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Animals’ Role in the Prevention of Addiction and Recovery

Anybody that has been a pet owner or played with a dog knows that interactions with animals have something magical. Spending some time with these creatures can even be a healing experience. Currently, animal-assisted therapy is being used to address the substance abuse issue. It can even help individuals find healing and hope during the intense process of recovery.

Animals have a healing impact that acts as a medicinal tool. And, it has been used by people across the world for centuries. Caring for a horse or basking with a loving dog can provide incredible psychological and emotional benefits. A person that is undergoing treatment for substance use disorder may find the incorporation of animal-assisted therapy in their treatment useful. The love and warmth of animals can aid their recovery journey significantly.

Animal-Assisted Therapy Explained

The first thing that comes to the mind of most people on realizing that they need help with addiction is finding free help for alcoholics. Although some of these individuals own pets, they don’t know that these animals can benefit them in their recovery process. However, the relationship that a person has with a pet is not what experts call animal-assisted therapy.

Animal-assisted therapy is a treatment method in the rehabilitation of different conditions and illnesses. When it comes to substance use disorders, AAT refers to the recreational or therapeutic activities that help a person to benefit from the healing power of the time spent with animals. Animal-assisted therapy shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it should be used with other programs for addiction treatment and recovery.

Animal-Assisted Therapy’s Best Practices for Substance Abuse

The popularity of animal-assisted therapy is growing, especially the use of dogs in inpatient treatment facilities. However, it shouldn’t replace other evidence-based treatment programs like counseling and detoxification.

So, owning a dog shouldn’t mean that a person doesn’t need free addiction help. True animal-assisted therapy requires the help of a certified professional that has undergone specialized training. With proper training and experience of this professional, the safety of the dog and the patient is ensured. What’s more, a certified professional has the necessary skills and experience to make this therapy more effective. Additionally, AAT should be tied to the treatment progress of the patient and be goal-directed.

How Animal-Assisted Therapy Helps in the Recovery of Addicts

When recovering from drug addiction, individuals face several mental, emotional, and physical obstacles. Alcoholism or addiction changes how the brain functions. That’s because alcohol and drugs cause artificial stimulation of receptors and neurotransmitters.

AAT provides a natural and safe way of re-establishing the natural pathways of neuro-chemical in the brain. When a person rides a horse or plays with a pet like a dog, their brain pleasure receptors are stimulated by this interaction. This releases strong mood-enhancing chemicals. Consequently, a person develops good routines and habits that reduce their alcohol or drug dependence.

Some of the benefits that the recovering addicts and pets get from animal-assisted therapy sessions include:

● Reduction of anxiety, stress, and depression ​
​● Increased feelings of happiness and calm ​
​● Companionship ​​
​● Learning how to connect with other people ​
​● Opening up and addressing the hidden feelings ​
​● Enhanced physical activity ​
​● Learning to establish healthy interactions ​
​● Building trust ​

Different animals can be used for this therapy. Common among them include dogs, horses, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, pigs, Llamas, rats, and Alpacas. Nevertheless, the most popular animals for this therapy are dogs. Equine therapy is also becoming increasingly popular. This entails interactions with horses when undergoing treatment for substance abuse.

Most Effective Animals for AAT

No research has compared the effectiveness of various animals and recovering addicts. As such, there is no evidence showing that certain animals are more beneficial than others when used for AAT. Consequently, most individuals believe that every therapy animal is effective.

But, the incorporation of different animals into a free drug addiction treatment process has numerous advantages. Here are some of the popular animals for AAT and their benefits.

Canine-Assisted Therapy

Dogs are naturally interactive, gentle, and highly observant. The best dogs for this therapy are trained for this specific purpose. This makes them ideal for patients to play with, groom, and feed. When patients interact with these dogs, they confront past addictive behaviors. The presence of dogs relieves stress while helping them acquire communication skills and self-esteem.

Equine Therapy

This entails engaging in beneficial activities with a horse. Such activities include grooming, handling, riding, and walking. When a horse observes human emotions, they respond to different feelings, including anxiety, sadness, anger, and happiness. Thus, patients get immediate feedback regarding their state from their interaction with a horse. They also learn to address and confront negative feelings while developing healthy strategies for coping with triggers.

Feline-Facilitated Therapy

A cat is a companion animal. Having a cat during a therapy session, as well as, in a free drug rehabilitation center can reduce depression, anger, and other negative feelings. It can also help in the development of social skills. The presence of a cat can also make the recovering addict feel supported emotionally while undergoing treatment.

Are Animals the Best Therapists?

Research has shown that a therapy dog’s presence in psychiatric addiction ward influences treatment positively. Patients see a behavioral change possibility and the atmosphere gets more pleasant. The effectiveness of drug rehabilitation animal therapy has made some individuals believe that animals can be the best therapists. Nevertheless, a pet and a therapy animal are different.

The therapy animals that are used in AAT are trained, friendly, calm, and social. These animals are clean, well-groomed, and they undergo health checks regularly. They are also capable of adapting their behaviors to different environments. What’s more, they help patients experience the happiness that comes with having a pet without the stress of taking care of it full-time.

Having these animals comes with many benefits. For instance, a pet owner enjoys their companionship around the clock. This enables a recovering addict to avoid negative feelings of stress, depression, and loneliness. Nevertheless, owning a pet is not the same as getting the organized care that AAT animals and professionals provide.

The Bottom Line

Animal-assisted therapy shows the animals’ role in the prevention of addiction and recovery. However, AAT is not designed to work as a stand-alone therapy. It should be combined with the other treatments of free substance abuse programs. It should also be monitored by professionally trained and experienced experts to be effective.

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Girl Bosses

Women Worldwide : Raising Consciousness with Little Cirkus

Little Cirkus offers designer children’s products and a unique range of skin and hair products that contain only vegan and organic ingredients. Everything is produced in Sweden and the company was founded by ultimate Bossbabe Anna Aro Ring who launched the company after she became a mother.

