Veggie vs. Vegan Trends

 

Assets created by: OWYN

As a mom and as someone who loves to cook, I am always interested in food and diet trends.  In the last several years, there has been a trend toward vegetarian and vegan options for our food product choices at restaurants and grocery stores, as well as available recipe content. This trend is likely going to increase as people try to avoid weight gain during lockdown and become more aware of the damage that eating meat does to the environment.  OWYN is a great source of information on diet and exercise. They recently looked at the Google search trends for the last five years on vegetarian vs going vegan.

As we look at the map, there is an apparent growing trend in searches on veganism over vegetarianism.  I think this is not only because of the growing popularity of veganism, but also because many people simply don’t know what “vegan” means.  They don’t know the difference between the two terms. (I, myself, had to look up the word “vegan” in the past, because I heard the word a lot in the media, but I really didn’t the actual meaning of it.)  Vegan has also become a growing trend, as a lot of people have grown more concerned over their health but also over animal cruelty and the environment.

Let’s compare the two. A vegetarian is a person who doesn’t eat meat but WILL eat other animal products like milk and use other products derived from animals.  A vegan, however, should abstain from not only meat, but also animal products like milk, cheese, eggs, and butter.  And a strict vegan should not use other products derived from animals, including any health and beauty products.

I think that my idea that a lot of people simply aren’t familiar with the word “vegan,” shows up in my home state of Alabama.  The upward trend on searches for vegetarian in my state is only 7%, and yet the search for vegan is 500%.  This is interesting since my state is very much a “meat eating” state, and we don’t see a lot of vegan options available here.

Another interesting state to look at is Montana.  The trend on searches for vegetarian is -43%, and the trend on searches for vegan is 180%.

I also looked at Hawaii, (simply because my stepson lives there, and I know it’s very different from the home he has known). Hawaii saw on upward trend in both vegetarian and veganism.  The upward trend for vegetarian was 84% versus 194% for vegan.

Assets created by: OWYN

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.  Do you or anyone in your family eat a vegetarian or vegan diet? Do you see an upward trend toward veganism in your state?

Easy Ways to Maintain Your Swimming Pool

If you have just had a pool built in your yard or just moved and have a pool, you may be the envy of your neighbors. However, you may also be uncertain about the best ways to tend to it if this is a new experience. There are some easy ways you can maintain your swimming pool so you can get the most out of it.

Test the Water

Of course, you want to keep your swimming pool as clean as possible. To do this, you have to regularly test the water. This will keep algae, buildup and corrosion at bay. The best times to test are in the summer and winter. There are testing kits available that allow you to check for the following:

• pH, which measures the acidity and base of the water to ensure that it is just the right balance. You want the pH to be somewhere right in the middle to avoid corrosion of the pool’s surfaces, deposits and murky water. Generally, the best pH for pool water is around 7.5. The chemicals can be increased or decreased to achieve that balanced level.

• Calcium hardness, which is the amount of calcium dissolved in the water. You should aim for around 200 to 250 parts per million for concrete pools and around 175 to 225 parts per million if your pool is vinyl.

• Total alkalinity, which keeps the water’s pH balanced. You should have a total alkalinity of around 120 to 150 parts per million.

• Metals, which can stain the surface of the pool and change the color of the water. Most commonly found metals in pools are copper, iron and manganese. If they are present, you need to use a stain and scale remover to eliminate them.

Add the Right Chemicals

In order to be at its best, your swimming pool requires certain chemicals. You must add the following:

• Chlorine, which breaks down bacteria and keeps the water stabilized. You can get chlorine in various forms, such as through granules, tablets and even skimmer sticks. You should aim for 1 to 3 parts per million in your pool at all times.

• Shock treatments, which can keep the water clean and clear. Anytime someone uses the pool or debris lands in the water, there is a risk of problems like cloudy water or algae development.

• Algaecide, which can help to prevent algae from growing in the pool water. Add this after each shock treatment.

Skimming and Scrubbing the Pool

Skimming must be done regularly to keep debris out of the water. You can do this daily by hand or invest in a special robot vacuum that can do it for you. You should also scrub your pool every other week to eliminate buildup.

Maintain the Filters

Your pool’s filters have a specific purpose: to keep anything impure from the water. You should clean the pipe in the filter system around once a month. Set it to backwash, remove the filter cap and take out the basket to clean it free of debris. Once you have done that, you can turn the pump back on and run it until clear water is emitted from the pipe. Also, avoid turning the filter on and off too frequently. Set it to a timer and let it run for no less than six hours per day.  If all this maintenance seems too hard and you want to remove your swimming pool which Reverse Pools can help with and alleviate the headache of ongoing work.

