March 2019 - Page 3 of 13 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

March 26, 2019

Heads Carolina, Tails California: The Top Unique Things to Do in Greenville, SC

Are you taking a trip to Greenville, South Carolina soon? What should you do there? Read on to learn about unique things to do in Greenville.

Are you planning a trip to Greenville, South Carolina soon? If so, you’re in for a city that is jam-packed with history, attractions and unique things to do.

But, if you’re on a time-crunch or in the midst of making a travel schedule, you might be wondering what places and attractions in Greenville are the most noteworthy.

Whether you are looking for thrill seeking adventures, a quaint place to relax or some free fun, Greenville has a little something for all of their tourists.

These top things to do in Greenville are bound to provide you with a memorable trip with plenty of photo opportunities to share with your friends and family.

Cakes By U

If you’re looking for a fun, girls nights out, look no further than Cakes By U where you get to unleash your inner cake decorator. This incredibly cute bakery offers customers the experience to decorate cakes while a professional walks you through the process.

They even bake the cakes for you. So, all you have to do is show up, put your decoration skills to the test and take your delicious creation home.

You can drop in anytime or even book a group event for birthdays and bachelorette parties. They even have frost and sip classes for all our wine drinkers out there!

Runaway Train Escape Room

You might’ve heard of escape rooms, but have you ever heard of the Runaway Train Escape Room in Greenville, South Carolina? In this Breakout game, your skills will be put to the test when an explosive-strapped train gets hijacked by. You have to escape before the train runs into the heart of a bustling city.

Do you think you and your crew have what it takes?

The Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour

Have you always wanted to cross ziplining off of your bucket list? Well, now’s your chance! The Gorge Zipline Canopy Tour in Greenville is a three and a half hour, a breathtaking trip that consists solely of tree-based platforms.

Be prepared to glide over gorgeous scenery of lush, untouched wilderness as you listen to the rushing waters of the Green River. During your ziplining experience, you’ll travel 1,100 feet through 11 zip lines, two rappels and even a stunning sky bridge.

South Carolina Botanical Garden

If you’re looking for an activity that’s equally fun as it is free, look no further than the South Carolina Botanical Garden. You’ll be simply amazed by the several thousand different ornamental plants across the 295-acre garden. The South Carolina Botanical Garden is also home to a geology museum, gift shop, National Heritage Garden Trail and an arbor

Maybe you can even snag your next Instagram picture!

City Scape Winery

What’s a vacation without a little wine action? City Scape Winery produces plenty of local and innovative wines that are sure to impress your palate. They even offer classes to make your very own bottle of wine to provide you with something special to remember Greenville by.

Their quaint patio provides an intimate experience for groups of friends and small parties as it overlooks a plethora of grape vines and greenery. Not to mention it’s only a hop and a skip away from downtown.

Things To Do In Greenville

Greenville, South Carolina is a great place to take a trip due to the city’s array of attractions and unique activities. In fact, some might even be overwhelmed with the number of things to do in Greenville.

Luckily, no matter what activities you decide to take up, you’re sure to have a great trip to the lovely city of South Carolina

Take a look at our cities less traveled to find more unique places worthy of a vacation.
Related:
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Travel Series: Safest Places to Vacation in the US for Families

March 26, 2019

Cool Pedometers You Should Consider Buying In 2019

In the last two decades, the healthcare industry has developed a number of innovative technology devices that have thrown it well and truly into the digital age. From technological advances within the hospital to devices that can help people better manage their health on the go, these innovations have provided something for everyone’s needs!

For the sake of this article, we’re going to stick specifically to pedometers, a portable electric or electromechanical device that counts an individual’s steps. These devices have increased in popularity over the course of the last decade, and many brands have become a namesake in our everyday lives.

With that being said, not every pedometer has been created equally, and with technology like this, choosing the best of the best really is important. The cheaper versions tend to be less accurate, and have none of the additional features that those we mention in this article have.

If you’re looking for high-quality pedometers that are suitable for most price points, then look no further, as we explore the best pedometers available in 2019.

Samples of Pedometers — Source: Pinterest

Omron Heart Guide Smartwatch

Named the best pedometer of 2019 by HealthcareWeekly, the Omron HeartGuide is a unique wearable medical device you need to own today.

Clinically tested and approved, this device scientifically measures your steps and total walking distance each day using real-time walking data.

Unlike some of the other pedometers on the market, it will also provide you with information about the number of calories you have burnt.

But that isn’t all that the Omron HeartGuide Smartwatch offers. With a flexible synthetic wristband that deflates and inflates with ease to fit comfortably on your wrist, this device also continuously takes blood-pressure readings, providing you with real-time indications of your heart health.

Inflating and deflating with ease to take these readings, it will not be uncomfortable and has been created so that it performs as well as in-hospital blood pressure tests. For ease of use, you can also download an Alexa skill related to the smartwatch, which will provide you with information about your steps and heart health whenever you request it.

This innovative technology that has yet to be replicated by another brand does come at a price of $499, which can be slightly out of some people’s price ranges, but it’s definitely worth it if you are able to stretch your budget.

