Jul 24, 2020

Tips for healthy eating during a move



Staying healthy is a concept that's changed over time. Nowadays, with all the information available, there are many no-nos and rules to be followed in order to be the best version of ourselves. However, something that stays the same is the fact that nutrition is one of the best ways to maintain a good balance when it comes to body and soul.

However, there are times when we need to fully dedicate our energy towards a goal and it becomes easy to lose sight of what's important in life. Moving is certainly one of these occasions. Here are some tips for healthy eating during a move to help you out.

Healthy food can be fun


Making healthy and nutritious meals in order to eat healthy food during a move can sound a bit dull. Many people assume that healthy equals boring. However, for the past couple of decades, many chefs have proven this assumption to be wrong.

Nonetheless, having imaginative healthy meals isn't something that takes zero effort. Trying to create and recreate meals that will satisfy your needs takes time, but once you've gotten a hang of it, it's surely worth it. Whether you're trying to slim down or simply lead a healthier life, this advice is something that simply works.
A mother and a daughter preparing a healthy version of their favorite foods
Eating healthy during a move might be easier than you think. All you need to have is a fun approach to your already existing routine.
Make healthier versions of your favorite meals

A good tip for healthy eating during a move is to try to make what you already know and love. If your favorite food is mac and cheese, make a vegan-friendly version with cauliflower. If you love burgers, try creating your own version with whole dough buns instead of brioche ones. Make sure that you're having fun and playing and learning as you go along.

Rely on the Internet

The Internet is your biggest friend when it comes to cooking new meals while eating healthy during a move. This is simply because not a lot of us know modern chefs and our grandmas stick to the basics.

Reduce stress to achieve healthy eating during a move


Stress is something that not a lot of people think about when trying to stay healthy. However, keep in mind that everything comes from the way you perceive life. If you're tense and stressed out, no amount of healthy eating during your move will save your health.

Especially if you're moving with a child, stress can get to you. It's important to try and remain calm. Having a clear focus on your goal and being on a mission to get through the process of moving as smoothly as possible is the key.

Choose the right movers

One of the bigger stresses of moving and enemies of maintaining healthy eating during the move is hiring the right moving company. There are many fraudulent companies or simply those that wouldn't be the right fit. This is why it's important to dedicate some time and plan everything out in order to hire the right movers. Hiring companies like capitalcitymovers.us will ensure that you know who you're dealing with. This will, in return, make it easier for you to focus on what's really important.

Some comfort food never hurt anybody

Although healthy eating while moving is about getting all the necessary nutrients to your body, there are times when you need to treat yourself. This is because mental health plays a big role in your overall well-being. Having to be on top of the game at all times is tiring and stressful and venting out in the form of your favorite comfort food is really smart.
Some healthy burgers and vegetables representing how you can eat healthy during a move without having to sacrifice what you like
Healthy eating during your move is really important. However, having your favorite meal from time to time is a great way to treat yourself.
Take a breath
Another thing that'll give you some room for meal planning and focusing on you is taking rest periods. Setting some time aside for yourself can be really therapeutic. This doesn't have to be anything extravagant like a whole day in a spa or a shopping spree. Sipping on your favorite beverage or doing half an hour of yoga will do just fine.

Plan to save time and money


Planning your meals is a big part of succeeding in healthy eating during a move. You'll probably have a lot on your plate. Taking some time to plan your meals out will help a lot. This is because snacking on whatever you have lying around oftentimes turns out to be unhealthy. Make sure that what's lying around is good and nutritious. You'll need a lot of energy during this time!

Preplanning your meals is especially important for the days when you'll be actively moving. This might be the time to think about other options. Ordering in has much healthier options than before. Takeout from your favorite healthy restaurants might be something that'll not only help you eat healthy during a move, but it'll also be enjoyable and fun.

If you're someone who prefers preparing their own food, try to at least have the ingredients delivered to your home, it's truly wonderful.
Four containers of the same healthy food that are prepped for a moving day
Prepping your meals will give you much higher chances of eating good and nutritious foods during your move

Additional tips for eating healthy during a move

     Be environmentally aware
Everything, from your ingredients to the bags they're transported in should be as eco-friendly as possible. Apart from taking this habit to your meal prepping, you should also use bins that are eco-friendly solution for packing.
     Don't strive for perfection
A good tip for healthy life during a move is to not obsess over anything. Just do your best at the given time and make peace with the fact that nothing is perfect.
     Don't change too much
Changing too many habits at the same time won't help you eat healthy during a move. It'll only put a lot of pressure on you and make you give up before you've even begun.
     Breakfast is important
If you don't have the time to sit down and enjoy all your meals during this time, make sure to at least eat breakfast in the right way. This meal should be something that's healthy as well as calorie-dense in order to keep you full and energized.
     Exercise
Exercising is one of the greatest ways to make sure that your body uses up all the healthy eating during a move that you've put an effort into. If you're not someone who goes to the gym at least make sure to be active in any way that's comfortable and available.

