Free Streaming Services Compared—Which One Is Worth Your Time?

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As streaming services replace cable for most households, entertainment companies are racing to put out binge-worthy series, original shows, and famous TV and movies that’ll keep viewers glued to their screens. Subscription-based streaming outlets like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Hulu are stacking up to be quite a hefty bill when you add them together. If you’re looking to protect your finances by cutting back on some of your non-essential expenses, you might want to consider switching to the top free streaming services that have an equally impressive range of content.

Here are some of the most talked about free ad-supported TV and movie streaming providers available today to help you decide which one is truly worth your time.

The Roku Channel

The Roku Channel has one of the widest arrays of on-demand content and TV stations for live viewing, with 80,000+ titles and growing. While Roku, Inc. supplies physical devices for streaming, you can also watch on the app or the web. Watch live sports and news channels or sign up for free to manage paid subscriptions, like SHOWTIME, Discovery+, BET+, Starz, and more.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationNone required to watch; must sign up to create a Save List and continue watching where you left off
Authorized DevicesAll Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs, Android App, iOS App, Samsung TVs, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for exclusive, original content and a classic cable experience
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for older seasons of hit shows

 

Popcornflix

Popcornflix is a place to watch on-demand television series and movies as it doesn’t have a live TV option. It’s known for its independent films and theatrical releases across genres like drama,  horror, Spanish-language films, documentaries, kids, and more.

Quick Specs

Live TVNo
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationNone available, browser or app saves watch history
Authorized DevicesApple TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Android App, iOS App, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for exclusive, original content
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles

Crackle

Crackle, now owned by the same company that holds Popcornflix (Chicken Soup for the Soul), boasts of its “free-uncut and unedited” movie list. Here, watchers can expect to see movies and shows they might not have heard of and in a way they haven’t seen before.

Quick Specs

Live TVNo
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationNone required to watch; must sign up to save favorites, progress, and manage parental controls
Authorized DevicesAndroid TV, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Roku, Xbox One, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for classic titles and original content
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles

Sling Freestream

Sling Freestream is the ad-supported free version of Dish Network’s Sling TV. Its massive entertainment library has over 270 live TV channels and more than 40,000 on-demand titles. With an onscreen TV guide, viewers get the traditional cable experience with movies just a click away.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentNo
RegistrationNone required to watch; must sign up to save your favorite channels, create a watchlist, and continue where you left off
Authorized DevicesAndroid TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, Chromecast, Cox, xfinity, Apple TV, TiVo, LG Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for quality films and somewhat recent TV shows
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for exclusive, original content

Xumo Play

Xumo Play is Comcast’s streaming live TV and on-demand service. Consumers enjoy the grid-like interface where they can browse entire networks or peruse the live TV guide. This platform doesn’t have a lot of trending titles, but it’s useful for easy TV watching.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentNo
RegistrationNone available; you can save networks as your favorite without registration
Authorized DevicesAmazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Flex, Hisense, Android App, iOS App, Panasonic, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, VIZIO Smart TVs, Xfinity X1 devices, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for a classic cable experience
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles

Peacock

Peacock, another Comcast baby headed by NBCUniversal, is a popular choice due to the performance of its original content. The caveat here is they did away with the free version, so new users will need to pay a subscription. Older users can still stream live TV and on-demand content for free.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationRequired to watch and manage content
Authorized DevicesAmazon Fire devices, Android TV, Apple TV, Flex Hisense, Android App, iOS App, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, VIZIO Smart TVs, Cox, Xfinity X1 devices, PlayStation 4 and 5, XBOX, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles and exclusive, original content
NOT worth your time ifYou’re new to Peacock (requires subscription) or looking for older seasons of hit shows

Freevee

Freevee, owned by Amazon, was previously known as IMDb TV. Since then, Freevee has added over 177 live channels, and thousands of on-demand movies, with 19 categories to choose from. There are so many interesting shows you won’t find anywhere else, plus you can gain early access to rent or buy premium content.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationRequired to watch and manage content
Authorized DevicesAndroid TV, Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Echo Show, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Google TV, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Prime Video, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for exclusive, original content and quality films
NOT worth your time ifYou’re especially frustrated with confusing interfaces

Vudu

Vudu, acquired by Fandango, brings tons of titles that may have been forgotten by moviegoers. With upwards of 10,000 entertainment pieces in their free section, you’ll surely find something worth watching. It’s not particularly family-oriented, so keep that in mind when creating an account.

