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Month: March 2019

  • How to Keep Dogs Flea-Free

    How to Keep Dogs Flea-Free

    It’s nearly time for Spring, which means that all types of insects are waking from their months-long slumber. Most evil and devious among them is the flea, which dog owners of all kinds know and despise. Today, we’re going over some of the best ways to keep your pup flea-free and happy.

    Keeping Dogs Flea-Free

    Flea Collar

    Your first consideration in keeping the itchy little bugs off of your dog should be a flea collar. Flea collars come in various types, but the preferred ones come from respected brands like Soresto. These collars make your dog seem very unappealing to fleas, as they put off a smell that confuses and poisons the bugs.

    Remember, flea collars only do their job if your dog has one before the fleas try to jump on them. If your dog already has fleas, you’ll need to treat them as well as getting a flea collar.

    Pills

    There are pills your dog can take that help with fleas as well. These are given to your dog with their food and make them unappealing to fleas, much like a flea collar. Talk to your vet about which option you’d prefer. Some dogs can’t stand collars, while others won’t wake pills. It just depends on your dog’s preferences.

    Carpets

    If your home has carpets, these could be breeding grounds for fleas you’ve carried in on your shoes. Make sure you thoroughly clean and shampoo your carpets to kill any fleas hiding in there! Focus on rooms that don’t get a lot of foot traffic. Fleas love quiet, still rooms. Don’t let their eggs hatch in your house and terrorize your pet!

    Consider getting hardwood floors installed if you’ve got pets and want to cut down on fleas. Fleas can technically live beneath the board of hardwood, though it’s much more difficult for them to thrive in such a scenario.

    Treating for Fleas

    If your dog already has fleas, you can give them a flea bath. Flea baths come with medicine that not only kills fleas but also makes your dog smell terrible to fleas. Such a bath is usually available at any groomer’s shop, and will run you between $20 and $50 on average.

    For fleas in the home, consider using carpet shampoo or spreading diatomaceous earth, or D. earth. D. earth is a compound that is deadly to fleas, cutting up their exoskeletons and causing them to lose all moisture from their bodies. Food-grade D. earth is available on Amazon for a relatively inexpensive price, and works wonders at killing fleas.

  • The Best Way to Beat the Flu: Don’t Suffer Needlessly

    The Best Way to Beat the Flu: Don’t Suffer Needlessly

    Everyone dreads that feeling of the flu creeping up on them. The aches, the stuffy nose, the cough: it all adds up to make you feel miserable. When you feel the flu coming on, don’t just roll your eyes and resign yourself to suffering through it. Here are the best ways to beat the flu.

    How to Beat the Flu

    Step One: Stay Home

    Firstly, cancel your plans. Call out from work and get ready to stay home. Now’s a great time to get deep into your favorite video game, or maybe start reading that book you’ve been meaning to finish. Staying home will help you rest up to beat this thing, as well as prevent you from spreading it around.

    Don’t look at this as a bad thing. Consider it down time to get caught up on whatever show you’ve been watching or just a chance to stay home from work or school.

    Step Two: Stay Hydrated

    While you’re kicking it at home beating this darn flu, make sure you’re staying well-hydrated. Gatorade, orange juice, apple juice, chicken noodle soup and the like are all great for this. Of course, good, old-fashioned water is your best bet, so just keep pounding glasses of the life-giving liquid.

    If you don’t get enough water, you’ll get dehydrated. It’s much harder to fight the flu and recover if you’ve got no water in your system.

    Step Three: Treat Yourself to a Steamy Shower

    If you’re stopped up, groggy and feeling just plain gross, a steamy shower can be a huge help. Turn the water up to “freaking hot” (be careful you don’t burn yourself!) and let the steam fill up the room. If you don’t feel well enough to sit under the hot water, just sit on the commode and let the room fill with steam.

    The steam will help to break up your congestion and will generally just feel good on your inflamed mucous membranes.

    Step Four: Humidifier

    If you own a humidifier, now is the time to use it. Much like the steamy shower, a well-humidified room will make you feel much better when it comes to coughing and sniffling. Dry air can further irritate your membranes, making your cough and sniffles that much worse.

