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  • Stop Your Headache the Natural Way: Best Natural Headache Remedies

    Stop Your Headache the Natural Way: Best Natural Headache Remedies

    A really intense headache can ruin your whole day. If you’re suffering from serious headaches and don’t want to take medicine, there are a few natural remedies you can try for relief. Today we’re going over some of the best natural headache remedies.

    Best Natural Headache Remedies

    Lavender Oil

    Along with basil and peppermint oil, lavender oil is great for headaches. Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy in conjunction with massage therapy to help relieve headaches and general aches and pains. Some people like to apply a bit of oil to the temples, and others use a diffuser to get the oil into the air. Either way, try these natural oils for headache relief and see if they can help you.

    Butterbur Herbs

    Butterbur herbs, as well as feverfew, have been shown to help headaches and migraines. Consider adding these herbs to food, or simply taking them in pill form. Many holistic health shops sell extract from these herbs. You can also find capsules with extract of these herbs that you can take. The best part is that these herbs are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about taking potentially harmful medicine.

    Magnesium

    Foods rich in magnesium are an excellent way to naturally combat headaches. Examples of such foods are beans, broccoli, whole grains, seeds and nuts. If you don’t have a lot of these in your diet, consider adding them. Alternatively you could take a magnesium supplement to help your levels stay high. Many people who suffer chronic headaches have low magnesium levels, so keep magnesium in your diet to try to stave them off.

    B-12 Supplements

    Another natural headache remedy comes in the form of B-12 supplements. If you don’t have high amounts of B-12 in your diet you may find yourself suffering from headaches.  This vitamin is commonly found in sesame seeds, fish and almonds. Alternatively, if you don’t like any of those foods you can opt to take a vitamin B-12 supplement in capsule form to keep your levels from dropping too low.

    While none of these remedies are a surefire cure, they will certainly help you in the right direction. Don’t hesitate to contact a doctor in the event of continued, extreme migraines.

  • Dry Skin Got You Down? Try These Top Home Remedies

    Dry Skin Got You Down? Try These Top Home Remedies

    The winter months play havoc on dry skin, making it feel scaly and itchy. If you struggle with dry skin you’re likely looking for relief that you can administer at home. Today we’ve got a list of some of the top home remedies for dry skin to help you through these dry months.

    Dry Skin Home Remedies

    Coconut Oil

    Coconut oil is very popular in cooking and it’s also a great ingredient in lotions for helping dry skin. Consider using coconut oil-infused products to help moisturize. That’s because coconut oil has emollient properties that help restore skin cells and moisturize very well!

    Oatmeal Baths

    Grandmothers will always recommend oatmeal baths for dry skin. And they’re right to do so, it turns out. Colloidal oatmeal contains antioxidants that are amazing for your skin. Taking an oatmeal bath and then using a traditional moisturizer can help reduce itchiness and inflammation. Make sure you use the moisturizer, though, as you’ll need to lock in all the good stuff the oatmeal bath brought to your skin.

    Mineral Oil

    Mineral oil, or petroleum jelly as it is alternatively called, adds a thin layer of protective film to the skin. The film is thin and locks in moisture and keeps out common irritants. Mineral oil is particularly effective when used in conjunction with other moisturizing products! Moisturize first, then apply the mineral oil.

    Wear Gloves

    It might seem straightforward, but wearing gloves is one of the best ways to protect the skin on your hands. When you’re doing household chores that would get your hands wet or expose them to cleaning products make sure you wear gloves! This goes double for when you work outside in cold temperatures. Make sure you have a nice pair of insulated gloves to keep your hands warm in the winter.

    Antioxidants

    Consider taking in more antioxidants to encourage healthy skin. Foods that are high in antioxidants include carrots, lentils, blueberries and tomatoes. These will help your skin keep from getting dried out as easily and encourages healthier healing of dry skin. Additionally, foods rich in omega-3, like salmon, are great for encouraging healthy skin.

  • What Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    What Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    Bugs are the worst. When the weather is hot they’re everywhere. When the weather is cold they rush into your home. Here are some great tips for dealing with bugs that your exterminator won’t tell you about. If there are insects bugging you, try some of these tips!

