House Sitting Magazine Issue 15: October 2017

You'll find extra news, reviews and snippets throughout the magazine!

Getting Back to Fitness Basics in Barbados Ian Usher

How to Find Your Perfect Fitness Solution Jenny Lincoln

Favorite Fitness Finds Jenny Lincoln

Trust Me, I'm A House Sitter Vanessa Anderson

9 Questions to Ask Before Taking a Pet Sitting Job Lannie Norris

Nomadic Interviews Vanessa talks to Agness & Cez of eTramping

Destinations beginning with "A" House Sitting Magazine Group

How Travel Can Redesign Your Brain Vanessa Anderson

When a Pension Isn't Enough - Making an Income Lara Plogman

Staying Healthy on The Road Toni Fairman

How to Keep Fit While Traveling Elly McGuinness

Posing as a House Sitter - Have Mat Will Travel Andrew Redfern

Secrets of The Inner Circle Vanessa and Ian

Recipe - Broccoli & Sun-Dried Tomato Farro Salad Heidi Medina

6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a House Sitter What Could Go Wrong - I'm in Vancouver?

Jennifer Taylor

In the next issue...

GETTING BACK TO FITNESS BASICS IN BARBADOS

by Ian Usher

We spent three months house sitting on the banks for the beautiful Boteti River in Botswana.

We lived about 40 kilometres outside of Maun, gateway town to the Okavango Delta, one of the top safari desinations in the world. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?

Well, in some ways it was, but in other ways it provided some serious challenges.

One problem we hadn't anticipated was the lack of exercise options. Vanessa and I are both active, and enjoy walking in the mountains, cycling, and the occasional scuba dive. My personal favourite for health and fitness is swimming. With access to a decent pool I like to swim a kilometre a couple of times a week.

Where we lived in Botswana we couldn't really get out and walk too much. The house was surounded by deep sand, and progress was slow to say the least. We did go out for a couple of walks, but never managed to get too far.

There's also the (admittedly slight) danger of running into a wild elephant, or getting eaten by a hungry lion.

Swimming was a definite no-no. We never saw the 3m crocodile that lived just down-river from us, but we saw plenty of hippos. Maybe you know this, maybe not... hippos are responsible for more deaths in Africa than any other animal. Swimming in the river would not be a good idea.

We spotted this hippo just across the river from our house while trying out the neighbours' new DJI camera drone

Coupled with the lack of exercise options, we discovered that town offered a wide range of great food supplies. Maun is the supply town for all the tour operators in the area. Because so many of the camps and lodges in the Delta are very high-end - like $2,000 per person per night high-end - food standards are very high.

Shopping in town was a gourmet delight. And prices were surprisingly reasonable. We ate very well for three months. And drank quite a lot of wine too!

When we returned to England after three months away my mum, in her usual brusque northern way, didn't beat around the bush. "Looks like you've put on a bit of weight!"

I had to agree.

And I decided I had to do something about it.

We're now in Barbados on another three month house sit, and I have no excuses. I'm not going to get eaten by a lion anywhere on the island, and the swimming pool poses no threat whatsoever.

After our home owners departed I found a book on their bookshelf called "The Walking Diet" by Les Snowdon and Maggie Humphreys.

"Walk back to fitness in 30 days", the subtitle suggests.

I can do that, I thought.

So I committed to walking every morning for an hour for the first 30 days of our stay here. As the book suggests, this isn't any easy-going ramble. This is hard, fast walking that gets the lungs pumping and the legs aching.

The first few days were a bit tough, but I soon settled into a routine. Vanessa joined me most mornings too. 30 days passed quickly, and I was proud to have stuck to the promise I had made to myself.

We've also found that we have been eating a lot less here, almost as much out of necessity, rather than simply by choice. Compared to Botswana - in fact compared to most places - food here is very expensive. Fortunately the cheapest options are also the healthiest, and we have been eating lots of fresh fish and lots of vegetables.

At the end of the first 30 days, the bathroom scales offered great news. I had shed over 8 pounds (more than 3.5 kilos). I could see in the mirror that I was getting back in shape.

Buoyed by success I have continued to walk almost every morning. I believe that exercise early in the day sets you up well for a good day of eating less too, because you are keen not to undo the morning's good work.

Now, over two months into our sit, I have lost over 14 pounds (more than 6 kilos), and am feeling much fitter.

So when I discovered a freediving record-holder runs a course here on the island, I thought it was time to treat myself for doing so well.

Oistins Fish Market, just down the road from our house sit

Having done quite a bit of diving and snorkeling, I have always fancied trying freediving swimming under the water for as long as possible on a single breath. I booked a two day course, and started practicing my breath-holding.

http://freedivingbarbados.com/freedive-course/aida-2/

The longest I have ever managed to hold my breath is 2 mins 15 seconds, so I was hoping with some training and correct technique I might be able to beat that.

The targets set by the AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) 2-star course are a static breath-hold of two minutes, an underwater swim of 40 metres (horizontal) and a dive down to 16 metres.

When I spoke to Alex, who runs the course, he told me that with training and practice over two days, all of these should be achievable.

On the two-day introductory course, the maximum depth is set at 20 metres. I like a challenge, so obviously I mentally set my sights on reaching 20 metres, instead of just achieving the required 16 metres.

The first day involved quite a bit of theory and safety training, then we spent some time in the local pool, where we practiced relaxation and breath-holding. I was amazed to achieve a breath-hold of 3 minutes 34 seconds, and a distance of 55 metres swimming under the water.

Later in the afternoon, in open water, we got our first real taste of freediving, where we practiced some safety drills and got a taste of diving down to about 10 metres.

On the second day we covered more theory, then during a longer session in the sea we gradually increased the depth of our dives in two metre increments. By the end of the day we

were getting to 20 metres, and the rescue practices to 10 metres now seemed comparatively easy.

On my last dive I really tried to relax, and pulled down the rope as calmly and gently as I could, trying to remember all of the tips and techniques instructor Alex had taught us. I easily reached the bottom of the rope and touched the seabed at 20 metres, feeling relaxed and confident enough to stay there for a few seconds to have a look around, before calmly heading to the surface.

I am incredibly proud to have a achieved what I did on the course, and feel sure I'll be back for more someday. Instructor Alex was fantastic, and had just the right mix of relaxed coaching, coupled with pushing you to achieve what he knew you could.

If you're ever in Barbados, and enjoy a challenge, take a look at his website. He also offers spearfishing courses: http://freedivingbarbados.com/

My next goal would be to get to 24 metres, one of the requirements of the 3-star course, but they set a maximum depth of 30m. Hmm, I do like a challenge!!

Ultimately I would like to be confident enough to achieve 33 metres, as I would love to be able to freedive to the bottom of the amazing Nemo 33 pool in Brussels in Belgium.

Maybe one day...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemo_33

I am convinced that if I had tried this a couple of months ago, at the start of our three months here, I wouldn't have done so well. Two months following the simple, easy-to-follow Walking Diet have certainly produced pleasing fitness results.

In this month's issue of House Sitting Magazine you'll find lots of other articles on health and fitness for travelers and house sitters.

We hope you enjoy it.

Ian and Vanessa (currently house sitting and getting fitter in Barbados)

MY TOP 10 TIPS & TECHNIQUES

by Jenny Lincoln

Do you find it tough to maintain your fitness when you're on the road?

Are you concerned that your health and fitness levels may suffer, especially if you've been used to the convenience of a gym or organized classes?

One of the hardest things about fitness is a finding a regime that works for you, especially when you're traveling and house sitting.

It can be difficult to maintain rituals and routines when constantly swapping homes, time zones, cultures and environments. There's also the effect of climate - humidity and heat can erode you physically and mentally, altitude can suck the living breath out of your lungs, whilst winter and wet seasons can keep you cooped up indoors.

All these factors disrupt your rhythm and limit your options, making it all the more difficult to stay committed to fitness.

So what's the solution?

Regardless of whether you're on the road or back at home, it's not about the latest fad - it's all about finding what feels right for you mentally, emotionally and physically.

These ten tips and techniques will help you find the right fit solution AND get you on the right track ... literally!

1. Do What You Love There's no point taking on exercise you don't enjoy. If you do, you are sabotaging your own success before even getting started!     

Do you love the outdoors? Get hiking or biking.

Are you a water babe? Swim, kayak or experiment with a SUP (stand-up paddle board, great for legs and core).

Is gentle your pace? Consider Tai Chi, yoga or Qi Qong.

Do you like something more hard core? Find the nearest weights room, boxing gym or Crossfit Centre.

Are you more socially orientated? Check out the local gym and Meet-up groups, or find out what the locals do.

During my time in Mexico I kept stumbling across Salsa and Zumba classes in the park. So I heeded the message and joined in. It was fun, social, and for me, hilarious, as I was very unco!

2. Find Your Own Rhythm To make exercise an everyday part of your life, it needs to be sustainable. Sustainability comes from practices that naturally fit your rhythm.

If you're a morning person, take advantage of those special hours of first light to get outside and exercise. But, if end of day feels right and helps you transition from work mode to relax mode, then lock it in. For some, the middle of the day is a great practical break and revs them up for afternoon adventures.

Experiment and find what works for you.

Your body will tell you through ease and flow. If you are mentally push, push, pushing, then maybe the timing or type of activity is not right for you. It is a bit like finding the right pair of shoes - it's all about the goodness of fit!

It's often more fun exercising with others, so if you can find someone to join in with your routine, you may find it easier to sustain.

3. Make it Easy & Accessible Humans tend to over commit and complicate things! The key to success is making exercise easy by using what's around you.

