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Everyday Question: Why is Water Always Served in Bottles in Restaurants?

When visiting a restaurant, drinks are usually served straight from the glass. If you order mineral water, it often comes in bottles. What’s behind it?

The Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO)

If you order a drink in a restaurant or a café, you will usually receive it in a glass.

Table water can also be served in a glass or carafe – in contrast to mineral water, which is subject to special regulations and can only be brought in unopened bottles and only served at the table. The reason for this lies in the regulations to which mineral water is subject. These are the highest quality standards that are regulated in the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO):
It originates from subterranean water sources protected from pollution and is obtained from one or more natural or man-made springs.
It is of original purity and characterized by its content of minerals, trace elements or other components and, where appropriate, by certain, especially nutritional effects.
Its composition, temperature and other essential characteristics remain constant within the limits of natural variations; they are not changed by fluctuations in the bed.
So if the mineral water is brought to your table in a sealed bottle and only opened there, you should be assured that it is just this quality water – and not table water, for example. So you can be sure that you will be served unadulterated mineral water.

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10 Tips: How to Save Paper in Everyday Life

What is the best way to save paper in everyday life? We have 10 tips for you on how you can easily reduce your paper consumption. This is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet.

Why is papermaking problematic?

In order not to have a bad conscience with notes, exercise books or college pads, you can use recycled paper as a first step. Paper can be recycled up to seven times before it becomes too fragile.

Another advantage: With recycled paper you are not only doing something for the environment, but also for your wallet. As a rule, recycled paper is cheaper than fresh fiber paper. You can also protect the environment with good alternatives. Still, it’s best if you put as much effort into saving paper as possible.

Save paper in everyday life: 10 tips

It doesn’t take a lot of effort for that. With these 10 everyday tips, saving paper becomes child’s play:
Use scraps of paper: Does every note really need its own piece of paper? There are now many ways to digitally record shopping lists and to-do lists. However, if you can’t do without a piece of paper, you shouldn’t throw away half-written sheets immediately. Better to cut them in half or use the back side again. So you also have a piece of paper at hand for the next note.
Printing: When printing, you can also ask yourself whether you really need to print the document. If so, it doesn’t always have to be brand new paper. Do you perhaps have an already used piece of paper that you can print on the back of? If this is not possible in some cases, such as important documents for work, recycled paper helps here again.
Avoid paper bags: It is no longer a secret that plastic bags should be avoided. But only a few know that paper bags are not necessarily better either. That’s because few bags are made from recycled paper and they’re almost always made from virgin fiber paper. So it is best to make sure that you always have your own fabric bag with you.
Cloth instead of paper: You can save paper by using cloth handkerchiefs instead of handkerchiefs and by using a rag more often instead of kitchen roll. Both can be washed and reused.
“No advertising”: You often have unwanted brochures, catalogs and magazines in your mailbox. Instead of throwing them away without comment, you can cancel them by phone or by writing to them. It also helps to put a “No Ads” notice on the mailbox. This is how you avoid unwanted mail.
Waste separation: Used paper is a valuable raw material and should therefore be disposed of separately. For example, the following do not belong in the waste paper: beverage cartons, receipts and pizza boxes.
Save paper in the office: Huge amounts of paper can also be saved in the office. If you scan forms or store digital documents on external storage and make regular backups, you don’t have to print them out and file them in folders.
Reuse newspaper: After reading the newspaper in the morning, you don’t have to throw it away right away. More and more people are using these as an alternative to wrapping paper. It looks beautiful and is also sustainable. Newspaper can also serve as protection to pack fragile items.
Reduce wrapping paper: In addition to newspaper, you can also use alternatives to lovingly wrap gifts for your loved ones. Pack them in cloths or cloth bags, for example.
Avoid ordering on the Internet: Order as little as possible on the Internet. Cardboard boxes and packaging are made of corrugated cardboard, which cannot be recycled. It is therefore better to support local trade in your area and save paper at the same time.
It already helps to realize how valuable paper is and that it doesn’t take much effort to break everyday routines. With these small things you can already relieve the environment a lot.

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Effective Power Saving in Everyday Life

Saving money is by no means a dusty and stuffy affair that only parents and grandparents have made a virtue of. Saving money where it is particularly easy is clever because you can then afford many other, nicer things. A good and easy way to do this is to avoid unnecessary power consumption in the household. Quite a few people are annoyed that their electricity bill is very high. You can accept that, but you don’t have to. Because electricity is often unnecessarily consumed unknowingly and a lot of money is wasted.

For motivation to save electricity in the household

A few simple power-saving tips can help you save. There are simple behavior changes that can reduce power consumption. It is important to know, for example, that off does not mean off. All you have to do is unmask all the secret power guzzlers. A lot of electricity can also be saved by replacing old electrical devices with energy-efficient models and by replacing old light bulbs.

Perhaps knowing that it will have a direct impact on your account will increase your motivation to save electricity. Especially when the annual electricity bill flutters into the house. It is not uncommon for high additional payments to occur here. You can counteract this by taking a few things into account.

