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Can Darker Laminated Doors Work in Your Kitchen

When you consider your choices for kitchen doors, there are a lot of options to choose from. Conventional thinking would dictate a plain wooden or Laminex doors painted in white, but bold kitchen designers can do a lot with darker colours. The exact colours that you choose will depend on a number of factors, such as natural light, existing decor, and your own personal tastes. So, it’s not possible to suggest a colour that would suit every need and we can only discuss the issue as a general concept. Let’s take a closer look at how darker colour schemes and laminated doors could work in a kitchen space.

The Kitchen Size and Natural Light Levels

If your home has plenty of natural light and your available kitchen space is on the expansive side, a darker colour scheme for your Laminex doors and cabinetry could work well. In fact, the darker surfaces could tone down excessive quantities of natural lights to more acceptable levels that are easier to live with. But, if the space is already dark or smaller adopting a darker colour scheme can quickly make the kitchen feel small and claustrophobic. However, if you like darker colours and you have a smaller kitchen, all is not lost. Instead of going for broad swathes of darker colours you could accent certain areas with an odd splash of a favourite dark colour instead.

Consider Kids and Pets in Your Kitchen

Many homes are filled with life in the form of smaller kids and pets, and they don’t mix well with pure white surfaces. Unless you want to spend a great deal of time wiping down white doors, drawers and cabinet frontages, it’s a great idea to avoid white surfaces in your kitchen. Darker surfaces work well here, if you’re the only person cleaning the kitchen on a regular basis, you can clean less often, and the space will still look great.

Reflecting Your Personality in Darker Colours

An expanse of white colour may look clean, but it’s probably not the best choice if you want to put some of your personality into the kitchen. Many homeowners like to use their kitchen as a place to entertain and socialise with their guests. A bare white gathering spot isn’t particularly inspiring, and it makes better sense to choose colours that reflect your personality. There is no need to go overboard; if you have a smaller kitchen choose some accents here and there to promote your colour scheme. You could go all out for a bolder statement or be more subtle if you want to show a more sophisticated and understated side of yourself.

Ignore the Latest Kitchen Design Trends

Let’s face it, trends come and go so quickly that it’s not a good idea to design your kitchen based on these fleeting fancies. It’s a better idea to choose colours that you can live with for at least the next few years when you may want a refresh. If you’re in the market for Laminex kitchen cabinet panels and frames, get in touch with The Kitchen Door Company today.

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Everything You Need to Know about Health and Safety when it Comes to Your Amateur Sports Club

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Most of us know that the Health and Safety Executive is the governing body when it comes to health and safety in the workplace and public areas, and although you are running an amateur sports club and are not a corporate or industrial workplace, your sports club may need to follow various health and safety directives as well. Of course, whilst everyone has fun at sports events and activities organised by your sports club, there needs to be a level of health and safety so you can enjoy the activities without worrying about any untoward risks or dangers. But what do you really have to know about health and safety regulations as an amateur sports club? Let’s find out.

For employers or self-employed individuals/volunteer organisations which have employees running a sports club:

If your amateur sports club falls under this category, your club has to follow the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974. Under this law, you are obliged to do what is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of your employees and other individuals. You are seen as an employer, so you are compelled to follow the general tasks and duties employers have for their employees in regards to health and safety. As an employer, you are also required to protect those at your ‘place of work’ or other people involved with your organisation, such as volunteering coaches, members, spectators, and visiting teams.

For volunteers who are running a sports club:

If you are a volunteer who runs a sports club, the law on health and safety doesn’t generally fall on your shoulders since you don’t technically have employees. But if you are responsible for premises such as a playing field or a clubhouse, then you will have to follow health and safety directives regarding this.

For instance, any volunteer or individual who has control of the premises like the playing field or clubhouse will have to make sure that the premises are safe; not only this, they should also make sure that access to the premises is safe and any equipment within the premises is safe as well. More often than not, this duty is shared between the owner of the premises, the users, and your club’s management officers or committee. But your legal responsibility will also depend on the amount of control you have over the equipment and premises. For instance, if you manage the premises or own them, you are expected to keep them in good condition and repair. If you use sports equipment, you are expected to check its safety for the sake of athletes and spectators.

