The Best Food for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy

According to statistics, 1 in 25 Australians aged 15 and over have no natural teeth. That’s why it’s essential that you take oral hygiene seriously, and dedicate more time to proper brushing, and flossing but to your food choices as well. Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best way to protect your teeth from cavities and your mouth from infections. In addition, living by that old saying You are what you eat can also make a lot of difference to your oral health, because the food that’s good for your teeth is also beneficial for the rest of your body. You can prevent a lot of digestive disorders by taking care of what you eat, when, and how you take care of your teeth hygiene. Therefore, make sure you know what is the best food choice for your teeth if you want to keep them cavity-free.

Milk

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Tooth enamel is basically minerals, and it tends to erode after the consumption of acidic foods and drinks. This is why your teeth need plenty of calcium to remain strong and compensate for the lost minerals. Milk is one of the best drinks for your oral health because it strengthens the enamel of your teeth with its high concentration of calcium and protects them from cavities. Milk lowers the acid levels in the mouth, thus helping fight tooth decay, making your teeth whiter as well.

Cheese

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Cheese is another great source of calcium, and one of the best foods to fight plaque with. If you chew on hard cheese like cheddar, you’ll increase saliva production, and wash off various bacteria that may have accumulated in your mouth. Even if you want to indulge in some less good food for your teeth, like crackers, if you mix it up with some cheddar, you won’t make as much damage as without this delicious cheese.

Water

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Aside from milk, water is the best drink for your teeth, because it contains no acids that can erode the enamel of your teeth or any color that can stain them. Furthermore, water is great for washing off food particles and keeping your saliva levels high, which is essential for healthy teeth. Namely, saliva protects your teeth from tooth decay with its minerals and proteins, so it’s vital that you’re always hydrated to avoid cavities. In case you notice any change in your teeth, make sure you make an appointment at your local endodontist in Sydney and check what kind of treatment you need. Until then, just stay hydrated with plenty of water and milk, to maintain a healthy mouth.

Black and green tea

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Polyphenols are great at slowing down the growth of bacteria that cause plaque, further preventing gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Tea is also rich in fluoride, one of the biggest necessities for healthy teeth. However, don’t forget to drink it unsweetened, because if you add sugar, it won’t have the same effect as the sugar-free beverage.

Various fruits

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Anthocyanins prevent the attachment of plaque on the teeth and fight oral cancer, which is why you should look for the food rich in anthocyanins. You can find it mostly in berries, grapes, cherries, and plums. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can also whiten your teeth, aside from protecting them from cavities.

Crunchy foods high in water

Since saliva is the best natural neutralizer of the bacteria, you should eat plenty of food that increases the production of saliva, and some of that food includes raw fruits and vegetables. What’s more, the texture of crunchy food rich in water makes them a natural abrasive, which means that they’ll clean and scrub your teeth gently. Carrots, cucumbers, apples, and celery are some of the best examples and they’ll both clean your teeth and do good to your immune system.

Final thoughts

Protecting your teeth should be your priority because tooth decay can further lead to various health issues. Therefore, make sure you eat well and avoid sugary food and acidic drinks, but stick to healthy food rich in antioxidants and minerals to keep your teeth strong and shiny.

Wonderful Eco Tour Destinations In Florida

If you are interested in planning a vacation to some of the best eco-destinations in Florida, you should be aware of the fact that you will be faced with a wonderful experience. This state has some completely unforgettable, preserved beauty spaces, ranging from the wonderful Northwest sand beaches to the Everglades. Holiday villas in Florida are incredible and the eco-lifestyle is a big part of local life.

One thing that many do not know is that Florida is a highly ecological and really culturally diverse spot to go to. It is definitely among the most diverse travel destinations in the world. Florida is renowned for being vacations centered, mainly building a travel reputation due to shopping and theme parks. However, this is just the start of what you could experience in the Sunshine State. This state has a unique history and numerous natural landscapes. This is why eco-tours are so popular right now.