At the lighting

A simple and sensible option is to replace incandescent and halogen lamps with LEDs. Modern energy-saving fluorescent tubes are also highly recommended. Replacing old bulbs helps noticeably to save electricity. For example, LEDs consume even less energy than energy-saving lamps. You don’t need to replace energy-saving lamps immediately. You can wait for them to break down.

In general, however, you should not forget to switch off the light when you do not need it. If a floor or table lamp not only has a switch but is also operated with a power supply unit, then it is advisable to pull the plug or plug it into a power strip that can be switched off. This makes sense because lamps can use up electricity unnecessarily even when they are switched off.

Which devices use how much electricity?

If you are interested in this question, you can easily measure the power consumption with an ammeter. You can even borrow them free of charge, for example in an advice center at a consumer advice center. Comparing the measured power consumption with an energy-efficient, the new model can be very revealing. You can easily read the annual electricity consumption on the energy efficiency label of the new devices. It may turn out that replacing an old device will quickly pay off financially, despite the higher purchase price.

If you think that an electronic device is switched off, it can still turn out to be a secret power guzzler. The easiest way to find out is to feel if the power supply is warm. If so, this device is consuming power.

Save electricity with refrigerators and freezers

The refrigerator should be set so that the temperature in the upper compartment is around 7 degrees Celsius. That is perfectly sufficient. A drop of just 1 degree Celsius increases power consumption by around 6 percent. Food that perishes quickly, such as minced meat, should be stored at a refrigerator temperature of around 2 degrees Celsius. The ideal temperature for freezers is minus 18 degrees Celsius. The doors of all these devices should only be open for as short a time as possible. Warm food is best left to cool before putting it in the fridge.

Save electricity with the dishwasher

The dishwasher should be as full as possible so as not to use up water and energy unnecessarily. About 80 parts fit in a conventional machine. The pre-rinse cycle is usually not necessary and coarse leftovers can be removed with the cutlery. It is recommended to use the dishwasher’s automatic program or to select a low temperature (50 to 55 degrees Celsius). Also, note our simple tricks for saving in the household.

Save electricity on the stove and oven

When cooking (e.g. bringing water to a boil), always use a lid. This saves time and electricity. For vegetables, eggs and potatoes it is sufficient to use only 1 to 2 cm of water. In this way, the vitamins are more likely to be preserved. If you bake with convection, you can save about 15 percent energy (compared to the top and bottom heat).

Save electricity with the washing machine and tumble dryer

Here, too, the device should be sufficiently fully loaded. Washing should preferably be carried out at low temperatures (30 to 40 degrees Celsius). This is completely sufficient for normally soiled everyday laundry. You should also descale your washing machine regularly to reduce energy consumption. If you want to use the dryer, you should have selected a high spin cycle on the washing machine beforehand. You save time in the dryer because the laundry is less wet. It is even more energy-efficient to simply air-dry the laundry.

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Healthy Sugar Substitute: Tasty Alternatives as a Sweetener in Everyday Life

Many low-calorie drinks now have a permanent place on the menu of our favorite restaurants. Our diet also offers us many opportunities to avoid sugar with the help of sweetening alternatives. But which sugar alternatives are there, what can they be used for and how healthy are they actually?

Artificial Sugar Alternative #1: Saccharin

With a sweetening power 300 to 500 times stronger than our table sugar, saccharin has made it to the top of the most popular sweetening alternatives. Saccharin is not metabolized and is ultimately excreted unchanged. Because it is calorie-free, saccharin is often used in light products.

#2: Aspartame

The same can be said about aspartame. Aspartame has protein building blocks (proteins) that contain four calories per gram. Therefore, it comes very close to sugar, also with four calories per gram.

#3: Erythritol

We often come across erythritol in the sugar department, packed in a bag as an alternative sweetener. It is mostly used 1:1 like sugar for baking

More artificial sugar alternatives

Sucralose is a real all-rounder! This is a new sweetener made from sugar that is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged in most people. In addition, it is 600 times sweeter than sugar, good for the teeth, water-soluble and can be used for many foods.

Natural Sugar Alternative #1: Stevia

After dealing with the chemical sweeteners, we turn to the natural, plant-based alternatives and their special features.

#2: Xylitol

Even if the name is more reminiscent of a musical instrument: xylitol
The sweetener from Finland has the name “birch sugar” because it is traditionally made from birch bark here. Xylitol dissolves well in water, looks just like our table sugar and is often used for chewing gum and toothpaste due to its tooth compatibility.

#3: Coconut Blossom Sugar

Coconut blossom sugar is also known as palm sugar and is considered one of the top sweetening alternatives. With a whopping 380 calories per 100 grams (sugar at around 400 calories) it is the most sinful sugar substitute. If you also look at the nutritional values ​​(90g per 100g of carbohydrates), you might ask yourself why coconut blossom sugar is supposed to be healthier.

Other natural sugar alternatives: rice syrup and sweeteners from the kitchen

Rice syrup is made into syrup using a fermentation of cooked rice and originally comes from Japan. Rice syrup* comes to about 290 kilocalories and 70 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. The syrup also contains no fructose and is therefore well suited for people with a fructose intolerance. Rice syrup tastes less sweet than sugar and also has an effect on blood sugar levels. Rice syrup contains calcium and iron.

