The Dishh

A Chat With an Award-winning Author About Her Latest: A Plague of Flies

By June on November 26, 2021December 10, 2021

Award-winning YA author, Laurel Anne Hill returns with her latest historical fantasy, A Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits,1846. Needless to say, it’s going to be an unforgettable adventure you don’t want to miss out on. Laurel explores her family history and finds a fantasy-filled story of a brave sixteen-year-old, Catalina. Read more about her experience and your soon-to-be-favorite book, A Plague of Flies.

**Hi Laurel, you released your latest historical fantasy last month, A Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846. Could you tell us about it?**

In 1846 Alta California, Catalina Delgado daydreams about her future: roping cattle, marrying Angelo Ortega, and raising children. But now, invaders from the United States—the Bear Flaggers—have declared war against Mexico, her country. Bear Flaggers have imprisoned one close friend of her family and murdered others. What fate might befall her parents, grandfather, and younger brothers? And what about her best friend, a Costanoan servant girl? How can Catalina, only sixteen, help protect all those she loves?

The spirits provide Catalina with answers, but not the ones she wants. Plus she fears the strange spirit man who rides a black Andalusian stallion through the sky. For the sake of all she holds dear, Catalina must risk her reputation as a chaste young woman, her future with Angelo, her life, and her very soul. When hopes and dreams clash with cold reality, Catalina finds the fortitude to accomplish what only she can do.

Why did you choose to write about 1846 Alta California?

At the time I made the choice, I still believed my paternal great-grandmother, Hipólita, had lived there during the 1840s. I thought my Mexican family had lost their land to the United States as a result of the Bear Flag Rebellion in 1846. Then I discovered they’d not come to California until the late 1850s or early 1860s. Once in California, they’d been taken advantage of in some other manner, possibly by one of the US railroads.

What is the one thing about Catalina Delgado that your readers are instantly going to fall in love with?

Catalina, a young mestiza, has ideas of her own about her personal future, including who she wants to marry. Without sisters, she competes with her four younger brothers for approval. She is not afraid to ride astride (instead of sidesaddle) and can rope longhorns almost as well as her father’s vaqueros do. Regardless, Catalina remains closer to being a sixteen-year-old woman of her time than to becoming some bigger-than-life kick-ass heroine. She wishes to honor members of her family—even when she doesn’t agree with them—and her Catholic faith. Yet she finds herself questioning aspects of both her faith and her family.

What can you share about the Spirit Man that your potential readers don’t know yet?

Spirit Man is a complicated being, far more than just a scary character. He has taken the shape of others in the past, and presumably, will do so in the future. Spirit Man has the capacity to serve as a loyal friend or become a terrifying opponent.

**Is there a heart-warming review or comment you received for A Plague of Flies that you’d like to share with us?**

Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2021: In her second YA novel that’s set in a magical-realist 19th-century California, Hill gives readers a wonderfully imaginative, unsettling view of events leading up to the 1849 gold rush. Many narratives emphasize the excitement of this time and California’s newfound wealth, population growth, and influence, but this book foreshadows the disasters—starvation, slaughter, dispossession—inflicted on Indigenous people. It’s a theme that could become heavy-handed, but Catalina’s passionate teenage energy gives propulsion to the dramatic plot.

**At what point during the research of A Plague of Flies did you have the sequence of the story plotted?**

Not until I finished the first draft, over ten years after starting my project. Please understand, however, that the hiatus between finishing the first half of draft number one and starting the second half amounted to five of those ten years. I wrote the second half of the initial draft in three months.

What do you enjoy writing the most – historical fantasy or science fiction? Why?

Historical fantasy. I love to delve into the history of a setting, and fantasy gives me a fair amount of freedom in world-building. Besides, I worked most of my adult life in the field of science or science technology. Although I write occasional science fiction or science horror stories, doing fantasy returns me to a special place I loved as a child.

Rapid Fire time. Answer the following questions with the first thing that comes to your mind.

A preferred writing snack:

Morning: Coffee with caramel-flavored creamer.
Evening: A glass of wine.

What was the last soundtrack you heard?

