Monthly Archives: November 2015

Strategies to Energize Your Workout

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Getting motivated to work out can sometimes be challenging, especially when life is hectic or you don’t feel energized enough to get a thorough workout. However, regular exercise is the key to staying in shape; so even if you don’t feel like you have enough energy to endure a vigorous session at the gym, you owe it to yourself to explore ways to perk up your energy level. The following tips and tricks are designed to help you increase your endurance and take your body to the next level.

Get Started Early in the Day

It’s always easy to put off going to the gym until after you’ve had breakfast, but that can also lead to putting it off until after lunch, after work, and then, after dinner. This kind of procrastination can lead to many days of not exercising at all. Getting started on your workout as early as possible will give you the stamina you need to get through even the most hectic of days. Additionally, you will most likely have more energy for your workout the next day. If you make early exercise sessions a habit, you’ll start experiencing a boost of energy during these sessions.

Have Some Peppermint

Peppermint actually stimulates a part of your brain that affects how alert you feel. Feeling alert is often half the battle in terms of having a higher energy level overall. If you try chewing some peppermint gum or eating a mint before you exercise, you are apt to feel an instant lift – and that could be just what you need to endure your workout session.

Supplement Your Workout

Sometimes, no matter how much you change your diet and how much sleep you get, you still feel tired before you go to the gym. In order to boost your workout and sustain your energy level, try drinking a workout supplement before you start. If you choose a high quality supplement, you could get more out of one exercise session than you could ever imagine.

Drink Plenty of Water

Proper hydration is a key factor in staying energetic, and this is true whether you are a professional athlete or just someone who works out a couple of times per week. Water helps keep the temperature of your body regulated as well as ensure that your joints are working as they should. Be sure to drink enough water every day; six to eight glasses should be sufficient. Don’t forget to drink water before, during, and after your sessions – you’ll notice the difference in how you feel if you do.

Make Your Workout Fun

If the thought of getting yourself to the gym seems to drain you mentally and physically, maybe you need to change the nature of your workouts. Remember to have some fun when you exercise; doing this could change your perception of exercising in general. Try working out with friends a few times per week – you might even engage in some friendly competition to boost your spirits. Also, choose a form of exercise that appeals to you, whether it is swimming, golf, yoga, or walking around your neighborhood at least once per week. You don’t always need to do a traditional gym workout to stay in great shape, and you’ll likely have more energy when you’re doing something you truly enjoy.

Staying active is essential to staying in top shape. If you’re ready to take your body to the next level, you might only need to change a few details in your routine. Even the most serious of athletes sometimes lose focus and energy, and this can often be corrected simply by changing some habits.

 

Tips For Buying Kitchen Flooring

When you are renovating your kitchen, the last thing you are probably worrying about is the flooring because your mind is on other things such as appliances, units and accessories.  However, the choice you make with regards to kitchen flooring could alter the finished look of your kitchen for better or worse.

There are various types of flooring suitable for kitchen available these days, from linoleum to cork and concrete to limestone and many more.  So many that it can feel a little intimidating trying to find the best home flooring for kitchens.  To give you advice, we have gathered some of the points we feel are most important when looking for kitchen flooring.

A Matter Of Taste

Like most things related to a decorating project in your own home, the flooring in your kitchen is a personal thing and one dictated by your own taste.  So it could be that you want to have a colour scheme where the units and cupboards match the flooring or one where they compliment rather than match.

Coordinating and Contrasting

If you are looking for everything to match you should plan on choosing materials with the same kind of finish, gloss or matt and find the colours that go well together the best too.  A good way to do this is to either use a material that can be used on floors and worktop, like a composite or rich brown stone worktop with a walnut floor.

Another great way you can decorate a kitchen is by contrasting colours and finished.  Either contrast the colours in the same finishes or different finishes in the same colour.

Regardless of the colours and finishes you choose, you need to consider the fact that kitchens not only take a long time to install but cost a lot of money and should be seen as a long term investment.  Therefore you need to make sure you choose finishes and a colour scheme from somewhere like GoHaus that you will not get tired of easily.

