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Tips For Residential Roofers Transitioning To Commercial Jobs

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Every building needs a roof and that is why the role of a roofer is extremely important in the construction industry.  

Roofing is delineated into 2 categories; residential and commercial. Residential roofing refers to covering homes while commercial roofing refers to covering large buildings (factories, event centres or business places). 

Residential roofers deal solely with homes and this niche can sometimes be saturated. Most contractors in this category most likely experience downtime more than they would love to. This would surely lead them to think of ways to expand their business and increase revenue. 

One of the ways that you may want to expand as a residential contractor is to go into commercial roofing. In this article, we will share some tips that can help you make a smooth transition. 

Getting Started 

Transitioning from residential construction to commercial can be scary. Instead of just dealing with the homeowner and your workmen, you now have to deal with all the big wigs and a slew of professionals in the industry. 

Well, it’s not as scary as it seems; all you need to do is to understand all the protocols, regulation and know your competitors.  You will also need to do some study on the risk involved and how you would navigate the waters. 

The following are some of the things you need to get started:- 

Find Contracts

When you were in the residential space, you most likely got work from word of mouth, local adverts, your website, your contacts in the industry, and personal referrals. As you transition, these means are still valid for getting commercial work but you would need to engage more avenues for getting jobs. 

There are reporting services that are referred to as Dodge reports. These services publish information about the following:- 

  • Commercial projects that are in the planning or negotiating stages
  • Projects that are up for bid in your locality
  • Projects that have just been awarded

They cater to general contractors, subcontractors and construction managers and others who are interested in such projects. The reports usually contain information about the engineer/architect, the person awarding the contract, and sometimes, information about other companies that are bidding for the job. 

Additionally, these reports give you the date and time that the bid is expected to be submitted and they even show you how to get the bidding documents. There is also information on different niches that can fit your area of expertise. 

Note however, that these services would require that you pay a monthly subscription or some other type of fees. Therefore you should do your due diligence in researching the reporting service site that would be best for you. 

Join Professional Organizations

One very popular means of looking for/getting projects is by joining a professional association in your locality. Some of these associations include Associated General Contractors (AGC) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

These groups represent a wide range of suppliers, sub-contractors, government and support agencies that are players in the construction industry (commercial). 

Additionally, these groups help set up plan rooms in different areas and localities where the specifications and blueprints for upcoming commercial projects can be checked out. These plan rooms can be either physical or online and they allow participants to check out these projects or download the plans so that they can do estimates and initiate take offs. 

Do note that these plan rooms may require a fee or not.  Check out this site for more information about joining a professional body: https://www.agc.org/

Liaise With Project Engineers/Architects

Liaising with project engineers or architects is a great way of making forays into the commercial construction space. 

You may be able to get the bid plans and specification straight from the engineer or architect in charge of the project. This however, depends on the method of delivery of the project.  To get this package, you would be required to pay a deposit or fee. 

Bear in mind as you venture out that firms are usually selective/careful about giving 2nd tier suppliers or subcontractors these documents/packages.  They prefer to deal directly with general contractors and contract managers. 

However, there are firms that are willing to give transiting contractors a chance. You would have to undergo a pre-screening process that involves financials, experience and references before they put you on the list of their selected contractors. This would take time but note that it would be worth your while in the long run. 

This is because when you are on this list, you would have more access to sources that would give you an edge when it is time to bid for a project. 

Work With Professionals

When you were in the residential construction space, you may have not had to interact much with professionals in the construction industry. But now that you are transitioning into the commercial space, you would have to interact more with engineers, architects and site workers that are highly qualified and licensed.  

You know that commercial jobs are more costly and intricate than residential construction. No client would feel safe entrusting their projects into the hands of folks without license or credentials. But when you work with a team of professionals who are well trained and certified, clients are more confident giving you jobs. 

Most importantly, the government requires that plans and specifications for commercial bids/jobs bear the seal of licensed professionals.  These documents must have this seal or else they wouldn’t get building permits. 