At the moment I'm beach-side in Ecuador and have a decent size back yard. So my regime is soft sand running with the pups, a mini circuit in the back yard using body weight resistance exercises (see 6 below for examples), and a couple of Apps or YouTube routines.

When I was in Spain looking after a rural property, there was a high level of physicality in maintaining the grounds. My workout came from strimming (weed whacking) paddocks, hill running with the dogs and using the home owner's rower machine. There was also a truckload of firewood, so I loaded the wheel barrow and hurtled it down the driveway as strength training.

If you're finding it difficult to work out an easy approach, here's a handy trick - personify simplicity!

Ask yourself, "What would simplicity do?"

You'll be amazed at the insights you get. This method of questioning takes you outside your current modes of thinking, providing fresh ideas that are simple to use.

4. Create Purposeful Activity Some people get a great deal of joy from exercising, but others simply do not!

If you're finding fitness a challenge or are struggling with motivation, then try creating a link to something that naturally inspires you.

For example, you may have a bunch of adventurous activities on your bucket list that require a certain level of fitness. Perhaps you want to surf a volcano in Nicaragua, or hike to Machu Picchu.

Or, there's a family reunion planned in six months where you want to be fit enough to join the kids and grand-kids in all the fun activities without busting your boiler!

Using the two examples above you would ask yourself the following question, "How does exercising help me achieve my bucket list activities?" or "How does physical activity help me to enjoy my family time better?"

Some people might say, "it doesn't", but that's just judgement and blinkered thinking getting in the way.

I've done this exercise with hundreds and hundreds of people and have always found you can jot down 20, 50, or even 100 ways of linking two things together.

The more you find, the stronger the link, and the easier it becomes! The key is to open your mind and not evaluate what you are writing. Go through all seven areas of your life: mental, physical, spiritual, social, financial, vocational and family.

And ask yourself, "how does it help me mentally?", "how does it help me physically?", and so on. This is a very powerful exercise that helps with the difficult stuff.

By linking to something of a higher value which you are naturally motivated to do, it becomes more purposeful and powerful. It's like opening the spinnaker on a sail boat. It gives you an immediate turbo boost by turning it from an arduous "have to", to a wondrous "want to!"

5. Get Comfortable in Your Discomfort It's so easy to back off in the face of discomfort and find yourself mouthing the words - "I can't!"

But that's where courage and trust steps in.

It's all about letting go of control and the limiting thoughts that flood your mind. The fastest and easiest way to do this is through a simple balance (or lack of balance) exercise we learned at boxing.

Grab a tennis ball and find a small area where you can twirl free from obstacles. Start bouncing the ball with your hand, then slowly spin yourself around the ball speeding up as much as you

can. Observe the feeling in your body and the thoughts going through your head. Most people try to control the spin and the ball, then they realize they can't!

This, along with the spinning sensation, throws you into immediate discomfort. Many will abort the exercise because it's so confronting to feel this out of control.

What I can promise you is, that when you let go of your mind chatter, relax into the spin and stop trying to consciously control what you are doing, your body will find its own equilibrium.

Not surprisingly, your spins become more rhythmic and flowing when you let go of all control.

This exercise is brilliant for helping you let go, increasing your underlying trust, building courage and creating a sense of comfort in uncomfortable situations. These are all essential capabilities, not just for fitness and exercise, but for living a full and vibrant life. Something we all aspire too!

6. Will, Willing, Won't Create an "internal contract" with yourself and commit to very little!

The Will, Willing, Won't Technique is essential for clarity and helps stop you from over committing, becoming overwhelmed or feeling burdened from your "incompletes".

Here's how it works: WILL DO Identify 3 or 4 commitments that become your "non-negotiables". These become your primary focus and what you do first.

Mine are currently, 2-3km soft sand running with the pups, 8 minutes of skipping, and a 12 minute mini circuit.

WILLING TO These form the "like to", "might do" bucket. A bit like a wish list with no obligation, so they become totally guilt free!

When structured and viewed this way, these activities do not consume precious mental energy!

The bonus is a clear mental space free of burden!

Currently my "Willing Tos" are doing a couple of online Zumba or Sweaty Betty classes each week.

WON'T Identifying what you don't have the capacity to do is so liberating. It's permission to let go of mind clutter which means even more clear space to focus on the important things.

On the road I don't have access to a regular boxing gym. So I don't compare and compete with what I used to do. I adapt and use what's available in my house sit. I know I WON'T do external gym sessions or organized events. So I give myself a free pass and let go of any guilt.

7. App It For Habits Accountability and visually seeing your progress increases the likelihood of creating new healthy habits.

Phone Apps also eliminate costly gym fees or online programs. Who needs a physical instructor or coach when you can access your own "virtual gym".

Check out the resources list in my "Favorite Fitness Finds" on the next page, for a few tried and tested options to get you back into shape.

8. Beginners Mindset Leave judgement at the door! Often we have really high expectations which we judge ourselves against. The result is we brand ourselves as failures whenever we stumble or fall.

The most important thing is to get up and keep going at your own pace. Think of a child learning to walk. When they fall, they don't berate themselves. Instead they giggle and roll around happily trying to discover how to get up again.

So, when you're learning something new, or you're transitioning to a new way of living, take delight in adopting a beginners mindset. Give yourself permission to stumble, wobble, look like a glorious mess, then get up and go again!

Try not to place enormous expectations around mastering the practice immediately. Most importantly, have a laugh and release all that tense energy! Otherwise you are just building a pressurized situation.

We all know what happens when we build pressure without a release valve... it leads to melt down or worse, an explosion!

9. Healthy Venting Exercise is the best healthy venting scenario you'll find.

I don't mean to be crass, but you can "spew" all those junk thoughts and toxic energy in a safe non harmful way, leaving your body and mind more relaxed and at peace. This is motivation alone. Combined with the added benefit of a more restful night's sleep... how can you resist!

10. Make Exercise a Way of Life Being more active can be as simple as a series of choices that become a way of life.

Try these simple adjustments to increase the number of steps you take a day:

     

avoid travelators in airports walk or bike to the shops do arm lifts with your shopping on your way home when waiting in a line or hanging at an airport do neck stretches, shoulder rotations and knee bends if you do a lot of bus travel get off a couple of stops early and walk the rest of the way hang the washing out instead of using a dryer!

There are so many easy alternatives to get you moving... have some fun and be creative!

How do you make exercise work for you when you're on the road?

Jenny Lincoln is a Human Behaviour Specialist traveling and house sitting her way around the world.

Her teachings help open the hearts and minds of those seeking to live a true and authentic life.

Her practices enable people to create courage so they can move beyond limited thinking and fear based actions, to the expansive space of open-hearted leadership and living.

You can catch her on Instagram and her new website is coming soon.

FAVORITE FITNESS FINDS

by Jenny Lincoln

There are endless resources and ideas in the fitness space. Too much choice can lead to becoming overwhelmed and indecision takes hold, so we asked our House Sitting Magazine Facebook community what resources they use.

Here is a proven short list of what works for us nomadic types.

Fitness Accessories Light weight, low space accessories are key when you are restricted to 20kgs of luggage. So think plastic / nylon jump rope, resistance bands or folding yoga mat.

Don't forget, carrying your backpack and lifting your suitcase is all great weight training!

Elly McGuinness has a great post on Resistance Band workouts you can try https://ellymcguinness.com/blog/exercise-resistance-bands/

Fitness Accessories Light weight, low space accessories are key when you are restricted to 20kgs of luggage. So think plastic / nylon jump rope, resistance bands or folding yoga mat.

Don't forget, carrying your backpack and lifting your suitcase is all great weight training!

Elly McGuinness has a great post on Resistance Band workouts you can try https://ellymcguinness.com/blog/exercise-resistance-bands/

Outdoor Fitness Hiring a bike, hiking a mountain, running with the pups, swimming and kayaking were all favorites within our community. Exploring your local area or finding a free walking tour gets you moving and adds to a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Low Intensity Walking the dogs, Qi Gong and Tai Chi were all popular.

High Intensity Comprehensive weight training program, Cross Fit, boxing, kick boxing, Tae Kwon Do and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) are slightly more hard core.

For easy examples of HIIT check out http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/high-intensity-hiitworkout/

Fun with Friends or Locals Shooting hoops, Zumba in the park, dancing, soccer, walking groups, Parkruns, cycle routes there is so much on offer. Check out local Meet Up groups and libraries for what is around.

Fitness Apps Fitness Apps make it so much easier to "just do it" anywhere any time! These ones have simple instructions and tracking screens to help you stay motivated. They also have online communities you can join for sharing and caring.

   

7 Minute Workout Challenge (free) 30 Day Fitness Challenge (free) Body Weight Training: You are your own gym ($7.99) Fitbit (free)

Online Programs There are some really fabulous high quality free programs available to try: Sweaty Betty - a free range of bum, abs & beach body routines http://www.sweatybetty.com/au/free-online-workout-videos/ Do Yoga With Me - free classes and poses DoYogaWithMe.com Turbulance Training on YouTube - excellent 4 to 10 minute body weight strengthening exercises https://www.youtube.com/user/cbathletics eFit30 on YouTube - 30 minute pilates and yoga classes for when you cant get to the gym https://www.youtube.com/user/efit30/videos Laughter Yoga - they have a free guide you can download https://laughteryoga.org/ Romwood - for athletes to optimize their range of motion. They have a 7 day free trial http://Romwood.com

Follow Your Own Inner Guidance Too often we are swayed by what other people think. When it comes to fitness, it is really what feels right for you, so listen and follow your gut instinct. When you act upon that guidance you will connect with like-minded / hearted people.

