Author: Igor

  • Can Cartoons Actually Help With The Obesity Problem?

    Unfortunately, obesity in children is a very real problem at the moment. This is an issue that has been extensively documented on television as of late. More and more parents are becoming concerned about their child’s eating habits. There has also been several health critics who believe as a nation people are not aware of what they are really eating. This is a problem, and it is a problem that needs to be tackled. 

    However, people are scared because they only see drastic measures as a solution. Furthermore, a lot of parents have not got a clue regarding where to start when it comes to deciphering what their child should be eating and what they should not. This is through no fault of their own, yet merely a signal of how difficult this is for most families. Nevertheless, there are some innovative solutions that can be used. These solutions may not be elaborate, yet they are effective. And one of these is to use cartoon advertising in order to help tackle obesity in children. 

    Pixabay License

     

    Children are more likely to listen to cartoons

    Imagine the following two scenarios. Scenario one revolves around an advertisement whereby an adult is merely telling children they need to eat better food. Scenario two revolves around a popular cartoon show, such as the Tom and Jerry cartoon, whereby the main characters express the importance of being healthy. Who is the child most likely to listen to? In 99% of instances you could bet your bottom dollar that kids are more likely to take notice of Tom and Jerry. This is because they view the cartoon characters as fun and exciting. They will think; well if it is good enough for Tom and Jerry then it definitely is for me. However, if you are to go for the adult option then children may view healthy eating as a chore; this is because most children see anything their parents ask them to do is a task. 

    The cartoons themselves can help tackle obesity

    A lot of people fail to acknowledge the positive messages showcased within these cartoons that relate to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. For example, in the Tom and Jerry cartoon you see just how much exercise the cat and the mouse get! This is of course not the main message behind the story, yet it indirectly promotes a healthy lifestyle within your child. There are more examples of this. For instance, there is Scooby Doo whereby the dog gets several treats known as Scooby snacks if he does well. This establishes the notion that treats are allowed, yet they are only allowed in moderation. 

    People view cartoons as fun, and therefore healthy eating will be fun too

    Why do children like cartoons? The answer to this is rather simple; because they are fun. This is also why they like playing cartoon games on devices like a 15 inch gaming laptop. Therefore, if your child comes across a cartoon advertisement then they are also going to deem this as fun and exciting. This presents a fantastic basis for commercials because children are likely to be associated the advertisement with enjoyment. This means that you have a much higher chance of children wanting to eat healthily. 

    In the current day and age it can be very difficult to tackle obesity in young children. Nevertheless the combination of cartoons and strategic advertising can actually provide fantastic results.

  • Bookshelf: Romka Magazine

    Bookshelf: Romka Magazine

    Romka Magazine is a collective photo album in which people from all over the world share the stories behind their favorite photographs. Since its beginnings as an online magazine 4 years ago, Romka has featured over 300 people from 45 countries, presenting stories ranging from little anecdotes to the most intimate memories.

    Joscha Bruckert, the editor of Romka, sent us a copy of the magazine’s latest issue which was released a few months ago. Issue 8 features the work of 40 different photographers along with texts from the artists explaining what’s behind their photographs. Love, family, road trips and friendship are all central themes in the latest issue of this beautiful publication.

    The new issue of Romka will be released in December this year.

    www.romkamagazine.com

  • Water Sports Activities You Can Enjoy on the Beaches of California

    If you’re hitting the beach in California, there’s so much more to enjoy than just sunbathing and people watching (though those are pretty great ways to spend your time too). With a range of beaches across the state, there’s loads to do which will suit whatever type of traveller you are, but should you move from California to Georgia?

    In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best water sports activities you can enjoy in California. Hopefully, it’ll make it easier to plan your trip and you’ll know exactly where to head to enjoy the beach. Let’s check them out!

