The Sidewalk Saga: A Tale of Convenience, Calamity and Curb Cuts

Get ready for an emotional trip down memory lane that literally lies along sidewalks; those concrete guardians that keep our urban jungle in check.

The Good: The Humble Hero of the Urban Jungle

Let us recognize one of life’s unsung heroes: the sidewalk. Often overlooked in favour of towering skyscrapers or bustling traffic, this humble path provides pedestrians with a safe haven from towering skyscrapers or bustling traffic; serving as Dorothy’s yellow brick road to our workplaces, schools and coffee shops – creating some order amid urban chaos! Crafted out of slabs of concrete they may not boast park-like charisma but certainly serve an essential function within cities as their lifeblood runs through them all!

The Bad: Cracks in the Concrete

Unfortunately, not everything in the land of footpaths is perfect. Let’s explore a darker aspect of our sidewalk story – imagine being lost in thought while listening to your podcast, when suddenly something begins crumbling underneath you and sends you reeling backward. Cracked pavement can quickly transform from pedestrian to comic relief, reminding us that our safe haven may not always be so secure. Poorly maintained sidewalks can turn an enjoyable stroll into an obstacle course, where every step could be your downfall (quite literally). We’ve all seen them: uneven slabs, insidious tree roots eroding the surface beneath, sudden, unexpected drop-offs; our trusted guide was often our own demise! Sidewalk, we trust you but sometimes you become our downfall instead – an irony we are well aware of.

The Dangerous: Curb Cuts and Unexpected Cliffhangers

Imagine strolling leisurely along a sidewalk, immersed in your thoughts, only for your pensive state to be interrupted by an abrupt and shockingly low curb cut. Mini ramps designed to aid those with mobility issues can quickly turn into roller coaster rides for pedestrians unaware of them, leading them down an unexpected cliffhanger path. But that is only part of the problem; further danger is presented through what we refer to as ‘Unexpected Cliffhangers.’ At first it may seem terrifying when your trusted sidewalk abruptly ends and leaves you at risk of entering an active street – an unintended game of “Frogger.” However, these sidewalk transgressions represent more than an inconvenience; they pose real threats to public safety – pedestrians should use extreme caution on urban trails!

When the sidewalk bites back: Enter the Personal Injury Lawyer

When sidewalks prove treacherous, a personal injury lawyer usually come to the rescue. These legal heroes specialise in cases in which an enjoyable day becomes hazardous due to poor maintenance or an unexpected slip and fall on a curb cut; or where leisurely strolling turns into a painful ankle sprain due to cracked tile surfaces. They help their clients navigate the legal path to compensation while ensuring negligent parties such as negligent landlords don’t escape punishment unpunished.

Final Thoughts on Sidewalk Safety 

It’s clear: Sidewalks are no different to anything else in life: essential companions on our urban journeys but sometimes less than reliable allies. As we navigate our concrete jungles, let us not forget to give these silent sentinels of city life some credit despite their occasional flaws.

 

Working on Yourself is an Ongoing Process

Any good therapist can tell you that working on yourself is an ongoing process. The road to healing does not become clear overnight, nor is it apparent on your first therapy session. It takes a lifetime of self-improvement to become the best version of yourself. And you owe it both to yourself and to your family members to become that version.

Here are some self improvement tips which will help you maintain your self-awareness and growth work throughout your life.

Self-Improvement Tips for Lifelong Growth

If you are determined to improve your life, health, and spiritual wellbeing, then lifelong growth is the correct path. Here are some hacks for self improvement which will leave you feeling wonderful.

Form Healthy Habits

Healthy habit setting will allow you to continuously improve yourself and your daily life. Take a good, honest look at your diet and lifestyle choices. Are you active? Do you move vigorously for more than 30 minutes per day? How often do you exercise or eat junk food? Checking your diet into healthier snack foods means you will always have more energy overall. Remember, if you do something for long enough it will form a lifelong habit in you. It takes between two and three months of persistently repeating an action before it becomes a habit. Daily walks are an easy place to start.

Consider Giving to Charitable Causes

Picking your favorite charity to donate to does two things. It gives the charity much-needed support, and it lifts your mood through the gift of giving. Whether you become more charitable all round or you regularly go on drives for clothing, every little bit you do for a charity will make you feel better while growing as a person. Charities let you contribute to your local community, allowing you to further prepare that nest. It’s a good feeling. Give often.

Journalling and Reading

There are two important things you could do before you go to bed each day, which will help you continue to improve after education. Reading boosts your vocabulary and your general knowledge. It sparks your creativity. Journaling, on the other hand, helps you to process your emotions daily. Writing about things that bother you helps to reduce the problems by half. Set aside time to write in your diary once a day. Even reading a single page a day will benefit you.

Set Smart Goals

Smart goal setting is as relevant now as it has ever been. Breaking your personal development goals and dreams down into manageable portions which you can do at the weekends means you will always be working towards your goal. Even if all you take is a baby step per day, eventually you will acquire the new skill, or gain a qualification, or apply for that dream job. It’s on you.

