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https://www.wikihow.com/Regrow-Hair-After-Hair-Loss-(Women) | How to Regrow Hair After Hair Loss (Women) | To promote healthy hair, take a healthy dose of protein, vitamin C, and zinc either through the foods you eat or by taking a supplement. You can also promote hair growth by only washing your hair every other day. Instead of using high-heat styles like straightening or curling, opt for covered elastic bands to hold your hair in a loose ponytail. If you want to use a treatment, rub minoxidil into your scalp twice daily. | Practice good hair care. In some cases, poor hair care can cause hair loss or prevent regrowth. Using good and healthy hair care habits can help you regrow your hair. Wash your hair regularly and gently. Clean your hair and scalp regularly and in a gentle manner with shampoo and conditioner. This can help you not only regrow your hair, but prevent damage that may cause further hair loss. Wash your hair every other day or as little as necessary. Frequent washing can damage your strands. Massage shampoo into your scalp and into the length of your hair. Rinse by allowing water to flow from your scalp down the ends of your hair. Don't rub your hair as it rinses, which may cause damage or hair loss. Apply a conditioner to your hair. After you finish washing and rinsing your hair, apply a conditioner along the length of your hair from ends to scalp. This can help prevent further hair loss through damage, including breaking. Make sure to use conditioner every time you wash your hair. Dry your hair cautiously. Drying your hair with towels and hair dryers can cause damage and impede hair growth. Dry your hair with caution to help prevent breakage and promote regrowth. After you've washed your hair, use a towel to rub or pat your strands dry. Avoid the temptation to wrap your hair in a towel, which can damage your hair and cause breakage. Let your hair air dry if possible. If you use a hair dryer, use the lowest heat setting. Reducing the number of times per week that you use a hair dryer can also promote hair growth. Avoid vigorous or frequent brushing and combing. If you brush or comb your hair, try and do this as infrequently and gently as possible. Reducing how often you brush or comb and changing the way in which you do it can help promote hair growth and prevent damage. Only brush your hair to style it. It's a myth that you should brush your hair 100 strokes a day. Allow your hair to air dry a bit before brushing or combing after washing. Use a wide toothed comb to untangle wet hair. This will cause less damage than a brush. If your hair is tangled , remove tangles gently and use a conditioner to help you if necessary. Style hair wisely. Many people style their hair or use styling products such as curling irons, which are often hotter than a dryer. If you have to style your hair, choose loose styles, avoid heavy products, and use lower heat tools. Pulling hair back tightly in ponytails or styles such as cornrows not only can break or damage hair, but also may cause hair loss. Wear your hair pulled back loosely and try different hairstyles every day to allow your hair and scalp to relax. Use covered elastic bands to pull back your hair. Rubber can pull and break hair. Avoid styling products that are labeled “long lasting hold”. These can damage hair and cause breakage. If you use styling tools such as curling irons, flat irons, or hot combs, keep them at the lowest setting. If you wear a weave or hair extensions, make sure they are light so that they don't pull at your hair and scalp. Use chemical treatments sparingly or not at all. If you chemically treat your hair with color, perms, or relaxants, wait longer between treatments or avoid them altogether if you can. This can not only promote growth, but may also prevent damage and breaking. Wait eight to 10 weeks between touch ups. Have only one service at a time. If you are having multiple services, wait two weeks in between them. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun. If you go outside frequently, use a sunscreen or large hat. This can not only protect your strands and scalp from the suns harmful rays, but may help promote hair growth and prevent breakage. Any type of wide-brimmed hat can protect your hair. You can either use a sunscreen specifically formulated for hair or a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide to protect your hair and scalp. Stimulate growth with scalp massage. Rubbing your scalp stimulates and increases blood flow. Try getting a professional scalp massage or rub your own scalp to help prevent hair loss and promote growth. Some massage therapists are specifically trained to help increase blood flow to the scalp with massage. Increased blood flow results in increased nutrient absorption, which can in turn stimulate hair growth. Massage can help condition the scalp and strengthen the roots of your hair. Massage lavender oil into your hair. There is some evidence that lavender oil may help hair loss. Massage a small amount into your hair and scalp to help promote growth and decrease hair loss. You can get lavender oil at health food stores and some grocery stores. Rub a small amount into your scalp once a day. You can mix the lavender oil with other essential oils including thyme, rosemary, and cedar wood. Increase nutrient consumption. Your hair is an outward sign of your general health, and certain vitamins and minerals contribute to the health of your locks. Increase your intake of certain nutrients to help your hair grow and stay strong. Protein is one of the building blocks of hair. Getting enough lean protein from meat, dairy products, fish, eggs, and nuts can help your hair get strong and grow. Iron helps prevent hair loss. You can get extra iron from red meat, organ meat, fish, and chicken, as well as veggie options such as lentils, kale, and broccoli. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron as well as produce collagen that can strengthen your hair shafts. Try eating blueberries, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries to get sufficient vitamin C. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the oils on your scalp, which in turn keep your hair hydrated. Get Omega-3s in fish such as salmon and trout, and other sources including avocado and pumpkin seeds. A lack of zinc and/or selenium can lead to hair loss. Eat fortified whole grains, oysters, beef, and eggs to get enough zinc to prevent hair loss. Biotin helps keep hair strong and flexible. Too little may cause brittle hair or hair loss. You can get biotin from whole grains, liver, eggs, and yeast. Wear a wig. If you are very distressed by your hair loss, consider wearing a wig while your hair grows. This may make you feel more comfortable in public or around friends and family members. You can also use a wig if your hair doesn't respond to treatment. See your doctor. If you have experienced hair loss, it's important to see your doctor to find a cause. You may have an underlying disease that's causing your hair loss, and this may require treatment for you to regrow your hair. Your doctor may order blood tests to assess hormone levels that can cause hair loss. Rub minoxidil into your scalp. Minoxidil is an over the counter liquid or foam that you massage into your scalp twice daily. This medication may help promote hair growth or decrease hair loss, or even both. Men and women can use minoxidil and you don't need a prescription. Regrowth peaks at about 16 weeks. You need to continuously reapply minoxidil to maintain the benefits. You may experience some side effects such as scalp irritation, rapid heart rate, and may even have some hair growth on the face and hands. You can purchase minoxidil at most pharmacies and some grocery stores. Have surgery to restore or transplant hair. If medications and home treatments don't help hair regrowth, have hair transplant or restoration surgery. This can immediately help fill out thinning hair and can stimulate hair regrowth. Hair transplants or restoration are procedures in which you doctor takes small plugs of hair from different parts of your scalp and implants them into thinner or bald sections. You may need to take hair loss medication before surgery. Hair transplants can be very painful and cause infection and scarring. Be aware that hair transplants and restoration are expensive and insurance may not cover either procedure. Undergo laser therapy. Some studies have shown that lower-level laser device treatment can help decrease hair loss and improve thickness. Although more research is necessary, laser treatment may be a good option for you if medications don't work and you don't want to undergo a painful hair transplant. There are no known side effects of laser therapy for hair loss. | Practice good hair care. Wash your hair regularly and gently. Apply a conditioner to your hair. Dry your hair cautiously. Avoid vigorous or frequent brushing and combing. Style hair wisely. Use chemical treatments sparingly or not at all. Protect your hair and scalp from the sun. Stimulate growth with scalp massage. Massage lavender oil into your hair. Increase nutrient consumption. Wear a wig. See your doctor. Rub minoxidil into your scalp. Have surgery to restore or transplant hair. Undergo laser therapy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Contact-Oprah-Winfrey | How to Contact Oprah Winfrey | Although Oprah Winfrey doesn't have a publicly available mailing address, you may be able to reach her on social media. For instance, you can follow her on LinkedIn, then click the drop-down menu button next to the follow button and select "Send Oprah an email." Alternatively, follow her on Twitter and reply to her tweets or include her in a tweet of your own by typing @Oprah. If you want to appear on one of her shows on the OWN Network, visit oprah.com, scroll down and select the "Contact Us" option, and follow the prompts to submit your application. | Follow her on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a professional platform where you can create a free profile to outline your professional achievements and goals. Oprah has over 100, 000 followers and regularly updates her work. After creating a profile, search for her name using the search bar and then you may message her by pressing the down arrow next to the Follow button. A drop down menu will appear. Click Send Oprah an Inmail and send your message. LinkedIn is mainly used for professional purposes. Make sure you fill out your profile so that whoever sees it will know who you are. It also works on connections so the more people you connect with, the better chance you have of seeing if someone in your network knows Oprah. Oprah's username on LinkedIn is simply Oprah Winfrey. Comment on her Instagram. Instagram is a platform mainly used for posting and commenting on pictures. Oprah has over 4.6 million followers and has posted over 500 pictures. Create a free profile, search for her name using the search bar and you can both Like and comment on any of her pictures. You may also simply go directly to https://www.instagram.com/oprah/ If you comment enough and your comments are smart, meaningful, or moving in someway, you may get a response back. Tweet Oprah. Twitter is a platform that allows people to give quick blurbs about anything. Oprah has over 30 million followers and has sent over 10, 000 tweets. Create a free profile, search for Oprah using the search bar, and click Follow. You may like her Tweet by pressing the heart icon, comment, on her tweet, or tweet directly at her by including her name @Oprah in your tweet. Oprah's username is @Oprah Hashtags are very popular in both social media and Twitter. If something you hashtag becomes viral, you may be able to get the attention of Oprah, especially if it is something meaningful or promotes positive social change. Send her a Facebook message. Oprah has over 11 million followers on her Facebook page. Create a free profile and search for Oprah using the Search tool. Her username is Oprah Winfrey. Like her page and you may Like or comment on any of her posts. There is a Comment icon underneath each post that you can simply press to share your thoughts. If you comment enough and your ideas are meaningful, someone may comment back. Unlike other platforms, Facebook doesn't put a limit on the length of your comment or restrict video or links associated to a comment. Take advantage by writing a thoughtful comments with appropriate links, images, or videos. The more your comments stand out, the more you have a chance of getting her attention and making contact with her. Keep it positive. Oprah is known for her philanthropy and over all positive influence in society. Any negative or disrespectful comments will most likely get ignored or get you into trouble. Be sure to have something meaningful to say before trying to contact her through social media especially since all her followers will most likely see your public comments. Be a part of an OWN show. Oprah is a media mogul and owns several different media outlets but her largest is OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). There are a number of television shows that are on this network and you can apply to be part of the cast. Visit Oprah.com and scroll down to the Contact Us button. Click it and a new screen appears with Be A Part of An Own Show. Follow the prompt and submit your application. If you have an interesting story to tell and it fits the mandate of Own TV, you have a great chance at making it to television and contacting Oprah as she will be the voice of creative content in all shows produced for her network. Contact O Magazine. Oprah's magazine is always looking for feedback and articles. If you have an interesting story or want to share your personal thoughts, go to Oprah.com and click on Contact Us at the bottom of the screen. A new screen pops up with What's your opinion about O, the Oprah Magazine? Click on Share your personal thoughts and stories. Follow the prompts. Like her other media outlets, Oprah is looking for compelling or thought-provoking content. If your story stands out, you have a good chance of contacting Oprah herself. Purchase tickets for “The Life You Want Weekend”. Oprah is famous for an event called The Life You want Weekend. Go to Oprah.com and click on Contact Us at the bottom of the screen. A new screen appears with Oprah's The Life You Want Weekend. Click on contact us @oprahweekend.com and submit your questions or request to purchase tickets. If you are at an event where Oprah is at, you may attempt to contact her to share your story. If the event does not take place near you, you may have to wait for something closer. Follow her speaking engagements. Follow Oprah's social media profiles and keep updated on Oprah.com to find out about speaking engagements and appearances. While her studio is in Chicago, she is constantly travelling the world for events and interviews. Find an event that's both suitable for your schedule and purpose. If you want to contact Oprah about her magazine, go to an event associated with it. If you want to talk to her about philanthropy, go to a charity event. Take up a good cause. Oprah has become renowned for her positive impact in the world. If you are passionate about creating a better society and have made notable strides, Oprah may reach out to you to help with your cause. While she is a famous philanthropist she also mobilizes organizations to create a positive impact around the world. Follow her lead and join one of her many charitable causes. Oprah both interviews and interacts with many people who affect positive change in the world. While contacting Oprah shouldn't be the sole reason you do your work, it could be a great bonus. Excel in arts and entertainment. Oprah is known for interviewing celebrities, athletes, actors and actresses. If you are interested in pursuing a career in film or sports or have garnered fame some other way, you have a very good chance of contacting Oprah. Oprah is famous for her book club so if you become a famous author, you may have a chance of contacting her to discuss your work. Excel in business and politics. Oprah not only interviews titans of industry and politicians but also often partners up to bring about change in the community. She also is a savvy business person and understands how to partner with good brands. | Follow her on LinkedIn. Comment on her Instagram. Tweet Oprah. Send her a Facebook message. Keep it positive. Be a part of an OWN show. Contact O Magazine. Purchase tickets for “The Life You Want Weekend”. Follow her speaking engagements. Take up a good cause. Excel in arts and entertainment. Excel in business and politics. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chicken-Stock | How to Make Chicken Stock | To make chicken stock, start by removing the meat from a whole chicken so you're left with just the bones. Then, put the bones in a large pot filled with water and bring the water to a boil. Once it starts boiling, lower the heat and add chopped celery, onions, carrots, parsley, and bay leaves. Let the stock simmer for 4 hours uncovered. After 4 hours, strain the stock and use a spoon to skim any fat off the surface. | Prepare the chicken carcass. In order to make sure you don't waste meat, plan to make stock using a chicken carcass after you've made roasted chicken. Clean the carcass of meat, so only the bones remain. You can make this recipe with a pre-roasted chicken. Just read the ingredients and make sure the chicken doesn't contain additives. You can make this recipe with a fresh, uncooked chicken; just be sure to remove the meat first, and save it for later. Boil the chicken carcass. Place it in a large dutch oven or stockpot. Fill the pot to within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the brim with water, so that the water covers the chicken carcass entirely. Place the stockpot on the stove and turn the burner to high. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the vegetables. Turn the burner down to medium or so, so the liquid comes to a consistent simmer. Add the celery, carrots, onions, parsley and bay leaves. Cook the stock. Keeping the liquid at a low simmer, cook the stock for 4 hours, uncovered. Monitor the pot to make sure it doesn't overflow, and skim off the foam every once in a while. Remove the stock from heat. Once the liquid has reduced by at least a third and turned a golden color, remove the stock from heat. Strain the stock. Place a large strainer over a bowl and pour the stock through the strainer to remove the bones and vegetables. Remove the fat. Cover the bowl of stock and put it in the refrigerator for an hour or two. As it cools, the fat will rise to the top. Use a spoon to skim it off the top before using the stock or storing it. Get chicken backs from your butcher. This cut is usually really cheap, so it's a great choice if you don't want to pay for a whole chicken to roast. Chicken backs aren't always kept in view at the meat counter, so you might have to ask your butcher for some. Brown the chicken backs. Heat the oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven to medium high heat. When the oil is hot, put the chicken backs skin-side down in the oil. Sauté the chicken backs until the skin becomes brown and crispy. Turn them over and sauté the other side for a few minutes. Cover the chicken backs with water and bring it to a boil. Fill the stockpot with water so that it covers the chicken backs by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Turn up the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat and add the vegetables. Throw in the celery, carrots, onion, parsley and bay leaves. Turn the heat down so the stock comes to a steady simmer. Cook the stock. Cook the stock at a simmer for about an hour, uncovered Strain the stock. Place a strainer over a bowl and pour the stock through the strainer to remove the chicken backs and vegetables. Remove the fat. If you wish, cover the bowl and put the stock in the refrigerator until it cools down. Skim off the fat layer with a spoon and discard. Use it in soup. Any soup you can dream up - from chicken noodle to broccoli to asparagus - tastes better when it's made with homemade stock. Substitute your homemade stock cup for cup for whatever your recipe requires. Use it in risotto. This is another dish that tastes infinitely better when it's made with homemade stock. Store it for later. Chicken stock takes a lot of time and effort to make, so you may want to make a huge batch you can store for later use. Put it in a food storage container that's tightly sealed, and freeze it for up to 5 months. You can freeze the stock in convenient portions that you can thaw out when you want to make a batch of soup by freezing it in 1 - 2 cup food containers. Freeze the stock in ice cube trays if you need it for recipes that require just a little stock. Finished. | Prepare the chicken carcass. Boil the chicken carcass. Reduce the heat and add the vegetables. Cook the stock. Remove the stock from heat. Strain the stock. Remove the fat. Get chicken backs from your butcher. Brown the chicken backs. Cover the chicken backs with water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the vegetables. Cook the stock. Strain the stock. Remove the fat. Use it in soup. Use it in risotto. Store it for later. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Treat-Mast-Cell-Tumors-in-Boxers | How to Treat Mast Cell Tumors in Boxers | To treat mast cell tumors in boxers, start by talking with your vet about treatment options, which may include surgery to remove the tumor. You vet may also recommend treating your dog with newer drug therapies that can prevent the development of cancerous mast cells. Alternatively, look into chemotherapy or radiation if the tumors are aggressive, or if they've spread to other parts of the body. | Scan your Boxer’s skin for bumps. Mast cell tumors can form just about anywhere on, or just underneath, your Boxer's skin. There may be just one bump, or multiple bumps. The bump will look like a raised hump. Common locations for mast cell tumors are the abdomen, upper thigh, and chest. Monitor the size and appearance of the bumps. Mast cell tumors often vary in size and appearance. They can look red and swollen with ulcers. Or, they might look like harmless bumps, with no signs of inflammation (e.g., redness, swelling). Mast cell tumors are known for changing in size—if you notice a bump is big one day and small the next, it may be a mast cell tumor. Mast cell have granules containing substances that control allergic reactions and inflammation. A mast cell tumor changes in size based on what substance is released from those granules. Mast cell tumors can feel soft or solid to the touch. However, simply touching the mass cell tumor can trigger a reaction and change in appearance. Watch your Boxer for signs of digestive upset. Mast cells are located throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If cancerous mast cells have spread to your Boxer's GI tract, he may show signs of digestive upset: Decreased appetite Vomiting, which may be bloody Black or dark feces Abdominal pain (indicated by a hunched posture) Mast cell tumors can cause stomach and intestinal ulcerations. If you see blood in your Boxer's vomit or feces, it's probably due to these ulcerations. Determine if your Boxer has respiratory problems. In addition to the skin and GI tract, mast cells can be found in the respiratory tract. Mast cell tumors in your Boxer's respiratory system can cause coughing and difficulty breathing. Look for problems with wound healing. Mast cell tumors can make wound healing take longer. If your Boxer has a cut or scrape that is taking longer than usual to heal (e.g., bleeding for a long time, a scab forming very slowly) the delayed healing may be due to a mast cell tumor. Have your vet diagnose your Boxer. Mast cell tumors cannot be diagnosed only on physical appearance. In addition to a physical examination, your vet will perform several diagnostic tests. Your vet will first take blood and urine samples to analyze your Boxer's overall health and determine if he's healthy enough to handle the rigors of cancer treatment. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can provide an initial mast cell tumor diagnosis. FNA is a non-surgical procedure during which your vet will use a small, thin needle to obtain a small sample. It is usually performed before a biopsy. A biopsy, which is the surgical removal of a large sample, confirms a mast cell tumor diagnosis. The biopsy will let your vet know how aggressive the tumor is, as well as its physical margins (barrier between tumor and healthy cells). Under a microscope, mast cells looks like look fried eggs filled with dark granules. Your vet may perform several other diagnostic tests, including chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided FNAs of different organs (e.g., liver, spleen), to determine the tumor's stage (how much it has spread throughout the body). Discuss treatment options with your vet. Surgery is usually the best option for treating mast cell tumors. It is ideal for mast cell tumors that are not aggressive and have not spread. However, if the mast cell tumor has spread to other body parts, then surgery would not be practical. Other treatment options, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, would be needed. Your vet will use the diagnostic test results to determine if your Boxer's mast cell tumor can be treated with surgery, and if your Boxer is healthy enough for surgery. Give your Boxer medication before surgery. If your Boxer has surgery, your vet will prescribe several medications for your Boxer to take before surgery. The medications will help prevent some of the secondary effects of mast cell tumors. Benadryl, for example, will keep mast cells from releasing histamine, which plays a role in allergic reactions. Your vet will also prescribe a medication to prevent stomach ulcers. Prednisone, a steroid, is commonly given before surgery to shrink the tumor. Prednisone has several negative side effects, including vomiting and diarrhea, increased water intake and urination, and GI bleeding. Follow all prescription instructions carefully. Allow your vet to remove the tumor. During surgery, your vet will take up to several centimeters of healthy tissue around the tumor. Wide surgical margins are needed to remove as much of the tumor as possible. However, local spread of the tumor can make complete surgical removal difficult. The tumor biopsy would help your vet determine how far to cut around, and under, the tumor. The location of the tumor could also make complete removal difficult. For example, wide margins could be challenging if the tumor is on your Boxer's head. After surgery, your vet will likely have a sample of the tumor analyzed to determine if the surgical margins were wide enough to remove the entire tumor. If not, then your Boxer may need a second surgery. Following surgery, your vet will give you at-home care instructions for your Boxer, such as monitoring his incision and giving him medications. Have your vet administer chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works by disrupting the cell cycle of cancer cells and stopping their development. For very aggressive mast cell tumors, chemotherapy may be an effective treatment option. Several chemotherapy drugs, such as vinblastine, are available to treat mast cell tumors. Your vet will decide which combination of chemotherapy drugs to use for treatment. Chemotherapy can be used to kill tumor tissue that was not removed during surgery. It can be also be used if the tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Be aware that chemotherapy drugs can have serious side effects, including liver damage and weakening of the immune system. Also, a mast cell tumor's response to chemotherapy is unpredictable. Consider radiation therapy for your Boxer. Radiation therapy uses a targeted beam of radiation to damage DNA in cancer cells, causing cell death. It can be used in several different ways to treat mast cell tumors, such as when complete surgical removal is not successful. It can also be used to prevent tumor spread to local lymph nodes. If your Boxer cannot undergo a second surgery, radiation therapy would help provide long-term tumor control in the area where the tumor was removed. Radiation therapy requires general anesthesia. Your Boxer may experience some discomfort at the site of radiation, which would be treated with pain or anti-inflammatory medications. Radiation therapy is expensive. In addition, the nearest veterinary center that could administer radiation therapy may not be convenient for you to get to. Discuss other drug treatments with your vet. Some newer drug therapies can be effective for treating mast cell tumors. These drugs, called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), prevent the development of cancerous mast cells. Your vet can determine if TKIs will benefit your Boxer. TKIs are more targeted than chemotherapy drugs, meaning they will primarily target cancer cells and avoid healthy cells. | Scan your Boxer’s skin for bumps. Monitor the size and appearance of the bumps. Watch your Boxer for signs of digestive upset. Determine if your Boxer has respiratory problems. Look for problems with wound healing. Have your vet diagnose your Boxer. Discuss treatment options with your vet. Give your Boxer medication before surgery. Allow your vet to remove the tumor. Have your vet administer chemotherapy. Consider radiation therapy for your Boxer. Discuss other drug treatments with your vet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Live-to-Be-100-Years-Old | How to Live to Be 100 Years Old | To live to be 100 years old, you should try to exercise about one to two hours a week, which keeps your body fit and strong as you age. You should also try your best to limit illegal drugs, alcohol, and smoking, which will reduce your chance of developing fatal illnesses. Additionally, it's important to get at least eight hours of sleep a night to maintain your immune system. You should also relax your body and mind regularly with techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or visualization, since stress can lower your immune system and make you vulnerable to illness. | Exercise to make your body strong enough to live for 100 years. Doing a small amount of exercise will keep your body strong and fit as you age. Develop an exercise routine while you are young and then maintain it over the decades to come. This will make you healthier now by managing your weight, building muscle, and reducing stress. It will also benefit your future health by strengthening your bones, improving your balance, and boosting your immune system. An ideal exercise program includes 15 – 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times per week and strength training twice per week. You can do both without having to purchase expensive gym memberships. Many people enjoy jogging, walking, or biking. Strength training is particularly important for postmenopausal women, who become more vulnerable to osteoporosis. Doing weight training will not only make you stronger, but it will also build bone density. This will make you less likely to break a bone if you fall as you get older. You can purchase weights at your local athletics shop. Get an annual check-up. Don't skip the annual check-ups just because you feel healthy. The best time to catch health problems is right at the beginning. Then they can be quickly and easily dealt with. Be aware of your family history. If you have a genetic predisposition to some diseases, get screened regularly. In addition, you can ask your doctor if there are any preventative measures you should do to minimize your chances of developing the disease. These days, having a well-managed chronic health problem is not likely to prevent you from living to be at least 100. Don’t gamble with your life by using illegal drugs. Illegal drugs can cause sudden and severe health conditions. Because they are unregulated, there is no quality control for illegal drugs. This means that dosages are inconsistent and they may contain other substances that are dangerous for your health. Overdoses are frequently fatal, but even less than fatal effects can cause severe health risks such as: Coma Brain damage Seizures Psychosis Confusion Memory loss Go easy on alcohol consumption. The Mayo Clinic recommends no more than one drink per day for women and one to two drinks per day for men. Binge drinking is extremely unhealthy. High levels of alcohol intake raise your risk for cancers of the digestive tract, heart problems, pancreatitis, strokes, high blood pressure and liver disease. If you enjoy a glass of wine or a beer in the evenings, ask your doctor about whether it could interact with any medications you may be taking. Even over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies and supplements may interact with alcohol. If you do drink, do not drive. Alcohol consumption impairs your ability to drive safely and puts your life at risk and the lives of others who are on the road. Plan ahead and either take a taxi or appoint a friend as a designated driver who will stay sober. Don’t smoke, and if you do, quit. Even people who smoked for decades can increase their lifespan and quality of life by quitting. Quitting will improve your health and reduce your risks of: Heart attacks Strokes Lung diseases, including cancer Cancer of the esophagus, larynx, throat, mouth, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and cervix Respiratory infections Diabetes Eye disorders like cataracts Gum disease Wear appropriate safety gear. Safety gear can prevent fatal injuries during accidents. This includes common activities like riding in a car or sports activities. Always wear your seatbelt when driving or riding in a car. If you are driving, do not speed, especially during bad weather conditions such as ice, rain, snow, or fog. Car accidents are a frequent cause of death. Research what safety gear is necessary for risky or full contact sports. You may need protective padding and helmets when skiing, snowboarding, riding a horse, or playing football. If you are doing sports like skydiving, rock climbing, or bungee jumping make sure that all the gear you are using is in perfect working order. Limit your exposure to toxic substances. In high doses, some substances can put you at risk for developing severe health problems which could lead to an early death. For example: Asbestos can cause lung disease. Pesticides in high doses are not healthy. Though both organic and non-organic farmers' produce is monitored and regulated to ensure that pesticide residues do not exceed the legal limits, some people prefer organic produce. Pollution and chemical fumes are damaging when you are exposed over a long period of time. If you live in a high pollution area, such as near a highway, you may want to avoid being outside during times when pollution is highest. Many communities provide pollution alerts when the air quality has reached an unsafe level. Avoid exhaustion by getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation adds physical stress on your body and lowers your immune system. It also makes you more vulnerable to stress. Most people need at least eight hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble staying awake during the day, you are probably not getting enough sleep. If you have insomnia , talk to your doctor about ways to treat it. This may include implementing lifestyle changes like always going to sleep at the same time, keeping the room dark and free of distracting noises, and using relaxation techniques before bed. Stay young and vibrant by enjoying a diet with diverse fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Vitamins and minerals are important when you are young for growing a strong and healthy body, but they are also important when you are older for staying healthy. Eat at least four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables per day. Fruits include berries, apples, pears, plums, bananas, pumpkin, squash, beans, olives, peppers, corn, peas, cucumber and tomatoes. Vegetables include beets, carrots, spinach, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, celery, and others. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the healthiest, but in the winter months, when they are not available, purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables is a good solution. Avoid fried and breaded fruits and vegetables because they also contain a lot of fat. A healthy diet rich in fresh produce lowers your risk of cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and diabetes. Stay resilient by eating sufficient protein. Protein is necessary for your body to repair and rebuilt cells after sustaining damage. Cell turnover is a natural part of life and maintaining a healthy body. People who eat meat often get much of their protein from meat and animal products such as beef, pork, poultry, and eggs. Vegetarians (people who do not eat meat) and vegans (people who do not eat animal products) get protein from soy, beans, legumes, and nuts. Vegetarians may also supplement this with milk and cheeses. The average adult requires two to three servings of protein per day. Talk to your child's doctor to determine what your child may need. Children's requirements change as they age and grow. Maintain youthful energy levels by eating healthy carbohydrates. Sugars, starches, and fiber are all types of carbohydrates. When they are digested, your body obtains energy. Simple sugars are digested more quickly than complex carbohydrates. Because it takes complex carbohydrates longer to break down, your body will be getting that energy at a steady pace instead of all at once. This means it will provide you with energy for longer and it will also keep your blood sugar stable. Supply your body with complex carbohydrates by eating beans, parsnips, corn, peas, lentils, peanuts, and whole-grain breads. Many breads will say on the packaging if they are whole-grain. Substitute complex carbohydrates for simple sugars like cakes, candy, cookies, and processed sweets. In order to have enough energy to maintain an active lifestyle, you should be getting about half of your calories from complex carbohydrates. Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water. Drinking enough water will dilute and help you pass toxins and keep your kidneys and urinary tract healthy. While drinking eight glasses of water a day is a good start, there is new science suggesting you may need more fluids than that. Taking into account the water contained in drinks like milk and tea and in foods like watermelon, your daily intake of fluids can be determined by dividing your weight in half. The resulting number is the number of ounces of fluids you need each day. So if you weigh 180lbs., you need 90oz of fluids each day. If you are an athlete, you should be drinking about two-thirds of your body weight in ounces. How much you need to drink to stay well hydrated will depend on how physically active you are, how warm and dry the weather is, and your body size. You may need four or more liters of water per day. If you are urinating less than usual or have dark or cloudy urine, this is a symptom of dehydration. Carry a reusable water bottle with you during the day to help remind you to stay hydrated. Eat fats sparingly. A small amount of fat is necessary so you can absorb fat soluble vitamins, control inflammation, clot blood, and maintain proper brain function, but many people eat too much. A diet that is high in fat increases your chances of obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, and strokes. Foods that have a high fat content include butter, cheese, whole milk, cream, meats, and vegetable oils. You can reduce your fat intake by trimming fat off of meats, eating lean meat like poultry and fish, drinking low-fat milk, and eating low-fat yogurt. Choose healthier fats by cooking with monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and fats that are high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Healthy sources of fat include olive oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, corn oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil. Protect your heart with a low-sodium diet. Too much sodium may lead to high blood pressure which raises your risks for heart disease and stroke. While some salt is necessary to maintain proper nerve and muscle functions, most people acquire plenty of salt naturally through their diet without adding it to their food. Adults should consume no more than about a teaspoon of salt per day. If you have a health condition, you may need to eat much less. Avoid fast food. Not only is it high in fat, but it is also usually very high in salt. Enjoy your 100 or more years of life. Stay mentally young and fit with hobbies you enjoy. No matter how old you are, you can still engage in hobbies you look forward to doing. Activities where you learn and grow mentally will help keep you psychologically young and mentally active. If money is a concern, you can consider many activities that are low-cost and available year-round. Many people enjoy doing handiwork, reading, listening to music, art or photography. Find people with similar interests and do your hobbies together. This will help you maintain a social network and enable you to share your enjoyment. Possibilities include joining a sports club, volunteering, or joining clubs for traveling. Keep in touch with those you love. Maintaining your social network of friends and family will protect your psychological health. Friends and family will help buffer you against loneliness, depression, stress, and anxiety, all of which frequently occur as people age. If you have difficulty getting out or your loved ones are far away, consider keeping in touch by phone, through writing letters, writing emails, video chat, or using social media. If you feel isolated, consider locating a support group or counselor to help you. Your doctor will likely be able to recommend support groups in your area. You can also call the health department or your local senior center to determine what resources may be available to you. Relax. Stress causes physiological changes in your body which lower your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to infections. By learning to manage stress you can improve your overall health. There are many relaxation techniques and you can try several until you find what works best for you: Meditation Visualization of calming images Deep breathing Massage Yoga Tai chi Progressive muscle relaxation in which you concentrate on tensing and then relaxing each muscle group in your body Music or art therapy | Exercise to make your body strong enough to live for 100 years. Get an annual check-up. Don’t gamble with your life by using illegal drugs. Go easy on alcohol consumption. Don’t smoke, and if you do, quit. Wear appropriate safety gear. Limit your exposure to toxic substances. Avoid exhaustion by getting enough sleep. Stay young and vibrant by enjoying a diet with diverse fruits and vegetables. Stay resilient by eating sufficient protein. Maintain youthful energy levels by eating healthy carbohydrates. Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water. Eat fats sparingly. Protect your heart with a low-sodium diet. Enjoy your 100 or more years of life. Keep in touch with those you love. Relax. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ghillie-Suit | How to Make a Ghillie Suit | A ghillie suit is a type of wearable camouflage that features foliage, branches, and leaves so you can blend in seamlessly with your surrounding environment. To make your own ghillie suit, start by getting a full-body suit that's the color of the environment you want to blend into. Then, attach mesh netting to the suit using glue or wire so the whole thing is covered. When you're finished applying the netting, tie clumps of jute fiber to it, using 3-4 different colors so your suit blends in better. Finally, interlace some organic materials, like leaves and branches, into the netting. | Select a usable suit to start your ghillie suit with. Though it's easiest to start with a camouflage outfit, you can make a camo suit out of normal clothing using spray-paint and/or fabric patches that match the surroundings. An expensive suit can be bought which already has a good deal of camouflage built in. It will likely look like a basic camo with a flap on it. Cheaper suits can also be bought which only break up your outline (no camo, only a solid color), but with a few branches and such from your surrounding attached, it can blend in quite nicely. Basic ghillie suits can be bought that consist of a net poncho with flaps attached to it. This is a great start as it breaks up your outline and gives you many locations to attach items to it. Military flight suits and BDU's (Battle Dress Uniform) work very well. You might re-purpose a durable mechanic's suit or similar work outfit. Always choose base colors that will match the terrain you are trying to hide in. In a brush desert environment, a heavy green woodland suit stands out almost as badly as a city-dressed person. Apply the netting to your suit. Sew knots of mesh netting to the fabric with transparent thread like fishing line. Dental floss, though white, works very well and will not fray. Apply a drop of glue for extra strength. (Shoe glue works the best.) Another way to apply the mesh is to glue it onto the suit. Take mesh netting that's roughly the same size as the suit and apply glue to shoe glue to corners of the netting every couple inches. Allow to dry. With a pair of scissors, cut the mesh off around the suit, being careful not accidentally cut into parts of the suit proper. When you're done, the mesh netting shouldn't raise off the suit more than 2 inches (5.1 cm) at any one point. Decide on your jute. Jute is a vegetable fiber that forms the bulk of the outside camouflage of a ghillie suit. You can purchase jute twine from most supply stores, or you can simply buy a burlap sack and make the jute yourself. Here's how: Cut a large (~2'x5') rectangle out of a burlap sack. Make a cut along the upper or lower seam so that the burlap material is ready to be loosened. Sit down, anchor the sides of the burlap with your two heels, and start pulling out the burlap fibers that are running horizontal to you. Pull out enough horizontal fabric until the remaining vertical fabric is roughly the same length as the horizontal fabric you've already pulled out. When it is, take a scissor and cut the fibers off from the sack. Place these along with the rest of the fibers you've shorn from the sack. Shoot to get your burlap strands about 7" to 14" in length. Dye the jute if it isn't already dyed (optional). If you decide to use a cheap burlap sack as your jute, you're going to want to dye the burlap the color of your surroundings. Identify greens, browns, even greys in the environment in which you'll be using the ghillie suit and match them with specific dye colors. Follow the instructions on the dye packets for staining the jute strands. Once the jute strands are dyed, run them through cold water until the water starts coming out clear. Set the strands out to dry in the sun. Don't be alarmed if the colors turn out darker right out of the dye. While they're still damp, the dye tends to look darker. As it dries, the color turns lighter. Let the jute dry completely before making a determination about the color. If you think the color is too dark and not realistic, you can submerge the fabric in a water solution diluted with bleach. Start off with a 1:10 bleach to water ratio to begin with and adjust from there. Tie clumps of jute to the netting with simple knots. Grab about 10 or so strands of jute, clump them together, and then tie them to the mesh netting using a simple overhand knot. Remember to choose 3 or 4 colors that are prevalent in the environment you'll be using your ghillie suit in. You want to try to randomize colors to avoid over saturation of one type of color in one spot. Work with clumps of a single color at a time, and place them as randomly on the suit as possible. Remember, the longer the strands, the less of a "natural terrain" look you will have. Fluff up your ghillie suit after you've done most of the jute tying to look for bald spots. Bald spots are where there's insufficient coverage, making the suit look less realistic. Pick your ghillie suit up, lightly wave it in the air, and set it back down again. Add necessary clumps of jute to any bald spots. Wear in the webbing (optional). If you've done a good job dying your jute and tying it to the suit, you may not need to do this. But, at the end of the day, it really can't hurt. Wear in the webbing by dragging it behind a vehicle, soaking it in mud, or applying manure. This will help eliminate human scent, especially if the ghillie suit will be used for hunting purposes. Make a ghillie hood (optional). There are essentially two ways to make a ghillie hood. The easiest way is to cut out an oval piece of mesh netting and simply drape it over your head like a veil. (This tends to fall off easily.) The second way is to glue an oval piece of netting over a hat, the same way you attach the mesh webbing to the suit. After you've decided on the form of your hood, use the same approach to tie clumps of jute to the suit that you used in previous steps. Weave a bit of organic material, such as shrubbery, grass, or even sticks into the mesh. Make sure that the amount of jute on the hood is proportional to the amount of jute on the suit. Lay the hood over the suit itself and see if the jute blends in. If it looks a little light, add more jute; if it looks a little heavy, take some off. Integrate items from your surroundings to keep the best profile. Do this each time you intend on wearing the ghillie, and spend a good 15 to 20 minutes interlacing organic material from the area into the webbing. If you are in a wooded area, for example, attach small branches and leaves to the upper half of the suit and feather it to the bottom with items such as grass or twigs. Attach more items to the back of the suit than the front; sneaking in a ghillie suit usually involves crawling. Items on your stomach or chest as you belly-crawl will likely get damaged or make noise. Attach wider items around your head and neck. The human head is the most commonly identified part of the body and the shoulders and neck exaggerate the head. When standing still, your outline must be broken to prevent easy identification. Be aware of your settings as they change. If it is possible to stay in the same kind of terrain as you get from point A to point B, do so. Otherwise, you'll have to incorporate the materials of the new setting you're moving into as you go along. | Select a usable suit to start your ghillie suit with. Apply the netting to your suit. Decide on your jute. Dye the jute if it isn't already dyed (optional). Tie clumps of jute to the netting with simple knots. Fluff up your ghillie suit after you've done most of the jute tying to look for bald spots. Wear in the webbing (optional). Make a ghillie hood (optional). Integrate items from your surroundings to keep the best profile. Be aware of your settings as they change. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Bread-Maker | How to Use a Bread Maker | To use a bread maker to make a simple white bread, start by removing the pan from the bread maker and inserting the paddle. Next, add water and oil to the pan, followed by sugar, salt, and flour. Then, make a small well in the flour, and pour some yeast into it. Finally, place the pan into the bread machine, close the lid, and program the machine for your loaf size and crust preference. | Put the bread pan and paddles into the machine. These are the components that will be responsible for mixing, kneading, and baking your bread. Open the lid on the top of the machine. You'll see a heat element in the bottom and a place where the bread pan sits inside the machine. Insert the pan into place, and then place the paddles (sometimes called the blades) on top of the peg inside the pan. To remove the pan from the machine again, use the handle and give it a gentle pull. The paddle will knead the bread, and the metal pan is what the bread will bake in. Determine the size of your bread maker. Bread machines have different capacities, and some can make small, medium, or large loaves of bread. It's important to determine the capacity of yours, because you can't overfill your bread maker. Add one cup of water at a time to the bread pan, keeping track of how many cups you added. Add water until the pan is full. For a machine that holds fewer than 10 cups, you can make one-pound loaves. For a machine that holds 10 cups, you can make 1.5-pound loaves. For 12 cups, your bread can be two pounds. More than 12 cups indicates a 2.5-pound loaf. A small to medium loaf of bread (one to 1.5 pounds) will have around two cups of flour, while a medium to large loaf (two to 2.5 pounds) will be around three cups. Find the power button if there is one. Dump or reuse the water from the bread pan. Replace the pan and paddles inside the bread machine. Close the lid, and plug in the machine. Most machines will come on automatically, but there may be an on/off switch. Find the Select button. The Select button allows you to begin programing your bread maker according to your ingredients and preferences. The different settings you'll be able to choose include: Loaf size Crust darkness Flour type Rapid cycle Dough-only Learn how to select loaf size. Some larger bread machines have a button that allows you to select the size of the loaf you're making, and this will adjust the baking time of the machine accordingly. Most bread machines will have a single Loaf button, and you can push this multiple times to change the setting. As you change the setting, pay attention to how it alters the time on the display. Understand the different flour settings. Bread machines have different settings for different flours, and this is because your loaf will take a longer or shorter time to bake depending on the type of flour, such as white versus whole wheat. Some flours have a longer kneading and rising time, while others can be put on a rapid cycle. There are some bread maker models that don't have flour types written right on the machine. Instead, you may have to select a menu number that corresponds with different flour types. Find the crust control. Many bread makers allow you to control the crustiness or darkness of your crust, because it will add a longer or shorter baking time to your setting. Like the Loaf control, your machine will likely have a single Crust button that you can push multiple times to change the setting. Try the dough-only setting. This setting is for when you just want the bread machine for mixing, kneading, and rising, but not baking. This comes in handy when you're making non-loaf breads, such as: Pizza dough Rolls Round loaves Bagels or pretzels Ciabatta French bread Find the rapid cycle. The rapid cycle is a quicker version of the bread machine process for when you're in a hurry, but keep in mind that even this will usually take at least one hour. You also likely won't be able to choose custom settings like crust darkness when you select this option. When you have the time, it's recommended that you allow your machine to go through the full cycle, because this gives the yeast and ingredients the proper time to activate. Master the time delay. The time or delay setting allows you to program your machine to start its cycle at a later time. For instance, you can put all your ingredients into the machine in the morning, set the delay for five hours, and then your bread will be ready when you get home after work. To use the time delay, use the up and down arrows to add or subtract time from your programmed setting. Once you select your flour type, bread size, and crust setting, your bread machine will give you a cycle time, such as three hours, for example. You can add five hours (so the time display will read eight hours), which means your bread maker won't start the process until five hours have elapsed. Never use the delay cycle for recipes that contain dairy or other ingredients that should always be refrigerated. Locate the start button. You can play with the settings on your machine all you want, and the machine won't start mixing, kneading, or baking until you actually hit Start. When you do hit Start, the machine will begin its cycle, or will begin counting down through the time delay. Troubleshoot problems. The bread machine manual should have all the information you need regarding the functions, how to solve different problems, and possibly even some tasty recipes. But if you have lost your manual, take a look online to see if you can find a digital version. Websites like manuals online are a great resource for replacing lost appliance manuals. Remove the pan from the bread maker. Insert the paddle, and gather all the ingredients you need for your bread. Add the wet ingredients. It is especially important to add ingredients in the proper order if you are using the time delay function. Your bread maker may be different, but most machines say to add the wet ingredients first, and this includes the water and oil. In order to activate the yeast, make sure that any liquids you add to your bread are at least 80 F (27 C). Add the dry ingredients except for the yeast. Add the sugar and salt first, followed by the flour. You want to make sure the salt and sugar are separated from the yeast, so you want to create a barrier with the flour. To make an herb bread, you can also add seasonings in with the dry ingredients, such as thyme, oregano, sage, dill, or rosemary. Add the yeast. Make a small well in the flour with a spoon or your finger, and pour the yeast into the well. The yeast always comes last because it needs to stay away the from salt, sugar, liquids, and the heat element until a certain time. Separating the yeast from the other ingredients is especially important when you are using the timer. Insert the bread pan into the bread machine. Once all your ingredients are in, replace the bread pan into its position in the bread machine. Close the lid. Program the machine. Press Select. If you only want the machine to make dough, select the dough cycle. Or, you can select the rapid cycle. Otherwise, select your flour type, loaf size, and crust preferences. Press Timer, if necessary, and use the arrows to adjust the time if you want to use the delay function. When you are finished, press Start. The machine will begin spinning the paddles to mix the ingredients and knead the bread. It will likely go through several periods of kneading and rest, and eventually it will stop to allow the bread to rise. Listen for the beeps. Depending on the bread you're making and the settings you've chosen, your machine may beep to indicate it will start the baking process soon, and this is your chance to lift the lid and add extra ingredients like nuts, seeds, fruit, or cheese. Remove the dough if you selected knead-only. When the machine beeps to indicate that the dough is ready, unplug the machine, lift the lid, and remove the bread pan. To bake your simple white bread in the oven, preheat your oven to 375 F (191 C). Grease a nine-inch by five-inch loaf pan and place the dough into it. Set it aside and give it some time to plump up again as the oven heats up. Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown. Bake the bread in the bread maker as an alternative. If you've opted to bake your bread in the bread machine, the last 30 to 45 minutes or so will be for the baking process. The bread machine will likely beep several times to indicate that it has completely finished its cycle. Remove the bread pan from the machine. Use an oven mitt to grab the handle, and gently pull the bread pan out. Tip the pan upside down, and use a plastic or rubber spatula to remove the bread from the pan. If the paddles are stuck inside the bread, use the handle of a wooden spoon to help get them out. Give your bread time to cool. Transfer your freshly baked loaf to a wire cooling rack and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. | Put the bread pan and paddles into the machine. Determine the size of your bread maker. Find the power button if there is one. Find the Select button. Learn how to select loaf size. Understand the different flour settings. Find the crust control. Try the dough-only setting. Find the rapid cycle. Master the time delay. Locate the start button. Troubleshoot problems. Remove the pan from the bread maker. Add the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients except for the yeast. Add the yeast. Insert the bread pan into the bread machine. Program the machine. Listen for the beeps. Remove the dough if you selected knead-only. Bake the bread in the bread maker as an alternative. Remove the bread pan from the machine. Give your bread time to cool. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Palak-Paneer | How to Make Palak Paneer | To make palak paneer, boil 4 cups of spinach for two minutes. Then, rinse your spinach in cold water and blend it into a paste. Now, add 2 tablespoons ghee or butter, an onion, and a pinch of salt to a saucepan and stir to prevent burning. After 2 minutes, add 4 cloves of garlic, 2 chopped green chilis, and 1 tablespoon of minced ginger before stirring to coat everything. After 3 minutes, add the spinach and 3 tablespoons of milk, then let it cook for 2 minutes. To finish, add salt, pepper and garam masala to taste before dropping in the paneer cubes and cooking for 2 minutes. | Clean the spinach, then drop it in boiling water for 2 minutes. Blanching the spinach quickly cooks it while leaving the bright, attractive color intact. Once the water is boiling in a big saucepot, drop the spinach in and stir it once. After two minutes, remove it and drain off the boiling water. Add a tablespoon of salt to the water, like making pasta, for stronger flavored spinach. The timing here is important. Do not leave the spinach on for more than 3 minutes. As soon as the spinach comes off the heat, rinse it in cold water for 1 minute. This immediately removes the heat from the spinach, halting the cooking process to keep the spinach nice and green. Drain the water, then blend the spinach into a smooth puree. Some people like a few chunks of spinach in their dish, while others want a completely smooth green curry. You can blend the spinach for as long as you want to get your desired consistency. If you didn't salt the water when blanching, add a pinch of salt now. In a large saucepan, heat the ghee until melted and add the chopped onion. Turn the stove on medium and plop in a tablespoon of ghee. Chop one large onion finely and get it cooking once the oil is hot. Add a pinch of salt as soon as the onions hit the pan, and stir occasionally to prevent burning. After 1-2 minutes, add 4-5 cloves minced garlic, 2-3 chopped green chilis, and 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger. Add them to the onions shortly after they start cooking, then stir well to make sure everything is coated. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the raw smell is gone and the onions are starting to turn clear. Toss in any of your desired spices or tomatoes, if desired. Some recipes call for one can of crushed tomatoes, or freshly cut tomatoes, and some Indian chefs like to spice their curry with a few different flavors. If you want a simple, but still delicious curry, just move on. If you're a little more adventurous, now is the time to add the following ingredients. Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. 1 12oz can crushed red tomatoes OR 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes. 1 teaspoon dry fenugreek leaves (sold sometimes as "kasuri methi; highly recommended) 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper and/or cayenne 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and/or ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon Add the spinach puree, 3-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, and cook for 2 minutes. Keep the heat on medium and add in your spinach mixture. The cream or milk will help cut some of the spice and lead to a richer, fuller dish, but you could also use coconut milk, water, or chicken stock for a lighter dish. The mixture should be brought to a light simmer, with small bubbles breaking the surface. Add salt, pepper, and garam masala to taste. This is the point where you should be sampling heavily. If it tastes great, leave it alone as it cooks. More likely than not, you'll want to play with the seasonings, and garam masala is highly recommended to get a subtle, rich, and restaurant-quality taste. Add the paneer cubes and stir, cooking together for 2-3 minutes before serving. The paneer just needs to get hot, and the dish is ready to serve. For an even tastier dish, fry the paneer cubes until the edges are golden brown in a separate dish, cooking them in a little bit of ghee or olive oil. Then toss them in the paneer for 2-3 minutes and serve! Bring half a gallon of whole milk to a simmer over medium heat. Use a medium sized saucepan, stirring occasionally and making sure there is no burning or scalding on the bottom. Make sure you do not use UHT pasteurized milk. This milk won't curdle, meaning it cannot be used to make paneer. For a slightly healthier but less rich paneer, you can use 2% milk. Do not use 1% or skim, however, as they both struggle to curdle correctly. You do not want the milk to boil. If you have a thermometer, you want it around 190-200°F When the milk is foamy and steamy, add 1/4 of lemon juice and remove from the heat. The acid in the lemon will actually break down the milk and cause it to curdle, which allows it to form solids. You can also use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, in place of lemon, though it will have a slightly different taste. Stir in the lemon juice and let the mixture sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. This will let the acid do its work, and by the end of the 10 minutes the milk should look watery and yellow. If it doesn't, add another tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and wait an extra 2-3 minutes. If it still doesn't curdle, you're likely using UHT pasteurized milk. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place the curdles in, squeezing the excess liquid out. Once the majority of water has drained out the bottom of the colander or strainer, wrap the cheesecloth around the curds and press down to squeeze out any extra water. A gently, slow, but firm squeeze should get out any last bits of whey. For added flavor, salt the paneer after you're done with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Gather the paneer curds in the cheese cloth and press into a rough square on a cutting board. Pull the cheese cloth out of the strainer and use it to mold the paneer inside it into a block. It should only take some gentle pressing and shaping to get a rough cube. Place a flat plate on your paneer cube and weight it down, pressing it for 20-60 minutes. A couple of large books, a mixing bowl filled with water, or a cast-iron pan should be heavy enough to press the cheese out. This will remove any last liquid and form the dense, delicious cheese cubes that will make your Palak Paneer really stand out on the table. Once it is done pressing, cut and serve. You can keep paneer in the refrigerator for up to four days after making it. | Clean the spinach, then drop it in boiling water for 2 minutes. As soon as the spinach comes off the heat, rinse it in cold water for 1 minute. Drain the water, then blend the spinach into a smooth puree. In a large saucepan, heat the ghee until melted and add the chopped onion. After 1-2 minutes, add 4-5 cloves minced garlic, 2-3 chopped green chilis, and 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger. Toss in any of your desired spices or tomatoes, if desired. Add the spinach puree, 3-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, and cook for 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and garam masala to taste. Add the paneer cubes and stir, cooking together for 2-3 minutes before serving. Bring half a gallon of whole milk to a simmer over medium heat. When the milk is foamy and steamy, add 1/4 of lemon juice and remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and let the mixture sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place the curdles in, squeezing the excess liquid out. Gather the paneer curds in the cheese cloth and press into a rough square on a cutting board. Place a flat plate on your paneer cube and weight it down, pressing it for 20-60 minutes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Comfort-Your-Girlfriend | How to Comfort Your Girlfriend | Seeing your girlfriend upset or angry can be tough, but comforting her will help her feel calmer and less alone. Listen to her point of view without judging or interrupting her, since just sharing her feelings can make her feel better. Make eye contact and nod to show you're listening. You can also remind her that her feelings are normal. For example, say, “I understand. Anyone would be upset by that.” If you're with her in person, try hugging her, holding her hand, or stroking her back to offer some physical comfort. However, don't take it personally if she doesn't want physical affection at the moment. Once she's got her feelings off her chest, try to distract her by making her laugh or talking about something different. | Be there emotionally and physically as quickly as possible. Within reason, you should make your girlfriend your number one priority when she's upset and needs your support. How quickly you're there for her might be as important as being there itself and the act of you rushing to her aid lets her know how much she means to you. This, alone, will help her feel better regardless of why she's upset Obviously, you won't be able to rush to your girlfriend at the drop of a coin. Most times, you will have to balance the criticality of your current activities and the severity of her emotional distress. If you're at work or school and her situation is dire, you should clear your mind of your responsibilities and give her all the emotional support and caring that you can verbally. Let her know that she is your number one priority and that you will be there physically as soon as you can practically clear your plate. Listen carefully to what she's upset about. Until you know what your girlfriend is specifically upset about, you can't offer any but the broadest consolation. Whether the situation is minor or a life-changing issue, any consolation necessarily starts with listening intently to what she's saying. And any positive comforting begins with empathetic understanding by the listener. Act as a mirror for her emotional frustration. The best thing you can do is to become an active listener and let her work through her feelings and come naturally to her own realization/insight. Resist injecting your solution into the process. Instead, facilitate her settling into her own understanding of her emotional quandary. Let her vent while you assume the role of empathizer. Engage in active listening. Make a habit of rephrasing what she's said to you. Make her feelings and articulations be your entire world for the time she talks to you. Empathy cannot happen if you're partly focused on your own thoughts. Even so, you shouldn't be afraid to offer your own feelings, but only if she asks you for them. Make her laugh. Laughter helps relieve the stress and re-centers the emotions. In this way a number of mental and emotional problems can seem less critical and more manageable. If you and your girlfriend have a strong enough chemistry, you are probably making her laugh on a regular basis as it is. Humour is a powerful remedy against mental stress, and it can help get her find off of what's bothering her long enough to affect positive change in her mood. Lighten any potential feelings of shamefulness. In addition to whatever she is feeling bad about, your girlfriend may feel a new kind of shame in simply showing emotional vulnerability to you. If you think this is the case, you should pull her in close to you and remind her feelings are normal and only to be expected. Reassure her that her trust in you will never, ever be betrayed. Stay calm. Remember that the focus should be entirely on your girlfriend and her feelings while you are offering comfort and support. This might be difficult if you're emotionally involved in the situation which upset her, but you must put your feelings on the back burner and let hers be fully worked out. If you get overly upset and start folding in your thoughts and feelings, it will only make matters worse. And, in the end, you will have done little to comfort or console her. If you're upset, it's best to make her feel better, then tend to your side of the issue at a future time. Approach her on her terms. When you meet with her, it's important not to overstep your bounds. This includes keeping a cap on physical affection or romantic gestures unless you think she's in the mood for it. In many cases, a girl who is furious over something isn't going to be receptive to cuddling. When you meet her, come close but respect her personal space at the start. If she wants something, chances are she will let you know. Depending on how long you have been with your girlfriend, you should be able to predict her behaviour in certain situations. If you've comforted her in the past and she was receptive to certain actions, repeating them again is a good trick. Use attentive body language. While you're talking to her, the best thing you can do initially is to let her know she has your complete attention. Although you'll be getting this impression across through your words as well, attentive body language shows her that you're listening with your body as much as your brain. Steady eye contact, leaning and pointing your body in her direction, smiling, and nodding your head when appropriate all will show the girl that you care. Buy her a gift. Gift-giving is surprisingly well-suited for times of stress. Although a bouquet of flowers obviously isn't going to make the problem itself go away, it is a physical sign of love and affection. The symbolic nature of a gift can go a long ways towards making your girlfriend feel better. Giving her a present can be effective, but only if it's backed up with honest talk and warmth. Try to consider whether the reason your girlfriend needs comforting is really appropriate for whatever gift you're getting her. Flowers are suitable for just about any situation, but getting her favourite video game after her parents have died probably isn't going to get the reaction you're looking for. Offer a tissue if she's crying. A tissue is a common offering to give someone if you find her crying. Crying can be an embarrassing thing, even in the midst of someone you're deeply involved with. A tissue doesn't make it any less embarrassing, but it does help clear up the evidence. Offering your girlfriend a tissue to wipe away tears is especially helpful if she wears any eye makeup. She will probably thank you for it later on. Hug her. Provided your girlfriend didn't rush into your arms for comfort from the get-go, giving her a hug is recommended at some point. The positive effects of hugs are well-known. It's a quick way to feel better, as everything from the stress level to one's blood pressure become regulated during a hug. Cuddle up together. Cuddling is a bona fide remedy to most emotional troubles. If your girlfriend has been feeling upset about something, there's usually nothing better than to cuddle up once things have been relatively resolved. Even if she's not feeling totally fine by the time you get down to cuddling, the act of cuddling itself comes with an impressive range of benefits, including boosts to feelings of well-being and happiness. Once you're cuddling up, you might think about watching her favourite movie together. Something light-hearted and fun is usually best, and the entertainment is a great way to keep her mind off the issue at hand until she's calm and rested enough to properly deal with it. | Be there emotionally and physically as quickly as possible. Listen carefully to what she's upset about. Act as a mirror for her emotional frustration. Make her laugh. Lighten any potential feelings of shamefulness. Stay calm. Approach her on her terms. Use attentive body language. Buy her a gift. Offer a tissue if she's crying. Hug her. Cuddle up together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Travel-to-Antarctica | How to Travel to Antarctica | The easiest way to travel to Antarctica is to take a cruise ship from Argentina. These cruises generally last between 10 days and 3 weeks and will cost between $4500 and $16,000 per person. If you would prefer to see Antarctica from above, book a sightseeing flight that leaves from Australia, which will cost between $1000 and $8000. You could also fly to King George Island from South Africa, Australia, or Chile, but expect to pay at least $5000 per person. | Travel on a cruise ship. By far the most common way to travel to Antarctica is on a special cruise ship. These trips vary, but are typically between 10 days and three weeks long. You can take various routes to the Peninsula depending on where you are departing from. The advantages of these cruises are that everything is provided on the ship, and you get to see Antarctica and its wildlife close-up for an extended period of time. Most voyages to the Antarctic Peninsular region leave from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands and a few leave from Punta Arenas in Chile, Buenos Aires in Argentina, or Puerto Madryn in Argentina. Decide whether to travel on a larger cruise ship or smaller one. There are a variety of ship sizes that you can travel on, ranging from around 45 passengers total at the smaller end, to 280 passengers at the larger end. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. In general, the larger the ship the more comfortable and well-equipped it will be, but the less opportunity you will get to land on Antarctica yourself and see things up-close. In high seas, larger ships are the most comfortable but the strict guidelines on how many people can visit the shore will limit your opportunities for shore visits. Smaller ships allow for more time on shore. This is because tourist guidelines limit landings of tour groups to 100 people. All reputable cruise operators will be registered with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), so this is good place to consult during your planning. They support environmentally friendly travel to Antarctica. The costs for these cruises will vary, but for a ten day trip expect to pay at least $4500, whereas for the longer trips it could be from $12,750-$16,000. Sail to Antarctica on a yacht. It is possible to reach Antarctica by yacht but this is not commonplace and is more for specialist yachtsmen than your average tourist. There are a number of yachting companies that are sanctioned by the IAATO and conduct trips to Antarctica who can you contact. Yachts tend to leave from Ushuaia or Stanley and are only for the very courageous and adventurous. For these smaller ships, the conditions are much more treacherous than the larger cruise ships. This is a very expensive option that could cost more than $1000 a day for each traveller. Travel on a French re-supply ship. One left-field option is to travel on a French re-supply vessel as a tourist. The ship, Marion Dufresne II, leaves from Réunion and the round-trip takes around a month. The number of tourists allowed aboard is limited and you will have to contact French tourist agencies for up-to-date information on departure schedules, availability and prices. Prices start from around $8,000 for the month. Take a fly over. Probably the most straight-forward way to see Antarctica is from above. You can book yourself on a sightseeing flight over Antarctica which enables you to see its great white landscape from the comfort of a plane. Taking a sightseeing flight is a good option for day-trippers who want to spend a few hours over Antarctica and get back the same day. You can enjoy the views while Antarctica experts give talks on the plane and you are served food and drink. Australia is now the only place you can take these flights from. You need to plan ahead if you want to do this and book early. If you want to get up and close and see the wildlife this is not the choice for you. Depending on your seats, tickets will cost anything from $1,000 to $8,000. Get a flight that lands on Antarctica. If you want to touch down on Antarctica, there are a number of companies that offer this service, leaving from a variety of places. Where you choose to go from will depend on the rest of your trip, so think about whether it would be better to travel from Australia, Chile, South Africa or Argentina and fully investigate the schedules from each place. Bear in mind that flights to Antarctica are much less frequent and less predictable than ordinary flights. Some adventure holiday companies have deals which involve landing on Antarctica and skiing, camping and climbing. You can fly to King George Island from Punta Arenas in Chile and stay overnight at a camp there for tourists. Investigate fly-cruise options. Another option is a fly-cruise package, which cuts down the time spent on a ship (avoiding the notoriously rough Drake Passage), but still enables you to get a close-up view of the landscape and wildlife. You can fly to King George Island, and then get aboard a ship which will take you around the area. This could be a good option if you want to see the ice and wildlife up close, but don't want to spend so much time travelling on board a cruise ship. But it won't be any cheaper. Expect to pay something in the region of $10,000 to $14,000 for a two-week trip. Remember bad weather can ruin your plans. Be aware that flights are subject to cancellations due to weather and other safety issues. This is true for any flight, but the extreme conditions on the bottom of the world make this a more frequent occurrence. The best approach to assessing flight options is to read guidebooks written specifically for Antarctica, or check specialist websites, as the details change yearly depending on availability and interest. Choose the right time to visit. Antarctica's tour season covers about five months, mostly over the Southern Hemisphere summer (November to March). All other times of the year are extremely cold, dark, and the pack ice freezes out a long way. Be aware that while there will be less people around later in the season, much of the wildlife will already have left and headed out to sea. During these months, some of the things you can expect include: During November, the pack ice starts to break up and it's mating season for the penguins and other birds. During December and January, the penguin chicks hatch and are fed and nurtured in the breeding grounds. During February and March, the penguin chicks fledge, the adult penguins molt, and the whales are easy to spot. Expect a large hole in your budget. This is one travel destination where budget travel is not much of an option unless you're hired to work hard. At a minimum, you will probably be facing at least US$5,000 and that is for the bare necessities and not necessarily the best seating or opportunities. It is possible to get cheap last minute deals with cruise ships in places like Ushuaia in Argentina. You need to be in town, flexible, and able to set off straight away. This is a risky option, but if it works you could save quite a lot of money. If you don't want to visit as a tourist, think of other options, such as joining a government expedition to Antarctica. For this, you'll likely need suitable technical, scientific, medical, or other relevant skills like cooking for a large group. You will also need to be considered to have a suitable background for government employment. Another possibility is to travel as an invited part of a crew. Some people get asked to come along as journalists, photographers, artists, etc., and their trip is covered by whoever invited or sent them along. Again, this will depend on your skills. Understand the health and safety issues. The Antarctic environment is dangerous for human beings. The weather can deteriorate rapidly and it is always cold, even in the summertime (highs in the summer along the coast generally range from 41–56 °F (5–13 °C)). There are dangers such as crevasses on ice fields and glaciers and fire hazards are high in the very dry environment, so handling anything flammable must be done with care. Read up on the gear and clothing you need. You will definitely need excellent waterproof clothing! Your cruise ship will most likely have things to hire if you don't have them, but they might not be a great fit. There are no vaccination requirements for Antarctica but you should be fit and in good health because medical treatment will be basic and spread thin among all your passengers. Any medical conditions that you do have should be detailed by your doctor in letter form, especially if you need to bring along medication. Respect the fragility of the Antarctic environment. The Antarctic environment is fragile and apart from expeditions, bases, and some tourists, there has been little human change. Wildlife remains unafraid of humans because of the lack of long-term negative interaction. It is important to respect the pristine nature of Antarctica and to ensure that tourism doesn't have a negative impact. There are Visitor Guidelines adopted under the Antarctic Treaty that regulate visitors' actions at Antarctica and it is worth reading them as part of your preparation for the visit. Some of the basics to keep in mind include: Don't go too near wildlife and don't do anything to disturb wildlife. Don't litter. Don't deface anything – all human-built structures have historical value and many huts, etc., have heritage listings. Do not engrave anything into rocks or other land features. Take photos and nothing else. Leave all eggs, shells, plants, rocks, fossils, soil, etc., where they are. Enjoy your trip of a lifetime. This is one of those trips that people who take it can never forget or stop talking about. If you love pristine beauty, amazing sights, incredible wildlife opportunities, and you don't mind a bit of cold, this might be the perfect trip that will create a lifetime memory. | Travel on a cruise ship. Decide whether to travel on a larger cruise ship or smaller one. Sail to Antarctica on a yacht. Travel on a French re-supply ship. Take a fly over. Get a flight that lands on Antarctica. Investigate fly-cruise options. Remember bad weather can ruin your plans. Choose the right time to visit. Expect a large hole in your budget. Understand the health and safety issues. Respect the fragility of the Antarctic environment. Enjoy your trip of a lifetime. |
https://www.wikihow.com/React-During-an-Earthquake | How to React During an Earthquake | To react during an earthquake, start by staying as calm as possible. If you're in bed, stay in bed and protect your head with a pillow. If you're inside of your home or another building, drop to the ground immediately and find cover under a table or doorway. If you're in a car, stay in the vehicle and find a place to stop as quickly as possible that's away from large trees, buildings, and utility wires. | Drop to the ground. The drop, cover, and hold on technique is the cousin of the famous "stop, drop and roll" for fires. While it's not the only method of protecting yourself indoors during an earthquake, it is the preferred method of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross. Big earthquakes occur without much, if any, warning, so it's recommended that you drop to the floor as soon as it hits. A small earthquake could turn into a big earthquake in a split-second; it's better to be safe than sorry. Take cover. Get under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture. If possible, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Do not: Run outside. You're more likely to get injured trying to get out of the building than staying put. Head for a doorway. Hiding under a doorway is a myth. You're safer under a table than you are under a doorway, especially in modern houses. Run to another room to get under a table or other piece of furniture. Stay inside until it's safe to get out. Researchers have shown that most injuries happen when people try to change the place of hiding or when the place is crowded and everyone has a goal to get outside safe. Hold on. The ground may be shaking and debris could be falling. Hold on to whatever surface or platform you've gotten under and wait for the shaking to subside. If you were unable to find a surface to hide under, continue to keep your head shielded by your arms and tucked down low. Stay in a safe place. If you find yourself in bed while an earthquake strikes, stay there. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place. Many injuries are caused when people leave their bed and walk across broken glass with their bare feet. Remain inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research suggests that many injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. Be careful when you do go outside. Walk, do not run , in case of violent aftershocks. Collect yourself in an area without wires, buildings, or crevasses in the earth. Do not use elevators for egress. The power can go out, causing you to be trapped. Your best bet is to use the stairwell if it's free. Plus, the elevator likely has a Seismic mode which stops the elevator and renders itself inoperable after an earthquake. Use the Triangle of Life method. This is an alternative to drop, cover, and hold on. If you can't find a desk or a table to duck under, you have options. Although this method is disputed by many of the world's leading earthquake safety officials, it could save your life in the event that a building you're in collapses. Find a structure or piece of furniture nearby. The triangle of life theory is that people who find shelter near, not under , household items such as sofas are often protected by voids or spaces created by a pancake collapse. Theoretically, a collapsing building would fall on top of a sofa or desk, crushing it but leaving a void nearby. Devotees of this theory suggest that sheltering in this void is the safest bet for earthquake survivors. Huddle in the fetal position next to the structure or piece of furniture. Doug Copp, the main proponent of the triangle of life theory, says that this safety technique is natural for dogs and cats and can work for you, too. Consider this list of what not to do in the event of an earthquake. If you can't find a safe place to duck nearby, cover your head and get into the fetal position wherever you are. Do not : Go under a doorway. People under doorways are commonly crushed to death if the door jamb falls under the weight of the earthquake's impact. Go upstairs to get under a piece of furniture. Stairs and staircases are dangerous places to tread during an earthquake, as they could collapse or break without notice. Know that the triangle of life method is unsupported by scientific findings and/or expert consensus. The triangle of life technique is controversial. If you find yourself with several options about how to proceed during an earthquake indoors, attempt the drop, cover, and hold technique. There are several problems with the triangle of life technique. First, it's difficult to know where triangles of life form, since objects in a quake move up and down as well as laterally. Second, scientific studies tell us that most deaths in earthquakes are linked to falling debris and objects, not falling structures. The triangle of life is predominantly based on earthquakes that cause structures, not objects, to fall. Many scientists believe that it's also more likely to sustain injuries trying to move somewhere instead of staying put. The triangle of life theory advocates moving to safe areas over staying put. Stay outdoors until the shaking stops. Don't try to 'heroically' rescue someone or venture indoors. Your best bet is to stay outside, where the risk of collapsing structures is diminished. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Stay away from buildings, street lights and utility wires. These are the main risks of being outdoors when an earthquake or one of its aftershocks is in progress. Stop as quickly as possible if you are in a vehicle and remain inside. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake. Stay calm if you are trapped under debris. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, waiting for help is probably your best bet, if you find yourself trapped under immovable debris. Do not light a match or a lighter. Leaking gas or other flammable chemicals may accidentally light on fire. Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or piece of clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Be prepared to face a possible tsunami if you are near a big body of water. A tsunami happens when an earthquake causes an extreme underwater disturbance, sending powerful waves towards shores and human habitation. If there's just been an earthquake and its epicenter is in the ocean, there's a good chance you'll have to be on the lookout for tsunamis. | Drop to the ground. Take cover. Stay inside until it's safe to get out. Hold on. Stay in a safe place. Remain inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Use the Triangle of Life method. Find a structure or piece of furniture nearby. Huddle in the fetal position next to the structure or piece of furniture. Consider this list of what not to do in the event of an earthquake. Know that the triangle of life method is unsupported by scientific findings and/or expert consensus. Stay outdoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from buildings, street lights and utility wires. Stop as quickly as possible if you are in a vehicle and remain inside. Stay calm if you are trapped under debris. Be prepared to face a possible tsunami if you are near a big body of water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Camping-Toilet | How to Make a Camping Toilet | Making your own camping toilet will make doing your business more comfortable and clean, and you only need a pool noodle and a bucket. First, cut the pool noodle 1 inch shorter than your bucket's circumference. Then, cut a line down the noodle's length to open it up, and press it onto the bucket's rim. To avoid the noodle coming off, spread some epoxy adhesive inside it before you attach it to the bucket. To use your toilet, just place a heavy duty garbage bag inside the bucket and over the noodle and scoop ½-inch of sawdust, cat litter, or dirt into the bucket to suppress the odor and soak up any fluid. Dispose of the bag after each use. | Cut your pool noodle to be just shorter than the bucket’s circumference. Use measuring tape to measure the circumference of the rim of the bucket. Then, use a utility knife to cut your noodle to be about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) shorter than this measurement. The noodle needs to be slightly shorter than the bucket's circumference so that you're able to fit it entirely around the rim of the bucket without the edges of the noodle's ends bumping up against each other. Use a utility knife to slice open 1 side of the pool noodle. Draw a line down the length of the noodle from top to bottom to guide your knife when you go to slice it. Opening the noodle this way will allow you to set it snugly along the rim of the bucket. After you cut open the side of the noodle, use your hands to gently pull the 2 sides of the cut you just made apart. Make sure the noodle has been completely cut open before you move on to the next step. Secure the noodle to the rim of the bucket with epoxy adhesive. Place epoxy adhesive along the inside of the pool noodle, making sure to closely follow the manufacturer's instructions for usage. Then, place the noodle onto the rim of the bucket and push it downward so that it “snaps” into place. You can also opt to skip the epoxy adhesive entirely and just make your toilet out of a bucket and pool noodle. However, without the epoxy, the noodle seat will be less secure when you go to sit on it. You can buy epoxy adhesive at any home improvement store. For best results, allow your epoxy to cure for at least 24 hours before using your camping toilet. Trace the outer and inner circumferences of the toilet seat on plywood. Lay the toilet seat on top of a piece of ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) plywood and use a pencil or marker to trace around the interior hole and the outside of the seat. Be sure to mark the holes in the back where the seat will be screwed into the plywood, as well. If possible, add a second, slightly larger circle around the tracing of the interior hole and plan to cut along this second line so that your piece of plywood is smaller than the actual toilet seat. This will make it less likely for waste to accidentally get onto the plywood. Cut out the tracing with a jigsaw and drill out the attachment holes. Cut along the exterior tracing first, then cut out the tracing of the interior hole. Use a drill bit that is equal in size to the bolts you're using to attach the seat to the plywood. Your toilet seat most likely came with bolts and nuts that you're meant to use to install it. If for some reason you're missing these materials, bolts that are ⁄ 8 inch (1.6 cm) in diameter will probably work for your toilet. If you plan on using a chair for your camping toilet, be sure to drill a hole in the chair that is the same size as the interior hole of your plywood piece. Attach 4 small blocks of wood to the bottom of the plywood piece. These will act as stoppers to prevent the toilet seat from sliding off of the bucket or out of the chair when you go to use it. Use nails or screws to attach the wood pieces to the bottom of the plywood on all 4 sides. Drive a nail or a screw down through the plywood piece and into each piece of wood in order to attach them. These wood pieces can be any size or shape, as long as they fit inside of the bucket. For best results, use pieces that are at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and that aren't wider than the toilet seat itself. Secure the toilet seat to the plywood with bolts and nuts. Screw the bolts through the hinge on the back of the toilet seat and through the drill holes on the back of the plywood piece. Attach the nuts to the ends of the bolts on the underside of the plywood to secure the plywood to the toilet seat. The hinge is the plastic piece on the back of the toilet seat that connects it to the lid. Place the toilet seat over your bucket or chair to finish your toilet. Push the seat through the hole in the chair if you're using one, or simply place it over the top of your bucket. Make sure all 4 bottom pieces of wood fit snugly and securely in the bucket or in the hole in the chair. Be sure to place a bucket underneath your chair before you use your new camping toilet. Place a 10 US gal (38 L) bag inside the bucket. Make sure the bag goes all the way down to the bottom of the bucket and that the top of the bag completely covers your noodle seat. For best results, use a heavy-duty garbage bag that doesn't easily rip. If you're worried about odor, you can also use special odor-blocking garbage bags instead of ordinary bags. You can buy these at any grocery store. Pour 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of absorption medium in the bottom of the bag. Use sawdust, cat litter, dirt, or some other absorption medium to soak up any liquids in the bag and suppress the odor. You'll also use this medium to cover your waste every time you finish using the toilet. After you use the toilet, pour enough sawdust or cat litter into the bag so that your waste is completely covered. For convenience, keep your absorption medium in a separate garbage bag and use a plastic cup to scoop the medium into your toilet. You can get sawdust from a sawmill or lumberyard or buy sawdust at a feed store. Take the bag out of the toilet and tie it closed once you’re done with it. Again, make sure you've covered your waste before you take out the bag. Use a double knot when tying the bag to make sure it's securely closed and that none of the contents will fall out. Dispose of the bag and sanitize the inside of the bucket after every use. Tie the bag containing the waste closed, then place it inside another bag and tie this second bag closed as well. Take the bags to a drop-off facility for hazardous waste in order to dispose of them properly. You can sanitize the inside of the bucket by washing it with dish soap and warm water. Do not simply leave your bag at the campsite when you head home; this is considered littering. | Cut your pool noodle to be just shorter than the bucket’s circumference. Use a utility knife to slice open 1 side of the pool noodle. Secure the noodle to the rim of the bucket with epoxy adhesive. Trace the outer and inner circumferences of the toilet seat on plywood. Cut out the tracing with a jigsaw and drill out the attachment holes. Attach 4 small blocks of wood to the bottom of the plywood piece. Secure the toilet seat to the plywood with bolts and nuts. Place the toilet seat over your bucket or chair to finish your toilet. Place a 10 US gal (38 L) bag inside the bucket. Pour 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of absorption medium in the bottom of the bag. Take the bag out of the toilet and tie it closed once you’re done with it. Dispose of the bag and sanitize the inside of the bucket after every use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natto | How to Make Natto | Before making natto, wash the beans under cold running water, then soak them overnight. After soaking, cook for 9 hours in a large pot with enough water to completely cover the beans. Next, strain the beans, transfer them to a sterilized pot, and combine with the solution of water and nattomoto powder. Then, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F, place the beans in oven-safe jars, and put them in the oven to ferment for 24 hours. Finally, let the beans cool for 2 hours, then chill them in refrigerator overnight. | Wash the soybeans. For the natto, you'll need 4 cups (800 g) of soybeans. Place the beans in a colander or strainer, and rinse them thoroughly under cold water in the sink. Shake the beans well afterward to remove the excess moisture. As you rinse the soybeans, remove any shrunken or discolored beans. Soak the beans overnight. After you've rinsed the soybeans, place them in a large pot. Cover the beans with 12 cups (2.8 l) of cold water to create a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part beans so the beans have room to expand. Allow the beans to soak for 9 to 12 hours. During colder months, you may need to soak the beans longer, so it may take as many as 15 to 20 hours. Drain the beans. When the beans have finished soaking, dump them into a colander or strainer. Shake well to remove all of the excess moisture. Transfer the beans to a large pot. Once the beans are drained, place them in a large pot. Use a stainless steel, enameled, or other non-reactive pot because reactive materials may alter the taste and color of the natto. Cover the beans with water and cook them until they’re soft. Pour enough water into the pot to completely cover the beans. Place the pot on the stove, and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once it's boiling, turn the heat down to medium and allow the beans to simmer for 9 hours. Strain the beans. When the soybeans are finished cooking, place a colander or strainer in the sink. Pour the beans into the colander and shake well to remove all of the excess water. Place the beans in a sterilized pot. From this point in the natto-making process, it's crucial that all of the containers and utensils you use are sterilized or mold and bacteria may develop. Boil a pot in water on high heat for 10 minutes to sterilize it. Dry it with a clean towel, and then add the beans to it. Boil any spoons or other utensils that you'll be using to mix as well. Combine the nattomoto powder and water. To make the natto, you'll need nattomoto powder, which contains natto spores. Use the special spoon that comes with the powder to add one spoonful of the spores to a small sterilized bowl. Add 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of boiled water to the powder, and stir the mixture with a sterilized spoon until the powder dissolves. Nattomoto powder is also known as natto spores or natto starter. You can purchase it from Japanese grocery stores and online retailers. Pour the natto spore solution over the beans. Once the nattomoto powder has dissolved, cover the beans with the solution. Use a sterilized spoon to stir the beans and solution together so they're fully combined. Preheat the oven. To finish the natto, you'll need to warm the beans in the oven for several hours. Set the temperature to 200°F (93°C) and allow it to preheat fully. If your oven temperature doesn't go as low as 200°F (93°C), use the lowest heat setting possible. You can even go as low as 100°F (38°C) if possible. Add the beans to oven-safe jars. Use a sterilized spoon to add a thin layer of beans to the bottom of 3 to 4 oven-safe glass jar. If any of the beans fall onto the counter or table during the transfer, discard them. Make sure that the jars you use have lids. Sterilize the jars in boiling water before filling them. Cover the jars with cheesecloth and the lids. When the beans are in the jars, place a piece of sterilized cheesecloth over each one. Next, place the lids on the jars, closing them tightly. Place in the oven to ferment for 24 hours. Once they're closed, place the covered jars in the preheated oven. Allow the beans to ferment in the oven for 22 to 24 hours. You can also place the jars in a food dehydrator to ferment the beans. Allow the natto to cool. When the beans are finished fermenting, remove the jars from the oven. Let them cool for at least two hours. Remove the cheesecloth and recover the jars with lids. Once the beans are cooled, remove the lids from the jars and discard the cheesecloth. Replace the lids on the jars so they're tightly closed once more. Refrigerate the natto overnight. When the jars are recovered, place them in the refrigerator. Let them chill at least overnight or up to 3 to 4 days. Natto are often served as part of a Japanese breakfast. It can also be incorporated into your meals in other interesting ways. | Wash the soybeans. Soak the beans overnight. Drain the beans. Transfer the beans to a large pot. Cover the beans with water and cook them until they’re soft. Strain the beans. Place the beans in a sterilized pot. Combine the nattomoto powder and water. Pour the natto spore solution over the beans. Preheat the oven. Add the beans to oven-safe jars. Cover the jars with cheesecloth and the lids. Place in the oven to ferment for 24 hours. Allow the natto to cool. Remove the cheesecloth and recover the jars with lids. Refrigerate the natto overnight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cancel-Weight-Watchers | How to Cancel Weight Watchers | To cancel a Weight Watchers membership online, visit the Weight Watchers website and log in to your account. Then, go to your profile page and look for the option that says “Cancel my account” and follow the instructions that follow. To cancel your subscription over the phone, call 800-651-6000 to reach customer service. Once you've been connected, press 4, 5, and 2 to skip over prompts and reach a representative. Once you're connected, prepare to state your account and billing information to cancel your service. | Go directly to the Weight Watchers website to cancel. Canceling your Weight Watchers membership online is the quickest and easiest method. You can cancel online services by filling out the cancellation form found under the "help" section on the Weight Watchers website. While you can also email your cancellation form, or call 800-651-6000 to request your eTools access be cancelled, this online method will save you the most time. However, you should note that your cancellation request can take up to 2 weeks to process. Login to your account. To save you time and make cancelling as painless as possible, login first as you'll have to login into your account before you can begin the process. From the homepage of the Weight Watchers website you can find the login button in the upper right hand corner of your screen. Follow the prompts to login by entering your username and password. Go to your profile page. Click the link that takes you to your profile page. Here you will see several options, find the box that says “Cancel my account”. You may be brought to a page that gives you alternative options to cancelling. Just scroll down the page until you see the “Complete cancellation” button and click it. Read and follow the cancellation instructions. You may be asked to fill in your member number, name, email, and other information so that the customer service department can find your profile. Fill out all the necessary information to complete the cancellation form. Once you have completed the form look for a notification detailing your Weight Watchers cancellation. You should also receive an email shortly confirming you have cancelled. It also might be a good idea to take screenshots of your computer screen during cancellation for your own records, and just in case you have any issues you may need to dispute. Cancel your prepaid monthly membership card, if you use one, by filling out the cancellation form found under the "help" section on the Weight Watchers website. Weight Watchers will refund you for any full, unused weeks that were prepaid on your monthly pass. Go to the email cancellation form. Cancelling your Weight Watchers membership by email isn't as simple as just sending an email, unfortunately. You still have to fill out an online form which you can find here. Fill out the form. You will be asked to enter your account information like your name, email address, and address. Weight Watchers says that the cancelling process via email will typically take 72 hours to go into effect. Look for a confirmation email detailing your cancellation. If you do not receive an confirmation email within one week of filling out the form, you may have to submit another request. Call Weight Watchers customer service. You can call 800-651-6000 to cancel. For the quickest results, don't waste time by waiting for prompts. To get a human as fast as possible, press “4” for existing members. Then press “5” followed by “2” to skip the survey and go directly to an actual customer service representative. Be prepared to wait. You may have to wait an average of a half hour before you get connected. Be polite but firm. Just like with an online cancellation, you will most likely encounter attempts from a customer service representative to prevent you from cancelling outright. Just calmly tell her you don't wish to hear about any alternatives, and you would simply like to cancel your Weight Watchers membership. Dealing with people on the phone can be frustrating. But it's best to remember that in most cases this person is doing her job and probably following a script. Being rude will only make the process more difficult, so it's best to calmly and firmly state what you want. You'll also be asked for account and billing information so it's best to have all of that on hand so you can complete the process as quickly as possible. Make sure that you receive a cancellation number before you hang up. Call to confirm a cancellation. If you cancelled by email, online, or even by phone but haven't been sent any records of cancellation, you may want to call the customer service number to ensure that your Weight Watchers membership has indeed been cancelled. If you are calling because you have already cancelled your membership make sure to have your cancellation number on hand. Discuss your desire to cancel with your meeting leader or meeting room staff. Your leader may be able to either help change your experience, or provide you with tools and advice to stay on track losing or maintaining weight outside of regular meetings. If you find that the program is working for you, but not on your schedule or within your budget, you may not need to cancel completely. Talk to your meeting leader about the OnlinePlus plan, or Personal Coaching as they may cost less. If you want to cancel because you are not succeeding with your weight loss, your leader can try to pinpoint the problem. However, if you know that you want to cancel your Weight Watchers membership, stay firm with your meeting leader and calmly tell her you don't wish for any other options, you just want to cancel. Note that if you are a Monthly Pass or eTools subscriber, you won't be able to cancel in person through your leader or meeting staff, and will have to cancel your membership online, via email, or postal mail. State why you are cancelling your membership. If the membership fee doesn't fit within your budget tell your leader you wish to cancel, and be upfront and firm with her that you don't wish to discuss other plans or options. If you can no longer afford to be a member of Weight Watchers, your leader might suggest payment plans that can fit into your budget, or other program options. But remember, this is your money and your body; you have no obligation to pay for something you no longer wish, or are able to participate in. Let your leader know you won’t be attending further meetings. If you are a member who pays weekly as you attend meetings, and are not enrolled in any online services, all you have to do is let your leader know you are discontinuing your program and stop attending meetings. If you're a lifetime member who has met your weight goal, you do not pay to attend meetings as long as you maintain your lower weight. However, you still have to attend a monthly weigh-in. During your weigh-in, you can tell your leader that you wish to cancel and that you won't be attending further weigh-ins. Go online to fill out the mail cancellation form. You will login into your account and go to the cancellation page. From there follow the prompts to cancel via postal mail. Cancelling in this method will require you to print out a form that you will have to fill out and mail it to the address listed on the cancellation page. This method will typically take up to two or more weeks to go into effect, and is not the fastest way to cancel your membership. | Go directly to the Weight Watchers website to cancel. Login to your account. Go to your profile page. Read and follow the cancellation instructions. Cancel your prepaid monthly membership card, if you use one, by filling out the cancellation form found under the "help" section on the Weight Watchers website. Go to the email cancellation form. Fill out the form. Call Weight Watchers customer service. Be polite but firm. Call to confirm a cancellation. Discuss your desire to cancel with your meeting leader or meeting room staff. State why you are cancelling your membership. Let your leader know you won’t be attending further meetings. Go online to fill out the mail cancellation form. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Laminate-Flooring-on-Stairs | How to Install Laminate Flooring on Stairs | To install laminate flooring on stairs, start by removing the overhang, or the underside of the stairs, with a jigsaw. Alternatively, you could cover the overhang with plywood to make it level. Once this is done, measure and cut out your pieces of laminate to make tread pieces, riser pieces and stair nosing. Then, start laying your laminate by applying three beads of good quality wood glue to the subfloor and then installing the tread pieces. After those are on, install your riser pieces and then finish with the nosing. | Choose your laminate flooring. Laminate flooring can be installed on stairs, or anywhere else that you would install hardwood flooring. The major issue with installing laminate flooring on stairs is durability - stairs tend to get more wear-and-tear than most other surfaces in your home. For this reason, it is advisable to ask the supplier or manufacturer for the most hard-wearing laminate they have. In addition, laminate flooring can be high-gloss and very slippery - which may be a concern if you have young children in the house. To minimize the risk of slipperiness, go for laminate flooring with a textured, matte finish. You should also specify that you want matching nose stripping when choosing your laminate, as many manufacturers do not have matching nose stripping for all of their flooring. In terms of quantity, you should order about 10% more flooring than you actually need in order to cover the square footage of stairs. This is necessary as you may need to cut a number of boards to fill in extra spaces. It will also allow you a comfortable margin for potential errors. Allow the flooring to acclimate. Laminate flooring needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the house before it is installed. This prevents the boards from warping, expanding or contracting later. To acclimate your flooring, remove the boards from their packaging and stack them in an open space, where air can circulate, for 48 hours. Remove any carpet and tackstrip. The next thing you will need to do is prepare your staircase for laying down the laminate. If you need to remove carpet from the stairs, you can pull it up using a pair of pliers. Carpet is normally attached using adhesive tack strip, staples or both. The tack strip can be removed using a pry bar, while the staples can either be hammered back in place, or removed using a scraper. Make sure to wear gloves while you are removing carpet, the staples can be very sharp and may cause injuries. Even if the stairs were not covered in carpeting, you can prepare them by removing any old paint or adhesive and repairing any loose or creaking steps by nailing them securely in place. You will also need to make sure each of the steps is level, so the laminate boards will sit properly. If they are uneven, you can use a belt sander to level them out, or simply use a scraper to get rid of any debris or high spots. Remove any overhang. Many stairs will have a pre-existing overhang: this is when the underside of the nosing on the upper steps is visible from the bottom of the staircase. You will need to address this before you can lay the laminate flooring. You can do this in one of two ways: You can either cut off the overhang using a reciprocating or jigsaw, then use a chisel to ensure the surface is flush with the riser. Alternatively, you can use a piece of plywood to pad the riser, filling out the space underneath the overhang. Just be sure to nail the plywood in place before installing the laminate. Cut the laminate to shape. The next thing you will need to do is cut the laminate tread pieces, riser pieces and stair nosing to length. For the tread pieces, lay the the plank across the step, making sure that it fits snugly from left to right. You may need to trim the edges slightly so they are aligned with the step. Most thread pieces will not be wide enough to cover the entire step. If this is the case, you will need to cut a second plank to fill in the rest of the space: To do this, you can either cut two planks into even pieces, so that their combined width covers the thread, or you can use a full plank and cut a smaller strip to fill in the extra space. When cutting thread pieces, make sure to cut on the groove side of the plank, and glue them together tongue-to-groove. The tread piece should not extend all the way to the edge of the step, as you will need to leave room for the top nosing. Next you will need to cut the riser pieces to length. You need to make sure that they will sit snugly on top of the tread piece, and are level with the top of the riser. If the edges of the plank are not perfectly aligned with the edges of the riser, you can trim them to fit. To cut the nose stripping, you should measure the length of the exposed thread, as well as the length of the riser and cut laminate pieces to fit, trimming the edges to fit the angle of the stairs, if necessary. A good tip is to mark each piece with a number as soon as you cut it to size, this way you will know which piece corresponds with each stair. Start at the top of the stairs. The easiest way to install your laminate flooring is to start at the top of the stairs and work your way down. By doing this, you avoid standing on the freshly installed flooring (and you won't trap yourself upstairs when the job is done!) Install the tread pieces. The thread piece is the part of the stair that you actually step on to. To install the tread pieces, apply three beads of good quality wood glue to the subfloor, making sure not to put any on the space at the edge which will be covered by the nosing later. Take the glued-together tread pieces which you assembled earlier and place them firmly onto the tread, with the tongue edge of the plank facing outwards.If any glue squeezes onto the laminate planks, wipe it off quickly with a damp cloth. Put the risers into place. The next step is to cover the risers, which are the vertical parts of the stairs. Apply three beads of wood glue to the back of the riser plank (which you cut to fit earlier), and press it into place, holding firmly for a minute or two while the glue sets. It should sit snugly between the tread piece underneath and the tread edging above. If you want to secure the riser piece further, you can use a nail gun to nail the very top of the plank in place, as the nails will be concealed by the thread edge. Install the stair nosing. Once the thread and riser pieces are in place, you will need to apply the stair nosing (this is the piece that sits on top of the riser and overhangs the edge of the step slightly). To install the nosing, apply a bead of construction glue to the subfloor (rather that the nosing itself) and press it firmly into place, with the tapered end overlapping the thread piece. You will also need to screw the top nosing into place, in order to properly secure it. To do this, cover the nosing with a strip of clear plastic tape, to protect the laminate. Mark out where each of the screws should be placed with a pencil - they should be spaced about 9 inches (22.9 cm) apart, and should be centered in the middle of the nosing. Drill a countersink hole for each of the screws, using a combination bit. Insert the wood screws, leaving the plastic tape in place until after you've covered the screws with putty. Complete the stairs. It is up to you whether you wish to put all of the riser pieces and tread pieces in place first, before installing the nosing, or if you want to complete each step fully before moving on to the next one. Whichever method you use, make sure you take your time and install your laminate flooring carefully. You want this flooring to last many years, so it is worth doing the job properly. Fill in the screw holes. Once all of the laminate flooring is in place, you will need to fill in the exposed screw holes in the stair nosing with putty. Prepare the putty according to the instructions, making sure to mix it well. Use a plastic putty knife to smoothly and carefully fill in the screw holes. Once you've filled in every hole on the nosing strip, remove the plastic tape covering the nosing. Continue to work your way down the stairs filling in the holes and removing the tape on each piece of nosing. After 20-30 minutes, use a damp cloth to even out the putty covering each screw, before it is fully dry. You may use water or acetone for this. Clean the stairs. It is very important to clean the stairs immediately to remove any fallen bits of putty, as putty can be almost impossible to remove once it sets. You should also sweep away any sawdust and peel off any remaining tape from the stair nosing. Once the stairs are clean, you can take a step back and admire your handiwork! Leave overnight. You should avoid using the stairs (as far as possible) for 12-24 hours after you finish the flooring. This will give the glue adequate time to set and allow the new flooring to settle. | Choose your laminate flooring. Allow the flooring to acclimate. Remove any carpet and tackstrip. Remove any overhang. Cut the laminate to shape. Start at the top of the stairs. Install the tread pieces. Put the risers into place. Install the stair nosing. Complete the stairs. Fill in the screw holes. Clean the stairs. Leave overnight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pack-a-Garment-Bag | How to Pack a Garment Bag | If you're going away for a trip, you'll want to pack your garment bag properly to keep your clothes clean and tidy. Iron your clothing before you pack it so you'll have less to do on the other end. Stuff the arms and legs with tissue paper to maintain their shape and prevent wrinkles. Then, hang your clothes on hangers. To save space, hang multiple items, like your shirt and jacket, on a single hanger. However, cover each item with a plastic dry cleaning bag if you can. This will prevent the clothes from rubbing against each other and creating wrinkles while you're travelling. Finally, zip up your garment bag and keep it hung up when you can. | Consider the travel itinerary carefully. Typically garment bags are used to keep formal or business attire wrinkle-free. Make a list of the different functions you will need to attend so you can be certain you'll have everything you need. Casual clothing typically is not worth packing in a garment bag. Instead, fold it in a suitcase. Pack as few items in a garment bag as possible. Garment bags can be bulky and are not always an efficient way to pack clothing. If your wardrobe can be folded in a carry-on or other suitcase, pack it there. Dress shirts, ties and accessories do not need to be hung in a garment bag. Business casual slacks, such as khakis, can generally be folded and stowed in a suitcase. When possible, pack clothing that has been treated to be wrinkle-free. Use a garment bag for business trips. The best time to use a garment bag is for a short trip when most of the clothing you need will be for business. The limited capacity of most garment bags makes them ideal for a trip that lasts only a few days and so does not require a great variety of clothes. For an extended trip that mixes business and leisure, use both a garment bag and another suitcase to carry all your clothes. Ask a professional to pack your wedding dress. If you are traveling to a formal event such as a wedding or an award ceremony, your gown may be too bulky or ornate to use an ordinary garment bag. Bring a carry-on sized suitcase to the wedding dress company and have it packed professionally. Using a carry-on will guarantee you can keep an eye on your special item. Some airplanes have closets for flight attendants in which you may be able to hang your bag, but don't count on it. A carry-on is a safer bet. The dress may need to be steamed when you arrive at your destination. Wash and iron clothing prior to putting it in a garment bag. If appropriate, dry-clean items should be taken to the cleaners well in advance so you are assured they will be returned in time for your trip. Starting off with clean, ironed items will help you to have less work when you arrive at your destination. Test zippers and check for missing buttons before you pack so you will not have to try to repair things while you are away. Stuff the arms and legs of your garments lightly with white tissue paper to maintain the shape and prevent wrinkles. White tissue is preferable in the event that your bag gets wet. Colored tissue has dye that may bleed onto your garments. Use your schedule to determine packing order. Referring to your itinerary of events, place items you will need later in your trip at the back of the garment bag, and items you will need sooner at the front. This step will help prevent you needing to rummage past garments to find what you need, causing wrinkles. Hang the garments on hangers. Some garment bags come with built-in hangers while other types of bags require separate hangers. If you use your own hangers, wire hangers are best because they are lightweight and take up less space than wooden or plastic hangers. Save space by hanging several items on each hanger. For example, hang a shirt under a jacket or blazer, with the sleeves of the shirt placed in the sleeves of the jacket. Slide a belt or scarf over the hanger. Use pant hangers to secure pants or skirts. The less items move, the less they will wrinkle. Use the ribbons inside formal pieces to attach them to dress hangers. This prevents stretching from the weight of the clothing pulling against the shoulder straps. This is especially important for gowns with trains, beaded dresses or other heavy items. Close all the garment fasteners. This is to keep the garments secure and prevent wrinkles. Zip the zippers, snap the snaps and button the buttons. Place a plastic dry cleaning bag over each hanger. Plastic prevents wrinkles caused by the friction of garments rubbing together. Use interior pockets. Pack underwear, cosmetics, handkerchiefs, and other small items in the garment bag's inside pockets. If you are also using a carry-on or other suitcase, place smaller items in there. This step prevents small objects from wrinkling the clothing on the hangers. Place your shoes in a cotton shoe bag or a plastic grocery bag. Save space by packing socks inside the shoes. Stow the shoes in the bottom of the garment bag. Putting shoes in a plastic bag is important to prevent dirt or shoe polish from getting on your clothes. Fasten your garment bag. Most garment bags are designed to be their own carry-on. Depending on the bag, carefully fold it in half or in thirds. Use provided zippers or snaps to secure the bag. It will look something like a briefcase. Pay attention when you first open the bag to how it works so you can refold it smoothly when it is full. Consider practicing folding the bag before you put clothes in. If folded or fastened incorrectly, you may create more wrinkles in your clothes. Use a dry-cleaner bag. If you have a garment protector bag that hangs in your closet and is not designed as its own suitcase, you can still use it to travel. Zip the bag shut, then carefully fold it into thirds so that it fits neatly inside a suitcase. Avoid using a duffel bag. A suitcase with firm sides will provide better protection and support. Pack enough items in the suitcase to prevent the garment bag from shifting and bunching, but avoid stuffing it so full that clothing will be crushed. Pack the garment bag last so that the weight of other clothing does create wrinkles in your suit or dress. Remove the garments from the garment bag as soon as possible. As soon as you arrive at your destination, hang the garments in the closet, so any wrinkles have time to relax. Iron your clothes if necessary. Many hotels offer ironing boards and irons free of charge. If any items will need ironing, take the opportunity to do all of them at once so you will not have to try to remember later when you may be in a hurry. Read the labels of your clothing carefully and set the iron temperature accordingly. Begin ironing in an inconspicuous area, such as a shirt-tail in case you accidentally damage your clothes. Avoid ironing irreplaceable items, such as an evening gown. These items are often difficult to iron or made of fragile fabrics. Steam clothing. One way to remove wrinkles is to use warm steam. Hanging clothing in the bathroom and then taking a hot shower will relax the wrinkles in your clothes. Alternatively, you could dampen the item with a washcloth then use an electric hairdryer to generate steam. Natural fibers absorb moisture, so this process will work with silk, wool, cotton or other natural materials. Synthetic fabrics such as rayon or polyester do not absorb moisture, so steaming will not remove wrinkles. You can wash and dry polyester or use an iron to remove wrinkles. Remove lint. Use a small lint brush or roller to remove any dust or fuzz from your clothes. | Consider the travel itinerary carefully. Pack as few items in a garment bag as possible. Use a garment bag for business trips. Ask a professional to pack your wedding dress. Wash and iron clothing prior to putting it in a garment bag. Stuff the arms and legs of your garments lightly with white tissue paper to maintain the shape and prevent wrinkles. Use your schedule to determine packing order. Hang the garments on hangers. Use the ribbons inside formal pieces to attach them to dress hangers. Close all the garment fasteners. Place a plastic dry cleaning bag over each hanger. Use interior pockets. Place your shoes in a cotton shoe bag or a plastic grocery bag. Fasten your garment bag. Use a dry-cleaner bag. Remove the garments from the garment bag as soon as possible. Iron your clothes if necessary. Steam clothing. Remove lint. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Belly-Dance | How to Belly Dance | If you want to learn one of the most popular belly dancing moves, the hip drop and raise, slightly flex your stomach so it can pull your hips. You should also raise you arms slightly above your shoulders to draw attention to your stomach. Then, to start the motion, drop the right side of your hips while raising the left side. Alternate dropping the left, then right side to complete the move. Start out slowly, then build up speed until you are shimmying your hips. | Stretch. Getting warmed up before you start to dance will keep you from straining a muscle or getting injured. Just bend down to touch your toes, roll your neck and shoulders, and stretch your wrists to feel nice and loose. If you can do a backbend, do one to help stretch out your stomach muscles. As you get ready to belly dance, you should put your hair up and wear a shirt that exposes your belly. Practice dancing in front of a mirror so you can monitor your movements. Turn on the right music. Any music with a strong repetitive base will help get you in the right frame of mind. Try to use some music of Middle Eastern origin and gain an understanding of the rhythms. There are many pieces of Arabic music that are composed specifically for belly dance and contain musical cues which will help you to understand when to make earthy movements and when to make flowing, graceful movements. Being able to dance to middle eastern music will help you to gain appreciation for belly dance. Get in a starting position. Begin in a position so that your upper body is straight. Don't arch your back or hunch. Tuck in your butt so that it also aligns with your back. Bend your knees slightly and never, ever, lock them. Your feet should be parallel and about a foot apart. Your chin should be raised slightly, and your shoulders should be bent gently back. Lift your arms and flex your stomach slightly. Use your stomach muscles to 'pull' or lead your hip movement; the lower back should not have a large arch. Some schools insist on the stomach pulling from the start, in order to train your stomach. Lift your arms in the air so that they're slightly above parallel to the ground and lift your wrists slightly. Master the side to side move and the back and forth move. For the side to side move, just drop your left hip to raise your right hip, and then drop your right hip to raise your left. Start slowly until you perfect this motion, and then speed up until you're shimmying your hips. For the back and forth move, just move your hips back and forth, using the center of your pelvis to make the movement look graceful. Keep your arm lifted at a ninety degree angle and move your fingers to add balance and grace to your movements. To move side to side, first lift your right foot and lift your heel until only your toes are touching the ground. Use this movement to pop up your right hip for two counts, and then let it fall lower than normal for two counts. Repeat this movement with your left leg and hip and then alternate until you can shimmy rapidly. Use your knees to help generate momentum and movement, not your hips. To master the hip movement, try to mentally divide your torso vertically down the center. This will help you learn to move one side of your hip up and down without affecting the movement of the other hip. Make small circular movements with one side of your hips at a time. Try 'drawing' little circles in the air with your one side. As you get the hang of it, try 8's, arcs, and swirls. Don't forget your other side. One side will always be easier, or stronger, depending on whether you are left or right handed. Keep your arms lifted, a slight smile on your face, and your fingers moving as you master these techniques. Combine your moves. You don't have to belly dance using the same motion all the time. Once you master a few techniques, you can switch things up. Do the left hip circle, the right hip circle, two right hip circles followed by two left, or move your hips back and forth and then transition into moving them from side to side. Remember to continue using your stomach to pull your hips in different directions. Practice making the stomach ripples that cause the back and forth movements. There are three main muscles that you will use: (1) a crescent shaped muscle just above the pubic area; (2) The area between the 1st muscle and below the navel; (3) just above the navel to your ribs (the one that hurts when you laugh too hard). Try isolating or clenching each muscle individually. Isolate the first muscle group, then the second, and then the third. Once you can isolate and clench these muscles, you'll be on your way to doing the stomach ripple. Work on clenching and releasing them individually and then combine the movements. | Stretch. Turn on the right music. Get in a starting position. Lift your arms and flex your stomach slightly. Master the side to side move and the back and forth move. Make small circular movements with one side of your hips at a time. Combine your moves. Practice making the stomach ripples that cause the back and forth movements. Try isolating or clenching each muscle individually. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Comfort-Someone | How to Comfort Someone | To comfort someone, start by asking what's bothering them or, if you already know what the problem is, ask them “How do you feel?” If the person doesn't want to talk, let them know that you're there if they need you. For example, you might say “Even if you don't want to talk right now, I'll be here when you do.” However, if they want to talk, let them speak without interrupting them since people will often feel a little better once they've gotten things off their chest. When they're done talking, validate their pain by saying “That's really upsetting, and I'm sorry you're dealing with that.” Or, “It's okay to cry, and I'm here to listen.” After talking, you can do something nice for the person to show you care, like running an errand for them, bringing them food, or offering to help with their children or pets. | Ask the person what is bothering them. It might seem simple, but asking someone what is bothering them if it isn't already clear could be exactly what they need. They may have been struggling with something all day and wishing someone would reach out to them and ask what's wrong. Be there for them and be the first to break the ice. If you already know what's wrong, you might ask the person to elaborate on it. Ask, “How do you feel?” or “What do you think about that?” Let them speak. Even if you want to chime in and offer your feedback or opinion on their problems, try to keep them to yourself. People who are upset don't necessarily want to hear opinions or advice. More often than not, they simply need empathy and understanding. Don't suggest alternative solutions or tell them what to do. If they are already upset, they likely won't find comfort in suggestions to keep dealing with whatever is bothering them. Instead, just try to listen and let them get it all off their chest. Validate their pain. One of the best things you can say to someone who is upset is: “That's really upsetting, and I'm sorry you're dealing with that.” Letting them know that their pain is legitimate can help them feel comforted. Try not to tell them that everything will be okay, or that things will work out eventually. For all you know, things won't be okay, or they won't work out. When comforting someone in crisis, just validating their negative feelings can help them get past those feelings, without offering them any false promises. Tell them, “You're right to feel how you do.” Say something like, “It's okay to cry. What you're going through is hard, and if you need to be upset, you should let yourself be.” Avoid telling them to calm down. Rather than simply trying to banish their negative feelings, try and have them explore those feelings and get them out, instead. Telling someone who is upset to calm down or get over it likely won't help them feel any better. Telling someone to calm down or urging them to brush off whatever is making them upset will only push the problem under the rug, so to speak. It won't help them address it and work towards resolving or getting past it in a healthy way. It might be your first instinct to try and avoid an awkward situation—especially if the upset person is crying. But, if someone is being vulnerable and open with you, you should do the same in return, rather than trying to avoid it. Avoid making it about yourself. Rather than telling them that you've been in their position, or even that you've been through something worse, let the moment be theirs. Be there as support rather than to compare your own struggles to theirs. Instead of making it about you, say something like “I'm really sorry you're going through this. Is there anything I can do?” Let them know you’re there. When listening, respond now and then with affirmative noises, like “mmmhmm,” to let the person know you're considering everything they're saying. Let them know you're there to listen, and that you care. If you ask someone what's bothering them and they don't want to share, simply letting them know you're there if they need you to be can be just as comforting as listening. Tell them, “Even if you don't want to talk right now, I'll be here when you do.” Sit with them. Sometimes, people just need to sit with their sadness. It's not a bad thing to let someone feel their feelings. Allowing the person to cry on your shoulder, or even just sitting quietly beside them can help them feel comforted, even without speaking. If you've ever been really upset, you might have felt like you wanted to be alone, or like you didn't really want to talk about what was bothering you. You probably know from experience that someone just letting you know you could talk if you needed to, but not pushing it on you, was all the comfort you needed. Offer to go for a walk with them. Sometimes, getting up and moving while talking things over can be a little less intimidating or awkward than simply sitting face to face. Offer to get up and leave the situation. Offer to go for a walk, or to go get some coffee. Moving to a new place might also help them feel more calm or relaxed. A change of scenery can be helpful. Try suggesting something like, “Would you like to go for a walk and get a cup of coffee? I think some fresh air could be helpful. We can talk on the way there.” Discourage them from making any decisions. When someone is upset, they aren't exactly in the best state of mind to make any decisions, especially regarding what's upsetting them. Don't encourage them to do anything or to take action with the situation. Encourage them instead to take some time to think things through and calm down before making any decisions. If your friend's significant other just left them, for example, don't encourage them to find someone new right away, or to say nasty things about their ex. Instead, let them vent, validate their feelings, and encourage them to take some time to settle before taking any further action. Do something nice for them. If someone is going through a tough time, one easy way to comfort them is to do something nice for them, like bringing them something to eat, running an errand for them, or even just offering them a hug. If your friend has children or pets, offer to take care of them while your friend takes some time to themselves. If they're feeling busy or overwhelmed, ask how you can be of help. Look for warning signs. If your friend has been sad or depressed for a long period of time, they may not be suffering from something acute. Make sure you watch for signs of depression in your friend if this happens. Signs of depression can include prolonged hopelessness, changes in appetite, sleeping too much or feeling tired often, a clear loss of interest in things they used to like (like spending time with friends), poor self-esteem, and even irritability. Ask questions. If you notice your friend seems to be upset for a prolonged period of time, speak up and ask them what's going on. Ask them how they have been feeling and how they're doing. Ask them if they've had any major changes in their lifestyle lately. Keep communication open. You might also ask your friend what things seem to make them feel better, and what things seem to make the situation feel worse. Not only will this help you find things to comfort them with, but it will also help you know what things to avoid. Connect your friend to resources. If your friend is showing signs of depression, encourage them to seek counseling or therapy. If you educate yourself on the issue, you will be better equipped to offer some suggestions on what steps they could take to help themselves get healthy. Some resources might even be online groups where your friend could seek anonymous help from people suffering from similar issues. This might be a better option if they aren't very receptive to the idea of therapy, or to in-person support groups. Urge them to get help if they are having suicidal thoughts. If your friend expresses any suicidal thoughts or ideations, direct them to a suicide hotline or to the nearest hospital. You should always take these kinds of threats seriously, and do what you can to get your friend the help they need when they are in crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255. There is also a Crisis Text Line; simply text “START” to 741-741 (in the US) and you will be connected with a trained volunteer. | Ask the person what is bothering them. Let them speak. Validate their pain. Avoid telling them to calm down. Avoid making it about yourself. Let them know you’re there. Sit with them. Offer to go for a walk with them. Discourage them from making any decisions. Do something nice for them. Look for warning signs. Ask questions. Connect your friend to resources. Urge them to get help if they are having suicidal thoughts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Great-Morning-and-Night-Routine-(Girls) | How to Have a Great Morning and Night Routine (Girls) | If you're a girl and you want to have a great morning and night routine, start by setting an alarm with a cheerful sound, and do some stretches as soon as you get out of bed. Eat a good breakfast, then take a shower, apply your deodorant and skin products, and get dressed for the day. When it's time to go to bed, gather the things you'll need for the next day. Wash your face and brush your teeth, then turn down the lights and the temperature in your room and relax until you fall asleep. | Wake up to cheerful music. Getting out of bed is often the hardest part of the day. Set your alarm to white noise like birds chirping, which can help you feel refugee and comfort as you begin the day. Figure out your wake up time based on what time you need to get to school or work and how long your routine may take. For example, if you have to be at work or school at 8 and it takes you an hour to get ready and a ½ hour to commute, you need to wake up no later than 6:30 am. Build in a cushion in case you run late. Avoid using an alarm that plays loud and banging music or that has annoying high-pitched noises. Open your eyes and let them get used to the light. Sit up and then slowly get out of bed. Try some light stretching or yoga to get your blood flowing. Eat breakfast daily. Studies show that breakfast is an important meal because it gives you the energy and nutrients to get through your day. Eat a healthy breakfast every day to minimize the risk of having a mid-morning slump or low blood sugar, which can make you cranky. Have 2-3 foods and include at least one item from the following groups: bread and grain, milk and milk products, and fruits or vegetables. For example, you could have a slice of toast, a cup of yogurt, a banana and cereal for a healthy breakfast. Keep portable options like breakfast bars and fruit like apples and bananas for times when you're running late. Consider setting out breakfast items the night before. This can help streamline your routine. . Take a shower After a night of sleep and maybe sweating, not only can a shower clean you, but it may also help you wake up better. An evening shower, on the other hand, can help you decrease your stress level and sleep peacefully. Use warm water between 36 and 40 degrees Celcius (or 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) so that you don't scald yourself. Check the temperature with a thermometer or stick your hand and foot in the water stream for a second. Use a cleanser or soap that is gentle and has a neutral pH. You may want to consider brushing your teeth in the shower to conserve water. Dry yourself off completely. Apply skincare products and deodorant. Once you've lightly patted your skin dry, you can apply skin products as you need them. They will keep your skin soft and may help control any acne you have. Deodorant keeps you smelling fresh and keeps body odor at bay. Use a seperate moisturizer for your face and body. The skin on your face is thinner and can be prone to breakouts. Make sure to use a product formulated for your skin type. Apply any treatment creams for acne or other conditions before your moisturizer. Consider warming the moisturizer between your hands or fingers before application. This may help it absorb more quickly. Put on “your face. ” If you wear any makeup, put it on your face once your moisturizer has soaked into your skin. Once you've finished your makeup you can do your hair. Streamline your makeup routine so it is as light as possible. This can save you time and help you look natural. Consider keeping your hairstyle as simple as possible, to help you save time. If you want to try something more elaborate, do a style that you can get easily overnight. For example, if you want waves or curls, you can either put your hair in a bun or braid it before you go to bed. After your shower, take it out and let your curls fall. Get dressed. Put on your clothing and accessories for the day once you've got your makeup on and hair done. Getting your outfit together the night before can help save time and prevent a stressful situation where you don't know what to wear. Make sure your clothes are ironed or free of wrinkles. One easy way to release wrinkles is by hanging your clothes in the bathroom while you shower. The steam can help get rid of minor bumps and wrinkles. Consider taking layers in case you go outside. For example, you might want to take a cute cardigan or jacket if you go out for drinks after class or work. Put on any jewelry you'd like to wear. Spray a nice, light perfume on yourself. It may help people remember you because studies have shown that scent is closely tied to memory. Gather items for your day. If you are going to school or work, collect anything you need for the day. This might include a lunch, pens, your phone, or books. Keep a list on the refrigerator or other place you can see so you know what you need every day. You can also keep notes in your phone. Consider putting out most of your belongings the evening before so you don't forget anything or cause yourself undue stress. Check yourself one last time. Before you head out the door to tackle the day, give yourself one last check. This can help you see if your clothing doesn't match, your hair is out of place, or you've forgotten any items you need for the day. Finish remaining work. If you have any work from school or your job to do once you get home, finish it a few hours before you go to bed. This can help you relax and make it easier to get into your evening routine and fall asleep. Get as much done at work or in school as possible so you can enjoy a more relaxed evening. Prepare for the next day. Get your stuff together for the next day as much as possible. This can minimize your risk of being late and also help you have a stress-free morning, which will help you start the day out right. Set out the clothing you want to wear or a couple of options. Make sure the clothes are ironed if necessary. Pack your lunch or any snacks you'll have. Get breakfast items, such as bowls, foods, and glasses, ready. You may also want to set your coffee machine alarm so you have warm coffee when you get up. Create a cozy bedroom. Get your room ready for bed a couple of hours before you plan to go to sleep. A cozy environment helps you fall asleep quickly stay asleep through the night. Set the temperature between 60-75 degrees and open a window or run a fan to keep the air circulating. Remove electronics from your room, which can stimulate and stress you. Block out any sources of light. If you need a nightlight, consider a non-stimulating color such as red. Fluff up your mattress, pillows, and sheets so it feels like a cloud. Stick to a fixed bedtime. Aim to go to bed at about the same time every night. This helps regulate your body clock and can help you to have a more restful night. Set your bed time so that you can get 7-9 hours of sleep a night and so you have time to shift into bedtime mode. For example, if you need to get up at 6:30am, you would need to be in bed by 11:30pm at the latest. Start shifting into bedtime mode about 2-3 hours before your set bedtime. Shift into bedtime mode. After a long day, your body needs time to relax and slow down. Give yourself at least an hour before your bedtime to help you relax and fall asleep more easily. Avoid electronics or devices if you can because they may stimulate your brain, making it hard to relax and fall asleep. Dim lights in your room to signal your brain and body it's slowly time for sleep. Establish a bedtime ritual. As your shift into bedtime mode, follow a pre-bed ritual. Try activities to relax and prepare you for bed. Remove your makeup and wash your face with warm water. Choose entertainment that you can do in dimmed light like reading or stroking your pet. Drink warm milk or herbal tea, like peppermint, lavender or chamomile to relax yourself. Take a warm bath to further relax you and help you get drowsy. Give yourself a massage. There is some evidence that massaging essential oils on to your feet or temples may help you relax and sleep. Make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly for at least 2 minutes. Set your alarm. Tense your muscles in bed. Using a relaxation drill of tensing your muscles can help relax you. This can rid you of any lingering stress as well as help you fall and stay asleep. Tense each of your muscle groups tightly for five seconds starting with your feet and working towards your head. Release muscles after five seconds and take a deep breath before starting the next group. Stay in bed. If you are overstimulated or not tired, get into bed at a set time every night. Getting into a cozy bed and bedroom environment can help you relax and fall asleep. Get up if you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes. Try doing something relaxing like reading in dimmed light or listening to white noise. Get back into bed after 20 minutes, and repeat the pattern until you fall asleep. | Wake up to cheerful music. Eat breakfast daily. . Apply skincare products and deodorant. Put on “your face. Get dressed. Gather items for your day. Check yourself one last time. Finish remaining work. Prepare for the next day. Create a cozy bedroom. Stick to a fixed bedtime. Shift into bedtime mode. Establish a bedtime ritual. Tense your muscles in bed. Stay in bed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Verified-on-Instagram | How to Get Verified on Instagram | To get verified on Instagram, start by gaining popularity on other social media platforms, like YouTube, since you'll either need to be a celebrity or have a massive following to even be considered. Additionally, put up content that supports who you say your are, like selfies, pictures of your family or pets, and other personal content. You can also go to the “Settings” tab on Facebook, click on “General,” then “Page verification” to connect via your Facebook page, which acts as a verification of your identity. | Put up content that shows you are who you say you are. Instagram only verifies profiles that they believe are operated by the individual in question (or a social media manager) and not a fan or impersonator. That means that if you want to receive that blue check, it will be necessary to post things that prove your account actually belongs to you, like selfies, pictures of your family or pets, and other personal content. Anyone can share a generic landscape photo or repost a meme, so try to focus on original content that could only have come from you. Linking to your other social media accounts can also help show that you're the genuine article, especially if they're already verified. Request verification on Facebook. Go up to the "Settings" tab on Facebook and click "General," followed by "Page Verification.” Then, hit "Get Started." You'll need to provide your phone number so that Facebook can send you a unique verification code, which you'll use to sign in. Once you do this, the people in charge will get to work processing your request. Just like on Instagram, it's important to have plenty of authentic, personal content on your Facebook profile to show that it's the real deal. Getting your personal or company account verified on Facebook can give you a huge boost towards securing Instagram verification. Gain popularity on other social media platforms. Take steps to get your name known outside of Instagram. If you're a performer, for instance, you might upload videos of yourself in action to YouTube, then use Twitter to promote upcoming shows and appearances. The more recognizable you or your brand are elsewhere, the more likely it is that that recognition will pay off with Instagram verification. Not just anyone can get verified on Instagram. Typically, you'll have to have either celebrity status or a massive following in order to even be considered. Most companies also have to be relatively well-known in order to be approved for verification. If you represent a company, try posting shareable content, like viral ads promo codes for ongoing sales, to help bolster your image on social media. Ask a contact at Instagram to verify your account. If you happen to have a friend or family member that works for Instagram, it may be possible to have them hook you up with verification status as a personal favor. They'll technically be going against company regulations to help you out, so make sure you ask nicely or make it worth their while in some other way. If you don't know the person well enough to make requests, consider going the “black market” route by bribing them with a few dollars in return for pushing the button. A publicist or digital agency managing your social media affairs might also be able to negotiate for verification on your behalf. Use popular hashtags. Hashtags are one of the main ways people browse the content on Instagram. Loading your posts with well-known hashtags makes it easy for other users to find them. If they like what they see, they may decide to give you a follow. Some of the most commonly-used hashtags on Instagram include things like #instagood, #photooftheday, #ootd (outfit of the day), and #fitspo, as well as more general tags such as #love, #travel, #friends, and #adventure. Throw out hashtags related to your personal or company brand. If you're a comedian, for example, you might use hashtags referencing terms from the comedy scene. Pay attention to what's trending. People often use hashtags to discuss pop culture and current events. Interact with other users frequently. Being active on other people's accounts is a virtually surefire method of gaining more followers yourself. Try liking random photos you stumble upon by clicking on popular hashtags, and leave thoughtful or encouraging comments on posts from high-profile users. Making yourself visible may cause those users' followers to take notice. Avoid leaving comments that sound selfish or desperate. Saying things like, "Follow me back!" will annoy people in a hurry. Instead, try posting something related to the picture or video you're looking at, like “Your cat is adorable. I have two calicos myself!" Promote your Instagram profile on other social media accounts. If you're present on other platforms, link these up with your Instagram page. You can cross-post your Instagram photos on Facebook and Twitter, for instance, or drop links to your Instagram profile in the “About Me” section of these apps with along with a request that your friends check you out there. Make some of your content Instagram-exclusive and use your other social media profiles to tease new posts—your may not see the need to follow you on Instagram if they can already see everything you post on Twitter. Post new photos and videos between 11am-1pm and 7-9pm. Lunch time and late evening are considered the “golden hours” when it comes to delivering new content to your followers. Research has shown that posts made during these times tend to accumulate the highest number of likes and shares, as this is when the majority of users are most active. Be sure to consider your particular time zone before hitting the “Share” button. Waking, working, and sleeping hours may be slightly different, depending on where you live. Posts made during the “dead hours” outside 11am and 9pm are less likely to attract attention. Work hashtags into your bio to hook new followers. One of the simplest ways to get more eyes on your bio is to incorporate a few choice hashtags. That way, your profile will show up more often when users search those particular hashtags. As with your normal posts, the more general or popular the tags, the better. Think of hashtags as a ready-made marketing device. For example, if you live in New York City and you like to cook, your bio might say something like, "Renegade sous-chef based in #NYC and specializing in #comfortfood and #fusion #cuisine." Resist the temptation to buy followers. Certain sites allow users to purchase packages of phony followers to instantly increase their perceived audience. However, the people at Instagram responsible for verifying profiles can easily tell which followers are real and which aren't. For this reason, it's best to stay away from dubious offers and focus on building your following the honest way—by putting up interesting content and making sure your posts are visible. While it may seem like a smart strategy, Instagram is more likely to deny you your much-desired blue check if they catch you taking cheap shortcuts. Delete spam comments. New and automated accounts sometimes leave token comments on other user's posts in an effort to get likes, comments, or follows in return. Too many of these comments might end up reflecting poorly on you, as they make it look like you're resorted to buying followers or are happy with any attention you can get. If you notice any suspicious comments from accounts that are obviously fake, do yourself a favor and get rid of them right away. Spam comments tend to be generic, and may not have anything to do with the post itself. It's not uncommon for comments like, "Sweet pic!", "Nice!", or “Love it!” to show up repeatedly from the same sort of accounts. Be wary of new comments appearing on old posts. Bogus accounts often choose photos and videos to comment on at random. Make sure you're following Instagram's community guidelines. If you haven't done so already, read through Instagram's user agreement carefully and avoid posting any content that violates the terms laid out there. Instagram is unlikely to extend verification status to accounts that flagrantly break the rules. Only share photos and videos you have the original rights to. Reposting copyrighted material is a major no-no, no matter how well-known you are. Avoid uploading any content that may be deemed violent, graphic, or sexually explicit. Make sure the comments you leave on other user's accounts are respectful, courteous, and add something to the conversation. Using inflammatory or abusive language can be enough to get your account blocked. | Put up content that shows you are who you say you are. Request verification on Facebook. Gain popularity on other social media platforms. Ask a contact at Instagram to verify your account. Use popular hashtags. Interact with other users frequently. Promote your Instagram profile on other social media accounts. Post new photos and videos between 11am-1pm and 7-9pm. Work hashtags into your bio to hook new followers. Resist the temptation to buy followers. Delete spam comments. Make sure you're following Instagram's community guidelines. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Assemble-a-Bicycle | How to Assemble a Bicycle | To assemble a bicycle, you'll need Allen keys, a wrench, and a Philips head screwdriver. Start by inserting the seat into its post and tighten it at the right height. Then, attach the handlebar to the frame and make sure it's facing forward while you tighten it. Once you've attached the seat and handlebar, inflate your bike's tires. Attach them to the forks using a wrench. Make sure the wheels are centered so they don't rub against the forks. Finally, attach your bike's pedals and tighten them with a wrench. | Find the owner’s manual. Take the bike out of its box. Set its protective wrapping aside. Locate the owner's manual. Refer to this for exact instructions regarding your specific bike. If you don't have an owner's manual, check the manufacturer's website. Many post instructions for assembly there. You can also consult someone at your local bike shop if you have questions or need additional help assembling your bike. Check if all parts are included. Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need. Double-check the box's contents with the parts listed in your owner's manual. If anything is missing, contact the seller and notify them. Don't throw anything away until you're finished. Smaller parts could possibly be hidden in the box or protective wrapping. Get your tools. Again, refer to the owner's manual to double-check which tools are required for assembly. Expect types and sizes may vary according to the make and model. However, generally speaking, you will most likely need: Allen keys Cable cutters Phillips head screwdriver Wrench Lubricate your parts. Check your manual to find out which parts should be lubricated (and with which type of lubricant). Inspect your bike to locate any metal parts that will come into direct contact with other metal parts. Apply lubrication here to reduce damage from friction and corrosion. Such areas will probably include parts like the: Axles Quill stem Seat post Seat tube Threads Locate the minimum insertion mark. Inspect the post attached to your seat's saddle. Locate the mark that indicates how far this should be inserted into the seat tube to achieve the maximum safe height for your seat. If desired, you can place it deeper than this for a lower seat, but always insert it at least this much to make sure your seat is securely in place. A seatpost that is not inserted deeply enough into the seat tube can easily damage or destroy your frame if you attempt to ride the bike. If you want a higher seat than the insertion mark allows, you will need to purchase this separately. Slip the post into the tube. First, grease the seat post if you haven't already. Slip it into the corresponding tube on the bike's body. Push it in until the minimum insertion mark is inside the tube. If grease isn't included with your new bike, any waterproof, hi-temp grease will work. You can purchase this grease at any hardware store. Tighten and adjust. Depending on the make and model, there should be either a bolt or a quick release mechanism on the outside of the seat tube. Whichever one it is, tighten this once you've inserted the post to your desired depth. Secure the seat post in place so it isn't jarred out of place as you ride. Center the saddle. Once the post is secure, move up to the seat's saddle. If needed, adjust its position so it's centered over the post. Then tighten its bolts to fix it. Face the fork forward. Locate the wheel mounting slots and axle on the bike's fork for the forward wheel. Make sure they're facing away from the bike itself. If they aren't, simply twist the fork around until they are. Immobilize the handlebar. Before you attach it to the bike's body, make sure the handlebar isn't able to move on its stem. Adjust it so it's positioned as though you were riding forward in a straight line. Then tighten the stem bolts to fix it in this position. Inspect the cables. If your bike has any brake or shift cables attached to the handlebar, give them a quick inspection. Double-check to be sure that they haven't become tangled up or knotted. If needed, undo any knots or twists. Attach the handlebar to the bike. First, refer to your owner's manual to determine if your handlebar has a quill stem or an A-head. Each requires different steps to attach it to the bike's body. Depending on which you have: Quill stem: Lubricate the stem with grease. Locate the minimum insertion mark on the wedge-shaped part at its bottom. Insert this into the bike's corresponding tube. Make sure the handlebar is aligned with the fork, then tighten the stem center bolt. A-head: Locate the stem cap, undo its bolts, and remove the cap. Fix the handlebar on top of the stem. Replace the cap and bolts and retighten them. Consult your owner's manual find out how much torque you need to correctly attach your handlebar. If you don't have a manual, get advice from someone at your local bike shop. Make sure each tire is mounted correctly on its rim. Go over each side of the wheel. Look along the rims. Confirm that the tires are evenly placed over the rims. Adjust if necessary. Inflate the tires. First, find their recommended air pressure, which should appear on the tire itself. Then remove their caps and fasten your bike bump to the valve. Inflate them slowly so you don't go over the recommended air pressure and burst your tire by accident. Recheck how the tires are seated on the rims. Once the tires are inflated, give them a spin. Make sure they're still seated evenly over the rims once they come to a stop. If not, release the air, readjust the tires, and repeat until they're in the proper position once inflated. Replace the valve cap when you're all done. Attach the front wheel. Center the wheel evenly between its fork and place it into the front fork's drop outs. Open the brake to do so if necessary. Tighten all bolts. As you do, tighten each just a little bit at a time, move on to the others and tighten them just as much, and repeat until you're all done. Then double-check that the wheel is still centered between the fork. Many bikes have a quick release on the front wheel, which allows for easy installation and removal without tools. With the quick release lever open, slip the wheel onto the dropouts. Tighten the nut by hand until you need to use a bit of force to close the lever (enough to leave an imprint of the lever on your hand). Instructions for this step possibly vary the most between designs. Refer to your owner's manual for precise steps for your specific wheel. Attach the pedals. First, identify which is which by checking the spindles. Find the L and R markers respectively. Use the L pedal on the bike's left side and the R pedal on its right (which would be your left and right when seated on the bike). To attach them: Screw each pedal onto its corresponding thread with your hands at first (turning clockwise for the right pedal and counterclockwise for the left). Then switch to a wrench to tighten them firmly into place as you near the end. Give the gears a trial run. If your bike has gears, raise the back tire off the ground. Turn the pedals and shift through all the gears as you do. Make sure each one shifts to the next smoothly. If they don't, set the bike to its highest gear before making your adjustments. Check the brakes. Locate the brake pads. Keep your eyes on these as you turn your pedals. Squeeze the brake lever and make sure that: The brake pads make contact on the rim without interference. The brakes should rest squarely on the rim and should not rub on the tire itself when they are engaged. They do so when the brake lever is only a third of the way to making contact with the handlebar. Each pad retreats the same distance from the rim when you let go of the lever. Adjust the levers and reflectors. First, make sure any gear or brake levers are in front of your handlebar, at a 45° angle between the bar and the ground. Squeeze them to make sure they're working properly. Then set both wheels on level ground. Check the angles of both the front and back reflectors. If necessary, adjust them so they're at least within 5 degrees of being perfectly vertical with the ground. At this point, you should be done assembling. However, inspect your handiwork step-by-step before using your bike. Make sure that you haven't overlooked anything or made any mistakes. | Find the owner’s manual. Check if all parts are included. Get your tools. Lubricate your parts. Locate the minimum insertion mark. Slip the post into the tube. Tighten and adjust. Center the saddle. Face the fork forward. Immobilize the handlebar. Inspect the cables. Attach the handlebar to the bike. Make sure each tire is mounted correctly on its rim. Inflate the tires. Recheck how the tires are seated on the rims. Attach the front wheel. Attach the pedals. Give the gears a trial run. Check the brakes. Adjust the levers and reflectors. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Genital-Warts-in-Women | How to Treat Genital Warts in Women | While genital warts can be uncomfortable when they flare up, you can treat them by working with your doctor and actively dealing with outbreaks. If you notice any signs of genital warts, like small, itchy lesions in your genital area, talk to your doctor about a treatment plan. They may prescribe you an ointment that you can apply directly to your skin for relief. If your warts are causing pain, try applying a cold compress or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Consider wearing loose cotton underwear during outbreaks, as it won't irritate your warts and will absorb extra moisture. During the course of treatment, avoid having unprotected sex of any kind to prevent spreading the disease. | Recognize the symptoms and signs of genital warts. Although genital warts often show few or no symptoms, it's important to identify any symptoms you may exhibit. Consult your doctor for a definitive diagnosis if you notice any signs of genital warts, especially if you've engaged in unprotected sex. Both men and women can contract genital warts, and repeat outbreaks are common because HPV can remain in your system. Genital warts often present few symptoms and even when signs are present, they may be mild and cause no discomfort. In women, genital warts can appear on the vulva, the perineum, the anal canal, and on the cervix. They can also appear on the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat of a person who engaged in oral sex with an infected person. Common symptoms of genital warts in women are: small, flesh or grey colored lesions in your genital area; lesions clustered together that resemble cauliflower; itching or other discomfort in your genital area; and bleeding during intercourse. The warts or lesions may not be visible to the naked eye. Consult your doctor. If you notice any signs of genital warts, including lesions on your genitals, or a partner has revealed they have genital warts, see your doctor. She will run tests and confirm a diagnosis and develop the best treatment plan for you. Tell your doctor about the symptoms you're experiencing, signs of genital warts that you've seen, and if you've had unprotected sex. If you're experiencing a recurrence of genital warts, contact your doctor to see if medication is necessary. Undergo medical examinations. If your doctor suspects that you have genital warts, she may order medical tests. These simple screenings will help definitively diagnose the sexually transmitted disease and make it easier to develop the best treatment plan for you. Your doctor may apply a mild acetic acid solution to the suspect areas to see if they whiten any potential warts. After this, she may view the area with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. Your doctor may give you a Pap test to detect changes in your vagina or cervix from warts or the HPV virus, which causes genital warts. If you are over the age of 30, your doctor may do a test to see if you have HPV in your system, which can help her diagnose genital warts. In some cases, your doctor may biopsy suspect spots, especially if they are atypical or the diagnosis is uncertain. Leave your genital warts to heal without treatment. Genital warts may disappear on their own without treatment. If your genital warts are not painful, consider leaving them to heal without treatment. About 30% of genital warts will regress (go away) within the first 4 months after infection, even without treatment. If you decide to not treat your warts, you can leave them to heal as long as they're not causing you any discomfort. Be aware that even if you decide to leave the warts to heal on their own, that you can still infect others with warts and are more likely to get other diseases. If you choose to not treat your genital warts, they are also more likely to recur. They may also be hard to keep clean. HPV can cause cancer, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. Because of this, it's a good idea to have a doctor monitor your condition. Get medical treatment for genital warts. If your doctor diagnoses you with genital warts, she will likely prescribe you a treatment that you apply directly to your skin. It's important to use a prescribed medication for genital warts and not an over-the-counter remedy. Your doctor may prescribe imiquimod, podophyllin, or podofilox or to treat the lesion. A prescription ointment using sinecatechins (green tea extract) may be prescribed for external and anal warts. You apply these treatments to the affected areas as prescribed by your doctor. Be aware that these treatments can cause skin sensitivity and weaken condoms or diaphragms. Your doctor may also apply trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to your genital warts. This treatment requires frequent visits to your doctor. Your sexual partner(s) also require treatment if they have symptoms of genital warts. This will keep you and your partner(s) from passing the disease back and forth between one another. Do not use over-the-counter wart treatments on genital warts. These medications aren't intended for delicate genital tissues and can increase any discomfort you have. Undergo surgery to treat genital warts. In some cases, you may need surgery to remove large warts or warts that don't respond to medication. There are several different surgical procedures your doctor may perform if she needs to remove your warts. Cryotherapy, or freezing therapy, uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the area around a wart. The skin then forms a blister that sloughs off the wart. You may require several rounds of cryotherapy to remove genital warts. Electrocautery uses an electrical current to burn off warts. Surgical excision removes an entire area of suspect skin or a cluster of genital warts. Laser treatments are often a final measure for difficult to treat or extensive warts. All of the surgical treatments can cause pain, swelling, and scarring. Avoid sexual activity or practice safe sex. During the course of your treatment for genital warts, abstain from sexual activity if you can, including oral and anal sex. If you cannot refrain from sex, use a latex or polyurethane condom. This may help from spreading the disease to your partner and decrease your risk of reinfection. If you have lesions, sex may cause discomfort. Be aware that genital wart treatments can decrease the efficacy of condoms. Prevent warts from spreading. One of the best ways to treat warts is to not get them, but this isn't always possible. There are several options to help you not spread your warts, from washing your hands to not picking at warts. Always wash your hands after applying treatments. Keep your genital area clean and dry, and change your underwear every day. Don't pick at your lesions, which may spread the warts and virus. Smoking cigarettes may cause recurrences of genital warts. Relieve pain and discomfort caused by warts. In some cases, genital warts may cause pain and discomfort. You can help relieve the pain by applying compresses or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use a cold compress for 1-2 hours daily to help relieve the discomfort of lesions. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. See doctor if your symptoms persist after treatment. If your symptoms of genital warts continue after treatment, see your doctor. Managing and treating these symptoms and the disease will help ensure that you don't have a recurrence or contract a more serious condition or complication. Wear clean, loose, natural fiber underwear. Wearing underwear that won't irritate your warts or the surrounding skin may help ease any discomfort you have from the condition. Choose loose, natural fibers such and be sure to change your underwear every day. Wearing cotton underwear may be a wise choice because it won't irritate your wart and will help absorb extra moisture from your skin. Stay in touch with your OB/GYN if you are pregnant and have genital warts. In general, genital warts do not pose a risk to you or your baby while you are pregnant. Because of the increased hormone levels in your body, you may see your genital warts become worse during pregnancy. If they cause you pain or discomfort, talk to your OB/GYN about ways to treat them. Although genital warts do not affect fertility or the ability to have a safe pregnancy, not treating the disease during pregnancy can cause complications such as bleeding or an inability of vaginal tissues to properly stretch. Not treating the disease may also mean you need to have a cesarean delivery (c-section). Pregnant women should usually not use topical treatments unless they are applied by your physician. TCA and cryotherapy are usually effective and safe for pregnant patients. Get tested regularly for warts and HPV. If a doctor treated you for genital warts, get retested at regular intervals for them and for HPV. This will help ensure that the virus and disease have left your system and that you are no longer contagious. Recurrence of genital warts is common and is often treated with the same course of medications. Practice safe sex. The best way to treat genital warts is to avoid getting them. Using latex or polyurethane condoms and limiting the number of your sex partners will minimize your risk for contracting the disease or having a recurrence. Always use condoms during sexual contact. Although condoms will not eliminate your risk of getting warts, they will decrease your risk. If you have oral sex, use a condom or dental dam. The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting genital warts is. Try and limit the number of partners you have to decrease your risk, and always use condoms with your partners. Be aware that smoking can increase your risk for genital warts. Doctors are not sure why, but being a smoker may make you more likely to contract genital warts. This may be because smoking suppresses your immune system. Being a smoker can also increase your likelihood of a recurrence. Try and avoid smoking for your overall health if possible. Get vaccinated for HPV. There is now a vaccine available that can protect against the strains of HPV which cause genital warts. If you or your child is between the ages of 9 and 26, consider getting the Gardasil vaccination to help avoid contracting genital warts. Be aware that Cervarix, which also protects against HPV, does not protect against genital warts. Getting the vaccination may reduce your risk of getting genital warts by 50%. | Recognize the symptoms and signs of genital warts. Consult your doctor. Undergo medical examinations. Leave your genital warts to heal without treatment. Get medical treatment for genital warts. Undergo surgery to treat genital warts. Avoid sexual activity or practice safe sex. Prevent warts from spreading. Relieve pain and discomfort caused by warts. See doctor if your symptoms persist after treatment. Wear clean, loose, natural fiber underwear. Stay in touch with your OB/GYN if you are pregnant and have genital warts. Get tested regularly for warts and HPV. Practice safe sex. Be aware that smoking can increase your risk for genital warts. Get vaccinated for HPV. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Wittier | How to Be Wittier | Being witty is a hard skill to learn, but you can sharpen your wit by being observant and keeping your comments clear and precise. Watch and listen to your favorite performances by witty comedians and actors, or read books by witty authors to get a sense of how wit works. When you're with other people, observe them closely and listen to what they're saying so you can respond to them in a clever and informed way. If you think of a clever joke or quip, delivery it clearly and confidently. Keep it short and simple so the joke retains its punch. Remember to keep your audience in mind as well, since what's funny or witty to one person might be boring or even offensive to another. If people aren't impressed right away, don't give up! Honing your wit takes practice and patience. | Respond to questions or statements in a humorous way. Being witty isn't about memorizing funny jokes or quotes—it's about learning how to come up with creative responses on the fly. Try adding a tinge of humor to normal questions to begin practicing your wit. For example, the question “How would you spend a million dollars?” invites all sorts of creative thinking; responding with “Quite happily” answers it in a humorous way. If you're having trouble thinking of creative responses, go for a dry, direct approach. For example, you might answer with "the sky" if someone asks you "What's up?" Think outside the box to come up with unique jokes. Witty people are able to see the world from a unique perspective, which then lets them come up with witty things to say. Come up with your own unique perspectives or realizations about things, and use your ideas to create witty conversation topics. Read up on current events, pop culture, and other sources of news and information to give you lots of material to create your own opinion about. Draw connections between words and their different meanings. For example, if you're talking about Spider Man, create a joke using the word "web," which could be referring to a spider web or the Internet. Practice making puns. While puns may seem more just like a simple joke than wit, a great pun plays on the connections between words and makes the listener think. Practicing making puns will help your mind learn to make connections to things quickly. An example of a pun might be, "Without geometry, life is pointless." To improve your puns, spend time learning new words, practicing rhyming, and read puns in books and online. Choose material depending on your audience. Though you should work on developing your own brand of humor, you should always be aware of the type of people you are around, and the particular things they find funny or offensive. This includes your audience's age group, political views, or pop culture likes and dislikes. If you're around a group of people who are very sensitive about religion, for example, then try to avoid jokes about this topic. You might use different language and jokes around your close friends than you would with your grandparents. Show confidence in your body language and tone. Before you can begin to impress people with your wit, you have to give off a confident vibe to show people that you are comfortable with yourself as well as the jokes you tell. Standing tall, speaking clearly, and making eye contact when you deliver the punch line shows that you're relaxed and confident. If you mumble your jokes, people may ask you to repeat yourself and the humor will be lost. Part of being witty is being sharp and quick, so don't hesitate too long or people won't understand how your funny comment connects to the conversation. Listen to the people around you. Instead of focusing your thoughts on the next witty line you'll say, pause and really listen to the conversation that's going on around you. This helps you understand the details of what's being said and will help you come up with the perfect joke that aligns well with the conversation. Listening to others will also help you pick up on funny and witty things that the people around you are saying so that you can learn from them as well. Be concise when telling a joke. Some of the wittiest responses are quick one-liners. Instead of rambling or making the joke excessively long, try to come up with quick comebacks that are only a line or two so the joke doesn't lose its punch. For example, “Velcro—what a rip-off!” is a good example of a joke that's simple yet witty. Avoid putting pressure on yourself. It's hard to tell a perfect joke every time you come up with one, so don't feel bad if you tell a bad joke or two. As long as you keep practicing, your wit will become better with time. If nobody laughs at your jokes, just shake it off and say, "I'll get 'em next time," or "Whoops—wrong audience." Listen to comedy podcasts. There are tons of podcasts you can listen to about all sorts of topics, from interviews with famous comedians to funny talks about what's going on around the world. Just by doing a quick online search, you're bound to come up with interesting podcasts that will give you great examples of how to be witty. Some podcasts you might listen to include Ask Me Another, Free to a Good Home, or Comedy Bang! Bang! Read the works of witty people. These could be classics from authors like Shakespeare, blog posts about how to mix humor into conversations, or novels full of witty thoughts and remarks. Read as much as you can—the more you know about the world, the more likely you are to have an unbiased and unique perspective of the things around you. Memoirs from famous comedians are full of wit and interesting stories. Kurt Vonnegut and Mark Twain are two more examples of authors who used their wit in their writing. Satirical websites like the Onion are known for their humorous articles. Watch witty performances. Watching witty people perform not only lets you hear their jokes, but it's also a great chance to look at how they present themselves to their audience through their body language. Start watching witty performances on television, YouTube, or even in person. SNL or any other late-night comedy show are great examples to look for. Go online to search for movies or shows with witty characters in them. See if your area has any local comedy sketches that you can watch. Learn new words to expand your vocabulary. In your studies of witty people, it's likely you'll come across new or rarely used words. Adding to your vocabulary will not only make you smarter, but it will allow you to create more connections between words, strengthening your wit in conversations. Consider signing up for a free online service that sends you a new vocabulary word each day, or pick up a thesaurus in your free time and look through a page or two. | Respond to questions or statements in a humorous way. Think outside the box to come up with unique jokes. Practice making puns. Choose material depending on your audience. Show confidence in your body language and tone. Listen to the people around you. Be concise when telling a joke. Avoid putting pressure on yourself. Listen to comedy podcasts. Read the works of witty people. Watch witty performances. Learn new words to expand your vocabulary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lube-a-Bicycle-Chain | How to Lube a Bicycle Chain | To lube a bicycle chain, use wet lube if you live in a rainy or snowy climate, or use dry lube if you live in an arid climate. Whatever kind of lube you use, make sure it's designed specifically for bike chains, and never use WD-40 since it evaporates quickly and can cause dirt and grime to build up on your chain. Before you apply bicycle lube, clean off your chain using a wet rag and some degreaser spray. Then, squeeze some lube onto the chain and backpedal as you apply it. | Choose a wet lube if you’ll be biking in wet weather. Rain, snow, and slushy roads can wash away dry lube on a bike chain. Wet lube will be more resistant. You can find bike lubes of all kinds online or at your local bike shop. Use a dry lube if you live in an arid climate. Wet lube isn't necessary if you're going to be riding in dry weather conditions, and it attracts more dirt than dry lube. Dry lube will keep your chain cleaner, but you'll need to reapply it often, usually about every 50–100 miles (80–161 km) of riding you do. Get a wax lube if you use your bike to get around. Wax lube is less messy than other kinds of bike lubes, so it won't get all over your clothes if you're riding your bike into work or to the store. Wax lube also keeps your bike chain cleaner than other kinds of lubes, as dirt and grit are “shed” from the wax compound. Don’t lube your bike chain with WD-40. Only use lubricants designed specifically for use on bike chains. WD-40 is a solvent that evaporates quickly, and only contains a small amount of lubricant. This product can cause dirt and grime to build up on the chain. Spray degreaser spray or isopropyl alcohol onto an old rag. The rag will get dirty from the chain, so use one you're not too attached to. You don't need a lot of degreaser or alcohol on the rag; a quick spray should be enough. Don't have degreaser spray or isopropyl alcohol? If the bike chain you're lubing isn't that dirty, you may be able to just wipe it down with a dry rag. If there's still dirt and grime after, you should make a trip to your local hardware store to get a degreaser spray or isopropyl alcohol. Hold the the rag against part of the bike chain. Hold the rag in place with your hand. The chain should be touching the part of the rag you sprayed with degreaser or isopropyl alcohol. Backpedal the chain so it runs through the rag. Grab onto one of the pedals of the bike with your free hand and crank the pedals backward. The chain should start to move around the chainrings on the bike. Keep backpedaling until the whole chain has slid through the rag in your hand several times. Hold the rag in place as the chain spins. Be careful not to catch your fingers in between the chain and chainrings! Use a chain scrubber for a quick solution. If you don't want to clean the chain by hand, you can purchase a 2-piece plastic chain scrubber. This device clamps around the chain and has a reservoir for degreaser and rotating brushes that clean the chain. To use it, follow the instructions included with the package. Generally, you'll slide 2 pieces together around the chain, put degreaser on the bottom half, then pedal the chain backwards for 10 revolutions. Put your bike chain back on if it slips off. Give the chain slack by pushing the rear derailleur arm (the metal arm on the back tire) toward the handlebars. Put the chain back on the chainrings and push the rear derailleur arm back into place. Pedal the chain a few times and you should be good to go! Shake the container of lube thoroughly. The different ingredients in the lube may have separated as it sat on the shelf, so give it a good shake to mix them all together. Squeeze the bottle of lube and backpedal the chain as you apply it. Hold the bottle of lube so the nozzle is resting on the inside of the chain. Use your free hand to crank the pedals backward so the chain moves around the chainrings on the bike. Run the chain around the chainrings several times, continuing to squeeze the lube onto each part of the chain as it passes by. Hold the bottle of lube steady as you backpedal the chain. Set aside the lube and continue to backpedal the chain. This will help work the lube into the chain. Run the chain around the chainrings at least 10 more times. Then, slowly shift through the gears to distribute the lube to the cassette gears and chainrings. Wipe off excess lube with a rag. Hold the rag against the chain and backpedal the chain. Run the chain around the chainrings and through the rag a few times until all the excess lube is off. Don't skip this step! Excess lube can cause dirt and grime to build up on the chain. | Choose a wet lube if you’ll be biking in wet weather. Use a dry lube if you live in an arid climate. Get a wax lube if you use your bike to get around. Don’t lube your bike chain with WD-40. Spray degreaser spray or isopropyl alcohol onto an old rag. Hold the the rag against part of the bike chain. Backpedal the chain so it runs through the rag. Use a chain scrubber for a quick solution. Put your bike chain back on if it slips off. Shake the container of lube thoroughly. Squeeze the bottle of lube and backpedal the chain as you apply it. Set aside the lube and continue to backpedal the chain. Wipe off excess lube with a rag. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Parakeet | How to Take Care of a Parakeet | To take care of a parakeet, buy a stainless steel cage with a lot of horizontal space. Place the cage out of direct sunlight and make sure indoor temperatures don't go over 80°F (27°C). Line the cage with paper towels and attach a food bowl and water drinker. Feed your parakeet pellets and provide fresh water everyday. Chat and play with your bird for at least 90 minutes a day and cover their cage at night to help them sleep. | Decide if you want to go classic Budgerigar Parakeet or choose any of the 100 odd types of parakeet. Look into Alexandrine Parakeets, Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Black-tailed Parakeet or anything else available where you live. Budgerigars, or Budgies, originate from Australia so they are likely to be a cost-effective choice for Australian's wanting to have a pet parakeet. Other parakeet species come from South America, Africa and parts of Asia but can be successfully kept as pets with the correct environment and equipment. (like toys) Choose a reputable breeder. Just as with getting other types of pets, you want to make sure you're purchasing from a reputable breeder. Check for online reviews to get extra feedback. Ask to view the breeder's other birds and check they are kept in clean airy conditions, have plenty of space, and seem calm and well cared for. Make sure the birds aren't overcrowded on the perches, and check to see that they are being fed clean, quality food, including fresh fruits and veggies. Also make sure that there is a cuttlebone or mineral block in the cage. These are vital to a birds diet. Look for a bright-eyed and lively parakeet. Check that there is no crusting around the cere (the spectacles above the beak) and that the vent is clean. The vent refers to the spot from where the bird defecates, and a dirty vent is a sign of digestive problems. Avoid birds that seem lethargic and don't move from the bottom of the cage. Make sure the birds look content, vigorous, and in optimal health. You may need to visit at different times during the day, as parakeets take naps and look drowsy at times during normal waking hours. Consider keeping parakeets in pairs. Parakeets are sociable birds and enjoy being kept in pairs or groups. If you purchase a single bird, you need to be able to spend time with the bird every day to satisfy her need for company. If you do decide to get multiple birds, make sure only to cage parakeets together and not with other types of birds. Take your new parakeet to the vet. Even if your parakeet looks healthy, they often don't show symptoms until they are very ill, so you should have your new parakeet looked at by a vet very shortly after getting it. The vet will likely test for psittacosis, which is a dangerous bacteria that can be passed to you and your family. The vet will also test for internal and external parasites, yeast, Macrorhabdus fungus, and certain other kinds of bacteria. Purchase a proper-sized cage. The size of the cage should measure at least 18 x 24 x 24 inches (61 cm), but purchase the largest cage you can. Prioritize the horizontal measurements because parakeets fly horizontally rather than upward. Choose a stainless steel or some kind of non-galvanized cage. The cage should be made of stainless steel. Unfortunately, many other metals such as zinc, brass, or lead can be toxic to parakeets, and you should never use a rusted cage or one with chipping paint. Never buy a circular cage, because they do not provide enough flight space, and a parakeets' little feet could easily be injured by the tapering bars near the top of the cage. Choose a cage with horizontal bars. Parakeets love to climb, so you should select a cage with horizontal bars, allowing him to grip on and shimmy upwards. The bars should be less than half an inch apart. Otherwise, there is a risk the bird will get his head stuck between them. Line the cage for proper hygiene. Line the floor of the cage with paper towels or copy paper, both of which are better choices than a newspaper. When this is soiled with droppings, throw it away and reline the cage with clean paper. Attach a food bowl and water drinker. You will need a food bowl and a water drinker. You can mount each to the bars of the cage away from the bottom, which keeps them from getting knocked over or from having the bird contaminate them with waste. If you cage multiple parakeets together, provide a separate food bowl for each, so the dominant bird cannot fight the others away from the food. Furnish the cage with a perch. The ideal choice for perches is branches of natural orchard wood. Ideally, choose a branch diameter large enough that the bird's toes do not curl around and overlap each other. This will likely be around 3/8” in diameter. Orchard wood such as apple, plum, pear, or cherry is safe for the parakeet to peck at it, and it has a naturally abrasive action which helps keeps his nails trim. The wooden doweling perches provided with most cages are poorly designed for birds. The diameter of the doweling is too narrow for a bird to grip comfortably, and they do not wear the claws down. Provide toys in the cage. Parakeets have lively, inquiring minds and need plenty of mental stimulation. Put a selection of toys in the cage, so he has something to play with. Toys that parakeets particularly enjoy have mirrors, bells, or ladders to climb up and down. Toys are needed to keep the bird healthy and entertained. Boredom can lead to screaming. Find a spot for the cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. This ensures that the bird has proper company. Parakeets feel safe with they have an area to retreat to, so putting the cage against a wall is a good idea (rather than the bird feeling exposed on all sides). Avoid putting the cage beside a window or door, where it might be in danger of direct sunlight or drafts because they are very sensitive to temperature. Bird cages should never be allowed in the kitchen. The fumes from some cooking oils—and even from the finish on some frying pans—are toxic to parakeets and can make the bird very ill. Clean the entire cage. Changing out the paper at the bottom of the cage isn't enough on its own. Clean the cage bars with soap and water regularly, particularly after you've clipped food to the bars. Provide a diet primarily of pellets. Though seeds are a very common diet for parakeets in the wild, they are also a source of bacterial infection and can easily lower the health and lifespan of your bird. Bacteria can build up and overwhelm your bird over time. Consider converting your parakeet's diet to roughly 60-70% pellets. Birds adapt to pellets at various rates, and initially may reject them, perhaps vigorously. However, about 90% of parakeets will convert within two weeks using the following plan: Give birds seed for only one hour in the morning and one hour at night. The rest of the time they have to snack on pellets. Generally, the 10% of parakeets that don't switch in two weeks will switch after a short period of reverting to a seed diet. Supplement your parakeet’s diet with seed mixes, fresh fruit, and vegetables. As well as the seeds, feed a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables such as kale, beets, peas, carrots, parsley, cooked yams, sliced apple, mandarin oranges, citrus, and the like. If you vary what you offer the bird—never give the same fresh food two days in a row—this avoids any dietary overloads that might be associated by feeding an excessive amount of one food. Try clipping pieces of apple or carrot to the bars at which your bird can peck. For larger fruits and veggies, you can also chop them up in a food processor to food in your bird's food bowl. Most fresh foods are safe for parakeets EXCEPT for avocados, eggplants, apple pips, rhubarb, tomato plant leaves, and potato plant leaves. You should also never give your parakeet caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol. Change the food and water daily. Let the bird get used to you and the surroundings, doing nothing but maintaining his food/water and cage, before trying to train the bird to perch on your finger. Offer treats. Millet sprigs or "sprays" are a favorite treat but don't feed too much of it (about 1/2" per day), as it is fattening like junk food. Avoid sweets or excess oats, both of which are fattening. Millet sprays are also one of the best ways to train the parakeet to perch on your finger. Socialize with your parakeet. Parakeets need company so be prepared to spend at least ninety minutes a day—though not necessarily all at once—chatting to your bird or interacting. Parakeets can be clicker trained as well, which is a fun way of stimulating the bird mentally and encouraging her to bond with you. Without regular and sufficient attention, parakeets will lose interest in human interaction. A pair will tend to bond with one another (regardless of sex) and ignore humans, but through interaction, you can be considered part of the flock. A way to interact with your bird is to sing together, give it baths and if it seems to be rapidly dropping a mobile toy, pick it up. There is a chance it is trying to play a game with you. Sometimes parakeets get lonely. A good way to get them happy again is to talk to them. To get them to climb up on your finger, push a little bit on their stomach, and say, "Step up." By continuously saying that, they will start to say it by themselves, and will "step up" whenever they say it, which will usually be when they come to a stair/ledge. Give your parakeet time out of the cage. Although the bird can fly in the cage, it is a good idea to let the bird out once a day for free flight. Obviously, be alert for hazards and close windows and doors, extinguish candles, and that sort of thing. Again, clicker training can come in handy to test your bird a command when it's time to return to the cage. Many things you might not immediately consider can be dangerous to parakeets. Before allowing your bird out of the cage, remember not just to close windows, but also: put away potentially dangerous shiny objects such as knives in the kitchen, turn off all fans, keep them off the floor around children and other pets, etc. The safer you can make the environment, the better. Provide proper sleeping conditions. Parakeets will sleep approximately ten hours a day, mostly at night, but they can nap during the day as well. When your parakeet is asleep, try not to make too much noise, though music or the television at low volumes is still okay. At night, parakeets like the security of being covered, so drape a towel or pillowcase over the cage. Keep a proper temperature. Parakeets are sensitive to large swings in temperature. They do well with average household temperatures, but always make sure their cage has a shady spot where they can retreat and try not to let indoor temperatures exceed 80°F (27°C). Do not place the cage in direct sunlight. Be conscientious. Parakeets are a lot of work, but you will find them an affectionate and funny companion. Most will talk and how much they learn is really up to you. Be prepared to do some daily care and maintenance, as well as giving them attention and playtime, or consider getting another hobby. | Decide if you want to go classic Budgerigar Parakeet or choose any of the 100 odd types of parakeet. Choose a reputable breeder. Look for a bright-eyed and lively parakeet. Consider keeping parakeets in pairs. Take your new parakeet to the vet. Purchase a proper-sized cage. Choose a stainless steel or some kind of non-galvanized cage. Choose a cage with horizontal bars. Line the cage for proper hygiene. Attach a food bowl and water drinker. Furnish the cage with a perch. Provide toys in the cage. Find a spot for the cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. Clean the entire cage. Provide a diet primarily of pellets. Supplement your parakeet’s diet with seed mixes, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Change the food and water daily. Offer treats. Socialize with your parakeet. Give your parakeet time out of the cage. Provide proper sleeping conditions. Keep a proper temperature. Be conscientious. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Temporary-Tattoo-Last-Longer | How to Make a Temporary Tattoo Last Longer | If you want to make a temporary tattoo last longer, start by cleaning the spot you plan to tattoo with soap and water. Gently exfoliate the skin with a washcloth or a loofah, then pat the area completely dry. When you're applying the tattoo, try to pick a spot where your skin doesn't bend or flex, which can cause a temporary tattoo to fade quickly. After the tattoo is applied, apply a layer of petroleum jelly, baby powder, or cornstarch to the tattoo to help keep it from fading. | Cleanse the spot you plan to tattoo. Lotions, makeup, and the natural oils of your skin can all shorten the life of your tattoo. They can create a barrier between the ink and your skin, so the tattoo won't actually stick or be absorbed, and it will come off when the lotion comes off. Oils break down the inks in decal tattoos (baby oil is often used to wipe the tattoo off your skin), so if oil is already present, it will begin dissolving your tattoo right away. Make sure you dry your skin before applying the tattoo. Exfoliate the area before the temporary tattoo is applied. Usually the very top layer of your skin is actually dead skin cells that we shed or scrub off. If you apply the tattoo directly onto this layer of skin, it's more likely to flake off as you shed the dead cells. Exfoliation removes this layer, giving you smooth, live skin to work with. Exfoliate using a loofah or pumice stone and avoid techniques that will leave your skin oily, like salt or sugar rubs. Choose an area where the skin won't constantly be moving or flexing or coming into contact with oils and other substances. The skin on your hands and feet are constantly stretching and moving, which can cause your tattoo to crack or fade quickly. Your hands also come in contact with lots of different substances throughout the day, from oily foods to art supplies to plain old soap and water. This constant contact may cause your tattoo to fade prematurely. The exception is with a henna tattoo, which actually works best on your hands and feet, because the skin is thicker. The more layers of skin, the more layers the ink can stain. Avoid areas that quickly become sweaty or oily naturally, like your temples, or your feet when you wear socks and shoes. Avoid areas that will rub against your clothes. Shave the area before the temporary tattoo is applied. Hair might get in the way of the ink, so if there's a lot of hair in the area where you plan to put your tattoo, shave first. If you are applying to an area you shave regularly, like your legs or neck, the act of shaving may remove your tattoo faster. Shaving before application may allow you to go longer without shaving once the tattoo is applied. Make sure you use a new, sharp razor if you are going to shave over your tattoo. A dull or nicked razor can cause your tattoo to flake. Wash the areas around the tattoo, not the tattoo itself. Many temporary tattoos are advertised as being waterproof, but the addition of soap may affect your tattoo. Plus, if you are scrubbing your skin clean, the friction will start to tear the ink from your skin. It's ok to swim or shower with a waterproof temporary tattoo, just try not to soak it in a bath or allow it to come into contact with soap, body wash, or oils. Cover your tattoo with petroleum jelly, which can act as a sealant. Though most people consider petroleum jelly a moisturizer, it actually works by sealing the moisture into your skin, almost like a piece of plastic. Clear nail polish will have the same sealing effect as the petroleum jelly, but it won't be as messy, since it will dry on your skin. There is a downside to clear nail polish as it will start to flake and the tattoo will come with it. Use baby powder, corn starch, or talcum powder on the tattoo. These substances are all highly absorbent, and can soak up the natural oils on your skin that would start to break down the ink in your tattoo. Be careful not to inhale these powders, as they can be harmful to your lungs. Go over your tattoo with a permanent marker when it begins to fade. If the tattoo is simple and a single color, a thin or sharp-tipped permanent marker can be used to give the tattoo new life. Trace over the tattoo design with a marker of the same color and fill in with ink. It won't last longer than a day or two at most. Take a break from working out. The excessive sweat and movement of your skin can cause the tattoo to fade faster, especially if it is rubbing against your work-out clothes. Keep the henna paste wet as long as possible. Spritzing the paste with a solution of lemon juice and sugar (which you can make at home or may be provided by a henna artist) will seal the paste on your skin and also keep it wet. As long as the paste is moist, it will continue to dye your skin and you can get a rich, dark color that will last longer. The henna will continue to work up to 12 hours after application if you keep it wet. Don't oversaturate the paste with spray--you don't want it so wet that the paste begins to slide or spread on your skin, blurring your design. Make your own spray by dissolving 1 1/2 tsp sugar in 3 tsp lemon juice. Gently heat the mixture in a sauce pan if the sugar doesn't dissolve after about a minute of stirring. Warm your skin while the henna paste is drying. Holding your hand or feet over a heater, stove, or fire will heat your skin and keep the henna paste moist. You can even use a heating pad--just be sure you don't accidentally rub off the design. Keep the area warm, but not hot--sweating too much might cause the paste to smudge. Never use "black henna," though it may promise to make your tattoo last longer. Black henna is not henna, which is derived from plants. Black or blue henna is actually a chemical called PPD, which is only approved for use in hair dye and can be harmful to your skin. It can cause rashes, allergic reactions, swelling, and other complications. Some black hennas may not have any actual henna in them at all and consist only of the harsh PPD. Avoid water for 24 hours after removing henna. Applying a coat of petroleum jelly can help create a seal over the tattoo and repel water. Water can cause the skin to dry out, which will increase the shedding of dead and dry skin. | Cleanse the spot you plan to tattoo. Exfoliate the area before the temporary tattoo is applied. Choose an area where the skin won't constantly be moving or flexing or coming into contact with oils and other substances. Shave the area before the temporary tattoo is applied. Wash the areas around the tattoo, not the tattoo itself. Cover your tattoo with petroleum jelly, which can act as a sealant. Use baby powder, corn starch, or talcum powder on the tattoo. Go over your tattoo with a permanent marker when it begins to fade. Take a break from working out. Keep the henna paste wet as long as possible. Warm your skin while the henna paste is drying. Never use "black henna," though it may promise to make your tattoo last longer. Avoid water for 24 hours after removing henna. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Rainwater-Collection-System | How to Build a Rainwater Collection System | Building a rainwater collection system involves using a S-bend aluminum downspout to connect your gutter to a large barrel. There is usually a filter in the downspout to keep leaves and other debris out of the barrel, and there should be an overflow spout near the top of the barrel to prevent the downspout from backing up if the barrel is completely filled. That means the barrel needs to be on level, well-draining soil to keep the lost moisture away from your house. A spigot is put on the bottom of the barrel to retrieve the water. | Obtain one or more water storage barrels. You can buy a water storage barrel online, but it's cheaper to get a used one from a company that uses large barrels to store food and other merchandise (just be sure to clean it thoroughly with soapy water). A rain barrel can also be made from a large plastic trash can. Get a barrel that will hold 30 to 55 gallons (113.6 to 208.2 L) of water. If you decide to get a used barrel, make sure that it didn't formerly contain oil, pesticides, or any other type of toxic substance. It's too difficult to clean these chemicals from the inside of the barrel, so using them is too risky. If you plan on collecting a lot of water, get two or three barrels. You'll be able to connect them so they're all part of the same water collection system, and this way you can have hundreds of gallons of water at your disposal. Get additional supplies to turn the barrels into a water collection system. The supplies you'll need to make your rainwater collection system can easily be picked up at a hardware or home and garden store. Figure out what you already have on hand, then gather the following supplies: 1 standard 1-inch hose spigot with ¾-in. pipe threads, so you can access water from your rain barrel. 1 ¾-inch x ¾-inch coupling 1 ¾-inch x ¾-inch bushing 1 ¾-inch pipe thread with a 1-inch hose adapter 1 ¾-inch lock nut 4 metal washers 1 roll Teflon thread tape 1 tube silicon caulk 1 “S”-shaped aluminum downspout elbow, to direct water from your downspout to your rain barrel 1 piece of aluminum window screen, to keep leaves, bugs and other materials out of your water 4-6 concrete blocks Level an area right next to your downspout. The downspout is the metal or plastic tube running from your roof's gutters to the ground. You're going to reroute the downspout directly into your rain barrel, so you'll need to prepare a platform in the area right next to it. Clear away any rocks and other debris from the area. If the ground there isn't flat, take a shovel and clear away enough dirt to flatten an area large enough to accommodate the number of barrels you have. If your downspout empties out onto a concrete driveway or patio that's situated on a hill, build a level surface by stacking a few plywood boards in the low section so you've got a level area on which to set the barrels. If you have more than one downspout on your home, choose to place the barrels near the one that's closest to your garden, so the water you collect won't have as far to travel when it's time to use it. Create a layer of pea gravel. This will provide better drainage around the rain barrels and help keep water away from the foundation of your home. Dig a 5-inch deep rectangle in the area you leveled to accommodate the rain barrels, and fill it with ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of pea gravel. Skip this if your downspout empties onto a concrete driveway or patio. Stack concrete blocks on top of the pea gravel. Stack them sideways to create a raised platform for the rain barrel or barrels. The finished platform should be wide and long enough to hold all of your rain barrels level with each other, and steady enough that they won't tip over. Drill a spigot hole in the side of your barrel. It should be high enough up on the barrel to fit a bucket or water jug underneath. Make a 3/4-inch hole to properly fit the spigot you bought. This is the standard size for a spigot; if you're using a different sized-spigot, make sure you drill the right sized hole so that it fits into the side of the barrel. Squeeze a circle of caulk around the hole. Put caulk on both the inside and the outside of the barrel. Attach the spigot. Put the spigot and the coupling together. Use Teflon tape to wrap the threaded ends to create a tight seal and prevent leakage. Put a washer on the threaded end of the coupling and insert it through the hole in the barrel from the outside. Slip another washer over the pipe from the inside. Attach the bushing to hold the spigot in place. Follow the directions for attaching the type of spigot you have. You may need to attach it differently than specified here. Make an overflow valve. Drill a second hole a few inches from the top of the barrel. It should be ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm), or the same size as the first hole you drilled. Squeeze a circle of caulk around the hole, both inside and outside the barrel. Slip a washer on the hose adapter and put it through the hole from the outside. Put another washer on the inside threads, attach some Teflon tape, and attach a nut to tighten the assembly. You can attach a garden hose directly to the valve. If you have a second barrel to use as an overflow barrel, you'll need to drill a third hold in the first barrel. Drill it at the same level as the spigot several inches to the side. Then drill a ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm)-hole in the second barrel at the same level as the hole you just drilled in the first one. Attach hose adapters to the holes in both barrels as described above. If you're using a third overflow barrel, the second barrel will need a second hole so you can connect it to the third barrel. Make a second valve on the opposite side of the barrel at the same level. Make a valve in the third barrel as well. Connect the downspout elbow to the downspout. Figure out where to connect it by setting the barrel on the platform next to the downspout. It should be close enough to the downspout that you can connect it with the downspout elbow. Mark the downspout one inch below the height of the rain barrel. You'll need to attach the downspout elbow to the downspout so water will pour directly into the barrel. Use a hacksaw to cut the downspout at the mark. Fit the elbow to the downspout. Fasten it in place with screws, and make sure they're tight. As your measuring and fitting the elbow to the downspout, make sure that the end of the elbow will dip well into the barrel so all the water gets collected there. You don't want the water to be pouring into the barrel from above. Connect the barrel to the elbow. If the barrel has a lid, use the hacksaw to cut a hole large enough for the end of the elbow to fit inside. Cover the area around the hole with the metal screen. Place a filter at the top of the downspout. This will prevent leaves and other debris from running down the downspout and creating a clog in your rainwater collection system. Connect the additional barrels. If you have more barrels, set them on the platform and connect lengths of hose to the valves. | Obtain one or more water storage barrels. Get additional supplies to turn the barrels into a water collection system. Level an area right next to your downspout. Create a layer of pea gravel. Stack concrete blocks on top of the pea gravel. Drill a spigot hole in the side of your barrel. Squeeze a circle of caulk around the hole. Attach the spigot. Make an overflow valve. Connect the downspout elbow to the downspout. Connect the barrel to the elbow. Place a filter at the top of the downspout. Connect the additional barrels. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-CBD-Oil-Quality | How to Determine CBD Oil Quality | Since CBD oil isn't regulated, there are a lot of low-quality CBD products on the market. When you're shopping for CBD oil, there are a few things you can look out for to make sure you're getting high-quality CBD. Always check to see if the ingredients are listed on the packaging. If they're not, the CBD oil could contain unknown additives, and the manufacturer probably isn't reputable. Only buy CBD oil that has been tested by a third-party lab so you know exactly what's in it and how much CBD you're actually getting. You should also check the label or manufacturer's website to see how the CBD oil was extracted. Both CO2 and ethanol extraction produce the purest CBD oil, and other extraction methods may leave contaminants in the oil. In general, high-quality CBD oil will cost at least $0.5 per milligram. Anything less than that is a sign that the CBD oil is low-quality. You can calculate the price per milligram by dividing the price of the CBD oil by the total number of milligrams in the bottle. | Pick a full-spectrum CBD oil if you want the most effectiveness. Full-spectrum oil contains other molecules and chemicals from the hemp plant, which usually gives the CBD oil a more prominent effect. Look around the label to see if it has either “full-spectrum” or “whole-plant” written on it so you know that it will work well for you. If you can't find the information on the label, then the oil may not work as well. Full-spectrum oils usually have a yellow, green, or brown color. Search the CBD oil online to see if the product website lists any additional information. Choose an isolate oil if you want pure CBD. Isolate oils are filtered to remove the other chemicals found in hemp so the CBD doesn't have any additional contaminants. Look for the term “isolate” or “THC-free” on the packaging to determine if the product has other chemicals. Then check the ingredients listing to see if there are any other added chemicals besides the CBD. Isolate oils work well if you're frequently drug-tested since they don't contain THC. Isolate CBD oils may not be as effective as full-spectrum oil since they don't contain the other chemicals from hemp. Check that the product has less than 0.3% THC. Since CBD comes from hemp and marijuana, the oil may have small percentages of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical that gives you a high. Make sure the THC content is clearly listed on the package label, or else it may be low-quality. Avoid buying any CBD oils if you aren't sure how much THC it has, since it could have negative effects. THC levels below 0.03% will not give you a high, so oils are still safe to use. If your CBD oil has higher than 0.3% THC content, then you could be charged for possession of marijuana if it's illegal in your area. Read the nutritional label to see if it lists the ingredients. Good-quality CBD companies are usually transparent with any additives they include with the CBD oil. Inspect the product packaging and search for a breakdown of how much of each ingredient is included in the oil. If you aren't able to easily find the CBD oil ingredients on the package, then the CBD oil may be of lower quality and should be avoided if you're able to. You can also try searching for the CBD oil online to see if the ingredients are broken down there. If the CBD oil doesn't have any nutritional information, then avoid the product entirely. Calculate the price per milligram to see if it’s over $0.05 USD. Properly extracting and filtering CBD from hemp plants can be an expensive process, so high-quality oils will usually cost more. Check how many milligrams of oil are included in the package and divide it by the total price. If the cost equals less than $0.05 USD per milligram, then the oil is most likely low-quality and should be avoided. If it's over that price, then the CBD oil should be safe. For example, if you have a 1,000 mg container of CBD oil that costs $65 USD, then the equation would be 65/1,000 = $0.07 USD per milligram. The price may vary more depending on the concentration of the CBD oil as well. Get oil using hemp from the United States to ensure it’s certified. Hemp that's grown in the United States has to be approved by the Department of Agriculture to ensure the growing environment is safe. First, see if the manufacturer lists the hemp source on the product label. If you don't see the source listed there, look on the manufacturer's website for information about what hemp they use for their products. If you aren't able to find information about the hemp, then it's most likely low-quality and shouldn't be used. If you can't find hemp grown in the United States, then make sure it's non-GMO and pesticide-free from an industrial grower. Some other countries also have processes for certifying CBD oil, such as the United Kingdom. You may buy from them if it would be easier than importing it from the United States. Look for CBD oil that uses ethanol or CO2 extraction for the safest substance. Ethanol or CO2 extraction removes higher percentages of CBD without including any harmful chemicals in the final oil. If the extraction method hasn't been listed on the oil's label, then check the manufacturer's website for details about their process. If you aren't able to determine how they extract CBD from hemp, avoid the oil since it may be unsafe to use. Low-quality oils will use toxic chemicals like butane for extracting CBD, which can affect the purity of the oil and make it unsafe. See if the oil has been tested by a third-party lab. Third-party labs test the purity and concentration of the CBD oil to make sure they're safe for consumption. Usually, the label will say “third-party lab-tested” if it's been checked, but other brands may not put it on the label. Look at the manufacturing process on the product's website to make sure they have their CBD tested. If you can't find any information, then the CBD may not be safe. You can usually find the results of the lab's tests so you can look at a more detailed breakdown of any chemicals or additives found in the oil. Call the product’s support line to ask a representative further questions. Many CBD products have a support line that you contact if you have questions or concerns about the oil. Dial the number on the product's package or website so you can reach a representative. Ask questions about any information you weren't able to find on the package or concerns you have. The representative should be able to answer any queries you have for them. If the representative can't answer your questions about basic information, such as the manufacturing process or ingredients, then the oil may be low-quality. | Pick a full-spectrum CBD oil if you want the most effectiveness. Choose an isolate oil if you want pure CBD. Check that the product has less than 0.3% THC. Read the nutritional label to see if it lists the ingredients. Calculate the price per milligram to see if it’s over $0.05 USD. Get oil using hemp from the United States to ensure it’s certified. Look for CBD oil that uses ethanol or CO2 extraction for the safest substance. See if the oil has been tested by a third-party lab. Call the product’s support line to ask a representative further questions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Define-Success | How to Define Success | To define success, think about the things that you love and are passionate about. Ask yourself what you truly want to be doing with your time, not what you feel pressured by others to be doing. Then, define success as acquiring and accomplishing those things. Avoid comparing your level of success to others because everyone's version of success is personal and different! If you feel successful in your life, that's all that matters. | Accept there are many ways to define career success. Career success need not have a rigid, set definition. While many insist on defining career success based on measurable qualities, such as salary and ranking, there are many ways to define success in your career based on your goals. Part of what makes it difficult to precisely define career success is that there are so many factors at play. Your relationship with your co-workers, your reputation in your field, your salary, your benefits, and more all play a role in whether you can consider yourself successful. A lot of people feel overwhelmed by the many factors that influence their sense of success. To avoid feeling stressed about whether your successful in traditional terms, try to view your career success in a personal manner. Do you feel fulfilled by your job? Are you happy going into work in the mornings? Much of success is unfortunately beyond your control. You need to accept there are various definitions of success and what ultimately matters is your own sense of worth and fulfillment. Define your passions. If you're looking to define success, first define your priorities and passions. Whether or not your career helps you fulfill your passions is a major determining factor in whether or not you feel successful. Think about when you were younger. What did you want to be when you grew up as a child? What were your goals in college? Are you using your degree? Why or why not? Oftentimes, people fall into a career path and lose track of their true passions and interests. Conversely, people who feel stressed over their career feel successful when they realize their work truly reflects their passion. Do not fear change. Sometimes, defining one's passions can help with a personal definition of success. Acknowledging what you're doing in the present moment is not, by your standards, successful is scary. It can also be an opportunity to grow. If you always wanted to be a teacher, for example, and work in marketing consider returning to school for a teaching degree. In some states, community colleges may allow you to teach with just an undergraduate education. Examine factors that are important to you. What is really important to you? Do you crave prestige and honor? Does climbing the corporate ladder, making connections, and closing deals sound like an ideal career? Or are you more idealistically oriented? Does the idea of making a difference and helping others inspire you? There is no wrong way to crave success, but acknowledging what factors truly matter to you as an individual can help you define success. Define career success in your own terms. It's vital that you avoid outside definitions of success. Research shows the happiest, most fulfilled people across all careers are those who define success based on personal goals, passions, and desires. Try to write down your definition of success and put in a place where you can see it each day. Reminding yourself of your goals can help you on your way to success. Your definition of success should be somewhat vague. As so much of success is beyond your personal control, keep your definition all encompassing. Something like, "I want to feel fulfilled in my work every day and do a job that's intellectually stimulating for me." View life as a continuous journey rather than a series of goals. Many people view success as a series of goals. You get your degree, then a job, then a promotion, and so on. Oftentimes, people find their measurable success to be somewhat hollow and disappointing. Once you've reached a goal, you may feel disappointed that you're not as happy or fulfilled as you thought. Instead, view your life as a continuous journey where you try to do a bit better each day. This will keep you stimulated and emotionally and intellectually active longterm. Define family success through love. Family success is difficult to define as it's so intangible. Breaking down family success into achievable goals can be difficult as, even more so than career success, so much is beyond an individual's direct goal. Instead, view family success in terms of being able to love and love in return. Setting firm goals for family success is hard. If you want to, say, have 3 kids by the time you're 35 there are many factors that can get in the way. You may not meet a significant other until your older. Your husband, wife, or longterm partner may only want 1 or 2 kids. It may take longer to conceive or adopt or whatever process you were looking into. Setting firm goals for your family life means you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, try to cultivate better relationships with those around you. Make goals that are somewhat vague but still important. Success should be a matter of staying open to love by learning to apologize, communicate, and share. Your goals should be to stay close to your family and keep communication strong throughout your life. Reexamine yourself and your priorities. Continually re-examining yourself and your priorities can help assure personal success. People change all the time and what you wanted at 25 might not be the same as what you want at 30. What you want out of friendships and romantic relationships is subject to evolve with time. At 22, you may value your independence but, at 28, long for a more committed relationship. It's okay if your definition of success changes just as long as you're willing to change with it. If you find your personal goals, wants, and needs have shifted you might have to change your lifestyle a bit. Say you were always comfortable being slightly