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7 Home Remedies for the Common Cold

 

The common cold, despite the name, does not have a cure. When you come down with symptoms of a cold, you need to prepare yourself for several days of misery and plenty of rest. What you can do in the meantime is to try some well-known and effective remedies to make it a little less insufferable while you allow your body to heal and recover naturally. Here are natural remedies that can help reduce the discomfort of enduring a cold.

Turmeric and ginger tea

You may have already heard about the excellent benefits of turmeric, and many recommend drinking turmeric for colds. Scientific studies show that turmeric contains a powerful anti-oxidant called Curcumin which can help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

You can make turmeric tea and combine it with ginger to help soothe a sore throat and reduce further symptoms. Turmeric is also available in supplement form which you can take directly or combined with other beverages such as fruit juice mixed with a shot of turmeric and ginger.

Hydration and nutrition

When you are staying home due to a bout of cold, the best thing you can do to recover quickly is to drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food high in vitamin C. But, hydration also means you need to stay away from coffee, alcoholic drinks, and other caffeinated drinks that can worsen dehydration. Drink water, fruit juices, and natural teas as well as eat lots of fruits to help your body combat the illness.

Increase air humidity

Decongestion is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of a cold. It is much harder to sleep when your nose is stuffy. Adding moisture to the air in your room or home can help loosen a congested nose. There are vaporizers and humidifiers you can use along with essential oils to improve air humidity and reduce nasal congestion. If the congestion is too severe, you may also try over-the-counter nasal sprays.

Pain medication

If you are experiencing some aches and pains along with the usual symptoms of a cold, you can try pain medication like Ibuprofen. Nevertheless, you need to ensure that you are taking the proper dose or at least consult your doctor if you are taking other medicine for a chronic condition.

Over-the-counter cold medicine

Cold medication will not exactly cure the symptoms but may help relieve some discomfort like nasal congestion. There are over-the-counter cold medicines with multiple ingredients, so you still need to be careful and take them with precaution.

Probiotics

Probiotics are not necessarily a cure for cold symptoms but including them in your diet regularly can help boost the immune system and strengthen your body’s natural defence against illness. There are many nutritious and delicious sources of probiotics like yogurt which you can eat daily as a snack.

Vitamin C supplements

Similar to probiotics, taking vitamin C supplements can also help improve your immune system and reduce your risk of getting sick when it is the cold or flu season. You can drink vitamin C supplements or get your daily dose from fruits and vegetables.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

Could You Be Addicted To Sugar

We’ve all heard it said that somebody has a ‘sweet tooth.’ We may even have heard it about ourselves! Many of the foods that we enjoy most in life – ice cream, chocolate, candy – contain sugar. In some cases, it’s more sugar than our bodies would ideally like to be processing. But is it possible that we could actually become addicted to sugar, and if so, could you be a sugar addict yourself?

You may think that the idea of being a sugar addict is absurd. We tend to think of addicts as people who are hooked on drugs, alcohol or gambling; habits that can destroy lives if they get out of control. Sugar is legal to purchase and present in so many of our foods that we think of it as being mostly harmless. We know we should avoid eating too much of it because it’s bad for our teeth, but as far as most of us are concerned, that’s as harmful as a sweet tooth can get.

Put that thought to one side for a moment, and consider all the ways you might ingest sugar on a daily basis. Do you have a lump of sugar in your tea or coffee? Do you drink sodas throughout the day? Do you use mayonnaise when you’re making food? How many takeaways do you eat in an average week? All of those are ways that we consume sugar without really thinking about it. And that’s before we even start talking about adding sugar to breakfast cereals, which often contain too much already.

Sugar stimulates dopamine

Happiness is a chemical process. When we do things that make us feel good, it’s because the act we’re performing releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s reward system; it releases it when we do something pleasurable. Like all chemicals though, dopamine can become addictive.