    Tips Your Exterminator Won’t Tell You

    Homemade Roach Trap

    Cockroaches are unsettling little bugs. If you want to deal with them yourself, use a banana. No, seriously! Get a jar and rub petroleum jelly around the inside of the rim. Then put a banana down inside the jar and put the trap near where you’ve seen roaches. The banana will attract the roaches and then the petroleum jelly will keep them from climbing out of the jar. Then you can just dump the little jerks outside, far from your house.

    Trash Etiquette

    If you’ve got flies around your trash can outside then you need to take a few steps to prevent them from being attracted to it. First, get a can with a tight, well-fitting lid. Second, make sure you’re washing your trashcan out regularly. One every couple of weeks is a good pace! Finally, don’t hesitate to put some borax in your trash can after you wash it to keep it from smelling appetizing to flies.

    Fix Plumbing Problems

    Many bugs are attracted to water. If you’ve got slight plumbing leaks, damp areas or particularly dark and quiet regions in your house, many bugs consider that an open invitation. Make sure your plumbing is all repaired and up-to-date. Also, make sure you keep your basement and the area under the sink both dry and inhospitable for common pests!

    You Can’t Get Them All

    Some people want to have houses spotless and completely free of all bugs. This isn’t quite feasible, however, as some bugs are nearly impossible to keep out. Fleas and bedbugs are going to come in on your clothes. Mites and gall flies are so tiny they’re hard to even notice. Just make peace with the fact that you can’t get them all out of your house and you’ll be much happier!

  • Are You Spending Too Much on Paper Towels?

    Are You Spending Too Much on Paper Towels?

    It can be hard to find good deals on common grocery items. If you’ve got a big family you may find yourself spending way too much on disposable items. Paper towels are a notable example of items that you might be spending more than you need to on. Here are some of the best deals you can find on paper towels to help save your family money!

    Best Paper Towel Deals

    While you might not think about your spending on things like disposable napkins often, every dollar counts. That goes double for people with big families. It’s important to make every purchase as economically as you can to make your money go further!

    Target

    Bounty is a well-regarded name brand of paper towels for a number of reasons. Thankfully, Target has a really great price on this absorbent and excellent product. Believe it or not, Target is selling 8-packs of these paper towels for $14.50. It’s worth noting that these are double-sized rolls, and Bounty paper towels are very economic in use. Bounty advertises this 8-pack as equivalent to 20 normal rolls of paper towels! That’s a huge value.

    Sam’s Club

    It should come as no surprise that one of the best places to buy in bulk is Sam’s Club. Right now you can find a 15-pack of Member’s Mark brand paper towels in Sam’s Club for a little over $18. If you have a huge family and need to keep a ton of paper towels on hand then this is the deal for you! It’s hard to find a deal this good outside of a member store like Sam’s Club. If you don’t have a Sam’s Club membership, however, you’ll need to get one to take advantage of this deal.

    Lowes

    It might sound weird but Lowes is actually a great place to find deals on cleaning supplies. For instance, they have a 9-pack of Seventh Generation available for just under $18. That’s not just nine normal rolls, either, it’s 9 jumbo-sized rolls. Seventh Generation’s jumbo-rolls have 120 sheets per roll, making this an incredible deal. This eco-friendly brand also uses unbleached paper towels made from renewable sources, so you can feel good about this purchase!

  • If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    If You Have Type 2 Diabetes You Need to Avoid These Foods

    Type-2 diabetes affects as much as ten percent of the adult population of the United States. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes it can be scary to figure out what you should do. Always listen to your doctor’s advice and follow medical guidelines. While you’re at it, make sure you avoid these foods.

    Foods to Avoid if You have Type-2 Diabetes

    Milkshakes

    As much as you may love them, you need to avoid milkshakes. The classic milkshake is full of carbohydrates, sugar, calories and fat and is absolutely terrible for people with diabetes. There’s also not a version of this classic that doesn’t have these things. Even non-dairy milkshakes are loaded with sugar and fat, so just avoid them altogether.

    Biscuits and Gravy

    Southerners love this traditional breakfast, but diabetics need to stay away from it. This dish has your entire daily allotment of saturated fat if you’re diabetic. That’s not to even mention the calories and salt content. If you really want a similar dish, consider tofu sausage replacement, low-sodium biscuits and vegan gravy! Still, keep in mind that this is a heavy dish and don’t go crazy on it.

