Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Why Juicers are the Preferred Choice When It Comes to Juicing



A few decades ago, juicing was something that was considered to be for overzealous health conscious people. Today, people now know that juicing is essential to their health more than ever, hence making juicers more popular. Below is why a juicer is a preferred choice when it comes to juicing.  
A juicer allows you to take in more nutrients
Even though whole fruits are incredibly beneficial, it is practically impossible to eat the five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables that have been scientifically recommended. Most people usually eat whole fruits once a day, either for breakfast or lunch. However, using a juicer makes it easy for them to have the recommended servings all at once. How? A juicer gives one the opportunity to have a diverse array of fruits and veggies in one glass. It does so by reducing them to tinier particles and then extracting the juice from them. This allows you to nourish your body with a ton of nutrients and vitamins in an easily digestible form on one go.
A juicer retains all nutrients
Most companies that are trying to market their products often go to the extent of giving bad press to juicers by saying that juicing causes one to lose all the pulp. Fortunately, gone are the days when a juicer separated all the nutrients from the juice, leaving you with a colored drink full of sugar. Today, thanks to technology, juicers retain all the nutrients while at the same time giving you a smooth drink to enjoy. They retain almost all nutrients, leaving only a small proportion of the fruit’s skin. However, to make the most out of your fruits, you need the best juicer, which is why you should ensure that you first check out these devices which make juicing fun and very easy so you can make an informed decision.
Juicing gets rid of the stored toxins in cell walls
Another reason why a juicer is preferred for juicing is that, apart from offering you a wide range of nutrients in a single glass, it also helps get rid of the toxins. Most non-organic fruits and vegetables usually contain residues of agrochemicals that do not come off completely even when washed.  Juicing helps separate your nutritious juice from these residues, as it extracts the juice fully from the pulp and leaves the toxic skins out.
A juicer helps transform your outlook on food
Seeing a piece of broccoli or spinach on your plate can feel like a task. However, seeing the same vegetables in a glass as beautiful green juice changes your perception. In other words, the vegetables that seemed like a task to eat now look more appealing, hence making it easy for you to drink. This is made possible by the use of a juicer. It helps you create a nutrient-dense and colorful beverage from fruits and veggies that you hate, thus helping you change your opinion and as such allowing you to enjoy the benefits offered by such foods in a much more fun way. Additionally, a juicer allows you to try out different juice recipes, which inches you closer to a healthy lifestyle.  
A juicer gives you the chance to control your fiber intake
Even though fiber aids in digestion, too much intake of this nutrient causes more harm than good. For instance, increased fiber intake results in more undigested food moving through your gut system and also overworks your digestive system. Unfortunately, purchasing ready juices makes it impossible for you to control the amount of fiber you are having while blending makes use of the entire pulp, which again means you have no control over your fiber intake. The good news, however, is that you don't have to purchase an expensive low-fiber meal plan just to limit your intake as a juicer allows you to do that. Having a juicer at home allows you to take juices just as you like them, as it separates the fiber from the juice while at the same time ensuring that all the relevant nutrients are juiced from the pulp. This ensures that things are working smoothly in your gut.  
Juicing offers a long string of life-enhancing health benefits. From enabling you to adopt a healthier eating pattern to enriching you with a burst of nutrients and vitamins, juicing is the ultimate way to lead a healthier life without trying so hard. It is in respect to this that a juicer remains the preferred choice when it comes to juicing.  

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Tips for Getting a Loan When Self-Employed



The digital revolution has created a wealth of opportunities, allowing many people to ditch their traditional jobs. While they may not be classified as business owners per se, this new group of entrepreneurs is considered to be self-employed, nonetheless. In addition to the perks that go along with this lifestyle, there are also drawbacks. For instance, how does one apply for a loan without a traditionally verifiable income?

Your Tax Returns are Vital
Obviously, you'll want to keep up with your taxes for legal reasons, but filing returns every year can also help you get credit. Lenders want to verify your income, no matter what your profession, and tax returns are really the best way to do that. If your job doesn't provide you with traditional pay stubs, copies of your tax returns for the most recent two years can serve. The lender will simply take your adjusted gross income from both returns, add them together, and divide that number by 24 to get your estimated weekly pay.

