3 Heart-Healthy Foods You Should Know About

Getting a healthy diet is wonderful for your heart and other parts of your body.

You can get rid of catching a disease that would affect your heart by consuming some particular meals daily. There are a lot of veggies and fruits out there that are great for your heart.

You should consume meals in their original raw form after they are harvested.

This diet has meals like fish, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. You could also treat yourself at times to dark chocolate and a glass of red wine too. Make sure you use this list as a guide to making snacks and meals with your heart and health as the main focus. Simple swaps here and there could make a huge difference to your cardiovascular well being.

Health Hearty Foods

We've got nuts, berries, and fruits as the main three, but we’ve also got more you’ll like to know about.

You need to eat fish that has high quantities of omega-3 fatty acids. These fish include mackerel, trout, and herring. Or try an omega-3 supplement from a trusted natural health brand like Nordic Naturals.

Eat a handful of healthy nuts, such as walnuts and almonds. They would help in preventing you from getting hungry and guard your heart as well.

Eat berries that are filled with phytonutrients and fiber that is soluble. Try adding blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries in yogurt or cereals for these antioxidants.

Seeds like flax seeds help in boosting the health of your heart too.

It is best to take these in milled or ground form for the greatest benefit to be reaped. Seeds like Chia seeds have protein, fiber and omega 3 in them and they can be eaten whole.

Oats are publicly known as the nutrient comfort food powerhouse. Try putting oats on your salads, yogurt, and add them into a trail mix if you don’t enjoy cooking them.

You should also eat legumes, like lentils, and dried beans. These include kidney, garbanzo, and pinto beans, and they have high quantities of B vitamins, minerals, and other stuff your heart requires.

Red wine, about two to four ounces daily, could help improve your levels of cholesterol and your heart health too.

Do not forget soy. Add marinated tofu or edamame beans and stir fry it with fresh veggies to get a heart-healthy dinner or lunch.

You should add yellow, red, or orange veggies like red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, and tomatoes as well. They are packed with carotenoids, vitamins, and fiber to aid the organ that pumps your blood.

Try eating veggies that are green in color like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, green beans, and bok choy. Asparagus and broccoli are filled with important heart healthy nutrients like potassium, vitamins E and C, fiber, calcium, and folate.

For the health of your heart, you could even consume dark chocolate.

What heart healthy foods are your favorite?

Things to Know About Circular Saws Before Taking on a DIY Project

Getting the right blade you need to use for your DIY project could be very simple once you know exactly what you’re looking for. There are some things you need to consider when selecting a brand new blade for your circular saw.

Things to consider

Typically about 6.5 inches or 7.25 inches should be considered, while for a table you need to get about 10-12 inches. This is because you need to select the blade that fits the size of the saw you would use to work. For example, 6.5in. blades go with 6.5 in. saws, and so it works.

How to make use of it

What do you want to cut? The type of material you need to cut is quite important before you know the size of the blade you need to get. Normally, unless stated on the blade, a blade that normally cuts wood can’t be used to cut metal.

The teeth of the blade indicate the speed that the blade would cut. The tooth lower cuts faster but you'll end up getting a rougher cut. This is great for rip cuts, rip cuts refer to cuts that go with the grain. Higher tooth count cuts run slower and you'll get a lot of friction, but these cuts leave a finer finish.

How can one select a circular saw blade, the right one?

By using the gullet, this is the area between the teeth that is curved. It is a relief area that is used to store the material as it could be used to cut away. It helps in preventing the blade from burning the material as you cut through. If you want to get faster rip cuts you would want this area to be larger. Cross-cutting blades tend to come with smaller gullets.

Kerf

This refers to the thickness of the blade. A kerf that is ultra-thin cuts the quickest and gets rid of mess material which means less wood gets wasted. It is also known to draw a smaller amount of energy and increase the lifespan of the saw.

Considering other things

You need to consider things like anti-friction on the blade and possibilities of it overheating. This helps to create a longer life span of the blade and its usage. This works great for issues where you’ll be using pressure-treated wood.

