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Garden Maintenance 101: Keeping Your Garden Healthy and Beautiful

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A well-maintained garden is a sight to behold—a lush, vibrant oasis that brings a sense of serenity and natural beauty to any outdoor space. However, achieving and sustaining such a garden requires dedicated care and attention. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, understanding the basics of garden maintenance is crucial to keep your outdoor haven flourishing and visually appealing.

Garden maintenance is an ongoing process that involves a combination of regular tasks, preventive measures, and nurturing practices. From soil preparation and watering techniques to pruning and pest control, there are several key aspects to consider when tending to your garden’s needs. By mastering the fundamentals of garden maintenance, you’ll not only cultivate thriving plants but also create an inviting environment that enhances your outdoor living space. Here are our tips for keeping your garden healthy and beautiful.

Water Wisely

Believe it, or not, mastering the art of properly watering your plants may prove to be a bit trickier than you would think. The variety of plants in your garden requires different levels of hydration and even on separate schedules. Gather as much information as you can about each plant’s needs, as well as the soil types, and drainage levels. Take into account the daily sun exposure, weather, and temperature changes. Once you get the hang of your watering schedule and set reminders for the changes in moisture needs that arise as plants progress, it will be a breeze. 

Weather Protection 

Gardening tools like shade cloth, stakes, greenhouses, and mulch keeps plants safe and sound through periods of tumultuous weather. Whether it’s a horrible heat wave, a dastardly drought, or frigidly freezing temperatures, there’s a certain degree of protection all plants need to stay safe and thrive while holding out for calmer weather. Preparing yourself for the worst will save your plants from dying or sustaining injuries, as well as saving you the headache of losing plants you worked so hard to grow. 

Soil

Soil is another vitally important factor in growing a healthy and nourished garden. The plants in your garden will likely need a few different varieties of soil mixes. You can purchase premade soil mixes, or mix them yourself to specially cater to the needs of the plants and produce in your lovely garden. Knowing the kind of soil mix, drainage level, and PH of the soil your separate plants need makes all the difference in how they thrive. You can purchase a PH meter to check the levels in the soil. Make adjustments where needed, by increasing or decreasing acidic compound additions to your fertilizer and soil.  

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is everything. For plants, fertilizer is like a sweet treat that nourishes their entire being from root to stem. The great thing about fertilizer is you can make it all by yourself through the use of decomposing fruit and vegetable matter, coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps. Although, it’s just as easy to buy bags of fertilizer at most stores. No matter how you go about it, most plants require some form of extra love and care from fertilizer. It will greatly improve the health, size, vibrance, flavor, and quality of the plants and produce growing in your garden. 

Plant-Friendly Pesticides 

Pests are the bane of every gardener’s existence. Taking the time to protect your garden against unwanted and invasive species can be a pain, but well worth it. There are surprisingly simple tactics and plant/human/pet-safe pesticides you can apply to the affected areas in your garden. You can even pre-treat areas that have been affected in the past or are more susceptible to harmful pests. Most of the ingredients used to make safe pesticides can be found at your local grocery store, or already in your home. It’s much easier than you would think to create a wonderful little concoction that keeps irritating creatures at bay. 

The Benefits of Gardening as a Community: Building Connections and Sharing Resources

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In the digital age in which we live, it can be hard to get an entire neighborhood to agree on one thing. However, one of the ways in which we can bring all of the people together in our neighborhood is through the power of gardening. 

Creating a garden filled with plants and flowers including fruits and vegetables is something that has been done for generations, and is in serious need of a comeback into commonplace. There are plenty of benefits that communities can get from gardening together, and here are just a few of the best ones.

Camaraderie  

Gardening together as a community can bring together all walks of life and help them bond over similar interests. You may find you and the members of your community have more in common than you think. You can trade knowledge about gardening and share tips to help you nurture your community garden and home garden as well. 

A strong community is one that comes together to help each other out and provide support in areas that are weakened. A fun, useful hobby like gardening is a great activity to introduce to communities in need of growth. 

Fresh Produce For All

The luxury of having a community garden allows those in need to have access to fresh produce. Whether there are community members who are suffering from food insecurity or have never had the chance to indulge in freshly grown produce, it’ll be a welcome change to those who put effort into the community garden and reap the benefits of their hard work.

