Author Archives: alanhs961

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The Eyes Have It

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When it come to our health, there are certain parts of our bodies that we take great to look after. We brush our teeth daily, use mouthwash, and visit the dentist regularly. Unfortunately, not everyone takes as good care of their eyes as they do their mouths. But our eyes are so important! So read on to find out how you can look after them better and ensure that they are as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Conjunctivitis

One of the most dreaded conditions that you get to get in your eyes is conjunctivitis. This is a bacterial condition that results in sticky, itchy eyes, that can sometimes be hard to open when you have been asleep. It’s also a very infectious condition, which means it’s vital if you suspect you have this that you stay at home and minimize contact with anyone else until it is passed.

Conjunctivitis is also often known as a condition called Pink Eye. In order to prevent the spread of such a contagious issue, it’s important to know how to treat viral pink eye, so that it can clear up as soon as possible. Most cases of conjunctivitis can be treated at home with over the counter eye drops, whilst removing the discharge with cotton wool soaked in warm water every few hours. Of course, as it is so infectious you must use different pads for each eye, and each time that you do it.

If the infection is not clearing up on its own, it can also be useful to get some antibiotics from your doctor.

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Styes

Another bacterial infection that we need to watch for around the eye areas is hordeolum, more commonly known as a stye. This results from the Staphylococcus bacteria getting into or around the eye area and results in a lump known as an abscess.

These can be quite painful, especially if the rub against the eye when you blink. Treatment is again usually done at home, with a compress of a hot flannel applied to the area for 5 minutes regularly until the dye burst and goes down.

Contacts lenses

Of course, using good quality contact lenses, and cleaning them properly is also an important part of eye care. As contact lenses make direct contact with your eye, they need to be clean and sanitary when you put them in.

 

You can do this by always washing your hands before you touch them or your eyes. As well as rinsing them properly with the correct solution. Also never rinse them in water, as this contains many bacteria that could cause damage to the eye. Similarly, don’t swim in them either for this reason. Some people are even known to pit their lenses in the mouth to clean them, something else that should be avoided at all costs.

Dry and tired eyes

With so many of us using computers all day every day, dry and tired eyes can be a very common problem. But what can we do about it? Well, first of all, it’s essential to take regular breaks from screen work to allow you eyes to rest.

Also, you can use over the counter eye drops to relieve tired and dry eyes. You may even consider using a gel eye mask that you place in the freezer to chill, to help you relax them in the evening.

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The Downside To Different Cultures

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Experiencing different cultures is one of the main benefits to travel. Nothing beats getting out and seeing a way of life different from your own. While some people chase the sun, others stroll around the streets and speak to locals. It’s the best way to spread your wings and see the world from a different angle.

But, it would be naive to think that experiencing different cultures will be all plain sailing. Travelers face a variety of setbacks, from language barriers to risks to their safety. Those safety risks are what we’re going to focus on. In some destinations, it’s necessary to take armed guards wherever you go. You might encounter tourist targeting thieves, or even open yourself up to kidnapping. But, those aren’t the only  risks. Different cultures have different hygiene standards, and these could be a problem, too. But, you shouldn’t let fears for your safety stop you seeing the places you want to see. There’s no reason you can’t stay safe in dangerous places. All you need to do is follow these steps.

 

KNOW WHERE YOU CAN GO

If you’ve chosen to visit a location that’s considered ‘dangerous,’ it’s important you know where you can and can’t go. In many destinations, like Brazil, the dangerous areas are near to heavy tourist areas. Wandering down a side-road is all it would take to find yourself in trouble. The best thing you can do to avoid that eventuality is to research before you leave. Find out which areas pose the biggest threat to your safety, and pre-plan routes which take you around them. If there’s something you really want to see in dangerous areas, find out the safest ways to travel. It might be that you need to alert guards to your presence or avoid acting in a certain way.

