3 Keys to Eating Healthier

3 Keys to Eating Healthier

With all that you have going on in your life, where does eating healthy rank when it comes to importance?

Far too many individuals end up grabbing whatever food at whatever time they can. In the process, their bodies fail to get the needed daily nutrients. When this happens, health issues can crop up.

That said there are steps you can take today to start eating healthier.

The question is, will you take those steps or keep meandering down the path of unhealthy eating you appear to be on?

Change Your Eating Habits Beginning Today

For you to get on the road to better eating habits beginning today, remember these three keys:

1. What is a typical day like for you? – First, what is a typical day like in your life? Do you set aside time to make sure you eat three healthy meals each day? If not, are you getting whatever food you can and hoping it will suffice? Take the time to make what you eat today worth your while. For example, did you have a good breakfast on your way out the door this morning? Too many individuals fail this all-important task. As a result, it can leave them sluggish and in for a long day ahead. Make sure you start your day on the right foot when it comes to food. Do the same on your lunch break to help you make it through the work day or school. Once home and unwinding, be sure to have a good meal. You may throw in some snacks during the day. While this is fine, do your best to enjoy some healthy snacks like fruits and nuts. The better you treat your body, the better in turn it will treat you.

2. Do you have time to prepare meals? – If your work life or attending school means you have little or no time to prepare meals, where does this leave you? For some, it can mean not eating the right foods. If this sounds like you, this is where it would be worth your time to have Blue Apron meals reviewed. Blue Apron and other meal delivery services help when you do not have time or expertise to make good meals. When you work with a meal delivery service, it can provide you with well-balanced meals. If you are a vegan or have special health considerations, a meal delivery service can work with you. If preparing meals is not something you do on a regular basis, letting the pros do it makes sense.

3. Steer clear of bad food – Although many folks do have fast food or junk food on a regular basis, do not make it a habit. With that in mind, do your best to avoid making fast food and junk food a daily staple of your diet. If you don’t, you could end up with different health issues. Two of the more common ones would be being overweight and having heart issues. 

In doing all you can to eat healthier, are you digesting what you need to do for a better diet starting today?

Getting Into a College Preparatory School

Getting Into a College Preparatory School

You’ve thought about the benefits, weighed the pros and cons, and you’ve decided that college prep is the right choice for your child. Now comes the part you’ve been worrying about – the application process. Seen by some as a precursor to the college admittance process, getting into a college preparatory school comes with its pitfalls and challenges. Luckily, there are a few ways to make the admission process a little less stressful and increase your odds of getting the answer you’re hoping for.

1. Do Your Research

This is a big decision, so take your time and do your homework. You want to make sure the school has the things you and your child are looking for. Does it focus on a well-rounded child? Are arts a priority? What is the community like? The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be to make the right choice for your child.

2. Get the Letters

College prep is about more than just academics – it’s about creating well-rounded individuals. The school will look to recommendation letters to get an idea of what your child is like academically and socially. As such a significant part of the process, make these a priority early on. Find the teachers or coaches that know your child personally and will speak well of them both socially and academically. And get started soon: writing a good letter takes time, and you want to make sure you get them all in before the deadline.

3. Be Punctual

Speaking of deadlines, check them. Double-check them. Recheck them. These are not flexible dates. Get your application (and all the transcripts and recommendation letters) in as soon as they’re done, not when it’s down to the wire.

4. Be Honest

Of course, you want your child to get into college prep, but you also want it to be the right place for them. Don’t fudge the details to make your child seem like a better applicant; it’s easy to see through and ultimately will backfire. Instead, let your child’s unique skills and personality shine through in all the answers (and particularly their essay). The right school will appreciate your child for exactly who they are.

5. Focus on the Essay

The essay is a vital part of the application process: it lets your child have their voice and express their thoughts and opinions. College prep schools take these very seriously, and so should you. Read over the topic thoroughly, and have your child think about their answer. Review their rough drafts and help them with their grammar; after all, you want the essay to put your child’s best face forward.

6. Nail the Interview

Generally, college prep schools ask for an interview before making their decision. Most schools consider the in-person interview to be critical, so make it your priority to do this in-person if at all possible. The interview is the perfect time for your child to shine. If they’re nervous, you can do practice interviews with them to set them at ease. You want your child to feel confident, prepared, and ready to take on the world. The right attitude can make or break a college prep school interview, so make sure your child is prepared for anything.