Growth Leads to Self-Discovery

Not only does continuous lifelong growth help you discover things about yourself, but it also leads to better confidence, health, and appearance. You can be the best version of yourself. All it takes is a little effort.

 

 

Top Reasons to Book Luxury Travel for Your Family

Now that travel is almost back to normal post pandemic, most people are choosing to take their families on amazing vacations. Like most people, there is a very good chance that you undoubtedly want to give your children the best of every experience, and without having holidays because of the pandemic, you may have been unable to give them the experiences that you have wanted to give them. 

Like most parents, luxury holidays may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of gifts for your family, but skiing in the Alps or going on the Rovos rail might be the best thing you do for your family this year. Luxury holidays can offer you opportunities that go far beyond relaxation, and when you expose the children in your life to luxury holidays, everybody benefits. With that in mind, here are some of the reasons you should be choosing luxury when you book your next family break.

  • You will create happy memories. The times that you’ve taken your children camping in the forest, or snorkeling in the ocean are times you will always be able to reflect on and look back on with a smile on your face. If you don’t take them on those luxury breaks, you will never do it. It’s the perfect setting to make an unforgettable memory, and due to the luxuriousness of the holiday that you book, you will always feel at peace.
  • You’ll be able to open your children’s minds. It’s not a frivolous thing to book a holiday. You’re going to make your child smarter and help to advance their brain development when they are out there in the world and experiencing things in person. They get to play, explore and go on massive adventures with you, and they will never forget them. These are adventures that are going to stay with them for life, and it’s something that they are going to end up passing down to their own children, too.
  • It’s an opportunity for family learning. Children aren’t the only people that learn when you go on a holiday. There are so many things to do in life that traveling can activate different parts of the brain far beyond what the regular day-to-day housework does. You’ll also be able to use luxury holidays as the excuse that you need to try new things together. Where else are you going to be able to sign up for windsurfing lessons or take a luxury cooking class?
  • It’s that family quality time you’ve been looking for. Parents don’t get enough time with their children. Between school runs and the school day, the working day and all of the chores to get done, there is just not enough time to chill out with the kids. You want to be able to increase that time, but those demands on your schedule do not often allow it. Taking that luxury holiday together is going to give you that time back which is everything that you need when you want to spend better time with your children.

 

 

I’m thinking about doing a boudoir photo shoot

I actually thought about doing a boudoir photo shoot for a long time. It’s one thing on my to-do list, or maybe even a bucket list. I’m not particularly keen on photographs. I’m kind of a private person. My Instagram has been quite slow lately and I don’t post on Facebook either. I’m not one of these people who know which is their “good” side of the face. Sure, I have a few nice portraits and a lot of travel images I’ve taken over the years, but boudoir photography is something else altogether.

Boudoir is very personal, and to be honest, kind of scary. I don’t really like being photographed in a normal setting, so the thought of being barely clothed or in lingerie in front of a stranger will not come easy for me. I’ve seen a lot of boudoir images and I do like the look of them. And I do think I would enjoy being photographed … like one of your French girls… 🙂 Just need to gather the courage to actually do it one day.

I still have not decided if I want to be photographed by a man or a woman. Although, I am kind of leaning toward a male photographer at this stage. I think I would actually be much more comfortable doing those “sexy” poses in front of a man, rather than a woman. I think I’d feel more natural and confident. Also, I suspect men might be …hm, less judgemental. But that may well be just my opinion. It may come down to just finding a good photographer at the time I’m ready to do it. I do not want to book 12 months ahead. I will change my mind about 17 times before the session day. I am certain of that.

I actually have found a boudoir photographer in Sydney whose work I like. He has a diverse style. Some bright and airy images and some dark and moody pictures. I have not decided which I like more, so a combination of both would definitely be good. The bright images look really nice. especially if they are in black and white. A mental note: for these boudoir images to look nice I have to have really good makeup. I better look for a good makeup artist before the shoot. Or maybe he offers makeup and hair as part of the deal. I better check.

The dark and moody images on the other hand look really arty. They capture just the outlines and highlights of the body, which leaves some parts of it in the shadow. That’s really nice. The mind then fills in the blanks. I really like that. It looks like some of the women he has on his website wear nothing at all. Hm… but with the dark and moody style, there are actually no naughty bits showing at all. Just a hint of naughtiness, but all well hidden in the shadows. I think that may actually be my preferred style.

It looks like he’s shooting with natural light which I think is better than flash. I think pictures taken with a flash feel unnatural. Or maybe he is using flash but is skilled enough to make his boudoir images look natural. Either way, I like his work. And I will probably contact him sometime next month. Hopefully, he’s not too busy and can get me a session within a few weeks. I really don’t want to wait months for a boudoir session. It’s hard enough to decide to do it, but once decided, I want it done as soon as possible. I am not a patient person. That may well be one of my faults, but who cares. Too late to try and reshape my personality.

