Here Are Five Reasons Why I Chose To Get My Covid-19 Vaccine.

I have heard many people talking about why or why not they got the Covid-19 vaccine. I think this is a very personal choice for everyone. So here are the reasons I chose to get vaccinated.

My family:

I have family members who are immunology compromised. Thinking if I get the Covid-19 vaccine then I could sill go out and avoid bringing this deadly virus home to them. A thought that had my anxiety very high. And I wanted to do everything I could to keep them safe.

I want to go back to work:

Getting the Covid-19 Vaccine truly felt like a step in the right direction. I will be able to keep myself protected to go back into the classroom and help a teacher grow little minds. Although, I have been very blessed to stay home because of my family situation. I really am ready to get back to some normalcy again.

Date nights out:

Ever since Covid my boyfriend and I keep date night at home. However, really ready to get dressed do my hair and make up and have a night out with my love.

Going back to in person learning at school:

I cannot wait to be able to get back on campus to do homework. To have some decommission time in the car after a long day. To get back to things being normal again!!

I trust:

Because for me I trust in not only the national doctors who are telling us to get the Covid-19 vaccine, but I also trust the doctors who care for my family members who are asking that I do my part to keep them safe!

My reasons for getting the vaccine are unique to my situation. And I believe that I made the best decision for me and for my family. All the while doing my part to help the country as a whole to get back to normal. So for me this was a no brainer. Because for me, it was for my family!

So please stay safe, mask up, and consider getting vaccinated.

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The Good Home Co Offers Household Tips During Quarantine

Good Home Tips During A Quarantine

Dear Friend –

Good Morning from my Good Home to yours. I am quarantined in NYC where we are now the epicenter of of COVID19 in the United States. Fortunately we are indoors and have plenty of food and we are all well. I hope this finds you well too.

The COVID19 virus is extremely frightening – mostly because it is currently running rampant and there is so little information on how long it lasts on surfaces. Because of this I wanted to share with you my own cleaning practices at home during this time.

Quick Disclaimer: Fortunately we are not ill and do not have any signs of illness. If you have COVID19, you should use cleaning practices in accordance to your Doctors orders.

Good Home Tips

Always….

Floors

I have not veered too far out of my normal cleaning routine. For my floors I continue to use a Haan steam mop which cleans by using hot steam. I use this on all my my wood and tiled floors. I spray our surface cleaner on the floor first and then go over it with the mop.

Counter tops

Good Home Glass and Surface Cleaner continues to be my go to for cleaning my kitchen, counter tops and bathroom surfaces. just more often.

Hand Washing

Hand washing has always been a practice of mine and there is no reason to use an antibacterial soap. As the CDC has said – soap is soap – the most important part is to wash in warm or cold water, lather up and do this for a minimum of 20 seconds. CDC – When and How to Wash Your Hands I only use hand sanitizer if I am outside of my own home.

Don’t Touch Your Face

Several years ago I had two flus back to back. It was then I took my Aunt’s advice of never to touch my eyes, nose or mouth with my hands. I can honestly say that has kept me flu + cold free for years now.

Remove Your Shoes

Remove shoes. always a good practice in any home. I do not know if it cuts down on the virus, but it does keep my floors cleaner.

Extra Precautions Now Taken

Rubbing Alcohol

This virus has been shown to last on several hours on a multitude of surfaces and for this reason, I have added rubbing alcohol into highly touched areas. I give all phones, computer key boards, mouses, mouse pads, light switches, door handles and remote controls a good spray of rubbing alcohol and a wipe with a clean cloth. I do this daily or anytime I or a member of my household has stepped outside.

Laundry

For clothing that is being exposed to anywhere outside of the house where there is interaction with others, I have switched from using only cold water, to warm/hot.

Find Peace But Keep Your Distance

My rescue chihuahua and I on our morning walk

A dog pet from a stranger was a daily occurrence for us. Unfortunately I no longer allow any dog pets as it has shown the virus does stay on pet fur. For how long we do not know. If you live in a highly trafficked city like I do – it is a good idea to rinse off their paws after an outdoor walk.

Get Some Air

I regularly air out my apartment by opening the windows, but now I am very diligent about it. Not easy as the East Coast is still chilly, but on warmer days above 50 – I open my windows for 15 minutes at least.

Cleaning Ingredients

Essential oils, vinegar, Castile Soap and other natural ingredients are always good to use for daily cleaning. products like Bleach, Alcohol, and Hydrogen Peroxide have all been shown to kill the COVID19 virus, but if you do not have the virus in your home and you are not leaving – it would not seem prudent to use these daily.

Boost Your Immunity

Also of great importance is to keep your immune system up. Processed foods, chips, ice creams, frozen pizzas and candies may bring temporary comfort, but they are not helping you fight the virus. Make sure to stock up on plenty of whole fruits and veggies and avoid going down the junk food road.

I have added elderberry to my families daily vitamins, along with the Zinc, Echinacea and D3 we normally take.

Magnolias blooming in NYC Battery Park

And of course exercise and nature. We do get out every day for a walk – practicing social distancing of course – in nature. The increase in fear and stress will lower your immune system. It is extremely important to be in nature when you can and do movement that is healthy for you. This could look like chair yoga and listening to bird song on your phone if you are immune compromised or disabled and cannot risk going outdoors. A meditation practice – just sitting in quiet – or a guided one – will help tremendously.

My personal favorite for reducing stress and worry is practicing gratitude.

These are certainly challenging times, but one I know we can all handle. Being grateful to have a warm home, with every amenity I could ask for, plenty of food and most importantly health. Instead of fighting the slow down, I am realizing I like a slower pace in my life and plan to implement changes for this to continue.

