Friday, June 23, 2017

Working in the Veterinary Field: Part 2


After posting my part one of working in the veterinary field, i realized how dark and kinda depressing it was. It wasn't exactly what i wanted the post to be to begin with, but it was still a good post, and gave an insight on the not so great stuff.

What i really wanted to talk about, was the in between. I wanted to give some sort of an insight to people who don't have an idea or maybe are intrigued by the field. This post may be a bit more scrambled than usual, but ill try to make as much sense as i can. 

So in my last post i kinda described what my role is, and a general idea as to what a day consists of. But i wanted to fill in any gaps, and try and get some feedback on what everyone wants to know more of. Ill be happy to include more posts on dog and cat related things that might be a little more intriguing. First i gotta say that one of the best parts of my job, is when you have a great client and patient. Honestly, there is nothing better then when we have a good relationship with a client and their dog or cat. When you get to know clients well enough, you become friends with them. Of course there is still a professional relationship but i think in my own view, there isn't not a better feeling.

Where i became intrigued wasn't necessarily in the client interaction, but more in the patient experience-being able to actually work with cats and dogs. I am still learning, and every day have more questions for the technicians and doctors. Its simply interesting listening to the doctors with their foreign doctor language, and watching them stare at xrays, and try to figure a case out. I find it kinda rewarding when i can actually decipher what they are saying! As a client, or someone not in the field, doesn't get to experience this. They don't get to see the chaos of the treatment area, or how the doctor comes to a diagnosis. They also probably wouldn't understand all the mumbo jumbo medical talk or how much effort is put into their pet. They simply get the more simpler version, in a nutshell that's easy to understand in the end. But this is why i'm creating this post, so that everyone can get an insight!

Another part of working at an animal hospital is being able to see the many surgeries. Surgeries from spays and dental extractions, to exploratory and ACL repairs. There is nothing i like more than being able to watch the surgeon do his/her thing in the OR. Again, i never would have thought i would be in the position i'm in, and actually like the bloody, gory stuff. Being able to learn how an animal is getting treated and why is important to me. I want to know why the surgeon is breaking that bone, or how you could pull out all the organs in a dog then put them back in and have the dog be totally normal after. To be able to see a dog awake and normal, then proceed with anesthesia, and see the dog opened up on the table is a bit weird- to then have them wake up after and be normal and recovering is amazing to me. 
I didn't want to make this post super long, because i wasn't sure what to include in this post. Id love feedback as to what people would like to know. I have only had roughly a couple years experience, and i am still in school but id love to talk more about things I've seen, or even things people might want to know more about specifically.

Ill end this post with this- i love what i do, and love the people i work with. Being able to have the opportunity to work for an animal hospital, and get the opportunities that the doctors and techs give me is awesome. There is nothing better than working with animals!


Friday, June 9, 2017

How to Drink more Water with the Hidrate Spark





Its been a while since I've written anything on my blog. The reason is I've been a bit pre-occupied with school, work, and Calum- but also because i have had the opportunity to try the new Hidrate Spark. In my about section you'll see what i want this blog to turn into. Part of what i want to bring is cool products that i think everyone would like... Today i want to talk about this awesome water bottle and give you an in depth look at what its all about!

With the app, it is always syncing with your bottle to update your intake.
So i always like to give a back story because otherwise it would end up being a pretty stale post. If you read my post on the RXBAR, then you'll have an idea as to how i got involved into lifting, and really enjoying spending time at the gym. When i first starting working out i wasn't taking any supplements, and after really finding a routine, i noticed that i was always lethargic at the gym. I also could never make it through a workout. After coming to the conclusion that dehydration was probably a factor, i started increasing my water intake. I increased my water intake from about 30 oz. a day to roughly 80 oz. Honestly, increasing that made a huge difference in my stamina and energy at the gym.


Unless you have a shaker bottle that has measurements on the side, it can be a bit hard to measure your intake. Even if you have a shaker, it can be hard to keep track of your water intake unless your keeping a log of every time you drink. When i came across the Hidrate Spark, my first impression of the idea was pretty cool. It incorporates technology into something you wouldn't think could be "techy". Before i continue about the cool features of the Hidrate Spark, checkout some benefits of why you should be drinking more water!


  • Flush toxins from the body
  • Promotes healthy skin
  • Helps reduce fat and build lean muscle
  • Improves circulation
  • Prevents headaches

These are a few reasons to start drinking more water! To be honest, i stopped drinking soda about a year and half ago and kept strictly to water and juice. Since using the Spark, i haven't been able to drink anything BUT water. Heres some really cool features about the Hidrate Spark that you should know!

