Try your hand at landscaping your home with the simple steps listed here for beginners. It is a good way to spend your free time and improve the curb appeal of your home.
Put it down on paper: Make a list of all your needs and wants. Do you want a play area for the kids? Or are you looking at bringing the living space outdoors for a change? What types of plants do you want in your garden? Make up your mind on your basic requirements, making it easier for you to go about your personal project.
Start up front: If you’re wondering where to start a landscape transformation, look no further than your front yard. It’s the first thing that you see driving up to your house, and you can wow guests before they even enter your home. Just remember that curb appeal is important, but no matter how pretty your landscape is, it needs to be functional.
Hardscape first: Do all of your hardscaping projects before you start planting.These can include a porch, sidewalk, driveway, parking areas, decks, fencing, patios, and arbor. Hardscaping usually involves construction, which can compact your soil or damage turf and plantings, so it’s important to complete any heavy work before plantings begin. Give a concrete or stone finish based on your preference and try to the texture of it all balanced.
Soil is key: The planting bed should be made conducive for the growth of plants you have chosen. Adding organic matter such as finely shredded pine bark, peat moss, mushroom compost or leaf mold before setting out plants. Loose, fertile soil will encourage root growth on new plantings and allow them to become established quickly. Clearly, define your turf and bed lines. First, use a garden hose to lay out your bed lines then use orange spray paint to mark the lines.
Backyard living: Your backyard should be an outdoor living area to enjoy. If you need privacy, install wooden fencing or large shrubs around the perimeter to create walls. Decks and patios make great sitting or dining areas when the weather’s appropriate and they create a nice overflow for guests during parties.
Outdoor grill: Grilling stations or outdoor kitchens can be used to cook your meals and not heat up the kitchen. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are very popular and allow you to enjoy your yard even when there’s a little chill in the air. Both these options make for easy entertaining or a fun family activity.
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How to prevent yourself from ENT infections
Read moreOtorhinolaryngology is the term that not many of us are aware of. But it the study of problems related to ear, nose, and throat ENT. ENT problems are common, easily diagnosed, and curable, and yet, can get serious at times if not taken care of at an early stage. Infections are common in the ear, nose, and throat among many people. It is important to understand the seriousness of ENT infections as these organs are closest to the brain and cause a lot of pain whenever there is an infection. Reporting to a doctor in minor pains can be helpful in preventing yourself from potential infection in the future.
To prevent an infection, you must know the causes of the same.
Ear infection
A ear infection is the most common type of infection in ENT infections. You need to know when you are getting an infection, if you do.
If you feel an ache or pain, if you feel you cannot hear thing as clear as you used to or if you’ve completely lost hearing, if you feel some weird pressure in your ear(s), if there is pus or something like pus in your ear that you see or feel, then there is a chance of having or getting an infection.
Allergies, cold, adenoid problems (small tissue near your tonsils), smoking, excess mucus production, and bacteria/virus in your ear are some of the common causes of a ear infection.You can prevent the infection by protecting your ears from cold by boosting your immune system, by getting allergies check with an ENT specialist on a regular basis, taking medication, and keeping your ears clean regularly.
Throat infection
Sore throat is the most common type of throat infection and can be caused by viral infection such as, common cold, infection in the voice box, mononucleosis, herpangina, influenza, mumps, etc; bacterial infections can occur from strep throat, inflammation in tonsils or epiglottis or uvula, in rare cases, STD; and irritants and injuries also cause throat infections such as, smoking, mouth allergies, and stomach problems.Prevention of a throat infection will depend on the cause, but the one type of prevention that will help all the ENT infections away is the care from the start. Keeping yourself away from habits of smoking, drinking freezing cold water, keeping yourself exposed in the cold for too long, eating healthy so your immune system can handle such infection in the initial stage, and visiting the doctor regularly are some of the prevention methods that will always help you stay away from these painful infections.
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3 foods to avoid with ADHD
Read moreADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological disease that affects many people across the globe, children as well as adults. The common symptoms include daydreaming, forgetfulness, talking too much, making careless mistakes, hyperactivity, and trouble concentrating. ADHD is manageable with treatments. But, lifestyle changes can support ongoing treatment and improve the condition further. Doctors have identified some foods to avoid with ADHD that patients should be aware of.
Candy
When dealing with ADHD, one should avoid candy because it has a very high sugar content and artificial coloring. Both elements can worsen hyperactivity. While avoiding candy will not prevent hyperactivity altogether, it will help reduce the intensity and frequency of episodes. Too much sugar, in general, can also impact energy levels and lead to other health conditions like diabetes, so it is best to limit its quantity in foods.Coffee
Coffee is also a no-go for people with ADHD. The caffeine in coffee can improve concentration levels, but it can worsen the symptoms of this health condition. It can also interfere with ongoing treatment. Besides coffee, beverages like tea and even cola are also counted among the foods to avoid with ADHD due to their caffeine content.Frozen fruits and veggies
While fresh fruits and veggies are healthy, frozen ones may have artificial additives that worsen ADHD symptoms. Artificial additives, such as food colors, can also interfere with hormones and development. Other foods with artificial additives include breakfast cereals, cookies, soft drinks, and fruit punches. So, it is advisable to read the label before buying foods off the shelf.Avoiding these foods may reduce ADHD symptoms. But, in most cases, individuals also need treatment to manage the condition. The popular options include:
CONCERTA®
It is a stimulant that works by improving how different parts of the brain communicate with each other. CONCERTA® is an extended-release treatment option. This means it is slowly released into the body throughout the day. As a result, the effect of the treatment lasts longer.DAYTRANA®
DAYTRANA® is another treatment option for ADHD that works throughout the day. It comes in the form of a patch to be applied on the skin of the hip. Common side effects include heart problems, seizures, reduced development, and allergies.Adderall®
Adderall® helps increase focus and concentration while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Its serious side effects include uncontrollable shaking, hallucinations, and increased blood pressure.In more serious cases, doctors also recommend treatments like VIIBRYD® to manage depression, sleeplessness, hyperactivity, impulsivity, anxiety, and other ADHD symptoms and complications.