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Your Trendy Drink Could Send You To The ER

Bubble teas are the trendiest new drink to thirst your quench this summer, but could this latest bubbly fad be a hazard to your health?

The Latest Bubble Tea Drink Craze

In case you haven’t stepped outside in the last month, bubble teas are the latest drink that will have you craving for more. Originated in Taiwan, bubble teas are a cold sweet flavored drink that contain little chewy “bubble” tapioca balls at the bottom. They often are sold in a variety of fruity flavors and with milkshake versions too. Bottom line- this drink is DELICIOUS.

While they’ve only started popping up recently around the world, this sweet bubbly drink has been an essential staple in Taiwan for years. Think of it like their version of coffee. Not a bad way to start the day!

Too Much Of A Good Thing…

Just like some people drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day, some people drink numerous cups of bubble tea a day… which caused one 14 year old girl from Zhejiang, China to be hospitalized. According to the reports, the unnamed girl had been suffering severe cramping to the point she couldn’t eat or go to the bathroom for five days straight.

Naturally alarmed by the pain, her parents decided to take her to the hospital, but doctors could not find anything wrong with her from a physical exam.

The Nightmare Continues…

With no answers from a physical exam, doctors decided to do a CT scan and found imaging of more than 100 tapioca bubbles that were trapped in her digestive system. The girl claimed she didn’t drink more than one bubble tea before she had cramps, but with THAT many undigested in her stomach… doctors thought otherwise.

Doctors believe she was not able to digest the drink because the bubbles are high in starch, which is very difficult for the body to break down. Thankfully, they were able to easily cure the girl with laxatives and sent her home with the reminder to not drink so many bubble teas!

Should I Be Scared To Drink Bubble Teas?

Of course not! This girl’s trip to the ER was just one unlucky incident due to consuming too much of the bubbly delight. As with most things in life, it’s important to enjoy the drink in moderation and remember to get enough water and nutrients from other sources. This will help make sure your digestion is in check. No need to sweat when you sit back and sip that bubble tea this summer!

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Get your fav @zenzoobubbles with your favs & ready to go?

Una publicación compartida de Sunflower (@jj_shineshining) el 16 Abr, 2019 a las 3:20 PDT

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Your Favorite Food Tells A Lot About Your Personality

Turns out, your love for certain foods might be less an indicator of your taste buds, and more a reflection of your personality. This food analysis will give you a deeper look into your identity... and maybe make you think twice when picking your next snack!

Your Go-To Dessert is Ice Cream

Ice Cream With Sprinkles For An Innocent Personality.

Of all the desserts in the world, if your number one choice is ice cream, chances are you have a very innocent personality and often reminisce to childhood. Picking a variety of toppings for your ice cream, (sprinkles anyone??) means you have a desire for the little mysteries and wonders in life.

You Always Prefer The Sour Gummies

Having a sweet tooth is linked to being a sweet person, but if you typically prefer that extra tangy kick combined with the sugar, you most likely have an anxious or restless personality. However, reaching for this balance in flavors also is reflective of your desire to achieve some balance and order in your life.

Pizza Is Your Weekly Staple

Sliced Pizza For The Extroverted Personality.

Pizza is a common favorite food, which could have to do with the fact it is also considered the most addictive thanks to all that cheesy, doughy deliciousness. (Our mouths are already watering…) If you find yourself eating pizza once a week (or more), it typically means you have an extroverted personality. With it’s ease of delivery and pre-cut slices, it’s the perfect dish to share with others. Just another excuse to plan that next party and unleash your outgoing self!

Your Coffee Mug Is Your Daily Accessory

If the thought of going anywhere without a cup of coffee in hand is an instant nightmare, you probably have a Type A personality. Type A people typically get a lot of flack for being very competitive, impatient, and overly stressed, but they also are best at achieving goals and sticking to a schedule. While sipping on the Joe, remember to find healthy ways to de-stress like meditation and exercise.

You Can Spend All Day In The Produce Section

While it’s no surprise that people who love fruits and vegetables are typically healthier, those who go out of their way to try different types of vegetables and switch up their routine are considered to be great learners. You have a personality that’s eager to be healthy and wholesome from the inside out, and it reflects in the rest of your life too.

You Prefer Sushi Over A Burger And Fries Any Day

Container of Sushi reflects a cosmopolitan personality.

If your idea of “food on the go” is a box of sushi instead of food from your local fast food restaurant, you likely have a curious and cosmopolitan personality. Being open to trying foods from other countries means you you’re always down for new experiences and destinations. Next stop, Tokyo!

Photos: Unsplash and Pixabay

How To Organize Your Life Once And For All

The average person works around 8 hours a day, and yet the latest studies have found that we are only productive for 3 of those hours… With numbers that bad, it’s painful to even think about how poorly we organize our lives to be productive outside the workplace…

No wonder so many of us feel like we’re not accomplishing all that we want to. Before you waste any more time stressing about the seemingly impossible task of getting everything done on time (or resorting to Netflix to destress and put your work off even more), we have the tips to organize your life once and for all.