BE AWARE OF THE RISKS
It’s also essential to know what risks you’re exposing yourself to. Read recent news articles about the area to find out. Are you opening yourself to kidnapping? Or, perhaps the risk is less violent, and more to do with the environment itself. Different countries have different laws about pollution and dangerous chemicals. Excessive amounts of pollution could expose you to benzene and other harmful chemicals. If you do suffer while you’re away, it’s important you file a benzene lawsuit and get the medical treatment you need. But, avoiding the situation is the best way forward. There may also be different hygiene standards for water. All these things are easy to discover beforehand.

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GET THE RIGHT KIT

Once you know the risks, you can buy equipment to help keep you safe. In some areas, a face mask may be necessary to reduce your intake of chemicals. Or, you may want to stock up on a water filters to ensure you can drink from taps, etc. This gear is cheap to buy but could save your life. It’s also worth taking a first-aid kit wherever you go. Having basic medical supplies will make a huge difference.

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Things to Consider Before a Road Trip

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The all singing all dancing road trip is still a top idea for people wanting to get away and do something a little different. It can be a really liberating and freeing feeling to just throw your essentials into the back of your car and head off onto the open road, however there are some things that need your consideration first.

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Stay Safe

 

If you are planning to drive anywhere through vast expanses of land you will need to make sure you have enough water, food and petrol to keep you going in case you don’t find anywhere to stop and refuel (yourself or your car) for long periods of time.

 

You will also need to be mindful that you don’t get too carried away with the freedom and liberating feeling that a road trip brings. It is easy to think that the normal driving rules don’t apply on a legendary road trip, but drinking and driving, for example, is a big no-no. A sure-fire way to bring an abrupt end to your trip is having to search out the best DUI attorney to get you out of an alcohol induced car accident.

 

Clean Your Car

 

Your car is inevitably going to go through the mill on a road trip. Spending hours at a time, for days on end, in your car means that you are certainly going to need to give it a little TLC upon your return. However it is easy to forget that before you go you should also be giving your car a thorough clean out to ensure that when you set off your car is clean, organised and ready to go.

 

Mechanical Check

 

You should also go to see your local mechanic to make sure that your car is up to a big road trip and that it is not going to let you down at the most inopportune moment. Tell your mechanic that you are planning to go on a road trip so that they know the specific areas that they need to be looking for. They will need to check that your fluid levels are healthy, that your brakes are at optimum functionality, that your tires are fully pumped and still reasonably new and anything else that could potentially cause you any problems along the way.

 

Plan

 

We know that it is not considered ‘cool’ to plan a road trip to the nth degree however a little light planning can avoid a lot of problems later on. Over Scheduling a trip can mean that you miss lots of the details that you were really excited about as you realise that you are running out of time. On the flip side, not doing enough research on the places you will be passing through will mean that you can miss some really amazing things along the way.

 

To avoid, putting in unnecessary extra miles at each new destination, research hotels and accommodation in each area that you intend to stay in. After a long day driving the last thing you will want to do is circulate a new town or city for hours looking for places to stay so this research and pre-planning will really pay off in the long run.

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3 Biggest Threats To Your Safety While Driving

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Learning to drive is well worth your time as it can help you get around town a lot easier. Plus, it gives you that extra sense of freedom as you don’t have to rely on anyone to give you lifts everywhere. Perhaps the biggest bonus of all is that it means you don’t have to handle public transport anymore!

But, driving can be quite dangerous, and there are many threats to your safety while you’re behind the wheel of your vehicle. I think it’s helpful to know of these threats so you can make extra sure you avoid them and keep yourself safe. So, here’s a list of the biggest threats to your safety while driving:

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Trucks/Lorries

Large trucks and lorries are a huge threat to your safety when you’re driving. They’re just really bulky and can obscure your view, making it really hard to drive safely. If you get stuck behind a lorry, then your driving experience is made a lot worse. You’re left with two options; put up with the slow moving traffic, or overtake them. The only problem is, it’s hard to see around the truck to know if you’re overtaking safely. Plus, the driver has a hard time seeing you and other vehicles behind you as well. All of this adds up to make trucks very dangerous while you drive.

