American actress Lindsay Lohan made an appearance at London Modest Fashion Week (LMFW), a two-day event launched last year in the British capital to promote regional designers who cater to culturally conservative consumers. Invited as a special Guest of Honor, the former wild child took a front row seat at LMFW’s opening ceremony dressed in a silky black hijab.
Lindsay Lohan flies a flag for modest Middle East fashion
Eat Smarter, Study Better
Let’s say you’re a student gearing up for end-of-semester tests. Or a professional going over the latest reports. Or you’re drafting a talk or a presentation. You have to cram these preparations into a busy schedule. How can you stay alert and get the most out of the time you spend researching, reading and taking notes? Traditional Middle-Easterners eat za’atar to improve memory (and here’s our famous za’atar pesto recipe), but there are many other things you can do to keep going .
Tips for setting up preventive maintenance plan for optimum results
Studies have revealed that preventive maintenance plan can increase the Return on Investment by several times (as much as 545% according to reliable sources).
As such, not investing in this maintenance schedule is perhaps not a sensible move especially of you have envisaged certain objectives and goals for your organization.
These days you will find that most of the corporate stalwarts have already implemented this maintenance schedule and are reaping the benefits of the investment.
Why it makes sense in investing in preventive maintenance plan?
There are several reasons why companies invest in this and few of the reasons are as follows-
- Your equipments and machinery remain in perfect condition
- You are able to do a better accounting of the assets of your company
- Your company experiences infrequent downtime
- Since downtime is less, the manufacturing process continues smoothly without hitches and glitches
- The longevity of the machines increases
- You don’t have to suffer major breakdown as you are taking care of the machinery well in advance and much before they break down (hence the name preventive maintenance)
However, no matter how many benefits you enjoy, implementing the system correctly determines to a great extent the success of preventive maintenance plan. In the paragraphs that follow, let us find out how you can exactly execute the plan.
How to set up PM judiciously?
Ideally it would be to take a step at a time. So, to start with you have to make sure that the plan is entrusted in the hands of responsible and the right set of people. The important people that you must include in your team are maintenance managers, top management, and maintenance technicians.
- Whom to include
Most importantly, the people you take onboard must understand the reason why you are investing in this plan. The effectiveness of the plan lies in the fact that it is empowered by CMMS software or Computerized Maintenance Management System. The people you choose should be well versed in data processing, accounting, and technicians.
- Work out the objectives of the plan
Unless you are sure about your goals, you will not be able to steer the team to attain the goals and fulfill the vision and mission of your team. Sit down with all your team members and note down the points why you want to invest in the PM plan.
- Take account of your assets and machinery
Another essential aspect that you have to take into account is to make a list of your assets and inventory. Tag the equipments, list down the details of each asset. For instance, you must write down the date of purchase, date of installation, last maintenance schedule details, cost, model number, and technical specifications for each asset. Maintain the records accurately.
- Prioritize maintenance plan
Since there are so many assets or machinery and equipments to take care of, it is not possible to carry out preventive maintenance of every asset each and every time. As such, it is best to make a list of those assets that require immediate attention.
It makes sense in including any asset in your list of maintenance schedule only if the costs involved in repairing the equipment are very high, the maintenance schedule has to be carried out at frequent intervals, and last but not the least, the particular equipment in question is very important as far as production is concerned (if it is a manufacturing unit equipment you are dealing with).
- Follow original manual for maintenance
Despite the fact that you are opting for preventive maintenance plan for safeguarding your equipments and assets, yet it makes sense in following the manual of the original manufacturer of assets as per the specifications.
- Plan for long term maintenance
The main aim of implementing the plan is to prevent the incidence of breakdown as much as possible. You must know under what circumstances, the asset or the machinery might fail to perform. Most importantly, if you have many types of equipment that require attention, you can take equipment at a time instead of rushing into including all of them in your maintenance schedule all at once.
- Short term goals matter too
As mentioned above, you must set your goals for long term maintenance schedule and investment, planning for short term maintenance plan is equally important. These quick fixes will usually prevent an immediate impending threat that renders your productivity or company’s output at stake.
- Grow skills
Now that you know which individual will perform what role, it is equally important to train them on a regular basis so that they are able to stay abreast with the latest developments that are trending in the market.
Last but not the least, perseverance and positive attitude can help you go a long way as far as personnel management and skill enhancement is concerned.
4 things you must do when transforming your house into an eco-friendly one
It goes without saying that improving your home with all the latest eco-friendly gadgets is something seriously worth considering. If everyone can do their bit then we’ll protect the world for that little bit longer.
