The wonderful thing about the human body is that you can start making changes to it at any time; no matter how old you might be or what kind of a lifestyle you had before, if you are determined to become healthy, there should be no reason why you can’t do it. Often, your motivation and willpower are the only things holding you back.  

This issue can actually be a big problem as if you can’t resist sweet treats or you can’t make yourself get up and exercise, all your good ideas and plans could be for nothing. This is why it’s a good idea to look at current health trends and see if there is anything you can add to your own life that would make getting healthier easier. If you can find your own way to do things, you’ll be more motivated to move forward. With that in mind, here are some of the best health trends to try out. 

Photo by Alesia Kozik

Make Processed Food Healthier 

Processed food is bad for you and needs to be cut out of your diet. This is a fact that you need to know, and it’s a goal that you have to work towards – the ultimate way to be healthy is not to eat any processed food. 

 However, it’s not as easy as it seems to entirely and immediately cut processed food out of your diet, especially if you are used to eating it all the time. This is actually the case for a lot of people because processed food is so convenient, cheap, and, we have to say, tasty. Many of us choose processed food when we need something quick and easy, perhaps because we’ve been working late or we’re just too stressed to cook. Cutting this out of your diet in one go would cause problems, including withdrawal – you can easily become addicted to high sugar levels, for example – and the issue of finding alternatives. Of course, alternatives are plentiful, but you need time to think about them and work out what you need. 

 Therefore, in order to help you ease yourself away from processed food, it’s a good idea to start slowly. Make sure you eat fresh food one day a week, then two, and so on, until you’ve removed all the processed items from your diet. 

 Even better, while you’re doing this, add elements to the processed food to make it healthier. This could include vegetables, for example, or you might want to include Platinum Naturals immune support supplements with your meals.  

Plant-Based Alternatives

You can’t have failed to notice that there are many more plant-based foods on the market than there ever have been in the past. Even fast-food chains, traditionally unhealthy options in themselves, have opted to create plant-based burgers and faux-chicken products. 

 Have you thought about trying this yourself? Even if it doesn’t initially appeal (perhaps because you enjoy eating meat and can’t imagine a meal without it), it’s worth looking into the health benefits of doing so, because there are a number that can help you on your journey to better fitness. 

 The main reason plant-based alternatives to meat are better for you is that they contain far fewer calories and because it contains all the nutrients you could need, including fiber, good fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

 As a bonus, plant-based ingredients tend to be easier to cook, and they are extremely versatile. A lot of people like to do meat-free Mondays, so this could be a good place to start. You might find you can eat plant-based foods on more than one day, but one day a week is an excellent idea if you want to become healthier. 

Wearable Fitness Technology 

Part of getting fitter and healthier is knowing that what you are doing is working and seeing the results. This is not always easy, especially because healthy weight loss needs to be a gradual process for your health and sustainability. 

 Wearing fitness tech is one of the best ways to see how you are doing and to ensure that your exercise is reaching the right goals. This will usually come in the form of a watch that will not only tell you the time, but will record how many steps you do, what your heart rate is, how many calories you consume, what your pulse rate is, and so on. There are very basic versions of this and much more complex ones, and it will usually depend on your budget as to which you buy. 

 When you have all the information literally in front of you, you can ensure that your fitness plans are doing what they should be. You’ll also be more motivated to keep going, especially if your fitness tracker lets you know when you need to move around. 

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Home renovation is a great way to express your creativity. It gives you the option to create a space that is truly unique and reflective of your personality. It also allows you to add value to your home should you ever wish to sell it in the future.

Renovation doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. There are many small jobs you can do that make a huge difference to your space. Take a look at some of the most recent modern home renovation ideas for inspiration.

Connect To Your Garden

Natural light is highly sought after in modern properties. Many people are opting for new windows to create better lighting inside their homes. Creating a connection to your garden is one step better.

Consider knocking a wall down and replacing it with glass windows that let in the most light from your garden. Visit lakesiderenovationanddesign.com for ideas on how to achieve this. You could even consider installing glass sliding doors for quick access to your garden.

Broken Plan Layout

The benefit of open plan layouts is that they create a spacious look and an opportunity for natural light to reach as much of your home as possible. However, the downside to an open plan is that it doesn’t leave much room for intimacy or privacy. A broken plan layout provides the best of both worlds.

You’ll still get the space and light that an open plan offers but you can section off your home by adding partial walls to spaces. This allows for some privacy in small corners of your home in addition to the benefits of an open plan.

Expose Original Materials

Many buildings were originally built with beautiful materials that have been covered up. Exposing some of this beauty can be time consuming but it doesn’t have to be expensive. For example, many buildings have old wooden beams within the ceilings that have been covered to achieve a modern day look.

Exposing the older materials inside and outside the home can add depth of character that people pay handsomely for.

Split Level Living

Split levels can be a great solution if you want to extend your property but it won’t be level. Creating a step down into another level will give you the option of creating a whole new space or an extension of the existing one. It can also help to separate the space and ensure it will be used as additional space instead of becoming a dumping ground for more clutter.

Third Story

If you need to create more space a third story can be an excellent option. You’ll need to think about everything from planning to roofing and hiring the right builders but it will be worth it if you need additional space. Whether you need an extra bedroom, office space, or you just want to increase the value of your property, three story homes are becoming more popular. You’re often more likely to get planning permission for an extra story than you are for a first floor extension.