Quick Specs

Live TVNo
Exclusive ContentNo
RegistrationRequired to watch and manage content
Authorized DevicesAndroid TV, Roku, Xbox, Android App, iOS App, Samsung Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Chromecast, Apple TV, LG Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for an entire film series or interesting content
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles

Pluto TV

Pluto TV’s parent organization is Paramount Streaming, which explains the vast library of on-demand movies and TV shows, including popular titles from this major filming studio. Viewers can easily switch between live TV and on-demand while browsing various genres like crime, reality, comedy, game shows, daytime TV, food, sports, music, and more.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentNo
RegistrationNone required to watch; must sign up to save your favorites and watchlist across devices
Authorized DevicesAmazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, Fire TV Cube, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromebook, Smart TV Pluto TV app, LG Channels app, Roku, Tizen Smart TV 2017 or newer, Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for an entire film series or nostalgic entertainment
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for the most recent entertainment titles

Tubi

Tubi is increasing in popularity with its simplistic and engaging interface (that Netflix users will find similar) while streaming episodes of more recent titles. Tubi, owned by FOX, partners with 455 entertainment companies, so it’s no wonder their list is so extensive.

Quick Specs

Live TVYes
Exclusive ContentYes
RegistrationNone required to watch; must sign up to bookmark titles
Authorized DevicesAmazon Fire TV/Stick and Kindle Fire tablet, Amazon Echo Show, Android App, iOS App, Android TV, Apple TV 4th Generation, Chromecast, Hisense Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, Samsung Smart TVs, Sony Smart TVs, Vizio Smart TVs, Web browser
Worth your time ifYou’re looking for quality films and recent TV shows
NOT worth your time ifYou’re looking for older seasons of hit shows

Finding the Right Free Streaming Service for You

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Out of hundreds of free streaming platforms available, we’ve compared the most notable ones so you can evaluate their content libraries, registration process, and interfaces. Start saving money without missing out on your favorite titles by trying free ad-supported streaming services! With no long-term contracts or monthly fees, free streaming providers offer a level of flexibility and transparency that traditional cable and satellite can’t beat.

7 Supplements to Boost Your Mood

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Often when people struggle with regulating their mood, the cause might be your dopamine levels. The lower dopamine levels are, the harder it is for people to stay positive throughout the tough times. This can also affect the quality of your sleep and energy levels, further affecting your emotions. Using supplements is one of the best ways to improve your mood in a natural way.

But which supplements should you take? In this article, you’ll find the seven natural supplements that may help boost your mood.

1. Kratom

Kratom is a tree found only in the southeastern parts of Asia including Thailand and Malaysia. The leaves of this tree contain the alkaloid mitragynine, which binds to certain receptors within the brain. Users have reported that this natural supplement may help boost a person’s mood and improve overall feelings of wellness.

If you’re interested in trying kratom for yourself, it’s best to buy kratom online from a reputable vendor. Look for sellers that proudly share their customer reviews and highlight the purity of their products.

2.  Probiotics

Your gut contains microorganisms known as probiotics that help your body function properly. These are considered the “good bacteria” within your gut flora.

However, these microorganisms do so much more than maintaining your digestive health, they also help with other functions of your body. For example, researchers found that the overflow of bad bacteria within the gut can affect a person’s mood.

Therefore, improving your gut health with probiotic supplements can also work to improve your overall mood. Of course, more studies are needed to explore the connection between mood disorders and probiotics more deeply.

3. CBD Oil

CBD oil has become one of the most popular supplements within the last five years. This is due to the many potential benefits it offers to users including relaxation, focus, and other aspects of overall wellness.

CBD oil may also improve one’s overall mood. Some studies have shown CBD oil’s positive effects on a person’s serotonin levels, but more research is needed to support this theory.

If you think CBD might be an effective supplement for you, you can easily shop for it online. When looking for a CBD store online, choose a brand that highlights their lab testing so you can be confident your supplement is pure and unadulterated.

4. Vitamin D

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Vitamin D plays a vital role in many functions of the body. For example, it helps regulate weight, fight diseases, and support growth within children. It may also help you stay fit and strong while you’re entering your thirties.

