10 Worst States for Lead Poisoning in Children – Are Your Children in Danger?

For most people, lead poisoning is something we hear about in the news and then forget about the next day. But in a recent study, more than 350,000 children in the US were afflicted with lead poisoning in just one year alone–many without their parents knowing until it’s far too late. What level of exposure are your children facing and what can you do about it? Learn about the symptoms and long-term effects of lead poisoning in children and how you can best protect those you love.

See our full study to find out exactly where your state lies in the mix: 351,454 Children Lead Poisoned Across America

worst water

 

*New Your City is not included within New York’s data due to a lack of reported data.

**All other states not listed above did not have sufficient data to complete state summaries.

10 Ways To Surprise Your Dilliwali Girlfriend

They say that love is complicated but actually, love is an easy chapter once you get the hang of its demands in life. All it requires is communication, a dash of attention and whole lot of care to keep it alive and sparkling between two hearts. You just need to tell your partner every now and then, how much you treasure them and guys might not be a fan of this reminder but it surely makes a gal’s day when she is told how much she is loved by her partner. You don’t need to pluck stars from the sky to fill her heart with love but some gesture and little gifts will do the trick. If you are soaked in love with your girl who happens to live in Delhi, then there is a whole lot of things you could do that will leave her smiling for the rest of the day:

A  Personalized Photo Frame

Make your sweetest memories with her live forever in a personalised frame embellished with a heart-touching quote and framing a beautiful picture of you two together. Nothing says love like a personalised gift meant only for her!

Satiate Her Sweet Cravings

Enjoy midnight cake delivery in Delhi and surprise her with a scrumptious cake of her favourite flavour and watch her jump with joy like a kid. If you thought that diamonds are the best friend of a girl, then you were wrong my friend. The right answer is chocolate cake.

Serenade Her

For some, this gesture may sound cheesy but when you are living in the moment it is the most beautiful thing that she could come across. Delhi s brimming with restaurants offering live music. Take her to dinner and plan a song for her which you will sing for her along with the band. This musical number will become forever song for both of you.

Cook For Her

This has nothing to do with the city limits but is a sure shot way to impress her. Even if you are not a chef by heart, your efforts will melt her heart leading to showers of love on you. Make it more romantic by lighting a few candles and decorating the tables with flowers.

Pack A Picnic

Yes, take a day out just for her and spend some quality time to strengthen the bond with the love of your life. Pick a blanket, pack her favourite snacks and drive her to a beautiful destination in Delhi and make it a day to remember. Communication is what keeps a relationship going and on this picnic, you will have a lot of time to know each other closely.

Plan A Weekend Together

The best part about living in Delhi is that a number of beautiful hill stations are neighbouring it which makes for an excellent weekend plan with your queen. Serene nature, harmony in the ambience and mesmerising scenic beauty will take the stress away for a couple of days while you two enjoy every second with each other.

Take Her To Dance

Enjoy the ballroom dance and watch how dancing and general etiquettes impress your girl! Classy music with some flawless dance moves accompanied with fine catering will make her forget all her worries and enjoy the night with an elite aura inducing in the air.

Pick Her Up From Work

Surprise her by driving to her work and pick her for dinner together. Not only she will appreciate the gesture but will also enjoy a day-off from the metro or self-drive in the congested Delhi traffic. Let her relax while you hold the steering this time.

How Cycling Can Help Your Health and the Environment

Cycling is one of the favorite leisure activities and sport of over 47.5 million Americans. It isn’t any wonder why. Aside from being genuinely enjoyable to do, cycling also offers many benefits to the body, mind, and environment. Moreover, the more and longer you cycle, the better it is for your health and the planet.

If you don’t know how to ride a bike or you don’t cycle, maybe these reasons can convince you to learn and start cycling now.

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is inarguably one of the healthiest hobbies you can start. If you’re not a fan of hitting the gym or exercise in general, going for a ride on a bike is a more enjoyable way of getting your daily dose of physical activity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting “at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity” each week. 

Riding slower than 10 miles per hour on smooth terrain on your bike for 30 minutes a day is enough to meet the recommended dose of physical activity per week.

As an aerobic exercise, cycling also helps boost cardiovascular health, reducing your risk of heart disease. In addition, it puts little to no harmful stress on the body, making it a low-impact workout.

Regular cycling also helps improve balance and muscle strength, decrease the risk of high blood pressure and osteoporosis, and manage diabetes and high cholesterol. 