Now for the important part. How much should I budget for these pictures? What should I get? Just the images or maybe get a nice boudoir photo album in leather. Maybe a framed picture on the wall? Hm… no, I don’t think I’ll like to look at myself hanging on the wall. I’m not the type, but an album is probably a very good idea. I can put it away and only look at it when I really feel like it. I really like to touch photographs so an album would be a great idea. I have lots f albums from my travels. It’s so much nicer to open a book and enjoy the photographs than just browsing them online. It’s just not the same thing. I think it’s settled. If the price is reasonable I will get a 10×10″ boudoir album in leather. And a bunch of images I can post on Instagram. Why not?

I will have to go shopping some time soon to get a couple of pieces of lingerie. I have some old stuff, but I think I should use this opportunity to spoil myself a bit too. I’m thinking at least 2 pairs of 2 piece sets and maybe a bodysuit. The 2 piece suits should probably be in red, pink or black. Maybe white. They do look good too. I have to research that topic thoroughly. And the bodysuit should be black. How predictable. Again, who cares. I think it’s time to google lingerie for a boudoir photoshoot. That will keep me occupied for the next few hours, or weeks. And off I go…

Why Hiking Is A Popular Hobby

According to the AllTrail hiking navigation app, the number of hiking activities recorded in 2020 was up by over 170% compared to the previous year. The number of individual hikers also increased by over 130% in 2020. The hiking hobby has boomed during the pandemic, and it is showing no sign of slowing down.  

Naturally, being forced to self-isolate at the start of the pandemic can explain the sudden increase in number. People needed an activity that would take them out of the house safely and maximise direct sunlight exposure. As such, hiking has understandably become a coping mechanism during the pandemic. Yet, vaccine distribution figures have allowed most countries to go back to social

Escaping the city stress

As life is getting back to normal, people are experiencing a new phenomenon: Urban stress. Indeed, the absence of traffic and commute during the pandemic has encouraged wildlife to come back to cities. Birds, small and larger mammals wandered through our towns, breaking the grey landscape with fresh life. Unfortunately, urban activities are now back, and we suddenly realise how loud and polluting they are. Hiking offers a unique escape away from the city. More often than not, beautiful hiking spots are just outside cities, such as the stunning Malvern Hills that inspired the Hobbit landscape. Situated just outside Worcester in England, the hills have been a favourite spot for Tolkien. 

Surprisingly accessible

Most physical hobbies require specialist equipment and training. However, hiking can be easily accessible to all. Hiking is all about walking in nature. You can adjust your pace and trail choice to your skills and your outfit. If you fancy a quiet and digestive walk after a meal, there’s nothing wrong with walking in your everyday cashmere jumper and denim trousers. More experienced hikers can invest in shoes and gear for long and challenging trails. Yet, it’s not mandatory to enjoy the joys of hiking in nature. 

It’s therapeutic

Countless psychologists agree that walking is one of the most natural activities for most able-bodied individuals. Being active helps release endorphin, which reduces depression risks. Most mental health practitioners, therefore, recommend exercising to address mental health issues. Embracing a natural and easy activity makes it easier for individuals to regain control over their mental and physical health. 

We are still suckers for a good Insta-shot

While it’s not to say that we do everything for a good picture, most people will make conscious decisions about what to display in their social profiles. It makes no doubt that photos of your hobby are likely to receive more likes if it’s hiking compared to spending an afternoon watching TV. Walking allows you to find beautiful sceneries that are not only a delightful sight but also an Instagram winner shot. Why so? Because a hiking shot is peaceful, inspiring, and dream-worthy. It’s all about showing all the beautiful things around you. 

Hiking is regaining its old popularity back, and it’s a surprise to nobody! No other hobby is as accessible and calming as taking a walk in nature. Are you ready to see what goodness the trail has in store for you? 

 

7 Strategies To Ease A Loved One’s Transition Into A Nursing Home

When it comes time to move a parent or loved one into a nursing home, it can be a time fraught with emotion. Even if the person in question is eager and willing to move. Remember that your senior loved one will be struggling with the loss of independence and anxious about this next chapter in their life. 

And you’re likely feeling these emotions keenly too. Alongside questioning whether what you’re doing is the right thing at the right time. It’s important to remember that these feelings are completely normal and an expected part of the transition. But there are ways to make your loved ones transition into a nursing home much smoother. 

  • Visit Often

Nothing will help your parent or loved one more than seeing you often. Making sure you’re still a mainstay in their lives shows that you still care. And it gives them contact with the outside world, so they don’t feel so cut off. 

But this rule might not be something you need to stick to during the early weeks. You know your parents and loved ones the best. Some people respond well to having constant help during a big change. While others will benefit from being left to their own devices for a few weeks. Talk to them about what suits them best at the start. 

  • Get Help

It takes a village to look after people. So mobilize yours if you need extra help, especially at the start. It can take a while to settle into a new routine. And you may not have all the time in the world to help your loved ones settle in. So make it a whole family and friends affair. This takes the strain off you and shows your parents just how many people care for them. And how many people are ready to help whenever they might need it again.