The opera, “Mefistofele” (by Boito), with Luciano Pavarotti singing the role of Faust. “Mefistofele” is my go-to inspiration when I need “big sound” to deal with one hell of a challenge.

Countryside or the beach:

These days, the countryside. For most of my life, the beach.

Tea or coffee:

Coffee with caramel-flavored creamer.

Kittens or puppies:

Puppies. I love kittens, but cats interfere with my ability to breathe. (Ah-choo!)

Your biggest pet peeve is…:

Spam telephone calls.

Your favorite movie of all times:

The original “Star Wars!”

Dames Handsome Brings You the Fairy Knights

By June on November 26, 2021November 26, 2021

If you’re a parent or teacher of middle graders, you’d know how challenging it is to get them to read. Equally difficult is finding books that can entertain and inspire kids to grow into empathetic human beings. We met with an author who writes stories that kids love reading to not only have fun but to learn from. Dames Handsome is a father, teacher, and excellent author of the most-loved book series, the Fairy Knights. Here’s Dame’s story in his own words.

Hi Dames, how does one come up with such a cool name as Dames Handsome?

From my students! Here in Korea teachers are addressed by their last name and then the word teacher. My actual last name sounds a lot like Handsome so they started to call me Handsome Teacher. And then the Dames part is an old high school nickname so when it came to me making my pen name I found that really it had already been made and it was just waiting for me to pull out and dust off to be made official.

Why did you decide to write children’s books?

I didn’t haha. All of this started when I sat down with my wife and son to play a role-playing game that I’d made. It was an awesome time and afterward, I realized that I wanted to remember it all forever. So I wrote it all down. And then after it was down I decided to make a story out of it for my son. I adjusted this and that to make it into a real kids’ story. One that I also torqued to teach him a lesson, as all good kids stories do. I read it to him and he loved it. Then it sat on my computer for months. I shared it with some people here and there and they loved it as well. So, finally, I decided that I should “make it real” and publish it. And so it all began.

**How did Fairy Knights come to life?**

When I asked my friend Warwick, who teaches people how to be Kindergarten Teachers, to read it and how much it would cost me for him to make a cover for me. He read it and got back to me and asked if he could make pictures for the inside as well. I really can’t imagine the series without him. Our partnership really makes these books snap and I’m so happy to be working together.

**What are the unique “superpowers” each of the Fairy Knights possess?**

I’ll start with everyone’s favorite, Hamster Rick. He’s a hamster pet that my son named after one of his teddy animals. But rather than being all fat and round like most hamsters, he is super strong and he is incredibly chiseled. A handsome hunk of hamster.

The viewpoint of the series so far has come from Ching Goo and his school’s specialty is changing shapes. Depending on how much Magic Mana he uses, he can become about anything he can imagine. And he has a few more magic tricks up his sleeve as well. He can make himself travel very quickly, he can become super strong, he can make people believe that he is famous, and he can be very lucky. He has to be careful, though, because all of those spells cost mana and if he runs out he can’t cast any more magic for the rest of the day.

And of course, we have Oma Bell, the responsible voice of reason. She is an arcane spellcaster which means she can do powerful spells if given enough time to cast them. But more often she uses her fairy dust to create small but immediate magical effects. She can fly and she also has a mean right hook so you don’t want to mess with her. She has some more spells as well that are more specialized. Her super-smart spell makes her twice as intelligent and she can use magic to become about the cutest kid you’ve ever seen or talked to.

How have Ching Goo, Oma Bell, and Hamster Rick grown from one book to another?

At the very start of the series, Ching and Oma were just besties who liked to hang out, and Rick was Ching’s familiar, an animal pet that bonds with their owner to become something very special. But by the time the fourth book has come, we see that Rick has become a full-fledged hero in his own right and is even enrolled at Boogie Elementary School. Oma and Ching have gone through a lot together and Ching has become more mature, responsible, and kind. He has overcome the fear of being no-good, the complexities of jealousy in friendship, and he has more realistic expectations of himself and his friends. He is no longer quite so silly and headstrong. And Oma has let herself loosen up a bit. She has learned that while her ideas and plans may be brilliant, they are always better as a team. It is actually a lot of fun to chart out their lives as they go from book to book, and yet a little sad at the same time because they grow alongside my son, and each little success and every little bit of maturation means he himself is getting that much older and wiser, and that much less of my little baby boy.

