So, You Want To Go Backpacking? You'll Need To Read This

Backpacking is actually a lot scarier than it sounds. You’re out by yourself in the wilderness, usually without mobile phone signal, and you’ve got to somehow get yourself from A to B before the sun goes down. It’s tough enough if you’re just walking along a flat path by a lake. But it’s really hard if you’re clambering your way over mountains and along rocky ravines.

To do backpacking right, you need a lot of high-quality equipment. When you’re miles from civilization, you rely on your stuff to be durable and to work when you need it to. The last thing you need is your boot breaking half way up a climb or your tent letting in water as it rains outside.

Why Go Backpacking?

Going backpacking might not seem like a good idea. It’s dangerous, and it’s hard work. After all, you’ve got to lug a massive backpack around all day. Why go to so much effort when you could spend your free time chilling out on a beach somewhere with a waiter bringing you cocktail refills?

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Simply put, it’s about the adventure and the thrill. Backpacking always brings new experiences and new beauty, no matter where you go.

If you’re just getting started, you might want to limit yourself to around 10 miles per day. It takes a little while for your body to get used to the demands that you put on it. Walking further than 10 miles can leave you feeling exhausted with sore muscles and blisters on your feet. Remember, if you go backpacking, you’ll be carrying a weight of around 25 pounds on your back, which makes walking uphill a lot more difficult. As you get more experienced, you should be able to increase the mileage above 15 miles per day, and perhaps even 20.

What Do You Need?

Every backpacker needs the essentials. For starters, you need a good pair of boots. Sites like  http://workbootcritic.com/mens-timberland-earthkeepers-review offer all the latest reviews on footwear. Choose boots which are proven to last under severe conditions and that provide plenty of grip for when you’re clambering over slippery rocks.

Sites like http://gizmodo.com also recommend that backpackers take a hefty backpack that is strong enough to withstand the elements. The best backpacking backpacks are those that have a frame. Frames help to take the strain off your shoulders and onto your hips, a much more natural load-bearing joint. According to Gizmodo, it’s possible to get a backpack with a frame for less than $100.

You’ll also need a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags with man-made fillers - rather than duck down - tend to be much lighter and easier to pack away than regular down sleeping bags. If you want enough space for the rest of your stuff in your backpack, choose a synthetic sleeping bag and always add an extra 10 degrees to the rating, just so that you can stay comfortable at night, should the temperature dip below freezing.

Finally, you’ll need a tent. One-man tents are the best, since they’re small and easily fold away.

The Basics of Thrombocytes

Basics of thrombocytes

Many people have not yet heard the word ‘thrombocytes’ but they know it by the other way -‘platelets’. Yes, both are same. These are blood cells responsible for blood clotting. Thrombo means clot and the term is used with conditions and diseases that affect platelets and blood clotting.

Normal thrombocytes

Thrombocytes are being originated from the cells Megakaryocytes, which is observed in the bone marrow and is essential for normal blood clotting.

Platelet count

Complete blood count ( CBC) is a test checking the numbers, size and health of thrombocytes. Platelet or thrombocyte count is substantial for a doctor to know before and after any surgery so that potential bleeding and clotting issues can be predicted and effectively handled. It is vital during chemotherapy and radiation as these can decrease platelet production in the bone marrow.

·         Normal range of platelet count is 150,000 – 450,000 per microliter.

·         Mean platelet volume describes the normal size of platelets. Younger platelets are bigger than older ones, hence an increased volume means you are making and releasing them quickly. On the other hand, a low volume means changed production in the bone marrow.

·         Platelet distribution width indicates the variation in the size of platelets or so-called thrombocytes and this suggest conditions that affect the platelets.

Thrombocytes function tests are performed if there is a symptom or chance for excessive bleeding, and to observe anti-platelet medications as well.

Thrombocytopenia

This is a condition of low platelet count in the blood. There are many causes for the condition, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which inhibit platelet production due to the suppressive effects on the blood.

Other conditions that may cause low platelet count or thrombocytopenia include viral infections that affect the bone marrow, HELLP syndrome in pregnancy, autoimmune syndromes like lupus, a mechanical heart valve, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, heparin antibodies, severe alcohol abuse, certain medications, live disease, toxic exposures and severe sepsis.