Baking with sugar alternatives – you should pay attention to that

Since hardly anyone would like to do without their sweet cake in the afternoon, the question arises as to how well the sweetening alternatives are suitable for baking. Because the correct dosage is particularly important when baking, as this can deviate from the usual sugar and the alternatives. As we noted above, sweeteners vary

Sugar alternatives: That’s what dental health is all about

The dissatisfied look of the dentist and then again: caries! It’s simple: oral bacteria feed on sugar, and sugar has become a big part of many of our foods. Because we are eating more and more sugar.

Sweet drinks in particular are dangerous because they quickly give us a lot of sugar and thus damage our dental health. Refined sugar and cane sugar promote the development of caries to the same extent. Even honey should not be consumed excessively when the teeth are suffering.

Sugar alternatives and weight: For a slim line?

The eternal suffering with sugar and the morning number game on the scales – if you want to lose weight, you should avoid sugar. This is often said and unfortunately it is also true. But what about sweeteners? Don’t worry, because sweeteners are often accused of making you fat, but the German Society for Nutrition has no current scientific evidence.

Due to the lack of metabolization and the lack of nutritional values, the body cannot utilize sweeteners, which is why the blood sugar levels are not further influenced. It should be borne in mind that artificial sweeteners increase the appetite for sweets as they trick the brain into thinking it is eating something “sugary” and this feeling does not last long due to the lack of energy (in the form of kilocalories). The feeling of hunger can thus return faster and let us devour the second piece as well.

However, as long as it’s two (maybe three) and a good balance, sweeteners shouldn’t interfere with weight gain. On the contrary: if used correctly, sweeteners can help reduce our cravings (especially at the beginning of a craving).

Sweeteners in diabetics and children

Sugar alternatives for children: As mentioned above, sweeteners are almost calorie-free, tooth-friendly and do not affect blood sugar levels, which is why they are harmless to children’s health in reasonable amounts. However, it is important to ensure a balanced diet, since sweeteners do not keep you full for long. In addition, children should not eat too much, as these are often heavily sweetened and they could get used to the above-average sweet taste.

Sugar Alternatives for Diabetics: Sweeteners (like aspartame, saccharin) are beneficial for diabetics because they come with no calorie content or blood sugar effect. Since diabetics should pay close attention to their sugar intake, the craving for lots of sweets can still be satisfied with sugar alternatives. Of course, the same applies here: enjoy consciously! Rice syrup and honey (similar to sugar) have a lot of influence on blood sugar levels. Xylitol affects blood sugar a little. No influence

In summary, sweeteners should be dosed correctly so that they do not have the opposite effect and trigger feelings of hunger. In terms of health, sweeteners have surprisingly many benefits. Therefore, the first sugar-free cake should not be long in coming!

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Organize Everyday Life with Effective Time Management

A stressful everyday life demands a lot from people and families. These days the weeks are full of important tasks and appointments. You quickly lose track of things. Effective time management is required to ensure that everything runs smoothly in household and family life. Therefore use practical tips for organizing everyday life.

Organize stressful everyday life

Anyone who makes sure that everything runs smoothly in the household and garden and in family life on a daily basis has to cope with an enormous workload. The many small and large tasks and needs in everyday family life are usually taken care of seven days a week without long breaks. Then organizational talent is one of the core competencies.

Good planning is required to ensure that no important things are forgotten in the multitude of your tasks and appointments. Consequently, we have collected practical tips for effective time management. So you can organize your everyday life perfectly and survive stressful times. Because a permanently stressful everyday life blocks the view of beauty.

1) Effective time management relieves the head

A well-organized everyday family life initially requires some work. Ultimately, this helps you save valuable resources, relieve your head, and effectively reduce stress. There are various practical helpers for this, such as a family planner calendar. This helps to organize everyday life. There are many different types of family planners on the market. You can choose the number of columns, the layout, the size, and the design according to your needs. Ideally, the family planner offers enough space for entries and hangs in a central place, for example in the kitchen.

2) Use family planner apps

When everyday life is full of appointments and important tasks, a family planner is an indispensable aid for effective time management. Since the whole family is usually digitally networked via smartphone, you can also manage your family planner via an app. You can enter appointments immediately after the agreement and send them to the other family members. The computer magazine CHIP has tested some popular family planner apps.

Discipline is required for the family planner to serve its purpose. Consequently, every family member should enter important appointments as soon as possible, preferably with the time, place, and any important additional information, such as documents to be brought along. If long-term preparations are required, such as baking cakes for the kindergarten bazaar, you should enter the date early. In this way, you ensure effective time management in everyday life.

3) Write down important information

Countless pieces of information are processed in our heads every day. This includes meal planning, to-dos, or preparations for the next children’s birthday party. So that you don’t forget anything during a stressful day, you should always write down important information immediately. Use a notepad, sticky note, or chalkboard for this. In addition, highlight important information on the note with a highlighter. That way they catch your eye better. Also, get rid of notes that are no longer up-to-date. As a result, you can better deal with the challenges of household chores.

