Monthly Archives: March 2019

Unknown's avatar

Four Fresh Tips For A Sensational Spring Clean

by

Image via pixabay

The blossoms are springing up, the birds are tweeting and the sunrises are creeping earlier…there’s no mistaking that spring, and it’s burst of new energy, is on the way. Doing a big spring clean of your home is an age-old tradition which persists for several practical reasons. Not only is it a way to freshen up after the long shut-in days of winter, but it also fits nicely with the increase in social activity most of our homes see during the summer months. We literally want to chase away our winter blues and gain a new lease on life, much like the budding nature all around us. But how best to approach such a major project?

Go Room By Room

By far the most effective approach to a big spring cleaning project is to tackle your apartment or house one room at a time. This allows you to get a really deep clean in one area before moving onto another, and the methodical approach means you don’t miss anything. Start by washing down walls, light fittings, electrical outlets and skirting boards, cleaning all the windows and hiring a carpet shampooer or mopping any wooden or tiled floors. Clean mattresses and soft furnishings using a mix of bicarbonate of soda and essential oils – scatter them on, brush them in and then vacuum up for fresh smelling textiles.

Call In The Professionals

Some jobs involve more technical knowledge or heavy chemicals, so you may want to tag in some inside help for processes such as deep cleaning your oven or local HVAC repair. That way you know you’re getting a really safe, but effective, deep clean and you won’t invalidate the warranty on any appliances you have.

Dump The Clutter

Most of us have far too many possessions that are not needed and weigh us down – as well as meaning there’s more to clean. Organising and donating unwanted items to charity is good for the environment, your space and even your mental health, as studies show clutter can damage your mental state. There could even be items you could look to sell on proved selling sites, and any money generated is a bonus. If you have a family, get them involved in helping to sort and organise items for sale and donation. When you put the items you’re keeping back, make sure you have appropriate storage options for them to keep them tidy and in great condition. Decluttering can really have a transformative effect on your life – just think of the space and freedom and the less waste of money you’ll have without all that junk weighing you down.

Don’t Forget Outside

If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, don’t forget to include it in your spring cleaning plans. Now is the time to prepare your garden for spring, plant flowers or vegetables, even in window boxes if you have a balcony or patio area. Power wash any flags or decking and give them a good weed, clean your barbecue and any garden furniture, and sow grass seed on any patchy bits of grass. You’ll be surprised what a difference a morning of hard work can make, and then your outside space is all ready for you to enjoy when the sun begins to shine again.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

5 Ways You Are Wasting Money At Home

by

(image)

Of course, you wouldn’t (we assume) waste your money purposefully. You wouldn’t throw your cash out of the window or empty the contents of your purse into your waste paper basket. You wouldn’t set fire to the paper in your pocket. But here’s the thing. Many of us waste money every day, and here are some of the reasons why.

#1: You haven’t made your home energy-efficient

Why pay more for your home’s energy when you could be paying less? Check out the article we published here at lifespace.com and find out how you can make your home more energy-efficient. Through simple practices, such as changing your daily habits around the house, through to home repairs and renovations, such as adding solar panels and underfloor heating, you can preserve the heat you use in your home and make considerable savings on your energy bills.

#2: You have unused subscriptions

There are loads of subscription packages for your television, but how many of them do you actually use? From Netflix to Amazon Prime, consider which ones you regularly use, and cancel those you rarely bother with. The same applies to the newspapers and magazines you subscribe to. Do you actually read what comes through your door? And even if you do, could you get the same information online? Think about it, and cancel what you don’t actually need.

#3: You regularly throw away spoiled food

This is something many of us are guilty of. We overfill our shopping baskets at the store and purchase far more perishable food items than we actually have time to eat. To stop doing this, use the meal planner at pinchofnom.com, and only buy those foods that pertain to what you are  actually going to cook. You might also consider shopping online, as this way, you will be less tempted to make impulse purchases on those foods that you won’t have time to use.