Anti-vibration slots are slots with goals to reduce the vibration of blades.

Steel blades are blades that have steel tips with a lot of teeth and are geared towards cutting plywood. But steel dulls quickly.

Carbide tips stay sharp and they stay longer which makes them have a longer life span.

Diamond tips refer to blades that are wonderful for situations where you want to cut through concrete material, ceramic, and glass.

These are the things you need to know about circular saws before taking on a DIY project.

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How to Make a Rose Flower Photo Frame

You must be wondering how to add a little bit of creativity to your home. What better way to decorate a home than with flowers? Many utilize flowers in so many areas and aspects of their life, such as in their homes, offices, schools, rooms, and so many other places. So how can you make use of a pressed rose in making a frame that you can use for holding your photos? Keep reading to find out how to make a rose flower photo frame.

There are lots of photo frames with different designs and ideas that can be used to beautify a place. But how does a rose photo frame beautify a place? Roses known for their outstanding beauty and looks are flowers that stand out a lot. They have a natural feel and add a serene feeling to the place.

Wooden Rose Photo Frame

This botanical art gives your home that comforting feel as it utilizes properly pressed roses from your garden. This project uses a wooden frame with decorative paper of your choice to be placed inside. It’s lovely home decor that’ll help enhance the natural beauty of your home. Here's how to make it in this frame.

Steps in Making a Wooden Rose Photo Frame

You're going to be needing the following materials in other to make this photo frame:

·                 A wooden photo frame (used or new)

·                 Glue

·                 Ruler

·                 Scissors

·                 Rose

·                 A decorative sheet of paper

Step 1

First, you need the glass from the picture frame. After doing so measure the back of the photo frame.

Step 2

Now place the measurement on the decorative paper and cut out the extra; make sure the paper is the same size as the photo frame before proceeding.

Step 3

Place the properly pressed flower onto a piece of cut out paper, align in the style of your choice, and glue.

Step 4

Now place the decorative paper in the frame as the background and glue the smaller paper with the flower to it.

Paper Roses Frame

This is a fun and attractive kind of photo frame as it involves being imaginative and creative in your way. The photo frame is made of well-cut out brown cartons and the roses are paper roses, which you can make yourself or get. So here's how to make it.

Steps in Making a Paper Rose Photo Frame

·                 A-frame

·                 Papers

·                 Ruler

·                 Glue

·                 Scissors

·                 Photo

·                 Roses (preferably paper)

Step 1

First, measure the back of the frame and cut out the decorative paper you'll use for it making sure it matches the size of the back of the frame.

Step 2

Now carefully glue the paper to the frame.

Step 3

Now align your paper roses on the side of the frame and glue.

Step 4

Wait for it to dry and now you have your very own rose photo frame.

We've now seen a few of the many ways you can create your rose photo frame. The beauty of how your photo frame turns out all depends on your creativity and skills. Now complement your home with these lovely photo frame ideas and designs.

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How Gardening is Good for Your Mental Health

Have you been feeling depressed lately, or it's just been a regular thing now? Did you know that gardening is a way of relieving a person from depression and loneliness? Gardening has been researched to be one of the many ways to relieve a person from a low mental state. Horticulture has so many benefits and ways it can improve a person's mental well-being. Let’s take a look at what gardening is and the benefits of it.

Effects of Gardening on Mental Health

A British study shows how just spending as little as 10 minutes a week gardening can greatly improve the health of a person and reduce the risk of heart disease. The best part is that not only can you get a green thumb with gardening outside but also inside as you can also nurture your chosen indoor plants, herbs, and flowers in the comfort of your home.

It has become very clear that gardening is more than just a trend or recreation, as it has helped many in escaping from their depression and loneliness. It has a lot of key benefits and so many ways of improving the emotional and mental health of a person. Here are a couple of benefits of how it can relieve a person from depression, loneliness, and anxiety from just getting green-fingered.

Benefits of Gardening

Research over the years shows how it has greatly improved the feel-good hormones in a person. As it involves hand in effort and nurturing, in turn giving the person a sense of pride and achievement from nurturing their plant. It also releases stress.

