By now, you’ve heard about veganism either from your friends, your family or in your general social circle. Maybe you dismissed it at first as a phase. But now you’re giving it some serious thought, given your particular health risks or perhaps your desire to reduce your own impacts on the environment. In any case, you’re about to embark on a very interesting, healthy and delicious adventure. It’s important to take things slow, as well as incorporate new and nutrient-rich foods, in order to make the transition.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Gradually easing into your new way of eating is vital to make sure you can stick to it. The Vegan Society gives some excellent advice, including making small changes to your meals in the beginning. Modifying one meal at a time, or choosing a day of the week where you only eat vegan, are great starting points. Once you’ve mastered those minor challenges, you’ve learned some things to help you expand.

Be Sure to Get Your Vitamins and Minerals
If you’re not careful, the very first thing that will disappear from your diet is vitamin B12. According to this article on Health.com, it’s only found in meat and other animal foods. Its deficiency causes some pretty harmful effects, so opt for a daily B12 supplement. Or if you choose to eat fortified foods, be sure to consume at least three micrograms total of B12 per day.
When looking at missing nutrients, iron should be the next one on your list. Since the majority of traditionally iron-rich foods are animal-based, you’ll either need to find plant-based equivalents or incorporate a supplement in your daily regimen. Dark leafy greens, legumes and sunflower seeds are great sources to get this mineral without eating meat. And foods loaded with vitamin C help with iron absorption. Many kinds of dark greens are powerhouses in both iron and C, but you can also up your intake of C with citrus fruits.
Thankfully, you’ll get your other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by introducing a multifarious mixture of fruits, vegetables and grains into your meals. Beta-carotene usually comes from orange-colored vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Your body converts this into retinol, or vitamin A. Many kinds of grains contain minerals such as selenium, other B vitamins (including niacin and folate) and magnesium. Make sure to choose options that also include amble amounts of fiber, which aids in maintaining your digestive tract as well as slowing blood sugar spikes.

Protein, Calcium and Fat
Since most people primarily rely on animal products to supply their protein, calcium and fats, you’ll need to be more conscious of incorporating new sources of them in your meal plan. Legumes, including beans and lentils, are one of the top plant-based protein sources around. They’re also pretty versatile, and work well in many kinds of dishes. Also, calcium can be supplied by green leafy vegetables, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, oranges and fortified dairy substitutes.
Fat is a little easier to replace, because it’s so plentiful in vegetable-based forms. The most famous of these are extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, and coconut oil, all of which are good sources of heart-smart monounsaturated fats. Additionally, canola oil is a notable source of omega-3 fatty acids. And if you’re looking for alternatives to your old dressings, condiments and dips, read labels when you shop and select vegan products such as the Just Mayo line from HamptonCreek.

New Adventures Through New Foods
Since the standard American diet will not likely support your efforts to go vegan, you’ll be venturing into new foods and cuisines to enrich your new style of eating. Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Ethiopian food are very friendly for non-meat eaters. Cultural aspects, such as the ahimsa concept of non-violence and compassion for other living things observed in many Indian religions, typically influence the food that’s eaten. In other cases, a lack of meat or animal products led to food selections to get needed nutrients in other ways.
Going vegan might sound overwhelming, but you’re in for an exciting journey. Just like Rome wasn’t conquered overnight, no one expects you to make completely revolutionary dietary changes right away. Making slow gradual modifications, being aware of your nutritional needs and being open to new foods are vital steps to making the switchover successfully. You’ll enjoy increased wellness, as well as non-tangible benefits in other ways.

Fads have taken over popular culture since the beginning of time, many of them terrible – looking at you, Pogs. However, in the last few years, we’ve seen a rise in ethical and responsible lifestyle choices becoming increasingly more popular. Choosing electric cars over gas-guzzling SUVs, eating organically grown produce and being fit are all part of the overall social awareness that “going green” is the right thing to do.

In grocery stores all across the world, “organic” items are the new in-thing. Manufacturers are slapping the term all over everything and jacking the prices way, way up. It’s strangely reminiscent of the X-treme marketing days of the 90s, when apparently the only way to sell soda was to have Andre Agassi screaming as he free falls down a cliff side, all in the name of “training” – because, that totally makes sense?