    Make sure the device is clean and not harboring molds. Likewise, you should use the cold mist setting, as warm, humid air could promote further growth of bacteria or mold and creates a more hospitable environment for the flu virus.

  • Our Favorite Android Phones

    Our Favorite Android Phones

    The Android platform for smartphones is a very popular operating system. Many people are often wondering what the best phone on the OS is. If you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck with an Android phone, you might be wondering what our picks are.

    Today, we’re breaking down our favorite Android phones.

    Our Favorite Android Phones

    Samsung Galaxy S10

    Samsung’s name is nearly synonymous with high-quality Android phones. The Galaxy line has been consistently impressive in the decade since its launch, and the S10 is no exception. This phone has a big, beautiful screen and a wonderful display. If you’re a fan of watching videos or playing games on your phone, the Galaxy S10 is a great phone for you.

    Likewise, the processor in the S10 is a fantastic companion for gaming and multitasking. It’s fast-paced, allowing for quick flipping to various apps and high productivity. In short, the S10 is one of the best phones on the Android OS. It’s on the pricey side, however, as it’s the newest smartphone from Samsung. It comes in at $750

    Google Pixel 3

    Google’s becoming a big name in the world of Android phones recently, which is an interesting twist. Despite owning the Android operating system, Google hasn’t been a huge name in terms of hardware until recently. The Pixel 3 sports a beautiful display, a top-notch camera and a stellar processor.

    The Pixel also offers a great series of features, including wireless charging, water-resistance and a Night Mode for shooting in low-light conditions. There’s a lot to love about the Pixel, though it is a bit more expensive than the Galaxy S10. Starting at $799 for the normal Pixel 3, that shoots up to $999 for the XL version.

    OnePlus 6T

    If you’re looking for a great value on a high-tech smartphone, the OnePlus 6T is a huge bargain. Coming in at $550, the 6T is an import-only phone but a surprising value for the price. It sports a slick in-display fingerprint scanner, a gorgeous screen and good cameras.

    While it’s not going to go toe-to-toe with Google or Samsung’s phones, the OnePlus 6T is still a solid phone for Android lovers. If you’re looking for a high-quality smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, the 6T is a great place to start. It’s at the intersection of high tech and budget friendly.

  • Top Ten Dreamcast Games of All Time

    Top Ten Dreamcast Games of All Time

    Twenty years after the release of Sega’s final home console, many people in the modern era look back at the Dreamcast with a bittersweet feeling. While the system was the final time Sega released new hardware, it was also well ahead of its time and something of a powerhouse in 1999.

    Today, in honor of the upcoming twentieth anniversary of the system’s American release, we’re looking at the top ten Dreamcast games of all time. From fast-paced action games to off-the-wall puzzlers and everything in between, the Dreamcast was quite the special system.

    Top Ten Dreamcast Games

    10. Rez

    Rez, a trippy, otherworldly shooter that is equal parts rhythm and bullet-hell, showed us just how creative games could be. The journey the player undertakes is equal parts strange and wonderful, engrossing and beautiful all at once.

    As you kill your enemies and avoid damage, the world around you morphs and becomes less wireframe and more psychedelic. It’s a great experience, one you should definitely seek out if you love off-the-wall gaming experiences.

    9. Jet Grind Radio

    The cell-shaded, streetwise anthem of disobedience called Jet Grind Radio (Jet Set Radio outside of the States) blew critics away when it launched. The funky soundtrack, slick presentation and fun roller-blading movement system all make the game an awesome experience even today.

    While the first game was partly overlooked by American gamers, the series got a second chance with the sequel, Jet Set Radio Future, which made its way to Microsoft’s Xbox a few years later.

    8. Crazy Taxi

    Sega was known for its bold, in-your-face philosophy. Their commercials once screamed “SEGA” at full volume, for crying out loud. Crazy Taxi was like a crystallization of Sega’s 90’s ethos. Driving recklessly, crashing around turns and getting your customers to their destinations as fast as possible were all encouraged. In fact, the game gives you bonus points for driving in the most dangerous way possible!

    The gameplay is still fast and fun to this day. While the controls are a bit clunky and ridiculous today, the sheer over-the-top hilarity and pure video game fun remain timeless. Both the original game and its sequel were released during the Dreamcast’s short lifespan, so the two games are synonymous with the system.

