Archives for November 2017

3 Tips to traveling to the Sahara Desert with family

Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world. In fact, it’s almost as big as the United States mainland! The desert boasts of breathtaking features and an inviting scenery that deserves to be viewed at least once in a lifetime. Planning a trip to the Sahara Desert with family is a splendid idea. You can view the subterranean aquifers, intermittent streams and oases that satiate the landscape.

There are numerous salt lakes and volcanic hills in the Sahara Desert as well. River Nile, the longest flowing river around the globe, is located in this desert. Along its banks are beautiful olive trees and cluttered settlements, truly a sight to behold.

Here are 3 tips to use while travelling in the Sahara Desert with family:

 

  • Plan your finances beforehand

 

Before heading out to the Sahara Desert, first establish how much money you need for the entire expedition. Good news is, travelling to the Sahara isn’t half as expensive as travelling to other landmarks. You can book a two-night trip for less than $150. However, the trick is to book beforehand. Planning an excursion in the Sahara Desert is the perfect opportunity to bring the entire family together, even when your budget is tight.

The desert climate is pretty harsh – it can get really hot during the day and awfully cold at night. But this adds an exciting twist to your entire touring experience. So pack appropriately before heading out there.

 

  • Prepare your family for a camel ride

 

One of the main highlights of travelling to the Sahara is riding camelback. Admittedly, getting on a camel’s back can be a frightening experience among children (and some adults). Most people only get to see a real-life camel in pictures and videos. When they finally see the huge beast up close, they panic and opt out. On the contrary, riding a camel is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have. It get your adrenaline pumping, allowing you to get in the shoes of the nomadic people who inhabit the Sahara desert – albeit for a few hours.

The desert is a pretty windy place, so carry your scarf along to protect you from the flying silt that hovers around. Also wear sunscreen and carry a hat if you’re uncomfortable with the glaring rays of the sun. You’ll also need to hydrate – carry a bottle of water if you can.

 

  • Don’t forget your camera

 

You are bound to see lots of eye-catching landscapes and gorgeous sites while travelling through the Sahara Desert. There’s also rich culture and traditions from local communities. You’ll want to capture every moment of your stay – and what better way to do this than by carrying your camera with you? Get to view the beauty of the Nile in its entirety. The pictures you take will forever remain a shining memento that you can show your friends. Better yet, your kids will have something to talk about when they get back home.

Santa.com the Official Site of Santa Claus! Giveaway

Don’t bother the Post Office this year with your letters, send them straight to Santa on his very own website! Santa.com is the new online home of the jolly ol’ Saint Nick that has brought joy to those of all ages. We live in a digital age so why shouldn’t Santa?

Santa.com is a great family site to embrace all things Christmas and enhance the Holiday Season with some extra holiday spirit. They offer activities for kids like free emails from Santa, Christmas coloring pages you can download, Santa Libs are seasonal ad-libs for the whole family, or read Santa’s blog! There are also some fun options like a service where you get a text a day from Santa starting December 1 through Christmas and some other paid options that make the holiday come to life in an interactive way. Santa enthusiasts of any age will enjoy that daily dose of spirit to bring Christmas to life.

Santa.com is also running a Giveaway now till Dec. 20th with prizes like a limited edition ornament designed by Christopher Radko for Anderson’s of Nantucket, Santa.com goodies like a fidget spinner, tote bag, bumper sticker, and pen. You can enter on their site using the link below.
Santa.com Christmas Giveaway

My favorite part of the site is the texts from Santa. Addressed to each individual it works like a calorie free advent calendar. Make the count down to Christmas even more exciting with these personal texts. They offer interesting facts, reenforce the holiday enthusiasm, and positive values. This is a great gift for the family or if you like me have friends that are super Santa enthusiasts add this to their Christmas gift and extend the season from the first of the month up until the big day.

Santa.com is the online stop that you should not miss and is perfect for all of those believers. Santa needed a website and Santa.com with the help of his elves is that perfect place to visit.

You can also follow Santa and his helpers on Social Media –

10 Signs of Alzheimer’s You Shouldn’t Ignore

Alzheimer’s disease is known to disrupt life but can gradually develop over time. Each person is different with the signs and symptoms that they experience as they age. If you’re concerned about your health, there are a few signs of Alzheimer’s that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Difficulty Speaking or Writing

You may begin to have problems speaking or writing, which can make it difficult to maintain your responsibilities in the workplace. It can also become more challenging to join in on the conversation with your family members or friends due to a lack of finding the right words to say while communicating.