This is primarily how drink and drugs become addictive; they either trigger the release of dopamine, or they mimic its effects. To a lesser extent, the same is true of gambling. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the occasional drink or playing slot games, so long as you’re in control of the habit rather than the other way round. The occasional drink can make you more sociable. Playing slot games is excellent entertainment for a lot of people, and skilled play can bring rewards in terms of cash winnings. In the same way, a little sugar rewards you by boosting energy levels and maintaining the appearance of your skin by releasing glycolic acids. It’s only when a habit becomes excessive that it can be damaging.

Without getting too deep into the science, activities that release dopamine rewards become addictive because they make you want to feel the same way again. Whether it’s social interaction, great tasting food, a spin of the reels or an extra drink, we’re genetically predisposed to wanting a little bit more.

Signs you could be addicted to sugar

Now we’ve established that becoming addicted to sugar is possible, how do you know whether you’re at risk yourself, or even whether you’re addicted already? There are some telltale signs, and we’ll list them for you.

Do you always have a sweet course after a meal? It’s not uncommon to have dessert when you visit a restaurant, or after an evening meal, but do you find yourself consuming something sweet after something savory with every meal of the day? Do you have a cookie, an ice cream or a sugary yogurt after lunch? If so, do you think you could easily do without it? Try it and see how you get on. If you find yourself pining for your missing snack, it may be the sugar that you’re missing.

Do you find yourself eating when you’re not full? Almost everybody is guilty of this to an extent, but are you a regular ‘between meals’ eater? Do you have snacks in the fridge, cupboard or a draw at work that you snack on throughout the day? If so, what kind of snacks are they? If your go-to snack is sweet, you could be feeding yourself regular sugar hits without consciously considering your intake.

Do you use sweet food as a comforter? Nobody is happy all the time, and that’s why ‘comfort eating’ exists. When you’re feeling a little blue, do you find yourself turning to food? If so, this works just like the snacking situation we mentioned above. What kind of food do you find yourself turning to? If the answer is cake, candies or chocolate, the chances are that you’re not only indulging a sugar craving, but you’re using sugar as emotional support. That’s a clear sign of addiction, and a good reason to change your habits.

Do you get headaches if you’ve not eaten something sugary for a while? This is a withdrawal symptom, and happens in every case of addiction when an addict is denied access to whatever they’re addicted to. Your brain has become accustomed to receiving a certain level of its preferred stimulant every day, and these cravings manifest themselves as physical pain. If this sounds familiar, the good news is that the headaches and cravings will pass in a few days. You just have to force yourself to endure them for a while if you want to break free.

If you recognize yourself in any of the above scenarios, don’t panic. There are worse things you could be addicted to than sugar, but it’s never desirable to be reliant on anything to feel good, and we know from a medical point of view that too much sugar can cause diabetes. That means you’d be better off breaking free of the cycle. You don’t have to cut out sugar completely; you just have to reduce your intake to a healthier level.

Drinking water can help, as it reduces cravings. Eating a piece of fruit will often give your body the sugar it wants in a healthier way than consuming artificial sugars, because it comes from a natural product. Even taking a bath or going for a walk can help, as they take your mind off eating. Most importantly, always check the labels on your food.

We don’t want or need to live in a world without sugar, but we could all do with ingesting a little less.

Good Quality Motorcycle Helmets and Jackets for Women Bikers

In the old days, society looks down on women who ride on motorcycle because nice women do not ride on motorcycles, even as a passenger. Women who want to learn to ride a motorcycle has to overcome many personal challenges and cultural expectations. Many women have decided to break free from all societal stereotypes to embrace the freedom and independence of motorcycling. Women bikers are on the increase in spite of all the obstacles they have to face.

The interest to ride in most women was first planted in them when they ride with their father as a child and the experience of riding has stayed with them. Some are fortunate to be able to ride with their partners. Some pursued their dream to ride by signing up for riding lessons after their children left home.  Once they started riding, they have never looked back.

The early women bikers had no choice but to be content with wearing men’s riding apparel until manufacturers started to release motorcycle jackets for women into the market. These days, women bikers are more fortunate when it comes to wearing motorcycle riding jackets and other safety gears.

