Category: Other

Taking a nice, hot shower is one of the great simple joys in life. But if your water stops flowing freely, the mere idea of showering might stop you cold! Luckily, there’s a quick and easy fix for improving your water flow and pressure: All you have to do is clean your shower head! If you’ve never done this before, it may seem like a daunting task. But we can tell you how to clean a shower head in just a few easy steps. It really is so simple—we promise!

How to deep clean your shower head.

© Vladimir Grigorev / EyeEm – Getty Images gettyimages-1195223907

When shower heads fail to provide strong, constant water pressure, it’s often because the tiny holes are clogged with sediment built up from tap water, bacteria, and mold. If this sounds gross…that’s because it is! You should deep clean your shower head at least once a month to remove mineral deposits like limescale. Limescale not only slows water flow and reduces water pressure, but it can also serve as a breeding ground for health-threatening bacteria. To ensure that you and your family are showering in the cleanest possible conditions, follow the directions below.

You’ll need:

• A gallon-size plastic food storage bag
• Distilled white vinegar
• A rubberband
• A clean toothbrush
• Baking soda

Some methods call for removing the shower head, but we promised you this would be easy—so let’s do it the easy way! Start by filling a gallon-size plastic bag with vinegar. Place your shower head in the bag and secure the bag to the shower arm with a sturdy rubber band or some heavy-duty tape or string. Make sure that the entire shower head is submerged in vinegar, adding more if necessary.

What kind of vinegar do you use to clean a shower head?

Distilled white vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners out there. This nontoxic cleaning marvel kills some household bacteria, dissolves hard-water deposits, and cuts through grime. It’s also colorless so it won’t stain surfaces. Plus, it’s affordable, and you’re likely to have it on hand in your pantry whenever you feel the need to clean your shower head.

How long should you soak your shower head in vinegar?

Let your shower head soak for a few hours. If there is an excessive amount of buildup, you should soak it overnight for best results.

When you’re ready, remove the bag and use a clean toothbrush to scrub away any remaining buildup or residue, if necessary. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface of the shower head.

How do you remove limescale from a shower head?

If the limescale buildup is really bad, you may want to go the extra mile (with minimal effort). To tackle stubborn deposits, simply add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the vinegar before soaking your shower head. The natural abrasive will help open clogged passages.

It’s as simple as that! Now, we can appreciate that this may not be your favorite activity, but it’s totally worth it. By following this easy how-to, you’ll be singing in the shower in no time!

Article by Tierney McAfee for The Pioneer Woman©

Source: How to Clean Your Shower Head in a Few Easy Steps (msn.com)

 © Provided by Best Life

Experts say a paint shortage is hitting stores.

If you’re looking to redecorate your home in the near future, you may want to leave painting off your to-do list. Experts say it could be hard to find the paint you need. “Some of the most common used paints are out of stock,” Mike Marcewicz, founder of Mike’s Painting and Home Improvements, told Bay News 9. According to Chemical & Engineering News, paint makers are not receiving their full orders of raw materials and having to pay higher prices for the supply they do get, which has led to a fewer paint products hitting store shelves.

The paint shortage was exacerbated by this year’s major winter storm.

Paint supply chain Sherwin-Williams was already suffering as a result of the COVID pandemic. However, the February winter storm that hit Texas added further constraints to the supply chain.

Increased demand for paint is not helping the situation either.

This paint shortage is coming at a time when demand for paint is increasing—which will only make things worse, experts say. We’re approaching painting season, after all. Summer is typically regarded as painting season because it is the optimal time to paint your home exterior due to warm weather and scarce rain, according to Teel Painting.

You’ll likely have to pay more for the paints that you can find.

If you do find any paint in stores, it will likely be marked up from what you’re used to paying. Sherwin-Williams has already issued a price increase on consumer paint brands as a result of shortages and increased pricing of raw materials. And more price hikes may be coming.

Article by Kali Coleman for BestLife

Source: This Home Necessity Is Disappearing From Store Shelves (msn.com)

The IRS pushed back the tax filing deadline by a month to May 17 instead of April 15 as the agency grapples with staffing issues and outdated systems at a time when it’s also implementing sweeping tax code changes from the COVID-19 relief packages. In 2020, the deadline was extended to July 15.

Tax Day used to be one of the biggest freebie and deal days of the year before the coronavirus pandemic. Some restaurants would mark the tax return deadline with specials that often drew big crowds. For the second year in a row, the list of Tax Day free food and deals is shorter.

But there are still deductions and tax relief regardless of whether you owe money or are waiting on a delayed tax refund.

Businesses, including Krispy Kreme, White Castle and Office Depot, also have ongoing freebies for vaccinated customers. And Krispy Kreme has a freebie Monday for everyone, no vaccination card required.

© Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. Krispy Kreme

With all these freebies around, just don’t forget to file !

Article by Kelly Tyko for USA Today

Source: Mark tax deadline with free Krispy Kreme doughnut and coffee, vaccine freebies and more Tax Day deals (msn.com)

Studies show that following the MIND diet, even moderately, can have significant effects.

Written by  KAITLYN PIRIE for Woman’s Day©

You already know eating certain foods can help you lose weight and lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease, but following a healthy diet can also keep your brain sharp. The foods you eat impact neurological health in many ways—including effects on insulin resistance, detoxification, and systemic inflammation—and provide critical vitamins, says Dale E. Bredesen, M.D., a neurologist and author of the book The End of Alzheimer’s Program, which has a whole section devoted to foods that help prevent cognitive decline. The trick is to find an eating style that optimizes your brainpower and is sustainable.

Scientists are working hard to try to solve this puzzle and discover how we can use nutrition to enhance our cognition. For instance, a 2015 study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia found that the MIND diet can turn back the time on your cognitive age by 7 ½ years. Short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, the MIND diet combines the best of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, locking in the parts of each associated with dementia protection. “Good fats, such as olive oil, and vegetables (which include high folate and crucifers for detoxification) are brain-healthy components of the Mediterranean diet,” says Dr. Bredesen. “Meanwhile, vegetables and wild-caught fish that are low in mercury are both brain-healthy components of the DASH diet.

The team of researchers behind the 2015 study followed over 900 men and women ages 58 to 98 for an average of 4 1⁄2 years, assessing their diets with detailed food questionnaires and testing their cognitive function annually. They scored participants’ diets by how closely they matched the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND eating patterns. The DASH diet reduced Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk by 39%, the MIND diet by 53%, and the Mediterranean diet by 54%. But hold on—when participants followed the diets moderately well, rather than to the letter, only the MIND diet returned significant results. It reduced AD risk by 53% in those who followed it very closely, and by 35% in those who followed it reasonably well. What this means is that strict adherence to the DASH and Mediterranean diets may reduce AD risk—but so might moderate adherence to the MIND diet.

It’s worth noting that in the study, those with the highest MIND diet scores ate cheese and fried or fast food less than once a week, red meat less than four times a week, and desserts, pastries, or sweets less than five times a week. They also used less than a tablespoon of butter or margarine a day, and made olive oil their main source of fat. Translation: It’s not enough to eat the brain-friendly foods; to help lower your AD risk, it’s necessary to limit these less-healthy groups as well.

“Several trials are currently ongoing to test the impact of MIND diet on cognitive decline, and other structural changes in the brain after 3 years in 604 adults,” says Christy C. Tangney, Ph.D., C.N.S., F.A.C.N., professor in the Department of Clinical Nutrition at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and co-author of the 2015 study. “We will learn much more from this trial about the role this diet plan plays in brain health. The MIND diet is also one of four lifestyle approaches being tested in another ongoing clinical trial known as US Pointer (US Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle intervention to Reduce Risk) that I’m working on.”

For people who really want to take things to the next level, Dr. Bredesen recommends following a diet that supports ketosis, which studies show can boost cognition. His very low-carbohydrate KetoFlex 12/3 diet is primarily plant-based and requires you to eat all your food within a 12-hour window every day and stop eating three hours before you go to bed. If that sounds like too much of a stretch for you, do whatever you can to limit your intake of processed foods, red meat, and added sugar while prioritizing brain-healthy foods. Pair the all-stars below with one veggie serving of your choice every day, and you’re on your way to better brainpower.
1 BERRIES

HARRISON EASTWOOD GETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: 2

One serving equals: 1 ⁄2 cup

Research shows that berries help improve signaling in the brain, most likely due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

2 GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES

WESTEND61 GETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: 6

One serving equals: 1 cup cooked, 2 cups raw

“Foods high in folate (such as leafy greens) reduce homocysteine, thus reducing risk for Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Bredesen. Meanwhile, “cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts support detoxification,” he adds.
3 BEANS

BURCU ATALAY TANKUT GETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: at least 3

One serving equals: 1 ⁄2 cup cooked

Beans are packed with fiber, which research has linked to enhanced cognition.

