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Thursday 17 October 2024

Amazon’s No. 1 Bestselling Leaf Blower Is 50% Off, and Shoppers Say It's a 'Game Changer for Yard Clean-Up'

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Now is the time to start winterizing your home, and there's no tool more important this season than a trusty leaf blower. If you missed Amazon’s October Prime Day deals, there are still some great sales going on, including the retailer's most popular leaf blower that's half off and has shoppers smashing their “add-to-cart” buttons.

Leapul’s 21V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower is now on sale on Amazon for the super-low cost of only $70, which is 50% off the normal list price of $140 and an even better deal than DeWalt's popular 20V Max model. This leaf blower has earned an impressive 1,100 five-star ratings from shoppers who say it "cleans as good as [their] corded one" from their local hardware store. Over 9,000 were purchased last month across each of the three colors, bumping it up into the No. 1 rank among Amazon's bestselling models. It also comes with two 2Ah batteries and a charger is included.

Leapul 21V Electric Cordless Leaf Blower, $70, (was $140) on Amazon

There’s a reason this is Amazon’s bestselling leaf blower, as it offers users up to 20 minutes of runtime while the quick-charging batteries only require an hour to be fully charged. But the best part may be its high-powered motor, which delivers an impressive 420 CFM (cubic feet per minute) airflow—four times the power of its counterpart from DeWalt.

Shoppers say this leaf blower is the total package with its lightweight design, making it super easy to handle. “This leaf blower has been a game changer for yard clean-up,” one shopper noted. “I’ve used it on leaves, grass clippings, and even some light debris, and it works like a charm every time. The battery lasts longer than I expected, and it charges quickly too. If you're looking for a solid, reliable blower that won't wear you out while using it, I highly recommend this one.”

Another shopper echoed those remarks.“This leaf blower is highly effective, easy to handle, and exceptionally lightweight,” they said. “This is a must-have tool for your outdoor work, and it’s easy to store as well!”

Before long, this sale will be gone, and with it, fall as well. Take advantage of this excellent sale on the bestselling Leapul Leaf Blower with its half-off price tag. While it doesn’t appear to be selling out anytime soon, this price won’t be here for long, so act fast.

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Taco Bell Is Testing New CrunchWrap Supremes With Indian, Thai Flavors

Taco Bell is testing out bold new flavors of Crunchwrap Supreme in partnership with three emerging chefs, and the culinary innovations could soon be headed to a location near you.

Reuben Asaram, Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, and Lawrence “LT” Smith spent "months of trial, error and innovation" developing the new Crunchwraps in the Taco Bell Test Kitchen, which will feature eight unexpected new ingredients including Indian spices, Thai-inspired noodles, and spicy Southwest hot chicken. The items will be the first to debut from the new TBX program, which was launched earlier this year "to bring fresh perspectives from emerging culinary talent" and "offer fans entirely new ways to experience their Taco Bell favorites."

The three new flavors are as follows:

Chef Reuben’s "Indian Buffet Crunchwrap Supreme" will feature marinated, slow-roasted chicken tossed in a creamy tomato curry paired with Mexican-spiced rice, layered with cucumber mint sauce, along with Taco Bell’s classic crunchy corn tostada, fresh lettuce, and bright pico de Gallo. A vegetarian option will be available by swapping crispy potato bites for the chicken.
Chef Jenn’s "Crispy Thai Noodle Crunchwrap Supreme" takes inspiration from her Asian roots with marinated grilled chicken tossed with a khao soi aioli and paired with a crunchy wheat noodle nest to bring the item’s signature crunch. The creation is finished off with cool reduced fat sour cream, fresh onions and cilantro, and an avocado basil ranch to add a South Texas twist to the Thai-inspired take.
Chef LT’s "Southwest Hot CHX Crunchwrap Supreme" puts a modern, Southwest spin on the classic with chicken nuggets tossed in salsa macha, Oaxaca-style mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheeses, a bright purple cabbage slaw, cilantro, apricot hot sauce, and cool reduced fat sour cream "to create a perfect balance of heat and craveability."

