#we top up the yoghurt whenever it's half empty and mix it up

[wenchtoast]

the yoghurt on the hotel breakfast buffet is probably 5% gone off at all times. fyi

[poop4u]

Review: HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners

#Poop4U

There’s very few products that I make the claim “I can’t live without”, but the HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner is fast becoming my favourite member of the family (sorry husband, children and dog!)

After purchasing my own unit (this is not gifted or sponsored in any way), I’ve been using and reviewing it for 6 months now and I’m ready to share my 100% unbiased and full review for you here.

The HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners

What is a HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner? It’s not a steam mop, it’s not a vacuum cleaner – it’s all of the above and more. It sweeps, mops, and dries all hard floors in one go. That’s right – your floors are left sparkling clean – IN ONE GO. You simply move the unit forward to sweep up/vacuum any mess and then move it backwards to mop. The mop dries as it goes too. It’s that simple and easy.

I discovered the HIZERO on Instagram through the amazing Iryna of From Great Beginnings. I would watch her stories featuring this magical cleaning unit that left her floors sparkling with a few forwards and backwards movements. But to be honest, before making an investment I wanted to try it for myself. I borrowed a unit from my local store and from that moment on I knew I could never go back. The HIZERO cleaned my floors like nothing else could – and took just minutes to do so. Even my husband got in on the action and claimed our floors have never looked better.

The next day we purchased our HIZERO unit and from then on we’ve had perfect floors no matter what our two adult, two kid and one dog household throws at them (which is A LOT).

How the HIZERO Changed My Cleaning Routine

Prior to owning the HIZERO, I needed to vacuum all hard floors to remove dirt, dog hair and debris; and then I would need to mop to clean off any spilled food from dinner (I have two young children), paw prints etc. This could take up to half an hour and then we’d all have to wait for the floor to dry. Now I literally clean our floorboards with the HIZERO in 5 minutes and they sparkle. It means I not only clean my floors daily, but also if there’s a small spill, I can have it cleaned up in seconds.

The HIZERO can literally clean just about anything. Case in point, here is some of the mess my HIZERO has cleaned in the last six months:

Dog hair

Muddy paw prints/foot prints and dirt

Texta/marker written on the floor

Spilt food and drinks – everything from spaghetti, to mashed potato, yoghurt, flour, cake icing, peas and more. (I have two children under 5 – things get messy fast!)

Water spills and drool around the dog’s dishes

Dust and grime

Human hair

and so much more.

And it’s so simple to use. I leave it on it’s base charger (just like you would a stick vacuum), grab it whenever I need to and give the floors a quick back and forth. My HIZERO has never run out of power during use (many stick vaccs can’t say the same!) – I can clean all the hard floors in my house in one go.

When the cleaning solution in the unit runs out I simply top it up. I then empty the hard waste tray in the bin, empty the liquid waste tray in the sink, and pop the unit back on the base to charge. Then I simply sit back and admire my sparkling floors.

How does the HIZERO work?

Now for the techy stuff. Using cutting-edge, dual cleaning technology, the HIZERO is perfect for all hard floors, tiles, laminate, and wooden floor boards. The polymer roller absorbs wet and dry waste as it rolls across and mops the floor. Your floors are left clean and fresh from the HIZERO cleaning solution that runs through the unit. Solid waste filters into a trash tray and the fluids go separately into HIZERO’s waste water tank. As a user, you simply move forward and back across your floor until you’re done!

Here is a demonstration of the HIZERO in all it’s glory…

  Literally – there is no vacuuming, then mopping, then waiting for the floor to dry. In a few short moves your floor is swept clean, mopped thoroughly and dried – leaving a gleaming floor.

Why Dog Owners Should get the HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner

Honestly, in my 10 plus years of writing for Pretty Fluffy, I’ve never seen a more effective cleaning unit for dog owners.

The HIZERO cleans basically everything that is messy about a dog in one go – no having to vacuum, mop, scrub etc. separately.

It picks up dog hair on all hard surfaces – leaving no stray hairs.

It cleans muddy paw prints, while also picking up loose leaf litter, lawn clippings, dirt etc

It cleans up drool and liquid mess, leaving a fresh, clean floor.

Possibly the most important point – it picks up all these things when they’re mixed in together. Anyone that’s been faced with a muddy floor, also covered in water bowl drips and dog hair knows what a game changer this is.

The cleaning solution leaves your floors fresh and disinfected, yet doesn’t use harsh chemical that can irritate your pup.

The HIZERO All-in-One has magically captured how to clean your hard floors in just minutes – replacing all the vacuums, mops and units that have come beforehand.

Is there anything I don’t like? If I was completely honest, I’m not a fan of emptying out the hard waste trash tray (where everything you’ve sucked up off the floor goes) and the waste water tank (where all the dirty water goes.) But on the other hand, when you’re emptying these out you really see all the mess that you’ve just removed from your floors! It’s like a vacuum cleaner – no one like emptying the bin; but it sure is satisfying to know that stuff is not on your floors anymore.

