What's Missing From Your Garden?

When you look out over your garden, what do you see? All the fruits of your labor, from the time and effort you put into growing and cultivating lots of yummy vegetables and colorful flowers? Maybe you notice a few things that seem out of place here and there? If you do, there might be a couple of reasons for that!

Your garden might have quite a few things missing. The leaves of the plants you do grow might be trying to tell you that! And before you try to do anything else out there in your own backyard, it’s time to pay attention to what they’re saying. So, here are some of the most common signs that your garden needs a little more love and care. 

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A Proper Light Source

Light is one of the most important things a garden needs. If your plants don’t receive enough sunlight on a daily basis, they’re not going to grow right, and there’s a good chance they won’t grow at all. And there’s one surefire way you can tell whether or not your plants are feeling healthy enough to photosynthesis: if they’re tilting to the side, via their stems and leaves, they’re in desperate chase of the sun. That means they need more light on a regular basis! 

Thankfully, you can provide this for them. An easy investment in something like a plant grow light would work wonders here, especially if you’re using an indoor planting arrangement, such as a greenhouse or a windowsill. 

Enough Water to Go Round

There’s a good chance you’re not watering your plants enough - very few gardeners actually do, simply because they want to be cautious with the amount of water they use. However, it’s key to understand what’s under watering and what’s being conservative with the watering can, and your plants can tell you how you’re doing. 

If your plant leaves are brown, and crunch when you grip or touch them, they’re in desperate need of more water! If you haven’t seen any new leaves in quite a while, you need to give your plant more water on a daily basis - if there are no new growths, your plant doesn’t feel supported enough to keep on living! And if they’re wilting a little, they might need a top up. 

A Healthy Balance of Green and Color!

Of course, there needs to be a balance to your garden. And if there are only pale or light green plants in your backyard, there’s a chance your soil could do with a little more fertilizer. These are signs of hungry plants, after all, and you might need to spread a bit more growing material over the ground for the roots to soak up. A lack of iron is what tends to turn leaves pale and yellowed at times, but this deficiency is easily fixed. 

Your garden might be missing a few things, but you can easily remedy these mistakes. Be sure to do so soon! 

What To Look For In A New Family Car

If you look down your driveway to see an old banger staring back at you, you would be right in thinking that it’s time for a new car. The choice of vehicle stock in the twenty first century can be mind blowing. However, for the family market, there are newer SUVs, greener cars and safety features to consider. The most important thing for most families when choosing a new car is budget and working out whether to go brand new off a forecourt or whether to opt for a reliable used car from a dealership. Take a look at this guide to help you navigate the family car market. 

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Used Or New

There is always a temptation to go for a brand new car. However, with a new car comes a larger price tag. This is a cost that will depreciate the moment you drive your new set of wheels away from the forecourt. You could cushion the blow of a new car by opting for a sell car for cash sort of scheme, where you can trade in your old banger for some readies to put towards your new vehicle.

Alternatively, you could seek out the used car route. Used cars are becoming more and more reliable as manufacturers lengthen warranties. Choosing a used car can save you cash upfront initially and you will have more choice, helping you pick a vehicle that belongs to a lower insurance group.

Running Costs

If you aren’t sure what to look for when selecting a new family car, take a look at running costs. You need a car that will do many miles to the gallon so look at fuel economy. Ensure that you consider greener cars. Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as they require a recharge rather than more expensive fuel. They are also better for the environment, belong to lower insurance groups and cost less in maintenance. They may cost more to buy initially, but these sorts of cars are great for the long term. 

Don’t forget to look under the hood of any car that you are looking to buy. If you have no idea about the mechanics of vehicles, take someone who can spot a blown head gasket or a poorly conditioned engine. You don’t want to be stuck with a lemon on your driveway.

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Safety Features

On any journey, you want to make sure that your brood is protected. While you may be a safe and defensive driver, other road users may be aggressive and fast, with very little hazard perception. Accidents can happen, and you want to make sure that the motor that you have protects your passengers. Take a look at the Euro NCAP website which rates all family cars out of five for safety features. Consider looking at cars with more advanced braking systems, blind spot detectors and hazard perception. More advanced automated safety features are becoming standard in twenty first century vehicles.

Choosing a new car can be a pleasure for some, but a chore for many. Follow this guide and ensure that you find your perfect family car.

Why It’s Important That Your Kids Learn Important Life Skills Early On

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If you have kids, then you’ll know that they can be pretty naïve a lot of the time. There’s nothing wrong with their naivety and borderline stupidity, of course – it’s actually very amusing a lot of the time. Their brains are still so very raw, and they’re taking in new information all the time – they’re bound to make mistakes and say silly things pretty often. As a parent, it’s your job to teach them how to do stuff, and it’s up to you to cut the naivety out of their everyday life. Yes, they have school every weekday, but they’ll only really get their heads filled with academic information; the other parts of life aren’t really covered.

