Month: February 2021

Natural Living For A Healthier You

Natural living is a philosophy that focuses on being responsible for the environment, prioritizing organic and sustainable options, and avoiding any toxins in products and packaging.

It’s a philosophy that strives to make less of a negative impact on our surroundings and places importance on living in harmony with the natural world around us. 

From food to consumer products, cleaning materials, personal care, and alternative therapies, natural living offers an environmentally friendly solution for everyone.  

When shopping for a sustainable solution, the first thing to do is read the ingredient label for organic, natural sources. Next, look for a PETA certification, a symbol that certified the packaging to be made of recyclable materials and avoids any chemical toxins in the label. 

The process of living naturally is a habit and one that doesn’t happen overnight. Yes, you could throw out all your toxic, non-sustainable products in your house, but that doesn’t mean that you’re immediately living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. 

To make a positive impact in your life, there are a few suggestions: repurposing old packaging, choosing a more active way of life, and considering natural remedies and alternative therapies before traditional medicinal options.

Repurpose Old Packaging Rather Than Toss It Out

Think about all the packaging waste you just tossed out! 

Instead, you can repurpose some of those items and use them around the house for things other than their design. 

For example, you can use an empty laundry detergent bottle, cut off the top, rinse it, and use it as a planter for some herbs or flowers. 

You can decorate the planter and place it on a shelf or outside along a wall for a flowery garden rather than toss out the empty plastic that will just sit in a landfill. 

As you change to an eco-friendly lifestyle, you will need to look at other solutions to your daily activities that are more suited to your new way of living. 

Examples are switching from a meat-oriented diet to a plant-based menu or switching from your regular hair care to more natural hair products and personal care solutions. 

Take A Hands-on Approach To Healthier Living

Changing your purchasing decisions to make them more sustainable is just one step. 

There are a few daily habits and rituals you can do as well. 

Journal

From industry leaders to artists and even Presidents, a daily journal is a way for you to write out your thoughts and dreams. Doing this practice every morning is a great way to focus the mind, open up creativity, and explore your subconscious thoughts and bring them to the conscious mind. 

Meditate

Take 15 minutes every day to focus on slowly breathing and directing your attention to the soothing sounds of the breath as you inhale and exhale. This daily practice will relax the body and calm the mind. 

A relaxed body has less stress, lowered blood pressure, slower heart-rate, and deeper respiration. This process will allow you to focus your mind on the moment, eliminate outside anxiety, and is part of the practice of mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is a state of consciousness focused on the moment and not too far into the past or worries about the future. 

Exercise

Adding a daily exercise routine should be part of your plan for healthier living. Combining exercise with meditation such as yoga or Tai Chi is a great way to improve your heart rate while also clearing your mind. The World Health Organization recommends that you exercise daily, even with activities such as a light walk or hike. 

Unplug

Take time away from electric devices to clear your mind and direct your attention. The brain acts like a muscle. The more it’s challenged, the stronger it becomes, and taking information and stimuli in a passive form such as screens and TVs makes the brain lazy. You need to stimulate the brain through reading, physical movement, arts, and crafts to stretch and grow. 

Natural Remedies And Alternative Therapies

For minor aches and pains, or sleep issues, trying a natural remedy is a great option. CBD and THC oils are often reviewed well on websites like Herald Net for treatment of these symptoms. They offer pain reduction and deeper sleep patterns and can be taken in a variety of different ways. Pure CBD oil is the most popular of these oils as they do not have the intoxicating effects often associated with cannabis.

Acupuncture and massage therapies can help with muscle ache and joint pain. Adding Turmeric and other natural ingredients may aid with digestive issues and healing. 

Considering a more natural lifestyle is easier to maintain once you dedicate your behaviors to making that change. Take it slow, make one change at a time, and as it becomes permanent, you can focus on another action to change.

How To Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep

Even as things have slowed down in the past year, some studies show people at home are getting less quality sleep than before the pandemic. Studies show that people get more sleep, just less quality sleep, which is problematic. 

Issues that may arise from poor sleep are increased risk of heart attack or stroke, lowered immune system, obesity, onset diabetes, and decreased mental function and wellbeing. 

