Monthly Archives: June 2019

Raising Your Children While Living with a Chronic Illness

Parenting, though a blessing to most, isn’t without its challenges. The struggles of everyday life while trying to care for the needs of your kids can take a dramatic toll on your physical and mental well-being. So, imagine if you were already dealing with health problems? Being a parent who suffers from diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or lupus takes the cake. As your state of health plays a huge role in your ability to be there as your family needs you to.

Be that as it may, it is possible to raise your children while taking care of yourself. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness or have been struggling with it for years as you raise your family, here is some advice:

Take Care of You First

This may seem selfish or even impossible to do as a parent, but taking care of your own needs first is a must. If you are not at your best, it limits your abilities to be there for your children. Whatever you’re required to do to soothe symptoms of your condition, it is best that you follow through. Visit the doctor, take your medications, see specialists if necessary, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get active as best you can, and get plenty of sleep.

Manage the Symptoms

Pain, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms related to long-term illnesses can hinder your ability to be happy and perform your duties as a parent. If your symptoms have kept you from being the parent you want to be, there are other ways to manage them. After talking with your doctor first do some research on your condition and the various solutions out there. Perhaps you can purchase diabetic socks to improve circulation in your legs, get massages to help relieve inflammation, go to physical therapy, or start taking herbs and dietary supplements to soothe other problems.

Talk to Your Kids

Pretending that everything is “normal” when it’s not won’t work too long on your children. Nor does it help you to create a new normal with your family. It’s important to talk with your kids about your condition in a manner in which they can comprehend. You don’t have to go deep into details, but letting them know that there are certain things mommy or daddy must do in order to be healthy relieves a lot of stress for you and curiosities the kids may have had. Who knows, the kids may even start helping out more.

Ask for Help

Even parents with a good bill of health need help to raise their children. Remember it takes a village. So, don’t allow your pride or feelings of guilt keep you from reaching out to those you know for assistance. Your family, religious leaders, educators, friends, and members of the community may be willing to chip in. They can help with babysitting, transportation, meal preparations, and spending quality time with the kids when you’re unable to.

Don’t Stop Living

Yes, your medical condition may limit you from doing certain things. You may have days where you feel excellent and days where you want to stay in bed all day. Be that as it may, you do not want your condition to define you, your kids, or your quality of life. Don’t stop living. Take advantage of the good days and do things you enjoy. Learn alternative methods to cope with the symptoms and bad days and keep pressing through. Have a career, go places, buy things, make connections, and simply continue to live your life.

Finding out that you have a chronic illness is devastating – especially when you’re responsible for the lives of others. You wonder with each passing day how you’ll get through and use up all of your energy to be there for your family. Living this way isn’t healthy, however. Though your long-term illness does present some challenges and limitations, it doesn’t have to stop you from being the best parent ever and living a great life.

All you need to do is continue to take care of yourself, find alternative ways to cope with symptoms, openly communicate with your kids, get help from the village, and face each day with a positive attitude. The road won’t be easy, but, it’s not easy for any parent. So, take a few deep breaths and get started on creating a new normal that works for everyone.

5 Home Decor Classics That Never Go Out of Style

Trends come and trends go, but great classic furniture and design will never go out of style. By investing in pieces that are timeless and refined you can be sure that your home will suit you, your family and your needs for the long term. Shed any temptation to veer towards furniture fads with these 5 decor classics:

Invest in style

Classic interior design is defined by it’s understated, elegant look and feel. Typically classic furnishings are light-neutral in colour with simple lines and unimposing structures. This is a perfect option if you like a clean but inviting aesthetic, or if you’re looking to combine two decor styles. For example the classic style pairs well with the country or the industrial design categories.

https://www.1825interiors.com.au/torquay-sofa

Designing your home within the confines of the classic look will mean that you will have a consistent space that flows well. Use the category to guide your bigger investments, like your bed-frame, dining table and sofa set.

Suitable Lighting

Lighting really can do more for your home than you think. By employing professional looking lighting you can transform any space and create an instantly classic effect.

Chances are, your home didn’t come ready equipped with picture perfect lighting. If this is the case then you can make a few changes to create your own illuminations. Purchase lamps, pendant lights or other add ons to help enhance the feel of your space. Keep these within the classic design style aesthetic to be sure that they won’t begin to look dated in a few years time.

