Caring For Your Car The Easy Way > Free Car Care Ebook

Car Care & Driving ebook “Caring For Your Car The Easy Way” includes material on: Learn to take care of your car. Save up on mechanic bills by tweaking your car yourself. Preserving the paint work of your car is in your hands. Increase the mileage of your car so as to get maximum fuel efficiency. Understand your car and its needs so that your mechanic cannot rip you off. Learn how to identify what is wrong with your car by a simple inspection of the exterior and engine. Click “Caring For Your Car The Easy Way” to download (1.4 MB pdf) this free Car & Driving ebook.

Free Car Care Ebook

The Ultimate Vegetarian Cooking And Food Guide > Free Vegetarian Cooking Ebook

Vegetarian guide “The Ultimate Vegetarian Cooking And Food Guide” looks into these items and much more: Consume low amount of saturated fats and minimize your tendency to put on weight and get rid obesity related health problems. Lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce your vulnerability to stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, gallstones and osteoporosis. Turn vegan to improve your digestion, cardiovascular function and immune system. Protect yourself against all types of cancers and allergies. Save the non-renewable resources which will be otherwise used for rearing and processing animals to facilitate consumption. Inculcate healthy eating habits and consume meals full of whole grains, green and brown vegetables, fruits and low-fat dairy every day. Stop burning holes in your pocket by buying meat, fish and poultry; eat soya, tofu and beans instead and see yourself prosper. Click “The Ultimate Vegetarian Cooking And Food Guide” to download (1.6 MB pdf) this free Healthy Cooking ebook. Personal Use.

Free Vegetarian Cooking Ebook

Using Influence Marketing For Visibility And Awareness > Business Management

Influencer marketing, an essential cog in attracting millennials, is a boon for gaining visibility, brand awareness and sales development, at an affordable cost. One of the most accessible strategies for brands with limited budgets, influence is interesting as there is less of a risk.

Instantaneity is a viral source on social networks and profitability can be immediate. Calling on “micro-influencers”, with a few thousand to several tens of thousands of subscribers, could then make it possible to increase the rate of consumer engagement by 60%.

Influencer Marketing is Cost Effective

An opportunity that goes hand in hand with the proliferation of influencers, when “50% of Internet traffic is concentrated on social networks and the demand quadruples each year for the purposes of notoriety, consideration and traffic.

But if influence is not a magic recipe, its ROI is very interesting: 1 dollar invested generates on average 7 dollars of income” according to experts. A thesis supported by the watch brand Daniel Wellington, which with a budget of 50 million Euros dedicated to influencers has exceeded 4.5 million subscribers on Instagram and achieves more than 250 million Euros in sales per year.

No television spots or advertising campaigns but a massive presence on social networks with the specificity that 90% of the photos are posted by fans of the brand.

Building a community with high potential

But beware, specialists warn, embarking on the path of influencer marketing would often require the establishment, beforehand, of a solid community on social networks or at least of a refined social strategy.

Cosmetics 27, specializing in facials, had to review the basics. This brand 100% made in France now understands this market independently. They hired an agency which provided recommendations in terms of content, products, post strategy and images.

This effectively got them going with social media. They recruited a person dedicated to social networks in order to promote the brand on a daily basis. In one year, Cosmetics 27 has grown from 1,500 to 3,000 followers on Instagram.

Double objective of Visibility and Customer Acquisition

Driven by a new, more modern positioning, Champagne Jacquart has used influence as a way to increase their visibility. They wanted to target a young population by influencers on the digital channel. Their objective was to develop brand content and notoriety.

In test-and-learn mode, the champagne brand suffered a few setbacks at the start of its influencer strategy, before rising to a crescendo. At the very beginning they worked with unpaid influencers, but realized pretty quickly that this business of marketing influence is professionalized and needed to budget. Since the start of 2019, they started remunerating these influencers, which contributed to more commitment and authenticity on their part.