  1. It comes with a free app for your Android or iPhone to track and review your intake via blue tooth compatibility. Also, it always tells you where you should be at for intake throughout the day.
  2. It tracks your daily intake- not only that but will save each day, week and month and make a graph so you can visually see the consistency of your water intake.
  3. The app is very streamline, and customize-able. One cool feature is you can customize your intake goal for the day. If you get behind, then you will get a glow notification. This feature you can customize the type, number and pattern of glow!
  4.  Comes in six colors!
I took a while to actually sit down and write my blog post because i really wanted to get a feel for the app, and also see how well the bottle actually worked. I think that at first i was a bit confused with the app, but i looked at the FAQ's and just played around with the bottle, and all of the settings and eventually figured it out. It really isn't a hard app to navigate; even your grandma could do it! I think that it is a quality product and very unique. So unique in fact that everyone at my hospital has seen it glowing and said, "Whoa! what is that?! Is that your water bottle?!"
I finally made my goal for the day! My bottle lit up as a celebratory glow!

Overall, i think that the Hidrate Spark is perfect for anyone. It makes a great gift for a birthday, or a special holiday like fathers day(hint hint). It doesn't matter what your goal is; this water bottle will help you and your body reach those goals a little bit easier. I hope everyone enjoys the post, and as always, leave a comment!














Here's where you can buy your own Hidrate Spark:
https://hidratespark.com/



Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products listed above for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.

Friday, May 26, 2017

What is an RXBAR and Why You Should Know!



Protein bars have become a staple in our everyday lives. Whether you're trying to supplement a missed meal, a quick breakfast, or perhaps your a gym rat who is looking to increase their calories for the day-protein bars are used by everyone.

About a year and a half ago i started to lift seriously at the gym. Heres a quick background on myself... I am about 5'7", and have always been the skinny kid. Not only have i been skinny but before signing my life away to the Army i was always a picky eater. 

Fast forward after completing high school and doing my time in the Army, i'm still the skinny guy. After a large learning experience with bodybuilding, i'm currently about 140 lbs. Before i started i was about 129 lbs. I messed around with different supplements out there including whey protein, mass gainers, pre-workouts, amino's etc. The one thing i struggled with even with the supplements i was using was eating enough food, to include all my healthy fats, veggies, protein, etc. I started to fill the gaps with protein bars. I'm sure most people can relate to the chalky, overpowering taste of a true protein bar, that is filled with a ton of ingredients that you're not familiar with.

One day i was scrolling through my Facebook when i noticed a friend posted a picture of a protein bar I've never heard of. The wrapper was very simple, but bright and unique- the bar was labeled "RXBAR". Obviously i immediately looked the companies website to see what it was all about.

What i saw was a very simply laid out website that had a very "Mom and Pop" feel to it. It wasn't loaded with ads and tons of filler information, nor was it too complicated to read and understand what the company was about. The information on the company, and the desire to create a quality product for everyone to enjoy certainly shows. Ill definitely leave a link at the bottom of my post, but let me quickly explain what RXBARs is.

RXBARs is a company that was started by a couple friends who wanted to create a healthier protein bar than the other brands out there. The outcome was very successful, now offering eleven flavors that include all of
the same core ingredients. The core ingredients are dates to bind, egg whites for protein, and nuts to add texture to the bar. Each flavor is unique and offers no added sugar, dairy, gluten, soy and of course, no B.S. 

I was lucky enough to be able to try the three new flavors:
Mixed Berry
Peanut Butter Chocolate
Chocolate Chip


The look of the bar is certainly different, but in a good way. It looks kind've like a fruit strip, but in bar form. The taste of each of these bars is very different. Even though they all have the same core ingredients they each taste completely different. The texture is a little weird at first if i'm honest, but when you think that its not filled with a ton of garbage and fillers, then you can certainly get past that.

Overall i think that i'm going to switch, or at least incorporate RXBARs into my daily diet, because i feel like i'm eating a quality bar, and knowing that its not filled with a ton of extra ingredients makes me feel a lot better. If your interested in checking out their page, follow the link below:

https://www.rxbar.com/




Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products listed above for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Pet Gift Box and Discount Code!

If you are one of those people that love their pets, then you've probably heard of monthly subscription boxes for your furry friends. I had the privilege of working with Pet Gift Box recently, and would love to share what the box included and my personal opinion.