Water Level

Carefully notice the water level in the pool. It should be around halfway up your skimmer’s opening. You can use your garden hose to add water if necessary. If it’s too high, you can remove excess water by using a pump that can be submerged.

If you need pool supplies to make your pool complete, visit Maple Pools for pool supplies today.

5 Best tips that will help you prepare for an asylum interview

The period prior to an asylum interview can be really stressful and intimidating. Applicants are riding an emotional roller-coaster given the importance of the whole process. Not getting documents can be really devastating both for the applicant and his/her family.

This is why preparation is half of the battle.

Like everything else that goes through people, it is very important to leave a positive impression. While asylum officers are very professional and objective, they are prepared to go an extra mile for people who really need assistance. Doing anything against this rule can only backfire. At the same time, they will also appreciate any extra work you perform that will help them determine what kind of a situation you were in. Here are some professional tips from the immigration lawyer Ruby Powers that will help you prior and during the.

· Make sure you’re honest

No matter what you do, it is very important that you’re honest throughout. Asylum officers can easily sniff a lie: they have a lot of experience in this field and they have encountered various cases. This means they can easily establish if something has gone wrong even without you telling them. In some cases, people will be ashamed of their actions and are prepared to omit information just so they don’t disclose this stuff. But, if it works for you, it is much better to provide the information. Asylum officers are usually sympathetic so they will help you out.

· Provide all information when necessary

The same way you shouldn’t lie, you also shouldn’t omit information. Even if you’re uncertain about something, it is very important to notify officers about it. If you get additional documents during the process, it is very important to hand them over as soon as possible. Officers are assessing your case based on all the data they have received. If you have some additional things that might help your case, it is much better to give them.

· Invest in an  lawyer

A Civil litigation lawyer is a quick and simple solution to your problem. Alas, like with any other profession, there are people who can do a bad job and those who will perform flawlessly. Make sure to asses all the available lawyers prior to making a decision. Check the web but also go for personal recommendations. In the end, if a lawyer helped your friends or family, he or she will also help you. Avoid those who are sitting in front of the asylum office, those who are too cheap or have bad reviews. This is something you want to invest in so make sure to go all in!

· Fill all the forms properly

This is something that shouldn’t be said but it is actually strange how many people mess up their forms. First and foremost, you need to fill all the boxes and give every information possible. As previously mentioned, asylum officers will use all this information to asses your situation and will handle the case according to that. Missing info will only prolong the whole process. If there is something you’re unsure of, ask your lawyer or some of the asylum officers to help you out.

· Get a translator

Getting a free translator is something that all asylum seekers should do. Even if your English is perfect, there are certain situations where people don’t know how to react. There might be some specific term you’re not acquainted with. A translator can also help as they can better explain a sentence. If you don’t get one, you’re fully responsible for your statements and not understanding what was asked.

Ortho-Cerv Headleveler Pillow Review

Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions are my own.

I’ve always had difficulty sleeping. It takes me forever to fall asleep. I have to have the “perfect sleep environment” for me, and I still don’t feel like I get the best quality sleep. In recent years I’ve been working on ways to get better sleep, so I was very excited when I had the chance to try the Headleveler® Pillow.

Here are just a few things that set the Headleveler Pillow apart from others:

  • Hypo-allergenic 100%
  • Washable 100%
  • Breatheable 100%
  • Personalized to fit you 100%

Headleveler’s pillows are filled with polyester fibre, commonly found in modern duvets. Each individual fibre has air chambers that are designed to capture and store air, making your pillow more resilient. Their pillows are also hypoallergenic and machine washable.

So how do they personalize the pillow to fit you?  They do it by giving you a simple quiz.  You answer questions, such as your height and weight, the type of mattress you have, type of pillow you prefer, etc.  Then it gives you a score, and that score is your pillow number.

Personally I’ve always had a thin pillow; I’m talking super thin! (I can’t even find pillows as thin as they ones I have used.)  And anytime I’ve tried thicker, fluffy pillows I usually can’t sleep on them, and I end up swapping back to my old pillow midway through the night.

When I took the headleveler quiz, my result was: The Queen Very Soft Pillow (Model #15)

Here’s the description: “For the perfect night’s sleep, based on your height, weight and sleeping preferences, we recommend a very soft pillow. Ideal for both back and side sleepers who prefer a soft, comfy support whether on your back or your side. This pillow is often used by children and those who are petite or small in stature.”