Wall Repainting

Are you tired of seeing the same wall color every time? Well, you can repaint the walls to complete your home renovation! As you now have new furniture and a revamped interior design, try to match your wall color with it! Call the best painters in leawood ks in town and ask for their expert opinion on what colors best fit your home.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article, why not take a look at the rest?

Photo by Luis Yanez

Here Are A Few Tips To Get You Started.

1. Put like items together and pack away seasonal items:

Grouping like items together, such as gardening tools, sports equipment or holiday decorations, will help create more efficient storage spaces. Put away the items that aren't regularly used into clear plastic bins or boxes and store them on shelves or in other areas of your garage where they can be easily accessed when needed.

2. Utilize overhead storage:

Overhead storage is an often overlooked area when it comes to garages but can be used effectively when trying to free up floor space. Hang bikes from hooks and use ceiling rails for organizing items such as skis, kayaks, and snowboards.

3. Utilize wall space:

Empty walls are the perfect spot for storing items like ladders, rakes, and shovels. Install shelves or peg boards that can be used to store smaller items such as paint cans and tools.

4. Use a storage shelf or cabinet:

If you have some large items cluttering up your garage floor, consider investing in a storage shelf or cabinet to help keep things organized and out of sight. These cabinets can also be used to store seasonal decorations, extra household supplies and even sports equipment.

5. Donate unused items:

If you’re really struggling with clutter in your garage, it may be time to get rid of some unused items. Consider donating these items to a local charity or thrift store or even hosting a garage sale if you have multiple items that could be sold.

6. Invest in a storage unit:

If you have a lot of items that need to be stored, but you don’t have the space in your garage, consider investing in a storage unit at Kiwi Storage. This will allow you to keep these items safe and secure while freeing up valuable space in your garage.

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7. Utilize plastic containers:

Plastic containers can be used for storing items like paint supplies, tools, and spare parts. These containers are also great for organizing small items like screws, nails, nuts, and bolts.

8. Hang items from the ceiling:

If you’re running out of wall space, try hanging items from the ceiling. This can be a great way to store ladders, kayaks, bicycles, and other large items that would otherwise take up valuable floor space.

9. Utilize a tool bench:

If you have multiple tools that need to be stored, consider investing in a tool bench. This will help keep your tools organized and easily accessible while freeing up additional floor space.

10. Utilize magnetic strips:

Magnetic strips offer an easy way to store metal items like wrenches or screwdrivers without taking up any extra space. They can also be used for storing things like drill bits, nails and screws.

In Conclusion

With a little bit of planning and organization, you can easily free up some space in your garage. Utilizing the tips outlined above will help create an efficient storage space that is easy to access and maintain. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to maximize the limited space you have in your garage and make it much more manageable!

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Whether you’re renovating your property or building a dream home from scratch, you’ll come across a particular conundrum. What type of roofing system should you adopt? Will you go for a typical pitched roof, or are you feeling different? These days, flat roof systems are growing in popularity, ditching the pitched style for a more modern look. The question is, are flat roofs good or bad? Should you upgrade your home with one, or are they worth avoiding? Let’s find out!

Flat Roof Benefits

What are the good elements of a flat roof for your home?

• Cheap to install - Any decent roof replacement company can handle a flat roof installation with no issues. Because they’re flat instead of pitched, less work has to go into installing them. It’s also way more straightforward, so the job is done faster, meaning it costs less. 

• High levels of energy efficiency - The flat nature of the roofing system means it is better at absorbing heat and insulating it. As a consequence, these roofs are drastically more energy efficient as it’s harder for heat to escape. You also don’t have issues like roof shingles falling off and creating air gaps. 

• Easy maintenance - Maintaining and cleaning a pitched roof is hard because it’s sloped at an angle. In fact, it’s dangerous and most people are advised not to attempt any maintenance themselves. With a flat roof, you can literally climb onto the roof and clean it yourself without worrying about slipping off. This lets you keep the roof in excellent condition and reduces the cost of maintenance over a lifetime. 

Flat Roof Drawbacks

Are flat roof systems perfect? No! There are some drawbacks to consider when compared to a traditional pitched roof system: 

• Drainage problems - Ah, yes. A flat roof means there are no slopes for water to drain down. In turn, you may get pools of water and drainage issues when it rains. If you live somewhere that sees a lot of rainfall, this might not be a good roofing option!

• Not as visually appealing - There’s something very beautiful about a nice pitched roof. The ability to choose your roofing tile style also means you can create an attractive roof that adds curb appeal. By contrast, flat roofs are a bit boring. They don’t look as nice - particularly if the entirety of your roofing is flat. 

• Shorter lifespans - Despite the fact you can conduct roof maintenance with ease, flat roofs have shorter lifespans than other roofing styles. Most need to be replaced every 15 years, which is incredibly short when you think about it. 

When you consider both arguments, it’s clear that flat roofs aren’t ideal for everyone. In most cases, a pitched roof will be the better option, especially if you want your home to look nice and have no drainage problems. 

Having said that, adding a flat roof to part of your home can be a nice touch. For example, if you have an extension on the side of your home, installing a flat roof can juxtapose your pitched one and look really nice together. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference!

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