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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.

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.


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?

Ever heard of #vanlife? The movement is sweeping the globe with young people, priced out of the housing market, trading in the traditional goals of owning a home with a white picket fence for the wanderlust of life on the road.

Converting old school busses, vans, trailers or revamping caravans these young people are living on the road and you’ve never seen a caravan look this cool. With fully equipped kitchens, beds, living rooms and, we’ll level with you, a borderline insane amount of fairy lights – these young people have redefined the game. 

So, what’s driving these young people to life on the road rather than a traditional home?

Ever-Rising Rent

The price of rent to live in cities has been constantly on the rise with the average rental price in Sydney coming in at $540 per week. These exorbitantly high prices combined with unemployment and under-employment crisis that see many young people either without work or having to work multiple jobs to afford to pay rent, leaving very little behind for living expenses or savings. The price of rent has seen many young people living with their parents for longer, moving out of the cities or turning to other options like vans. 

Cheaper Costs

Not having to pay rent is a major tick in the plus-column when it comes to the choice between vanlife and city life. As most people in the vanlife community will tell you, the biggest cost when it comes to living in a van is buying the van itself and the subsequent renovations. Luckily, the actual vehicles are often cheaper than you might think. Head to Grays and find the van, caravan or disused school bus perhaps that is ready to be converted into your dream home.

Love of the Open Road

As Jack Keroac would tell you, there’s something romantic about the open road. Whether they were inspired to this nomadic lifestyle like Keroac in On The Road, enchanted by the idea that “there was nowhere to go but everywhere” and that all they “needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road,” or they just felt a pull towards a life on the move, with no fixed address – the whole thing is incredibly romantic. With so many young people spending weeks and months backpacking, this lifestyle is not foreign to them but, it is far more cost effective! 

Freedom

For many young people the main draw of vanlife is the freedom of not being tied down to one place, one lease, one job. On top of the extortionate rents in many major Australian cities another thing stopping young people from wanting to sign year long leases is the fact that they have plans to travel for a few months and that dream is financially untenable if they have to be paying for rent whilst also paying to accommodation, flights and everything else that comes with travelling. 

The vanlife lifestyle is often described as perfect for people who want to ‘own less and experience more.’ Married couples like the Armstrongs, the duo behind the popular account Mavis The Airstream said they turned to vanlife when they were tired of the monotony of everyday 9-5 jobs and city life. They now run the popular blog giving advice on van renovations and hacks to others in the community From single people, to young couples, married folk like the Armstrongs, even parents with kids have turned to vanlife, and the freedom is unbeatable!

Having your pet around would surely help lighten your home’s living environment. Nothing feels better than seeing your dog happy and healthy all the time while being able to continue to bring joy to your household. You’ve probably even tried to teach them new tricks and commands for a more harmonious living, and training won’t be complete without the help of a dog treat.  

A dog treat is a small snack that can either be biscuits or jerky that you give to your pet either as something to nibble on or as a reward for following a command. While they can be a fun treat to your pets, it’ll be best if you get to add in great benefits that help to promote their dental health.  

While there is plenty of dog treats available in the market today, you must be in search of the best dental treats like those from  Greenies Canada as it’ll help to provide excellent dental benefits for your pet’s oral health.  

Match the Size 

Before you purchase the best-reviewed dental dog treats that you came across online, you need to make sure that it’s within the appropriate size for your pet so that they could chew it properly and be able to acquire the benefits of a dog treat.  

Imagine having a golden retriever, and your dental dog treat is the size of a nugget, which only requires them to chew it once and swallow it immediately. While that can be convenient for your pet, they’ll not be getting the right benefits of what a dental dog treat can offer.  

Some companies provide a guide on their packaging with the recommended dog size, which allows them to enjoy the treat and maximize its advantages. However, every dog is different. If your small pet is a fast chewer, consider purchasing a larger one.

