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Being outdoors brings joy to many. Whether it’s hiking, camping or doing other outdoor activities, outdoorsy people are everywhere. If you have an outdoor lover on your holiday shopping list and you’re not well-versed in outdoor gear and equipment, you may not be sure what is available and what type of gift your loved one will appreciate. Think about how they enjoy spending their time and consider the following items while you’re doing your holiday shopping this year.

Safety gear

For those who hike and camp in remote areas, staying safe is very important. Access to clean water is essential when you’re outdoors, so a water bottle with a built-in filter can make a great gift. A tracking device is helpful when traveling where cell service may not be available. A portable battery pack, preferably a solar one, can prevent worries over a dead phone battery. One piece of equipment that a lot of people don’t think about is a dry bag. If your outdoorsy friends or family members don’t have one yet, they’re sure to appreciate it as a gift, and they will likely use it many times to keep their gear safe and dry while enjoying the outdoors.

Fun outdoor gadgets

Your outdoor-loving friend or family member likely already has most of the basics. People can be picky about their tents, hiking boots and other important gear. However, they may not have all the fun gadgets that can make being outdoors more enjoyable. Portable hammocks and inflatable kayaks are a lot of fun and are lightweight, so they can be packed away easily. A good headlamp and a well-made multi-use tool are incredibly useful and can be lifesavers when camping or hiking.

Lovers of the outdoors generally enjoy their gear and equipment. While experienced outdoors adventurers likely have the basics already, there are still plenty of innovative and practical gifts to choose from when shopping this holiday season. Think about gifts that help them stay safe and better enjoy their time outdoors, and you’re sure to find a winning gift that they will love.

Most people know someone who enjoys trying new foods or experimenting in the kitchen. For some people, food is more than just a way to fuel the body. Foodies generally enjoy sampling new ethnic foods, trying out kitchen gadgets, and experimenting with new techniques or ingredients. If you have a food lover in your life, consider the following gift ideas.

Food boxes

There are many places that offer boxes of samples of foods and ingredients from all over the world. You can choose a one-time box or set up your foodie friend or family member with a subscription to last him or her through the year. You can get these boxes through high-end department stores and food-related websites. Boxes can include a selection of chocolates, snack foods from exotic countries, meal kits, or different types of teas or coffees.

New kitchen gadgets

Most cooks love using a new gadget, especially if it saves time and effort in the kitchen. Beverage lovers may enjoy a cold brew coffee maker or kit to make their own beer or wine at home. Those who enjoy baking can appreciate a bread-proofing basket, a pizza stone or pastry tools. Other fun kitchen gifts include practical things like a quality knife set, stainless steel mixing bowls, a pasta maker or a cookbook from their favorite chef.

Home cooks and those who enjoy trying new foods can appreciate food and kitchen-related gifts. These gifts work well for the person who enjoys cooking, baking and creating tasty foods in their own kitchen. Quality kitchen tools, food subscriptions and fun cooking gadgets make great gifts for the foodie in your life. Some of these gifts are indulgent, which is why most people don’t usually buy such things for themselves, making them good gift options when you’re unsure what to buy.

The official start of winter isn’t until December 21st, and with many areas of the country seeing unseasonably warm temperatures, some people simply aren’t prepared for the coming winter months. Those who live in warm climates may not have to make many changes or preparations for winter, but for others, the winter season is a big deal that requires a lot of planning. If you notice wildlife and their seasonal activities, they have already started making many preparations for winter and are probably much more ready than most humans.

Signs of the impending season

If you pay attention to the birds and squirrels, you may notice that they seem to be anxious as cold weather approaches. Squirrels and other animals store away food in preparation for the coming months when resources are scarce. Birds will visit feeders and forage more frequently to get extra calories in preparation for dropping temperatures. Other types of wildlife prepare nests and warm beds, so they have a nice place to sleep during cold nights. You can help them out by providing feeders, nesting materials and safe places for them to eat in your yard away from predators.

What should you do to prepare?