It is important to note that the laws on health and safety will not cover matters that arise out of the activity or sport itself, such as a broken wrist or ankle. For this, a duty of care covered by common law may be applied.

Of course, it’s in your best interest to ensure your members’ and spectators’ safety at all times; this is just common sense and will improve your club’s reputation amongst the people in your community. But to make your tasks much more convenient, manageable, and efficient, you can always take advantage of special membership software such as that from http://www.coacha.co.uk, which is geared towards the better overall management of sports clubs around the UK and beyond.

Image attributed toPixabay.com

 

The Truth About Turmeric Supplements

 

In recent years, turmeric has become another trendy superfood sold as a natural spice, and in supplement form. There are many promises to drinking turmeric regularly, such as eliminating inflammation and chronic pain. But despite these claims, it is too early to conclude because only a small handful of clinical trials have been conducted to corroborate these findings.

Scientific studies about the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric

There have been many animal studies and small clinical human trials to observe the benefits of taking turmeric regularly. The findings concluded that turmeric contains Curcumin, which has some properties to reduce inflammation. These studies became the proponent to the widespread availability of turmeric shots and other supplement products that contain turmeric. These products target consumers looking for natural remedies for arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and colitis.

Although these pre-clinical trials show positive results, it will still depend on the results of large-scale trials to consider turmeric as a viable medication for inflammation in humans. There are a lot of factors to take into account when testing in humans, and these factors will likely impact the outcome.

Is it worth trying turmeric as a supplement?

Turmeric is a common spice used in Indian cooking and is a common food ingredient in other parts of Asia and the Middle East. If you like eating food containing turmeric, or drink some form or turmeric drink or tea, only a small amount of Curcumin will be ingested in your body.

If you are not trying to cure a chronic illness, adding turmeric into your regular diet will still provide some benefits. One of the problems with Curcumin is that it does not get absorbed into the body quickly. Some supplements include other ingredients like pepper to aid in absorption.

What are the precautions of taking turmeric as a supplement?

The main concern with turmeric is the source. There were FDA studies that showed some turmeric powder available commercially might sometimes contain contaminants like lead. Lead and other heavy metals are hazardous to the health, which is why it is vital to carefully research the source and manufacturer of turmeric supplements you are buying.

Another possible concern is that manufacturers of turmeric and other natural health supplements are not regulated the same way as pharmaceutical companies. There is no vetting process to confirm whether the ingredients indicated on the label are precisely what is contained inside the bottle.

There were also some concerns on the possible side effects of taking too much turmeric. Some have experienced diarrhoea and stomach pains. Turmeric is also counter-indicative to some chronic conditions, which is why it is necessary to consult your doctor if you are planning to drink turmeric supplements. For people who are taking medication such as blood thinners, turmeric may have a severe reaction to these medicines.

In conclusion, there is a lot of potential for the medical and health benefits of turmeric, but it is best not to get carried away until extensive medical studies have been conducted. In the meantime, it is still safe to take it as a supplement, and in moderation.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

How to Set Up a Blog Newsletter without Any Coding or Design Knowledge

For many companies out there today, their online marketing efforts far exceed their offline efforts. Let’s face it, we live in a digital world where people want access to information instantly, and smoothly. According to Forbes, a whopping 89% of the North American population is now online, and businesses are responding. Email marketing techniques have found a way to tap into that urge, provider consumers with what they want, and also further the goals and success of businesses.

So, what happens if you want to take your company’s online efforts to the next level and start sending out a newsletter to those who read your blog, but you have no coding or design knowledge? Is there still a way to create a newsletter that looks and operates in a professional manner that your subscribers are going to want to open up? The simple answer is yes. With that said let’s take a closer look at how exactly you can set up an effective blog newsletter, even without that tech background and experience.

