6 Bathroom Hacks to Help in Reducing the Carbon Footprint

March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Bathroom Hacks That Will Cut Down on Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide freed into the air as a result of human activities. Carbon dioxide is known to be the foremost contaminant and leading cause of global warming. It leads to a destructive effect that pollutes the planet.

First, let’s explain what global warming is. Pollution from carbon footprint has caused the surface of the Earth to endure high temperatures. In scientific terminology, it is referred to as global warming. More so, the oceans become acidic, and we experience harsh weather conditions. 

Due to the change in the ecosystem, we all must intercede with climate change and adjust our lives. No more than simple hacks will reduce our carbon influence noticeably. The strategies that will lead us to reducing carbon emission should start with how we live our daily lives. That is why we have committed the rest of this article to covering 6 simple bathroom hacks that you can apply to reduce your carbon footprint.

Use of Refillable Soap Dispensers

The first bathroom hack to reduce carbon footprint involves using refillable liquid soap dispensers. This will manage soap spillage, hence saving you some cash and conserving the environment. However, you can cut carbon footprint by using a non-disposable soap dispenser.

It is more beneficial and eco-friendly to use glass as opposed to plastic. There are also health benefits to using glass soap dispensers. You can buy them online or in shops near you. Learn more about different soap dispensers recommended by GiftWits and pick one that best suits you.

Use of Low-Flow Shower Heads

According to the New York Times, we need to drastically change our lifestyles if we want to lessen the carbon footprint. One way to do this is through the use of low-flow showerheads while taking a bath. Showering for a long time using standard showerheads will waste a lot of water. What is more, the low-flow option will save you some cash too.

It is a good idea to purchase a low-flow showerhead that will save water while minimizing your water bills. It’s advised that you also shorten the showering time, making it no longer than 5 minutes. Make sure to purchase the best low-shower heads from the best dealers.

Avoid Bathroom Leaks

Another idea would be replacing your old fittings through renovating your bathroom and using greener eco-friendly fittings. Here, the plumbers’ work will be to overhaul and check the broken or aged fittings to make sure your bathroom water pipes are not leaking. Also, check for any old or broken fittings, valves, shower pipes, bathtub, and sinks.

Calling plumbing and remodeling services regularly will save water and energy, hence reducing the carbon footprint. It will also reduce the cost of replacing fittings with brand new ones repeatedly. Apart from that, it will minimize carbon footprint in the form of car emission that would be necessary to deliver new fittings for your bathroom.

Use of Energy-Efficient Products

Refining your home is a good way to save money, and more so, shield the environment by reducing the carbon footprint effects. This is an easy and simple task that you can do yourself by changing your bathroom appliances with energy-efficient counterparts.

These electric devices include the LED lighting and energy-efficient water heater. To learn more about energy-saving products, make a point of reading this review from Forbes. By using energy-efficient products, you will be reducing your electricity bills, improving the environment, and reducing the carbon footprint in an effective way.

Recycling in the Bathroom

Another effective and efficient hack for reducing carbon footprint in your bathroom is through recycling and reusing bathroom items. If you are not using certain items again, especially when remodeling your bathroom, you can opt to sell or donate them to other people.

Fittings such as sinks and taps can be resold or donated as opposed to being disposed of. This will help reduce the amount of waste in the environment. The use of eco-friendly bins for waste is also a brilliant way because almost any trash can be used in a reusable manner, as opposed to disposing of it carelessly.

Use of Eco-Friendly Bathing Soaps

The use of bar soap compared to liquid soap is more eco-friendly and will reduce carbon footprint. Moreover, it is very pocket-friendly. And remember: those tiny bar soap leftovers shouldn’t be thrown away.

You are supposed to store those little bits in a container. You can choose to make a liquid bathing soap, or just mold the leftovers together and get a reusable bar of soap. By doing that, you will reduce the carbon footprint impact.

Final Remarks

The above hacks are just a few of go-green tips that will help in reducing the carbon footprint by a wide margin. We must save our environment starting with the homes we live in. There are many ways to do that, and your bathroom is just the start of the journey.

There are other energy-saving methods like fitting special heat-recovery systems, using dual flush and fixing eco taps. These too are very efficient bathroom tips that will help you do away with the carbon footprint.

Radically changing the status quo of your bathroom may be too much for most of us. So take your time and implement one hack at a time. Trying to do everything at once may actually lead to the opposite effect – giving up on this eco-venture entirely.