Try not to do it the other the way around and follow group think, you will only compromise yourself. Self-compromise, along with over investment in others, is the seed of resentment.

Resentment is there to wake you up to your own needs so you can honor them.

So get out and get active ... step away from that laptop! As digital nomads we can spend way too much time sitting and not moving. Explore and experiment to find what feels right for you.

And remember ... life is a smörgåsbord… waiting to be tasted!

Finally, a big THANK YOU to everyone in the House Sitting Magazine Facebook Group who contributed their suggestions for fitness on the road.

TRUST ME, I'M A HOUSE SITTER!

by Vanessa Anderson

You've never met me before. I've contacted you online, and I'm offering to come and look after your home, all your worldly possessions, and your precious pets, while you go away on vacation.

I'm asking you to trust me - to have a firm belief in my reliability, honesty and integrity and to have faith that when you return, everything will be just as you left it.

"Yeah right!" I hear you saying incredulously.

"Sorry but that's just not going to happen!"

Yet, that's exactly what thousands of home owners do every year when they entrust pretty much everything they own to house or pet sitters.

I have to admit, it does sound a little crazy.

But… doesn't it also sound appealing to have someone look after your home and care for your pets, giving you the opportunity to go away on a well earned holiday?

I understand, it's a dilemma It's one that we too debated long and hard before first using house sitters to look after our island home in Panama. Our rescue dog, Campesino, was "Head of Island Security". Sadly it was in name only, and he didn't really have the stamina to see off the local indigenous Indians, who were keen on "active recycling" whenever we left the property for a visa run or to visit friends and family.

What is trust and is it the stuff of good house sitting relationships?

Trust is a synthesis of attributes and for some, difficult to come to terms with.

We're told, and I believe it to be true, that good relationships are built on the trust. But, it takes time to develop, and let's face it, you are usually only around for a quick handover when the house sitters arrive at the beginning of the sit.

That's hardly enough time to build a first impression, let alone a lasting relationship founded on trust!

What I'm going to tell you now might sound shocking, but it's undeniably true…

Despite all this, house sitting works.

It's safe; it's an awesome exchange of trust; and it invariably results in a win-win-win outcome delighted home owners, joyful house sitters and contented pets!

Doesn't it sometimes go wrong?

OK I know what's coming next. We hear this all the time, "But what about the house sits that go wrong?"

Compared to the number that go right, the bad sits are miniscule in number. As is generally the

case, it's the negative that gets highlighted and there's usually a reason why something went awry.

You see, professional international house sitters take their work... yes they see it as work... very seriously. There are unspoken rules of house sitting, and ways to minimize any potential problems, but you have to follow professional advice for securing your sitter too.

By this I mean, don't pop into a Facebook Group and ask for a house sitter like you're selling an old car on Craigsist or eBay! I'm serious, we see ads like this all the time: "I need a house sitter in June, for 3 weeks to look after my remote property in Costa Rica, with 4 dogs, 3 cats and a pool."

And that's it.

You might just as well say: "I'm off on holiday for 3 weeks, really don't care who comes to look after my beautiful home and pets, as long as someone comes! Oh and bring your friends, there's a great pool for partying."

Approach House Sitting Professionally Now obviously, I'm exaggerating. But, if you want things to go well from the start, then do things professionally. That means do as 95% of other home owners, and select your sitter from a reputable, professional house sitting platform!

I'm a little embarrassed to say that when we started out, we did it wrong.

Unaware that there was even a house sitting community to approach, we accepted an offer to look after our home from a young traveler who'd made his home temporarily in Panama.

Unimpressed by the remoteness of our island, and the lack of entertainment, he made his own, usually somewhere else far from our property, which was left unoccupied and vulnerable to theft! And our dog, Campesino, was left to fend for himself.

We learned our lesson quickly.

How To Overcome Your Trust Issues So if house sitting works, and it really does, how do people overcome their trust issues?

Well, as I said, you must approach this professionally. Follow a series of proven procedures so you can confidently select house sitters who'll do all that they can to ensure you have a stressfree time away.

Most importantly, for you and your sitters, carefully address the issue of expectations. You both need to know each other's expectations and be able to meet them. If you are new to house sitting, here's a great article that highlights what some of those expectations might include: https://housesittingmagazine.com/house-sitting-expectations-thats-unrealistic/

Some other ways you can ensure that your house sit will go smoothly are listed below.           

Always use a professional house sitting platform Make a list of all the essential skills required to look after your home and pets Be honest about your own expectations Think about what you are offering the house sitter Be totally upfront when you create your listing Provide photographs of the pets and the property Select you sitters based on relevant skills, experience and verifiable references ALWAYS Skype or meet with house sitters before accepting Trust your gut and be mindful of any red light moments Allow enough time for a thorough handover Take the time to create an information pack or home book for your sitters

If you follow this advice, and use the services of a professional house sitting platform, you really can't go wrong.

We've been house sitting continuously now for 4 years. We've seen so many people's lives transformed by the selfless exchange between home owners and sitters, that we can say with certainty it's a highly valued service all over the world.

Trust me, I know!

9 PET QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE A PET SITTING JOB

by Lannie Norris

House sitting is an amazing job that comes with lots of perks and interesting aspects, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. When you add pets into the mix, things get even more complicated.

You'll have tasks to perform each day, notes to remember, and a living creature who's relying on you for their care.

Your next pet sitting job will go much more smoothly if you remember to ask these important questions before you say "yes" to the gig.

1. How Many Pets Are There?

This seems like the most basic information, but you don't want any surprises when you arrive.

Ask the owner to list all of their pets, including their ages, and ask them to include animals in cages or aquariums. Dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and fish are the most common pets, but you'll want to know if the owner has a pet spider or rat in the home.

2. What Is the Pet's Temperament?

Just like people, animals all have different personalities and temperaments. No one knows this better than the owner. Ask them to describe the pets' behaviors -- are they shy? Mischievous?

Skittish? Attention-seeking? Are they scared of thunderstorms? Do they like children? If the home has multiple pets, do they get along well?

Some pets are easier to care for than others. You may expect a Labrador with a laid-back personality but show up to find a 70lb ball of energy.

3. What Training Techniques Does the Owner Use? Every owner trains their pets differently -- and some don't train at all. That's why you should ask. Does the owner discipline their pets for misbehaving? Do they offer treats as rewards for good behavior? Are there any specific "tricks" they're currently trying to teach a pet?

If so, you may be expected to continue the training while the owner is away. You may also find that the pet knows lots of helpful commands, which should make your job a bit easier.

4. Does the Pet Have Any Medical Issues or Allergies?

Most owners will let you know if a pet has a serious health condition, but you should probably know about smaller issues, too. For example, some dogs are prone to developing a skin condition called contact dermatitis, which is normally caused by a mild allergy. It's usually not a serious condition, but it can catch you off-guard if you're unaware that it's an ongoing issue.

You can save yourself a bit of stress and possibly a vet visit if you ask about problems like these in advance.

5. Does the Pet Take Any Medications?

While you're asking about medical issues, you should also inquire about medications. The owner may need you to dispense prescription drugs, and you'll need dosing information.

Some medications, like Heartgard for dogs, are easy to give because pets are happy to gobble them up. Others, like hard pills, may need a bit more creativity (for example, wrapping the pill in a piece of lunch meat).

The owners can tell you which method has worked best in the past.

6. What Should You Do in an Emergency?

Emergency situations are rare when you're pet sitting, but they can happen and you need to be prepared.

Obviously, if a pet gets sick while in your care, you should rush them to the nearest vet, but which vet does the owner use? Is the clinic open after hours? Where is the closest emergency animal hospital? Are the pets insured, and if not how will you pay for treatment?

These are all questions you need to know quickly in an emergency, so write the answers down and keep them in a safe place while you're pet sitting.

7. Are Pets Up-to-Date on Vaccinations?

At the very least, dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies for their own safety and for yours. (This may vary country to country). However, there are other vaccines available for pets, and you should know about these, too.

Ask the owner for a list of the animals' most recent vaccines. You can keep this information with your emergency contact list; the vet may ask for it before recommending treatment at an emergency visit.

8. What Is the Pet's Daily Routine?

Most pets have a regular daily routine. You should ask about:        

Meal times Average number of walks per day (and approximate times) Whether walks are leashed or unleashed Sleeping area and habits Are pets fully house trained, what are there toilet habits?

Bathing schedule (if needed during your stay) Play times Other regular socialization

Pets are usually attached to their owners and may be lonely during your stay, but you can help ease the transition by sticking to their normal routine.

9. Is There Anything Else You Should Know?

While nearly everything important should be answered by these questions, there may be something the owner should mention that is specific to their pet or their home.

By asking for any other pertinent information, you'll help ensure that there are no surprises during your stay.

Pet sitting is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, but it also carries a lot of responsibility. When you take the time to ask these questions, you'll gain valuable insight into your future job and possibly even impress the pet owners with your thoroughness, as well.

NOMADIC INTERVIEWS Talking with Agness & Cez of eTramping We often talk to people who changed their lifestyle a little later in life, sometimes through choice and occasionally through necessity. But Agness and Cez are different in that they pretty much started their careers by thinking outside the box.

Agness and Cez met at university and discovered their similar passion for travel. Three years later in 2011 they were inspired to create a nomadic lifestyle and roaming income, not long after graduating. Agness set off first on her own to teach English in China, and Cez followed on six months later.

They've since created a number of successful travel and fitness blogs - runagnessrun.com and fittravelling.com and now make their income as "influencers" and "brand ambassadors".