#4: You still haven’t used a price comparison service

It doesn’t take a great deal of effort to go online and compare prices for the services you regularly use. Not only are we talking about your utility and insurance companies, but we are referring to those sites that help you compare fuel costs, product prices, and courier services. You can compare nearly everything because as we said in our first point, why pay more when you could be paying less? Go online, or download an app on your phone, and start to make savings on what you usually pay out each month.

#5: You don’t do it yourself

There are some jobs around the home that are better left to the professionals. You should never mess with your electrics, for example, and if you don’t have a head for heights, you are better off leaving roofing jobs to the folks at roofrepairhq.com. However, think about the jobs you could do. With time and practice, you can weatherstrip your home without the aid of a professional, and you might have the skill to fix small leaks in your kitchen and bathroom. Get advice by all means, look up tutorials online, but don’t call out a handyman when you are quite capable of managing on your own.

Finally

Have you related to anything we have said in this article? Are you wasting money on a regular basis? If so, consider what we have said and start to preserve the money in your pocket instead of throwing it away. You know it makes sense!

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

How Is Science Helping To Improve Reproduction?

by

Science has helped humans come on leaps and bounds over the past hundred years. We are now able to use and create technology that is incredibly advanced. Not only does it make our lives a lot more convenient, but it can also make them a lot healthier and safer as well.

There have been so many tech developments in the world of healthcare and medicine over the past few decades that humans have never been able to lead such healthy lives. Not only that, though, but reproduction and having babies has also been made easier for some couples as well. For some couples who have certain fertility issues, it could have been extremely difficult for them to conceive a baby naturally. These days, though, many of these couples are now able to start a family thanks to new scientific methods.

That’s just one of the ways science has helped to improve reproduction – read on to find out about some others!

Pixabay

Improved Diagnosis Of Fertility Issues

Doctors can now diagnose fertility issues in people a lot quicker these days thanks to scientific improvements in the diagnostic process. Any men who are worried about their fertility can now go to a fertility clinic and take advantage of their computer aided sperm analysis service. As these computers aren’t that advanced just yet, some fertility clinics still get a laboratory andrologist to take a look at the sperm to see for themselves. However, the use of the computer analysis still speeds up the diagnosis process so that men can get the treatment they need much quicker. Scientific advancements have also shortened the diagnostic time for women as well, and any female fertility problems can be swiftly picked up.

Pixabay

Better Treatments To Help Reproduction Problems

When a fertility problem has been correctly diagnosed, it is them important that the couple get the necessary treatment that will allow them to conceive. After years of research, there are now a few different treatments that can help improve the rates of reproduction in couples who do have some issues. Even though IVF has been used by a lot of couples for some years now, many scientific developments over the past decade or so have slightly improved this whole process.

LGBT Couples Have The Chance To Be Parents

Thanks to the development of medical procedures like artificial insemination and IVF with a donor egg or sperm, LGBT couples are now able to become parents if they wish. All they need to do is find a willing donor who will donate the sperm or the egg that is needed. More often than not, it is usually a close friend who donates, but there are now agencies that match up couples and donors. The artificial insemination can then be done at home – this is known as the turkey basting method. However, for better success rates, this should be carried out in a hospital where science can be used to improve the chances of the process working.

Pixabay

The Risk Of Certain Diseases Can Be Reduced

Have you heard the term “designer baby”? This has been a bit of a buzzword for the past few years or so and it has become quite a controversial topic as it is thought that this new science could be misused by some couples. There is now scientific methods that give scientists and doctors the chance to alter the DNA and genetic makeup of a fetus at the point of contraception. Even though this can be used for a lot of good, such as removing any potentially dangerous genes that could result in the development of a life-threatening disease, it does mean that simple things like the sex and eye color of a baby can be altered. Many people disagree with using this technology for changing non-dangerous features of a baby, like hair and eye color, as it is just the same as playing God. Using this kind of science to create a technology isn’t legal in most countries just yet, but that might all change in the future.

Some Health Conditions Can Now Be Spotted Very Early

Of course, there are some health conditions that aren’t genetic and changing the genes of a baby might not be enough to prevent them. But recent developments have helped scientists come up with ways to spot these potential conditions while the baby is still in the womb. If these are spotted at an early stage of the pregnancy, then some treatments could be carried out during the pregnancy to try and help the baby, depending on what the health issue is. If there are no treatments that can be administered during the pregnancy, then at least doctors will have a head start on treatment as soon as the baby is born.