It is our responsibility to involve ourselves in activities and lifestyles that will reduce the carbon footprint. As mentioned above, you shouldn’t stop at your bathroom. Spread your new eco-friendly ways to other rooms in your home and beyond. There’s plenty of work to be done if we want to save our planet, and there’s no better way than starting with yourself.

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Reasons Why Animals Become Pests In Your Home

March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Animals like rodents, arachnids, ants, and termites often invade human settlement areas. They are classified as pests. When they are out in their natural environment, they form a vital part of the natural ecosystem. They form part of the natural food chain. For example, rodents like rats and mice are food for birds like small eagles, owls, as well as foxes, wolves and other larger predators. They, in turn, eat grass seeds and fruits that have fallen off the trees in the forests. 

Arachnids like scorpions fulfill a similar role in the natural world. They eat insects like spiders, flies, locusts and other insects. Several of the larger species of scorpions will also eat small lizards, mice, and even other scorpions.  

The challenge comes when these animals’ natural environments are destroyed, and they are forced to move into human settlement areas to find food. This is when they become pests and need to be exterminated by a professional pest removal company like Responsible Pest Control Exterminators.

Therefore, the question that must be asked and answered is: Why are these animals moving out of their natural environment and into human settlement areas? There is no easy answer to this question. Therefore, by way of attempting to answer it, let’s consider the following points: 

The destruction of natural habitats due to the expansion of human settlements 

The global population numbers are increasing. Statistics show that an estimated 7.7 billion people were living on the earth in April 2019. 

Wikipedia.com states that the “world population has experienced continuous growth following the Great Famine of 1315-1317 and the end of the Black Death in 1350.” 

Additionally, there have been periods where the growth rate has been over 1.8% per year, and other periods where the global population growth rate has decreased to 1.2% per annum. However, irrespective of these figures, the global population figures are expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. 

Thus, it stands to reason that, in order to build homes for all these people to live in, humankind is encroaching on the natural habitats where these animals would generally live. Consequently, to survive, they are forced to move into these new human settlement areas.

The destruction of natural habitats due to severe weather events 

There is an increase in the number of severe weather events as a result of climate change due to global warming. The most recent example and the most devastating is the latest Australian bush fires. 

Succinctly stated, they burnt so hotly that they ended up causing their own severe weather in the nature of Pyrocumulonimbus storm clouds. These clouds were caused by the extreme heat generated by the burning fires. And, in turn, they helped spread the fires by creating dry thunderstorms with severe lightning that resulted in new fires being started.

There was so much smoke from all of these fires that it reached New Zealand, circa 1000 miles away from the fires. And, it is estimated that more than 1 billion mammals, birds, and reptiles lost their lives in the fires. No one will ever be able to quantify the number of animals lost in the fires accurately. 

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Some of Tuscany’s Popular Towns

March 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Tuscany is one of Italy’s spectacular destinations. Among the many attractions that bring tourists to this region, are museums filled with art, churches rich with religious statues, great wine, a diverse selection of culinary experiences and an array of medieval towns and villages.

No part of Tuscany is like the others and visitors have to tour the entire region to truly appreciate its uniqueness. Ask someone who has been to Tuscany to make a list of their best experiences and they will be lost for choice – this is understandable given that the region is rich in superlatives. The following places are just a guide for those who want an idea of what Tuscany is like. They are in no way conclusive but they are definitely among the top rated in the region:

Florence

You cannot say you have visited Tuscany, without a visit to Florence. The heart of the region, Florence is an important destination for history lovers. It is a Renaissance city and its buildings feature architecture and art that resonates with ancient Roma. The Duomo is a major landmark in Florence – if you don’t have the time to see it close up and view its baptistery which baffles architects to this day, at least make sure to take a photo from afar.

Siena

One of the medieval towns in Tuscany, Siena is a hill town famous for its Piazza del Campo – a piazza in the shape of a fan with a famous bell tower (the Torre del Mangia). Have you ever been to a horse race? Well, forget that experience because the The Palio di Siena gives your idea of a horse race a whole new dimension. Held once a year, on two occasions in the summer, it is nothing like the Kentucky Derby. Riders are not only bareback but they are racing along the streets. Nothing can take one back to medieval times like this race does.