If your child hits teenage years and still has that air of silliness about them, then that’s not too bad, but you should really start to get their backsides into gear. You don’t want a grown man or woman in your house one day that can’t do the basics in life – it sounds a little crazy, but it’s quite a common thing in many households. You’re in the position you’re in now because you were taught how to get through things. You have to now do the same for your kids. Here are a few reasons why teaching your kids all kinds of things and making them do tasks is such an important part of parenthood. 

They’ll Become More Disciplined

Discipline is a massive part of being human. It’s obviously something that you should instill in your child, but it’s something we all need in life. If you’re setting tasks for your kid, then they’re going to have lots of different jobs to get through. They’ll understand the importance of getting things done around the house and elsewhere. They may be a little stubborn, to begin with, but they’ll onboard sooner or later once they get a different perspective on life.

Their Confidence Overall Will Rise

Confidence is absolutely vital in life, and it comes from knowing what you’re doing. Sure, some kids (and adults) have a natural-born lack of anxiety, and they are able to do stuff without caring. The majority of us gain confidence from our own actions, however. If your child grows up knowing how to do stuff, then they’ll be able to handle themselves when important events come up. For instance, they’ll be able to do their own shopping with ease, book appointments at an urgent care clinic, and travel independently with minimal fuss. 

They’ll Have That Much-Needed Common Sense

Common sense is often thought of as something a person is born with. That’s not the case at all. A person because smarter and more aware of ‘normal’ everyday aspects after they’re taught about them. They become even more knowledgeable after weeks, months, and years of experience. If you see a poised and competent person going through life with relative ease, just know it’s because they learned a fair bit as a youngster. Make sure yours can become that kind of individual when they’re older.

Making Your Car Last Longer

We used to think that our cars would start to face more serious issues when they got to around ten years old, or when they had driven over 100000 miles. We’d begin to expect breakdowns, more expensive repairs and MOT fails once our cars reached this point. But, with newer, more efficient vehicles, with modern advancements and care, many get closer to 200000 miles before serious problems start. This means that as someone that drives a moderate amount, a car could last well over ten years before it starts to cost you that much money that it’s more cost-effective to replace it. 

But, only if you take care of it. Like home appliances and other significant expenses, your car is bound to last longer if you look after it, take sensible precautions, and put a little time and effort into your vehicle. Here are some of the things that you can do to make your car last for longer. 

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Get it Serviced

You should have a full service every year if you drive a lot, or at least every 10000 miles if you drive less often or for shorter journeys. A service won’t automatically flag up issues, but it will take care of things like changing your oil and air conditioning filters, refilling fluids, checking tire pressure and oiling hinges, and other openings. It might also give the mechanic a chance to spot what could be a big problem before repairs become costly. 

Different garages offer different services, so make sure you know what’s included in the price before you book. 

Drive Carefully

Better drivers find that their cars last longer. This is partly because they are less likely to be involved in a severe accident, but it’s also because their cars are treated more kindly. They are used gently, and so are less likely to show serious signs of wear and tear. Drive to the speed limit, brake slowly and in plenty of time, or even better, control your speed well so that you barely need to brake at all. Corner gently, give yourself plenty of space, and try to avoid bad driving habits creeping it. 

Keep it Clean

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Clean cars can also last longer. Vehicles that are cleaned often are less likely to rust, and the engines won’t become clogged with dirt, pollution, or leaves. Make sure you get your car cleaned frequently, and try to keep it in a secure, covered location when possible. 

Prepare for Long Trips

Before a long trip, you should also perform basic car safety checks and make any adjustments needed. This will keep you and your family safe on the road, but it will also protect your car. 

Be Careful with Replacements

It’s thought that around a third of us have at some point bought fake car parts instead of branded parts when our cars need replacements. While this can be a great way to make money, fake car parts generally don’t last as long and may not be as safe. 

Don’t Ignore Warnings

Most of us are guilty of ignoring warning lights on our dash, hoping that they’ll just go away on their own. Chances are, however, that the problem will get worse, perhaps causing more damage to your vehicle and becoming more costly to fix. 

How To Beat Menopause Fatigue & Gain More Energy!

Most women who are dealing with aging gracefully must go through menopause at some point or another. Many of the women who go through the menopausal period deal with some bothersome symptoms. Anything from bloating, weight gain, hormone changes and hair loss come up, but one of the most common is a total drain in energy. Menopause fatigue is a big deal, and it’s just not talked about enough. Fatigue is a common complaint with menopause and this is primarily because the body is adjusting to a whole new chemistry. The hormones that have gone through your body throughout your life start to adjust themselves, and this takes some getting used to!

Of course, low energy can be caused by a number of other things in your body, but unless you are suffering from things like anemia, diabetes or issues with your thyroid, you can mostly place the blame of your fatigue on menopause itself. Menopause symptoms like weight gain and exhaustion can be helped, so speaking to the Simple Online Doctor should be able to help you out. If you are feeling fatigued and it’s starting to impact your everyday life, you need that medical guidance to ensure that your get up and go hasn’t got up and gone!

