African masks are considered among the most renowned and admired form of art in African continent. These masks reflect inherent forms and ideas thereby making them extremely relevant in African culture (Art.com). The creativity of African masks is self-apparent considering that they portray the mainstream cultures of this unique society. However, these masks have a profound meaning for those who make them. In other words, the form of the mask is a physical mechanism to commence change whereby the person who wears it assumes another entity. This act eventually enables him to influence the spirits to whom he offers his gratitude or attraction. African masks are significant since they express a high level of spirituality. This essay discusses the history, visual features, importance, meaning, and use of African masks as a form of art.

Cultural Importance of Masks

Cultures in most African communities depict the struggle of human beings to harmonize through customary festivals. People wear masks to be connected to their gods. Magic is among the various elements that complete the society in the model of Parrinder. Different African societies wear different masks to exemplify distinct gods and spirits. For instance, a mask in Central Africa would be different from the masks drawn from West Africa. According to the Art.com, the African masks yielded several powers on the people. Besides the exemplification of spiritual forms, these masks had a deeper meaning of the existing African arts and design. It must be mentioned here that only highly artistic and creative individuals would be allowed to design these masks. In the Yoruba culture, the masks in Gelebe are believed to defend people from witches through the employment of supernatural means including magic, dance, and sculptures. The mask of Gelede, displayed in the Lewis E. James Art Museum, has human and animal features signifying the spirits of their ancestors.

Concept and Visual of Masks

The most common exhibits in Yoruba are the masks in Gelede; colorful masks put on by men. They amalgamate ritual dance and art to amuse, enlighten, and motivate the practice of worship. The masks evoke dignity and integrity. They are mainly composed of formal symmetrical arrangements of form, shapes, and lines in figures. The texture involves expert craftsmanship, finished quality, and fine details symbolizing the tribal art in Africa. They also have extremely refined surfaces along with signifying a youthful healthy skin. In the modern-day Nigerian museums, the masks show different generational skills in arts to exemplify the African traditional beliefs in spirits. The healthy skin reflects the concept of virtue and beauty while evil and fear are represented through rough and dirty surfaces. Most African carvings depict the idealized figure of a person in its prime; brimming with strength, virility, health, and celebration of fertility (Segy 27).

African masks assume several forms; elongated, circular, human-like or animal-faced, oval, rectangular, or a combination of several shapes and objects. The abstraction and simplification of visual components in the African mask art stress its extensive power. Ideally, these masks were carefully designed to portray the contemporary arts in African society. Aspects of texture correlated with the mainstream arts of the time. Likewise, there was a generational improvement in the design of these masks demonstrating maturity and growth in the African arts and architecture.

Origins of the African Masks

The origins of the African mask date back long before documented history. African mask in the Sahara in Niger has carvings that are almost 6000 years old. Alongside Sub-Sahara Africa, the cultural arts in the west, antique artifacts, paintings in Egypt, and southern skills also contributed significantly to the progression and development of art in Africa (Rupert 129). Often portraying the surrounding nature, the sculpture was usually abstract translations of plant life, animals, or natural shapes and designs. The Kush kingdom of Nubian in contemporary Sudan was in a close yet hostile contact with Egypt. They generated monumental art mostly derivative in forms. In West Africa, the initially recognized paintings are from the Nok culture which flourished between 500 BC and 500 AD in present Nigeria. These clay figures were normally designed using angular shapes and elongated bodies.  Although mundane, these shapes created a benchmark for future prosperity in the African arts and architecture.

Complex Approaches in 10^th Century

More complex approaches in generating art were established in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 10^th century. Among the most prominent developments were brass castings, the metalwork, the terracottas of IIe Ife Bronze, and the bronze work of Igbo Ukwu. These were typically decorated with valuable stones and ivory and were highly esteemed in most West African countries. The African masks were, at times, being restricted to the work of court artisans and recognized with royalty, just like the Benin Bronzes.

Beliefs Related to the Masks

Masks are typically worn by men. They are utilized to invite the spirits of their ancestors to take part in festivals such as weddings, births, funerals, naming, and initiations. The spiritual link conveyed by putting on masks during the events is crucial because it satisfies the order in society. Masks have specific importance in the cultural customs of Africa’s Yoruba tribe (Ola 17). These masks are also used for burial and religious ceremonies. In addition, they are used during a dance known as Dama. The individuals believe that Dama dance forms a bridge into the peace. The religious customs witnessed by the African people assist to link them with the gods.

Artists in Africa use their creativity and skill to integrate different meanings and concepts into the work of art. According to the African Art Documentary, the African art is a depiction of the traditional values and spirits. This documentary symbolizes the thriving African masks trade and its significance to this society. It also shows how best masks are transported to Europe wherein people can witness the fine side of the African culture and arts.

