Things to Remember When Giving a Best Man Speech

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It can be quite a great feeling if a friend or relative asks you to be their best man. This will happen at some point in your life and it can sometimes be a once in a lifetime opportunity too! And one of your most meaningful duties will, of course, be the best man speech. Though this sounds simple, it’s not something you should underestimate, especially on such a special day for a person close to you! So, here are some handy tips to help you give a great best man speech.

Don’t get drunk (at least until after your speech)

There have been so many cases where the best man gave his speech drunk and just kept rambling on and on. Save yourself—and everybody else for this matter—from the embarrassment and stay sober before you go up front. Of course, it’s okay to have a few drinks just to shake off the nerves. But remember that even if it is a day for celebration, you should still avoid going all-out with the booze. You wouldn’t want to ruin the couple’s day just because you’ve had too much alcohol!

Make sure to prepare your speech

When you think about the best man’s speech, it all seems very light-hearted. You share a story about the couple, crack a few jokes, propose a toast, and etc. But this really doesn’t mean that you can go in there unprepared. If you think you can go impromptu and nail the speech on the spot, you’re not doing yourself a favor at all. You will have weeks to prepare so use that time to think of things you can say for the speech. Stories, jokes, and quotes will be better presented if you already plan them out beforehand.

Avoid saying anything controversial, insulting, or too embarrassing

A lot of times, when you’re already in front of the mic you get tempted to say a really embarrassing story in an attempt to invite laughter from the audience. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with telling some weird story, but just don’t do it at the expense of your friend and his wife. In addition, never say anything that insults anyone in the room or something controversial like past relationships. Obviously, this should all be common sense but there really are dudes out there who need a bit of reminding.

Keep it short

The best man’s speech always goes last. That means by the time you make your speech, everybody’s ready for a little fun (or the food if the speeches happen before the meal). Plus, because the best man’s speech is expected to invite a lot of laughs, it won’t be necessary to drag it out for too long. Share a short story, crack some jokes, read out messages from those who couldn’t make it, and finish with the final toast.

Common High Blood Pressure Disorders During Pregnancy

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It is true what they say about putting your life on the line when you are carrying a child. Anything can go wrong during the nine-month journey that will endanger both the mother and the baby despite the better healthcare practices and diagnostic tools we have today. One such common problem that is on the rise are the cases of high blood pressure disorders during pregnancy. Let’s examine each type below.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia not only manifests as the elevation of blood pressure, but it can also affect multiple organs in the body. This is notable in the presence of protein in the urine or proteinuria during the 20th week of gestation. Preeclampsia is prominent in first-time mothers or those who have hypertension, kidney issues, immune system disorders, and those older than 40 years.

The blood pressure level must be at least 140/90 mm Hg and there should be a presence of protein in the urine of at least 300 mg to be diagnosed with preeclampsia. Other symptoms include edema, visual disturbances, cyanosis, impaired liver function, fetal growth restriction, and epigastric pain or right-upper quadrant pain.

Gestational Hypertension

This was previously named pregnancy-induced hypertension because it happens after 20 weeks of gestation. A pregnant woman will be diagnosed with this condition if the elevated blood pressure is at least 140/po mm Hg and there are no signs of preeclampsia. This also means that the doctors must first rule out preeclampsia if there is elevated blood pressure but there are no other symptoms after the 12th week of postpartum.

Unlike preeclampsia. Gestational hypertension means that there is no protein in the urine, organ damage, and other symptoms. However, there are still a lot of women who develop preeclampsia between the 24th and 35th weeks of gestation after having been diagnosed with gestational hypertension.

Chronic Hypertension

This condition is characterized by elevated high blood pressure even before the pregnancy. However, it can also start at the 20th week of pregnancy or the 12th postpartum week. A blood pressure of 179/109 mm Hg or less is considered mild hypertension, while a blood pressure of 180/110 mm HG or more is considered severe.

