Category: Views & Opinions

This 2020, it becomes imperative to continue practicing social distancing, good hand hygiene, and cough etiquette. Developing a strong immune system is very important to have a great defense to prevent contracting COVID-19.

Getting regular exercises and physical activities, managing stress, having quality sleep, and eating nutritious meals are some meaningful ways to boost the immune health. To supplement a healthy diet, here are my top favorite products to help enhance the immune system.

Products from Healthy Options to Increase and Support Immunity

1. Emergen-C 1000mg Vitamin C Powder

This Vitamin C drink mix is a powder that dissolves quickly in water. It contains B Vitamins, Electrolytes, and other Antioxidants like Zinc and Manganese. Each serving provides daily immune support with more Vitamin C than 10 oranges. The taste is refreshing, with natural fruit flavors.

At the first sign or the slightest indication of a cold, I immediately pour a packet of this fizzy powder in a 12 ounce glass of water (you can use less) and drink it down. Sometimes I notice a scratchy throat or a bit of congestion, but my body seems able to fight it off. I really think this is beneficial.

I’ve been a fan of Emergen-C for months now (ever since the lockdown), and I think this can be helpful in boosting your immune system for long term, shortening the duration of your cold or relieving a headache soon after it hits.

2. Zand Echinacea Zinc Herbalozenge Very Cherry 15 Lozenges

When the cold weather hits, you can count on ZZand Echinacea Zinc Lozenges to provide some throat-soothing support. Formulated to help calm your throat, these lozenges include Zinc which may provide support for healthy immune function. The taste is a bit bland though that’s okay because it’s the zinc I want, not a flavorful candy. 😀

3. Natrol Vitamin D3 2000IU Fast Dissolve 90 Tablets

“Research shows that Vitamin D plays a much larger role in promoting health than simply helping build strong bones. Vitamin D helps regulate healthy cell growth, supports immunity, heart health and healthy aging.”

Love that this is not another giant tasteless pill I have to take! Natrol Vitamin D3 Fast Dissolve comes in strawberry flavor that tastes great and can be taken anytime, anywhere. Btw, “Fast Dissolve” is a delivery method whereby the tablet dissolves on your tongue and can be swallowed without liquids. Natrol’s unique Fast Dissolve technology allows tablets to dissolve up to 30 times faster than regular tablets. There is no after taste. No water needed. It is fast-acting and perfect for those that have a hard time with swallowing vitamins and supplements.

4. YoGourmet Freeze-Dried Kefir Starter 30g

Yogurt and kefir are great ways to strengthen the immune system. These provide the body with helpful probiotics, a set of live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to improving digestive health. Having a healthy digestive system is important, since the gut bacteria has an impact with our immune system and influences our health. There are a lot of different strains of probiotics, but the most common is lactobacillus, which is found in yogurt and kefir.

The good thing is that we can make kefir at home without the bother of using kefir grains. Wit the gluten-free all-natural Yogourmet Freeze-Dried Kefir Starter, you can create kefir by mixing the powder with coconut milk, coconut water, or any milk of choice or even a smoothie then follow the instructions on the back label. You can also save part of a batch of kefir and use that as a starter, so one packet will make more than just one batch.

5. Solgar B-Complex with Vitamin C Stress Formula Tablets

Vitamin C is an immune-supporting antioxidant, which helps fight free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress and the premature aging of cells. With unique stress support formula, including a natural blend of kelp, acerola, alfalfa, parsley, rose hips & watercress, this supplement boosts energy and mood. It’s potent and has good value considering strength and purity.

Fishing has been a beloved pastime for several decades, and while the concept of fish finding suggests that anyone can attempt with with the bare minimums of a rod, reel, and bait, no doubt having a bit extra will improve your chances of a big catch. Instead of heading out on your annual fishing trip this year with the same shabby gear that you used last year, you could consider re-evaluating your fishing equipment to replace and upgrade where necessary.

When kitting yourself out for your upcoming fishing trip, you can consider some of these innovative fishing gear essentials to enhance your outdoor experience as an angler.