Relieving a person from stress is one of its many main benefits. Research has greatly shown how just relaxing in gardens, outdoors, and a green environment in general greatly improves the mental health of a person as their minds travel far and are less focused on the cause of their stress.

Gardening can give an individual a welcome break from their work day. Results show how those who spend time gardening have a lower stress level than those who spend time working on the computer.

Help Gain Vitamin D

As an activity that involves coming in contact with direct natural sunlight outdoors, gardening helps in strengthening your immune system and providing you with the necessary vitamin D to help a person to resist any chronic disease or illness. Also getting your hands in the soil will help in staying fit and healthy, and it involves partaking in little handwork or exercise, in turn helping people to remain fit.

These are a few of the ways to benefit from gardening. It's an activity that's fitting for all, as it’s a low-cost activity and doesn't require much to start. So if you have a balcony or window, you can start now and make this trend the remedy to your depression.

You can also check out some nice herbal and mood uplift products like Gaia Herbs’ Mood Uplifter and New Chapter’s Mood Support Probiotics, which may help balance your mood.

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How to Make Soap for Dogs

Do you think your dog is better off bathing with homemade soap than any brand picked off the shelf? Well, making soap for your dog requires a level of expertise that is thankfully not unattainable, as long as you know what you are doing and are determined.

Before making your dog’s soap, there are a few things to consider. What do you seek to achieve with the soap? Do you need to repel insects or attain a shinier coat? This is where the essential oils come in, and while they may not be as effective as chemical pesticides, they are natural and have a nicer smell. Let's break down some of the benefits of these oils before dropping the recipe and instructions on how to make soap for dogs.

Essential Oils for Dog Soaps

 

Lavender: Lavender is famed for its sweet smell, and it also repels fleas. It is one of a few essential oils that are considered safe when diluted for dogs, but not all essential oils are safe for pets.

Cedarwood: Cedarwood is a sweet-smelling base that blends in well with the other oils and is flea and mosquito repellant.

However, be cautious while shopping for essential oils as some are reported to be a bit harmful to pets.

Materials Needed for Dog Soap:

•                3/4 cup of distilled water

•                1/4 cup of lye (also known as 100% sodium hydroxide)

•                2/3 cup of olive oil

•                2/3 cup of oil blend (sunflower or safflower works)

•                1/8 cup of castor oil

•                1/8 cup of white distilled vinegar or lemon juice

•                A few drops each of the essential oils earlier listed

Instructions:

•                Pour the lye into the distilled water, stir it in, and set aside till required.

•                Blend the essential oils together, boil using mild heat where the temperature is below 100°F.

•                While stirring constantly, add the oils to the lye mixture.

•                Stir for at least five minutes, using a stick blender where necessary until it has a yogurt-like consistency.

•                Pour in the cup of castor oil, white distilled vinegar or lemon juice, and the drops each of the essential oils.

•                Properly blend all ingredients.

•                Pour into molds and leave for at least 24 hours to cool and form.

•                Cure for 3 to 4 weeks.

With that, your dog's soap is ready for use. While this may seem time-consuming, it is worth it as dogs are known as man's best friend hence the best is required to keep yours clean and healthy. Besides, dogs unlike humans, bathe only occasionally and a few bars of homemade soap can last for quite a while before new batches are required. Or, if you don’t want to make your own dog soap, try Doggie Shampoo Soap Bar by Good Earth.

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How to Make Old Fashioned Bean Cakes

Finger foods that can be made from leftovers are not only energy saving but practical. Bean cakes are no exception, whether you have leftover cooked beans or you make them fresh they are delicious and can be eaten with any topping of your choice. For this particular recipe, I recommend good old dried pinto beans. They are amazing and packed full of the needed nutrition.

Nutritious Value of Pinto Beans

Fiber: High in fiber, pinto beans are a welcome addition to your daily food intake. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that is good for the body, as it promotes weight loss, proper digestion, gets the heart beating properly, and improves regulation of blood sugar.

