologist and dig them up.
• Decorate your table with plants and toy dinosaurs, so that you feel as though you’re eating in a prehistoric jungle.
• Dinosaur shaped cookies and dinosaur cupcake toppers.

Unicorn-themed party

If your child loves unicorns then you’ll be onto a winner with this idea!

Think sparkly, colourful decorations, combined with party games like pin the tail on the unicorn and crafting unicorn horns.

The kids can design their own unicorn outfits to wear, check out www.findingunicorns.com.au for some great ideas.

And finally, for your food make use of rainbow skittles and see if you can bake a unicorn cake!

Under the sea

Under the sea parties give you so much opportunity for creativity!

Deck out your house so that it looks like an undersea grotto using lots of sparkly blue and green streamers, and create seaweed to hang off of the furniture.

There’s a lot of fun to be had with fancy dress for an undersea party, whether you choose to dress as merpeople, fish, crabs or big scary sharks!

4 Tips For Planning a Trip

Travel is one of the best things that you can do to enrich your life. However, planning a trip can be a bit daunting. The good news is that regardless of where you would like to go in the world, the same basic planning tips apply,

Take a look at some of the most practical ones to help you on your way.

Decide Where You Want To Visit

The first and probably most obvious step is deciding where it is that you’d like to visit. It’s a big wide world with plenty of places to choose from. Don’t be afraid to get adventurous! Make sure that you understand what to expect in each location.

Some places may be a better fit for you than others, depending on what it is that you hope to do. You’ll want to consider everything from what kind of language is spoken there, to how much it costs to get there.

Choose Your Accommodations Carefully

A lot of people think that the place they’ll lay their head at night isn’t a big deal. They assume that the majority of their trip will be spent enjoying their destination. While this is in some ways true, it’s not entirely.

Don’t make the mistake of haphazardly choosing where you’ll stay because it can actually make quite a difference in your experience.

You’d be blown away to see what kind of Airbnb you can find for the same price as a mediocre hotel. Why stay in a stuffy room when you can stay in a gorgeous loft for the same price?

Don’t Be A Tourist

It’s ok to be a tourist because you are one, but try to stray off the same path as everyone else. Don’t be forced into thinking that you have to go to all the same places and do all the same things as everyone else.

Wander a little and get lost. Follow your own instincts instead of following a tourist book. Instead of going to see museums, consider going to local neighborhoods to get a feel for the local culture.

Don’t Go Beyond Your Budget

As much as you might be compelled to make your vacation an unforgettable one by going above and beyond your resources, it’s not going to do you any favors. It’s possible to have an amazing experience without overspending.

When you spend beyond your budget, you risk getting back home after your trip and feeling stressed about money.

When planning your trip, make sure that you budget carefully so that you only spend the amount that makes sense for your bank account.

You can splurge here and there, but only where it really counts. Don’t forget that you have to get back to reality when you’re back home!

Reasons to Love What You Do

It is a common misconception that those who work for a living invariably hate their jobs. While it is true that it is not many people who love what they do, these workers have proven themselves time and again to be more dependable and harder working than others. When you genuinely enjoy the process which takes up a lot of your time, there are benefits such as increased enthusiasm and job satisfaction. Keep reading for the full list of reasons why pursuing your dreams can help you reach your business goals.

1. You Will Think Better On Your Feet

Being passionate about your job will make you strive to be better, always coming up with creative solutions to issues that pop up. Use this creativity to find and invest in the best tax free investments. This will really be a beneficial trait at any point in your career. If you are enamored of your industry, you will be curious and always look for reasons and new developments that can improve your output. You will be better equipped to deal with any snags that you might stumble upon. This is the secret to loving and truly comprehending your business.

2. You Will Get More Work Done

Just as you will be inspired to learn all you can about your career, you will become extremely motivated and become imbued with the drive to be better than you were before. If you do not love what you do, your performance will be lackluster and lack passion. Loving your career can put you in a better place mentally and emotionally. This, in turn, will make you more productive and will give you more free time to spend on your hobbies. You will be inspired to learn about every aspect of the industry, which will make it simpler for you to attain excellence.

3. You Will Be the Inspiration for Others

Whether it is turning a hobby into a career or pursuing a subject about which you are passionate, the sad fact is that many people are too fearful to go after what they really want. When you show yourself capable of that risky behavior, you can be the inspiration for people just like you. As a person who greets work every day, you can inspire those close to you and those who are impressionable. You can demonstrate how to take risks and have them pay off.

4. You Will Be Internally Motivated

Different people have different motivations for why they pursue their careers. A lot of that motivation is outward, be it a roof over their heads or food on the table. These are incredibly important factors for going to work, but the more rewarding is the internal motivation that you will get from a day’s good work at something you are passionate about. Studies have shown that when workers are internally motivated by good energy, they are more productive and have better job satisfaction.