Could you share one heart-warming comment you received from a reader recently?

A father told me that his daughter was all excited about the series and kept talking about how she was going to be super good so she could level up and be a hero. That really made me laugh and smile.

**What is the one lesson you’d like your little readers to learn from the Fairy Knights books?**

That it is okay and natural to feel anxious, scared, and not as good as the others. And that everyone else feels that same sense of doubt and unworthiness. It is a natural part of growing up and it is okay to feel it and to talk to people about it.

Rapid Fire time! Answer the following questions with the first thing that comes to your mind.

Morning person or night owl

Night owl

Kindle or audiobook

Kindle

Panda or koala

Panda

A preferred writing snack

Sour gummies

Your favorite movie of all times

Free Guy

Do you still have your favorite book from childhood?

I don’t but that’s because it wore through!

What’s next?

Warwick has told me that the next one needs to be something special and different. So we are working on an anthology of 5 stories told by different characters within the series. But that won’t be out until at least January due to the Holidays.

4 Products to Make With MultiCam Camo Fabric

By Full Editorial on November 23, 2021November 23, 2021

We all know that MultiCam Camo is an effective pattern for concealing Soldiers on the battlefield, but what can you make with it when you get home? MultiCam Camo is the pattern developed by Crye Precision in 2010 for use on uniforms for U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. As of June 2011, MultiCam has also been adopted by the USMC for some units deploying to Afghanistan.

Although it appears similar to other camouflage patterns, its distinctive arrangement of shapes and colors enables it to hide the wearer in a variety of different desert environments. MultiCam Camo isn’t just for uniforms though, it is available in fabric form! It can be used to make hats, fleece blankets, ties, bowties, wallets, and much more. The following are some examples of products that can be made using MultiCam fabric:

1- MultiCam Camo Hat

This is a great hat to make out of MultiCam camo fabric because it uses the whole camouflage pattern and looks cool. All you need is one yard of fabric, a sewing machine, and an iron. Supplies Needed: One yard of MultiCam camo fabric, a sewing machine, and an iron. First, cut your fabric into a square that measures 36 inches long by 36 inches wide, second, fold the square in half diagonally so that you have two triangles with points facing each other and sew up the side seams, next, turn your hat inside out and iron the two seams you just sewed. This will make them look nice and neat for when you sew up the top edge of your hat. Then, take your hat outside once again and fold the base of one side over so that it’s flush with the other side. Iron along the edge to make a sharp crease and pin the two edges together, and finally, sew up the top of your hat, reinforcing your seams at each end. This will keep your MultiCam Camo Hat looking nice for years to come!

2- MultiCam Camo Fleece Blanket:

This beautiful fleece blanket is soft to the touch and available in two different sizes, 50″ x 60″ or 60″ x 80″. It is machine washable and has a stitched edge with satin ribbon. Moreover, each blanket is equipped with a hang loop for easy display. The blanket is available in both solid MultiCam Camo, or in the MultiCam Black/White digital pattern.

3- MultiCam Camo Wallet:

This stylish wallet can be purchased in one of numerous different colors, including the MultiCam Black/White digital pattern. The wallet has a velcro closure, interior pockets and an outside pocket for your license or ID card. In addition, it has a chain for attaching to your belt or bag.

4- MultiCam Camo Ties

These beautiful ties are available in either the MultiCam Black/White digital pattern or MultiCam Camo. They are handmade and come in a variety of colors including black, pink, and blue. In addition to looking great with dress shirts, they work equally as well with casual attire. They come pre-tied to save time and have adjustable clips in the back. They are available in four different sizes, so finding the right size for you should be easy!

These are just a few of the products that can be made with MultiCam fabric, but the possibilities are endless. With the holidays right around the corner, MultiCam fabric would make a great gift for friends and family! Furthermore, many of the products listed above may be found in various colors, so you can find something for everyone on your list. Therefore, if you are looking for a great gift this holiday season; be sure to check out MultiCam fabric products!

Accessible Football Stadiums – How Accessible Are They Really?