Devoted to a healthy lifestyle, it was no shock that Little Cirkus would be a brand all around toxin free skincare. Here, we chat to Anna to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Little Cirkus…
It all started with a dot on my son’s cheek. A dot that became a big wound which spread. Me and my husband visited different dermatologists in Stockholm, and got several different referrals and cream prescriptions. After seeing Sweden ́s foremost dermatologist and they neither could find out what it was, and how we could overcome it, it aroused curiosity out of frustration that nothing helped. Read through a lot and realized that I did not find the completely clean and non-toxic product that I was looking for, nor packaged in a nice bottle that is happy to stand in the bathroom, I realized I had found a hole in the market that needed to be filled.

It’s really worrying to think that before launching your brand, it was hard to find child friendly products with no toxins. How did you start researching how to launch them yourself?

Once I decided to develop a skin and hair care series, I started working with knowledgeable people, which has been the key to everything. Lorentz, our son, became guinea pig and after year of development we landed in the products that are now sold by Little Cirkus.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

Both yes and no. I think it is impossible not to make small mistakes, from them I have learned a lot. I don´t think you can throw yourself into a new market and believe that you can do everything, you have to be humble.

But sure, some investment I might have been able to wait with, but on the other side, Little Cirkus haven’t been what it is today if I had not done the misses I made.

Your products are all vegan friendly, do you also follow a vegan diet?

I´m quite devoted to a healthy lifestyle, and after I started Little Cirkus I have become more conscious. Both in terms of food but also what we feed the skin with. I would say that today most people are quite well informed that there is a connection with what you eat and your wellbeing, but I think many forget that even what we put on the skin also feed our internal organs.

I have been a vegetarian for long periods of life and if there is a vegetarian option I prefer it, but I absolutely could not live a life without including a spaghetti with seafood and a bottle of wine, so I´m not a freak. I have a playful approach, not a dead serious one.

How do you plan on expanding the range in the future?

There are several products in the pipeline and we received several requests from our customers – Little Cirkus best products developer!

Very recently we released a bar soap which is our first product with scent. Another sought after products is sunlotion, the dream would be to develop a sun cream that was completely non-toxic!

With being a mother and an entrepreneur, how do you create a healthy work / life balance?

I don´t  Being an entrepreneur is one of the things that I love the most, but you need to be on top all the time. So finding that balance is incredibly challenging. Working as an entrepreneur is a way of life, you are never 100% free, the job does not end – YOU are the business.

But then in it there are incredible opportunities, and that I love!

A rule has been to put away all the work from when we pick up our son from kindergarten until he falls asleep, then I can work late in the evening instead. It creates more quality time for the whole family! But good how difficult it is!

Before launching your business, what career did you have?

I have worked for several years in television and radio production, mainly as editor and project manager. Then I worked as editor-in-chief of a design magazine before I became a mother.

What does 2020 look like for you?

New products and new markets. It feels incredibly fun and exciting that we have gained such great interest outside Sweden´s borders! And of course continuing to do what we do best, make organic and vegan skincare for our babies.

What does self care mean to you?

To not be too hard on yourself and allow yourself to take a minute break here and there. You can ́t be perfect, and it’s so important to think to yourself with a clear mind, without being a mom or entrepreneur. Enjoy something you like, maybe a manicure or a bath. It ends up being better for everyone in the family when you are happy and balanced.

Follow Little Cirkus for more…

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Food & Drink

#CocoVegan: The Montagu Kitchen’s Moving Mountains Burger, London

This one is for all of those brave #veganuary souls out there who have successfully made it through the meat-free month so far… but who might be craving a meaty burger more than ever. Rachael Lindsay is one of the first to try the Moving Mountains Burger at The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill in their restaurant of classic British fare, The Montagu Kitchen. Let’s see what she made of it.

I am not going to lie, it can sometimes be hard to eat plant-based when you are a big fan of fine dining, as I am. Especially when it comes to restaurants which feature classic British dishes. The vegans tend to be left with a bland veggie sandwich or plain salad. Cue sad face emoji.

However, I am excited to say that this Veganuary has not only brought us new vegan dishes from well-known chains like Greggs and Pizza Hut. But the fine dining restaurants that we know and love here at #TeamCoco are also getting in on the act. The latest contender to put on a vegan menu for the month of January is The Montagu Kitchen with a three-course medley of vegan delights.

Located in Marylebone with dishes inspired by the gardens at Chartwell, the private home of Sir Winston Churchill, the usual menu includes seasonal specials like Devonshire lamb, guinea fowl breast, whole dover sole and dry-aged beef tenderloin. So I was surprised to hear that they were producing a dedicated vegan menu, also inspired by Churchill and his former residence.

We start with a rose lemonade complete with edible rose petals and a tasty Jerusalem artichoke and black truffle soup served with warm herby bread. The soup manages to be both light and earthy, a nice prep for the more hearty main of a Moving Mountains burger with chips.

OK so this is the main event. The burger patty itself is made of 100% plants: coconut oil for fattiness, beetroot juice for a ‘bleed’ at the centre and plant proteins like pea and mushroom for a meaty flavour and texture. To be honest, for someone like me who has been vegan for some time, it is almost creepily similar to meat! My partner who is an avid meat-eater says that he wouldn’t know the difference between this and a beef patty if he closes his eyes. In true Montagu Kitchen style, the burger’s BBQ sauce is made with Churchill’s favourite whisky, Jonnie Walker and slices of grilled courgettes from Chartwell Gardens. It comes with some delicious chunky chips which I devour with ketchup (yes ketchup is vegan!).

Although we certainly don’t have enough room for pudding, we manage to fit in a huge slice of vegan chocolate and coconut cake for dessert. This is a melt-in-the-mouth beauty and I eat all of my generous slice, washed down with some more of that rose lemonade.

The Montagu Kitchen is both a relaxed and elegant space with velvet chairs embossed with floral motifs, reminiscent of the Chartwell Gardens, an open kitchen and attentive and friendly staff. For such high quality food, the new vegan set menu is excellent value at £25 for three courses over lunch or dinner.