However, there is plenty to consider when it comes to upgrading your home, and it’ll vary from homeowner to homeowner and house to house.
We take a look at the aspects of upgrading you simply must consider when thinking about making eco-friendly changes…
Can You Actually Make Changes?
Discovering whether you can make additions to your home is most certainly your first port of call. If you’re a renter, then you’ll need permission from your landlord – and planning permission, while those living in a listed or protected building could encounter a number of problems.
It can be a criminal offence to alter a listed building and even the smallest of change will need permission from the relevant authorities. In the UK for example, homeowners would be required to get permission of Historic England.
Affordability
Some methods of turning your home green can be incredibly expensive. Know your limits of what you can and can’t afford and decide what to invest in accordingly.
If you are short on the cash flow side, you can consider financing your eco-friendly project with a dedicated eco-friendly credit. There are several credit unions that has been established solely for that purpose. Those financial bodies would gladly provide you with funds, so you would be able to achieve your eco-friendly goals.
Also, consider that there is a good chance that your government might provide subsidies or grants for eco-friendly energy projects. It is best to consult your local brand of the energy efficiency & renewable energy authority/ministry.
Budget always matters, but with a wise financial planning and some assistance of 3rd party bodies, you can accomplish your eco-friendly project without getting bankrupted.
Cost-Effectiveness
In many cases, particularly if you were to purchase solar panels for example, it’s how cost effective they will be that will help make a decision. While you may enter debt to purchase higher end ecotech, you will find your bills are cheaper and the value of your home will increase.
Discovering by how much will allow you to make an informed decision on the cost-effectiveness of any installments. This is perhaps the most important factor for people and you may be surprised by how much is actually saved.
For first time buyers this is particularly important as, ultimately, you’ll be able to save your whole bill-paying life as a property owner. The same applies to landlords, with tenants much more likely to want to move into a home that is good value for money when it comes to paying bills.
Check Tech News Regularly
If you’re serious about investing in some high end eco-friendly solutions for your home, it’s vital you keep abreast of what’s happening in the industry. Technology continues to evolve and you would be very disappointed if a new piece of kit that’ll save even more on bills hits the market a few months after you’ve committed to a major investment.
Sites like bestonlinereviews.com, will keep you updated so you’ll not only be fully aware of everything that hit the market, you’ll also have a better understanding of what it is you’re investing in and how you can make the most of it, and the most of your savings.
Vegan Recipe: Roasted Kabocha Pumpkin Wedges
Deep-orange kabochas, smooth yellow butternuts and green zucchini – all the striped, speckled and spangled squash family vegetables are in season now. They make delicious winter eating. For an extensive list of seasonal produce this month in the Middle East, click on this. Pumpkins and squashes often make a base for soup, but Middle-Eastern cooks know infinite ways to cook these sturdy vine plants: grated into fritters like these, lightly stewed in
Trafficking ring that sold Indian women to Arab Gulf sheikhs busted!
The #MeToo movement may have started in America, but sexual assault and harassment is a worldwide problem. This week, police in the Indian state Telangana have busted a trafficking ring involving travel agents who allegedly sold women from coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh to Arab sheikhs in Gulf countries as sex slaves. The women had been promised lucrative positions as domestic workers.
Special operations teams were dispatched to arrest six travel agents operating out of Dubai, all natives of East Godavari and West Godavari districts, including the apparent kingpin Srinu Babu, who worked under the alias Dubai Snu.
“The ring was busted following an investigation into the complaint lodged by a victim with the Ghatkesar police on the city outskirts,” Rachakonda police commissioner Mahesh Bhagawat told the Hindustan Times.
According to police, Dubai Sinu and his associates, who have been working as travel agents in Dubai, Muscat and other Gulf countries for the last 10 years, have been luring married women from coastal Andhra districts through their local agents to the Gulf countries promising them jobs as domestic servants, cooks, caretakers, and babysitters. They offered women a monthly salary up to US$500.
“Several innocent women, who got carried away by attractive offers, left their families to travel to Dubai, Muscat, etc. Upon arrival, Sinu and others handed over them to local manpower agencies that sold them on to Arab sheikhs, who used them as sex slaves. The hapless women had no chance to return to India, as they realized that they were brought to the Gulf countries on tourist/visit visas and not job visas. Their passports and other documents were seized by the local manpower agencies,” the police commissioner said.