When I received the Headleveler, it looked a little thicker than what I was used to, but upon using it the first night, I was very pleased with how well I slept on it, and I’ve been using it ever since.  I found it to be very comfortable.  It is soft, but not so soft that it sinks in.  And it doesn’t elevate my head too much like a lot of thicker pillows do.  And I’ve found that it is great for both side sleeping and back sleeping.

Overall, I love the pillow. The Headleveler pillow is the first pillow I’ve succesfully been able to “switch” to in a long time without going back to my old pillow.  I love that it’s machine washable and hypo-allergenic, and I feel like a get a pretty good night’s sleep on it.  Most of all, I love how comfortable and soft it is.  I encourage you to go over and learn more about their pillows and take the quiz to find out your which pillow is best for you!

6 Tips to Increase Your Home’s Value

Remodeling because you want to make your home look lovely and feel a lot more comfortable. Find your home remodeling plan as a marketing plan or start fresh as your big project. If you are hiring architecture he is planning for you, but if you want to save cash, the first phase is to take responsibility for the project and do it for yourself. Here are some of the best tips that will help you to increase your home value even if you want to sell it:

Plan the remodeling:

Whether you’re just buying a home or living there for a while, making a plan is the best way to boost the quality of your home. If improvements are done deliberately and not on the urge, you’ll be better off. Begin slowly. It’s not a sprint, it is a marathon. If this is new to your home, get to understand it. If you’ve been there for some time now, get began. Talk about the things that you want to modify and the upgrades that you want to make. Don’t worry about arranging, just write down everything. Begin slowly. It’s not a speed competition. If this is new to your home, get to understand it. If you’ve been there for some time now, get began. Talk about the things that you want to modify and the upgrades that you want to make. Don’t worry about arranging, just write down everything. Do use pesticides to control any kind of pests such as rove pest control.

Tackle one room at a time:

How can you create energy that comes from fresh concepts when you create those changes and still be intelligent? Indulge in tackling one space at a moment. Whether it’s a straightforward paint coat or banging down a wall, you keep initiatives attainable by addressing one space at a moment. Make a list of things you’re dreaming of doing, split your list into cost-based classifications, and write down how long each project can take. What this does is assist you to achieve outcomes. If you set out to decorate a Saturday living room wall and you know what time and cash it’s going to cost, it’s going to be done.

Doors create an initial impression:

The very first impression of your home is your home’s first feeling is your door. If you cannot totally alter the door and your current door is in great condition, you should refurbish the door.

Lighting effects of paint:

In that case, buying separate painted pallets might seem counterintuitive if you are already on a deficit. If you’re on a limited budget then choose a black and white palette, it will give your house a contemporary, polished look and you’ll have the assurance that white or black will never go wrong. If you’re refurbishing to create a tiny house look larger than a cheap and lovely way to achieve that objective is to use mirrors.

Enhance your bathroom:

The bathroom is the workhorse of all the spaces in your home. Go with your wood floors in limestone or marble. If you play with the idea of granite, your bathroom table is probably lower and less costly than your window sill. This is an excellent starting point during your first granite project.

Pay down the principal on your loan:

Do not miss the money as you create all these home renovations. Your economic approach can greatly enhance your home’s value. In order to offer someone a loan that is convenient for them, many distinct credit characteristics can be added together; offer them the chance to make home changes and spend in their future.

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Archer and Olive Review

Disclosure: I received samples to facilitate this review. The opinions are my own.

I have always been the creative type. Even as a child I always loved writing and making up stories, journaling, and drawing (although my drawing talent leaves a lot to be desired).  So it should come as no surprise that I love journals, notebooks, and planners. The other day I received some samples from Archer and Olive

They sell awesome, high quality journaling supplies. The covers are nice looking and very thick and durable, making them great for personal use or gift giving.

I received a lined notebooks and a dot grid notebook.  These feature 160 GSM Ultra Thick Paper.  They are perfect for using with markers, fountain pens, and even paint with no ghosting or bleeding through!

With the back to school season in full swing this a great time to try Archer and Olive. Their products are great for planners for homeschool moms and for your favorite student, and they are also perfect for all you writers and artists out there!

 

4 Handy Tips For A Stress-Free Moving Day

Moving day is not a fun day for everyone. While it might be exciting starting your new life in your brand new home, it can be extremely stressful, and many people wish that they could avoid the experience entirely. Of course, if you are not happy with your property then moving day is necessary and so you need to think about how you can go about making this process as easy as possible for your family.