Different Meanings and Concepts

As mentioned earlier, African artists use their creativity and expertise to integrate different meanings and concepts into their work of art. This is observed in making of masks; a father passes it on to his son together with the understanding of the symbolic meanings conveyed through the masks. The continuity of making masks in African culture shows that Africans are individuals who revere their culture and make all endeavors to uphold it for future generations.

Hence, museum art counteracts the view that Africans are uncultured and primitive. The attractive art displayed is an example of the craftsmanship and proficiency needed to form a great piece of art.

The texture and facial expressions show the meaning of different art pieces. Head monuments are stretched out representing head as the core of thoughts, feelings, and character. On the same note, the generational designs of these masks spurred earlier civilization in the African culture. For instance, artists were specially ordained with the mandate of designing the masks. They were generally respected in society thereby experiencing the first tag as the community professionals. In some contexts, the artists organized special training ultimately generating a massive influx of people to the centers wherein such practices were thriving.

In a nutshell, the African mask is one element of arts that triggered generational changes in society. Similarly, other areas of African architecture grew from the influence of mask-making.

The Museum Demonstration

The museum demonstrates that the people of Kuba own a mask – Ngady a Mwaash. People wear this mask to respect the King of Kuba and to promote the women’s role of culture in the society. In most cases, the mask is worn by a participant or a dancer in rituals (Rule 140). Some forms of masks are put on by both genders. Generally, masks are inclined to signify beings or spirits significant to the ceremony where the mask is utilized. The person who wears the mask is typically believed to be capable of communicating with the being represented by it. Also, the wearer is believed to be possessed by what or who is represented by the mask.

Religious and Social Importance

In African cultures, masks are not ornaments or playthings. They serve a significant role in ceremonie and different events to guarantee a good harvest. They also address the demands of a tribe in moments of combat or peace, or convey presence of spirits in burial rituals or initiation ceremonies. Other masks signify totem animals – significant creatures to a specific group or family. In specific cultures such as Zaire’s Kuba culture, masks symbolize particular figures in the mythology of tribe such as a king or a competitor to the monarch. Since each mask has a particular spiritual meaning, majority of traditions make up various traditional masks. For example, the religion of tradition of the Dogon individuals in Mali makes up three major cults.

African masks are created by tribes and cultures discovered all over the massive continent of Africa. Both women and men have used them for thousands of years for religious, social, and cultural purposes. I was inspired by the fact that these masks connected people to their gods. By wearing these masks, people connected to the spiritual world to address their issues to these gods. This was also a form of connectedness to these spirits. Furthermore, it was interesting to note that the wearer was believed to be possessed by what or who is represented by the mask. This is supported by the fact that the wearer of the mask may be given the mask of a specific prominent figure in the society.

References

Art.Com. African masks, the Contemporary African Arts.

https://www.contemporary-african-art.com/african-masks.html

Ola Orie, O. (2011). The structure and function of Yoruba facial scarification. Anthropological

Linguistics, 53(1), 15-33.

Rule, Audrey et al. African Mask-Making Workshop: Professional Development Experiences of

Diverse Participants. International Journal of Multicultural Education 17(2): 135-157,

Rupert, Janet E. The African Mask. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2005. Print.

Segy, Ladislas. Masks of Black Africa. New York: Dover Publications, 1976. Print.

The Film, the African Art – The Market of Masks (Documentary of 2015).

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Introduction

The American Muslim fashion scene gradually changed due to modernization that led to changes in the way different articles of clothing are worn. In this paper, hijab is the main clothing article that will be the focus of discussion is the hijab. In the previous times, the hijab was meant to protect the women by covering their entire bodies. It also made a fashion statement and offered a sense of identity to the Muslim women. However, hijab is perceived differently by some American Muslims. Those changes advocated for women rights ultimately playing a greater role in making the women wear hijab at their own will. Women may also wear hijab to accessorize themselves; as scarves, on the head, or on the shoulders. It indicates that the previous stereotypes concerning the women clothing have now become outdated as they now have freedom to decide what to wear. Thus, the American Muslim concept of fashion has gradually changed regarding the hijab ultimately enabling women to make a choice in what they wear; hence, building their confidence.

Interpretations of the Hijab

There are differences in interpretations of the hijab. The gradual abolition of the hijab by American Muslims is due to the stereotypes that people usually associate with it. It is believed that women show their submission by putting on such clothing as “the general stereotype associated with hijab is seclusion of Muslim women and restricting them from leading an independent life separates them from their male relatives”. In the present times, people take the hijab as a sense of power for the women. The change in thoughts and opinions concerning the hijab has empowered women to feel more secure and confident in what they do as demonstrated by the way women put on the coverings. As opposed to the traditional beliefs that women had to cover their whole bodies to show respect to themselves, modern American Muslim women put on the garment as scarves as accessories.

