Tips and Tricks To Keep Your Jewelry Looking New and Stunning

While most people think of jewelry as something that brings a smile to your face, you should also take care of it. Properly cleaning and caring for it can help protect it from tarnishing, dirt, and other damage and give it a new look. 

Image credit

 

Here are some tips to help keep your jewelry looking its best.

 

Clean your jewelry before you wear it

It’s best to clean your jewelry before you wear it.  Make sure to put your jewelry on once you are entirely ready to avoid damage or tarnish from contaminants such as hairspray, fake tan, lotions, etc. Click here to learn on how to clean earrings and other jewellery.

 

You can use a soft cloth and gentle dish soap to remove any dirt or grime from your jewelry. While you’re at it, also wipe down the clasp and any other metal surfaces with a soft cloth or toothbrush.

 

If you have metal pieces with plating on them, like silver rings, it’s best to avoid metal polish because it will remove the plating. Instead, try using a pre-moistened cloth for delicate polishing tasks or an ultrasonic cleaning machine for more demanding jobs.

 

Take care of your jewelry when you’re not wearing it

It may seem inconvenient to take care of your jewelry when you’re not wearing it, but it is the best course of action. If you don’t care for your jewelry, dirt and grime will get in between the metal and stones, causing them to tarnish more quickly. Your jewelry may even get caught in your hair or snag on clothing.

 

Try storing your jewelry away from these potential hazards to prevent these problems. Because your jewelry will be taking up less space, it will also look better when you put it back on later.

 

Store your jewelry in a safe place

Ideally, you should store your jewelry is in a safe. This keeps it free from scratches and other damages that can occur while you are wearing it. It also helps protect it from water, temperature changes, and pests, leading to stains or rusting.

 

It’s essential to keep your jewelry safe when you’re not wearing it. Safe places include drawers, cabinets, boxes, and bags. If your jewelry starts to feel uncomfortable, rub a little oil on the metal, so it doesn’t get rusty or stained with sweat.

 

Keep your jewelry clean and free from tarnish.

It’s essential to clean your jewelry regularly. If you don’t, dirt and tarnish can build up on the metal, causing discoloration or even the loss of color. Use a mild soap with water and a soft cloth to keep your jewelry clean.

 

If your jewelry contains gemstones such as a claddagh diamond ring, remember never to use harsh chemicals like bleach. Bleach is not only harmful to the gems themselves, but it can also cause damage to the metal surface. Try using baking soda mixed with water to clean the gems and metal.

 

If you have sterling silver pieces made by hand with wire, you may need an acid-based cleaning solution to remove tarnish from the wire. For example, suppose you have a sterling silver earring that has been in contact with skin oils or sweat for an extended period. In that case, you’ll want to use a toothpaste-like solution containing hydrogen peroxide to remove the tarnish without damaging the earring itself.

 

What to do if you are charged with DUI?

Have you recently been charged with DUI, and you are unclear about what should be your next steps? Well, it is always important that think about the consequences and the further steps if you get into a situation like that. A lot of things might not go the way you want, but you will have to be prepared for prospects.

Here’s what you will do if you are charged with DUI. Follow the steps below and try to have your patience to ensure that you do not get into any other bigger problem.

Get home carefully

The first step has to be to get home carefully. You will not be able to drive, so it is better you book a car to get you home, or you can also call your friend to help you out in getting home safely and to stay safe while you are drunk.

After you get home safely and you have a good sleep, it is time for you to start thinking about the next step.

Think about the dates at the court

Now is the time that you would want to know about criminal law components, and you will also have to understand the court laws dealings and other details.

Make sure you know the dates for the court hearing, and you make sure that you are present at the hearing. The court date has to be your priority.

Court-related laws and dealings

Once you know about the court-related laws and dealings, you might also need to understand if you require a lawyer or not. In the case that you do require legal assistance, get in touch with a reputed dui attorney to aid you in averting serious consequences and getting you out of the DUI charges with minimal damages.

The court appearance is absolutely vital, and you must also make sure that you have all the necessary documentation and the other details that you will require to be at the court hearing. Do not miss out on any of the details because it can get you in a lot of trouble. The court hearing has to be your number one priority.