Spinning Reels For Bass Fishing

If you are fishing for bass, you will need a quality spinning reel. Spinning reels are lighter to handle than bait casters and essential for bass fishing and fishing in clear water lakes. When searching for a quality spinning reel, you can evaluate this list of the best spinning reels for bass fishing. When considering that this bass fishing essential is unmatched in terms of distance capabilities, it is best to avoid compromising a spinning reel when packing your gear

Bass Lures For Guaranteed Bites

Lures have come a long way since the first creations as the new lures mimic a distressed duck separated from its brood. A quick online search will help you find various hard lures that can guarantee bites, granted you are already a knowledgeable bass angler.

A Practical Cooler Box

There’s no doubt that fishing requires patience of steel as a catch is not always guaranteed, and most anglers are accustomed to waiting out bites for quite some time. As a result, quality and practical cooler boxes are a fishing essential you may not yet have thought of before. Whether the cooler box will be used for storing snacks and drinks, or your prized catch, all coolers are not created equal, which is why you should scope the market for coolers that are designed for anglers and outdoor usage.

Quality Fishing Apparel

While fishing apparel is by no means fashion-forward, every angler needs to dress appropriately. From quality footwear that boasts a grip for the terrain’s specifics to a jacket that can store everything you need, fishing apparel can genuinely transform your experience by adding comfort, practicality, and convenience. Whether you need durable waterproof boots r a jacket that will carry all your odds and ends, fishing apparel can dramatically enhance your fishing experience.

Gadgets And Tech

Of course, innovative gadgets and tech will enhance your fishing experience, from technologies that will allow you to create your very own map in real time to practical tech that will keep you safe. Wireless cut-off switches are quite popular for anglers trolling the waters for fish as the gadget will stop the boat as soon as the signal has been lost. When considering that falling into the waters can be a danger, this tech can bring you peace of mind during your fish finding explorations.

A dead battery is an inconvenience that has a simple solution. You just need to get a new auto battery and replace the old one. You can avoid the tow truck or car mechanic’s fee if you change your car battery yourself or let one of AutoZone’s technicians do it.

Basic Steps For Changing a Car Battery

Although the exact procedure for your car may vary based on where the battery is located, the process is similar for most vehicles:

• Put your car in park. Make sure it’s on even ground. Let the engine cool off before changing the battery. Have protective gear: gloves to protect your hands; long sleeves to protect your arms; and close-toed shoes to protect your feet.
• Find your battery. In most cases, you can pop the hood and it’s right there. Consult your owner’s manual to check for specific information for your car.
• Loosen the nut that holds the battery in.
• Disconnect the black cable, AKA the negative or ground cable, first. Then remove the red cable, AKA the positive cable. Don’t let them touch each other or any metal parts or the engine.
• Remove any bars or fasteners on the battery to take the battery out of the car.
• Lift the battery out of the car. Hold it level. It will be heavy, so use caution. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Clean the battery cables if they are corroded. If they are damaged, you’ll need to replace them.
• Install the new battery and secure it down.
• Replace the red cable first, then the black one.
• Make sure the battery is secure and completely stationary.
• Close the hood and start the car. If the car doesn’t start, you made to have it serviced by a certified technician.

Make sure to dispose of the old battery correctly in your community. You can bring the old battery to AutoZone when you buy your new Duralast battery.

Can I Replace A Car Battery Myself?

Changing a car battery is something that most people can manage on their own. You’ll need a wrench or pliers, a couple of rags, your owner’s manual and protective gloves. If your battery’s connections are corroded, you may want to have some baking soda and water with an old toothbrush to clean to the terminals or cables. Just make sure that your car is on stable ground and the engine is cool. Put on the parking brake and follow the car manual’s guide.

Does AutoZone Replace Your Car Battery?

If you don’t feel comfortable changing your car battery on your own, you can ask the techs at AutoZone to change it for you. If you think your battery is getting to the end of its life, bring your car to AutoZone for free battery testing. We can help you find the correct battery replacement for your make and model. If you buy your new battery from us, under certain circumstances, we will change the battery. If the battery is easy to change without removing other components, our techs provide this free service. Stop by a local store to get more information.

During these COVID times, washing, cleaning, and disinfecting are three things we’ve learned how to do regularly. This applies not only to our hands, body, and face and our personal daily essentials but also to our vehicles. Aside from “reviving” or enhancing my programming skills, one things I’ve learned during community quarantine is taking care of my car.