 

Remember that we all need extra help sometimes. And you never know what situation you might find yourself in. Unfortunately, cases of nursing home abuse have risen in recent years. So it helps to be prepared with a talented nursing home abuse lawyer if you run into problems. 

  • Acknowledge The Difficulties

 

It will help to speak about the move in a positive light. Of course, you want to get your parents or loved ones excited about their move rather than have them dreading it. But they will have concerns and fears. And if you spend the whole time drown out their worries with positivity, you won’t help quell their concerns at all. 

 

Let them talk through their worries openly and honestly. Acknowledge their feelings and help them move forward through them in a positive light. They’re much more likely to listen to you in the future if you take the time to listen to them. 

  • Keep It Familiar

 

Assisted living facilities and nursing homes aren’t huge. So your parents’ move likely means they are downsizing. For some of them, that decrease will be considerable. As a result, you may find them missing all the things they love, and that make their home feel like theirs.

Take the time to surround them with belongings that will fit comfortably in their new home. This will help them settle in much easier and ease the sting of losing some of their belongings. 

Interestingly, using their old belongings helps to make your parents feel more in charge too. You may be tempted to give them lots of new tech and furniture in a bid to make things easier. But all this does is overwhelm them with new things. Because everything about the nursing home is already unique. 

  • Have Boundaries

You will want nothing more than to ease the worries of your loved ones and make their transition a smooth one. But you still have a life, a job, and maybe a family to look after and be an active part of. Free up as much time as you can at the beginning, but know that it’s ok if you can’t be there all the time.

Set out strict boundaries at the start of what you can achieve comfortably regarding being there and helping out. Make your parents and loved ones aware of these boundaries kindly so they know what you can do with your time.

  • Trust Your Instincts

There will be a lot of people in your ear telling you things. From what’s expected of you to how you should care for your parents. In the end, you know best. You know your parents best, so always trust your instincts. 

  • Give It Time

And most importantly, give it time. It takes time to settle into new places. And feelings you and your loved ones may have at the start will diminish as time moves on. So give it time. 

 

3 Essential Tests To Conduct Before Starting An Exercise Regime

You’ve made a decision to start living a healthier life and to begin taking better care of yourself. Naturally, this means you have to start exercising regularly. If this is something you haven’t done before, it’s easy to think you can just jump straight into things. As eager as you might be, you need to stop and prepare yourself for your new exercise regime. This begins by running a few tests that will help you identify any potential issues that could impact your workouts. Likewise, the tests should help you figure out if it is safe for you to exercise or not.

Here are the essential tests to conduct:

Fitness Tests

Technically, this includes lots of different tests under the same banner. Fitness tests are exactly as they sound; tests to see how fit you are. They can come in different varieties but are mostly split into two categories:

  • Strength tests
  • Cardiovascular endurance tests

A strength test can consist of a push-up test where you see how many you can do in one go. Head online to compare your results to others and it indicates how strong you might be. This helps you put realistic expectations on what you should start doing in the gym. 

Cardiovascular endurance tests will help you understand how fit you are aerobically. There’s a 1-mile test most people use, and the results can be found online and compared once again. If you are way below average, it shows you you need to work on improving your cardio – which will be good for your overall health. 

Flexibility Tests

Similarly, you need to conduct flexibility tests to see which muscles are the tightest in your body. This is also a good way of identifying any possible restrictions when you exercise. For instance, if stretching your shoulder causes pain, you might have an issue in the joint that should be seen before you start an exercise program. 

There are loads of stretch tests you can do, and the internet is once again a fantastic resource for you to look at. You can find loads of videos that will help you do the stretches as well. 

ECG Test

This is the most serious of all the tests as you are recording the electrical activity of the heart. As noted on dralasady.com.au, this is often referred to as an exercise stress test. In essence, you are hooked up to a device that measures your heart rate and tracks the rhythm. It will assess if your heart is beating normally and if there are any irregularities. 

The reason this is so vital is that it can detect concerns when you are exercising. It may identify that your heart is put under extreme stress when exercising and it can’t handle vigorous bouts of activity. By undergoing the test, you figure this out before something bad happens. 

Testing never sounds fun, but it’s an integral part of starting your fitness journey. Make sure you test yourself to see what needs to be addressed before you start exercising regularly. 

 

Everyday Activities That Lead To Chronic Pain

Back pain is never fun. But chronic back pain can eat away at your mental health, especially when painkiller medication isn’t effective anymore. Many people who experience recurring back pain have developed coping mechanisms such as making an appointment for physiotherapy and staying away from potentially harmful activities. 

Unfortunately, when you’re doing everything to prevent pain, it can be disheartening to struggle with chronic soreness. If you are a chronic pain victim, you want to make sure that your condition isn’t linked to a medical diagnosis. Indeed, some medical conditions can facilitate back pain. The good news is that your doctor can’t see any underlying condition. The bad news is that the back pain is still haunting you. Where does it come from?  You’d be surprised to know that back pain can be the result of everyday activities. 