5. A Balance Between Work and Life Will Be Easier to Maintain

We all know the importance of keeping a good work-life balance. Being able to work productively and still have time for the things which bring us joy is crucial to avoiding burnout and living life to its fullest. Not only will it be easy to devote time to all the things you are fond of but you will take delight in every aspect of your day. Having more time to do the things you love can also help you look at work in a better way.

It is cliché to think that everyone hates their careers. In fact, many people love and are passionate about the industry that they are in. Finding something about your job to love will make you more curious about it, seeking out new information and coming up with new things to do. When you excel at something you love, you might just inspire some new people to be the best that they can be. Finally, if you love your career, every day will be happier than the last.

 

3 of the Most Beautiful Countries in Which to Spend Your Golden Years

If you want to choose the best retirement country for your needs, then you’ll be glad to know that this is very easy to do. In fact, these top 3 countries are easily the best ones for you to visit if you aren’t sure how to get started.

Mexico

Cheap healthcare, rent and other low costs of living certainly make Mexico one of the finest places for you to retire in the world, right now. The great thing about Mexico is that it’s got a highly diverse environment and you can choose from an incredible number of locations too. So many people choose to retire by the beach or even up in the mountains. Some of the smaller villages in the area are actually the most appealing and you can easily live on a very small budget if you want.

If you enjoy dining out, then the myriad of gastronomic delights will certainly make sure that you have something new to check out every time you venture out of the house. Another thing that you need to know about Mexico is that there are very affordable healthcare services there. Finding healthcare in private establishments can cost just 25% of what it could cost you in another country for the same level of cover and care, so keep that in mind. If you want to move here then why not look into a pension transfer with a specialist to ensure you get value for money on your savings and investments.

Nicaragua

Next up on the list is Nicaragua. This is another American country that is truly affordable if you want to retire. The cost of living in the country is incredibly low when compared to the United States and affords retirees the chance to experience stunning living while on a shoestring budget. If you plan to spend the rest of your days in flip flops, then this is the ideal location for that. Fishing and even hiking are very good, and you can easily visit the city for some fantastic dining entertainment and shopping too.

Costa Rica

This is a very popular and safe country and it’s very easy to see why. It’s got a booming economy, the beaches are awesome and there are also so many natural wonders too. This will keep any retiree very interested, for a very long time. Another thing that you need to know is that the cost of living is affordable. Retirees can find it incredibly easy to get a visa and it’s way more preferable when compared to spending way more money to stay in the country you are in right now.

Of course, there are so many benefits to retiring abroad and if you have never thought about doing it before then now is the time for you to change that. When you do, you will soon find that you are able to not only have the time of your life, but also capitalise on some fantastic benefits. If you want to find out more about retiring abroad then why not look into your pension benefits, and explore other countries that may be an option for you?

 

4 Lifestyle Factors that Can Contribute Towards Depression

Depression is a very common problem, and at one point or another, many people may suffer from it. While a lot of depression can be the result of dealing with difficult circumstances, such as the death of a loved one, financial worries, or being unhappy in their job, others might not be able to pin-point what exactly is causing them to feel so low.

While it can be a very complicated issue to navigate, it’s important to recognize that certain lifestyle factors can be contributing to depressive states of mind. Here are 4 things to look out for if you’ve been struggling with depression that you might be able to change for the better.

Diet and Lack of Exercise

This might seem like something that is linked more closely with physical health rather than your mental well-being, but your diet and exercise routines can have a direct effect on your state of mind. If you tend to eat a lot of junk food or meals that lack the correct nutrition, this can make you feel tired and unmotivated. Additionally, little to no exercise is another thing that could be impacting your mood. It’s always recommended that you try and engage in some moderate exercise if you are feeling depressed, as this will release more endorphins and naturally boost your mood.

High-Stress Environments

Stress can be very dangerous to your mental and physical health if it is left unchecked. High-pressure jobs, or even academic pressures for children and teenagers, can lead to depression. If you notice that your teenager appears depressed, consider whether they could be struggling at school, or if things are happening at home that could be causing issues.

Tumultuous home life is detrimental to both the children in the house and the adults, and this must be addressed. If you are worried about your children’s well-being due to issues at home or school, consider residential treatment centers for depression. They can provide excellent care and support to help your child through this difficult period.

Bad Sleeping Pattern

A lack of sleep is another big contributor to depression. If you’re not getting enough rest each day, this not only puts a strain on your body but also your mind. You might find you’re having mood swings due to exhaustion or struggling to remember things or process information. This will increase your feelings of stress, and this kind of frustration can quickly turn into depression.

