Is tap water safe to drink?

In most parts of the United States, the answer to this question is yes.

But that’s not always true. Tap water can become contaminated, and drinking it can cause all types of health problems. That’s why you should always know the warning signs of contaminated water so you can stay away from it.

We’ve put together a quick list of signs your tap water is contaminated.

So let’s dive in!

1. It’s Not Clear

The water that comes from your tap should be clear and clean. If it looks foggy or cloudy, it might not be safe to drink.

However, cloudy water isn’t always a bad sign. Sometimes a simple filter is all you need. (You can click here to learn more about water filters.)

It’s always a good idea to make sure cloudy water is safe before drinking it.

2. It Smells Bad

If your tap water has a bad smell to it, don’t put it in your mouth.

Most tap water has some chlorine to help kill germs or bacteria. But water that smells like bleach might have too much chlorine.

If your water smells like rotten eggs might contain hydrogen sulfide. This is a colorless that can cause health issues like dehydration.

Tap water can also smell fishy if it’s contaminated. This fishy smell means the water has barium in it, which can lead to liver, kidney, or heart damage.

3. It Tastes Bad

Does your tap water have a metallic taste?

This can mean several things. You might have rust in your pipes that is getting into your water. The water might have a low pH level, or it can have lead in it, which can be dangerous.

Tap water can also taste salty.

A salty taste means your water has too much sodium. Drinking too much sodium can cause all kinds of medical problems, so it’s important to stop drinking your tap water if it doesn’t taste normal.

4. It Makes Your Hands Feel Slimy

Your tap water might be “hard.” This means it’s full of substances like calcium and magnesium. These substances can form a white buildup inside your pipes, around your faucets, or in your cups.

However, hard water isn’t necessarily unsafe to drink. But it’s a good idea to install a water filter that’ll take these substances out of your water.

Not sure if you have hard water?

Try washing your hands in the sink. Do they feel slimy when you’re done? That’s a good sign your water is hard.

You can also spot hard water by the characteristic buildup that comes with it.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?

So is tap water safe to drink?

It depends.

Some tap water won’t hurt you, but if your tap water is contaminated, it can become dangerous. Stop drinking your tap water RIGHT AWAY if you think it’s contaminated, and get in touch with your public water company for help.

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When you want to put on your favorite short black dress, go to the beach to have fun, or hit the gym for a work out; the last thing you need is unwanted hair. Thankfully, there are several ways you can get rid of it. The solutions range from temporary to permanent. These include shavers, creams, waxing, and laser removal. Of all these choices, hair removal using a laser procedure like the one offered at Kimiko Laser Hair Removal may be your best bet. Below are five reasons why you should consider laser removal over all the other methods.

• It is a worthy long-term investment

You know too well the inconvenience of razors and creams. Hair regrowth seems to happen almost immediately. When you get laser hair removal done, you can forget about your hair woes for a long time. You can forget about quick, last-minute shaves as you rush to head out of your house. The cost of repeated waxing and shaving is also higher than that of getting your hair removed using a laser procedure. You may require about 4 to 6 sessions to get rid of your hair. However, once the process is done, the regrowth is minimal, and the hairs that grow back are fewer and finer.

• You can forego the pain that comes with waxing and threading

The laser process is infinitely less painful than a waxing procedure. The laser feels like a fast, hot snap and does not hurt your sensitive areas like the bikini line. Waxing is painful as it rips your hair off its roots.

• It is effective for those with excess hair

If you are bothered by seemingly wild growth of unwanted hair, you may want to try laser hair removal. Women with hormonal imbalances and polycystic ovary problems may experience abnormal hair growth which can be devastating. Men with unsightly hair should also benefit from this treatment. With a laser procedure, you can avoid repeated treatments and enjoy long-lasting results.

• Often, the results are permanent

In many cases, the hair removal will be permanent. With an average of three to seven sessions, you can say goodbye to your hair forever. In some cases, the hair will grow back, but there is no telling. The results vary from man to man. Some factors that may affect the regrowth of hair include your type of hair, the number of procedures you undergo, and the quality of the laser.

• It is fast and precise

A laser procedure can shave specific areas without damaging the surrounding skin. The process is also quick. One laser pulse can treat many hairs simultaneously in a fraction of a second. Removing hair from the lip area takes no more than a minute, while large areas with more hair like the back and legs can take up to an hour.

Laser hair removal will offer you smooth skin in addition to being mostly painless and long-lasting. It is the ultimate value for money.