There is a lot more information on the issue of licenses and certification for the commercial construction industry and it will do you well to research further and get all the necessary information. 

Conclusion 

Transitioning from residential roofing to commercial is one sure way of expanding your business. Though the move might appear daunting, it is something that’s doable. All you need to do is apply yourself to whatever is needed for a smooth transition. 

In this article, we have shared a few tips and although they may appear simplistic, that’s because they are just an introduction to what you need to do.  We believe that these tips are pointers to what you need for the growth and expansion of your business. 

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Credibility Is Currency: 7 Strategies to Increase Trust in Your Brand

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Enterprises of all sizes and types thrive on credibility. 

Buyers, peers, prospective investors, and others more readily trust businesses and business leaders that have done the difficult work of establishing credibility and cultivating reputations for expertise. This work is essential both for customer-facing businesses for whom trust very often translates to higher sales and broader distribution as well as for B2B companies for whom trust correlates with stable, durable business relationships that promise a mutual benefit.

Credibility and trust cannot be built overnight, of course. They take time, on the order of months or years, to arise. But the payoff more than justifies the effort.

If burnishing your business’s credibility and trust metrics is a top priority for you and your team this year, continue reading to review seven strategies that can help.

1. Understand What Currently Drives Buyers to Your Brand

Can you articulate your value proposition? This is the key differentiator that drives buyers to choose your brand over a competitor’s. It’s vital that you hone it, as it’s the locus around which you must cultivate your credibility with current and future buyers.

2. Position Your Enterprise As an Established, “Blue-Chip” Company

In your public web assets and marketing materials, describe your enterprise using language that positions it as an established, high-trust, “blue-chip” company. This is easy enough for companies that have been in business for decades, but it’s important for newer companies as well. The LinkedIn page for Asiaciti Trust, an international trust and corporate services provider, is a good example to mirror.

3. Use High-Authority Web Domains That You Control to Distribute High-Value Content

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Medium: these are high-authority web domains of which you control tiny but valuable portions. They should form the backbone of your credibility campaign.

4. Feature Authentic User Reviews If and Where Appropriate

Let your buyers and employees build trust on your behalf whenever it makes sense for them to do so. Featuring and promoting authentic reviews on your website and business directory listings is the most effective way to do this.

5. Publish Comprehensive, Authoritative Content That Ranks Well in Organic Search

You don’t need to become a full-time publisher to create authoritative content that’s easy to find by search engine and provides valuable information to current and future buyers, not to mention prospective employees, journalists that may give you valuable “earned media,” and others you want to know about your business. Plan this content carefully and invest in quality.

6. Be Careful With Outbound Links

Any business concerned with its credibility needs to be concerned with how its web presence comes off to other humans, of course. But more important still is how said web presence appears to the non-humans that decide its fate. Specifically, the complex search algorithms let loose by Google, Microsoft, and other search engines (but mostly Google).

This is a much longer topic of discussion, but for now, understand the importance of outbound link quality and strive to uphold the out-linking practice standards recommended by SEO experts. The better your outbound link quality, the more authoritative your website will appear to humans and non-humans alike.

7. Hold Two-Way Conversations With Your Audiences

You don’t have to pretend to know all the answers to be considered authoritative. Lively, stimulating conversation does much to establish credibility and trust in audiences. Using your social media accounts, regularly pose thoughtful questions to your followers and anyone else who happens to be listening, inviting them to join in a conversation about your brand or industry.

Plan for a More Credible Future

Credibility, trust, expertise: these are marks of a quality enterprise. Like most other attributes of an enterprise that deserves its place, they are earned, not given. There are no shortcuts to their development.

We’ve seen, fortunately, that building credibility is not a matter of luck or great skill. It is mostly a matter of persistence and planning, with some outside-the-box thinking dashed here and there for good measure. Any competent business leader is capable of planning and executing strategies that have shown time and again to cultivate trust and credibility in buyer and peer groups. What sets those who actually do so apart is their diligence in seeing the effort through.