It seems that more than ever, the world is divided, mostly among the political aisle. However, working together as a community with something like a garden can truly bring people together. When people in need are being helped, it’s a bond that ties everyone. 

Improving Landscape

Not only can your community garden produce deliciously fresh produce and herbs, but it can also be used to plant the most beautiful plants and flowers that improve the scenery within your community. 

A lovely landscape will bring joy to the members of your community and those who are traveling through it. It’s important to take pride in your community and show off the fruits of your labor. There’s something special about an aesthetic for an entire neighborhood, and gardening is the best way to create one.

Health and Useful Hobby

A community garden is a great way to keep everyone busy, focused, and out of trouble. Gardening is a relaxing hobby that brings you down to earth and really helps you to connect with nature, yourself, and those around you. 

It takes a good bit of effort and attention as well, keeping you focused on the process of nurturing plants from seedlings until they’re fully grown. The pride of growing a living organism from start to finish, and doing it with your community, makes for a hobby you can benefit from and be proud of.  

Mental and Physical Wellness

The closer we are to nature, the closer we grow to our inner selves and those around us. Gardening is a useful way to calm your mind and positively influence your mental health. Doing it as a community adds a sense of togetherness and support you wouldn’t get otherwise. Gardening as a community also promotes physical wellness. 

The amount of movement and effort it takes to tend to the plants and landscape, especially if it’s a larger community garden, adds up over time. It gets your blood pumping, is good for your heart, and allows you to soak up the beautiful days of vitamin D from the sun. 

Cleaner Environment

When you and your community get involved in a project such as gardening, more love and care for the environment around you is sure to follow. Having a garden to tend to and really becoming one with nature and your community will help you realize how important it is to take care of your environment as a whole. 

Once the ball gets rolling on a community garden, people are going to want to take care of it, even if they aren’t gardeners themselves. Studies have shown that neighborhoods with community gardens are often cleaner in general with a massive reduction in litter as more people take pride in cleanliness.

A Guide To Selling or Trading In Your Old Car

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Each year, there are tens of millions of used cars being sold in the United States alone, with a solid portion (around one-quarter) of them including the trade-in of another used car. Trading in your car is a popular way to take away the large down payment required to purchase another car and can go even further by helping to lower some of the monthly payments.

Not everyone is in a position to be able to pay for a brand-new car straight-up with cash, making trading in your used car an ideal option for millions of people. However, there are many people that don’t know how the process works or are afraid to pull the trigger on the acquisition. If you’ve been thinking about selling your old car or trading it in, we have some suggestions that could help you out. Here’s our guide to selling or trading in your old car.

Selling Your Old Car

While it would be nice to simply post on Facebook Marketplace that you’re selling your car and someone comes and picks it up and pays you cash, there’s more to it than that, especially if you want top dollar. This is what you’ll need to do to get the most from your old car:

Prep Work

There are a few things that you can do that will help the value of your car that don’t require a lot of money or work. The first thing that you’ll want to do is make sure that your car is cleaned both inside and out. Curb appeal is a big factor, and if you have a spotless and great-smelling interior, potential buyers won’t be nearly as wary of the car’s overall health.

Some small maintenance like air, oil, and tire checks will help, too, especially if you have the receipt. You’ll also want to make sure that the paperwork is entirely in order. Make sure that the registration is in your name so you’re legally allowed to sell the car while also providing insurance documents and the title to the car.

Finding the Value

You should always know what your car is worth so that you don’t get a lowball offer from a dealer or third-party buyer. Thankfully, the internet has made it incredibly easy to find an estimated value for your car with access to sources like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book. Simply put in your car’s information, including the year, make, model, mileage, and condition.

Be aware of all of the bells and whistles that your car has that don’t typically come standard. Even things like power windows, a sunroof, or a satellite radio system will add a lot of value to your car that you might have taken for granted. 

These extras can be included through those car value estimate sites that we mentioned. Also, list any damages down to small exterior scratches or interior seat tears to get the true value. Don’t let a buyer tell you that a scratch around the keyhole lowers the value of your car by hundreds of dollars.

Art of the Deal

When you have all of your paperwork, your car is clean/maintained, and you know the value, it’s time to find a buyer. There are a few different ways you can go about this, with the first being through a third party. You can advertise your used car for free on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, while also paying for more premium advertising through your local newspaper.

