PeriCoach Review – Kidding Around Essentials

November 16, 2016 | Kidding Around Australia

This post is sponsored by PeriCoach

We have spoken about PeriCoach before on the blog and each time we discuss pelvic floor health we have an overwhelming response from women reaching out and talking about this very important issue.

I’m always a little nervous bringing up the subject because this is predominantly a travel, parenting and lifestyle blog but what I have come to learn is that if women are constantly worried about their weak pelvic floor, then they are not going to enjoy Kidding Around with their family.

And we can’t have that.

I’m actually very lucky and have pretty good pelvic floor muscles even though I never do any exercises to maintain them. I know many of you are not as fortunate, which makes me embarrassed that I am taking my health for granted when things can (and do) change over time.

The thing is we all know that we should be doing our pelvic floor exercises but how many of us actually do them as often as we should and in the correct way?

This is why I am interested in the PeriCoach system. It’s like having a personal trainer for your pelvic floor, providing feedback on your session and motivation to get those exercises done (it will even give you a reminder if you forget)!

The PeriCoach system is not a gimmick. It’s an Australian medical device – developed with support from a clinical advisory board of specialists in urogynaecology, gynaecology and pelvic physiotherapy and is manufactured in Australia. It has attracted a lot of interest from clinicians who work with patients with weak pelvic floor muscles or sexual dysfunction.

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The actual PeriCoach device contains sensors that (after being calibrated to your body) measure the strength of your pelvic floor contractions. It then connects via bluetooth to an Apple or Android app on your phone. This data helps you to keep track of your progress and if you need help or advice, you can share your “workouts” with a healthcare professional that is registered and working with PeriCoach.

If you need to work in conjunction with a healthcare professional you can use the Find a Clinician page on the PeriCoach website to help you locate a health professional who has tested and is recommending the device. You will definitely find someone near you – I was surprised at how many professionals there are! Or you might like to do what I did and get your system online and start working out immediately.

The sessions themselves are short (just two minutes) and you start at the beginner level and work your way up from there. The exercises are easy, the app will tell you when to squeeze and when to relax and you can do it lying down or standing up. I’ve been using it for just over a month and my muscles are stronger!

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So, if you are like me and you have been avoiding starting a pelvic floor exercise routine, then the time to take your health seriously is now!

MORE INFORMATION

The PeriCoach is $229 at the moment which is a saving of more than 20% off RRP! PLUS if you use our discount code you will save another 10%!

Our discount code for you to receive 10% off is KAAPC16

The PeriCoach is available online or through your pelvic health specialist. Once you’ve purchased the device, you can download the smartphone app and set up your device. For more discussion about PeriCoach, head to the PeriCoach Facebook page.

Kidding Around Essentials … Felt Ball Rug Australia

July 13, 2016July 24, 2016 | Kidding Around Australia

I have been coveting a felt ball rug ever since our Kidding Around Australia contributor, Kirrilee, bought one last year for her son’s nursery.

Kirrilee said “I love my 140cm custom felt ball rug! I ordered on July 25th, 2015 and it arrived to my home in Australia on August 11th. It’s fantastic quality and so comfortable to sit on. My son loves it too!”

Kirrilee purchased her rug through Felt Ball Rug Australia so when an opportunity for us to review one of their rugs came up you can imagine how excited I was! Felt Ball Rug 2

Felt Ball Rug Australia is run by Deep who is the son of Nepalese factory owner Jagadishwar Adhikari. Deep and his family are committed to fair trade, women’s rights and guarantee that all of their felt ball products are handmade in Nepal, are free from chemicals, other toxins and are eco – friendly. They are proud members of Good Weave* who certify that the rugs are made without child labour.

The ordering process was simple. We went to the Felt Ball Rug Australia website https://feltballrug.com.au/ and found many options to choose from – round, rectangle, pre-designed colour schemes or custom designs where you get to choose what colours you want for your rug. Felt Ball Rug Australia Sheep Keyring.jpg

We went with the round 140 cm (55″) multi-colour felt ball rug, entered our address and within 2 weeks it was delivered from Nepal (usually non-custom rugs are shipped from Sydney but they were out of stock – and 2 weeks from ordering to arriving internationally by courier is amazing! There was even a little surprise hiding in our 100% New Zealand wool rug!). The rugs range in price from $197 – $927 depending on the size you choose. felt ball rug 3

The product itself is beautiful. We have it in our front room and everyone who comes to visit comments on it. The kids enjoy curling up on it to read or play a game, it’s super soft under foot and easy to clean.

Felt Ball Rug Australia also have other products such as trivets, coasters, cat caves, ottomans, Christmas decorations, garlands and bulk felt balls.

We are happy to say that we have partnered up with Felt Ball Rug Australia to give away a family multi-colour round pack. 1multicolour-round-trivet-coaster-pack

Each pack consists of:

1 x Felt Ball Trivet made from 2cm felt balls and is 20cm wide.
5 x Felt Ball Coasters made from 1cm felt balls and is 10 cm wide.