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Motorcycles

Motorcycles are a big threat to your safety as they’re extremely fast and can creep up on you before you know it. They’re especially dangerous when you’re turning at a junction as they can appear out of nowhere. If you speak to any motorcycle accident lawyer, they’ll tell you the majority of accidents happen at junctions when a car pulls out thinking it’s safe only to be blindsided by a speeding motorcycle. So, be aware of them on the roads and double check for them whenever you’re at a junction.

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Rain

Yes, rain is a big threat to your safety while driving. However, this is mainly because very few people know how to drive in it. When it rains, you need to slow down, take your foot off the gas, and use your brakes more vigorously. Everything you do should be more calculated and thought through. You should be braking extra early as your tires struggle to grip the wet roads. Rain just makes the driving conditions more hazardous, as well as the wet roads you also have to deal with a wet windscreen. This means you have to turn your wipers on, and it can add a distraction while you drive. Bear this in mind when you’re driving, so you adjust the way you drive when it gets wet and rainy.

By being aware of these threats, you can make an effort to be more conscious of them when you’re driving. If you see a truck or motorcycle, you start being more alert as you know you have to think more when you’re around one. Likewise, you can take greater care when you see it’s raining to avoid getting into an accident.

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Top Tips for a Summer Road Trip

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Photo credit: Pexels

 

Summer is here! Which means sunny road trips with the windows down are just around the corner! Not only are they a way to save money on airfare and to have some fun-filled adventures on the road, but how else are you going to get to the mountains? Whether you’re traveling with a minivan full of kids or you’re taking a trip up the coast with your friends, here are four top tips to help ensure a road trip to remember, for the right reasons!

 

Bring a paper map

 

Before you see the dreaded “no service” pop up on your smartphone, which will keep Map Quest or Siri from getting you where you need to go, make sure to bring along a paper map or a print-out from your go-to site for directions, just in case. They may feel old fashioned, but they are reliable and don’t run out of battery in the middle of nowhere! After the trip, you can always get crafty and turn those maps into coasters or add them into scrapbooking pages.

 

Charge up your gadgets

 

We all have our must-bring gadgets for road trips, like smartphones and tablets, but don’t forget the accessories that go along with them, like a solar charger, which lets you power up your cell phone, digital camera, or iPad from wherever you are. Another must-have is a universal car inverter to keep laptops, and DVD players juiced up since they often don’t hold more than two to three hours of battery power. Also, grab a headphone splitter so two can share the audio of a DVD or audiobook.

Photo credit: Pexels

 

Don’t forget the essentials

 

Just because you’re away from your home and your kitchen, doesn’t mean you need to eat fast food or camp out in restaurants at meal times. Remember to bring along plates, bowls, napkins, and utensils, then taking excursions to the grocery store for food you can easily prep on your own, like sandwiches and salads. Be sure to bring a cooler, too! Even picking up oatmeal packets and cereal bars is better than snacking on donuts for breakfast at gas stations, and it’s a lot healthier and economical, too.

 

If you are driving through some serious heat, be sure to stock up on a tonneau cover or two to cover the seats. This means that when you get back to the car after spending an afternoon exploring, you won’t be sitting on burning chairs. Reuseable water bottles, flasks, and a camping stove are also useful when on a road trip.

 

Set expectations

 

When traveling with a group, whether beloved family members or favorite friends, communicate beforehand (in-person or on the phone) to talk about what each person wants to do and see in order to manage expectations during the trip. Arrange a pre-trip pow-wow to avoid potential tensions that may arise if one person dominates the itinerary. Also, be flexible to ensure everyone in the car has a good time and gets to do many of the things they want to along the way.

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How To Launch The Career You Always Wanted In Midlife

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A job for life is a thing of the past and a lifelong career is not the reality for most people. This is hardly surprising. You choose your first career as a teenager. When you approach middle age, you are a very different person. You know more about life and have collected skills and experience along the way. You have also changed as a person. Your beliefs, values, and priorities may be very different to when you were 16 years old!

