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https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-in-Miami | How to Dress in Miami | If you are traveling to Miami in the summer, choose lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, and dress for the sun in a maxi dress or a Panama hat. Be sure to pack a swimsuit and sunglasses for the beach! If your trip is in the fall or winter, pack some long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and a sweater or jacket. No matter when you go, celebrate Miami's style by making daring fashion choices with bright colors, floral prints, and big hats. | Pack casual clothing. You will want to have plenty of clothing for daytime activities like sightseeing, shopping, and casual dining. While you should dress up for nice restaurants or the theater, you will be able to wear jeans or shorts and flip flops to most places. Choose light fabrics in the summer. If you visit Miami in the summer, wear light fabrics like cotton and linen. Bring short sleeve shirts, tank tops, shorts, skirts, and capris. Bring warmer clothes for spring, fall, or winter. If you do not visit in the summer, be sure to include some long sleeve shirts as well as lightweight long pants. A light jacket or sweater will suffice for spring, summer, or fall, but in the winter, you will want a warmer jacket or sweater to layer. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip. Miami experiences cool fronts and warm fronts, so the temperature may surprise you. Consider dressing loudly. Miami is all about bright colors. This is the place to be daring with your fashion choices. You might opt for flower prints and big hats. Bring a swimsuit. Part of the Miami experience is spending time in the South Beach area. In Miami, a one-piece bathing suit can act as regular clothing when worn with a simple cover-up. Wear this to lunch, the bar, the spa, or for shopping. If you are tanning, wearing the same swimsuit is a great way to measure how much sun you are getting. Bring a Panama hat. This item originated in Ecuador, but has come to be associated with the tropical lifestyle. It will protect you from the sun, and make you fit right in with the Miami crowd. Go for the maxi dress. A light, flowing maxi dress will keep you feeling cool on those hot summer days. Choose a dress with a bold print and you'll stay comfortable in style. Don a pair of bright patterned shorts. Men, exchange your khaki shorts for a colorful pair. You can wear these with striped laceless shoes or flip flops, and of course, sunglasses. Carry a wrap, a cover-up or a light jacket. While it is true that Miami stays warm throughout the year, even during the winter months, you will need something to put on quickly when going from the outside heat to the inside air conditioning. Some form of cover is also important if you want to dress for Miami parties, because many Miami parties are held on rooftops, which can get very breezy at night. Don’t forget your exercise wear. Miami's beaches aren't just for swimming and tanning; they are ideal running spots too. Miami also has plenty of green parks for runners and walkers, so you'll want to have your athletic wear and sneakers to take advantage of this. Wear a dress and heels (or wedges). Women should definitely avoid jeans, sandals, or flats. The nightclub is the place for more formal attire. Having the perfect outfit will not only make it easier for you to get into a club, it will set the tone for your experience. Put on a button down shirt with dark jeans and shoes. Men should stay away from shorts, ripped jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts, or tennis shoes. Options for men include: dark jeans with a white or lavender button down shirt and dark shoes. red jeans with a white shirt, black belt, and black cowboy style shoes. jeans, a South Beach style button down shirt, and black shoes. Give some thought to the trends. Instead of a dress, a woman may wear an elegant romper , or luxury yoga pants with a black top. Note that women tend to wear bright colors, with low necklines and short hemlines. Bring a variety of footwear. Walking shoes are a necessity for sightseeing by foot. These may be tennis shoes or comfortable walking sandals. Flip flops are ideal for a day at the beach. Dress shoes are essential for evening activities. Remember your sunglasses. This accessory will not only protect your eyes, it will also make a fabulous addition to your look. You may want to bring multiple pairs. Pack a wrap scarf. You will be glad you have this multipurpose item. You can tie it around your waist as a poolside cover-up, use it as a towel or pillow on the beach, wrap it around your wet hair, or wear it across your shoulders to block the sun. Add jewelry. This is a great way to add some sparkle to your evening attire. Miami fashion is loud and flashy, but for the nightlife, you will want your jewelry to look sophisticated. A tasteful pair of earrings will complement a simple dress. A nice watch will enhance a man's outfit. Take that tote bag. This capacious item is great for transporting what you need for a day at the beach. It is also perfect to take to a museum. Pack a zip clutch purse. Slip your identification, room key, money, and lip balm into this pouch for when you don't need to carry much. | Pack casual clothing. Choose light fabrics in the summer. Bring warmer clothes for spring, fall, or winter. Consider dressing loudly. Bring a swimsuit. Bring a Panama hat. Go for the maxi dress. Don a pair of bright patterned shorts. Carry a wrap, a cover-up or a light jacket. Don’t forget your exercise wear. Wear a dress and heels (or wedges). Put on a button down shirt with dark jeans and shoes. Give some thought to the trends. Bring a variety of footwear. Remember your sunglasses. Pack a wrap scarf. Add jewelry. Take that tote bag. Pack a zip clutch purse. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-a-Lory-or-Lorikeet | How to Feed a Lory or Lorikeet | To feed a lorikeet, you can purchase pre-made nectar from a pet store, which is the main source of food for lorikeets. Also, fruit is a major supplement to your lorikeet's nectar diet, so you should feed it things like apples, plums, figs, and grapes. However, try to cut the fruit into chunks no bigger than a half inch cube. You can also feed your lorikeet shredded or diced vegetables, although they should not constitute more than a fifth of your bird's diet. Additionally, aim to feed your bird twice a day, ideally in the morning and late afternoon, to match its natural feeding habits. Also, don't forget to provide fresh drinking water every day. | Purchase pre-made nectar from a pet store. Nectar is the main source of food for lorikeets kept in captivity. Without nectar, your lorikeet will not thrive and could possibly die. To serve your lory nectar, simply follow the directions on the product you purchase. Some popular types of products include: Liquid foods that don't require you to add water. Dry formulas that must be mixed with water and frozen. Give your lorikeet fruits. Fruits should be a major supplement to your lorikeet's nectar diet. Serve fruit salad-type meals in a small serving dish in addition to a full serving of nectar. The process of providing your bird fruit should be an active one – try different fruits until you find ones they like. However, make sure they eat several types of fruit instead of just one. You might find that they like overripe fruit instead of ripe fruit. Cut fruit into small pieces – no bigger than a half to a quarter inch cube (6 mm to 12 mm). Offer your bird apple cherries (without pits), pears, apricots, plums, figs, grapes, raspberries, grapefruit, and different types of melon. Provide vegetables. Serve sliced, shredded, or diced vegetables as a supplement to your lory's overall diet. Vegetables should not constitute more than a fifth of your bird's diet. However, vegetables can provide valuable vitamins and nutrients your bird does not get elsewhere. Like with fruit, serve vegetables in very small pieces. Consider providing your lory with bok choy, peas, asparagus, corn, cucumber, kale, broccoli, parsnip, or zucchini. Avoid avocado. Provide fresh water every day. Fresh water should be served in a shallow water dish. You should change the water and wash the dish every day. In addition, depending on the size of the dish and your bird, monitor the dish to make sure there is enough water throughout the day. Provide food at least twice a day. Because of the nature of the lory's feeding habits, you should provide your bird with food at least twice a day. This will allow your bird to feed for a couple of hours at a time before you remove or replace their food. In addition, providing your bird with food throughout the day will mimic the lory's foraging habits in the wild. Put food out fresh in the morning and in the late afternoon. In addition, if you can, provide your lorikeet fresh food in the middle of the day. Change the food every few hours. Lories will thrive best with fresh food. Because of this, you should change their food every few hours. In addition, because lory food consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nectar, it could develop bacteria after a couple of hours. This could wind up making your bird sick. As a result, discard any uneaten lory food after three to four hours. Avoid overfeeding. Observe your bird's eating habits. If you notice that there is a lot of food left after your bird has eaten, you should reduce the amount of food you provide to your bird. In addition, if you notice your bird growing larger, you should consult your vet about reducing the amount of food you provide your lory. Clean the dishes you use to feed your lorikeet. Like with your own food, you should wash lory serving dishes after every use. This is because bacteria can quickly grow on uncooked fruits, vegetables, nectar, and pollen. If you don't clean your serving dishes properly, your lory could become sick. Store your lorikeet food properly. Keep fruits and vegetables in a refrigerator if appropriate. If fruits or vegetables begin to spoil, discard them. In addition, keep nectar or pollen refrigerated or frozen as indicated by the directions on the product. Finally, pay attention to use-by dates, and discard any nectar or pollen products when they are no longer good. Avoid feeding them seeds. While some lorikeets may snack on different seeds from time-to-time, their gizzards are often not powerful enough to crush most seeds. As a result, lorikeets do not depend on seeds as a substantial part of their diet. If you feed them a lot of seeds, they will not be able to get enough nutrition to thrive. As an option, you can provide your lorikeet with soft seeds every so often. Keep your lorikeet away from dangerous plants. There are many plants that could hurt or kill your lorikeet. As a result, you need to be diligent about keeping dangerous plants out of your lorikeet's habitat. Some dangerous plants include: Azalea Buttercup Cactus Cedar Clover Mimosa Provide the right kinds of food for wild lorikeets. Wild lorikeets require some special precautions. Plant flowers that the birds are attracted to naturally, such as bottlebrush plants, banksias, and grevilleas. If you offer sugary liquid to the birds, then make sure to keep the feeders extremely clean. Lorikeets may get sick and even die if the feeder is not clean. | Purchase pre-made nectar from a pet store. Give your lorikeet fruits. Provide vegetables. Provide fresh water every day. Provide food at least twice a day. Change the food every few hours. Avoid overfeeding. Clean the dishes you use to feed your lorikeet. Store your lorikeet food properly. Avoid feeding them seeds. Keep your lorikeet away from dangerous plants. Provide the right kinds of food for wild lorikeets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-You-Still-Love-Someone | How to Know if You Still Love Someone | To know if you still love someone, think about how attracted you are to them, since a lack of attraction usually suggests a lack of love. In addition to your attraction, pay attention to how easily they annoy you, since getting irritated with your partner can be a red flag. You should also consider the reasons why you're still in a relationship with them, since it's easy to mistake love for loneliness or dependence. If you're still unsure about your feelings for your partner, try having some time and space to yourself so you can see how it feels to be away from them. | Think about when you began questioning your feelings. Feelings don't change overnight. It probably took you awhile to fall in love and establish a devoted relationship with your partner. Give yourself enough time to interpret your feelings, because you can irreparably damage your relationship if you act too quickly. Don't feel guilty by giving yourself some time to unpack all of your emotions, and don't try to rush to have it all figured out. Consider what else was happening when you started questioning your feelings. Have other factors changed in your life? Maybe you started a new job, and you're constantly exhausted. Maybe family troubles are causing a strain on the relationship. Make sure you recognize if your apathy or confusion about the relationship stems from the natural ups and downs of life, rather than feelings toward your partner. Assess your actions toward your partner. Consider things like your patience and physical attraction levels. Have you been snapping at them out of irritation more often recently? Has your interest in physical intimacy decreased? Maybe you've started needing more and more space away from them. These, of course, are all red flags. It's normal for a relationship to cool off a bit as the honeymoon stage ends, but it shouldn't become cold! Take note of how often you reject your partner's advances, criticize them, lose patience with them, and so on. If you find that you're doing these things more often than not, you probably need to take a hard, honest look at your relationship. Imagine a future without this person. You need to do this before you take any sort of decisive action. When you think about your future in an ideal world, is this person a part of it? Sometimes we take our loved ones for granted, even if they are the most important person in our lives. We don't realize that their absence would shatter our world as we know it. Be completely honest with yourself when you picture moving on without them— would your life suffer or flourish? Any breakup is hard, because it means stepping outside of your comfort zone and losing someone you once cared about. However, imagine life after the initial discomfort. Would you be happier on your own? Would you be happier with someone else? Recognize that being comfortable with someone doesn't necessarily mean you love them. Remember why the relationship ended. If your relationship has already ended and you're questioning if your love is still there, make sure you remember what caused the breakup. It's easy to look back and romanticize an old relationship, but don't overlook reality. Sometimes people simply gave up too quickly without attempting to work out their problems. However, sometimes there are fundamental problems that just cannot be fixed. If the relationship ended because someone made a mistake, it is important to determine if you can truly forgive and forget. You can't create a future with someone if you are stuck in the issues of the past. Similarly, nothing will change about your relationship of no one has changed. If you broke up with your partner because you didn't trust them, either they need to have become trustworthy or you need to have become trusting. Past issues don't just disappear. Weigh the pros and cons of being with this person. Try to determine how your overall quality of life changes when you are with them and without them. If they become your #1 priority and your work performance, family relationships, and self-care all fall to the wayside, it may not be a healthy relationship. However, if you truly feel like a better person when you're with them, that's something you don't want to slip away. Write it all down so you can truly see if the positives outweigh the negatives. Don't hold back! Be brutally honest with yourself about your motivation. Are you debating going back to this person because you are lonely? Loneliness, though painful and debilitating, is not a reason to be with someone. Jealousy is another powerful emotion that can make you start pining for an ex, but don't fight for them back just because you don't want to see them with someone else. That is not the foundation of a healthy and long-lasting relationship. If you can say with certainty loneliness, jealousy, boredom, or any other superficial emotion isn't the reason you're considering rekindling your romance, you may still love this person. Take some space away from this person. Take time to do the things that make you happy, and anything that helps you clear your head. If you haven't spent much time away from your partner before, this is a good opportunity to get a taste of what life would be like without them. It can also help you unwind and determine if stress was causing you to question your relationship. Not only can some alone time help you sort out your feelings without any pressure from your partner, but it will give you time to compose yourself and decide exactly how to proceed. Discuss your feelings with the person, if appropriate. If you're currently in the relationship, use tact when speaking with your partner. Begin your sentences with “I” rather than “you," because you don't want to sound accusatory or hurtful. Instead, discuss how you've been feeling in the relationship. If you aren't currently in a relationship with this person, decide if communicating your feelings is appropriate. It may not be appropriate if it could toy with their emotions, or if they have a new partner. Once you decide to start voicing your feelings, things may get complicated. Don't do this unless you're sure it is something that needs to be addressed. Often times it is easier to write your feelings down so that you can say everything you need to say. Writing a letter can be a great way to communicate with your current or past partner. Choose a plan and stick to it. In other words, get yourself out of the awful gray area. If, after all of this, you want to stay together (or get back together), then do so wholeheartedly. If you want to break up, do so completely. You have to commit fully to whatever you choose! If you are in a relationship yet constantly doubting it, your relationship will suffer. You can't have one foot out the door and expect love to flourish. On the other hand, if you decide you do not love the person, you must end things completely. You will not be able to start a new, independent life if you continue to ask “what if?” | Think about when you began questioning your feelings. Assess your actions toward your partner. Imagine a future without this person. Remember why the relationship ended. Weigh the pros and cons of being with this person. Be brutally honest with yourself about your motivation. Take some space away from this person. Discuss your feelings with the person, if appropriate. Choose a plan and stick to it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Brand-Ambassador | How to Become a Brand Ambassador | To become an online brand ambassador, start by sending a message to the company's Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter account. Once the company gives you the green light, begin posting interesting and engaging content on your own accounts, like photos of yourself using their products or blog posts about your experiences with them. Additionally, ask for feedback from your followers, then respond to them to keep your target audience active and engaged. | Research brand events going on in your area. Check the “Events” page on Facebook or run a quick search for “brand events” along with the name of your city. The results you pull up will give you an idea of what's happening near you. Businesses like automobile manufacturers, clothing designers, alcohol distilleries, cell service providers, and consumer technology companies all hold marketing events on a regular basis. While you're browsing, think about what kind of things you're passionate about. Chances are, you'll be able to find at least one opportunity that lines up with your interests. If you're confronted with so many option that you're not sure where to start, it may help to make a list of all the companies you could see yourself representing and narrow it down to the 2 or 3 that you like the most. Talk to a company representative in person at an upcoming event. Ask around to find out who's running the event and approach them about the possibility of becoming a paid associate. They'll give you a rundown on the necessary qualifications and characteristics they look for in an ambassador, as well as the exact responsibilities that the role entails. At the very least, they'll be able to put you in touch with the person in charge of hiring. Take some time to learn a little about the company before you show up. The more knowledgeable and enthusiastic you seem, the more likely it is that they'll want to bring you on board. Apply to work at the company’s next event. In some cases, you may be able to apply for a job as a brand ambassador the old-fashioned way. Visit the website of the company you want to work for and check out their “careers” or “opportunities” page. Once you're there, look for a link to an application or contact form where you can express interest in the position and tell the company's marketing managers a little about yourself. If you don't see any listings on the company's website, try looking for related postings on job search sites like Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn. Depending on the product or service being advertised, previous experience in marketing or hospitalities may give you an edge over other applicants. Represent the company at future events. As a brand ambassador, your duties will include things like handing out samples, performing product demonstrations, and giving special presentations about the company and what they do. You may also be asked to arrive early or stay late to help out with other tasks like setting up booths and displays. Brand ambassadors are also typically given shirts, hats, jackets, and other specially branded apparel to wear. Be prepared to do anything else the event organizers need you to do, such as stocking backup products or signing up interested customers for the company's mailing list. Get in touch with the company you’re interested in promoting. Send a short message directly to the company's Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter account and ask about the possibility of becoming a brand ambassador. Focus on the kinds of companies you often see mentioned in sponsored posts. If they work with other influencers, chances are they'll be interested in working with you, as well. Don't expect a company to be the one to reach out to you unless you already have an impressive social media following. Assuming you fit the bill for what the company is looking for, they'll message you back and follow up with details on how to get started. Only represent brands you actually use and like. As a brand ambassador, your job will be to sell your followers on a particular product or service. If you don't genuinely stand behind what you're advertising, they'll feel like they're getting a spiel rather than a personal recommendation from someone whose opinions they trust. Most sponsor companies allow their brand ambassadors to test out their products and services (such as a new clothing line or meal subscription service) free of charge so they can talk about them with more authority. Pushing something in a way that feels forced (or overly forceful) could cost you followers. Post engaging content to your preferred social media platform. Your contact within the company will typically give you some guidelines on how they want sponsored posts to be structured. They may request that you depict a featured product in a certain way, for instance, or include specific hashtags in the accompanying caption. If you enjoy your biggest following on Instagram or YouTube, you'll take photos or videos of yourself using one the company's products, along with attention-grabbing captions explaining to your followers why they should try it for themselves. On platforms like Facebook or Twitter, your sponsored content may be based around longer posts describing your experiences in detail. Once you've satisfied the company's basic criteria, you'll have quite a bit of freedom over how you choose to present your posts. Companies work with influencers because of the sway they have with a given audience, which means you're encouraged to do things your way. Stick to a regular posting schedule. Get in the habit of putting up new content on a consistent basis. This might mean monthly, weekly, or even daily, depending on the nature of your arrangement with your sponsor. If you're getting paid by the post, more content means more money in your pocket. The company might ask you to make strategically-timed posts to coincide with sales or ongoing marketing campaigns, or they may leave the frequency to your discretion. Get your audience involved. Invite your followers to ask questions or share their own experiences with a particular product in the comments section of your post. Then, take the time to respond to as many comments as you can. Interacting with your following directly may influence their decision to give the goods you're promoting a shot. Tag your followers in your responses or mention them by name to address them on a more personal level. Build as large a following as possible. Continue racking up subscribers as you fill your page with inspired, quality content. If your profile is currently set to private, consider making it public. The more eyes you manage to get on your posts, the more money your sponsor will make. Getting follows from high-profile users is a great way to direct more traffic to your page. Make it a point to connect with other successful influencers. Not only will this expand your network, it will also give you a list of helpful examples to look to. | Research brand events going on in your area. Talk to a company representative in person at an upcoming event. Apply to work at the company’s next event. Represent the company at future events. Get in touch with the company you’re interested in promoting. Only represent brands you actually use and like. Post engaging content to your preferred social media platform. Stick to a regular posting schedule. Get your audience involved. Build as large a following as possible. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Get-Rid-of-the-Skunk-Smell-on-Pets | How to Get Rid of the Skunk Smell on Pets | To get rid of the skunk smell on your pet, start by combining 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of dish soap in a bucket. Then, take your pet outside and rub the mixture into its fur, making sure to get all the way into the skin. Next, let the solution sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and rinse it off with warm water. If your pet still smells like skunk, repeat the washing and rinsing process until the smell disappears. | Prepare to wash the pet outside. Don't bring the affected pet inside, since you don't want to bring the pungent skunk scent with it. Moreover, pets rarely like baths so there's no use in getting your bathroom messy. Outside is best. Gather the required ingredients. You will need at least two bottles of 3% hydrogen peroxide, some baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and liquid dish detergent.The hydrogen peroxide and the baking soda work together to neutralize the odor. The dish detergent will help break up the oils in the skunk spray, since most liquid dish detergents are grease-fighting. The soap will also work to turn the solution into a "shampoo". This hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate solution was invented by a chemist named Paul Krebaum, who uncovered the chemical reaction that resulted from these ingredients and the thiols in the skunk's spray. If you don't have hydrogen peroxide on hand or can't make it to the local drug store to purchase it, you substitute with a 2% vinegar solution. However, the hydrogen peroxide is the most effective cleaner for removing the skunk smell. Make sure you have rubber dish gloves and old clothes you don't care about. (Hydrogen peroxide is what salons use to bleach hair.) A rubber or plastic apron would be helpful too. Mix the three ingredients together in a pail. You'll want to use 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1-2 teaspoons of the detergent. This specific mixture comes widely recommended and is considered the most effective and scientifically-proven treatment to remove the skunk smell from sprayed pets. Note that if your pet is particularly large, like a large-breed dog for example, then you may need to double or triple the solution in order to have enough to wash your pet with. Be prepared to use this mixture immediately after it has been mixed together because it is unstable. It is not a solution that can be made ahead of time and stored away. Bathe your pet. Don't rinse your pet first with water. The solution will work better if applied directly and concentrated to the fur. Apply the mixture to your pet's dry coat from the collar back towards the tail. Make sure to work in the solution all the way into the skin. Take extra care when washing your pet's facial area (it is a good idea to use a washcloth for this area). Cover each eye with a dry cloth while you gently and carefully wash around it. Do not get the solution into the pet's eyes as the hydrogen peroxide can burn them. Let the solution sit on your pet for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse the solution with tap water. Make sure the rinse is very thorough. Y When you rinse your pet's head, tilt his head upwards so the solution does not trickle into the eyes. Instead allow the water to run back off your pet's neck. Repeat as needed. You may need to repeat the lather and rinse procedure up to three times for the smell to fully disappear. Watch the skunk for key behaviors and signs. A skunk will give many clear signals before it sprays. If threatened, it will stamp its front feet, arch its back, and shuffle away. Leave the area. If you see notice the skunk doing these behaviors, these are signs that he may be getting agitated. Remove yourself and your pet from the area. If you don't leave right away, the skunk will turn its posterior toward you and raise its tail. The skunk will then release a smelly musk, a sulfur-alcohol compound, from particular glands near its anus. This compound is what gives the skunk spray its powerful odor. Note that the spray not only stinks, but can burn. A skunk's spray can cause temporary blindness if it is sprayed directly into the eyes. Check your pet to make sure that the skunk did not spray his eyes directly. If you are worried this is the case, flush the eyes out with water immediately. Use a turkey baster, garden hose or cup to pour water in a gentle stream to flush out your pet's eyes. You can also consult your vet for more direction and guidance if you fear your pet's eyes were directly affected and/or burned by the spray. | Prepare to wash the pet outside. Gather the required ingredients. Mix the three ingredients together in a pail. Bathe your pet. Let the solution sit on your pet for 5-10 minutes. Repeat as needed. Watch the skunk for key behaviors and signs. Leave the area. Note that the spray not only stinks, but can burn. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Frozen-Hot-Chocolate | How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate | To make frozen hot chocolate, pour milk and hot chocolate mix into your blender. If you like, you can add pure chocolate extract or vanilla extract to add extra flavor. Top off the mixture with ice, then place the lid on your blender and turn it on low to break up the ice. Once the ice is broken into small pieces, use a rubber spatula to scrape the unmixed hot chocolate into the mixture and blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth, although it will have a grainy texture. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into tall glasses and serve it immediately. | Pour 2 cups (475 milliliters) of milk into a blender. You can use any type of milk you want: 1%, 2%, or even whole. Add 3 packets of hot chocolate mix. Since each brand is a little different, ensure that your hot chocolate packets are about 1 ounce (25 grams) each. For extra flavor, consider adding 2 teaspoons of pure chocolate extract and/or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Top it off with 3 cups (420 grams) of ice. If you don't have a very powerful blender, it might be a good idea to use crushed ice instead. Blend the mixture until it is smooth and slushy. Blend at a low speed first to break up the ice, then at a high speed to finish it off. From time to time, you may have to pause your blender, and scrape any unmixed hot chocolate down the sides with a rubber spatula. Your frozen hot chocolate won't be completely smooth like a milkshake or smoothie. It will have a slight grainy texture to it. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into several tall glasses, and serve it immediately. You can serve them as they are, or garnish them further with a swirl of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and/or chocolate curls. Melt 3 ounces (90 grams) of semi-sweet chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in a double boiler: fill a saucepan with 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of water, and set a glass, heat-safe bowl on top. Place the chocolate into the bowl, and stir it until it melts. Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of sugar. Make sure that you are using pure, unsweetened cocoa powder. Save the remaining 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of sugar for later. If you cannot find any, and only have hot chocolate mix on hand, use 2 teaspoons of hot chocolate mix and 1½ tablespoons (23 grams) of sugar instead. Slowly stir in ½ cup (120 milliliters) of milk. You can use any type of milk you want for this, although whole milk will give you the richest-tasting frozen hot chocolate. Do not pour in the rest of the milk just yet. If the mixture starts to turn solid, place the saucepan on the burner, and turn the heat to low. Continue stirring it until it melts again. Pour in the remaining cup (240 milliliters) of milk. If you placed the saucepan back on the burner during the last step, take it off before stirring the rest of the milk in. This should chill the mixture down. If the mixture is still warm, place it into the freezer for a few minutes until it turns cold. Do not let it freeze, however. Blend the cold hot chocolate with 3 cups (420 milliliters) of ice using a blender. Start at a slow speed to break up the ice, then finish it off with a high speed. Your frozen hot chocolate won't be perfectly smooth like a milkshake or smoothie; it will have a slight grainy texture to it. If your blender isn't very strong, use crushed ice instead. Beat the remaining 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of sugar with ½ cup (120) milliliters of heavy cream. You can do this by hand with a whisk or with an electric mixer. You can also use a food processor fitted with whisks. Keep beating the sugar and cream until stiff peaks form. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into tall glasses, then spoon the whipped cream on top. You can serve the frozen hot chocolate as is, or you can garnish it further with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a sprinkle of chocolate curls, or a maraschino cherry. | Pour 2 cups (475 milliliters) of milk into a blender. Add 3 packets of hot chocolate mix. Top it off with 3 cups (420 grams) of ice. Blend the mixture until it is smooth and slushy. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into several tall glasses, and serve it immediately. Melt 3 ounces (90 grams) of semi-sweet chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in the cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of sugar. Slowly stir in ½ cup (120 milliliters) of milk. Pour in the remaining cup (240 milliliters) of milk. Blend the cold hot chocolate with 3 cups (420 milliliters) of ice using a blender. Beat the remaining 2 teaspoons (8 grams) of sugar with ½ cup (120) milliliters of heavy cream. Pour the frozen hot chocolate into tall glasses, then spoon the whipped cream on top. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Girl-Is-Playing-Games-With-a-Guy | How to Know if a Girl Is Playing Games With a Guy | Although you shouldn't jump to conclusions, manipulative or controlling behavior from your girl may be a sign that she's playing games with you. For example, does she constantly sulk or yell at you when she doesn't get her way? Does she demand you give up plans with your friends because she doesn't want to be alone? If so, your girl may be playing games in order to control you. Some games, like laying guilt trips, are more subtle. While you should feel guilty when you do something wrong, she shouldn't be making you feel bad about things that are unreasonable, like not moving in with her because you're not ready for such a commitment. If you're still not sure whether she's playing games, go with your gut and trust when it tells you that you're in an unhealthy relationship. | Ask her how she feels about you. There are a lot of ways you can try to read the signals, but the easiest thing to do is just be upfront with the girl. Ask her if she really likes you, and don't be afraid to say that you feel insecure about it sometimes. If you do this constantly it might get on her nerves, but there's nothing wrong with asking her. Don't accuse her, just say sometimes you worry. Tell her how you feel about her. It may seem counterintuitive to open up emotionally to someone you think might be playing games with you, but it could be the perfect solution. If you are sincere and she knows how you feel, she'll be more likely to answer honestly. If she is playing games with you, she may recognize that this isn't a joke to you. Let her know when you feel like she is playing games with you. Don't be passive aggressive, just tell her that sometimes the way she acts hurts your feelings. No one is completely heartless — if she's playing games with you she may stop because she knows that it hurts you. Once again, don't get angry. Just let her know calmly that it makes you sad when she acts a certain way. Consider how invested she seems in you. Does the attention she gives you constantly vary? Does talk about how she is attracted to other people constantly? Those might be signs that she isn't that serious about the relationship. However, sometimes her behavior may just reflect how comfortable she is in public. For example, if she's way more emotionally available and affectionate when you're hanging out alone it might just mean she's shy around other people. Don't be suspicious of that. Merely talking about other guys is not necessarily a bad sign. She may just have guys in her life who she's close to. However, if she routinely talks about how attracted she is to another guy (not you), she may not be into you. Pay attention to how she talks about the relationship. Does she deny being in a relationship with you to other people, even her closest friends? If she denies dating you when talking to her friends she might be acting in a manipulative manner. People sometimes like to keep their new love interests out of the spotlight in the event that you have no interest in them. However, once you're dating and everything is exclusive, there is no reason she should be worried to discuss you with her friends. Assess whether or not you feel safe in the relationship. You should feel emotionally and physically comfortable in the relationship. If you feel like you have to walk on egg shells around her or that you are always waiting for the next explosion, you may be in an unhealthy relationship. This is really a gut feeling, but you probably already know the answer. Notice how she interacts with your friends and family. In a healthy relationship, your partner should do their part to try to interact civilly with the important people in your life. If they are constantly putting down your friends and family they may be trying to isolate you from the people who matter to you. Whether they are doing this consciously or subconsciously, it is still manipulative and unhealthy. Ask your friends for advice. If you're being paranoid, your friends might be able to get you to stop worrying so much and tell you that you're being crazy. If there's fire behind the smoke, they'll be honest with you. A lot of the time friends want to be supportive of their friend's relationships even if they know something is wrong. You might have friends who were waiting to tell you that this girl was playing games with you. They were just waiting for you to ask because they didn't want to offend you. Watch out for angry outbursts. If she frequently sulks when you disagree with her or when you tell her you're unavailable to do something with her, it might be time to get suspicious. If she seems upset when you don't do her favors that's a very bad sign. People are allowed to be upset, but they shouldn't use their emotions to manipulate you. For example, if she gets upset when you don't buy her meals or presents constantly, you should consider what her motivations are. Consider whether she is willing to return favors. People in a healthy relationship should be willing to make small sacrifices to support the other person. This doesn't necessarily mean spending money; it's an even better sign if she is willing to change her plans (within reason) to support you at important times. Be wary of jealousy. If she tells you that you can't hang out with other girls because it makes her worried, you should take a step back and assess the situation. It's one thing for her to express that sometimes she worries about other girls, but it is entirely different to forbid you from hanging out with your female friends. That is considered manipulative and controlling. Beware of blackmail. Hearing her say that she couldn't take it if you left her may seem flattering, but this is still blackmail manipulating you into staying. If she threatens to tell your family or friends about something you did unless you do what she wants, that's the sign of an unhealthy relationship. If she tells you she is going to go out with their friends every night this week until you clean up the whole house, that is also blackmail. It may be more subtle than those examples, so take an honest look at her behavior. Don’t fall prey to guilt trips. It's not healthy to constantly feel guilty in a relationship. If she often says things like, “I would never expect you to do something like that” or makes you feel guilty for hanging out with your friends because it makes her too lonely, you should take notice. Your partner should be supportive; she shouldn't try to make you feel guilty. Pay attention if she demands that you give up your plans for her plans. If you wanted to go to watch a movie one night but she demands you throw a party at your house, or if she wants you to quit your job so that you can spend more time with her, she may be trying to manipulate you. Both of you are allowed to make reasonable requests to the other. The alarm bells should ring when she demands you change plans for a trivial reason, or gets upset when you decline. | Ask her how she feels about you. Tell her how you feel about her. Let her know when you feel like she is playing games with you. Consider how invested she seems in you. Pay attention to how she talks about the relationship. Assess whether or not you feel safe in the relationship. Notice how she interacts with your friends and family. Ask your friends for advice. Watch out for angry outbursts. Be wary of jealousy. Beware of blackmail. Don’t fall prey to guilt trips. Pay attention if she demands that you give up your plans for her plans. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Divide-Assets-in-Divorce | How to Divide Assets in Divorce | Going through a divorce can be stressful, but if you know how to properly divide your assets, the process will be a lot easier. Start by dividing your separate property from marital property, which will make it easier to split things up. Separate property includes anything that was owned by you or your spouse before you got married, like cars, inheritances, and heirlooms, and marital property is anything you bought while married. Both you and your spouse should take your separate property, then you can split up the marital goods, starting with smaller household items. You could each choose a few items you really want, then split everything up by its monetary value to keep things fair. If you co-own a house, you can work with a real estate agent to sell it, then split the profit. Or you can do an equity buy-out. This is where 1 spouse pays an amount to the other spouse in return for keeping the house. | Understand the concept of equitable distribution. Most states follow the law of equitable distribution. This doesn't mean split down the middle. It means fair, based on factors including the earning power of each spouse, contributions during the marriage, age and health, and future financial needs of each person. If you create a property agreement with these requirements in mind, you are increasing the chances that the judge will accept it without amendment. In California, Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Wisconsin and Washington, the standard is community property. In these states, there is an assumption that there will be an even split of all property owned or held in the name of both spouses. The court will still look at fundamental fairness, but the presumption is that there will be a 50/50 split of the assets. Consider what is separate property and what is marital property. Marital property, often called community property, are assets that were acquired during the course of the marriage. Whether it is tangible items such as furniture or intangibles such as investments or retirement accounts, all marital property is subject to equitable distribution or division as community property. Conversely, separate property includes assets that were wholly owned by each party before the marriage. This can include real estate, vehicles, inheritances, and heirlooms. In general, unless it is co-mingled, separate property goes to the owner with no claim by the other spouse. The lines blur when couples have shared their separate property. For example, when one spouse uses inherited money to make improvements on the house owned solely by the other party. If you have mixed up and mingled your individual property and cannot agree on how to divide it, you should consider consulting with an attorney to help craft a settlement agreement. Decide on an asset valuation date. You and your spouse need to decide on a date where you will fix the value of your property. This is especially important for volatile assets such as stocks. Get an updated balance on retirement accounts and interest-bearing financial accounts such as savings, CDs, and money market accounts. Calculate the equity in the real estate for buy-out or asset trading purposes. A good day to affix a value to the house is the statement date for the mortgage payment. You will need an appraisal and the pay-off amount to calculate the equity. Claim your personal property. Start with the easy pieces such as clothing and personal accessories. There should be no argument about these items. If you disagree at this juncture, you may need the help of a lawyer or mediator to continue. Apportion out the household goods. This category can be divided evenly, as in each side takes a certain number of place settings of china, or traded off. For example, one party may want the small appliances in the kitchen and the other wants sporting equipment. The key is to be reasonable and weigh the monetary value of the items versus the stress of a disagreement. Separate the furniture and decor. The marital residence may include a mixture of separate and jointly acquired pieces. Even if both parties used an item, equity says that heirlooms should revert to the original owner as separate property. However, as long as it is fair and reasonable, you and your spouse can divide the furniture as works best for you. Children's furniture should stay with the spouse who has primary residential custody. Assign the vehicles. Depending on how they were purchased and titled, vehicles may be either marital or separate property. Let equity and fairness dictate your decision. For example, if you have two cars, even if they are both titled jointly, know that the court will award one to each party. Usually, each party will keep the vehicle they drive most often. Each should expect to keep any loan debt associated with the vehicle and assume the payments. Consider the sentimental items. These should be divided fairly and evenly. Each party is entitled to a share of family photos, mementos, souvenirs, and collectibles. Make copies of photos and documents for each party as needed. Keep a running inventory. As you and your spouse decide on division of your personal property, you should keep a neatly written or typed list and each party initial it as you go. This can help deter arguments later. This inventory can be attached to the settlement agreement if necessary. It is also proof to the court that the property division was mutual and handled fairly. Decide if real estate will be sold or divided. If both parties agree to a sale of jointly owned property, you should contact a real estate agent as soon as possible and begin the process of appraisals, valuation, and staging it for sale. Consider if a transfer of equity is the best option. In an equity transfer, one spouse keeps possession of the property, refinances the mortgage, and takes over full ownership. If you are planning on an equity buy-out, the other party can take a cash payment or a bigger share of another asset in exchange for their equity. Determine how to equitably handle separate real estate. If real estate was owned by one party before the marriage, it can be considered that person's exclusive property. However, if both parties shared in the use and benefit, for example, lived in it as the marital residence or collected rents, then the property may be considered ripe for equitable distribution or community property. The spouse who brought the property to the marriage can cede other assets to the other party or stand firm. If you and your partner can't agree, consider seeking legal assistance to determine your rights and options. If you cannot agree, the judge will be the one making the decision. Identify the retirement accounts. There may be both employer-based and private funds. Retirement accounts include 401K plans, IRAs, Roth IRAs, pensions, and trusts that mature at retirement age, typically age 65 years. You will need statements for each account for both parties that are current as of the mutually agreed-to valuation date. If your retirement plans are simple, for example, each party has a plan from their employer, you can agree that each will retain their own plan without distribution to the other. If there is a significant disparity in balances, other assets can be ceded to make up the difference. Determine which law covers each type of plan. If you have a variety of retirement plans, you will need to know which federal law pertains to the distribution. Failure to correctly categorize your retirement assets could lead to not only complications in the divorce, but also tax consequences. Seek the assistance of a lawyer or accountant if you are unsure how to handle different accounts. A "qualified plan" is set up by your employer and you receive tax breaks for your contributions. This includes pensions and 401(k) plans. Qualified plans are split using a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO.) A QDRO is a court order instructing the plan administrator to pay out a portion of the balance to the receiving spouse. The amount is typically 50 percent of the value of the assets dated from the time of the marriage to the date of the divorce. The receiving spouse is responsible for all taxes and penalties of this distribution. A QDRO is a very specific document that must contain certain information to be valid. IRAs and other private retirement accounts are divided using a procedure called "transfer incident to divorce." A property settlement can designate individual retirement accounts, in part or in full, to one spouse. The financial institution will either treat it as a rollover or a distribution depending on how the decree is worded. Poorly worded QDROs and IRA transfers can trigger significant taxes and penalties. If the transfer is not approved by the court, the IRS may require amended tax returns. It is not recommended that you write your own QDRO or transfer unless you have significant legal or financial experience. A lawyer or account can prepare these documents to attach to your property settlement. Evaluate division of military benefits. Few subjects are more complicated and fought as hard in divorces as military pensions and survivor benefits. Even in the most amicable of divorces, discussions of military benefits should be conducted with a lawyer skilled in The Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA.) There are several considerations in dividing military benefits. The accrual date is either the date of the marriage or the date of entry into service, whichever is later. The marriage must have lasted at least ten years and overlapped time in service by at least ten years. This is called the 10/10 rule. The order must specify if calculations are based on Gross Retirement Pay or Disposable Retirement Pay and take cost-of-living increases into consideration. If one spouse is on active duty during the divorce, the requirements of the Service Members Civil Relief Act must have all been met. The non-military spouse should consider enrolling in the Survivor Benefit Plan. After the divorce, non-military ex-spouses can apply to the military via form DD 2293 to begin payments. You will have to submit a certified copy of the decree showing the property settlement that orders division of military pension benefits. Legal assistance for active duty soldiers and retirees may be available from the Judge Advocate General (JAG) office. However, check to make sure the attorney has the specialized training and experience in handling sensitive financial matters related to divorce. | Understand the concept of equitable distribution. Consider what is separate property and what is marital property. Decide on an asset valuation date. Claim your personal property. Apportion out the household goods. Separate the furniture and decor. Assign the vehicles. Consider the sentimental items. Keep a running inventory. Decide if real estate will be sold or divided. Consider if a transfer of equity is the best option. Determine how to equitably handle separate real estate. Identify the retirement accounts. Determine which law covers each type of plan. Evaluate division of military benefits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cite-Shakespeare | How to Cite Shakespeare | To cite Shakespeare, use parenthetical citations that include the act, scene, and line numbers at the end of the related passages. Be sure to cite both direct quotes and paraphrased sections! Remember to pull direct quotes from Shakespeare's original works rather than books about his works. When quoting a passage, always indicate which character is speaking by introducing them in your own writing, or including their name in capital letters at the beginning of the verse. | Use parenthetical citations for Shakespearean works. Parenthetical citations are citations that appear inside regular parentheses within the body of your paper. No matter which citation style you're using, Shakespeare works are unique in how they are cited. They are always cited with parenthetical citations that appear in the text of your paper. They are not indicated by a footnote or endnote. Include the citation at the end of the passage you’re quoting. When you quote a passage, wait until the very end of the section that you're quoting before including your citation. Sometimes, the passage might be lengthy, such as a dialogue between two characters. The citation comes at the very end of this entire passage. Cite paraphrased material. If you're not including the original passage in your paper and instead you're paraphrasing a passage, you still need to indicate where this passage comes from. Include a citation formatted just the same as you'd use for a quotation. Don't use quotation marks for paraphrased material. Go back to the original source. You may find a quote from a Shakespearean work in another piece of writing, such as a critique of the play you're writing about. The quoted Shakespeare text might be exactly what you want to use. But in order to quote and cite it properly, you should go back to the original play or sonnet. This will help you read the quote in its proper context. Cite this quote as it appears in the original source, such as: Much Ado About Nothing (2.3.217–24). Include the play’s act, scene and line numbers in the citation. Plays are broken down into acts, scenes and lines. When citing Shakespeare, you're giving the reader a roadmap of where to find the quoted material. Separate each of these numbers with a period. Choose Arabic or Roman numerals to indicate the play’s act and scene. When giving the play's act and scene number, you can write these in Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, and so on) or Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.). Choose one format and be consistent with using it. The line numbers are always written with Arabic numbers. Most modern scholars prefer using Arabic numbers, but both formats are acceptable. Write upper-case Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.) for the play's act number. Use lower-case Roman numerals for the scene number (i, ii, iii, etc.). For example, (IV.ii.56–57). Cite ranges of line numbers properly. Quoted material corresponds to certain lines within the work. When you have text that comes from more than one line, you need to include a range of line numbers. If the range of line numbers is under 100, write: 66–84. If the range of line numbers is over 100, write: 122–34. If the range of line numbers extends from under 100 to over 100, write: 90–104. Put an en dash between the line numbers. This dash is slightly longer than a hyphen but not as long as a dash. Do not use page numbers. While most other citations require page numbers, Shakespeare works are an exception. Because the plays have been reproduced in so many different formats and publications, there is no consistency on page numbers. Therefore, never refer to page numbers when you are citing text from a Shakespeare play. Include Shakespeare’s name if you’re comparing with another author. Generally, if your paper is only discussing Shakespeare's works, you don't need to write Shakespeare in the parenthetical citation. But if you are comparing with another author, you should differentiate each one by indicating the author in the parenthetical citation. In MLA format, write: (Shakespeare 3.4.40) Abbreviate the name of the play if necessary. You may need to differentiate frequently between two different plays in your parenthetical citations. Instead of writing the name out entirely every time, you can abbreviate the title. For example, you can write JC for Julius Caesar , Mac. For Macbeth , Rom. for Romeo and Juliet , etc. These would appear like this in your paper: ( Mac. 1.3.15-20)., Indicate the stage direction line number. If you are citing the stage directions that are given in a play, you need to tell the reader where you're drawing them from. Indicate stage directions by giving the line number at the end of your citation. For example, the citation for a stage direction would read: 3.4.40.1. This means that the stage direction is at Line 1 after Line 40. Place the punctuation properly. The amount of text you're quoting will determine the placement of the punctuation at the end of a passage. When citing fewer than four lines of verse, you will use quotation marks around the quoted material. Then write the parenthetical citation, and follow that with punctuation (a period, for example). When citing four or more lines, you will use a block quote. There are no quotation marks, and the ending punctuation (a period, for example) will go at the end of the last line. Then include the parenthetical citation. Introduce the speaker. When quoting a passage, you need to indicate which character is talking (unless the verse is from a sonnet). You can introduce the speaker in your own writing, or you can include the character's name in capital letters at the beginning of the verse. For example, choose one of these two options: Othello recalls, "Upon this hint I spake: / She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, / And I lov'd her that she did pity them" (I.iii.166–168). In this option, you need to include quotation marks where the spoken passage begins. ”OTHELLO: Upon this hint I spake: / She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, / And I lov'd her that she did pity them” (I.iii.166–168). In this option, include quotation marks before you name the character, since this is how the name appears in the text. Use a forward slash (/) to separate fewer than four lines of verse. Citing verse in linear form means that the quotation from the text will not be in block form. This is reserved for passages that are fewer than four lines. If you have two or three lines of verse, separate these with a space, forward slash, space. For example, write: “OTHELLO: Upon this hint I spake: / She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, / And I lov'd her that she did pity them” (I.iii.166–168). If you are quoting prose, then omit the slash and instead use a comma. Use block quotes for four or more lines of verse. Lengthier passages are set apart in the body of your paper in a block quote. This appears as an indented set of lines when you have four or more lines of verse that you're quoting. Indent one inch from the left margin. The entire block quote will be set apart from the rest of your paper. Indent every line of the block quote one inch from the left-hand margin. Omit quotation marks. Block quotes are set apart from the rest of your text. Therefore, you do not need to set them apart by using quotation marks. For example: Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword, And won thy love, doing thee injuries; But I will wed thee in another key, With pomp, with triumph and with revelling. (1.1.19–22) Preserve the line breaks of the original verse in a block quote. Break each line at the same place as it is broken in the original. If you are quoting prose, then you don't need to preserve the line breaks. These will differ depending on the publication in which the work appears. Format dialogue between two characters correctly. When you want to quote dialogue between two or more characters, format it this segment as a block quote. Indent one inch on the first line and include the first character's name in capital letters. Follow the name with a period. Then add a space and start the character's dialogue. When you need to start a new line, indent an additional ¼ inch (putting this line one and ¼ inches from the left margin). Start a new line when another character speaks. Again, put this character's name in capital letters and follow it with a period. Add a space and start the character's dialogue. Include the parenthetical citation at the very end of the dialogue block. For example: HAMLET. No, by the rood, not so: You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife: And--would it were not so!--you are my mother. QUEEN. Nay, then, I'll set those to you that can speak. (3.4.14-17) Include the publications or books that you used. You need to include a “works cited” page with your paper. This page lists the published material that you've used to write your paper. This might include a collection of Shakespeare's works, a single volume with one play, or an anthology of several different authors' works. Depending on the citation style, the works cited page may be called a “bibliography” or a “references” page. Don't just list the play that you're citing. You need to indicate the publication in which the play appears. Alphabetize the works cited page. Sample entry for an anthology: Shakespeare, William. “The Comedy of Errors.” The Oxford Anthology of Tudor Drama. Ed. Greg Walker. Oxford, UK: Oxford U P, 2014. 682-722. Print. Sample entry for a collection of a single author's works: Shakespeare, William. Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare. New York: Doubleday, 1991. Print. Sample entry for a single work: Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. Jill L. Levenson. New York: Oxford U P, 2000. Sample entry for a live play: Hamlet. By William Shakespeare. Dir. Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurs. Shakespeare's Globe, London. 25 April 2014. Performance. Follow a consistent format. Depending on your preference and the requirements of your class, you may choose to use one of several formats, including MLA , APA , or Chicago. Each style is slightly different in terms of format. Follow one style for your entire paper. Include the works cited page as the final page of your paper. The works cited page starts on a new page after your essay. Title this page “Works Cited” with the words centered and bolded at the top of the page. Align each entry on the left. | Use parenthetical citations for Shakespearean works. Include the citation at the end of the passage you’re quoting. Cite paraphrased material. Go back to the original source. Include the play’s act, scene and line numbers in the citation. Choose Arabic or Roman numerals to indicate the play’s act and scene. Cite ranges of line numbers properly. Do not use page numbers. Include Shakespeare’s name if you’re comparing with another author. Abbreviate the name of the play if necessary. Indicate the stage direction line number. Place the punctuation properly. Introduce the speaker. Use a forward slash (/) to separate fewer than four lines of verse. Use block quotes for four or more lines of verse. Preserve the line breaks of the original verse in a block quote. Format dialogue between two characters correctly. Include the publications or books that you used. Follow a consistent format. Include the works cited page as the final page of your paper. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Happiness-in-Life | How to Find Happiness in Life | If you want to find happiness in life, keep yourself busy with activities that you enjoy, like cooking, talking with friends, or travelling. While it can be hard to get motivated, research shows that exercising makes people happier, so make walking, running, swimming, or hiking part of your routine. You can also join organizations, like a knitting club or theater group, to help you pursue your passions. Don't be afraid to reach out to friends and family if you want to talk. | Be strong and optimistic. Don't let negative circumstances and sadness creep into or ruin your life. Whenever you are sad, try to keep your head high. You should tell yourself that life is full of hopes, challenges and unexpected twists and turns of surprises. Look for the silver linings in life. Often something in life will happen which we interpret as being bad. When we look at it, however, it turns out to have some good aspects to it. Those are called silver linings. For example: Your partner dumped you. The silver lining? There are so many different people out there that you can meet. Having the opportunity to get to know someone, to be let into their heart and soul, is a powerful thing. You lost your job. Maybe you didn't like your job all too much. The silver lining? You now have a chance to find a better, more meaningful, higher-paying position. You failed at something when you thought you'd succeed. Life is funny that way, isn't it? The silver lining? You learn just as much, if not more, from failing at something than you do from getting it right the first time. Keep yourself busy. You know what they say about idle hands, right? Research has consistently found that people who stay busy are happier than people who stand idle. Not only is too much free time a little depressing, it can also be unproductive. Think of all the things you could be doing, like joining clubs, visiting places, hearing lectures, and then think of how little time you are given in life to do just that. Give yourself reasons to smile. Scientists have found that the act of smiling may actually make you happier. That's right: just smiling. Give it a try. Find any one of the following reasons to smile and give it a go: A stranger passed you and smiled. Someone else did a nice thing for a random stranger. Something unexpected happened that caused you to think about how vast and strange the world is. You saw something beautiful in the world. Follow your instincts. People who stick with their gut instincts can be happier than people who labor over their decisions. This is why: if you stick with your gut, you're less likely to question what the other options might have been like, tasted like, etc; if you labor over the decision, you're more likely to wonder if you made a mistake in picking one thing over the other. Be generous and compassionate. You might feel smart for thinking that winning a lottery ticket could make you happy, but you'd be wrong. Money increases happiness only up to a certain level, where your basic needs are met. After that, money makes you no happier than other people. What does make you happy, however, is compassion. One study has found that people who look at others giving money to charity makes us just as happy as receiving money ourselves! That means you should find ways to be compassionate if you can. Give back to charity, volunteer at your local food bank, help a team of second-graders with their homework, etc. Learn how to forgive others. Forgiving others is the act of letting bygones be bygones. If you can find it in your heart to forgive other people, even ones who don't deserve it or aren't willing to forgive you, studies say that you'll be a happier person. Forgiving other people may make you a happier person by reducing blood pressure, lowering overall stress levels, and slowing down heart rate. Whatever you do, and whoever you are, exercise. Research has established a pretty firm link between exercise and overall happiness. Exercise can increase endorphins in your body, lowering your overall stress levels and giving you that blissed-out feeling. Do the things that make you happy. Don't do what you think should make you happy, or what makes other people happy; do what makes you happy. Throw away preconceived notions about what you're supposed to do and go after what you know you can get. Listen to inspirational messages. Whether it's reading books, skimming the internet for quotes, or attending interesting lectures, the world is full of inspirational messages if you know where to look. Here are a few inspirational quotes that may get you motivated to go out into the world and find things that make you happy: “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra “Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat, lazy, or stupid. Those things are what happen when you don't have a plan.” – Larry Winget "It's never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot Join clubs or organizations that expresses your personality and mirrors your interests. Whether that interest is bowling, knitting, debating, experimenting, cooking, flying, sporting, or gaming, getting involved with a community of like-minded people will make a huge difference. When you get there for the first time, introduce yourself. Try not to act shy. Maintain eye contact; try to stay relaxed. Remind yourself that other people are likely to be just as nervous as you are. Ask other people for help. Don't be afraid to ask your friends for help. When you do, be appreciative. As mentioned earlier, people get satisfaction out of helping others out; it makes them feel useful and accomplished. Guess what? Useful and accomplished people are generally happy and fun to get along with. That means that you'll have an easier time socializing and just being yourself around them. Ask for help on your homework Ask for directions when you're lost Ask for help on a project Ask for advice on a problem you're dealing with Don't be afraid to open up about your feelings to other people. Holding it all in can be a tricky thing: you can feel stifled, like you have no one to open up to. For these reasons, it's best to trust in other people and tell people you trust about what you're going through. Talking about your problems, with a friend or a professional, can help you reach catharsis, which is a word for the cleansing of emotions. Keep other people's secrets. If someone trusts you enough to let you in on their secret, be good enough to keep it. That means no gossip, no accidentally letting it slip, and no playing sides against one another. Imagine what would happen if you told someone your secret and they let it accidentally "slip" to a group of other people? You'd be hurt and feel betrayed. Don't make the other person feel the same way. Finding happiness is all about keeping your friends close and giving them good reason to trust you. Keep your promises. Along the same message: if you say you're going to do something, follow through with it. Words are only words until they're made true by actions. Understand that your friends depend on you; keeping your promises will help reassure them that you're a man or woman of your word. What does happiness have to do with keeping promises? Following through on your promises is all about teaching trust. You teach your friends to trust you. If you constantly promise things that you can't deliver, your friends will stop trusting you. If your friends stop trusting you, you'll find that your friends aren't as close. Lean on your friends in a time of need. When you're down and need someone to cheer you up, call a friend or two. Find a productive, fun way to keep your mind off of what's bothering you. Your friends believe in you. They're your friends because they want to see you happy, and because they enjoy spending time with you. Hopefully, they would do as much for you as you would do for them. Lean on them when you need to. Lean on your family when you need to. Your family loves you unconditionally, even if they might not show it in the clearest of ways. Your family cares, first and foremost, about your safety and well being. Next, they want to see you succeed and live a fulfilling life. Even just talking with your family about problems you may be having can feel really good. Try not to worry about your family judging you; ultimately, what they want is for you to be able to find happiness on your own. If you're afraid of telling your parents something, find a friend or another family member to open up to. You don't have to have a "problem" in order to talk or hang out with your family. If you can talk with your family about normal, everyday things, that might bring a lot of happiness to you. Opening up to your family about everyday things is a huge step you can begin to take in your relationship with them. Have deep conversations with people. One study has found that people who engage in deep conversations experience more happiness than people who chitchat about small, trifling things. So next time you find yourself gossiping about the weather or what Rihanna wore to the Grammy's, resist the temptation to talk about life's emptier subjects and reach for something big and bold. You won't regret it! | Be strong and optimistic. Keep yourself busy. Give yourself reasons to smile. Follow your instincts. Be generous and compassionate. Learn how to forgive others. Whatever you do, and whoever you are, exercise. Do the things that make you happy. Listen to inspirational messages. Join clubs or organizations that expresses your personality and mirrors your interests. Ask other people for help. Don't be afraid to open up about your feelings to other people. Keep other people's secrets. Keep your promises. Lean on your friends in a time of need. Lean on your family when you need to. Have deep conversations with people. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Your-Face-With-Rice-Water | How to Wash Your Face With Rice Water | To wash your face with rice water, start by rinsing 1/2 cup of any kind of rice to remove the dirt. Next, place the rice in a bowl with 3 cups of water and let it sit for 30 minutes before straining out the rice. Then, splash the rice water onto your face 4 to 5 times until it coats your skin. Alternatively, dip a cotton ball in the rice water and lightly rub it onto your face. Then, rinse your face with fresh water and pat it dry with a clean towel. | Choose your rice. You can prepare rice water with any type of rice, though white, brown, and jasmine rice are common options. If you already own rice, whatever kind of rice you have on hand will work. Put 1/2 cup (92.5 g) of rice into a bowl. If you want to make large quantities of rice water, you can increase the amount of rice that you use, as long as you remember to also increase the water. Keep in mind that rice water has a shelf life of 1week. Wash the rice. Pour water over the rice and swirl the water to remove dirt. Strain out the rice and return it to the empty bowl. Repeat the steps to wash your rice a second time. Decide how to prepare the rice water. You can make rice water by boiling rice, soaking rice, or fermenting soaked rice water. Which type you pick will depend on how much time you have and how you want to use the rice water. Boiling your rice will create a concentrated batch of rice water, so it's stronger. You will need to mix it with clean water when you use it. Soaking your rice is the simplest method because you have fewer steps and don't need to attend your rice water while it's soaking. Because it's not concentrated, you may run out faster. Fermenting your rice water takes the most time, but the fermentation process brings out more vitamins and nutrients. Transfer your rice to an appropriate container. After rinsing the ½ cup (92.5 g) of rice, you'll need to put it in a different container. If you are boiling your rice, place it in a lidded pot. Otherwise, place your rice in a clean bowl. Add 3 cups (710 ml) of water. You will use more water than you would normally use to make rice so that you will have leftover water once you're finished cooking the rice. Ignore the directions on your rice packaging. Using those directions, you will not have leftover rice water. Boil your rice for concentrated rice water. While boiling the rice to make rice water takes more effort, the results are more potent, so you can use less of it. Bring the water to a boil. Pour in your rice, cover the container, and then cook it on medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes. Allow your boiled rice to cool before handling it. Soak your rice for 15-30 minutes to get diluted rice water. Soaking requires less work but the results will be less potent. You will also not need to dilute your rice water if you soak your rice. Be sure to cover the container while the rice is soaking. If you plan to ferment your rice water, soaking the rice is the best way to prepare the rice water before fermentation. Strain out the rice after boiling or soaking it. Drain the rice water into a separate container. Drain it more than once so that you won't find any rice grains in the water. Your rice water will have a milky-white color. Decide if you want to ferment your soaked rice water. To ferment your rice water, place rice water that you prepared by soaking into a container. Allow your rice water to sit for 1-2 days uncovered. When it begins to smell sour, place it into the refrigerator to stop the fermentation process. Dilute fermented rice water with 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of clean water because it is very potent. Pour your rice water into a container. You will need to store your rice water in a sealed container, so choose something like a jar, a food storage container, or a lidded carafe. Store your rice water in the refrigerator. It will last for up to 1 week if properly stored. Dilute your rice water if it’s boiled or fermented. If you are using boiled or fermented rice water, measure out 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 ml) tablespoons and add it to 1–2 cups (240–470 ml) of water. If you are using soaked rice water, skip this step. Splash the rice water onto your face or apply it with a cotton ball. Over the sink or in a shower, use your hands to wash your face with the rice water. Repeat this action 4-6 times. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in rice water and lightly rub it over your face. Rinse your face with clean water if desired. You can cleanse away the rice water using clean water. The nutrients in the rice water will remain in your skin. Alternatively, you can allow the rice water to air dry on your skin. Pat your face dry with a towel if you rinsed it. Make sure your towel is clean to avoid transferring bacteria back onto your skin. | Choose your rice. Put 1/2 cup (92.5 g) of rice into a bowl. Wash the rice. Decide how to prepare the rice water. Transfer your rice to an appropriate container. Add 3 cups (710 ml) of water. Boil your rice for concentrated rice water. Soak your rice for 15-30 minutes to get diluted rice water. Strain out the rice after boiling or soaking it. Decide if you want to ferment your soaked rice water. Pour your rice water into a container. Store your rice water in the refrigerator. Dilute your rice water if it’s boiled or fermented. Splash the rice water onto your face or apply it with a cotton ball. Rinse your face with clean water if desired. Pat your face dry with a towel if you rinsed it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hotel-Bed | How to Make a Hotel Bed | To make a hotel bed, start by putting a crisp, clean fitted sheet over the mattress and pull the corners taut. Next, lay a flat sheet down and pull it taut to remove wrinkles. Then, add a light blanket on top, followed by a second flat sheet, and sandwich the top sheet between the blanket and first sheet. Fold down the top edge of the top sheet over the top edge of the blanket and tuck in the corners. Finally, place the comforter on top and properly position the pillows at the head of the bed. | Remove everything from your bed. To begin achieving that perfect hotel-like bed experience, you'll want to start from scratch. Starting with a blank slate will get you in the mindset of creating that perfect, clean, and comfortable bedding experience. It will also help you make your bed correctly, going step by step. Grab clean bedding. To get the most out of making your bed, and feel your best when it's complete, use nice clean bedding. Nothing is quite as relaxing as slipping under crisp clean sheets when it's time for bed. Clean bedding will not only make your bed look crisp and help you feel refreshed, but it will be easier to lay down and get right. Gather all your blankets, pillows, and sheets. Gather up all your bedding and place it together next to your bed. Try making stacks of similar items keeping everything organized and increasing your workflow. For example, stack your bedding in order of when you need it. Put all your sheets together first. Keep all your pillow cases together and close to your pillows. You may also want to iron your bedding like your sheets and pillow cases. Ironing will get rid of any wrinkles and creases, allowing you to experience a smooth crisp flat surface to rest on. When it comes to the type of bedding you need to make a hotel-quality bed, it's largely personal preference. To start, get the right size bedding. If you have a Queen sized bed, get Queen sized bedding. The weight of your duvet and duvet cover are also preference. However, hotels typically use a medium-weight feather down. Thread count will somewhat factor in how comfortable your sheets are. But the type of material and thread length of thread are the real factors. Sheets with a thread count between 500 and 800 are generally considered to be more of a premium quality. When looking for sheets, pure 100 percent Egyptian cotton will be the softest and likely most expensive. 100 percent Pima cotton will also be extremely comfortable, though not quite the same quality as Egyptian cotton. Look for bedding that also has a longer thread. Shorter threads can poke out of the stitching and feel scratchy. Make sure your mattress is free of dirt, dust, and debris. Since you're starting with a blank canvas, make sure that your mattress is clean as well. To clean your mattress, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Press down firmly and go over the top and size of your mattress. If you have stains, you can use an upholstery stain remover. Vacuuming and lifting stains from your mattress will also rid it of dust mites and odors which could otherwise cause allergies and affect your quality of sleep. You'll feel a lot better and more comfortable knowing that there's nothing gross under your fitted sheet. Put the fitted sheet on the bed. Start with your clean and crisp fitted sheet. This is the sheet that has the rounded elastic corners. Place the sheet around your mattress and pull it taught in each corner. The elastic portion of each corner should be tucked in under the corners of your mattress. The seam at each corner of the sheet should be in the middle of the mattress' corners. Lay your first of two flat sheets down. The first flat sheet lays down on top of your fitted sheet. Put the first flat sheet on the bed and make sure that your sheet reaches to the edge of the mattress where your headboard is. Lay the sheet down so that it drapes evenly over each side of the bed. Lay the sheet with the finished side facing down, toward your fitted sheet. Flatten the sheet and pull it taught on each side so there are no wrinkles. Lay a light blanket down on top of your first sheet. Align the blanket to match the sheet. You will want to use a light blanket that is made of cotton or linen. Flatten the blanket out and pull it at the corners to meet the corners of your sheet. Fold the portion of the blanket toward your headboard down to where your shoulders or chest will be when laying in the bed. Lay down your third sheet. This is your second actual sheet, but your third layer because you've placed a blanket. The third sheet will go above your light blanket. Lay it with the finished side facing down toward the mattress. Align the third sheet to match with the placement of the first sheet. Bring the top of this sheet to align perfectly with the edge of your mattress at the headboard. Flatten the third sheet with your hands and pull it taught at all corners. Sandwich the top sheet between the blanket and first sheet. Fold down the top edge of the third sheet over the top edge of your blanket. Take the portion of your third sheet that extends past the blanket and fold it back so it's now between the blanket and your first sheet. Fold and flatten the portion of the sheet under the blanket so it rests perfectly flat. Fold the top sheet down toward the foot of the bed. Now take the top of your first sheet which is still flush with the edge of the mattress' edge on the headboard side. Fold the portion of this first sheet that extends past the edge of the blanket and the third sheet back over the top of the blanket and third sheet. This portion of your first sheet will now be on top of the other two layers. Flatten the edge facing the headboard to give your bed a smooth, crisp look. How far down you fold your sheets will depend on how many pillows you plan to place on your bed. You want your sheets to end where your pillows start. Fold in the corners. Next, you will fold the corners at the foot of the bed. Take all three layers at one corner and pull taught. Flatten the sheets at the foot of the bed. The excess fabric that still needs to be tucked under the mattress will form a triangle shape. Bring the leftover fabric down and over toward the foot of the bed. It will create an envelope-like look. Then fold the remaining fabric under the mattress. To get a nice envelope look, run your finger down the side of the bed at a forty-five-degree angle. Do this while pulling the sheets taught with your other hand. This creates an imaginary triangle. Fold the triangle portion of sheets at the bottom under your mattress. Tuck in the rest of the sheets and smooth to remove wrinkles. Do this for both sides of the bed. Place your comforter, or duvet cover, onto the bed. Lay the comforter down with the top edge about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the headboard. Without letting go, throw the comforter on your bed and let it float down on top of your sheets. This motion will allow it to retain fluff. Pull the corners taught and equally distributed on both sides of the bed. Then fold the top of the comforter back in a rectangle to leave room for your pillows. Place your pillows in the correct pillow cases and fluff appropriately. Then arrange the pillows to your preference. The amount of pillows and styles you use is up to you. The only requirement is that you use the same number for each side of the bed. Place the pillows in a symmetrical arrangement on each side. Once the pillows are laid, you may unfold your duvet cover slightly to meet the pillows. Lay a throw blanket down if you so desire. You may add a throw blanket over your duvet cover if you wish to accent your bed any further. Depending on the size of your throw, fold it into a rectangle and gently lay it on the duvet cover toward the bottom third of your bed. Do not let any of the throw extend over the foot of the bed. It will make your bed look sloppy and uninviting. Consider the color scheme. If you want the true hotel experience, invest in high thread count sheets and go all white. White is a symbol of luxury and an all white bed will make you feel luxurious and relaxed. White looks clean and inviting and will alter your mind and body to give you a quality rest. Sheets that are 300 thread count or higher will have a large impact on how comfortable you are and how well you rest. When you are comfortable you get better sleep. Add more pillows. Invest in a few different types of pillows. Hotels offer a range of pillow types to give you the freedom to choose and an ultra-plush experience. Don't overdo it. But create a variety with feather and down, down-alternative, and a boudoir pillow. These options give you variety and allow you to arrange pillows in a way that makes you feel comfortable and swaddled. Five pillows is a good balance. Invest in your mattress and bedding. No amount of preparation and attention to precise detail will counter an uncomfortable mattress. To truly get that floating on a cloud hotel bed feeling, invest in a mattress that is right for you. Whether it's a foam, feather, or adjustable mattress. Find one that provides you with the most comfort. If you don't get a sound rest and feel comfortable, you'll be tossing and turning all night, ruining all your hard work. Add a DIY turndown service ritual. You've been diligent and done a lot of hard work to make your bed look perfect and inviting. Make going to bed a ritual that allows you to enjoy your work. When it's time for bed, dim the lights. Light a candle, or turn on an aroma diffuser. Then slowly pull back the sheets and enjoy the crisp inviting fabric as you slip into bed. to further enhance your nighttime ritual, get rid of any blue light sources. Blue light throws off our body's circadian rhythm and prevents you from sleeping properly. Blue light is often found in screens from our phones, tablets, and computers. Instead of falling asleep to the TV, read a book. | Remove everything from your bed. Grab clean bedding. Gather all your blankets, pillows, and sheets. Make sure your mattress is free of dirt, dust, and debris. Put the fitted sheet on the bed. Lay your first of two flat sheets down. Lay a light blanket down on top of your first sheet. Lay down your third sheet. Sandwich the top sheet between the blanket and first sheet. Fold the top sheet down toward the foot of the bed. Fold in the corners. Place your comforter, or duvet cover, onto the bed. Place your pillows in the correct pillow cases and fluff appropriately. Lay a throw blanket down if you so desire. Consider the color scheme. Add more pillows. Invest in your mattress and bedding. Add a DIY turndown service ritual. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Crickets | How to Get Rid of Crickets | To get rid of crickets, start by putting a spoonful of molasses in a bowl and filling it up halfway with water. Then, place the bowl in a room where you've seen crickets and wait for them to hop in and get trapped inside of it. You can also set out sticky traps and apply bug spray to corners and windowsills to keep crickets out of your house. Since crickets can lay eggs inside, you may want to vacuum around your home using a HEPA filter, which will be strong enough to suck up any eggs. | Catch them with cricket bait. This easy method for luring crickets from corners and crevices is the most effective immediate solution. Place a few spoonfuls of molasses in a shallow bowl, and fill it halfway up with water. Set the bowl in the room where you have a cricket problem. Crickets love molasses, and they'll hop into the bowl when they smell it. Empty the bowl frequently. Chemical cricket bait is sold in hardware stores, and uses the same basic method to catch crickets. If you use this type of bait, make sure your family and pets don't go near it, since it is toxic. Set traps. Sticky glue traps are a great non-toxic way to catch crickets. This is especially wise if you have young children or pets that will be sensitive to often poisonous bug spray. Place the cricket traps along problem areas, like walls, windows or doorways. The closer to heat and moisture these insect passages are, the more likely they are to attract the trespassing crickets. Use bug spray. Most bug sprays effectively get rid of crickets. Choose an all-purpose spray or one made specifically for crickets, and spray in corners, along windowsills, and in other places where you've noticed an infestation. Be careful when you use these sprays, since they contain toxic chemicals. Remove the eggs. Crickets may lay eggs inside the home, which could cause the infestation to rapidly get out of control. Try vacuuming the area with a vacuum cleaner that has a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. These are high-powered machines that will pull the eggs from the carpet or wherever they may have been laid. Throw away the vacuumed contents in a sealed plastic bag. Most sprays used on live crickets will also kill the eggs. Spray along trim and baseboards, where crickets usually lay eggs. Seal your home. The easiest method for avoiding cricket infestations within your home is to prevent them from ever entering your home by sealing your windows and doors. They're able to get through the smallest cracks, so make sure you check carefully for areas where they might be able to come in or build a nest. Eliminate tiny crevices by caulking windows and cracks in your walls. You can buy an attachment to affix to the bottom of your doors to create a seal that prevents crickets from squeezing under them. Make sure your vents have screens. Seal your trash. Trash smells attract crickets. Covering up trash outside in a sealed container will deter crickets from breeding on your property and entering your home. Cut back vegetation. Crickets build their nests in tall grasses and other vegetation. Keep your plants trimmed back and your lawn mowed so they won't have a place to nest. Make sure grass-like plants are several feet from your house, so crickets that might nest there don't have easy access to your home. Trim back ivy and other ground cover. Wood piles, mulch piles, and compost piles should be located well away from your house. Check your drains and roof gutters for leaves and other plant debris that might have piled up. Crickets often nest in these areas. Remove bright lights. Crickets are attracted to lights, and if you light your house at night with strong lamps, you might be luring them toward your house. Lower-light "bug lights" or amber LED lights can be purchased at hardware stores. These are designed not to attract crickets and other bugs. If you light your yard at night, place the lights well away from your house so that they aren't drawing crickets inside. Draw your blinds and shades at night so the bright glow from your house won't attract crickets. Allow natural predators to thrive. Lizards and spiders are natural cricket predators, so if you allow them to live on your property, they will naturally control your cricket population. Avoid spraying your property with insecticide, which is toxic to cricket predators. Cats and birds are also natural cricket predators. Let your cat outdoors, and consider installing a bird feeder. | Catch them with cricket bait. Set traps. Use bug spray. Remove the eggs. Seal your home. Seal your trash. Cut back vegetation. Remove bright lights. Allow natural predators to thrive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Sink-Drain | How to Clean a Sink Drain | If you've already cleared out your sink to clean the drain, boil a kettle and pour the boiling water down the drain. To create the chemical reaction to clean the drain, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and 1/2 cup of white vinegar on top. After you've let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, flush your sink once again with boiling water. If you find you're having to clean your drain often, consider purchasing a drain cover to prevent food and other debris from clogging up your sink, and rinse your sink with boiling water after you wash your dishes. | Remove your drain cover. Remove any covers that are on top of your drain. If you have a pop-up drain stopper, turn the cover counter-clockwise to remove it from the drain. Eliminate any excess food that's left over from washing dishes or hair that's built up near the top of the drain. Empty out of the sink before you start cleaning the drain. Flush your drain with boiling water. Boil a pot of water in a kettle and pour it down your drain before you get started. This initial flush will remove any smaller particles that have built up in the drain. Pour 1/2 cup (110.40 g) of baking soda down the drain. Measure a 1/2 cup (110.40 g) of baking soda in a measuring cup. Slowly pour the powder down the drain. Pour a 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) of white vinegar down the drain. Pour the vinegar on top of the baking soda to create the chemical reaction that should clean and sanitize your drain. The baking soda will start to fizz. Allow the mixture in your drain to fizz for 10 minutes. Let the mixture to sit for 10 minutes, and the solution will work its way down your drain to remove potential clogs or buildup. Flush your sink one last time with boiling water. Boil another pot of water and pour it down the sink to wash the remaining baking soda and vinegar in your sink. If you still smell the vinegar odor from the sink, you can flush it again with another pot of boiling water. Cut a lemon into slices. Cut a piece of lemon into individual slices that are small enough to fit into each section of an icecube tray. Put the slices into an icecube tray and top them with vinegar. Fill the ice cube tray with vinegar. The vinegar will help deodorize and sanitize your garbage disposal drain. It will also clean out crevices in your garbage disposal sink. Allow the ice cubes to harden. Leave the tray in the freezer overnight and allow all of the ice cubes to harden. Place the ice cubes in your garbage disposal. Break the ice cubes out of the tray and dump them into your garbage disposal drain. Turn on your garbage disposal until you break up all the ice. Run cold water over the ice cubes and turn on your garbage disposal. The blades should break up the ice, and the citrus and vinegar should freshen up the smell and clean your drain. Once you're done, run cold water to rinse out the drain. Cold water hardens oils and grease so that the garbage disposal blade can break them up. Keep grease, coffee grounds, and hair out of your drain. A common reason that drains become clogged is that you're putting the wrong things down them. Avoid putting food, hair, coffee grounds, or grease down your sink drain because it can cause clogs. If you need to dispose of oil, collect it in a glass jar after cooking and throw it away in the garbage. If you are shaving over the sink, you can line the basin with paper towels or grocery bags to catch the hair before it goes down your drain. Rinse your drain with boiling water after you wash your dishes. If you do a deep cleaning of your sink basin or wash dishes in your sink, pour boiling water down the drain afterward. Doing this can prevent odors from forming in your drain. Use a mesh screen or drain cover. Using a drain cover will prevent things from going the drain it which will allow you to clean it less frequently. If you don't have a drain cover, you can also get a mesh screen as an alternative. Regularly pour bleach down the drain. Once or twice a week, pour bleach down the drain and let it sit overnight. This will help prevent bacteria buildup and odors inside of your drain. If you don't like the smell of bleach, you can sprinkle baking soda down the drain after you clean your dishes to absorb the foul scent. | Remove your drain cover. Flush your drain with boiling water. Pour 1/2 cup (110.40 g) of baking soda down the drain. Pour a 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) of white vinegar down the drain. Allow the mixture in your drain to fizz for 10 minutes. Flush your sink one last time with boiling water. Cut a lemon into slices. Put the slices into an icecube tray and top them with vinegar. Allow the ice cubes to harden. Place the ice cubes in your garbage disposal. Turn on your garbage disposal until you break up all the ice. Keep grease, coffee grounds, and hair out of your drain. Rinse your drain with boiling water after you wash your dishes. Use a mesh screen or drain cover. Regularly pour bleach down the drain. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Parents-to-Get-a-Bird | How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Bird | If your parents are reluctant to get a bird, there are a few things you can say to help convince them. Wait until your parents are in a good mood and have time to talk so they'll be more likely to listen to you. Tell them which bird you want and why it's important to you. Really play up the bird's good qualities, like how fun it will be to have around, how beautiful it is, and how family-friendly it will be. Explain how you'll care for it and what you'll need to feed it to prove to your parents that you've done your research. Before you ask your parents, try to keep up with your chores and keep your room tidy to show that you're responsible enough to take care of the bird. | Choose a distraction-free time. Ask your parents to sit down with you for a discussion during a time when they won't be distracted (e.g. after supper, before the evening news). Arrange the time a day or two in advance to make sure that you have time to prepare. Right before your discussion, make sure to turn off the TV, radio, or anything else that could distract from your talk. Talk about what kind of bird you want, and why. Begin your presentation by telling your parents what type of bird you want and list some of the things you like about it. Talk about the positive qualities of this bird (e.g. that it is a lively and entertaining). Mention the reason why you think this bird would be a good addition to the family. For instance, tell your parents that you want a pet cockatiel because cockatiels are intelligent, friendly, quieter than other birds, and family-friendly. To make sure you give a detailed presentation and don't forget anything, write down everything that you are telling your parents and read it out to them. If you wish, give them a booklet with all of your points and research listed clearly. Show them pricing for the bird. Tell your parents exactly how much the bird you want will cost and where it is available. Contact local pet stores to see what birds they have available and what prices they are being sold for. If you can, visit the store to see which bird you like best and get pricing information in person. Tell them what kind of cage the bird will need. Show your parents that you have done a lot of research about the bird you want by telling them exactly what kind of indoor cage it will require. As a general rule, smaller birds like finches or canaries require a minimum of 1000 square centimeters in floor area, while larger birds like parrots need 15,000 square centimeters. Write down the specifications for the cage you need, and look into stores that sell cages like it. Look into a travel cage as well, for use in case of vet visits or emergencies. List the ways in which you will be caring for the bird. Outline the tasks that you will do regularly to care for the bird that you wish to get. For instance, note that you will feed it and change the lining of its cage daily (which is required for proper hygiene). Doing so may reassure your parents that they will not be the ones left to take care of the bird all the time. Make a sample meal plan for your bird. Research the type of bird you want, and then write a sample menu for what you would feed it in a given week to keep it healthy and satisfied. In general, birds are healthiest when fed high quality pellet food, with a side of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Take note that, contrary to popular belief, seeds are fattening and not as nutritious as other bird foods. Write down all the important contact information that you will need. Show that your bird's health and well-being will be important to you by writing down a list of local avian veterinarians. In addition, write down any walk-in or emergency veterinary clinics that treat birds. You should also look up a number for poison control, in the event that your bird ingests something potentially toxic. To find an avian veterinarian near you, visit the Association of Avian Veterinarian's website at http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803. Present solutions to potential problems. Try to guess what arguments your parents will give for not wanting to get a bird and write them down. Come up with answers and solutions to these concerns beforehand so you are prepared. If you have a well-informed response to their concerns, you will prove that you have done a lot of research and thought things through. For instance, if you think your parents will be worried about a bird chewing wires or getting caught in a ceiling fan, show them a plan for bird-proofing certain rooms in the house (i.e. hiding or covering wires, closing windows and doors). Get good grades. The best way to show you're parents that you're capable of taking care of a bird is to fulfill your other responsibilities. Make getting good grades a priority by devoting time to reading, studying, doing homework, and organizing your workload. Participate actively in your classes, be punctual, and ask for help from your teachers, classmates, or a tutor if you feel like you are falling behind. Clean your room. Show that you can provide a good living environment for a bird by cleaning your room without being asked to. Ask your parents for boxes or storage bins to organize your things in, and clear out any garbage, recycling, or items (e.g. clothing, books) that you can donate to a local charity. Make your bed and make sure that all of your clean clothes are folded and put away neatly. Show that you are committed to getting a bird by clearing out a space in your room large enough to fit the size of bird cage that you will need for the bird of your choice. Do chores around the house. Helping your parents with household chores will make you look responsible and help you gain points with them. Choose tasks around the house to do without prompting from your parents. Helpful chores might include: Taking out the trash Watering the plants Cleaning the microwave Dusting Vacuuming Doing the dishes Sweeping the floor | Choose a distraction-free time. Talk about what kind of bird you want, and why. Show them pricing for the bird. Tell them what kind of cage the bird will need. List the ways in which you will be caring for the bird. Make a sample meal plan for your bird. Write down all the important contact information that you will need. Present solutions to potential problems. Get good grades. Clean your room. Do chores around the house. