Healthy Fluids

Australia has a harsh climate with extremes in both the cold of winter and warmth of summer. While we all have our preferences (some people prefer summer while others can’t wait for winter), there are ways we can keep our homes at a comfortable temperature during the most extreme months throughout the year.

Having your home properly insulated is important in keeping it cool in summer and warm when it gets cold outside. Experts say typically half of your home’s heat will escape through the walls, windows, floor and roof during winter. During summer blockout roller blinds can help keep the harsh suns rays from penetrating in through your windows.

Many people don’t realise that a room can be significantly warmed or cooled using windows and blinds. Smartblinds are a particularly beneficial option, using the most advanced technology to deflect the summer heat and retain warmth in winter, it’s the healthier and more economical way of controlling your home’s temperature.

During the day, if there is bright sunlight coming through your window, you room will heat up significantly. In winter this heat will be welcomed but in summer this is going to make temperatures uncomfortable unless you have your Smartblinds fitted which will help keep the room cool.

The benefit of these blinds in winter is that they actually retain heat in the cooler months. Stopping the heat from escaping, Smartblinds actually help keep the heat in the room for longer.

Designed with the Australian user in mind, this product was developed and manufactured in Australia, making use of advanced technology and fabrics.

The no gap window protection system provides up to 99 per cent protection from harmful U.V rays. This is important because UV rays are potentially deadly, unprotected exposures can result in skin cancer. Australia has the highest number of people suffering from skin cancer in the world, so this is obviously something we want to avoid.

The Smartblind system offers a measurable difference in comfort levels but can also save you money, by saving on energy. In winter you won’t have to run the heater 24/7 and in summer, you can give the air-conditioner a break, this will help save on electricity which will result in monetary savings as well.

The product has been tested locally and there is no other comparable window protection system available in the country. An added benefit is that the Smartblind allows natural lighting into your home. This means you need less artificial lighting, resulting in more electricity savings.

Todays stressful and competitive world makes it almost impossible for many people to commit to a regular fitness activity. Work, home chores, and family duties too often take up an average persons time and energy leaving little for rest, much less exercise.

Vibration Exercise Plates

Technology, however, has made it possible for many people to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise without spending gruelling hours at the gym. Vibration fitness machines have become very popular in recent years because of several studies that tend to support the claims of the proponents of these exercise machines.

What are vibration fitness machines and how do they work?

A typical vibration plate exercise involves standing on a vibration platform with bent knees while the machine oscillates at a frequency of 30 to 50 times per second. The body responds to the stress by stimulating rapid muscle contractions which are said to be responsible for the many health benefits of using vibration exercise machines.

Some of the benefits of vibration platform exercises include core and back muscles conditioning and strengthening, improved circulation, flexibility, and faster post-work out muscle recovery. Several studies indicate that these exercise machines may increase bone density, enhance metabolism, reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, improve lymphatic drainage and circulation, and elevate levels of human growth hormones.

Whole-body vibration has been used in wellness centers for stimulating collagen production and reducing cellulite. These exercise machines are said to be capable of providing muscle conditioning, toning, and strengthening for people with health concerns that prevent them from exercising actively such as Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Proponents of vibration machines claim that these exercise equipment are capable of building muscle mass faster than conventional weight resistance exercises. At a much faster time than they can expect from regular weight training, users of vibration machine will notice the improvement in their muscle tone and appearance.

Vibration machines have been used as a drug free therapy that can help improve the condition of osteoporosis patients when combined with proper diet and supplementation.

Having your own vibration fitness machines at home eliminates most of the hindrance to keeping yourself fit and makes it easier to commit to your fitness goals. When combined with a sensible diet, vibration platform exercises for just 15 minutes three times a week can bring tremendous benefits. You can conveniently integrate vibration machine workout while listening to music, watching television, or simply relaxing at home.

You can also maximize your workout sessions by doing simple movements on the vibrating platform. These vibration plate exercises may be intensified as you gain strength and flexibility. It is possible to lose as much as 150 pounds with a passive workout on vibration fitness machines for at least one hour.

Like any exercise routine, vibration machines should not be used without prior consultation with a physician specially if you are sufferiing from a heart disease or severe diabetes. Vibration exercises are likewise not advisable if you are pregnant or are taking blood-thinning drugs and have a history of stroke or heart attack.

When used properly and in combination with a moderate lifestyle and proper diet, vibration fitness machines can help you achieve your fitness goals easily and help you live a healthier and longer lie.

In Australia the hot and sunny climate relatively all year through is a real blessing, but our enjoyment of this weather can be hampered by nuisance insects, especially flies and mosquitoes.