Healthy Ingredients 

While a dog treat is intended for your pets to practice and exercise their chewing needs, they might consume too much as they enjoy the taste and the exercise it provides them. While you want your dog treats to be beneficial when it comes to chewing, you might want to search for a treat that has an added benefit in which it includes healthy ingredients.

Since the treats are supposed to be chewed and swallowed, you might want to consider healthier ingredients so that it’ll not ruin their diet and add unnecessary calories to their body. Ideally, you should choose a dog treat containing Vitamin C and E as those are natural preservatives, allowing your pet to be strong and healthy orally.  

Satisfies Your Dog 

While the benefits and advantages are endless for dog treats, the result will rely on how your pet loves the dental treat. This is where the trial-and-error process happens, and you’ll be experimenting to which dog treat your pet should have.  

When it comes to satisfying your dog’s chewing requirements, make sure that it takes them a while before it entirely breaks down and is ready for swallowing. When the dog treat can easily be ripped out and available for eating immediately, it’ll not serve its purpose and would just stand as a snack. Make sure that the treat is hard enough that it takes your dog a while before they can eat it.  

For the maximum treat chewing satisfaction, you may want to provide them with a pet-friendly environment so that not only will they enjoy eating your treats, they get to enjoy hanging around at your home a lot more.  

Serves Its Purpose  

One great way to identify if the dental dog treat is effective for your pet is to check your dog’s teeth and gum health by yourself.

You should regularly check your dog’s teeth to see if there are any signs of plaque. Along with this, you also might want to check how they chew on the dental treat. If it reaches their gums and jaws, you can verify that it’s cleaning them properly and not focusing solely on the teeth.  

Another thing that you could do is to see if your dog is satisfied with how they chew their toy. If they seem to be annoyed with how hard the treat is, consider choosing a softer grind or switch to a chew toy instead.  

One way to guarantee that your dental treats are effective for your dog is to have your dog’s teeth checked during your visit to the vet. They can check your pet’s oral health and suggest different ways to take good care of their teeth apart from giving dental treats. 

Conclusion  

Your dog’s oral health is as important as yours. While you want the best and most delicious treats for your dogs, you might want to purchase dog dental treats that allow them to have a better set of teeth, plus great nutritional values. Ensure that you are buying a dental dog treat that’s sized appropriately for their mouth and can fully serve its purpose by allowing your dog’s teeth to be healthier and cleaner by removing any plaques.  

Our homes and office spaces usually have some things that are unnecessary and they take up a lot of space. These stuffs are usually better kept in storerooms. However, sparing an entire room for additional things is not always possible and renting another room along with the office space can be quite costly.

Well, one simple solution to this problem is self-storage services.

Self-storage is a facility where you can rent a small or big space depending on your needs and keep your belongings there. There are many advantages to choosing a self-storage unit. You can read more about these services here.

Here are the pros to using a storage service.

  1. A Secure Place For You To Keep Your Things

The first advantage is that these units give you a safe and secure space to keep all your things. From machines that are unused to furniture, documents, and even your vehicles, these facilities can be used to store all non-perishable things. 

The facilities are safe and secure and usually have multiple security features such as on-site guards and CCTV cameras. Additionally, the customers are given passcodes to access their units, thus making the environment a safe and secured one.

  1. Declutter Your Space

With these facilities, you will be able to easily declutter your space and make it look more presentable. It is not always possible to throw or give things away and hoarding becomes inevitable. So, most people leave these rarely-used things laying around the house. 

In the offices, there are many machines and furniture items that are not regularly used and they also take up space. All of these when moved to storehouse facilities can make the space look much organised and neater. 

  1. Convenience and Flexibility

The storehouse facilities have rooms in different sizes as per the need of the users. From small lockers to large rooms, you can rent as much space as you want. The best way to know how much area you need is to measure up all your belongings and then go visit a storage facility to have a clearer idea. Also, time is flexible. This means that you can use the space whenever you want. Most of the places give 12-24-hour access to the users.