2. Changes in Mood

Although you may be a happy and joyful person, it’s common for many people to become anxious, fearful, or depressed once they develop Alzheimer’s. You may also find yourself becoming more confused and have difficulty thinking clearly. Mood changes are more common when you’re out of your comfort zone, which is often in public settings that are new or unfamiliar.

3. Losing Items

From your keys to a book you’re reading, it’s common to begin misplacing and losing items that are frequently used. Many people have difficulty remembering their last steps, which can cause the individual to accuse other people of stealing the personal belongings.

4. Poor Judgment

Responsible adults who begin to suffer from Alzheimer’s can start to have poor judgment with their decisions that they make each day. Family members may notice that the individual gives large amounts of money away to a salesman or overspends at the grocery store. It’s also common for the adult to have a lack of grooming, which can include forgetting to bathe or not brushing their hair.

5. A Lack of Social Activities

Adults who once had an active social life and enjoyed a long list of hobbies can become more reserved and spend most of their time in isolation. Alzheimer’s is known for causing adults to have difficulty maintaining hobbies or sports that they once enjoyed. Due to their lack of mental clarity, it can also make it challenging for them to maintain their relationships and spend time with loved ones.

The isolation or a lack of activity can make it easy to become more depressed and have less enthusiasm for life.

6. Daily Tasks Become a Challenge

Familiar tasks that are performed routinely can become more challenging, which can include cooking in the kitchen or exercising. Some people may begin to forget how to drive to work while others forget the rules to a game that they often play. You may begin to feel like simple tasks are no longer easy and that you need help completing specific projects.

Some individuals begin to feel like they’re losing their independence due to their new reliance on other people.

7. Financial Issues

Due to the challenges that come with thinking clearly and having a good memory, those who have Alzheimer’s can begin to have financial difficulties due to their lack of cognitive function. You may start to have missed payments on your bills, which can result in late fees. Maintaining a budget can also be difficult, which often leads to over-drafting your bank account and acquiring debt. It’s essential that a family member steps in to assist with the finances and get them back in order.

8. Confusion with the Time or Place

Disorientation is considered to be an early sign of the disease that can make it easy to forget where you are and what time of day it is while you’re at home or are in public. Some people begin to get lost while others lose track of the season or the time of year. The person’s perception of time can change, which can cause five minutes to feel like five hours. You may notice that the individual tells you that they haven’t seen you in several months even if you see each other on a weekly basis.

9. Forgetting Familiar Faces

Those who have Alzheimer’s are known for having difficulty recognizing loved ones, which can include family members and close friends. As the disease progresses, they can forget who their spouse or children are, making it necessary to discuss old memories and stories to help refresh their memory. Many individuals are prescribed medication or supplements to increase their cognitive function over time.

10. Changes in Vision

Although many of the symptoms that are associated with Alzheimer’s are cognitive, some people also begin to have issues with their vision. It can become increasingly difficult to read the words in a book or on a computer screen. Colors can also begin to look more similar to one another and can be difficult to differentiate. You may begin to have difficulty driving due to the poor vision, which can lead to accidents that begin to occur more frequently.

The Classic Monopoly Now Available Online

play monopoly online

Everyone loves the classic Monopoly game. It’s been around for years and years, delighting generation after generation of families. While the traditional game is fun, with everything being electronic nowadays, people grow tired of having to keep track of all the game pieces, cards, properties, and money. They want an electronic version that’s easy and free to play without sacrificing any of the fun of the traditional Monopoly. There’s now a classic online Monopoly game that offers the same great traditional game, free of cost and free from hassle. We’ll walk you through all the highlights and potential downsides to the online simulation of the classic Monopoly game.

It keeps track of everything

Positive: With the online game keeping track of everything, there’s no hassle involved in playing this version of the game. No one has to be banker or keep counting their various denominations of money to see how much they have because the game does it for them, displaying the amount of money each player has conveniently and numerically, rather than all the various denominations. You don’t have to worry about losing any of the tiny game pieces or many cards as they are all electronic. The game even keeps track of all the properties you buy for you, taking out rent from the other player’s finances automatically if they land on your property.