Cluttered/Dirty Living Space

Your living environment has a huge impact on your well-being, and usually living in clutter or an unclean home can make an individual feel unhappy or stressed. Consider how you feel when you’re relaxing at home in a clean and tidy space, compared to when it’s messy. Does the former feel better? For most people, the answer is ‘yes’. Make sure you’re keeping on top of household chores and de-clutter your home to help you feel calmer and happier.

Many things can contribute to depression, a lot of them being very complex. However, sometimes simple lifestyle changes can help to lift your spirits, so consider the points above and whether they relate to you.

 

6 Activities to Enjoy with the Girls

If you have managed to escape the kids and your partner for an evening or a weekend, and want to spend some quality time with the girls, it can be difficult to come up with original and exciting ideas to keep your friendship thriving. This article details some of the best activities that you can enjoy as a group that will prevent you from complaining of boredom.

Online Casinos and Gaming

If you are looking for an alternative to a night out or are simply looking for a way to inject excitement back into your friendship, then you should consider playing online casinos and games with your best friends. While board games can be a great way to pass a winter evening, online casinos and gaming are an exciting option that can allow you to win real money- without spending any in the first place. Freeextrachips.com will enable you to find the best no deposit casinos across the internet, ensuring that you can get the best deals possible for you and your friends.

Spa Days and Pamper Evenings

It can be hard to focus on yourself when you are juggling the responsibilities of a partner and kids, and so what better time to get some much-deserved pampering than with your girls? Spa days are a traditional option for girls’ getaways that can help you to unwind and put number one first, while pamper evenings are a cheap alternative if your monthly expenses are beginning to take their toll.

Clothes and Home Ware Swaps

When you have kids, there is always an endless amount of used clothing and ornaments scattered around the house that you simply do not use anymore. Rather than leaving these to go to waste, you should consider holding a clothes and homeware swap with your best friends that can allow you all to come away with something new, while also getting rid of everything that has started to clutter your home.

Go on a Girls Trip or Weekend Away

If you want to get away from normal life for a while, then why not consider booking a girls trip or weekend away to a bucket-list destination, even if this is within your own country? This can help you to spend some much-needed time with your long-term friends, which can be even more special if families and jobs keep getting in the way of your friendship. You may also consider looking to visit local attractions and events if you do not have the time to take days off work.

Host a Sleepover

Who said that sleepovers were only for kids? Sleepovers are the new house parties and can help you to spend that little bit of extra time with your loved ones. Whether you just want to share gossip, or whether you both want to drink without any worries about driving home, sleepovers can be a great time to crack out your favorite movies, anecdotes, and dinner recipes to make memories that you will treasure.

Become Exercise Buddies

Exercise may not be the first activity that enters your mind when you want to spend time with friends. However, becoming exercise buddies is a great way to encourage each other to meet your fitness goals, while enjoying each other’s company regularly.

 

Ways to Retain Customer Loyalty When Running a Restaurant

When people have plenty of choices, it’s easy for them to jump from one to another. It’s true if you run a restaurant. You’re not the only option in the area. Even the items on your menu are available elsewhere. If you wish to retain the loyalty of your current customers, you have to prove your worth. There are some helpful tips to make people come back after dining with you once.

Improve your menu

Nothing beats the quality of the meals when you’re running a restaurant. It’s the reason why people decide to dine in the first place. If you consistently offer excellent dishes, you can expect customers to come back for more. You also want to give them the same flavour each time. It helps if you have the best suppliers. The ingredients used in your dishes are key in guaranteeing consistent results. You can check out https://www.kiril-mischeff.com if you need help in getting the best ingredients.

Listen to your customers

Provide an option that allows people to express their views about the restaurant. Whether it’s the traditional suggestion box or an online feedback form, it doesn’t matter. As long as you give them a direct line to your business, it helps. Of course, it’s not enough to offer a tool for them to air their views. You also need to listen and show that you’re willing to change.

Keep the prices the same

Sure, the inflation rate will force you to increase the prices on your menu. The ingredients used also became more expensive. However, it helps if you try to bear as much of the cost as you can. Don’t increase the prices if you’re still making a profit. You might lose your loyal customers if you suddenly increase the price.

Be engaging on social media

You need to advertise on social media. It’s a popular platform. You can find everyone on social media these days. You will remind people that you exist and your services are worth paying for, with the help of your social media gimmick. Try posting regular updates. Respond to enquiries. Try to connect with anyone who contacts you on social media. Not all of them will become your customers, but they’re still worth paying attention to.

Another strategy is to come up with games and other fun activities that offer rewards. You will make people feel that they matter and you show that you care about them. You’re not only after potential profits. Let your loyal customers be the first ones to know about discounts and promotions. They will feel more valued if you do so. You can also offer promotional merchandise to entice them to keep coming back.

