Karen

The Best Vegetable Side Dishes For Your Summer Cookout

There is nothing like throwing a BBQ for family and friends once the good weather comes around. However, when grilling it can be all too easy to focus on meat, and forget the wonderful flavors that vegetable dishes can provide. Fortunately, I have collected some of the very best veggie-packed dishes that are not only delicious but most are pretty darn good for you as well. Here is a list of the best vegetable side dishes for your summer cookout.

Vegetables Kabobs

Veggie kabobs are super simple to make, taste great and can be chucked on the grill along with all the other dishes you are cooking. Of course, there are a few secrets to getting them right. The first of these is to use the right-sized pieces of vegetables, too big and the stick won’t hold their weight, and too small and you risk losing the good bits on the grill.

Also, when using wooden kebab sticks be sure to soak them in water beforehand as this will prevent them from burning or setting on fire when on the grill. Finally, be sure to use a range of yummy veg such as whole cherry tomatoes, slices of onion, red or yellow bell pepper, and button mushrooms. Add a glaze too for extra flavor!

Crispy oven-roasted broccoli

Another great veggie side dish for a BBQ or any other summer meal is crispy oven-roasted broccoli. This delicious treat is served with crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of chili, and because it’s cooked in the oven it will leave the grill free for your meat and fish. Also, this roasted broccoli recipe is oven-baked, the outside is crispy and caramelized, while the inside is soft and tender, guaranteeing that it will be a winner at your summer get-togethers.

Garlic and cashew spinach

Simple, and quick to make garlic and cashew spinach is a great dish to offer your summer guests. All you need to do is finely chop 2 cloves of garlic and freeze until soft. Then add cashews and allow to brown, finally adding the wilted spinach at the end. Finish with a good twist of salt and pepper and serve with steaks, chicken, and even shrimp!

Homemade Coleslaw

More tasty and better for you than the store-bought version, homemade coleslaw is a summer favorite at our place. Begin by grating 2 or 3 medium carrots, then shred ¼ of a large white cabbage, and a ¼ of a large red cabbage. Combine the shredded veggies in a bowl and add either mayonnaise to taste, or leave to marinate in red wine vinegar. The latter provides a pickled veggie vibe that is refreshing and the perfect accompaniment to fattier meats like burgers or pulled pork.

BBQed corn on the cob

Last of all, when grilling this summer do not forget to add some corn to the BBQ. Indeed, grilled corn on the cob is a real treat, along with a brush of butter and a sprinkle of salt. You may even want to go down the Mexican street corn route too and add mayo, cheese, chili, and lime! Your guests will love you for it!

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What Are the Health Benefits of Coffee? Some Surprising Facts

Karen · Leave a Comment

There are several impressive health benefits of coffee. You can learn more about why you should grab a cup by clicking here. Each day, a whopping 64% of Americans have at least one cup of coffee. Many people say they can’t start the day without it. We are sometimes told about the dangers of drinking too much, but did you know that there are in fact many science-backed benefits to having the right amount? In fact, when consumed in moderation, the health benefits of coffee are numerous. Read on to find out some surprising facts you may not have known about the benefits of coffee.

Longer Life

There is evidence to suggest that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from many diseases. These include things like kidney disease, stroke, and even diabetes. Studies into this theory are ongoing.

Lowered Risk of Dementia

Another disease that could be staved off by a cup of joe is dementia. One study found that women over the age of 65 who drank at least 2 cups of coffee today per day were less likely to develop dementia.

Improved Energy Levels

This is one benefit that we’re all aware of: coffee helps to increase energy levels. It can help to wake you up in the morning and can lead to greater focus and productivity.

Better Workouts

Coffee can also help you to have better workouts or exercise sessions. Some studies found that drinking a cup of black coffee one hour before heading to the gym can increase performance levels by over 10%.

Weight Loss

Coffee has been shown to naturally help with fat burning. It can also increase your metabolic rate. Add to that the fact that it improves workouts, and the effect that it can have on weight loss is enormous.

