We all have that friend—the one with gorgeous hair that never seems to fall out of place. Hair envy is on the rise among friend groups everywhere—and for good reason! Few things set the tone for an awesome day or night like a good hair day. So what can you do to get that dream hair you covet every time you get together with your friends? Start with your diet!

Yes, ladies and gents, your diet affects hair growth more than you’d know. Why? Because proper nutrition is key to achieving optimal performance in every bodily function. More specifically, your hair requires certain nutrients to avoid breakage and grow strong and long. Fortunately, researchers have done the leg work to track down these nutrients and the common foods they can be found within. Check out the list below to align your nutritional habits with your goal of catching up with that friend’s level of hair awesomeness.

1. Spinach

This powered-packed plant offers up vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and omega fatty acids. Your hair LOVES these nutrients. That being said, you may not love raw spinach. If this is the case, no worries! You can use spinach in a variety of incredible dishes to make it a bit more appealing to your pallet. Check out Food Network’s guide to spinach dishes for recipes and advice.

2. Oats

Breakfast lovers rejoice! Oats are one of the best foods you can add to your diet to support hair growth. Why? They have almost every nutrient necessary to spark growth and maintain strength. Some of these include zinc, copper, B vitamins, and protein. The best news here is that oats are tasty, fast, and easy to prepare. Simply adding a little Stevia and cinnamon can make your morning with a sweet yet healthy treat. You can also add oats to smoothies and peanut butter spreads.

3. Salmon

High levels of omega three fatty acids put salmon on the super food list when it comes to achieving a mane to be envied by all. This is because omegas support both scalp and hair shaft health to promote growth and decrease breakage. The hydrating capabilities of the omega fatty acids found in salmon also keep frizz to a minimum. Health.com lists 20 grilled and baked salmon recipes for first-time chefs and culinary enthusiasts alike.

4. Eggs

Nutrients found in eggs can boost hair health in two ways – consumption and application. Whether you choose to eat or apply eggs on your mission to achieving the perfect hair, you’re spot on. Protein is the biggest reason for including eggs in your hair health regime as this nutrient provides the strength your hair needs to continue growing without breaking. Egg and olive oil hair masks are great for those of you who prefer to go the application route. All Women’s Talk provides an awesome recipe with detailed instructions.

5. Green Peas

Beta-carotene, vitamin C, and protein make peas a great food for your haircare plan. Like spinach, peas may or may not be your favorite side dish. Check out recipes for tastier peas options on AllRecipes.com.

6. Beef

A common hair loss theory is that those who seem to struggle the most are deficient in iron and protein. Red meat is perfect for providing these and other hair-happy nutrients. It’s been noted that beef keeps blood supply flowing to the scalp, combating hair loss and promoting growth.

7. Wheat Germ

As a great source of fiber, copper, and zinc, wheat germ arrives on our list of hair health super foods. If you’re like most of us, you’re probably wondering what wheat germ is and how you’re supposed to prepare it. That’s why I’ve found an awesome list of recipes and info to help you get started!

8. Carrots

High amounts of vitamin A make carrots a fabulous friend for your hair. This vitamin produces a healthy, oily chemical on the scalp called sebum that keeps your scalp hydrated and protects it from the elements. For maximum effect, carrots should be consumed at least once a week. You can eat them raw as a snack with celery and a dipping sauce, or cook them up as a side dish to accompany proteins and grains at dinner.

9. Sunflower Seeds

This is one of the best foods to add to your diet for hair health. Nutrients like magnesium, protein, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, iron, potassium, copper, biotin, B vitamins, and calcium are the reason why. The best news here is that sunflower seeds serve as a tasty and healthy snack for any occasion. Whether you’re at the office, on the go, or checking out a local sporting event, sunflower seeds are a quick and easy snack to bring along.

10. Nuts

A wide variety of nuts contain essential oils and vital nutrients that help keep your skin, hair, brain, and heart in good shape. Some of these include almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews. Like sunflower seeds, these are great snacks. You can also add them to dinner dishes, oatmeal, and salads to support overall health on a regular basis.

11. Sweet Potatoes

The beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes aids in the healthy growth of cells. Antioxidants and vitamin A also contribute to the hair health benefits of including sweet potatoes in your diet. This is because they combat the occurrence of hair shaft brittleness and even provide the added bonus of encouraging glowing, youthful skin. Sweet potatoes can be prepared in countless ways. Check out this list for ideas!

12. Beans

Keratin is a type of protein that is responsible for giving your hair its structure. This particular protein can be found in beans and lentils and promotes steady growth by strengthening the overall structure of hair strands. Implementing beans as a side in dinner dishes or adding them to your favorite stews and soups are both great ways to make sure you’re keeping up on your keratin consumption.

13. Avocado

Avocado offers unique moisturizing benefits for hair strands and the scalp. Like eggs, you can both ingest and apply avocado for haircare benefits. Vitamin E, vitamin C, and B6 are ingested when you eat this super food. Application helps to keep your hair and scalp moist to promote growth. Avocados make a tasty addition to any dish. You can add them on top of protein dishes, or mix them into pastas for a delicious, creamy texture. Additional ideas include, sandwiches, salads, and more!

14. Aloe Vera Juice

By supporting scalp health, aloe vera juice helps you bring a little thickness back to thinning hair. This is because it helps keep the scalp ultra hydrated, which also minimizes dandruff.