Most of the women who suffer from this are in their late childbearing stage. Although this is less severe than preeclampsia, chronic hypertension can still cause intrauterine growth restriction. The current medication might be changed especially if you are using a beta-blocker to avoid small birth weight for the baby, while ACE inhibitors may cause congenital defects in babies.

Chronic Hypertension with Superimposed Preeclampsia

Women who have hypertension before pregnancy are at risk of suffering from preeclampsia. The high blood pressure gets worse and there are signs of damage to the other organs. These cases are treated the same way patients with preeclampsia are treated to avoid complications.

Tips for Redecorating the Kitchen

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While the kitchen is primarily valued for its function, that does not mean it can’t be stylish. Because you and your family spend a lot of time in it, a redecoration or even a complete renovation is worth the investment.

Here are some kitchen redecorating ideas to consider.

Red and white combo. Stark white kitchen walls look clean and elegant, but they’re boring. Add a splash of red to make the kitchen look more lived in. You could go for checkered patterns or have the walls painted red at the bottom half and white at the top half.

Visual flow. You could have the floors changed to match the color or texture of the countertops. For example, rustic wooden counters can be matched with wooden floors or wood-patterned tiles.

Add more life. Adding house plants in your kitchen will give it a more natural look. You can even line your herbs and spices on a window sill or counter.

Neutral colors. If you are not a fan of bright colors, adding neutral counters, cupboards, chairs, and shelving will make the kitchen look sophisticated and industrial. Neutral accents also go well with metal decor.

Color pop. If you like the clean look of white or neutral colored walls, you need to add colorful details to make your kitchen “pop.” But don’t just pick random colors because you need to coordinate the design, so just pick one or two bright colors when choosing decorations like jars, bottles, containers, etc.

Show off your china. For homes that have a large collection of beautiful china, now is a perfect to show them off to guests. Decorative plates can be lined on a rack or even framed to hang on a wall.

Rustic kitchen. If you like to add a bit of historical look to the kitchen, it is a good opportunity to show off antique pieces like baskets, pots, and bowls. Have the shelves, cupboards, and countertops changed into wood or wood-patterned alternatives to complete the look. You could also hang your copper pans and pots for display.

Go vertical. For small kitchen spaces especially in apartments, you need to add more wall shelves. You could alternate closed cupboards with open shelves if you want to display some knickknacks to maximize the space. To create the illusion of space, have the walls and shelves painted a light color and the flooring changed to neutral color.

Jade, copper, and white. If you want to wow your guests every time they see your kitchen, show off your copper utensils and equipment by displaying them against a jade green kitchen wall. Alternate this beautiful color with stark white counters and appliances and a display of live herbs.

Bold colors. If you find neutral colors boring, how about going for appliances in bold and contrasting colors. However, just make sure you don’t pick more than three colors for your walls, appliances, floor, and counters. The colors still have to be balanced.

Bicycle Maintenance Tips

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Whether you regularly go out on trails every week or you use your bike to go around the city, you need to keep it in good condition to avoid mishaps. Fortunately, maintaining a bicycle is not as complicated as maintaining a car or a motorcycle.

Here are bike maintenance tips you should know.

Gather cleaning materials. Make sure that you have the cleaning materials for your bike such as degreaser, brushes, bike wash cleaner, and chain lubricant. It’s also a good idea to invest in a bike stand to make it easier for working on it.

Clean the bike before making adjustments. If you use your bike daily, you need to set aside some time before or after using it for cleaning. It will be easier to make adjustments and do replacements if it is clean.

Clean and lubricate the drivetrain. If you hear squeaking noises from your bike while going to work, it’s probably from the chain and sprockets. Over time, grime and dirt can accumulate and wear off the metal. Instead of having to replace them often, you should clean it regularly (daily if you use it often) and then lubricate it before using.