For those who are trying to lose weight, hopping on a bike and going for a ride can help shed off those extra pounds. To start burning fat, you must ride at a pace that will raise your heart rate between 70 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate.

You can monitor your heart rate using a fitness tracker or heart-rate monitor. Many cyclists use the device with other cycling training tools, like a power meter and bike computer, to get an accurate reading and reliable insight on every ride. If you want to get more out of every journey, consider getting cycling gadgets to aid your training.

Cycling also has a positive impact on your mental health. The psychological benefits include reduced risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Simply going out and engaging in a physical activity like cycling can boost the mood and relieve stress. 

Environmental Benefits of Cycling

A small car, which uses 68 gallons of gasoline, emits approximately 0.7 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Meanwhile, an SUV, which uses 170 gallons of gas, can produce up to 1.9 tons of CO2.

The United States, being a car-driving nation, has over 268.8 million automobiles, which account for 40 percent of oil used in the country. In terms of environmental impact, automobiles produce 20 percent of the carbon emissions in the entire United States. The number does not even take into account the carbon footprint of mining materials and manufacturing a car.

According to research by Rails to Trails Conservancy, if people rode bikes or walked for some of the shortest car trips, it would save around 2.4 to 5 billion gallons of fuel a year. This will keep 21 to 45 million tons of CO2 from being released in the atmosphere.

Commuting by bike also helps reduce air pollutants as bicycles do not emit greenhouse gases (GHG) and they decrease noise pollution and congestion. If more people rode bicycles, there will be a lesser need for parking lots and roadways, saving precious green spaces from development.

Riding a bike also cuts down your own ecological footprint, or how much natural resources it will take to support your lifestyle, as defined by the Global Footprint Network.

Want to know your ecological footprint? Use this footprint calculator to find out.

More Reasons to Ride a Bike Every Day

Aside from the health and environmental benefits, riding a bike every day also offers economic advantages. Commuting by bicycle saves time because you won’t get stuck in traffic jams. If more people take a bike to work or anywhere, it will significantly reduce congestion too. 

A bicycle doesn’t need fuel to run, and it costs less to maintain than a car. In 2015, owning a midsize sedan would cost you $8,600, and driving an SUV would cost $10,250 a year. On the other hand, a bike would only cost you $300. 

The new Bike Commuter Act of 2019 will also give bike commuters a $53 tax break every month. Going on two wheels is not only healthier and better for the planet, but it’s also much more practical and cost-effective.

Airfree Air Purifiers Offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday Special Deals #BlackFriday

 

Consumer can save up to 40% off in Airfree´s products

Airfree, the leading designer and provider of air purifiers that require no maintenance, are filter-less, and completely silent technology, announced today that they will be offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale pricing on two of its top selling air purifiers. Airfree is paving the way using innovative technology solutions for clean indoor atmospheres.

The Black Friday sale will begin at 12:01 AM EST on Friday, November 22, 2019 and will end on Monday, December 1, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST.

The featured Black Friday sale item is:

40% Off – Airfree Iris 3000

Buy for: $199.00

The Cyber Week sale will begin at 12:01 AM EST on December 2, 2019 AM EST and will end on Friday,

December 6, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST.

The featured Cyber Week sale item is:

35% Off – Airfree Lotus

              Buy for: $259.00

Consumers can find these slashed sale prices by shopping online at major retailers like: Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot. To see complete list please visit: www.airfree.com

Airfree Air Purifiers reduce microbiological contamination in the air naturally, without using chemicals or filters.  Airfree’s exclusive technology works by eliminating microorganisms as bacteria, viruses, mold, dust mist allergens, pet dander allergens, using heat, destroying them in a fraction of a second. Depending on the model, between 14,000 and 20,000 liters of air pass through the Airfree device every hour, treating all the air in the room in a very short space of time. The process works in much the same way as sterilizing water by boiling it; when water is boiled, the microorganisms it contains are eliminated.

Airfree continually draws in air from the room, heating it to over 400 ºF and instantly sterilizing it. The purified air is then cooled inside the device before being returned to the room. The entire process is completely silent and requires no maintenance, not even the occasional replacement of parts. All you have to do is switch the device on and leave it on to perform the task.

The Iris 3000 standalone model is recommended for rooms up to 650sqft., weighs only 3.3 pounds, is guaranteed for 2 years, has a low energy consumption of 51 watts, uses 120 volts of electricity and offers users exclusive multicolor light option.

