How to Make Snow Removal Less Strenuous

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Winter is coming and we all know what that means: snow, snow, and more snow. When you live in an area that tends to get heavy snowfall and blizzards that seem like they will never end, you've surely experienced the struggle that is snow removal.

For those who live somewhere where snow removal is taken care of for you, you may not have had to endure the backbreaking process of shoveling snow. However, for many who own a home and have a driveway and sidewalk to plow, it's not uncommon to spend hours outside in the freezing cold, hardly able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Here are some tips for how to handle snow removal this winter.

Strech First

Do you usually stretch before a workout? Stretching helps prepare your buddy for the intense activity you're about to do. It helps loosen your body up so you're less likely to get injured. The same goes for a physical activity like shoveling snow. Stretching before gearing up and shoveling heavy snow is a must. You might not think of it, but you certainly will after you're finished. If you've ever spent hours shoveling without stretching first and felt the aches and pains the next day, you know what we're talking about! Focus on stretching your legs and arms because that's where a lot of the stress of shoveling will be. Your back, too, may feel sore so full-body stretching will help lessen the soreness post-shoveling.

Find a Friend

Two people can cover twice as much ground in the same amount of time. Before you and a friend get started, map out a plan for where each of you will start and which direction you'll each go to maximize efficiency. If you have a snowblower, take turns using the snowblower while the other person shovels so you each aren't doing the same thing the entire time. 

Hire a Snow Removal Service

If you've had it with the do-it-yourself approach to snow removal, it's worth it to hire a reliable snow removal company. Snow removal companies have commercial-grade equipment to get the job done much quicker than you can with shovels or a snowblower. The amount of time it'll take to remove the snow may surprise you. Although you will be paying for the service, you will be glad you did when you can simply hop in your car and drive away without first having to spend hours removing snow from your driveway. Snow removal companies are very experienced, as well, so they'll probably do a much better job removing the snow than you could. 

No matter how you're tacking snow removal this year, always remember to stay safe and hire a professional if you're not sure you are up for the job. Get to know more about Westside Grounds if you're in the market for a snow removal service.

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3 Reasons To Hire a Licensed Electrician

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Some electrical jobs can be handled by non-professionals. However, others should only be attempted by a licensed electrician. These are three of the reasons you should consider hiring a licensed electrician.

1. Safety

Working with electrical equipment and wiring can be dangerous. Licensed electricians Sandwich MA have many hours of training and experience in performing electrical work safely. Using a licensed electrician not only allows you to avoid the potential safety hazards of doing the work, but also the possible risks involved with improperly installed electrical equipment. Electrical work that has not been done properly can lead to shocks, fires and other problems.

2. Cost

Many people attempt to do electrical work themselves to save money. However, your do-it-yourself electrical project may end up costing you more money than hiring a professional. Many electrical projects require training, specialized tools, safety equipment and expensive supplies. Additionally, if you make a mistake you could end up having to do the job over again or worse, damage your property, resulting in expensive repairs. You could end up paying the cost of your initial repairs, the cost to repair the damage you caused and the cost for a professional to do the job right.

3. Complexity

Some repairs are more involved than they initially appear. You may start on what seems like a simple repair, only to discover additional issues that are beyond your ability. If you are halfway through a project, you may end up having to wait on an electrician to come to finish your project, while all or part of your home is without power. Hiring a pro from the start may save you a lot of time and hassle.

It can be tempting to try to do your own electrical work, but doing so may cause safety hazards and unnecessary expense. Consider hiring a licensed electrician to make sure the job is done safely and correctly.

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3 Signs of Depression

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Many people go through periods where they feel sad, lonely or irritable. This is perfectly normal, as everyone experiences stressful situations such as the loss of a loved one or a source of income. When the symptoms do not diminish and negatively affect daily life, that could mean someone is experiencing depression.

1. Negative Thoughts and Feelings

While people with depression are often thought to be sad, that is not always the case. Depression may manifest in other ways, such as irritability, guilt, anxiety or feelings of emptiness. Negative thought patterns can emerge and cause people to relive unhappy memories or dwell on things they cannot control. In severe cases, people may think of harming themselves or others or consider suicide. Consulting a private licensed psychologist Pennsylvania for help can be a great way for people to learn coping techniques.

2. Lack of Energy

People who suffer from depression may be fatigued often. This can be accompanied by trouble falling or staying asleep or oversleeping. The lack of energy can seriously affect people’s ability to function during the day. Not getting enough sleep may further exacerbate other symptoms, leading to a worsened condition.

3. Loss of Interest

It can be difficult for someone with depression to concentrate properly, especially if they are having trouble sleeping. Feelings of hopelessness or apathy can contribute to people losing interest in things they used to enjoy. People who are depressed may stop attending social functions and may call in sick to work more often. A decreased sex drive can cause people to lose interest in sexual activity.

Anyone who is suffering from depression should know that they are not alone. They should reach out to others and attempt to get help. Talking to an experienced doctor can be a great way for people to find resources that will help them reduce negative thoughts and feelings and restore interest in daily activities.

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3 Things That Will Make Your Home More Comfortable

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There's no place like home and there's nowhere else on earth that should be more relaxing and welcoming. Sometimes it can be difficult to know just how to make your home the oasis of comfort and peace you desire, but there are a few things that everyone can do to achieve this.

1. Comfortable Furniture

Furniture is one of the most important things in your home. Nearly everything you do in and around your home, from sitting and sleeping to cooking and watching television requires some type of furniture or appliance. Taking your time and purchasing just the right furniture from TheCharmingBenchCompany.com for your wants and needs will make a huge difference in both the look and feel of your home. It's also important to give outdoor furniture the same consideration.

