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The air quality index provides readings about air pollution on any given day. Air pollution levels vary from day-to-day with different factors playing a role. Air pollution may be higher or lower depending upon the time of the day as well.
The Number System
Air quality is ranked on a number scale with 1 being the highest quality air and 10 being the worst quality air. These numbers are then put into four bands of risk. Low risk is for days ranked between 1-3 on the number scale. Moderate risk presents at numbers 4-6. High risk is at 7-9. 10 is very high risk. Some people have health conditions, such as asthma, that can be triggered by air pollution. Knowing the daily air quality index is good for everyone as the accumulative impact of air pollution damages the heart and lungs in the long term. Also once it hits high, there are symptoms everyone needs to look out for.
Airly.org sensors can monitor air quality in real time, both outside and inside. Due to the changeable nature of air pollution, the day needs to be mapped out to avoid it, particularly in at risk populations. Real time notifications alert sooner than the daily report, which, like the weather is a forecast.
Shifting through the Day
Weather has the biggest impact on the daily air quality index. A windy day is going to blow the pollution elsewhere. If the wind stops, the pollution stops. Cars from the evening rush hour are going to push the air pollution up again.
Valleys
Pollution can become trapped in low-lying areas. In cities surrounded by hills, the general air pollution created in a day won’t have anywhere to go under certain conditions. Cold air becomes trapped over a valley by warm air and keeps the pollution with it.
Vulnerable Populations
At the low level of the banding scale of the air quality index, or 1-3 in numbers, everyone can go about their day with no extra precautions. At moderate levels, or 4-6, people with lung and heart problems are advised to reduce strenuous activity, especially outside. At the high level, or 7-9, everyone may experience sore eyes, cough or sore throat. These people are advised to reduce physical activity. People with lung and heart problems and the elderly need to reduce physical activities. People with asthma will need their reliever inhaler more frequently. At the very high level, or number 10, everyone needs to reduce their physical activities. People with lung and heart problems and the elderly need to avoid physical activity.
Air pollution affects day-to-day life as much as building up over time to cause long term problems. Knowing what the pollution levels are for any given day makes it easier to plan how to go about that day. Air pollution levels peak at certain times with extra traffic and under certain weather conditions. A real time notification can help people plan their days and know when to seek shelter or their inhaler.
Huda Beauty is a coveted beauty brand that includes an array of must haves from makeup, skincare, fragrances and tools. Co-Founded by Iraqi American sisters Huda Kattan, Alya Kattan and Mona Kattan, they created an ever growing billion dollar beauty empire that is one of the fastest growing brands. With an assortment of over 213 products that are sold at Sephora, Harrods in London and on its own site, we caught up with Mona Kattan, Co-Founder and President of Huda Beauty and their fragrance brand KAYALI, from her home in Dubai, the brand's headquarters to talk about her role in the company, new launches, how she is navigating COVID-19 and how KAYALI's fragrances transport you to your favorite destinations.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about the brand Huda Beauty. How did it come about and how did you and your two sisters come together to be a part of the company?
MONA KATTAN: Huda Beauty began in 2013. Huda was beauty blogging and working as a makeup artist and I had launched a network of salons in Dubai. She started playing around with creating her own false eyelashes and they were unlike anything on the market. My sister, Alya and I encouraged her to start selling them and everything started to take off from there. To this day we continue to focus on innovation and unique products for our Huda Beauty community!
AM: What is your role at the company and how would you describe your day to day activity?
MK: As Global President I lay the groundwork for our future. We have grown very fast so have had to think long and hard about how to regionalize, where to open new offices, communications and marketing and hiring. As of recent, Covid has also changed many aspects of consumer behavior and it’s my role to help navigate and adapt as needed. We are fortunate that we are small enough that we can pivot easier than most.
I am also the founder and face of our fragrance brand, KAYALI. I’ve learned how hard being the face of a line is - you wear so many hats. From setting the vision, discussing formulas, shooting campaigns, working on expansion and development! It’s exciting and a lot of work. I absolutely love fragrance though so this is a role I’ve passionately embraced over the last few years.
AM: What are the roles of your sisters at the company?
MK: Huda is of course Founder, CEO and Face of the Huda Beauty brand! She primarily focuses on product development and content while keeping the company running from a financial perspective. Alya is officially our Chief Instagram Officer but oversees all social channels including YouTube, Facebook and Tik Tok! If you are a fan of Huda Beauty, you know this is a huge job because we are very active on social and it’s core to our business. This is just the tip of the iceberg for them though, because as a small company no job is ever too small for one of us to tackle!
AM: Huda Beauty is available at Sephora. What was it like when you first heard that it would be carried in this store?
MK: We were beyond ecstatic! We walked into our meeting with Sephora with one set of false eyelashes - that’s it. They took a leap of faith with us and we were determined not to fail - which was enough to drive us harder than we had ever worked before.
AM: We like that Huda Beauty is inclusive in its assortment as it pertains to its range of foundations and concealers. How important is that to you as a brand and what is the developing process like when it comes to making sure that you are shade accessible?
MK: Inclusion is core to our brand. Having grown up in the southern part of the US, I looked different than those around me but this difference taught me the importance of having role models you can relate to. We want everyone to be able to relate to us and to feel welcomed within our brand family, so having few shades just wasn’t an option. Having a wide variety of shades means it takes us longer to finalize each product, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
AM: As we are all at home during COVID-19, how important is it to still incorporate your beauty routine whether it’s using skincare, applying makeup or utilizing fragrances in order to keep sanity in a time where so many things are unknown?
MK: Continuing with some sort of beauty routine gives me a sense of sanity and brings normalcy to my day! It also makes me feel put together even if I’m not leaving my house. Skincare is important all the time, but during this time it has also been a nice distraction and indulgence. Fragrance is one thing I simply can’t live without no matter what; it has such a way with impacting my mood and during quarantine it’s been really impactful!
