What Are the Benefits of Fruits & Vegetables for Kids?

Helping your kids develop a healthy relationship with fruits and vegetables is necessary if you want them to grow strong and fit. However, getting them to like what they are served is another story, and you will have to get creative and authoritative to have them eat their share of fruits and veggies.

Show That You Do It As Well
Children learn by example, and unless you show them how it is done and that you are eating your greens, they will not follow. On the other hand, if you are forcefully trying to feed them green products, they will not like it one bit, and might even develop a lifelong disgust that will be very hard to get rid of later on.

Eat More Green to Get You Healthy
Tell your children why it is important to eat fruits and vegetables, otherwise they might not even get a liking at all. After all, if they want to be strong and healthy, they should not skip on one of the most important parts of a meal. Though, try to avoid bribing them, because that will force them to hate their veggies even more. But, make sure that you eat your share with them as well, so that they see that they are not alone in this.

Better Nutrition Is Necessary
Not only will they get vitamins and minerals but they will be filled for longer, and it comes in handy as a quick snack between meals. Teach your children that instead of reaching for a chocolate bar, they should go with a ripe apple, but, make sure to give them a good reason for it as well. Moreover, try to pack their lunches so that they have a piece of fruit with them. This will be helpful because they will avoid heavily sweetened things which could cause not only caries but also a number of illnesses as well.

Make the Fruit Stand Out
Although it is hard to serve vegetables when they are not prepared for a meal, it is possible to have fruit in the kitchen readily available. You will have to place it in an attractive holder though, so that kids can quickly grab a fruit and be on their way. Fruit baskets from Sydney are exceptionally beautiful and it is guaranteed to grab not only your kid’s attention when coming to the kitchen for a snack, but grownups’ attention as well.

Have Your Kids Eat Fruits and Veggies before Studying
Greens are packed with helpful nutrition that will boost not only children’s immune systems, but it will be essential in assisting them in studying. And, if they make it a habit, their homework and studies will be a cinch, and they will soon notice a great improvement in academic performances as well. Not only that, but a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will result in better focus not only at home, but in school as well, making it easier to learn new information, and to retain for longer too.

Keep in mind that a finely balanced diet is necessary for helping your children grow up and become strong and healthy. Moreover, having enough greens on their plates will boost their performance and help their overall achievements as well, but, it will be necessary to eat a variety of produces, because eating only one type will not do too much good. Moreover, set an example by eating your greens as well, so that you children can start early on, and to ensure never skipping fruits and veggies.

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Grief: Coping With a Loss of Your Loved One

Losing a certain someone who had a special place in your life is always hard and devastating. This is especially true if that someone is a person really close to you, like a family member or a close friend. This can be a very traumatic experience and people can react very differently to these kinds of changes in their life. The grieving process is something that every person must go through, but it is certain that this process can be quite overwhelming and distressing. Although everybody has their own way of dealing with these things, there are a couple of things that every person should try in order to cope with their loss.

5 Stages of Grief

The stages of grief are not a myth made by psychologists. They are quite real and everybody goes through them one way or another. The best advice is not to ignore these steps but to embrace the grieving process as a natural way of coping with the loss. It is important to accept the fact that you will be feeling angry and shocked, you will try to blame others and you may even feel hatred and bitterness. All these feelings are natural and completely normal and there is no need to avoid them. Let the nature take its course and let the process take its place.

Image source: Pexels

Talk About It

Do not try to avoid talking about your feelings. Don’t bottle up your emotions and certainly do not shut other people out. It is perfectly understandable for people to close up and refuse to talk about their condition. All of this is perfectly normal, but it is important to try and open up. Try talking to a friend, or if you feel more comfortable, try talking to a psychologist. The point is just in letting the words come out and accepting the situation as it is. Nobody says it is easy but it is important to do it for your wellbeing.

Do Something Memorable

Another good thing is instead of grieving for losing your loved one to try and celebrate their life. Try to remember all the positive and good things that they did and wanted to do during their lifetime. Try to accomplish something that they would be proud of. For instance, if the person you have lost had decided to use cremation services, it could be meaningful spreading their ashes someplace memorable and important to them. Always try to celebrate their name and their life wherever you go.