Gardening with the right equipment

Anybody who loves gardening would tell you: You need to take care of your back. Therefore, whether you are using a push lawn mower or a fertilizer such as the Earthway 2170 commercial broadcast push spreader, you want to make sure that you don’t have to bend to use it. The push handles should be high enough for you to stand up.  Similarly, other guilty culprits in the garden include short-handled lawn edger, root fork, and rake. If you have to bend for a long period of time, you’re going to hurt yourself. 

 

Cooking and back pain

Could your kitchen be a source of back pain? The answer is yes. An inadequate layout where appliances at not at the right height for you can facilitate soreness. A low countertop will see you bent forward throughout the preparation, cooking, and even washing-up stages. It’s a good idea to check for appliance height when you buy a property with a fully functional kitchen. Many homeowners think they are saving themselves a lot of hassle when they found a pre-installed kitchen. However, the wring height installation can lead to severe back pain. 

Netflix and chill and sink

Ah, can there be anything more relaxing in the evening than sitting on the sofa and watching your favorite TV show on Netflix? Netflix is an integral part of our day-to-day life, especially since the pandemic. Truth be told, it can be a fantastic way to wind down at the end of the day. However, if your sofa doesn’t give you any support, you might end up sitting in an uncomfortable position for a prolonged period. 

When strength training causes pain

If you have been told that you have weak back muscles, you may be tempted to improve your overall strength. Strength training offers a fantastic solution to tackle back pain. However, it doesn’t mean you can hit the gym and lift heavy weights from day one. In fact, it’s best to stay away from weights unless you know what you are doing. Poor lifting form is the number one cause of back injuries at the gym. While the injury may not be handicapping, it can lead to chronic back pain if you’re not careful. 

Are you experiencing frequent back pain? It can be a good idea to keep a journal of your activities. You’d be surprised to find a causal correlation between some of your hobbies and your condition. 

 

The Antidote For Chronic Pains And Aches

Once you experience a headache, neck pain or even back pain, you would generally go to the pharmacist for over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol. While in most cases, these types of painkillers will help reduce and numb the pain until it eventually goes away. However, sometimes, the pain doesn’t just go away. In fact, it increases and constantly recurs.

If this sounds all too familiar, then consider booking an appointment for Physiotherapy.

The usual treatment for headaches and migraines would be to drink ample water and rest in a dark and quiet room with your eyes closed, pumped full of prescribed or over the counter pain medication and wait it out.

Neck and back treatment would usually be to apply ice to the inflamed area, to pay attention to your posture and of course, to take pain medication to numb and ease the sensation and wait it out.

While the above treatments do help for a short period, numerous health risks can present themselves. Your body can create a powerful immune system towards the pain medication. Therefore, the effects of the medication will not be as intense as it was when you started taking it. Sooner or later, you will need even stronger pain medication which can be dangerous for your health and well being.

A great alternative to pain medication and you having to ”wait it out” is Physiotherapy.

In general, when hearing the term Physiotherapy, one automatically thinks this type of therapy is mostly for elite athletes, professional sports players or individuals who have to recover from an injury. However, this is not the case at all. Everyone of all ages can benefit from booking an appointment for Physiotherapy.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a treatment that restores, maintains, and makes the most of an individual’s mobility, function, and physical well-being. It helps through physical restoration, injury prevention, fitness and health. In addition, with the help of a highly trained and certified physiotherapist, you get to be directly involved in your own recovery.

How Does Physiotherapy Help?

Severe Migraines And Headaches

Physiotherapists are trained in various arts of massage therapy specifically designed to release tension, relieve muscle spasms and improve blood flow and circulation.

Research shows that therapeutic massages can decrease pain, tension, frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.

Chronic Back Pain

Exercise is considered to be the foundation of chronic back pain. However, no individual has or is experiencing the same type of back pain in the same area. Therefore, your Physiotherapist will guide you every step of the way. They will design a specific exercise routine tailored to your particular needs to ensure that your back pain is treated accordingly.

Acute Neck Pain

Even with today’s advanced technology, the exact causes of neck pain remains a mystery. It could be caused by injury, trauma, fractures, poor muscle tone, infection; the list is endless.

Fortunately, it is treatable. With the help of professional Physiotherapists, they will start applying treatment to reduce the stiffness and pain in your neck, then move on to an exercise program to strengthen and stretch your neck and relieve the pressure and tension.

 

Wild Camping: How To Make It Work

Wild camping is one of those trips which can really test someone. It’s exciting because there’s an element of the unknown involved. An element of danger, even. Whether you’re going into the australian outback, the arctic wastes, or simply up the nearest mountain, there are steps to take to ensure you have a safe, yet fun trip. Wild camping can be a brilliant experience for you and your friends or family, but it has to be treated with respect, especially if you’re going somewhere you have never been before. Before you pack up and set off it’s worth checking out some of the tips below. You may have even thought about some of them but it’s a good exercise to shift your perspective to one of ensuring you have the best trip possible.