By Full Editorial on November 22, 2021March 23, 2023

If you’ve ever needed to use a wheelchair, then you’ve quickly learned how difficult it is when places aren’t accessible. Locations that have built facilities to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can use and enjoy their facilities are unfortunately much rarer than they should be. Football is the number one sport in the UK, and it’s no surprise that a popular question is which football stadiums are accessible. If you’re looking for more information on the most accessible stadiums, keep reading to learn more.

Smaller is Better

I would have never guessed it, but the results are in and smaller stadiums actually are more accessible than the larger ones. The most accessible Premier League Stadium is Brighton and Hove Albion, followed by Southampton and Watford as reported in Age UK’s accessible premier league stadiums article. This is a real shame because the larger stadiums obviously cost more and can host larger matches but without accessibility features this isolates and excludes a large part of our population.

Norwich City, Manchester United and Burnley stadiums are ranked as the least accessible, making it harder for their fans to get out there and support their teams looking for soccer. I was personally surprised to see the Manchester United Premier Stadium ranking slow, as it’s one of the most popular teams in the UK and has a following to match. Only 0.22% of seats in the Manchester United Stadium are wheelchair friendly.

Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium

Rated as the most accessible Premier League Stadium, Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium offers numerous services and features that makes it more inclusive. Here you’ll find specially designed entrances, lifts, toilets, ticket counters that are all accessible and allow wheelchair users to easily navigate these services. There are also specific wheelchair accessible viewing areas, ensuring that wheelchair users can comfortably see the match.

There are services for hearing compromised individuals, such as assistive hearing systems and audio descriptive commentary to ensure that everyone can enjoy the matches here. For those of us who use animals to help us navigate the world, there’s even an assistive animal welcome. One of the features that made this stadium rank so high is the 220 wheelchair spaces in the stadium, the highest percentage of wheelchair spaces for the stadium size. This is a stadium that sets the standard in inclusion and accessibility, and it is my hope that in future the larger stadiums can improve their facilities to allow everyone to enjoy watching their favourite team.

Many stadiums have a long way to go before they can be really considered accessible to all. Thankfully we have a few great stadiums who are paving the way and offering numerous facilities to help people of varied abilities enjoy the wonderful sport of football.

7 Overlooked Tips to Get a Comfortable Home Office

By Web admin on November 22, 2021November 22, 2021

Do you look forward to working in your home office every morning? Or do you find yourself watching the clock, waiting for the minute you get to retire to your favorite recliner and veg out with some YouTube videos?

You spend hours working, and your home office should be comfortable. If your comfort level is lacking, try these tips to kick it up a notch.

1. Get a bidet toilet seat for your bathroom

While you’re working from home, you’ll take several trips to the bathroom. Having a bidet will make those trips more comfortable. With a toilet seat bidet, you’ll feel refreshed and clean after every trip to the restroom.

The more relaxed and refreshed you feel throughout your day, the more productive you’ll be with your work.

2. Use a monitor stand

If you strain your neck by looking up or down, you could develop a painful, cumulative neck injury. A monitor stand will help you keep your neck in the right position while you work on the computer.

Some monitors are adjustable, but they don’t usually adjust high enough for people with a long torso. Adding an extra 6” or more to your monitor will protect your neck from unnecessary injury.

3. Get an adjustable stand/sit desk

Your desk is the most important part of your home office. If your desk isn’t comfortable and ergonomic, you’re going to feel the negative effects cumulatively over time.

Getting an adjustable stand/sit desk is the ideal solution. It’s not healthy to sit all day, but standing all day isn’t healthy, either. Being able to switch between standing and sitting will help you maintain your musculoskeletal health.

There are several types of adjustable desks:

Manual adjustable desks
Pneumatic adjustable desks
Electric adjustable desks

Pneumatic adjustable desks are ideal since they don’t depend on electricity. Manual desks are hard to adjust without removing everything from the desk first. At least with electric and pneumatic desks, you can leave everything on your desk as you raise and lower the height.

4. Put a comfy recliner in the corner

Sometimes you just need to walk away from the computer and take a small break. Maybe you need to close your eyes, kick back, and relax a little.

