Most of us have had at least one day we’ve walked into the bathroom, looked around at the splattered mirror, the toys in the tubs, the hard water build up, and turned around and walked right back out. Geri Hess gives us a few ideas on how to keep our bathroom not only looking clean. . . but also being clean — clean free of germs that is! And if you have children in the house, well, it’s just a matter of time before they are dragging in dirty clothes from sports, germs from Lord knows where, and gunk off the bottom of their shoes. Let’s get busy and find out Geri’s shortcuts!

-ljc

By: Geri Hess

We’ve all heard reports that most public bathrooms are not clean. Is it possible that private baths are not clean as well? They just look that way. Admit it you’ve seen the report that “bathrooms are full of germs.” This article is how to keep your bathroom looking clean without chemicals.

Why would you want the bathroom to look good? First, it gives a sense of healthiness. After all what you don’t see might not hurt you. Right? It is common knowledge that toxins must reach a certain level before you get sick. Levels differ from person to person. The fewer dirty things you see the less likely you will become ill. Haven’t you heard that some “diseases are in your head?” Avoid looking at germs. When your bathroom looks clean think, “it must be clean of germs.”

Second, you won’t be embarrassed when unexpected guests show up. They will think that you are SUPER_____ you fill in the blank. Don’t you want to have your guests put you on a pedestal as the “best” housekeeper that they know? Make your bathroom look clean.

This cleaning method takes almost no time. Follow these easy quick steps to have a bathroom that always looks clean.

• After you dry yourself off use the towel to dry off the bath/shower and floor.
• Hang towel neatly on towel rack to dry or launder right away.
• Use a nearby toilet bush to dislodge any non-flushables.
• If you plan to run the dishwasher, add your toothbrushes. Not only does this clean them, but also they aren’t lying out on the counter. If the dishwasher cleans well enough for other things that you put in your mouth it is good enough for toothbrushes. You’ll save $ by not having to replace them as often.
• Hide stuff out of sight. If you like a lot of decor, get over it. Stuff attracts dirt and if you want your bath to look clean keep decor to a minimum. Practical ideas for what to keep out: Items that get used like a pile of neatly folded daily hand towels; a pump soap dispenser looks cleaner; hand lotion dispenser, and toothbrush holder (better yet keep your toothbrushes in a cabinet)
• Take the hand towel that you just used in this order: wipe off the mirror, facets, counter top and toilet, seat and behind. Put the lid down (Lids that are down look much cleaner)
• Change the toilet paper as needed.
• Most Important Step. As you leave the room take a look back. Do you get a sense of pride? Doesn’t it look clean? Yea! After putting your towels in the laundry, your work is done!

Of course, what you can’t see can hurt you. And, the invisible germs in bathrooms account for multiple illnesses. So just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it is clean-even if your neighbors think you are the best housekeeper on the block.

If however you suffer from chronic illness or allergy you may want to visit Geri Hess‘ website http://www.ecosteamer.com for a healthy way to clean that also doesn’t use chemicals. This article addressed how to make your bathroom LOOK clean without chemicals.

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By Manuel Cruz

It’s a true fact that if you send your kids out to school in the morning with a nutritional breakfast inside of them. They will have the energy that they need to get through the day as well as giving their brain the goodness that it needs to help with the process of learning.

Regardless of anything you may otherwise believe, all kids absolutely need breakfast. Without it, they stand the risk of drudging their way through a sluggish morning devoid of any nutrients and minerals that feed the body and mind with energy.

You don’t need to be super creative when planning breakfast for your children, but you should know that there are plenty of options and possibilities and shouldn’t lose sight of this fact. Let’s take a look at some of the things you may want to consider.

If you have waffles for breakfast, why not make extra sometimes? That way you could freeze some to use at a later date. This could come in handy if you are running late. Just pop a couple of them in the toaster and then add a topping of your choice.

The most important part about breakfast is making sure that you’re consuming foods that are good for the body. Don’t neglect this small point, as the energy the right foods give will be a great contributor to a great day.

A couple of slices of toast in the morning are a good alternative, topped off with a bit of jam, a glass of fruit juice and away you go. Or if you prefer the cereal in the morning, why not try a slice of fruit with it?

A glass of milk contains plenty of vitamins and goodness that your kids need. If you are running late, why not give them a breakfast bar to keep them going.

