Imagine a Summer Holiday with Your Name on It

December 31, 2016 No comments Article

Many people dream of owning a holiday home but assume that it is financially beyond their reach. In fact, it can be more affordable than you think, provided that you consider several important factors. This article outlines some of the questions to ask.

What Size Does It Need To Be?
Be honest. Think about how big a holiday home actually needs to be, rather than how big you would like it to be. Do you need that extra bedroom? What about a second bathroom? ‘Like’ and ‘Need’ can be very different!

Work Out A Budget
If you have done any research at all, you might have an idea about how much a holiday home could cost. If you are not able to stretch to a conventional ‘second home,’ consider a static caravan. You get similar benefits as you would from a house such as familiar location and the ability to build relationships with locals, but at a fraction of the fee Remember though all affordable static caravans for sale will incur running costs, in much the same way as a main home does. Do consider:

Finance options

Park fees, often annual

Rates

Warranty

Cost of ‘extras’ such as steps

After the initial purchase price:

Insurance

Fuel costs (gas/electricity)

Linen

Crockery/cutlery

Small appliances (kettle/toaster)

Also, going to the same place every holiday could become a bit stagnant!

Lipsi Island in the Dodec 008

Location, Location, Location
Consider how far you want to travel; a longer distance and you might feel more like you’re going away, but if your holiday home/caravan is closer to home, might you use it more regularly and visit at weekends, too?

If you want to allow other people to use your caravan and they will pay for that privilege, check that the park will allow rentals. Check, too, whether the park amenities match your requirements and if not, are you willing to compromise? Children’s clubs are often on the list because parents would like to get a little peace and quiet, so a crrche would be great although it is not exactly necessary.

A holiday home must be just that; somewhere to come to on holiday, so it is not permitted to live in all year-round.

What Will The Space Be For?

Somewhere to relax and read a book

A place to escape the daily bustle

Another big plus for buying a static caravan is that if it is on a park, it might be possible to ‘trade in’ and upgrade towards the end of the term. Depreciation is a definite concern and many parks will allow a straight upgrade.

Be as picky as you like. This is a major purchase, so must be done only when you are happy and ready to make the commitment. As with your main home, add personal touches to ensure the space reflects your family’s personality. There are parks and independents with affordable static caravans for sale, so take your time and have a good look around. Perhaps even book in to some caravan parks for a weekend and ‘try before you buy.’

AUTHOR BIO:

Tom Campbell writes regularly on travel topics for various websites and blogs. He has recently sold his caravan, looking to buy a gite in France soon, but knows that there are affordable static caravans for sale all over the UK.

Exotic Fruits for Healthy Weight Loss

December 3, 2016 No comments Article

In order to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, we have been told time and time again to fill our meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, at least 5 to 6 servings a day. But if you are getting tired of the same old apple and orange and want to add a little color and flavor to your weight loss plan, there are many exotic fruits out there for you to try. So instead of filling your basket with the usual, try something different and introduce new flavors to your diet.

Passion fruit or “purple granadilla”

This small, egg shaped fruit is sweet and easy to eat. Simply cut the fruit in half and use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and edible seeds.
With only 16 calories per, the passion fruit is packed with nutritional value making it a great addition to any diet.
Rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, the passion fruit also contains a significant amount of fiber that will aid the body in digestion.

Dragon Fruit

This odd looking fruit is a member of the cactus family and can be found in Asia and Central and South America.
Low in calories, but high in flavor, the dragon fruit is filled with vitamin A and C and has a good amount of fiber which is a must for any weight loss regime. The dragon fruit also contains B vitamins like B1 that can aid in carbohydrate metabolism.

Acai Berry

Plucked from palm trees in Brazil, the acai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) resembles a blueberry but with a large inedible seed in the center.
Tasting of chocolate and wild berry, this tiny super fruit is popping up everywhere. Loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanin, the acai berry is often blended into smoothies and juices and is being hailed for its health benefits.

Papaya

With sweet flesh and edible seeds, the papaya is usually around 7 inches long and 118 calories per fruit. Delicious and filling, the papaya contains vitamin C as well as papain, an enzyme that is good for protein digestion.

Pomegranate

Nicknamed a super food, the pomegranate is another fruit that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and for good reason.
The flavourful, crunchy seeds of the pomegranate are only 80 calories per half cup and can be added to desserts and salads to add a punch of sweetness. Along with a pleasant flavor, the seeds are also loaded up with antioxidants and fiber, making them a perfect weight loss food.

Guava

Tasting a little like strawberry and pear, the guava is a tasty fruit that definitely packs a punch nutritionwise. The guava is filled with vitamin A and C, potassium, fiber and phosphorus, making it a great fruit to introduce into your healthy diet.

Goji Berry

A bright red berry native to China, the goji berry can be enjoyed raw, cooked or dried and is used in many teas and juices. To get the most nutritional benefit from the berry in juice form, drink cold pressed juice. Cold pressed juicing simply crushes and presses fruit without using heat.

The goji berry is filled with antioxidants and in some studies has even proved to have a positive effect on sleep and athletic ability, two major components when it comes to weight loss.

So if you are on the road to weight loss, why not try something new. Pick up some of these exotic super fruits and try them in salads or desserts, as a cold pressed juice or simply enjoy them as a snack in their natural state. The flavors are fantastic and you just can’t beat the health benefits.

This is a guest post by freelance writer Claire Wilson who is a health enthusiast and loves fruits in every form, especially as a cold pressed juice. When not writing, Claire loves to do yoga and travel.