Tag Archives: Keep

Part II How To Lose 50 Pounds And Keep It Off

December 14, 2024   Matt

Part II How To Lose 50 Pounds And Keep It Off

Yes, you can help yourself lose 50 pounds, by simply increasing your daily movement. In other words there are things that you do every single day, which will help you keep from adding extra pounds or taking off the extra pounds; you have already gained. The following daily activities will guide you in the right direction to being more healthy, by losing weight safely and easily.

Remember, you don’t have to just reduce the amount of food you eat to have 500 fewer calories in your system. You can also burn the calories. In a later article, we’ll deal with developing an exercise program. But first, in this section, we’ll look at ways to burn calories while going about your daily life.

For instance, many busy people hire others to handle their house work and landscaping. But, cleaning and keeping up with your yard are actually great ways to burn calories. Instead of spending money on a gym membership, you will actually be saving money by not paying a cleaning service.

On average, an hour of housework burns 160 calories. To burn 350 calories, a 150 pound woman could do the following bucket of activities in about two hours a day:

* 15 minutes cleaning bathroom (65 calories)
* 15 minutes vacuuming (60 calories)
* 10 minutes taking trash out (28 calories)
* 10 minutes sweep kitchen floors (37 calories)
* 20 minutes cleaning kitchen and washing dishes) (52 calories)
* 15 minutes of laundry (37 calories)
* 25 minutes of cooking (71 calories)

Consider that these are all things that need to be done anyway and you see that the value of doing them yourself may exceed the value of your paying someone else to do them while you head to a pricey gym.

If you have kids, consider spending time with them. Not only will you pry them away from their video games, but you will get exercise in the process. Shooting baskets with your child burns 77 calories in just 15 minutes. Even relatively sedate activities like putting together a puzzle with a child on the floor burns 43 calories in 15 minutes.

Finally, there are figurative steps you can take to build more literal steps in your day. If you are trying to lose weight, get a pedometer and aim to walk 10,000 steps a day. You can do this by:

* Parking farther away from the front door at work.
* Getting off the bus a stop or two earlier than you otherwise would.
* Taking the stairs whenever possible. If you work in a tall building, get off the elevator a
couple of floors early and walk the rest of the way.
* Instead of phoning or emailing a colleague in your office, actually get up and walk over
to her desk.
* Get a dog and walk him twice a day.
* Take a walk with your spouse after dinner

As you can easily see that to lose 50 pounds and keep it off dosen’t require a huge outlay of cash or going on a self punishing weight loss diet. With a little dedication and discipline, not only will you begin losing 50 pounds, but you will improve your overall physical health.

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How to Keep Old Glory Looking Her Best

November 14, 2024   Matt

How to Keep Old Glory Looking Her Best

She’s a Grand Old Flag-Keep Her Looking That Way
Our flag is the symbol of our nation and its history, so
our government has put into place some laws that govern
how it is treated and cared for. This is an important idea,
yet most people, even if they’ve flown it for many years,
don’t know proper ways to keep, store and treat the flag.
Depending on the material that it’s made out of, some flags
nowadays can be machine washed. It also depends on its
overall condition. For older flags, hand-washing, however,
is generally recommended. Washing machine agitators may
cause damage to an older flag.If you wash the flag by hand,
use a mild detergent such as Woolite. Also make sure to
remove the flag from the water as soon as it’s clean.
Soaking the flag may cause the colors to run and bleed
into each other. Dry the flag flat in a warm area. Find a
large are to spread it out in. But the most preferred
method of cleaning the flag is to dry clean it. Since this
is also the most expensive, due to the size of most flags,
you may want to save money by washing it. But to keep it
looking good, and make sure that it lasts a long time, be
sure that take the trouble to wash it properly.
American flags that are in disrepair should be retired and
no longer flown. Depending upon the extent of the damage,
however, you may be able to perform repairs on your own. If
there are small imperfections, sewing on a patch of the
same color and texture of the fabric is permitted. These
can be purchased in either the Fabric department of a local
department store or through a merchant that specifically
deals in selling fabrics. For flags that have larger areas
of damage or fraying around the edges, the proper steps
should be taken to dispose of them and replacement flags
should be purchased.
Exposing it to the elements is one of the fastest ways to
ruin a flag. The flag will be whipped about and become
shredded if you fly the flag in bad weather with snow,
rain, sleet, hail or high winds hitting it constantly. The
sun can do a great deal of damage by bleaching out the
colors, even in good weather. Bring the flag in whenever
bad weather threatens, if you can. If it does get wet,
bring it in and drape it in an open area to dry thoroughly.
Remember to keep it from touching the ground, when you are
doing this. The American flag is never permitted to touch
the ground, unless it has been retired the ashes are
being buried, according to our laws.
If you fly your flag near trees, shrubs and other
obstructions or right next to your house, your flag may be
easily damaged. Take care the the flag will not be whipping
against the house or the trees or shrubs. Mount your flag
on a pole that’s away from the house and landscaping is the
best way you can do this. Or, use a stanchion type flag
pole away from the house, branches and wires.
You must make sure that it is completely dry before you
store the American flag, then fold it in its proper format
and place it in a flag case or protective wrap. All flags
should be stored in a cool, dry, dark location. Then they
will always look fresh and nice for use in the future. A
flag display in a special flag case is the best condition
for storage, but this is usually for ceremonial flags.
Always remember that the American flag is special and
should be treated as such. From general upkeep, to
cleaning, to storage, Old Glory deserves only the best,
and the law requires that proper respect be shown at all
times.

