What does it mean that Jesus victory gave us power? He bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds we were healed. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, we know that Jesus Christ rose again and this is the victory! Are we as aware of the power that came with this victory?

Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit and that is the power we have! We can walk with more purpose when we realise that he left us with this power – the Holy Spirit is in each and everyone of us who believes that Jesus died on the cross and rose.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the apostles that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” he also gives all who receive this power a charge “you will be my witness, telling people about me everywhere”.

Jesus Christ did not only pay a price for us, he wants us to have power. We need to receive this power and shed the yoke of apprehension. Because we know God is in control and so we should not worry about anything.

When we Have Power

• We are witnesses – To be a witness means to know about something or to have experienced something. To be a witness you must know! To be a witness for God we must know him and have experienced him, with spiritual eyes that see and spiritual ears that hear. We can be witnesses by staying in his presence with prayers. Just as in the upper room, they joined together in constant prayer for the power, the Holy Spirit, Jesus had promised them.

When you have the power that comes from the Holy Spirit, you can say “which you have heard, which you have seen with your eyes, which you have looked at and your hands have touched”. (ref John 1:1)

• Power to trample – The Holy Spirit gives you the power to trample upon scorpions and serpents and all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19)

• Power to do signs – And these signs will accompany those who believe: In his name you will drive out demons; you will speak in new tongues;  you will pick up snakes with your hands; and when you drink deadly poison, it will not hurt you at all; you will place your hands on sick people, and they will get well. (ref Mark 17-18)

• Power to flourish - To flourish means to blossom. You have the grace upon your life to flourish, you will be filled with creativity to blossom. Even in the midst of challenges and trying times you will still flourish. “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree”. (Psalm 92:12)

• Power to walk the path - It is not by your power or your might, it is not by your flesh that you are able to walk in integrity, to do what is right. It is the power from the Holy Spirit that dwells in you that gives you the power to walk in the path set ahead for you. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty”. (Zechariah 4:6)

So as we are reminded at this time that we celebrate Resurrection Day, what does it mean for you?

This is the time to get into the things that matter, focus on the right parenting strategies, establish boundaries, create change and take action because you know that whatsoever you lay your hands on is meant to prosper. You know you can do all this because Jesus died on the cross to give you this power. You know that if you pray persistently and set your spiritual eyes to see and your spiritual ears to hear from God, then you can walk in the path God has set for you. All things work together for your good.

So we thank Jesus for this sacrifice, the blood he shed for us on the cross. The real victory is that it does not end at the cross, the victory continues in each and everyone of us who believes that the power of the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us.

Like the words of the song that sums it up!

I love that Man of Galilee

For He has done so many things for me

He has forgiven me all my sins

And sent the Holy Ghost to me

I Love that man of Galilee

(lyrics from nigerianpraises)

photo source: craigtowens

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Does SuperWoman woman exist? Should we stay-at-home or work at a 9 to 5? Is balancing it all possible? How do we #MakeItHappen? I discussed this with the wonderful Misi Molu on Pulse TV. Below are some of the #LagosMums tips on balancing it all -

When I am asked whether women can have it all, I say that yes we can have it all, just not all at the same time (men too by the way).

So what are some practical ways for balancing all the many hats that we wear and all the different things that we are supposed to excel at? as a mum, wife, employee or employer and more.

• Prioritise – Everything cannot be top priority at the same time. You need to find the balance and to prioritize what is important at any given time. This will be a constant balancing act because there will be times when you are needed more in one area of your life than the other. In reality the time you need to spend nurturing a toddler is different than a tween, so this can make you decide to focus on raising kids for awhile and then focus on career later.

• Schedule – Having schedules or timetables for everything helps. A schedule or timetable for when you do the shopping, cleaning and other things that are necessary goes a long way in establishing order. One of the major causes of stress is on your way home from work you are informed that there is no bread or no tomatoes! If there is a schedule and everyone in the house knows you do the shopping on Thursday for example, it is easier to plan.

• Technology – Use technology to your advantage. For example use Google calendar to capture all important activities and sync it with your spouse and other people in the house. This way it is harder to forget school plays, dinners, vacation dates and more. There are several apps that help you to plan, you can install nanny cams to keep an eye on your home. (Examples on how to use Google Calendar to  Simplify and Organise).

• Use Services that Help - There are many services that exist to help you save time. For example use online banking when you can to reduce the need to go into a banking hall. For groceries there are many services now that would enable you to order your groceries and get it delivered to your doorstep. I personally use EasyShopEasyCook to buy my groceries such as bulk tomatoes, rice, cow and i get it delivered straight to my door.

• Support system – Everyone needs a support system which helps in the quest to have it all and balance it all. The support system includes domestic staff, family, friends and other mums who you can trust. For example you can decide to share school pickups with other mums in your area. For domestic staff take the time to hire the right person, do background checks and review their performance regularly (just as you would do in a 9 to 5).

• No Guilt – There will be times when you will have to do something that might take your away from “mummy duty”. For example you have a big presentation at work and it clashes with your child’s school play. You cannot be in both places. This is one of those times that being an Executive is taking priority, so recruit dad, aunty and grandma to watch, record and cheer on for you.