During the selling process, make sure to be communicative with all of those who are making a serious offer. You don’t have to contact the people back who are severely lowballing you, but anyone who is genuinely curious should be up-to-date on whether or not the car is available and what the current bids are.

You’ll be able to negotiate with interested buyers and take the best deal that’s offered. The dream is to get your asking price, but getting close to it isn’t bad, either. Once the sale is complete and payment is collected, a trip to the DMV will be in order to transfer ownership so you won’t have to pay registration and make sure to contact your insurance company to have the policy canceled afterward.

The other option to sell is to go through a dealership, which is the same process, but they will likely try to entice you into the other option for your used car.

Trading In Your Old Car

That option, of course, is trading in your old car for the purchase of another car. Much of the legwork for trading is the same as selling with the paperwork, cleaning, etc., but there is an important difference. Some dealerships will offer you much more for your trade-in than others. This can be due to a promotion (i.e. holiday weekend), while other dealerships want certain makes of cars.

Shop around a little bit, and know what type of car you want in return. You can either use your trade-in as a down payment on a new car or use the car to significantly lower your monthly payments. Browse online and in-dealership for the car of your dreams, then get your used car ready for the trade.

The Best Houseplants for a Healthy and Beautiful Indoor Garden

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Indoor gardening has become one of the fastest-growing hobbies around the world as people (especially younger generations) are looking to bring the beauty of nature into their living spaces. Houseplants not only help make a home look more aesthetically pleasing, but they also help to purify the air and can even improve mental health.

There are certain houseplants that offer a lot of great health benefits while also looking amazing, bringing your house or apartment to life. Whether you were born with a green thumb or are just starting to amass your houseplant collection, these houseplants are sure to be a fantastic addition to your home. Here are our picks for the five best houseplants for a healthy and beautiful indoor garden.

Cactus

This prickly plant is relatively low-maintenance, making it a fabulous choice to add to your home’s ambiance. It’s a perfect fit for busy homeowners who sometimes forget to tend to their houseplants. Cacti only require watering about every 10-14 days. They also need an adequate amount of sun exposure, but be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight or you’ll run the risk of discoloration and damage to your cacti. Despite their intimidating appearance, they’re not temperamental and rather easy to care for. Keep away from pets and small children to prevent injury. 

String of Pearls

This unique looking succulent is a real show-stopper and will add a calming elegance to any home. A String of Pearls requires 6-8 hours of indirect, yet bright, sun exposure. It’s best to keep the houseplant away from drafty areas within the household and keep them in an environment with a temperature between 55-80 F°. They require watering about every 2-3 weeks, or when the soil is visibly dried out. It should be noted that as gorgeous as this succulent is, it’s poisonous to humans and animals. Take the proper precautions before adding this beauty to your indoor plant collection. 

English Ivy

English Ivy is a dense and lush plant that can be grown indoors, or outdoors. The overflowing leaves are hearty and great for colder climates, withstanding temperatures between 10-70 F°. It’s best to water them every week, ensuring the soil is slightly damp, but not soaked. A well-drained soil and pot will help English Ivy flourish, as they require adequate air circulation. They love bright and indirect sunlight and cool environments. You can most the leaves to keep them hydrated without risking overwatering. 

Prayer Plant 

The striking colors and design of this houseplant make it stand out from the rest. The prayer plant is called so for the way its leaves raise and fold to protect themselves from the chill of night. During the day, the prayer plant prefers a shady area with indirect sunlight. Being from the rainforest, they thrive best in somewhat humid, warmer, and shady conditions. They require watering for about 1-2 weeks, or hehe the soil is dry to the touch. Misting the leaves will help them flourish as much as they possibly can.  

Spider Plant

Chances are, you’ve seen a spider plant hanging from someone’s porch, or inside their home. They’re a commonly chosen houseplant for good reason. Did you know spider plants improve your indoor air quality? Their presence is refreshing and beneficial. The spider plant can live up to 20 years as well, more than most house pets. They’re convenient and don’t require too much effort to keep healthy as well. Water them once a week to keep the soil slightly moist. Ensure they get bright and moderate sun exposure. Lastly, keep the room at a comfortable temperature. These easy houseplants will thrive and benefit your well-being while doing so. 

