Three Reasons to Consider Shaving the Old-School Way

If you're not satisfied with using today's multi-bladed disposable razors and fruity-smelling cream, you're not alone. Shaving with a straight razor and shaving soap is still practiced by plenty of guys, from older gents to guys in high school. If you're on the fence, here are three reasons to give it a try.

Less Irritation

For those who are sensitive to chemicals, modern shaving can be a disaster. The friction of four or five stacked blades scraping against your face can be a recipe for disaster, as can the ingredients in the built-in moisturizing strip. With a straight razor, you're the one choosing the soap. There are no built-in irritants. If you suffer from ingrown hairs, acne or razor burn, old-schooling shaving may be just the solution.

Environmental Friendliness

The plastic and chemicals in disposable razors can't really be recycled, making them destined for the landfill. By comparison, a quality straight razor and brush can last you for the rest of your life with proper care and cleaning. Everything from shaving soap to moustache wax is produced in environmentally friendly packaging and hypo-allergenic formulations, too!

Fewer Injuries

While this can see counter-intuitive, many men experience fewer cuts with an old-fashioned straight-edge than they do with so-called safety razors. A lot of this has to do with the sharpness of the blade and the angle at which you use it. If you are pushing too hard with an inferior safety razor and suffering cuts, experimenting with a sharp straight razor can save you a lot of pain and aggravation.

If you're having trouble with your currently shaving method or are concerned about the environmental impact, old-school shaving may be right for you. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.

Three Precautions You Can Take with Your Young Gymnast

Gymnastics is a wonderful form of exercise and also help kids learn about discipline, meeting goals and learning mastery over their own body. However, it is also a very percussive sport with a high risk for injury. If you have a young gymnast, here are three ideas for keeping them as safe as possible.

Instruction with a Dietitian or Nutritionist

Both male and female gymnasts become aware of their weight early. If they are too heavy, the strain on their joints can lead to injury. Sadly, this leads some kids into disordered eating because they do not understand how to eat well and still control their weight. If your child is serious about gymnastics, getting them the education necessary to control their weight in a safe way is invaluable.

Purchase Extra Padding for the At-Home Practice Space

Padding allows gymnasts to push their skills and improve. While gymnasts are usually quite inured to pain, fear of injury can make him or her hesitant to try out new skills and perfect them. Exercise floor mats can help avoid a lot of nasty spills and injuries.

Don't Allow Your Child to Be Pushed Too Hard

There is a difference between pushing towards a goal and pushing a child too hard. If your little gymnast starts to complain of incessant joint pain, is falling behind their peers in school or asks to slow down or stop training, don't push. Successful gymnasts are all self-motivated, and the vast majority of children should be encouraged to enjoy the sport and not focus on the Olympics or other lofty goals.

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport that is good for both flexibility and cardiovascular training. By keeping these tips in mind, you can keep your gymnast healthy and happy for the entire time they participate.

Assistance From A Rail

If you care for someone who stays in bed for a large portion of the day, then consider getting an adjustable bed rail. This is a rail that can be removed and put back on the bed at any time. It can also be moved to different areas on the bed depending on what the person is doing. The rail can be used as a tool to assist the caretaker in moving the person up in the bed or to help in getting the person to sit up while eating. 

One of the reasons to use a bed rail is for the safety of the person. It can help keep the person from falling out of the bed, and it can help in giving the person a way to move from one side to another. If the person can't get up to walk, then this is the lifeline for changing clothes, bathing and other daily activities. The person can grab the rail no matter where it's positioned. It can be used as a support when you are standing beside the person and helping with giving a bath or making sure they get their clothes on with as little effort as possible.

What To Expect From Alcohol Rehab

If you have issues with drinking alcohol, then a rehab center might be able to give you the help that you need. When you enter the facility, you will meet with counselors and doctors who will address your alcohol abuse and help you determine why you turn to drinking to solve the problems in your life. There are outpatient options as well as inpatient services that are best if you have been drinking for longer periods of time. 

One of the things to keep in mind is that you can leave any time you want as long as you aren't court ordered to receive treatment. Even if you have been ordered, you can still leave, you but would face the consequences of those actions when you go back to court. If you choose the inpatient service, then you will go through a period of detox to rid the body of the alcohol and any other drugs. This is done in a safe manner, and there will be nurses and doctors there to monitor your progress. There are classes to take while there so that you can learn about healthy ways to direct your depression, anxiety or other feelings. Group therapy and family meetings are also used in treating the alcoholism that you have faced.

Tonight's taste test - Curried carrot and red lentil soup

Tonight is cool and wet so it's time to start winter cooking. I decided to make an experiment tonight and it worked!! A delicious fragrant and spicy soup, this one is vegetarian and vegan friendly, cheap and easy to make and very filling with lots of fibre and low GI carbohydrates from the lentils (which are from the legume family). 