You must also check the insurance you will require for when you have been charged with DUI, and that is only possible if you have a clear idea about the proper law components based on the criminal law.

It is vital that you understand and learn about criminal law components, you can always consult experts like Alberta Legal who can walk you through all the details regarding the laws on DUIs.

Based on all of these components, it will definitely help you out in further understanding what details you must follow and what other important aspects you have to discuss with your attorney for the best possible results and consequences that are in your favor.

Natural Birth Methods, Are They For You?

We know so much more today than we ever have about the importance of an easy and comfortable labor and birth, for both mother and child. But, with so many different techniques and methods, it can be hard to decide which one we want to try. From humming your way into a state of birthing bliss to hypnosis and water births, the methods are as many as the women giving birth.

 

So we’re going to look at two of the most popular birthing events and help you decide which one will work for you, but you can learn more about some other options, here.

Image By SarahRichterArt

 

FIRST, FIGURE OUT WHO YOU ARE

 

Not every alternative method of labor control and pain management is going to work for you, and you need to take the lead in determining which route is going to be best. At the end of the day, it is you and your baby that are going to take center stage.

 

No two women are the same, therefore no two births will be the same either, in fact, the same woman giving birth on separate occasions will potentially have very different experiences. Our bodies are different, our babies are different and our responses are different. It’s also important to remember what your unique healthcare requirements and issues are. Not every natural alternative lends itself to every woman. For example, if you need a pregnancy chiropractor, or you have low or high blood pressure, or if you’re anemic – not every option will make the most and safest option for you.

 

So that’s why it makes sense to learn as much about labor and birth as we possibly can, because understanding these options as well as the pros, cons, and potential hazards will keep you in the driver’s seat and make you feel more in control of what’s happening to your body and your baby, and when you’re in control – you can do anything.

 

HYPNO BIRTH

 

Let’s start with the latest trend in births and arguably the one that will take the most guts. Hypno births train mothers-to-be all the skills they’ll need to achieve the highest possible state of relaxation during labor and delivery. This method is taught in courses with an instructor and along with home self-hypnosis courses that teach women how to eliminate the pain of labor, they also encourage the presence of a trusted birthing partner that is also trained in the hypnobirthing method.

 

HOME BIRTHS

 

This is not as new as what some may think, as it happens it used to be quite commonplace for women to give birth at home, with the trend declining in popularity from around the 1950s onwards. Certainly in the United States in the post-war period, as public health facilities enjoyed massive increases in quality and skill, the trend was to give birth in hospitals instead.

 

Proponents of home births suggest that because the mother is in a familiar, calm, and safe space that that energy is ultimately transferred to the child, offering both mom and baby a safer, calmer experience, and because they’re already at home, they can get straight to convalescing and recovery immediately.

 

You must remain as healthy as possible throughout your pregnancy, and always take the advice of your doctor.

 

 

 

 

 

The Keys For Loving Being Pregnant

The majority of people are thrilled to learn that they’re pregnant. But there’s no avoiding the fact that it can be challenging, especially if it’s your first baby. You might be a little bit anxious and afraid, and then there’s the whole matter of the impact that it’ll have on your body. Your body will go through a lot of changes when you’re growing a baby inside of you! However, despite these matters, it’s still possible to broadly love your status as a pregnant woman. In this blog, we’ll show you how to do it.

Pexels – CC0 Licence

 

Learn to Relax

 

As we said in the introduction, falling pregnant can be an exciting time, but also one that brings a lot of anxiety and fear. And that’s understandable — it’s a pretty big deal, after all! However, while a little bit of anxiety and fear is just fine, if they get out of hand, then it’ll be important to take action. It’s important to actively bring relaxation into your life. You can do this by meditating, going to yoga, and consciously embracing the opportunity to simply lie on the couch and binge-watch Netflix when you feel like you need it. If you still feel anxious and notice none of the above-mentioned ideas are working for you, you can always reach out to your doctor for medical guidance. Either they might recommend some medical help or advise you to get in touch with medical professionals (like the ones at Pacific Health, for instance) who can provide ways in which you can relax and soothe your anxiety.