• Spend quality time – Yes we are busy doing many things, planning laundry, making sure your husbands cap is ready for the owambe and looking for your son’s Peter Pan costume for school. In all this busyness we should remember to spend quality time with our children and as a family. For example do not get home from a long day at work and instead of bonding with your children you spend the time catching up on twitter. Also make it a point to schedule weekly dates with your spouse, it can be as simple as sending kids to bed and watching Empire together.

So mums we can make it happen, we can balance it all by using some of these tips and accepting that we need help to balance it all, to be the wife, mum and all the other things that we are called to be. Remember to take time to take care of yourself!

To contact EasyShopEasyCook visit their website 

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Watch #TheJesusIncident as RCCG Promised Land Stages the Epic Crucifixion Story.

See Jesus from the eyes of a reporter, a mother, a thief, an onlooker, a friend and a victim on Saturday 4^th of April at RCCG Promised Land, Hitech Road (Beside Lagos Business School), Ajah. 

•       Did You Know – Crucifixion victims had the bones in their legs broken to enable soldiers nail it properly to the cross

•       Did You Know – Fear of torture and death led Peter to deny Jesus

•       Did You Know – The same crowd that hailed Jesus called for his execution less than a week later

•       Did You Know – Jesus’ crucifixion was one of the goriest of its kind in Roman and Jewish history

•       Did You Know – Jesus died faster partly due to the extent of the injuries he sustained prior to the actual crucifixion

Do you know all the little details that are part of the crucifixion story? Can you understand the level of sacrifice he made?

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Promised Land presents #TheJesusIncident a stage play that tells the crucifixion of Jesus from a different point of view.

See Jesus from the eyes of a reporter, a mother, a thief, an onlooker, a friend and a victim on Saturday 4^th of April at RCCG Promised Land, Hitech Road (Beside Lagos Business School), Ajah. 

#TheJesusIncident ….Don’t miss it!

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Lagos mums and dads it is April Fools day, now i know its a school day but that’s no reason not  to have a bit of FUN to start the day! April Fools Day pranks and tricks for the kids and trying to trick one another with harmless fun can be fun for the family.

There are a TON of great ideas floating around out there, but here  a few of  my favorite April Fools K!DS pranks.

1. Where Am I? If your kids are heavy sleepers, put them in a different bed once they are asleep.  Imagine their surprise waking up in the wrong bed the next morning!!
2. Blue cow. Celebrate April Fools, Dr. Seuss style. Turn the morning colorful! With some simple food coloring, you can turn milk any color you choose. And when your child asks where her blue milk came from, just tell her it came from a blue cow, of course!
   1. Prep: Put some food coloring in the milk bowl just before breakfast.
3. Green Chicken. Another Dr. Seuss inspired prank. Turn breakfast eggs green, with some simple food coloring! and when your child asks where her green eggs came from, just tell him it came from a green chicken, where else!
   1. Prep: Break eggs into a bowl, add green (blue and yellow makes green) food colouring and mix,  fry and serve
4. EEK! Get some realistic toy spiders and hid them in your kids’ lunches. 
5. OUCH! Stuff a little toilet paper in the ends of their shoes and watch them think their feet grew overnight.
6. Hmmm! “Put baking soda into the toilet. When your little boys go in the morning it will foam up and give them a big surprise.”

FOR THE OLDER KIDS INCLUDING MUM AND DAD

1. Switched at birth. The whole family (but one) can be in on this joke. In the morning, greet a family member with a name you and the rest of the family have agreed on.  Spend breakfast referring to them by that name, explaining that there was some confusion during her birth, and it turns out that you’ve been calling her by the wrong name all these years. Not to worry, though, from now on, the entire family has promised to call her by her right name.

What Fun April Fools Day Pranks have you tried on your kids?  

FUNdamentals K!DS Club is the #1 place for Children in Nigeria. With Classes and Activities to help K!DS Play, Learn and Grow

Web: www.funville-ng.com

Email: Info@funville-ng.com

Visit FUNdamentals K!D Club for more articles, craft ideas and experiments and activities to keep the children learning and playing all day long

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Anthonia Soyingbe of Daily Independent interviews Yetty Williams, Founder of LagosMums, who believes that parenting cannot be outsourced. They discuss her reason for setting up LagosMums.com and her views on raising children. Read the excerpt below:

What propelled you to set up LagosMums?

LagosMums was birthed out of the need to have a resource for Mums and Parents based in Nigeria. At the time I started having children I noticed there was no parenting site with local content and information that I could relate to. I decided to start LagosMums to fill this gap and to be a resource for mums, parents and caregivers to get information for family life and parenting.

What is spectacular about LagosMums?

LagosMums is not just another website; it is a wholesome community of Mums (and Dads) who are interested in

being the best Mums and getting useful information on the Parenting journey. The site strives to provide information about family friendly events, education, health and nutrition, financial tips for the family and much more. We also have events such as our maiden LagosMums Parenting and networking event, where we brought Mums and speakers together for an interactive session to talk about raising children, the theme was “Raising Global Citizens”. The session was full and we got to address real issues Mums were facing.

Can you let us into your background?

