Category: Teen Life

Teeth Whitening Methods: Choosing The Right Way To Whiten And Brighten Your Smile

Since Hollywood first launched the Hollywood smile it has become common for people around the world to emulate it, especially teens trying to break into the biz. However, it can be expensive to have your teeth repositioned, shaped, and gleaming white.

The good news is that you don’t need to completely redo your teeth. Adding veneers can be enough to make them look good, or even just whitening them. But, how do you whiten teeth properly?

It is important to note that not all of the following methods will be available to everyone, some products are too expensive, others not practical for your teeth. Make sure you test any whitening product first before applying it to your teeth.

Get the Right Dentist

You need a reputable dentist such as this dentist Toowong. This is important even if you’re planning to try whitening toothpaste at home. A dentist will be able to assess your teeth and make sure you’re aware of any issues that may occur when whitening your teeth.

They can also advise on which techniques are most likely to be successful for you.

Additionally, your dentist may suggest in-house bleaching. This is possibly the most expensive way to whiten your teeth but also the most effective. The dentist will apply a whitening product to your teeth and then heat it gently with a low-powered laser. The procedure takes between 30-60 minutes and can transform the look of your teeth, making them as much as eight shades lighter!

Whitening Strips & Gel

You can purchase whitening strips over-the-counter and do the treatment yourself at home. These compounds contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide which work from deep within the teeth.

Simply brush the compound onto your teeth, usually twice a day for 14 days. You’ll notice a difference in 3-4 days and the final outcome, after 14 days, will last for approximately 4 months.

Both the strips and the gel are nearly invisible.

Whitening Rinse

Another option is to use a rinse that is similar to a mouthwash. They are designed to freshen your breath and reduce dental plaque. But, they also have a whitening compound. Swish the stuff around your mouth for 60 seconds two times a day. The results take longer to achieve than with whitening strips or gel, potentially up to 12 weeks.

Try Based Tooth Whitener

As the name suggests a tray is placed in your mouth, similar to a mouthguard. This has a gel whitening solution that uses a peroxide-based bleach to whiten your teeth. You’ll need to put the tray in for a specific amount of time every day, it could be as much as a few hours.

Results will be visible within 4 weeks, all you have to do is decide how white you want to go. It should be noted that you can do this procedure at home or you can visit the dentist where they will use a stronger bleaching agent. The dentist will also custom fit the tray, giving you the best possible results.

Paccheri Pasta? You will love these easy recipes any teen can make.

Tips and Tricks to Make Best Paccheri Pasta Dishes

Cooking pasta is one of the easiest things teens can do in the kitchen. There are many different varieties of pasta, but you might not be familiar with paccheri pasta. Paccheri, which has its roots in Southern Italy, is tubular shaped large pasta. It is easy to cook, but you can kick it up by adding some cool ingredients. You can buy paccheri pasta online if you cannot find it in a local store.

Here are some recipes to inspire you!

Paccheri Pasta with Sausage

Pasta and sausage is one of the best combinations of paccheri pasta, and when creamy tomato sauce is used in it, then it is even more delicious.

Ingredients Needed

Italian Sausage spicy – 1 lb
Diced Bell Pepper – 1
Tomato Sauce Canned – 15 oz
Heavy Cream – ½ cup
Minced Garlic – 3 cloves
Dried Basil – ½ teaspoon
Paccheri Pasta – 8 Oz
Salt and Pepper as required

Instructions

Cook the sausage in a large skillet on medium heat. Make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked.
Add the tomato sauce, minced garlic, dried basil, and bell pepper into the skillet until cooked through.
Once done, add the heavy cream and remove from heat.
In another pot, boil water and cook the paccheri pasta per package directions. Once done (to your desired softness), drain the water out.
Now add the paccheri to the large skillet along with the tomato cream sauce and sausage.
Heat until sauce simmers and then season it with the salt and pepper as per your taste.

Paccheri Pasta with Butter Beans

Buy Paccheri Pasta and butter beans to make this yummy variation on the above dish with sun-dried tomato, butter beans and Italian sausage.