Will you embrace that diligence and chart a course to a future where you and your company are top-of-mind experts? Time will tell, but it’s high time you began.

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Celebrating International Women’s Day with Farm Florist

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It was International Women’s Day six days ago and there were many promotions that were specially meant for women (although I’m pretty sure the men would also get to enjoy some of the residual benefits as well).

Although International Women’s Day is not widely celebrated in Singapore, it is starting to gain popularity for many good reasons and to celebrate this special day, I brought the Mrs out for a simple lunch that she had been craving for and to sweeten the day, we had a bouquet of flowers and a chocolate banana cake that was specially delivered by Farm Florist, a top florist in Singapore.

The bouquet of flowers from Farm Florist was fresh and it looked exactly like the one that they had displayed on their website. The value bundle which included a cake was truly unique and special. For the price of SGD$80, the bundle is definitely value for money and wallet-friendly. If you are looking for a gift to get for your loved ones, do check out Farm Florist as they have a variety of gift options that are available!

Well, the past few weeks have been a really challenging period for us because we encountered many obstacles and setbacks. From Mikayla’s hospitalisation due to an episode of bronchitis to an unfortunate event that happened in our personal lives, we found ourselves not in the best of spirits but the small little gesture from the folks at Farm Florist has certainly warmed our hearts.

Although the year has not started out well and my health has taken a beating, I am positive that things will eventually get better. One of my goals this year is to become more spiritual and to go back to basics. I will be deepening my spiritual practice and I will be documenting some of my innate thoughts and learnings in the Spirituality Column of this blogazine so do keep a lookout.

On a more positive note, I am so glad to have completed the Full Stack Development Programme that I started last August because what is outstanding right now is the EMBA programme that I will be completing this coming April. Following my graduation in May, it would be about time that I take the backseat and focus on self-care and personal restoration.

Meanwhile, stay calm, keep safe, and be happy!

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Why Three Bedroom House Plans Are Popular

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We can describe three-bedroom houses as not so small and not so big. They are budget-friendly, versatile, and easy to design and build. These layouts are becoming very popular especially among Americans and there are statistics to prove the trend will remain pretty hot.

The United States Census Bureau published a study in 2018 on the residential building sector. The study showed that out of six hundred and seventeen thousand single-family buildings sold that year, two-hundred and seventy-eight thousand were three-bedrooms. You can check this website to get more statistics on the characteristics of the new housing system.

Furthermore, the figures might increase as the years go by because Millennials are getting older. They are also looking for stable jobs that promise an increase in income. This will enable them to purchase a home for themselves and finally vacate the family house and one of the options to choose from is a three-bedroom home because it offers a balance between function and space. In today’s post, we will look at three-bedroom Utah house plans and as well as what makes them attractive and appealing.

Is a 3-Bedroom Plan the Magic Figure for Small Families?

A three-bedroom plan brings various exciting possibilities such as the open house designs, the eat-in kitchens, gardens, patios, decks, porches, and other amenities. It also offers enough bedrooms and as well as the necessary space that suits your family’s needs and lifestyle.

It might be the best configuration for several demographics. For instance, a newly married couple may choose a design with a spacious master bedroom containing a master bathroom. They may have a bedroom for kids when they come, and the last room for guests. This room doubles as the hobby room or family room.

Single professionals, empty-nesters, and downsizers can get more flexible with three bedroom plans and their configurations. They can share the master bedroom while the other two bedrooms are for quiet time and more private moments. They can also dedicate one room to guests and use the extra space as a family room, media center, gym/exercise space, or home office.

Some people think that a 2-bedroom plan is quite cramped for certain families. But a 4-bedroom is also quite big and expensive. Therefore, a 3-bedroom might be the “magic figure” that families seek to get. The floor plans range from 2500 – 3000 square feet, 2000 – 2500 square feet, to 1500 – 2000 square feet.