How To Edit Your Bali Holiday Photos With Movavi Photo Editor?

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Are you just back from Bali and can’t wait to share your photos online? Well, Bali is a charm always with its sun-kissed beaches and the vast ocean body. Then of course you have the picturesque rice fields, the coastal towns of northeast and many more. The Bali culture is another great attraction for the tourists here. Moreover, the spectacular spot also pulls in tourists for a wide range of adventure activities like surfing, white water rafting, diving, kite surfing etc. It goes without saying that you have tried to capture the beauty of the island in every way possible.

Now, when you are clicking pictures randomly, it’s natural that you would have photos with unwanted objects and people. Thus, when you show these photos to friends or upload them on social media, you must edit them – the last thing you want your buddy to ask is who is this random man peeping from behind an otherwise lovely romantic shot. Movavi Photo Editor can be a great option for you when you want to remove people from photos.

Movavi is an award winning brand which enjoys international recognition is as many as 150 countries. Thus, you can expect a superior performance from the Movavi Photo Editor. The article below will show you how to use Movavi Photo Editor to edit your photos.

Download & install the program

First of all, you will have to download and install the Movavi Photo Editor program from the official Movavi website.

Add photos

Then, you will bring your photos to the software program. Go to Browse for Images tab to select the images from your computer folder. Otherwise, the program even allows you to simply drag & drop the pictures onto Movavi Photo Editor.

Mark & remove unwanted things from photo

Go to Object Removal & choose Brush tool to mark your desired object that you are planning to delete. The other tools for selection are Lasso or Magic Wand. If you have to remove unwanted marks, go to Selection Eraser. Now, click on Start Erasing & remove an object or person.

If there are any imperfections left, the Stamp option would be handy. It would copy any section of the image & paste it into the disturbed spot to cover up the imperfection.

Save your edited photos

After you have removed the unwanted things or people from your photo, it’s time to save it. Click on Export to select the output folder where the edited photos would be saved automatically.

Shop Smart, Shop Online This Holiday Season

While some moms might want to brave the craze of Black Friday, we say a big “no thank you” to that madness. The best deals are online, anyway — and who can beat the convenience of shopping from a mobile device? Get organized, get discounts and avoid the lines this holiday season.

Make a plan. Use apps like Evernote for reminders and gift ideas, Mint for budgeting and Brad’s Deals for great online deals. Some companies, like Cabela’s, will even send you text alerts of daily deals all season long.

Follow your favorite brands. If you’re a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram user, like or follow your favorite brands online for discount codes and sale information. Search hashtags like #BOGO, #Sale and #wishlist.

Sometimes, there’s no way around it. You must visit a retail location. Skip the crowds with the Visor app. Request a picture of a location or line with your phone. A user who is at the location will take a picture for you.

For a more detailed look at how to use your smartphone to score great deals, check out this infographic:

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4 Ways to Improve Your Safety When Driving

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Driving safely should always be a priority when you are on the road, not only for your sake, but also for that of other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and you want to do what you can to avoid it. If you think you might need a refresher, or if you’re concerned that you may not be driving safely, read on for four tips to improve your safety when you’re on the road.

No Distractions

It can be tempting to turn up the music really loudly or engage in serious conversations with your friends while you are driving, but doing so can affect your safety when you are on the road. Try and minimise distractions as much as possible, as this will lead to you focusing more on the road and averting potential accidents.

Defensive Driving

You can’t count on everyone on the road to be as vigilant as you are and practising defensive driving can come in handy when you find yourself in a difficult situation. Always be aware of the traffic around you, as well as potential hazards.

Speed Limits

This may seem like basic common sense, but a large percentage of people on the road still do not obey the speed limit. Even if there are people zooming past you and overtaking you, do not feel the need to match their speed. Doing so will increase the likelihood of an accident, and you be putting your safety at stake as well as the safety of others on the road. If you do find yourself in some kind of strife, specialists in such matters such as GC Traffic Lawyers will be able give you some extra information regarding your options.

No Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can easily become one of the biggest distractions when you’re on the road. Do not be tempted by a text or a call while you are driving – if it is an emergency and you need to respond immediately, find a safe place to pull over and stop before picking up your phone. A good way to minimise such temptation would be to put your phone in your bag, and to also put it on silent while you are driving.

Safety is paramount when driving, so you need to always be aware of your surroundings while you are on the road. These tips are also useful for drivers who are just starting out, especially those who may be a little bit nervous about their driving ability. It’s also worth looking into other safety tips to make sure your journeys are as safe as possible, especially when travelling with family and friends.

What do you do to improve your safety while you are driving? What strategies have you found to work and which ones have not been so successful? Leave your thoughts in the section below.

Creating Your Emergency Preparedness Plan

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Whether it’s a relatively simple power outage that lasts for days or a huge natural disaster that threatens to destroy your home, you need to be ready for any disaster that may strike. This may sound incredibly dour, but in most cases all it takes is to be prepared for the worst and have a plan ready to go. This plan could include any number of things depending on where you live and what is likely to happen, but these are the essentials for any emergency preparedness plan.

Discussing the Basics with Your Family

According to the American Red Cross, the first step in developing any preparedness plan is to discuss it with your family. You should go over the most likely emergencies in your area as well as the best response for each situation. Each family member should have a role to play when something happens. One member of your family could be responsible for gathering emergency supplies, while others should be in charge of calling for help. The more complicated roles should of course go to the adults in the family, but children should know where they can go and who they can call for help if need be. As always, you and your family should be prepared to work together as a team.

You should also discuss where you and your family should go if you need to evacuate your home. If there is a fire, you might decide to meet in front of your home. If you are facing a disaster that forces you to evacuate your neighborhood, you should designate at least one place you and your family can go until it is safe to return home. This will of course require you to have an emergency contact person that can be contacted if you cannot return to your home—most likely a close friend or a family member.

Creating an Emergency Kit

Being prepared for an emergency means having a survival kit ready to go. This kit should include all the essentials you and your family needs in order to survive for at least a few days, such as non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, personal hygiene items, a flashlight, extra batteries and any medication you or your family may need. You may also need a cell phone with a charger, extra batteries, cash, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and copies of your identification and other important documents.

Being Prepared for the Long Haul

It is very likely that an emergency could cause you to be displaced and left without basic resources for an extended period of time. If that happens, you may need to make use of emergency services such as portable restrooms, freshwater sinks, emergency storage containers and anything else that may be needed to serve large numbers of people for extended periods of time. There are plenty of these services near you, whether you are aware of them or not, so make sure to familiarize yourself with them if you’re ever involved in an evacuation or are displaced.

With any luck, you won’t need any of these supplies or plans, but it’s impossible to plan for everything that can happen. Emergencies are never convenient, so make sure you’re ready for the worst even while you continue to hope for the best.

Easy ways to keep your bathroom clean

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Tidy up

The first step to a bathroom that is easy to keep clean is to make sure you have proper storage. Keep your space tidy by ensuring that there is a space for everything. If you don’t have room for separate cupboards or storage units, get creative and find other ways to increase storage space in your bathroom. Install some shelving, add under sink storage or for a multi-tasking storage solution opt for a mirrored wall cabinet. Shower caddies and baskets are another handy way to avoid clutter.  Keeping surfaces clear of bottles not only makes them easier to wipe, but also minimises the build-up of residue and soap scum.

Keep it fresh

Any bathroom will feel cleaner when it has a pleasant scent. Keep your bathroom smelling sweet by using a diffuser or some scented candles, and maintain a fresh atmosphere by adding a toilet freshener. A bathroom fan is a must to keep your bathroom well ventilated, and to help prevent the build-up of mould around the windows and on your bathroom tiles. Make sure that your bathroom fan remains efficient by cleaning it regularly.

Maintenance

If you are redecorating then consider how easy your new décor will be to keep clean. Tiles are the most hygienic option for floor and walls, as they cannot harbour the growth of bacteria and mould and are easy to wipe clean. Floor tiles don’t retain moisture as floorboards or carpet do in a steamy bathroom, making them a durable choice highly resistant to any water damage caused by the moisture in the air.

