The Three Best Boots for Fall

!±8± The Three Best Boots for Fall

Finally, autumn is here and boot season is upon us. If you haven't taken a look at the latest from Sorel Boots or Bogs Boots, then you're in for a treat. This year's selection is fresh, flirty and perfect for fall.

Sorel Cate the Great

Like her namesake, Catherine the Great, the Sorel Cate the Great boot is designed to be the toughest, most beautiful boot in the toughest weather. Conquer the snow and rain and even puddles with an upper made of waterproof full grain leather and suede. The cuff is a faux fur that shakes off the snow and shows off your cuddly side. The InnerBoot is made from cozy recycled felt for comfortable air circulation and insulates your tootsies even in temperatures 25 degrees below zero. Finally, the rubber shell is designed for rugged durability and traction so you're sure-footed even in the most slippery situations. This classy boot is available in three different color combinations and you just might want all three! Choose between a classic, sleek black on black with gray fur cuff, a woodsy Tobacco in three shades of brown and a super sexy Tusk/Bone in shades of gray.

Sorel Joan of Arctic

The Joan of Arctic boot by Sorel is a stylish boot that combines a full grain leather and suede upper with a faux fur snow cuff. The shell is handcrafted and waterproof, made of vulcanized rubber with a herringbone out sole that keeps your toes warm, dry and safe. The traction is built right in, for durability so you won't have to worry about slipping on the ice or snow. The entire boot is seam-sealed so it's waterproof and it even has a removable Thermo Plus Inner Boot liner, made of real recycled felt, for a second layer of natural breathable waterproof and warmth, right where you need it the most. Sorel has a reputation for combining beautiful craftsmanship with practical functionality and it's all represented perfectly here in the Sorel Joan of Arctic boot.

Bogs Classic High Corsage

Check out the ultra-feminine Bogs Classic High Corsage boot. These are the perfect waterproof boot that won't make you look like a fly-fisherman. These are 100% waterproof so you can stand in a puddle up to your ankle and still keep your pedicure dry. True to Bogs quality standards, these boots combine a sturdy floral-printed rubber with neoprene for waterproof durability to 40 degrees below zero. The sturdy handles make it easy to put them on without flinging water everywhere and the anti-microbial liner prevents foot odor.

This year, Sorel and Bogs have both harnessed perfection in their collection of boots and these styles are shining examples of what they have to offer. Don't worry about choosing between form and function this year because each of these boots are designed to offer both, combining the latest textile technology with classic materials to get the best of both worlds. Finally, you can face the fall and winter seasons without sacrificing comfort or style.

The Three Best Boots for Fall

Order 3000 Watt Power Inverters

Does Drinking Black Tea Increase Blood Pressure?

!±8± Does Drinking Black Tea Increase Blood Pressure?

Tea has gained a lot of attention in recent years for its ability to decrease the risk of heart disease. Green tea, in particular has been shown to prevent heart disease in the following ways.

o Green tea has been shown to prevent circulating LDL from hardening into the plaque that sticks to arterial walls, narrowing them.

o Green tea has been shown to inhibit unnecessary blood clotting.

o Green tea has been shown to reverse endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction makes it difficult for the veins and arteries to properly dilate.

o Green tea has an anti-inflammatory effect, which may help protect arteries and blood vessels.

Tea's magic is due to its high level of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are critical to preventing disease because they fight the free radicals that our bodies create each day during our digestive process. If the free radicals are not neutralized, they damage our cells and DNA, leading to disease. Other good sources of anti-oxidants include fruits and vegetables, red wine and chocolate.

But, tea's anti-oxidants may be the most powerful of all. Most doctors recommend, and most of the research has been performed on, green tea. This is because green tea is unfermented. Black tea goes through a fermentation process that changes some of the natural anti-oxidants into other, less healthy form.

However, some concern has been raised that drinking tea may increase blood pressure. Keeping blood pressure under control is critical to preventing heart disease.

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60-70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure.

When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure. When you see a blood pressure reading it shows the systolic pressure number over the diastolic pressure number.

When the level stays high, 140/90 mmHg or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater. You should aim for a blood pressure reading of around 120/80.

So, while tea may offer many benefits in lowering the risk for heart disease, if it raises the blood pressure, these benefits may be negated in those who are already battling high blood pressure.

One study, reported by the UK Tea Council, examined the effects of black tea on endothelial dysfunction and on blood pressure. The effects of tea drinking were measured both while fasting and after a meal. There were 20 participants, each with coronary artery disease. Dilation of the endothelium and blood pressure levels were measured at the beginning of the test, and 3 ½ hours after drinking three cups of black tea or hot water.