Most of the time, women don’t require any treatment for the symptoms of menopause. They don't last more than a couple of years and by then, the body has got used to its new chemistry and can work just the way it always has. However, there are things that can be done to relieve symptoms - especially of menopause fatigue - and gain a little more energy. 

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Why Do Menopausal Women Get Fatigued?

Before we can understand how to gain more energy, we need to understand why the fatigue happens in the first place, so let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons that women deal with fatigue during menopause.

• Hormones. Those pesky little things! Hormones are adjusting and transitioning in your body and brain, and these rushing around your body can drain you of all of your energy. You could be calm on the exterior, and be a bouncing bunny on the inside trying to keep up. It’s difficult, and it’s hard work.
• Ignoring Fatigue. Women are superheroes, we all know that. We deal with everything while keeping calm and carrying on. When it comes to feeling tired, we brush it aside and keep on keeping on regardless of the fatigue that we are feeling. When you ignore the exhaustion, you further it, so don’t ignore it.
• Reverse Puberty. Women go through hormonal shifts during puberty as we transition into being women who can procreate. Now, it goes backwards again. When you were a teenager, it’s likely you slept as much as you physically could - which is what your body wants to do all over again. Bodies are clever old things, and even if you’re not in the mood for a nap, you’ll be napping because it knows exactly what you need.

If you find that you are dealing with fatigue, it’s important to have a moment of self-reflection and work out whether you’ve been unintentionally ignoring it for some time. When you realize that you have been putting your own exhaustion to one side and squashing it down, it’s time to embrace it enough to realize what’s causing it. So, with that in mind, you need to consider how you want to boost those flagging energy levels, and start feeling much more like yourself again. 

Let’s explore eight simple hacks to let you do just that.

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Embrace Exercise

Take half an hour at the least out of your day, and workout. Go for a class, a swim, a brisk walk - whatever exercise you fancy, get it done. You may not even want to do it in that moment, but routine is key and you need to incorporate it into your routine if you want your energy boost. Exercise keeps your heart healthy, your energy levels up and your body feeling good with all the feel-great hormones buzzing around it. Start early in the day not long after waking, and you will be energized for the day.

Calm Down The Coffee

You may love your morning Starbucks, but really you should be curbing it a little. You’re feeling exhausted and the hit of caffeine is nice and all, but it’s a temporary boost to a long-term problem. So, capping the consumption can help you to detox from it, so that you can get your energy levels up naturally. Water, for example, is an excellent tool for upping your energy levels. The more hydrated your brain, the better your body feels. Don’t allow yourself to crash after a coffee any more!

Eat Little And Often

If you want your energy levels to be up and consistently so, think about what you’re eating and how often you’re eating it. Being overweight during menopause is common, and it’s much harder to lose the weight during that period of your life. Still, you can maintain healthy eating behavior and exercise where you can. Keep a good balance through all food groups and try not to be too heavy on the restriction: you want calories little and often to remain energized.

Relax

Okay so, while we’re talking about being more energized, it does mean that you have to mind how much you are relaxing and actually embrace it while it’s happening. Sit down a while and read a book. Go and sit on the beach and watch the waves. Whatever relaxes you will help you to be more energized when you do get up to do something.

Sleep Well

You may think you’re getting eight good hours of sleep a night, but if you’re dealing with night sweats and menopausal insomnia, you’re getting sleep that isn’t consistent. You need restful sleep more than you need “sleep”, so make sure that you’re sleeping in a comfortable space where you aren’t dealing with your body clock going haywire. Sun lamps, cool sheets and comfortable bedding can really help you to improve your sleep.

Hydrate

We mentioned how good water is for the brain, but you also need to fuel your body. A hydrated body doesn't work as hard to do anything, and dehydration also leads to sluggishness and dry skin - neither of which you want to have to deal with! Where possible, choose water as your drink and make it fun with any of these recipes if necessary. Water is going to keep your energy at a high, which is exactly what you need during menopause.

Learn To Say No

It may feel hard to say no to people sometimes, but you mustn't overbook yourself if possible. If you do that, all you’re going to be doing is stressing yourself out and trying to do too much. Say no a little more often and spread out your social calendar so you’re not doing too much at once. If you find that you are exhausted, you’re probably too busy, too!

Herbal Remedies Could Help

Some people swear by herbal teas to help them with their exhaustion. Valerian root is excellent for enabling you to sleep, while black cohosh can help to curb anxiety you may be feeling. Speak to your doctor before starting any herbal remedies, and keep yourself in the right lane for your health. If any herbal remedies don't agree with you, simply stop using them!

Maintaining A Rural Property - Simple Advice For You

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Almost everyone wishes to one day escape to the country. Even for the most urbanite social butterflies, the idea of getting out away from everyone and being at one with nature can be quite peaceful. They may deny it, but almost all get this impression during a particularly bad day at the office, or when stuck in traffic.