Negative: If you’ve always loved being the banker and keeping track of your properties, you probably won’t like this convenient aspect of the electronic version of Monopoly. But, then again, you probably wouldn’t have played the online version to begin with if you had a specific love for playing as the banker and handling the money, making this point unimportant.

It’s monetarily-free and hassle-free

Positive: You don’t have to pay for the initial game, which is around thirty dollars in most stores, currently. If you have missing pieces in your version, rendering it completely useless and unplayable, you won’t have to pay for an entirely new game just so you can play. You also don’t need anything to play this version of Monopoly other than internet connection and some device that can access the internet. This game is available in a mobile version as well as desktop version, so you can play on virtually any device. You won’t have to clean a large enough space for everyone to play or find a seating arrangement that allows everyone to reach and see the game board easily.

Negative: If you had a particular desire to spend your hard-earned money on a board game that would become a completely useless pile of junk the second someone loses property cards, which slide out of the box so very easily or get misplaced during gameplay, then you might not like that you can play it for free. Likewise, if you enjoy the hassle of cleaning and keeping up with all the game pieces, you might hate the online game, but I think that’s highly unlikely.

It’s fun for all ages

Positive: The online version makes it easier for even younger kids to enjoy the fun, classic Monopoly game. They don’t have to keep track of their property or money, count their money to keep up with how much they have, or move their space the correct number of spaces as the game handles all of that for them, easily. This also makes the online version of Monopoly a great method of teaching kids how to play the game for the first time, making it a little easier for them to get used to the game and the rules without as much hassle and difficulty.

Negative: I can’t even think of an over-dramatized negative for this one. The online Monopoly game still has every strategic aspect of traditional monopoly, while still cutting out some of the hassle to make it easier for younger players to enjoy.

The classic online Monopoly game is a longtime favorite of everyone. Generation after generation, families love getting together to play this classic board game, but as more things become electronic and digital, it was only a matter of time before Monopoly did as well. The free, online Monopoly game offers all the same great traditional game play features the classic Monopoly offered but with the added ease of electronic cards, pieces, and the board. All joking aside, there really isn’t a downside to playing this awesome online game; that is, unless you just don’t like Monopoly.

People Most Likely to Get the Holiday Blues

With the holidays upon us it’s easy for us to get caught up in the rush of it all. While we may be cooking, shopping, enjoying holiday events there are others, many of whom are in our very own circles, having a tougher time. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, reveals who are most likely to have the holiday blues and how we can help them make it through.

  1. The newly divorced or widowed.

Loss is a sad, life-changing event at any time of the year.  However, it tends to be harder when everyone around you is joyful celebrating the holiday’s and you feel it’s an effort to get out of bed.  If someone in your circles is going through a major loss and life transition be supportive and understanding. “They are grieving and mourning and are especially sensitive around the holidays. It’s important that they feel included but don’t be offended if they choose to opt out of certain events,” advises Dr. Hafeez. She suggests checking in and offering them the option to participate in whatever they want, when they want. Love them through it.

  1. The busy entrepreneur.

The holidays could be stressful for small business owners because so much rides on the end of year. They may be fretting over their profits (or lack thereof), the goals they didn’t reach, and the many things still to do. They feel overwhelmed and when they are expected to shop, entertain and be present for their families, they may be short tempered and anxious. “The best way to help the busy entrepreneur is to make their life easier in any way possible. If they can’t make it to a family dinner, tell them your door is open for dessert. Oftentimes they feel guilty and obligated which only adds to their frustration,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Also consider that these worker-bees are conflicted. When they are working they miss their families and when they are with family they are thinking of work.

  1. The caretaker of an elder parent or relative (or special needs child/ren or relative).

Adults who are now caretakers to their elderly parents are incredibly overwhelmed and often overlooked. As a caretaker, they always have to consider the well-being of their parent. They can’t just get up and go,” explains Dr. Hafeez.  Caretakers may feel resentful, isolated and stuck during the holidays which leads to conflicted feelings of resentment and guilt. They also believe they have to be hands on managing everything. It’s important to lighten the caretakers load by offering support even if it means asking them how they are doing. Be patient and ask the caretaker what they need. It could be something as simple as having food delivered to their home to free up time for other tasks, Dr. Hafeez recommends.