One victim who travelled to Dubai in February 2017 realized that Dubai Sinu and his associates had cheated her, and refused to succumb to agency pressures to become a sex slave of the Arab Sheikhs. At the same time, her husband also went to Dubai in search of work and found his wife in a miserable condition. She told him that she was kept in a small room where several other Telugu women were also being held.
“Her husband fought with Dubai Sinu for three months to send back his wife. With the help of his relatives and friends in his village in East Godavari, he managed to bring pressure on Dubai Sinu and subsequently, the couple returned to India. Later, she lodged a complaint with the Ghatkesar police,” the commissioner said.
Slavery is thriving in the Middle East, and it takes many forms. Consider the deplorable working conditions of foreign construction workers in Qatar, or the denial of basic rights such as freedom of movement for migrant domestic workers in Lebanon.
The captured agents confessed that they had sent more than 100 women into slavery, and that there are at least 50 agents in East and West Godavari districts involved in the trafficking ring. The investigation continues, but there has been no information released regarding the Sheiks involved in the case.
Experiencing the Polar Vortex first hand
Effects of the earth’s Polar Vortex polar air masses have been attributed to causing extremely cold weather patterns causing sub-freezing temperatures in U.S. cities like New York City, Chicago, and even as far south as northern Florida. The unusual cold weather phenomenon has also been said to have caused deep freeze conditions in the Middle East; including a 2013 shocking snowfall in Cairo for the first time in 100 years.
The most recent bout of Polar Vortex induced weather brought near zero temperatures to many parts of the USA, literally ringing in the new year 2018 with 11 degree F temperatures in New York City’s Times Square. Freezing and sub-freezing temperatures were felt as far south as Texas and northern Florida. Spending time in New York City during the recent holiday season presented an opportunity to experience this phenomenon first hand; including a sudden mega snow storm that dumped between 8 and 12 inches of snow in Manhattan and
other parts of the city, closing down the city’s major airports for several days.
Comimg from a much warmer Mediterranean climate, trying to walk anywhere in temperatures averaging between 11 and 15 degrees Farenheit (-12 – 9 Celsius) made even short distances seem like climbing the north face of K-2 mountain in the Himalayas. Weather advisories on local TV channels constantly warned against undue exposure to the extreme cold, especially facial exposure. A short three block walk to a local food store or other location seemed like something out of an extreme sport endurance trial. Needless to say, local taxi drivers were kept quite busy taking people around; even for distances that might have been easily accomplished on foot in warmer weather.
Fortunately, these bouts of sub-freezing cold only last a week or so; returning to more ‘normal’ seasonal weather of temperatures reaching the high 30’s to low 40’s F ( O – 4 degrees C). This spout of intense cold and snowy weather prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to comment about global warming: “Global warming? How can there be global warming with such cold weather?”
His scientific advisors did not appear to inform him that it’s now common scientific knowledge that global warming is being attributed as one of the main causes of the Polar Vortex phenomenon. Climatologists are also saying that the ongoing Arctic ice melt is literally rocking world weather.
Conditions like Polar Vortex caused polar air dips are only one example of abnormal climate change conditions being tied to global warming. More intense tropical storms like hurricanes and typhoons, severe drought in many locations, especially the Middle East, are now also being attributed to over consumption of fossil fuels and destruction of natural habitats by the earth’s nearly 7 billion human inhabitants. The way it looks now, the overall situation may only get worse; much worse.
Read more on Polar Vortex and climate change:
Arctic ice melt is rocking world weather
Running on empty – Israel’s deteriorating water crisis
Having adequate fresh water supplies in most of the Middle East has always been a serious issue. This includes ideas like dragging an iceberg from Antarctica to the Arab Gulf for drinking water. More practical fresh water procurement projects involve the use of massive desalination plants, such as those in Saudi Arabia
Another Mid East country, Israel, has pioneered the development and use of reverse osmosis desalination plants. Israel now has six of these plants in operation, with two more scheduled to go “online”. The current gravity of Israel’s worsening water crisis was dramatized recently on Israel’s Channel 12 TV news:
The lack of fresh drinking water has become so dire, according to the news program, that much of the country is in serious danger of running out of drinking water within the next few years. Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources, told Channel 12 that the country’s current water crises in “very very grave; the worse in more than 100 years”. Most of Israel’s drinking water supplies are being supplied by the network of desalination plants along the country’s Mediterranean coastline; including the Sorek Desalination Plant (photo).