About Airfree:

Airfree’s mission is to combine the best technology and design, to turn our clients’ needs into innovative solutions for indoor atmospheres, whether for health reasons, comfort or to increase productivity. The technology began being developed thanks to the initiative and creativity of a Portuguese businessman in an effort to find an effective way to ease his son’s allergy attacks. After successful testing at the INETI microbiological laboratory in Portugal, large-scale production of the devices began to take shape so that more families worldwide could be able to enjoy the benefits of a simple, effective concept.

In 2004, after a few adjustments had been made to improve electronics and capacity, Airfree was born. This was marked by the launch of its P air purifier range, attractive and modern in design. Since then, Airfree has continued to grow, manufacturing a variety of models of air purifiers in Europe, intended for use not only in the home but also geared towards trade and industry. For more information please visit www.airfree.com.

Dog friendly places in San Francisco

In a city that ranks in the top 10 for ‘outdoor pet friendliness,’ you should have no problem finding things to do and places to stay with your pet. Here are some of them. 

If you like your dog to be off-leash, head to this park close to Mission District. Dolores Park is great for pets and their owners. Picnics happen in the main space of the park regularly too. If you’re looking for some more exercise, get to Skyline Boulevard and enjoy a whole day of exploration at Fort Funston. There are beach spaces and nature trails to explore here. By far the most popular park in the city is the Golden Gate Park. It is also the biggest pet-friendly park here. Sit on a bench and watch life pass by, or get up and play a game with your pet in any of the four off leash areas the park has. If your dog loves the water (and which dog does not) go to Crissy Field. This is an off-leash beach and your four-legged friend can have a wonderful time chasing the waves here. 

If your young dog and you have a lot of energy to burn, you should certainly head to the many hiking parks in San Francisco. For example, the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. Put your dog on a leash for this hike and explore to your heart’s content. Many birds call this space home, making their dwellings in a forest that’s over a century old. You may be able to spot some wildlife too. The Bernal Heights Park is another joyful space that is known for its spectacular views. Take a picture of your dog against the San Francisco Bay or the Golden Gate and make a great memory. A very popular hike with the locals is Grandview Park. There are wooden stairs here and the trail is soft and sandy, so watch out for that. The trails are small, and the plants along the dunes are a pleasure to see. Another park that’s talked about often is Lands End Trail. Check that out for some spectacular coastline and gorgeous flowers. San Francisco also has a host of bars and restaurants that welcome dogs and their people. 

The city also has a host of hotels that are happy to accept your dogs. Close to Crissy Field is the Inn at the Presidio. This hotel is a bread and breakfast and has a bowling alley to book, too. The architecture is simple and the property has some lovely eucalyptus groves to meander through. The Inn is happy to host your pet for a fee. On Post Street, look for Hotel Adagio. It takes its dog-friendly tag seriously and offers the visitor rooms on pet-specific floors. What’s more, bowls for food and water and doggie treats are also part of the service. Check with the hotel for the closest dog park or store and you’ll get good directions. Other choices are the Argonaut Hotel, Hotel Emblem, Kimpton Buchanan and Triton, among many others. Do check the hotel policy (fee, size of dog, on leash, etc.) and then plan your stay. Additionally you can also check the Top 15 pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco by clicking the link.

Top Tips for Planning a Trip with Children

A successful trip offers the opportunity to reconnect with your family, but without proper planning, it can turn out to be quite chaotic. As you strive to find ideal holiday deals that match your budget, you also need to factor in various considerations, among the primary ones being the destination. The good news is, with Dealchecker, you can comfortably find holiday deals for varying destinations for a memorable trip. While planning a trip with children, here are the tops tips to ensure it goes smoothly.

Choose your travel destination in advance

While planning a trip with your children, you need to ensure that a destination not only offers exciting activities but is also a convenient choice. For instance, you need to consider the time difference and see how it could impact the trip. Other pressing concerns include the destination’s weather as it can significantly affect the trip outcomes.

With your children’s age and interests, you can quickly narrow down your destination choices to ensure you go for a thrilling, comfortable, and convenient choice with amazing holiday deals to make it affordable. To ease the process, you can buy a guide and plan an itinerary with each member’s interests and weigh the destination’s effectiveness. After choosing a destination, ensure that your children receive vaccinations and ensure yours is up to date as well to avoid the frustration of cutting the trip short due to health concerns.

