Archives for May 2017

3 Steps to assisting a friend in need

If you have a friend who is undergoing a great deal of problems like addiction, depression and other things, you may be wondering how you can help him or her. If this is you, you will find this article very helpful. You see, people who undergo these kinds of problems usually isolate and shut themselves alone, out of reach from the outside world. And as time passes, with them rejecting everybody, things will just worsen and get out of hand. By reaching out your helping hand first, you will be able to greatly decrease the chances of this happening and instead be able to help your friend completely solve the problem or issue.

 

Here are the 3 steps that will help you and your friend address their problems and issues;

 

  •    Establish a sincere and open communication

 

The very first and most important step to helping your friend is by having a completely open and sincere talk. In this process, patience and understanding will be tested. Most people who are depressed or are suffering from addiction are actually very stubborn, they will refuse help and won’t admit that they need you. They will wear that mask for as long as possible and will inevitably fall into deeper problems. Therefore, you need to constantly approach your friend or loved one and make them feel that you are always there to listen. Try to understand that beneath that prideful and arrogant attitude is actually a very lonely and afraid person. Once you destroy those layers and barriers, the open communication will naturally come. Once you earn the trust and start talking with your friend, try to identify the root cause of the problems. You also need to learn and identify the triggers that cause their depression or addiction. Once you finally have these things, you can actively guide them in avoiding these causes and triggers and slowly convince them to undergo treatment.

 

  •    Seek professional help

 

In some cases, it is always better to seek help and advice from professionals. These professionals are well-trained and specially equipped with the latest technology and treatment programs that will effectively address your friend or loved one’s depression or addiction. Through the years, with advances in medicine, different kinds of treatment programs have been constantly developed in order to treat the physical, emotional, spiritual and even social problems brought about by depression or addiction. You can check out The Drug Rehab Agency for more information.

 

  •    Stay and be there for your friend through and through

 

Treatment will not be easy and fast and there will be many stages that will require emotional support especially from trusted friends. Therefore, you need to be with your friend all throughout and help him get through his problems. You know what they say, problems are easier dealt with when you have someone facing them and conquering them with you. Also, depression and addiction can reoccur at any point in the future especially if the same conditions that caused it in the first place are met again. Thus, guarantee your friend that once he gets through this ordeal, you will still be there helping him to get back on track again.

3 Ways to Living a Healthier Lifestyle

Health threats are all around and the modern lifestyle is contributing to a dramatic increase in risk, prompting many to adopt life choices that preserve, protect and promote their health. Today’s health and wellness business is a multi-billion dollar industry proving the demand and need of people to shift to a healthier lifestyle.  Yet, amidst this limitless influx of science, information, and technology, many continue to agonize over unhealthy lifestyles, sedentary jobs, fast food, and other stuff that puts their health under threat. Many, knowing these things continue to procrastinate and make excuses as to why they are not on their way to a healthy lifestyle right now. Some may feel it hard to start and some are afraid to fail. Yet all of these can only be solved in actually acting on them.

By acting to improve your health through better lifestyle choices and habits, you gradually develop the momentum that can take you to your dream state. Again, you need to act first. For those who are clueless in where to start, here are 3 ways to live a healthier life starting within your very own home.

1.    Opting for Healthy Food Choices

You are what you eat, and if you want to be healthy, you need to start eating healthy. Take out food with massive preservatives out of your fridge, throw away junk foods, and stay away from fast food. Make healthy food choices by knowing what to eat and actually eating them. Substitute your pizzas with real cooked food. Do your own shopping and fill your fridge with fruits, vegetables, and many healthy choices. Drink less sodas and coffee, or keep them at the minimum. Water should be your main drink, make sure you drink enough in a day.

2.    Manage Your Time Well

Time management is not only a productivity hack, but it is also a health hack. By managing your time efficiently, you spare yourself from stress that affects your digestion and overall mental and physical health. Allot time for cooking healthy food and working out. Most importantly, allocate ample time for sleep and rest. Without sleep and rest, your body can’t function properly and it affects your physique. You can only get the most from your diet and exercise when you combine them with sufficient rest and sleep.