4 WHOLE GRAINS

KSENIYA OVCHINNIKOVA GETTY IMAGES

Daily servings to aim for: at least 3

One serving equals: 1 ⁄2 cup cooked whole grain, 100% whole grain pasta, or 100% whole grain hot cereal; 1 slice 100% whole grain bread; 1 cup 100% whole grain ready-to-eat cereal

Dr. Bredesen suggests trying to avoid simple carbohydrates (like white rice or pasta). “They are associated with metabolic syndrome, which in turn increases risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” he says.
5 POULTRY

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Weekly servings to aim for: 2 or more

One serving equals: 3 ounces

If you eat meat, poultry is a much healthier option than red meat. It’s leaner and has less saturated fat.
6 FISH

SILVIAJANSEN GETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: 1

One serving equals: 3 to 4 ounces

Salmon is an especially smart choice as it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which research shows may lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
7 NUTS

TETRA IMAGES GETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: 5

One serving equals: a small handful (1.5 ounces) of nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter

Nuts are high in polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia.

8 OLIVE OIL

JOFF LEEGETTY IMAGES

Weekly servings to aim for: The MIND diet doesn’t set a quota for olive oil; just use it in place of other oils and butter, and splurge on the extra-virgin variety.

Olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fat. “A low-carbohydrate diet that’s high in good fats (such as polyunsaturates and monounsaturates) promotes ketosis, which supports brain function,” says Dr. Bredesen.
9 OPTIONAL: ALCOHOL/WINE

LINDA RAYMONDGETTY IMAGES

Daily servings to aim for (if you already imbibe): up to 1 drink per day for women, 2 for men (no more!)

One serving equals: 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, OR 1.5 ounces (1 shot) of 80-proof spirits

From: Prevention US

Source: 9 Best Foods for Better Brain Health – MIND Diet Foods (womansday.com)

By Astrofame

(Truth be told, I don’t believe in astrology, however, my Sagittarius sign advised me to post this article today.)

Sagittarius loves adventure and travelling, so much so that it’s impossible for these natives to sit quietly at home and do nothing. The truth is, this sign constantly needs to be on the move and in action. Whether adventurous or down to earth, Sagittarius will never be in contemplation and will always look to move forward to their next destination, as a result, these natives look for someone who drives and excites them. If you are an Aries or a Leo, you are amongst the perfect matches for this zodiac sign because you have lots in common. What about you? Are you compatible with a Sagittarius? Take our test to find out!

Born between November 22 and December 21, Sagittarius is a Fire sign. Its planet; Jupiter blesses this exciting sign with courage and a lot of optimism. To learn more about this sign, consult the astrological portrait of the Sagittarius personality. Natives of this sign want relationships made of exchanges and projects. They are in fact very careful in choosing their partner and want someone who can fulfill their desires.

Are you a Sagittarius and want to know which zodiac signs you are compatible with? With you, it’s always time for action and you dream of finding a partner who is able to follow you in all your adventures. However, not every star sign has what it takes to keep up with you.

SPOILER ALERT !

What does the Sagittarius compatibility reveal?

In order to feel good in your relationship you need to be with someone who makes you feel alive. Funny, cheerful and optimistic you would be completely incompatible with a party pooper. It would be impossible for you to live with a sign that is too homely or who can’t maintain your pace. 

Aries

Sagittarius and Aries compatibility: ♥ Electric match

Taurus

Sagittarius and Taurus compatibility: ♥ Different goals…

Gemini

Sagittarius and Gemini compatibility: ♥ A happy couple

Cancer

Sagittarius and Cancer compatibility: ♥ A doomed duo

Leo

Sagittarius and Leo compatibility: ♥ A wonderful love match

Virgo

Sagittarius and Virgo compatibility: ♥ A traditional couple

Libra

Sagittarius and Libra compatibility: ♥ A strong pairing

Scorpio

Sagittarius and Scorpio compatibility: ♥ A chaotic match

Sagittarius

Sagittarius and Sagittarius compatibility: ♥ True soulmates

Capricorn

Sagittarius and Capricorn compatibility: ♥ A complicated pair

Aquarius

Sagittarius and Aquarius compatibility: ♥ An intelligent couple

Pisces

Sagittarius and Pisces compatibility: ♥ An uncertain pair

So, who do I thank for this ridiculous piece of info that I don’t even believe in?

Sagittarius Compatibility: Who Will Steal Your Heart? (msn.com)

Oh, OK. Thanks.

Virginia mom Abby Doble’s five- and seven-year-old are ready for some noisy visitors. “They still have old exoskeletons they collected last year,” she says. But those exoskeletons were from annual cicadas. What’s coming now is bigger … much bigger.

Think: trillions of insects. This is “Brood X” (as in “Brood 10”), a regional group of periodical cicadas that emerges just once every 17 years. If you live in one of the states that’s expecting the bevy of bugs, your kids are likely feeling the excitement. Here’s the buzz on what’s up with these visitors—and ways their arrival can help teach children some six-legged STEM.

Why the cicadas are here

© Photograph by DARLYNE A. MURAWSKI / National Geographic Image Collection A Brood X nymph emerges from a hole in the ground, called a chimney.