Features and Design Options

The features and design options of 3-bedroom plans are:

1. Eating Bars/Kitchen Island

 The kitchen island is a statement feature in modern kitchens. This setup has many benefits such as the prep station for more cooks to share the space when preparing meals. It also has fittings like a sink, chopping block, an in-built cutting board, a cooktop, and different types of utensils.

You can add some chairs or bar stools to make the nook inviting. Family and friends can sit there to eat casual meals, share stories, cook together, or relax. Parents can also supervise their kids there when they want to do school projects. Additionally, the kitchen provides storage space for cookbooks, dish towels, kitchen gloves, trivets, and different cookware that fit in shelves, cabinets, and extra drawers.

2. Mudroom

Families want a space to hang rain and snow wears, hats, umbrellas, backpacks, sports gear, beachwear, and shelves for sandals, flip-flops, boots, and shoes. The mudroom provides space for storing outdoor stuff. You can fix hooks for the hats, umbrellas, and jackets, and shelves or drawers for other gears.

3. The Laundry Room

This is another necessity for families who want a 3-bedroom plan. Whether we do or do not like washing clothes, towels, and sheets, we must do it and we can make pleasant experiences out of it by creating an area that is comfortable and organized.

Since the laundry room will be separate from the basement, ensure you make the space bright. Also, equip it with counters to make folding easier, and cabinet, shelves, and drawers for storage.

4. The Bathroom

Homes always need enough bathrooms. Many 3-bedrooms have 1 powder room and 2 full baths. The master room has 1 bath while the other two rooms share a “Jill and Jack” style bathroom. This type has 2 or more entryways. You can enter from any of the 2 bedrooms or the hallway.

5. Decks and Porches

Outdoor living is a trend that will never go out of style. Many houses, including luxurious residences, have courtyards, sundecks, patios, and covered porches. You can choose either a lavish or a simple design, depending on your family’s desires. 

The outdoor space can have dining areas, comfortable sitting areas, cooking grills, fireplaces, and other inviting amenities. You can visit http://www.home-designing.com/2014/07/3-bedroom-apartment-house-3d-layout-floor-plans to get ideas for your house plan.

Conclusion

For families that do not want a tiny or a large house, a 3-bedroom house will be suitable for them. We described the features to expect in such houses. So, if it looks like what you want, you better go for it. 

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Top 3 Tips When Hosting an Event

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If you’re planning and hosting an event, especially if it’s the first time, you may find yourself worrying about all kinds of details in order to make sure that it is a success. And in worrying about some details, you may not need to be concerned with, often you may forget about other, much larger plans that fly under the radar until the big day arrives. When this happens, it is a sure-fire way to set the day up for disasters, and you may lose control before you even realise it. So, if you have found yourself worrying about hosting an event, then you have come to the right place. Here we have pulled together our top 3 tips you should keep in mind when hosting your event!

1. Make an Impression with Your Hosting

When you’re hosting an event, the most important tip we can give you is to ensure that you create an atmosphere that is sure to leave a lasting impression for your guests. Do this by creating a display out of this world, either by making the venue an explosion of colour or why not go more literal with huge inflatable planets hanging from the ceiling? Whatever you choose, by creating a show-stopping display, guests will be in awe as soon as they step foot into the venue and be encouraged to snap as many pictures as they can and post them all over social media. Take advantage of this by creating your own hashtag for the event which will only encourage more people to share and interact with the venue both in real-time and online.

2. Don’t Skimp on Planning

Of course, taking it back a step, we can’t forget about one of the most important aspects of any good event, which is planning. How much time you spend on planning your event will have a lasting effect on the day itself, and your guests will be able to pick up on this too. The secret to any well-oiled machine is a team of people putting their plans to action together, so make sure you sit down with your fellow event planners and make sure you have all the details ironed out. Our top tip for successful planning is to set out a list of goals you want to achieve with your event and how you will go about this. As long as you feel you tick off all of these once the event is finished, then you can consider it a job well done!

