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Monday, November 19th, 2012

During the holiday season, Americans pack on an average of 8 whopping pounds per person. Then, come New Year’s, many of those people make the resolution to drop that excess weight and attempt to eat healthier. However, knowing how to enjoy the onslaught of Thanksgiving foods and still stay fit ispossible by following a few simple guidelines.

Watch Your Intake

People have a tendency to let their taste buds take over during the holidays—especially Thanksgiving. One way to enjoy the onslaught of Thanksgiving eats and still stay fit is to watch how much you’re eating and exercise some portion control. You can do this by counting calories or simply by sticking with small portions of the high-calorie treats that everyone else is enjoying in large doses. You can also decrease your caloric consumption by avoiding alcohol and excess desserts, both items chock full of sugar and empty calories.

Stick with Your Exercise Program or Start One

If you already work out, stick with your existing program. If you aren’t exercising, begin doing some light to moderate exercise, such as walking, bicycling or easy weightlifting. For those who already have a workout routine, it can help keep the extra pounds away if you can manage to sneak in an extra workout or two. Burning those extra calories can help to make up for any Thanksgiving overindulgences.

Work with a Trainer

People who work with personal trainers often make greater health and fitness gains than those who don’t. A trainer will hold you accountable for your eating habits as well as your exercise habits. Rather than being accountable only to yourself, you’ll have to explain to your trainer why you overate at a holiday feast or why you haven’t been showing up for exercise sessions. In most cases, a trainer will also push you harder than you will push yourself, challenging you to do one more rep or one more mile. Over time, those extra reps and miles add up to fitness gains. A personal trainer can also help you define realistic fitness and weight loss goals, and he or she will have the knowledge and expertise to help you meet those goals.

If you would like to find a quality personal trainer or exercise specialist, search TalkLocal to find a fitness professional you can trust.

Posted in Personal Trainers | 1 Comment »

How to Move Cats Long Distance

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Moving over a long distance can be stressful not only for you, but also your feline friends. Long distance moving with your cat can be a challenge, but the following advice will help you to know how to move cats long distance.

Test Drive Before the Big Move

If you have ever driven your cat to the vet, you probably know how they react to a car ride. Make sure you familiarize yourself with your cat’s car ride behavior before the long trip. They will probably react the same to a long car ride as they do to a short one.

Use a Pet Carrier or Crate

It may be tempting to let your cat roam free during the trip, but its best to use a pet carrier or collapsible crate. Just like humans needs seatbelts to keep them safe and secure in a car, your pet needs to be secured inside a carrier. (There are no laws regarding this, but it is just a safer choice). Larger crates can accommodate more than one cat. Throw in a comfy blanket to encourage them to take a nap. It’s also more comforting if your cat can see you, so keep the crate close by.

Prevent Kitty Carsickness

Nobody wants to deal with a carsick cat, especially during a long ride. To prevent a sick kitty, it’s best to let your cat travel on an empty stomach. Feed your cat less than normal if food is necessary. Otherwise, carsickness may be imminent.

To Sedate or Not to Sedate?

You may want to sedate your cat before the long car ride. This decision depends on how your cat reacts to car rides. If your cat is easily stressed by travel, you may want to use sedation. If your cat tends to curl up and fall asleep during car rides, sedation may not be necessary. Consult your veterinarian for suggestions.

To get in touch with a local vet, use TalkLocal to talk to one in minutes! Just file a quick service request online and up to three reliable vets will call you almost immediately.

Posted in Veterinarians | No Comments »

Speedometer Not Working

Monday, November 19th, 2012

A working speedometer provides the driver with valuable information about the car’s speed. Modern speedometers use a magnet on the rotating shaft and a magnetic sensor to calculate the car’s speed. Older cars use an electric current on the rotating shaft and, by measuring the magnetic force produced, one can get a speed reading. However problems with a cable replacement in older speedometers and speed sensors in newer ones can cause this tool to not function properly. Is your speedometer not working? Read on for information on how to fix this problem.

Finding a cable replacement

1. Remove the engine cover and doghouse from the car in order to remove the cable.

2. Remove the bolt from the dashboard and access the old cable.

3. Remove the nut on rotating shaft and pull the cable through the passage.

4. Remove the clamp from the transmission and engine compartment.

5. Tighten the nut on the rotating shaft and fix the square end of the new cable in the adapter.

6. Using the passage we used to remove the old cable, pass the new one through and tighten the bolt at the rear end of the cable.

7. Put the clamps and engine cover back on you removed in the first step of the process.

Speed sensor replacement: front wheel drive vehicles

You will find the speed sensor behind the engine and above the trans-axle.

