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In Editor's Picks 4 Mins Read

How Accurate Is Astrology?

As a student growing up, I would always flip to the horoscope section of the newspaper to have a read. While some of the predictions/forecasts amused me, I have never taken them seriously because I was reading them to pass the time.

However, since 2015, I developed a genuine interest in astrology, and I have used different astrology systems to read and interpret my natal chart. Some of the systems which I have used include Bazi, 9 Star Ki, Yi Jing, Zi Wei Dou Shu, Qi Men Dun Jia, Greek Astrology, Vedic Astrology, and Numerology and guess what?

They are all surprisingly very accurate, and they provide useful indicators of a person’s character, career, health, and relationships (both at home and work).

By knowing a person’s date of birth, you can tell certain traits of a person, and it is even more accurate than having them do an MBTI or DISC profiling assessment.

A person can change their responses/answers in an MBTI or DISC profiling assessment to work in their favour, but they cannot change their date of birth and natal chart. By knowing someone’s natal chart, you can tell a lot about the person and uncover many hidden secrets. The natal chart is like a blueprint, and knowing it inside out can help a person to unlock their destiny.

However, only trained/skilled practitioners will know how to interpret the natal charts, and there are rules that they have to abide by- such as charging fees for natal chart reading/divination.

Why must practitioners charge for natal chart reading/divination?

Practitioners like myself believe in the exchange of energies, that is exchanging advice for compensation. Without some form of exchange, a negative karmic debt will affect both parties, and the practitioner will pick up the customer’s bad luck and misfortune for interfering with the business of other beings (from the other realms).

Free reading is like giving away one’s life to the customer. The practitioner may pick up the customer’s karmic debt for “leaking heaven’s secret” without compensation, and thus it becomes an interference with the destiny of the customer for no reason. For example, if a practitioner observes that something untoward will happen to the customer and informs the customer about it such that the customer can do something to avoid it, it would be considered as the practitioner having interfered with the destiny of the customer.

It will be inauspicious to the customer who will owe a karmic debt to the practitioner, and this karma entanglement may cause unnecessary reincarnations to repay the karmic debts.

The amount of payment is not essential, but the flow and exchange of energies are. Hence, if a practitioner does not want to charge a poor customer or close friend, a symbolic payment inside a red envelope or a simple meal should be a minimum.

There are, however, exceptions to this and practitioners will not charge a fee for three groups of people:

1. People whose lives are about to end
2. People who are facing an unavoidable major disaster
3. People who will not have good luck for the remainder of their lives

There are also some other rules for fee-charging, and some of these rules include:

Charging the rich and famous more because people at these social levels have a more considerable influence on society and “leaking heaven’s secrets” to them will create more unintended impact (whether positive or negative) on society.

Charging the poor lesser because the influence of this group of people on society is smaller than that of the rich and “leaking heaven’s secrets” to them will not have much impact on society.

Also, there are four types of readings that practitioners don’t do:

1. No reading of other people’s private matter to avoid exploitation of people unknown to the practitioner.
2. No prediction of baby gender.
3. No forecasting or divination service for crooks due to obvious reasons.
4. No forecasting or divination service for insincere people.

If you are a practitioner like me, and you want to level up your Bazi Reading/Interpretation skill, you might want to check out the Bazi Course conducted by Jenson Goh (I don’t get any commissions/referral fees for recommending his course). I am only recommending Jenson’s course because his lessons are simple to follow, and there’s no fluff involved (you will get authentic learning and be able to apply it).

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In Editor's Picks 5 Mins Read

4 Best Space-Saving Storage Ideas For Your Sneakers

Have you ever seen your shoe rack in its messiest form, and maybe the clutter takes away the essence of the space? Whether you long for a minimalist look or you want a neat area, having handy shoe storage is a need. Gone are the days of dull storage ideas with no style at all because there are a lot of storage styles that can be quite pleasant to look at, and some can even save you some space!