  1. Makes Travelling Stress Free

When traveling to another place for a long period, most people want to leave their rented apartments and not pay unnecessary rent. In such a case, you can store all your things at these units and pay one fourth or even less. It is also a good option for college students who cannot take all of their belongings home after every semester. Here are the benefits of self-storage when moving: https://medium.com/@HiveBoxx/the-benefits-of-self-storage-units-while-moving-59a5afde69f7 

  1. Makes Renovation Easier

When undergoing a renovation, you can rent self-storage units for a few days and save your furniture and appliances from getting damaged. A unit can be rented for a week, a few days, or even for months and years. 

  1. Affordable

Storehouse spaces are very affordable. You will be able to find a unit that is suitable for your budget. It is important to note that the more services you take, the higher the cost of these facilities become. Also, the best thing is that you only pay for the space you need. So, the price is also customizable.

  1. Climate Control Storage For Delicate Things

Many facilities provide climate control services. Climate control means that the unit will not get too hot or too cold because there is a climate control system installed in them. A lot of facilities such as Storage Plus offer this service. This is the best option when you want to store furniture that can get damaged or machines and appliances that can also be damaged because of temperature and humidity. However, you might have to pay extra for climate control. 

Self-Storage Tips

If you want to keep your belongings in a self-storage unit, here are some tips that you can follow:

  • Always choose a unit that can fit all your things. Before moving your stuff in a unit, make sure that you calculate the length and breadth needed to store all your belongings.
  • Always make an inventory of the things that you have kept in a unit. This will make it easier for you to stay organized and remember everything that you have stored and where they are.
  • Categorize your things and put each of them in labeled boxes so that it becomes easier to look for them when you want.
  • When you arrange your goods in storage, make sure to keep the things you need immediately at places where you can easily reach them. Also, it is helpful that you use the vertical space of the unit to place your belongings. This will make the space less crowded.
  • Since the things will remain in the space for some time, you need to make sure that each item is wrapped properly. 
  • Never forget about the insurance from the storage services in case any of your goods are damaged because of their fault.
  • Even if your unit has enough security, take all personal measures to keep your stuff safe. This will include buying stronger locks and also having difficult passcodes.
  • Always read the terms and conditions provided by the company so that you know how much you have to pay for each facility. Some companies provide a flat rate for everything and some places will charge you different rates for extra services such as climate control and electronic locks.
  • Find a storage unit that is closer to your office or home so that you can easily move your things.
  • Always research the unit before you put your belongings there. Safety should be your biggest priority.

Storage unit services can be helpful for people who are looking to store their belongings but do not have enough space to do it. Just keep the above tips in mind and also go for storage units that are trustworthy and offer you insurance. 

While this worldwide pandemic created menace all around the world, the only good thing it’s done is to compel people to seek creative gateways to survive it all. Thousands of people reconnected with nature at different levels and discovered joy in simple pleasures of gardening, bird feeding and doing little things that they couldn’t manage time for in their regular schedule.

Birds and insects like honeybees and butterflies are natural pollinators and a happy garden needs them too. If you are brainstorming for some innovative gifting ideas this season, you can check out a painted birdhouse as a gift for your friends or family members. Shopping from a reliable store can ensure high-quality products, ensuring that your loved ones cherish every moment they spend in their yards hosting chirpy birdies.

Serving a Dual Purpose

Your birdhouses can act as a bird feeder as well. With a plethora of options to buy from, you can always pick and choose one that befits your needs and preference. If your friend or colleague is an admirer of nature, you can also look for models that are curated from waste materials. From the ones that are designed as birdbaths and feeders to the hanging houses, you can opt for a design, size and colour that you think would make the best gift. 

You can try the handmade models that are designed with recycled materials as these are eco-friendly and don’t easily chip or fade. From contemporary styles to vintage designs, you can pick any design that complements the garden décor. 

Explore Options 

It would be a good idea to check out a few models before deciding on the model you would like to gift your near and dear ones. Birdhouses make a smart gifting idea not just for house warming parties, but can also be gifted on birthdays, anniversaries and many other occasions. 

