Related Websites

• 
  Health & Wellness

  Preventing Kidney Stones: Effective Strategies for a Healthier Life

  Kidney stones are a common painful condition that can be experienced by anyone. These solid deposits of minerals and salts can form in the kidneys, causing agonizing pain as they move through the urinary tract. While some people are genetically more prediscovered to grow kidney stones, there are several things that we can do to help prevent these from forming in the first place. Making some lifestyle changes and simply being cautious of dietary practices can greatly reduce your chances of developing this painful condition.1.Stay Well-hydratedThe best way to try to prevent kidney stones is to keep hydrated. Staying well hydrated by drinking adequate water during the day helps to dilute materials that create stones in the urine.Minerals and salts are less likely to crystalize and form stones when urine is dilute. Their reason behind this is that the normal, reliable advice says that you ought to be drinking 8–10 glasses, or 2–3 liters, of water a day, but whose to say what this refers to when there are so many factors in your environment, level of activity, health conditions, etc. That will determine how hydrated you need to be. Those with a history of kidney stones are often advised to drink enough water to produce around 2.5 liters of urine per day. Water remains the best, but other fluids (like herbal teas and citrus-based drinks) can help with hydration, and possible prevention, in some cases, because citrate (found in citrus-based drinks) can help reduce formation of stones.2.Balanced DietDiet is also an important part of preventing kidney stones. A diet that is low in salt and animal protein may help prevent stone formation. Excessive sodium intake can raise the amount of calcium in the urine, a major component of many kidney stones. So it’s important to limit processed foods, canned soups and salty snacks. Moreover, decreased animal proteins (e.g red meat, poultry/eggs) consumption will help to decrease the urinary levels of uric acid(another contributor to stone formation). We can certainly reduce our intake of animal proteins, and replace with more plant-based proteins, like beans, lentils, and tofu.3.Get Enough CalciumCalcium is also misunderstood with regard to kidney stones. Although calcium is a component of many stones, avoiding calcium is not the answer. In fact, consuming adequate calcium through fooddairy products or fortified plant-based options — can help prevent stones. That’s because calcium attaches to oxalate in the intestines, where it prevents oxalate from entering the bloodstream and being filtered out through the urine, where it can lead to stone formation. But speaking of extra calcium, it is also one of the minerals which shouldn't be taken in excess as it increases stone risk.4.Take in Oxalate-rich FoodsAnother food-related factor is the consumption of foods high in oxalate.Foods that are high in oxalate contain a compound that can combine with calcium in the urine to make calcium oxalate stones — the most common type of kidney stones. Spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts and chocolate are all high oxalate. That doesn’t mean you have to completely ban these foods, but moderation, as well as balancing these foods with calcium-rich foods, may help in stone formation.So in summary, the avoidance of food that would cause kidney stones, drinking lots of fluid and maintaining a healthy life style solves the puzzle of staying away from kidney stones. Well, here you can really reduce your risk of this painful condition as long as you drink enough water, reduce salt and animal proteins, take enough calcium, control oxalate-rich foods and weight. Though none of these approaches guarantee immunity from kidney disease, they help support these important organs while improving your quality of life. So if you’re prone to kidney stones (or at higher risk), always check with your doctor directly for more tailored advice.
• 
  Home & Garden