On average, researchers note that people are sleeping 15-minutes more per night during the pandemic than prior but that sleep lacks a deep sleep necessary for the benefits of that increased time to take hold. 

One of the main issues is that people are having difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep due to different stress levels. 

Stress can be a subtle issue that can affect our moods, heart health, increase the risk of illness, decrease mental function, and increase the chance of depression. 

3 Changes To Make And Get Better Sleep 

To tackle getting better sleep, we need to consider focusing on improving our health, and there are three things to consider. 

Improve Your Diet

First, change your diet and eat healthier. Salty or sugary foods impact the digestion of more natural sources of nutrition. Your body will break down the sugary sources first, leaving carbohydrates and starches to accumulate in the body as fats. Over time these fats build-up and can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular and digestive health and make you feel tired and sluggish but unable to sleep.

Eating well can lead to a whole host of improvements in your health and sleep habits. Sometimes sleep issues are derived from what we eat, causing allergies to digestive problems or even causing imbalances in our neurochemistry that impact our health. 

Exercise Daily

Next, create an exercise regiment. Exercise will help you burn off any excess energy, tax your muscles and cardiovascular system, strengthen bones, and increase stamina. As a result, you’ll be able to eliminate additional stress from the body, making it possible to relax faster and get better quality sleep. 

Exercise should be something that you enjoy and an activity you can maintain for a longer duration. Too often, people start an aggressive workout routine, become too sore, or injured to continue with it. The best strategy is to start slow and consult a professional to develop the right plan for your specific needs and health condition. 

Get More, uh, Sleep 

Third, get more sleep. I know this is a no-brainer, but increasing your overall sleep by 30 minutes a day will give your body more time to reach a deep REM sleep that works to regenerate and recuperate the body. 

The reality is that we need to work on our rest by sleeping smarter. 

Creating a sleep program is a good start. 

Begin by having a period of time before sleeping designed to help you relax, whether that is doing some meditation, taking a bath, or other activity that soothes you and calms your thought process. Stay away from screens, tv, and alcohol right before bedtime as these all affect different parts of the brain and may impact our quality of sleep. 

Another thing to do is make sure that the bedroom is for sleeping. Your brain will recognize patterns in your behavior, and how it establishes its concept of your bedroom, whether it’s seen as relaxing or stimulating, goes a long way toward the quality of sleep you may have.  

Finally, taking natural sleep remedies can offer short, and long-term solutions to your sleep issues. Various natural sleep remedies range from valerian root, melatonin, passionflower, and more. 

One of the best sleep aids to consider is using CBD byproducts and oils and using a CBN product. 

Why does cannabis aid in sleeping? Many different benefits range from ease of pain and insomnia and create a sense of relaxed and anti-inflammatory properties. 

CBD refers to cannabidiol, the active ingredient in cannabis derived from the hemp plant. Meanwhile, CBN refers to the byproduct of THC as it ages. It is the abbreviated form of cannabinol, a non-intoxicating compound. A good option for someone who wants the benefits associated with cannabinoids but doesn’t want to experience the intoxicating effects would be to explore taking a CBN isolate. There are many products available on the market specifically geared towards relaxation and sleep.

Eco-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

One of the best ways to show your love for your significant other on Valentine’s Day is to help the environment. You’ll probably create a stronger bond between the both of you because you’ll make it more meaningful. If you want to help save the planet this Valentine’s Day, there are many ways to have an eco-friendly holiday.

Buy Flowers and Chocolates from Sustainable Sources

You can buy plenty of different types of sweets from sustainable sources, like caramel chocolate candies and truffles. Besides this, beautiful flowers can be purchased sustainably. For example, choose locally grown flowers, inquire about sustainable growing methods and avoid plastic. When you buy eco-friendly items, you have the chance to support the ethical treatment of laborers, offset carbon emissions, save rainforests, and protect wildlife and the ecosystem, among other things. You can give your valentine chocolates and flowers together or choose only one.

