I have discovered an unusual product that has saved my sanity this holiday season!
I have two cats, and the only reason they’re still alive is that the old saying “curiosity killed the cat” is an old wives’ tale. Every year, our Christmas tree was subjected to all kinds of abuse from the cats; they just could not resist checking out all those hanging tinsels and swaying ornaments! Every night I had to crawl around the living room floor on my hands and knees, picking up ornaments and putting them back on the tree, only to do the same thing again the next night, and the next. Cats are climbers, and they loved to climb up that tree and nap on the branches. It was cute and made for a lot of great photo ops, but it was hard on an artificial tree, and even knocked the whole thing over sometimes. I tried all kinds of advice and products to keep the cats away from the tree, but nothing was strong enough to overcome their curiosity and their cat-ness.
So, when I heard about this product, I went to their Web site and checked it out. It seemed almost too good to be true, and I was skeptical. Skeptical, and desperate, so I bought some of this product, tried it, and now I want EVERYBODY to know about it, because it worked.
The product is called Ecosmartplastics Repellem, and this company makes animal and insect-repellent plastics, such as tablecloths and trash bags. Hospitals and schools often buy such supplies from this company, and it seemed their repeat business was good – which is an excellent sign. Repellem is also a “green” product, and that is very important to me, too.
My box of Repellem bags arrived in less than a week!
I just tied a Repellem trash bag around the Christmas tree trunk, covered it with the tree skirt as the Web site instructed me to, and as far as those cats are concerned, there IS no tree in the house. Once that Repellem bag was around the trunk, the tree did not exist for those cats.
When my neighbor stopped by with her dog, I worried about the tree because, well, dogs and trees. . . . but again, the dog did not seem to notice the tree at all.
Ecosmartplastics Repellem also boasts that their products keep almost every insect away from campsites, picnics, closets, kitchens and baby rooms. The Web site recommends storing clothing in Repellem bags to keep moths away. A Repellem trash bag in any wastebasket will keep ants, roaches and gnats away.
It’s almost too good to be true, but it IS true. I tried this product, and now I am using it faithfully.
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DISCLAIMER ALERT: The ideas expressed in this post came out of my own head, were researched by my own eyes and were expressed by my own hands. They are not intended to serve as medical advice in any way, shape or form. And they do not reflect the views of Humana Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. I take full responsibility if you think this post is awesome or not awesome.
Sometimes the best safety advice is also the simplest!
Whether you’ve got a real evergreen tree or an artificial tree, you need to anchor that tree to the wall before you decorate it. No matter how large and sturdy the tree stand might be, it’s not enough to keep your tree from falling if a pet or child tugs at it.
This is especially important if you have small children or pets. If you use fishing line, it hardly shows!
Can you see the fishing line in this picture? This is my actual Christmas tree, last year, and it’s so heavy and loaded with ornaments, there was just no way it could stay upright without help. It’s tied to the molding around that big window in six places; otherwise, it would be flat on the floor.
This is such a simple thing, but it can keep a child or a pet safe this holiday season. Don’t take chances, especially with your children; they’re far too important. Tethering your Christmas tree isn’t difficult, and it could be so very, very important.
Just tie the strong fishing line around the tree’s trunk, not the branches, and fasten it tightly enough that it doesn’t sway, lest it build up enough momentum to fall! You’re fighting gravity here, and since gravity is a LAW, it sometimes wins. Tie your tree tightly.
As I said, you’re fighting gravity … gravity, and curious, exploring children. Secure the tree so there are no holiday tragedies.
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DISCLAIMER ALERT: The ideas expressed in this post came out of my own head, were researched by my own eyes and were expressed by my own hands. They are not intended to serve as medical advice in any way, shape or form. And they do not reflect the views of Humana Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. I take full responsibility if you think this post is awesome or not awesome.
Depending on where you live, you might be experiencing dropping temperatures or even snow. That might be putting quite the damper on your winter exercise plans. After all, it’s not easy to work up the courage to put on those running clothes and step out into sub-zero weather for your daily run. The good news, however, is that there are ways to beat the winter chill and stay fit. Considering what we all know can happen over Thanksgiving and Christmas, the more we exercise, the more we can counteract the indulgences we allow ourselves.
There are risks for working out whenever you do, whether it is hot or cold, so consult your doctor before starting any kind of exercise program. Cold weather can often exasperate breathing issues like asthma and heart conditions. Once you have done that, there are just a few things to keep in mind that set winter workouts apart from their summer counterparts. First and foremost, know when to stay inside. Always, I repeat always, make sure to factor in the wind chill before you go out and start your workout. Remember, the wind, or the wind you can create by doing a fast moving exercise like running or skiing, can make the temps anywhere from 5 to 30 degrees colder. A good rule of thumb: If it’s below zero, stay inside.
I found a few other good tips from the Mayo Clinic to keep in mind as you jump into a Winter Wonderland of workout. Keep a few of these in mind as you suit up to brave the cold. Remember, the more you do through the colder months, the less you’ll have to scramble when swimsuit season hits. Check these out:
- “Protect Your Extremities – When it’s cold, blood is shunted to your body’s core, leaving your hands and feet vulnerable to frostbite. Try wearing a thin pair of gloves under a pair of heavier gloves or mittens lined with wool or fleece. You might want to buy exercise shoes a half-size larger than usual to allow for thick thermal socks or an extra pair of regular socks. And don’t forget a hat or headband — 30 to 40 percent of your body heat is lost through your head.”
- “Choose Appropriate Gear – If it’s dark, wear reflective clothing. To stay steady on your feet, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Wear a helmet for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.”
- “Remember Sunscreen - It’s as easy to get sunburned in winter as in summer — even more so if you’re exercising in the snow or at high altitudes. Wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 15 or higher. Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen, and protect your eyes from snow and ice glare with dark glasses or goggles.”
- “Head Into The Wind - You’ll be less likely to get chilled on the way back if you end your workout — when you may be sweaty — with the wind at your back.”
- “Drink Plenty of Fluids – Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your workout — even if you’re not thirsty. You can become just as dehydrated in the cold as in the heat from sweating, breathing and increased urine production.”
Do those things and you should be just fine and dandy this winter. Remember to keep an eye on any and all signs of frostbite or hypothermia, the two can come on faster than you’d believe and hit you harder than you’d imagine. Be safe, be fit, and don’t let the cold months drag you down.
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DISCLAIMER ALERT: The ideas expressed in this post came out of my own head, were researched by my own eyes and were expressed by my own hands. They are not intended to serve as medical advice in any way, shape or form. And they do not reflect the views of Humana Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. I take full responsibility if you think this post is awesome or not awesome.