If you are someone who hasn't heard of Pet Gift Box then let me briefly explain... the box is a monthly subscription that includes a bunch of awesome items for your cat or dog. In my box i received:
-Chew Tennis Ball
-Fetch! Flyer(Frisbee)
-Folding Dog Bowl
-Happy Belly(Treats)
-Tail Wagger(Rib bone)
-Ball with Strap(Squeaker toy)

I think that the variety the box offers is great! My dog Windsor loves anything food related so treats are a plus for him. He doesn't usually get any treats so getting the yogurt covered treats in the mail was a surprise to him! The food bowl is perfect for on the go, whether your dog is outside hanging out, or taking a long hike, its super easy to fold away and go! I do however want to quickly talk about the rib bone that i got. Although the Pet Gift Box will give you a random variety, i happened to receive my box with a large rib bone. Working in the Veterinary field i couldn't not talk about this briefly... bones like this or even antlers can be dangerous to your dog. The reason is the bone could not only splinter and cause lacerations to the mouth or throat, but could also break teeth. Of course this is my opinion and outlook, and have seen this happen to dogs, its always important to monitor your pets with treats like these.



Treats aside, the price point of the Pet Gift Box is perfect for anyone on a budget. Its also great for any pet lover that wants to treat their furry friend each month, or even use it to gift to someone who does have a cat or dog. The price for a box is categorized in three sections. One is a 12 month plan, two is a month to month plan, and three is a one time purchase. The 12 month plan is $20/month, while the month to month is $25/month. If your looking to try it once then the one time purchase would be perfect for you, which is $30. What makes these prices awesome is the fact that every single box you purchase is free shipping. Pet Gift Box will ship you your box the first week of each month.

If your looking to checkout Pet Gift box, and want to purchase your first box, then signup and use the code: WINDSOR to activate 50% off!!!



Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products listed above for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.

Friday, May 5, 2017

What it's Like to Work in the Veterinary Field/ how i got here

WARNING: This post ended up being longer than i thought, but stay tuned for the whole thing!

If you've ever wondered what its like to work at an animal hospital or clinic, then stay tuned for this blog post- If not, still check it out!

Throughout my high school years, i was hounded to figure out what i wanted to do with my life after school. Most people usually go to college and pick a degree or trade and go with it. My school offered classes that were specific to a trade that you could incorporate into your daily schedule, and counted towards other classes like math, science etc. I thought cooking was the path for me, and i was definitely interested in it but i decided it wasn't the career i wanted.

In a nutshell, when i graduated i decided to join the Army. I ended up going to basic training, and not going to college. Fast forward about 4 years and i realized i wanted to work with animals. I was always happy to be around dogs and cats, or even large animals like cows and horses. It was one of those things where if i saw someone walking a dog i felt the need to have to run up and pet the dog. My parents knew i loved animals and kinda pushed me to research the field and pick something i might like. I entertained the idea of being a handler for TSA, or even joining the police in hopes of being in a program to be a K-9 unit. I never would have thought i would have ended up in an animal hospital, or a medical field. 
The process was time consuming and there were so..many..applications...

When i decided to work for an animal hospital, i had recently lost my job. I had to get a job quickly, so i ended up at a Tractor Supply. I HATED it. The people were a bit miserable, and the pay was awful. Anyway... I decided to start handing resumes out and filling out applications. First, i would like to say if you are interested in working at an animal hospital or clinic, that its not easy if you are not a certified Veterinary Technician or Veterinarian. But there are entry level jobs out there...

What i do now...I currently am a veterinary assistant. I am in college online to become a certified Veterinary Technician. In my current role, my job includes assisting the doctor or technicians (which includes animal restraint, vaccines, minor surgery assistance etc.) general cleaning to include cages and animals, helping out in our boarding facility, occasional reception work, and working with doctors in appointments. As a technician, the roles would include everything that a RN would do- surgery monitoring, xrays, blood draws, vaccines, etc. 

Im trying my best to not become side tract in this post because there is endless things to talk about...
A typical day could include anything and everything. Starting at 7am i will help open up the hospital and do the daily morning "chores" to help get the day going. Starting at 8am the doctors will come in that are working, and if there are any patients that stayed over night they are examined and any pain medication or treatment that is needed is done. From 8am, anything can happen-this could range from emergencies, no show appointments, people filling up our schedule with sick pets etc. Most of out appointments range from the normal wellness exam, which is typically an annual exam and vaccines and filling preventatives, to euthanasia. 