I grew up in Lagos and went to Primary and Secondary Schools here before going to the US for my University education and to work. Growing up was fun thanks to my wonderful Parents who raised myself and my siblings in a loving home. I have always been someone to ask why? And then try and find out how?

So, what are some of the effects of bringing up a child in a city like Lagos?

Lagos is a very hectic city and if we are not mindful our children can suffer negatively from the hectic pace of Lagos. Parents are very busy trying to earn enough to take good care of their families and as a result if not careful parenting is left to domestic staff. More often than not parents after a long day in the office coupled with traffic only get to spend a little time with the children. I believe that parenting has to be mindful that is, conscious and collaborative in using all the resources available to help you, especially in Lagos. There is a lot of “apparent” glamour and flash in Lagos, so it’s important to raise children with the right values. You have to model these values as a Parent for the children to imbibe.

What has been your experience as a Mum in Lagos?

As a Mum in Lagos I find that finding avenues for children to have a rich experience outside of school is tough. I try to balance it all by being a working Mum I ensured we have quality time as a family. I firmly believe there is too much pressure on “Having it All”, but I rather believe in having what works for you at a given period in your life. For example I ensure that with all the busy-ness of Lagos I work very hard to be at home to do homework together and to tuck my kids into bed at night myself. Lagos is about juggling and not losing focus of what is really important.

What is your thought about full-house wives; do you think it should be an option considering the harsh economic situation of the country?

This is a case by case situation per family. It gets more and more expensive to raise a family now so the decision has to be made jointly by both the husband and wife. I remember what my parents paid for Secondary School versus what we pay nowadays! Jobs are much more demanding today than they were when we were growing up and as a result it is important that someone makes time to be with the children, if you don’t make the time you will invariably pay somehow later down the line. Parenting cannot be outsourced. What does full-time housewife mean? It is very possible to have flexible time, be home with the children and still earn a living.

Can you tell us about your immediate family?

I am married to a very supportive and wonderful husband; we have been friends for a long time before getting married. Friendship, mutual respect, love and the fruit of the spirit (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control) are necessary ingredients in keeping the marriage and the home happy. Spending time together, learning to communicate and learning to agree to disagree. Sometimes you might not agree to do things the same way but ultimately, there is one Head and therefore you must yield to his decision after you have made your case in a calm way.

What are some of your winning strategies in life?

Being persistent in prayer and having a relationship with God such that you are walking according to God’s will for your life. God needs to be the driver of your life and you are like the co-pilot taking your orders from God. I also believe in taking a chance and staying focused, be ready to take a chance as only by taking a step can you move in the direction you want. It is important to be flexible in life we all learn every day and i believe that every situation and relationship has a teachable moment from it. Surround yourself by people who are positive influences in your life and will tell you the truth no matter how hard it is.

What are your thoughts about mothers entrusting their young children to nannies and house maids?

It takes a village (and an e-village) to raise your children therefore for various reasons Mums might use the services of nannies to care for their children. Please we need to note that not all nannies are evil or mean, some are great and they love the children they care for like their own. The people who hire the nannies must take the time to carry out a thorough background check, make enquiries into the place of past employment, carry out medical tests and do all that is possible to ensure that you are hiring the right person into your home.

After hiring the person you must be alert and discerning to notice if anything is amiss. Treat them well and also stay prayerful so that you pick up if there is any change and you need to let them go. Lastly at the end of the day the nanny is doing a job in your home and can leave any day remember that they are your children and you are accountable for them and to no one else. Mums should also pay attention to their children around the nanny, are they fearful? Or are they are ease with the nanny? These are some signs you need to be able to answer to be sure your nanny is caring for your child well.

How best can a woman keep her home?

A woman keeps her home by keeping God at the centre of her marriage and her family. A family that prays together is strong, can weather the storms of life and is grounded on the word of God. Lastly i firmly believe that keeping a home is the job of both the Woman and her Husband, they both have to be sacrificial and put the needs of their spouse before theirs.

Read the full interview on Daily Independent 

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Our recipe this week is Edikang Ikong. It is a nutritious and very healthy vegetable dish that originated from the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states of Nigeria. It is very rich in vitamins and minerals and eaten by almost everyone because it is delicious.

Ingredients

• Ugwu (pumpkin leaves)- 3 cups
• Waterleaf (efo tete)- 5 cups
• Yellow pepper(Rodo)- one or two cooking spoon of blended rodo(depends on how hot you want it)
• Assorted Meats(goat meats,cow leg,Shaki etc.)- 500g
• Periwinkle- 150g
•  Ponmo (cow skin)- 100g
•  Stockfish- 100g
•  Smoked Fish- Medium size
• Red Smoked Crayfish – One cup
• Fresh King Prawns- One cup

Method

•  Season and boil your meats with stockfish with enough water to cover the meat.
• Just before the meat is tender, add shredded smoked fish and ponmo.
• After the meat becomes tender, make sure the stock water is reduced.
• Add two drops of Palm oil into your pot of meat, let it boil till the Palm Oil dissolves into the stock and then add the blended yellow Rodo and let it dissolve too.
• Add periwinkles and waterleaf, stir and cover the pot. On a low heat, let this steam for 5 minutes.
• Add blended crayfish and Ugwu, give it a stir, and let it cook for another 5 minutes. Stir and taste for salt.
• You might add seasoning cubes if you want to or add more crayfish instead and steam for about 2 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and Enjoy! You can eat it with swallow of your choice.

photo source: 9ja foodie

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Diary Adventures of LagosMums: DALM | Children and Politics

Have you ever wondered if children and politics go together?  Maybe you are waiting for the right age to start talking about politics with your children?