4) The three minute rule for effective time management

There are many small and large tasks that fill the day. What seems manageable at the beginning of the day all too often turns into stress because individual activities are postponed for too long. The three-minute rule helps. After this, you should immediately tackle all activities that can be completed within a maximum of three minutes. This includes quick house cleaning, such as putting away a dirty plate or taking out the rubbish. In contrast, move tasks that take longer to a more convenient time slot. Consequently, the three-minute rule helps you to prevent tasks from being postponed and to organize your everyday life perfectly.

5) Use paths in the household sensibly

Also, do tasks “on the fly” that are otherwise extra items on your to-do list. So if you run a cleaning rag over the railing when going from the first floor to the ground floor, you can already delete this detail from your own cleaning plan. Or use the empty laundry basket with the fresh laundry to carry the dirty laundry back to the washing machine. You can also transport other things that are in the wrong place. As a result, you can easily organize and save time. This is effective time management.

6) Organize everyday life and get tasks done early

When something unpredictable happens, everyday life becomes stressful. Therefore, you should do the foreseeable well in advance. The classic is getting Christmas presents, which is really no fun in December. Because as the year progresses, more gift seekers push through the crowded shops. So get those tasks done early.

7) Combine errands sensibly

You can also combine important errands and weekly shopping for effective time management in everyday life. Apps, such as a clever shopping app, can also help you here. If you use a shopping app, you can go to the store that sells the detergent on your way home – without having to travel extra.

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Losing Weight without the Yo-Yo Effect in Everyday Family Life

Losing weight without the yo-yo effect works best with a healthy and balanced diet for the whole family. In order for weight loss to work successfully in stressful everyday family life, avoid strenuous and one-sided diets.

Special diets are hardly feasible in stressful everyday family life. If sport is then also recommended, the dream of the desired figure seems to be an illusion. Losing weight without exercise and with little time is possible and you don’t have to follow a specific diet.

Diet is a real challenge in losing weight in everyday family life

Most people have tried numerous diets. Many were successful and lost weight. But the problem is always the yo-yo effect after a diet. Because that often occurs as soon as the diet is ended. Often you then quickly weigh more than before the diet and are frustrated. In addition, losing weight with a diet is usually a challenge.

If you’re still short on time and dieting between changing diapers, checking homework, doing quick housecleaning, etc., losing weight is associated with additional stress. Thus, the diet is doomed to failure. Especially when you’re whipping up a delicious meal for the family and need to stick to your diet plan at the same time.

Tips for losing weight without exercising

At the same time, it is difficult for a mother to do sports every day in the stressful everyday family life. Because how do you create space with small children? But the good news for mothers is: You can also lose weight in everyday family life without the yo-yo effect. Because to lose weight and become slim, you need a healthy and balanced diet. For this purpose, try to consider the following when it comes to nutrition in order to be able to lose weight without exercising. In addition, you should first calculate your BMI value to find out how your weight should be classified.

  • Hardly any carbohydrates and consume a lot of protein.
  • Trust in high-quality fats.
  • Beware of juices and high-sugar fruits.
  • A negative calorie balance is essential.

Losing weight without the yo-yo effect through healthy nutrition for the family

Consciously avoid a strict and one-sided diet. Because when you establish healthy eating habits for you and your family, you all benefit. This saves you the extra cooking and reduces stress. If you want to lose weight without the yo-yo effect, then avoid eating high-carbohydrate food in the evening. However, note that they are valuable sources of energy. Therefore, you should not completely eliminate them from your meal plan. And from time to time it can also be a pizza. But permanently losing weight in everyday family life is only possible with a healthy diet. Healthy means the following:

  • Lots of fresh vegetables and fruit (5 servings a day),
  • many whole grain products,
  • little meat and animal fats,
  • if meat then lean varieties, e.g. poultry,
  • low sugar and sugary foods,
  • It is important that you drink a lot of water or unsweetened tea (at least 1.5 liters per day).

Organize a healthy diet well in everyday family life

A healthy diet with lots of fresh ingredients sounds expensive. But the preparation can succeed quickly with the good organization in everyday life. You should also use shared meals to enjoy together and eat consciously. You should at least take your time for breakfast and dinner because those who eat consciously instead of casually learn to listen to their feeling of satiety. You can also organize yourself as follows:

  • Prepare vegetables in the morning when the little ones are still asleep or away from home.
  • Prepare fresh juices or smoothies in just a few minutes with the blender.
  • Pre-cook meals and freeze them in the freezer. This way you only have to cook one day and only have to warm up the food briefly in the following days.
  • Cut up fruit in the evening for muesli in the morning and store it in a storage container. Tip: Put some lemon juice on the fruit to keep its color. Stored in the fridge, the fruit tastes very good the next morning.

Stimulate metabolism to lose weight

As already mentioned, sport and daily exercise are good for your health. Because with it you can stay fit in everyday life and stimulate your metabolism. You don’t have to do any strenuous exercise to do this. Half an hour of walking, cycling, swimming, gymnastics or yoga at home with children is enough. Sport helps you lose weight easily without the yo-yo effect. Because in addition to stimulating the metabolism, sport also has a motivating effect and it is easier to do without the little sweets in between.