In this article, we are going to give you some of our best tips to help you have a stress-free moving day. Keep reading to hear what these are.

Start Packing Early

One of the best things that you can do when you are moving home is to start packing as early as possible. The moving day deadline can come at you very fast and if you are not prepared on the day then you might find that it becomes even more stressful than before. The last thing you want is to be tired on the moving day because you spent the night before packing up your home before the moving van came. Try to be as prepared as possible and pack in a logical way. Plan out your packing and put everything into boxes that make sense. Put kitchen items together and make sure that priority items are at the top of boxes. Don’t have labels? It might be time to invest in some to make this whole moving experience more manageable. Whether you are moving from Queens to the Bronx or halfway across the country, you need to pack early to avoid stress.

Taking Less With You

Have you ever thought about the fact that you might not need to bring everything with you to your new home? No one wants to have to sit and pack items that they aren’t planning on using in their new home until the next year and this is where self-storage units come in. This Bronx storage facility exactly what you should be looking for – they’re based in the Bronx which is perfect if you’re in that borough, but if not then you should still be able to find another unit in your local area.

With secure self storage from a company such as Safestore storage units milton keynes, or similar in your area, you can put some of your items away and collect them later on. This will reduce the stress of packing and fitting everything in the moving van on the day. You won’t need to worry about leaving anything behind because you will be taking less with you to the new property in the first place. This kind of storage is available in many different areas so make sure to find the right solution for you.

Get Some Help

Our next tip for those who want to have a stress-free moving day is to get as much help as you can. If you have very young kids then this can be very tricky but, otherwise, you can get some help from your family members. Make sure that everyone is pitching in and moving things to the van. You should also make sure that everyone is involved in packing their own things to ensure they know where to find them and ease the stress a little.

Most moving companies will help you get everything to the van, but it doesn’t hurt to get some extra hands on the job. Ask your friends and family members if they are willing to help out and you might find that this eases the stress of moving quite a lot.

Hire A Reputable Moving Company

Finally, to make your moving day much less stressful, you should aim to hire a reputable moving company. There are many moving companies that you can choose from, but which is the best for you? Make sure to consider the benefits of using each company and consider the customer service that is offered. You might also want to take a look at the prices and compare these to other companies in the area. When choosing a moving company, you should definitely spend some time looking at the reviews. If you have a friend that has had a positive experience recently then this might be the best company for you. Finding the right moving company can help out a lot. It is also worth remembering, however, that you can choose to move without the assistance of a removal company, and can instead hire a van from a reputable dealer such as hirefleet.co.uk. Doing the heavy lifting yourself can be a way to save some money throughout the moving process.

Conclusion

If you want to have a moving day that is fun and not full of stress, then you should make sure to take on board all of the advice that we have given you here in this article. Think about getting some help from your family and planning out your packing as well as you can. If you can place some of your items in storage, then this will help you out a lot along the way. Make sure to follow some of our tips and tricks and you should have a stress-free moving day.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Buying A Home

Some people dream of the day that they will finally be able to own their own home while it sounds like an absolute nightmare for others at the thought of everything else they will have to put away money for when it comes to additional home expenses. There are several benefits as well as disadvantages to buying your own home, and below is a guide that will delve into both so you can make a more informed decision as to whether homeownership is the right choice for you or not.

You can have more privacy

If you are a private person that does not want neighbors so close to you that that they can see into your windows if they are not closed and hear what you are doing in your home if you are too loud, then owning a house may be the right choice for you. Let’s face it, apartments can be great especially if you are not in need of too much space, but there is very little privacy when you rent an apartment. Your neighbors know when you leave the house and come home, they can see straight into your home if the blinds are open, they can overhear conversations you have that are supposed to be private; again, this may not bother you but if you prefer your privacy then homeownership may be the way to go.

You can put custom touches on a house that you own When you own your own house, you can customize it to your own tastes and make it into something that you really love and that matches your style. When you rent a home or apartment, there is only so much that you can do to make it your own. You can’t drill stuff or hang things on the walls as you can in your own home. If you want a truly customized home that fits your style, then buying a home would be your best bet.

However, you can put whatever you want in your own home. The furniture and decorations are yours to choose from. Make a good choice when you pick out your mattress. You might have wondered about a Nectar vs Purple mattress. Though both are great mattresses, the Purple mattress is becoming a favorite very quickly. Do your homework and find out why.