Children nowadays learn faster than we did. We all know what happens when you leave a smart device with a young child, he or she instinctively takes a swipe at the screen and can navigate to Youtube to watch a video. If it is the ipad they promptly navigate to the app of their choice or go straight to Temple Muse.

The other day we were driving down the road and my five year old asked if the new President and the new Government would make sure that the roads would be cleaner. He also wanted to know if they would paint all the houses because he does not think it looks nice when buildings are not painted or look dirty. As he said this he pointed out several examples of dirty, unpainted houses and piles of filth.

He and his sibling got into a conversation with themselves discussing who they were going to vote for and whether it was PDP or APC. They went on to mention the different aspirants and I was just stunned that they were this aware. I certainly had not been discussing with them.

It got me thinking that when is the right time to start talking about what governance is about?

We might not be able to control what the current Government and leadership do but we can start to raise awareness of what governance should look like with our children. If we have them grow up with the idea that politics and governance in Nigeria is fraught with problems, then we risk raising children who think this way. We don’t want them to give up on trying to make things in Nigeria better, afterall that is what their parents and grandparents have done, you want better schools you travel out, you need health care you travel out.

We should raise children who are allergic to the idea of corruption, who will grow up wanting to do what is right, wanting to improve their nation. We can raise children who do not think it is okay to shrug and look the other way, but who think about what they can do to make things better.

Our Nigerian children should expect our elections to be free, fair and without violence. My child asked me if we were also travelling to get away from the elections. She asked because she has overheard people talking about travelling during this period for safety. This should not be the norm.

Change does not come overnight, but we should be mindful that we have children with impressionable minds around us. They are learning from what they hear us say, the values that we discuss and the viewpoints that we hold. It is no different when it comes to politics and governance.

So let us keep in mind that we want to raise children who are proud to be Nigerian, who do not give up on Nigeria and who rather are passionate about how to make things better. They should be proud to call Nigeria home! Let’s not make a mistake and raise children who think the solution is to go abroad. Let us teach them that each of them carries change in their DNA and can make a difference to get a Nigeria that they want. We did it #NigeriaDecided.

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LagosMums Fashion Looks – Happy Easter

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Below is a list of quotes from parents on their views of what Autism is and what it is not. What autism is and what it is not gives an opportunity to bring more awareness. In celebration of World Autism Day below is an excerpt culled from Huffington Post on some real quotes about autism.

Autism is not your fault. – Shanell Mouland

Autism is not friendless, dull, what you fear it will be. – Denise Henry

Autism is not the parents or child’s fault. It isn’t wrong, it isn’t bad parenting or a spoiled child. What you see is both parent and child doing the very best they can in a world that can be chaotic. – Flo Halter

Autism is not easy, it’s not patient and it’s not always kind. Autism is not poor parenting. – Allie Smith

Autism is not what defines my son. It is not something to be whispered about behind our backs at the supermarket when he is having a meltdown. – Elizabeth Ann Garrison

Autism is a whole different way of living in the world. Nothing is “normal.”

Autism is not contagious, not the only characteristic of a person, not anything to be ashamed about. – Beth Durbin Gotwalt

Autism is not anything to be dismissed, ignored, generalized. – Fayemarie Anderson Carter

Autism is not an end. – Barbara Bickel Hafer

Source: Huffington Post

Photo source: psypost, huffington, tcri-ng

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As we celebrate Resurrection day we are thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus paid for you and me! The ultimate sacrifice. The same resurrection Jesus experienced is the same resurrection power that you and I carry in us. At this time that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, is a time to call forth and declare resurrection into every part of our lives that needs to be resurrected.

We call forth resurrection to dead dreams and hopes, we call forth resurrection to marriages, businesses. We call forth resurrection to our health, our families and every other area that needs it.

As Nigerians we are also experiencing a new beginning, we the people are experiencing resurrection, a new hope in Nigeria. We are on the cusp of the emergence of the great nation we know Nigeria is after the concluded presidential elections. When Timi Dakolo released the song “Great Nation” I am not sure he knew that he was prophesying…At the time the song was released the optimism and hope the song carried was almost out of place with how people felt about Nigeria then.  Fast forward to today and the song now applies to the Nigeria that we are in today – post presidential elections. The Nigeria today has gone through a momentous change and is poised to “shine like the sun”.

The lyrics of “Great Nation” sums up the sense of belonging, hope and resurrection that Nigerians feel for Nigeria today!

Great Nation (by Timi Dakolo) 

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Contributed by: Oyinkan Talabi- Wellness coach at Bodyworks Fitness

When I was much younger, I recall playing outside every day on our street with other children in the neighborhood every day after lunch. In those days we did not have 24 hours TV so, we would play outside till Fraggle rock or Voltron came on at 5 pm or mum came home and you hadn’t finished your homework.