Their influencer strategy relied on 8 influencers across France, England and Japan began bearing fruit. They made great progress on social networks, going from 500 to 2,700 subscribers on Instagram, with the threshold of 8,500 subscribers achieved on Facebook as of April 20, 2019.

After arriving on TV in 2018, Quitoque, which offers balanced recipes every week to prepare at home with local, organic and seasonal products through a subscription system, turned to influence marketing.

The company believed that by working on influence as a common thread, they could make it a real lever for teaching and customer acquisition. This has worked well for them and they are now tracking sales from influencer marketing using promotional codes.

Herbs for Medicinal Purposes > Health & Wellness

More and more people are taking a look at herbs and herbal remedies for their common ailments. As a part of a healthier lifestyle, herbal remedies are found in household medicine cabinets just as much as aspirin and cough medicine. Keep reading to find out about the kinds of herbs are used for medicinal purposes.

A Bad Rap

Herbs for medicinal purposes are sometimes looked on as quackery. However, there is more of a relationship between herbs and modern medicine than people know. People all over the world have used herbs as well as berries, seeds, roots, leaves, bark and flowers to treat everything from a cold to indigestion to abdominal pain.

Scientists aren’t sure exactly how herbs work. There are a variety of compounds found in plants and it can be hard to separate the active ingredients. However, research is showing that there is value to using them for preventative maintenance as well as treating some conditions.

Once scientists learned to extract certain compounds from plants and create similar ones, plant use dropped off. The herb remedies fell into hearsay but have been making resurgence within the medical community. People want to return to their roots – literally.

Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses

Peppermint – It is great for candy but has several medicinal purposes as well. Leaves can be steeped in tea as a muscle relaxant, antispasmodic and antacid. Use leaves on the chest as an expectorant.

Calendula – This flower is used as a healing cream to fight inflammation. Use it to find relief from poison ivy.

Garlic – Tastes great on meats and in stews. Eat fresh cloves to help boost the immune system naturally as well as lowering blood cholesterol. Garlic is also an antibiotic.

Yarrow – This root can be used to stop bleeding externally. Also used as an antibiotic when ingested. Combine with lavender to repel insects.

Lavender – The purple flowers smell great. Used in essential oils to relieve headaches and stress. Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be used topically without burning or damaging the skin. Use as an antibiotic and antifungal.

Chamomile – Steep the leaves in a tea as a sedative to help you sleep better. Also used as an anti-inflammatory.

Ginkgo biloba – We’ve all heard of this one for improving memory. Used as a supplement to help fight the effects of free radicals in the body.

Echinacea – Known as the “immune booster,” it is used to help fight off the effects of a cold or sore throat. When taking Echinacea, the duration of the cold is less.

Ginseng – Used to boost the immune system.

Ginger – Eating fresh ginger root can help fight upset stomach and digestive problems. Use also in tea with a bit of honey.

Tea tree oil – Used as an expectorant and an anti-inflammatory.

Nettle – Used to fight muscle spasms like menstrual cramps.

When using herbs for medicinal purposes make sure to check proper dosages used by herbalists for best results. Also, check with your doctor for any interactions with prescription meds.

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Herbs for Cooking Recipes > Culinary Herbs

When it comes to cooking, nothing can make a dish sing like fresh ingredients. This extends from the meat, vegetables and grains to the spices and herbs used. Speaking of herbs, here are a few that are popular in a variety of cuisines. You might use some of them yourself.

Using Herbs

Many of us use dried herbs that we’ve bought from the store. There’s nothing wrong with that. They are convenient and cheaper than purchasing fresh ones. We add them to recipes, marinades, salads and dressings. To get the best taste from them, hold them in the palm of one hand and rub them back and forth with your other index finger. It can squeeze more flavors out of your dish.

Better than that and cheaper still, is to grow your own herbs. Pinching a leaf or seeds at the peak of potency provides a very different taste experience from dried. When are most herbs at their peak? It is when they are just about to bud. The flowers have not opened yet. This is the time to pick the leaves and enjoy them.