"We’ve long tried to push the boundaries of what culinary creativity can mean and our collaboration with these leading chefs allows us to honor different culinary traditions while creating bold, new bites that are distinctly Taco Bell," Taco Bell Global Chief Food Innovation Officer Liz Matthews said in a press release. "Our mantra for TBX has been ‘Our thing + their thing = a whole new kind of thing’ and we’re so excited to share these reimagined Crunchwrap Supremes with fans."

For now, the three new flavors will only be available during a pop-up in New York City on Oct. 16 and 17, with further testing to determine potential future availability in 2025. However, in the meantime, Taco Bell is offering Rewards Members up to $3 in free customizations so they can concoct their own "dream" Crunchwrap Supreme.

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Wednesday 16 October 2024

Sissy Squats: The Secret Weapon for Leg Strength and Mobility

Sissy squats may sound like a move that belongs on a playground, but trust me—there's nothing "sissy" about this killer lower-body exercise. In fact, aside from pistol squats and cossack squats, sissy squats are one of the most intense, muscle-shaping moves you can add to your leg-day arsenal. If you've been searching for a way to enhance your quad definition, build tendon strength, or improve your mobility without a ton of equipment, this move is for you. You might be wondering, what do sissy squats work?

Though it doesn't involve heavy weights or flashy machines, the sissy squat isolates your quads like no other, and it's a game-changer if you're looking to boost your lower-body strength. Plus, sissy squats help improve your knee mobility and strengthen tendons in a way that most traditional squat variations don't. And yes, they can be done right at home with nothing more than your body weight.

So, if you're ready to dive into a squat variation that's equal parts humbling and rewarding, allow me to break down everything you need to know about the mighty sissy squat. I’ll dish out my expertise covering what sissy squats are, how to do sissy squats, the muscles sissy squats work, and make sure you leave the page understanding the benefits and common mistakes to avoid. And, of course, we will squash the common question, “Are sissy squats bad for your knees?” (fun fact—they aren’t)!

What Are Sissy Squats?

At first glance, sissy squats might seem like an unusual or even risky movement. Unlike the familiar motion of a back squat, sissy squats require you to lean back with your knees bent while keeping your hips fully extended. This unique posture isolates your quadriceps, particularly the rectus femoris, forcing them to work harder than they would in traditional squats to lift your body back up.

What sets sissy squats apart is their ability to take the hips and glutes almost entirely out of the equation, placing the focus solely on the knee joint’s flexion. This isolation creates an intense burn in your quads, carving definition into your thighs while simultaneously engaging your core for added stability. It's a deceptively simple-looking movement that challenges balance, coordination, and strength.

Mastering this move requires serious effort, but the rewards—stronger, more defined quads—are worth it. However, as you’re learning this exercise, don’t shy away from using assistance, such as holding onto a squat rack or using a TRX strap for support. This will help you maintain proper form and reduce the risk of injury while you build the strength and coordination needed to perform it unassisted.

How to Do Sissy Squats

Before jumping right into it, perfecting your sissy squat form is vital to getting all the benefits without risking injury. Here's a step-by-step guide to nailing it:

1. Start With a Stable Base

Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart.
Hold onto a sturdy object (like a door frame or squat rack) for balance, or perform the exercise hands-free if you're confident.

2. Lean Back

Slowly lean your torso backward while bending at the knees.
Keep your hips extended, avoiding sitting back like in a regular squat.
Your body should form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders as you lower yourself.

3. Lower Your Body

Descend until your knees are close to the ground or as low as your flexibility allows.
Keep your heels off the floor, balancing on the balls of your feet.

4. Return to the top

Push through your quads to raise your body back to the starting position.
Ensure your hips and shoulders remain aligned.
Keep your core engaged and maintain control throughout the movement.

Pro Tip

If you’re new to sissy squats, start with a small range of motion, then gradually increase your depth as your strength and flexibility improve.

What Muscles Do Sissy Squats Work?