Our playing included, double Dutch, suwe, ten-ten, catcher, police and thief, cow boys and Indians, then bicycle riding came up and we would get on our bicycles and ride all over the neighborhood. At the weekends, we either ended up swimming or playing lawn or tennis, taekwondo in Ikoyi club or hanging from trees at a cousin’s place. It was a life of constant physical movement. Then Nintendo and MTV came into our lives and our activity levels started reducing even though at this point we were much older and jumping up and down just wasn’t cool anymore.

That level of activity just isn’t possible anymore, or is it? Our environment has so changed that playing on your street is just not feasible for all sorts of reasons. So our children are cooped up at home in front of their gadgets, the increase of fast foods outlets with their highly addictive, highly processed foods (that have zero nutritional value) are taking up space in our neighborhoods.

The human body is a machine created primarily for movement. Lack of this destroys the body no matter the age. Think about cars that are just parked and how they fall apart all by themselves,  that is also what happens to the body. Today, the number of overweight children is alarming. There is now a very serious increase in the number of children having heart problems and high blood pressure, there are other side effects of being overweight that we don’t talk about like self esteem and emotional issues.

Now, the following questions should be at the fore front of our minds, What do we do? How do we get our children active?

I strongly believe that outside of school, there has to be physical activity time for children, 1 hour of after school activities like ballet, piano lessons etc. is not enough for growing children eating high calorie foods every day.

Children shouldn’t be made to join aerobic classes or gyms lifting weights, they need activities that are fun and interactive so as to build their interpersonal skills. The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights recognizes play as a right of every child and the American Academy of Pediatrics states that “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and youth”.

Bring out the footballs, the tennis rackets, the skipping ropes, swimming, encourage the formation of activity groups between children in the neighborhood. There are open air parks opening up around us and we can use these spaces for activities for the children. It is only impossible if you say it is..

If going out side is just impossible then some video games are very physical and I know adults who stay active playing tennis or dancing on play station.

The bottom line is let the children got outside and play, it is the best way to get them physically active and build a strong foundation for their lives, I hope the suggestions above help.  Remember the adage, all work and no play..

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It is World Health Day today, April 7th. This years theme is “food safety” and it is relevant to the world we live in today. Where we need to be increasingly aware of what we are eating, where our food is from and how it is being prepared. There are several illnesses on the rise some of which are linked to the foods people are consuming and the lifestyles that we live. Below are some of the top things to consider as we celebrate World Health Day and increase the awareness of the health of ourselves and our family.

1. Handle food safely – Be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly as they may harbor contaminants from where they were grown or where they were stored. Rinse fruits or scrub them well under running water. Even if you peel your vegetables and fruits, you should wash them beforehand — the more careful you are, the fewer your chances are of getting food poisoning. Also be sure to cook your foods thoroughly to reduce the transfer of diseases. 

2. Know your numbers – What are your numbers? You should know your weight, BMI, cholestoral level, Blood Pressure etc as well as what the healthy ranges are. This helps you in regulating your self as well as knowing how to ensure optimal health. High blood pressure has been called a silent killer as there are no clear symptoms, however knowing and monitoring blood pressure reduces complications. People who might have prediabetes or diabetes need to carefully monitor cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight as a first step in controlling the disease and improving the quality of your health.

3. Get moving – 30 minutes of exercise daily is recommended. Exercise has many benefits including improving the quality of  your sleep, improving your energy levels and making you feel happier and better overall, exercise will also improve your health by lowering your chance of developing chronic problems like diabetes or high blood pressure.

4. Eat balanced diets – Your diet goes a long way in determining the overall health of yourself and your family.  So be sure to follow the recommendations for a balanced diet. Get your 5 servings of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis, drink lots of water, reduce the consumption of junk foods and fast foods.

For a guide on healthy diets -  The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describe a healthy diet as one that:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

5. Sleep – Getting the recommended number of hours of sleep cannot be ignored. Sleep is necessary for the body to recharge and to ensure that you are functioning at an optimal level. The sleep foundation has come out with recommendations on the number of hours needed for newborns all the way to adults. The average school aged child needs between 9 to 11 hours of sleep. Make sure to check if your child is getting enough sleep.

6. Limit Stress – Everyone has almost turned the phrase “I am stressed” to show a sign of being busy and engaged. In reality a constant level of stress is dangerous to your overall health.

photo source: createwritenow, healthservices

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The update to this case is that they have contacted the family demanding a ransom for the kidnapped children in the sum of 15mln.

A case has been reported yesterday of a Nanny who has kidnapped the children in her care. The news is being strung together and what seems to be coming out is that she was hired by her bosses via OLX. She was hired and within a few days of resumption, kidnapped three (out of four) of the children in her care.

The names of the missing children are Aderomola, (11 months), Adedamola (4 years) and Demola (6 years) Orekoya.

According to Punch, their mother Adebisi says that she needed a nanny urgently after their old nanny left, she then put up an advert on OLX. OLX is a classifieds site where goods and services are sold including listing of jobs. The nanny, Akinloye responded to the advert with interest. It was on Wednesday, April 8th that her oldest son called to say that she had gone out with his siblings and not returned. All efforts to reach the people she referred to as her relatives has proved unsuccceful.