2. Soothing Scents

No one wants to come home from a long day at work and walk into a house that smells bad. Fortunately, there are many ways to bring all kinds of wonderful scents into your home. Candles are a wonderful option, but if you'd prefer not to use them you can find many different kinds of wall plug-ins, sprays and potpourri. There are scents that help you relax, those that make you feel energized and those that help you sleep.

3. Adjustable Lighting

Lighting is an essential part of any space. You want the area to be right enough to be able to do your work but not so bright as to cause headaches or other issues, and the same is certainly true for the home. A great way to achieve this is by having adjustable lighting that you can increase or decrease as needed.
There are many ways to make your home unique to you while also ensuring that it's functional and cozy. Some are a bit more pricey while others are quite affordable.

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Urban Gardening: Batch 2 Updates

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Just before the community quarantine was implemented, I already have a small vegetable garden at home. I also keep sharing ideas on how I cultivate some of the vegetables like lettuce, sitaw, eggplant, and others.

Just to share a short update. My vegetable garden is already on its second batch except for eggplants.

My lettuce is still in its germination stage that after a couple of weeks, I will be transferring them.

The sitaws in pots were already climb up to the end of the pole.

They are already in its flowering stage and after 7-10 days I will start harvesting.

There are also ginger in the plant bed.

I have difficulties in growing bell peppers and this time, I tried placing them inside a mosquito net to prevent from direct sunlight. Also, September-January is the best time to plant peppers according to Department of Agriculture's Plant Calendar.

Kangkong and kamote are still growing, which I already harvested some last Saturday for our breakfast.

Kangkong

Kamote

The calamansi is already bearing fruits while the lemons are starting to bloom.

The cucumbers planted in an old tire are climbing so fast that I need to make their trellis.

By the way, they are starting to flower and bear fruits.

Just like the cucumbers, the ampalaya is also climbing up its trellis.

After several tries of sowing seeds, the orka in pots is finally matured and heatlhy. Soon, it will show its flowers and develop into a fruit.

I also tried growing grapes this time and hopefully a success.

I also did some experiments in propagating indoor plants using recycled jars and bottles.

That’s all for now in my urban garden.

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Urban Gardening: How To Grow Okra In Pots

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One of the veggies I planted in my small urban garden is the okra or known as Ladyfingers. 

Okra grows commonly in warm countries. Some propagate it as an ornamental plant because it blooms like a gumamela.

Many don’t like to eat okra because it secrets a slimy juice but okra is good for weight loss since it has a low calorie ( about 25 to 40 kcal per 100 grams). Okra is also rich in vitamins A and C, minerals like phosphorus and calcium.

How did I grow in pots?

I used a pot that is 10-12 inches deep with a planting media consist of rice hulls and loam soil. This soil mixture is well-drained and rich in organic matter. You can also use animal manure. The pot should be placed where there is enough sunlight. Okra should receive at least 5 hours of full sunlight.

Since okra seeds are considered large, it can be planted directly in the pot or so-called direct seeding.

At about ½-1 inch deep, sow 2-3 okra seeds with about 6 inches apart. Water the seeds and keep the soil moist while waiting for the seeds to germinate. Patience is needs in waiting for the sprout to emerge from the soil which is usually 5-10 days.

After 2-3 weeks from seed’s germination, the leaves will continue to grown with large leaves. Since I planted okra in a pot or pail, I used the small variety can grown up to 3 feet only.

After another couple of weeks an flowers will start to emerge on the top most part of the plant. It looks like the okra pod.

After 3-5 days, it will open into light yellow petals as the first flower. Okra are self-pollinating, so you don't have to worry if the flower develop into a fruit.

The okra fruit starts to appear 5-7days after blooming and should be harvested until still tender. 

You can tell if the fruit is still tender by bending the tip and breaks easily.

Okra can be easily damaged by fusarium wilt caused by fungi. Also, it is susceptible to whiteflies and aphids. Fungi can be managed by applying fungicide on soil white the insects can be controlled by homemade insecticides.

Happy Gardening!

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How To Help Your Teenager Score a 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam

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With students across the United States unable to return to school for the foreseeable future, many parents are rushing to figure out a way to support their children’s educational efforts from home. For high achievers used to the rigor of lab science courses and after-school Advanced Placement test prep, the transition can be difficult. If your teenager is preparing for the AP Chemistry exam, read on for three ideas to make their studies more effective.

Focus on Test Preparation

Fortunately, you don’t need expensive equipment like repair mass spectrometers Exton PA or brand-new electron microscopes for your teenagers to succeed in AP Chemistry. Test prep experts recommend that students prepare for exams by narrowing their focus to only the material that will appear on the test. Consequently, College Board materials, especially study guides and exams from past years, offer the greatest value to students.

Research This Year’s Test

Since circumstances are different for many students this year, it’s more important than ever to help your teenager figure out when and where exams will be hosted, set up their test-taking environment to comply with any College Board regulations, and research the material that will be covered on this year’s exam. The focus of the exam may change from year to year, so even if other teenagers in your household have taken the AP Chemistry exam in prior years, you’ll need to research this year’s test independently.

Encourage Independent Study Habits

Staying involved with your teenager’s education is an important task for every parent, but by the time your children are old enough to take AP exams, they should be building the independent study skills that will help them succeed in college. Check in to make sure they’re studying, but don’t micromanage their time, and encourage them to work directly with classmates and teachers to get any help they need.

AP exam season is a stressful time for students and parents alike, but by starting the exam preparation process early, you can help your teenager develop the confidence they need to succeed.

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