Their website eTramping is rated as the 4th best budget travel blog according to USA Today (2016).

We wanted to find out more about their lifestyle choices and how they sustain their digital nomad lifestyle.

Let's start with Agness You ditched your 9-5 job six years ago now - what was your job and what prompted you to think "that's it, I'm out of here" ?

I was originally working in Amsterdam in an office job. I liked it. In fact, I loved living in Amsterdam. The problem was that I've always had the travel bug and getting it out of my system just wasn't possible. I guess at one point I just couldn't stay in the same place any longer and that's when I said, "That's it, I'm out of here."

Was it a spontaneous decision or did you create your "escape plan" over time?

I guess that it was a gradual decision. I mean, you can't uproot your life in an instant unless you're running away from something, I think. I wasn't running away, I was running towards.

The idea had been with me for a while, the back of my mind working on different solutions, but I guess at some point it changed over to reality. Between that point and actually leaving, I guess it was pretty short, but definitely not "overnight".

Looking back would you have done anything differently?

I don't think I would have. I love the way things have turned out; warts and all.

What's the hardest thing about living and traveling with someone 24/7?

The incessant speaking! Hahaha. No, it's pretty great actually. Sometimes we need our own space so we go off and do our own thing, but in general, things are pretty easy. We don't really ever fight, we don't bicker, and we're lucky enough to have similar interests.

How often do you go home to visit family and friends?

At the moment, we're staying in Gdansk, so we're pretty close to our families. Plus, I just went on a trip around Europe with my mom together. We don't always have to see our families back in Poland. Why not meet halfway?

You mention that running and fitness are your passions. What does your weekly fitness routine look like when you are on the road traveling?

I try to keep up with at least doing some stretches. This was great on my recent trip with my mom because she tried to join in. There we were on a hotel balcony in this place called San Giovanni Rotondo, stretching in the morning light. Perfect.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be tough as a digital nomad, how can your websites FitTravelling.com and RunAgnessRun.com help others?

I think that those websites were about getting some of the stuff we were doing down on paper.

It's great to be able to share experiences and advice on things with other travelers. Since we were already doing it, why not help others? I guess that the added followers giving us support also didn't hurt, right?

Over to Cez What was your eureka moment that made you take action and leave the "security" of your job in banking?

The whole point of banking, for me, was to become secure enough that I would be able to travel. It's a strange thought that the job I had taken due to its security, still wasn't secure enough.

Eventually, I realized that I was never going to be secure enough. I was never going to have enough money to just travel freely. That's when I knew I needed to change; that's when I had the epiphany.

In the beginning you and Agness became experts in become experts in traveling for less than $25 US a day. Was there anything you missed from your old life while sticking to this budget?

There's always something extra special about a budget traveling experience that is a little harder; a little more dangerous. I miss that thrill and excitement now we don't have to live on $25 a day, but I also don't miss it. I love the "security" we now have, but sometimes I do feel that the stories can fall flat without that added dimension.

How did your roaming income evolve? Did you find it difficult to get started and how long was it before you attained a level of success you were happy with?

It took a long time to build up. We started with Instagram and then put together some articles on a blog, finally deciding to take it seriously. We dedicated a lot of time to the blog and to creating content which was interesting. It took several years until we were able to live off the income from it. Several years in which we had to fund the traveling lifestyle ourselves.

Do you LIKE or LOVE your nomadic lifestyle?

I LOVE it and I also love sharing it with the rest of the world through our Instagram, Facebook and Pepo.

Are there any particular challenges in your life now that wouldn't have existed in your previous life?

Seeing family and friends. Being so Nomadic, it isn't really possible to settle down and find friends. I think one day it will have to happen, but that day is not today; or tomorrow.

Mac or PC for work and why?

That's a tough one, both have their advantages. I'm not sure I can really say.

Both: Living, Working and traveling as nomads How did your families react to you quitting your jobs to live a nomadic lifestyle?

They were both very supportive. Of course, in the beginning, we were also working in other jobs overseas. So, it wasn't like we just one day said that we were going to starting living by travelling around the world. We said we were going to start living in another country for a while.

Tell us about a cool assignment you've secured as brand ambassadors One of the coolest assignments we had was checking out the Hobbiton Movie Experience. It was a really awesome experience and I (Agness) made a lot of jokes about how Cez was a giant.

Cez was particularly happy to go here though because he loves the series. He had read all the books, seen all the films. To actually be here was a dream come true for him.

Do you have a "typical" work week and do you think you put in more or less hours than before?

We have got a typical work week. Every day we have to spend at least an hour online checking through anything which has happened on the site, replying to comments, and generally trying to work on promoting ourselves. We probably work fewer hours than before, but it can be a lot more stressful.

Do you use a VA or anyone to help with your business? I can't imagine how many emails you get with 33,000 unique visitors a month!!

That's a secret and one which we plan to hold onto for another few years (Cez doesn't have 8 arms though).

Which has been the best value location for living and working as a digital nomad?

South East Asia is probably the best. Great value and a great experience.

How do you decide where next to travel?

We base all of our choices on where we want to go. If we don't want to go to a place, we don't go. We also have a tendency to "wing it". For instance, when we were traveling around Europe, we happened upon a small town called Bergheim and decide to stay there for a while.

What types of accommodation do you live in?

It depends on what the trip is for. Sometimes we are asked to stay at a hotel, other times we feel more like bunking down in a hostel or cheaper place. We even spent one night in the car when we were traveling around Europe!

Have you ever considered house sitting?

That's an interesting idea. We'll have to look into that. I think that it's definitely a possibility.

What's one food from your travels you'd recommend everyone tries?

Chinese Chou Doufu. It will give you a story you'll never forget.

What's the strangest ever interaction with another person while traveling?

One of the strangest interactions – but also the best - was probably whilst we were staying at an Airbnb a while back. The host was this incredibly well-traveled guy who just shared amazing stories about where he had been and what he had done. It was great to be on the other end and listening to everything, but it also felt strange.

Finally...

Do you ever think about the future and what it will hold for you as digital nomads, in say 10 years time?

We both think about the future, but I don't think that we have any solid plans. Traveling is all about going where life takes you and that's exactly what we're going to do.

DESTINATIONS Countries Beginning With "A" We started a thread in the House Sitting Magazine Group that asks members to recommend their favorite travel destinations, tips and house sitting advice (if they have any) for that location. We do this each time by sequential letter of the alphabet.

Here's what they have to say about Argentina, Andorra, Austria and Australia! It seems that Perth, and the surrounding area is top of the list for many visiting Australia!

Argentina Doug Dyer: If you are going to Argentina, Iguazu Falls is a must. They have great overnight buses from Buenos Aires. I was fortunate to see the full moon rise over the falls.

Andrea Jordan: Money Tip - Be prepared for low limits on the amount of cash that you can get out from ATMs. About US$200 per withdrawal was the maximum.

Andorra Yvonne Bauche: We went to Andorra to escape the heat in Spain, summer of 2012. We stayed in a tiny little ski resort. Off season of course, it was great! Very quiet with long walks in flower filled meadows. Tinkling cow bells and buzzing bees. Loved it! Only thing not so good was their local wine.

Vanessa Anderson: I love how close Andorra is to France and Spain - you can drive out of Andorra into Spain and along the Pyrenees, and back thru various passes or tunnels into France, or vice versa. Careful if you suffer from vertigo!! Don't go in the icy snow covered winter months. Some of the roads are pretty hairy. The Pyrenees are my favorite European mountains because far less touristy and much less expensive than the Alps.

Austria Betsy Wuebker: When in Vienna, many visitors are disappointed at the lack of available tickets (or their unaffordable price-tag), for the Spanish Riding School's famed, formal productions with the world-renowned Lipizzaner horses. You can have a much more intimate, inexpensive and casual experience if you look on their website for "morning exercise with music." These times are open to ticket holders in the arena balconies. Be warned, tickets sell out fast, so you'll need to stalk the website for your desired dates.

Ian Usher: In Vienna we found out that the city bicycles are FREE to use for half-an-hour at a time. You have to register to use them, I think with a credit card. As long as you return bikes to one of the locations before 30 minutes is up, you don't get charged. Then you can take another for the next leg of the journey. We spent a fun day exploring like this.

Australia Vanessa Anderson: I was totally blown away by the Victorian Alps, a three hour drive north of Melbourne. Small towns like Beechworth, Bright and Myrtleford are all well worth a visit. Great hiking in the mountains, cycling and swimming in pristine rivers and lakes. Go on the night time ghost tour of the old psychiatric hospital in Beechworth - thought I'd hate it, but was fascinating, especially as we had a huge thunderstorm!

Karen Pecksen: We also enjoyed those same small towns Vanessa mentioned. We drove "The Great Ocean Road" and loved it. We took over a week driving along the coastline and stopped at every little town and village along the way. One cannot do Australia properly without doing the Great Barrier Reef. We went diving from a live-aboard for a week and couldn't believe our luck at the marine life we were able to experience.

Marg Dennis: As a local I'm probably bias, but too many visitors don't get a chance to go to The Kimberley region in Western Australia. This region is absolutely stunning with its natural beauty and remoteness. Especially Gibb River Road from Broome (feature image) to Kununurra.

We have traveled extensively throughout the world and not found anything quite like it. Do it if you ever get the chance.

Jodie Burnham: Absolutely agree with Marg. The Kimberley is truly spectacular and I am so blessed to have experienced different parts of it on two different occasions. A follow on "camping tour" with a group of 4WD's would be a hoot. Have thought of organizing something like this for sometime in the future, if we could gather a group of our house sitting buddies together.