A simple swap to make your bathroom easier to clean is to replace an old shower curtain for a glass bath screen. As a screen dries much quicker than a curtain it is far more hygienic, and it is also faster to clean as it only requires a simple wipe.

Little and often

Overall the best way to keep your bathroom looking immaculate is to stay on top of the cleaning. Use a squeegee to wipe down shower stalls after each use, and in hard water areas use a lime scale remover regularly to prevent build up. By considering all of these tips you can cut down on the amount of time it takes to clean your bathroom, ensuring that it always looks good.

Things Your Dentist Should Be Telling You

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Image by intermedlinemedicaltouris via flickr

Usually we associate the dentist with somewhere we go when something’s gone wrong with our teeth but they can also be a powerful ally in preventing illness. Not only is your dentist responsible for your teeth, but also how your face, airway, and jaw develop. All of these can affect how you breathe.

So, here are 5 things your dentist might not be telling you. Feel free to bring these topics up yourself next time you go for a check-up.

  1. If you tend to grind your teeth, the dentist should screen you for obstructive sleep apnoea and, if necessary, refer you to a sleep specialist. Grinding is a response to your body struggling to breathe when you are asleep. Treating sleep apnoea early on can prevent depression, premature aging, heart and circulatory damage, and anxiety.
  1. Mouthwashes and antibacterial toothpastes are doing us harm. While all the advertising would have you think it’s good for you, the whole idea is harmful to both your oral health and the rest of your body. Antibacterial products tend to wipe out good and bad bacteria alike, harming gut bacteria and microbiomes.
  1. Before having cosmetic work done, you need a foundation for healthy teeth. This means your dentist in Gold Coast should not start doing cosmetic work on you unless you have a foundation for strong oral health, including straight teeth, no gum disease and good sleeping patterns (i.e. the ability to breathe without interruptions during the night).
  1. Teeth can heal themselves sometimes. You often hear people talking about flossing and brushing for cavity prevention. That’s only part of preventing cavities. The key is to ensure your teeth are regaining minerals faster than losing them. You can promote remineralization by avoiding processed foods and having a diet high in alkaline water, vegetables and tea. Dark chocolate is also a powerful fluoride that helps to re-mineralize teeth.
  1. The health of your mouth can affect the health of the rest of your body. Oral health is strongly connected with your well-being. Many studies have shown that gum disease has been linked to dementia, heart disease, and even pregnancy complications. A dentist should be screening you for oral cancer and discussing preventative measures. Your teeth, face, mouth, and back of your throat need to be examined to see if you have sleep apnoea. Sleep ability is an aspect we should be concerned about, just as much as high blood pressure and cholesterol. If you have diabetes, kidney or heart disease, or any another inflammatory condition, your dental specialist will be able to assist your GP with a clearer picture of what’s causing your issues.

In your efforts for health and well-being, do not neglect your oral health. It is a fundamental piece of the equation that, as we work to reduce being susceptible to disease and illness, can lead to richer, fuller and longer lives.

So, the next time you head off to a dental appointment, bring up one or more of these topics with him or her. In fact, just pick one to avoid getting overwhelmed. Essentially, this one thing can open the door to greater conversation that can help you get the most out of your visits to the dentist.

Inspiration for family days out this Christmas

Christmas market by night in Coburg, Germany

It is true what they say: you may never truly appreciate just how magical Christmas can be unless you are a child, have children of your own, or spend time with those of friends and family. There is something inherently enchanting about planning the perfect Christmas for children, enabling you to recapture that sparkle for yourself. Are you ready for a little festive inspiration?