One crucial role it provides is regulating our mood and lowering depression symptoms. Some studies show that those who suffer from vitamin D deficiency also have a higher rate of depression. If you believe you’re suffering from vitamin D deficiency, discuss with your doctor if it could be the reason for your low mood swings.

5. Ginkgo Biloba

Chinese doctors used Ginkgo Biloba for hundreds of years to help relieve different issues. Some of these include nausea, poor heart health, and inflammation, but another use of Ginkgo Biloba is regulating mood swings.

It’s been suggested that ginkgo biloba supplements may improve a person’s overall brain function and boost their memory. As a result, this provides benefits to one’s mood. Of course, more studies are needed to prove these theories and explore the other possible effects of this supplement.

6.  Green Tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks to replace your morning coffee habit. This is due to the nutrient content and antioxidant properties of green tea.

One essential nutrient is the amino acid L-theanine, which helps increase the activity levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. This includes dopamine levels. Research suggests that those who take green tea supplements have higher dopamine levels and improved mood levels.

Even if you decide not to take the supplements, switching from drinking coffee every morning to green tea is still better. You’ll notice an improvement in your overall health by doing so.

7. Fish Oil

Eating fish provides many benefits to the body and so will taking a fish oil supplement. One of the main benefits is boosting the overall health of the brain.

This is due to fish containing two crucial omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These two fatty acids may help improve one’s mood and aid in mood regulation.

Improve Your Overall Wellness

If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your mood, these seven supplements may help you achieve this. These supplements may help provide a positive attitude and potentially improve your overall health. When shopping for these natural supplements, remember to look for high-quality products and discuss adding these to your wellness regimen with your care provider.

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Your New Go-To Guide for Trendy, Affordable Winter Clothes

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Even if you’re out of ideas on how to create a new look once the weather outside gets frightful, or if you’re wondering what to wear in winter to break out of your slump, read on for our top suggestions on what to do with your winter clothing!

Back to Basics: What to Wear in Winter

Cold-weather wardrobes aren’t always easy to build. With so many options, you could get lost under a mountain of ideas! Don’t get intimidated—just keep in mind a few basic, affordable winter clothing items that will help you through and make sure to layer up with the right materials.

Layering Up

Layers are the go-to style choice for fall and winter to help every girl stay chic and cozy at all levels of cold. It’s almost like you have three different looks in one day! Your indoor look is your base layer, your mid-way look adds a cardigan or blazer, and your outdoor look is fully covered with a coat, scarf, and hat!

Some of the best affordable winter clothing layering pieces include leggings, skirts, vests, ponchos, and tunics! Add all of these to your closet to ensure you have tons of ensemble options without busting out the dated basics!

The Right Materials

The right materials are crucial to ensuring you stay warm all winter long. When dealing with the chilly winter air, it’s best to avoid outer layers made of moisture-wicking, breathable, and aerated fabrics. Instead of keeping you cozy, these fabrics let in even the smallest of breezes. To stay toasty, go for options like:

  • Polypropylene
  • Wool
  • Silk
  • Suede (vegan)
  • Velvet
  • Fur (vegan)
  • Down (synthetic)
  • Cashmere

You may think some of these sound uncomfortable and scratchy (we’re looking at you, wool), but when you get merino wool or a wool blend, you’ll enjoy a softer touch than you’re used to. Knit wool is also an amazing option for cardigans and sweaters, while velvet, faux suede, and synthetic down allow you to play with texture while keeping your winter clothing affordable!

The Perfect Jacket

Jackets are the final piece that complete every ensemble. Stay inspired by including basic styles in your wardrobe, but adding a little twist to each one with unique colors, cuts, and patterns!

Moto Jacket

The moto jacket used to be for biker chicks only, but now its market has expanded to include anyone who wants to don something a little edgy and sharp. You can find plenty of vegan leather options in black, burgundy, and navy to add a sleeker silhouette and some rocker embellishments to your outfit. Moto jackets have definitely found their niche in the winter clothing market.

Military-Inspired

Military inspired jackets provide both casual and formal options. Choose an army-style jacket for utilitarian activities, like hiking, and go for a trench coat when you want a little more stylish protection from the elements. Both are the perfect affordable winter clothing for any outdoor occasion!