There are birdie home models that come with free nesting materials. Not all birds are natural cavity dwellers. For your friends who have yards covered with tall trees, a bird home can house all the species that prefer building their nests on trees and shrubs. Those like the house finches, blue jays, cardinals, robins would love this gesture. 

Do-it-Yourself

There’s nothing like a personalized gift, and something crafted with your hands add that magic to your gift. If you have a creative bent of mind and want to customize your gift, you also have the option of creating a DIY piece. 

There are several tutorial videos on social media that you can check out to tailor-make. Just make sure that you use natural and appropriate materials that appear welcoming to the birdies. A birdhouse with a comfortable environment for the birdies is likely to not only invite them but also house them for a longer time. 

Just refrain from using materials with dyes as it can be harmful to hatchlings. Also, for older nestlings, these may not be safe to use unnatural materials. You can pick raffia, strings or Spanish moss. It is recommended that you stick to using only two or three inches of the moss. Anything over this can get entangled in the birdie’s feet endangering it. Check out simple ways to grow moss indoors at https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Moss-Indoors

DIY offers the liberty of crafting the birdhouse just the way you want it. So, you can add protective layers such as coco liners or extra moss for the nest. This will make more cushion and also ensure that blue jays steer away from the hanging nests. Avoid using dryer lint. Although these may be soft and fluffy the fibres may contain dye. 

In warmer areas, birds start looking for nesting spots as soon as the temperature rises and so is that for colder regions as well. A perfect home designed to meet the basic resting and nesting of the birds can allow them to settle conveniently. 

If your gift recipient is one who likes the hummingbirds fluttering in his/her garden, you can suggest them to simply start by offering all the materials that attract the winged creatures. A great idea to allow the birds to take over is to simply provide nesting materials around the birdhouse. This will enable them to decorate their nest just the way they like it. 

Did you know that birds like the goldfinches, blue jays, robins or even the cardinals adore natural nesting materials and quickly build their nests with the materials you provide them with? 

Be it the window grill, lawn, balcony or your backyard, a bird nest is always a welcome addition for most garden enthusiasts. From sparrows, tits to any other bird that can easily nest in smaller cavities, such bird homes not only provide shelter to the nestles birds but also protect them from other predators. Good quality of nesting boxes is easy to install and thus make it a good gift. 

You can pick models that are handcrafted and hand-painted. Durable woods always have an advantage. If it’s a box, you can ask your recipient friend to leave the side door open so that birds can find their way in. Also, this will make it easy for you to clean every season. Some birds may take a while to locate the nest and find their way through. 

A birdhouse box can be mounted higher than the fence posts as it can prevent any predator from quick spotting or even climbing up to the nest. Removing any perches on the birdhouse is also a good idea. 

Birdhouses aren’t difficult to maintain as they need seasonal cleaning. Yards naturally make a good habitat for such nest boxes. Yes, it will be good to ensure that they are installed away from areas with herbicides or pesticides as these can be harmful to the birds and also impact the natural food source for other cavity-nesting species. 

Log cabin birdhouses, hanging birdhouses to tower-houses, you can be sure that your friend or family that you gift the birdhouse will enjoy watching different bird species at leisure. 

There are designs equipped with modern features that can increase both the show and functionality of the birdhouse in many ways. So, why wait, just find the best piece and place an order right away!

The original Mediterranean diet first became popular in the United States during the 1960s. At this time, health experts realized that certain Mediterranean countries dealt with fewer deaths caused by coronary heart disease compared to the US. The diet was quickly adopted by many households in the US and some other parts of the world. To this day, it remains one of the popular diet plans.

In 2020, a study was published that showed how a new version of this diet, known as the green Mediterranean diet, could further benefit the metabolism and cardiovascular system. Although it’s mostly based on the original diet popularized in the 1960s, it does add some more restrictions and promotes an increased intake of certain foods.