15. Kale

The hair health benefits of kale are similar to those of spinach. If you’re looking to switch up your leafy green intake, kale is you answer. Calcium and vitamin C and K levels contribute to the growth of stronger hair. High water content also keeps your hair hydrated which helps to prevent breakage. Not sure where and how you can implement kale in your diet? Check out ideas for tasty and healthy kale recipes on Health.com.

Information Sources:

6 Nutrients You Should Know for Healthy Hair

12 Super Foods for Preventing Hair Loss

Foods for Healthy Hair

The post You May Not Know These 15 Foods Actually Can Keep Your Hair Healthy appeared first on Lifehack.

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Water is the key to life, sustaining every cell, organ and metabolic function within in the body. While the benefits of drinking water are commonly understood, less well known are the pros and cons of different types of drinking water and their varying effects on our overall health.

While the ideal water is a subject of debate and controversy, this article simply aims to review some of the health effect of the wide range of water products currently available to us.

On Tap

For the majority of the world’s population, tap water comes from sources on the Earth’s surface such as dams, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, catchments and even the ocean (post-desalination).

However up to 10 million cubic kilometers of water, including more than 90% of the world’s freshwater, lays underground in subterranean aquifers (layers of porous and permeable rock such as limestone and sandstone, accessed via wells and boreholes), providing up to 40% of the world’s drinking water.

Groundwater may be ‘harder’ than surface water, meaning it contains higher levels of dissolved mineral ions, absorbed from rocks and soil. Hard water is not known to have adverse health effects and may help consumers achieve recommended daily intake of nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, which are essential for good health.

Depending on geographic location, groundwater can also be much higher in natural fluoride than surface water.

While 5.7% of the world’s population drink deliberately fluoridated water to tackle tooth decay, ingesting high concentrations can result in dental and skeletal fluorosis among other potential health problems.

The greatest health concern from drinking surface water is its high susceptibility to contamination from bacteria, parasites, viruses, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and stormwater runoff containing sediments and pollutants.

Therefore, before it’s piped to households, surface water is treated, filtered and disinfected with chlorine, chloramine or ozone to eliminate or reduce these substances to acceptable levels.

Groundwater is often cleaner than surface water and potentially safer to drink with little-to-no chemical treatment, due to aquifers acting as natural purifiers, trapping sediment and pathogenic bacteria.

Groundwater may still receive treatment due to contamination from leaking sewage pipes, septic and storage tanks; pesticides; chemical fertilizers; hazardous natural substances, such as arsenic; and  landfill seepage.

Despite measures to ensure the best quality drinking water, low levels of contaminants and pathogens may remain and on occasion there have been serious outbreaks of waterborne illness. Though chlorinating water is typically effective in destroying pathogens, it’s ineffective against Cryptosporidiosis and Giardia Lamblia parasites, which can cause gastroenteritis and pose serious risks to people with weakened immune systems.

Tap water can also contain low levels of potentially carcinogenic byproducts, including trihalomethanes, created by disinfecting municipal water supplies, as well as chemicals leached from corroded plumbing, such as lead, cadmium and copper, which in high quantities can interfere with children’s physical and mental development and cause increased blood pressure and kidney and liver problems in adults.

Unless an alert or ‘boil water advisory’ has been issued, tap water is usually safe to drink, with no imminent risk of adverse health impacts. Still, millions of households worldwide attempt to remove these remaining contaminants with the use of water filter water, which can cost $20 to several hundred dollars.

Bottled Water

Bottled water is a major industry, costing more than 100 billion dollars globally, with popularity growing even in countries with some of the cleanest tap water.

Bottled water is favored for its improved taste and purported health benefits over tap water, even though many are unsure as to why it’s meant to be healthier. While it can help people stay hydrated while they’re on the move, bottled water is generally no healthier than tap water nor is it always free from chemical contamination, waterborne disease, or fluoridation and can even potentially leach unwanted chemicals, such as antimony and bisphenol-A from the bottle.

Some bottled water has been found to be just tap water filtered to remove impurities, but can cost several dollars compared to tap water, which generally costs a fraction of a cent per liter. Other than price, a major advantage of tap water is that it’s rigorously checked for contamination and potential health hazards on a daily basis to ensure quality, while bottled water is generally tested less regularly and stringently.

Well Water

Tens of millions of people worldwide access their own private source of groundwater by tapping underground aquifers via wells (e.g. over 15 million households do so in the USA alone). Private wells are not regulated or checked by governments and therefore provide users with potentially all the water they need while entirely offsetting water bills.

Well owners can also avoid chemical disinfectants used in public water supplies, which some say improves well water’s taste.

Unless wells are constantly maintained and regularly checked for contaminants by owners, drinkers may be at risk of Hepatitis A, giardia, campylobacter, e. coli, shigella, cryptosporidium and salmonella as well as toxins and pollutants such as arsenic, gasoline, nitrate, phenol and selenium.

Wells are a considerable investment, costing thousands of dollars to install plus additional expense for electricity to power the extraction pump and possible water treatment.

Rainwater

Though we already rely on rainfall to recharge dams, reservoirs and aquifers from which we source drinking water, millions of people in dozens of countries collect rainwater for drinking (e.g. more than two million people in Australia use rainwater as a major source of drinking water).

Well designed harvesting systems with clean catchments and storage tanks can provide a free, renewable source of water, clear of impurities and devoid of controversial additives in tap water, such as fluoride and chlorine.