This is a mothers plea for the safe return of her children -

“MISSING KIDS!!! Our children Aderomola Orekoya, 11 months,Adedamola Orekoya, 4 years and Demola Orekoya, 6 years are MISSING (see pictures on my dp)!!! The house help only resumed yesterday, took the kids out at 8am this morning and never returned.

We’ve never known what it means to miss a child until now! What kind of heartless person will do this to a family??! Please help us, our hearts our broken, we’ve cried and cried so much, we don’t know what to do anymore. Please if you see these kids kindly call this numbers 08052062117, 09098097935. or 08060184514…Pls help”.

Ejo tori Ikunle Abiyamo….shout this out abeg o!!! Pls instead of liking this post,help me repost !!!……

We truly pray that these children are reunited with their family soon unharmed and well. Please parents be careful when you are hiring domestic staff who you bring into your homes and even after you have done all you can to trace their background we must continuously pray and be vigilant to avoid this type of pain occurring. We pray for the safe and speedy return of these boys to their family!

See below some quick tips on hiring staff :

#Parents pls pls be aware who you hire! More news coming out nanny was found via olx and kidnapped the 3 kids on day 2.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

#BackgroundChecks are critical when hiring #domestic staff. They are coming into your home with access to everything.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

Never hire #DomesticStaff when ur desperate as this clouds judgement & preferably get a second opinion.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

Consider crèches or after school care if unsure of #DomesticStaff. Children will be safer in a centre.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

Don’t leave children with new staff too early. Have other adults who can monitor. #DomesticStaff

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

Use services like @VerifyMeNigeria to confirm identity of #DomesticStaff.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

The trauma of a wrong #DomesticStaff hire is not worth it! Hire carefully.

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

Now we pray for the safe return of these #Missingchildren – unharmed and unabused. Amen!

— LagosMums (@LagosMums) April 9, 2015

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LagosMums Fashion Looks – Polka Friday

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This was originally posted on Huffington Post read the full article “What Change Means to Us in Nigeria” here.

We all know the famous saying “The only thing that is constant is change.” We also know that to adapt we need to embrace and welcome change.

This was our reality recently. Nigeria is a paradox of greatness and challenges. Nigeria is known to the rest of the world for many things, the good (largest economy in Africa, our movies and having the happiest people) and the not-so-good. The recent news about Nigeria making the rounds is the one of our recent elections, we made change happen.

Up until now, the average Nigerian was not sure whether his or her vote really counts, wondered whether votes can actually make a difference or cause a change. Till this most recent elections majority of the nation had only heard about the idea of free, fair and violence-free elections.

We were not sure that it could really happen for us, which is why many were a little anxious. The whole Country seems to have been in slow motion waiting for the elections to hold. Many stocked up enough food and basics at home in case we were not able to get around. Some reacted by actually leaving the country for safer regions to return when things settled.

You might say this was a bit over the top, a bit dramatic surely. The anxiety was based on fear, you see most Nigerians were not sure that elections, the process of casting your votes to elect the leaders you want, can actually work the way it is supposed to.

A friend of mine remarked “I am surprised that we can actually go out the day after the nation made history without fear.”

We went to the polls and cast our votes in free and fair elections. Though there are some allegations, these were not enough to mar the elections as being rigged. It was also violence-free, any blood shed is both unacceptable and unnecessary, but we did not have violence anywhere near the level feared.

Lastly the biggest of all, people watched the results unfold. We watched the results being collated slowly and painstakingly, to reduce any element of error. We all sat glued to our television screens and radios, social media was active with the #NigeriaDecides hashtag keeping conversation going. Suspense was high, we all watched and waited. Yes it seemed like this was working, votes were being counted, being collated and the system seemed to be working.

As the first day ran into the second, we started to get indications of which aspirant was in the lead. Election analysts were analyzing the technical details, such as the percentage required to win and updating us live. We were actually engaging like an intelligent people that we are, who deserve to be informed and updated on the unfolding outcome of our elections.

Young, old, Christian, Muslim, parent and child were all waiting for the outcome. What did most people want? they wanted God’s will to be done, they wanted change, they wanted peace, they wanted zero violence, they wanted their votes to count.

Finally the moments for the final decision came, we were down to waiting for the results from the last state. As the results trickled in, it doused tension and apprehension. People excitedly watched and waited for this defining moment, it did appear that change was brewing. The whole family was talking, my young children were making commentary and had opinions as well.

We needed it as a country. We needed to learn and experience this. We needed to experience that our votes count and that we could vote to make a change. The results are in and #NigeriaDecided that we wanted another president from the one we had in power.

There are people still in shock that change happened! We were able to vote out the sitting president and guess what? The sky is still intact. Life is going on! And to top it off our outgoing president called the president elect to concede prior to official announcement of the results.

This was not a scene from Scandal or 24! This was real life and a new reality for Nigerians. We are suddenly in a new era, an era where the old are hopeful that things can actually change in their lifetime — free and fair elections. A new era where our children and youths see how an election process is supposed to work. Can I repeat, it was largely violence-free, free and fair — we do not take this for granted.