overweight but you suddenly want to work on getting a slimmer figure. You may have to change how you eat and your level of physical activity. Be open to change based on any shifts in your values. Periodically take a day to reexamine what you want from life. Do not compare yourself to others. Measuring personal success is a highly individual and therefore subjective matter. Comparing yourself to others can be toxic to a healthy definition of success. Do not pay attention to how other people are in friendships and romantic relationships. What matters is your wants and needs and whether or not you're pursuing them in a way that makes you feel personally fulfilled. Define personal success in a way that's meaningful to you. Much like career success, how you define personal success should reflect your values. There's no wrong way to feel personally fulfilled. Some people see personal success as having 4 kids and being a stay at home parent. Others see success as having no children and having the freedom to vacation for a few weeks each summer. Both goals are equally valid and important. Define personal success on your own terms, based on your own values. | Accept there are many ways to define career success. Define your passions. Examine factors that are important to you. Define career success in your own terms. View life as a continuous journey rather than a series of goals. Define family success through love. Reexamine yourself and your priorities. Do not compare yourself to others. Define personal success in a way that's meaningful to you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-With-a-Pet-Snail | How to Play With a Pet Snail | Before playing with a pet snail, make sure to wash your hands so that you don't introduce bacteria to the snail's environment. Then, place your hand flat against the bottom of the cage and very slowly move your hand toward the snail so it can crawl into your hand. Next, lift it slowly out of the tank and let it move around on your hand. You can also put it down on a different surface and create a snail playground with rocks or treats, such as lettuce or apples. | Wash your hands. The first thing you should do before anything else is to wash your hands. Washing your hands will make sure that you don't introduce anything – bacteria or chemicals – to the snail or to its environment. Use an antibacterial soap. Use warm water. Make sure all soap is thoroughly washed off your hands. Secure your play area. Before you play with your snail, you need to make sure the room you're in is secure and snail-ready. By having a room that is secure, you'll safeguard your snail's life and make playtime a happy time for both of you. Remove any other pets (specifically dogs or cats) from the room. Dogs or cats might see the snail as something to toy with or even eat. Inform any other people what you'll be doing, so they don't disturb you. Turn off any loud music or the TV. This is important for the snail and so you can concentrate and won't be distracted as you're playing. Play with your snail at night. Night time is the best time to play with your snail. This is because most snails are active at night and sleep during the day. If you try to play with your snail during the day, it might not do very much and may just withdraw into the shell. The best time for you and your snail is probably between 6PM and 8PM, depending on your schedule and region. Let the snail crawl onto your hand by itself. The best way to pick your snail up is to let it crawl onto your hand on its own accord. This is by far the safest way for the snail to be carried. Picking a snail up by its shell or body may damage the shell or hurt the snail. Place your hand flat against the bottom of the snail's cage near the snail. Move your hand very slowly in the general direction of the snail. Let the snail crawl onto your hand. Lift your hand, slowly. Once the snail has crawled onto your hand, you can slowly lift your hand out of its enclosure. Make sure to lift your hand slowly, as you don't want to scare the snail or potentially drop it. After you've lifted your hand out of the tank, move it slowly toward the surface of a table. Place your hand flat against the surface of the table and allow your snail to move around. Avoid shaking the table or moving your hand suddenly. Lower the snail to a new surface. After you've got the snail on your hand and have moved it out of the enclosure or somewhere else in the enclosure, lower your hand down and allow the snail to hop off your hand. This is important, as you'll want to give your snail the freedom to move as it pleases and to explore new areas. Lower your hand slowly. You can lower your hand to a new place in the enclosure. This is probably the best and safest bet. Consider creating a “playground” tank with new rocks, obstacles, and even snail treats (lettuce, cucumbers, and apples). Avoid lowering the snail onto the floor. If you do so, there is a chance you or someone else could step on it. Let it move around. After you've gotten yourself ready to play with your snail, you should give it the opportunity to move around. Ultimately, your snail will have the best time if it is moving around on its own accord. Let the snail crawl around your hand. Let the snail crawl around its playground. If you litter food around the snail's new playground, chances are it will move around to investigate the food and other new additions. Avoid trying to move the snail if it is already moving. You may hurt it. In addition, you may scare your snail, which will make it much more likely that the snail will hide from you next time you go to play with it. Stroke its shell. If your snail seems to be in a friendly mood, it will be okay to stroke its shell a little bit. Stroking or touching the shell is a great way to interact with your snail and to “play” with it. Stroke or touch the shell lightly. Stroke or touch the shell with the grain, rather than against it. Play gently. You need to be gentle whenever you play with or handle your snail. As living creatures, they are delicate and can be hurt relatively easily. Make sure to: Never apply any pressure on to the snail's shell. Always move very slowly when handling your snail. Be conscious of the fragility of the snail. Pick the snail up as little as possible. While you should avoid picking the snail up, there are several things you should do and not do if you do decide to pick up your snail. This is important, since if you do something incorrectly, you may hurt your snail. Do not try to pick up your pet using something sharp. Do not pick up your snail by its shell. The only time this may be appropriate is if your snail is completely withdrawn into its shell and you need to move it. When you do move your snail this way, make sure to be gentle and to avoid applying any pressure to the shell. Avoid touching the area around the opening of the shell. When handling your snail, you should make sure to always avoid touching the area around the opening of the shell. This is because a snail's shell grows at its opening. This makes the area around the opening much more delicate and sensitive. Always grip the shell with two fingers from the top and rear of the shell. Return the snail to its tank in a safe manner, if you’ve removed it. After playing with your snail, make sure to return it safely back to its tank. Returning it to its tank safely is extremely important as you want to make sure not to harm your snail. In addition, if you are too hurried with your snail, the experience won't be a positive one and your snail may hide in its shell next time you go to play with it. As with removing your snail from the tank, do so slowly and gently. Make sure you position your snail up right and in a safe location. Avoid placing the snail on a limb, rock, or in any other precarious position in the tank. Wash your hands. After you've handled your snail, you need to make sure to thoroughly wash your hands immediately. This is important as snails carry some diseases and infectious agents that are potentially dangerous to us and the people around us. Use warm water. Use an antibacterial soap. Use plenty of water and wash in between your fingers. Secure your snail’s tank. After you've returned the snail to its tank safely, you need to make sure the top or lid to the tank is completely secured. This is important, since your snail may leave its safe enclosure and become lost if you don't secure the top of the tank. Place the top on your tank, if there is one. Make sure that the lid is completely on and there are no holes or gaps in it. Secure the clips or other fasteners from the tank to the lid. | Wash your hands. Secure your play area. Play with your snail at night. Let the snail crawl onto your hand by itself. Lift your hand, slowly. Lower the snail to a new surface. Let it move around. Stroke its shell. Play gently. Pick the snail up as little as possible. Avoid touching the area around the opening of the shell. Return the snail to its tank in a safe manner, if you’ve removed it. Wash your hands. Secure your snail’s tank. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Successful-in-College | How to Be Successful in College | To be successful in college, search out the best professors and try to register for their classes. Be sure to attend classes regularly and drop in on your professors occasionally during office hours if you need help or clarification about a topic or assignment. Also, come up with a study schedule so you can prepare for major tests, essays, and projects well ahead of time and avoid cramming. Finally, don't forget to get involved in student activities, make friends, and seek out new experiences! | Go to class. If it seems obvious, that is because it is. That doesn't mean it is not the single most important thing you can do to succeed in college. In general, class is a small part of your overall day -- most students only have a few hours a day -- but they are the most important hours you have. This is where you get to learn, get to grow, and get to meet new people. Not every class, of course, will be a winner. But success requires that you challenge yourself every now and then. Suck it up, get out of bed, and get to class. If you don't like your classes, or don't see the use for them, consider changing majors. Classes should not be a chore, they should be enjoyable. Just because a professor doesn't take attendance doesn't mean you have a free pass to skip out. They know, however, that you only get out of a class what you put into it. Search out the best professors, regardless of their field. You're going to have to take some required classes, and you're obviously going to have to take many classes in your major. But the beauty of college comes from the in-between classes. Whenever possible, choose classes with the best professors, even if the class doesn't seem interesting at first. A great professor will turn a "boring" subject into a revelation, and a poor one will turn a subject you love into a bore. Professors are the difference makers in college -- seek them out. Talk to older students, your adviser, or visit rating sites like Rate My Professor to get an idea of the most engaging professors. Go to office hours. Professors have them for a reason, and most of them love to see and chat with students. Your professors are not like your high school teachers, for the most part. They want individual time to discuss and debate your questions. They're happy to help you when you struggle. Since most college classes are elective, meaning you choose to be there, they are happy to have people interested in their subject. Professors make great job references later on, but don't expect a glowing review if you only see them in class. In many fields, professors can open up research jobs, internships, and student scholarships for engaged and hard-working students. Build effective study habits. Getting your work done without someone over your shoulder is hard at first. But studying is a crucial part of college and something you're going to have to actively make time for. Research shows that the most successful students study at least 20 hours a week, roughly 2-3 hours each day. Many professors suggest spending two hours studying for each one hour in class. Make the most of your time by: Finding a study spot, like the library or a classroom, outside of your dorm. Studying in 1-hour chunks, taking short breaks in between. Studying in groups, or with a tutor, when possible. Asking for help and clarification from professors and fellow students. Starting the work in advance instead of procrastinating, giving you time to ask questions if you get stuck. Focus on your writing skills, no matter what your major. Good writers get jobs in every single field. That is because effective communication is useful no matter what you're doing -- and not enough people are good at it. Don't wait to write your papers until the last minute, as you're only shooting your future-self in the foot when you do. Go to office hours to discuss paper ideas or rough drafts with professors, and if you get a bad grade on the essay, ask why. Most professors are happy to help you improve, and some will even bump the grade if you show genuine interest in being a better writer. Search out your college's writing tutors if you're really struggling. They are usually fellow students who can bat ideas around with you casually, helping find the best way to express them in writing. Plan ahead for major tests, essays, and projects. First and foremost, make sure that you understand the assignment completely, asking for clarification if you need. This, along with regular attendance, will almost assure that you do fine on every assignment. For major projects, get started a few weeks in advance. Even one hour of work here and there will pay dividends since it gets your brain thinking about the work and exposes any questions or holes in your knowledge early on. Make a "master calendar" once you have all your assignments on the syllabus. This helps you see, and prepare for, difficult weeks well in advance. If you've got two papers due on the same day, you'll need to get one started ahead of time. Learn for learning's sake, not for grades. College is one of the most incredible, mind-expanding periods of your entire life. Your job is to learn -- and that's it. How cool is that? If you focus on learning, finding the classes, professors, lectures, and events that genuinely interest you, your GPA will follow. Try to stay in the moment and appreciate your classes as a chance to grow intellectually, personally, and socially. Make an effort to speak at least once in every discussion class, even if it is scary at first. Colleges bring in incredible speakers and guest lecturers every semester-- take some time to find and see the ones that catch your interest. Your classmates are just as good a source of knowledge as anyone else. Ask about their interests, what they're studying, and where they came from. Get involved in student activities. The amount of clubs, groups, and events on most campuses is staggering. The best way to meet people is to dive in feet-first. Pick something you love doing, or pick something totally new and weird that interests you. Remember, there is no commitment to most of these groups, so it's okay to go try things and see if you like them. Student activities are your chance to find a small group of people and get to know them, bonding over a common interest. If you played sports in high school, try out a low-key club sport or intramural team. You can usually sign up as a "free agent," meaning you'll be placed with a random team and get to know new people. The local arts groups, such as the radio station, newspaper, and theater teams are big, inclusive organizations on 99% of campuses. Be yourself: you have much more freedom to do so now. In high school, you're forced to be with the same people every day for 7-8 hours. Many people feel stifled by their options, their classmates, and their schedule, and worry that the same thing will happen in college. But in college you're free to join whatever clubs and classes you want. You go to lunch whenever you want. You can always go back to your room if you don't like someone or some situation. So be you and enjoy the kind of life you want to live. Following your passions, however odd or quirky, will lead you to like-minded people. A college social life does not have to revolve around drinking. Check your activities board or student groups for a wide variety of other activities and events. Realize that the teen-like judgment common in high school starts to disappear with age. If you want to hang out with someone, you can. If not, then you don't have to see them again. People have little need to become bullies at universities. Make 1-2 good friends. Don't be afraid to get to know people deeply. Ask questions and listen genuinely to the answers. Get to know your dorm mates and ask fellow classmates to come grab lunch with you after class. Everyone has a story, a history, and a passion worth following. If you show kind, genuine interest in that, you'll naturally find a few people you happily call your close friends. Set ground rules early on with your roommate. Whether you're about to become best friends or worst enemies, you should make your own expectations clear early on to avoid trouble. This isn't (and shouldn't be) a Constitution or set of laws, but rather a basic understanding of how you'll be living together. Doing this early on will ensure that, no matter how well you get along, you'll at least have general respect established. In the first week, casually let them know: What you brought that is communal, and what is only for you. Where your "area" or side of the room is. Any major concerns, worries, or pet peeves. How to get in touch with you. Make stress management a priority. Stress is going to happen, and you will never complete remove it from your life. But you need to find a way to manage it on your own now. While studying is important and classes essential, college is also about having fun. If you make it a priority to do something fun every day, you'll see your stress melting away. It is natural to feel extra stressed during finals or midterms. Just know that they'll be over soon enough. Get to know your counseling center if you're struggling to manage stress. They are there to talk to you once a semester or once a week, even if just informally. Take care of your body. The first thing many people forget in the whirlwind first year of college is themselves. You start to eat (and drink) much worse, drop your old exercise habits, and stay up until the crack of dawn every night. This is totally to be expected when you're suddenly left with the freedom and resources to decide what you do with your life. But you need to remember to put yourself first. Your social and academic life will both succeed as a result. Choose the major you love, not the one you think you need. Only 27% of college graduates actually have a job in the same field as their degree. College is about intellectual exploration and excitement, not cementing your entire future. Choose a major that genuinely interests you and the classes will fly by with ease. Your grades will be better, you'll be happier, and your job prospects will be no worse for the wear. If you choose to go a pre-professional route after graduation (medical school, law school, etc.) be sure to talk to your career center about fulfilling your requirements for graduate school. Schedule a visit to the career center once a year. Your college's career center is an invaluable resource for you, and it is never too early to stop in for a visit. Make an appointment, even if you're unsure what you want to do or don't think you need to plan until senior year. You career center often has internships, connections with alumni, and even grant money to help you chart your path after college. The career center is a great place for practical advice on what classes you need, where to send resumes, and potential jobs based on your interests. You don't need to chart out every step of your career from freshman year on. Simply stop in to find out what exactly your career center has to offer you. Find part-time work in a field of your interest. Whether it is research with a professor, a fellowship to produce a book of poetry, or a campus job in IT, finding time to work while in college builds valuable experience and connections. While your career center should have some advice, don't be afraid to ask your professors if they know of any work or research opportunities as well. Many will be happy to sponsor you, or help you find a good fit in their field. Meet and chat with alumni. Your college's alumni are going to be an incredible, supportive network for you. They will be the ones who uncover a new job position that you're perfect for, that go to bat for you in an interview, and spend an hour or two on the phone giving advice and reminiscing about your alma mater. It seems too good to be true, but the built-in connect you have with alumni will help you in the future whether you realize it or not. While asking for a job directly is generally frowned upon, try out these conversation starters: "What do you enjoy about your work?" "How did [your school] prepare you for what came next?" "What advice do you have for a graduate interested in the _________ field?" Challenge yourself socially, intellectually, and personally and you will succeed in any field. You'll get the most out of college only if you're willing to push yourself. Try out a new class that you're interested in but intimidated by. Perform your first stand-up routine at an open mic. Go to parties and pretend you're not naturally shy. If you challenge yourself now, putting aside temporary discomfort for long-term happiness, you have no idea what kind of doors will open up. When you do finally graduate, you'll be able to walk through any challenge or career with your head held high. "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?" -T.S. Eliot | Go to class. Search out the best professors, regardless of their field. Go to office hours. Build effective study habits. Focus on your writing skills, no matter what your major. Plan ahead for major tests, essays, and projects. Learn for learning's sake, not for grades. Get involved in student activities. Be yourself: Make 1-2 good friends. Set ground rules early on with your roommate. Make stress management a priority. Take care of your body. Choose the major you love, not the one you think you need. Schedule a visit to the career center once a year. Find part-time work in a field of your interest. Meet and chat with alumni. Challenge yourself socially, intellectually, and personally and you will succeed in any field. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Crack-Your-Jaw | How to Crack Your Jaw | To crack your jaw, start by relaxing your jaw so that your mouth hangs slightly open. Then, place both hands flat against your cheeks with your thumbs and index fingers making a “U” shape around your ears. With your palms pressing against your jaw, wiggle your hands back and forth. If your jaw still doesn't crack, try moving it in different directions like up and down or forwards and backwards until it clicks. | Relax your jaw. Some people find that trying to crack their jaw helps ease pain from TMJ or other jaw issues. To do so, relax your jaw and let it drop so that your mouth is open slightly. Place your palms flat against the side of your jaw. Position your palms flat against each side of your face. Your thumb and index finger should make a “U” shape around your ear when you do this. Press against your jaw, alternating between sides. Press your palm against your jaw, moving it to one side and then the other. The goal is to wiggle your jaw back and forth until you can get it to crack or pop back into place. Move your jaw in different directions. In addition to moving your jaw side-to-side, you can also try moving it forward, backward, up, and down. Everyone is different so you might have to experiment with what works for you to be able to crack your jaw. Look at your jaw’s alignment in a mirror. Stretching your jaw can also help relieve pain. Begin with your jaw in a relaxed and centered position, but do not allow your teeth to touch. Use the mirror to see if your jaw is centered. You may have tension in your jaw without realizing it. If this is the case, your jaw may be shifted to one side or the other. When the mouth is closed and in a neutral position, the lips should be closed but the teeth should not be in contact. Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can. As you are opening your mouth, imagine that your jaw is dropping to the ground and that it is pulling your mouth open. You should feel your jaw muscles being stretched, but should not be in any pain. Be careful not to over-stretch, the joints in your neck and jaw are small and can be easily irritated. There is no need to open your mouth past the point of discomfort. Hold this position for five seconds. While you do this, look upward toward the ceiling. If there is any tension in your cheeks, you will begin to feel the muscles relax as you stretch and hold this position. Close your mouth slowly. As you begin to close your mouth, bring your gaze back to center. Be sure that your jaw returns to a centered and neutral position. Use the mirror to check the alignment of your jaw. Stretch your jaw to the left. Slide your jaw as far to the left as you comfortably can while being careful not to let your teeth come in contact or grind. As you stretch your jaw to the left, look to the right. You may feel tension in your temple when doing this. Hold this positions for five seconds. Remember to keep your eyes to the right as you hold this stretch. You may feel tension in the opposite corners of your jaw. Return to a centered and neutral position. After allowing the muscles to relax, slowly close your mouth and bring your lips together. Bring your gaze back to center. Stretch your jaw to the right. Repeat the stretch, but this time, to the opposite side. Remember to look the opposite way of the stretch and be careful that your teeth do not grind. Hold for five seconds. Allow the muscles to relax before returning your jaw to a neutral position. Repeat the entire process. Whenever you feel your jaw beginning to tighten up, perform this stretching routine three-to-five times. Wear a bite splint at night. Pain in the jaw is often caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, or putting tension on muscles around the jaw while you sleep. A bite splint, which you can get from your dentist, is a removable protective device that covers the surface of the teeth and gums while you sleep. Wearing a bite splint at night can help decrease this tension and, therefore, relieve the pain in your jaw. Symptoms of bruxism can include flattened, flat, loose, or chipped teeth, worn tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, headaches originating in the temples, pain that feels like an earache, and indentations on your tongue. Check your jaw for tightness throughout the day. It won't be easy, but training your brain to stop doing behaviors that aggravate your jaw issues can help ease the pain you feel. For example, pay attention to when you clench your jaw. You can help train your brain to recognize when you're clenching your jaw by checking it for tightness when you perform certain activities. For example, check your jaw for tightness every time you walk through a doorway, close a browser window, or go to the bathroom. Choose actions you know you perform multiple times on a daily basis. Avoid opening your mouth too wide. Opening your mouth too wide can also cause your jaw to pop out of place. To help prevent this from happening, keep your mouth closed as much as possible when you do things like yawn, talk, or eat. Avoid foods and candy that require excessive chewing. You should also make an effort to stay away from foods that require excessive mastication. Having to chew more than normal can cause pain in your jaw. In general, you'll want to stay away from things like gum, sunflower seeds, chewy candies, and ice chips. Implement a massaging routine. Stretching and massaging your jaw can help relieve pain and relax the muscles. Start by massaging your jaw once a day before bed. If you are experiencing more pain than usual, add a second session in the morning until the pain has subsided and return to massaging it only once a day. To massage your jaw, place your fingertips on your lower jaw and move them up, pushing on the skin while you do this. Once your fingers reach your scalp, remove them and start the movement again from your lower jaw. Do this for about 2 minutes. Go to the doctor or dentist for severe, consistent pain. Most jaw pain will go away on its own or through self-massage and stretching. If you have consistent, severe pain, however, you should seek professional help. You should also visit a professional if you're having trouble swallowing your food or if it hurts to open and close your jaw. Your dentist or doctor can both diagnose TMJ and guide you as to what treatment is best for your situation. Go to a hospital or emergency room if the jaw is locked in place. If your jaw is locked in either an open or closed position, you should go to the hospital or emergency room to get help. To treat a locked jaw, the doctor will sedate you to a comfortable level and then manipulate the jaw until it returns to the correct position. | Relax your jaw. Place your palms flat against the side of your jaw. Press against your jaw, alternating between sides. Move your jaw in different directions. Look at your jaw’s alignment in a mirror. Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can. Close your mouth slowly. Stretch your jaw to the left. Return to a centered and neutral position. Stretch your jaw to the right. Repeat the entire process. Wear a bite splint at night. Check your jaw for tightness throughout the day. Avoid opening your mouth too wide. Avoid foods and candy that require excessive chewing. Implement a massaging routine. Go to the doctor or dentist for severe, consistent pain. Go to a hospital or emergency room if the jaw is locked in place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Fun-at-School | How to Have Fun at School | School can be a drag when you're bored, but you can have more fun by distracting yourself and interacting with other kids. If you're bored during class, get some spare paper and draw or write a story. You can also discreetly pass funny notes to your friends. Just make sure your teacher doesn't catch you or you'll get into trouble. Although it can be tempting to keep checking the time when you're bored, try to avoid this, since it will only make the class feel slower. During breaks, talk to your friends and play games to make the most of your free time and refresh yourself between classes. You can also join an after-school club or sports team to help you meet new people and give you something to look forward to during the day. | Join a club. Joining a club will help you connect with other students and give you something to look forward to when you go to school. Clubs give you opportunities to step into leadership roles and help you gain confidence. Find out from your teachers what clubs are available to join. Pick a club that is focused on something you’re interested in. Find out when the club meets to make sure you'll be available for the meetings Participate in fine arts. Fine arts give you another way to stay connected to your school. Representing your school in a fine arts program will give you a sense of pride for your school and give you another purpose for school. Most programs accept everyone regardless of skill level. Participating in fine arts can also help you expand your ability to learn and help you get better grades. Most schools have several fine arts programs for you to choose from. Marching band and concert band Orchestra Chorus Drama Art Play on a sports team. A great way to make school fun is to be a part of a sports team. When you play for a school sports team, you'll have pride in your school and will look forward to representing the school. Developing pride in your school will connect you to your school and make it more fun to attend. Attend games and sporting events. Whenever your school's team is playing a game, go cheer them on. Many sports offer free admission to students. Consider going with a group of friends to make it a fun outing to connect with your friends. Don't limit yourself to only basketball or football games. Support girl's team sports as well and go to lacrosse and softball games. Participate in school-sponsored activities. Schools have many different activities throughout the year that are available for any student to participate in. Check your school's website or newsletter to find out when activities are available and how to participate. Most schools will have several to choose from. School dances Pep rallies Homecoming parade Festivals Write notes to a friend. Although you may get in trouble for texting on your cell phone during class, you can write an old school note to pass to a friend between classes. Writing notes to a friend on notebook paper is easily overlooked by a teacher because it looks like you are completing classwork or taking notes on the lesson. Draw. A great way to pass the time in a boring class is to doodle or draw. You can stay engaged and learning by drawing your notes instead of writing them. This will wake up your brain and help you learn the material in a class you're struggling to focus in. Try drawing pictures with your notes. Make your notes into a graphic novel so you are learning while you draw. Write a story. If you're having trouble in a slow class, you can write your own short story. If you include information about the lesson in your short story, you'll make class fun and learn the information at the same time. Make a game up. When class gets boring or you're assigned boring information to read, make up a game to play to entertain yourself. A fun mind game can engage you and bring your focus back. Count the number of times the teacher says a particular word. If you are learning a lesson in math, count how many times the teacher says "add." Ask friends to track other words, and keep score over several days. Have a prize for the person who picks the most used word for the week. If you've been assigned reading material that is boring, try reading it as fast as you can and then write down everything you remember. Time yourself and then try to beat your fastest time. Ask to go to the restroom. Taking a break to stand up and walk around when your mind has lost its focus is a great way to stop the boredom. Breaks actually help the brain retain information and make connections, so your bathroom break can help you learn the information better. Ask to go to the bathroom, and then take some time to walk around or do a few stretches before coming back into the class. Talk to friends between classes. You have a brief moment between each class to change your books, but you can use this time to socialize with your friends as well. Memorize where your friends will be after classes, and find a place you can meet with them to catch up before you have to catch the next class. If you don't have enough time to meet them, send them a text to talk about the latest news. Enjoy your lunch hour with friends. Find friends to eat lunch with during your lunch hour. The lunch hour is your break in the day to be able to hang out with your friends and enjoy yourself. Find a table to sit at every day so everyone knows where to meet. If you're allowed to go outside during lunch, consider finishing your lunch quickly to provide more outside time to play and socialize. Play table games such as paper football with people at your table. Challenge yourself to meet new people each lunch period if your group of friends is not in your lunch period. Meet friends after school to leave together. As soon as the bell rings for the end of the day, it becomes your free time. Meet friends when school ends to walk or ride home together so you can hang out everyday. If you have after school activities, meet friends after school to have a snack together and hangout before the activity starts. Sign up for classes your friends are taking. Ask your friends what classes they are planning to take next semester. Talk to your counselor about signing up for the same classes so that you will have people you know in your classes. Select interesting courses. Choose electives that are exciting and interesting. Make your schedule more fun by taking at least one class each semester that you'll enjoy. Get the right teachers. Each teacher has a different style of managing her classroom and teaching the material. Ask older students which teachers are fun and which ones are more strict. You may have options when you are registering for classes to ensure that you get teachers that have more fun in the classroom. Take classes that require projects. Many courses require projects as a part of your grade. Signing up for classes where you will have a creative outlet to do a project with a group or on your own can help you have fun and enjoy the class. Project based learning can be a fun departure from just reading a book. Observe the classes you will take next year to plan ahead. Ask older friends or relatives which classes require projects. Get enough sleep. It's important to get enough sleep at night to be able to have a great day at school. When you're well rested, your mind is ready to learn and you're able to keep your emotions in check. If you go to school tired, you will get stressed easily. School will definitely not be fun if you're stressed. Studies suggest that adolescents should get between 8.5 and 9.5 hours of sleep each night. Finish homework on time. If you get your homework done and turned in on time, you will go to school each day without stressing. When you are late with a homework assignment, it's easy to start stressing, and it can ruin your whole day. To make sure school stays fun, find time to do all of your homework and turn it in on time. Keep track of your assignments in a planner or agenda to know when they are due. Work on homework while you're on the bus to and from school so you don't have as much to complete at home. Do your homework with a group of friends (without copying each other's answers) to turn homework into a social activity. Bring a water bottle to school. Staying hydrated is very important to your health. If you're dehydrated, you can lose focus and become agitated easily, so if you want school to be fun, you need to stay hydrated. Bring a reusable water bottle to school to keep yourself hydrated all day long. | Join a club. Pick a club that is focused on something you’re interested in. Participate in fine arts. Play on a sports team. Participate in school-sponsored activities. Write notes to a friend. Draw. Write a story. Make a game up. Ask to go to the restroom. Talk to friends between classes. Enjoy your lunch hour with friends. Meet friends after school to leave together. Sign up for classes your friends are taking. Select interesting courses. Get the right teachers. Take classes that require projects. Get enough sleep. Finish homework on time. Bring a water bottle to school. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Send-Money-to-Mexico | How to Send Money to Mexico | The fastest way to send money to someone in Mexico is by using a money transfer service and making your payment with a debit or credit card. The recipient will usually be able to pick up the cash on the very same day. The company will charge a fee for the service, which you'll pay on top of the amount you're sending to the recipient. The fees vary from company to company, so be sure to shop around! | Ask the recipient how soon they’ll need it. Some types of transfers will take longer than other types of transfers. Make sure the person you're sending the money to doesn't need it sooner than your chosen method of transfer will allow. All of the money transfer services offer quick transfers if your payment is made with a debit or credit card. If you use a bank account, the transfer will take between three and four business days. Drop off cash in person. If you send cash, you'll have to find a physical Western Union or Moneygram location. If you're in a town of even modest size, this shouldn't be a problem. There are literally thousands of locations for each across the US and in Mexico. However, Western Union's fees are two dollars lower than Moneygram's ($8.00 compared to $10.00). Make a transfer using a credit or debit card. You can send money using credit or debit cards through numerous services. Even many online money transfer companies have cash pickup locations in Mexico. Western Union, Moneygram, Ria, Remitly, and Sharemoney all have cash pickup locations in Mexico, so price is the deciding factor. Remitly, Ria, and Sharemoney all have fees of about $4.00 to send $1000 with a debit card. The fees to send the money with a credit card are substantially higher--$33.00 with Sharemoney and $35.00 with Ria. Remitly doesn't take credit cards. Western Union and Moneygram, on the other hand charge a $15.00 fee for both credit and debit. Complete a bank to bank transfer. Sending money via a bank withdrawal is always the cheapest way to send money—companies rarely charge more than $4.00, and most charge a little less. Take note, however: although bank to bank transfers are the cheapest way to transfer money, they also take longer than others. Choose a service. Choose a service based on the fees and its convenience and proximity to yourself and the recipient. If you're unfamiliar with the location where the money will be sent, make sure to ask the recipient if the surrounding area is safe. Just because it's close by doesn't mean it's the best. Moneygram, Western Union, and Ria all offer a home delivery service. Naturally, it takes longer to have the cash delivered than it does to pick up, but a credit, cash, or debit transfer will still usually arrive the same day. Complete the transaction. In order to complete the transaction, you'll need to have the recipient's first and last name as it appears on their driver's license or ID, their email or telephone number, and their address. Be sure to take down the transaction number. You'll need to give it to the recipient so they can complete the pickup. In order to pick the money up, the recipient must show their ID and know the transaction number for the transfer. You will also be required to set up an account with the transfer company if you send money online. If you plan on sending money with your bank account, you will have to enter your account information and verify the account. Gather your account or card information. If you choose to have money deposited directly into the recipient's bank account, you may send the remittance online or in person. In order to do so, you'll need your credit card, debit card, or the name and address of your bank, along with your bank account number and routing number. If you wish, you can also go to a physical Western Union or Moneygram location, pay cash, and have it deposited into the recipient's account. Gather the recipient’s account information. Any international monetary transfer requires certain information from the recipient. In order to send money via a bank to bank transfer, you'll need the recipient's account information, including their full name, account number, routing number, and the name and address of their bank. Choose a service. Pick a service to use based on location, speed, and price. Deposits into a bank account always take longer than cash pickups, but making the deposit using a debit or credit card is quicker than doing a bank-to-bank transfer (one business day vs. five business days). If you're sending more than $500, Western Union's transfers into bank accounts are free. If you are sending less than that, the charge is anywhere from $1.00-$7.00, depending on the amount and form of payment. Remitly never charges for a transfer from your bank account into the recipient's bank account (no matter the amount), but charges a flat fee of $3.99 for using a debit card. All of the other services charge anywhere from $3.00-$104 depending on the amount sent and the method of payment, with Ria's fees for credit card payments being the highest. Complete the transfer. Once you've picked a service, register for an online account. If you are doing a bank-to-bank transfer, you'll need to verify your account. The verification process usually involves the company making a small deposit into your account and you confirming the amounts of the deposits. Once you've verified your account, all you need to do is give final approval to the transfer. | Ask the recipient how soon they’ll need it. Drop off cash in person. Make a transfer using a credit or debit card. Complete a bank to bank transfer. Choose a service. Complete the transaction. Gather your account or card information. Gather the recipient’s account information. Choose a service. Complete the transfer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Volunteer-Firefighter | How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter | To become a volunteer firefighter, you'll need to be at least 18 years old, and you may need to have a high school diploma depending on the department. I you meet the requirements, contact your local fire department and let them know that you're interested in volunteering. If there are openings, they'll have you fill out an application and complete any necessary screening processes. | Contact your local fire department. In the U.S., each county runs its own fire department, and not every department has a dedicated website. Run a web search to find email contacts and station addresses or visit the National Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Center at [ http://www.nvfrc.com ].Call, write an email, or go down to the nearest fire station. Say that you're interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter. If you call, make sure to use the non-emergency number! This should be listed on the department website. The emergency line is reserved for fires, and the people at the station won't appreciate a non-urgent call. If you are in the U.S., you can go through your state firefighters' association. Visit the website and look for information about firefighting in your area. Ask if they need volunteers. Not all stations take volunteers. Even if your local station does take volunteers, it might already have plenty of help. Ask about non-firefighting roles like communications, support, and fundraising. If there are no current openings, ask if there is any sort of waiting list. The department may need more help at some point. Meet the requirements. The qualifications for volunteer firefighting vary widely from department to department. However, all fire stations do enforce a minimum age requirement. Most fire departments require that you have a valid driver's license and can legally work in the U.S. Make sure that you live within the service area of the fire department so that you can respond to local emergencies! Most departments require that you are at least 14 years old. Some only accept volunteers older than 18. Some departments only accept volunteers with a high school diploma or an equivalent degree. Apply. You will need to fill out an application form, and you may need to undergo a background check. Check the requirements! The screening process and the qualifications are slightly different for every fire department. Wait for the station administration to review your application. If they want your help, they will contact you. Take the next steps. If the department accepts your application, you'll usually be asked to come into the station and meet the firefighting team. There may be an interview, and you may even sit in on a training session. If the fire squad approves you for volunteering, then you will need to get a physical examination before you start your training. Be respectful and engaged. Focus on your goal. Get serious. If you're going to be a volunteer firefighter, you'll need to commit to hundreds of hours of training. You must be prepared to step up for your community and take action when there is a fire. Volunteer firefighting can be a rewarding way to spend your time, but you will need to be focused and committed to the role. Research the role. Visit a local fire department, if you haven't already. Ask the firefighters about what it's like to work there. If you personally know any paid or volunteer firefighters, ask them to explain the risks and rewards of volunteering. Read articles and expert columns at sites like http://www.firerescue1.com/volunteer/. It's important to visit the local fire station. Every fire department is different, and you should make sure that this is a place where you want to spend your time. Go for a ride-along, if possible. If you're serious about volunteering, most fire departments will allow you to ride along in the fire engine for a day while firefighters are responding to emergencies. This might help clarify your decision. Make sure that you have enough time. Most fire departments require that you sign up for a volunteer schedule or pledge a certain amount of hours to the program. The training is difficult and expensive, so try to make it count. Be realistic with yourself. If you won't be able to commit to the life of a volunteer firefighter, consider other ways to give back to your community. Complete the training program. In the U.S., all firefighters must finish a minimum 110-hour NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) certification course. You may also undergo additional training in order to stay current with new technology. Visit the NFPA website for more information. If you are going to be physically putting out fires, many departments require that you train in a live fire situation before you start going out on calls. Get fit. You will need to be in great physical shape. Take care of your physical and mental health so that you can best serve your community. Some departments maintain an actual fitness requirement, while others only suggest it. Be engaged. Spend as much time at the station as you can. Part of your informal training is to get to know the other firefighters. You will be working on a team to respond to emergencies with these people, so it's important that you mesh well. | Contact your local fire department. Ask if they need volunteers. Meet the requirements. Apply. Take the next steps. Get serious. Research the role. Make sure that you have enough time. Complete the training program. Get fit. Be engaged. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Get-Your-Cat-Out-of-the-Malnutrition-Stage | How to Get Your Cat Out of the Malnutrition Stage | To get your cat out of the malnutrition stage, feed it commercial wet food that's formulated to include the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, choose wet foods that contain meat, which provide the protein and vitamin A your cat needs. However, try to reduce the amount of liver, tuna, and other fish, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies or toxicities. Make sure to put your cat's food in a spot that's easily accessible, and gradually increase the amount of food each day to keep it from getting sick. | Recognize the signs of malnourishment in your cat. Although cats can be clever when it comes to concealing illness, your cat will probably not be able to hide her malnourishment. Signs to look for include dry and scaly skin, muscle weakness, and runny or hard feces. She may also stop grooming, feel fatigued, and become very skinny. Malnutrition can cause neurologic signs in cats. For example, a vitamin B1 deficiency can cause a cat to have a head tilt, become uncoordinated, and possibly have seizures. Take your cat to your veterinarian. Malnutrition is a serious disease in cats that can lead to other serious medical conditions. If your cat is showing signs of malnutrition, take her to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will examine her physical condition and perform other diagnostic tests, such as blood work and urinalysis, to determine the severity of the malnutrition. Diagnostic test results can also reveal if your cat is suffering from other malnutrition-related diseases, such as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). After the examination, your veterinarian will be able to provide you with a treatment plan. Be aware that your veterinarian may recommend that your cat be hospitalized if the malnutrition is severe. Your veterinarian may recommend dietary supplements, such as vitamin B12 injections. Weigh your cat regularly. Weighing your cat on a regular basis can help you to see if he or she is gaining weight or not. Try to weigh your cat about once per week to see if he or she is gaining weight. To weigh your cat, step on a scale while holding your cat. Observe the weight and write it down. Then, put your cat down and step on the scale again by yourself. Write this number down as well. Next, subtract the higher weight (while holding the cat) from the lower weight (not holding the cat) to find out how much your cat weighs. Deworm your cat. Worms can cause weight loss as well as other serious problems in cats, so ask your cat's veterinarian about deworming your cat as part of your efforts to deal with your cat's malnutrition. Your veterinarian may require a stool sample from your cat to determine whether or not he or she has worms. Newborn kittens need to be wormed starting at two weeks of age and then continuing every two weeks until the kitten is eight weeks old. Kittens over eight weeks need to be wormed every month until they reach six months of age. Cats over six months old need to be wormed once every one to three months. Check your cat's teeth. Dental issues may also interfere with your cat's ability to chew food, so you may want to inspect the malnourished cat's teeth to check for problems. If you notice any problems, then you should take your cat to see a veterinarian. Some things to watch for include: pawing at the mouth bleeding from the mouth bad breath drooling flinching or crying in pain if you touch your cat's mouth Make sure that your cat has easy access to food bowls. Older cats may have a hard time getting to food dishes that are placed in inconvenient places, such as in the basement or on a counter top. Make sure that you place your cat's food and water dishes in locations that will be easy for him or her to access. You may even consider placing a food and water dish upstairs and another food and water dish downstairs. Watch for bullying behaviors. Cats sometimes develop food guarding behaviors that may lead them to chase other cats away from the food bowls. Watch to see if any of your cats are bullying the malnourished cat. If so, then you may need to provide a separate space for the malnourished cat to eat in peace. For example, you could feed the malnourished cat in your bedroom with the door closed so that the bullying cat cannot bother the malnourished cat. Another option is to provide additional food bowls in multiple locations of your house. Select a commercial wet food diet. This is applicable if you are currently feeding your cat a homemade diet. Your intentions are likely good for preparing your cat's food at home, but the homemade diet may be low in essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, if you use vegetable oil to cook the foods, you could be giving your cat food that she will not want to eat anyway—cats tend not to like vegetable oil. Refusing to eat the food you prepare for her could be causing your cat's malnutrition. Commercial diets are formulated to contain the proper amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a good choice for your cat. If you choose to continue feeding your cat a homemade diet, consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. These experts can formulate recipes for you that will meet your cat's nutritional needs and address her nutritional deficiencies. Feed your cat a meat-based diet. Since cats are carnivores, it is essential that your cat eat meat. Meat provides your cat with protein and vitamin A that are necessary for her overall health. Commercial wet cat foods are good sources of meat for your cat. Even if you are a vegetarian or vegan, your cat's health will suffer if you feed her a meatless diet as well. In addition to protein and vitamin A deficiencies, she will also become deficient in a nutrient called taurine, which can lead to blindness and heart failure. Vegetarian/vegan diets for cats are also deficient in such nutrients as calcium and vitamin E. Decrease your cat's intake of fish and liver. Cats love fish and liver, but these two foods do not necessarily love cats back. If your cat eats a lot of fish, she could develop a thiamine deficiency. Too much liver can lead to vitamin toxicities. Fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase that breaks down thiamine, leading to a deficiency of this important nutrient. If fish and liver have become regular staples of your cat's diet, consider limiting her intake of these foods to the occasional scrumptious treat. Reduce how much tuna your cat eats. Tuna is another food that cats love. Unfortunately, too much tuna can lead to vitamin E deficiency and eventual malnutrition. This vitamin E deficiency can cause a disease called steatitis ('yellow fat disease'). Limit your cat's tuna intake to the occasional treat. Your cat may have gotten accustomed to the taste of tuna if you have fed it to her regularly. She probably won't be too pleased with eating less of it, but the reduced amount will help bring her out of the malnutrition stage. Add food gradually. It is important to increase your cat's food intake gradually rather than feeding him lots of extra food all at once. If you want your cat to eat more food, then try adding a little extra food to his or her food bowl every day. Otherwise, the cat may end up getting sick and may become more malnourished as a result. Reduce your cat's body weight. If your cat is a carrying a few extra pounds, it would be a good idea to get her down to an ideal body weight, which is 8 to 10 pounds (3.6 to 4.5 kg). Obesity is among the most common causes of malnutrition in cats, so your cat's extra pounds could be contributing to her malnutrition. Weight loss in cats should be done gradually to prevent hepatic lipidosis. Talk with your veterinarian to develop a weight loss plan that includes reduced caloric intake and increased physical activity for your cat. Treat your cat's hepatic lipidosis. In addition to rapid weight loss, prolonged malnutrition can lead to hepatic lipidosis. If your cat remains deficient in nutrients for too long, her internal organs, particularly her liver, can start to fail. When your cat's liver can no longer function, it begins to accumulate excess fat. Hepatic lipidosis can start develop as soon as one to two days after your cat has stopped eating. Take your cat to the veterinarian for treatment if your cat has not eaten for 24 hours. Symptoms of hepatic lipidosis include constipation, depression, and yellowing of the eyes. Treatment for hepatic lipidosis primarily involves dietary treatment: immediate replenishment of protein and various dietary supplements (e.g., taurine, vitamin E). Depending on the severity of the disease, your cat may need intensive veterinary treatment that involves force feeding through a tube placed down her esophagus, or a syringe. Manage your cat's diabetes. Diabetes, when left untreated, can lead to a loss of appetite and eventual