What Is the Standard Mediterranean Diet?

The standard Mediterranean diet doesn’t tell you how many calories you should consume on a daily basis. This is up to the individual to determine based on their own personal goals. If your goal is to lose weight, you should burn more calories than you consume.

In essence, this is not a structured diet in any way. Instead, it revolves around a way of eating popular in some countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, like Italy and Greece. The local cuisine in these countries is quite different, but they share many similar principles.

The standard Mediterranean diet encourages people to increase their intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats on a daily basis. It also promotes eating fish, eggs, beans, and poultry at least once a week. If you follow the standard Mediterranean diet, you should consume dairy products in moderate amounts and strictly limit your intake of red meat to an occasional treat.

Foods not mentioned above should be avoided. That means that you shouldn’t consume sugar, unless on special occasions. For instance, it’s okay to have a piece of cake once a month if you’re attending a celebration. To reap the full benefits of this diet, it’s important to take care of your physical health. It’s recommended that you engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Try to squeeze in a 30-minute workout into your schedule at least 5 times per week.

Aside from improving your eating habits and exercising, another great way to maintain your health is to get a good Medicare Advantage plan. With the right plan, it’ll be easier for you to do routine checkups at the doctor and receive medical treatments whenever you need them.

What Is the Green Mediterranean Diet?

The purpose of the green Mediterranean diet is to promote additional intake of plant-based foods while lowering the consumption of meat and poultry. In research that was published in November 2020, it was concluded that this type of diet provides great cardiometabolic protection. In fact, it offers more health benefits than the traditional green Mediterranean diet.

The study was conducted among 294 participants who lead sedentary lifestyles and had an average age of 51. Most of the participants in this study were men with moderate obesity. They were divided into three different groups. Researchers ultimately found that the green Mediterranean diet is able to provide a 20 percent reduction in low-grade systemic inflammation. It was also shown to lower bad cholesterol by four percent.

The first group of participants was given some basic information on how to eat healthier and exercise. The second group was provided with guidance on how to increase physical activity. However, they were introduced to the traditional Mediterranean diet as well. This diet included some calorie restrictions and didn’t allow participants to eat red meat at all. They replaced red meat with poultry and fish – and had the participants eat 28 grams of walnuts each day.

Finally, the third group received the same information regarding regular exercise as the other two groups. Meanwhile, they had to follow the green Mediterranean diet. Just like the second group, they also had to avoid red meat. The participants in this group were also told to stop consuming processed meat of any type. They also had to increase their intake of plant-based foods.

What was significant about the third group is that they’d drink three or four cups of green tea per day. They’d also consume 100 grams of frozen duckweed in plant-based shakes to maintain high protein levels without eating meat. The reason why duckweed was chosen is that it contains all nine amino acids, which is incredibly rare among plant-based foods.

Each group followed rules that were given to them for six months, which is when researchers began examining results.

The Health Benefits of the Green Mediterranean Diet

Researchers found that participants in the third group were able to lose more weight than others. The average person that followed the green Mediterranean diet lost almost 14 pounds over the course of six months. Meanwhile, the participants in the second group lost nearly 12 pounds over this time period. Participants in the first group, which received only basic advice on how to improve their eating habits, lost just three pounds on average.

It was concluded that the green Mediterranean diet can be part of an effective weight-loss strategy. The waist circumference among participants in each group decreased. For the third group, it was an average reduction of 3.4 inches. Meanwhile, the decrease was measured at 2.7 inches for the second group and 1.7 inches for the first.

Those who followed the green Mediterranean diet experienced a 4% reduction in bad cholesterol. For people in the second group, it was a 1% decrease. There was hardly a noticeable reduction in the first group. The green Mediterranean diet offered notable other health benefits, such as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, an increase in good cholesterol, and improved insulin resistance.

What the researchers concluded was that a whole foods plant-based diet rich in protein can strengthen your cardiovascular health and help you lose weight. Based on their findings, it’s clear that it’s much healthier than the traditional Mediterranean diet.