Seven Common Herbs for Cooking Recipes

Here are some of the most common herbs used for cooking. If you had an indoor herb garden, you could be picking a few yummy leaves right now.

1. Basil – The most common variety used is sweet basil. Pesto is made using basil. When tomatoes are present, don’t forget your basil, mozzarella cheese and olive oil.

2. Dill – You’ve heard of dill pickles, haven’t you? This is where they get their name. This fresh herb is often partnered other ingredients in vinaigrette dressings and mayonnaise-based dressings. It makes a great companion for fish and shellfish dishes.

3. Cilantro – This is commonly used for South-East Asian and Mexican cooking. All parts of the herb are useful.

4. Oregano – A favorite Mediterranean herb that we often associate with Italian cuisine. You’ll find it on pizza, in spaghetti and pasta sauces. It is one of the few herbs that taste best when it is dried. You can learn to grow and dry your own.

5. Mint – There are several varieties. It can be a stomach soother and a palette cleanser. Add a sprig of mint as a garnish on your plate for guests to nosh on between courses. Spearmint is a good choice for seasoning meats like lamb and drinks like ice tea and alcoholic beverages.

6. Rosemary – Seen almost as often as oregano in Mediterranean cuisine. Its many sprigs have a pungent pine odor that pairs well with pork, poultry, oils, sauces and pizza.

7. Thyme – This herb is paired with egg and vegetable dishes as well as meats like poultry, pork and fowl. It is often added in a mixture that contains oregano, rosemary, sage, parsley and savory.

Herbs can add more flavor than mixing in more salt. Discover a world of new gastronomic delight.

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Herbs and Cosmetics > Beauty

If herbs can be used as a part of medical treatment, then why not use them to beautify the skin as well? We know that many ancient societies wore paint (early cosmetics) to adorn themselves. Where did it come from? Let’s take a look at herbs and cosmetics.

Getting Back to Nature

When we look for beauty products these days, what do we hope to find? Mineral makeup is taking off in a big way as a natural way to beautify the skin and your looks. They only contain natural minerals instead of fillers, coloring and other substances that can be clogging pores and lead to unpleasant skin conditions. People with sensitive skin also want to take pride in their appearance. But, many of the chemicals present in cosmetics inhibit them from doing so.

A solution might be a more natural approach – herbal cosmetics. The cosmetic industry is not regulated like food and drugs. It is up to the manufacturer to have a conscience when it comes to what types of ingredients they allow in their products. It is also up to us to demand that they take our health into account with their products. What you put on your skin can also affect the environment under your skin.

Advantages of Herbal Cosmetics

There are some positives to looking for natural herbal cosmetics. If nature can create such beautiful colors on its own, why can’t we use them? A few benefits include:

Less harm to the body – When using nature’s bounty, you know what ingredients are contained in your choice of makeup. If you create your own, you have even greater influence over what goes on and is absorbed into your body.

Safe for the environment – It comes from the earth and returns to it. You don’t have to worry about what might be leaching into the soil because it is all-natural.

Natural color – Instead of artificial coloring provided by dyes and chemicals, juice extracts are used to provide the colors for makeup.

Herbs Used as Cosmetics

Witch hazel – This has long been used as an anti-inflammatory, but it is also an astringent. Using the water created by distilling witch hazel on the face can tone up the muscles, especially around the eyes, for a more youthful look.

Elderflower – All parts of this herb are useful for beauty. Create creams ointments and eau de toilette from it to soften the skin and help erase blemishes. It has a pleasing scent as well.

Almond oil – Used to protect the skin in harsh weather conditions. The actual almonds can be used to make a body scrub.

Avocado oil or extract – Can nourish the skin with vitamin D.

Henna – Used to naturally dye hair.

Strawberry plants – Used to create a paste that whitens teeth.

You can find recipes on the internet to show you how to combine herbs, minerals and other natural products to create beauty treatments and even lip gloss.

Natural herbs can be used for cosmetic treatments that are safe for your body.