Understated neutrals, clean lines and decorative bases are all characteristics of beautiful classic light sources. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different sizes and shapes to create some design interest and to pack a creative punch. Be sure that you’re constructing a coherent mood by sticking to purely warm or cool tones for every light addition.

https://www.1825interiors.com.au/ashwood-table-lamp

Decorative Artwork

Artwork is a great addition to any home. A beautiful piece of art will add expression to your walls, and they can even create the illusion of more space with some clever placement. For a home that has a timeless feel, the artwork that you and your family collect has to have a personal feel.

Personality is key to investing in pieces that truly reflect the tone of your home and those who live in it. By selecting works that the whole family connects with, you will have a space that’s both unique and classic to you.

Natural Materials

Natural material is a long time classic in all of it’s uses. Resources such as wood, ceramic, cotton, leather and metal are a staple of almost every single industry, especially home decor and interior design.

By investing in home fixtures and furnitures that are crafted from natural materials and resources, you will be sure to achieve a classic and enduring look. Choose resilient and sturdy materials such as slate, stone and wood for your floors, kitchen cabinets and walls to have a home that is long lasting in look and function.

Natural materials are a fabulous option for your homewares and furniture. Look for pieces that will create the right mood for your home. Looking for a classic but warm, relaxed feel? Explore classic timber furniture options. If you’re more of a minimalist who likes a clean look, then consider metal and leather items.

https://www.1825interiors.com.au/vaucluse-coffee-table

The Tried and The Tested

You can put your trust in any movements in the decor and design industry that have stood the test of time. A good time guide for you to follow is if a trend or decor feature has lasted for more than half a century. This is an indicator that it is a timeless and universal choice that has catered for the needs, tastes and preferences of a wide demographic and multiple generations.

Great examples of this rule are plush leather sofas, persian or turkish rugs and statement pops of colour around the room. If you find a style that you really love and that has been around for more than fifty years it’s time to take the plunge and invest – even if it does come in and out of style, keeping a hold of it is a smart decision for your future.

Whether you’re designing an entirely new space or you’re simply looking for a few new additions to your home, by making timeless and functional choices you can be sure that your home and it’s look will work for you and your family, now and in the many years to come. Furnishing your home certainly isn’t cheap, and your Classic furniture is the perfect opportunity for some clever budgeting. These pieces will never go out of style, so keep your eye on furniture clearance deals or sales. You’ll be able to pick up amazing, timeless pieces at a budget friendly price that will last you a lifetime!

Why You Should Use G Suite If You’re Homeschooling Your Children

There are a lot of homeschooling programs out there, all with good/great reviews. So, why would you use G Suite / G Suite for Education?

Homeschooling is one of the best things you can do for your children (give us a minute to explain). We’ve heard the complaints against homeschooling:

Added Financial Strain / Cost (it’s normally not free)
Lack of Accreditation / Certification
Lack of Socialization
Dependency Issues
Added Workload for Parents

And while the complaints have validity, it’s not enough to overcome the benefits of homeschooling, such as:

One-On-One Interactions
Learning at a Comfortable Pace
Ability to Identify Potential Problems Earlier
Less Focused On Test Scores, And More Focused On Learning
Protection From Bullying And Peer Pressure
More Time With Your Family

So, it’s not surprising that you’re either considering homeschooling or have already started it. In fact, homeschooled children tend to do better on the ACT and SAT than non-homeschooled children.

With all that being said, some homeschool programs are fairly expensive and cumbersome to use. But, did you know that you can actually use G Suite for your homeschooling needs? G Suite has now introduced G Suite for Education and it’s built for parents and educators alike.

Today, we’re going to briefly discuss three reasons why you should use G Suite for Education for your homeschooling needs … ready?

It’s Completely Free

Almost everyone likes to hear the word free (excludes salespeople). Homeschooling does have some financial ramifications; public school is provided “free” (tax dollars). As such, it’s not always easy to use scheduling software and other tools when they cost more money. Some homeschool programs have their own built-in scheduling and/or communication methods, but they aren’t integrated with your Google account(s). As such, you have to log in to each account separately, whenever the thought comes to you.

Since you already have a Google account (most likely), it’s easy to communicate with your class/students directly from your browser, tablet, and/or smartphone. And since it’s free, you don’t have to sign up for a free trial or subscribe for a month to test the platform out.

There’s literally no risk in trying G Suite for Education.

