3 Napa Valley Bed and Breakfasts to check out this wine season
3 Napa Valley Bed and Breakfasts to check out this wine season

If it’s great wine, scenic beauty and absolute luxury you seek for your next vacation, you cannot go wrong with Napa Valley. With 400 wineries, high-end resorts, cozy bed and breakfasts, upscale modern hotels, hot air ballooning, wine tasting, farmer’s markets and even golf to boot, it truly is one of the best holiday destinations. Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, Oakville & Rutherford, Yountville, and American Canyon are some of the towns in the valley and each has its own attractions. Calistoga is famous for its hot springs and mud baths; St. Helena is the picturesque one fine-tuned for the shopper in you; Oakville & Rutherford have some of the best Cabernet & Chardonnay wines in Napa Valley; Yountville is for the culinary fiend; Napa has some great night life and American Canyon is family friendly.

A great place to just relax and simply soak in the culture, Napa valley is best enjoyed from the fine Bed and Breakfasts that pepper the locale. Whether it’s old world charm you seek or modern architecture that does it for you, there is something for every taste.

Here’re three B&Bs that are worth every penny you’ve saved up for a vacation.

Embrace Calistoga, 1139 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, CA 94515 – Blending old world luxury with modern day amenities, this European-style luxury inn, reportedly has one of the finest breakfast spreads in the Napa Valley region. Run by innkeepers Brent Riederger and Chris Johansen, it only has 5 rooms with each designed in a unique yet muted style.

Hennessey House, 1727 Main Street, Napa, California 94559 – The Victorian architecture complete with saunas, spas, wine tours and tastings and of course a range of activities makes this one of the best places to vacation at. A short walk to the main attractions, like the Oxbow Market and Napa Valley Wine Train, simply sweeten the deal. With ten rooms making up the entire place owners Kevin and Lorri Walsh have earned the reputation of offering a relaxed vacation experience.

Maison Fleurie, 6529 Yount St., Yountville, CA 94599 – Literally the “flowering house” the architecture is reminiscent of the sunny South of France. 13 rooms complete this boutique B&B that is a part of the Four Sisters Inns Classic Collection, and each room is a blend of modern luxury amenities and European charm. Located in a secluded part of Yountville the B&B is a welcome break from the high energy hotels and accommodations in the area.

  • How to pick the right casket for a funeral ceremony?

    It is imperative that you select the right casket for your loved one’s final journey. While you are occupied doing so, you must keep a few things in your mind when you are purchasing one.

    Type of casket You must determine whether the body is going to be cremated or buried. If the body is going to be cremated, then mostly a simple wooden casket will be available. On the other hand, if the body has to be buried then there are several options that you can choose from. Hardwood, cloth, copper, bronze, stainless steel, biodegradable, cardboard, veneered wood, etc. are some commonly used materials in caskets. If the size of the casket is your concern, then you need not worry, as it is crafted in diverse sizes as well.

    Customization It is quite natural that you may want to personalize the casket. It could be the incorporation of special designs or inclusion of compact drawers, where you could keep mementos or photographs. So, ensure that the seller you are buying the casket from helps you customize it.

    Cost Usually the most expensive kind of caskets are metal caskets. This is because they are highly durable. Although they cannot stop the body from decomposing, they prevent the entrance of water or air in the coffin, allowing the remains to alter on their own. If you are inclined towards the traditional form of funeral, then you can consider wooden caskets, which can cost around $2000 to $8000. Similarly, if there are any budget constraints one can also consider cloth or wood veneer caskets, as they are comparatively quite inexpensive.

    Mostly one can buy a casket from a funeral home, where the funeral director will guide you about the various types of caskets they are offering. Although it isn’t mandatory that you must buy a casket from a funeral home. If you wish you can purchase it directly from the casket producer. As prescribed by the Funeral Rule, the respective funeral director must accept the directly purchased casket without levying any kind of additional fees.

    If you want an environmentally friendly option, then you can rent a casket too. These kinds of caskets are just utilized during the display part of the funeral ceremony. The body is kept in a simple wooden box, which is then placed inside the rental casket for viewing purposes. You can avail this option at a funeral home or from a casket retailer.

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  • Here Is What You Need to Know about Water Softener Systems

    Is the furnace taking more time to heat water than before? Do you need a large amount of detergent to wash cloth? If yes, then it is time to choose a suitable one from various water softener systems available.

    If the water supply to your property is hard in nature, it manifests in various ways. You need larger amounts of detergent to wash clothes. Yet, clothes don’t usually come out sparkling clean. The water heating system has to bear the burden of all the minerals in the water. Scales of metal salts may cover the heating element and even the walls of the tank.

    Hard water has the capacity to reduce the efficiency of heating. You need more electricity than before to heat up the same amount of water. This increases the overall household electricity consumption. To tackle the increase in detergent use, increase in fuel consumption and dull-looking clothes, you need to install water softener systems.