Ingredients Needed –

Paccheri Pasta – ½ pound
Butter Beans – 1/16 ounce
Garlic – 4 cloves
Italian Sausage – 1 pound
Sun-Dried Tomatoes – ¼ cup
Parsley – ¼ cup
Virgin Olive Oil – 2 Tbsp
Olive Oil – 3/8 cup
Chilli flakes and salt
Pasta Water- 2 cups

Instructions

Cook the paccheri pasta in salted water and once done drain and reserve the excess water in the cup.
Then chop the fresh parsley, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
In another large pan, sauté the Italian sausage in the olive oil on medium heat. Once cooked through, remove the sausage.
Now place ¼ cup of olive oil in the pan and sauté the garlic till it is golden.
Add and cook sun-dried tomatoes and chili flakes for 1 minute and then add reserved pasta water in it.
Add sausage, butter beans and paccheri pasta to the pan and thoroughly mix them. Add salt and chilli flakes according to your taste.
Once cooked, you can add parsley and top with extra virgin oil.

Paccheri Pasta with Burrata Cream, Saffron and Guanciale

If you are already an experienced cook and want to try even fancier ingredients, try this! In this pasta recipe, you have to make burrata into a cream and then toss saffron and crisp guanciale to make an excquisite pasta dish.

Ingredients Needed

Fresh burrata cheese – 8 ounces
Pancetta, slab guanciale, bacon minced – 4 ounces
Minced yellow onion – 1
Paccheri pasta – 8 ounces
Saffron thread – 1 pinch

Instructions

Add saffron to half cup of hot water and then let it soak for 15 minutes.
Divide the burrata in half, leaving one half out of the brine and the other half with all the reserved brine to make the cream sauce later.
In a large pot, add water and a pinch of salt and bring to boil. Add the paccheri pasta into it and let it cool. It won’t be fully soft at this stage.
In a large pan, heat a small amount of oil and then add the onion and guanciale. Cook until the onion is golden brown and the guanciale is crisp.
Once done, add saffron water to it and then stir it thoroughly.
Then you need to drain the extra water from the cooled pasta and add it in the pan.
Cook over low-medium heat until pasta is cooked through. Add the burrata cream at the very end.
Serve, and add strips of the other half of the burrata on top to present the paccheri pasta dish in style.

You can serve the above paccheri pasta dishes with salad or bread. Bon apetit!

Peyton List’s HALLU by Peyton bath & beauty line is just ‘dreamy’

Peyton List, best known by millions of fans as Emma Ross on the Disney hit shows Jessie and Bunk’d has joined the swelling ranks of actresses/influencers stepping into the world of beauty products with the HALLU by Peyton bath & beauty line.

“With my new bath collection, there’s a bit about me in each of the products, from the forms to the fragrance, to all the things I love to do,” Peyton says.

We received a sample kit at Teens Wanna Know’s main office, which was promptly divvied up by staffers and the reviews are definitely on the positive side! “Dreamy,” “smell great,” “lovely” were some of the adjectives used. Here are some pics we took and a breakdown of the products in the collection:

Top Trending Forms and Fragrance
The HALLU by Peyton collection includes five top-trending forms with a sweet, light, floral scent featuring ylang ylang, cedar and citrus.

Geode Bath Bomb: Peyton’s love of geodes—the latest hot trend infiltrating everything from beauty to home décor—made creating a geode bath bomb an easy choice. A vibrant hot pink exterior surrounds a mix of brightly colored, shimmering salt crystals with a dusting of golden mica. Simply float the bath geode crystal side up in your tub for a delightful and fragrant soak. The 3-ounce geode bath bombs start at $3.57 and will be available at Walmart, Kroger and Fred Meyer.