For those who need a burger fix and/or a fine dining treat to get through Veganuary, The Montagu Kitchen and its meaty meat-free burger is your answer.

To find out more, visit themontagukitchen.co.uk.

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Burundi

Success Worldwide : The One with The Wild Nettle Co.

Self care is a phrase on everyones lips, it can mean anything from long walks in nature, relaxing soaks in the bath or taking extra care of your skin and hair. If it’s the latter, then there is one brand that we just can’t get enough of and that’s The Wild Nettle Co.

Founded by Bronwyn Francis, the brand started out like many others before. Realising there was a lack of natural remedies for her son, she went out to create her own. A true trailblazer at heart and she didn’t even know it.

The Wild Nettle Co. incorporates the natural benefits and anti-inflammatory properties of Stinging Nettles. You know, those things that you used to rub on your legs when you were a kid! Who knew?

We spent some time with Bronwyn to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, The Wild Nettle Co…

I’ve always had an interest in all things natural, seeking out home remedies, alternative medicines or dietary changes whenever possible to manage allergies or illnesses.

My son has battled with eczema since birth. In 2020, when he was 2yrs old I felt like it was an ongoing vicious cycle with the countless steroid creams, emollients, and ointments that were being prescribed by the GP – some worked for a short time, and some not at all. This led me to investigate and search for a natural remedy.

I knew nettles had wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, and they were growing in abundance around our rural property in Scotland, so I experimented with a nettle oil infusion first. Then formulated a rich body butter with the nettle oil and other natural butters and essential oils, and used it on my son’s skin over a few weeks.

I was really pleased with the results, the effects were great, so soothing for his symptoms. After a friend tried it on her son’s bad eczema and loved the results too, I looked into how I could offer this to others in the same position.

A lot of research, experimentation and the required cosmetic safety assessments meant I could sell to the public.

The soap followed shortly after, and now the range of nettle products includes Hair & Scalp oil, Shampoo bars and Nettle balm for joint and muscle pain, and more.

How do you want people to feel when using your products?

I want people to feel pampered and confident, and ultimately relief of their symptoms knowing they’re using a natural product that is both kind to their skin, as well as the planet.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I did the best I could with what I knew and the vision I had for the brand. In hindsight, it would have been amazing to have some help, as I did everything myself.

Helping eco conscious women take care of themselves and their family is at the forefront fo what you do. Why was this important to you and how do you achieve this?

The Eco-conscious element of my business is so important because of how relevant climate change is at the moment, every effort should be made, however small, to make more eco-conscious choices.

I feel strongly that women play such an important role in looking after their families, and are often making the choices for family members too – I think of a mum looking after her children’s eczema flair-up, a wife looking after her husband’s psoriasis, a daughter worried about her elderly mum’s arthritis, or concerned for her own dry, itchy scalp – these are the actual customers who contact me or chat with me at markets, who are looking for natural, effective and sustainable products for themselves and their loved ones, to reduce the use of steroid products on their bodies, but also reduce their use of plastic, and are aware of their impact on the environment.

All Wild Nettle products are in glass or recyclable packaging, and our orders are packaged using plastic-free materials.

I have recently signed up with TreeApp to plant a tree for every online order received – it’s a great global tree planting initiative empowering local people to execute the rehabilitation and reforestation of areas all over the world, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Guinea, Peru, Nepal, and Indonesia. It’s an initiative that I’ve been using personally for some time, and have now signed The Wild Nettle Co. up for the service too

I was delighted recently to learn that The Wild Nettle Co had won the Scotland Prestige Awards 2022/2023 for Eco-Friendly Products Store of the Year – it came as a big surprise, but the recognition really reinforced the work I’m doing, and hopefully, the exposure will reach a lot more people to introduce them to the benefits of nettles, and convince them to switch to a natural, more eco-friendly alternative.

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

I handle everything alone most of the time, so I feel like I know my customers, I make every product, and select and pack every order.

I do have an invaluable assistant named Kyle, who I’ve known for 25+ years, who helps me with production when things get busy or I’m preparing for a bigger event.

Do you plans to launch new products in the future?

Yes, I am currently working on the final formulations for 3 new products which is always an exciting time. I’ll be posting about these on social media, so follow for updates @thwildnettleco.

For anyone interested in launching a wellness business, what advice would you offer them?

Understand your customers and their needs well – keep finding out more and this way you’ll be able to serve them well. And ask for help when you can, it can be a lot to do alone.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I’m a mum of 2 young ones who are up early every day, so we get up and try to get out for a walk early before breakfast, and then it’s the school run.

While my children are at school I am most productive, getting small batches of products made, orders packaged up, social media posts, and any other admin, ordering of stock that is required. I prepare for the upcoming outdoor markets that I trade at on Sundays – which I love for face-to-face interaction with customers.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

Some of my best ideas come to me in the shower – water helps me think. Otherwise, I put on some music and take a walk – I do a lot of thinking on walks, clearing my mental clutter and organising my thoughts and ideas. Also, a great motivator is reading through customer reviews on Trustpilot to remind me how people feel after using the products.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

“It always seems impossible until it is done” – Nelson Mandela

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must-visit list?

My dream wish-list trip right now is a yoga wellness retreat in Mexico

What does self-care mean to you?

Self care means dedicating time for yourself and doing something that makes your soul happy and content. For me, it can be anything from playing the piano, reading, taking a walk in nature with my dog, doing sudoku puzzles, or crocheting while watching a favourite show.

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

In 5 years I’d like to see growth of the brand to a point where more and more customers love and share the products. I’d love bigger premises with a team of people producing more Nettle goodies. I have loads of ideas for more products. I don’t want to lose the personal touch and dedication that there is now, my passion is fuelled daily when I receive wonderful feedback and happiness with results from happy customers. That is what keeps me doing what I do.

Where can people find out more?

Instagram and Facebook @thewildnettleco or the website and online store www.thewildnettleco.com

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Guinea

Can White Kratom Help You Be Focused In Exam Days?