There are many different towns and destinations you can find when interested in ecotourism, such as Tampa Bay. Most of them are within a short driving distance of popular tourist hubs. Make sure that you travel consciously and light so that you can truly enjoy the natural beauty that Florida has to offer. Check out the following destinations as really top spots that you do want to put on your list.

Navarre

Navarre is placed between Destin and Pensacola. It is a perfect place that allows you to explore Florida’s Northwest area, which features a stunning powder-white coastline.

One of the best spots to visit is Gulf Islands National Seashore. This covers 8 miles filled with undeveloped beaches. You can even spot some incredible sea turtles that visit the shores in order to rest. Move east to check out the dune lakes of Walton County. This is where you can find some incredible freshwater marvels that are unique around the world. In the north, you want to go close to Milton so you can experience what the Blackwater River has to offer. This is Florida’s Canoe Capitol. Then, be sure that you hike the Blackwater River State Forest’s Florida National Scenic Trail.

Flagler Beach

Flagler Beach features so many miles of coastline that is undeveloped. It is a favorite spot for those that love nature and that want to spend some quality time on the coast. Once there, go through the North Peninsula State Park to find pristine scrub-jay habitat and visit Fairchild Oak. This is one of the largest oaks in the world, a wonderful Bulow Creek State Park attraction. Once there, go to Graham Swamp Conservation Area, a region that is simply a heaven for fox, deer and wading birds.

Crystal River

The Crystal River Archaeological State Park offers everything that an eco-conscious tourist would want to see. This includes a plaza area, middens and Native American mounds that are pre-Columbian.

Do you want to see some manatees? Then, visit Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in King’s Bay. The area was created in order to protect the West Indian Manatee, which is an endangered species. There are different guided kayak and boat tours that you can choose from. Also, there are numerous trails that hikers are simply going to adore. The one that is usually recommended is the beautiful Citrus Hiking Trail. It is located in Withlacoochee State Forest and gives you the possibility of seeing the red-cockaded woodpecker, which is quite a rare species.

Everglades City

Whenever talking about Florida and ecotourism, it is impossible not to mention the Everglades. This is an incredibly popular destination for all people that want to start self-guided eco tours in the state. Your base camp can be set in Everglades City, which is the best gateway to visit the Everglades National Park.

Once you are there, seriously consider paddling the Wilderness Waterway (99 miles long) and try camping in Ten Thousand Islands, an area that is very popular at the moment. Guided tours are available, taking you to Smallwood Store and Rod And Gun Club, in Chokoloskee Island.

Punta Gorda

This is a truly wonderful starting point for anyone interested in coastal and inland exploration. This incredible Southwest Florida town is simply filled with history, giving you access to that old Florida charm that you want to experience. Much preserved land can be found here. Around 80% of the entire Charlotte Harbor coastline is now protected, being marked as the seventeenth largest US estuary. You can experience around 200 miles of blueway trails, giving paddlers wonderful options for wildlife watching and birding.

When moving away from the coastline you can enjoy numerous Florida eco tours, normally starting from Babcock Ranch. You can also visit Pine Island, where you can learn about Calusa Indians thanks to the people at Randell Research Center.

Conclusions

Florida may be renowned for the party lifestyle and the many things that tourists do every single day but there is so much more to experience. Most tourists do not actually know much about the real beauty of this state. The destinations highlighted above are just some that are perfect for those interested in ecotourism. Many others can be mentioned.

Start your experience from a spot that will allow you to quickly reach as many ecotourism destinations as possible. Also, be sure that your visit will be longer than just a weekend. You do need at least a week to plan a trip that would cover some of what the state has to offer.

Interior Style – What a Millennial Home Looks Like

You really have to hand it to millennials. They are taking this world by the horns and they are making it work for them. But while their favorite thing might be breaking the rules set by some previous generations, they do have some rules of their own, and this applies to almost every part of life: the way they dress, what they eat and even the way they organize and decorate their homes and apartments. So let’s see what our new favorite generation has to say about interior design.