AM: How are you passing your days personally as well as running a business that is still working on new assortments and staying in touch with your customers and fans?
MK: Right before COVID, I launched my YouTube page so I have spent a lot of time creating new content from the comfort of my home! YouTube has also been a great way to connect with people all over the world during a difficult time. I also enjoy reading - I love a good motivational or self help book - also perfect for staying positive now!
AM: Fragrances are the perfect way to showcase a feeling as well as to transport you. Can you walk us through these fragrances and how you can feel like you’re doing a bit of wanderlust to your favorite destination – even though we’re all in our own bubbles at the moment?
MK: I love how fragrance can take you back to a specific memory and uplift your mood. This summer, as travel is looking different than it did in summer's past it has been fun to play around with fragrance and memory! For example, want to travel to Bora Bora after your bath? Spritz some KAYALI Vanilla or Soleil Blanc from Tom Ford which have hints of vanilla, coconut, orchid and jasmine notes that can take you there! Or want to relive or imagine you’re waking up in Provence - layer a fragrance with lavender, rose de mai, basil, rosemary or sage such as the KAYALI Elixir | 11 or Rose 31 - Le Labo! It may seem a bit silly, but I truly enjoy experimenting with scent.
AM: What are your favorite fragrances?
MK: My all time favorite fragrance is KAYALI Deja Vu | White Flower 57! Creating this juice has been a labor of love and passion. It took me 56 different attempts in the lab to get it right and the comfort and happiness I find when I spritz myself with the perfume is hard to beat!
I also love Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjan! He is a genius when it comes to perfume and I absolutely love him. Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of the most beautiful perfumes; it’s filled with notes of Jasmine blossoms and musks; it’s amazing!
AM: What are your go to 3 must have products from Huda Beauty?
MK: WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub - This has been life changing for me. The pineapple and papaya enzymes mixed with the AHAs and BHAs gives me super bright and glowing, even-toned skin!
HUDA BEAUTY Legit Lashes Double-Ended Mascara - I am lucky to have nice lashes, but this mascara really amplifies them. I love that the wand is double sided.
HUDA BEAUTY Silk Balm Hydrating Lip Balm - This is our newest liquid lip balm that feels like a balm but looks like a gloss! It’s packed full of hyaluronic spheres for an ultra-hydrating treatment that works into your lips throughout the day. It comes in 1 universal shade that is absolutely stunning on everyone.
AM: We know that you’re in Dubai, when things are open again – can you tell us where we can find you dining, shopping and working out?
MK: My favorite restaurant is definitely Il Borro at the Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel! They have incredible food and the service is always amazing. I workout at home actually, so, nothing will really change there. If I go shopping, it’s normally to Dubai Mall. They have absolutely everything I need!
IG @MonaKattan
PHOTOS COURTESY | Mona Kattan
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PHOTO CREDIT | Adobe Stock/Yakobchuk Olena
Many individuals think that bodybuilders go to the gym to look good by having a muscular body and perfect body symmetry. However, it contributes to a better purpose. Spending sufficient time working out increases your overall strength and lessens your risk of developing diseases. Moreover, proper exercise and physical involvement have health and wellness benefits for different body systems, especially the muscular system.
To achieve optimum muscle strength and ensure your overall well-being, you need to engage and perform various workouts properly.
Check out these exercises for building your muscles:
First Things First - Warm Up!
When the body is forced beyond its limits, fatigue and soreness will build up, increasing the risk of injuries. Hence, before starting your exercises, it's essential to warm up because of the following:
· Reduce muscle friction
· Boost flexibility and energy levels
· Strengthen blood flow
· Warm your tendons.
Spare at least five to ten minutes and choose between these warm-up exercises:
· Warm Up Through Movements: Before starting a heavy workout, prepare your body by performing bodyweight movements or lifting lightweight equipment, such as small barbells. Any activities that’ll get your knees, shoulders, and wrist ready are best for your warm-up routine.
· Aerobics: Using a treadmill or exercise bike before working out is a good idea for your body. Although it’ll sweat you up, it’ll save your body from post-workout soreness and expand your flexibility.
Along with your everyday workout, taking supplements, such as rad-140 for sale, can enhance muscle growth, endurance, and fat loss without side effects.
1. Bench Press
The bench press is one of the essential workouts for the muscular development of your upper body. This exercise targets your chest, back, shoulders, glutes, and triceps. However, it’s important to execute this properly as it can be dangerous when done wrong despite its simplicity and effectiveness.
In the bench press, you'll utilize the Olympic barbell weighing 20kg, so you have to ensure that you strengthen your shoulders, triceps, and chest before going underneath the bar. If you think that the barbell's weight is too much for you, lighten the load instead of forcing yourself to lift it.
Here’s how to accurately do the bench press:
· Position yourself on the bench with a slightly arched lower back, high ribcage, and shoulders downward.
· Grip the bar with a shoulder-width distance between your hands.
· Breathe in as you lower the bar to your chest. Ensure that your hands are right above your elbows to generate more force.
· Breathe out as you push the bar up with straight arms.
2. Squat
The squat is a compound movement that involves various muscle groups and joints. It primarily works out your glutes and the muscles in front of your thighs. Furthermore, it also involves hamstrings, hip flexors, and muscles around the knee when lowering the squat more.
While a squat is one of the usual exercises that men can do every day, a bad squat can add additional stress on the joints and ligaments. Knowing the proper way to execute it plays a crucial role in ensuring that you don't waste its benefits.
Here’s the proper way to do squats:
· Locate which foot stance works best for you. Ideally, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, pointed around 15 degrees outwards.
· Tighten your abs, look straight ahead, and stand tall.
· Sit back and feel the weight shifting on your heels.
· Push your knees and let them cave in, but don’t put too much stress.
· [Ne1] [An2] Open your chest, hunch your back, and rest your shoulders.
· Then, stand up by pushing your heels against the floor as you go up. An appropriate squat depth should show that your hips go lower than your knees.