Rainwater is considered ‘soft’, so it lacks many of the beneficial nutrients found in tap water, such as magnesium, calcium and iron. Rainwater can become easily contaminated due to improperly constructed and managed harvesting systems or through atmospheric and land pollution dirt, animal feces as well as dissolved metals (e.g. lead and zinc) leached from materials in the water catchment system and storage tanks.

Though pathogen levels in rainwater are generally lower than surface water, there have been reported outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease, campylobacter and botulism as a result of drinking rain water.

Rainwater tanks can be a fairly expensive option to obtain water, costing hundreds or several thousand dollars.

Hot & Cold Water

A common rumor suggests that drinking cold water, especially after a meal, can cause cancer or heart problems, though this is largely false. For many people, cold water is more refreshing, hydrating, soothing and better tasting than warm or room-temperature water.

On the downside, cold water can increase migraines, blood pressure, chest pain and difficulty swallowing for people with esophageal motility disorders and, if icy, damage tooth enamel.

Hot water, especially with a squirt of lemon juice, is a popular remedy to aid digestion, settle an upset stomach, alleviate constipation, treat a cold, create clear skin among many other benefits.

As well as eliminating parasites and bacteria in our tap water, boiling water can remove small concentrations of residual chlorine from drinking water (which despite being considered safe by most health organisations, many people fear can increase risk of serious ailments), as well as reduce concentrations of detrimental disinfectant byproducts.

Sparkling / Carbonated Water

Due to water’s often bland flavor, many people turn to a fizzier alternative to increase the enjoyment of drinking a long, cool, glass of H2O.

A common rumor is that sparkling water can leach calcium from the bones and increase calcium excretion through urination. Though a connection has been found to exist between calcium loss and caffeinated carbonated drinks, sparkling water doesn’t seem to have the same detrimental effect on bones.

Opinion is a little divided on whether sparkling water can exacerbate tooth decay. One study found that it had a negligible effect on dental erosion, especially compared to juices and cola which are 100 times more damaging.

Carbonated water may create discomfort for those with irritable bowel syndrome, by increasing bloating and gas. Some bubbly drinks also have a high sodium content, making it a potential risk for those who have to monitor their salt intake due to various conditions such as high blood pressure, fluid retention and poor bone health.

One study found that sodium-rich carbonated mineral water may actually help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. Further research has shown that sparkling water may improve indigestion, constipation and gallbladder emptying.

Spring & Mineral Water

Springs are formed when groundwater emerges naturally from an aquifer to the earth’s surface. Some spring water is said to originate from an ‘Artesian Well’ which is an aquifer confined between slabs of impermeable rock in which natural pressure allows water to rise above the aquifer or all the way to the surface without the use of a pump.

Mineral water is also naturally produced at springs and contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids, including minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, silicon, sodium, bicarbonate and iron.

The health benefits of spring and mineral water depends on the quality of the aquifer and how protected the spring is. Minerals from a well managed spring can benefit bone structure, energy production, nervous system function, blood clotting, muscle activity, kidney stones, teeth, skin and hair, liver purification, digestion, blood pressure as well as many other functions.

Drinking directly from a poorly managed spring may be hazardous to health, as it can easily become contaminated from various pollutants and bacteria.

Depending on geographic location, natural mineral water can have high concentrations of lithium. This trace mineral is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and depression, though some studies have found a correlation between its presence in drinking water and decreased rates of suicide and criminal behavior. In some places this mineral water is sold as ‘Lithia Water’.

Purified Waters (De-Ionized and Distilled)

Several methods exist to purify drinking water of remaining contaminants, though this article describes just two: Distilled and Deionized.

Distilled water involves evaporating the liquid with heat to separate it from contaminants and then condensing the steam back into water within a separate container, usually leaving behind more than 99.9% of all minerals.

Deionized (or demineralized) water instead uses a process of ion exchange, in which electrically charged resins replace calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron and manganese with hydrogen and hydroxyl to create pure water, free of minerals, though it may still contain bacteria and viruses.

The major case for drinking purified water is that it lacks most of the chemical contaminants and undesirable minerals that exist in tap water.

However, also absent are most, if not all, of the beneficial minerals from drinking water that supplement our diets. Due to their low mineral content, many have found purified waters to have a flat taste compared to tap or bottled water.

Drinking only purified water can also increase diuresis, dilution of electrolytes, increased elimination of minerals from the body, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, hypertension among many other things, though with a healthy diet it’s still possible to receive beneficial minerals and nutrients that are absent in purified water.

Alkaline / Ionized Water

Alkaline water is generally created with water and an ionizer, which uses an electrical current to separate H2O particles into hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, raising the pH level to around 8 or 9.

Proponents claim that alkaline water is capable of increasing vitality, slowing the ageing processes, preventing cancer and diabetes as well as neutralizing acid in the bloodstream, boosting metabolism, restoring the body’s pH balance, helping the body absorb nutrients more effectively and even offering protection against radiation.

Unfortunately these claims are not yet backed by medical research. Some studies have found its potential for treating acid reflux, decreasing cholesterol and helping slow bone loss, though further research is required. Another study claimed that alkaline water was effective in managing metabolic acidosis, though this was only in certain animals.