You might be wondering, what do sissy squats work? The answer is relatively straightforward: sissy squats are a quad-dominant exercise, but they engage more than just your thighs. Here’s a breakdown of the muscles worked:

Quadriceps

This is the primary muscle group targeted. The isolated knee flexion and extension put intense focus on your quads, helping to build both size and strength.

Core

Your abs and lower back help stabilize your body throughout the movement, especially as you lean back.

Hip Flexors

While not the primary movers, your hip flexors play a supporting role in controlling the motion.

Calves

As you balance on the balls of your feet, your calves help stabilize your body, particularly during the lowering phase.

Benefits of Sissy Squats

The sissy squat packs a punch with numerous benefits, which is why it’s worth the effort to incorporate it into your workout routine:

Quad Isolation

Sissy squats isolate the quadriceps like few other exercises can. You can focus almost entirely on working your quads by eliminating the hip involvement.

Improved Knee Health

Contrary to the common question, “Are sissy squats bad for your knees?” they can actually improve knee strength and stability. When done correctly, sissy squats strengthen the tendons and ligaments around the knee joint, making them a beneficial exercise for knee health.

Increased Flexibility

Sissy squats challenge your flexibility, especially in the quads and hip flexors, making them an excellent movement for improving mobility.

Minimal Equipment

You don’t need much to perform sissy squats at home. This exercise requires little more than your body weight, making it convenient and effective whether you’re at home or in the gym.

Enhances Core Stability

Balancing through the entire motion forces your core to engage, making this a full-body movement in disguise.

Common Sissy Squat Mistakes

Like any exercise, sissy squats come with their own set of common mistakes that can reduce effectiveness or even lead to injury. Here’s what to watch out for:

Dropping the Hips

One of the most significant errors is letting your hips drop backward like a traditional squat. Dropping your hips takes the tension off your quads and shifts it to your glutes and hips, defeating the purpose of the exercise.

Rushing the Movement

Sissy squats should be done slowly and with control. Going too fast makes it easy to lose balance and proper form.

Not Using Assistance

If you’re struggling to maintain balance, don’t hesitate to use a chair or squat rack support. Trying to go unsupported too soon can lead to improper form and reduce the exercise's effectiveness.

Sissy Squat Variations

Whether you’ve mastered the standard sissy squat or need to dial it back to improve technique, there are a few variations you can try to mix things up:

Kneeling Sissy Squat

How to Do It

Start in a tall kneeling position, ensuring your knees are below your hips and tucking your toes under your heels.
Squeeze your glutes and engage your anterior core to stabilize your body throughout the movement.
Slowly lean back, allowing your glutes to move toward your heels while maintaining a straight torso.
Focus on keeping your body aligned and avoid rounding your back.
Lower yourself until you reach your desired depth, ensuring your knees stay above your toes for proper form.
Drive through your knees and quads to return to the tall kneeling position.
Keep your movements controlled to maximize muscle engagement and avoid injury.
Aim for 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps.

Assisted Sissy Squats

How to Do It

Use a resistance band or TRX suspension trainer for support, to start.
Attach the resistance band to a sturdy anchor point at waist height or hold onto the TRX straps.
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and grasp the band or straps with both hands.
Squeeze your glutes and engage your core to stabilize your body before beginning the squat.
Slowly lean back while bending your knees, allowing the band or straps to assist your balance.
Keep your hips extended, ensuring your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
Lift your heels off the ground, balancing on the balls of your feet, and lower yourself until your knees are nearly touching the ground or as low as you can comfortably go.
Push through your quads to return to the starting position, ensuring your hips and shoulders remain aligned.
Perform 3 sets of 6 to 12 reps, focusing on maintaining control and proper form with each repetition.

Weighted Sissy Squats

How to Do It

Choose a light dumbbell or kettlebell, to start.
Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold the weight at your chest with both hands, elbows tucked in.
Engage your core for stability.
Lean your torso backward while bending at the knees, keeping your hips extended.
Your body should form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders.
Lift your heels off the ground, balancing on the balls of your feet, and lower yourself until your knees are close to the ground or as low as you can comfortably go.
Push through your quads to rise back up, ensuring your hips and shoulders remain aligned.
Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps, gradually increasing the weight as you build strength.