    7. Power Stone

    Before Super Smash Brothers really sank its teeth into lovers of party fighting games, there was Power Stone. The fast-paced, 3D combat of the quirky fighting game was fresh and fun in 1999 and hasn’t aged a day in 2019.

    Gameplay is centered on brawling with opponents using the environment and your character’s skills. As the fight goes on, you and your opponent fight over Power Stones that drop randomly on the map. If you collect all three Power Stones, you enter a powered-up state and can really take the fight to the opposition!

    6. Skies of Arcadia

    The Blue Rogue air pirates are a quirky bunch, reminiscent of the best Final Fantasy characters. Skies of Arcadia wears its inspirations like a badge of honor, clearly displaying its love of Final Fantasy in its visuals and gameplay. The storyline is gripping and well-plotted, and you’ll find yourself dying to find out what happens to the crew.

    The game is packed full of fun characters, secrets and more. The turn-based combat is an exemplary representative of the best the RPG genre has to offer, too. If you love games like Final Fantasy 7, you owe it to yourself to try this one out.

    5. Marvel Vs Capcom 2

    The definitive version of this arcade classic came out on Sega’s Dreamcast. Marvel Vs Capcom 2 plays like a dream, with silky-smooth framerate and gorgeous character models. The game has superb balance, with each character displaying well-defined strengths and weaknesses.

    The fun of watching Spider-Man and Ryu take on Wolverine and M. Bison never grows old. If you’re a huge fan of the MvC series, you should hunt down and old Dreamcast and a copy of this game. It’s well worth the effort to play the series’ most definitive entry!

    4. Ikaruga

    This binary shoot-em-up is all about switching back and forth between two polarized modes. When your ship is white, you’re immune to white projectiles, but black projectiles damage you. The opposite is also true, making the game a fast-paced exercise in switching, ducking and weaving.

    Ikaruga sports slick and stellar visuals, fun gameplay and a great soundtrack. It’s largely considered one of the best shoot-em-ups ever, and for good reason. This is one of the best games of all time, system notwithstanding.

    3. Sonic Adventure

    This game’s cutscenes and voice acting have aged about as well as milk, but that doesn’t stop this from being a wonderful game. The visuals are stunning for 1999, the gameplay is as fast as the series namesake, and the tunes are decidedly great.

    This is the Blue Blur’s first transition into 3D graphics, and it’s executed rather well. Some clunky camera controls and wonkiness is to be expected of any 3D Sonic game, and this one is no exception. However, this game still makes for a fun time, especially when playing as Sonic and Tails.

    2. Soul Calibur

    The legend of Soul Calibur will never die! This masterwork of a fighting game is unparalleled in the genre. No other fighting game has presented weapons-based gameplay in such a well-balanced and undeniably fun package. Simple to pick up, tricky to master and a visual feast, Soul Calibur is Namco-Bandai’s strongest case for their fighting game dominance.

    This Dreamcast exclusive may have been released on a doomed system, but the soul still burns! Numerous sequels have kept the legend alive, and today the name Soul Calibur is connected with top-notch gameplay and production values.

    1. Shenmue

    The best game on the Dreamcast and one of the biggest game releases in history is Shenmue. This unusual, decidedly Japanese game, is more than a little weird. The grand scope of Ryo’s revenge mission to find his father’s killer is underscored by the closely intimate nature of the game’s open world. Characters have schedules and hobbies, interests and distinct personalities.

    The gameplay is a mix of open-world exploration and Virtua Fighter-style fighting. Uncovering the mystery of your father’s death is the driving goal, though you can just waste time in the arcade playing Hang-On if you want.

    The groundbreaking graphics, well-penned story and silly, endearing voice acting have given Shenmue a near-legendary status. The sequel, Shenmue II, was released on Xbox in North America, though it saw a Dreamcast release in Japan and Europe. The series has been in limbo for years, though the creators promise the Shenmue III will be out sometime soon.

  • Depression Symptoms to Watch Out For

    Depression Symptoms to Watch Out For

    Clinical depression is a serious issue that plagues millions of people all around the world. It’s not like just feeling a little blue or somewhat sad. Clinical depression can sap one’s desire to do anything, to get out of bed, to eat, to go to work.