How Businesses Profit During The World Cup

How Businesses Profit During The World Cup

The World Cup is back and in just a few days the biggest football competition in the world will be kicking off in Russia to find out who is the very best team on the planet. Today we are going to look beyond the football and scratch beneath the surface of how businesses in just about every country in the world, are able to use this competition to boost their profits.

The World Cup provides a unique opportunity for money making, and here are the nuts and bolts behind how it is done.

Frenzy

The first step to making money off the back of a World Cup is simply to embrace it, this is a marketing opportunity which needs little input from your own business. Any fans of football are already whipped up into a frenzy over the competition which makes them far more inclined to spend money on football related gear. As a business you can use this free marketing, to sell products and services which can be coupled with the spectacle.

Merchandise

Selling World Cup merchandise is a greta way to make money during this tournament, be it official or unofficial equipment. Over recent months and the coming weeks, national pride takes over and consumers are more than happy to invest in clothing, flags, trinkets and just about any other type of memorabilia which has their teams colors emblazoned across them. As an indication of how much money can be made, during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, over 3,000 vuvuzelas were sold in England alone.

Events

One thing that is for sure is that when the football starts, everybody stops what they are doing and switches their gaze to the nearest television. What this means for anyone who runs a bar, a restaurant or an events location, is an opportunity to make big cash on match day. In order to do this you have to have the perfect set up, tag on drinks and food promotions and most importantly, get the word out there that your place is the best to watch the action.

Offers

Many companies will make huge money and gain a great amount of new clients by offering unique World Cup experiences. For the small investment of some tickets for the finals themselves and a plane ticket or two, you can then open up a competition which consumers will automatically enter upon being a certain product, with the chance to see the action live. Many businesses will do this on items such as televisions and speakers, offering the perfect medium to watch the finals, as well as having a chance to actually go should someone win. Imagine if a company invests $5,000 on tickets and plane travel, and as a result sells 10 televisions at $1,000 each, a license to print money!

Worldwide events such as the World Cup provide a wonderful opportunity for many businesses to cash on the hype that surrounds the tournament, as well as being able to boost their company’s reputation.

To shampoo or not to shampoo, what is really the best for your hair? 

To shampoo or not to shampoo, what is really the best for your hair? 

It’s something we have done our whole lives without questioning. We shampoo our hair. Most people wash their hair every day. There are hundreds of different hair products on the shelves of the stores, all fighting and vying for attention and telling us what the best is for us. Many women have a full hair routine that they go through every day with half a dozen products. But the question is do we really need this? If we go back into our ancestors we realize that they didn’t wash their hair every day, if at all. We have found, as well as many other people online have found, that your hair can look better by not washing it every day. When you tell people this it is almost like heresy. People do not believe you, and they think “Oh my God my hair will be so dirty and oily! There is no way I cannot I wash my hair as that is just disgusting”. The reality is that you have been programmed to think this way. With all the new things we learn in this world, for diet, for health, for many things, learning not to wash your hair seems to be one of the hardest to accept. That’s how deep the programming runs. We are not being a conspiracy theorist, but just look at the amount of money hair care products make. They are not going to tell you that you don’t need them. Here are some things that might help open your eyes. 

Oily hair 

Think about this, you are washing your hair with a detergent to get rid of all the oil in it, and then you use another hair care product to replace the oil that you just took out. If you did not strip your hair of all the natural oil why would you need to add oil again? Once you make it through the transition period, you will find your hair is not overly oily, or overly dry. Of course, everyone is different, but you will not know until you try. Let your natural body oils make your hair look as shiny and as beautiful as a commercial. 

Transition period 

This is the most difficult part of getting off shampoo. Your body is used to pumping out a lot of extra oil to try and replace all that you have stripped off with detergent. So when you stop washing your hair, your hair will feel awful. Most people seem to need to take about 3 months to let their natural hair return. That is three months of hell, of oily hair and itchy scalp. But once you make it through you will be amazed. We have suffered dandruff our whole life, always trying different solutions. Going outside we just gave up wearing dark shirts. When we stopped washing our hair every day, the dandruff completely cleared up. One way to make the transition a little bit easier is to slowly wean yourself off shampoo. Start shampooing every other day, then every 3 days, then once a week, then once a month, until you don’t have to shampoo unless you really need it. Just rinse your hair with warm water every day.