Write a Daily To-Do List and Stick To It

Get in the habit of creating a daily to-do list first thing when you wake up. Although it may seem like a hassle, it will help organize and prioritize the events in your day with a handy visual reminder. Knowing all that you need to finish in a day will help you waste less time and feel accomplished every time you check off an item.

Make The Gym Your Friend

If you don’t already make it a point to exercise during the week, start doing so ASAP. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of cardio a week to help give you the energy to organize your life and complete all tasks efficiently.

Worried about joining a gym and feeling clueless as to where to begin? Most gyms offer trainers or group classes that can ease you into the process. If doing things solo is more your thing, there are plenty of great fitness apps that provide guided workouts and instructions to ensure you stay safe and achieve your goals.

Finally Organize And Get Rid Of Your Clutter

Admit it, we all have a few piles or drawers that are filled with items that we always put off for tossing later. Well folks… that “later” has officially arrived, and it’s time to crack down on the extra junk we don’t need in our lives. Not only will it make you feel instantly freer and in charge of your life, but it will also give you more space to organize and keep the items that you actually need. Time to check that off the to-do list!

Have Snacks Handy In Containers

To be working at your maximum potential every day, your brain and body both need to be energized, which is why it’s important to always have snacks handy. Instead of lugging full boxes around, by some small containers to conveniently organize and carry portion-sized snacks in your bag. That way you additionally won’t overeat on extra stressful (or boring) days.

Take Advantage Of A Calendar App

Living in the digital age, we’re fortunate to have an app for literally everything, and that includes calendars. While there are many calendar apps to choose from to organize your life, the most important thing to remember is to actually use them (and not let the app just sit there taking up precious space on your phone). This means plugging in and syncing all your events and reminders right away so you don’t forget them or accidentally double book.

Even if you aren’t attending an event of a friend of family member, it’s smart to add a few of their celebrations as well to your calendar. You’ll never have to shamefully send the ‘Sorry I forgot your birthday’ message ever again!

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How To Survive The Heat This Summer

Summer is almost officially here! While we love to think about lounging at the pool and taking much deserved vacations, there’s also the brutal reality of the intense heat. You know, the one that leaves you sticky and sweaty after you just showered to feel cool again…

While we could say move somewhere cold for the duration of summer (Antarctica, anyone?) the reality is most of us have no choice but to bear the heat. These simple fixes will have you feeling cool in no time so that you can truly get the most out of your summer.

Freeze Your Linens

Sounds crazy, we know. However, putting your bed sheets and linens in the freezer or refrigerator for a few minutes right before bed can help you feel refreshed and beat the heat when going to bed at night. While your sheets won’t stay cool the whole night, it will at least help you bypass those agonizing minutes of trying to fall asleep in a hot stuffy room. To avoid having your sheets smelling like last night’s leftovers, place your items in a plastic bag before freezing.

Chill Your Pulse Points

pulse point in the wrist are good for cooling down

If you’re in dire need of an instant fix to your heat woes, try placing a cold compress or ice cube on your pulse points. The best pulse locations for a cooling cure are located in your wrists, behind the neck and knees, and your inner elbow. If you don’t have an cold compress lying around, grab that bag of frozen peas and you are good to go.

Unplug To Reduce Heat

While we all want to stay connected throughout the day on our mobile phones and other electronic devices, think twice before leaving them to charge all night. Each electronic device actually produces heat while being charged, which adds up when they’re all charging at once (and most likely in your bedroom). By unplugging your devices at night, not only will you reduce the heat around you, you’ll also reduce your electric bills. A true win-win!

Stock Up On Produce

It’s a good thing all the best fruits are in season during the summer. Eating more fruits and vegetables during the summer helps to keep us hydrated, so our body can keep cooling down naturally. To also help lower the metabolic heat your body produces, cut down on the amount of high protein and salty foods you consume, both of which can leave your body feeling dehydrated.

And we can’t forget, the best way to stay hydrated in the summer heat is to sip some water throughout the day. If the bland taste just doesn’t do it for you, try adding some fruit like lemons, strawberries or cucumber to the water- an instant healthy, refreshing drink to make you survive the heat like a pro!

Photos: Unsplash, Pixabay and Freepik

Travel Hacks That Will Disaster Proof Your Next Vacation

No matter how many hours you spend planning your perfect vacation getaway, there’s always the chance that something goes wrong. Feel at ease booking your next vacation with these five travel hacks that will help avoid even the worst disaster!

Use First Class Wifi

Get Free Wifi Anywhere And Avoid Email Disasters

The Scenario: You’ve finally made it through security and to your gate, only to realize you forgot to send that final draft to your boss… and there’s no public airport wifi. Fear not! Many airports have a First Class lounge with unlimited wifi. While members are required to pay a fee to get the full benefits, more wifi codes are easily accessed via FourSquare, where users have shared the passwords to Wifi hotspots all over the world. You’ll be connected in no time and fully able to enjoy the start of your vacation.