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Herbal Remedies > Health & Wellness

Herbal remedies make use of nature’s bounty to either prevent disease and ailment or to help cure them. Here are some common herbal remedies and what they are good for.

Herb Use

Most herbs are sold today as herbal supplements. Their history is rooted in ancient medical practices. Before there were pills, powders, syrups and injections, there were poultices, pastes, salves, oils and potions supplied to those who needed them.

Even in the age of modern medicine, over three quarters of the world’s population use herbal remedies in one form or another. Because many herbs produce effects similar to prescription drugs, it is recommended that any herbal remedies used or supplements taken be revealed to your physician to avoid interactions.

Creating your own remedies is best accomplished with homegrown herbs. You know what type of soil and fertilizer was used to create a thoroughly high quality plant. If you need to dry them, they are best from fresh as well. In the event that you don’t want to grow them or don’t have the time, you can purchase herbal remedies and/or ingredients from reputable shops. Ask for recommendations from friends.

Herbal Remedies for Various Ailments

Colds and their symptoms – Colds are caused by viruses. This means that there is no cure and that several strains can be floating around in the air at any given time. The best way to decrease the duration of a cold is to treat the symptoms. Herbal tea that contains antiviral herbs can help with this. Some to choose from include ginger, Echinacea, yarrow root, lemon balm, garlic and elderflower.

The menthol contained in the oils of peppermint can also help open swollen nasal passages when breathing in the steam. Use the essential oil of peppermint with carrier oil like olive oil to spread across the chest to help loosen respiratory secretions.

Infections – Several herbs have antibacterial and antifungal properties. For instance, tea tree oil (also known as “melaleuca”) can be used topically on the skin to help reduce the chance of infection from bug bites, cuts, scrapes and burns. Eating garlic can also help with infections. Goldenseal is a perennial herb that is used in salves and ointments for its antibacterial action.

Stomach ailments – These range from diarrhea, constipation and gas to indigestion, upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint leaves contain menthol, which has antispasmodic properties. Eat a few leaves after your meal or steep them in a tea. Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties. It can help you relax and soothe your stomach problems, especially if they are caused by stress. Chewing on a few pieces of ginger root can help relieve nausea as well as gas and bloating.

Stress – It happens to us all. Drinking herbal tea and/or massaging your temples with herbal essential oils can relax and soothe you, even help you sleep. The best herbs for the job are valerian, chamomile, lavender, kava kava and ginkgo biloba.

There are herbs for just about any ailment you can name. This is just a sampling.

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Drying Fresh Herbs > Cooking Herbs

One way to preserve the herbs that you have so painstakingly grown is to dry them. There is more than one technique used for the drying process. We will discuss the options here so you can get the best flavor and oils from your leaves.

Herbs are a way to add extra zest to foods without adding fat. If you’ve ever had cuisine with fresh herbs then you know the difference it makes. The next best thing is dried herbs. Growing and drying your own is better and cheaper than buying them from the store.

Drying Fresh Herb Basics

Here are a few tips that always need to be observed when planning on drying herbs.

Harvest herbs at their peak – When are herbs at their best tasting and most potent as far as oil is concerned? It occurs when they are getting ready to bloom. You will notice several buds but none will be open yet. Wait until after the morning dew has dried before cutting your leaves.

Carefully choose your leaves – Look for healthy branches that are free of disease, damage or yellowing. Also remove any insects that might tag along on the plants. This usually isn’t a problem for indoor herbal gardens.

Wash your leaves – Remove any dirt and soil from the leaves. Use cool water and then dry with a paper towel, being careful not to rip or tear the leaves. Wet herbs will mold so make sure they are completely dry.

Methods for Drying Herbs

Bunching – This involves hanging your herbs. Remove all leaves from the bottom of about four to eight stems. Bind them together gently with a rubber band or a piece of string. Place them in a paper bag with the stems protruding out. Tie the bag closed around the stems and hang in a warm, dry area. Poke holes in the bottom of the bag for air circulation.

Tray drying – This is done for the leaves. Remove the stems and the stalks from leaves. Place the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet or a drying tray. Large leaves can be cut into smaller pieces. Place in a warm area that is dark until drying is complete.