The level of preparation needed depends on where you live. Warmer climates mean much less is needed, and those who live in warm areas may not take much notice of the seasonal changes. If you live in an area with a lot of snow and ice, be sure your tires are safe for icy conditions and your car is fully stocked in case you get stranded. It’s also important to stock up on fuel to heat your home and be prepared with some shelf-stable foods, plenty of water and a way to cook in case you have to suffer through a power outage.

Winter can be beautiful, especially when snow is falling, but cold weather can also be a hassle and can make for dangerous conditions on roadways. Take cues from local wildlife and prepare for winter emergencies. If you have the space for it, you can add some feeders in your yard to help out the birds and squirrels until spring returns.

With winter coming, people are spending less time outdoors in the sunshine. Spending time in the sun can positively affect your mood, and it also has some other health benefits. The human body uses sunshine to make vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient. Cold, dreary winter weather makes it hard to get outdoors every day. In some cases, this can lead to a vitamin D deficiency; however, there are ways to prevent this deficiency even if you can’t enjoy the sun.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become soft and you can have issues with your teeth. Vitamin D is also essential in keeping the immune system healthy. Those who don’t have enough vitamin D may notice muscle cramps, weakness and fatigue. A blood test can determine if you need to add more vitamin D to your diet through supplements or other methods.

How to get enough vitamin D year-round

The best way to ensure that you get vitamin D all year is to try to get out in the sun for 10-15 minutes during peak daylight hours when possible. In some areas, there simply isn’t enough sunlight during the winter months, which is why you may need some form of supplement. A diet high in vitamin D-rich foods like egg yolks, fortified dairy and liver can help. Some people may need even more vitamin D, which can be found in supplemental form.

Vitamin D is a key nutrient, and it’s important to get enough throughout the year. It keeps your bones and teeth healthy and boosts the immune system. The long winter months often mean you can’t get enough vitamin D just by being outdoors. Nutrient-dense foods and vitamin D supplements can help those who need a boost.

When you’re young, you may not give much thought to how aging can affect your body. But getting older, especially once you get close to retirement age, can cause many unpleasant changes, including your mental health. The brain ages just like the rest of the body does, which can leave you feeling forgetful and struggling to focus. While some forgetfulness is normal as you age, Alzheimer’s disease is much more extreme and can be debilitating. Some studies show that regularly eating certain superfoods may reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and other age-related mental conditions.

Blueberries are tasty and beneficial

So-called superfoods contain nutrients that can help improve your health. Blueberries are considered beneficial because they contain resveratrol, which is a compound with anti-inflammatory properties. Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain diseases usually start with plaque formation in the brain. Fortunately, foods that reduce inflammation may reduce or prevent plaque formation in the entire body, including in the brain.

Drink green tea for optimal health

Green tea is another superfood that can help keep you mentally healthy. Green tea contains catechins, which also help reduce and prevent plaque buildup. Catechins are phytochemicals that are also anti-inflammatory. Matcha green tea is a great source of catechins.

Green tea, blueberries and other superfoods are rich in flavonoids. These compounds can help keep cells healthy throughout the brain and the rest of the body. Eating a diet high in foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help you keep your brain healthy and well, which may reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and other age-related brain conditions.

There is no exact answer as to why some people are healthier and live longer lives than others. Many factors go into determining a person’s health and risk factors for developing diseases. But eating healthy foods and including superfoods in your diet, may help prevent many diseases, including some degenerative brain conditions.

Having savings for emergencies, retirement or other life events is a common goal. But when the economy is uncertain and people are paying significantly more for everyday needs, saving is not always a top priority. There are ways to put back some money, even when the economy is in a downturn. While savings should come after taking care of your basic needs, setting some money aside for the future is a good idea if you can afford it.

Let go of the luxuries

It can be difficult to reduce the amount of money you spend on non-essential items. Streaming services, travel expenses and pricey gadgets can enhance your enjoyment of life, but they can also take away any extra money you have that could be going into savings. Write down all the extras you purchase in a month and take a close look at what you could do without. Consider dining out less, buying generic brands of groceries and personal care items, and looking for cheap or free hobbies. While it’s not fun to cut out spending on things you enjoy, the security of having savings for the future makes it all worth it.