Find a Platform that Works for Your Needs

The very first step you’ll need to take is to find an email marketing platform solution that works for your needs. There are some that are quite advanced, and will likely be out of your league, whereas others are built for beginners just like yourself and will walk you through all the steps. These platforms don’t require you to know anything about coding and design, as they specialize in providing a user-friendly platform.

Sendgrid is an example of a platform that will help novices set up a blog newsletter, but keep in mind that it has a limited number of features and is really meant for transactional emails. Finding an alternative to Sendgrid may be wise.

Create a Template That You Can Use for All Newsletters

The next step is to create your template. This is the layout that you will use for each of your blog newsletters. By creating one standard template you will be making your job much smoother moving forward as, once created, it’s just a matter of plugging in the new content each time. From a reader’s perspective the template is something they will learn to recognize and get used to, making navigation simple and fast.

Now as for creating this template, again those same email platforms can help you. Many of them offer templates you can use, or will walk you through the steps to create your own. Again, there is no need for coding knowledge.

Make Use of Any Automation Tools Offered

As a final tip, be sure to check out what automation tools the newsletter platform features. By automating the process, you will be taking that much work off your own shoulders, making sure nothing is overlooked or forgotten, and taking advantage of high-tech features you may not otherwise be able to figure out.

Don’t Let a Lack of Knowledge Hold You Back

At the end of the day this strong digital trend should be what drives your business efforts and not the fact that you lack in coding and design knowledge. Newsletters are one of the top marketing methods small businesses can employ, and they’re definitely worth utilising.

 

The Top Things You Can Do to Maintain and Prolong the Lifespan of Your Air Conditioner

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Air conditioning units have become a much more common sight, even in the United Kingdom, as more businesses and residential properties make use of air conditioning. Air conditioning is undoubtedly great during the hot summer months, but you can make use of air conditioning at different times of the year as well, particularly if you want your indoor environment to be at a constant temperature all year round. There are now units which work as combination air conditioning and heating systems so you can make use of the same unit at different times and seasons. But air conditioning is an investment, and if you want your investment to last, it’s essential to maintain it. Here, then, are the top things you can do to maintain and prolong the lifespan of the air conditioner.

  • Maintain the filters

The filters are the most essential components of any air conditioning unit, and it’s crucial for you to ensure that they are regularly cleaned or replaced. If the unit’s filters are blocked, airflow will be restricted, and your air conditioning system will be less efficient. Also, if the flow of air in the system is obstructed in any way, the air which goes through the filter might allow dirt to affect the evaporator coil, and this can impair the capacity of the unit’s coils to absorb heat. If you swap a clogged and dirty filter with a new, clean one, you can actually lower your unit’s consumption of energy by as much as 15%.

If you have a central air conditioning system, its filters are usually located along the length of the return duct. You can find filters along ceilings, walls, or furnaces, and sometimes they are in the unit itself. If you have a room air conditioner, you will often find the filter mounted right on the grille which faces the room.

Keep in mind, though, that some filters may be reusable. There are various types of filters, so find out which filters your unit or system has. If you can, try to clean the filters every two months when the air conditioner is working a lot. If your environment is dusty, you may need to clean (or replace) the filters more often.

  • Maintain the coils

As the professionals in Surrey air conditioning from Sub-Cool FM will attest, your unit’s condenser and evaporator coils may also gather dirt over a period of time. The dirt can limit the air flow and it can also insulate the coil, inhibiting the coil’s ability to suck up the heat. To prevent this, you should check the coils each year and clean them when necessary. Here’s another thing: condenser coils located outdoors can also become quite dirty if the environment outdoors is dusty or has a lot of foliage. Check the coil to see if any dirt or foliage has collected in the fins. One thing you can do to minimise the debris and dirt on the outdoor part of the unit is to clean out or cut any foliage surrounding the unit.