Alternative shampoos 

The main goal is to get completely off shampoo, but you can also use alternative shampoos that are more natural as you progress. Some people get great success out of my diluted apple cider vinegar, or baking soda. We prefer just to rinse and clean our hair with warm water. If our hair gets dirty or starts to feel too oily, we will wash it. But we have found we only wash our hair maybe once every 3 or 4 months. 

Save money 

If you are one of those people that have the half a dozen hair products that you go through every day, just look at how much money you will save. In reality though, for us, it’s not about the money. We want our hair to look great, and that’s why we do it, but saving a few dollars doesn’t hurt. 

We believe once you have gotten past the transition period that you will never return. We will not lie to you, the transition period is horrible. We have had friends that could not make it through. But if you can, you will understand. We have often had people ask us what hair products we use to make our hair look so shiny and smooth, and the looks on their face when we tell them what we do is priceless. Our hair looks good, is clean, and smells great. As hard to believe as that is, you have to try it yourself to believe. We wish you the best of luck in breaking your addiction and joining us in the wonderful world of beautiful hair

Can you really retire cheaply in the Philippines?

Can you really retire cheaply in the Philippines?

The Philippines is considered by many to be one of the top retirement destinations in the world. You can take a dollar much further than anywhere else, and still experience comfort and convenience. There are of course pros and cons to retiring in any foreign country. Things are not always as you expect them to be, or as you have become accustomed to growing up. We will discuss a few different things you might need to know about retiring in the Philippines. 

Cost of living 

The cost of living in the Philippines is amazingly low. Although of course how low depends on how native you want to get. Most people that decide to retire to the Philippines can manage to do it on their minimum Social Security check and live quite well. Of course if you decide to live in an expat area, it may be a little more expensive to live among your peers. Housing can range from local rooms running about $100 a month, too full size luxury houses that rent for thousands. You can figure that you can get a very nice place to live for $400 a month in a nice area. Wherever you live, you can still decorate it and make it look like you want it to be. Housing is definitely affordable. If you wish to live out in the province more, away from the city, you can get bigger and nicer places for much less. We tend to like to be near the city. 

Safety 

Overall the Philippines is fairly safe. We have traveled all over and have never had a problem. Of course you must also use common sense and logic. You can get robbed anywhere in the world, even back home, if you don’t pay attention. In major cities like Cebu or Manila you are very safe. Just remember that you’re a bigger target than you normally would be. You’re a foreigner, and most Filipinos think all foreigners are rich. So just use your brain and be careful.

There has been a large crack down on crime recently, especially drugs and corruption, so things are getting even safer. Just use your head 

Healthcare 

Healthcare in the Philippines is fine, though it may not be the same as you experience back home. In the main cities, and the main hospitals, you can receive first class care. However out in the provinces, don’t expect too much. The system is very different in the Philippines, but the expenses are also much less. We went to a local doctor and the cost for the doctor’s visit was about $10. A CAT scan is about $200, compared to $5,000 in Los Angeles. You may get last year’s model machine, but it still does the job. We advise getting travel insurance however, as that will cover any larger and more critical injuries. A good travel insurance will also stick you on a plane back home for things that cannot be dealt with in the Philippines. It’s quite a shock sometimes to realize that the cost of everything including a hospital visit is still less than the deductible you would pay back in the USA.

Traffic and Roads 

Probably one of the worst things to deal with in the Philippines is the traffic. The infrastructure is completely different than you would experience back home. You just have to settle down and get used to it. It is not uncommon to take a taxi 10 miles and have it take over an hour. Sometimes you wonder if you could walk faster. Taxis can also be expensive, but as a foreigner they are still your best bet. You might have to get used to the occasional power outage, or water shortage, but with a little bit of preparation it’s not so bad. 

Retiring in the Philippines is definitely a possibility. Even with a minimum Social Security payment, there is still enough room to hire a maid, or a cook. So while in the United States you might have a hard time making ends meet with a minimum Social Security payment, in the Philippines you can live quite well and even have domestic help. In all of our travels, it is the one we would choose for retirement. As an added bonus, almost everybody in the Philippines speaks English. Good luck on your retirement.