    Image via Unsplash

    Surfing

    Surfing is synonymous with California. After all, where else did you think the Cali surf bro came from?! But it’s not just about that look, California has some of the best places in the world to surf, and it’s hardly surprising that in 2018 it was listed as the state’s official sport. 20th September is California Surfing Day, but you can enjoy awesome waves all year round. There are several surf schools in not only San Diego, San Francisco and LA, but in lots of the smaller towns and villages too on the coast. So, if you’re completely new to the sport there’s no need to worry. You’ll be in good hands! 

     The best places for surfing in California are Huntington Beach in Los Angeles, Surfrider Beach in Malibu, and most of the beaches in San Diego!

    Stand up paddle boarding

    If you’re looking to chill out and get an excellent core workout at the same time, stand up paddle boarding might just be the sport for you. It’s the fastest growing board spot in the world right now, and it’s not hard to see why. La Jolla Shores is a great place to paddle board – look down and you’ll see beautiful marine life, that’s if you’re not too busy looking at the stunning scenery surrounding you. The great thing about paddle boarding is that you don’t just have to do it at the beach. Head inland and enjoy it on Lake Tahoe or one of California’s rivers! 

    If you’ve mastered stand up paddle boarding, you might want to give a different variation a go. How about sunrise yoga on your paddle board in the gently lapping waves, or SUP surfing at Huntington Beach?!

    Swimming

    One of the things that might put you off water sports in California is the expense and perceived difficulty of renting equipment. However, with swimming all you need is a swimsuit and a pair of goggles and you’re good to go! Swimming is one of the best full body workouts and it’s also a low impact sport. It’s also a great way to see the beautiful scenery of the state’s beaches. Santa Monica and Venice Beaches in LA might be iconic in name, but they also offer calm water that’s perfect for a paddle. If you don’t mind the colder waters, head straight out into the Pacific Ocean at Zuma beach in Malibu!

    Sea Kayaking

    Kayaking is not only an awesome workout, but it gives you a chance to navigate sea caves and spot wildlife. Like stand-up paddle boarding, it offers the chance to see the ocean from a different perspective. Make sure to bring a camera so that you can take pictures up close with sea lions or unusual rock formations!

    La Jolla Shores are another great place to try kayaking, while you might just see flying fish at Catalina Island or navigating through one of the largest sea caves on the planet in the Channel Islands National Parks. And don’t worry about the barking – it’s just the sea lions.

    By the way, an electric trolling motor can make your sea kayaking more comfortable and easier.

    Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

    You may consider scuba diving and snorkelling as more of a passion than a water sport, but considering it works a lot of muscles and is quite the challenge, it’s definitely a sport in our book. Those who prefer not to venture out into the deep ocean can snorkel closer to the shores, while scuba diving is a bucket list activity for many. 

    One of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving in California is Catalina Island – where you’re likely to come face to face with a range of colourful tropical fish. Others include Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz Island.

    Whale Watching

    Okay we get it, this isn’t strictly a water sport. However, if you’re planning to hit the beach in California, you’ll be kicking yourself if you didn’t know you could go whale watching! Visit Southern California in the summer and you might just have the chance to get up close and personal with the world’s biggest mammal – the blue whale! Whale watching isn’t solely about whales, you’ll also have the opportunity to interact with dolphins and seals too. 

  • 8 Fun Things You Can Do In Lockdown

    The recent COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable impact on the world’s economy. This deadly virus is associated with some vices, but it also came along with a few virtues. For instance, no matter how bad the lockdown idea may seem, it has made some people venture into beneficial engagements.

    Ever since the onset of lockdown in various countries, some visionary entrepreneurs that have been affected by the pandemic share various inspirational projects. Through these projects, some independent creators and enterprises received visibility and support. 

    If you are wondering what you should do during lockdown to keep yourself engaged, here are a few fun things to add on your To-do list.

    Image Credit

    Opt for Freelance Qualitative Research

    Since movement outdoors is restricted during a lockdown, one of the best things you could do is working from home. For instance, as a freelance writer, you can easily detect how to become more agile while remaining cost-efficient. 

