Author Archives: Aidan

Aging Gracefully: 4 Health and Beauty Tips for the Elderly

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Aging is a natural process and while we cannot stop it, it is certainly possible to age gracefully and in good health, as long as certain parameters are maintained. These parameters will vary a bit from person to person of course, but there are certainly some common factors that can help anyone age beautifully and with grace. On that note, we are now going to discuss three of the essential health and beauty tips that all elders and/or their caretakers should be aware of.

Moisturization is Essential

Fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear as we age due to multiple reasons, but the drier your skin is, the more susceptible it will be to the signs of aging. Therefore, regular moisturization is a must, especially if you live in a dry or cold part of the country. Some of the essential moisturization tips are as follows:

  • Avoid soaps and use moisturizing facewashes instead
  • Don’t scrub daily and when you do, scrub gently
  • Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, glycerin, propylene glycol, urea and other water retentive agents in your cream
  • A moisturizing cream with additional ingredients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, proteins, aloe vera, etc. is preferred

Drink a Gallon of Water Every Day

The moisturization we talked about cannot only be skin deep, because we will also need to stay hydrated with a daily water intake of 2 – 3 liters. The thing about staying hydrated is that it will not just keep your skin moisturized and glowing, but the habit will also help in avoiding a number of more serious age-related health conditions. Once you look at the list below, you will realize that the frequent trips to the bathroom are worth it!

  • Better kidney and bladder health in general, with reduced chances of developing stones
  • Internally hydrated skin stays elastic even when we age, reducing the appearance of sags, swells, wrinkles and lines
  • More energy, better bowel movements, improved mood and cognitive abilities

Prepare for Emergencies

Heart attacks and cerebral strokes are common emergencies to prepare for when we start to get older, but what a lot of people do not understand or pay enough attention to is the fact that urgent and immediate medical care can make a huge difference. Go through the top rated medical alert systems and find one for yourself or the elder under your care, so that he/she can alert the emergency services and contacts in case they are in a situation that requires immediate medical attention. Some stroke patients can actually recover completely in a few months’ time if immediate care is taken and heart attacks that could have been managed easily often turn fatal due to delay in treatment. One needs to accept that a medical emergency can occur at any time and without warning as we age, so having a well-planned medical emergency system in place is not just wise but absolutely essential as well.

Lift Weights

Contrary to popular belief, it has now been established that weight training or resistance training is actually good for the elderly. It helps to retain muscle mass and also to maintain high bone density, both of which tends to decrease rapidly as we age.

Old age doesn’t necessarily have to be sedentary and boring, but in order to lead a good life even in your 60s, 70s and beyond, it is absolutely vital to take precautions before it’s too late. Thanks to modern medicine and technology, doing that is now easier than ever before, so all one really needs to do is put in a bit of effort towards it and life after retirement can be a lot of fun!

 

Food franchise opportunities

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It appears that the UK is in the middle of a food revolution. Gone are the days of spending money on cigarettes and alcohol. Brits are enjoying quality time with family and friends choosing to spend their hard-earned cash at restaurants and cafes.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the average household spends £45 a week eating out, the highest it’s been in five years. The increase in spending is partly down to the fact that people are preferring to splurge on having experiences rather than buying tangible items. Eating out is no longer saved for special occasions but has become a standard part of everyday life.

And there are a wealth of restaurants offering a vast variety of different cuisines to suit all taste buds. There are currently more than 56,000 restaurants in the UK. Add to that 100,000 pubs, takeaways and cafés, and it’s no surprise that Brits are taking pleasure in sharing fun and food with friends.

Food glorious food

The UK’s love of food, coupled with our busy lifestyles, mean that fast food outlets such as McDonald’s, Subway and Wimpy are still as popular as ever. This is why franchise opportunities in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector are so profitable. The quality and consistency of the products and service mean that fans of the fast food brands return again and again.

And it’s not just burgers that consumers want in a hurry. Spend on contemporary fast food is also on the rise. Consumers are seeking specific and quality food from restaurants such as Wok & Go and Wolf. So much so, in fact, that a massive £607 million was spent on contemporary fast food outlets in 2016, an increase of 25% from the previous year.

When it comes to dining in, Italian restaurants such as Bella Italia and pizza outlets like Papa John’s remain the nation’s favourite. However, there has been a clear shift in trends to the North American style of restaurants specialising in burgers and steaks like Loaded Burgers.

