SCREEN TIME APP – CHILDREN’S BRAIN CHANGES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE TIME BEFORE SCREENS, ACCORDING TO STUDY

August 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The brain of children who spend too much time before screens of smart devices or video games seems to be modified, according to a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) released a few days ago by the CBS network.

In 21 research centers, the NIH began examining the brains of 4,500 children of 9 and 10 years old to know if the intense consumption of video games and the time they spend on the Internet influences their development.

The first results of this study with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show significant differences in the brain of children who use smartphones, tablets and video games more than seven hours a day, explained one of the researchers, Gaya Dowling in the program “60 Minutes”.

The images showed a premature thinning of the cerebral cortex or cortex, which processes the information sent to the brain by the five senses.

The thinning of the cortex “is considered an aging process,” said the scientist, noting that it was not clear if this process is harmful. “We still do not know if it’s due to the time spent in front of the screens, or if it’s a bad thing,” he said.

According to another scientist interviewed in the program, Kara Bagot, smartphones can have an addictive effect because the time spent in front of a screen stimulates the release of dopamine, the pleasure hormone.

The NIH data showed that children who spent more than two hours per day on screens had worse language and reasoning tests.

For the research, 11,000 children were examined, who will be followed for several years to study the impact of the screens on their intellectual and social development, as well as their health.

Discussing the results of the study, many tech experts agree to the precaution that a limit should be imposed on kids’ screen time. One great way of doing that is using the screen time app such as FamilyTime that enables parents to monitor the activities of their kids on screen and also help to measure the time of use of the tablet, so that the educational and training use can be balanced.

The perk of this parental control app is that  you can define time slots in which your kids can use the screen and during other hours, the screen gets locked automatically. Another nice feature of the app is the application monitoring accompanied with the ability to block or limit app usage with features such as app lock and screen time limits. There are many more features that you can check out yourself. All you need to do is visit the app store on your phone and get the app from there or simply hit the links given below.

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Can You Get It Over With Quickly When Filing for a Divorce?

August 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment

There is no such thing as a stress-free divorce, even if you part amicably and remain friends for decades to come. But is there such a thing as a quick divorce? History knows examples of this litigation going on for years and costing fortunes. However, even if it’s amicable and simple, breaking off a marriage might take months in some places.

What’s the Average Duration of an Amicable Divorce with No Complications?

The laws governing divorces and legal separations vary depending on the state. However, on average, you should be able to finalize the divorce within 30-60 days. But bear in mind that this is the time that doesn’t account for a mandatory waiting period. That one might last months and it might be impossible to waive even in an amicable divorce.

The state where divorces are easiest is Nevada, which is part of the reason why there are so many of them. But there you can break off your marriage within a few weeks. On the other hand, even if you want to get a quick divorce in Texas, you’ll need to wait for about 90 days, and that’s if everything runs smooth as silk. Your divorce hearing won’t even be scheduled less than 61 days after you file all the relevant paperwork. But there are also places like South Carolina where you can’t even file for a divorce unless you’ve lived apart with no sexual relations for a year.

Regardless of the state the duration of the divorce process might take years if the spouses cannot reach an agreement. Settlements will take as long as your negotiations will last. And if there are appeals and court hearings mixed in, you might spend a good portion of your estate on lawyers’ fees.

Factors That Affect the Speed of a Divorce

Aside from being contested or uncontested, factors that affect the speed with which you can get a divorce include:

  • The size of your estate (families with a lot of assets might be unable to avoid involving lawyers as legal counsel is a mandatory re2quirement in some states)
  • Children (the situation gets exceedingly more complicated if you cannot settle on child custody as this will make a court hearing mandatory)
  • Waiting period or legal separation mandated by state law
  • Prenuptial agreement terms

How to Speed Up a Divorce

The fastest possible way to get a divorce is to settle everything with your spouse directly and file for an uncontested divorce. In this case, you will be able to dissolve your marriage within the shortest legal period mandated by state law.

However, if you are unable to do this, your best bet is hiring a lawyer. Legal experts will know all the loopholes that your local laws have that can speed up the process.

Note that if the case involves abuse and threat to you or the children, the process can be expeditated. But you will most likely need to involve the police as well as get the injuries registered by a medical professional so the report can be used as evidence.

Overall, no two cases are the same, so it’s impossible to determine how much time exactly your divorce might take. Even in the case of an amicable separation, there is no guarantee that your spouse doesn’t change their mind at the last minute and decide not to settle.

When hiring a lawyer, your chances for a prompt settlement are bigger, but the costs will be significantly higher. If money is an issue and filing for an uncontested divorce is impossible, you will have to settle for a lengthy divorce that will require a lot of research and personal visits to the courthouse on your part.