Along the streets of Siena, you will find plenty of shops and restaurants. Make sure to stop by if you are interested in treating yourself to a bite of Tuscan Cuisine. If you pick one of these rustic trattorias, choose a spot near a group of Italians – they will entertain you with their fare as you take sips of locally made wine.

Pisa

The most that many people know about Pisa is its historic leaning tower. Thousands of visitors flock to the location of the leaning tower of Pisa each year. A climb to the top and an opportunity to take a touristy photo is all the satisfaction that a traveller needs to take back home.

Have you ever climbed down the leaning tower? Make sure you are not in a hurry to leave – your standing on the Piazza dei Miracoli. The cathedral and baptistery therein are great sights which bear evidence of the Italian Renaissance. The tower might be the most known attraction in Pisa but it is not the only one. To take a tour of the historic Piazza dei Cavalieri, visitors just need to stroll along Arno River. Make sure you try the chickpea flour bread, also known as Cecina, a local delicacy of the area. June in Pisa is a month of festivity as the city honours San Ranieri – its patron saint.

Lucca

You can easily tell Lucca apart from the rest of the towns because of the wall that surrounds it; this wall came up during the renaissance. The wall itself is a point of interest because it has gardens and paths on top. Apart from offering visitors a great view of the city, this wall provides paths for walking and cycling. Inside the town of Lucca are towers which have been neatly preserved through the centuries; they are spots from which visitors can enjoy 360 views of the city.

Cortona

Cortona first came into the limelight when writer, Francis Mayes, chose to set the scene of her book “Under the Tuscan Sun” in this Tuscan hilltop town. The town is famous for its Etruscan wall around its perimeter which is believed to have been built more than 3000 years ago. Much of Cortona remains untouched – a must for art aficionados. Historic buildings in Cortona include the Chiesa San Francesco and the Abbazia Farneta.

English-speaking visitors will find it easy to blend into the city as there is a large American community here, comprised mostly of expats.

Chianti Classico Wine Region

This region in Tuscany is sandwiched between Florence and Siena. Many people travel far for the opportunity to discover where their favorite wines come from: their final stop is the Chianti Classico Wine Region. The Chianti Wine Region is composed of many towns and villages – Greve in Chianti, to name one, is a haven for photographers. We can guarantee that even amateur photos taken in this area are bound to sell as masterpieces. There are many wineries in this area – make sure to stop by at Brolio Castle and Barone Ricasoli Winery for a wine tasting.

Any visit to Tuscany, is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. Every location with a name in this region is a spectacle. Did you know that most villas in Italy were initially used for other purposes? It is actually an invaluable experience if you can book a Tuscany villa in Italy accommodation. One of the world’s leading providers of rental villa services is in Italy; Tuscany Now & More. Since they started their business in 1990, they have travelled throughout Italy looking for premises they can turn into holiday accommodation. Only a small percentage of all the properties they view make it to their portfolio – that is how much they value excellence. Those who book villa accommodations with Tuscany Now & More can request to have an itinerary of their visit drawn for them. How about Italian Cuisine cooking lessons or a Truffle hunt? They can organise this all!

Discover small-town Tuscany or tap into Umbrian village life with this collection of villas where no car is needed. You can walk to the local trattoria, join locals for a caffè in the piazza, or spend the evening at a friendly village bar — without driving home afterwards.

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Frozen Foods That Make Your Meals Much Easier

March 5, 2020 by 2 Comments

If you are here right now, it’s obvious that you are one of those people who don’t have the time to prepare a fresh meal every single time, every single day. You just want to know if freezing food is healthy or not, and you want to know if frozen food can make your meals easier for you. Well, if that’s what you want to know, then you’ve landed just in the right place today. 

Today we are going to tell you can cook from frozen food and save yourself a lot of time in meal preparation. So take notes because this article alone can help you make your routine better than ever. 

For starters, you need to know that with frozen foods, you won’t ever have to compromise on the deliciousness. Whether you want to freeze food to prepare quick meals or snacks for yourself or for your last-minute guests, it’s always a good idea that you won’t regret ever. 

Here are the best 5 essential foods that you should have saved and freezed inside the freezer to save time and money; 

1- Frozen Fruit 

For a tasty snack, you can always use frozen fruit and believe it or not, these fruits taste even better when frozen. It’s not only about eating them raw, in fact, you can make a variety of things with frozen fruits like a crushed smoothie with yogurt etc. If not this, we’d recommend you to freeze some berries because these berries can satisfy your sweet cravings any time of the day. Just put some in a bowl and toss them up no matter what time of the day it is because berries aren’t negative calories and then make a great snack too. 