The World of Fishing: Tips for Catching Your Own Fresh Fish

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There was a time when fishing was basically a necessity for everyone, but now you can simply walk into a grocery store and get all of the fish you need. However, there’s something a bit more special about catching and eating your own fish. Not everyone can simply pick up a rod, head to the nearest body of water, and start catching fish, though. It takes a lot of nuance and patience, which many people don’t have.

Around one out of every six people in the United States alone has gone fishing at least once in the past year, so it’s still very much a prevalent activity. If you want to be one of the many millions who catch fish either as a hobby or as a way of getting food, there are some things you need to know. Here are some tips for catching your own fish as you get into the world of fishing.

Getting The Proper Equipment

One of the misconceptions that people have about fishing is that you need a large boat and a lot of the most expensive equipment to be successful. While having a boat certainly doesn’t hurt, you can be effective without one. The most important piece of equipment that you’ll need, of course, is a rod. A good rod isn’t going to be the cheapest thing ever, but you can still get a great one for under $100.

Once you’ve selected the right rod, you’ll need a good line that’s easy to hook and won’t break when you catch a larger fish. A good tackle box with plenty of weights, hooks, and lures is essential, too. There’s a lot of bait to pick from, with some choosing to either scoop up their own worms from the soil, while others can purchase live bait. For something that you can use repeatedly, there are plenty of reusable bait options including realistic mice, worms, and chipmunks.

Pick The Right Spot

Another big reason why people get so discouraged when it comes to fishing is that they’ll go to a spot, wait for several hours, and not get a single bite. Instead of heading down to the nearest body of water and trying your luck there, do a little bit of research to see what the best spots in your area are. Certain fish flock to certain bodies of water and temperatures, so try to decide what type of fish it is that you want to catch.

Fish like trout can be found in colder and clearer waters while bass like to get closer to the shore in cloudier waters. Because of this, trout are easier to catch because you can see them and they can see the lures in the water. For some, catching fish in water without much movement like a small lake is going to make for easier catching, while more experienced fishermen will head to rivers and streams where the water is constantly moving.

One of the biggest aspects of catching fish comes down to “when.” Certain fish appear more frequently depending on the season, with the warmer months making it easier overall, while winter months are good for ice fishing where you can catch more walleye, yellow perch, and largemouth bass.

As for the time of day, you’ll see a lot of fishermen head out to the water right before the sun rises to get set up. Fish are very active first thing in the morning as the water is cooler, meaning that the fish need to keep moving. When the sun is at its highest, it can be almost impossible to catch anything, but it’s the time of day when humans are most active. Right around sunset is another time of day when it’s good to catch fish as the water starts to cool off, though this can vary based on location.

Learning the Basics

Now that you have your equipment and fishing spot picked out, it’s important to learn the basics of getting set up and catching fish. You’ll want to learn how to tie several different knots with the end of your line, as well as both the baitcasting and spinning forms of casting. While this might seem beginner-level, casting is something that you don’t really get good at until you have a lot of experience.

After you’ve hooked your first fish, reeling it in is a lot harder than you might think. You have to keep the line tense so that the fish can’t snap away quickly, but don’t reel too fast. A slow and steady turn of the reel while slightly jerking the fish closer to you is the most effective way of bringing in the big one. It takes a lot of patience for that first fish to come in, but it’s worth it in the end.

Handling Your Fish

Congratulations on bringing your first fish onto shore or into your boat! Now, picking it up can be a bit tricky. Make sure your hands are wet and that you grasp the fish by sliding your hands down their body with the gills. Going against the gills can hurt your hands, and you also don’t want to squeeze them too hard, but firm enough so they don’t flop away. Once you’ve secured the fish in a container, you can count it as your first victory!

The Art of Fertilizing: Tips for a Healthier and More Productive Garden

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A flourishing garden teeming with vibrant blooms, luscious fruits, and abundant vegetables is a testament to the power of proper fertilization. Fertilizers are the lifeblood of a garden, providing essential nutrients that fuel plant growth and ensure optimal health. However, mastering the art of fertilizing is more than just a matter of applying nutrients—it requires an understanding of soil composition, plant requirements, and timing. Here are some tips for a healthier and more productive gardening through the art of fertilizing.