Check the tires regularly. Before using your bike, make sure that the tires have enough high pressure. All you need for this is a pump with gauge to determine the pressure. Compare it with the recommended tire pressure for your bike (check the manual). You should also check the pressure even if you have not used the bike for months. You should also be able to fix flat tires in case of an emergency while you’re on the road.

Secure the screws and bolts. Check if there are any loose screws, bolts, and nuts in your bike. You will usually notice something if there are squeaks and creaks from the bike. Just make sure to not overtighten them. You should also store some spare bolts and nuts.

Adjust the brakes before using. You need to check if the brakes are working properly before using the bike. Tighten the barrel or replace the pads if they are worn out.

Index the gears. Check for signs of wear on the gears. The cable will probably need to be tightened. Moreover, you also need to check if the cables are damaged.

Replace the chain. If you use the bike regularly, you will need to change the chain if you have traveled 4,000 miles or less if you always travel on rough terrain. You can invest in a chain checker if you have doubts. When replacing a chain, you might also need a new cassette.

Lubricate. There are specific formulas made for this so avoid using just any product on your bike. Lubricate areas where metal touches metal. However, before lubricating, you need to clean the metal surfaces first.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain You Should Look Out For

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Working a desk job in Singapore, it might be common to feel a bit of pain in your lower back. Of course, this will come from sitting all day. But there are also other causes of lower back pain and some might be more serious than others. Here are some you’ll want to look out for.

Having poor posture

Probably the most common cause of lower back pain in today’s time is poor posture. When you spend a long time sitting in front of the computer at your office or just lounging around at home scrolling on your phone, you usually won’t notice that you’re slouching. If you do slouch for long periods, it will negatively affect not only your lower back but your whole spine in general.

Sprains

Sprains and similar injuries are actually the most common cause of lower back pain. This is because they can happen as a result of many different things. You can get a sprain simply from lifting heavy furniture or while playing a sport. You can get a sprain if you overtrain or do some unnatural movements with your spine. While you can recover from these injuries there’s already a chance that lower back pain will still nag on you in the future.

If you have muscular imbalances

One cause of lower back pain that’s fairly hard to detect is if you have muscular imbalances. Simply put, if you’re using certain muscles more than others. Barbell squats, for example, is a compound exercise that targets the legs but also engages the core and upper back. If you have weak abdominal muscles, you’re lower back will end up taking all the strain. This goes for many other exercises that involve the core as well.

It may come with age

Lower back pain can also come as we get older. Disc degeneration comes with the process of aging and with it can be chronic back pain. This is probably one the trickiest to deal with because it’s natural. But there are many things we can do to at least delay the first instances of pain. It can be anything from maintaining proper posture, to having a healthy diet, even to having physical therapy! As long as you take care of your body as you age, you can delay the effects of disc degeneration.

Scoliosis

Some spinal conditions can also cause lower back pain and scoliosis is a more common one. Scoliosis is basically when the spine curves sideways or in an unnatural shape, like an S or a C. This will lead to unnecessary pressure in some areas in the back. Normally, one will need to go to a physical therapist for correction and to alleviate the effects of scoliosis. With that, the pain in the lower back might also be reduced.

How to End Your Relationship the Right Way

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When we fall in love, the last thing we really think about is breaking up with the person. Unfortunately, there’s always a chance that things won’t go well and the relationship might end. If your connection with your partner reaches the point of really having to end the relationship and the first thing that comes to mind is how to break up in good terms, you’re at least doing something right.

A lot of people resort to negative actions like ghosting to end the relationship. But, of course, it’s always better to end a relationship the right way. But before we get to the hows, let’s first dwell on the idea of ending the relationship in a healthily.

Ending the relationship in good terms

Regardless of what people say, it’s always possible to end a relationship on good terms. Unless you did a grave offense to the other person, it’s very much possible that you can stay good friends. Ending a relationship in good terms also means there’s a chance that you’ll never talk to each other again. But at least you won’t be bitter about it in the end.

