Driving Safe: Increasing Visibility on the Road

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Krissyar

One of the keys to driving safe is to make sure that you have enough visibility on the road. Whether you are driving in the sun, rain, pitch black night, in the fog, or snow, you should always make sure you have enough visibility no matter what the situation – and here is how:

 

RAIN OR SHINE
As  you know rain can drastically reduce your visibility so it is imperative that you make sure that your windshield wipers (both front and back) are properly maintained. Replace them at least every 6 months, and be on the lookout for rust on the arm, and cracks in the rubber blade. Also consider having your front and back windshields treated with rain repelling conditioner, and always make sure to keep your washer fluid filled.

GET SOME SHADES 
Blinding sun can be a major safety hazard – for you and everyone around you. Always keep a pair of sunglasses accessible for easy use. Also make sure that you don’t have any papers in your overhead visor so you can use it right away if needed, without causing an avalanche of papers to fall on your head!

KEEP YOUR HEADLIGHTS CLEAN  
Over time your headlight casings can get cloudy, and dulling the light that comes from your headlights. Be sure to check your vehicles handbook, or take them to your dealerships service department so they can remove and clean the plastic lamp housing (some of these can be tricky!) be sure to be super careful with the bulbs, the oil from your hands can reduce the effectiveness of the halogens, so use gloves if you have to (or have someone else do it, like I do!) The angle of the headlights also need to be checked, to make sure they are lighting up the proper area. You may have to locate the adjustment screw (check your manual to find out where they are) clockwise turns will raise the light, and counterclockwise will lower it.

BE PREPARED IN FOG 
Fog  can be a bit tricky – especially if you are driving on unfamiliar roads. Always be sure to use your fog lights, and that the bulbs are in working order. Fog lights are usually mounted low , in or below the front bumper. They are actually aimed at the ground in front of the vehicle as far as possible so that the beam of light can be wide and flat and help minimize reflection from the fog. Remember, if you can’t see and feel uncomfortable, put on your hazard lights and pull over until the fog passes.

 

 

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5 Unique Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Krissyar

Having a small space can be frustrating at times, especially when you are so limited that you feel you cannot move around in your own home. While small spaces do create many challenges, there are storage ideas available that can help you make the most of the space too. Below, we will talk about some of those unique ideas to help you start thinking about changes you can implement now.

Create a Wall Shelf

If you have extra books that you want to store and keep, why not keep them on the wall? You have two cool options when it comes to these wall books shelves. First, you can take a wooden crate and cut it in half to create a shelf for your books or, secondly, you can use a metal basket to store your books in. Sounds neat, right?

Use the Space Under Your Bed

There is a lot of unused space under your bed and this space can be used for storage. Depending on how much space you have, you may be able to fit totes under the bed or you may be able to fit rolling shelves underneath.

If you find that your space is truly limited, why not upgrade to a platform bed? This will allow you to store items under the bed without them being on the floor under the bed. You can read more storage tips here.

Get a Grip on Your Towels

Towels are often in the way in the bathroom and if you do not have a towel bar installed on the wall, consider installing one or placing one under a shelf on the bathroom wall. This will allow you to hang towels and have them ready for guests in an instant. (The towels will be out of the way too.)

Ditch the Legs on Your Nightstand

Sounds odd but interesting, right? A floating nightstand is the perfect way to free up space while utilizing the space you do have. You can purchase a floating nightstand, or you can make one for yourself.

You can utilize the space on the floor for your laundry basket or a basket to keep your blankets in. If you really want to free up some space, consider a lamp that mounts on the wall as opposed to sitting on the nightstand itself.

Always Know Where the Electronics Are

We all have multiple remotes, a TV guide, a good book, and some batteries near the couch. These are useful items, but when they are spread out everywhere, they can cause your home to look messy. An electronic or remote caddy/organizer is a wonderful way to keep these items out of sight but easy to reach. You can choose from fabric organizers or wooden caddies.

Small Space Does Not Spell Messy Space

You can stay organized in your small space with the unique storage ideas above. Each one will help you maximize your space while keeping your items in place and out of the way. What are some unique storage ideas you use in your small space?

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Advice For Going Through A Breakup In A Healthy Manner

Posted on October 10, 2018 by Krissyar

Breakups are always difficult and especially if you have built a life together. While there is no instant cure for a breakup and the best healer is time, there are a few steps that you can take to put yourself in the right position to heal in a healthy way. No matter if it is your first serious relationship or a marriage, there are sure to be days which are much harder than others, and it is important to remember that this is perfectly natural. So, if you are going through a breakup and need some advice then read on for a few tips on how to manage this situation.

Allow Yourself Time To Be Upset

Breakups are always upsetting, and it would be wrong to pretend that everything is fine. It is for this reason why it is a good idea to give yourself some time to be upset as processing this emotion early on can be helpful in the long run. There is no time limit to this but make sure that you look after yourself and avoid reaching out to your ex during this time as emotions will still be high.