2- Ground Beef 

You probably already have some ground beef stored in your freezer, but if not, then now is the time to put some because this can help you save a lot of time on your own meals. It’s all on you whether you want to store the ground beef in the form of meatballs, loaves, or patties. For an instant meal, all you’ll have to do is to take the ground beef out and then add some onions or garlic in it and prepare a delicious meal with some added spices. The point is that if you really are running short of time to prepare your meal, just take the frozen ground beef out and enjoy it by instantly putting it in the oil pan. 

3- Frozen Vegetables 

If you are looking for an extremely healthy snack or meal, then what’s better than frozen vegetables? The best part is that they don’t even need any chopping or peeling, and you can always enjoy them just as they are. For example, for a great protein packed meal, you should freeze some peppers or spinach because you can simply take it out any time and add some eggs in the skillet with some oil and put these vegetables. With the right kind of spices, your meal is going to taste like heaven. 

4- Bread Or Tortillas 

Want to make something really delicious really quick for your guests? If yes, then what’s better than saving some bread and tortillas inside the freezer. With ground beef and frozen bread, you can make literally any meal that you want to.

Conclusion

These are some of the best things to freeze right now because, as you can see, all of these things can save you plenty of meal preparation time. So if you like this idea, freeze the items mentioned above and then see the results for yourself.

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Things to Consider Before Renting a Private Flight to France

March 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

As with most things, flying for the very first time via private jet can seem daunting. This is true even for people who have flown before.  Reason being, you just don’t know what to expect aboard a private jet. What can you carry or not carry onto a private jet? How do you deal with the long hours in transatlantic flights? How will you communicate with French speakers when totally unfamiliar with the language?

Well, this article answers all your queries on things to consider before booking a private flight to France. Whether you are a first-time flyer or someone who wants to up their travel game, the travel tips below should be invaluable.

 

  • Choice of Private Jet Hire Company

 

A flight to France from the US is a trans-Atlantic crossing that takes over 8 hours on commercial airliners. By opting for a chartered jet flight to France, you reduce the expected travel time to only 6 hours. That’s a 2-hour time difference which translates to lower jet lag upon arrival.

However, it is possible to decrease overall travel time even further by choosing a private hire company with the latest and newest jets such as the Cessna Citation X+. This jet is capable of attaining an air speed of 617 mph and can cover the 3, 638 mile distance from New York to Paris in 5 hours.

You can get information on private charter companies with the Cessna Citation X and other fast jets on Jetapp.com. With JetApp – fly with a private jet to France in time by up to 3 hours.

 

  • Luggage 

 

You have to be especially keen when choosing what to take on your chartered flight to France. Reason being, private jets have lower onboard cargo space due to their smaller size. It is, therefore, advisable to limit your packing to the essentials. 

If you are planning on visiting the pristine beaches of the French Riviera, then it should not be difficult to pack a few light clothing items. If you are heading to Europe for business, then two well-tailored suits should suffice.

It would be best if you can fit all your stuff into one carry-on bag. This way you don’t end up taking stuff you won’t even use. However, a long vacation stay might make it necessary to take more than one large bag of clothes.

In this scenario, it is advisable make your bags as conspicuous as possible through the use of stickers and colored bands. Doing so makes it easier to pick out your bag from others in the luggage claims.

 

  • TSA Restrictions 

 

While private jet hire companies use exclusive boarding facilities, these private passenger terminals do have to comply with several TSA regulations. These restrictions affect what you take with you on your chartered flight to France. Fortunately, 

First and foremost, you cannot bring any fluids exceeding 100ml or 3.4 oz onto the plane either in your carry-on bag or other checked bag. This restriction applies to carbonated beverages, alcoholic drinks, aerosol cans, face creams, body lotions and toothpaste. You can only pack these items if you have them in the appropriate volume. If not, then you will have to make a few purchases before your upcoming trip to France.

Second, some items are completely prohibited aboard flights except under specific conditions. These items include firearms, ammunition, compressed air guns, flare guns, gun powder, firearm replicas, 140 proof alcohol, axes, hatchets, cattle prods, box cutters, darts, pocket knives, aerosol insecticide, arrows, brass knuckles, billy clubs and other such items.  Fortunately, unless you are a gourmet chef and have to carry your knives, you won’t have trouble complying with TSA security restrictions.