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Keep Your Pipes Running Smoothly With These Plumbing Tips (4)

September 17, 2024   Matt

Keep Your Pipes Running Smoothly With These Plumbing Tips

Plumbing issues are never that easy to deal with, but you will find it is easier to navigate the problem when you have solid advice. Whether you need help diagnosing or putting the project together yourself, these steps will guide you through each process that you will encounter as you take on your home’s plumbing.

It’s important to know how to turn off the water in your home in case the worst happens. For example, if your bathroom sink started leaking, do you know how to stop it? Walk around your home and find all the shut-off valves for each set of pipes and write them down. Create a map so you can always have a reference if necessary.

If you are the kind of person who likes to listen to music when you work, then you should be sure to avoid using headphones. A radio is a much smarter choice, as it will allow you to hear the music you want, without distracting you from hearing important sounds.

To check for toilet leaks, especially if it seems like your toilet is chronically running, use a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If water is leaking into the bowl, you will see color in about a half hour. Replacing tank parts can repair leaks and greatly save on water consumption.

Never try to undertake a project that you are unsure of. Additionally, never call on a friend to help you with something, if they are not a professoinal. There have been hundreds of good friendships ruined by a guy claiming to know exactly what he is doing, when the truth is he is clueless.

When using a kitchen garbage disposal, let the water run for a few minutes even after you shut off the disposal itself. The ground up waste matter generated by the disposal exits your house plumbing via water force and without that water, it can sit in pipes and cause clogs.

Do not put your hand in the garbage disposal to remove a clog. This can be potentially harmful. Always use tongs to get out whatever is stuck in the disposal. Using tongs is much safer, and you will make sure your hand does not get cut on the disposer’s sharp blades.

In the winter time to avoid your pipes freezing you should insulate them. If the pipes are going to be in a place that is exposed to severely cold weather, you should drain them if they aren’t being used. If the pipes are indoor you should open up the cupboards under the sink so more heat can get to them.

If your pipes are making banging noises, you may need to add additional anchor straps to prevent the pipes from making contact with the walls when water is traveling through them. Typically, pipes are anchored at regular intervals. If banging noises are occurring, you may need to add additional straps or cushion the pipes with a rubber blanket.

Plumbing can get very serious, and if you have an issue come up, you have to take care of it as quick as you can. With the advice this article has relayed to you, you will hopefully be a little better equipped to tackle plumbing problems yourself or to know when to stand back and let a professional handle the situation.

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Help To Keep Your Asthma Under Control With This Great Advice

April 08, 2024   Matt

Help To Keep Your Asthma Under Control With This Great Advice

Sometimes asthma can be a real pain to deal with. If you have asthma issues, though, you should never resign yourself to enduring this respiratory ailment without help. Whether or not you have already taken steps to fight your asthma, there may be more you can do to breathe easier and live healthier.

Buy cleaning products that are labeled as environmentally-friendly. This will not cost you more, and they are just as efficient as chemical products. These green products will reduce the risk of asthma attacks and allow you to keep your house clean at the same time. Look for non-toxic cleaning products.

Asthma is often triggered by allergies. Things to watch out for if you’re asthmatic include dust mites, dander from animals, pollen, cockroach droppings, molds, and some foods. If you suffer from asthma and get attacks often in a certain place, check for things that may be triggering an allergic reaction.

To prevent sudden attacks work to learn your triggers. After you have an attack, make a note about the environment you were in. In time you should begin to see patterns and be prepared for environmental factors that may cause issues for you. This will help limit the effect your asthma has on your day to day life.

It is important to avoid locations that have very cold air. Cold air is very hard to take in, and can leave you gasping at times. Thus, if you have asthma, make sure that this is taken into consideration when you are planning vacations or trips with friends and family.

If you have asthma and your house is going to be painted, try to leave your house for a few days. Spend some time at a family or friend’s home. The fumes and smells of wet paint can cause asthma symptoms to increase and can even cause serious asthma attacks.

Use pillows and comforters that are filled with synthetic polyester materials. Natural fillers, like feather or down, can be an allergen that triggers asthmatic symptoms. This is one instance when organic materials are not the preferable choice. Pillows and mattresses should also have covers that are impervious to dust mites.

Do not swim in pools that contain chlorine if you have asthma. The chlorine can trigger asthma attacks or make your symptoms worse. If you are unsure if the pool that you are going to swim in has chlorine or not, ask a lifeguard or the manager of the facility.