1. Remove the connecting hose, air cleaner and electrical connector.

2. With 10 mm socket, take out bolts keeping the speed sensor init’s place.

3. Unscrew the sensor to take it out.

4. Replace the sensor in place and tighten the bolts we previously removed around it.

5. Reattach the hose, air cleaner and the electrical connector to the sensor.

Speed sensor replacement: rear wheel drive vehicles

You will find the speed sensor on the driver’s side behind the transmission.

1. Raise the vehicle up on the drivers side and keep it there using a car jack.

2. Disconnect electrical connectors present on the sensor and take out bolts keeping the sensor in place, using a socket.

3. Take out the sensor carefully and fix a new one in its place.

4. Attach the electrical connector to it and tighten it.

It is necessary however to consult expert opinion and allow the expert to figure out what is wrong. Many times a replacement of a part may not even be needed and a mechanic can guide you as to what needs to be done. TalkLocal can quickly connect you to an auto repair professional in your area in a matter of minutes.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

What to do When Turkey is Stuck in the Garbage Disposal

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner is a big job. Invariably, some tough parts of the turkey carcass get shoved into the garbage disposal along with bits of yams and other leftovers scraped from dinner plates. When the switch is thrown to grind it up, there is nothing but a humming sound of the disposal motor trying to work. So here’s what to do when turkey is stuck in the garbage disposal…

Wooden Spoon Trick

1. Shut off the power to the disposal at the breaker box. Helpers may accidentally hit the switch thinking it is for something else. An old wooden spoon is the perfect tool to get a garbage disposal unstuck. Invert the spoon and insert it handle side down into the disposal. The spoon needs to be long enough to reach the bottom of the disposal.
2. Work the spoon around the inside perimeter of the bottom of the disposal. The loose objects should move about freely. Feel for something stuck against the outer edge right at the bottom. It should be easy to tell the metal parts of the impeller blade from bones and other food items. When the stuck object is found, work it back and forth with the spoon to dislodge it.
3. Use the spoon to apply pressure to the impeller at the bottom too. It is just a disk that spins. When the impeller moves back and forth easily, the disposal is unstuck. It may be good to remove the food object that caused the problem in the first place.

The Pop Up Thermometer

The plastic thermometer placed in turkeys that let the cook know when the proper internal cooking temperature has been reached are notorious for getting stuck in disposals. They are made of plastic and have a metal spring. They are sized just right to get stuck between the impeller and outer edge of the disposal.

1. To remove a stuck thermometer, empty the disposal using your hands for solids and a ladle for liquids. Carefully explore the bottom of the disposal with your hands. The impeller can be sharp in spots. Move slowly. Use a pair of regular or needle-nose pliers to grasp the thermometer. Carefully and slowly work it free and remove it.
2. These two things fix most of the problems of a stuck garbage disposal during the holidays. If the impeller is freely moving, the small drain of the disposal may be clogged. That requires disassembly of the drain pipe to clear it.

If these methods fail you, call TalkLocal to find a service professional to help you now!

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

How to transfer contacts between Android and Blackberry

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Congratulations on your new phone. Whether you simply needed a newer phone or wanted more control over your device, you’re sure to be happy. Of course, you don’t want to leave everything behind with your old device. Fortunately, both Android and BlackBerry work with Google Sync, which allows you to transfer contacts between an old and new phone regardless of which operating system you’re moving to. You don’t need to worry about losing essential phone numbers or email addresses if you follow these step-by-step directions that will teach you how to transfer contacts between Android and Blackberry.

Contacts to BlackBerry

1. Open your contacts app on your Google smartphone.
2. Touch the “Menu” button. Tap “Manage Contact.” Choose “Copy Contacts.”
3. Pick “Phone” as the cop source. Choose “Google” as the destination. Your contacts will copy to your Google sync account.
4. Launch Google Sync from your Downloads app on your BlackBerry. If you do not already have to app, go to “m.google.com/sync” to download Google Sync. Touch “Install Now” to install.
5. Type in your Google account username and password.
6. Choose which information to sync and when to sync it on the screen that appears. For instance, you can choose to manually or automatically sync contacts. You will also be able to sync reminders to your phone. If you choose to sync your calendar as well, it will ask how far in advance you wish you to sync your calendar.
7. Choose “Save” to begin syncing. This process may take some time if you have many contacts.

