Category: Human Interest

Although the United States does not have the highest rate of obesity in the Americas (that honor goes to Mexico), more than one-third of all adults in the U.S. are fat, and the rate isn’t going down anytime soon. It’s a startling figure, especially when contrasted to data from nations like Japan and India, where obesity levels are much below 5%.

Why is there a contrast? A variety of factors influences obesity rates, but it all comes down to what individuals eat and how they consume it. The good thing is that healthy eating habits can be borrowed from countries worldwide, while less nutritious ones may be left on foreign territory.

1. Japan

What’s a surprising Japanese habit to adopt? The focus is on the look of the food. A visually appealing—and healthy—plate combines small amounts with colorful, seasonal vegetables. Small servings keep calories down, while veggies deliver a variety of vitamins and minerals.  Skip eating fishes like tuna, king mackerel, and swordfish. They contain mercury, an element that can damage nerve cells. Rather than maguro (tuna) and nama-saba (mackerel), consume sake (salmon), Ebi (shrimp), and ika (squid).

Another beneficial Japanese habit is the practice of hara hachi bu, which means eating until you are 80% full. This tradition, originating from Okinawa, encourages mindfulness and helps prevent overeating. Additionally, incorporating more fermented foods like miso, natto, and pickled vegetables can improve gut health due to their probiotic content. Traditional Japanese meals often include a variety of small dishes, allowing for diverse flavors and nutrients in one sitting, which can lead to a more balanced and satisfying diet. By adopting these habits, you can enhance both the enjoyment and nutritional value of your meals.

2. China

Grip chopsticks: Chopsticks will help you eat more slowly, which means you’ll eat less. Moreover, studies have shown that people who consume more quickly are more prone to be fat and suffer from heart disease.  Orange chicken should be avoided (and other Americanized Chinese food). You should not consume meat that’s been coated in sweet sauce (which is why it tastes so nice). Instead, go for lo mein or stir-fry dishes.

Incorporating traditional Chinese food practices can further enhance your dining experience. Chinese cuisine often emphasizes balance and variety, with a focus on fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Ingredients like ginger, garlic, and green onions not only add flavor but also offer health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and improving digestion. Drinking tea, especially green or oolong tea, during meals is another common practice that aids digestion and provides antioxidants. By embracing these authentic elements of Chinese dining, you can enjoy a more nutritious and flavorful meal.

3. USA

The United States offers a diverse culinary landscape, heavily influenced by a mix of cultures and traditions from around the globe. One prominent aspect of American eating habits is the preference for convenience food. Fast food restaurants and pre-packaged meals are a significant part of the American diet. These options are popular due to their affordability and time-saving attributes. However, they often come with high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, contributing to the country’s high obesity rates. On the flip side, there is a growing trend towards organic and farm-to-table dining, with many Americans becoming more conscious about their food choices and opting for fresher, locally sourced ingredients.

Another notable food habit in the USA is portion size. Serving sizes in American restaurants and at home are generally larger than those found in many other countries. This tendency towards larger portions can lead to overeating and plays a significant role in calorie consumption and weight gain. Tourists traveling to Sin City, as well as residents, love checking out area15 Las Vegas The Beast which is well known for its fair portions and authentic American food. Nonetheless, there is a rising awareness around portion control, with some restaurants offering smaller plate options and individuals practicing mindful eating to better manage their food intake. Amidst these habits, the unique element of American dining culture is its adaptability and innovation, continuously evolving to incorporate healthier eating practices while retaining its rich and varied culinary heritage.

4. France

Tempt your taste buds: According to one study, the French equate eating with pleasure (rather than health), and the nation has less obesity and heart disease levels than the United States. Americans, however, are more worried about how nutritious their food is, yet they enjoy eating less. Instead of a big section of a “healthy” snack like frozen yogurt, try a little amount of a delicacy you enjoy (a rich, dark chocolate nugget fits the bill) and enjoy the senses.

The regular pastry should be avoided. Much like most buttery morning pastries, a choco croissant is high in simple carbs, sugar, and fats (a.k.a. not a great start to the day). Over most days, go for healthier options like oatmeal or yogurt, and reserve the pastry for special occasions.

5. Ethiopia

The classic Ethiopian flatbread injera is abundant in fiber, Vit C, and protein. Root vegetables, legumes, and lentils are essential in the Ethiopian diet, low in milk and animal products. Make your injera or use teff grains instead of rice in a rice alternative.

This dish is best served as a family meal. Shared foods are picked up with injera in the typical Ethiopian diet. Put individual servings on a plate to make it simpler to see how much you’re consuming while eating this way.