    Fried Chicken

    Fried anything is bad news for diabetics. We know that comprises about half of all American cuisine, but, trust us, it’s bad for you. Your body will thank you for avoiding fried chicken, French fries and corn dogs. Cards, sodium, fat, cholesterol and calories are a few of the alarmingly-high bad things found in most fried foods.

    Snack Cakes

    Companies like Twinkie and Little Debby make pre-packaged snack cakes that are downright awful for diabetics. Sugar, sodium, white flour and tons of preservatives comprise most of these snack cakes, all of which are awful for anyone, especially a diabetic. Here’s the good news, though: you can make your own pastries at home and restrict the amount of sugar, fat and other harmful things that go into them. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!

    In general, remember that your condition is serious and you need to heed your doctor’s advice. If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to contact a medical specialist. Eat healthy, be careful and stay safe!

  • Cyber Monday 2018: Are You Missing Out on the Best Savings?

    Cyber Monday 2018: Are You Missing Out on the Best Savings?

    Cyber Monday isn’t just for Black Friday leftovers. Every year, Black Friday gets a ton of attention for being the best time to save on holiday shopping. However, some of the best deals you can find come courtesy of Cyber Monday! The Monday after Black Friday is a fantastic day of online deals and it can be so easy to forget the online phenomenon.

    The deals don’t just suddenly end with the passing of Black Friday, and your excitement about them doesn’t have to either. Cyber Monday is filled with great savings and sales, without the lines and occasional negativity that come with Black Friday. If you’re looking to do all of your shopping online rather than in stores this year, make sure to bookmark the latest offers all week. We will be scouring the depths of the web to bring you the best of Cyber Monday

    Cyber Monday 2018

    This year, Cyber Monday is November 26th. Most online retailers offer their best deals from Monday through Friday, though not everyone does this. Keep your eyes peeled for great deals! For what it’s worth, many retailers have largely begun to conflate Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as online retail has become more lucrative.

    Cyber Monday has historically been a single day of online deals, but since online shopping has become so huge in recent years, this shopping holiday has become more of a shopping holi-week. You can expect to see many of the same deals on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday that you will see on Monday.

    Some advertisers have started referring to this phenomenon as Cyber Week, but not everyone has adopted this new model for the holiday season. Here are some examples of deals you might see on Cyber Monday from top retailers!

    Amazon

    Best For: Gaming and toys, smart home, and almost anything else you can buy online.

    While plenty of other retailers offer Cyber Monday sales, none of them match Amazon’s. Last year, we saw three times as many Cyber Monday deals at Amazon as the next highest retailer

    Amazon also has a large number of Black Friday deals on their Fire tablets, Fire TV Stick and Echo devices, among other things. Expect these huge discounts to continue during Cyber Monday and Cyber Week. There will likely also be Lightning Deals all throughout the week that you can save a ton on, so stay posted!

    Walmart

    Best For: Parents (and kids, too) and homeowners.

    Like Walmart’s sprawling stores, you’ll find sales on just about every product category on Cyber Monday. There were also steals on more practical purchases for parents, including car seats and children’s bedroom sets, as well as household necessities.

    Walmart will be offering sales on a number of things to compete with Amazon’s line. Items like Google Home, 4K TVs and the like will all be discounted through their website. Also, expect to see discounts on home appliances like microwaves, toasters and the like. This is a great opportunity for buying gifts for new homeowners, or just updating your own home!

    Target

    Best For: The hottest Cyber Monday TV sales.

    Two-thirds of Target’s Cyber Monday sales last year were the best bargains on televisions anywhere. Last year’s sales saw fantastic prices on sets ranging from 40″ to 80″, but the best prices were on high-end 70″ and 80″ 4K sets, some of which hit the lowest prices we’d ever seen on TVs in that class.

    Target will have similar sales to Walmart and will likely be selling things at a similar price. We recommend double-checking against Walmart when shopping Target to make sure you find the best deals. Target also has a wide range of electronics you can expect to see on sale, which are the hot-ticket items this time of year!

    Best Buy

    Best For: Electronics of all kinds.

    Last year, Best Buy didn’t offer a ton of Cyber Monday sales, but the majority of them were stellar. Look for bargains on home security items and last-generation smartphones — last year’s sales offered the lowest price on the iPhone 7 we’d ever seen. Expect some excellent TV sales, too.