 

Working Up A Sweat

 

While there’ll be plenty of moments when you just want to sit on the couch, it might have a negative impact if that’s all you’re doing for nine months. Just as when you’re not pregnant, exercising can be highly beneficial when it comes to making yourself feel good. Not only will it help to get rid of anxiety, but it’ll also improve your mood. Exercising releases happy chemicals into your body, after all. There are plenty of ways to work up a sweat when you’re pregnant, which will be good for both you and your baby.

 

Handle Any Issues

 

Even if you’re doing everything exactly as you should when you’re pregnant, it’s still possible that you’ll run into some issues that cause discomfort. The good news is that, in many cases, you don’t have to just accept that it’s part of the pregnancy experience. There’ll likely be something you can do that’ll make you feel better! For instance, if you have back pain, then it’ll be worthwhile looking at visiting a pregnancy chiropractor; they can make adjustments that’ll reduce the pain. In other cases, it could just be a matter of running a warm (but not hot) bath and letting your muscles soak.

 

Friends and Family

 

We tend to think of being pregnant as an individual experience. But that can be lonely. It also doesn’t have to be the case. Make a point of spending time with your friends and family — who will, of course, be excited for you–, and you’ll be creating positive memories during one of the most joyful periods of your life.

 

Live in the Moment

 

Finally, remember to appreciate the experience! It’ll go faster than you think. While you’ll need to plan for the future a little, it’s also vital that you take a step back and relish the period that you’re in.

 

Elk and Friends

I’ve had my eye on the Elk and Friends products for a few years. Many people I know use and recommend them, and I thought they would be the perfect addition to our kitchen.

We have been transitioning away from plastic and other harmful materials in our home to more eco-friendly and safe products. We use a lot of glass and stainless steel, which is often times more expensive than others. This is one reason I was drawn to Elk and Friends. Their products are glass and stainless steel, and they all come in multipack – perfect for homes with many children. The bundled price they offer really cuts down on cost and makes their sets more affordable.

Elk and Friends offers a few different styles of cups that are glass or stainless steel. They have multiple sizes available – 8, 10, 12, and 16 ounce. Their silicone straws are very sturdy and well made, but better yet, easy to clean. The straws also have a stopper on them that really helps out when giving the cups to a young child. Each cup comes with two lids – one with a hole for the straw to fit in, and one with an air tight, leak proof seal.

I was given two sets to use and review. One set we use for the kids and the other set I use, I call them my mom cups.

The “mom set” I was given is perfect for moms on the go.  They are 16 ounce glass cups with a silicone sleeve on them. The best part though, I love the straw. I have learned over the years that I drink much more water when I have a straw in my cup. It’s just easier, and I need easier during the days. These 16 ounce drinking tumblers are perfect for water, smoothies, and more.

I am a bit disappointed that there are only two plastic seals that came with the set. I like to use them as storage containers, but I can only use two at a time. This is certainly something that is not a deal breaker, but it is a bit inconvenient.

The cups are so stylish and the muted color tones of this set are perfect for a mom. The colors are pretty neutral and they can be mixed and matched too. These would be a great Christmas gift for someone on your list!

I love the colors that Elk and Friends provides; they are so bright and really perfect for any child. Most of their sets are gender neutral but there are a lot of sets that could be used specifically for boys or girls. They also have many neutral colors that aren’t super bright and colorful, too. These, I feel, are more geared towards parents, moms specifically. They are really cute earthy tones, perfect for homes with boys and girls in the family.

These cups have really surprised me with how durable they are. My one year old likes to take them out of the drawer and often times he throws them on the floor. Although I don’t love that the cups occasionally get thrown on the floor, I am [obviously] grateful for the durability.

Connect with Elk and Friends

Facebook        Instagram

The first downside that I came across with these cups is that they need fully disassembled in order to get fully washed. This is by no means a reason for us to stop using the cups, but just takes a bit more time when washing. We take the silicone sleeves off of the glass jars and wash them separately, as well as the silicone seal from the lid.

