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A collection of my articles with a lifestyle focus, including e-commerce articles. If you'd like to send me a potential resource for a future article, or if you'd like to commission or hire me, email me at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.

Sleep Enlightened

Comforter Sizes and Dimensions Guide | Saatva

A cozy comforter can make all the difference in creating a good night’s sleep.

It can help keep your temperature in balance at night and enhance your overall comfort. Plus, it can enhance the overall vibe of your room. 

However, finding the right size can be a challenge. While the ideal comforter size typically matches your mattress size, other factors, such as personal preference for overhang, additional mattress depth, and type of foundation, can affect your size choice.
Better Report

6 Holiday Foods You Didn’t Know Were Healthy - Better Report

If you’ve been trying to stick to your health goals this year, the approaching holiday season may seem like a challenge — it’s hard to balance nutrition with all of the tasty treats this time of year brings. But you may be surprised to learn that a number of classic holiday foods have surprising health benefits. Many holiday foods “cover the components of a balanced meal: carbohydrate, protein, color, and healthy fats,”  says Tina Sergi, a registered sports dietitian.
Better Report

The Best Cars for Resale Value, According to Auto Experts - Better Report

According to JustAnswer auto expert Chris Pyle — who has been helping car owners with their repair and maintenance questions for nearly two decades — vehicles that depreciate the most are the ones with extras. “For example, a sunroof may be important to you and add $1,800 to the vehicle cost when new, but when it comes to resale, having a sunroof only adds about $300,” he explains. The used cars that will be easiest to sell are “the most versatile and useful ones.”
Better Report

5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them) - Better Report

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to estate planning, and it’s easy to miss important details along the way. But an estate plan is supposed to make a difficult part of life easier: It ensures that your assets are properly managed and distributed upon your passing. So, if you haven’t created a plan at all, have neglected to communicate your desires to loved ones, or have skipped a recent review, now’s the time to do something about it.
Better Report

Is Mouthwash Bad for You? - Better Report

Most of us brush twice a day, and some of us floss at least once. You may even include a quick swish of mouthwash in your routine, whether it’s to freshen your breath after lunch or give your mouth that super-clean feeling at the end of the night. But what if your mouthwash is doing more harm than good? There are two main categories of mouthwashes: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwashes briefly relieve bad breath, while therapeutic mouthwashes address concerns such as halitosis (chronic...
Better Report

7 Medicare Mistakes You May Be Making - Better Report

More than 70 million Americans are on Medicare. Whether you’re 65 or older or have an eligible disability, Medicare can be a necessary lifeline that helps reduce the costs of medical care, prescriptions, and more. But the amount of information and the necessary steps involved in signing up or navigating a potential change in your plan can be overwhelming. We talked with Danielle Roberts, co-founder and Medicare insurance expert at Boomer Benefits, about the mistakes you could be making when it comes to Medicare — and how to avoid them.
Better Report

The Least Healthy Alcoholic Beverages - Better Report

The best option is to avoid alcohol completely — after all, “no drinking means no alcohol-related risks, such as liver damage, sleep problems, and heart or cancer issues,” Thomas says. But it isn’t always so simple, because everyone’s lifestyle is different. “If abstaining from alcohol means you avoid social situations and instead spend time on screens or feeling lonely, this is not likely the healthiest route,” says nutritionist Amelia Winslow, M.S., MPH, VP of marketing at Pop & Bottle.
Better Report

Which Sweetener Is the Healthiest? - Better Report

Most of us know — even if we’re loath to accept — that sugar is not good for us. While the occasional sweet treat is fine, many of us have too much sugar in our diets: According to statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average daily added sugar intake for Americans 2 and older was 17 teaspoons (or roughly 71 grams) in 2017–2018. That’s well over the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation of no added sugar for children under 11 and only 10 grams of added sugar per meal for adults.
Better Report

How To Play Pickleball (Without Hurting Yourself) - Better Report

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. The game was invented in the summer of 1965 by a group of neighbors who wanted to entertain their families, and there are now more than 24 million pickleball players (also known as picklers) nationwide, according to a recent report released by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). The sport is popular across all ages, too: The average age of pickleball players is 35, and more than 15% of players are 65 and older. Not bad for a game cobbled together using Ping-Pong paddles, a Wiffle ball, and a badminton court.
Better Report

The Healthiest Meal Options at 15 Fast-Food Restaurants

To that end, we asked registered dietitian nutritionists Talia Follador and Vanessa Imus for their picks at some of the top fast-food restaurants nationwide. Keep in mind, however, that “most fast-food meals exceed sodium targets,” Follador says. “The goal isn’t perfection but rather making choices that include protein, carbs, fat, and fiber when possible. That combination helps promote satiety and prevent potential rebound eating.”
Better Homes & Gardens

These Lightweight Dresses Make Us Excited for Summer—and They’re All Under $40

Whether you’re planning a picnic in the park, a barbecue with your neighbors, or a day on the beach, the warm weather can compel you outdoors. When it does, you deserve to step into the sunshine feeling cool (literally) and confident, not weighed down by heavy fabrics. Donning that breezy sundress or a cute, sleeveless number can be a simple but convenient way to step out looking fabulous.
Better Report

6 Odors Around Your House That Could Be Unsafe

Not all smells around the house are good ones — and we’re not talking about the burnt casserole from last night’s dinner. Certain odors indicate dangerous issues that require immediate attention. Here are a few of the most common, unsafe smells around your home that you shouldn’t ignore.If you smell sulfur, don’t check your fridge for rotten eggs: The smell comes from an additive to natural gas (which is itself odorless) and usually indicates there’s a dangerous gas leak.
Better Report

How To Put Out Every Kind of Fire - Better Report

A fire can cause immense damage to your home and property and even put your life at risk. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were more than 300,000 residential fires between 2014 and 2023, which caused over $11 billion in damage. The right fast-acting response can save your home and your life.However, not all fires should be handled the same way. Nicholai Allen, an active wildland firefighter and CEO of the fire safety company MAUS USA, says that “using the wrong method can make a...
Better Report

Should You Freeze Your Credit?

Thanks to conflicts around the world — which bring an increased risk of cyberscams — experts have suggested keeping a close watch on your credit. 


Having a good credit score carries a lot of weight in the modern world. It makes it easier for you to buy a home, lease a car, and even get approved for an apartment. So, if you’ve received a notification that your information has been compromised, you’ve lost your purse or wallet with all of your personal identification, or you’ve started getting...
Better Report

Why Are People Rubbing Banana Peels on Their Faces?

Studies have shown the peel itself has even greater levels of antioxidants. However, “there is zero scientific evidence to suggest rubbing a banana peel on your face will help with any … skin conditions or signs of cellular aging,” Dr. Shamban says. She adds that the “banana or peel won’t penetrate the matrix or that skin barrier.”


The comparison to Botox is also faulty. Botox is derived from a toxin produced by bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The targeted injections weaken or paralyze facia...
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If you are interested in hiring me for a writing project or want to send me a source I can potentially use for a future assignment, email me at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.