Consumers are hungry for more.

It’s not just convenience and value that consumers want from food franchises though. Brits have become more informed about food trends and styles, and more demanding of good service and a first-class experience, so the pressure is on to meet expectations.

This is why buying a food franchise is a great opportunity. As a franchisee, you receive all the training and support you need to get your business off the ground. You don’t need to come up with a concept for your restaurant or create a menu from scratch. Most of the hard work will have been done for you.

With consumers increasingly wanting their food to be perfectly presented ready to share on social media, you can focus on providing them with the best service possible. You just need to follow the tried and tested franchise system with a proven track record of success while being committed to making your business successful and profitable.

https://www.pointfranchise.co.uk/I-231-food-franchise/

5 Reasons Why You Should Begin Saving After Landing a Job

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When you land your first job out of college, it’s tempting to want to live large. Especially if you’re living with family or have a few roommates, you may have some funds to play around with. Or save. 

But even though the draw is strong to have fun while you’re young, it’s much better to start saving. Here are five reasons why you should save instead of spend after landing a new job. 

  1. Time goes faster than you think

What does every older person tell you? It’s like a broken record that plays on repeat: The years go by fast. Before you know it, you may be approaching fifty without a decent savings or retirement account. And what do you do then? People who find themselves in that position may end up working for the rest of their lives. 

Even if it’s five dollars a week, get in the habit of saving while you’re young. As you get older and make more money, you can save more. It really adds up. And since time goes faster than we’d like, before you know it, you’ll have a good chunk of change in the bank. 

  1. Interest adds up over time

Let’s say you save five dollars a week for five years. With 1.5 percent interest, you can make $20 on the $1,300 saved. That may not sound like a lot, but remember that it increases exponentially as you save more money. Whenever you can stash away $100 per week, you’ll make close to $400 in interest in that same 5-year period. Of course, interest rates can change based on market values and savings options. If you choose a high-yield savings account, you may make a higher percentage. 

  1. Rainy-day expenses are real

Imagine you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck and you get two flat tires. That could easily end up costing $200 that you don’t have. What do you do? You need your car and only have one donut (not that you’re supposed to put mileage on those anyway). Without a good safety net, you could get stuck in some pretty precarious situations that aren’t easy to get out of. On the other hand, if you have even a thousand dollars in savings, you can get back on the road in no time. 

  1. You can avoid a lifetime of debt

If you start your career by spending every penny you get, you’re more likely to rely on credit cards and loans to get out of sticky situations. Once you do this, you’re setting a pattern that can hold you down for the rest of your life. Remember the example of how much you can earn through interest? Well, it works overtime in reverse. Interest rates on loans and credit cards are much higher than they are on savings accounts. You could end up paying 25 percent or more every time you use your credit card. And if you don’t have the money to pay it off, you’ll pay even more over time. 

  1. You may want to make a big purchase

From the moment you start your new job, it’s time to start thinking like an adult. This means that you may want to consider buying a house or condo. At the very least, you’ll probably want a decent car. Some of the pricey yet still great European vehicles may catch your eye. Or you may opt for a luxury American-made model. Either way, it’s best if you can make sizable down payments to avoid getting strapped down with a massive amount of debt. 

Saving is never the “fun” option, but ironically, having a decent savings account can help you get more out of your life. It may not sound like fun to work instead of going on vacation, but making the smart decision can save you stress in the long run. Start saving now and enjoy peace of mind for years to come. 

 

6 Oddest Locations To Go This Vacation

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Looking to make your vacation special? Sure, you could go to Paris, and we are sure you would love to spend some time near the Eiffel tower. Or, you could go to India and make a visit to the Taj Mahal. 

However, if you are looking to make your vacation truly memorable, and want to do it by going somewhere, that doesn’t feature on everyone’s itinerary, here is a list of where you can go. 

The Top 6 Odd Locations that Can Also be The Perfect Vacation Spots

We are sure you are looking for new ways to take a holiday. Here is a look at some of the best places you can go to that you are sure nobody else has visited!

  1. Rosewell, New Mexico 

If you are a believer in extraterrestrial activities, then this is the place that fits right for you. In 1947, it was believed that an unidentified object crash landed at this site, with aliens. 

The area is now sealed as an extraterrestrial zone. There are various documents available in the International UFO Museum and Research Centre to support that incident. Every year, on 4 the of July weekend, a Rosewell UFO festival is organised which showcases alien costume themed parade, concerts, workshops and more. Don’t worry, while you may not be able to go to the site, you could head off to the city of Rosewell any day! 