Christmas magic – wherever you liv

The great news is that it doesn’t matter where you live, there is bound to be a Christmas day out for your whole family to enjoy just beyond your front door. Winter Wonderlands, for example, crop up each year. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is often touted as the country’s best for good reason; it features fairground rides, an ice rink, a magical ice kingdom, and circus shows throughout the day

Christmas markets are also a fantastic way to spend a cold winter’s day, and Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is, again, one of the country’s best. Imagine, a pop-up village dedicated to Christmas, with traditional food and drink, gifts, entertainment, and an atmosphere that is like no other; you’ll keep the magic with you long after you’re tucked up at home again. There’s something magical about steam trains regardless of the time of year, so imagine how enchanting a heritage railway Santa experience would be for visitors of any age. The Polar Express Train Ride, which takes place on the Weardale and Dartmoor railways brings the incredible story to life

If you’re struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, can we suggest filling a day with lights and sparkle? Attending a Christmas light switch on event is one of the very best ways to get ready for the festive period, and, with towns up and down the country adopting the tradition, you’re bound to find an event near you. London’s illuminations are world-renowned, with the shop windows of Oxford Street and Regent Street, among others, making an extra-magical effort each year. Children will love the anticipation that accompanies light events, while adults will be able to combine Christmas spirit with last minute shopping. Perfect.

Christmas magic as it should be

For a Christmas that is filled with magic it’s about time to you took your family to experience Harry Potter at the Warner Bros Studio Tour. Whether you’re a huge fan of the books and films or not, everything that you need for a truly spectacular festive visit is here; a Great Hall decked out with trees, decorations, and a roaring fire, a Christmassy platform from which to board the Hogwart’s Express, a cosy common room to enjoy a beverage or two with friends, and a castle dusted with snow. The studio tour features everything that you may remember from the film series, including film sets painstakingly brought to life, animatronics to wonder and delight over, outdoor sets to explore, and a huge gift shop stocked with mementos. Hogwarts in the Snow runs from the end of November until the end of January – book your tour date today.

Whatever you decide to do this Christmas, do remember to conduct your research; where is your event taking place? How will you get there? How much is it likely to cost? Pre-book your tickets to events to avoid disappointment, and remember to take your Christmas spirit with you!

The Advantages Of Online Casinos

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When compared to how long there has been real, bricks and mortar casinos; online casinos are considerably newer.  However, as you will see in the following article, there are many reasons why, if you haven’t already done so, you should give online casino games a try.  While there are definitely downsides, it is important to weigh up the good and the bad and decide whether it suits you or not.

Competitive Market – Lots Of Choice

There is a wide selection of online casinos in operation nowadays, which is a good thing when you are trying to find the best deal you can, as they are all fighting for your business.  This means companies will do what they can, offer what they can, make whatever deals they can available to make you want to gamble with them over their competitors.  The promotions and bonuses you will come across when you visit different sites can range from free cash games to rewards schemes that reward you with prizes and cash just for playing your favourite games a specific number of times.

User-Friendly Rules

Unlike physical casinos, the rules of online casinos tend to be more forgiving.  Additionally, as they do not have the same overhead costs as land casinos, online casinos usually offer better odds.  Because they do not have as many bills to pay, they can afford to reward their players.

Open 24/7 Wherever You Are

Although many land-based, physical casinos are opened 24/7 all year round, you still have to travel to and from them.  With online casinos,  not only are they open all the time, but you can access them from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection and computer or a smart phone, tablet or other similar device.  This means there is no waiting, travelling or fuss involved in getting you to the table or machine of your favourite game.

There Are No Crowds

While we are not suggesting in anyway that we are unsociable creatures, but if you have ever been to a real casino you will know how busy they can be.  So busy that if you are not waiting to get a seat at your favourite game table or machine, you have to sit next to some obnoxious loud mouth who is smoking a big, fat, stinky cigar.  The joy of playing at an online casino is that you may well be playing with thousands of other people at the same time and maybe even some of them are smoking big, fat, stinky cigars – but you would never know it, nor will it ever affect your enjoyment.  There are no queues, no crowds and therefore no annoyances when you play online.

You Don’t Have To Tip

When you go to a physical casino, you may have noticed that by the end of the night whether you win anything or not, you still pay out quite a lot tipping various staff members.  Whether it is the bellboy, the croupier or the bar staff, as you never see any of these at any point when you visit the online casino, there is no need to tip them so you save an extra bit of money.