As you can see in the photo above, the silicone is dirty where the glass and the silicone were touching. The remedy to this is nothing outstanding, but it’s just something we needed to learn for ourselves. This is certainly not something that will stop us from using these cups. We still love them!

One other downside that we have experienced with the cups is with the straws. For the most part they are pretty stop-proof, but my kids have been able to pull the straw out of the lid, despite the stoppers best efforts. The straws have a stopper on them that stops them from being pulled up out of the lid. This is super helpful when you have younger children who don’t understand yet. My one year old has not been able to pull the straw completely out of the cup, but my strong four year old has. He is at an age where he understands though, so we had a conversation with him about it, and it hasn’t happened again. Just something to keep in mind.

 

In all seriousness though, we are really liking the Elk and Friends cups and I do recommend them to any family who has children.

Can Red Borneo Help with Blood Pressure

Red Borneo is a kratom strain trusted for its long-lasting effects and relaxing experience. With numerous benefits like reducing symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, physical and mental exhaustion, it is still under research as the list goes on. 

 

Blood Pressure is hard to maintain with the modern lifestyle and falls out of balance in a large division of the population. 

 

Over time, it leads to many problems like chronic chest pain due to the sudden contractions of the vessels, heart diseases like heart attacks, and even failure in some cases, which we recommend gaining professional medical help. With Red Borneo, users can improve their blood pressure while enjoying the calming experience. 

 

Here we explore connections that the Red Borneo effects may have an advantage over abnormal blood pressure ranges. 

https://pixabay.com/photos/wheat-germ-grass-powder-healthy-1169630/  

BALANCE IONS

Medicines that bring back levels of blood pressure to normal are based on the principle of balancing ions. One of the most recommended ways to keep blood pressure in the range is to manage sodium content. Sodium is a vasoactive agent, which constricts blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pass through, and increases blood pressure. It is done by decreasing the amount of sodium intake in the diet and opting for Potassium and Magnesium-rich foods. 

 

Red Borneo is an excellent source of these minerals that replenish and add a nourishing factor to the blood, reducing blood pressure. It also helps in uncoupling sodium ions from the kidney and helps drive them out of the body. Many of these ions are absorbed by the kidneys from the blood. If there are any problems, the electrolytic balance is put off in the body, which drops the blood pressure. 

 

Red Borneo puts its endocannabinoid properties here and reacts with various types of receptors to put the values of specific cells, hormones, and secretion counts back to check, which often elevate on such occasions. 

 

HORMONES AND VITAMINS

Hormones are crucial in managing characteristics of the arteries that move blood in the body. Important ones that play a role in drastically affecting blood pressure include adrenaline, angiotensin, epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine, aldosterone. They control the contraction and relaxation, hence adjusting the flow of blood through various vessels. 

 

High constriction increases blood pressure as heart rates also trigger heart diseases that could be life-threatening. Red Borneo keeps these hormones under check and binds to receptors that these compounds normally would, too, decreasing their effects. 

 

Vitamins like ascorbic acid, folic acid, and Coq10 enhance the removal of toxins, extra fluid from the blood that help with a smoother flow. They are essential for the body to carry out its normal functions like – digestion, breakdown of giant molecules, and constructing important stuff that our body needs. Red Borneo contains many co-factors that act as a helping aid to many neuroprotective; sensory systems of our body and improve function. 

 

Vitamins, minerals, and enzyme production is maintained in our body that help blood pressure come back on track. These compounds are naturally produced by our body but only in specific quantities. The endocannabinoid effects of Red Borneo enhance their amounts for healthful benefits. 

https://pixabay.com/photos/chili-seasoning-chili-powder-1670269/

 

ALKALOIDS THAT BOOST ENERGY 

Red Borneo kratom and cannabis has gotten a lot of hype due to its uplifting and vivid effects that are a treat for users. 

 

This role is played due to their high alkaloid content. Compounds like mitraphylline and various derivatives of mitragynine bind to many receptors and alleviate tiredness. 

 

It is super effective in reducing hypertension and mental stress that often affects blood pressure. The effects work to balance both – Low and high blood pressure. 