Antioxidants: Pinto beans are packed full with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids, specially kaempferol, which help suppress free radicals that contribute to diseases in the body. Kaempferol, according to recent research, reduces the risk of stroke and inflammation.

Asides these many benefits, pinto beans are chock full of nutrients such as protein, fat, sodium, thiamine, iron, magnesium, and calories. All good stuff, I assure you. Now that we know what is going into our systems, let's get to the nitty-gritty of how to make old fashioned bean cakes like grandma used to make with our own little twist.

Old Fashioned Bean Cakes Recipe

•                Pinto beans

•                Water

•                Onion

•                Black pepper

•                Salt

•                Any seasoning of your choice

•                Red and yellow bell pepper

•                Green onion

•                Cilantro

•                Lime juice

•                Salt

•                Flour

•                Egg

•                Peanut oil

If you are particular with measuring the ingredients that go into your food, I sincerely apologize for the chaos, this is an old fashioned bean cake recipe, and you have to make it from the heart, measuring with your intuition as you go, and trust me you won't be disappointed.

Instructions:

•                Pick out any dirt or broken beans before rinsing.

•                Bring to boil in a big pot, making sure the water tops the beans by an inch or two.

•                After an hour add the onion and black pepper while it is still cooking.

•                Add the seasoning and salt when it is almost tender.

•                Remove from heat and let it cool at room temperature before refrigerating overnight.

•                Mash the beans in a large bowl. This can be done manually or mechanically using a blender or food processor.

•                Add the green onion, salt, lime juice, cilantro, flour, and egg, and stir properly.

•                Pour peanut oil into a skillet over medium heat and allow to heat.

•                Using a tablespoon drop the mixture bit by bit into the oil and let fry until golden brown, and then turn the other side for the same effect.

•                Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and serve with any topping of your choice.

This is by far one of the easiest recipes ever made, right? It can be enjoyed while entertaining guests or at the breakfast table with your family.  There is no way you won't score points with this recipe, as it has been around for a very long time, and aside its numerous nutritious values, it is quite delicious and easy to make. I hope with this little effort you now know how to make old fashioned bean cakes.

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Does Flower Pollen Help with Prostate Health?

Pollen extract is also called bee pollen. It is a great way to help naturally manage different health conditions that are linked to prostate and urinary health issues. There have been links to good prostate health and pollen.

Pollen, generally, has numerous nutrients that are great for the body. You can have access to antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids when you take pollen from supplements like Pure Encapsulations’ ProstaFlo, for instance. Keep reading to learn more!

Can pollen extract heal enlarged prostate symptoms?

Studies show that pollen extracts are capable of reducing the size of the prostate. It helps with combating the symptoms that come with an enlarged prostate. It makes sure that your prostate health is top-notch.

Some scientists are of the opinion that there are compounds in pollen that make the urethra relax. This means that urine can pass normally. It also helps the bladder to contract when urine is leaving the body.

Can pollen extract heal prostatitis?

These extracts are known to possess anti-inflammatory features. This is great in reducing the symptoms that come with prostatitis. Studies show that over 36 percent will be totally cured with this. Forty-two percent will notice a great improvement.

If you have this problem, pollen extracts may work, but you should first consider discussing this with your doctor.

Can pollen extract treat urinary tract infections?

It is common to see some men using pollen extracts to treat urinary tract infections, and it seems to be effective. If you have urinary tract infections that lead to increased urinary urgency and urinary frequency, you could try out pollen extracts.

Can pollen extract help on recover from prostate biopsy?

If you just underwent a prostate biopsy, pollen extract may help you to recover. This is because they have intense anti-inflammatory properties. This has made them an awesome option for those that had a prostate biopsy. This will stop complications that may rear their heads.

Sometimes, a prostate biopsy could lead to infection. You can use natural solutions like pollen extract to take care of this.

The fact that pollen extract is a hub of nutrients means that men that underwent prostate biopsy can take it to reduce the chances of complications creeping up later.

One complication that someone that underwent biopsy may face is trouble urinating. It can be so annoying. Why not save yourself the trouble and try out pollen extract?

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