Gone are the days in which your idea of shoe storage is an unused corner in your house. Remember when you carefully organised your shoes in that dull, unused corner? Where’s the fun in that? Show your shoes off, and make the storage a showcase of your footwear! Have you ever heard about a shoe storage bench? Now your furniture can become stylish sneaker storage!

1. Shoe Storage Bench

Now, using your furniture as a storage space can be a great, space-saving idea. You can place a shoe storage bench anywhere. You can put it in your closet so you will have something to sit on while you’re thinking of an outfit or you can place it near the door for a more on-the-go feel. Never has there been a storage space that is this functional and stylish.

There are shoe storage benches that have a more minimalistic look. These storage benches feature a more sleek and subtle design, and this storage idea is perfect for those who are looking to match the seat with their clean, minimal space.

If you want to show off multiple shoes that you use regularly, A Cubbie sneaker storage idea is perfect for you. This smart storage option is ideal for those who have a collection. We know you place extra importance on choosing your footwear, so take a glance at your sneakers and decide away!

2. Clear Shoe Boxes

Clear shoe boxes are for those sneakerheads who have a vast collection and are perfect for those who have run out of floor space. When you run out of floor space to store your sneakers, where would you go? Of course, the answer is up! Stack these clear shoe boxes on top of each other.

You will be able to see which shoe is which so you will not have a hard time finding your favourite ones! If your stinky, smelly shoes are a worry, clear shoe boxes pose no problem because a lot of clear shoe boxes in the market have ventilation holes. You can also just clean your kicks before you store them away.

3. Shoe Organiser That Slides Under Your Bed

Now, I am a fan of furniture that can be turned into a smart storage space. Adding a shoe organiser under your bed can save you a lot of functional space, and using the area under your bed adds a whole lot of functionality to the mix. After all, what do you even do with that space anyway? You might as well turn that dead space into something that you will be able to use.

Well, it may be true that you will not get to showcase your collection with this one. But, a shoe organiser under your bed can be for those kicks you seldom use. That is if you clean them before storing them away. 

4. A Dedicated Shoe Cabinet

What could go wrong with a dedicated shoe cabinet? Not only does it meet the required functionality, but it is also the best way to keep organised. Shoe cabinets have been around for decades, and they are the best way for you to show off your shoe collection.

The big dedicated shoe cabinets are for those who have plenty of room to spare. After all, you would not want to be moving in a restricted and tight area just because of vast storage spaces. There are shoe cabinets that have space-saving features. So, select one that fits your home in a perfect, space-saving way.

Show off your shoe collection and make it a part of the theme of your home! You can do that with a simple, dedicated shoe cabinet. Not only does it keep you organised, but it also gives you the identity of someone who stores his/her shoes in an orderly and neat manner.

Final Thoughts

Shoes are a part of our daily lives. Being able to find where to keep them is an integral part of our lives. I mean, you can’t just leave them somewhere. Leaving your shoes anywhere is the opposite of staying organised.

Finding the right storage space for your shoes would mean more functional space for you, and you can find ones that do not cost too much. Finding cheap ones may have a knock in style, but they also have a ton of upside in terms of functionality.

Ultimately, it boils down to your preference. A smart shoe storage idea is best for a sneaker enthusiast and can be an excellent option for anyone looking for a neat way to store their kicks. The best thing about these storage ideas are their ability to showcase your shoe collection.

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In Editor's Picks 6 Mins Read

A Sanitation Cheat Sheet

Over the last couple of weeks, sanitising has suddenly become an important topic. But with a constant stream of information and opinions in the media, how does one boil it down to simple, actionable information? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

How Long Does the Virus Stay Active on Surfaces, Really?

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus can stay active on plastic surfaces for up to 72 hours, with surfaces like stainless steel and cardboard reducing that number down to 48 and 24 hours, respectively. That is a scary fact. But there is good news: According to the Johns Hopkins information hub on COVID-19, infection potential dramatically degrades over the course of these windows:

“What’s getting a lot of press and is presented out of context is that the virus can last on plastic for 72 hours—which sounds really scary. But what’s more important is the amount of the virus that remains. It’s less than 0.1% of the starting virus material. Infection is theoretically possible but unlikely at the levels remaining after a few days. People need to know this.”