Fitbit Charge 3

Being one of the most well-known brands on the market, the Fitbit has brought previous knowledge of wearable devices to their Charge 3. This device delivers the most accurate pedometer readings across all metrics when compared to most popular pedometers, with tests showing it is out just 25 steps in every 2500 on average.

It also comes with a fast, user-friendly app that you can use to keep track of your fitness settings and goals and work out whether your current level of activity is enough to reach them. You can, if desired, use the app to adjust your stride length, which will increase the accuracy of the metrics you receive.

In addition to this, the Fitbit Charge 3 is waterproof up to 50M, meaning you don’t need to remove it for showering. This also makes it the perfect device for those who swim or engage in regular water sports activities. The Fitbit Charge 3 is relatively cheap, with an MSRP of $169.95.

Misfit Shine 2

If you’re looking for a pedometer that you can style as a watch, the Misfit Shine 2 is the choice for you. With a slick, modern and snazzy design and no display on the front, it’s easy to disguise, making it perfect for those in professional job roles.

With a 30 day memory, this is also perfect for business trips, holidays and other events, as you can set it up and forget about it for weeks before needing to charge it. If you’d rather not have a pedometer showing, the Misfit can handle that, too, as it has the ability to clip it onto your side pocket, belt or waist, or drape it around your neck.

This pedometer has many benefits, including being waterproof and having the ability to measure swim laps in addition to step counts.

The only downside to this pedometer is that it is not the most accurate out of the options on this list, though it is thought to be considerably better at measuring distances than specific step counts.

Striiv Fusion Lite

The Striv Fusion Lite is a unique pedometer that comes with several different features usually reserved for smartphones, including notifications, a full touch screen and a clear LED display. Despite this, it takes its primary role of a pedometer seriously, and is considered to be even more accurate than the Fitbit itself! In fact, it’s only 20 steps out over the course of 2500 steps on average.

On a slightly less impressive note, the accuracy cannot be said for some of the other metrics, including calories burned and active minutes.

Xiaomi Mi Band 3

Xiaomi is a Chinese brand that is bringing affordable, and sleek looking pedometers into the mainstream. Despite initial problems with the comfort and design of its predecessor, the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 has none of those concerns, built with a sleek strap that fits snuggly against the skin.

Primarily, this wearable device is used to measure steps, but it’s also loaded with extra features, including a display that allows you to get alerted to emails and texts. The only downside to this app is that it isn’t as accurate as some of the other options on our list, but its Chinese origins do make it a cheaper option, so it’s not worth ruling out completely!

Summary

The wearable devices we have mentioned in this article prove that their capabilities make them one of the greatest digital transformations we have seen in healthcare in recent years. Though the primary job of pedometers is to measure steps and distance, they go to show that this is no longer enough, and the additional features are often what sells the device.

With options to suit every price point, this article has provided you with a few examples and their benefits, as well as potential drawbacks, that will help you get a better idea of what pedometers have to offer in 2019, and what you may want to look for going forward.
This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.
Related:
Individualizing Health and Taking Responsibility
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March 25, 2019

Bats in the Garden: Gardener’s Best Buddy

Who hasn’t seen “The Dark Night Rise’s”. There is this part where he goes down the cave behind his mansion and embraces his lifelong fear of bats. Then he ends up being a bat-man himself.

What an impressive superhero that was for Gotham. Have you ever wondered how a bat is useful for our ecosystem?

There are almost 1240 species of bats – subdivided into two categories as Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. Except for the Arctic and Antartic regions and some other cold islands, bats are found everywhere in the world. In some places, you can find hundreds of species.

But the question still remains; what use our nature can have, for a ‘Bat’. Well, here are some important features of a bat that makes it vital for many ecosystems.

When we lived in San Antonio, there is one of the largest bat caves in the United States, they estimate when the bats come out to feed in the evening there are approximately 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats, they roost in the cave from March until October. Its quit a site, check our the video.

Source: Pinterest Bats of all kinds are good for our ecosystem

But the question still remains; what use our nature can have, for a ‘Bat’. Well, here are some important features of a bat that makes it vital for many ecosystems.

Impact of bats on the environment

Bats have various feeding items with their varying species. Some feed on fruits and vegetables while others feed on pollen, nectar or insects.

The bats who feed on pollen and nectar are very useful for plants. Just like bees, bats are also a source of pollination hence providing food for other herbivores. In fact, some plants depend fully on bats for this purpose, so some plants have developed special glands to produce nectar to attract bats.

Some houses build a small wooden house to attract bat in the garden. According to Pet Comments, a good bat house that may attract bats is one that’s built to have an open bottom, as a way to prevent bat droppings from accumulating inside it and also avoid birds from nesting there.

Almost 500 species of flowering plants rely totally on bats for pollination as the pollens tend to stick to their furry bodies, so these plants open their flowers at night.

For some fruit plants, bats serve as a way of dispersing seeds. Some tropical plants depend entirely on bats for such services. This service is very vital in areas where trees are continuously being cut down.

