Life Tips

Hiking is a fantastic way to see more of a country. It offers you the chance to meet interesting people and see places most other people totally miss. But, if you are going to go hiking at some point during your vacation, you will need to pack carefully. To help you to do that, we have put together a bit of packing advice.

A decent pair of boots

It really is worth investing in a new pair of boots like these. They need to be sturdy enough to withstand rough terrain and offer your feet a good level of support. It is wise to buy your boots a few weeks in advance, so that you can wear them in and spot any issues.

If you can, wear them for the journey to your destination. A good pair of hiking boots will be both bulky and heavy, so you don’t want to carry them if you can avoid doing so.

The right clothes

Potentially you can wear any style of clothes while hiking. The cut and style you choose does not really matter, but what they are made of and how they fit are both important.

Everything you wear should be made out of fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and make it as easy as possible for your body to regulate its temperature. This in-depth article explains everything you need to know about the various options.

Getting the fit right is important. Anything that is too loose will flap and annoy the hell out of you. But, equally you want to avoid tight clothes. They will make it harder for you to move fast and will cut in and make you feel uncomfortable.

Pack items of clothing that you can easily layer

You can never be 100% sure what the weather is going to do, so you need to go prepared. Packing clothes that can easily be worn in layers will help you to do exactly that. If you get the chance, try everything on together before you pack. You want to make sure that you can still move freely and fit your coat over the top of everything.

A good coat

A decent coat that will keep the wind and rain off of you is a hiking essential. Ideally you want one with a hood. The type with a zip-out hood is more practical and comfortable.

Waterproofs

It is also worth packing a pair of lightweight waterproof trousers, leggings or whatever legwear you feel comfortable in while out in the mountains. Hiking in wet jeans is pretty awful. Not something you want to experience.

Protect your head and hands

You need to pack a hat to keep you warm on colder days and protect your head from the sun on the warmer days. A scarf and gloves are also a good idea. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sun cream either.

First aid kit and basic rations

Occasionally, things are going to go wrong, so it is wise to be prepared. Pack a basic first aid kit, a full water bottle and some high energy food items.

More hiking holiday advice

If this has inspired you to get your hiking boots out and set off on an adventure, read this post, next. There we explain how to combine rustic travel with camping and brewery visits. You will be surprised by just how easy it is to put together a trip that allows you to enjoy all three pastimes.

Let’s see now! You take perfect care of your skin.

You moisturize religiously and stay out of the sun as much as you can.

You follow a careful exfoliating and toning regimen.

But, a few weeks after your 35th birthday, you might start to see signs of aging skin like fine lines and wrinkles.

Like this feature on MedlinePlus explains, aging causes the regeneration of your skin to slow down. Not only are you likely to develop more lines, age spots, and pigmentation, but the skin starts to become thinner and more fragile. That’s because the layer of collagen and elastin under the skin starts to weaken. You may also note that any wounds or injuries you have take longer to heal.

However, aside from aging, various other factors can result in skin blemishes and aging before time. Before you start to panic and buy loads of concealers and makeup, you may want to explore some unexpected causes of the aging skin. If you could resolve those issues, you might just be able to delay the signs for a good many years.

1. You Could be Experiencing Waning Hormone Levels

Most women are unaware that as they cross the age of 35, levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone start to decline quickly. These hormones are responsible for keeping your skin plump, elastic, and hydrated. Hormones also maintain the integrity of the collagen and elastin in the skin so it appears taut and smooth in texture. As the levels of hormones begin to wane around the age of 35, you might start to notice that your skin seems drier than usual or that it is taking on a pale, sallow look.

The expert skin consultants at the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Centre advise that it is possible to replenish the waning levels without the use of chemical or synthetic supplements. Opt for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that uses supplements derived from plants. Such medications have no side effects and once they start to take effect, you may notice that the texture of your aging skin is improving.