Ms. Hila Gil, head of the desalination department for the Israel Water Authority, told Channel 12 that even with present desalination plants operating at full capacity, there will still not be enough fresh water to supply the entire country’s needs. “In 2006, around 100 million cubic meters of fresh water was being supplied by desalination. Now, as of the end of 2017, this amount has increased to more than 585 million cubic meters. In other words, around 85% of Israel’s fresh water needs are being supplied by desalination”, she said.
Israel’s fresh water shortage has been aggrivated by a long term drought that has been ongoing for more than 5 years. This has resulted in the country’s main land based water source, Lake Kinneret, being so depleted that “islands ” of dry land are now appearing in it. Geora Shaham, Manager of the Israel Water Authority, told Channel 12 that he fears that soon there will not be enough drinking water for many parts of the country, especially the northen areas. “Except for what we get from the sea (via desalination) there is simply not enough water available in many locations for agriculture and for drinking.”
The current situation in Israel is being compared with locations like Cyprus and Capetown South Africa, where fresh water is being strictly rationed and water taps are virtually dry most of the time. Government authorities are saying that the next major war may well be fought over water supplies.
Israel assisted nearby Cyprus to construct desalination plants after the island country began to experience critical fresh water shortages nearly a decade ago. Despite this, Cyprus is still in the midst of a very critical fresh water shortage with people living there barely getting any fresh tap water and having to rely on chemical products for washing and cleaning. Neighboring Jordan is also in the midst of a critical water crises; with fresh water being supplied only for an hour or two daily.
Desalination is a very expensive method of getting fresh water; especially from an energy comsumption basis, says desalination head Hila Gil. “We have to make sure the desalination plants are running properly, as they are now our main source of fresh water” she says. Besides Israel, many other countries are heavily dependent on desalination to get needed fresh water. This situation is bound to increase signifially in the years to come.
Read more on water issues and desalination in Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East:
Arab gulf to drag iceberg from Antarctica for drinking water
Cyprus gets new desalination plant with Mekorot Israel’s know how
Photo of island in the Kinneret. by Breaking Israel News
Photo of Sorek Desalination Plant by Water Technology
How to improve your skin health In 7 Days
Whether you meet someone for the first or 100th time, you will want to leave a lasting impression. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure your skin is healthy and glowing. Since the first thing people see when they meet you is your face, it is crucial that it is blemish-free. There are several hygienic techniques, products and treatments that have shown to be very effective in reducing wrinkles, blackheads, age spots and acne scars. Below, you will discover exactly what these are so you can get started immediately improving your appearance.
UV Protection
The sunlight is extremely harsh on skin. Not only will the sunlight dry out your skin and make you look older, but also its UV rays will put you at risk of developing skin cancer. The best and only way to protect your skin is to utilize lotions and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. These protects will keep your skin moist and protected from the harsh UV rays, even if you spend hours basking in the sun.
Routine Facial Massages
Massages offer an array of health benefits, including both mental and physical. While you enjoy having your body massaged, you should also consider getting a facial massage. The kneading and rubbing techniques will not only reduce tension wrinkles, but also increase the oxygen and blood flow to the face. The therapist will massage the soft lines around the eyes, brows and mouth, as well as the forehead. You will looking stunning and feel like a million bucks at the completion of the massage.
If you are living on a strict budget and cannot afford a professional massage, you should consider investing in the best face massage tool. Only a 10-minute massage will transform your tired, aging face into a beautiful, glowing and healthy appearance.
Considering The Water That You Are Using
Everyone automatically assumes that washing their face is something that is helping them in the long run. Of course, washing your face is much better than not washing it, but what you might not realize is that the water you are using to wash your face could actually be doing more harm than good. For instance, soft water is not really known for completely removing soap and other harmful agents from your face. If you live in an area where the water is soft, you need to make sure that you are taking advantage of facial cleansers. However, you also want to use the cleanser wisely, as these products could also dry out your skin and cause more damage. To avoid dryness caused by bar soaps, hydrate your skin using natural and safe goat soaps, which have organic ingredients.
If you live in an area where the water is hard, you have probably noticed that the soap doesn’t lather very easily. Unfortunately, this has probably prompted you to use more and more cleanser, which just completely dries your skin out. Taking advantage of gentle, non-soap formulas can be the perfect solution to this problem, as these products are designed to clean without lathering.
Be Cautious Of The Air Quality That You Are Exposed To
You probably already know that secondhand smoke and smoky environments can be extremely harmful to your health. However, what you might not know is that smoke can be devastating to the skin as well. Because it can cause your body to release free radicals that damage the skin and speed up the aging process.