    Water softener systems are very useful systems. They can turn the hard water supply to your house into the soft water and make life easier for you.

    What is hard water and why it is such a menace?

    Hard water got its name because of the mineral salts present in it. Simple as it may sound, its implications, for the household, are far and wide. These salts interact with detergents and prevent them from cleaning the clothes efficiently. In water heaters, they get deposited on the surface of tanks and heating elements.

    This prevents the heating element from heating the water efficiently. So you need more electricity to heat water. If you have a gas or oil water heating system, the scales forming on the surface prevent the water to rise to the required temperature.

    Elements responsible for this hardness also deposit on clothes. So you can’t get sparkling clean clothes, no matter how hard you try. It creates problems in the kitchen too. It won’t let you have a boiled egg quickly. You need to use a few more ounces of gas than warranted to boil the egg. Even the plumbing joints and appliances develop a layer of mineral salts over a long time.

    How do water softener systems work?

    The manifestations of hard water are omnipresent, be it in the washroom, laundry, water heating or kitchen. The combined effect of increased electricity, gas and detergent consumption may as well be substantial. The only way to mitigate all these problems is to remove the hardness from water. This can be done with water softener systems.

    These systems have different chemicals in them. These chemicals interact with the mineral salts in water and remove them from the water.

    Complete removal is the answer to all woes

    Though these systems are known to remove hardness, all of them don’t do so. There are some water softener systems which completely remove the mineral salts from water. But, there are still some systems, which only prevent the deposit of mineral salts on various surfaces like plumbing joints and furnaces. If you want to see the improvement in your kitchen, washroom, laundry, and furnace, you need water softener systems that just remove hardness from water lock, stock, and barrel.

    Types of water softener systems

    There are a variety of water softener systems for different water sources. Since the mineral content of various sources of water is different, you need different treatments for each of them.

    City water softener

    The water supply from the city that you live in may have mineral salt content that makes it hard water. You can get water softener systems to remove hardness from such water. These softeners can soften the hard water, making it useful for various purposes.

    Well water softener

    The mineral content of well water is high. So if you have a well near your house, you may need a Well water softener.

    Commercial Water Softener

    If you have a hard water problem in your commercial or industrial premises, then you need a commercial water softener. the water that you may receive may have certain unwanted filtration and mixers that may not be beneficial for you.

    If you are bearing the brunt of hard water in your house or industrial premises, you need to install water softener systems. However, you need to select the most suitable one in accordance with the source of water. You can get a compact system for your house as well.

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  • Garcinia cambogia – Know what you consume

    Garcinia cambogia comes from the south Asian and south east Asian countries and has been a part of the debate for it being the ultimate fruit product used for weight loss. Many are talking about the pills made from the extracts of this fruit and the wonders it can do to lose weight.

    With all the know benefits of the pills to lose weight, there has been significant amount of concerns and those concerns are legit as studies have suggested that the diet pills made from garcinia cambodia is harmful for your health. This article talks about the studies that claim that the pills are in fact hazardous to people health.

    If you are about to get yourself these pills or consume them already, here are some things you must know could be true and you must do your research before consuming them any further.

    In order to help you lose weight, the hydroxycitric acid compound found in this fruit decreases your appetite and prevents your body from storing food as fat.

    Some claim that most companies that have released diet pills products made from the extracts of garcinia cambodia have failed laboratory quality and quantity tests.

    There haven’t been any large-scale comparison of the pill to other weight loss supplements to show why garcinia is a better supplement.

    What makes it more suspicious to consume is the fact that there has been no objective data found on garcinia yet to validate any one side of the debate.

    After lab experiments, its been found that high doses of garcinia cambogia extract caused testicular atrophy and toxicity in mice.

    On the other hand, experts claimed that is this product is consumed in the right proportion and the right way, i.e., with the right things to eat with this product, it will help you lose weight without causing any harm or side-effect. It is all about how you consume the product.

    There is quite a concern about garcinia products not good for just anybody. Irrespective of how you consume the pills, it might not be right for certain body type and if you are planning on trying them, you must first find out if this product will work for you or not.

    Information on what you are consume will help you from a lot of potential trouble. Extensive research only helps you consume things the right way to give you the right results.

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  • Top 3 Assisted Living Centers for the Elderly

    Assisted living centers for senior citizens have changed a lot in the last few years. Today, these places have become very senior-friendly and are much more comfortable than they used to be in the past. Today, assisted living centers for the elderly have become customized care centers where seniors can enjoy their lives and participate in activities that make them happy. It is safe to say that assisted living centers have hit the right balance between providing care and letting the seniors feel at home.