 

Along with moon enhancement, there are also many wholesome effects like pain relief, stable heart rates, and replenished joints that release stiffness in the body. Being physically active makes it easier for users to exercise and equal out their blood pressure, with extra health benefits. 

 

ENHANCED OXYGENATION AND BLOOD FLOW

Red Borneo contains famous relaxation effects due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It reduces tension and stiffness in taut muscles, which often comes with low blood pressure by improving muscle metabolism. 

 

Red Borneo increases muscle activity, oxygenation in blood flow that decreases pressure points in the body like around the neck, shoulders, waistline that allow blood pressure to come back to normal. Longtime users of Red Borneo also find increased oxygenated hemoglobin in the body, which is a sign of a healthy heart and decreased rate of heart diseases. 

 

Red Borneo increases the porosity of the blood vessels to allow easy movement of fluids like plasma and lymph. It manages Low-density cholesterol, Unsaturated fatty acids that promote heart health and lower the risk of blocked arteries when coupled with an active lifestyle. 

 

KIDNEY HEALTH

There is a very apparent connection between kidney and heart health. Blood flows to the heart for oxygenation and maintaining a certain amount of pressure which travels the blood to the kidneys for purification. The kidney has these small structures known as nephrons which extract various salts, toxins, and excessive water from the blood to make the healthy connective tissue that seeps into our body. 

 

A low or high blood pressure hinders this process and can cause chronic nephritis and septicemia. These are strong reactions in the body due to impurities, high or low amounts of hormones, or salts present in the blood. 

This triggers high blood pressure to move the blood back for purification and can lead to kidney failure. 

 

Red Borneo has many enzymes that act as chelators – they trap these ions and get absorbed into the digestive tract, improving kidney function. 

Impurities like toxins and infectious agents are excreted from the body due to the alkaloids.  They form many complexes with them and make them unreactive in the body. 

 

Red Borneo kratom manages the production of hormones.  It interacts with many receptors in the body and prevents their over-productions. This also improves allergic conditions and improves stamina as the hormonal balance can do wonders. 

 

CONCLUSION

To take advantage of the various health benefits of Red kratom, we present its promising effects on balancing blood pressure.

What are the legality issues with Kratom powder?

Kratom has been one of the most popular subjects in the supplement industry in recent years. Super green Kratom near me is one of the top search results in the google search engine. Kratom is supposedly a magical herb-derived product that may be your one solution for a lot of issues. Be it stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, pain-related issues, problems with socializing, you name it. People all over the world have reported that kratom has helped them through some of these difficulties.

Being such a popular product, however, some conflicts in opinions are expected. Some people don’t believe that kratom works at all, while some think it’s the latest creation out of Dumbledore’s magical arsenal and is the solution for all their troubles. This wedge of differences between people’s opinions led to an increased interest from the government authorities. The legal agencies had to make sure if substances like kratom were fit for consumption after all or not. This interest led to an increase in the number of studies on kratom to find what’s best for the typical individual. This article checks out a few facts about kratom and its legal policies in the USA, Canada, and the UK.

Image credits- www.pixabay.com

What is Kratom?

Kratom is a local plant found in southeastern Asia. It comes from Mitragyna speciosa and can be purchased from online stores like Kona Kratom. However, many know it as the kratom tree. People initially from parts of Southeast Asia have used kratom for as long as conventional natural medicine. Traditionally, users used to chew the kratom leaves to get them ingested. Nowadays, it is much less common for consumers to chew the kratom leaves directly. It is seen more typically in powders, capsules, tinctures, and pills containing dried kratom leaves.

Kratom is a multipurpose herb that may serve customers in lots of ways. For instance, when you consume it in smaller quantities, kratom works as a stimulant allowing the consumer to feel more energized and aware. On the contrary, when you use it in larger doses, it actually works as a sedative. You sense a numbing feeling of calm and dulled senses to an extent. This impact relaxes your brain and allows you to take your feet off the pedal for yourself. Let us now take a deeper dive into the vast ocean of information available about kratom and figure out its legalities.