  • Maintain the drains

You can also do your part in maintaining the drains by passing a wire (make sure it is stiff and strong) through the drain channels of the unit. If the drain channels are clogged, this can affect the unit’s efficiency when it comes to decreasing humidity.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com

For more articles like this, check out the LiveSV blog category!

The Health Benefits That Come with the Ketogenic Diet

 

It is understandable to feel a little hesitant when it comes to tackling something like a ketogenic diet. After all, you have likely heard about some of the misgivings that come with a low-carb diet, ranging from cholesterol to a possible increase in the rate of heart disease due to the fat content. However, it is vital to separate fact from fiction, and there is plenty to love when it comes to the ketogenic diet.

Here are just some of the health benefits that come with going keto!

Ketogenic diets help to reduce blood sugar and overall insulin levels

Considering how many people are affected by diabetes worldwide, it comes as no surprise why keto kits are so popular. Going for a low-carb diet means that you will be reducing blood sugar as well as insulin levels, reducing the risk of developing diabetes. As a matter of fact, those who have insulin resistance and are required to take a dosage will find themselves having to reduce the dosage when they try the ketogenic diet! It is a win-win situation for those who happen to be vulnerable to diabetes.

By going keto, you are reducing your appetite

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why people tend to relapse from dieting is that they are constantly hounded by hunger pangs. By cutting carbs and focusing on protein as well as fat, you will be reducing your appetite and making it much easier to lose weight the right way. Why bother going with other diets if the hunger is going to make you miserable?

Ketogenic diets can lower blood pressure

It goes without saying that hypertension is often the gateway that leads to many other diseases and health conditions such as kidney failure and stroke. The ketogenic diet is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure, minimizing the overall risk to your health by a dramatic amount. Considering how rampant hypertension tends to be worldwide, a low-carb diet could be just what the doctor ordered.

Abdominal fat is harmful – something that the ketogenic diet focuses on

Last but not least, the most common type of fat that people tend to lose when going for a low-carb diet is abdominal fat – also known as visceral fat. It is the fat that surrounds the organs and is known for causing insulin resistance as well as inflammation. People who go for the ketogenic diet are more likely to lose fat from the abdominal cavity first, further lowering risk factors.

It is understandable to be hesitant about a high protein and fat diet, especially when so many sources tend to have a negative viewpoint about the ketogenic diet. However, going the low-carb route will help you develop resistance while lowering blood sugar and making it easier to lose weight. There is very little reason not to go for a ketogenic diet, especially when there are so many health benefits associated with it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

Three Steps to Effective Banner Design

Megaphone, Speaker, Speak, Loud, Communication

Banners are one of the most cost-effective ways of advertising your business to the world. Promoting your business doesn’t mean you have to spend much to invest in your marketing strategy, because the traditional printed material still works despite being around even before the digital age.

If you’re planning to use this tool for your branding, you need to be aware of how to design it effectively. While there are companies who can take the job off your hands, you can take care of the design yourself. All you need to do is find a company that can provide quality pull up banner printing for you.

Designing your roller banner is not an easy task, but it is manageable. If you’re in the process of doing it, below are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind.

  1. A catchy tagline will help customers to remember

Customers remember many successful brands and businesses because of their catchy slogans. It’s good to integrate it if it’s for a banner that you use for expos or weekend stalls. But if it’s a specialised banner for your next sale or an important announcement, you may want to come up with a catchy phrase to catch your customer’s attention.

You’ll want to keep it short though because not everyone has the time to stop and read all the details on your banner. Keep it to a length so that prospects will get your message at a glance.

  1. Important information should be at eye level

Expensive goods are placed at eye level so they will be seen and bought first. It’s the same as designing your pull up banner, where you need to make sure that critical information is positioned where clients will see it first. This psychological technique works well and is something that you can use to your advantage to get your brand known.

  1. Minimalism applies

One of the common mistakes business owners make when designing their banners is filling all the space with unnecessary information. Less is more and having white space on your roller banner is pleasing to the eyes. Having too many things going on at once is confusing and will turn customers off from taking the time to even look at what you can offer.