Is medical tourism really safe and worth it?

Is medical tourism really safe and worth it?

You may have heard the expression medical tourism bandied around many times in the past. But what actually is medical tourism? Medical tourism is going to another country to have a procedure performed at a much reduced rate than the home country. There are pros and cons to this, and you have to decide for yourself what is worth it and what isn’t. We bring you a list of some things for your consideration. 

Cost 

Generally, the foremost reason why people go with medical tourism is cost. Sometimes the difference in cost is quite amazing. For example: A dental crown in Los Angeles can cost $800 to $1,000, in the Philippines or India that will cost $100 to $150 with a western train dentist. You can still get it much cheaper than that but you’re taking a lot of risks then. You have to remember though that like anywhere in the world all doctors are different. There are dentists in the United States that are terrible and will mess your teeth up, just like there are dentists overseas that will do the same. So look at reviews and ask around. 

Elective procedures 

Most insurance in the United States does not cover elective procedures. These are things to make you feel better or look better. These procedures don’t have a life-threatening aspect to them. If you want plastic surgery, it’s going to cost you. So jumping back to our first point, cost is an issue. A good rule of thumb for elective surgery, such as liposuction, between the United States and a country such as Thailand, is you will be paying 30% of the cost that you would pay in the USA. 

Safety 

People often have worries of health safety in other countries, but if you choose a top hospital or clinic, and have checked it’s reviews, then this is usually not a problem. Many doctors and dentist are western trained. The facilities are up-to-date and clean. Medical tourism is a business, and they want to do the best they possibly can so they can get continuing business. Obviously, if you go to a smaller Hospital it will not have the same quality or level as the larger hospitals that are familiar with medical tourism. Just like the USA or anywhere, do your research. Check out the doctors and the hospitals that you will choose as you will be putting your life in their hands. 

If things go wrong 

Unfortunately, things can go wrong in any medical procedure. This is one of the main reasons that you need to do research to make sure you are selecting the best professional you can. There is not too much you can do. One of the reasons the hospitals and doctors in the USA are so expensive is the amount of insurance they carry for litigation when patients to sue them. Good luck trying to sue a doctor in india. Your choices are to fly back to the country and have them fix it, or go to a local doctor to fix it instead. Local doctors can cost you a lot more than you originally paid depending how badly things have gone wrong. It’s a gamble, but remember, things go wrong in the USA too. Do your research. 

Travel 

Depending on what procedure you will be doing, some hospitals that cater to medical tourism are like staying in a luxury hotel, with a nurse on staff to check you. Thailand has some hospitals that you would mistake for a high-level Hotel. If you can get the time off to travel and get some medical procedures done, very often the price of the whole vacation, including the travel and the medical procedure, will be half the price of the procedure alone back home. 

Medical tourism is great, as long as you understand its limits. You have to do your research like you would with any hospital or doctor back home. Check reviews, and anything anybody else says about them. You can get world class attention and medical treatment with medical tourism, as long as you do your research. In the last 10 years I don’t think we have had any dental procedures done in the United States, we have always had them done as we travel, and we have never regretted it yet. Just remember this is your life so make the effort to do the research.

The do’s and don’ts of dating in the Philippines 

The do’s and don’ts of dating in the Philippines 

 

In many ways dating in the Philippines is the same as dating anywhere else in the world. Although as in anywhere in the world, there are many cultural differences. Knowing what these differences are, and accepting them, can keep you out of a world of problems and heartache. We have listed a few here, some of them are common sense, and some of them are things you might not consider. 

Family first 

Unlike most of the United States, and many other European countries, the family is the first concern in the Philippines. Understand if you date a Filipina, you will essentially be dating her family. A large amount of things that are done in the Philippines are done for the family. This includes things like sending nephews and nieces to school, sending money to a cousin in the province to help to buy a house, or a hundred other different things. So when you are dating a Filipina realize that you will be spending money on their family. One of the best things to learn in the beginning of a relationship, especially if you get married, is setting a hard budget for how much money you give their family. Meeting a Filipinas family though, does not mean that you’re going to get married, but they do want to see you to know that you’re a good guy.