malnutrition in cats. If your veterinarian has diagnosed your cat with diabetes, make sure that you are following the treatment recommendations to effectively manage the diabetes and prevent malnutrition. Treatment for feline diabetes typically includes insulin injections and dietary changes (e.g., high-fiber and high-complex carbohydrate diet, scheduled feedings). | Recognize the signs of malnourishment in your cat. Take your cat to your veterinarian. Weigh your cat regularly. Deworm your cat. Check your cat's teeth. Make sure that your cat has easy access to food bowls. Watch for bullying behaviors. Select a commercial wet food diet. Feed your cat a meat-based diet. Decrease your cat's intake of fish and liver. Reduce how much tuna your cat eats. Add food gradually. Reduce your cat's body weight. Treat your cat's hepatic lipidosis. Manage your cat's diabetes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Ombre-(Dip-Dye)-Hair-at-Home | How to Do Ombre (Dip Dye) Hair at Home | Ombre hair is a gradient effect where your hair is light towards the ends and becomes gradually darker towards your roots. To make your hair ombre at home, you'll need to apply 2 coats of bleach 1 or 2 weeks apart. For the first coat, apply the bleach to the lower half of your hair. You can also add a few random streaks to the top half to emphasize the gradient. After 1 to 2 weeks, bleach ⅔ of the hair you already lightened again. Each time you bleach your hair, leave it in for 30 minutes before you rinse it out. Then, massage a small amount of conditioner into your hair. | Put on plastic gloves to protect your hands. Protect your hands with a pair of disposable gloves to prevent any harsh chemicals from getting on you. Bleach can burn or irritate the skin, so make sure that your hands are covered and protected at all times. Follow the safety instructions on your bleach kit in the event that you accidentally get any bleach product onto your skin. Disposable gloves can be found at any store selling cleaning supplies. Place old white cloth over your shoulders and workspace. Take a well-used white towel and dangle around your shoulders, back, neck, and any other place that the bleach might touch. Don't use a dark towel for this, as the bleach will stain and permanently recolor the material. Any material will work, as long as you don't mind it getting bleached. Old T-shirts and linens are also great options. Mix 2 sachets of powder with 1 bottle of creme developer. Set a small bowl on your workspace and dump in 2 packets of bleach powder. Next, pour in a whole bottle of developer. Use the brush applicator or another stirring utensil to mix the ingredients together. Aim for the bleach mixture to have a thick, yogurt-like consistency. If the bleach is too runny, then you won't be able to apply it in your hair. If you have longer hair, you might want to use more bleach, while individuals with shorter hair might want to use less. See how much bleach mixture you have after stirring 2 packets into the developer, and go from there. Since the ombré look is gradual, you only want to bleach the lower sections of your hair. Apply a small amount of bleach to a few strands as a test. Take the brush applicator and rub a tiny amount of bleach product onto your hair. Watch and monitor how much your hair lightens, and think about whether or not you like the shade. Before bleaching a large amount of your hair, decide if you'd like to continue with your ombré hair plans. Use a brush to apply the bleach from the bottom up. Dip the brush into the bleach and scoop out some product. Then, starting from the bottom, paint the bleach onto your hair using upward strokes. Apply the bleach in a thick layer, ensuring that all strands are equally covered as you go. Work the bleach about halfway up your hair, stopping at the point where you'd like the bleach to ombré into your natural color. Try to keep your bleach application as smooth and consistent as possible. This will lead to a smoother and more consistent ombré. Feel free to bleach a larger section of hair if you'd like your ombré to be less gradual. Add highlighting streaks of bleach above your ombré line. Make your ombre appear more like a gradient by applying thin streaks of bleach product to the upper half of your hair. Work in upward strokes, arranging these streaks randomly above the lower section of bleach. Try to use smaller amounts amount bleach for these random sections to vary up the ombré effect in your finished look. Try to avoid getting excess bleach mixture on your scalp, as this can irritate the skin. Let the bleach sit for 30 minutes or less. Read the label on your bleaching kit to see how long the hair bleach needs to stay on your hair. Depending on your hair color, you might need to wait around 30 minutes for your hair to lighten to the desired shade. Don't keep the bleach on for longer than the specified time. Someone with brown hair will probably need to keep the bleach product in for longer than an individual with blonde hair would. Rinse off the bleach in the sink or bathtub. Set the faucet to a warm temperature and wash out the bleach beneath the running water. Keep your gloves on as you rinse your locks, using your fingers to get rid of any extra bleach clumps. Continue rinsing until your hair is completely bleach-free. When wet, your bleached hair will look significantly darker than its true shade. Massage a coin-sized amount of conditioner into your treated hair. Pour a small amount of conditioner for bleached hair onto your hands and knead it into your scalp. Focus on the lower sections of hair, which were just exposed to bleach. Work the product into your hair until it reaches a foamy lather, then rinse it out. Read the label on the conditioner to see if the product needs to sit in your hair for a certain amount of time. Wait 1-2 weeks before making a new batch of bleach. Let your hair rest and rejuvenate before you lighten it another shade. Wash and condition your lightened hair on a regular basis, using silver or color-treated shampoo. Once you've given your hair some time to heal and adjust, you can finish creating the ombré effect! If you bleach your hair multiple times in 1 sitting, your hair could end up breaking and splitting. Create a new batch of bleach with powder and creme developer. Go to your local beauty supply shop and pick up 2 packets of bleach powder, as well as a bottle of 10 or 20 volume creme developer. After putting on a pair of gloves, mix the bottle of developer and the bleach powder together, stirring until you create a chunky mixture. Whenever you work with bleach, make sure that you're protecting your skin and workspace with old white towels or rags. Brush bleach over the bottom ⅔ of your already-lightened hair. Use the same bleach mixture and brush applicator to apply the product into the lower sections of your hair. Don't cover all of your bleached hair; instead, paint over the lower ⅔ of your lightened hair. Coat this portion of hair in a thick, even layer of bleach to keep the color and ombré consistent. This layer of bleach depends on the ombré pattern that you're going for. If you'd prefer a more drastic transition, bleach the lower half of your hair instead. Leave the bleach in your hair for less than 30 minutes. Follow the instructions on the bleaching kit box, and wait for your hair to lighten. Don't leave the product on for longer than listed, as this could do long-term damage to your hair. Since your hair is already bleached, keep the bleach in for less than 30 minutes. If your hair is lighter, you might reach your desired color sooner. Rinse out all of the remaining bleach. Tilt your head beneath a running faucet in your sink or bathtub. Use your glove-covered hands to remove any remaining bleach in your hair, so the product doesn't continue to lighten your hair. Run your fingers through your hair to check that all bleach product is gone before doing anything else. Never touch hair bleach with your bare hands, as you could end up irritating and hurting your skin. Nourish your hair with a coin-sized amount of conditioner. Pour a small amount of conditioner for bleached hair into your hands, then work the product into your lower, bleached section of hair. Continue kneading the conditioner into your hair until it reaches a foamy lather, then rinse it out with warm water. Double check on the product label to see if you need to leave the conditioner in for a certain amount of time. Wash out your hair regularly with a silver shampoo. Look in your local beauty supply shop for silver or purple shampoo , which is designed for bleached hair. Apply a coin-sized amount of the purple formula onto your fingers, then massage the product into your hair until it reaches a foamy lather. Rinse out the shampoo once you've worked the product into all of your bleached hair. Don't be alarmed if your hair has a slightly purple tint. This is a normal side effect of using this type of shampoo. Silver/purple shampoo uses the principles of the color wheel to bring out the lightness of your hair while preventing brassy tones. Continue using this type of shampoo in the coming weeks to maintain your bleached hair. | Put on plastic gloves to protect your hands. Place old white cloth over your shoulders and workspace. Mix 2 sachets of powder with 1 bottle of creme developer. Apply a small amount of bleach to a few strands as a test. Use a brush to apply the bleach from the bottom up. Add highlighting streaks of bleach above your ombré line. Let the bleach sit for 30 minutes or less. Rinse off the bleach in the sink or bathtub. Massage a coin-sized amount of conditioner into your treated hair. Wait 1-2 weeks before making a new batch of bleach. Create a new batch of bleach with powder and creme developer. Brush bleach over the bottom ⅔ of your already-lightened hair. Leave the bleach in your hair for less than 30 minutes. Rinse out all of the remaining bleach. Nourish your hair with a coin-sized amount of conditioner. Wash out your hair regularly with a silver shampoo. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Whirligigs | How to Make Whirligigs | To make a whirligig, draw 2 circles on a piece of paper that are about 6 inches in diameter. Once you have your circles drawn, grab some markers or colored pencils and fill them in with your favorite colors. Keep in mind that these colors are going to blend together when the whirligig spins, so try color combinations, like blue and red, to make purple. After you've added some colorful designs to your circles, cut them out with a pair of scissors.Next, glue 1 of the circles onto a thick piece of cardboard and cut it out, then glue the remaining circle to the other side. Once everything is dry, use a skewer to poke 2 holes in the middle of the whirligig about a half an inch apart. Finally, cut a piece of string that is 36 inches long and thread it through the holes to create a loop and knot the ends. | Draw 2 circles on a piece of paper and color them. Draw your own circles or trace around a tin can. Make sure that both circles are exactly the same size. An ideal size is about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Colour the circles in with your favourite colours. When you spin the whirligig, the colours on the toy will merge together. For example, blue and red will make purple. If you would rather use an existing template, search online for a free whirligig toy template and print it out. 1 circle will be used for the front of the whirligig and 1 for the back. Cut around the outside of the circle templates. Try to cut as close to the lines as possible. If necessary, ask an adult to help you use the scissors. Glue 1 of the templates onto heavy cardboard. Place 1 of the templates on a piece of scrap paper and use a glue stick to cover the blank side with glue. Stick the template onto the thick cardboard. Recycle an old cardboard box or purchase thick cardboard from a craft store. Cut around the outside of the template to create the whirligig circle. Use scissors to cut out the circle whirligig. Try not to cut the template, instead cut just outside the template line. If you have trouble cutting the thick card, use a sharper pair of scissors. Stick the other template onto the blank side of the whirligig circle. Place the remaining template onto a piece of scrap paper and cover the back side with glue. Stick the template onto the blank side of the whirligig circle and move it around until it is positioned in the centre of the cardboard. Poke 2 holes in the middle of the whirligig about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) apart. Most templates will have 2 dots in the middle of the whirligig that indicate where to make the holes. If your template doesn't have dots, simply estimate where the middle of the whirligig is and draw the 2 dots yourself. Carefully push the skewer through each dot until it reaches the other side of the cardboard. Don't worry about marking the whirligig with the dots, as the dots will disappear when you poke a hole through them. Purchase skewers from a supermarket or a kitchen store. Cut a piece of string that is 36 inches (91 cm) long. Use a tape measure to measure the string and then cut it with a pair of scissors. Thin string works best for this activity, as it is easier to thread through the holes. Purchase string from a craft store. Thread the string through the holes to create a loop and knot the ends. Push the string through 1 hole and then back toward yourself through the other hole. If you are having trouble poking the string through the holes, lick the end of the thread and then squeeze it between your fingers. This makes the end narrower and easier to thread. If your string won't fit through the hole, use thinner string or use a skewer to make the hole bigger. Tug on the string to make sure that your knot is secure. Draw a spiral on a circular piece of cardstock. Cut the cardstock into a large circle if necessary. Make the spiral large enough to cover the entire page. Start at the edge of the cardstock and continue the spiral to the middle point of the circle. Keep your pen on the paper for the entire swirl to ensure that the line is continuous. If you want to use a template, search online for a free whirligig spiral template and then press print. If you want a colourful whirligig, use coloured cardstock or draw patterns on the paper. Purchase circle paper from a craft store, or trace a tin and make your own. Cut along the spiral line to create a snake effect. This creates 1 long paper snake. If you're having trouble cutting along the tight circles with your scissors, try using a smaller pair of scissors. Punch a hole at the tip of the whirligig. Locate the middle of the spiral and then use a hole punch to make a hole in the middle of the card. Choose a hole punch size that is wider than your string. If you don't have a hole punch, use a skewer to poke a hole through the paper instead. Tie a 8 in (20 cm) piece of string through the hole. Poke the string through the hole, wrap it around the cardstock, and then [[[Tie a Knot|knot the string]] back onto itself. Tie a double knot if your original knot comes undone. Any string that fits inside the punched hole will work for this activity. | Draw 2 circles on a piece of paper and color them. Cut around the outside of the circle templates. Glue 1 of the templates onto heavy cardboard. Cut around the outside of the template to create the whirligig circle. Stick the other template onto the blank side of the whirligig circle. Poke 2 holes in the middle of the whirligig about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) apart. Cut a piece of string that is 36 inches (91 cm) long. Thread the string through the holes to create a loop and knot the ends. Draw a spiral on a circular piece of cardstock. Cut along the spiral line to create a snake effect. Punch a hole at the tip of the whirligig. Tie a 8 in (20 cm) piece of string through the hole. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Reduce-Nausea-During-Pregnancy | How to Reduce Nausea During Pregnancy | To reduce nausea during pregnancy, try eating or cooking with foods known to combat nausea, like whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and ginger. You can also control your diet by opting to eat many small meals throughout the day, instead of three large meals, since overeating can increase feelings of nausea. Besides your eating habits, make sure to get plenty of sleep and avoid stress, which can trigger nausea as well. Furthermore, while occasional vomiting can be a sign that you need to drink more water, contact your physician immediately if you find yourself vomiting constantly. | Eat foods that are known to combat nausea. Some foods that provide the nutrients and calories necessary to sustain your pregnancy also soothe morning sickness. But don't be too concerned if your diet isn't as balanced as you'd like it to be during early pregnancy. Many women have a very short list of foods they can tolerate during the first trimester. The starch in whole grains and legumes reduces acid in your digestive tract, making nausea less severe. Combine complex carbohydrates with lean protein for an energy boost that may improve your condition. Examples of whole grains include whole wheat bread and corn. Examples of legumes include beans and peas. Lean protein can include any cut of meat or poultry where the fat has been trimmed or meat alternatives such as tofu. Bland crackers will settle your stomach when you can't keep other foods down. Use fresh ginger in your food and drink. Fresh ginger is an alternative remedy for all types of nausea and is safe for pregnant women to consume. Grate ginger root and sprinkle it into tea or seltzer water. You may also bake it into cookies. Store-bought ginger ale or ginger candy can help, but read labels to make sure products are derived from pure ginger instead of artificial flavoring. Eat less, but more often. Preparing small meals and snacks, and frequently consuming them, can help to reduce nausea. Overeating or gorging on food infrequently will increase the feelings of nausea right after you eat. Hunger pangs may trigger nausea, so try to start eating before you feel hungry, or immediately after you feel an urge for food. Do not overeat. Eat until you are satisfied, then wait until the urge for food returns before you continue eating. Avoid foods that trigger nausea. The types of food that trigger nausea change from person to person and can even change throughout the course of your pregnancy. So, it is important to monitor the types of foods that make you nauseous during the different phases of your pregnancy and avoid them. Foods to steer clear of include fatty foods, spicy foods, foods with a strong odor and foods with unappealing texture. Foods you previously enjoyed may seem unappetizing during early pregnancy, and you should avoid eating foods that make you feel nauseous when you think about or smell them. Do not drink alcohol at any time during pregnancy. Besides subjecting the fetus to birth defects, it also exacerbates nausea. Drink plenty of water. Doctors recommend that you drink at least 1.5 quarts (1.4 liters) of water per day to keep yourself hydrated and prevent vomiting. If food often seems unappetizing, drink small amounts of water throughout the day. Carbonated seltzer water might be more soothing to your stomach than plain water. Make sure you are not chugging water first thing in the morning. Try keeping some saltines on the bedside table, nibble them in the morning, and wait at least 30 minutes after waking up to consume any water. Take your prenatal vitamins with food and water. The nutrients in your vitamins can overwhelm your digestive system and make nausea worse, so make sure to eat before you take the vitamins and drink plenty of water before, with and after taking your vitamins. If your prenatal vitamin still bothers you when taken with a meal, talk to your physician about switching to a less potent vitamin until your nausea spells subside. Some prenatal vitamins contain extra vitamin B6 to combat nausea. Add sources of vitamin B6 to your diet. Vitamin B6 can help control nausea. Try eating foods rich in vitamin B6, such as chicken breast, beef, chickpeas, potatoes, and bananas. You can also talk to your doctor about taking a B6 vitamin — 100mg twice daily should help with nausea. Vitamin B6 supplements can be combined with a ½ tablet of Unisom (doxylamine) — this combination nearly mimics an FDA approved morning sickness/nausea medication called Diclegis. Do not use doxylamine if you are still breastfeeding another baby. Adjust your environment to eliminate nausea triggers. Whenever it is in your control, avoid perfumes, candles, and household cleaners that seem to bring on queasiness. Other environmental factors that may need to be adjusted include room temperature and lighting. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep for at least eight hours per night and rest whenever you feel tired. When your body is weakened due to exhaustion you are more likely to succumb to nausea. Avoid stress. Stress increases the amount of acid in the stomach, which, in turn, can lead to queasiness and nausea. Take time out of schedule to plan some relaxation time and, whenever possible, avoid the triggers of stress. This should help in eliminating feelings of nausea. If your nausea is particularly bad, it may be wise to take some time off of work. This will reduce your overall stress levels while allowing you to recover from debilitating episodes of nausea. Prenatal yoga, meditation, aromatherapy or a warm bath can be useful tactics to reduce stress. For more measures to help reduce stress, see the Reduce-Stress wikiHow page. Get plenty of fresh air. Being in fresh air can help reduce nausea and can benefit the health and growth of your child. So make sure to get plenty of fresh air during your pregnancy Avoid smoke and smoking at all costs. It can trigger nausea and also cause birth defects in your unborn child. Make sure your home is clean. Hire a cleaning service or enlist the help of friends to help you clean your home. As odors, sights, and other environmental factors have been shown to trigger or reduce feelings of nausea, it is important you keep your living space neat and clean. If you own cats, never attempt to clean their litter box yourself while pregnant, as you could potentially contract toxoplasmosis and pass it on to your unborn child. Understand the limitations of alternative treatments. Some home remedies, folk remedies, and alternative treatments suggested to eliminate nausea during pregnancy have yet to be proven effective by medical science, while others are merely supported by anecdotal evidence. However, claims by women who have experienced nausea during pregnancy suggest that certain alternative therapies can provide relief, so they are worth considering. Try acupressure. Acupressure, which is a method of applying pressure to certain points of the body to promote increased blood flow has shown some efficacy in treating nausea. Acupressure wristbands can be useful in dealing with pregnancy-related nausea. The wristbands can be purchased without a prescription at most pharmacies and drugstores. Get acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin metal needles into pressure points on various parts of your body. Some women find it helpful in treating nausea during pregnancy. When seeking acupuncture, make sure you find a respected and well-reviewed acupuncturist. Undergo hypnosis therapy. While there is no scientific research to support this, some women claim undergoing hypnosis therapy can help reduce feelings of nausea during pregnancy. Hypnosis attempts to alter existing feelings or patterns of behavior by making suggestions at the subconscious level. Utilize aromatherapy. While some candles, scented oils, and other aroma-based products have been proven to trigger nausea, some women claim that immersing yourself in the right aroma can reduce the effects of nausea during pregnancy. If you seek to use aromatherapy to treat your pregnancy-related nausea, you will necessarily have to undergo a process of trial and error to identify the smells and scents that are right for you. Lemon essential oils have been shown to reduce feelings of nausea during pregnancy. Do Yoga. Yoga, which is a form of meditative stretching, can help in reducing pregnancy-related nausea by reducing stress. Some positions that help alleviate nausea include: The modified reclining hero pose The downward-facing, cross-legged pose The inverted pose | Eat foods that are known to combat nausea. Use fresh ginger in your food and drink. Eat less, but more often. Avoid foods that trigger nausea. Drink plenty of water. Take your prenatal vitamins with food and water. Add sources of vitamin B6 to your diet. Adjust your environment to eliminate nausea triggers. Get plenty of sleep. Avoid stress. Get plenty of fresh air. Make sure your home is clean. Understand the limitations of alternative treatments. Try acupressure. Get acupuncture therapy. Undergo hypnosis therapy. Utilize aromatherapy. Do Yoga. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Garnish-a-Cocktail | How to Garnish a Cocktail | To garnish a cocktail, think about what will enhance the ingredients in the drink. If you have a sweet cocktail, garnish it with fruit, like lemon, lime, or orange wedges, or a maraschino cherry. You can also use citrus peels, called twists, as a garnish. If you have a savory drink, use pearl onions, olives, or pickled green beans as your garnish. You can also rim the glass with salt, sugar, or your own flavored seasoning. | Cut citrus fruits into wheels. Slice a fresh lemon, lime, or orange crosswise into rounds 0.25–0.5 inches (0.64–1.27 cm) thick, then cut a small notch into the thick peel on one side. Slide the notched section of the wheel onto the rim of the glass and serve. Simple citrus garnishes typically accompany drinks like mojitos, coolers, and some beers. Consider how the type of citrus you use will complement the flavors of the cocktail's primary ingredients. For example, a lemon wheel may help cut the bitterness of a rum and Coke, but be too tart for punch or margarita. Use citrus twists to infuse added flavor. Slice a thin section of the peel away from a lemon, lime, orange, or other citrus fruit, just down to the white pith underneath. Rub the colorful side of the peel around the rim of the glass, then either drop it into the drink or discard it. When you take a sip, the zesty aroma and flavor of the citrus oil combine to add another layer of complexity to the cocktail. Twists are one of the simplest garnishes to make, as well as one of the tastiest. They're most often used for garnishing cocktails like martinis, Cosmopolitans, and Poinsettias. Cut fruit peels into spirals for enhanced presentation. The easiest way to create a spiral garnish is to run a channel knife around the outside of a lemon or lime—the shape of the blade will cause the peel to curl delicately as it comes free. Drape one end of peel over the edge of the glass, allowing the rest of it to fall below the surface of the drink. If you don't have a channel knife, you can also peel the citrus in a loose spiral shape. Do your best to keep the peel a consistent width. When peeling citrus the old-fashioned way, turn the fruit as you go rather than trying to angle the blade. This will result in a neater spiral while also preventing potential mishaps. Spiral garnishes make an eye-catching addition to martinis, spirits, and mixed drinks that look a little plain on their own. Turn a citrus wheel into a fancy flag. Slice an orange or lemon into a thin wheel and fold it around a maraschino cherry as though you were making a taco. Tilt the wrapped cherry horizontally and force a toothpick straight through one side and out the other to pin it all together. Slip the flag into the drink so that the fruit sits just on top. An orange flag is the traditional garnish of choice for a whiskey sour, while lemon flags are often used to cap a Tom Collins. Build fruit skewers for exotic cocktails. Cut a ripe pineapple into triangular wedges with the rind still attached to one side. Make a thin, 1-inch (2.5-cm) long slit into the pointed end of a wedge and perch it on the rim of the glass. Stack pineapple leaves and a maraschino cherry on the wedge, then stick a long skewer or umbrella pick through the top. Feel free to add other fruits to your flag, like sliced kiwis or bananas, grapes, or chunks of melon. Fruit skewers are easy to embellish with flowers, paper decorations, and other non-edible items. Make olive or onion spears for dressing savory drinks. Slide 2-3 olives or pearl onions onto a toothpick, then lay it across the top of the glass or set it inside so that it leans against the rim at an angle. As you or your guest sip the cocktail, they can stop and take a bite to alternate between the flavors of the drink and garnish. A spear is a must-have final component for martinis. To take the taste factor up a notch, use stuffed olives that have been filled with pimentos, bleu cheese, capers, or jalapeno peppers. Place whole ingredients directly in the glass. Garnishing doesn't always have to involve a lot of careful cutting and arranging. Sometimes, it's as easy as throwing in a single ingredient. Simply choose a flavoring that pairs well with the cocktail's main components and props it against the rim of the glass. A celery stalk or dill pickle, for example, may be all you need to complete a Bloody Mary. Cucumber spears, shaved carrots, and pickled asparagus spears are also useful as single garnishes for savory drinks. Add meat to the mix. The next time you whip up a Bloody Mary, throw in a spiced meat stick in place of the usual celery stalk. A slice of crispy bacon can also make a delicious extra when added to an alcoholic milkshake or sweet-and-savory Old Fashioned made with darkened liquors. Miniature sausage links, cocktail shrimp, and even delicacies like wagyu beef can all make delightfully unique garnishes when picked out with the right beverages in mind. Make sure any meat products you decide to incorporate into your cocktails have been properly cooked and stored to reduce the risk of food-related illness. If you're working in a bar, be sure that the customer is aware of the meat garnish in order to accommodate their dietary preferences. Use herbs to bring out the flavor of drinks served straight-up. Grab a handful of fresh herbs and muddle them by crushing them with a mortar and pestle or lightly squeezing them in the palm of your hand. Add the bruised herbs directly to the top of a glass of gin or Prosecco, or a cooler made from unornamented vodka or rum. Herbs like basil, rosemary, cilantro, and dill are especially popular among mixed-drink enthusiasts for the complex notes they offer a variety of liquors. Muddling is useful for unlocking the full vibrancy of leafy herbs. Rim the glass before pouring up your drinks. Coarse-grind some salt or sugar and transfer it to a rimming dish or flat plate. Dampen the rim of the glass by running a clean, wet finger around it, then turn it upside and press it into the dish, giving it a couple twists to make sure the dry ingredients stick. The crystallized coating will offer a little texture and give each sip a sweet or salty finish. Start with a rimmed glass anytime you're making a batch of margaritas, Micheladas, or Sangria. Other dry ingredients, such as dry herbs and spices, crushed candies, and infused salts and sugars, can also be used to liven up the flavors of your favorite cocktails. Float small garnishes on the surface of the drink. Drop a couple coffee beans into an espresso martini, or sprinkle citrus shavings over a frothy cocktail like a Coquito or Pisco Sour. Garnishes like these can be gulped down with the rest of the drink to impart contrasting flavor and textural notes. While savory garnishes like olives or onions are traditionally served on spears, they can also be plopped right into the bottom of the glass if they're intended to be eaten. Grate fresh spices over a freshly-mixed cocktail. Many after-dinner beverages call for a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chocolate. This is where your grater or microplane will come in handy. Grate just enough of the whole spice to dust the surface of the drink, then serve and enjoy. Freshly-grated spices should be kept to a minimum to avoid overpowering the central flavors of the cocktail. A pinch will usually do the trick. Top warm drinks with whipped cream. Leave room for a spritz of whipped cream in your Irish coffee or alcoholic hot chocolate. A towering mound of whipped cream will help offset the sharpness of the liquor and make the cocktail more like a rich dessert. For maximum flavor, finish with some freshly-grated chocolate or spices. Experiment with specialty garnishes. For a next level Bloody Mary, you might ditch the typical olive spear in favor of a charcuterie sampler loaded with artisanal meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables. Similarly, cookies, candies, and other sweets (licorice and peppermint sticks are popular choices), work well as novelty toppers for holiday drinks. Crown warm beverages containing chocolate liqueur with a toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham cracker squares to turn it into a sippable version of s'mores. Get creative! Almost anything can become an attractive cocktail garnish if you're willing to think outside the box. | Cut citrus fruits into wheels. Use citrus twists to infuse added flavor. Cut fruit peels into spirals for enhanced presentation. Turn a citrus wheel into a fancy flag. Build fruit skewers for exotic cocktails. Make olive or onion spears for dressing savory drinks. Place whole ingredients directly in the glass. Add meat to the mix. Use herbs to bring out the flavor of drinks served straight-up. Rim the glass before pouring up your drinks. Float small garnishes on the surface of the drink. Grate fresh spices over a freshly-mixed cocktail. Top warm drinks with whipped cream. Experiment with specialty garnishes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Order-Fractions-From-Least-to-Greatest | How to Order Fractions From Least to Greatest | To order fractions from least to greatest, start by finding the lowest common denominator for all of the fractions. Next, convert each of the fractions by dividing the lowest common denominator by the denominator and then multiplying the top and bottom of the fraction by your answer. Once all of the fractions have the same denominator, order them from least to greatest using the numerators. | Find a common denominator for all the fractions. Use one of these methods to find a denominator, or lower number of a fraction, that you can use to rewrite every fraction in the list, so you can easily compare them. This is called a common denominator , or the lowest common denominator if it is the lowest one possible: Multiply every different denominator together. For example, if you are comparing 2/3, 5/6, and 1/3, multiply the two different denominators: 3 x 6 = 18. This is a simple method, but will often result in a much larger number than the other methods, which can be difficult to work with. Or list the multiples of each denominator in a separate column, until you notice a number that shows up on every column. Use this number. For example, comparing 2/3, 5/6, and 1/3, list a few multiples of 3: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18. Then list the multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18. Since 18 shows up on both lists, use that number. (You could also use 12, but the examples below will assume you are using 18.) Convert each fraction so it uses the common denominator. Remember, if you multiply a fraction's top and bottom by the same amount, the fraction is still the same size. Use this technique on each fraction, one by one, so that each one uses the common denominator as the bottom number. Try it for 2/3, 5/6, and 1/3, using the common denominator 18: 18 ÷ 3 = 6, so 2/3 = (2x6)/(3x6)=12/18 18 ÷ 6 = 3, so 5/6 = (5x3)/(6x3)=15/18 18 ÷ 3 = 6, so 1/3 = (1x6)/(3x6)=6/18 Use the top number to order the fractions. Now that they all have the same denominator, the fractions are easy to compare. Use their top number, or numerator , to rank them from least to greatest. Ranking the fractions we found above, we get: 6/18, 12/18, 15/18. Return each fraction to its original form. Keep the fractions in the same order, but return each one back to its original form. You can do this by remembering how each fraction transformed, or by dividing the top and bottom of each fraction again: 6/18 = (6 ÷ 6)/(18 ÷ 6) = 1/3 12/18 = (12 ÷ 6)/(18 ÷ 6) = 2/3 15/18 = (15 ÷ 3)/(18 ÷ 3) = 5/6 The answer is "1/3, 2/3, 5/6" Write the two fractions next to each other. For example, compare the fraction 3/5 and the fraction 2/3. Write these next to each other on the page: 3/5 on the left, and 2/3 on the right. Multiply the top of the first fraction with the bottom of the second fraction. In our example, the top number, or numerator , of the first fraction (3/5) is 3. The bottom number, or denominator , of the second fraction (2/3) is also 3. Multiply these together: 3 x 3 = ? This method is called cross-multiplication , because you multiply numbers in a diagonal line across from each other. Write your answer next to the first fraction. Write the product, or answer to your multiplication problem, next to the first fraction on the page. In our example, 3 x 3 = 9, so you would write 9 next to the first fraction, on the left side of the page. Multiply the top of the second fraction with the bottom of the first. To find out which fraction is larger, we'll need to compare our answer above with the answer to another multiplication problem. Multiply these two numbers together. For our example (comparing 3/5 and 2/3), multiply 2 x 5 together. Write this answer next to the second fraction. Write the answer to this second multiplication problem next to the second fraction. In this example, the answer is 10. Compare the values of the two cross-products. The answers to the multiplication problems in this method are called cross-products. If one cross-product is larger than the other, then the fraction next to that cross-product is also larger than the other fraction. In our example, because 9 is less than 10, this means 3/5 must be less than 2/3. Remember, always write the cross-product next to the fraction whose top number you used. Understand why this works. To compare two fractions, typically you transform them to give them the same denominator, or lower part of the fraction. Secretly, this is what cross-multiplication does! It just skips over actually writing the denominators, since once the two fractions have the same one, you only need to compare the top two numbers. Here's our same example (3/5 vs 2/3), written without the cross-multiplying "shortcut": 3/5=(3x3)/(5x3)=9/15 2/3=(2x5)/(3x5)=10/15 9/15 is less than 10/15 Therefore, 3/5 is less than 2/3 Use this for fractions with a top number equal or larger than the bottom number. If a fraction has a top number, or numerator , that is larger than the bottom number, or denominator , it is larger than one. 8/3 is one example of this type of fraction. You can also use this for fractions with an equal numerator and denominator, such as 9/9. Both of these fractions are examples of improper fractions. You can still use the other methods for these fractions. This method helps these fractions make sense, however, and might be faster. Convert each improper fraction into a mixed number. Turn them into a mix of whole numbers and fractions. Sometimes, you might be able to do this in your head. For example, 9/9 = 1. Other times, use long division to find out how many times the numerator goes evenly into the denominator. The remainder in that long division problem, if any, gets "left over" as a fraction. For instance: 8/3 = 2 + 2/3 9/9 = 1 19/4 = 4 + 3/4 13/6 = 2 + 1/6 Sort the mixed numbers by whole number. Now that there are no improper fractions, you have a better idea of how large each number is. Ignore the fractions for now, and sort the fractions into groups by whole number: 1 is the smallest 2 + 2/3 and 2 + 1/6 (we don't yet know which is larger than the other) 4 + 3/4 is the largest If necessary, compare the fractions in each group. If you have multiple mixed numbers with the same whole number, such as 2 + 2/3 and 2 + 1/6, compare the fraction part of the number to see which is larger. You can use any of the methods in the other sections to do this. Here's an example comparing 2 + 2/3 and 2 + 1/6, converting the fractions to the same denominator: 2/3 = (2x2)/(3x2) = 4/6 1/6 = 1/6 4/6 is greater than 1/6 2 + 4/6 is greater than 2 + 1/6 2 + 2/3 is greater than 2 + 1/6 Use your results to sort your whole list of mixed numbers. Once you've sorted the fractions in each group of mixed numbers, you can sort your entire list: 1, 2 + 1/6, 2 + 2/3, 4 + 3/4. Convert the mixed numbers back to their original fractions. Keep the order the same, but undo the changes you made and write the numbers as the original improper fractions: 9/9, 8/3, 13/6, 19/4. | Find a common denominator for all the fractions. Convert each fraction so it uses the common denominator. Use the top number to order the fractions. Return each fraction to its original form. Write the two fractions next to each other. Multiply the top of the first fraction with the bottom of the second fraction. Write your answer next to the first fraction. Multiply the top of the second fraction with the bottom of the first. Write this answer next to the second fraction. Compare the values of the two cross-products. Understand why this works. Use this for fractions with a top number equal or larger than the bottom number. Convert each improper fraction into a mixed number. Sort the mixed numbers by whole number. If necessary, compare the fractions in each group. Use your results to sort your whole list of mixed numbers. Convert the mixed numbers back to their original fractions. |
https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Act-Like-Royalty | How to Act Like Royalty | To act like royalty, make sure to have good posture. This means keeping your spine straight and your chin slightly lifted. When sitting, men should cross their legs or keep their feet on the floor while women should sit up straight and cross their ankles. Royals always act polite, so be sure to use good table manners and to avoid using profanity or slang when speaking. To dress like royalty, wear simple but quality outfits like a nice dress or suit with minimal accessories. | Stand with proper posture. Men should stand with their feet shoulder length apart, women with one foot slightly in front of the other. Proper posture means a straight spine and your chin slightly lifted. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees very slightly bent. Your shoulders should be back, with your ribcage in the center of them. Try to keep your hands out of your pockets. Learn to sit with good posture. Sitting for men generally means crossed legs, or both legs straight out and both feet on the ground. Sitting for women means ankles, not legs, crossed. As royal women are usually in dresses, it's therefore important to sit and stand carefully, to avoid an accidental flashing of undergarments. In addition, when sitting, your back should be straight, your shoulder should be back, and your buttocks should touch the back of the chair. Keep your weight evenly distributed on both hips. Get out of cars with grace. For royal women, usually found in dresses, getting out of cars requires a little bit of foresight. The process typically goes like this: Scoot yourself toward the edge of the car keeping your ankles and knees together. Open the door or have the door opened forward. Angle your knees toward the door. With one hand on the seat in front of you and one on the seat you're in, pull yourself out of the car. Keep your knees together and put one leg out of the car. Keep your body facing the car door as you place your other leg out of the car. Then once both feet are on the ground, stand up straight and close the door. Dress with class. Royal clothing includes fairly simple outfits that favor quality over showiness. For women, that means elegant dresses for more formal affairs, and simple blouses, blazers, and jeans for casual affairs. For formal affairs, men wear suits. Tuxedos are for evening wear. Morning dress for men includes a tail coat, striped trousers, and a collared shirt. Casual wear for men includes blazers and dress shirts, and jeans or light-fabric pants, like cotton trousers. Jewelry can be a great way to add to a women's outfit, but keep it understated and don't pile it on. For example, one or two pieces, like earrings and a simple silver necklace, can add class to a cocktail dress outfit. Walk with elegance. There's a name for the gait that the women in the royal family are taught: The Glide. You start with your weight on your back foot, and your feet about a half-foot length apart. As you walk, your knees should cross over each other, and the moving foot should brush lightly against the heel of the other foot, to make sure your feet are perfectly aligned. Your movement in general should be smooth and not jerky. Slow, precise movement shows confidence and calmness, traits exuded by royalty. Keep yourself well groomed and styled. While it's unrealistic to try to never have a hair out of place, you should still try to be as well-groomed and styled as possible in most situations. Find a haircut that is stylish without being over the top, which typically means something classic and timeless. Follow a grooming routine that leaves you looking your best every day, which can include: Teeth care: Brush and floss your teeth every day. Use mouthwash and put to use one of those tools used to scrape your tongue. Hair care: Wash your hair regularly and thoroughly, using both shampoo and conditioner. If your hairstyle requires it, use product, such as pomade or gel. Face care: Use products such as cleanser and moisturizer to keep your face as clean and healthy as possible. That's the minimum, but you can go above and beyond with any number of skin care products, like pore cleansing strips and facial masks. Smell your best: Use deodorant daily, and find a good body wash. Consider using perfume or cologne, but remember that less is more when it comes to extra fragrances. Remove unwanted hair. For guys, pluck excess bushiness in your eyebrows and between them, and keep your facial hair under check. Consider shaving your face regularly for that clean-cut look. For girls, keep your eyebrows well-shaped and facial hair nonexistent, and consider keeping your armpit and leg hair at a minimum as well. Avoid slang and profanity. Royalty practice politeness at all times, which means leaving profanity out of your speech. Slang words and phrases aren't as necessary to avoid, but an overabundance of them gives off too much of a casual, uneducated vibe. Start incorporating more formal words into your vocabulary. Generally, people in higher class societies, especially in Britain, speak with a broader vocabulary, and favor elegant words over more common ones. For example, dazzling instead of pretty, and delighted instead of happy. For more ideas on sophisticated words to improve your vocabulary, try: blunder instead of mistake, loathe instead of hate, yearn instead of want, and cherish instead of like. Invest in a dictionary and a thesaurus, or use online versions. Take some time to increase your vocabulary with these tools. Avoid the "seven deadly sin" words of royal speech. There are seven words that when used, instantly indicate to members of the English upper class that one is purposely trying to sound more genteel than they are. Those words are: "Pardon". Royals use "what?" "Toilet". Royals use "lavatory." "Dinner". Royals use "lunch." "Settee". Royals use "sofa." "Lounge". Royals use "sitting room." "Sweet". Royals use "dessert." "Serviette". Royals use "napkin." Enunciate properly and avoid slurring. Pronouncing words correctly is a must, so make sure you know how to pronounce words before you use them. To sound royal, you must enunciate clearly, and speak with confidence, loud enough to be easily heard but no louder. Speak slow enough that you don't slur your words or lose enunciation. You can practice your enunciation by trying to perfect tongue twisters such as "Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. If Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where's the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?" Or you can just practice reading out loud from a book when you're alone, and making the words a clear as possible. Learn how to greet people like royalty. When meeting someone, a royal always offers their hand for the handshake first. A good handshake means the webs between the thumb and fingers meet, the grasp is firm but not aggressive, and the handshake lasts two to three shakes, maintaining eye contact throughout. Practice proper table manners. When drinking tea or coffee, use a saucer, and keep the handle of the cup pointing toward the right. With tea, you lift the saucer with your left hand and the cup with your right. With coffee, you can leave the saucer down. Contradictory to popular belief, you shouldn't stick your pinkie out. At cocktail parties, keep your glass in your left hand so your right is free for handshakes. Never put a finger on the back of the fork to guide it, or use it to scoop up food like peas. And the fork goes to the left of the plate, the knife on the right. Of course, they're a lot more rules to proper table etiquette, such as chewing and swallowing before drinking, putting cutlery on the side of the plate when finished, and not blowing on hot drinks or food. Be courteous and kind. Above all, the behavior of royals can be described as proper and courteous. Imagine that you and all your actions represent a large group of people. A prince or princess is going to be watched by the whole country and world, so they need to be on their best behavior at all times in public. Think cool, calm, and collected, charming and always polite, especially to strangers. Some examples of royal-like courteous behavior include: always use "please" and "thank you," always be punctual, compliment others when something about them strikes you and give praise for the achievements of others, and make an effort to engage in light conversation with those around you. Develop more confidence. To be like royalty, you need to be confident. Confidence is part of what gives royalty their charming manner. Gaining confidence will require self-discipline, practice, and patience. Sometimes, the best way to start is to follow the oft-repeated advice of "fake it until you make it." Get out of your comfort zone, take risks, and pretend you've got oodles of confidence. As you notice how differently people treat you, and how much more you get out of social situations, you'll gradually start to become more confident on the inside as well. Another surefire way to increase confidence is to develop skills and allow yourself to be proud of what you're good at. Having confidence in your ability to write, or draw, for example, will carry over into your general confidence. Develop poise. Poise is that extra bit of grace and elegance in the way a person holds themselves that can take them from ordinary to captivating. There's a lot that goes into developing poise, but some ways to start include: Be humble. A person who's unsure of themselves will try to overcompensate by bragging or showing off. A poised person has no need for validation from others, and can take criticism well. Be calm. Being poised means being at peace. Stress and worry will cause you to come across as negative and frantic. Practice taking deep breaths when something starts to cause you stress, and take a step back from the situation. Analyze why you're having this stress and what you can do about it. Don't rush. A poised person will never be seen rushing across the room to get the last seat. The mindset behind poise means slowing down, and being confident that you'll get where you need to be eventually. Be gentle. Your body movements should be gentle and careful. Put your cup down slowly. Don't drop your books on the table. When you hug someone don't try to squeeze the life out of them. Just use as much force as is necessary in most situations. | Stand with proper posture. Learn to sit with good posture. Get out of cars with grace. Dress with class. Walk with elegance. Keep yourself well groomed and styled. Avoid slang and profanity. Start incorporating more formal words into your vocabulary. Avoid the "seven deadly sin" words of royal speech. Enunciate properly and avoid slurring. Learn how to greet people like royalty. Practice proper table manners. Be courteous and kind. Develop more confidence. Develop poise. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Music-Video-Director | How to Be a Music Video Director | To be a music video director, start by getting the equipment you need and learning the basics of film-making. Next, shoot amateur music videos for friends and local bands to work on your filming technique and hone your editing skills. Then, make a demo reel of your best work and submit it to music labels and production companies to break into the business professionally. You can also get your name out there by networking with people in the music industry and cultivating a following on social media. | Learn the basics of film-making with photography. Many directors and film producers get their start in photography. Photography will introduce you to the basics of many important aspects of film making, like the different kinds of lenses, shot composition, lighting effects, and framing. Even while learning basics with still photography, you should begin to orient yourself in the genre you are most interested. For example, if you like thrash metal, you might take pictures of or for a local thrash band to get a better feel for capturing that kind of image. In many cases, you can get permission to take pictures of local or lesser known bands by offering free copies of your photography. Purchase suitable equipment. Filming equipment is notoriously expensive, so you'll have to take time determining which camera will be the best for your situation and budget accordingly. It's likely you'll also have to account for the cost of lenses, which can add several hundreds of dollars of expense to your purchase. Some recommended cameras include: Canon EOS M is a very economic model that also has an HD movie mode for shooting in high definition. If cost is a significant factor for you, this may be your best option. Canon EOS Rebel T2i is one of the best mid-cost cameras for shooting music videos. It also has a dim light mode, making it suitable for many different kinds of lighting environment. The videos you make with this will look professional, no matter the content. Nikon D5200 is the most expensive of these three models. It has excellent features for music video shooting, like it's 24.