【推荐2】We bought a Shamrock trailer (房车) in the fall of 2019 in anticipation (期待) of our three-month journey to Baja, Mexico. The camper (露营车) would be home base for all the fun and adventure our family, myself, my husband and our three teenagers, would have all the way.

It took three days to drive from Calgary to Las Vegas and the temperature went from negative 30 to 15 °F-a miracle! But by the time we made it to San Diego, California, we had visited two RV mechanics to fix water leaking from the water tank and a bed heater blowing up. Thankfully, while we waited for repairs, we could listen to waves lapping on the shore.

Eventually, we crossed the border into Mexico at Tijuana and pushed our way down the shore coast. While we swam, ate Mexican food and watched sunsets, the Shamrock kept throwing us surprises. We all learned to savor (尽情享受) the good moments while dealing with the bad.

Driving through Utah, our truck began making noises. The truck’s engine had completely broken, and we needed a new one. We holed up (躲) in St. George, Utah, to wait for repairs. One evening, we were heating up dinner when the oven let out a big WHUMP! The whole camper shook.

After a few weeks, we left our truck in Utah—the engine repair wasn’t going too well—and drove home to Calgary. There could not have been five travelers so happy to stay in their house for two weeks.

Eventually, we hired someone to drive our truck and the Shamrock to Calgary, but he arrived with just the truck. The camper was causing problems, and the keys got lost, so it was left in Idaho. It’s still there; we recently marked its one-and-a-half-year anniversary of storage.

This brings me to the point of this essay: For Sale: A lively 30-foot Shamrock camper. Keeps you on your toes! Sleeps five. $9,000. Pick-up is somewhere in Idaho. Bring some tools to break into it.

【推荐3】Getting around Valencia can be exhausting on foot if you want to see it all, but luckily, the city is very bike-friendly.

This 3-hour Valencia bike tour takes you on a lovely journey from the historic center to the beach where you’ll enjoy a drink at the end. If you’re looking for a truly personalized experience, this is it. The guide is super knowledgeable and gives lots of inside information about the sites you pass and local culture along the way.

With the warm lights of the historic center’s cobbled streets, cycling around Valencia is so different than in the day. The tour takes you through Turia Park to the City of Arts and Sciences which is impressively lit up at night. As you cycle past different tourist attractions, the guide will let you in on the history and culture of the city.

Being one of the classical guided bike tours Valencia offers, this takes you to the main tourist attractions in the old town like the Valencia Cathedral, the Silk Exchange, and the Serranos Towers. You’ll bike in Valencia’s longest park, Turia Park, which leads to the City of Arts and Sciences and a must-visit on any trip to the city. On different stops, the guide will fill in with history and anecdotes about the places you pass.

This tour takes you through the old town of Valencia where you’ll see the top tourist spots like the Valencia Cathedral and the Silk Exchange along the way on your own. You’ll pass the City Hall and the complex on your way to Turia Park where Valencia’s bike paths are at their best. Eventually, you’ll reach the City of Arts and Sciences where you can admire the modern architecture and learn more about the impressive complex.

【推荐2】Researchers find the benefits of free time depend on our beliefs about it. A new Rutgers-led study finds that contentment depends, at least in part, on believing that leisure activities are not a waste of time.

According to the study, thinking of leisure as wasteful prevents us from enjoying our leisure pursuits — especially purely pleasure activities such as hanging out with friends, watching TV and just relaxing. More goal-driven leisure activities, like exercise and meditation (冥想), tend to feel productive and so are still enjoyed whether or not people see value in their leisure.

In one part of the study, the researchers asked 302 people to recall what they did for Halloween, how much they enjoyed the holiday and their attitudes toward leisure in general. Those who believed leisure was wasteful enjoyed their Halloween less, especially when they engaged in activities like going to a party compared to other activities that might be fun but might also fulfill (履行) responsibilities, like trick or treating with their kids.