Concept of Hijab

The concept of hijab has changed due to various factors. To begin with, modernized American women have embraced the idea of women rights covering aspects of dressing among others. The rights include granting women the freedom of deciding whether or not they want to put on the hijab. Furthermore, the fashion perspective is also considered to have influenced the changes in hijab for women. In both the traditional and the contemporary ways of wearing hijab, an important fashion statement is made. There are also political perspectives of hijab. Several studies have indicated that hijab represents the political position of the women and their society in general. Hence, the perspectives of wearing hijab for women also involve making a fashion statement.

Conclusion

The changes in American Muslim fashion are most evident while discussing the concept of women’s hijab which has been effective in boosting their confidence. The stereotypes have been abandoned that were associated with this clothing style. Thus, American Muslim clothing has undergone a significant change.

References

Chen, Li, Hamide Demet Akat, Can Xin, and Stephen Wonchul Song. “Rethinking hijab: Multiple themes in Muslim women’s perception of the hijab fashion.” In Proceedings. Presented at the International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design, Istambul, Turkey. S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. 208-214. 2014.

Tariq-Munir, Erum. The Dynamics of Wearing Hijab for Muslim American Women in the United States. Master’s thesis, Thesis / Dissertation ETD, 2014. Iowa: Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations, 2014. 1-72.

Erum, Tariq-Munir. “The dynamics of wearing hijab for Muslim American women in the United States.” Master’s thesis, Thesis / Dissertation ETD, 2014. Iowa: Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations, 2014. 1.

Chen, Li, Hamide Demet Akat, Can Xin, and Stephen Wonchul Song. “Rethinking hijab: Multiple themes in Muslim women’s perception of the hijab fashion.” In Proceedings. Presented at the International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design, Istambul, Turkey. S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. 208-214. 2014.

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Introduction

Distressed and hopeless people do not consider or think about the meaning of life. For them, the meaning of life becomes inappropriate when their existence is at stake and when their life is a mixture of worries and perplexities. On the other hand, people who are not desperate mull over the meaning of life. For desperate people, life is to be lived one moment at a time. However, those who consider the meaning of life as important consider it every day and very well know that they should step back from the moment to see and observe life in a long-range context (Baumeister, 1991). Thus, everyone has a different view of life and its meaning.

Meaning of Life

A person uses meaning when he/she speaks, thinks, decides or plans something. The life does not have a particular meaning in an automatic way. Every individual has to construct his/her own meaning of life. Sometimes people devote their lives to their offspring; some dedicate it to their work or religious faith; some devote it to something else. It is these choices made individually that determine the meaning of life (Baumeister, 1991). In short, the meanings of life do not instigate from a mysterious well set deep inside the soul of an individual. A person acquires and understands this meaning from society, other people or culture. Nature has equipped the Homo sapiens with hunger but not with meanings. It is, thus, the gradual development of meaning that a person has to find within his/her self to live a contented life.

As far as the meaning of life is concerned, one should adopt a hopeful, optimistic and positive approach and life must not be considered as meaningless. One should not consider him/her as a secular saint. Though there are times when life gets tough but it doesn’t mean at all that life is absurd and meaningless. A man can only have a true meaning in life if he/she moulds it according to the wonderful teachings of his/her religion or any other religion that teaches wonderful things about spending one’s life.

God’s will, Happiness and Life

It is important for the people to follow the rules and regulations that comply with God’s will. The God expects his intelligent creation (human beings) to lead a satisfactory life by covering all aspects of it with the purity of heart and mind. The flow of life should be according to the prescribed teachings because no person is allowed to go his/her own way (Kavakci, 2008). It is a crystal-clear fact that everyone yearns for happiness and wants to live a life filled with it. For me, happiness is by every mean is the ultimate goal and the true sign of a life well-lived and this happiness is achieved when there is a meaning in life. Thus, a meaningful life makes a person happy by all means and can truly be considered as a marker of a well-lived life.

There are a number of definitions of happiness. I think that a happy life is one that reflects God’s will. Meaning in life i.e. morality gives a person the ability to determine the good and bad and this clear conscience makes it easier for an individual to live a well-lived life full of satisfaction derived from happiness. To cut a long story short, I think that morality is the main factor that makes it possible for a human being to live a well-lived life with a meaningful purpose (Veenhoven, 2005).