Flies are irritating, face-pestering insects that will persistently try to enter one’s mouth, nose and eyes. In addition to be annoying they settle on food and can cause contamination.

Mosquitoes can be more than just an irritation, they can be dangerous and carry certain diseases. Even if they aren’t life threatening, they can cause itchy, sometimes painful bites that are more than a little irritating. That is why more and more people are opting to install screens in their homes, so that they can enjoy their space more all year through.

When screening large opening spaces there are a few points to keep in mind:

• A good screen should be suitable for the opening and not result in too much interference with the existing door/opening configuration.
• The homeowner will need to find out from the installer whether it is possible to screen a large opening in a single span or if more than one screen will be needed for the opening.
• It is also important to ensure that everyone in the household can easily operate the screen. Consider babies and their strollers or elderly/ disabled residents with wheelchairs. The screen solution should not hamper access into and from the opening for people with mobility issues.
• Most homeowners spend a significant amount of time and money making their house into a home, so screening solutions should fit into a home’s design aesthetic, rather than ruining it or forcing the homeowner to change the style of the home. The screen chosen should suit the existing furniture and interiors.
• The cost of the screening solution is also an important factor to consider. It should be cost effective and priced in line with market standards.

Intelliscreens; SlimLine Panorama is one solution that ticks all the boxes.

Although the SlimLine Panorama screen is totally independent of any existing door configuration, including bifolds, french doors, etc. minimising any hassle during installation and ensuring ease of use.

The SlimLine Panorama screen is the perfect option for retractable fly screens for large openings. In fact this option is suitable for screening openings over 5.5 metres in a single span – a feat no other screen can accomplish. This ensures undisturbed views.

Another reason for the popularity of this screen is that it is relatively moderately priced for screening a large opening because it takes just one stretch of quality pleated screen.

The SlimLine Panorama is designed with great consideration for the user. Young as well as elderly users can comfortably operate the screen which remains vertical and levelled, regardless of whether it’s pulled at the top, middle or bottom.

The design of this screen is also so sleek and slim at 32mm that it fits in effortlessly with the interior décor of any home.

Unlike its counterparts, the SlimLine Panorama has no bulky cassette or multiple panels which are usually such an eyesore.

Almost 15% American adults are afflicted with major depressive disorder. This alarming number is even expected to rise as the years go by. Hence, many studies are currently being conducted to fight off this malady. One remedy that is taken into consideration is the use of Vibration Plate Exercise .

What are these? Also known as vibration fitness machines or vibration platform exercises, these machines work by creating rapid muscle contractions similar to the contractions being created while exercising. Hence, it is like the person is exercising even when all he does is stand up with bent knees on the machines. The calories being burned are equivalent to that of exercising, too.

With that in mind, it is safe to conclude that the same positive effects that exercise has in relation to depression would also be produced using these machines. What are those benefits?

Release of endorphins. These are known as the feel-good brain chemicals. They are like morphine, the analgesic substance that relieves people from intense pain. They also produce morphine-like effects such as euphoria or runners high. People who exercise are less prone to be depressed. In the same manner, people who use the vibration plate exercise have lesser risk of being depressed, too. Relieves stress. One cause of depression is too much stress. A short workout can help relax a person through the release of brain chemicals and good circulation. It also acts as a form of distraction as it keeps the mind from being focused on the problem. For others, after the workout, new and creative ideas are formed to solve the problem, hence helping reduce stress. This can be attributed to freshness of the mind after several minutes of relaxation. Increases energy. When one exercises, the body, specifically the mitochondria (powerhouse) of the cells, produce more energy to supply to the body as it perceives that it is needed. When one is full of energy, the tendency to be depressed is lessened. Plus, the need to use the excess energy keeps one from lying down and doing nothing. Boost self-esteem. People who have high regard for themselves have lesser risk for depression. Exercise can provide this good feeling towards oneself, again, with the help of the feel-good brain chemicals. Other factors include feeling of fulfillment when a particular task, even something as simple as exercising, is completed. Improves sleep. Another culprit for depression is lack of rest and sleep. This makes both the mind and body tired. Studies have discovered a natural remedy for insomnia, that is, exercise. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, numerous reports and documentations have linked exercise to promotion of a good night sleep.

Vibration exercise platforms are especially helpful during times when the person does not feel like moving at all, much less exercise. These only need the person to stand on the platform for 15 minutes or more a day and the vibration would do the work for the person. When the time comes that the person feels better, then he or she can add some more activities to the vibration platform exercises, as recommended by the doctor.