-Carolyn Machamer, Professor of Cell Biology at Johns Hopkins University

When it comes to air transmission, the story is similar. While the virus can remain in the air for 3 hours under controlled laboratory conditions using aerosols, real-life situations will decrease this time window significantly as cough or sneeze droplets quickly drop below face level. However, this still doesn’t mean you are safe from transmission via the air. In essence, the official recommendations for social distancing are based on the belief that the most common mode of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets while within six feet of an infected person.

Why You Need to be Aware in Public Bathrooms and Transportation

Public transportation and restrooms both create high-risk conditions for multiple reasons:

  1. Exposure to a large number of people.
  2. Limited or no capacity to maintain distance from others.
  3. Limited ventilation (aeroplanes are actually an exception due to effective air filtration).
  4. Presence of high-touch surfaces that are often necessary to use: e.g. door handles, faucets, subway kiosks, paper towel dispensers etc.

Certain surfaces are more susceptible than others. Transportation and public restroom surfaces should be treated as high risk due to the high volume and frequency of potential for contamination. Since the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 germs usually occurs when a person comes in contact with an infected person’s respiratory release/droplets, bathrooms make an easy target for the infection to spread. The layout of restroom areas will severely limit one’s ability to maintain a distance from others. And while you may feel relatively safe isolated in a stall, surfaces of toilet and stall door hardware are highly suspect. They are undoubtedly touched before occupants have had the chance to wash their hands.

While avoiding touching surfaces like handrails, doors and other fixtures is possible for young people, the same precaution cannot be taken by the elderly, who have unfortunately proven to be more vulnerable to this virus. Current CDC reports indicate that the current risk is greatly elevated for people aged 85 or older, with mortality in that age bracket currently reported as somewhere between 10%-27%. People who have limited physical abilities or handicaps should take special precautions when they find themselves relying on handrails or other surfaces to get around.

How Soap Removes Viruses

We all know oil and water don’t mix. But it turns out the oil on one’s skin, which is where bacteria and viruses find a place to camp out, is no exception to this rule. So it has to be circumvented, and that’s where soap comes in.

Soap works for removing germs because of its surfactant properties. Surfactants are compounds that lower surface tension between two agents (in this case, water and the skin’s natural oils). Because water and oil don’t usually mix, rinsing with water can’t consistently move germs because it merely glides over your skin’s oil.

As a surfactant, soap acts as a middleman between water and the body’s natural oil that binds together the otherwise irreconcilable agents. Once bound to water, oil can effectively be removed from your skin, taking microbes along with it. 

Although it’s usually stated that you should wash your hands with warm or hot water, this may not be as important as we think as the temperature of the water does not appear to affect microbe removal. Washing with soap doesn’t kill germs and viruses – instead, it simply removes them and sends them down the drain. 

The primary reason lukewarm water temperature is recommended isn’t because it kills germs but is instead, to encourage you to spend more time washing. Too hot or cold may have you bailing out preemptively. It’s widely agreed upon that you should ideally spend twenty seconds or more washing your hands to ensure effectiveness. A trick is to sing the “Happy birthday song” twice to yourself to make sure you spend enough time washing. How much time should you spend drying your hands? However much time it takes to think of a less annoying song to sing to yourself for twenty seconds next time.

How Hand Sanitisers Kill Viruses

So soap just removes viruses. But what if you are feeling vindictive? That’s where an alcohol-based cleanser comes in. 

While the unique smell of hand sanitiser brings to mind a cocktail of biocidal chemicals, the agent that kills germ is still just alcohol. Other chemicals are mainly added to prevent your skin from drying out as much as it would if you used 200 proof. Alcohol cripples microbes by denaturing their proteins, essentially causing them to unfold and become tangled up. The bad news is that if the initial tidal wave of alcohol doesn’t kill them, they will probably invite their friends over and have a giant party with the leftovers.