The periodical cicadas you’ll see this spring and summer are actually the grown-up insects that hatched 17 years ago, when their parents emerged. After spending most of their lives tunneling underground, these cicadas will be aboveground for about a month.

“Their sole purpose when they’re in that stage is to mate, lay eggs, then die,” says Megan Abraham, division director and state entomologist in Indianapolis.

But while they’re here, they’re loud—at least the males are. “They have something called a tymbal in their abdominal cavity, and it acts like a drum,” Abraham says. “They have tiny muscles that pull on this drum, and that calls the females.”

That makes one big bug party that in some places can sound like a running freight train is nearby. In Indiana, one of the Brood X “epicenters,” as many as 1.5 million buggers per acre are expected to emerge.

Experts theorize that the massive group appearance is so that predators like birds and rodents can’t possibly eat them all, which would prevent mating. Once the survivors do mate, the cicadas lay eggs in trees, where the nymphs (baby cicadas) will hatch and drop to the ground, burrow in, and live underground. There, they’ll start sipping from grass roots, then graduate to tree roots for the next 17 years.© Photograph by cmannphoto / Getty Images A newly molted Brood X cicada emerges from its exoskeleton.

Harmless to humans

With a three-inch wingspan, these red-eyed buggers might look alarming. But they’re more like the golden retrievers of the insect world—mostly harmless and a little clumsy. “They don’t bite or sting,” Abraham says. “But they’re not very good about flying, so they’ll be hitting cars and running into people.”

The swarms aren’t like locusts, which eat and destroy crops. In fact, they’re good for local wildlife, which feed on the bugs. After the cicadas come and go, “there will be quite a boom of fat squirrels and raccoons,” Abraham says. And barring unusual allergies, even your dog or cat can munch a few. (Humans have been known to eat them, too—they’re said to taste like shrimp.)

Cicada STEM activities for kids

Best of all, kids can learn a lot from cicadas that will inspire them to explore science and nature. “Having first-hand experiences with the cicadas sets kids up to really understand more complex scientific concepts later,” says Rebecca Haverstick, an elementary school science teacher in New York. For instance, a young child who hears a cicada’s calls traveling long distances now might easily grasp a lesson on sound waves years later.

Here are some fun (and—sh!—educational) activities for this season of cicadas.

Guess their stage.  When Brood X first emerges, the cicadas go through several different developmental stages that kids can observe. The emerging nymphs look light brown “to blend in with the soil,” Abraham says. Right away, they start climbing the nearest tree, then pop out of their exoskeletons. “As soon as they come out of their molt, they’ll be a white color,” Abraham says. Their wings will be light white and soft. Over the next few hours, their wings will open and firm up as their bodies turn golden and, finally, jet black. Then they are called adults—and it all happens in about a day.

Be a cicada detective. Cicadas leave telltale signs where they emerge and lay eggs. Checking below a tree, kids might find little tube-shaped mounds of earth that the cicadas created when they first came out from underground. Children can also look for “egg scars”—little slits on young branches where the cicadas have laid their eggs.

Do a sound experiment. Periodical cicadas are famously noisy—a single bug can be about as loud as a lawnmower! Kids can see just how loud the bugs are with a sound wave experiment. Tightly stretch plastic wrap atop a bowl and attach with a rubber band. (Save the wrap for later!) Put crumpled snips of tissue paper on top of the wrap. Then take it outside and set it on the ground beside a loud cluster of cicadas. The bits of paper should jump and move. “Sound is vibration traveling through air,” Haverstick explains, noting that the cicadas’ vibrations are strong enough to move the pieces of paper.

Feel cicada “honeydew.” Kids who stand under a tree full of cicadas will feel a few drops of liquid falling. Its official name is “honeydew,” but it’s better known as cicada pee! “It can kind of feel like a shower sometimes, depending on how many are in the tree,” Abraham says. Gross as it might seem to grown-ups, it can get kids talking about the fact that cicadas need to pee and poop, just like we do—and that’s the start of understanding digestion.

Attract a cicada. Females let males know they’re interested by clicking their wings in between male cicada songs—and the clicking sounds a lot like a kid snapping fingers. “Female wing flicks are sometimes placed between song phrases or within the last part of the song phrase,” explains Chris Simon, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at University of Connecticut, and a specialist in cicadas. “If a kid can get close to the cicadas, then they can hear individual songs and try clicking to them,” she says. That gives kids the chance to closely see, hear, and even feel the weight of a cicada. (Just make sure to let it rest on your body, then fly away when it’s ready.)

Article by Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh for National Geographic©

Source: The cicadas are coming! Here’s how to make that fun for kids. (msn.com)