This stunning designer multicolored felt ball trivet and coaster pack is hand made in Nepal by women under the Fair Trade Act and is worth $29.99.

To enter, simply comment on this blog post why you would like to win! Entries close on 31/7/16 at 5pm and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Good Luck!

MORE INFORMATION

Check out the Felt Ball Rug Australia WEBSITE, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM pages – they run competitions all the time so make sure you like or follow them! I sincerely hope you win a rug – they are fantastic!

*GoodWeave International, formerly known as Rugmark, is a network of non-profit organisations dedicated to ending illegal child labour in the rug making industry. Founded in 1994 by children’s rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, it provides a certification program that allows companies that pass inspection (and random checks) to attach a logo certifying that their product is made without child labour.

Kidding Around Essentials … PeriCoach

February 2, 2016February 8, 2016 | Kidding Around Australia

This is a sponsored post

We mentioned PeriCoach and #kegelface and on our social media a few times last year and were amazed by the response we got and how much bladder weakness affects some of our readers. There were posts on our Facebook wall, comments on Instagram and personal emails thanking us for helping to raise awareness.

The truth is, we are passionate about inspiring mothers to go Kidding Around with their families and if you have weak pelvic floor muscles then you can never really relax and enjoy the moment. And let’s face it, we have enough to worry about without worrying about our bodies!

So that is why we wanted to share Women’s Health physiotherapist, Annette Innes’ TOP 5 TIPS for strengthening pelvic floor muscles in the hope that some or all of these techniques will be helpful to you or someone you love!

Annette Innes (1)

1) Ensure you are doing a correct and optimal exercise technique. If you are unsure, see a Continence and Women’s Health Physiotherapist; locate the nearest to you via the link below https://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/APAWCM/Controls/FindAPhysio.aspx.

2) Try the ‘Stop the Flow” test. Stop the flow of urine midstream but NOT first thing in the morning when you have a full bladder and strong flow, only once per wee, and make sure you can start again to finish passing your urine. This is only a test, and should not be done more than once per week. It is not always an indication of your pelvic floor muscle strength, but provides awareness of the muscles for some people.

3) Set aside some time each day for pelvic floor exercises. You will need to focus to do a correct contraction at first, so traffic lights may not be safe! Some women do their exercises at a toilet stop after a wee – when wiping, while sitting, while standing, and walking to wash their hands. Those who persist are those who will succeed!

4) Don’t try too hard. It is important to localise your exercise to the muscles around your vagina and urethra. Your neck, eyebrows, chest and upper abdominals are not attached to the pelvic floor and will waste your valuable energy – keep breathing!

5) Try a home biofeedback device. This can be used for self-assessment and motivation; PeriCoach* was developed in consultation with healthcare professionals: www.pericoach.com.

As I said, some of my friends have issues with their pelvic floor and it concerns me that many Australian’s who have urinary symptoms do not seek advice and treatment for their problem. There is help available – speak to your GP or Physiotherapist!

It might be uncomfortable to talk about in the beginning, however, my hope is that we can raise awareness and start the conversation.

MORE INFORMATION

About PeriCoach*

The PeriCoach System® is the first training device, web portal and smartphone app to take the guesswork out of pelvic floor muscle training, invented right here in Australia. A discreet device that fits into a woman’s life – and her handbag – PeriCoach is an Australian innovation that harnesses the availability of personalised technology, so its user has access to real time visual feedback as she performs each exercise. It is a sensor device that detects pelvic floor muscle activity and measures the strength of each muscle contraction, linked to a smartphone app via a wireless Bluetooth connection. www.pericoach.com

Please note all details quoted are correct at the time of publishing. All details are subject to change without notice and Kidding Around Australia takes no responsibility for information contained in this post. Please check the appropriate website to ensure that information is still correct and current.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF THE KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA AUTHORS. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM KIDDING AROUND AUSTRALIA.

Kidding Around Essentials … Bravecto Flea and Tick Protection

September 28, 2015November 5, 2015 | Kidding Around Australia

When we go on holidays, I am always concerned about preparing the kids and thinking about all the things I have to do! This year we adopted a Cocker Spaniel “Duke” – those of you who follow us on Instagram or Facebook will have seen this cute little face!

Whilst we are unsure how old Duke is (estimates range from 2 – 5 years old), he has bought immeasurable joy to our family and I would highly recommend everyone consider an older dog as your new family member!

The thing is, not only do I have the kids to plan for anymore! Owning a dog brings us more responsibility and more things to consider before we head off on another Kidding Around adventure!