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7 Ideas for Fitness in Everyday Life to Stay Fit

Stay fit in everyday life for physical and mental health. Bring more fitness into your daily life with simple tricks and get rid of bad habits. So you don’t necessarily have to go to the gym, but can become more physically active at home or at work.

Fit in everyday life instead of expensive gym

You pay for months for your membership in the fitness center, but then all too often you don’t have the time and motivation to exercise regularly. And so we pay our membership fee every month without benefiting from it. But don’t panic! If you integrate simple exercises into your daily routine and pay attention to a balanced diet, you can save yourself a trip to the fitness center and the money. Use simple fitness exercises and healthy habits. As a result, you can stay fit with more everyday exercise. You do something for your physical and mental fitness.

Tips for staying healthy and fit

Since there are many reasons to increase physical activity, you should start today. In addition, it is very easy to stay fit in everyday life. And in the long run, you will feel better. The more active you become, the easier it is for you to move every day. You can also do something good for your health if you have regular preventive health checks when you visit the doctor.

1) Bring more movement into everyday life

Every step makes you slim. In fact, you burn a lot of calories when you set out on foot. So it’s worth walking to do some shopping, go to the doctor or pick up the kids from school. In this way, you store routes that can be described as a tight walking program or as walking training. So that you can get through the day stress-free even without exercise, try the following methods to move more:

  • Move when you call.
  • Get a glass of water more often.
  • Get off a stop or two earlier.
  • Choose the farthest parking spot when shopping.
  • Don’t eat your lunch at work, but outside.

2) Ride a bike more often

Improve your fitness by getting on your bike more often than usual and cycling to your destination. Because cycling is healthy and also saves fuel and ticket money. If you have a little more time, you can also choose the most beautiful bike route to your destination, maybe you can cycle through a great piece of nature. But a bicycle in the form of fitness equipment for the home can also be useful and fun.

3) Go for a walk and stay fit

A walk in the morning or evening ensures more exercise and fitness in your everyday life. Going out in the fresh air can also be a great way to relax. In addition, regular walking can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, go for walks alone or in a company more often.

4) Window cleaning fitness

Even cleaning the windows can strengthen the back muscles with the circular arm movements and is really fun when your favorite music is playing at the same time. If you have steps in your own house, you can use them to strengthen your calf and leg muscles. To do this, go up and down the stairs quickly several times, taking two steps at a time, it’s a lot of effort.

5) Climb stairs and stay fit

As already mentioned, you can strengthen your leg muscles by climbing stairs. In addition, you use up as much energy and calories when climbing stairs as with intensive weight training. So from now on, take as many stairs with you as you can. Run to the children in the basement and on the first floor. Or use the stairs instead of the elevator.

6) Watch your posture

In order to stay fit and avoid pain in your back or neck, you should pay attention to your posture. An upright posture while sitting at work or while walking will help you strengthen your muscles. And your health benefits from it. Also, note useful home remedies for neck pain.

7) Carpet as a yoga mat

You can also bring a little exercise into everyday life with yoga exercises at home and stay fit. There are a lot of good videos on the internet for beginners. And in the living room, the carpet replaces the yoga mat. As a result, you can do light and varied exercises comfortably without any effort in the living room to nice music or while watching your favorite film.

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Protect Children from Dangers in Everyday Life

Parents always want to do everything right and protect their children. And rightly so, because especially in the first months and years of life, newborns and small children depend on the protection of their parents. Therefore use valuable tips for child protection.

Protect children in everyday life

There are many dangers lurking in everyday life. It can be dangerous not only outside but also in your own four turns. Adequate child protection is therefore important and should be taken seriously by adults. Small children in particular want to explore their environment and cannot distinguish between dangerous and harmless things. Consequently, parents need to protect their children and should pay attention to a few important aspects in the home and outside. Because if you know about possible dangers, you can identify and eliminate them more quickly. This gives your child a safe start in life.

1) Create a safe home

It’s hard to believe, but according to a study, more than 80 percent of injuries in small children requiring treatment can be traced back to accidents in the home or other facilities. It is therefore an essential precautionary measure to make your own four walls childproof. Consequently, make sure that stairs are fitted with gates and houseplants are out of the reach of small children. You should also check the garden and ensure more child protection here. Are there open water points, such as ponds, watercourses, or rain barrels? Then make them inaccessible with a fence or cover. Because even a few centimeters of water depth can pose a danger for small children.

2) Door lock to protect children

Doors also pose a danger. Small children can quickly get bad injuries here. As soon as the dear little ones become mobile, you need a good mechanical door lock. Then your child cannot leave the room unnoticed or get stuck in the door. Here you can remedy the situation with a small bell that you simply tie to the door to protect children. As soon as the bell rings, you know that your little treasure is on a journey of discovery. Likewise, always lock the apartment or front door so that your child does not go hiking unnoticed.