Riding motorcycles and staying safe on the road is serious business. Motorcyclists should take safety precautions when riding on their bike such as wearing a motorcycle helmet to provide life-saving impact resistance when taking a hard tumble. Wearing a motorcycle helmet and a motorcycle jacket made from high quality materials with extra padding provide better protection and comfort while on the road. When shopping for motorcycle helmets for women, safety features should take priority over styles and looks.

There are many kinds and brands of women’s motorcycle jacket on the market. There are cool jackets, tough leather jackets, and sleek touring jackets from top brands and these jackets provide great protection without compromising on style. Women’s motorcycle jackets are specifically designed to protect the women’s body. Jackets come in various colours and trendy designs. Modern women bikers are blessed with a wide selection of cheap Alpinestar jackets and discounted jackets from other top brands at many of the online stores. Besides helmets and jackets, there are also boots, pants and the protective gear to shield vulnerable areas of biker’s body.

Affordable City Bikes Great For Your Daily Commute

Bicycle is one of the earliest means of transportation before the other vehicles such as motorcycle and car came into existence. It is also the cheapest form of transportation. Cycling as a form of exercise is also on the rise because of its many health benefits. Sales of urban bikes have increase because many urban folks are cycling to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Cycling is most efficient in lowering the risk of many health problems associated with obesity and lack of exercise. Cycling is especially good for your cardiovascular health, improves blood circulation to every parts of your body, and improves your respiratory systems. It is also a great way to de-stress after a stressful day at work.

Cycling contributes to a cleaner and safer environment because a bicycle does not need to use fuel to run unlike a motorcycle or a car. Cycling to commute to work helps you help on gasoline, cost of maintenance and replacement parts.

Cycling on roads with heavy traffic can be very dangerous. In most towns and cities, there are recreational parks where cyclists can enjoy safe cycling without fearing being knocked down by other vehicles. The parks are usually located away from the polluted places surrounded by lots of trees and plants.

If you have not been exercising regularly and finds that you are easily tired, cycling as a hobby would be a fun way to exercise and to sweat out. It is a cheap hobby because a bicycle does not cost much. You can easily pick your preferred bike from the many choices of men’s or women’s Dutch bikes available on the market.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cyclist, you would want a bicycle that is light and comfortable to ride on. Whether it is a short or a long ride, choosing a lightweight comfort bike will be the best choice to provide you with enjoyable and comfortable riding experience. These comfort bikes are perfect for commuting to work, for your grocery shopping, running of errands, and etc.

These comfort bikes are affordable and they are available in various colours and speeds e.g. 1, 3, 7 and 21 speed. The bikes are available for men, women, and kids. You can even have the bike customized to fit your size.

Designing a Condominium: Places to Start

 

Every home, whether overwhelmingly large or painfully small, takes only a tiny bit of interior design ingenuity paired up with your creativity to prove that it can work. Most homes have the advantage of having high ceilings and wide open spaces. Not everyone, though, has this luxury.

Dealing with designing a condominium unit might feel to be a hopeless endeavour, but there are a lot of places to work with even in small and limited spaces. Here are some notes that can help you decide how to embrace your home’s compact nature.

Embrace the minimalist tone

You should be aware already that you will not be having that backyard or that roof deck patio that you see in catalogues. Since you might not be in a fairy tale scenario of having a home that is fully customisable, you should embrace instead the functionality of minimalist spaces.

Living in a flat or a condominium does mean that you’ll be dealing with limited space. But, so what? It is better to have a compact and efficient space instead of a vast and cluttered area. Sticking to minimalist themes for your interior design is a lot of fun since you can introduce various quirky trinkets to add character to your home.

Ensure proper air circulation

Ventilation is an integral part of any home, especially if it is close to the city or far away in rural civilisation. Air conditioning units don’t just function as cooling systems for your home; they also act as a filtration device for the air that you receive. Finding companies such as Air Conditioning Surrey that offer bespoke prices can give you a better costing when it comes to paying for just what your small area needs.

Besides air conditioning, you should also consider installing windows and vents in your home where they are needed. Kitchen and bathroom spaces are common places for placing vents so that they won’t accumulate vapour and smoke inside your home.