I can say that working at an animal hospital is difficult. The amount of knowledge you need to know, the attention to detail, stress, chaos, and emotional attachment is unreal. Its hard to understand, but as doctors and technicians we love your pets and get to know them very well. Which is why its so hard when it comes time to say goodbye to them. I have been in many euthanasia appointments for our families dogs before i started working where i am. It is rough, and emotional to say the least. Now, imagine how the doctors and staff feel. We go through this almost every day and it doesn't get easier. Heres an example... your dog Sammie a golden retriever who has been a great patient of ours for the past 7 years comes in because shes limping. The only thing you noticed was a swelling near her joint. We proceed with some blood work and xrays. The doctor diagnoses Sammie with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Unfortunately there really isn't anything we can do, except keep her comfortable, or amputate the leg to save her time. Its not worth the surgery so you decide to continue on and keep her comfortable. Weeks later, you decide that its time, and you would like to setup an appointment. PAUSE- in the moment of the diagnosis, can i tell you that the shock to you is also one to us? Not only from my point of view, but from the doctors as well; we might hide the emotions, but our doctors are the most compassionate people when it comes to your pets. They feel responsible and helpless, even though it isn't there fault. PLAY- Your at the appointment and your saying your goodbyes, moments later Sammie is gone. Its very emotional for everyone. Sometimes doctors will relate to a patient that might have the diagnosis of a previous pet they had, and will cry with you. I cant tell you how many times i have seen one of our doctors emotional and teary because they love your pet. They feel responsible for Sammie's outcome, but still have to continue the day...

Still moving forward with my example, the point is that as a technician or a doctor it can be emotionally draining. You have to suck it up and move forward to the next appointment. The next client doesn't know what has happened, and if you are 5-10 minutes late going in, they might be mad. Unfortunately your not going to say sorry we were euthanizing someones dog minutes ago, instead we try to offer a discounted exam and apologize and ask that they understand. And even in the midst of all this there could be an emergency for a vomiting/diarrhea case, or even a seizure that's walking through the door. Plus, you didn't even eat lunch yet and its 3pm-chances are there wont be a lunch today....
TO BE CONTINUED...
Follow "Just Manly Stuff" on the main page to find out the remaining piece to my post!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Unboxing Lucky Tackle Box + giveaway


I finally received my Lucky Tackle Box today! As i posted about a week ago(its unfortunately been that long since I've posted) i have been expecting a delivery from Lucky Tackle Box. The box that i'm writing about is the Bass XL, which is the upgraded version of the Bass box they offer. If you go to Lucky Tackle Box website, and to the "our subscriptions" tab, you'll see other boxes they offer like the multi-species or pan fish box. Today i want to cover a few different areas on this post:

Price:
The Bass XL is the upgraded version of the Bass box, which means it comes at a higher price point. The Bass box is $14.99, but if you want to upgrade to the XL it'll cost you $24.99...But its totally worth it! Another great thing is that you don't have to commit to buying the box of your choice for a certain period of time. You can choose 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, and with each increment you'll save a little bit more. With the XL, you can get the box for as low as $22.92 for a 12 month subscription.


First impression:
A quick background...i started fishing a few years ago, and quickly got addicted. I never grew up in a family that was into hunting/fishing/guns. A lot of my learning of fishing has come from YouTube videos and online articles. One of the main problems i had when i started was not having enough, or the right tackle. That included hooks, line, soft plastics etc. It can be hard to invest when your beginning, or even replacing old gear. When i got the Bass XL in the mail i kinda knew what to expect in the box after checking out their website. I cant explain how excited i was opening the box and flipping through the variety of tackle! Starting from the outside of the box and looking inside, it was very sleek and professional. They even wrap it all up and seal it with a Lucky Tackle Box sticker!


Product:
The amount of tackle that was in the box was crazy! I thought i knew what to expect but i kept pulling stuff out! When you open the box you'll expect to see a couple items first. One is a card that gives you a chance to enter in a live drawing, and the other is a cool sticker you can stick on your tackle box. When you unwrap the sealed tissue paper you can dig into all the cool tackle! I received 7 items in my box, which totaled $56.63! That's crazy considering the price you pay for the box is only $24.99. They also include a card with the breakdown of all the tackle and prices for each product with a brief description. All the products in the box is a good variety and look like top quality items. Even though i am a little late starting this year, i cant wait to finally fish and try out all the items i got. I would recommend this for anyone that loves fishing. It doesn't matter the age or experience, the Lucky Tackle Box offers a box for a variety of species, at a reasonable price. They present the product very well, give you product worth way more than what you pay, and ship it right to your door!

Want your own Lucky Tackle Box?
Enter for a chance to win your own Bass XL Box here:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products listed above for free in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

My first giveaway is coming!

This will be a pretty brief post for today, but i'm excited to announce that i will be able to host a giveaway for a product in the next few weeks! This is very exciting for me seeing as my blog is still fresh and accumulating some content. I hope that if your reading this you stay tuned in the next few weeks to find out the details. This will get everyone ready for the future of Just Manly Stuff! Im sure you have questions about the giveaway so here are some details i can give:

  • It will be completely free to enter
  • You can only enter once
  • Enter date-TBD in the next few weeks
  • Product will be a subscription box

If you have any more questions leave me a comment or send me an email! The product that i will be giving away will also be featured in a review as well, so stay tuned!