Additional tip: stretching out your arms in front can add more balance while doing the squats.
3. Deadlift
For people prioritizing their abs, quads, and chest, the deadlift is the best workout to balance the muscle build-up of your upper and lower body.
The benefits of the deadlift are:
· Strengthens every muscle from the neck to your heels
· Toughens the bones
· Provides better grip strength and stability.
You can also prevent injuries not only because of your strength but because you know how to handle a weight properly. Moving furniture or picking up heavy equipment can be considered deadlifting. Once you master the proper way to pick up heavy objects, you can easily do basic everyday tasks without injuring yourself.
To properly perform deadlifting, follow this method:
· Stand with your feet slightly forward with a hip-width distance.
· Bend over and grip the bar with a shoulder-width distance between your bands.
· Bend your knees up until the bar touches your shins.
· Support your stomach and flex your butt while ensuring a neutral spine.
· Pick up the bar and look forward, fixing your eyes on the ground with 2-3 meters ahead of your feet.
· Bend your legs and move your hips until you return the weight on the floor.
4. Pull-Ups
Incorporating pull-ups on your workout routine can be beneficial for your upper body's strength as it mainly focuses on your back, shoulder, and arm muscles. Ideally, you should accomplish 3 to 16 full pull-ups with controlled and slow tempo daily.
Although it can be difficult to move against gravity, you need the determination to master a pull-up. Here’s how to properly do it:
· Leap up and grab the bar with a shoulder-width distance between your hands. Ensure that the palms are not facing you.
· Extend your arms while hanging on the bar. You can try to bend your legs if your feet reach the ground.
· Support your core and pull yourself up until your chin is higher than the bar.
· Slowly move yourself down until your arms are straight again.
5. Bent-Over Barbell Row
Like the squat, bent-over barbell row is a compound exercise that strengthens the upper and lower back. It stimulates the rhomboids, lats, spinal erectors, as well as the glutes and hamstrings.
To do this:
· Bend over and grip the barbell with an overhand grip. Ensure that the distance between your hands is wider than the shoulder width.
· While your legs are bent, straighten your back, and hang the barbel down in front of the legs. Don't let your shoulders drop.
· Row the barbell upwards until the lower part of your chest, pulling the shoulder blades.
· Pause, and return the weight to its starting position.
Additional tips: Prevent curving your back as it pressures the spine and will lead to injuries. Also, avoid throwing the weight forward as it targets the shoulders and not the lats.
Takeaways
More than having a toned body and a good posture, spending time to work out daily helps you activate your metabolism, strengthens bones and ligaments, prevents injuries, and lowers the chances of being ill, leading to a longer and healthier life.
Bench press, squat, deadlift, pull up, and bent-over barbell row are only some of the workouts you can do to build muscles and bolster your body.
Practicing yoga at home or in a studio will still allow you to experience its health benefits. But, over time, doing the same poses in the same location for a long time can get boring. In worse cases, familiarity can become the reason why you’ll lose interest in practicing yoga.
If you no longer find the joy in practicing yoga, consider going to yoga retreats. Simply defined, a yoga retreat is an activity focused on practicing yoga that involves going on a domestic or overseas trip. Even yoga retreats for beginners tend to resemble the ambiance and appearance of luxury resorts, making it effortless for you to connect with nature and ward off stress.
Going to yoga retreats can be fun and exciting as you’ll get to experience the following:
1. Stay In Accommodations Located In Beautiful Places
It’ll be challenging for you to practice yoga if you’re in a busy and loud environment. Yoga begins with focusing on and deepening your breath, and you won’t be able to do this if your children are too loud at home or the sound of heavy traffic penetrates your yoga studio.
You can expect that these things won’t happen when you go to yoga retreats as these activities will require you to spend time in accommodations located in beautiful places. When you sign up for the best yoga retreat in Bali, for example, expect that you’ll be practicing yoga around ancient temples, rainforests, and paddy fields.
When you join a yoga retreat, you won’t have to worry about noisy neighbors, making it very easy for you to practice and improve your yoga.
2. Meet New People
Anyone can practice yoga alone, but the activity can be more fun when done in a group or with friends. This is especially true if you’re still a new yogi.
Going to a yoga retreat is one way of extending your social circle because this activity can become your platform to meet individuals who are relaxed, supportive, and non-judgmental. You’ll be spending a lot of time with these people when you go to a yoga retreat because you’ll have to share meals and participate in yoga classes with them.
Over time, the people you’ll meet during your yoga retreat can become your lifetime friends.
3. Go Deeper Into Your Yoga Practice
Practicing yoga at home for a couple of hours can do wonders to your mind and body, so can you imagine how it would feel if you practice for an entire weekend or even a week?
When you go to a yoga retreat, expect that this activity will allow you to go deeper into your yoga practice. Sure, you might experience exhaustion and aches in different parts of your body after your first or second yoga class, but, eventually, this will help you easily connect with your body and feel less pain. This is one of the reasons why people feel refreshed after joining a yoga retreat that they couldn’t wait to join more in the future.
4. Sleep Well
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about yoga retreats is that these activities will require participants to accomplish countless tasks during the day that they no longer have time to sleep. This isn’t true because yoga retreats actually promote healthy sleep and encourage you to get lots of it.
Yoga retreats aim to take you out of your mind and connect you to your body, and you can only achieve these things when you get enough sleep. A lot of people turn to yoga because of stress, and stress is something that can be minimized when you sleep. By resting and sleeping, you’ll be able to reduce stress, as well as maximize the effects of yoga on your overall health.
5. Enough Food To Go Around
You won’t be able to immerse yourself in yoga if you’re hungry or too full. Hunger will make it very hard for you to focus on your yoga classes, while being too full can cause lethargy and prevent you from moving around as effortlessly as you should during your yoga classes.
When you go to a yoga retreat, expect that you’ll be provided with sufficient amounts of food to practice yoga properly. In fact, yoga retreats promote veganism and will serve meals made from healthy and flavorful vegetables.