What Is Fertilizer?

Fertilizer is an essential part of every healthy plant’s diet. Sure, a lot of plants can grow with the bare minimum effort. Though, the health, quality, flavor, and vibrancy of said plants will be lackluster at best. If you want a beautiful garden full of healthy, thriving plants and produce, applying quality fertilizer is key. 

What exactly is fertilizer? Fertilizer is a mixture of compost. Oftentimes made up of kitchen scraps, grass clippings, eggshells, coffee grounds, and sometimes manure. All of these fantastic ingredients go together to create lovely compost for hungry plants. Fertilizer is full of important nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. All of which help your plants to grow faster, larger, and more plentiful.  

Make Your Own  

The best thing you can do for your plants is make your own fertilizer at home. The fertilizer purchased at the store isn’t even close to the real thing. Store-bought products may also contain synthetic chemicals and cause a host of issues to your beautiful garden. Stay far away from the popularized premade fertilizers. 

Making your own at home is quite simple. All you need to do is slowly collect kitchen scraps and organic matter like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Pile them in a large container and mix them with things like sticks, leaves, and grass clippings. In time, the organic matter will begin to break down and turn into delicious food for your plants.  

Applying Fertilizer 

Applying fertilizer is easy, but you have to know when and how. Fertilizer is best applied to the soil mixture before each new growing season. This allows for a healthy and strong start to a young plant’s life. Fertilizing during the growing season, instead of before, is quite alright, but the sooner the better. This will ensure your plants have the healthiest start to their life cycle. In the warmer months, fertilizer should be applied during cooler hours of the day. 

Either early morning or later at night. One important tip to keep in mind, fertilizer needs to be thoroughly mixed in with whatever soil mixture your plants are placed in. Otherwise, there will be pockets of soil without fertilizer and pockets of fertilizer without soil. Plain fertilizer is not enough to keep plants alive, so those pockets of fertilizer can harm your plants. Combine everything together thoroughly before placing your plants into the mixture. You can apply fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks to ensure a happy and healthy garden.

Know When To Water

Knowing when to water the soil after you’ve incorporated your fertilizer is more important than one would think. When it comes to your home garden, it is best to water the soil 1 to 2 days after applying fertilizer. Waiting allows the fertilizer to settle in with the soil mixture. Adding water too soon may break up the mixture, or upset the delicate, soft soil. Once you’re able to safely water your plants, give them a healthy amount of moisture and water enough to reach at least a few inches deep. 

South American Football: 5 Reasons Why The World Should Be Paying More Attention

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When people think of the sport of football, the first thing that comes to mind is typically Europe. After all, the English Premier League is consistently ranked as the top league in the world, while others including the German Bundesliga, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, and French Ligue 1 making up the rest of the top five of the global rankings.

That doesn’t mean that there isn’t top-flight football to be found around the rest of the world, though. Look no further than South America, which has a rich culture of football but tends to be slept on when it comes to attention until World Cup time comes around. If you haven’t watched South American football yet, you should be, as we’ll give you five reasons why the world should be paying more attention.

Underrated Leagues

While not able to compete with the likes of the English Premier League or German Bundesliga, South America does have some very competitive leagues where the competition tends to be more balanced from top to bottom than in some of the higher-rated leagues. Primera A in Colombia is ranked as one of the best in South America, but the competition really comes in between the top two.

Argentina is home to the Primera Division, which was founded in 1891 and consists of 28 times. Boca Juniors has seen the most success in league history and is consistently one of the best international clubs outside of Europe. The top league in South America on a regular basis, though, is Brazil’s Serie A. Though the league is much younger than the Primera Division, Serie A is home to perennial powerhouse Palmeiras and is the highest-rated football league in the world outside of Europe, coming in at number seven in the global rankings. 

Some of the World’s Best Players

The European leagues may be able to entice some of the best South American players to make their way across the Atlantic thanks to the massive amounts of money that pour through the leagues, the fact still remains that some of the best players in football history hail from South America. Some could even argue, in fact, that the sport’s two best-ever are South Americans.

For many years, Brazil’s Pele was considered the greatest of all time thanks to his massive amount of goals and ability to grow the sport in the western hemisphere. Then, a few decades later, Argentina’s Lionel Messi came along and racked up enough individual awards in the sport’s highest-level leagues to become considered the best ever. Other legendary South American footballers include Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo, Zico, and many, many more.