Kratom in the United States

The legal guidelines associated with kratom in the United States of America are complex compared to other countries. The trouble arises due to the presence of both the Federal and state-level legal systems in the US. The United States of America contains many enforcement organizations as compared to other countries. This factor creates more issues with the legality and use of kratom in the country.

Image credits- www.pixabay.com

Federal agencies tried to ban kratom for years. The DEA planned to list kratom as a Schedule I controlled substance in 2016. It is stated that compounds of this class do not have any daily clinical use presently and have a high possibility of abuse.

A year after the DEA introduced its aim of prohibiting kratom, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responded with a letter supporting the proposed ban. However, many people in the country did not take this news positively. There were massive outbursts of protests around the USA. Meanwhile, specialists analyzed the potential of abuse in kratom and concluded that prohibition was not needed.

Although the overall ban on kratom failed domestically, the agency might recommend the WHO to prohibit it internationally. If the FDA secures an international kratom ban, many around the globe could attempt suicide and die of accidental overdose. Many Americans even say that kratom cravings for opioids are often acquired on the illicit market and frequently laced with artificial opioids like fentanyl.

In general, the use, in addition to ownership of kratom, is considered to be legal within the USA. However, it is equally essential to remember that although the federal regulation in the country is generalized, at the same time, every one of the states has its legal system. This fact clearly states that even though the countrywide authorities haven’t placed any ban on the usage of this herb, it does not apply to every state in the United States. Kratom is banned in states like Indiana. Similarly, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee listed kratom as a controlled substance. Hence, it is crucial to check the laws in your particular state before trying to purchase kratom.

Kratom in Canada

In Canada, just like in the USA, rules regarding kratom exist in a grey area. Under Health Canada rules, kratom stays unauthorized for sale in the market as a consumable herbal health product. Selling tea, pills, or any other ingestible form of the product may result in criminal prosecution.

However, the drug is widely available in Canada. Many outlets get around the restriction by presenting the plant as incense or a product for aromatherapy.

Kratom in the United Kingdom

However, when we get to the United Kingdom, things get more straightforward, but not for kratom. The potentially harmful side effects related to kratom have made it illegal in certain parts of the world. The UK has a stern record with the usage of kratom. Once they discovered its side effects through scientific experiments, the United Kingdom authorities prohibited the plant thoroughly. Even though it could be found online and in small neighborhood smoke shops, it is illegal to possess, manufacture, or sell the product. If the police catch you with kratom or its related products, you could get in extreme trouble. Experts now no longer recommend recreationally consuming it, even though many still use it for medicinal purposes globally. In conclusion, kratom has been considered illegal in the UK since 2016. It is controlled under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

Conclusion

Kratom has skyrocketed in terms of recognition in recent times. Kratom is a pretty complex topic that runs a fine line between right and wrong. Only science and its experts can provide the final verdict. Thousands of customers around the globe have praised its qualities. Sadly, with this plunge in popularity, it’s also become the center of attention and a debatable topic. It might take many new kinds of studies and research to understand kratom to its full extent.

For now, kratom remains a notorious herb that many support, keeping the determining aspect distinct for each individual. Hence, before shopping for kratom, ensure you’ve got your fair share of understanding of the rules and knowledge about the substance for optimum positives. Check the legal guidelines and regulations in your state and country, and seek advice from a medical professional for maximum security and reliability.

 

 

Upgrading & Overhauling Your Kitchen On A Budget: Where To Spend & Where To Save

The time has come to do up your family kitchen in your home. Perhaps you’ve been meaning to do it up for a while or maybe you’ve recently noticed how much of a state it’s got into, either way upgrading your kitchen can seem like an extremely expensive (and unnecessary) task.

When you’re a parent with a family to look after, the idea of doing up your kitchen and breaking the bank over it can seem silly, can’t it? But, the fact is you do need a functioning kitchen for you and your family, so if your kitchen needs doing up, then it needs to be upgraded and that’s that.