  1. Salton Sea, California 

The largest lake in California is present right in between its desert. It is an unusual and amazing sight. The Salton Sea formed in 1905 after the Colorado River flooded, its water was directed through canals which led to the formation of the river. The most amazing fact about this River is that it is 220ft below the sea level and its water is 30% saltier than the Pacific Ocean. It is an unusual site to see a river in the middle of a desert.

  1. Meteor Crater, Arizona 

It is one of the biggest holes on the earth formed by a meteor which landed here around 50000 years ago. It is 1 mile in length and 600 feet deep. It is an out of this world experience to witness a mammoth hole inside the earth.

  1. Coral Castle, Florida 

It is known to be a testament of love Built by a Latvian immigrant Edward_Leedskalnin after rejection from his fiancee just a day before his wedding. It is believed to be made from 2.2 tons of Coral. It is said that Ed single-handedly built it by using reverse magnetism.   Some believe he even had a kind of supernatural power and could move and carve heavy stones. It is said to have unusual electromagnetic properties.

  1. Juel’s Undersea Lodge, Florida

It is an underwater lodge but in 22 feet under the surface which consists 20-foot chambers underwater with a transparent view through which we can see the creatures in the sea swimming by and all other attractions of the sea. Out luggage gets delivered to us in watertight containers, and we can even order food which will again be received in watertight containers.

  1. Carhenge, Nebraska

Jim Reinders built it in 1987 in the loving memory of his father. It is a replica of the Stonehenge. The unique feature about it is that it is built up by 38 vintage American cars. It is an amazing stop for a road trip.

Where are you planning your next vacation in? Let us know below! 

 

 

Mário de Sá-Carneiro – The Ambiguity of a Suicide, by Giuseppe Cafiero

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By Staff Writer

Part biography, part historical travelogue and part detective story, this fictionalised investigation into the suicide of the Portuguese writer Mário de Sá-Carneiro is admirable on many levels. 

Part of the acclaimed ‘Ambiguities…’ series by Italian author and playwright Giuseppe Cafiero, Ambiguity of a Suicide is an artful, intriguing meander through the mind of a gifted yet troubled soul.

Cafiero’s works are described by the author himself as works of ‘bio-fiction’, a type of metaliterature that plays with the blending of fact and fiction. This literary form is particularly effective in telling the story of de Sá-Carneiro, an acclaimed avant-garde writer of the early 20th century whose mind was muddied by his taste for strong alcohol and a desire to numb his sense of ‘saudade’ (a uniquely Portuguese word best translated as ‘melancholy’).

The word is key to the novel’s depiction of a man apparently tormented by feelings of inappropriate desires, of  something ‘missing’ and of a general mournful malaise that could not be shifted by boozy nights in Lisbon and Paris, or dreams of making a new life in the Portuguese territory of Brazil.

The Ambiguity of Suicide follows the journey of de Sá-Carneiro’s close friend, fellow poet Fernando Pessoa; Mondine, a private detective; and Doctor Abilio Fernandes Quaresma, a ‘solver of enigmas’, as they retrace the tragic author’s footsteps in light of his recent death.

Together, they drink in his watering holes, eat in his favourite restaurants and talk to the characters that he came across before he took his own life in a desperate bid to shed light on the circumstances that led to his demise.

Cafiero effortlessly evokes the period and settings that shaped de Sá-Carneiro during his time in Lisbon and Paris, and there is a fitting sense of beautiful melancholy throughout the book, such as the following description: “Sea and salt air. Duino was then in his heart. A manor house corroded by time. White, skeletal, dried by the sun. Progenitor of imperial deaths. The ocean is another thing. Gusts of an Atlantic wind. Gazing at conquered lands. Lisbon”.

Following a trail that leads them into seedily sensual territories, the three characters come to understand a little more of Sá-Carneiro and his troubled mind,

but ultimately (and as the ‘ambiguity’ title suggests) they find there is never any simple answer to the ‘why?’ of a suicide. 

The translation from the original Italian is extremely well done, but so too are the translations from the original Portuguese – the text is dotted with direct quotes from the writer and poet’s works, as well as from his friend Pessoa (best known for The Book of Disquiet).