Critics argue that alkaline water may be detrimental to digestion and that it’s no healthier than regular tap water. Ionizers generally don’t filter out contaminants and may increase the concentration of dissolved metals to dangerous levels or even transform certain contaminants into unknown compounds.

Water ionizers can cost several hundred or even over a thousand dollars.

Enhanced Water

With a range of colors and flavors distinguishing them from other bottled water products, enhanced water is marketed as having an improved taste and being fortified with beneficial vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and herbs so as to achieve various effects including boosting energy, increasing calmness, increasing antioxidants, improving hydration as well as many other effects.

While all these things sound great, their actual health benefits have been called into question by consumer watchdogs due to enhanced waters containing high levels of sugar, comparable to carbonated soft drinks, effectively negating any potential benefits.

Featured photo credit: Bart / Flickr via flickr.com

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Going to the salon every other week gets expensive, but there are useful, free, and creative ways to get the perfect manicure without making that bank account-draining bi-weekly appointment. Check out these hacks for a great manicure.

Nail Care Hacks

1. Prevent Split Nails by Wearing Gloves in Water

If you’ve ever had the displeasure of a split fingernail, you understand why it’s important to protect your hands. Wear rubber or latex gloves while washing dishes or hand washing clothes to keep your manicure in tip top shape and prevent cracked nails.

2. Restore Cuticles Overnight

Instead of using chemicals on your cuticles, try this overnight remedy for unruly cuticles. As you sleep, your cuticles will become soft and moisturized.

3. Remove Nail Polish Stains with Tooth Whitener

After taking off red nail polish, have you noticed a pink or orange tinge to your nails? There’s an easy way to get rid of it: tooth whitener.

4. Go Natural with Hand Lotion

Not all hand lotions are created equal, so when you want a hand lotion you can trust to contain natural ingredients, you may need to make it yourself. One recipe incorporates aloe vera, essential oils, beeswax, and Vitamin E oil for a naturally moisturizing hand lotion.

5. Create Your Own Hand Scrub

If your hands have a lot of dead skin, lotion alone won’t be able to soothe it. Consider creating hand scrub at home that has the same beneficial effects as the expensive stuff sold in stores. The Beauty Department’s blend of lemon, sugar, coconut oil, and Argan oil is instantly enriching while exfoliating skin.

6. Correct Nail Polish Mistakes Quickly

Having globs of nail polish on the sides of each finger isn’t an attractive look, and announces to the world, “I DIY-ed my mani.” Instead, use a brush and some nail polish remover to create a clean line around the nail and successfully trick your friends into thinking a professional did your nails.

7. Mend a Broken Nail without Pain

Have you ever had a broken nail that threatened to break down to the quick? If you have, you understand how painful that can be. Instead of biting or ripping off a piece of broken nail, use a piece of a tea bag and some nail glue to make a quick (and painless) repair.

8. Prevent Over-Polishing with Vaseline

Protect the skin around your nails, whether working on your toes or fingernails, by applying petroleum jelly to the edges. Once you’re finished polishing, there will be no extra swipes of nail polish to clean up.

9. Use a Glass Nail File for the Best Manicure

Part of the reason nails peel in layers at the tip is the way in which they are filed. Using a glass nail file prevents keratin separation at the nail bed, resulting in a long-lasting, healthy manicure and reduced risk of breakage.

10. Whiten Yellow Nails Naturally

Consistently polishing your nails can result in gradual staining and a yellowish appearance. Easily remove staining by mixing 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 2 ½ tablespoons of baking soda.

11. Clever Nail Polish Storage

Use shoe boxes or old picture boxes to sort and organize your nail polish bottles. Add a drop of color to a sticker and place it on the top of the bottle to easily identify the color you want.

12. Remove Nail Oil with Vinegar

Nail polish stays on longer when applied to a clean, dry nail. Unfortunately, invisible oils can sabotage your new manicure. Before applying nail polish, swipe each fingernail with white vinegar to cut through any oils on the nail.

13. Help Your Nail Polish Dry Fast

Want your nail polish to dry quickly (and avoid unsightly accidents)? Dip your manicured nails into a bowl of ice water for approximately 3 seconds to expedite the drying process.

14. Create Matte Nail Polish at Home

Can’t part with your favorite shade, but wish it was less shiny? Add a matte top coat to any nail polish by mixing clear polish and corn starch.

15. Use Cooking or Hair Spray to Dry Nails

A fast, cheap way to dry your nail polish is to apply cooking spray or hair spray over the top coat. While this won’t prevent major damage from occurring, it strengthens the top layer and is more resistant to smudges.

16. Quickly Repair Chipped Nail Polish

Quickly cover up chips in nail polish with a coat of glitter. Choose a uniform pattern or apply glitter polish in varying strengths to achieve a faded effect.

17. Fix a Nail Polish Blunder

Were you going for a top coat but missed the mark? Instead of starting fresh, improvise by lightly rubbing nail polish remover on the smudge. Then, simply add the original color over it and you’re finished!

18. Eliminate Nail Polish Bubbles

Avoid having bubbles surface atop your perfectly painted nails by first rolling the bottle in between your hands as opposed to shaking it. Normally, it’s shaking up the contents of the bottle that results in air bubbles.

19. Restore Old Nail Polish

Do you have old bottles of nail polish that look as though they’re destined for the garbage bin? Before tossing them, apply nail lacquer thinner to the bottle to restore the polish’s viscosity to normal.