Learn From It

Perhaps the most important thing that you should do is actually learning from your loss. Do not chain yourself to your bed and lock yourself in your room. Do not let the grief overcome you. Rise up from it and learn to love life. Learn to value your life and the lives of all others around you. Cherish the people dear to you and cherish every moment that you spend with them. It is important to come out of it much stronger than before. It does not do to dwell on memories and forget to live.

There are no guidelines that you can follow in order to feel instantly better. You are a human being with emotions. If you didn’t feel hurt you would never know how to feel happy again. It is important to realize, although it seems helpless and like the sorrow will never go away, that it will get better and you will learn how to cope with it. The people you love will always be near you and you will always feel them by your side. You will never be able to lose your loved ones.

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Finding a Critical Environments Control Solution for Wet Chemistry Laboratories

Some laboratories perform analysis through the use of analytical chemistry. The scientific method gets its name from the frequent analysis of materials in the liquid phase. Automation has simplified the process of analysis in most settings but the challenge for many labs is in finding a critical environments control solution that is both effective and efficient. One of the most significant areas of concern is the chemical fume hood. This equipment is a significant tool in achieving and maintaining the desired level of control in the airflow system.

 

image:en.wikipedia.org

The primary objectives of airflow control systems for the laboratory include:

• Operator Safety – Many chemicals and the interactions they produce when combined with various materials result in the release of fumes that are toxic to the operator. An effective airflow system will capture and contain fumes to prevent harm from coming to the operator or anyone within the controlled environment.
• Room Pressurization – Maintains the desired room pressurization of air coming in to that leaving the room to prevent the influx of particulates into or out of the room.
•  Ventilation –The volume of air coming into the room should meet the required amount to maintain indoor air quality. The amount of incoming air needs to balance the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the remove while allowing vapors to be given off.
•  Comfort – Temperature control provides comfort to operators regardless of the current activities. The type of airflow system will play a role in the ability to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Reliability – An effective critical environments control solution operates efficiently without the requirement of continual maintenance to address or prevent failures. Phoenix Controls (PhoenixControls.com) has championed the change in chemical fume hood lab control and design to meet the objectives of an effective, reliable critical environments control solution.

The Basics of Fume Hood Control

The simplest method for controlling chemical fume airflow in the laboratory is through the use of constant volume (CV). To achieve this, the fume hood, along with supply and exhaust air flow, are set to a fixed number and maintained. Additional methods can be used for greater efficiency of the system or improved energy efficiency.

The basic idea behind fume hood control is to draw sufficient air through the sash opening while maintaining proper airflow patterns in the cabinet that will prevent hazardous vapors and unpleasant odors from escaping.

Guidelines are provided for controlling the range at which the air travels through the opening in the sash. The “Face Velocity” should be between 60 and 120 fpm while many facilities consider 100 fpm the standard for safe operation. Adjustments may be made without concern for safety when there is no operator in front of the fume hood with any sash position.

The challenge to creating and maintaining critical environments control solutions that really work is designing one that can simultaneously control ventilation and utility connections for accurate and consistent results. While the ventilation hood is a key feature of an effective wet lab environment, there are also other components that must coordinate with the settings for a cohesive solution.

Surfaces

All of the surfaces in a wet chemical lab must be resilient. Not only does this include countertops and equipment surfaces, but the flooring as well. Floors need to be covered with vinyl flooring that is resistant to chemicals. All surfaces need to be seamless and coated with materials that make them impenetrable.

HVAC

The HVAC is another important component of the wet lab environment. The HVAC system controls temperature and humidity that can impact research. Maintaining a constant temperature is also essential to ensure the equipment performs accurately. Additional filters are included to remove particulates and to improve efficiency. Dust and other particulates can negatively impact experiments and equipment just as temperature and humidity do.

Acid and Corrosives Storage

Keeping acids and corrosives store safely is important to protect the integrity of the surfaces and equipment in the lab and the operator. Vented storage is usually provided under the fume hood along with emergency equipment.

Individual Laboratory Modules

Wet chemistry labs are often divided into separate units with individual connections to the HVAC, gas and utility connections, and safety devices.