With the variety and number of vegan meals served in yoga retreats, you won’t have to worry about running out to buy some snacks or showing up in your yoga classes hungry or too full.
Choose Carefully
Yoga retreats are common in different parts of the world today, so expect that you can choose from several options when you decide to go on one. However, if this is your first time to go to a yoga retreat, always consider the location, teacher, price, and theme. These factors are essential to ensure that you’ll end up participating in a yoga retreat that suits your needs!
On today's episode of #TRIBEGOALS, we catch up with 4 X NBA Champion, John Salley. Avid listeners know that we spoke with him last season on this podcast show and always enjoy when we have the chance to get his thoughts. He talks about gifting for dads and grads, his appearance and commentary on ESPN's The Last Dance and words of advice as we navigate what is going on at this time.
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QCODE Media is known for their podcasts that are immersive audio experiences as well as following along with characters that have lifestyles that make you want to know more about them. In Dirty Diana, executive produced by and starring Demi Moore, we are introduced to a sex-positive podcast with a twist. Diana, played by Demi, looks to escape her predictable life as well as to avoid her crumbling marriage. She privately runs an erotic site where women are able to share their intimate sexual fantasies that placed them in the center.
Diana finds herself battling her two worlds while also making sure that one side has no way of knowing about one another.
Starting this month, this 6-part show has a number of notable voices that are included in the narrative. We also gain insight on how a relationship dissolves and how a couple works to find their way back to one another. This podcast also takes a look at sexuality and sensuality and what that looks like in the modern age. It's beyond looking at what it looks like but in telling the stories and placing it all through the lens of women.
In a world where everyone belongs to everyone else, this Peacock Original looks at an idyllic utopia where the ecosystem's peace and stability are balanced on family, history, money, privace and controlling ones monogamy. At birth, in the Hatchery, residents in New London are assigned a Greek letter in the alphabet which correlates to predestined life roles due to the expected caste system that they will be placed in based on their bio-engineering.
Although many may enjoy this, there are those who live in the margins begin to question the way their society has been structured. This series is based on Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel where values of vice and virtue are turned on its head as a means to support the good of the populace as a whole.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark is a series on HBO and with a companion podcast that is release at the conclusion of each episode. This series is named after Michelle McNamara's book which primarily focuses on her as well as a collective of True Crime sleuths in the hunt for The Golden State Killer. We learn about the early days of True Crime, her relationship with the police department in gathering evidence as a civilian. The series also looks at her husband, Patton Oswald and how he supported her career.
Michelle's focus on this case leads to her writing articles, sharing information on her blog and podcast as well as writing a book of the same name. The series also explores her untimely death and how the True Crime community came together to release her book and how the investigation continued to eventually catch this serial killer through innovative methods.
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Introduction
Most IT exams are challenging and competitive, so gaining more confidence and having proper preparation are things you cannot ignore. But, not all the applicants know what does adequate studies involve and sometimes act in the wrong way which has a bad impact on their productivity and information retention.
This post looks at the common mistakes that candidates make when preparing for the tests on the example of the Exam-Labs Practice Test Questions Certification and also offers you ways to avoid them. Thus, if you wish to achieve the passing score and above, read on, and make your learning incredibly effective!
3 Main Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for A+ Exams
Before delving into the main part of the post, let’s have a quick overview of the CompTIA A+ credential. This is an entry-level vendor-neutral badge for IT beginners with about 9-12 months of experience. To obtain it, you need to complete two assessments: 220-1001 and Certbolt Practice Test Exam Questions. In total, they cover 9 domains, varying from hardware to troubleshooting to operational procedures, and more. So you have to allocate enough time for preparation, and learn how to avoid the following mistakes:
1. Not going in-depth into the exams’ topics
There are students that skip some sections of the A+ objectives or skim through them without paying much attention. But, this may lead to failing the exam! Also, some leave out the toughest topics and study the ones they find simple. What’s more, they even don’t answer hard questions and only work with simple ones!
What to do: Sometimes, you may be overconfident and think that you know the themes that you actually don’t fully understand. So, even with an IT background, it’s advisable to start from the basics. It’s crucial to get each topic right and solve all the questions you come across.
2. Not putting up a schedule for studying
CompTIA A+ Certification Practice Test Questions a plan for preparation is common to those who begin their studies late and so decide to skip this step so as not to “waste time”. Instead, they lose much more time because of a lack of strategy; they start their revision in a disorganized way and end up reducing their effectiveness.
What to do: Before you start your revision, go through the syllabus to know which sections are familiar or easy and which ones appear difficult to you. After that, design a schedule that covers all the topics and stick with it all the way. In case you can’t define it offhand, try doing some dumps for self-analysis. Answering the questions from previous exams included in them, you’ll see your weak areas and will know the concepts to focus Click Here to Read More on This Website.
3. Avoiding periodic revision
Some candidates complete a specific topic and move on to others without trying to find out if they retained whatever they have been learning. Exam-Labs A Plus 220-1002, they can be demotivated when they cannot recall what they have been revising. Moreover, it may lead to a misperception about their level of readiness.
What to do: It’s critical to revise what you already know periodically. Here, checking through dumps comes handy too. Doing them, you’ll get detailed score reports hence find out what themes you need to look through again. Also, remember, that the next topic can be connected to the previous one, thus making it important to learn all the concepts to understand the further ones better.
Conclusion
These are the Exam-Labs Security Plus Certification - SY0-601 that applicants make most during the CompTIA A+ exam preparation that reduce their effectiveness. Avoiding them is important if you are to ace the tests! An effective approach to your studies is learning the topics thoroughly one by one and revising with dumps. Start your preparation early, follow these tips, and excel in your A+ tests in one go!