Choose a More Ethical Restaurant to Dine At

Instead of dining at an ordinary restaurant, go somewhere that has higher ethical standards. For starters, you can dine at a restaurant with locally-sourced ingredients on the menu. Another idea is to eat out at a vegetarian or vegan place. Going vegan can help fight climate change and is often recommended by health professionals for better health.

Rescue an Animal from a Shelter

One of the most selfless things you can do for Valentine’s Day is to rescue a shelter animal. You can adopt a dog or cat and give it to your significant other. Additionally, you’ll be saving an animal’s life and giving it to someone who could give it the unconditional love it deserves. Beforehand, be sure your valentine would like to have a pet, so you don’t end up having to give it back.

Make a Charitable Difference Together

Giving love to those less fortunate is one of the best ways to show you care about your valentine. Make your connection more meaningful than ever by sharing experiences you’ll always remember. For example, give to the homeless, an animal shelter, or an environmental nonprofit. Furthermore, consider making donations to worthwhile charities in each other’s names, and wait until Valentine’s Day to reveal the details.

Express Your Emotions by Creating Art

Getting creative with the person you adore can help you express your love for one another. You can paint a picture of him/her, draw a rose and color it red or make a bouquet of pretty paper flowers. Another idea is to make a Valentine’s Day card to express your personal feelings. You can develop your own ideas for creating lovely art that shows just how much you care.

Create a Romantic Playlist

Music can be one of the best ways to communicate your love. You can make a romantic playlist of love songs you both enjoy listening to. Alternatively, if you’re musically inclined, try creating your original music to share with your valentine; this could be playing a musical instrument or even singing a love song.

Other eco-friendly ideas include eating a romantic dinner you cooked yourself at home, purchasing a handmade gift that supports charity, planting a tree together, among others. Contributing to help the earth for Valentine’s Day can improve your relationship. You have the chance to grow your love by doing meaningful activities. After all, real love comes from selfless acts of charity towards the person you love and for those in need.

Turning Your Home Into a Stress-Free Zone

The world can be a stressful place, so your home should act as a personal sanctuary. Yet many people find that their houses are chaotic and full of clutter — the opposite of a relaxing space. Everyone craves a customized stress-free zone, but how do you achieve it?

You can start by implementing these three tips.

1. Give Everything a Home

Clutter sometimes seems like it’s never-ending, which can cause anxiety and can trigger guilty feelings. The solution is to clean, declutter and organize, using these two steps.

Creating Zones

Structure offer clarity and direction, which can reduce uncertainty and confusion. If you create zones in your house, it will be easier to decide where objects should go. For example, you might decide that your office is the place to address anything important. From there, you would place important bills, files, and documents into that single room. Likewise, you would put all related items in that space.

To implement this step in your life, walk into each room of your house and determine its purpose. You could give the room a dedicated name or divide it into categories like work, play, and relaxation.

 Prioritizing Storage Solutions

Once you’ve created zones throughout your home, it’s time to organize items and prioritize storage solutions. You can use folders, bags, boxes or baskets — whatever suits your needs — to begin separating items. You’ll then need to assign them a dedicated place in the house.

2. Choose a Cohesive Design

With your home clean and organized, it’s time to take a closer look at your design. Does each room have a similar style? If every room is painted a different color and has mismatched furniture and decor, your house might feel chaotic even when clean.

Think about your personality and lifestyle — what furniture pieces do you appreciate the most? If you don’t have a strong design opinion, you can also look to your home’s character for motivation. When you choose a cohesive design theme, you create a natural flow and balance inside that wasn’t present before.

Popular design styles include:

  • Traditional
  • Rustic
  • Coastal
  • Industrial
  • Modern
  • Eclectic

3. Bring the Outdoors Inside

Some houses truly need a breath of fresh air to begin feeling like a stress-free zone. Here are two ways to bring the outdoors inside.

Natural Light

Natural light makes you feel energized and alive. Sunlight helps to reset your body’s circadian rhythm provides you with a healthy boost of vitamin D. In return, you sleep better and have more energy. To gain more natural light, try using sheer curtains instead of heavy materials. If you’re looking for a massive boost of sunlight, you can install additional windows or skylights throughout your property.