3. Capture All the Best Bits

Another top tip you need to remember is to make time to actually enjoy your event and not to spend too much time overthinking anything that you can’t change. If you don’t enjoy your own event, how can you expect your guests to relax enough to enjoy it as well? Energies in the room help to shape the atmosphere, so have fun and make sure you’re there to see all of the fantastic activities, speakers and entertainments you have planned for the day. Plus, why not capture all of the best bits and put together a video of highlights from the event that you and your team can look back on? This is also a great idea for any promotional materials for fundraisers or business events to use again and again to spread the word of your team’s fantastic work.

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Location De Voiture in Europe

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You may want a lot of convenience and freedom whenever you travel to another country, which is fine. Europe is a prominent place, and you should explore the areas at your own pace. You can take lots of pictures, stopover the places where you will reach easier with the help of private transportation, and more.

Renting has its own advantages and knowing the differences will save you money and time. You won’t even have to rush to go inside the trains, and not sharing a ride with other people can be a relief, especially for those who are keeping safety protocols in mind.

How to Rent a Car

1. Choose the Right Company

There are major companies that are well-known in Europe. You can compare their prices by visiting Comparatiflocationdevoiture.fr/ and see which ones will give you the best offer. I’m sure you may have heard about Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, and others.

The best way to go is to ensure that you book in advance. When it comes to the planning stages of your vacation, look for the ones that can give you a car on the actual date of your trip and give you the best rates. It may take a lot of time when it comes to comparison, and you may probably have enough already on your schedule to look over them.

What you can do is to visit comparison sites on a particular date and see the offers. If you don’t have the time for comparisons, you can always check those that can provide you with the most excellent deals that are available. This is similar to using comparison websites that deal with flights.

2. Factors that Affect the Price

Several factors will affect the price, such as the number of tourists, the location, and more. You need to set a rental period and the overall size of the car that you would want to get for your friends or the entire family.

Automatic and Manual

Many cars in Europe have manual rather than automatic. This is because of several reasons like smaller cars, more expensive fuel, and narrow roads. Many have found that manual transmission is more responsive and comfortable than an automatic one. 

This means you may have to pay 50% more when you choose the automatic. You can read more about automatic transmission when you click here. This can depend on the car rental company, manufacturer, and the country, but you may expect to budget more for this.

Different Drop-offs and Pick-ups

It can make sense to rent a car in Paris and drop it in another place in many situations. You may decide to go to pick-up something in Nice, go through Provence or French Riviera, then drop the car when you arrive in Avignon.

This way, you’ll have more flexibility, time, gas, and lesser unnecessary backtracks. However, convenience may come at an additional price, and there are always drop-off fees that you should be prepared for. The costs can range from 100 Euros to 300 Euros, and it can be more, especially if you’re going from one country to another. Crossing borders is possible as long as you get in touch with a company with plenty of networks in other countries. 

Train Station or Airport Pick-Ups

It’s always convenient to get pick-up at airports or train stations so that you can proceed to your destination without a hitch. However, they do come at a price. The charges can be up to 100 Euros per country, and when it comes to saving money, you may want to go further in town and sign papers at the dealers’ shops themselves.

With this said, the rent on the train stations or airports may have several advantages that you may want to know. For one, the comfort and convenience of knowing that you have a transport service that you can use to drive to your hotel can be worth it. Many facilities are also larger and offer more services when you’re renting at train stations and airports.

A higher volume of cars is there so you won’t have to spend hours stuck and waiting for an available one. Another is that the shops don’t usually operate 24/7 or during holidays. You shouldn’t usually expect a drop-off or pick-up before 8 in the morning or past 5 in the afternoon in many instances. It’s always up to you if the convenience will be worth the money, especially if the trip will take you a long time.

Crossing Borders

There are fees that you need to pay when crossing certain countries. Generally, Western Europe won’t have much of an issue when you go to the borders. However, the non-EU countries may cost you about 15 to 100 Euros in fees.