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This month’s cover and back cover is 3 X Team USA Swimming Gold Medalist, Ryan Murphy. Our cover shoot editorial – Always Topping with Ryan Murphy, talks about Ryan’s career, how he got into swimming and his love of the backstroke, his success in the Summer Games in Rio in 2016, his approach to the upcoming games, how he is furthering the sport of swimming as well as encouraging others to embrace water sports. This interview will also be in an upcoming #TRIBEGOALS podcast episode. We also have an interview with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Harley Pasternak as we talk about working out from home, how he advises his clients in terms of what they needed on hand, his thoughts on gym and studio openings, a correlation between sugar and COVID-19 and how he has been passing his time for the past few months. We check in with Team Canada Pole Vaulter Ashlyn Newman who recently participated in The World’s Greatest in Greenville, South Carolina, this year’s first USA sanctioned Track & Field event. She talks about how she got into the sport, her training focus and what she looks forward to for the upcoming Olympic Games. Her interview will also be on an upcoming podcast of Bungalow SK. We check in with one of the Co-Founders of Huda Beauty, Mona Kattan. She talks about her role with the brand, their product assortment, KAYALI fragrance which is a part of this beauty empire, the power of fragrance and how she is spending her time in Dubai. We also talk to Head Winemaker of Cupcake Vineyard, Jessica Tomei. She talks about how she got into her career, harvest season, their newest line Cupcake Light Hearted and the importance of keeping it delicious. This episode will also be an upcoming podcast episode of Bungalow SK. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we talk with James Beard Award winner, Food & Wine winner and runner up on BRAVO’s Top Chef Season 11 and Fan Favorite, Nina Compton. She talks about her culinary journey, her two restaurants, how she has navigated COVID-19 and signature dishes and cocktails that can be enjoyed there.
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Experiencing insecurity when beginning a new relationship is entirely normal, yet these minor issues can evolve into major obstacles unless they are acknowledged and dealt with early on.
To help you pinpoint and remedy any doubts you or your partner might have, here is a look at some of the most common sticking points and how to overcome them.
This is arguably the biggest hurdle that new relationships have to leap over if they are to survive in the long term, as even if both parties are well matched in every other way, complications in the bedroom can create a terminal rift between you.
Men are particularly susceptible to feeling inadequate and insecure when it comes to their sexual performance, and there are actually some common myths about erectile dysfunction in particular that are worth dispelling. Today there are affordable, effective medical solutions to performance woes that are worth investigating, especially since this is something that can afflict younger men as well as older men. It can also be treated with the right fitness regime, amongst other lifestyle changes.
New relationships are fraught with peril when it comes to exclusivity; knowing when to make it clear that you want to be together as a couple without any third parties lingering on the peripheries can seem like a daunting task, while also leading to questions over fidelity if you do not make this point clearly to your fledgling partner.
Of course as you get to know someone, you should have a good measure of what they are like as a person, what their conception of the relationship between you might be and whether you need to set out your desire for exclusivity in stone. As always, it makes sense to lay your cards on the table as soon as possible and be honest about what you are looking for from the relationship, so that there is no ambiguity.
In the first flush of a new relationship, the animal magnetism between two people can be overwhelming, to the point that it consumes your every waking thought and even monopolises your dreams.
However, when a new couple is enjoying that initial period of immense passion for one another, it is also easy to start worrying about whether this is actually sustainable. In short, will you still be right for each other once you have got over the honeymoon period and spend more time together out of the bedroom than in it?
Again, whether or not you choose to confront these questions head-on will depend on what you are looking for in the relationship. Most importantly, do not over-think the issue of compatibility early on, as this will certainly sour whatever spark of a good thing might have been there in the first place.
One additional wedge that can be driven between couples in a new relationship if they let it is that of income. If one part of the partnership has more disposable income to splash than the other, this can create some uncomfortable scenarios.
Openness is always the best policy and if you are worried that a wealthier partner is going to push your spending beyond comfortable limits, or that your own solid financial standing might intimidate the other person, talking about this sooner rather than later makes a lot of sense.
CBD is legal almost everywhere, and THC is rapidly experiencing decriminalization and legalization in many places around the U.S. With greater availability of legal weed, researchers are uncovering all sorts of benefits to using the drug, such as healthier BMI, better lung capacity, lower stress, reduced pain, increased libido and more. As a result, athletes have taken to using CBD products — and to a lesser extent, THC — to aid in training and recovery.
However, before you rush out to get your hands on any CBD you can find, you should know that not all CBD is created equal. CBD is utterly unregulated; while the FDA struggles to get a handle on this booming market, many unscrupulous CBD sellers are presenting products that aren’t as they advertise. Plenty of CBD products don’t contain the amount of CBD on the label, and some lack any CBD whatsoever. Worse, CBD products can contain all manner of toxic ingredients, from formaldehyde to propane to heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
You can use CBD safely, but only if you know more about the individual product you hope to buy. Here are a few key questions to guide your buying practices, whether you are getting medical marijuana in Oklahoma, California or New York.
The cultivation of hemp for CBD is a relatively new phenomenon in the United States, and for many years, CBD was sourced from hemp farms outside the country in places like Spain, Portugal, Ukraine and Korea. Even today, many CBD products continue to utilize international suppliers, which helps keep costs low.
Unfortunately, the problem with buying CBD products that derive from crop grown overseas is you can’t be certain what else those products contain. Both the U.S. and Canada have strict regulations for hemp farmers, in terms of what kind of seed they can grow, how they can tend their fields, how they can harvest their crop and more. The result is a much higher-quality CBD product that you can trust.
If a CBD product isn’t explicit with regard to where its hemp is grown — either on the product itself or on the producer’s website — you should seek a more transparent CBD product.
Getting CBD out of hemp isn’t easy. The extraction process requires complex machinery, and many of the cheapest extraction methods rely heavily on liquid solvents, like butane, propane, isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, all of which can be toxic if not properly removed from the final CBD product. Though many manufacturers do take pains to thoroughly clean their extracted CBD, there is always a chance that some amount of solvent will remain, tainting the product in some way.