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and 5 FPS continuous shooting, though you'll definitely need to budget for a lens for this one. In many cases, you can buy refurbished or like new models from electronics stores, pawn shops, or online for a fraction of the retail value. However, you should be wary when you go this route. Some "like new" cameras have damage that isn't obvious. Produce amateur music videos with your friends. This will prepare you for learning how to set up and direct the action of a scene. The professional side of video production can be very demanding, and working with your friends will allow you a safe place to make mistakes and learn from them. Depending on the quality of these videos, you might want to upload them to your YouTube channel to see if you can gain some popularity and reputation. You might consider putting together a video in the style of a flash mob , or you could involve your school/local theatre group to acting out a simple story to a popular song. Study different genres of music video. If you want to become a truly great music video director, you should expose yourself to other great videos to learn from them. This way, you'll be able to talk about and deconstruct the differences between different styles of music video. While watching, be on the lookout for things like: The use of lighting in the video. How does it affect the atmosphere of the video? How do you think you can replicate the effect? Is there a mix of hot (strong, bright) and soft (diffused, dim) lighting effects? The composition of the video. How do the visual elements of the video work together? How are the visual elements of different scenes integrated? The framing of the video. Framing is generally considered to be the way the shot brings focus to the subject. In what ways is the subject defined in your favorite videos? How do shapes or other elements (light, shadow, environment) bring attention to the subjects in the video? Take a class. In many cases, there are photography/film classes offered at local community centers, community colleges, and universities. You can attend these to give yourself more formal knowledge about shooting and film making. You'll likely want to focus on the technical side of things, like a class on lighting effects, as an example. If you live in a major city that has regularly produced photography/film media, you might be able to volunteer your time doing on-set tasks to get real exposure to the industry. For instance, you might volunteer to run food and drink to talent at your local news studio. Consider going to film school for a bachelors degree in film. Shoot amateur music videos for local bands. In some cases, you may even be able to convince somewhat popular though still relatively unknown bands to allow you to shoot their music videos. This will help you learn how to manage the expectations and on-camera movements of band members, and could result in suitable material for your demo reel. Polish your editing skills. Not all directors are skilled at film editing, but having a general knowledge of it will help you to coach the editors you work with to your desired result. Take some time to play around with film editing software until you are comfortable with the basics. Also, you should always make sure any finished productions are well-edited. You may want to consider taking a class on film editing, specifically. There's a great deal of psychology that goes into piecing together a story from separate shots, and knowing this can put you ahead of the curve. Enter prominent video competitions to build your reputation. In particular, on-spec/brand competitions should receive priority, as these generally are more highly regarded than others. Try not to get discouraged if it takes you a while before you see any success at one of these. Competition can be fierce. Keep improving upon your method and techniques as you make videos for competitions. Critique can be difficult to hear, but can result in drastic improvements. When you finally win or achieve a "shortlisted" or "runner up" ranking, you should include this information in any bio, personal statement, or resume you submit. These sorts of awards serve as proof that you are a serious film maker. Make a demo reel. Your demo reel is a short clip that shows prospective clients/employers what you can do as a music video director. It should include clips of your finest work, and shouldn't exceed more than 90 seconds in total length. It should be specific to the line of video production that you want to work in, like pop, heavy metal, or country. These reels can either contain short snippets of many different scenes, or a few longer samples strung together. Don't forget to include your name and contact information in your demo reel. While trying to craft the perfect demo, this can be easily overlooked. Signify your roles during shooting with headings. For example, if you directed and also creates models for the scene in your demo reel, you might include the text "Lead Modeler" in one of the lower corners of the shot where it won't distract from the scene. Utilize social media. Social media, like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, are free ways that you can build your fanbase and increase your exposure. As your popularity among users grows, you'll notice that larger companies and labels will take you more seriously. Many bands and video production companies look favorably on a large YouTube or Twitter following due to the fact that you'll be adding your fanbase to their own. Network with local music artists. Local artists will also be trying to break into the industry, so they may have connections that could be useful to you on your journey to becoming a music video producer. A simple business card can help you appear more professional while providing your contact information. Through social networking sites, you may be able to find the email addresses of PR representatives or other decision makers at music video production companies. A brief email introducing yourself or with a proposal could result in a potential gig. Social media is sometimes a "back door" to companies or groups that are difficult to get in touch with. You might announce on Twitter that you're looking for a new music video project and see if anyone bites. Submit your demo reel to music labels. After you have some experience and presence, you can start submitting your demo reel to professional companies and music labels. You'll want the quality of your reel to be as high as possible, as you'll be competing with other professionals for a chance at directing music videos. If your editing ability is weaker than your directing skills, you may want to hire a professional video editor to help you put together the most impressive video reel possible. Take a position with a production company. Oftentimes, you won't be able to get your desired position right from the start, but that doesn't mean you can't work your way up to it. Running food or helping with lighting can turn into an assistant directorship or stage managing position. From those positions you'll have a better shot at directing. When working from the bottom up, you'll often have to put in extra work to prove yourself. Be honest with your goals with other staff and your supervisors, and show them you are serious by putting forth your best effort. You should try to angle for any position that works closely with a director, like as a director's assistant or secretary. This way, you'll have more opportunity to watch a professional in action. Identify moneyed companies suitable for your demo reel. It takes money to produce a music video, and by targeting profitable music companies in your genre, you'll stand a better chance of getting an offer to direct. Look for companies that are actively producing music videos, as this is often a sign of financial health and stability. You can also supplement your career as a director through online means, like YouTube. Popular YouTube channels often receive compensation. | Learn the basics of film-making with photography. Purchase suitable equipment. Produce amateur music videos with your friends. Study different genres of music video. Take a class. Shoot amateur music videos for local bands. Polish your editing skills. Enter prominent video competitions to build your reputation. Make a demo reel. Utilize social media. Network with local music artists. Submit your demo reel to music labels. Take a position with a production company. Identify moneyed companies suitable for your demo reel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Close-a-Deal | How to Close a Deal | Before you try to close a deal, talk through each point of the deal one by one with the other party so everyone involved knows exactly what's on the table. Then, ask the other party directly for the sale by saying something like, "If you don't have any more questions, shall we move forward?" Or, you can try a more subtle approach by saying something like, "Who should I forward this contract to?" Additionally, stay calm and positive while you're closing the deal so you don't put the other party on edge. | Develop your pitch and prepare. You'll need a comprehensive knowledge of your product or service, but you should also know which facets of your product or service your client is most interested in. Have a list of key features that sets your product apart from the rest, and avoid giving a presentation that is generic and doesn't engage your audience. You might also read up on how to deliver a good pitch. You can prepare for your pitch by: Making an appointment to meet with clients and give your pitch. Adjusting your product presentation to meet client expectations. Grooming, if necessary (haircut, manicure, etc.). Choosing your clothing for the meeting. Mapping out your route to the meeting. Investigate your client's financial health. You don't want to waste your valuable time during the workday pursuing a deal that a client can't afford. If you are meeting with a representative of an established company, you should look into the business history of that company. This may involve: Investigating profit making/spending trends Checking stock history (for large companies) Review your pitch prior to meeting with clients. Take every opportunity you have to test and refresh yourself on the organization of your pitch. You may want to practice your opening in the car, or review product information while in the elevator. The night and morning before your pitch, look over your outline and information, both to review and to be certain that your materials are well organized. Express terms clearly from the outset. You might feel a little self conscious talking about money or compensation early in your presentation. However, by clearly stating the terms of your deal and your expectations, you can save yourself from spending time and effort trying to close a client that isn't willing or able to meet the conditions of your deal. Execute your pitch. In your mind you should have a clear idea of the order in which you will present your product or service. Identify any areas that seem weak, or even areas a similar product might surpass your own, and think of how you might address these points with your client. Stay confident under pressure and make the best use of your prospect's time. From the moment you arrive, you're on the spot to perform. A firm handshake and a warm smile are important, but avoid too much small talk. Look your potential client in the eye and get down to business. Confirm the deal. All potential deals have a something in common: there's a decision to be made. While a "yes" from a junior executive or assistant may not be the final step, your job is to get to the next decision maker. After you have made your pitch, ask if the terms of the deal are acceptable and any additional steps that need to be taken. Subordinates are great allies. If you are respectful and convincing, they may accept you as part of the team and want to help you succeed in closing the deal. An initial "no" doesn't always mean your deal will fall through. "No," in some cases, can indicate that your client is interested in negotiating terms of your deal. Work through the points of your deal. To be sure the terms and expectations of each part of your deal are acceptable to both parties and understood, you should address each point of your deal one by one. Larger deals can take several meetings to clarify the terms and language of the deal. By patiently addressing each aspect of your deal, you can help prevent your client from backing out last minute with the excuse, "I didn't know." Manage your emotions. The ability to control the mood is the hallmark of a great closer. In most cases, your prospect will prefer a confident and light attitude. But always be aware of the atmosphere. Humor can be a powerful tool for building rapport, but can sometimes be inappropriate. Practice using and reading body language. You can best control the direction of the presentation by avoiding confrontational words and moves. Your prospect will respond most positively if he sees you as an ally, not an adversary. Commit your client to the deal. This technique is also called the "assumptive close." With this technique, the goal is to ask your client a question that, when answered, serves as passive agreement to the deal. Be careful if you employ this closing maneuver, as inexpert use might make you appear manipulative. Some examples phrases you might use for an assumptive close are: Who should I forward this contract to? Can you think of any reason that, if we remained at this price, might prevent your company from doing business with ours? Set a time limit for your deal. You will need to agree upon a time limit beforehand with your client while discussing the terms of your deal, otherwise he might feel like you are trying to pressure him into an agreement. Once the client has agreed to the timetable, you can arrange deadlines according to both parties' schedules. This strategy is very useful as a stepping stone to the final closing of a deal as well. Once a timetable has been set, you should check in with your client to see that in between steps are being finished in time for closing. Ask directly for the sale, if appropriate for your situation. This is a very safe technique to employ, as it does not come across as manipulative. If your pitch has gone well, at the end of your presentation you might simply say: "I believe I've answered all your questions. If you don't have any more, shall we move forward?" Evaluate your contract. Even if the legal team of your company has prepared the contract you will be using, it's best to at least skim the document to make sure it is the contract you need and all necessary components are in place. Every contract should have: An offer. An acceptance of the offer. Sufficient and clear "consideration" as to the exchange that will occur with the acceptance of the offer. Identify the legal parties who will sign the contract. Legally, this may include a person authorized to bind a company to an agreement, a corporation, or a limited liability company (LLC). Clearly determine who will be signing the contract and whether or not that person has the legal ability to sign your contract. Check for deviations in wording. Errors in wording can render your contract null and void, which can lead to legal repercussions down the road. If you are dealing with a company that uses a fictional name, this information should be included along with the full legal name of the company with which you are doing business. An example of this might look like: This agreement, dated March 12, 2016, is between ACME INDUSTRIES, INC., a Michigan corporation, and JOHN SMITH CONSULTING, INC., an Ohio corporation doing business as the Consult Expert. Verify that you are using the correct legal entity. An unaware business owner or client might not know the consequences of using a fictional business name or using an imprecise Doing Business As (DBA) company name. A sole proprietorship, as an example, is not separate from its owner in legal terms. Check and be sure that you have the correct full name for the company or legal entity you are signing a contract with. Company names and DBAs can be checked at the Secretary of State, or in the state records of the state the company was formed. Many of these searches can be done online for free, though some states may charge a small fee. Re-confirm the terms of contract and sign. Take a moment before signing to go over the terms of your contract with the signing party. Double check that the person signing is the legally correct person to enter into a contract with you. Once the terms are approved, have all necessary properties sign and date the contract. | Develop your pitch and prepare. Investigate your client's financial health. Review your pitch prior to meeting with clients. Express terms clearly from the outset. Execute your pitch. Confirm the deal. Work through the points of your deal. Manage your emotions. Commit your client to the deal. Set a time limit for your deal. Ask directly for the sale, if appropriate for your situation. Evaluate your contract. Identify the legal parties who will sign the contract. Check for deviations in wording. Verify that you are using the correct legal entity. Re-confirm the terms of contract and sign. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-Dragon-Fruit | How to Pick Dragon Fruit | Before picking your dragon fruit, make sure that it's been about a month after it flowers. Additionally, press lightly on the fruit and check that it's firm, but has a bit of give, like a ripe mango or avocado, If it's ripe, grasp the fruit with your hand and twist it around 1 to 2 times, then pull it right off the stalk. At this point, if the fruit doesn't come off easily, let it ripen for a little longer. Finally, tear off the dried flowers at the bottom before eating or storing your dragon fruit. | Expect the fruit to ripen about a month after it flowers. Generally, dragon fruit will ripen about a month after it flowers. Check the dragon fruit daily for any flowers and use the flowers as a gauge for ripeness. Check for a saturated fuchsia color to determine ripeness. Watch for the color of the fruit to change from green to fuchsia or yellow, depending on the variety. The color will slowly change and deepen as the fruit ripens. However, the leaves, or “wings,” on the sides of the fruit will remain green on the tips even when the fruit is ripe. Watch for the “wings” to wither. Once the leaves on the sides of the fruit, or the “wings,” droop and wither, the fruit is likely ripe. Check the wings regularly to see if they've begun to brown or dry out. If they're still healthy and colorful, then the fruit is not ripe yet. Press lightly on the skin of the fruit. Ripe dragon fruit should feel soft and have a bit of give, like a ripe mango or avocado. If the skin still feels firm and doesn't yield to light pressure, then the fruit isn't ripe yet. On the other hand, if the fruit feels mushy when you squeeze it, it is likely overripe. Don’t wait for the fruit to fall off the plant. Because dragon fruit does not automatically fall off the plant when it's ripe, you'll need to check it periodically to make sure it hasn't over-ripened. Use a brush to remove any thorns from yellow dragon fruit varieties. The thorns grow in small clusters on the tip of each segment of the yellow dragon fruit. While the fruit is still connected to the stalk, use a thick-bristled brush to gently brush away the thorns. Use shears to clip away any thorns that you can't reach with the brush. Thorns only grow on the more rare yellow dragon fruit, so you don't have to worry about thorns when picking the more popular red or purple varieties. Twist the fruit off of the stalk with your hands. Grasp one dragon fruit and use your hand to twist it around 1 or 2 times. Then, pull at the fruit until it fully detaches from the plant's stalk. If the fruit doesn't come off the stalk easily, it hasn't ripened enough yet. Leave the fruit attached to the stalk and let it ripen for a little longer. To speed up the picking process, you can also use a knife or a pair of garden shears to cut through the stalk at the top of the fruit. If you use a knife, cut as close to the fruit as possible so you don't leave an extra stump of cactus stalk at the top. If the fruit doesn't come away easily, it likely isn't ripe enough yet. Leave the fruit attached to the stalk and let it ripen for a little longer. Break off the dried flowers at the bottom. Dragon fruit will often have long flowers extending from the bottom of the fruit that dry and wither before the fruit ripens. You can simply tear the flowers off by hand or cut them away at the base. Since they should be brittle and dried out at this point, the flowers should come off easily. Rinse and cut it into quarters when you’re ready to eat it. Rinse the dragon fruit in clean water to get rid of any dirt or debris. Use a non-serrated knife to cut the fruit in half, then into quarters. From there, you can eat it or cube it into smaller pieces. The inside of a fresh dragon fruit should be an opaque white with black seeds. If the fruit looks translucent or brown, it's gone bad. After cutting the dragon fruit open, you can store it in a plastic ziploc bag for up to 3-4 days. Store uncut dragon fruit in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's best to eat the fruit as soon as possible, but the fruit will stay fresh for a few days if you keep it in the refrigerator. Store the fruit in a crisper drawer for best results. | Expect the fruit to ripen about a month after it flowers. Check for a saturated fuchsia color to determine ripeness. Watch for the “wings” to wither. Press lightly on the skin of the fruit. Don’t wait for the fruit to fall off the plant. Use a brush to remove any thorns from yellow dragon fruit varieties. Twist the fruit off of the stalk with your hands. Break off the dried flowers at the bottom. Rinse and cut it into quarters when you’re ready to eat it. Store uncut dragon fruit in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-an-Abusive-Father | How to Deal With an Abusive Father | Dealing with an abusive father can be scary, but you can get help by calling 911 or going to a trusted neighbor, teacher, or friend right away and explaining the situation. If the police or child services interview you, make sure to be honest with them when they ask about the abuse so they can help keep you safe. As you recover from the abuse, try writing in a journal to process your thoughts. It's normal for healing to take time, but if you find yourself still struggling with feelings of anger or guilt, consider asking your school guidance counselor how you can get therapy or counseling to help you feel better. | Know the warning signs of potential abuse. Fathers who use alcohol or other drugs and have low impulse control are more likely to sexually abuse their children. Anger or stress, relationship problems, and domestic violence are all predictors of abuse against children. If you notice things getting worse in your home, make sure you have your safety plan handy and you are ready to escape from the situation if you need to. You may be in immediate danger if your father is: currently threatening to harm you or abuse you, carrying a weapon (including heavy objects), chasing you with an intent to abuse you, or if you are currently being physically hurt or sexually abused. Get away and go somewhere safe. If you are currently in danger of being abused (physically or sexually), you need to get help immediately. If you don't have access to a phone to call for help, get away from the abusive situation and find a safe place to go. If you are at home, think of the best way to exit and use it. This could be through a window, door, or out the backyard. Good places to go include: a trusted neighbor's house, a friend's house, or a public place where phones are available. Do not hide in your bedroom, you could get stuck there and not be able to escape easily if something goes wrong. Call for help. If you are in imminent danger or are currently being physically or sexually abused, call for help immediately. You can call your local emergency contact number (i.e. 911) or the police/law enforcement station. Consider calling a Child Services Hotline. They are trained to deal with abuse. Be prepared to answer questions about when and how your father has abused you. You can also contact a mandated reporter (teacher, therapist). Comply with authority figures. If you called the police or child services, they may arrive and interview you. Police, social workers, therapists or others may want to talk with you about the situation. They will most likely also speak to your legal guardian or guardians (parent or other person who is legally allowed to take care of you). Be honest when asked questions about the abuse. Know that these people are trying to understand the situation better so that they can work to keep you safe. Child Protective Services will ask you questions and intervene. The government agency or social services organization that deals with your case may require you and your father to receive psychological intervention, such as therapy or parenting classes. In very severe cases, children may be removed from the home or separated from the parent until the abusive situation is resolved. The police may conduct an investigation and speak to you and your parents or legal guardians. In severe cases, and if you choose to press charges, your father may undergo a trial. Get therapy or counseling. If you have endured an abusive situation, the trauma will not resolve itself. It is essential that you seek the help of a therapist or counselor. The earlier you begin therapy, the better chance you have at recovery. A therapist can help if you worry about being abused regularly, you avoid certain instances that remind you of the abuse, or if you have excessive feelings of guilt, shame, depression, or fear related to the abuse. If your thoughts of the abuse prevent you from completing daily tasks or harm your interpersonal relationships, therapy can help. You can work with a therapist to keep yourself safe and deal healthfully with the trauma you have endured. If you are under the age of 18 you can talk to your school guidance counselor about getting therapy. Unless your guardian has specifically forbidden you to see the counselor or for the counselor to see you, then parental consent is not necessary to receive counseling. The counselor must report known or suspected child abuse. Family therapy is also a helpful option to explore. Your therapist, or a separate one, can work with your family to create safety and reduce abuse. Ask your therapist if this is an option or if she can provide you with a referral. Identify what to do if the abuse occurs again. If you create a safety plan you may be more prepared if you experience abuse. Know the best ways to exit your home, the best places to go that are safe, and who to call once you get there. Have emergency contacts handy. Keep a list of contacts on you at all times. You can create a safety plan. It will include where to go, who to talk to, how to keep yourself safe, and what additional coping resources you can use. If you believe abuse is about to occur, use this safety plan. Identify how to escape in the future. Knowing your way around your home can help you get away if you need to. Having a plan can also help you feel safe. Identify ways to leave your home, such as through certain windows, doors, fire escapes, elevators, stairs, etc. If you live in an apartment complex, there should be a fire escape posting and map of the premises; study it in order to develop the fastest and safest way out of the situation. If there are locked windows and doors inside the home make sure you obtain keys or know how to unlock them ahead of time. Move objects out of the way if they block useful windows or doors. Know where to go. Identify safe places you can go in the future, such as certain friend's or family member's house, a school, hospital, etc. Find the fastest route to your identified safe place. Figure out how you might get there the fastest. For example, you can run, skateboard, or drive (if you have a license). Make sure you have plenty of places you can go and several back-up plans if people are not home. If necessary, you can go to a public place such as a mall or store to get phone access. Tell the people you plan to go to that they are part of your safety plan. Know typical times that they are home. Talk to an adult. If the abuse re-occurs, you should know who you can talk to about it. It could possibly evolve into something more, and if it does, you want someone else to know. Ask for help. Helpful people to talk to include: your mother, grandparent, a teacher, school guidance counselor, therapist, friend's parent, or another adult who you trust. Find a mentor or a school counselor you can talk to when you feel overwhelmed by the hurt. Make sure the person you choose to speak with is someone you trust, and feel safe around. Avoid dangerous or risky situations. Sometimes people who endure abuse end up engaging in risky, unsafe, or uncomfortable situations. Work on preventing future abuse. It's not your fault that the abuse occurred, but you can work toward reducing the likelihood of future or repeated abuse. Try to make sure someone is with you when you are around your father. Avoid being in a room alone with your father if you can. This may increase your risk of abuse. Try to have friends over, spend time with your siblings, or ask another family member over. If you can't avoid being alone with him, make sure you have an exit or way of protecting yourself if you need to. Using drugs or alcohol to cope with abuse can have serious and devastating consequences (illegal activity, lowered judgment, overdose). Avoid using substances to cope. Try exercise, writing/journaling, or therapy instead. Have self-compassion. People who have experienced abuse often blame themselves or experience self-loathing. Remember, it's never your fault, and nobody deserves to be abused. Replace destructive self-talk with compassionate self-talk. If you say mean things to yourself such as, “It's all my fault. I shouldn't have made him mad,” this is an incorrect thought because you are not to blame. Replace these types of thoughts with more realistic appraisals of the situation such as, “The abuse is not my fault. I did not wish it or want it to happen. I am deserving of love and respect and should not be abused.” Take care of yourself. Self-care is an important component of coping after abuse has occurred. This means treating yourself with compassion and respect. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, attend your therapy sessions, and engage in healthy activities (exercise, education, relaxation, leisure). Embrace your healthy relationships. Healing from abuse can be achieved with the help of support from others. It is important to have mutually satisfying and collaborative relationships. Chances are, you already have people in your life who can support you, such as other family members (mother, grandparents, siblings, cousins), friends, and teachers. If you have been avoiding socializing out of fear or sadness, try reconnecting with others who are safe. Invite your friends over, or hang out with safe family members such as siblings or cousins. You don't necessarily need to talk to them about the abuse if you don't want to or aren't ready to do so. Just get support by spending quality time together and doing fun activities (such as playing games). One way to get social support is to join a support group. Ask your school counselor or therapist for referrals. If you don't have either of those, try conducting a search online for local organizations that have support groups for individuals who have survived trauma and abuse. Do not tolerate friends or others who mistreat you or call you names. You deserve to be treated with respect. But don't use physical violence of any kind to get your point across either, just distance yourself and spend less time with people who mistreat you. Process your feelings. Mourning the trauma and loss is an important piece of healing from abuse. You can write your father a letter, which you don't need to send. Tell him how you feel about the abuse and how it has affected you. Let your anger out. Talking to others about your feelings is also a good way to process. You can do this with a friend, family member, counselor, or support group. Express yourself creatively. Creative expression is one way to positively cope with a history of abuse. Creativity can help you release you emotions in healthy ways instead of harming yourself or lashing out at others. Try improvisational music as self-help therapy. This has been shown to help heal sexual abuse, and may be beneficial for other types of abuse as well. Try playing the harmonica (an easy instrument to learn), or download a game or app that allows you to create music. Write about it. Reconstructing the story of your abuse can be a helpful way to heal. This can help you to resolve the trauma. Gain support or put it aside if it upsets you too much right now. Try art – you can color, paint, draw, or sculpt. Try to express in your art how you feel about the abuse and how it has affected you. Avoid negative coping. Individuals who have survived abuse may be at an increased risk for using alcohol and other drugs. Additionally, people who have suffered from an abusive situation may blame themselves, minimize the seriousness of the abuse (thinking it was not as bad as it was), and rationalize (think that the abuse was necessary or normal). Focus on having a realistic view of the abuse such as thinking or saying to yourself, “I was abused and it was not okay. I am not to blame for the abuse. I will not tolerate being abused and will get help if I need it." Empower yourself. Many individuals who experience abuse may feel dis-empowered and not in control. Take your power back! Take a survivor rather than a victim stance on your history of abuse. You can do this by integrating a survivor mentality into your identity. Think, “It was abuse, and I survived it. I am a survivor, not a victim. I am strong enough to overcome this great obstacle. I will keep fighting to end abuse.” Find a survivor mission or purpose. Perhaps this means giving talks about your experience, or helping other survivors. | Know the warning signs of potential abuse. Get away and go somewhere safe. Call for help. Comply with authority figures. Get therapy or counseling. Identify what to do if the abuse occurs again. Identify how to escape in the future. Know where to go. Talk to an adult. Avoid dangerous or risky situations. Have self-compassion. Embrace your healthy relationships. Process your feelings. Express yourself creatively. Avoid negative coping. Empower yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Romantic-with-Your-Girlfriend | How to Be Romantic with Your Girlfriend | If you want to be romantic with your girlfriend, try to compliment her every day on the little things you love about her, like how spontaneous or creative she is or how she does her hair. When you're watching a movie together or lying in bed, play with her hair to show your affection. You can also touch her face when you kiss for extra romance points. If you want to make a big gesture, try planning a surprise date. For example, you can cook her favorite meal and have it waiting for her when she gets home. | Compliment her. Every day, you should compliment your girlfriend. This is a simple way to keep romance in a relationship without taking a lot of time. Make her feel like a princess by giving specific compliments that show you've been paying attention to her. Emphasize her personality qualities—mention how creative or spontaneous she is and how much you admire it. Express appreciation for her day to day actions. Show her that you notice she took time to do her hair in a new way or tried to put a new look together with her clothes. Tell her how she makes you feel. For instance, if she has a certain look that she gives you that makes you melt, tell her. Even if you can't explain it exactly, express this to her. Take a walk. A romantic walk is free and easy to do every day. Even if you only have time to walk a mile, do so together. While on your walk, be sure to hold her hand or put your arm around her shoulder. Send her unexpected messages. A text or email each day is another free way to be romantic with your girlfriend. Pick a different time each day to send her this message to keep her on her toes. It can be anything as simple as “I love you” or you can make it specific. Try to do it at a time that she is very busy. Try putting a new twist on your daily messages by writing it on her mirror before she wakes up or by placing it on a note and putting it in her jacket pocket. Show genuine interest for all aspects of her life. Ask her about work or her family and listen when she's answering you. Pick a part of her life that you're not directly related to and let her tell you all about it. She'll be comfortable venting in the future which can prevent fights. This romantic gesture needs to be done with genuine curiosity and concern. Be spontaneous. You don't need any specific reason to plan a romantic date. While Valentine's Day and your anniversary are perfect times to have a romantic date, you should have some consistency more often. You need to make time. If the two of you work or travel on weekends, plan an extravagant and romantic date for a Tuesday night. Rent a convertible and drive around. Check local concerts and surprise her with a date night. Cook her favorite meal and have it waiting for her when she gets home during the week. Make the plans solely for the two of you. Making plans to see the game with your friends doesn't count as a date. You need to make it so that it is only the two of you. This will put all of your attention on her. Splurge on your girlfriend. Spoil your girlfriend with random gifts. You don't have to empty your bank account to do so, but every now and then surprise her with a new sweater she saw at the mall, a pair of earrings, or a new movie for the two of you to watch. Once again, it doesn't have to be overly expensive—it's more about the thought behind the gift. Play with her hair. While the two of you are watching a movie or sitting at a table and working, run your fingers through her hair. The light head touching/hair messing-with will put her into a near meditative state and she will feel romantically closer to you. Cup her face when you kiss her. Gently holding her face when you kiss her will take your everyday kiss and turn it into a romantic moment for the two of you. Do this as your good-bye kiss in the morning or when she walks in the door from work. Unexpectedly show some PDA. A public display of affection (PDA) can be something as regular as a hand hold or as extravagant as a kiss timed to fireworks. Cuddle up with her unexpectedly and let her melt into you. Offer her a massage. Get some oil and offer her a back massage to help her relax from a stressful day. Even if you're not able to give her the best massage she's ever had, she will love that you're trying to help her out. Take a day off. Part of being in a long distance relationship is finding time when both of you can talk. Especially if you're in different time zones, this can be one of the hardest parts of keeping the relationship alive. To keep romance going, take a day off of work. Tell her to take the same day off. Spend the day on skype or the phone with them. Think of things ahead of time to talk about—play 21 questions or truth or dare. Watch movies, games, or shows at the same time. Pick a show or movie and make plans to watch it at the same time. Call each other right after and talk about what you like. It's a great way to make artificial together time. Make some rituals. Make some sort of daily or weekly ritual. This will be an exciting way to keep the romance in your relationship because after a long day, your girlfriend can look forward to this ritual. This will give her a sense that you two are closer. Wish her a good morning and good night every day. Call and talk about the highs and lows of your day before bed. | Compliment her. Take a walk. Send her unexpected messages. Show genuine interest for all aspects of her life. Be spontaneous. Make the plans solely for the two of you. Splurge on your girlfriend. Play with her hair. Cup her face when you kiss her. Unexpectedly show some PDA. Offer her a massage. Take a day off. Watch movies, games, or shows at the same time. Make some rituals. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Internet-Research | How to Do Internet Research | To do internet research, look for sources that are credible and reliable by prioritizing information from academics, government sources, and nationally recognized news organizations. The best way to find academic sources is through a reputable academic database like Google Scholar or EBSCOhost. If you're using a news source such as The Guardian, check that what you're reading is a factually based article and not an opinion piece. Once you've found reputable sources, make sure to back them up either by printing or saving them as PDFs, since web pages can get moved or deleted. | Decide where to start your search. If your employer, college, or university provides you with a search engine or directory, begin there. If you have access to a library database of research articles, such as EBSCOhost, start there. Library databases provide you with access to peer-reviewed research, which is the gold standard for academic study. “Peer-reviewed” means that top experts in the field have reviewed the research to make sure it is accurate, trustworthy, and informed before publishing it. Even if you're just trying to learn something for your own personal benefit, academic research will provide you with the most up-to-date, reliable information. You can usually access these databases through your home library's website. Some academic and universities libraries may require a password if you are accessing them remotely (from somewhere other than in the library itself). If you don't have access to a library, try using Google Scholar for your searches. You can find academic research through this search engine, and Google Scholar will show you where you can find free copies of the articles online. Look for subject-specific databases. Depending on the area of your research, you have several options for online databases specific to your field. For example, if you are looking for research on education, the ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) is sponsored by the United States Department of Education and provides peer-reviewed research and informational materials on education topics. If you're looking for medical or scientific research, PubMed , sponsored by the United States National Library of Medicine, is a great place to start. Ask a librarian. If you have access to a library, make an appointment to speak with your reference librarian. These people are specially trained in helping you access the best research and knowledge available. They can help you find sources and also help you determine whether sources are credible. Use regular search engines with caution. Search engines crawl the web indexing pages by reading the words and phrases that appear on those pages. From there, the process is automated. Each search engine has an algorithm that's used to rank results for specific searches. This means that no human is vetting the accuracy of the results. The “top” result is simply the result of an algorithm. It's not an endorsement of the content or quality of the result. Most search engines can be “gamed” by savvy websites in order to ensure their content comes up first. Moreover, each search engine has its own algorithm, and some tailor their results based on your browsing history. So the “top” result on Google will not necessarily be the “top” result on Yahoo, even with the exact same search phrasing. Be aware that simply because you find information online doesn't make it credible or authoritative. Anyone can make a webpage, and the amount of poor, unverified, and just plain wrong information often outweighs the good stuff online. To help you sift through the useless stuff, talk to your teacher or librarian, and use library or academic search engines when possible. Choose your keywords carefully. For any given inquiry, there are an almost limitless number of potential word and phrase choices you could enter into a search engine. Therefore, it's important to think carefully about what you hope your search will find, as well as try multiple different search combinations. If you're using an academic search engine, such as your library's search feature, try using a combination of keywords and Boolean Operators , or words you can use to narrow down your search: AND, OR, and NOT. For example, if you are doing research on feminism in China, you might run a search for “feminism AND China.” This will return results that include both of those topic keywords. You can use OR to run searches for related keywords. For example, you could search for “feminism OR feminist OR social justice.” This would return results that contain one or more of those terms. You can use NOT to exclude keywords from your search. For example, you could search for “feminism AND China NOT Japan.” You would not get any results that included Japan. You can use quote marks to search for full phrases. For example, if you want to search for academic performance , you would search for the whole phrase inside quotation marks: “academic performance.” Be aware, though, that using quotation marks will kick out any result that isn't an exact match. For example, you would not get results about “school performance” or “academic functioning” because they are not worded exactly the way you searched. Use specific keyword phrases to locate the most relevant information. For example, if you are looking for information social welfare expenditures in the U.S., you're more likely to get the results you want by searching for “total yearly amount spent on welfare programs in U.S.” than searching for “welfare,” which would bring up definitions of welfare, types of welfare in other countries, and thousands more results you don't want. Be aware, though, that you can't always find information like this -- the more words you enter, the fewer results you're likely to get. Use alternate words or keyword phrases to locate additional research sources. For example, if you are researching “welfare,” consider using “safety net” or “social programs” or “public assistance” in place of “welfare” to find different results. In many cases, your word choice might unintentionally bias your results, since terms like “welfare” are often politically loaded. Using a wider variety of terms ensures that you'll be exposed to a broader — and therefore potentially less biased — set of sources. Narrow when necessary. If you're researching a topic about which you're relatively uninformed, begin your search with broad terms, then use the information culled from that first search to begin narrowing your search. For example, in your search for “total yearly amount spent on welfare programs in U.S.,” you'll quickly discover that there are several different public assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Use that information to decide which program(s) you're interested in, and then perform a new (more specific) search, such as “total yearly SNAP expenditures in U.S.” Look for credible, authoritative sources. Perhaps the most difficult — and important — task in internet research is ensuring the sources you select are credible. Generally, you want to prioritize information from government sources, academics, and nationally recognized news organizations. Government sources will often have “.gov” somewhere in the webpage. For example, the United States Department of State's website is www.state.gov. The official website for Australia's Department of Defence is www.defence.gov.au. Websites that end in.edu belong to colleges and universities. However, you do need to be careful with.edu sites, because often faculty and students can run personal webpages that will have the.edu extension, but the information there may not be vetted by the university. It's better to find academic sources through an academic database or search engine, like EBSCOhost or Google Scholar. Websites that end in.org belong to non-profit organizations. While some of these are highly credible, some are not. Anyone can purchase a website with a.org extension. Check these sites carefully, and don't rely on them as your sole source of information if you can avoid them. Major news sources such as The Guardian, CNN, and Al Jazeera tend to be credible, but you also need to make sure you're reading a factually based article and not an opinion piece. Many news sites also have blogs and editorial sites where people can state their opinions, which aren't necessarily backed up by facts. Cast a wide net. Don't limit yourself to the first few results in the search engine. Look beyond the first page of search results to find information for your research. While it's impossible to view all of the results for most searches, it's important to view at least several pages of results in order to ensure you're not missing important information. Because of search engine optimization, if you're using a regular search engine like Google or Yahoo, the first several pages might contain the links that were most effectively promoted, not the ones with the best information. Wikipedia can be a good place to start, but websites such as this are open to editing by anyone, which means that their information can be inaccurate, outdated, or biased. If you want to use Wikipedia or another wiki for research, scroll down to the “References” section at the bottom of the page and check those out. Go to the original source whenever possible. For example, if you are writing a report on penguins, you could start with the Wikipedia page on Penguins. Scrolling to the References section would show you several peer-reviewed academic journal articles on penguins, along with references to book chapters by academic publishers. Look at those sources for more authoritative information. Find the original source whenever possible. During your research, you will find many statements online, but not all of them are true or useful. Some sources will not cite any references, or they may twist the reference to say something other than what it originally stated. Don't take anything at face value. Particularly when the website reporting a fact or statistic is questionable, you should attempt to find the original source. For example, if you're doing research on changes in welfare expenditures during the past 20 years, there's no reason to trust Yahoo answers, a blog, or any secondary source. Most credible sources will note that they're using data from federal agencies. Therefore, it's usually better to search for the original government data sources and cite them directly, rather than citing a page that is itself just reporting (possibly incorrectly) the data. Citing the original source will also make your own research more authoritative and credible. For example, it is much more impressive to your teacher if you cite an article from the National Institutes of Health (a US government source) than if you cite an article from webMD -- even if they have the same information. If you can cite the original scholarly research that produced the information you're discussing, that's even better. Look for consensus. If you can't find the original source for a fact, your best bet is to verify the fact on multiple, credible sites. No matter what information you're seeking, if you can't find a single official source, it's advisable not to trust a piece of information until you find identical information on several independent sites. So, for example, if you can't find an original source for SNAP expenditures in 1980, enter the data you found into a search engine to ensure that the same number is reported on multiple sites and that those sites are not all citing the same (potentially erroneous) source. Check the source’s affiliations. Checking who owns or sponsors the website will help you figure out whether it is credible or not. For example, the Mayo Clinic website is owned by the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world. It is a not-for-profit organization, so it is not out to make money from its content. Its articles are written by medical professionals. These are good clues that information you find on this site will be credible. On the other hand, a “health” website that has a storefront or lots of ads, and doesn't have any institutional or professional affiliations, won't be as credible. If you're using an academic database, check out who published the article or book. Texts from prestigious journals, such as the New England Journal of Medicine , and books from academic publishers like the Oxford University Press, carry more weight than sources from less-known publishers. If you've never heard of a source, the first place to look is the “About Us” (or similar) portion of the website. If that doesn't provide you with a good idea of who's producing the web page, try conducting an internet search for the site itself. Often news articles, Wikipedia entries, and the like that reference a source will include information about its affiliation(s), ideology, and funding. When all else fails, consider using a web domain search engine to discover who owns the website. However, if you've had to go to that length, chances are good that the site is too obscure to be trusted. Check out the author. Unfortunately, many internet sources will not list an author. If you are searching online for peer-reviewed research, however, you will usually find sources with named authors. Look at their credentials. For example, does this person have education in his/her field? Neil deGrasse Tyson has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the prestigious Columbia University, so it's likely that what he says about astrophysics is credible and authoritative (meaning trustworthy and up-to-date). On the other hand, an amateur star-watcher's blog will not be authoritative, even if the information is accurate. Has the author written anything else on the topic? Many authors, including journalists and academic scholars, have areas of specialty and have spent years studying and writing about these topics. If the author has written many other articles on the same area, this makes him/her more credible (especially if those articles are peer-reviewed). If there is no author, is the source credible? Some sources, particularly government sources, will not list an author. However, if the source you are getting the information from is authoritative -- such as an article on chickenpox from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the absence of an author isn't cause for concern on its own. Look at the date. It's important to make sure that your information is as up-to-date as possible, especially if you're research a medical or scientific topic. Scientific consensus changes with the presence of new studies and information. Check when the article or website was published. Being more than five years old isn't necessarily bad, but look for the most recent articles you can find for the best shot at updated information. For example, if you were writing a research paper on treatments for cancer, you wouldn't want to use only articles from the 1970s, even if they were published in prestigious academic journals. Look for reliability and accuracy. There are many sources out there that claim to be fact-based but aren't. Websites that appear to have a clear agenda are usually not good sources, because they may ignore or misrepresent evidence that disagrees with their position. Look for the site's sources. A credible internet site will cite its sources. A really great site may even link out to the original research articles so you can track them down. If you can't find any references for the information provided, or if the references are out of date or poor quality, it's a good sign that your site isn't reliable. Watch for bias. Highly emotional language, inflammatory rhetoric, and informal writing are all signs of potential bias in your source. Most academic writing tries to steer clear of these and aim for impartiality and objectivity as much as possible. If your website uses emotional language like “Manipulative big pharma companies are out to keep you broken and unhealthy to line their own pockets!” it's a good sign that there is bias present. Review each website for grammatical errors and broken links. If the website is credible and reliable, grammar and spelling should be accurate and all links should take you to the appropriate landing page. Websites with numerous grammatical errors and broken links may be copying their information from another source or may not be legitimate. Cite your sources. In order to avoid the same errors made by inaccurate sites, you should always document your sources. This will allow you to return to them later, if necessary, and will allow others (when applicable) to verify your sources themselves. Bibliography entries for webpages traditionally consist of the author of the web article or webpage (if available), the title of the article or page, the name of the site, the site's web address, and the date on which you accessed the article or page. Beware of the ephemeral nature of the web. Just because a source is there today doesn't mean it's going to be there tomorrow. In order to guard against making your research irrelevant, consider your options for preserving web pages. The simplest way to save a webpage as you see it today is to print a hard copy or save it as a PDF. This will allow you to refer back to the page, even if it's moved or deleted. Since a hard copy or PDF version will only be available to you, you should periodically check the links in your research if it is published on the web. If you discover a web page has been deleted or moved, you can keyword search for its new location in a search engine or check to see if it was archived by Archive.org's Wayback Machine, which preserves web pages as they previously displayed. Consider a technological fix. There are numerous free web browser features, apps, and services that can help you save your sources quickly and organize them easily. Using the bookmarks feature of your web browser is the simplest way to save sources. Rather than saving every source in the parent “Bookmarks” folder, consider creating subfolders for specific topics. For example, if you're researching welfare, you might want to create a folder for “Welfare” in “Bookmarks” and then maybe even create more folders within “TANF,” “SNAP,” etc. Build your own archive. Beyond simple bookmarking features and apps, more advanced research software and services can help you create your own personal repository of sources. Numerous services and apps have made it possible to sync sources to the cloud, capture images of web pages as they appear on the day you accessed them, add keywords to sources, etc. Many of these services, such as Zotero, are freeware created by academics and other open-source advocates. Others, such as Pocket, offer some services for free and charge for others. If you need functions beyond your web browser's standard bookmarking features, consider using one of these sources to make organizing your sources easier. | Decide where to start your search. Look for subject-specific databases. Ask a librarian. Use regular search engines with caution. Choose your keywords carefully. Narrow when necessary. Look for credible, authoritative sources. Cast a wide net. Wikipedia can be a good place to start, but websites such as this are open to editing by anyone, which means that their information can be inaccurate, outdated, or biased. Find the original source whenever possible. Look for consensus. Check the source’s affiliations. Check out the author. Look at the date. Look for reliability and accuracy. Cite your sources. Beware of the ephemeral nature of the web. Consider a technological fix. Build your own archive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-an-Anime-Addiction | How to Get Over an Anime Addiction | To get over an anime addiction, start by reducing the amount of time you spend watching it every day. Limit yourself to watching only 2 or 3 of your favorite shows, and avoid or delete anime fan sites from your browser favorites to prevent temptation. When you feel ready, try to take a break from watching any anime for a certain period of time and see how you feel. Exploring other hobbies can help you get your mind off of anime! | Determine how much you rely on anime to be happy. If you can't tell if you are addicted to anime or just simply really interested in it, try to remember how upset you were the last time you were unable to watch anime. Did you think: "Oh well. Nothing to freak out over.” Or was it more like: “What?! I need to see this one episode! What if my favourite character dies? I hate you, Mom!” One of the signs of addiction is getting upset at not being able to fulfill your craving. If you got mad because you got grounded and had to miss an episode or the episode got delayed, then you may indeed be addicted. If the mere thought of not being able to watch anime upsets you, then you most probably are addicted. Determine your emotional attachment to anime. Does your entire life revolve around it? If you really cannot tell, you may have to take a step back and try to see things from an outside point of view. Ask yourself these questions to determine just how emotionally attached you are to anime: Do you feel more attached/attracted to anime characters than real people? There is nothing wrong with having a favorite character. It is only when you become so attached to a fictional character that you would reject all relationships with real people that it becomes unhealthy. If you find yourself buying a body pillow or crying for the whole day about their death, then this includes you. A fictional character cannot give you the same love and attention that a real person might. Have you ever gotten into a serious fight over an anime? It is perfectly fine to disagree with someone or to discuss theories, so long as it is done in a mature fashion. However, if you find yourself so attached to an anime that you become protective of it and lash out at anyone who dislikes it and insulting them, going on ranting, you might be unhealthily-obsessed with it. Such behavior might even cost you friendships. Know if anime affects your social behavior. Do you find yourself talking and acting like your favorite anime characters or using too many Japanese words to be even more like them? Animes, much like cartoons, are often exaggerated; what may seem acceptable in an anime or cartoon is often not acceptable in real life society. You may not mind being treated as a character in an anime, but others might be offended if you treat them the way your favorite character might. Let's say someone walked up to you and would only speak in Paw Patrol quotes. Not very welcoming behaviour, is it? Some people might find your behavior confusing or annoying, and they may treat you with less respect as a result. Figure out how much money you are spending on anime. Are you spending so much money on merchandise that you can no longer afford necessities, such as food, clothing, school supplies, or rent? Make a chart on a sheet of paper, and create sections, such as "Anime," "Food," "Clothing," and "School Supplies." Each time you buy something from one of those categories, write down how much you spent. Write down how much money you have to spend, then look at how much you actually spend in each category. If most of the items you buy come from the "Anime" category, you may be addicted. If you find that you have to skip buying food, clothing, and other necessities in order to afford anime merchandise, you most likely are addicted. Figure out how much time you spend on anime. Some people may