  Tips to Remove Urine Stains from Your Mattress

  In the case of urine on your mattress, an accident has occurred, and your best move is to act as soon as possible to prevent stains and odors from setting in; urine — whether from a child, pet or even an adult — can easily seep deep into mattress fibers if not treated in the right manner. But with a few steps and some effort, you can indeed get rid of all but the stain and smell you need to make your mattress a clean product.Hereis a complete guide to address this householdnuisance.Step 1. Act QuicklyThe earlier you treat the urine stain, the better your chances of removing it entirely. New urine is easy to clean, unlike dried urine, which canenter the mattress and get stained. Start openingthe clean-up process as soon as you see the accident.Step 2. Blot, Don't RubStart by blotting the soiled area with clean absorbent towels or paper towels. Apply pressure to absorb as much liquid as youcan. Do remember nottorub it,though, as that will spread the urine and push it further into the mattress.Step 3. Prepare a Cleaning SolutionHere are some of the best cleaning solutions to remove urine stains and odors. Here are a few options.lAcid and Base Solution: Vinegar and Baking SodaMix white vinegar and water into a spray bottle, then add baking soda, in this way, you can get a spray of strong cleaning power.lHydrogen Peroxide and Dish SoapSolutionGet a cup of hydrogen peroxide, a spoon of dish soap and a little baking soda, mix them together.lEnzyme CleanerUrine destroyers or enzyme-basedcleaners arespeciallydesigned to target and destroy urine molecules and the odors. These are especially great forpet pee.Step 4. Usethe Cleaning SolutionApplythe cleaning solution by spraying or pouring on to the stainedarea until completely saturated. Let the solution soak in for 10-15 minutes so that it can reach the mattress fibers and break down the urine.Step 5. Blot AgainOnce the solution has had time to work, blot the area again with clean towelsor paper towels. This will remove the cleaning solution along with the dissolved urine.Step 6. Neutralize OdorsPut some baking soda on the stains in order to remove the bad smells. Because baking soda is a natural smell exterminator which can remove any smells. Then you just need to wait for some hours.Step 7. Vacuum the MattressAfter the baking soda has removed enough bad smells, then you need to use the vacuum to vacuum them. And that'llalso help fluff up the mattress fibers.Step 8. Air DryBefore putting your items back to the original places, make sure your mattress is totally and entirely dry. If not, just wait till it is dry. You ought to dry the mattress up because the humidity can result in mildew and mold. You can speed this process up by running a fan or keeping the mattress somewhere with good airflow.Step 9. Preventive MeasuresIf you don’t want the stain to hurt your mattress, you may need a waterproof mattress protector. These covers serve as barriers between your mattress and any liquids, making clean up easy.Step 10. Additional TipsRepeat the cleaning process as necessary for more stubborn stains.Avoid too much harsh chemicals or bleach, as that cannegatively affect the mattress fabric. If urine odor persists, use an enzyme cleaner to extract urine.In conclusion, remember that speed and how to clean up are important to prevent a permanent stain so that you bed remains a clean place to sleep.
• 
  Travel

  Discovering America's Heartbeat: Traveling With Amtrak

  In an age of jet travel and interstates, there is something sorefreshing about the idea of traveling by train. If you want to see the United States at a slower, more immersive pace, however, Amtrak is a mode of transport that can also be an experience instead of simply a means of getting from point A to point B.Amtrak, our national passenger railroad service, is a lifeline woven through the fabric of America. Its routes crisscross the continent, carrying passengers from bustling cities to peaceful pastoral backroads, privy to the nation's soul. From the iconic Northeast Corridor, which runs in-turn from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., to the expansive views of the Southwest aboard the Southwest Chief, every Amtrak ride is a story waiting to unfold.One of the best parts of traveling by Amtrak is the chance to slow down and enjoy the ride. Train travel, so different from the frenetic pace of flying, gives you the chance to watch the slow-change of scenery. As the train rattles along, you may sit up gazing out the window at the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, the arid, sprawling deserts of Arizona, or the dense, green trees of the Pacific Northwest. Each look is a moment in America's natural beauty, unfolding right before your eyes.You feel quite at home in the onboard ambiance, modern with a touch of timeless. Whether you're spending your hours shut up in a roomette or a bedroom, or in one of the open seating sightseeing cars alongside fellow passengers, the train's various interior spaces are all created to cater different forms of needs, from the public to the private. You'll also be able to look forward to a dining car, where you'll be able to enjoy a gourmet meal while the train glides across the countryside. Whether you are enjoying a homey breakfast as it rises over the Great Plains or a fine dinner under the stars in the sky above the Rocky Mountains, Amtrak dining is a culinary experience unto itself.Amtrak travel is also a social experience. In contrast to the forced solitude of a car ride or the cold indifference of flying, train travel invites communion. Passengers of all stripes come together, bonded by the shared experience of the journey. At these places, conversations come easily as strangers become friends, sharing stories about their destinations and the experiencesencountered along the way. It's not unusual when traveling to exchange advice with another traveler on the best things to do in Chicago or the historical significance of the Grand Canyon with another passenger.The most memorable part of Amtrak travel is the connection to America's past. A number of the train routes trace historic rail lines that once served as the arteries of the nation's westwardexpansion. One such trip is the California Zephyr, which follows pioneer trails westward in search of opportunities for fortune. When you visit small towns and across the rural hinterlands the remnants of the past will reverberate, the tales of the people who have gone or are going before or after you and the dreams that built this great nation.Overall, Amtrak is a way to experience America in its entirety.It gives you a window into the country's beauty, allows you to experience its pulse and meet its residents. In an era where everything races past, Amtrak allows us to slow down and savor the ride and helps us understand what it is that makes America the rich, varied tapestry that it is. So, the next time you're planning a trip across this great land, I can't help butrecommend the allure of the rails. Board an Amtrak train and let the journey unfold!