Legumes are foods like peas, beans and lentils and they are nutritional powerhouses with fantastic nutrient qualities, a great source of plant based protein, low GI carbohydrates and resistant starch. The coconut cream in my recipe does add more kilojoules and fat, but it is not too much across this big pot of soup. If you are closely watching your saturated fat intake you could consider using yoghurt or evaporated milk instead. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 brown onion diced
• 1 bunch coriander
• 4 large carrots diced
• 1.5 cups dried red lentils
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1/2  can reduced fat coconut cream
• 2 TBSP Thai red curry paste
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP minced garlic (or 2 cloves fresh garlic chopped)
• 1 tsp minced ginger 
• 1 TBSP dried ground cumin
• 1 TBSP dried chilli flakes (omit if you don't like it spicy!)

METHOD:

• Dice brown onion, chop stems of coriander just aboove the roots, set leaves aside for later. 

• Toss onion and coriander steams in a heavy based pot with olive oil, garlic, ginger, cumin and chilli flakes and saute until onion is transparent

• Add red curry paste and stir for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

• Add diced carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes until softened then add lentils and stock.

• Simmer for 30 minutes on low heat until carrots and lentils are very soft.

• If you like your soup lumpy, leave it as is. I whizzed mine with a stick blender until thick and no large pieces remain.

• Add reduced fat coconut cream to taste (I used a bit less than 1/2 can) and stir through chopped coriander leaves in last 5 minutes to serve.

We each had a small bowl to taste test it and then I filled five containers for the freezer so this recipe could easily serve 6-8 people.

Bon appetit!

Aggressive Sports Therapy

Physical therapy methods have been used for decades to treat several physical conditions. And with the advancement of technology, physical therapy has become even better, especially for sportsmen and women.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is the treatment of injury, dysfunction, disease or disability using physical and mechanical methods such as massage, heat, light, electricity and regulated exercise. Physical therapy aims to facilitate and restore normal functioning of the body.

Physical therapists such as the Aggressive Sports Therapy are professionals at improving your motion and mobility because pain-free movement is vital to the quality of your daily life.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy has been proven to provide several benefits to an individual.

Improved Motion and Mobility

Physical movement helps to prevent obesity that is responsible for at least 18 percent of adult deaths in the Unites States. Research shows that prolonged sitting is unhealthy and that walking for a reasonable distance each day reduces your risk of stroke and heart attack.
Movement is also vital in maintaining proper physical balance. Studies show that falls account for a significant number of injuries that are costly to the victim.

Helps to Avoid Prescription Drugs and Surgery

Many people have been referred to physical therapists to rehabilitate from surgeries and major medical traumas. Research shows that treatment by physical therapists is an equally effective and cheaper alternative to prescription drugs and surgery to several conditions that range from knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tears to back pain and degenerative disk disease.

Increased Muscle Strength and Range of Motion

Research shows that massage therapy can help individuals with spinal injuries. It serves to increase the muscle strength and range of motion for joints, and it improves extension and flexing abilities of muscles.

In addition, physical therapy is beneficial because it:

� Improves body posture and alignment
� Decreases joint and muscular inflammation
� Relieves stiffness in the joints
� Releases joint strains (tight muscles and tendons)
� Releases restrictions of connected tissues (fascia)
� Relieves stiffness, soreness and tension in the muscles
� Improves blood circulation in the body
� Improves overall muscle tone
� Improves nutrients flow to the muscles and joints
� Shortens the time taken for recovery from injuries and fatigue
� Reduces scar tissues
� Breaks down and prevents knots (adhesion)
� Relieves cramps and muscular spasms
� Increases physical confidence
� Eliminates swelling and pain in the joints and muscles

If you are a sportsman or woman, or you are recovering from an injury or accident, physical therapy can help you to regain your fitness and to improve your current condition. You can also benefit from it if you are suffering from any physical conditions.

4 Ways to Reduce the Attacks of Mosquitos and Ticks this Summer

Although mosquitos and ticks are relatively small, they can still cause a great deal of damage to yourself and the family. Very few people are resistant to mosquito bites, but the diseases these insects carry are very dangerous to human health. Ticks are often attributed to lyme disease and other complications as well. Luckily, there are ways to protect your family from these small creatures.

Insect Repellent Sprays

Repellents can go a long way to stopping bugs from biting you or the children. However, these sprays are flammable and can leave a very nasty aftertaste in your mouth. Now, this doesn't mean that you need to treat your tongue and teeth with the spray, but it does affect eating barbecue chicken with your hands. Many of these sprays are also short-lived and require several applications throughout the day.

Foods

Various types of foods can repel insects of all kinds. Planting things such as garlic and lavender repels ticks and can prevent them from coming into the yard. In fact, garlic can repel a large portion of insects including mosquitoes. You shouldn't rub yourself down with a slice of pizza, but garlic plants and lotions can be effective in reducing your appeal to these carnivores.

Citronella

An oil derived from the cymbopogon plant, citronella has been an effective deterrent against various insects for more than seven decades. However, the downside to the product is that the range is limited and lotions need to be applied every hour. If you use several candles around the area where you and the family are outdoors, it could be enough to stave off mosquitoes and ticks.