Drying in an oven – You don’t actually turn the oven on when you do this. Gas ovens seem to work more efficiently with this method. Using a baking sheet again, place leaves in a single layer so they are not touching. Separate more than one layer with a paper towel. Dry overnight.

Solar drying – This is not a very efficient method but may work for people who live in a very warm area. Place your leaves on a drying tray or an old window pane in the sun. In order for this to work, the temperature needs to be constant with low humidity (below 100 degrees F and 60% humidity). Avoid direct sunlight because leaves will fade.

Store your dried herbs in a dry, dark place in airtight jars for up to one year. Drying fresh herbs can keep your food full of flavor all year round.

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A List of Common Herbs and Their Uses > Cooking Herbs

What is making your food taste so good? It could be the fresh ingredients, including the herbs. But, herbs are not just used for cooking – they’re also useful as household remedies and cleaning products. Here is a list of common herbs you might see and their uses.

Herbs have been around for centuries in many capacities. You may be aware of their ability to add new and varied tastes to your food dishes. If you’ve never been much into using them for anything else, there is another world out there where homemade medicinal remedies utilize herbs. Some of the ones that you see on the following list could do double duty in the kitchen and the sick room.

Common Herbs and Their Uses

Let’s look at culinary herbs.

Basil – Most often used is sweet basil. Use it to season meats and vegetables. It has a flavor similar to cloves.

Anise – The seeds are used for salads and baked goods. The leaves can also be used for meat and salads. Tastes like licorice.

Chives – Have an onion flavor. Used in salads and on vegetables.

Dill – Known for use in making pickles, but also popular for dressings. Use leaves in salads and as seasonings on fish, meat and vegetables.

Garlic – Chopped, minced or as a spread, it flavors meat and vegetables.

Oregano – Used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. Common on pizza, in soups, sauces and on vegetable dishes.

Mint – Used as a flavoring for mint sauce. Use the leaves in teas as a soother.

Parsley – Mostly used as decoration on dinner plates. It can make a seasoning for soup and salad.

Thyme – Found in the mix of herbs used in Italian cuisine.

Sage – This herb is used the most around Thanksgiving and Christmas. It flavors poultry as well as stuffing and dressing.

Savory – Found in dishes that contain egg, soups, sauces and green beans.

Rosemary – Great for seasoning lamb and poultry.

Marjoram – It is found in the Italian mix of seasonings. Use it to flavor meats.

Coriander – The seeds are used in stuffing and curries. It tastes like orange leaves. The leaves are used in Asian and Mexican cuisine.

Chervil – Can be used as a garnish. Often mixed with salad greens and in soups or omelets.

Fennel – Used to season fish and sometimes found in sauces. You can use the leaves, seeds and stems.

Tarragon – This is a French herb. It is an ingredient in tartar sauce, chicken dishes, some seafood and it can flavor vinegars.

Sorrel – An acidic-tasting herb that is used in soups and sauces.

Cilantro – Used primarily in Mexican cuisine for salsa, rice and meats.

How many of these herbs do you have in your kitchen? Use fresh and dried for your cooking purposes.

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Ten Tips to Set Your Mind for Success > Personal Development

Want to give your mind a kick up the backside and put it into 5th gear? These ten tips will help you shift your paradigm into a success mindset. Here goes…

1 View failure as a learning opportunity
Don’t view failure as a crushing defeat but rather as a chance to learn and to come back stronger!

2 View obstacles as challenges
Likewise, try to view problems as challenges to be overcome. This will just make your victory all the sweater.

3 Don’t choose between two things
When trying to choose between two things that you really want, the best answer is always to find a way that you can make them both happen.

4 Don’t let others define your success
Too many of us have one set view of what success looks like and we struggle to see it in any other way. Success is doing whatever it is that makes you happy. Don’t worry if that just so happens to make other people raise their eyebrows!