Along with smoke, there are a variety of other indoor and outdoor pollutants that can damage your skin. Make sure you that you aren’t smoking, avoiding smoky areas, and constantly changing your heating and air filters regularly.
You also need to keep in mind that dry indoor air can be detrimental to you skin’s health, as well. Dry air not only dehydrates the skin, but it makes to lines more visible. A good humidifier can be the perfect answer to this problem, as it will put enough moisture back in the air.
Eco-Friendly money saving tips
Living on a budget might seem like an eco-friendly act in itself, but in most cases, this isn’t strictly true. By opting for cheaper options, you can often find that packaging, manufacturing costs and so much more are actually worse for the environment. So, when we do find ourselves strapped for cash, how do we save the pennies while staying eco-conscious? While companies such as Wizzcash loans may be there in the case of a financial emergency, saving the pennies on a day-to-day basis is simple – and you can be eco-friendly too. You just have to read on to find out!
- Use Cloth Napkins
If you’re an avid napkin user, you’ll know just how many are thrown away at the end of a meal or a party. Now think about that amount in every household all over the world, and how the non-recyclable ones will be piling up in rubbish tips all over the world. By using cloth napkins, you eliminate the throwing-away process completely. Not only will they save you the costs of having to buy napkins on a regular basis, but they are also far more durable, and a quick wash will set them right back to normal.
- Grow Your Own Food
In the UK climate, growing your own food might seem like a struggle, but there are plenty of fruit and vegetables that you can choose from to grow for yourself. Not only does growing your own food stop you needing to buy it from the supermarket, it’s also a great way to reduce waste and just think – there’s no wrapping or cartons to throw away!
- Use The Sun
The sun is a valuable, yet wondrously free way to save money. You don’t need any expensive equipment to harvest the power of the sun – you just have to open your curtains! The sun will heat your house during those colder winter days, or shut the curtains if you want to stay cool during the summer months. If you want to go green for the long-term, you could invest and indulge in solar panels to provide you with a clean, cost-effective energy source year-round.
- Adjust Your Laundry Habits
Doing the laundry can take up a significant chunk of your budget, and have an adverse effect on the environment too. However there are a few things you can do to reduce your laundry bill and water usage:
- Wash in cold water
- Use less detergent
- Line-dry your washing
- Replace an old, clunky washing machine
- Run full loads rather than small ones often
- Skip fabric softener or find a budget-friendly detergent with this included!
- Try A Spend Fast
If you’re truly stuck for money, try not spending anything for as long as you can. For a week, or a month, or any given period of time, reduce your costs to only those that are absolutely necessary. Don’t buy anything that you don’t need to survive, and you’ll be amazed just how much you can save. For entertainment, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of free things to do, from museums and galleries, to taking advantage of free trials on favourites like Netflix and Amazon, you could be spending your month enjoying yourself but barely spending anything!
Immunity boosting fruits for health!
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening your immune system. Regular consumption of these immunity boosting foods will help reduce how frequently you fall sick and may help you recover from illness more quickly. In the following section are given various immunity boosting fruits which will help you lead a healthier life.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits tangerines and pomelos are not only delicious and refreshing; they are also a great source of vitamin C that helps to boost the immune system and maintains the body’s defence against bacterial infections like colds and flu.
Vitamin C as we know it is a one stop shop for boosting immunity in our body. It is believed to increase the production of white blood cells that are essential for fighting off infections and warding of diseases. Several cells of the immune system need the vitamin to perform their task, especially phagocytes and t-cells. Thus, a Vitamin C deficiency results in a reduced resistance and low immunity against certain pathogens. It may not be the cure for the common cold but different studies including meta-analyses underline that the prophylactic intake of Vitamin C may slightly reduce the duration of the illness in healthy persons Vitamin C also helps maintain the integrity of your skin, which acts as a protective barrier against infection. Since your body doesn’t produce or store this Vitamin, it might be more advantages to increase your intake from these fruits rather than supplements, since they are a natural source of this vitamin and may contain other beneficial compounds that supplements may not. In addition, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping protect your immune cells against harmful compounds formed in response to viral or bacterial infections.
Citrus fruits such as oranges and limes not only have high vitamin C content but also are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are beneficial for the immune system as they help fight free radical damage and prevent cell breakup.
But citrus fruits can be dirty, and come laden with scale bugs. You don’t want to drink that! In a situation where your food item requires serious cleaning to remove dirt that is strongly adhering to them, an ultrasonic fruit & vegetable purifier.