    Since physical interviews and field research are on hold because of restricted movement, you could opt for emails and desk-based research interviews. You can also draft an updated methodology that blends contributions from maestros, consumers, and online academia for a desirable perspective for future projection.

    Create an Online Store

    Did you ever imagine that you can make a living while in your bedroom, living room, or patio? Because of restricted movement during this pandemic, how about you create an online store that focuses on the community.

    With that said, you know that masks are like an ID nowadays. It won’t hurt if you created a downloadable plan that guides people on making their masks. You will even be surprised because people may ask you to make some masks for them, and just like that, you can start connecting with people.

    Once you share the tips on making a mask, you can make some masks yourself and sell them at a cost price or even donate them to the hotspot areas. By doing this, you could have saved a lot of people’s lives and made a living. Well, that’s not hard to do. Is it?

    Ever Thought of Making a Family Tree?

    Have you ever gone through your family album and come across some faces you have never seen before? Well, in this case, take some time while in lockdown and construct that family tree. This will help you significantly if you want to know about your family history. 

    Through research, the family tree will play a vital role in ensuring that you know more about your family members whom you’ve never met before. Through that, you can increase your bond with distant bloodline members. A family tree is one thing that can help you understand various bonds that are necessary for you. Feel free to plan for an online family photography session and keep those memories.

    Novel Writing

    How about you reduce consumption and start creating?

    Assuming that you have always wanted to write a novel, but time has always been a constraint, don’t let go of this opportunity. It could help if you knew that Shakespeare did some of his writings in isolation. An excellent example of a piece he did in isolation was King Lear. Let this be a motivating factor for you to write your opus.

    However, you can have some challenges on where to start with your writing. Fear not. There are many free online courses that will closely guide you on how to begin fiction writing. These courses will help you get on the right track.

    Write That Song Today

    Music is one thing that hits right when you are in an isolated environment. The company you could receive by listening to a song or writing one is incomparable to none. Are you the type of person with musical persuasion? Then channel your current feelings into a poem. You can also create a whole album about them.

    Starting may be a challenge, but there are many songwriting courses online that could get you in the correct mind frame. Who knows you could do this well and make some Spotify playlists while you get inspired?

    Conduct A Games Night

    Are you tired of another pub quiz? That’s normal. Plan on having a games night because this is a sure-fire way that keeps your friendship group or the entire family entertained during the lockdown. 

    Tips on Hosting a Games Night

    • Make one of your loved ones a happy hour host and request them to perform a live cocktail master class
    • Orchestrate some drinking games
    • Play charades
    • Get one person to mime phrases and identify who is best in lip reading
    • Play Bingo

    Learn Knitting

    Many fashionable and sustainable knitting brands run free tutorials on Instagram. They have a specific tune in hours and days. Through these meetings, you can learn knitting with help from their influencers. 

    These tutorials provide opportunities to all age brackets by getting them involved in something crafty while at home. It is also one of the best ways of passing the time by becoming a little bit creative in the afternoons. Don’t stop at anything. Take advantage of such tutorials and make your lockdown less boring.

    Learn a Language

    You must have planned on learning a new language at one point in life, but the time factor became an issue. Take this chance now. There are many YouTube video selections and other online tutorials that you can easily access. Maximize these channels and learn that language today.

    There are also various language applications with immense features. These apps have several video clips recorded by great speakers across the world. Use this opportunity and keep immersing yourself in different cultures.

    Have Some Fun During Lockdown!

    If Netflix becomes a little bit boring and the thought of spending some hours on your bed or couch perusing some memes is too much, it is about time you changed your routine by getting those creative juices moving. Don’t be stuck on what you should do at the moment. The tips discussed above will keep you engaged like never before.

  • You Should Take A Year Abroad When Studying! Here’s Why!