Make Sure Your Car Is Ready

A mistake would be to put too much time and effort into getting all of your gear and location right but not thinking about the car. It needs to be fully kitted out and ready for the move. If you’re towing a caravan, or heading out in a truck make sure you’ve got good ground clearance with 4wd rims or something similar. You need to be sure your car can handle the ground. Take spare tyres with the corresponding jack, ensure you take fluids for the car and take a spade to dig out if it gets trapped. You might want to get it serviced by a mechanic first if you’re not too good with cars, just for peace of mind. You may even need to take spare fuel if you’re really going off track and know you won’t have enough to get back to a petrol station before running out. 

Take The Right Tent

If you’re going out into the wilds, you need something solid which won’t easily break. What you usually take to a camping park might not be sturdy enough. This rings true if you’re camping in an open plain. Usually camping parks are in fields, but they’re surrounded by trees or other win blocking items. There’s no such protection on the plain. It could be blown over, ripped, or provide zero insulation. Consider where you’re going and for how long and buy the right tent. Remember, you may need specific anchors depending on the ground. Some may work for icey, while others would apply for clay. Don’t just take the right tent, take the right attachments for it. The same applies to your sleeping bag. What you use for warmer weather simply won’t do for the cold nights in the middle of winter when the temperature drops below freezing. You don’t necessarily need a high end sleeping bag, but you do need a decent one which will keep you warm. 

Check The Weather

Weather makes such a huge difference and you need to double check it before heading off. It could make the difference between sleeping in a bog or a field. If you’ve got everything booked up you might not have a chance, however even if this is the case you would have prepared for the rain or snow. It also impacts the drive. If you’re wild camping off the beaten track, bad snow or rain may mean your car or even caravan won’t get there and you could end up being stranded. There are always variables in the weather and it’s hard to properly predict it, but by checking you’ll at least know what you’re heading into and for how long. You can also be pretty confident if you see a huge storm coming in that you’re not going to want to sleep in the middle of it and can put your trip off to a later date. 

Be Safe

The key to wild camping is to ensure that you stay safe. You need to take things which enable your safety. Make sure you take enough food and water for the duration, and some extra just in case. A good, vetted, first aid kit is always a good idea too and if you’re on medication take more than enough. Make sure you tell people where you’re going and for how long and try to always be contactable. If you’re really going into the sticks make sure you take something like a satellite phone. A good power bank also makes a strong difference. It means you’ll be able to power up your devices for longer. You don’t want to be charging everything off of the car battery either as you may end up draining it, especially if it’s an older one.

Hidden Sources of Added Chemicals In Your Diet

Extra artificial chemicals are added to many of our foods. These include flavourings, colorants and preservatives. Sometimes it is obvious to know when chemicals have been used. Brightly-colored candy for instance is almost always colored with chemicals. However, there could be other instances of chemicals that might be surprising.

Many of these additives can be harmful when consumed in high doses. Certain yellow colorants have been found to promote ADD in children, while the likes of caramel coloring and perfluorooctanoic acid are known to be carcinogenic. If you want to stay healthy and take up a more organic diet, here are some of the hidden sources of added chemicals that you may want to be wary of.

Salad dressing

When whipping up a healthy salad, you may want to be careful of dousing it in salad dressing. Many store-bought salad dressings contain lots of added sugar, making them surprisingly calorific. On top of this, many brands of salad dressing were found to contain colorants such as caramel coloring, as well as red and blue dyes. Fortunately, there are brands of healthy salad dressing on the market that don’t have any of these additives. To be totally safe, you can also opt to make your own salad dressing.  

Popcorn

Commercial popcorn is sometimes packed full of added chemicals. These include carcinogenic ingredients such as caramel coloring and perfluorooctanoic acid, as well as butane (commonly found in lighter fluid). Not all popcorn brands contain these chemicals – you can find a guide to several healthy brands here at https://www.womenshealthmag.com.

Greek yoghurt

Greek yoghurt is generally considered a healthy food, but some brands have been found to add colorants and artificial flavours including caramel coloring, blue #1 and red #40. Fortunately, there are a lot of brands on the market that just use fruit and natural colorings – it’s worth shopping for these brands when buying Greek yoghurt.

Maple syrup

Many big brand of syrup contain added flavourings and colorants. Some of these chemicals have been found to cause cancer or liver disease. If you stick to the real stuff (i.e. grade A maple syrup) there shouldn’t be any of these added chemicals. You can read this guide to maple syrups grades at https://newengland.com for more information.

Tap water

Your tap water may contain chemicals such as fluoride. While this is good for our teeth, consuming too much fluoride has been linked to crippling bone diseases. The best way to avoid this chemical is to filter your tap water by installing a filtration system. There are many companies as found at https://www.filtap.com.au/ that can install these filtration systems for you. This is certain to make your tap water chemical free.

Store-bought smoothies

So-called ‘health’ smoothies are sometimes incredibly unhealthy. Some are packed full of added sugar and others are packed full of chemicals such as colorants to make them look more ‘fruity’. If you want a truly healthy smoothie, the best option is often to make your own at home. You’ll know exactly what is going into it.