Interlocking 2-in-1 Shower and Bath Bombs: Everybody loves a two-for-one, and this adorable, interlocking shower and bath bomb delivers double the fun. Opposing pink and gray halves join to form a heart shape. The pink side is the 3-ounce bath bomb that comes with a surprise color burst as it dissolves in the tub. The gray side is the 2.5-ounce shower bomb which Peyton likes for a quick pampering session when there isn’t time to soak in the tub. Turn on the water and set the shower bomb under the stream to release the fragrance. The Interlocking 2-in-1 Bomb set starts at $4.97 and will be available at Walmart, Kroger and Fred Meyer.

Silky Soft Bubble Bath: Experience the finest pink-carpet pampering with HALLU by Peyton’s Silky Soft Bubble Bath. Made with hydrating oils and vitamin E, it creates insane bubbles while filling the air with amazing fragrance. It’s cruelty-free, gluten-free, non-toxic and made in the USA. The 17-ounce Silky Soft Bubble Bath starts at $4.97 and will be available at Walmart, Kroger and Fred Meyer.

Heart of Gold Bath Bomb: A lightable candle comes nestled in this gold, heart-shaped bath bomb. Light it, float it, then sit back and relax as the bomb dissolves into soft, shimmering rose gold water. Free of gluten, phthalates and parabens, this bomb is the ultimate in tub-time relaxation. The 2.8-ounce Heart of Gold Bath Bomb retails at Walmart for $2.97.

XO Bath Bomb: Take a soak in peaceful pink waters, then go make your mark on the world with the XO Bath Bomb. Each of these floating & spinning bath bombs has 5 fun metallic tattoos inside, designed by Peyton herself! The 4.9-ounce Bath Bomb retails at Walmart for $2.97.

In addition to Peyton’s release, there is also the HALLU Cosmic collection, “inspired by those seeking deeper insight and self-identity through the Cosmos, the collection is a source of indulgent bath and body products that are out of this world. From bath and shower bombs to shimmering body lotion, the line features the uplifting fragrances of ginger, ocean and orchid.“

Star Power Bath Bomb Mix: This unique foaming & fizzing bath bomb mix releases uplifting fragrance and softens skin with nourishing coconut oil. Tiny sugar stars dissolve into the water, leaving a trail of rich, hypnotic beauty worthy of top #bathsofinstagram status. The 10-ounce mix is equivalent to six bath bombs and will be available at Walmart, Kroger and Fred Meyer. The bath bomb mix starts at $4.97.

Interlocking 2-in-1 Shower and Bath Bombs: Take your shower or bath to new heights with the two-in-one shower and bath bomb combo. Wrap yourself in the uplifting, cool vapors of the shower bomb or add wonder and light to your bath water with a floating cosmic-shaped bath bomb featuring gorgeous, shimmering mica. The Interlocking 2-in-1 Shower and Bath Bomb set starts at $4.97, available at Walmart, Kroger and Fred Meyer.

Moon Float Milk Bath: Escape into warm waters filled with rich, cloud-like bubbles, skin-softening coconut oil and moisturizing vitamin E. The 17-ounce Moon Float Milk Bath will be available exclusively at Walmart for $4.97.

Cosmic Bath Bomb: Take self-care to the next level with our Cosmic Bath Bomb. Sit back, relax and let your mind travel to a faraway galaxy as you surround yourself with rich, majestic colors and uplifting fragrance. The Cosmic Bath Bomb retails for $2.97. Find it exclusively at Walmart.

Lunar Shimmer Body Lotion: Experience out-of-this-world hydration with the moisturizing blend of jojoba and sunflower seed oil. Breathe in the bright, uplifting fragrance bursting with notes of ginger, ocean and orchid while an iridescent shimmer leaves your skin glowing with gorgeous radiance. The body lotion is sold exclusively at Walmart for $4.97.

Geode Bath Bomb: These sparkling salt-crystal half-circles come in trending geode form with a colorful exterior and shimmering crystals and mica at the center. Melt away stress with one of three varieties: Calmology for peaceful vibes, Creativity for unique vibes and Zenergy for tranquil vibes. Each Geode Bath Bomb is available at Kroger and Fred Meyer for $3.99.