These immunity-boosting fruits not only earn their all-star foods status because of their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory Vitamin C properties but also consist of compounds called flavonoids, which help boost immunity and may have anticancer properties. Citrus flavonoids are also antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and may protect against heart disease. Studies show that citrus flavonoids may improve blood flow through coronary arteries, reduce the ability of arteries to form blood clots and prevent the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, which is an initial step in the formation of artery plaques. Some particular kinds of flavonoids have shown protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal alterations and nervous system-related syndromes
Therefore, getting enough vitamin C is a great way to strengthen your immune system and may reduce your likelihood of infection. So go grab an orange or add lime or lemon to your glass of water and get your daily dose of vitamin C.
Bananas
This creamy and sweet fruit is amongst the most commonly consumed fruits in the world. Bananas are a nutrient dense fruit with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that help in boosting immunity and are very low on calories. One medium banana, which is 7 to 8 inches long, has 2 percent of the recommended daily intake of five of the 11 nutrients: iron, zinc, vitamin A, selenium and protein. It also provides larger amounts of four other nutrients essential to a normal immune response.
Bananas consists of vitamin B-6, which is essential for the production of specialized cells called cytokines and antibodies, both of which are very important proteins for the immune system. One medium size banana has #) percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B-6.
Banana consists of copper, which is important to the immune system because it’s an antioxidant that supports the immune system by protecting the cells from damage during chemical reactions. It also helps in metabolizing iron, which has an important role in the immune response. Lack of iron impairs the ability of white blood cells called phagocytes that digest invading foreign substances. A banana consists of 13 percent of the recommended daily intake of copper.
Vitamin C stimulates the production of White Blood Cells called lymphocytes that attack invading pathogens like bacteria, destroy infected or cancerous cells, regulate the immune response and make antibodies. Vitamin C also behaves as an antioxidant by protecting white blood cells from chemicals released while killing the pathogens. You get 11 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C in one medium size banana.
Bananas consist of folate, which also helps with the synthesis of proteins involved in the immune response. Like vitamin B-6, folate must be present for the synthesis of proteins such as cytokines that are involved in regulating the immune response. It’s also needed for the production of antibodies, so folate deficiency decreases the response of cells that attack invaders. One medium banana contains 24 micrograms or 6 percent of the recommended daily intake of folate.
Besides being a great source of energy, bananas are known for its calming effect, because of the high concentration of tryptophan, which helps the nervous system and boosts immunity. By incorporating a single banana in your diet daily helps boost your immunity and keeps you healthy.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe also called kharabooja in India is a melon fruit that belongs to the same family as the cucumber, squash, pumpkin and gourd. Cantaloupes are a rich source of beneficial nutrients like Vitamin C and vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids) and provide a range of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and electrolytes, which help boosts the immune system and have multiple health benefits.They also contain necessary nutrients like copper, B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, folate, magnesium, and fiber. These nutrients found in cantaloupe can help prevent oxidative stress plus a wide range of inflammatory-caused diseases. Amongst other nutrients, cantaloupe contains two types of powerful antioxidants: carotenoids and cucurbitacins.
Carotenoids are proven immune system boosters. In fact, higher carotenoid intake is associated with improvements in several biomarkers of strong immune function. Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor; chemo protective properties that help us ward off common infections, illnesses and serious diseases like cancer too.Vitamin A and C are found in high levels in cantaloupe, these antioxidant are known for promoting healthy vision and skin, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. These vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy mucus membranes, cellular health, and warding off DNA damage that can lead to disease.
Cantaloupe contains phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties. Several different cucurbitacin compounds have been found to exhibit antiproliferative on numerous human cancer cell lines and tumor xenografts, including breast, prostrate, lung, uterine cervix, liver, skin, and brain cancers.
These antioxidants that have been linked with the prevention of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.
Cantaloupe melon is quite alkaline at about pH 8.5. It helps flush out acid and toxins and helps prevent cancer as cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment.
Amazingly, a cup of cantaloupe contains 1.5 grams of protein. It has solid amounts of many vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, choline, niacin, and vitamin K. Cantaloupe boosts the immune system, detoxifies the organs, deeply hydrates and alkalizes the body, be sure to incorporate this fruit to boost up your immunity and stay healthy.
Eat these immunity boosting fruits on their own or whip them up into a juice or a smoothie for bringing out the variety in taste. All these will help you learn how to increase immunity and fight against infections and seasonal changes affecting the body. For best results, we recommend a daily spoon of Dabur Chyawanprash along with the consumption of these fruits to help boost your immunity.