3.    Create a Home Gym

While you can always sign up for a membership in a gym near your home or workplace, setting ample space for a workout area at home can encourage you to exercise more. Trips to the gym can mean dressing up and getting ready, which exhausts people mentally most of the time. With your own home gym, equipped with the right equipment, you can always get workout access any time of the day for any small amount of time you have.

A healthy lifestyle begins with a choice, followed up by action, and fueled with dedication and consistency. The best time to start is today.

Brouwerij West at San Pedro, Ca

Beer Enthusiasts Stop Here!

Brouwerij West, pronounced Brewery West, is an amazing destination for visitors to Los Angeles and Long Beach in particular. They are more than just a brewery, with their tasting room, daily food trucks, pop-up restaurants, historical building, and proximity to other local attractions, they are a perfect stop. Kids and dogs (leashed of course) are welcome and the parking is free. Add the beer itself, which is excellent, and Brouwerij West is a great lunch break location or evening outing.

Visitors from further away can take advantage of the Brouwerji West special with the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Pedro, Beaches and Brews package. Then schedule a tour and tasting! The two-night travel package starts with two Brouwerij West beers when you arrive at the Hotel, transportation to a hosted tour of Brouwerij West; and a five beer tasting. Learn more about the process and how water, hops, barley, and other ingredients come together in the fine art and science of brewing.

Located in a converted U.S. Navy Port Warehouse that was built during World War II, the brewery gives the area a new life after the building sat abandoned. Visitors can come and get a look at soaring ceiling and brick walls initially intended to house ships, now home to beer barrels and brewing tanks. The tour was a real highlight of the visit for me as I knew very little about beer before.

Another aspect that deserves attention is that Brouwerij West is a green company running entirely off solar energy and 30% more efficient in their water usage than traditional breweries. This is possible with the use of a super fancy mash filter. Obviously when using terms like “super fancy” you can see I’m not an expert, so for true beer enthusiasts and home brewers here is an article from beerandbrewing.com about how the process really works. I did walk away from my tour far more knowledgable about the brewing process and ready to test some beers!

Brouwerji West has a sense of humor when it comes to their products. Some of the beers carry long and occasionally silly names like “Dog Ate My Homework” and “Smart for Never”, but you can make the intelligent choice and sit down at the bar, one of the indoor picnic tables, or the outdoor beer garden and sample a few of the craft brews. It helps to have a little something in your tummy too. Food for the non-drinkers in the family is another draw to Brouwerij West. There is always a selection of Food Trucks and Pop-up Restaurants like Shady Grove Foods to try. We enjoyed fresh fried chicken and their delicious thick cut bacon while enjoying our beers on a sunny SoCal afternoon.

The shiny tanks, wooden barrels, and time honored tradition come together and the results are refreshing and in a few cases surprising!



Coffee Tripel
– My favorite, and I confess it is the first
coffee beer I have ever had. I am not a coffee addict either and this Belgian style ale still came out on top. The smell is an added treat, rich with the aroma from the whole coffee beans used in the aging process.

Friend-o – Sweet and hoppy when it first hits the tongue. A great choice to get a feel for the beer. If this one is available grab it up and one for a friend-o.

Dog Ate My Homework – Blackberries! Just like the fruit themselves this beer has a tart dry flavor and a deep color. Not overly sweet or even overly fruity, the beer is a great balance between the additional blackberry and the beer flavors. The pretty color doesn’t hurt its appeal either!

Whether you are close by or traveling from afar, make the time to check out Brouwerij West. With nearby attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Queen Mary, and other stops in the Port of Los Angeles like the indoor craft fair aptly named Crafted right across from the brewery there is plenty to see besides just the beaches. Come for a drink and a meal, take a few cans or bottles back home with you!