Kratom is a dietary supplement used to help with stress and anxiety. Kratom is a plant-based substance related to coffee and has grown in popularity in recent years. It originates in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and Myanmar, which have hot and humid climates. Kratom is a newcomer to the Western world, but it quickly gains popularity due to its positive characteristics.

The white kratom leaves contain a wide range of chemicals biologically. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, the most active Kratom alkaloids, are the most active compounds. Mitragynine has the same effects as opium in that it mimics molecules in the body that reduce pain and stress. 7-Hydroxymitragynine has analgesic actions in the body. The alkaloid in Kratom binds to opioid receptors in the brain, lowering tension and making it an antidepressant and anti-anxiety. It also improves energy and concentration.

What Is White Kratom?

There is no denying a wide range of Kratom alternatives available. For example, the White Kratom is one of the most popular types for its anxiety-relieving and concentration properties. How do you choose the Kratom strain to fulfill all of your requirements?

The white veins on the leaves of the White kratom give it its name. Veins ultimately turn green and red as the plant matures. White Vein Kratom increases energy levels and improves physical and mental alertness. It’s ideal for people who take Kratom first thing in the morning. Another advantage is that it might assist you in dealing with the effects without causing you to lose control. As a result, it is appropriate for students taking exams.

How White Kratom Helps Students to Focus During examinations?

Relieves Anxiety

Students who have a history of poor grades are likely to be nervous about exams. Parents and peer pressure frequently misled students into assuming that their exam scores were final. It has the potential to become toxic and make the learner mentally disturbed.

The anxiolytic properties of White vein Kratom can assist in alleviating exam anxiety. Since fear can lead to mental and physical illnesses, it is effective. Kratom’s alkaloids bind to opioid receptors in human bodies, causing mind-altering effects. They can assist in avoiding depression by reducing anxiety attacks.

Uplifts the Mood

Though White vein Kratom is one of the top recommendations for treating or preventing certain illnesses, some people may use it as its stimulant. This Kratom strain can also make you feel good or “high.” This nutritional supplement will not get you high like cannabis, but it will make you feel good and boosted. As a result, more people will use or consume it to lift their moods, especially during exams.

If you’ve been having trouble during the week, give this white vein strain a try and see how it works for you. Since the stimulating effect isn’t too significant, please don’t hesitate to use it. Moreover, It also does not provoke drunkenness.

Lessens the Examination Stress

White Kratom is a popular option for people suffering from anxiety and despair. This is due to the reason that white veins can help you feel less worried and stressed. If you’re stressed, depressed, or anxious about your exams, prescription medicines may help you relax. On the other end, the white strain is currently preferred by most people because it is all-natural and has other advantages in addition to lowering stress responses. White strain assists in producing happy hormones by interacting with opiate receptors. As a result, you’re experiencing a sense of calm.

Aids in the Correction of Sleep Cycle Issues

Anxiety and fear can cause insomnia and vice versa. Sleep deprivation can impair memory, frequent distractions, and panic attacks. As a result, fear and anxiety regarding exams and outcomes may arise. Apart from that, greater doses of White kratom have substantial anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant actions.

Is white Kratom Safe to Consume during Examinations?

Kratom is a safe and an effective supplement. When you know how to utilize it, it will not hurt your body. However, due to its opioid-like effect, Kratom may interact with medications. The most delicate white kratom strain for exam anxiety is White Kratom. If you’re taking any additional medications, you’ll need to track how your body reacts. Other treatments may benefit from the use of Kratom. However, it will never be able to take the place of one. So, before you try Kratom as a substitute, talk to your doctor.

Different doses may have different reactions in your body. To keep on the healthy side, look at the labels and ingredients. Take tiny amounts appropriate for your body, and don’t be overwhelmed by what you find on the internet.

How do you use White Maeng Da Kratom to improve your focus?

Due to the tremendous potency, you must be cautious with your dosage. Since the White strain is the most powerful, learn everything about it. It is not a product that should be consumed with caution. However, to avoid sleepiness, the quantity must get carefully monitored. You’ll obtain precisely the right results without getting lazy and lounging around on the couch.

Smaller doses will work best for you if you are a novice. As a result, 1 to 1.5 grams is ideal for a first-timer. The objective is to avoid indulging in a quantity that could result in an unpleasant experience. You can gradually raise the dosage once your body and mind have become accustomed to it. After a while, you can increase your dosage to 1.5 to 3 grams for more effective results.

Kratom more than 5 grams is a no-no, especially if your sole purpose for ingesting it is to improve concentration. If you use too much of this strain, the side effects can be unpleasant.

Conclusion

Kratom is one of the most recent natural supplements to hit the market, and it’s swiftly gaining traction with students worldwide. It has several impacts, including increasing energy, enhancing focus and motivation, and making challenging activities feel more achievable. This article includes all the white maeng da benefits needed to stay focused in your exams days. It is, however, a chemical that, if not used properly, can lead to addiction, which is why dosing should be consumed with extreme caution.

Kratom provides all of the benefits when taken in tiny doses. So if you’re deciding on using it as a focus boost when you study, small amounts will be more than enough. Give it a shot, and you will notice why Kratom is becoming popular all over the globe.

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Guinea

Harsh Realities of Going Through a Divorce

In most cases, the divorce process is tough both mentally and legally, even though it may be the best decision you can make at a certain period of your life. It requires some willpower to initiate a divorce, and sometimes it takes even more effort to follow through. Signing papers will not close the deal; it is only the beginning of the process.

You may have to deal with things you have never faced before – from finding out how much gold is worth, to getting your collection of antique dolls appraised and wondering if you have to split the custody of your guinea pigs. Of course there are more mundane tasks like researching tax laws in your state and the like. Learning about the harsh realities of divorce does not aim to change your mind but implies that you will be prepared for most unpleasant situations.

Taking the following points into account beforehand and planning a contingency plan will make the process relatively less exhausting.

Financial Stress

It applies not only to expenses that always accompany a divorce, like hiring a divorce lawyer or court costs but to your way of life right after you go through a divorce. It is essential to keep in mind what you will get from the settlement and start thinking about independent life as a single person. It also depends on how your finances looked before the divorce – was your partner providing for you? Was there abuse of power that had to do with finances and does it have a chance of continuing after the divorce?