    If you or someone you know is showing signs of serious depression, reach out. There’s no reason to suffer: you can get help.

    Depression Symptoms

    Fatigue

    One of the most pervasive parts of depression is the all-encompassing tiredness. Fatigue, as it is clinically called, is a serious problem for depression sufferers. Simple tasks, like folding laundry, making food or making the bed seem insurmountable. Lying in bed, scrolling through social media or watching Netflix becomes the default state.

    Despair

    A feeling of inescapable despair, that nothing matters and that all will be washed away is a huge aspect of depression. All-or-nothing reasoning, hopelessness and a desire to avoid reality tend to go hand-in-hand with this kind of despair. Pessimism tends to flow out from this type of reasoning into everyday scenarios.

    Irritability

    People who are suffering with depression are often stricken by bouts of irascible irritability that baffle even themselves. Often, sufferers find themselves snapping at people who offer help or critique their bleak worldview. This irritability often leads to the depressed person becoming more isolated, thus further fueling their depression.

    Loneliness

    Feelings of isolation and loneliness, whether accurate or not, are also common among depressed persons. These emotions can be brought on by legitimate loneliness, or completely unrelated to reality. In fact, many people with depression who are actually surrounded by friends can feel totally alone due to their disorder.

    Apathy

    Feelings of apathy can also be related to depression. A lack of desire to engage with the things one once found fascinating can signal depression. Often, this extends to many different aspects of one’s life, including entertainment, hobbies, loved ones and even lovers.

    Depression vs. General Sadness

    Life can be sad. There will be times when you become melancholy, sad, maybe even inconsolable over the events in your life. However, this isn’t inherently depression. Everyone gets sad from time to time, but time normally takes some of that sting away.

    If you’re finding that you can’t bounce back from the things giving you the blues, and that you’re feeling ever more isolated and pessimistic, you may be suffering from depression. Don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor and attempt to connect with a therapist.

    Remember, depression is a real disease and a serious threat. You should treat it as the medical issue that it is, and make sure you see a doctor. It’s better to reach out and face this problem head-on with friends and doctors on your side.

  • Best Bad Breath Remedies: Make a Good Impression

    Best Bad Breath Remedies: Make a Good Impression

    If you’re self-conscious about your breath and trying to make sure you make a good impression on people around you, you might be looking for the best bad breath remedies.

    Today we’re going to run down some of the best ways to keep your breath fresh and make sure you’re ready for any social scenario.

    Bad Breath Remedies

    Brush Daily… and Nightly

    Make sure you’re brushing your teeth thoroughly both before bed and in the morning before you leave for the day. It’s a huge aspect of your dental health and the largest contributor to your breath. Skipping brushing your teeth is bad for more than just your breath, too: it’s terrible for your teeth.

    Good dental hygiene has a huge impact on how your breath smells. If you’ve got cavities or poor dental health, it’s likely that your teeth can contribute to bad breath. As such, make sure you’re staying up on your brushing!

    Mouthwash

    If you’re quite concerned about your breath, consider using mouthwash after you brush your teeth. Mouthwash will help clean your entire mouth, freshening up and keeping your breath fresh. For those who are concerned about their meals making their breath foul, keeping a bit of mouthwash in the car is a good strategy.

    Chewing Gum

    Keeping a pack of gum in your pocket is another good way to combat bad breath. Maybe your job makes it hard to step away to brush your teeth after a meal, so you’d rather just keep some gum at your desk. This is a good strategy in the short term, but keep in mind that some people consider gum-chewing to be rude.

    Mints

    In the same category as gum, popping breath mints is a great way to quickly get your breath away from smelling like whatever you just ate. Make sure you don’t use gum or mints as a substitute for actually brushing and flossing your teeth, though. Both of these are sugary and will simply cause more long-term damage to your teeth if you’re not brushing them.

    Stop Smoking

    If you smoke, you should stop for a number of health reasons. Social reasons also come into play: smoking is bad for your teeth, your gums and your breath, too. People smell smoke on you after you step out for a smoke break, and it makes your breath unpleasant. There’s no nice way to put it.

    If you won’t quit for your health, at least quit for the people around you.