Relaxing for those short breaks will be easier with a comfortable recliner in the corner of your office. With the right recliner, you could even work from your laptop. Just make sure your recliner has proper back support.

5. Install warm, fuzzy carpet

Some people say you should always dress up for work and don’t wear your pajamas or house clothes. That’s sometimes true, but not always.

If you’ve ever worked in an office, have you ever wished you could kick off your shoes and dig your feet into the carpet? You can do that at home if you install a warm, fuzzy carpet under your desk.

Digging your feet into a fuzzy carpet will make you feel good and relaxed. You can also stick your feet in warm water, sand, or soil. However, a fuzzy carpet won’t require any cleanup.

6. Get an essential oil diffuser

Essential oils smell great, but they’re also therapeutic. They have long been used to influence a positive mood and relieve stress and anxiety.

Essential oils can help improve sleep, relieve headaches and pain, improve skin, and can help with digestion.

Although many people absorb diluted essential oils through the skin, you can also disburse the oil through a diffuser. Diffusers are better than just opening a bottle to inhale.

If you don’t have a diffuser or can’t get one for some reason, add a few drops of your desired essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl so the bowl is also under the towel. The steam will rise, allowing you to inhale the oil.

7. Install surround sound

Have you considered installing a surround sound system throughout your home? While it’s great to have speakers in all your rooms, you’ll thoroughly enjoy having surround sound in your office.

Imagine joining a video conference and hearing the other participants in surround sound. You’ll feel like you’re actually there. No matter how good your laptop or computer speakers are, nothing beats the quality of surround sound.

You deserve a comfortable office

You work hard enough already. Staying comfortable throughout your workday should be easy. Thankfully, if you follow these tips, you won’t have to spend a fortune to make your office comfortable.

Tips for Adopting a Remote Work Policy at Your Business

By Web admin on November 22, 2021November 22, 2021

If your business, like many others, has shifted from a physical office setup to a remote working setup over the past 18 months, then you’re almost certainly dealing with some of the benefits and consequences of this transition.

The question is, how can you enjoy more of the former without so many of the latter? And without hopelessly simplifying the challenge, it really comes down to one word: planning.

If you have the proper plan in place – ideally in the form of a remote work policy – you’ll get much better results.

The Biggest Challenges of Going Remote

There are obviously numerous perks to working remotely – both from an employee perspective and a management point of view. However, there are also plenty of challenges that must be addressed head-on. Common points of friction include:

Employee engagement. When working from home, employees experience a sort of monotony in their day-to-day schedules that isn’t as pronounced in the office. It’s easy for team members to get stuck in a boring routine that lacks excitement or diversity. (They wake up, walk down the hall to their home office, and spend the next eight to ten hours in the same 500 square feet.)
Team unity. It’s difficult for a team to truly bond when everyone is spread out across different locations. And unless your team already has the advantage of being closely connected, it can feel impossible to initiate team bonding and healthy relationships in a remote setting.
Accountability. It’s more challenging to hold individual employees accountable for their time and effort when you aren’t physically present. There are certainly ways to do it, but none of them are better than being able to drop into someone’s office and do a face-to-face check-in.
Security risks. Security is arguably the “silent” challenge of working remotely. Employees accessing sensitive company information on personal devices and unsecured networks (like public Wi-Fi) can be a recipe for disaster.

When you’re aware that these challenges exist, it’s much easier to proactively address them and neutralize their effects. But you have to plan ahead.

3 Tips for a Smooth Transition

Whether you’ve already moved to remote working and have been struggling for several months, or you’re just now transitioning in that direction, there are ways to make this a strength of your business. Here are several tips:

1. Get Clear on the Details

You can’t leave employees to figure things out on their own. Spell out the specifics of how you expect them to work in a remote setting; otherwise, they’ll each implement their own individual plans (leaving your business fragmented and confused).

“Employees should be provided with clear instructions about how their departments, and their respective roles within those departments, will conduct business in a remote setting,” Business.com suggests. “Keep in mind that while most remote occupations can be performed outside of a physical office, some roles may not work as seamlessly in virtual spaces.”

You’re not expected to write new policies in stone, but you should implement a clear and decisive approach. Should circumstances warrant a change, you can always tweak rules over time.