So, why stick with the same career? Thousands of people make a midlife career change each year and with the right guidance, you could join them. Here are some tips for making your midlife career change a success.

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Make the right choice

There is no point in swapping your career if you simply end up in a job that is just as bad. Take your time to investigate what you want to do. Remember, it is not just the job itself. Think about the hours that you want to work. Do you want to do shift work and work weekends?

Perhaps working from home would suit you better, especially if you have any health problems or are caring for children or an elderly relative.

Get the skills that you need

You may have the passion, the personality and the experience but do you have the skills? Mid-life is the perfect time to brush up your skills. You have some more time on your hands because your kids will be older or may have even left home. You are also more financially secure and have some spare cash to spend on courses that interest you and which may be helpful.

If you are thinking of launching a career on-line or setting up a business on the web you must get some online business skills. You will need to be able to write, market and communicate and there are plenty of courses that can help you with that.

Communication skills are vital to all careers and if you feel that you are lacking in this area there is plenty that you can do about it. If you want to know how to improve English speaking skills you can access courses that will help you with your English but will make it fun. If it has been a while since you took part in any sort of learning, this course will work for you because it makes learning fun with talking partners, movies and music.

Believe in yourself

Midlife can be a time of renewal and self-discovery but it can also be a time where you lose confidence in your own abilities. You may feel inadequate and unable to compete with younger colleagues. Don’t forget what you can bring to a role. You will have skills and experience that they cannot offer. Do not make the mistake of underestimating your soft skills. Employers value them highly and so should you.

You do not have to make this major decision in a hurry so slow down and enjoy the process. Being in-between careers is a fun time in your life and you should make the most of it!

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Fads Driving You Supplemental?

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The world of fad diets and hard to understand medical research is growing fast. More and more people are being sucked into methods to lose weight or get fit and healthy which they don’t truly understand. Some of these methods work. But, a lot of them don’t. And, this is a shame. Instead, you should be focusing on the important parts of your diet, not the parts which someone has made up. To help you with this, this post will be going through some of the best ways to ensure that you always have the right balance of nutrients in your body. So, now, you just have to start eating right.

 

Cod liver oil has long been seen as a superfood. This simple chemical is packed with great benefits, like Omega 3 and vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D in order to absorb minerals like calcium and zinc. Without it, your body will find it hard to function correctly. Usually, you will find this sort of supplement in the form of a capsule. This capsule will contain a small amount of the liquid, enabling you to ingest it without tasting it. Having this in your diet is seen as essential if you want to be healthy. Cod liver oil provides benefits like better eyesight, improved concentration, and more alertness. There are many other sources of vitamin D and there are excellent vitamin D information guides online.

 

Next, it’s time to think about the bones in your body. A lot of people assume that their bones are unchanging once they have fully grown. But, like the rest of your body, your bones are constantly in need of minor repair. To complete this work, your body needs calcium which is a mineral found in a lot of different products. For example, you find high levels of calcium in both milk and marble, even though they are completely different. If you have a condition like osteoporosis, calcium becomes even more important. In this sort of case, people will usually take supplements to help them get what they need. When choosing something like this, you should look for the risks that come with them. Products like AlgaeCal have had a lot of research done on them. And, you won’t find many AlgaeCal side effects warnings online. But, of course, you should always contact a doctor before you start using something like this. They may be able to provide you with further help. And, they could even help you choose the right product.

 

The last supplement on this list is any that contain vitamin C. This vitamin is essential to your body’s health and healing. It is used by the body to protect and keep cells healthy. And, it’s used to help you heal wounds. Along with this, vitamin C is responsible for a lot of the functions of your body. Without the right amount of it, people will find themselves with scurvy which is very unpleasant. Foods like oranges, strawberries, and guavas are rich in vitamin C. So, it’s worth munching them down.

 

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the supplements you take. It’s important to know exactly what you’re taking. And, it’s pointless to take other supplements if you don’t have the most basic needs under control.