Sissy Squat Machine

How to Do It

Find a sissy squat machine at your gym, to start.
Step onto the foot pads with your feet securely positioned, keeping your heels slightly elevated.
Grip the handles or support bars for stability.
Lean back while keeping your hips extended. The machine will help support your weight.
Lower yourself until your knees approach the ground or as low as your flexibility allows.
Push through your quads to return to the starting position, maintaining alignment between your hips and shoulders.
Aim for three sets of 10 to 15 reps, adjusting the machine for comfort as needed.

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Judge Moves to Free Man Convicted of Killing Michael Jordan's Dad

The man convicted in the murder of Michael Jordan's father three decades ago could be released from prison after the judge who presided over the case made a surprising move.

On Oct. 15, North Carolina judge Gregory Weeks petitioned the state's parole commission asking for the release of Daniel Green, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole following the 1996 trial for the murder of James Jordan. Green was 18 at the time of the murder in 1993 and was convicted of killing Jordan in a robbery gone wrong.

According to Weeks, a forensic blood analyst working on the case against Green failed to disclose that a blood-like substance found in the car where Jordan was killed might not have actually been his blood. Weeks described in his affidavit to the commission prosecutors' claim that Jordan was sleeping in the passenger seat of his car on the side of the road when Green walked up and shot him. This narrative was in line with the testimony of Larry Demery, Green's co-defendant who accused Green of firing the gun.

However, the blood analyst never disclosed that other forensic tests from inside the vehicle came back negative or inconclusive for blood. These test results could've been evidence that might have changed the outcome of the trial, and in his note, Weeks said the omission of these results hasn't left his mind in the years since the trial, per ABC News.

When Green learned about what the judge said on his behalf, he was over the moon with the news. "[The fact that the judge who] presided over my trial asked that I be paroled is significant," Green told ABC News from North Carolina's Southern Correctional Institution. "It speaks volumes about this case, and I’m overwhelmingly grateful."

Green was previously denied parole back in 2021. A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction said the commission will likely spend at least one month deliberating on whether or not to grant Green parole now. In the meantime, both Green and Weeks await the decision with bated breath.

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Tuesday 15 October 2024

Climber Falls to Death From Iconic Bridge While Filming Social Media Content

A 26-year-old British man has died after falling from a famous bridge in central Spain during an attempt to make climbing-related social media content, according to local authorities.

The man was ascending the Castilla-La Mancha Bridge in Talavera de la Reina, a small city about 75 miles from Madrid, when he fell to his death on Sunday morning at 7:14 a.m., according to an El Mundo report. The victim, yet to be identified, was said to be accompanied by a 24-year-old man who survived the incident.

Scaling the iconic span, Spain's highest cable-stayed bridge, is illegal—though it has drawn climbers, various other social media-driven daredevils, and even illegal racing activity since its construction.

“This is something that is totally prohibited and that we have reiterated on many occasions cannot be done under any circumstances,” noted the city’s Councilor for Citizen Security, Macarena Muñoz, in a town hall press release about the climbing attempt turned tragedy

The statement noted that the two men had arrived specifically to climb the bridge “to create content for social networks”—leading to an “unfortunate and sad outcome.”

According to Metro.co.uk, a local police spokesperson said the climber was “about 40 to 50 meters up, around a quarter of the total height of the bridge, when he fell.” The exact cause of the fall has yet to be determined. According to another source in the same report, neither of the two men were wearing protective harnesses.

The press release confirmed that a judge and coroner transported the body to a local funeral home. “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain, and are in contact with the local authorities,” a U.K. Foreign Office spokesperson told a subsequent report from People.

Dubbed “the bridge to nowhere" by detractors, the Castilla-La Mancha Bridge is a dramatic Golden Gate-style span, with its pair of iconic leaning towers rising to 630 feet, and over 20 miles of wiring built into its 1,043-foot length across the Tagus River.