Read the full article on HuffingtonPost

photo source: dailypost.ng

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Everyone faces bespoke problems, since unavoidable then we should evaluate problems and challenges for the right way to respond. The problems are bespoke because each person has their own unique challenges. As Pastor Godman from the Elevation church said during service “the problem is not the problem, the problem is how you see the problem”. You see everyone will face problems or you might want to call it challenges, what matters is your attitude to these problems. You carry solution locked up inside of you..you just need to find it and take action.

You see throughout the bible, most of the great people we read about were problem solvers.

David saw Goliath as a problem like everyone else, but rather than run away he saw it as an opportunity to solve this problem. He asked to have a go at him. We all know the outcome! He defeated Goliath and David was elevated (1 Samuel 17), this would never have happened if he did not face the challenge head on.

What about Joseph? he solved a problem by interpreting a dream Pharaoh had which no one else could interpret. (Genesis 41).

So what problem should you be solving rather than running away from it? One of the ways to be a problem solver is to remember what is written about you and not focus on how seemingly big the problem is.  Luke 4:18 says “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me…” (fill this part in with the various promises God has made about your life). The purpose of the anointing is for solving problems.

When God wants to lift you up he will present problems that you need to solve. You will be remembered for the problem you solved. 

Bringing it home, Nigeria has several challenges. Rather than pointing fingers you should see yourself as a problem solver. Corruption, state of education, unemployment, insecurity, the areas that need solutions are endless. For example the job of tackling corruption is not only the President’s, rather all Nigerians are responsible for tackling corruption.

As individuals we have our bespoke problems. It is bespoke because every single person has their unique problems. However you should know that the problems or challenges you have, God knows you can handle them. 

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted, beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 

Below are somethings to keep in mind as you tackle problems and challenges.

1. You need to have the right people around the table, you need people to solve problems. 
2. You need the right attitude, remember the problem is not the problem, it is how you see the problem.
3. You need to understand that problems are common to life and problems will not stop you. Whether national, family or individual, problems will not stop you. So don’t get overwhelmed.
4. Outstanding people are the ones who solve outstanding problems. What is the personal crusade that God has called you to.
5. The problem is not the problem, the problem is how you see the problem.
6. Everybody’s problem is bespoke. When problems come to you it’s because you can bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God is faithful and gives you what he knows you can bear. 
7. The size of your person is more important than the size of your problem.
8. To solve problems you must step out of the boat and walk on water, faith allows you to take a step.
9. When the anointing comes upon you it will propel you to take action.
10. We all have callings, understanding your calling will lead you to be an outstanding problem solver in your area of calling.

You cannot stroll to the goal, in football there are opponents on the other side. You get to the goal by dribbling, team work and using many other tactics. You need skill to overcome all the obstacles in the way and avoid the opponents who try to block you. This analogy is the same for your life, there will be challenges and blocks along the way. However you must keep your eye on the goal and keep moving.  So get used to seeing the opportunity in every problem and challenge.

Be a problem solver!

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A Nigerian gains admission into eight U.S. Ivy League schools
High school senior Harold Ekeh didn’t just get into one Ivy League university. He was accepted into all eight.

But the really hard part for Ekeh is deciding where to go.

He actually got into all 13 schools he applied to, including MIT and Johns Hopkins.

“I am leaning toward Yale,” he told CNNMoney. “I competed at Yale for Model UN, and I like the passion people at Yale had,” he added.

Some of the Yale students he met became his friends and mentors, offering advice on the college application process. Now Ekeh is trying to do the same thing.

Ekeh, 17, founded a college mentoring programme at his school, Elmont Memorial High School on Long Island in the New York city suburbs. His goal was to get more students into top universities.

American dream: Ekeh was born in Nigeria and came to the United States when he was eight. He wrote his main college essay about the struggle to adjust, including being clueless in U.S. history classes at school. He said he would ask his parents repeatedly why they moved.

“We had a fairly comfortable life in Nigeria, but they told me we moved to America for the opportunities like the educational opportunities,” he recalled.

The salutatorian is quick to credit his parents, school and community for his success.

“I am very humbled by this,” Ekeh said. “It’s not just for me, but for my school and community. We can accomplish great things here,” he added.

A passion for science: He wants to major in neurobiology or chemistry in college and later become doctor and, ultimately, a neurosurgeon. He was named a 2015 Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist earlier this year for his research on how the acid DHA can slow Alzheimer’s.

For Ekeh, the cause is personal. His grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when he was 11. One of his proudest moments was running home to tell his mother and aunts about the breakthroughs he was finding with DHA.

“When other kids would say, ‘I want to be a superhero or police officer,’ I would say, ‘I want to know what is on the inside of us,’” he said.

The key to success: Outside of the lab, Ekeh directs a youth choir at his church, plays the drums, is part of Key Club and Model UN and was elected to the Homecoming court. He speaks Igbo and Spanish and has a 100.5 per cent GPA. He’s proud of acing the AP History Exam despite his early struggles with the subject.

Elmont High School is 99 per cent minority. Ekeh is the second student in recent years to win a prestigious Intel Science award.

Principal John Capozzi calls Ekeh “one of the most humble young men I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet.”

The lab where Ekeh did his award-winning research is modest and only staffed part-time by a passionate chemistry teacher, but the community makes the most of what it has.