Endangered Species Are Being Helped To Reproduce

It isn’t just humans who are being helped by new and improved scientific process and technology in reproduction. A lot of animals have benefited from many recent developments as well. For instance, many endangered species that used to struggle to reproduce, such as pandas, now have an easier time conceiving. Some fertility treatments that are used on humans, such as IVF, have been trialled in certain species with positive results. Not only that, though, but other treatments and methods have also been used to try to encourage more sexual activity between animals as well.

Pixabay

Science Can Prevent Reproduction For Couples Who Don’t Want A Baby

It’s also possible to look at things from the other side of the coin. Thanks to science, couples who do not wish to conceive and have a baby can now have sex without worrying about the implications. There are now many different methods of contraception, including the pill and hormone injections, that will make it almost impossible for them to conceive. These are great for couples who aren’t yet ready to start a family or just don’t want to have kids at all.

As you can see, there are many cool ways in which science is helping reproduction!

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

5 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Play Sports

by

We all know that playing sports is healthy. Not only does it encourage social skills and friendships, but it also gets children active which is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle. The good news is, there are lots of sports to choose from, so it’s likely you’ll find something your child enjoys. Here are a few ways to encourage your child to get involved in sports.

Pixabay

Don’t Force Them

With the rise of computer games, social media and devices for children, it can be harder than ever to tempt young minds into playing sports. The important thing is not to force them into doing a particular sport. Even if you’re a keen football supporter or you’ve been watching tennis since you were a child, your own child may choose something entirely different. Allow them to explore the options, but only invest in equipment when you know your child is serious about playing.

Grace Under Pressure

Every sport is competitive, and competition can take its toll on children. When a child loses a match, it can feel like failure, even when they played their best. In most sports, children aren’t given trophies just for taking part, so learning to lose gracefully is part and parcel of playing sports. It’s also a great life lesson – being a sore loser won’t get your child very far. Teaching your child that losing is okay, as long as they have done their best will set them up for playing any kind of sport.

Pixabay

Give Them What They Need

There are many sports that require parents to make an investment. Sports classes often cost money in themselves, but you may also be required to buy equipment and clothing. For example, youth baseball jerseys aren’t always cheap, but they do make a child feel like part of the team. Having the right equipment isn’t just about looking and feeling good; it’s about giving your child the best chance at succeeding in their chosen sport.

Lower Your Expectations

It’s easy for parents to put pressure on their children without realizing it. It’s important to allow your child to develop at a normal rate, rather than pushing them to achieve things sooner than anyone else. The only role you need to play is that of a supportive parent. Make sure your child attends practice as often as possible and he is surrounded by individuals who will encourage him to do his best.

Choose a Good Coach

Many child athletes stick with their childhood coaches well into adulthood and through their careers. Finding the right coach can take some time, but once you have a good one, they’re worth their weight in gold. Your child’s coach should have a proper teaching technique but also be able to distinguish the differences between each student. Knowing what a student needs and how to bring the best out in them is a talent only few coaches possess.

Remember that your child needs down time while playing any sport in order to create a balanced life.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Future Foods: What’s Wrong With The Way We Eat?

by

There are always children being born. Across the world, thousands of babies enter the world every hour, with the number of humans starting their lives being far higher than the amount finishing them. Of course, this pattern would be a challenge to change, though. Instead, to ensure that this change in population doesn’t have a negative impact on the world, it’s becoming critical that people start to hunt for ways to source their food in more responsible ways. To help you out with this in your own life, this post will be exploring some of the lengths being taken, and how you can jump on the bandwagon as soon as possible.

(Image Source)

Genetic Modification

A lot of people have negative ideas pop into their mind when they hear about GM crops, and there have been a lot of smear campaigns aimed at this sort of approach over the decades. In reality, though, genetic modification is a very natural process. Humans are able to use this process to make plants grow faster and more easily, survive in challenging environments, and produce higher yields, ultimately making the whole industry more sustainable. Some plants are simply unviable for mass growth when people first start working on them, but this can change very quickly over the course of a few generations.