Find out more about Brouwerij West on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter

Shady Grove Foods on Facebook, Instagram, and their site Shadygrovefoods.com

 

Color Switch: Challenges

free apps

My kids and their friends are gamers. And by that, I mean they enjoy playing all sorts of video games. From chatting with other parents, I’ve realized that older children tend to prefer console games. If you’ve spent $60 a pop on too many PS4 or Xbox titles, then you know what I’m talking about. Thankfully, it seems that most younger kids are into free games. While we may not enjoy in-game purchases and/or advertisements, free-to-play is a welcome idea. Color Switch: Challenges is a free game, and there are actually no purchases necessary (or even available, for that matter). Better yet, there are no in-game ads, either.

Color Switch: Challenges is a uniquely fantastic game for several reasons. Firstly, it truly appeals to all ages. The objective is easy to understand, the controls are enjoyably basic, and the game looks good, too. Secondly, Color Switch: Challenges is different every time you play. Here’s how it works:

Each gamer controls a colored ball. Clicking the mouse or tapping the screen moves the ball upwards. If untouched, the ball falls realistically, as if pulled down by gravity. Players must keep bouncing the ball upwards to avoid falling out of sight. But, several obstacles stand in between the start and finish lines.

Obstacles come in the form of multicolored circles, diamonds, and rectangles. Plus, every obstacle moves. Some spin, some slide, and others change size. Most of the time, players have to figure out how to move through the shapes. Passing through them requires touching matching colors only. Since the obstacles move constantly, it can be very difficult to avoid non matching parts.

The colors are completely random, which means there’s no way to cheat. Walkthrough videos will only help so much, because the timing will always vary. As such, I’ve found Color Switch: Challenges to be more mentally stimulating than other free games. It requires players to think, adjust, and actually learn as they play.

Color Switch: Challenges is new and readily available on Poki. However, it’s not the first of its kind. This game is based on Color Switch (without ‘Challenges’ in its name). The original game was one of the most successful mobile games of the past two years, with over 150 million downloads. Chances are, your children might already be familiar with Color Switch. If they are, I still recommend giving the Challenges edition a try.

This new version of the game is much more focused than the original. Challenges are essentially small puzzles. In this game, players won’t spend hours doing the same thing over and over. Instead, they will work on manageable puzzles. Getting past three obstacles at a time is encouraging and fun. It’s not daunting, and it’s far less frustrating than trying to beat an impossible-to-reach high score.

Color Switch: Challenges bridges the gap between arcade and puzzle games, providing plenty of entertainment for younger and older kids. It’s great for parents, too—whether you’re a savvy gamer or just want to dabble in the fun.

Food Harmonics in Ojai California

A Dream stop for Foodies!

Food Harmonics is so good they merit a trip to Ojai, not just a stop in if you are already in town. Located in Ojai California, a fun little city overlooking the beautiful mountains of Los Padres National Forest between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Food Harmonics is an absolute must.
Don’t be fooled by the quick order appearance when you first walk in, this place is quality food made fresh and worth sitting down to savor. There is great seating in the back or on the outdoor patio where you can look out and enjoy nature.

Don’t be intimidated by the menu board either. Take your time, ask questions, and know that everything we tasted blew us away. Homemade bread, soups, unexpected drinks both hot and cold are a mix of the familiar and items that might be foreign to you.

The entire menu is organic and gluten free. There are also amazing Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Paleo options. I know, very California Foodie but don’t roll your eyes until you have their Raw Vegan Pizza on your tongue and then it will be completely pleasure induced. Yes the Raw Vegan Pizza is my top pick!

Raw Vegan Pizza – Not the first thing you think to order, but it should be! Not exactly the gooey cheesiness we usually associate with the term, but I would eat this any and every day that it is offered. The crust has a surprising crisp texture, thick and hearty. The toppings are so fresh they make you feel good from the first bite. Pesto, cashew cheese, mushrooms, fresh tomato, and pickled onion give the pizza a unique taste. It couldn’t be better proof that healthy and tasty can go hand in hand especial when added to the long list of dehydrated goodness that make up the crust! Honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten.