Images:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/burgers-with-fries-and-tomatoes-2454533/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/top-view-photo-of-assorted-fruits-1171170/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/variety-of-dishes-1640771/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-and-daughter-preparing-avocado-toast-4259707/

What Is a Guardian Ad Litem, and Do I Need One During My Divorce?



Getting divorced when you have children can be difficult, and you and your spouse will need to address a wide variety of issues related to child custody, parenting time/visitation, and how the two of you will work together as co-parents. These matters can be fraught with emotion and hard to resolve even in amicable divorces, but in cases involving significant conflict, accusations of abuse, or other divorce-related disputes, it may be necessary to appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL).
image:pixabay.com/photos/breakup-divorce-separation-908714/
A guardian ad litem is an attorney who does not represent either spouse in a divorce case but is instead tasked with ensuring that the best interests of the couple’s children are protected. Either party may ask for a GAL to be appointed, or the judge may decide to appoint a GAL to investigate the case and provide recommendations about how matters related to the spouses’ children should be resolved. If a guardian ad litem has been appointed in your divorce, or if you want to know whether a GAL can benefit your child custody case, you should speak to a DuPage County family law attorney to learn how you can protect your parental rights and your children’s best interests.

What Does a Guardian Ad Litem Do?

If divorcing, separated, or unmarried parents are unable to reach an agreement about how to share or divide the responsibilities of raising their children, the amount of time the children will spend with each parent, or other issues related to the custody of their children, these decisions may be left up to the judge in their case. The judge will make decisions based on what is in the children’s best interests, but this can be difficult to determine from inside the courtroom, especially if the only information available is what has been presented in the arguments made by the parents’ attorneys. To help the judge make decisions, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate the case and offer recommendations.

After being appointed, a GAL will perform an investigation, attempt to gain a full understanding of the situation, and prepare a report offering recommendations on how to resolve matters in a way that protects children’s best interests. This report will be filed with the court, and if the case proceeds to a trial, each party’s attorney will be able to cross-examine the GAL regarding the investigation and recommendations.

During the investigation, the GAL will interview each parent and speak to the children, and he or she will visit each parent’s home. He or she may also contact others who can offer insight into the case, such as family members, neighbors, teachers, doctors, or therapists. In addition, the GAL may ask to access medical or educational records or any other information relevant to the case. 

The goal of the investigation is to gather all the necessary facts about the children’s situation, the parents’ ability to meet their children’s needs, and any issues that may affect the children’s well-being. After gathering all relevant information, the guardian ad litem will offer recommendations to the judge about how to resolve the outstanding disputes. While the judge is not required to follow the GAL’s recommendations, his or her opinions will likely be given a great deal of consideration when making decisions about how parents will share responsibility for their children and the amount of time children will spend with each parent.

How Long Does a Guardian Ad Litem Investigation Take?

Depending on the complexity of the case and the issues to be resolved, a GAL investigation may last at least one to two months. The length of the investigation will depend on the number of times the guardian ad litem will meet with the parties and their children, when he or she will be able to visit each parent’s home, and the time necessary to obtain records or contact other parties. Typically, the appointment of a guardian ad litem will extend the length of a divorce or child custody case by 90-120 days overall.

What Will a Guardian Ad Litem Ask My Child?

When speaking to your child, the guardian ad litem will discuss their situation with them in an age-appropriate manner, attempting to understand their relationship with both parents, their desires regarding where they will live and the time they spend with each parent, and any concerns they may have. The GAL may ask about their home life, how things are going at school, or their relationships with other family members. The goal of these conversations is to determine the child’s wishes and identify any concerns that may affect children when they are in the care of either parent.

When preparing for a GAL interview with your children, you should offer age-appropriate explanations of why he or she is talking to them and encourage them to answer questions honestly. Be sure to avoid “coaching” your children to answer questions in a certain way or asking them to make statements in favor of or against either parent.

What Can I Expect During a Guardian Ad Litem Visit?

When a guardian ad litem visits your home, he or she will be looking to make sure you can provide a safe environment and meet their needs. In addition to showing that you have a clean, safe home, you will want to demonstrate that you will be able to prepare meals and meet your children’s nutritional needs, that you have space for them to sleep and play, and that you have room to store their clothes, toys, and other items. You may also point out other positive aspects of your home and community, such as an area to play outside, nearby parks or schools, or proximity to children’s friends or extended family members.

During your home visit, the GAL may wish to observe you spending time with your children. This will give him or her an idea of your relationship with them and your ability to provide for their needs. In these cases, it is best to interact with your children as you normally do, showing that you are an attentive parent who is focused on their best interests.

What Not to Say to a Guardian Ad Litem

When speaking to a GAL, you should always be honest and forthright, demonstrating that you are willing to put your children’s best interests first. You should never lie to a guardian ad litem, and you should provide him or her with any requested information promptly and answer questions fully. 

In some cases, a GAL will ask pointed questions, such as whether you have anything positive to say about the other parent or whether you believe your ex has your children’s best interests at heart. While these types of questions may be difficult to answer, you should avoid badmouthing the other parent while speaking honestly about any concerns you may have or issues that may affect your children.