Okay, so maybe it isn’t that bad. However, it is hard to see through the veil of what is and isn’t organic, or if that even matters at all. For now, we’re going to take a look at what is ultimately a personal decision that you should make for yourself: conventional or organic tampons?

The Main Differences

The traditional (non-organic) variety of tampons that you’re used to seeing at the grocery store contains regular cotton (as in, grown with pesticides) and a synthetic rayon blend that has likely been bleached white with chlorine and may contain other dyes or fragrances – which, due to the ‘trade secret’ status of fragrances, manufacturers are not required by the FDA to disclose ingredients on the label. Any applicators are likely made from traditional plastic elements.

Organic tampons are made with organic cotton (as in, grown without pesticides) and is free of any mystery chemicals that lie inside fragrances and dyes. If an applicator is present, it should be made with biodegradable, or otherwise sustainable materials.

Chemicals

The FDA considers and regulates all tampons as “medical devices.” The absorbency qualifiers on both organic and non-organic tampons are the same across the board: regular, super, etc. Which means that regardless of what it’s made from, there are standards with how absorbent it has to be in order to meet the FDA’s standards. This is to help combat Toxic Shock Syndrome – a rare and life-threatening bacterial condition.

Regular tampons are considered very safe, however, it is important to note that the non-organic process of manufacturing tampons involves a decent amount of chemicals that get absorbed into the body upon application. There are the pesticides from the cotton, then the chlorine from the bleaching process and the plastic in the applicator will contain phthalates which have been linked to various health hazards.

Think Green

While the general idea of “going green” may be a fad, it is a step in the right direction, ecologically-speaking. Ultimately, both conventional and organic tampons are safe for use – but, if you want to be part of the trend, or you are just socially aware, you probably know which option is better.

We live in the times when it is important to have our food and drink delivered in a timely manner. This can be especially important when you live in places such as London, which you have to admit is a rather huge place to be. During peak hours, including late afternoon, it might be almost impossible to get anywhere in London, especially if you don’t have a car. And even if you do have a car, driving in traffic might not be such a good idea. This is why it is always better to opt for alcohol delivery to have it delivered at your doorstep.

I like being able to have my food and drinks ordered to my doorstep at any time of day or even late night. Very often, when I watch some shows late in the evening I am very tempted to snack on something, or even drink some alcohol. What is more, alcohol usually helps me to sleep better, so the more of it I drink before bedtime the better sleep I am going to get. Of course, there are some limits when it comes to that and I cannot drink more than 3 units of alcohol without getting a hangover, but it does not stop me from drinking altogether.

If you live the London area you are a very lucky person indeed. There are many places from where you can order food and drink at almost any time of day or night. The choice of beverages is very wide as well. Arguably, this is the best place to live in the UK, especially if you have a good job there and especially if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of large cities such as London. If you are considering relocating to the area know that there are many possibilities waiting there for you.

every time you engage in some sort of activity such as ice skating for example it really makes sense to ensure that you have the best protective gear. It is always best to know to have such items in advance as when you and your family are all ready to head out to the near ice rink it might be way too late to start shopping for your protective gear that will include a knee pad.

I can think of many examples of all those necessary items that you might want to take with you when you go ice skating. the most obvious item and accessory is a skate helmet. It is true that no two skate helmets are alike. there are some better and worse models available on the market and it really makes sense to choose those better models over the worse ones as the better models will ensure your safety and will protect your head from fall damage.

Why is it important to wear a helmet while ice skating? I am not sure about you, but I always wear a helmet when I am on the bike or when i go roller skating. Having a helmet on my head gives me the peace of mind so that I don’t have to worry what is going to happen if I hit my head on the street or sidewalk. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I see that some people out there do not
wear any head protection while skating whether it is ice skating or roller. I strongly disagree with this approach. Your head is your biggest asset and you simply cannot neglect it by exposing it to some of the dangers that are lurking at every corner wherever you go. Just being aware that you might hit your head suddenly is a good reason to ensure that you always take your helmet with you whenever you plan on engaging in any of the listed-above activities.