That’s actually just a partial joke – alcohol is ineffective at killing some types of bacteria and viruses; particularly “unenveloped” types. Fortunately, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is not one of these and is therefore vulnerable to hand sanitisers. But if you want to be as thorough as possible at removing anything that may be problematic, you’ll still need to go for soap.

Hopefully, these tidbits instil a sense of confidence that COVID-19 isn’t entirely out of our realm of control. While it’s global impact has undoubtedly been significant in multiple ways and isn’t to be ignored, the good news is that with some reasonable steps and understanding; we can significantly reduce our likelihood of contracting the virus and thus, its overall impact on those around us.

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In Business 5 Mins Read

My Thoughts About COVID-19

How badly will COVID-19 hit us? Have we prepared ourselves for a time such as this? What can business owners do to stay afloat? Will a mass retrenchment exercise happen? When will this ordeal end?

These are valid questions that we may have asked ourselves in the last couple of days/weeks and honestly, not every question has an answer because there are just so many unknown factors at play.

One question that continually weighs my mind is, “When will we humans ever learn from history?” When times are good, we become complacent, arrogant and laugh at others. When times are bad, we become fearful, uncertain, and even selfish. There have been many crises in the history of mankind, and our true colours show during such times.

COVID-19 is a test for all of us, regardless of our wealth, our race, our status, our language, our religion. Whether we pass this test with flying colours or not depends very much on how prepared we are for it.

The companies we see and hear of today may not even exist anymore after COVID-19, and this is why it is so vital for businesses to diversify and have sufficient reserves for a rainy day. The advantage that a small business has over big corporations is that a small business is nimble, lean, and can quickly adapt to changing circumstances.

Here are 5 ways that you can continue to keep your small business afloat or put food on the table (if you’re a freelancer).

Tap On Available Government Funding

The Resilience Budget that was recently announced by the Government aims to support workers, stabilise businesses, and protect livelihoods. There are a couple of schemes (such as the Enhanced Job Support Scheme and Enhanced Wage Credit Scheme) that your business can apply for. If you are a self-employed person (SEP), you might be eligible for the Income Relief Scheme and Training Support Scheme that can help you tide over this tough time.

Reduce Your Business’s Operating Costs

There are a couple of ways you can reduce your business’s operating costs, and one key thing that you can do is to look at your business’s fixed costs and see if you have any fixed costs that you can reduce or remove entirely to free up some cash flow.

For example, if the rental is a fixed cost that takes up a bulk of your operating costs; you might want to consider downsizing or moving to a virtual office. However, this might not be possible if you run a retail shop or a food & beverage restaurant (and that probably mean you will have to look at reducing your staffing or inventory expenses).

To reduce staffing and/or inventory expenses, your business has to be efficient and operating at an optimum level. For this to happen, you may want to consider automating some of your business processes that can save you time (time is money) and allocate your resources (inventory and staff) more effectively.

Regardless of how you intend to reduce your business’s operating costs, don’t forget to tap on the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)!

Upskill/Upgrade Yourself By Learning A New Skill

With the economy going into recession and an increasing unemployment rate, this is an opportune time to take some time off to upskill/upgrade yourself and learn a new skill. The one-off $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up (for Singaporeans aged 25 and above in 2020) and an additional $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up (for Singaporeans aged 40 to 60 in 2020) can be used to subsidise or pay for course fees. Here are some SkillsFuture Courses that you can utilise the SkillsFuture Credit for.

Also, if you are a National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) union member, you can utilise the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) training benefit to defray training costs. NTUC members enjoy 50% *unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year when they sign up for courses supported under UTAP.

Keep An Open Mind To Whatever Opportunities That Come Along

During these uncertain times, you really can’t be choosy, and you got to seize whatever opportunities that come along so that you can continue to put food on the table. Whether it is going to be a short term work contract or temporary work assignment, do whatever it takes (legally) to keep the cash coming in.