5 Invest in yourself
Investing in yourself is the most important way to start achieving more. This is the best way to spend money and the best way to spend time. Develop your skills, buy a suit and fix that hair!

6 Act like you’ve already won
Acting like you’ve already won is the best way to empower yourself to be stronger and more successful. When you do this, you give off an aura of success that makes others gravitate to you!

7 Know yourself
Know yourself and be honest about what you want, who you are and what your strengths and weaknesses are.

8 Avoid toxic people
Avoid the people in your life who are constantly telling you what you can’t do, who are making you feel bad about your dreams…

9 Surround yourself with positive people
Likewise, surround yourself with positive people and surround yourself with people who share your vision and can help it grow!

10 Do what you are most passionate about
The simplest way to be successful in life, is to put more effort it. That means being willing to get up earlier, to work harder and to work smarter toward that goal. But this shouldn’t feel like work. Why? Because it should be something that you absolutely love. Spending your life working hard on something you don’t care about is a waste and when you find your passion, you’ll find it unlocks boundless energy and enthusiasm.

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Get Things Done with Influence > Personal Empowerment

It doesn’t matter if you work for a company or have your own business you will need to get things done. Influence is the best way to achieve this and it will get you results even if the people you are influencing are not under your control. So in this article we will look at 9 ways you can use influence to get things done.

  1. Be Positive

If people like you then you will have a much greater chance of influencing them. By having a positive attitude and speaking in a positive way you will naturally draw people to you. Most people want to associate with positive people rather than negative people.

Even if everything is going wrong around you it is still important to be positive. Find a positive aspect of what has gone on so far and tell people about this. Tell people that you want to work together with them to put things right.

  1. Make the most from each day

Don’t get stuck thinking about the past or concern yourself with the future. Get good at staying in the moment and communicate to your people that as a team you need to make the most of every day.

  1. Promote your Expertise and Knowledge regularly

Do your people know that you are an expert and very knowledgeable? If not then you need to address this. You need to take every opportunity to tell people about this. Don’t do this in a bragging way. The point here is that it will increase your credibility with others and this is essential for you to have influence over them.

  1. Build your Expertise

This is another way to improve your credibility with others. Commit to improving your current level of expertise and then share this with others. Choose a skill that you need to improve that will help you achieve your goals and then work on this.

  1. What you see is what you get

In order for people to trust and respect you it is very important to be transparent. Tell your team about your goals and what you are aiming to achieve with their help. This will inspire them to work harder for you.

  1. What Matters to the person you intend to Influence?

Building a relationship with people is a good thing to do. The more that you know about them, the more you are going to be able to influence them. Find out the things that really matter to each person and use this information as part of your influencing tactics.

  1. How can you help them?

If you are dealing with someone new who is not obligated to help you, identify how you will be able to help them in the future. You may be able to send business their way for example and you can use this to form the right partnership with them.

  1. Treat People well

Do everything that you can to help your team members. Always treat people well and respect them. If they want to vent about something then be willing to listen. Do your best to inspire and motivate your people each day.

  1. Be Flexible

If you are willing to adapt to new challenges and show this to your people then they will truly respect you for this. Be flexible in your approach with your team and make a point to listening to their ideas.

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How to Make the Home a Safe Environment for Aging Loved Ones > Seniors

You might be surprised to learn that the home is the most dangerous place for seniors. It’s full of tripping hazards, tight spaces, slippery floors and worse. In fact, approximately 1500 people aged over 75 die annually as the result of a fall in the home, and more women than men over the age of 65 die as the result of an accident in the home. If your loved one prefers to grow old at home, there are steps you can take to help make their home a safe environment.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is considered the most dangerous place in the home for seniors. Many falls happen because floors are slippery. Install grab bars in the tub/shower and near the toilet. Show your loved one how to use them and make sure that they are used. There are walk-in bathtubs that you can purchase which eliminate the need for a senior to step over the edge of a tub.

Additionally, a large shower with a shower chair and a hand-held shower can make showering safe and comfortable. Non-slip mats and floor rugs are essential as well.