The collections are available now in Walmart stores and online at HalluEscape.com, as well as select Kroger and Fred Meyer stores.

Five Reasons for Teens to Put Down the Cell Phone

Our cell phones connect us to everyone and anything with the touch of a button. You can text friends in an instant, post on social media, and learn new things by reading blog articles and viewing YouTube videos. With an entire universe on your cellphone, it can be difficult to put it down.

The question is, what’s the problem? With so much knowledge and the ability to connect at your fingertips, why not use your phone all the time?

Here are five convincing reasons to spend more time putting your phone down and paying attention to your surroundings instead.

You Could Get Into a Car Accident

If you’re driving and using your phone, you are putting your life in danger. Whether you’re texting, inputting information into your GPS, or skipping to the next song, taking your eyes off the road for even just a few seconds can cause you to get into an accident with another car.

It’s not just other cars you can hit while you’re distracted at the wheel. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 53% over the last 10 years because drivers aren’t paying attention. You could crash into permanent installations, like light poles, and you could end up veering off into a ditch.

Do yourself and everyone else on or near the road a favor by staying off your phone while you’re driving.

You Could Get Into an Accident While Walking

You can get into a car accident when you’re busy on your phone while you’re driving, but you can also get into an accident if you’re using your cellphone while you’re walking.

In some cases, running into a pole or falling into a fountain may be funny for everyone else while it is embarrassing for you, but it also has the potential to injure you. If you aren’t paying attention to where you’re going because you’re busy texting a friend or catching up on your social media accounts, you could fall down a set of stairs, hit your head walking into a wall, or walk into oncoming traffic.

Put your phone down until you get to your destination, or at least turn on the talk to text feature so you can use your eyes to see where you’re going while texting.

It Can Cause Breakouts on Your Face

Phones have been found to be 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. That’s a lot of germs that could make you sick, but that’s not all. Those germs could be bad for your skin too.

If you place the phone up to your face, and especially if you hold the phone against your cheek, germs from the last time you texted can be transferred to your skin. Those germs can irritate your skin and clog your pores, causing breakouts.

Cleaning your phone often can help, but it’s even better if you use your phone less. The less you use your phone, the fewer germs you’ll transfer to the screen.

You Could Get Carpal Tunnel in Your 20’s

Carpal tunnel is a fairly common problem among older adults. As more and more people spend time at a computer, it has become more common in middle aged adults. Because of texting, even teens are getting carpal tunnel.

The more you use your phone, the more strain you put on your wrists, and the more likely you are to end up getting carpal tunnel. It can cause numbness, tingling, and even pain any time you attempt to use your hands. Use your phone less and you can delay or prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

It’s Bad for Your Mental Health

Using your phone has the potential to negatively impact your mental health. Not taking breaks away from texting and social media can contribute to:

Depression
Anxiety
Tech addiction
Poor interpersonal relationships
Suicide

The phone itself and what you do on it aren’t necessarily the problems. Instead, it’s more likely how much time you spend using your phone that can cause a decrease in your quality of life. Make it a point to put your phone down when you’re around others and consider scheduling times to use your phone so you don’t end up using it for hour after hour every single day.

Cellphones aren’t inherently bad. They have the potential to improve our lives in many ways! However, how we use our cellphones can have a negative impact on our health and well-being. Make it a point to put your phone down and live a healthier, more fulfilled life.

Food safety when eating out in a Covid-19 world

Food safety has always been an important and relevant topic. After all, treating food properly makes the difference between happy restaurant customers and a case of food poisoning.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an increased focus on the importance of food safety and hygiene. With confinements slowly being lifted, many people are eager to escape from the four walls of their home. Having a meal out is a logical step, providing a sense of normality and a night off from cooking. But, how can you be sure that the right food safety advice is being followed when you select an eating establishment?

The Existing Standards

COVID-19 hasn’t altered the original standards for cleanliness. All food preparation businesses should be wearing masks, the food processing equipment should be clean and well looked after. There should also be separate equipment for cooked and uncooked foods.