What Type of Coffee to Have

Of course, you can’t expect to order a caramel frappuccino each day and expect to see positive results. As well as drinking the right amount of coffee you must ensure that you’re drinking the right kind of coffee.

Black coffee is probably the best way to go if you want to see the many health benefits it offers without any negative results. Adding in things like sugar, milk, cream, or syrups is just adding in calories and fat.

One kind of coffee that many people swear by is bulletproof coffee, made with butter and MCT oil. This might not sound the healthiest, but those following the ketogenic diet swear by it.

If you’d like to learn more about different types of coffee from different regions, then this guide can help.

The Many Health Benefits of Coffee

Like most things in life, coffee is something that is best enjoyed in moderation. If you would like to see some of the above health benefits of coffee, remember to drink the right amount and try not to include too many added extras like flavors and sweeteners.

Hopefully, this guide has shed some light on the amazing things coffee can do. If you’ve enjoyed it, don’t forget to check out the rest of our content.

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Factors to Consider When Buying Swim Wear Online

Karen · Leave a Comment

One enjoyable activity during summer is swimming. It is fun and enhances body relaxation. When you want to go swimming, there are some aspects that you need to consider, like body lotion and swimsuits. Swimsuits have advanced over the previous years. Therefore, you should select the best when you go shopping for swimwear. Purchasing a swimsuit takes a lot of consideration and planning. You need to think out the design you intend to wear while looking into the latest trends in swimsuits. Before you purchase any swimwear, it is significant to have an efficient supplier and think carefully about what you want. Here are some of the crucial factors to consider when buying swim wear online

Size

Selecting the perfect size will save you from embarrassment. You should avoid picking a swimsuit that is oversize or too fitting. A tight swim suit will make you itch all over and uncomfortable and will never allow you to move freely and confidently. On the other hand, a baggy one can easily drop off when swimming. Therefore, it would be best if you consider selecting the right size of the swimming customer to be more comfortable during the swimming activity. The more comfortable you feel, the more the swimming activity will be fun and enjoyable. Comfort is considered a crucial aspect while swimming; therefore, you should ensure that the swimsuit size is appropriate.

Usage

A swimsuit is not just meant for taking a dip in your pool. You can also wear it on the beach. Therefore, you need to buy a swimsuit that is excellent for the occasion. Before you visit online stores like https://www.swimweargalore.com.au/, you need to figure out if you are an expert in swimming activity or water sport or just doing it for fun. Swimming for fun and professional swimming both need the right swimming costume. Therefore, you should buy swimming gear based on its purpose.

Price and Quality

You want to ensure that your swimming gear holds up to washing or various uses in the ocean. You should consider buying quality swimwear that will last long without wear and tear. However, you should avoid purchasing a suit because it is attractive but the price is high. Sometimes, costs do not typically imply quality. You should buy swimwear that is within your budget. Besides, you can compare costs from various retailers to find where it is cost-effective. Most significantly, quality needs to be your main priority when comparing various retail shops.

Coverage

Another significant feature to look for is how much skin you are willing to show off. The best swimming gear for men needs to cover half of your thighs. However, it is your decision. If you want swimwear to hamper your movement, then you can purchase a pair of brief-design swimsuits. Nevertheless, you fail to cover more skin, and you should opt for speedo swim gear. It will help in facilitating your movement. If you are a woman, it would be better if you go for your bra size to make sure that it fits and everything is in your comfort zone.

There are numerous aspects to consider when purchasing a swimsuit online. If you consider the aspects mentioned earlier when at the swimwear galore such as swimweragalore.com.au/, you will get the right swim gear that will be comfortable and durable.