Choosing a competent healthcare provider with these tips
Eating healthy and taking care of yourself is absolutely vital for living a happy, eco and fulfilling life. Unfortunately, you never really know what life is going to throw your way. Even if you go above and beyond to keep yourself in tiptop condition, there is still a chance that you’ll come down with a devastating disease. When that happens, you’ll need to find a competent healthcare provider, who will be able to treat the problem quickly and effectively. Within this article, you will discover tips for finding a good provider in your area.
Check Your Insurance Plan
First and foremost, you should know that healthcare costs are enormous. In fact, a lot of Americans have gotten into financial trouble, due to expensive medical bills. So, using your insurance is essential. Before doing anything, you should check your insurance network. Remember that some doctors will be in your network and others will not. It is always best to choose an in-network doctor. This will allow you to use your insurance to the fullest and save as much money as possible.
Specialization
It is also important to realize that some doctors specialize in one key area or another. For instance, some doctors may have tons of experience in cardiovascular health. Others may be well skilled in bones. In order to get the best treatment, it is pertinent to choose a doctor that specializes in the problematic area. If you’re suffering from heart problems, you should visit a heart doctor and vice versa. This ensures that you’ll get the best treatment from the most qualified professional.
Openings
Some doctors only treat a specific number of patients at a time. Therefore, you may need to spend a little time calling around and asking if the clinic has any openings. Remember that things change very quickly in the healthcare industry. If the doctor has no openings this month, they might next month. Be willing to follow up and contact the doctor again in the future.
Check Licensing
You should also take the time to check the doctor’s license. In order to operate legally in the United States, they need to have a valid license in their state. There are numerous reasons that a doctor might lose their license. Health care fraud defense lawyers may have filed a complaint against the doctor. Or, they might have gotten into trouble for malpractice. If the doctor has been in trouble and their license has been put in jeopardy, you should be cautious about doing business with them. In fact, it is best to only work with doctors that have a clean license.
Reading Reviews
It is also a good idea to read reviews for the doctor or clinic in question. There is a good chance that previous clients have taken to the Internet to leave their comments about their experience. You can use this information to your advantage. If the doctor in question has tons of complaints, you should not use their services. History repeats itself. Therefore, a doctor with a bad history will likely have a bad future as well.
How going green can benefit your small business
In recent years, discussions about global warming and the potential impact it can have on the planet have led to a number of changes being made in the world of small business. These days, many small business owners are passionate about reducing the environmental impact they have.
Not only will going green help the environment, it can help your business as well. While making a business environmentally friendly won’t be an overnight process, it is well worth the effort you invest. Read below to find out more about how going green can benefit your small business.
Eliminating Waste Can Add Up Over Time
One of the biggest realizations business owners who go green have is that small amounts of waste build up over time. By wasting less, you can save a lot of time and money. Doing things like turning off your computers while not in use and using energy-efficient office machines can help you cut costs significantly.
With all of the different ways to reduce the amount of energy a business uses, you will have to do your homework to figure out the best methods for your company. Every step you take towards making your business more efficient will pay off in the long run.
Going Digital Is Beneficial on a Number of Levels
For most businesses, going digital is one of the best ways to reduce waste around their workspace. Being able to store documents on the cloud rather than in file cabinets saves ink and reduces the amount of space these storage containers take up in an office. Studies have shown that going digital allows a company to be more productive and efficient.
There are also a number of tax breaks a business can take advantage of when going green. These deductions come with very strict guidelines that need to be followed to the letter. Claiming these tax breaks without checking these guidelines can lead to audits and charges of tax fraud. Be sure to consult with legal professionals before claiming these deductions on your business taxes.
Take Advantage of Government Awards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a number of grants that are eligible to environmentally-friendly businesses. The only requirements for accepting the grants and incentives offered by the EPA is opening a business in a green manner. Doing things like adding solar panels to your building will make you eligible for a grant that can reduce the price of these panels by 30 percent.
Attract More Environmentally Conscious Customers
Another benefit of making your business environmentally-friendly is the attention it can help you attract. Now more than ever, consumers are more aware of the impact companies are having on the world around them. If environmentally conscious consumers see that your business is making an effort to go green, they will be more open to using them.
A lot of time and work will go into making your business more eco-friendly. Realizing that going green is a process can help to reduce the amount of stress you have during this process. Working with professionals in the world of recycling and technology can make your journey to becoming more eco-conscious easier.