Betsy Wuebker: We felt adventurous house sitting a bit off the traditional visitor path in Toowoomba (west of Brisbane) and Darwin. We are history buffs so took the time to research and visit places integral to the back story in both locations. These sits gave us a peek into how traditions and lifestyle evolved and integrated, which enriched our impressions of "everyday Australia."

Ian Usher: I lived in Perth (city image above) on the west coast for 7 years. So many people go to Melbourne or Sydney, but never get to see the beautiful Sunset Coast. Perth is a very laid back, easy-going city with some beautiful beaches, and fantastic weather.

Toni Bielech Farmer: We spent a week on the coast in Busselton on the West Coast. Lovely and peaceful. Gorgeous calm, clear waters.

Andrew Redfern: Spent time in places we never thought we would get the opportunity to spend any length of time exploring. A month in Darwin, 2 months on Mount Tamborine, a few days in Alpine, NSW, as well as various suburbs in Sydney. Cost of living is expensive so house sitting is a great way to reduce costs. We tracked about $70AUD per day for two of us.

April Sondag: I spent most of my time in Adelaide. But I also went to Melbourne and Sydney.

It's an amazing story. 33 years ago, I was taking French in school and it was suggested that we get pen pals. I got two. One in France and one in Murray Bridge, Australia. My pen pal from France and I stayed in touch until we were about 19. But my Australian friend and I never lost contact. We both got married around the same time and unfortunately, we both lost our mothers around the same time too. I was FINALLY able to go and spend a whole month with her and her family. It was magic!

Debbie Wood: Our first sit was in Perth, Australia, which was also our first visit to the country such an amazing place, and Perth is a beautiful city. One of the highlights was our boat being chased by a number of dolphins on our way to Penguin Island. Magical memories!

Hope you find some travel inspiration!

HOW TRAVEL CAN REDESIGN YOUR BRAIN

by Vanessa Anderson

As you move beyond your more productive years, do you find yourself worrying about those momentary memory lapses?

Perhaps you notice an occasional lack of clarity or find it difficult to come up with new and innovative ideas?

Age can certainly affect our cognitive skills but is there a deeper worry that we are slowly losing our minds to something more sinister like dementia?

Like me, have you been conditioned to believe that your brain is on a slow downward spiral towards ineffective thinking or worse afflictions?

I certainly believed the science I was taught many years ago, that my brain will slowly deteriorate as I grow older.

The brain CAN redesign itself regardless of age!

That was until the moment I discovered Australian, Todd Sampson and his TV series about neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to redesign itself regardless of age!

Todd Sampson explains how brain plasticity can be improved in the Australian TV program "Redesign Your Brain" It was a revelation and a welcome one at that. I'm semi retired now through choice, although I prefer to describe myself as a "global digital nomad" – a long term traveler who chooses to work a little, and live a lot – and in that order!

A mental gymnasium for the mind But, I do sometimes worry that my thought processes aren't quite as sharp as when I worked in a corporate environment. However, I've now realized, that with a little effort I can improve my failing memory, think faster and become more creative. By using some simple brain training exercises, I can sign myself up to a mental gymnasium for the mind that will enhance my brain's neuroplasticity irreversibly!

I'm not talking about an annual subscription to Lumosity – the popular brain training exercise program. What I learned from Todd, was that through day to day problem solving, real time challenges, visualization, mental stimulation and other creative exercises, it's possible to reawaken parts of the brain that have fallen into an ineffective slumber.

OK, in Todd's case he was highly motivated by challenging activities and timelines. But he demonstrated outstanding determination with incredible results.

Mulling over the implications of this remarkable science, my eyes were opened to how my nonconformist, traveling lifestyle, has in fact already had a positive effect on my brain's design.

Since leaving my mediocre life in London 4 years ago and embarking on a long term house sitting and travel adventure, I've begun to stimulate my brain quite naturally.

Through the process of perpetual change and survival in new and different cultures and challenging environments, my brain has redesigned itself without me even noticing.

Travel plays a big part in stretching the brain beyond itself, but adapting to a new culture pushes it into another sphere altogether.

Here are some of the ways travel has redesigned my brain.

Adaptability When traveling or living in a new culture, adaptability is probably the biggest challenge you'll face. Becoming mobile and leaving behind the security of your home and community automatically exposes you to a world of unknown probabilities.

As part of my travels I spent a year teaching in China. I moved to Shenzhen, a city on mainland China, and living and working there is so totally different to any western society. Language, values, thought processes, social interaction, food. Absolutely everything is alien and unknown.

Our thought processes get fixed by our environment, and if you can't be flexible and embrace everything that's new, you'll quickly find yourself frustrated and longing for home.

To be in Shenzhen was like being a small child in a strange new life, learning once again how to commune and interact with other human beings. This in itself was refreshing and put me back in touch with my innocence and vulnerability.

Awareness In Shenzhen, a simple task like walking to the bus stop quickly triggered a heightened state of awareness. Streets and paths are uneven – I walked without the assurance of smoothly paved roads. I learned to negotiate building sites with towering cranes, swinging their loads precariously overhead. Health and safety has little credibility in China where people still take responsibility for their own well being.

Crossing the road definitely improved peripheral vision. I had to look in every direction at once, and continue to do so to avoid the electric bikes, traveling fearlessly on the wrong side of the road.

There are 15+ million people to avoid bumping into – most of whom are so glued to their mobile phones and WeChat messaging that they don't see you approaching. Miraculously they have developed an instinctive radar system to avoid collision. Perhaps that's brain plasticity in action!

Shopping at markets and street sellers required another level of super awareness. Skilled vendors have an amazing aptitude for sleight of hand. How else could I buy two small pieces of fish, but pay for and receive an inedible and weighty fish head? I learned to talk, work out payments and watch the weighing scales, all at the same time!

In the west I had stopped taking responsibility for my own safety – in China it's a necessity and it reignited my innate sense of fear, ensuring I survived in a world without legal reassurances should an accident occur. I've re-learned how to survive, and it's actually a good feeling!

Problem solving Using public transport in new and different locations certainly draws on and improves your problem solving skills. Especially when everything is in an illegible language that can't easily be translated. You have to come up with a different approach to extract information.

In Shenzhen, working out bus routes was like a huge reality puzzle. We walked the streets, photographed bus stops and listed bus numbers. These were cross referenced to different points around the city. Gradually we uncovered the routes that would take us to work by the quickest most efficient journey.

But, there was so much more than this. We still had to work out ways to resolve simple problems like buying products online, booking tickets, using a washing machine, and all sorts of other day to day situations.

We were teaching in China for a year to top up our funds. Working out ways to impart language to students with a totally different alphabet also stretches the brain to think more creatively.

Someone told me that the Asian mind works in a spiral and the western mind is more linear. It takes some unique thinking to find the middle ground on which to share language and ideas.

However, by persevering, I had some of the most open and amazing conversations ever.

Creativity When you lose the ability to communicate verbally, it becomes necessary to find another way to express yourself. Of course, you'll try to learn the language, or at least enough to get you by – but that's no easy feat in China.

Learning Mandarin is tough. At best you might learn three or four words or phrases in a one hour lesson. That doesn't guarantee either that you'll be able to read, recognize or write the characters.

In what can sometimes feel akin to a "life and death" situation, creativity quickly kicks in. I developed sign language, the ability to sketch, and ingenious ways of using technology to get me by day-to-day.

This creativity developed to the degree that, in the absence of speech, I seemed to have acquired the ability to "know" intuitively what was being said to me. My brain interpreted facial expressions, body language, sounds and environmental indicators without me knowing or trying.

I could have a "conversation" on a bus where I'd do nothing more than nod, smile and make verbal acknowledgments. All of these appeared to be acceptable, but even more astonishingly, acceptable as the "correct answers".

For my part I also knew instinctively what I was being asked or told. And, because my brain could make no sense whatsoever of what is being said, it seems content to communicate in this simple way. When I observed this phenomenon, it really struck home to me how unbelievably skilled the brain is at adapting itself for survival.

More vital, more awake and more fulfilled Since starting out on my great life adventure, I have felt more vital, more awake and more fulfilled than ever before in my life. Any form of long term travel will expose you to some or all of the challenges I've mentioned.

House sitting also offers continual opportunities to adapt, be creative and challenge yourself as you deal with new homes, new tasks and different people and pets.

These situations have a positive effect – they keep you on your toes, reawaken your mind and allow you to fully appreciate the amazing opportunities in your new environment.

Dealing with change and constant adaptation, along with reshaping your thoughts and views on life, will no doubt help you stay smarter, brighter and more able to enjoy and fully experience all the wonders that our world has to offer.

You'll not only redesign your brain, you'll also redesign your limits!

Have you noticed any ways that your brain has redesigned itself through travel experiences?

If you'd like to read more about Todd Sampson and the TV Series "Redesign your brain", click here: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/redesign-my-brain-with-todd-sampson/

WHEN A PENSION ISN'T ENOUGH Regaining health and creating an income

by Lara Johns Plogman My husband Ron and I retired early. We had some health issues to consider, but we also determined that working and maintaining our existing lifestyle in the US for another ten years, wouldn't get us much further ahead financially, compared to where we were at that time.

So, we followed our dream and sold or gave away everything we owned to take the leap into full time house sitting. We chose the countries where we wanted to start house sitting based partially on the cost of living.

Our current house sit is a long-term position in Bocas Del Toro, Panama, and we are extremely happy here. However, living in an area where we need our own boat has added some unexpected expenses. We've also exceeded our entertainment budget on more than one occasion, since we have more time to socialize now.