 

  • Tourists Attractions in France

 

France has plenty to offer you irrespective of whether you are visiting this Mediterranean nation on business or pressure. This country is endowed with breath-taking landscapes from pristine sandy beaches and sun-drenched rolling hills with lush olive groves along the coast, to the vast snow-covered slopes of the French Alps.

If you plan on vacationing in the French Riviera, you get to enjoy perfect days on pristine beaches. Some of the most beautiful beaches that you should certainly visit include Antibes in the French Riviera, Cap Coz in Britany, Les Calanques de Cassis in Provence, Plage de la Cote des Basques and Deauville’s beach in Normandy.

You have the option of visiting several historic monuments and sites as a way of augmenting your trip. You can visit the romantic chateaux located in the Loire Valley, take epic photos of the Eiffel tower in Paris and explore magnificent medieval cathedrals in Paris, Laon, Picardy and Strasbourg.

While in France, you also get a chance to enjoy world-famous French wine, chocolate and food. You have the option of visiting restaurants run by renowned master chefs such as the Le Parc 45, the Chevre d’or and the Jan, all in the Riviera. A trip to the Bordeaux valley will satiate your appetite for exotic French wine while a visit to Bayonne will let you sample some of the tastiest chocolate on the planet.

Finally, adrenaline junkies get to ski on the vast slopes of the French Alps, enjoy bungee jumping from colossal chalk cliffs and experience the thrill of surfing the phenomenal waves on the Mediterranean. 

 

  • Communicating with the French

 

The final huddle in your plans to visit France is basic because it revolves communication. Fortunately, there are only two things you need to know for you to have an easy time while visiting this beautiful Mediterranean nation.

First, the French do get put off when you speak to them in English, be it in the city or in the county side. This reaction is not because these people don’t understand English but due to a cultural attachment to formality.

As a consequence, and the second thing, you need to make your intent to communicate in English using formal French. You do this using the phrase ‘Parlez-vous anglais?’ which means ‘Do you speak English?’. In the vast majority scenarios, the person you are speaking will reply in English.

Conclusion

While the above list is not exhaustive, it does provide you with the essentials of what you need to consider before booking a private flight to France. The cost of private jet charter service is yet another consideration worth mentioning.

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Leading 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Discomfort In The Back Of The Knee

March 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Discomfort behind the knee is something much of us have or may experience if we play sports that entail bending at the knees, running, tennis, or any type of task that puts a strain on the area.

Here are some points you need to keep in mind if you ever before experienced such pain behind the knee:

  1. Feasible Arthritis

This is just one of the most typical reasons for discomfort in the knee. As a matter of fact, if you more than the age of 65 one in two of you have arthritis with the knee been just one of the most typical joints entailed.

The pain of joint inflammation is usually a dull tooth ache pain that is occasionally sharp with unexpected activities. The pain is generally situated over your joint line (where the shin meets the thigh) as well as in the front of the knee. Light as well as in some cases extreme swelling is connected with this pain. The discomfort is even worse when you exit a chair or auto. It is likewise even worse with any kind of extended walking or standing. The pain is typically better with rest, warm (sometimes ice), wrapping the knee and also pain medication.

Sometimes the knee might catch on the harsh irregular surface areas of your cartilage. Patients often complain of grinding in the knee, and occasional popping.

  1. Minor Rip of the Cartilage Material Surface

A cyst or fluid accumulation, the causes of the discomfort behind the knee may just be mild micro rips in the cartilage material. 

This can be treated with the exact same services at the end of this short article. Splits, if small, call for no surgery as well as will heal by themselves depending on the moment enabled healing as well as if the task that intensifies it is prevented.

  1. Baker’s Cyst

 The cyst usually occurs because of a few other issue in your knee such as joint inflammation or perhaps a tear of your crescent. The swelling from this issue creates liquid to build up in your knee. This fluid pushes out the weakest factor of your joint capsule bordering your knee. This is generally to the back part of your knee pill, and also a cyst forms. The cyst has actually a shutoff made out of your joint pill cells. 