    Expect to also see discounts on high-end PC gear like gaming keyboards and mice. Chairs for computer gaming are also likely to be discounted at a great rate! Consider checking Best Buy if you’re looking for electronics that Target and Walmart don’t usually sell.

  • Want to Lose Weight? These are the Foods You Need to Eat

    Want to Lose Weight? These are the Foods You Need to Eat

    Are you trying to lose weight? It’s not very easy to shed the pounds. Whether you’re active or more sedentary, it’s difficult to lose weight. One of the best ways to lose, other than exercise and portion control, is by eating foods that encourage weight loss.

    Not all calories are created equal. Different foods go through different metabolic pathways in your body. They can have vastly different effects on your hunger, hormones and the number of calories you burn. Here are the 5 most weight-loss-friendly foods on earth that are supported by science.

    Foods to Help you Lose Weight

    Salmon

    Fatty fish like salmon is incredibly healthy and very satisfying, keeping you full for many hours with relatively few calories. Salmon is loaded with high-quality protein, healthy fats and various important nutrients. Fish — and seafood in general — may also supply a significant amount of iodine.

    This nutrient is necessary for proper thyroid function, which is important to keep your metabolism running optimally. Studies show that a significant number of people don’t fill their iodine needs.Salmon is also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation, which is known to play a major role in obesity and metabolic disease. Mackerel, trout, sardines, herring and other types of fatty fish are also excellent.

    Greens

    Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collards, swiss chards and a few others. They have several properties that make them perfect for a weight loss diet, such as being low in calories and carbohydrates and loaded with fiber.

    Eating leafy greens is a great way to increase the volume of your meals, without increasing the calories. Numerous studies show that meals and diets with a low energy density make people eat fewer calories overall. Leafy greens are also incredibly nutritious and very high in many vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, including calcium, which has been shown to aid fat burning in some studies.

    Whole Eggs

    Once feared for being high in cholesterol, whole eggs have been making a comeback. New studies show that they neither adversely affect blood cholesterol nor cause heart attacks. What’s more, they’re one of the best foods to eat if you need to lose weight, as they’re high in protein, healthy fats and can make you feel full with a very low amount of calories.

    One study in 30 overweight women showed that eating eggs for breakfast, instead of bagels, increased feelings of fullness (satiety) and made participants eat less for the next 36 hours. Another eight-week study found that eggs for breakfast increased weight loss on a calorie restricted diet, compared to bagels. Eggs are also incredibly nutrient dense and can help you get all the nutrients you need on a calorie-restricted diet. Interestingly, almost all the nutrients are found in the yolks.

    Avocados

    Avocados are a unique fruit. While most fruits are high in carbs, avocados are loaded with healthy fats. They’re particularly high in monounsaturated oleic acid, the same type of fat found in olive oil. Despite being mostly fat, avocados also contain a lot of water and fiber, making them less energy-dense than you may think.

    What’s more, they’re a perfect addition to vegetable salads, as studies show that their fat content can increase carotenoid antioxidant absorption from the vegetables 2.6- to 15-fold. They also contain many important nutrients, including fiber and potassium.

    Fibrous Vegetables

    Fibrous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts. Like other vegetables, they’re high in fiber and tend to be incredibly filling. What’s more, these types of veggies generally contain decent amounts of protein.

    They’re not nearly as high in protein as animal foods or legumes but still high compared to most vegetables. A combination of protein, fiber and low energy density makes cruciferous vegetables the perfect foods to include in your meals if you need to lose weight. They’re also highly nutritious and contain cancer-fighting substances.

  • How to Save on Diapers with some Easy Tricks

    How to Save on Diapers with some Easy Tricks

    Babies can go through a ton of diapers, and diapers are seriously expensive. If you’re a parent, you’re nodding along saying “yeah, pretty much.” There’s good news for you though: you can save on diapers with these easy tricks. Stop overspending on diapers!

    How to Save on Diapers

    Shop Online

    A great place to start is by shopping for diapers online. Sites like Amazon are great places to go for saving on diapers for a lot of reasons. For one thing, you can compare a number of brands and deals side by side as you go. This allows you to get a feel for what different brands cost. Amazon even has an Amazon Mom program you can try!