Vehicle maintenance is essential to a car’s performance, making it a top priority for car owners. Maintenance ensures you and your passengers’ safety as well as the safety of other drivers. According to 2018 data from IIHS, 33,654 vehicles were involved in fatal car crashes, which could have resulted from inadequate maintenance. So, if you want to know more about keeping your car in top condition, then consider the following points.

  1. Inspect and Maintain Your Tires

Tire maintenance is an essential aspect of car ownership that you must be on top of to maintain your vehicle. Weak tires can cause fires and blowouts, compromise your road grip, and make it harder for you to decelerate. Therefore, you need to care for and check your tires regularly to ensure that they are roadworthy. To do this, several auto maintenance experts suggest regular inspections to determine if your tires need servicing. Check your tire pressure with a pressure gauge at least monthly if you live in average temperatures. Residents in extreme climates should perform these checks more often. Also, keep your tires inflated because flat tires are a hazard for drivers. It would be best if you also changed your wheels and tyres every 5,000 to 10,000 miles to prevent driving around with worn-out tires that can cause accidents.

  1. Wash Your Car

Car washing is perhaps the most popular and frequent vehicle maintenance routine for several owners. Your vehicle is at the mercy of elements such as bird droppings and dust, which deprive it of looking perfect as you go about your daily routine. Therefore, please make time to personally wash your vehicle or send it to a professional car wash to receive a thorough cleaning. Car washing can prevent vehicle damage by flushing away impurities like mud and dirt that damage your car’s paint job. Also, it can improve your safety by removing debris from your windshield, side mirrors, rear window, and tires. Regular car washing also preserves your vehicle’s value by preventing dull paint job, rust, etc., and can contribute to you getting a great deal on your car should you decide to sell in the future. Prioritize washing your vehicle at least weekly to maintain its aesthetic appeal and value for optimum results.

  1. Change Your Oil

It would help to prioritize regular oil changing because it is crucial to your car’s proper functioning. Consider checking your oil monthly and replacing it based on your car owner’s manual recommendations, typically after 3,000 to 5,000 miles. You can check your oil personally or take your car to a service center. Should you opt for a personal check, learn all the necessary and proper fluid draining steps, set oil at the correct level, and dispose of old oil. Inconsistent and improper oil changes can cause you to fill up on gas more often, so prioritize consistent oil changes to better gas mileage. Also, oil change reduces engine wear and buildup. Excess dirt and sludge buildup in engines are standard with car usage, so change your oil to make your engine cleaner and more smooth-running. Oil changes also lubricate your engine and extend its life. So prioritize regular oil changes St George Utah on your car maintenance checklist. 

  1. Change Your Air Filter

Your vehicle’s air filter prevents debris and sand from entering your engine from outside. Therefore, regularly changing your air filter can increase fuel efficiency. Some studies indicate that changing a dirty air filter can boost the mileage on older cars by up to 14%. New air filters can also increase acceleration in most modern vehicles by 6-11%. You also benefit from reduced emissions by changing your air filter. New filters improve airflow to your engine, reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and efficiency. Several mechanics suggest swapping out your air filter every 15,000 miles, although this varies based on your location and how often you drive. As such, replace your air filters regularly to maintain your car by prolonging its engine life and efficiency.

  1. Check and Replace Other Fluids

Aside from your engine oil, it would help if you kept several other fluids at appropriate levels to keep your car functioning properly. These fluids are your coolant, power steering, brake, and transmission fluids. Your vehicle’s coolant works to keep everything cool in your engine by absorbing heat from combustion and friction and dissipating it through the radiator. Experts recommend checking this fluid every 50,000 miles for leaks to maintain the correct coolant level that prevents overheating. Brake fluids also need checks because several modern car brakes are hydraulic, so fluid connects the pedals to the brakes. This brake fluid gets contaminated with water, which makes brake lines rust. So change this fluid every two years to prevent abnormalities when bringing your car to a halt. Your power steering fluid, which allows you to steer easily, also needs replacement every two years to get rid of dust and debris. Finally, your transmission fluid lubricates and cools components inside your transmission. This fluid’s corruption causes strange noises and rough shifting in your gears, valves, and clutches. As such, check your transmission level with a dipstick to inspect the fluid level and change it if it is dark, cloudy, or gritty for optimum vehicle maintenance.