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-a-Person-Is-Getting-Bored-of-You | How to Know if a Person Is Getting Bored of You | Sometimes it can be hard to know if someone's getting bored of you, but there are some common signs you can look out for. It's normal for people to be busy sometimes, but if they stop spending time with you for months, they're probably not interested in hanging out with you anymore. If they don't ask much about your life when you talk to them or seem distracted they may also be bored of you. Look out for things like being on their phone while you talk or changing the conversation to other people. You may feel like you're carrying the conversation while they give short, blunt answers. They might also avoid facing you or making eye contact. However, remember that people can be stressed or distracted for different reasons, so watch for an overall trend, instead of judging them on one interaction. | Consider how much time they’ve been spending with you. This is a common concern—you go from being practically inseparable to seeing each other a handful of times per week, or even less. Everyone gets busy, of course, but if your partner seems to be staying busier a lot more than usual, or if they're constantly giving you reasons why they can't get together, you may have an issue. It could be that your partner just needs a little more time to themselves and is reluctant to tell you so directly. Put them at ease by letting them know that they're entitled to have a life of their own, and that you're fine with them flying solo every now and then. Keep in mind also that the amount of time you spend together (and the quality of that time) will fluctuate occasionally as you move forward in your relationship. This is totally normal, and shouldn't be viewed as a cause for alarm unless it's a sudden, significant difference. Be wary if they no longer seem interested in what’s going on in your life. When someone is into you, one of the ways they'll usually show it most clearly is through curiosity—they'll feel an itch to know more about you and be involved in the things you're involved in. If you don't even get so much as a “How was your day?” anymore, it could be that the roaring fire of your romance has died down to a flickering flame. Try being the one to start the discussion that you want to have. If they respond well, it may just not have occurred to them to bring it up themselves. If you get short, unenthused responses, it's possible that they've checked out mentally or emotionally. Though it's not a very comforting thought, one reason your partner may be getting bored with you is that you've become, well, boring. If you feel like your life has gotten somewhat monotonous, try switching up your normal routine, learning a new skill, or doing some traveling to broaden your horizons. That way, you and your partner will have more to talk about. See whether they’re on their phone more often. People sometimes use their devices as a means of escape when they're bored with what's going on around them. When your boyfriend or girlfriend always has their nose in their phone, it could be because they're more interested in what's on the screen than they are in their present company. To reclaim their attention, come up with ideas for fun and out-of-the-ordinary things to do together, like hit up a drive-in movie, go ice skating, or play laser tag. Even offering to give them a back rub might be enough to snap them out of their electronic trance. Excessive phone use isn't necessarily always a red flag. Some people are just more dependent on their phones for entertainment than others. Fret accordingly. Watch for signs that they may be interested in other people. In some cases, a passionless relationship can lead to feelings of restlessness. When this happens, your partner may become vulnerable to the pull of outside attraction. Tell-tale signs that your partner may have wandering eyes include a marked decrease in affection, reluctance to share their thoughts and feelings, and jumpiness or defensiveness when asked about why they're behaving differently. Tell them as gracefully as possible that it makes you uncomfortable when they flirt with other people. If they truly care about you, they'll understand and take steps to change their behavior. It's normal to be attracted to someone other than the person you're with. When that curiosity leads to exploration, however, it can cause serious problems within a relationship. Listen for short, disinterested responses. Someone who is engaged with what you're saying will generally let you know by acknowledging your remarks with enthusiasm and readily offering their own input. If you continually receive passive or absent-minded replies, chances are good that the person you're talking to is losing interest. Perfunctory responses like, “Yeah?”, “Huh,” or “That's cool” ordinarily just serve as a way for the listener to convey that they're holding up their end of the conversation. You can't blame someone for being bored with you if you're actually being a bore. Play it safe and avoid the kinds of subjects that people often fall back on when they don't know what else to talk about, like the weather or work. You're probably just as sick of talking about that kind of stuff as they are, anyway. Pay attention when your listener’s questions become less inquisitive. It's common for people who don't really care about what they're being told to resort to using one- and two-word questions—like, “When?”, “Where?”, or “For real?”—as placeholder responses. They're not asking them in order to clarify something you've said or elicit further detail—they're just trying to be polite. By contrast, an attentive listener will typically pose more sophisticated questions, such as “What do you mean by that?” or, “Was this before or after you moved into the new house?” These sorts of questions are designed specifically to draw more information out of you. The amount of interrogating your listener is doing can also help you gauge their level of curiosity. The more interested they are in you or your thoughts on the matter, the more questions they're likely to ask. Note how often you’re being interrupted. Someone who's contented with your dialogue won't cut you off to make an unrelated point. Frequent interruptions could be a sign that your listener is impatient for a turn to talk themselves, or trying a little too hard to seem like they're pulling their conversational weight. When some people are really jazzed about a certain subject, they may have a tendency to interrupt out of eagerness rather than rudeness. You should be able to tell the difference easily. Being a good conversationalist often comes down to being a good active listener. If the person you're talking to wants to say something bad enough to warrant interrupting you, it may be best to just give them the floor. Observe when your listener seems to be reluctantly carrying the conversation. They could be doing most of the talking because they feel like they have to. Starting off every question with “So…” or, “Anyway…” is a clear indicator that the person is desperately groping for a foothold in the conversation. If things start to feel one-sided, reconsider your own responses. If you find yourself repeatedly making dead-end responses like “Yeah,” “I don't know,” or, “I guess so,” it may be time to walk away or change things up and start asking the questions instead. People who enjoy talking about themselves, or talking for the sake of talking, will never run out of things to talk about. Check to see if your listener is facing you head-on. Most of the time when someone is truly present and connected with you, they'll stand with their head, shoulders, knees, and toes pointed towards you. Turning or leaning away from the person you're speaking to often points to a subconscious desire to escape from the interaction. Other signs of “closed” body language include slouching or hunching, crossing one's arms, or looking down or away. Judge whether the person seems to be avoiding eye contact. The eyes behave similarly to the body during conversation. If your listener's eyes are locked onto yours, it means that you've got their attention. But if they're evasive, downcast, or wandering around the room, they may be searching for a more stimulating pastime. Another thing to watch for is when your listener's eyes start to “glaze over,” or take on a spacey, far-away look. They may be looking right at you and not hear a word you're saying if their mind is somewhere else. Make sure you don't come across like you're staring the person down. If they weren't off-put before, they may be after one too many long looks. Look for an absence of movement. As a general rule, people who have become bored with an underwhelming chat won't waste the energy required to talk with their hands. Instead, they'll probably appear somewhat subdued. For the most part, they'll be sitting or standing quite still, with few gestures, flourishes, or pronounced facial expressions to go along with their words. On the flipside, if your listener is moving around excitedly, you can be fairly certain that they're enjoying talking with you. Much of a person's non-verbal behavior, of course, simply depends on their personality. Introverts, for example, typically aren't as animated as more outgoing individuals. Do your best to feel your listener out based on what you know about them. Take frequent nodding as a hint that your listener is invested. It's a common misconception that people smile and nod when they're pretending to listen to something that bores them. In reality, nodding several times can actually be a positive sign, as it demonstrates an attitude of contemplation and a willingness to understand. Many social scientists claim that 3 is the magic number when it comes to nodding. A single tip of the chin may be a polite gesture, but a trio of head bobs likely means that your listener is really taking in what you're telling them. Emphatic nodding is often accompanied by strong eye contact. It's only when someone nods continuously without meeting your gaze or even seeming to hear what you've said that you need to worry. | Consider how much time they’ve been spending with you. Be wary if they no longer seem interested in what’s going on in your life. See whether they’re on their phone more often. Watch for signs that they may be interested in other people. Listen for short, disinterested responses. Pay attention when your listener’s questions become less inquisitive. Note how often you’re being interrupted. Observe when your listener seems to be reluctantly carrying the conversation. Check to see if your listener is facing you head-on. Judge whether the person seems to be avoiding eye contact. Look for an absence of movement. Take frequent nodding as a hint that your listener is invested. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Bioluminescent-Algae-at-Home | How to Grow Bioluminescent Algae at Home | To grow bioluminescent algae at home, start by ordering a culture online. You'll also want to buy algae growth solution and a clear lidded container. Make sure your container is clean, and select an area to grow the algae where you can give them 12 hours of light per day using either a grow light or a regular 40-watt bulb. Finally, mix an inch of the nutrient solution with the entire algae culture and begin to apply the light cycle, and watch them grow! | Choose a type of bioluminescence dinoflagellate. There are many species to choose from, but some are easier to see and produce brighter flashes than others. Starter cultures are available from online vendors and usually cost about $25.00. seafarms.com and carolina.com are excellent online sources for starter cultures or kits. Pyrocystis Fusiformis dinoflagellates are so large that the individual cells can be seen with the naked eye, and they are the hardiest and easiest type to grow. Pyrosystis Noctiluca are beautiful, but it is trickier to provide them with the right conditions they need to flourish. Pyrosystis Lunula tend to stick to the sides of the containers, and are more difficult to grow than other types of algae. Buy other materials to create the proper conditions for growth. Algae need plenty of light and nutrients to multiply in the ocean, and they need the same conditions to flourish at home. Buy a nutrient solution or algae growth solution. Find a natural solution made with real seawater rather than choosing a synthetic solution, which won't be as conducive to growth. Growth solutions are available online or at aquatic supply stores. Choose a clear, lidded container, either glass or plastic, in which to grow your dinoflagellates. It's important that the container be clear to let in a maximum amount of light. Consider buying a plant grow lamp so you'll be able to control the algal light exposure. These can be purchased at plant supply or hardware stores. A regular 40-watt light bulb in a household lamp will also work. Find a place in your house to grow the algae. A closet might be a good option since you'll be able to control the light, but choosing a dark place isn't absolutely necessary. It's fine for algae to get natural sunlight during the day. Make sure the place you choose always remains at a moderate temperature. Cold or hot temperatures could prevent the algae from growing. The optimal temperature range for growing algae is between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (22 - 25 degrees Celsius). Wash and dry the container you're using. Make sure both the container and lid are completely clean and free of debris. If another substance remains in the container when you add the algae, it may affect the algae's growth. If you're using a heavy glass container that you know to be heatproof, place it in the oven for a few minutes after washing to sterilize it. Don't use excess soap when washing the container, since that could also affect the algae's growth. Pour one inch of nutrient solution and the entire algae culture into the container. Place the lid on the container to prevent the water from evaporating and causing the solution to get over saline, and to keep contaminants out. It is possible to grow algae in the container it was shipped in, which is usually a plastic beaker. Simply pour a few inches of the culture out, and add a few inches of growth solution. Before you mix the nutrient solution and algae culture, allow the two containers to sit at room temperature for an hour or two. Making sure that they are both the same temperature will prevent the culture from getting shocked by a temperature change. Don't allow the solution and culture to sit in the sun, as the heat may cause a lethal rise in temperature. Set up a light cycle. Dinoflagellates photosynthesize during the day, and to do so effectively they need twelve solid hours of light. This can be achieved by allowing the algae to get natural sunlight or controlling the light carefully with a lamp inside a closet or dark room. If you use a lamp, it should be placed about three feet from the container. Do not place the light directly over the container; this will heat it up and kill the organisms inside. If you want the algae to luminescent predictably, it is necessary to keep them on a strict light schedule. Turn on the light at the same time in the morning and turn it off at the same time at night (you can use a light timer to help you). The algae's circadian rhythm will synchronize with the light schedule. It is possible to arrange a light schedule so that luminescence occurs during the day. This is useful if you are using it to teach children in a classroom. Set up the grow lamp to shine on the algae overnight, and keep it in a dark closet during the day. Stimulate the algae and watch it glow. Dinoflagellates flash when water or another substances stimulates them by pressing against their cell walls. To watch them luminesce, pick up the container and gently swirl the water inside. If they received enough light during the day, they will begin to light up and flash. Don't shake the container too hard, as it will wear out the dinoflagellates and cause them to stop flashing more quickly. Don't shake the container too often, since this also causes dinoflagellates to become exhausted. They need a period of recovery after luminescing. Divide the algae into more containers. Over time, if the conditions are right, you will see the algae multiply. You can separate it into more containers and mix it with additional grow solution. The luminescence won't be as bright at first, since it will take a few weeks for the algae population to restore itself. Keep the algae for four to six months. Dinoflagellates usually expire after this period. Buy another culture, and consider experimenting with a different dinoflagellate this time. | Choose a type of bioluminescence dinoflagellate. Buy other materials to create the proper conditions for growth. Find a place in your house to grow the algae. Wash and dry the container you're using. Pour one inch of nutrient solution and the entire algae culture into the container. Set up a light cycle. Stimulate the algae and watch it glow. Divide the algae into more containers. Keep the algae for four to six months. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Date-a-Doctor | How to Date a Doctor | To date a doctor, try to plan your dates around eating, since a doctor's meals are often neglected due to working long shifts. During dinner dates, allow your partner's cell phone to be on the table, because they're often on call for emergencies. Additionally, try to have a backup plan for dates and be flexible when plans are canceled, since their patients' health will take priority. When you do get to spend time together, plan stress-reducing activities, like watching a movie or exercising together, since being a doctor involves high levels of stress. | Be flexible regarding plans. Doctors are busy people, especially if they work at hospitals. They may be on call during many weekdays, and may not get weekends. If you want to date a doctor, be understanding that plans will occasionally be cancelled. Try to have a backup plan for dates. Carve out several pockets of time during the week in which you're available to get together. Avoid making plans that are hard to change. Buying tickets to a play or concert, for example, is a bad idea when your partner could potentially back out. Stick to more flexible plans, like planning to get dinner at a restaurant that usually does not require reservations. Avoid medical talk during dates. Everyone needs a break from thinking about work. Doctors are no different and, in fact, may struggle more with the work/life balance. As a doctor's job is highly stressful, he or she may be inclined to talk about work a lot. This can create undue stress for both of you, as you may not want to hear about gory details. Try to steer the conversations away from work talk. It may be a bad idea to ask a doctor, "How was your day?" Opt for another conversation starter. Ask about a TV show you both like, or discuss news about mutual friends. Do not go overboard, however. If you partner had a stressful day, he or she may need to talk about it. On occasion, allow your partner to rant about work-related stress. Strive to be understanding and a good listener. Plan dates around food. Doctors are frequently hungry. When working long shifts and managing multiple patients, meals are often neglected. If you know your partner is working a long shift, plan a date that revolves around eating. It can be a nice gesture to have food ready when your partner is expected to come home. Order takeout and have it ready or make a home cooked meal. Allow the cell phone to stay on the table. Doctors need to be on call all the time during certain hours. Your partner may have patients who are very sick or may be on call at a local hospital. It's important to be understanding of work obligations. While it's often considered bad etiquette to have your cell phone out at the dinner table, be understanding. When you're dating a doctor, rules about courtesy change. Learn to love spending time alone. If you're dating a doctor, you'll end up spending a lot of nights alone. You will not be able to get universal attention. There may be many long nights when you'll have to entertain yourself. Hang out with your friends. If your boyfriend or girlfriend can't entertain you on weekend nights, make plans with friends instead. Find hobbies you enjoy. Take up a craft like knitting. Start reading books in your spare time. You can learn to enjoy alone time. You may learn more about yourself and your passions with the free time you gain by dating a doctor. Watch for signs of stress. Doctors have a high stress work atmosphere. You should plan on helping your partner de-stress after work periodically. If stress is unrecognized, it can cause tension in a relationship. Learn to watch for warning signs of stress so you can effectively address the issue. If your partner is stressed, he or she may seem a little cranky. Your partner may seem somewhat withdrawn and may be quicker to anger and somewhat moody. If you suspect your partner is experiencing stress, try not to react with anger. Calmly say something like, "Is there something bothering you? Is there any way I can help you feel better?" Offer comfort initially. If someone is in a bad mood, you may be inclined to give advice. However, when helping someone cope with stress, it's always best to start with comfort. Advice, especially unsolicited advice, can come off the wrong way even if you have positive intentions. Try to be understanding. Actively listen to what your partner has to say, and offer apologies for the fact he or she is feeling this way. Reassure him or her you're there, and that you care. If there is an issue that needs solving, you can get to that later. After offering initial comfort, think about ways to problem solve. Be clear that you're working with your partner. Explain you're not trying to tell him of her what to do, but want to brainstorm ideas to effectively work through the issue. Ask what you can do. Especially early in a relationship, you may not know how someone prefers to be comforted. Ask your partner what you can do when he or she is experiencing stress. Listen to and respect his or her needs. Ask how you can make your partner's days a little smoother. It may be something as simple as chipping in with some chores now and then. Understand your partner's needs may be different from yours. He or she may handle stress in a way that's different from how you handle stress. Remember that different is not bad. Respect your partner's needs. Find stress reducing rituals. It's important to be proactive when dating a doctor in regards to stress. Doctors face an inordinate amount of stress in their careers, so it's vital that you help your partner de-stress. Plan activities that can reduce stress. Sometimes, distraction is key. Plan for a movie night at the end of a long day, or to marathon watch a TV show you both love. Suggest you and your practice stress reducing activities like meditation and yoga together. Encourage physical activity. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Getting in regular physical activity can really help with your relationship with your partner. Think about planning hiking dates, or taking trips to the gym together. Allow your partner's patients to come first. In a relationship with a doctor, you are not the priority much of the time. Your partner's patients will always come before you, as they are reliant on your partner for their physical wellbeing. Strive to be understanding of this fact. Your partner's patients may become suddenly ill. In the event of a medical emergency, the patient will come first. While you may be frustrated by this at times, remind yourself this is what you signed up for by getting involved with a doctor. Try and think about the patients when you feel frustrated. While you may want to see your partner, they're undergoing stressful medical procedures and potentially serious conditions. Focus on the pros of dating a doctor. Dating a doctor can get frustrating at times, but remember the pros. Doctors are usually intelligent and committed to their patients. Many doctors are very empathetic, and have a true passion for what they do. Not to mention, you got involved with this specific person for a reason. Try to remember what initially drew you to this person, and why the relationship is worth it for you. Have patience. Patience is important when dating a doctor. You do not know what the schedule will be like on any given day, and it can be frustrating to always have plans in flux. However, strive for pride over frustration. Remember, your partner is doing something that he or she deeply cares about. You should be proud of his or her ambition and encourage his or her passions. Value the small moments. You may not have time for epic date nights when dating a doctor. Try to value the small moments instead. Plan for light, flexible dates and be thankful for the time you have together. Allow for some simple rituals, like watching the sunrise together each morning. Plan brief dates, like running to the store together or having a picnic. Appreciate when you spend time together. Turn off your phone and eliminate distractions. Focus solely on enjoying your partner's company. | Be flexible regarding plans. Avoid medical talk during dates. Plan dates around food. Allow the cell phone to stay on the table. Learn to love spending time alone. Watch for signs of stress. Offer comfort initially. Ask what you can do. Find stress reducing rituals. Encourage physical activity. Allow your partner's patients to come first. Focus on the pros of dating a doctor. Have patience. Value the small moments. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-a-Light-Year | How to Calculate a Light Year | One light year is equal to 5.8 trillion miles. To calculate this number, use the formula d = c × t, where d is 1 light year, c is the speed of light, and t is the number of seconds in 1 year. The speed of light is equal to 186,000 miles per second, or the time it takes for light to travel in a vacuum. The number of seconds in 1 year is equal to 31,536,000 seconds. Plug these values into the formula and solve for d. | Define the light year. A light year is a measure of distance equal to how far light travels in one Earth year. Because distances across the universe are so large, astronomers use light years. Without light years, discussing the distance between two stars would require the use of large, unruly numbers. Another measure of distance you may come across when learning astronomy is the parsec. It is equal to 3.26 light years. It is another way to simplify the numbers used to calculate and discuss astronomical distances. Write the formula for distance. Using the common physics formula, distance equals rate times time or d = r x t, you can calculate how long a light year is: Light Year = (speed of light) x (one year). Since speed of light is represented by the variable “c”, you can rewrite the equation as d = c x t, where d is the distance of a light year, c is the speed of light and t is time. If you want to know the distance of a light year in kilometers, you will need to find the speed of light in kilometers per second. If you want miles, you will need the speed of light in miles per second. You need to know the number of seconds in one Earth year for this calculation. Define the speed of light. Light in a vacuum travels at a velocity of 186,000 miles per second. This is the equivalent of 299,792 kilometers per second or 670,616,629 miles per hour. Here we will use the velocity in miles-per-second. For this calculation we will use the speed of light, c, equals 186,000 miles per second. This can be rewritten in scientific notation as 1.86 x 10 miles per second. Calculate the number of seconds in a year. To find the number of seconds in a year, you will do a series of multiplications by conversions units. To convert years to seconds you will multiply the number of days in a year times the number of hours in a day, times the number of minutes in an hour, times the number of seconds in a minute. 1 year x 365 days/year x 24 hours/day x 60 minutes/hour x 60 seconds/minute = 31,536,000 seconds. Again, we can rewrite this large number using scientific notation as 3.154 x 10. Plug variables into equation and solve. Now that you have defined the variables for speed of light and time, you can plug them into the equation d = c x t and solve for the distance of a light year. Replace c with 1.86 x 10 miles per second and time with 3.15 x 10 seconds. d = c x t d = (1.86 x 10 ) x (3.154 x 10 seconds) d = 5.8 x 10 or 5.8 trillion miles. Calculate the distance in kilometers. If you wanted to calculate in kilometers, simply replace the speed of light with the speed in kilometers per second: 3.00 x 10. The time in seconds remains the same because there is no conversion required. d = c x t d = (3.00 x 10 ) x (3.154 x 10 seconds) d = 9.46 x 10 or 9.5 trillion kilometers. Identify the distance you want to convert. Before you begin, you will want to make sure that whatever distance you are working with is either in miles (if using Imperial units) or in kilometers if working with metric. It doesn't make much sense to convert smaller distances into light years, but you can if you're curious. To convert feet into miles, remember that there are 5,280 feet in a mile: x ft (1 mile/5280 ft) = miles. To convert meters into kilometers, simply divide by 1000: x m (1 km/1000 m) = km. Determine the correct conversion factor. You need to identify the units for the distance that you're converting to light years. If you're converting from kilometers to light years, you will use a different conversion factor than if you're converting from miles. To convert from kilometers to light years, you will use: 1 light year/(9.46 x 10 km). To convert from miles to light years, you will use: 1 light year/(5.88 x 10 miles). Multiply the original distance by the conversion factor. Once you have determined the proper conversion factor, you can multiply by the original distance to obtain the distance in light years. When numbers are large, it is best to use scientific notation. For example: If you knew that an object was approximately 14.2 x 10 miles away from Earth, how many light years would that be? Use the miles conversion factor: 1/(5.88 x 10 ) Multiply: (14.2 x 10 ) x (1/(5.88 x 10 )) = 2.41 x 10 = 241 light years. The object is 241 light years away. Find help. You can always ask for assistance from your teacher and fellow students. There are also many resources online and in your text book to help you when converting to light years. Don't hesitate to ask for extra help if you need it. Remember, there are always multiple ways to get help when looking for an answer. | Define the light year. Write the formula for distance. Define the speed of light. Calculate the number of seconds in a year. Plug variables into equation and solve. Calculate the distance in kilometers. Identify the distance you want to convert. Determine the correct conversion factor. Multiply the original distance by the conversion factor. Find help. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Microwave-Corn-on-the-Cob | How to Microwave Corn on the Cob | To microwave corn on the cob, cover the corn with a wet paper towel and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes per ear of corn. Carefully remove the corn and let it cool for a few minutes. To microwave corn on the cob in it's husk, remove any loose or dry leaves. Next, trim the ends so the ears will fit in your microwave. Microwave 1 ear of corn at a time, for three minutes on high heat. Carefully remove the ear of corn with an oven mitt. Finally, let your corn cool for a few minutes before you remove the husks and flavor with butter, salt, and pepper. | Pick out fresh corn with the husk still on. You will find fresh ears of corn with the husk on in grocery stores during the summer. You can also try a farmer's market or even grow your own. Make sure each ear still has the husk around it and that it is ripe. Here's how you can check for ripeness: Look for corn with tassels, or strings, that are brown and sticky instead of dry and yellow. Brown, sticky tassels means the corn is ripe. Squeeze the ear gently to feel the kernels through the husk. They should feel plump and firm, but not hard as little pebbles. Try to buy only what you can eat within a few days, and keep it refrigerated so that the sugar in the corn kernels does not have time to get starchy and overripe. If you have too much corn on hand after a harvest, you can always freeze it. Trim the corn, if necessary. Trim the ends to make sure that the corn ears will fit easily in the microwave. Remove any very loose or dry leaves. Snip off excess silk. You may also want to take a damp paper towel and wipe dirt from the leaves although these will be removed later. Place the ears in the microwave. Most microwaves will fit up to three ears at at time. If you have a very large microwave, you might be able to fit a few more. In order to ensure that the corn cooks evenly, each ear should be near the center of the microwave without touching the other ears. To ensure even exposure and heating of each ear, arrange the ears in a triangle for three ears, or a square for four ears. Make sure the ears are not touching each other. Do not pile them up or let them overlap, or you may end up with under-cooked corn. Microwave the corn. Microwave the corn on high for three to five minutes, depending on how many ears you have. If you have just one ear, start with three, and if you have up to four ears, cook them for five minutes. If you are cooking several ears at once, you can stop the cooking halfway through and turn the ears over to make sure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of the corn, you can factor in two to four minutes cooking time per ear. Remove the corn from the microwave and let it rest. Allow the corn to sit in its husk for a minute or so it is cool enough to handle, distribute its heat and continue to cook. The husk itself contains little water, so it will remain relatively cool. However, the water in the corn will be steaming hot and can burn you. Be cautious and use oven mitts or tongs to handle hot corn. Check that it is done by peeling back the husk and feeling or even nibbling a few kernels to test the temperature and the springiness of the kernels. Lay the husk back down and return it to the microwave to cook longer if necessary. If the corn is scorched or mushy, it is overcooked – use less time in the future. Remove the husk and silk. The corn ear and its dense, watery stalk will be hot after cooking, staying hot inside the husk. Peel the corn carefully so as to avoid burning yourself. The husk and silk will come right off. Dress your corn. Roll it in butter and season it with salt and pepper if you like. Allow it to cool before eating. Alternatively, sprinkle some grated cheddar or cotija cheese across its surface. Sour cream with a sprinkle of red pepper is another tasty topping Microwaved corn is fresh and delicious; it can be eaten with your hands or using special corn cob tools. Alternatively, you can remove the kernels for a side dish or to use in another recipe. Stand the corn on its end and run a knife down the sides to remove the kernels. Shuck the corn if necessary. Pull the entire depth of leaves and corn under them off at once, as if peeling a banana rather than an onion. They will stay together for neat disposal. Pick off the individual strands of silk that remain stuck to the corn. Another way to shuck the corn is by cutting the harder end of the corn which makes the husk come away automatically. Do not dispose of the husk and silk in a garbage disposal , since they are so fibrous. Throw them in the trash or compost them. A fun craft for children or the young at heart are creating corn husk dolls. Either Leave the stem on for a handle, or tear it off with the husk. Cover the corn. You may cover the corn with a wet paper towel or put it in a dish with a microwave safe lid. You can also use a clean tea or kitchen towel. Add a teaspoon of water to the dish to prevent the corn from drying as it cooks. At this stage you can add flavors or toppings that will cook right into the corn. Try shredded cheese, lemon or lime juice, or any number of spices. You can soak the paper towel with liquid flavorings like lemon or lime juice to gently enhance the flavor of the corn without making a mess. Microwave the corn. Arrange the ears in a single layer with space between the cobs for even cooking. Microwave the corn on high for up to five minutes, depending on how many ears you're cooking. Each ear requires two to four minutes of cooking time, with more time added if you're microwaving several ears of corn. Remove the corn from the microwave and let it cool. This typically takes 5-10 minutes. Season it with butter, salt and pepper for a traditional American and Canadian approach. Alternatively, sprinkle some grated cheddar or cotija cheese across its surface. Sour cream with a sprinkle of red pepper is another tasty topping. | Pick out fresh corn with the husk still on. Trim the corn, if necessary. Place the ears in the microwave. Microwave the corn. Remove the corn from the microwave and let it rest. Remove the husk and silk. Dress your corn. Shuck the corn if necessary. Cover the corn. Microwave the corn. Remove the corn from the microwave and let it cool. Season it with butter, salt and pepper for a traditional American and Canadian approach. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-Scared | How to Stop Being Scared | To stop being scared so much, take a second to think about whether your fear is coming from something you know is scary or just something that could be scary. For example, if you hear a bump in the night and think it's a monster, ask yourself what other things could have made the noise, like a neighbor closing their car door or your cat knocking something over, since this is much more likely. You can also take some deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth, which will help calm you down. If you're still scared, tell your parent or teacher if something is scaring you, so they can help you deal with it. Don't be embarrassed, since everyone gets scared sometimes! | Assess the situation. Fear is a natural response to a perceived threat, and in certain circumstances it can be healthy. However, fear can also inspire a fight or flight response in situations even when there is no threat. Take a moment to assess the situation and see if your fear is coming from an actual threat, or just as a reaction to something unfamiliar. If, for example, you hear a bump in the night, take a moment to think about if there are other things, such as your neighbor closing their car door, that could make that noise. If there is something real, do something about it, like making an appointment to have a doctor look at the mole, or calling the police if a stranger is walking around beside your house. Think about whether your reaction is due to fear or phobia. While phobias trigger fear reactions, the reactions are disproportionate to the actual danger. Phobias interfere with your ability to cope. You may need the help of a therapist or doctor to deal with a phobia. Breathe. When you're scared and not thinking properly, you tend to start hyperventilating, which increases your fears. Take deep full breaths and relax your body. Start with your shoulders and, as you breathe, work your way down to your feet relaxing each muscle. Not only will your breathing calm you and make sure you are getting enough oxygen, focusing on your breathing and relaxing your body makes it so you can't focus on what is scaring you. Being scared means that our hypothalamus (which governs flight or fight) activates our sympathetic nervous system and we tense up. It also has the adrenal-cortical system dump a bunch of hormones into our system, so even if we're scared about going to a party and meeting a bunch of new people, our hypothalamus interprets this as a fight or flight situation. So breathe and you'll calm the hypothalamus. Write down what you are scared of. In the moment, while you're busy being scared, get out a pen and a piece of paper and write down everything you're scared of. This exercise helps you draw your fears out into consciousness. You acknowledge them and it makes it easier to let them go. Many of the seemingly scary things go back to a primal fear like being scared of death (the potentially cancerous mole), being scared that no one will like you (going to the party and meeting new people). Acknowledging them won't make them magically vanish, but it will help you to better articulate your fears. Tell someone. If you're having a scary moment, call someone up and talk to them. Make sure it is a trusted friend or family member. You can even call a hotline for people with anxiety. Talking to someone can help simply through making a connection, but your friend can also help put your fears to rest. Change your thinking. Being scared is about what pathways are being used and created in the brain. To stop being scared you have to basically rewire your brain. It's not as hard as it sounds thanks to neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is involved in processing memories and how we learn. By practicing "desensitization" a person can change the pathways in their brain that react fearfully to the things that scare them. "Desensitization" is basically just being exposed to the thing that scares a person in gradual and controlled environments. Start by asking yourself reflective questions including what are you afraid of? Is your fear realistic? What is the worst thing that can happen to me in this situation? What can I do to protect myself from this outcome? Chart your emotional reaction to physical stimuli and surroundings that cause you to be scared. For instance, if spiders scare you, the physical stimulus is the appearance of the spider. From there the emotional reaction is fear, being scared and this can get heightened all the way to panic levels, depending on your response. Charting this will help you cultivate a detached reaction instead of an emotional reaction to the appearance of a spider. Cultivate a detached reaction to scary things. A detached reaction means that you react to the things that scare you from a place of observation rather than emotional reaction. This is something you have to practice and it helps to have mapped out your thought patterns so you understand how scary things make you emotionally react. Recognize that you're being confronted with something you find scary and that you can either have an emotional reaction (which will in turn trigger more and more fear and anxiety) or you can have a detached reaction. Monitor your physical reactions. These may include trembling, a frozen feeling, heart palpitations, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, crying, shallow or rapid breathing, feelings of anxiety or terror, and/or disrupted sleep. Coach yourself with mantras. Pick a couple mantras and write them down so that you have them with you at all times. Repeat them to yourself when you start having an emotional reaction, so you can short-circuit the reaction. For instance, "this isn't as bad as I am making it," or "I can't control the outcome, so I'm going to let go and trust that it will be okay." Do something physically comforting. If you can, drink a cup of tea and focus your whole being on that cup of tea--its warmth, the steam rising from the cup, the smell. Focusing on the physically comforting thing is a form of mindfulness and means that you are living in the moment, which is a place antithetical to fear. Don't avoid the things that scare you. Avoiding the things that scare you increase the fear of the scary thing itself and also stops your body from getting accustomed to the thing that scares you, so that the fear can lessen. Start small when you're working up to dealing with the things that scare you. For instance, if you're afraid of spiders, start by dealing with small ones in your home and work your way up to bigger spiders. If you're afraid of heights, try taking walks in high places that are equipped with safety measures instead of trying right away to make yourself go parachuting. Remember: the more you avoid something, the more it will scare you and the more the fear itself will paralyze you. We can't avoid being scared, as humans it's part of our physiological make-up, but we can work on how we react to things that cared us. Nothing is as scary as what we imagine it to be. Seek professional help. Sometimes you can't stop being scared by yourself. This usually is a form of panic disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD behaviors. Seeking professional help is a good way to work towards dealing with your anxiety and fears. Medication can also help, but make sure that you're taking medication as part of an entire program to help overcome your fears. You will need to have counseling as part of that, to retrain your brain. | Assess the situation. Breathe. Write down what you are scared of. Tell someone. Change your thinking. Cultivate a detached reaction to scary things. Don't avoid the things that scare you. Seek professional help. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-the-Flu | How to Prevent the Flu | The easiest way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands with soap and warm water frequently throughout the day, especially before and after you eat or prepare food, after touching garbage, or after touching another person. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands, since these are the areas that are most vulnerable to germs. To reduce the spread of germs in your home, use disinfectant to sanitize surfaces that get a lot of contact, like doorknobs and handrails. If you are able to, you should get the flu vaccine each year as soon as it becomes available in the mid-fall. | Wash your hands frequently. Washing your hands is the easiest preventative measure you can do to avoid the flu. Scrub germs off your hands with warm water and soap as often as possible. Warm water and soap work perfectly fine if you wash your hands frequently throughout the day Hand sanitizers are not as effective as simple soap and water, but you should use them if soap and water are not available. Wash your hands before and after you eat, before and after preparing food, after touching garbage, after shaking hands with or otherwise touching another person, and after you come home from being out in a public location. You should also wash your hands after sneezing (even if you sneeze into your arm or elbow), touching an animal, changing diapers, or helping children use a toilet. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. The fastest way to get the flu virus and other germs into your body is by transferring them from your hands to your eyes, nose, or mouth. As such, you should avoid touching these areas as much as possible (unless you have just washed your hands)during flu season. Nail biting can be especially conducive to contracting the flu. Viruses and other germs can hide out beneath your nails even after you wash your hands. Limit close contact with people who are sick. You might not be able to completely cut off contact with people who have the flu but limiting your contact with them as much as possible can greatly improve your odds of staying healthy. Even if someone is sick with another illness and not the flu, it's still a good idea to stay away. If you catch another bug, your immune system will weaken, making it more difficult for your body to fight the flu if you become exposed to it. Use disinfectant. The flu virus can hang around on surfaces, so it can be helpful to disinfect surfaces in your home or office that may host germs. This is particularly true if someone in your home or office has had the flu recently. If you work in a place with a large number of people, sanitizing shared surfaces (such as doorknobs and handrails) can help cut down on contact with germs. This might seem easy at home but harder out in public. Carry around disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer to use when you're on the go. Consider getting the flu vaccine. Pregnant women, young children, those with chronic medical conditions that affect their respiratory systems, and the elderly are particularly encouraged to get a flu shot. Flu viruses are continuing to morph and change, but the seasonal flu vaccine is formulated to prevent whichever strains are likely to be most active during a given season. The ideal time to get your flu vaccine is as soon as it becomes available in early to mid-fall. However, getting the shot later in the season can also be helpful. If you do not care for shots or have a fear of needles, you may be able to get the flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. Get plenty of sleep. You should sleep for about seven to nine hours each night for optimal health. The more well-rested you are, the more effective your immune system becomes. Sleep deprivation can cause your body to produce more cytokines. These proteins are responsible for producing symptoms during the flu or during a cold. Reduce your stress. Both physical and mental stress can take a toll on your body and weaken your immune system. Research has found that lower stress levels can actually keep you healthier longer. Consider taking a few minutes every day to clear your head, meditate, or do yoga. Meditation can help calm anxiety and fear. Address job-related stress with your boss; remember that your health is very important, and you should ask for help if you need it. Quit smoking. If you have a smoking habit, now would be a good time to quit it. Smoking decreases your respiratory abilities, dehydrates your body, and makes your immune system weaker. Smoking also destroys the cilia inside your noses. These hair-like fibers are your body's first defense against invading germs, and having fewer of them makes it easier for the flu virus to penetrate your body's defenses. Walk, jog, or run at least three times a week. Exercise could truly be the fountain of youth (and health). Regular exercise has been shown to help fight infection, which may include the flu virus. Exercising creates more white blood cells, which are cells that prevent and fight illnesses. Not only does physical activity help you to sweat out toxins, it also improves your circulation, allowing nutrients to be absorbed into your body more easily.. Walking or running, in particular, are highly effective forms of exercise that everyone can do anywhere. All you need are a good pair of shoes. Walk, jog, run, or do another cardiovascular exercise at least 30 minutes, 3 times per week. Ideally, you should try to get exercise every day. Do yoga. This is a great way to get your exercise in and quiet your mind. Yoga is known to soothe the nervous system, thereby greatly reducing stress, while also lubricating the joints and building core strength. When stress is low, your immune system is stronger and can fight disease better. Go swimming. Swimming can be done year-around in most places due to indoor pools. Swimming regularly is great for your joints, as the water mitigates impact. Much like other forms of exercise, it builds your immune system so that you can potentially avoid the flu. If you want an extra boost to your immune system from swimming, consider cold water swimming. The cold water causes your body to interpret the temperature shift as an attack of sorts, resulting in an increased number of white blood cells and other internal changes related to a more efficient immune system. Remember to moisturize your skin and scalp after swimming to reduce the drying effects of chlorine. Keep up your swimming routine in the summer, even if it's not flu season specifically. Maintaining your exercise routine has benefits in all seasons! Drink plenty of water. To stay adequately hydrated, men should drink 13 8oz cups of water and women should drink 9 8oz cups of water every day. Water oxygenates your blood and works to flush out toxins. When toxins build up, your immune system gets weaker. Flushing your system daily with plenty of water gets rid of harmful toxins in your body.. Flushing your body out with water will not get rid of the flu, but it will keep your body hydrated, especially when you are dealing with diarrhea, vomiting, and a fever when your body needs fluids the most. Getting enough water is easy! Just fill a large water bottle in the morning, and sip it throughout the day, refilling it when necessary. Avoid alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are bad for almost every part of your body, but they additionally weaken your immune system so that fighting off disease becomes tougher because alcohol dehydrates you. In fact, alcoholics are far more susceptible to an array of diseases besides cirrhosis of the liver. If you don't wish to cut out alcohol completely, consider limiting your consumption to less than three drinks per week. Alcohol, although a liquid, actually dehydrates the body, stripping it of important nutrients. Try to replace harder varieties of alcohol, such as vodka or gin, with red wine. Eliminate sugary beverages like soda. In the seventies, sugar became known as the “white death” for a reason: studies show that it leads to premature aging and that it weakens your immune system. Try to cut out soda and sweetened juices completely, but if you cannot, minimize your daily consumption. Diet sodas and artificially sweetened juices should also be avoided. Stick to fresh squeezed juices and unsweetened tea if you get easily bored with plain water. Try all sorts of unsweetened teas, particularly green and black tea due to their antioxidant properties, if you want a flavored drink. Eat the colors of the rainbow in fruits and veggies. You've probably been hearing this since childhood, but the old proverb is actually true: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are not the only health-giving food: imagine all the nutrients and disease-fighting boost you can get if you add a variety of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet! Add dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale to your regular diet. Try to choose vegetables and fruits in an array of colors. It's the best way to ensure you're getting all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to fend off disease. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have antioxidant properties, so foods and supplements with high levels of these acids might help ward off immune-busting free radicals. You can get omega-3 into your system by taking a daily fish oil capsule, or you could eat more fish, nuts, seeds, and beans. For an even stronger dose of omega-3, add 10 to 15 drops of liquid marine phytoplankton to your water or juice. This is the source that most fish get omega-3 from, so taking it will give you a more direct, concentrated dosage with many health benefits. Add raw garlic to your diet. Garlic has antiviral, antibiotic, and antifungal properties. Try to get one or two servings of raw garlic into your diet to maximize its potential benefits. To avoid minimizing the negative effect garlic has on your breath, cut one or two cloves into fine pieces and swallow whole with water or tea. Chew on a sprig of fresh parsley immediately after consuming the garlic to mask the garlic's odor. | Wash your hands frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Limit close contact with people who are sick. Use disinfectant. Consider getting the flu vaccine. Get plenty of sleep. Reduce your stress. Quit smoking. Walk, jog, or run at least three times a week. Do yoga. Go swimming. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol. Eliminate sugary beverages like soda. Eat the colors of the rainbow in fruits and veggies. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Add raw garlic to your diet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Topdress-a-Lawn | How to Topdress a Lawn | Topdressing your lawn will help to even out any depressions caused by drainage problems, rotting roots, and burrows. You'll want to use a mix of 3 parts lime-free sand, 3 parts loam, and 1 part peat. All you'll need to do is spread the topdress mixture over your lawn and work it in using the flat side of a rake. Make sure it's no more than 1 inch thick in any place so the tips of the grass will be exposed to the air. After it rains, you'll want to check your topdress again. If there are any low spots caused by the rain, add a little more topdress on those areas. | Assess whether your lawn is due for aeration. You should aerate your lawn every 2 to 3 years. This process removes small plugs of soil from the ground and allows new nutrients, soils, air, and water to get to the roots of the existing plants. If your lawn is large, you may want to break it up into smaller segments and do a different one each year. Choose an aerator. Rent an aerator if you don't have one. You can find manual models, as well as models that you can pull behind a riding lawn mower. If you have a small lawn, you can even consider aerators that strap onto your shoes. You just walk around your lawn and poke holes in it with the soles of the aerators. Run the aerator over your lawn. Assess what type of soil you have. The type of soil you have determines how to topdress a lawn because you want to balance out your soil. For example, heavy clay soil should have plenty of sand added to the topdress material to provide additional drainage. Mix the topdressing in your wheelbarrow or some other large container. A basic mix is 3 parts sand with 3 parts loam and 1 part peat. Adjust this to allow for your soil type. Work the mixture until it is as lump-free as possible. Use homemade compost only if you know that it has no weed seed in it. Otherwise, you may just be planting more weeds in your yard. Make sure the sand is lime free. Don't use sea sand for topdressing. Use a shovel or your hands to scatter the topdressing material over the lawn. Don't worry if it's not even at this point. Apply approximately 3 to 4 pounds (1.5 to 2 kilograms) of topdressing per square yard/meter. A good rule of thumb is to not have topdressing more than 1-inch thick in any spot. Take the back side of a rake or a topdressing tool called a lute and work the topdressing material into the grass to the soil level. There should be no visible remaining top dress when you finish this step. Fill in low spots. Remember to leave the tips of the grass exposed to the air. If you put down too much topdress, remove it. Sow new grass seed in bare spots in your lawn after you topdress. The extra nutrients and fresh soil can help it germinate and take root quickly. Allow the topdress to settle. Wait for a rain shower or sprinkle the lawn to facilitate the process. Add a bit more topdress material, if necessary, to low places. Be careful not to totally cover the grass. Rake the topdress material so it covers the low spots. | Assess whether your lawn is due for aeration. Choose an aerator. Run the aerator over your lawn. Assess what type of soil you have. Mix the topdressing in your wheelbarrow or some other large container. Use homemade compost only if you know that it has no weed seed in it. Make sure the sand is lime free. Use a shovel or your hands to scatter the topdressing material over the lawn. Take the back side of a rake or a topdressing tool called a lute and work the topdressing material into the grass to the soil level. Fill in low spots. Sow new grass seed in bare spots in your lawn after you topdress. Allow the topdress to settle. Add a bit more topdress material, if necessary, to low places. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Men%27s-Long-Hair | How to Cut Men's Long Hair | If you want to give a man a long haircut, start by trimming the hair all the way around. Then, pull out a vertical section of hair from the very back of his head, reaching from the crown to the nape of the neck. Trim this hair from the bottom to the top, then drop it and pick up a new section. Include a little of the hair you just cut in the new section and use it as a guide. Continue trimming the hair in sections all the way from the back to the front to create subtle layers. | Shampoo, condition, and towel-dry the hair. It's easier to make precise cuts when hair is damp, but if it's too wet, the hair will stretch out and appear longer than it actually is. To avoid accidentally cutting too much of the hair, have the guy wash and condition his hair, then gently pat it dry with a towel until it's just damp. If the guy's hair is very curly, you may have better results if you dry-cut his hair instead. Hair looks longer wet than dry, so cutting it dry will give you a better idea of how it will actually look in its dry state. You can also lightly spritz his hair with water to dampen it, if you prefer. Just make sure the hair is dry enough that it springs into its natural curl pattern. Comb the guy's hair out while it's still damp. Comb the top of the hair into a vertical center part. The hair should be hanging down on the sides, with the hair in front of the ears combed slightly forward. Then, comb the rest of the hair back so it lies flat against the back of the man's neck. It may help to make a second horseshoe-shaped part running from the back of one ear, around the top of the head, and behind the other ear. Comb the hair in front of the part forward so it hangs down into the guy's face, and comb the rest of the hair down to the sides and back. Use the tips of the scissors to trim the hair across the back of the neck. Pull the hair straight down and hold the scissors so they're parallel to the hair. Place the tip of the scissors into the hair where you want to make the cut, then lightly snip the hair in a straight line across the back of the neck. This technique is called point-cutting, and will give the hair a softer look. If you hold the scissors sideways and cut straight across, the hair will look very blunt and it won't move naturally. To leave as much length as possible, just cut off about ⁄ 2 – ⁄ 4 in (1.27–0.64 cm) at the end of the hair. This will help remove any split ends. If you are cutting more than that, remember to take into consideration how much the hair will shrink when it dries, since hair stretches when it's wet and looks longer. Curly hair will be much shorter dry than it is wet, but even straight hair will be somewhat shorter once it dries. It's best to use a pair of shears intended for cutting hair. You can find these at any beauty supply store, as well as at many drugstores. Cut the hair on the sides using the hair from the back as a guide. After you've finished cutting the back, move to one side. Comb the hair that's in front of the ear so it lies straight down, and bring up a little of the hair from the back so you can see the change in the length. Then, hold the hair with your fingers angled slightly upward toward the front of the head, and cut the hair so it's the same length where it meets the back, then slightly shorter closer to the face. Then, repeat on the other side. The length of the hair in the back will act as a guide to help you determine how long the rest of the hair should be. Comb all of the hair in front of the ears forward. After you've cut both sides, use your comb to smooth the hair forward over the guy's face. Then, use your fingers to pull the hair down as straight as you can. Cutting the hair while it's combed to the side will help the length blend into the back more evenly, but combing it to the front will allow you to check the accuracy. Compare the sides to make sure the lengths are even. Once you've combed the hair forward, look carefully at the front of the hair, and pull pieces from the sides together in front of the guy's face. For instance, you could take a piece from the same point on either temple and hold them together. The lengths should be the same. If any pieces are uneven, make small adjustments until the cut is symmetrical. After you make any changes, you may want to comb the hair to the side to make sure that the length still blends evenly into the back. If you want to, you can just stop here. Dry the hair, then check the length to make sure it's even on both sides and there aren't any pieces that need to be trimmed. However, to create a natural-looking style that looks more like it was done by a professional, add in a few subtle layers. Comb the hair so it’s parted how the guy normally wears it. After you've trimmed the hair to the general length you want, comb it again. This time, part it how the guy prefers to wear it. This might be a center part, or it might be off to one side. This will allow you to cut it so it looks natural when he wears his hair down. To find his natural part, comb the hair straight back, then push it forward a few times with your comb. Look for the place where the hair parts on its own. Pull out a 1⁄2–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) vertical section from the back of the hair. Use your comb to separate a section of hair running from the crown of the head all the way down to the nape of the neck. The section should only be about ⁄ 2 –1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) wide. Close your index and middle fingers around the section of hair and slide them to the end of the section, lifting the hair so it's straight out from the guy's head. When you see a small piece of hair fall from the bottom of your fingers, stop moving your fingers. This is the guide piece that will help you determine how long to cut the layers. Point-cut the hair straight up along the section you’re holding. Once you see the guide piece fall from between your fingers, use the points of your scissors to cut vertically into the section you're holding. Cut all the way up the hair, continuing to hold the section straight out away from the head. This technique creates soft, subtle layers, removing weight from the bottom of the hair. Repeat with a new section, using a little of the hair you just cut as a guide. Drop the section you just cut, then pick up a new one right next to it. The new section should be about as wide as the previous one, no more than ⁄ 2 –1 in (1.3–2.5 cm). As you're sectioning out the new piece, pick up a little of the hair from the first section. Use that hair as your guide to help you determine how long to cut the new section. If you can't see the shorter hair, you probably picked up too much hair. Drop the section you're holding and try again with a little less hair this time. Continue around the back of the head to just behind each ear. Cut the hair in sections from the bottom to the top of the head, first around one side, then to the other. Stop when you get to each ear, though, because you'll need to use a slightly different technique for the sides and the top of the hair. Each time you pick up a new section, include a little of the previous section. This will ensure you create consistent layers all the way around the hair. When you use the length of the previous section to guide the length of your next cut, this is called a “traveling guide.” Lift the hair at a 45° angle as you cut the top and sides. When you reach the sides, instead of pulling the sections straight out from the head, lift them up to about a 45° angle instead. Using the same technique as you did for the back, cut all the way up the section with the tips of your scissors. Holding the hair at an angle will account for the curve of the top of the head, allowing the layers to fall naturally. These new layers will also blend more subtly into the ones you cut in the back. Keep using the hair you've already cut as a guide as you layer the front and the sides of the hair. The length of the layers should be consistent all the way from the back to the front. Check a few sections against each other as you finish layering the hair. Pull the sections straight up, angled slightly, and out to the side to compare the length to make sure there aren't any pieces that are longer than the rest. Dry the guy’s hair and check to make sure the cut looks even. Once the cut is dry, if there are any pieces of hair that look out of place, use your scissors to trim them up. Remember to use only the points of your scissors; otherwise, you could end up with obvious lines in the hair, and you'll have to cut the hair much shorter to fix it. At this point, you should only have to make minor adjustments. If there are any major sections that look too long or that seem to be very jagged, dampen the hair and start again. | Shampoo, condition, and towel-dry the hair. Comb the guy's hair out while it's still damp. Use the tips of the scissors to trim the hair across the back of the neck. Cut the hair on the sides using the hair from the back as a guide. Comb all of the hair in front of the ears forward. Compare the sides to make sure the lengths are even. Comb the hair so it’s parted how the guy normally wears it. Pull out a 1⁄2–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) vertical section from the back of the hair. Point-cut the hair straight up along the section you’re holding. Repeat with a new section, using a little of the hair you just cut as a guide. Continue around the back of the head to just behind each ear. Lift the hair at a 45° angle as you cut the top and sides. Dry the guy’s hair and check to make sure the cut looks even. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Receipt | How to Write a Receipt | For hand-written sales receipts, buy a 2 part carbonless receipt book. Use a black or blue pen and bear down. Include the date, items bought, taxes, total transaction amount, and the method of payment. Review the information, then stamp it with your company's official stamp. Give the copy to the customer and retain the original. | Buy a receipt book to make writing receipts easier. You can purchase a 2 part carbonless receipt book online or at an office supply store or one that has several sheets of reusable carbon paper. These booklets are usually prenumbered and already have the receipt headings in place. Make sure to get booklets with 2 part forms so that you get a copy that you can keep for your records. If you don't have a booklet on hand, you can simply handwrite receipts on a piece of paper and photocopy them. Make sure that the carbon paper is between the original and the copy before starting to write a receipt. Use a pen when handwriting receipts, making sure to press down firmly so that the information transfers to the copy. Write the receipt number and date on the top right. Write out the full date that you made the sale and a chronologically ordered receipt number under it. Each receipt should have a number so that you can keep track of each sale throughout the day. For the receipt number, start with 001 and go up one number for every receipt. You can do this ahead of time so you don't need to write it every time you make a sale. For example, the top right of the receipt would look something like: January 20, 2019 004 You can reset the receipt numbers every day as long as you also write the date on every receipt. Most receipt booklets will already have a different receipt number for each receipt. Write your company name and contact information in the top left. Write your company phone number and address under the company name. You can also include other details like the website, social media accounts, and/or operating hours. This information will serve as proof that your company made the sale and will help the customer contact you if they need to. If you don't have a company, write your full name instead of a company name. Skip a line and write down the items purchased and their cost. Write the name of the item on the left side of the receipt and write the cost of each item on the right side of the receipt. If you sold more than one item, list the items and their prices in a row. For example, an itemized list on a receipt should look something like: Toilet paper………..$4 Comb………………$3 Moisturizer………...$20 Write the subtotal below all of the items. The subtotal is the cost of all the items before taxes and additional fees. Add up the cost of each of the items that you sold and write the total number under the list of item prices. To be accurate, use a calculator to add up the items. The subtotal should look something like: Toilet paper………..$4 Comb………………$3 Moisturizer………...$20 SUBTOTAL………..$27 Add taxes and other charges to the subtotal for the grand total. List the name of the tax or additional charges on the left side of the receipt and transcribe their cost on the right side of the receipt. Then, add any applicable fees and taxes to the subtotal to get the grand total, or the amount that the customer has to pay. The grand total should look something like: SUBTOTAL………..$27 Sales Tax………….$5.50 Shipping…………..$3 GRAND TOTAL…..$35.50 Write down the payment method and the customer's name. The payment method could be cash, check, or credit card. On the last line of the receipt write the customer's full name. If they paid by credit card, have them sign the bottom of the receipt. Then, make a copy of the receipt and keep it for your records and hand the customer the original receipt. Download a receipt template for an easy digital solution. If you are providing someone a receipt online, it may be easier to write the receipt on the computer. In this case, search for receipt templates online and download one that suits your needs. Then, fill in all the applicable fields using a word processor and send the customer a copy of the receipt. Remember to include the date of sale for any receipt that you write. Only download templates from sites that look reputable. Use software to create receipts with a professional look. Compare paid and free receipt generating software programs and download the one that best suits your needs. Set up the program and fill in your company name and information on the settings tab. Then, it's just a matter of properly filling in the applicable fields. Once you're done, the program will generate a professional-looking receipt for you to give to the customer, and will log the receipt in its database so you can refer to it later. Popular receipt programs include NeatReceipts, Certify, and Shoeboxed. You can also upload your company logo so that it shows up on the customer copy of the receipt. Use a POS system for highly accurate receipt management. A POS, or Point of Sale system, is a system that helps you track business expenses, sales, receipts, and can process payments like checks and credit cards. This system will automatically generate a receipt for the customer at the point of sale and log the sale in your database. Compare different POS systems online and choose one that fits your needs. Then, download the system onto your computer and work with customer support to get automatic receipts generated every time you make a sale. Popular POS systems include Vend, Shopify, and Square Up. Many POS systems can now be downloaded on your phone, tablet, or computer. | Buy a receipt book to make writing receipts easier. Write the receipt number and date on the top right. Write your company name and contact information in the top left. Skip a line and write down the items purchased and their cost. Write the subtotal below all of the items. Add taxes and other charges to the subtotal for the grand total. Write down the payment method and the customer's name. Download a receipt template for an easy digital solution. Use software to create receipts with a professional look. Use a POS system for highly accurate receipt management. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Let-Go-of-Thoughts-and-Feelings | How to Let Go of Thoughts and Feelings | To let go of thoughts and feelings, try distracting yourself with a relaxing activity like reading a book or taking a bath. You can also try going for a walk and exploring a new environment to give your mind new stimuli. Alternatively, try visualizing a memory of a beautiful or happy place to calm your mind. You can also write down your thoughts and emotions in a journal to reduce anxiety. | Be in the moment. When your thoughts are spinning out of control, what are you normally thinking about? Chances are, you're dwelling on something that happened in the past - even if it just happened last week - or you're obsessing over something that has yet to happen. The key to stopping those thoughts in their tracks is to be aware of the present moment. Noticing what's happening right now necessarily yanks your thoughts out of those dark corners. This is because very often the thoughts stop just by focusing on them because they are suddenly exposed to scrutiny and your inner desires that are creating the thought process is seen in a different light. It sounds so simple, but as you probably know, it's not always easy to do. Here are a few ways to become more aware of what's happening right this second: If you look at a calming image, the mind can relax and let go all on its own, but it only happens when you stop trying and expecting it to happen. This is a good primary method to relax and calm the mind. If trying to stay present doesn't calm your mind, try using a distraction like counting down from 100 by 7, or picking a color and finding all the objects in the room with that color. This will help take your mind off invasive thoughts. Then, you can refocus it on the present moment. Engage with the world around you. Part of the downside of dwelling on negative memories or emotions is that you're forced to be a little distant from what's going on outside your head. When you consciously decide that you're going to come out of your shell and engage with the world, you leave less room in your mind for those niggling thoughts and feelings that normally sap your mental energy. By judging yourself on the theme of those thoughts it can actually make the problem harder to deal with. You might have been thinking about how much you don't like someone then feel guilty or angry for it. This then trains the mind to become habitual or ingrained as a cause and effect process and it becomes harder in future to be in control. Here are a few ways to start engaging on a basic level: Be a better listener during conversations. Take time to really absorb what the other person is telling you, instead of half-listening while you worry about other things. Ask questions, share advice, and generally be a good conversationalist. Consider volunteering or otherwise getting involved in your community. You'll meet new people and be exposed to interesting and important topics that may just outweigh the thoughts and feelings you're trying to let go. Look down at your body. Pay attention to where you're sitting. Be attuned to your immediate surroundings. Focus on the sensations of where you're sitting or your feet on the floor. Your reality is where you are right now. It's impossible to go back to yesterday, and it's impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow. Keep your thoughts engaged with your physical presence in the current moment. Say something mentally or out loud. The physical act of making a sound will pull your thoughts to the present. Say "This is the present," or "I am here." Repeat it until your thoughts are pulled to the present. Go outside. Changing your immediate environment can help your thoughts move back to the present as your senses are occupied with expanding to take in more data. Observe the way is the world is moving around you, each being living in his or her own present. Focus on small changes, like a bird alighting or a leaf whirling on the sidewalk. Be less self conscious. Self-negativity in its wide scope of forms is also the instigator of negative thoughts and feelings for many people. When you're self conscious, it's as though you have a second reel running through your head, distracting you no matter what else you're doing. For example, when you're talking to someone, you're thinking about how you look, or what impression you're having, instead of fully participating in the conversation. Curbing self consciousness is essential when it comes to letting go of negative thoughts and feelings so you can participate fully in life. Practice being more present by doing activities that completely absorb you and make you feel confident in your abilities. For example, if you're good at baking, savor the experience of sifting the dry ingredients, mixing the batter, filling the cake pan, smelling the aroma of your creation as it fills the kitchen, taking the first bite when it's ready. When you experience present moment awareness, explore it and remember how it feels, as well as how you got there and recreate it as often as possible. Remember that the only thing keeping you from feeling that freedom in other situations is your own mind, and put aside self-criticism from your daily thought process. Consider your relationship with the thought or feeling. Thoughts usually run out of habit so will pop up again, when you stop being aware. Resolve to let those go as well as not only do you have to stop the chain, you have to prevent new ones. This will involve not only being aware, but making a conscious effort to change the habit. Research suggests that it takes around 21 to 66 days to change a habit, depending upon the person and the habit you're looking to change. Observe what's going on to develop an insight and an understanding of how thoughts and feelings control you. By watching the thoughts, it doesn't take too long to see there is two distinct things happening - a theme and a process. The process is the thinking or expressing feelings. The mind doesn't always need a theme to think, that's when the mind chatters away over what seems an illogical and fairly wild stream of thought. The mind is using thought just like a pacifier or a distraction and often does it when there is physical pain, when it is afraid or trying to protect itself from something. If you watch the mind like a machine, you can sometimes see the mind just grabbing whatever it can find or sense to use as a theme or topic of thought. Theme based thinking is much more obvious, you might be angry, worried or have a particular feeling over an issue and you think about that issue. These thoughts tend to be repetitive and focused just on the theme at hand. The difficulty is that there is a pretty central problem: essentially the mind has to be disinterested or disenchanted with the theme & process of thinking or emotionally feeling. Often this is helped greatly by recognizing that the theme and the feeling or thought process at hand is not helping us at the moment. There are a lot of feelings & thought subjects we don't want to let go of or view as being stressful because we often want to explore the themes and issues they represent (such as when being angry, or being anxious etc, we want to think about the who, where, what, why etc). This specific "wanting to think about" or just "wanting to think", is more powerful than our desire to let go - letting go is really hard when it is simply outweighed by a stronger desire. When we aren't careful or being aware, we just start fighting ourselves which is also part of the trick if you are thinking for the sake of thinking. Fighting becomes another distraction from the issue the mind is running away from - the mind is still in complete control, even though it doesn't look like it. You have to counter the strong "wanting to think about" with a gentle but very persistent "OK, it's time to move on and let go" until eventually the desire to let go is stronger than the desire to think about the issue. The other problem is feelings are something we see as part of our identity or part of us. We have no desire to recognise that part of us can cause us pain or misery, or that they are able to make us unhappy. People are often trained to think that "all" feelings are precious when they are "me" or "mine". Some feelings cause stress, but some don't. This explains the whole method, you have to observe the thought and feeling long enough to decide - without condemning yourself - if the feeling is worth keeping, or worth letting go of. Compare this theory to your own experience. If you have a theme based thought you want to let go of think about, try some of these experiments:: Try as hard as you can to avoid thinking about a polar bear, or (more unusual) a purple polka-dot flamingo drinking a cup of coffee. This experiment is quite an old one but still a good one to show the dynamics of thought. The simple fact of the matter is to be able to maintain an effort not to think about polar bears, or when we experience an unhappy thought, we struggle against it, both trying to suppress a thought and struggling against a thought both require applied and sustained effort and the theme (such as the polar bear) as an object. If you keep trying or fighting not to think about it, the bear stays put. Say you are holding a pen in your hand and want to let go of it. In order to put the pen down, you have to be holding it. When you continue to want to put it down, you have to "continue" to hold it. Logically you can't put it down when you are still holding it. The more effort and intention applied in "wanting" to put it down, the more grip is applied on the pen. Learn to let go by relaxing your fight against the feelings and thoughts. These same physics apply in the mind. Because we are trying to force the thoughts away, the more we hold on to them to be able to apply the force of forcing it to go. The harder we try to force it, the more we are tensing and crushing the mind. The mind however responds as though it is being attacked. The way out is instead of forcing it, just relax the grip. The pen falls out your hand all on its own the same as thoughts and feelings. You may need a little time - if you were using force it may be imprinted on the mind for a short while, because the mind is so used to fighting it so it has become almost ingrained as a mental occupation. When we clamp on to thoughts and feelings by exploring them, or trying to destroy them - they are going nowhere - they are locked in tight. We have to relax the grip in order to be able to let them go. Develop some skills to use when the thought or feeling arises. There is a host of things you can try or ask yourself when there is a thought or feeling that just keeps repeating. Here are some good things to consider or try: Have you ever read a book, seen a movie or done anything so many times you know everything about it and it just seems uninteresting and boring? If you do the same and watch the thought and be uninterested with it, there is no more attachment to it so its easier to let go. Don't run away from negative feelings. You're tired of thoughts and feelings that never seem to leave your mind, but have you taken the time to face them head on? When you try to ignore thoughts and feelings instead of acknowledging them, they may never go away. Allow yourself to deeply feel what you need to feel before you start the process of letting go. If your mind is trying to force-feed you thought chains or emotions, judgements are another tool it can use to dominate you. It is wise to remember that our mind is the source of all our manipulative skills so the mind knows more tricks than we are often aware of. It does this as the parts of the mind that crave and are addicted to things want to stay wild with our desires running and controlling us. By and large it is our addictions that drive us all. A useful mantra in facing the feelings and thoughts is to recall that you must be responsible for your own happiness and they don't have to control your life. Ultimately if you let the past or worries about the future as well as other desires control your happiness, they will never come up with the goods. Manipulate the thought. Run it backwards, twist it, bend it, change it - eventually you can see that you are running the show. By substituting an unpleasant thought with a more soothing thought chain, is a temporary fix, but still a good one in times of need. You can let go of the issue easier when you feel you have more safer ground to stand on. If your racing thoughts and feelings are related to a problem you have yet to solve, think it through, then take measures to remedy the situation, even if you have to accept that the situation is completely beyond control. If the thoughts and feelings are related to a sad event, like a breakup or a death in the family, allow yourself to feel the sadness. Look at a picture of the person you're missing and think about memories you shared. Let yourself cry if it helps the process - remember its perfectly all-right to be a human being. It might also help to write down your emotions in a journal. Have some tricks up your sleeve. When you're feeling stressed, overworked or generally down in some way, thoughts and feelings you thought were gone for good tend to come creeping back. When that happens, you need to have a few fallback methods that will help you get through the low moments without allowing certain thoughts and feelings to completely take over. Practice visualization. If you are a busy person with little time to relax , visualising can help greatly. One example to consider is this image (or any memory of a beautiful or happy place you can remember from your life): Imagine a pleasant, beautiful and empty field dotted with flowers and other scenic aspects. Take a minute exploring the open space, open blue sky and clean air. Then imagine a city built on the field with towers and buildings, streets and vehicles. Now let the city slowly disappear again, leaving the empty, beautiful field. The relevance of this image is that the field represents that our mind is primarily empty and peaceful, but we have built a city of thoughts and feelings on top of it. Over time we get used to the city and forget that underneath it, the empty field is actually still there. When you let go of them, the buildings go and the field (peace and quiet) returns. Reflect on your achievements. The world is full of the small joys of helping others, finishing jobs and goals, going outside and seeing a beautiful scene or sunset or enjoying a delightful meal with friends or family. In practice by reflecting on the beautiful aspects of life builds confidence as well as increases your enjoyment of future experiences. Practice gratitude in these moments. Try an activity like writing down 3 things for which you are grateful. Doing this in the moment will give you something to look back on for clarity when your thoughts are more invasive. Take good care of yourself. When you're not feeling well, it's difficult to muster the strength and energy to keep yourself feeling optimistic. Do what it takes to keep your mind, body and spirit healthy - those negative thoughts and feelings will be a lot less likely to take hold. Get plenty of sleep. When you're running on a sleep deficit, it's difficult to keep your mind functioning in a positive way. Get 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night. Eat well. Have a balanced diet full of all the nutrients your brain needs to stay healthy. Make sure you get plenty of fruits and vegetables. Exercise regularly. Having a good exercise routine will keep stress at bay as well as helping your body stay in good shape. Both of these effects have a big influence on the thoughts and feelings that occupy your mind. