The internet is flooded with endless ideas on ‘how to lead a healthy life.’ Apple cider vinegar (ACV), for example, seems to be ruling the internet with a myriad of articles that describe facts and bust myths about this ingredient. It can be overwhelming to go through these articles because we don’t know which one to follow. Hence, here is a comprehensive compilation of the advantages of apple cider vinegar.

• Lowers cholesterol: A Japanese study has found that drinking half an ounce of apple cider vinegar every day can lower cholesterol levels in their experiment group. The acetic acid in the vinegar is known to reduce bad cholesterol.
• Prevents indigestion: A lot of us end up binge eating, be it during weekends or at a party. Ensure to carry the following recipe in a bottle before you indulge in food. Take one teaspoon of honey and apple cider vinegar each and mix it in a glass of warm water. You should drink this apple cider vinegar mixture at least 30 minutes before you dine.
• Aids weight loss: Maybe apple cider vinegar got into the spotlight for this reason. Some people claim that drinking apple cider vinegar can help one lose weight. The acetic acid not only helps in lowering cholesterol but also reduces the appetite and increases one's metabolism. It also reduces the water retention in your system. Some scientists believe that apple cider vinegar acts on the body's starch, thereby allowing fewer calories to enter the bloodstream.
• No more acne: This is good news for all of us. Apple cider vinegar acts as a natural toner, and it is a great home remedy to keep your skin healthy. Its antibacterial properties help to keep acne under control, and it also softens and exfoliates the skin, reduces red spots, and maintains your skin's healthy pH balance.
• Energizer: When we are stressed, lactic acid builds up in our body and causes fatigue. The amino acid in apple cider vinegar acts as the perfect remedy to overcome this. Potassium and other enzymes from apple cider vinegar reduce the feeling of tiredness. Just mix a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar into any vegetable drink or add it to a glass of water. Drink this apple cider vinegar mixture to pump up your energy levels.
• Dandruff: Apple cider vinegar's acidity makes it difficult for yeast to grow. Mix ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with ½ teaspoon of warm water in a bottle and spritz your scalp with this mixture. If you follow this routine twice a week, you will be surprised by the results.

When it comes to odor and stain removal, even some of the best urine stain remover products available in the market can have a tough time tackling the mess. Finding new ways and products to get rid of that stain and stench becomes part of your chores. Urine stain removers may not be necessarily expensive but can nevertheless become a significant expense. Home remedies, from time to time, have proven to be economical and efficient in tackling such problems. Here are a couple of products and essentials you might find to be useful in removing pet urine stains and odor, without making a dent in your household budget. Vinegar For stain removal, vinegar is quite the natural competitor against industrial strength stain removers, at a fraction of the price. For coffee and tea stains, juice stains, paint smudges, ground in dirt stains and most importantly pet urine stains, vinegar is the preferred choice. Urine stains are light and their odor isn't very overwhelming, if cleaned up in time, which is why a solution of vinegar mixed with a couple of teaspoons of salt has proven to be one of the best urine stain remover ideas. Let the solution soak into the affected area and dry up, to be vacuumed right out of the carpet along with any stains and odor. Club soda Carbonated and aerated drinks are high in carbon content, which also works wonders as one of the best urine stain remover DIY ideas. Soak paper towels in club soda and gently blot the stain letting the soda seep. Use a mild carpet shampoo to rinse off the solution which has absorbed the stain after a couple of hours along with any odor. Cornstarch Cornstarch is stronger and more efficient in removing pet urine as compared to other home remedies like ammonia, shaving cream, salt, borax, and even baking soda. A paste made out of milk and cornstarch applied on urine stains, or any liquid stains will soak it right up and dry in a couple of hours. This layer can be scraped off using a soft bristle brush, thereby ensuring your carpet surface isn’t damaged in the process.