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4 Travel Scams to Avoid- Know Before You Go

August 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Travelling within or outside a country for a vacation can be quite thrilling. The thought of spending your nights in a cozy hotel or perhaps visiting restaurants in Memphis for some crazy Korean noodle is exhilarating. But all this excitement can get ruined by travel scams. 

Research by AHLA indicates that travel fraud has become rampant with Americans making 28.5 million fake bookings per year. This translate to about $5.2 billion annually. Stop Online Booking Scams Act has been in place since 2016 to crack down scammers. However, the world is still wild, and you have to play your part.

Watch out the following travel scams and learn how to avoid them. 

Fake Booking Websites

Thanks to the internet that you can now book a hotel for your vacation or business trip at the comfort of your couch. But scammers will try to get ahead of you. Today, you can book a hotel directly on their website or use a third party. Scammers will come up with a website- acting as a third party and convince you to book with them.

In fact, most of them will give you a huge discount, and if excitement overshadows your instincts, then you will get scammed. Scammers might also create a website that looks like the real website or that of a known booking site like Airbnb. Once you make your “booking”, they will disappear with your money. 

To avoid this version of a travel scam, ensure you book directly with the hotel. But if you decide to make your bargaining using a third party, ensure the webpage is trustworthy. Read reviews and seek recommendations from friends and relatives who have used the site.

More so, ensure Better Business Bureau approves the site. 

Car Scam

When you visit a foreign country, you might decide to hire a car and drive around to any place you want. Thanks to wayfinding signage that will direct you to any point of interest. Cars are convenient, comfortable, and provides personal security and privacy.

Now, you rent a car, but upon bringing it back, the owner claims you have to make extra payments for damages you didn’t know. If you don’t have any proof, you will end up paying for expensive repairs you didn’t even cause. 

If you want to avoid this kind of scenario, take photos of the car and document any damages. If possible, go around with the owner taking photos to clear any doubt. Also, keep the car out of the owner’s sight. Some people might get malicious and send someone to mess the vehicle or steal to make you pay for it.

Additionally, buy travel insurance to help you claim in case of any issue.

The Taxi Overcharge

You land, and you’re trying to fight off with jetlag. All you want is to get to your hotel room and catch up with some cuisine. You call for a taxi, and the driver tells you the meter is broken.

Others will tend to charge you more than necessary. 

To avoid being overcharged, ask the hotel front desk the rate from your pick-up point. Cab services like Uber have almost constant rates. Although rates can sometimes change, the variant won’t be huge.

Most of the tourism boards allow you to report fraudulent cab drivers. That’s why it’s essential to have the driver’s ID number to report any incidence. Finally, ensure you only board a licensed cab.

Free Gifts

By now, you should know that nothing is for free. This travel scam works whereby a friendly person approaches you for a chat and then place a hat on your head, or bracelet on your wrist. Once you have the gift, then they will for demand money.

These scammers won’t accept their items back. Instead, they will try to cause a scene hoping you will pay than getting embarrassed.

Don’t accept anything from anyone. But in case they put it on you, return it and be adamantly firm about it. 

Take-Away

Travelling should not be stressful or scary. Heed to the above advice and your trip will be enjoyable and scam-free.

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Pro’s of Investing in a Condominium

August 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Condominiums are the epitome of modern living. It has many perks that include modern facilities and amenities, great views, security, and some privacy. But if you are looking to buy a condo as an investment, you must consider the potential gains that you can get. 

 

Below are some of the reasons why investing in a condo would be a profitable choice: 

Market Value

The main criterion in determining that you are making a good investment is the property’s market value. Thus, if it’s market value is higher than the purchase price, you are in good hands. This remains applicable and true when it comes to condo investments. 

 

There is a higher appreciation rate for condo units. You should expect that its value grows from the moment you purchase it. It gives you plenty of opportunities to reap the benefits of your investment. You can opt to rent it out so you can have a sustainable source of monthly income from the rental. 

 

Also, you can choose to resell it later. The longer you hold on to your property, the higher its appreciation value. This will enable your money (investment) to multiply without working too hard. 

Profitability

Condos are easy to rent out. A lot of people who opt to live in cities would prefer to rent a condo unit because of its facilities and amenities. If you choose a condo that is within a prime location (such as within the business district or city center), the demand for your condo rental will grow even more. Therefore, it is important to consider the location of a condo unit by the time of your purchase. 

 

The initial investment required for a condominium can be easily afforded by potential investors. This makes it a better investment because the cost of acquisition is lower than the potential resale value. There are many condo developments that are in a pre-selling stage that offers lower prices. Make sure you take advantage of them if you have decided on investing in a condo.

