Day: November 13, 2024

Fruitful Investments: Prioritizing Fruits for My Family’s Health and Well-being

For as long as I can remember, fruits have been a dietary cornerstone in my family. Since my daughters turned six months old, I’ve made it a point to introduce a variety of fruits into their diets. As they grew, this habit blossomed into a family culture of fruit appreciation that we all share. Each of my daughters developed a love for fruits, mirroring my own passion for fresh, wholesome produce. Yet, as much as they enjoy fruits, I still play a big role in their consumption—because when it comes to peeling and chopping, they can be a bit…lazy!

When my girls were younger, I made them each a daily fruit box to enjoy after school, packed with freshly cut apples, citrus fruits, berries, melons, or whatever was in season. Now that the two older girls are in university, life is busier, schedules are less predictable, and we’ve had to adapt. I no longer prepare a box for each of them daily, but I keep an assortment of cut fruits in the fridge. They can grab a container whenever they come home and I can see that they truly enjoy their ready-to-eat fresh fruits.

Cass, my youngest, has kept up with our tradition of daily fruits. She’s a fruit monster and devours them in quantities that frequently stretch my budget! Alycia still enjoys fruits but doesn’t reach for them every day like Cass. And Sherilyn is so busy with her studies and competitive dance that her diet has suffered a bit. She doesn’t make fruits or other healthy foods a priority anymore, but she’ll indulge in exotic fruits like mangoes, blueberries, or strawberries when they’re around. I hope she’ll return to her daily fruit consumption once her routine settles.

In maintaining our fruit-focused diet, I’ve noticed that it’s not just a weekly grocery choice but an investment in health. With an average of RM200-RM300 each week spent on fruits alone, it may seem like a big expenditure, but it’s one that I believe pays off in the long run. I see it as a form of health insurance, hoping it supports their immune systems and helps them cultivate a lifelong appreciation for healthy foods.

How much do you spend on fruits for your family each month?

Today the girls get to enjoy pink guava, mangoes and papaya!

Love the vibrant pink hue from the pink guava!

No. of times viewed = 2

Reasons to Replace a Concrete Driveway with Block Paving

Thinking of replacing your tired, worn concrete driveway? Block paving is an attractive, durable alternative that offers many benefits. Upgrading to block paving can instantly boost your home’s kerb appeal while providing long-lasting functionality. There are several solid reasons to consider replacing your concrete driveway with block paving.

Better Aesthetics with Block Paving

One of the main reasons homeowners opt to replace plain concrete with block paving is for the aesthetic appeal. Block paving comes in lots of different colours, patterns, and textures to create a stylish driveway that complements your home’s exterior. The modular nature of the pavers means you can create custom designs like borders, patterns, or accents. Concrete tends to look boring and flat in comparison. With block paving installed by companies specialising in block paving driveways Coventry, you can mix pavers of different colours and sizes to create visual interest. It’s a great way to increase your home’s kerb appeal.

Better Drainage than Concrete

Concrete is an impermeable material that collects rainwater on the surface. In contrast, block paving is designed to allow drainage between the joints of the pavers. Stormwater can seep through the gaps and permeate into the substrate below. This prevents large puddles from forming and eliminates standing water issues. The drainage properties of block paving also help reduce surface runoff into drains. Less flooding means you don’t have to worry as much about tracking wet mud or debris into your home after heavy rainfall. Proper drainage with block paving also minimises cracking and heaving issues over time.

Long-Lasting Durability

Both concrete and block paving are very durable driveway options built to last. However, concrete wears down faster than block paving over the years. The individual pavers used in block paving are made of durable high-strength concrete. Their smaller size allows for easy repair and replacement of single damaged pavers as needed. With block paving, you can redo small sections seamlessly without the expense of re-paving the entire driveway. Block paving maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal for decades longer than poured concrete. It’s built to withstand use and weather with minimal upkeep required.

Easier Repair and Modification

Over time, concrete can crack, crumble, sink, or heave due to freeze-thaw cycles, weather, and ground movement. Repairing concrete properly requires specialty tools and materials. However, repairing a block paved driveway is much simpler. Because it consists of individual units, you can remove and replace damaged pavers one by one as needed. No special skills or concrete work needed! Block paving also makes it easy to modify or extend your driveway over time. No jackhammers necessary – new pavers can be laid right over the existing ones if you want to expand your driveway later on. Overall, block paving is a more DIY-friendly and cost-effective material when repairs are needed down the road.

The aesthetic appeal, drainage properties, long lifespan, and easy repairability make block paving a superior choice over concrete for UK home driveways. The initial installation cost may be higher but block paving adds value and will save you money in the long run.

No. of times viewed = 3

HEALTH FREAK MOMMY