Platelet count below 20,000 per microliter is life-threatening condition as it could cause spontaneous bleeding, which may be hard to stop. In that case, the patient may be given a platelet transfusion.

Thrombocytosis

You might have heard it by other way – high platelet count. This condition generally occurs due to a primary bone marrow disorder, such as essential thrombocytosis or due to chronic inflammation in the body, iron deficiency anemia, infection, or removal of spleen.

Thrombocytosis is usually found in cancer patients, especially with gastrointestinal cancer, and also with breast, lymphoma, ovarian and lung cancer. This could be due to inflammation related to the malignancy, which stimulates the production of platelets in the bone marrow. Thrombocytosis can also be caused by conditions like IBD and rheumatoid arthritis. Besides this, a temporary elevation in the platelet count can occur after a trauma or major surgery.

There are many things you would want to know about thrombocytes. Platelet count is something that we can’t take it as granted. To know more about this major component in the blood, visit thrombocyte.com.

Sad Face: Turn That Frown Upside Down

Pexels At: Pixabay

We can all feel a little blue sometimes especially when it feels like things just aren’t getting better. Long-term sadness isn’t good for anyone; it can easily lead to clinical depression as well as a whole host of other illnesses that you’d never guess could be connected to your mood. For instance, did you know that prolonged episodes of sadness can cause ulcers, IBS, and even heart disease? We can’t stop ourselves from feeling upset occasionally but that shouldn’t mean you give up smiling!

Ten Minute Tears

We know you probably think that ten minutes isn’t nearly enough time to express everything you feel but the thing is you don’t want it to overwhelm you. Negative thoughts won’t just drag you down, making you feel like a victim but also have you thinking you’ll never be happy again. Just like happiness, anger, worry, fear and confusion sadness needs to be felt to move past it, releasing those thoughts and getting yourself in a better frame of mind. It may sound hard at first but ten minutes or less can allow you to sit with your feelings, cry if you need to or listen to melancholy music without it interrupting your whole day.

Start Small

No one says that you need to bound into work looking like the cat that’s got the cream every day. In fact, if you’re suffering from depression the fact that you got out of bed, dressed, ate breakfast and left the house is something to celebrate! Try to focus on happy thoughts and small goals that you’ve accomplished throughout the day even if there as little as having coffee with a friend, going for a walk or laughing at a colleague's funny joke. Don’t forget to remember the amazing things in your life such as family, friends, loved ones, pets, your home and your job and make a list of everything that might make you feel positive about the future.

Look After Yourself

When we feel down, lack energy or are too tired we often forget to look after our most basic needs including showering regularly, cleaning our teeth, brushing our hair and making sure we get enough sleep. Our bodies know when we aren’t emotionally well which is why stress and sadness is often seen in the face first. Lack of sleep tends to lead to bloodshot eyes and tired skin, and you may notice you’ve developed spots or cold sores due to constant stress. You can log on to https://homeremedyshop.com/30-simple-home-remedies-for-cold-sores to find out what cold sores are and how you can treat them properly. However, establishing a good thorough skincare regime, making sure you eat properly and scheduling regular visits to a dermatologist as well as a counselor can help.

Help Others

Focusing on someone else's problems often allows us to forget our own! Keep your mind off things by helping someone else in your community, why not check out

what opportunities there are in your area at https://www.voa.org/volunteer? You’ll soon make new friends, start feeling happier and spend less time thinking about yourself and more moments improving the life of someone less fortunate.

Pexels At: Pixabay

The Kerrie Show Goes to #Chicago Day One: Marriott Residence Inn Rosemont/O'Hare

Okay, readers, I have a lot to share with you. Lots of tips and tricks about Chicago with kids. My mom is waiting for this blog post so it's not going to be super wordy ... lots of pictures though! Enjoy!