6. India

Spice things up. Indian food has a lot of spices, which give them a lot of taste, a lot of colors, and a lot of healing properties. Turmeric, ginger, and red pepper are some of the spices that may help decrease cholesterol. Onions and garlic, which are commonly used flavorings, can also help to reduce your risk of heart problems.

Creamy sauces should be avoided. Several recipes have an unusually high saturated fat content thanks to ghee (clarified butter) and full-fat coconut milk. Ease up on the rich dishes if you’re trying to prevent or limit saturated fat in your diet. Instead, opt for tandoori-grilled meat and tomato-based soups.

7. Mexico

Enjoy your lunch: Almuerzo, a lunchtime meal that is the largest meal of the day, is a part of the traditional Mexican culture. According to recent research, eating a good dinner in the evening may be a major contributor to weight gain.

Refried beans are a no-no. Beans have lots of protein, fiber, and vitamins. Cooking them in butter or oil, on the other hand, greatly increases the calories. For a healthier burrito, use dried or low-sodium canned beans.

8. Italy

Dine and Drink: Have a glass of wine with your meal, but don’t overdo it. Moderate alcohol consumption—one glass a day for women and two glasses per day for men—has been shown in studies to lower your risk of heart disease and prolong your life. For non-alcoholics, you can have your preferred beverage in glass bottles for juice.

Pasta plates should be avoided. For otherwise fit Italians, a pasta-heavy meal has been found to raise heart disease risk. Replace spaghetti squash for ordinary noodles and serve a veggie-rich soup for a healthier take on Italian night.

9. Greece

The medical benefits of the Mediterranean diet are no longer a secret. Classic Mediterranean food mainly consists of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and legumes, with only trace amounts of protein, fish, milk, and olive oil. You can also consume bottled and jarred packaged goods.

Phyllo flour should be avoided. We know that spanakopita is loaded with spinach, but the buttered pastry is loaded with refined carbs. A normal entrée-size dish of spanakopita can have the same amount of fat as a bacon cheeseburger!

10. Sweden

Although Scandinavian food does not include many vegetables, it does contain several healthy items. Rye bread is basic, and it has a lot of fiber, which will keep you feeling full. For a fiber-rich option to white or whole-wheat bread, make a sandwich on rye.

Avoid Salt, mainly if you’re prone to high blood pressure. Traditional Nordic meals, such as smoked salmon, are high in salt. As an option, try preparing your smoked fish—still, it’s delicious but helps maintain the sodium under control.

The Bottom Line

There is no such thing as a universally healthy (or harmful) diet. However, the meals of places with cheaper rates of chronic illness have a few traits. All stress the need to eat lots of fruits, veggies, grains, and healthy fats and enjoy your meals.

Turn to different cuisines for culinary ideas, new flavors and ingredients, and diverse eating habits. Combine aspects from these many diets to build your form of healthy eating.

Word games are one of the best ways to improve vocabulary, have fun, learn new words, and compete in a national or international tournament. To win word games, you need to be skilled in learning and using new words.

Word games expose you to new words in a fun way. However, using new words is not all you need to be the best in a word game. You also have to learn strategies and techniques to be better than your opponent in friendly and competitive games. Here are some of them.

1) Start Easy

Start playing the easy-level games first before going for hard-level games. You can start playing using smaller grids and small letter words to gain momentum and confidence.

Small grids also allow you to learn more two or three-letter words, which makes games like Boggle and Words With Friends much easier. Start playing with your friends and families first before trying to get yourself involved in tournaments.

2) Play According to the Game

You might think that all word games are the same and that learning new words can help you win them all, but that is not true. Different games require different strategies to win.

For instance, you can score more points in Scrabble using longer words. Because it gives you a better chance to score Bingos and restricts your opponent from scoring points using your words.

However, using smaller words is a more appropriate approach in games like Boggle because you and your opponent do not share a board in this game. So, using smaller words gives you more opportunities to take advantage of these words rather than your opponent.

3) Use Online Tools

Using online tools to learn and use new words in word games can also benefit you. One of the USPs of these online tools is that you can search for new words by typing letters, character length, and their initials.

It becomes easier solving letters puzzle using online tools. You can use these tools for any word games like Scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams, Words With Friends, etc.

You can also use these word tools to improve your vocabulary only if you do not want to play word games. Search for words with different letters and character lengths daily to improve your vocabulary.

4) Run After Letter Patterns

Learning letter patterns also play a vital role in winning the word games. Anyone can find several patterns and clusters in the English language, but only a few of them spend time learning them.

