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4 houseplants that should be kept away from dogs

4 houseplants that should be kept away from dogs
Dogs tend to chew and nibble on anything and everything they come across. But this habit can be rather dangerous when it comes to plants. Certain plants contain toxic elements and can lead to severe symptoms and make your pet pooch ill. Dogs do not know which plants can be toxic to them, and therefore, it is safe to just remove or avoid having such plants in your household. Read on to find out more. Aloe vera Aloe is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention, it can work wonders for your skin and makes for a great indoor plant. But, what many do not know is that aloe vera can be toxic to dogs. This is because of the saponins in the succulents. Consuming even small amounts of the aloe vera plant and gel can cause severe poisoning in dogs. It can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even cause general central nervous system depression. Sago palm Another popular houseplant that is toxic to dogs is the sago palm. Commonly known as cardboard palm or coontie palm, this plant contains the toxic element cycasin. Consuming even small amounts of any part of this plant can lead to poisoning and cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even liver failure.

Key things to know about ankylosing spondylitis

Key things to know about ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that causes certain bones in the spines to fuse. So, people with the condition experience decline in flexibility, a hunched posture, and even chronic lower back pain. Sometimes, if the ribs are affected, it may also become difficult to breathe. The onset is usually observed in one’s mid-20s and may also result in the overproduction of calcium, resulting in increased stiffness. Here is everything to know about the condition: Understanding spondylitis and its types Spondylitis is a broad term for chronic arthritis-type diseases affecting joints and bones. It involves the inflammation of tendons, joints, and ligaments. Based on symptoms and affected areas, spondylitis can also be broadly divided into two types: Axial spondylitis, which covers pain in the hips and spine, and peripheral spondylitis, which covers pain in peripheral joints and tendons, excluding the spine. The common types of spondylitis are ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, juvenile spondylitis, and undifferentiated spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis (or AS) is one of the most common types of spondylitis, with inflammation as the primary symptom. It usually develops in the spine but can also affect the eyes. Symptoms of AS The symptoms of the inflammatory disease can differ from one person to the other.

6 common cycling mistakes to avoid

6 common cycling mistakes to avoid
Starting a new hobby is quite exciting, especially one as fun as cycling. But we may forget important details in the rush with equipment to purchase, routes to map out, and rules to follow. These may be due to a lack of knowledge or experience or overconfidence. However, just like other hobbies, there is a learning curve to the world of cycling. Here are six common cycling mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them: Looking for extremely specific equipment It is great to have stylish equipment, but the lack of ideal clothes or accessories shouldn’t stop you from exploring cycling as a hobby. While high-waisted padded cargo bike shorts and padded bike liner shorts guarantee comfort during cycling, options like Spanx® shorts, spandex shorts, or baggy shorts also offer comfort and support. The most important things are a sturdy bike and a sturdier helmet. Cycling without a helmet Bike helmets are crucial at all times. They can be found at most local stores, with advice on how to choose the right one. Ensure that you wear it correctly and put all the buckles in the rear. Not knowing your limits As with any new hobby, it is important to test the waters.

10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist

10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist
Exploring the world is always exciting! Whether it’s new cuisines you are looking forward to, visiting new places, or just lounging around at the beach. One way of making your trip abroad more enjoyable is by being prepared, right from choosing the correct time to travel or carrying extra cash. If you are planning a vacation to the gorgeous countries in the Mediterranean, here are ten things you should avoid: Relying on your credit card Credit cards offer convenience to users, but it is easier to get around with cash in the Mediterranean. For example, payments at hotels and big restaurants can easily be made using a credit card. Still, it is essential to carry some money when you visit smaller markets and local vendors. Forgetting to pack layers The weather can be a little unpredictable if you’re traveling in October. Ensure you carry light and warm sweaters to prepare you for everything nature has in store for you. Visiting during the high season Save money on your trip by planning your vacation during March, April, May, October, and November. Avoid traveling to the Mediterranean in July and August if you want to skip the crowds. Not checking for labor strikes Strikes are quite common in Mediterranean Europe.

4 luxurious hotels for your next overseas vacation

4 luxurious hotels for your next overseas vacation
The travel and leisure industry has transformed the way people experience and enjoy an exotic getaway. With growing demand and equally high expectations, hotels and resort chains have to adapt to providing the best hospitality services while competing in a market with the top players. We bring you some of the best brands in the industry and weigh the pros and cons of choosing them to help you plan your next international vacation. Take a look. Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Banyan Tree is more than just a hotel brand, it is an experience that will redefine your travel expectations, and even experience, for good. After enjoying the exclusive offers at mesmerizing destinations around the world, you will find yourself becoming an appreciating patron of the luxurious amenities in no time. Plan your destination wedding at one of their exotic hotels overlooking majestic beauty, or enjoy a perfect romantic getaway on your honeymoon. Celebrate your anniversary or plan your next corporate retreat with Banyan Tree’s vacation and travel packages. You can also enjoy direct booking perks and flexible cancellation policies. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts The residential-style hotels spread across continents are inspired by every destination’s culture and history to give you authentic travel experience.