Think hard about it

For one, don’t end the relationship abruptly. If the other person shows some red flags, it won’t make sense to break up then and there. Once you feel like the relationship is going badly, take a step back and give yourself time to think about it.

This way, you can be sure about your feelings and confirm if you really want this for yourself or not. In addition, it’s highly likely that the other person will respond in shock and start protesting and begging. But if you’ve already thought hard about it, you won’t be swayed so easily anymore.

Do it face-to-face

Nowadays, there are some people on the internet who claim that it’s fine to break up with someone through text. Well, not to invalidate those persons’ ideas but dumping someone without even looking at them eye to eye is just messed up.

You’ve literally spent a good deal of time and energy with each other, the least you can do is give them proper closure. It will definitely be hard to see their reactions when you do it in person but it’s all for the best. Giving them that time will make a big difference in how the relationship will end.

Be completely honest

There really are a lot of people who have trouble being honest when it comes to breaking up, and it’s somehow understandable. But believe me, everything will be way easier if you just suck it up and be honest with the other person. Just tell them what you loved about being with them and what you didn’t. Of course, you should be honest about why you want to break up in the first place.

Different Uses for Turmeric

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Commonly used as a spice for most Asian cuisine, turmeric is also known as a medicinal food because of its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. Here are the different ways you can use turmeric at home and in your recipes.

Turmeric Face Mask

You can make an all-natural face mask with only a few ingredients such as turmeric, unsweetened yogurt, and honey to soothe and cool skin.

Instructions: Combine 1 teaspoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of unsweetened yogurt, and ½ teaspoon of turmeric in a bowl. Apply on the face and leave for about 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. The mask can leave a stain, so don’t use your brand new towels.

Turmeric Tea to Calm Nerves

Substitute this fragrant tea for your usual cup in the morning to start your day right.

Ingredients: Turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1-2 cups water, milk, honey, ground black pepper, clove, and nutmeg

Preparation: In a pot, simmer all the herbs in water for about 10 minutes. Then strain the tea before adding milk and honey.

Turmeric Poultice

This simple homemade poultice can help soothe inflamed skin especially if you have eczema or psoriasis.

Instructions: In a saucepan, mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of castor oil, water, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour. This should form a paste. Warm the paste on low heat and drops of water to prevent it from sticking on the pan. Let the poultice cool before applying it on the skin. Wrap it on the skin with a cotton flannel then secure with a safety pin. Remove after 2 to 3 hours.

Turmeric Tonic for Colds

Staying at home because of a cold? Relieve the symptoms with this simple and fragrant tonic.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon dried turmeric powder, 1 ½ cups hot water, ½ teaspoon cardamom seeds, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, 1 tablespoon goji berries, 1 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds, black pepper, and cayenne

Preparation: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Pour mixture through a sieve to strain it. Serve while warm.

Turmeric and Garlic Marinade

You can use this for a variety of meat recipes instead of your usual marinade.

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon macadamia nut oil, ½ up apple cider vinegar, and 4 minced garlic cloves

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and use as a marinade.

Turmeric Teeth Whitener

Why spend hundreds on teeth whiteners when you can use turmeric instead?

Instructions: First, wet your toothbrush then dip it in 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Brush your teeth then allow turmeric to sit for not more than 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly then brush with your regular toothpaste.

Turmeric Broth

This is a calming treat for lazy rainy days at home.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 4 cups broth, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cumin, and ½ teaspoon salt

Preparation: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan, the cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool slightly then puree in an immersion blender.

Foods That Help Boost Immune System

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Want to start a new diet but you don’t have the motivation to do it? Why not start by choosing food that can help you fight off diseases?

Green Leafy Vegetables

These are loaded not only with fiber to help your digestion, but they also have antioxidants and various nutrients and vitamins. Adults who are busy must have at least three cups of dark green veggies every week; these include kale, collard greens, turnip greens, swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, rapini, romaine lettuce (both red and green leaf), cabbage, bok choy, arugula, and watercress.