2. Prioritize Communication

Good communication is one of the keys to a smooth transition. And since employees are no longer able to walk down the hall and poke their heads into their coworkers’ offices, you need to use mediums that are fast and efficient.

SMS is one great option. More specifically, consider SMS software for internal communications. SMS enjoys 98 percent open rates (compared to a paltry 15 to 20 percent for emails). Not only that, but it takes the average person just 90 seconds to respond to an SMS (and 9 out of 10 text messages are read within 15 minutes or received).

3. Emphasize Engagement

Employee engagement is vital in a remote setting. Research shows that greater engagement is linked to enhanced productivity and more loyalty. Likewise, a lack of engagement leads to higher absenteeism, high turnover, and lower profitability. The tricky part is determining how to boost engagement.

There are hundreds of ways to boost engagement, but the challenge is figuring out which ones work for your unique dynamic. One very simple suggestion is to encourage face-to-face conversations via Zoom. By getting on camera and engaging with your team, you get a chance to look people in the eye and build camaraderie (in spite of being physically distanced).

Put Your Team on the Right Path

With the right remote working policy, you can make this a much more productive transition. It won’t always be perfect, but the upside is there. Be diligent and gather as much feedback as you can. Over time, this might become one of the more important moves your business ever makes.

7 Easy Ideas for Saving Money in Your Monthly Budget

By Full Editorial on November 21, 2021

Are you struggling with cutting costs but are too overwhelmed to try? Here are 7 easy ways that can save you money each month.

1) Track Your Spending

It’s easy to lose track of where your money is going, so try tracking it every week for a month. By doing this, you can see what expenses are taking up all of your paycheck and which ones you don’t necessarily need! Within a few weeks, you will start to know where your money is going and how much is really necessary to spend every month. Remember that the key to saving money in your budget is to find a balance between what you need and what you want, so trying a few of these tips will help keep more cash in your wallet!

2) Use Public Transportation When Possible

Instead of spending money on gas and vehicle maintenance for short trips, try using public transportation. In many cities, this is an available service that only costs a few bucks to use each time you ride it. It may be slower than going by car, but the savings are worth it!

3) Stop Eating Out

Eating out is expensive, but it’s also unhealthy. Instead of going to restaurants each week, cook your own food at home. It costs less, and you know what is exactly in the meal you are eating. You can even save money by taking home leftovers for lunch the next day!

4) Make a Budget and Follow it

Making a budget is so important when you are trying to save money. If you don’t know exactly where your money is going, the chances of cutting costs in your monthly budget are very slim! Start taking an inventory of all expenses each month and include them in a spreadsheet. At the end of each week, take what’s leftover from your paycheck and divide it evenly among each expense. You can also try trimming down some things that aren’t as important to help decrease the amount of money you spend every month even further!

5) Control Your Impulses

Many people are addicts of impulse shopping, which is not good for your budget. Try to avoid shopping sprees whenever you can and stick to everyday basics that you need. Before making any purchase, ask yourself if the item is something that you need. If it’s not, then put it down! By so doing, you will help to control your impulses and save money.

6) Use Prepaid Phone Services

Most people don’t realize how much they are spending on their phones until they get a bill. Instead of paying outrageous prices each month, switch to prepaid mobile services. There are different companies to choose from who all offer different plans, so compare them before deciding which one to use!

7) Cut Back on Frivolous Spending

The easiest way to save money on a monthly budget is by cutting back on expenses that aren’t necessary to survive, like subscriptions, the latest fashion, numerous holidays, and entertainment. Try saving money by unsubscribing to magazines and newspapers you don’t read, don’t go out as often, and invite friends over for a night in. Cut down on shopping sprees and unnecessary entertainment costs to help save more every month!

6 Important Reasons to Use Lotion on a Daily Basis

By Full Editorial on November 21, 2021November 21, 2021

A lotion is a lightweight moisturizer that absorbs easily without leaving the skin greasy. Because of its high-water content is an excellent product for moisturizing all skin types, even the oily ones. Some people think lotions are for aesthetic purposes, but the truth is every skin requires sufficient hydration. Because your skin is the largest organ, you must not neglect your skincare routine to keep it healthy and vibrant.