6 Tried and Tested Ways to Freshen Up Your Look

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It’s always important to keep things fresh. If you don’t, then things can begin to feel a little stale. This is true for all areas of our lives; our interests, our day to day routine, and, yes, how we look too. Aside from all the other benefits that mixing up your style can bring, it also helps to keep life interesting and can make looking back at photographs all the more fun (who wants to look the same their whole life?). In this blog, we’ll take a look at a way tried and tested methods for mixing up your look and keeping things fresh. 

New Threads

The easiest way to freshen up your look is to get out the credit card and hit the stores. Indeed, within just a few hours, you can have a whole new wardrobe! But of course, that’ll be expensive. Rather than focusing on quantity, think about what type of clothes you really want, and make the investment. It’s not just about from where you buy the clothes (though that is important), but also about how you wear the items you buy. You can make an “off the rack” piece of clothing look great just by wearing it in your own style.

Out With the Old

As well as buying new clothes, you’ll want to take a look at the clothes that are currently in your wardrobe, and see whether they should really be worn out in public. We all get attached to those pieces and outfits that did, for sure, once look pretty hot. But that some time ago; over time, the colors will begin to fade and other imperfections will set in. At that point, it’s best to put the clothes out to pasture. Sometimes, the best way to freshen up your style is to commit to wearing other items outside. 

DIY Pieces

Not that all items that are slightly past their best have to be thrown out. You may be able to modify them into new wearable garments. Clothing DIY is easier than you might think, and can be an effective way to really make your look stand out a little more. And aside from being effective: it’s fun! If you or one of your friends is the artistic type, then take a look at getting out pens and going to town on the t-shirts that would otherwise be retired. You might just find that you’re able to create an enviable item with just a bit of effort.

Accessories and Essentials

Not enough people make the most of accessories. They can turn a standard outfit into something special, with next to no effort. The types of accessories you wear will depend on the time of the year. During the summer, it’ll be all about hats and summer jewelry; in the winter, your scarves, gloves, and earmuffs can provide an additional source of style. Don’t forget about the essentials, either. Glasses aren’t just functional; they can be stylish too. Check out the collection at www.eyeglasses.com, and get a pair that gives your style a boost. The glasses (and sunglasses) that you wear can really change the overall look and feel of your style. 

Hair and Makeup

Just as with our favorite clothing, we usually fall into a cycle of styling our hair and doing our makeup in the same way as always. If this sounds like you, then why not change things up? For your hair, it’s recommended that you visit the best salon in the area and ask them to create something stylish and trendy; you’ll pay more for it, but it’ll be worthwhile, plus it’s not an expense you have to make regularly. For your makeup, you could take a look at some YouTube tutorials and play around for a while until you’ve found the one that you like.

High on Confidence

Finally, let’s think about confidence. All of the tips we’ve mentioned above will push you towards looking your best, but the impact won’t be quite as powerful if you’re low in confidence. If you’re looking to turn heads, then confidence is the way to do it — everyone notices that person that seems secure within themselves. The tip we’ve outlined will naturally give you more confidence (who doesn’t feel great when they’re looking their best?), but there are other things you can do too, such as setting yourself challenges, learning a new skill, and getting rid of those things that may cause you to lose confidence in the first place. 

If You Want White Teeth, You Should Avoid These Foods

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We would all like to have white teeth. Not only is it a priority of the culture, but it also signals health and vitality. Plus, a great smile helps create good first impressions when we meet new people.

Unfortunately, not everyone has white teeth, and you may even be considering seeing an orthodontist because of your smile, but it is not always the result of poor hygiene. Mostly, it’s just the foods that we eat. 

Fruits and vegetables contain chemicals called tannins. These are chemicals that give the foods that we eat their characteristic color. 

Plants use these pigments to signal to bees and protect themselves from the environment. But they’re also dyes – and that’s the point at which your teeth can get into trouble. When you eat these foods month after month, year after year, they eventually incorporate themselves into the enamel, causing it to look duller and browner. 

The good news, though, is that a lot of this discoloration is superficial. Clinics like DentEssential, for instance, point out that you can usually get rid of this with a single visit to the hygienist. 

But what about the six months between visits? What can you do to avoid stains then and keep your teeth white year-round? 

The answer is simple: avoid the highest-tannin foods! Or if you can’t, blend them up and drink them through a straw, bypassing your teeth. 

Coffee

Sorry all you coffee lovers out there, but the world’s favorite drink is one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration. Tannins from the coffee bean have a nasty habit of incorporating themselves into the tooth enamel and turning your gnashers brown over time. 

The heat of coffee makes this problem worse. The high temperature softens the enamel and makes it more prone to infiltration. 

So what’s the solution here? Should you avoid coffee altogether? 

Avoiding coffee won’t do you any harm – and it might do you some good if you drink cup after cup of the stuff. But you can avoid going without by drinking your coffee through a straw. No – it’s not the done thing, and it looks a little strange, but it does help keep your pearly whites white. 

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are delicious, but here again, you need to be careful. Oranges, lychees, and the rest all contain abundant tannins that can make their way onto your teeth. 