Flooring and Hallways

Flooring needs to be secure and it’s important to reduce or eliminate the need to step up or down. For example, a sunken living room requires a person to step down to enter it. Build a ramp to make the transition easier between rooms. All stairways need to have at least one railing, preferably two. The handrails also need to be sturdy and securely attached. Make sure that all cords and tripping hazards, like area rugs, are secured down or removed.

Lighting

Eyesight tends to fail as a person grows older. Make sure that the home is well lit and that all hallways and work spaces have direct light. Switches should also be readily accessible and easy to use.

Doorways

If a senior is using a walker, cane, or is in a wheelchair, then the doorways in the home may need to be widened to accommodate them comfortably. Additionally, if a loved one is in a wheelchair, then counter tops will need to be lowered so they can work at a comfortable level.

The Bedroom

The bed can be a dangerous place for some seniors. There is a tendency in older age to roll out of bed or to fall when trying to stand in the morning. A side rail or a half rail can help seniors stay safe in bed. And non-slip flooring beneath their feet in the morning can help them stand securely. Good lighting is essential for bedroom safety and switches should be easy to reach.

There are home safety experts that you can hire. They can provide an assessment of the safety of your loved one’s home and offer suggestions and tips. They may even be able to do some of the work for you. Making sure your loved one’s home is safe can help prevent injuries and even death. It’s a simple step to take.

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How to Have That Difficult Conversation with Your Aging Parents > Seniors

There are two things that are a bit difficult to talk about with many people. They are health and money. Yet no conversation seems to be more difficult than talking about them with your aging parents. At a certain point in the lives of many, the roles are reversed. The children become the caregivers and decision makers for senior parents. The initial conversation that you have with your parents may set the tone for the remainder of their lives.

Your Opinions, Goals, and Interests

Before you have the conversation it’s important to get clear with your own needs, goals, and opinions. Spend time considering whether they’re in the best interests of your parents. Once you’re clear on your own views in these areas, you may be able to set them aside and have a better conversation with your parents.

Have a Plan

Decide, in advance, what you’re going to talk about. You don’t need to talk about everything at the first meeting. Establish priorities and take notes. There is time for future discussions. The goal for the initial discussion is to open the lines of communication and ideally get the ball rolling in terms of future care.

You want to start small and focus on topics like what their plans are and what preferences they may have. Do they have a living will? How do they feel about staying at home versus moving to a retirement community? How much do they have saved for health care and long-term care? Estate planning and finances are difficult subjects to broach. Start by asking what they’ve already taken care of and move forward from that.

Be an Advocate

While you presumably do have your own thoughts and opinions on what might be best for your parents and for yourself, you can probably best help everyone if you take on the role of advocate. This means that you’re there to see that your parents’ wishes and needs are taken care of.

An advocate also presents options and information so that aging parents can make the best decision possible for themselves. Strive to be unemotional about it as your emotions can certainly cloud your parents’ emotions, too. The goal is to make the conversation as productive and painless as possible.

Finally, consider who to invite to the conversation. In most cases, it makes sense to keep the conversation to a small group of people. In fact, you and your parents may be all that’s required for the first conversation. However, it can be helpful to have other siblings with you as long as they too can be respectful and function as an advocate for your parents.

The conversation about your parents aging health and finances isn’t a fun conversation for anyone. Approach your parents with respect, empathy, and the dignity they deserve to help everyone move forward in the best way possible.

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Three Foods to Avoid If You Want to Live Longer > Health & Wellness

What you put into your body can have a significant impact on your long-term health. And while it’s true that the occasional junk food snack won’t have a lasting impact, chronically eating junk foods is a sure-fire way to slowly kill yourself and shorten your life span. If you want to live a long and healthy life, there are some foods you simply must avoid.

1. White Bread

White bread has a few major flaws. Most white bread is made from little more than high fructose corn syrup and all-purpose flour. The flour has had all of the nutrients, including fat, fiber, and vitamins, removed from it in order to make it shelf stable. It’s considered a simple carbohydrate which means that your body begins digesting it almost before you finish chewing.