It is perhaps fair to say that the works of Mário de Sá-Carneiro are little known outside of Portuguese-speaking countries. It’s also fair to say, however, that readers willing to engage with the unfamiliar will glean a lot of enjoyment from this novel and will probably find themselves eager to familiarise themselves with de Sá-Carneiro’s back catalogue after reading it.

Mário de Sá-Carneiro – The Ambiguity of a Suicide by Giuseppe Cafiero (Clink Street Publishing) is available from Amazon UK, priced £1.13 in paperback and £1.07 in Kindle edition. Visit www.giuseppecafiero.com.

 

Gustave Flaubert: The Ambiguity of Imagination, by Giuseppe Cafiero

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By Staff Writer

This latest novel from acclaimed Italian author Giuseppe Cafiero is a wry and racy journey through the world of French writer par excellence, Gustave Flaubert.

Gustave Flaubert: The Ambiguity of Imagination is part of Cafiero’s acclaimed ‘ambiguities’ series, which offers surreal and metafictional accounts of the lives of great authors and artists such as  Edgar Allan Poe (The Ambiguity of Death)  and Vincent Van Gogh (The Ambiguity of Madness).

Cafiero refers to this singular treatment as ‘bio-fiction’, a genre of his own creation and which is best defined as the playful interchange of truth and fiction in a broadly biographical account of its subject.

Rather than presenting a serious trawl through the life of the controversial, and somewhat seedy, Madame Bovary author, the novel takes its lead from a minor footnote in the works of Flaubert.

One of the books that Flaubert had planned to write, but never did, was entitled ‘Harel-Bey’, which as his letters attest would have been set in Middle East. In The Ambiguity of Imagination, that decision comes to haunt him – literally – as the titular Harel-Bey pops into existence with a huge grudge against his creator, both for leaving him a mere rough sketch and for writing him as a blind man.

Described by Cafiero as an “Arab who spent his life in the salon of the frères Goncourt, authors of a famous Journal, where he was born in an evening of drunkenness and carousal from the fervent imagination of Monsieur Gustave Flaubert”, Harel-Bey embarks on a voyage of discovery through the author’s oeuvre and correspondence, in the company of one Monsieur Bouvard – star of another unfinished Flaubert work, Bouvard et Pècuchet.

Like a spurned child, he has one mission in mind – to wreak revenge against the fully fleshed-out protagonists of Flaubert’s published novels and stories. In doing so, he visits locations described in Flaubert’s novels, and meets some of the characters therein, including the famed Madame Bovary.

Told in epistolary form, the novel – translated from the original Italian – is rich in period detail and liberally sprinkled with direct quotations from Flaubert’s works and letters, as well as deliberately evoking the distinctive literary style of the French writer himself.

The novel does hang – somewhat loosely – around the plot concerning Harel-Bey, but the real joy is in the fascinating, semi-biographical peek into the mind of a great writer and the fruits of his imagination.

However, to get the most out of this singular novel, its many allusions and references, it’s best that the reader should already have, or seek, acquaintance with Flaubert’s works beforehand. 

Gustave Flaubert: The Ambiguity of Imagination by Giuseppe Cafiero (Clink Street Publishing) is available now on Amazon UK, priced £9.99 in paperback and £2.84 in Kindle Edition. Visit www.giuseppecafiero.com

 

5 Ways to Prep Your Car Like A Pro Before a Road-Trip

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Summer is upon us, and you know what that means: it’s time to soak up some sunshine and go on many, many road trips! However, before embarking on your next adventure, prepping the car is essential. Without the right preventive measures, your car is more susceptible to breaking down and suffering unexpected problems.

To lower those risks, check out these five ways to prep your car like a pro before a road trip:

  1. Get professional maintenance service and a tune-up

Never leave for a road trip before taking your car in for a tune-up at the auto-shop. It’s imperative that you get an oil change, check the fluid levels of the coolant system, and test to see if your air conditioner, lights, turn signals, and general braking system are working properly. In addition, make sure the battery is securely in place, the tires are not under-inflated, and no serpentine belts are damaged. Not only does your car need to perform at its best, it should be unquestionably safe to drive. 

2. Read up on your car manual 

You should know your car better than anyone else. That’s why it’s imperative you take action to read up on car maintenance. In times of trouble on the road, a professional will most likely not be there to help us. But when we educate ourselves on basic car repairs and learn how to do them, like replacing a flat tire or jumpstarting a battery, stress and anxiety will be the last things on our minds during those scenarios. 