Be a gentleman 

This is a common sense advice. This works anywhere in the world where you date somebody. Be a gentleman. If you do not know what it means to be a gentleman, look it up online. It means you are always respectful and polite. You do not take advantage or pressure anyone into doing something they do not wish to do. If you are dating for a future relationship, such as marriage, then being a gentleman is very important. 

Good girls and bad girls 

Sometimes it’s a little hard to tell the difference, but after you’ve talked to a few you will get the hang of it fairly quickly. There are many scammers in the Philippines. You can usually find them out very fast, within the first few minutes or days you are talking to them. They will ask you for money. It might be a wonderful story about how their grandmother needs it for some life-saving operation, but it is probably not true. If you really want to make sure, you can always do your due diligence and have it checked. If they try and make you feel guilty for asking? They are definitely a scammer. There are many beautiful and wonderful girls in the Philippines that would love to be the one in your life. So pick a good one and not a bad one. Good girls are very conservative and very often will not even hold hands. Depending on the family they might even request a chaperone for the first date. Though as the Philippines becomes more westernized, it is changing. 

Respect the culture 

The Philippines culture is very different from Western culture. Some things may not seem to make any sense at all, but regardless if they make sense or not, you must respect them. The Filipinos are very proud of their culture. So do not make fun of it and respect it, it will take you a very long way. We believe that when you travel anywhere you should experience the local culture. We also believe that you should do this whether you are dating or not. 

Respect the religion 

The Philippines is a very religious country. Many of the girls you will date will be highly religious and go to church every week. Be respectful of this and it will keep you in good standing with their family. 

Hard to get 

Conservative Filipinas by nature are hard to get. You need to take a lot more effort than you normally would. It may take you a lot longer to gain her trust and her love, but when she gives it to you she will give it unreserved. Of course once you have a Filipina, you must always keep wooing her. As long as she knows that you love her and that you care, it will stop her from looking around. 

Generosity 

There is a difference between scammers asking for money and being generous. If you take your girlfriend out to eat and the family comes along, there will be no fighting for the bill; you will be expected to pay it. If you travel and come back to the Philippines you will be expected to bring gifts. These things are assumed. The Philippines has a very low cost of living, so even being a little generosity will go a long way. 

Don’t assume 

Don’t assume that Philippines women are the same as the women back from where you come from. You are learning a completely new set of rules. In the Philippines the rules from home do not apply. You will have to be more observant than you would back home as to what is happening. If you take advantage of a conservative Filipina, you might have a large group of brothers and male cousins to contend with. Fair warning. 

Really it just boils down to a simple set of rules. Do be a gentleman, and don’t assume. Remember that family is priority, and watch out for scammers asking you for money. As it is anywhere in the world, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not true. Filipinos are very loyal, loving and family oriented, so if you find a good one what more can you ask for. Good luck.

Coolest In-Car Gadgets On The Market Today

Coolest In-Car Gadgets On The Market Today

Cars are no longer simply vehicles which take us from point A to point B and much like everything else in the world, they have been heavily influenced by the incredible modern technology which have at our fingertips. Whilst many newer cars do come with a wide range of in-car tech which help us to drive safer and be more entertained whilst driving, there are still a great many gadgets on the market which you can find to really enhance your driving experience. If you want to give your car an injection of tech, here are some of the coolest products out there.

Bestek Jump Starter

Jumper cables have been the savior of many a motorist over the years, but they do have a certain downside… you will need two cars for them to work. This of course is not so handy when you are in the back-of-beyond without another car in sight, this is why the Bestek jump starter makes for the perfect solution. This self-powered device can be charged up and used whenever necessary to boost your engine, it features 2 USB ports to charge devices, and a flashlight to help you see what you are doing.

Ztylus Stinger

Nobody wants to contemplate having a car accident, but as they say, being prepared is half the victory. This handy device is designed to smash windows should you find yourself trapped inside after a collision. This gadget simply needs to be applied to the glass, and then upon pushing a button it will send a short, sharp blast of power to the tip, shattering the window and freeing you. The product also features a retractable blade to cut through the seatbelt, a true lifesaver.

Fobo Tire Plus

Deflated tires will ensure that the tires degrade faster, that you use a lot more gas, and that your turning and braking abilities will be significantly lowered. To avoid this, use the Fobo Tire Plus, a small air gauge, which regularly monitors the levels in the tires. The gadget connects to your phone via bluetooth and will regularly update you when you need to refill.