Having a clean car interior especially makes me feel safer. My car is like my second home when I’m out and about, so it’s really important to have the right products to effectively give it its much needed maintenance and TLC.

SONAX Car-Cleaning and Maintenance Essentials

I’ve learned about SONAX products recently while browsing automotive cleaning / exterior vehicle car/ car cleaners and kits on Lazada. If you’re not familiar, SONAX is Germany’s number one automotive car care detailing brand. It’s available on Lazada and BLADE stores in the Philippines. I’m no expert when it comes to car cleaning and grooming. But as a beginner, I think these are some basic useful things to help keep your car in tip-top condition.

1. Sonax Chrome and Alupaste 75ml (PhP 280)

SONAX Chrome and Alupaste is a polish for aluminum and trim metals such as copper, brass and chrome. It removes rust and blind spots quickly and thoroughly, dissolves dirt and corrosion, restores the original shine and leaves a protective film.

This product is pretty decent and require very less effort to make the chrome parts looks new again. The paste is fairly easy to use and spread. You just have to apply some amount of pressure to get rid of the unwanted marks. Overall, it has a good value for the price.

2. Sonax Xtreme Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner 400ml (PhP 625)

This cleaner gently cleans deep into the fibers of all textiles, such as seats, upholstery, carpets, linings, roof-linings, child seats and Alcantara surfaces. It simultaneously freshens up the colors and disperses unpleasant odors, such as cigarette smoke and animal odors. It also leaves a subtle fresh scent after use.

After use, my car’s seats are now a stunning black color again and look like new. A slight con is that it can be a bit messy when spraying so it’s best not to have pets or small children in the car. It’s also easy to use. I just followed the video tutorial on YouTube. 🙂 You’ll need a brush and microfiber cloth.

3. Sonax High Speed Wax 500ml (PhP 800)

If you’re looking for a highly effective cleaning and care emulsion, this product ticks the right boxes as it gives a radiant shine and protection lasting for many weeks, seals the paintwork and gives a streak-free high gloss, and it’s convenient and easy to apply. The SONAX high speed wax is suitable for maintaining all plastic and rubber components. It’s a “lightning fast” paintwork sealant. Shake the bottle, spray on, wipe off, done!

Here’s a video for the demo:

4. Sonax Clear Glass 500ml (Php 465)

This is my favorite out of all the products mentioned in this blog. The stuff is amazing. You can spray it on the glass and watch the dirt run off. You get what you pay for! It’s ammonia-free, phosphate-free, and does not repel water just a glass cleaner.

I hate seeing dirty car windows when driving as it blurs my vision, especially when it just rained. This glass cleaner works wonders as it can clean both the exterior and interior windows for streak-free vision. It instantly frees windscreens and headlights from insects, dirt, exhaust deposits and nicotine. It can quickly and easily eradicate smear films and nicotine deposits from car interior windscreens and mirrors.

Before

After

This SONAX Clear Glass is also ideal for household use on windows and mirrors. I have found it’s also great for cleaning the TV screen without leaving any residue behind. It goes on easily, wipes off cleanly, and leaves a pleasant smell. I highly recommend it. Best of luck to you!

To learn more, check out SONAX products on Lazada Mall online.

Lots of people deal with road rage. It’s nothing about which you need to feel embarrassed. What matters is how you choose to deal with these feelings. Road rage, while you’re traveling, can be a particularly difficult issue. Maybe you’re driving somewhere for work, or perhaps you’re taking the family on vacation. Either way, learning some stress management techniques will go a long way toward keeping you from doing something you’ll regret.

Focus on Your Breathing

Over 90% of working people drive a vehicle to and from their job. However, professional or vacation driving is surging as well, especially right now, when so many people are reluctant to fly because of the coronavirus.

If someone honks at you in traffic or cuts you off, it helps to focus on your breathing. Learning some breathing exercises that you can immediately start in that situation can distract you from yelling at the person or making a threatening gesture.

As you breathe slowly in for several seconds, then out again for several seconds, try to remember that what happened isn’t the end of the world. If no one was hurt, and what took place does not impede your travels, you’ll probably forget all about it in a few moments.

Listen to Music that Makes You Happy

Music can have a tremendous impact on your mood. Let’s say that you know you’re going on a lengthy drive for work, and you might be in some high traffic areas or construction zones. Stop-and-go traffic can upset you, but only if you let it.