Smashed Avocado Toast – The highlight of this item is the bread. Avocados are always delicious and with the optional egg and pesto you have a SoCal favorite. At Food Harmonics they raise it to the next level with their homemade bread. Thick and full of grains it takes a simple snack and makes it a meal.

 

Salad Bowls – Complete with Bison Burger and you have one killer salad meal. Greens, tomato, avocado, beets, cabbage, sauerkraut, pickled onion topped with pesto dressing and cashew cheese will have you feeling good and full before you know it. The plate is also pretty in pink since the sauerkraut was made using red cabbage. cashew cheese was a new experience for me, but I have since looked up recipes to start using it at home.

Hot Turmeric Matcha Latte – It took me a minute I confess. The drink has an interesting greenish color that takes a moment. The taste also has a distinct flavor that the more I drank the more I wanted. We were informed that patrons come in just to get their fix of the drink which is healthier than coffee and has the benefits of turmeric which is good for inflammation, healthier skin, and is a super strong antioxidant. There are a lot of interesting options, but add this one to your “To Try” list.

Water Kefir – Fermented in house this probiotic drink is a bit intense. Think kombucha but without the caffeine since this is water based. This is a great source of healthy bacteria and yeast.

Food Harmonics is a must for every eater, the fact that it is Organic and so healthy becomes secondary to the taste and quality of their meals. Spend the day, enjoy Ojai, then finish off your day on a harmonious note here.

Find out more about Food Harmonics on Facebook and Instagram

 

Main Features and Benefits of the EntrePass Visa for Entrepreneurs

The scheme “Entrepreneur Pass”, also referred to as “EntrePass” or “Entrepreneurs Visa” was introduced in 2004. Its main purpose was to welcome foreign entrepreneurs with innovative and inventive business proposals. A major benefit of this scheme is that it will help Singapore to become a regional business center and increase its appeal to the world’s leading entrepreneurial minds.

Eligibility criteria for EntrePass

Here are the main criteria required to immigrate to Singapore with EntrePass Visa:

  •         The individual must have an extraordinary entrepreneurial or business background;
  •         The firm should not already be registered in Singapore’s business records;
  •         A period of at least 6 months should have passed since the firm’s founding;
  •         The prospected paid capital of the firm should be more than 50,000 SGD;
  •         If you are a shareholder of the company, your share ownership should be at least 30%;
  •         The entrepreneur needs to develop the entire business strategy and provide all relevant details, including their innovative approach, the aims and goals of the business, and its proposed benefit for the Singaporean economy and for local businesses.

All business entities are welcome to apply, but private companies may receive more benefits.

New business entities should meet one or more of the following innovative criteria:

  1.   The entrepreneur registers all their property through an accredited or specialized Singapore-based company.
  2.   The entrepreneur must have an angel investor or a venture capital (VC) company that is willing to invest more than 100,000 SGD in a new business.
  3.   The company should be registered as a participant in a startup incubation programme of the government.
  4.   The company must collaborate with a university or with A*STAR in the field of research.

Key features of EntrePass

Here are the main features of EntrePass:

  •         One can avail the benefit of EntrePass if the company is not registered yet or has been trading for at least 6 months. If over 6 months have passed after the company’s registration, the entrepreneur must apply for an employment pass rather than the EntrePass.
  •         A Singapore-based company should be willing to sponsor the visa application by paying for a bond worth 3,000 SGD. This money will be refunded upon visa expiry.
  •         It is crucial for the entrepreneur to have an extraordinary business plan for the future and a successful business background.

Entrepreneurs are recommended to find out as much as possible about their eligibility from visa experts so as to avoid rejection of the visa.