Indoor Plants

Houseplants make people happy and can naturally remove toxins from the air. They look beautiful and may spark a love for gardening you didn’t know existed. Begin with plants that are resilient to boost your confidence and add to your collection over time.

Take It Slow

Using these three tips, you can transform your home into a stress-free environment where you’re happy to spend time. Remember, it’s essential to take it at your own pace. By taking your time with each step, you can enjoy the process rather than adding to your anxiety. Even the most beautiful properties can seem stressful if the individual feels overwhelmed or unhappy. Use your redesigned clutter-free house as a safe space to decompress and prioritize self-care — you’ll have a new appreciation for your home and yourself.

Living Naturally As A Way To Being Happier

Learning different ways to handle stress and other challenges in our lives can be tricky but is crucial. 

There are times in our lives that things seem to be overwhelming and it feels like no matter what we do we’re behind the eight-ball and life is stacked against us. 


The reality is that this is just a perception of what is happening around us and not absolutely true at all. Not to discredit your concerns, but the truth is that a lot of the obstacles that we face are strengthened by how we perceive them. 

Studies show that perceptions affect us in a variety of ways and that these expectations influence what information we select to adhere to.

Why does this matter? 

Well, if the challenges we are confronted with are strengthened or weakened by how we perceive them, then how we think becomes how we act. 

Saying that there are real challenges that we sometimes can’t understand why they’re occurring. For example, a chronic illness doesn’t become any less serious because we think about it differently, but how we adapt and handle those situations is important. 

Or consider a sleep disorder. The underlying cause could be from the feeling of anxiety or stress, which may also be an underlying cause of something more severe, but there are things you can do to minimize how much sleep is impacted. 

Strategies to Make a Happier, Healthier Life

So what can you do to minimize the feeling of overwhelm that we all have to deal with at times?

Making the decision to transition from standard ways of doing things to a more alternative way can be stressful, especially if you’re unsure of what you can do. 

We have some great strategies that can help you regardless of the circumstance, so read on to find the one that is right for you.

Learn Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of having a calm about you and focus on the present moment. The act of mindfulness is thinking only about the moment and ignoring fears, concerns, and excitement about any time other than the present. To achieve mindfulness it takes a routine that allows for a relaxed body and mind, and a focus on the moment. Yoga and meditation are good routines to relax the body and brain. 

Set An Exercise Routine

Exercise does a variety of positive things for the body. First, it elevates the heart rate, improves the cardiovascular system, strengthens bones and muscles, enhances the immune system, aids in digestion, and releases stress from the body. 

The main thing to keep in mind about exercise is that in order to get any real benefits from the workout is that you have to create a routine that you can continue. Too often people make the mistake of trying to do too much all at once, get injured or burned out, and lose the motivation to continue, ruining any positive progress they’ve already made. 

Choose Natural Living

Natural living is the philosophy of having harmony with nature meaning prioritizing sustainable foods, non-toxic, and organic products. A person living by this philosophy can have a sense of calm, freedom, and connection with themselves and others. 

Alternative Therapies

Choosing to live a natural living philosophy also informs the majority of our thoughts and actions. Exploring alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, use of pure cbd oil, massage, and meditation are great ways to minimize any pain or other issues and help change the way you think about the obstacles you face. Additionally, alternative therapies can help alleviate sleep disorders, mental focus, and cognitive functions. 

Eat Better

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat” should be in front of mind any time you think about what types of foods to eat. Moving away from a diet of processed foods to a more plant-based diet isn’t just healthy, it’s also a responsible way to eat sustainably. 

Too many people think of better eating as being only something the rich can afford, the reality is that eating healthier provides the body with more energy, strengthens the immune system, and is more affordable than other diets that may lack any real nutritional value. The lack of any nutrition in standard diets also leads to possible costly long-term health issues.

Making a change from the typical lifestyle that we’re surrounded by can be difficult, but choosing a natural living philosophy is one that benefits your health, makes you more responsible toward your impact on the environment, and provides you with tools and mechanisms to live a long, healthy life.