  • Getting Better Sleep: How to Feel Well-Rested

    Getting Better Sleep: How to Feel Well-Rested

    It can be incredibly difficult to get a good night’s sleep. However, getting the right amount of sleep is very important for long-term health. What are some steps you can take to getting better sleep and feeling well-rested? Today we’re going to try to help.

    Getting Better Sleep

    Diet

    Firstly, a key to getting the right amount of rest is making sure your diet isn’t playing a role in keeping you up. Namely, caffeine is a huge factor in sleep disruption. Are you drinking coffee, energy drinks or sugary sodas near bedtime? You should discontinue intake of caffeine at least eight hours before it’s time to go to bed.

    Secondly, try to cut out caffeine altogether. If you’re using caffeine to help wake up in the morning, you could be damaging your natural circadian rhythm. Your body should naturally wake you up when it’s time, and by using artificial stimulants you could be teaching your body not to do this. Try not to rely on outside stimulants.

    Lifestyle

    When you lay down for bed, maybe your mind is racing and you can’t turn your brain off. You could be under-stimulated physically, and your restlessness could be your body telling you that. If you don’t exercise, consider adopting an exercise routine. Get out and run for half an hour each day. Do a few pushups, sit-ups and squats before bed.

    Remember, it’s way easier to get to sleep if your body is physically tired. If you’ve been sitting at a desk drinking cold brew coffees all day, it’s no wonder you’re laying down with boundless energy and finding it hard to catch some sleep.

    Environment

    Is the room you’re trying to fall asleep in not in the right condition to support good sleep? You should ideally turn off your TV and put your phone far away from where you sleep. Laying in bed scrolling through social media is not a substitute for sleep. In fact, the light from your phone alone could be tricking your brain into staying awake longer.

    The blue light produced by LCD screens mimics that of the sun. Activating “night mode” on some phones can partially help, as it filters out the blue light when the sun goes down. However, no “night mode” features will help you get to sleep if you’re constantly scrolling instead of trying to catch some shut-eye.

  • The History of the Smartphone: How We Got Here

    The History of the Smartphone: How We Got Here

    For most people, the smartphone era began in 2007, with the landmark release of the Apple iPhone. While this was a huge moment in the history of smartphones, the iPhone wasn’t the first. In fact, as far back as 1992, a commercially-available device was unveiled by IBM called the Simon Personal Communicator.

    The History of the Smartphone

    The First Smartphone

    The very first smartphone, the Simon Personal Communicator, was first unveiled in 1992. It was made available or consumers in 1994, sporting an astonishing price tag of $1,100. If that sounds like a lot for today, imagine how much it was in the mid-90’s!

    The SPC was a revolutionary device at the time, sporting a monochromatic display and some rudimentary features that might be recognized now as apps. Email access, an address book, access to your faxes (ha) and even a touchscreen display were all at play with this device.

    Now, the Simon Personal Communicator was a mild success, selling 50,000 units in six months. However, it would go forgotten to the sands of time for roughly a decade. In 2007, Apple perfected what IBM started.

    The iPhone’s Impact

    Before 2007, the SPC could be seen as a bit of an aberrant blip in the world of cell phones. However, when Apple blew the doors open on full-screen smartphones, it was a revolution. The elegant full-screen phone was an instant smash hit, with other manufacturers rushing to duplicate Apple’s success.

    An early example of one such imitator was HTC. The company quickly rose to prominence with devices made using Google’s Android software, running as a direct competitor to Appel. In recent years, the market has shifted more towards Samsung, who makes the ever-popular line of Galaxy smartphones.

    Where We’re Heading

    Smartphones have plateaued in recent years, showing less growth from generation to generation. The advent of high-resolution OLED technology, face-scanning biometric locks and highly-advanced machine learning chips have all brought us closer to the “definitive” smartphone experience.

    If there’s one thing technology hates, though, that’s stagnation. The next big thing in the world of personal communication is likely right around the corner, though there are no clear contenders out there at the moment.

    For a brief time, wearable tech seemed to be the most likely course, with the Apple Watch and its many imitators making a brief splash. However, these seem to have been more of a fad.

    Samsung has been toying with a novelty folding smartphone that sports an interior, foldable display, though we’re uncertain as to how popular this will prove. Only time will tell where we head next!