The sugars from the white bread are almost immediately absorbed into your body and cause a spike in blood sugar. Over time this constant spike in blood sugar causes your body to become out of balance and can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.
It causes systemic inflammation which is the precursor to all disease including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Essentially, white bread doesn’t do your body any favors and it can cause harm if it’s consumed often. Instead, look for whole grain bread that is naturally sweetened. The same is true for any bread type food including bagels, biscuits, muffins, and pancakes and waffles too.

2. Fried Food

Fried foods are generally high in saturated fat, usually from a genetically modified crop like canola or soy, and they’re often high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates. Let’s take a piece of chicken as an example. The chicken is coated in white flour and then dropped into a vat of processed oil. The oil likely contains trans-fats, which have been shown to cause heart disease.

Additionally, fried foods are associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a higher incidence of stroke. And frying foods in processed oils causes a carcinogenic substance called acrylamide to form.

3. Sugar

Sugar is difficult to avoid. It’s in everything from ketchup to deli meat. It’s even added to reduced and low fat milk. What many people are unaware of is that sugar causes inflammation in your cells and tissues. Inflammation is the first sign of disease. It’s the foundation of any condition including cancer and heart disease. Reducing your consumption of sugar can have a significant impact on your health. You’ll lose weight almost immediately. You’ll also have more energy and vitality.

Eliminating sugar isn’t easy but it can be done. Pay attention to the sugar you’re eating and one by one, start eliminating sugary foods from your diet.

Changing your diet is easier when you make small changes. Identify one unhealthy eating habit and work to change that one. One small step at a time and you’ll be on the path to a healthy diet and a happy life.

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The Role of Stress on the Aging Process > Anti-Aging

Stress makes you look and feel older. If you don’t believe it’s true, go look at pictures of any president right when they start their first term and in their last year. Four years of chronic stress can take a huge toll on someone’s health. In fact, chronic stress has been shown to cause a number of deadly diseases. In contrast, reducing your stress can add decades to your life and contribute to a higher quality of life.

Stress Ages Your Cells

The hormones and chemicals released during stressful times damage your cells. Scientists know that stress has a direct impact on cells based on studies that measured the length of DNA sections called telomeres.

Telomeres are like the end caps on your long strands of DNA. They essentially protect the information on your DNA strand. However, as we age, these telomeres shorten. Stress causes them to shorten more rapidly.

When your telomeres become too short the cells die or they can become damaged. This damage can lead to disease like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s and heart disease. Studies have shown that people with stressful jobs, for example, have shorter telomeres so they know that stress has a dramatic impact on your cellular health and ultimately on your lifespan.

Stress Ages Your Brain and Causes Hearing and Vision Loss

Scientists have learned that people who live a more stressful life have a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s. They’ve also found that women, who tend to live a more stressful life, have a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s than men. Women’s brains tend to age more quickly than men’s, too.

Stress also impacts your cardiovascular system. It causes inflammation. When your blood flow is impeded by inflamed arteries, your brain, eyes, and even your ears and sense of smell don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy.

So What Can You Do?

It’s true that stress leads to premature aging and disease. Therefore, reducing stress can have an impact on your lifespan – it can help you live longer. There are a few simple things you can do to reduce the stress in your life.

1. Listen to classical music – Did you know that Mozart and other classical musicians can actually reduce cortisol levels in your brain? Cortisol is the hormone that is released when you’re stressed, and too much cortisol can be damaging.

2. Stay connected to friends – Laughing with friends and communicating with people that are important to you helps you better manage stress.

3. Find a creative outlet – Journal, dance, paint or take photos. Find an activity that you enjoy and that helps you relax and express your creativity.

Finally, try to identify the big stressors in your life and take small steps to reduce them. Simple steps like exercise, eating right, and meditating can make a big difference in how you manage stress. If you want to improve both the length and the quality of your life, take steps to reduce stress. It’s a big factor in premature aging.

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