Meat-Alternatives

If you’ve been into the frozen section of a supermarket recently, you will have probably seen the abundance of meat-free products which are starting to be produced. Raising an animal from being born to being ready to eat will take up a lot of space and resources. Fungus, though, can be used to produce food which is very similar, without having to use up a huge area for an animal. Companies like Quorn have been spearheading this sort of change, working for years to create alternatives to meat which don’t have the same impact on the world. You don’t need to be a vegetarian to enjoy the food which is designed for them.

Along with the products which a lot of people view as fake-meat, there are some other examples of this sort of effort which are being made to make food accessible to everyone. Using a process which replicates an animal’s body, scientists in several different labs have been able to grow real meat without having to have a live host. While this may sound a little bit too sci-fi for some, this sort of food is promising to make healthy meals available to millions of people around the world who would otherwise have to eat food which doesn’t provide enough for them, potentially saving loads from starvation.

Responsible Sources

A lot of the food which people eat doesn’t come from farms or factories. Instead, in some cases, food will come directly from the source. Fish are a great example of this, with most of the cod and salmon you eat being found in the wild. In the past, it was too hard to farm fish, but this has left the world at risk of losing some of the species which are most important to the world. Sustainable aquaculture is becoming an increasingly popular field, with people from across the globe throwing their hats into the ring, and loads of progress being made towards an environmentally friendly fishing industry.

Managed Farming

The land which farmers use to grow their crops is very important to their work. Without this resource, it would be impossible for them to do their job correctly, with animals and plants both requiring plenty of space to be able to grow. When this land is managed properly, though, it can start to cause problems for a farmer. With hundreds of plants sucking the nutrients out of it, using the same land for each season’s crops will rarely work, as there simply won’t be enough food for the vegetables and fruit being grown. The best way to solve this is through managed farming, and this is something which a lot of farmers are opening up to. 

One method that is being used to improve land management is the use of roller crimpers in farming. There are many advantages of using roller crimpers, with their primary feature being that they can eliminate unwanted crops without the use of chemicals. This means the crops you grow are healthier, and the soil stays fresh for a longer period of time. If you’re a farmer and are interested in such equipment, then visit a roller crimper manufacturer for more of the advantages and to help you get on the road to better and more sustainable results.

While plants will have an impact on the land when they are farmed with too much haste, animals can often affect one another when they are in extremely close quarters. While battery farming methods enable farmers to keep loads of animals at once, this process will often lower the quality of the end result by a huge margin. Along with this, these sorts of farms are producing incredibly high concentrations of pollution, mostly in the form of gas from the animals they keep. The only way to solve this issue it by simply spending more. Free range options might be a little pricier, but their impact on the planet has been far reduced.

The Balance

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the unfairness which comes with this essential resource. No one can live without food, but a huge portion of the world is forced to live with less of it than everyone else, simply because of the economy of the country they were born into. As time goes on, people are becoming more aware of issues like this. The world is still a long way away from balancing this out, though, and it could take a very long time for food to start moving towards the right places. With obesity becoming an increasingly big issue in some places, it’s easy to see that too much food is flowing to people who simply don’t need it.

(Image Credit)

There are certain challenges which the human race has long struggled to overcome, and food is definitely one of them. Throughout history, people have found it hard to make sure that they have enough of the stuff all year round, and this is only going to get worse if changes aren’t made. Of course, though, this isn’t something which anyone can tackle on their own. Instead, the world needs to work together to make food fairer and more sustainable, and this is going to be a big enough task in itself.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Improving Project Processes

by

Project management can be challenging. You have to tackle different budgets, timelines, goals, and team members. This highlights why it is so important to get your project processes right. This is something you will have learned a lot about during project management training. If your processes are not efficient and effective, you are going to struggle to meet your deliverables. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the different ways you can improve your project processes.

https://pixabay.com/en/student-typing-keyboard-text-woman-849828/

–    prioritize more effectively – One of the most important things you need to do as a project manager is prioritize effectively. If your desk is cluttered and you have a schedule that is bursting at the seams and impossible to achieve, this is where you are going wrong. Start by clearing your desk and then use calendar software to prioritize your tasks effectively. After all, not all tasks are going to have the same level of urgency or importance.