    Aegis Living
    Aegis is a Redmond, Washington-based assisted living center for the elderly. It is pet-friendly at nearly all the locations and has been designed keeping in mind the needs of seniors who require wheelchairs and assisted walking facilities. Aegis provides appetizing meals to its residents. Additionally, a physician is always present at the center. Other doctors, like dentists and therapists, are available on call too. Most of the care centers help patients with memory problems or behavioral issues lead a comfortable and life. At some locations, Aegis also provides vegetarian food. The minimum age for entry in Aegis Senior Homes is 65 years.

    Integral Senior Living
    Integral Senior Living is one of the top assisted living centers for elderly citizens. It owns 48 communities within the country, and they have numerous centers in Arizona and California. It is the 17th largest senior living provider in the country. It specializes in assisted living, memory care, and independent living. For more than 18 years, this brand has managed to deliver top-quality senior living setups along with modern and satisfying workplaces. The minimum age required to start living in one of these centers is 55 years. All the centers have a resident physician present at all times, and other doctors and therapists are available on call too. They provide many food options, and patients can choose meals depending on their health conditions.

    American House Senior Living Communities
    American House Senior Living Communities is the 31st largest senior living provider in the country. It is well-known for its hospitality, housing, and personal care, and it has been taking care of seniors for more than 30 years now. This assisted living center for the elderly is an independent living setup. However, it does provide assisted living care at three of its locations in the states of Michigan and Florida.

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  • Light bulbs to lighten up the house

    Bulbs are very important to provide adequate light in the house and its surroundings. It has rather become a necessity than desire. After the ban of incandescent bulbs on January 1, 2014, the United States of America has come up with various types of bulbs that provide an alternative to 40-70 Watt bulbs. The performance of it is dependent upon the light source (bulb) being used. Different bulbs have different roles and produce various lighting effects. There are various bulbs that also vary in performance and efficiency. There are certain bulbs specifically designed to save energy and provide the desired lightening effects.

    One such source is called as LUMEN, whose full form is Lighting Understanding for a More Efficient Nation. It is led by the American Lighting Association in alliance to save energy and the National Electrical Manufacture Association. It is in collaboration with 40 or more organizations.

    Various types of bulbs

    • LEDs
      Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are a popular category of bulbs that are usually seen in average American homes. Light emitting diodes consist of a chip that is present in a plastic container. They are small in size and are effectively combined to form a single light bulb.
      LED lighting is more durable and efficient than any other light source, and are introducing more applications for homes. They are more popular in some types of downlights and under cabinet strips. It has an Energy Star Symbol to ensure good quality and better efficiency in LEDs.
    • Incandescent bulbs
      Incandescent or glowing bulbs often produce light when passed through electric current and a filament, which is the reason for its glowing effects. They are best used to cater to demands of high brightness levels. They also save energy and are energy efficient as compared to other light sources. According to the Energy and Independence Act of 2007, incandescent bulbs should produce an equal amount of light combined with less wattage. Wattage being referred to as the amount of electricity produced by a light source.
      The various types of incandescent bulbs are as follows.
      General Service
      These are light bulbs that are cheap and easily available. They were the most used light bulbs in the early 90s. They come at a very low price and produce a warm bright yellow light that is scattered in every direction. It has three basic shapes, i.e., General, Globe, and Decorative.
      Reflectorized bulbs
      They consist of a reflective coating in nature and direct light in almost the same direction.
      Parabolic Reflector bulbs
      They are also known as PAR and are control efficient. Light fixtures of this type control more light and emit more clarity. They are suitable for outdoor locations and places prone to floods. They are also used to track lights.
      Tungsten-halogen incandescent bulbs
      These bulbs produce better light as compared to any other incandescent bulbs. Their light is brighter, whiter, and is emitted in all directions. They have a longer shelf life and provide more wattage than any other incandescent bulbs.
      Halogen bulbs
      They are available in two types.
      Line voltage
      It is usually about 120 Watts.
      Low voltage
      It is usually about 12 Volts.
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  • Prevention of Smelly Flatulence

    Flatulence or farts is a biological process by which the gas gets released from digestion. In some cases, farts are silent and odorless. However, there are occasions where they become loud and also smell very bad. Smelly farts are considered normal by many. There are some foods or medications that might really cause smelly farts. Furthermore, a foul smell of your farts sometimes works as an indicator of an underlying infection or digestive disorder issue. Let’s see some of the reasons for smelly farts. Knowing the reasons will help to find out how to stop smelly flatulence.

    High-fiber foods
    When you consume high-fiber foods, it takes longer for your digestive system to break down the food and that is when they become fermented over time. If you are wondering how to stop smelly flatulence, then you should avoid eating the following vegetables:

    • Bok choy
    • Asparagus
    • Cabbage
    • Broccoli

    Food intolerance
    If you are sensitive towards certain foods, then having them may result in you having foul-smelling farts. For instance, people suffering from lactose intolerance will not be able to break down the carbohydrate lactose. Because of that, the food will get fermented in your intestine.