Lean On Friends & Family

You need to have people in your life that you can rely on to help you through this challenging period. Staying busy is a fantastic idea and being social can be a huge help when trying to stay busy whether this is meeting friends for lunch, visiting family or going to the cinema.

Exercise & Eat Well

It is very easy to fall into bad habits when you go through a breakup and particularly if it changes your living situation. It is for this reason why you should make an extra effort to exercise and eat well as otherwise, you will only feel worse. Exercise can also be a great way to be social if you play for a club or attend a class at the gym, for example.

Practicalities

There are sure to be many practicalities to sort out, particularly if you are married. This is a hurdle many face and is surprisingly common, as 42% of marriages end in divorce and there are a number of financial and other issues that will need to be arranged – this means that you need to find reputable divorce and family lawyers to navigate this challenging period.

Listen To Yourself

It is likely that you will be getting a lot of unsolicited advice when going through a breakup. While sometimes it can be helpful to hear what those close to you have to say, ultimately you need to listen to yourself when it comes to matters such as making contact with your ex or dating again.

Breakups can be messy and upsetting, and time is the only true healer, but the above should help to make the process a little bit easier and put you in a good position to heal in a healthy manner. The key is to process your emotions in a healthy way, make sure that you have a strong support network and to handle the practical side in a smart and adult manner.

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Gluten-Free Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Brownie Muffins

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Krissyar

Just because you are trying to eat a healthy diet, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the yummy pumpkin treats this fall. Check out this delicious gluten-free healthy pumpkin chocolate brownie muffins. They are amazing!

 

Yields: 8 muffins

Prep: 5 minutes | Bake: 21-24 minutes | Total: 29 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup pumpkin puree
1 avocado
2 eggs
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons butter, melted (or coconut oil, melted)
3 tablespoons coconut flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips + extra for sprinkling on top

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add baking cups to muffin tin and spray with a light coat of cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Add all ingredients (except chocolate chips) to a blender. Blend the ingredients on high until smooth.

  3. Add chocolate chips to the mixture and gently stir to incorporate.
  4. Fill each baking cup to the top with the mixture. Sprinkle the tops with a few chocolate chips.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for 21-24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  6. Allow muffins to cool in muffin tin for 5 minutes before serving.

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Is Synthetic Oil a Better Choice for Your Vehicle?

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Krissyar

When you call your dealership to schedule an oil change most likely they will ask you a few simple questions – including, “do you want synthetic or regular oil?” Most people will answer that question with one of their own ‘which is cheaper?’ But you may want to think twice before you decide based on saving a few bucks.

Yes, conventional and synthetic oils begin in the ground, but that’s where the similarities end. Synthetic is not only refined but also distilled, purified and broken down. It removed more impurities from the crude oil and enables molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern motors. Synthetic oil is better than conventional oil when it comes to form and function, in fact, conventional oil could never stand up to synthetic when it  comes to longevity, and ability to handle extreme high temperatures without breaking down and gives higher levels of protection and performance than your basic conventional oil.

As I mentioned, synthetic oil usually outperforms conventional motor oils in providing protection for your vehicle; and here’s how:

KEEPS YOUR ENGINE CLEANER
When oil circulates through your engine, it can pick up icky deposits. Over time regular conventional oil can sometimes form sludge (gross) which can reduce your engines efficiency and reduce the life of your engine. Synthetic oils contain fewer impurities compared to the basic oil and can better resist the sludge and help prevent deposits from forming in your engine (thus extending the life of your engine).

 

FLOWS BETTER WHEN IT’S COLD OUT
When your vehicle is sitting for awhile, the oil settles. So when you start your car it begins flowing through the engine to protect against friction. With conventional oils it takes more time to be able to flow smoothly through. During the winter or colder months, the flow takes even longer. Synthetic oils however are engineered to flow quickly even in cold temps so that it starts protecting your engine as soon as you fire it up.

 

PROTECTS BETTER WHEN IT’S HOTTTT
As you know when your engine is running it gets really, really hot. Like really hot. So over time the high temps in your engine can cause the conventional oils to break down or even evaporate exposing your engine to a lot of wear and tear. Synthetic oils are engineered to resist these higher temps.

 

OFFERS ENGINE WEAR PROTECTION
As you know, engine parts are constantly working together and moving at high speeds. In extreme environments the engine components can wear and break down. The motor oil is the protective barrier in these components. As the conventional oil breaks down, the ability to prevent engine wear – well it starts to diminish. Synthetic oils retain their wear protection properties for a much longer time, therefore again, increasing engine life.

 

While synthetic oil is a better option for protection for your vehicle, not all synthetics are created equal. Be sure to speak with your mechanic or service manager to review your options and find the best choice for your vehicle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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