Your Credit Score Still Matters
If you are a registered business owner, you'll have to check both your business and personal credit scores. Although you should be doing this regularly to spot instances of identity theft, you'll definitely need to do this in advance of applying for any self employed loans. If you see any discrepancies, file a complaint immediately. Otherwise, work on paying off your debts to help improve your scores.

Reduce Your Debt to Income Ratio
Most lenders give as much weight to your debt to income ratio as they do to your credit score, so it's important to analyze it ahead of time. This ratio compares the amount you pay out in debts each month compared to how much money you earn within that time frame. There are two ways you can improve this ratio. You can either reduce the debt you owe (credit card balances, mortgages, car loans, etc.), or you can earn more income each month. If you can do both, you'll improve your ratio from both ends.

Be Ready to Pay More
The downside to applying for self employed loans is that lenders view you as a higher risk than traditionally employed applicants. This means you'll usually end up paying a higher interest rate in the beginning. As you begin paying off this loan and building up your credit profile, you'll have better opportunities. After a few years, it may be wise to look at refinancing options to see if you can get a lower interest rate.

Offer a Larger Down Payment
Even if you maintain excellent records and accept that you'll pay higher interest, it may still be difficult to get approved. Sometimes, offering a larger down payment can tip the scales in your favor. This can also help you pay less overall, because your monthly payments will be a little lower.
Getting approved for a loan as a self-employed individual won't be easy, but it is possible. Lenders may expect more from you, as far as your credit score, debt to income ratio, and down payment requirements, so your approval may depend on how much you prepare for the process. Taking the time to build up a positive credit profile can help you work miracles, as far as obtaining the loan you need.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

How to Add Value to Your Home

Part of our dream kitchen in our dream home. We've been here a year now!


A home is a lifetime investment, and as such, it should be improved upon as well as maintained throughout your life. The more you put into your home improvements, the more you can make back if you ever choose to sell. Not every renovation will make you your money back, after all, but the right ones can drastically increase your home’s overall value. The best part is that these designs allow you to take steps towards turning your house into your dream home. You just need to get started with the improvements that will add the most value, like these four below.

Add Another Room for Extra Value
The best way to add value to your home is to increase the number of bedrooms. More bedrooms appeal to bigger families, and bigger families pay more. You can convert your attic, add an extension, or renovate your basement. Similarly, adding another room to your ground floor for a home office, for example, can also be appealing to working professionals. In short, these upgrades that you make for yourself could be very attractive to future buyers and are therefore the best home investment you can make.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

4 Reasons Why Everyone Uses Travel Photos on Their Dating

A potential photo I would use if I were on the hunt for my husband, like back in 1995 ;-) Taken in Galveston Island, Texas
Have you ever been on a dating site or browsing through Instagram and feel drawn to someone’s photo simply because of their background? It happens every day. We are starting to see that more and more individuals are becoming ‘outdoor’ and ‘cultured’ beings. So why is this newest trend of making a travel picture an profile picture; especially, for dating sites? If you need inspiration, travel expert and photographer D. Scott Carruthers delivers unbelievably breathtaking photos that can boost your profile picture.

With dating sites, you always want to put your best foot forward. Even if it is hanging off a cliff with clear blue waters underneath. The more daring the more attractive, right? Maybe for some. Being well-traveled is perceived better than having a picture taken by your fireplace. Here are 4 Reason Why Everyone Uses Travel Photos on Their Dating Profiles.

1. A different side

People want to show a different side that isn’t shown on a daily basis. It is already known that certain colors on a photo attract people to view your profile. This is also true for those that use dating sites. Dating sites are used for capturing a person’s attention and hoping that they become Mr./Mrs. Right. Therefore, showing a side that is not seen every day is ideal. There is a saying, “Everyone is showing off their highlights.” You could have used all of your savings to get to Greece to take that one breathtaking photo in front of the pillars of Olympia. That breathtaking photo just caught the eye of someone that you define as your type.

2. Travel shows romance

Lisa Marie Bobby stated that many people do not think their day to day routine shows who they really are. If they work a 9-5 then chances are they don’t have much time to “let their hair down” or go out with friends. It can be a challenge for some when it comes time to put yourself out there on a dating site. This is the reason for dating sites, but for those that have that chance to take a vacation once a year, will find a way to capture that perfect travel picture. Dating experts say that having people in your background or a drink in your hand can increase your likes.