Healthy Wedding Food Options Your Guests Will Love

You’ve reached the point in the wedding planning process where you must select food and drinks for your reception. Unfortunately, you have mixed emotions. You want to incorporate healthy foods, but you’re not sure your guests will respond well. When most people hear the word “healthy,” they automatically assume bland foods. Naturally, you want your friends and family to enjoy their meal, but you’re passionate about healthy living. 

Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to create a healthier reception menu without compromising flavor or taste. Here are some delicious ideas your guests are sure to love. 

Go Organic

One of the simplest ways to create a healthier reception menu is to select organic foods. These are fruits, vegetables, meat, and other items made from all-natural, unprocessed ingredients. Eliminating or reducing the chemicals and additives present in the food improves your overall well-being. When making selections for your reception, talk with the caterer about the types of ingredients used to prepare the dishes. Ensure that they’re aware you prefer organic. 

Farm To Table

If you’re looking for a way to incorporate healthy foods into your wedding reception while supporting a great cause, farm-to-table options are ideal. The idea is that all your foods are sourced from local farms. It helps to support the local economy while saving the environment. There are plenty of restaurants that advertise farm-to-table food choices that you can work with to create the perfect reception menu. 

Vegan With a Flare

Vegan cuisine has come a long way from blocks of soy and raw vegetables. These days, chefs can make just about anything using vegan ingredients. There isn’t any type of food that can’t be recreated for your guests, from soups and salads to burgers and fries. Grilled veggies on a skewer over a bed of quinoa and sauteed onions, eggplant parmigiana, or chickpea tacos wrapped in romaine lettuce with peppers and onions tastes just as amazing as the meat options. All it takes is the right seasonings and proper cooking techniques to wow your guests. 

If you don’t want to go entirely vegan, there’s also the option to incorporate a combination of vegan and regular menu options for your guests. 

Fruit And Veggie Appetizers

Another option for couples that want a healthy reception menu (but don’t want to go overboard) is fruit and vegetable appetizers. Ditch the pigs in a blanket, meatballs, and other traditional appetizer ideas for something with more nutritional value. A simple fruit salad drizzled with honey or chocolate or fresh vegetables with fancy dipping sauces is both simple yet delicious options. If you want to stay big on flavor, you can always opt for portobello mushroom sliders, zucchini fries, or baked macaroni and cheese balls. Your guests’ mouths are sure to start watering the moment they read this on the wedding invitations. 

Smoothie Bar

Why not incorporate a healthy food station into your wedding reception? A smoothie bar is a perfect treat for your guests. The station would have various types of fruits, vegetables, juices, milk, yogurts, nuts, seeds, and other ingredients for everyone to make their own smoothie. Of course, it’s always good to have a few recipe ideas for first-timers who may not know what they want. 

Salad Bar

Most people enjoy a decent salad before the main course. Instead of deciding on the typical garden and caesar or selecting something no one’s interested in eating, allow them to create their own salads. A salad bar complete with different fruits, vegetables, toppings, and dressings will surely encourage your guests to eat a little nutrition. 

Part of what makes weddings unique is the personalization couples put in the details. If you and your fiance are passionate about healthy living and want to incorporate nutritional foods on your reception menu, go for it. As you can see from above, there are plenty of ways to add healthy choices without compromising taste or flavor. Your health-conscious guests will appreciate it while first-timers will get exposed to the good life – and love it.

5 Ways A Spa Day Can Rejuvenate Your Mental And Physical Health

Introduction

Spa Days aren’t just a luxury way to improve your appearance and pamper yourself. They can have a profound effect on both your physical and mental health, in many unexpected ways. Each of the wide variety of activities involved in a spa day; massage treatments, facials and spa facilities, can boost your wellness in a unique way!

 

Improving Your Circulation

Having good circulation is essential to your health. Not only does good circulation keep your organs healthy and running, but it is also responsible for preventing organ problems by removing the built up waste they produce. Good circulation also allows your immune system to run efficiently, helping your fight off illness. If your circulation slows down you’ll most likely start feeling tired and unable to concentrate, as well as having trouble remembering things. Poor circulation can even be the cause of early hair loss!