2. The Free Radicals in Your Body Could be Causing Skin Damage

As your body metabolizes the food you eat, free radicals are also formed as a by-product during the process. Most free radicals develop because of the chemicals, pesticides, preservatives, and food coloring in your meals. These agents can also enter your body with the polluted air you breathe and some of the chemical products you use in the house. Free radicals act like rust in the body and are instrumental in causing skin aging by damaging the collagen and elastin in your skin.

Check out this feature on U.S. News that talks about how you can prevent the effects of the free radicals on your skin by choosing more of organic foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are free of chemicals. Pick sources of protein that are grass-fed and free-range, and use healthier cooking oils that don’t contain Trans fats and saturated fats.

3. You May Need to Cut Back on Your Intake of Sugars

The effects of excess sugar on your body cells can cause the skin to display damage. The American Heart Association stresses that women should restrict their intake of sugar to 100 calories in a given day. That’s because sugar combines with the proteins and fats in your body by way of a process called glycation. The molecules of Advanced Glycation End products or AGEs also form when you speed up cooking by frying foods on a high flame.

Prevent the formation of AGEs in your food by cooking it on a slow heat and cut back on the sugar intake. You’ll also prevent the risk of diabetes that can also cause skin aging by slowing blood circulation in your body. Taking these simple precautions may help you prevent the speedy degeneration of your skin.

4. Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Intake Can Cause Skin Aging

The American Academy of Dermatology warns that if you smoke and drink excessively, you may need to be aware of the effects of nicotine and alcohol on your skin. Nicotine slows blood circulation by constricting the vessels and capillaries that nourish your body with fresh oxygen and nutrients. Without this regular supply, your skin in unable to repair and rejuvenate, and starts to appear dull and sallow. Alcohol, on the other hand, has a dehydrating effect on your body. And, dry skin quickly starts to show more of fine lines and wrinkles.

Give your skin the time and nutrients to regenerate by stopping smoking and lowering your intake of alcohol significantly. Not only will you notice overall better health, but your skin will thank you for it.

5. Stress and Anxiety Can Affect Your Skin

Long-term stress and anxiety result in your body releasing high levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. Research conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information clearly shows that cortisol could be one of the most potent agents that causes skin aging. Not only does it raise levels of blood sugar and slows circulation in the body, but it also alters your sleep patterns. And, getting adequate sleep is one of the key requirements for skin repair. Cortisol is also known to slow the production of Hyaluronic acid in the skin. This agent is highly essential for maintaining the hydration in your skin and making it look young and plumped up. Do keep in mind that no amount of external moisturizing can make up for the natural hydration of your body.

Work on lowering the stress levels by taking up any methods that work for you. For instance, try meditation, yoga, or light exercise. You could also try aromatherapy, tai chi, swimming, or simply, spending quality time with family and friends.

Your skin may be showing signs of damage from causes that are entirely unrelated to normal aging. While genetic factors may also dictate how your skin responds to the progression of years, many lifestyle changes can improve its condition and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Try them and regain a younger look.

If your goal is not just to increase your current level of fitness but also to maintain your new level of fitness for years to come, simply continue reading to discover a few key tricks to keeping fit in the long term!

How To Keep Fit:

1. Realize that in order to increase your fitness, you’ll have to change your lifestyle

One of the reasons why a high percentage of individuals fail to create long-lasting results when it comes to their health and fitness is that they’re unwilling to create long-term changes to their everyday lifestyle. Remember that in order to achieve your fitness related goals, you’ll have to change the way in which you live your day to day life.

As examples, you will have to spend far more time being active and you may have to alter the way that you socialize with your friends, in order to be able to make healthier choices.

2. Consider hiring a personal trainer, who’ll be able to provide you with motivation and teach you valuable new skills

While you don’t have to belong to a local gym in order to keep fit, as long as you make an effort to exercise 5 days a week, if you are planning on signing up for a gym membership, it’s a wise idea to seriously contemplate hiring a personal trainer.

While you may not want to budget to pay a professional personal trainer on an ongoing basis, if you hire a personal trainer for a short period of 3 months, you’ll be able to learn valuable skills which you’ll be able to use for a lifetime.