Professional Natural Sprays

Some companies will use natural and non-toxic sprays to rid an area of ticks and mosquitoes. This means that you don't have to worry about your children and pets when these insect experts come to your door. Natural sprays and compounds also help your local environment as the water table doesn't absorb toxic compounds.

It only takes one tick or mosquito to infect you or your family with deadly illnesses. With the long list of insect-related ailments, you don't want to take the chance of having to make an emergency room visit after a bite. Visiting websites such as mosquitosquad.com can help you get in touch with professionals and devices that can protect the household from these kinds of bugs. Do what needs to be done to enjoy your summer without being swarmed by mosquitoes or the occasional tick.

Paying for Dental Care

Dental care is something that most people will need at one point or another unless they take perfect care of their teeth at all times. Even then, bacteria can grow and cause conditions that need a dental expert�s care. One of the factors that stop people from visiting a dentist regularly is the cost. Many patients wonder how they will pay dentists in Park Slope for procedures such as fillings, root canals, cleanings and the like. The following are some ways that a patient can afford dental care:

CareCredit Financing

CareCredit is a third-party financial institution that specializes in providing people with funds to receive dental care. The company does not require a perfect credit score for such assistance, but the applicant should at least have a fair credit score.

Credit and Debit Cards

Most dentists will accept credit and debit cards. Any credit or debit card that has the Visa or MasterCard logo is acceptable at dental establishments.

In-House Financing

Some dental offices offer incentives to people who want to receive help. For example, a compassionate dental office may offer a small discount for patients who make advance payments.

Dental Insurance and Discount Dental Plans

Dental insurance plans can cover up to 80 percent of dental treatment. Dental discount plans can provide a person with a defined discount on a certain procedure. Consumers can search for reliable plans by performing an online search.

Dental patients have access to various payment assistance methods. No one should fear visiting the dentist due to a lack of funds.

25 maps that explain the English language

Libby Nelson offers us a great work about the origin and the evolution of the English language  from the Vikings to the 21st century explained in 25 maps
Published by Vox, it's a clear and easy way to understand the evolution of the language from the indo european languages to modern dialects spoken all over the world

Click here to go to "25 maps to explain the English language"

Reconnect to Yourself through Meditation and Reiki Practices in Canberra

Do you find yourself completely exhausted at the end of your day? Do you go to bed and realise that you haven't had a moment to yourself in a long time? Most of us go about the daily demands of work and home life packing our minds full with tasks that take up all of our attention. Some of these things are a choice, such as choosing to be distracted with phone calls, emails, social media, etc., and it is in these moments that you can choose to relax your mind and connect to your inner self through meditation and Reiki training in Canberra.

One of the side effects of all the distractions that we deal with from moment to moment is that we lose our ability to focus. How long does it take for your mind to wander when you are listening to a friend�s story or when your child is telling you about his or her day? Many people's minds trail off to other thoughts within 15-30 seconds. Wouldn't you like to be in the here and now with the people in your life and be in control of your mind? In Canberra, you can alleviate this problem by training in meditation and Reiki.

Stress is one of the leading causes of mental and physical health problems. Stress causes depression, weight gain, heart problems, and a myriad of other health problems. There is a natural way to deal all the stress in your life and that is through meditation and Reiki practices in Canberra. When you are trained to still your mind and let go of most of the stress that you encounter, then your health will improve tremendously. Meditation is not a miracle cure, but when used correctly and consistently, you will notice right away that your mind and body feel more relaxed and that you have more energy, focus and patience.

Too many of us speed through our day going from one task to another and never taking a few moments to find peace with our thoughts. When you learn the art of meditation, you can reconnect to your inner self and become healthier, happier and more productive. See and feel the benefits of being present in the moment and being able to focus. Learn more about meditation and Reiki training in Canberra by visiting The Inside Out Effect at http://theinsideouteffect.com.au/.

Choosing The Right Surgeon

There comes a time in the lives of most people when they require the assistance of a surgeon. It might be for a cosmetic procedure like breast implants, or it might be for an operation to fix a potentially life-threatening ailment. Whatever the case may be, choosing the right surgeon could literally be the difference between living and dying. Therefore, a large amount of research must be done before such a decision can be made. Here are some of the most important things for you to consider during your search for a surgeon.

Experience

As far as the procedure you are going to have is concerned, how many of these has the surgeon performed? You need to find a surgeon who has performed the identical procedure on many people. Even if the surgeon has performed it many times before, you need to find out his or her track record for those procedures. Were there any mishaps? If so, what went wrong? Remember, you are literally putting your life in the hands of this surgeon and his staff, so you should not be embarrassed to ask questions in order to reassure yourself about the surgeon's experience.

Education
Where did the surgeon go to medical school? If you find out the doctor learned how to perform surgery in a third world country, you would be wise to look for a different surgeon. If the surgeon went to a school you never heard of in the United States or Canada, learn more about the reputation of their medical school.