–    Communicate with your team – A lot of project management teams have fallen apart because they have not communicated with one and other effectively. One of the best ways you can enhance your processes is by speaking with your team. Make sure you involve yourself in all elements of the process. This does not mean you should micromanage. Simply checking in is more than enough. There are lots of tools you can use to communicate today, for example, Slack and Trello. You can also integrate and automate these tools so that they work seamlessly and efficiently.

–    Ensure your team has the right tools for the job – You and your team are never going to be able to reach the high standards you expect if you do not have the right tools for the job. This can be anything from collaborative software to telematics. You can read up on the meaning of telematics if you need more information. After all, you wouldn’t play tennis without a tennis racket would you? The same can be said when it comes to any type of project in the workplace. You need to make sure that your team has all of the tools that are required for success.

–    Never stop learning – You are addressing your processes today, but this should not be the last time you do so. You need to continue evaluating your work so you can see where you have got things right and where improvements need to be made. The best project managers are those who never stop learning and they are not afraid to hear feedback that isn’t favourable because they view it as a learning opportunity.

If you follow the tips that have been suggested above, you should experience some noticeable differences with regards to the performance and the efficiency of your project management team. From communication to securing the right tools, there are many elements that come together to ensure project teams are performing as effectively as they should be.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

When An Extreme Situation Leads To Odd Decisions

by

Life is full of surprises. Some are pleasant and feel like an unexpected gift. Others are much more unpleasant and dramatically increase your stress levels. The definition of an extreme situation – or a bad surprise, if you prefer – vary from one person to another. For one individual, it could be facing a painful breakup. For someone else, receiving a life-changing diagnosis can force them to take hard decisions. But the fact is, regardless of the crisis you’re facing, it’s your ability to make the appropriate decision that can get you through it.

Don’t walk away from decisions

When you start neglecting yourself and others

A tricky situation can make you feel as if you were ambushed with no way to escape. Court cases can often dramatically affect your nerves. However, if you intend to have a fighting chance, you need to look after yourself and those around you during a difficult time. For instance, a stressful divorce could suck up all the positivity in your life. However, you can’t afford to ignore your mental and physical health in the process, or even your children. Similarly, even though you might feel pushed into a corner, try not to indulge in unhealthy coping mechanisms. Alcohol, for instance, is never a solution to your problems.

When you take a rash decision

If you’re going through a breakup, or you’re fighting for child’s custody, it’s difficult to think straight. There are a lot of nasty things that can be said, and as a result, you might find yourself thinking that you want to prevent a similar situation happening in the future. As a result, it’s not uncommon for distressed men to decide to have a vasectomy, as a way to protect themselves. However, even though there are cases of reversal vasectomy, you need to assume that your decision will have lasting and permanent consequences on your life. What feels right today in a context of anger might be deeply regretted tomorrow in a context of love. Take the time to evaluate your decisions before you act.   

When you can’t take it anymore

That’s it; you’re done now. You just want peace, and you’re going to have it. There are moments in life when you realize that it’s all too much for you. Taking rash decisions in anger is a mistake. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t decide rapidly when you are thinking clearly. For instance, quitting your job isn’t always a terrible idea, especially if you figure out early that the company isn’t right for you. You need to be sure that the decision is reasoned, however! Walking away from a bad situation can be the best thing you do.

When you decide to watch and let it go

Finally, if you don’t know how to decide, you might be tempted to become a spectator of your own life. However, things don’t sort themselves out if you don’t intervene. You need to listen to your intuition instead of overthinking your options. Your intuition is a perception of the situation that is built on insights you might not be aware you have.

In conclusion, it’s impossible to tell what is the right or the wrong thing to do. However, it’s fair to say that you can measure the potential harm each decision can cause, and figure out the appropriate path from there.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