 

Handpresso

Sometimes gadgets are just for the fun of it and this is why we love the Handspresso, a coffee maker which is designed for in-car use. Rushing out the house often means we miss our morning cup of Joe, but not anymore. Simply add an ESE coffee pod or throw in your own grind, plug the handy piece into the cigarette lighter and let the coffee brew as you make your way to work, completely unnecessary, but very cool.

Garmin Head Up Display

Garmin make so many great pics of car tech and our favorite is this head up display, which simply makes driving easier. Instead of peeking below the wheel to see how fast you are going or how much gas you have, you can simply avert your gaze slightly and see it in digital display on the windscreen. Most cars are designed well in the regard, until you change the seating position however, then it can cause a problem. The Garmin unit is sleek and not noticeable on the dash whilst the digital projection can be seen day and night, with absolute clarity.

What are your favorite pieces of car tech? Have we missed any out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The woman’s guide to traveling light (yes you can) 

The woman’s guide to traveling light (yes you can) 

We have all seen those funny movies where they make fun of the woman toting along 10 suitcases and a few steamer trunks as they travel. As funny as that seems, sometimes it feels as if we need that much space. You really don’t need to travel with all that. In fact there is a whole culture called one-baggers that only travel with one carry-on. They don’t even check a bag. This of course takes a little bit of work and planning but it is possible. 

Only what you need 

You might have to be a bit brutal in what you bring with you, and squash all those emotional feelings of things you might need. But “might use” is not the same as need. Bringing things “just in case” is how you get to those 10 suitcases and steamer trunks. How many times have you traveled and not worn things that you have brought with you? So bring just what you need, and be honest with yourself. 

Carry-on bag 

A good carry-on bag can make all the difference. Things have changed in recent years, and weight has become more important. So choose a very lightweight bag and you can carry more. Although a backpack is not the most stylish thing in the world, you can pick one that looks good and will fit in the overhead compartment as a carry on. Just make sure that you keep the weight down and you don’t go oversized. We tend to avoid wheelie bags, as they are just extra weight we can use. 

Wear the heaviest pieces 

When you travel, it’s a good idea to wear the heaviest items you have. As a silly example,if you are going to go hiking on your trip, wear the hiking boots on the plane and not pack them in your luggage. You may want to wear those lightweight slip-ons while you travel, but you will end up paying a lot more money for the extra weight of those hiking boots in your bag. Wear that heavy shirt and coat and fill the pockets with anything else heavy that you can find in your bag. You can always move it back into your bag later on. 

Multi-use 

There are certain things every woman should have when she travels. Sarongs and scarves are two of the most important. You can use them for almost anything. You can wear them as a wrap from the beach, or you can use them to dress up an outfit for going out on the town. A nice sarong can even replace the little black dress. There are many sites online that will show you how to tie a sarong into a multitude of different types of dresses. 

Shoes 

Okay, here’s where most women fail. Take two pairs of shoes only. If you have a very small pair of sandals you might be able to squeak three pairs of shoes. Take one set of shoes for casual walking around, and one set of shoes for the evening if you plan on going out. Sandals will be an easy backup that can be used for both. Again, avoid the Trap of you “might” wear them. 

Matching colors 

Make sure that everything you bring can be worn with everything else you bring. Stick to a basic color set, and use the scarves for the different flashes of color. You can boast a new look every day with only a few pieces of clothing if they are all complementary. 

Give and take 

Buy things when you are there that you don’t need to bring, such as shampoo, or toothpaste, or half the things you bring with you. If you need a hat, buy one when you are there, it will give you the benefit of making you look more like a local (depending what you buy) and when you leave? give the hat away or wear it on the plane. Point is, don’t get attached; buy things there as you need them instead of toting all that extra weight with you. 

A woman can travel light, even if she won’t admit it to herself, it just takes a bit of ingenuity and forethought. Hard to imagine, but you can travel to exotic locations with just a carry on, imagine that? No waiting for checked bags, or the hassle of the anchors (as we call full size luggage) as you move from one location to another. We have managed to get almost everything we need into a 25 Liter backpack, though it did take us some time to get it down to the essentials over the years, but honestly? We would never travel with full size luggage ever again. Go for it girl