Thankfully a spa day can be a powerful way to boost your circulation and keep everything running smoothly. Massages and facial treatments are one of the best ways to relieve this problem, in fact, since the smooth movements on your skin naturally get blood flowing again. A session in the sauna will also improve your circulation thanks to their dry heat. In fact, for the same reason, a massage while in the heated Turkish Hammam can be a good idea if improving your circulation is a health goal.

 

Releasing Stress and Tension

Daily life can naturally be very stressful on you, and continued stress with no relief can leave you feeling exhausted, unhappy and unmotivated. A Spa Day is effective at releasing this pent up tension and stress in many ways. Firstly, changing your scenery and going to a spa that is designed to relax you and put you into a positive state will help your mind push worry away. Having a spa treatment will ease both physical and mental tension, and there are even specific anti stress treatments designed for the express purpose of relaxing you mentally.

Enjoying a relaxing swim in a pool, resting in a jacuzzi or pampering yourself in a sauna are also proven stress relievers, which can even help you sleep better at night! You might even opt to take a friend or loved one along with you on your spa day, since sharing such experiences with others has been proven to improve your mental health and self esteem.

 

Healing and Preventing Sports Injuries

Sports Injuries can be easily sustained, and may keep affecting your performance for quite some time. Specialised deep tissue sports massages are designed to heal muscle scar tissue, and help prevent injury from easily happening again. They will also ease muscle tension that would increase chances of injury if not relieved.

Saunas and jacuzzis are also excellent at relieving the pain from sports injuries, and a swim in a pool can be a safe way to exercise without making your injury worse. As mentioned above, spa facilities and treatments also boost circulation, which aids your body in the healing process.

 

Meeting Your Body and Your Skin’s Unique Needs

When you get a treatment during your spa day, you will be taken care of by expert therapists who will take your body and skin’s unique needs into consideration when helping you pick a treatment and performing it. Whether it’s facials that specifically target your problematic skin or your busy city lifestyle, massages addressing your current aches and pains, or recommending the perfect products to take home with you, you can be sure that you are in expert hands.

 

Improving Physical and Mental Health Through Exercise

Spa Days can be an amazing way to exercise for many reasons. Firstly, since you can exercise in a pool during a spa day, the exercise is gentler on your joints and places less strain on your body. You will gain muscle strength in a gentler way, making a spa day a good option for you if you are older, or if you have an injury.  Best of all, swimming is one of the few exercises that works out almost all the muscles in your body. It’s also comfortable and luxurious; you won’t even feel like you’re exercising since you’ll be relaxing at the same time!

 

Concluding

As you now know, the health benefits of a spa day with Carisma Spa extend far from amazing spa therapy experiences, and you can benefit from many free facilities that also boost your physical and mental wellness. For 30 years Carisma Spa has been offering spa and wellness services. Carisma believes the world would be a better place if people nurture their body, mind, and soul to be the best version of themselves. As such their purpose is to help you become the best version of yourself. By providing a tranquil escape from the stresses of everyday life, they support your connection between body, mind, and soul.

5 Reasons why a Roof Restoration is Better than Replacement

A sturdy roof is a critical part of a house. We may see a roof as the icing on the cake, but it is much more than that. Protection, insulation, and controlled climate come from a roof that is well maintained. Replacing your roof may seem like the only option when that first sign of wear appears, but many times a roof restoration can be to your advantage.

 

Restoring your roof’s original condition without a complete roof redo has several advantages over roof replacement. Here are some facts about roof restoration over roof replacement.

 

Economically Feasible

 

The average cost to replace a roof on a modest house is $11,000 to $12,000. A roof restoration can cost between $1,000 and $4,000. That is a significant price difference when an entire tear-off and replacement is not needed. A roof inspector can provide details on what areas require repair or structural damage that requires considerable work.

 

More Sustainable and Improved Comfort

 

A total roof restoration is much more sustainable than a full roof replacement. Besides adding years of life to an existing roof, the amount of refuse that ends up in a landfill is less. Tiles and sheathing are not Eco-friendly and postponing the increased toxic debris is a plus. Your roof may also be allowing outdoor air to seep into your home. Loose tiles, worn eaves, or damage from winds can create the tiniest of tears that will worsen over time. Because heat loss is gradual, you may not notice a difference in comfort. Rising heat bills can point to problems of energy loss.