It becomes easier to create new words once you become familiar with a pattern. You can start by recognizing patterns at the starting, middle, or end of a word. Here are some examples of these letter patterns

1. tion,
2. ing,
3. ion,
4. er, and more.

Learning these patterns also improves your spelling, which also plays a vital role in winning word games.

5) Prefixes and Suffixes

Adding a prefix or suffix to an existing word is one of the best ways to score more points without using more tiles. Imagine your opponent creating a new word, and you add an s or es to that and get more points.

You can also add suffixes like ed, er, ing, etc., to change the tense of the word. You can add prefixes like un, im, dis, etc., to make the words longer and score bonus points in Scrabble.

You can also click here to see a list of commonly used prefixes and suffixes in the English language.

6) Two and Three-Letter Words Are the Key

Not all games ask you to learn longer words to win them. You can also learn small words to win many word games. Learning more two and three-letter words makes a significant difference.

You can learn small words with high-scoring letters like X, Z, Q, K, etc., to score more points and use the letter tiles more efficiently.

Wrapping Up

Winning word games are easy as long as you are willing to learn. Learning new words, letter patterns, rhymes, etc., can take your word games to a new level.

You might also want to play 2-3 word games daily to keep learning new letters in a fun way.

Do you want to join swimming classes? Or looking to enroll your child in swimming lessons? No doubt you would be seeking the best swim coach for better training. Quick online research can help you out in finding a private swimming instructor in your region. But still, there are some qualities that a good swimming coach should have.

Not sure which qualities to look for?

Well, below in this article, we have mentioned the top 8 best qualities that will help you find your next coach. Read on!

8 Qualities To Look When Finding A Swimming Instructor Should Have

For many reasons, learning how to swim is beneficial for children and adults alike.  Even if an individual has basic swimming skills, it never improve those skills are important and can even be life saving.  Now, let’s have a look over the important features a good swimming coach should have.

1. Experience

Years of experience may look like a basic and common feature, but this is the most important thing when learning from a coach. Adults or children require a set of skills to learn swimming. But young children need a different way of teaching while adults require something different.

So your instructor should be well-trained in their field. It’s true that one coach can’t train both adults and children. Hence, when you are finding a swimming instructor, make sure you cross-check their specialty and experience (with adults or children).

Choosing an experienced coach is helpful for the students because there would be more chances of learning better.

2. Qualifications

Now, let’s head towards the most important thing that is certifications and qualifications of the swimming coach you are choosing.

If someone has recommended a male or a female swimming instructor to you, then start with their certificates. Ask them to show you genuine qualification certificates. If someone is a great swimmer, it doesn’t mean they would be a good instructor also.

A well-trained and certified swimmer knows what the best techniques to teach swimming are. Also, they work according to ethics and use their knowledge as a strong teaching point.

Ask them to show;

• Swimming certificate (from authorized institute)
• Graduation or post graduation degree in swimming (any of them)
• Experience of training students

3. Focused

Swimming skills need high focus from students as well as the instructor. And, you know it’s an underwater activity, so coaches need to be extra attentive and dedicatedly focused on students. Small negligence may lead to a major mishap in the pool.

So, when you schedule a meeting with a private swimming instructor, ensure you check whether they are focused or not. It’s important for the instructor to engage themselves on every lap of the swimmer while practicing.

Also, for an instructor it’s easier to focus on students in an indoor swimming pool rather than an outdoor pool. It is because the indoor pools save students as well as coaches from harsh weather conditions.

Coaches instruct students as well as guide them on their mistakes, so they should be highly focused on every step. Furthermore, swimming becomes much easier when the instructor concentrates on the students.

4. Sharp Observers

Mostly, the best coaches are the finest observers of their students. And this quality helps to enhance the swimming skills of swimmers. It is because the more they point out mistakes the better would be the chances to learn faster.

The private swimming instructor is a better choice if you want them to stay focused only on you. There is no disturbance, and all the concentration of the coach would be on a single student. Moreover, ask your coach to feel free to interrupt when they find something wrong.

5. Confident

Confidence is the key to success!

A swimmer won’t be able to approach the blocks if their trainer is not confident. A coach shouldn’t just look convinced but also feel the same when teaching swimming.

Furthermore,  a swimming instructor’s confidence is readily absorbed by a learner. The best swimming coaches know how to meet the requirements of their students and make them feel confident.

6. Encourage Students

Learning any new skill is a tough task that requires appreciation by the coach, not sympathy. So, make sure you meet the previous students of the private swimming instructor that you have chosen.

It will help you to know the teaching method of the coach. A learner needs comfort as well as a decided goal to learn swimming.