The best time to apply a lotion is after bathing, exfoliating, or shaving. After a hot shower, your skin loses moisture and oil, so it makes sense to rehydrate it with a good lotion. Even if you shower twice a day and are not going out, never skip the application, and don’t forget the feet and heels as they tend to be neglected most of the time.

1. Encourages New Cell Growth

With age, your cell turnover rate diminishes, and your skin imperfections become increasingly apparent. A moisturizing lotion encourages natural cell development when combined with a healthy diet. A study published on NCBI indicates that lotions containing cytokines and growth factors are good for skin rejuvenation and collagen production. Ingredients such as vitamin A and essential fatty acids stimulate cell functions and quick recovery.

2. Minimizes Inflammatory Symptoms

The outermost layer of your epidermis (stratum corneum) provides a barrier against UV, toxins, and bacteria. When you apply lotion, you strengthen it to withstand harsh elements that leave you vulnerable to infections that ultimately cause inflammations.

3. Keeps You Supple

Drafty air, blazing summer heat, and frosty weather can dehydrate your skin. Lotions are your best allies for preventing dryness in any climatic conditions. Supple skin is the first defense against most dermatological conditions like acne and psoriasis. It is easier to get dry patches even with normal skin if you do not apply anything after a bath. Rough areas like knees and elbows could use a moisturizer more often to keep them smooth.

4. Preserves Your Tanner

A self-tanner is critical during the sunniest days. You want to enjoy a golden sun-kissed tan without suffering the consequences of harsh UV. A natural lotion from a CBD skin care brand would be a fantastic way to lengthen the time of your tanner.

5. Antiaging Benefits

Daily use of a body lotion wards off the symptoms of aging such as wrinkles, scaly skin, and fine lines. Consistent usage gives you younger and vibrant looks. Your face, neck, chest, and ears are prone to environmental hazards, and they also shed more cells than other body parts. Focus more on them to stimulate blood circulation and cell growth.

6. Soothes and Relaxes the Skin

Dry skin tends to crack more, but a hydrating lotion comes to soothe and boost the ability of skin cells to repair. Apply a natural lotion to calm yourself if you have an itchy, red, or swollen part. When massaged into your skin, a lotion can help you relax. Treat yourself with a pleasant lotion scent after a long day. You might also want something that warms during the application for some sensory heat.

A lotion should be part of your everyday skin regimen. When selecting one, look for essential ingredients like vitamins B5, C, A, and E. Also, ensure that it is PABA-free and has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your skin from harsh sun rays. If you have sensitive or oily skin, go for non-comedogenic oil-free lotions that won’t clog your pores.

How CNC Machining Companies are Surviving a Global Pandemic

By Jason Geradi on November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

To call the pandemic a disruption would be an understatement. Supply chains have been placed under unprecedented stress, social distancing has forced workers to isolate themselves from their colleagues, and demands for some products have skyrocketed while others have plummeted.

All of this has created a new environment in which companies offering CNC machining services are required to function, forcing them to find new ways to succeed. The following strategies have helped them cope with the changes — and may make them more resilient in the future.

Product Flexibility

The pandemic has compelled customers to shift their spending habits drastically, and that means manufacturers will have to adapt, too. As companies find that demand for old products has dried up, they will have to pivot to make higher-demand goods.

For example, leading automotive manufacturers like Ford and GM helped ease ventilator shortages during the height of the pandemic. While the move was made more out of necessity than a desire to shift production, it shows the value of assembly line flexibility.

To improve their flexibility, manufacturers must start by re-envisioning their factory floors. One way to do this is by implementing flexible manufacturing cells (FMC) which group devices according to their use for the most efficient reconfiguration possible. Companies offering CNC machining services can arrange similar tools (milling, drilling, washing, turning, etc.) into the same space, even employing automation to reconfigure their machines for different jobs.

The pandemic has changed which products customers need, and by making their manufacturing facilities more flexible, suppliers can pivot accordingly.