Start small and stay small

Let’s be honest with ourselves; you won’t be able to fit that large mural or ten-foot painting in your living room. Art deco pieces are also out of the window if they can barely fit in your front door. Owning a small space means using a different method for attracting attention.

Instead of dealing with heavy pieces for décor, you should focus instead on miniature ornaments that have attractive qualities and unique properties.

There is strength in numbers even if they’re petite and small. A collection of figurines can work to your benefit in dressing up your cabinets or shelves when they are appropriately organised.

Try thinking outside the box and hang your miniatures on your wall. Small paintings and photographs can still make an impact especially if they are coordinated in terms of shades and tones. Finding the right contrast against your home’s natural theme can make even the smallest addition of texture stand out.

Do you have any questions about this article? Click here to contact us today.

Things to Know Before Buying CBD Oil

 

You might already know about CBD oil because it is becoming a famous marijuana by-product people use these days. It is like smoking weed without getting high. The by-products offer medical benefits without the psychoactive ingredients. If you suffer from severe pain or you want to end your mental health woes, you can try using a CBD isolate or others.

THC content

The reason why smoking weed is addictive is that of its THC content. In the process of extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, the THC goes away; however some products still have a tiny percentage of THC left. You need to know the portion of the THC content present. If you are getting a drug test soon or you worry that the oil could alter the way you see things, you need to limit the THC content to a maximum of 0.3% as any amount that goes beyond that is not beneficial.

CBD concentration

Even if you are buying a CBD product, it does not mean that the content is 100% CBD. Some companies try watering down the CBD to reduce its potency, compared to a quality product that has somewhere between 250mg to 1,000mg per fluid ounce. It is crucial to know this detail especially if you are a beginner since you do not want to have an extremely high dose right away. If you tried using CBD before, you want to know that you are getting your money’s worth by avoiding a watered down CBD product.

Accreditations

You need to check if the product underwent thorough checking and testing. Since CBD is legal in the UK, the government can still regulate its use so the testing ensures that there are no pesticides, bacteria, foreign matter and heavy metals mixed into the product. You also want to ensure that there are no harsh chemicals used along with butane, ethanol and propane.

Check if the company where you are buying the product is legally operating. Again, CBD is legal and there is no need to search for a black market where you can purchase the product. You are taking a risk if you opt for a company that did not go through a thorough vetting of an accredited government agency.

Check the claims

There are no definitive conclusions regarding the therapeutic benefits of using CBD oil. Some people could attest to health benefits, but the research results vary. Beware of companies that are making direct medical claims; the government does not allow them to do it, and doing so means that you have the wrong brand.

Do not decide based on price

It might be tempting to buy cheap CBD products especially if you need quite a lot to recover from your health issues, yet despite that you cannot rely on the price to finalise your decision. Check the label and read the reviews made by people who tried using the product before since you also need to check the purity and potency of the product if you are choosing an expensive one. Otherwise, you don’t end up getting your money’s worth.

Now that you know all these details, it is time to purchase a CBD product that works for you.

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InventureX Shares: 3 Ways to Know If a Crowdfunding Campaign Is a Scam

A crowdfunding campaign, if marketed correctly, can really get people excited. There is nothing more thrilling than finding a new product or new idea in general that is fun, exciting, and even practical. It is even more exciting when it feels like not many people know about it yet.

InventureX, a company that specializes in crowdfund marketing, has partnered with a lot of entrepreneurs and inventors that have launched these types of exciting campaigns. They help ideas become realities, ultimately delivering a product that often exceeds expectations.

Unfortunately, there are campaigns that are all hype, but no substance. Scams are prevalent in every part of business, and crowdfunding is no exception. How can a person know if a campaign is a scam? Here are three things to look out for.

Trust Your Gut

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably means that it is. A lot of times, people can just have a weird feeling about certain campaigns for one reason or another. Maybe it sounds too much like a sales pitch, or maybe it’s just seems like an impossible idea to come to life.