Purpose of Life

Meaningful life usually includes a determined wish to achieve something or a sense of cohesive intention. A good and well-lived life is one that is characterized by meaningful prospects and meaningful actions. Most of the human beings strive really hard to find a genuine purpose in life as a common goal. It is exceedingly necessary to mention here that an individual may have bad and painful experiences but may still hold on to a strong determination and decisiveness about a unified purpose. As far as moral goodness is concerned, one’s life must be devoted to acquire a meaningful purpose especially one by which others get benefitted on an unconditional basis.

Sense of Right and Wrong

Our origin and source of belief is the sole reason of our understanding of right and wrong. What matters is the originality of belief behind it. All morality is dependent on God. This fact has to be understood by us as His servants and followers. Human beings have created and built innumerable institutions to make their fellow beings selfless, noble and altruistic. This could be considered as one of the greatest achievement of humanity. This sense of nobleness is the outcome of our belief in good and bad. Every religion advocates that animalistic natures within an individual  is to be controlled in order to get himself engaged in ethical, just and moral behavior (Wright, 2011).

Money is not the Key

It is a surprising find that happiness has nothing to do with money. Even a surplus amount of money cannot make people happy. It is just a myth that money is the major cause that brings happiness in the lives of people. Very rich and prosperous people have pains that cannot be understood by those who have no means to attain the repute enjoyed by the former. Thus, it depends on the use of the money whether it is a contribution in one’s happiness or unhappiness. Both Aristotle and Aquinas were found to agree “money as an end in itself was dehumanizing” (King & Napa, 1998). Thus, it can be said that it is a favor by God if a person has money in an abundant quantity. It has nothing to do with morality or being good as a person. Thus, good and a well-lived life have nothing to do with monetary benefits attained and enjoyed by any human being. A well-lived life is one wherein a person enjoys the moral goodness, a sense of conscience and “not only the amount of meaningful activity engaged in but also the amount of happiness the person enjoys” (King & Napa, 1998). When money is compared with meaningful purpose, morality and happiness, it can be observed that the former has little value in life.

Conclusion

Thus, there is no secret formula to make sure that one lives a perfect life. There are unlimited opportunities and possibilities for people to attain happiness or other factors they deem important for a well-lived life. This is for the reason that every individual has a dissimilar want, need or wish. However, it is a crystal clear fact (also supported by a number of studies and research) “that the well-lived life is filled with meaning, purpose and engagement, and that when we are connected to others and feel that our lives are connected to a purpose greater than ourselves, we have maximum well-being” (Estrem, 2010).

To cut a long story short, moral values, money and purpose are the three main things that people consider necessary for a meaningful life.

References

Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of Life. New York: Guilford Press.

Estrem, P. (2010, August). Changing Course: If You Never Take Time to Assess Where You Are versus Where You Really Want to Be, You Could Be Missing out. Regain Your Bearings and Get on Course for Your Most Fulfilling Life. Success, 1, 52+. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-232305677/changing-course-if-you-never-take-time-to-assess

Kavacki, Y. Z. (2008, Jan. – Feb.). Fiqh Is Life, and Life Is Islam. Islamic Horizons,37 (1), 51. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from http://www.questia.com/read/1P3-1459297191/fiqh-is-life-and-life-is-islam

King, L. A., & Napa, C. K. (1998). What Makes a Life Good?. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 75(1), 156-165.

Veenhoven, R. (2005). Is Life Getting Better? How Long and Happily Do People Live in Modern Society?. European Psychologist, 10 (4).

Wright, J. (2011, April 25). Belief in God Affects Cheating. The Register-Guard, p. 89. Retrieved August 14, 2013, from http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-258276250/belief-in-god-affects-cheating

 
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Erick Lindgren is one of the most famous poker players in the world. He dedicated his life to playing poker and reached significant heights on the felt. His brilliant career as a tournament pro took off in 2003 when he won his first WPT title. In 2004 Lindgren got the WPT “Player of the Year” award. He went on to grab 6-figure prizes and titles. His total live career earnings exceed 10 million dollars. Erick cashed in WSOP 40 times and earned two gold bracelets. He is now 29^th on the USA’s all-time money list. So how did Erick Lindgren go broke?

Poker Player at Heart

Erick A. Lindgren was born in 1976 in Burney, California. Poker became his favorite hobby when he was still in college, where he was striving for a career as a basketball player. But the more Erick learned about poker, the more he realized that this is the game he wants to focus on. Sports and school got secondary roles. He went to work in a  casino where he got some valuable experience that he put to the test playing online. Lindgren soon earned enough money to afford live playing and moved to Las-Vegas to pursue the career he always wanted.