We at Good Home are grateful for you and your support. We will continue to stay open as we are an essential business and to also offer a much lower price as long as we can. These are times to support and nurture one another and a wonderful time to create a future with love. Use PROMO CODE PuckerMob July-14-thru July 31st at checkout to receive 30 percent off Good Home Products.

Thank you and be well –

Christine

Founder – The Good Home Company

For more ways to detox your home read DETOX YOUR HOME a guide to removing toxins from your life and bringing health to your home.

Benefits Of Unplugging And Going Outdoors

Unplugging

Despite dreams of flying cars and teleporter beams, it turns out life in the future really means spending a lot of time in front of screens. Yes, it’s amazing and convenient to carry a supercomputer and a camera in your pocket at all times. But we’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with our digital devices. And that was even before we started “self-isolating” for our own good.

The temptation to obsessively read the news or binge watch TV series all day can be overwhelming. But this screen-heavy indoor time may take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. Take a deep breath and remember some of the benefits of unplugging and going outdoors.

Stress Reduction

Uncertainty and anxiety combine to form a toxic stress cocktail. But the great outdoors offers a natural remedy for stress. Science shows green spaces lower our physical stress response and increase our mental well-being. The bottom line is that we’re hard-wired to relax and calm down in nature. The more natural the area, the greater the benefit. Taking a walk to a park can help you hit the reset button, but if all you have at your disposal is a patio or yard, that works as well. The goal: Breathe fresh air, feast your eyes on green, and feel your blood pressure drop.

Memory Enhancement

Stepping outside into a natural environment gives you a memory boost. Walking out in nature for just 20 minutes is enough to improve test performance. And while the theory explaining this is science, it is known as ART: Attention Restoration Theory. The idea is that in a bustling urban or environment, our attention is constantly involved in a tug-of-war over where it should be focused. But when you step into nature, our attention is less directed, and that part of our brains gets a rest. Think of it as a reboot for your brain.

Immune System Boost

A 2013 Japanese study demonstrates time spent walking in the forest can boost the immune system. We know time spent in nature reduces stress, and stress hormones can negatively impact the immune system. But this study took it a bit further. After two days of hiking, doctors tested the white blood cell counts of the hikers. The cells that help a body fight off infection increased by 40%, and they remained 15% higher a month later. Even a one-day trip to a park was enough to boost white blood cells for a week. The bottom line? Stepping away from the screen and out into nature is a prescription for improving your resistance to illness. Best of all, the only side effects are a better memory and lower stress levels? Yes, please!

Antidepressants Underfoot

If you’ve ever met a gardener who seemed inexplicably happy about homegrown produce, there may be an explanation. Its name is Mycobacterium vaccae, and it’s a naturally occurring soil microbe. Studies indicate exposure to these bacteria results in lower stress levels and increased production of serotonin. That’s the same mood-regulating brain chemical that Prozac targets. So, even if your thumb is brown, digging in the garden is bound to have a beneficial effect.

So despite the wonderful world of snarky memes and hilarious cat videos, there is life beyond the screen. If you feel overwhelmed, scatterbrained, sad, or weary, take a minute to unplug. Head outside and take a walk. See if it isn’t just what the doctor ordered.

Dominic Wojcik is a man with twin passions, for fitness and the outdoors. He has been writing about both for two decades.

For the Girl Who Feels Like She’s Drowning in the Chaos of Life

She’s Drowning In The Chaos Of Life

Overwelmed

Some days, she feels like a fraud.

She feels like her smile is too forced and her skin fits too tight. She feels like she’s never going to have what it takes to really make something of herself.

Like her fear of failure is looming around every corner, as she hesitates at every crossroad.

This fear consumes her, and the doubt envelopes her in a cloak of uncertainty. And she wonders: “how can I ever become the girl I envision myself to be?”

Some days, she feels discouraged.

She feels like all of her efforts are for nothing, as she takes one step forward and four steps back.

As she scrambles for clarity in the midst of these life changes she can’t help but feel lost.

She stands, shaken and discouraged, as she claws her way to the surface to find she’s standing right back where she started.

Some days, she feels destined for stagnation,

Powerless to defeat the challenges that throw themselves at her feet.

But, then, some days, something changes.

Some days, she feels a calm amongst the chaos swirling around her circumstances.

She feels called to a path and determined to make it there no matter what it takes.

She feels the universe on her side, guiding er through the darkness, past dead ends and wrong turns. Guiding her to the life she’s always imagined.

Some days, she feels confident, not that she’s perfect, but that it doesn’t matter.

She feels her purpose in being honest about her scars so the world can fight their battles alongside her.

She feels a desire to connect with the other battered souls, and to help them get past their obstacles so that she can share the beauty of the perspective she has been shown.

Some days, she feels weak. Oh, but some days, she feels very strong.

And there will be moments where her frailty consumes her for a time.

But the pull of circumstance has but a temporary advantage over her soul.

Because, if she’s learned anything in this life, it’s that it all starts with ‘some day.’ She may only feel capable some days, but that is enough to begin.

And, she will grow and build off of those “some days” of strength, until she has built a life that was founded on resilience and steady persistence. And then, those “some days” will become her “most days”.

Until she’s found that she finally made it. She made it to the other side of the pain, to her “someday” that she dreamed of in moments of hope and quiet reflection.

To the someday that she once felt was so far out of reach.

Because all it takes are a string of “some days” that she chooses to keep fighting, “some days” where she’s not defeated by discouragement, “some days” when she silence the voices in her head telling her that she wasn’t meant for this.

Some days, she feels comforted in the fact that someday, this will all feel okay.