Repurpose everything

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We’re not about to throw a single thing away. Millennials understand the value of things and let’s face it: they love the retro vibe. These two combined means that all kinds of furniture are being repurposed in every corner of their homes. Have an old wooden chair that has been collecting dust in the shed? Cut the back off, give it a fresh lick of paint and you’ve got yourself a bedside table. Old oil barrels found on the street? Guess we’ve got a new seating arrangement for the front porch! Everything you find on the street, in a thrift store or in your own backyard can be made into something new and improved, and we are all for it. It’s not only limiting the amount of furniture that ends up on landfills, but it’s also giving every room in the house a story to tell – one that is a lot more interesting than “I bought it at IKEA”. If your just starting out try finding one of the best sewing machines for beginners, it will help you with repurposing

Make it functional

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Some millennials are shut-ins and there isn’t much that can be done to lure them out. They fully understand that they can have everything they need in their home, and sometimes, even if they want to spend some time outside, there’s simply too much work and too little time. That is why it’s crucial to make sure everything works. Have a fully functioning kitchen that you can prepare meals in. Get exercise equipment for your apartment so that you can work out when you’ve only got half an hour or when your favorite show is on the TV.

Stick to a color scheme

Gone are the days of “oh, this looks nice, I’ll put that on the wall”. Millennials choose a style, a theme or a color scheme and they stick with it, even if it means only having one set of linen. Your color scheme should be no more than two main colors plus and accent one, and if you want to be a true millennial, have the two base colors be nudes, inspired by Scandinavian design (bonus points if you use millennial pink). Everything you bring into your home should fit into the scheme, or shouldn’t be displayed. Sure, there’s the odd person out who likes to have it all colorful and rainbow-inspired – but they probably aren’t millennials at heart.

Cozy and homey

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Not only are you creating a home for yourself, but you want every person who walks through your door to feel like they can be relaxed and at home. So making sure there’s plenty of space to sit, placing fluffy pillows and blankets at hand’s reach and lighting up some warm-smelling candles is a staple for a millennial home. To make sure this balances out and doesn’t become overcrowded, you can use different materials and textures. For example, a fluffy, knitted blanket on a plain couch next to a glass table gives the feeling of comfort without smothering you, and that’s really what you’re going for.

You don’t have to be a millennial to organize your home this way, nor do you have to do it if you are one, but there are definitely some great design choices being made here and we could all learn a thing or two from them.

How to Inspire Yourself to Work Out More

Most people who are engaged in regular exercising activities will tell you that the first step was the most difficult to make and that once they got used to the routine there were few problems afterward. We all know that changing our habits and behavior is rarely easy. It takes determination and dedication, to begin with, but if the desired goals are not met, motivation drops and we tend to go back to the old ways.

So, what can we do instead of giving up? How can we keep the motivation level high enough to be able to enjoy the benefits of working out? Let’s take a look at some tips that have proved to be effective for many people around the globe.

Set realistic goals

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One of the most common problems that lead to giving up is the failure to achieve the set goals. Unfortunately, in most cases, the goals were unrealistic and could never be reached. That’s why it’s vital to set the goals that can actually be met. In order to be spot on with them, you should consult your doctor and fitness coach and see what they have to say based on their experience. Also, your goals need to be measurable, rather than general. So, instead of “I want to feel better and lose some weight”, say “I want to lose 5 kg this month”, for example.

Reward your achievement

If you’ve implemented changes to your lifestyle with an aim to boost your health, you’ll need to keep the motivation high at all times. There are people that workout even on holidays, or doing exercises daily while traveling the world – once you gain this good habit, it’s easy to keep on! One of the ways to do that is to reward yourself when you meet certain goals. Your brain will associate the new routine with success and this extrinsic motivation is a very helpful tool in the process.

If you persist long enough, this motivation will become intrinsic and you’ll feel great after each workout session. The endorphins that are released will be a reward good enough for you, so you won’t need to think about any treat.