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Understanding The Biggest Challenges Faced By Care Homes

Karen · Leave a Comment

Care homes provide an incredibly vital service in the modern world. Many people require support as they get older, with care teams providing help in a huge variety of areas. Life would be impossible for some without this sort of service. Of course, though, while care homes are necessary, they often face challenges when they are trying to provide the very best care they can. To give you an idea of how this impacts care homes, we will look at some of the biggest challenges faced by care homes and how they can be overcome.

challenges faced by care homes — (Image Credit)

Low Budgets

Providing care services can be a costly venture, though most of those receiving the service can’t afford to pay for it. This leaves many care homes relying on government grants and other funding that can limit their budgets and make it hard to provide everything their service users need. This can be a very hard issue to overcome, with many of those who are wealthy enough to pay for care using private services that make it possible to get better service.

Improper Training

Thanks to the nature of care work, many care homes experience high employee turnover. This can create a disparity in training between caregivers, often resulting in mistakes being made that can hurt those being cared for. Some care homes are able to overcome this, though it usually takes a lot of experience for an employee to be able to make good decisions on their own while working. Of course, though, this also ties into the fact that many care homes have to rely on low budgets.

Understaffing

This next area is somewhat connected to improper training. Understaffing is very common in care homes, with low budgets making it incredibly difficult to fill a whole team. Issues like understaffing lead to residents receiving inadequate care in many cases. People can fight against this, though many care homes would be unable to change their staffing problems without first increasing their budgets. Those working in the care field often get relatively low salaries compared to other medical workers, making the role less desirable.

The Law

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the law. Laws surrounding care are rightly incredibly strict, making it hard for care homes to make choices for their residents without going through proper channels. This can put a strain on caregivers who want to help their residents but are unable to make decisions for themselves. Laws surrounding care will often force decisions that aren’t completely in the interest of residents.

As you can see, the challenges faced by care homes can be broad and numerous. These sorts of businesses often need help to make sure that they are able to provide the right level of service when they are working with their residents. Of course, though, this doesn’t mean that the teams working for them don’t want to provide the very best care they can.

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Six Ways To Manage Your Mental Health In Later Life

Karen · Leave a Comment

Each stage of life comes with its own challenges. Later life often has its own change of pace, which some people might find more challenging than others. You might start to think about retirement, welcome your first grandkid or even finally have time to go on holiday. Here are six ways to manage your mental health in later life, so you can continue to live life to the fullest.

six ways to manage your mental health in later life — Pexels-CC0 Licence

Learn About Technology

Getting left behind by the digital world can feel isolating, and there’s no reason why you can’t keep on top of technology in your senior years. Starting a blog, or even finding people that share the same hobbies as you online is a great way to keep in touch with the world. You might even find you enjoy running your own blog so much you want to make a business out of it! Try learning about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how it can keep your blog at the top of the Google rankings.

Stick To A Loose Routine After Retiring

If you’re someone who defined themselves by their career, adjusting to retirement can seem daunting. To manage your mental health, give yourself time to adjust to a new schedule. Try to book in a loose routine you can follow until you get in the swing of it. Plan trips to the movies, time to meet friends, and your favorite hobbies. You’ll soon find that retirement gives you the space to enjoy life without the distraction of work.

Keep On Top Of Your Physical Health

As we age, you might have a range of new health concerns, from joint pain to poor eyesight. As much as you can, keep on top of your physical health by eating healthily, reducing smoking and alcohol intake, and keeping active. Studies suggest there is a strong link between mental and physical health, so keeping your body healthy will keep your brain healthy too.

Make Sure Your Brain Is Active

Boosting your brain activity is going to help manage your mental health. From sudoku to sailing, mastering a new skill is a great way to keep your brain active and engaged with the world around you. A healthy diet and physical exercise will help keep your brain active so you can enjoy all your new hobbies.

Find A New Passion

You have all the time in the world now to find a new purpose or passion in life. You might discover your enthusiasm for art when enrolling in an art class. You could enjoy visiting a new destination you never thought you’d see. Later life is the perfect time to find something you’re passionate about – a cause, a food, even a partner. This is a great way to manage your mental health as every day you’ll have the chance to do something you enjoy.