This valve can often become blocked as well as the liquid becomes entraped in the cyst. Thus, also when the injury has actually settled, you still have the swelling in the back of your knee. This is connected with pain typically described as dull as well as hurting. The discomfort is worse with extended walking or standing. It is often boosted with rest, elevation and taking pain medication.

Lots of people concur that when it involves discomfort behind the knee, the best plan of action is 

Control, Avoid, and also Restore.

Control:

Cryotheraphy which includes placing ice on the location for 5 mins at once. This will certainly help in reducing the pain. Do not continue to apply ice if a burning experience is felt.

Warm from a heating pad for 10-20 mins on a lower setting might help in reducing discomfort. Alternate approaches consist of creams that develop a heating sensation like Icy-Hot or AST BioFreeze gel.

Bracing from a comfy knee support can give some needed relief as well as security to the location, lowering the stress on the area as well as therefore; lowering the pain. There are many knee braces offered that can be put on during activity. A great resource for the best knee braces is this website here: kneeforce.com

Prevent:

There’s second best concerning this old saying. Just stay clear of the activities that worsen the discomfort and also join ones that appear to aid it. Making a list of things NOT to do as well as a list of points To Perform will be valuable in identifying what makes the pain even worse. Prevent tasks that remain to make the pain worse or no better. This is normal recommendations. Discomfort is a warning signal.

Restore:

Speak to a Medical professional and make a plan of action to rehabilitate the knee thru regulated motions. Recovery includes inspiration to do the recommended workouts. The proper workouts as suggested as well as the appropriate devices to keep the activities in controlled.

Discomfort behind the knee is very usual in some lots of sporting activities that you can suffer from this by doing practically anything from snowboarding to racquetball. By taking safety measures in your sporting activities and also comprehending what might create this, will certainly enable not only pleasurable sporting activities tasks, but a life time of task.

Sources: 

  1. Theptblog.com
  2. healthline.com

 

Filed Under: health Tagged With:

How to Save the Most on Airplane Tickets

March 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t want to travel? We all have places we want to visit and say we’ve been to, but travel has many gatekeepers. You need time off; you need to make sure your children can either stay at a sitter or can come with you, and then there’s the biggest gatekeeper of them all: money. 

The smartphone world has made some aspects of travel much more affordable. Ride sharing services have saved some of the headaches that come with cab fare. Airbnb offers places that are much cheaper to stay at than your average hotel. You can make your own food while you travel, such as sparkling water and donuts. However, when you have to fly, there isn’t any new services to make the cost easier. Not yet, anyway! 

However, it’s possible to get plane tickets for cheap. Here are a few ways how. 

 

  • Choose the Cheapest Days to Fly 

 

Some people cannot pick the day they fly, but if you can, make sure you choose the cheapest days. This can differ, but in general, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday is your best bet, at least in the domestic US. Any weekday is better if you’re an international travel. 

The days to avoid? Friday and Sunday. These days do make sense, since many people fly for a weekend trip. 

Of course, there are some exceptions. In fact, some may tell you that this is a myth, and instead you should look at it. 

 

  • Avoiding Busy Seasons 

 

The busy seasons can depend on country to country, but for people in the US, the busiest seasons are during the peak of summer and the holiday season. Consider a springtime or autumn trip, and you may not have to pay too much. 

 

  • The Cheapest Tickets Doesn’t Make the Cheapest Flight

 

When searching for tickets, you may see tickets that are much cheaper than the rest. One such example is Spirit Airlines, whose prices are too good to be true. However, Spirit and similar airlines are known for their baggage fees, which do add up. If you’re traveling light, it may be worth it, but if you’re packing a lot or plan to take a sackful of souvenirs home with you, you may want to look for someplace else. 

 

  • Have a Flexible Schedule 

 

If you want to pick the cheapest tickets, you may have to pick an hour that is not comfortable for you. For example, a flight early in the morning. Few people like to get up extremely early or pull an all-nighter to fly, but a little sleep deprivation can save you some money. Make sure you have a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones so you can catch up on rest! 

 

  • Stay in the Loop for Deals 

 

With flight tickets, there’s always a deal or a price drop going on. Some sites can allow you to sign up for the latest deals. These include The Flight Deal and Hitlist. Google Flights can alert you to dates or routes that you specify. 

Also, there is no shame in trying Priceline or Expedia. You can find good deals there. 

The point is to look everywhere for your best deal. You may be surprised with what you have. 