Time to get healthy… and make some money We needed to build up our savings and began searching for ways to increase our income by $500 US per month, to give us some flexibility. We knew finding a way to make money online was our best option.

One of our other goals during retirement was to get healthy. I was overweight with Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, type 2 Diabetes, anxiety, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver and hip bursitis. It was taking me an hour just to sort my medications into my pill box each week.

My husband Ron was overweight and suffering from thyroid issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis.

We were a mess, and we knew we needed to take aggressive action to change things. Ron and I tried to figure out a way that could help us both financially and physically.

Years earlier (before I had to start taking steroids for Crohn's Disease), I'd lost some weight with the hCG diet and did a decent job of keeping the pounds off for over a year. I had not stuck with the diet long enough to reach my goal weight, but I did see a noticeable difference. And I felt much better.

It wasn't an easy diet, but it worked for me. I started doing my research on the diet again and was excited to discover that there were new protocols that are healthier and easier than they were when I did the diet years earlier.

After researching and comparing, I chose a protocol that worked so well for me that I lost 75 pounds in seven months. I was thrilled. And when I returned to the states for a visit and saw my doctor for a checkup he brought in the other doctors to come see the changes in my health.

Off the meds and free from diabetes I cried like a baby when he told me (in front of the other doctors) that by losing weight I had cured myself of the diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fatty liver. And since I was no longer having problems with my fibromyalgia, I could stop taking those meds too. I hadn't reached my goal yet, but I felt like I was back in control of my health.

My husband dieted with me, and he had lost 65 pounds. His doctor pulled him off his thyroid, cholesterol and blood pressure medicines. We were on top of the world and people were taking notice.

So, we figured out a way to earn some income from our weight loss.

We contacted the doctor who wrote the protocol we'd used and who had sold us the hCG. He was excited to work together with us to become affiliates for his company. Within a short time, we were bringing in an extra few hundred dollars per month.

Taking it a step further Ron developed a website and a mobile app for us to become drop shippers for the hCG rather than affiliates. People were coming to our website and seeking us out on social media for advice. As drop shippers our income, after expenses, increased to $1000 per month.

It has only gone up since then!

I had compiled lots of research on the different protocols, as most over-analyzers do. One of the things I noticed when I started my research was that there were no books out there comparing the protocols side by side. I thought maybe I could compile all my research into a book, self-publish it and just see what happens.

Self publishing success I spent the next two months assembling all my notes into the book and writing everything out in easy to understand language for beginner dieters. I also spent a lot of time watching social media groups for hCG dieters to see what kind of questions people were asking over and over. I wanted to address these questions in my book.

At the end of May I released my book "HCG Diet Options: Choosing your own protocol".

That was four months ago and for the last two months I have sold over 100 books per month without any advertising other than through discussions in social media groups. Now it's getting great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. It has also boosted our income by another $600 US per month. $1600 extra income per month has really helped us out financially and the diet has helped us physically. But, we still had a few medical issues that the weight loss hadn't fixed. So, we went back to researching.

Introducing CBD oil A friend recommended my husband look into CBD oil for the arthritis pain in his hands. CBD (Cannabidiol) oil is a cannabis oil that doesn't have the THC. So, you get all the medical benefits from cannabis without having to smoke it or get high.

The more we looked into it, the more excited we got. After researching twenty companies, we tried a couple of different brands and then narrowed it down to one. It was affordable, tasted great, and we were seeing great improvement in our remaining health problems.

Finally sleeping through the night without waking from hip pain, my anxiety was gone, and I had stopped my steroids for the Crohn's disease. I hadn't had a single flare-up since starting the CBD oil, and my husband was a new man with full use of his arthritic hands again.

We looked further in the CBD oil and found that we could sign up to sell it. Yes, it was a multilevel marketing company. We had been there, done that, and weren't looking to do it again.

But we really loved this oil, and selling it would be another great way to earn income online.

Almost a month ago we signed up as independent reps for Hempworx with the intent of just selling product. We haven't reached the one-month mark just yet, but we are already earning $100-$200 per week. We do have recruits under us, but that's only because we have people wanting to duplicate what we are doing to earn money and who love the product as much as we do. We didn't sign up to recruit anyone.

Exceeding our goals Since December of 2016, we have not only lost a combined total of 145 pounds, but as we mentioned earlier, we've finally taken control of our health again. We also exceeded our original goal by increasing our income by $2000 US each month, not the $500 we originally hope for. And that number keeps growing each month.

Our only downside has been that we have to rely on our internet, which is often unstable here on this remote island. We also tend to be on call 24/7 with customer inquiries and social media groups. We have outsourced some of our sales and social media work on the hCG, and even though that has made a small dent in our profits, it has freed up some time for us to enjoy retirement and focus on other things.

I can see us outsourcing more and more as our businesses grow.

As an added bonus, people who have seen our website have asked Ron to develop websites for them and do search engine optimization. It's nice to have the flexibility to pick and choose which jobs he wants to take.

You can get involved too If you are interested in finding out more about the products we sell, please visit the websites below. And, if you are interested in becoming an affiliate with us for hCG (not a multi-level marketing company) or joining us in selling CBD oil, or you have any questions, please contact us at rolatopia@gmail.com.

We're happy to share our resources with fellow house sitters.

Lara and Ron Plogman are a retired couple from San Antonio, Texas, who are currently house sitting full time in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. They have been married for eight years, and in that time have helped raise 47 foster children. They enjoy community theater, motorcycle rides and travel.

Lara's Book: "HCG Diet Options: Choosing your own protocol"

HCG Drops and Diet: http://myhcgwellness.net CBD Oil (to sell MLM): http://www.hempworxbizop.com/mydietwellness

STAYING HEALTHY ON THE ROAD

by Toni Fairman

Travel can throw us out of our routine and create some health challenges that we might not experience at home. This is especially true for those in the house sitting arena that spend the majority of their time away from home.

Being on the road means limited access to first aid supplies and remedies. But, a little advance planning and preparation can save a lot of pain and distraction while on the road. I've put together a list of items that I take with me while traveling.

Always seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe.

About Homeopathic Remedies Homeopathic remedies are great for supporting your body in many situations. They are vibrational, meaning they contain a vibration that can rebalance your body's energy. You just need to choose the one that best matches your symptoms.

They don't suppress symptoms but work with your body to speed healing. Homeopathic remedies work by cancelling out the vibration that is creating the symptom. It's best to stick with potency 6c or 30c unless working with a practitioner.

Potency refers to dilution and the higher the number, the stronger the remedy. Dissolve 3 tablets under your tongue once per hour until symptoms ease up. There are liquid and pellet formulations. I like the pellets that come in small, light weight tubes for travel.

Digestive Distress Each person has a unique colony of flora in the gut that sometimes reacts unfavorable to the food and water consumed in different countries. And then there is good old fashioned food poisoning too that can ruin a trip.

Here are some options for relief.

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and when raw (unpasteurized) contains good bacteria. Taking a couple of teaspoons per day mixed with 4 ounces of water can help to fortify your gut and protect you from bacteria and creepy crawlies (parasites). You may have to purchase this one locally as it is hard to travel with liquids now but do start this before your trip and take a small amount with you if possible.

Homeopathic remedies like Arsenicum album 30c can be helpful in cases of food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramping. Dissolve 3 tablets under your tongue once per hour until symptoms ease up. If this one doesn't help after a few doses, try Carbo vegetabilis 30c or Nux vomica 30c. It's good to have all three on hand.

Essential oils including ginger, peppermint, fennel, coriander, orange, clove, cinnamon, and rosemary may help. Combine one drop of each that you have on hand in a shot glass full of water and drink. Make a ginger tea with ginger essential oil or fresh ginger to sip.

Constipation when away from home is a common problem and can be helped by increasing fiber – an apple a day – or with a few drops of peppermint oil. I carry peppermint oil beadlets (small softgels) that are easy to transport.

Activated charcoal can be used to absorb toxins and move them through the digestive tract.

Follow package instructions.

Probiotics and fermented foods should be part of your regular diet to build a healthy colony of bacteria in your gut. They can also help you recover more quickly after a bout of digestive distress. Purchase one that does not have to be refrigerated for travel.

Dealing with Pain From headaches to sprained ankles, any kind of pain is unpleasant. Here are a few holistic options to try.

The homeopathic remedy Arnica montana 30c is my first choice for pain and inflammation. It is recommended before and after surgical procedures to reduce pain and swelling and can help with any kind of trauma. For nerve pain, like after dental procedures, use Hypericum 30c.

The essential oils lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and rosemary can be applied topically and may provide relief. Peppermint oil applied to the back of the neck is very supportive for headaches.

Lavender oil on a sunburn may provide instant relief.

Always mix essential oils with a small amount of coconut or olive oil before applying to sensitive skin and read the label to see if it is safe to be in the sun after applying.

Colds and Flu The physical stress of travel can lower immunity paving the way for the common cold or even the flu to take hold. Be prepared to support your immune system and head off secondary infections. Taking extra vitamin-C and zinc before a trip can help.

At the first sign of flu symptoms, take the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum (Anas barbariae), ½ tube every 2 hours. Gelsemium 30c is another remedy that supports your body's immune system.

Essential oils are helpful here too. I carry beadlets (small softgels) of OnGuard, a protective blend from doTERRA. You can also diffuse thyme or place a drop under your tongue.

Oregano oil is antibacterial and antiviral. It is like an antibiotic without the harmful side effects.