How to prepare for old age

How to prepare for old age
Aging is never looked forward to and is always portrayed in diminishing and negative light. All talk about aging is rife with difficulty, pain, and niggles. The biggest change, when it comes to aging, is the physiological changes and deterioration. Everything ranging from your heart to your head and from your bones to your muscles undergoes wear and tear over the years. This is one of the biggest fears associated with aging; and therefore, there is never a healthy discussion over it. However, the best way to react to aging is to prepare for it via information, practice, and adopting healthy life choices and routines. Before you learn how to prepare for aging, you need to know which parts of your body primarily slow down with age. Heart As you age, the muscles in your body stiffen – these include the muscles of the cardiovascular system. Due to this, your heart is forced to pump harder which increases the risk of heart problems. Brain With age, your thinking capability and memory both seem to diminish. You may find yourself tinkering around to remember basic things such as names of people or places or where you kept a certain object such as keys.

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4 key things to consider when choosing a new garden fence

Having a fence around one’s property can serve multiple purposes, such as providing privacy, safety, and keeping away animals or keeping pets inside. Choosing the right fence that is compatible with the house can be a challenging task. Therefore, it is important to take some time to consider the various options available on the market before installing a fence. Moreover, there are several important factors to take into account when selecting a new garden fence. Legal responsibility and planning permission This is one of the most crucial aspects that must be considered before deciding on anything else regarding fence installation. If this issue is not sorted out initially, one may end up spending a lot of money and time in the building and installing the fence, only to cancel everything later on.  Therefore, it is important to understand who would be responsible for replacing or repairing a fence if it is a shared entity between two neighbors. This can be found out through property deeds that provide details regarding which boundaries are the legal responsibility of which neighbor. In addition, it is a good idea to have a discussion with one’s neighbors before starting the work. Also, one needs to figure out whether planning permission is required for the new fence. Privacy and security For homeowners who live in urban or suburban areas, security and privacy are two of the key things they need to consider before building a new fence. If one’s home is on a quiet street with fewer people passing through, an open and breezy fence panel like arched top pailing fence panels may work well. But for those living across busy roads or a locality that has a lot of people and traffic moving around, higher fencing styles such as traditional Close Board Fencing Panels or Waney fence panels should be considered.

10 Designer Perfume Deals to Expect for Black Friday 2023

The much-anticipated Black Friday sale is only two months away, so one can start preparing their shopping list. Besides clothing, appliances, furniture, and other essentials, people with a fondness for alluring fragrances can buy perfumes during this time. Labels like Chanel, Armani, and Bond No. 9 are known to have fantastic offers. Based on last year’s trends and current prices, we’ve listed ten Black Friday designer perfume deals one can expect in 2023. Floral fragrances 1. The Dioriviera by Dior embodies a fresh and fruity fragrance. It’s designed to convey modern and romantic impressions inspired by a rose garden. It also emanates a slight warmness of a pleasant, sunny day. Since the Dioriviera launched earlier this year, it’s hard to say how much it will be discounted for Black Friday. However, last year’s trends indicate premium Dior perfumes like these will likely sell for at least 10% less. Both men and women can use it. 2. Jimmy Choo’s Blossom Eau de Parfum spray was marked down by 50% last sale season. It usually costs $60, but one could pick it up for just $30 at Macy’s. This spray c ombines juicy berries, fragrant florals, and creamy sandalwood, creating a sweet, lively party scent perfect for the holiday season. It comes in a striking fuchsia bottle with a dimpled pattern and diamond-shaped lid. 3. The Armani My Way Eau de Parfum combines floral and woody notes. One of the key ingredients, orange blossom, is extracted from hand-picked bitter orange fruits. This perfume currently costs $155 on the brand’s website. However, for Black Friday last year, sites like Beauty BFF let customers save 30% on Armani perfumes with a coupon code. One can hope such offers repeat in 2023. Fragrances for women 4. The Chanel N°5  Eau De Parfum spray has been around since 1921.

4 benefits of wearing a body shaper

Body shapers or shapewear are undergarments that create a smooth foundation beneath clothes by providing a firm, thin layer of compression. They are often worn to create a smooth silhouette across the bust, hips, waist, and thighs. Shapewear is available in a wide range of shapes, styles, patterns, colors, and types, including body briefs, control camisoles, long-leg shapers, corsets, waist cinchers, and so on. The right shapewear can offer the following benefits: Smoother silhouette Whether one is planning an outfit for a casual day out, party, or a formal event, wearing a body shaper underneath can help elevate the look. The right shapewear can smoothen the seams and hide clothing wrinkles so that the outfit looks well-fitted and sharp. It will give a smoother appearance along with a toned silhouette. Further, aging is a natural process that causes muscles to lose their elasticity and suppleness, making the skin prone to sagging. Here, shapewear can help firm up the appearance of loose skin. Improved posture A full-body shaper that covers the complete torso compresses the body and offers a snug fit. This helps in keeping the back straight and maintaining a good posture. The long-term effect of maintaining a good posture while wearing compression shapewear is that one gets used to naturally sitting, standing, or walking with their back straight, even when not wearing shapewear. This may help in alleviating back and shoulder pain while improving the posture. Helps with sweating Thermal body shapers are special types of shapewear designed to stimulate sweating. These are usually available in the form of vests, pants, shorts, and bodysuits. Most of them tend to focus on the midsection. So, those who do not sweat enough while working out can opt for these body shapers that increase the natural body heat and perspiration around the waist and midsection.