Don’t do it alone

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Experience has shown that working out in a group helps to maintain high motivation levels. Very often people don’t feel like exercising but don’t want to look bad in the eyes of their friends, so eventually, they get ready and leave their house to get some workout. Even if you started exercising alone, at some point you might want to find someone to be your workout buddy. If you are short of ideas, check here how to find your soulmate program.

Commitment contract

Most of us find it relatively easy to break a promise made to ourselves. Nobody knows about the promise and we see no harm done to anyone. What we often forget is that in many cases the damage is done and it’s done to ourselves. On the other hand, if we promise something to other people or commit to something in writing, we are much more likely to do everything to fulfill our obligation.

Let’s say you commit to a workout routine of visiting the local gym three times a week over three months. Tell your friend that you’ll pay him some money for each session you skip, no matter what the reason is. If there is a threat of paying a penalty, we’ll be more likely to do our part of the agreement.

Keep a diary

Keeping a diary about your experience and feelings from day one can be a useful tool in inspiring yourself to go even further. When you put down your thoughts and feelings into writing and revisit them when you feel less motivated, you’ll notice that you’ve already been through similar phases and that you’ve managed to overcome such problems. This also requires dedication and commitment, but the benefits can definitely be worth the effort.

Motivation is one of the key aspects of changing bad habits and leading a healthier life. That’s why it deserves a lot of attention on your behalf since nobody likes to fail and feel like a loser.

Fall Is Coming To Your Closets

The most painful time of the year has come. Even though it is still summer, days are becoming drastically shorter, the holidays are over, and the cold weather is at our doors, with that evil smile, slowly raising its hand to start knocking. I know what you’re thinking: “Oh my God, it’s not enough that I’m seeing all those ‘BACK TO SCHOOL’ sections in every single store, but now my favorite blog is also writing about fall!”

Jokes aside, fall really is right around the corner, and in order to avoid the whole ‘summer is over what do I do’ rush, start preparing on time and get ahead of the curve by carefully going through this ultimate list of 2018 autumn trends.

90s baby

I’ve once seen one Twitter post that had a bunch of nineties’ fashion show photos and the title said: ‘90s fashion was an ART’ and I just couldn’t agree more. It really was, but neither we nor the designers were aware of that until now. However, the 90s fashion got a little modern upgrade since it is now fused with our beloved athleisure. There is everything – from full tracksuits, over oversized “fugly” sneakers, all the way to lux-y shell suits. And if you ask Prada, you shouldn’t be leaving your house without a logo bucket hat. Oh, and what about dropped shoulder tees? Well, like them or not, they are this fall’s basics according to Dior and Vetements, who were apparently having a nostalgic 90s sk8er boi moment.

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  1. S. you might wanna book a hairstylist appointment, go bleach and spike your hair and finish the whole look with square tortoiseshell sunglasses (wink).

Brown all the way

Were you in girl scouts when you were little? No? Do you order stuff a lot? You do? Well, have you checked out how sick the uniform of that UPS delivery guy is? Now, seriously, brown really is a huge hit right now. It all started with the interior design and now it has also found its way into the world of fashion. And it was about time – enough with the black already, geez. This season, you’ll be seeing it all – F-clad worker jackets, cagoules, shearling fleeces, bark-hued overcoats, bombers and deconstructed blazers – all in, that’s right – brown. And if you are a fan of this color, you can get one of those cool vintage 90s style brown suits in milk chocolate brown.

Old boy cowboy

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Slow down with packing away those spurs of yours, honey! If you were watching the latest fashion shows, you have probably noticed that abundance of cowboy boots on models. They were everywhere, paired with, logically, denim jackets, western shirts, and cowboy hats. And, of course, these were the times when you could see some of the best men’s jeans models displayed on catwalks. After all, these pants were originally made for hard work on fields and horse riding – you know, basic cowboy things.

Vertical logos

Now, you’re thinking: “Okay, we got the memo, logomania is back” – BUT, do you know about the latest update? Think vertical. This season, you’ll be seeing logos and slogans running down the sides of pants, along sleeves, or simply positioned vertically on the back sides of jackets. This is a pretty smart move if you ask me – they referenced the season without having to invent and develop new lines. Maybe next year they will go diagonally, or in circles, who knows. If that happens, I want credit!