In some cases, the participants were given black tea or hot water without a meal, and in other cases, the tea and water were administered along with a meal.

The study concluded that when combined with a meal, the black tea significantly improved endothelial dilation. However, when tea was administered during fasting, it did not improve endothelial dilation.

The study also found that tea, when administered without a meal, raised systolic blood pressure compared with the participants who drank water alone. However, tea, when administered with a meal did not show any increase in blood pressure. So, it was concluded that drinking black tea on an empty stomach may temporarily raise blood pressure. However, eating a meal with your tea seems to negate these effects.

This can be important news for those struggling with high blood pressure. While the raised blood pressure that was noted from drinking black tea alone appeared to be temporary, it still may be of concern for those who are already battling blood pressure problems. It may be wise to avoid black tea on an empty stomach.

However, if you drink your tea with a meal, you may be able to reap all the benefits that tea offers without increasing your blood pressure. So, don't stop drinking your tea; just alter your tea drinking schedule to coincide with food.

It's important to note that this study was conducted only on black tea, so we're unsure if green tea has the same effects on blood pressure. And, green tea is the one most often recommended for its overall health benefits.

As with any alternative therapies you use, it's wise to keep your doctor informed. Working with your doctors to find the right combination of diet, exercise and medication is the best way to protect your health and ensure that you live a long, heart attack free life.

Does Drinking Black Tea Increase Blood Pressure?

Queen Platform Storage Beds Save You Money! New How To Use The Diaper Genie

Mens Winter Shoes - Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry Without Boots

!±8± Mens Winter Shoes - Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry Without Boots

It's getting to be that time of year when I bring out the cold weather clothing, but this year my husband asked me to find him some new mens winter shoes. He typically wears winter boots when we go outdoors, but he says that he finds the boots to be too bulky and cumbersome. He wants shoes that will keep his feet warm, but not feel like he's wearing blocks on his feet. So the search is on! Mens Winter Shoes are Available for Today's Active Lifestyles

I did some internet searching and found that mens winter shoes are much different from a few years ago.

Today's active men require winter shoes that are comfortable and easy to wear all day. They must be simple to put on and able to bear up under a number of conditions including cold and wet weather.

Traction is important since winter weather conditions can include snow and ice as well as slush. Waterproof or water-resistant shoes are essential since once your feet get wet, that can make you very uncomfortable!

I found that mens winter shoes today are widely available in a number of styles, from simple slip-ons to lace-ups. They are low-profile, although I did find one pair of Sorel "Bota Bag" winter shoes that reached ankle-high. The Bota Bag shoes did have very good reviews, including several men who said that these shoes were very easy to put on despite being an ankle boot.

Features of mens winter shoes include good sole traction and insulation, typically Thinsulate. Many are fleece-lined. A number of the shoes I found stated they were rated to -5 degrees, and sometimes even colder.

Several shoes advertised the ability to remove the shoe footbed, in case it gets wet from perspiration. (This allows the footbed to dry well, preventing odor.) Many shoe styles are also waterproof, with some advising water-resistant, which is a good idea for wet winter conditions.

Some Mens Winter Shoes Favorites

When shopping for my husband, I found several shoes with excellent reviews. Many men stated they liked the Sorel Bota Bag winter shoe, mentioned earlier, as well as the Sorel Fairbanks, Baffin Crossroad (lace-up shoe), and Columbia Bugatrail (also lace-up shoe).

Bear in mind that these shoes are not workout shoes. They are designed to wear in cold weather and wet conditions, providing water-resistancy against snow and ice. Winter workout or training shoes are something completely different.

Prices for these mens winter shoes range from to about . Do a little shopping online to find the best prices. It's also a good idea to find a local store and try them on personally, since some shoes tend to run a little larger than you may be used to.

For example, Sorel shoes seem to run larger than my usual size. If you order online and you usually wear a size 9, you may want to try going one-half size or full size smaller and get the 8 or 8 ½. Reviews for Columbia stated that the shoe sizes were pretty true, so if you wear a size 9, you can safely order a size 9.

Our Final Selection

We choose the Sorel Fairbanks mens winter shoes, and my husband couldn't be happier. We found it online for , and we did order one size smaller than my husband usually wears, which was a good thing.

He loves the shoes since he can put them on without even paying attention, they slip-on that easily. My husband does say that he thinks the shoes may actually be a bit warm for early fall, but come winter they are perfect. He can go outside and do farm chores and his feet stay warm, even when dealing with snow and slush.

My advice? Do a little research and read the reviews, so that you can find your perfect mens winter shoes.

Mens Winter Shoes - Keep Your Feet Warm and Dry Without Boots

Order Old Gringo Razz Boots