Added Value to Property

 

An unattractive roof can bring down your property’s value. By enhancing the appearance of your roof, the market value always increases. Roof restoration involves scrubbing, repairing, replacing, or painting the damaged sections instead of tearing off everything and beginning from scratch. The result can improve the value of your home substantially.

 

The Time Factor

 

Besides the roof restoration cost savings, time is also minimalised. Replacing a roof can take weeks of inconvenience and maybe displacement while the work is done. Roof restoration does not involve tearing off all tiles and sheathing. Only areas in need are repaired, and cleaning can make your roof look new. Restoration provides a lesser amount of time with little disruption to a family’s routine.

 

Increase the Lifespan of an Existing Roof

 

No one wants to be saddled with a remortgage on their home for a roof replacement. Roofs that are 30 to 40 years old can gain another 5 to 10 years of life from a roof restoration. By watching the deterioration of a roof and catching it before a new roof is needed, the cost can be significantly less.

What To Look For

 

It’s crucial that you detect warnings of roof deterioration early. There are several signs to look for, especially if your roof is over 15 years old. If you notice that your tiles are damaged or discoloured, this could be the early start to damage shortly. A sagging roof is another telltale sign of underlying damage. Hearing small animals overhead is an indication that there is an opening along the roofline that needs attention.

 

It is easy to ignore the early signs of a damaged roof. However, taking those first steps in keeping your roof well-maintained by a roof restoration is advantageous in the long run. Replacing a roof is an expensive and lengthy process. For around $200, a qualified roof inspector can come onsite and evaluate your existing roof. This can give you peace of mind and save you thousands of dollars.

Enjoy a Better Life Through Natural Living

When you make the decision to live a more organic lifestyle, commonly referred to as natural living, it can seem overwhelming on where to start, what to do, and how to make that change. 

The concept of natural living is to be in harmony with the earth by using sustainable, non-toxic ingredients, leaving as minimal a carbon footprint as possible. 

Deciding to be in harmony with the earth is something that we should all consider, whether in the foods we eat, the products we consume, and our activities. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to make the world as sustainable today as the next. 

There are various ways to change a natural living lifestyle, but like any behavior change, the key is to start small and make incremental gains toward the larger goal. 

Take exercise, for example. 

Start Slow and Focus on Small Steps Toward Major Gains

When starting, it’s easy to push too far and overdo it. The problem is that by doing too much, you’re more susceptible to injury, soreness, and burnout. All three of these factors can impact your motivation to continue with the exercise routine, and whatever gains you made in a day or two will be lost without maintaining the habit. 

When deciding that it’s time for you to get more fit, it’s better to start slowly. Especially depending on your age and physical condition, starting an exercise routine that builds on your progress every few days will benefit your health and be more comfortable to maintain in time. 

That slow go, step-by-step approach used to get in better shape is also one you should consider in other facets of your life. 

When transitioning toward a more sustainable lifestyle, take stock of the types of products you have in your home and consider ways to replace them with products that reflect your focus on sustainability. 

Choose Natural Cleaning Products

For example, instead of using toxic cleaning products, look at the ingredient list for ones that are safer to use and better for the environment. When scanning through the ingredients, the label looks for a recycled symbol or approval from organizations such as PETA, which supports products that don’t allow for animal testing. 

By switching to more natural cleaning products for your home or kitchen, you’re creating demand for those products and encourage manufacturers to continue to pursue all-natural, green products. 

The move toward a lifestyle focused on eco-friendly actions, and natural living isn’t limited to cleaning products. There are food sources to consider, especially for people with diabetes and people with other chronic illnesses, as well as personal care products. 

For example, you can eliminate much of the waste that your shampoo and other personal hygiene products have by switching to a more sustainable product such as dry shampoo.  

What is dry shampoo, and how is it helpful to the environment? 

Dry shampoo is a product that works to clean your hair without water. That means you don’t need wet hair to clean it and eliminates the resulting run-off.

As the shampoo is almost entirely made from water, it can be heavy and difficult to package.