Baseball caps

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It’s not like they have ever been out of style, but it’s just that this season the 90s’ caps with curved fronts are the ultimate styling accessory, especially when combined with football scarves.

And that would be it – all you’ll need to rock the streets this fall. Which of these is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section below!

7 Ways to Live More Eco-Friendly Starting Today

We often talk a lot about going green, but we never actually find the time to make some real changes in our lives.

The truth is we don’t need to make such a big effort in order to see big changes. Often the smallest changes can produce the most valuable results.

We all need to start from somewhere and then improve over time until we’re satisfied with how we’re living our lives and we are happy with how much we are contributing to saving our environment.

A recent study showed that most people don’t realize that they can make a big change in the way they live and impact the environment by implementing a few small changes in their daily routines.

Here are 7 small changes you could make in order to live a more Eco-friendly life, starting today!

1. Recycle and Up-cycle

Believe it or not, there are some things that are even more important than recycling. Sure, it’s important that we recycle everything that is recyclable, but what’s more important is to try and reuse or upcycle the items we already have in our home.

By up-cycling we can create new and beautiful pieces of home and garden furniture and much more, from old, worn out pieces, like old clothes, tyres, pallets, water bottles, boots, suitcases, or basically anything else you have lying around in your home.

So the next time you’re doing some spring cleaning and are planning on throwing away things you no longer use, think about the ways in which you can improve or remodel them so that you can give them new life with a wonderful new twist.

That way you’ll have items that nobody else has, and you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint by not buying new items that you can actually make yourself from items you already own.

2. Borrow, Share and Reuse

Rather than let your house sit empty while you are on vacation bring in some house sitters. They can care for your pets, plants and ensure the house is secured the whole time. Not only that you provide a place for someone to stay rather than renting a hotel room. You can save a lot of money house sitting, so check out the best house sitting websites, sign up and started saving.

You’re invited to a vintage wedding and you don’t have a suit or a dress to wear? Instead of going shopping right away, why not see if you can borrow something from a friend or a family member?

We are all used to buying new clothes for each occasion and leaving them to sit in the closet forever. So if you cannot find something to borrow, you should at least try to buy clothes that you can wear on multiple occasions not just for that one wedding.

How many people do you think have worn a suit or dress just once and then never again?

3. Get Rid of Chemical Cleaning Supplies

You can go green when cleaning as well, by making your own eco-friendly cleaning products that are not only good for your family’s health but are great for the environment as well.

Get rid of those toxic chemical cleaning supplies, and try some fantastic alternatives.

Biodegradable and Eco-friendly detergents can be found in most supermarkets and can be easily made at home, using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. For example, you can clean up a minor mold issue using these homemade/natural/environmentally-friendly methods.

Not only will you avoid those harsh chemical smells, but you can also rest assured that your home will be clean and fresh!

As a side note, Business Insider recently wrote a post about everyday Eco-friendly products that you can easily switch to using.

For example, you could use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clean the kitchen and bathroom tiles instead of using a harsh chemical based one. You might be surprised at how impressive the results are.

4. Skip Buying Plastic Items

We are all surrounded by plastic everywhere we look. Everything comes in a plastic container today that it’s basically impossible to avoid buying any plastic, but once you start thinking about the sea life and everything else that suffers from our excessive use of plastic, you start finding ways to avoid it as much as possible.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Skip water bottles altogether and use reusable glass bottles.
  • Buy products that are packed in Eco-friendly materials such as PCR and paperboard containers, paperboard jars and tubes, black PIR jars, recycled materials, hemp clothes or zipper bags, glass bottles or jars and so on.

5. Bring Your Own Bag When You Go Shopping

There are a lot of countries in the world that have already banned or taxed the use of single-use plastic bags, which have contributed a lot in the drop of the amount of plastic bags strewn into the ocean and landfill sites.