There will be a time when students will feel pain while practicing, but the coach needs to be strong enough to encourage them rather than feel pity. Sympathy leads to failure, while appreciation is a primary step towards success. This can be especially true during swimming lessons for children with special needs.

7. Market reputation

Words of mouth do not help to learn swimming, but expertise does.

So how can you confirm that the private swimming instructor you have chosen is the right one?

The solution is here!

Check out the Instagram account, Facebook page/account, and Google reviews to find out about the swimming coach.

Moreover, you can ask your colleagues, friends, or relatives. There are more possibilities that you would get a good recommendation from your peers.

8. Reliable

When you are looking for a swimming instructor, reliability is also an important feature. If a trainer is not punctual and doesn’t teach the way you want, then it becomes hard to trust them.

There are a few qualities that your trainer should have:

• They should not cancel the last-minute lessons until the absolute emergency situations.
• The swimming instructor must be available a few minutes before class time.
• They should start and finish the swimming lessons on time so that they can start the next swimming class on time.
• Good at listening to questions and answering them.
• Act responsibly with kids as well as with their parents.
• The coach must be capable of answering queries related to cancellations and delays in classes.

Conclusion

Swimming is a basic life-saving skill that everyone should learn. So, are you ready to enroll your kid or yourself in the swimming class? Whether you choose a male or female swimming instructor make sure they have the above listed qualities.

Well, we hope this article has helped you understand the most important traits to look for when finding an instructor. Furthermore, choosing a good coach is a major step to learn swimming better and more easily. Hopefully, you will find the best swimming coach in your town. All the best.

Read how to support your child in sport selection so that they possess the long term passion needed to excel.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your child, how about reptiles?  They make excellent pets, simply because they are exotic and unique. These unique creatures are low-maintenance, interactive, and cute.  Having reptiles as a kid can teach your child a lot of responsibility.

You never know, a reptile may help your child know what he or she wants to pursue in life, such as a biologist. These exotic pets can also bring your child so much joy.

But, here is the thing, not all reptiles are child-friendly. Some reptiles, even the most popular ones, make terrible pets for children.

That is precisely why you need this article, which will introduce you to our 9 child-friendly reptiles that are safe for your family. Read on to learn more!

What are Reptiles?

Reptiles are land animals that have dry skin covered by scales. They are cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs.

This group of animals is made up of lizards, chameleons, snakes, skinks, turtles, tortoises, and alligators. These animals are ectothermic, which means their body temperature is dependent on their environment. Reptiles also come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Some reptiles, like leopard geckos and bearded dragons, can be used for animal therapy for children. This is so because these animals are calm, friendly, and like to be cuddled.

9 Child-Friendly Reptiles

For each reptile to make it to this list, it had to meet five important criteria, which include the following.

• Cheap and easy to feed and keep
• Friendly, calm, and easy to handle
• It has to be not dangerous
• It needs to be hardy and tolerant because kids tend to make mistakes

1.    Leopard Gecko

Photo by Andrey Tikhonovskiy on Unsplash

A leopard gecko can make a great pet for a child. Leopard geckos are very hardy, tolerant, passive, and easy to handle. These little animals really like to be petted and cuddled.

Over a long time, geckos have developed special features that help them survive. One of such unique features is the tail, which serves several purposes. They use it for balancing, storing fat for energy, and acting as camouflage. And they can shed their tail.

These interesting lizards are also easy to look after. They only need one size of an enclosure because they don’t grow too big. They don’t need special lighting, which is quite expensive. Get more information on how to care for a leopard gecko at reptileslife.com.

Another interesting aspect of these little creatures is that they don’t have teeth. So, if they accidentally bite kids (very seldomly), they are not going to hurt them.

2.    Crested Gecko

Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

A crested gecko is an arboreal lizard with a relatively docile temperament and a gentle disposition. Crested geckos are easy to handle when they are comfortable.

Although juvenile crested geckos may tend to be nervous and skittish when handled, adults are more tolerant. Crested geckos like to jump probably because they are arboreal reptiles. So, that shouldn’t worry you so much.

Like leopard geckos, crested geckos are fairly easy to care for. For starters, they don’t need a very big enclosure or special lighting features. They can conveniently thrive on shop-bought gecko food as well as feeder insects and crickets.

3.    Bearded Dragon

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

A bearded dragon or a beardie is a slow-moving reptile that is usually passive. Bearded dragons are among the most popular pet lizards out there.

Beardies have one of the best temperaments as far as reptiles are concerned. They are normally docile, easy to pick up and appreciate being handled. They are so cute, and they are one of the few reptiles we know that like to cuddle a lot.