Pea Coat

While the pea coat is also a military-inspired outerwear piece, it deserves its own category simply because of all the varieties that are available today. From hundreds of prints, patterns, and colors to tons of cuts, embellishments, and lengths—the pea coat is the most versatile outerwear around!

Accessories Galore

No, we’re not talking about jewelry here—we mean scarves, gloves, hats, and socks! If you’re wondering what to wear in winter to really keep you cozy, boutique accessories are EVERYTHING. They also add the perfect finishing touch to your ensemble.

Scarves

There are so many styles, materials, and colors of scarves that you’d have to work extra hard not to find one that matches your look. For something a little lighter, choose an acrylic blanket scarf, and if the wind is REALLY blowing, always wear that large knit wool scarf!

Gloves

While not every winter needs gloves, if you’re living in a place where it dumps snow all the time, these are a closet essential. We recommend going with basic black, but if black is a staple in your wardrobe, it may be time to add a pop of color with green, blue, or burgundy in faux leather.

Hats

For affordable winter clothing that is really the MVP of cold weather accessories, you can’t go wrong with a beanie. Beanies no longer mean skater-boy chic—now they have pom poms, ears, flowers, and more to make them feminine and fashionable. You can also really step it up with a ski hat, bomber hat, or furry headband or Cossack.

Socks

You might not have considered socks as a cute winter accessory, but if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, how are you going to spice up a pair of boring leggings or tights? Patterned ankle high socks can really pump up your look, while a pair of modern thigh-highs keep you warm and chic.

5 Reasons Swimming Is the Best Sport for Your Health

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Being healthy and having fun go hand-in-hand when you are swimming. This supersport can benefit your health better than most other forms of exercise for a number of reasons.

1. Swimming Provides a Total Body Workout

Swimming utilizes almost all the major muscle groups in the body, making it an exceptionally thorough form of exercise. In addition, it also:

  • Increases the heart rate without adding undue stress to the body, especially the joints
  • Tones muscles and improves overall strength
  • Helps maintain a healthy weight
  • Works the heart and lungs due to the cardiovascular benefits

While swimming does not build bone density because that requires weight-bearing exercise, it does improve bone strength, especially in post-menopausal women.

2. Swimming Helps Treat Injuries and Health Conditions

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Swimming is one way to continue getting gentle exercise, even while injured. It even helps the body heal due to the extremely low-impact placed on the body and joints. While swimming, 90% of body weight is supported by water.

With health conditions such as arthritis, inflammation often occurs, especially within and around joint spaces. This inflammation can restrict movement and cause swelling and pain. Swimming has a multitude of benefits for arthritis, including 

  • Strengthening and supporting the muscles which can further aid in preventing arthritis from worsening.
  • The movement itself is what helps prevent arthritis from worsening and with swimming, you get the action without the pain and discomfort that comes along with many other forms of exercise.
  • Water-based exercises help improve the utilization of the affected joints in osteoarthritis as well as decreasing pain.
  • People who have rheumatoid arthritis see more health improvements with hydrotherapy than with other forms of exercise.

3. Swimming Improves Mental Health

Exercise releases endorphins, which are the chemicals in our brain that make us feel happy. Swimming can help alleviate anxiety as well as boosting our mood. In a 2014 pilot study of people with dementia, those who swam regularly for 12 weeks, showed an improvement in mood.

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Swimming regularly can also help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The reason behind this is simple: swimming is a very calming and soothing activity due to the meditative quality of this unique form of exercise.

This activity allows more oxygen to flow to your muscles and forces you to regulate your breathing. Studies have also shown that swimming can influence the brain through a process known as hippocampal neurogenesis, where the brain replaces the cells that are lost through stress.

4. Swimming Helps Prevent Heart Disease

Exercise in general will, of course, help prevent heart disease, but swimming for just 30 minutes a day can help provide the following health benefits:

  • It can help to control cholesterol levels by reducing the bad cholesterol such as LDL and VLDL, which can cause high cholesterol levels in the blood.
  • Swimming can boost your metabolism – 30 minutes in the pool is equivalent to 45 minutes of land-based exercise, and it lowers blood pressure levels as well. 
  • It lowers the heart rate and improves breathing as well as circulation.