There are cleaner extraction processes which you should prefer, if you can manage a slightly higher CBD budget. CO2 extraction and vapor distillation rely more on temperature and pressure to strip plant material, which means the final product ends up being pure and rich in both cannabinoids and terpenes.
Aside from extraction processes, there are three types of CBD product:
Full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD products contain every cannabinoid, terpene and essential oil present in the hemp used to produce them. As a result, full-spectrum CBD does contain THC — but usually only trace amounts, which are unlikely to get you high. On the one hand, this allows CBD to benefit from the entourage effect; on the other hand, it could cause you to fail drug tests that look for THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD. Broad-spectrum products are a bit more refined than full-spectrum options, usually filtering out THC and other cannabinoids while maintaining CBD and some terpenes. While broad-spectrum products might be a bit safer with regards to THC content, they also tend to have lower CBD potency, as some CBD does get washed away in the refinement process.
CBD isolate. As the name suggests, isolate is only CBD, pure and simple. Because isolate contains no terpenes or essential oils, it doesn’t carry any of the aromas or flavors of marijuana, and its extremely high potency provides intense effects to those requiring CBD for medical treatment. However, isolate is incredibly expensive and sometimes difficult to find, so it isn’t worthwhile for most CBD users.
In addition to paying attention to the spectrum, you should look into how much CBD is present in each serving of the product. This will help you better manage dosing, keeping the good effects flowing.
Rarely do CBD products only contain cannabinoids. Even CBD oils often contain extra ingredients like stabilizers and preservatives to keep the product useful for longer. You might notice that in CBD edibles, like gummies, manufacturers add artificial colors and flavors to make the snack more palatable. Typically, it is wise to choose the most natural CBD products available to you, but if you don’t have bad reactions to certain artificial ingredients, they aren’t inherently injurious to your health.
Just as you might not enjoy every type of soda or brand of clothing, you shouldn’t expect every CBD product on the shelves to be the exact same. By asking the right questions and doing the right research, you can find CBD products that are good for your mind, body, soul and pocketbook.
PHOTO CREDIT | Brooke Lark //Unsplash
As you grow older, you may notice that your hairline begins to recede, and you may naturally lose your hair volume and strength. It happens when your follicles start to shrink, halting the hair growth cycle. Your hair then starts to thin from the top, pushing the hairline back. Men tend to lose their hair faster than women due to a hereditary condition commonly known as male pattern baldness.
Low nutrition levels in your diet and a stressful lifestyle also contribute to hair loss. It may seem natural for men's hair to thin out with time, but there are numerous remedies to handle it. Check out the following easy tips to prevent hair loss and retain that youthful appearance.
Keeping your hair and scalp clean is the initial step in managing hair loss. It helps avoid infections that can lead to damage. Note that sweat accumulation can weaken your roots leading to hair loss. Use mild shampoos, for instance, those containing neem or Aloe vera to keep dandruff at bay. They help nourish your hair follicles with amino acids and vitamins that promote hair growth.
Massage is an effective treatment for scalp infections and dandruff. It also helps improve blood circulation to boost follicle health. Lavender and peppermint oils work well in treating thinning hair. You can also use pumpkin seed or rosemary oils to keep your follicles active. Adding a little bit of coconut oil maximizes the effects.
Note that wet hair tends to be very weak, and it would be best if you use fingers to untangle it rather than a comb or brush. Brushing it in this state increases breakage. Also, regular brushing can injure your hair leading to further hair loss. If you must comb it, use a wide-toothed comb.
After a significant period of stress, you may begin to notice hair thinning. When distressed, your body produces stress hormones that may affect your natural hair growth pattern. Eliminate stress and anxiety from your life by leading a healthy life. Take up therapies like meditation and yoga to relax and calm your mind. Create time for exercise, take a walk, ride a bike, or swim daily to balance your hormonal levels, reduce stress, and promote healthy hair.
Avoid subjecting your hair to extreme temperatures while drying. Constant heating weakens your hair proteins, making them fragile, which leads to hair loss. Also, avoid rubbing your hair with a towel; it may result in breakage. Dry your hair naturally in the open air, or gently with a towel, to promote better growth.
A balanced diet is crucial for your overall health. Consume fresh vegetables and fruits to promote hair growth. Include food rich in iron, proteins, zinc, and omega-three fatty acids for healthier hair. Make sure you get enough vitamin D from food and exposure to sunlight to prevent hair thinning. You can also use some multivitamin supplements for hair regrowth, but you may want to consult with your doctor.
Excessive consumption of alcohol may also affect your hair growth. So if you are experiencing hair loss, it would be wise to lower your intake for a healthier look. Also, smoking affects blood circulation around the scalp, which may lead to air reduction inhibiting growth. Therefore, eliminate cigarettes and alcohol from your lifestyle if you wish to prevent hair loss.
Your hair requires water to grow, and dehydration can affect your hair health. Drink at least eight glasses of water every day to keep your hair moisturized and healthy. It helps energize your hair and support healthy growth from the tips. Efficiently hydrated hair roots also help to reduce dandruff and itchiness problems.
Although hair thinning is a natural phenomenon, it's a bit distressing. If you are losing hair strands constantly, try out the above remedies to achieve that thick and healthy hair. If all else fails, there are medications available to deal with hair loss, speak to a doctor for more information.
PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash
As we continue to navigate COVID-19, we’re all looking for easy ways to ensure the health of ourselves as well as others. We have learned that social distancing safely is important as well as wearing a mask. Another tool that we can use which takes it back to basics is washing our hands. This activity should be done before, during and after prepping pood. Before you eat, before and after you are caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Before and after treating a cut wound - wash your hands. After you go to the bathroom, after changing diapers or cleaning up a child that has used the toilet. After you blow your nose, cough or sneeze - each time! After touching an animal, animal feed and/or animal waste. When you have handed your pet a treat, head to the sink and wash your hands. This should also be done after touching the garbage.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), clean hands protect from infection and is an effective means to ensure that you are preventing yourself from spreading germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals. In an effort to pass on the proper procedure, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has created five steps that you should do each time that you’re washing your hands.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
PHOTO CREDIT | Sunyu Kim on Unsplash.