Foods need to be stored correctly, cooked and uncooked foods should be kept separately, while high-quality cleaning products should be used to retain cleanliness in the kitchen, especially on food preparation surfaces.

Additional Coronavirus Food Safety Controls

In these Covid-19 times, it is important that everyone takes extra precautions to ensure food safety, especially when dining out.

The first thing that everyone needs to be doing is washing their hands regularly. Anyone involved in food preparation should wash their hands when switching from one food type to another. The servers should wash or sanitize their hands as soon as they have been in contact with one set of customers or another member of staff. This will help to prevent any germs from spreading between people.

It is also extra important that sneezing and coughing are kept away from the food. (If you suspect you have COVID-19 and are working in food services you need to go home straight away and speak to a doctor if necessary.) Of course, you can sneeze for other reasons, such as allergies. In this instance, you need to contain the sneeze in a tissue or the shoulder of your t-shirt. Wash your hands properly before continuing with food prep.

Face masks currently are recommended to be worn by anyone preparing or serving food. It’s not necessary to wear them if you’re eating in the restaurant as that makes it rather difficult to eat!

Check Recent Advice

The pandemic is constantly evolving, as is the advice given by the government. This means it is important to check the latest advice regularly. You’ll be able to ensure you are complying with the advice and that your local restaurant is. Don’t be afraid to report a business that isn’t complying; it’s not just their health they are playing with, it can affect everyone in the community.

Don’t forget that the Coronavirus is not believed to be transmitted by food, so your itself food is likely safe. It’s the hard objects, like the table and chairs, or even the menu, where the bacteria can sit for a surprisingly long time. The key to making sure the virus is not passed on is to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

Avoid Peer Pressure to Drink Alcohol at the Next Party With These Tips

Going to a party with your friends can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it can also be stressful. It isn’t uncommon for alcohol to be present at high school and college parties. Although drinking in the moment can be a lot of fun, it can change your life for the worse. Not only can it get you in trouble with your parents, but your life could also change forever. An astonishing 30 people a day die in DUI’s in the United States.

The good news is that you can still have fun partying with your friends without having to drink alcohol. You just have to be prepared to avoid any peer pressure you may encounter with these tips.

Be the Designated Driver

One of the quickest and easiest ways to avoid peer pressure to drink at any party is to offer to be the designated driver. Anytime someone asks why you aren’t drinking, all you have to do is say you’re the one driving everyone home, so you won’t be drinking.

Have a friend or an acquaintance who just won’t let it go? Let them know that you can’t leave the car at the party and find a different way home because you’re borrowing your parent’s car. It has to go home when you do—end of story.

Hold a Mocktail

It isn’t uncommon for people to try and offer you a drink when you’re at a party. If you’re holding something that obviously isn’t alcohol, like water or Gatorade, you’re likely going to spend more time saying no than you would like. Avoid all the attention and carry around a mocktail.

Mocktail recipes are gaining in popularity among all ages, so there’s plenty to choose from that look at taste like the real thing. Because it looks and tastes like an alcoholic beverage, no one will ask if they can get you a drink because it looks like you already have one!

Want to be even sneakier? Bring mocktails to the party to share with everyone and add the alcohol only after you have served yourself first.

Plan Not to Drink With a Friend

Peer pressure can be hard to deal with when it comes from friends or people you look up to, but peer influence isn’t always so bad. If you have another friend who doesn’t want to drink at the party, make a plan to support each other in saying no.

Make sure your friend has a convincing non-alcoholic drink, and they can make sure you have one as well. Stick to each other like glue so you each feel supported if you’re approached with alcohol.

Have more than one friend who doesn’t want to drink? The more, the merrier! The more friends you can get involved, the more comfortable you’ll feel avoiding alcohol at the party.

Know How to Say No With Humor

No matter how much preparing you do, you’re likely to get asked why you aren’t drinking, especially as others at the party start drinking more. Saying no is hard, but it’s a little easier when you learn how to turn down alcohol with humor.