It can support your body's immune system and is protective of the lungs which may help you avoid a secondary infection from developing. The oil can be used but is difficult to take (very strong taste). I prefer the emulsified oregano oil capsules, labeled ADP, made by Biotics Research. It's the best product I have found for this.

Vitamin C, garlic and zinc are helpful and can usually be obtained locally but take some with you if you have the space.

Stress Stress is an issue on and off the road. It's a part of life. Stress that gets triggered while traveling – fear of missing scheduled departures, discomfort of hours on the road, fear of flying, etc. – can weaken our immunity and create an environment that allows us to get sick.

Be aware of when you're feeling anxious or upset and find a way to reframe or ground yourself.

This will do wonders for your health. I recommend the book Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by Dr. David R. Hawkins to all my clients and make emotional detox the foundation of my practice.

I have found that stress is the underlying cause of most acute and chronic health issues.

When Toni Fairman left the corporate world to stay home and raise her boys, her biggest challenge was figuring out how to feed them a nourishing diet that would properly fuel their growing bodies. She passionately took on the challenge becoming a Nutritional Therapist. She also became a GAPS Certified Practitioner to help those suffering from gut related health issues.

She uses food, supplements, detoxification therapies and essential oils to promote health.

Additionally, Toni has found that the path to health isn’t only about nutrition, but is also about our emotions and beliefs. She incorporates her special gift for relieving emotional distress, which, as everyone knows, can wreak havoc on someone’s physical health, into her work. In a recent interview with a doctor, she was touted as the "Mary Poppins" of energy work.

Toni lives in San Diego with her husband and two sons. For more information, please visit https://tonifairman.com Toni can also be found on Facebook and Youtube.

HOW TO STAY FIT WHILE TRAVELING

by Elly McGuinness Fitness on the road requires foresight and flexibility, but with a few simple ideas and tools up your sleeve, it can certainly be done. There are endless options for exercises that require little or no equipment. There are also so many ways that you can get creative and keep an active lifestyle at the top of your mind.

By the way, from next month, we’ll be highlighting an "exercise of the month" to help you keep moving, wherever you are in the world.

In this article we’re going to focus on helping you to get more consistency in your workout routine while traveling. Let’s get straight into some simple ideas for an active, travel based lifestyle.

Fitness equipment for traveling As mentioned, there are plenty of exercise options that require no equipment at all, so if you’re a very light traveler, you can skip past this one. If you’re willing to carry one or two things that won’t weigh you down too much, then consider the following: Resistance bands. These are a lightweight piece of kit used as an alternative to weights. For strength based fitness goals, these are a fantastic option that allows you to continue with your program when there’s no gym in sight. Consider carrying a couple of different colors so you have appropriate resistance levels for each exercise.

A yoga mat. If you enjoy yoga or Pilates based exercise, a mat is worth considering. Mats can be strapped to the outside of backpacks if needed. Mats are also great for other floor based exercise, such as sit ups, push-ups and back raises. You never know what environment you might end up in for your exercise session, so a mat can provide a useful barrier between yourself and the floor.

A foam roller or trigger point ball. For tight, achy muscles you can’t go past trigger point exercises. Small sized foam rollers can be purchased, and although they don’t weigh much, they do take up a bit of space. For this reason, if you are traveling light you might opt for a trigger point ball to work deep into weary muscles such as the feet and buttocks.

Workout opportunities while traveling There are many opportunities to exercise while you’re on the road. The most important factor when it comes to determining what to do is making sure it is something that you enjoy! Here are some suggestions. See what resonates with you so that you can keep it in mind for your current or future destinations: If you’re staying somewhere for more than a few days, check out what’s on offer in the local area. Most cities and small towns will have a number of different drop-in exercise classes available to suit your preferences, or alternatively drop in sessions for the gym. You can also Google local climbing walls, swimming and sports centers where you’ll be able to hire equipment such as basketballs and tennis rackets.

Get a qualified fitness trainer to set you up with a personalized body-weight workout program that you can do anytime, anywhere. If you have exercise equipment with you, let them know what it is so they can incorporate it into your program.

Learn a five minute stretch routine, such as the one below. This is a dynamic stretch routine that will help you to loosen up after you’ve been traveling for long periods of time.

If you have the opportunity to book accommodation with gym or pool facilities, go for it! It is always easier to stay active when you have options close at hand.

Do an online workout. You Tube is a great place to start looking for online workouts. First decide what type of workout you want to do, then type that into the search bar. For example, you might type something like ‘Pilates workout for beginners’ or ‘Advanced bodyweight workout’, or ‘five minute cardio workout’. The more specific you are about your requirements, the more likely it is that you’ll find something to suit you. After a few sessions you may find particular channels that work well for you, so you can subscribe to them and get notifications when they post new classes.

Find opportunities to stay active while you see the world. In a new area? Find out what trail walks are around, or what mountains you can climb. Could you hire a bike to ride between the vineyards, or to see the city?

The fit traveler’s attitude Traveling has its ups and downs. It can be unpredictable and your plans may change at the last minute. It’s important to have flexibility in your workout plan and adjust as you go. Here are a few final tips to stay on track and keep a positive attitude along the way.

Learn to listen to your body. For low energy days when traveling has drained your energy, select something short and easy that will uplift you. If your body is in a depleted state, a full workout could cause you to feel run down. Opt for an easy stretch or yoga session, or a gentle walk rather than an "all out" workout on these days.

You may experience very busy days where you feel like you can’t fit even five or ten minutes of organized exercise into your day. Instead aim to get better at including incidental exercise into your life.

Incidental exercise is the type of movement that can naturally fit into your day without too much adjustment or effort. Examples include taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, or perhaps doing a set of calf raises while you’re waiting in line to buy a ticket.

If your workout doesn’t go to plan on one particular day, instead think about what you CAN do, and then move on. Tomorrow is another day and missing a planned exercise session doesn’t mean that you need to wait until Monday to start being active again!

As a traveler, you can still set big fitness goals and get excited about working towards them.

Can you enter a half marathon or 10km run/walk event someplace you know you’re going to be in future months? Or perhaps you want to enter an online fitness challenge to help keep you accountable to the results you want to achieve?

What are the ways that you like to stay fit while traveling? Do you have any tips you’d like to share with our readers? We’d love to hear them!

Elly McGuinness has been inspiring people to make sustainable changes to their health, fitness and lifestyle for the past 15 years. She offers online solutions for people who are looking to get started on, or improve their health and fitness. She blogs regularly, writes for a number of health and wellbeing publications and is the published author of a holistic weight loss book.

She has a few tools up her sleeve to specifically help you maintain an active lifestyle while traveling. Check out this article to get the lowdown on resistance bands and find out how to use them.

You might also want to take a look at this body weight exercises PDF for anytime, anywhere exercise.

Elly is mum to a spirited three year old girl, and along with her partner Colin they embrace a digital nomad, world schooling lifestyle. https://ellymcguinness.com/ Facebook Instagram

POSING AS A HOUSE SITTER Have mat will travel!

by Andrew Redfern

Yoga is one exercise regime that you can definitely take on the road!

The benefits of yoga can certainly enhance the house sitting lifestyle, especially as you encounter long plane trips, extended sitting on buses or trains and sleeping in a variety of beds.

Keeping your body mobile and joints and muscles in good shape enhances the nomadic lifestyle.

With a few yoga poses you can work through any aches and pains that you may encounter. A regular yoga practice can also help to quieten the mind and help you relax and sleep better.

Below are some tips and suggestions for yoga on the road that I've found useful.

Find a space to do yoga One component of getting setup in a new house is the setting up of my yoga space. I usually use a spare bedroom, or even our own bedroom if no other space is available. I opt for space away from the communal living areas and somewhere I can retreat to at some stage during the day to practice.

It's ideal if the mat and area can be set up permanently rather than having to pack it up each day. If the mat is lying there, you are more likely to get on it, and often getting on the mat is the hardest part of any yoga practice! Once you're there you get into the groove and start working through the poses.

I also look for some wall space but more often than not have used a door – just warn your traveling companion to knock before entering, in case you are in a pose up against the door.

Improvise and be inventive My yoga equipment whilst traveling consists of a mat, two belts and two bricks. Coming from an Iyengar Yoga background, I'm used to using lots of props, but it's not practical to travel with blankets, bolsters, and wedges.

Part of the fun is learning to improvise and I've used various chairs, lounge, and other furniture to modify some of the poses.

Towels (especially beach towels) are a great alternative to blankets and can be used for head support. Or three stacked towels can be a bolster substitute. Don’t use pillows or cushions as these are too soft and don’t give enough resistance and support. Instead of bricks, use large books, which can usually be found around the home you are sitting in.

Start small and keep it regular A regular practice is key to realizing the benefits of yoga. But don’t think you have to do a long practice. Starting with ten to fifteen minutes each day is ideal and you can always build up to longer.

Fifteen minutes each day is better than one or two long sessions a week. Personally I find I naturally end up on the mat mid-late afternoon, but work out what is best for you and your routine. Early morning can sometimes be the best time to practice as then you won’t be distracted by other things during the day.

In the house sitting lifestyle, establish a routine as part of your other activities such as walking the dog or feeding the cat. Wait at least two hours after eating before practicing. And of course, as you move from place to place, new routines have to be established – all part of the fun!

Find a local class or workshop I attend Iyengar classes whenever possible, but I also explore other styles, and actively seek out local schools and classes. In our recent house sit in Palm Springs, the nearest Iyengar school was 35 minutes drive away so I opted for Aerial Yoga. It was a lot of fun and even helped me understand my usual practice in new ways.