There are many elements that you need to integrate into your design to make your banner effective. As mentioned before, you can pay a professional to do it for you, but you can also take the time to do it yourself. Keep in mind that if you do decide to do it on your own, don’t cut corners and invest in high-quality images for your banner. You won’t want a pixelated and cheap-looking banner standing outside your shop or beside your stall, as it will just do the exact opposite of attracting customers to buy from you.

Marketing strategies come in many forms, but you can still go old school with a pull up banner. Not only is it an affordable investment, but it is also an effective way to establish brand recall.

Image: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/megaphone-speaker-speak-loud-2374502/

 

Gallstones: How they Form and the Symptoms They Manifest

 

Gallstones form in the gallbladder. They are solid particles made from bilirubin and bile cholesterol. Many people suffer from gallstones from eating fatty and salty foods. Some who have them do not exhibit symptoms, but some experience signs that their gallstones are already affecting their health and well-being. When this happens, it warrants a trip to the emergency room so the doctor can check the severity of the symptoms and so that they can formulate the best treatment plan for you.

Causes

  • If you consume high amounts of fatty and greasy food.
  • Other components in the bile can cause the formation of stones.
  • Females are more prone to have them than males.
  • Being overweight.
  • Certain medications such as cholesterol drugs and birth control pills.

Gallstones also cause gallbladder disease. If doctors don’t take them out, chances are disease will form in the gallbladder, which will manifest more symptoms. Liquid bile, when interacting with the stones, can block the flow of digestive enzymes from another organ, the pancreas. If the stones continue to block the flow, the pancreas and gallbladder will inflame. Pancreatitis and cholecystitis are the inflammation of the said organs. Very small gallstones can also escape the gallbladder and reside in the bile duct, a very small tube that connects the gallbladder to the liver. This duct is where bile flows, and when there are stones blocking the duct, you may exhibit jaundice and severe pain.

Symptoms

If you start to exhibit symptoms that you have gallstones in your gallbladder and if the pain becomes unbearable that it affects your daily activities, it is time to seek medical help. Symptoms may come and go but they usually present themselves right after a greasy or fatty meal. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for:

  • Persistent pain in the upper abdomen that radiates through the back
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Jaundice
  • Belching and bloating

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to go to the hospital for proper care and treatment.

Treatment

If the pain is still bearable and you don’t suffer from frequent attacks, your doctor may prescribe you pain medications; otherwise, surgery is the best course of action to take to relieve frequent attacks. If you require cholecystectomy or gallstone surgery, London doctors will prep you right away to take the stones out of your gallbladder. They will assess if the stones are numerous, and they may recommend taking the whole gallbladder out. There are two types of gallstone surgery: laparoscopic and open. The former does not require opening up your abdomen and usually lasts anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. The doctors will make a small slit where they will take the gallbladder out. The latter will require a six-inch incision in the abdomen and takes longer to recover.

The best way to avoid gallstones from forming is to practice healthy eating. Do away with fatty and greasy foods and substitute them with vegetables, healthy meats and the like. Fortunately, we can all live without a gallbladder, so taking it out when you have gallstones is the best option so you don’t have to worry about forming more gallstones in the future.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

Things You Need to Know Before Leasing a Vehicle

 

A car lease may not be as expensive as purchasing a vehicle, but it will still involve spending a significant amount of money, which is why it’s something that you should do only if you’re sure about it. In a nutshell, leasing a car means that you will be paying for the use of a vehicle for a certain period, then returning or buying it when the lease term ends. Before deciding to lease a car, here are vital details that you need to know.

The lease rate will depend on the depreciation value

Depreciation is the decrease in the value of the vehicle. Cars depreciate fast. Most of them decrease in value by 50% in the first three years of their use. This will determine the cost of your lease as you will pay for its depreciation value. Find a car with a lower depreciation value within the lease term, so you will pay less.