3) Safe toy and use

As a child, pretty much anything becomes an interesting toy. You should therefore remove all dangerous objects and store them safely so that your child cannot steal them. But that’s not all. You should also carefully examine the toys that your newborn babies or children bought specially. Because most everything is tried out with hands and mouth. It is therefore important that your children’s toys are safe. Quality and test seals will help you with this.

4) Identify hidden dangers and protect children

Dangers are not always as obvious as a knife or scissors lying around. The situation is different if the danger is not visible to the eye. Chemicals and pollutants in particular often remain undiscovered. These include, among other things, softeners and dyes contained in clothing, such as aniline. These get on the child’s skin and can cause irritation there. The whitening agents used in children’s clothing for visual reasons are also suspected of triggering allergies. When buying new clothing, it is best to look for the “oeko-tex” seal or the European eco-label in order to be able to protect your children. In general, it is worth making the household more sustainable.

5) Pay attention to the ingredients of care products

It is also advisable to take a close look at the ingredients of creams and shampoos. Because even care products that are advertised for babies and small children can contain additives that are unsuitable for sensitive children’s skin. This is particularly problematic with chemicals that have a similar effect to hormones in the body. In animal experiments, these showed reprotoxic effects. When it comes to caring products, parents should therefore turn to manufacturers of natural cosmetics to protect their children. You can also easily make natural cosmetics yourself, so you know exactly what’s in them.

6) Protect children in traffic

It is also dangerous for children and adults on the road. Since children are not sufficiently sensitized to these dangers at a young age, you should never take your eyes off your children on the road. So leave her in the stroller or take her by the hand. In addition, it can be helpful to make them aware of the dangers and to explain them. You should also be careful that they don’t run away or get lost. Child protection is therefore essential, especially in road traffic. Playgrounds or playing in the sandbox should also be accompanied or observed up to a certain age.

7) More security on escalators

Today, escalators are found almost everywhere, especially in department stores, subway stations, train stations, and airports. So they are part of our daily life and nobody would think of an accident. But they can also be dangerous, especially for children. Therefore, they should never play on escalators. Likewise, small children should always be accompanied by adults for sufficient child protection. Other tips on how to behave on the escalator are as follows:

  • Never step on the black treadmill; because here the danger is particularly high.
  • Be careful with plastic sandals, sneakers, or plastic boots, the up to the four-millimeter wide gap between the movable steps and the fixed sidewall can become a trap.
  • Do not sit on the escalator, because clothing such as scarves, coats and long hair can get caught in the gears of the chain drive through the gaps, and, in the worst case, lead to strangulation. This also applies in particular to the ends of the escalator.
  • And this is how you do it right: stand in the middle of the escalator, hold on to the handrail, don’t wear overly long scarves, and hold the children by the hand.

You can find many more informative tips and advice on the subject of safety in the e-book on child safety.

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Balanced Nutrition: 10 Rules for Everyday Life

A balanced diet is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. If you eat healthily, you can usually get by without any dietary supplements or strict diets.

A balanced diet is often mentioned when it comes to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. But what does that actually mean? With its 10-point plan, the German Society for Nutrition e.V. (DEG) provides a practical guide to a balanced diet. You can follow these ten rules to ensure you eat a balanced diet.

With mindfulness to a balanced diet

Before considering what you eat, consider how you eat.

When you take your time with your meals and eat slowly and mindfully, you can enjoy food more.
You also prevent yourself from overeating. Because: The feeling of satiety only sets in ten to 15 minutes after the start of the meal.
Make sure you chew enough. It’s best to chew each bite 30 to 40 times.
In order for this to succeed, you should avoid disturbing external influences during the meal: the television or mobile phone are now in radio silence.
Careful handling of food also includes not wasting food. We give you 10 simple tips that will make it easy for you to do this.

A balanced diet is varied

A healthy diet uses the entire range of foods, because no single food contains all the necessary nutrients. It should be colorful and varied.

Vegetables, fruit, grains, legumes, oils, seeds and kernels – make sure you have a balanced mix of all food groups.
And you should also vary as much as possible within the groups – for example by eating the wide range of different types of vegetables.
By orienting yourself on the seasonal calendar, this variety is almost guaranteed, because the regional offer changes constantly over the months. The seasonal, regional diet is not only good for you and your health, but also particularly sustainable.

Five a day: plenty of fruit and vegetables

The “five a day” rule is another guide. It says: You should eat three servings of vegetables (400 grams) and two servings of fruit (250 grams) per day. In terms of quantity, fresh fruit and vegetables should make up the largest part of a balanced diet.

Fruit and vegetables provide you with plenty of nutrients and minerals, fiber, vitamins and secondary plant substances. They also bring variety in taste and appearance to the plate.

You should try to include some fruit or vegetables in every meal – for example by slicing fresh apples or bananas into muesli, eating a salad for dinner or enjoying pasta with fresh tomatoes and carrots.

Nuts, oilseeds and dried fruit are also part of the fruit portion. Due to the higher calorie content, the portion size here is around 25 grams. By the way: A smoothie or freshly squeezed juice can occasionally replace a portion of fruit – but not too often, because these usually contain a lot of hidden sugar in the form of fructose.