Stay Connected With Friends And Family

Isolation is extremely damaging to your mental health. Keep connected with friends and family, keep getting out and experiencing the world around you. Making time for your loved ones will boost your wellbeing, and make sure you create shared experiences that you can cherish and enjoy.

Later life is the best time to do things to boost your mental health. You have time to enjoy, and filling it with hobbies, adventure and friends is the best way to stay happy and well.

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Buying new sunglasses? Consider these factors to find your perfect pair.

Karen · Leave a Comment

Summer is fast approaching, and we’ve already been blessed with some warm sunshine-filled days. And while searching for your summer dresses and sandals is an important part of getting ready for the warmer months of the year, ensuring you have everything you need to keep yourself protected and safe from the sun is also crucial. If you are buying new sunglasses, consider these factors to find your perfect pair.

One of the most important elements of sun protection includes preserving your vision, and while sunglasses can relieve a lot of the discomfort we experience on a bright, sunshine-filled day, they serve a much more important role – defense against eye damage. Your sunglasses should not only make you feel good and provide comfort on a sunny day, but they should also give you 100% protection from UV rays.

So, what factors should you consider if you’re looking for a new pair of sunglasses? Read on for how to find your perfect pair.

Full UV protection

Shopping for sunglasses means putting your vision first, therefore sunglasses with 100% UV and UVB protection is a necessity. Shopping for sunglasses at EyeBuyDirect.com means you’ll get to choose from a stunning range of standard and prescription sunglasses, all in various shapes, styles, and colors. Persistent exposure to the sun’s rays can lead to long- and short-term vision damage, and even potentially accelerate eye conditions such as cataracts and eye cancer. Remember, when it comes to UV rays, never accept anything other than 100% protection.

Go big!

It’s easy to attribute larger sunglasses with starlets and prima donnas, however, these oversized styles also serve a practical purpose. In simple terms, the bigger your shades, the more coverage for your eyes and face and the more protection you’ll get from the sun. Larger and wraparound frames prevent UV rays from entering the side of your eyes and causing damage.

Understand polarized options

The term “polarized lenses” sounds incredibly technical, and it’s easy to confuse the term with UV protection. Polarized lenses reduce the glare from water and other bright surfaces, which means whether you’re behind the wheel on a sunny day, or enjoying a day at the beach, you’ll be much more comfortable. However, they reduce glare, not the effects of UV rays, so bear this in mind when shopping for sunglasses.

Darker lenses

Believe it or not, darker lenses don’t mean more UV protection. Of course, they look great, but ultimately, the color of your lenses doesn’t influence the amount of protection you’ll get. If in doubt, always check that the UV and UVB protection rate is 100%.

Your budget

While many of us are tempted to pick up a pair of sunglasses from the nearest store, you should be prepared to invest in the preservation of your vision when it comes to eye protection and UV defense. Thankfully, most sunglasses will offer you the protection you need without breaking the bank. However, if you want to protect your eyes in the long term, you should be prepared to invest a little more.

Now you’re ready to start your search for the perfect pair of sunglasses!

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4 Secrets For Maintaining Memory In Old Age

Karen · Leave a Comment

Many people will simply accept that their memory will fade as they grow older. Unfortunately, they assume their mind is not as strong as it once was. However, accepting this as a fact is one of the many health mistakes that people can make as they grow older. Although you may not be able to recite every lyric of your favorite song as easily as you used to, you can still maintain your memory as long as you know the secrets. Here are 4 secrets for maintaining memory in old age.

4 secrets of maintaining memory in old age — Image Credit

Write Things Down

If you’ve ever forgotten to take the garbage out or lost that great idea that rolled through your head, you know how important writing things down is. To-do lists and journaling can help keep your memory as strong as possible, and it could even benefit you with other issues. Writing things down activates a different part of the brain, and this could be useful when recalling details for the best elder care attorneys. You may need to detail things vividly, but as you can’t trust your memory as much as you used to, a physical record of your thoughts and experiences is something you cannot beat.