A few things you can say include:

No thanks. I need all the brain cells I’ve got.
I’m saving my brain cells for science.
My mom knows when I’m even thinking about doing something wrong!
I promised my boyfriend I wouldn’t embarrass him tonight.

If you notice that you’re spending most of your time saying no instead of having a good time, it might be a sign that it’s time to head home.

Make a Plan to Leave Early

The first few hours of a party can be a lot of fun, but if you aren’t drinking, the party is likely to become less fun the longer you are there. Make a plan to leave early so you can avoid the sloppy behavior and increased peer pressure as the night goes on.

Make it easier to take off early by pre-planning your excuse. That way you sound confident and believable when it’s time to go home.

You shouldn’t feel like you have to drink if you’re going to a party. You can still have fun if you don’t drink! You just have to make sure you’re prepared to deal with the peer pressure you might encounter. With the tips on this list, you can have fun and you can avoid trouble, all without offending any of your friends who choose to drink.

Ready to become a great teen investor? Teach Me Wall Street shows you how.

One of the biggest complaints teenagers have is that school really doesn’t prepare them for real life. For example, unless you plan to work for NASA or create your own artificial intelligence-powered robot, Calculus really doesn’t do much towards most people’s success in life. (That’s not to say working for NASA or building robots isn’t super cool tho).

Apart from dating and relationships, the single most under-taught subject in school is personal finance. You know, earning money to pay your rent, buy a car and stuff like that. And NO regular high school teaches the most important part of finance: investing.

When you invest, you grow your money by putting it into stocks, bonds, real estate, a small business startup, options, foreign currency, life insurance policies, etc. There are many choices out there, but too many of us are ignorant on the subject until way later in life – and that‘s a shame because the sooner you start investing the more money you can have at a younger age (look up compound interest so you get the idea of how this works).

Teach Me Wall Street

Fortunately, there is an online camp coming up for teens ages 13-18 which promises to cover all the basics of investing from a REAL WORLD perspective, so you can learn how to make money with smart investments. It’s called Teach Me Wall Street, and students will learn about:

the stock market
currency trading
related financial institutions
fintech (finance technology) and jobs
and how they all come together.

Summer Camp is offered in three tracks over the summer, starting July 6. Participants can take one track or all three. (ALL TIMES BELOW IN EASTERN TIME)

Track 1 – July 6 – 10 OR July 27 – 31 – 10am – 12pm

Wall Street 101 – Teaches how Wall Street and the stock market work and who the players are.

Track 2- July 13 – 17 OR Aug 3 – 7 – 10am – 12pm

Fintech and Jobs of the New Economy – Find out how technology creates and changes jobs – and where the new jobs are.

Track 3 – July 20 – 24 OR Aug 10 – 14 – 10am – 3pm – Intensive Boot Camp

Currency Trading – Explore the principals of currency trading, get a technical analysis and find out how international events affect the markets and you.

Much of the material covered in the summer camp is not taught in school. It’s not text book based but rather provides what teens really need to learn in order to be successful in life as investors.

“The best gift any educator can get is seeing how, when students learn, they are able to connect all the dots. Countless times people have told me how they are taught about various things, but never really understand how it all works. However, when taking a workshop or tour with us there is context and history, and we make it fun – so it is easy to learn how the stock exchange and the whole financial system works.”
—Annaline Dinkelmann, Founder

First year online

The company has been teaching and touring Wall Street for the past 12 years, but due to Covid 19, they have taken their education online.

Past teachers who brought student groups in person rave:

“Great company to work with! I highly recommend booking a tour or workshop with them.”

“Thank you for a wonderful and informative Wall Streets tour. The students and staff enjoyed it very much! Keep up the good work. Looking forward to booking next year tour with our 2020 incoming class!”

For more information, check out https://www.teachmewallstreet.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/wallstreetwalks/

Driving Apps to Keep Teens Safe

Learning how to drive is a rite of passage into adulthood. A teenager earning their driver’s license is one of the most exciting times of his or her life. Becoming a young driver is fun. It gives you a sense of freedom and responsibility. However, it is important to stay safe too. With the high usage of cell phones on the road, it increases distracted driving and the likelihood of having an accident. It only takes a second to become distracted by a notification or a call that can lead to an accident. These are some recommended driving apps to minimize phone usage while driving.