The first time that the bag taxes were introduced was in 2003, in Denmark and Ireland, and it became effective in England in 2015 as well.

Even if you don’t have bans or fees in your country, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t bring your own bag when you go grocery shopping, so that you can avoid using plastic bags altogether.

6. Cut Down on Meat

Want to have a healthier, more Eco-friendly diet? One way of doing that is by reducing your meat consumption,  cutting out meat completely or choosing meat which has a lower carbon footprint.

Eating less meat is crucial for a healthy lifestyle and a healthy planet. Research shows that meat-heavy diets lead to obesity, heart disease and even cancer, which is quite alarming.

That’s not even the scariest thing.

Meat consumption makes our planet sick as well. Believe it or not, raising chickens, cows and pigs actually generate as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, automobiles and trucks combined, and that’s not the only way it’s affecting our planet.

Millions of square km of forests are cut down in order to build farms and pastures for the farm animals, which leaves an even bigger carbon footprint.

If we decide to consume less meat, or even avoid it altogether, we’d be contributing both to our health and the health of our planet.

7. Walk, Ride Your Bike or Use Public Transport

This last rule one is pretty obvious one, yet there are a lot of us who don’t live by it.

We all love the convenience that comes with taking the car to work, school, when shopping, going out, or basically everywhere else, and even though there are many situations where a car is more than necessary, that’s not always the case.

Bike riding, walking or even taking public transport has huge benefits for the environment, and it not only lowers greenhouse gas emissions, but it also minimizes pollution and helps save our planet, one walk or bike ride at a time. We all have the power to reduce our carbon footprint easily.

Imagine if every person in the World swapped just one car journey a day for public transport, walking or riding their bike. There are over 7 billion people in the world, including over 1.3 billion in China and another 1.3 billion in India…That would make a huge impact on global pollution.

Here’s what you need to look for in a front door lock

The last resort of locksmiths, though it’s their most effective tool, is drilling through locks with power drills. Drilling through deadbolts destroys the locks’ pins, tumblers, and other components, thereby rendering keys ineffective. Deadbolts with drilled-through locking mechanisms can still be turned with nothing more than a finger, pencil, or similar object.

Make sure you search reviews of locks prior to buying one. Your front door lock’s deadbolt should not be able to move if its mechanism is destroyed via drill.

When your front door’s lock is installed, long, thick, high-quality screws should be used. As long as the screws have something solid to anchor to, your lock will become exponentially safer.

Lastly, having a secure front door frame will also effectively deter burglars. Top-tier, Fort Knox-quality door frames make it virtually impossible for burglars to strong-arm their way into homes.

When you’re buying a new lock there’s a few things to consider, the first is of course where the lock is going to be. If it’s for a door inside your house, that’s of course of less importance then for your front door. Usually a good run of thumb is that you want to get the best possible lock for your front door. You never want to be in a situation where your front door lock gets kicked in. You also have to keep in mind how long you need your lock to hold up, with an inside door being of much less important then your front door.

Many locks have something called grading system where they’re graded based on how well they will stand up. This is the first part of your research, where you need to look into which locks will hold up better then others, always ask about the grading system for your lock.


Another option is to speak to a certified locksmith who has the knowledge and expertise you need to make sure you pick the right lock for you. Many people think to go to their local hardware shop and pick whichever front door lock is cheapest, but this is where you can fall down and make a terrible mistake. Make sure to work with a locksmith who has experience in the grading of different locks, and is able to help you determine the best lock for you.

How to Make an Eco-Friendly Home and Life for Your Pet

Being environmentally conscious is very important these days, thanks to phenomena like global warming. And that means you should take an environmentally friendly stance in all parts of your life including your home. If you have a pet who lives with you at home, you can incorporate eco-friendly products and processes to ensure your pet is well cared for, and that he makes little impact on the environment as possible.

Here are some ways you can make an eco-friendly home for your pet.