  1. The recovering substance abuser.

Recovering from addiction is hard.  Period.  But it’s harder when holiday festivities are filled with friends and family drinking everything from eggnog to champagne.  “Understand that those in recovery from substance abuse are hyper-sensitive about being judged. They feel as if all eyes are on them and that pressure may trigger the desire to use drugs or alcohol to soothe their anxiety. When they aren’t fully recovered, they may anticipate possible “landmines” and avoid them. They may choose to stay to themselves and observe more and participate less. They might opt out of larger family gatherings that are too overwhelming,” cautions Dr. Hafeez. Offer an open invitation and remind them they are welcomed when they are ready. A balance of love, support and acceptance is what they are in most need of, suggests Dr. Hafeez.

  1. The children of divorce.

Divorce means two separate holidays at two different places and kids feel overwhelmed having to double up. It’s incredibly important for parents to agree on where the kids are going during the holidays and all logistical details. “Kids want to feel safe and secure. They don’t want to feel as if they are the expected to be rushed here and there because their parents chose to divorce,” says Dr. Hafeez. It could be unsettling to younger kids and teens may isolate and rebel against any family events as they are sorting out their own emotions as they get used to a new normal. You really want to establish a game plan for the holidays and if possible, stick to it every year, advises Dr. Hafeez.

BODILY TROUBLES A WOMAN MAY FACE THAT ARE TREATABLE

  1.   The Pouch of Douglas

 

The pouch of douglas is an area located between the rectum and the posterior wall of the uterus. It is a long and narrow structure that is found in the lower portion of the peritoneal cavity, and its function is to drain the fluids from the cavity. During the menstrual cycle, some fluid collects in the pouch, but it dissipates spontaneously so it holds no health hazards. Sometimes though, there may be a collection of fluid above the normal volume, and it may indicate these problems:

  •    Ruptured ovarian cyst

Fluid collected may have been as a result of the rupture of an ovarian cyst, a small fluid-filled sac, resulting in the accumulation of fluid within the pouch. It normally requires surgery to remove.

  •    Peritonitis

This is caused by a collection of pus leading to inflammation of the peritoneum. It may result from a bacterial infection (Primary peritonitis), from a perforation in the abdomen (Secondary peritonitis), or from a recurring infection (Tertiary peritonitis).

  •    Pelvic Abscess

It is usually caused by pelvic inflammatory diseases. With this condition, pus accumulation is seen originating from a genital tract infection from earlier on.

  •    Endometriosis

When endometriosis is found in the pouch of Douglas, the patient may experience pain during sexual intercourse. Severe cases of endometriosis are characterized by an obliteration of the pouch of Douglas, as well as the presence of chocolate cysts upon laparoscopy.

Conditions involving the Pouch of Douglas can be managed through various means:

  •    Culdoscopy

This involves insertion of an endoscope through the vagina and in the Pouch of Douglas to further examine the pelvic cavity. After this is done the fluid is drained.

  •    Peritoneal Dialysis

This method involves inserting a catheter into the Pouch of Douglas. The fluid is later drained through the catheter.

 

  1.    Uterine Fibroids

 

These are the most common non-cancerous tumors that affect women of childbearing age. The cause of fibroids is unknown. The symptoms are urinating often, painful periods, pain during sex, lower back pain and reproductive problems.

 

  1.    Gynecologic cancer

 

There are five main gynecologic cancers that affect women. These are:

  •    Cervical cancer which affects the cervix
  •    Uterine cancer which affects the ovaries.
  •    Vaginal cancer which affects the vagina.
  •    Ovarian cancer which affects the ovaries.
  •    Vulvar cancer which affects the vulva.

 

  1.    Stroke

 

Stroke is ranked as the fifth major cause of death. Females are more likely to be affected by stroke than men. About 60 percent of all cases of stroke happens to women. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to some part of your brain is interrupted depriving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This causes brain cells to start dying immediately. Luckily, stroke can be prevented and treated thus the mortality rate due to the illness has reduced. These are some of the symptoms that characterize a stroke attack:

  •     Trouble with speaking and understanding.
  •    Headache.
  •    Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes.
  •    Trouble with walking.
  •    Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg.