If you have recently been retrenched or out of job and you are looking for short-term, temporary jobs with immediate opportunities, visit SGUnitedJobs.gov.sg

Stay Healthy And Practise Good Hygiene Habits

Health is everything. Without good health, you won’t be able to work, and if you aren’t able to work, you can’t get the income you need to sustain your livelihood. This is why you must keep yourself healthy and practise social distancing and good hygiene habits during such times.

It may seem bleak now, but we will definitely get through this rough patch and see the light at the end of the tunnel!

#SGUNITED

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In Editor's Picks 3 Mins Read

The Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics Practitioners

Over the last 3 decades, I have witnessed many phenomenal happenings and miracles that even science sometimes cannot validate nor explain. During my trip to Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain) in April last year, I had a life-changing experience and my desire for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness grew even more than before.  

2019 was honestly a time of introspection for me and it was also the year that I started my venture into the 5 arts (五术) of Chinese metaphysics (中华玄学). The 5 arts of Chinese metaphysics comprises of 5 different areas of disciplines, namely, mountain (山), medicine (医), life (命), appearance (相), and divination (扑). 

The 5 Arts of Chinese Metaphysics have guided the Chinese people throughout the ages and the content of each of the five arts are complex and very difficult to master. This is why most Chinese Metaphysics Practitioners focus on one or two of the five arts and within the art, focus and specialise only on one or two disciplines within the art. 

About the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics

1. Mountain (山 – Shan) 

“Mountain (山 – Shan)” means Knowledge and Skills that are learned from training in the Mountains because in ancient time, a person need to go up to the mountain to receive such knowledge. Studies that fall under this art includes diet, physical health, martial arts, meditation and self-healing. Taoist Sorcery, Taoist Rituals and Taoist Talismans also belongs to Mountain (山). 

2. Medicine (医)

It includes all form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, medical prescriptions and soul healing. 

3. Life (命) 

The Chinese Art of Destiny Analysis or fate. It includes Eight Characters (子平八字 – Zi Ping Ba Zi ) and Purple Star Astrology (紫微斗数 – Zi Wei Dou Shu). 

4. Appearance (相 – Xiang)

The Chinese Study of Appearance/Physiognomy (相) which refers to the study of forms, meaning the study of good or bad of a form. The 2 well-known examples are Palmistry and Face Reading. Feng Shui also belongs to the study of Forms (相 – Xiang), including Feng Shi for Burial (阴宅 – Yin Zhai) and Feng Shui for the living environment (阳宅 – Yang Zhai). The study of Characters of Chinese Names of a person also belong to The Chinese Study of Appearance (相 – Xiang).  

5. Divination (扑 – Pu) 

Prediction and the Yi Jing (易经 – I Ching) feature prominently in this study. Other popular studies of this art includes Tai Yi (太易), Da Liu Ren (大六壬), and Qi Men Dun Jia (奇门盾甲). They rely on numerical analysis to reveal one’s path and future. 

My Experience

I have never felt so much affinity with Taoism and Chinese Metaphysics until last year and since then, I have made the conscious decision and effort to learn each of the 5 Arts and focus on 1 to 2 disciplines within each art.

Apart from learning the 5 Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, I have also studied other systems and modalities such as 9 Star Ki and Greek Astrology. This new Spirituality column will be where I share my innate thoughts and document my journey in the spiritual realm.

If you need some spiritual advise, feel free to drop me a message.

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In Editor's Picks 4 Mins Read

How to Plan the Perfect DIY Wedding

Weddings are one of the most expensive events you ever have to coordinate and sometimes, it literally pays to find ways to lessen this cost wherever you can. Many people these days are considering a DIY wedding as a way to achieve this. The reason for this is apparent; everything surrounding weddings has become such a slick industry that you are likely to be overcharged for almost everything you do. Take a wedding cake as an example; a simple iced cake cost $15, but a similar 3-tier cake, i.e. a wedding cake can be upwards of $500 when the real cost should be less than $50.