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is a depressant, and drinking it too much can cause your thoughts to spin out of control. The same is true of many types of drugs. If you regularly consume a lot of drugs and alcohol, consider cutting back to improve your mental health. Seek counseling when necessary. Caring for mental health is as important as caring for your physical health. If you're having trouble controlling your thoughts, don't try to manage everything on your own. Seek out a professional - a counselor, religious advisor, social worker, or psychiatrist - who can help you get back on a positive path. | Be in the moment. Engage with the world around you. Be less self conscious. Consider your relationship with the thought or feeling. Observe what's going on to develop an insight and an understanding of how thoughts and feelings control you. Compare this theory to your own experience. Learn to let go by relaxing your fight against the feelings and thoughts. Develop some skills to use when the thought or feeling arises. Don't run away from negative feelings. Have some tricks up your sleeve. Practice visualization. Reflect on your achievements. Take good care of yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Parents-Leave-You-Alone | How to Make Your Parents Leave You Alone | There may be times when you just want your parents to leave you alone so you can have the space to be more independent. To get more space, try to find ways to get out of the house. For example, you could get a part-time job or take up an extracurricular activity, like a sport or the school band. You could also hang out with friends several evenings per week to have some space from your parents. If you feel your parents are being too overbearing, you may need to talk to them directly about giving you more space. Try to provide concrete examples to show why you want to be left alone sometimes, which will make your parents more likely to respond positively. Reasons could include wanting to spend more time with friends or taking on more responsibility and making your own decisions about your life. | Talk to your parents about boundaries. It's normal to feel hesitant when confronting your parents because you may still be dependent on your parents' finances or emotional comfort. If you need help talking about your boundary issues, then write out the specifics of what is bothering you. Showing your parents concrete examples will help them understand where you are coming from. Remember they don't have it "out for you" so don't be afraid to approach them. Be honest and open, but don't attack your parents. Restrain yourself from insulting your parents in this talk. This could potentially lead to arguments that fail at solving the real problems you're having. Just knowing that your parents are aware of what you are going through can reduce your feelings of annoyance towards them. Do not lie. Telling a lie can seem like an easy way out of a more complicated problem, but it'll only cause negative complications in the end. Parents are not dumb. If you tell a series of lies then you may trap yourself in a web of lies. In this situation a parent is more prone to see through your dishonesty. Lying hurts the ones you love. Parents can become angry for being mislead or even frightened for the future of your well-being. In the end, lying will only weaken your chances of having your wishes respected. Anticipate your parents' reactions. Don't expect your parents to freely give you all the space you're imagining. You have to earn their trust. Initiating a conversation could merely be the beginning of a much longer process. If getting your alone time means hurting or causing your parents to cry, then consider if it is worth it. Think of them as normal adults, rather than as your parents. Approaching them in this fashion could strengthen how open you are with your feelings. Do something nice for them. Studies show certain health benefits in response to actions of kindness whether you are the giver or receiver. Kindness can improve the immune system and increase the brain's release of serotonin. If they see that you are making an effort then they'll be more inclined to listen to your wishes. Try a few things around the house like: Vacuuming the house Doing the dishes after dinner Cleaning your room Offering to babysit a younger sibling Keep track of your relationship with your parents. Don't let things build up and allow a small problem to snow-ball into a serious issue. Communication is key for any relationship. If you act in an open and honest manner to your parents, both you and your parents could reap the benefits. A good relationship between parents and their children is powerful. Get a job. Becoming employed can show your parents that you want to be more independent. Most parents think working instills a variety of positive traits like developing work ethic and strengthening your independence. Working will also give you time away from your parents. Getting a job shows your parents that you care about your future and might alleviate some of their concerns with your well-being. There are various ways you can prepare yourself for getting the job that is right for you. Stay after school to finish assignments. Parents, in general, are usually concerned with your school work and your educational future. Finishing your assignments on time and staying up-to-date with your studies will prove that you are responsible and need less direction from your parents. If you are struggling in school then arrange for a tutoring service provided by your teacher or school. This will both lessen your time with your parents and show them that you don't need them to bother you about school work. If you are making good grades be sure to tell your parents. Become involved with an extracurricular activity. Staying after-school can only occupy so much time. Inquire with your school about the various extracurricular programs you can become involved with. Occupying your time away from your home life could create the necessary space you need from your parents. If you're unsure about what programs your school has to offer, then ask your favorite teacher or councilor. Hang out with your friends. Friends' homes can be your safe-haven while your parents are bothering you. Plan activities with your friends that will get you out of the house like: Going to the arcade Going bowling Going to see a movie Playing laser tag A group of your friends are having a sleepover. Their parents invited you on a weekend camping or beach trip. Their parents invited you over for dinner. Start dating somebody. Dating can teach you about establishing a healthy and stable relationship that can extend into strengthening your relationship with your parents. Entering into a relationship occupies your time and lots of parents will understand that this space is necessary. It might not be easy for you to rush into a relationship. If there is somebody in mind then try asking them out for coffee or to go see a movie. Rushing into a relationship for the wrong reasons could cause serious problems between the other person and yourself. Only follow this step if it feels natural for you to spend time with this person. Take the time and make a plan. This will improve your chances of the other person agreeing to see you. Stay out of trouble. Getting in trouble at school or with the law will only raise your parents' attention towards you. If you do something that could get you into trouble and caught by the authorities, then don't do it. Separate yourself from certain friends that are prone to getting into trouble. If your parents begin to notice that you've weaved trouble making friends out of your life, then they'll appreciate it. Set high standards with your friendships and your life goals. If you dream big, then you'll feel more pressure to stay out trouble. Recognize how your parents are bothering you. Try to figure out which aspects of your life your parents are bothering you in. You won't be able to get them to leave you alone completely, but you could figure out what area of your life is most important to be your time not theirs. Keep track of your time with your parents for about a week. Write down specific events or conversations that are especially bothering you. Notice your behavior towards your parents. Relationships are a two-way street. If you are acting rude towards your parents, they could feel inclined, out of concern, to become more involved with you. If you continue to get into a conversation or argument you dislike, then recall your language and tone. Is this different than your normal speaking voice? Even if you consider yourself to be a friendly person, recognize if this behavior is causing your parents to interact with you more than you'd like. Find out if anything has changed in your parents' life. Your parents could be going through a hard time at work or even experiencing a rough patch in their relationship. Try asking your parents how their day was. Inquiring about what they are going through could help lead them to admit they're recent over-involvement with you. If you are only experiencing annoyances with one parent, try asking their friend or your other parent/guardian about the parent in question. They may have good advise on what is bothering them. Talk to others about your parents' behavior. If you have an older sibling, then find out if they went through the same thing. Ask your friends about their relationships and inquire if you're problems are common among your group of friends. Meet with a trusted mentor (teacher, adviser, babysitter, etc) and ask them about your parents being overbearing. If you are still unsure about your dilemma, consult with a guidance councilor or ask your parents for a therapist. Wait it out. If this feeling is a recent development, then try waiting a week or two to see if their actions persist. Issues can fluctuate into an overwhelming period of time, and sometimes during this time people need help or the company of others. Remember your parents are also human beings and deserve your patience. | Talk to your parents about boundaries. Do not lie. Anticipate your parents' reactions. Do something nice for them. Keep track of your relationship with your parents. Get a job. Stay after school to finish assignments. Become involved with an extracurricular activity. Hang out with your friends. Start dating somebody. Stay out of trouble. Recognize how your parents are bothering you. Notice your behavior towards your parents. Find out if anything has changed in your parents' life. Talk to others about your parents' behavior. Wait it out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Go-to-an-Interview | How to Go to an Interview | The best way to ace a job interview is to prepare beforehand by researching the company online and practicing answers to common questions. Be at the interview location at least five minutes early and make a good impression with a firm handshake and clear, confident answers. | Research the company. Once you know you have an interview lined up, spend some time researching the company and the position you applied for online. You'll often be able to learn the answers to basic questions you have, especially concerning work schedule and job responsibilities. You may also encounter information you're curious about, so you can ask the interviewer to expand or clarify. Try the company website, anything a search engine turns up about the company, and the company's social media pages. Try to understand the company's goals and mission, and how it ties into your skills and interests. This makes you appear prepared and suitable for the company, which is a cut above someone who only repeats the website's talking points. If you know someone who works or used to work at the company, that contact can give you specific tips about your interviewers or what the company values. Come up with answers to common resume questions. Write down a list of questions you expect them to ask, and then construct a thoughtful answer to each one in writing. If you get some of your guesses right, you'll appear confident and practiced, and will have less anxiety about improvising your answers. Be prepared to summarize your previous work experiences, and to explain how they contributed to skills and knowledge that applies to the job you're trying to get. Certain common resume occurrences are often brought up in interview questions. These include a long gap in your employment, a job you only had for a short time, or unusual work experience people may not be familiar with. Prepare to describe yourself in a way that is relevant to the job. The interviewer may ask you non-work-related questions, and you should be able to tie them into your interest in the company. Some of these may take verbal gymnastics, but if you focus on your personal character development and your passion for the work the company does, you can usually find a way to connect them with the question. Prepare a short summary of a few major accomplishments in your life or career, ending with a tie-in about how you are suited for this job. When they ask you to "tell me about yourself," they are looking for more specific information than what you included on your resume. Google your name and be prepared to explain any unflattering information, work experience you left off your resume, or unusual hobbies. The last category can easily become a strength if you describe positive reasons you enjoy them. Other common questions include What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? , Why should we hire you? , Where do you see yourself in five years? , and How did you hear about our company? These are all opportunities to describe yourself in a positive light, especially your connection and commitment to the company's mission. If you are having trouble coming up with answers, have a friend who's prepared for interviews before help you construct answers that are positive, but not clichéd. Practice answering these questions in different ways. Have a friend read out your list of questions, or do it alone in front of a mirror. Answer them without reading from your paper, although glancing down at first is fine. Do this several times, trying to word your answers in different ways each time. The more you practice, the more natural you'll sound when the interviewer asks a similar, but not identical, question. Pack everything you need. Bring along a copy of your resume, as well as a notepad and pen. If you're coming straight from another obligation, bring along a comb, makeup, or whatever else you need to improve your appearance before the interview begins. Bringing a phone to exchange contact information is a good idea, but be sure it is set to silent during the interview. Consider printing out the "about the company page" or the job postings section of their website and making notes on it concerning what information you'd like to learn more about. Dress nicely. Cut your nails, tidy your hair, and wear well kept, formal clothing. See this article for more detailed information if you're not confident about your dress decisions. There are rare exceptions, but you should only dress more casually if you are specifically told not to dress up. Even then you should pay attention to hygiene and not wear ratty or dirty clothing. This situation comes up most often for jobs that require outdoor manual labor. Go alone and without other obligations. Having a bored friend in the car or kids waiting in the lobby will increase your anxiety. Similarly, keep your schedule clear so you don't keep someone waiting if the interview goes long. If you have to pick your kids up from school or have a meeting with a friend, try to get someone else to cover for you or reschedule before the interview. Arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Aim to show up in advance in case of unexpected delays. You only have one chance to make a good first impression, and even a reasonable excuse for being late will make you look worse. Don't enter the interviewing office until five minutes before your scheduled interview time. Give yourself extra time to find the interview location if it is in a large complex or complicated building. If you are unavoidably delayed, call in advance and let them know the reason and your estimated arrival time. Calm your nerves before you begin. This article contains many methods for reducing anxiety. Pick one or two that you can do before the interview and have calmed you down in the past. If you have trouble relaxing and aren't sure which will work, try to find the time to try some of these out in the week before the interview. If you have the time beforehand, try having lunch with a calm friend or getting a massage. Many people become nervous if they are waiting for something stressful alone, so try to choose an absorbing, distracting activity with a relaxing friend. If you only have a few minutes before the interview, take a few deep, slow breaths in and out, holding each one for a brief pause. Do this for 30–60 seconds if you can. Some relaxation methods are impractical when preceding a job interview. Taking a bubble bath or jogging right before your interview will leave a bad impression when you show up with wet hair or a sweat soaked shirt. Prepare beforehand. Follow the advice under Preparing for the Interview thoroughly. The more work you do beforehand, the more confident you'll be. Don't leave everything to the morning before if you want to make a good impression. The advice under the Preparing section includes information on everything from doing research days in advance, to calming your nerves a few minutes before the interview. This section covers the interview itself, starting with introducing yourself and ending with how to follow up afterwards. Make a good impression with your introduction. Greet them confidently, without mumbling, and make eye contact. Shake their hand firmly but don't crush it, unless you live in an area where a different greeting is more common between business contacts. Consider waiting while standing up in the few minutes before the interviewer shows up. It's easier to make a good impression when you're not struggling out of a comfy chair. This won't make or break a job, so feel free to sit down if your knees are shaking or your legs need the rest. Stay upbeat but don't joke around. You should never appear sad or grim. Try to turn every question into a positive, even ones that touch on depressing subjects such as losing your last job. It's great if you and the interviewer are getting along, but don't go too far and start chatting instead of answering questions. When discussing losing a job, use comments such as "I'm glad of the experience I got there." or "And now I'm free to apply to great companies like this one." Don't crack jokes during an interview. It's hard to predict how a stranger will react to your humor. Don't share personal information. You should focus on the questions you are asked and how they relate to the job you're applying for. Be especially cautious about sharing potentially controversial information such as religious beliefs or hobbies. Prepare responses beforehand in case you are asked personal questions. Try deflecting them with responses such as "My (health / family situation / hobby) will not affect my ability to perform this job." or "I have a rich (background / set of life experiences / world view) that adds a lot to my work ethic." In the United States, it is illegal for your interviewer to ask about your race, religion, birthplace, marital or family status, age, sex, or disability. Many countries have similar anti-discrimination laws which you can find summarized online. If the interviewer breaks one of these laws, try to deflect the question without getting angry. Take a few notes for important information. The purpose of a notepad at an interview is to jot down important information you need to remember, such as the potential start date of the job and the contact information of your interviewer. Don't spend the interview writing down every word; your focus should be on the conversation occurring. Ask questions when given an opportunity. Don't make this a one-way street. When your answer leads to a question you have, feel free to end by asking it. When your interviewer asks if you have any questions, have a few relevant ones prepared. This is an opportunity for you to find out more about the nature of the job you're considering, not just a chance for the company to evaluate you. Ask about the next step. At the end of the interview, if the interviewer doesn't tell you already, you should find out what the next step entails. Will they get back to you within one week or three? Will they schedule a second interview, or let you know whether you have the job? Know what to expect before you leave. Always remember to end by thanking the interviewer. Send a thank you note for important jobs. The manager of a chain store probably doesn't care whether you send him or her a thank you note, but if this is a job that is important to your career, you should go the extra distance. Contact them the same day just to let them know you appreciated the interview. Send a handwritten note only if your handwriting is clear and legible. Follow through if the company is slow getting back to you. If the interviewer tells you they'll contact you in the next week but there's no sign of this happening, send him or her an email inquiring politely about the situation. This keeps you at the forefront of his or her mind and lets you know exactly what to expect. Don't sound impatient or annoyed, but don't feel shy about contacting them, either. Following through shows interest in the job, and should be received positively, as long as you wait until the company has had a reasonable time to respond, at least a week or however long the interviewer specified. Find out how long the interview will take, including travel times. Look up the location of the company office as soon as possible, preferably when you are applying to the job. Once you are offered an interview, ask for an estimate of its length. Is it possible to get there during your lunch hour? You might end up in an awkward situation if you answer a phone call and agree to an impossible time slot in your excitement. Don't agree to interview times you can't keep. If the date is a week or more in the future, you can probably find a way to rearrange your schedule. But if the interview is offered at short notice, or you know you have an important meeting at your current job during that time, suggest an alternate interview time. If you are caught in a phone conversation and offered an interview when you aren't certain of your availability, say you will try to clear up space on your calendar and will let them know soon. Call or email them back as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours, to let them know when you can make it. Some employers have unreasonable expectations, expecting potential employees to show up on a day's notice or clear their calendar no matter what. In initial interactions, assume the other person is reasonable. If you've exchanged a few emails and noticed indications otherwise, you may need to cancel important appointments or make similar sacrifices if you're still interested in the job. Ask if you can attend an interview before or after your workday. Be honest with your potential employer, and let them know you already have a job. The company you're applying to join wouldn't want its employers skipping work to apply to other jobs, so trying to arrange an alternate solution sends a better message about your work ethic. Try to fit your interview into your lunch hour. If the interview is not available outside of your work hours, and the location is nearby, suggest using your lunch hour. Be sure to ask how long the interview is expected to take, so you know whether this solution is reasonable. Don't assume the travel time and interview length will stick within your estimates. If it's a tight scheduling squeeze, ask your boss if you can come in early or stay late that day and run some errands during a longer lunch break. Use a vacation or sick day. Use one of your time off days when you need to schedule a longer interview or one located further away. If you can schedule several interviews for that day, even better. Depending on how nosy your boss is, you might not need an explanation longer than "I'm taking a vacation day." Sick days do require lying, but with some employers or short notice interviewers, you may not have another choice. If you're planning on leaving your job anyway, using your vacation days for interviewing isn't much of a loss. Use a simple, vague excuse. "I have an appointment Friday afternoon; could I work longer on Thursday instead?" is enough for many employers. It even has the advantage of being true, which makes you sound more convincing. If they grill you about what type of appointment it is, just stick with something simple and believable, such as a doctor's or dentist's appointment. If you are taking time off for interviews frequently, the dentist or doctor's excuse still works. Many people need to go back several times to check their dental work, and you shouldn't be expected to reveal your health problems. Don't use an excuse that makes you look bad. In your anxiety not to reveal your job search, you may end up making your boss even angrier! If you're lying to make your boss think you're skipping work because of a hangover, what are you accomplishing? Always let your boss know before you take time off, not after. Any excuse sounds unprofessional once you ditched your employer without telling them. Don't lie about a family member's problems. Of course you shouldn't fall into the old trap of "my third grandmother died", but really, even the first invented excuse about a family member is a bad idea. It's not uncommon for your boss to eventually meet the person you're talking about, and then you're stuck explaining that your sister developed amnesia about the race car accident. Don't make an excuse that can be easily fixed or doesn't give you enough time. If your interview and travel time is going to take three hours, saying your son is running late for school won't sound convincing when you finally slink into work. The worst mistake is telling your boss the delay is caused by something he or she can fix. "I have a flat tire, but don't send anyone, I'd rather sit on the highway all day." screams dishonesty. Many large companies have daycare services that can look after your kid, so be sure you know that yours doesn't before claiming your son and daughter as an excuse. Allow time to change clothes if necessary. Most workplaces don't require formal clothing on the same level as interview dress. If you're coming straight from work, give yourself enough time to stop by a public bathroom, clothing store changing stall, or your home and change into nicer clothes before the interview. If you have no convenient place to store your interview clothing, drop it off the day before at a dry cleaner's and pick it up on your way to the interview. Hire a babysitter if necessary. If you manage to get an interview outside of work, but need to take care of your kids, hire a babysitter to cover you for a couple hours. If you can't afford to, find a responsible friend or family member to help you out for this brief period. This applies to other obligations as well; you may need to reschedule less urgent tasks or ask a friend or family member to do them for you. Don't schedule phone interviews during work. If you are having a phone interview, make it clear to your interviewer that you need to know when to expect the call. Don't agree to answer the phone during work hours; that's an easy way to get caught. If you have little time free between when you get out of work and your interviewer does, suggest a phone interview immediately after work, before you get home. You can find a quiet public park to conduct it in, or pull over by the side of the road if you are phoned while driving. | Research the company. Come up with answers to common resume questions. Prepare to describe yourself in a way that is relevant to the job. Practice answering these questions in different ways. Pack everything you need. Dress nicely. Go alone and without other obligations. Arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Calm your nerves before you begin. This article contains many methods for reducing anxiety. Prepare beforehand. Make a good impression with your introduction. Stay upbeat but don't joke around. Don't share personal information. Take a few notes for important information. Ask questions when given an opportunity. Ask about the next step. Send a thank you note for important jobs. Follow through if the company is slow getting back to you. Find out how long the interview will take, including travel times. Don't agree to interview times you can't keep. Ask if you can attend an interview before or after your workday. Try to fit your interview into your lunch hour. Use a vacation or sick day. Use a simple, vague excuse. Don't use an excuse that makes you look bad. Don't lie about a family member's problems. Don't make an excuse that can be easily fixed or doesn't give you enough time. Allow time to change clothes if necessary. Hire a babysitter if necessary. Don't schedule phone interviews during work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Mercury-Thermometer | How to Repair a Mercury Thermometer | If your mercury thermometer is cracked, you can't repair it, and you should instead discard it safely, since mercury is toxic. Never just “throw away” your thermometer but call your local hazard waste office to find out how to safely discard it. However, if your thermometer has seemingly stopped working, you can repair it by placing the thermometer in a refrigerator or freezer. If it's cold enough, it may restore the mercury column on your thermometer. | Inspect the thermometer for damage. Do not use it anymore if it is cracked or damaged in any way. It has served its life and needs to be disposed of properly (see Warnings below). Note the temperature indicated. Choose a method for repairing the separated mercury. Place the thermometer in a refrigerator or ideally, a freezer. If cold enough, it should send the mercury (or other indicating fluid) to the bulb with little else to do. See the next steps if a refrigerator or freezer is not available or did not work. Place the thermometer in the sink. Gradually heat the bulb with a hair dryer on warm. The mercury will rise to the top of the thermometer and join together. Allow the thermometer to gradually cool down to room temperature. If you need to take several attempts, just heat and cool gradually. Do not overheat, as the thermometer could burst. Firmly grasp the thermometer near the top, so that the bulb containing the mercury (or other indicating fluid) is pointed downward. Rapidly move the thermometer down and sharply reverse direction (and snap the wrist upward). When the thermometer reaches the lowest point of the stroke several times. Recheck the indicated temperature. If the indicated temperature has been reduced from the last time checked, continue shaking the thermometer downward. It will likely require repeating many times before the void in the column has disappeared. Hold the thermometer vertically - with the bulb directed downward. Drop the thermometer on a bed, pillow, or even a towel folded so that it is 8 (or more) times the non-folded thickness. Not more than a one or two foot drop is recommended. | Inspect the thermometer for damage. Note the temperature indicated. Choose a method for repairing the separated mercury. Place the thermometer in a refrigerator or ideally, a freezer. Place the thermometer in the sink. Gradually heat the bulb with a hair dryer on warm. Allow the thermometer to gradually cool down to room temperature. If you need to take several attempts, just heat and cool gradually. Firmly grasp the thermometer near the top, so that the bulb containing the mercury (or other indicating fluid) is pointed downward. Rapidly move the thermometer down and sharply reverse direction (and snap the wrist upward). Recheck the indicated temperature. Hold the thermometer vertically - with the bulb directed downward. Drop the thermometer on a bed, pillow, or even a towel folded so that it is 8 (or more) times the non-folded thickness. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Trout | How to Cook Trout | To cook rainbow trout, start by brushing a square of heavy-duty aluminum foil with oil for each filet you're cooking. Next, place a piece of trout on each square with the skin-side down and season with salt and pepper. Then, open each piece of fish, and place a sprig of tarragon or dill in the middle with a few slices of lemon. Once the fish is seasoned, fold it back up and drizzle each piece with olive oil before loosely folding it up in the foil. Finally, bake for 15 minutes in a 400° Fahrenheit oven, and remove the fish from the foil before serving. | Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Meanwhile, cut four sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. The pieces of aluminum foil should be cut into squares that are 3 inches (7.6 cm) longer than the length of your rainbow trout. If you only have light aluminum foil, cut eight sheets. Double up the sheets to create four thicker squares. Oil the aluminum foil. Coat the dull side of each aluminum foil square with a small amount of olive oil. The foil should not be dripping wet, but there should be enough oil to make the surface evenly slick. Place one trout on one foil square. Center each trout on a separate sheet of foil. Place the trout skin-side down. Consider leaving the head or tail on while cooking. This reduces the amount of skin that breaks, which allows the flavor of the rainbow trout to come out stronger. Note that most rainbow trout purchased in a store will be butterflied open. This is actually preferable for this recipe, but you can still prepare the recipe without butterflied trout. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each trout with salt and pepper, to taste. If you need a rough guideline on how much salt and pepper to use, try a total of 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt and 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) pepper, evenly spread over all four pieces of fish. Season the inside of the trout. Open each piece of trout so that they lie flat. Place two sprigs of tarragon or dill in the middle of each fish along with two slices of lemon. Fold the two sides together again. You could also use 4 sprigs of rosemary instead of the dill or tarragon. If the trout is not butterflied, you can lay the herbs and lemon slices on top of the fish instead of sandwiching them in the middle. Drizzle each fish with 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of olive oil. Loosely fold the foil. Grab the edges of the foil and fold them over the fish, crimping them together tightly to form a packet. Make sure that the trout is centered in the middle of the square before folding the square up. Place the packets on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. When done, the flesh of the trout should be opaque. It should also flake easily when pierced with a fork. Check on packet after 10 minutes. Continue cooking an additional 5 minutes if still undercooked. Serve warm. Remove the finished fish packets from the oven and transfer each to a plate. Cut across the top and remove the fish from the packet before eating. Open the packet carefully to prevent yourself from getting burned by the steam. Pour the juices from the packet over the fish on your plate. Sprinkle the fish with more tarragon, dill, or parsley. Also serve the fish with lemon wedges, if desired. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Choose a baking sheet with a shallow rim. Note that steelhead trout are generally quite large, so you should use a large baking sheet instead of a small one. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the butter to a saucepan or small skillet and heat it over medium heat until it melts and begins to sizzle. Cook the shallot, garlic, and lemon zest. Add the shallots first, cooking them for 3 minutes until softened. Afterward, add the minced garlic and 1 tsp (5 ml) of grated zest from the lemon. Cook for an additional minute. If using pre-minced garlic, use roughly 1 tsp (5 ml). You could also use 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) garlic powder. Use a hand grater or box grater to produce the lemon zest. Add the lemon juice. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly. Squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon into the pan and stir to blend it in. Transfer the fish to your prepared baking sheet. Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle it with a little salt and pepper. If you are uncertain about how much salt and pepper to start with, try 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) salt and 1/8 tsp (0.625 ml) pepper. If the fish is too large to fit across the length of the baking sheet, turn it and let it lay across the sheet diagonally. Note that steelhead trout has a taste somewhat comparable to salmon, and the two are often used as substitutes for one another. Steelhead trout tends to be slightly thinner, though, so it requires a shorter cooking time than salmon. Drizzle with prepared butter mixture. Spoon the flavored butter mixture over the trout, coating it evenly and completely. Sprinkle with minced dill. Use half of your minced dill to season the fish before it cooks. If you do not have fresh dill, you can use 1 tsp (5 ml) dried dill for every 1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh dill you might otherwise use. Bake for 12 to 17 minutes. Cook the trout in the preheated oven until it flakes apart easily with a fork. Do not turn or flip the fish as it cooks. Do not cover the baking sheet. A thin fillet will cook in 12 minutes, but thicker fillets may take longer. Serve warm. Use several spatulas to carefully slide the trout off the baking sheet and onto a serving platter. Squeeze the remaining lemon juice over the fish and sprinkle it with the remaining dill. If desired, you could also cut the fish into multiple pieces before sliding it off. Heat oil in a large skillet. Let the oil warm up over medium heat as you prepare the fish. Pan-frying is a popular way to cook lake trout. Other common cooking methods include smoking and grilling. Lake trout can be baked, as well, but that method is not quite as typical for lake trout. Combine the cheese, crackers, cornmeal, garlic salt, and black pepper. Mix these five ingredients in a shallow bowl or dish until thoroughly combined. For a smokier taste, you could used bacon-flavored crackers instead of standard saltine crackers. For a less potent garlic taste, reduce the amount of garlic salt to 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml). Mix the eggs and milk. Beat the eggs and milk in another shallow bowl with a whisk. In order to serve as an effective egg wash, the eggs and milk must be combined well. The sides of the dish must be high enough to prevent the egg wash from dripping out. The bowl should have a wide mouth, though, so that it is easy enough for you to dunk the fish in it. Coat the fish in the egg wash. Dunk each fish fillet into the egg mixture. Hold the fillet over the bowl of egg wash for 30 seconds or so. Let the excess egg drip off. If the fillets feel slimy or sticky, rinse them in cold water and pat dry with clean paper towels before dunking them in the egg wash. Dredge in the crumb mixture. After coating all sides of the lake trout in egg, roll the fish in the crumb mixture to coat all sides. Each fillet must be rolled in the crumb mixture gently. Otherwise, it could break apart. Lightly shake each fillet over the bowl of crumbs once you coat it. The excess crumbs should fall off. Fry for 5 to 7 minutes. Place the trout fillets in the hot oil and turn the heat up to medium-high. Fry until crispy and opaque on all sides. Turn the fish once during the cooking process using a spatula. The fish must be flipped carefully in order to prevent it from flaking apart. Once done, the fish should flake apart easily with a fork. The flesh should also be easy to remove from the bones, if you started with fillets that still have bones in them. Serve warm. Remove the trout from the frying pan and transfer to a serving plate. If desired, serve with lemon slices, chives, and parsley. Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a large skillet and warm it up using medium heat. Canola oil works well, but you can also use sunflower oil or safflower oil. All three are good choices because they contribute very little additional taste and have a high smoke point. Give the oil 1 or 2 minutes to become hot before pressing forward. Add the butter. After the oil becomes notably glossy, add the butter to the pan. Once it begins to sizzle, stir it into the hot oil already coating the pan. Let the butter melt completely before moving to the next step. You could also use margarine instead of butter, but butter will have a richer taste. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Sprinkle a small amount of salt and pepper over both sides of each fish. A little will go a long way. Brook trout has a slightly more delicate flavor than other types of trout, so many prefer to cook the trout in a way that brings out the flavor of the fish without adding many competing flavors. For that reason, you should avoid using too many herbs or spices when seasoning brook trout. Use brook trout that has been cleaned, dried, and boned. You can remove the heads and tails or keep them on. Additionally, you can keep the scales and skin on, since the skin can be crispy and flavorful, especially when pan-fried. Cook the trout for 4 to 6 minutes. Once the trout turns light brown on the bottom side, carefully turn it over with a spatula and continue cooking on the other side. Each side should only cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Test the fish for doneness by flaking it with a fork. If the trout flakes apart easily and is opaque inside, the fish is done. Serve warm. Transfer the fish to a plate. Split the fish in half and serve. Stick a fork into the area where the dorsal fin is. Lift and slide along the backbone area, splitting the fish apart and opening it up. If you did not remove the bones before cooking the trout, splitting the fish open should reveal the bones. The bones should appear on one side and can be lifted out with your fingers. | Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Oil the aluminum foil. Place one trout on one foil square. Season with salt and pepper. Season the inside of the trout. Loosely fold the foil. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Cook the shallot, garlic, and lemon zest. Add the lemon juice. Transfer the fish to your prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with prepared butter mixture. Sprinkle with minced dill. Bake for 12 to 17 minutes. Serve warm. Heat oil in a large skillet. Combine the cheese, crackers, cornmeal, garlic salt, and black pepper. Mix the eggs and milk. Coat the fish in the egg wash. Dredge in the crumb mixture. Fry for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve warm. Heat the oil. Add the butter. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Cook the trout for 4 to 6 minutes. Serve warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Establish-Boundaries | How to Establish Boundaries | Boundaries are a good way to protect yourself physically and emotionally, and with some practice, you can establish boundaries with anyone. It's best to be direct when you communicate your boundaries. For instance, if your friends stay over too late, you could say, “Hey guys, I'm really tired and want to go to sleep. Let's meet back up another day.” If people try to push your boundaries, stay firm and repeat yourself so they know you won't budge. If a family member or partner is asking too much of you, let them know how you feel. Keep in mind that it's okay to say “no.” Some people may try to guilt you into breaking your boundaries. If this is the case, you may need to take a step back from those relationships since manipulation isn't healthy. Talk to a friend about what you're going through or call a domestic violence hotline for help. | Understand the purpose of healthy boundaries. Healthy boundaries are a way to protect yourself, giving yourself freedom to conduct your life in a way that helps you flourish. People model boundaries based on what they've learned in previous relationships – with their parents, siblings, friends, and romantic partners. Compare healthy and unhealthy boundaries. Before you can establish healthy boundaries, you need to recognize what unhealthy boundaries look like. Some unhealthy boundaries include: Needing to always be together with your partner. Manipulating your partner. Inability to have friendships with other people. Using alcohol and drugs to make yourself feel more comfortable in your relationship. Wanting the relationship to never change. Jealousy or lack of commitment. Recognize what emotional boundaries are. Healthy emotional boundaries mean that you are able to voice your desires and preferences. Your emotional boundaries separate your emotions from those of another. They protect your self-esteem. These “include beliefs, behaviors, choices, sense of responsibility, and your ability to be intimate with others.” Some examples of healthy emotional boundaries are: Your own health and well-being are important, and you will not be forced to neglect your own needs. You have a right to be treated with respect. You will not be manipulated or forced to do things you don't want to do, even if the other person is attempting to make you feel guilty. You won't allow others to yell at you, make you feel bad about who you are or what you are doing, or call you names. You don't blame others for things that are your responsibility, and you don't allow others to blame you for things that are not your responsibility. You keep your emotions separate from other people's emotions, although you empathize with the people you care about. You convey your own needs assertively, and work towards cooperation if possible. This helps maintain mutual respect. Recognize physical boundaries for your physical self. Another aspect of physical boundaries is the physical distance between us and another person. People who are good friends or family members have less physical distance between them in their interactions. When someone intrudes on our physical space, we feel it internally. It feels awkward and unnatural. When you are in a relationship, make sure you are comfortable with how you express yourself physically with the other person. Have a conversation about what will make you feel safe and loved. Northern Europeans and North Americans observe the largest personal space distance. People in Middle Eastern countries, South America, and southern Europe have the smallest personal space distance, and touching is common. Eastern cultures consider touching or patting on the back as taboo and offensive. Recognize physical boundaries for your possessions. Physical boundaries are often described as personal space. Personal space includes physical possessions such as your home, your bedroom, your belongings, your car, etc. It is well within your rights to establish boundaries with others about respect for your privacy and your possessions. It is a violation of physical boundaries to go through another person's belongings without their permission. Even if you are concerned for their safety or suspect that there is a problem, the healthy and respectful route is to approach the person and speak to them. Make sure the other person knows that this has crossed a boundary and is not respectful behavior. Set emotional boundaries to improve your sense of self. When you learn how to be a gatekeeper of your emotional boundaries, you can achieve certain results that give you a better sense of who you are. These include: Having a healthy sense of who you are, independent from any other person. Knowing that you have the choice in how you want to feel and your ability to act on it. Being able to monitor how much you share about yourself so that you respect yourself. Being able to say “no” at times when you need to be assertive and true to yourself. Decide to set boundaries. Recognizing that you need to establish boundaries or improve them is a first step. Boundaries are an extension of love and respect for yourself and others, instead of a reaction to fear or rejection. They are the path to freedom from the need to please others in order to be loved and accepted. For example, your roommate keeps borrowing your car. She never fills up the gas tank or gives you gas money. You can't continue to pay for all the gas. Define the boundary. Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish with a particular boundary. You will want to define each type of boundary, physical and emotional, for different settings such as at home, at work, and with friends. For example, you might decide that you won't let others take advantage of you and disrespect your time and personal space. For example, you want your roommate to contribute gas money when she drives your car. Establish the boundary. Share your boundary with the people in your life. This way, they will understand your expectations and needs. For example, tell your roommate in a calm and polite way that you need her to contribute to the car's upkeep with gas money. If she doesn't want to do this, then she doesn't need to drive your car. For example, if your friends have a habit of popping in unannounced and this bothers you, tell your friends that you would like them to call first before coming over. Establishing the boundary also means that in the moment when something occurs (i.e., someone borrows something without asking), you can address it and let the person know that it is not acceptable. Speak in a calm and polite way. Tell your roommate that you would like her to ask first before borrowing your car. Maintain the boundary. For many people, this is the most challenging part of having boundaries. You are not only helping others to respect your limits. You are also retraining yourself. For example, if your roommate forgets to give you gas money, give a gentle but firm reminder. You may slip and forget, but don't forget: this is a process. Re-establish your resolve and firmly hold your boundary. You may find that others are resistant to your boundaries at first. If they respect you, they will be willing to adapt. Remember, you are not trying to change others or control them. Your focus is on how you want to be treated. You will communicate this through your words and actions. For instance, a friend still comes over without calling first. To maintain the boundary, you can say, “I'm sorry you came all this way but I am in the middle of a project for work and I cannot see you now. Next time I hope you will call first.” This strategy politely reinforces your boundary for respect of your time and personal space. Be direct. Being direct and concise is a respectful way to let others know what your boundaries are. In contrast, being indirect, whiney, or using lengthy explanations will send mixed messages. Here is an example of direct communication: You: “Nick, we've been playing video games for hours. I'm tired now and I want to go to sleep.” Nick: “Oh come on, it's Friday night. Let's watch a movie or order a pizza.” You: “Sorry, Nick. You gotta go, buddy. I'm going to bed now.” Take care of yourself. One of the hardest parts of establishing and maintaining boundaries is our fear of appearing rude or selfish. Put yourself first by recognizing and honoring your feelings. This does not mean that you are dismissive of others or their feelings. Your quest for boundaries hinges on your willingness to take care of yourself so that you can be there for others. Give yourself permission to recognize and honor the boundaries that you need to function successfully. When you live your boundaries, others can choose to respect them or not. When they do not choose to respect your boundaries, you have the opportunity to reinforce them in a self-affirming way. Eliminate toxic people from your life. You have the right to eliminate toxic people from your life, those who would manipulate and abuse you. Learning to set healthy boundaries takes time but you will be successful if you surround yourself with supportive people who respect you and your choices. You do not have to allow anxiety or poor self-esteem to prevent you from taking care of yourself. You are not responsible for the way others react to you when you maintain your healthy boundaries. Start small. Begin with a boundary that is manageable as you learn this new skill. Choose something non-threatening. For example, perhaps you have a friend who stands too close or looks over your shoulder while you are reading your emails. This is a good time to practice asking for more personal space. As you define and establish clear and healthy boundaries, you will find it easier to maintain them. At the same time, you will notice your confidence growing and your relationships improving. Be patient while building relationships. Establishing boundaries is a good step in developing a healthy relationship. Deep friendships are built over time. They cannot be rushed by crossing social boundaries or sharing more than is appropriate. You can still feel connected to another person even when you have healthy boundaries. But you will be able to respect yourself, your time, and your own needs without being enmeshed with the other person. You should feel free to hang out with other people. A healthy relationship doesn't require that you ask permission to do things. If your boyfriend or girlfriend gets jealous when you hang out with other friends, have a talk that establishes a boundary about your activities. Communicate boundaries to coworkers. It is easy to overextend yourself if you don't set or maintain boundaries. Make sure coworkers understand your boundaries by communicating them clearly. For example, some coworkers might assume that you'll answer email at all hours. If you want to save emails for work hours, you need to convey that. If a coworker says, “I'll email you a draft of the project tonight,” you can respond with, “I'll be sure to look at your draft when I get to the office.” Ask for help when you need it. If your workload is becoming too burdensome, ask your supervisor to assign someone to helping you. You can also give suggestions about how to rearrange your workload to meet immediate obligations and prioritize other tasks. Set appropriate interpersonal boundaries. It is important to maintain certain boundaries so that that workplace remains professional and productive. Your company may have policies in place to establish certain boundaries, especially ones about workplace respect, technology use and so on. If you're in a management position, you can help develop these policies to ensure proper boundaries. Have structure in your workday. Set boundaries with your time by having structure to your day. Bring an agenda to meetings so that the conversation will be productive for everyone. If you spend too much time answering emails, restrict yourself to checking email for 15-minute blocks a few times a day. Strategize how you will respond to boundary violations. It is inevitable that someone will cross a boundary that you've set. Consider how you will respond. Making an exception may be acceptable one time, but keep in mind that inconsistent boundaries will not be respected as much. Recognize abusive and manipulative behaviors. Some behaviors are not just poor boundaries. They are abusive and manipulative. The following are some warning signs of behaviors that may be abusive or manipulative: Physical abuse: This can include hitting, slapping, punching or other forms of physical harm. Threats of violence: According to the Northwestern University Women's Center, “healthy relationships do not involve threats.” Breaking objects: This is used to intimidate the other person and it can be a precursor to physical violence. Using force during an argument: Someone may try to physically restrain you or block the way so that you cannot retreat to a safe place. Jealousy: A jealous person may question or monitor their partner about their activities. Controlling behavior: Someone might be overly involved with your movements to the point that they begin to control appearance and activities. Controlling is evident in interrogating a person on where she has been, what she was doing, who she was with, or why she was late getting home. Quick involvement: The abuser may pressure you into a relationship before a sufficient amount of time has passed to develop feelings and desires for commitment. Isolation: This can include attempts to eliminate your contact with friends and family. Cruelty to animals or children: The abuser will use this as a way to coerce you into doing what he wants without regard for the pain or feelings of the animal or child. Get out of the relationship. If you recognize abusive or manipulative behaviors in your relationship, it may be past the time to talk it out. Even with setting good boundaries, your abuser's behaviors may not end with a conversation. If you can end the relationship safely, then leave the situation as soon as possible. Establish a support system. If your relationship is not safe to get out, establish a support system of people who will take your safety seriously. These might be friends or family that you can trust. Come up with a code word or phrase that will signal to your support people that you need immediate help. This may be difficult to do if your abuser is tightly controlling your activities and never allows you to be alone. Use your phone or the internet to connect with outside contacts. Have secure passwords so that your communications are private. Have a list or memorize phone numbers of places and people you can go to for help. Know where the emergency room is for physical injuries and help with local resources. Make a plan for escape and be ready to act immediately. Plan out a route that you can take to get to a safe location. Be prepared to leave most things behind, like clothing and possessions. Take only what you need. Secure your cell phone and computer settings. Be sure to keep your cell phone and computer secure so that your abuser cannot track you or discover your location. Know where your local shelter is. Most cities have shelters for domestic violence victims. These are locations where you can seek shelter and safety from your abuser, with your identity being kept confidential. Most are set up for temporary shelter and may be able to assist you with transitional housing. Visit the Domestic Shelters website to locate your nearest shelter. Get a restraining order or no contact order. If your relationship is dangerous, you can also use the legal system to help you establish a restraining order or a no contact order if necessary. | Understand the purpose of healthy boundaries. Compare healthy and unhealthy boundaries. Recognize what emotional boundaries are. Recognize physical boundaries for your physical self. Recognize physical boundaries for your possessions. Set emotional boundaries to improve your sense of self. Decide to set boundaries. Define the boundary. Establish the boundary. Maintain the boundary. Be direct. Take care of yourself. Eliminate toxic people from your life. Start small. Be patient while building relationships. Communicate boundaries to coworkers. Ask for help when you need it. Set appropriate interpersonal boundaries. Have structure in your workday. Strategize how you will respond to boundary violations. Recognize abusive and manipulative behaviors. Get out of the relationship. Establish a support system. Make a plan for escape and be ready to act immediately. Secure your cell phone and computer settings. Know where your local shelter is. Get a restraining order or no contact order. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Face-Look-Thinner | How to Make Your Face Look Thinner | If you want to make your face look thinner, try contouring with a highlighter and bronzer that's one or two shades darker than your skin tone. To create the illusion of a more angular face shape, use a fluffy brush to highlight your cheeks and the bridge of your nose, then apply the bronzer underneath your cheekbones and along the sides of your nose. You should also make sure you have the right haircut, since adding layers and opting for a longer style can make your face look thinner, as well. Alternatively, if you prefer short hair, opt for a flat-top cut or asymmetrical style that will make your face appear longer, rather than wide. | Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and apply it using a brush or sponge. Be sure to blend it well, especially around the edges of your face, into your hairline, and along the jaw. You will be applying bronzer and highlight over the foundation; the foundation will help them stick better to your face. If you are going to use concealer to hide any blemishes, do this now. Once you start applying the highlight and bronzer, it will be too late. For best results, use a cream or liquid foundation. Swipe some highlight onto your cheekbones using a large, fluffy brush. Blend it up towards your eyes using a smaller brush. You'll end up with something that looks like upside-down triangles. This will help make your cheekbones look more angled. Choose a color that is two shades lighter than your skin tone. You can also use a light-colored eyeshadow instead, in cream, white, or ivory. Some slight shimmer will help catch the light. Brush on some highlight onto the bridge of your nose. Use a thin brush to make a long, thin line down the middle of your nose. Do not make the line too thick, or your nose will appear too wide. Highlight the area between your eyebrows, creating something that looks like another upside-down triangle. Be sure to blend upward towards your hairline. Dust on some highlighting powder right onto your chin. Use a large, fluffy brush. This will bring more attention to your lips, and it will make your face appear longer. If you already have a very prominent chin, you may want to consider skipping this, or making just a thin line no wider than your finger. Apply some bronzer right beneath the cheekbone. This is essential to creating a slender face. If you are worried about making things even, suck in your cheeks and pout like a fish. Use the indentations as a guide. Use a color that is one to two shades darker than your skin tone. Try not to use anything shimmery. If you don't have bronzer, you can use a matte, brown eyeshadow instead. Use a warm brown if you have a warm undertone and a cool brown if you have a cool undertone. Contour the sides of your nose with bronzer. Take a small, fluffy brush and apply some bronzer along the sides of your nose. Blend down and outwards towards the sides of your face. This will make your nose appear thinner. Tap some bronzer to either side of your forehead where your temples are. Use a small, fluffy brush and blend downward. You might even have little impressions or dents there already. Apply bronzer along and under the jaw line. Focus more on the middle of your jaw and less on the chin. Be sure to blend downward under your chin and towards your neck. This will give your jaw a more angled look. Blend everything using a fluffy brush. If you used cream-based makeup for the shadows and highlights, then try using a blending sponge instead. Sweep the brush over the edges of your highlights and shadows, blending them into your foundation and into each other. You want your face to look smooth; any lines will give away the fact that you contoured your face using makeup. Draw attention to your eyes with eyeliner and mascara. By making your eye makeup more elaborate, people will pay more attention to them and to the width of your face. When putting on your eyeliner, try the wingtip or cat eye style. Try to focus the makeup on the outer corners of the eyes; it will make your eyes appear larger, which in turn will make your face appear more narrow. Consider plucking or waxing your eyebrows to give them a natural-looking arch. This will give your face a more angled look. Consider contouring your lips with highlighting powder and bronzer to make them appear fuller. This will draw attention away from your cheeks and pull it towards yours lips instead. To contour your lips, apply some highlighting powder along the top of your cupid's bow and a dab of bronzer just below your bottom lip. Blend well and apply some bright lipstick. Put on a hat with a high crown or a small brim. These will make your head appear longer than it is wide, giving the illusion of a thinner face. Even a baseball cap that is higher than normal can help make your face look longer. Try on some long, dangly earrings but avoid studs, posts, and chunky pieces. When choosing earrings, go for ones that go past your jaw; this will draw attention away from the sides of your face. The more angular the earring is, the more will contrast with your face shape, making it appear thinner. If you are wearing your hair in an up-do, you can frame your face by wearing some long earrings. Choose longer necklaces and skip shorter ones. This will draw the eye downward, pulling attention away from the width of your face. Long necklaces will also give the illusion that your neck and face are longer. Necklaces that are too short will pull the eye upward and draw too much attention to the width of your face. If you do wear short necklaces and chokers, remember to frame your face by wearing your hair down or lettings your long bangs hang by your cheeks. Go for the wider frames when choosing sunglasses and glasses. Try to find something with a rectangular shape, but that still has rounded corners. Glasses that are wider than your face will make your face appear more narrow. When choosing shirts, go for V-necks and scoop-necks and avoid high-collars. Shirts with a longer neckline will make your neck (and thus your face) appear longer. High-collared shirts, on the other hand, will make your neck appear shorter and pull attention upwards towards your jaw and the width of your face. Consider adding some layers to your hair. Some soft fringes and lines around the face can frame your face and make it look thinner. Try to go for a longer hair cut than a short one. The length will make your face appear longer; it will also add natural movement to your hair. Go asymmetrical when cutting hair short. When getting a short haircut, such as a bob, avoid cutting your hair the same length all around. Instead, consider cutting your hair shorter in the back and leaving it longer in the front. You will still feel as though you have short hair, but the longer strands will frame your face and make it appear thinner. Go easy on the curls. While curly hair can make your face appear thinner, bushy hair can actually make your head (an thus your face) appear wider than it actually is. Avoid straight-cut bangs and go for wispier ones instead. Having bangs that are cut straight across will make your face appear shorter and rounder. Instead, consider making your bangs slightly wispy, and longer on the sides. They will frame your face more and make it appear slimmer. If you have very short hair, consider getting the flat-top cut. Have a stylist trim your hair short on the sides and leave the hair on the top of your head longer. This will make your face appear longer and not as wide. Try parting your hair to one side. A side-part will help make your face look less round and symmetrical. If you have very thin hair, consider teasing part of your hair at the roots to give it a lift. This will make your head appear longer than it is wide. Style ponytails with care. Avoid pulling your hair straight back and leaving the top smooth and flat; this will make your face appear fuller and not as thin. Instead, consider letting some strands hang by your face; the hair will frame your face and conceal part of your cheeks and chin, making your face appear slimmer. You can pile your hair up on top of your hair in a high ponytail or ballerina bun; this will make your face appear longer. You can also try a half-up ponytail, where only the hair above your eye level is in a ponytail and the rest of your hair is down. Make your face appear longer with a low ponytail or braids. This will give your face a longer and thinner look. Consider adding some highlights to your hair. They will take attention away from the width of your face by adding texture and movement. You can also ombre dye your hair. Light colors draw more attention than dark, so by having the ends of your hair lighter than your roots will draw the attention downward, making your face appear longer and slimmer. If you're a guy, use your facial hair to your advantage. Beards can make your face appear thinner by adding contrast. A goatee or a pointed beard can also stretch out your face. Try performing some facial exercises. While there is no scientific evidence that they make a face thinner, they could still help you tone your face. Here are some exercises to try: Make a fish face by sucking in your cheeks and pursing your lips. Hold this for a few seconds. Tilt your head back so your chin points toward the ceiling. Drop your lower jaw and then raise it up. Hold this position for a few seconds while you stretch your neck. Shift your gaze to the left for a few seconds, then to the right. Shut your eyes tightly and scrunch up your face for a few seconds, then open it as wide as you are able to. Think about improving your diet. If your face is round due to weight gain and not bone structure, try to cut back on overly sweet or fatty foods, such as fried foods, sodas, candy, and fries. Instead, try to eat more vegetables, fruits, grains, and lean meats. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can make your face look more bloated and less thin the next day. Consider reducing weight on the rest of your body. If your face is round because you have gained weight, you can make it slimmer by getting into shape. Try going swimming, jogging, running, or walking a few times a week. Working out for just thirty minutes a day can have a dramatic impact on the way your body looks. Carefully consider getting a face-lift or plastic surgery. The most expensive and permanent of face slimming techniques, face-lifts and plastic surgery are not without risks and may result in scarring and bloating. An untrained technician may also give you less-than-pleasing results. If this is something that you are considering, speak with an experienced plastic surgeon to review your medical history and see if this is an option for you. | Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and apply it using a brush or sponge. Swipe some highlight onto your cheekbones using a large, fluffy brush. Brush on some highlight onto the bridge of your nose. Highlight the area between your eyebrows, creating something that looks like another upside-down triangle. Dust on some highlighting powder right onto your chin. Apply some bronzer right beneath the cheekbone. Contour the sides of your nose with bronzer. Tap some bronzer to either side of your forehead where your temples are. Apply bronzer along and under the jaw line. Blend everything using a fluffy brush. Draw attention to your eyes with eyeliner and mascara. Consider contouring your lips with highlighting powder and bronzer to make them appear fuller. Put on a hat with a high crown or a small brim. Try on some long, dangly earrings but avoid studs, posts, and chunky pieces. Choose longer necklaces and skip shorter ones. Go for the wider frames when choosing sunglasses and glasses. When choosing shirts, go for V-necks and scoop-necks and avoid high-collars. Consider adding some layers to your hair. Try to go for a longer hair cut than a short one. Go asymmetrical when cutting hair short. Go easy on the curls. Avoid straight-cut bangs and go for wispier ones instead. If you have very short hair, consider getting the flat-top cut. Try parting your hair to one side. Style ponytails with care. Make your face appear longer with a low ponytail or braids. Consider adding some highlights to your hair. If you're a guy, use your facial hair to your advantage. Try performing some facial exercises. Think about improving your diet. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Consider reducing weight on the rest of your body. Carefully consider getting a face-lift or plastic surgery. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Sunscreen-With-Makeup | How to Use Sunscreen With Makeup | To use sunscreen with makeup, start by applying the sunscreen evenly to your face and neck. Then, pat it dry, and give it 3-5 minutes to absorb before beginning your makeup routine. You may want to consider using a liquid or cream foundation over the sunscreen, since they'll blend easily and give you a natural look. If you're reapplying sunscreen over your makeup, spray a physical sunblock on your face, since your makeup will prevent a chemical sunblock from working. Then, reapply the physical sunblock every hour for maximum protection. | Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above. SPF stands for sun protection factor , and it measures the potency of sunscreens. For daily usage, an SPF of 15-30 is sufficient. If you know you'll be spending time outdoors in the bright sunshine, bump up your protection to an SPF of 30-50, depending on your skin tone. It's important to remember that even if you aren't in direct sunlight or getting a sunburn, you are still receiving radiation from the sun. Don't wait until you have a blistering sunburn or premature wrinkles to start slathering up! There are sunscreens on the market that boast SPFs of up to and even over 100. However, SPFs above 50 offer minimal benefits. Apply evenly to your entire face. Don't forget your ears and neck! Use a generous amount, about half of a teaspoon, and apply more if you don't feel fully covered. This is the most important product you'll use on your face, so don't skimp. Use a mirror to make sure you don't miss any spots. Experiment with different types of sunscreens from the drug store or even your local beauty supply store. While some may feel heavy and thick on your skin, there are also lightweight lotions and serums on the market that are perfect for makeup wearers. Remember to apply sunscreen all over your body, especially to areas that will get direct sun exposure. All your skin needs sun protection. Pat the sunscreen until it’s fully absorbed into your skin. It may feel like more product than you're used to applying to your face, but keep patting! By patting the sunscreen into your skin, rather than rubbing it, you will avoid irritating your skin. It will also ensure that your sunscreen is applied evenly over your face. Give your sunscreen three to five minutes to soak in fully before beginning your makeup routine. If you want to use a tinted SPF, layer it on top of a normal sunscreen. Cosmetic products with sun protection aren't as effective as products geared solely toward sun protection. Use a tinted SPF product as extra protection, rather than your sole protection. If you have oily skin, you might consider investing in a primer with SPF layered under a tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation that also has SPF. This will give you a longer-lasting protection than using straight sunscreen. Apply your makeup. Trade in your powder foundation for a liquid or cream foundation. This will blend most naturally with the texture of the sunscreen and prevent you from getting the dreaded “cakey” appearance. You can use a liquid bronzer and blush for a full, sun-kissed look– without the sun damage! Apply your eye makeup as you normally would. If you have to find new makeup products that you work better with your sunscreen, make the sacrifice. It's a minor expense now, but you'll be rewarded with taut, young-looking, and cancer-free skin as you age. It's not recommended to mix your sunscreen with your makeup or moisturizer. It may save you some time, but there is always a risk that two products won't react well to each other. You can also dilute the sunscreen and reduce the amount of coverage you are getting. Put sunscreen over your makeup only when you’re re-applying it. For sunscreen to work most effectively, you need to apply it straight to your bare skin. However, it's not practical to take your makeup off to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Look into products such as setting sprays with SPF, SPF powders, or even spray-on sunscreen to go over your makeup when it comes time to reapply. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient, but it's the only way your sunscreen will be fully effective. Take the time to apply your sunscreen properly now and avoid yourself the hassle of covering wrinkles and sunspots later. Apply a physical sunblock over makeup. Most sunscreens on the market are chemical, which means that chemicals in their formula actually prevent sun from hitting the skin by absorbing the rays. Physical sunblock, however, works by creating a physical barrier between the skin and the sun. Because the makeup won't allow your skin to absorb chemical sunscreen, it won't be effective protection. Physical sunscreen can still work over your makeup to deflect the sun's rays. Physical sunblocks come in powders, creams, and sprays, so choose whichever will be easiest for you to apply. Use a spray sunscreen. Because your makeup is already applied, a spray sunblock will be your best bet to avoid ruining it. To apply it properly, close your eyes and hold your breath. Press down on the nozzle, and apply it by spraying back and forth over your entire face. Spray more than you think you need, because spray sunscreen don't cover quite as well as creams and lotions. Don't touch your face at all while the spray dries. If you touch it, you risk rubbing it off in spots and compromising the sun protection. Another spray option is a makeup setting spray with SPF. Like the spray sunscreen, this shouldn't be used as your only form of sun protection, but it's great for touch-ups and to help keep your makeup in place throughout the day. Not only do makeup setting sprays with SPF protect your skin from the sun, they can actually mattify and moisturize your skin at the same time. Consider powder sunscreen. This is another option that you can apply on top of makeup. Unlike sunscreen spray, however, you will need to touch your skin directly, which may or may not mess up your makeup. By dusting the powder over your entire face, you block the sun from reaching your skin. Additionally, the powder can even be applied to the hairline to ensure there are no gaps in protection. You can find many tinted SPF powders, so you can use these throughout the day to add protection and even out your skin. Reapply generously and reapply often. Physical sunscreen rubs off more easily than chemical sunscreen. Because it physically protects your skin from the sun, your face needs to be totally covered for it to work. Cream and powder sunscreens should be reapplied over your makeup every two hours, while mists and sprays should be reapplied every single hour. | Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above. Apply evenly to your entire face. Pat the sunscreen until it’s fully absorbed into your skin. Apply your makeup. Put sunscreen over your makeup only when you’re re-applying it. Apply a physical sunblock over makeup. Use a spray sunscreen. Consider powder sunscreen. Reapply generously and reapply often. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Character-Analysis | How to Write a Character Analysis | To write a character analysis, first you'll need to come up with a main idea, or thesis statement, for your character, like "Huck Finn embodies the struggles of growing up as a young boy." Then, you'll want to write about each facet of your character, like their appearance, background, personality, relationships, and growth throughout the story, and explain how they prove your thesis. As you're writing your analysis, try to use quotes and examples from the text to back up what you're saying. | Choose your character. For a character analysis assignment in school, your character may be assigned to you. But if you get to choose, make sure you only consider characters who play a dynamic role in the story. Those characters who appear flat (one dimensional - someone who is only good or only bad and has no complex motivations to consider) are not good choices for a character analysis. For example, if you are reading Mark Twain's classic Huckleberry Finn , you might consider choosing Huck or the runaway slave, Jim, because they are dynamic characters who show a wide range of emotion, who often act in unpredictable ways, and who move the plot forward with their actions. It might be less effective to choose the duke or the king, the tricksters Huck and Jim meet in Arkansas, because they have fairly minor roles in the story, they don't show a wide range of emotions, and, more than anything, they're simply stock characters (the story needs a humorous detour and a way for Jim and Huck to be separated, so that Huck can have his infamous All right, then, I'll go to hell! moment, and the duke and the king fulfill that role). Read the story with your character in mind. Even if you've read the story before, you need to read it again because you'll notice new things now that you have a specific task in mind. Notice every place that your character appears and consider the following: How does the author describe them? For the Huck Finn example, you might think about how Huck is described as a backwoods boy, but he clearly wrestles with larger issues that have complex social implications - like slavery and religion. What kinds of relationships does your character have with other characters? Think about how Huck relates to runaway slave Jim, both in the beginning of the novel and at the end. Think about Huck's relationship with his drunk, abusive father and how it shaped his identity. How do the actions of your character move the plot forward? Huck is the main character, so obviously his actions are important. But what, specifically, is special about the way Huck acts? How does he make different decisions than someone else in the same situation might? You could talk about how Huck decides to rescue Jim from the people who intend to return him to his owner because he decides that slavery is wrong, even though this idea contradicts everything society has taught him. What struggles does your character encounter? Think about how Huck grows and learns throughout the story. In the beginning, he is more likely to get caught up in schemes (like faking his own death); but later on, he avoids the trickery he observes (like when he tries to ditch the deceptive duke and king). Take notes. As you read, take notes on all important elements that add to the depth of the main character as you read the work for a second time. Make notes in the margins and underline important passages. You can also keep a notebook handy while you're reading to help you keep track of your thoughts about the character as you read. Choose a main idea. Gather all of your notes about the character and try to think of the main idea relating to them. This will be your thesis statement for your character analysis. Think about their actions, motivations, and the outcome of their story line. Maybe your thesis idea will be something about how the character embodies the struggles of growing up as a young boy, or about the inherent good in people. Maybe your character shows readers that even people who make horrible mistakes are capable and deserving of redemption. For the Huck Finn example, you might choose something about the hypocrisy of civilized society since, in essence, the novel is about a boy who was brought up to support enslaving blacks, but decides, through his experiences with Jim on the river, to value Jim as a person and a friend rather than just as a slave. Similarly, Huck's own father captures and "enslaves" Huck, a situation that Huck eventually escapes and mirrors Jim's own quest for freedom. Society views Huck's escape as moral and just, but Jim's escape is a terrible crime to the townspeople. In this contradiction lies a major crux of the story. Make an outline. Once you have decided on your main idea, make a brief outline of all of your supporting material. Make note of each place in the text where your character displays the characteristic you've chosen for your thesis. Include complicating evidence that allows the character to have more depth. An outline will help keep your thoughts organized and maintain an effective flow as you move through the analysis. Write your introduction. Keeping your thesis idea in mind, prepare an introductory paragraph about the character you have chosen and the role that he or she plays in the literary work. Your introduction should provide the topic of your analysis, enough background information to inform and intrigue your reader, and your thesis idea/claim. Describe the physical appearance of the character. Describe what your character looks like and explain what their appearance reveals about them as a person. Make sure to quote or paraphrase directly from the work. Think about Huck's ragged clothes and what that says about his character. Discuss how Huck dresses up like a little girl to find out the news in town and how this altered appearance influences your analysis of Huck. Discuss your character's background. If provided, include details about the personal history of the character (some of these details may have to be inferred). People's histories inevitably influence their personality and personal development, so it is important to discuss your character's history if you can. Where/when was the character born and raised? What kind of education does the character have? How does the character's past experience influence what he or she does or says? Discuss Huck's relationship with his father and with the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, who take him in. How do these characters influence Huck's development? The contrast between Huck's alcoholic father and the conservative ladies who care for Huck later is an interesting continuum of social behavior to analyze and consider where Huck's own beliefs/actions fall on that continuum. Discuss the character's language use. Analyze the language that the character uses throughout the work. Does the character use the same language throughout or does his or her choice of language change from the introduction to the conclusion? Huck has an admittedly vulgar attitude for a little boy and often does not speak in a way that the Widow Douglas approves of. He does try hard to obey her and act appropriately in church, but he often missteps and announces himself, through his actions and words, as a person who is far less civilized than he pretends to be, or than the Widow would like him to be. Write about the personality of the character. Does the character act on emotions or reason? What values does the character exhibit through words or actions? Does the character have goals or ambitions? Be specific and make sure to quote or paraphrase from the work. Huck Finn tries to abide by the rules of society, but at the end of the day he acts based on emotions. He decides to rescue Jim from being returned to his master, even though it is against the law, because he believes that Jim does not deserve to be treated like a slave. Huck decides this on his own, in direct opposition to the values his society has taught him. Analyze the character's relationships with others. Think about how your character interacts with others in the story. Does the character lead or follow others in the story? Does the character have close friends and family? Use examples from the text along with your analysis. Describe how the character changes or grows throughout the plot of the story. Most major characters will experience conflict throughout the course of a story. Some conflict is external (brought about by forces outside of his or her control, or by their environment and the people around them), while other conflict is internal (personal struggles the character deals with about their own feelings or actions). Is the character better or worse at the conclusion? Memorable characters usually change or grow in a literary work of merit. Huck's external conflict relies on all of the events that take place on his journey down the river - the physical struggle of the trip, his mishaps along the way, getting caught up in various scandals and schemes, etc. His internal conflict reaches its climax when Huck decides to help Jim attain freedom from slavery. This is a crucial moment in the story where Huck follows his heart instead of his social conscience. Collect supporting material or evidence for the analysis. Make sure you provide specific examples from the text that support what you are saying about the character. Include quotations when applicable to back up what you're saying. If the author describes the character as sloppy, you should provide specific details to show this character trait, quoting or paraphrasing directly from the work. Support your writing with textual evidence. This means that you should incorporate direct quotations from the text you're writing about to support the points that you are making with your writing. Using quotes from the text will increase your credibility as an author and will support your ideas more effectively. Use the PIE method. This means that you will make a Point, Illustrate it (with a quotation from the text), and Explain how the quote makes your point. For example, you might say the following: Huck Finn garners a significant new identity from being a raftsman. He insists, "It amounted to something being a raftsman on such a craft as that." This shows the freedom and pride he associates with his raft. Anchor the quote within your own words. A quotation should never stand alone as its own sentence in an academic paper. Instead, you should use your own words to "anchor" the quote into your sentence either before or after the quotation. Incorrect: "It amounted to something being a raftsman on such a craft as that." Correct: He insists that "It amounted to something being a raftsman on such a craft as that." Correct: "It amounted to something being a raftsman on such a craft as that," Huck insists. Do not over-quote. Your words should still make up approximately 90% of your analysis, with the other 10% being direct quotation. Using too many quotes seems lazy and ineffective, and will probably earn you a poor grade from your professor. | Choose your character. Read the story with your character in mind. Take notes. Choose a main idea. Make an outline. Write your introduction. Describe the physical appearance of the character. Discuss your character's background. Discuss the character's language use. Write about the personality of the character. Analyze the character's relationships with others. Describe how the character changes or grows throughout the plot of the story. Collect supporting material or evidence for the analysis. Support your writing with textual evidence. Use the PIE method. Anchor the quote within your own words. Do not over-quote. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Moth-Worms | How to Get Rid of Moth Worms | To get rid of moth worms in your closet, remove everything form your closet and vacuum all of the surfaces, including the walls, floor, and shelves. Be sure to empty the vacuum into a resealable bag as soon as you finish vacuuming. Then, wash the walls and shelves with soap and water, and let them air dry. As the closet is drying, wash all of the clothes that were in the closet, and place any other items that can't be washed, like stuffed animals, in the freezer to kill the larvae. | Remove the items. Take everything out of your closet, including non-clothing items like shoes and storage items. You will need to clean everything, so if you have things like shoe storage racks or organizational items, remove those as well to enable you to thoroughly scrub them. Vacuum out the closet or wardrobe. Use an attachment or a handheld vacuum to clean the floor, walls, shelves, and ceiling of your closet. As soon as you finish vacuuming, empty the contents into a sealed bag. Remove it from the house immediately. Make sure that you get the corners and ceiling of your closets. Wash walls and shelves. Pour soap or detergent into a bowl or bucket, then fill it with water. Stir the water to mix in the soap. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy water and use it to wipe down the walls and shelves. Continue to dip the rag into the water as you clean the entire closet. Wash your clothes and other fabric items. Set your washer on the hottest cycle because the larvae can't withstand the heat. The water should reach about 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) in order to be fully effective. Allow the clothes to cycle for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure that all the moth worms and eggs have been killed. Dry cleaning will also kill the larvae. Freeze items that you can’t wash. Larvae can't survive freezing temperatures, so the freezer makes a great pesticide. Place your items in a protective covering, such as a plastic bag. Put them in the freezer, allowing at least 48 hours for the cold to kill any larvae on the item. Avoid putting worn clothes into your closet. If you plan to wear clothing more than once, find another location to store it until you are ready for your second or third wear. Moths prefer clothes that have sweat or food on them, so they act as a moth magnet. Store clothing in airtight containers. Keep the moths from laying new eggs by keeping clothes that you don't wear frequently in airtight containers. Easy to use options include sealed storage boxes, vacuum-sealed bags, and plastic storage bags. For added protection, apply packing tape over the seals. Look for the signs of an infestation. Look for tiny worms that look like wiggling rice, along with webbing in either food containers or the pantry. You should also notice cast off skins. Check your corners and in the dark areas of pantries for moth worms and cocoons. The worms will grow to about ⅔-inch size (1.7 centimeters), and they have a black or brown head. Check foods to see if they’re infested. Kitchen moth worms enter your home inside food. After you bring home an item that contains moth eggs or larvae, the moth worms quickly spread to other foods. Go through your pantry, checking items for signs of infestation. You may notice the moth worms, egg casings, or webbing. Foods that the meal moths prefer include cereals, flour, grains, birdseed, dried fruit, candy, pet food, dried herbs, nuts, and powdered milk. Even if you don't see any moth worms or casings, webbing means that the food is infested. Seal items in a bag and remove them from your home. Moth worms cannot penetrate the seal of a plastic bag, so you can prevent them from spreading by putting the infested food in bags. Throw away the items as soon as possible. Don't allow the infested foods to sit around since it's possible that you may not have properly closed all of the seals. Sort your remaining food. Unfortunately, most of your food will need to be thrown away. Any food that the moths would normally eat, such as grains or cereals, should be thrown away. If you have any food that is in a container that you cannot wash, then you will need to throw that food out as well. Wash all items you plan to return to the pantry. The moths like to lay eggs in the crevices of items, so you may still have active eggs on your items. To avoid a reinfestation, wash these items well in warm, soapy water. Check crevices such as jar lids or flaps on items wrapped in plastic. You can also kill moth eggs and larvae that may be on the food by putting the food in the freezer, microwaving it for 5 minutes, or baking it at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Replace your shelf liners. If you have any shelf liners, then you will need to remove them and throw them away, as they can harbor eggs or larvae. If you plan to place new pantry liners, wait until your infestation is completely gone before putting them down. Otherwise, you may have to replace them again if the moth worms come back. Vacuum out your cupboards. Use a hose extension on your vacuum cleaner to vacuum out any visible moth worms and crumbs. Vacuum in the crevices and corners, if possible, because tiny worms and eggs tend to hide in the darkest spots. Wash your pantry shelves and walls. First wipe down all surfaces, including the pantry walls and ceilings, with a soapy rag. Follow with a mild bleach solution. You can either make your own or purchase a cleaning product that contains bleach. Afterwards, spray the shelves with plain white vinegar and wipe everything down. To mix your own bleach solution, add 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Don't forget to scrub down the corners well. Clean out your food containers. Run the containers in a hot dishwasher if you have one. If not, wash them out thoroughly by scrubbing them in a bath of hot soapy water. Finish by applying a vinegar rinse. You need to follow these extra precautions because a single moth worm hiding in one container could re-infest the entire area. Use airtight containers. Prevent a reinfestation and the contamination of new foods by storing your food in airtight containers. When you buy grains, flours, or meals, you may want to store them in the freezer for a week to kill off any eggs that may already exist on or in the product. You can also refrigerate items until you use them. Use anti-moth paper or strips. You can purchase anti-moth paper or paper strips that can be placed in your wardrobe, drawers, boxes, garment bags, or pantry. This paper will kill the larvae and the moths. Place cedar balls anywhere you store clothing. Cedar balls are a great natural replacement for pesticides. Cedar contains an oil that kills small moth worms, but they don't have much of an effect on larger worms or adult moths. Hanging a cedar ball in your closet or laying one in your dresser drawer can help, though it won't solve all of your problems. You can also use cedar hangers. Use mothballs. To be effective and safe, your mothballs should only be used when you're storing your clothes in an airtight container. Place the mothballs in with the clothing, then seal it off. Mothballs do not work immediately, but they contain chemicals whose vapors can build up and kill moths in all stages of their life cycle. Wear gloves while handling mothballs because they can be toxic. Add bay leaves to kitchen cabinets. Moths naturally avoid bay leaves, which you may keep in your kitchen already. For an easy and safe moth repellant, lay out a few bay leaves in your cabinets and pantries. Make your own herb sachets. Moths tend to avoid the smell of lavender, peppermint, cloves, thyme, and rosemary. Place your dried herbs in a breathable bag, and then add it to your closets, drawers, and storage areas. The scent of the herbs will ward off the bugs. You can use one herb or a combination of herbs in your sachets. | Remove the items. Vacuum out the closet or wardrobe. Wash walls and shelves. Wash your clothes and other fabric items. Freeze items that you can’t wash. Avoid putting worn clothes into your closet. Store clothing in airtight containers. Look for the signs of an infestation. Check foods to see if they’re infested. Seal items in a bag and remove them from your home. Sort your remaining food. Wash all items you plan to return to the pantry. Replace your shelf liners. Vacuum out your cupboards. Wash your pantry shelves and walls. Clean out your food containers. Use airtight containers. Use anti-moth paper or strips. Place cedar balls anywhere you store clothing. Use mothballs. Add bay leaves to kitchen cabinets. Make your own herb sachets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feather-Your-Hair | How to Feather Your Hair | Feathering your hair is a style that makes your hair look like overlapping feathers, giving it more body and volume. If your hair's already layered, all you'll need is a curling iron and some hairspray. If not, get it layered by a hairdresser. You'll want to start with clean, dry hair, separated into 4 even sections. Then, curl small sections of your hair at a time. You'll want to wrap the hair away from your face to give you the most volume around your face. Clip the hair you've curled as you go along, spray your hair with a bit of hairspray, then loosen your curls with your fingers to finish your feathered look. | Learn what feathering is. A feathered hairstyle is a look that is created with layered hair, with smooth layers that flip out and back looking almost like the overlapping feathers on a bird. The hair is usually parted down the middle and then curled back away from the face. It requires a finely-textured layered hairstyle and can be created from short and smooth hair or long and curly. However, if you feather curly hair, the feathers will only be visible when you straighten your hair. Feathered hair has a somewhat retro-look, similar to the big, flowy hair styles from the 70's. Farrah Fawcett is the perfect example of feathered hair or the original Charlie's Angels. Have your hair cut. In order to achieve the best feathering look you'll need layers in your hair, and you probably want to go to a professional to have this done. You can layer your hair yourself if you are good at cutting your hair. But, if you don't have much experience cutting your hair, ask a professional to give you the feathered look. They should know what you mean and be able to give you that look. You may want to figure out what type of feathered look you want before you get your hair cut. You can have long hair with feathered layers, or you can go very short. Before you go into a salon, decide if you want that long or short look. Try looking at pictures online of feathered hair to help you decide. Feathered hair from the 70s usually had bangs that were parted down the middle, so if you really want to go for feathered look, have bangs cut in your hair. You can do this look without layered hair, but layered hair does help create the more feathery look around your face. If you don't want to get your hair cut just to style it, then don't worry about adding layers. Wash and part your hair. Before you style your hair, you'll want to wash it so that you can add volume to it and create a part. For a true feathered look, part your hair down the middle, separating your bangs in the middle and parting them to the sides. If that is too much for you, you can part your hair as usual, such as on the right or left side. Dry your hair and apply product as needed. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, blow dry it with a diffuser after you wash it. This will help to stretch out your waves or curls and make the feathered look more obvious. If your hair lacks body, apply volumizing mousse or spray. Before you dry it. If your hair is naturally straight, apply some curling mousse and volumizing mousse to add body and wave to your hair. Make sure as you blow dry your hair that you are maintaining the middle or side part you have created. To achieve the best volume and prepare your hair for the feathered look, use a round brush and pull the hair your surrounding your face through the brush. Have the brush pull your hair away from your face, so that the hair around your face is curled or smoothed backwards. Spray your hair with heat protectant. After you have dried your hair, you'll want to spray it with a heat protectant, because the majority of this hair style is based on using a curling iron. Spray the heat protectant throughout your hair, coating it evenly. This will keep your hair from being damaged by the heat from the curling iron. Separate your hair in sections. Divide your hair into four sections, separating it down the middle, and then making two sections out of the parted sections. Usually you would separate your hair by layers, but because the curls at the front of your head will be bigger than those at the back, it's best to separate hair by the type of curl you are going to create. Basically, draw a part down the middle of your hair, from the top of your forehead to the hairline on your neck. Separate those two sections, pushing your hair in front of your shoulders so that it doesn't accidentally overlap. Then, divide each section in half, and use a clip to pin each back section. After you have clipped back your hair, you should just have your two front sections of hair down by your face. After you have finished each front section, unclip the back sections of hair and let them fall behind your shoulders. Try to keep your front sections that are already curled in front of your shoulders so that you don't accidentally grab some of those curls and try to curl them again. You can separate your hair by layers if you want, but it isn't necessary. Separating it into 4 sections may be easier, and it will keep you from having Shirley Temple curls. You want to avoid these because you don't want tight ringlets -- you want loose waves. Begin curling the front section of your hair. Using a 1 inch (2.5 cm) curling iron, start at the front of your hair, and curl 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) sections of hair. Make sure you clip back the top layers of your hair and so you can start working with the bottom layer. Curl your hair 2 inches (5.1 cm) or so away from your head so that you end up with loose curls towards the end of your hair. Pull the hair away from your face as you curl. With the feathered look, you want the most volume around your face. So, when you curl your hair, don't wrap your hair in the curling iron towards your face. Take the curling iron and start by wrapping your hair away from your face, towards the rest of your hair. Basically, take a strand of hair, and put the curling iron behind it. When you look in the mirror your hair should be in front of the curling iron. Then, wrap your hair over the top of the curling iron. This will be wrapping your hair away from your face, which will help create that feathered, voluminous look. You don't want these curls to be ringlets, but you do want them to last a while, so if you need to hold the curling iron on your hair for more than a few seconds, you can do so. You will brush out the curls later so it is okay if they are bouncy. If you have short hair you may have to start farther up with your curls, only 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so away from your head. Move onto the back of your hair. Once you curl the front sections of your hair, move on to curl the back sections. These sections will have bigger looser waves, so take 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections or more of your hair and curl them, starting again at the bottom layer. The back of your hair shouldn't be very curly -- you'll want to end up with loose waves once you are done curling your hair. Curl your bangs. You don't want your bangs to be ringlets, so take a large chunk of your hair (2 inches (5.1 cm) or so) and curl upwards, wrapping your bangs over the top of the curling iron. You can curl them before they are separated or you can curl them after they have been parted. With your bangs, you will want to start near your hairline since your hair is shorter. However, make sure you are curling your hair away from your face. If you wrap your hair in the wrong direction around your curling iron, your hair will loose that feathered look and will just look like ringlets around your face. Spray hairspray in your finished curls. Once you have curled all of your hair, spritz hairspray throughout your hair. You don't want to spray too much, as this will make the curls hard and give them a crunchy feel, but you want to spray enough so that your hairstyle is maintained throughout the day. Loosen up your curls. After you have sprayed your hair, flip your hair forward and run your fingers through the curls you have created. This is the step that will create the loose waves and volume in your hair. You can shake your head if you need to loosen some of the curls. Don't worry about brushing too many of the curls out. The feathered hair look doesn't rely on curls, except for those that frame your face. Curling your hair just helps to give it volume and texture. Flip your hair back over and touch up your hair. Your hair might look a little crazy once you flip it back over, so you might need to touch it up. Use your hands to smooth out any fly aways in your hair. You can also reposition your curls by twisting them back with your finger. Make sure you separate your bangs so that you have bangs that frame both sides of your face. Then, admire your look! | Learn what feathering is. Have your hair cut. Wash and part your hair. Dry your hair and apply product as needed. Spray your hair with heat protectant. Separate your hair in sections. Begin curling the front section of your hair. Pull the hair away from your face as you curl. Move onto the back of your hair. Curl your bangs. Spray hairspray in your finished curls. Loosen up your curls. Flip your hair back over and touch up your hair. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-for-a-Flat-Stomach | How to Exercise for a Flat Stomach | The fastest way to exercise for a flat stomach is to work your core with and without equipment. Exercise your abs at home with bridges, leg presses, and planks. For an extra challenge, use an exercise ball while you do your planks, core rotations, and reverse crunches. Follow along with yoga or Pilates videos to increase your strength and flexibility, or work with a trainer for personalized routines. | Locate your core muscles so you can better activate them. Your core includes your abdominal, lower back, and pelvic muscles. They're separated from your chest muscles by your diaphragm, which helps you breathe. In addition to protecting many vital organs inside your abdominal cavity, your core muscles are also responsible for helping you move the main portion, or trunk, of your body. Find your core muscles so you can focus on activating them when you exercise to get a flatter stomach. Your core muscles are extremely important and should always be included as part of a well-rounded exercise routine. The core is one of the widest used sets of muscles in your body and yet, it is one of the muscle groups that many tend to forget to train regularly. Focus on contracting your core muscles when you exercise. Whenever you work out, focus your attention on contracting the deepest abdominal muscle you have, which is called the transversus abdominis to keep yourself stable and to active your core. This is the same muscle that tenses when you cough, so coughing will help you locate it. Contracting your core muscles will help you burn fat and give you a flat stomach. Remember to breathe deeply throughout each exercise whenever you work out. Do bridges to engage your hips and core muscles. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your arms flat on the floor beside you so you're in a neutral a position. Tighten your abdominal muscles, and lift your hips off of the ground. Align your knees and shoulder, and hold yourself in this position as long as you can, squeezing your glutes and core the entire time. Lower yourself gently to the floor so you don't injure your back or tailbone. Build your ab muscles with crunches. Lie on your back and raise your feet to form a 90-degree angle with your knees and hips. Focus on your transversus abdominis and tighten all your abdominal muscles. Raise your head and shoulders off the ground while your arms are crossed over your chest. Gently lower your head and shoulders back to the floor and repeat the motion 10-15 times. If it helps, you can place your feet against a surface like a wall or table to stabilize them. Aim for 2 or 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions to work your ab muscles. Try single-leg abdominal presses to build up your muscles. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your back in a neutral position and tighten your abdominal muscles. Tighten your core and raise your right foot off the ground until your knee is at a 90-degree angle from the floor. Push your hand against your right knee while using your abdominal muscles to push your knee towards your hand. Keep your core tight and hold for 3 deep breaths and relax. Repeat the motion for 10-15 repetitions, and be sure to work both legs. Change it up a bit by placing your right hand on your left knee instead. Push your right hand against your left knee, from the inside, while pushing your left knee against your right hand. Expand to the double-leg abdominal press. Try the double-leg abdominal press once you're comfortable with the single-leg abdominal press. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Keep your back in a neutral position and tighten your abdominal muscles. Raise both legs off the floor until your knees are at a 90-degree angle. Push both hands against each knee while pushing each knee against your hands. Hold the position for 3 deep breaths, relax, and then perform the movement again for 10-15 repetitions. An alternative is to place your right hand on the inside of your left knee, and your left hand on the inside of your right knee so your arms are crossed in front of you. Push outwards with your hands while pushing inwards with your knees. Use rotational exercises to work out your oblique muscles. Your oblique muscles are the core muscles that run along the sides of your abdomen. To target your oblique muscles, lie on your back flat on the floor with your knees bent. Keep your back in a neutral position and tighten your abdominal muscles. While keeping your shoulders flat on the ground, let your knees fall slowly to your right. You should be able to lower your knees far enough to feel a stretch, but not to the point of discomfort. Hold for 3 deep breaths then return to the starting position and rotate to the left side. Perform the quadruped to work all of your core muscles at once. Put your hands and knees on the ground with your hands directly below your shoulders. Keep your back straight and align your head and neck with it. Raise your right arm off the floor and reach it forward. Hold your arm for 3 deep breaths then relax. Do the same thing with your left arm. Then raise your right leg off the ground and try to bring it up to align with your back. Hold your leg for 3 deep breaths then relax. Do the same thing with your left leg. Repeat the sequence 5-10 times with each arm and leg. In a way, this exercise is going to look like you're trying to swim while your on your hands and knees on the ground! For more of a challenge, do the same exercise but raise your right hand and left leg at the same time. Hold them both for 3 deep breaths then relax. Repeat with your left hand and right leg. Use modified planks to build core stability and burn fat. Lie on your stomach, then raise yourself slightly until you're resting on your forearms and knees and your elbows are below your shoulders and your head, neck, and back are aligned. Tighten your abdominal muscles and “push” your knees and elbows towards each other (without actually moving your elbows or knees). Hold for 3 deep breaths and relax. Repeat the exercise 10-15 times. Add an extra challenge by raising your right arm instead of “pushing” your knees and elbows together. Hold your right arm up for 3 deep breaths, then relax. Repeat the same exercise with your left arm. You can also try the same thing with your legs instead of your arms. For even more of a challenge, try this exercise while raising your right arm and your left leg. Hold them both for 3 deep breaths, then relax. Repeat the same movement with your left arm and right leg. Attempt the side plank exercise to target your oblique muscles. Start by lying on your left side, then slowly raise yourself until you're resting on your left forearm with your elbow directly below your shoulder. Keep your legs straight and your shoulders, knees, and hips in alignment. Hold this position for 3 deep breaths, then relax and lower yourself to the floor. Repeat the same exercise on your right side. Aim for 3-4 sets of 8-10 repetitions on each side. Don't be disappointed if you have trouble doing this exercise at first! Keep practicing and it will become easier. To increase the challenge, lift yourself up until your resting on your left hand, instead of your left forearm to raise almost your whole body off the ground, except your feet. Reach your right hand towards the ceiling, with the palm facing forwards. Hold for 3 deep breaths, then relax. Repeat the same exercise on your right side. Target your lower back muscles with the superman exercise. Lie on your stomach with a towel or small cushion under your hips. Stretch out both arms in front of you and both legs behind you — like you're Superman flying through the air! Raise your right arm off the floor and hold for 3 deep breaths, then relax. Repeat the same thing with your left arm. Then raise your right leg off the ground and hold for 3 deep breaths. Repeat with your left leg. Feel free to play the Superman theme song in your head while doing this! Perform the medicine ball plank to increase core stability. While on your knees, place your hands on a medicine ball on the ground in front of you. Push yourself up on the medicine ball with your hands, and place your feet slightly apart while balancing on your toes. Hold the position, keeping your neck, head, and back aligned, for 10 seconds. Try to build yourself up until you're able maintain this position for 30 seconds. Do seated Russian twists build up your oblique muscles. Sit on the ground with your legs and feet in front of you, then lift your feet off the ground until you're holding them slightly suspended in the air. Choose a medicine ball that's an appropriate weight and hold it in your hands. Keep your feet elevated, rotate your shoulders to the right, and touch the medicine ball to the ground on your right side. Repeat the movement to your left side. Move the medicine bal from side to side for 20-30 repetitions. Repeat 5 times on each side, then relax. Bounce a medicine ball off of a wall and catch it to work your core. Stand near a strong wall with your feel hip-width apart. Put your left foot about 1 foot (0.30 m) in front of your right foot. Hold the medicine ball in both hands with your arms slightly bent, and swing the ball over your right hip towards the wall. Catch the ball when it bounces back, and repeat the movement at least 4 more times. Then, perform the exercise on the other side. Slam the medicine ball on the ground to build explosive muscle. Stand up straight with your feet beside each other and your knees slightly bent. Hold the medicine ball in both hands, bring it back above and behind your head and then throw it towards the floor as hard as you can. Catch the ball when it bounces back and repeat the movement at least 4 more times. Imagine you're holding a watermelon or pumpkin and are trying to smash it. Squat while you’re holding an exercise ball to build muscle and burn fat. Hold the exercise ball in your hands directly in front of you. Keep your back straight, bend your knees until your thighs are parallel with the ground, and reach your arms out straight in front of you. Hold the position with the ball in front of you for 3 deep breaths, then stand up. Perform walking planks with a medicine ball to engage your core. Place the exercise ball on the ground, then lie down on top of it with your feet and hands touching the ground. The exercise ball will be under your belly. Walk forwards on your hand, rolling on the ball, until the ball is under your thighs. Keep your arms aligned with your shoulders while you hold yourself up. Hold for as long as you can, then repeat 4 more times. For an extra challenge, roll slightly forwards once you're in position so that the ball moves under your shins, instead of your thighs so your shoulders are in front of your hands. Try a reverse crunch with an exercise ball. Lie on your stomach on an exercise ball, with your hands and feet touching the ground. Walk forward on your hands until the exercise ball is under your thighs. Your shoulders and hands should be aligned. Move your legs so that your knees are on the exercise ball, instead of your thighs and you're kneeling on the ball with your hands on the floor so you're tilted downwards. Use your abdominal muscles to bring your knees towards your chest and hold for 3 breaths. Repeat 4 more times. Do abdominal crunches with an exercise ball. Sit on the exercise ball, with your feet flat on the ground in front of you. Your knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle, and your back should be kept straight at all times. Place your arms across your chest and tighten your abdominal muscles. Lean backward and hold the position for 3 deep breaths to allow the weight of the exercise ball to add extra stress to your abdominal muscles. Repeat at least 4 more times. Attempt the bridge exercise on an exercise ball. Lie on a mat, on your back, with your shins on top of an exercise ball. Place your hands, palms down, to your sides. While holding your abdominal muscles tight, raise your hips until your legs, body, and shoulders are a straight line. Hold for 3 deep breaths and relax. Repeat 4 more times. To add an extra component to this exercise, raise 1 of your legs at a time while in the lifted position and hold for 3 deep breaths. For an even greater challenge, place your heels on the exercise ball, instead of your shins. Raise an exercise ball with your legs to work your ab muscles. Lay on a mat, on your back, with your legs resting on an exercise ball. Move your legs so they're about hip-width apart and then squeeze your legs together so they grip the ball between them. While holding your abdominal muscles tight, lift the ball up off the ground and hold for 3 deep breaths, then relax. Repeat 4 more times to allow the added weight of the exercise ball to strengthen your abdominal muscles. To increase the challenge of this exercise, rotate your legs to the right or left while you're holding the ball in the air, and hold for 3 deep breaths. Don't rotate your legs too far, just enough to feel the pull of your core muscles. Do oblique crunches with an exercise ball. Lie on a mat on your right side and put the exercise ball between your legs. Prop yourself up on your right forearm. While holding your abdominal muscles tight, and keeping the ball between your legs, lift your legs up off the floor. Hold in that position for 3 deep breaths, using the exercise ball to challenge your muscles, then relax. Repeat 4 more times on your right side, then switch and do the same thing on your left side. Take a Pilates class to burn calories and tone your muscles. Pilates is a type of exercise routine that includes increasing your flexibility, strength, and endurance. Pilates focuses almost completely on your core muscles and is an excellent aerobic workout, which will strengthen your muscles and burn belly fat. While there is pilates-related equipment available, it is not required for most of the poses. All you really need is a floor and a mat. Pilates classes are offered in a variety of settings, including through many local gyms, YMCAs, and city-run exercise programs. YouTube is also a good source for Pilates if you want to work out at home. Sign up for a yoga class to improve your flexibility and muscle tone. While many yoga poses help with flexibility and balance, many will also challenge and strengthen your legs and core muscles. The meditative aspect of yoga also help with your stress levels and blood pressure. Yoga classes can be found at dedicated yoga studios and local gyms. Search online for virtual yoga classes that you can take in your own home. Practice Tai Chi to strengthen your core muscles.Tai Chi is a set of exercises based on self-defense that blend together into 1 fluid motion that was developed in ancient China. It is very much like mediation, except that you're moving. Tai Chi requires you to tense your muscles, focus your breathing, and synchronize the motions to perform the various poses, which will help to build and tone your muscles. Tai Chi can lower your stress and anxiety, build up your aerobic abilities, improve your energy, stamina, balance, flexibility, and agility. Tai Chi is often offered at a number of places in your community, including local gyms, city recreation programs, and even senior centers. Hire a personal trainer if you can afford it. If you're really serious about having a flat stomach, and you have sufficient funds, hire a personal trainer. They'll be able to put together a diet and exercise program that will flatten your stomach. Most personal trainers work through health centers and local gyms, which means you will also require a membership to whatever place your personal trainer works from. Eat the recommended daily servings of each food group every day. Food is divided into 4 groups: vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives. Your gender and age will determine exactly how many servings of each group you will need each day. You can see the recommended number of food guide servings per day, per gender and per age group here. Abdominal muscles are mostly impacted by your diet. Remember that a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats is essential to creating a killer stomach. A “serving” differs depending on the food group and the type of food. Examples of 1 serving of fruits or vegetables are: ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of juice, 1 cup (240 mL) of raw vegetables, or 1 piece of fruit. Examples of 1 serving of grains are: 1 slice of bread, 1/2 a bagel, pita, or tortilla, or ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of cooked rice or pasta. Examples of 1 serving of milk products are: 1 cup (240 mL) of milk and ⁄ 4 cup (180 mL) of yogurt. Examples of 1 serving of meat products are: ⁄ 4 cup (180 mL) of cooked beans, two eggs, 2 tablespoons (32 grams) of peanut butter, or ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of cooked fish, chicken, or other lean meat. Determine what your caloric intake should be per day. Healthy eating includes the recommended daily servings, regardless of the number of calories you're aiming to eat. Which items you select from each food group to meet your daily requirements will differ depending on whether you're trying to maintain your weight, gain weight, or lose weight. Search for an online calorie calculator to determine your caloric needs. If you want to maintain your weight, you need to eat as many calories as you burn every day. If you want to gain weight and build muscle, you need to eat more calories than your body burns every day. If you want to lose weight, you need to eat less calories than your body burns every day. Plan your meals in advance to make eating healthy more convenient. Plan all of your meals in advance so you can ensure you're meeting all your recommended daily servings of all the food groups. Planning ahead also allows you to know exactly what you need to buy at the grocery store, helping you to avoid browsing and buying unhealthy items. If you're trying to lose weight, your planning process could also include calorie calculations for each meal, and each day. Ensure at least half of your grains are whole grains. When buying grain products, whether at a grocery store or a restaurant, choose the whole grain versions. Many products such as rice, pasta, cereal, and breads come in a whole grain variety. The same concepts work if you're baking. Choose whole wheat or other types of whole grain flour. Consume low-fat versions of dairy products. Most milk and dairy products come in “regular” and “low-fat” versions. Drink skim or 1% milk and try to drink at least 2 cups (470 mL) of milk every day. Also consider buying milk that has added vitamin D. Use lower fat cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Look for low-fat yogurt, and those made without added sugar. Eat lean meats and more meat alternatives. Buy the lean versions, or trim the extra fat from your meat before you cook it. Roast, bake, or poach your meat instead of frying it. Eat at least two servings of fish every week for the healthy fats and consider adding more meat alternatives to your diet, such as beans and tofu. | Locate your core muscles so you can better activate them. Focus on contracting your core muscles when you exercise. Do bridges to engage your hips and core muscles. Build your ab muscles with crunches. Try single-leg abdominal presses to build up your muscles. Expand to the double-leg abdominal press. Use rotational exercises to work out your oblique muscles. Perform the quadruped to work all of your core muscles at once. Use modified planks to build core stability and burn fat. Attempt the side plank exercise to target your oblique muscles. Target your lower back muscles with the superman exercise. Perform the medicine ball plank to increase core stability. Do seated Russian twists build up your oblique muscles. Bounce a medicine ball off of a wall and catch it to work your core. Slam the medicine ball on the ground to build explosive muscle. Squat while you’re holding an exercise ball to build muscle and burn fat. Perform walking planks with a medicine ball to engage your core. Try a reverse crunch with an exercise ball. Do abdominal crunches with an exercise ball. Attempt the bridge exercise on an exercise ball. Raise an exercise ball with your legs to work your ab muscles. Do oblique crunches with an exercise ball. Take a Pilates class to burn calories and tone your muscles. Sign up for a yoga class to improve your flexibility and muscle tone. Practice Tai Chi to strengthen your core muscles.Tai Chi is a set of exercises based on self-defense that blend together into 1 fluid motion that was developed in ancient China. Hire a personal trainer if you can afford it. Eat the recommended daily servings of each food group every day. Determine what your caloric intake should be per day. Plan your meals in advance to make eating healthy more convenient. Ensure at least half of your grains are whole grains. Consume low-fat versions of dairy products. Eat lean meats and more meat alternatives. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clear-a-Sinus-Infection | How to Clear a Sinus Infection | To clear a sinus infection, get as much rest as possible and drink around 9-13 cups of water a day to keep yourself hydrated. If you're feeling really congested, try using a Neti pot or nasal spray to flush out your sinuses, or take a hot shower and inhale the steam. For headaches and sinus pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. If your symptoms last longer than 7-10 days, or if they're not responding to over-the-counter medicines, visit your doctor to see what treatment they recommend. | Recognize the basic symptoms. Sinusitis generally presents itself with the same basic symptoms. Symptoms of acute sinusitis often worsen after 5-7 days. Symptoms of chronic sinusitis may be milder, but are more long-lasting. Headache Pressure or tenderness around the eyes Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat and post-nasal drip (the sensation of “dripping” or running mucus at the back of your throat) Fatigue Cough Bad breath Fever Consider how long you have had symptoms. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting less than four weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than twelve weeks). Having symptoms for a long time does not necessarily mean your sinusitis is more severe or dangerous. Acute sinusitis can be caused by many things, but viral infection is the most common cause (90-98% of cases). You may get acute sinusitis after having a cold. Acute sinusitis due to a viral infection will usually improve within 7-14 days. Allergies are the most common cause of chronic sinusitis. You may also be more susceptible to chronic sinusitis if you have asthma, nasal polyps, or if you smoke. Check for a fever. Allergic sinusitis usually is not associated with a fever. Sinusitis caused by an infection, such as the common cold, may present with a fever. A high fever (over 102F) is often a sign of bacterial sinus infection. If you have a fever above 102F, consult with your doctor. Look for dark yellow or green mucus. Dark yellow or green mucus with a bad smell or taste may be a sign of bacterial sinus infection. If you think you have a bacterial sinus infection, consult with your doctor. S/he may prescribe an antibiotic such as such as amoxicillin, augmentin, cefdinir, or azithromycin. Physicians will often wait for further observation before prescribing an antibiotic. Many cases of bacterial sinusitis improve without antibiotic treatment. Doctors try to avoid prescribing antibiotics unless truly necessary, because too much antibiotic use can increase your risk of developing an antibiotic-resistant infection. Antibiotics will only help to treat bacterial sinusitis. They will not help other types of sinus infection. Only 2-10% of acute sinusitis is caused by bacterial infection. Know when to see a doctor. In addition to high fever and dark yellow or green mucus, there are other symptoms that signal you should see a doctor. A doctor will evaluate you and determine whether a bacterial infection is likely and whether antibiotics are needed. If you have any of the following symptoms, consult with your physician to determine what treatment she recommends: Symptoms that last longer than 7-10 days Symptoms such as headache that do not respond to over-the-counter medications Productive cough with dark yellow, green, or bloody mucus Shortness of breath, heaviness of your chest, or chest pain Stiff neck or severe neck pain Ear pain Vision changes, redness, or swelling around the eyes Development of an allergic reaction to any medication. Symptoms may include hives, swelling of the lips or face, and/or shortness of breath Worsening of asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma If you have been suffering from chronic sinusitis, it's a good idea to see a doctor. S/he can help you treat long-term sinusitis. S/he may also refer you to an allergist or otolaryngologist (Ear-Nose-Throat doctor) to help determine the possible causes. Consult a doctor. If you are going to take a prescription medication, you will obviously need to see a doctor first. However, you may need to call your doctor before taking a non-prescription medication in some cases as well, especially if you have medical conditions or take other medications. While many over-the-counter medicines are safe for healthy adults, there are many circumstances which would complicate self-treatment with OTC medicines. Never give medication to children that is meant for an adult, as many cold medicines are not recommended for children. Women who are pregnant are likewise restricted from many cold medicines, and nursing mothers may need to check with a care provider or lactation consultant before taking OTC medications. Use antibiotics as directed. If your physician prescribes antibiotics for a bacterial sinus infection, be sure that you take the entire course of antibiotics, even after you begin to feel better. This will minimize the possibility of the infection to return or become resistant to the antibiotic. Antibiotics commonly used for bacterial sinus infections include amoxicillin (most commonly), augmentin, cefdinir, or azithromycin (for individuals who may be allergic to amoxicillin). Side effects common to these antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a skin rash. More serious side effects such as fainting, trouble breathing, or hives should be reported to your doctor right away. Take an antihistamine for allergies. If your sinus problems are associated with seasonal or systemic allergies, antihistamines may help. Antihistamines are medications that directly work against your body's reaction to allergens by preventing histamine from attaching to receptors in your cells. Antihistamines can stop the symptoms of allergic sinusitis before they start. Antihistamines generally come in pill form, such as loratidine (Claritin), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and Cetirizine (Zyrtec). Liquid, chewable, and dissolvable forms may also be available, particularly for children. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist to determine which antihistamine will be most effective for you. Do not take an antihistamine for acute sinusitis without consulting with your doctor. Antihistamines may complicate acute sinusitis by thickening your nasal secretions. Take an OTC pain reliever. Pain relievers will not cure a sinus infection, but they can reduce some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with it like headaches and sinus pain. Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) help relieve pain from headaches, sore throat, and can reduce fever. Be mindful that ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age. Try a nasal spray. An over-the-counter nasal spray may provide some immediate relief to blocked sinuses. There are three main types of nasal sprays; saline sprays, decongestant sprays, and steroid sprays. Decongestant sprays such as Afrin should not be used for more than 3-5 days, as doing so can actually worsen your congestion. Saline sprays can safely be used frequently and help clear out mucous. Fluticasone (Flonase) is a steroid nasal spray that is used to treat symptoms of allergies. This type of nasal spray can be used longer than decongestant sprays, but may not help with sinus infections, as it is meant to help with allergy symptoms. Try a decongestant. These medications can help relieve stuffy noses and sinus pain. Do not take a decongestant for more than 3 days. Using a decongestant for too long can cause “rebound” congestion. Common choices include phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed 12-hour). Some antihistamines include a decongestant, such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D. Many medicines marked as “D” contain pseudoephedrine and may be held behind the pharmacy counter due to purchasing restrictions. Some decongestants contain acetaminophen. Do not take additional acetaminophen if you are taking a decongestant that already contains it. Overdose can cause serious complications. Consider a mucolytic. A mucolytic (such as guaifenesin/Mucinex) thins mucous secretions, which may help improve drainage from your sinuses. There is not strong evidence that these help treat sinusitis, but you may have success with the medication. Get some rest. If you're continuing to not get enough sleep or work excessive hours, it will take your body longer to get rid of the infection. If at all possible, try to have a full 24 hour period of complete rest. Try to sleep with your head elevated. This will help promote drainage and reduce congestion. Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated will help thin the mucus and reduce the feeling of blockage. Water is the best option, but non-caffeinated tea, sports drinks containing electrolytes, and clear broths are also good options. Men should drink at least 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids per day. Women should drink at least 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluids per day. If you're sick, you may need even more. Avoid alcohol. It can actually make the swelling in your sinuses worse. Caffeine may dehydrate you, which could make the mucus thicker. Try a Neti pot or nasal syringe. Flushing your sinuses (also known as “irrigating” them) can help clear out built-up mucus naturally. You can do this several times a day with minimal side effects. Use a sterile saline solution in the pot or syringe. You can buy a prepared solution or make your own using distilled, boiled, or sterile water. Tilt your head at about a 45-degree angle. You will want to do this over a sink or in the shower, to make cleanup easier. Place the spout of the Neti pot (or the tip of the syringe) into your top nostril. Gently pour the solution into your nostril. It should run out the other nostril. Repeat on the other side. Inhale steam. Steam will help keep your sinuses moist and may make it easier for you to breathe. Take a hot shower or inhale the steam from a bowl. Using a mentholated “shower bomb” can help. To use a bowl, carefully pour boiling hot water into a temperature-safe bowl. (Do not inhale steam from water that is still on the stove!) Put the bowl on a table or at a comfortable height so you can lean over it. Lean your head over the bowl. Do not get so close that the water or steam burns your face. Cover your head and the bowl with a light towel. Inhale the steam for 10 minutes. If desired, you can add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil or other decongesting oil to the water. Use 2-4 times per day. If using this method with children, use extreme caution around the hot water and do not leave children unattended with the hot water treatment. Run a mist humidifier. Dry, hot air irritates sinus passages, so running a humidifier while you sleep will help make breathing easier. A warm or cool mist humidifier should work equally well. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus into the water in the humidifier, which will help further reduce congestion (but check the humidifier's user manual before adding anything to the water). Watch for mold. If the air is too humid, mold may begin to grow on or around your humidifier. Clean the humidifier regularly to keep it sanitary. Apply a warm compress. To ease facial pressure and pain, apply a warm compress to the affected areas. Moisten a small towel and microwave it for about 30 seconds. The towel should be quite warm, but not hot enough to be uncomfortable. Place the compress on your nose, cheeks, or near the eyes to reduce your pain. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Eat spicy foods. Some research suggests that spicy foods, such as hot peppers or horseradish may help clear your sinuses. The capsaicin in peppers and spicy foods may help thin mucus and promote drainage. Other “spicy” foods such as ginger may also help you feel better. Drink tea. Hot, non-caffeinated tea may help soothe a sore throat, especially if it contains ginger and honey. This can also help reduce coughing. However, you should avoid teas with too much caffeine, as these may dehydrate you or cause you to lose sleep. You can make a simple ginger tea at home. Grate about 1 ounce of fresh ginger per cup of boiling water and allow to steep for at least 10 minutes. One traditional herbal tea, “Throat Coat,” has been shown to significantly relieve sore throat pain vs. a placebo tea. Benifuuki green tea may help reduce nasal and allergic symptoms when drunk regularly. Treat your cough. Often, a sinus infection will be accompanied by a cough. To ease your discomfort and the inconvenience of a cough, you should stay well hydrated, drink warm liquids such as herbal tea, and take honey (only for individuals over the age of 1). Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke, even secondhand smoke, causes irritation of the sinus lining and promotes sinus infections. Secondhand smoke contributes to as many as 40% of the chronic sinusitis cases in the United States each year. You should stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke while you have a sinus infection. To prevent future sinus infections and promote better overall health, stop smoking entirely. Smoking harms basically every organ in your body and can take years off your life expectancy. Treat symptoms of allergies and colds. Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies and colds predisposes you to developing a sinus infection. Get a flu vaccine. This reduces your likelihood of catching the influenza virus, which is another common culprit causing viral acute sinusitis. Avoid pollution. Exposure to polluted environments and contaminated air may irritate the nasal passages and aggravate your sinusitis. Chemicals and strong fumes may irritate your sinus linings. Practice good hygiene. Viral infections are the most common causes of sinusitis. You can reduce your risk of catching these infections by washing your hands frequently with soap and water. Wash your hands after shaking hands, touching public surfaces (such as bus poles or door handles), and before and after preparing food. Drink lots of water. Water increases the amount of moisture in the body and helps to prevent congestion. It also helps to thin the mucus for proper drainage. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which help keep your body strong and healthy. Foods such as citrus fruits have high levels of flavonoids, a compound which may help boost your immune system and fight viruses, inflammation, and allergies. | Recognize the basic symptoms. Consider how long you have had symptoms. Check for a fever. Look for dark yellow or green mucus. Know when to see a doctor. Consult a doctor. Use antibiotics as directed. Take an antihistamine for allergies. Take an OTC pain reliever. Try a nasal spray. Try a decongestant. Consider a mucolytic. Get some rest. Drink plenty of fluids. Try a Neti pot or nasal syringe. Inhale steam. Run a mist humidifier. Apply a warm compress. Eat spicy foods. Drink tea. Treat your cough. Stop smoking. Treat symptoms of allergies and colds. Avoid pollution. Practice good hygiene. Drink lots of water. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Act-After-the-First-Date | How to Act After the First Date | If you aren't sure how to act after the first date, start by considering how the date went and whether or not you're interested in a second date. If you had a good time, send a casual text to let the person know that you enjoyed yourself. Try to do this within 24 hours of the first date if you felt a definite spark--you don't want to wait too long! Keep the message simple and avoid long or frequent texts at this stage, especially if you aren't sure how the other person feels yet. If you didn't feel a connection and aren't interested in pursuing a second date, it's best to let the person know with a polite text as soon as possible. | Remember it's only one date. People have a tendency to judge quickly after a first date. When deciding your feelings, have some perspective. It's only one date. Whether you felt so-so about it, or had a great time, this is just one encounter and you can't make any sweeping decisions yet. If there was very little spark, do not decide it isn't worth pursuing. Unless there were very obvious red flags, consider giving the person a second chance if you had a decent time. If it went well, remember it was only one date and the other person may not have felt the same way. You're not in a relationship yet, so try to take things one day at a time before leaping to conclusions about where the relationship's going. Try not to overanalyze. It's important to examine your feelings about the person after a date, but overanalyzing can do more harm than good. Try not to obsess over the meaning of every hand touch, hug, or other gesture. While small things can sometimes indicate a character trait, they can also be meaningless. For example, if your date checked a text during dinner, you may be wondering if this means they're an inconsiderate person. If this only happened once throughout the whole date, they may have been checking the time or waiting on an important call. For now, try not to think about the text incident too much. Decide if you want a second date. Sometimes, you know for sure you want a second date, but sometimes it's more confusing. There is no pressure to go on a second date if you don't want to, but it's worth giving someone a chance if you had a decent time. However, if you were very uncomfortable or didn't have any fun, you may want to move on to someone else. Figure out any potential red flags. Sometimes, red flags show up early. If your date engaged in behaviors that seemed rude or inappropriate on more than one occasion, this may be a sign this person is not worth pursuing. For example, maybe they rolled their eyes or laughed at a serious comment you made. Maybe they barely engaged in conversation. Maybe they just made you uncomfortable throughout the night. Trust your instinct. Don't keep seeing someone if they have a bad vibe. Think about the level of attraction. If you felt no attraction to the person at all whatsoever, a second date may not be worth it. However, keep in mind you may not be wildly attracted to the person right away, especially if you're nervous. If you felt the person was decent looking, even if you weren't swept off your feet, it may be worth a second date to see if attraction develops. Send a casual text saying you had a good time. This is usually best if you're interested in going out again. You do not need to gush about what a great time you had, but just send something simple. For example, "I had a great time with you yesterday. Hope we can do it again soon!" There's no need to wait the customary three days, as this is no longer considered dating gospel. You can send the text when you get home from the date or the next day. You can also text your date to find out if they made it home safely. This will show your care and concern for the other person's well-being and may encourage further conversations. If the date went well, then you might consider sending a text within the first 24 hours after the date. It's okay to be the one to do this and open up the possibilities for further conversation. Try saying something like, “I had a great time the other night. I hope you're doing well today. If you have time, let's go for coffee on Tuesday.” Interact casually online. You should only do this if the two of you already follow each other on social media. Try replying to tweets or posting on their Facebook a little bit more if you're interested in them. This can show you've been thinking of them and would like to go out again. If you don't already interact with them online, however, suddenly adding them on Facebook may seem like a bit much. Ask to see them again if there was a spark. If you want to see them again, say so. Do not wait too long, as this can feel like playing games. The goal is to show your interest without coming across as needy or desperate. Sometime within the next 24 hours, send a text that says something like, "I had a great time last night. I'd love to see you again. When are you free?" Let them know respectfully if there was no connection. If you've decided not to pursue things further, you should communicate this. This is especially important if the other person has been texting you expressing interest. After about 24 hours, send a polite text saying something like, "I had a really great time meeting you, but I just didn't feel a connection. Sorry." If you did not feel a connection, then it is unlikely that the other person did either. However, if you are unsure about whether or not the person is interested in you, then try to ask them in a respectful way by the end of the night. For example, you could say something like, “It has been great to meet you, but I'm not really feeling a connection. What about you?” Accept rejection. Unfortunately, sometimes the other person does not feel the same way about you. If someone turns you down for a second date, try to accept it with grace. Send them a text thanking them for letting you know there wasn't a connection and wishing them well. For example, say something like, "I appreciate you letting me know how you feel. Good luck in the dating game." Do not text excessively. If someone is not responding to your texts promptly and giving short replies, you may be texting too much. It's okay to text a lot after a first if the person is encouraging conversation, but if you're getting silence on their end, it may be best to tone it down. You don't want to seem overeager, as this could potentially put someone off. Avoid phone calls. For the most part, people rarely make phone calls anymore, especially in the dating game. Texts are generally the preferred method of communication, so stick to texting your date rather than calling them. However, if you're older and do not use smart phones, calling may still be appropriate. If your date has preferred phone calls previously, calling may be a better route in this case. Stay away from their social media. Again, it's okay to interact on social media if you're already connected there, and it may be a good way to learn the basics about a person. However, if you're not, do not add them on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You should also avoid scrolling through their profiles, as this may cause you to overanalyze things and jump to unfair conclusions. Talk to the person directly instead to learn about them. Make sure that you are tactful about anything you post on social media as well, or don't post anything at all. Your first date with someone should be between you and the other person, so you may want to avoid posting about it on social media altogether. Keep in touch with other potential matches. Even if it went well, one date does not mean you're in a relationship. If you're talking to other people you're interested in, keep in touch with them. This relationship may not work out, so it's okay to keep looking in case things fall through. | Remember it's only one date. Try not to overanalyze. Decide if you want a second date. Figure out any potential red flags. Think about the level of attraction. Send a casual text saying you had a good time. Interact casually online. Ask to see them again if there was a spark. Let them know respectfully if there was no connection. Accept rejection. Do not text excessively. Avoid phone calls. Stay away from their social media. Keep in touch with other potential matches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Hard-Money-Loan-Approval | How to Get a Hard Money Loan Approval | A hard money loan is a loan you get from a private investor instead of a bank. They're generally used to finance real estate investment opportunities or other collateral-backed loans. They usually last 12 months and have higher interest rates than long-term loans. This might be a good option if you have poor credit history, since you can take the hard money loan until your construction work is finished, then take out a long-term loan on the finished property. You'll choose and apply for the loan online, where you can communicate with the lender. Keep in mind that many lenders will want you to have property insurance in case anything happens to the building. | Research appropriate hard lenders in your area. If you are looking for a hard lender because you have been rejected by a bank, then you might be tempted to run to the first hard lender you can find to get your loan quickly. Resist this temptation and do your research first. Some hard lenders are genuinely interested in helping you finance your real estate project, but others are little more than loan sharks. Ask yourself some of the following questions as you are assessing potential lenders: Does this lender have a legitimate web site? Many hard lenders have web sites that are designed to simply gather your information before passing it along to a third party. Avoid these kinds of sites. Is the lender in good standing with its investors? Does the lender have any pending lawsuits from its investors over bad loans or foreclosed properties? If it it does, this can be a warning as to the financial health of the lender. What types of projects has this lender financed in the past? For example, a lender who finances hospitality projects will not generally be comfortable with medical facility loans. Does the lender have a staff member that you can meet and contact? Some hard lenders operate nationally, but you might prefer to find one who operates in your state locally. Many hard lenders will want to see the property you are planning to purchase firsthand. Consider the pros and cons of accepting a hard money loan. Hard money loans are designed to be short-term investments, generally lasting 12 months. Will you be able to refinance this loan in that time frame? Hard money loans also have higher interest rates than long-term loans; their interest rates generally range between 12 and 20 percent. Hard money loans will also include fees and closing costs that must be covered by the borrower. Evaluate the time frame for your loan. Hard money loans are generally granted far more quickly than bank loans. Most banks take longer due to the various requirements for information and the underwriting process, but private lenders can generally grant the loan within two weeks (if not sooner). If you need to finance a real estate project quickly, then a hard money loan can be a good option for you. Present the potential value of the property you want to purchase. In a hard money loan, you are financed based on the collateral value of the property, not your personal credit score. That means you will need to present documents such as architectural plans for the property, detailed budgets for construction, and your contractor bid sheets for repairs and renovations. Note that these can apply to commercial projects as well as home buyers. Hard money loans are sometimes given to first time home buyers, but they are commonly granted to developers who want to buy a property and then immediately sell it or refinance it. Hard money lenders want to know that the property and the location are a safe investment. Be prepared to prove the value of the neighborhood and your particular property; what is the price of similar properties in this area? What is the history of the market in this neighborhood? What are its projections for growth? You should have this data available to show your lenders. Websites such as www.zillow.com, www.trulia.com and www.realtor.com can help you find this kind of information. Having a history as a real estate developer will also help your chances for being approved. Show your lenders how you have succeeded in real estate projects in the past. Present a clear financial plan for your home project. Many hard money lenders will fund 60 – 70% of the after-repair-value (ARV) of the home; you will be responsible for funding the additional 30 – 40% of the additional cost. If you have this cash on hand, that will increase your chances of being approved for the loan. If you do not have the money to cover the additional 30 – 40% of the home's value, then the lender might put a lien on another property that you own. Most lenders will prefer that you have 30 – 40% of the additional cost in hand rather than using another loan or a credit card to finance the difference. This generally applies to individual homes, not to large commercial projects. Prepare additional documentation. Although most lenders are concerned with the value of the property you want to buy, they may also ask for your personal financial information. This might include documents such W-2s, paystubs, bank statements and other items in your credit history. You should be prepared to present all of this information to your lenders. Protect yourself legally. Before you sign any paperwork from a hard money lender, review the terms of the loan with your lawyer. Private investors are subjected to very few regulations, so you should make sure your legal interests are protected. If your lender does not disclose any additional fees that might be included in the loan during your repayment schedule, this is a red flag. Be sure to ask if the loan agreement includes all fees. If they also do not include a detailed repayment schedule (including how much interest will accrue and how much of your payment will go toward the interest), then this is also a warning that it might be a bad loan. Speak with your lawyer about the loan's impact on your personal liability. This not always required, depending upon project and the net worth of the borrowing entity, such as a corporation. Remain in constant contact with your lender. Hard money lenders want to see that you're interested in this loan. Return calls promptly and give them the information they need in a timely manner. Hard money lenders keep less capital on hand than banks. If you delay in getting back to a hard money lender, they may lend their assets to another borrower. Move quickly on your investment. Often, a hard money loan is granted for a property that will not be on the market for very long. You should have all of your documentation correctly lined up so you can quickly put the loan to use. You should also give all of your team — from your construction workers to your designers — a clear time frame of when they will need to act. You will most likely need to sell the house within a year, so you will need to be efficient. Prepare to cover an closing costs or additional underwriting fees for the loan. Often, hard money loans will require you to pay these additional costs in order to move forward with the loan. You should have the money in place to finance these costs. Secure property insurance. Many hard money lenders will require that the borrower provide property insurance to cover any damage done to the property during renovation/repair. It will generally be cheaper if you can bundle your property insurance with a company you are already using for car insurance or life insurance. If you are using a realtor to purchase the home, they can also recommend sources for affordable property insurance. Pay back the loan. Most hard money loans are designed to be paid back quickly, usually within 12 months. If you do not pay back the loan in time, then the lender might be liable to take your home as collateral. To avoid this, make sure you can easily afford the repayment schedule you stipulate in your loan agreement. Most hard money loans stipulate that you will repay the loan in one large payment after the house sells; this single payment will cover the principle on the loan as well as the interest. | Research appropriate hard lenders in your area. Consider the pros and cons of accepting a hard money loan. Evaluate the time frame for your loan. Present the potential value of the property you want to purchase. Present a clear financial plan for your home project. Prepare additional documentation. Protect yourself legally. Remain in constant contact with your lender. Move quickly on your investment. Prepare to cover an closing costs or additional underwriting fees for the loan. Secure property insurance. Pay back the loan. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Dog%27s-Coat-Shine | How to Make a Dog's Coat Shine | To make a dog's coat shine, feed it a healthy and nutritionally-rich diet. You can also add an omega-6 supplement to your dog's diet to help it develop plush, shiny fur. Groom your dog at least 1-2 times per week, or more often if it has long fur, using brushes and combs designed for dogs. Always brush in the direction of hair growth to distribute the natural oils and add a healthy sheen to the coat. Shampoo your dog no more than once a month using shampoo formulated for dogs. | Feed your dog a healthy and well-balanced diet. If you buy a commercial dog food, make sure it contains the proper balance of nutrients. You may want to ask your vet to recommend a product and dosage specific to your dog. A nutritionally-rich diet is important in maintaining the health and condition of your dog's coat. If you choose to make your own dog food, talk with the vet about making sure it's got the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Making your own dog food at home is a great way to be completely sure of what you're feeding your dog. Supplement your dog's diet with omega fatty acids. Look for an omega-6 supplement or consider adding safflower or sunflower oil to your dog's food. If adding the oil, give 1 teaspoon a day to a small dog or 1 tablespoon a day for a large dog. Avoid giving too much, since it could cause diarrhea. You may also want to give omega-3 fatty acids, which have a greater anti-inflammatory effect. These are found in flaxseed and fish oils. Regardless of the supplement you choose, always follow the packaging for dosage instructions. Omega fatty acids can reduce the itchy skin of dogs with allergies, since they have natural anti-inflammatory effects. They also nourish the cells that are developing at the deepest layer of your dog's skin. It will take at least 28 days for these skin cells to become the top layer and reveal an extra plush coat, so don't stop supplementing before that time. Groom your dog regularly. You should groom your dog every few days, regardless of whether he has long or short hair. Be sure to use dog brushes and combs, since they're designed to remove tangles, mats, dead skin cells, and dander. You'll need to look for tools that are best suited to your dog's fur. Always brush with the lie of the fur to distribute the natural oils through the hair and use a comb to get rid of tangles. Grooming also improves the oxygen supply to your dog's skin. This can improve the health and look of your dog's coat. You may want to rub a dry leather chamois over your dog's coat to buff and polish it. Bathe your dog with the proper shampoo. To avoid stripping the natural oils from your dog's coat, leaving him prone to dryness, shampoo your dog no more than once a month. Choose a shampoo specifically made for dogs and look for one that matches your dog's coat and skin sensitivity. For example, if your dog scratches a lot, you may want to choose a sensitive shampoo or look for one made with oatmeal since oatmeal acts as a natural itch reliever. If your dog loves to roll in mud and needs frequent washing, chose the mildest shampoo you can find, preferably one that's moisturizing. Be sure to rinse the dog's coat thoroughly. Any residual shampoo or conditioner left in the coat can irritate the skin and make the coat look dull and lifeless. Check for parasites. Thoroughly look through your dog's coat for parasites, like fleas or ticks, which can affect your dog's coat and overall health. Since ticks are larger and slower, they'll be easier to see than fleas. To check for fleas, run your fingers over several parts of your dog's coat (like behind the ears, down the back, near the tail, and on the belly). Look for small pinpoint-sized black spots, known as flea dirt. These are flea droppings that are usually concentrated in one area. You may want the veterinarian to check for worms and other internal parasites. These can feed off your dog and rob him of nutrients, damaging his coat. Your vet can check a fecal sample and prescribe medication to treat your dog. One parasite (cheyletiella) is known as "walking dandruff" because it looks like large flakes of dandruff and if you watch carefully you may see it walk. Your vet will check for this and might recommend your dog be sprayed with medication once every two weeks for 2 or 3 treatments. Determine if your dog is unwell. If your dog is sick or feeling nauseous, he may stop grooming. This leads to a dull, unkempt coat and can signal to veterinarians that your dog has a medical condition. Check in with your veterinarian if you notice any one of the following symptoms in your dog: Lack of appetite Excessive thirst Vomiting Diarrhea or soft stools Smelly Breath Smelly ears Lameness Difficulty Breathing Check your dog for sore teeth. Sore teeth can make it harder for your dog to eat. As a consequence, he may be messier and get food in his coat. To check for sore teeth, lift your dog's lip and take a look at the teeth and gums. His mouth should look like yours, with white teeth and pink gums. If the teeth are coated in tartar (a white buildup), the teeth are wobbly, or the gums are inflamed and bleeding, then your pet needs veterinary attention. You may also notice your dog's breath smells bad and he's a messy eater. If his teeth hurt, he will drop food out of his mouth when he chews. This can contribute to a dirty coat. Consider if your dog has arthritis. Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, can cause stiffness and pain. Your dog may be too stiff and sore to easily groom himself. If this is the case, you'll notice your dog walking stiffly and having difficulty using stairs or jumping in a vehicle. You'll need to talk to the veterinarian about medication to treat the pain of arthritis. In the meantime, help your dog by grooming him daily. Pay particular attention to areas that your dog can't comfortably reach. Check to see if your dog has a greasy coat or scaly skin. Pay attention for scaly, dandruff prone skin or an especially greasy coat. Your dog may have a condition called seborrhea, in which the skin's follicles create too much oil. This can trigger skin flaking or dandruff. Your vet will need to determine the cause of the greasy or scaly skin in order to recommend a treatment. Your vet may recommend supplementing your dog's diet with vitamin A or zinc to clear up any skin conditions. | Feed your dog a healthy and well-balanced diet. Supplement your dog's diet with omega fatty acids. Groom your dog regularly. Bathe your dog with the proper shampoo. Check for parasites. Determine if your dog is unwell. Check your dog for sore teeth. Consider if your dog has arthritis. Check to see if your dog has a greasy coat or scaly skin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Turon-(Bananacue-Wrap) | How to Make Turon (Bananacue Wrap) | To make turon, start by chopping fresh jackfruit, then cutting a sweet plantain into spears. Roll the sweet plantain pieces in brown sugar, then place your fillings in a lumpia wrapper. Next, roll the wrapper like an egg roll, then seal it by brushing egg whites along the edges. Now that your rolls are ready to be fried, heat oil in a frying pan, then add your rolls, turning them over with tongs halfway through. When both sides are golden brown, take them out of the oil and put them on a paper plate. | Prepare the filling. Turon filling is composed of chopped langka and saba. Simply chop up the fresh langka to get it ready to go. The fruit can be eaten raw when it's fully ripe. To prepare the saba , cut each one into three long pieces and roll each piece lightly in brown sugar. Lay out the bowl of langka and the plated of sliced, sugared saba so you can start filling your rolls. If you can't find langka , it's ok to leave it out of this recipe. Many recipes for turon don't call for langka, though it's a common traditional ingredient. If you can't find saba , use the smallest bananas you can find. Bananas are larger than saba so you won't need as many. Saba tastes like a cross between a plantain and a banana. Pull apart the lumpia. The sheets of paper-thin lumpia are difficult to pull apart; be very gentle so they don't tear. Pull them apart and lay them out to get them ready for assembly. It might help to wet your fingers with warm water so they don't stick to the wrappers. You can also steam the wrappers first to help them come apart more easily. If you can't find lumpia wrappers, spring roll wrappers also work well. Lumpia is a bit thinner than spring roll wrappers but the taste is quite similar. Fill the turon. Lay 2 - 3 slices of saba on a wrapper. Spoon a few teaspoons of langka over the slices. Wrap the turon. Start by folding the top and bottom of the wrapper toward the middle. Gently turn the wrapper 180 degrees so that an unfolded side is facing you. Roll the wrapper away from you, as you would an egg roll or a jelly roll. Brush a big of egg white on the edge of the wrapper to seal it in place. Finish filling and rolling the rest of the wrappers. After the turon is wrapped, one traditional preparation method is to roll the turon in brown sugar. The sugar will caramelize as the turon fry. Alternatively, you may make a brown sugar syrup to serve with the turon after they're fried. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid1339949-v4-728px-Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Heat the oil. Place the oil in a deep cast iron skillet or dutch oven suitable for frying. Let the oil heat until water sizzles when sprinkled over it. Lay the turon in the oil. Carefully place them in the oil one at a time. They should begin to sizzle and fry right away - if they don't, the oil isn't hot enough. Don't overcrowd the pan, or they won't cook evenly. Fry them in batches if you have too many to fit all at once. Turn the rolls once. Halfway through the frying process, turn the rolls with a pair of tongs. Remove the rolls when they are golden brown. They should be crispy and golden on the outside and creamy on the inside. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. If you didn't opt to give the rolls a caramelized sugar coating, top them with brown sugar syrup, which can be made as instructed below. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. To make the syrup, all you need is brown sugar and water. Place 1 cup of sugar and 3/4 cup water in a saucepan and stir the mixture. For a richer, creamier topping, replace all or half of the water with coconut milk. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-9Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/aid1339949-v4-728px-Make-Turon-%28Bananacue-Wrap%29-Step-9Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cook the syrup. Put the saucepan on medium low heat and allow it to come to a simmer. Let it cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When it's ready, it should be thick, bubbly and caramel-colored. Pour it over the turon. You can also serve it alongside turon as a tip. Finished. | Prepare the filling. Pull apart the lumpia. Fill the turon. Wrap the turon. Heat the oil. Lay the turon in the oil. Turn the rolls once. Remove the rolls when they are golden brown. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook the syrup. Pour it over the turon. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kick-(in-Martial-Arts) | How to Kick (in Martial Arts) | To do a front kick in martial arts, get into fighting stance with your dominant leg behind your other leg.Inhale as you raise your dominant knee up to hip level, then straighten your leg quickly so that it snaps forward into the kick. You can use the ball of your foot or your instep to strike. Don't forget to exhale as you kick! Then, bend your leg at the knee and lower your foot back to the ground. | Begin all kicks in your fighting stance. The fighting stance is designed for good balance and you can perform almost any martial arts move from this basic position. Place your feet about shoulder-width apart. Then step forward with your weaker foot so it's ahead of your dominant foot. Bring your hands up to the height of your chin. Stay light on your feet in your fighting stance, and practice shifting your weight from foot to foot. When you kick, you'll be shifting your weight quickly, so being stiff will give you slow, weak kicks. Snap your foot straight out for a front kick. A front kick is the most basic martial arts kick, but this doesn't mean it isn't powerful. Bring your back knee up towards your shoulder to enter the chamber position. Then extend your leg straight out for a strong kick. Curl your toes up and make contact with the ball of your foot. Focus front kicks at your opponent's midsection and torso. You could aim for the head if you can kick high enough, but most competitions ban head kicks. Never make contact with your toes or you could break bones in your foot. For a less powerful but faster attack, try performing this kick with your front leg instead of your back leg. It could catch your opponent off guard. Throw a side kick for extra power. Side kicks, despite their name, are similar to front kicks because they both focus the energy straight in front of you. A side kick has more power behind it. Bring your back leg into a chamber position by pulling it up towards your opposite shoulder. At the same time, pivot your support foot so your toes point backward. Then extend your leg straight out for the kick. Make contact with the blade of your foot. If you throw the kick with your right leg, extend your left arm behind you at the same time. Do the opposite if you kick with your left foot. This helps maintain your balance. Like with front kicks, aim side kicks at the opponent's midsection. Side kicks are also a good kick to break boards with because they have a lot of power. Attack from the side with a roundhouse kick. Unlike front or side kicks, a roundhouse kick focuses the energy sideways instead of straight in front. Enter a chamber position by raising your kicking leg and angling your knee in the direction you're kicking. Shift the weight to your support foot at the same time. Throw the kick by extending your leg so it sweeps from one side to the other. Make contact with your lower shin, just above the ankle. Extend the arm on your kicking side down as you kick to maintain balance. While movies show martial artists roundhouse kicking opponents in the head, this is very difficult to do. It's also dangerous because you could tear a muscle or your opponent could catch your leg. Instead, aim for your opponent's thighs. Low kicks are harder to defend against and can do a lot of damage. Never make contact with the top of your foot when doing a roundhouse kick. The small bones here can break easily if you hit something hard. Strike with your heel when performing a back kick. A back kick is useful if someone tries to attack you from behind. Stand with your back facing your target. Bring your knee up to your opposite shoulder to prepare for the kick. Then throw your leg behind you with force. Make contact with your heel for the most power. Look behind you when you throw this kick so you can aim it better. Aim for the opponent's midsection. Like with a side kick, extend your arm on the opposite side to stay balanced. For a more complicated move, spin before throwing this kick to execute a spinning back kick. Keep your weight on the ball of your supporting foot. Any good kick needs a solid foundation. Whenever you perform a kick, shift your weight to the ball of your supporting foot as soon as you start raising your kicking foot. Shifting your weight around and staying balanced is much easier with the weight on the ball of your foot. Your heel doesn't have to be off the ground for all kicks, but make sure the majority of your weight isn't focused on this point. You'll be stiff and less balanced with all your weight on your heel. Different kicks require your supporting foot to be in different positions. In a side kick, for example, your supporting foot faces backward. But no matter what the foot position is, always focus your weight on the ball of your foot. Lean your hand on a wall while you kick if you have trouble balancing. If you're just starting out and have trouble balancing while you kick, work on the kicking motions while leaning on a wall. Stand beside a wall with your kicking leg further from the wall. Press your hand against the wall. Then bring your leg up to the chamber position and kick. Go through multiple kicks in this position, then switch to the other side. A chamber is the position you enter to prepare for a kick. The position changes depending on which kick you're throwing. If you're going to kick with your right leg, stand with your left side closer to the wall. Press your left hand against the wall and kick with your right leg. Do these motions slowly so your body gets used to kicking. Touch the wall as lightly as possible. Just use it to help maintain balance. Don't lean all your weight against it because then you won't learn how to kick properly. Hold yourself in the kick chamber position for 30-60 seconds. Once you can balance well enough to stop leaning on the wall while you kick, train your balance further by balancing in different chamber positions. Go through the chambers for different kicks and hold them as long as you can. Aim for 30-60 seconds each. This exercise strengthens your leg and back muscles and improves your balances over time. Different kicks have different chamber positions. For a front kick, bring your leg straight up with your knee bent. For a side kick, lift your leg to the opposite shoulder from your kicking leg with your knee bent. For a roundhouse kick, turn your body to the side and lift your leg forward, keeping your knee bent. Go through these motions to improve your balance. Add the chamber positions for different kicks if you know them. If you have trouble balancing in the beginning, try adding a few short hops to maintain your balance. As you improve, you'll be more stable when your leg is in the air. Switch to different chamber positions without dropping your foot. For a more advanced balance exercise, shift into different chamber positions without dropping your foot. A logical pattern is front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick, but switch them in whichever order you find most comfortable. Shift the direction and weight distribution on your support foot as you change positions and keep your support leg straight. Extend your kicks and hold for them 5 seconds. When you're comfortable holding the kick chamber positions, then add the kicks to this exercise. Bring your leg up into the chamber position and extend your leg to kick. Hold the kick fully extended for 5 seconds. Then retract your leg and lower it back into your fighting stance. Repeat this motion for all the kicks you know. Remember to train both legs as well. Don't just drop your leg after you complete the kick. This is an incomplete motion and won't train your balance. Slowly retract your leg and re-enter your fighting stance for a full motion. Even if this feels difficult at first, keep practicing. The more you improve your mechanics and balance, the less you'll have to think about it, which will allow you to focus more on power. Exhale when you kick outward. If you hold your breath while kicking, your muscles will be tight. It's much harder to coordinate your whole body's strength if you're stiff. Force a quick exhale whenever you kick to loosen up your muscles and put more power behind your kicks. Some martial arts use specific words for different moves. This forces you to exhale when performing attacks and represents a release of power. Snap your hip towards the target right before making contact. Use your whole body whenever you kick to add more power. When you kick outward from the chamber position, snap your hip towards the target. This directs your energy at the target so there is maximum force behind your kick when you make contact. Use the side of the hip that you're kicking from. If you're kicking with your right leg, snap the right side of your hip towards the target when you throw the kick. The hip snap goes in different directions depending on what type of kick you throw. In a front kick, for example, snap your hip straight forward. In a roundhouse kick, snap your hip sideways in the direction you're kicking. Use your hips when you perform other attacks as well. A hip snap right before a punch adds a lot of power. Avoid making contact with your toes or the top of your foot. While different kicks have different contact points, the toes or top of the foot are never the intended contact point. The intended contact point is usually a solid part of the foot that projects the most power and can withstand the impact. Kicking with the right contact point also prevents injuries by using the strongest parts of your foot. Learn the intended impact point of any kick you perform to maximize your power. Common impact points are the ball of the foot for a front kick, the blade of the foot for a side kick, and the shin just above the ankle for a roundhouse kick. Some other kicks up different parts of the foot. A hook kick , for example, uses the heel as its impact point. Practice with a heavy bag. Practicing in the air helps build balance, but you won't build power unless you hit something. A heavy bag is a padded, yet solid, stand that you can perform different attacks on. Put all of your training together by hitting a heavy bag several times per week. First focus on doing the moves correctly. Then work up your power until you can hit the bag hard every time. See if a local gym has a heavy bag and train on it a few times per week. If no gyms have heavy bags, try to find a nearby martial arts dojo. If you want to hang a heavy bag at home, make sure you have a strong point that can withstand its weight. Mounted heavy bags are more convenient for home use. They are portable and have a base filled with water or sand. Strengthen your muscles with leg exercises. Doing exercises that strengthen your leg muscles will give you more powerful kicks. Design a workout regimen that targets your quads, calves, back, and core. These muscles all work together when you kick. Squats and deadlifts are compound, full-body exercises that especially target your legs and back. Short-distance sprints and deep squats will help you build leg strength, especially if you work out with a weighted vest. Plyometric exercises like box jumps, burpees, vertical jumps train your legs for the explosive power of kicking. | Begin all kicks in your fighting stance. Snap your foot straight out for a front kick. Throw a side kick for extra power. Attack from the side with a roundhouse kick. Strike with your heel when performing a back kick. Keep your weight on the ball of your supporting foot. Lean your hand on a wall while you kick if you have trouble balancing. Hold yourself in the kick chamber position for 30-60 seconds. Switch to different chamber positions without dropping your foot. Extend your kicks and hold for them 5 seconds. Exhale when you kick outward. Snap your hip towards the target right before making contact. Avoid making contact with your toes or the top of your foot. Practice with a heavy bag. Strengthen your muscles with leg exercises. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Rocket-Fuel | How to Make Rocket Fuel | To make rocket fuel, start by mixing potassium nitrate and sugar in a container. Then, transfer the mixture to a saucepan and add some Karo syrup and water. Next, heat the ingredients over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring it constantly as it thickens. After 5 minutes, pour the mixture onto a baking sheet and mold it into your desired shape using gloved hands. Finally, attach your homemade fuel to your model rocket. | Grab a pair of gloves and some protective eyewear. Making your own rocket fuel is a fun DIY science project you can do at home. However, you'll be working with potentially volatile chemicals, so it's important to take some basic safety precautions. These items will keep you from coming into direct contact with hazardous substances. Elbow-length pair of laboratory or dishwashing gloves is preferable, but a pair of disposable latex gloves will also work just fine. Clear goggles, like the kind worn in chemistry labs, are ideal, as they provide full coverage without hindering your vision. Mix the potassium nitrate and sugar together in a separate container. Add 58 grams (2.0 oz) of potassium nitrate and 29 grams (1.0 oz) of sugar to the container, then shake it vigorously until they're evenly distributed. In order for your rocket fuel to burn properly, it's important that your dry ingredients be well-sifted. Use a kitchen scale to portion out your ingredients to make sure you have exactly the right amount of each. It's recommended that you do your mixing in a disposable drinking cup. That way, you can simply throw it away once you've completed your experiment. If you use a measuring cup or similar container instead, be sure to wash it thoroughly before reusing it. Transfer the potassium nitrate and sugar to a saucepan. This is where you'll actually be cooking the various ingredients down into usable fuel. When combined, they'll produce a malleable sugar-based substance that will burn intensely for a short period of time. Sugar-based model rocket fuels are sometimes known as "R-Candy." They work by feeding a steady supply of oxygen to the burning sugar via an oxidizer (in this case, potassium nitrate) to create a powerful, sustained form of combustion. Add the Karo syrup and water to the saucepan. After shaking the blended potassium nitrate and sugar into the saucepan, drizzle in 13 millilitres (0.055 c) of Karo syrup. Pour in 80 millilitres (0.34 c) of water last, then stir all of the ingredients together thoroughly. The added moisture will help dissolve the sugar, which will act as a binder for the solid fuel. You may need to use a spatula or similar utensil to scrape the last of the Karo syrup out of its measuring container. Heat the ingredients on an electric cooktop for 5 minutes. Turn on the stove or burner to medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. As it warms up, it will gradually begin to thicken into a gritty paste. If possible, set up a portable burner outside far away from any other flammable substances. Never heat rocket fuel on a gas cooktop or over an open flame! Combustible chemicals plus fire can make for a disastrous combination. Stir the fuel mixture constantly as it thickens. This will prevent it from sticking to the saucepan. You'll know it's ready when it takes on a color and consistency similar to peanut butter or wet sand. Once the reaches this stage, it may help to fold it over on itself rather than attempting to stir it like normal. Be careful not to stir the mixture too fast, or you could accidentally send it sloshing out of the saucepan. Your rocket fuel may also come out a slightly lighter hue, depending on whether or not the heat causes the sugar to caramelize. Transfer the solidified rocket fuel to a clean, flat surface. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the mixture out of the saucepan and onto a nonstick baking sheet, disposable pie pan, or similar surface. From here, you'll use either your hands or an appropriately-shaped container to mold the rocket fuel into a usable form. The mixture will be extremely hot when it first comes off of the burner, so avoid touching it until it's had a chance to cool to a safe temperature. Make sure your new surface is completely free of debris. Any other particles your rocket fuel picks up may interfere with its ability to burn. Shape the rocket fuel to the desired shape with gloved hands. While the mixture is still slightly warm, pull it apart and squeeze, pat, or roll it into multiple pieces. You might make small balls, flattened cakes, or “snakes,” depending on the exact size and design of your model rockets. Be sure to leave your gloves on while handling the fuel. If you allow the rocket fuel to cool too much, it may begin to crumble or fail to hold its shape. Be sure to gather up any small pieces that happen to come loose and knead them back into the bulk of the mixture. These pieces will be highly flammable. Add the mixture directly into one of your rockets to ensure that it will fit. Another option you have is to press the warm fuel directly to the back of one of your model rockets. You should only do this if you plan on launching the rocket right away, however, as the fuel will grow less combustible the longer it stays exposed to the air. Loading up your fuel as soon as its finished cooking can also be a convenient solution if it's gotten too crumbly to shape by hand. Once you've loaded, pack it down firmly using the end of a wooden dowel or a similar tool. Trapped air bubbles in the fuel could cause the rocket to explode when lit. Store your molded rocket fuel in an airtight plastic container. If possible, choose a container with a locking lid, as one of these will provide the safest storage conditions. Double-check that the container is completely sealed before putting it away. If you don't have a suitable container handy, place the molded fuel to a large plastic zipper bag. Make sure you squeeze all the air out of the bag prior to sealing it. Never put your rocket fuel in a glass container. If an accidental ignition were to occur, it could send shards of glass flying in every direction. As long as it's kept away from air and moisture, your homemade fuel should stay combustible more or less indefinitely. Keep your rocket fuel stored at room temperature or cooler. Stash the sealed fuel container on a shelf or countertop away from any external heat sources. This is a critical safety precaution, as lower temperatures will help prevent the fuel from igniting accidentally. You could also store your rocket fuel in the refrigerator to make absolutely sure that it doesn't catch. Just be sure to label your container if you go this route so you won't mistake its contents for food. | Grab a pair of gloves and some protective eyewear. Mix the potassium nitrate and sugar together in a separate container. Transfer the potassium nitrate and sugar to a saucepan. Add the Karo syrup and water to the saucepan. Heat the ingredients on an electric cooktop for 5 minutes. Stir the fuel mixture constantly as it thickens. Transfer the solidified rocket fuel to a clean, flat surface. Shape the rocket fuel to the desired shape with gloved hands. Add the mixture directly into one of your rockets to ensure that it will fit. Store your molded rocket fuel in an airtight plastic container. Keep your rocket fuel stored at room temperature or cooler. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Join-Two-Pieces-of-Wood | How to Join Two Pieces of Wood | To join 2 pieces of wood with an edge joint, start by arranging the boards so the best looking sides will be visible in your finished project. Then, lay the boards across strips of thin scrap wood to make sure excess glue doesn't get on your work surface. From there, apply an even bead of woodworking glue along the edge of 1 board and clamp the 2 pieces together. After 20 minutes, remove the clamps and carefully flip the boards so you can use a putty knife to scrape off any excess glue. While the glue might be dry already, let it sit overnight to reach its maximum strength. | Arrange your boards and mark them with chalk. Arrange the boards so the best looking side of each will be most visible in your final project. Shift the boards around until you've aligned their grains in an attractive natural pattern. When you're satisfied with their alignment, make a big V-shape across them with chalk or a lumber crayon. For instance, if you're making a table, you'll want to use the most attractive sides of your boards or planks for the tabletop. You'll also want their grains and colors to line up so they don't look mismatched or obviously joined. The lines of your V don't have to be perfectly straight. You just need to make the shape across all of the boards. That way, the V is legible only when the boards are correctly aligned. Lay the boards across strips of scrap wood. Set thin, evenly sized strips of wood under both ends of your boards to raise them off of your work surface. When you glue and clamp your boards, excess glue will seep out from the joints. Raising the boards will keep your work surface clean. Add a strip of scrap wood in the middle if your planks or boards are long and you're concerned about bowing. Apply an even bead of glue along the edge of a board. To spread an even bead of woodworking glue, hold the bottle with one hand and the nozzle with the other. Move the nozzle across the edge quickly and steadily. Don't apply glue to both edges that you're joining. Too much glue will just cause more of a mess. Clamp the boards and ensure they’re flush. Press the edges together and secure them with clamps. Add a clamp at each end and, depending on your boards' length, additional clamps in the middle. Try to get your boards perfectly flush so you won't have to sand away imperfections after the glue has cured. Wipe away excess glue after 20 minutes. To make cleanup easier, you can wipe excess glue off the top surface with a damp cloth immediately. After 20 minutes, remove the clamps so you can carefully flip over the boards and clean the bottom side. Use a putty knife to scrape excess glue from this side. The glue still needs several hours to cure, so handle the joined boards gently. In humid conditions, you'll have to wait an hour or longer to remove the clamps. Allow the glue to cure overnight. While you can safely remove the clamps after a short time, the glue won't reach maximum strength for several hours. Let it dry overnight before you do any further work on the boards. Plan your work before you drill. Lay out the boards you'll be joining as you want them to appear in your final project. Use a pencil to mark the places where you want to drill pocket holes. Make sure you'll be drilling into face or edge grain, as drilling into end grain makes for a weaker joint. You can tell the end grain from the face and edge grains by checking the texture of the surface and arrangement of the growth rings. The end grain is the rougher, more porous side of a board. In addition, the exposed radii of a tree's growth rings are only visible at the end grain. They look like a neatly arranged set of several curved lines. To complete the process, you'll drill pilot holes into a board, align it with another board, then drive screws through the first board's pilot holes and into the second board. If you've never drilled pocket holes before, it's wise to practice on scrap wood so you can get a feel for the process. Set the depth of the jig to your wood’s thickness. A good quality pocket hole jig has a graduated alignment guide. The alignment guide is built into the shaft where the guide holes are located, and you can adjust it by pulling it in and out of the jig's body. Find the line on the alignment guide marked with your wood's depth to set the jig. Go for a jig with a built-in alignment guide and clamp. While they're cheaper, products that lack these features are less precise and more difficult to use. Insert the bit into the jig’s guide hole to adjust the bit collar. A pocket hole drill bit has a collar that you use to control the hole's depth. Use an Allen wrench (which should be included with your bit) to loosen the collar from the bit. Insert the bit into one of the jig's guide holes until the tip is about ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) from touching the base of the jig. Place the collar over the top end of the bit so it sits flush on the jig, then tighten the collar. Clamp your board into the jig. Place your board into the jig so the marks you made are aligned with the jig's guide holes, then tighten the clamp to lock it into place. You'll be drilling into the side of the board that faces the jig's guide holes, so make sure that side won't be visible in your final project. For example, if you're making a frame, make sure you're drilling into the back side of the board instead of what will be the front side of your final project. If you've cut a 45 degree angle into your board to make a miter joint, lay the board so the angle sits flat against the base of the jig. Drill the pilot holes at high speed. Lock the bit into your power drill and set the drill to its highest speed setting to create cleaner holes. Insert the bit into one of the jig's guide holes, drill to the midpoint between the end of the bit and the collar, then pull out the bit to clear out shavings. After stopping halfway to eject the shavings, insert the bit back into the guide hole and continue drilling until the collar prevents you from drilling any deeper. Insert your bit into the guide hole lined up with the other side of the board and repeat the process. Arrange your boards and clamp them at the joint. Line up your boards to double check you drilled your pilot holes in the right direction. Apply an even bead of glue to an edge of the boards you're joining, press the edges together, then tighten a clamp over the joint to lock the boards in place. If you drive screws without clamping the boards, your joint won't be flush. While using screws alone creates a strong joint, using woodworking glue will help keep the joint flush during seasonal shrinking and swelling. Choose the right screws for your project. Use fine-thread pocket hole screws for hardwood lumber, and coarse-thread screws for softwoods, like pine. The right screw length depends on your wood's thickness. For example, ⁄ 4 in (1.9 cm) boards require a 1 ⁄ 4 in (3.2 cm) screw. Pocket hole screw packaging often includes a guide chart. You can also find size guides online. Use pocket hole screws only. They have a built-in washer that sits flush with the flat edge created by the pocket hole drill bit. Drive screws through the pilot holes slowly. Place the screw in your drill and carefully drive it through the pilot hole until it's tight. Then drive the next screw into the other pilot hole you drilled. Remove the clamp when you've finished driving your screws. Wipe or scrape away excess glue. If glue seeped out from the joint, wipe it away with a damp cloth. If it's started to set and become jelly-like, scrape it with a putty knife. | Arrange your boards and mark them with chalk. Lay the boards across strips of scrap wood. Apply an even bead of glue along the edge of a board. Clamp the boards and ensure they’re flush. Wipe away excess glue after 20 minutes. Allow the glue to cure overnight. Plan your work before you drill. Set the depth of the jig to your wood’s thickness. Insert the bit into the jig’s guide hole to adjust the bit collar. Clamp your board into the jig. Drill the pilot holes at high speed. Arrange your boards and clamp them at the joint. Choose the right screws for your project. Drive screws through the pilot holes slowly. Wipe or scrape away excess glue. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Questionnaire-for-Research | How to Develop a Questionnaire for Research | To develop a questionnaire for research, identify the main objective of your research to act as the focal point for the questionnaire. Then, choose the type of questions that you want to include, and come up with succinct, straightforward questions to gather the information that you need to answer your questions. Keep your questionnaire as short as possible, and identify a target demographic who you would like to answer the questions. Remember to make the questionnaires as anonymous as possible to protect the integrity of the person answering the questions! | Identify the goal of your questionnaire. What kind of information do you want to gather with your questionnaire? What is your main objective? Is a questionnaire the best way to go about collecting this information? Come up with a research question. It can be one question or several, but this should be the focal point of your questionnaire. Develop one or several hypotheses that you want to test. The questions that you include on your questionnaire should be aimed at systematically testing these hypotheses. Choose your question type or types. Depending on the information you wish to gather, there are several possible types of questions to include on your questionnaire, each with unique pros and cons. Here are the types of commonly used questions on a questionnaire: Dichotomous question: this is a question that will generally be a “yes/no” question, but may also be an “agree/disagree” question. It is the quickest and simplest question to analyze, but is not a highly sensitive measure. Open-ended questions: these questions allow the respondent to respond in their own words. They can be useful for gaining insight into the feelings of the respondent, but can be a challenge when it comes to analysis of data. It is recommended to use open-ended questions to address the issue of “why.” Multiple choice questions: these questions consist of three or more mutually-exclusive categories and ask for a single answer or several answers. Multiple choice questions allow for easy analysis of results, but may not give the respondent the answer they want. Rank-order (or ordinal) scale questions: this type of question asks your respondent to rank items or choose items in a particular order from a set. For example, it might ask your respondents to order five things from least to most important. These types of questions forces discrimination among alternatives, but does not address the issue of why the respondent made these discriminations. Rating scale questions: these questions allow the respondent to assess a particular issue based on a given dimension. You can provide a scale that gives an equal number of positive and negative choices, for example, ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” These questions are very flexible, but also do not answer the question “why.” Develop questions for your questionnaire. The questions that you develop for your questionnaire should be clear, concise, and direct. This will ensure that you get the best possible answers from your respondents. Write questions that are succinct and simple. You should not be writing complex statements or using technical jargon, as it will only confuse your respondents and lead to incorrect responses. Ask only one question at a time. This will help avoid confusion Beware of asking for private or “sensitive” information. This can be something as simple as age or weight, or something as complex as past sexual history. Asking questions such as these usually require you to anonymize or encrypt the demographic data you collect. Determine if you will include an answer such as “I don't know” or “Not applicable to me.” While these can give your respondents a way of not answering certain questions, providing these options can also lead to missing data, which can be problematic during data analysis. Put the most important questions at the beginning of your questionnaire. This can help you gather important data even if you sense that your respondents may be becoming distracted by the end of the questionnaire. Restrict the length of your questionnaire. Keep your questionnaire as short as possible. More people will be likely to answer a shorter questionnaire, so make sure you keep it as concise as possible while still collecting the necessary information. If you can make a questionnaire that only requires 5 questions, do it. Only include questions that are directly useful to your research question. A questionnaire is not an opportunity to collect all kinds of information about your respondents. Avoid asking redundant questions. This will frustrate those who are taking your questionnaire. Identify your target demographic. Is there a certain group of people who you want to target with your questionnaire? If so, it is best to determine this before you begin to distribute your questionnaire. Consider if you want your questionnaire to collect information from both men and women. Some studies will only survey one sex. Determine whether you want your survey to collect information from both children and adults. Many surveys only target certain age ranges for which the questions are applicable. Consider including a range of ages in your target demographic. For example, you can consider young adult to be 18-29 years old, adults to be 30-54 years old, and mature adults to be 55+. Providing the an age range will help you get more respondents than limiting yourself to a specific age. Consider what else would make a person a target for your questionnaire. Do they need to drive a car? Do they need to have health insurance? Do they need to have a child under 3? Make sure you are very clear about this before you distribute your questionnaire. Ensure you can protect privacy. Make your plan to protect respondents' privacy before you begin writing your survey. This is a very important part of many research projects. Consider an anonymous questionnaire. You may not want to ask for names on your questionnaire. This is one step you can take to prevent privacy, however it is often possible to figure out a respondent's identity using other demographic information (such as age, physical features, or zipcode). Consider de-identifying the identity of your respondents. Give each questionnaire (and thus, each respondent) a unique number or word, and only refer to them using that new identifier. Shred any personal information that can be used to determine identity. Remember that you do not need to collect much demographic information to be able to identify someone. People may be wary to provide this information, so you may get more respondents by asking less demographic questions (if it is possible for your questionnaire). Make sure you destroy all identifying information after your study is complete. Introduce yourself. Your introduction should explain who you are, and what your credentials are. You should clarify if you are working alone or as a part of a team. Include the name of the academic institution or company for whom you are collecting data. Here are some examples: My name is Jack Smith and I am one of the creators of this questionnaire. I am part of the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan, where I am focusing in developing cognition in infants. I'm Kelly Smith, a 3rd year undergraduate student at the University of New Mexico. This questionnaire is part of my final exam in statistics. My name is Steve Johnson, and I'm a marketing analyst for The Best Company. I've been working on questionnaire development to determine attitudes surrounding drug use in Canada for several years. Explain the purpose of the questionnaire. Many people will not answer a questionnaire without understanding what the goal of the questionnaire is. No long explanation is needed; instead, a few concise sentences will do the trick. Here are some examples: I am collecting data regarding the attitudes surrounding gun control. This information is being collected for my Anthropology 101 class at the University of Maryland. This questionnaire will ask you 15 questions about your eating and exercise habits. We are attempting to make a correlation between healthy eating, frequency of exercise, and incidence of cancer in mature adults. This questionnaire will ask you about your recent experiences with international air travel. There will be three sections of questions that will ask you to recount your recent trips and your feelings surrounding these trips, as well as your travel plans for the future. We are looking to understand how a person's feelings surrounding air travel impact their future plans. Reveal what will happen with the data you collect. Are you collecting these data for a class project, or for a publication? Are these data to be used for market research? Depending on what you intend to do with the data you collect from your questionnaire, there may be different requirements that you need to pay attention to before distributing your survey. Beware that if you are collecting information for a university or for publication, you may need to check in with your institution's Institutional Review Board (IRB) for permission before beginning. Most research universities have a dedicated IRB staff, and their information can usually be found on the school's website. Remember that transparency is best. It is important to be honest about what will happen with the data you collect. Include an informed consent for if necessary. Note that you cannot guarantee confidentiality, but you will make all reasonable attempts to ensure that you protect their information. Estimate how long the questionnaire will take. Before someone sits down to take your questionnaire, it may be helpful for them to know whether the questionnaire will take them 10 minutes or 2 hours. Providing this information at the onset of your questionnaire is more likely to get you more complete questionnaires in the end. Time yourself taking the survey. Then consider that it will take some people longer than you, and some people less time than you. Provide a time range instead of a specific time. For example, it's better to say that a survey will take between 15 and 30 minutes than to say it will take 15 minutes and have some respondents quit halfway through. Use this as a reason to keep your survey concise! You will feel much better asking people to take a 20 minute survey than you will asking them to take a 3 hour one. Describe any incentives that may be involved. An incentive is anything that you can offer as a reward at the end of the questionnaire. Incentives can be many types of things: they can be monetary, desired prizes, gift certificates, candy, etc. There are both pros and cons to offering incentives. Incentives can attract the wrong kind of respondent. You don't want to incorporate responses from people who rush through your questionnaire just to get the reward at the end. This is a danger of offering an incentive. Incentives can encourage people to respond to your survey who might not have responded without a reward. This is a situation in which incentives can help you reach your target number of respondents. Consider the strategy used by SurveyMonkey. Instead of directly paying respondents to take their surveys, they offer 50 cents to the charity of their choice when a respondent fills out a survey. They feel that this lessens the chances that a respondent will fill out a questionnaire out of pure self-interest. Consider entering each respondent in to a drawing for a prize if they complete the questionnaire. You can offer a 25$ gift card to a restaurant, or a new iPod, or a ticket to a movie. This makes it less tempting just to respond to your questionnaire for the incentive alone, but still offers the chance of a pleasant reward. Make sure your questionnaire looks professional. Because you want people to have confidence in you as a data collector, your questionnaire must have a professional look. Always proof read. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Include a title. This is a good way for your respondents to understand the focus of the survey as quickly as possible. Thank your respondents. Thank them for taking the time and effort to complete your survey. Do a pilot study. Ask some people you know to take your questionnaire (they will not be included in any results stemming from this questionnaire), and be prepared to revise it if necessary. Plan to include 5-10 people in the pilot testing of your questionnaire. Get their feedback on your questionnaire by asking the following questions: Was the questionnaire easy to understand? Were there any questions that confused you? Was the questionnaire easy to access? (Especially important if your questionnaire is online). Do you feel the questionnaire was worth your time? Were you comfortable answering the questions asked? Are there any improvements you would make to the questionnaire? Disseminate your questionnaire. You need to determine what is the best way to disseminate your questionnaire. There are several common ways to distribute questionnaires: Use an online site, such as SurveyMonkey.com. This site allows you to write your own questionnaire with their survey builder, and provides additional options such as the option to buy a target audience and use their analytics to analyze your data. Consider using the mail. If you mail your survey, always make sure you include a self-addressed stamped envelope so that the respondent can easily mail their responses back. Make sure that your questionnaire will fit inside a standard business envelope. Conduct face-to-face interviews. This can be a good way to ensure that you are reaching your target demographic and can reduce missing information in your questionnaires, as it is more difficult for a respondent to avoid answering a question when you ask it directly. Try using the telephone. While this can be a more time-effective way to collect your data, it can be difficult to get people to respond to telephone questionnaires. Include a deadline. Ask your respondents to have the questionnaire completed and returned to you by a certain date to ensure that you have enough time to analyze the results. Make your deadline reasonable. Giving respondents up to 2 weeks to answer should be more than sufficient. Anything longer and you risk your respondents forgetting about your questionnaire. Consider providing a reminder. A week before the deadline is a good time to provide a gentle reminder about returning the questionnaire. Include a replacement of the questionnaire in case it has been misplaced by your respondent. | Identify the goal of your questionnaire. Choose your question type or types. Develop questions for your questionnaire. Restrict the length of your questionnaire. Identify your target demographic. Ensure you can protect privacy. Introduce yourself. Explain the purpose of the questionnaire. Reveal what will happen with the data you collect. Estimate how long the questionnaire will take. Describe any incentives that may be involved. Make sure your questionnaire looks professional. Do a pilot study. Disseminate your questionnaire. Include a deadline. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Dopamine-Sensitivity | How to Increase Dopamine Sensitivity | Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps you feel pleasure, motivation, and satisfaction. Increasing your sensitivity to it can help you feel better and improve your motivation, memory, and mood. One way to do this is to eat less processed foods like chips, candy, and desserts, which can decrease your dopamine sensitivity. It's also important to limit your TV, internet, and video game time, since watching screens for too long can hurt your mental health. Similarly, listening to music too much can affect your dopamine sensitivity, so make sure to take regular breaks. If you do drugs or drink alcohol, consider cutting down or stopping completely. While certain substances can increase your dopamine sensitivity, these spikes are only temporary and are usually followed by a sharp decline afterward. | Understand what dopamine is. There are close to 86 billion neurons in the brain. They communicate with each other via neurotransmitters, which are chemicals released by nerve cells. Dopamine is linked to many aspects of human behavior including pleasure-seeking, motivation, and addictions. It plays important roles in mood, learning, sleep, attention, memory, movement, and anticipation. Dopamine dysfunction (as distinct from desensitization) is the cause of a handful of diseases, most notably Parkinson's disease which is caused by the death of dopamine-producing cells. Relatively few neurons create dopamine, and those that do are found in a just few areas of the brain. A few systems outside the central nervous system such as the kidneys, pancreas, and immune cells also use dopamine. Since it does not freely move across the brain's protective blood-brain barrier, this dopamine is created locally. Dopamine is typically associated with human-like traits, yet it is widespread in the animal kingdom and occurs in some plants. Know what dopamine does. Dopamine is your “motivation molecule." It boosts your drive, focus, and concentration. It enables you to plan ahead and resist impulses so you can achieve your goals. It gives you that “I did it!” lift when you accomplish what you set out to do. It gets your competitive juices flowing and provides the thrill of the chase in all aspects of life — business, sports, and love. Additionally, dopamine is in charge of your pleasure-reward system. It allows you to experience feelings of enjoyment, bliss, and even euphoria. Poor dopamine sensitivity can leave you unfocused, unmotivated, lethargic, and even depressed. Dopamine is so critical to motivation that overstimulated lab mice lack the motivation to eat. Alarmingly, with desensitized dopamine receptors, they will choose to starve even when food is readily available. Understand what dopamine desensitization is. Desensitization refers to long-term changes involving a decline in dopamine signaling and D2 receptors. A numbed pleasure response, or desensitization, is probably the best-understood brain change that addiction or addictive behaviors induce. The main physiological feature of reward circuitry desensitization is a decline in dopamine signaling. Desensitization is caused by a number of factors, including: 1: Decline in dopamine (D2) receptors. Fewer D2 receptors mean less sensitivity to available dopamine, which leaves a person less sensitive to the pleasure normally found in experiences. 2: Decline in baseline (tonic) dopamine levels. Lower dopamine levels leave a person "hungry" for dopamine-raising activities/substances of all kinds. 3: Blunted dopamine in response to normal rewards. Dopamine normally rises in response to rewarding activities. Once your addiction is the most reliable source of dopamine, cravings arise urging you to use porn. 4: Decline in CRF-1 receptors, which function to raise dopamine levels in the striatum (part of the brain). 5: Loss of reward circuit grey matter, which means a loss of dendrites. This translates into fewer nerve connections or synapses. A 2014 study on porn users correlated less grey matter with more porn use. 6: Decline in opioids or opioid receptors. Both #2 and #3 may involve increased dynorphin which inhibits dopamine, and weakening of certain pathways (glutamate) conveying messages to the reward circuitry. In other words, desensitization is rather complex, and an awful lot is left to learn. Learn the symptoms of low dopamine sensitivity. If you have low dopamine sensitivity, you'll have little joy for life. You'll be low on energy and motivation, and will often rely on caffeine, sugar, or other stimulants to get through the day. Low dopamine levels or sensitivity can also manifest as certain psychiatric disorders including depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, and addictions of all kinds. Here's a list of the most common dopamine desensitization symptoms: Lack of motivation Fatigue Apathy Procrastination Inability to feel pleasure Low libido Inability to connect with others Sleep problems Mood swings Hopelessness Memory loss Inability to concentrate Inability to complete tasks Engaging in self-destructive behaviors, especially addictions Learn what causes decreases in dopamine sensitivity. What causes desensitization? Too much of a good thing. Dopamine is where it all starts. If dopamine is too high for too long it leads to nerve cells losing their sensitivity. If someone continues to scream, you cover your ears. When dopamine-sending nerve cells keep pumping out dopamine, the receiving nerve cells cover their "ears" by reducing dopamine (D2) receptors. The desensitization process can begin fairly quickly, even with so-called "natural" rewards such as junk food. How quickly it occurs depends on the intensity of use and the vulnerability of the brain. How much is too much is determined by brain changes - not by outward behaviors, such as the amount of drug used, calories consumed, or time spent watching porn. No two people are alike. Abnormally high dopamine levels are not necessary to cause desensitization. Smoking hooks a far greater percentage of users than cocaine, even though cocaine furnishes a bigger neurochemical blast. Many small hits of dopamine can train the brain more thoroughly than fewer, more intense hits. Nor do dopamine levels need to be continuously elevated to cause desensitization. Compare overeating and becoming obese to cigarette smoking. Both produce the down-regulation of dopamine receptors, but far less time is spent eating than puffing. Overriding natural satiation mechanisms may be a key factor in how natural reinforcers trigger desensitization. Overeating and heavy porn users ignore 'stop' signals, or more accurately their addicted brains no longer experience "satisfaction," so they keep on consuming. Understand what increasing dopamine receptor sensitivity means. When we say that a food, supplement or activity increases dopamine, it sounds like more dopamine is being made. This is often the case, but not always. Sometimes the amount of dopamine has not changed, but it's being better utilized. What's really going on could be one or more of the following: More dopamine is being made Dopamine breakdown is slowing down More dopamine is being recirculated More dopamine receptors are being created Existing dopamine receptors are working better Learn how to increase dopamine sensitivity. By giving your brain time to readjust itself to natural sources of pleasure, you can effectively "reboot" your brain and make it more sensitive to dopamine. This manifests in increased motivation, drive, happiness, and energy. You'll want to avoid dopamine-spiking (dopaminergic) activities for at least 30 days to allow your brain to fully resensitize yourself. Afterward, you can maintain your dopamine sensitivity by pursuing interests and activities that provide healthier rewards. Consider what you eat. If you want to increase dopamine sensitivity, there are some foods you should avoid. Junk foods like potato chips, candy, and cookies may make you feel momentarily happy, but they are not so good for your health or brain. Get rid of junk food, candy, and desserts, which are processed, concentrated sources of calories that hack your brain into pumping out large amounts of dopamine. Eating a lot of saturated fat also decreases dopamine receptor sensitivity. Sugar has been found to boost dopamine, but this is a temporary, unhealthy boost that is more drug-like than food-like and ultimately contributes to desensitization. And don't reach for artificial sweeteners instead. Sweeteners like aspartame can even decrease brain levels of serotonin, another important mood-boosting neurotransmitter. Limit television time. According to some studies, the average American watches almost five hours of TV per day. That is equivalent to 35 hours per week and almost two months per year. Although some people use TV to relax, it can easily become a time suck and an addiction. It's a source of lots of novel content that's designed to pull you in and keep you watching. In order to quit watching TV, you should slowly decrease the amount of TV you watch over time, cut your TV watching completely, or replace the time you spend watching TV with other activities. Moderate internet usage. Internet addiction is an increasingly prevalent problem that affects a lot of people. Psychological research is seeing a growing trend of addictive online behavior, with participants experiencing the same kinds of stimulus-based highs reflective of other addictions like gambling or compulsive shopping. Since it's a potent source of novel and exciting content, you'll want to limit how much time you spend on the internet. When you do use the internet, eliminate distractions and avoid spending too much time on sites you don't need to be on. Step away from the internet and improve your mental and social health. Skip the soft drinks. Here's something to think about the next time you're craving something sweet: it could be more than just a sweet tooth - it could be an addictive itch begging to be scratched. Brain scans have confirmed that intermittent sugar consumption affects the brain in ways similar to certain drugs. Sugar—as pervasive as it is—meets the criteria for a substance of abuse and may be addictive to those who binge on it. It does this by affecting the chemistry of the limbic system, the part of the brain that's associated with emotional control. Intermittent access to sugar can also lead to behavioral and neurochemical changes that resemble the effects of substance abuse. Abstain from masturbation and pornography. This is a key aspect of resetting your dopamine pathways. Mastering this will flow into other parts of your life as well. Pornography and explicit images release a massive amount of dopamine. Coupled with masturbation, this is one of the most extreme stimuli you can ever encounter. This makes everything else seem ultra-bland by comparison. Food, goals, and real women/men stop being exciting. Most people cannot handle going without masturbation and pornography for even a week. By removing these two artificial sources of dopamine from your life, your brain will be greatly benefited. Stop taking drugs. Many substances have the potential to be abused, and if you frequently use recreational substances (whether legal or illegal), you might find yourself less motivated than usual. Drugs can increase dopamine levels by decreasing the amount of dopamine uptake or increasing the amount of dopamine release. Drugs are so potent and stimulating that they can increase dopamine levels to over 1200% of their baseline levels. Having a drug addiction can make you feel as though there's no hope for getting better. But no matter how bad things have gotten, you can beat your addiction with perseverance and patience. Start by defining your reasons for quitting, since that will help you stay strong throughout the process. Then make a good plan and draw on help from support groups and counselors as you deal with withdrawal and start creating a life without drugs. Stop playing video games. Video games trick you into thinking you're getting things done, and they can be very rewarding and addicting. Video gaming is a very hard habit to overcome, but distancing yourself from them will give your brain a much-needed break. Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol acts on the receptor sites for the neurotransmitters GABA, glutamate, and dopamine. Alcohol's activity on the GABA and glutamate sites result in the physiological effects associated with drinking, such as a slowing down of movement and speech. But individuals do not drink alcohol only for the GABA and glutamate effects. Alcohol's activity on the dopamine site in the brain's reward center produces the pleasurable feelings that motivate many people to drink in the first place. Cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink and reap the mental benefits of sobriety. Moderate your shopping habits. For some people, it can be very tempting to buy items that you do not actually need. The rush and excitement that buying new things provides can be very difficult to resist. If you've lost control of your shopping habits, it is best to only carry a small amount of cash and stop using all credit cards. Spend your free time outdoors and learning new things instead of shopping. Limit social media use. Social media can enhance your life by allowing you to connect with old friends and share important moments in your life. However, if not managed properly it can become an addiction that can consume your time and affect your work and relationships. It has been found that social media use is associated with a surge of dopamine; dopamine is stimulated by unpredictability, by small bits of information, and by reward cues, all of which are characteristics of social media use. The release of dopamine during online social networking makes it much harder for people to resist the activity. Don't overuse music. Music can invoke a wide range of emotions and thoughts, and it can elicit large changes in mood or energy. It can be used as a tool for inspiration, productivity, or mood-boosting. With all the benefits music can provide, it's not a surprise that music has the potential to be overused. With the near-endless number of songs out there, it's easy to forget about how much time you spend listening. Chronic music use could potentially affect your dopamine sensitivity over time. Even if you aren't addicted, cutting back the amount of time you listen to music can help rebalance your emotions and teach your brain to experience emotions without the aid of music. Cut down on YouTube watching. YouTube's algorithm is designed to discover your interests via your viewing history, and it displays videos that it predicts you'll enjoy. The site is structured to be as navigable as possible, making it easy to click from one video to the next. Altogether, it's an entertainment platform that has a very addictive potential. It's best to reduce your YouTube watching as much as possible, but if you plan to use the site in the future, don't click from video to video, and try to only watch videos you originally intended to watch. Limit caffeine consumption. Caffeine can help us feel more awake and alert, but drinking too much for too long can be bad for your health and brain. Caffeine provided an unnatural burst of energy, and, when misused, can desensitize your adenosine (neurotransmitter involved in wakefulness) and dopamine receptors. Quitting caffeine to reset your body and mind and move away from the highs and lows of caffeine can be difficult, but most people feel the benefits of a caffeine-free life fairly quickly. Caffeine is a drug, and like any drug, in order to free yourself from them, you have to be committed to your plan of action and be ready for the withdrawal symptoms and a serious dip in your energy levels. Limiting your consumption of caffeine is held up by researchers and medical professionals as an effective way to help increase your dopamine sensitivity. Excessive caffeine consumption produces increased concentrations of dopamine in your brain synapses, which is not too dissimilar to cocaine. Avoid excessive, artificial dopaminergic activities in general. There are indeed numerous articles on the internet which endorse stoicism as a way of life. Anything artificial that can make someone too "happy," when abused for long enough, will make them numb. In order to maintain homeostasis (equilibrium), when an excess amount of dopamine is released, the dopamine receptors down-regulate, thus requiring more dopamine to achieve the same level of happiness. Hence, existence becomes depressing and we end up lacking the motivation we need to go about our daily lives. Research has also suggested that delaying instant gratification leads to higher baseline levels of dopamine in the long run, though giving in may boost levels temporarily. A hedonistic lifestyle only ends up feeding and encouraging an insatiable abyss. In order to sensitize dopamine receptors, striking a balance between stoicism and giving in to the occasional urge is the key. Taking time off and allowing dopamine levels to normalize in your brain by abstaining from "quick fixes" also helps. It boils to down to exercise, doing what you are supposed to (work/study) and letting yourself believe that you don't need an external reward for everything you do, without forgetting to treat yourself to the occasional dessert. There are many things in life which we take for granted and are addicted to, without even realizing it. Being the person who is worthy of your own respect is more meaningful than gaining short-term pleasure indefinitely, only to find yourself in despair without it. Replace quick fixes with healthier interests and hobbies. If you don't establish sources of fulfillment and natural pleasure in your life, you'll inevitably be drawn back to instantly-gratifying behaviors and activities. Hobbies let you explore interests outside of your line of work. They let you be creative and try all kinds of new things. By building your life around meaningful sources of enjoyment (delayed gratification) instead of empty ones (instant gratification), you can greatly increase your quality of life. | Understand what dopamine is. Know what dopamine does. Understand what dopamine desensitization is. Learn the symptoms of low dopamine sensitivity. Learn what causes decreases in dopamine sensitivity. Understand what increasing dopamine receptor sensitivity means. Learn how to increase dopamine sensitivity. Consider what you eat. Limit television time. Moderate internet usage. Skip the soft drinks. Abstain from masturbation and pornography. Stop taking drugs. Stop playing video games. Don't drink alcohol. Moderate your shopping habits. Limit social media use. Don't overuse music. Cut down on YouTube watching. Limit caffeine consumption. Avoid excessive, artificial dopaminergic activities in general. Replace quick fixes with healthier interests and hobbies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Wooden-Cutting-Boards | How to Clean Wooden Cutting Boards | To clean wooden cutting boards, wipe them down with hot, soapy water after every use. You should also spot treat them once a week with white vinegar, which will neutralize bad odors and eliminate stains. Once a month, wipe wooden cutting boards down with diluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which will kill any lingering bacteria. To prevent wooden cutting boards from drying out over time, coat them with oil once a month after you sanitize them. | Choose a cutting board made of hard wood. Cutting boards made of soft woods split more easily, and bacteria grow in the cuts a knife leaves behind. If you pick a cutting board made of a harder wood, like maple, walnut, or cherry, it will resist being cracked or nicked. This will keep it safe and looking good for a long time. Consider seasoning it with mineral oil before use. Wood is a natural material, and when it loses moisture, it can dull--or, worst case scenario, split! Keep it sealed and seasoned with a light coating of mineral oil. Warm a small amount of oil in your hands, and then spread it on the surface of the cutting board. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean rag or paper towel. Then flip over the cutting board and season the other side too. You should season your cutting board about once a month, and every time you sanitize it. Don't use natural oils to seal the wood, because they can go bad. Mineral oil should do the trick. Practice good food safety. Because wooden cutting boards can't be run through the dishwasher, many sources recommend not using them for high-risk foods. Whether you choose to use all-wooden, or a combination of wooden and plastic, cutting boards in your kitchen, it's important to use different cutting boards for different foods. A plastic or well-seasoned wooden cutting board should be used for high-risk foods, including raw meat, poultry, seafood, and tofu. A separate cutting board should be used for breads, cooked meats, cheese, fermented soy (like tempeh) and washed fruits and vegetables. Both boards should be cleaned after use, and it's important not to mix them up. Otherwise, you run the risk of cross-contamination. Wipe down your cutting board after use. Every time you use your cutting board, rinse it with hot, soapy water, then with plain water. Dry with a rag or paper towel, or air-dry with the cutting board on its side. This exposes both sides of the cutting board to the air and allows gravity to drain excess water. Deodorize and spot-treat your cutting board once a week. When you're tidying up your kitchen, you can also give your cutting board a more intense cleaning with some readily-available ingredients. This is especially helpful if you've noticed your board getting a little smelly or stained. If you notice your cutting board is clinging on to the scents of strong foods, vinegar can help! Soak a paper towel in white vinegar, then wipe it across the surface of the cutting board. This will neutralize the odors without making the wood smell like vinegar in the long term. Another time-honored trick is sprinkling salt over the cutting board's surface while it's still wet. The salt draws out moisture trapped in the board's cracks, along with any bacteria that might be hiding. Stains can be dealt with using science-fair volcano ingredients, too. Try sprinkling baking soda over the discolored area, then scrub the baking soda into the wood using half a lemon. Afterwards, wash and dry the board. Sanitize your cutting board once a month. Even if you clean your cutting board after each use, it's important to give it a more intense treatment every once in a while. A bleach solution will kill more ingrained germs than simple soap and water can. This deep clean is especially important if you use your wooden cutting board for meat, poultry, or other high-risk foods. Make sure your cutting board is clean and dry. If it isn't, scrub it down with hot, soapy water, then rinse with a wet paper towel or rag. Pat dry with paper towels or a clean rag, or air-dry with the cutting board on its side. You don't want there to be any extra food on the board while you're trying to sanitize it. Create a cleaning solution. In a spray bottle, combine 1 teaspoon liquid bleach with one quart of water. Make sure the cap is firmly on the bottle, then give it a good shake to make sure the ingredients are evenly combined. If you don't have an ammonium-based bleach, or are scared to use it near food, you can use hydrogen peroxide instead. A pre-mixed 3% solution works well. Disinfect the cutting board. Use the spray bottle to distribute a thin layer of the solution over the cutting board's surface. Allow it to sit for ten minutes or so, then rinse the cutting board's surface under running water. Be careful not to get any of the bleach onto your clothes or kitchen surfaces. Shake off any excess water, then repeat on the other side. If you're using hydrogen peroxide instead of a bleach solution, pour a little onto a paper towel and carefully wipe it over the surface of the cutting board instead. Allow to sit, then rinse. Pour a little white vinegar onto a paper towel, then wipe the surface of the cutting board. This step is optional, but will get the board extra clean and deodorized. Afterwards, set the cutting board on its side to dry. Re-season the cutting board. Bleach can dry out a natural material like wood, but a fresh coat of oil can help prevent this. Simply rub a small amount of mineral oil across the surface of the cutting board and let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe up any excess with a rag or paper towel. | Choose a cutting board made of hard wood. Consider seasoning it with mineral oil before use. Practice good food safety. Wipe down your cutting board after use. Deodorize and spot-treat your cutting board once a week. Sanitize your cutting board once a month. Make sure your cutting board is clean and dry. Create a cleaning solution. Disinfect the cutting board. Pour a little white vinegar onto a paper towel, then wipe the surface of the cutting board. Re-season the cutting board. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Introduce-Your-Guinea-Pig-to-Floor-Time | How to Introduce Your Guinea Pig to Floor Time | To introduce your guinea pig to floor time, first set up a safe area for it to move around on with toys, obstacles, and a towel or some other absorbent material like a puppy pad. Also, add a feeding station that gives it access to hay whenever it wants. Your guinea pig might be too shy to play at first, so try to encourage it to explore with treats like fresh vegetables or fruits. If it's your guinea pig's first floor time, don't interact with them until it becomes comfortable with the new area. | Understand the concept of floor time. The purpose of floor time is to provide your guinea pig with exercise, fun and a time to explore new objects and toys all in one. Floortime is also beneficial to your guinea pig's mental health, as it gives them a special time to interact with new objects. Floortime is an increasingly popular and effective method to keep guinea pigs fit and encourage them to exercise. During floor time, your guinea pig is promoted to move around more. Floor time also allows you to play and bond with your guinea pig. The open space allows both of you to interact better and connect. During floor time, provide your guinea pig with plenty of toys, huts, tunnels, and obstacles to explore and play with on the open floor. This is something your guinea pig probably wouldn't be able to do just as well in their confined cage. Understand that your guinea pigs may feel scared at first. It might seem odd reading about floor time as an exercise method and then seeing your guinea pig inactively huddle in the corner of the room. This is normal and every guinea pig starts like this. The new surroundings take a toll; your guinea pig will need some time getting used to the concept of floor time just as much as you do. Set up hiding places (such as pigloos). If a guinea pig can hide and feels safe, s/he will be more comfortable with the floor time-space and get used to it faster. Set a schedule. Floortime should be given at least every other day, especially if your guinea pig is new to it. For instance, you can say that every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, you will give your guinea pig an hour of floor time. The consistent schedule will help your guinea pig adjust faster. If possible, floor time should even be given at the same time every day. If your guinea pig has a smaller cage, do floor time more often. Although it's not a substitute for a larger cage, it can help a guinea pig be healthier when living in one (although you should always try to get a bigger cage). Acquire a puppy pen or border (optional). If you have a guinea pig-safe room (no wires or things to chew) you can just allow them in the room, but if you are using a bare spot in a room they can't wander around in, a puppy pen is a good way to make sure they stay safe. Things like electrical outlets/power cords are dangerous for guinea pigs, and they may also gnaw wooden furniture or items, which can be dangerous for them and damage the wood. C & C cubes are a cheap and easy material you could use to make a DIY playpen for your guinea pigs. Decide where you would like your floor time to be. There are no limits on where you can go to introduce floor time. Consider arranging floor time directly outside of your guinea pigs cage. This assures that you don't have to go through the hassle of transporting your guinea pig from one room to another. No room is off-limits. A spare bedroom can be a good choice if there's not a lot of stuff in it. Bathrooms also tend to be good because there aren't usually power cords or things to chew on, and if your guinea pigs pee on the floor, they won't damage it. Try to select a room that has low traffic where you and your guinea pig are less likely to be disturbed. On top of that, it is suggested to choose a room that is well-lit and well-ventilated (but no drafts). Safety check your room. It is important to ensure that the room you choose for floor time is safe and secure for your guinea pig to play and roam around in. You must provide a safe environment for your guinea pig. This includes; Packing away wires sprawled around the room. You can temporarily put these into a box secured away from your guinea pig or put them up somewhere. If your guinea pig chews into the wire it will cause an electric shock. This includes phone chargers too. Blocking off areas where your guinea pig shouldn't go. Guinea pigs are notorious for getting into places where they shouldn't be. Usually out of fright they will scamper to the first hiding spot they see, like under a sofa or other hard-to-reach place. You can block these off with something as simple as a flattened cardboard box (as long as it doesn't have tape or other things your guinea pig might chew on it). Removing pets from the room. Other animals, such as dogs or cats, are predators to guinea pigs. If you have both animals in the same room, a cat or dog could attack and kill a guinea pig. Closing the door to the room if possible. Removing any house plants that are poisonous to your guinea pig. If unsure about a specific plant; remove it. Don't put your guinea pig at risk. Set down some puppy pads, towels, or other absorbent material. This is particularly important if you have hardwood floors, which can be damaged if your guinea pig pees on them. Do not just put down fleece! Although it's used as bedding, it needs an absorbent layer under it, as it is not absorbent. Add toys. Toys are the fun part of floor time. You can place as many toys as you would like, as space is unlimited. However, do not get sucked into thinking that any toy is safe for your guinea pig. There are a few toys that should be steered away from. Exercise wheels and balls are a big no! These objects are commonly targeted for guinea pigs in pet shops when they aren't any good. Unlike mice and hamsters, guinea pigs do not possess a flexible spine. Using these balls/wheels on your guinea pig will result in harming their back. Check for splintering wood. Before you add a wooden toy to the floor time area, examine the wood to check for splinters or splintering which can harm your guinea pig when/if they chew it. Avoid wire treat toys. Guinea pigs are known to get their head stuck in these. Go for a safer alternative such as a plastic ball treat dispenser. Try making your toys, instead! You can get creative with toilet paper rolls and pieces of cardboard. For instance, stuffing a toilet paper roll with hay is a fun way for your guinea pigs to eat it. Add huts and hiding holes. When you first introduce your guinea pig to floor time, it is common that they feel frightened and may want to hideaway. Huts aren't only a great object for your guinea pig to explore, but they serve the purpose of providing a safe place for your guinea pig to retreat to when scared, thus reducing stress levels. Add tunnels and ramps. Guinea pigs are burrowing animals in the wild; they love hiding in tunnels and climbing ramps! You can purchase a safe tunnel from a pet shop or recycle a cardboard tube. Ramps can be made out of almost anything. Add obstacles. With obstacles, your guinea pig is promoted to do more exercise and maneuver around the objects. Obstacles can be anything from toys to tunnels and ramps. Anything lying around the house (and is, of course, pet-safe) can be used as an obstacle such as blocks, wood, logs, pillows, etc. You could even construct a maze with the obstacles. Include a feeding station. During floor time, guinea pigs should still be allowed to have access to hay whenever they would like. Pellets and vegetables are not necessary. You can turn hay into a fun toy! Stuffing a toilet paper tube with it is an easy way to make it fun for your guinea pig. You can also put it in locations your guinea pig has to work to get to (like on top of a ramp) or use your imagination! A water bottle is preferred during playtime to reduce leakage and mess. Supervise your guinea pigs. During floor time, you must check on your guinea pigs often. Something can easily go wrong in an unconfined, open space where there is no supervision. Use your time up effectively and wisely. Bond with your guinea pigs. Talk to them or even play with them. If you think they might be able to escape, stay in the room to make sure they stay safe. If they are in a safer room (like a bathroom) you don't need to constantly be with them if you don't want to since there is little risk to them. Encourage your guinea pig with treats. Understandably, your guinea pig might be shy at first with the new space and surroundings of floor time. You can try your best to encourage your guinea pig to walk around and explore through the use of treats. Guinea pigs love fresh vegetables or consider a forage mix. Fruits make a great alternative to commercial treats which are far too sugary. Fruits like strawberry, blueberry, and apple are just as sweet but contain less sugar and preservatives. However, they are still high sugar and should still be fed sparingly. Take time to bond with your guinea pig. Floortime should be a special time for not just your guinea pig but you as well. In the space, you are provided you should use your time up effectively. Socialize and play with your guinea pig. Be in the space with them and explore each object along their side. If it is the first time giving your guinea pigs floor time, don't try to interact with them. They need time to be comfortable with their new area first. | Understand the concept of floor time. Understand that your guinea pigs may feel scared at first. Set a schedule. Acquire a puppy pen or border (optional). Decide where you would like your floor time to be. Safety check your room. Set down some puppy pads, towels, or other absorbent material. Add toys. Add huts and hiding holes. Add tunnels and ramps. Add obstacles. Include a feeding station. Supervise your guinea pigs. Encourage your guinea pig with treats. Take time to bond with your guinea pig. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Frog-Home-in-a-Garden | How to Make a Frog Home in a Garden | To make a frog home in your garden, create a water source for the frogs by digging a hole, installing a pool liner, or burying a small, child-sized pool. However, make sure the sides aren't too high for the frogs to get in and out by using rocks to create a shallow end that's two to three inches deep. Then, create a shelter for your frogs using an old flower pot surrounded with rocks for the frogs to climb. Next, provide aquatic plants for your frog to hide under, such as swamp milkweed, duckweed, and flowering rush. | Make a water-filled area for the frogs. Frogs are amphibians, so they can live on water and land, but it's important to remember that they require both to survive. The first step to making a frog home in your garden is providing them with a water source. Your water source should provide both shallow and deep areas for your frogs. Frogs will not survive in your garden without a water source such as a small pond. The water area can be as small as just a few feet in diameter. Use a flexible pool liner. A flexible pool liner can allow you to create the type of water area your frogs need to survive without worrying about the water draining into the ground. Pool liners will hold the water in place and allow the water area to be replenished by rainwater. Using a pool liner allows you to shape the water source any way that you want without worrying about leakage or erosion causing the water source to grow. Place rocks on the bottom of the water source for the frogs to hide within as well as to hold the liner in place. Use alternate water sources. You may not have the space available to you to create a water source using a flexible pool liner. Frogs have been known to breed successfully in fairly small water sources, so there are a number of other options available to you. Digging a hole for a small child's plastic pool will hold water well. Make sure to place rocks and plants in the pool to offer higher and lower depths of water for the frogs. Even things as small as ice cream tubs or buckets can be used to provide frogs with still waters to hide and lay eggs. Ensure the sides aren’t too steep for frogs to jump out. The water area in your frog home should provide shallow areas that are only a few inches deep as well as a deeper area that is eight to twenty-four inches deep. Makes sure the transition from shallow to deep is gradual so frogs can make it from one to the other easily. Make sure the sides of the deep areas aren't too steep for a frog to be able to jump out of the water area. Placing a few taller rocks in the deep area can also give the frogs a jumping point in order to leave the water area or get to shallower waters. Avoid using waterfalls or fountains. While waterfalls and water fountains can be aesthetically pleasing, they may dissuade frogs from wanting to live in your garden. Frogs prefer tranquil, still waters and may avoid moving water sources. Frogs do not require aeration devices that create moving water like many fish do, as frogs can simply come to the surface to breathe if they need more air Unless you intend to stock your frog home, you need to make sure your water area is alluring to frogs to lay tadpoles in. Frogs prefer still waters for laying their eggs. Use broken planters and soil to build a frog shelter. Frogs require shelter for their safety, as they need to hide from both the sun and predators from time to time. You can make shelters out of a number of materials but broken planters are a cheap method that can be functional and pleasing to the eye. Place broken planters on their side so the curve in the planter provides a small cave for frogs to climb under. Make sure the planters are near the water's edge to give frogs quick and easy access to and from their water source. Put soil and plants around and on top of the planter to make it more camouflaged from predators and comfortable for frogs. Add rocks and aquatic plants to your frog home. Frogs like to have many places to sit both in and out of the water, so adding rocks and aquatic plants to your water source will give frogs a place to sit while avoiding land-based predators that may live in your garden. Emergent plants grow in water but rise to the surface. These are excellent in-water plants for frogs. Some examples may be reed, flowering rush, and wild rice. Aquatic flowers like duckweed are also effective. Plants surrounding your water source will help prevent erosion and establish a food source for your frogs through insects that take up residence in them. Good plants to place around your pond are sweet flag and swamp milkweed. Rocks give frogs places to hide between and under as well as a surface to rest on. Let debris remain in the water. You may be tempted to clean fallen debris out of your frog home in order to make it as pretty as possible, but that's actually not beneficial to your frogs. Instead, leave things like fallen leaves, bird droppings, or dead insects in the water. Fallen biological debris serves as a natural fertilizer for the pond organisms frogs usually feed on. Clear water can make it easier for predators to spot frogs and eat them. Leave an area near the pond un-mowed and free from chemicals. Leaving an area of tall grass near the edge of your frog home water source will give frogs increased cover from predators and offer more sources of food that your frogs can eat. Fertilizers and insecticides can harm your frogs or prevent insects from residing in the area around your frog home. Frogs rely on insects to eat. Tall grass provides shade and shelter from the sun for your frogs when they aren't in the water. Keep fish out of the water source. You may begin to consider putting goldfish in the water area of your frog home in order to add another element of natural beauty to your garden, but fish are natural predators for frog eggs and tadpoles. Fish can eliminate all of the frogs in your frog home within one generation as they eat all of the eggs and tadpoles before they grow into adulthood. Frogs are unlikely to leave eggs in a water area that has a large fish population for the area of water. Fish require significantly more water area and upkeep in your water area to maintain a surviving population. Avoid transplanting frogs into your frog home. It is not recommended that you transplant adult frogs into your frog home, as they tend not to tolerate environmental changes well and may die as a result. Tadpoles can be transplanted, but doing so can be risky to other frogs in your frog home if you aren't sure what breed of frog the tadpoles are. Many tadpoles that you can purchase from pet supply companies are bullfrogs. Bullfrogs can prey on other frogs and have been known to eat tadpoles, which could limit the number of frogs you can have in your frog home, If you choose to transplant tadpoles, it may be best to transplant them from another nearby pond or water source, as you know they can survive in the environment. Attract frogs to a new home. A better alternative to stocking your frog home is to simply make the area attractive for frogs to come to on their own. This process may take a year or two, but offers the highest survival rate as compared to stocking the frog home yourself. Make sure your frog home and water area are safe places for frogs, otherwise even if any do come to reside in your garden they may be eaten by predators before a population can take hold. Providing adequate shelter and ensuring insects can survive in the area for frogs to feed upon is the most important element to attracting frogs. Having a nearby compost heap can also help encourage frogs to colonize your garden. | Make a water-filled area for the frogs. Use a flexible pool liner. Use alternate water sources. Ensure the sides aren’t too steep for frogs to jump out. Avoid using waterfalls or fountains. Use broken planters and soil to build a frog shelter. Add rocks and aquatic plants to your frog home. Let debris remain in the water. Leave an area near the pond un-mowed and free from chemicals. Keep fish out of the water source. Avoid transplanting frogs into your frog home. Attract frogs to a new home. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-a-Mango | How to Cut a Mango | To cut a mango, place it on a cutting board and hold it steady while you slice it into 3 pieces. Then, take the end pieces and score the fresh side of them with a knife so it looks like a grid. Try not to cut through the skin on the other side as you're scoring the mango. Once you're finished, press the skin-side of the mango up so the squares you scored poke out. Then, use the knife to cut the squares away from the skin. Finally, take the center piece of the mango and cut around the pit with the knife before peeling off the remaining skin. As always, be sure to exercise caution when handling a knife to avoid injury. | Wash the mango. Hold the mango under cool running tap water, and gently rub it with your hands as you rinse it. You may also use a clean vegetable brush to scrub the surface of the mango, but this isn't necessary since you will not be eating the skin. Place the mango on a sturdy cutting board. Using your non-dominant hand, stand the mango up on a cutting board. You will be cutting the mango downwards from the top of it. With your dominant hand, pick up a serrated edge knife. Use the serrated edge knife to cut the mango into three pieces. Mangoes have a flat pit directly in the middle, which you will not be able to cut into. The fruit itself is the shape of an oval. When you cut the mango into thirds, make two parallel slices on either side of the pit in the middle, which is about ¾ of an inch thick. The fattest two edges of the mango are called the “cheeks.” When cutting the mango, you want a to preserve as much of the cheeks as possible, since this is the part you eat. You will end up with three pieces: two halves with lots of mango flesh on them, and the middle section that has the pit. Score the mango cheek. Use the knife to make lengthwise and crosswise cuts in the two mango cheeks. Each cut should be about ½ inch apart, and the cuts should not go through the skin. Press the back side of the mango cheek up so the flesh pokes out. The mango segments will stick out, almost like a hedgehog's back, which is why this is sometimes called the “hedgehog method.” Now, you are ready to remove the majority of the mango flesh. Trim the segments off with a small paring knife. Now, you can trim the segments of mango flesh off with a knife and serve it. Careful—the skin is very thin, and if you cut into the skin, you could cut your hand. Sometimes, if the mango is ripe enough, you can simply remove the segments with your hand. Other people like to eat the segments straight off the skin! Cut around the pit with a small paring knife. Lay the slice with the pit flat on the cutting board, then trim around the pit with the paring knife. It can be difficult to tell where the pit is, but in general, it begins where the mango is too tough to cut through. It will also be oval-shaped. Peel the skin from the remaining flesh. Use your fingers to gently remove the skin from the slice of mango that has the pit. The skin is very thin and is easy to peel off. Wash the mango. Hold the mango under cool running tap water, and gently rub it with your hands as you rinse it. You may also use a clean vegetable brush to scrub the surface of the mango, but this isn't necessary since you will not be eating the skin. Peel the mango with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler. Grip the vegetable peeler with your dominant hand and stand the mango up with your non-dominant hand. Using long strokes, guide the edge of the peeler softly down the edge of the mango. You do not need to apply much pressure when peeling the skin. Continue to turn the mango as necessary as you peel every edge. Use caution; your hands may become very slippery. Slice the top end and bottom off of the mango. The mango is an oblong shape, almost like a football. The two tips of the mango are the small edges that come to a rounded tip. Slice these tips off so the edges of the mango are flat. Insert a corn-on-the-cob holder in either end of the mango. The two sharp tips of the corn-on-the-cob holder will sink easily into the mango tip. As you cut off the flesh from the mango, grip the corn-on-the-cob holder. This will keep your hands dry and will make the process of removing the mango flesh less slippery. Use a knife to cut the mango into three pieces. Mangoes have a flat pit directly in the middle, which you will not be able to cut into. The fruit itself is the shape of an oval. When you cut the mango into thirds, make two parallel slices on either side of the pit in the middle, which is about ¾ of an inch thick. The fattest two edges of the mango are called the “cheeks,” and these are the two edges you are cutting. When cutting the mango, you want a to preserve as much of the cheeks as possible, since this is the part you eat. You will end up with three pieces: two halves of mango flesh, and the middle section that has the pit. Trim the flesh off the pit. Using the same knife, trim the rest of the mango flesh off of the mango, leaving only the pit behind. Use the same type of motion you used when peeling the mango: move the knife from top to bottom, scraping off the flesh of the mango. When your knife cannot scrape any more mango flesh off, this means you have reached the pit. Now, you are ready to enjoy your mango. | Wash the mango. Place the mango on a sturdy cutting board. Use the serrated edge knife to cut the mango into three pieces. Score the mango cheek. Press the back side of the mango cheek up so the flesh pokes out. Trim the segments off with a small paring knife. Cut around the pit with a small paring knife. Peel the skin from the remaining flesh. Wash the mango. Peel the mango with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler. Slice the top end and bottom off of the mango. Insert a corn-on-the-cob holder in either end of the mango. Use a knife to cut the mango into three pieces. Trim the flesh off the pit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Woo-Women | How to Woo Women | To woo a woman, approach her and start a conversation soon after you make eye contact, which will show her that you're confident. Focus your initial conversation on fun, light-hearted topics, like common interests or a concert you attended, since getting serious too soon can be a turn off. If your conversation seems to be going well, lightly touch her arm or knee to indicate you're interested in her. Once you've gotten to know her a bit, pay her a sincere compliment. For example, you might say, “You have the most amazing laugh I've ever heard.” After you've spent some time together having fun, ask her out on a date and plan something special, like a 3D movie or a trip to a farmer's market to buy ingredients to cook a meal at home. | Approach the woman as soon as you can. You don't have to run up to the woman the second she walks into the room or you may look over-eager, but you should try to talk to her soon after you lock eyes. Look at her, hold her gaze for a second, and then just walk right up to her. Sound easy? It's not -- not at first, anyway. But the sooner you get into the habit of acting like it's no big deal to talk to a girl you see, the sooner it'll become a habit. Sure, you may strike out sometimes, but she'll be impressed that you can see her and just walk right up to her instead of playing eye contact tag all night. Take a deep breath, maintain good posture, and hold her gaze as you walk up to her. It's all about mastering the confidence. If she sees that you're confident about approaching, she'll be more likely to want to get to know you. Think about it: what's the worst that can happen? The woman could reject you or she might have a boyfriend. Does that sound like the end of the world? Don't put too much stock in having the perfect opening line. A lot of guys are afraid of approaching women because they just can't think of what to say first. How about, "Hi, I'm Mark -- what's your name?" The girl will actually be more likely to be wooed and impressed by your ability to act casual and natural instead of you trying too hard to impress her with an elaborate pick up line or an overly-clever comment. Treat it like any other conversation -- except that this one has romantic possibilities. Look her in the eye, tell her who you are, and ask her name. If she's with friends, talk to them too, and don't make them feel left out. Break the touch barrier. Once you and the girl start talking, you should try to touch her when the time is right. The sooner you can get yourself out of the Friend Zone and establish that you have a romantic connection, the better. If things are going well, lightly tap the girl's knee, touch her arm, or give her a playful touch on the shoulder. Keep it light and fun, or she may get turned off if you're moving too fast. Try moving a bit closer to her and see how she responds. If she doesn't pull back, then it's likely she's into you. Keep things playful. Save all the serious talk for later. If you want to really woo a woman, then you have to keep things fun and light. To be playful, just don't take yourself or your conversation too seriously. Crack jokes. Tease her. Make everything feel lighthearted and stick to fun and easy topics, like your pets, a concert you went to, a ridiculous celebrity scandal in the news, or just anything fun and breezy. This doesn't mean you have to stop being yourself to act like a "chill" guy, but it does mean you should avoid the serious stuff off the bat. Don't treat it like an interview. Though girls like to be asked questions because it shows an interest in them (more on that later), don't immediately start asking the girl a million questions or she'll feel like she has all the pressure to keep the conversation going. You're supposed to be wooing her, not the other way around. Your rule of thumb should be not to ask more than two questions in a row. You're supposed to be wowing her with your conversational abilities, not making her pick up all the slack. Many people like to ask a ton of questions to immediately search for common ground, panicking that they will have nothing to talk about. Well, don't worry so much about having things in common -- work on getting the attraction going first. After that, your common interests will come up naturally. Don't tell her everything at first. If you want the girl to be interested in you, then you can't tell her the 50 most interesting things about yourself in the first 5 minutes of the conversation. Make her work for it. Don't be an open book, or she'll think that it's easy for anyone at all to find out everything about you. If you wait to dole out the important things about yourself, she'll feel more special and privileged when you do. Sure, you can talk a bit about your friends and family, but don't tell her all about your biggest regret, your dreams for the future, or your most traumatic childhood moment. If you keep things a little mysterious, she'll only want to see you more. Give her a sincere compliment. If you want the girl to feel wooed and to stay interested, then, well, you have to let her know how you feel about her -- at least, a little bit. When the moment is right, give her a sincere compliment that makes her see that you're really paying attention. Make it specific, and don't just focus on her appearance. She'll be really impressed by your ability to find what's special about her, whether you're complimenting her personality or something else that makes her special. Here are some things you can say: "You're so easy to talk to. I feel like I can say anything to you." "You're really good at making people feel comfortable right away. How do you do that?" "You have the most amazing laugh I've ever heard. Wow." Find common ground. Once you've gotten to know each other a bit and the girl is starting to feel properly wooed, you can start to dig deeper to find things you have in common. Let it arise naturally in the conversation. If she mentions where she's from, you can ask if she likes the baseball team from her city; don't force it. Once you find some things you have in common, the woman will feel more connected with you. Here are some places where you can find common ground: Sports teams Travel experiences Hobbies Passions Family Pets Show that you can laugh at yourself. If you want the girl to feel wooed, then she can't feel like you take yourself too seriously. Make a joke at your own expense and show that you're aware that you're not the world's most perfect man. She'll really appreciate that you're lighthearted enough to have a good time instead of worrying about impressing her every five seconds. It'll take the pressure off, and she'll be even more charmed by you. This doesn't mean you should make a million self-deprecating comments. You don't want her to feel like you have low confidence. Tease her. Once you're comfortable with each other, you can begin to tease the girl a bit. Make her feel like you're just having a good time and not trying too hard to impress her. This doesn't mean you shouldn't still be nice to her, but you can poke fun at her, too, if you don't offend her and go about it the right way. Just be playful and light. Tease her for wearing pink. Make fun of her funky boots while making it clear you actually like them. Laugh at her obsession over her two cats. As long as you're both teasing each other, this will help you win the woman over. Don't let it get too one-sided. Be a flirt. To woo a woman, you have to know how to flirt with her. This goes along with teasing her and being playful. Look her in the eyes, smile at her, and look away occasionally. Give her a playful tap on the arm. Tease each other. Look into her eyes as you laugh. Joke around with her and don't be too obvious about how much you like her -- while letting her see that you have fun with her. Don't be nervous about trying to flirt. The more you try it, the more natural it will feel. Open up a bit. If you want to keep the girl interested, then you have to let her know she's special. Once you're talking for a bit, open up to her just enough so that she feels like you think she's different from other girls. Tell her about how much you love your little brother. Reveal a silly childhood memory if it comes up. Don't say anything too deep, of course, but just give her something you wouldn't tell somebody who you just met. This will make the girl feel like you realize that she's special. You can even say something like, "I've never told that to anyone before" or "I haven't thought about that in a long time…" Take her out. To really woo a woman, you have to be able to show her a good time. Take her out in style, not just to the bowling alley. Pick her up, be on time, and plan something fun and exciting for you to do together. Go for a run together. Check out the new farmer's market and then cook a meal from the food you got at home. Go see a 3-D movie and then hit up a hookah lounge. Find something fun and unique that makes the girl feel special and like you actually put some effort into the date. Pick a place where you'll need to make some reservations. She'll see that you actually put some thought into this one. Be a gentleman. If you really want to woo a woman, then you have to put on your gentleman hat. Hold doors open for her. Let her walk in front of you when you walk into a building. Avoid being overly vulgar. Have stellar manners. Do what you can to make her feel like a true lady without acting too old-fashioned. If you're walking down the street, walk on the side nearest the street. Don't show up late. It's not about acting like a false version of yourself -- it's about making her feel like you've put time and care into your time together. Part of this means that you should mind your appearance, too. Put in an effort to how you look, if you want the girl to feel like you care. Show her that you're a gentleman to everyone by holding doors open for the people walking behind you, treating cashiers and waiters with respect, and otherwise minding your manners. While you want to make her feel special, you should also let her see that your good behavior is more than just an act you put on for her benefit. Charm her. If you want to woo a woman, then you have to be able to charm her. Being charming means being able to show a real interest in people while making them laugh, feel lighthearted, and feel swept off their feet. If you want to charm the woman, then you have to work hard to make her happy, keep things interesting, and to show that you really care about what she's thinking. Start dancing with her in the street. Bring her a hand-picked bouquet of flowers. Find a cute nickname for her. Do whatever you can to make her feel charmed and special. Be affectionate. If you want to woo a woman, then you've got to give her a healthy dose of affection. This means you should put your arm around her, give her kisses from time to time (if you're at that point), and hold or squeeze her hand when the time is right. This does not mean that you should be all over her every time that you're together, but it does mean that you should find key moments to let her know that you care. If you're at that level, you can even do some cuddling or snuggling! Listen to her. If you really want to woo a woman, then you have to take the time to listen to what she has to say. Don't just zone out whenever she talks, waiting for your moment to say something. Make sure you really hear what she's saying, that you make eye contact and pay attention when she talks to you, and that you respond appropriately when the time calls for it. Most guys could use some improvement in the listening department, and she'll be impressed by your ability to really care about what she has to say. Don't try to solve her problems. She may just want someone to listen, not for someone to think he knows what's best for her. Remember what she tells you so you can bring it up later in the conversation -- or even the next day. She will be very impressed. Make her feel special. If you want to woo a woman, then you have to make her feel like she's the only woman in the world. Show her that you recognize what makes her unique and that you care about her as a person, not just as arm candy. Here are some ways to really make her feel special: Write her a loving letter just because you feel like it. Tell her why she's not like other girls. Give her a little gift even if there's no special occasion. Do her a favor when she's having a busy week. Ask her opinion about something you want to do. Show an interest in her life and ask her lost of questions about it. Take her dancing, or do something else with her that she's always wanted to do. | Approach the woman as soon as you can. Don't put too much stock in having the perfect opening line. Break the touch barrier. Keep things playful. Don't treat it like an interview. Don't tell her everything at first. Give her a sincere compliment. Find common ground. Show that you can laugh at yourself. Tease her. Be a flirt. Open up a bit. Take her out. Be a gentleman. Charm her. Be affectionate. Listen to her. Make her feel special. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Broken-Window | How to Fix a Broken Window | Large breaks in your window will usually need to be replaced. However, if you just have a small crack or hole, you can temporarily fix it to keep the window intact. Try taping over the ends of the crack with masking tape to prevent it from getting bigger. You can also paint over small holes or cracks with clear nail polish. To prevent drafts, tape a piece of thick plastic or a piece of a trash bag over the hole. For small holes, cut a square of nylon from a pair of pantyhose and use super glue to secure it onto the window. | Apply a piece of masking tape to both sides of a crack. Get a roll of masking tape and cut two pieces that are large enough to cover the entire crack or hole in your window. Apply the tape over the crack, then go to the other side of the window and place another piece of tape on the other side of the crack. Applying tape to the crack should temporarily stop the window from cracking further. Paint over small holes or cracks with a clear nail polish. Dip the nail polish brush into the polish and apply it over the cracks or holes to fill them in. Let the polish dry, then repeat the process three to four times to completely seal off the cracks or holes in your window. Clear nail polish will only seal small cracks and holes in your window and shouldn't be used for windows that have sustained significant damage. Glue a mesh patch over the cracks. You can use the mesh from a pair of nylon stockings or pantyhose. Cut a square from the fabric that's large enough to fit over the entire crack. Apply super glue around the edges of the mesh patch and stick it on top of the crack in your window. Hold the mesh patch there for two to three minutes or until the glue dries. This will help keep bugs out of your house and will reduce drafts caused by cold air. Tape a piece of thick plastic around the hole. If you have a larger hole in your window and don't have the time to replace it, you can stop unwanted airflow through the hole. Cut a square of plastic from a tarp or a thick trash bag that's large enough to fit over the hole. Apply masking or duct tape around the edges of the plastic, sealing it onto your window. Wear thick work gloves and goggles. When working with broken glass , it's important that you wear the right safety equipment to avoid being cut. Purchase a thick pair of work gloves and safety goggles online or at a hardware store and wear them while you remove and replace the broken window pane. Scrape away the putty around the broken window pane. Use a utility knife, chisel, or putty knife to scrape away the putty surrounding the broken pane. This will loosen the glass and will allow you to remove it easily. Remove any nails or clips with pliers. Some windows will have nails or clips that help hold the pane in place. Use a set of pliers to grab onto any nails or clips in the frame and pull them out. Pull all the shards of glass out of the window frame. Wiggle the pieces of glass that are still stuck to the frame until they come loose. Once they are loose, remove the shards of glass and dispose of them. Continue doing this until there is no more glass in the frame. Sand the area around the broken window with 100-180 grit sandpaper. Smooth out the area around the broken window pane by going back and forth over any remaining putty or sealant. Once the area is smoothed out, wipe the area down with a damp rag to remove any excess particles left over from sanding. Measure the area around the broken window pane. Use a tape measure to get the length and width of the window frame. Measuring the area will help you determine how big your new piece of glass should be. Subtract ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) from the measurement. The additional space will ensure that the glass will fit in the window and won't crack if the frame expands during cold weather. Purchase a new pane of glass. Go to a hardware or glass store with your measurements and buy a new piece of glass. They will cut your glass to your specifications. If the frame is made out of wood, use a painter's brush to apply a layer of wood sealer around the broken window frame. Let the sealer dry for one or two hours before moving onto the next step. Wood sealer will help the putty or glazing compound adhere to the wood and will help with weather-proofing your windows. Apply putty or a glazing compound around the frame. This will help hold your new pane of glass in place. If you're using putty, roll it in your hands to warm it up, then apply it to the interior of the frame. If you're using a glazing compound, squeeze a tube of the compound onto the frame, around the empty hole. If your compound came in a container, use a putty knife to apply it. Don't worry about laying too much putty or compound because you'll be scraping the excess away later. You can purchase putty or a glazing compound from the hardware store or online. Push your new pane of glass into the empty opening. Take your new piece of glass and carefully press it into the opening. The glass should press against the putty and adhere to it. Reinsert any nails or clips that you removed earlier. Replace the clips or nails that you removed earlier by lightly tapping them back into the frame. This will help your pane of glass stay in place. Apply putty or glazing compound around the new window. Apply a layer of putty or compound around the edges of the new pane of glass. This will ensure that it's held in place with the putty on both sides of the window and will hold your new glass in place. Smooth the putty out and let it dry. Use a putty knife to smooth out the compound around the new window pane. Remove any excess putty or compound so that it runs flush with the frame and looks clean. Allow the putty to dry overnight so that it sets. Remember to smooth the putty on both sides of the window. | Apply a piece of masking tape to both sides of a crack. Paint over small holes or cracks with a clear nail polish. Glue a mesh patch over the cracks. Tape a piece of thick plastic around the hole. Wear thick work gloves and goggles. Scrape away the putty around the broken window pane. Remove any nails or clips with pliers. Pull all the shards of glass out of the window frame. Sand the area around the broken window with 100-180 grit sandpaper. Measure the area around the broken window pane. Purchase a new pane of glass. If the frame is made out of wood, use a painter's brush to apply a layer of wood sealer around the broken window frame. Apply putty or a glazing compound around the frame. Push your new pane of glass into the empty opening. Reinsert any nails or clips that you removed earlier. Apply putty or glazing compound around the new window. Smooth the putty out and let it dry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bring-Up-a-Loyal-Dog | How to Bring Up a Loyal Dog | If you want your dog to be loyal, one of the best things you can do is maintain a consistent schedule, like daily walks and regular feeding times. Dogs prefer consistency, and they're more affectionate and loyal toward whoever takes care of them every day. You can also gain your dog's loyalty by showing it affection and giving it treats. If your dog does something wrong, avoid hitting or yelling at it, since you'll lose its trust. Instead, teach your dog right from wrong by rewarding its good behavior. | Research breeds of dogs. If you're looking for a dog whose breed is known to be loyal, talk with local dog breeders or pet-store owners to find out which breeds they view as being the most loyal. Breeds that are commonly considered among the most loyal include: Collies, Boxers, Brittanys, and Labrador Retrievers. Since dogs have individual personalities, a dog of any breed can be a loyal, loving companion. However, some breeds are genetically more predisposed to be loyal than others. The loyalty and disposition of the dog will be especially important if you have a family, or if there will be young children around the dog. Look for an affectionate breed. Breeds that have an even temperament and are known for their affectionate, devoted nature are more likely to grow into loyal adult dogs. Affectionate breeds will require less rigorous training and should easily develop a trusting, loyal bond with their owners. For an affectionate dog, look into breeds including: Newfoundlands. These dogs, although very large, are known to be affectionate, docile, and remarkably loyal to their owners. Golden Retrievers. This is a common breed for good reason: Golden Retrievers are even-tempered, loyal, and great with small children. Welsh Corgis. These dogs are playful and have sweet personalities, making them a loyal breed. Think carefully about breeds known for excessive aggression. Many breeds of dog have been purposefully bred to strengthen their hunting or fighting abilities, or possess a naturally aggressive nature. Other breeds have been inbred or over-bred to the degree that dogs of these breeds often have common behavioral problems. However, this does not necessarily effect loyalty, as dogs with behavioral issues can still be loyal to the individual owners. Aggressive breeds include: Shar Peis, Chihuahuas, Jack Russell Terriers, Giant Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Chow Chows, and Dachshunds. Aggression aside, several of these breeds are simply temperamental or difficult to control. Pit bulls can respond aggressively to teasing or tormenting, and other breeds (including Chow Chows) often only bond with a single owner. Dog aggression is unrelated to size. Many people are under the misconception that larger dogs are more likely to be aggressive—this is not true. In fact, most of the aggressive breeds are smaller dogs. Watch out for breeds considered difficult to raise. Even if a breed of dog is not specifically aggressive or violent, these dogs may be challenging to raise for other reasons. Some breeds lack affection, while others are bad around children or require large amounts of training and handling. Unless you are well aware of the challenges of raising a difficult breed, opt for an easier type of dog. Difficult breeds include: Bullmastiffs are huge dogs that require large amounts of training to control. They also do not get along well with other dogs. German Shepherds are a very energetic, intelligent breed, and will need plenty of care and training. If neglected or mistreated, they can become aggressive. Akitas are a large breed of dog, who require long walks (at least 30 minutes) daily. The breed also sheds heavily and requires a lot of training, making it a poor choice for inexperienced dog owners. Bulldogs suffer from many health problems as a result of their overbreeding. They also usually cannot swim, easily suffer heat exhaustion, and require many hours of training. Don’t assume loyalty, or lack of it. Dogs are creatures with individual personalities, who are not completely behaviorally determined by their genetics or breeding. While individuals of a certain breed may tend to act with or without loyalty, there are many factors outside of breeding that influence a dog's behavior. Many of those factors have to do with you, the owner. Even dogs from breeds often considered aggressive or difficult can be loyal, if you train the dog properly from the start, meet its breed-specific needs (large amounts of exercise or grooming, etc.), and treat it with respect and affection. Purchase necessary items before you bring home your dog. Whether you're adopting an 8-week-old puppy or bringing home an older dog from a result shelter, you need to be prepared before the dog arrives. Visit a local pet-supply store, and ask the clerk what they recommend that you purchase for the type and age of dog you're bringing home. Plan on purchasing: Water bowl, food bowl, and a bag of dog food or puppy food. A leash and collar. A soft blanket or bed that your dog can claim as their own. Stain remover and carpet or tile cleaners. Bones and/or synthetic chew toys. A dog kennel or cage to keep the animal in when you leave the house. Give your dog time to acclimate to your home. Regardless of a dog's age, it will be stressed and confused the first time it's brought into a new place, such as your house or apartment. Rather than giving your dog run of the house immediately, it helps to introduce them to each new room slowly. Walk your dog through the house to give them time to adjust—this will lead them to trust you and grow in loyalty. Similarly, if other people or pets live with you, introduce your new dog to them one at a time. This will increase the dog's trust for, and loyalty to, each family member. Puppy-proof your house. If you're adopting a puppy, you'll need to make sure that fragile, valuable, or easily damaged items are out of reach. Decide ahead of time when you'll feed the puppy—puppies need to be fed three to four times a day, and these meals should come at regular intervals. Finally, show your puppy an outside area where it can go to the bathroom, and give it plenty of positive affection. If you already own a dog, you'll need to give the two dogs—whether puppies or older dogs—time to get familiar with each other. Hold one of the dogs on a leash, and have a friend hold the other dog on a leash. Let the two dogs smell each other, while praising and petting them both. Keep the dogs in a controlled environment, such as a fenced backyard, as they begin to play together. Be patient with dogs that have suffered abuse. If you're bringing home a dog that has been mistreated or abused, you'll need to exercise extra patience when bringing the dog home. Help your dog move beyond their abusive past by giving them a private, safe space—a crate or a kennel—that they can retreat to when they please. Avoid putting the dog in stressful situations or playing too aggressively, as the dog may take this as a sign of abuse and become afraid or aggressive. Also give the dog plenty of time in a low-stress environment to acclimate to other people in your house or apartment. Develop a regular schedule with your dog. Dogs feel comfortable with routines, and will be more affectionate and loyal towards you if you maintain a daily routine for the dog. Feed your dog at regular times. Whether you feed your dog once or twice a day, make sure to do it at the same time daily. For example, you could feed your dog shortly before leaving for work, and again shortly before you eat your own dinner. Take your dog for daily walk. This is especially important if you live in an urban area without a large backyard. Walking your dog at a consistent time—say 6:00 in the evening—will help your dog establish a routine, and also keep your dog from experiencing boredom. Form an emotional connection with your dog. This is a crucial step in developing loyalty in your dog: loyalty will develop out of an emotional connection between owner and dog. If you show your dog that you care about it and that it can trust you, the dog will develop a sense of loyalty. Praising your dog, petting it kindly, and giving it treats will all help you endear yourself to your dog. Stimulating your dog physically and mentally will strengthen this bond. Play with your dog and walk it often, and train the dog to keep its mind sharp. Train your dog to obey your commands. Obedience training is a crucial step towards developing loyalty in a dog. If your dog views you as the alpha in the social structure and respects you enough to obey commands, they're more likely to behave well and treat you with loyalty. You can take your dog to an obedience-train class, where they will not only learn simple commands (sit, stay, come), but will also be socialized with other dogs and people. Use positive training with your dog. Implement a system such as reward-based training (in which the dog gets a reward or treat for correctly following a command) with your dog. Your dog will become more obedient and will also view you as a source of food and other good things. This will help your dog develop trust towards you, which in turn breeds loyalty. Do not unnecessarily punish your dog. While there will be times when it's appropriate to punish your dog, you must punish it correctly and never with violence or cruelty. Punishments are often ineffective, as your dog may not understand what it's being punished for and may learn to fear or avoid you. If you choose to punish your dog—for example, by taking away its favorite toy after it's destroyed one of your possessions—make sure to implement this punishment while the dog is in the act of misbehaving. Otherwise, the dog will not understand what it's being punished for. If you excessively discipline your dog to maintain its obedience, it may grow to fear you and treat you with aggression. To train a loyal dog, focus on positive reinforcement. Be loyal to your dog. The best way to ensure that any dog will be loyal to you is to treat your dog with loyalty, love, affection, and respect. Train your dog to obey you, and hold it to the rules that you create. Dogs develop loyalty towards owners who care for them (food, bedding, warmth, etc.) and who protect them, play with them, and pay attention to their needs. | Research breeds of dogs. Look for an affectionate breed. Think carefully about breeds known for excessive aggression. Watch out for breeds considered difficult to raise. Don’t assume loyalty, or lack of it. Purchase necessary items before you bring home your dog. Give your dog time to acclimate to your home. Puppy-proof your house. Be patient with dogs that have suffered abuse. Develop a regular schedule with your dog. Form an emotional connection with your dog. Train your dog to obey your commands. Use positive training with your dog. Do not unnecessarily punish your dog. Be loyal to your dog. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-Hashimoto%27s | How to Diagnose Hashimoto's | To diagnose Hashimoto's disease, or hypothyroidism, look for common symptoms like abnormal swelling in your neck, which can be caused by an enlarged thyroid gland. Note if you have trouble swallowing due to swelling since that's another common sign. Another common symptom to be aware of is feeling sluggish or fatigued, especially if this follows a good night's sleep. Additionally, pay attention to if you feel cold when others around you feel warm or hot, gain weight unexpectedly, or have hair loss. If you suspect you're suffering from this thyroid disorder, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor will likely order some blood work to confirm your suspicions. | Check for abnormal swelling in your neck. The first sign of Hashimoto's is often swelling in the front of your neck caused by an enlarged thyroid. Take note if the lower front of your neck begins to show signs of swelling or if your throat feels swollen. Do a self-exam by tilting your head back as you look in a mirror and swallow a sip of water. You can also try to feel your thyroid with your fingertips. A normal thyroid will feel smooth. The medical term for an enlarged or swollen thyroid gland is a “goiter,” and it typically should not cause pain. You may also notice that you have trouble swallowing. If difficulty swallowing is combined with an enlarged thyroid, this is likely a sign of Hashimoto's. Pay attention to moments when you feel fatigued. A common complaint among people with hypothyroidism is a sluggish or fatigued feeling even after getting 8-10 hours of sleep. If you begin to feel increasingly tired for no apparent reason, you may have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's disease. Fatigue can be caused by a variety of other factors, including lack of sleep at night, sleep apnea , depression , or dehydration. Rule out these other potential causes before chalking your fatigue up to hypothyroidism. Look for other symptoms of Hashimoto's (especially an enlarged thyroid) when considering if your fatigue is being caused by hypothyroidism. Note times when you feel forgetful or experience mental fogginess. Another common symptom of Hashimoto's is experiencing a persistent mental fog. Pay attention to moments when you feel particularly forgetful or have difficulty thinking without apparent explanation. Consider writing down your moments of mental sluggishness in a daily journal to keep a good record of how often you experience mental fog. Again, mental sluggishness can be caused by a variety of factors, including many of the same factors that can lead to fatigue. Be sure to rule out these other potential causes before concluding your mental fog has been caused by Hashimoto's. Keep track of when you experience constipation. Constipation is another very common symptom of hypothyroidism. Monitor your movements and take note of times when you experience irregularity for no apparent reason. Constipation is another symptom that can be caused by a variety of different factors. When trying to diagnose Hashimoto's disease, it's imperative you rule out all other potential causes of your symptoms. Consider times you feel cold when others around you don't. Your thyroid is responsible for regulating your body heat. As a result, people with hypothyroidism are prone to having low body temperatures. If you notice feeling cold even in warm environments, this may be a sign of Hashimoto's disease. This may be a difficult symptom to single out, as there can be many reasons for feeling cold. Pay attention to times when you feel cold when you obviously shouldn't, such as in sunny weather. Cold insensitivity can leave people with Hashimoto's particularly susceptible to hypothermia. If you have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's disease, take extra precautions when exposed to cold weather, such as wearing extra layers of warm clothing and not straying too far from sources of heat. Be on the lookout for unexpected weight gain. Gaining weight you didn't want is never a good thing, but if your weight gain has no obvious cause (e.g., a recent change in your diet), it may be the result of hypothyroidism. Monitor your weight and note periods of unexplained shifts in your weight. Weight gain that can be attributed to hypothyroidism usually amounts to somewhere between 2 kilograms (4.4 lb) and 5 kilograms (11 lb) over the course of 1-2 months. Notice increased hair loss. Losing a few hairs every day is not unusual, but if you find hair coming out in larger clumps while in the shower or brushing your hair this could be from Hashimoto's. This kind of hair loss will usually occur across the whole scalp and not concentrated in a single area. Monitor your menstrual cycle for irregularities. If you are a woman, Hashimoto's may cause you to experience irregularities in your normal menstrual cycle. Take notice of menstruation that is more excessive or prolonged than usual. You may also experience an irregular menstrual cycle, wherein menstruation does not occur at regular intervals. Excessive bleeding during menstruation may also be the result of ovary dysfunction, uterine polyps, or uterine fibroids. Make an appointment to see your doctor to confirm your diagnosis. Although you may personally have concluded your symptoms all point to Hashimoto's disease, a doctor will have to run a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will also examine your physical symptoms and take your unique medical history into account to confirm that your symptoms don't have a different cause. Get a thyroid-stimulating hormone test. If your thyroid is underactive, your pituitary gland will secrete high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) to try and stimulate your thyroid to produce its share of hormones. This will probably be the first test your doctor will carry out, as it is relatively sensitive and can detect hypothyroidism even before symptoms manifest. This is a simple blood test on blood removed from a vein in your arm and should take less than 5 minutes. There are no special preparations you need to undergo before having this test done unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Your doctor may also order a serum free T4 test as well, especially if TSH levels are high. Have an anti-thyroid antibodies test done. Hashimoto's disease is usually marked by the production of abnormal anti-thyroid antibodies that block the normal behavior of your thyroid gland. Your doctor may order this anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAB) test in addition to a TSH test if Hashimoto's is suspected. This test looks for antibodies in the bloodstream that act against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme involved in the production of thyroid hormones. Like the TSH test, the antibodies test is a simple blood test and requires no special preparation in advance. Note that some people who have Hashimoto's disease will not have anti-thyroid antibodies in their blood, while some people with antibodies in their blood do not have hypothyroidism. For most effective results, don't rely on the antibodies test alone. Ask your doctor to measure the level of free T4 in your bloodstream. T4 (thyroxine) is the active thyroid hormone in your blood, so a low level may indicate an underactive thyroid. Though this test is not as common as the TSH or antibodies tests, consider asking your doctor to carry it out if your other tests don't indicate hypothyroidism. Low T4 levels may reveal a deficiency in your thyroid hormone production even when TSH tests come back normal. Free T4 tests are also simple blood tests requiring no special preparation. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Fortunately, if you've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's, there are treatment options available that can help you live a more normal lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about what sort of treatment is best for you. Your doctor will probably prescribe 1 or several medications and monitor your symptoms over the long term. If you need medication, you'll most likely need to take it for the rest of your life. Ask about additional testing. In certain cases, your specialist may order neuroradiologic studies, serum prolactin and tests that evaluate pituitary-gonadal functioning. A thyroid scan, sonogram or iodine uptake testing are not required unless a mass or tumor in the thyroid is found. Though it is not usual, your doctor might also ask for other tests such as, serum electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, glucose, calcium, PO4, albumin, or a urine pregnancy test or urine test to detect proteinuria or for lipid studies. | Check for abnormal swelling in your neck. Pay attention to moments when you feel fatigued. Note times when you feel forgetful or experience mental fogginess. Keep track of when you experience constipation. Consider times you feel cold when others around you don't. Be on the lookout for unexpected weight gain. Notice increased hair loss. Monitor your menstrual cycle for irregularities. Make an appointment to see your doctor to confirm your diagnosis. Get a thyroid-stimulating hormone test. Have an anti-thyroid antibodies test done. Ask your doctor to measure the level of free T4 in your bloodstream. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Ask about additional testing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Live-Without-Dairy-Products | How to Live Without Dairy Products | To live without dairy products, start by looking for suitable alternatives to dairy milk, such as milk made from soy, almonds, or cashews. Additionally, substitute olive oil, coconut oil, or dairy-free margarine for butter in your diet. You can also try using alternatives to cheese, like smoked tofu in place of mozzarella or provolone cheese. Then, for a sweet treat, pick up a non-dairy ice cream made from soy, rice, or coconut. | Read labels on your food purchases. Avoiding dairy isn't as simple as no longer drinking milk. Dairy is used in many different foodstuffs to give it a better taste. As such, you'll need to read food labels. Most foods that use some form of dairy, will list “milk” as an additive. The FDA requires that milk be listed under its provision for allergies. If milk isn't listed as an ingredient, you should be ok. You'll want to look for casein and whey as well. Both of these additives are proteins found in cow's milk and make their way into a variety of foods. Whey is used in a variety of products from muscle building supplements to canned chicken broth. Avoid milk- and cream-based foods. This is often the hardest dairy category to give up because we are conditioned to enjoy milk with so many different foods. It becomes a part of our daily activities. Here are some of the most common milk- and cream-based foods: Milk (whole, 50/50, skim, or condensed milk) Heavy whipping cream Custards Coffee creamer Cream sauces and soups Ice cream, gelatos, and sherbets (sorbets contain no dairy products) Yogurts Some mayonnaise, mustard, and other condiments Non-dairy coffee creamer. Casein is an animal byproduct so it won't work for vegans. Get rid of butter and most margarines that contain whey, casein, or lactose. Check the labels of your products before you buy to ensure they don't contain butter or margarine. Butter is made by separating cream from whole milk. The cream is then churned until it thickens. Some nutritionists claim that butters are the least harmful form of dairy to those with dairy allergies or lactose processing problems. Most people who face these issues have problems with the proteins found in milk. Since butter is 80 to 82 percent fat and contains relatively little protein, it doesn't tend to bother patients with dairy problems. For vegans, there are many margarines made without any cow byproducts. Check the label to make sure they don't contain whey, casein, or lactose. Don't eat cheeses. Cheeses in all forms constitute dairy. Obviously, you'll want to skip sliced cheeses on your sandwiches. Main dishes like pizza, burritos, tacos, and casseroles have cheeses in them. Don't eat cheese-based chip dips either. If you're at a restaurant, make sure that you ask if their dishes include cheese. Aged cheeses normally contain less lactose, while soft and hyper-processed cheeses contain higher levels. Cheese spreads are high in lactose as well. Be wary of baked items. Most pastries are made with milk. Sadly this includes cakes, muffins, and doughnuts unless made with soy, rice, or hemp. Some breads are made with mono and diglycerides or lecithin — both of which are vegan and include no milk additives. Generally, these bread products will be labeled as vegan. Find dairy substitutes. Milk, cheese, and ice-creams derived from soy, rice, almond, hemp seed, and oat are suitable alternatives to dairy products. Many stores now cater to vegan customers so many of these ingredients are easily and cheaply accessible. Use soy milk for most milk related recipes. The protein levels in soy milk are comparable to cow milk. Use milks made from nuts (like cashews or almonds) for lighter yogurt alternatives. And try hemp milk for more cheese-based meals. Hemp products retain an elastic-esque texture, which is similar to many cheeses. Sunflower milk is an up and coming alternative as well, but hasn't really hit the market in full force like other non-dairy milk alternatives have. Use dairy-free butter alternatives. There are many ways of getting around butter. Several forms of dairy-free margarine are available by Earth Balance and Smart Balance margarine. Olive oils can be used to grease cooking pans and pots in place of butter. Some inventive cooks even purée apples for cooking purposes. Apple purée and coconut cooking oil actually adds more sweetness than butter and can then reduce the amount of sugar you add to cookies and other non-dairy pastries you whip up in your kitchen. If you are lactose intolerant, but still want the taste of butter in your diet, try making Ghee , which is a refined butter that is often entirely casein/lactose free. Find non-dairy ice-cream. There are many different kinds of non-dairy ice-creams that are made out of soy, rice, and coconut. They also come in many different flavors and sizes. You can buy non-dairy popsicles and tubs of ice cream. Most of these ice creams are made from soy, rice, and coconut milk. They also avoid additives that require some form of dairy — you won't find any "milk" chocolate in these ice creams. To make your own delicious ice-cream alternative, blend frozen fruits, like bananas, peaches, and strawberries, with coconut milk and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of vanilla extract. Go for non-dairy yogurt. Most people who adopt a vegan diet or at least a non-dairy diet report missing yogurt. Its smooth, creamy taste is hard to replicate with non-dairy origins, but you can still find tasty substitutes. Like ice-cream, you can buy yogurt made out of soy and rice, most of which are rich in vitamins B and E, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Get non-dairy “cheeses. ” Since cheeses appear in various forms in most diets — e.g. sliced, sprinkled, and melted —you'll need to find a number of alternatives to suit your tastes. To replace parmesan cheese on salads and pastas, try nutritional yeasts, which are loaded with B vitamins and taste great. Sliced smoked tofu is similar in texture to mozzarella and provolone cheese. Tofu tastes great on sandwiches, crackers, and just by itself. Soy, rice, nut, and hemp cheeses are available in flavors such as cheddar, cheddar-jack, mozzarella, and provolone. Be careful with cheese — even vegetarian brands can contain milk products, usually in the form of casein. Goat's and sheep's milk cheeses seem to be okay for those with relatively mild intolerance. Some people who try tofu for the first time claim that it is tasteless and rubbery. As with most foods, it all depends on how it's prepared. Try tofu from a different place or with different spices. Tofu will grow on you, if you give it a chance. Make sure you're getting enough calcium. Dairy products are the primary source of calcium for most people. We need calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Calcium is also integral to healthy muscle and nerve cells. Fortunately, calcium-fortified nut and grain milk offer similar key nutrients as dairy milk. You can also buy calcium-fortified orange juice. This is also a good time to get acquainted with some calcium-rich foods like dark leafy greens (kale, bok choy, collards, broccoli); sardines; and almonds. | Read labels on your food purchases. Avoid milk- and cream-based foods. Get rid of butter and most margarines that contain whey, casein, or lactose. Don't eat cheeses. Be wary of baked items. Find dairy substitutes. Use dairy-free butter alternatives. Find non-dairy ice-cream. Go for non-dairy yogurt. Get non-dairy “cheeses. Make sure you're getting enough calcium. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Feta-Cheese | How to Store Feta Cheese | To store feta cheese, start by transferring it to a sealable container if it's not already in one. Then, put the lid on and store the cheese in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to make the cheese last longer, try covering it with olive oil before you store it, which can also add some flavor to the cheese. | Put the feta cheese into a sealed container. Pour in any accompanying liquid (brine) and top up with more brine if needed. Place the lid on firmly. Place in the refrigerator for cool storage. Consume within 3–4 days of purchase. Feta cheese is supposed to be eaten fresh, within a few days of purchase. Cover with olive oil for longer lasting cheese. This can also be flavoured with fresh herbs, spices, peppercorns, etc. | Put the feta cheese into a sealed container. Place in the refrigerator for cool storage. Consume within 3–4 days of purchase. Cover with olive oil for longer lasting cheese. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Fireplace-Insert | How to Remove a Fireplace Insert | To remove a wood-burning or electrical fireplace insert, first remove all of the trim from around the fireplace, including any brick, rockwork, or drywall that is covering the insert. If there is any flashing nailed to the framing, remove the nails holding the insert in place, then disassemble as many parts of the insert as possible, including any pipes or vents which you might see. Pry the insert free with a crowbar, then slide it onto a piece of carpet so you can easily move it across your floor. | Remove all of the trim from around the fireplace insert. This may include removing some or all of the brick, rockwork, drywall , and even framing from around the fireplace. You may have to use a hammer or mallet to break apart the framing materials, then use a crowbar to pry them away. The insert may be considerably larger than it appears at first, since it is hidden behind this framing. Remove any nails holding the insert flashing to the wood framing. Sometimes an insert will be surrounded by something called flashing, or flat pieces of metal which overlap the wood framing around the insert. The flashing is often nailed into the framing to hold the insert in place. Grab the head of each nail with the hooked end of your hammer and pry it free. Disassemble any pipes, vents, or other pieces of the insert. Since fireplace inserts are very heavy, it will help if you can take off as much weight as possible. If you see anything that you can dismantle, take it off before trying to move the insert. Look for screws you can take off with a wrench to help loosen the various pieces. If you're planning on discarding the insert, you can also remove pieces by breaking them off with your hammer or prying them apart with your crowbar. Pry the insert out of place with a crowbar. A fireplace insert can be 250 lb (110 kg) or more. The insert has probably settled into place, so a crowbar will help you start to loosen it from its surroundings. Remember to use your legs to bear most of the weight when you're lifting something heavy. Maintain the natural curve of your back and try not to twist your torso to avoid injuring your back. You will probably need to have someone help you move the insert if you're not used to lifting heavy objects on your own. Place thick carpet on the floor in front of the hearth. Before you remove the insert, lay down a thick rug, a piece of spare carpet, or any other cushion you can find. A thick piece of carpet will help you slide the insert across your floor more easily as you move it, and it will also protect your floor from being damaged. The carpet should be at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert so you can easily grab the edges when you're moving the insert. To ensure it protects the floor, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. If you don't have an old scrap of carpet handy, try piling up some old pillows or thick blankets on the floor. Keep in mind that whatever you use may get dirty or torn. Wiggle the insert down onto the carpet. If you're not used to heavy lifting, or if the insert is too heavy for you to move yourself, you might want to ask a friend to help you with this part so you don't get injured. Using a push-pull technique, slowly work the insert out of its place and let it drop onto the piece of carpet you laid down. Try to keep the insert upright so it doesn't spill coal and ash everywhere. Move the insert by sliding the carpet across the floor. This method is going to work best with a hardwood floor, but you still might need someone to help you move it, especially if you have to lift it over a raised sill to get it out the door. If your fireplace is on a second floor, you'll probably need the help of professional movers to get the insert down the stairs. Block off the vent if you don’t plan on using the fireplace anymore. Use screws to attach a piece of plywood or sheet metal cut to the size of your vent to seal it. You can also purchase a chimney cap to place on top of your chimney to make sure the seal is air-tight. Sweep or vacuum any dust and ash from the area. Moving a fireplace insert can be messy, so you'll want to thoroughly sweep or vacuum the area to clean it after your project is finished. Turn off the gas to the house at the main valve. Before you do anything else near a gas fireplace insert, locate the shutoff valve that controls the gas to your entire home. This is usually a valve located between the main gas pipe and the first appliance, and it's known as a house-side shutoff valve. It should have a lever that you can close with a quarter of a turn. There is usually a valve located just before the meter that must be opened and closed with a wrench. This is known as a street-side valve, and should only be operated by someone from the gas company. Some homes, especially older ones, do not have a house-side valve. In this case, call the gas company and have them turn off your gas for you. Use a crowbar to remove any trim around the insert. You may have to remove bricks, drywall, or framing from around the insert in order to expose the whole thing. A crowbar should help you pry the trim loose, although you may need to break it into pieces with a sledgehammer before you can remove it. Disconnect the gas line from the insert after you have removed the trim. To dismantle the gas line, it's best to call a professional plumber with a gas fitter's license. However, if you are going to attempt this yourself, use an adjustable or crescent wrench to unscrew the gas line from the fireplace insert before you move the insert. Since the gas should already be turned off, there's no need to cap the gas line until after you have removed the insert. Lay a piece of carpet or a stack of old blankets in front of the fireplace. In addition to protecting your floor from becoming damaged, having carpet or blankets on the floor will help the insert slide easily across the floor when you move it. Remember that whatever you use beneath the fireplace insert is likely to get stained or torn. Choose a piece of carpet that's at least 5 foot (1.5 m) longer and wider than the insert. You'll need the overlap so you'll have something to grab onto when you're moving the insert. For the best protection, it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Carefully wiggle the insert out of its place and onto the carpet. You may need a friend to help you move the fireplace insert, since they are usually very heavy. Remember to always lift with your knees, and avoid twisting or leaning backwards as you lift so you don't injure your back. You may have to use a crowbar to loosen the insert enough to be able to move it by hand. Push or pull the insert so that it slides across the floor as you remove it from your house. Wrap a brass gas line cap in Teflon tape. Teflon tape is rated for use on a gas line, and it's used to seal the pipe to protect against gas leaks. Wrap the threads of your brass cap in 3-4 layers of the Teflon tape. Teflon tape is usually yellow, as opposed to basic plumber's tape, which is white. You can purchase a brass safety cap and Teflon tape from any home improvement store. Screw the brass cap into your gas line after you’ve removed the insert. Even with the Teflon tape, you should still be able to fit the brass cap into the line easily. Hold the gas line with a pair of channel lock pliers, then use a wrench to tighten the cap as much as you can. Check for gas leaks by spraying your cap with soapy water. Once you've turned on the gas to your home, generously squirt dish soap into a household spray bottle filled with water, then spray the mixture onto the gas cap you just installed. If you see any bubbles, it means there is a leak in the cap. If you have found a gas leak, close the shutoff valve again and call the gas company to help you with your repair. Vacuum or sweep to clean up after removing the insert. Removing your gas fireplace insert can stir up a lot of dust, cobwebs, and other dirt. Vacuum or sweep the area after you get the fireplace removed to ensure you don't leave any of the dirt behind. | Remove all of the trim from around the fireplace insert. Remove any nails holding the insert flashing to the wood framing. Disassemble any pipes, vents, or other pieces of the insert. Pry the insert out of place with a crowbar. Place thick carpet on the floor in front of the hearth. Wiggle the insert down onto the carpet. Move the insert by sliding the carpet across the floor. Block off the vent if you don’t plan on using the fireplace anymore. Sweep or vacuum any dust and ash from the area. Turn off the gas to the house at the main valve. Use a crowbar to remove any trim around the insert. Disconnect the gas line from the insert after you have removed the trim. Lay a piece of carpet or a stack of old blankets in front of the fireplace. Carefully wiggle the insert out of its place and onto the carpet. Wrap a brass gas line cap in Teflon tape. Screw the brass cap into your gas line after you’ve removed the insert. Check for gas leaks by spraying your cap with soapy water. Vacuum or sweep to clean up after removing the insert. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Body-Fit-and-Strong | How to Keep Your Body Fit and Strong | To keep your body fit and strong, make sure you're engaging in regular aerobic exercise, like swimming, riding a bike, or walking, since exercise can help strengthen your heart and lungs. If you want to increase your endurance and muscle strength as well, try training with weights at the gym to improve your bone density and prevent weight gain, or experiment with bodyweight training, instead, by doing push-ups, squats, and lunges. Alternatively, you could focus more on improving your flexibility and balance by practicing yoga. Just make sure you're always listening to your body to avoid injury. | Know your current fitness level. Consider getting a physical exam before beginning any exercise program. This is especially true if you have medical problems, especially related to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or joints. The older you are, the more important it is to see a physician before you begin moderate or strenuous exercise. If you have quit smoking in the past six months, you should also consider a visit to the doctor before getting started. Remember that you should not be ashamed of where you currently stand. It is all about where you are heading! Choose your target fitness level. Figure out the level of fitness you are trying to achieve. Knowing your goals will help keep you motivated to exercise. Health-related fitness requires that you maintain a minimum level of fitness for your age to reduce your risk of illnesses that can be caused by lack of exercise or poor nutrition. Performance-related fitness concerns the activities you want to do. Some occupations, such as firefighter, require higher levels of fitness, as do some recreational activities, such as hiking. Set your goals for your aerobic health. Aerobic exercise makes that body's cardiovascular system — the heart and lungs — more efficient at using and distributing oxygen through the blood. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises Americans ages 18-64 to do at least 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Moderate intensity is defined as any activity that burns around five calories per minute Engage in the activity for at least ten minutes at a time: shorter intervals will not have the same benefits. Set your strength and endurance goals. Strength training is designed to increase your endurance (how long you can exercise) and to make your muscles bigger and stronger. Research has shown that strength training can increase bone strength, improve joint function, and reduce one's potential for injury. Strength training is also known as anaerobic exercise, because during this type of exercise, the body uses energy that does not require oxygen. Set realistic goals. Setting unobtainable goals will only result in frustration and may cause you to give up when you're actually making great progress. Talk to a trainer or your doctor about what you want to achieve and they can help you set realistic goals and a reasonable time-frame. Just start walking! Many forms of aerobic exercise do not require any special equipment, which means you can do them for free, anywhere, anytime. Such activities include stair climbing, jumping jacks, walking, and jogging. Aerobic activities that require some equipment or a particular location include jumping rope, swimming, and riding a bicycle. A good rule of thumb is that a body in motion is easier to keep in motion. You should move as much as possible throughout the day! Clean the house. Many household activities are also forms of aerobic exercise. Don't forget to include time spent gardening, vacuuming, shoveling snow, or actively playing with children. Try something new! Many gyms and classes are available with new and different kinds of aerobic activities. Consider Capoeira, a form of aerobics based on Brazilian folk dance with improvised fighting movements that is a recent gym craze. Keep trying different things until you find the activities you most enjoy! Take advantage of the weather where you live. In the north, you can try cross-country skiing. Near the beach? Wakeboarding provides an aerobic workout. If you're competitive, try an aerobically intense sport such as soccer or racquetball. Train with weights. Weight training has been shown to improve bone density and to prevent weight gain. Lifting heavy weights less often (high weight/low repetition) will improve your strength, while lifting lighter weights more frequently (low weight/high repetition) will improve your endurance. Choose between free weights or weight machines, or consider a mix of both! Consider bodyweight training. Although there are many gyms that emphasize weight training, strength exercise can be done without any equipment, such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. Because you don't need equipment, bodyweight training is great for those who travel, who don't have time to go to the gym, or who don't have room for a free weights or a machine. Focus on your core. The muscles in your abdomen, back, and pelvis are involved in all physical activities, from sitting to tennis. Strengthening your core can also help prevent back pain, one of the most common reasons Americans visit the doctor. Do Pilates. A popular form of exercise created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s, Pilates focuses on strengthening core (torso) muscles such as abdominals, lower back, hips and thighs. Explore isometric exercise. This type of exercise focusing on holding certain poses for few seconds or minutes. Poses like plank, bird dog, and bridge are particularly useful for strengthening core muscles. Practice yoga. Yoga has been practiced for both physical and mental well-being since originating in India thousands of years ago. In addition to generating strength, yoga provides other physical benefits such as flexibility and balance. Like many other activities, yoga can be done at home or in a studio. However, it is important to make sure you are doing the poses correctly to avoid injury, and a yoga instructor can provide feedback. Because it focuses on the mind as well as the body, yoga is designed to be more than a physical exercise. It is a philosophy as much as it is an exercise program. Make exercise a habit. You are more likely to stick to an exercise program if you make it an automated behavior, like brushing your teeth, which you do no matter what. Neuroscience research has shown that it takes time to create a new habit—up to 66 days. But that means that if you stick with exercise for just two months, you will form a new habit that can last a lifetime. Exercise with others. Research shows that people who exercise with others enjoy exercise more than those who exercise alone. A "workout buddy" can also make it more likely that you will take that six a.m. run! A personal trainer can provide a personalized exercise program and motivation. Sign up for a challenge. Committing to run a 5K race or a fitness challenge provides you with a goal to work toward. The Office of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition] sponsors a variety of challenges, and you can track your progress online. Track your progress. Physical fitness will not improve linearly, but measuring one or more aspects of your fitness can help show your progress over time, which will help keep you motivated. Electronic fitness trackers provide a wide variety of health tracking capabilities, from simple step counting to tracking your sleep patterns and heart rate. A number of websites are also available for tracking fitness as well as nutrition. Some, like RunKeeper, can even help you find a fitness buddy. | Know your current fitness level. Choose your target fitness level. Set your goals for your aerobic health. Set your strength and endurance goals. Set realistic goals. Just start walking! Clean the house. Try something new! Train with weights. Consider bodyweight training. Focus on your core. Practice yoga. Make exercise a habit. Exercise with others. Sign up for a challenge. Track your progress. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-a-Savior-Complex | How to Get Rid of a Savior Complex | If you have a savior complex that pushes you to constantly try to fix those around you while neglecting your own issues, learn to build healthier relationships and focus on yourself a bit more. Remember that a lot of times when people vent or complain, they just want to be heard rather than fixed or changed. When your partner or friend comes to you with a problem, do your best to just listen and understand them instead of trying to fix everything for them. You'll also want to learn how to set objective goals for yourself to turn some of your focus onto your own needs. Make goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound, like earning a certification or training for a race. | Become an active listener. Notice that oftentimes others may just want to vent, not be fixed. A big problem for many “rescuers” is assuming others are helpless and unable to resolve their own problems. If you take up the practice of listening more actively, you may learn that your help is not needed—just a supportive shoulder and listening ear. When a partner or friend comes to you with a problem, aim to understand rather than immediately reply. Make occasional eye contact with the person. Face them. Examine their body language to cue into their emotional state (e.g. tensed shoulders may express fear or hesitation). Offer nonverbal cues like nodding to show you're listening. Try to separate what you're hearing from your own judgments in order to connect to the speaker's message. If you're not sure of what they're trying to convey ask clarifying questions like “Are you saying…?” Wait before stepping in. In addition to actually listening to what your loved one is saying, defy your savior nature and wait it out. You may find that people can often help themselves if given the chance. In fact, you may have been unwittingly building learned helplessness or enabling your loved ones by always swooping in to save the day. Challenge yourself to not offer help or advice when a loved one comes to you with a problem. Repeat a mantra in your head like “I can be present for a friend without rescuing or fixing.” If a friend is going through a difficult time, try giving them validating statements instead of offering to help. For example, you can say, "I'm so sorry you're going through this right now." This shows your empathy without involving you in the problem. Offer help only when requested. One key aspect of the savior complex is the ingrained desire to help even when it's not wanted or requested. Automatically assuming everyone wants to be rescued can actually be insulting since it demonstrates that you don't believe in their ability to help themselves. Prevent yourself from this by only taking action after a clear appeal for help. For example, if a friend tells you about a bad day, simply listen without offering your own resolution. Only if the friend asks, “What do you think?” or “What should I do?” should you step into the helping role. If a friend does ask for your help, only provide as much help as you are willing to give. Establish boundaries so that you do not over-commit yourself. For example, you can say, "I don't think that I can talk to your friend for you. What I can do is help you take your mind off of your fight." Stop taking responsibility for other adults. Despite the close relationship you might have with partners, relatives, or friends, you need to realize that these individuals are separate entities in charge of their own lives. When you play the role of savior, you place everyone else into roles similar to helpless children or invalids. It's hard to see a loved one hurting or making a mistake, but it's not your job to rescue them or correct every negative situation they encounter. In fact, adversity is oftentimes a cornerstone to positive growth and development. They need to go through difficulty in order to learn and improve. If you take that from them, you rob them of learning opportunities. To help others establish their independence, try asking them questions about how they might handle the situation. You might ask things like "What do you think you can do about this?" or "What options have you entertained?" Accept your own inadequacy. Many people with the savior complex come off as goody two-shoes, lecturing others about their wrongdoings and many negative habits. While this may not be your intention, your loved ones may view your constant “fixing” habit as an indicator that you think they are broken or screwed up. Everyone has flaws. A person not recognizing that he or she has flaws is a flaw! Realize that "success" is defined subjectively. What is right for one may be wrong for another. You may have a particular way of judging what is best for a person, but that does not necessarily mean the other person sees it just in that way. Check assumptions on knowing what is right for another. This is particularly true of peer relationships. There are some things like abusive situations, drug abuse, suicidal signs and the like that are fairly clear on being bad and needs immediate intervention. Accept your own strengths and weaknesses. You may or may not be the person to do a task or offer advice. No one person can do everything well. Be single. The savior and white knight often jumps from relationship to relationship, “rescuing” the helpless or damaged. If this describes you, it may be time to take a hiatus from relationships. If you are not in a long-term or committed relationship, take some time to enjoy being single and nurturing your own needs. Spending some time single can help you gain more awareness into your compulsive helping/rescuing tendencies. It can also give you time to explore the parts of yourself that trigger this habit. You may want to set an amount of time that you remain single to help you keep this goal. For example, you might want to give yourself six months. During this time, set goals for your self-improvement. Set objective goals for yourself. Compulsive helpers often allow their efforts to fix others to prevent them from doing any personal development of their own. What's more, by viewing yourself as a savior you develop unrealistic goals that eventually wear away at your self-esteem. By creating realistic goals, you can rebuild. Select a goal for yourself that allows you to focus only on you. This might include anything from losing weight to writing a novel. Make it a SMART goal , which is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. You might say, “I want to lose 15 pounds in 10 weeks.” Then, map out how you will achieve this goal: “I will eat a serving of vegetables at every meal. I will exercise 5 days per week. I will drink only water.” Run through your goals with another person. They may be able to tell if you if the goals are realistic or not. They may also be able to give you ideas to achieve your goals. Create a self-care toolbox. Individuals with a savior complex frequently dedicate all their time and energy to others, placing them in dire need of self-care. Balance your excessive helping of others by doing something nice for yourself. Create a routine that includes various nurturing activities. You might create a soothing nighttime ritual to help you sleep better. Adopt a new exercise habit such as running or yoga. Get your hair or nails done weekly. Or, simply run a warm bath and listen to relaxing music. Pour back into yourself. Ask a friend or family member to be an accountability partner. This is a person who will check in and make sure you're following through with your self-care. Ask them to check in with you often. Examine past relationship patterns. Are you even aware of your innate need to fix or control others? Some people reading this may be in denial of a savior complex. By taking a closer look into your relationships with others, you can see a pattern of compulsive helping. Have you stayed in a relationship in which you were unhappy because you thought the other person needed you? Do you find yourself frequently worrying about others and their problems? Do you feel guilty when others help or give to you? Are you uncomfortable letting others experience negative emotions, so you quickly try to resolve the problem? Do you exit unhealthy relationships only to find yourself connecting with similar people as your past partners? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to visit a therapist. A therapist can help you determine if these are unhealthy behaviors for you. Spot aspects of yourself that you have neglected. You may not realize that in your attempt to fix everyone around you, you have left yourself starving emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Perform a self-assessment to look closer at areas of personal need. You may find that you have been projecting your own shortcomings onto those around you. Identify your personal values. What beliefs, ideas, and principles drive your decisions and goals? Have you been living according to your values? Examine your emotional intelligence. Are you able to recognize your emotions and effectively express them? Take a look at your self-worth. Is your self-esteem connected to how much others value or need you? Acknowledge and make peace with childhood trauma or neglect. The compulsive need to rescue or help others is often rooted in your childhood. Researchers believe those who suffer from a savior complex or white knight syndrome are trying to fix some negative sense of themselves that arose in early life. Low self-esteem, abuse, or neglect may have contributed to this complex. You may choose friends or partners who are going through distress similar to that which you experienced in childhood. Awareness is the first step in being able to repair a damaged sense of self. Take notice of the relational patterns you form and offer yourself compassion. You might even say aloud, “I am drawn to damaged or toxic people because I am trying to rescue the part of myself that was abused as a child.” In addition to acknowledging this connection, it may help to see a professional counselor who can work with you to heal from past wounds. See a therapist for codependency issues. Deep down, people with savior complex or white knight syndrome have a problem with codependency. Codependency describes your reliance on others to feel emotional voids. In a sense, you neglect yourself in favor of doing for others because your self-worth comes from the desire to be needed. You can recover from codependency by working with a competent mental health therapist who has experience in this area. It may also help to participate in self-help support groups for people with codependency issues. Researching codependency may help you identify your own patterns and needs. It can help you find a solution that works for you. | Become an active listener. Wait before stepping in. Offer help only when requested. Stop taking responsibility for other adults. Accept your own inadequacy. Be single. Set objective goals for yourself. Create a self-care toolbox. Examine past relationship patterns. Spot aspects of yourself that you have neglected. Acknowledge and make peace with childhood trauma or neglect. See a therapist for codependency issues. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Black | How to Make Black | You can make black paint by mixing together equal parts red, blue, and yellow paint. You can also mix opposite colors on the color wheel to make black, like red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple. Blue and brown mixed together will also make black. | Use red, blue, and yellow paint. Black is the darkest color, but there are still degrees of blackness you can make with paint. The exact shades of red, blue, and yellow that you use will determine the black. Use your choice of oil, watercolor or acrylic paint. Using Aureolin, Rose Madder Genuine, and Cobalt Blue will yield a soft black while using Winsor Yellow, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, and Winsor Blue will yield a bold black. If you have a basic paint set, whatever red, blue and yellow you have will work. Magenta and cyan are common red and blue to use. Put equal amounts of each color on a palette. It works best to put the colors on the palette one at a time before you mix them. Put the globs of paint about ½ inch (1.3 cm) apart on the palette. For a basic black, use equal amounts of each color. Use slightly more of one or two of the colors to give a different look to the black. If you use a paintbrush to dab paint onto the palette, be sure to use a different brush for each color so that you don't mix the paints except on the palette. You will most likely not be able to create the same black from one time to the next, so be sure to make enough to paint what you want to. Mix the paint together. You can use a paintbrush to mix the colors together. Some paint mixes better if you use a palette knife or some type of metal scraping tool. Spend at least 15 seconds moving the paints around to make sure you end up with one full color without any leftover bits of any individual color. If you use a paintbrush to mix the paint, swirl the brush gently and don't press down too hard. You can ruin brushes by pushing them too hard against the palette. Adjust the value and hue of the black. Depending on what you use the black for will affect how you want it to look. You might add a small dab of white paint to lighten the black, or you might add a drop more blue to create a black for a night sky. If you have time and paint to spare, experiment with the color. Add a little brown or green to the black to paint pine trees at night, or add some yellow for the sun reflecting off of black metal. Mixing paint by hand usually won't give you an exact black, but your black will have more character than a pure black. Combine red and green paint. Mixing paint colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel essentially cancels out the color properties of each and yields a dark hue. You can choose any red or green depending on how you want the black to look. Phthalo Green and Naphthol Red are great complements to combine for a simple black. Blend blue and orange paint. Place a dab of blue paint, such as Cobalt Blue, and a dab of orange paint, such as Translucent Orange, onto your palette. Gently swirl the colors together until a vibrant black is formed. If equal parts of each doesn't create a dark enough black, add a bit more blue to the mixture. Merge yellow and purple paint. Create a mixture that is around 60% purple and around 40% yellow, and adjust this ratio to get the black that you want. Cadmium Yellow is standard paint that works well and you can mix it with a violet. Start with Ultramarine Blue. On your palette or painting surface, place a small dab of Ultramarine blue. Blue should make up roughly half of the total paint, so use as much as you need for what you want to paint. Place a touch of Burnt Umber near the blue. Don't apply the two colors to the exact same spot. Rather, place them a half inch or one centimeter apart. Then gently swirl the two colors together. Adjust with a little more of either color to make the black you want. Add a dab of Prussian Blue. if you want to deepen and darken the black you've mixed, add just a small dab of Prussian Blue. This new mixture works great for a black that shows the darkness of night. | Use red, blue, and yellow paint. Put equal amounts of each color on a palette. Mix the paint together. Adjust the value and hue of the black. Combine red and green paint. Blend blue and orange paint. Merge yellow and purple paint. Start with Ultramarine Blue. Place a touch of Burnt Umber near the blue. Add a dab of Prussian Blue. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-for-an-SBI-Credit-Card | How to Apply for an SBI Credit Card | To apply for an SBI credit card, visit the SBI website, and click on the "Cards for You" tab at the top of the homepage. If you're not sure what kind of card to apply for, use the "Help Me Find a Card" feature, which will recommend cards based on your income and spending habits. To fill out the application for a card online, you'll need your personal information, employment information, PAN number, and Res. number. | Go to the SBI website. Look for a link inviting you to review their credit card options. To go directly to the page where you can compare the card options, click the “Cards For You” tab at the top of the SBI homepage. Review your different card options. SBI offers a wide range of credit cards, many of which are tailored to the needs of particular types of customers. Your credit scores and shopping habits will help determine which cards you are eligible for, and which are the best bargains. You can use the "Help Me Find a Card" option to have SBI suggest a card for you. This assistance feature will consider your annual income and the types of spending you usually do. You can also use the "Compare Cards" feature to let you compare up to three cards at once. Consider applying for a premium card. If you have very good credit, premium cards offer the most diverse range of options for accumulating and redeeming card benefits and rewards. Be aware that premium cards charge for the privilege of earning additional awards, often in the form of an annual fee. You'll need to determine whether the potential rewards outweigh the cost. Consider applying for a travel- or shopping-oriented card. These cards offer higher levels of reward points at particular partner stores. Some also offer more reward points for certain types of shopping, such as dining or movies. Some of the companies that partner with SBI on these cards include Air India, Fbb & Big Bazaar, and the IRCTC. SBI also offers a "Student Plus Advantage Card" for its Education Loan customers. This card offers rebates and points for spending on things like fuel and groceries. You must visit your nearest SBI branch to apply for this card. Consider applying for a classic credit card. If you want a more basic card with lower costs, a classic card could be a good option. Classic cards have fewer requirements to apply. However, they may also offer fewer benefits and rewards. A variation on the classic card is the co-branded card, which is a card partnered with specific companies, such as Tata, BMB, Bank of Maharashtra, and Oriental Bank of Commerce, and give you additional rewards when you spend money with them. Consider applying for a corporate card. If you're responsible for the finances of a business, corporate cards will allow you to take care of the business-related needs of your employers and employees. Naturally, to qualify for a corporate card, you need to be a verifiable financial representative at a corporation. Gather the necessary documents. To apply for a credit card, you will need to have the following personal information ready: name, address, occupation, education level, date of birth, email address, gender, PAN number, and Res. number. You will need either a mobile or other type of telephone number. You'll also need to have the following professional information ready: the name of your company of employment, your employer's address, the industry field in which you work, your position, and the number of years you've been employed at the company. You'll also need one ID proof from the following options: passport, voter ID, license, PAN card, UID Aadhar Number. Look for the link to the application. After gathering the necessary documents, look on the SBI website for a link to apply for a credit card. You can apply for most of the cards directly online by clicking on the appropriate “Apply Now” button for the card you've chosen. Alternately, you can simply click on the “Apply Online” tab next to the “Home” tab in the center of the homepage. Provide the necessary information. Many online applications for SBI have only two pages of information to provide. Give all your details as requested. If you already have an SBI credit card, you will need to be able to give the card number of that card. Agree to the terms and conditions. Part of the application process will require you to acknowledge that you agree to the terms and conditions of using the card. Be sure to review these terms and conditions thoroughly before agreeing. You want to be fully educated about any potential fees or penalties you may accrue by using the card. In addition to agreeing to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement, you'll also be asked to agree to issuance and renewal fees associated with the card. You will also be requested to authorize the company and its affiliates to check your provided information, to contact credit reporting agencies, and to contact you for supporting documentation as necessary. Submit the application. Once you have agreed to the terms and conditions, submit the application for processing. Do not double-click! This could result in an error. Look up SBI’s "Advantage Plus Card. " If you have poor or no credit history or have limited income, your best option may be to apply for SBI's Advantage Plus Card. The Advantage Plus Card will help you build credit bureau history. Paying on time will extend your credit limit over time at low interest rates. Locate the forms necessary to apply. The application process for the Advantage Plus Card is different from other RBI cards. You will need to fill out forms and mail them to SBI, rather than applying online. You can find the necessary forms by clicking on the "Forms Central" tab at the top of the page. You will need the following forms: SBI Advantage Plus Credit Card Application Form SBI Fixed Deposit (FD) Form Auto Debit Mandate Form "Know Your Customer" Apply for the card. There are additional application details provided on the site, but generally the steps for applying for the Advantage Plus Card are: Fill out the SBI Advantage Plus Application Form and the SBI FD (fixed deposit) Form. By doing so, you'll be requesting to open a credit account and setting the fixed deposit account to be used with the card. Sign the Lien Authorization Letter and Auto Debit Mandate. This will authorize the bank to draw funds against your fixed deposit account if you do not make payments on time. Attach the sworn Know Your Customer (KYC) documents according to RBI guidelines. These documents provides additional detailed personal information required by the RBI, such as your Income Tax Permanent Account Number and Photo ID. Submit your application. Unlike the application process for traditional cards, the application for the Advantage Plus Card must be done in hard copy. The SBI Branch Locator will provide you assistance in locating a local branch for submitting your application.The forms must be submitted to the appropriate branch. Once your application is approved, the SBI will issue you a secured card and you can begin to use it. Pay the annual and joining fees. Your first bill will include charges for the annual and joining fees. As of 2015, the annual fee is Rs. 500 (p.a.) and the joining fee is Rs. 500. (one time). You can also add on another card user for no additional fee. Obtain an Encash facility. After you pay the annual and joining fees, SBI Card will extend you an Encash facility. The Encash is essentially a loan that contributes to your fixed deposit. Depending on your creditworthiness, the Encash will be between Rs. 25,000 and 50,000. SBI will then open a Fixed Deposit account in your name. This FD account will be for the amount of the Encash facility. The Encash loan will be disbursed and your available credit will rise by a similar amount. Your available credit will be equivalent to approximately 80% of the Fixed Deposit amount. The Fixed Deposit will have a clause allowing SBI to pay itself back with those funds if payments aren't made in a timely fashion. Monitor your account. You will be billed a monthly EMI for 11 months in the amount of Rs. 2,500 EMI for Rs. 25,000 Encash and Rs. 5,000 EMI for Rs. 50,000 Encash. You will earn interest on your Fixed Deposit for 555 days at a rate of 9.25% (or the current applicable rate of interest for SBI Fixed Deposits). Your credit limit will open as per the chart on SBI's Advantage Plus Card page. | Go to the SBI website. Review your different card options. Consider applying for a premium card. Consider applying for a travel- or shopping-oriented card. Consider applying for a classic credit card. Consider applying for a corporate card. Gather the necessary documents. Look for the link to the application. Provide the necessary information. Agree to the terms and conditions. Submit the application. Look up SBI’s "Advantage Plus Card. Locate the forms necessary to apply. Apply for the card. Submit your application. Pay the annual and joining fees. Obtain an Encash facility. Monitor your account. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Investor-Proposal-Letter | How to Write an Investor Proposal Letter | Before you write an investor proposal letter, read through the requirements of Regulation D under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so you'll know the specific rules you have to follow in the letter. In general, your investor letter should include the securities' initial sales price, the deal terms, the intended use of the funds, and financial statements for the issuer. You should also include information about your leadership team to help build investor confidence. | Understand Regulation D securities issuances. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allows small companies to issue securities under Regulation D. This saves the small company the sometimes prohibitive expense of registering with the SEC; however, issuing securities under this regulation requires that the issuer closely follow a set of rules in their investor solicitations activities and publications. The specific rules depend on whether the issuance is made as private fundraising or as a general solicitation. Know what information needs to be included in an investor letter. In general, investment solicitations are required to contain specific information, such as the securities' initial sale prices, the deal terms, the intended use of the funds, and financial statements for the issuer. Private fundraising issuances must also inform investors that they are buying restricted securities and that they cannot be resold for six months after the initial purchase. Businesses issuing through a general solicitation must publicly state they have filed SEC Form D and have followed regulations for advertising a 506(c) offering. Learn what type of investors, and how many of them, may be solicited. Investors in these types of securities offerings must be "accredited investors." These investors are those who understand financial markets and can be deemed responsible for their investment decisions. Specifically, these are people who earn over $200,000 per year (or $300,000 when combined with their spouse) or are worth over $1 million. Alternately, other businesses, institutions, partnerships, and nonprofits may qualify. The important thing is that the issuer takes time to ensure that their investors are accredited investors before accepting their investments. Private fundraising offerings may also include up to 35 non-accredited individuals, provided they have a close, personal relationship with the issuer. Check for state regulations. During the offering process, you will have to register with your state's securities regulatory body. This agency may require additional information be present in your investor solicitation or letter or impose additional restrictions on the number or required qualifications of investors. Check with this agency in your state before moving forward. Create an executive summary. An executive summary should be a printed version of your elevator pitch for your business and provide the basis for the introductory paragraph of your investor proposal letter. Make sure your executive summary provides the problem your business can solve, as well as how you intend to solve it. Your executive summary should indicate the progress you have already made professionally, or the research you have conducted regarding the demographics you will market to, as well as your potential for success. Your summary should include any existing successes you have experienced in your field as well as what makes you qualified to pursue further profits in the industry. Explain who you are. An important part of your investment proposal letter is an explanation of who you are and why you are well qualified to receive an investment to expand or develop your business. Include any achievements you have in your field to demonstrate your understanding of what the industry requires. List your experience managing employees in the industry to demonstrate your ability to successfully manage a team in pursuit of your business goals. Demonstrate your expertise in the field. While forming the introduction of your investment proposal letter you will need to convey your level of expertise in the relevant industry. Briefly discuss your experience in the industry as reasoning for your expertise. Avoid using industry-specific jargon, as investors may not be well-versed in the specifics of your industry. Discuss your leadership team. If your business involves people other than yourself, you should include them in your investment pitch. Investors tend to fund people as much or even more than ideas, so giving the name and a brief description of the leadership team you have on board can give investors increased reason to provide you with funding. Explain why your leadership team is uniquely qualified to excel in the industry of your choosing. You can do so by describing their experience, talents, or educational backgrounds. Include any advisors that you utilize that are outside the leadership team you have appointed but that may lend credibility to your endeavor. Securities laws require certain disclosures to protect potential investors as well as offerer. The issuer must comply or they will be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Issue an offering circular, if necessary. In some cases, federal or state regulatory agencies may require that an issuer create and distribute an offering circular for a private placement. The circular is essentially a summary of the full investment prospectus and hits all of the major highlights of the longer document. It is generally designed to drum up interest in a new issue. This circular is required for "private placement" offerings, which are those not registered with the SEC or issued under Regulation D. Specify how much funding you require. Investors like to work with concrete numbers, so provide them with specific amounts of money that you will need in order to achieve specific objectives. If you are unable to provide exact figures, include educated predictions based on your existing experiences. The "use of funds" section of an investment prospectus is a legally-required section that shows investors what their money will be used for. Be sure to provide them with a solid idea of how much money will be required to accomplish the goals you wish to achieve. Explain what the exact results of the money invested will be and why you require the level of funding that you do. Explain how you will repay the investment clearly. The most important element of your plan to investors is how they will see a return on their investment. Provide them with clear objectives and use financial pro forma projections to show expected returns after the investment. However, be sure to mention that these are subject to specific disclosures and caveats. You cannot provide a guaranteed or estimated return unless investors is receiving a bond or preferred stock. Provide specifics about what investors will receive in return for their funding. Will they receive a percentage of company ownership? Will they receive a share of the profits? Be clear about what the return on their investment will be. Make sure the return is valuable enough to warrant the investment and accept the possibility of turning a loss. Explain exactly how the funding will be used. Investors will want to know how their money is being used throughout your plan, so provide them with exact figures regarding what you intend to use the money for in order to establish confidence in those considering an investment. Provide details on funding you will use for recruitment, marketing or operations. Identify project milestones that can be reached through varied levels of external funding. Remember that investors are as interested and concerned in your business plan as they are in the business itself. If it appears that you are disorganized or ill-prepared, most investors will be reluctant to invest in even a great business idea. Provide collateral if you are issuing debt. Collateral is something you own that you can leverage in exchange for investor funding. Collateral provides investors something they can receive in the event your business is not financially successful in the long run. However, this tactic only applies to debt and not always necessary in that case. Offering assets as collateral reduces future flexibility for financing. Collateral can be anything that you own and are willing to put up against the value of your business. Things like houses offer a large amount of collateral and can give investors the incentive to provide funding to your business. If you do not provide any kind of collateral your proposal will need to provide an even stronger plan for returning on investments than otherwise, as investors will stand to lose even more if your business does not succeed. Remember that you will have to turn over the collateral you put up in the event your business is not a success, so it is not recommended that you anything you can't do without as collateral. Only ask for enough to fund the next phase of your plan. While it may be tempting to request enough money to grow your business into a Fortune 500 company, typically the prudent thing to do is to request only enough to fund the next phase of your business plan. Investors will not be looking for an extremely long term turnaround on their funding. Instead provide relatively short term plans for their money and how they can receive returns. By “thinking lean” in terms of your investment requirements you will demonstrate an understanding of the market and a business savvy that may make investors more likely to pitch in. That said, sometimes the market overvalues a new company or idea. If you think your company can take advantage of this expectation, consider taking as much money as possible with to gain capital with a low outlay of equity. Provide a risk disclosure statement. While you may believe your business is going to take off and earn your investors a lot of money, you need to be upfront about the risks involved in the investment. You may be tempted to downplay these risks, but legally you need to provide potential investors with enough information to make an informed decision about whether or not this is a good investment. You may wish to work with a lawyer to ensure you disclose enough information to protect you from liability if the investor loses their money. Risk disclosure may include things like location of the business (for instance, if your business is located down the street from a competitor), or risks related to key personnel (such as if the company is overly dependent on the ideas of a single person—think Steve Jobs). There are specific state and federal rules that require the disclosure of certain information. Consider this the bare minimum, and note that it may not protect you from a lawsuit down the line if an investor loses money. Be as upfront as possible about the risks involved. Failure to make proper disclosures can have serious consequences, including facing civil and criminal charges. Send individual thank you notes to each potential investor. After you have sent out your investment proposal letters, wait a week or two and send out thank you notes to those you asked to invest. This demonstrates proper business etiquette as well as keeping your ideas fresh in the minds of investors. The process of gaining investors can be long, so demonstrating your courtesy may be one of the things that differentiates you from other prospects. Even if an investor declines to participate, establishing a relationship with them can be beneficial for future investments or guidance on receiving investments from others. Be patient. Depending on the size of the investment that you have requested, a prospective investor may need to take some time to weigh the information you have provided them. It is important that you not rush an investor or demand an early decision, as rushed investors tend not to risk their money. Some investors wait to see how other investors respond to your pitch in order for them to proceed. These investors will wait until the first few people pitch in before making an investment of their own. Prepare yourself for a series of “maybe” responses as investors weigh their options and their possibilities for return on an investment to your business. Keep your letter brief. While an investment proposal letter includes a significant amount of information, it should actually be less than a page long. Refine your letter by writing it multiple times and revising the information you choose to include. However, if the proposal is sent to multiple prospects, effectively making a private solicitation subject to investment regulations, the proposal letter would be better characterized as a offering document or circular transmittal letter. The first paragraph should establish your credibility within the industry as well as the other members of your team as assets that can aid in your success. Your second paragraph should lay out your plan to use the funding and what each investors can provide to the business. The third paragraph should lay out your financial needs as well as the possibilities for return on investments and risks involved. | Understand Regulation D securities issuances. Know what information needs to be included in an investor letter. Learn what type of investors, and how many of them, may be solicited. Check for state regulations. Create an executive summary. Explain who you are. Demonstrate your expertise in the field. Discuss your leadership team. Issue an offering circular, if necessary. Specify how much funding you require. Explain how you will repay the investment clearly. Explain exactly how the funding will be used. Provide collateral if you are issuing debt. Only ask for enough to fund the next phase of your plan. Provide a risk disclosure statement. Send individual thank you notes to each potential investor. Be patient. Keep your letter brief. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Green-Popcorn | How to Make Green Popcorn | To make green popcorn, start by mixing together butter, oil, corn syrup, and green food coloring in a bowl. Next, microwave your mixture until the butter melts and stir again. Then, pour your popcorn kernels into a bowl and use a spoon to drizzle your green mixture evenly on top of the kernels. Once your popcorn is evenly coated, cover the bowl with a vented lid and microwave for 3-5 minutes. After your popcorn is popped, immediately spoon it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to keep it from sticking to the bowl. | Put butter, oil, corn syrup, salt and food coloring in a bowl. Microwave just until the butter is melted, or about 40-50 seconds. Stir to combine well. Pour popcorn kernels into a bowl. Stir to coat each kernel with mixture. This results in every piece of popcorn having the color and flavor cooked on it as it pops. Even out the kernels in the bottom of bowl. Cover the bowl with the vented lid and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. This should equate to about 1-2 seconds between pops. The time will vary depending on your microwave and bowl, so you may need some trial-and-error on the first batch or two to figure out how long it takes the popcorn to cook. If you cook it too long, it will burn, smoke and stink, so keep a close watch. Immediately spoon the popcorn onto a waxed or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Leave the unpopped kernels in the bottom of the bowl. This will keep it from sticking to the bottom of the bowl as it cools. There will be some of the cooked syrup mixture in the bottom of the bowl, along with some unpopped kernels. If you turn the bowl upside down and dump the popcorn onto the baking sheet, those unpopped kernels will end up stuck to the popcorn. Nobody wants that. Store in airtight container. A resealable plastic bag works, too. However, it's best eaten within a couple of days. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Then add the sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar and salt. Then, kick it up a notch to medium-high and bring it all to a boil. Dissolve the sugar by stirring constantly. Add in the food coloring and stop stirring (once at a boil). Set the timer for 5 minutes and walk away -- don't cave to the temptation to stir it. The mixture should be at about 250-260°F (121°C). Or, during this five minutes, pop your popcorn. Put into a bowl and remove any unpopped kernels from the bowl afterward -- you won't be needing them. Take it off the stove and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. While it's still foaming, quickly pour the mixture over the popcorn (which should be in a bowl by now) and gently stir thoroughly to coat it as evenly as possible. Place the coated popcorn onto a cookie sheet. Use parchment paper or cooking spray to ensure it'll come off easily (and make for easier clean up). If using a roaster would be easier, that's also a viable option. Bake it at 200° F (93°C) for 1 hour, keeping an eye on it and stirring every 15 minutes. Finished. | Put butter, oil, corn syrup, salt and food coloring in a bowl. Pour popcorn kernels into a bowl. Cover the bowl with the vented lid and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. Immediately spoon the popcorn onto a waxed or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Store in airtight container. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add in the food coloring and stop stirring (once at a boil). Take it off the stove and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Place the coated popcorn onto a cookie sheet. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Venetian-Plaster | How to Venetian Plaster | To Venetian plaster, use an acrylic-based synthetic Venetian plaster from your local home improvement store if you're looking for something cost-effective and easy to use. You can use true, lime-based Venetian plaster instead, but it's more expensive and harder to work with. To get started, apply a primer to the wall and let it dry. Then, using a trowel with sanded corners, apply 2-3 coats of plaster. Use short, random strokes, and spread the plaster as thinly as possible. When you're finished, burnish the surface and apply a topcoat. | Choose a plaster. Venetian plaster comes in two varieties: synthetic and lime-based. Which one you use will depend on your budget and level of expertise. Lime-based plasters are true Venetian plasters. These plasters will, over time, turn to stone. Unlike the "faux-finish" of synthetic plasters, they are durable and retain their beauty longer. On the other hand, true Venetian plaster is harder to come by, more expensive, and more challenging to work with. Lime-based Venetian plasters are natural and considered more environmentally friendly than synthetics. They are also naturally resistant to molds and mildews. Lime-based plaster comes in many different colors, and you can also tint it yourself with a lime-based tint. Synthetic Venetian plaster is an acrylic-based substitute available at any home improvement store. It will result in a similar look to the traditional lime-based plaster and is less expensive. However, synthetic plaster does not have the life of traditional Venetian plaster. It is more easily damaged and harder to touch up. Synthetic plaster comes in many different colors and is thought to take vibrant colors better than lime-based Venetian plaster. Gather your tools and lay down tarps. To protect the floor in your work area, it is a good idea to lay down tarps, just as you would if you were painting. Do not users painter's tape to protect molding or other walls you are not plastering. Plaster is not paint. It may bond to the tape and crack or flake when the tape is removed. This is especially true if you are working with lime-based plaster. Prepare your walls. Fill any holes or dimples in the wall, otherwise, they may show through your finished work. If the wall you plan to plaster has a very bumpy surface, you may need to sand the wall in its entirety or even scrape it with a putty knife. If using synthetic plaster, you can also fill holes in the wall with plaster as you go. Apply primer. Using a paint roller, spread the primer across the wall evenly and lightly. Depending on the texture of the walls you are plastering, you may need to let it dry and then apply a second coat to get a smooth, even surface. For lime-based plasters, you will need to either apply the plaster directly to stucco or masonry, or use a special primer called fondo. Natural Venetian plaster will not adhere well to standard primers. Let it dry. Make certain your primer is fully dried before you apply any plaster. This may take up to 24 hours. Prepare your trowel. Using 100 grit sandpaper, round the corners of a flexible steel trowel. This will reduce edge marks during application. Apply the first coat. Using your trowel, apply a base coat of plaster. Using small strokes, spread your plaster as thinly as possible. Apply using random strokes, or work in patterns, just don't spread it all in the same direction. Hold the trowel at a 15 to 30-degree angle, and wipe it often with a clean, dry cloth to prevent dried bits of plaster from affecting your pattern. It is a good idea to start at the top, in a corner. To get plaster into tight spots, such as in a corner or along molding, simply apply the plaster with your finger using latex gloves. Then, immediately wipe away any plaster that gets on surfaces you are not plastering. If using traditional Venetian plaster, hang tarps over your surface so that it will dry slowly and evenly. Otherwise, it may crack. Apply the second coat. If using synthetic plaster, apply the second coat about four hours after applying the first coat. If using lime-based plaster, some experts recommend waiting as long as ten days between coats. Start in the same place you began applying the first coat. Hold the trowel at a 30 to 60-degree angle, and apply your plaster in long and short overlapping strokes to get the irregular look the final finish should have. If you unsatisfied with the final product after applying the second coat, you may apply a third coat if you wish. If you are lime-based plaster, it is at this stage that you add a tinted topcoat of lime dust, linseed oil, soap, and a coloring agent. Let it dry. All plaster should be completely dry before you proceed any further. As before, if using lime-based plaster, hang tarps to make the drying process more even and gradual. Burnish the surface. Go over the final coat it in a circular motion with a clean trowel, held at a 30-degree angle to give it a polished look. The more you burnish your plaster, the shinier it will become. For synthetic plaster, you can also burnish with 400-600 grit sandpaper if you prefer. This will provide a more matte-like finish. Synthetic plasters can be burnished any time between about four hours and seven days after the last coat has been applied. Apply a topcoat. To preserve the polish and durability of your finished plaster surface, it's a good idea to go over it with a topcoat of some kind. If you are using synthetic plaster, there are commercial topcoats produced specifically for this purpose. Some of them even come in different colors if you decide you want to change the color of your wall after applying the plaster. You can also finish your plaster with beeswax or linseed oil to help protect it. This may, however, change the color slightly. For lime-based plaster, the final coat is sometimes made of an olive-oil based soap, which will form a compound with the wax and seal the plaster. | Choose a plaster. Gather your tools and lay down tarps. Prepare your walls. Apply primer. Let it dry. Prepare your trowel. Apply the first coat. Apply the second coat. Let it dry. Burnish the surface. Apply a topcoat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Feeling-Useless | How to Stop Feeling Useless | To stop feeling useless, try experimenting with different hobbies and talents to find something you enjoy. For example, take a few community college classes or join clubs in your area. Alternatively, head to your local library and take out a few books on things that interest you to see if you want to pursue them further. While you're searching for something to commit yourself to, try to do something nice for someone every day, like buying a stranger a cup of coffee, offering a parking place to someone in a hurry, or helping an elderly person with their shopping. That way, you'll find meaning in making the world a better place. You can also volunteer at your local homeless center or animal shelter to make a difference in your community. | Try to identify the source of the feeling. Is it a particular relationship that is making you feel useless? Are you feeling useless because of a certain situation you have no control over? Do you feel useless because you don't feel like you're contributing to society in all the ways that you could? Identifying the cause of the feeling is the first step towards changing your life. One way to explore your feelings is to write in a journal. Think about these questions as you write, and try to figure out what's bothering you. Alternatively, try talking over your problems with a trusted friend. Sometimes saying what you're feeling out loud can help you figure out what's wrong. Find your passion. Figure out what you're good at by exploring different hobbies and reading books. Seek out what makes you happy and what you can contribute with those skills so that you're offering something to the world. One way to explore interests is to take community college classes. These classes are relatively cheap, so you can spend a semester deciding if you really are passionate about an interest. Many community colleges offer night and weekend classes if you work full time. Alternatively, try classes at your local museums if you're interested in art or history. Another way to explore interests is to pick up a book from the local library. The books are free, and you can take your time learning about your interest. If you want to meet other people with the same interest, look on social media websites like Meetup and Facebook to find people in your area with the same interest. Do something nice every day. Buy someone a cup of coffee. Bring your loved one her slippers without being asked. Offer a parking place to someone who looks stressed. The little things you do to help people every day can help you feel needed. Volunteer in your community. Volunteering is not only a solid way to make you feel useful, but you'll also be helping people out along the way. Choose something you love for your volunteerism. If you love books, offer time at the library. If you like working with kids, offer to read to kids at your local YMCA after school. Practice gratitude. Focus on what's positive in your life. By focusing on what's good about your life, you may be able to overcome feeling useless or worthless. It keys you in to the positive side of things, so you have a happier outlook. One way to focus on what's going well in your life is to keep a gratitude journal. Write down five things every day that you are grateful for in your life. Some people use social media like Facebook to the same effect--that is, they post five things they are grateful for every day as a status update. Using social media can help you get motivated with this project, as you'll likely receive positive feedback from friends. Talk to yourself in a positive manner. Sometimes feeling useless can stem from low self-esteem. You may feel like you don't have anything to offer the world. However, take some time each day to acknowledge to yourself what you're doing right. You do make a difference to other people, and you should look for that in yourself every day. One way to build yourself up is to use your mirror to your advantage. Every morning, look yourself in the eye, and say something positive about yourself out loud. Post affirmations on your refrigerator so you can see them every day. Write a phrase like “I am a good, worthwhile person” or others to boost your self-esteem. Accept compliments. In the same vein as talking to yourself positively, accept positivity from other people, especially when it is about something you do or who you are as a person. You may feel like you don't deserve the compliment, but people are usually sincere when they take the time to compliment you. Think about the contributions you're making that inspired those compliments. Contribute to causes you care about. If you are passionate about preserving our natural resources, go out and do something about it. Organize protests. Write letters. Talk to people. Fighting for what you believe in can help you to feel less useless because you are doing something to help your friends and country. Try not to procrastinate. Steer clear of potential distractions like the computer, the TV, the phone, the cat, or the fridge. If you procrastinate, you won't accomplish anything. However, if you finish tasks you start, you're sure to feel more useful. Start with something small, like cooking dinner for your spouse, and work up to larger tasks, like cleaning out the garage. Take good care of yourself. Improve your self-confidence and value your time and your skills more. You're not going to get a sense of purpose if you're not caring for yourself enough. Don't sell yourself short, and take time out to rest and relax when you need to do so. One way to value yourself is to say "no" to requests that you don't have the time or energy to do. If you divide yourself too thinly, you won't be able to contribute as fully to each task. Listen better to other people. Be active in the way you listen. That is, pay attention to what the other person is saying rather than preparing what you are going to say in your head. Be interested in what the other person has to say and respond in a way that shows you heard. Be appreciative. Acknowledge what the people in your life do for you. That acknowledgment shows them that you notice what they do for you and that you appreciate their effort. Be there for the people in your life. Your presence is one of the best gifts you can provide for the people you love. It tells them you care about them. Celebrate what makes the others in your life unique instead of shaming them. Instead of laughing at your boyfriend for crying, let him know you appreciate his emotional honesty. Instead of making fun of your friend for dancing silly in the kitchen, join in the fun. Break free from relationships that are harmful. Some relationships will never work well no matter what you do. If another person is being emotionally abusive or just doesn't want to make time for you, it may be time to edge away from that person. You may feel useless in a situation like this one because you may feel like you've failed. However, it could be that you are just not compatible with the other person, not that you have failed to contribute to the relationship. Maybe the other person has issues he or she needs to deal with before she is in any kind of relationship, so you shouldn't place the blame on yourself. Do what you can. You may not be able to solve the situation--your mother is still going to be sick no matter what you do. However, you can be there for her. You can show up when you're needed. You can offer support and encouragement. It may not be dealing with the problem as you'd liked to do, but you will be doing something, which can help alleviate your feelings of uselessness. Take some time to stop and breathe. You can pray, meditate, or just take a few deep breaths, but whatever way, take a moment to calm yourself down. Accept that you do not have control over the situation. Focus on what's going well and make that a larger part of your life. Your mother may be sick, but you can take the time you are spending with her to develop a better relationship with her than you've had in the past. Talk about what you're feeling with others in the situation. Even if it doesn't change anything, it will help others realize that they aren't the only ones who are dealing with these feelings, which is a way you can provide support. It also opens up the discussion, so others have a chance to talk about their feelings, as well. Check yourself for signs of depression. Long-term stressful situations can lead to depression, and feeling useless could be a symptom of depression, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms. Symptoms of depression include having trouble focusing, feeling pessimistic, not being interested in things you usually enjoy, feeling guilty, being extra tired, being consistently sad, and even experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches. Feeling sad on occasion doesn't mean you're depressed. Depression is a sustained period of not caring and feeling sad. When symptoms start to overrun your life, you may be depressed. See a doctor if you suspect you are depressed. If you are depressed, you may need medication, or you might need to seek out counseling to help you work through some issues, which may help alleviate your feelings of uselessness. Remember, being depressed is not a sign of weakness. It can be caused by a traumatic event in your life, but it could also be a chemical imbalance that needs to be corrected. Also, certain medications, your genes, and other problems like illnesses can also lead to depression. | Try to identify the source of the feeling. Find your passion. Do something nice every day. Volunteer in your community. Practice gratitude. Talk to yourself in a positive manner. Accept compliments. Contribute to causes you care about. Try not to procrastinate. Take good care of yourself. Listen better to other people. Be appreciative. Be there for the people in your life. Celebrate what makes the others in your life unique instead of shaming them. Break free from relationships that are harmful. Do what you can. Take some time to stop and breathe. Focus on what's going well and make that a larger part of your life. Talk about what you're feeling with others in the situation. Check yourself for signs of depression. See a doctor if you suspect you are depressed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Coat-Hanger-to-Break-Into-a-Car | How to Use a Coat Hanger to Break Into a Car | If you need to use a coat hanger to break into your car, straighten the coat hanger using pliers and bend a short hook at one end. Then, carefully slide the hanger down in between the window and the weather stripping. If you can, turn the hook so that it is facing the car's interior. You may have to wiggle it back and forth to get it to turn that way. After the hook is in the right direction, move the hanger side to side until you see the lock move. Once it moves, pull up or back until the car unlocks. It may take a few tries. | Straighten out the hanger. Stretch out the wire so that it is long enough to reach the unlock button or the post. Untwist the hooked portion, then straighten it completely, leaving only the curved end in its original shape. To unwind the part of the wire hanger that is twisted around itself, it helps to use a pair of pliers. The coat hanger should be shaped like a relatively straight line with a curved hook on the end when you're done. You may want to wear gloves while untwisting the hanger to avoid poking yourself in the hand. Using pliers will make untwisting the hanger easier. Bend the hook into a “V” shape. You will need to bend the hook of the coat hanger down into a shape that can grip the door lock post. A small “V” or check mark shape will be the easiest shape to fit through a small gap that can also do the job. Use a pair of pliers to fold the end of the straightened coat hanger until the span of the check mark is tight enough to hook the post. Many door lock posts have a groove or ridge that will make it easier to grip when using a coat hanger for this purpose. You may need to bend the hanger into a few different sized check marks or “V” shapes until you have one that will grip the post. Pry the window out slightly if it is closed. If the window is open slightly, you will not need to pry it out at all. However, if the window is shut, you will need to slide a narrow wedge into the gap between the window and door frame and pry the window out away from the vehicle. Be extremely careful doing this, as applying too much pressure will break the window. A wider prying surface such as a paint scraper is a better choice than something narrow like a screw driver. Once pried open, place something like a folded up piece of cloth or rubber into the gap to hold it open. Slide the hanger into the gap. Grip the end of the coat hanger that is opposite from the “V” shape you made with pliers. Slip the hanger into the gap you created between the window and door frame. If the lock post is too close to the rear side of the car door, you may need to approach it from the front instead. It is important that you get to the post in a direction that allows you to apply pressure to it as you pull it up. Be careful not to put additional pressure on the window as it's pried open or you may break it. Catch the post and pull up and toward the back of the car. Wiggle the hanger around until you catch the post, then apply pressure by pulling the hanger back toward the rear of the car. If the lock is too close to the rear side of the window, try applying pressure forward as you pull it up. Continue to apply pressure as you pull the post up to unlock the door. If the post pops up, the door will be unlocked and you can open it. You may need to try multiple times if the hanger slips off of the post. Press the unlock button if you can reach it. Snake the bent coat hanger through the window crack and hit the unlock button with the tip of the wire. Be patient. This may take a number of tries, depending on the size of the window crack and the layout of your particular car. If you're having trouble hitting the unlock button with the tip of the coat hanger, try adding a small bit of rubber to the end. Wrap a small rubber band around the tip, for friction, or impale an eraser on the wire. This might help you get a better handle on the button surface. Straighten out the hanger and bend it again as necessary. In order to reach the lock slider for push or pull locks, you will need to straighten the hanger out, then bend it again in the right manner to reach the it. Depending on your vehicle, this may require a number of bends or few at all. You may need to guess and check the proper bends in the coat hanger a few times in order to get it right. Try not to bend the hanger too far, as bends will reduce its ability to press or pull directly on the slider. Bend the hook into a short hook or ledge to push or pull the slide. If you need to pull the slider to unlock it in your vehicle, you will want to bend the end of the hanger into a hook that can snag the ledge on it. If you need to push it, it's more important that you bend the tip in such a manner that can put the force necessary on the slider to push it over. Use a pair of pliers to make a small, strong hook or ledge. If you are sliding the hanger in the gap in the door frame instead of a window gap, it will need to be very thin. Slide the hanger between the door and door frame. If you are unable to pry the window away from the door frame, you will need to instead slide the hanger through the very narrow gap between the door itself and the frame. The door and door frame are separated by a thin layer of weather proofing that you may damage in the process. Press the hanger through the weather proof layer and into the car. Some vehicles will not permit the hanger to pass through because of the angle. You will then have to find a way to pry the window away from the door. If you tear the weather proofing, you will need to replace it or the door may leak. Have a friend guide you from the passenger side. Once the tip of the hanger is inside the cabin of the car, you may not be able to see the slide for the door lock from your position. Ask a friend to stand on the passenger side of the car and guide you by looking through the window. You can still find the lock without a second pair of eyes, but enlisting some help will make the process far easier. Be patient and continue trying until you are able to snag or press the slide. Press or pull on the slide to unlock the door. Once you get the hanger on the slide, push or pull it as necessary to unlock the door. This may take a number of tries and you also may need to make changes to the bends in the coat hanger in order to get to the slide from the right angle. Be patient and continue trying until you are able to snag or press the slide. Be careful not to do further damage to the weather proofing as you move the hanger around. Straighten the hanger except for a short hook at the end. Just as with other methods, you will need to unfold the hanger and straighten it, except for the end. Use a pair of pliers to form a short hook at the end of the hanger. Leave only a half inch or so as the lip of the hook, while leaving the rest of the hanger straight. You may need to bend the hook a few times in order to get it right. Make sure the rest of the hanger is a fairly straight line. Slip the hanger between the window and the weather stripping. There should be a length of black rubber weather stripping running along the lower edge of your car window. Peel this strip back from the window a bit using your finger, then gently insert the curved end of the coat hanger into the gap between the window and the rubber. You should be able to lower the coat hanger into this gap a few inches without encountering much resistance. You may have to replace the weather stripping if you damage it during this process. It may be easier to insert the hanger with the hook facing the front or rear of the vehicle. Turn the hanger so the hook is facing the interior. With the hanger and hook inserted in the door, rotate it until you believe the hook is facing the inside of the car so it can catch the lock bar inside the door. It may be difficult to determine which way the hook is facing inside the door; you can mark one side of the hanger with a marker to make it easier to keep your bearings. The hook will need to face inward in order to grip the lock bar. You may need to try a number of times in order to get this method right. Move the hanger side to side until you see the lock move. As you move the hanger back and forth, it will come into contact with a bar or pin that controls the lock post and door lock. Try to pull up on the pin or bar to disengage the door lock. It will usually be located about 2 inches (5 cm) below the bottom of the window, near the interior door handle. Different vehicles may have different interior door designs, so this method may not work on all vehicles. Do not use excessive force when pulling up on the pin or bar. Because you can't see inside the door, you may be snagged on the wrong thing. In some vehicles you will need to pull the pin or bar back toward the rear of the car instead of up. Pull up or back on the area that moves the lock. If you see the lock move slightly when your hook catches a bar or pin inside the door, try to pull up or backward on the bar you've come into contact with to disengage the lock. If you catch the bar properly, it should not take too much force to move the lock. Pulling up and toward the rear of the car can help ensure you have leverage on the bar or pin as well as improving the odds that you get it right for your specific vehicle. Keep trying and reform the hook as needed. This method is extremely difficult, as you can't actually see what is going on inside the door and vehicles each have slightly different designs. You will need to continue to try until you are able to catch the bar in just the right manner and pull it with enough force to unlock the door. Be careful not to damage the weather strip on the door. You may need to re-bend the hook if you pull too hard on the wrong part inside the door. | Straighten out the hanger. Bend the hook into a “V” shape. Pry the window out slightly if it is closed. Slide the hanger into the gap. Catch the post and pull up and toward the back of the car. Press the unlock button if you can reach it. Straighten out the hanger and bend it again as necessary. Bend the hook into a short hook or ledge to push or pull the slide. Slide the hanger between the door and door frame. Have a friend guide you from the passenger side. Press or pull on the slide to unlock the door. Straighten the hanger except for a short hook at the end. Slip the hanger between the window and the weather stripping. Turn the hanger so the hook is facing the interior. Move the hanger side to side until you see the lock move. Pull up or back on the area that moves the lock. Keep trying and reform the hook as needed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Weak-Newborn-Puppy | How to Take Care of a Weak Newborn Puppy | To care for a weak puppy, make sure it's warm enough by placing a towel on top of a hot water bottle full of warm water. Then, put the puppy on top of the towel. Additionally, when it's time for the puppy to nurse, move other puppies away for a moment so the weak puppy can feed from its mother, since this is important for building the puppy's immune system. If the puppy can't feed from its mother, place a few drops of corn syrup on its tongue to boost its blood sugar levels. You should also buy puppy replacement formula from a vet and feed the puppy every 3 to 4 hours. | Make sure the mother dog is taking care of all of her puppies. If the mother dog is pushing one particular puppy away, instead of drawing him near her, you should be concerned. A puppy not huddled up with littermates and his mother will not get the food or warmth that he needs to thrive. Look for signs of trouble. A newborn puppy can become a weak puppy within a matter of hours. There are certain signs to check for to see if your puppy is having serious problems such as: Cold to the touch or cold mouth Weak suckle reflex when the fingertip is gently placed in mouth Limp or poor muscle tone: head hangs down and legs don't pull back when lightly tugged Inability to nurse Feces on the rear: can indicate diarrhea (a serious issue) Discharge from the umbilical stump Non-stop crying Check puppies regularly. You should check all your puppies' weights on a suitable scale twice a day. Kitchen scales will do, as long as you clean them well afterwards or even use them just for puppy weigh-ins. The weight can be taken in grams or ounces, just be consistent. They should never lose weight, instead they should gain about 10% of their birth weight each day after the first day of life. This indicates they are getting enough milk. Weights should be recorded in a notebook or spreadsheet so you can track their progress for the first two weeks of life. Warm the weak, newborn puppy. If you've determined a puppy in the litter needs special care, the first move is to make sure it is warm enough. A cold puppy is not able to nurse and can become dangerously dehydrated and hypoglycemic, which means having life-threatening low blood sugar. Warming can be accomplished by using a hot water bottle filled with very warm water, 'not' boiling water, placed in the bottom of a small cardboard box or shoe box and covering it with a towel. The puppy can then be placed on the towel, covered with a light cloth or towel and the top of the box can be lightly closed. Alternatively, you can place the puppy on your chest under your clothing until it warms up. You may want to wrap the rear end in a clean piece of cloth so you're not urinated or pooped on! Puppy's tiny claws will be sharp as well, so be prepared for a few scratches. Using a heating pad is dangerous, as they can overheat a puppy. Even on the lowest setting, a heating pad can become dangerously hot. You want to gradually warm the puppy over a course of one to three hours. Warming any more rapidly can cause overheating. There are heating pads made specifically for animals, and these usually don't get as hot. The puppy must not be placed directly on this pad — you must use a towel or fleecy cover between the pad and the puppy in order to avoid thermal burns. If the puppy is open-mouth panting, she is too hot. Take the puppy's temperature. After you think the puppy is warmed you should use a pediatric digital thermometer to take the puppy's temperature rectally. Place a small amount of lubricant on the tip and gently insert the very tip into the pup's rectum. If the body temperature is below 94 °F (34.4 °C) the gastrointestinal tract will not work properly. However, don't let the rectal temperature get over 99 °F (37.2 °C) in a puppy less than seven days or overheating can occur. Write the temperature in the same notebook or spreadsheet in which you are recording the weight. Help the puppy nurse. Once the puppy is warmed and active, it is time to feed it. Try to see if the mother dog will let the puppy latch onto her teat. Puppies need the first milk from their mom, as it has valuable immune factors in it (antibodies) that a pup needs to build his immune system. You may need to give the weak puppy a little one on one time with his mom. Keep any other puppies in the same room as the mom but keep them away from her body while the weak puppy attempts to nurse. Increase the weak puppy's blood sugar. If the puppy is warm, yet weak and unable to nurse, it may have a low blood sugar. Place two or three small drops of corn syrup on its tongue to correct this problem. Specific signs of hypoglycemia in a newborn puppy are: Weakness and lethargy. Tremors and twitches. (Normal newborn puppies will twitch, so combine this with other signs of hypoglycemia to differentiate between normal twitches and abnormal twitches.) Convulsions. Unresponsive or comatose. Supplement the puppy's milk supply. If the pup is warmed sufficiently and wants to suckle, you may need to feed it suitable milk formula if the mother won't let it nurse or it is unable to latch on to a teat. Purchase puppy replacement formula from a veterinary office or a reputable pet store. It can be fed via nursing bottles or by using a syringe. Mix the formula according to directions and make sure it is warm but not too hot, much like you'd prepare formula for a human baby. Feed the puppy on a regular basis. A weak new born puppy should be fed every three to four hours, including nights. Divide the total daily feeding (found on the formula container label) by the number of daily feedings. For example, feeding every three hours will be eight feedings total, and feeding every four hours will be six feedings. Make sure to feed fresh, warm formula each feeding. Stimulate the puppy's need to go to the bathroom. Newborn puppies need stimulation of the genital region in order to urinate and defecate appropriately. Usually the mom dog does this but you will need to do this for a neglected puppy. Take a clean cotton ball and wet it with warm water. Gently rub it on the genital region of the puppy. The puppy will urinate and/or defecate as need be from this stimulation. Wipe the genital area with a clean tissue to clean up any mess and dispose of the cotton ball and tissue in the garbage. Wash your hands well afterwards. Take the puppy to a veterinarian. If the puppy is not responding to your attempts to warm her or won't eat, you need to take her to the veterinarian for treatment. Dehydration is dangerous and puppies can quickly die from it if they are unable to nurse and adequate amount. Also see your veterinarian if your puppy has diarrhea, has fluid coming from the nose, or if you have any other concerns regarding her health. Timely treatment is very important in the newborn puppy. If you wait too long the puppy may die. | Make sure the mother dog is taking care of all of her puppies. Look for signs of trouble. Check puppies regularly. Warm the weak, newborn puppy. Take the puppy's temperature. Help the puppy nurse. Increase the weak puppy's blood sugar. Supplement the puppy's milk supply. Feed the puppy on a regular basis. Stimulate the puppy's need to go to the bathroom. Take the puppy to a veterinarian. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Kale | How to Clean Kale | In order to clean kale, slice the leaves away from the stems as soon as you bring it home. Next, fill a large bowl with clean tap water and submerge the leaves in the water. Make sure the kale is fully submerged, and gently swish it around to loosen dirt and debris. Allow the kale to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain the water and kale into a colander. Finally, rinse the kale under running water to remove any last bits of dirt, then pat the leaves dry with paper towels. | Remove your kale to cut and wash it as soon as you buy it. You should actually wash kale right away instead of waiting until you're going to eat it. This will prevent any dirt or debris from becoming set on the kale. Remove the stems. While you can save the stems to use them for cooking later, it's generally easier to remove them prior to cleaning your kale as it's easier to get to the leaves. Use a knife to slice the leaves away from the kale's stem, getting as close to the stem as possible. If you do decide to use the stems, dice them prior to cooking as they can be very rough. Fill a bowl with clean tap water. Take a bowl big enough to fully submerge all your kale. Fill it with clean tap water. Leave a little headspace on the top as the water will rise some when you add the kale. Submerge your kale in the water. Dunk your kale in the water. Make sure the kale is fully submerged. No leaves should stick out above the water's surface. Swish your kale around. After submerging your kale, swish it around in the water slightly. This will dislodge obvious dirt and debris. Be gentle, however, to avoid breaking apart the leaves. Let the kale soak. Allow the kale to soak in the water for a few minutes. This will help soften any dirt stuck onto the kale in the crevices of the leaves. Five to 10 minutes is a good range of time to soak your kale. Drain the water. After five to 10 minutes have passed, pour the water into a colander or similar device over the sink. Shake the colander a few times to get all the water off the kale. It's okay if not all the water is completely removed. You will be drying the kale further with paper towels later. Rinse the kale under running water. After removing the kale from the sink, give it one last rinse under running water. This should remove any dirt that was loosened during the soaking process. Make sure to turn the kale as necessary to get every leaf adequately cleaned. Pat the kale dry with paper towels. Take some paper towels and lay the kale over them. Take some more paper towels and gently pat the kale. Get the kale as dry as you can before storing it. Store you kale in an airtight container. Kale should be stored in an airtight container, such as a Tupperware container. You can also use a Ziploc bag with the air squeezed out. Keep kale in the coldest part of your fridge. Kale gets more bitter when exposed to room temperature. Store your kale in the coldest part of your fridge to keep it as fresh as possible. Discard kale after two weeks. Kale has a two week shelf life when stored properly. Date the container in your fridge that holds your kale. After two weeks have passed, discard your kale. | Remove your kale to cut and wash it as soon as you buy it. Remove the stems. Fill a bowl with clean tap water. Submerge your kale in the water. Swish your kale around. Let the kale soak. Drain the water. Rinse the kale under running water. Pat the kale dry with paper towels. Store you kale in an airtight container. Keep kale in the coldest part of your fridge. Discard kale after two weeks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Distractions-While-Studying | How to Avoid Distractions While Studying | To avoid distractions while studying, start by prioritizing your to-do list and making a plan for your study session. Then, turn off your phone, close your emails, and use a browser extension to block websites that you frequently use to procrastinate. If you have a lot of studying to do, create a study schedule and stick to it. However, remember to switch between subjects every 2 hours, and take study breaks every 45-60 minutes to stay focused and energized. Try studying somewhere away from home, like a quiet library or a nearby coffee shop, which can help you stay on task. | Tune out specific distractions as you notice them. Say you're trying to study in the library and you keep getting distracted by someone texting. Take note of this specific distraction then tell yourself you are going to overcome it. The next time you see it happen, will yourself not to look. Keep doing this every time the distraction comes up, and eventually you will no longer notice it. Give yourself a worry break. Life can get really busy, so it's no surprise if you find yourself distracted from studying by thoughts about everything else. Rather than acting like all of those other needs don't exist, give yourself an outlet. Spend 5 minutes thinking about everything that's on your plate, but then tell yourself it's time to focus on the main task for now: studying. Prioritize your studying by setting a main goal. When you've got an exam coming up, it's easy to think you need to study everything. Breaking things down and establishing just one primary goal makes things more manageable and you will be less prone to becoming distracted. For example, if you have a biology exam coming up that covers three chapters, you don't have to cram everything into one study session. Try focusing first on the parts that give you trouble, like that subsection on the Krebs cycle. Also try making notes and flashcards as it helps. Go off the grid. Texting, social media, calls, and other distractions that come from our electronic devices are some of the biggest barriers to staying focused when studying. Luckily, the fix is easy and totally within your control. Unplug yourself! Turn off notifications on your devices. Better still, turn them off completely. Don't take calls or texts. Turn off your phone if you are able, or at least keep it on silent and away. If you can't stop this distraction, look into apps or browser plugins that can block social media, certain websites, or any other specific outlets that pull you away from studying. Try keeping your phone in another room so you're less likely to use it while you're studying. Work with your energy levels. It's natural to want to procrastinate and put off the most difficult or unpleasant tasks. Your energy level at the start of a study session will be higher, however, so it's actually best to begin with the harder things. Put off the easier tasks instead. This will keep your focus sharp when you need it most. Take a brief study break now and then. It might seem counterintuitive, but stepping away from your studies now and then can actually be more beneficial than trying to plow through everything without stopping. About once an hour, get up and take a short break of about 5 minutes. This helps refresh you so that you can stay focused when you come back to studying. Moving around a bit, such as by taking a brief walk, will be most beneficial. Don't attempt to multitask. Some people imagine that knocking out several things at once means you can work faster. Attempting to multitask, such as doing your homework while watching TV or shopping online, will cause you to lose your focus. Instead concentrate on one task at a time. Keep yourself on track with the “be here now” technique. Whenever you feel your attention begin to wander, stop and tell yourself to “be here now.” You may have to do this several times, but you will be gently reminding yourself that you want to focus on the task at hand. If you do this consistently, you should find that you gradually spend less and less time being distracted. Set a study schedule. When you have many classes or things to study for, it can seem hard to get through everything. Give yourself a schedule where you set specific times to study particular subjects. This makes studying seem less overwhelming, helping you to stay on task. For example, you might decide to study biology for an hour on Monday night, followed by an hour of English. Then, on Tuesday afternoons, you study Math for two hours. Keep your schedule, but be flexible when needed. For example, if you have a biology exam coming up on Tuesday, you might study Biology for two hours on Monday night, and put English off for Tuesday. If you are studying around other people, post your schedule so they will know when it's not ok to distract you. Change subjects every two hours. A little variety keeps you refreshed and focused. If you try to study one thing for too long, your energy level and attention span will go way down. Switch things up to combat this. For instance, after two hours of Math, take a short break then switch to studying English. Give in to your distraction as a reward. Distractions can actually be used in a positive way, and an incentive to get you through your studying. Say you need to study Geometry for an hour but keep getting distracted by funny cat videos. Tell yourself that if you get through the hour of studying without being distracted, you'll then let yourself watch all the cat videos you want. Find a place that makes you want to study. If the books and seriousness of the library put you in the mood for focusing on Trigonometry, go for it. If the comfy chairs and coffee at your local cafe are what you need to get through your reading for English, go there. The most important thing is that the location motivates you to study. Most people like a place that is neither too cold nor too warm. A study space shouldn't be loud. Some people prefer a place that is absolutely quiet, others like a little background noise. If you are often distracted by studying, choose a seat that faces a wall rather than a window, hallway, or other seats. Let others know if you're studying at home. Put a sign on your door that lets others know you're studying. This will keep them from distracting you. You can also message your friends, tell them when you're studying, and ask them not to disturb you during that time. Use music only if you're sure it helps you stay focused. Studies about whether or not music helps you focus when studying are mixed. If you feel like listening to music keeps you energized and focused on studying, you can use it. Keep a couple things in mind, however: The music should be fairly quiet. Choose music that has no words so you'll be less likely to become distracted. Consider listening to “white noise” tracks for background noise instead of music. | Tune out specific distractions as you notice them. Give yourself a worry break. Prioritize your studying by setting a main goal. Go off the grid. Work with your energy levels. Take a brief study break now and then. Don't attempt to multitask. Keep yourself on track with the “be here now” technique. Set a study schedule. Change subjects every two hours. Give in to your distraction as a reward. Find a place that makes you want to study. Let others know if you're studying at home. Use music only if you're sure it helps you stay focused. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Randomize-a-Pok%C3%A9mon-Game | How to Randomize a Pokémon Game | To randomize generations 1-5 of your Pokemon game, start by making sure that you have a Pokemon ROM and emulator installed. If you don't, you can download them from the LoveROMS website. Then, install the Universal Randomizer application and follow the instructions for downloading. After it is installed, go into the application and select which aspects you would like to randomize, like the "Pokemon Base Statistics." Click "Save" or "Randomize" and save the file to your computer for future use. | Make sure that you have a ROM and an emulator. In order to randomize a Pokémon game, you'll need a ROM for the Pokemon game, and an emulator installed on your Windows or Mac computer is required to play the game. You can download both ROMs and emulators from places like LoveROMS ( https://www.loveroms.online/ ) and EmuParadise ( https://www.emuparadise.me/ ). You cannot randomize a Pokémon game while playing on a console or a mobile platform. Download the Universal Randomizer application. Go to http://pokehacks.dabomstew.com/randomizer/downloads.php in your computer's web browser, then click the download link for your operating system (if you're using a Mac, you'll click the Download for all other platforms link). The Universal Randomizer supports randomizing Pokémon games from generation one all the way through every game in generation five (e.g., Pokémon Black Version 2 and White 2). Install the Universal Randomizer application. This process will vary slightly depending on whether you're using Windows or a Mac computer: Windows - Open the downloaded ZIP folder, click Extract , click Extract all , and click Extract. Mac - Make sure that you have the Java JDK installed , then double-click the downloaded ZIP folder and wait for it to extract. Open Universal Randomizer. Double-click the randomizer item inside of the unzipped folder. The Universal Randomizer window will open. On a Mac, the Universal Randomizer is a Java file, meaning that it resembles a coffee cup. Click Open ROM. It's in the upper-right side of the Universal Randomizer window. Clicking it prompts a File Explorer (Windows) or a Finder (Mac) window to open. Select your ROM. Go to the file location of your ROM, then click it to select it. Click Open. It's in the lower-right side of the window. Doing so will import your ROM file into the Universal Randomizer, which will unlock the various randomizer options on the page. Randomize your preferred aspects of your ROM. Checking the "Random" or "Randomize" box below each Pokémon heading will completely randomize the game, while selecting only a few random options will create a more familiar experience. Most randomized aspects allow you to select additional traits. For example, if you choose to randomize the "Pokémon Base Statistics" section, you can still have the Pokemon progress along their evolution cycles by checking the "Follow Evolutions" box. Click Randomize (Save). It's in the upper-right side of the page. Doing so will bring up a save window. Save your ROM. To do so: Select a save location. Enter a file name. Click Save Click Yes when prompted. Play your randomized ROM. Once your randomized ROM is saved, you can play it like any other ROM file: Open your emulator. Click File Click Open Double-click your ROM. Understand how this method works. Pokémon generations 6 and 7 include games like X, Y, Sun, and Moon, all of which have been notoriously difficult to randomize. Luckily, you can use a randomizer called PK3DS and a tool called PackHack to randomize some aspects of these games. Unfortunately, the PK3DS randomizer is only available for Windows computers. Make sure that you have an emulator and a ROM. You'll need an emulator that is capable of playing 3DS games, such as Citra, and you'll need a 3DS ROM for your preferred Pokémon game to go along with your emulator. You can find torrents for 3DS ROMS, but most popular ROM sites don't carry 3DS ROM files that can be downloaded directly. Citra is a popular choice for a 3DS emulator: https://citra-emu.org/ Download the PK3DS randomizer. This randomizer can support most games from Pokémon generation 6 and some games from generation 7: Open the PS3DS download link on your computer. Click Log in as guest Click the Artifacts tab. Click Download all (.zip) Extract the PK3DS files. To do so: Right-click the downloaded ZIP folder. Click Extract All... Click Extract Double-click the pk3DS Build 337 ZIP folder. Click Extract at the top of the window. Click Extract all Click Extract when prompted. Download and install Pack Hack. This program is necessary in order to save your 3DS ROM as a new, randomized version: Go to https://github.com/Asia81/HackingToolkit9DS/releases in your computer's browser. Click PackEnglishV12.rar Extract the Pack Hack RAR file. Open the PackHack folder. Double-click the extracted PackEnglishV12 folder, double-click the only folder inside, and then double-click PackHack. Place your 3DS file inside of the PackHack folder. Copy the 3DS file by clicking it and pressing Ctrl + C , then press Ctrl + V while in the PackHack folder. Double-click SetupUS. It's in the PackHack folder. Doing so will prompt the 3DS file to begin extracting. Copy the entire folder's files. When the setup is done running, click one file, press Ctrl + A , and press Ctrl + C to copy everything that's in the PackHack folder. Paste the files into a new folder. Create a new folder in the same place as the extracted PackEnglishV12 folder (e.g., the Desktop), open the new folder, and press Ctrl + V. Open PD3DS. Double-click the pk3DS application file to do so. The PK3DS program window will open. If you see a pop-up window alerting you that PK3DS is an "unknown program", click More info , then click Run anyway at the bottom of the window. Click File. It's in the top-left corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear. Click Open. You'll see this option in the drop-down menu. Open the new folder that you just made. Double-click the new folder to do so. Select your ROM. Click the 3DS game here. Click OK or Open. Your selected ROM will open in the PK3DS emulator. Randomize your game. Once you've opened the 3DS ROM in PK3DS, you can randomize specific attributes for the game in question by selecting a tab at the top of the window (e.g., ExeFS ), selecting an attribute (e.g., Shiny Rate ), and modifying your preferred options in the resulting pop-up window. Leave PK3DS open when saving your file. You'll need to do a couple of things in order to save your 3DS file as a randomized game, so make sure that you don't close PK3DS during this time. Copy the new folder's extracted ROM folder. Open the folder that you created, click the ExtractedRomFS folder, and press Ctrl + C. Paste the file into the PackHack folder. Re-open the PackHack folder that's inside of the PackEnglishV12 folder, then press Ctrl + V and choose to replace the conflicting file name. Double-click the HackingToolkit option. It's in the PackHack folder. This will open a Command Prompt window. Rebuild the Pokémon 3DS file. Do the following in the Command Prompt window: Type d and press ↵ Enter Type in a unique, one-word name (no spaces) for your Pokemon ROM, then press ↵ Enter. Press any key when prompted. Play your randomized ROM. Once the rebuilding is complete, you can open the randomized 3DS file in your preferred emulator. | Make sure that you have a ROM and an emulator. Download the Universal Randomizer application. Install the Universal Randomizer application. Open Universal Randomizer. Click Open ROM. Select your ROM. Click Open. Randomize your preferred aspects of your ROM. Click Randomize (Save). Save your ROM. Play your randomized ROM. Understand how this method works. Make sure that you have an emulator and a ROM. Download the PK3DS randomizer. Extract the PK3DS files. Download and install Pack Hack. Open the PackHack folder. Place your 3DS file inside of the PackHack folder. Double-click SetupUS. Copy the entire folder's files. Paste the files into a new folder. Open PD3DS. Click File. Click Open. Open the new folder that you just made. Select your ROM. Click OK or Open. Randomize your game. Leave PK3DS open when saving your file. Copy the new folder's extracted ROM folder. Paste the file into the PackHack folder. Double-click the HackingToolkit option. Rebuild the Pokémon 3DS file. Play your randomized ROM. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Feeling-Hurt | How to Stop Feeling Hurt | To stop feeling hurt, the first thing you should do is acknowledge what hurt you and try to accept that it happened so you can grieve in a healthy way. Then, after you've given yourself time to feel hurt, try to move on by focusing on the good parts of your life, like your friends and family. You can also start feeling better by doing the things you love, whether it's reading, spending time in nature, or learning something new. | Acknowledge and accept what hurt you. Define your pain and label it for what it is instead of letting it define you. A major disappointment or an unexpected hurt can be hard to accept. It may be so painful that you can barely stand it. Still, acknowledging your pain can help you heal and move on. Take a few moments to just breathe and think about your feelings without trying to judge or analyze them. For example, you might think, “I'm feeling sad and angry because of my fight with Shirley.” Naming your feelings will allow you to separate those feelings from who you are as a person. Remind yourself that it's okay to feel however you feel—your negative emotions do not make you a bad person, a failure, or any less of a person. Don't try to ignore your emotions or deny what you are feeling. Ultimately, this will just make it harder to deal with them. Allow yourself to grieve. If you've experienced a major hurt, you may need time to feel sad, frustrated, confused, or angry. Depending on what happened, you may struggle with these feelings for months or even years. Remind yourself that it's normal to experience negative feelings after a loss or betrayal, and don't try to force yourself to get over it or move on before you're ready. When you're grieving, you may feel sad, angry, confused, hopeless, or even guilty about what you are feeling (or not feeling). You might also find yourself focusing or obsessing on the bad event. You will likely experience ups and downs, feeling much better one day and then worse again the next. If you feel like you can't cope with your grief or that it's making it hard for you to function from day to day, talk to your doctor or a counselor about what you're going through. Gain control of your emotions. You may not be able to ignore or change the emotions that you feel after being hurt, but there are ways to manage them. Emotions are an important part of being a human—they allow you to feel for yourself and others. Still, they can also take over your life if you let them. You can gain control of your emotions by trying a number of strategies: Try taking a positive action. If you are taking steps to fix the issue, your emotions won't be in the driver's seat—your practicality will be. For example, if you're upset because you got rejected for a job you wanted, spend some time brushing up your resume. Shift your focus away from what's bothering you. Distract yourself from what's wrong until you can gain some perspective. Go to the gym. Phone a light-hearted friend. Go pick up groceries or run errands. It's harder to feel down on yourself when you are making moves. Do some simple relaxation exercises if you're feeling tense or upset. For example, you might try some breathing exercises , yoga , or a little meditation. Perform a ritual to help you get closure. Just as every relationship or event has a start, they usually have a natural end. You can also help create an end through closure. Define the ritual ahead of time so you know when you have done what you needed to do to have closure. For example, if you feel hurt by someone's actions, you may get closure by confronting the wrongdoer and trying to forgive them. If you take this route, try not to blame the other person for what happened. Instead, simply express how you feel and explain how you want to move forward. Say something like, “I was really hurt by what you did. I need space to decide if I want to continue the relationship or not. I will contact you if I decide to.” Another possible strategy may be as simple as returning the property of an ex-spouse and saying a final goodbye. Give yourself time to get the task done, but not enough time to draw it out. Avoid dwelling on the past. Acknowledge the situation that caused your hurt and know that, as it ends, you are no longer obligated to feel sad about it. Do not let this situation become who you are—it's just something that happened to you. After you have accepted the reality of the hurt and tried to find closure, the next step is moving on. This means altering your thoughts so that you are not constantly dwelling on what happened. One way to avoid dwelling on the past is to learn from what happened and come up with a plan to prevent it from happening again. Brainstorm different ways you can improve your current situation or write down a list of lessons you learned from going through it. When you take action after a negative event, you empower yourself to move forward. Keep a journal or talk to someone you trust to help you get through your emotions. Appreciate the good in your life. Remember that regardless of what happened, you are not broken and there is nothing wrong with you. The situation may change the way you think for some time, but it does not change the fact that there is still good in your life. Reconnect with activities you enjoy and recognize any positive things happening in your life. Start a gratitude journal that focuses on the things that are going right in your life. Over time, you may find that you have much to be happy and thankful for. If you have any close friends or family members, or even a beloved pet, take time to connect with them and appreciate the positive difference they make in your life. Take time to appreciate even small things. For instance, maybe you had a particularly delicious cup of tea today, or saw a movie that you really enjoyed. Let go of the negative. Think positively. Recognize that filling your head with negative chatter can actually bring your whole life down. If you find yourself thinking negatively, catch yourself in the moment and try to attack the negative thought and switch it into a more positive or realistic statement. For example, challenge a negative thought, such as, “I will never know good wholesome people who aren't trying to manipulate me,” by thinking of any person you know who has shown kindness and trustworthiness. Once you identify at least one person who fits this positive category, you have attacked and invalidated the negative claim. Surround yourself with positive, happy people. People like your family, friends, a special someone, and many others can help renew your faith in humanity after being hurt. Be inspired by them to recover and eventually move on from that hurt feeling. If you don't have any close friends, try taking a class or joining a club for people who share your interests. These are great ways to meet new people and connect with activities that bring you joy. Find friends you can talk to and even turn the hurt into a testimony to share with others. You may be able to use what happened to you as a forewarning so that others may avoid the same issue. For example, you might say to a friend, "Hey, Samantha, can we talk? I wanted to tell you about something that happened to me..." Then, you might share your story. Ask for support by saying something like, "I could really use a hug right now." Take responsibility for your own actions and feelings. If you own your part in what happened to you, you have the opportunity to become empowered and find growth from the experience. This does not mean you have to take all the blame or feel ashamed of what happened. Instead, take an honest look at any mistakes you made or any lessons you may be able to take from the experience. You may find it freeing to know what you can change going forward to avoid the problem again. This is a way to take back your power and stop giving other people or your circumstances power over you. Share your story with someone you trust. Sometimes, being able to talk about something that hurt you can lessen the pain. Give yourself time and freedom to cry, laugh, and tell the stories you need to share. You may find things that seem like a huge problem suddenly aren't as bad when you share your experiences with friends. Feeling sad or in pain is not something you should hide from those around you. It's hard to get your needs met if you don't tell people you are close to that you need support. You might start by saying something like, "I have been meaning to tell you all about what I have been going through. You may not know it, but you have been a great source of support for me..." You can also attend a support group for people who have been through similar experiences and share your story with them. Take good care of yourself. It's hard to start feeling better emotionally if you're not caring for yourself physically. Even if you don't feel like doing anything, remind yourself to eat, sleep on a regular schedule, and get a little exercise. Make a commitment to support feeling better by taking care of yourself. Treating yourself with kindness when you've been hurt is an important part of the recovery process. Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet, perform at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, and sleep at least 7-9 hours each night. It may also help to engage in some self-care activities that help you reduce stress , like reading a book or playing fetch with your dog. Set personal boundaries for the future. If you've been hurt in a relationship, establishing clear boundaries can help prevent similar problems in the future. Come up with a list of basic needs and non-negotiables for your relationships to have on hand in the days to come. It is up to you to assert yourself and let others know what you expect from a friendship or relationship. This list can serve as a guide for the sort of interactions you want to have with others. If you ever feel like your needs are not being met based on the boundaries you've set, then you can head off issues before they spread into new hurts or betrayals. You might include guidelines such as not being in relationships with people who make you compromise your values, not dealing with people who abuse drugs or engage in criminal activity, or not putting undue effort into a one-sided relationship. Make sure you communicate your boundaries clearly with others, and also let them know what the consequences will be if they don't respect those boundaries. For example, “I love you, Mom, but I won't be able to visit for the holidays if you keep making comments about my weight.” | Acknowledge and accept what hurt you. Allow yourself to grieve. Gain control of your emotions. Perform a ritual to help you get closure. Avoid dwelling on the past. Appreciate the good in your life. Let go of the negative. Surround yourself with positive, happy people. Take responsibility for your own actions and feelings. Share your story with someone you trust. Take good care of yourself. Set personal boundaries for the future. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Canine-Coronavirus | How to Prevent Canine Coronavirus | The best way to prevent canine coronavirus is to get your dog vaccinated, which will involve getting 2 injections 3 weeks apart and then receiving a yearly booster injection. If you think your dog has already been exposed to the virus, you can clean surfaces with a household disinfectants to kill the virus. Additionally, make sure to pick up after your dog when it goes to the bathroom, then wash your hands, to prevent the virus from spreading. | Get your dog a vaccine. There is an effective vaccine against canine coronavirus. Because infection is not usually life-threatening, your vet may not consider coronavirus vaccination to be a core or essential vaccination. The need will be assessed on an individual basis. The vaccine is usually given on a risk assessment basis. The factors your vet will take into consideration are how many dogs your dog mixes with on a regular basis and the prevalence of coronavirus infection in your area. Your vet will also determine if your dog is in an at-risk group because of a health problem or their age. The vaccination involves two injections, three weeks apart, and a yearly booster injection. This vaccine can also be combined with other annual shots. The vaccine is most often given to dogs that mix with lots of others, such as show dogs, or those with general poor health. You might want to consider vaccination for puppies or elderly dogs. Use a household disinfectant. If one of your dogs has the coronavirus, or you think a kennel, grooming, or other area has been compromised, you can kill the virus with household disinfectants. Try Lysol or diluted bleach solutions. The virus can survive in the environment for six months and act as a reservoir of infection for dogs that come into contact with contamination. However, coronavirus is not a hardy virus and is readily destroyed by most household disinfectants Strong sunlight and lack of moisture will also help destroy the virus. To reduce the moisture in your home, use a dehumidifier. You should also make sure the area the dog is staying and the bedding remains dry. To increase sunlight, open all curtains and doors to allow the sun to shine inside. Take your dog's bedding outside and place it in the sun for a few hours. Pick up after your dog. When you take your dog into public areas, make sure to pick up after him when he goes to the bathroom. This not only helps reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, but also any other disease that is transmitted through feces. Make sure to pick up your dog's feces as soon as he goes to the bathroom. Diseases can be transmitted from feces to the soil and live there for months afterwards. The longer you leave feces on the ground, the more likely it will contaminate the soil, and therefore, other dogs. Wash your hands after handling your dog's feces or cleaning up urine. The virus can be transmitted through waste, so if your dog is shedding the virus still after he's been treating, you may reinfect him. Take caution where you exercise your dog. Since the coronavirus can be transmitted through bodily fluids, be careful where you take your dog to exercise. Don't walk or exercise your dog in an area heavily contaminated with dog feces, especially diarrhea. Be mindful of your dog on public trails, parks, or in dog parks. Keep him away from dog feces to reduce the risk of picking up an infection. Wash your hands before handling your puppy. Infected dogs can shed the virus for months after contracting and getting over coronavirus. Even if a dog is well, you can't rule out it being a health risk to your pet. If you have been handling someone else's dog, wash your hands after touching it and before handling your puppy. If your dog has had the coronavirus in the last few months, make sure to wash your hands before and after touching your dog or touching his water or food. This helps reduce the risk of accidentally transmitting any shedding virus. Avoid letting your dog interact with other dogs if he’s sick. Since coronavirus can be spread through respiratory aerosols, like coughs and sneezes, you shouldn't take your sick dog around other dogs. Keep him at home until he is well again so you prevent spreading the infection. Learn how to treat the virus. Most dogs will get over the coronavirus on their own without any medical treatment. If your dog gets the coronavirus, watch him closely. Make sure to keep him hydrated with plenty of fluids since dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting is one of the common side effects of the condition. Especially keep an eye on this condition if your dog is a puppy. If the symptoms are severe, or your dog gets dehydrated, you should take him to the vet. The vet can prescribe medication for secondary conditions that may accompany the coronavirus. Know that the coronavirus isn’t a fatal condition. In a dog that is in otherwise good health, coronavirus is more of an inconvenience than a life-threatening condition. Most dogs get symptoms, like being feverish and having diarrhea, for a few days, and then recover. As with most infections, if the patient has an underlying health condition which weakens her immune system, then coronavirus could be more dangerous because the dog is less able to fight off infection and complications are more likely. Younger and older dogs are more vulnerable to infection and complications because their immune systems are weaker. Speak to your vet about whether there have been coronavirus outbreaks in the area and whether a vaccination is advisable or not. Learn how the coronavirus is spread. The virus is highly infectious and easily passed between dogs. Most commonly, it is contracted through contact with infected feces from diarrhea or respiratory secretions, such as sneezing or coughing. Most dogs contract the coronavirus in places where they interact with other dogs or come into contact with dog feces, like in a kennel, groomers, dog park, breeders, or dog shows. Be aware of the symptoms. There are two types of coronavirus. Type 1 causes gastrointestinal signs, and Type 2 causes respiratory signs. The incubation period is one to four days. Typically, the dog will feel bad for several days and then start to recover. To help make sure your dog doesn't get the virus, you should know what symptoms to look for. Symptoms of the coronavirus infection include fever, reduced appetite, lack of energy, sickness, diarrhea, or a dry hacking cough. These are quite general signs so your vet will have you monitor the dog closely for signs of deterioration, in case the infection is actually something more serious such as parvovirus or distemper. | Get your dog a vaccine. Use a household disinfectant. Pick up after your dog. Take caution where you exercise your dog. Wash your hands before handling your puppy. Avoid letting your dog interact with other dogs if he’s sick. Learn how to treat the virus. Know that the coronavirus isn’t a fatal condition. Learn how the coronavirus is spread. Be aware of the symptoms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Scooter | How to Ride a Scooter | To learn how to ride a scooter, first find a smooth, paved surface you can practice on. Make sure it's in a low-traffic area, like an empty sidewalk or driveway. Wear a helmet in case you fall, and consider wearing knee and elbow pads for extra protection. Place your scooter on a flat surface and grip the handlebars. Then, place your non-dominant foot on the center of the deck pointing straight ahead, and leave your dominant foot on the ground. Your dominant foot is usually the foot you kick with. To start moving, push off of the ground with your dominant foot. Hold your dominant foot a few inches off the ground so you can catch yourself if you start to lose your balance. Push off with your dominant foot again to continue moving forward. Once you're comfortable balancing and you have enough momentum, place your dominant foot on the deck behind your other foot. To turn, slowly rotate the handlebars in the direction you want to go. Push off again with your dominant foot whenever you start to slow down. If you need to stop, gradually press down on the brake with your back foot. You can also drag your back foot lightly on the ground to slow yourself down. | Wear protective gear. Make sure to put on a bike helmet. Even though you may feel you don't need one, a helmet will keep you safe, especially when learning. It is also advisable to wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to protect you if you fall. Start on a flat, paved road. Find a long stretch of a flat road, with as few cracks and ruts as possible. This ensures a smooth ride and is easier to learn on. It will require less effort to move yourself forward too. Use a proper stance. Place your weak leg on the middle of the scooter's deck. It should be facing straight ahead. Your knee should be bent. Lean forward slightly and grip the handlebars with both hands. Keep your other foot on the ground. Keep the front tube (the front part of the scooter that supports the handlebars) straight at all times while riding unless you're doing a trick that requires otherwise. That's the key to balancing on a scooter. Push off the ground with your strong leg. While your planted leg is securely in place on the deck and bent at the knee, use your strong leg to push off of the ground. This will propel you forward. As you kick, straighten your planted leg to generate more momentum, then bend it back for your next kick. To kick, use long, powerful strides as opposed to small, quick ones. Make contact with the ground on the ball of your foot and push back almost like you would while running. To glide, keep your kicking foot up, maybe a few inches off the ground, so that you can stabilize yourself in case you start to tip. Balance both feet on your scooter when you have enough momentum. Once you have your balance and have picked up speed, move your kicking foot onto the scooter, behind your other foot. Turn your feet at a ninety-degree angle, similar to riding a skateboard. This will help you to travel at speed more aerodynamically. Brake smoothly when needed. To stop, hit your brake with your back (kicking) foot. Keep your foot there for a few seconds until you come to a complete stop. Press down on the brake gradually so that you don't stop too quickly. If you only tap the break, you'll stop for a second and keep going. To use handbrakes, simply squeeze on the brakes gradually with your fingers. They will be on your handlebar. To control your speed, don't rely on brakes alone. Be sure you aren't kicking too quickly. You can also drag your kicking foot lightly on the ground to slow down. Make sure you are wearing solid shoes when doing this. Rotate the handlebar to turn. Take a curve by slowly rotating the handlebar in the direction you wish to turn. If you make a sudden swerve, you may fall. Exercise safety precautions. Ride at a safe speed. Be aware of pedestrians, especially in urban areas. Make sure you are always in control of your scooter and able to stop when needed. Don't go at top speed down a hill, you will likely lose control. When going downhill, keep one foot on the brake and press it lightly as you go down. This will keep you from going too fast or losing control. Always yield to cars; pull over to the side of the road when you hear a car behind you. Make sure to obey stop signs and other traffic laws. If you're going to crash into something, just jump off your scooter. To do this, jump and land so that the scooter's deck is between your feet. Then let go of the handlebars. It's a surefire way to not get hurt in a scooter crash. Buy an electric scooter. A stand-up electric scooter will cost at least $1,000. The Uscooter costs $1,000, EcoReco's M5 costs $1,250, and Go-Ped's costs about $1,500. Scooters can be bought on Amazon or on each company's respective website. Charge your scooter. Make sure your scooter is fully charged ahead of time. By plugging it in once a week for a few hours, you should be good to go. Using the foot brake also recharges the UScooter. It has a regenerative braking system. Be aware of your scooter's limitations. The UScooter has a 21-mile range. Wear a helmet. Electric scooters can travel up to 18mph without any kicking required. Make sure to wear a helmet even if you already know how to ride a scooter. Place both feet on the deck. Your feet should both be planted on the deck and should not need to leave the deck unless you need to get off of the scooter. Place your feet next to each other, facing straight forward in the middle of the deck. When going at speed, you can angle your feet to the same side for a more aerodynamic stance. Accelerate with your right hand. Press the throttle button with your ride thumb to speed up. Continue to press the throttle to go as fast as you desire. Brake with your left hand. Press the brakes with your left thumb to gradually slow down. Use the foot brake at the back of your scooter as another way of slowing down. Simply press down on the brake by moving one foot towards the back of the scooter and keeping the other one planted in the front. Rotate the handlebars to turn. Be sure to make gradual turns or you will fall! Slowly rotate your handlebars to the right or left, depending on which direction you wish to turn. Fold up the scooter when it is not in use. Press your scooter's release button with your foot and fold the scooter in half until it clicks in place. Fold in the handlebars as well. Folding your scooter allows you to easily transport it and store it when you can't ride it. The UScooter has a red release button near its deck. Obey traffic laws. Make sure to stop at stop signs. Always yield to cars and pedestrians. Don't go at full speed on crowded sidewalks. Make sure it is legal to ride the scooter in your area. Laws are still being made about where you can and can't ride an electric scooter. To find out the laws for your area, check with your local DMV. Take a safety or training course. This will help you to learn the basics and get prepared to go out on the road. It will also train you on how to avoid problems and what to do in special or dangerous situations. You can find one at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or your local DMV. You could even get a discount on insurance by taking a safety course. Get a license. License requirements vary in each state. In general, if your scooter is over 50cc (which most scooters are), you will need a license. It generally entails getting a “motorcycle endorsement” on your regular driver's license. Go to your local DMV to get this taken care of. To get your license, you will need to take a written test. Your DMV can provide a motorcycle manual for you to study and prepare. If you don't have a driver's license, it can be more difficult to get a motorcycle license. But some states will allow you to get a license strictly for motorcycles. Check with your local DMV. Register your scooter. Many states require you to register your motor scooter, especially if it is above 50cc. This can also be done at your DVM. You will pay a small fee (around $30) and they will give you your paper registration and license plate. Get insurance. You will likely need basic liability insurance to legally operate your scooter. You can check with your DMV for your state's laws and requirements regarding insurance. You can get scooter insurance at most major insurance agencies, such as Esurance. Get a free scooter insurance quote at esurance.com/insurance/scooter. Obey motor scooter laws. Besides licensing, registration, and insurance, depending on the size of your scooter, there are some places where it will be allowed, and other places where it might not be allowed (such as taking a small scooter on a highway). It is important to know the laws in your area. Since laws vary across each state, make sure to find out your local laws at the DMV. Wear protective gear. Always wear a full-coverage helmet anytime you go on a motor scooter. This is the most important safety precaution you can take. Be sure that it has a visor to protect your eyes. If it doesn't, use goggles. Your eyes need to be protected when traveling at high speeds. Protect yourself by fully covering your body. Wear a thick jacket, such as one made of leather, and thick riding pants, which can be leather or a tough synthetic material. Always wear gloves, even if it is hot out. They will protect your hands and allow you to grip the controls easily. Wear sturdy boots that cover your ankles, preferable ones made of strong leather. The ankle is a very vulnerable area in case of a fall. Accelerate gradually. To speed up, simply twist the hand-grip throttle with your right hand. Twist the throttle away from you until you are at your desired speed. You will be able to go different speeds depending on the size of your motor scooter. A smaller scooter (125cc to 150cc) can travel 65mph. Brake with both hands. To brake on a motor scooter, press the hand brakes with both hands, similar to how you would on a bicycle. The right hand will usually control the front brake and the left hand will control the rear brake. Lean into your turns. When turning on a motor scooter, you must tilt the handlebar towards the side you wish to turn and actually lean your body in that direction. Your scooter should naturally lean in the direction that you are pressing the handlebar and it is important to get used to this. Practice turning slowly at first. As you increase the speed of your turns, you will also need to lean more. Practice in an empty parking lot. Getting comfortable on a motor scooter can take some time. Go to an empty parking lot and spend time driving your scooter around. Practice accelerating, braking and turning until you are comfortable doing so. Then try out your scooter on a slow street and gradually progress to higher speeds. Use caution on the road. Scooters are lightweight and not the most stable at high speeds. When going fast, use extreme caution. Always yield to cars. Keep in mind that there is nothing protecting you from the road should you fall. Always follow all motor scooter laws. To find out these laws, ask your local DMV. Keep in mind that driving laws for motor scooters are more similar to cars than bikes. If you are used to riding a bike, it might be difficult to break these instincts. Motor scooters are driven in the middle of the road and obey all traffic signals and signs just as you would in a car. | Wear protective gear. Start on a flat, paved road. Use a proper stance. Push off the ground with your strong leg. Balance both feet on your scooter when you have enough momentum. Brake smoothly when needed. Rotate the handlebar to turn. Exercise safety precautions. Buy an electric scooter. Charge your scooter. Wear a helmet. Place both feet on the deck. Accelerate with your right hand. Brake with your left hand. Rotate the handlebars to turn. Fold up the scooter when it is not in use. Obey traffic laws. Take a safety or training course. Get a license. Register your scooter. Get insurance. Obey motor scooter laws. Wear protective gear. Accelerate gradually. Brake with both hands. Lean into your turns. Practice in an empty parking lot. Use caution on the road. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Free-Food | How to Get Free Food | To start getting free food, check community bulletin boards for events that might offer food for free, like art shows. You can also find food by going to stores and browsing for free samples, or visiting restaurants at closing time and asking if the staff will give you leftover food. For regular meals, check out local charity organizations like churches for food banks and soup kitchens. | Visit restaurants at closing time. Most restaurants can't keep extra food after they close, so they trash all the food. If you ask nicely, some staff members will give you the food instead of throwing it away. Look for free events. Free art shows and small, local concerts often serve food. If you live near a university, check bulletin boards or online event calendars. There are almost always public events happening, and many of them serve food. A catered event for a private group might have extra food if you hang around near the end time. Many religious services offer free food to anyone who attends the service. Browse stores for free samples. Some stores offer free samples of their products each day, or offer coffee or snacks for customers. Learn which ones do in your area and visit regularly. It might not be much, but at least it's something. Some examples in the United States include Sam's Club, Costco, Trader Joe's, and BJ's. Larger stores are less likely to care if you eat extra samples or visit daily. Small stores often kick you out if you eat samples without buying anything. Keep an eye out for new stores. Newly opened grocery stores, supermarkets, and restaurants may offer giveaways to attract customers. Sometimes, even stores that don't sell food will have a catered event on the opening day. Dumpster dive. A few bakeries, stores, and restaurants have "food dumpsters" or "bread dumpsters" that they only use for food, making it easy to pick up a clean meal. Even if you have to root through trash, sealed packages of food (that don't require refrigeration) are almost always good the day of their expiration date or a short time afterward. Be cautious about discarded food that has not hit its expiration date, and does not have obvious physical damage. This may have been thrown out for health concerns. Bargain. If you bargain well enough, you might get free food. Talk to a cashier or waiter before you've eaten the food or opened the packaging. Find out about charity offers. The local government building may be able to tell you about local sources of free or very cheap meals. Some restaurants offer "pay what you want" meals, or special cheap meals for those in need. Soup kitchens and homeless shelters offer free meals, while food banks and community cupboards give away bags of kitchen ingredients. St. Vincent's is one free restaurant with locations across the US. Local churches and other religious buildings often host these giveaways or can direct you to local opportunities. Grow an edible garden. Don't hesitate to ask neighbors, friends, and garden store employees for advice when you start out gardening. Even if you do have to pay for the seeds, they often cost very little. Plant any fruit or vegetable suitable for the local climate, and eat them once they are completely grown. Grow square foot gardens if you don't have much space. Collect coupons or reward points. If you collect enough coupons, you might eventually get a free or cheap product. Most stores only allow one coupon per item, so you're better off looking for a reward program. Offer to work for food. Hotels are often in need of staff, and may offer a meal in exchange for a few hours of dish washing. Don't expect a swanky establishment to take you in without references, though. Ask the Department of Agriculture and ask about food giveaways. They usually happen twice per month in rural areas of the US. Some farmers will allow you to "glean" their fields after the harvest is completed. Usually 25% of the remaining product is still quite usable. Apply for restaurant jobs. Most restaurant staff get free food every day. Typically, you get a free meal during your break, and may be able to take home extra food at the end of the day. Volunteer for long-term programs. Humanitarian aid organizations often need volunteers, and will feed and house you if you're willing to spend a long time working abroad. The army is another option if you meet the physical fitness requirements. | Visit restaurants at closing time. Look for free events. Browse stores for free samples. Keep an eye out for new stores. Dumpster dive. Bargain. Find out about charity offers. Grow an edible garden. Collect coupons or reward points. Offer to work for food. Ask the Department of Agriculture and ask about food giveaways. Apply for restaurant jobs. Volunteer for long-term programs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Roast-Parsnips | How to Roast Parsnips | To roast parsnips, first preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Then, peel 2 pounds (1 kg) of parsnips and cut them into 2-inch (5-cm) pieces. Spread the pieces out in a single layer on 2 baking sheets, and drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil over them. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings, like oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Finally, toss the parsnips so they're evenly coated then cook them in the oven for 30 minutes. You'll know they're done when a knife easily pierces them. | Preheat your oven. Set it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Wash the parsnips. Rub them under running water to remove dirt. Cut off the root tip and leaves if they are still attached. Parboil if you prefer a soft texture. You can skip straight to roasting, but parboiling the parsnips first will help prevent dry or chewy parsnips. To parboil, put whole or halved parsnips in salted, boiling water and cook for 8 minutes or until slightly tender. Rinse with cold water until they stop steaming, then pat dry. This is more important for mature parsnips more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, which have a woody, fibrous core. If you do not plan on parboiling, cut out the cores from large parsnips and discard them. Parboiling the peel will loosen it and allow you to slide it off by hand. If you did not parboil, leave the peel intact, since the best flavor is right underneath it. Cut the parsnips into equal pieces. Cut the parsnips into 3 inch (7.5 cm) lengths. Cut pieces from the thicker end into quarters and the skinnier end into halves. Alternatively, cut into thick batons for a shorter cooking time. Toss with oil and seasoning. Drizzle the parsnips with olive oil or another vegetable oil. Toss well to coat using clean hands, until the parsnips are fully covered with a light layer of oil. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste, plus your favorite combination of savory herbs. Here are a couple ideas: Rosemary, thyme, and/or crushed garlic. A sprinkle of coriander and cumin. Spread the parsnips out in a roasting pan. If you are using raw parsnips, a layer of foil over the pan will help retain moisture and prevent dry, shriveled vegetables. There is no need for foil if you parboiled the parsnips. Roast until lightly browned. The parsnips are ready when they are browned or lightly caramelized in a few places, but not yet shriveled. This typically takes 45 minutes, or as little as 20 minutes if you parboiled the vegetables first. Check on them early, since cooking time varies with the size of your pieces. For more even browning, check on the parsnips after 10 or 20 minutes and flip pieces that are sticking to the pan. Serve immediately. Like potatoes, parsnips tend to have a dry texture that improves when paired with butter, cream, yogurt, or crème fraîche. Optionally, toss with fresh herbs that match your seasonings, such as chopped cilantro to go with coriander and cumin. You can keep the dish warm in an oven on a low setting until the rest of your dinner is prepared. Preheat your oven. Set it to 400ºF or 200ºC. Prep the parsnips. Rinse the parsnips and scrub away surface dirt. Trim both ends and chop into equal sized pieces. Remove the woody core from large, mature parsnips. Place the parsnips in a foil tray. The honey or maple syrup glaze will stick to the pan during cooking. It's easier to clean this off of a foil tray than a standard metal roasting pan. Toss in the other ingredients. Mix together roughly 1 part olive oil, 3 parts honey or maple syrup, and a little salt and pepper. (If you prefer exact amounts, measure 1 oz (30 mL) olive oil and 3.5 oz. (80ml) maple syrup or honey for each 2.5 lbs. (1kg) of parsnips.) Pour over the parsnips and toss until they are covered on all sides. If your honey is cloudy and semi-solid, warm it up until it is runny enough to pour. You can use fake maple syrup, but it may not give the same depth of flavor. Avoid sugar-free substitutes, since you need the sugar to caramelize the parsnips. Roast until tender and golden brown. Depending on the size of your pieces, this can take 20 to 40 minutes. Turn the pieces over once during cooking, once they have browned on one side. | Preheat your oven. Wash the parsnips. Parboil if you prefer a soft texture. Cut the parsnips into equal pieces. Toss with oil and seasoning. Spread the parsnips out in a roasting pan. Roast until lightly browned. Serve immediately. Preheat your oven. Prep the parsnips. Place the parsnips in a foil tray. Toss in the other ingredients. Roast until tender and golden brown. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Bill-for-the-United-States-Congress | How to Write a Bill for the United States Congress | Writing a bill for the United States Congress requires time and effort, but you don't need to be a politician or lawyer to do it. Choose a bill for something that's already in the media and getting people talking so you can easily gather the support you'll need. You should also speak to people in your community about the issue and research the current data and statistics online. Then, draft your bill, including your suggested rules, provisions, and exceptions. When you're finished, meet with your congressional representative, who can help you get publicity for your bill and put it before congress. | Look for a national need. When writing a bill for the U.S. Congress, you must understand that you are proposing a law that will take effect over the entire country. To generate the support that is needed in order to pass, you will need an issue that has nationwide appeal. Read national newspapers and watch national news broadcasts to find issues of wide interest and importance. Issues that affect everyone in everyday life are good candidates. For example, you might consider topics related to our national food supply, energy use, national security or other general topics of concern. Determine the needs of your local constituents. You must also realize that your local Representative or Senator will need to champion your cause and introduce your bill in Congress. Therefore, the topic must be something that generates strong enough local concern to catch the attention of your legislator. If you can generate strong local support, then you will be more likely to convince your legislator that the bill is important enough to introduce into Congress. For example, if your state has a major fishing industry, a law that limits pleasure boats in designated fishing waters would probably be supported by many residents of your state. Consider setting up an online petition or survey tool to measure public opinion on your question. Select a topic that you are passionate about. To do the job well, you will be devoting many hours to research, writing and lobbying on your bill. Select a topic that you believe in entirely. Your passion for the subject will carry through to your writing and will help generate support among other people. You may also base the bill on your own personal experience or expertise. For example, if you are the parent of a special needs student, research special education laws, then draft a bill that enhances the required services for such students. Gather data about the topic. You are going to need to know everything you can about the topic before you can present a bill to Congress. Use any available resources that you can to learn about the issue. Research the problem, as you see it currently, and gather data and statistics. Investigate possible solutions and try to determine what costs would be associated with the solution that you are proposing. Start your research with a reference librarian at your public library. From there, you can investigate specialized sources of information, visit law libraries, or speak with experts in the field. Speak with community members. Part of your research can be in the form of public opinion. As you learn more about the topic, you should try to find out how much of the general public identifies the same issues and concerns that you have. Any of the following can be useful ways to gather public opinion and support: Conduct informal gatherings of neighbors. Organize a small town meeting at a community center, church or library meeting room. Ask to speak at meetings of your local school PTA, civic organizations, chamber of commerce or other organized groups. Use social media to gather public opinions. Start a campaign on Facebook or Twitter. These are increasingly powerful tools for sharing your views with a nationwide audience. You can also use online petition tools to gather support. If you craft a well-worded online petition , you can get people to “e-sign” it and demonstrate that they hold the same beliefs you do. For example, the Attorney General of Massachusetts initiated a social media campaign to gain support for legislation that was being proposed for a law in that state. Gather data from your online presence, such as the number of signatures on your petition or the number of followers or likes that you get on social media. This data can help generate support among legislators. Talk with legislators. If possible, try to arrange an early meeting with your Congressional representatives. Even if your bill is not yet written, it can be a powerful beginning to discuss the topic with your elected official. If you can judge your representative's level of interest, you may gain some insight into the way to write your bill. For example, if you want to propose gun control legislation, but your representative is opposed to gun control, consider tailoring your bill to be more moderate. This may build stronger support for it. Study current bills on similar topics. It can be helpful to understand how other bills before Congress are currently being treated. You don't want to draft a bill that is very similar to something already exists. You can find out what topics gain attention and what topics to avoid. Some sources for such research include: Congress.gov is a free, publicly accessible database. It has information about committee debates, bills currently before Congress, and upcoming hearing schedules. You can find this information at www.congress.gov. National Journal is a source that provides current research and information on a wide range of political topics in and around Washington, D.C. You can find the access to the National Journal at www.nationaljournal.com. Identify your bill by a strong title. The title is the first part of your bill that will catch people's attention and immediately begin to generate interest. If you construct a positively worded title, you can build support before people even get to the text of it. For example, a bill titled “A Bill in Favor of Increased Gun Control” may turn away many people. In contrast, the same issue presented as “A Bill to Improve Safety in Public Places” may garner more positive support. Provide an introduction that states the purpose of your bill. In a brief statement, explain the objective of the law you propose. Other legislators who are considering your proposal will need to be able to read this one statement and envision voting for it. For example, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 gave as its purpose: “The purpose and intent of this title are to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.” Explain the bill’s eligibility or exceptions. The next section of your bill should identify the individuals for whom the bill is intended, or for whom it is not intended. You will need to define the people who are covered by the proposed legislation. For example, a bill to propose a national minimum wage salary might state that it applies to “all workers who are legally employed within the United States, who have a valid permit to work in the United States, and who have not been convicted of any drug-related offense within the past six months.” Alternatively, you could define the bill's application with a statement of exception, and define those who aren't covered by the proposed legislation. For example, a gun control bill might state, “The requirements of this legislation do not apply to members of any local, state or federal law enforcement agency.” Provide definitions. Any terms that you include in your bill that will have a particular meaning should be listed and defined in this section. Even if you think that a term is self-explanatory, you should list it and give its definition. The definition section is also the place where you can include such restrictions as age, nationality, residence requirements and so on. For example, it is not unusual for a word as common as “individual” to be defined, particularly if an “individual” might include not only living people but also corporations, partnerships or other legal entities. State the rules and other provisions. This is the real heart of the bill. This is the section that provides the requirements that you wish to propose. In this section you need to make your statements as clear and concise as possible, so there can be no confusion or misunderstanding about your intentions. Much of the debate that occurs with regard to a bill centers on this section. The length and organization of this section will depend on the complexity of your issue. A simple bill may be as brief as one sentence long. A more complex bill may need to be broken into sections and subsections. Plan the organization of your bill. Each main requirement should be written as a separate section and should be introduced using the labels "Section One," "Section Two," and so on. More specific, defining statements should be inserted as subsections. Provide the bill’s effective date. Many laws do not become immediately effective upon passing and being signed by the President. In many cases, you need to allow some time for transition and preparation before a new idea becomes a requirement. For example, if you're proposing a change to the national minimum wage, requiring the change to take immediate effect would cause chaos for many businesses, who would need to make changes to payroll systems and budgets and determine how the new wage would change their workforce. It's common for a bill to include a section that says, “This legislation becomes effective six months after the date of enactment.” If no effective date is provided, then the bill becomes effective immediately upon being signed by the President. Address issues of funding. It is generally understood that a bill that requires some act by the government will cost money. However, it is not appropriate for the bill itself to include its own budget. Budgeting the government is an entirely separate task. It is appropriate, however, for your bill to include language that might limit funding, either to a number of years or a specified amount of money. As an example, your bill might include an appropriations section that says, “Congress shall appropriate such funds as necessary for up to ten years from the date of enactment of this legislation.” This would limit funding for ten years, unless Congress takes additional action within that time to extend the provision. Contact your Congressional representative. You need to get the attention of your legislator for your bill to get to Congress. The first step is to reach out to your Representative or Senator to discuss the issue. You can find contact information for all federal elected representatives at the government site www.USA.gov/elected-officials. Follow the link to “Contact federal elected officials” to find your own Representative or Senator. The link will lead you to the legislators' Washington, D.C., addresses and official email addresses. Legislators also have local, in-state offices. For this information, search directly for your legislator's name, or check your state's official government website. Some representatives conduct open office hours specifically to meet constituents. If that is not available, contact your legislator's office and schedule a meeting. You may need to meet or speak with an aide first, however. Present the need for your bill. When you can schedule a meeting, whether with your legislator or an aide, you should be ready with a brief presentation. You will need to convince your legislator that your bill is one that deserves to become a federal law. You should be prepared to discuss your research, any data you have collected, and the drafting that you have already put into preparing the bill. Understand that members of Congress and their staff have many demands on their time. You should present your information as concisely as possible, and then offer more detail if the legislator wishes to review it. Be prepared for a long wait. After you get the bill that you have drafted into the hands of your Representative or Senator, the process for that bill to become a law is really only just beginning. The legislator will have to introduce the bill in Congress, where it will be discussed, debated, transferred to one or more committees, reviewed in more detail, edited, and eventually voted on. This is a very long process. | Look for a national need. Determine the needs of your local constituents. Select a topic that you are passionate about. Gather data about the topic. Speak with community members. Use social media to gather public opinions. Talk with legislators. Study current bills on similar topics. Identify your bill by a strong title. Provide an introduction that states the purpose of your bill. Explain the bill’s eligibility or exceptions. Provide definitions. State the rules and other provisions. Provide the bill’s effective date. Address issues of funding. Contact your Congressional representative. Present the need for your bill. Be prepared for a long wait. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sell-Bitcoins | How to Sell Bitcoins | To sell bitcoins using an exchange platform, start by choosing a reputable site, such as the one you purchased your bitcoins through or a platform listed on their website. Next, register or log into the platform, and link your online bitcoin wallet and bank account to your profile. Then, create a listing and wait for an email notification when someone makes an offer. Once you accept the bid, expect to wait several days in order to receive your payment. | Choose a Bitcoin exchange platform. Bitcoin exchange websites act as a middleman by selling your Bitcoin for you. These platforms will list your bitcoin with your asking price, connect you with interested parties, and facilitate the sale. View a list of exchange platforms available in your country by visiting the Bitcoin website at https://www.bitcoin.com/buy-bitcoin. You may also opt to sell your bitcoin through the same platform that you bought it. To avoid scams and fraud, choose an exchange platform that is listed on the Bitcoin website and steer clear of others. As a general rule, the transaction fees charged by each platform are usually around 1%. Register or sign into the platform. If you plan to use a new platform to sell your bitcoin, follow the site's instructions to register for an account. This process will vary from platform to platform. Due to anti-money-laundering laws, you will likely be asked to provide a proof of address or a photo of an official ID card. A valid proof of address could include a bill for household utilities. If you are using a platform you are already registered with, sign in to your account as usual. Link to your online bitcoin wallet and bank account. Bitcoin wallets create a digital address through which you can send or receive money. Use the address of your external bitcoin wallet to transfer bitcoins to a new wallet on the platform. Link to your bank account by providing information as prompted, notably the bank transit number and account number. Create a listing for the bitcoin you want to sell. Select your wallet and enter the amount of bitcoin you wish to sell. Select your bank account to indicate where the payment should go. Funds will be transferred to your account once the transaction is complete. Read over and confirm this information before placing the listing. While most platforms only allow you to receive payment to your bank account, some sites will also allow you to receive payment through sites like Paypal. Review and approve an offer and wait several days to receive your payment. Once someone places an offer for your bitcoins, an email alert will be sent to you. Review the offer and click "accept" if you are happy with the deal. You should expect this transfer of funds to take several days at least, depending on how busy the exchange site is and how long security checks take. In your account activity, the transaction should be marked as "pending." Arrange a sale with friends or family for a simple exchange. Work out an agreement with a friend or relative to transfer them bitcoin in exchange for an interac money transfer, cash payment, or check. Send bitcoin through your exchange platform of choice by selecting "send" and typing in their email address or Bitcoin address. Ensure that they have received your transfer and are able to deposit the funds into their Bitcoin wallet. The individual must have their own bitcoin wallet set up before the transfer can occur. They should receive a notification of the transfer in their email that will ask them to sign into their wallet to claim the bitcoin payment. Use a direct trading website to cut out the middleman. Direct trading sites for bitcoin operate in a similar way to exchange platforms, but without the third party facilitating. Search for direct trading sites online, and select one with positive reviews. List your bitcoin on the site and review offers from potential buyers. The buyer you approve will deposit money in your account via e-transfer, and once you see proof of payment, you can send bitcoin directly from your wallet to theirs. This method is less secure than exchange platforms, but it is faster and does not involve any transaction fees. Opt for a well-established site like LocalBitcoins or Paxful for a more reliable transaction. Buy gift cards with your bitcoin online. While it is not a traditional sale, exchanging bitcoin for gift cards will allow you to unload your cryptocurrency in return for a balance to spend at a business of your choice. Choose a gift card exchange website that is well-established and accepts bitcoin. Register on the site and browse through their selection of gift cards to see what is available. Read reviews of gift card exchange websites online to find a reliable one. Some sites will offer gift cards for other online selling forums like Ebay and Amazon. Locate a bitcoin ATM near you. There are bitcoin ATMs located in cities all over the world, and they are growing in number. Out of these ATMs, only about 40% allow users to sell coins for cash. Search for machines with this feature by browsing the bitcoin ATM map at https://coinatmradar.com/bitcoin-atm-near-me/. The majority of bitcoin ATMs are for purchasing cryptocurrency only. Listings for Bitcoin ATMs indicate the type of machine at each location as well as the current active fees and rates. Look up the specific machine you will be using online to get directions for exactly how to use it. This will vary considerably between models and operators. Find a local bitcoin meetup to sell to a bitcoin enthusiast. Bitcoin meetups are small gatherings that bring together like-minded individuals with an interest in digital currency. Participants can discuss bitcoin and arrange transactions amongst each other if they wish. Search online for local bitcoin meetups to network with other bitcoin enthusiasts and sell bitcoin to any interested parties. For instance, search social media platforms like Meetup for bitcoins meetings in your city. Meetups are a good opportunity to get to know potential buyers before proceeding with any bitcoin transactions. Conduct the transactions through your chosen exchange platform by transferring the bitcoin and getting a payment through the site, or by interac money transfer, cash payment, or check. Avoid meeting anonymous buyers in person to sell bitcoin. Using online classified ads to meet strangers for a bitcoin exchange could leave you vulnerable to robbery or attack. Avoid setting up an in-person bitcoin sale with anyone you haven't met before. Meet any prospective buyers in safe, group settings only, preferably through reputable bitcoin sites or interest groups. | Choose a Bitcoin exchange platform. Register or sign into the platform. Link to your online bitcoin wallet and bank account. Create a listing for the bitcoin you want to sell. Review and approve an offer and wait several days to receive your payment. Arrange a sale with friends or family for a simple exchange. Use a direct trading website to cut out the middleman. Buy gift cards with your bitcoin online. Locate a bitcoin ATM near you. Find a local bitcoin meetup to sell to a bitcoin enthusiast. Avoid meeting anonymous buyers in person to sell bitcoin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Cut-on-Your-Tongue | How to Heal a Cut on Your Tongue | To heal a cut on your tongue, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water for a few seconds to clear away any blood and debris around your tongue. If the cut it still bleeding, apply light pressure with a clean bandage or piece of gauze until it stops. Alternatively, wrap an ice cube in a cloth and hold it against your cut, which will help constrict the blood vessels and stop it from bleeding. Once your tongue has stopped bleeding, rinse your mouth with a non-alcoholic mouthwash twice a day to get rid of any bacteria. You can also gargle with salt water twice a day, since salt is a natural antiseptic. | Wash your hands. Wet your hands with warm or cold running water. Lather your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Rinse off the soap thoroughly and dry your hands with a clean towel. This can prevent infections in your mouth. Use a hand sanitizer if running water and soap aren't available. Put on a pair of latex gloves. If they're available, put on a pair of latex gloves. You can often find them in first-aid kits. This can prevent the cut on your tongue from becoming infected. If you don't have gloves, make sure your hands are thoroughly washed before putting them in your mouth. Rinse your mouth. Gargle some lukewarm water for several seconds. Focus your rinsing on your tongue. This can clear away blood and any possible debris in or on your tongue. Avoid removing anything that is stuck in the cut, such as a fish bone or a piece of glass. Instead, stop rinsing immediately, cover the cut with a piece of wet gauze, and seek medical attention. Apply light pressure with a clean bandage. Use a piece of clean gauze or a clean towel and put gentle pressure on the cut. Don't remove it until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding doesn't stop, continue to place new gauze or towels on the cut until it stops or you can get medical attention. Don't throw used bandages or gauze away if you're planning on seeing a doctor. Keep them in a plastic bag and take them to the doctor's office; they will show the doctor how much blood you've lost. Put an ice cube on the cut. Wrap an ice cube in a cloth. Place it on the cut and hold it there for a few seconds. This can constrict blood vessels and stop the bleeding. It can also ease any pain or discomfort you have. Remove the ice cube if it is very painful or gets too cold. This can prevent burns on your tongue. Seek emergency medical attention if necessary. You should see a doctor if your tongue doesn't heal on its own, but more pressingly, get emergency medical care if the cut is extremely severe or if you think you may be in shock. It may also help to wrap yourself in warm blankets it you're experiencing shock. If you have any of the following symptoms related to a cut on your tongue, it's time to head to the ER: Uncontrolled bleeding Cut across the edge of the tongue Gaping wound Shock Debris in the cut Pale, cold, or clammy skin Fast or shallow breathing Rinse with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Use a non-alcoholic mouthwash, such as children's mouthwash, twice a day. Concentrate the gargling on your tongue. This can kill bacteria, prevent infection, and promote healing. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol. They can cause pain and discomfort on your tongue. Gargle salt water. Salt is a natural antiseptic that can kill bacteria. Mix one teaspoon salt with warm water and gargle it twice a day. This can promote healing and may soothe any discomfort on your tongue. Use a medical saline solution if you prefer this to salt water. Dab on aloe vera gel. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel directly on the cut and surrounding skin. This can quickly soothe any pain or discomfort you may have. Aloe vera can also help your tongue heal more quickly. Incorporate foods high in vitamin C. Soft foods high in vitamin C can promote healing of your tongue cut. Add the following to your diet to speed healing without increasing any discomfort : Mangoes Grapes Blueberries Eat a soft diet. During the healing process, eat foods that are soft. This can minimize pain and promote the healing process. You can temporarily switch to baby food, break down regular foods in a blender, or simply choose to eat softer foods. Some examples of soft foods that may help healing and reduce discomfort include: Eggs Ground and tender cuts of meats Creamy nut butters Canned or cooked fruit Steamed or well-cooked vegetables Rice Pasta Avoid irritating foods and beverages. Salty, spicy, and dry foods can make the pain from a cut on your tongue even worse. Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can also increase your discomfort. Staying away from these foods and beverages can promote healing and ease pain. Drink plenty of water. Dry mouth can make any pain or discomfort on your tongue worse. Drinking a lot of fluids throughout the day can minimize pain and promote healing. It can also prevent unpleasant mouth odor. Drink warm water with a few drops of lemon or lime if this is more comfortable. Take a pain reliever. You may have discomfort or swelling on your tongue. Taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can ease your pain and minimize swelling. Follow dosing instruction given by your doctor or on the packaging. | Wash your hands. Put on a pair of latex gloves. Rinse your mouth. Apply light pressure with a clean bandage. Put an ice cube on the cut. Seek emergency medical attention if necessary. Rinse with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Gargle salt water. Dab on aloe vera gel. Incorporate foods high in vitamin C. Eat a soft diet. Avoid irritating foods and beverages. Drink plenty of water. Take a pain reliever. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Myofascial-Release-Self-Massage-for-Shinsplints | How to Do a Myofascial Release Self Massage for Shinsplints | To do a myofascial release self-massage for shin splints, select a foam roller or tennis ball to apply firm pressure to the myofacia, or membranes, under the muscles. Then, put on a pair of shorts or capris that exposes your lower leg, and get down on a firm surface. Next, place the roller or ball under your shin muscles and move your leg back and forth so you can feel sustained pressure over the sore area. After massaging your leg for 15 to 20 minutes, apply an ice pack or something cold to your shins for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce any inflammation. | Identify what muscle(s) is involved. Shin splint pain is often deep and achy, and generated from the outside (lateral) mid-part of your tibialis anterior muscle, the main muscle next to your shinbone. Sometimes the tibial periosteum (the thin sheath of tissue that wraps around the shinbone) is also inflamed and painful. Typically, only one leg is involved and it's usually your most dominant one — the one you'd kick a ball with. Feel around the mid-section of the muscle next to your shinbone for pain or tenderness. A shin splint is usually most tender roughly half-way between your knee and ankle joints. Be aware that you may come into contact with a trigger point, or more commonly known as a muscle knot. Pressing on a trigger point can lead to local tenderness, referred pain and a "twitch" response. Referred pain can sometimes be felt into the big toe when pressing into this area. Typically there's only one tender and inflamed area, but you may find a couple different ones. Once you've identified the area, you'll know where to focus on with the myofascial release technique. Select a foam roller or tennis ball. Myofascial release is a deep tissue massage technique usually done with a firm foam roller or small ball, such as a tennis ball. The technique focuses on relieving pain thought to arise from the myofascia, which are the tough membranes that wrap, connect and support your muscles. The membranous junctions are a little deeper under the skin, so myofascial release requires firm pressure to be able to impact them. Select a firm piece of foam roll, between 2–4 inches in diameter. It doesn't need to be any longer than 6 inches. The long ones are commonly used for yoga and are widely available in sporting good stores. Select the firmest type of tennis ball you can. Some hard rubber balls might be effective also, but make sure they're not much bigger than a tennis ball. Try a lacrosse ball. Professional massage therapists, chiropractors and physical therapists often use their thumbs or elbows to do myofascial release, but for self-treatment, foam rollers and tennis balls are more convenient and prevent a potential thumb sprain. Get down on all fours on a firm surface. Find a firm carpeted surface (or you can lay a yoga mat down on wood or tile floors) and descend to your hands and knees. You could sit in a chair and push the foam roller or tennis ball into your sore shin muscles, but working with gravity and using your body weight is easier. The idea is to roll your shin over the foam/ball, instead of rolling the foam/ball over your leg. A hard tiled or wood floor is fine to use, but if may cause some discomfort in your knees as you kneel on it. Any padding you use is for the comfort of your knees, not effectiveness of the treatment. Before you kneel down, change into something that exposes your lower leg below your knee, such as a pair of shorts or Capri pants. Place the roller or tennis ball underneath your shin muscles. Once you're on your hands and knees, bend the sore leg with the shinsplints at the hip and knee and position the front of your shin onto your foam roller or tennis ball, which should be lying on the floor. For best balance, extend your other leg behind your (with your toes on the floor) and place both hands about 1–2 feet away from your bent knee and slightly ahead of it. In this position, you're initially supporting your body weight with your arms, but then once balanced, let your entire body weight push against the roller or ball. Once your entire body weight is balanced over the roller/ball, only your fingertips and toes of your other leg should be touching the floor. Wear some flexible rubber-soled shoes for best support and traction on the floor. Move your leg back and forth with sustained pressure. As your entire body weight is balanced over the roller/ball, rock yourself back and forth so that you can feel sustained pressure over the sore area of your shin. Any type of deep tissue massage, including myofascial release, can be a little painful, but this is where the old adage "no pain, no gain" applies. The focused, continual pressure and stretching caused by this therapy loosens up restricted and tight fascia and other tissues, which often leads indirectly to reduced pain and increased mobility in the muscle fibers. Use your finger tips and toes to rock your body back and forth over the foam roller or tennis ball — maybe a little side-to-side motion will help too. If you find that the motion is too painful, move away to an area that is less tender and hold that position for 30 to 60 seconds. Then slowly edge your way to the area of pain. Keep the pressure over the roller or ball for about three minutes at a time, then take a five minute break and continue a few more times. Follow this routine on a daily basis. Deep tissue massage can release inflammatory by-products and lactic acid into your bloodstream, so always drink plenty of water immediately following any self-treatment to flush them out of your body. Apply some ice afterwards. After the myofascial self-treatment, which may take upwards of 20 minutes, put some crushed ice or something cold over your tender shin muscles for about 10–15 minutes. Ice therapy is great for numbing musculoskeletal pain and reducing inflammation because it restricts local blood flow. If you don't have crushed ice, consider using ice cubes, a cold gel pack or a small bag of frozen veggies from the freezer. You can also freeze water in a paper cup, then peel off the paper around the lip of the cup and roll/slide the ice over your shins. To protect your skin from frostbite or irritation, always wrap ice in a thin towel or cloth before applying it. Wrap the ice therapy tightly against your shin with a tensor bandage for best results. Without combating the inflammation and tenderness with ice therapy each time, you may find the following day's myofascial session too difficult to do because of pain. Change up your running routine. Shinsplints are often caused by either running (or walking) too much up hills, or on uneven terrain, or on particularly hard surfaces — such as asphalt or concrete. Therefore, alter your course and change the type of surface you run or walk on a regulate basis (every week). For example, switch sometimes to more forgiving terrain, such as grass, sand or a rubberized athletic track. If you run on a track, don't always run in the same direction. This can put an imbalance of forces on your lower legs. Make sure you change the direction in which you run on a regular basis. Alternatively, you might also need to reduce your mileage and the number of times you workout per week. Consider cross training. Mix in entirely different exercises in order to stay fit, but reduce the strain on your shin muscles. Swimming, cycling and rowing are good alternatives and also great at burning calories and maintaining a healthy weight. Lose weight if you're too heavy. Losing weight (if you're heavy) can help prevent shinsplints from developing because you'll put less pressure on the bones and muscles of your lower legs when walking and running. Weight loss is best achieved by a combination of regular exercise and eating sensibly (consuming less calories). For most overweight women, consuming less than 2,000 calories per day will lead to 1–2 pounds every week even if you're only a light exerciser. Most heavy men will lose a similar amount of weight at under 2,200 calories daily. Focus on better nutrition. Switch to lean meats and fish, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fresh fruits and veggies and lots of water for the results. Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks, particularly soda pop. Many overweight and obese people get flat feet and tend to over-pronate their ankles (they collapse and roll in), which are significant risk factors for developing shinsplints. Buy different shoes. Poorly fitting shoes or ones that are really heavy can also trigger the development of shinsplints. The tibialis anterior muscles work to raise your toes while walking, so if your shoes don't fit or are heavy, the muscles can get strained. Therefore, wear stable, supportive lightweight shoes that suit your sport or activity. Aim for no more than a 1/2 inch heel. If you're a serious jogger, replace your running shoes every 350 to 500 miles or after three months, whichever comes first. Get fitted by a shoe salesman later in the day because that's when your feet are at their largest, usually due to swelling and slight compression of your arches. Get an evaluation done at a reputable running store if you're a serious jogger. You may be asked to run over a force plate that's hooked up to a computer, or get video taped while you're running as part of the assessment. Remember to tie your footwear tightly, because loose shoes or flip-flops put more strain / stress on your foot and lower leg muscles. If you are an over-pronator, look into getting supports (orthotics) for the soles of your shoes. Stretch your lower leg muscles. Stretching muscles of your lower leg (both front and back) can help prevent shinsplints. If you have shin pain, gently stretch your calves (and Achilles tendons) by wrapping a towel around your toes and then trying to slowly extend your leg while holding on to the ends of the towel. In addition, gently stretch the tibialis anterior muscle by kneeling on a padded floor with your feet together and toes pointed back, then slowly sit back onto your calves until you feel tension in the muscles of your shin. Hold each type of stretch for 20–30 seconds at a time, then relax and repeat three to five times per day or as needed. Alternatively, while in a sitting position with your sore leg in the air, try tracing the letters of the alphabet with your toes. This is a good exercise that stretches and loosens up all the muscles of your lower leg. Focus on these stretches before running, jogging or going for long walks. It will help warm up the muscles and prevent shinsplints from flaring up. Strengthen muscles associated with shin splints. The best strengthening exercises to perform when you have shin splints is calf raises and hip abductor strengthening. Research has shown that these are the most effective strengthening exercises for shin splints and preventing shin splints. | Identify what muscle(s) is involved. Select a foam roller or tennis ball. Get down on all fours on a firm surface. Place the roller or tennis ball underneath your shin muscles. Move your leg back and forth with sustained pressure. Apply some ice afterwards. Change up your running routine. Lose weight if you're too heavy. Buy different shoes. Stretch your lower leg muscles. Strengthen muscles associated with shin splints. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Straw-Hats | How to Clean Straw Hats | The easiest way to clean a straw hat is to brush away any dirt or dust on it with a soft bristle brush. Alternatively, if you need to wash dirt off your hat, spray a solution of dish soap and hot water onto a cloth, then rub your hat in a circular motion. Next, put the hat in a cool place to dry. If you need to get rid of an oil stain, put some talcum powder on the affected area, leave it to soak up the oil for an hour, and remove the powder with a brush. You can remove sweat stains by wiping the area with a damp cloth. | Make sure it can be cleaned. Look to see if the hat has a label of some sort. You might be able to find this under the brim. Once you find it, see if your hat is made up of baku, shantung, or any other material that can be washed with water. It is possible to have a straw hat that cannot be hand-washed. This probably will not be the case. Remove any extras. Sometimes straw hats will have bands, ribbons, or other decorative pieces on them. If possible, you will want to remove these extra pieces. Don't do this if the decorations are interwoven into the hat! Cleaning the ribbon isn't difficult! You can dust and hand-wash it. Use a brush to lightly dust away anything that has ended up on the cloth. Also, you can spot clean the ribbon with a wet cloth. After you clean or dust the ribbon, you should use a small amount of steam to freshen it up. You might also try using an iron on a medium setting to go over the ribbon. Brush the hat. The hat will probably have excess dirt and dust on it. So, you should use a soft bristle brush to scrub that dust and dirt away. You can generally find these at hardware and beauty supply stores. Gently brush the grime off. You don't want to be too rough, because you can end up harming the fabric of the hat. Vacuum an extremely dusty hat. For an incredibly dusty hat, you may need an extreme solution. You can try placing netting or pantyhose over a vacuum brush, then using a vacuum on the hat. Again, this should only be used in extreme cases. Clean the hat with a peroxide solution. Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a bowl or bottle. Then, you should either spray a soft cleaning cloth with the bottle, or dip a cloth in the bowl. Don't use a colored cloth because its dye will bleed into your hat. Test a small area of the hat with the solution to make sure it does not damage the hat. Once this has been verified, begin wiping the hat with the cloth. Swipe off as much dirt and grime as possible. Make sure that your cloth is damp, but not soaked. You don't want to get your hat extremely wet. Clean the hat with soap solution. Combine a tablespoon of dish soap with a cup of hot water in a bowl or bottle. As you did before, dip your cloth in the bowl or spray your cloth with the bottle. Again, verify that the solution will not ruin your hat by placing a small amount on your hat. Rub the cloth in a circular motion to remove the dirt. Rinse and dry the hat. While most straw hats should not be rinsed, this is a good option if the hat's label clearly says that it is OK to submerge it in water. Fill a bowl with warm water. Dip a cloth in the bowl, take it out, and run it over the entire hat. Put the hat in a cool place, preferably under a shadow, to let it dry. If your hat's brim is curved, do not lay it on a flat surface. Remove oil stains. Pour a small amount of talcum powder on the stained spot. Wait for an hour or two for the powder to soak up the oil. Use a vacuum or brush to remove the powder. Remove sweat stains. Whenever you sweat, you should immediate wipe the area with a damp white cloth. This will keep the salt from your perspiration from seeping into your hat. On dark straw hats, you should use ammonia to get rid of these stains. Mix half a teaspoon of ammonia with half a teaspoon of water in a bowl. Then, dip a small brush into the water mixture and use it to go over the stained area. With a light straw hat, you can use a hydrogen peroxide and water mixture. Combine a half teaspoon of each in a bowl. Just take a brush, dip it in the mixture, and lightly scrub the sweat-stained area. Wait for the area to dry before wearing the hat again. Remove scuffs. Using an art gum eraser, lightly rub scuffed spots. The gum should make the scuffs disappear. Keep your hat dry. Straw hats can seem more durable than they actually are. However, wetness and dampness can misshape the hat. This means that when your hat gets wet, you should attempt to dry it as quickly as possible. Try to put water repellent on your hat every now and then. Not only will this keep your hat safe from water damage, but it will protect it from stains as well. When you're not wearing your hat, place it in a dark, dry area. Put a hat with a curved brim on a mannequin head to keep its shape. You can also simply the tilt the hat upside down and store it in a hat box. Don't let your hat get too hot! If your hat is exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, then the straw can be damaged. The heat will make the straw rigid or cause the synthetic material to melt. Handle your hat carefully. You want to make sure that your hands are clean before you touch your hat. This is an easy way to prevent your hat from getting dirt and oil on it. When you are taking off your hat, try to hold on to the brim. Too much contact with the crown of the hat can destroy the fibers. Brighten your hat. Sometimes the straws in your hat can become discolored. To refresh the colors, wipe your hat with cloth dipped in alcohol and water. After you do this, use a piece of black or red velvet to polish the hat. | Make sure it can be cleaned. Remove any extras. Brush the hat. Vacuum an extremely dusty hat. Clean the hat with a peroxide solution. Clean the hat with soap solution. Rinse and dry the hat. Remove oil stains. Remove sweat stains. Remove scuffs. Keep your hat dry. Handle your hat carefully. Brighten your hat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Roll-a-Cigar | How to Roll a Cigar | To roll a cigar in a tobacco leaves, cut the central vein out of the wrapper leaves by tracing the stem through the leaf to its tip. Then, repeat the process with your binder leaf, which should be large enough to contain other leaves. Make your filler leaves into a bunch, with the thickest in the middle, and lay it on your binder, which should be face down. To finish, fold the pointed end of the binder over the filler, roll the binder, seal it with egg white, place the wrappers face down, and roll them. | Moisten your tobacco leaves. Before they can be rolled, your leaves must be moistened or "cased." You can use a fine mist of water or a humidifier to moisten the leaves. Placing the leaves in a large plastic bag with a bit of water will also do the trick. The amount of water you need, and the length of time your leaves should be moistened, depends on the type of leaf you are working with. Very dry leaves will need to be exposed to more moisture than less dry leaves. Experiment with different volumes of water and periods of absorption to find out how you can get the most pliable leaf. Select your wrappers. Wrappers are thinner, larger, and more malleable than the other leaves used in the cigar. They will be used to hold the other leaves together and form the outer "skin" of the cigar. Cut the central vein out of the wrapper leaves. This vein is identified by tracing the stem up through the leaf to its tip. By cutting the leaf vertically along each side of this central vein, you will ensure the wrapper will be as smooth as possible. If you wish, you can make your wrapper even smoother by pressing it briefly with a warm iron or a rolling pin. The most intact and aesthetically pleasing leaves should be used as wrappers. Select your binder. The binder will hold the filler leaves before being covered by the wrapper. Midgrade leaves -- those which are intact enough to contain filler leaves but not acceptable as wrappers -- make good binders. Like the wrapper, the binder will need to be deveined. Cut the leaf along either side of the stem so that you end up with two roughly symmetrical halves. Select your filler. Fillers are placed in the innermost core of the cigar, and are surrounded by the binder leaf. You can shred your filler into smaller, finer pieces if you wish. Choose the most aesthetically problematic leaves for filler. Leaves with holes or uneven coloring are the best options for filler leaves. Keep your filler leaves a bit drier than the binder or wrapper leaves, but ensure they remain flexible. Since filler comprises the bulk of the cigar, flavor is an important factor when choosing filler leaves as well. Sample different varieties of tobacco to find one you like. Form your filler leaves into a bunch. Grab a handful of rolled leaves with the ends sticking out of your clenched hand. The length of your bunch -- and the length of the whole cigar -- is a matter of personal preference. Most range from 5 to 7 inches long. Put the thickest leaves in the center of the bunch, and wrap each leaf in progressively thinner leaves. This layering effect prevents tunneling (inability of the wrapper leaf to burn) when it is eventually smoked. How many filler leaves should you use? This is, again, largely a matter of preference. However, keep in mind that too many leaves will prohibit proper air flow; too few leaves will make the cigar burn too quickly and too hot. Lay the filler bunch on a binder leaf. The binder should be face down, with the veins of the leaf visible. Angle the binder at about 45° to either side, but make sure to lay one end of the filler bunch on the starting end of the binder leaf, with the rest of the filler directed out towards the side where the upper edge of the binder leaf leads. For instance, if the binder is on the table and angled diagonally toward the upper right, place the filler bunch on the binder in an elongated horizontal (left-to-right) position with the left end of the bunch against the leftmost end of the binder. Don't squeeze the bunch too tightly when placing it on the binder leaf. If you're using shredded filler, lay the binder leaf flat on the table, veined side up, and line your binder up as if it composed a single bunch. Roll the binder leaf. To roll the cigar, fold the pointed end of the binder leaf slowly over the filler leaves. Tuck the folded-over edge beneath the filler, just as you might when making a sushi roll. Give the binder a small pull towards you to compress the filler leaves a bit, but don't pack the filler too hard into the binder. With your fingertips on the semi-rolled binder leaf, continue to roll it by moving your fingertips up and over the cylinder, directly away from your body. Move from one end to the other, starting at the pointed end and rolling towards the wider, rounder end. Roll the cigar across the table a few more times to work it into a more perfect cylinder. Use the same technique you did the first time, taking your fingertips up and over the cylinder and stopping when you've rolled it into your palm. You may need to cut excess leaf if the cylinder you made is longer than you'd like. You can use a sharp kitchen knife, or a ''chaveta'', the traditional cigar-cutting tool used by professional rollers. Select your head and foot. One end of the cigar must be the head (the end of the cigar you inhale from) and the other the foot (the end of the cigar you light). Twist the head to a rough point by turning the cigar lightly in one hand while gently pinching the head between your thumb, middle, and pointer finger. Give it a few rotations, just enough to ensure it holds its shape. You will refine it later, so don't bother trying to make it look like a perfect cigar you'd pull from a box. Seal the binder leaf. Apply a small amount of egg white, cigar glue, Tragacanth, or guar gum to the bottom edge of the inside of the leaf (the side facing up) to keep it from unrolling. If you have access to a cigar press or mold, place the cigar in it when ready. Cigar presses help make the cigar more symmetrical and give them a finished look. Cigars at this stage are pressed for 30-45 minutes. After the designated time period has elapsed, the cigars are removed and rotated 90° before being reinserted into the press for another pressing equal in time to the first. It is important to turn the cigar to ensure that you don't end up with a seam jutting out of one side or the other. Place the wrapper face down on the table. The face of the wrapper leaf is the smoother of the two sides. The other, veined side should face inward when the cigar is rolled. Roll the wrapper. The rolling process is not much different than the rolling of the binder leaf, but should be done with greater care. With the wrapper leaf angled diagonally relative to you, fold the pointed end of the wrapper leaf slowly over the cylinder (composed of filler cased in binder). Tuck the folded edge beneath the binder and begin to roll. Place your fingertips on the semi-rolled cigar, and continue to roll it by moving it out and away from you slowly. Move from one end to the other, starting at the pointed end and rolling towards the wider, rounder end. Apply a light layer of cigar glue over the inside of the wrapper leaf as you roll it. Use your non-rolling hand to pull the wrapper taut as you apply it to the binder to ensure the finished product has a smooth outer surface. A good roller will roll the leaf tip towards the foot or tuck end (where the cigar is lit). Doing so will ensure the cigar gains a more robust flavor as it is smoked. Apply a cap. The cap is formed from leftover scraps of the wrapper leaf and affixed to the head of the cigar (where you inhale). Like the binder, the cap should be sealed with Tragacanth, cigar glue, or guar gum. Cut a “D” shaped piece out of the wrapper leaf. The long edge of the D should be about one quarter the length of the cigar. Apply some cigar glue to the veined side of the cap. Grip the cigar in a vertical position with one hand and apply one corner of the cap at an oblique angle from the cigar. At this point, if you laid the cigar down in line with your body, with one end of it close to you and the other end further away from you, one corner of the D-shaped cap would be affixed to the cigar near the far end, and the other corner of the D-shaped cap would lie beyond the end of the cigar and slightly to one side or the other. Roll the cap around the cigar. The curvature of the D should allow you to end up with an open hole at the end of the cigar whose edge is relatively flat. Use some cigar glue to close the end of the cap. Gently pinch it closed and twist it slightly in your hand to ensure the cap comes to fine point. Apply the finishing touches. The only really crucial step left at this point is to dry the cigar on a drying rack for 24-48 hours. The wrapper will then tighten around the cigar as it dries. But there are several things you can do to make your cigar look and feel like a more complete product. Place the cigar in a tuck cutter to trim excess leaf. A tuck cutter is a device designed to precisely cut the end of the cigar that you light (the tuck end or foot). This will give the cigar its proper length. Alternately, you can simply take a sharp knife to the end and gently cut through it. Drop the cigar in the cigar press for a final pressing. You could press the cigar for up to 12 hours depending on how attractive you want to make the finished product. Turn the cigar 90° after the designated time period has elapsed and press it again on that side for an equal amount of time. If you don't want to bother with a cap, simply pinch the head again when you've completed rolling it, sealing it with a bit of cigar glue, guar gum, or similar agent. Turn the cigar on its long axis as you pinch it between your thumb, pointer, and middle finger to ensure it doesn't unroll. | Moisten your tobacco leaves. Select your wrappers. Cut the central vein out of the wrapper leaves. Select your binder. Select your filler. Form your filler leaves into a bunch. Lay the filler bunch on a binder leaf. Roll the binder leaf. Select your head and foot. Seal the binder leaf. Place the wrapper face down on the table. Roll the wrapper. Apply a cap. Apply the finishing touches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Volunteer-As-a-Hospital-Baby-Cuddler | How to Volunteer As a Hospital Baby Cuddler | If you want to volunteer as a baby cuddler, first do a quick search to figure out which hospitals in your area offer this type of volunteering. Once you've found a program you like, make sure you meet all of their requirements and fill out an application. Specific requirements may vary from hospital to hospital, but most require you to commit to a certain number of hours each week and be at least 18 years old. Once you're accepted into the program, you'll need to complete their volunteer training before you can find a position. | Locate a hospital with a baby cuddler program. Complete a Google search to determine if your local hospital has a volunteer baby cuddler program. For example, you could search “volunteer baby cuddler programs in Toronto.” This will provide you with a number of hospitals in the area that have volunteer positions for baby cuddlers. You can also contact your local hospital and ask if they accept volunteers directly for the position of baby cuddler. Most hospitals will indicate on their website which volunteer positions need to be filled. If baby cuddler is not listed, you can email the volunteer coordinator to find out if they are accepting applications for that position. Read up on the volunteer requirements. Once you have located a hospital that contains a volunteer baby cuddler program, you will need to read up on the volunteer requirements. Most hospitals include a list of requirements on their volunteer webpage. For example, volunteers need to be at least 18 years of age, they need to be able to volunteer a minimum number of hours each week, complete a health assessment, have a criminal background check performed, provide an up-to-date vaccination certificate, etc. Some hospitals will also have student volunteer programs for individuals under the age of 18. Gather all material needed for the application. Once you have determined what information is required in order to volunteer at this hospital, you will need to gather all of the relevant material. For example, you may need to get a criminal background check completed in order to be accepted as a volunteer. You may also need to get an annual flu shot. Make sure you have all of the information needed before applying. Fill out an application. In order to apply for a volunteer position, you will need to fill out an application form. These forms will ask a number of questions including: Name, address, phone number, date of birth, education, employment information, volunteer experience, availability, etc. Find references. Most volunteers also have to provide the hospital with the contact information for two to three references. These references should not be family members or close friends, unless you have worked for them in the past. In some cases your references are expected to fill out a form answering questions about you. In other instances the hospital will contact the reference and ask them a few questions about you. Choose references that will speak highly about your work ethic, reliability, friendliness, and professionalism. For example, you could ask a current/former boss, employer, or volunteer coordinator that you have worked with. Always notify your references before you include them in an application. This way they will be expecting the hospital to contact them. Complete an interview. Most hospitals interview potential volunteers before accepting them. This allows the volunteer manager the opportunity to get to know the applicant and assess them in person. In order to prepare for the interview, you should make sure that you have all of your required documents completed. You can also create a list of questions that you would like to ask during the interview. For example, you may want to ask “What does the training program entail?”, “Can I request to work in a specific area of the hospital?”, “Do baby cuddlers require any additional training?” Arrive for your interview on time and dress in a professional manner. Complete volunteer training programs. Once you have been accepted as a volunteer, you will likely need to complete some form of training program. This could include watching health and safety videos as well as learning about the policies and procedures of the hospital environment. Baby cuddlers may need to complete additional training concerning bedside manner and how to handle infants. Take your training seriously. Pay attention, take notes, and ask questions if you need clarification. Request a position as a baby cuddler. If you are mainly interested in working as a baby cuddler, you should speak with the volunteer coordinator. Ask if there are any openings available in the NICU for volunteer baby cuddlers. Alternatively, you could let your supervisor know that you are interested in the baby cuddling program. Add your name to the wait list. Baby cuddling is a highly sought after volunteer position in hospitals. As a result, many of these positions are filled. Ask if you can have your name added to the waiting list so that if a position opens up in the future, you will be considered. Continue to volunteer in other areas of the hospital in order to demonstrate your enthusiasm. | Locate a hospital with a baby cuddler program. Read up on the volunteer requirements. Gather all material needed for the application. Fill out an application. Find references. Complete an interview. Complete volunteer training programs. Request a position as a baby cuddler. Add your name to the wait list. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Visceral-Fat | How to Get Rid of Visceral Fat | If you want to get rid of visceral fat, try reducing trans-fat and saturated fats in your diet which are found in sugary and fried foods. Instead, try consuming heart-healthy fats, like olive oil, avocados, and nuts. You should also limit carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, pasta, and sweets, which only increase visceral fat in your body. In addition to a good diet, aim to do 2 ½ hours of cardio a week, like biking, swimming, or running. If you get bored with going to the gym, try different types of exercise, like dancing or hiking, to keep you motivated to lose fat. | Monitor your total fat intake. Limit dietary fat to about 20–30% of your total caloric intake. This is equal to about 40–70 g of fat daily (based on a 2,000 calorie diet). Higher levels of fat may increase your risk of weight gain or levels of visceral fat. Eliminate trans-fats completely. Trans-fats are a type of fat that's man made and has been shown to cause hardening of the coronary arteries and increase visceral fat. Reduce saturated fat intake to less than 7% of your total caloric intake. Although saturated fat is not as unhealthy as trans fat, it's important to moderate your intake to an appropriate level. In general, limit your intake to 15–20 g daily (this is based on a 2,000 calorie diet). Consume heart-healthy fats. Although it's important to monitor your overall fat intake, it's also important to make sure you're consuming the types of dietary fat will improve your health and help support your desire to decrease visceral fat. Some dietary fat — monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) — have been shown to help decrease visceral fat levels. MUFAs are found in foods like: olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil and sesame oil. They can also be found in avocados, nuts and seeds. Incorporate one to two servings of these foods daily. Limit your carbohydrate intake. A low carbohydrate diet has been shown to be an effective eating pattern to help reduce levels of visceral fat. Reduce the amount of carbohydrate rich foods in your diet to help promote the reduction of visceral fat. Carbohydrate rich foods include: bread, rice, pasta, crackers, tortillas, bagels, sweets and sugary beverages. Limit these foods to one to two servings maximum each day. Foods like dairy, fruit and starchy vegetables also contain carbs, but have other beneficial nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Keep carbohydrates from sweets or sweetened beverages to an absolute minimum if possible. Consume adequate fiber daily. Studies have shown that those who consumed adequate fiber daily had lower (and had an easier time lowering) visceral fat levels. Women should consume 25 g of fiber daily and men should consume 38 g of fiber daily. Outside of grains (like bread, rice or quinoa), you can consume a significant amount of fiber from fruits and vegetables. Fruits that are high in fiber include: apples, blackberries, raspberries and pears. Vegetables that are high in fiber include: beans, artichokes, spinach, broccoli and cabbage. Monitor your total calorie intake. Consuming a moderate- to low-calorie diet has been shown to support the loss of visceral fat. In general, men should consume around 2,000-2,500 calories daily and women should consume 1,600-2,000 calories daily. Your total calorie level can vary greatly based on your metabolism, muscle mass, gender, age and activity level. Note that a low-calorie diet alone has shown to have little effect on visceral fat levels. However, a low-calorie, moderate-carbohydrate diet along with exercise showed the best reduction in visceral fat levels. Engage in cardio exercises. Cardio exercises have been shown to be one of the most effective methods at reducing visceral fat. It's recommended to include 150 minutes or 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week to help reduce visceral fat levels. Aerobic activities can include exercises like: walking, jogging, swimming, biking or hiking. If you can do more than the recommended 150 minutes weekly, that may help you reach your goal faster. Incorporate strength training. Weight lifting or resistance training is another important part of your exercise routine. It's recommended to include one to two days of strength training each week. Strength training includes activities like: weight lifting, Pilates or isometric exercises like push-ups or crunches. Note that spot training (trying to reduce fat in a specific area) does not rid the body of visceral fat. To lose fat, diet and cardio are key. However, the more muscle you build with strength training, the more calories you will burn. Try different types of exercise. Keep your exercise routine fun and exciting by engaging in a variety of different exercises. This can also help prevent over-training or over-using certain muscle groups. If exercising in a gym is not your thing, try a dance class or team sport instead. You will be more willing to stick to it if it is enjoyable for you. Try incorporating some outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking or biking. Keep your end goal in mind to help motivate you to stick to your exercise routine. Go to bed early. It's recommended adults sleep at least seven to nine hours each night. Sleep is essential to your overall health and wellness. Studies have shown that those who slept less than six hours nightly had higher levels of visceral fat. Make sure you go to bed early enough that you can get a full night's sleep. Turn off all electronics — your TV, cell phone and computer — at least 30 minutes prior to going to sleep. Turn off all lights in your room prior to sleeping. Even minimal light can interrupt sleep patterns. Give up smoking and alcohol. Both smoking (or consuming any type of tobacco product) and drinking alcohol have been linked to higher amounts of visceral fat. Give up both to help reduce your levels of visceral fat, decrease your weight and improve your overall health. If you need help giving up nicotine, speak to your primary care physician for further help. She may be able to prescribe you a medication or provide you with additional resources to help quit. Limiting alcohol is recommended. At a maximum, women should have one alcoholic beverage daily and men may have up to two alcoholic beverages daily. However, it's ideal to discontinue consumption while trying to reduce visceral fat. Measure your waist circumference. Waist circumference is a measure that indicates your risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome and other chronic health conditions. High waist circumference numbers may indicate an increased amount of visceral fat present. To minimize risk, women's waist circumference should be 40" or less and men's waist circumference should be 35" or less. To accurately measure your waist circumference, place a non-elastic tape measure around your waist — right above your hip bones. Measure as you breathe out, not as you inhale. Weigh yourself weekly. Although your main target goal is to reduce the amount of visceral fat, you will need to monitor the changes in your weight over time. Weight loss while modifying your diet and incorporating exercise can indicate your levels of visceral fat are decreasing. Weigh yourself about one to two times weekly, and always at the same time (and nude, if possible) for the most accurate reflection of your progress over time. Safe weight loss (even when aiming to reduce visceral fat levels) is about one to two pounds weekly. Any more weight loss can result in nutrient deficiencies or may not be sustainable long-term. | Monitor your total fat intake. Consume heart-healthy fats. Limit your carbohydrate intake. Consume adequate fiber daily. Monitor your total calorie intake. Engage in cardio exercises. Incorporate strength training. Try different types of exercise. Go to bed early. Give up smoking and alcohol. Measure your waist circumference. Weigh yourself weekly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Bird-Trap | How to Make a Bird Trap | To make a bird trap, start by purchasing a traditional spring-loaded mousetrap. Next, cut a small hole in the center of a cardboard box, thread string through the hole, and nail this end of the string into the ground. Create a small loop with the other end of the string, then load the mousetrap and tie the loop around the spring. Bait the mousetrap with bread or birdseed and wait for a hit! When the bird lands on the trap, the box will fall and trap the bird underneath. | Use two sticks, a cord, and a rock to build a basic wilderness bird trap. Looking somewhat like an upside down "L," the Ojibwa Bird Pole has been a staple of indigenous hunters in Canada for centuries. Birds perch on a small horizontal branch, which you rig to fall under their weight. They are then caught in a noose positioned underneath before they can fly away. You'll need: The Pole: A large branch, roughly the width of a few fingers and 5-6 feet long. The Perch: A pencil-thin stick, roughly six inches long. A rock, roughly the size of your fist. A 3-4 foot cord or rope, shoestrings and sleeping bag chords will work. A knife. Sharpen both ends of the longer pole or stick. You drive the bottom side into the ground, so it needs to be sharp enough to plant. The sharpened top end prevents a bird from landing on the top, not your perch. Drill a hole through the pole at one of the ends. It should be as wide as your smaller stick. Your perch is inserted into this hole, as well as the string. Tie one end of the rope firmly around your rock. You just want the rock secured to one end of the string. You can use any knot that will keep the rock in place. Thread the string through the hole and tie a small knot in it. The knot should be small enough that the string can still move freely through the post hole. The stick will jam in next to the string, creating the perch and also holding the string, and thus the rock, in place. The knot should be able to move freely through the hole in the pole when the stick isn't jammed in. Some trappers tie the small knot first, then put the stick in. Others put the stick in first. Experiment with what works for you. Wedge the thinner stick into the hole you drilled, next to your knot. The perch should be right next to the string, though the string should still move freely. This "perch" needs to fall under the weight of the bird in order to snare it, so don't jam it in too tightly. You should have two feet of string or more on the other side of your knot. Tie a slip noose knot in the end of the string to make your snare. Make a noose big enough to fit your fist through. If you're unfamiliar with the slip noose knot, you can still make one easily with some practice: Double the string back on itself to make a U-shaped loop. Run the end of the string back towards the top of the loop. It will look a bit like a flattened "S." Wrap the end of the rope around the doubled line 2-3 times. Pull the rope tight, cinching the wrap around the doubled string. Thread the end of the rope through your noose, towards the pole. You'll be left with a circle of rope draped over your perch. The end of the noose will be at the end of the perch, and the noose knot itself will be close to the pole. You should have two semi-circles of rope draped off of the stick. Tie a simple overhand knot right where the two sticks meet. An overhand knot is simply when you create a loop and pull the string through. All you have to do is wrap the end around the rope near your hole, creating a circle, then run the end through that circle. This should be right at the point where your two sticks meet. Check your trap by gently pushing down on the perch. As you do, the weight of the rock should pull the rope through the hole, which will quickly tighten the noose and grab your finger. Note, however, that these traps are very variable. Play with the size of the noose and the perch -- the closer they are to the same size, the more effective your trap will be. Also, try and tie the smallest knot possible in the beginning so that the rope can move freely through the hole -- you want it to snap shut quickly once the stick is removed. Place your trap where it is the best place for a bird to land. These traps are effective in open fields, where it is the best place for the bird to land. In the forest, most birds will choose tree branches. For more effective traps, place a little birdseed on the trap, adhering it with peanut butter. Note that small birds only provide minimal calories. Small birds, which are about all this trap can handled only provide about 100 calories apiece. Unless you have 4-5 successful traps, there are much better ways to look for food, including insects and game traps for rabbits and squirrels. Still, especially in the winter, these traps can be a viable source of nutrition when paired with other survival methods. Build a backyard trap using a mousetrap, a cardboard box, and some string. This simple trap attaches a cardboard box to a mouse trap spring. When the bird lands on the trap, the box falls and contains it for later. The trap will also spring on squirrels and other small game, so it can be an effective trap in a survival scenario as well. Purchase a live rat or mouse trap, the kind with a spring. You want the "classic" trap with a wooden board attached to a spring-loaded trap. They catch the mouse by flipping a metal bar on them when they touch the bait-laden trap. You can find these traps at almost any hardware store. Cut a small hole in the center of a cardboard box. Use a pen to punch a whole in the middle of the box. You want the box to be roughly twice the size of the bird to trap it. Fasten the mouse trap to the ground with 2-3 long metal nails. You want the trap to be secure enough that it doesn't move when the bird lands on it. Tie a loop in one end of the thread. Temporarily loop it around part of the mouse trap. Thread the other end through the hole in the top of the box. Later on, you'll attach this loop to the spring. But, for now, you just need it looped somewhere on the trap to create tension in the line. Rest the box on it's edge, so that the open part faces the trap. It should be angled up, so that a bird could fly under the box and land on the trap. Tie a loop in the end of the thread opposite the mousetrap. Run a nail through the loop, then nail this end of the string into the ground. Pull the nail out enough to keep the line tight and the box stays balanced on it's edge. The inside of the box should be facing the ground, with one side raised to allow birds to enter. Adjust the thread so that the highest edge of the box is only a foot or so in the air. The box needs to be high enough the a bird flies into it, but low enough that it can shut before the bird can fly out. Tie the string around the loaded mousetrap spring. Load the spring but not the arm, as if you were setting it for a mouse. When you press on the trap, it should unload quickly. You want the string to be on the mechanism that spring when a mouse (or, in this case, bird) steps on it. When the bird lands on the trap the box will fall around the bird, trapping it. The tension of the string is holding the box in place. Make sure you tie the string so that it sits correctly. Test the string by pushing on the trap. The string should lose tension and box will fall. Place some bread or birdseed on the mousetrap as bait and wait for a hit. Do not go near the trap, since constant human activity near the trap will scare birds away. If you see that the box has fallen, go check it to see if you caught anything. Wear long sleeves and gloves when grabbing a live bird. To get the bird out of your trap, lift the box slightly, reach in, and grab the bird firmly around the body. Wear gloves and long sleeves to prevent any pecking or scratching wounds. The darkness should disorient it enough that you can easily pick it off the ground. There is always the chance that you'll catch a rabbit or squirrel as well with your trap since it is on the ground. Be ready for anything. | Use two sticks, a cord, and a rock to build a basic wilderness bird trap. Sharpen both ends of the longer pole or stick. Drill a hole through the pole at one of the ends. Tie one end of the rope firmly around your rock. Thread the string through the hole and tie a small knot in it. Wedge the thinner stick into the hole you drilled, next to your knot. Tie a slip noose knot in the end of the string to make your snare. Thread the end of the rope through your noose, towards the pole. Tie a simple overhand knot right where the two sticks meet. Check your trap by gently pushing down on the perch. Place your trap where it is the best place for a bird to land. Note that small birds only provide minimal calories. Build a backyard trap using a mousetrap, a cardboard box, and some string. Purchase a live rat or mouse trap, the kind with a spring. Cut a small hole in the center of a cardboard box. Fasten the mouse trap to the ground with 2-3 long metal nails. Tie a loop in one end of the thread. Tie a loop in the end of the thread opposite the mousetrap. Tie the string around the loaded mousetrap spring. Place some bread or birdseed on the mousetrap as bait and wait for a hit. Wear long sleeves and gloves when grabbing a live bird. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Separate-Your-Professional-and-Private-Life | How to Separate Your Professional and Private Life | Working the same hours every day is a great way to maintain distinct boundaries between your personal and professional life. Even if you work remotely, you can keep your workspace and living space separate by working at a coffee shop during the same hours every day. Office workers should avoid bringing work home, and if possible, should only check work email or take work-related calls at the office. Additionally, if you regularly have too many tasks on your plate, consider saying “no” to some lower-priority tasks that are distracting you from your main responsibilities. | List the multiple roles you may have. A single person may fill a number of different roles all at once, or at different times in life: employee, employer, student, sibling, significant other, child, parent, caregiver, etc. These roles sometimes overlap, but each one has its own expectations and needs. Make a list of all of the roles that apply to you, and decide which ones are most important to you. Go to and leave work at the same times each day. If you are never certain of when your work day will begin or end, it can be difficult to separate it from your personal life. This is especially true for telecommuters or others who work at home. If your job does not have set hours, try setting some for yourself and sticking to them. If at all possible, give yourself one or two days off per week (on weekends or otherwise). This will give you an opportunity to rest and to engage in non-work-related activities. Ask your employer if your work schedule can be flexible. For example, you may be able to follow a schedule that works better for your family or personal life, such as going to work earlier and leaving later. Similarly, you may be able to work on a compressed schedule that entails the same number of hours per week but with one day off. Say no to unreasonable work requests. Speak to your supervisor about reassigning tasks that do not fall under your job requirements, or within reasonable expectations of the amount of work you can do. Let your supervisor know your boundaries. If he or she asks you to do a task that is outside of your duties, try saying something like: “I appreciate that you trust me with the responsibility of X task, but I don't think that my position is the right one to take care of that.” Offer to discuss any new work assignments, and thank your supervisor when the boundaries of your job duties are considered. Even if a task seems like it's relevant to your job duties, or even if you would like to help your employer or coworker, respectfully say no if you already have a lot to do and need some personal time. Remember that not every opportunity is a great opportunity, or one that makes sense for your private or professional life. Prioritize your work tasks. Some tasks are more important than others. Focus on deadline-driven projects and preparations for scheduled projects, and avoid interruptions, checking unimportant email, and other low-priority tasks. If you find yourself not even having enough time to finish the most important tasks, talk to your supervisor about whether or not you are being asked to do too much. Set aside time specifically for work. When possible, try to work around “focus times.” Give yourself a set period of time (such as an hour or an hour and a half) in which you will work deliberately and without distractions. Don't be a perfectionist—no one gets everything right every time. Focus on doing your work as best you can, accept when you make mistakes, and learn from them. Delegate as much as possible. If you have others that work with or for you, make sure to assign a reasonable amount of tasks to them, instead of trying to do everything yourself. Give your assistant(s) or team members tasks that are lower on your priority list, but that you can trust them to accomplish. You may also think about assigning tasks or activities that will build and enhance their skills. Know your distractions, and minimize them when working. Everyone has certain things that can distract them from work: social media, chatting or texting friends, playing games, watching television, etc. When you are working, make sure to minimize potential distractions, and especially those that you know you are especially drawn to. Avoid checking your personal email, text messages and home voice mail while working. These activities steal time away from your productivity and, in many cases, can be taken care of after work hours. Limit the time you spend online. Avoid surfing the Internet, checking social networking sites or posting on discussion forums related to personal matters. Save private conversations with coworkers for lunchtime and other breaks. Recognize the limits of your concentration. Most people can't concentrate on a task for more than 90 minutes without a break. Interruptions can also reduce your ability to concentrate. Be persistent if people try to pull you away from your work. For instance, if people distract you by chatting, tell them you have work that you've got to finish, but you'd love to catch up with them later. Overcome procrastination. If you know or decide that something needs to be done, don't give up until it is. Focusing on completing work tasks when necessary will give you more time for personal life. Try making a 30-day effort to resist procrastination. If you know you have a problem with procrastination, then make it a point to resist it for a month. Doing so can give you a foundation for long-term success and a strong work ethic. Manage personal and professional social media accounts. Social media have made details of personal lives much more public. In many cases, employers are checking social media profiles of prospective and current employees. Some employers understand social media as a part of the modern work world, but you should still follow some general guidelines. Understand what work information needs to remain confidential—your employer may not want you to mention certain work projects, practices, etc. in public or on social media. Keep it clean. If your grandmother would not want to see or read it, don't post it. Don't post offensive or extremist content. Interact with colleagues or coworkers when they are present on social media. Recognize when you do not have a good work/life balance. When you are so busy with work-related tasks that you have no time for yourself, family, friends, or community, you should reassess your work/life balance. If you aren't sure how well you are balancing your personal and professional life, ask yourself questions like: Do I feel like I have any time for myself? Is every minute of everyday scheduled for something? How much of that schedule is filled by work-related tasks? Have I missed family or community events because I was trying to catch up on work? How often do I bring work home with me? Focus only on your personal life outside of work hours. One way to separate your personal and professional life is to limit how often you think about work when at home. Just as being distracted by personal matters can reduce your work productivity, thinking too much about work while at home takes away from your personal life. Set a time limit on business communications at home. If you must check work email and messages while at home, designate a specific, limited amount of time for this. Ask coworkers not to call you with business-related matters on your day off. Leave thoughts about work at work. When at home, focus on family matters, hobbies and personal interests. Limit discussions of work matters at home and when speaking to friends. Define yourself as something other than work. Our work lives are often a very important part of our identity, and in professions in which one does not “clock in” and “clock out” or works from home, the boundary between work and personal life can be blurred. It is important, however, that you define a non-work identity. Take up a hobby Make time for non-work friends Take vacations or “stay-cations” Set aside time for non-work activities you enjoy (seeing movies, going for a walk, etc.) Share hobbies, games, etc. with family Exercise Develop relationships outside of the work environment. If you have been working too much or avoiding social interaction outside of work, then make yourself set aside time to hang out with non-work friends or go and do some activities you enjoy. Look for opportunities to meet people outside of work, as these can contribute to a satisfying personal life. If you are good friends with your coworkers, consider establishing a rule to discuss work only during office hours. Ask for help at home. Many people have lots of tasks to take care of at home in addition to those at work. These may include chores, cleaning, home improvement, taking care of children or other family members, etc. Make sure to ask others in your household for help with some of these tasks so that the workload is balanced. Spend time alone. Taking a break now and then from everyone else—including coworkers, family, and friends—is a good way to deal with stress, to relax your mind, and to improve your mood. Try exercising and meditating , and look for games and hobbies that you can do on your own. | List the multiple roles you may have. Go to and leave work at the same times each day. Say no to unreasonable work requests. Prioritize your work tasks. Delegate as much as possible. Know your distractions, and minimize them when working. Overcome procrastination. Manage personal and professional social media accounts. Recognize when you do not have a good work/life balance. Focus only on your personal life outside of work hours. Define yourself as something other than work. Develop relationships outside of the work environment. Ask for help at home. Spend time alone. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Vaginal-Infection | How to Cure Vaginal Infection | If you think you have a vaginal infection, visit your doctor so they can diagnose you and provide treatment. For example, if you have bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, you'll probably need to take antibiotics. However, if you have a regular yeast infection, you can treat it at home with antifungal creams or ointments. For recurrent bacterial infections, get more probiotics by adding yogurt to your daily diet. You can also prevent vaginal infections by avoiding scented products that may irritate your skin, such as bubble baths, bath oils, talc, or powder. | Look for symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV). If you suspect you have a vaginal infection, pay attention to your symptoms. Not all women with BV have symptoms, but the following symptoms are often associated with BV: Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant or "fishy" odor Yellowish discharge Burning or discomfort when urinating Itchiness and irritation in and around the vagina Pay attention to signs of a yeast infection (candidiasis). The symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to BV. They include: Abnormal vaginal discharge which can range from a thin, watery, white discharge to a thick, white, and chunky discharge (often described as looking like cottage cheese) Itching and burning of the vagina and labia Painful intercourse Painful urination Redness and swelling of the area just outside of the vagina. Look for signs of a trichomoniasis infection (trich). While many people with a trich infection have no symptoms, these symptoms are signs of an infection: Vaginal discharge that is smelly, frothy, bubbly, or foamy Vaginal itching Yellow or gray-green discharge Painful urination Consider the cause of your bacterial infection. There is not always a specific cause for BV or a yeast infection other than a bacterial imbalance. Trich is an STI that is caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Most women have probably had at least one bacterial infection. The risk of getting BV increases with a new sexual partner (or multiple partners), douching, having sex without a condom, or using an intrauterine device (IUD) as a method of birth control. If you are diagnosed with trichomoniasis, you'll need to inform any sexual partners so they can be treated. Yeast infections and BV can be caused by antibiotic use. Antibiotics disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina which can allow "bad" bacteria or yeast to thrive. Other causes may include: wearing tight underwear or non-cotton panties (which can increase the temperature around the vagina and increase the moisture levels), a weakened immune system, using vaginal douches or perfumed feminine hygiene sprays, or vaginal trauma (scratches in the vagina caused by inserting objects like tampons or during rough sex). You should also tell any sexual partner about any vaginal infection, but you aren't required to. Know when to get medical attention. Since different infections often have similar symptoms, it's critical that your doctor make a diagnosis so you get the correct treatment. See your doctor if you have any symptoms of a vaginal infection. Your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment, but if you don't notice an improvement after three days, have a fever, if the discharge symptoms worsen, or a new rash appears anywhere on your body contact your doctor. Keep in mind that recurrent yeast infections can be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder such as diabetes, cancer or HIV-AIDs. Recurrent yeast infections might suggest there's a problem with your immune system. Get a physical examination. At the doctor's office, your physician will probably take a sample of the vaginal discharge, ask for a urine sample and perform a vaginal exam. This exam may be uncomfortable but it is usually over quickly. The discharge will be tested for the presence of bacteria, yeast or other organisms such as Trichomonas. Your doctor will also ask about your sexual history, menstruation, vaginal hygiene, and any medications you're taking. Learn how to handle recurring infections. Since different types of vaginal infections are treated differently, it's critical to get the correct diagnosis from a doctor before you start any treatment. Usually, after your first vaginal infection, you'll be able to tell when you have an infection, but it's still important to find out the type of infection. Untreated or incorrectly treated bacterial infections can cause complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pre-term births and low-birth weight babies and can put a woman at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), chlamydia and gonorrhea. Untreated or incorrectly treated trichomoniasis infections can also lead to increased risk of HIV. Take medication. Your doctor will recommend a course of treatment once your vaginal infection is diagnosed. Treatment will depend on the type of infection, how extensive or severe it is and how long you have had the infection. These are typical treatments for: Bacterial Vaginosis: Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin. These are considered safe if you are pregnant. Male partners usually don't need treatment, but female partners should be informed and tested. Yeast Infection: Antifungal creams, ointments, oral dose of fluconazole, or vaginal suppositories. Examples of these treatments are butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole (sold under the brand name Monistat ) and terconazole. Your doctor can prescribe them or they are available (in weaker doses) over-the-counter at your pharmacy. Recurrent or more complicated yeast infections: Higher doses of medications used to treat yeast infections or you may be told to take them for a longer period of time. Since your partner may be the source of your recurring yeast infections, your partner may need to be treated as well. Trichomoniasis: A single dose of either metronidazole or tinidazole. These antibiotics are also considered safe if you are pregnant. Trichomoniasis is an STI, so make sure your sexual partner(s) are treated as well. You should wait for 7 days after treatment before you resume sexual activities. Avoid douching. Douching is the procedure of washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other fluids. Douching isn't recommended because the vagina naturally cleans itself and douching can increase the risk of bacterial infections. Douching can actually introduce bacteria, causing vaginal infections and other serious infections like pelvic inflammatory disease. There are no known methods to reduce your risk of infection from douching. Eat yogurt. If you have recurrent bacterial infections, consider getting probiotics through yogurt. Probiotics can be effective in preventing future infections. Eat 150 grams of yogurt that has 4 to 5 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) every day. Make sure to read the label for this information. While more research is needed, some studies suggest that bacterial cultures in yogurt or probiotic supplements can populate the vagina. Do not insert yogurt into your vagina. Know when to go back to the doctor. Contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve, if you develop a fever, have difficulty or pain when you urinate, have painful sex, or experience abdominal pain. You should always inform your doctor when using natural treatments. Usually, you can take oral medications while using the natural treatments. Keep the area clean. Use a very mild soap and warm water to wash your genital area. Dry yourself with a clean towel or air dry. You can also try drying the area with a blow dryer set on cool. Avoid bubble baths, bath oils, talc, or powder (especially powder which contains cornstarch). These can irritate the area and provide food for infection-causing microorganisms. Avoid fragrances and irritants. Use a mild and fragrance-free soap for washing your panties. It's a good idea to double rinse your underwear. This ensures that all the detergent is gone. Do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets since they contain chemicals that may irritate your vagina. Don't use feminine hygiene products, which can irritate the vulva. These include deodorant sanitary pads, all feminine sprays and deodorants, any products containing petroleum jelly, oils or greases. Practice good hygiene. After using the restroom, use white, soft toilet tissue and remember to wipe from the front. This minimizes the risk of infection from bowel bacteria. If you use tampons during the day, replace them every few hours depending on your flow and avoid using tampons with fragrance. Do not leave tampons in overnight. Use sanitary pads instead. Wear non-irritating underwear. Choose white, 100 percent-cotton underwear. Cotton allows your genital area to stay cool and dry. The white underwear avoids irritants that may be in different dyes. Avoid underwear made with nylon, acetate or any synthetic fibers. You should also avoid wearing thong underwear which can irritate the genital area. Once you feel comfortable with the volume of your discharge, consider sleeping without underwear. This can be especially helpful for if you get recurrent BV. Avoid scratching or rubbing your genitals. Avoid wearing pantyhose. These trap heat and moisture which can allow bacteria, yeast and other organisms to thrive. Instead, wear nylons with a cotton panty insert. | Look for symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Pay attention to signs of a yeast infection (candidiasis). Look for signs of a trichomoniasis infection (trich). Consider the cause of your bacterial infection. Know when to get medical attention. Get a physical examination. Learn how to handle recurring infections. Take medication. Avoid douching. Eat yogurt. Know when to go back to the doctor. Keep the area clean. Avoid fragrances and irritants. Practice good hygiene. Wear non-irritating underwear. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cross-Your-Eyes | How to Cross Your Eyes | To cross your eyes, try focusing on the tip of you nose. Once you're looking at your nose, slowly move your gaze upwards between your nose. Don't worry if you struggle at first, since it takes practice to cross your eyes. Alternatively, use a pen to help you. First, hold the pen at arm's length and stare at it. Then, move the pen slowly towards your nose while keeping your gaze on it. When the pen is a couple of inches away from your nose, lower the pen so you can't see it, but try to keep your eyes fixed. This can be tricky too, but with a little practice, you'll soon get it! | Focus both your eyes on the tip of your nose. Slowly lower your gaze until both of your eyes are focused on the tip of your nose. This may cause a bit of an eye strain, since you're probably not used to using your eye muscles this way. Though you won't be able to see it yourself, your eyes should now be crossed. But this is no fun so far -- since you're looking down, no one else can see that your eyes are crossed. Move your gaze upward. This part is tricky. Once you've mastered looking at the tip of your nose, you should slowly move your gaze upward, as if you were staring straight ahead, while trying to keep your eyes angled inward, just as they were when you were concentrating on staring at the tip of your nose. Practice, practice, practice. You will probably find it difficult to keep your eyes crossed once you stop focusing on your nose. Crossing your eyes is a very natural technique that allows you to focus on something that is very near you, and as soon as you bring your eyes away from that object (in this case, your nose), your brain will automatically try to refocus your eyes on more distant objects, thereby uncrossing your eyes almost immediately. You can, however, control your eye muscles to stay out of focus, but it may take some practice. Don't forget to keep your eyes open, so anyone can see your cross-eyed face! Get help from a friend. If you really want to master eye crossing, then you should have a friend there to watch you do it, so you can make sure you're really doing it successfully. If you look up at your friend and the friend says, "Ew!" or makes a gross face, then chances are that yeah, you've successfully crossed your eyes. People say you can try taking a picture of yourself in the cross-eyed position to see if you've done it successfully, but that just takes way too much coordination. Hold out a pen at eye level at arm's length. Focus on that object, trying to ignore everything behind it. This is really another version of staring at the tip of your nose, which exaggerates the process and makes it just a bit easier. Bring the object closer to your face. Do this slowly, and make sure to keep your focus on that object only. This will take some practice. Don't get frustrated if you can't seem to keep your gaze on the object, at first. Stop when the object is close to your face. Once the pen is about 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) from your face, your eyes should cross. Take a moment to continue to focus on the object with your eyes crossed. Remove the object from your line of sight, but don't move your eyes. This part is tricky. As with the technique above, keeping your eyes crossed is the hard part, but it can be achieved with practice. You'll know when your eyes "uncross" because your eyes will seem to "snap" back into focus. Be a master at crossing your eyes. This is an advanced skill you can master only after being a pro at crossing your eyes the regular old way. Crossing your eyes while moving one eye at a time has an extra gross-out factor, because, if you do it successfully, you'll be able to move your eyeballs in different directions. Cross your eyes. Just use whatever technique works best for crossing your eyes, whether it's looking at the tip of your nose and then looking up, using a pen, or doing whatever works for you. Focus on moving just one eye away from your nose. While your eyes are crossed, focus on, say, moving your right eyeball all the way out to the left side of your face. At first, it should at least get to the middle. As you do this, make sure to keep the left eye crossed, focusing on the tip of your nose. This will create a disturbing look, with one eye crossed all the way, and the other either facing out or even to the side. Repeat with the other side. You may have more control of one eye than the other, so you should try the opposite, keeping your right eye crossed while moving your left eye to the center or all the way to the left corner of your eye. See which one is easier for you. Keep practicing! This is an even harder skill than crossing your eyes, but if you master it, it is guaranteed to freak out your friends even more. Take just a few minutes a day to practice this skill and you'll be a champ in no time. | Focus both your eyes on the tip of your nose. Move your gaze upward. Practice, practice, practice. Get help from a friend. Hold out a pen at eye level at arm's length. Bring the object closer to your face. Stop when the object is close to your face. Remove the object from your line of sight, but don't move your eyes. Be a master at crossing your eyes. Cross your eyes. Focus on moving just one eye away from your nose. Repeat with the other side. Keep practicing! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Borscht | How to Make Borscht | To make borscht, start by frying onions, tomatoes, beets, and carrots in a large pot along with some vinegar. In a separate pot, boil some potatoes and cabbage. Then, add the fried vegetables to the pot with the potatoes and cabbage and stir in some garlic, parsley, and dill. Next, sprinkle in salt and sugar and bring the pot to a boil again. Once it starts boiling, turn off the heat and let the borscht sit, covered, for 2 hours before serving. | Prepare the vegetables. Rinse, trim, and peel all of your vegetables. Chop the onions, potatoes, and tomatoes into small pieces. Grate the beets and carrots into approximately 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) long pieces. Finally, shred the cabbage. Fry the onions with oil over medium heat. Pour 4 to 5 tablespoons (60 to 55 milliliters) of olive oil into a deep frying pan, then add the onions. Fry the onions over medium heat until they turn golden-brown, stirring often. Add the carrots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Occasionally stir the mixture with a spatula to prevent burning. Add the tomatoes, beets, and vinegar/lemon to the frying pan, then cook for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. Put the tomatoes and beets into the frying pan first. Immediately pour vinegar or lemon juice over the beets to preserve their color and taste. Stir everything together, then cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. You can also use canned, diced tomatoes. Be sure to drain them first, however. Pour some water into a large pot, then bring it to a boil over medium heat. Pour enough water to fill the pot ½ to ⅔ of the way. Turn the burner to medium heat, and wait for the water to come to a boil. It is better to start with not enough water than too much. Remember, you can always add water later after adding the frying pan contents. Add the potatoes and cabbage to the pot. Add the potatoes first, then let them cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cabbage next, and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add the fried vegetables, along with the garlic, parsley, and dill. Don't drain the fried vegetables—add them to the pot along with their juices. This will help lend the soup even more flavor. Add the salt and sugar. How much you use is entirely up to you. Borscht should have a somewhat sour taste, with sweet undertones. If you like your borscht less sweet, you could always use less sugar. Wait until the water is boiling again, then take the soup off the burner, and let it sit, covered, for 2 hours. Make sure that the lid fits the pot tightly, so that the soup can continue to cook in its own heat. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes. You may want to refrigerate it and reheat it the next day for an even better taste. Serve the soup. If you'd like a richer soup, you can add a spoonful of sour cream! Fill a large pot with up to 12 cups (2.8 liters) of water. If your pot cannot hold that much, fill it up as much as you can. Keep in mind that your soup will be more concentrated and that you may have to scale back on some of the seasonings. Prepare the vegetables. Even though you will be serving the soup clear, it still needs to have some flavor to it. Because you will be straining everything out of the soup later on, it is best to leave the vegetables whole or in large chunks. If you have not yet done so, get out your vegetables, and prepare them in the following ways: Peel 4 large (or 6 small) beets, then cut them in half. Cut the stem off of 1 medium-sized carrot, then peel the carrot. If the carrot is too long for the pot, cut it in half. Cut the stem off of 1 medium-sized parsnip, then peel it. Peel 1 large onion, then cut it in half. Rinse 1 leek, then trim off the leaves. Cut it in half lengthwise. Peel a celery root, then cut it into fourths. Save one of the pieces for your soup, and save the rest for another recipe. Peel 8 garlic cloves. Do not crush or mince them. Add the vegetables, meaty bones, herbs, and spices into the pot, then bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Place the prepared beets, meaty bones, carrots, parsnip, onion, leek, celery root, mushrooms, garlic, bay leaf and marjoram into the pot. There should be enough water in the pot to cover all of the ingredients. If there is not enough room in the pot for more water, take out some of the ingredients. Start with 8 garlic cloves. You can always add more, if needed. For a spicier soup, add some peppercorns. Don't add the salt, pepper, lemon juice, or sour cream/yogurt just yet. Scoop out any foam, then simmer the soup over low heat for about 2 hours. You are ready for the next step when the meat falls off the bones and the vegetables turn soft. Strain the borscht into another pot. Place a colander or strainer over a new pot, then pour the borscht through it. Press the ingredients against the mesh with the back of a spoon or rubber spatula to strain out any excess liquid. At this point, you can discard the meat and vegetables or save them for another recipe. Don't worry if some of the dried marjoram gets into the strained soup. Give the borscht a taste. If it is too watery and flavorless, let it boil over medium heat for 30 minutes, or until the flavor intensifies. If it is too flavorful, add more water. Stir in the lemon juice, season it with salt and pepper, then taste it. The ideal taste should be sour and somewhat garlicky, with beet-y sweet undertones. At this point, you can add in more seasonings, such as salt, pepper, lemon juice, or dried marjoram. You can also add a few more garlic gloves, then simmer the soup for another 1 to 2 minutes. At this point, do not let the soup boil, or it will discolor. Peel the garlic cloves first, then press them with the flat side of a knife before adding them in. Be sure to scoop them out before serving. Serve the borscht in small bowls. If you'd like a richer borscht, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or yogurt. | Prepare the vegetables. Fry the onions with oil over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, beets, and vinegar/lemon to the frying pan, then cook for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat. Pour some water into a large pot, then bring it to a boil over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cabbage to the pot. Add the fried vegetables, along with the garlic, parsley, and dill. Add the salt and sugar. Wait until the water is boiling again, then take the soup off the burner, and let it sit, covered, for 2 hours. Serve the soup. Fill a large pot with up to 12 cups (2.8 liters) of water. Prepare the vegetables. Add the vegetables, meaty bones, herbs, and spices into the pot, then bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Scoop out any foam, then simmer the soup over low heat for about 2 hours. Strain the borscht into another pot. Give the borscht a taste. Stir in the lemon juice, season it with salt and pepper, then taste it. Serve the borscht in small bowls. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Electrical-Shock | How to Prevent Electrical Shock | To prevent electrical shock, always turn off the electricity in your home using the main panel before attempting to fix any electrical problems. Also, avoid touching bare wires unless you're certain they're not conducting a current. If you're bathing or using a sink, make sure there aren't any electrical appliances nearby since water conducts electricity and can lead to an electrical shock. You should also try to avoid plugging a lot of things into a power strip since that increases the risk of a shock or fire. | Learn how electricity works.The first step in preventing a dangerous situation is to understand the cause of electric shock. Read books, articles, websites and blogs about electricity and safety measures to take when working with electricity. In basic terms, electricity naturally tries to flow to the earth or ground through any and all materials that will conduct an electrical current. Certain compounds, like wood and glass, are poor conductors of electricity. Other materials, like seawater and many metals, conduct very well. The human body is able to conduct a current largely due to the amount of sodium and water in the body, and an electric shock happens when electricity flows through parts of the body. This happens most often when a direct source of electricity is exposed to human contact. It may also flow into a person through another conductor, like a pool of water or a metal pole. To learn more about electricity and the cause of electric shock, read about it here or ask a trusted electrician. Know your limits. There are some simple electrical problems around the house that you can handle yourself. However, any time you are having serious or major electrical issues, you should hire a professional electrician. It may be expensive, but it is cheaper than a stint in the hospital. There are essentially two types of electricians you can hire, “master” electricians and “journeyman” electricians. Both types are usually licensed by the state - but not always. Master electricians generally own businesses and can employ other licensed electricians and helpers or apprentices, while journeyman electricians can work for a master electrician or be self-employed and hire a single helper or apprentice. The rules of what each type of electrician may do and may not do varies by state, county or locality. Find out electricity requirements. The items and appliances in your household all have their own electrical requirements. Know the specific types of circuit breakers, fuses, and even lightbulbs that are required in your home. Make sure to replace them with the right parts when needed. Using incompatible parts could cause the equipment to function improperly, create an unsafe condition that may result in fire, injury or death. Turn the electricity off. The first step that you need to take before attempting to fix any electrical problems yourself is to turn the electricity off in your home. This helps to ensure that, even if you make a mistake, you won't be electrocuted. There will be a main electrical panel somewhere in your home (usually in a basement or garage). This panel has a simple on/off switch that allows you to cut the flow of electricity to your entire house. Make sure the switch on this panel is flipped to “off” before attempting any repairs. Cover sockets and outlets. Covering outlets with wall panels is crucial for preventing accidental contact with wires, and is required by code. If you live with small children, it is also wise to use socket safety plugs to keep curious fingers safe from injury. Install GFCI breakers and outlets. GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, devices are able to detect imbalances in the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit and will cut off power at the GFCI device. GFCI receptacles are required in most new construction homes in places where electric shock is most likely – near sinks, in the bathroom, over kitchen counters, in the garage, and outdoors – and can typically be installed in older homes for a low cost. Do not use GFCI for inductive or capacitive loads such as heavy-duty electrical motors or space heaters. These will trigger the GFCI and disconnect the load. Avoid common mistakes. There are a handful of common mistakes people make when attempting to make electrical fixes in their homes. You need to be aware of these mistakes and take all the necessary precautions to avoid. Some things to avoid are: Avoid touching a bare wire that may be conducting a current. Avoid overloading power strips and other receptacles with multiple plugs. Using only two plugs per outlet lessens the risk of shock and fire. Utilize three-prong plugs whenever possible. The third prong, which grounds the electrical current, should never be removed. Never assume that someone else turned off the power source. Always check for yourself! Avoid water. Store and use electric devices away from water. Water and electricity do not mix well and appliances should always be kept away from any moisture. This will prevent any accidental shocks from occurring. Never use an electrical appliance while in the bath or shower. If your toaster or another electric appliance is near your kitchen sink, never use the running water and the appliance at the same time. Keep it unplugged when not in use. Store outdoor electrical equipment in a place where it will be kept dry, like a garage shelf. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, do not attempt to retrieve it until you turn off power to the corresponding circuit. Once the power is off, you may retrieve the device. Once it is dry, it can be evaluated by an electrician to see if it is suitable for future use. Replace worn or damaged equipment. Pay attention to the condition of your electric devices, and maintain them regularly. Some signs that indicate a need for repair are: Sparking Issuing of small shocks Frayed or damaged cords Heat from electrical outlets Recurrent short-circuiting These are only a few signs of wear and tear. If something else seems strange, contact an electrician. It's always better to be safe than sorry! Turn the power back on. Once you have made the necessary repairs and are ready to test the appliance or outlet you have fixed, turn the power switch on your main panel back to the “on” position. You may need to reset your circuit breakers as well. To do this, flip the switch on each individual breaker to “off”, then flip it back to “on”. Consider installing safety outlets and outlet covers. Safety outlets require some force to expose the female connector; outlet covers plug into the female connector of the outlet, do not conduct electricity, and are hard to remove for most young children. Be sure that the appliance is set at the appropriate settings for the outlet you are plugging in. In a country that uses a higher voltage, there is a higher wattage, which can damage your electronics and risk electrical shock. Make sure that the appliance is set to the appropriate voltage input, and use a 100-240V to 110V or 220V transformer to avoid mistakes caused by accidentally plugging in appliances into the wrong voltage. Understand that the key difference between an adapter and a transformer is that an adapter just allows the appliance to be plugged in, but a transformer steps the voltage to the correct voltage. For chargers, an adapter is fine, but for laundry machines, kitchen appliances, hairdryers, and other appliances without a built-in transformer, use a transformer. Turn the power source off. Whenever a project involves exposure to electrical equipment or electricity, check and double-check that the power is off before beginning your work. Again, there should be a main electric panel for the entire facility. Find this panel and flip the switch to off. Wear protective gear. Rubber soled shoes and non-conductive gloves provide a barrier. Putting a rubber mat on the floor is another effective precaution. Rubber does not conduct electricity and will help you avoid getting shocked. Exercise caution when operating power tools. Make sure that all of your tools have a three-pronged plug, and inspect all equipment for signs of damage. It is also important to turn off power tools before connecting them to electricity. Always keep power tools away from water, and clear the work area of flammable gasses, vapors, and solvents when tools are in use. Double up. It is always wise to have a second person around to assist you when working with electricity. This second person can double check to ensure you have followed all necessary precautions. Also, if something does go wrong and you do get shocked, this second person can immediately get you the help you need. Make sure you communicate well with this other person. Many electrical accidents occur because of miscommunication. You need to be able to trust that when this person says the power is off, it is actually off. Even if you trust this other person with your life, it is probably a good idea to double check and make sure the power is off for yourself. Never assume anything when dealing with electricity. Call a professional for big jobs. Working with electricity is inherently dangerous and complicated. If you are not completely confident in your skills, bring in a trusted electrician to complete the job. Check the weather report. It may sound obvious, but making sure you have a clear forecast for your outdoor adventure is crucial to avoid getting caught in an electrical storm. Even if you're just gone for an afternoon, weather can change quickly and the best prevention is preparedness. Know the chance of a thunderstorm in the outdoor area you plan to visit, and plan to head in long before the lightning is due to start. Watch for signs of a coming storm. Pay attention to changes in temperature, increases in wind, or darkening of the sky. Listen for thunder. If it looks like a storm is rolling in, stop what you are doing and take shelter immediately. Find shelter. If you are outside and a storm approaches, quickly heading indoors is the only real way to be protected from lightning. Look for a completely enclosed shelter with its own electricity and plumbing, like a house or business. If that option is not available, hiding out in a car with the doors closed and windows up is also a safe bet. Covered picnic areas, stand-alone restroom facilities, tents, and other small structures will not keep you safe. No reliable shelter in sight? Reduce your risk with these preventive guidelines: Stay low Avoid open areas Avoid metal and water Wait it out. Whether indoors or out, do not leave your chosen safety area for at least half an hour after the last clap of thunder is heard. If you have any doubts about whether or not the storm has passed, stay inside. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Keep a fire extinguisher ready to go in areas where you work with electrical equipment. Fire extinguishers for use on electrical fires will have a "C," "BC," or "ABC" on the label. Prepare for the worst. No matter how many precautions are in place, electric shock is always a risk when electricity is in use. If shock occurs, it is important to be prepared in order to handle the situation safely. Call for help. In the case of an electric emergency, always call the Emergency Services. It is unwise to try to treat the victim yourself when an electrical shock has occurred. Do not touch a victim of shock with bare hands. Shock victims usually don't hold the electricity in their bodies for very long. However, you must always use caution, as the victim could potentially still be conducting electricity. Use a non-conductive barrier, like rubber gloves, if at all possible, to touch or move the victim. Turn off the power source, if possible. If you can do so without being shocked yourself, turn off the power. If this is not possible, move the victim away from the source with a non-conductive material, like a piece of wood. You should only try to move an electrical shock victim if the person is in immediate danger. Check for vitals. Once you are certain the victim is no longer conducting electricity, check to see if the person is breathing. If the victim is not breathing, begin CPR immediately while someone else alerts emergency medical services. OSHA's safety rules for working around electricity state that you have about 4 minutes to get help for an electric shock victim, so move quickly. Wait for medical help to arrive. Stay calm and keep the victim lying horizontally, with his legs slightly elevated until medical help can arrive. Once help arrives, stay out of the paramedics' way. If the paramedics ask for any assistance, follow their instructions. | Learn how electricity works.The first step in preventing a dangerous situation is to understand the cause of electric shock. Know your limits. Find out electricity requirements. Turn the electricity off. Cover sockets and outlets. Install GFCI breakers and outlets. Avoid common mistakes. Avoid water. Replace worn or damaged equipment. Turn the power back on. Consider installing safety outlets and outlet covers. Be sure that the appliance is set at the appropriate settings for the outlet you are plugging in. Turn the power source off. Wear protective gear. Exercise caution when operating power tools. Double up. Call a professional for big jobs. Check the weather report. Watch for signs of a coming storm. Find shelter. Wait it out. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Prepare for the worst. Call for help. Do not touch a victim of shock with bare hands. Turn off the power source, if possible. Check for vitals. Wait for medical help to arrive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Dog-for-Rabbit-Hunting | How to Train a Dog for Rabbit Hunting | To train a dog for rabbit hunting, start by teaching it basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” since you'll need to have control over your dog when you're out hunting. Then, tie a hotdog onto a string and drag it around the yard while the dog chases it, so it can learn to follow a scent trail. Next, allow it to chase a tame rabbit around an enclosure until the rabbit gets tired to get it used to chasing rabbits without hurting them. Finally, let the dog run with a more experienced hunting dog so it can learn more advanced tracking skills. | Train your dog in basic obedience. Your pup should learn basic commands like "sit" and "stay" before being introduced to rabbit hunting. In particular, the "recall" command--teaching your dog to come back to you when you call him-- is the most important part of any dog training, and you should begin training your pup to follow this command early on. Recall will be especially important during training in order to counteract predatory tendencies in the puppy and help to prevent them from injuring tame rabbits used in the training sessions. A guide to training a puppy to follow the recall command can be found here. Begin training when the puppy is between 4 and 6 weeks old. Puppies at this age have a short attention span, so remember to keep training sessions between 2 or 3 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Scatter pieces of treats through the yard and allow your pup to sniff around to find them. This helps the puppy learn to track a scent. Tie a string around a piece of meat (such as a hotdog) and drag it around the yard. Every three feet or so, cut off a piece of the meat. This will help to train the puppy to follow extended scent trails. As your puppy gets better at tracking the scent trail, extend the length of the trail, as well as the spaces between the pieces of meat. Dragging a dead rabbit through the grass will also familiarize the puppy with its scent and prepare it to track live rabbits. Introduce your puppy to a tame rabbit. When your puppy is between 12 and 16 weeks, introduce the puppy and a tame rabbit inside of an enclosure, or starting pen. Starting pens are surrounded by rabbit proof fencing (or chicken wire), and can range in size from 60 x 60 ft. to five acres large.Tips on how to build your own starter pen can be found at http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/training/starting-pen-design-part-1. You may choose to take your puppy to a private running pen, where you will pay for each dog that is trained. Alternatively, you can buy a tame rabbit and build a pen in your yard. It is recommended to only train up to 3 puppies at a time in the starting pen. Too many dogs can be distracting, and the rabbit's scent will be weaker to the dogs' noses. Let the dog sniff the rabbit thoroughly while holding the rabbit by the scruff. Ideally, the puppy will become excited to chase the rabbit, kind of like a "toy." Also try tying up your puppy with a leash and having it watch you chase the rabbit around the enclosure. The puppy should become excited and try to break from the leash. Release the rabbit. Your puppy should become excited and chase the rabbit. If the rabbit hides behind a log or bush, this is good, as it will help train the puppy to track the rabbit with its nose. Run the puppy. Allow your dog to track and chase the rabbits around the pen for a 2-3 hours every other day, or at the very least once or twice a week. You can allow the pup to run, track, chase and investigate the rabbit on its own, but keep watch in order to prevent injuries to either the puppy or rabbit. The rabbit should be too fast for the puppy to catch, and the puppy itself will most likely not understand what to do if it actually catches the rabbit. Remove the rabbit. Once the rabbit begins to tire from running, or if you see the puppy being aggressive, remove the rabbit from the pen. Make sure to not allow your dog to harm the rabbit. Puppies will not usually harm a tame rabbit, but you should keep a close eye on the pup and the rabbit in order to prevent injury to either animal. Repeat the process with lots of praise every time your pup runs the rabbit to exhaustion. If your puppy eagerly follows the rabbit, it may only need a few times in the starting pen before it can move on. The length of training in a starter pen depends on the puppy's individual temperament. Some puppies will require only a day or two in the pen, while others may take weeks before they are independently tracking and chasing the tame rabbits. It is important to have cover in the pen that the rabbit can hide behind, as you want to train your puppy to use its nose to track, rather than "sight chase." Move your puppy to a running pen. Running pens are similar to starting pens, only larger. Your puppy can track farther afield here, and continue to use its nose rather than its eyes to locate the rabbits. Running pens can vary widely in size, from 5 acres all the way up to 100 acres or more. To save time and money, join a local gundog field trial club. Most clubs will have both starter and running pens that you can use, as well as professional dog trainers who can help with puppies or dogs that are proving more difficult to train. Keep close to your puppy most of the time to build a strong team relationship. Let your puppy run with older, trained dogs. This should occur when your pup can independently track a rabbit in the pen for around 10-20 minutes. A "brace," or two-dog pack, is often created by pairing your puppy with an older dog. Your pup will learn more advanced tracking skills from the older dog, in particular how to behave during a "check," or temporary loss of a rabbit's trail. Aim to run your young dog with a trained, but slower, female. If you only have one puppy (or puppies), you will have to run it with a friend or neighbour's dogs, or visit the local gundog club. Prepare your dog for gunfire. Introduce your dog to gunfire training early on, in order to prepare it for the loud sounds of a hunt. Gradually train your dog to tolerate gunfire. Incorporate low-level, distant gunfire into daily activities, only moving closer as your dog becomes accustomed to the sound. Do not suddenly fire a gun near your dog if it has never heard the sound before. Find the rabbits. Most rabbits will be found on dry, soft land near dense brush and other cover (thickets, briars, etc.), rather than in open spaces such as fields. Forest edges near grass and new crops are a rabbit's favourite habitat. Dawn and dusk are the best times to locate rabbits. Let the dogs out. Well-trained rabbit hunting dogs will actually do most of the work when it comes to rabbit hunting. The dogs will search through briars, thickets and other areas where rabbits like to hide that would be difficult for you to search through yourself. When hunting in packs, a dog that picks up the scent of a rabbit will begin barking, signalling the other dogs to join the chase. Prepare for the shot. Find an elevated spot or clearing from which you can follow the chase. Make sure to watch ahead of the lead dog, as it will be following the rabbit's scent and the rabbit will be running ahead of it. Rabbits do not stray far afield from their homes, and will eventually circle back during a chase. If the pursuit seems to be taking a long time, be patient, as the rabbit will begin to circle back to its home. Take the shot. When your dog(s) run the rabbit into an open area such as a trail or field, or you catch a good look at the rabbit running through brush, finish the hunt with your rifle. If the rabbit puts enough distance between itself and the dogs, it will pause to look back. This is the most ideal situation in which to kill the rabbit. Always be aware of the location of your dogs and hunting companions, and be certain you have a clear shot before pulling the trigger. | Train your dog in basic obedience. Begin training when the puppy is between 4 and 6 weeks old. Scatter pieces of treats through the yard and allow your pup to sniff around to find them. Tie a string around a piece of meat (such as a hotdog) and drag it around the yard. Introduce your puppy to a tame rabbit. Let the dog sniff the rabbit thoroughly while holding the rabbit by the scruff. Release the rabbit. Run the puppy. Remove the rabbit. Repeat the process with lots of praise every time your pup runs the rabbit to exhaustion. Move your puppy to a running pen. Let your puppy run with older, trained dogs. Prepare your dog for gunfire. Find the rabbits. Let the dogs out. Prepare for the shot. Take the shot. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Tell-if-Your-Teenager-Is-Having-Sex | How to Tell if Your Teenager Is Having Sex | The easiest way to tell if your teen is having sex is to look for obvious signs of activity like used condom wrappers, birth control pills, and pregnancy tests. If you can't find any concrete evidence, examine their social media content to see if they are posting anything inappropriate that might give you a hint about their sexual activity. Also, get permission to monitor your teen's phone so you can look for sexts or inappropriate images. No matter how you feel about your teen's actions, try to have an honest and compassionate conversation about sex instead of accusing them, since blame might make them lie or lash out. | Consider your reason for asking. Taking a moment to think about the reason why you want to ask your teen about their sexual behavior before you do so can help you to have a productive conversation with them. Ask yourself questions like: “What is my purpose for asking them about their sexual behavior?” “Am I concerned about them?” “Am I trying to educate them? Practice what you’ll say. Talking to your teen about sex might not be one of your favorite activities. You might be nervous or worried about asking your teenager about their sexual activity. If you go over what you want to say, it can make it easier for you to talk to them and also find out if they're having sex. You can write down what you want to say ahead of time and read through it, practice in front of a mirror, or role play with another parent or friend. Consider working in a bit of humor to face the awkwardness head-on: "I'm sure you'll be as excited about this as I am, but it's time for us to talk about S-E-X." Ask them directly. This is a good way to ask your teenager about their sexual behavior if you know your teen will be honest with you. Being direct about it will let you know whether your teen is having sex quicker than any other way. It will also show your teen that you think they're honest and mature enough for you to ask them directly about such a serious topic. For example, you might skip the speeches and jokes and simply ask your son, “Tez, have you started having sex?” Ask about their friends' sexual activity. If you don't think your teen is going to be honest with you if you ask them about having sex, you still have options. One alternative is to indirectly ask your teen about their sexual activity by talking about what their peers are doing. For example, you might say, “Are any of your friends having sex? What's their opinion about sex?” If the conversation is going well, you may want to ask for their opinions about sex, share some of your own views and experiences, and then ask about their personal sexual activity. Ask someone else to talk to your teen. If you aren't comfortable talking to your teenager about sex, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to find out if they're having sex. If you need to, ask someone that you and your teen trust and respect, such as an older sibling or close family friend. Try if at all possible not to violate your teen's trust by asking this third person to "spill the beans" on the discussion without your teen's knowledge. Be clear from the start that what they discuss will be shared. Or, better yet, engage in the conversation all together. Be prepared for their answer. Whether your teen is honest with you or not or whether they are having sex or not, you have to be able to accept the answer. Remain calm while you're talking to your teenager and accept whatever response they give. For example, if your teen tells you that they are having sex, don't get angry. Stay calm and let them know you accept their answer even if you don't like it. Or, if they say they don't want to talk about it, avoid getting angry. Instead, revisit the talk at another time. Even if your teen does not give you an answer, be willing to accept that. Depending on your relationship with them, they might not feel comfortable talking with you about this subject. Look for the obvious. While not all signs of sexual activity are obvious, there are some signs and clues that should leave no doubt that your teenager is having sex. Don't overlook the obvious hints, instead trust what you see and what your instincts tell you. For example, if you find a used condom wrapper, pack of birth control pills, or pregnancy test among your teen's dirty clothes and clutter, it's most likely a sign that they're having sex. Examine social media. The numerous and various apps and social networking sites available today give teenagers more access to sexual content. It also makes it easier, and sometimes seems to encourage them, to share personal information about their sex lives. While you may not want your teen sharing sensitive and potentially damaging information through text, posts, or emails, examining these outlets can give you an indication of what your teen is doing. You don't have to become an internet troll or break into their electronic devices, but you should regularly review what they're posting to see if anything is inappropriate or gives you a hint about their sexual activity. You should also be on the lookout for sexts (sexual texts) to and from your teen. These may include sexual text messages with or without images included. Watch for changes in behavior. Teens will be moody and temperamental whether they're having sex or not, but changes in typical attitudes and behaviors might indicate that they've become sexually active. Do they seem more secretive, or unwilling to share where they're going or who they're hanging out with? These aren't sure signs of sexual activity, but they might raise red flags. Keep an eye out for indications of unusually obsessive or aggressive behaviors related to sex, or signs that sex is viewed as a means of validation or building self-esteem. These could point to a more significant mental health issue that should be medically addressed. Be aware that how your teen dresses may also indicate that they are thinking about sex. For example, if your teen dresses provocatively, then they may be considering sex. (However, this is not a surefire sign.) Do not accuse your teen of anything. Accusing your teen of doing something that you find inappropriate will only make matters worse. By accusing your teen, the may be unwilling to talk with you or confide in you in the future. They may also feel like you are judging them. Even if you have strong suspicions, do not accuse your teen of anything. Talk to them every day. The best way to stay actively involved in your teenager's life is to keep the lines of communication open. Although teens are notorious for being hard to talk to, you should still make the effort. Knowing that you are available and willing to talk can make it easier for your teen to talk to about sex and for you to tell if they're having sex. Talk about everyday things like social issues, their day, their friends, and anything else that they'll discuss. You should also talk about serious issues such as drugs, alcohol, and sex on a regular basis so that you're both comfortable talking about it. Know their friends and partners. Teenagers generally have friends and partners that reflect their morals and values, and have similar opinions. Getting to know the people in your teen's life can help you learn a great deal about their sexual activity. The more you know about the people your teenager chooses to have in their life, the more you will be able to tell about your teen and the types of things they might be doing, including sex. For example, if most of your teen daughter's friends seem very into dating, romance, and intimacy, it's likely your daughter is also. Encourage your teenager to invite their friends over. You don't have to stay in the room with them the whole time, but just them being there can give you a sense of them. Support their interests. When you show an interest in the things they enjoy and participate in, it lets your teen know that you care. This is one way to build a strong bond with your teenager so that you'll both feel comfortable talking about sex. Ask your teen what their interests and hobbies are if you don't already know. Attend recitals, practices, games, etc. as much as you can. | Consider your reason for asking. Practice what you’ll say. Ask them directly. Ask about their friends' sexual activity. Ask someone else to talk to your teen. Be prepared for their answer. Look for the obvious. Examine social media. Watch for changes in behavior. Do not accuse your teen of anything. Talk to them every day. Know their friends and partners. Support their interests. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fondant-a-Cake | How to Fondant a Cake | If you want to fondant a cake, cover the cake with a thin layer of buttercream to seal in any crumbs. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the buttercream to harden, then roll out your fondant into a thin sheet on a flat surface dusted with powdered sugar. Loosely roll the fondant onto your rolling pin and drape it over the cake, smoothing it out from the top down. Trim the fondant to fit the cake, then finish decorating. | Prepare your buttercream and set aside. Then measure the top and sides of your cake with a piece of string. Lay a long piece of string over the top of the cake and fold the ends down against the sides of the cake. Trim of any excess string that touches the plate. Take the string off and set it aside. You will be using it to measure the size of your fondant. If you are doing a multi-tiered cake, measure one tier at a time. For any other cake, measure the greatest width across the top (this would be diagonal from corner to corner on a square or rectangle cake) and then add twice the height. Cover the cake with a thin layer of buttercream using a palette knife. The buttercream will help the fondant stick to the cake, so make sure to get the top and sides of the cake. Try to get the surface as smooth as possible, as any bumps will show. If there are any cracks or holes in the cake, be sure to fill them in using buttercream and then smoothing it down. Consider using a cake decorating turntable to make this step easier and quicker. You can also use light or dark ganache or apricot jam instead of buttercream. Put the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will give the buttercream enough time to harden. If the buttercream is too soft, the fondant will slide right off. Clear a large, smooth work surface and dust it with powdered sugar. The surface must be smooth, as any imperfections will get imprinted in the fondant. Lightly dusting the surface with powdered sugar will prevent the fondant from sticking to your work surface. If it is humid where you live, use a mixture of one part cornstarch and one part powdered sugar. If it is very dry, then consider using a thin layer of vegetable shortening. Allow your fondant to reach room temperature. This will make it easier to work with. You can knead it for about five minutes to make it softer and easier to work with; do not let it get too soft and sticky, however. Consider kneading in some gel or paste icing color. You can also add in some flavoring as well. Do not use a liquid food coloring. Use your hands to flatten the fondant into a rough pancake shape. Do not make it too thin yet. If you are covering a square or rectangular cake, then flatten the fondant into a square or rectangular shape. Roll out the fondant until it is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (0.64 to 0.95 centimeters) thick. Make sure to turn the fondant 180° every so often while you are rolling it out. This will help keep it circular and even. Do not lift and flip the fondant over, as this may cause it to rip. Measure the fondant with the piece of string. Take the string you cut earlier and lay it across the fondant. The fondant should be the same size as the string or a little bit bigger; you can always trim any excess fondant off later. Loosely roll the fondant onto the rolling pin. Place the rolling pin at one end of the fondant, and roll it towards the opposite end, picking the fondant as you go. This will help you transfer the fondant to the cake and lessen the chances of it ripping. Lightly the rolling pin with powdered sugar before attempting this. Gently unroll the fondant over the cake. Place the rolling pin down on top of the cake, close to one of the edges, and roll it towards the other end, unwinding the fondant. Smooth the fondant over the cake. Start at the top first, then smooth down the sides, using your fingers. Make sure that there are no folds, wrinkles, or air bubbles.Trim off any excess fondant. You can use a knife or even a pizza cutter. Try to cut as close to the bottom of the cake as possible. Finish smoothing the fondant. You can give your cake a smooth, professional finish by "ironing" the surface of the fondant with a flat-sided glass or a fondant smoothing tool. Add shine by spraying it lightly with cooking oil mist and smoothing it over again. Finish decorating the cake. You can leave the cake as it is, or you can add decorations to it using buttercream frosting, such as lettering, swirls, or flowers. You can also use embossed silicon gel mats to give your fondant a pattern. Finished. | Prepare your buttercream and set aside. Cover the cake with a thin layer of buttercream using a palette knife. Put the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Clear a large, smooth work surface and dust it with powdered sugar. Allow your fondant to reach room temperature. Use your hands to flatten the fondant into a rough pancake shape. Roll out the fondant until it is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch (0.64 to 0.95 centimeters) thick. Measure the fondant with the piece of string. Loosely roll the fondant onto the rolling pin. Gently unroll the fondant over the cake. Smooth the fondant over the cake. Finish smoothing the fondant. Finish decorating the cake. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Policy-Brief | How to Write a Policy Brief | To write a policy brief, start by writing a strong summary statement and explain in a concise introduction why the issue is important to your readers. Next, create section headings for your main sections using brief, active phrases. Then, fill the sections with content using clear language, solid research, and your proposed solutions. Finally, close the brief with a summary and a call to action to support the solutions you've proposed. | Identify your audience. Policy briefs typically aren't read by experts in the field. Rather, your audience is likely people with a higher-than-average understanding of the topic who want to understand the effects a particular policy might have. For example, if you're writing for a nonprofit organization, your audience may be supporters of your organization. On the other hand, your audience may be government officials who are potentially antagonistic to your message. If you're writing your policy brief for a class assignment, ask your instructor to identify the audience for the policy brief, if this information isn't included in the information about the assignment. Create a working thesis statement. As with any research paper, your thesis statement will organize your writing. As short as a policy brief is, every paragraph should relate in some way to your thesis statement. Because of their nature, policy briefs typically don't include a lot of background information. Your thesis statement should be related to a present issue or situation. For advocacy briefs, your thesis statement will present a way to resolve the issue the brief discusses. The thesis statement for an objective brief will present the issue itself and describe the motivation for differing approaches to addressing the issue. Find the information you need to support your thesis. Policy briefs are well-researched and well planned out. Every fact you mention in your brief should be supported by a reliable reference. Use reliable sources, preferably objective academic studies or government data and statistics. These will make your policy brief more reliable. Make sure the data and information you find is directly related to your thesis. With only a few hundred words, you don't have a lot of space to go into detail about studies in the field. Write a working draft based on your thesis statement. A draft of your policy brief gives you something to work with in later stages of the writing process. At this point, don't worry too much about structure. You'll fit your draft into a neat frame later. Don't worry about length at this stage either. Write what you think you need to include. It's easier to remove pieces than it is to add. Use a reverse outline to focus your draft. Once you have your working draft, go through it and make a note of the main point of each paragraph. Use your notes to create an outline, adjusting focus where necessary. With an outline, it will be easier to identify paragraphs that don't fit with the rest of your brief. Take a look at your reverse outline and move paragraphs around as necessary. Your narrative should flow logically from one paragraph to the next. Use transitions where necessary to make your brief a cohesive unit, rather than simply a collection of paragraphs or sections. Write a summary statement to lead off your brief. The summary statement will appear on the cover of your brief, or on the top of the first page if you don't have a cover. Use it to summarize your thesis statement and the position you take in your brief. For example, suppose you're writing a brief on voluntary euthanasia, and taking the position that it should be legal. For your summary statement, you might write: "People who are terminally ill want to die in a way that preserves their dignity and respects their autonomy. Voluntary euthanasia provides the opportunity for them to control their death." Explain why the issue is important to your readers. Use the introduction of your brief to let your readers know why they should care about the issue. Keep your audience in mind, especially if you're writing to an antagonistic audience. For example, suppose you're writing a brief on voluntary euthanasia that will be distributed to lawmakers who are against legalizing the practice. For your introduction, you might write: "All humans deserve to die with dignity. For people with terminal illnesses, this is only possible if assisted euthanasia becomes legal. Support for this is support for someone's autonomy in their final moments." Create section headings for your main sections. Section headings break up the text and allow your readers to skim the brief and read the sections that are of interest to them. Use brief, active phrases of 2 or 3 words that accurately summarize the content of the section. For example, if you're writing a policy brief on voluntary euthanasia, you may have section headings such as "Respecting Autonomy," "Preserving Dignity," and "Controlling Costs." For a policy brief, section headings allow for multiple points of entry. Rather than reading from beginning to end, your reader can focus on things they're interested in first. Close with a summary and call to action. Particularly for advocacy briefs, you want to encourage your readers to take action to support the solution you've proposed. Summarize what your readers have learned from the information you've provided in your brief, then encourage them to take action. Pay attention to your audience here. For example, if you're writing a policy brief on voluntary euthanasia that will be distributed to government officials, you might encourage them to write or promote legislation to legalize voluntary euthanasia. On the other hand, if your readers were voters, you would want them to vote for representatives who supported legalizing voluntary euthanasia. Focus on results and conclusions rather than methods. With the relatively short length of a policy brief, you don't have the space to go into the methodology used in studies. Instead of including details about raw data, highlight the conclusions of studies or statistics you use. Use phrases such as "a study found" or "statistics reveal" to introduce conclusions. Include your sources at the end of your brief. Your readers can look up the actual studies if they want to understand more about the methodology. Use clear and simple language. The best policy briefs use active language and layperson's terms to convey their points. Keep your sentences relatively short, and communicate key concepts using words anyone would understand. Avoid technical terminology wherever possible. If it is unavoidable, provide a brief description or definition after the word or phrase. Add graphics and images to make your brief easy to skim. Graphs, charts, and tables make your brief more palatable for your readers. These figures allow your readers to understand the point of your policy brief at a glance, without necessarily reading the text. Any figures should relate explicitly to your thesis statement. Imagine that someone who'd read nothing but the title and subject headings could understand your brief from the figures alone. Relate your findings to the world at large. A policy brief is only valuable if it has relevance on a broader scale. Demonstrate how the issue you discuss in your brief has broader implications that potentially intersect with other areas or impact other issues. For example, if you're writing a policy brief about assisted euthanasia, you might mention that terminally ill patients leave behind massive medical bills that could be controlled if assisted euthanasia were an option. Proofread the finished brief carefully. Read your brief forwards and backward to proofread, looking for spelling and grammatical errors. You might also read your brief aloud. Any passages you stumble over could potentially be edited to read more smoothly. A policy brief is short by its nature, which means any errors will stand out. Spelling and grammatical errors will make your brief far less reliable. | Identify your audience. Create a working thesis statement. Find the information you need to support your thesis. Write a working draft based on your thesis statement. Use a reverse outline to focus your draft. Write a summary statement to lead off your brief. Explain why the issue is important to your readers. Create section headings for your main sections. Close with a summary and call to action. Focus on results and conclusions rather than methods. Use clear and simple language. Add graphics and images to make your brief easy to skim. Relate your findings to the world at large. Proofread the finished brief carefully. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Longer-Tongue | How to Get a Longer Tongue | To get a longer tongue, start practicing Kechari Mudra yoga by rolling up your tongue and trying to touch your palate as far back as possible. Hold your tongue in position until you start to feel pain, then let it rest. Repeat the process over several months until your tongue comes close to reaching your uvula before seeking the assistance of an experienced yogi. Follow their instructions to further lengthen your tongue, which could include applying butter or ghee. | Decide whether or not surgery is the best option. Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a disorder which restricts the movement of the tongue and makes it difficult for the host to stick his or her tongue out of their mouth. With ankyloglossia, the band of tissue connecting the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (lingual frenulum) is abnormally short resulting in oral complications. You should consider surgery if you or your child have restricted tongue movement due to ankyloglossia. Ankyloglossia affects more than speech. A person with the condition may also experience problems with oral hygiene, dental health, eating, digestion and sexual function. Ankyloglossia can be caused by environmental or genetic factors. Tongue-tie surgery can be performed on children, infants or adults. Ankyloglossia can negatively affect the ability of an infant to breastfeed. If you're the parent of a child with ankyloglossia, surgery is often the best option. In most cases, the lingual frenulum will not stretch or break on its own. Undergo lingual frenectomy surgery. A lingual frenectomy is the most common procedure performed when the lingual frenulum results in restricted tongue movement. This is a relatively simple procedure in which an oral surgeon uses a pair of sterilized scissors to completely remove the lingual frenulum. A lingual frenectomy is a short, 10-15 minute operation usually performed with local anesthesia. There aren't many blood vessels in the lingual frenulum, so discomfort should be minimal during the procedure. Undergo lingual frenuloplasty surgery. A lingual frenuloplasty is performed when the lingual frenulum is too thick or additional repair is needed after a lingual frenectomy. A lingual frenuloplasty is a more exact surgery which aims to alter the lingual frenulum without completely removing it. The goal of lingual frenuloplasty is the same as a lingual frenectomy procedure; both surgeries aim to increase the tongue's length and range of motion. A lingual frenuloplasty is done under general anesthesia. Surgical tools are used, and the oral surgeon uses stitches on the resulting wound. Understand potential complications following surgery. Postoperative complications associated with a lingual frenectomy and frenuloplasty aren't usually serious but can include infection, bleeding and nerve damage. Because lingual frenuloplasty surgery is more involved, there are additional risks of scarring and negative reactions to anesthesia. Both surgeries can be performed using a scalpel or laser. If you have laser surgery to correct your ankyloglossia you won't need stitches and there is usually less pain and bleeding after surgery. Perform tongue exercises. Tongue exercises should be performed after surgery to further develop tongue's muscles, length and range of motion. These exercises include: Stretching your tongue up to your nose and down to your chin. Repeat this exercise three or four times. Moving your tongue back and forth across the outside of your top lip. Closing your mouth and moving your tongue between your right and left cheeks. Moving your tongue in and out of your mouth several times. Understand the basics of Kechari Mudra yoga. Kechari Mudra is an advanced yoga practice in which the practitioner uses their tongue to strengthen their body and raise their level of consciousness. The idea with Kechari Mudra Yoga is to slowly increase the length of the tongue until it's eventually long enough to enter and stimulate certain areas in the nasal cavity. With continued practice, Kechari Mudra may also help the practitioner fight diseases and lower their breathing rate. Begin practicing Kechari Mudra. While sitting in a comfortable position, roll your tongue up to touch your upper palate. See how far back your tongue is able to go. You may only be able to touch your hard palate when first starting out. Hold your tongue back until you start to feel pain, then rest your tongue in its normal position. As you continue practicing Kechari Mudra Yoga, your tongue should stretch and reach further back towards your uvula. After you gain some confidence, you can practice Kechari Mudra while engaging in light activities. Seek the guidance of an advanced yogi. In the final stages of Kechari Mudra, your tongue should be long enough to go behind your uvula and up into your nasal cavity. You'll reach this stage more safely and successfully with the help of an expert yogi to assist you in your practice. Your guide may recommend the application of butter or ghee to draw out and lengthen your tongue. At this point, your tongue should be long enough to reach the center of your eyebrows. Even with a guide, Kechari Mudra may take months or years to master. | Decide whether or not surgery is the best option. Undergo lingual frenectomy surgery. Undergo lingual frenuloplasty surgery. Understand potential complications following surgery. Perform tongue exercises. Understand the basics of Kechari Mudra yoga. Begin practicing Kechari Mudra. Seek the guidance of an advanced yogi. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-Away-a-Mattress | How to Throw Away a Mattress | To throw away a mattress, wrap it in plastic and set it by the road, or break it down and put it into trash bags. If you decide to put it on the road, get a mattress disposal or storage bag since many waste management companies require it to be wrapped up. Seal the bag with packing tape to make sure the mattress doesn't slip out, then set it on the curb on the morning of your "heavy trash" day. Alternatively, to break the mattress down, cut and pull off the binding cord to remove the sides of the mattress. After the sides are removed, place all the fabric and foam material into trash bags and put it out with your trash or take it to a recycling facility. Finish by cutting the metal springs into smaller pieces with wire cutters and throwing them away or taking them to the scrap yard. | Wrap the mattress in plastic. Go to a department store, a home improvement store, or a moving supply store to get a mattress disposal bag or a mattress storage bag. Your local waste management authority likely requires that mattresses be disposed of this way for sanitation reasons. To avoid being fined, put your mattress in one of these bags and seal it closed with packing tape before you throw it away. Set the mattress out on heavy trash day. Once your mattress is wrapped in plastic, it's ready to be placed by your trash can on the curb. Wait to set out your mattress until it's the morning of your monthly “heavy trash day,” when large trash items are accepted. If you aren't sure what day this is in your area, check your local waste management website to find out. Don't do this with multiple bulk items at a time, or else you may be fined. To be safe, only set your one mattress out next to your trash, instead of multiple mattresses or multiple pieces of furniture. Hire a disposal company if you have a lot of trash. If you're throwing away multiple bulk items, consider hiring someone to come pick it all up for you. This can be a bit pricey, but may be worth the money if you have many large things to get rid of. Search online for local general trash removal companies and local companies that specifically dispose of mattresses. Request quotes from these companies and go with the most affordable option. Try selling your mattress online. Even if you think your mattress is old and no one will want it, others may think otherwise. List your mattress for a reasonable price on websites and/or apps like Craigslist, eBay, and Letgo and see if anyone shows interest in purchasing it. To improve your chances of attracting potential buyers, provide quality photos of the mattress and an include an accurate item description. Donate your mattress to a charity. Check with nonprofit organizations in your area to see if they can accept your mattress as a donation. Some of these organizations, like Salvation Army and Goodwill, may not be able to accept your mattress. However, it's a good idea to check with Habitat for Humanity, local churches, homeless shelters, and thrift stores to see if they can. Return your mattress to the retailer you got it from. Mattress disposal has become quite an issue, so many retailers and manufacturers often take on the task of disposing of them for customers. If you're purchasing a new mattress, ask the retailer if they'd be willing to take your old one and dispose of it properly. Recycle your mattress. If you have access to a vehicle that can transport a mattress, roll it up, tie it down, and transport it to a local recycling center. You can drop your mattress off for free and they'll break it down for you. If this sounds like too much of an inconvenience, you can also hire a mattress recycling service to come pick the mattress up from your home, break it down, and recycle the parts for as low as $50-100. Go to earth911.com or byebyemattress.com to find a recycling center near you. Cut and pull off your mattress’ binding cord. If you have a few tools and a decent amount of space, you may be able to take matters into your own hands and break down your mattress by yourself. Use a seam ripper or a utility knife to rip the thread on the side of your mattress where the piping stops. Grab ahold of the cord and pull it away from the mattress all the way around. Pull off the sides of the mattress. Grab the fabric covering the sides of the mattress. With the cord removed, it should be relatively easy to pull off all of the material on the sides that's covering the inside of the mattress. Pull off the rest of the fabric and the fluffy foam. Once the sides are removed, rip off all other fabric that's on the outside of the mattress. Then, pull out all of the fluffy foam material that's packed into the inside of the mattress and stuff it into trash bags. This can be taken to a recycling facility or thrown into your trash can. Cut and recycle the metal springs. After pulling out all of the filler material, you should only have metal springs remaining. Cut the springs into smaller pieces using wire cutters or bolt cutters. If you're crafty, you can keep these metal pieces and make wine racks, pot holders, and more. If not, consider taking the pieces to a metal recycling center or a scrap yard. You can also just put them into trash bags and throw them out with your regular trash. Break down your box spring if you’re also getting rid of it. Start off by using a screwdriver to remove the plastic pieces that are stapled to the corners. Cut and tear away the dust cover to expose the wooden frame underneath. Use pliers to pull off the staples that are securing the fabric to the frame. Then, pull out all of the foam and cotton on the inside and pull off all remaining fabric. Use a handsaw or a handheld buzz saw to cut the wooden frame into smaller pieces. Throw the wooden pieces into your compost pile or use them as firewood. You can also throw them away. | Wrap the mattress in plastic. Set the mattress out on heavy trash day. Hire a disposal company if you have a lot of trash. Try selling your mattress online. Donate your mattress to a charity. Return your mattress to the retailer you got it from. Recycle your mattress. Cut and pull off your mattress’ binding cord. Pull off the sides of the mattress. Pull off the rest of the fabric and the fluffy foam. Cut and recycle the metal springs. Break down your box spring if you’re also getting rid of it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Fit-Fast | How to Get Fit Fast | If you want to get fit fast, exercise every day, or as often as possible. Do exercises such as planks, burpees and lunges to work multiple muscle groups at the same time. Alternate between exercises on different days to ensure that you're working all your muscle groups. With any activity you choose, apply interval training. For example, run fast for 2 to 3 minutes, then walk or jog slowly for about 20 minutes. | Exercise efficiently. Try to do exercises which work multiple muscle groups at once and provide superior results for the amount of time which you need to put in to doing them, as exercises like these are more efficient. Such exercises are usually very tiring and hard on the body, but they will get you the furthest the fastest. Try planks. Planks are one of the most efficient exercises. You can greatly improve your core, leg, and arm strength with just a few minutes of this exercise every day. Planks are done by holding a position similar to a push up, but supporting the upper half of your body on your forearms. Hold this for as long as possible. Do 5-10 minutes of this a day, broken into sets, for visible results. Do burpees. Burpees are done by starting in a standing position. Drop to a crouch, go into a push-up form, go back to the crouch position, and then jump upwards with hands raised to return to the standing position. These are considered a very effective exercise, as they work all areas of the body. Practice lunges. Step forward with your right leg, and lower your body until both legs are bent at 90-degree angles. Keep your back straight, and do not let your front knee bend over your toes. Push back up to starting position, and repeat with the left leg. You can easily add weight to this move by doing bicep curls with dumbbells. Try squats. Squats are done by standing with your feet a hip's distance apart, your back straight, arms crossed in front of you, and slowly lowering yourself down as if to sit in a chair. After you are in the sitting position, raise yourself back up. These are a great exercise for your core and leg muscles. You can add hand-held weights to the routine to work the arms as well. To work out your lower and upper body at the same time, try adding an overhead press to your squat. Hold dumbbells in each hand at hip or shoulder level. Squat down, and as you rise up out of the squat, press the dumbbells overhead. Do push ups. Push-ups are a great exercise that will work out your triceps, shoulders, glutes, and core. To start, get into a plank pose with your hands flat on the ground below your shoulders. Lower your body until you are just above the ground. As you do so, tuck your elbows close to your body, keeping your core engaged. Push back up, and repeat for the desired number of repetitions. Don’t forget walking. Most experts will agree that walking is probably one of the best ways to get fit. If you are completely out of shape, you can just walk. If you are decently in shape, you can walk quickly. For those that are further along, you can hike, jog or run. Walking is a great way to work many muscle groups and improve heart strength and blood flow. Understand interval training. Interval training is any exercise repeated at a very high intensity for only a few minutes (2-3 at most) and alternated with a slow paced activity or rest. Continue high intensity and low intensity intervals for about twenty minutes. Interval training is regarded as one of the most effective exercise regimens. It is less time consuming but appears to produce identical effects. Do a sprint-walk routine. The most basic interval training routine is to run as fast as you can for 2-3 blocks (or roughly 400 meters) and then walk back to the starting point, beginning the process over again. Alternatively, warm up by walking slowly for five minutes and quickly for ten minutes. You can then sprint for three blocks, walk back two blocks, sprint for three blocks, walk back two blocks (and so on, lasting 15 minutes). When that time has passed, walk back quickly to your origin point to cool down. Apply interval training to your preferred activity. You can apply interval training to almost any exercise activity, as long as it has the potential to be very intense. You can try cycling, swimming, as well as many core exercises. Alternate between exercise activities on different days if you can to ensure that all of your muscle groups get worked evenly. Eat a balanced diet. You can exercise all you want but if you live off of McDonald's cheeseburgers, you're going to have an awfully difficult time getting fit. It's important to eat a balanced diet so that your body gets all of the essential fuel it needs to run. Eat a balance of lean meats, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates to get your body what it needs. You will want to be sure to get lots of lean protein, as this is necessary for building muscle. Good sources of protein include seafood, lean meats, eggs, milk, beans, soy and nuts. Carbohydrates from whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and dairy will provide you with energy. Avoid foods with a high amount of trans fats. This typically includes processed foods, microwavable meals, pastries, and fried foods. Drink lots of water. Your body is made mostly of water, so you better believe you need it! Try to drink straight water, or water flavored with a little natural lemon juice or other natural flavoring. Drinking soda will add way too much sugar to your diet (fake sugar is not good for you either), as will juice. Tea and coffee dehydrate your body and should also be avoided. Milk is actually a great and inexpensive source of both calcium and protein. It is recommended that adults drink eight 8oz glasses of water every day. This number will be different for everybody, so pay attention to what your body needs, but 8 is an excellent starting point. Don't forget that this number can be split between different types of liquid. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. If you feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated. Furthermore, being thirsty can sometimes cause you to overeat. Take supplement. While science still has a lot of unknowns regarding the benefits of vitamins, they generally are understood to probably be helpful (so long as you take the right ones in the right amounts). Consult with your doctor, a nutritionist, or a registered dietitian about the supplements that they would recommend. Vitamins can be dangerous too. Certain combinations can make you sick or complicate any existing health conditions. You can also overdose on many vitamins. Treat them like medicine and talk to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen. | Exercise efficiently. Try planks. Do burpees. Practice lunges. Try squats. Do push ups. Don’t forget walking. Understand interval training. Do a sprint-walk routine. Apply interval training to your preferred activity. Eat a balanced diet. Drink lots of water. Take supplement. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Deep-Stains-from-Dishes | How to Remove Deep Stains from Dishes | If your dishes have deep food or drink stains, you can remove them with simple household items. Try mixing baking soda with a little water to make a sticky paste. Then, scrub your stained dishes with it. If that doesn't work, mix 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and white vinegar with 1 cup of water. Soak your dishes in the mixture for a couple of hours, then rinse them. If your dishes still have deep stains, try using a heavy-duty dish cleaner. However, avoid products containing chlorine bleach, since this can ruin the glaze on ceramic or glazed china dishes. | Wash dishes thoroughly. Leftover foodstuffs can cover up stains, shielding them from your cleaning efforts. Rinse and dry the dishes before continuing. Spot-clean stained dishes using a baking soda paste. To remove deep stains from your dishes, you'll need to introduce a solvent to dissolve the stain so that it can be washed away. Baking soda is a popular and convenient option and is significantly less caustic than industrial solvents. Start with a tablespoon of baking soda, and add just enough water or white vinegar to make a sticky paste. Using a clean dish rag or scouring pad, scrub the stains vigorously with the solvent paste, then rinse. Lemon juice is another common household product which can function as a mild solvent, and is a good substitute for white vinegar. Use a soaking solution of baking soda and vinegar to remove deeper stains. If a baking soda paste has proven ineffective, you may need to allow the solvents more time to deeply penetrate any stains. In enough hot water to completely submerge your dish, dissolve roughly 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of baking soda and 1 tbsp of white vinegar per cup of water, then allow the stained dishes to soak in the solution for 1-2 hours. Rinse the dishes, and evaluate any remaining stains. If the stains have faded somewhat, but not completely, you may repeat the baking soda and vinegar soak. If the soak has not been effective at removing the stains, you'll need to consider more heavy-duty solvent options. Try a more powerful solvent. If common household solvents have proven ineffective, you may need a more potent solvent to remove the stains on your dishes. Many brands and varieties are available. Whenever working with chemicals, be sure to follow any instructions on the product's package closely. Work in a well-ventilated area, and avoid exposure to any caustic chemicals by wearing rubber gloves. Rinse your dishes thoroughly after applying the solvent to ensure that none of it remains on the dish. Not all commercially available heavy-duty dish cleaners are appropriate for all types of dish. Read the packaging carefully, and familiarize yourself with your options before purchasing. Use care when bleaching ceramics. Chlorine bleach, or any product containing it, should not be used on ceramics or glazed china, as it may interact with, and ruin, the glaze. Oxygen bleach (usually used for laundry) can be used instead. Mix oxygen bleach powder in hot water, allow it to cool to room temperature, and allow your dishes to soak. This will remove most stains, even the crack-like "crazing lines" which may begin appearing as ceramics age. A common alternative for removing stains on china is 20% hydrogen peroxide solution, which is available in most pharmacies. Simply apply the solution to the affected area of the dish, then wash and rinse thoroughly. Wash dishes thoroughly to ensure that no food remains on their surfaces. If washing in a dish washer, make sure the dishes are placed on the uppermost dishwasher rack to avoid exposing the plastic to high temperatures. Rinse and dry before continuing. Set the dishes in strong sunlight for at least two hours. Sunlight has a bleaching effect on plastic, and a few hours of exposure can remove stains, and will help deodorize your plastic dishes. Leave your dishes stain side up in front of an open window, or in a suitable outdoor location where sunlight is plentiful. After a few hours, check to see if the stains have lifted. Try applying a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar are convenient options, and are effective at dissolving many common varieties of food stains. Either soak your plastic dishes in a solution of baking soda, vinegar and warm water (roughly 1 tbsp each of baking soda and vinegar for every cup of water) for 1-2 hours, or scrub the dish using a baking soda paste (made by combining a small amount of baking soda with just enough vinegar or water to make it sticky). Alternately, you can use salt and lemon juice, instead of baking soda and vinegar, to create a scrubbing paste. Another common household alternative to baking soda and vinegar is rubbing alcohol, which can be applied via soaking, or simply by scrubbing the alcohol into the affected area of the plastic dish. Try using an oxygenating agent, like denture cleaner or a fizzing antacid tablet. These products can be surprisingly effective at lifting stains out of plastic dishes, especially cups and bowls. Simply fill the cup or bowl with water and drop two denture cleaner or antacid tablets inside, and soak overnight before washing and rinsing. Soak the dishes in a solution of chlorine bleach. Bleach is potent and somewhat hazardous, but is a good last-resort when other approaches have failed to remove stains. Carefully combine bleach and water at a ratio of roughly one part bleach per two parts water, then allow the plastic dishes to soak in the solution for 30 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the dishes. Bleach is a very caustic substance, and you should be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from contact with it. Also make sure the space you are working in is well ventilated, so that the fumes produced by the bleach are safely dissipated. Avoid scratching or chipping your dishes. Breaks in the surface of a glass, china or ceramic dish will allow food and drink to enter, leading to deeper, more difficult-to-clean stains. Warm ceramic dishes before serving hot food. Sudden changes in heat can cause tiny fractures in the surface of ceramic dishes or china. You should avoid causing this by warming the dishes (for instance, by placing them near or on a warm oven) before serving hot food on them. Wash dishes promptly with warm water. This will prevent any food or drink remaining on the surface of the dish from setting in. Coffee and tea cups are especially important to clean immediately, since stains from these beverages tend to set in more quickly, and be much harder to remove. If you intend to store leftovers for a while, put the food into a container or dish you don't mind staining before putting it in the fridge. Wash dishes properly, using hot water. Washing and rinsing dishes in water that is too cold makes it more difficult to remove grease, or food particles from a dish during washing, potentially leading to staining. Avoid water marks on glass dishes by using the correct amount of detergent. Using too much detergent in your automatic dishwasher can result in water marks. If your glasses frequently become water marked after washing, consider reducing the amount of detergent. If this doesn't work, consider trying a new detergent. | Wash dishes thoroughly. Spot-clean stained dishes using a baking soda paste. Use a soaking solution of baking soda and vinegar to remove deeper stains. Rinse the dishes, and evaluate any remaining stains. Try a more powerful solvent. Use care when bleaching ceramics. Wash dishes thoroughly to ensure that no food remains on their surfaces. Set the dishes in strong sunlight for at least two hours. Try applying a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Try using an oxygenating agent, like denture cleaner or a fizzing antacid tablet. Soak the dishes in a solution of chlorine bleach. Avoid scratching or chipping your dishes. Warm ceramic dishes before serving hot food. Wash dishes promptly with warm water. Wash dishes properly, using hot water. Avoid water marks on glass dishes by using the correct amount of detergent. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Crush-to-Like-You | How to Get Your Crush to Like You | If you have a crush on someone and you want them to like you back, spend some time talking to them so you can find things you have in common. Be supportive when they're feeling down, offer to help if they're having trouble with something, and tell jokes to make them laugh so they can see what a good friend you are. Also, try to act as relaxed and comfortable as possible when your crush is around so they feel at ease. Finally, be sure to smile and make eye contact with your crush to show that you're interested and happy being around them! | Be a supportive friend. The best relationships start as a strong friendship. Focus on being the best friend you can be by doing things like helping them when they're in need, being an active listener, and showing your support whenever possible. Let your crush tell you all about their bad day, an exciting achievement, or whatever is on their mind. Support them by doing things like cheering them on if they're on the basketball team, helping them study for a test, or getting them a treat when they're feeling down. Find out what they’re passionate about. This includes things like music, sports, books, and hobbies. Finding out what types of things they love will give you something to talk about with them, and you might even find a common interest that you both share. For example, maybe they're passionate about volunteering at a nursing home, sailing, and woodworking. Find out about their passions by asking them what they're interested in, asking one of their friends, or looking at their social media profiles. Ask questions about their interests and life. This is one of the best ways to show someone you're interested while establishing a strong connection. Ask them about their family, pets, hobbies, or any other topic that helps you get to know them. This shows that you're engaged and interested in their life. For example, you might ask them what they'd like to study in college, what the names of their pets are, or how they learned to play the guitar. Asking questions will likely encourage them to ask questions about your life in return so that you both get to know each other on a deeper level. Listen when they talk to you. This means showing the signs of a good listener by looking at your crush when they're talking and avoiding interrupting them. Try to remember things they've told you to show that you truly do listen and want to hear more of what they have to say. Show that you're truly listening by making eye contact and nodding appropriately when they're speaking to you. If you're speaking to them over text or social media, try to respond to their messages in a timely manner and give thoughtful responses. For example, if your crush told you they love a certain musician, you might let them know when that musician is performing near you to show that you were listening to their interests. Spend lots of time with them. The more time you spend around someone, the more likely they are to develop an attraction to you. Try to hang out with your crush as much as possible, whether it's in a large group, with just a few other friends, or alone. Try doing different activities when you're with each other, like going to a movie, hanging out in a park with friends, or even just sitting together at lunch. Have good personal hygiene. This means doing things like brushing your teeth, showering, and putting on deodorant. Keep your body clean by washing your face daily and lathering with soap. When you take care of your body, you'll look and feel more attractive. Wash your hair every couple of days, using conditioner after you shampoo if desired. Wear clean clothes daily to ensure you look and smell fresh. Show them your playful and fun side. If your crush sees you having a good time, they'll be more likely to want to spend time with you so they have fun too. Try telling your crush funny stories about yourself or just being laid-back and goofy around them to show your humorous side. Consider being playful and flirty by giving your crush a gentle shove or tap. Show off your wit or any jokes you know when you're around your crush or over text. Dress in clothing that shows off your style. Choose trendy clothes that you truly like and that fit your body well. Try not to wear certain clothes just because they're in fashion or you think your crush would like them—pick out clothes you feel confident in and that mirror your personality. If you want to look fashionable and girly, find dresses or flowy tops in prints or patterns you like. Wear fitted jeans and a t-shirt with a picture of your favorite band or book on it to show your interests. Maintain a level of mysteriousness. Instead of telling your crush everything about yourself at once, try to take it slow and let them learn about you in small tidbits. Constantly talking about yourself is going to overwhelm your crush. Instead, space out the information you tell them, making them want to hear more about you. If your crush asks you a question about your life like “What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?” you could answer the question and then ask your crush a question to keep the conversation flowing naturally. Be yourself! Try not to act differently or pretend to be interested in things you're not just so that your crush will like you. When you're being your true self, you'll give off more confidence and energy than you would if you were faking it, making it more likely for your crush to be attracted to you. Stay true to yourself and don't worry if your crush doesn't realize how great you are. Share your passions with your crush to show them what you're interested in and find out whether you have any common interests. Smile as often as possible. A smile will immediately brighten your entire look, making it a simple way to help attract your crush. Try to smile more often when you're around your crush, even if you're not directly talking to them. It will make you look and feel naturally happier! Smile at your crush if you see them in the hallway, or give them a smile when talking to them about their weekend plans. If you're texting your crush or using social media, try sending them a smiley face symbol or emoji. Hold eye contact to show your interest. When your crush looks at you, hold their gaze for a few seconds before looking away. This extra eye contact hints that you like them, and it may stir up feelings inside of them too. If you're talking to your crush, look into their eyes as you're speaking. If your crush notices you looking at them, hold the eye contact for a few seconds and give them a smile. Lean in when you’re talking to them. This shows that you're interested in what they're saying or doing. Whether you're sitting across from them at a table or standing a few feet from one another, try to lean towards them a couple of inches to show that you're engaged. For example, if you're sitting in class at separate desks, lean your body towards them when asking your crush a question or telling them about your day. Pointing your body towards someone is a signal that you're attracted to them. Pay attention to your posture. You'll look more attractive and confident if you have great posture. Sit or stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed and back, and avoid crossing your arms in front of you. Avoid hunching over when you're walking or sitting at a table. Laugh at your crush's jokes. And as you are laughing, playfully and lightly hit your crush on the shoulder, this will let your crush know that you're paying attention to what he is saying. Don't overdo it though, as it will make you seem weird. | Be a supportive friend. Find out what they’re passionate about. Ask questions about their interests and life. Listen when they talk to you. Spend lots of time with them. Have good personal hygiene. Show them your playful and fun side. Dress in clothing that shows off your style. Maintain a level of mysteriousness. Be yourself! Smile as often as possible. Hold eye contact to show your interest. Lean in when you’re talking to them. Pay attention to your posture. Laugh at your crush's jokes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dandelion-Wine | How to Make Dandelion Wine | To make dandelion wine, start by washing around 2 quarts of whole dandelion flowers and soaking them in water for 2 days. Then, transfer the flowers to fresh water with lime juice, orange juice, and lemon juice, as well as some ginger, cloves, orange peels, lemon peels, and sugar. Next, boil the mixture for 1 hour before straining it through coffee filters and adding some yeast. Finally, let the mixture sit overnight before transferring it to bottles and letting them age for at least 6 months. | Sterilize your winemaking equipment with hot water. You can buy winemaking supplies at a local homebrewing and fermenting store or find equipment online. Don't use soap to clean your materials because soap leaves a residue. Instead, use a scrub brush and hot water to sterilize your pot, spoon, bottles, and strainer. To make dandelion wine, you'll need: A pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) Fine-mesh strainer Cheesecloth Fermenting container A thin plastic tube for siphoning 5 wine bottles Cut 16 cups (2 kg) of dandelion flowers. Take a big bucket into a field of dandelions that haven't been sprayed with pesticides. Pluck the dandelion heads and toss them into the bucket. Try not to pick any leaves or stems, since you don't want anything green, which makes the wine bitter. When you get home, measure the flowers to see if you have 16 cups (2 kg). Pick your dandelions on a sunny day since they'll be wide open and there won't be bugs hiding in the petals. Some people don't mind leaving the green base attached to the dandelion heads, but it can make your wine taste a little bitter. For the best-tasting wine, cut the petals from the green base of the stem. Enlist help for this! It can take a while to pick 16 cups (2 kg) of dandelions, so ask friends or your kids to pick with you. Pour boiling water over the petals and soak them for 3 days. Transfer the petals into a pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and carefully pour in 16 cups (3.8 L) of boiling water. Then, cover the pot and put it in a dark room at room temperature. Leave the petals to soak for 3 days so they infuse the water. Strain the liquid into another large pot. Get out another pot that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and set it on the stove. Place a colander or fine-mesh strainer over it and lay a few pieces of cheesecloth in it. Take your infused dandelion water and slowly pour it through the strainer so the cheesecloth catches all of the petals. Then, throw away the petals. You can push against the petals with the back of a spoon or gather the cheesecloth and squeeze it to get all of the water into the pot. Add sliced citrus, raisins, and sugar to the pot. Cut 3 lemons and 3 oranges into slices and add them to the pot. Stir in 1 cup of (145 g) of raisins and 5 1/2 cups (1 kg) of white granulated sugar. The citrus lightly flavors the wine and the raisins can give the wine some body. Boil the liquid for 30 minutes. Turn the burner to high and stir the mixture occasionally. Boil it for 30 minutes so all of the sugar completely dissolves and the raisins plump up. Use a long-handled spoon so you don't burn yourself if the hot liquid splatters. Pour the liquid a fermenting container and cool it to room temperature. Get out a fermenting container that holds at least 5 US quarts (4.7 L) and pour the strained dandelion water into it. Set the liquid aside to cool for at least a few hours or until it's room temperature. It's really important to cool the liquid before you add the yeast or the heat will kill the yeast. You can use a sterilized bucket, jar, or container with a lid to ferment the wine. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (12 g) of active dry yeast onto the liquid. Before you add the yeast, read the label and check the expiration date. If the yeast hasn't expired, sprinkle 1 tablespoon (12 g) of it over the liquid in your fermenting container. There's no need to stir the yeast. Wine yeast is best for this recipe, but if you can't find it, you can substitute the same amount of active dry yeast. However, your wine might be cloudy and the taste may be a little off if you use active dry yeast. Cover the container with cloth and pin it in place. Spread a layer of cheesecloth over your fermenting container and secure the edges. Use clothespins to pin the cloth to the edges of a fermenting bucket or use a rubber band to hold the cloth in place on a fermenting jar. Ferment the wine for 3 weeks at room temperature and stir it once a day. Put the fermenting container back in a dark place at room temperature and leave it for 3 weeks. Stir it once a day until the surface of the liquid stops forming bubbles. The yeast causes the liquid to foam as it becomes active. When it stops foaming, this is a sign that the wine isn't fermenting anymore. Strain the wine into a clean container. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large container and pour the wine through it. This catches stray dandelion petals, the citrus slices, and the raisins. Stop pouring when there's mainly cloudy yeast sediment in the bottom of your fermenting container. Leave the wine for 2 to 3 days before you bottle it. Give the wine a chance to settle again before you bottle it. Wait 2 or 3 days, then set 5 sterilized wine bottles on your counter. Fill each bottle with dandelion wine and leave space at the top so you can put a cork in. If you have a siphon and clear plastic tubing, use these to siphon the wine from the container into the bottles. Age the wine for 2 to 3 months before you serve it. If you try to drink the dandelion wine immediately, it will have a harsh flavor that's not very pleasant. Put your filled wine bottles in a cool, dark space and leave the wine for at least a few months before you enjoy it. You'll be rewarded with mellow, sweet dandelion wine! Remember that dandelion wine has about the same alcohol content as standard wine made from grapes. Only serve the wine to guests who are of legal drinking age, and drink responsibly. If you taste the wine and find that it's still too harsh, just stop it back up and age it for a few more weeks. | Sterilize your winemaking equipment with hot water. Cut 16 cups (2 kg) of dandelion flowers. Pour boiling water over the petals and soak them for 3 days. Strain the liquid into another large pot. Add sliced citrus, raisins, and sugar to the pot. Boil the liquid for 30 minutes. Pour the liquid a fermenting container and cool it to room temperature. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (12 g) of active dry yeast onto the liquid. Cover the container with cloth and pin it in place. Ferment the wine for 3 weeks at room temperature and stir it once a day. Strain the wine into a clean container. Leave the wine for 2 to 3 days before you bottle it. Age the wine for 2 to 3 months before you serve it. |
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