It is always a good idea to hire professionals similar to a kitchen renovation london to get your kitchen up and done just the way you want it. However, the good news is that doing up your kitchen doesn’t have to always break the bank – there are lots of ways that you can cut costs and make the process cheaper and more affordable. There are certain areas that you can save on, as well as areas where it’s best to spend on, so it’s important to be mindful of these so that you can create a kitchen that will stand the test of time.

Photo source: Pixabay

Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to how you can overhaul and upgrade your kitchen on a budget, with pointers for where you can save and where you should spend – read on for everything that you should know.

Buy unbranded paint

A great way to cut costs when it comes to doing up your kitchen is to opt for unbranded paint. The truth is that most of the time you’re simply paying for the brand name and not necessarily the quality, so to cut costs and make your kitchen overhaul cheaper, look for an own brand paint.

There are lots of colours to choose from, even from budget-friendly paint suppliers, as well as lots of paint types to choose from. Make sure that you select a paint that’s kitchen-friendly and can be easily wiped clean.

Go second-hand shopping

To keep costs low, it’s worth doing some second-hand shopping. Head to your local recycling centre or pre-loved store to see what options are available. At these kinds of places you can pick all sorts of incredible gems, from pots and pans to a functioning kitchen sink, so it’s worth taking the time to have a browse.

As well as heading to local second-hand stores, consider doing some second-hand online buying. Sites like eBay, for instance, can be a great option for picking up some pre-loved must-haves for your kitchen overhaul. You can search for specific products or brands, or you can simply see what’s available, either way you can find some fantastic deals by shopping for pre-loved items.

Don’t scrimp on support

It’s an easy mistake to make thinking that you can cut costs by doing everything yourself, but unless you know what you’re doing, you could end up landing yourself with more costs in the shape of repairs.

So, if you’re dealing with something you’ve not done before, such as fitting a new sink, it’s best to call in a professional local plumbing service who can help you to fit the sink and ensure that it’s all connected up properly. Otherwise, if the sink isn’t properly connected, it might cause a serious leak that could lead to some pretty severe flood damage and a lot of extra expenses.

Work with what you have

Just because you’re upgrading your kitchen, that doesn’t mean that everything has to be new. Instead, remember the importance of cutting costs by working with what you have. Think about the things that you can keep, save and reuse, as well as how you can overhaul individual items to make them fit into your new kitchen. If you’re stuck for ideas, there are plenty of tutorials and guides online for ways in which you can upgrade and reuse old items from within your home, from door handles to furniture – and everything in between. You could also get help for your Kitchen Renovations from experts at JEB Built or other similar companies.

You don’t need to replace everything; instead think about how you can incorporate the things that you already have into your new kitchen design. This could mean painting your dining table and chairs, or it could mean upgrading your light fittings with some minor changes – the key is to reuse and recycle wherever possible to cut costs.

There you have it, a simple guide to upgrading and overhauling your kitchen on a budget. Believe it or not it is doable to cut costs, but it’s simply a case of being smart about your approach to doing so, that’s all.

7 Organic Ways to Improve Your Outdoor Garden Soil

 

Image credit

Thinking of cultivating a garden in your front or back yard? Gardening offers numerous benefits besides beautifying a home’s exterior. According to scientists, human health could improve a great deal after spending a few hours in a garden.

The only problem comes when the soil is unfavorable. Some soil types can’t support the growth of plants. What do you do in such a case? Here are seven natural techniques of turning the barren ground into arable land.

Do a Soil Test

Soil testing is the first step to determining soil fertility. This is because humans can only detect the structure, texture, and color but not the soil’s chemical composition.

A soil test is valid for many other reasons, like determining soil PH level and nutrient content in the soil. What’s more, since this is a DIY project, all you need is to purchase a soil testing kit and perform the test yourself.

Just remember the soil test kit shows you different readings at a time. The first is always to know the PH, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur concentrations in the soil. The second shows the organic matter and lead content in the soil plus recommends how to adjust these levels.

Add Compost

Composting is an essential part of creating a healthy, long-lasting garden. By definition, composting is a natural way of decomposing solid organic waste to improve soil nutrients and organic matter.