Book your trip with your children

Now that you have a set destination, it is time to book your trip, but first, put your affairs in order. For starters, check your papers, including passports and identity cards. From there, you can book your flights in advance to ensure that you get side by side seats; after all, you don’t want to be seated on one corner with your children on the other end. The next step is booking your accommodation. As you search for an ideal choice, consider how effective it is, especially for a baby. For instance, you might be required to carry your baby equipment, an inconvenience that could significantly affect your trip.

One month before departure

As your trip day approaches, you need to gather all the necessities to ensure it goes smoothly. Buy equipment and clothing that matches your interests and destination. For instance, if the destination is a cold country, shop for ideal clothing such as a large down jacket. While gathering the essentials, don’t forget to grab some new and portable games to keep your children engaged while traveling.

A few days before departure

It is time to polish your trip plans, among the most significant point at this moment, being packing and double-checking your packing list. Ensure that you pack right but light by avoiding unnecessary items that only make the luggage troublesome. While polishing your packing list, double-check your crucial documents, including passports, tickets, games, and medication, if any. Ensure that you park them in a way that they are easily accessible to avoid holding the line at the airport as you struggle to locate them.

With an effective plan and fantastic holiday deals, the trip with your children won’t only be successful but also help you to reconnect, create memorable moments, and take the much-needed break from your busy schedules.

WIN Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Video Game #GiftGuide

 

best video games

Now available, the new Mario and Sonicat the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Here is my son’s review of the game-

Have you ever wanted to see Mario vs. Dr. Eggman? Or Sonic vs. Bowser? As of November 5, you can pit all of Mario’s and Sonic’s iconic characters against each other in the biggest video game mash-up of 2019, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020! Take rivalries to the skate park, diving board, archery range, and more with an incredible suite of 3D and 2D events, imaginative Dream events (who hasn’t wanted to see Sonic on a hoverboard AGAIN?) and an expansive Story Mode.

What you need to know about Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020:

  • Brand New Story: Help Mario & Sonic escape from a 2D-themed console, the “Tokyo ’64,” hatched as part of Dr. Eggman’s and Bowser’s nefarious plans to trap the colorful and capable power pair.
  • A Bountiful Medley of Events: Skateboard, surf, and race your way to the top of the podium! With more than 30 events to master in this fun-filled Olympic Games showdown, there are plenty of ways to prove your skills to your friends in local and online multiplayer.
  • Push the Boundaries: Dream Events deliver a layer of fantastical chaos. Zip through a downhill obstacle course on your hoverboard, throwdown for territorial control with lightning-fast karate action, or smash the most targets inside a traditional Japanese manor!
  • So Many Ways to Play*: Exclusively on Nintendo Switch, determine who the real champion is while using the fun and flexibility of Joy-Con controllers to your advantage.
  • Play with a Cast of Fan-Favorite Characters: The gang’s all here! Play as Mario, Sonic, and a star-studded cast of your favorite SEGA and Nintendo characters!

Mario and Sonic Are Back in the Perfect Party Game on November 5.

Enjoy all the different classic 2D events, perfect for friends and family:

  • 100m
  • 10m Platform (Diving)
  • 400m Hurdles
  • Gymnastics – Vault
  • Judo
  • Kayak Single (K-1) 1000m
  • Long Jump
  • Marathon
  • Shooting – Trap
  • Volleyball

You will also dash, climb, jump, surf and more in these fast-paced 3D events:

  • 100m
  • 110m Hurdles
  • 4 x 100m Relay
  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Boxing
  • Canoe Double (C-2) 1000m
  • Discus Throw
  • Equestrian – Jumping
  • Fencing
  • Football (Soccer)
  • Gymnastics – Floor Exercise
  • Javelin Throw
  • Karate – Kumite
  • Rugby Sevens
  • Skateboarding – Park
  • Sport Climbing
  • Surfing – Shortboard
  • Swimming – 100m Freestyle
  • Table Tennis
  • Triple Jump

The fun even goes beyond the limits of reality with all-new Dream Events:

  • Dream Karate
  • Dream Racing
  • Dream Shooting

Release Date

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take to the starting blocks exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 5 in the Americas for $59.99 USD and November 8 in Europe with commensurate pricing. For more information, including where ordering the game, be sure to visit the official website, and watch our latest trailer.

*Joy-Con functionality does not extend to all events.

**Internet connection required during online play. To use online services, you must create a Nintendo Account and accept the related agreement. The Nintendo Account Privacy Policy applies. Some online services may not be available in all countries. Online play requires paid online membership.

