Super Simple Homemade Sports and Rehydration Drink Recipe

I have an embarrassing confession. I sweat. A lot. Probably 3 or 4 times as much as the average person. I'm not entirely sure of the cause, but it means that I am constantly losing large amounts of both fluids and salts, as much as an athlete would, even when I'm not doing anything particularly physically exertive. In addition to that, I have dysautonomia, specifically Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, something that is usually comorbid with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which I also have. This means that my body doesn't know how to regulate blood flow, which causes a large variety of different symptoms, but it is most pronounced when changing positions (that's what postural orthostatic tachycardia means- heart rate affected by your posture) which can cause really bad dizziness.

To treat the symptoms of POTS, there are lots of different recommendations. Drinking really large quantities and having a lot of salt are two extremely helpful ones, because salt causes water retention, and combined with drinking more, that increases your blood volume, which is one of the biggest ways to help symptoms. 

I don't know about you, but drinking salt water isn't something that is particularly appealing to me. I've drunk large amounts of water in the past but it made me nauseous. I've even gotten water poisoning one time after a hike (it was terrible) and it only went away when I had something carby and salty. I try to remember to drink but when it is just water it doesn't happen enough. And it doesn't really help my symptoms anyhow, because if you drink water but don't have the salt, you just pee it all out and it doesn't help with the blood volume.

Enter sports drinks.

They're basically drinks that are meant to help replenish what you lose when you sweat. Liquid. Salt. Electrolytes. And sugar. Not always sugar. But sugar helps because carbohydrates help facilitate sodium and water absorption. My friend started buying powdered Gatorade and I started drinking it to see if it helped with my dizziness and exhaustion issues and the difference was remarkable. I was much more of a functional human being when I drank Gatorade. However, locally you can only buy ready made Gatorade, which is quite pricey if you drink 3-4 liters a day. I ordered it online internationally, and it was terrific. But then the store raised their shipping prices prohibitively, and ordering it didn't make sense anymore. I tried ordering rehydration packs from iherb (not Gatorade but a similar idea) but they still haven't arrived. But my Gatorade was finished. And I needed to have something to help me rehydrate that wasn't just water.

I have a sports drink recipe here, called Laborade (which I based on a different recipe I found online years ago) but it calls for a gallon of water, which is a lot to make at once, and I don't really have any good container to mix that large of an amount in. And I wanted something I could make to scale. So I experimented to see if I could make that into a powder version, using citric acid, and some fruity tea bags... and it was just terrible. It tasted so bad that I didn't want to drink it, nor did anyone else. This was after multiple attempts with different permutations.

But I was out of Gatorade and I needed something. So I experimented. What if I made lemonade, but didn't make it as strong, and then added some salt to that? It worked. Then I added tea bags for flavorings. It also worked great. I tried playing around with the amounts of sugar, salt, and lemon... but increasing the salt just made it taste yucky.

Eventually, I found the perfect ratio for me. And it works just as well as Gatorade, I think. I mean it's not like I did a scientific study with this, but drinking 4 liters a day of this sports drink definitely helps a lot, and much more than that amount of water, and it is more pleasant to drink so I don't minimize my drinking.

The Financial Aftermath of a Car Accident: 7 Things to Know

Having lost my car to engine failure last month, car issues have been on my mind. In my case, I didn't lose my car because of an accident, but I know just how stressful suddenly not having a car is. And I've been in a bad car accident a few years ago in a rental car and I know how difficult it is in so many ways, financially, emotionally, etc... I hope you are never in a car accident, but in case you are, here are some things you need to know about the financial aftermath.

Getting in a car accident can be truly life-altering, and one of the greatest and most far-reaching impacts they can have is on your finances.

The aftermath of a car accident (especially a more severe one) touches so many facets of your life. From medical bills to paying for lawyers and even purchasing a new vehicle – there’s a lot of spending involved, whether you were at fault or not. If you’ve been in an incident recently and want to start thinking about the long-term costs and how you might be impacted over time, here’s what you need to know.

Immediate Financial Impact

Starting off with the initial hit, which you’ll face directly after being in a car accident. Initially, you’ll probably only be faced with medical bills. If you’ve been seriously injured, you’ll need to be admitted to hospital, and depending on where you live and what insurance you have, etc., you might need to pay those costs up front. However, you’re able to claim compensation, you might be able to get this money back.

Another financial knock that you’ll face directly after the incident is the cost of the damage to your car. If there’s any serious damage, you’ll need to have the vehicle repaired or even buy a new one. However, this can also be mitigated by insurance or claiming for compensation.

