Although many of us know it is an honor to receive one, we may not know what is a Purple Heart in the military. The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration which is awarded in the name of the President to those who were wounded or killed while serving with the U.S. military, on or after April 5, 1917. The question of what is a Purple Heart in the military involves looking at its history. The very first Purple Heart, which was originally called the Badge of Military Merit, was awarded in 1782 by George Washington, who at…

Americans are generous people. We all like the idea of helping families in need. We volunteer, make charitable clothing donations and give what money we can. When we cannot bring our donations to a non-profit, we find charities that will pick up donations. What we may not realize is all of our good deeds do a lot to help us as well. Here are some ways when we work on helping families in need, we are actually helping ourselves as well. Giving back reduces our stress level. When researchers looked at links between volunteering and hypertension, they found that people…

For young men, graduating college is a great accomplishment that is usually accompanied by overwhelming stress. You just spent the last four or so years of your life dressing like a slog, which was and (kind of) is acceptable, but now it’s time to dress like what you’ve become: an adult. You’re entering into the professional world so it’s time to leave your sweatpants and beer T-shirts behind and change your wardrobe, your attitude, and your aspirations. It’s time to be a professional. Here are a few things to keep in mind during the weeks after graduation. Tailored Suit Every…

It’s that old hiker’s saying: “A pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back.” Many who are first thinking of backpacking consider the weight on their back as the most difficult aspect of a trip. And while a backpack itself may weigh more than shoes, the energy output expended per pound of shoe is much higher than for a backpack. Walking remains the most popular aerobic activity in the United States. More than 145 million adults include walking as part of their physically active lifestyle, with about six to ten adults having reported walking for at least 10…

Devices that emit some kind of electromagnetic wave have become more common as technology has moved forward. While initial concerns about the health effects of electromagnetic waves focused on microwaves, lately there has been increased concern about devices that have become basic to our everyday lives. Cell phones and laptops have been the subject of a few studies within the past few years regarding a danger to our health: A 2012 study showed that chronic electromagnetic field exposure caused physiological harm to our cells after just one and a half years. A 2010 study showed that short term electromagnetic field…

Any trendy guy knows how it works, you shop at an online apparel store for this season’s trends only to have them change next year. It is important to invest in some good quality pieces that will get you from season to season without breaking your bank account. Here are some pieces that will stand the test of time. 5 panel hats Every guy needs a good hat that can get him from the gym to his favorite dinner spot without missing a beat. These 5 paneled hats are one of the best things to invest in, as you can…

There are more than 40 million gardeners across the United States, and more than half of them report that they compost their organic waste on a regular basis. The statistics are encouraging: the more we compost our food scraps and leaves, the less we contribute to landfills. Americans are more willing than ever to recycle: we want to do whatever we can to help, but many of us are unfamiliar with the benefits of composting. How can I start composting at home? What equipment will I need? What is composting, exactly? Composting is a way that you can turn your…

Diamonds, which are considered one of the world’s most beautiful gemstones, are produced from mines across the globe. The value of the rough diamonds produced on an annual basis is approximately $13 billion in United States currency. African mines produce $8.5 billion of this total figure. While 20%-to-25% of these natural diamonds will become gemstones, 75%-to-85% are used for industrial purposes. Since they are the hardest substance on earth, diamonds are also well-known for their excellent cutting ability. Natural diamonds were formed through extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. However, in recent years, they are being created in labs.…