In another part of the study, participants read news articles meant to convince the reader that leisure is wasteful, unproductive or productive. Next they watched the “Best Funny Cat Videos 2019”and were asked how much they enjoyed it. Those who believed that leisure was wasteful or unproductive didn’t enjoy watching the video s as much as those who thought leisure time was productive and important.

The results show that those who do not enjoy pleasure-driven activities are more depressed, anxious and stressed. The findings suggest happiness may be driven not only by whether people engage in leisure, but whether they find value in what they are doing.

“Attitudes can be difficult to change, so it may not be possible to shift beliefs about leisure overnight,” said lead author Gabriela Tonietto. “For those who think of leisure as wasteful, focusing on the productive ways that individual leisure activities can serve their long-term goals can help.”

【推荐1】Caffeine is not just for mornings anymore. This simple yet effective ingredient (成分) is gaining attention in the beauty world, thanks to its popularity on TikTok and celebrity endorsers (代言人) who say caffeine-infused skin care products are a quick, affordable way to give your face a little pick-me up.

“When used in skin care, caffeine reduces blood flow to the skin and makes it look brighter and tighter,” says Dr. Hsu, a well-known researcher in skin care. “It’s often seen as an anti-aging or wrinkle-smoothing ingredient in face care eye care, and even body care.”

The key to making skin care products work is proper formulation. In particular, when the right amount of caffeine is used it can be an effective ingredient to freshen up your skin. remove dark under-eye circles.

Several studies, like one published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, show that caffeine molecules are small enough to pass through the top layers of your skin, so it can really dig in and do its job inside your skin, explains Dr. Hsu.

But it’s worth noting that just because a product claims it contains caffeine. “It doesn’t mean it will automatically give you the benefits you’re looking for,” he says.

“Caffeine primarily works through circulation, so it’s fast acting: protective against oxidative stress (氧化应激) for the skin.” says Ife Rodney. MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland.

“Caffeine may also help protect against photodamage. like fine lines and wrinkles after sun exposure. Studies show caffeine helps when it’s applied after exposure to UVA and UVB (中波与长波紫外光) rays,” Dr. Rodney says.

“The main downside is that the skin benefits of caffeine works fast and goes fast, similar to drinking a cup of coffee.” says Rodney. “Caffeine is a temporary solution and will not cure wrinkles or under-eye bags.” she says.

【推荐2】The State of the World’s Birds — report from conservation group Bird Life is the latest critical survey that highlight the scale of the current biodiversity crisis. It says, more than half the world’s bird species are in decline, as human activities including agriculture and expansion into habitats continue to wreak havoc on bird populations.

“We have already lost over 160 bird species in the last 500 years, and the rate of extinction is accelerating,” said Lucy Haskell, who is lead author of the report. “Historically, most extinctions were on islands, but worryingly there is a growing wave of continental extinctions, driven by landscape-scale habitat loss.”

The report reviewed data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Analysis showed that 5,412 of bird species worldwide, or 49 percent, have declining populations, while 38 percent are stable, 6 percent are increasing, and 6 percent have unknown trends. One in eight species is threatened with extinction, and also highlighted the massive scale of population loss in several well-surveyed areas.

The expansion and intensification (集约化) in agriculture is the leading threat to birds, the report said, impacting at least 73 percent of threatened species. Unsustainable logging and management of forests is another significant threat, impacting nearly half of threatened bird species.

Birds play an essential role in the health of ecosystems around the world. They are predators, pollinators, seed dispensers, and scavengers, and help to move and cycle nutrients across wide ranges. “Birds tell us about the health of our natural environment — we ignore their messages at our peril,” Lucy said.

Authors of the report said that governments must prioritize more sustainable agriculture practices and the protection of natural habitats in order to slow population decline in bird species. There are numerous examples of populations bouncing back with the help of well-coordinated conservation programs. “If we give nature a chance, it can recover,” said But chart, who is chief scientist for Bird Life. “There is no denying that the situation is terrible, but we know how to reverse these declines.”