You Can Access It Anywhere

Homeschooling gives parents and students a lot more flexibility when it comes to classroom time, but did you know that it also gives you the ability to work from any location?

Most homeschool programs can be run from an online browser. G Suite for Education is an online platform that gives you access to your homeschooling material and courses from any browser. So, even though you “accidentally” left the school laptop behind, there’s no reason to fall behind on your grading and/or schoolwork. Plus, everything is saved instantly so no work can be lost due to a power failure or computer failure.

Unless you’re in a place without internet, you have access to all of your schoolwork and/or classroom information.

You Can Customize Your Lessons, Quizzes, And Tests

And finally, homeschooling allows you to tailor your schoolwork to the individual needs of your children and/or family. Some programs have started teaching coursework that is against some religious standards. With homeschooling, you can avoid these controversial topics while teaching your children their ABC’s and 123’s without worrying about their curriculum being at odds with certain religious tenets that are a big part of your family and faith.

Creating a classroom, lessons, quizzes and more take just a few minutes. Plus, you can get instant feedback from your students and even communicate directly with them using the built-in messenger apps and/or email.

Final Thoughts: The Advantages of G Suite for Homeschooling

G Suite for Education is a great program that can help with your homeschooling needs. It can be used in conjunction with another homeschooling program, or independently. It’s free, accessible from anywhere, and it’s easily customizable. While you may not have considered using G Suite for your educational needs, it’s becoming a popular option that you shouldn’t ignore.

Gender Reveal With Lanterns Ideas

You’re a few months pregnant with your first or second child. First of all, congratulations! You’re excited to find out whether you’re having a boy or girl and your family and friends are as well. It’s probably still early to be having a baby shower, but it’s the perfect time to throw a gender reveal party. A gender reveal party can be a fun way for everyone to find out if the baby will be a boy or girl together.

Traditional Ideas

When it comes to how the gender will be revealed, there are dozens of fun ideas. Some ideas for a gender reveal 2019 can be

1. Cutting a cake
2. Popping balloons
3. Releasing balloons
4. Scavenger hunt
5. Several other fun ideas

How to Organize a Lantern Reveal

One such fun idea would be a gender revealing lantern. You’ll have a group of normal lanterns with a blue lantern or pink lantern mixed in. That is, all but one of the lanterns will have a normal colored flame. The one single lantern will have a blue or pink flame. Some ways to have a lantern of revealing would be

1. Display the lanterns to light up at once
2. Locate all the lanterns to light up until you find the pink or blue lantern
3. Release sky lanterns to light up
4. Display lanterns, but light them up individually

There are several ways to go about a gender revealing lantern. There’s more than one type of lantern of revealing. With a blue or pink lantern, you can light up your gender reveal 2019 with the news of your soon to be born son or daughter.

If you decide you want to use lanterns for your gender reveal, then later in the evening would be the best time for your party. The lanterns will be easier to see and will be a more mesmerizing sight after the sun has gone down. Hopefully it’ll be around spring or summer time so that your lantern gender reveal will be during warm weather. If it happens to be during colder weather, a bonfire is always a great addition to a party or get together.

Even though the baby’s gender is a surprise to everyone, at least one person will have to know the gender ahead of time and keep it a secret. Maybe it’ll be you or a close friend or family member. This way whatever gender reveal idea you decide to go with, everything can be set up with the right color.

Here’s to hoping that you have a fun and memorable gender reveal party. Regardless of what your baby’s gender ends up being, becoming a mom can be exciting. Now that you and everyone else in your life knows what you’re having, it won’t be long before your planning the baby shower. Hopefully nobody was too disappointed by the baby’s gender since there are people who have a preference. What matters the most is that the parents are excited and ready.

Five Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heaters

Where would we be with our water heaters? The great thing modern water heaters is if you look after them, keep them clean and generally well-maintained, they will repay you with many years of service. It may be that you have been using the water heater you currently have for some time now.

Unfortunately, nothing ever lasts forever and as the different parts wear out, you will have to replace your water heater when it’s no longer in good working condition. Although it makes sense to try and have your water heater repaired, if possible. From a financial point of view, this makes a lot of sense at least. However, there are signs you need to be aware of that indicate that rather than having it repaired, it’s time to say goodbye and have your water heater replaced.

It’s Been Repaired Too Numerous Times to Mention

One of the first signs that your water heater has seen better days relates to repairs. That is, if you find that your water heater has required two repairs or more in the last 12 months, that’s far too many. Instead of continuing to spend money on it, it’ll be best in the long run if you invest in a brand-new heater.