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As a new parent, time management can feel like a losing battle. You do your best to plan and structure your days but there are just too many interruptions. You decide to get an early start but your baby keeps you up till midnight. You plan to complete that work assignment in the evening but find yourself dealing with extra laundry instead. How does a new parent cope with all those additional demands? Fortunately, there are solutions that can help you reclaim your time.

Work With Your Baby’s Schedule

Is the newest addition to your family an early riser? Plan around that morning wake-up call by scheduling your own activities in the afternoon and evening when your baby tends to be asleep. If you have a little night owl, take advantage of the quieter early morning to take care of things that will be harder when your baby wakes up. You’ll find life easier if you understand your baby’s natural sleep cycle and work with it.

Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate

Accept that nobody can be in two places at once or cope with a dozen tasks simultaneously. Recruit family members to share the load or hire outside help. Bring in someone to assist with the things you find most difficult: caring for the garden, heavy chores, and more physically demanding jobs around the home. Even if you’re a stay-at-home parent, arranging child care at least once or twice a week can give you a reliable time-slot where you can catch up on any tasks that you might not be able to complete with an infant in tow.

Get Online

The internet is a great source of time-saving solutions. Instead of dragging a fussy baby to the store, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered right to your door. Don’t forget to explore the power of your smartphone. As well as letting you jump online wherever you are, it’s also the ideal personal assistant. To-do lists and reminder applications are a great help to harried new parents who need to squeeze the most out of every hour. Keep your phone close by so you don’t miss any alerts or notifications.

Go Smart: Automate Your Life

A smart home can be really helpful to the time-pressed parent. Instead of dashing around setting light levels and thermostat temperatures, the installation of internet-enabled devices makes it simple to operate household appliances using a central control system. Smart devices use voice commands, smartphone apps, or virtual assistants to control everything from your HVAC system to the kitchen stove.

Internet-enabled robot vacuums can clean your house while you’re at work, while a smart refrigerator can track your purchases and remind you to buy groceries (or even order for you online). Some, like a smart thermostat, can even tell you when it’s time to repair or service your HVAC unit. This saves time and ensures that your to-do list isn’t cluttered with unexpected or unnecessary chores.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy this special time with your new baby. Things may be hectic, but your baby’s first months are also very precious. By streamlining your life and being smart with your planning, you can make the most of every day.

 

Fibroadenomas are noncancerous, solid breast lumps. They usually appear in women aged 15 to 35. As you surely know, whenever you feel a breast lump, the situation is scary. Women can easily end up worried about the fact that the lump might be cancerous.

Fibroadenoma: Is that breast lump cancerous or not?

The fibroadenoma can feel smooth, hard, rubbery or firm. It usually has a really well-defined shape. In most cases, it is painless and can feel just like having a small marble inside the breast. It easily moves under your skin as the examination happens. The fibroadenomas will vary in size. They can shrink or enlarge without anything happening.

The good news is that fibroadenomas are really common and they are noncancerous. They are benign breast lumps that often appears in younger women. Regular treatment includes monitoring so that changes in feel or size can be detected. Biopsies are utilized to evaluate lumps. Sometimes, surgeries are required to remove fibroadenomas.

Fibroadenoma Symptoms

We are talking about solid breast lumps. They are normally round with smooth and distinct borders. The great news is that they are painless, easily moved and firm. Unfortunately, this is also the bad news. This is because it is quite common for women to not even realize that a lump is present. You should always go to regular checkups to be sure that you do not have such problems.

When Should You See A Doctor?

Normal breast tissue will often feel lumpy in healthy women. You need to make appointments and visit the doctor whenever:

• A brand new lump is detected in your breast.
• There are changes that happen with the breast.
• The breast lump that you checked in the past grown or it changed as it looks separate from surrounding breast tissue.

Fibroadenoma Causes

Nobody knows why fibroadenomas appear. However, they might actually be related to the reproductive hormones. The lumps will occur much more often during reproductive years. This is when it will become bigger, as during pregnancy or when hormone therapy is utilized. It is also possible that the lumps end up shrinking right after menopause because the body’s hormone levels decrease.

Fibroadenoma Types

Besides the really simple fibroadenomas, we also have:

• Complex fibroadenomas – These contain some changes, like cell overgrowth. Pathologists make this diagnosis after biopsy tissue is reviewed.
• Juvenile fibroadenomas – This is very common in adolescents and girls. It is possible that they grow large but will end up shrinking after some time. It is also common that they disappear.
• Giant fibroadenomas – Such lumps end up growing to over 2 inches. You might have to remove them since they end up replacing breast tissue or press too much on them.
• Phyllodes tumors – Even if they are normally benign, there are phyllodes tumors that become malignant (cancer). These absolutely have to be removed.