Going Bankrupt

Besides playing poker, Lindgren liked sports betting. Thanks to a close relationship with a famous NBA betting expert and poker player Haralabos Voulgaris, Lindgren got access to the top bookmakers all over the world. However, Erick either didn’t do enough research or got plain unlucky. After winning a couple of bets, he started losing large sums of money. How did he manage to stay afloat? The reason was a formidable salary paid to him by FullTilt where he worked as a brand ambassador. He was earning about $3 million a year.

The goldmine collapsed in April 2011. Black Friday came and FullTilt was put out of business. Without the salary Erick quickly plummeted into a debt pit and 2012 was forced to file for bankruptcy. He owed $2.5 million to FullTilt (which later was acquired by PokerStars but the debt didn’t go anywhere) and $3.8 million to the IRS. As a result of the bankruptcy, Erick mental health collapsed which  led him to go to rehab clinic due to gambling addiction.

After getting out of rehab Lindgren claimed that he doesn’t have money to play live and was looking for backers. He didn’t quit poker and continue to play in major tournaments. However, this didn’t help him repay his debt. In January 2015, Lindgren filed for bankruptcy again, stating that he has less than $50 000 in assets and over $8 million in debts.

Lindgren’s Top 5 Cashes

1. $1,000,000 – 1st place in 2004 – PartyPoker.com Million III Limit Hold’em, Cruise (  $ 7,000 Limit Hold’em Championship)
2. $795,279 – 1st place in 2007 Aussie Millions Poker Championship (A$100,000 + 500 $100,000 Hold’em Event)
3. $781,440 – 4th place in 39th WSOP 2008, Las Vegas ($50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship)
4. $700,500 – 2nd place in Ninth Annual Five Star World Poker Classic ($100,000 Super High Roller)
5. $650,275 – 2nd place in WPT World Championship ($ 25,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em)

Over the course of his career Erick got a few more six figure scores. However, with time his achievements started to decline. He never reached quiet the same heights as he did in the early 2000’s. The hardest years for Lindgren were 2011 and 2012. In 2013 he seemed to be back in the saddle. However, it didn’t turn into a full-blown upstreak and the decline continued.

Is Erick Really Broke?

After the first bankruptcy, Erick started going strong, winning a WPT tournament for about $700,000 and getting a gold bracelet at WSOP 2013. Since then he cashed over 15 times in large live poker tournaments. However, the total earnings didn’t exceed $3 million. Since Lindgren is being backed, it’s unclear how much money actually ends up in his pocket. Meanwhile, the $2.5 million debt to PokerStars is still looming over his head and the second bankruptcy case is in review.

Obviously, Erick Lindgren is not planning to quit live poker. However, in 2016 he managed to cash only twice for a total of about $66,000. He finished 8^th in the $5000 no-limit hold’em event at Deep Stack Extravaganza III and 133th in $1500 Goliath Phamous Poker Series Main Event.

So it may seem as if Erick is not doing too well in the poker arena these days. It’s unclear whether or not he has other sources of income. But his fans are hoping he is not getting into sports betting again.

 
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Out of every blessing we have in our lives, having a caring family is the best. We do everything imaginable to keep our parents, children, and siblings happy, healthy to keep them from chronic diseases and always try to populate newer things and ideas which they love the most.

No one wants to think anything happen which is worse or painful for their family. But there are times when meaning of life gets changed entirely if our loved one becomes a victim of any chronic disease.

When a chronic illness or disability attacks a person, the entire family gets affected by it as well as by the entire health care experience. Because each person plays a specific role and is an integral part of the everyday functioning, the illness of one upset the whole family. If the family support is intact, the person could recover from the illness quicker. If not, their life will shatter.

Hereditary Disease Influx

Many of the chronic diseases are hereditary, but once diagnosed it suddenly changes everything. It is very disturbing to see our loved ones quitting their favorite food, taking medicines or injections several times a day and is no longer a life of a party. They could turn into a quite survivor 🙁 but no one wants to imagine their family member dying.

Reason of Chronic Diseases Worldwide

It is important to understand that diseases do not differentiate who is rich and who is poor, it just hit whenever it senses vulnerability. According to the WHO report around 80% of deaths take place in low and middle-income countries. Stroke, Ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and lower respiratory infections have continued to be the top major killers during the past decade.  Chronic diseases are the top reasons of disability and death worldwide.

Top 10 Causes of Deaths in USA Alone

If we just talk about USA which is a developed country, approx 75% of all deaths are attributed to just 10 causes, where top 3 of these accounting for over 57.3% of all deaths.