Passionate Fans

When you look at the most popular sport in every country of South America, baseball is king in Venezuela while cricket is the most beloved in Guyana. In every other country in the continent, however, the answer is easily football. Some of the world’s most passionate football fans can be found in South America, with two countries, in particular, standing out: Argentina and Brazil. Both countries ranked among the top five in most passionate fanbases according to one major survey.

As for Argentina, the survey found that a whopping 90 percent of the population considers themselves to be football fans. When the World Cup comes around, it seems like that number swells to nearly 100, especially after 2022 when the Argentines took home the title for the first time in 36 years. In the case of Brazil, almost every football expert has said that their support is far and away the most passionate that they have ever seen.

Fierce Rivalries

Speaking of Argentina football fans, a vast majority of those are supporters of either Boca Juniors or River Plate. The two clubs have the support of more than 70 percent of the people in Argentina, making their rivalry (the Superclasico) one of the fiercest that the world knows. Some have ranked it only behind Celtic vs. Rangers as the biggest and best.

While the Superclasico may be the biggest draw in terms of rivalry, there are still plenty of others that deserve worldwide attention. The Paulista Derby between Corinthians and Palmeiras dates back to 1917 and shuts down the city of Sao Paulo during every showdown. Some of the other fantastic South American football rivalries include the Clasico de Avellaneda (Independiente vs. Racing), and Uruguay’s Clasico (Penarol vs. Nacional). 

Different Style of Play

If you like a fast-paced style of football where teams are focused on striking more than anything else as part of their strategy, then you should really be watching more South American teams. The style of play throughout much of the world is focused on minimalizing mistakes and maintaining possession, but it’s more fast and loose in South America.

This is why you see some of the best scorers in football history come from South America, as they’re accustomed to having to find small spaces and explode through them while being able to dribble. It’s quite impressive to see the athleticism and quickness required to score for these clubs.

The Impact of Comic Books on Pop Culture and Society

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Comic books are a staple of modern society and pop culture thanks to massive blockbuster films and merchandise that fill the shelves. The medium has come a long way over the years, with the first American comic being “The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck” in the mid-19th century. However, comics would be incredibly niche in the subsequent century, and it wasn’t until the mid-1930s that they became more mainstream.

These days, comic books are a multi-billion dollar industry, with almost everyone knowing at least a handful of comic series. How did comic books swell in popularity so much, and what kind of impact have they had on pop culture and society as a whole? Let’s take a look at the history, present, and future of the comic book industry.

The Beginning

We already touched on “The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck”, and there were many comics that came in the decades that followed. However, most of these comics were short panels and were part of newspapers. It wasn’t until 1938 that comics started selling as their own books with the introduction of Superman. This ushered in the Golden Age of comic books, introducing characters like Batman, Flash, and Hawkman in the following two years.

The rise in comic book popularity coincided with the start of World War II. It wasn’t by accident, either. In a time when the world was in turmoil, many youngsters who had watched their fathers go overseas needed an escape. Comic books proved to be that escape, and the stories of good over evil and a massive array of patriotism from heroes like Superman and Captain America were perfect for their time.

The Relatable Characters

The early superheroes were ones that we could look up to when we were kids with the likes of Superman and Batman. However, these characters were ones that we couldn’t really relate to. None of us are from other planets and have godly superpowers of billions of dollars that would allow us to access tools, gadgets, and super suits that would give us similar powers.

That all changed in the 1960s with the introduction of several superheroes that more people saw themselves in. 1962, specifically, saw the introduction of Spider-Man, perhaps the most relatable character in the Marvel universe. Spider-Man may have had incredible powers, but he was still just an anonymous kid from Queens that had struggles with relationships, money, and the loss of his father figure (Uncle Ben).

More relatable characters would be introduced in the following years, as comic books started to get a bit more grounded in realistic characters rather than characters who could do no wrong and didn’t have many thoughts in their heads. This helped bring more people into comic books, with characters like Spider-Man, Black Panther, Rocket Raccoon, and more, who fans connected with on a personal level.