Post-divorce, your expenses might include:

  • Rent
  • Bills
  • Car payments (including gas, service and insurance)
  • Mortgage
  • Savings
  • Health iInsurance
  • Groceries
  • Household expenses
  • Childcare
  • Clothing

Kids and Feeling of Guilt

Children are always the main reason to postpone your divorce discussion as they are frequently perceived as a glue to your marriage. You may think that getting divorced will mean you failed or let them down. In these never-ending tries to protect them, no matter what, you will inevitably face the feeling of guilt.

People come from different experiences and emotional backgrounds, so you will have your reasons to feel the pressure. You may be the child of divorced parents yourself who promised to never get divorced, or you may have been raised in a conservative family where “always and forever” is the only way possible. To get through this, you will need to remind yourself that you are a completely different person for whom those fundamentals do not work anymore.

The reality is that you will go through a divorce with your children, and they will also feel responsible for such a change in your lives. What you actually can do to minimize the stress for them is to make sure they have both of their parents happy, and if to do so, you will need to get divorced – it cannot be a wrong decision.

Self-Identity Crisis

After living with your spouse side by side for several years and making plans for the future together, it won’t be easy to start perceiving the world as an individual again. Moreover, your relationship does not necessarily have to be abusive and force any changes as they happen naturally when seeking compromises to come up with a mutual decision.

You will realize how much of “you” were suppressed by “us” and how many decisions were made without considering your interests, from the tableware you’ve bought to friends you’ve made. There is no need to mark them as mistakes and blame yourself for your past actions – you indeed had your reasons, and that should be enough. Coming back to your true self and learning more about your own plans and wishes will be your main priority now.

Loneliness

Recovering from a divorce will require some grieving and mourning as, in reality, splitting with a spouse seldom means you no longer have feelings and hopes for them. It will make you feel lonely, and you will have to learn to cope with the world on your own again. You will start doubting your decisions, self-confidence, and capabilities.

It will be challenging, but it does not mean you cannot overcome it. Ensure you get support from your closest friends and family members, and get to know yourself better! Make the most out of your time alone, and learn to be satisfied with being on your own – it is a skill that will make you less dependent on anybody in the future.

Conclusion

Divorces are harsh, and there is no need to pretend otherwise – it will only make the whole process harder to bear. Being prepared for the worst will eliminate the possibility of being caught by surprise and stuck with the feelings you were not prepared to have.

Sooner or later, all your doubts and inconveniences will haunt you, whether it be a feeling of guilt towards children or thoughts about time spent with your ex-husband or wife. Predicting them allows you to survive this process with minimal losses and set your boundaries for future relationships. If you are struggling with some issues, consider getting professional help from a therapist.

Breathe deep, make a to-do list and press on – it’s going to be hard but you’re going to come out wiser, happier, and ready for new opportunities in the end.

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Belgium

Travel Through Food This Christmas With These Stocking Fillers

It’s safe to say we’ve all travelled a lot less than we thought we might have this year. As 2020 draws to a close, why not travel through food (and drink) this Christmas with these excellent travel-themed stocking filler gifts? So many restaurants have transformed or opened up their delis or larder-style shops for delivery, allowing you to access some authentic ingredients that give you a little taste of around the world.

Think primo parmesan, top notch gnocchi and other ingredients that are essential to your kitchen cupboard but seem a little more special if they don’t come from Tesco. Sure, we might not be actually travelling to where are favourite eats lie this year but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the good food. Behold: House of Coco’s gift guide full of stocking fillers that will allow your fellow foodie to travel through eating and drinking this Christmas.

Bar Douro Portuguese Wine

In addition to Bar Douro’s Bottle Shop, the popular Portuguese restaurant has launched its subscription service, The Wine Club. Imagine: quarterly deliveries of some of the best wines around – from regions such as Alentejo and Madeira – and all curated by Bar Douro’s own Max Graham and renowned wine expert, Sarah Ahmed.

This is not only a great gift for any wine lovers out there but it’s also an opportunity to educate recipients on the lesser known grapes and regions of Portugal. Who needs wine tasting with six bottles of wine delivered to your door every few months?

Starting from £11.50 per bottle or £120 for a Wine Club subscription, available at shop.bardouro.com

Fidelari Fresh Puglian Pasta

The brainchild of ex-Theo Randall Head Pasta Chef and Restaurant Manager, Vanessa and Valentina, Fidelari offers authentic Italian pasta for you all to enjoy. With various options to order, such as pasta kits, naked pasta, as well as soups and focaccia, the duo are intent on sharing their passion for their Italian heritage and culture, both from Puglia themselves.

We’ll be asking Santa for the Cappelletti Squid Ink with ricotta and salmon pasta kit, while aspiring cooks in the kitchen are sure to love the naked pasta choices which include triangoli egg pasta and vegan spinach and red beetroot farfell.

£4-7, available at fidelari.com

Odysea Greek Meze Party Hamper

You know how on Christmas Day, you want to open all your presents and ‘play’ with them straight away? That’s what finding this Greek Meze Party Hamper inside your stocking would be like…except it would be followed by a family fight for devouring vaarious meze dips and dishes, instead of Christmas Day breakfast.

On a serious note, this selection of Greek goodies is the perfect present for any foodie who wishes to stock up on sophisticated nibbles or wants to create the perfect antipasti board. Featuring stuffed vine leaves, kalamata olives and spicy meze dips, this tasty little hamper beats a bath bomb any day of the week.

£20, available at odysea.com

Scarlet Saffron from Iran

Seeing as saffron is more expensive than gold, when weighed, we can’t see any aspiring chef having a problem with receiving some quality spice in their stocking this Christmas. Scarlet Saffron’s product is all ISO Grade 1 (the highest and best), originally coming from Iran. Grade 1 saffron has the highest flavouring, colouring and aroma and many saffron brands on the market don’t even make it to Grade 3 standard.