1. Heart disease – (leading cause of death for both men and women)
2. Cancer (malignant neoplasms)
3. Chronic lower respiratory disease
4. Accidents (unintentional injuries)
5. Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases)
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
8. Influenza and pneumonia
9. Kidney disease (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis)
10. Suicide (intentional self-harm)

Detailed report: Causes of Deaths in USA

Another major disease is the chronicle depression which is increasing as we speak. A lot of people are thousand miles away from their families due to their jobs, and no one is there to care them once they get ill. They fall under this depression as they miss their family support.

Global Death Rates by Chronic Diseases

According to the statistics shared by WHO (World Health Organization) stroke, heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of 60% of all deaths in the world.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, and some cancers, which until recently were common only in countries with high income, are now becoming the dominant sources of mortality and illness worldwide.

No one wants to imagine any of their family members dying due to these. So what you should do now?

Change Your Lifestyle

The priority in your life must be the health of yours and your loved ones. Your family member might have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, but if you take some major and smart steps the story of everyone’s life could be altered into a happy one.  Invent a new meaning of family support.

For Example, engage everyone in physical activities as well as in the exercise, for the patient you need to consult which exercises are safe and which not. You need to become an example for them and show them the real meaning of family support. Be there when they need you.

Healthy Diet

Take a healthy diet and stop living on fast foods. You will be amazed what wonders healthy diet could do if followed religiously:

Prevents loss of vitamin deficiency states, muscle strength, bone mass

Prevent diseases like obesity, osteoporosis, certain cancers, heart attacks and strokes

Helps control and/or treat chronic diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, and celiac disease.

To produce hormones and chemicals that are essential for the proper function of our body’s organs requires à  carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins to maintain healthy organs, bones, muscles, and nerves.

Nobody will become a victim of any chronic disease if they just add a healthy diet, exercise, and positive thoughts in life.  Creating a new meaning of family support and educate them why health is important in life.

We should not wait for a problem to knock the door so we will prepare to fight. Instead kick it out even before it tries to enter!

 
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Graco Snug Ride (Graco FastAction Fold Sport Travel System) in an incredible partnership with Sports Fastaction has developed a travel stroller with fantastic travel system, combining with the convenience of having a car seat in one and has been pointed as the best travel stroller by many consumers. Graco Fastaction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System, Gotham is a lightweight cart where along with the car seat it loses a total of 32.5 lbs. It is a lightweight stroller and can carry up to 50 pounds of the baby’s weight, whereas the car seat can carry children that can weigh up to 35 pounds.

Great Wheels & Design

The Graco Fastaction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System, Gotham is one of the best sports travel strollers developed by this time with a stylish, functional, and extremely comfortable design. It has built-in suspension so your child can always enjoy the ride in a comfortable way, its light weight and sturdy frame allows a smooth maneuverability. Thanks to the great front swivel wheels lockable that the suspension has which tends to provide an easy maneuverability regardless of the activity carried out with the baby, whether inside or outdoor.

The car seat was built with the aim of protecting your child weighing up to 50 pounds and measuring up to 32 inches when positioned facing way back in the vehicle. This appliance is top-rated and created by best-selling SnugRide® concerning child seats. To meet the rigorous standards of the US, it took numerous tests of collisions that could be attested the highest level of security and finally be able to meet the real security needs of a child without any doubt. The EPS energy absorbing foam has the highly efficient way to absorb the impact force. Moreover, it has an amazing removable support system that supports the body and neck of the baby to prevent from any sudden impacts.

The 5 points system, front-adjust harness, is designed with the intention to keep the child safe but also promotes greater ease for moving into or out of the seat. Another important aspect of this set is that it is accompanied by a fitted latch base to be coupled to the car; the base has an indicator that shows the on-base level, making transport between the stroller and the car seat one super easy task.

Pros of Graco FastAction Fold Sport Travel Stroller:

About Car Seat:

• The car seat is amazingly lightweight weighing only 11 lbs which makes life much easier for parents who need to spend a greater amount of time outside.
• Since the company has conducted rigorous testing to ensure the car seat’s safety, it meets all safety regulations in the US, including the US Standard FMVSS 213.
• This seat model comes in compatibility with all other Graco Click Connect models, so for those who want to hold a future purchase of another seat, provided if it is another Click Connect model, you will be covered.
• The inclusion of the support body and neck included in the set.
• Convenient 5-point harness system makes the machine much easier to adjust from the front.
• Very easy to clean.
• Color combination of gray, white and black displays a sophisticated and stylish look

About Stroller:

• When the car seat is not connected to the stroller, the weight of it happens to be only 21.5 lbs, which is considered to be a very reasonable weight.
• Because of this duet with Sport Fastaction Fold, the suspension system and the great swivel wheels front promote a better glide and maneuver the stroller as well as make the ride much more comfortable with the child.
• It has cup holders and tray for both child and for parents.
• Because it is a Click Connect child stroller, it engages with the car seat in an easier Click Connect Way.
• Extra-large and expendable canopy provides a maximum coverage during walk

Cons of Graco FastAction Fold Sport Travel Stroller:

Cons About Car Seat:

• For a newborn child, the harness system could be a little tighter.
• For days of hot weather or warmer cities, the material that was used on the inside of the car seat does not seem to be appropriate so it gets hot for the child and they sweat more.