Minimize sugar and salt

Sugar is a calorie bomb and increases the risk of tooth decay. Increased sugar consumption is also said to be indirectly related to an increased risk of diabetes.

The problem is rarely the deliberately added sugars in tea or food, but the hidden sugars in processed foods and beverages.
Sugar traps include, for example, fruit yoghurt, fruit nectar or muesli. And even in ketchup, dressings and ready meals like pizza, surprising amounts of sugar are often added.
It is therefore worth checking the list of ingredients and the nutrient table. Better yet, avoid processed foods altogether and you’ll have full control over how much sugar goes into your food.
Excessive salt intake is also dangerous for the body: too much salt can increase blood pressure and thus the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Guide value: It should not be more than six grams of salt per day.
Again, we often ingest far more salt through processed foods than we realize.
Fast food, meat products and cheese in particular are often particularly salty. But there is also a lot of salt in bread and most ready-made products.
Even in your own kitchen, there is often more salt in the food than necessary. Tip: Flavor your food with herbs and other spices before adding salt.
Reduce the salt content in your food step by step. At first, foods with less salt may taste a bit boring. But over time, your taste buds will adjust and become more sensitive again. Then you will even benefit in the end with a richer taste experience.

Healthy fats from vegetable oils

For a while, fats were generally considered unhealthy. We now know that fat is not just fat and has very different nutritional significance depending on its type and origin.

In order to obtain the essential unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, we should fall back on valuable, healthy sources of fat. In addition to vegetable oils, this also includes nuts and oilseeds.
Rapeseed oil is highlighted by the DGE as a particularly recommended oil. It has the lowest proportion of saturated fatty acids, but is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E.
In addition, walnut, flaxseed, soybean and olive oil also have a good fatty acid profile. Virgin olive oil in particular also contains many secondary plant substances.
On the other hand, saturated fatty acids should only be consumed in small amounts, as they are said to have a negative effect on blood values ​​in particular. Coconut oil, palm oil and animal lard are particularly rich in these saturated fatty acids. You should also avoid palm oil for the sake of the environment.
The trans fatty acids in hydrogenated fats are particularly problematic. These are considered to be one of the causes of cardiovascular diseases and have a negative effect on cholesterol levels. As a result, the risk of a stroke or heart attack increases.
These trans fatty acids are mainly found in industrially processed foods, especially in fried foods such as french fries, donuts or chips. Popcorn, margarine, sausage, croissants, biscuits, dairy products and many convenience products often contain these harmful fats.

Whole grain products are part of a balanced diet

Whenever you reach for grain products, whole grain is the better choice for a balanced diet: Whether pasta, bread, rice or flour – whole grain foods contain more fiber, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases and Reduce dyslipidemia. In addition, high-fiber foods make you feel full for longer and thus prevent binge eating.

Wholegrain products also contain more nutrients than alternatives made from refined flour. They provide valuable long-chain carbohydrates as well as vitamins and minerals and are therefore an important part of a wholesome diet.

Animal products: meat, fish, milk and co.

The DGE recommends milk and milk products to ensure the supply of protein, vitamin B2 and calcium. Fish is also recommended once or twice a week. Oily fish in particular are good suppliers of omega-3 fatty acids, while meat provides iron, selenium and zinc.

On the other hand, the DGE warns of the unhealthy ingredients in meat and sausage: More than 300 grams to 600 grams per week should not be exceeded. Red meat (beef, pork, sheep, goat), which increases the risk of colon cancer, is particularly dangerous.

In general, the DGE therefore advises eating fewer animal products. This is not only better for your health, but also for the environment and climate. After all, milk and meat have the greatest impact on the planet.

In addition, the animals in industrial animal husbandry suffer enormously. You should therefore only buy animal products in organic quality, preferably with a stricter organic seal from Naturland, demeter or Bioland. Here not only an environmentally friendly, but also a species-appropriate animal husbandry is ensured.

It is also possible to cover the nutritional requirements with a vegetarian or vegan diet. There are enough vegetable protein sources such as nuts, seeds and legumes. For vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron, plant-based products are often the better option anyway. Only the much-discussed vitamin B12 is often neglected in a vegan diet. It is therefore recommended to substitute this accordingly.

Drink enough water

Sufficient fluid intake is essential for all bodily functions. According to the DGE, it should be at least 1.5 liters per day, and up to 2.5 liters on a hot day or with a lot of physical activity.

It is not just how much that is important, but what: Ideal thirst quenchers are water and unsweetened herbal and fruit teas. Tap water is usually the best choice: It is the cheapest and also does not require any packaging or transport routes – and is of the best quality in most areas of Germany.

Lemonades, cola, fruit juice drinks, nectars, iced tea or mixed milk drinks such as iced coffee are not recommended. They usually contain a lot of sugar. Because of the numerous health risks and the risk of addiction, alcohol should only be consumed rarely and in small quantities.

Cook food and meals gently

The ultimate nutrient content of food is highly dependent on how it is prepared: the longer food is exposed to heat and water, the more nutrients are lost. Therefore, the following applies: Cook food as long as necessary, but as short as possible.

