Waegook Tom

A Blog About A Globetrotting English Teacher

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Hidden dangers – everyday products that could be damaging your health

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There are many everyday items we take for granted, and as they are so readily available, you may be under the illusion that they are safe to use, after all, the government would surely put a stop to dangerous items being made available to the general public? You would hope so, but unfortunately there are products, which many of us use every day, that have hidden dangers. Discover some of them here, so you know which products to avoid in the future.

Polystyrene/Styrofoam food containers

Many of us enjoy a takeout every now and again, despite them not being the heathiest option, but were you aware that the packaging could be doing more damage to your health than the food? Styrene, which is found in this type of packaging is a human carcinogen, which means it is a product that can cause cancer. Polystyrene food containers have the potential to leak styrene into food substances and therefore foods that have been delivered in these types of packaging should be avoided.

Chemlawns

A lawn can be a status symbol, with the most manicured and cared for lawn depicting an image of a meticulous homeowner. Some people go to great lengths to ensure their lawn is weed-free and beautifully maintained. One way in which some people do this is to employ the help of a company like ChemLawn, otherwise known as Tru Green. This company, alongside others claim their products and services provide a more environmentally friendly, and healthy method of treating lawns. However, research reveals that although their claims to use EPA approved substances may be true, that this doesn’t mean such substances are safe. There are still EPA-approved substances that use chemicals that can cause burning sensations in the throat, breathing difficulties, vomiting, and dizziness, and headaches. Click on the Chemlawn Near Me link to find out more. 

Reusable plastic drinking bottles

These may be helping the environment by reducing waste, but reusable plastic water bottles that have the number 7 in the recycling symbol could be harming your health. These particular bottles contain polycarbonate that may contain bisphenol A, which research has shown can stimulate prostate cancer cells. To avoid the risk posed by polycarbonate drinking bottles, switch to stainless steel bottles, or those produced using higher density polyethylene.

Aluminium kitchenware

Although there is no definitive proof, it is believed there is a link between aluminium use and Alzheimer’s disease. Older pots and pans are sometimes made using aluminium and this material can leak into your food as you cook it. Dispense of old cookware, and replace with contemporary pots and pans. 

Mattresses

Considering you probably spend approximately eight hours asleep each night, ensuring your mattress is safe should be a priority. Some mattresses contain Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, which are used as flame retardant. Some of the health problems associated with PBDEs include brain damage, thyroid function problems, and reproductive difficulties. Check the labels on all your mattresses, and if you find them to contain PBDEs you should seriously consider replacing them.

How to train while you’re on holiday

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Going home for Christmas is often synonymous with the idea that you’re going to relax and eat a lot of good food for several days, and enjoy the company of friends and family. But what we all seem to forget when the holidays come round is that we should still try to stick to our fitness routines to ensure that working out doesn’t become a challenge when we get back home.

While training with a punching bag might be impossible, especially if your parents’ home isn’t equipped with one, there are some tips and tricks you can use to stay in shape even at Christmas and even with all of the yummy meals you’re going to indulge in.

To make it slightly easier for you to come up with a plan, we’ve put together a list of pieces of advice you may want to take into consideration. Just remember — excesses can have a negative effect on your health and mind and can ruin your progress by convincing you that having an extra cookie isn’t all that bad for you.

Try to stick to a schedule

Part of being committed to your cause is related to sticking to a plan. Even if you go out of town for the holidays, you need to know for sure that once you get back to your usual life, you won’t have ruined your chances of losing weight or building some muscle.

If you like jogging, for instance, you could jot down the specific days where you intend to go out running. You can do it even if your childhood home is crowded and packed with family members. It’s tempting to forego exercising, especially at Christmas, but if you miss out on just two days in a row, you can build unhealthy habits instead of healthy ones.

Make sure you exercise at least 15 minutes a day

Another way of going about things is to split down your exercise routine and try to keep in shape just by doing medium to hard exercises for just fifteen minutes a day. There are many popular weight-loss plans these days that call for only seven minutes of exercise on a daily basis, but the intensity of the workout is far greater than many athletic people’s regular one.

By making sure you do exercise for a quarter of an hour, you’ll at least have a clean conscience, and you will be able to enjoy your food and rest a lot more. So, this method is good for the body and the mind, too.

Make use of any equipment you might have available

Unless you do plan to go to the gym even when you’re on vacation, the chances of you having the opportunity to work out with fitness equipment are slim, to say the least. Perhaps it might pay off to do a bit of research on calisthenics even before Christmas comes around.

Calisthenics is based on the exercise that one can do with as little equipment as possible. Just make sure you have a good pair of gloves to ensure you avoid any injuries in that area.

I didn’t even know this product existed

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They say the best frozen yogurt is the one that you can make yourself, but I honestly had no idea that this was even possible. The problem with making ice treats at home is that they’re never as creamy as those you can buy in stores or on the street. The fact of the matter is that a bowl of frozen yogurt can cost as much as eight dollars, and so we have to ask ourselves whether getting one from time to time really pays off.

I had no idea that there were specialized appliances that could help one make frozen yogurt at home. I love the treat and have been indulging in it for quite a while, although I make sure to do it only on occasion. So, when I found out that you could actually buy a good frozen yogurt maker, I started doing my research.

First off, I have to point out that some models are priced under thirty, which means that the appliance costs less than 4 bowls of frozen yogurt you get from a chain. The trick is that you get to keep the frozen yogurt machine for the rest of time.

Sure, some other choices, such as those manufactured by world-known brands like Cuisinart, might cost a pretty penny by comparison. I’ve personally stumbled upon one that was priced about one hundred and fifty and that could be used to make ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Of course, you need to make sure that the expense really makes sense for you.

I wouldn’t spend one hundred and fifty on such an appliance, especially as I am a great fan of ice cream made from frozen bananas. I use my good old food processor to whip up a treat whenever I feel like it. But a budget-friendly choice is worth considering, particularly when it costs the price of four frozen yogurt bowls.

From what I gather, many reasonably priced options come with limited capacities, but that’s not a problem given that it’s less likely for you to consume more than 1.5 quarts of frozen yogurt at once. Usually, it takes just about twenty to twenty-five minutes to prepare a batch so that you can enjoy it with your friends and family. In my experience, most of the appliances in this line are user-friendly and come with a bunch of easy-to-use controls. Many allow you to use seeds, nuts, and candy if you want to add them to the mix.

The bottom line is that, when making frozen yogurt at home, you know what goes into it. You can even use yogurt you’ve made yourself so that everything is natural and contains no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.