The Location

Dedicated wedding venues offer an all-inclusive service which is excellent if you are looking to save yourself some time. The downside for this convenience is that it can be extremely costly; often in the tens of thousands, as some wedding venues are known to cost almost $15,000 on average. 

An alternative is to rent a community hall or space and decorate it yourself for a few hundred dollars. Though this might be a fair amount of work, it is well worth the effort.

Transport 

Wedding cars are another area where the cost can seem excessive and considering that they are only seen twice (when you arrive and when you leave), is the high cost justifiable? 

Consider this alternative, ask a friend who has a nice car and it can look just the thing once you put a couple of ribbons on it. Even if you do not have a friend with a nice car, a day’s car rental will be so much cheaper if you get it from a normal hire place rather than a wedding car specialist. 

Catering

The food is one thing that needs to be right. A tasty wedding feast can be knocked up without professional caterers. However, as a word of warning, this can be very time consuming, and it might be one area that you do still hire a professional. Make sure you get an excellent creative catering firm that can make it a special occasion.

The Wedding Dress

Now, this is the one that you are going to want to get right. You will usually have a firm idea of what you want, and this is the first starting point. You can find a few ways to save money that can still look awesome than a pricey new dress. You can buy vintage or second hand from many places, and even a family dress from your mother or grandmother can give a classy and personal touch. 

Flowers

Floral displays can be put together by you and your friends, and they can be a great, memorable and special moment between you and your bridesmaids. This can save you a fortune as it’s easy to get hold of flowers wholesale and put together all of the bunches yourselves. Although it takes time, this can be a memorable time that is well spent, and it will give you something to do rather than just sitting and waiting to get going.

Entertainment

Once the vital part of the wedding is concluded (ceremony, speeches, and the dinner); there is the matter of the entertainment to be considered. I know of one couple (who are very close friends of mine) whose cousin was in a band, and they hired them to play the wedding. Although it was not as slick as a professional wedding band, it added a special touch to the wedding. If you don’t know a musician in the family, many musicians are looking to make a living from music that you can find someone quickly.

The Cake

We mentioned the cake as a prime example of a wedding item that you can be easily ripped off for. As we said, it’s much easier to get a different cake and re-purpose it as a wedding cake. Alternatively, you can get a relative who could bake and then decorate the cake on your own so that you can get what you want.

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In Editor's Picks 3 Mins Read

Starting A Life Together: Moving Tips For Couples

Moving in together with your significant other is a massive decision and while many couples struggle through the initial adjustment, there are several ways that you can ease the experience. As the first few weeks will feel quite foreign, you should consider making decisions together right from the start to avoid unnecessary conflicts or minor upsets. You and your partner should both have equal input regarding your new home from how you handle the move to how it will be decorated. The following tips will help you navigate the first few weeks with confidence and ease.

Rely On A Reputable Moving Company

Rather than each of you relying on a different moving company, it would be wise to decide on one together. Relying on a moving company St George Utah will reduce most of the stress associated with moving as you won’t have to worry about your belongings being transported. Armada Moving offers affordable and quality services that will help set your mind at ease about the first step of starting a life together. However, you should still handle packing yourself as much as possible to ensure your items are packed categorically according to the room and use of items as this will make unpacking less of a tedious struggle. You should also start packing long before the day of the move to be as prepared as possible.

Unpack Together

Rather than deciding to take on rooms separately, you should consider unpacking each room together, starting with the main room. This will be a great method of connecting with your decision to start a life together and there will be less chance your partner ends up moving items in the near future without you realising. Unpacking together means you will both have a say as to how your home comes together.

Continue With Your Regular Routine

Once you have unpacked and you and your partner are able to start navigating a new life together, it is best to continue with your regular routine rather than attempting to create a new one around your partner’s routine. Getting set into a routine just after moving in together is one of the biggest reasons the first few weeks can be challenging. However, by maintaining your regular daily routine, you will be able to feel more at ease a lot sooner. In the event that certain aspects of your partner’s routine is somewhat upsetting or challenging for you, you should shed light on the issues as soon as possible rather than allowing feelings of discomfort to fester. 