They are saying have a bar in presence, but a simple drink that you enjoy – alcoholic or not – make it as presentable as you are. Travel can be perceived as romantic. Especially, if you pair yourself with hanging lights on a local street in Rio de Janeiro in a sleek white outfit with a drink in hand or holding your hand out while hiking in Machu Picchu. Regardless of the scene, it shows an interesting, fun, and sexy side to the individual. Couples who travel together, live happily together. Traveling gurus like D. Scott Carruthers also agree about the love language and excitement that traveling can be seen as on a dating profile picture.

3. Travel decreases stress

Stress levels can decrease for several reasons, but traveling is considered one of the top stress reducers. This is because your brain is perceiving wonders that are outside of what you normally experience. Think about Paris, taking a picture with your back to the lights of the city while you’re atop the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe is in focus behind you; does that not sound like a stress reliever? Those interested in you will see that you’re capable of releasing your stress into the air and capture a moment of peace. Peace is a valued concept that is hard to achieve at times. If you are able to achieve peace within yourself and capture it in a picture, you become more desirable.

4. Conversation starter

Researchers say that a travel photo makes the individual seem like an adventurous, rich, and interesting person that own their self-development. This translate into the ideal mate. Travel photos on a dating profile can break the ice when it comes to mingling on the internet and in person. The first thing that can be said is, “We should go visit Venice. It’s beautiful there this time of year.”

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a climate change advocate and freelance writer.

4 Things You Need to Know About an Embargo in a PR Email



When it comes to PR, there are certain things that need to be understood when sending an embargo in a PR email is concerned. An embargo is a media release that is shared with the media before a publishing date.

In the media relation world, an embargo is more of a provision versus a ban. This ensures that the PR assistant does not release particular news to the public until a scheduled date and time.

Information that is under an embargo can be pushed to a number of reporters who will either accept or decline the story. If they would like to view the information then they will have to agree to contain the news until the designated time and date that you have purposed.

So, when it comes to a handling an embargo in an email, here are four things to be conscious of.

Have the story ready


You want your story to be ready immediately after you hand it over to a reporter. This gives them time to make the story blossom. They can look over the information, draw interviews if needed, and write their take with more than enough time. The more time for the journalist has to prepare; the better prepared the release will be. Nancy at Behrman said it best by saying, “Remember that your information or news needs to be newsworthy.”Before you can capture the media, you need to capture the reporter.

Stay on the same page communication-wise


After making the decision to pitch an embargo in a PR email. Have a clear line of communication with the PR assistant or journalist. Make sure they know the date and time of every single content piece that your pass long. Be transparent about changes that need to be made or if it is the final piece.

Be careful about how much information you share


Although you are giving this information to be published, be careful with the amount of information you allow to be shared. This can make or break your pitch. If you are pitching your embargo about a new technology then you would start your pitch with, “We have a big announcement being released this date, would you like to take an advanced copy under embargo?” or the company you are sharing the information about.
Now if it is about a client of yours that you are pitching, then giving a few more details is necessary.

Nancy and Behrman say to give enough interesting information without giving away too much. After the yes has been given, make sure the embargo date is understood when you follow up. This is where you will include the necessary information for your story. It is very rare that he embargoes is broke and a story is leaked before the instructed date, but it can happen. Nancy at Behrman says that in this case, the best thing to do is gather your paper trail of the embargo date. This will prove that the embargo's specified notions were acknowledged. Immediately let your client know about this if you are working on someone’s behalf.

Be prepared for an announcement change


The thought of everything going smoothly from beginning to end is honestly a fairy tale. Embargos would be acknowledged and the information you gave would be presented at the exact time and date that you stated. Unfortunately, there are times when the schedule changes. Remember the line of communication, use it and reach out to your PR assistant. There can be a situation where the assistant is going to move forward with the release no matter what, Nancy and Behrman suggest remaining calm and distracting yourself if you find this happening to you.

Give only one person the news


The most important thing that is a must know is to never give the story to someone else after you have already shared with and placed an embargo on it with another firm. You want to build trust and giving the same news information to another firm is unacceptable.



Everything mentioned also goes for PR firms. When handling a client’s information that you want to present to a journalist, these are the most important things to remember. Earn your name by building a reputation with reporters, the media, and most importantly your clients.

Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a Philly photographer and freelance writer.