It will seem a long time from breakfast to lunchtime, so it is vital that you make sure that you send your kids off to school with a nice full tummy.

The web site states:

Chair Aerobics is an effective alternative to conventional exercise if you have limited mobility or are unable to stand for a prolonged amount of time.  Chair Aerobics is also a great way to start exercising if you are just returning to a fitness routine.

Do you have an exercise or stretch DVD you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments section!

By: Heather Laurie

When I was a young wife with no children I had some limitations to preparing my home and feathering my nest. I would take all day to accomplish what most could do in a hour or less. I would have to work, stop and sit for an half an hour. Then repeat again and again.

I wasn’t very organized about my home making and I was brand new to the idea of having my own home. I loved to cook complicated meals and impress my new hubby. He in turn would come home and pamper me. He would finish up any last chores. He also had plenty of energy to help me with any big projects. Life was different but pretty easy.

Then I had my first child. . . My tiredness went from moderate to extreme and my medical problems made life a bit more difficult. Then for several years the Lord raised his hand and protected us from much of the medical problems I had been having. My health took a turn for the best!

That time has passed and I am dealing with chronic health problems yet again. The difference is now I have 5 children and a much larger house to manage. Those lovely children also have special needs that I need to tend.

Now I am the happy home maker with 5 children to help (or hinder depending on their mood [smile]) I still greatly enjoy impressing my wonderful hubby with a new recipe. I still want a feathered nest, clean home, and good food on the table. I realize now that in order to accomplish this I have to have a plan. I cannot just hope to get a vague amount of work done and believe the kids will naturally tidy up their area. So I have a plan!

1) ALL people in the home must help with home cleanliness.

2) I MUST cut down on the amount of stuff we have.

3) A menu is a MUST for my chronically tired mind. At the end of the day I am often so tired, I am just doing what I need to do to get through the day. If I have menu then I don’t have to try to remember what all we have, what recipe to use, and then make it all. On particularly bad days the crockpot is a great helper!

4) Everything MUST have a place of it will be on the floor.I don’t have the energy to constantly go through a pile of misc. stuff on tables, stairs, around the door. If it doesn’t have an owner and no clear purpose in the home it heads right back out the door.

5) You and your husband MUST come to a MUTUAL understanding of what you can do and what you can’t. This can also be adjusted as to whether you are actively sick, such as an MS flare or experiencing the less exhausting long low chronic nature of your illness. This mutual understanding will help on bad days when you have used up all your strength keeping the home together and didn’t have any left to clean.

Your visions of a clean, well tended, comfortable home do not need to leave because you are dealing chronic fatigue. They may need adjusting. You definitely need to talk this subject over with your husband so there are not unrealistic expectations between the two of you.

Have you found a printable menu, or chore chart? Please share any tips and ideas how to keep a home while dealing with fatigue!

Heather Laurie is a christian wife, and mother to 5 children and 2 angels. She suffered with an unknown illness most of her life recently finding out she had lupus and a genetic disorder. Her children also have that genetic disorder. The Lord has led Heather and her husband Chris through these experiences to create a ministry dedicated to serving those with special needs. You can find them at Laurie Family Ministries or Special Needs Homeschooling.

This is not a commercial or an endorsement. Rather, as I was going through some of our Invisible Illness Week resources I found his bio and wanted to pass it along to you in case you are looking for some assistance in finding resources for legal issues.

Mr. Davis is regarded as one of our nation’s legal specialists in representing clients who are disabled due to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome. Mr. Davis has successfully represented Social Security disability clients of all ages throughout the United States. Mr. Davis has won Social Security disability cases in every region of the United States and in approximately 40 states. And Mr. Davis’ extensive experience is evident in the fact that his firm wins chronic pain and fatigue Social Security disability cases over 90% of the time.

This success rate is significantly higher than the average disability attorney and more than double the success rate of Social Security claimants who are not represented. Visit Scott Davis’ web site which features many wonderful articles on the application process and other FAQ.

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It is the Vortex steam mop. Sue Ellen shares, “Oh, it is so cool! I just used it. It is a little tough to get off the water receptacle, so my husband did that, but wow! How it cleaned the floors! And since it is steam, they dry right away. It also kills bacteria. And instead of me lugging a mop and bucket and then hurting, this was quick and I throw the pads in the wash.”

Do you have a favorite product you love or that you couldn’t live without that may just make our lives easier? Send it to us! We’d love to here about it.

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