What might be even more crazy to imagine is that actually - many act upon these thoughts. More and more people willing to settle down or simply to experience something new in life enjoy the comforting grace of the rural environment and manage their homes to that end. However, managing a home within this area can sometimes take a little extra effort to perfect. That’s not something to fear, of course. In fact, it can be thoroughly restorative. You just need to know what you’re doing ahead of time, to avoid any growing pains that can often accompany a large change in your personal situation.

Thankfully, maintaining a rural property is not rocket science, nor is it arcane knowledge only accessible to those whose families have lived in said conditions for generations or generations. With this advice, you’ll see just how true that is:

Odd Odors

It’s important to know that when in a rural property, you will smell many textured and different smells. This is in part due to the lack of pollution, allowing you to distinctly smell things in your environment without much interference. This is a good sign! However, remember that farmers need to feed their fields with manure, farm animals can have their odors if coming close to your property line, and also, your home may not be connected to a thorough sewage system. This is where septic tanks, and the best sanitary septic company in your address book can help you keep things cared for. If you do not attend to this you will surely notice smells sooner rather than later. We would recommend understanding where the septic tank is for your property (if part of a small development of houses, it could be shared) will help you avoid unnecessary odors.

Ragged Roads

Private roads that lead off from the main publicly paved lanes are often where you will be situated when living rurally. This means that it could be your responsibility, and the responsibility of those living on your lane to pave over said potholes, especially if they are bad. This can get expensive, so splitting the difference between the residents on said lane or having concrete ‘bumps’ elongated over the worst parts can save money. Ensure you know what your responsibility is to your neighbors and what the current discussions are.

Supposed Suspicion

It’s also important to ensure that you’re in good communication with those who live around you. It’s not uncommon for thieves with interest in moving in the cover of night to target rural properties, and this means that the community needs to come together to assess and identify potential threats that take place. Odd cars parked at strange times, perhaps figures moving in the shadows near the village hall, all of this should and could be reported for the best mutual care.

With this advice, you’re sure to maintain your new life in the countryside - and well at that.

Surviving Your Next Family Road Trip

Family road trips can be so much fun and allow you to create memories that you can look back on forever. However, they can also be a lot of work, and knowing how to survive them is key to having a great time. Being as prepared as possible is usually the only way to make sure this road trip goes to plan. Read on for some great tips and advice on how you can not only survive, but actually enjoy your road trip together:

Plan As Far In Advance As Possible

Have everybody help plan the trip together so that everybody is excited. What are your must do/see attractions and experiences? Come up with ideas together. Make sure you plan far in advance as this will build anticipation and make the trip even better. It’ll also give you a chance to get everything you need in place. 

Plan Your Breaks Ahead Of Time

Spend some time before you leave planning out your route so you can plan your breaks. Kids will need more breaks than you, so make sure you consider this. It’s a good idea to stick to a regular eating schedule too, as this could help you to avoid tantrums. Know where the food places are on your map. If kids need a longer break to stretch their legs, consider finding a park. In general, the driving part will probably take you longer than you’d like, but the kids will stay happy and comfortable.  

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Gadgets Will Keep Kids Occupied

As much as you’d like to picture yourselves gazing out of the window and pointing out animals, kids will need more than that to stay entertained. Download a few apps and episodes of a favourite show in advance so that you can give them that if they start to get bored. 

Let Kids Pack A Bag

Give kids the choice to pack a small bag of their own with toys and books they want to bring. This is so important if the car journey is going to be long, as kids need lots of stimulation to stay occupied. You might even want to pack a favorite blanket to encourage them to fall asleep. 

You could pack a surprise item that you only plan on pulling out if you can tell they are heading towards a melt down. The novelty will help with the meltdown and distract them, usually! 

Snacks, Drinks, And First Aid 

Do not skimp on the snacks, drinks, and other food items to keep you going. First aid is also important. You don’t want to consider what you’d do if you got into an auto wreck, but you do need to be prepared for it. Make sure you have emergency numbers, phone chargers, and anything else that will help you to get in touch with the emergency services, whatever the time or place. 

Make Sure Your Driving Schedule Is Realistic 

Your driving schedule must be realistic. Don’t rush to where you’re going - just enjoy the journey! 

Finding a Sport that Your Kid Will Enjoy

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Some kids are naturally inclined to engage with sports. They enjoy running about, they want to play in a much more physical manner and they are intrigued with professional sports on the television. But this isn’t true of all children. Some are more reserved and shy away from team sports. Some would rather sit reading a book or playing a video game. Some are completely disinterested in general. But it’s extremely important that you ensure your little ones are getting sufficient exercise. 

It’s recommended that children over the age of 6 get a good hour’s worth of physical activity on a 

daily basis and this is for a good reason. Your kids need exercise to stay in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and grow as expected. But at the same time, you don’t want to force your child into a physical activity that they actively dislike and desperately don’t want to engage with. 