Down payment is non-refundable

Leasing a vehicle requires a down payment too. However, the price is not as high as the down payment of a purchased car. Once you decide to get a lease, the down payment will not be refunded, which can be a drawback in case you end up returning the car earlier than expected. Moreover, cancelling the lease before the term expires will also result in fines.

A lower monthly rate is not always equal to a cheaper deal

Leased cars also have lower monthly fees than financed vehicles. Do not be easily persuaded by a lower monthly fee because this is not the only factor to determine if you are getting cheap car lease deals. Compute the total cost that you will pay and make the comparison to see which has the best offer. For example, the monthly fee may be lower, but the total cost may not be if you add up everything including the down payment and other charges.

There is a mileage limit on the leased vehicle

When you own the car, you are not limited in the mileage that you drive. It’s not the same with a leased vehicle as it has a mileage limit per year, which is usually 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Determine how often and far you will drive and if the mileage limit will be enough. You will be charged extra for the miles that you drive over that. You can also buy additional mileage or negotiate the rate.

The lease price is negotiable

The amount that the dealer gives you doesn’t have to be the final price. You can negotiate to get a lower rate. There is nothing wrong with negotiating a lease. The worse that can happen is that you get a no.

You will take care of the repairs after the warranty

Leased cars come with a warranty, which often lasts for three years. This is also why most terms are offered for three years. If the vehicle requires repair or maintenance and it’s under warranty, you don’t have to worry about the cost. However, you’ll have to pay for it once the warranty expires.

Explore your options and make sure that you understand everything in the contract before signing up for it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the finance category.

Why Facial Serums Are Good For The Skin

Cleanse. Tone. Moisture – these three are the basic skin care routine to keep our complexion smooth and clear. However, due to climate change and pollution, there are products that we can add to our daily routine to help repair our skin cells and maintain a youthful glow. Facial serum is one of the products that provides nourishment to our facial skin. However, it is also the product often neglected by many.

Facial serums are considered a miracle product which can help you obtain a healthy, radiant complexion. Aside from that, here are other benefits of using a facial serum:

1. Facial serums can help your skin retain moisture 

One of the major reasons why individuals use face serums is that certain facial serums can help your skin retain its moisture. So if your skin easily becomes flaky, dry or patchy it’s well worth investing in a high quality facial serum.

2. Facial serums can help shrink your skin’s pores 

If your skin’s pores are larger than you’d like, you can also use a facial serum to help shrink it. Facial serums are known to significantly reduce the size of pores.

3. You can use a facial serum instead of moisturiser 

If you find most moisturisers too rich and thick and are looking for a lightweight alternative, you may want to use a facial serum. As facial serums are much lighter than thick moisturisers and will still hydrate your skin.

4. Facial serums also double as primers

You can also use a facial serum as a primer as your foundation will glide smoothly onto your skin on top of your facial serum. So if you’re looking for a miracle product which can be used in a variety of different ways, you’ll find that having facial serum on hand at all times is a great idea.

5. Facial serums can help you look younger

Another reason why anti aging face serum are so popular is that they can help treat various signs of ageing such as dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. Even if you haven’t noticed any signs of ageing, by regularly using a carefully chosen facial serum you’ll be able to prevent your skin from ageing too quickly.

6. You can use a facial serum to give your skin an even and healthy complexion

If you’ve noticed that your face has an uneven skin tone due to sun exposure, it’s well worth researching facial serums which have brightening effects which will can help to restore your original skin color. Which means that you won’t have to waste time trying to use concealers to cover your uneven skin tone.

7. Your skin will look dewy 

If you start wearing facial serums, your friends and family members will all wonder what you secret is as your skin will look healthy, dewy and radiant. Your skin will literally glow, in a subtle way.

8. Facial serums are absorbed deep into your skin

You may be surprised to learn that facial serums are absorbed much more efficiently by your skin than traditional facial creams. Which is great as that way you can be sure that the vitamins such as vitamin c, which are in your facial serum, will be properly absorbed by your skin and help it heal.

So there you have it, 8 reasons why using a facial serum on a daily basis will transform the look and feel of your skin!

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.