Goodbye Dear Car of Mine

I'm having a hard time emotionally right now. Confused. Anxious. Stressed. Sad. Shame. Hopeless. And lots more to boot.

Last week I was driving home from an outing along a highway, and about a 30 minute drive from my house the car started making some noise. 5 minutes later I realized that I couldn't go as fast as the speed limit- the car started making strange noises and the RPM went up really high when I tried going above 80 kmh. Then I couldn't go faster than 70. Then I couldn't go faster than 60. I was on a stretch of road that really wasn't safe to break down on, and I knew that there was a town about 5 kilometers away. I prayed that we'd be able to at least make it there before we couldn't drive anymore.

We finally got to the entrance of the town, and after I stopped at the traffic light to turn into the town, I couldn't get the car to move forward. I stepped off the brakes and the car started rolling backward, downhill, even with my foot on the gas. I parked and put on my hazards and tried to call emergency roadside service, and they told me that based on what I told them, there was no point in calling a volunteer to come help since there was nothing they could do, and I'd just need to call a tow truck. I had my passenger get out of the car and get help to push the car out of the middle of the road and into the town limits. My son and 2 other guys pushed the car while it was in neutral, and I was able to drive it into the town and park it at the side of the road.

How Clean Gutters Can Save You Money in the Long Run

I honestly don't know so much about gutters. I'm not sure we even have them in our country. But growing up we had them. I know that some people collect rainwater with rain barrels under their gutters. But that's the extent of my knowledge of gutters. So I'll let this reader share why, if you have gutters, you should clean them regularly to save you money.

Gutters are an essential part of any home's drainage system, yet they often go unnoticed until a problem arises. Neglecting gutter maintenance can lead to costly repairs and damage to your property. In this article, we will explore why keeping your gutters clean is crucial and how it can save you money in the long run.

How to Teach Your Child About Cryptocurrency

In many cases, adults know more about technology and technology related things than their children. In some cases, like mine, my son knows so much and teaches me, including pretty much everything I know about cryptocurrency. If you're in the opposite situation and you want to teach your children about this, here are some ways to help you do that.

Teaching your child about cryptocurrency and how you can trade or make a purchase with it can help your children make smart financial decisions in the future while instilling a sense of investment. When teaching your child about this emerging financial technology, start simple, use examples, emphasize security, make it relatable, and encourage curiosity. Let's explore some interactive ways to teach your children about cryptocurrency.

Greek Purslane Salad Recipe -- Salata Horiatiki Me Glistrida -- Foraged, Frugal, and Delicious

Purslane has long been a favorite foraged plant of mine ever since I learned about foraging it over 12 years ago. Unfortunately, as the years go by, I find it less and less, which makes me sad. I found purslane for literally the first time this year this past Tuesday, and it made me so excited. I couldn't wait to use it in my kitchen. Purslane has so many good uses, but I like it best raw, because then I feel its unique taste and texture shine, whereas when you cook it it just tastes like slightly slimy slightly sour green beans, and I'd rather just eat green beans then. 

I am trying to increase the healthy fats in my diet, as well as salt (more on that in another post), and I decided to combine those with purslane to make a terrific salad. This basically is just Greek salad, with the addition of purslane, a commonly found green in Greece as well as the rest of the world. Greek salad is called horiatiki in Greek (meaning from the village), and according to this blogger, probably was originally made with purslane, called γλυστριδα, written glistrida in English but pronounced glee-sthree-tha. This version is called salata horiatiki me glistrida, is something you can find in Greek cuisine, especially in places like Crete, according to my Cretian friend Vera, though in Crete they would add rusks, sort of like croutons, but something I wouldn't add because of gluten.

This recipe is quite easy to make, gluten free, allergy-friendly other than dairy, low and is quite frugal too. It is a terrific refreshing summer salad, and is filling enough to make a meal on its own or with a side of some rustic bread.

Greek Purslane Salad Recipe -- Glistrida Horiatiki -- Foraged, Frugal, and Delicious

How Our Nervous System Shapes Our Mental Landscape

As someone with mental illnesses and in therapy for a while now, the topic of how brains work is a fascinating thing. I've learned about trauma and how it is kept in the brain, how the brain handles information, as well as more animalistic parts of our brain. The brain is a very fascinating part of us, that is what is allowing us to read this post, but so many of us don't know much about how the brain actually works. If you'd like to learn more about this fascinating part of us, read on.

The human central nervous system (CNS) undergoes a complex process of development that is shared among mammals. However, certain aspects of neurodevelopment in humans are highly unique and derived. The formation of the human CNS requires precise coordination of molecular and cellular processes across various cell types over an extended period of time. Disruptions in these processes can lead to structural and functional abnormalities in the CNS, resulting in neurological or psychiatric disorders.