 

The 5 most common eye problems and ways to remedy them fast

Sight is one of the top senses of any living being and eyes have to be treated with care. Eye problems might occur anytime. It is important to know some of the most common eye problems and how to treat them. Here’s a list of the top five.

1. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an eye condition that involves the inflammation of the eyelids. The eyes of the patients are usually itchy. The sclera (white part of the eye) become red and vision is distorted. The skin around the eyes starts to flake. Causes of blepharitis include bacteria, dust mites, eczema or dry eye syndrome (DES)

Treatment involves prescribed eye drops and maintaining clean eyes and eyelids. One can get in touch with a specialist for further diagnosis.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts result from the formation of a mass that forms in front of the eye, making the eyes cloudy. The mass forms slowly and the eye problem can take years before it’s detected. In some cases, the mass stays small and doesn’t result in any eye problems.

Very few symptoms can be detected and they include not being able to see well since light cannot get through to the retina. Cataracts may appear in one or both eyes, though in most cases, they normally appear in both at different times.

They are common in elderly people and can cause blindness if they are not properly treated. Treatment involves a surgery to remove cataracts.

3. Xerophthalmia

Xerophthalmia is a medical eye condition also referred to as dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis where the eye cannot produce tears. The eye film’s size is reduced. Tears go a long way in the cleaning of the eyes and keeping it lubricated for proper functioning and vision. Some of the most causes of Xerophthalmia include chemical burns, aging, radiotherapy, lack of vitamin A and poor closure of the eyelids.

Common symptoms include night blindness, redness of the eye, corneal xerosis, blurred vision among other symptoms.  The treatment of the condition involves the inclusion of foods rich in vitamin A in the diet such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, dried apricots, peas, tomatoes, and spinach. The use of vitamin A supplements, eye drops with artificial tears,  air humidifiers which prevents eye dryness, retinol injections,  also provide additional treatment.

4. Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes the elevation of pressure levels, which can get too high and damage the optic nerve. The open angle glaucoma is the most common, though it does not show any relevant symptoms or cause any pain. Due to this, only regular eye examinations will show if the patient has glaucoma.

Causes include injuries to the eye, eye inflammation and blocked blood vessels. Eye drops or surgery fall under the list of recommended treatments.

5. Floaters

Floaters are small tiny black spots or specks that occur from the breaking of the vitreous. The vitreous gel-like consistency impairs one’s vision. They float across the eyes mostly when in bright rooms, areas with light or during a bright day. Although the condition is normal and not harmful, they can turn into a serious condition like retinal detachment. A specialist should be contacted for examination.

Regular eye check-ups are necessary for keeping track of your eyes. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience anything unusual.

Small Business Saturday, Extends Lowest Hoverboard Prices of the Season

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in its first season by extending holiday sales prices on its line of HOVERFLY hoverboards.

Highlights include the UL-certified HOVERFLY ECO for only $147 ($199.99 MSRP) and an impressive $70 off the off-road ready HOVERFLY XL, making the high-end all-terrain hoverboard available for only $229.99 ($299.99 MSRP).

The brand launched in Denver in August of this year as a start-up with small business values and big aspirations in the electric rideables market. From its marketing and operations headquarters in the Mile High City, GOTRAX is already dominating the national hoverboard market while remaining grounded in its community and maintaining a brand focus on science and education for children.

The special holiday sale pricing on hoverboards and other GOTRAX hoverboards and accessories is available now exclusively at GOTRAX.com and applied automatically at checkout along with free shipping.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY HOVERBOARD SALE PRICING

The brand also just published “Hoverboards: The Ultimate Holiday Buyer’s Guide,” a multimedia experience designed to help parents make informed decisions when shopping for hoverboards, regardless of brand.

LOOK: EXPLORE ‘HOVERBOARDS: THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY BUYER’S GUIDE’

The guide covers topics like UL certification, performance, what features are important, value, customer service and more with a variety of colorful infographics, animated videos, an interactive HoverboardSafety Quiz and, of course, detailed walkthroughs of what to look for when purchasing a hoverboard and why.

Learn more and shop Small Business Saturday hoverboard prices at GOTRAX.com.