Maintenance 

It is easier to maintain a condominium because there is your utility staff whose primary role is to help with the upkeep and maintenance. You can also rent out your condominium for business use. Who says that condominiums are only suitable for residential use? The ability to rent out your condo for commercial use will help expand the potential income of your investment. 

 

Investing in condominium units offer better liquidity as an investment (compared to apartment buildings). You can easily sell the unit when you want to (whereas it would be more difficult to find a buyer for an apartment building). 

 

If you would like to pursue the idea of buying a condo as your next investment, you need to see this. It is not just a matter of investing in a condo, but where you choose to invest in that truly matters. 

Con’s of Investing in a Condo

There are a few things you need to know about before investing in a condo unit. These are risk factors that you must be prepared for so that you can mitigate the risks:

Restrictions 

Depending on which condo you invest in, there might be certain restrictions. The homeowner’s association within a condominium building might impose a lot of rules and regulations for owners to live by. They might even put restrictions on when, how, and to whom you may rent out your condominium unit. Make sure you check out the rules in your specific condo before you pursue the investment.

Monthly Fees

The monthly fees on the homeowner’s association and any other maintenance fees can potentially lower your return of investment. Make sure you choose a condo that is centrally located so you can keep the rental prices up. This is how you can optimize the return of investment so you can cover other maintenance fees. 

Pro’s of Investing in an Apartment

Aside from a condo, an apartment is another good real estate investment. Learn about the advantages of this type of investment: 

Level of Demand

The level of demand for apartment rentals is steadily high, especially among families looking to rent a single-family home. It is a good investment because you can expect a low vacancy rate (especially if your apartment is in a central location).

Cost

The cost of maintenance in an apartment is considerably low. There is also no need to pay any monthly fees because you own the entire apartment building (whereas condos have multiple owners). 

Con’s of Investing in an Apartment

While there are many benefits to investing in an apartment, there are potential downsides. Here are some of them: 

Ownership Expenses

The cost of ownership for an apartment building is substantially higher than other real estate investments (such as condominium). Depending on where you live, not all individual investors can afford to purchase the apartment building. This puts a limit on your buying market for that property. 

Rental Income

It puts all of your income potential solely reliant on the rental income. It is, therefore, important to attract renters and lower the vacancy rate if you want to maintain you’re your profit. In this regard, it makes maintenance of an apartment building entail more work. You need to address the needs of your existing tenants to keep them happy. Otherwise, you could lose tenants if they are unsatisfied with the quality of living in your apartment. 

The Bottom Line

There are certain benefits and drawbacks with each option – condo or apartment as an investment. Use the information above so you can weigh the pros and cons of each option. In the end, your investment goals and strategy are different. 

 

If you want to make money through the rental income, then both condos and apartments are a suitable choice. But when it comes to the resale value, condos might have an edge as it is easier to liquidate than apartments. Either way, you need to match these investments with your long-term goals so you can make the right choice. 

 

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Breakaway from lethargy: How to make healthy choices one-at-a-time

August 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Our days seem to get busier by the second. Juggling work, family and social life sometimes do not leave time for anything else. It becomes challenging to incorporate health into a busy lifestyle.

 

Everybody does not have the time to go to the gym every day or take fitness classes. However, you don’t have to take out time to get fit. Small efforts go a long way. A few healthy choices can make a significant difference in your fitness level.

 

Here are ways to break away from lethargy by making healthy choices one at a time:

 

Pack a fruit:

The next you feel tempted to reach for a cookie, eat the fruit instead. This practice’s advantages are two-fold. The first advantage is that you avoid food that is full of sugar. The second is you incorporate fresh fruit into your diet.

 

Once eating fruit is routine, it can very well be transformed into lunch. There are several ways to do this. A popular option is to combine them with oats that have been soaked overnight. But you can also simply cut fruits and sprinkle salt (sometimes honey as well) and enjoy an easy but nutritious meal.  

 

Make your water intake exciting:

It is crucial to maintain an optimal level of water in our bodies. Most of the time, we do not realise that we are dehydrated. This is because many people do not drink water until they feel thirsty. While thirst is a good indicator of our water needs, it is not enough.

 

A refreshing way to increase your water intake is by consuming beverages. Use this method- have water when you feel thirsty and a water-based drink whenever you feel like it! In summers, opt for beverages such as iced teas and fresh juices and in winters, switch to teas such as green and chamomile tea. There are a variety of drinks available in the market, and many such as green tea carry additional health benefits.  

 

Additionally, you can increase your intake of food with high water content. Cucumbers and watermelons are easily available and make for tasty, yet healthy snacks.