As a teenager, creating safe driving habits is essential to preventing involvement in a car accident. “It is the parent’s responsibility to equip their young adult with enough information and resources to become a safe driver, and apps are a fun way of doing so,” said car accident attorney Hank Stout. With the advancement of technology, driving apps have become more resourceful in monitoring driving behaviors. These recommended apps will minimize the likelihood of texting and speeding, but also useful and in emergencies.

Autobrain

A team of first responders created Autobrain. If you happen to get in a car accident, Autobrain immediately alerts 911 to your location. Additional features include roadside assistance, lockout services, emergency fuel delivery, dead battery boost, tire change, and free towing options. The app comes with a 30-day free trial, then $9.97 a month per device.

TrueMotion

TrueMotion is a family-oriented app that tracks and scores each driver’s behavior by providing the route, location, speed limit, and phone usage. It is available on Android and iOS platforms.

RoadReady

The RoadReady app is part of The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program, which provides a printed and digital driving curriculum. The app offers an interactive and educational and way to record the state-required supervised driving time. The app tracks driving time and weather conditions.

Life360

The Life 360 app provides a weekly driving analysis that includes phone usage, rapid acceleration, hard braking, and excessive speed. Also, it has roadside assistance along with crash and emergency response system.

Mama Bear

MamaBear is an excellent family-friendly app. It provides a robust all-in-one safety and awareness tool. The app allows you to set a speed limit, and it will notify you when the vehicle exceeds the speed limit, whether you are the driver or passenger. You can set locations and receive arrival and departure notifications. The app features social media and text message monitoring to keep track of followers, pictures, and mentions.

Wireless Providers

Several wireless companies offer driving apps. AT&T may be the most unique with DriveMode. The app automatically turns on when the car moves at least 15 MPH. While driving, it silences notifications for text messages and phone calls and sends an auto-response to users. If the driver decides to turn off the app or disable other safety features, his or her parents will receive a notification. This app is open to all users, even if you’re not an AT&T subscriber using an Android or iOS.

Other wireless providers include Hum by Verizon, SyncUp Drive with T-Mobile, and Sprint Drive.

How to Avoid Becoming Another Teen Road Collision Statistic

If you’re getting your first car and your driving license, you’re undoubtedly feeling excited about getting on the road. All that freedom to finally go wherever you like without waiting for the bus or your mom to give you a ride.

But whether you like it or not, there’s no denying that teen drivers are at the most risk when it comes to being involved in accidents on the road. Not only are you more of a risk-taker when you’re in your teens, but you also don’t have a lot of experience driving just yet.

The last thing that you want is to end up as just another statistic of being a teen involved in an accident on the road. And depending on what happens, accidents in your first year or two of driving can have serious consequences, from losing your license to seeing your auto insurance premiums soar when they should be coming down. So, how can you make sure that you’re driving safely while still having some fun as you get behind the wheel?

Try Telematics Insurance:

Yes, the idea of having a device fitted to your car to monitor your driving and tell you off in an app for speeding or braking too harshly might suck a little, but when it comes to being safe, it’s often one of the best things that you can do. And, telematics insurance is often cheaper for new drivers, so whether you’re paying for your insurance yourself or your mom and dad are helping you out with it, nobody can complain about that. Since you’re new to driving, there’s always going to be mistakes made and things that you’re unsure of, and your telematics device can help you figure out what you need to practice more and what you’re doing well.

Avoid Giving All Your Friends Rides:

Did you know that your risk of being involved in a fatal collision increases three times just by having all your friends in the car? When you’re giving your friends a ride to school or the mall, you’re more likely to end up driving distracted. After all, everybody’s going to be having conversations and you’re going to naturally want to join in, but when you’re just getting used to being on the road, this can be seriously risky. Try to limit giving rides to no more than two friends at a time and ask them to be respectful of you as a new driver.