Contact Syncing From BlackBerry

Moving from BlackBerry to Android is an easy process, too.
1. Open Google Sync on your BlackBerry.
2. Choose “Sync Now” to make sure the most current contact information is added to your Google account.
3. Open the “Accounts & Sync” app on your Android phone from the gear icon.
4. Touch “Google.” Touch to add a checkmark to “Sync Contacts.”
5. Touch “Sync Now” to sync.
6. Open your contacts app. Touch the arrow next to “Phonebook” to open the drop down menu. Make sure “Google” is checked. You will now see all your synced contacts.

A similar process lets you sync contacts between your iPhone 5 and a smartphone with a different operating system. If you find it difficult to transfer contacts or run into errors during the process, TalkLocal is here to help. Schedule an appointment to move your contacts today!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Why You Should Relax after Raking the Lawn and How to Do It

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Fall and winter outdoor home maintenance can provide you with a real workout. Raking leaves and shoveling snow burns just as many calories as traditional exercises like running and bicycling. Also, just like traditional forms of exercise, raking leaves can get you working up a sweat. Unfortunately, it can make you more prone to injury because of the repetitive twisting and turning movements combined with lifting heavy loads. Read on to learn why you should relax after raking the lawn and how to do it with massage therapy.

Lawn Raking Can Stress the Body

Although lawn raking does provide the body with a workout that can actually make you healthier, it can also be dangerous. No real guidelines exist to teach people how to rake safely, unlike most exercises, which have known ways to be performed safely or unsafely. Often people will experience back pain as a result of raking and bending over repeatedly while doing yard work. People can also pull back muscles or sustain back injuries as a result of filling leaf bags too full and attempting to carry bags that are too heavy or lifting them using improper techniques.

Relaxing the Muscles after Raking

After raking, doing something to relax the muscles will help to prevent injury or can help an injury to heal faster. Getting a massage after lawn raking can help to loosen up any muscles that have become tight as a result of lifting, bending and raking movements. Stretching while raking can also help muscles from becoming too tight and causing stress on the body. Taking a hot bath after raking provides another way to relax tight muscles after raking.

Benefits of Massage

Therapeutic massage has been documented to alleviate back pain and to improve one’s range of motion. Professional athletes who have sustained injuries frequently undergo massage therapy as one method of treating the injury and aiding in speedy healing. Massage also stimulates the lymphatic system, which enhances your body’s immune system and increases its ability to fight disease. Moreover, massage naturally stretches tight muscles, reduces spasms, cramps, inflammation and swelling, and it also promotes the regeneration of tissue. Best of all, receiving a massage also induces your body to release endorphins, a pain-killing chemical that your body produces naturally.

If you’re looking to obtain a massage for health and relaxation, search TalkLocal to find a professional massage therapist.

Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

How to Compost Fall Leaves

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Fall provides an abundance of leaves that can be turned into rich compost and added back into the garden to make the soil more productive. Home composting is a great way to use a natural process to add valuable nutrients and conditioners to the soil. If you have never made compost before, you might wonder how to go about it. Here’s how to compost fall leaves in a relatively simple way, with minimal cost and effort.

1. Purchase or build large compost bins five to six feet across. The large size allows for rapid heating which creates compost faster. Bins can be purchased from home stores, garden centers, or farm supply stores. Inexpensive bins can be built from chicken wire.
2. Add raked leaves to the bins alternating with layers of nitrogen material. Do not shred leaves which can lead to compacting. Nitrogen comes from green matter and can be in the form of grass clippings, green plant material, or nitrogen fertilizer. One to two cups of nitrogen fertilizer per bin or one part leaves to two parts green clippings is ideal.
3. Water layers as you build the pile. Water is necessary for decomposition. If you wait until you finish building the pile, it becomes more difficult to saturate.
4. Do not turn leaves. Fall composting does not require turning because it allows heat to escape which is needed for the composting process. Only turn in the spring.

Following these steps will produce usable compost by spring. If left untouched, leaves take two to three years to compost.

Keep in mind a few tips when composting fall leaves. First, do not compost weeds. Some seeds may not be destroyed during the heating process and may be spread around the landscape when using compost. Second, do not add protein to the compost pile. This includes meats, bones, and fat. They attract animals such as rats. Finally, to prevent the spread of disease in your yard, do not add diseased plant material to your compost pile.

If you have questions or need additional professional assistance, let TalkLocal help you. It is easy, quick, and takes just minutes.

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

5 Fun Family Games for Thanksgiving

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. It is easy to focus on food and forget that the most important part is being together. Preparing an activity or game will engage guests in creating a party atmosphere. Here are 5 fun family games for Thanksgiving.