Exercise Often

Much has been said about the link between memory and exercise. You should do everything you can to exercise anyway, but as you get older, this becomes even more important. The endorphin rush can help your brain create and maintain connections that are crucial for your memory, and it will also prevent degenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s from taking hold.

Read, Watch, Listen, Play

Keeping busy will also help you maintain your memory as you get older. There are many, many ways you can do this, especially after retirement where you have more time than you know what to do with. Reading books, watching TV, listening to music, and even playing video games can all boost your memory as they keep you thinking and engaged in the world around you. So, rather than sit in silence, make sure you keep your mind working, even if it’s something others would consider simple and mindless.

Stay In Touch With Other People

Isolation can strike anyone in old age especially if your children are busy working or live on the other side of the country. The modern world has made it easier than ever to escape such isolation, though, and it won’t just help your memory. Staying in touch with others also benefits your overall wellbeing. You can look at places close to home, such as neighbors or local clubs and programs. Or, you can consider other options. Video calling both family and strangers can help you meet other people, which will give your mind the positive boost it needs to maintain excellent health.

Memory Saved

From remembering why you came into a room or keeping your wits about you when spending time with family, your memory is a powerful tool. For some, it is the most powerful tool you have, so you should do everything you can to maintain it as well as possible. Hopefully, these 4 secrets for maintaining memory in old age will be useful to you starting today!

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Tips To Protect Your Hearing As You Age

Karen · Leave a Comment

Hearing loss is more prevalent among older people. As you age, you may find that you start to experience difficulties keeping up in conversations or hearing people on the phone. It may not be possible to prevent hearing loss but there are steps you can take to protect your hearing as you age.

protect your hearing as you age — Image Credit

Keep up to date with hearing assessments

Most people experience gradual hearing loss, and it can take a long time to realize that your hearing is deteriorating. Regular assessments enable hearing professionals to detect changes and address any underlying issues, which may be contributing to hearing loss. Tests are simple and quick and they are designed to provide detailed information about how well you can hear. If you haven’t been for a hearing test for many years, or you feel like you might benefit from having your hearing assessed, don’t hesitate to make an appointment.

Take expert advice on board

When you attend a hearing assessment, you will be asked to respond to sounds and to provide the practitioner with some information about how well you can hear. If your tests show that your hearing has deteriorated, or you have significant hearing loss, it’s hugely beneficial to take expert advice on board. When you see an audiologist, they will discuss treatment options with you and suggest recommendations based on the results of your assessment and your personal preferences and requirements. Hearing aids can enhance your quality of life and make you feel more confident. If you decide to start wearing them, your audiologist or hearing health professional will give you tips for using hearing aids and show you how to look after them. Modern-day devices are discreet, small and sleek and some boast innovative features, such as Bluetooth connectivity.

Protect your ears from loud noises

Aging increases the risk of hearing loss but some people start to experience signs long before they even think about retiring. This is often due to exposure to very loud noises, which damages the intricate, delicate structures of the inner ear. If you listen to loud music all the time, your job involves working in a noisy environment or you use power tools, for example, it’s crucial to protect your ears. You can use earplugs or ear defenders at work and wear noise-canceling headphones if you regularly commute or walk in cities and towns. Turn down the volume when you listen to music and try to avoid standing near speakers if you go to a concert or a festival. Hearing loss can occur at any age. If you notice signs of impaired hearing, such as asking people to repeat themselves, turning the volume on the radio or the TV up or struggling to keep track in meetings or phone calls, book a hearing assessment.

Hearing loss is often associated with aging but it is possible to experience hearing loss at any age. Taking care of your ears and protecting your hearing reduces risks as you get older. To minimize damage and ensure you get the expert advice and assistance you need, keep up to date with assessments, consider treatment options and avoid exposure to loud noises.

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