About Stroller:

• Because of the fixed handlebar be of low height, the stroller did not appeal much to parents who may have a height greater than 6 feet.
• The unfolding stand still calls for the use of both hands and a considerable effort to pull out, although the folding process is a simple step to perform.
• Wheels are smaller and barely moves on the sand and on any rougher ground
• Due to its larger size a big car trunk is required. Difficulty for those parents who keeps a small one

Conclusion

When making a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing Graco Fastaction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System, Gotham, it was easy to notice that the features and quality of the entire set stood out in positive points. The 5-point harness System and neck and body support stands out as striking points of this valuation and most importantly, it goes by safety regulations in the US which is something that requires by the highest quality of products like these to win customers’ trust. The functionality of the stroller suspension system and the wheels turn the ride into something easier for parents and comfortable and happier for the child in a perfect way. Good for parents for having a set weight that is easy to carry. It is an excellent choice for parents looking for the ease of a set with a stroller and car seat that has durability, quality, and safety above all. This product has the all the possible characteristics that represents the concern of a company to make a high-quality product which is beneficial for their customers by all aspects.

Where to Buy?

It is worth investing in quality and safety of your child forever; make a smart decision that lasts for long. You will find this top rated Graco Fastaction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System, Gotham product on Graco baby website and on Amazon.

 
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If you want to improve your fishing experience, a bite alarm will be a great assistant that will signal you when the fish is on the hook even from a distance. It’s a battery-operated sensor that lets you know when a fishing rod needs your attention. These alarms are especially valuable for night fishing since besides making a sound, they also light up when a fish hits. Take a look at a list of the best top 5 bite alarms I think should warrant your attention.

1. Delkim Ev-Plus Bite Alarm

This bite alarm uses a unique micro-controller technology for providing a good bite indication. This product has a low learning curve due to a user-friendly simplified operation. The controls are large and easy to use. The alarm is available in 5 colors (white, yellow, blue, green, and purple). It offers single dynamic sensitivity range and twin clear high-clear visibility LEDs. The alarm has an on/off push button and permanent light marking. This product offers an excellent power consumption with the batteries lasting for up to a year.

Pros of Delkim Ev-Plus:

• No moving parts in the sensor technology
• Vibration sensing
• Wide tone range
• 2-year warranty

This particular bite alarm is the large and easy-to-use rotary controls. It also has an excellent battery life.

Cons of Delkim Ev-Plus:

• Not all weather-resistant
• Highly sensitive

What I didn’t like was that the alarm is highly sensitive even with the sensitivity control is properly adjusted. As a result, I got some false bite reports.

2. Fox Micron MX+ Bite Alarm

This is a moderately priced, versatile bite alarm that has two level sensitivity settings for short and long range fishing. Cone speakers provide better sound quality, while optimized power consumption significantly extends the battery life. It features a hard case, PA thread cap, and rubber ear inlays that fit most rods and prevent slippage.

Pros of Fox Micron MX+:

• Hard to miss bright blue light
• Battery indicator
• Tone and volume adjustment

One plus is the hard case that doesn’t allow the alarm to go on when I carry it in my bag, as has been the case with other bite alarms I tried. It can easily be used for other fish, not just carp. It comes at a great price.

Cons of Fox Micron MX+:

• Single color LED
• Very loud sound

Terribly loud sound the bite alarm makes when the battery indicator switches on. It also beeps a couple of times when you switch it on.

3. Nash New Siren R3 Bite Alarm

The rubber snag ears are removable and provide a tight fit for different rods. The intelligent microchip senses the difference between a false bite and a real fish bite. The receiver offers a great range of over 400 meters. The heads come in blue, green, red and clear LEDs. The alarm features a highly adjustable volume and three tone settings. It has a protective high-impact PVC case.

Pros of Nash New Siren R3:

• Easy to line up
• Small and easy to store
• One touch mute function
• Low battery indicator

I experience virtually no false beeps. During the week of heavy use, it sounded false alarms only 3 or 4 times. The mute button is a great help when you are setting up the rod.

Cons of Nash New Siren R3:

• High price
• Too loud

Its overly Expensive as compare to the features. However, its features are on par with expensive bite alarms, so I would consider paying a hefty sum for good quality. Also adding extra weight to the bobbin during windy weather triggered some unwanted beeps.