3. Clean everything inside and out

A clean car never fails to feel like a new car. Therefore, clean out your interior by throwing away trash, wiping grime off surfaces, and vacuuming dirt off the floor. Being stuck in a dirty and messy vehicle for hours on end is just a nightmare! Regarding the exterior, give the car a good wash and wax to add an extra layer of protection against outside elements. Plus, in the long run, keeping your car clean combats premature deterioration and damage. 

4. Organize an emergency kit and important documents

Put together an emergency kit if you haven’t already. You never know when unforeseen circumstances will happen. Within a car emergency kit, include basic medical supplies, clothes suited for all types of weather, a flashlight, flares, emergency money, and jumper cables. Subsequently, keep important documents in the glove box such as a copy of your driver’s license, insurance, and car registration. In the event that an officer pulls you over or an accident with another driver occurs, you will be prepared to immediately present your information to them.

5. Make accommodations to the passengers if necessary 

Consider the passengers riding in the vehicle with you: kids, a significant other, friends, pets, etc.? Each person will have different needs that must be fulfilled to feel at ease on the road. For example, kids are less likely to throw tantrums if they have some form of entertainment by their side, such as a book, game, or snack. A significant other, on the other hand, may spend the entire road trip in the front seat and would love to pack extra pillows to make themselves more comfortable. Pets should stay secure in place with a harness or reside in a crate; just like we need seatbelts, our pets require the same precaution of safety in the event of an accident. 

A road trip is by far one of the most fun trips you can take in the summer. What could be better than a promising open road, new experiences, and precious time spent with loved ones? 

But before you make this summer even better than the last one, make sure your car is 100% prepped and prepared for a road trip so you and your passengers are always safe and ready for anything that arises while having a blast. 

5 Simple Tips for Saving Money on Over-50’s Car Insurance

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Credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/nw6xREmkXkg

Over 50’s are the second safest group of drivers on the road but their insurance policies often don’t reflect their years of experience and good safety record.  Consider these suggestions for saving money on your car insurance.

 

  1. Increase your car’s security

One of the factors which will increase the cost of your car insurance is the probability of theft or damage to your car.  If you live in a high-risk area it makes sense to try and minimise the risk.  The cost of renting a garage might be more than offset by a reduction in the cost of your car insurance and you’ll have the additional benefit of not having to worry about finding a parking space.  You can talk to your insurer about the benefits of car insurance and ask your questions to understand How much is a windshield deductible? and how an insurance can be helpful in such scenarios. You should also consider fitting an alarm system or using a steering lock, both of which could reduce the cost of your premiums.

  1. Avoid auto renewal

A comparethemarket report revealed that drivers over the age of fifty can save an average of around £45 by shopping around, so make sure that you compare the quotes online.  You don’t have to wait for your renewal date before you can change your policy, you can switch at any time.  Check the cost of the admin fee but it may still be worth your while to switch, if you’ve found a good deal.  Always pay upfront, paying by instalments will add a considerable cost to the price of your insurance.  Look at your voluntary excess, if you increase this amount, it could lower your premiums, but be sure that you compare the saving you could make with the cost of what you’d have to pay in the event of an accident.  Look at the detail of your policy, do you really need extras such as a courtesy car?  Comprehensive cover may actually be cheaper than third party.  By selecting comprehensive cover, you appear to be low risk and consequently your premium is lower.

  1. How you drive and how far you drive affect the cost of your insurance

Most people over estimate their annual mileage and as a result they pay more for their insurance than they need to.  Look for ways to reduce your mileage: don’t use your car for short trips, try walking or using public transport.  Remember that many companies offer discounts for over-50’s, such as National Rail.  Consider installing telematics, a device insurers put inside your car to monitor how you drive: if you’re a safe, sensible driver, this could save you money.

  1. Switch to a car which is cheaper to insure

Insurers place all cars in an insurance group, if your car is a top range model it is likely to be in an expensive group because the repair costs are high.  Cars with smaller engines are statistically less likely to be involved in an accident and are therefore cheaper to insure.

5. Make sure you are on the electoral roll

Some insurance companies check whether you are on the electoral roll to confirm your identity in order to avoid fraud. Make sure you’re on the electoral roll and all your details are up to date just in case. You can check whether you’re registered by phoning up your local electoral registration office. Find their details on the your vote matters website by entering your postcode.