The best compost should contain organic matter from leaf mold, animal manure, grass clippings, and kitchen waste. This is because organic matter loosens the soil, which allows air circulation, good drainage, root growth, prevents compaction, and facilitates the growth of bio-diverse subculture.

If you’re wondering what bio-diverse subculture is, these are microbial organisms that live in the soil, creating underground tunnels to improve the soil.

Lastly, you can choose to do the composting yourself or purchase the materials at a garden store. If you opt to DIY, remember to:

  • Law straws and twigs first on bare earth
  • Add the materials in layers
  • Add manure
  • Keep compost moist
  • Cover and turn every few weeks

Introduce Organic Mulch

Mulching is the process of spreading or laying materials over the soil surface. Mulch, as commonly referred to, is preferred because it helps retain moisture, cool the soil, suppress weeds, and improve garden soil structure.

There are different materials used to make organic mulch. These include tree barks, newspapers, straw, shredded leaves, and even pine needles. If you want to make the perfect organic mulch for your garden, start by:

  • Trimming the mulch area
  • Finding suitable mulch (straw, hay, tree barks, etc.)
  • Covering the garden with a compost layer
  • Spreading a thick layer of organic material (hay, straw, shredded leaves) over the soil

While synthetic mulch is in gardening stores, it doesn’t add nutrients to the soil and poses more threats to the environment long term.

Practice Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a trick farmers use to keep their soil healthy that gardeners can borrow. Basically, crop rotation involves growing crops at different locations each year to interrupt destructive pest cycles and prevent nutrient depletion.

For example, fungi and nematodes present in potatoes during the first year remain in the soil and can destroy the subsequent crop, if planted in the same position. The same goes for other crops like tomatoes, which are crops most gardeners love to grow in their outdoor gardens.

The not-so-secret recipe here is sticking to the three-year rule. This rule discourages growing crops from the same vegetable family in one area for more than three years consecutively to allow enough time for pathogens to die.

If you have a small garden, where crop rotation is impossible, plant nitrogen-producing crops such as peas after harvest before planting nitrogen-taking crops in the same area again to allow the soil to replenish.

Use Cover Crops

If you’re approaching winter and are afraid of the effects of adverse weather on your garden soil, cover crops can help solve the problem. Cover crops are grown primarily to improve the soil, but they can double as food too.

Typically, what a cover crop does is prevent the soil from water and wind erosion and melting snow during the winter. Furthermore, if you plant underground cover crops, they can help loosen the soil while also introducing microbial life and injecting nitrogen into the soil.

Crops like legumes, kale, turnips, and carrots are the best cover crops since they can double as food. However, Ryegrass is also a viable option for barren soils that can’t sustain food cover crops.

Just remember to turn any remaining cover crops as winter ends so they can decompose into manure for garden use.

Try Aged Manure

Manure is among the few free items that can boost soil fertility. Why free? Manure can come from livestock waste and should not necessarily be bought. The only problem with natural manure is you may have to wait several months for it to age since fresh manure can harbor pathogens and burn crops.

 

Aside from that, manure increases soil fertility significantly and can come from various sources, depending on your needs. These include:

  • Chicken manure, which has the highest nitrogen content
  • Horse manure, the easiest to find
  • Cow manure, all-purpose manure that doesn’t burn crops
  • Goat and sheep manure, which are drier and less smelly
  • Rabbit manure that is generally cold so safe to add immediately

Vermicompost

Although among the least preferred methods, using worms could improve outdoor garden soil. There are several ways to use worms to improve your garden soil. One is by adding the worms to your compost to help speed the decomposition and provide additional nutrients. The other is rearing the worms and using worm castings to improve soil fertility.

Lastly, for a more straightforward approach with guaranteed results, add the worms directly into the soil and put some mulch. This will not only aerate the soil but give it a nutrient boost as well.

Start your Outdoor Garden Today

If you love gardening but live in an area with unfavorable gardening soil or the land is barren, these tips will help you improve the soil. Just make sure not to hurry the process because improving outdoor garden soil takes time since the process is delicate.

 

Dashing December Giveaway

 

Enter for your chance to win $10 PayPal Cash

 


(Linkup closed)

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.