    Consider installing an extension like Honey for trying coupon codes. Honey is a free add-on that will try to match up coupon codes it finds online to your shopping at checkout. You might end up saving a lot of money when you go to check out! It’s worth trying.

    Buy in Bulk

    When you buy, buy in bulk. It’s a lot cheaper to stock up all at once, especially when you’re shopping online with coupon codes. If you find a good bulk deal on Amazon and then apply a big coupon code to it you can get a steal on diapers. Then, you won’t have to worry about driving to the store to get them or cramming a ton of diapers in your car!

    Not to mention, when you buy in bulk it lets you spend less time worrying about getting out to the store to stock back up. This allows you more time to actual spend with your baby, on house chores or just straight-up leisure time!

    Samples and Coupons

    Many diaper brands offer coupons or free samples to interested shoppers. Head to a manufacturer’s site and see if they offer free samples or trials. Many of these are offered only once, but you can simply change email address and order again if you’re trying to keep costs down!

    Hopefully some of these tricks help. Remember: you can always find a better deal! Never settle for the first price you see.

  • Aching Joints? Try These Arthritis Remedies

    Aching Joints? Try These Arthritis Remedies

    Think you know everything about arthritis? More than 50 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, and up to 67 million are expected to be diagnosed by the year 2030. Arthritis pain can be downright incapacitating if it gets intense enough.

    Wrists and joints ache and you feel as though nothing can make you feel normal. When not properly treated, arthritis can be damaging to many aspects of people’s lives, causing all kinds of physical and emotional issues stemming from chronic pain and the loss of mobility. There has been much research into arthritis remedies for those suffering with aching joints. Here are a few you can try.

    Top Arthritis Remedies

    Hot and Cold Therapy

    Hot and cold therapy can do wonders for aching joints from arthritis. Taking a nice, long and hot bath or shower in the morning can do aching joints wonders. Alternatively, using electric blankets or heating pads can help to relax stiff joints.

    On the other hand ice therapy can be used to alleviate intense pain rapidly. Ice packs wrapped in towels and applied to sore joints can provide fast relief. Follow this cold treatment with a bit of heat treatment for relief from joint pain!

    Turmeric

    Consider adding turmeric to your diet in higher quantities. This root plant is a known anti-inflammatory and has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years. You can add it to dishes easily, as it is a common spice. It tastes really good, too! While it’s not a cure-all, you might find it helps to alleviate symptoms of joint pain. At the very worst, it’ll add some spice to your dishes!

    Cocoa/Chocolate

    Did you know that cocoa provides an abundant source of phytochemicals? You might not know much about phytochemicals, but this odd ingredient means cocoa is an antioxidant – and antioxidants are known to help with cardiovascular health, brain function, and cancer prevention. If you have RA, consuming cocoa (yes, even in the form of chocolate) can also benefit your immune system.

    Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, can significantly reduce inflammation throughout the body. Cocoa properties are known to decrease COX-2 enzymes that cause inflammation, meaning every bite of dark chocolate helps decrease what’s causing your aches and pains.

    When you consume chocolate, it triggers the release of serotonin in the brain – or what many people call “the happiness chemical.” Serotonin literally changes your mindset, releasing happiness and lifting your mood.

    Suffering from the symptoms of RA can have a devastating impact on your well-being. However, treating yourself with dark chocolate can help combat both a bad mood and a little of your pain. Enjoying dark chocolate (in moderation, of course) is enough to lift up your spirits, even if just for a moment.

    Acupuncture

    The use of acupuncture for treating pain is a bit contentious. However, many patients claim that their chronic pain symptoms are greatly alleviated by acupuncture. Consider visiting a specialist for a consultation and a quote! They might be able to help you.

    Massage

    Along those same lines, you could consider visiting a massage therapist. They could use massage techniques to help relax your muscles and loosen stiff joints. Alternatively, you could work with a physical therapist to learn techniques of self-massage if it would be difficult to see a professional regularly.

    Exercise

    Make sure you get lots of exercise! Simply staying active can work wonders on aching or stiff joints. Make sure you walk often and don’t spend all day indoors. Try a combination of these arthritis remedies and hopefully they will alleviate your symptoms!