 

Bid goodbye to the blue light:

Sleep is a crucial factor in determining our health. Disturbed sleep leads to high levels of lethargy, blood pressure and heart disease risk. Irregular sleep levels eventually lead to memory problems and a weak immune system function. By bidding goodbye to your phone, laptop and any other screen two hours before your sleep time, your eyes have no exposure to the blue light emitted by them. These blue lights disrupt sleep quality by readjusting our body’s circadian rhythm ( the body’s internal clock).

 

Walk to work:

This is possibly one of the easiest yet most efficient ways to make a change for the better. Regular walking has several benefits, such as lower blood pressure and better muscle endurance. Walking to walk is a small and simple way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. To make the walk truly enjoyable, do not walk hastily but take your time looking at the surroundings. This makes walking not a dreaded task but something you can look forward to every day.

 

Once, you are accustomed to walking for long periods. You can try trekking at scenic locations.  It is truly exhilarating to reach the top and sometimes even catch a glorious sunrise. Trekking is a great way to build stamina and have fun at the same time. However, trekking is not always as strenuous as it is thought to be. There are plenty of short and simple treks that are suitable for beginners. Carry the best pocket knife to make your trek a breeze.

 

Spend time with your family and friends:

This may be an unconventional addition to the list; however, spending time with our loved ones is an excellent way to make a healthy choice without even knowing it. Meeting family and friends often strengthens personal relationships. Social interaction promotes a longer lifespan and has shown to decrease the health risks associated with hypertension and heart disease. A healthy support system has also been linked to better recovery.

 

While sitting in a pub sipping chilled beer and watching a football match can be a great activity to relax once in a while. It is better to not indulge in alcohol every time you meet them. Replace regular drinking sessions and try playing a friendly game or even camping at the weekends instead. These are fun alternatives to spend time with each other.

 

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Three Tips to Help You Find the Best Hotel in Nairobi

July 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Visiting a stunning country such as Nairobi can be one of the most life-changing experiences of your entire life. With all of its amazing sites, beautiful people, and incredible culture, you’ll be overwhelmed by just how much there is to take in. Finding a quality place to settle down after your days exploring will be incredibly important. However, many new visitors have found that finding the perfect hotel can actually end up being more of a challenge than they initially expected. Making sure you stay in a reputable and equally luxurious space will be incredibly important and so here are the top three tips that you should keep in mind to find the perfect hotel for you and your traveling companions today.   

Beautiful Rooms 

Nowadays, hotels are expected to show their rooms ahead of time and with good reason. Guests want to know exactly what kind of accommodations they’re paying for before they agree or sign any sort of room agreements. When it comes to finding your ideal Nairobi hotel, making sure you take a good look at the rooms available on the hotel website will be absolutely critical. That way, you can feel confident that you’ll know what to expect upon your arrival. 

Awards and Accolades 

Another important factor that can help ensure you end up in the best hotels in Nairobi city centre will be to check whether or not they’ve earned any sort of awards or accolades in the last recent years. These awards are often recognition of exemplary work and maintaining the highest possible standards. By staying at a hotel that’s earned this sort of recognition, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be paying for a not only a room that you’ll feel comfortable in, but an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. 

In-House Dining

While you certainly want to get out and enjoy all the wondrous opportunities that the city center will have to offer you, sometimes you just want a quiet night in after a long day of exploring. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure you’re able to find a hotel that offers an in-house dining experience. Having a quality restaurant right downstairs will mean you’re able to relax and enjoy yourself without having to worry about finding a great restaurant or dressing up for the occasion. You can just wander down to the restaurant right on the premises and enjoy a beautiful meal right there. 

Visiting a country such as Nairobi offers travelers new and exciting experiences with the likes of which they’ll never be able to find anywhere else. Finding a great hotel can be the perfect way to really put the finishing touches on your trip. However, sometimes finding that one-of-a-kind hotel can be more difficult than you’d expect. Keep these tips in mind and find accommodations that live up to all your expectations and more today. 

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5 Super Secrets to Make Fluffiest Cakes without Eggs

July 31, 2019 by 2 Comments

Cakes are proof that good still exists in this world. Young, teenagers, or adults, everyone wants a slice every now and then. That yummy, moist, fluffy slice that melts right in the mouth has a charm that no one could escape. The main ingredient that lends a cake its moist texture is an egg. It is considered to be a cardinal element needed to make a moist cake. But some of the most delicious cakes are available eggless too. If you are a baker at heart and wish to serve eggless cake to your family or guests, then you don’t have to fret a bit. This article will take you on an eggless ride in the world of cake. Every flavour that can be baked with egg, can be made available in eggless variety too and they will be as scrumptious as the one with eggs. Here how you can do it:

  1. Replacement of Eggs

First thing first, replacement of egg with soda and vinegar. Sounds strange? The main role of eggs in a cake is to bind the mix and lend a fluffy and airy texture. This strange-sounding mixture of soda and vinegar will play the same role in your eggless cake. It will give the cake rise and will be responsible for light texture. Make sure to use distilled vinegar, so that it doesn’t add to the taste. Without adding a lighter agent, your cake will become heavy, just like the cookie.