Whenever you have a lump in your breast, it is vital that you go to the doctor. Most of the fibroadenomas will not affect breast cancer risk. Even so, breast cancer risk can slightly increase in the event that you are diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor or a very complex fibroadenoma.

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Deer meat or venison meat offers interesting health benefits that you might want to be aware of when it comes to the diet of a dog. Unfortunately, many do not know anything about it. Due to this, here are some reasons why you may want to buy the best venison dog food for your loved one as soon as possible.

Lower Cholesterol And Fat Content

Venison naturally has less cholesterol and fat than beef, together with many other really common ingredients used in dog food. The dog is going to have a much better chance of having a really healthy weight and easily maintaining it. Also, heart diseases can be better avoided, just like other health concerns that are very serious.

Great Source Of Minerals And Vitamins

In venison, you can find so many great nutrients for your dog. This includes iron, B vitamins and zinc. All of these are really important for a diet that is truly healthy and does wonders to protect healthy tissues.

Great For Sensitive Dogs

When you have a dog that has sensitivities to ingredients like chicken or beef or simply has dog allergies, venison stands out as a wonderful alternative. The possibility that it leads to an allergic reaction is much lower since this is a protein that is novel. This means that the dog was most likely never exposed to protein coming from venison so it is much less likely that an allergy exists.

Increased Energy Levels

Due to the makeup of venison, its cholesterol, fat and vitamins, when you add the meat to the diet of the dog, it is easier for him to keep energy levels up. The dog will end up getting more exercise on a daily basis. He will live longer and be healthier.

Great Taste

Last but not least, another reason why you may want to look for the best venison dog food you could find is that venison is actually a really tasty treat for a dog. Most of them love the taste and will quickly finish whatever you put in front of them. All this while enjoying the benefits that were mentioned above.

When you have a dog that is finicky about what he eats, venison can be an option that can only be seen as being ideal.

Final Thoughts

As you can easily notice, venison is a really interesting dog food ingredient that you might want to look for. It is wonderful for the picky eaters and most dogs out there actually love it. Just make sure that you buy venison dog food that comes from really good manufacturers.

Always read reviews before you buy any dog food. This is the best thing that you can do. Also, in the event that you want to change your dog’s diet, it is a great idea to talk with the veterinarian first. This is because the dog might have some specific needs that have to be respected. You do not want to hurt the dog but there is a huge possibility that venison will be completely safe for your loved one.

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When it came time for my husband and I to pick out our wedding bands, we were both markedly clueless about the entire process, let alone knowing anything about jewellery in the first place. The only thing I’d ever been sure of when it came to jewellery preferences was that I did not, nor have I ever very much enjoyed yellow gold coloured baubles. If I was wearing jewellery, it was going to be white gold or platinum. Other than that, I was pretty much walking around in the dark trying to figure out just what exactly one does when buying wedding bands.

That’s why I have always been so happy with retailers who have well-maintained and detailed websites. ReveDiamonds.com is a great example of this. Instead of waltzing into a jewellery store and declaring my utter lack of knowledge and experience, or awkwardly and hesitantly peeking into display cases hoping not a soul would realize my inexperience, I started my education online–comfortably.

Reve Diamonds, for example, has an online gallery of beautiful diamond wedding bands, but it also has very detailed descriptions, and even sections in which the company outright teaches you what you need to know. Explanations about the diamonds themselves, explanations about the different types and styles of band, explanations about engraving and personalization–everything!

By the time my husband and I were ready to actually go shopping in the physical retail world, we didn’t have that apprehension or that creeping sense of inferiority. And knowing what you’re both looking for and looking at is incredibly helpful! No one was pulling the wool over this gal’s eyes, that’s for sure!

My engagement ring is a square setting atop a channel band, so the diamond wedding band option that would be most compatible with my engagement ring is a channel diamond wedding band. Now, with channel bands, the diamonds are usually small and are always inset into the actual band. There are two types of channel bands–a full and a half. The difference being that a full channel band has the diamonds inset around the entire circumference of the band, while the half channel, pretty obviously, only spans half the band.