Insects are the favorite midnight snack for many bat species. Bats consume a large number of insects for their size. According to an estimate, insectivorous bats can eat over 1.5 times their body weight.

Many bats feed on vertebrates like lizards, snakes, and frogs. Especially the Fringe-lipped bat is skilled at catching frogs. As most bat species use echolocation to locate their prey so they can hear the mating calls of many animals and the feed on them via their location – hence decreasing the need of insecticides and pesticides and save farmers from spending millions of dollars on these pesticides which are in fact harmful for the ecosystem itself.

Many bats feed on mosquitoes and according to some numbers; bats can eat a massive number of around 1200 insects in an hour of feeding hence decreasing the source of diseases like Malaria and Dengue.

Bat dung also known as Guano, is mined from the caves where they are found in abundance and is used as fertilizers – hence providing farmers with a cheap alternative of packaged fertilizers. It has a positive effect on crops compared to your regular ammonia fertilizers.

Guano has 10 % nitrogen and 3 % phosphorus, so it avoids N&P poisoning for your plants.

Fossilized Guano is sold at very high prices in the black market because of its rarity.

Some cultures around Africa and Asia, take large populations of bats as a sign of prosperity for their harvest.

You can also make your garden, a bat-friendly environment as they can help you in pest control around your house. They don’t need any attention and would do you no harm – as who would dare to go out in dark to disturb them, and why?

How to set up a bat house

Many species of bats have gone extinct due to hunting and habitat destruction. In this scenario, many organizations and people around the world have started to set up bat roosters.

You can also put up a roost, but there are some things you need to keep in mind.

Firstly, the bat house should be small, but not so narrow that it cuts off the air flow. Bats like a narrow space just like the space between a tree’s barks.
The bat’s house should have a near water reservoir. Bats require a lot of water, as they can lose 50% of their body weight without frequent water intake.
Bats also like a small garden. These attract nocturnal insects which are any bat’s favorite midnight snack.
You should also consider the proper location of the roost as it should be a way you’re your house and should be in a location where it stays warm, as bats tend to like warmth.

Related:
Bracken Bat Caves
If They Grow It, They’ll Eat It – 3 Tips for Pre-School Edible Gardens
Garden Series: Prepare Your Garden Soils With pH Testing
I picked out my favorite feathered friend feeders I use and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link at no cost to you.

March 25, 2019

How to Pack the Ultimate Picnic Basket

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a cute outdoor baby shower for your best friend, picnics are hugely underestimated experiences. You get to be outdoors, enjoy great food, great times with loved ones and all the special fun that comes with it. Better yet, you don’t have to worry about a house full of people and the clean up after. To be honest, food is probably half the fun of a picnic. Getting to come up with a little menu, pairings of food and wine, starters and desserts is really fun.

It’s like being a party planner without all the massive pressure because you and your friends can agree to share the responsibilities and bring different things. The best way to do a picnic is not to make it super heavy meals, but to just put together platters of finger foods and treats. It makes eating easier and better yet, the clean up doesn’t have to be a huge nightmare for you.

It can be difficult to know exactly what to bring, and what to put on the menu of your little picnic get together. So instead of doing a whole lot of guesswork, here’s a handy little guide to help you get the right foods and drinks for this exciting event.

Something Savory

Everybody thinks finger sandwiches and crisps when they think of picnic food, but you can actually bring the party into the 21st century with some fun savory snacks. This can be a platter that would impress even the biggest foodie in your group!

Something meaty: You can get little chicken drumettes dipped in tasty basting (as long as they are bite-sized) You can also tasty kebabs or bite-sized riblets. The golden rule is if you’re going to do anything with meat, don’t make it big pieces.
Sushi: If you’re feeling really experimental, you can bring some sushi into the mix, your guests will love that.
Jerky: Another great savory treat you can add is beef jerky, and you can get the really good quality stuff that’s 100% natural and preservative-free. Check out Chops Snacks for some great jerky products for your event.

Something Sweet

If you’re a big pastry fan, this is where things get really fun. You can create a really cute and creative dessert platter, and really create something that stands out.

Bite-sized cupcakes: Get them in chocolate or red velvet, and ice them up in everyone’s favorite colors. You can even personalize each cupcake with the initials of the guests.
Rolled-up pancakes: You can get them made plain, add syrup or a cinnamon/sugar mix in the middle.
Sweet Popcorn: forget boring plain popcorn, get popcorn in caramel or even chocolate flavor to give popcorn a dessert vibe.
Jelly beans: sprinkle the platter with jelly beans to add some color and fun to it.

Imagine such a beautiful platter in the middle of the picnic mat, even as a photo on Instagram!

Planning a picnic doesn’t have to be an overwhelming responsibility, especially if you don’t make a big fuss of it with big meals and fancy dishes. Come up with a creative platter of different items, with sweet and savory items, and anything else you and your guests like. You can personalize it to what you would want and make it an even more special and unforgettable time.
This post may contain affiliate links and I might receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.
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