Machine Makeovers

No manufacturing site can become flexible enough to keep pace with changing demands if they don’t have tools that can adapt to their new space. Versatile machines make for more flexible manufacturing, so upgrading your equipment now may be a smart investment. Some possible machine upgrades include:

5 and 6-Axis CNC machining tools, which pivot around two or three axes in addition to their translational motion.
Cooperative robots (or cobots), which work in tandem with human laborers — and are especially useful when social distancing makes close quarters impossible.
Remote support, which helps operators upload their G-code offsite and enables suppliers to guide physically present workers through any complications they may find.

The financial blow that the pandemic has dealt to some manufacturers may make investments in machine upgrades seem impractical, but now may be the best time to level up. Companies that don’t improve their equipment may find that their facilities can no longer keep up with new norms, and will find themselves wishing they had invested in smarter technology before it was too late.

(Re)Training Your Workforce

Machines aren’t the only part of your workforce that may need an upgrade. Many workers lack critical training or certification on new technologies commonly used today, and potential demand downturns may be the perfect time to help your employees improve their skills, too. Invest in your employees now by teaching them new skills, and prepare them for a modern manufacturing world.

CNC Machining: Rising to the Challenge

Adaptation is essential for survival, and few industries have done it better than manufacturing over the years. Whether they offer 3D printing in San Francisco or CNC machining in Pittsburgh, today’s facilities will need to be more creative than ever as they pivot to new market conditions. Smarter technology and better trained workers can help them not only survive under such extremes — they may even help them thrive in the future.

A Look at the Importance of Balloon Catheters in Healthcare

By Full Editorial on November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

Balloon catheters are a simple and effective procedure used to treat blocked arteries, tumors, and other conditions. It has been used since the 1960s and has proven successful in more than one-million operations worldwide. The balloon is made up of two parts: an inflatable balloon containing air or fluid and a deflated sheath inserted into the area of interest. The balloon catheter works by inserting the sheath into the area, inflating it, and deflating it once the desired change has been made. Besides their use in blocked arteries, balloon catheters are also used in the urinary tract to check urine flow and clear blockages.

Importance of Balloon Catheters in Healthcare

1. Efficient Treatment for Blocked Arteries

The cardiovascular system is crucial to one’s health and survival. Thus, it should be no surprise that the balloon catheter has been used to unblock arteries when other modes of treatment have proven ineffective or dangerous. Patients who suffer from blocked arteries present a number of symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. One common cause of blocked arteries is the formation of plaque or fatty deposits on the walls. When blockages occur, blood flow is restricted, resulting in angina or heart attacks.

2. Treatment for Tumors

The balloon catheter has also proved effective in dealing with several types of tumors, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This non-cancerous tumor causes the prostate gland to swell, restricting the flow of urine. The balloon catheter is inserted in much the same way as blocked arteries are dealt with, which results in relief for patients.

3. Clear Passage of Urine

The balloon catheter can also be used to clear blockages to ensure the proper flow of urine. The balloon is inserted into the urethra to ensure that this passage is open and clear. This procedure can be completed quickly, which means no recovery time for patients.

4. Treatment not Relying on Surgery

Surgery presents inherent risks but also has the potential to provide lasting results, so it should come as no surprise that many prefer this method of treatment. However, it is not always an option for some patients because of the potential risks or other health conditions that can be aggravated by surgery. Some treatments are best suited to non-surgical options instead. When this type of treatment is available, it should be sought out as a safer alternative to surgery.

5. Side Effects are Minimal or Nonexistent

The balloon catheter is effective at treating blockages of the arteries without causing too many side effects. The only complication that may arise involves excess pressure on the kidneys, which can cause them to shut down, but this is rare. Most patients do not experience any side effects after the procedure has been completed.

6. Inexpensive

There are several benefits associated with balloon catheters, but one that is often overlooked is their affordability. Compared to other medical equipment and treatments, the balloon catheter is relatively inexpensive, meaning it can be used in cases where finances might limit a patient’s options.

7. Versatility and Potential for Future Use

The balloon catheter continues to prove itself as a viable treatment option in several areas of care. It can treat both benign and cancerous tumors, blocked arteries, and problems with urine flow, making it an attractive choice. As such, these procedures must continue to be offered because they do not require the use of surgery.