Family Trivia: Teams with all ages, males against females, or one family against another compete to answer questions in history, sports, and miscellaneous categories. Questions like “what is Grandpa’s middle name?” or “who got a ticket for going too slow on the interstate?” help families learn history and invite family stories.

Photo Scavenger Hunt: Divide guests into teams with a camera for each. Provide a list of 8 to 10 pictures needed, like a picture with the oldest family member, the team gathered in a small bathroom, or the team engaging in an activity. The winning team is the one which completes the tasks the fastest.

Impromptu Talent Show: In a basket place a number of slips of paper on which are written who is to perform and what the act will be. For example, everyone with a birthday in June, July, and August will sing the national anthem or everyone wearing something orange, green or brown will perform a bowl game cheer.

Turkey Feather Relay: This is a relay race that allows everyone to participate, including grandma with her walker and a waddling toddler. Divide guests into teams and provide each team with a feather. Designate a starting line and a turnaround point. The challenge is to go from the starting point to the turnaround point and back again with a feather on the top of the head. No hands allowed. The winning team is the first to have all members complete the challenge.

Thankful Turkey: Create a simple turkey using a paper plate for a body and construction paper for other parts. Cut enough bright colored feathers for every guest to have one. Ask each to write one or two reasons to be thankful on the feathers. One by one each guest shares and attaches the feather to the turkey.

Long after the meal is forgotten, guests will remember all the fun of celebrating Thanksgiving at your house. These games are more than time fillers, they are memory makers. For more help planning the perfect Thanksgiving gathering consult with a party planner found at TalkLocal.

Posted in Party Planners | No Comments »

Best Dog Treatment for Ticks and Fleas

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Are you looking for the best dog treatment for ticks and fleas? To answer that, Frontline Plus is the best treatment you can use on your dog. It is a waterproof topical liquid that you place behind your dog’s neck and along its back. Frontline Plus is guaranteed to kill ticks and fleas within 24 to 48 hours of application. It keeps ticks and fleas away, and they will die if they come in contact with your dog.

K9 Advantix is another dog treatment for ticks and fleas; however, it is not as good as Frontline Plus. After 28 days, K9 Advantix loses about 50% of its effectiveness, whereas Frontline Plus only loses 5%. K9 Advantix has also been known to have harmful chemicals that can hurt your dog and other pets you may have in your home.

Home Remedies

Tick and flea medication for dogs can be expensive. You can treat dogs for ticks and fleas with items found in your own home—and within your budget.

Apple cider vinegar is a good way to keep ticks and fleas away from dogs. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in your dog’s food. Another great way to treat dogs for ticks and fleas is to spray your dog with apple cider vinegar immediately after thoroughly bathing your dog. Washing your dog with blue dawn soap is also a well-known home remedy for treating dogs. Let the apple cider vinegar air dry, and then comb out the dead ticks and fleas.

You can also try bathing your dog with diluted Head and Shoulders shampoo. It will irritate the ticks and fleas and they will leave your dog. If you are worried your dog brought fleas and ticks inside your home, spray your home with Citrus Spic and Span. It will kill fleas and ticks instantly, as well as freshen up your home.

If you would like to find a quality veterinarian in your area that knows more about different types of dog treatments for ticks and fleas, TalkLocal can help connect you. TalkLocal can also put you in touch with the top pest control professionals in your area to help get rid of ticks and fleas in your home.

Posted in Veterinarians | 2 Comments »

Water Leaking from Under Glove Box

Friday, November 16th, 2012

There are many reasons why there is water leaking from under your glove box. It is a surprisingly common problem with many possible fixes. The following is a list to help you sort out the problem.

One of the most common problems is water leaking from a blocked AC hose. In order to resolve this clog, try the following steps:

1. Lift the hood and go towards the passenger side of the vehicle. There you will find the AC drain, an “L” shaped boot directing towards the ground.

2. Remove the tube from the place where it connects to the rest of the vehicle.

3. Inspect the tube to see if it is clogged.

4. Remove any debris or dirt from the tube.

5. Replace it back into its original position.

If the problem still persists, there are still many places to check. Give the drain vents located near the fender a look. There may be dirt or leaves built up creating a block. In addition, there may be a clog underneath the battery. This will require some expertise on your part to deal with the problem effectively and safely. Finally, check out the sunroof and doors to make sure there is no debris making it difficult for these objects to properly seal as they close.

If you are still having difficulty locating the problem, or simply want to make sure everything is done with expertise, hire a professional. Use TalkLocal to be connected to a highly rated auto repair technician today. Simply enter a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability, and TalkLocal will do the rest.

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

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