Benefits of EntrePass

The major benefits of EntrePass are given below:

  •         The Singaporean government issues the visa for a year with the possibility of renewal in the future.
  •         The entrepreneur is allowed a period of 30 days to set up their business after issuance of the visa.
  •         Businessmen can bring their spouses and children to Singapore after the first renewal of the visa and upon fulfilling certain conditions, which include:
  1.   Creating at least 4 jobs in the local economy; and
  2.   Spending more than 150,000 SGD.
  •         Businessmen can apply for permanent residency after their proposed business plan has been successful for 2 years.
  •         Business taxes in Singapore are very low, and the Singaporean government gives private companies huge tax discounts.

Understanding these requirements and features will help you when applying for your own EntrePass visa.

Kids’ Clothes Don’t Have To Cost You A Fortune

Whether it’s back-to-school time or you’re in the run-up to summer, your kids need clothes. With the crazy speed at which young kids grow, you need to be smart with your money when it’s time to hit some department stores again. If you know you’ve spent too much on children’s clothes in the past, here are some handy tips to make it less of a strain on your budget…

Stay Away from Collections

A lot of kids’ clothing stores will group all their collections right at the entrance of the store, where you can easily see all the pieces in one spot, and get tempted into a knee-jerk impulse-buy. Yes, those tops, skirts, along with the matching shoes and accessories might look adorable on the mannequins. However, your child really doesn’t care how well the different pieces of their outfit mesh together. If you see a pair of pants that you have to see on your child, then go ahead and pick them up. However, don’t get looped in and buy everything else in the collection. Try to bypass the new collections, and head to the back of the store, where you’ll find all the affordable clearance items.

Start Couponing

A lot of parents think that couponing has more popularity than it’s worth, and all those offers you come across are only there to get you in the store. Sure, businesses get on couponing schemes as a marketing ploy, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t save a huge amount through taking advantage of what’s on offer. Head over to a site like DontPayFull.com, and you’ll see a range of discount codes for popular department stores and kids’ clothing brands. These couponing sites go through their ups and downs, but it’s always worth having a look before you head out and start shopping.

Plan Ahead

Department stores start to close out jackets, sweaters and other cold weather gear once the spring range comes out. Obviously though, this doesn’t mean that your kids aren’t going to need winter gear in a matter of months. Start checking out more end-of-season sales, and save money ahead of when your kids actually need to change their wardrobe. Make a point of buying seasonal clothes that are just a touch large for your kids. This way, they can wear a certain item for a month or two, then store it away until the winter rolls around again. By leaving your kids room to grow, you’ll be able to go that much longer without having to buy more clothes.

Share the Basics

One of the great things about having young kids is that they can share a lot of their clothes. Of course, your son might not be crazy about the idea of wearing a Frozen shirt, or your daughter a Star Wars one, but when it comes to the basics, kids can share all kinds of items. Plain snow pants, hoodies, jackets and gloves are all good items for this, and will save you having to buy two sets of everything for your kids. The next time you’re shopping, try not to get a theme on everything, and look for clothes in neutral colors like black, gray and brown. Graphics of your kids’ favorite cartoon characters can add a ridiculous amount to an otherwise affordable piece of clothing, so keep sharing in mind on your shopping trip.

Think Work and Play

There’s a big difference between what your kids should be wearing to school and what they can use for play time. Mainly, the distinctions you should be worrying about are price and quality. When you’re at the start of summer, and your kids have got months ahead of riding bikes, running around parks, and so on, target cheap, low-quality clothes. There are usually great deals on around this time that allow you to buy a few shirts at a bundle price, along with discounted graphics tees, sweat pants, shorts and flip-flops.

Sell their Old Clothes

Baby onesies can make a nice memento, but as your kids grow out of their clothes at a ridiculous rate, you’ll need some way of getting rid of them. Why not get some of your money back by selling them at a garage sale? Just like you, other parents are going to want to save as much money as possible on clothes for their growing kids. Gently used shirts, pants, and shoes are all good items for a garage sale, and the little money you’ll make back can make your next shop that much cheaper.

#WW Road Trip with @Ford #DriveOnEnergi #ILoveEVS