20. New Uses for Watery Polish

On the other hand, some nail polishes are designed to be thin. Instead of finding a new favorite brand, use thin nail polish for designs or watercolor effects.

Nail Art Hacks

21. Spotted Eggshell Effect with Plastic Bag

Achieve a designer look with this spotted eggshell hack. Crumple up a plastic bag and dip in nail polish before using it to create a sponge paint effect on your nails. For best results, use a color that contrasts with the base coat.

22. Nail Tape for Perfectly Straight Lines

Nail tape is a great tool to keep around, whether you want to apply it directly to your nails or use it as a stencil for designs. To achieve perfectly straight lines, add it to your nail tips before applying the tip color.

23. Painted Nails in the Sky

Mimic peaceful, fluffy clouds colorfully using this nail art technique. By layering contrasting colors over one another strategically, you can accomplish this dreamy look.

24. Nails D’Amour

With Valentine’s Day approaching, you may want to celebrate in style with a heart-themed manicure. Create hearts easily and symmetrically using a toothpick.

25. Create Gradients of Color

An interesting optical illusion is using gradients of color on your nails. Also called Ombre nails, this design is achieved by slightly blending two polish colors side by side, then using a sponge to apply the color to the nail.

26. Easy Cutout Nails

Achieve a futuristic look with these easy cutout nails. Apply stripes of nail tape to the nail before polishing, then use varying colors on each triangle before peeling tape off. You’re left with a modern manicure everyone will be asking about.

27. Flaming Hot Nail Art

Do you want your nails to reflect your personality? This fire-inspired nail design takes a little time, but is absolutely worth it. Try using different colors as a base coat for varying effects.

28. Easy Flower Design

Get in the mood for springtime with these easy floral nails. Simply make dots using a bobby pin or toothpick, then layer colors over the dots to create depth and the appearance of a flower. Add green accents to mimic leaves.

29. Simple French Tips

Get beautiful, classic french tips the easy way. Ditch the templates, stickers, and decorative tools and replace them with either a rubber band or nail tape to ensure a clean line.

30. Marble Nails

To create easy marble nails without spending hours on details, use a nail polish template to create the marbled effect, then peel off each template and place on your nails. Trim the edges and add a top coat, and you’re finished!

What are your nail care hacks? Share them with us!

Featured photo credit: Empty Space Orchestra via emptyspaceorchestra.com

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Buying stuff second-hand is an excellent way of maintaining the health of your wallet; our culture is obsessed with the idea of ‘newness’, and things lose half of their price the moment they leave the shop – you can get them for a fraction of their real price when buying used.

But buying second-hand is always accompanied with risks. Caveat venditor goes down the drain, it is caveat emptor all over again – so let’s see how you can protect yourself.

1. Cars

So you’ve found what looks like an excellent deal – a car that is considerably cheaper than its market price. But, as we all know, there is no such thing as a free lunch, and if this ‘considerably’ turns into ‘suspiciously’, there is a good chance the car in question is a salvage vehicle. It is wise to check it for yourself by buying a vehicle history report for a humble sum of $10.00 – or by getting it for free from a website like VinFreeCheck.

2. Furniture

Remember: furniture you buy is going to be a part of your household for years to come. You will shortly forget that it was such a bargain; yet you will have to bear it for God knows how long. Thus, you should carefully examine everything.

Firstly, was the piece damaged and fixed? If so, was it fixed properly? Try it out, don’t be shy – sit in chairs, check if bureau drawers go back and forth smoothly, if tables are rickety. If something is damaged, it doesn’t necessarily mean the deal is off – just estimate if it can be used, if you can repair it, how costly will it be, and if the seller didn’t mention it previously, ask for a lower the price according to the item’s condition.

3. Flats

Second-hand flat sounds weird, but it’s always what you buy unless you buy off-plan. Depending on the purpose for which you buy, you’ll have to pay attention to different things. However, the tricks used by unscrupulous agents always the same. Be on your guard if the agent says he already has a better offer, and if you want to buy it you have to pay more, or aggressively persuades you to seal the deal right now and offers a discount or other bonuses. Make sure you get a detailed report on the flat’s condition – thus you will be able to initiate proceedings against the agent if you later find out that some flaws were concealed (e.g., if cracks in walls were papered over).

4. Clothing

Second-hand clothing has no seller’s or manufacturer’s guarantees, so you should be really careful when checking them for damage. Although prices are usually more than affordable, it is still annoying to bring home a pair of jeans only to discover that they have a broken zipper. And, although it is not deception per se, some thrift shops don’t have dressing rooms to encourage you to buy without trying things on – so wear something thin when going there.

5. Cellphones

Cellphones and other gadgets may turn out to be a real bargain when bought second-hand – or a real disaster. It is all about knowing what to look at.

Ask for a receipt to make sure you don’t buy stolen goods. Research the device thoroughly before buying so that you know all its functions and can check if they work properly before money changes hands. Never buy an item without personally inspecting it first, checking if the touchscreen, sliding panels, keypad, whatever, are in working order.

A savvy buyer can save a ton of money by buying second-hand; you should simply relearn the skills of a cautious buyer that were replaced by guarantees and return policies in most people.

Featured photo credit: for second hand rose/Jason Brackins via flickr.com

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Ah, camping. The great outdoors, the campfires, the food you’d never eat in civilised society: it’s a wonderful experience. That said, things can get a little bit tricky when we are left to the mercy of Mother Nature. Here are 30 fantastic camping hacks you can use to make your camping experience as wonderful as possible!