How to add more to your savings account

The first step in increasing your savings is to pay off high-interest debt as quickly as possible while still taking care of the basics. While this may seem counterintuitive, keeping high-interest loans and credit card debt greatly reduces the amount you can save for the future. Consider having a specified amount transferred directly from your paycheck each month into a high-yield savings account. You’re much less likely to miss the money if it goes into the account automatically, and you’re also less likely to touch those funds when they’re in a separate account.

Increasing your savings can seem like a luxury, especially in hard economic times. But saving is important for emergencies and for reaching future goals. By cutting back on luxuries and being more careful with your debt, you can put back money each month, slowly increasing your savings, which will give you peace of mind that you are better prepared for your financial future.

Working for someone else in the corporate world is a way of life for many people. You get used to having a boss and having someone who holds you accountable. However, once you decide to make the move to an entrepreneurial role, the transition can prove difficult. Not only are there financial changes, but you must also change the way you view your work life. Entrepreneurs are extremely valuable to society, as they bring great ideas and new opportunities to the communities in which they work. To be a successful entrepreneur, you can prepare yourself for the changes in your work life by better understanding the benefits and hardships of being your own boss.

Moving away from the corporate world

When you work in a corporate position, you may get accustomed to answering to others and giving control to your superiors. But when starting your own business, you are the one in control. You’re also the one responsible for setting and reaching goals, and it’s you who deals with the repercussions when something goes wrong. Many small businesses take years to be profitable, and some entrepreneurs don’t even take a paycheck for awhile, as much of the money earned needs to be put back into the business. But success in your own business can feel much more satisfying than success in the corporate world because it’s your dreams that have come to fruition.

Navigating the nuances of being your own boss

Making the move to working for yourself can be challenging at first. You’ll be the one in charge of making important decisions, and your livelihood is fully dependent on you, which adds a lot of pressure to the situation. When possible, take it slow and ask for advice from other entrepreneurs and those who’ve been in your industry. Build a team of loyal and knowledgeable employees and learn how to delegate tasks.

Working for someone else has many benefits. There is security in working for a company, and certain benefits may be lacking when you start out on your own. With that said, the entrepreneurial spirit still motivates many people who want to be their own boss. It can be hard to transition from working for someone else to being solely responsible for your own business, but once you’re successful, the rewards can be well worth it.

There are all sorts of studies on eating patterns. These studies involve everything from how many calories are optimal per day to how many meals you should eat each day. While these studies can be helpful to some, there are so many variables based on personal needs and lifestyle, that it can be hard to know which data is relevant or useful to you. Studies also evaluate when the best time is to eat dinner is in relation to promoting your overall health. Many people know that eating right before bed is not ideal; however, eating even earlier in the day may be a good option for many people.

Is an early dinner better for you?

Work, school and activity schedules can dictate when you’re able to eat dinner on weekdays and weekends. Some people don’t get home from work until late in the evening. Those with non-traditional schedules have to plan their meals around when they’re able to take a break. Dinner at 5 p.m. is just not feasible for many. There may be some health benefits to eating earlier in the evening, and it may help you maintain a healthy weight and metabolism. However, it just doesn’t work for everyone.

Early dinners have some benefits

When you eat dinner earlier in the evening, it gives your body time to properly digest your food. Eating close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep and it can prevent your body from using calories efficiently, which can lead to weight gain. Following hunger cues and eating before you feel like you’re starving is important, but that will depend on many factors, including when you ate last. Those who deal with gastric reflux and other digestive issues can also benefit from eating their last meal at least three hours before going to sleep.

You can find a food-related study for nearly anything. People are always looking for the best eating plan and new ideas on how to stay healthy. While eating an early dinner can be beneficial for some, it doesn’t work for everyone’s schedule. The most important thing is to find what works best based on your hunger cues and the schedule your family has throughout the week.