It’s Age

Another huge sign that your water heater needs to be replaced is its age. Has it recently reached an impressive milestone? If it’s over 20-years old, it’s best to look at buying a new model, even if it is working perfectly fine. Before too long, it will start to show real signs of its old age, so it’s wise to buy a new water heater to avoid any days without a supple of hot water.

Corrosion

Corrosion is something you shouldn’t see on a water heater, unless it is very old. The sad thing is, if your water heater does start to corrode, this is irreversible, and it means you will have to start the search for a new one. That’s why it’s important to carry out sight checks on appliances like your water heater regularly. Even if you don’t know the first thing about the engineering, you know that signs of rust are never a good thing.

Increasing Heating Bills

Much of the energy used in heating in your home is from generating hot water. Therefore, if you start to notice a worrying hike in your heating bills, it may be time to have your water heater checked over by a professional.

Hot Water Loss

Have you noticed a distinct reduction in the volume of hot water you have available in your home? Have you started having what could be best described as uninspiring lukewarm showers in the morning, when before you’d have to turn down the heat a little because you almost scolded yourself? If that sounds like the kind of issues you are having with your shower, that’s another important sign that your water heater is on its last legs.

If you think it is time to replace your current water heater and are looking for a suitable replacement why not consider a tankless water heater, as highlighted by this post at Plumb and Lined.

10 Tips On How To Care For Your New Mattress

Why spend on a new quality mattress and not know how to care for it so that it serves you for a long time? Striving to maintain its original condition of your new mattress is paramount to enjoying a restful night in bed. Below are a few tips on how to care for your mattress.

Proper installation

First, you should ensure that the new mattress is installed properly in the bed. Such care should start with the transportation of the new sleep set after purchasing it, and bringing it home to your bedroom. If you are not sure of what to do, ask the store personnel to help you know the issues or mistakes to avoid.

Rotate

It is necessary to flip the mattress severally within a year. Rotate it every few months as per the care instructions indicated by the manufacturer.

Cover it up

The best brands have a washable cover that you will always manage to keep your new investment fresh, and stain-free. A clean JCpenny mattress cover will help keep allergens and dust mites at bay.

Deep breaths

Always take note of how your bed smells; any new unpleasant odor means you need to clean the mattress covers or bedding. If you note that “new product smell; in your latest purchase, you should air it by leading the mattress and bed uncovered while the bedroom is well ventilated.

Provide good support

Your new mattress should be installed in a bed with a high-quality build. For the large king or queen-size beds, the frame should have robust support at the middle to keep the mattress from breaking or bowing at the center.

Keep the mattress tag

Do not be quick to pull out the tag on your mattress; it contains vital information regarding how to care and maintain your latest sleep set. Moreover, the information on the label can also serve as evidence when making a warranty claim. Therefore, the tag is there for future reference.

No jumping on your bed

Kids love jumping on the bed, but you should keep these little rascals from making your new firm and bouncy mattress their new playground. Their rough play can damage your bed frame and dent your mattress.

Do not get “board”

A board on the bed’s foundation may help enhance the support offered but if not a necessity if you have a high-quality mattress. If you feel the foundation of your bed, then that means your mattress is old and you need to get a new one that will off the desired support and comfort.

Adhere to manufacturer’s instructions

Never think that you know all there is about mattresses. Always follow the specifications or guidelines given by the manufacturer of caring for the mattress.

Out with the old

With your new sleep set in your bedroom, do not think of transferring the old mattress to the bed in the guest room or giving it to your kids, relatives or friends. If it did not do the job well enough for you, then it will not do anyone any good. When getting rid of it, ensure you disposed of it correctly.

Sports Massage Therapy Benefits: Improved Range of Motion

Athletes as well as physically active individuals are prone to muscle tightness and restricted lower extremity range of motion or ROM which can lead to muscle injuries during sports activities. This is also correlated to lower back, ankle, and even shoulder pain or dysfunction, which can hinder and reduce one’s movement efficiency and quality which is crucial for athletes.

The good news is there are a lot of options out there that can be used to reduce muscle tightness as well as to increase ROM, which includes holistic Cheshire massage therapy. There’s even one type of massage therapy that is specifically designed for physically active individuals.

What is Sports Massage?