  • Teeth Whitening: Top Tips for a Healthy, White Smile

    Teeth Whitening: Top Tips for a Healthy, White Smile

    Everyone wants to have a nice smile. If you’re smiling and showing off yellowed teeth with cavities, people will surely be a bit put off. However, it’s not hard to keep a nice, white smile. Today we’re going over some of the top tips for a pearly-white smile.

    Teeth Whitening

    Brush Those Teeth!

    This might seem like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. Make sure you brush at least twice daily! Once when you get up, and once before bed, at the very least. When you brush, take care to get near the gums and in between your teeth so you clear all of the stuff that could have gotten trapped!

    Brushing is a very important aspect of dental health. Most dentists will tell you that it’s the best way to get, and to keep, a white smile. Good dental health starts with a good regiment of brushing teeth.

    Floss

    Flossing is a good addendum to brushing teeth. If you’re commonly brushing and flossing, your smile will stay straight and white for longer! You can fight cavities, bad breath and teeth yellowing all by practicing good hygiene with your brushing and flossing.

    Make sure you floss every day after you brush your teeth. It’s a great way to cap off your dental hygiene regiment.

    Avoid Soda

    Fizzy, sugary soda drinks are terrible for your teeth. If you commonly drink soda, make sure you brush and floss after drinking one. Not practicing good dental hygiene while drinking lots of sugary drinks is a surefire way to get cavities and yellow your teeth.

    Likewise, try to steer clear of candies and other sugary items. These items can contribute greatly to the erosion of the enamel of your teeth. Not to mention, the sugar attracts bacteria that can cause cavities. When the bacteria break down the sugar, they can also eat away at the integrity of your teeth.

    Whitening Strips

    People with yellowed teeth often try out various whitening strips to try to brighten up their smile. While these can be good for some people, they’re not a replacement for good dental hygiene. Make sure if you’re using teeth whitening strips that you’re also brushing and flossing daily.

    Also, it won’t help to use whitening strips while you’re still eating sugary foods and drinking sugary sodas. Essentially the two practices will cancel each other out, and you’re wasting your time and money on the whitening strips.

  • Acid Reflux: Common Causes and Best Treatments

    Acid Reflux: Common Causes and Best Treatments

    Acid reflux is a serious pain for people who suffer with the discomfort and embarrassment it brings. Today we’re looking at the common causes of acid reflux, and the best ways to find relief. While this condition is quite discomforting, there are steps you can take to ease your symptoms.

    Acid Reflux

    Causes

    Acid reflux occurs when lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is too slow to close, allowing stomach acid to splash up into your esophagus. This stomach acid, as you might expect, is incredibly uncomfortable to have rolling around in organs it wasn’t meant to be in. The presence of this acid can lead to chest pain commonly known as heartburn.

    Some common reasons the LES could be failing to keep your stomach acid down are hiatal hernias, lying down after a large meal, smoking, being overweight or being pregnant. There are other factors that could contribute to acid reflux, as well. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease.

    The Science

    When your stomach acid is where it’s supposed to be (you know, your stomach) it doesn’t cause you any discomfort due to your stomach lining. The stomach is constantly creating a thin mucus membrane that resists the acidic properties of the very chemical it makes to break down food. Your esophagus, however, doesn’t have such natural protection.

    Treatments

    Eating smaller meals more frequently is one quick way to address heartburn. Big meals are a common trigger for acid reflux, so eating lighter meals at a higher frequency is advised for common sufferers. If you smoke, consider quitting, as it will have a number of health benefits. This includes potentially curbing heartburn.

    Make sure you don’t eat too close to bedtime. Generally, you want to eat at least two hours before it’s time for bed. Additionally, when you’re eating, avoid wearing tight clothes. If your symptoms come from being overweight, taking steps to lose weight could also lead to a decrease in heartburn.

    Medications

    If lifestyle and diet changes are having no effect, there are a few medications you could try. Namely, antacids are a way to help neutralize stomach acid and calm down the worst symptoms. H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and foaming agents are all popular choices.

    Medications like Pepcid, Gaviscon and Aciphex are commonly taken by sufferers to help abate symptoms. Remember, don’t take more than one type of antacid medication: they’re not meant to be mixed together.