If you are looking for some easy-to-prepare and tasty dip recipes, you are at the right place. Here are some easy dip recipes for you to try this summer. Although these are easy dip recipes, the outcome would be delicious and these dips could be paired with a range of food items.

Warm spinach dip

Ingredients

• Finely chopped spinach
• Finely chopped shallots
• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Fresh cream
• Salt and paprika to taste

Directions
On medium heat, melt the butter and sauté the shallots. After it softens, add the spinach, cream cheese, salt and paprika to it and cook for about 10 minutes. Add rich fresh cream towards the end of the cooking time and serve the spinach dip warm with toasted French breads or crunchy raw bell peppers and carrots.

Chunky eggplant dip

Ingredients

• Eggplants
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Roasted tahini paste
• Garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• Cumin powder
• Lemon juice
• Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
• Cilantro (finely chopped)

Method
Poke tiny holes in the eggplants and rub the outer skin with extra virgin olive oil. Preheat the grill and over high heat, roast the oil coated eggplants till they are charred. Keep them aside and let them cool. Then, in a large bowl, mash the cooled eggplants well with a fork. Combine this now with olive oil, roasted tahini paste, finely chopped garlic, cumin powder, lemon juice, salt, a pinch of cayenne pepper and fresh cilantro. Mix everything well, but do let some of the eggplant remain chunky. Serve the eggplant dip with warm pita bread or chips.

Simple lemon artichoke dip

Ingredients

• Canned artichokes
• Garlic (minced)
• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese (grated)
• Lemon juice
• Fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Method
Combine all the ingredients except the parsley in a food processor and run it on a quick setting for less than a minute. Do not make it a smooth paste. Transfer the contents to a clean bowl and garnish the dip with chopped parsley. Serve this easy-to-prepare lemon artichoke dip with crispy crostini or grilled vegetables.

Although the ingredients used in these easy these dip recipes are common, just remember, they are heavenly to taste! Children and adults alike would enjoy these savory dips when served with anything from corn or potato chips to bread to raw or grilled vegetables.

Back in retro motorcycle days, plaid leather jackets were the epitome of a revolution. In recent years, however, one can wear these irrespective of any occasion. Plaid leather jackets and jackets at large had a great deal of cultural meaning attached to these as these were considered iconic symbols of rebel and masculinity back in the day. While this has changed significantly in the recent past, plaid leather jackets have gained a lot of attention among the youth. This development has literally turned the tables and the traditional perspective of plaid leather jackets as being battered, punk, rebel, bad boy, and biking has undergone a complete transformation.

These leather jackets have been quite sturdy for decades, yet this genius cult creation has come a long way. From the highway to the runway, to be precise. Indeed, this whole gamut of the plaid leather jacket is not just a fad but an amalgamation of durability, functionality, and comfort. It all goes back to the seventies when typical street style fashion with a touch of a tomboyish feel happened to be the next big thing. It still does exist with the plaid which has now evolved to be more fun, casual, simple, and bohemian.

The culture of the black plaid leather jacket is the best of the lot and is frequently seen in the category of teens and women. Needless
to say, this hipster attire has had very powerful meaning for every individual since several decades. The culture of a plaid leather jacket is remarkably tartan in the old days. However, the patterns in recent times have become super cool in association with the regional styles. One can still get a sight of motorcyclists clad in plaid leather jackets that act as their second skin.

The distressed looks of these jackets have not withered away As these have successfully stood the test of time. You can change your styles but you can’t just let go of the culture when it comes to the battle between old and new fashion. The nostalgic feel of a plaid in reference to the 90’s cannot be overseen for all those who literally grew up with it. That grungy old-fashioned signature look is the crux to the evolution of today’s plaid leather jacket culture in the country.

From being tacky and battered to rebellious, the plaid leather jackets have always been an epitome of freedom that gives a sense of personal identification to every American irrespective of age, sex, and gender.

Your brain and head need a constant supply of blood to function efficiently. However, there are times when blood vessels get clogged due to deposits of fatty acid known as plaques. This condition is called carotid artery disease. This is a dangerous condition as patients with this disease face a high risk of strokes as well. However, it is hard to understand when one has this illness as there are no definite signs of carotid artery disease in the early stages.

The development of carotid artery disease is slow, and that’s the reason why the signs of carotid artery disease show up after a lot of time has passed. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke is the first and the most apparent sign of this disease. TIA is the temporary shortage of blood flow to one’s brain. A stroke takes place when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel or when the artery has narrowed down due to deposits of fatty acid.

Here are some other signs that can help people find out whether they have the carotid artery disease.

• Sudden numbness: One of the first signs of carotid artery disease is that one may feel a sudden numbness or weakness in one part or side of the body. This numbness makes movement on that side of the body or that part very difficult.
• Sudden trouble with speaking: On some occasions, one might face a problem while speaking or hearing someone accurately. Patients with this symptom will find it difficult to hear a person who is standing close enough to whisper into their ears.
• Disturbance in vision and dizziness: There are times when patients might have trouble seeing while walking along the road. They may also experience sudden dizziness at the same time. This is one of the most apparent signs of carotid artery disease.

If one is diagnosed with any of these symptoms, then they can treat it with a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes, a surgery. As a safety measure, here are some steps that one can take to prevent this illness:

• One should avoid smoking.
• One must try to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• One must exercise regularly.
• One should follow a well-balanced diet to avoid obesity.