Next time you go ice skating or roller skating remember to have some protective gear with you. I would personally be willing to recommend skates.guru as they have a wide selection of items both for grown ups as well as for children. Some of the most popular brands they sell include Riedell, Jackson, Zuca and Guardog. Their items will arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition, and know that the company offers free two-day shipping as well as an excellent customer service. Feel free to browse their large selection of items to find those that will suit you most. You will be surprised to discover how many different items you can choose to enhance your ice skating experience such as ice skating dresses, pants, ice skates, as well as protective gear. Your experience on the ice rink will never be the same once you learn to enjoy the apparel.

After you are done with shopping, feel free to share with me what you have bought I am curious myself and I would like to see what others do in their spare time when planning their adventures on an ice rink.

To be honest with you I would like to tell you that drums have always been easily one of the favorite instruments of mine for a number of reasons. There is simply something very appealing about being able to touch your roc n soc to produce some of the most satisfying sounds you can possibly imagine. Because of this I always like the idea of playing drums whenever I have an opportunity to do so.

There comes a time in the life of every, or almost every young boy when he wants to get a toy drum set. It is not unusual for young boys to get such sets as their popularity is constantly on the rise. Such drum sets can prove to be invaluable later in life when that young boy will want to switch to something better than that.

I don’t know about you and the place you live, but here in the part of the world where I live the summer is far from being over. After looking at the weather forecasts yesterday, I came to the conclusion that there are still some sunny days ahead of me, a perfect opportunity for some well-deserved rest. And what am I going to do? With a sandy beach just a few miles away, there is no way I am going to stay at home. It’s time to hit the road and show the world how exciting I am about the great outdoors including all those marvelous beaches in my area.

I have been always passionate about sexy swimwear. To be honest, I am not even sure how many swimming costumes I own in my wardrobe. There might be many of them since I don’t even remember all of them here. And only because I cannot recall all of them does not have to mean that I am done with those type of clothes. On the contrary, I am open to all new purchases that can make my days out at the beach so much more exciting.

I am still wearing size 8 (which is in the US size 4 I believe). This means that I am proud of myself and my body. I don’t even remember when was the last time I had any sugar. This makes shopping for clothes so much more enjoyable as I always try to imagine how I am going to look in the clothes I am about to buy. The same principle applies to swimwear. And what colours am I going to go for? Definitely something bright, something that attracts the attention of others on the beach. After all, I want my clothes to stand out and I really want to be proud of what I am wearing.

For those of us not really familiar with how to light up our home, lighting is lighting. You get a couple of lamps and some sconces and you call it a day. This just isn’t true. I mean yes, arranging some lamps and investing in new lighting fixtures in general is a smart choice, but there’s more to it than that.

Houses are being built in a new way now, with consideration being taken in for track and recessed lighting. Combined with our other lighting fixtures, we can turn our space into a swathing interior of light controlled by dimmer switches and from our very own smart phones. The technological world around us is transforming, and it’s about time we transformed with it.

What is Track Lighting?

Most of us are used to flipping a switch or turning on a lamp when we enter a dark room. What we’re not so used to is being able to hide our light sources away or stylizing them in such a way as to where they add character to the architectural design of our home. We can do this with track lighting.

So what exactly is track lighting? Well, in a general sense, track lighting is a lighting system in which lights are connected to tracks that are modifiable. A more detailed definition of track lighting is that it is a number of lights attached to a light-fixture track powered by electrical conductors. Now you’re saying, Okay, so what are some of their benefits, isn’t that what this article is supposed to be about? No worries, I’m getting to it!

Benefit 1: Versatility

With a table or floor lamp you’re not offered much specialty. Yes, they’re transportable and some are adjustable, but it seems that their styles can quickly go out of fashion depending on the space they’re in or when your taste changes. This isn’t the case with track lighting. A well-designed track lighting system gives you the freedom to play with the direction of the lights and the fixture itself is available in different shapes; it’s not just one boring linear line.