Invest in an Eco-friendly Pet House

Your dog may want a pet house or Portable Dog Fence he can hang out in outside, or when he needs a place to hide away inside. Consider investing in an eco-friendly dog house so you don’t choose a shelter made from materials that tax the environment. Consider a dog house made from salvaged wood or a plastic one made from recycled materials. Buying a green dog house will ensure that your dog’s little shelter didn’t use unnecessary resources.

Compost Your Pet’s Poop

Instead of tossing your dog’s poop in the trash, consider composting it (just not for your edible plants!) This ensures that the poop and the plastic bags you might otherwise use to pick it up with are not going to clog up a landfill.

Feed Your Pets Food That Is Sustainable

When you think about what you’re going to feed your pet, make sure you only consider food that’s from sustainable sources. You can find a dog food that is made by companies who only use sustainable ingredients, or you can consider making your own dog food and treats using food from local, sustainable farms and markets or even by growing your own food!

Adopt Your Pet

Rather than going to a pet store or a breeder to buy your beloved animal, head to a shelter instead and adopt a pet. By adopting a pet, you can reduce the chances that places like puppy mills will continue to operate and this will ultimately reduce the number of resources those businesses require. Adopting a pet is also a generally good way to ensure that all animals already alive are cared for and that none have to be put down by a kill shelter because they couldn’t find a loving home.

Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered

Make sure you get your pet spayed or neutered so they don’t get end up getting pregnant (or getting someone else’s pet pregnant), and contributing more to the world’s animal population. By making sure your pet doesn’t add more animals to the world, you can help reduce the number of animals that end up requiring resources to stay alive — and those that end up creating more waste in the world. When you take your animal to the vet for a regular treatment like the top Heartgard plus for dogs, ask about getting him or her spayed or neutered — your vet can give you all the information you need to know about how and when to have it done.

If you want to have a pet but also make a minimal impact on the environment, you should try to focus on creating a green pet home. By taking some eco-friendly steps to create a comfortable pet environment, you can enjoy your furry friend while also having the knowledge that you haven’t harmed the planet while caring for him.

 

The Environmental Impact Of Decreasing Bee Populations

As a species, human beings are beginning to wake up to the importance of insects to our planet and our ecosystem. And most importantly, people are gradually leaning that bees, in particular, are vital to the human race and our world. But why are bee populations decreasing?

Reports of bees dying off are becoming more and more frequent, and a lot more alarming in recent years. Bees are an important part of global food production, so for them to die out would be a huge problem. This is why pest control experts like Catch-it in East London, when carrying out stinging insect pest control, will typically just relocate bees’ nests, and not exterminate them.

Distribution maps of bees are showing major decrease in the range of bees covering the planet, and in some places they are completely extinct. There are more and more reports of widespread die-offs, with honeybee hives being abandoned after colony-collapse disorder. But why are the bees dying, and what will the consequences be?

A diet without any bee related, insect-pollinated food would be short on a lot of nutrients, and make life pretty boring. And there are some reasons for why this may become an issue in the future.

Worldwide, there is less land available to support the bees. Farmland is being stripped of everything but the crops that will make the cash, so there is no flowery food for bees. In many developed countries there’s just nowhere left for bees to go.

Another problem is that honeybee diseases are spreading. Hives are being shipped all over the world, and stowaway bacteria, fungi and parasites go with them. These diseases lead to colony-collapse disorder.

Intensive farming using fungicides herbicides and pesticides has also affected the bees. At certain doses, particular pesticides can be incredibly harmful to honeybees, even causing death.

A combination of all of these problems are causing a worldwide loss of bees. More and more studies are being done so that we can save the honeybee from going completely extinct. A lot of what is to blame will remain a mystery, but if we can change some of the problems then the honeybee can be saved.

The Effects Of Pesticides On Bees Worldwide

A particular pesticide group called neonicotinoid (NNI) has made its way onto crops worldwide. Whilst these pesticides protect the crops, and are most commonly used on rape seed, the impact of them may be affecting the bees. Pest control should be for pests, and bees are far from it.