Recent advancements in technology and research have shed light on the molecular and cellular landscapes of the developing human CNS, particularly in the cerebral neocortex. In this article, we will explore the latest understanding of human neurodevelopment, its implications for neural evolution, function, and dysfunction.

The Best Strategies To Begin Saving Money For Your Grandchildren Right Away

Aesop had a fable about an ant and grasshoper, with the ant working to save up food for the winter while the grasshopper just lies around. While it can be really tempting to just lounge and take it easy, it pays in the long run to work hard now so we can relax more in the future instead of constantly needing to play "catch up". If you are looking for ways to prepare that nest egg, here are some ways to do that. 

While it’s important to plan for the future and consider where your money will go decades down the line, saving doesn’t have to be all about retirement funds and end-of-life financial planning. In fact, there are a variety of ways to start saving and investing that can benefit both you and future generations.

If you play FanDuel slots, a popular online casino game, there's a change that you can win big. When someone wins money, there's a large temptation to spend it all at once, but the smarter option is to invest it and put it away for the future. Remember, though, that casino games are just for fun and money spent on them should come from a carefully budgeted fun money line of your budget, and anything won is just an extra.

You can build up a nest egg that can be used to fund special occasions and contribute to college funds for your loved ones. With careful consideration and a willingness to explore new ways of saving, you can start laying the groundwork for a brighter future today. 

Our Frugal Annual Desert Camping Trip

My family had a wonderful camping trip in the desert and I wanted to share about it with you. This is an event the family and I look forward to every year. 

This year was our largest camping trip yet. We were 4 families instead of the 2 we started with. There's something nice about a really small group and something nice about a group a bit larger. These 4 families were all close (my best friend, her husband's family, her good friend's family, and my family) so there was a good emotional bond. I can't imagine going with a larger group though, then it would lose its intimate feel.

Our day started off well enough. We met with our friends at a gas station where we went to fill up with gas and transfer some of their things to my car since we had more room (yay big car!) and they had so many things on their lap until we did that.

My friend mentioned that my rear driver's seat tire looked a little deflated, so I went to top it off with air and while I was at the pump decided to make sure all the other tires were properly inflated. (There was a bit of a wait until I could start as there were 4 cars ahead of me.) As I got to the last tire, I knew something was wrong. As soon as I took the nozzle off the tire valve, all the air started coming out of it- the pin that was supposed to keep the air in broke- and in no time at all my tire was completely empty.

Fortunately, in the same parking lot as the gas station there is also a tire repair place, so I carefully drove to them, inching along, on just my tire rim. I was really hoping that I wouldn't need to replace the entire tire, since it was pretty new, but since this was the first time it happened to me I was in the dark... but hoping it wouldn't be an expensive fix. It ended up being a really simple fix to just replace the valve, and cost me $20.  However there were a few people in front of me, so we had to wait in the sun until our turn came. We only ended up getting on the road to our camping trip about an hour and a half later than we originally started, with kids already grumpy.

Gifts that Hit the High Note: Perfect Presents for Music Teachers

As a child, I took music lessons with 3 different instruments- piano, recorder, and harmonica, and had many teachers over the years. My kids have mostly taught themselves via online videos or apps, but I started my daughter with voice lessons before everything shut down from COVID. A good music teacher can make a big difference in a kid's life. If you're looking for a way to show your appreciation to your kids' music teachers, here are some terrific ideas, many of which are extremely affordable; for example, it is quite easy to propagate succulents for free from cuttings.

As the curtain falls on another academic year, it's time to show appreciation for the dedicated educators orchestrating young musical talents' growth. Music teachers play a significant role in shaping the minds and hearts of aspiring musicians, imparting their knowledge, and nurturing a lifelong passion for music. What better way to express gratitude than by gifting them something that hits the high note and resonates with their musical soul? This article explores a selection of perfect presents that will delight any music teacher.

Snapfresh Leaf Blower: the Top Decision for Compelling and Proficient Yard Upkeep

If you have a yard and have trees nearby, you may be very familiar with the concept of autumn leaves. Leaving them in your yard on the ground can ruin the grass underneath as they decompose, and in some places it can even get you fined. Solution? Hire someone to get rid of the leaves, or do it yourself. Doing it yourself can be either with a rake or with a leaf blower. Doing it yourself will save you money, but it may be tiring to rake it all by hand, especially if you have a lot of leaves falling on your property. If that's the case, you might want to purchase a leaf blower. Here is why you may want to consider getting the Snapfresh leaf blower to aid in your task. 