  1. Beat’em Up

You have to keep in mind to beat and blend smooth all the buttery and oily part of the batter. If mixing is forming bubbles and lumps, it will be best to whip them all while baking an eggless cake. After whipping, you will get a similar texture like a cake with eggs in it.

  1. Add Dry Ingredients

Once your mixture is whipped, fluffy texture of butter or oil is ready, add dry ingredients to it one by one and in smaller quantities. This way, the air in the mixture will not be lost and the texture will remain soft. Using a folding movement in a single direction will yield the best result for an eggless cake. Do not let the air escape by adding large quantities of dry ingredients else the baked cake will be dry instead of moist.

  1. Do Not Check the Cake

Wish to check the cake, how’s it coming up or whether it’s done or not? Whatever you do, do not open the oven to check on the cake until the baking is done. Every time you open the oven before the final product, you lose a certain amount of temperature and the cake will become stone-hard when subjected to cold and hot temperature alternatively. This wait will get you sweet results.

  1. Remove from the Pan Immediately

Once the cake is done, remove it from the pan immediately. This is one trick you have to follow while baking an eggless cake otherwise even a well-cooked cake will collapse and will become dense. It will affect the taste and will make the cake look bad too.

Follow these secrets to the core and garner appreciation from one and all.

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Motorcycle Camping Gear Guide

July 31, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Part of the glory of owning a motorcycle is the freedom that comes with it. When you’re on your bike, you feel unrestricted by time, responsibilities or location. Yet, at the end of the day, you still have to ride your bike home, pull it into your garage and get back to real life … or do you? 

If you’re two hours from home and decide that the sunset over the Grand Canyon deserves more than a passing glance, you should be able to pull up to a nearby campground and make camp for the night. If you’re riding across the Badlands and decide you want to see the area come to life in the early hours of the morning, it shouldn’t even be a question of whether or not you should pitch a tent and wait for dawn to approach. With the right motorcycle camping gear, you can cave to your whims and fully realize the freedom that motorcycles provide. That said, what gear is the “right” gear?

Lightweight Tent 

If you’re cruising with just yourself or one other person, you don’t need a roomy tent — in fact, you should forego the standard camping tent and instead invest in a one- or two-person backpacking tent. Backpacking tents are small and lightweight, yet they’re surprisingly durable and can holdup in extreme weather conditions. You’ll also save money on gas and space by electing to purchase a smaller shelter. Higher quality backpacking tents often weigh less than five pounds. 

TTLIFE Camping Cookware

If you’re like many aspiring vagabonds, you assume that the only utensils you can reasonably carry with you are a spoon, fork, knife and can opener, but you’d be wrong. The TTLIFE Camping Cookware kit is a 12-piece kit that contains one nonstick pot, one nonstick pan, one pot cover, two bowls, a stainless steel fork, a wooden spoon spatula, a soup spoon and more contains everything you need to cook gourmet meals when out in the wilderness — and it’s just 1.33 pounds. 

Lightweight Sleeping Mat

Like backpacking tents, there are several outdoorsman sleeping mats on the market today. Though they look flimsy, they’re far more comfortable than any sleeping bag and far easier to transport as well. If you put in the legwork, you can find one of these bad boys that weighs in at less than one pound. 

Military-Grade Multitool

You may have made all the best motorcycle mods before embarking on your adventures but that doesn’t make you immune to accidents or acts of nature. When a rainstorm rolls through and your bike gets stuck in the mud, you’re going to need a shovel to dig yourself out. If you want to cut firewood, you’ll need a saw. How will you start that fire? That’s where the fire starter comes in. 

Motorcycle Fairing 

If you plan on travelling a great distance, you want to do all that you can to keep fuel costs down. In addition to packing lightweight camping gear, you should also make a few modifications to your bike, one of which is adding a motorcycle fairing. OEM motorcycle fairings are designed to reduce air drag, which can help both with your travel time and your gas mileage. 

Once you buy a motorcycle, you need a go-to source for parts and supplies. Find everything from OEM to aftermarket parts and from camping gear to motorcycle helmets online. 

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