As examples, you’ll be able to use gym equipment properly in order to decrease your chances of developing injuries and you’ll be able to plan gym workouts which target every area of your body and which will kickstart your heart rate. As a bonus, if you find it difficult to motivate yourself to get down to the gym, you’ll have no excuse to skip a workout if you’ve already paid for the services of a qualified personal trainer.

3. Incorporate foods into your diet which will provide you with the energy which you need to complete vigorous daily workouts

If you would love to run up to every workout feeling energized and ready to work hard and push through your comfort zone, it’s important to alter your current diet to add new foods which are packed full of nutrients and vitamins.

As an example, if you don’t eat lean chicken breast on a weekly basis, it’s well worth incorporating lean chicken breast into your diet 2-3 times a week as it is low in fat and is packed full of protein. The latter of which your body requires to repair and build muscle tissue after a difficult workout.

If cooking and purchasing food is a chore for you, you may want to consider fitness muscle meals. You can get fresh, nutritious food that will help keep you going throughout the day.

4. Consider training for events, which will require you to work out on a daily basis

As examples, you may have always dreamed of training for a half marathon or for a triathlon. If you always have a fitness challenge or goal in mind to achieve, is a great idea as you’ll be far less likely to skip out on your workouts.

So if you’re serious about changing your lifestyle in order to enjoy a higher level of fitness, it’s well worth taking the advice presented above seriously!

If you’re unsure about the situations in which you may want to consider hiring and using a bog mat, simply continue reading to understand the purpose and benefits.

Understanding the purpose and benefits of bag mats:

1. You can use carefully laid out bog mats in order to protect grass from being destroyed by car traffic

If you plan on hosting an event and require your guests to park on a grass field and don’t want your grass being destroyed by being driven over by dozens of heavy vehicles, which will ruin your grass, you can hire and lay down bog mats for your guests to drive over in order to protect your grass.

As an added bonus if you lay down bog mats, that are designed to withstand the weight of vehicles, your guests will also be sure to stick to the path laid out for them, instead of freely driving all over your grass.

2. Bog mats can also be used as pathways for outdoor events

If you are in charge of planning an outdoor vent, such as a corporate event or a wedding reception which is set to be held in an outdoor marquee, it’s well worth using bog mats to protect your grass and to allow your guests to safely be able to walk around your venue.

3. Bog mats can double as a dance floor

If you foresee dancing taking place at your event, you’ll be able to use your bog mats to form a non-slip dance floor, which will allow your guests to safely dance the night away.

4. You can use bog mats in order to prevent your guests from slipping over

If you’re hosting an event at a venue which has uneven terrain and you’re worried about your guests being able to safely move around your venue, it’s well worth investing in hiring bog mats for the duration of your event.

5. Laying down bog mats can stop your guests from wandering off into areas which are restricted

Another benefit of laying down bog mats is that the vast majority of your guests will instinctively follow your bog mats and will avoid walking around areas of your venue, which are strictly off limit to guests.

6. Bog mats are also used on construction sites

Bog mats are commonly used on construction sites in order to protect the ground surrounding the construction site which is being worked on. As an example, construction sites often use bog mats on areas of a construction site which are muddy or which are high traffic areas which will be prone to being torn up.

7. Bog mats can be used in order to allow individuals or vehicles to access hard to access terrain

Bog mats are also routinely used in order to allow vehicles and individuals to access hard to access terrain, that would be nearly impossible to access without the use of handy bog mats.

Hopefully, after reading the information on bog mats listed above you now have a better understanding of the purpose and numerous benefits of bog mats!

Tips For Moving to Tennessee That You Didn’t Think You Needed to Know

If you are thinking about moving to Tennessee, make sure you go through this article. We explain all the tips you will need to know about Tennessee while you consider moving to the volunteer state

Whether you’re interested in the living in a bustling city or a charming mountain town, Tennessee has you covered. The Volunteer State may be known for its country music origins, but it truly has something to please everyone.