Cook Together, Avoid Take Outs

Merging lives can be quite challenging for several realistic reasons and when it comes to mealtimes and preparing healthy meals, many couples find themselves leaning towards takeouts rather than cooking healthy meals as they are simply uncertain of taste preferences and other elements of mealtimes. However, a great method of overcoming uncertainty is simply to handle cooking together as you will be able to ease into a menu of sorts that you are both comfortable with. The more you and your partner do together, the easier it will be to adjust to your new lives as a couple.

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In Editor's Picks 3 Mins Read

3 Things to Avoid While Planning a Wedding

While getting married should be one of the happiest days of your life, planning a wedding is probably one of the most stressful times. However, there are things that you can do to ease the pain and make the journey a much smoother one. Continue reading our guide to three things that you should avoid while planning a wedding.

Booking a Venue Before Viewing It

Your cousin’s best friend’s auntie’s hairdresser might have had the most spectacular day of her life in a select country manor house, but that does not mean the venue will necessarily be the right one for you. Everyone has different expectations and requirements for their big day; don’t allow anyone else to tell you that your opinion does not matter. It is imperative to view a venue before even thinking about booking it. Speaking to an in-house wedding planner will not only mean you know exactly what to expect from a certain venue, but it also gives you the opportunity to ask any pertinent questions. Typing ‘West Chester, PA wedding venue‘ into a search engine would undoubtedly bring up plenty of results, but narrowing it down to one will be a tricky thing to do. Viewing is absolutely essential. 

Going on a Crash Diet

Of course, it is natural to want to look beautiful on your big day. However, any kind of crash diet will not necessarily give you the end result you desire. Starving your body of essential nutrients while you are in a heightened state of anxiety will put you into a worse place than where you started. If you are keen to lose weight and tone up, do so in a sensible way. Speak to a dietician about a healthy eating plan for life. This way, you know that you will be eating a balanced diet and you will be putting exactly what you need into that body of yours. Furthermore, engaging in physical activity is also important, especially for toning up. If you are truly dedicated to your mission, speak to a personal trainer who can either devise a plan with specific exercises aimed at targeting your so-called ‘problem areas’ or who can train you, ensuring that you are doing what your body needs you to. 

Dream about a Pinterest/Instagram-Perfect Wedding

Pinterest and Instagram are amazing resources for gathering ideas. However, they have also been known to give an unrealistic view of what weddings should and shouldn’t look like. These decisions should be up to the people getting married. Pressure from social media platforms hit all areas of people’s lives and weddings are no different. If you are happy with a cold buffet at your wedding reception, do not let the canape police spoil that for you. Likewise, if you are happy to have a traditional ceremony without a full orchestra, go for it. It is vital to ensure the expectations of your dream day are actually realistic. You could spend thousands on getting the things you want, but when it comes down to it, love is what really matters. 

Got any other suggestions to add on to our guide? Feel free to comment below!

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In Editor's Picks 3 Mins Read

5 Healthy Eating Tips for 2020

Many of us have decided to adopt healthier lifestyle habits throughout the coming year. This is why it is crucial to embrace a proper diet at an early stage. Whether you wish to drop a few extra pounds or simply to feel better, the fact of the matter is that a handful of professional suggestions can go a long way.

Let us look at five dietary tips that can help your body receive the nutrients that it requires.

1. Leafy Green Vegetables

It is estimated that approximately 12 percent of the Canadian population has embraced some form of vegan lifestyle. This is largely due to the fact that fruits and vegetables contain an incredible number of vital nutrients. Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are particularly potent, as they provide massive levels of folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Be sure to include these within a well-balanced diet. 

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Our bodies comprised of more than 60 percent water. Unfortunately, many of us are not adequately hydrated. Most experts recommend that you consume eight eight-ounce glasses of water every day. Water can help to increase brain function, flush toxins from the kidneys, keep your skin looking younger, and promote a healthy heart. 