Storage cabinets are one of the most important aspects of an organized kitchen. If they aren’t planned well enough, they end up occupying more space in the rooms, rather than being essential and great kitchen storage spaces which they could be. In today’s day and date when living spaces, especially kitchens, are becoming smaller by the day, it is important to make storage cabinets more space efficient. Listed below are a few ways to store kitchen stuff better with some smart storage planning:

• Utilize the cabinet doors in a kitchen better by placing wire racks which can be used to hold and store herbs, small bottles of sauces, packets, etc., making them handy and organized.
  For those who are swamped and have limited cupboard and cabinet space in the kitchen, here is a way to store well in a stylish display. Use a vintage stamp holder to store the spices and keep it at one corner of the kitchen countertop or island. Not only will they be more accessible to you but it will look good too.
• Wall stands can be doubled up to make them into a two-layer stand. This helps to keep glass jars of different sizes together, both at the bottom and at the top.
• If you thought that an armoire would only be good for the laundry room, think again. Simply adding wire racks, boards and hooks would turn it into a very effective space to organize fragrant sachets, bath towels, kitchen sanitary and cleaning items, extra paraphernalia, etc.
• If you are a plant person but don’t have space in the kitchen to bring them in, fret not. Add exterior open floating stands to the side of the wall cabinets and place your small indoor plants in them. In fact, one could even turn this idea into a mini-kitchen garden for themselves. Whoever said you needed lawn space for that?
• Adjust pantry shelves at a lower height could be great for kids. You could pack it with their favorite snacks which they could reach for without knocking over the other food and even avoid accidental falls.
• A great way to make storage spaces look neat and uncluttered is by labeling the jars, the cabinets, etc. Not only will you know which item is kept where but it will also help you avoid emptying the entire contents of the shelves just to check which items are stuffed at the back.

Contacting a professional interior designer would make it easier, but these ideas can be carried out on your own too.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a medical imaging technique used to examine the functions of certain organs in the body. A PET scan is a sophisticated and advanced test that employs a radioactive tracer that detects the variation in tissues on a molecular level. In a broader perspective, the test is developed to go beyond anatomy and understand the functions of the cell in the organ’s tissue. A PET scan can pinpoint the differences in the functions of the body that include the flow of blood, absorption of sugar molecules and more. Typically, a PET scan is used in monitoring the health of the lungs.

When using a PET scan for the lungs, the technique is likely to be conducted in combination with a lung CT scan. A physician will ask a patient to get the above scans done in case he/she experiences the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The two scans provide a three-dimensional image that highlights and allows the physician to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells.

Performing a PET scan during lung cancer diagnosis
The process of the PET scan begins by injecting the patient with a small amount of solution that includes glucose and a radioactive material. This solution is injected an hour prior to scanning. Upon entering the bloodstream, the substance begins to get absorbed by the lung that is being examined. The patient is slid into a large-funnel shaped scanner while the tissues of the organ begin to give off energy. This energy is given off in the form of gamma rays. The PET scanner effectively detects these rays and can bring the cancerous cells into the picture. The importance of this scanning procedure lies in the fact that it can capture detailed images within a single scan. This eliminates the slightest chance of inaccuracy when detecting lung cancer. The procedure of a PET scan can greatly vary in length and is dependent on the organ under the scanner.

Staging lung cancer with PET scan
The path-breaking lung cancer PET scan test allows the physician to get a better understanding of which stage the cancer is in. Usually, lung cancer is assigned a stage from 1 to 4, depending on the severity and the extent of spread of the cancer cells. Tissues that are fast growing are found to absorb more of the tracer substance. This aids in detecting the spread of the tumor and the rate of growth. The PET scan also allows the medical team to decide the best course of treatment to manage lung cancer.

A PET scan is usually painless, apart from the minute sting that is felt from the injection needle.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are lifesavers when it comes to treating people with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes one’s breathing to stop and start repeatedly, and if this condition is left untreated, it can have serious life-threatening consequences like high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and depression. CPAP machines are instrumental in delivering constant and steady air pressure, thereby stabilizing the condition. Though CPAP machines are quite effective in treating sleep apnea, people face certain problems like a leaky mask, trouble falling asleep, stuffy nose, and a dry mouth. These problems create an obstacle in allowing people to make the most of CPAP machines. Here are a few tips on how you can deal with these common problems.

Leaky mask
One of the common problems people face while using a CPAP machine is that the air leaks from the mask. If this is the case, then the problem might be the size or the style of the CPAP mask. In such situations, you can try out a different mask as there is a wide range of CPAP masks available. Also, before you buy a CPAP mask, consult with your doctor or a CPAP supplier to demonstrate how to adjust the mask to get the best fit. You wouldn’t have to face problems like an air leak or discomfort if you opt for a properly-fitted mask.

Trouble sleeping
It is difficult to sleep with the CPAP mask on, and this is one of the common problems people face while using the CPAP machines. So, before wearing the mask throughout the night, start wearing it for short periods of time while you are awake. This will help you to get used to the mask, and then slowly start wearing it during your naps. After a few weeks when you are used to wearing the CPAP masks during naps, you can start wearing it throughout the night.

Dry and stuffy nose
A leaky mask is what causes the nose to dry out. Therefore, you need to ensure that the mask fits well. You might have to tighten the straps often to prevent air from leaking if the mask doesn’t fit you properly. Also, CPAP machines have a heated humidifier, and you can adjust the level of humidification to prevent the inside of the nose from drying.

Dry mouth
If you usually breathe through your mouth while sleeping, CPAP machines can lead to dry mouth. In such cases, you can opt for a chin strap that will keep your mouth closed and prevent air leakage from the mask. A CPAP-heated humidifier which attaches to the air pressure machine can also prevent a dry mouth helping you have a comfortable night’s rest.