The answer to this problem is to take the time and effort to find a sport that your kid actually enjoys. There are so many different options out there that there’s bound to be something that they like. It might just take a little while to find it. Whether it’s a team sport, an individual sport, or something really alternative like rock climbing, fencing, or archery - you just need to experiment to find something that ticks their boxes. 

The infographic by CiscoAthletic.com below should help to give you some inspiration and guide you in the right direction when it comes to youth sports participation!

 

Infographic Design By CiscoAthletic.com

Learning To Care For Your Oldest Family Members

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Age comes with wisdom, experience, and patience, and often makes people into the best versions of themselves. The time you spend developing your personality is incredibly important, with those who have been around for a long time often seeing far clearer than the people around them. Of course, though, getting older can also come with some less pleasant aspects. Your body isn’t made to last forever, though it will often start to show signs of degradation long before you’re done using it. In a lot of cases, this leaves families having to work tirelessly to be able to help the people they care about. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the work which goes into looking after the people you love.

Who Should Care?

Before you can get started with helping your loved ones, it’s worth thinking about who should be providing care to them. Personal care can be extremely intrusive, and a lot of parents won’t want their children doing it for them, making it crucial that you’re able to seperate the work you can and can’t do. Feeding, helping them to eat, and managing their paperwork are all jobs which won’t make them feel uncomfortable. Going to the toilet and washing themselves, though, should always be left to a professional.

Finding The Right Care

Finding good professionals to work with your loved ones can be a challenge. Not only is there a shortage of qualified carers in the modern world, but their skills are tricky to learn, and this means that they don’t always meet the same standards. For extreme care needs, options like hospice care can often be the best. Not only will this make it possible for your loved one to be around people their own age, but it will also give them the support they need to have a comfortable life. In-house carers can also be very good, though getting them can be a competitive game.

Independence and Entertainment

Finally, as the last area to think about, it’s time to consider the true support you can offer to your loved ones. Independence is crucial to someone who has gone through their whole life looking after themselves. They might not be able to do everything for themselves, but this doesn’t mean that you should be taking over everything, instead working to ensure that they can hold onto the abilities they still have. Alongside this, you also need to be there to provide them with entertainment. Sitting in a chair for weeks on end can get extremely dull, and a lot of elderly people find themselves getting depressed when they don’t get enough time with people they love.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of learning to care for the oldest members of your family. This sort of effort can be a real challenge, with people often seeming completely healthy until the day that they start to need care. Of course, as time goes on, you will learn enough to make this much easier.

The Value & Importance of Planning Ahead

When you plan ahead in life, you can achieve so much more than would otherwise be possible. It might mean having to make a little more effort and having to live life in a more grown up way, but it’ll all be worth it in the end. It could be the next step in life that you really need to take right now.

But why is it so important to plan ahead like this? What value does it have and what kind of a difference will it make in your life? These are all good questions and we’re going to take the time to answer them right now, so read on to find out more.

All Families Require Some Planning

Whether you’re already a family man or woman, or you’re looking to start a family with your partner sometime soon, you need to do some planning. Families require planning and children always require structure in one form or another. You’ll struggle to create a positive family environment for everyone in your household if you don’t make any attempt to do any planning. Things tend to turn out better and tend to be less stressful when you plan them out a little.

Successful People Plan Ahead

You’ll find that many of the most successful people in the world take time to plan ahead in life. That’s how they achieve the things they want to achieve. They set goals for themselves and gradually get closer to where they want to be. There’s no reason why you can’t do the same, as long as you’re willing to plan for success and adopt a long-term perspective. Your own success really does depend on good planning.

Live in the Moment Later

People often say that planning ahead takes the fun out of life because it prevents you from living in the moment, but that’s not really true. By planning ahead now, you make it possible for yourself to live in the moment later. You can enjoy spontaneous moments more when you plan ahead and make sure that everything is in place that needs to be in place for your enjoyment.

Be Ready for Future Financial Challenges and Surprises

There are lots of things that can happen in life, some of them good, some of them bad. But being ready for them is important. You should always have some money set aside so you can deal with surprises. As these prominent statistics, having money set aside for long-term care as you enter old age is vital. That’s just one example of how you need to plan ahead and be ready for what life throws at you.

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It’ll Probably Save You Money

You’ll probably manage to save yourself a lot of money by planning ahead too, and that can only be a good thing. When you’re able to spend less while still enjoying life to the max, it gives you a great sense of accomplishment. None of us can afford to throw money away and by planning things ahead in life, you don’t have to. When you are less careful to plan ahead, your finances will be less controlled too.

Become More Proactive and Stop Coasting Along

Many of us are guilty of coasting along in life and not really being as proactive as we should be. Rather than feeling guilty about it and then carrying on as ever before, you should make the decision to be more proactive, which will also mean planning ahead a little more than you’ve been used to in recent times. It’ll be a positive move for you in all sorts of ways.

Life Planning Leaves Room for Changes and Updates

It’s a common misconception that planning ahead in life has to mean throwing away the ability to change course in life. In fact, the opposite is closer to the truth. By planning ahead, you give yourself more scope to change and update your plans when you feel the need to. It means you’re able to make the right kinds of changes when the time is convenient for you and your family to do so.