Top 10 Tablet Deals to Explore on Black Friday 2023

Black Friday, one of the most anticipated retail holidays of the year, is right around the corner. This year, it falls on November 24. With early-bird sales and holiday season excitement comes the need for preparation. With each Black Friday bringing with it discounts on everything, from kitchen appliances to phones and tablets, one can add all kinds of electronics to their shopping list. So, here are some tablets worth considering on Black Friday 2023: Slate tablets The slate or standalone tablet is the most traditional variant while also being the most popular option. Here, the gadget comes with a big touchscreen, ranging from 5 inches to 13 inches. While these are usually regular-sized tabs, one may also be able to find mini tablets. 1. On Black Friday, shoppers can expect amazing deals on slate tablets, but one must keep in mind that the prices can differ depending on screen size, features, and other specifications. An already affordable tablet, the Lenovo Tab M8, sold for just $79 at Walmart last Black Friday.  2. Last year, shoppers got a $230 discount on the Samsung Galaxy 14.6-inch tab at Best Buy. This deal is worth following up on this Black Friday. 3. Those looking for affordable Samsung tablets can consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. This gadget carried a $60 discount last Black Friday, selling for just $139. With a 10.5-inch display and 32GB of memory, the tablet can be a great Android option for students. 4. Additionally, Lenovo’s 10.6-inch slate tablet model has previously carried a post-discount price of $139 on the brand’s official website during the shopping season sale. With 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, this tablet is great for students and professionals, making it worth considering this shopping season. 5. The Lenovo Yoga tablets have previously sold for $319.99 during the holiday season.

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Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Even during non-festive periods, smartphones sell like hotcakes in online and offline stores. Most tech enthusiasts routinely feel the need to get their hands on the latest models of their favorite smartphones. With Black Friday 2023 still several weeks away, shoppers can check out the features of their favorite smartphones. All the estimated deals listed in this article are based on the existing retail discounts, and buyers can expect similar bargains this Black Friday. High-range smartphones 1. Different variants of Apple’s iPhone make up the top 4 of the bestselling smartphones in the country. On many retail sites, devices such as the Apple iPhone SE 5G are being sold with discounts that range from about $200 to $250. This means that there is a high percentage chance that similar or better deals will likely emerge for such devices when Black Friday looms closer. The Apple iPhone SE 5G offers fantastic features such as lightning-fast processors, 5G connectivity, 4K video recording capability with 60 FPS, the unique Dynamic Island display, IP67 water resistance, and many more. 2. Samsung’s Galaxy devices come second in the sales pecking order after Apple’s iPhones when it comes to the smartphone market leadership. With the presence of Black Friday looming on the horizon, users can expect great deals on their favorite Galaxy smartphones. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available on many retail sites with existing discounts ranging from 10% to 15%. Shoppers may possibly find such (or better) discounts during the upcoming sale period. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a one-of-a-kind foldable phone packed with incredible features such as a massive display, dual-app viewing, immersive gaming experience, super AMOLED screens, and many other niceties. 3. A device that is likely to offer massive discounts during Black Friday is the Google Pixel 7.
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10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

Laptops combine the power of desktops with the portability of smartphones, making them suitable for several tasks. But this is also why they tend to be pricey. Unsurprisingly, many wait for sales like Black Friday to buy the model of their choice. Below are ten types of laptops and the Black Friday 2023 deals one can expect on them in the coming months. The discounts listed are based on last year’s sale and current prices. 1. Dual-screen laptops Unlike older dual-screen models, newer ones are much more efficient and non-gimmicky. They have secondary displays with anti-glare capability that perfectly complement the primary screen. A great option is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo UX581. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display, a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen for seamless scrolling and usability. Last year, Amazon sold specific variants of the Zenbook Pro Duo for a discount of 15% in the run-up to Black Friday. 2. Gaming laptops Gamers need laptops that are responsive, less prone to overheating, and armed with high-end graphics cards. In short, they seek devices that will not leave them high and dry in the middle of a high-octane, graphics-heavy game by being laggy and annoying. Thankfully, several gaming laptops tick these boxes, an example being Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3. The device has incredible features, such as the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, and Rapid Charge technology to boost battery by 40% in just 15 minutes. Amazon reduced the price of specific IdeaPad Gaming 3 models by $300 last Black Friday, so gamers can hope for similar savings in 2023. 3. Chromebooks Those who prefer the ultra-reliable Chrome OS can check out Acer’s Chromebook 315. It has a powerful Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, a full HD IPS touchscreen, and over 12 hours of battery life!
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