Cities like Nashville and Memphis are frequently sought out by millennials. Their booming job markets and up-and-coming neighborhoods are attractive to recent graduates. Smaller towns such as Cleveland and Lynchburg are praised for their southern grassroots appeal.

If you’re moving to Tennessee, we’re confident you’ll enjoy all this state has to offer. Before relocating, it’s good to know what life here is all about. Here’s what to know if you plan on making the Volunteer State your home!

No Personal Income Tax

One of the greatest advantages of moving to Tennessee is a fiscal one. Over the next 3 years, the Volunteer State will join 7 other states in becoming income tax-free. Currently, the Hall income tax rate stands at just 3%. It will continue to decrease by one percent until disseminating entirely in 2021.

Being a Tennessee resident doesn’t just mean you can avoid paying interest and dividend income. You also get to steer clear of paying wage and retirement income. Property tax here is quite low as well, so Tennessee is popular among retirees.

Drink the Whiskey

There’s whiskey- and then there’s Tennessee Whiskey. It’s so smooth, it has been the inspiration for many hit tunes from many of country’s biggest artists.

What makes Tennessee’s brown distilled beverages better than the rest? Well, for one, the process for making a Tennessee whiskey is unique compared to other Bourbons. The process for each drink appears similar, in that distilled corn must age in a new oak barrel.

But, before aging, Tennessee whiskey is filtered through charcoal, giving it it’s smooth taste. One of the most notorious examples of this fine beverage is Jack Daniels. Step into any watering hole in the Volunteer State for a neatly poured “Jack”.

Learn Your History

Because of its location, Tennessee was fought after by the Union and Confederates. Ultimately, Tennessee became the last state to join the Confederates in 1861. However, it still saw more armed conflicts-2,900 to be exact– than any other state except for Virginia.

There are plenty of places in this state to learn more about Tennessee’s background. If you’re interested in learning about its role in the Civil War, check out some of these historical sites, parks, and battlegrounds.

Music lovers have plenty to rejoice about, as well. Although Nashville has been dubbed the “Capital of Country”, it’s not it’s birthplace. Instead, that can be found just a few hours east of Nashville in Bristol, Tennessee.

Bristol is home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and it also hosts many events and concerts. Check out the Rhythm & Roots Festival which falls on Labor Day weekend each year.

Community College is Free

Thanks to the Tennessee Promise program, TN high school graduates can attend community college for free. This federal program was created as an effort to develop a more educated workforce.

Students must apply for the scholarship through the Tennessee Promise website. There are partnering organizations throughout the state to assist both students and parents.

These groups can help students fill out scholarship paperwork or apply for colleges. They can also help find community service opportunities, which are mandatory for eligibility in the program.

Plus, once you graduate you won’t have to move far to find a new job. As we mentioned, many recent grads are moving to Knoxville, Nashville, and other cities for their booming markets.

Eat Your Heart Out

Just as iconic as Tennessee whiskey is it’s slow-cooked Memphis-style BBQ. This style of cooking was developed after World War 2 in the Blues and Rock and Roll City.

Fortunately, many new ventures stay true to this style of creating succulent dishes. In Tennessee, Memphis-style BBQ generally refers to succulent dry-rubbed ribs.

If barbecue isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other tasty Tennessee treats to feast on. We can’t help but indulge in some of the classic Southern staples, such as biscuits and fried chicken.

“Meat and Three” is another go-to for Volunteers, which consists of 1 meat option and 3 side dishes. You can choose from meats such as chicken, ham, or steak and some form of vegetables, corn, and potatoes for the sides. Meat and three is also traditionally served with cornbread and sweet tea.

The Mountains are Calling

The Great Smoky Mountains draw in over 11.3 million visitors each year. If you’ve visited before, we’re sure you understand why.

With nearly 262,000 acres of natural beauty, there’s plenty of adventure to be had. The Smoky Mountains are packed with forested areas, waterfalls, wildflowers, and more. Take in the mountainous landscape at one of few national parks that don’t charge entry fees.