Packed in the UK and ensuring that only premium red strands are in the jar, anyone who’s found they’re having fun in the kitchen is sure to enjoy this gift. Who knows – maybe cooking up some Persian dishes will inspire new travel plans when we’re allowed to fulfil our wanderlust dreams again.

£11.99 for 5g, available at scarlet-saffron.com

Casa Costa Parmigiano Reggiano 24 Months

Parmesan is a staple in any non-lactose intolerant’s fridge these days but wouldn’t it be amazing to gift a true cheese lover a something approved by the best in the business? From the team behind Macellaio RC, Casa Costa brings you all the best ingredients from an Italian kitchen, straight to your own.

This particular parmesan producer creates four different types of Parmigiano Reggiano from four different cow breeds, with Casa Costa selecting the best of it. Rest assured, it’s going to be unique and flavoursome and the perfect stocking filler for anyone who’s been getting busy in the kitchen this year and is looking to up their ingredients game.

£7.60 for 200g, available at casacosta.com

Howdah Indian Snacks Christmas Boxes

Get a taste of India via these authentic spicy snacks from Howdah Snacks. The perfect stocking filler, even as individual packs, thanks to the bright and colourful packaging, the brand is also releasing an exclusive Christmas Boxes to help everyone get into the holiday spirit. Box one includes two of each flavour; another option is the selection of snacks with a tea towel and saffron tea bags, while a premium stocking filler present would be the third Christmas Box, which indlues the eight bags of snacks and a classic Indian tea pot with tea bags.

Not only are Howdah Snacks Masala Dippers, Bombay Mix, Onion Bhajis and Bakarwadi Bites vegan, but giving them as a gift also gives another – as the brand operates a 1-for-1 concept, whereby for every pack of Howdah purchased, the brand pledges a free school meal for a child in need in India. If that’s not the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is…

£19.60 for a bundle of eight (though the brand is offering 15% off for Black Friday), available at howdahsnacks.co.uk

Great British Porridge Co. Apple and Cinnamon

Seeing as most of us have sourced staycations for our travelling this year, it makes sense to include a local food offering in this stocking filler gift guide. The Great British Porridge Co. is 100 per cent natural, gluten-free, vegan and has no added sugar – and it’s just launched a new Christmas flavour.

In the run up to the holiday season, why not gift the new, limited edition Apple & Cinnamon festive flavour? Not only is the blend of sweet and fruity flavour with the fragrant and spicy cinnamon taste an excellent combination, it’s also a great option for breakfast time, come January.

£3.99, available at thegreatbritishporridgeco.co.uk

Tony’s Chocolonely Personalised Bars

Hands up: who’s been to Amsterdam (or anywhere in the Netherlands) and immediately gone to buy a few bars of Tony’s Chocolonely? I know it’s not just me. Aside from the fun and colourful packaging, these chocolate bars are some of the best-tasting around. Did you know that Tony’s Chocolonely was founded by a Dutch company, is made in Belgium, using Ghanian and Ivorian cocoa beans. If that’s not enough travels for you, I don’t know what is.

The brand has introduced a personalisation service so you can have text and a photo of your choice printed on the wrapper. Think Willy Wonka – but better. The perfect stocking filler this Christmas, you can decide what gets printed: selfies, embarrassing moments, family photos – you can choose whether you’re going to be cruel or kind. On top of all of this, you can buy Tony’s Chocolonely guilt-free, knowing that the brand is on a mission to end slavery in the cocoa industry.

£6 for a large bar, available at tonyschocolonely.com

Jack Links Beef Jerky From The Midwest

Transport yourself to the midwest with this beef jerky from Jack Link’s, a family smoked meats company, based in Wisconsin. The salty snack is made using only select rump beef, cut into thin strips, then seasoned, dried and smoked. Using only 100 per cent lean beef, this snack is a moreish one – and not ridiculously calorific either, with each serving containing less than 80 calories.

I don’t know about you guys but beef jerky reminds me of American TV programs and gas station snacks in the US and now Jack Link’s gives you a taste of that with its Original, Sweet & Hot and Teriyaki beef jerky flavours.

£1.70, available at sainsburys.co.uk

Hoppers Sri Lankan Jaffna Mix

Another excellent thing to come out of lockdown is Hopper’s Cash and Kari online supermarket which offers you a one-stop shop for Sri Lankan and South Asian foods. The restaurant’s Jaffna Mix is a great stocking filler for anyone who’s either a fan of the London-based eatery or partial to Sri Lankan food in general.

Give the gift of a savoury mix of roasted lentils, nuts and spiced gram crisps and let yourself be taken to the streets of Sri Lanka as it’s one of the country’s most popular drinking snacks and you won’t have a beverage served without a bowl of this spicy mix.

£3.50, available at hopperscashandkari.com

Talisker Whisky Sea Salted Caramel Gift Set

Although it does seem that everyone jumped on the Scotland staycation bandwagon – myself included – perhaps you want to return to the Highlands and make your way to the Isle of Skye. Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky has once again partnered with Edinburgh-based chocolatier, COCO, to create a bespoke gift set that will be the perfect stocking filler for both chocolate nad whisky lovers.

The Talisker sea salted caramels contain sea salt from the Isle of Skye – in case you didn’t make it on your road trip or had plans to go that were postponed – and the box also contains a 5cl bottle of 10 year old Talisker Whisky. Don’t underestimate those caramels, by the way, they are such an indulgent treat and the perfect start to Christmas Day.

£20, available at cocochocolatier.com

Quick Brown Fox Coffee Liqueur From New Zealand

Not only is this premium coffee liqueur all the way from New Zealand – for anyone who’s missing a taste of it – but its made exclusively from fair-trade and organic roasted coffee from farms across Sumatra, Colombia and Papa New Guinea. A pretty exotic drink to get you travelling to a variety of places in your mind with each sip.

The handcrafted liqueuer is low in sugar and ABV and has no artificial flavours so is a guilt-free treat come Christmas. The coffee beans are specially roasted by hand to slightly darker than espresso, so the complex flavour is ideal for all coffee-lovers out there. Espresso Martinis, come Christmas Day?