3. No Permission to Drive in Other Countries

Many companies may have specific terms and conditions that you’re not allowed to drive in other countries when you are in France. Some of these nations on the list may include Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Albania. The rules are constantly changing, so it’s better to ask them in particular what you are allowed and not allowed to do.

4. International Drivers’ Permit is a Must

When you try to pick up your car, the company will confirm that you have a valid drivers’ license, credit card, passport, and booking number. They will also ask to see your International Drivers Permit that can be translated into almost ten languages. This card will contain your photograph, drivers’ information, and name. You can get this through the AAA for a specific amount.

It’s important to know that the IDP will not replace your passport or original drivers’ license. It’s just a supplementation that is required, especially when you are crossing borders. The countries that may require these are Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Poland, and more. It may not be mandatory to get an IDP when you first pick-up the vehicle that you’ll be driving, but it’s still the best idea if you can obtain one for emergency purposes.

5. About a Vignette

Vignettes are stickers that you can attach to the windshield, and they are indications that you have already paid for the highway taxes. If your car rental company is located in a country that requires you to have a vignette, you won’t have any issues.

Countries that require a vignette purchase include Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Romania, and Hungary. These are usually sold in nearby gas stations, and they can vary from 3 to 10 Euros depending on the country. There could be a fine of 60 Euros or more if you fail to show a vignette.

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3 Tips For Making Your Motorcycle Ride Even Better

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For those who understand just how perfect riding a motorcycle is, it’s hard to imagine that there is anything that could make it better. Riding along, feeling free, enjoying the open road, going wherever you want to whenever you want to… it’s an incredible feeling. Yet, as hard to believe as it might be, there really are some things you can do that will make your motorcycle riding even better. Read on to find out what just some of them are. 

Wear Cool Clothes 

Choosing to ride a motorcycle rather than drive a car or ride a bicycle or even walk is a personal choice, and it already shows off quite a lot of personality. However, to improve your motorcycle experience and your ride in general, why not choose some truly cool clothes too? Unlike when you’re in a car, people will be able to see and admire what you’re wearing, and although the clothing does need to be specifically safety clothing to keep you protected should you have an accident, you can wear whatever style works with your personality and tastes. 

You could choose something classic and cool like original BMW motorcycle accessories, for example. This will be fun to wear, match with your personality, and, because it’s made by BMW to wear on a motorcycle, you know it will keep you safe too. 

Visit A Motorcycle Show 

It’s always fun to meet up with other motorcyclists and discuss something you truly love with like-minded people. With this in mind, look out for motorcycle shows that are in your local area. These are like conventions that are specifically for bikers, and when you go to one you will meet all kinds of different people and learn lots of new things about your bike, your riding technique, and even the history surrounding your favorite brands. 

You can also pick up some cool accessories and maintenance packs and souvenirs to make the day even better. These events are a lot of fun and can open up your eyes and mind to a lot more besides the one motorcycle you ride. 

Try A Different Kind Of Motorcycle 

There are many different types of motorcycles out there and life is short, so why not try as many of them as you can whenever you have the opportunity? Once you know how to ride a motorcycle, the world of bikes will open up to you and this is a lot of fun. 

If you’re planning on going riding for the day, how about hiring a different bike to the one you usually ride? A different make and model or even a different style can make your day much more fun, especially if your usual bike is one you associate with commuting to work and normal, everyday chores. 

You might even choose to do something entirely different and try off-road riding or dirt biking. This will need to be done under supervision while you’re learning, and it’s best to find a place where you can be taught and ride in safety, but the thrill and exhilaration you feel will definitely make your ride a better one. 

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All You Need to Know About Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Roselle)

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Hibiscus Sabdariffa is the botanical name for a red-green tropical shrub that belongs to the Malvaceae family of plants. This tropical plant is also known as roselle.

Roselle is native to Central Africa, West Africa, and South-East Asia and has become increasingly popular because of the numerous benefits that it offers.

It is easy to grow and can reach tall heights. You can’t miss a growing roselle plant because of its bright red stems and colorful flowers. This plant is quite attractive and produces unique calyces on each of its nodes. However, if you are not in a position to grow one, you can visit lxmi to learn more about buying affordable hibiscus-derived products.