    If you are fortunate enough to have the option to go abroad when you are studying your degree, that’s a chance that you should take at least once. There are more than 5 million students who go abroad for their study every year and the reasons for this vary from student to student. Gaining a higher education is no easy feat, not when there are so many things that you can get with it that equal more than your degree.

    An international education offers you experience, and more than that, it offers you the chance to decide your next steps away from your home country. You may think about the requirements for a visa abroad, but you really need to think about what you want to study, too. Your study abroad is going to set you up for life and there are plenty of reasons you should be going abroad. Let’s take a look at all of the reasons you should study abroad this year.

    Image Source: Pexels

    1. Meeting new people. When you go abroad to study, you can meet a range of people from many different backgrounds. Studying abroad puts you in an environment that enables you to meet a range of different people from countries all around the world, which gives you an opening to meet more than one type of person. You can broaden your mind and speak to people you wouldn’t have had the chance to meet in life. You’ll be exposed to a range of backgrounds and personalities, and you’ll develop better as a person, too. 

    2. A better education. There are some countries in the world that offer you the chance to have a better education than the one in which you’re living. There are places that offer a better chance of an education and these are countries that are home to leading universities. They attract more students for their prestigious facilities and the fact that most home countries don’t offer the same educational opportunities as the new places abroad. Understanding where the top universities are will help you to get a foothold in a place you may not have had a chance to travel to in life.

    3. Personal development. You will be able to develop yourself as a person, and it takes guts to leave your home comforts, family and friends to go somewhere else. Homesickness is normal for students abroad, and yet you’ll adapt to your new routines in a new place quickly. You’ll improve your self-development and ensure that you are taking in experiences that will last you a lifetime. Your study experience is going to be the best thing that you do, so if your university course offers you the chance to transfer abroad, take it!

    4. Boosting employment. Taking the chance to study abroad will demonstrate to employers that you are more than able to adapt to your surroundings and you can embrace a range of cultures with ease. You are dedicated to your education and your ability to learn abroad is going to put you in the best position for a job when you do finish your degree. This experience of yours will really appeal to employers whether you apply for work at home or abroad. 

    5. A bigger community. Studying abroad allows you to join a bigger international community of students and networking contacts. You will find that most universities have groups of students that come from a range of places, and you will be able to meet a range of other students from other countries than your own!

    Image source: Pexels

    6. Making connections. When you study abroad, you build so many opportunities to network with others and this will come in handy when you are looking for work and research opportunities. These are contacts that will be useful later when you are looking for internships, too!

    7. Learning a new language. If you end up abroad in Europe you’re going to have the chance to learn a new language. If you know a range of languages already, travelling to study in a country where you can chat to others will be easier! You can fine tune your skills and improve your CV as a result.

    8. The chance to travel. Gaining an excellent mark on your degree is one thing but you can gain so much more than that. The chance to travel isn’t often one that you have a chance with in life, but studying abroad gives you more scope to explore the world. You can hit new towns, do new activities and study in new environments, too. During term breaks and reading weeks, you can hire a car and explore!  When else will you get a chance to do that? You have the chance to travel when you go abroad and this will improve your prospects and make you feel good. 

    9. New traditions, new foods, new everything. Going abroad to study is going to open the door for you to get to know new cultural traditions and new foods. It’s only when you live abroad that you finally realise just how open the world can be. You can try new things and do it with new people who can tell you all about the best dishes. You’ll be able to taste new things and experience new restaurants and if you’re lucky, you can even learn to cook a new dish or two with the help of the locals!

    10. Gaining some perspective. When you live and study in a country other than the one that you grew up in, you can learn to better understand the world around you. You can use your skills learned through living abroad to learn new things and improve your prospects for after graduation, too. You never know where this can take you and what perspective that it can give you. Take the time to learn about all the places in which you can study abroad and you will gain a whole new perspective on life. You can enrich your life and do more for your future this way!