Oh, and we are here because my husband had a week of computer training in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. His company said he could bring the wife and kids and we always jump at the chance for a free vacation (see the Houston posts from two years ago; they start at Day One and hopefully all link to the next day so you can watch the fun in order) ... always feel bad for my husband, though, because we are out seeing the city and he is stuck in a classroom. But that's why we have the Florida Vacation Fund for later this year :-) He deserves to relax on a beach, that's for sure!

I'm weird because I like to post pictures of when I'm organized with food. I feel good having all the stuff figured out for the trip and saving money on the road. Michael says we could be a Ziploc commercial. The trip did not seem horrible ... about 9 hours when we are used to Houston, Wyoming and Phoenix seemed like a walk in the park.

The main living area. To the right is my room with Aron. To the left is the room with the littles. THREE televisions in this place (our house only has one) and TWO bathrooms halleluia.

A kitchen is IMPORTANT when we travel. Here, breakfast is free 7 days a week and dinner is covered Monday and Tuesday nights. We will eat out some lunches, pack some, and same for dinners.

My crazy family.

My FitBit friends are HATING ON ME right now because I am kicking butt on steps! Glucosamine is the ruler of my world right now or I could not walk around like I have been ... about 12K steps a day. Sunday night after traveling all day I hit the gym to treadmill for a bit in silence.

Some light reading before bed. Aron is starting The Green Ember with the kids for their nighttime reading. I thought a book on the Chicago Fire would inspire some sweet dreams.

Time for bed and the lovely Callie has the bed all set up for herself and her little sister and little brother. I am SO GRATEFUL that they can still sleep three to a bed. Joel and Michael slept on the sofa bed in the living room.

Click here to see Day Two and our first train ride in Chicago and Adler Planetarium!

4 Ways to Prevent Pet Hair in Your House

Pet hair on the couches, on the carpet, and in the air is the scourge of most pet owners. Cleaning up fur can feel like a constant battle in your home. Prevent pet hair in your house with these four tips.

Brush Your Pet Daily

Image via Flickr by Monkey Mash Button

If you find hair all over the place rather than just on your dog, improve your grooming game. Get a brush that’s appropriate for your pet, and take time each day to brush your furry friend. Do it outside or in the garage in order to prevent that hair from getting loose in your home.

Regular grooming will decrease the number of hairballs that your cat hacks up, and you’ll even get some quality time with your pet. If your dog or cat prefers petting to brushing, try tackling the fur problem with a grooming glove instead.

Bathe Your Dogs

Since cats are pretty good at grooming themselves, you don’t need to bathe them very often. In fact, they only need a bath when they become especially dirty, sticky, or smelly.

For dogs, however, a weekly bath can help with excess fur, especially when you use a high-quality shampoo that prevents shedding. These shampoos are nondrying and help remove loose hair while promoting a healthy coat.

Take Your Pet to a Groomer

In addition to brushing your pet every day and bathing your pet once a week, consider taking your pet to a professional groomer. Not only will having your pet professionally groomed reduce the amount of fur in your home, but also groomers can help your dog by cleaning out clogged ears, trimming nails that are painful to walk on, and ridding your dog’s coat of matted hair.

Think of how refreshed you feel after a massage, a facial, or a pedicure. Getting groomed does the same thing for dogs. It makes them feel pampered and refreshed, resulting in a happier dog. You can also ask your groomer to recommend the best brush for your dog’s fur type. For optimal health, you should plan to take your dog to a groomer once a month.

Have a Professional Clean Your HVAC System

Pet hair and dander can easily enter your HVAC system’s vents and ductwork. When your heating or cooling system turns on, these substances can circulate through your home’s air supply or build up in the ductwork. Removing pet hair from your furniture and carpet is a great way to reduce airborne contaminants, but your standard cleaning routine won’t eliminate fur and dander entirely. Have your HVAC system professionally cleaned by a company like Air Control Heating and Cooling Inc. to stop pet hair and dander from circulating through your home.


Though getting rid of pet hair may feel like an unending battle, continue to be vigilant. Be sure to brush your cat or dog once a day, bathe once a week, and groom once a month, and you’ll see a lot less hair covering the surfaces in your house. Have your HVAC system cleaned twice a year, and you’ll experience a substantial improvement in your home’s air quality.