April 30th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
The West Coast
A Guide to Backpacking the American West
The West Coast is a logical place to kick off an epic American adventure for a few reasons. Firstly, most backpackers or overseas road trippers will arrive at an international airport, and Los Angeles has a very big one. Secondly, many people coming to the Lower 48 for a road trip may want to buy a decent used car for the journey, and there are loads of cheap used cars to choose from in Southern California. Read more »
April 18th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Alcohol: Benefits and Risks
Alcohol is a tough one for a lot of people. One or two can help to lighten your mood or add some grease to an awkward social situation, while three or four can put you out of commission for a full twenty-four hours.
Moderation is key, to be sure. Knowing your personal limit and sticking to it is a challenge many of us struggle with. Used properly, alcohol can have a myriad of health benefits. Abuse it regularly and you put your body at great risk for a host of unpleasant maladies.
It helps to be aware of the facts and understand how to use alcohol to your greatest advantage. Read more »
April 8th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
For many situations like going on theme park rides or flying in an airplane, it’s relatively pointless to over-analyze the ‘what if’ scenarios. There are other times, however, when it is wise to take precautions, and a potential overnight stay at the hospital is one of these times. According to a national survey, 6 percent of U.S. citizens stayed in the hospital overnight at least once during 2011. If you want to be best prepared, follow our guide to the bare essentials – and a few additional comforts – to carry in your bag at all times, to make an overnight hospital experience much smoother. Read more »
April 5th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Ever wanted to remember your dreams more vividly? How about see them on TV? Secretly, we have as well. NPR Health news released an article today discussing how scientists have been researching dreams. They may have been able to identify a way to get some more insight on what our dreams look like. Read more »
April 5th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
South America is an awe-inspiring continent that is a haven for backpackers. Boasting wonderful scenery, diverse cultures and landscapes, friendly people and delightful cuisines, South America has everything and more a backpacker could want. A well established road and rail transport network makes inter-country travel easy and relatively inexpensive, so in part one, we focus on the top five must see South American destinations that are both cheap and easy to get to.
Read more »
March 7th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Patrick Stewart. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Jason Statham. What do all of these people have in common? They’re all fantastically famous movie stars, they’re all attractive, and, oh yes – they’re all bald. Read more »
March 6th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
“We don’t go anywhere. Going somewhere is for squares. We just go!” – Marlon Brando (in The Wild One)
Whether you’ve recently emerged into adulthood after the long years of education and are contemplating a ‘gap year’, or you’re simply at a crossroads further down the road in life and needing something of a sabbatical, the idea of backpacking may start to appeal. Throw ‘Southeast Asia’ into the equation and you’re probably already dreaming of lush, green forests, idyllic powdery sand beaches, chaotic, odorous cities and smiling, laid-back locals. Oh, and just a smidgen of partying along the way, perhaps? Read more »
March 1st, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
BBC Health News
The BBC just released a fantastic story, confirming that the technology, pharmaceutical and scientific worlds will combine to take on one of the worlds greatest fears, cancer. As we wish everyone to be in good health it is still important that we continue to make strides in the fields of medical research. It is notable to review and watch the world come together in a positive move for public health. Pacific Prime Health Insurance couldn’t be more supportive.
Read more from the BBC here.
Excerpt from BBC Health:
“By harnessing the collective power of citizen scientists we’ll accelerate the discovery of new ways to diagnose and treat cancer much more precisely.”
Researchers, computer programmers and games designers will meet this weekend to find a ways of converting the dense raw data into something more “game-like”.
The chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Dr Harpal Kumar, said: “We’re bringing together the cream of the UK’s technology specialists with our scientists as a collective force to accelerate cures for cancer outside the laboratory.
“This exciting event will provide a channel to help our scientists discover new genetic drivers of cancer that would otherwise take years to identify.”
They aim to have the project up and running by the summer. “
February 27th, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Healthy foods are important for getting a good night’s rest, we have learned as much. Although there consistently seems to be conflicting studies surrounding sleep, health and diet. Coffee is good for you, then coffee is bad for you. Eat avocados, but no spicy guacamole before bed. There just seems to be so much information that points us in every direction. The Huffington Post is never short of interesting articles regarding healthy living. Pacific Prime can agree that a triple shot latte may not be in favor of 40 winks, but we are not sure about the additions of grapefruit and spicy food. We would love to see more research.
Take a read for yourself HERE and let us know!
February 1st, 2013 in Uncategorized | Comments Off
Imagine concealing something small enough to fit in your pocket that is capable of killing every player in a football match. Something made not by man, but by Mother Nature herself. As the saying goes, the greatest things come in the smallest packages, especially in the animal kingdom. We’re not sure about you, but up until now we were blissfully unaware of these tiny killers lurking out in the world.
As animals that you would have immense trouble spotting until it was too late, the power in each of their respective punches, bites and stings will literally leave you reeling, and in most cases, fighting for your life. So next time you plan a trip out to the Australian Bush or your favourite Brazilian rainforest, have a read through your health plan and make sure you are covered for the right range of antidotes, antivenoms and procedures you may need after facing any of these six small killers. Read more »