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The Sleep Problems You Didn’t Know You Had

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Sleep is essential, there is no getting around it. It’s so essential in fact that we spend at least a third of our life doing it. That’s, even more, time than we spend watching TV! However, not everyone gets a good night’s rest every night, and this may be because they suffer from one of the sleep problems below. Read on to find out more.

Insomnia

Insomnia is perhaps one of the cruelest sleep problems that there is. It’s when you are tired, but no matter what you do you just can’t get to sleep. Insomniacs may struggle to get 3-4 hours of sleep a night, and this can go on for weeks, not just days.

Obviously, this has a major effect on the quality of their life, as both their physical and mental well-being is put in jeopardy by not sleeping enough. But is there anything that can be done about it?

Well, insomniacs will probably tell you that either isn’t much. But, there are some things that can make it more bearable. Things like doing a favored activity during the long night to take your mind away from rumination over your problems.

 

Hypersomnia

The opposite to insomnia, hypersomnia is when you sleep too much. On average an adult should sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night. This will differ from person to person, so as long as you are within this boundary, you are OK. However, some folks can easily sleep up to 12-13 hours a night.

 

The reasons for this aren’t always immediately apparent, but it can be caused by some underlying medical conditions like thyroid problems and depression. So it is always worth getting them checked out, before embarking on treatment recommended by doctors.

Disturbed sleep

Disturbed sleep can also be problematic for those looking to be refreshed when morning comes, and it has many causes. One of which may be that the mattress you have is the wrong firmness for you. Causing your body to move around or in the night to get comfortable which is likely to wake you up.

 

To deal with this spend some time to find the right way to sleep, and match your mattress to your sleep position, as this can solve the problem.

However, if your lack of sleep caused by another issue such as your partner having night terrors or restless leg syndrome, it may be better to get them seen by a medical professional. As they can offer some help in reducing these issues. Obviously, until then it can also be a good idea for you if you sleep separately for at least some of the week.

Sleep Apnea

Lastly, a problem that is gaining more recognition now is sleep apnea. This is when you stop breathing when you are asleep for a short amount of time.

 

It can be caused by an obstruction in the airway, or by an issue in the brain. To help the former sleep masks are used to ensure oxygen is being fed into the body. In the latter case, surgery is usually the key to the issue.

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Serious Business: Lend Legitimacy To Your Company With These Simple Tips

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The challenges that come with running a small business are often pretty clear and certainly well documented. After all, if setting up your own business was easy, then everyone would do it! Whether you’re attempting to drum up the necessary capital to get things off the ground to trying to find the right people actually to be a part of your business, there are plenty of roadblocks that can stand in your way when you’re in those all important early days. However, there’s one serious roadblock that can stand in the way of many businesses that a lot of people tend to overlook right up until the point that they run headlong into it. When your business is up and coming, it can be incredibly difficult to get anyone to take you seriously. A lot of people, from customers to competitors to investors, look at a small, brand new business and assume that it’s going to be inherently amateurish in the way that it does business or that it can’t offer the same quality of service as larger, better-established business. However, that doesn’t need to be the case. After all, if this were a roadblock that you couldn’t ever get past, then no business would ever make it beyond the earliest stages. The key is to make your business appear to be working at the same level as your more well-established competitors. Doing so isn’t always easy, but it is a necessary part of bringing a sense of legitimacy to your business. Here are just a few simple tips to make sure that people can see you’re serious when it comes to your business.

 

Work on your image

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Branding is something that just about every business is aware of the importance of. However, not every business has the capacity to pay huge amounts of money to companies that can design incredibly logos for them. The problem that this causes is that smaller businesses try to create branding themselves and, if they fail, they often fail spectacularly. You basically have two choices when it comes to your branding. You either have someone else to it, or your do it yourself. If you’re having someone else do it, then try to find someone who isn’t going to charge a lot of money but can still do good work. This might be a friend or a designer who, like you, is up and coming in their field. If you’re doing the branding yourself, then you’ve got some research to do. Learn to use editing software like Photoshop. Learn the basics of design and color theory. Also, keep things simple. If you’re designing a logo and brand yourself, then you don’t want to overreach. A simple logo is much harder to mess up than a complicated one.