Customer loyalty isn’t easy to gain. Some people are picky. Others will only try the restaurants once before moving to a different option. You have to work hard to make people believe in you. They will continue to spend money to get what you have to offer. It’s the reason why some restaurants stay popular even after generations of operation.

3 Tips For Safely Traveling With An Elderly Loved One

While traveling in general can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous situation, hitting the road with an elderly loved one can throw some additional hurdles into your path. But with the right planning and attitude, traveling with an older friend or family member can be just as enjoyable as journeying with any other travel mate.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for safely traveling with an elderly loved one.

Schedule In Down Time

As people age, it becomes much easier for them to get tired and worn out while traveling. Knowing this, Renata Gelman, a contributor to AgingCare.com, advises that you consciously schedule more down time into your travel plans when you’re going with an elderly loved one.

By planning fewer activities during the day and planning to end your adventures earlier than you otherwise might, you’ll ensure that your loved one and travel companion can physically and mentally keep up with you. And because travel can easily tire anyone out, regardless of their age, you might find that you enjoy taking a break in the middle of the day, too.

Keep Their Meds In Check

One thing that you don’t have to have to worry about when traveling with your elderly loved one is any issues with their medications. As a result, it’s virtual that you get everything with their medication or other medical equipment squared away well before you plan to leave on any kind of trip.

In some instances, getting their medications together might entail speaking with their caregiver if they’re not living with you or living on their own anymore. Once you have all the information and medication they’ll need to have on your trip together, Smarter Travel advises that you always pack their medication in a carry-on bag so that it won’t easily get lost. Additionally, you should plan to have at least a few extra days of medication on-hand so that, in the event that things don’t go as planned, you can have easy access to the medication they’ll need.

Choose The Right Accommodations

If your elderly loved one has any kind of mobility issues, you’ll want to be extra careful about the accommodations that you set up. For example, Joy Intriago, a contributor to SeniorsMatter.com, shares that it’s best for most seniors to get a hotel room on the ground floor and close to an entrance. Along with this, you should also try to find accommodations close to the places you’ll be visiting during the day. Then, if you need to take a break in the middle of the day, it’s easy to head back to your accommodations without wasting a lot of time in transit.

If you’re planning to travel with your elderly loved one in the future, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do so safely and wisely.

 

5 Most Popular Classic Casino Games for Beginners

If you’re new to the online gambling scene, you’ll soon discover that there are hundreds, if not thousands of fun and entertaining games to choose from. Some of the classic games aren’t games of ability but rather games of luck and rely solely on ‘luck of the draw.’ There are also games that involve a certain level of strategy.

 

Once you have found the best online casino, you can select a handful of popular games that will help you familiarise yourself with the casino scene. Here are a few of the most popular, classic games to get you started in reaping the most rewards.

Blackjack

Blackjack is probably the most common casino game because of its simplicity. With its simple rules, it’s a game you can learn in a very short time. The primary principle of blackjack is to get your hand as near to 21 as possible.

Blackjack offers you the advantage of playing against the dealer only, and as long as you don’t go over 21, your chances of winning are pretty good because this game favours the player! When played properly, Blackjack can be very entertaining.

Roulette

Roulette, like Blackjack, is very popular because it’s really easy to play. A ball dropped into a spinning wheel ends up in a numbered, slotted compartment. You place your bet before the wheel is spun and if the ball lands on the number you guessed, your bet wins.

Like Blackjack, you can choose to have a simple bet or you could spice it up by choosing red or black, specific groups of numbers, as well as odd or even numbers. Increasing your options could increase your chances of winning.

 

Video Poker

If you’ve ever played five card draw at a real casino table, this is a game you’ll enjoy because it’s actually just the electronic version. The only difference is that there are no opponents. You just need to try and generate the best hand that can win. Unlike playing the slots where you’re relying on luck, video poker is all about strategy and skill.

Slot Games

Probably the easiest on the casino game list, slot games rank as the most played by online casino visitors worldwide. It’s as simple as putting your money in and pressing a button. Slots offer an opportunity to win large sums of money without much effort.

Craps

If you enjoy dice games, craps is the game for you. You’re basically betting on the roll of the dice. There are different bets you can make in this game, although seasoned craps players suggest sticking to the ones that are simple and direct.

Wheel of Fortune

Based on the entertaining American TV show, Wheel of Fortune remains quite popular with online users. Three different versions give you a bit of variety to choose from.

In Conclusion

Online gambling offers you the opportunity to engage in the joys of gambling anywhere and at any time. These popular, yet simple games are likely to have you winning in no time!