 1. Use sage to repel mosquitoes.

Place some sage in your campfire and the smell is sure to ward off any pesky mosquitos.

2. Liquid soap + cotton balls = no ticks.

If you or one of your fellow campers is having trouble with a tick, place the soap-soaked cotton on the tick for 20 seconds. The tick will eventually stop chewing and will come away with the cotton ball. If the tick was attached for a lengthy amount of time you may want to consider keeping it in a container so that you can test it for Lyme disease later.

3. Use an acorn cap as a whistle if you get lost.

It’s remarkably easy to get lost whilst camping. Here’s a full tutorial on how you can transform an acorn into a whistle!

4. Corn chips for kindling!

Doritos are a great way to start a fire, just be careful!

5. Use the rest of the chips for nachos.

Nachos are easy to pack, light and simple to make. Plus they’re incredibly tasty.

6. Use compact, microfibre towels!

These towels are incredibly easy to store and dry within an hour of use. Buy them here.

7. Wrap duct-tape around your water bottle for emergencies.

You never know when you might need some.

8. Make lamps out of jars and solar disks.

Get all the info you need here.

9. Sangria!

We know what’s really important. How to here!

10. One water bottle will hold eight eggs.

By keeping all your eggs in a bottle you save time and hassle. Plus, no need to carry extra bowls or a whisk!

11. Johnson’s Baby Creamy Oil is a surprisingly good mosquito repellent.

Keep the bugs and the bug repellent smell at bay.

12. DIY shower.

All you need is a watering can and a large jug. Here’s the full instructions.

13. Keep sandpaper handy to light matches.

Glueing some sandpaper to the lid of a tupperware box where you can also store matches is a foolproof plan.

14. S’moreos.

15. MarshJell-o shots.

Learn how to make these delicious things here!

16. Or dip those marshmallows in Bailey’s. 

Toast the marshmallow first and then dip it in Bailey’s.

17. Turn a bottle into a spoon.

It’s that easy!

18. Grits repel ants.

Just sprinkle grits wherever you see ants.

19. Deodorant can be used to combat itchiness.

20. Wrap your meat in cabbage to stop it from burning.

That’s not an innuendo, it really will! The moistness in the cabbage creates the perfect barrier.

21. Foam noodles will stop any injuries.

For any fellow clumsy people, you know how possible it is to smack your head and cause serious injury. Placing a foam noodle on the awning strut narrows down at least one accident waiting to happen.

22. Carry some essentials in a small tin with you at all times.

You never know what you’ll need and when.

23. Take toothpaste dots instead of a whole tube.

Let the drops dry out over 3 days, add a little baking soda and put them in a resealable bag.

24. Use a stick to secure your tent.

By placing a stick in the main centre line you ensure the pressure is even throughout, which will stop the grommets being pulled out.

25. Vacuum seal your food before you leave.

26. Popcorn on the campfire.

Popcorn that you can place on the stove at home can also be popped over a campfire. You can also make your own using this tutorial.

27. You can even make bacon and eggs over it.

That’s right! Full instructions here.

28. Keep your toiletries handy.

Buy this magnificent contraption here.

29. Compact, unbreakable cups!

Get them while you can!

30. Tic-Tac boxes are great for storing ingredients.

With these 30 tips and tricks, you can work DIY magic into nearly every aspect of camping, and make your next camping trip a comfortable, easy blast. Good luck!

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Over thinking kills your happiness.

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Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

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Breathe in for a count of 5… breathe out for a count of 5… and breathe in… breathe out… Feeling calmer? You probably do feel calmer. Now tell me. Why don’t you do this when things are tough? Do you forget to do this when you feel the world is falling apart?

What is it that you need to do to take back control?

“When adversity strikes, that’s when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on.” – LL Cool J.

I believe we all have the strength to overcome any situation we find ourselves in. Research tells us there is a strong relationship between a calm mind and being successful. The result of what we do in that difficult moment makes the difference between success and no success. Below you will learn exactly what to do to stay calm. Some strategies will sound strange, others make obvious sense and just need to be implemented.

1. Stop Whining, Move Forward!

“The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.” –
Barack Obama

An excellent way to stay calm and to get back control over the situation is to simply stop whining. Sound a little harsh? I’m sorry. But in your heart you know this works. When you continue to whine, you will not look at what happens. You will only be busy with the way you feel. This is not helping you move forward!

2. Stop Talking To Others

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” – Oscar Wilde

The moment you face hard times, you will probably receive a million thoughts, ideas and solutions from other people. They share them because you ask for them, or simply because they want to help you. But stop and have a really honest look inside. You know exactly why you are in this situation. Do what you feel it is you need to do next. It is probably the best advice you will use.

3. Stop Thinking About What Happens And What Else Will Go Wrong

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” – Zig Ziglar

This doom-filled thinking is not really helpful. Better to know what happened and understand your current situation. Then, start plotting your way towards your solution. As Will Smith said: “There’s no reason to have a plan B because it distracts from plan A.” Use all your energy to move away from the problem using one strategy at a time.