Citrus Fruits

These are natural and tasty sources for vitamin C, plus they are also cheaper than most fruits as they come in different varieties. These include orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, clementine, grapefruit, mandarin orange, bergamot orange, pomelo, kaffir lime, citron, bitter orange, and many more. You will never run out of choices in markets in Singapore.

Garlic, Ginger, and Turmeric

Luckily, you will find garlic in most types of dishes, so you’ll have no shortage of sulfur compounds that will help you boost your immune system. Ginger, like garlic, is also valued for its medicinal properties especially when it comes to inflammation and inflammatory diseases. Turmeric, too, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and it’s sometimes even recommended to patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a relief.

Yogurt

You can alternate your citrus desserts with a cup of yogurt after meals. Plain yogurt in particular is rich with vitamin D which help your body absorb calcium for your bones and regulate your immune system.

Chicken and Turkey

Poultry is also good for you because they contain vitamin B-6 which help your body form red blood cells. You should also use chicken broth or stock in some of your recipes to get your daily intake of protein and vitamins. Who says no to a steaming cup of chicken soup on a lazy day?

Green and Black Tea

A cup of green tea daily can help you fight diseases because it contains antioxidants and amino acids. Just make sure to pick authentic green or black tea. Green tea specifically packs more antioxidants than black tea because it undergoes a different technique. You can also substitute them with ginger, ginseng or turmeric tea.

Mushrooms

Incorporate mushrooms in some of your dishes to get your dose of antiviral, anti-tumor, and antibacterial nutrients. There are a lot of edible mushrooms to choose from that you can mix with soup, pasta, and other savory recipes.

Dark Chocolate

Now you have an excuse to eat more chocolate because cocoa contains antioxidants to help fight off disease. However, you should probably stick to dark chocolate which has less sweeteners and other ingredients.

Whole Grains and Nuts

If you like bread, you should switch to healthier whole wheat bread that has anti-inflammatory properties and is more filling than white bread. Nuts are also healthy sources for fats, vitamin E, zinc, and antioxidants. Plus, you can create a variety of dishes with them.

How to Marry Design Styles with Your Spouse

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Marrying someone means you need to move in and live in the same house, change your ideas of privacy, share responsibilities in running a house, and change your schedules. It can be both an exciting and stressful time for those who can’t seem to find a middle ground when it comes to decorating the home. How do you marry your design styles if you have different tastes?

Find your objective

You will need to find something in common and then slowly build up from there. For this, you will need to determine your objective when decorating a home. Do you want to focus on a theme or a color palette? Once you have agreed on the basic design objective, then you need to consider which items should go and what needs to remain?

Start with a clean slate

If you both have a ton of items in your possession, you might never be able to meet that common objective. One option that could work is to get rid of non-sentimental and unnecessary items. Start with a clean slate as they say so that you can narrow down the items you need to work with. However, you need to keep in mind that material things are part of your partner’s identity. Asking them to get rid of it because you don’t like it is insensitive and may be indicative of another problem in your relationship.

Work with neutral colors first

Deciding on the color of the walls and furniture is more contentious than you think because color is known to have an effect on the person’s mood. Instead of arguing which color is better, why don’t you agree to work with a neutral color that neither of you have strong feelings about. White or beige can be a good starting point.

Shop together

Whether you’re looking for materials to redesign the apartment or you want to find pieces to decorate the home, both of you should have a say in the matter. Look at different catalogues, browse through listings online, and schedule a window shopping if you must. Shopping together also makes it easier for you both to set a budget realistically because you get to talk about your opinions of the items. If you can’t even do that together, then you probably have other things to worry about your relationships besides decorating your home.

Apply the 80/20 design rule

The idea is to have a similar theme of at least 80% of the furniture and decorations. You can then use the remaining 20% to add personal touches from you both. This is where you can use those personal items or collections you decided to keep. That way the house has its unique style that reflects both of your choices, but it also showcases accents that highlight your unique personalities.