Drawing limited traffic and costing nearly €74 million to build, the bridge was widely panned in the media as a waste of money when it was completed on October 17, 2011. Since then, it has drawn its share of visitors engaged in activities it was never designed for.

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Fat Joe Reveals Secrets Behind Dramatic Weight Loss

Fat Joe's size has been a part of his name and his identity since he started rapping more than two decades ago. But the Bronx-bred rapper has slimmed down in recent years—shedding about 200 pounds by his own estimate—leading some to question just how Fat Joe became not-so-fat Joe.

The "What's Luv?" MC divulged some of his weight loss tactics in a recent interview with Us Weekly. Diet is key, of course, and cutting down on his carb consumption has helped tremendously.

"We just try to eat everything with the least carbs as possible," the 54-year-old said. "So we try to stay away from the bread, the pasta, the rice. That’s the smartest way to eat."

He went on to acknowledge the nutritionist-certified truth that carbs are still necessary for a balanced diet, so controlling your portions is critical to your success. "This morning I ate breakfast, I had this toast. I cut the corner off, ate it, and kept it moving," he explained. "Normally I would’ve ate the whole thing. But you know, that’s what we do. We cut carbs and try to be smarter."

In addition to cutting carbs, he has some help in curbing his appetite thanks to Ozempic. "Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff," he quipped. As his rep noted to TMZ, Fat Joe has suffered from diabetes for years, a condition Ozempic was originally designed to treat.

Just don't expect his Fat Joe moniker to go anywhere anytime soon. "My wife would kill me. She likes me being a big boy," the rapper said of a possible name change to match his new exterior. "She hallucinates like I’m still that big boy. She loves that."

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Monday 14 October 2024

Harrison Ford Thinks More Americans Should Try This Lucrative Career

Harrison Ford has been working as an actor for the better part of six decades. But outside his career playing other characters, Ford has a huge personal interest in aviation—so much so that he wants to see a change in the field going forward.

The Indiana Jones star spoke to GQ about his recent work and other passions, including aviation as a whole. When it comes to flying planes, Ford doesn't think of it as a scary, complicated thing to learn.

"Oh, anyone can [fly a plane]. We could teach monkeys to fly airplanes, and have," he stated plainly. "I think yes, anyone can fly a modern airplane. Yes. But why? The question is not if someone could fly, the question is why do they want to fly?"

Ford went on to speak about the need for pilots in the U.S. in general.

"It’s a great job and it’s become a field where there’s a great demand for pilots," he said. "We’ve been talking about the failure to train American pilots. America trains more foreign pilots than they do American pilots. I’m not being xenophobic here. It’s not about having to fly with American pilots. It’s just that we’ve known for a long time that we needed to train more pilots, and we have done that successfully now."

"Pilots are making a wonderful living when, 15 years ago, they weren’t doing so well at the beginning of their careers," he added. "But it’s a great career, and I just encourage people that are interested in it to give it a go."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, pilot's licenses differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly, whether it be airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or airships. You don't even need a pilot's license if you're interested in flying ultralight aircraft.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for airline and commercial pilots in 2023 was approximately $171,210 per year. But getting there is no easy task.

The first step to becoming a commercial pilot is to earn a private pilot certificate issued by the FAA. After that, you have to earn an instrument rating, followed by a commercial pilot certificate. Once the commercial pilot requirements are out of the way, your next step is to get a flight instructor certificate; after that, in order to fly large passenger airliners, you must get a multi-engine rating for your commercial pilot certificate. Once you complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of flight time, you'll get your airline transport pilot certificate, and you're ready for a job at a major airline. The process typically takes two to three years.

Ford's dedication to pilots and aviation dates back decades. He serves as an honorary board member of the humanitarian aviation organization Wings of Hope and has traveled to Washington, D.C. several times over the years to advocate for pilots' rights. He's appeared in various aviation documentaries and has donated money to The Bob Hoover Academy, which teaches at-risk California teens how to fly. He even has an impressive aircraft collection of his own.

The second season of Ford's show Shrinking premieres Oct. 16 on Apple TV+. His next movies are as Red Hulk in Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, due out in 2025.

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