The very reason behind the rapid growth of fast food chains and take away restaurants is the lack of time in our lives. So, when you return home at the end of the day craving for some home-made food, wouldn’t you want something that would speed up your cooking process? That’s where pressure cookers come to the rescue. Apart from speeding up the process, pressure cookers also retain the essential nutrients in the food, which is lost in the traditional ways of cooking. Before buying a pressure cooker, remember to consider these factors.
What size should you buy?
You will probably be bewildered when it comes to deciding which size should be appropriate for you. For larger families, 9L would be good, but for a small family comprising 3 or 4 members, 4L ones would just be perfect. And if you feel you might get occasional visits by guests who would love home-made food, then keep the bigger one in store. Always remember you should not stuff the pressure cooker up to the lid; fill only two-thirds of it. If you are cooking something with a foamy nature, then it’s best to fill only one and half part of it.
Stove-top pressure cooker versus electric pressure cooker
As the name suggests, electric pressure cookers come with a lot of automated functions including heat regulation. All you have to do is move your fingertips. They have an integrated heat technology. On the other hand, the stove-top pressure cookers need manual heating. You will be able to regulate the heat all by yourself. But you can easily repair it if something happens to any of its parts, but not so simple with the electric pressure cooker. The stove-top ones have a reputation to last long. If you are unsure of manually regulating the heat which is required in case of the stove-top pressure cookers, then go for the electric ones because in this case, you just need to start it by pressing a switch and your work is done. You don’t even have to switch it off, the electric ones switch themselves off when the food is cooked.
Other points to keep in mind
- Before buying, take care of the pressure level. The pressure level should be at least 15PSI as that is the standard for most recipes and that is how you can achieve the fastest cooking. It is advisable to check the specification while buying rather than regretting later.
- Choose a pressure cooker with the best quality stainless steel. The information will be given at the bottom of the pressure cooker; you just need to check the label and make sure it is marked at 18/10 stainless steel.
- Check the warranty information before buying a pressure cooker.
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Popular Bed Bug Sprays to Choose From
Read moreBed bugs have become an epidemic in the country today. Bed bugs are pests that feed on the human blood. Be it clothing stores, hotels, movie halls, schools, or daycares, bed bugs have wreaked havoc almost everywhere. According to a survey by the National Pest Management Association, the number of cities affected by bed bugs in the country in this decade has gone up by 10% as compared to the earlier decade. Some of the cities with a high number of cases of bed bug infestation include Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Illinois, Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles, Columbus, Raleigh-Durham, Detroit, Richmond-Petersburg, Philadelphia, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Indianapolis, Buffalo, Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport, and Houston. Bed bugs spread at a very rapid rate and using one of the best bed bug sprays is one of the best ways to get rid of them. Here’s a list of some of the best bed bugs sprays that you can consider using.
- Bed Bug Killer By Eco Defense – All Natural Organic Formula
- Bed Bug Killer by EcoRaider, 100% Fast Kill and Extended Protection, Green and Non-toxic
- Bed Bug Killer Patrol
- Ortho Home Defense Dual-Action Bed Bug Killer Aerosol Spray
- Harris Bed Bug Killer
- Temprid Sc Insecticide
- Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer
- Chapin Sprayer
- Zoecon Precor 2000 Plus Premise Spray
- Temprid Ready Spray
Benefits of using some of the best bed bug sprays
- Sprays are inexpensive and a bottle may generally cost $20–60
- The bottle is easy to use
- Sprays are generally effective in killing bugs on contact in a short period of time
- Many different product options
If you are wondering about the best bed bug sprays that can help in getting rid of an infestation in your home, then you can have a look at the list below and choose the best one for you.
Bed Bug Patrol
Active ingredients: Clove Oil (0.003%), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (1.3%), and Peppermint Oil (1%)
This spray performed well during a research conducted. Yes, Bed Bug Patrol is believed to cause a 92% mortality rate. Owing to its natural composition, it is safe for children and pets. The spray is an inexpensive and effective way to get rid of bed bugs. However, the spray kills the bugs only when it comes in contact with it and has a strong, unpleasant odor.JT Eaton’s Solution
Active ingredients: Permethrin (.30%), Piperonyl butoxide (.75%), and Pyrethrins (.15%)
The spray was tested in a research and showed 100% mortality after 8 days. JT Eaton spray was found to perform better than most of the sprays that were evaluated. In short, the spray is very effective by providing residual protection. However, the spray has an unpleasant smell and is not natural.EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer
Active ingredients: Cedar Extract (1%), Geraniol (1%), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (2%)
A research study conducted on 13 natural and synthetic pesticides by Rutgers University revealed that EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray performed the best and killed 100% of the bed bugs within 10 days. In addition to this, the spray has a pleasant smell, is affordable, highly effective, and is all natural. It is safe to be used near kids and pets. However, like most of the sprays, Eco Raider Bed Bug Killer Spray kills bugs only when it comes in contact with them.After doing a proper research and checking for ingredients that you could be allergic to, you should check the reviews of the sprays you have shortlisted. You can choose the one that suits your needs best.
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Understanding skin aging
Read moreChanges in the skin are one of the biggest signs that the body is aging. But how the aging of skin takes place depends on a lot of factors such as our diet, lifestyle habits, stress levels, and the like. For example, if you smoke regularly, it can lead to the production of free radicals, which damage healthy skin cells and cause wrinkles.
So, let’s dig a little deeper into skin aging so that you can diagnose it and prevent it for as long as possible.
Stages of skin aging
As you age, you will start noticing changes in your skin. These changes take place in phases or stages. Learning about these phases can allow you to take better care of your skin and stay away from everything that can prove to be harmful to it. So, these stages of skin aging are:- Stage I – Between 25 and 35 years
This is the time when your skin will look extremely voluminous to you. But, this is also the time when the early signs of aging will start to appear. Therefore, it is important that you follow a good skincare regime. Some wrinkles can start appearing on the forehead. Lines can also start to appear on the face when you make normal expressions such as laughing, smiling, or frowning. The skin will also start to lose its elasticity with time. - Stage II – Between 35 and 50 years
At this stage, fine lines start to appear on the forehead and on the area around the eyes. You can also start to notice nasolabial folds more prominently at this stage. Eye bags can also start to develop. Cheeks begin to lose volume and start sagging. - Stage III – Between 50 and 60 years
Wrinkles and fine lines start to appear all over the face at this age. Under-eye bags appear and the skin around the eyes becomes loose. The skin on the face starts to appear thinner and more transparent. The process of skin aging accelerates at this stage and it is very visible. - Stage IV – 70 years and above
Extremely visible wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes are found at this stage. The skin on the upper and lower eyelids becomes loose and the signs of aging become more prominent. Sun damage on the skin is visible as well.
Diagnosis
As the signs of skin aging become visible, diagnosing the problem becomes easier. The most common signs that can help you identify aging skin include:- Spotting
- Sagginess in the skin
- Dullness in skin tone
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dryness of the skin
- Skin thinning
Identifying these signs can help you and your dermatologist diagnose aging skin.
Prevention
There are certain skin changes that are inevitable, and they will come as we age. As the skin ages, it gets rougher, loses its elasticity, starts to appear transparent, becomes fragile, and can even get easily bruised.There are various ways that can help you reduce the aging of the skin. These include the following:
- Use sun protection whenever you step out in the sun
- Keep your skin moisturized at all times
- Keep your skin and body hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily
- Eat food rich in vitamins
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
- Stage I – Between 25 and 35 years