Fortunately, you can quickly whip these fruits up into a smoothie and use the straw method to guzzle them. 

Berries

Berries are high in anthocyanins – cyan-colored pigments that make your mouth look purple after you eat them. 

As you might expect, these phytochemicals can stain, so it is critical to rinse your mouth out after you eat berries.

Green Tea

All teas have a nasty habit of coloring your teeth, but green tea is one of the most insidious. It looks relatively benign, but don’t let its soothing green color fool you. This drink is chock full of chemicals that color your teeth and make them go brown. 

So, there, you have it: some of the foods that you should avoid if you want white teeth. Keep your diet simple and be wary of particularly colorful menu items. 

 

Boudoir photography is booming

Back in the late 80’s the glamour photography went from very popular to virtually non-existent within only a couple of years. No one was interested in those hazy images with ridiculous poses. I remember, they even had filters for camera lenses to make the image hazy. Of course, that was all before Photoshop, so every trick had to be done in-camera. Women were so impressed with hazy, often blurry images showing them in lingerie.

However, almost overnight, the interest in those pictures completely evaporated. They became cringy, and no one wanted them anymore. And those who had those albums made, shoved them into the darkest parts of their wardrobes to hide them from discovery. I have no idea who decided to pull a plug on that type of photography, but it went quick and decisive.

Fast forward to 2015 and later and the interest in those glamour images came back. Not overnight, but gradually women decided that they actually do like nice images of themselves. Of course, the images themselves were nothing like those in the 80s. The image quality improved, the poses became much more casual and the whole art-form of boudoir photography became much more beautiful. Once women decided that it’s no longer cringy to pose in lingerie, they went ahead with boudoir sessions like never before. Some however chose a much less radical change, by just refreshing their looks

New studios opened just to cater to this style. A lot of new photographers converted to this style. And more importantly, women who wanted these images were actually willing to spend a good amount of money to get the best pictures for themselves. Or for their other half, which is a very popular gift idea for Valentine’s day.

Jay Smolak Boudoir Sydney photography studio is one of the few experienced boudoir photographers in Sydney. He started as a portrait and wedding photographer but decided to change his style to boudoir a few years ago. He had no regrets doing it. It may be harder for a male boudoir photographer to shoot that style, but interestingly enough, a lot of women actually prefer a male photographer. They think that since they are making a gift for their husbands or boyfriends, it’s good to shoot the pictures in such a manner that would appeal to another man.

Another boudoir photography studio in Sydney is Candidtown Photography. They offer other types of photography, but boudoir is one of the most popular styles that customers order. Women are no longer turned off by cringy 80’s style glamour images, and actually fully and eagerly embrace their femininity. This is a very strong trend, and for the sake of boudoir photographers, something to be happy about.

Taking Care of Your Holistic Wellbeing This New Year

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When it comes to the New Year, so many people are focused on diets and getting expensive gym memberships which they’ll use for a few weeks but then quit by the end of the month.  In many ways, whilst the New Year fitness craze can feel inspiring, it can also feel quite sad, as so many people race to lose weight without really taking care of their holistic wellbeing.

Indeed, with so many ways to get fit at home in 2019, there’s no excuse to not jump off the couch and take the year by storm – yet, fitness isn’t just about losing weight and toning up.  In fact, many people’s idea of what fitness is, could be better described as vanity!

Therefore, in this article we’re going to take a look at a few ways to take care of your holistic wellbeing this new year.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

In simple terms, stress is a killer.  Stress is often at the heart of most illnesses, or at least it will exacerbate health conditions – from heart attacks to chronic fatigue, stress plays a much larger role in most illnesses than we realise.

Therefore, you really want to make sure you find healthy ways to reduce your stress levels this new year.

LOOK AFTER YOUR INNER CHILD

We all want a more fulfilling life, and whilst many people strive for success as a means for fulfilment what we tend to find is that many people neglect their ‘inner child’ and therefore feel depleted.  They often pursue success, only to reach their goal to find it doesn’t fulfil them as much as they hoped.

We therefore need to look a little deeper into ourselves, and work out what feeling are we wanting to create in our life.  

For instance, if your ‘inner child’ craves security, it makes sense that going out and earning good money will satiate this need, however, if your ‘inner child’ craves a sense of adventure, yet you live a dull existence of working, working, working – you’re not going to be happy.

Therefore, work out what your innermost self wants most from life, and ensure you find a way to meet that need.

WATER

We all know that we should be drinking more water than we probably drink – as so many people live in a perpetual state of chronic dehydration despite knowing the risks, and the benefits of ensuring we are fully hydrated.

You probably already know that your brain is made up mostly of water, so when it’s dehydrated it  functions at a sluggish rate. Dehydration causes brain tissue to shrink – meaning the brain has to work  much harder to perform the same task.

Drinking more water might also be good for your New Year weight loss goals…

The reason that drinking water has the power to assist in weight loss is mostly due to the fact people who drink water before a meal tend to feel more full, meaning they eat much less food, though there are other more complex reasons to do with metabolism.