On the other hand, dry shampoo is more compact, allowing for more cleaning agents in less space. That means that you don’t have to purchase more containers of shampoo and that the waste associated with washing your hair isn’t being flushed down the drain toward your local water source. 

Another tip to help you pivot toward a more natural living lifestyle is to assess the packaging of the products you do purchase. 

As you look at the product label for its list of ingredients, check how the product is packaged. Is it in plastic with multiple layers of packaging? Instead of purchasing a product with multiple layers of packaging, which ends up in the trash bin causing excess waste, look for lighter packaging options. 

Making a lifestyle change that supports more positive choices and lessens the impact on the environment takes a commitment and is also gratifying. Our actions now help make the world a better place tomorrow, and that should be motivating enough to consider transitioning our lifestyle toward one that prioritizes the concept of natural living. 

Taking stock of what’s in your cabinets, what’s in your refrigerator, and what you’re putting into your body is crucial for your long-term health.

From Fence to Pergola: 6 Easy Ways to Make Your Yard More Private

These days, due to the Coronavirus, the safest trip you can take is to your backyard and garden. Many people took up gardening and landscaping as a hobby in the past year, trying to grow flowers, veggies, and other plants in their yard to boost relaxation and aesthetic appeal of the space. But no matter how big you go with plants and how cozy you make your furniture, you will never find relaxation unless you work in the privacy of your yard. So to prevent curious eyes from peering in, here are a few privacy ideas for your yard. 

Grow your fence

If you prefer to go all-natural with your privacy screens, opt for hedges. This type of greenery has been a hallmark of privacy landscaping for hundreds of years. Benefits of these plants are that, if secured and planted well, they can reach virtually any height. But hedges also have cons. It takes a lot of money, time, and effort to end up with a high hedgerow. However, if you place it right, even a modest hedge can provide a fair amount of privacy. 

No time? Choose bamboo!

If you’re into exotic plants, don’t hesitate to welcome bamboo to your yard. This plant offers great natural privacy because it can easily grow tall enough to shield your little backyard oasis. Plus, bamboo grows quickly and requires next to zero maintenance. You can plant it in its own planter or use it to fill gaps in the fence or pergola. However, be careful since bamboo is invasive and can easily take over your garden if not planted in beds or strong containers. 

Go classic with wood

Wood fences are common across the world and they are the most classical way to shield your property. They can also do wonders for your yard design. Since you can choose from a variety of different woods (ranging from blond to very dark) and a variety of different styles, every yard can find its match. Additionally, wood is also relatively inexpensive, and with proper construction and maintenance, quite durable. Easy to put up, a wooden fence can be constructed using only basic woodworking knowledge, so a DIY fence is not out of reach. 

Take a modern road

If a classic wooden fence doesn’t match with your minimalist and modern aesthetics, you can choose a different road with materials like Colorbond. Contact an experienced fencing supplier and see whether they offer this type of fencing that provides privacy together with much better sound insulation. If you live by a busy road, this type of fencing will be perfect for your backyard. And yes, Colorbond fencing also comes with additions like lattices and plinths for extra privacy, security, and aesthetic appeal. 

Go with a backyard trellis 

A nice wooden trellis provides any backyard with a solution to its privacy problem. You can go simple or elaborate with your design, order some online or have it custom-built, but you will surely end up with something aesthetically pleasing and effective. A trellis will interrupt sightlines, but also soften the breeze and direct sunlight. Plus, if you have any climbing plants or flowering vines in your garden, they will instantly feel attracted to your construction, climb it and create a focal point in your outdoor living area. 

Install a pergola

If you want some privacy, but don’t want to block your breathtaking backyard views, consider a pergola. These little backyard buildings are perfect for placing atop an elevated deck, and even though they don’t have walls, their various beams and columns will obstruct the sight line for neighbors. And if you hang outdoor curtains around your pergola, you can dictate just how much privacy and element protection you wish to achieve at any given moment (you will be able to use your outdoor space even in winter).

See whether any of these ideas fit your yard and start building to welcome nice weather with open arms. If you boost your yard privacy, expect to spend the entire summer outdoors relaxing, entertaining and enjoying your creation.