Masdar City: “The ecotopia” that never was
In 2006, former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, released “The Inconvenient Truth”. Gore attempted to bring greater knowledge to citizens of the world of the seismic threat of Global Warming. That same year, a pioneering project which was set to cost circa $22 billion was envisioned for Abu Dhabi. See draft of vision below.
Masdar City, a vision of the Masdar company, overseen by legendary architect Norman Foster and backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi, promised an “ecotopia” which would revolutionize the way we live as humans.
The ambitious project which looked at hosting 1,500 green energy businesses with a combined workforce of 110,000 people in the first carbon-neutral city in the world would never be finished. In 2018, we should have been approaching two years of the completed project, yet Masdar City is now, instead, a shell which will take another 12 years to finish. What is even more anticlimactic is that the initial target of a zero-carbon city is now estimated to be approximately 50%.
“We are not going to try to shoehorn renewable energy into the city just to justify a definition created within a boundary,” Chris Wan, the design manager of Masdar City said.
“As of today, it’s not a net zero future,” he added. “It’s about 50%.”
What went wrong for Masdar City?
The concept of building the world’s first sustainable city was, simply, unsustainable. The global economic crash led to the project being severely delayed, yet many skeptics had questioned if the vision was too ambitious.
“Nearly all of the electricity in the current phase comes from a massive 87,777-panel, 10-megawatt solar plant along with building-mounted solar panels, and demand is kept in check by an impressive array of design features that minimize the need for air conditioning despite the desert locale,” was the description of the design particulars laid out in the Smithsonian.
“The site is higher than the surrounding land to catch breezes off the Persian Gulf; the short streets are narrow and laid out to maximize shade all day long; building glass is shielded by decorative terracotta grills; and a 45-meter wind tower pulls breezes from above and pushes them through the streets to create a cooling effect. The result: temperatures that the developers claim are generally 15 degrees cooler than the desert.”
Masdar City in 2018
While Masdar City looks far removed from the picturesquely aesthetic model which was promised to us twelve years ago, there is undoubtedly a fascinating appeal for the curious mind and eager eye for a photo. A half-built ghost town tangibly crippled by the global financial crisis, the dream city now barely stands like a promising athlete struck down by an injury which robbed them of their true potential.
A unique design with an incredible lure, the more adventurous among Abu Dhabi’s intrepid tourists may find something endearing about this unrealized dream.
How to combat cold callers the eco way
Time wasting, and cutting down your productivity. Selling you services you don’t want! This following scenario has certainly happened to you more than once, we’re sure, and it is sure to be a scenario that will have annoyed you at best. You’re sat at home, minding your own business, when the phone rings. You answer it, and it’s someone trying to sell you something that you really don’t want to be sold. You politely say ‘no thank you’, and you hang up. The same thing happens the next day, and the next day, and the next days. Those cold callers are nothing but persistent, and despite the annoyance factor, it has the potential to take your relaxing evening from fun to dreary within a minutes.
Whilst there is a number you can call to block persistent cold callers from contacting your listed number (depending upon your country of residence), this is never 100% effective; there is always one, which gets through! So, how can you identify that persistent caller and ensure they never bother you again? It can be done, have faith!
There is a rather handy search tool and function called phone number lookup. This is useful for a variety of different spying missions, to be flippant about it, but it is also perfect for finding out who that persistent caller is, without having to answer the phone and go through your polite but firm (becoming persistently more annoyed) ‘no thank you’ speech.
It goes a little like this.
Ignore the call, turn down the volume on your phone if you have to, but don’t answer it. Record the number by simply jotting it down, and then look up the number on a search register. There is a fee for this service, but it is totally worth it for the peace and quiet at the end of the process. The search results will yield more than just who is calling you; you will be able to find out the address of the caller, who they are, who they belong to (company, etc), what they sell, and a variety of other useful facts that you can use to basically block them from your phone.
Boom, no calls ever again from that number!
This function also has other fun uses, e.g. you can utilise its power to find out addresses for offices and stores you need to visit, when you only have a contact number.
Cold callers are a pain in the behind, that’s for sure, and whilst most companies have upgraded their reach out mission to emails, rather than calls, there is the odd one or two that stick to the old fashioned methods. These are the most persistent ones, because whilst you can redirect an email to your ‘spam’ folder, never to see the light of day again, there’s not a whole lot you can do with a phone that won’t stop ringing. If they are constantly persistent however, and it becomes a real problem, note down the number and report them. That’s one sure fire way to shut them up!