5. Swimming Helps You Lose Weight

As with most cardiovascular exercises, swimming burns calories resulting in weight loss when added along with a healthy diet plan. The added benefit with this activity is that the resistance from the water itself adds even more calorie-burning benefit, helping people get in shape.

Specific swimming exercises can even target your core, which further aid in reducing belly fat, such as

  • Flutter kicks which target the lower abs
  • Butterfly kicks which target the obliques

Compared with walking, swimming improves body weight, body fat distribution, and insulin levels. 

See the Benefits for Yourself

Small changes in our lifestyle can make a huge difference. Exercise is a beneficial change to our overall health and wellbeing, and swimming is at the top of the list. The best part is that swimming can be done at any age. Other sports can even be incorporated into your swimming session, including walking and running in the water. Whether you are doggie paddling or doing fancy butterfly strokes, your body will be getting healthier with each movement. When you add in the lack of stress on the joints, you can easily find yourself doing a mini-marathon and not even know you’ve done one!

Fitness Supplements & Diet Plan Tips for Bodybuilding

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For some people, bodybuilding is a hobby. For others, it’s a lifestyle. But in every case, the fitness goal is the same: a balanced, muscular, and chiseled physique to rival any ancient Olympian. To get the best results from your training, you need the right nutrition for bodybuilders along with the best supplements for muscle growth. Follow these tips to build a diet and supplement program that will help you develop your dream body faster.

#1: Recognize the Two Key Phases

All diet plans for bodybuilding must include two key phases: bulking and cutting. In the bulking phase, you’re focused on building muscle and gaining weight. In the cutting phase, it’s all about shredding the fat while protecting the muscle you built. Nutrition for bodybuilders in these two phases is practically the same — except for one key factor: you’ll want to eat 115% of your maintenance calorie requirements in the bulking phase to put on weight, and 85% of your maintenance calorie requirements in the cutting phase to reduce fat.

#2: Calculate Your Macros

We know that protein is essential for building muscle, but how much do you really need? According to experts, the best balance of macros for bodybuilding as a professional sport are:

  • 30–35% protein
  • 55–60% carbs
  • 15–20% fat

To work out these values in grams, multiply the percentages by your total calorie goal and convert the resulting values to grams. For protein and carbs, divide each calorie by 4 for grams, and divide each calorie of fat by 9. Here’s an example of nutrition for bodybuilders for someone with a maintenance intake of 2000 calories:

 Bulking PhaseCutting Phase
Calories2,3001,700
Protein (g)173-201126-149
Carbs (g)316-345234-255
Fat (g)38-5128-38

#3: Eat A Delicious, Varied Diet

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Unfortunately, nutrition for bodybuilders has developed a reputation for monotony. However, far from a diet of pure eggs and chicken, diet plans for bodybuilding can include as much variety as you like — as long as the food is nutritious and you’re including all of your macros and micros.

For protein, consider lesser-known treats like venison and turkey in addition to the usual chicken, beef, and fish. As far as grains, mix up the usual rice and pasta with some quinoa, barley, millet, and couscous. Many international dishes include a healthy balance of proteins, carbs, and fats. Just stay clear of refined sugars and oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids as these foods are thought to increase inflammation and raise your risk for obesity and heart disease.

#4: Boost Your Results with Workout Supplements

Your weekly meal plan forms the backbone of your personalized nutrition for bodybuilders, but meeting your macros and micros consistently can prove to be more of a challenge. That’s where bodybuilding supplements come in.

Remember those protein values mentioned above? 201 grams of protein is a lot for even the most carnivorous among us — you’d have to eat eight meals every day! Instead of spending all your spare time calculating calories, grams, protein, and minerals, round out your program with the best supplements for muscle growth and supercharge your path to bulk.

In your diet plans for bodybuilding, consider the following evidence-based muscle-building supplements:

Before Your Workout

  • Glycerol monostearate for extra muscle pump
  • Creatine for going a few extra reps
  • Caffeine to reduce fatigue
  • Delta-8 to enhance your workouts

Before or During Your Workout

  • BCAAs and electrolytes to improve muscle hydration

After Your Workout

  • Whey or vegan protein for recovery and muscle repair

Build A Solid Program at LFTD. While there’s no magic pill, solid nutrition for bodybuilders along with the best supplements for muscle growth help you build your best body and keep it by maximizing every effort at the gym.