When these chemicals are applied to crops, they are absorbed into the plant, making everything including the pollen and nectar poisonous to insects. However scientists have said the NNI have had a great environmental impact on plants and animals.

The loss of bees is potentially damaging to the agriculture because of the role they play in pollinating our plants. The chemical NNI was being used a lot in the 2000s, but the EU banned it from April 2013. Whilst Britain comply with this ruling, they don’t agree with the science behind the problem.

Concern has been mainly focused at the honeybee because their population has declined by around 25% in the last few years. Numerous studies have directly linked bee death to the use of NNI. Loss of habitat and changing land can also be attributed to the bee population decreasing.

Researchers claim that neonicotinoids interfere with a bee’s brain, which limits their ability to learn and remember what food they should be eating. The pesticide has been linked to a sort of bee epilepsy, and breeding activity has also been reduced.

Critics have claimed that a ban on the use of NNI would put crops at risk and harm the economy. Chemical firms think it is unnecessary, and they don’t want to lose out on profits.

In light of the government not being too keen on the ban of these bee-killing pesticides, who knows what legislation may come into play over the next few years. One thing is for sure, bees need to be protected and saved.

4 Helpful Things You Can Say to a Suicidal or Depressed Friend

They were celebrities at the pinnacle of achievement in their fields. Legions of fans and industry insiders worldwide respected them, yet both took their own lives last week.

No one is immune to suicidal thoughts — not even a successful public figure like Anthony Bourdain or Kate Spade. Suicide and depression know no boundaries of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national origin. Statistically, it’s likely you know at least one person who struggles with suicidal thoughts. In a typical high school classroom of 20 students, at least 3 have seriously considered taking their lives in the past year.

What to say when a depressed friend reaches out

This concerns most of us who question our ability to respond to someone in need. Will we know what to say if that friend, neighbour, or student reaches out to us? Will we be able to help?

As a trusted confidant, you can show someone who’s struggling you care with only a few simple words.

  • Are you thinking of taking your life right now?

If your friend has already put together a suicide plan or is about to take their life, immediately call 911 and get emergency assistance. You should let trained professionals help rather than try to handle it yourself.

  • When did you start feeling this way?

When a suicidal person reaches out for help, they really want someone to hear their story. Asking open-ended questions — and listening — lets them do that. Don’t be judgmental or dispense advice. Simply pay attention and affirm their experience.

  • You’re not alone. I care about you, and I’m here to help.

Why would someone struggling with suicidal tendencies reach out to us? They’re in a battle for their lives, and they don’t want to fight it alone any more. Telling them that we’re there, we care, and we want to help assures them they’re not alone any more. It also opens the door for them to be more specific about how you can help.

  • Have you considered getting professional help?

When someone confides to us about their personal battle with depression and suicidal tendencies, it shows they trust us, so many friends and teachers wonder if they should keep this information secret. The answer is emphatical NO.

In fact, the goal of any discussion with a suicidal person is to get them to seek professional help. If our friend had malignant cancer, we would encourage them to go to the hospital, even if they were reluctant at first. It’s the same with a life-threatening condition like suicide.

We shouldn’t give up if the person resists. We can tell them we’re asking because we care. We can offer to help them find and schedule an appointment with a mental health counsellor. We can go with them.

What to do if your friend doesn’t reach out directly

Many times, a depressed or suicidal friend won’t approach you directly and ask for help. Recent studies have uncovered a correlation between excessive time online and depression. If you notice a significant change in someone’s behaviour (if they seem habitually withdrawn, down, disengaged, or angry) you might want to initiate a conversation with one of these leading questions.

4 Questions to Break The Ice When You Notice a Change in Someone’s Behavior

  • You don’t seem yourself lately. [Add observational details]. Are you all right?
  • I’m concerned because I’ve noticed a change in you. [Add observational details]. What’s going on, and what might help you feel better?
  • You seem upset. Do you need to vent? I’m here for you, and I’ll listen.
  • You seem to be going through something tough. Can I do anything to support you right now?