Living life in a haphazard way might seem fun and exciting for a while, but it only takes you so far. If you really want to make the most of life and get the most out of it, it makes more sense to plan ahead and prepare. It might sound boring but it’ll benefit you and your family in so many important ways going forward.

How to do an Auction Properly

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Auctions are great for bagging a bargain and finding something unique but there is a knack to them. For a start, you want to make sure that whatever you are bidding on is worth the money you are spending! 

Whether you are at a used-car auction, an antiques auction or even a charity auction, finding the things you want second hand can be a great way to save money. So, here are 3 rules to follow to avoid overspending. 

Preview the Catalogue

One of the most important parts of an auction is knowing what is going to come up for sale. While you might have your eye on a car right now, it’s well worth knowing if a better or more suitable model is coming up. Some companies, like the Western Auction Company, actively encourage customers to take a look around beforehand and even provide free parking so that you can take your time deciding what to bid for.

Previewing the catalog also gives you the chance to decide what an item would be worth to you. In other words, how much would you be willing to part with to get your hands on it? Which leads us to….

Setting Your Upper Limits

It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment of an auction and keep on bidding but this is a fast way to spend way more than you had planned. The key to sticking to your spending limits is to know when to stop. This means deciding exactly how much you are willing  to spend on an item before it comes up and then stopping the bidding process once that number is reached. This applies at online auctions too.

Remember: every bid adds up so you must also stick to a budget for the day. If you’re worried that you’ll overshoot in the heat of the moment, take a friend with you to keep you honest! If you’re looking for a real bargain, the afternoon is often the best time to bid as there will be fewer bidders around. 

Stay Calm, Bid Small

When you bid at a live auction, the auctioneer slowly increases the price incrementally until all but one of the bidders remains. This is why you should never try to up the bid yourself or go straight to your upper limit. Stay calm and let the process go on - you don’t want to reveal how important an item is to you because other bidders may decide to up their game.

While being at an auction can be really exciting, try not to stand out too much or draw attention to the items you really want to take home. Auctions are competitive so having a poker face will work well for you. You don’t want other bidders to see when you are closing on your upper limit but you also don’t want them to assume you have enough money to continue driving up the price. Be calm and objective as far as possible. 

Good luck! 

The Other Side of the Modern Coin

Today’s world comes with many modern conveniences. We have computers in our pocket that connect us to the world and all its knowledge. We never have to get ourselves through rain, wind or snow to get ourselves a nice film to watch. We can call a taxi from pretty much everywhere we are. We can track our deliveries on our phone. And we have added a new world to our collective dictionaries: binge-watching. Yep, we are living our lives with all the modern conveniences that we wouldn’t believe were possible. But what about some of the adverse effects of all these modern perks? Here are a few of those modern health risks we all face.

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Text Neck

There is such a thing that is called text neck. It’s when continuous looking at your mobile phone and causing a repetitive stress injury and pain in the neck. This is why it’s so important to either hold your phone or tablet a bit higher and make sure your screen at work or home is at eye height and your neck isn’t strained at all. Also, make sure to take plenty of breaks between screen time moments and stretch and walk around!

Air Pollution

One of the biggest worries of living in urban areas is air pollution. Even if you don’t live in a city infamous for smog, there is going to be plenty of pollutants in the air. One of the biggest worries is bronchial diseases. This is the effect caused by excessive pollutants, exposure to metals, and toxic substances to micro-particles in the air. It’s no wonder that in some Asian countries, where air pollution is extreme, people started to wear mouth masks to prevent inhaling too many harmful particles.

Hearing Damage

If you look at the street scene in pretty much any urban environment, you’ll see that most people will be wearing headphones, ranging from small in-ear ones to massive over-the-ear cans. Take that and the ability to stream music over the air, you will understand that people are listening to music more than ever. Especially with listening to music while out and about, people tend to turn up their music a bit too much. The risk of that obviously is damage to your hearing. If you ever heard whooshing, buzzing, and/or ringing sounds when everything is quiet, it could be Tinnitus. Click here to find out more about this condition.

Excessive Screen Time

All this screen time, at work, at home, peering at your screen while traveling to catch one more AR game creature, or just staring at your screen in the dark while you're supposed to be trying to get to sleep, can’t be good for us. Well, it isn’t. There is such a thing as computer vision syndrome (CVS) that causes headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, trouble focusing, sensitivity to light and burning or red eyes.

Today’s modern world comes with joys, but also risks you need to be aware of. As with everything, make sure you do things in moderation, when things start hurting or getting uncomfortable, don’t power through but listen to your body. Enjoy all the modern conveniences, but just remember there will always be new stuff, your body is only a lifetime.