Ekeh will spend the coming weeks visiting all the schools before making his final decision.

His advice to other high school students is simple: “Like my parents always told us, the secret to success is unbridled resolve.”

Source: Punch Newspaper

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If you are one of those people who squeeze out the oil in puff puff and avoid puff puff because of all the oil, then you will enjoy this recipe. Our recipe this week is how to make toasted  puff puff, a healthy version of the traditional and usually oily puff puff.

Ingredients

• 270g self-rising flour/whole wheat flour

• 7g fast active dry yeast

• 270ml cup of warm water

• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon nutmeg/vanilla or any flavouring of choice

• Small pinch of salt

Method

• Mix the flour, salt, part of the sugar in a bowl and set aside.

• In another bowl, mix warm water, yeast, the remaining sugar and flavour of choice together.

• Add the flour mixture to the warm water mixture. Mix thoroughly.

• Cover the mixture with a napkin and keep in a cool place (room temperature) for 8 minutes. You can keep it in the microwave.

• Grease the sandwich maker with oil (use a paper towel to dampen the upper and lower part of the toaster with oil)

• Pour the batter on the toaster and use the spoon to spread it.

• Cover the toaster and leave for about 2 minutes (you can keep checking).

Enjoy!

You can use the same method for Akara and Pancakes.

Contributed by Abimbola Oki, Food enthusiast | naonuel2012@gmail.com | @fabbimzy

Photo Source: K-delights Events

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It takes a team to get most things done and it is no different when it comes to the management and running of your home. There is a right way to hire domestic staff. We are going to spell out the right way to hire staff and share some resources that exist to help with this.

There is a high price to pay for hiring the wrong staff. A Company would not hire staff without carefully interviewing and checking their background

A company never hires without background checks
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• Reputable Source – The right way to hire domestic staff includes using a reputable source of referral. There are many ways to get domestic staff such as word of mouth referral from your friends nanny or your cousins driver. While this is not a bad way to get staff the source needs to be reputable and trustworthy. An alternative way to find candidates is to go through a reputable nanny agency, take the time to understand how they find their candidates.

• Background Check – Background checks are important and it is advisable that this is carried out by someone who has experience. This should include address verification, guarantor check and past employment verification. Most good agencies will provide this service and be able to confirm that a background check has been completed for the candidate.
  • Icarella Childcare Services offers the service of assessment and background check whether or not Icarella provided your nanny. I have personally used this service and they carry out very professional assessments of the potential hire, including background check (with address verification) and medical.

• Medical Check – Health Screening should be considered a necessary step prior to hiring a new domestic staff. No this is not discrimination, odds are when you are starting a new office job you are required to undergo a physical examination. There are several labs and clinics that would carry out a basic health check in Lagos. Carrying out this check verifies the state of health of the staff.

• Interview Process – Interview your potential nanny or other staff. Be clear what the job description entails and discuss this in the interview process. Are you looking for someone to entertain older children and she has experience with babies? Everyone has different skills and experience. Take the time to interview when you are not stressed and therefore can properly assess her suitability (do not hire out of desperation). It might also be useful to have someone else interview for you to get a different opinion, but remember people want different things.

These are some of our tips on the right way to hire domestic staff and to avoid making a wrong choice.

Some credible sources are -

• Parklands Agency for Professional Domestic Workers - Contact  (07035 922 335) or email (abiola@me.com) for more details. They also offer medical screening, workers training and temporary staff. 
• Icarella Childcare Services - Visit their website for more details. Services include health status verification, background checks, purpose and personality assessment, training and provision of uniforms.
• Lifeline Clinic Lekki - Offers domestic staff health screening package. Visit their website for more details
• VerifyMeNigeria - Collects biodata information to verify identities. Read more here about the service they provide and visit their website for more information.
• Domestic Uniforms – Prestige Hospitality offers a variety of ready made uniforms

photo source: Nannyagencies.net

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Princess Diana‘s brother Charles Spencer has spoken about what it was like to have a privileged upbringing – and how his nephews Princes William and Harry have turned out to be the kind, compassionate and ambitious adults that they are.

Speaking to Oprah in a televised interview, Charles, 50, discussed the challenge of raising a royal child, such as his nephews William and Harry.

“We want them to find their own way,” he said. “you don’t want to disable them by giving them too much.”

He opened up about his and Diana’s background, saying: “My mother always knew what was coming my way and she said ‘You have to work, you’ll never be happy if you don’t work.’

he went on to say “My father didn’t work but I don’t blame him for that, because it would have been very odd if he had [because of the attitude of the time]. If he had been going into the City of London as a banker or something, people might have thought, ‘Well, has he fallen on hard times?’ It was a face-saving thing.”

Charles’ words come at a particularly fitting time as William, 32, prepares to welcome his second royal baby with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton.

William and Kate have been hailed as hands-on, modern parents, who may have a nanny for their firstborn Prince George, but they don’t rely on her completely. The normalcy with which the couple are trying to raise George is seen as a testament to the late Princess Diana’s values.

Like his uncle Charles Spencer, William can see the importance of having a steady job. The Duke has just started training to become a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a full-time role he will begin in the summer.

Children need to feel a purpose…if they get things too easy then it is harder to face life as an independent adult.

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