Keeping a spotless and clean yard can be a requesting task, particularly when confronted with an overflow of fallen leaves and garbage. In the quest for the best leaf blowers available, "This Old House," a famous expert on home improvement and cultivating, has handpicked the main five leaf blowers accessible on Amazon in 2023. Among these world class choices stands the SnapFresh Leaf Blower, a strong and flexible instrument intended to reform your yard upkeep schedule.

Strong Execution: The SnapFresh Leaf Blower has acquired its put on "This Old House's" rundown for a few convincing reasons, with its noteworthy presentation being the first. This leaf blower offers hearty velocities of up to 130 MPH, guaranteeing that no leaf or garbage is left unattended. Its remarkable blowing force easily cleans up leaves, grass clippings, and other nursery debris, leaving your yard perfect in record time.

Lightweight and Versatile: One of the champion elements of the SnapFresh Leaf Blower is its lightweight and ergonomic plan. Weighing a little more than six pounds, this leaf blower is unimaginably simple to deal with and move, making it ideal for clients of any age and actual capacities. Its minimized size and smooth development guarantee that you can easily explore sharp corners, tight pathways, and difficult to-arrive at regions effortlessly. Express farewell to difficult and tiring yard work, as the SnapFresh Leaf Blower's easy to use configuration gives uncommon solace and comfort.

Flexibility at its Ideal: Gone are the days when a leaf blower was exclusively utilized for clearing leaves. The SnapFresh Leaf Blower carries adaptability to the front, offering different capabilities to take special care of your particular necessities. With a basic change, it easily changes over into a vacuum and mulcher, permitting you to gather and mulch the fallen leaves for more straightforward removal or treating the soil. This multi-practical ability dispenses with the requirement for numerous apparatuses, saving you time, space, and cash.

Battery-Fueled Effectiveness: The SnapFresh Leaf Blower's cordless plan is controlled by a dependable lithium-particle battery, offering expanded runtimes without the problem of strings or the requirement for steady re-energizing. The included 2.0Ah battery gives more than adequate ability to handle even the most requesting yard cleanup assignments. Moreover, the blower includes a quick charging innovation that empowers the battery to arrive at full limit in only an hour, guaranteeing negligible free time and greatest proficiency.

Calm Activity and Eco-Accommodating: notwithstanding its noteworthy execution, the SnapFresh Leaf Blower highly esteems its low-commotion activity, creating a simple 60dB of sound. Express farewell to troublesome commotion contamination and hi to a more quiet outside experience. Moreover, the battery-fueled nature of the blower makes it an eco-accommodating choice to internal combustion partners, decreasing fossil fuel byproducts and adding to a greener climate.

End:

As perceived by "This Old House," the SnapFresh Leaf Blower addresses the exemplification of greatness with regards to yard upkeep instruments. Its outstanding presentation, lightweight plan, flexibility, and eco-accommodating activity make it an unquestionable requirement for mortgage holders and cultivating lovers the same. Embrace the comfort and proficiency of the SnapFresh Leaf Blower to change your yard support routine into a breeze.

All Ready To Go Camping!

As a parent living on a low budget and until recently without a car, there were many experiences from my childhood that I wished I could give to my kids, but were untenable. However, we went camping every summer, and often twice, and that was something that I knew could be done frugally with my kids. But first we needed to figure out how to do it without a car.

When my kids were very little we borrowed someone's tent and went camping in the forest/field right outside my community and we were able to walk there. The kids had a terrific time.

Then we figured out a place that was free to camp and bus accessible. The first time we went there, we took a bus to my ex's relatives and then they drove some of us and the rest of us bussed to the beach campground a few miles from their house.

Since then, we've gone camping pretty much every single year. We figured out how to go to that campground entirely by bus and had a wonderful time and implemented lessons learned from our previous years to make it better.

Eight Reasons Why Accreditation Matters in Higher Education

If you are considering going to college or sending your kids to college, you may be contemplating where to send them. There are some colleges that aren't accredited and while some things may draw you to one of those places, there are some big potential downfalls with sending to such a school. Here are some reasons why you should make sure that you send your kids or go yourself to an accredited school.

As you embark on your journey through higher education, making the right choice of college or university, you might stumble upon the term "accreditation."

You may wonder what does it entail and, more significantly, why should it concern you? In simple terms, accreditation is a validation process that educational institutions undergo to certify that they conform to a set of stringent quality benchmarks defined by an external authority.

However, the role of accreditation stretches far beyond merely assuring quality. It catalyzes improvement, inspiring educational institutions to continually explore better methods to serve their students and substantially contribute to the broader academic realm.

This article will illuminate the crucial role accreditation plays in higher education.