In many cases, those who are skeptical in the beginning have reason to be skeptical. If nothing else, trusting your gut will at least make you pause a little bit before putting money up.

Research the Company or Person Behind it

There is really no excuse for not researching a company or person behind any crowdfunding campaign in 2019. Just doing a simple search online will probably reveal a lot of the information that may or may not be useful.

Knowing more about the person and the company behind a product or campaign is going to ultimately help a lot. This is especially true when deciding to donate to a GoFundMe or other charitable campaign, as these campaigns can prey on vulnerable individuals. It’s important to research the person and make sure everything adds up before donating. The last thing you want to do is donate your hard-earned money so someone else can go on an undeserved luxury vacation!

While researching is important, there are those cases where there will be brand new entrepreneurs running a campaign for the first time. Research can still be done on them, and the most successful entrepreneurs will usually have a well-presented plan. Don’t automatically dismiss a campaign just because the people behind it lack any type of history. Just research it more in other ways.

Read the Comments Under the Campaign

Yes, the comments section on the internet can be a dangerous place to look around. However, under crowdfunding campaigns, they are useful in most cases. Since people are using their very own money to support certain products, they are very invested in exactly what the campaign is about. Instead of wasting time with meaningless comments, there is usually some very smart commentary down there.

In some cases, the person running the campaign will also respond to questions in the comment section with additional things. It is always something to look out for if something seems a little bit confusing. Maybe someone else already had the same type of question, and the answer can be found down in the comments section.

Before ever putting any money towards a campaign, pause and think about where the money is going and if the campaign is worthy of your investment. Trusting your gut and doing your own research will help you to make smarter decisions overall.

For more crowdfunding tips from InventureX, follow us on our social media pages, or, as always, feel free to connect with us at https://inventurex.com/crowdfunding.

 

Moving to a New Home Also Means Changing Your Lifestyle

You move to a new place for various reasons. The lack of career opportunities could be a reason. It could also be due to the rising cost of essential goods and services. You might also want to forget the bad memories that your current house keeps reminding you of.

Some people decide to move from the countryside to a big city and vice versa. Others move from one big city to another. Either way, moving to a new house also means that you need to change your lifestyle.

Reduce expenses

If you are moving to a place where the prices are high, even if you found a job that pays higher than the one you had before, you still need to reduce your expenses. Avoid purchasing things you do not need. Spend time budgeting your money with enough left for savings. Learn to sacrifice services and memberships you do not need.

Find other fun things to do

If you came from the city where shopping was your primary hobby, you need to change now that you are in the countryside. Of course, there are not a lot of shopping places for you to visit. Instead, you can start fun hobbies like horseback riding, gardening and pottery. Despite where you live now, you can still find something that suits your interest.

Learn how to cook

Your primary reason for moving was the rising expenses. You can reduce these by learning how to cook. Regardless of where you are, it helps if you can cook. Not only can you prepare the dishes at home and save money, but you can also select nutritious ingredients.

Facing a challenge

When you come from the country, and you are now in a big city, you have to confront lots of problems. You need to survive the busy roads. You will meet hundreds upon thousands of people on the streets each day. Life seems to move quickly.

Conversely, when you came from the city and move to the country, you might find things to be too dull. You need to look for fun activities to do since you cannot party the same way you used to. You will also meet people whose interests are not the same as the friends you had in the city.

Take things one step at a time

It is not easy moving to a different place. You might even give up on your first week. After some time though, you will learn to accept your new life and change your lifestyle. You moved to that place for a reason. You need to stand by that decision.

If you decide to move within the Gloucester area, you could contact Gloucester removals to ask for help moving your things. Let them know what you need and when you want to move. You can also ask for a price quotation before hiring the services they offer.

Image: Unsplash.com

 

Guide to Choosing a Party Wall Surveyor

 

The Party Wall Act of 1996 consists of a comprehensive framework regarding how a building owner can begin construction when the plan involves an adjoining property’s wall or boundary. Following the Party Wall Act is necessary because it protects the rights of both parties.