You can find all sorts of trails through the mountains, as well as areas for camping. The brave can try their hand at white-water rafting or hang-gliding over the mountains.

There is a good range of nearby towns and cities to visit during a Smoky Mountains trip. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are touristy, but they’re home to must-sees such as Dollywood. For a more quaint feel, check out Sevierville or Townsend.

Moving to Tennessee?

If you’re planning on moving to Tennessee, you’ve got lots to look forward. Quality food, scenery, and people are just a few things you can expect. Oh, and great beer!

Moving can be tough but we’re here to help. We offer advice on budget travel, relocation, general life hacks, and more. Check out some of our other articles here! Also, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

If you plan on decluttering your home and are looking for helpful tips which will make keeping your home clean and tidy a breeze, continue reading to discover a wide variety of tips on how to declutter and clean your home.

8 Tips on how to declutter your house and keep it clean:

1. Remove unwanted furniture from your home

If you wish that your home was larger, one way to make your home appear larger than it it is, is to remove bulky pieces of unwanted furniture from your home.

If you’re interested in finally getting rid of bulky pieces of furniture which you no longer use, simply donate your unwanted pieces to your nearest thrift store or second hand store. If you’re looking for an even easier solution for an inexpensive price and minimal work, www.canberrasbestgroup.com.au offers rubbish removal for any job big and small.

2. Hire a skip to fill with unwanted items that you want to get rid of

If you can’t be bothered driving to and from your nearest landfill in order to get rid of unwanted items which are cluttering up your house such as old clothes, furniture and books.

3. Vacuum high traffic areas of your home at least twice a week

If you’re used to vacuuming your entire home once a week, you may find it far easier to keep your carpet clean by vacuuming high traffic areas of your home such as your hallway and lounge, twice a week.

4. Use a steam cleaner to clean your carpets at least once a year

In order to protect your carpets it’s well worth hiring a professional steam cleaner, in order to thoroughly clean your home’s carpets.

5. Invest in purchasing a steam mop in order to sanitize your kitchen and bathroom floors

It’s also worth purchasing an inexpensive steam mop which you can use to clean up spills in your kitchen and to rid your kitchen and bathroom from potentially harmful bacteria.

6. Purchase a horsehair upholstery brush to clean your sofa

If you are looking for an effective, fuss free way to clean your sofa, simply use a horsehair upholstery brush in conjunction with a small amount of dish-washing soap and water, in order to remove any stains on your sofa.

7. Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in order to clean your window tracks

If you’re looking for a quick way to clean your window tracks, simply use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in order to quickly clean your window tracks. If you find it hard to scrub your window tracks with a regular sized brush, use an old toothbrush dipped in your mixture to clean your window tracks instead.

8. Use a small paint brush in order to remove food scraps from your toaster

If you can’t remember the last time which you cleaned your toaster out, it’s well worth using a small unused paint brush in order to remove any crumbs or food scraps which may be stuck in your toaster.

So if you plan on decluttering your home in the near future, it’s definitely worth using the tips listed above in order to keep your home looking pristine.

Make Your Home in the Great White North: 9 Reasons to Move to Canada

You’ve been feeling it for a while now. You want to live in a place where you can put down roots and not worry about healthcare or job stability. If Canada’s not on your list, reading this might change your mind. Here are 9 awesome reasons to move to Canada.

Home is where the heart is and for 36.29 million people, their heart resides in Canada.

And why not?

Canada offers a diverse set of cultural treasures from the hustle and bustle of Toronto to the breathtaking natural beauty of Vancouver. There is truly no shortage of reasons why Canada is an exceptional place to work and live.

If you’re considering making the great white north your home, first off, we think you’re making an excellent decision. Second, to give you more than just a broad, “Go for it!” we’ve put together a list of specific reasons to move to Canada.

Our hope is that they’ll help grease the wheels for you and get you and your family on your way experiencing everything Canada has to offer!

1. Safety

The number one reason why people feel good about where they live is safety. Safety means not having to worry about taking a late night stroll around your block. It means spending a late night downtown enjoying a weekend evening without needing to look over your shoulder.