4. Stop Eating, Start Drinking

“Drinking water is like washing out your insides. The water will cleanse the system, fill you up, decrease your caloric load and improve the function of all your tissues.” – Kevin R. Stone

Yes, you read this correctly. No need to eat a little more (you don’t need comfort, you need to think straight). You need water, and lots of it! No coffee and no beer or any other alcohol. You need to flush your system. Drink slowly. Drink warm water… Slowly… Feel how the warm water goes into your system. Then start working again.

Continue to keep your brain and body hydrated. Doing that helps you think better. Aren’t we made of 60% water? Refresh!

5. Stop Doing What You Do

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein

If you continue to go on the path you chose, you will only make things worse. The moment you find yourself in a difficult situation, you need to STOP and identify what is happening. The moment you do that, you can plot better actions. This will improve your situation. Always be aware of this. You need to be conscious of the things you do and what their results are.

6. Stop And Listen To Chuck Norris

“A lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can’t do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do.” – Chuck Norris

I told you that you should not listen to anyone and follow your own path, right? Perhaps this is the only exception to that rule. Chuck Norris is not just a really cool person. He also has many ideas about solving problems.

7. Stop Thinking, Start Feeling

“The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” – Oprah Winfrey

I know that the moment you face problems, your emotions are running wild, right? What to do, what happens next, will I survive… Many thoughts and ideas are running through your mind.

What if you stop feeling stressed or scared? What if you start feeling blessed for this learning opportunity? What if you feel strong and inventive? What if you felt you have all the answers to resolve this? Would that change things?

Start feeling with ALL your emotions!

8. Stop Moving Forward

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

Huh… didn’t you just read that you have to move forward? You most certainly did! How does this tip help you then? Well… you have to stop identifying forward with the direction you were heading. Start thinking about forward as a way to move in the direction of a solution. Perhaps forward is sideways, or even backwards! Change your perspective and start moving again.

9. Stop Learning, Start Doing

“Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” – George Herbert

Some people want to know exactly what to do to get out of their difficult situation. They want A to Z, all the steps. Knowing what to do from the beginning till the end. Mastering those steps is great. But it won’t bring you in the place you want to be. You need to take ACTION! Do something. Do ONE thing. Think first, than act. Most people remain in a state of pain and thinking. They are afraid to take action. You know this now, so act on it!

10. STOP

“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.” – Orson Welles

Stop doing anything and everything. Remember the breathing from the beginning? Do that. Learn to breath slowly, consciously. Stop doing what you do. Stop doing anything but breathing. After you did that for 10, 20, 30 seconds… you start doing something. Getting to a calm state of mind is not something you do by running around and by having negative feelings. Calm = Stop. Stop is the beginning of your new start. Calm can only starts when you are in control of your state. It is exactly that calm start of mind that will transform your difficult situation in a success.

11. START

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi

Practice being calm. Start your days with it. Remind yourself to remain calm during the day. Calm is a great place to start moving forward, left, right or even back. Start is however the thing you have to do to move from difficult to calm to progress.

There you go. 11 practical ideas to create calmness in your life. Some are really focused on becoming calm again. Others can be used to move away from the difficult situation at hand and focus your mind.

A calm mind is a mind which is in control.  A stressed mind takes control over you. A calm mind is there to serve you.

ACTION POINTS:

Now for the most important part. How can you use this today to improve your calmness no matter what the circumstances.

Learn to stay conscious of what you think, do and feel. This is hard in the beginning. Still, you have to remind yourself about this. The easiest way is to add little reminders around you in your environment. Sticky notes on your computer, reminders on your phone. Looking at your children or your co-workers. Associating items in the office to look at how you feel. When you do that, you will become more aware of what you do and how you feel.

Then the main point. You will run into situations where calmness might not feel like your first priority. Needless to say, and you obviously know this already… these are exactly the situations where you need to stay calm. How you act that moment has a huge impact on whether or not you will be or feel successful.

Pick one idea, or perhaps two ideas from the list above. Use them as your backup strategy to create calmness in your life again.

And if nothing else works…

Breathe in… breathe out… breathe in… breathe out…

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Beauty attracts the eye but personality captures the heart.

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Brain power can be boosted not just by brain training and physical exercise, but also by choosing our diets carefully and taking into account the findings of modern scientific research.  With an ever increasing life expectancy, we have an interest in healthy eating that is reaching epic proportions. And we now expect much more from our food than ever before.  Food is not just fuel to get us through the day.  All calories are not created equal.  We want our food to enhance our physical and mental activity, as well as our moods.  We want our food to contain cancer fighting agents and prevent cognitive decline.  We want our food to stimulate the brain growth of neonates and the immune systems of our newborns.

What most people don’t realize is that you can get all your essential nutrients from the food that you are consuming on an every day basis. And while there are many marketing experts that will try to sell you the extracted ingredients at high costs in pill format, most of the vitamins and minerals that pack the best brain punch can be found in their purest forms at your local grocery shop. This list below will get you started on a diet that is jam packed full of brain food to raise your IQ and maintain a very high standard of brain fitness. And of course, while you still need to get your physical exercise, your mental workouts, and your good night’s sleep, these foods will provide your body with the fuel needed to keep your brain running on the most efficient fuel.

1. Celery

Scientists at the University of Illinois found that a diet rich in a plant compound called luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain and related memory deficits by directly inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain (Jang, Dilger, Johnson, 2010). Celery is one food that is very high in luteolin.  Other vegetables such as peppers and carrots also contain high levels of luteolin. So if you want to keep your memory in tip top shape, eat plenty of celery, peppers and carrots.