Shaping the Film Industry

By the time 2008 came around, there had already been a slew of superhero films making their way to the big screen. In 1978, “Superman” set the new standard for superhero films, with Christopher Reeve starring as the titular character. Superhero movies hadn’t been big blockbusters, but the Superman series would really be the only one of its kind until the late 1980s when the Batman series began.

DC sort of held a monopoly on superhero films as any entry for Marvel had been a flop by the time 1998 came along. While many credit the Spider-Man franchise as being the one that truly kicked things off for Marvel hero films, it was 1998’s “Blade” and 2000’s “X-Men” that finally got things started. Still, these, along with the Spider-Man films, would prove to be standalone movies in the grand scheme of things.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe would debut in 2008 with the release of “Iron Man”, starting up a decade-long storyline that would dominate the box office and eventually streaming services. Because of this, storytelling changed forever and many realized that anything with multiple characters would need a long list of sequels and television series as part of an overarching story. Now, almost every studio feels they have to find the next great superhero film or follow the formula of the films.

Statements on Society

Comic books aren’t only about tales of heroes overcoming supervillains through feats of strength, but they also offer a deep dive into the human psyche while touching on major statements in society. Publishers haven’t been afraid to get political with some of our favorite heroes while also commentating on current events.

“X-Men” in particular is one of the most statement-filled series in comic book history. The heroes of the series are mutants and are often contending with the government that thinks that they shouldn’t exist. The series debuted in the late 1960s and was an allegory for racism and segregation at the time.

A lot of it makes sense as the rise in popularity of comic books came at a time of political turmoil during World War II. To this day, there are still themes that deal with important topics in society, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

The Health Benefits of Eating Wild-Caught Fish

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It’s important to eat protein, with a lot of that coming from meat, dairy, and grains. In fact, it’s about a ⅓ split between those three categories in terms of the average daily protein consumption while fish gets left behind at only around seven percent. Additionally, only around 17 percent of the meat consumed around the world is in the form of fish, but those numbers really should be higher.

That’s because the health benefits that you get from eating fish far outweigh the benefits that you get from eating red meat or pork on a regular basis. While it might not be the cheapest or easiest to prepare, you’ll find yourself living a much better life if you incorporate more fish into your diet. Here are some of the great health benefits that you get from eating wild-caught fish.

The Nutritional Difference

There are some advantages that farm-raised fish have over wild-caught, including having a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids because of the food that the fish are given. However, that doesn’t mean that wild-caught fish don’t have this important fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids have a wide range of benefits from boosting your mental health to helping your vision to even reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Wild-caught fish tend to have other minerals that you don’t really find in farm-raised fish. You’ll want to make sure that you avoid some of the larger wild-caught fish because there can be a higher mercury content. On the other hand, wild-caught fish have a good amount of omega-6 fatty acids to go along with omega-3, and this fatty acid can boost your skin’s health while promoting hair growth and bone health.

Heart Health

We’ve already touched on how omega-3 fatty acids found in wild-caught fish can help your heart health, but let’s take a look at how exactly your heart sees the benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids lower inflammation in your body, and better blood flow leads to a long list of benefits. Your heartbeat will be more regulated with better blood flow, and you’ll be lowering your blood pressure as well as the amount of dangerous LDL cholesterol.

Every major study that’s been conducted to figure out the link between omega-3 fatty acids and heart disease has backed up the belief that omega-3 plays a major role in reducing the risk of heart disease. At the lowest, studies have shown that the risk of heart disease drops by just over 20 percent, while some have shown a nearly 45 percent drop. Either way, it’s a significant number that should be taken, well, to heart.

Brain Health

There are plenty of great nutrients that promote brain health, but very few are as beneficial as omega-3 fatty acids. We mentioned that better blood flow is one of the biggest benefits of getting enough omega-3 in your diet, and that alone is enough to improve your brain’s function. However, it goes even beyond that, with omega-3 having a high concentration of polyunsaturated fat, the best type of fat for your body.

In a study of more than 2,000 participants at the University of Texas, those who had a diet higher in omega-3 fatty acids had larger volumes in their hippocampus, the part of the brain that promotes memory and learning. The study concluded that omega-3s also promoted better logical and abstract reasoning. Those who get enough omega-3s in their diet also reduce their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by around 20 to 30 percent.