3 Ways To Make Everyday Car Commutes To Work Bearable

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We sleep for 8 hours, we work for 8 hours, so whatever time we have left should be ours and ours only right? Wrong, there’s this little thing called the commute that eats into our personal time. You never know how much it's going to take each day and you don’t know if it's going to be smooth. It can make you drowsy, angry or just plain sad. Stuck in traffic, in a hot stuffy car surrounded by people that are becoming more and more frantic as time goes on. Surely there’s a better way to get to work and back? Well, yes and no because cars are the best way to get to work for most of us but you can plan your commute better and use modern technology to help you.

Don’t dawdle around

Do not make your lunch in the morning. It's one of the biggest time wasters for commuters. Before you’ve even left the house, you’re already behind the clock. You have to make your packed lunch the night before, preferably at the same time you’re making dinner. This has to become a routine. Be strict about this policy, so if you forgot the night before you have to leave without a lunch and just buy one at work. Do not dawdle around the house doing things you should have done before you went to bed, just get going so you can miss the traffic.

Eyes wide open

In the morning we’re all groggy. Our eyes are trying not to obey our commands of fully opening. We’re just waking up our senses and concentrating can be hard. However, if you paid more attention to what’s going on, on the roads you can drastically speed up your commute. When you’re not ‘with it’ in the mornings you can miss simple openings that will help you get ahead. Things like gaps between cars that are moving slow as the drivers in those cars are still waking up too. Get into those gaps so you can inch forward and potentially, miss a red light or two. If you can see ahead of you there is an accident and the road has been cordoned off, you can quickly change course and take a different route without missing a beat.

Traffic watch

Modern technology must become a part of your daily commute and connecticut travel is one of the best examples why. It shows you everything that’s going on way down the line, such as roadworks, traffic jams, incidents, construction, delays and weather alerts too. This is extremely helpful in so many ways. You’re kept up-to-date with moving situations, by receiving information about things going on many miles all around you, being taken by surprise is not something you’ll fall victim to.

The everyday work commute is never fun and pretty nothing will ever make it so. But the least you can do is not lose time before you’ve even left the house. Make a lunch the night before and don’t do so in the morning when you could be on your way.

Top Tips To Help You Look After Your Family's Health

Looking after your family's health can seem tricky at the best of times. It’s near enough impossible to keep your eye on everybody at the same time, so its more beneficial to learn some handy tricks that you can then teach to others to ensure they can care for themselves sufficiently. The responsibilities that you carry as an adult within your household mean that you must put in some effort to make sure you know the difference between right and wrong when it comes to preserving ultimate health amongst your brood, so if you want to know more about what you can do to look after your family's health then read on to find out some of the best top tips you can implement today! 

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Following A Nutritious Diet 

One of the worst things that you can do that will have both short and long term impacts on your families health is to allow them to eat whatever foods they like. Children are drawn to fatty and sugary foods like cakes and crisps yet these provide them with little or no vitamins and minerals at all. Reducing these foods and ensuring instead that they have a positive relationship with fruits and vegetables from a very early stage can help them to avoid this kind of behaviour as much as possible, directing them towards consuming more beneficial meals and snacks as a result. Following a nutritious diet means that your plate is made of 3 main food groups - complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice, wholemeal bread or sweet potatoes, lean sources of protein like chicken, eggs or fish, as well as at least 2 portions of your 5-a-day. With fruit and veg offering so many nutrients, its vital that you include these in large amounts to ensure that your family are getting the energy and vitamins they need to perform to their optimum capabilities every single day. Incorporate them into every dish you serve, as research for some handy hacks to help you hide them in meals for picky little eaters. 

Get Health Insurance & Have Regular Check Ups

Having some form of health insurance that covers your family for a host of different ailments and illnesses is so important for both their physical and economic well being. Without this you may end up having to pay extortionate fees to receive the best level of care, and if a sudden accident were to happen then any chance of finding lawsuit funding to resolve the case would disappear in an instant. Many health insurance providers can offer you regular check ups with a general practitioner, which can help to identify and problems you may be experiencing before they get out of hand. Think of your body as a car - you do not wait for the car to sputter and break down on the road before you take it to the garage, you take it for a regular MOT to ensure there are no underlying issues.

Taking care of your family's health has never been so easy!

How to Deal with Menopause Symptoms and Sway Your Way Into Your Elder Years in Style

For any menstruating person, menopause is an unavoidable phase of life that hits them all. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to handling the symptoms, as even those present themselves in a different way according to the individual. 

Menopause is the period of time for where hormone shifts transition women away from their childbearing years. Some women have very few symptoms, but most will have several that will disrupt their everyday lives. Struggles such as hot flushes, weight gain, insomnia and excess hair growth are some of the characteristics that can be challenging for somebody going through the menopause. 

Going through bhrt hormone replacement may be a slight relief for some of the symptoms of menopause- but there are other ways to alleviate the symptoms alone to help for a smoother transition. 

Menopause is a phase of life, however-- not something that should be treated as a disease or medical condition.

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Hot Flushes 

During menopause, your internal thermostat may be a tad out of sync. Many women around this time will find that they have very specific levels of comfort. To avoid the frustration of dealing with hot flushes, try some of these tactics.