2. Walnuts

We hear a lot about the Omega-3s these days and indeed there is a large body of scientific evidence supporting that these fatty acids are essential for healthy brain activity.  Seniors who have high levels of Omega-3 in their blood score higher on cognitive ability tests and on other tests of memory (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008).  Walnuts provide a very strong source of Omega-3.  While salmon actually appears to be a richer source of Omega-3, it is not likely that people will eat salmon every single day. Walnuts, on the other hand, can be eaten as a snack or put into cereals and salads with reckless abandon.  Other oily cold water fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines and trout are also full of the Omega-3 fatty acids so aim to include these as much as three times per week for maximal brain benefits.

3. Red meat

Well we have probably all heard that you shouldn’t eat too much red meat these days because over eating it can cause damage to the colon. However, when it comes down to the ever important vitamin B12, red meat is the strongest provider.  In fact, a B12 deficiency will cause nerve and brain damage!  So, while we don’t recommend that you eat red meat every day, we do recommend that you eat it on a weekly basis. There are B12 supplements and alternatives for those of us that don’t eat red meat, but unfortunately none of them are as rich a source of this vitamin as red meat. So while you can eat leafy greens and take vitamin supplements for your B12, you will need to eat vast amounts of them to get the same amount of B12 that you would get from red meat.

4.  Blueberries

The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry (2012) states that a diet rich in blueberries is associated with faster learning, sharper thinking and improved memory retention.  Perhaps not surprisingly, strawberries, blackberries and other berries show similar benefits.

5. Whole grains

We all need sugar to fuel our brains and our bodies.  However, the slow release sugar found in whole grains such as barley and bulgur provide longer lasting energy being supplied to the brain.  Remember that all sugar is not created equal.  If you want the good sugars that we need for the most efficient brain functioning, we need to move away from the fizzy drinks, cheap breads and cakes and stick with the whole grains. Indeed, a word of caution is necessary here; eating cheap breads, cakes and fizzy drinks instead of the healthy whole grains for your sugars, can actually reduce your IQ! But the great news is that you don’t have to be creative to get your whole grains in.  You can build whole grains into many different meals at any time of day.  So whether you want to find some tasty toppings for your oatmeal or bake your pizza base from scratch, here are some great recipes.

6. Chickpeas

Chickpeas have the combined advantage of complex carbohydrate to give you the energy you need plus protein which keeps you alert. Protein, contains high levels of amino acids, such as tyrosine, which in turn causes neurons to produce very important neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine.  These are associated with mental alertness which is an essential part of learning.  Chickpeas are also brimming with magnesium which is thought to play an important role in metabolizing energy that enables brain cell receptors to speed up the transmission of messages (i.e., quicker thinking and faster acting brains). Finally, scientists also report that foods high in magnesium also help to relax blood vessels which allows more blood to flow to the brain.  All in all, this is fantastic news for hummus lovers.  You should also try out these delicious spicy chickpea patties.

7. Dark chocolate

One new study published in Hypertension (2013) showed that consuming dark chocolate every day may improve thinking skills in adults with mild cognitive impairment.  In this study, older adults were enlisted to take part in research where they were asked to consume either low, moderate of high amounts of flavanols in a cocoa based beverage every day for eight weeks. The scientists found that there was a link between higher amounts of flavanols and improvements in tests of cognitive function.  Put simply, the higher the concentration of flavanols, the better people did on the tests of cognitive functioning.  The participants who consumed highest amounts of flavanols were able to complete tests more quickly and recall more information. One word of caution to readers is that this particular study was funded by Mars so there is a potential conflict of interest here. However, the finding that flavanols are good for you is not exactly news. Flananols are widely known to reduce blood pressure and it may be that their effect on increasing blood flow is having a secondary effect on brain functioning.  Flavanols are also found in red wine, grapes, apples and tea, if for any reason you do not wish to consume vast quantities of dark chocolate.

8. Almonds

Almonds are very high in vitamin E which is thought to protect the brain from age related damage and to improve learning and memory skills. Almonds also contain riboflavin and L-carnitrine which are widely accepted as nutrients that boost brain activity.

9. Broccoli

Broccoli contains Vitamin K which strengthens cognitive abilities and Choline which has been found to improve memory.  Broccoli also contains folic acid which can help to ward of Alzheimer’s disease.  Some studies also suggest that a lack of folic acid can lead to depression so broccoli may be good for our brains on many levels, not strictly in terms of doing well on IQ or memory tests.  If you’re not that into broccoli on its own, check out this site for a delicious broccoli, cannellini bean and cheddar soup.

10. Avocado

In 1994, Miller found that the workings of the human brain depends on communication between our brain’s 100 billion neurons.  The axon of each neuron is coated in a type of insulation known as myelin.  When myelin is thicker, the transmission of impulses between neurons is faster. This is turn is linked to higher intelligence. Avocados are known to have a high fat content and yet this is fat that is good for our brains. Avocados are rich in a fatty acid called “oleic acid” which helps build myelin sheathes found in the white matter in the brain. Neurons without myelin process information at slower speeds. So while we know that correlation is not the same as causation, eating avocados does appear to be a helpful method for building up our myelin.  Other sources of oleic acid include olives, almonds and pecans.

A few recipes using these and other good brain foods can be found here.

Now go forth, eat well and boost that brain power!

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