Weight Management

With a majority of people in the United States either overweight or obese, many of us are looking to lose weight, and it’s estimated that more than 15 percent of people are on a weight-loss diet at any given time. Weight loss experts say that you should be incorporating more protein and lowering your calories, and eating lean meat should be one of the biggest staples of any weight loss plan.

One trap that a lot of people fall into, however, is that they opt for chicken or turkey until they get bored of these foods, fall off the wagon, and put the weight back on. That’s why people on a diet should mix things up a bit and make sure to incorporate plenty of wild-caught fish to go along with the lean bird meats. Wild-caught fish is incredibly high in protein while being very low in calories. For example, three ounces of cooked cod has just 70 calories while also providing 15 grams of protein.

Great Source of Nutrients

By now, you’ve probably heard everything that you need to hear about omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but those aren’t the only nutrients found in wild-caught fish. You’ll also be able to get a high concentration of vitamins including A, B, and D to go along with minerals like iron, zinc, potassium, and selenium.

A good balance of all of these vitamins and minerals is almost equivalent to taking a daily vitamin. Of course, you’ll want to mix in vegetables and fruits to really get the most out of your diet, and you’ll be feeling healthier in no time.

5 Ways To Help Your Child Overcome Math Anxiety

Posted on by scatty

Math can be the hardest subject for any child to learn, and it can be even harder for the teacher who is trying to help them. Math is among the most anxiety-inducing subjects in school, and children can bring that anxiety home with them, especially while doing homework. If your child is struggling with math anxiety, here are five ways you can help them overcome it.

Make math fun 

Kids love fun, they don’t love math. Naturally, it makes you think that if you add fun into the mix then your child will have an easier time overcoming their anxieties associated with math. As a caregiver, you may be asking yourself how to do that. It’s more simple than you’d think. 

Use something fun and attention-grabbing like candy and toys as examples for equations. You can search Pinterest, or Google for tons of fun ideas that will keep your child at ease when learning. There are also plenty of math-centric licensed games and cards which feature familiar faces from Disney or Nickelodeon characters that will help to grab your child’s attention and have them want to learn from the likes of Spongebob Squarepants or the Little Mermaid.

Start simple 

Math is intimidating, even for adults. You’re better off starting simple when attempting to teach your anxious child the ins and outs of mathematics. Teaching your child basic steps to solving simple math equations is the best place to start. Once they’re familiar with the process and can understand how to solve equations on their own, using the same process. 

Then, it’s time to move on to the more difficult math problems, following the same system. If they get stuck on something, stop and focus on that particular issue with patience. Take breaks as needed. Figure out the best way to help them understand the tricky parts so they don’t feel pressured to conform to a sort of black-and-white way of learning.  

Reward system 

We all know kids love winning prizes. That’s why creating a simple reward system to encourage your child’s education needs is a great idea. It doesn’t need to be anything special, or extravagant. A simple reward chart with fun prizes you know they’ll love, no matter how big or small, is enough to get the job done. 

Every time they reach a goal, reward them with a sticker. When they collect enough stickers, reward them with a prize of their choice from the prize bin. Make it a big deal and encourage them with positive reinforcement as well. Let them know just how well they did. Ask them if they’re proud of themself as well. It’s helpful for them to feel accomplished and proud of their achievements. 

Create a comfortable environment 

Children thrive when they feel secure, comfortable, and supported. Creating a peaceful and relaxing environment for them to learn is really important especially if they’re prone to feeling anxious under pressure, or regarding a particular subject like mathematics. 

Take them outside and set up a nice area in the backyard, or back porch so they can experience the fresh air and peaceful mindset while learning. Build a fun fort in the living room to make things extra fun and cozy. Wherever they feel focused and relaxed is a great place to try it out. Children get bored easily, so change it up every now and then. 

Be patient  

Remaining calm and patient with your child is arguably the most important tip you need to apply when teaching your anxious child. So many times we’re told horror stories about how upset someone’s parents made them during the frustration of teaching them math. 

That’s not going to help anyone. Do your best to have patience and understanding. Take breaks as needed before frustration builds. They’re doing their best and so are you. Remember what it was like for you trying to learn math at your child’s age and it will help you to develop the empathy that you need to be patient. Even some of the smartest children can struggle with math, so know that these things take time and you’ll both be much better off.