Unlike geckos, beardies require a slightly larger aquarium tank or an enclosure. A smaller habitat will restrict activity, which may end up affecting the well-being of the beardie. They also need special lighting features to maintain the ideal temperatures and UVB.

4.    Corn Snake

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

Also referred to as a red rat snake, a corn snake is a brownish-yellow or orange snake with a unique pattern of red blotches. Corn snakes also have distinctive rows of black and white marks on their bellies.

Most snakes are feared because of their aggressive behaviors and defenses. Corn snakes, on the other hand, are non-aggressive, docile, calm, and will be comfortable being handled by any member of your family. They are hardy, so they could handle a little bit of rough handling by a kid.

These reptiles are also easy to house. You just need a terrarium of at least 40 gallons. As far as feeding is concerned, they eat about one rodent a week, making them easy and economical to feed.

5.    Blue-Tongued Skink

Photo by Alexander Kuzmin on Unsplash

A blue-tongued skink is a heavy-bodied pet lizard that is characterized by a blue tongue, triangular head, and short tail and legs.

Blue-tongued skinks are arguably one of the best reptile species for a child. They are among the hardiest and most robust reptiles in our listing because of their size and stature. These reptiles are easily tamed, gentle, and often like to be handled, making them suitable for kids. You should, however, supervise your child when he or she is handling this lizard because it may get startled and jump.

Blue-tongued skinks will thrive in an enclosure that measures roughly 36 by 18 by 10 inches. They also need a larger floor space because they are terrestrial.

6.    Ball Python

Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

A ball python is a nonvenomous constrictor that lives in sub-Saharan Africa in the wild. They are the smallest of the African pythons.

Ball pythons are considered good pets for children because they don’t grow too big, are well-mannered, and are easy to handle. They are generally very docile snakes and rarely bite. Frequent handling makes them more comfortable around children.

Ball pythons are not difficult to care for. You need a terrarium of around 40 gallons and access to food and clean water.

7.    Stinkpot Turtle

A stinkpot or musk turtle is a distinctive reptile that a child would like to have as a pet. They are called stinkpot or musk turtles because they do musk and smell.

They are funny little turtles with a lot of personalities. Some are very secretive and shy, while others are curious and responsive. A stinkpot may appear boring on land, but it is very interactive and fun in the water. It’s going to swim around and come up for food.

A musk turtle should thrive in a 30 to 40-gallon tank with a water (dechlorinated) depth of about 8 inches. Musk turtles also thrive on a commercially available diet.

8.    Kenyan Sand Boa

A Kenyan sand boa is a distinctive pet reptile with a thick, short body, small eyes, and a blunt head.

As far as frequent handling is concerned, Kenyan sand boas tick all the boxes. They have a manageable size for a child and don’t tend to move very quickly. They are also quite hardy, which means a little bit of rough handling will not hurt them.

What is truly impressive about these snakes is the fact that they can go a long time without water and food. This is a good thing for a busy parent who doesn’t have a lot of time to help his or her kid take care of the snake.

9.    Collared Lizard

A collared lizard is a colorful reptile that is usually found in the deserts of the southwestern United States in the wild.

Collared lizards are normally intelligent and docile. But, they have to be tamed first before they can tolerate being handled frequently. So, we recommend parents always supervise their children when they are handling collared lizards.

A collared lizard should be comfortable in an enclosure or tank that is at least 30 gallons or larger.

These reptiles need to feed mainly on insects to get the appropriate nutrients for their well-being. Younger collared lizards usually eat more insects than adults.

Safety Tips to Consider

Reptiles can make great pets for kids, but some of them may be carrying salmonella bacteria even when they appear healthy and clean.

Salmonella doesn’t usually cause reptiles to get sick, but it can make a child ill. The risk of a child getting a salmonella infection is high because of their developing immune system.

In this section, we will provide you with important safety tips that will help reduce the risk of your child getting a salmonella infection.

• Take the reptile to a veterinarian to be cleared of salmonella bacteria
• Teach your child to thoroughly wash his or her hands with warm water and soap immediately after handling a reptile
• As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child washes his or her hands after touching a reptile
• Avoid introducing reptiles to younger children (less than 5 years old) because their immune systems are not well-developed
• Always keep the reptile enclosure or habitat as clean as possible and out of reach for younger children

Final Words on Child-Friendly Reptiles

Photo by Macey Bundt on Unsplash.

Pet reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and corn snakes are fascinating for kids. But, they do need care and attention. So, you have to make sure that you and your family are well-prepared before taking one home. You need to have the appropriate habitat for the reptile, and teach your child how to handle and care for the animal. Most importantly, you (the parent or guardian) must always have time to supervise your child when he or she is handling a reptile. pet