Seoul is one of the most visited cities in Asia. There are many reasons why tourists flock to Korea’s capital. From food to fashion, art to architecture, this city has so much to offer to its visitors. Here are the top reasons why you should book your flight now and head to Seoul.
Mouthwatering dishes
This city has almost any food. From soups to spicy sauces, and vegetables, you will definitely get any dish you want. The most popular cuisine is Korean BBQ, which involves grilling fresh cuts of pork or beef tableside.
Ingredients are locally grown, so the food is always fresh when served. Butternut and creamy cottage cheese are also readily available. You can also try some live octopus if you like trying new things. Seoul is a perfect destination for foodies.
2. It is rich in history
One of the most fascinating things about Seoul is that it is home to a large number of historic sites and attractions. For example, Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit when visiting this city. The Palace was built in 1395, and it served as the home to kings of the Joseon Dynasty as well as the King’s households.
Seoul has various museums, which cover both antiquity and modernity. Such an example includes the 1946-built National Folk Museum of Korea, which highlights the culture of the Korean people. There’s also the National Museum of Korea which was built in 2005, and it displays recent military artworks. You can also visit the Korean War Memorial.
3. Seoul city has an amazing culture
One of the things that you will find fascinating in this city is their culture. Respect is deeply rooted in society, especially when one is interacting with an elder or someone they don’t know. Every year, many people come to Seoul city for different cultural events, festivals, and religious ceremonies. There are many exhibits and exciting things you can learn about Seoul city and the country as a whole.
4. Exciting nightlife
Seoul has a vibrant nightlife, and drinking alcohol in the company of friends is a common social event. The locals truly know how to have fun because of several restaurants, bars, pubs, karaoke rooms, etc. Seoul city has many fun nightlife areas, including Gangnam, Itaewon, Hongdae, etc. So whether you want to dance at a nightclub or just relax and enjoy a beer with a few friends, Seoul has something for you.
5. Get ahead in technology
Seoul is known to be home to technological innovation, and it is also the city with the most advanced technology in South Korea. Many international companies and large Korean companies have their headquarters located in Seoul, especially in the technology industries. Nearly every room in every building in Seoul has a huge LG TV screen mounted on the wall. There’s also the Lotte World Tower which was built in 2016 and is the country’s tallest building. The building’s elevator is the fastest in the world, moving at ten meters per second. Lotte World Tower hosts the world’s largest indoor theme park, shopping facilities, and movie theatres.
6. Hike incredible mountains near the city
Seoul offers many hiking attractions to locals and tourists. There are mountain ranges spreading throughout the land. Bukhansan is the tallest mountain near Seoul. It’s around 2744 feet in height, and is part of the wider Bukhansan National Park. Another great spot to hike through is the Namsan and Inwangsan. One thing about these mountains is that you will always get a splendid view of the city when you reach the top. So when visiting this Seoul city, make sure to carry your hiking boots; you may need them.
7. You will enjoy many things at affordable prices
Seoul is one of the cheapest destinations in Asia. This is particularly the reason why many tourists on a budget make a stop here. The food is very cheap in this city. The street vendors which are situated everywhere in the city are the cheapest option. Accommodations are also affordable. Some hotels offer rooms at $10 or less. Affordable hotels can be found throughout the city. You can also get a massage or haircut at an affordable price at various spas in the city. Of course, there’s always going to be a range of prices depending on the quality of service you want. But Seoul has something exciting and affordable to offer you.
8. Admire Buddhist temples
Although the number of Buddhist believers in South Korea has declined, making up less than 20% today, Seoul’s temples are still looking great as ever. The locals appreciate the traditional customs regarding Buddhism and they visit the temples regularly, especially the elders. Tourists can visit the temples and even interact with the local staff and monks living and working in the temples.
9. There are always fun festivals to enjoy
Seoul usually has many festivals running throughout the year. So you will get the chance to take part in any festival regardless of the time of the year you choose to visit this city. During early summer, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated throughout the country with large parades in Seoul city. One of the most popular events that happen during spring is the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival. In winter, Changgyeonggung Stream is usually adorned with seasonal light ornaments, making it a perfect destination during the Christmas holiday.
10. Shop and shop
Every year, many tourists from neighboring Asian countries come to Korea for one sole reason: to shop. They want to select the latest trends in Korean fashion, pick high-quality Korean skincare products, and visit the many shopping stores for an incredible shopping experience. If you know where to shop, then you can find massive discounts.
Conclusion
If you have been planning to visit Seoul city, but you keep postponing for reasons best known to you or you have never thought of visiting this vibrant city, now you have every reason to pack your bag and head to Seoul city.
Play’n Go ended the 2010s decade among the top dogs in the gaming industry. The software provider continues to rise to even bigger heights in 2020, one of them being catapulting into new gaming jurisdictions. In December of 2019, Play’n Go entered a deal with BetWarrior that now makes it live in the Latin American market.
BetWarrior is famous for being a leading name in the mobile gaming industry. The deal between the gaming operator and Play’n Go is a significant step in the right direction for both parties involved. Jose Del Pino and Morten Tonneson, who previously worked with PokerStars as marketing directors, launched BetWarrior aiming to reshape mobile gambling. With this deal, the company gains vast content wealth that maximizes its entry into big gambling markets. Play’n Go’s team speaks highly of the firm, stating that it carries a wealth of knowledge about the Latin American market. Collaborating with them in this project is a recipe for success that will see gamblers gain access to quality gaming.