  1. Regular Professional Servicing

Automobiles come in varying brands and types with several tricky parts, designs, and structures. Therefore, although you can handle some minor car issues at home, several others require an experienced and professional eye to address. Your mechanic visits are a preventive maintenance measure. That’s because you are being proactive about keeping your car in top shape instead of reacting to problems that need solving before they arise. Many automobile experts agree that this proactivity can save you from extensive and costly repairs in the future. Also, having the mechanics service your vehicle is a more convenient option than personal servicing if you don’t have the time. It would help to schedule mechanic visits at least once every six months to keep your vehicle in optimum condition.

I recently gotten the Sudio ETT and it is one of the best tech gadgets that I have received till date. The Sudio ETT is not my first wireless earbuds and there are in fact two other wireless earbuds brands (Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphone 2 and Jaybird Run XT True Wireless Buds) that I personally own.

Although the Sudio ETT is Sudio’s most expensive audio product at SGD$239, it is relatively affordable if you are looking for wireless earbuds that has both Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Wireless Charging (WC) features. These two features alone make the Sudio ETT an audio product that is truly value-for-money.

Audio Quality

The audio quality is above average and it is pretty decent given the price tag. Ballads and acoustic music (Ed Sheeran, Tyler Ward) sound really crisp and warm. Therefore, if you listen to classical, acoustic, and pop music more than anything else, the Sudio ETT is going to give you a natural and immersive audio experience.

On the other hand, heavy metal and punk rock music lovers (Blink 182, P.O.D) will likely be disappointed with the audio quality on the Sudio ETT because the bass lacks some serious punch and it will not give you the pump that you were hoping for.

Battery Life

The playtime is listed as up to 30 hours and 20 hours with ANC but this is based on the battery capacity of the charging case to recharge the Sudio ETT for about 4 times. On a single charge, I was able to clock about 6 hours of usage (probably just enough for a mid-haul flight from Singapore to Japan/Korea). Do note that turning on the ANC feature does drain your battery really fast.

IPX5 Rating

In addition to the ANC and WC features, the Sudio ETT has an IPX5 rating. What that essentially means is that the Sudio ETT is perfect for your outdoor runs or indoor gym sessions but you definitely cannot bring them to swim or shower.

The Cons

There are just two things that annoy me when it comes to the Sudio ETT. The only way you can turn on the Sudio ETT is by taking them out of the charging case. This can be quite annoying especially if you want to leave them aside after using it and not put them back into the charging case to charge.

The other thing that really annoys me is the fact that although the Sudio ETT can remember up to 8 paired devices, it will automatically connect to the device that it last connected to. Hence, if I wanted to reconnect to any of my previously paired devices, I got to disconnect it from the device that I am currently using before reconnecting it to my other device.

Having said that, the cons aren’t exactly deal-breakers especially when they have two features (active noise cancellation and wireless charging) that I am specifically looking for in wireless earbuds.

Overall

One thing that really sets the Sudio ETT apart is not just the attractive pricing but also the fact that it is available in 5 different colours (green, white, black, pink, and anthracite). This bonus feature is something that not many other wireless earbuds brands can beat because most of them usually come in just 2 standard colours (black and white).

With awesome features, attractive pricing, and many colours to choose from; this makes Sudio ETT the perfect companion for music lovers.

Highlight

Sudio is currently running a promotion and the Sudio ETT is going for SGD$174.47. If you use the promo code => awinsomelife, you can get an additional 10% off for the Sudio ETT and it will cost just SGD$157.02. This is quite a steal so don’t miss it!