Triglycerides are a certain type of fat that is present in our blood. Small amounts of triglycerides are needed to carry out regular body functions but an excess will cause in heart diseases. A higher level of triglycerides can also exist as a result of a metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a person has a combination of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high Triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol. This condition increases the risk of stroke, diabetes and heart diseases. Test and measurement

• The amount of triglyceride can be measured using the same blood test used to measure cholesterol.
• Normal range is considered to fall below 150 (mg/dL)
• 150-199 (mg/dL) is the borderline high
• 200-499 (mg/dL) is supposed to be high
• Anything above 500 is considered very high

Causes Triglycerides can be caused by other underlying conditions. Certain medicines can also increase the count of triglycerides in the blood. In rare cases, triglyceride abnormality can also be hereditary. Here are some of the main causes:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Eating more calories than required regularly
• Drinking high quantity of alcohol
• Use of birth control pills, steroids, estrogen
• Controlling Triglycerides
• Instead of relying on medications, it is better to control triglycerides with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. Being more active and controlling body weight also
• helps in bringing down triglyceride levels.

Diet Diet is always an important part in maintaining our health. With proper diet and exercise, it is possible to bring down the triglyceride count. These are few foods and components that you should control in your diet for high triglycerides. Sugar Cut down on sugar. High intake of sugar can result in the increase of triglyceride count. An optimum range of 150 grams for men and 100 grams for women is the intake that should be maintained on a daily basis. Carbs Replace carbohydrates and sugar with fiber. Focus on fiber-rich food like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Fructose Control your fructose intake. Fructose is one of the main reasons for the higher count of triglycerides in the blood. High-fructose corn syrup should be avoided as far as possible. Raisins and other dry fruits have a higher level of fructose and should be avoided. Fruits like peaches, banana, strawberry have a comparatively lower level of fructose. Fats Cutting down of saturated fat from red meat is found helpful in bringing down triglyceride levels. It's best to lower the amount of poultry fat, milk, cheese, coconut and palm oil in your diet. Canola and olive oils can be used instead. Alcohol Limit the intake of alcohol. Occasional drinks are fine, but it can be really harmful if consumed on a daily basis. Increasing the consumption of foods with omega-3 fatty acids can help bring down the high triglyceride levels. Fishes like sardines and tuna have a higher amount of fatty acids. Eating fatty fish at least twice a week can be really helpful.

Handbags make a fashion statement no matter what the type. But it is essential to carry the right kind of bag for the occasion. You certainly can't carry a clutch to the beach nor can you carry a canvas tote bag with your evening gown. There's something for every occasion and here's a simple guide to help you. If you plan to buy a handbag from a large store like Belk's you will be spoiled for choice - shoulder bags, backpacks, clutches, evening bags, hobos, satchel's, tote bags, crossbody bags and many more are available. All you have to do is pick. There are a few things you need to keep in mind before you make that final decision. Research online on the Belk site or just walk around the store. Pick A Color Caramel brown, beige, navy blue and black are great color choices for buying your first designer bag. If you tend to spill food and end up with broken pens and pencils and material residue, consider getting one in black. Pick something that works for most occasions. Think Of Use Are you buying a bag for a specific reason - a wedding, for work, or a special evening? Base your decision around the purpose. Consider your age, environment and lifestyle when shopping. If you're a mom, a voluminous bag is your answer, If you're picking one for work, go with sharp lines and minimal bling. Whether it is casual or serious use, thinking about form and function can help you invest better. A good bag for casual use is the Dooney & Bourke Pebble Grain Small Lexington Tote Bag from Belk. It has ample space and is designed for carrying common essentials. The size and overall shape of the tote bag will depend on its use and the needs it has to cater to. The material that makes the bag is also a factor you must consider. Choose wisely. Select The Material Durability and shelf life are two important considerations for new buyers. Bags made of canvas generally last the longest when compared to bags made of other materials. These can be carried to the beach. But leather is also a good option if you have a higher budget and can take care of it. If you don't want to splurge on leather, polypropylene is your answer. Research well and choose wisely. Happy shopping!