£25, available at majestic.co.uk

PATRÓN Mexican Tequila

Hands up who would rather be in sunny Mexica with tacos in one hand and a shot of tequila in the other? Well, I’m not responsible for you physically being there but, mentally, transport yourself to sunnier climes thanks to PATRÓN. The premium tequila is actually sustainably produced in the brand’s hacienda in Jalisco, Mexico. Get your hands on a custom design bottle this Christmas, which features monarch butterflies, colourful marigolds and the sugar skull, all celebrating Día de Muertos. The limited edition bottle can be further personalised at the INKD online store, if you’re looking to gift an extra special stocking filler this year.

£55, available at getinked.com – with personalisation options available too

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Guinea

Luxury Travel or Budget Travel, Which Is Better? We Asked A Guy Who Travelled The World On Just $10 A Day

Whilst underwater bedrooms, infinity pools, yachts and Michelin meals may be what some individuals look for in a travel itinerary, Will Hatton is not one of them. Through his travel blog, The Broke Backpacker, Hatton is proving that the term ‘budget’ needn’t just be associated with lighter pockets and tighter purse strings. For most of his time travelling Hatton survived on just $10 a day, yet his resulting experience doesn’t seem in anyway hampered, modest or lacking. Instead budget travel has become the epicentre of Hatton himself: its impressions are in his love life, his career, his memories and his palpable exuberance and passion.

Hatton’s ‘poor man’ approach to travelling has allowed him to become rich in experience. Yet despite Hatton’s certainty that budget travel is the right travel, we are still constantly goaded with the allure of luxury, pushed towards us by travel agents, social media influencers and glossy magazines. With such an overwhelming market for luxury travel that smothers its less glamorous yet, crucially, more accessible cousin, Hatton’s grand claim that budget travel is superior is certainly worth listening to.

The most blatant benefit of budget travel according to Hatton is, as the name suggests, the fact it is cheaper than its luxury counterpart. This means that the cliché tale of young individuals desperately pursuing unfulfilling and uninteresting jobs in order to finance their trips needn’t be the case. This is a concept that Hatton is all too familiar with. Through gritted teeth he recalls his pre-travelling 60 hour working weeks that started at 5am: unloading lorries for minimum wage. Once he quit and went on the road he never looked back. In a similar vein, it means that travellers don’t need to run their finances in to the ground during their trip, grappling for jobs or turning to parents upon return. As many young nomads can tell you, nothing feels smaller than your childhood bedroom once you’ve seen the big wide world. Yet for Hatton, who has now dedicated his life to travelling with no plans of stopping anytime soon, the key financial benefit of saving the pennies and the pounds is that it enables him and other nomads to travel for longer. After 10 years of travelling, Hatton still has a hunger for more: a testament to how enjoyable ‘slumming it’ can really be.

For Hatton, budget travel is no longer a lifestyle he is pushed towards, yet even on his enviable salary he surprisingly continues to favour this modest budget. Because what the label of ‘budget’ fails to disclose, is the wealth of benefits beyond a number or sum. Perhaps the label of ‘authentic travel’, ‘transformative travel’ or ‘rewarding travel’ may be more fitting, as the type of travel that Hatton boasts about on his blog goes beyond a pair of hareem pants and a selfie stick. In order to travel for longer, Hatton would often monetise his time by working a few hours in return for board at hostels or in people’s homes. This gave him more time with local people. He was able to form relationships with them and develop a deep and unparalleled understanding of culture that can’t be found in a resort or tour. The people that hosted him and worked alongside him showed him their Thailand, Vietnam, Peru, took him to hidden gems untouched by western package companies. Hatton fondly describes his quest to monetise his days as adventures, using the time he milked a goat as a prime example.What’s more, in the case of many popular travel destinations, small scale employment can support the local businesses of impoverished communities. Hatton by no means sugar-coats how tough this less polished form of travelling can be. It’s unpredictable, but what can be predicted is the self-growth and evolution that comes from being pushed out of the confines of a comfort zone. He aptly argues that the more difficulties you experience, the more capable you become.

Yet for Hatton, the most poignant benefit of budget travel has to be the opportunities he’s had to meet like minded people in hostels and bars. In the absence of the typical western comforts of cosy bedding, soundproof windows and trashy television, travellers can find comfort in the company of others. However, I don’t think even Budget travel aficionado William Hatton could have expected such company to last as long as it has for him. In 2015 Hatton set out on an incredible adventure, travelling from the UK to Papua New Guinea with out the use of flights. He reached Iran suspecting it may be a country where company is harder to find, but then he met Nina and promptly fell in love. But beyond meeting this remarkable woman who is now his wife, are the innumerable faces that embellish his adventures: the washed-up Rockstar, the stripper, the Russian tycoon, the professional poker player, the Kurdish freedom fighter. He likens it to speed dating for friends. Hatton’s version of travel would not fit on the pages of a holiday brochure. It is not prescriptive, text book or replicable… But that’s its charm. Budget travel belongs to the traveller and runs deeper than a perfect Instagram photo. Hatton and his blog serve as proud, living evidence that quality of experience needn’t be dependent on money.

With so much to gain with such little expense, perhaps new cultures, cuisines and quests are closer than we think. Ten minutes of delving in to the archives of The Broke Backpacker and it already seems an injustice to try and compare budget with luxury. Whilst the Balinese beds and overpriced cocktails may still be beckoning, they only promise a chance to relax and have temporary fun. Meanwhile, budget travel offers the opportunity to curate a unique adventure that will be etched in to you for years after the return flight- if you ever decide to return. However, despite his best efforts, Hatton understands that part of the magic of his experience is that the majority of it transcends a blog or article. An itinerary can be written on a page but the smells, sounds and feelings of a country cannot. Whilst The Broke Backpacker can successfully serve as a foundation to promote and encourage more budget travel, the only way to be truly convinced is to pack a bag (lightly), book a flight and take the plunge.