And because I was armed with this information, I was able to make an informed, reasoned, tasteful, and cost effective purchase, for both me and my husband. My husband’s style is much more traditional. So, he prefers yellow gold, and a solid, expansive, manly-looking wedding band. A small amount of filigree at the very top and bottom of the ring aside, it is a very sturdy-looking ring sans any diamonds, personalization, or engraving. He’s happy, so I’m happy. I’m happy, so he’s happy. And it all started with some good, old-fashioned research on high quality jewelry. Thanks for all the hard work–it paid off, at least for us!

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This post is not about large scale waste management practices that involve the hauling of discarded materials. You won’t find ideas on how to choose a garbage collecting service provider here. If you are looking for a Boca Raton junk removal company or a service for transporting trash in other areas, you can find good options by doing a quick online search. The focus here is on the reasons why you have to start paying attention to the way you deal with your trash.

There are compelling arguments for paying attention to correct waste management. The most obvious of which is hygiene and the need to avoid diseases. Another essential reason is to help in environmental conservation.

Hygiene and disease prevention

This reason is mostly self-explanatory. Part of good hygiene is the proper management of your garbage. The trash you produce regularly can become a health problem if you are not able to dispose of it in the right way. Accumulated trash can attract pests or vermin that may be disease carriers. If you don’t empty your trash bins habitually, expect foul smells to start filling your room. This problem isn’t going to be just an olfactory issue as pests may consequently begin to scatter your poorly contained trash.

Even dry garbage can attract pests such as cockroaches and mice. It can become a hiding place for unwanted critters. It may also serve as their breeding ground. You may not contract diseases by having direct contact with your trash. However, you can get sick as pests crawl from your dumpster and into your kitchen utensils or personal items. The diseases associated with garbage can be bacterial or viral. These include salmonellosis, staphylococcal food poisoning, skin infections, shigellosis, trachoma, gastroenteritis, and Murray Valley encephalitis. Also, improperly handled garbage can increase your exposure to parasites such as threadworms, hookworms, and roundworms.

Environmental conservation

Another essential reason to be conscious of the way you handle your waste is centered on your role in environmental conservation. Ordinary garbage generated by people is a significant source of pollution worldwide. It does not only affect land. Trash can clog waterways and drainage systems. It can also reach the seas, adversely affecting marine ecosystems.

The goal is to reduce the amount of waste that gets dumped into the environment — sensible waste management calls for the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Whenever possible, decrease your dependence on disposable things such as plastic cups, straws, and plastic bags or containers. Instead, use eco-friendly implements that are reusable or biodegradable. Give preference to items that are not only for single use. Moreover, exert the effort and ingenuity to recycle your trash.

In summary

Waste management is likely to be the least of your concerns when you travel or enjoy your everyday life. It’s an unglamorous task most people would understandably dislike. However, it’s highly important for everyone to learn. Even the vainest person needs to observe the best practices for trash management to avoid diseases and help reduce the amount of waste that pollutes the environment.

 

 

Aging dogs tend to develop specific health concerns that significantly affect and even impair their quality of life. Here are the main issues you’ll want to address early to make sure your dog is comfortable, sharp and happy.

If your dog growing older, there are numerous age-related issues that could become serious and debilitating if left unmanaged. Here are the most significant health problems you should discuss with your vet if your pooch is either in or near their golden years.

• Joint degeneration. Some breeds are more susceptible to joint issues even while they’re relatively young. If you notice that your dog isn’t as eager to jump or climb stairs, they might be experiencing diminished joint function. Talk to your vet about possible strategies that may allow you to slow or even reverse joint deterioration.
• Gum disease Periodontal disease can lead to major health issues – not to mention tooth loss, pain and difficulty eating – if left unaddressed. Make sure to schedule dental cleanings for your dog to reduce their risk of developing dental problems.
• Kidney failure. If your dog seems to have difficulty urinating or is experiencing excessive thirst, those could be signs of kidney problems that need medical intervention ASAP. While there is no cure for kidney failure, it can be successfully treated with certain medications and a healthy condition-specific diet.
• Heart disease. When it comes to heart disease, managing your dog’s diet is one of the most effective preventative measures. Highly nutritious dog food will help forestall heart problems in your pup if you adopt a consistent feeding schedule. No matter whether you choose Pedigree, IAMS or Zignature, DCM is something that, with a dedicated plan and a vet’s guidance, can be reversed.

While dog lifespans are markedly shorter than human lifespans, it is possible to prolong your dog’s days for years – sometimes more than a decade. Always consult with your vet to learn the most effective solution for keeping your dog healthy and happy at any age.