Save Your Luggage With A Fragile Label

Regardless of whether you have fragile items in your suitcase or not, no one likes to see that their items are mishandled (or worse, broken). A simple trick to make sure your bags are handled with care is to ask for a Fragile Bag tag at check in. Not only will your bags be placed on the top in cargo, but they will also be the first unloaded from the plane. This means an even speedier start to your vacation!

Plan Vacations in Private Mode

While searching for flights, you find an amazing price and your dream vacation starts to feel like a reality. That is, until you refresh the search and see that the same flight just doubled in price! Before you let those dreams crash, try switching your browser to private navigation mode every time you look for hotels and flights. Otherwise, cookies that are on the web pages actually record and remember your previous searches. This drives companies to increase their prices, simply because they know what you want. Time to start planning that vacation stress free!

Avoid Pickpocketing With A Fake Wallet

Man Holding Fake Empty Wallet to Carry For Vacation

Nothing can instantly ruin a vacation like finding out you’ve been pickpocketed. While it’s always advisable to never keep all your money in one place, a great solution to avoid losing your money while traveling is to carry a fake wallet. By wearing this fake wallet somewhere typical, like an outer pocket, thieves are more likely to go for the fake than your real money hidden in another location. Nasty note inside the wallet is optional!

Spill-Proof Your Travel Liquids

The last thing you want to have happen after a long flight is to find out your clothes are covered in shampoo, thanks to a leaky lid. To avoid starting your vacation with a sticky situation, place a piece of plastic wrap underneath the lids before tightly closing the lid. The plastic wrap acts as a protective barrier so that even if the cap comes loose, your belongings will be protected. To be extra cautious, put all sealed liquids in a travel ziplock bag before placing in a suitcase. So long saturated clothes, hello vacation!

Photos: Pixabay, Unsplash and Freepik

5 Reasons You Always Feel Hungry (and How to Cure it)

Have you ever eaten a full meal, only to feel hungry an hour later? Do you find your day consists of constantly noshing on snacks and never feeling satisfied?

Turns out, there are many factors that could be contributing to your constant urge to eat. While each individual’s case is different, numerous certified nutritionists and doctors have narrowed the list to five main culprits for our surprising hunger. Thankfully, many of these causes are easily fixed with simple changes to our diet and habits.

Your Sleep is Slacking

In case you needed another reason to hit the hay at a reasonable hour each night, sleep deprivation is also a major culprit for causing you to feel hungry. Getting less than the recommended sleep causes a drop in the levels of leptin produced by the body, the hormone that tells our brains we are full.

As if that weren’t enough, a lack of sleep also negatively affects two other hormones, ghrelin and cortisol. Ghrelin’s main function is to alert the brain whenever we are hungry. Cortisol is the hormone linked to stress, and has a multitude of effects on the body, which includes wanting to constantly eat. Just one bad night of sleep can cause a spike in both ghrelin and cortisol levels, meaning major hunger cravings!

To avoid all the bad hormonal consequences triggered by a poor night’s sleep, aim for a regular bedtime each night. If you have trouble falling asleep, try adding some meditation exercises into your nightly routine, and avoid screens close to bed time.

Blame the Booze

Drinking with Friends can make you feel hungry

Ever notice after throwing back a few drinks while out with friends, you almost always feel hungry afterwards? While alcohol adds up in calories, it has the reverse effect on your brain, causing it to send signals to the rest of your body that you are starving.

Despite the fact you might be consuming sufficient calories with alcoholic drinks included, your body is tricked into thinking otherwise. Suzanne Dixon, a dietician from Florida, recommends getting more calories from nutrient filled food and cutting back on the booze to start feeling full again.

A Troubling Sweet Tooth

Sugary Donuts can cause you to feel hungry

Although sugary sweets like cakes, breads, and soda can serve that quick craving fix, these refined carbohydrates do more of a disservice than just empty calories. The high sugar content in these foods causes rapid changes in blood sugar, which may make you feel satisfied in the moment, but causes you to feel intense hunger later.

This doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your beloved carbohydrates for good, but eating more balanced foods with higher protein content can help you to avoid the sugar rush.

Hungry or Not Hydrated?

Often times when we think we are feeling hungry, we are actually just experiencing dehydration! A simple way to test if that hunger pang is actually thirst is by sipping a glass of water and waiting 15 minutes. If your hunger magically disappears- you can thank hydration for that.

Another easy way to keep hydrated all day is by eating more fruits and vegetables, many of which are loaded in nutrients and water. Watermelon, strawberries, and cucumbers are all great, tasty sources to keep you hydrated and feeling less hungry.

Ditch the Dieting

With summer upon us and the urge to quickly get that beach body, it’s tempting to resort to extreme diets. Nutritionists say this is a serious mistake, for our bodies need a certain number of calories each day to function properly and avoid fatigue. The more tired we are, the hungrier we get… and the more the cravings kick in. Additionally, consuming too little food actually slows down our metabolism– making it that much harder to shed those extra pounds.

If you are trying to lose some weight and not go crazy from hunger, the best advice is to aim for a solid balance of proteins, fats and carbs in your diet. Don’t be afraid to reward yourself and still eat some of your favorite treats- the cravings will subside with everything in moderation!

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