Dr Katrina Warren & The Wonderdogs BRAVECTO FLEA & TICK PREVENTION LAUNCH & LUNCH SYDNEY FLYING FISH RESTAURANT, PYRMONT FRIDAY 24TH APRIL, 2015 PHOTOGRAPHER: BELINDA ROLLAND © 2015 — Dr Katrina Warren & The Wonderdogs
BRAVECTO FLEA & TICK PREVENTION LAUNCH & LUNCH SYDNEY
FLYING FISH RESTAURANT, PYRMONT
FRIDAY 24TH APRIL, 2015
PHOTOGRAPHER: BELINDA ROLLAND © 2015

That’s why we were happy to hear from veterinarian and Bravecto brand ambassador Dr Katrina Warren about a revolutionary development in tick and flea protection. Bravecto is the first and only oral chew to deliver extended protection for three months against fleas and four months against paralysis ticks – all in a single chew.

For a busy family who has so many things to think about – 4 doses per year versus 12 doses per year equals a no-brainer.

Georgina Says

As an added bonus, dog owners can register for the free Bravecto reminder email service at www.bravecto.com.au so you don’t miss a dose! A free Bravecto reminder app is also available for iOS and Android as well.

This all sounded great, and the only questions we had were: Is it safe and will he voluntarily eat it (because I am not forcing it down his throat!)?

After reading that Bravecto has been subjected to many trials and has been proven safe for pregnant and lactating dogs as well as puppies from 8 weeks of age I was happy to give it to Duke. Further safety information can be found in the following links www.bravecto.com.au and http://www.bravecto.com.au/vetresources (this link contains links to research test papers).

So, the second question is “Will he happily eat the chew?”

I don’t think you can get any better endorsement than that 🙂

What do you think? Would you like to try Bravecto? We are giving one lucky reader a chance to win a years’ supply of Bravecto for their dog. That’s 4 chews worth up to $200!

To enter:

Like our page on Facebook (and Instagram if you have it!)
Like Bravecto on Facebook
Fill in the following entry form and answer the question “In 25 words or less, What do you love about your dog?

COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED … CONGRATULATIONS TO NICOLE T!

YOU WILL GET YOUR BRAVECTO IN THE MAIL SOON 🙂

Terms & Conditions
1. Entry is open to Australian residents only who are aged 18 years and over and only one entry per household is permitted.
2. Entries open on 4/10/2015 and close at 11:59pm AEST on 18/10/2015.
3. This competition is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners.
4. To enter the competition, entrants must fill in all fields of the form above.
5. One winner will be selected and receive a years supply of Bravecto (4 packs) valued at up to $200 (depending on the weight of the dog).
6. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. The winner will be drawn within 48hrs of the closing date and the winning entry will be announced on this website. The prize will be posted to the address supplied at the time of entry. The promoter will not be held responsible if the address supplied is incorrect.

MORE INFORMATION

Bravecto is available from leading veterinarians across Australia.

For the latest news and information about Bravecto visit www.bravecto.com.au and “LIKE” Bravecto on Facebook at www.facebook.com.au/bravectoau

Please note – we were given a 12 months supply of Bravecto for Duke so that we could review the product. As always, we give our honest, unbiased opinion.

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Kidding Around Essentials … Novapel Eczema Cream

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 | Kidding Around Australia

I love online communities! For the most part, people are so generous with sharing information and there is always someone (friend or stranger) that has advice for whatever challenges you might be experiencing. I have seen many online discussions with desperate parents reaching out for advice on treating their little ones eczema. This was me 2 years ago. I ended up going to 4 different doctors who all gave different explanations as to what was wrong with my baby. Talk about frustrating! It turned out to be eczema and I learned more about the world of having kids with allergies … oh, how I should write a book!

Although eczema affects all ages, more than half of all eczema sufferers show signs within their first 12 months of life and 20 per cent of people develop eczema before the age of five. Whilst we treated the initial eczema diagnosis with medicated creams and a strict moisturising regime we have now eased off into a maintenance phase where we are mindful of triggers, moisturise and ideally treat our kids precious skin with natural products.

When we were approached to try a new cortisone-free solution that aims to bring natural relief to eczema sufferers, I was really excited. Novapel Eczema Cream is Australian made and owned and is professionally formulated with specific herbal ingredients traditionally used for the symptomatic relief and treatment of eczema by providing soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and hydration to the skin. As an added bonus, it’s suitable for nappy rash and skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and is perfect for sensitive skin! I love that it is free from harmful chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens, lanolin, propylene glycol and has no artificial fragrances or colours.

We were given a tube of Novapel Eczema Cream to try and I must say I am impressed, however, I feel it is important to note that the kids have very mild symptoms and we are using it when they do not have a nasty flair up. The cream smells “yummy” according to Alegría and feels really nice when applied. It wasn’t greasy and definitely alleviated the dryness on Alegría’s hands caused by playing with clay (a known trigger for kids).

We will definitely be using it as part of our eczema management plan going forward.

HOW DO YOU TREAT ECZEMA? WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO LEAVE YOUR BEST ADVICE IN THE COMMENTS … YOU NEVER KNOW YOU MIGHT BE THE VOICE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

MORE INFORMATION

Novapel Eczema Cream retails for $24.99 AUD and can be purchased online at: www.novapelaustralia.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovapelAustralia

Please note: Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own and are based on my experience from trialing this product.