Appointing a party wall surveyor

There are specific steps involved in securing permission or Award to begin building. If the plan falls under particular types of work covered by the act, the building owner may need to hire a party wall surveyor like www.partywall.expert to follow the procedures in serving notices and securing an award. The award is a legally binding agreement between the two parties.

If the surveyor does not follow the right procedure outlined in the act, the award could become invalid which will not serve the intended purpose and further delay the construction. Many homeowners choose to hire the same surveyor to represent them because it speeds up the process and is also less expensive. But if this arrangement is not possible, each party needs to appoint an individual surveyor to represent them.

The role of a surveyor needs to be impartial, and their actions need to be according to the Act. Once each party appoints a surveyor, it is not possible to replace or terminate the appointed surveyor except in some specific circumstances. Since all actions taken by a surveyor binds each of the parties, choosing a surveyor carefully is crucial.

Qualifications of a party wall surveyor

The Act does not provide specific criteria on who can be appointed as a surveyor. The Act merely stipulates that any of the disputing parties may not represent themselves and become the surveyor. This is a logical stipulation because a surveyor needs to be impartial during the entire proceeding. In theory, anyone can be a surveyor, but it is not the case in practice. Qualified surveyors are working at firms whom you can represent you in a party wall dispute.

What to look for in a party wall surveyor

Here are some important reminders before you appoint a surveyor:

  • The initials at the end of a surveyors name do not necessarily mean better qualifications. Always research your options before making a final selection.
  • The cost of hiring a surveyor is also not an indication of excellent service. As such, looking for the cheapest fees may not be a great idea as well.
  • While in the planning stages of your intended construction, it is possible for surveyors to contact you through planning websites. Steer clear of these unsolicited requests and rely on your effort to find a surveyor.

If you are looking for a reputable practitioner, you can search through official regulatory bodies like the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. You may also ask for referrals from friends and family members who have undergone through a similar procedure. Most important, have a face-to-face appointment with the surveyor you are planning to hire so that you can find out information about his or her experience, the cost of the services, and the specific steps that will be undertaken to address the issue.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Consider Outsourcing These Household Chores

You do not need to do everything at home if you do not have enough time. You can hire someone to do some chores on your behalf. It does not mean you have to hire people to work with you full-time. Some companies offer their services to do household chores for you. These are some of the services you will not mind paying for.

Appliance repairs

You spend a lot of money buying appliances. With constant use, they might break at some point. Instead of throwing them away, you can ask someone to come over and fix them. Of course, you need to check the warranty first since you might still be able to return the item to the manufacturer for free repair; otherwise, you can have someone come to your place to check the problem and determine if it is still possible to salvage the item.

Dog walking

The moment you decide to have a pet, you need to ensure that you are capable of taking care of it. You need to walk your dogs to keep them healthy. If you do not have time to do it since you are too busy, you can have someone else provide this service for you. The charge is per hour, and it will not cost you a lot to hire someone to do it.

Cleaning services

Most people hate cleaning the house. Even if you have cleaning agents and equipment, you will still spend time doing the job. You can ask someone to come over at a specific time to clean your place. You can indicate the tasks you want doing, and the cleaning company will do it for you. The chores that are time-consuming include emptying the fridge, cleaning the bathroom and arranging the storage room. You need to prioritize these places if you are hiring someone to do the job.

Landscaping

You can ask someone to help you with landscaping since it is a labor intensive task. It can also take too much time and energy. Besides, it does not cost a lot to ask for landscaping services from people who know how to do the job well.

Laundry services

You might have a washing machine at home, but even with the machine, you cannot spare an hour or two to do this task. You would rather have someone clean your clothes and return them to you on a specified date. Besides, there are laundry shops that could pick your clothes up from your place and deliver them once they finish the job.

Trash removal

Although your local government could do this job, it might not be enough to manage the waste at home. You need trash removal experts to not only pick up the trash but also ensure that it goes to the right place after collection. You can even rely on the same company for tasks like deck removal.

You do not need to worry about how much time you need to spend cleaning your house if these services are available.