Author: Erin Sluka

Healthy Living

Shorten your cold and flu symptoms with Zicam Cold Remedy products

Erin Sluka
Shorten your cold and flu symptoms with Zicam

There is nothing worse than getting that initial scratchy throat and feeling the start of a cold or virus. You know what is coming – the aches, runny nose and then the cough that will keep you from decent sleep for a few days. The moment I feel a virus starting or if anyone in my house gets sick, I reach for preventative products.

I have come to rely on Zicam. During COVID and especially as COVID calmed down and I went back to work at the high school, I was prepared with all Zicam options I can find from Elderberry and nasal sprays. I began to recommend Zicam to everyone I know because I truly feel like it has helped shorten and calm symptoms as it says it does. I believe it as I have experienced it myself.

zicam nasal spray

Some of Zicam’s products to mention are

  • Zicam’s Cold Remedy Citrus Rapid Melts and Medicated Fruit Drops: homeopathic quick-dissolve tablets or soft chews, made with zinc, that actually shorten colds when taken at the first sign versus just temporarily relieving symptoms
  • Zicam’s Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs: contain a zinc-free homeopathic formula that is plant-based, cooling menthol and soothing eucalyptus
  • Zicam’s Cold Remedy Nasal Spray: zinc-free homeopathic formula provides multi-symptom cold relief and helps open and flush your nasal passages to relieve congestion
zicam rapidmelts

Zicam has all you need to be prepared at the first sign of illness in your home or symptoms you may feel. The sooner you begin using Zicam products, the more effective for you! Find these at your local retailers.

Natural Foods

Kahawa 1893 coffee beans are grown and harvested in Kenya

Erin Sluka
Kahawa 1893 coffee beans are grown and harvested in Kenya

Founded by a 3rd generation coffee farmer in Kenya, Kahawa 1893 is a delicious, rich coffee that has me ditching the need for using sugar creamers. The hardest part of switching into an intermittent fasting lifestyle was not putting creamer in my coffee. Black coffee is allowed while fasting, but only plain. It is important that I enjoy the flavor of the coffee because I have been learning to drink it creamer-free now. I need my coffee in the morning and these medium roast flavors from Kahawa are my morning must-have!

The Safari Blend is a chocolate-caramel flavor while Ethiopian is more of a berry-floral flavor. Kahawa means ‘coffee’ in Swahali. Kahawa 1893 coffee is available in whole beans, ground, and single-serve coffee packs. 100% of proceeds to go directly to the female coffee producers that Kahawa 1893 works with making it that much more appealing.

There are over 10 Kahawa 1893 coffee flavors in their shop and you can support female farmers and enjoy a delicious coffee with the freshest of beans by shopping online!

Parenting

A First-Time Parents Guide to a Happy Baby

Erin Sluka
First-Time Parents
Image by -Rita-👩‍🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay

Taking care of a darling baby can be one of the most fulfilling and terrifying times in the lives of new parents. It’s such an amazing and overwhelming feeling to have a baby, but taking care of them can be harrowing due to how vulnerable the little one can be.

Of course, the little bundle of joy makes everything a labor of love, but it doesn’t change the fact that it can be so scary to handle a baby. Fortunately, you’ll soon get used to the (hectic) new lifestyle, so all you have to do is get as much insight as possible and do your best to care for your little one.

Here are some tips for first-time parents to help you get started!

  1. Making sure your baby has a safe environment to sleep

It should come as no surprise, but sleeping beside your baby is not a good idea. You never know what might happen while you sleep, and the little one might get hurt (or worse) through the night. It’s a much better idea for your baby to have a crib and the best baby mobile available for relaxation and mental stimulation.

It’s also a good idea to keep any soft objects (such as loose bedding) away from your baby while they sleep and lay them on their back. Some babies are good at turning on their back or their little bellies, so once you see them quickly roll back and forth, there’s no need to constantly reposition them to sleep. A safe environment is crucial for your baby, and it’s better to share a room than share a bed with your newborn.

  1. Getting the help of friends and relatives if you’re still unsure

It’s crucial that the new parents get as much help as possible, as caring for a baby can and will be hectic during the first few months. If you can get the assistance of friends and relatives, do so. Not only is it a much better idea to have other people around to help you care for your baby, but your relatives likely have had a similar experience, so their knowledge can help you make things easier.

  1. Learning to keep your baby properly fed

One of the first things to consider is that babies should generally be fed on demand. Whether by bottle or breastfeeding, it’s often better for your newborn whenever it seems like they’re hungry. Generally, a newborn should be fed every 2 to 3 hours. Consult your doctor also  concerning baby formula. Babies also have a habit of swallowing air as they try to feed, which can lead to stomach pain. Make sure that you burp your baby often.

There is much more to learn concerning taking care of your baby, and it’s recommended that you research as much as possible if any aspect confuses you. It’s better to be safe than sorry when caring for a newborn. Otherwise, the best-practice methods above can help you develop a solid foundation concerning the care of your bundle of joy.

Children's Books

2 new Bala Kids Books about nature and enduring change

Erin Sluka
2 new Bala Kids Books about nature and enduring change

Don’t Kill the Bugs: How Kids Can Be Heroes for Creatures Big and Small

In this children’s book, we learn that all living things have feelings and deserve to survive. Be Kind, Don’t Kill is the lesson your child learns and they can save creatures big and small by showing love. The Author is Berthe Jansen, is a Buddhist scholar, mother of two daughters and a son, and has interpreted from Tibetan to Dutch for the Dalai Lama. This book is for ages 3-7 and available today. Buy ‘Don’t Kill the Bugs’ today.

The Life of a Crayon: A Colorful Story of Never-Ending Beginnings 

This children’s book is an adorable story that follows the life of a green crayon as it becomes smaller as it ages. This green crayon has made art and cards and gets used a lot more certain seasons and holidays. As time goes on, it gets smaller and smaller until it can no longer color. But, there are ways to use the last of a good crayon. The Author is Tara Wosiski, an artist, author and art educator and Christopher Willard, an author and educator who teaches at Harvard Medical School and serves on the board of the Mindfulness in Education Network and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. It is written for ages 4-8. Buy The Life of a Crayon today.

Enjoy these books about nature and enduring change as we grow from Bala Kids books!