I've also attended workshops that were being held during our stay in a particular location.

These can range from focussing on particular poses to more general well-being workshops such as Yoga and Digestion and Essential Oils for Healthy Living.

Joining the local yoga school Facebook groups is a great way to quickly get connected with the local yoga community. MindBody Online app is used by many studios, so you can find local studios and view their timetables.

Research of this nature is all part of the fun of house sitting and once we have a sit confirmed, I start to explore which studio I will attend.

What to practice There are many videos and downloadable resources online that can provide you with practice sequences. Apps are also available that will walk you through a series of postures with timings etc.

At all times you should practice within your capabilities and don’t attempt anything that you haven’t tried in a class or with a teacher.

It's not so much about achieving the perfect pose (do they even exist?), but rather about getting in touch with your body.

So take time and enjoy the process!

Sequence 1:

Sequence 2:

Sequence 3:

Andrew Redfern is one half of Global Wanderers. He and his partner Christopher have been full time house sitters since May 2016. Prior to becoming nomadic, Andrew attended at least three classes a week at his local yoga studio and in February 2017, whilst house sitting back in his home town of Sydney, started yoga teacher training which he continues to do whilst on the road.

Being able to explore the world as a yogi is great and he encourages everyone to get on the mat every day – even if it is only for 10-15 minutes.

You can read more about Global Wanderers here or follow Andrew’s yoga journey.

HOUSE SITTING ACADEMY & THE INNER CIRCLE More about the NEW Fitness Enhancer Module (don't miss the video below)

by Vanessa and Ian We first came across Nat Smith and Jodie Burnham back in 2015 while launching our own online house sitting course. We reached out to see how we might collaborate, and that was the start of one of our first ever house sitting friendships.

We've worked together on various projects since then (including House Sitting Magazine) and finally got to meet in person last year while in Nicaragua.

After talking with Nat and Jodie about their House Sitting Academy content, we immediately saw the benefits. This is a "school" of life-long learning for people dedicated to house sitting as a lifestyle. There's just so much included - not just learning modules, but "lifestyle enhancers", informative interviews, and some cool bonus resources too.

Back then, when we first connected, we already had a fair bit of house sitting experience, but we were intrigued by the benefits of the Academy's private referral system, THE INNER CIRCLE, which is available to members who complete the course.

After joining, we quickly discovered that the Academy pays for itself time and time again. The longer you house sit, the more repeats you get offered, and it's just not possible to do them all.

Instead we recommend these sits to members of the Inner Circle. The most reassuring thing for us is that we know members have finished the Academy and been personally vetted.

The last thing we want is to recommend someone that we don't know, for the premium sits we now get. We want to know that the people we put forward are professional, dedicated sitters who have the home owners’ and pet's best interests at heart.

House Sitting isn't just for Christmas, It's for Life :) It's a life-time membership, so you just keep benefiting. What value would you place on 3 months house sitting in Barbados in a home with a beautiful pool and a darling cat? Or a stunning pueblo property close to Ajijic, Mexico, or a city house in Grenada, Nicaragua with the sweetest ever Boxer dog? All of these were referrals we enjoyed as a result of the Inner Circle.

It's also about giving back. We've now referred several sits to members of the group. One was in San Miguel del Allende, Mexico and we passed on our Granada sit in Nicaragua when we couldn't fit in a repeat sit. There have been others too.

Finally there's knowing that this small exclusive group has got your back. You have the support and friendship of some of the most experienced house sitters in the industry!

The secret? Well, there are no dodgy hand-shakes and no membership rituals. Just a supportive group of like-minded house sitters who want the best for their clients, and their house sitting friends!

One of the newest additions to the Academy has been the "Travel Lifestyle Enhancer Modules", which further help you be the best house sitter you can possibly be.

And this month the Academy is launching its "Health & Fitness Enhancer" module. So, for our fitness-focused issue, we asked Nat & Jodie if they would produce a video to explain their "D.R.A.W.S" system of exercise - this is a FUN video!

If you'd like more information on the Academy, The Inner Circle or the new Enhancers, click the link below: https://HouseSittingMagazine.com/HouseSittingAcademy Or, get in touch with us by email or Facebook Messenger. We'd be more than happy to tell you more about how we've personally benefited from being members ourselves.

BROCCOLI & SUN-DRIED TOMATO FARRO SALAD

by Heidi Medina

David and I are always looking for ways to eat healthy on the road (or at home), and this Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomato Farro Salad has become one of the answers for helping keep our tummies healthy and happy.

I love making salads like this because not only are they so easy to make and versatile but they are also loaded with so much flavor that my brain forgets they are healthy and just thinks they are just a delicious treat.

Packed with whole grain, veggies, nuts and olive oil this powerhouse salad is filled with vitamins, minerals, and fiber perfect for keeping your body and system in shape. Another advantage to Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomato Farro Salad is that it can work as a main meal or a side dish, your choice. How is fun that?

Make this Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomato Farro Salad as a main meal or a side dish, your choice.

How is fun that? And don't forget that it's vegetarian and easily made vegan. Just leave out the cheese! And like with most of my recipes, it's easy to adapt to the ingredients you have access to wherever you are in the world.

INGREDIENTS            

2 cups cooked farro or barley 2 cups chopped broccolini or broccoli 3/4 cups sun-dried tomatoes 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced Juice and zest of 1 lemon 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts 1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup packed fresh basil, chopped 1/2 cup pecorino romano cheese, finely chopped (parmesan is an excellent substitute or leave out for vegan dish) 1/2 cup dried cranberries Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS     

Place farro in a large bowl.

Sauté broccolini or broccoli until crisp-tender in a little olive oil over medium-high heat.

Remove from pan and add to bowl.

Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and nuts to the pan with a drizzle of oil, frequently turning until nuts are toasted. Place in a bowl with rest of ingredients.

Mix well and allow flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve at room temperature.

Ciao! I'm Heidi Medina, your personal chef for cooking up fresh, tasty recipes. Since 2012, I have been the writer, creator, food photographer and recipe creator for Simply Sophisticated Cooking. http://simplysophisticatedcooking.com/ I believe eating, drinking, loving, laughing and living well are essential ingredients for a good life.

Currently, I'm in the middle of creating the new life and travel site, FlyAwayU, which provides choices for a better quality of life through travel rather than staying chained to society’s norms.

Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Don’t forget to check out our supportive and very active Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HouseSittingMagazine/

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WHAT COULD GO WRONG? I'M IN VANCOUVER!

by Jennifer Taylor As house sitters we have a list of items that we cover on the in-briefing, or handover, at the beginning of a sit. Things like the location of the fuse/breaker box, water shut-off valves, furnace operation, etc.

And if your house sit is in the tropics during the rainy season, you need to have a good understanding of the water management system, power failure procedures (generators) and pool operation procedures to prevent overflow and flooding. We pride ourselves on being prepared and capable of handling any emergency that could arise!

However, do we take the time to prepare ourselves to the same degree even if our sit is in an urban area?

Surely there's no possibility we'll encounter the same types of problems as we would on a tropical island during hurricane season?

"What could go wrong?" you ask. Well let me tell you....!

A straightforward sit in Vancouver I was taking care of a sweet little doggie on a repeat sit last summer for a family in Point Grey, Vancouver. Their home was a 2-story with a suite in the basement that has an outside entrance, rented by a student. All the family's living was on the main level, with the 2 kids bedrooms and bathroom/laundry on the top level too.

The student had been away and came home about 3 days before the end of my 2-week sit. The next day she came running up the stairs yelling that water was pouring through her ceiling.

I ran to the main water shutoff which was in a different part of the basement, then went to her unit to take a look. The drywall in her ceiling was sagging and obviously water-soaked, so I decided to pull it down to have a better look, knowing it would need to be replaced in any case.

There were no pipes to be seen so the only thing we could determine was that water was coming from above. But from where exactly?

There wasn't a problem on the main floor of the home. I looked all around the kitchen and the bathroom, then I went upstairs to the bathroom and laundry. Deciding to begin at the top, I worked my way down, thoroughly investigating every drain and appliance that used water checking all the pipes and their connections.

In the laundry, I pulled the washer out from the wall and bingo!

The drain hose had separated from the machine! I had washed a load of towels that morning and the water had flowed directly down the inside of the walls all the way to the basement where it followed the ductwork to where it finally soaked the basement ceiling.

I turned the main water back on since the source had been located. We (the student and I) cleaned up the basement, and I let the owners know what had happened by email.

It felt good that I had sourced the problem, but I felt bad that it had happened on my watch.

The owners were very grateful for my actions and the mother said she had probably dislodged the hose connection when she had moved the washer before leaving.

Although this particular problem wasn't due to a burst pipe, shutting off the main water source was still the right thing to do.

I didn't know the source of the "leak" until I could investigate. Responding quickly at the outset when there is a problem is important, then give yourself the time to troubleshoot so you have concrete information for your owners. This relieved a lot of anxiety for them, knowing exactly what type of problem they had upon their return.

This is what we do, as house sitters!

The feature image on this post is courtesy of: www.tourismvancouver.com

Jennifer Taylor is a part time house sitter living full time in Costa Rica. She's a retired pilot and former executive with the Canadian government in Aviation Safety and Security.

Not many things can phase her and problem solving is second nature. Most of her sits are local repeat sits in her area of Costa Rica and she has used a house sitter to care for her home and cat, Siena, while sitting outside the country.

Her profile can be seen on Trusted Housesitters.

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We'll be taking a look at travel and house sitting in Asia in December's House Sitting Magazine.

But in November we have a special

BLACK FRIDAY issue packed with very special offers!

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