Make sure that you get at least eight or nine hours of sleep every single day. It is important to get rest so that you can restore the energy necessary to take on your day. Lack of sleep yields stress, which can affect your ability to breathe during the day.

Asthma is a common affliction. Lots of people have to deal with it, but some people deal with it more effectively than others. By reviewing tips like those above, you may be able to uncover new solutions to your asthma problems. When it comes to your respiratory health, a little extra knowledge is one thing that can never hurt you.

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Tips To Help You Keep Your Plumbing Running Smooth

September 28, 2023   Matt

Tips To Help You Keep Your Plumbing Running Smooth

If you are a first time homeowner or maybe someone who has just moved out of Mom and Dad’s humble abode, you may not know a lick about plumbing, but there are certain things that you should know. This article will discuss some of them, and you will be more knowledgeable after reading the tips below.

To make sure there is no accident or sudden rush of water when you tackle a plumbing project, make sure you are ready for a cleanup. If you go into the work with a huge stack of towels and blankets ready to absorb water, the prospect of needing to actually do it will keep you alert enough to avoid triggering the accident in the first place.

For the most effective plunger to use on a toilet, choose one with a flange that sticks out from the end and fits into the hole in the bottom of the bowl. These typically work better than the classic cup-style plungers, since they create a tighter seal in the drain.

Do not pour hot grease down your kitchen drains. It can build up in the pipes and cause your plumbing to back up. Allow the grease to cool in your pan or in a can and then dispose of it in the garbage. This consideration is going to reduce the amount of backups that occur in your kitchen sink.

The truth to DIY plumbing is that you’re taking your life on the line when you start a project. You may drive yourself nuts, cost yourself an arm and a leg, and end up having to call in a professional to fix the mess you made – at double the price. Consider a professional first unless you really know what you’re doing.

It’s important not to dump harsh chemicals into your septic system like drain cleaners, but are you also considering the other chemicals you use to clean? Toilet cleaners, dishwasher soap, and even laundry detergent can kill off the healthy bacteria which is taking care of your waste. Try to use natural products for all cleaning jobs in your house to keep your septic system in good shape.

To prevent the most common kitchen sink clogs, avoid putting any sort of solid foods down your drain. Many foods, such as eggs and vegetable and fruit waste actually harden with exposure to cold water and over time can form clogs that are next to impossible to remove without professional help.

To avoid sediment buildup, drain gallons of water from your water heater to flush any corrosion. This will help your heater to run more efficiently therefore saving you regular energy costs. Make sure to read your heater’s instructions before attempting this, and do this periodically to make sure that your heater is running as well as it can.

Now that you have read these plumbing tips, you should feel a little more comfortable about looking after that scary hardware that lurks in some rooms of your home. Follow the advice above and you are sure to do the right things when tinkering around with any of the pipes.

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Tips To Help You Keep Your Plumbing Running Smooth (2)

February 05, 2023   Matt

Tips To Help You Keep Your Plumbing Running Smooth

If plumbing is something that you find difficult or intimidating, you are not alone. Many people can’t solve their own plumbing problems, which means that plumbers can charge a lot of money for even simple and quick repairs. Don’t let this happen to you, read on to learn how to solve your own plumbing problems!

Check how well your toilets are flushing. If the handle needs to be played with in order to keep the water from running constantly, or if it needs to be held down several times in order to flush, you may need to switch out some of the parts in your tank. This is not expensive, and it could help reduce your monthly water bill. It could also mean that you avoid the embarrassment of the flushing system breaking when you have visitors!

When getting an estimate from a contractor on a job, make sure to ask how long the written estimate is good for. For big jobs you usually want to get estimates from a few different plumbers. Knowing how long your estimate is valid will help you know what your time limit is for making a decision on who to hire.

To keep the pipes in your kitchen in tip-top shape, avoid pouring fats or cooking oils down the drain. These liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. As an added protection, wipe congealed grease from pots to further avoid creating clogged drains. By following these tips, you can help avoid a plumbing disaster.

Do you have a sump pump in your home? You should check it each spring to make sure that it is operating properly. Pour a few buckets of water into the sump pit. When you so this, the pump should turn on quickly, discharge the water, and then shut off without any issues.

Treating your drains every month is a great way to avoid future clogs and other problems, and it’s a very simple procedure. Just run one to two gallons of hot tap water down each drain in your house.

Rigid copper is used for main water lines in many homes. You cannot bend rigid copper, so joints and tees must be soldered on. When soldering, always apply flux (also called soldering paste) to both surfaces. Flux retards oxidation when the copper is heated. Always use lead-free or nearly lead-free solder when sweating a copper joint.

Got a leaky pipe? In many cases you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a joint is leaking, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of pipe, you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof tape to the section of pipe where there is leakage. Before applying the tape, make sure the pipe is thoroughly dry. Make sure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in the pipe.

As you can see, many plumbing problems are very easy to solve on your own if you have the proper knowledge. Don’t let a professional plumbing service charge you a hand full for something that you can do on your own! Try the tips in this article next time and see the money you save!

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