• Wear layers- make sure to wear something comfortable when you feel a hot flush coming on 
• Use controlled breathing techniques-slow, deep breathing can shorten the effects of a hot flush. 
• Stay Hydrated- a hot flush= sweat. Drinking water will replenish any water lost through sweat.
• Avoid Spicy Foods- even if you can usually handle the heat- they may trigger a hot flush. Avoid them until the hot flushes subside.

Vaginal Dryness 

Vaginal dryness can be an embarrassing and upsetting problem during menopause. It can be something that can cause sex to be painful and can therefore have a negative impact on relationships. 

• Use Lubricant- As the vaginal wall gets thinner, it is more prone to tearing and damage. Using a water-based lubricant during sex will prevent damage and allow for healthy sexual relationships. 

Memory Problems 

Struggling to remember things can be a nuisance, Some women become alarmed when they realize they have become forgetful. Memory loss is a sign of aging, but there are some things that can be done to minimize the effects. 

• Eat well- Feed your brain with colorful fruits and vegetables filled with antioxidants and vitamins. Avoid memory stealing foods such as alcohol, sugar and caffeine
• Use Strategies for memory- for example using cue words to associate one thing with another such as errands. Leave a pen and paper around to write lists of things you need to do- for example, a shopping list with what groceries are needed. 

Social 

During this transitory period of your life, it is important to not allow isolation to be part of your life. Be kind to yourself by surrounding yourself with those who love you, and use any opportunity possible to make new friends. 

• Join social groups- such as am-dram groups, book clubs, walking clubs. Staying sociable is as essential for good health as eating well and gentle exercise. 

Embrace Fall With These Tips

In recent years, it seems to have become fashionable to love Fall. You only have to log into Instagram to see picture after picture of everyone getting ready for going back to school,  of everyone getting pumpkin spice lattes, crunchy leaves and various other Autumnal aesthetics. Is it a new thing, or was everyone all over the world already in love with the season and can now share it with everyone else via the many social media outlets? Whatever it is, Fall is a big deal now, and when you look out of the window, it is not hard to see why.

This time of year there is usually a slight chill in the air, even on the sunniest of days, but it is not yet so cold that all anyone wants to do is hibernate under a duvet with a hot drink. On clear sunny days, the sky is a bright blue, and when the weather isn't so good, it is a murky and atmospheric grey. Whatever the colour of the sky, the world is lit up with flashes of red, yellow and orange leaves on the trees all over the ground that just beg to run through. It is hard not to feel cheerful when such bright and vibrant colours surround you!

If you need further persuasion or are looking for some fun ways to embrace Fall this year, read on!

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Dig all the Fall flavors

Fall is all about the rich, deep flavours. It is pretty hard to walk down the street without being bombarded with everything pumpkin spice, but it is so much more than that. Spend some time baking a pie - maybe using this apple pie recipe - and eat with thick, warm custard for a warming dessert. Pick up bags of candy corn and enjoy the sweetness or try salted caramel for a luxurious, oozy treat. Another warning winter drink if you want to avoid the cliches is some hot milk with the warming flavour of cinnamon or ginger added - perfect for fighting off germs and colds as well! 

Get out of the house

As we said above, Fall is all about the bright colours and crisp sunshine. Make the most of these by wrapping up warm and going for a long walk in the park - that pumpkin spice latte or hot cocoa will taste even better afterwards. Embrace your inner child and run through the piles of leaves on the sidewalk, or if it's raining, grab your gumboots and umbrella and splash in the puddles. Make the most of it before the long, dark days of winter make an appearance!

Spice up your home

Before we know it, Halloween will be upon us, so start digging out those spiderwebs and ghoulish decorations. If you are not quite ready to go all haunted house just yet, add some autumnal touches with some tastefully painted pumpkins on your porch, or some scented candles dotted on your mantlepiece. On your walk, pick up some pine cones and leave pop them in bowls for a subtle and unique centrepiece.

Snuggle up with a loved one

With the chill in the air and the nights beginning to draw in, Fall is the perfect time to snuggle up and get cosy with a loved one. Whether it's your kids, your husband or even your dog - grab those fluffy blankets, draw the curtains, light the fire, grab some popcorn and chill out in front of a movie. It is all about the Hygge!

Dig out the Autumn clothes

One of the best things about Fall is the fashion. Deep, rich colours such as plum, burgundy and navy start creeping back into the shops and into our wardrobes, along with comfortable boots, fluffy socks and snuggly sweaters. We don't have to worry about shaving our legs or painting our toenails any more - hurrah for that! 

Start a new tradition

We tend to think of Christmas as a time to start new traditions, but there is no reason why you can't begin some in Fall. Maybe you could visit a pumpkin patch with the kids for an annual photoshoot, or spend the day baking cookies. Whatever you choose to do, aim to do it every year and build it into your family traditions. Your kids will love thinking back to it in years to come!