Steam cooking and blanching are particularly gentle methods of preparation. But raw food is often a good option too: there are some vegetables that are healthier raw than cooked.

In any case, you should avoid overheating and burning food. Carcinogenic substances develop in the process, which is why you should definitely not eat burned areas.

Balanced lifestyle with enough sport

In addition to a wholesome, healthy diet, sufficient exercise is also part of a balanced lifestyle.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, colon and breast cancer, and depression. Circulation and metabolism are stimulated and well-being increased. Physical activity also helps to regulate weight in a healthy way.

Neither overweight nor underweight are healthy. That’s why it can be worth keeping an eye on your body weight. However, if you take all of the tips mentioned and eat a balanced diet, do enough sport and lead a healthy lifestyle, you will automatically level off at your ideal body weight.

You can also easily incorporate physical activity into everyday life – for example by taking the stairs instead of the lift or by cycling to work or school. This is also better for the environment in the long term.

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Culture

Use Coffee in the Household and Everyday Life: Tricks for Life

Coffee can make our lives more comfortable in many ways. Whether it’s a relaxed start to the day with a warm cup of hot coffee in your hand or little coffee tricks for the house, garden, skin and hair. Even if many people initially think of the annoying emptying of the coffee grounds from the coffee machine and cannot imagine how life should be pleasant like this, coffee grounds in particular have real potential as a cheap household help. We reveal which tricks coffee grounds and coffee powder can be useful in the household and everyday life.

Coffee as a household help

Coffee powder or used coffee grounds can also work wonders in the household as a little helper. Whether as a fertilizer, cellulite peeling or odor neutralizer – the active ingredients in coffee are a cheap alternative for some household products.

Before you reuse the used coffee grounds, you should let them dry on a tray or plate. Damp coffee grounds can get moldy, causing you more trouble than help.

Coffee trick in the household: The coffee grounds method against unpleasant odors

When you open the fridge, do you get a strange smell of food? With a bit of coffee powder or coffee grounds, you can easily remove the bad smells. To do this, place a plate with some coffee grounds in the fridge and wait a few hours.

The coffee easily absorbs foreign odors and can neutralize them, allowing you to remove the smell from your fridge. The trick also works for other parts of the household.

Remove stubborn dirt with coffee

The cheap scouring milk substitute from the coffee machine: coffee grounds can also be used to clean dirt that is difficult to remove. With the help of a sponge and a little coffee grounds, fried residues in pots, pans or on the grill can be easily removed.

Coffee trick in the household: Wasps chase away with coffee powder

You probably know this: You want to have a relaxed meal in the sun, but as soon as the food is on the table, wasps are attracted. Even if you don’t have to fear for your life from wasps, they are still annoying. With a bit of coffee powder and the right method, you can avoid those annoying animals when eating.

Just put some powder in a bowl and light it up with a lighter. The resulting smoke deters the wasps and nothing stands in the way of a relaxed barbecue evening. As a tip: In the garden, the coffee can also be used as a fertilizer.

Everyday coffee trick: Versatile enjoyment

Coffee makes our life more pleasant, of course, primarily because it is enjoyed and thus increases our well-being. A wonderfully aromatic cup of coffee is the little break at work or simply at home on the couch. And coffee can be so diverse. Whether as a milk coffee, latte macchiato or strong espresso – the different ways of preparing coffee provide variety.

Coffee trick in everyday life: coffee as a stimulant

It is a well-known fact that coffee wakes you up and serves as a pick-me-up. The reason why we feel more awake and invigorated after the morning cup of coffee is the caffeine it contains. It stimulates our brain and increases concentration and performance.

Coffee trick in everyday life: the caffeine hair treatment

Our hair is also happy about the caffeine contained in coffee. The coffee grounds are therefore a good alternative for all expensive caffeine shampoos. Simply massage some of it into the entire hair and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly and shampoo your hair as normal.

The caffeine stimulates hair growth and also prevents hair loss. It also gives your hair volume and shine, making it a real beauty tip.

Coffee trick in everyday life: anti-cellulite peeling for the skin

Coffee isn’t just good for your hair, it’s also good for your skin. The anti-cellulite peeling is the emergency solution before a day at the beach. If you suffer from dents in your skin, you can also use coffee grounds. Together with a little olive oil, the peeling is applied to the body in circular movements.

After five minutes of exposure, shower off. The caffeine dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation, which tightens weak connective tissue. Our tip: alternating showers to remove the peeling also tightens the skin.

Coffee trick in everyday life: slimmer through coffee

By enjoying our beloved coffee, we can also do something good for our health. A cup of coffee before exercise can help burn fat. Because: Coffee boosts the metabolism and helps the body to convert more energy. Incidentally, you achieve the best effect with morning exercise without breakfast beforehand – with the exception of coffee, of course.

Coffee trick in everyday life: Coffee is a good reason for a date

Granted, it’s not a true coffee “trick,” but it’s a sign of why coffee makes our lives more enjoyable. Because who doesn’t know it, meeting up with your best friend for a cup of coffee in your favorite café around the corner. Drinking a coffee together connects and is sociable.

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