Stick to Speed Limits:

Speeding isn’t just reckless in terms of your own safety – you could also be risking the lives of others on the road. You could seriously hurt somebody, and if that happens, the adrenaline rush you felt when you put your foot down just won’t be worth it. And, at best, you could get stopped by the cops and fined before you’ve even got a month of driving experience under your belt.

Keep Learning:

Many teens believe that once they’ve got their license, they’re good to go. But while you might have mastered the basics of driving enough to get your driver’s license and be able to drive your own car on the roads, get into the habit of continuing to learn. Remember that you’re still mastering a lot of driving and there are going to be some new situations that you encounter, so don’t be afraid to ask people who’ve been driving for longer for help; they’ve probably been in more situations on the road than you and can show you things that driver’s ed doesn’t teach you.

Get a Good Handsfree Kit:

As tempting as it may be to answer a text or make a call while driving, it’s best to avoid this entirely – even if it is legal in your state. Using a cell phone when you’re driving can be one of the easiest ways to distract yourself from the road and many serious collisions have occurred as a result. Get a hands-free kit so that you can mount your phone on your dashboard if you need to use it for directions and use an Aux or Bluetooth for taking calls without having to touch the handset.

Like it or not, teens tend to be involved in the most collisions on the road. If you’re excited to get your first car, keep these tips in mind and drive safely.

What Should You Do If You Are Injured In a Car Accident?

If you are the victim of someone else’s reckless driving, you should consider seeking legal assistance. A car accident attorney can help you understand your rights. The aftermath of an auto accident can be confusing. Reach to someone in your area who can provide answers to your questions.

3 Simple and Versatile Dinner Ideas You Can Easily Learn to Cook

If you’ve never really learned how to cook and find that you need to now that you’re moving out on your own, don’t worry. This article will give you everything you need. Cooking can be daunting, so you should start off with some simple basics. These food items are going to be quick, and easy. They are also designed to be flexible so that you can change things up. That way you won’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over.

Pizza

You might not think pizza would be an easy thing to cook, but it actually is. The hardest part to get right about a pizza is the crust. But you can make it easy by getting a premade crust. Then all you need to do is add some sauce, cheese and toppings. You can use a tomato sauce if you’re wanting to be traditional, or you can try an alfredo or garlic sauce for a new spin. Toppings can include all kinds of meats, vegetables, and even pineapple if you like Hawaiian pizzas. There are various vegetarian pizza options to try if you want to go meatless. You can even switch out the premade crust for a bagel if you want to make a personal pizza.

Pasta

Pasta is so easy to cook. All you have to do is boil some water, add the pasta, and then set a timer. Set the timer based on the instructions on the pasta package. When the timer goes off, take a small piece of pasta, run it under cool water, and then give it a taste test. If it’s too hard, let the water boil a little longer. If it’s too soft, use less time on your next meal. When it’s cooked to perfection, you can add all sorts of toppings and sauces depending on what you’re feeling. You can make spaghetti and meatballs. You can make macaroni. You can make cheesy ziti. There are lots of pasta salad recipes. The options are truly endless.

Hot Dogs

Hot dogs made this list because they are so easy and somewhat versatile. Most hot dogs can just be boiled or thrown in the microwave. Some even come pre-cooked. If you choose to use the microwave, make sure to poke holes in the hot dogs first. But, for the best taste, you should grill them. Leave them on low heat and rotate them until the surface is slightly seared. Once they are cooked, you can eat them plain, or with a hot dog bun. You can add all sorts of different condiments. Ketchup, mustard, ranch, mayo, relish, chili, cheese, onion, pepper, the list goes on.

These three meals should get you started, but don’t stop learning to cook there. Even though there are so many ways that you can cook these items, you eventually are going to want to branch out into finer endeavors. Try some casseroles, steaks, or desserts.

Read this next: Easy Recipes for Teens To Make from The Twin Chefs Lilly and Audrey Andrews – Plus Interview!