Gas and Utility Services

The types of gases and utilities used in the lab depend on the type of experiments performed. A number of utility connections may be used including those for oxygen, carbon-dioxide, or distilled water. The connections for a gas or utility are a part of the building’s distribution system.

Goal of a Critical Environments Control Solution

An effective system will produce optimal results and save the lab money. It needs to be sustainable and should take safety and security into consideration. The emergency equipment stored under the fume hood should be maintained to ensure it works when needed. Hand-held chemical fire extinguishers should be kept available and alarm pulls located throughout. Also, the use of gases calls for toxic gas monitors where gas is stored and used to monitor for potential leaks.

A Good Plan Starts with the Construction

There are a number of relevant codes and standards that apply to the structure and maintenance of a critical environment. The process of meeting compliancy starts with the plan for construction so that the necessary accommodations can be made. The cost of each unit is dependent on the quality of construction and the specific design features. Special features such as revolving darkroom doors for touch-free developing of blots, additional exhaust fume hood systems for large-scale operations, or piping delivery systems to deliver filtered chilled water are examples of details that may be required in some settings and which will provide specific critical environments control solutions that are both practical and efficient.

Some wet chemistry labs are in operation around the clock. In these settings, the equipment and processes are often left on as the cost of shutting down could have a serious impact on the cost-effectiveness of the room. Understanding the needs of the lab related to every area of the processes will help to find better solutions.

Sources:

http://www.schneider-elektronik.com/download/LabPlanningManual_07_en.pdf

http://www.pdhonline.org/courses/m143/m143content.pdf

https://www.wbdg.org/design/lab_wet.php

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Tips for Helping Your Child with Homework

Homework can be a really fun activity if a parent is involved in the process.  Some children are more successful in school if they have a help from their parents while studying. However, this does not mean a parent should be there during the entire study time, but only jump in occasionally, if a child needs some explanation or motivation. There are various ways for parents to help child with homework.

1. Make a Plan
First, you should talk to your child and explain what is expected from him or her. Talk about the previous problems they had with their assignments, and what the cause of complications was. There is a possibility that your kid waited for homework to be done late at night, before they went to bed. In that case, this year the task should be done earlier, preferably during the afternoon.

2. Start the Routine
There should be the exact time for homework. When an activity is repeated every day, it becomes a habit. Consult with your child about the time of day that is most suitable for doing the assignment, and repeat the routine daily. However, make sure that the homework is not done right after a child comes home from school. There should be at least a 30 minutes break between school and homework. It is the optimal time for resting, clearing the mind, and getting ready for studying.

3. Be a role model
As a parent, you have an obligation to set the best example for your children. Complete your work and they will do theirs. Try to make them see that doing the tasks at the right time, lessens the anxiety and influences better on their productivity. After the work is done, praise your child and make them feel proud of themselves.


4. Choose the Appropriate Area and Materials for Studying
You should let your children pick the right spot they feel most comfortable learning. Whether that is a desk in their room, a kitchen table, a sofa, or the floor, the choice is theirs. Moreover, make sure there are no distractions.

Turn off the TV, computer, and do not let siblings disturb. The best idea would be for the entire family to have a certain time of the day when everyone is doing their homework, or homework-like activities, if kids are not old enough for school.

It is always a great idea to incorporate some additional materials for studying. Flash cards, and notes from other peers can be of great help. Especially if a child is preparing for Higher School Certificate. Namely, sometimes they need additional help in studying chemistry, so the best aid would be chemistry notes for the HSC. Those are the perfect choice if he or she has to revise. It will definitely make the study less difficult.

5. Turn to the Teacher If Needed
Re-teaching the information is not the best choice. The way you would explain it might be entirely different than the teacher’s, which can only add more confusion to the kid. If your child did not understand what the assignment is about, the best help is turning to the kid’s teacher for more explaining. You may want to explain it yourself, but that will only make your child think you are their study-buddy. However, you should not have the role of one.

Studying can be very stressful, and children usually tend to avoid it for as long as possible. Make sure to provide them with enough help and motivation, and soon they will start doing it on their own. There will be no need for you to force them into doing it. Praise them when they do well, so their self-confidence can grow and make them do even better than before.

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