A form of massage that manipulates soft tissues to benefit physically active individuals since they are prone to problems and imbalances caused by strenuous repetitive physical activities. Regular sports massage sessions may improve one’s overall performance, aid recovery, and prevent injuries.

Benefits of Sports Massage

1. It eases muscle tension.

With high levels of force, professional hands of a massage therapist can work on tight and tender areas referred to as adhesions. Signals will then be sent to your brain to relax which significantly helps alleviate tension within the targeted muscle.

2. It improves recovery.

A thorough workout or activity can lead to muscle soreness and tightness which is the most common problem by athletes. Fortunately, sports massage can improve recovery by increasing circulation. In fact, regular massage therapy sessions can actually decrease the probability of an athlete experiencing muscle soreness.

3. It can increase range of motion by reducing the sense of fatigue.

Tight shoulders, hips, and other joint pains are other common issues experienced by athletes. A sports massage is designed to target stiff muscles which bind your joints. This will allow the person to move through a greater range of motion. In addition, sports massage is also suggested to reduce the feeling of tiredness also known as fatigue. When you feel undeniably tired, your body’s reaction is to limit your range of motion therefore by reducing the sense of fatigue, you’re body can give its optimum performance.

4. A sports massage works better than foam rolling.

Though foam rolling is great, it can only target large, broad muscles. A massage therapist’s fingers, thumbs, palms, and elbows can do so much that not even a lacrosse ball can replicate.

5. It is relaxing.

Nothing is better than lying comfortably inside a peaceful place with professional hands working on your tired and banged up body. This is definitely something that you can only get from a massage therapy as it calms and even alleviates physical pain and stress.

When to get a Sports Massage?

Ideally, athletes are recommended to get a sports massage at least once or twice a week. However, if this isn’t possible, a free and good option is to use a foam roller. Though again, it’s not as effective as a massage therapy.

If you’re about to take on a big game and plans to get a sports massage, be sure to have the massage 3-5 days before the big event. This will ensure that your muscles will be at optimum performance.

Salt Room Therapy? What is it? Does it work?

Fond of having some great spa time? As if we didn’t already have enough common kitchen ingredients finding their way into this space (sugaring anyone?), here comes salt to the party! If you’re not opposed to spas that use ingredients so natural and organic that they’re actually edible, then why not? If that’s you, then you should very well try Salt Room Therapy to take your wellness to a whole new level.

What is Halotherapy or Salt Room Therapy?

Halotherapy, well-known as Salt Room Therapy is a holistic, drug-free, natural therapy using salt’s microparticles. It can help with deeper sleep, healthier skin, better breathing and airflow, improved physical fitness, and overall well being. Moreover, it also helps alleviate some respiratory and skin condition symptoms.

Why salt?

The use of dry salt to help reduce respiratory and other health problems had been introduced hundred of years back by ancient healers and philosophers. This type of therapy originated from speleotherapy or cave therapy in the Wieliczka salt cave in Poland as it has been observed that workers in this salt cave exhibited fewer respiratory illnesses. From then on, salt had been used for this purpose.

Benefits

Salt is a natural disinfectant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. It also has mucolytic effects which means it can loosen excessive mucus and speed up mucociliary transport. Moreover, it can remove pathogen agents or airborne pollen and it can reduce IgE level or the body’s immune system oversensitivity. Thus, salt is great for people suffering from:

Asthma
Allergies
Bronchitis
Sinus Congestion
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Halotherapy can also support our nervous and lymphatic systems. And its calming and detoxifying effects can reduce stress and headaches as well as boost energy levels, and help improve sleep.

The benefits of salt room therapy are never-ending. It is also proven to help improve skin conditions such as psoriasis, rashes, eczema, and acne. The common table salt, sodium chloride is dehydrating but pure mineral salts can do more as it has natural moisturizing properties. It can also support the skin’s water balance and barrier function because it attracts moisture to the skin. Salt also has strong rejuvenating properties which are necessary for cell function and detoxification.

What does a Salt Room Therapy session looks and feels like?

Salt Room Therapy is similar to a meditation session where you breathe deeply while listening to soothing and calming music while focusing on the natural beauty of the salt crystals. The room environment is precisely balanced with 40 to 50% humidity and 70 to 75 degrees F temperatures. Salt room therapy service costs anywhere between $25 to $45 and usually lasts 45 minutes per session.

Breathing salty air is a refreshing ritual that you can add to your wellness routine. Experience natural detoxification and see the great effects it can have on you.