Ear infections occur more often in children than in adults. It is a result of virus or bacteria action in the middle part of the ear. It can be a painful experience if you ignore the initial signs and symptoms. The sharp and throbbing pain in the ear can spread to your jaw and neck and cause discomfort. Here's everything you needed to know about ear infections and ways to treat it effectively. What Causes Ear Infection? The ear infection happens in the middle ear only. There are many reasons leading to viral and bacterial infection in the ear. Some of the common causes are: - Wax build-up inside the ear - Allergy to certain food products - Lack of adequate nutrition in the body - Environmental factors like air pollution, allergy, dust, and dirt - Genes - Any injury leading to damage in the ear Why It Is Important To Treat In-time? Ear infection can lead to unbearable pain. Ear happens to be one of the most sensitive organs of your body. If left untreated for a long time, it can lead to serious health complications. Eardrum damage, partial hearing loss, and complete deafness are the distant possibilities. Easy Home Care Remedies For Ear Infections There are many home-based remedies which keep ear infections in check. They are safe to use on children as well. Antibiotics come with side effects and should be avoided: - Pure onion juice used as ear drops is really effective for treating ear infection - You can also apply olive oil in the infected ear - Keep garlic cloves in water and add salt to crushed garlic after 5 minutes. Wrap it in a cloth and put it inside the affected part of the ear to get relief. - Put salt in one cup and heat it for 1 minute. Wrap the warm salt in cloth and use it to give steam to the infected ear. - Crush basil leaves to form a paste and apply it on the infected ear. - Apply ginger oil on the infected part to reduce the symptoms. - Try these easy home remedies for ear infections to get relief and get rid of the infection. Preventing Ear Infections Once the infection is cured, do the following to keep the infection away: - Drink plenty of water every day - Wear a scarf to protect your ears when you step outside home every time - Chew on a gum now and then as it helps in exercising your ear muscles - Have probiotics as a natural part of your diet - Breastfeed your baby to prevent the onset of a ear infection All these will ensure that your ear stays healthy and free from germs.

Who doesn't love to have pizzas? It is one of the favorite foods of America. And when you think of ordering a pizza, you always think of Pizza Hut. This popular pizza chain has been serving hot pizzas to consumers for over six decades now. This brand is present in 86 countries with over 10,000 shops serving customized pizzas. Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat lover, you are sure to get something tasty and cheesy to pick here. Where it originated Pizza Hut was founded by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in 1958 while studying at Wichita State University. They borrowed $600 from their mother, rented a place, bought an equipment and started their first Pizza Hut. After one year, they opened their first franchise in Topeka, Kansas. Their first commercial was aired on television in the year 1965. Logo Did you know in the earlier days they had a mascot called Pizza Pete as its logo? This mascot, a cartoon chef with a mustache who wore a hat, an apron, and a neckerchief, served pizzas to the customers. This cartoon character was also used on cups, bags, and advertisements before being replaced by the current Red roof logo. Released limited edition perfumes Another interesting fact is that the pizza chain released a limited edition of perfume that smelled like fresh dough with a bit of spice. The perfumes were gifted to 100 selected fans on their Facebook profile in Canada and some perfumes were gifted to American fans during Valentine's Day. The perfume was sold on eBay for $495. Started a reading program This pizza chain initiated a reading program called Book It where the kids are encouraged to read and are then rewarded with a pizza called praise, recognition, and pizza. Today this program has 60 million children enrolled in it. It is the longest running reading program in the country that is supported by a corporate. First to deliver to space Pizza Hut is the first company to deliver food to space. In 2001, they delivered pies to International Space Station. The recipe had to be put under severe stabilized thermal conditions before being sealed and sent to space. First to take an online order They are also the first to take an order online. In 1994, along with The Santa Cruz Operations (SCO), Pizza Hut created PizzaNet, which allowed the user to place their orders online. Today Pizza Hut servers around four million customers every day around the world. They are one of the biggest restaurant franchises across the globe. The key to their success is their continuous innovation. They constantly innovate their menu, keeping the tastes of their target consumers in mind.