Curious to learn more about this plant? Keep reading as we show you the benefits, recommended dosage, and possible side effects of roselle.

Benefits of Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Roselle offers multiple benefits in the forms of food, traditional medicine, ornaments, and skincare.

You can tap these benefits from practically any part of the plant — its leaves, flowers, and stems.

For instance, the juice extracted from the leaves of the roselle plant is used to treat conjunctivitis in parts of Senegal.  And when it is pulverized, it is used to treat ulcers and sores.

What’s more? There are ongoing studies that show that Hibiscus Sabdariffa can be used to lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, and reduce blood pressure.

The fibers in the stem of this plant are also processed and used as a substitute for jute.

As a food, the fleshy calyces of the red Hibiscus Sabdariffa are used to make a sweet juice commonly known as roselle juice. Its brightly colored leaves are also used in salads because they are tasty and add an exciting flavor to salads. Dried calyces from this plant are also commonly used as ingredients in some recipes.

Roselle is commonly used in the skincare industry because of its anti-aging properties. It is a common ingredient in facial scrubs, body scrubs, and face masks. Studies show that this plant contains antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals on your skin and leave your skin glowing.

The bright colors of the roselle plant and its attractive display also make it suitable for ornamental purposes. So, if you are hosting an outdoorsy event sometime soon and will like a touch of nature in your decoration, then you may want to consider including this plant in your flower arrangements.

See here for more benefits of the plant.

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Recommended Dosage

Hibiscus Sabdariffa in the form of a tea usually involves steeping about a gram of dried calyces.

It is recommended that teas like this should be taken once in the morning or twice a day with about 8 hours between each of the doses.

If you are taking it as a supplement, then the dosage will be based on the anthocyanin content in the supplement. 10mg of roselle-derived anthocyanin is often recommended. Meanwhile, some studies show that higher doses are toxic in rats. So, it is only safe not to exceed the recommended dose.

More importantly, ensure that you consult your doctor before you start Hibiscus Sabdariffa supplements.

Possible Side Effects

Hibiscus teas are generally safe. The only concern may be with the supplements which can have side effects on you if you are not well-informed about the dosage.

For instance, using hibiscus tinctures, powder and capsules excessively can lead to painful urination, stomach pain, headache, gas constipation and even ringing ears.

Meanwhile, you need to have consumed a lot of hibiscus tea for you to experience any side effects. Some of the side effects of taking excessive amounts of hibiscus tea are fatigue and dizziness. Recall that Hibiscus affects blood pressure.

Also, there may be drug interactions with medications like anti-hypertensives, which can lead to hypotension. Interactions with diabetic drugs can also lead to hypoglycemia.

Can pregnant women take it? Well, click https://www.pregnantplate.com/food/are-there-any-benefits-associated-with-having-roselle-during-pregnancy/ to find out how safe roselle is for pregnant women.

To be on the safe side, ensure that you speak with a medical doctor before you take hibiscus in any form.

Conclusion

Roselle is a tropical plant that is popularly known for the numerous benefits that it offers. From food and medicine to ornamental purposes, there are several benefits that one can harness from this plant.

Even though you need to take large amounts of it for any side effects to occur, some caution is advised when it comes to consuming hibiscus in teas or supplements. For starters, ensure that you have spoken to a medical doctor for dosage recommendations and general advice on how to take it.

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How To Buy a Car the Smart Way

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Nowadays, new cars are coming with outstanding safety, driving features, and more tech options than car models of past decades. 

Let’s face the truth – it can be exciting to trade your beat-up clunker with new features. However, most people are making numerous mistakes when buying cars. For example, some buyers consider rolling over their car debts to get a new loan, leaving them to service a loan for a vehicle that they no longer drive. 

Here are a few tips to help you buy a car the smart way.