 

Understand customer psychology

 

To understand how you’re going to present your business to your customers, you need to know how your customers think. Look at the habits of your target customer and try to hone in on what it is that draws them to specific businesses. You’ll often find that it’s an image of legitimacy and respectability, even more than branding, which draws in customers. If they look at your business and, for example, see that your business’s address is just a home address, then that’s going to send alarm bells ringing in their minds. Unless they are actually in a position where they want to connect with smaller businesses, something like that is going to make you seem amateurish. Check out some virtual mailbox reviews as a way to get around this problem. This allows you to present your business address as an office, then anything sent to that office will be forwarded to you. This might seem like a very small change, but it can have a tremendous impact on the way that customers think about and perceive your business.

 

Know your limitations

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There’s something admirable about always trying to push your business to the next level. However, trying to reach beyond your grasp can lead to some problems as well. If you try something that is totally beyond the capabilities of your business and fails, people are going to see your business as something that can’t compete in the business marketplace. However, keeping your scope small and only working within the realms of what your business can actually achieve means that you’re much more likely to succeed. Sure, you’re not going to be competing with the big businesses right away if you do this, but succeeding within a limited scope is going to make your business look much more professional and appealing than if you try to reach for the stars and fall flat on your face.

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The Best Mountain Retreats In California

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The Transverse Ranges that run along the southern coast of California are home to some of the most beautiful woodlands in the country. There are around twenty peaks to climb if you are serious about your mountaineering but even if you just want a nice weekend getaway there is still plenty to see. Exploring the woodlands that lie at the bottom, you will find a whole host of great wildlife and picturesque views around every corner. Going abroad to visit natural wonders is expensive but it is important to travel. There’s no need to miss out when you’ve got this amazing area right here at home. If you’re considering a trip out to California, these are some of the best places to stay along the ranges.

 

Santa Ynez

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Santa Ynez City is at the heart of this region, situated in the center of the valley near the mountain range. As well as hiking in the mountainous area, the city itself has lots of great things on offer. The original architecture from the late 1800’s still remains untouched, giving the whole place a magical feeling and a rich historical heritage. Any wine enthusiasts out there shouldn’t miss Santa Ynez, the whole region is littered with vineyards. There is also a casino resort there if you’re feeling lucky.

 

San Fernando

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By far the best place to visit in the San Fernando Valley is Sherman Oaks. This lovely little neighborhood is a bit more up to date than Santa Ynez if the history and vineyards don’t do it for you. There are plenty of places to stay like the Best Western Plus Carriage Inn while you enjoy this wonderful suburban area. It has often been described as a mini Los Angeles as it has plenty to offer. The Galleria is home to loads of shops, restaurants, cinemas and even a gym if you don’t want to put your fitness regime on hold while you are away. For something a bit more wholesome, visit the farmer’s market that they hold every Tuesday.  

 

Sierra Madre

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This small community in the foothills boasts some of the best hiking spots along the ranges, as well as much more. Sierra Madre is perhaps most famous for its old playhouse that has survived since the 1920’s. They put on shows that appeal to all ages and tastes so make sure that you catch one while you’re there. Another claim to fame that the area has is the world record for the largest flowering plant in the world. The Wisteria is almost 150 years old and it is certainly a sight to see. Every year, in early spring, when it is in full bloom, there is a festival dedicated to it, so make sure to head down if you visit during the period.

 

Topatopa

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The center of the Topatopa region is the town of Ojai. This is a great choice for anybody that is passionate about their food. There is a great farmer’s market here as well and the region is a big producer of olive oil. You can take a tour of Ojai Olive Oil to learn how it’s made and get a few free tasters. Other attractions include Bart’s Books, the oldest outdoor bookstore in the country. If you’re an avid collector it’s certainly worth a look as they carry a lot of rare books and first editions.

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