3. Smaller Portions

One of the reasons why some individuals tend to gain more weight than others involves the size of the meals. The body has a difficult time metabolising large amounts of calories at one sitting. Thus, these calories are more likely to be stored as fat. There are several benefits associated with smaller portions. Not only will you feel less bloated after a meal, but it is much easier to absorb the nutrients themselves. 

4. Ignore That Sweet Tooth

Sweet and sugary foods can be quite tempting, particularly if they are used as snacks between meals. They will help to satisfy our appetite and they can also provide a short-term energy boost. Unfortunately, these very same snacks do more harm than good. Spiking levels of blood sugar will often lead to subsequent sugar crashes and over time this can even increase your chances of developing adult-onset diabetes. Furthermore, snacks high in sugar may lead to tooth decay and weight gain.

Try to replace these substances with fruits if you have a sudden craving for sweets. The simple sugars contained within fruits are much easier to break down and most fruits contain significant amounts of water (which again may help with hydration). They are packed full of vitamins, and more importantly; studies have shown that snacking on fruit may decrease the risk of developing some types of cancer. The good news is that fruits are also quite tasty, so there is no reason to shy away from these alternatives. 

5. Boost Your Protein Intake

Our bodies utilise protein to build and repair muscles, strengthen bones, and boost brain function. Unfortunately, many individuals are not receiving an adequate amount on a regular basis. Let us also keep in mind that some forms of protein are more easily digestible than others. If you find it difficult to incorporate sufficient foods that are high in protein, it may be wise to supplement your protein intake with high-quality protein powders. Not only are these supplements quite tasty, but they are available in a variety of flavours. Some are even sourced entirely from plants, which is ideal if you wish to embrace a vegan lifestyle in the coming year.

There is no better time than the present to make a positive change in your life and these dietary suggestions will certainly come in handy. 

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6 Must-Haves for a Small Construction Business

Starting a small construction business is exciting, especially if you think about its potential profitability. However, your business may not always end up being successful, especially if there is intense competition. To help you start on the right foot and increase the chances of success, keep in mind the things we’ll talk about below.

1. A Robust Approach to Dust Management

Air pollution is one of the most serious problems construction businesses need to address. Dust control systems are among the most promising solutions. Misting cannons, for instance, can help to suppress dust right at its source, making sure that it does not contribute to air pollution.

If you are looking for the best dust control solutions to implement in a small construction business, make sure to check out https://bosstek.com/.

2. A Strategic Business Plan

Your business needs a strong business plan at any stage. Especially when your construction company is just starting, a business plan is a must-have. It is not one thing that you can complete overnight. It requires research of your competitors and target market, among others. The plan will provide a detailed roadmap of what you intend to do. It identifies your goals and the strategies that will lead you to the realisation of the latter.

3. Innovative Marketing Strategies

Speaking of the business plan, it should also contain your marketing strategies. Construction companies need to invest in marketing to reach their target audience. This is especially important for new companies that are introducing themselves in the market. Through marketing, it will be easier to manage the competitive landscape. From social media to email marketing, consider the many good ways to promote your construction services.

4. Financial Resources to Sustain Operations

Consider the many ways to finance your business. The harsh reality is that you will need money to sustain your construction business. From bootstrapping to applying for a bank loan, think of the best ways to have the financial resources you will need. Pay attention to interest rates if you intend to apply for a loan. 

5. Reliable Equipment and Manpower

It is important to invest in advanced construction equipment to get the job done right. However, this will be useless if you don’t complement it with the right manpower. With this, construction companies should also focus on hiring the right people to ensure the successful completion of every project.

6. The Best Customer Service

To manage the competition and deliver the highest level of satisfaction, work on delivering great customer service. Pleasing your clients will help to grow the business. Actively communicate with your customers. Go above and beyond in delivering their needs. Exceed their expectations. When they are happy, they will not just be loyal, but they can also help bring more customers.

If you have always wanted to have a small construction company, now is the time to make that dream real! Consider our suggestions above to help you succeed! From having a business plan to making sure that you have the money you need, the tips mentioned above can help you have the right start!

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