    Medication
    There are some medications that cause smelly farts. Antibiotics kill pathogens that are harmful to your body and in doing so, they also kill some of the good pathogens as well. If you are wondering how to stop smelly flatulence, then you should understand that without these good pathogens, your farts will have a foul smell.

    Prevention of smelly farts
    Before knowing how to stop smelly flatulence, one thing you should know is that farts are normal and are also necessary to eliminate waste and gas out of the body. Here are some of the things you can do in order to stop smelly farts:

    • Drink more water to eliminate the waste from your body more efficiently.
    • Avoid carbonated drinks such as beer and soda as they can create gas.
    • Eat in smaller portions and at a slower pace to maintain healthy digestion and reduce gas generation.
    • Try to include probiotic foods such as yogurt as these foods bring back healthy bacteria and improve the digestive system.
    • Always avoid foods that play a key role in producing smelly gas.
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  • Types of hot water heaters you can choose from

    Hot water heaters are often the unsung heroes in a household. They make most of our household chores easy. Be it washing, cleaning or taking a hot shower after a long and tiring day. If you are looking to buy a new heater or replacing a damaged one, you need to know the different variants available before you can put your finger on one of your choices.

    Here are some types of hot water heaters that you can choose from:

    Conventional Type
    The conventional models of water heaters come with an insulated storage tank and a general capacity of around 30-80 gallons. Unlike earlier times, these hot water heaters do come in various sizes to suit your requirement and house space. The storage capacity is commendable, and it thus provides hot water at any point, even when switched off.

    Instant water heaters
    In this age of energy-saving, you would want to go for water heaters that heat water for you instantly and waste less or no energy. Here, you only pay for the hot water that you use, because it heats water on demand and thus saves both energy and money. You can also go for different units of the tankless heater for different appliances if need be. The lifespan of a tankless one is more than the conventional version. So, you can surely pick the better option for modern day usage.

    Electric heat pump type
    This kind of hot water heaters works best during cold weathers. Though they work on electricity, the actual mechanism is such that it draws the heat from the environment and intensifies it to heat the water in the storage tank. Compared to a conventional unit, its energy-saving capacity is three times greater. For optimum performance, you only have to get the air filters cleaned on a regular basis.

    Solar water heater
    This type works on a popular unlimited natural resource, which is the sun. This is one of the major natural water heater options that will keep your utility bills low.

    Consider all types of water heaters and before purchasing one do reflect on your requirements, budget, usage, space, and energy conservation needs.

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  • 8 foods that help manage symptoms of menopause

    Menopause is a natural event in a woman’s life as their menstrual cycles come to an end. The phenomenon leads to a reduction in the estrogen hormone, which may affect one’s metabolism. The changes may also lead to declining bone density, hot flashes, and irregular sleep patterns. The symptoms of menopause may sometimes last for years. Therefore, women must follow a proper meal plan to cope and manage during the transition.

    Salmon
    Fatty fish like salmon are known for their heart-healthy properties called omega-3 fatty acids. These acids can improve an individual’s mood and brain function. The properties can also keep blood pressure levels in check and regulate symptoms like hot flashes.

    Broccoli
    Vegetables like broccoli are beneficial for the human body in several ways, including managing the symptoms of menopause. Broccoli contains calcium, which is known to build bone strength. It can also improve estrogen levels responsible for curbing the risk of breast cancer.

    Eggs
    Eggs are flush with vitamin D and iron, essential for women going through menopause. The food also contains healthy proteins known to reduce cholesterol levels and curb the risk of heart disease.

    Oatmeal
    Adding whole grains such as oatmeal to a meal plan can boost the fiber levels in one’s body. Eating the food may help manage symptoms of menopause by lowering cholesterol, regulating blood sugar levels, and preventing constipation.

    Olive oil
    One should consider using olive oil instead of regular cooking oil because it has certain fats that manage hormone levels, appetite, vitamin absorption, and insulin response. It makes olive oil essential for women experiencing menopause and the symptoms associated with the condition.

    Soybeans
    Including plant-based protein sources in regular meals like soybeans may help reduce symptoms like inflammation and oxidative stress. The legume is also beneficial for ovarian function as it may delay the onset of early menopause and improve female reproductive function.

    Yogurt
    Women going through menopause should eat low-fat dairy products like yogurt to counter its effects. In addition, the food contains proteins, which help prevent the risk of osteoporosis by improving bone density previously affected by low estrogen levels.

    Grilled chicken
    Another way to manage the symptoms of menopause includes eating grilled chicken. The food contains lean proteins, which may help improve muscle mass and bone strength in women faced with menopause.

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