 

  • Brand Loyalty 

 

Some people don’t care what company they choose for the flight. As long as the price is fair and it can take them from point A to point B, that’s all that matters, right? 

Well, don’t forget about rewards programs. Many companies will give you rewards the more flights you purchase, or if you sign up for their deals. This can lead to future flights that are free or low-cost. 

 

  • Look at More Than One Airport 

 

If you live in an area where there is more than one airport within driving distance, compare airports. You may find that even though one airport is an hour further than the other, they may have cheaper tickets that make the extra drive worth it. 

These are just a few tips. Finding cheap tickets can be stressful and something that’s a job for therapy, but by being mindful of some travel trips, you can get the best flight for the price you want. 

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.

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How to Keep Your Kids Out of McDonald’s

March 2, 2020 by 2 Comments

Around 34% of children aged 2 to 19 eat junk food on a daily basis. Interestingly enough, the American Heart Association estimates that one in three kids in the United States is overweight. It’s not hard to see the correlation between obesity and junk food, isn’t it?

McDonald’s Role in the Obesity Epidemic

As we all know, there’s an obesity epidemic going on out there. Instead of eating at home, most children prefer to eat at fast food restaurants, most noticeably, at McDonald’s. 

While we can’t blame all of our nutritional and health problems on McDonald’s it’s fair to say that the company played a huge role in it. The biggest problem isn’t even the food quality – it’s fast food, so you can’t expect much – it’s actually McDonald’s marketing department. 

For decades at this point, McDonald’s has marketed their products to children. They are pretty sneaky about it too: the company dedicates more than 40% of their marketing budget to advertising in schools. That associates their brand with learning and education.

If you want your children to stop eating so much junk food, you need to invest some time and effort into it. Here are a few things you need to do…

Start Preparing Healthy Snacks 

Another option is to start preparing more healthy snacks back at home. By healthy snacks, we don’t mean to make your kids eat more fruit or veggies.  Despite what many people think, there are, in fact, healthy snacks that will keep your child healthy and satisfied.

Here are some healthy snack recommendations from the Food Network:

 

  • Crispy rice treats
  • Oatmeal snack cakes
  • Frozen fruit pops
  • Flavoured popcorn

 

If you want to go all out, you can also prepare healthy cookies and milkshakes. Preparing these is easier than you think. Modern milkshake makers only require you to put the ingredients in, push a couple buttons, and voila, you have a healthy milkshake. 

Stop Using Junk Food as Bribe

It’s not uncommon to see a parent offering a food reward to their child for good behaviour. Some people do the opposite. They prevent their children from eating junk food as a punishment. Mother or a father may refuse to serve their child with dessert, for example.

However, using food as a punishment or a reward is problematic to say the least. If you say that you won’t go to McDonald’s until your child finishes homework, you’re sending a horrible message to your offspring. 

By doing this, you’re basically telling your child that fast food is not only ok, it’s actually good. You wouldn’t use something bad as a reward, right? And this is not just us saying it, scientists say that this method is bad too. 

Now, using rewards is ok, but instead of a trip to McDonald’s, use the following as rewards: 

 

  • Trip to a park or the zoo
  • Art supplies or school supplies
  • Sleepovers and playdates
  • New toys or video games

 

Don’t Let Your Child’s Diet Become Monotonous

You can’t prevent your child from eating junk food completely. If you make your child eat veggies all the time, there’s a good chance they’ll become tired of your meals and start looking for alternatives outside of your home. 

That’s why you should introduce a “cheat day” in your home. For one day of the week, you should allow your children to loosen up and eat something sugary or something grilled. New research suggests that introducing a cheat day will not only help someone lose weight but that it can also boost your metabolism. 

Again, you shouldn’t mark this day in your calendar and make a big deal out of it. This shouldn’t be seen as a reward. Cheat day is there to prevent you from making your cooking monotonous and flavourless. Prepare something not-so-healthy from time to time. Trust us, your spouse and children will be thankful for it. 

Final Thoughts

The only way to prevent your child from craving McDonald’s is to show them that there are better alternatives. Talk to your child, teach them about the dangers of junk food, and most importantly have patience.

Let’s face it, your child won’t stop craving McDonald’s just after one talk or one healthy meal. You need to realize that the transition will last for a while. However, once you manage to convince your child to stay out of McDonald’s, you won’t have to worry about it again.

It may be a difficult process but if you ask us, it’s definitely worth it.

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