What We Loved:

All-in-one cleaner for hard floors – sweeps, removes solid and liquid debris, mops and dries in one go. Simply move forward to pick up debris and back to mop.

Cleans quickly and effectively. HIZERO detergent leaves floors sparkling and smelling fresh.

Easy to use, cordless and fairly lightweight. Light enough to clean a a full size 2-3 bedroom home without strain.

Captures solid and liquid waste – everything from dog hair, to food, dirt and debris.

Mops effectively and removes marks on flooring without hard scrubbing.

Long battery life – clean your whole house in one go without stopping and starting.

Easy to manoeuvre and can get under chairs/tables with ease.

Comes with charging dock station, ready to grab and go again.

Self cleaning. Yep, that’s right. Just push a button and the unit cleans itself internally – nothing for you to do.

Best For:

ALL dog owners with inside pets and hard flooring. Cleans up dog hair, drool, stains, muddy paw prints etc

Excellent for families with children too – cleans up food spills, texta/marker etc

Great for allergy sufferers – helps remove dander, dog hair, dust and debris from the environment.

House proud pet owners – quick and easy cleaning that is so fast it can be done daily.

Excellent for little spills throughout the day as well.

Time poor pet owners – cleans more quickly than any vacuum or mop on the market. It literally does the job of both in one go.

SHOP NOW

HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner

The post Review: HIZERO All-in-One Cordless Floor Cleaner for Dog Owners appeared first on Pretty Fluffy.

Poop4U Blog via www.Poop4U.com Serena Faber Nelson, Khareem Sudlow

[resiliencewellbeingpartnership]

Ten simple nutritional areas you can impact on today to reduce stress and boost resilience

Simple, easy adjustments that you can make to your diet that can help you feel better and that fit into your busy schedule.   

Hi guys and welcome to my most recent blog post. Today, I'm going to be focusing on something that for me is THE major foundation of resilience and well-being: food. 

Such is the importance of this topic that I have invited my friend and colleague, Marie Orford, to guest write this particular post. Marie is a qualified dietician and provides support to GP practices on how best to advise patients with nutritional deficiencies on healthy diets. On the topic of food, it's fair to say that she knows her stuff.  

Because the majority of my work centres on helping businesses enhance employee well-being, the focus of this article is about a healthy diet in the workplace. However, the guidance contained here can apply to you if you are seeking out strategies to combat stress, whatever your life situation.  Here's what Marie had to say when we met to discuss how diet can contribute to stress reduction while simultaneously improving resilience.  

"There is loads of scientific evidence that healthy eating helps to boost resilience and supports well-being during times of stress. I could go into it but to be honest, most of us don't need to know the ins and outs. What we need to know is how to make better choices, and this can be incredibly straightforward.   We are all busy, often not even finding the time to take a proper lunch break or cook healthy meals at home. The guidance I want to share takes all of this into account; because the greatest resistance to the advice offered by dieticians relates to time. 

People just don't feel that they have the spare hours in the day to take care of themselves. I've taken this on board and adapted my approach – so that what I suggest is easy to implement for anyone, even those with the busiest of schedules.  

And so here are some simple pointers and strategies – choose a few areas to focus on first – and then build on your success.  

Junk food. 

The good news is that my first suggestion takes absolutely no time at all! Where possible, please cut down on the junk food. Replace junk with foods full of essential nutrients that support you during challenges, and offer longer-term protection too. I know when we're stressed that healthy habits can go out of the window. However, that is the moment that we need to be taking care of ourselves the most. Poor nutrition is a stress on the body, further compounding any stress we are experiencing and making us tired. Reaching for convenience food, fatty and sugary “treats” is understandable, and by choosing a   few simple ingredients instead, you can put together a healthy meal or snack to boost your body and mind in next to no time.  If your schedule is tight, grab a pre-prepared salad bowl or veg pot, and team it with grilled salmon, chicken, mixed beans or crumbled feta. Quel those cravings with healthy grains and carbs, like quinoa, sweet potatoes, whole grain pasta, rice or bread - to sustain your energy levels.  

Sleep.

 A diet for resilience can promote better sleep. This not only improves immunity and helps us to fight off disease, but supports brain and cognitive function too. And this is where diet can help us to feel better about our work. Our fast-paced, professional lives are incredibly exciting and stimulating on the one hand but also challenging on the other. We need to get our sleep hygiene right because we all know that high-quality rest is the next thing to go when we feel stressed out at work. This means avoiding caffeine a few hours before bedtime – as its stimulant effects can counter sleep and disrupt our natural rhythms. Good sleep is central to today's busy life, so rest better - by switching to healthier options, such as herb or fruit teas or even plain water!  

Caffeine. 