I’m a dog lover, dog parent and dog blogger. My hobbies include binge-watching YouTube videos of crufts agility competitions and styling sublimely cute photos of my pooches.

 

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When you travel, you feel excited not only because of the places to visit, but the food to eat. It might even be your first time to try some of them. Before you get too excited, you need to remember that you’re following a diet plan. Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want.

It could be challenging later

You might find it difficult to get back to your diet plan if you don’t follow it during the trip. Don’t allow yourself to get carried away by your holiday, especially with the available options for food. All of them look sumptuous and exciting at first, but the truth is that you could end up hating them. You will also realize that for some of those choices, you got no nutrients at all. You might feel excited at first, but after finishing the entire meal, you instantly regret it.

Research before you travel

You can’t say that you don’t know what to eat because you have time to research. If you can spend time researching where to go, you can also do the same for food. Look for restaurants that serve the meals you can eat. If possible, look for hotels that have a kitchen so you can cook your food. It would be easier to determine what to eat when you know where to go and if you have a chance to cook.

There’s nothing wrong with trying new things

If you travel because you want a new experience, it’s okay. Feel free to taste some exciting dishes. However, you can’t indulge. If you have a low-carb diet, you can try some desserts and baked goods, but only a few bites. You also have to make it up in some other way. You will feel less guilty when you know that you didn’t allow yourself to get carried away.

Don’t forget to exercise 

Even when you’re on a trip, you still need to exercise. Find a hotel that has a fitness gym. If that place costs a lot, you need to look for another option. If there’s a place near parks and trails, you can choose to stay there. You need to spend an hour to have a walk before you start traveling. If you jog in the morning before heading to work, you can do the same when traveling.

Treat yourself

Although you still have to follow your diet plan, it doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself. You can still choose the best places to eat. For instance, if you’re on a protein-based diet, you can try kosher steaks like the ones served at https://www.kasbah-grill.com.

With an excellent meal at a kosher restaurant, you will feel like your trip was worth it. You didn’t abandon your diet plan, but you didn’t deprive yourself either. You can check out the best places in New York for a kosher meal and have the best time during your trip.

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When it comes to motorcycle gear, the most important piece of equipment is your helmet. We all know that a helmet that can protect you is vital, but many motorcycle riders do not consider their helmet’s ventilation. There are many different ways a helmet’s ventilation affects the quality of your ride. Ask any biker who has owned a helmet with poor ventilation. They will have a list of reasons why it completely ruined their experience. Learn what you need to look for in a helmet and other cheap motorcycle riding gear tips.

Benefits

There are essentially three reasons why you need a helmet with good ventilation:

• Comfort
• Visibility
• Cleanliness

The most obvious and straightforward reason is comfort. It can get hot in your helmet, and ventilation keeps the internal temperature low. Not only is comfort essential if you want to enjoy riding your motorcycle, but it also allows you to focus on the road so you can stay as safe as possible. Secondly, and more importantly, proper ventilation keeps the glass from fogging up. This is especially important when it is humid or raining. It can be downright dangerous if you helmet’s glass fogs up and you cannot see. Finally, the ventilation helps keep the interior lining from smelling bad. You will need to clean the lining of your helmet occasionally no matter what, but proper ventilation greatly extends how long you wait in between cleanings.

What Makes for Good Ventilation

There are a few things you should look for when looking for a motorcycle helmet sale. First and foremost, make sure the helmet designers actually considered ventilation when they made the thing. If there is at least some system in place, it will be miles better than helmet with no vents at all. Second, a great feature to look for is vents you can open and close. When it gets cold out, you will be happy you can close those vents and conserve as much heat as you can.

When it comes to ventilation, more vents is not necessarily better. It is more important that the vents are in the right spots. A vent on the top of the helmet is usually considered the most effective. There should also be vents on the chin area to prevent fogging. Vents on the back of the neck are the perfect spot for the interior air to leave. Essentially, you want in-vents and out-vents.

Helmets With the Best Ventilation

Enough with vague details. Which actual helmets and other casual wear are best? You should always check online reviews to see which helmets are best, but typically there are four manufacturers that are considered the cream of the crop. These are:

• Klim
• AGV
• HJC
• Bell Helmets

If ventilation is one of your top priorities, you should start your search with one of these four manufacturers. If it is at all possible, you should take a helmet for a test drive before you buy. This is not always necessary, especially since shopping online can yield some great deals. As long as you keep ventilation in mind when you browse, you should be just fine.