Try to make a playlist beforehand on your phone of music that makes you happy. Maybe it’s a particular album by your favorite artist. Perhaps it’s several songs by different artists that never fail to make you feel better when you’re down.

Having that music on during the trip can ease your annoyed feelings if you’re caught in a traffic jam on your way to your destination.

Keep a Picture of Your Family on the Dashboard

Another useful way to curb road rage is to print out a picture of your family or one of your loved ones and to keep it in view on the dashboard. It’s a simple matter to stick it there with a piece of tape, even if you’re driving a rental car in an unfamiliar town or city.

Remember that nothing productive comes out of road rage. If you choose to engage with someone who gestured toward you or cut you off, they might do something to escalate further.

People kill others during road rage incidents in extreme circumstances. You want to get home to your family at the end of your trip. Having a nice picture of them to look at will remind you of that.

Don’t Be an Aggressive Driver

Being a defensive driver is something that any driving school will teach you as soon as you get your learner’s permit. That means merging when and how you’re supposed to, going the speed limit, and not tailgating the car in front of you.

When you’re an aggressive driver and don’t obey written or even unspoken road rules, you invite confrontation. You might be subject to road rage because of what another driver does, but don’t forget that you can be guilty of instigating it.

You can’t determine what other drivers around you do, but you can always control yourself.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Those who are more prone to road rage incidents while traveling, or in any situation, are individuals who might not be in the best frame of mind. Maybe you can trace your tendency toward road rage back to an argument you had with your spouse, or a relative. Perhaps you’re worried about money, or there’s something else happening in your life that preoccupies you.

You have less chance of reacting badly on the road if you’re mentally and emotionally sound. If you’re having trouble with your partner or spouse, talk things out with them.

Holding in your emotions can manifest in destructive ways. The same holds true for issues with relatives or anything else that’s bothering you.

If your mental state is that bad, seek help from a qualified health professional. Putting yourself in a better mindstate before you ever get behind the wheel makes it much more likely that you won’t be susceptible to road rage. That’s true regardless of whether you’re traveling in an unfamiliar area or whether you’re a block from home.

Money can be one of the most stressful things that we have to deal with as responsible adults. Whether it’s the massive bills that you get at the beginning of each month, or the countless extra payments that seem to turn up when you think you’ve got your budget figured out, there’s a lot to worry about.

The good news is that there are more ways to save your cash than you might think. A lot of people assume that the only way to start achieving more with their money is to cut down on the things that they enjoy, like trips to the movies, or date nights. However, cutting some of your most stressful monthly bills could be an excellent alternative. Here are 3 quick ways to reduce your monthly bills.

Haggle with Your Providers

There are a number of companies in your life that you might be paying money to on a regular basis. This could include your internet provider, your cable company, and even your insurance companies. While it’s a little nerve wracking to call and ask for a discount on your payments, you might be surprised at what you can accomplish just by talking to customer service.

If you’ve been loyal with a provider for quite a while now, contact them and ask whether there are any discounts that they can offer you for your loyalty. If they say no, consider changing to one who can give you a better deal. Just telling your supplier that you’re thinking of changing could be enough to prompt them to offer you a discount.

Deal with Your Loans

Most of us need to take at least one or two loans out during the course of our lives. Unless you’re a very lucky person who always has enough money in your bank account for the things that you want, then you might need a loan for something like a new car, or even just a change to your home.

If you’ve taken out a loan in the past, then now might be the time to see if you can deal with it. For instance, using a student loan calculator, you can find out how much you could potentially save on your loans if you were to refinance your old deal. The chances are that everything from your credit rating to your situation has changed a lot since you got this loan. So why not see whether you can save some extra money on it?

Waste Less

Finally, you’d be surprised how much money we spend on the things that we just end up wasting. For instance, if you’re paying for a subscription service that you never use, then you’re just wasting your money on something that’s not benefiting you. Another example of waste is the money that we spend on things like disposable paper towels and bottles of water, when we could just be taking refillable bottles with us to work.

Planning a strategy that will help you to waste less, on everything from your home water, to your electricity and food bills, will mean that you can cut monthly costs, without giving up anything that you need or want. At the same time, you’ll be doing the environment a favor too.