On the topic of caffeine, I'd also like to say that I don’t advocate the need to cut it out completely.  Tea, for example, can be beneficial to us. It has excellent antioxidant qualities; however, we need to ensure that we are not drinking endless teas, coffees, colas or energy drinks, as our only sources of hydration. This is because caffeine can be a diuretic, meaning that we have to be mindful of replacing the excess liquid we lose after drinking it. Many of us aren't aware that dehydration itself can contribute to tiredness and even muddled thinking, and so please don't rely on caffeine as your only source of fluid. Have water as well. The recommended intake is at least 30mls of water per kilogram of your body weight per day.  

Sugar. 

Another way we put stress on our bodies is by taking in too much sugar. The average adult is currently consuming far more sugar that is recommended, often in the form of sugar-loaded drinks and snacks. This not only attacks your teeth but saps power levels too, by leaving you low after the sugar rush they cause. For a healthy diet – one that helps with the slow release of energy and will help us with our work-related performance – we need to be getting a balance of whole grain carbs, lean proteins and a good mix of fruit and vegetables.   

Breakfast. 

If you're in a continual rush, then recycle an empty jar (or pick yourself up one of those trendy re-sealable jars) and layer it up with fruit, oats, a little whole grain breakfast cereal, a splash of dairy or plant milk and some yoghurt. You can even do this the night before, so it’s ready when you’re heading out to work. This is a great breakfast to keep you going all morning. But if you need a snack, bananas (in fact any fruits) are fantastic – as are and are nuts and seeds. They, in particular, are an excellent source of protein.  

Lunch. 

Likewise, a plastic container, packed with a wholesome sandwich or crunchy mixed salad, make for great lunches. An online search will pull up some great portable offerings that won't break the bank! And even if you pop out for lunch and find yourself in a sandwich shop, you can find some genuinely healthy wraps, rolls or pittas that contain protein and veggies. Get yourself some fruit to go alongside your sandwich or even some hummus to dip vegetable sticks in. These sorts of options will keep you going through the busiest of afternoons.  

'Treats'. 

What tends to happen in many offices though, is the afternoon energy slump is tackled with biscuits, cakes and sticky buns! It’s a temptation that quickly forms a routine, particularly when everyone else is tucking in. If your colleagues are up for it, why not suggest that everyone bring in fruit and nuts for a communal bowl instead. I know some workplaces that are doing a great job of this, with people bringing in beautiful seasonal berries, and cherries, even apples that they have grown in their garden to share.  

Evening meal. 

Once you're home for the day, it's time to consider your evening meal. If you are short of time, then if you do nothing else, try to include some vegetables or fruit. The 'five a day' principle is a great one to aim for. Go for more if you can, especially if you have had a stressful day. Evening meals don't have to take up a lot of time either, even the good old beans on toast option with seedy bread is ok, as is an omelette with some peppers and onions chucked in. Try to make tasty quick meals whenever possible, so that you're not consuming excess fatty or salty dishes in the form of a ready meal or takeaway on a regular basis. And while you're in the kitchen, now is an excellent opportunity to chop up a few extra vegetables or salad items for tomorrow's lunch.  

Variety. 

What I would want to make clear is that in all of this, variety is important. Include protein from meat, fish, eggs, dairy and cheese as part of your diet for sure, but also see if you can move towards the vegetarian or plant-based sources of protein such as beans and lentils. It's particularly good for you, physically and mentally and will help to keep your body in tip top condition. Plus, the protein derived from such sources lowers blood sugar, keeps you full for longer and releases energy for a much longer time. Seriously, it's a win all round.  

Balance it out. 

This is essential in all things – but especially true for diet – eating poor quality foods and drinks when you are under pressure can take you on a downward spiral.  So check out your eating, including what you drink – jot it down or take a photo of everything that passes your lips over a few days – it could show a few home truths. Spot your tricky areas, and select some steps towards a healthy diet.  If this reveals a pattern such as binging on junk or regular alcohol as a prop to get through the day, it may be genuine eating distress or the start of an addiction. 

Future blogs will look in more detail at habit, addictions and how these can further compound stress and other emotional issues.   

If you're at burnout stage, I will urge you - if you are genuinely completely exhausted and experiencing burnout – to go and get yourself checked out to see if you're anaemic. It's good to eliminate any physical causes of tiredness as well as making the dietary changes described above.    

Lastly, I do feel it's important to note that I'm not saying never have chocolate,  caffeine or a takeout. But instead, that if you can get the basis of your diet right – together with good quality sleep – then your body will feel healthy and energised and more able to respond with resilience to the demands of your busy working day."  

This was part one of a two part series looking at diet and resilience. Part two will focus on conscious eating, because 'what' we eat is only half of the story. 'How' we eat is the next... and in our next blog post we are going to be looking at what simple steps you can take to become a more conscious eater. 

For further information or to get in touch, visit www.resiliencewellbeingpartnership.com 

Alternatively, leave me a comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this blog.