One of you can win a video game of your own as well. Please feel free to enter to win using the RC code below. Good luck! Ends Dec. 4, 2019.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monumental Peru Destinations to Put on Your Bucket List

Lake Titicaca Floating Islands Cultural Hike Tour

Peru is a beautiful country, and one that everyone should visit at some point. It has a great variety of things to see, ranging from historical ruins to lush jungles and from bustling cities to local villages practicing traditional crafts. You will have a unique trip when you go to Peru.

If you are pressed for time or budget, or if you just want to make sure you are creating the best trip possible, you should visit these monumental destinations to ensure you are creating the trip of a lifetime:

Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain gets its name from the beautiful, multi-colored stripes that appear because of the layers of minerals that are solidified in the rock. The mountain has vibrant layers of gold, lavender, turquoise, rose, and more. The mountain was revealed after snow melted away, so it has only been relatively recently known.

Besides marveling at the beauty of Rainbow Mountain, you can hike the mountain, check out wild llamas and horses in the area, and visit local communities on the mountain that are living indigenous lives. Be prepared for a strenuous hike if you want to scale the mountain! It is more than half the altitude of Mount Everest.

Sign up for a guided tour in Peru to get the most out of your visit to Rainbow Mountain. You’ll see all the best parts of the mountain and learn about the local history. 

The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru that was once the hub of the Incan Empire. Here you’ll find multiple sites with architectural ruins, including Ollantaytambo and Pisac. The Sacred Valley also hosts multiple towns and villages where you can learn about colonial life, weaving, and other traditional crafts. You can spend days exploring the area, and you’ll continue to discover new and exciting things. 

The Sacred Valley spans an area of about 60 kilometers, so there is much to discover here. It lies between Machu Picchu and Cusco, so you can easily include it in a trip to these two sites, as well. Make sure you plan to be in the Sacred Valley on a Sunday, when there is an amazing handicraft market. 

Maras Salt Pans

The Maras Salt Pans may have a pretty uninspiring purpose, but they are amazing to look at, and they offer an insight into the way people lived in the past. The salt pans are the result of a tectonic shift that pushed lands that were once part of the seabed high into the sky, creating the Andes mountain range. The pans sit 3,000 meters above sea level, and they collect salt water brought in by the Qoripujio spring. The water evaporates, and local people come in to collect the salt left behind. 

You’ll be amazed at the geometric design of the salt pans, and you’ll learn a lot about the Chanapata culture that first worked the pans. There are roughly 5,000 pans in terraces along the valley, and an intricate network of channels feeds the water into them. You can watch the workers scoop out the famed pink salt, which is sold around the world and even graces the tables of gourmet chefs. 

Moray Archaeological Park

Just south of the Sacred Valley, you’ll find the Moray Archaeological Park, which consists of circular, clay terraces leading down to a point. These man-made creations are gorgeous, but they are not as popular for tourists, so you’ll be able to enjoy the site without the crowds you would find in Machu Picchu. 

The Incas used the Moray park for agricultural experimentation. It’s here that the Incas tried out different temperatures, soil types, and more to grow wheat, quinoa, other grains, and flowers. The site also has an irrigation system using canals. You’ll learn a lot here about Incan life, and you’ll be amazed at the beauty created with such a simple structure. 

The Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are formed in the dry desert in Southern Peru where there is less than a half inch of rainfall each year. Besides geometric designs like trapezoids, rectangles, and swirls, you also see designs like monkeys, hummingbirds, and spiders. These distinct white lines are unmistakable against the red landscape.

What’s so fascinating about the Nazca Lines is that no one knows why they are there or who created them. There are more than 300 geometric figures and 70 animal and plant designs. There are also more than 800 straight lines, some of which span 30 miles. Some of the plant and animal figures are as big as 1200 feet, which is the height of the Empire State Building. 

Lake Titicaca Floating Islands

Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, and it is at 12,500 feet above sea level. In fact, it is the highest lake that is still navigable to large ships and other vessels. Within the lake are large, man-made islands. These islands are made of reeds thatched together, and they float on the surface of the water. There are 41 of these islands, and they house indigenous tribes. Many villages continue on these islands, and you can visit them to learn about their way of life, or you can even schedule a homestay with a local family.

Peru has many beautiful locations that you should try to see on your visit if you can. If you are limited by time or budget, you can make your trip an unforgettable one by visiting these landmark sites. You’ll enjoy an incomparable vacation, and you’ll come away with some amazing photographs and some great stories!