The bathroom is among the smallest rooms in our house, yet it can be the messiest. Having the same products is among the reasons for this. In the UK, for example, 55% of English people store two or more similar beauty items in their bathrooms. It seems like we can ironically blame it on the increasing number of competitive bathroom products these days.

Apart from hoarding multiple products in the bathroom, space is also another factor. In fact, 68% of people’s bathroom items, including toiletries, medicines, and cosmetics, call for better organizing and storage solutions.

Regardless of the causes that turned your bathroom in a cluttered mess, we don’t have any excuses to skip bathroom cleaning anymore, thanks to the imposed lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are some ways to turn your bathroom area in tip-top shape.

Adhere Magnetic Strips or Hooks for Metallic Tools

Nail clippers, nail filers, tweezers, and bobby pins can look quite disorganized even after placing them inside a drawer, jar on your sink, or even inside your medicine cabinet shelf. Using containers could use some space, as well.

Why not use magnetic strips or hooks instead? Place them inside a cabinet (either your vanity or medicine cabinet) to free up some space. It’s an aesthetically pleasing way of safekeeping with convenient, clutter-free access to your metallic things.

Place Shelves over Your Bathroom Door

You can also make use of the space at the top of your door, alongside its back, where you can install hooks to hang towels on. Turn that upper area as an extra mini storage unit that can also serve as storage for heavyweight products. Don’t worry. The door’s molding can support the weight.

It’s simple and easy to do, too. You only need to prepare wooden shelf brackets, wooden screws, and a screwdriver. On either side of your toilet’s door frame, secure the brackets with the screw before attaching the shelf to them. And that’s it! You can place grooming tools, hair product containers, bath salts or soaps, extra toilet paper rolls, and other supplies in it.

Reuse Kitchen Tools as your Bathroom Organizer

Making use of the available items at home is among the easiest ways we can do to organize our bathroom during this quarantine period. So why not use your kitchen tools? Who knew that a cake tray could be useful? According to Cosmopolitan, here are some unconventional ways to declutter your cosmetics in your bathroom space. You can use:

• Spice rack as a perfume shelf
• Wine rack as a spray organizer
• Kitchen utensil tray as a hair tool organizer in your drawers
• Mini loaf pan as an organizer of lipsticks and lip glosses in your drawers
• Ice tray as eyeshadow singles organizer
• Plastic food container(s) as storage for makeup application tools, like cotton balls, swabs, or pads
• Old candle vase or shot glass as a cotton swab container
• Cookie jar as nail polish container
• Cupcake tray as your lip glosses and lipsticks organizer
• Old wine bottle(s) as hair tie organizer

Recycle Reclaimed Wood in your Garage

If you’re into using kitchen items, then look for old wooden stuff in your garage. The rustic look of natural wood can bring a timeless, casual ambiance in your bathroom. Not to mention, it’s also very cheap and simple to work with!

CountryLiving gave some ideas on how to turn reclaimed wood as part of your bathroom’s aesthetic and storage. For example, you can use:

• Reclaimed wood as space-saving shower valence
• Reclaimed wood ladder as a towel holder and extra storage (you only have to lean it against your bathroom wall, ideally over the toilet)
• Reclaimed wood plank as wall storage

Opt for RTA Furniture

Image Source

Let’s say you don’t have reusable and recyclable materials available at home. If you have a budget for bathroom improvement and are willing to spend little money, go for ready-to-assemble bathroom cabinets.

Why opt for RTA furniture? Considering the ongoing pandemic these days, it would be better if you’ll be more frugal in spending your money—and buying RTA products is one way to do so. This furniture type is less costly, primarily because you’re saving yourself from the assembly cost by putting the parts of the furniture together yourself.

Purchasing RTA wholesale cabinets online is even possible. Doing so is a lot cheaper than buying the furniture individually. If you put all things together, RTA products are another easy solution to your cluttered and messy bathroom, are way cheaper, and are a boredom killer against SARS-CoV-2. Isn’t it like killing three birds with one stone?

Takeaway

Moreover, beauty begins the moment you decide to be ourselves. This iconic statement from Coco Chanel, one of the most influential and respected fashion designers of all time, has been encouraging self-love to both women and men. This self-love can be first realized in your bathroom, and hence it’s great to spruce up its space and retain its zen-like feature.