On the safety front, Canada has you covered. Canada holds an impressive 9.7 out of 10 on the Better Life Index for safety and security. Gun ownership is also 4 times lower than it is in the US.

2. Progressivism

Canada has a very liberal and progressive reputation. This reputation has been forged in its history of fighting for same-sex marriage and civil rights. The country was actually the first country outside of Europe to allow same-sex marriage.

Furthermore, Canada is one of the top countries as far as its nationwide acceptance and appreciation for minorities goes.

So, if you’re looking for a place with excellent values, Canada should be at the top of your list.

3. Acceptance of Immigrants

Canada is a country that celebrates its multi-cultural society. For starters, there is a deep mixture of Anglo-French culture ingrained in the country. Beyond that, Canada is a country that celebrates the value skilled migrant populations can bring to their economy and society as a whole.

To that end, they have simple immigration policies in place that allow for people all over the world to integrate into their society.

4. A Solid Economy

Nobody wants to move to a place where they feel inflation will be out of control and work will be unavailable. With Canada, those things are not a problem.

Canada boasts one of the strongest economies in the world and is bolstered by deep partnerships with other big-time global players. Its banking system is reliable and the financial strength of their markets has proven itself to be stable over the last several decades.

If you’re looking to open a business in Canada, read more about merchant account services for that region.

5. Excellent Healthcare

One of the chief reasons why Canada’s neighbor to the south sees so many of its citizens migrating north is its excellent healthcare system.

When you get ill or injured, you don’t have to worry about crippling medical expenses. Very close to all of the treatments offered to the country are 100% free as they’re subsidized by the government.

The downside of this type of healthcare is that wait times can be a little higher than with privatized services. Still, if you’re having trouble getting the medical attention you need in your country, healthcare will likely be one of your biggest reasons to move to Canada.

6. Room to Breath

If you’re moving from an impacted area, you know of all of the hardship that situation causes. Anxiety, stress, frequent encounters with rude people… it can all be overwhelming.

In Canada, the country is massive and the population is smaller than what you’d find in the state of California. This space per person is one of our top reasons to move to Canada and something expats immediately notice and enjoy.

7. Overwhelming Beauty

Canada’s great northern location means great northern beauty. The country is green, the coasts are pristine, and the wildlife is well cared for.

Thanks to strong activism and a government that knows how to balance business interests and its country’s natural resources, the beauty of Canada is not likely to go anywhere anytime soon.

8. Excellent Public Education

Canada’s relatively low population in comparison to the number of economic resources it has available have created conditions for an extremely successful public education experience. To that end, no matter what your background or wealth is, you can be sure that your kids will receive world-class learning services.

This has led to Canada’s well-educated adult population. It has also led to more high-class labor and higher pay for employees which makes it among the strongest reasons to move to Canada.

9. An Unmistakable Sense Of Humor

There are few things as enjoyable as laughter. And laughter is in no short supply in the country of Canada.

As a whole, you’ll notice that the general population of the country doesn’t take things too seriously. They know how to laugh at themselves.

This disposition towards comedy has made itself ultra-apparent in the number of comedic treasures that have come out of Canada. This group includes the likes of Jim Carry, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd and more.

So, if you like to laugh, consider a deep appreciation towards humor one of the top reasons to move to Canada.

Wrapping Up Reasons to Move to Canada

No matter what you’re looking for in a new home, Canada is sure to offer it.

An accepting culture, a strong economy, an excellent education system and an unmatched sense of humor, are just a few of the things Canada has to offer expats.

So whether you’re looking to move to chase down an exciting career or just improve your quality of life, review the reasons to move to Canada above and consider making it the next place you live!

If you’re looking for more awesome insight into the wonderful world that surrounds us, check out more of our content on Beekman Beer Garden. Our content is crafted by a couple of brothers traveling the world in search of great beer… and awesome adventures.

You can read more of world travel information here or to learn more about us or drop us a line, you can do so by clicking this link!