Tips for Owning a Turtle

5 Ways to Keep Your Turtle Healthy and Happy

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Congratulations, new turtle owner! Turtles have walked the earth for over 200 million years. Who would have thought that a reptile with such ancient lineage would be considered one of the most popular known pets today? According to Petsmart, a major retailer specializing in the sale and care of pets, turtles have sharp eyesight, an acute sense of smell, and they make fascinating four-legged companions.

As your turtle settles in, there are five ways that you can ensure that he lives a long and happy life:

1. Keep him fed. Turtles are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal food. As most humans like veggies, salads, and steak, turtles enjoy green leafy vegetables and bugs, most notably crickets and worms. Veterinary experts also recommend that you add commercially prepared turtle pellets. These can be easily purchased at any reputable pet store. Feed them and make sure that you remove any uneaten food daily. Also consider asking your pet retailer about any supplements that your turtle might need.
2. Make sure he gets plenty of water. All living organisms known to man need water to survive. Always make sure that your turtle has lots of fresh clean water, both for swimming and to drink.
3. Keep his habitat clean. Do a full thorough cleaning of your turtle tank and change the filter every two to three weeks minimum. Do periodic checks for rotting food and feces and remove them promptly.
4. Ensure that he has good heating and lighting sources. As reptiles, turtles need consistent lighting sources to thrive and heating elements to help them maintain their body temperature. Your pet supply store will offer you many options for this. Take your time and choose the best bulbs and heating sources for the habitat that you're constructing for your pet. Avoid direct sunlight.
5. Make certain that his environment is free of predators at all times. Turtles have many natural predators, i.e. cats, dogs, raccoons, some types of birds, snakes, etc. Never leave your turtle unsupervised in an area where these types of predators may lurk.

Turtles typically tend to have long life spans, so accidents withstanding, If you follow the above tips your turtle should provide you many years of entertainment and fun. You might even be tempted to expand your turtle family as you become more of an expert at providing your pet's necessary love and care.

*Photo: Henry Tseng via Flickr


[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 05/07/2014 (no longer published there).]

7 Tips to Prepare for a Road Trip

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the times that my family and I took road trips together. These were experiences that promoted bonding, fun, and adventure. My favorite mode of travel is by car, and I'd like to share my top seven tips for preparing for a road trip.

1. Take steps in advance to ensure that your car is road worthy. If you take your car to your dealership or one of the national chain auto shops, such as Firestone or Pep Boys, and tell them that you're about to take a long-distance trip and want the car checked they will do a comprehensive diagnostic of the vehicle for a nominal fee. In some cases, they won't charge you anything at all. They will tell you exactly what the car needs to raise the odds that you won't experience any mechanical issues during your trip.
2. Pack an emergency kit in the vehicle. Make sure that you have items like a tire jack, jumper cables, a gas can, and water stowed away so that you can handle minor emergencies on your own. Be sure that your auto club membership is paid and active. This one tip alone saved my husband and I on an overnight trip that we took that ended up with our vehicle blowing a tire on a dark deserted road.
3. Plan your trip in advance. Map out your route on Google Maps and print it out. Send turn-by-turn directions to your phone, if you have a smartphone, or tablet. Google Maps will guide you to your destination just as well as any high-end subscription navigation service. Make sure that your phone or tablet has a working GPS or that your in-car navigation unit is fully functional.
4. Make sure that you have all of your important driver documents on hand. Check to see that your driver's license, car registration, insurance card and/or rental papers, if you're renting a vehicle for the trip, are within easy access.
5. Pack a few treats to save on food expenses. Eating on the road can be expensive, and if you're not careful this area of expense will eat into the majority of your trip's budget. Fill a cooler with bottled water, sodas, fruit, and sandwiches. Purchase cookies, chips, and other snack items from the grocery store in advance.
6. Take a working cell phone, and be sure that you have a way to charge it. This is your number one defense against road trip mayhem. Nine times out of ten, if you have a cell phone you're never more than a call away from assistance if disaster strikes. Make sure that you don't forget your charger.
7. Bring entertainment items for the kids. Nothing will drive you more crazy than the constant queries from children asking if you are "there yet." Bring books, tablets with movies downloaded, games, coloring books, and video games. Whatever keeps them entertained at home will keep them entertained on the road.

These are just a few of my tips to make your road trip fun, enjoyable, and stress free. Any roadie vets out there? If so, chime in and share your own tips with us.

Happy traveling!

Sources:
AskMen.com: Preparing Your Car for a Road Trip
DMV.org: Road Trip Tips: Plan a Fun and Safe Drive
CNN.com: RoadTrip! What to Do to Prepare
Google Maps
Personal experience

*Photo: Jak Sie Masz via Flickr

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 07/01/2014 (no longer published there).]

10 Tips for Living a Healthier and Happier Life

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

As I continue to age, I find that I'm being more proactive about taking steps to ensure more optimal health. To this end, I've compiled 10 tips for living a healthier life. Don't just read them; put them into practice and watch as your energy level goes up and your ailments diminish.

1. Eat healthier. Food is the body's fuel. It's not just for enjoyment; it's intended as a nutrient source for the body to draw on to nourish blood, body systems, and vital organs. You'll have a greater sense of wellbeing once you start to eat clean.
2. Drink more water. Every living organism known to man needs water in order to survive. A well-hydrated body just functions more efficiently. Skin takes on a new glow. Hair and nails thrive. You even sleep better.
3. Get more sleep. Number 2 was a great segue into this one. You must get adequate rest in order for the body to repair and recover from the day's stresses. Everybody's sleep needs are different. Find the amount of rest that's right for you and get that much sleep every day.
4. Exercise more. Modern day culture makes the issue of exercise much too complicated. What it boils down to is just to get moving more. Walk, bend, jump, run, skip, do housework, whatever. Just get moving. Your body will thank you for it.
5. Reduce stress. Negative stress causes the body to release toxic hormones throughout the system. These toxic hormones cause us to age faster and impede our body systems from functioning at their maximum efficiency.
6. Develop relationships. This point is very important. Man was not created to live in isolation. Cultivating friendships and family relationships is essential to optimal health.
7. Work on personal development. Read, discuss ideas, explore, grow. Be self-aware and correct those issues in your personal being that prevent you from becoming all that you can be.
8. Tap into the Higher Power. Learn the nature of your Creator and get to know Him. Go to church. Learn how to be a better person. Building strength in this area alone will help sustain you during difficult and challenging times.
9. Learn sensible financial management. When your money doesn't flow well, life doesn't seem to go well. Learn basic money management principles and reduce the stress in your life.
10. Live with purpose. Get focused on your vision for life and operate in purpose. What is your primary mission while you are here on the earth? Answer this question and many areas of your life will come together in a way that makes sense.

Implement these 10 tips and see if your life doesn't take on more flavor and if you don't feel more successful. Come back and share in the comments box below how your life has changed.

*Disclaimer: Always be certain to consult a physician about any ongoing or perceived health issues.

Sources:
WebMD: Healthy Living: 8 Steps to Take Today
MedicineNet.com: Health Tips for Healthy Living
USAToday: 7 Tips for Living a Healthier Life

 

*Photo: Richard Barrett-Small via Flickr

 

[Originally published on Yahoo! Voices on 07/02/2014 (no longer published there).]