Massage and Your Arthritis

Arthritis can make any good day turn sour fast. If you’re one of the many people fighting pain from your arthritis, massage just might be a good option for you. Regular massage of your muscles and joints, whether by a licensed therapist or done at home can lead to a significant reduction of arthritis pain over time. If your looking to try and reduce your arthritis pain, here are three types of massage that can help you get back on your feet and with less pain in no time.

Swedish Massage

Getting a Swedish massage can be an incredible and relaxing experience. This is actually one of the most popular massage types. Many people view massage as a luxury or indulgence, but when you have arthritis, it can be the difference between living well and living in pain. A Swedish Massage uses long strokes, circular movements and careful kneading to loosen tight muscles. Pressure can range from very light to pretty deep, all depending on the client’s preference. If you’re ready to feel the difference, book your Swedish Massage today!

Lymphatic Massage

Also known as a “Detox Massage” this is another wonderful method to help ease sore muscles and joints and bring comfort to those suffering with intense arthritis. This kind of massage uses light, patterned strokes to help excess lymphatic fluid drain into the bloodstream and get toxins out of your body.

Fascia Blasting

Lots of research studies have shown that many different types of techniques work to break up the painful scar tissue and knots in the fascia around the muscle to potentially reduce pain. Rubbing muscles and tendons with a rigid tool like the FasciaBlaster can have this same effect. But BE CAREFUL because the technique here is important, and if it is used incorrectly with too much pressure the FasciaBlaster can create more scar tissue and actually make your pain worse than it already is. Only undergo this type of treatment with a professional who knows what they’re doing.

Custom Massage

Sometimes just telling a massage therapist what to do and how much pressure you’d like is one of the most soothing and wonderful things you can do for your arthritis.

If you struggle with arthritis pain, put the past behind you and dump that stress and pain out the back window with the help of a soothing massage.

Tips for Amazing Barbecues This Summer

Summer’s just around the corner and with all that (potentially) nice weather, comes plenty of chances to enjoy a BBQ or two. However, there’s a big difference between throwing a barbecue and throwing a great barbecue. A lot of it comes down to practice. Practice and our handy set of tips, that will instantly elevate your BBQ game.

If you don’t have a BBQ or are looking for a new one, you might find these guides to the best pellet grills and best apartment balcony grills, useful. If you’ve got a BBQ and just want to crack on, let’s move along.

Make Sure You Have the Right Tools for the Job

Although every BBQ legend’s setup is different, there are a few items and tools that every self-respecting grill master should have at his or her disposal. That includes:

Long-handled tongs – Rather than just settling for a cheap and cheerful pair of small tongs, invest in a good-quality pair of long-handled tongs. This will make it easier, and safer to move those heavier pieces of meat and poultry. The long handles ensure that your hands and arms are far away from the coals and the grill, preventing you from avoidable burns.

Temperature Probe – Temperature probes are ideal, because although you may want to cook your beef cuts rare, there are other meats and poultry that you need to get the cooking spot-on. You also must take into consideration that you’re cooking for more than just yourself.

Barbecue Gloves – Another safety measure, barbecue gloves are important as they are made from heat-resistant fabric and material that gives your hands then protection they need from those flames, when you must move food, pans and occasionally rearrange the coals.

Plan and Prepare

While it often feels as if the best BBQs are the ones that seem to have little to no planning at all, that’s not how it works. Planning and preparation are vital. Especially when it comes to deciding how much meat you need to buy and cook. First, figure out how many people will be in attendance and then allow for one of each item (including any kebab skewers) per person. This will ensure your guests don’t go hungry and if someone doesn’t like a meat or item, it just means there is more to go around everyone else.

Don’t worry if you have too much because you can always use the remains for leftovers.

Marinate Your Meat

If you’ve ever watched some of those Pitmaster and BBQ programmes, you’ll know that all good pit masters marinate their meat. It’s the best way to ensure those cuts of meat are moist and crucially, have flavour. Overnight marinating is best, but even a few hours before cooking will give your meat that extra touch of class and taste that will have your guests licking their fingers with delight.

Don’t Take Meat and Fish Directly from the Fridge to the Fire

If you are keeping your raw fish and meat in a fridge, you need to take them out at around 20 minutes before you intend on cooking them to give them a chance to reach room temperature. When you try to cook meat that’s too cold, it could burn the outside way too quickly.