This deal also yields benefits for the Book of Dead free play game developer as well. The online gaming software developer has been looking to dominate the Latin American market even before cooperating with BetWarrior. The game provider first signed a deal with the LatAm operator Codere in September of 2019. The agreement with BetWarrior is the icing on the cake that will see Play’n Go penetrate even deeper in the new Mexican and Columbian audience. This partnership is predicted to be a soaring success, especially since Play’n Go recently snubbed the Malta Gaming Award for the Mobile Gaming Provider of the Year.
BetWarrior was launched in 2019, making it one of the latest startups invested in online sports betting. The company is the brainchild of Jose Del Pino and Morten Tonneson, who formerly worked as marketing directors for PokerStars. The company challenges other stalwarts in the sports betting business by using a mobile-first strategy to deliver gambling services. This means that it mainly targets gamblers using smartphones and tablets running on popular operating systems like iOS and Android. The company is built with the mobile user from scratch using artificial and machine learning intelligence to deliver personal experiences to players. Such innovative technology has seen it rise the ranks and become the centre of attention for most gaming firms. The mobile operator is especially praised for being highly customizable and featuring innovations that meet current betting demands.
BetWarrior has yet to conquer the global market, but it is thriving in the Latin American market. The sports betting company currently operates with a license from Curacao eGaming, but it also has its eyes set on European permits, such as those from the UKGC and MGA. Plans are also underway to see it penetrate other regulated markets beyond its current operation points which are Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Chile. Having launched a partnership with Play’n Go is sure to get the firm a lot more attention and most likely further its course.
With more and more people using mobile gadgets to access gambling services in Latin America and beyond, Play’n Go’s deal with BetWarrior is more than likely to yield tremendous benefits. Players in the target regions are also in for a treat, considering the high quality of the software provider’s services. Play’n Go has one of the most praised reputations in the world of online gambling, and some of the upsides that LatAm players can look forward to enjoying include:
● Payout potential: Play’n Go is famous for capping the winnings in its games at 5000 times the line bet. This amount is a substantial number, especially for games that accept high line stakes. Recently, the software developer has begun churning out titles that offer higher maximum payouts of up to two or three times this amount. However, the games only feature fixed jackpots rather than pooled prizes.
● Flexible RTP rates: Most online gaming software developers use exact payout percentages in their games, but Play’n Go takes a different route. The software provider opts for flexible Return to Player rates, which gives gambling destinations the option of choosing the desired percentage. These rates are usually between 92% and 97%, with most games sitting on the average mark of 96%. Gamblers should check the paytable of each game they play to see the RTP they are likely to exploit.
● Variance: Play’n Go experiments with the math models used to generate winnings in games, which allows the inclusion of different volatility in released titles. Most of the recent games by the developer feature high variance, which faces high demand in the market. As an average gambler, volatility may not mean too much, especially if the primary goal is entertainment. However, as a hardcore gamer, high volatile slots are likely to be your preference, and Play’n Go offers a wide selection of slots that exploit this math model.
Play’n Go has an extensive portfolio of more than 2000 slots games with new ones being released at a rate of about three to four every month. The games are built with compatibility to mobile devices thanks to HTML5 technology. This means that the partnership with BetWarrior gives Latin American players access to all of them. Some popular titles that punters can look forward to exploring include:
Out of the many slots Play’n Go has released in its existence, Book of Dead slot game stands out as a flagship pokie. The title is a copy of Novomatic’s Book of Ra, which is an iconic title, to say the least. The Book of Dead was made publicly available in 2016, and it has gone on to build a title for itself as one of the most played games in online casino history. The slot offers payouts as high as 5000 times the wager used per line. It also includes a free spin feature triggered by three book scatters, and the rounds are played with an expanding symbol chosen out of the regular icons.
Rich Wilde has had an impressive run as Play’n Go’s debonair scholar explorer in numerous games. This time, his daughter Cat Wilde takes the spotlight in the Doom of Dead slot. Even with the change in the lead character, players still get to explore the best of Egyptian culture. The five-reel slot is set in a traditional burial chamber full of snakes, pillars, and hieroglyphics. The slot accepts stakes as low as ten pennies and as high as 100 euros or pounds per round. The free spins available in every BOOK OF slot are available in Doom of Dead, as well as the accompanying expanding symbol bonus.
Banana Rock online slot is Play’n Go’s attempt at making a fresh theme that can hardly be found elsewhere, which it nails. The slot machine features a retro appearance that looks like it was pulled from the eighties with bright colours and sharp graphics. The anthropoid rock band includes five members, with the drummer paying the top prize of 40x the line stake. The game’s bonuses include:
⮚ Wild – denoted by a golden disc and grants the same winning value as the jackpot icon.
⮚ Respin – activated by two Rock ‘N’ Rollin’ characters.
⮚ Free spins – triggered by scatters on the first and fifth reels, and awards ten bonus rounds.
⮚ Multiplier meter – only activates in the free spin bonus and starts to grow as band members are collected. The highest multiplier value that can be awarded is five times.
Banana Rock online slot wins are capped at 2500 times the total stake in a single round, which can be as high as 250,000 euros or pounds.
Battle Royal slot captures the piece of history when the Tudor monarchs were the rulers of England. The historical tale told in the theme centres on not only King Henry VIII but also his six wives. The five reels feature twenty play lines that hold different icons to tell the story, including the classic card suits and the six wives as high-value characters. The coat of arms serves as the scatter symbol, and landing them on the first and fifth reels triggers the free spins or Long Live the King bonus.
Ankh of Anubis online slot features a different twist from the many Play’n Go slots themed around ancient Egypt. This time, gamers are introduced to the god Anubis on a 3-4-4-4-3 grid format with 576 ways to win. The unique game is built with a futuristic feel to it with the horizon in full view. The set included Anubis as the wild symbol, but it is the free spin bonus that stands as the highlight. This feature is awarded by three scatters and awards as many as 20 rounds that can be retriggered.
So far, the joining of hands by Play’n Go and BetWarrior is going successfully. With the firms exploiting the mobile front of the gambling market, the Latin American gaming market can have high hopes for what this partnership has to offer.