You can pay down a house

If you own your own home, there will come a day where you will be able to say that your home is paid for and you no longer have to pay your monthly mortgage! Then you can use the money you were paying for your home to do anything you want to do with it! Whether it now be fun money or money you can use to invest in something else, that money is back in your pockets once again. When you rent a home or apartment, then the fact is that you will never be able to pay those payments down. You will always have those payments you owe which could hinder you from doing other things with your money.

There are some disadvantages to owning your own home as well and it is not all sunshine and daisies. Some of the disadvantages of owning your own home are as follows.

A house comes with extra costs

When you own your own home you don’t have a landlord or a rental company who is going to come, pay for, and fix any maintenance issues that arise. Anything that happens to your own home will have to be paid for out of your own wallet, and those kinds of expenses can add up quickly. You have to be ready to save up for and pay for those types of expenses, which is a definite drawback.

There are a lot of upfront costs in buying a house

When you buy a house, you are not just going to be paying for the costs of your mortgage payments that come every month. You will also have to save up money for the initial costs that go into buying your home such as an appraisal, exterminator fees, down payments, getting utilities turned on, a home inspection, and any repairs that need to be made, etc. When you start thinking about buying a house, you will need to set aside money for these costs and plan accordingly so you can pay for them.

There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages that come from buying a home whether it be your first home or your tenth. Before pulling the trigger and buying a house or renting one, think through all of the facts and figure out whether or not you can afford it.

How To Improve The Value Of Your Home

Nowadays, many people want to improve the value of their home for one reason or another. They may be considering selling it further on in the future, or they simply might want the price of their house to increase after a renovation. Improving the value of your home is always a good idea – as it can increase the curb appeal of the house, while also making the investment more worthwhile.

However, not everybody knows exactly how to improve the value of their house without entirely breaking the bank. Here are a few simple ways that you can climb the property ladder without spending a fortune.

Check And Fix The Structure

One of the biggest issues that will lower the value of your home is structural problems. Before you start doing any extra interior design work or renovations, you want to make sure that the structure of your home is sound. That being said, checking and fixing the structure of your property should be the first thing on your list.

If you happen to notice a leaking roof or structural cracks to the walls, you need to take action and make sure that these are corrected as soon as possible. The best way to do this is to consult a professional builder or engineer, as they’ll know exactly how to put the issue right.

Add A HVAC Filter Or Upgrade Your Own

Without even knowing it, we introduce so many different pollutants and chemicals into our households. Toxic chemicals are continuously brought in by cleaning products, and other contaminants such as pollen can be tracked in on clothing after a day outside.

A HVAC filter can work to ensure that your household’s atmosphere is as clean as it possibly can be by catching and filtering out these types of pollutants. If your property already has a HVAC filter, consider changing out the filter with a new one to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible. Making sure your A/C and furnace filter is the right size for your system can prolong the life of your system and can guarantee that it’s operating to its full potential.

Redecorate Your Rooms

If you are looking to sell your house in the near-future, one of the easier ways to improve the value of the property is to redecorate your rooms. While this won’t add a huge amount of value, it’ll make the house stand out to potential buyers and prompt their interest.

If your home has walls with peeling paint, squeaking taps, or broken locks, it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to be able to sell your house for the best price. Therefore,

it’s a good idea to redecorate your rooms and fix these small issues so that you know your property is in the best condition.

Make Sure It’s Ready For Weather Changes

Our homes go through a lot of weather changes throughout the period of an entire year. While this can potentially cause structural issues – such as missing roof tiles – it also means that you need to make sure your home is ready to face these different weather conditions.

Older houses are more likely to need new and improved heating systems, which will help improve the house’s efficiency and, in turn, also its value. Likewise, some older properties will have windows without double glazing, which indicates that these windows need to be replaced for ones of a better, more efficient standard.

Repurpose Extra Rooms

Do you happen to have a property with extra rooms that have become make-shift storage facilities? If so, one of the best ways to add value to your property is to give those rooms a real purpose so that potential future residents can fully enjoy them.

If you have a lot of extra space, adding a new bedroom is a sure-fire way to improve the value of your home. The more bedrooms a home has, the higher the typical sale price will be. You could also add a home office or another lounge area. All of these options will help make your home more appealing and improve the overall value.

All in all, there are so many good ways how you can improve the value of your home without spending too much money. If you’re lost for where to start, use this guide to get the ball rolling.