Benefit 2: Saves Space

Wall sconces, floor lamps and table lamps take up space on our floors walls and tables. We lose room in our interiors because of this and it makes the space feel cramped and small. Installing track lighting does away with these large and bulky items and gives us our rooms back. Up high and out of sight, you have more room to play and make the space your own.

Benefit 3: Easy Installation

Another bonus of track lighting is you don’t need a contractor or electrician to install it. All you have to do is follow the directions from its packaging and you’re good to go.

Benefit 4: Cost-Effective

Having to fill up your home with an array of lighting fixtures can get expensive fast. Unless you want to fill up your home with cheap plastic lamps that’ll fall apart and make the place look childish, your best option is to go with track lighting. It will provide the general overhead lighting you need and its adjustable light heads gives you the freedom to aim the light where you please.

Benefit 5: Energy Efficient

When you invest in an LED track lighting system, you’re saving both money and energy. Energy Star-rated track lighting systems use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times as long as the typical incandescent light bulb. If by 2027 people make the switch, it’s estimated that we can save as much as $30 billion in electricity! It’s a win-win!

Clearly, going with track lighting is the smart way to go: it’s the way of the future.

Giving hampers as a Christmas gift is a popular choice thanks to the way they can so easily be customised to suit the recipient. There are lots of beautiful pre-filled hampers available, offering either a selection of seasonal products or a themed collection of foodie gifts. If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for though, it’s easy and fun to make your own, and give your friends and loved ones a gift that’s unique and perfect for them.

Getting started: Find a container

Most Christmas hampers that you find in the shops are the traditional wicker variety, like the beautiful ready-made examples you’ll find at British Fine Foods, filled with delicious gourmet delicacies. This site also gives you the opportunity to create your own hamper, with a choice of luxury wicker baskets and the chance to pick a selection of food items from their range.

If you’re building your own hamper at home, you can get really creative. Any container will do: even an old cardboard box will look nice if you decorate it with pretty wrapping paper and ribbons. Or maybe think outside the box – for cooking enthusiasts, fill a wok or large saucepan with a selection of spices and oils; home bakers would love to receive a mixing bowl of new ingredients to try; afternoon tea enthusiasts may enjoy a tray packed with biscuits, preserves and herbal teas.

Decide on a theme

For some recipients, it’s easy to come up with a theme for your hamper gift. Maybe your dad is known for his love of red wine and cheese, or your sister is mad for chocolate of any kind, making it effortless to select some good quality products that tick all the right boxes. If you can’t come up with a theme related to their hobbies or favourite foods, you can always just go for a seasonal selection of festive foods which is sure to be appreciated over Christmas.

Fun hamper ideas to make Christmas gift giving easy this year

If you’re in need of inspiration for your Christmas hampers, we’ve come up with some quirky suggestions to help. Try one of these and put together a truly unique gift you won’t find in the shops!

For travellers: For any recipient who enjoys holidays and exploring the world, you could select traditional foods from some of the countries they’ve visited, such as Belgian chocolate, French cheese, Italian pasta, Scottish haggis. Theme your hamper to just one destination, or make it a ‘world tour’ in luxury food!

For tired parents: Most parents of young children will tell you that a glass of their favourite tipple at the end of a long day is a must! Pair gin, wine, cider or beer with other ‘adult only’ treats like liqueur chocolates, posh popcorn or anything else that the children won’t demand a share of, and give the grownups a present that’s just for them for a change.

For gym goers: If your loved one likes to take care of their health, pack them a hamper full of treats that won’t undo all their hard work at the gym. Take a look round your local health food shop, and select snacks like dried fruits, nuts, detox teas, vegetable crisps and more, for an organic energy boost.

For film lovers: Popcorn is a must, along with their favourite drink (alcoholic or not), and some sweet treats to enjoy alongside a movie. Crisps, sharing bags of chocolates and gourmet popcorn all make good choices, and if you’re feeling generous you could add a DVD or two, or even a voucher for the local cinema.

Homemade hampers are great because they allow you to buy to your budget, while still giving a thoughtful and considerate gift. There are lots more brilliant ideas online, including this great article at Frugal and Thriving, with tips for making your own items to go in the hamper too!

Infographic by Dailysale. Used with permission