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Boss Boys

Boss Couples: How HayPigs!® Founders Rik & Helen Are Creating Fun For Guinea Pigs Everywhere

Pushing boundaries in the world of guinea pigs, Rik and Helen create fun-filled toys and accessories – including world firsts!

We find out how they went from simply adopting two piggies, to creating their own range of circus-themed goodies and learn what it means for a guinea pig to ‘popcorn’ (you’ll be wanting to look that up on YouTube, trust us)…

What made you decide to first adopt guinea pigs?
Rik: It was Helen’s doing! We got married in 2010 and shortly after the wedding was over, she said, “Right, now I want us to get guinea pigs!” She’d had every other small animal as a child but never a guinea pig, so felt this was the natural next step! It didn’t take Helen long to find that we had a local guinea pig rescue near our home in Chelmsford. One visit later and we were both hooked!

Guinea pigs do make great family pets but don’t be fooled into thinking they are ‘easy’ or ‘cheap to look after’. They require the same dedication and commitment as any other pet. That said, they are fairly self-sufficient during the day, so guinea pigs are a good choice if you want the companionship of a dog or cat, but work away from home in the daytime. They have, in fact, remarkably big personalities!

So, how did having pet piggies then lead to you creating your own line of pet accessories?

Helen: Keen to lavish our new family members with love, we went out and bought them every toy and accessory on the market, they were spoilt rotten! But we quickly discovered many of these products weren’t up to the job. For some reason (probably financial), all small animal products were lumped together in one category and many of these products were trying to cater for all small furries at once, rather than being species specific. It meant that the true welfare and enrichment needs of these creatures were not really being met. With Rik’s background as a product designer and our desire to improve the lives of guinea pigs, we decided to have a go at changing things.

Disappointed with the quality of what was already on the market, how do you ensure your products stand above the rest?

Rik: We simply made it our mission statement to make the best enrichment toys on the market, regardless of cost. This was a brave step, but we knew what the market wanted and were very confident that people would want to pay more to give their small furries a better life. We go through a rigorous testing process before committing to a new design, these products are literally “tested by guinea pigs!”. If we are not totally convinced that a new product concept raises the bar and will be the market leader, we don’t do it.

All your products are themed around a circus. How did you decide of this theme for your first range of products?

Helen: We had lots of ideas for themes and will definitely do other ones in the future, but we started with the circus for good reason. Firstly, it’s unisex. Remarkably, around 90% of our customers are female, but we felt there was huge opportunity to get boys engaged and encourage them to consider guinea pigs as a pet in later life (and not just as children). By having a trendy guinea pig brand, we’re already beginning to address this. ‘PigDads’ get a lot of attention!

Secondly, with a circus theme, it’s really colourful and eye-catching, something you really don’t see in the small animal section of your local pet shop.

Thirdly, we knew that the interest in circuses (despite some bad press) was here to stay. Rik had spent 3 ½ years up in London designing film merchandise. He recognised how popular collecting ranges was and was also very aware of some of new film titles on the horizon. It’s no coincidence that ‘The Greatest Showman’ released shortly after HayPigs!® and that the remake of ‘Dumbo’ was also scheduled for 2019.

While the use of live animals in circuses is now widely condemned (and with very good reason), we felt the essence of the circus is still relevant today*. It’s all about tapping into our childhoods. That sense of fun, nostalgia and wonder. By engaging the humans and encouraging them to spend more time with their pets, everyone is a winner!

*It’s worth pointing out that HayPigs!® Guinea Pig Circus™ is a parody of the circus; our guinea pigs are playing the roles of the human characters and not the animals.

The products are all novel ideas, with fun and creative designs, but cater to real needs of small animals too. Why is this important?

Rik: Yes, while novel, it was not just about making quirky circus themed enrichment toys. We wanted each and every product to have awesome functionality and durability, and raise the bar in design and aesthetics. Funnily enough, it’s in introducing a theme that we have been inspired to come up with some world firsts! For example, our Cavy Cannonball™ – Tilting Tunnel is the first guinea pig tunnel to feature a tilting axel. Had we not been considering how to come up with a toy based on a human cannonballer, we may never have thought about it!

Will you ever create products to fit a new theme or are you going to continue to expand the circus range?

Helen: We definitely will in the future, but for now we are concentrating on expanding our existing range. We’ve just released two brand new products (the HayPigs!® Circus Treat Ball™ – 3-in-1 Enrichment Toy and the HayPigs!® Junior Food Tamer™ – Mini Food Bow) and they are already a massive hit with our customers and, of course, their piggies! We’ve got some more big ideas for 2020, but they are all top secret I’m afraid so watch this space!!

Very intriguing… Your website says that your products are “designed for and tested by Guinea Pigs”. Tell us more! What’s the testing process and how to you gather feedback from the little guys themselves?
Rik: Working with guinea pigs is very rewarding and what distinguishes them from many of the other small animals is that they do give you a lot of feedback! They have a plethora of noises and mannerisms that you can learn to read. If they’re happy or sad, frustrated or content, angry or hangry, you’ll know about it! This makes them the perfect product testers. We create working prototypes that we can gain feedback from. If they don’t like what we’ve come up with, they will discard it. If it captures their interest, they’ll be all over it – guinea pigs are naturally very inquisitive. The secret is to hold their attention for as long as possible and retain that attention every time you introduce the product. Then you know you’ve got a winning design!

Helen: The ultimate compliment from a guinea pig is a piggy ‘popcorn’. This is like an uncontrollable spasm in which your piggy leaps and spins in the air in excitement. For anyone who has a guinea pig, watching your piggy popcorn makes your heart glow inside!

A popcorning guinea pigs sounds adorable! Do you share the daily lives of your piggies online?

Rik: Yes, we have a very active social media account. We started our Instagram page before we’d launched the business and you can follow the lives of our rescue piggies on there (we currently have six). If you love cute and fluffy and a little escapism from daily life, we promise our posts will make you smile every time they pop up in your feed!

You can follow HayPigs!® on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (@haypigs). We also encourage you to check out our website: haypigs.com

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