Get Loan Pre Approval

It is advisable to get loan pre-approval for a car before visiting any dealership. One of the things you should consider when looking for a SUV for sale is whether you can afford it. Seeing your dream car can tempt you to go for the vehicle even without evaluating your financial status, which can be problematic in the long run.

Getting pre-approved ensures that you understand your creditworthiness. Thus, before thinking about getting a car, it would be wise to ensure you have a high credit score.

Avoid Buying Add-ons at the Dealership

If you have ever bought a car, you know the buying process can be strenuous. You stay there for hours, and then the finance manager comes with offers such as paint protection plans, tire protection plans, or extended warranties. Most dealerships overprice these add-ons, hence, you may miss out on fair prices elsewhere if you are not careful.

It is advisable to avoid buying add-ons at the dealership unless you know how this works. You can get most of these additions, such as the extended factory warranty, later.

Avoid Long-Term Car Loans

Nowadays, most car loans go for more than six years. And that is a problem. Often such long-term loans attract a lower monthly instalment. While this might be attractive to you, it comes with high-interest rates in the long run. 

If you are considering a loan for your car, go for a short-term one. This approach ensures that you don’t pay unnecessarily high interest.

Avoid Overspending on Your Car

When buying a car, the golden rule is to avoid spending more than 20% of your income on your car expenses, including repairs, gas, and insurance. The implication is that you should spend barely between 10-15% on the car purchase itself. 

If you have been saving for a business vehicle and your budget isn’t enough for a new car, you should consider going for the second-best option – a secondhand car. However, make sure that you go for reliability when choosing your preferred vehicle. 

Shop Around

Now that you are clear with your car budget, the loan period to consider, and mistakes to avoid, the next step should be to look for your preferred car. Take enough time to sample various cars from dealerships near you. Look out for reliable car dealers and resources to help you find the best car for you.  

Buying a car isn’t something you can accomplish in a day. Understanding the car buying process can help you acquire the best car affordably and effortlessly. Shop around for the best car loans, evaluate your budget, and go for dealerships with the best car deals.

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Our Top Picks For Car Accessories

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Finding the perfect accessories for your car can be a challenge as there are just so many different ones out there for you to choose from. From car cleaning tools to special window covers and everything in between, how can you tell which of these are great and which of these are just a complete waste of your hard-earned money?

To help you out, we will be providing you with a list of some top car accessories that we love.

A Cup Holder Bin

If you are someone who chews gum regularly or loves to snack on a chocolate bar from time to time when in the car, the nifty little cup holder bin is an amazing accessory to place in the centre of the car. Though it does not hold much, this is an amazing little gift that you can give to a loved one to help them get into the habit of keeping their car tidy throughout the course of the week.

A Blind Spot Mirror

If you are driving a car that does not have a blind spot camera in a centre console like a modern car then you can purchase some blind spot mirrors and place them on the wing mirror of your car. This will enable you to make sure that you and your family are as safe as possible regardless of where you are driving too. By taking the time to find a mirror of the right size that fits within your existing wing mirror, it allows you to purchase or replace it without overspending.

A Wet And Dry Vacuum

Another car accessory that is right for you to have is a wet and dry vacuum. Not only will this enable you to clean the dust from your car but it can also enable you to clear the car mats from any mud that may get on the carpet and as well as any stains that are on the seats. Whether you take your dog in the car or you have kids that eat in the car, several benefits can come from having one of these vacuums in the house to aid you in deep cleaning your car.

Tile Mate Or Samsung Smart Tag

The final car accessory that you should bring into your life in 2021 is a tile mate or a Samsung smart tag. This can be placed on your keys and it will enable you to find them if they are lost. The GPS element of these tags will enable you to know exactly where it is with little to no hassle. They can be ordered online and are available at different prices; thus allowing you to embrace this technology and keeps you from losing your keys.

Whether you are a first-time driver looking to invest in some gadgets or you are an experienced driver looking to add some of these to make the drive look more enjoyable, there are several options out there for you to choose from.

Which will you be adding into your car?

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