4. TFG TF Gear MagRunner Ignite Alarm

This alarm offers very fast bite recognition, high-powered visual indicators, and modern digital technology. It features blue, red, and white LED indicators and provides long battery life. The alarm is well-designed and compact. The alarm is designed to operate in any weather. It’s completely waterproof. The detecting system is highly sensitive.

Pros of TFG TF Gear MagRunner Ignite:

• Reliability
• Good value for the money
• Strong receiver signal
• Intense optical illumination

The receiver is very sensitive and picks up the alarm from over 100 meters away. I also liked that the alarm is completely weatherproof so I didn’t need to worry about it going off during windy or rainy weather.

Cons of TFG TF Gear MagRunner Ignite:

• High learning curve
• No volume control

Instructions were poorly written, which made it harder to start working with the alarm and gives a wrong impression to the user.

5. Delkim TX-I Plus Bite Alarm

This alarm has two sensitivity ranges, an audio and visual replication system, twin clear LEDs and anti-theft alarm. The product features an FM radio transmitter, low battery indicator, and 5 LED modes. The bite alarm is made out of stainless steel. The external coil aerial improves the performance while NiteLite output allows you to attach an illuminating hanger for improving the lighting. Large rotary controls make it easy to adjust the settings. The alarm uses unique transmitter codes so catching someone else’s signal is not a problem.

Pros of Delkim TX-I Plus:

• Hard case
• 2-year warranty
• Reliability and versatility
• Long battery life

This alarm is packed with useful features. I also appreciated that it uses unique transmitter codes so catching someone else’s signal is not a problem.

Cons of Delkim TX-I Plus:

• High price

Great Features but little expensive. However, compared to other bite alarms on the market, this one has so many options that the price seems reasonable.

After reviewing several products, I can say that the absolute winner is Delkim TX-I Plus Bite Alarm. It has the greatest variety of features that make using such a piece of equipment a real pleasure. There are no problems with setting it up and using it at a distance. It’s versatile, reliable and very durable. The price might seem a bit too high, but it was truly worth the money I paid for it.

 
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A bathroom is the most frequented room in any house or apartment. A spacious bathroom is a great advantage, but not everyone has a chance to enjoy it. If you living in studio apartment and have a small space allotted for a bathroom, you will need to use some imagination to fit everything you need into it while leaving yourself some space to breathe.

When setting up your small bathroom, there are a few important things you have to consider, such as the furniture, the shower cabin, the size of the cabinets, and etc. Taking a look at the small space bathroom ideas that make even the smallest bathroom a functional and pleasurable place to be in can help you on your way to the perfect bathroom design.

Below is the checklist for Smart Small Space Bathroom Ideas

1. Shower cabins
2. Shelves
3. Extended counters
4. Large-Scale Patterns and Light Colors

Shower cabins

Trading a full-sized bath for a shower cabin will allow you to save plenty of space while enjoying a stylish design and saving cleaning time. How often do you take a bath, anyway?

A glass shower cubicle makes the bathroom visually larger while offering a sleek design.

A walk-in shower cabin allows you to save space while giving you the freedom to move around.

A corner shower cabin is designed to save space on the outside while making the shower experience pleasurable. Screening off one of the walls with a glass door helps saving space and money on small bathroom design. A small corner shower cabin leaves space for cabinets or windows.

Shelves

Lack of storage space is a common small bathroom problem. Shelves are a great way to store such bathroom necessities, as towels, toilet paper, and beauty products. Installing wall shelves is easy and can make any small bathroom appear unique.

A smart way to save space by hanging a cabinet above the toilet. Using all the available wall space for shelves gives a bathroom a stylish appearance. A smart sink shelf allows simple soap storage and becomes a great space-saver. These bathroom shelves are easy to hang and clean. Hanging drawers give the bathroom a unique look and adds extra storage space.

Extended counters

Extending the counter over the toilet won’t just give your extra storage space, it will make the bathroom look larger and more functional. This is an easy-to-do home improvement trick that won’t take up much of your time.

A great way to make use of absolutely unnecessary space.

A uniform shelf is a perfect place to store bathroom accessories.

Large-Scale Patterns and Light Colors

Using large-scale patterns on your walls and shower curtains can make the bathroom appear bigger. These patterns trick the eyes into “thinking” that they are looking at a larger room.  Using lighter colors on walls and tiles visually increases the bathroom space.

This large-scale mosaic is a perfect addition to any small bathroom. This wall design gives even the smallest bathroom a feeling of grandeur.

Large tree or water murals give a small bathroom a slick and unusual appearance.

 
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