Remember that in most cases, the legal system believes that it is in children’s best interests for them to have a close and continuing relationship with both parents. This means that you will be expected to cooperate with your ex to raise your children, and a guardian ad litem will want to make sure you will be able to interact cordially with the other parent and make decisions together about how your children will be raised. You will want to show that you are willing to cooperate and encourage your children to have a good relationship with the other parent.

Who Pays for a Guardian Ad Litem?

Typically, a GAL’s fees will be paid by the parents, and these costs are usually divided equally between the parties. However, if one party is at a financial disadvantage or is reliant on spousal support or child support paid by the other party, he or she may ask for the other party to pay a higher percentage of the costs related to the GAL. It is best to pay any GAL fees on time and in full, since this will demonstrate financial responsibility and show that you can be relied upon to provide for your family’s needs.

Do I Need a GAL in My Divorce?

A guardian ad litem can be beneficial in cases where a parent is concerned about children’s safety while in the care of the other parent or when conflict between parents has become too intense to resolve through negotiation or mediation. You should speak with your divorce attorney about whether you should request that a guardian ad litem be appointed, and your lawyer can help you understand the best ways to respond during a GAL’s investigation, while helping you take the right steps to protect your rights and reach an outcome that provides for your children’s best interests.

Jul 17, 2020

3 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Divorce Attorney



Filing for divorce can feel like jumping into the unknown. You must learn to live on your own, parent your children without your co-parent by your side, determine who will get what, and find a divorce attorney all at once. Most people get divorced once in their lives, meaning they likely do not have a divorce lawyer on hand when they need one most. Without experience with divorce attorneys, you may ask a close friend who they would recommend, or you might turn to your favorite search engine for help. Regardless of the way in which you handle the search process, the hunt is far from over when you make your first phone call.
image:pixabay.com/photos/divorce-agreement-courtroom-wedding-3194994
It is always suggested that you meet with a few attorneys before narrowing down your search to a single professional. The free consultation that most attorneys offer does not require you to establish a permanent relationship with that person. The reason this free consultation is offered is to allow you to get a sense of the qualifications of a legal professional and their approach to divorce cases before committing. Aside from their location and practice area, there are a number of things that you should look for when determining which divorce attorney is best for you.

Years in the Business


While it is always nice to support a young professional, your divorce is not a situation where you want to take a chance on someone who does not have the necessary experience. The attorney who you work with will play a large role in determining what your future path will look like. Without adequate knowledge of local laws, judges, and courts, a less-experienced attorney will not have the same edge that a seasoned professional can provide. You should look for an attorney who has at least 10 years of experience under their belt. That way, you know they have passed the “testing the waters” phase of their career and are well prepared to take on the intricacies of your case.

Litigation Experience


Not all marriages end with bad blood. In fact, many couples simply drift apart over the years and mutually decide that divorce would be best for them both. While a mutual decision may reduce the risk of a contentious divorce, you never know what rough waters lie in your future. Divorce proceedings require a complete reviewal of financial circumstances, parenting abilities, and any misconduct that may have occurred throughout your marriage. These topics can easily bring out the worst in people, even if their relationship is fairly amicable before the divorce process. It is critical that your divorce attorney has experience with courtroom litigation, which will ensure that they can take on any twists and turns that may come with your divorce. An experienced litigator will have extensive knowledge of the court system in your area and the legal strategies that work best when you find yourself in front of a judge alongside your former spouse.

Compatibility


At the end of the day, you must be able to work with your attorney in an agreeable manner. You will likely get a sense of your compatibility in your initial consultation — you either fit or you don’t. Divorce proceedings can be emotional for the spouses who are filing. You want to find an attorney who is patient enough to work with you at your worst but honest enough to tell you when your expectations are unrealistic. You should also be sure that you do not have any conflicts of interest that may put you at risk by hiring this attorney. Most attorneys will recognize potential conflicts of interest before anything progresses. However, you should have your own monitor for possible connections or relationships that you may share, placing your professional relationship in question. Since you will be baring the best and worst details of your marriage to them, it is crucial that you feel that you can place your trust in them.

Finding a Reputable Divorce Attorney


The thought of doing advanced research of legal professionals in your area is probably not at the top of your list when it comes to divorce. You are probably focused on healing from the breakup, assisting your child with the transition period, and determining what your future will look like without your spouse in it. The best attorneys will allow you to continue doing this life reconsideration and self-reflection while taking control of the legal process.

If you are looking for a Kane County divorce lawyer who fits you and your family, take the time to do your research and meet with legal professionals in your area. Ask direct questions about their qualifications, determine your rapport, and allow yourself to think about it before making your decision. Divorce may be a challenging life hurdle, but the proper attorney will help you make it past this obstacle and move forward to a positive future.

Bio:

Tricia D. Goostree knew she wanted to be an attorney when she was 10 years old. After being accepted to the John Marshall Law School with a Dean's Scholarship, Tricia added excellent writing skills to her love of working in the courtroom. Tricia is the founder and managing partner of the Goostree Law Group, P.C. in St. Charles, Illinois.

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