accuse you of being addicted, but are you really addicted? Knowing how much time you spend watching anime and how much time you spend doing other things can help you figure out whether or not you are really addicted. Do you find yourself turning down your friends in order to watch anime? Being introverted is not a bad thing, but ignoring your friends for the sake of watching anime may cost you valuable friendships. If you find that you are choosing to watch anime instead of spending time with your friends, you may be becoming addicted to anime. Do you spend every free minute on anime so that you sacrifice sleep, health, and hygiene? If you spend so much time watching anime that you no longer bathe regularly or eat healthy (that box of Pocky seems so much easier to grab than cutting up an apple to eat), you may start to feel sluggish and tired, and you may find yourself getting sick more and more often. Does anime affect your school or work performance? Once you get home, do you start working on your homework or paperwork, or do you start catching up on your favorite anime show instead? Do you even go to school or have a job? Keeping your grades up is important; some colleges and jobs require a certain GPA. And it's important to stay on top of work so you don't find yourself fired. Do you abandon other hobbies in favor of anime? Did you used to enjoy soccer or playing the piano, but avoided continuing your lessons in order to watch a few episodes? If so, you may be addicted to anime. Try to limit your time watching anime. You do not have to completely give up watching anime; instead of watching it every day, consider watching it every other day or once a week. If you find yourself watching it for several hours almost every day, try this approach: If you find yourself watching several episodes a week, or even a night, try to limit yourself to just one episode a night, or a few episodes a week. Try to limit how many shows you watch. If you feel the urge to watch every single anime show, try to fight that urge; some shows are several seasons long and a huge time commitment. Choose only one or two shows that really interest you and stick with them; you don't have to watch every single show in order to be an anime fan. Consider taking a break. You can also try to take a break from anime by not watching any anime or reading any manga for a certain period of time. Try it for two weeks, and see how you feel. You might surprise yourself by finding that you have discovered other hobbies and interests to fill up that void. Use anime as a reward only. Consider doing other, less-enjoyable tasks first before you settle down and watch some anime. This will not only cut back on your addiction, but it will make watching that anime all the more enjoyable. Here are some suggestions: Don't watch anime until you've gotten all your homework done—but also don't watch anime past your bedtime. This will encourage you to not only get your work done faster but also to not procrastinate on it. If you don't get your nightly dose of anime in, do not despair—there is always the next night. Save anime for the weekend. Your excitement and anticipation will build throughout the week—but you will also be able to get a ton of other things done during that week. Do all of your chores first. Tell yourself that you won't watch the latest episode of your favorite show until you've done your chores (be it cleaning your room, folding the laundry, doing the dishes, etc). You'll get all your work done faster—and at the end of it, you'll get a nice reward. Cut back on the merchandise. Do you find yourself purchasing anime pins, action figures, bags, patches, and other items just for the sake of adding to your collection? Or do you buy those items because you really like them/need them? If you find that you are buying stuff just for the sake of adding to your collection, ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it? A new bag with your favorite character may come in handy if you are shopping for school supplies, but you may not necessarily need that new Funko Pop figurine. If you are tight on money, try to buy stuff that you really need. Do I like it? Instead of buying something just because it comes from your favorite anime, try to pass on it and save up for something that you really, really like instead. What will I do with it? Some items, such as mugs, watches, bags, and shirts are useful. Other items, such as figurines, patches, or pins serve only decorative purposes. You can manage your addiction by buying stuff that you will actually use (as opposed to just look at). Try staying away from fansites and deleting them from your favorites. Simply cutting back on watching anime may not help your addiction. Visiting those fansites and further discussing your favorite shows will only cause you to think even more about anime. You can help manage your addiction by not visiting those fansites anymore; not discussing your favorite shows will help prevent any temptation. Be able to tell reality from fantasy. It's perfectly normal to have strong feelings about the characters on your favorite show; it's not something you need to feel embarrassed about. But when those strong feelings turn into a full-on love affair with a fictional character, it can be confusing, embarrassing, and frustrating to go through. Maybe you cried for an hour when a character you liked died. Or you could have bought a body pillow. Perhaps you spent hours drawing fanart of your favourite character when you could have taken a walk outside to the park you used to play at when you were little. Remember that? Remind yourself that the anime is just a work of fiction—something made up by a group of writers and artists—and that it is not real. The worlds and characters cannot replace those around you. Go outside right now and look for something you think is beautiful. Is there a tree with a bark pattern that looks like an apple background? Are there a few nice rocks that you find yourself picking up? Just look outside and find something you think is absolutely amazing. It probably won't take as long as you think it might. Then, take a moment to reflect on how nice it feels to be in the fresh air, looking at the beauty that reality has to offer. Consider cutting down on your collection. Sometimes, the only way to manage an addiction is to get rid of anything that reminds you of it. This does not mean that you have to sell or donate your entire collection of figurines, mangas, shirts, bags, and so forth. However, consider donating or selling some of the items you no longer use and try not to buy new stuff to expand your collection. The homeless kid you saw walking to school would probably love a t-shirt with a cool cartoon character on it. If watching anime online is too tempting and distracting you from your school work, consider either deleting the video files from your computer, or deleting the websites from your browser's favorites. Keep an eye on your behavior. If you find yourself trying to mimic your favorite character or using too many Japanese words (which you know annoys other people), you may not be helping your addiction. Try to catch yourself doing this so that you can stop. If it has become a habit that you want to break, ask your friends to let you know whenever you mimic your favorite character or use a Japanese word unnecessarily. Your friends will probably be glad to support you and this decision. Take conventions into consideration. If attending multiple anime conventions are a big part of your addiction, you may want to consider attending only one or two instead of the five or more that you usually do. Not only will this help you save some money, but it will also help you distance yourself even further from anime. Consider finding another hobbies. You don't have to spend all your time totally invested in one thing, even if you love it. Explore other interests and hobbies that you might have once enjoyed, but lost over time, as you became more and more into anime. Here are some things you can try: Martial arts. If you are into anime and Japanese culture, you may be interested in martial arts, especially a Japanese one, such as Aikido or Judo. Playing a musical instrument such as the guitar or piano. Jogging, hiking, and biking can not only keep you fit and healthy, but they can also help you relax and enjoy the natural world around you. Take a trip to the gym might be nice. Knitting and crochet will keep your hands moving and busy; you won't have time to think about Anime. Photography will help you get out more, meet new people, and help you see the world you've been missing out on. Go outside and see it. Find another fandom to take part in. Sometimes, you can overcome your anime addiction by giving yourself another, non-anime fandom to focus on; this includes books, movies, and television shows. You may find yourself spending less time on anime and more time on the new fandom. If you don't know where to look, consider asking friends or classmates for suggestions; tell them the sorts of things you like, such as horror, medieval fantasy, or vampire drama. If you like to roleplay, then consider branching out to other, non-anime related fandoms, such as ones based on books and movies. Spend some time with your friends. It will help you keep your mind off of anime; it will also remind your friends that you still care about them. This way, the next time you really need someone to talk to, they will be more likely to be there to support you. If you do not have any friends, try to find some new ones by joining a club at your school, going to a bookstore or library, or even hanging out at a park. Ask your friends and family to support you. Tell your friends and family that you want to overcome your anime addiction. They may try to help you by not getting you any more anime-related stuff for your birthday. If you have friends who are also interested in anime, they may help out by not discussing it around you so much or introducing you to yet another anime series. | Determine how much you rely on anime to be happy. Determine your emotional attachment to anime. Know if anime affects your social behavior. Figure out how much money you are spending on anime. Figure out how much time you spend on anime. Try to limit your time watching anime. Try to limit how many shows you watch. Consider taking a break. Use anime as a reward only. Cut back on the merchandise. Try staying away from fansites and deleting them from your favorites. Be able to tell reality from fantasy. Consider cutting down on your collection. Keep an eye on your behavior. Take conventions into consideration. Consider finding another hobbies. Find another fandom to take part in. Spend some time with your friends. Ask your friends and family to support you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Internet-Marketing | How to Learn Internet Marketing | The easiest way to understand internet marketing is to do an online search to learn about basic concepts like SEO optimization, market analysis, and marketing strategy. Once you're familiar with these, you can begin making data reports using Google Analytics software or a similar program. If you're looking for a more in-depth knowledge, consider getting a marketing degree or taking an online marketing class. | Surf the web. If you are older and do not have much experience with the Internet, the first thing you should do is acquaint yourself with online promotion, such as banner ads on the sides of web pages, online shopping and online marketplaces, such as Craigslist, Amazon and eBay. If you do not have the basic computer and Internet skills required to accomplish buying, selling and navigating the Internet, then you should sign up for classes. Low-cost or free classes are often given by local libraries and Lifelong Learning classes. Sign up for social media accounts. The best way to understand social media is to dive into it. Sign up for a free account on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Pinterest, Google Plus and more. Seek a degree in marketing with a focus on online or Internet marketing. If you are just leaving high school and you are interested in business and marketing, then this is most likely the best path for you. Research marketing programs that focus on Internet marketing and learn the basics 1 course at a time. After graduation, you will be ready for an entry-level job at a marketing firm. You can also use your knowledge to market your own products or ideas. Take an Internet marketing class, if you are not familiar with the basic steps of business marketing and online promotion. If you do not know how to set up accounts, set up a website, use Google services or work with a graphic/web designer, this may be the best way to learn. Many companies provide this Internet marketing tutorial service. You can sign up for it online for a cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000. If you have the option, take it from a local teacher or audit a college course, so that you can get an interactive education. Learn the steps of Internet analysis, if you want to learn Internet marketing for free. For anyone who knows the basics of social media, search engine optimization (SEO), Google news and website building blocks, then you can likely learn Internet marketing on your own. A big part of marketing is understanding your competitors, data and market analysis. Determine your market. This is something that should be obvious from the moment you choose a service or item to market. However, you may need to research what portion of that market is online and what portion is done through phone or in-person sales. Determine who your main online competitors are. Research how they work, how they market and how big of a market share you believe they have. Sign up for e-newsletters, research their press releases and determine the strengths and weaknesses of each online competitor. You may even need to purchase something from them in order to understand how they complete their sales process. Determine who your ideal customer is. For any product, you should be able to see who is buying the product. After you determine your demographic, you can determine where they spend their time on the Internet. Interpret the data that you have gathered. Make reports using Google Analytics, software or spreadsheets that show the market, competition and customer data. You can find software or online programs that can help you make reports or charts to show where your ideal customer is shopping and who your main competitors are. This is especially important if you have superiors to which you must report about Internet marketing. Although you may be able to turn data into a strategy easily, reports and graphs are essential in order to communicate that data to people who control the budget. Spend time making comprehensive reports and perhaps making a PowerPoint presentation based on your research. Develop a strategy. Use the research and conclusions from your reports to develop a successful strategy to reach your target demographic. Start by using the methods that were successful for your competitors, then look for more innovative approaches. Your strategy will most likely require a budget to hire writers to do SEO articles, graphic designers to do ads, and web designers to update or create a website. You may also need to hire people to update your business's social media accounts daily. Create online marketing campaigns and track them well. Make sure your site uses analytics or use Google Analytics so that you know which methods are successful and which are not. This is an often forgotten rule of Internet marketing, but it is the only way to see your return on investment (ROI). Internet marketing almost always includes launching many campaigns at once, which is why they are so important to track. A website may be marketing through e-mail blasts, YouTube videos, social media accounts, web banners, affiliate marketers, SEO, blogs and more. Understand that search engines are the key to most online marketing. Businesses are looking for ways to make sure their site and product are listed on the first page of a Google, Yahoo or Bing search. The main ways of doing this are SEO, meta tags, press releases, social media content, videos and paying for an ad to be placed at the top or side of the search page. Understand that Internet marketing is constantly changing. Sign up for newsletters or blogs that keep you tuned into the newest social media channels, marketing articles and innovative companies. Invest in marketing or programming classes, if you think they would boost your Internet marketing knowledge considerably. | Surf the web. Sign up for social media accounts. Seek a degree in marketing with a focus on online or Internet marketing. Take an Internet marketing class, if you are not familiar with the basic steps of business marketing and online promotion. Learn the steps of Internet analysis, if you want to learn Internet marketing for free. Interpret the data that you have gathered. Develop a strategy. Create online marketing campaigns and track them well. Understand that Internet marketing is constantly changing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Soften-Jeans | How to Soften Jeans | To soften brand new jeans, turn them inside out, fill your washing machine with cold water, add a capful of fabric softener, and run the cycle. Next, pull the jeans out of the washing machine and dry them on low heat, leaving them inside out. Once they're dry, pull them out and roll them up from the bottom hems to the waist and leave them rolled up until they cool off. If you want to soften new jeans without washing them, try wearing them while riding your bike or doing several deep lunges to loosen up the fabric! | Wear your jeans as much as possible. The oldest tried and true method of softening jeans is simply wearing them and letting the fibers stretch and soften. When you first buy jeans, wear them every day or at least as often as you can. They'll soften up faster if you wear them for a week straight than if you wear them once a week. Ride a bike while wearing the jeans. While the jeans will soften with normal wear, biking achieves an exaggerated effect. The constant bending and stretching motion that riding a bike requires puts extra stress on the jeans, breaking them in faster. Spend a half hour or more riding in your new jeans to jump start their softening. Do some deep lunges in the jeans. Put the jeans on and stretch one of your legs out in front of you as far as you can. Then lower your other knee to the ground. Stand back up and do the same thing with the opposite leg. Repeat this process at least a handful of times to break the jeans in quickly. Wash your jeans only on occasion. Washing denim tends to tighten up the fibers that you've stretched out with wear. For occasions when you don't get the jeans filthy, washing them every 5-10 times of wearing them is sufficient. You'll have to judge for yourself if they are actually dirty and ready to be washed. Turn your jeans inside out. Check the tag of your jeans to confirm this, but most jeans are supposed to be washed inside out. Since washing distresses the color and look of the jeans, turning them inside out reduces this a bit. Fill the washing machine with cold water. Although denim isn't going to shrink all that much, it's still best to wash new jeans with cold water. Set the washer on a small load cycle and turn the agitation to high if you have the option. Let the basin fill before you put the jeans in it. For front-load washing machines, you won't have the option to fill the machine first. If you have a front-load washer, add the jeans as you normally would. Add liquid fabric softener to the water. Choose whichever softener you prefer. Measure out ½ to 1 capful of the fabric softener and pour it into the water. Swirl the water around with your hand or a hanger so the softener mixes into the water. Don't add any detergent the first time washing the jeans. Only add fabric softener. For front-load washers, you may have to put the softener in the detergent compartment so it adds to the water during the wash cycle. Push the jeans into the water. Put the jeans into the washing machine and press them down under the water. Hold them there long enough that they soak up the water. You want to make sure they soak up the water rather than sit on the top of it. Close the lid and start the washer. Stop the machine after the wash cycle for extra-stiff jeans. If the jeans are especially stiff, stop the machine after it finishes the wash cycle and before the water drains. Add a bit more softener and start the wash cycle over again. It's okay to do this three or four times for extra-stiff, new jeans. Let the washing machine run through the cycle. If the jeans aren't super stiff, let the washing machine run as normal the first time through. Also, if you run the wash cycle with softener additional times, let the machine run through the whole cycle (including rinse and spin) on the last time. Leave the jeans inside out from the wash. Pull the jeans from the washer and leave them inside out. Also make sure the zipper is up and the jeans are buttoned. Dry the jeans on a low heat setting. High heat puts extra and unnecessary stress on the material of the jeans, so stick to the low setting. Permanent press or delicate are both good options. It's best to dry only a few pairs of jeans at a time or they will take a lot longer to dry. Add dryer balls or tennis balls to the dryer. Dryer balls are rubber or wool balls that beat against the jeans during the dry cycle. They loosen the fibers of the jeans, which provides extra softening. Dryer balls are especially helpful with stiff fabrics like denim. Look for dryer balls in the laundry sector of the grocery or big-box store. Dollar stores may even have a cheap version. Tennis balls are a cheap alternative which accomplish the same effect. Roll the jeans up when you take them out of the dyer. Pull the jeans out of the dryer and roll them up while they are still hot. Fold the legs on top of each other. Then start rolling from the bottom of the pants until you get to the top. Leave them rolled up at least until they cool off from drying. | Wear your jeans as much as possible. Ride a bike while wearing the jeans. Do some deep lunges in the jeans. Wash your jeans only on occasion. Turn your jeans inside out. Fill the washing machine with cold water. Add liquid fabric softener to the water. Push the jeans into the water. Stop the machine after the wash cycle for extra-stiff jeans. Let the washing machine run through the cycle. Leave the jeans inside out from the wash. Dry the jeans on a low heat setting. Add dryer balls or tennis balls to the dryer. Roll the jeans up when you take them out of the dyer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Muddy-Buddies | How to Make Muddy Buddies | To make muddy buddies, start by microwaving chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter for 1 minute. Stir the mixture, then microwave for 30 seconds. Continue stirring and microwaving for 30 seconds at a time, until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. Then, add vanilla and stir the mixture into 9 cups of cereal. Put the cereal in a 2 gallon resealable bag with powdered sugar, and shake the bag to coat the cereal with the sugar. Finally, spread the mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet, and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. | Cover a large baking sheet with wax paper. You will be spreading the finished muddy buddies across this at the end, so that they can cool. Pour the cereal into a large bowl, and set it aside. Make sure that the bowl is large enough to fit the rest of the ingredients. You will be mixing everything in this bowl at the end. Put the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter/margarine into a microwave-safe bowl. If you really like peanut butter, you can use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips. If you don't like peanut butter, try a chocolate-hazelnut spread, such as Nutella, instead. Microwave on high for 1 minutes, then stir using a spatula. The chocolate won't be quite melted yet, but you still need to stir it. This will help it melt more evenly in the next few steps. Microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Keep doing this until the chocolate mixture is smooth. There should be no lumps or clumps. Do not melt the chocolate for longer than 30 seconds at a time. Once it starts to melt, it will burn easily. If you heat it too long, it will scorch. Stir in the vanilla. This will help give the muddy buddies a hint of flavor. Pour the mixture over the cereal, and stir with a spatula. Try to use a rolling motion, where you bring the cereal from the bottom of the bowl to the top. Also, try to stir gently so that you don't crush the cereal. Put the cereal mixture into a 2 gallon (7.6 liter) resealable bag. If you don't have a plastic, resealable bag that large, you can also put the cereal mixture into a large, plastic container with a lid. You will be shaking the cereal mixture in this, so make sure that there is enough space for the cereal to move around. Add the powdered sugar. For something more chocolatey, try dry, brownie baking mix instead. Close the bag tightly and shake until everything is coated. Be sure to leave plenty of air in the bag when you close it. This will help the cereal move around easier when you shake it. You may have some powdered sugar left over. If this happens, simply toss it out, or save it for another recipe. Use a spatula to spread the coated cereal across the wax paper so that it can cool. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes for them to cool. Once the cereal cools, it is ready to eat. If you notice any clumped together, gently break them apart using your fingers. Serve the cooled muddy buddies. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. For some extra color, mix in 1 cup (175 grams) of M&Ms, or a similar candy, just before serving. You can even use seasonal mixes for the holidays. For example, you can use red, white, and green M&Ms for Christmas. Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. You will be spreading the finished muddy buddies across this at the end, so that they can cool. If you'd like to make a multi-colored mix, you will need a separate baking sheet per color. Fill a large bowl with 4 cups (400 grams) of Chex cereal. This will be enough to make one batch of colored muddy buddies. If you'd like to make multi-colored muddy buddies, you will need a separate bowl for each color. Each bowl will get 4 cups (400 grams) of Chex cereal. Place the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. If you are using more than one color, heat the candy melts in separate bowls. Plan to work with one color at a time. Candy melts are essentially colored white chocolate. You can find them in the baking section of an arts and crafts store. Pour the melted chocolate into the cereal and stir until combined. If you are using more than one color, pour it into a separate bowl of cereal. Do not mix two colors in the same bowl. Pour the powdered sugar into a large, resealable bag. This will be enough for one batch of colored muddy buddies. If you are making several different colors, you will need a separate bag for each color. Each bag will get 1/3 cup (40 grams) of powdered sugar. You are using minimal powdered sugar, because if you use too much, the colors won't show as well. Add the cereal into the bag, zip the bag shut, and shake it until the cereal is evenly coated. The powdered sugar will help keep the cereal from sticking together. Spread the cereal across the baking sheet using a spatula. Try to spread the cereal as evenly as possible. If you are making other colors, spread each color across as separate baking sheet. If you don't do this, the different colors may stick together and mix. Wait for the cereal to dry before transferring it to a bowl. The cereal may stick together because of how little powdered sugar you used. If this happens, simply break the cereal apart. If you made multiple colors, consider mixing them all together in one bowl. Serve the colored muddy buddies. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Cover a large baking sheet with wax paper. You will be spreading the finished muddy buddies across this at the end, so make sure that you have enough room. Fill a large bowl with 4 cups (400 grams) of Golden Graham cereal and 3 cups (300 grams) of Chex cereal. Save the remaining 1 cup (100 grams) of Golden Graham cereal for later. Put the peanut butter and 1 cup (175 grams) of chocolate chops into a microwave-safe bowl. Save the remaining ½ cup (90 grams) of chocolate chips for later. Microwave the peanut butter and chocolate for 30 seconds, then stir. Keep microwaving and stirring at 30 second intervals until the mixture is smooth. There should be no lumps or clumps. Stir in 1 cup (100 grams) of the mini marshmallows to the melted mixture. Save the remaining ¾ cup (75 grams) of marshmallows for later. Pour the mixture over the cereal, and stir with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated. Try to use a rolling motion, where you are bringing the cereal from the bottom of the bowl to the top. This will help distribute the chocolate mixture more evenly. Transfer the cereal mixture into a 2 gallon (7.6 liter) resealable bag. If you don't have a plastic, resealable bag, use a large, plastic container with a lid in stead. You will need to shake the cereal with some powdered sugar, so make sure that whatever container you end up using has enough space for the cereal to move about. Add the powdered sugar. The powdered sugar will coat the cereal, and keep it from sticking. Zip the bag shut, then shake it until the cereal is completely coated with powdered sugar. When closing the bag, make sure that you leave some air inside it. This will help the cereal move around even more. Use a spatula to spread the coated cereal across the wax paper so that it can cool. Try to spread the cereal mixture as evenly and thinly as possible. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes for them to cool. Transfer the cereal into a clean bowl and stir in remaining chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and cereal. This will great that familiar graham, marshmallow, and chocolate s'mores look. Serve the muddy buddies. If you have any left over, put them into an airtight container, and store it in the fridge. | Cover a large baking sheet with wax paper. Pour the cereal into a large bowl, and set it aside. Put the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter/margarine into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minutes, then stir using a spatula. Microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Stir in the vanilla. Pour the mixture over the cereal, and stir with a spatula. Put the cereal mixture into a 2 gallon (7.6 liter) resealable bag. Add the powdered sugar. Close the bag tightly and shake until everything is coated. Use a spatula to spread the coated cereal across the wax paper so that it can cool. Serve the cooled muddy buddies. Cover a baking sheet with wax paper. Fill a large bowl with 4 cups (400 grams) of Chex cereal. Place the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Pour the melted chocolate into the cereal and stir until combined. Pour the powdered sugar into a large, resealable bag. Add the cereal into the bag, zip the bag shut, and shake it until the cereal is evenly coated. Spread the cereal across the baking sheet using a spatula. Wait for the cereal to dry before transferring it to a bowl. Serve the colored muddy buddies. Cover a large baking sheet with wax paper. Fill a large bowl with 4 cups (400 grams) of Golden Graham cereal and 3 cups (300 grams) of Chex cereal. Put the peanut butter and 1 cup (175 grams) of chocolate chops into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the peanut butter and chocolate for 30 seconds, then stir. Stir in 1 cup (100 grams) of the mini marshmallows to the melted mixture. Pour the mixture over the cereal, and stir with a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated. Transfer the cereal mixture into a 2 gallon (7.6 liter) resealable bag. Add the powdered sugar. Zip the bag shut, then shake it until the cereal is completely coated with powdered sugar. Use a spatula to spread the coated cereal across the wax paper so that it can cool. Transfer the cereal into a clean bowl and stir in remaining chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and cereal. Serve the muddy buddies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Windows-XP | How to Install Windows XP | To install Windows XP on a Windows computer, you'll need a Windows XP installation CD. Insert the CD, then set your computer to boot from the CD drive by opening the BIOS and changing the boot order to place the CD drive at the top of the list. Once you restart your computer, it will open to the Windows XP installation menu; fill out each form and follow any on-screen prompts to install XP. | Ensure that your computer can run Windows XP. Your computer will need to meet or exceed the minimum system requirements in order to run Windows XP. You can find your system information by either checking the computer manufacturer's manual, or by running DirectX Diagnostic on an existing Windows operating system of the computer. To start the DirectX Diagnostic, open the Run dialog (press WinKey+R simultaneously), type dxdiag, and click OK. Minimum System Requirements for 32-Bit 300 MHz Intel or AMD CPU 128 megabytes (MB) of system RAM 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available drive space Super VGA (800x600) or higher display adapter CD or DVD-ROM Keyboard and mouse, or other pointing devices Network Interface Adapter required for Internet and Network Connectivity Sound card and speakers or headphones Minimum System for 64 Find your Windows XP Product Key. It is printed on a sticker on your software package or located on the computer itself. It is a string of 5 groups of characters (each 5 long), separated by dashes, resulting in 25 characters in all. You need the product key to complete installing Windows. Set your computer to boot from CD/DVD. Before inserting the CD, you'll need to set your computer to boot from a CD instead of from the hard drive. This will allow you to load the Windows XP setup files before your computer boots to its installed operating system. You can change the boot order from the BOOT menu in your BIOS. To enter the BIOS of your computer, you usually press F9 or DEL when your computer starts or notifies you that you can enter "setup". Click the green "BIOS" link for more information. In the BOOT menu, set the order so that your CD/DVD-ROM drive is set as the 1st Boot Device. If you are installing Windows XP from a USB drive , make sure that the USB drive is set as the 1st Boot Device. You may need to have the USB drive inserted for it to appear as an option. Load the installer. Once your Boot Order is set, insert the Windows XP CD into your drive and Save and Exit from the BIOS. Your computer will reboot and you will be presented with the message: Press any key to boot from CD. Press any key on your keyboard to start the Setup program. Setup will load files necessary to begin the installation, which may take a few moments. Once the loading is complete, you will be taken to the Welcome screen. Press ENTER to begin installation. Once the loading is complete, you will be taken to the Welcome screen. You are given several options, but if you are installing or reinstalling Windows XP, you'll want to press ENTER to start the installation configuration. Read the License Agreement. This document tells you what you can and can't do with Windows, and your rights as the consumer. After reading, press F8 indicating you agree to the terms. Select the partition you want to install on. You will see a list of available partitions on your installed hard drives. If you are installing Windows XP on a new hard drive, you should see only one entry labeled "Unpartitioned space." If you have a previous version of Windows or Linux installed on your computer, you will potentially have multiple partitions. Installing Windows XP will erase all of the data on the partition that you choose. Select a partition that is empty or that contains data that you do not care to lose. You can delete your partitions with the “D” key. This will return them to “Unpartitioned space”. Any data on the partition will be lost when it is deleted. Create a new partition. Select the Unpartitioned space and press “C”. This will open a new screen where you can set the partition's size from the available space. Enter the size in megabytes (MB) for the new partition and then press ENTER. By default, the partition will be set to the maximum amount of available space. Unless you plan on creating multiple partitions, you can usually leave this at its default. Windows XP requires at least 1.5 gigabytes (1536 MB) for its installation files, but you will want more than this for programs, documents, downloads, and other files. 5 gigabytes (5120 MB) is a good baseline amount for Windows XP, with more if you plan on installing a lot of programs. You can create multiple partitions on a single drive. This can allow you to separate your programs from your movies and music, or to install another operating system. Windows XP can only be installed on one discrete partition. Select your new partition. Once you've created your installation partition, you will be returned to the partition selection screen. Select your new partition, usually labeled "C: Partition 1 [Raw]" and press ENTER. Select "Format the Partition using the NTFS File System" and press ENTER. NTFS is the preferred method, supporting a larger amount of disk space per partition than FAT, and including security features at the file system level. NTFS also includes system level compression. There are almost no situations anymore where choosing FAT would be preferable. If your partition size is larger than 32 GB, you will not be given the option to choose FAT. It is highly recommended to avoid Quick Format, as this skips an important process that checks the hard drive for errors or bad sectors. This scan is what consumes the majority of the time taken when performing a full format. If there are errors on a disk at the physical level, it's best to catch them now rather than later. Wait for the format to complete. The system will now format the partition. The length of time this process requires depends on the speed and size of the drive. In general, the larger the partition, the longer the process will take. Wait for the Setup files to copy. Windows will now start copying files from the installation disc and prompt you to reboot the computer when the process is completed. Press ENTER when prompted to reboot, otherwise it will do so automatically after 15 seconds. Allow the computer to boot normally. You will see the message asking you to press a key to boot from CD. Ignore it and allow the computer to continue booting from the hard drive. You will see the Windows logo as the Setup program loads. Wait for the installation to proceed. After the Windows logo goes away, you will see a list of steps remaining on the left side of the screen, and tips for using windows on the right. The time remaining for the installation will be displayed below the list of steps remaining. It is normal for the screen to flicker, turn on and off, or resize during this process. Choose your language and region settings. During the installation process a dialog window will appear, asking you to choose your Regional settings. Select appropriate settings native to your area. Click the Next button when that is completed. Enter your full name if you want. This will be set as the “owner” of Windows, and will be attached to certain things, such as Document creation. Enter your Product Key. You will not be able to complete the installation process without a valid Product Key. Click "Next" to continue. Some versions of Windows will not ask for the Product Key until installation is complete. Set your computer’s name. This will be the name that represents the computer on a network. Windows sets a default name, but you can change it if you would like. You can also set a password for the Administrator account. This is optional, but recommended for public computers. Select your time zone. Ensure that the date/time are correct. Click "Next" to continue. Choose your network settings. Almost all users installing Windows XP on a home or personal computer can leave "Typical Settings" selected for Network Setup. If you are installing Windows XP in a corporate or academic environment, check with the system administrator, though Typical Settings will most likely work. In the next window, nearly all users can select “No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a domain.” If you are in a corporate setting, ask your system administrator which you should choose. You can typically leave the workgroup name set to default. Wait for the installation to finalize. This will only take a few minutes, and the computer will reboot when it is finished installing. Once the computer reboots, you will be taken to the Windows XP desktop. At this point, installation is complete, though there are a few things left to do before Windows is completely usable.. Set your display preferences. Once Windows loads, you will be told that Windows will automatically configure your display. Click OK to start the configuration. Your screen will flash a couple times, and then you will be asked if you can read the box that appears. Set your connection preferences. If your computer is connected to the internet, select your connection type. Press Next to continue. Activate your copy of Windows. If connected to the Internet, Select "Activate Now." Windows will connect to the activation server and automatically authenticate your copy of Windows. If you haven't entered your Product Key yet, you will need to enter it now. Create Users. After the Activation Process, a window will appear allowing you to select the users for the computer. Enter your name, and the names of others who will be using the machine. Press Next to continue. Start using Windows. You will now be looking at the default Windows XP Desktop. Congratulations! There are a few things that you should probably do now that you have Windows up and running: Install any drivers that you need to for your computer's hardware. Install an antivirus program if you are connected to the internet. Set your BIOS to boot from the hard drive again instead of the CD. | Ensure that your computer can run Windows XP. Find your Windows XP Product Key. Set your computer to boot from CD/DVD. Load the installer. Press ENTER to begin installation. Read the License Agreement. Select the partition you want to install on. Create a new partition. Select your new partition. Select "Format the Partition using the NTFS File System" and press ENTER. Wait for the format to complete. Wait for the Setup files to copy. Allow the computer to boot normally. Wait for the installation to proceed. Choose your language and region settings. Enter your Product Key. Set your computer’s name. Select your time zone. Choose your network settings. Wait for the installation to finalize. Set your display preferences. Set your connection preferences. Activate your copy of Windows. Create Users. Start using Windows. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Adhere-Fabric-to-Wood | How to Adhere Fabric to Wood | To adhere fabric to wood, you'll need to sand the surface of the wood, then use Mod Podge to bind the fabric to it. First, sand the wood with 100-200 grit sandpaper to make it smooth for better adhesion. Then, wipe the surface of the wood down with a damp rag and allow it to fully dry. Use a painter's brush or a foam brush to apply Mod Podge to the wood in an even layer. Line up the fabric with the edges of the wood and lay it over the surface. Work quickly to smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric with your hands. Let the Mod Podge dry for a full 24 hours, then trim off the excess fabric with a pair of scissors. | Sand the wood with 100-200 grit sandpaper. Before you start to apply the fabric to the wood surface, you should make sure it's smooth. Get a 100-200 grit sandpaper and sand back and forth over the area that you want to adhere the fabric to. Creating a smooth surface will eliminate bumps. Wipe down the surface of the wood with a damp rag. Remove any dust that was created from sanding your piece of wood by wiping down its surface with a damp rag. Don't use an overly saturated rag because you don't want to get your wood wet. Let the wood dry fully before applying adhesive. The mod podge won't work as well if you try to apply it to a damp or wet surface. Make sure the wood is dried out before moving on. Measure and cut your fabric to size. Lay your fabric over the piece of wood, leaving at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of slack around the fabric. This excess will ensure that you get complete coverage of fabric over the wood. Purchase or make mod podge. You can buy mod podge at an arts and crafts store or you can purchase it online. This versatile crafting glue is an adhesive, sealer, and finisher and can be used on a variety of different materials, including fabric and wood. There are a variety of different mod podge options you can purchase. Matte, glossy, fabric, or wood mod podge will all effectively adhere your fabric to wood. Apply the mod podge to the wood in an even layer. Use a painter's brush or a foam brush and dip it into your mod podge container. Work around the edges of where you'll be laying your fabric, then work your way towards the center of your wooden piece. Work fast because mod podge dries quickly. Lay the fabric over the mod podge. Line up the fabric as accurately as you can as you lay it over the mod podge. Lay the fabric down and press the fabric onto the wood. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Use the palm of your hand and rub over the surface of the fabric to smooth out the wrinkles. Apply a small amount of pressure over the top of the fabric so that it attaches to the mod podge. You can also use a brayer, or a handheld roller, to roll over the fabric and get rid of the wrinkles. Let the mod podge dry for 24 hours. Mod podge will dry fairly quickly, but leaving it to dry overnight will ensure it's completely dry. Return to your wood and lightly tug on the edges of the fabric to make sure that it's fully adhered. Cut off the excess fabric. Use a scissor to carefully cut off the 1 inch (2.5 cm) of excess fabric. Your fabric should now be neatly attached to the wood. | Sand the wood with 100-200 grit sandpaper. Wipe down the surface of the wood with a damp rag. Let the wood dry fully before applying adhesive. Measure and cut your fabric to size. Purchase or make mod podge. Apply the mod podge to the wood in an even layer. Lay the fabric over the mod podge. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Let the mod podge dry for 24 hours. Cut off the excess fabric. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Leader | How to Be a Good Leader | If you want to be a good leader in a business setting, discuss with your employees how long you've been in the business and what you've achieved while you were there. This will give them a better understanding of why you have the position you have. You should always act professionally, and work hard to set a good example. Be clear about your rules and expectations, and reward your employees when they accomplish their goals or go above and beyond. | Be a good role model. To earn respect, it's important to show that you know your stuff. People will respect and listen to you, if they know you are knowledgeable in your field. Discuss your experience. Without showing off, let your employees understand how long you've been in the business and what you have achieved while you were there. Not only will they have a better understanding of why you're sitting in the boss' chair, but they'll be more excited to be a part of your team and will admire you. Act professionally. Though you may be the boss, you should still be cordial to all of your employees. You should also still meet the basic standards of professionalism such as; dressing appropriately, coming to work and meetings on time, and communicating in a professional manner. Be clear about your rules and expectations. Whether you're the CEO of a company or the manager of a team of four people, it's important to make your expectations "crystal" clear from the beginning. Have a Code of Conduct or an Expectation Notice that you can point to which shows employees how to act. Give feedback based on their work, and relate it with your Code of Conduct. If you're working on a project, your goals and expectations should be clear from the beginning. Then your employees will be more motivated and not confused. It is preferable to have your goals down in written form. Don't change your instructions in the middle of a project. Though some adjustments in the workplace are necessary, it's important to not only be clear about your expectations, but to also be consistent. If you change your mind about what you want halfway through a meeting, your employees may not take you seriously, or they might be frustrated. Leave room for input. Though it's important to be firm, you should still leave some room for the considerations of others. This way you won't look like a dictator. Also, there's a lot you can learn from your employees, which might help your business thrive. Ask for feedback. It's important to ask for feedback after you've wrapped up a project, set up guidelines during a meeting, or you have thrown a charity event. You can do this without scaring your employees. Simply ask through email, or send an anonymous survey to them. Ask for opinions in a face-to-face situations. At the end of a meeting, you can casually ask if people have any questions or opinions. This will give your employees time to consider what they're working on. You may also pull individual employees aside, or invite them to your office, to discuss the project further. Tell them that their perspective is crucial to your success. Reward employees for good behavior. To be a good leader, you need to maintain high team morale, and to motivate employees to achieve their goals in a timely manner. Also, make your rewards desirable and fun! Give praise regularly highly engaged employees get praise every week from their leader Have a monthly team dinner to celebrate a completed goal. This will be, not only delicious, but a fun way to bond with your colleagues and to motivate them to achieve goals in a timely manner. Give individual "shout outs" when necessary. If one of your employees accomplished something incredible, there's no harm in announcing his or her achievements through an email or at a meeting. Though this may make him or her blush, he or she will see that you're paying attention to his or her hard work. Reward your hard workers with prizes. A prize, whether it's the latest technological gadget or just a pair of free movie tickets, can give your employees the incentive they need to work hard, and will make them think you're a cool boss. Be liked. Though it's important for your workers to respect you most of all, it couldn't hurt for them to think you're a person who is worth spending time with. This will make them more excited to work for you and to have you as their leader! Here are some ways to make sure you are liked: Admit your mistakes. You aren't perfect, and occasionally showing that you could have planned something differently will show that you are only human and will make people respect you more. Of course, you can avoid always admitting that you've made a mistake, because you want to look like you know what the heck you're doing. Share the occasional personal story. You don't have to be best friends with your employees, but talking about your family, or your background, can make them open up to you and see you as a person. Be consistent in your interactions. If you're very friendly during group meetings, but chilly when you pass an employee in the hall, your workers may get mixed signals and may not like you very much. It's important to be cordial at all times--not just during the important ones. At the same time, don't be too chatty or social with your employees. It's healthy to make friends in the workplace, but if all you're doing is chatting everyone up at the watercooler, people may think you're more focused on gaining approval than being a good leader. Avoid romantic relationships in the workplace. This almost always ends badly and can lead you to lose everyone's respect, not to mention your job. Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. Though you may be the captain of your sports team and a star athlete to boot, it's important to be humble and polite. If you're practicing with members of your own team, offer them encouragement. Instead of showing off and being mean when they make a misstep, show them how to improve their game and compliment them when appropriate. On game day, it's important to look your opponents in the eye, shake their hands, and to show that you're focused on the game, not whether or not the other team's point guard is a jerk. Even if you feel someone on the other team acted unfairly, take it up with your coach or a ref as the situation dictates, but avoid name calling and foul language. Lose with dignity. Leaders should be seen as mature - not as crybabies. If the other team kicked your butt, congratulate them without wincing. With your good attitude, you'll get another chance at them. Remind your teammates of your skills. Though it's important not to call too much attention to yourself, don't be afraid to strut your stuff to let people know why you are the captain of your team. Help your coach demonstrate skills during drills. Your teammates will be impressed by how versatile and helpful you are. On game day, play your best. Don't slack off just because you're the captain--it's important to work your hardest on the court. Show your love for teamwork. You're still part of a team and should work well with others. You were chosen to be a leader partly because of your ability to work with a diverse group of people. When you're huddling with your team or giving instructions, make sure to give everyone a chance to participate in the game. If you're dictating plays, don't revolve the entire game around your skills. Be helpful off the court. Help load equipment into your team bus, take attendance, and offer rides to any straggling team members. This will show that you care about working together on all aspects of the game, even it's just driving the freshman player to school so everyone can be a part of the game. Be a good friend to your teammates. Though you should be respected first of all, being a team captain is more casual than being a boss, and you should make an effort to make friends so you can have fun while working hard. Be fun at team social events. Make sure to show up to team dinners and other social events first and to leave last. Show that you love being a leader of your team from start to finish. This will help you get to know your fellow players and to deepen your bond. Be friendly with all members of the team. Don't play favorites, and work to get to know everyone on your team, from the star player to the slowest member on the JV squad. This will show that you care about everyone who makes the team so unique and strong. Be a united front with your coach. Though your teammates may criticize your coach, it's important to avoid this behavior to keep your team strong. Don't criticize your coach in front of your teammates. Though you may disagree with your coach's actions, you can talk to him about it. Discussing it with your team can make everyone angry, and can make your team fall apart for lack of strong leadership. Explain that your coach is looking out for your team's best interests. Show your teammates that your coach knows his stuff and should be trusted. This will keep your team strong and will make you look like a fair leader. Show your expertise in the subject matter. It's important for your students to know that they can trust you as an expert in your field. When you introduce yourself, tell them how many years you've been working in your field and what you have achieved there. Then they'll know you know your stuff. Tell them how long you've been teaching your course. If you've been teaching the same course twenty times, let them know, so they have a sense that you've created the best course possible. If you're new to the classroom, however, don't let your students know so they don't see you as a pushover. Establish your rules on day one. Once the introductions are out of the way, it's important to let your students understand your expectations so they can meet them. Have a well-organized syllabus that shows them exactly what to expect from every day of the course. Answer any questions they have after you go over it, so you can clear up any confusion. Whether you're teaching children or adults, it's important to have a clear code of conduct, which shows not only your expectations, but the punishments if your students fail to meet them. Common code of conduct rules include showing mutual respect and avoiding disruptive behavior, such as using texting, talking on the phone, or whispering in the back of the classroom. Have fair assessments. Whether you're giving a quiz or a final exam, it's important to make sure the assignment is fair and useful for your students. They will be better students after all of your hard work, and will thank you for being an understanding teacher and classroom leader. Have a study guide. Before an exam, tell your students what they can expect to be on it so they don't have any surprises on the day of the test. Provide sample problems. Give your students practice problems so their skills are sharp on the day of the test. Be creative. To be a good classroom leader, you have to find new ways to introduce boring old material to your students. If you don't mix things up, your students will get bored and distracted and may even lose respect for you. Bring current events into class discussion. Even if you're not teaching a history class, you can find a way to bring up current events, whether it's something related to the government or sports, and tie them into your material. This will make your students feel that your discussion is relevant to the real world. Have unique activities that get your students moving and thinking. Allow your students to create their own paragraphs, board work, skits, or any other activity that may help them understand an old concept in a new way. Show your students you care. To be a good classroom leader, you have to prove that you care about your students' success. Be kind and approachable in the classroom, so they respect you but aren't afraid to ask questions. Give good feedback on both written assignments as well as your students' in-class responses. This will show that you care about them on an individual level and want them to succeed. Thank them for a great class. On the last day of class, bring them a special treat, or write them a note to say how much you've enjoyed having them in the classroom. This will make your classroom experience end on a positive note and will show what a great leader you are. Establish yourself as an authority figure. Make it clear that you are the boss of your household, and that your rules should be followed. Demonstrate to your children that your elders should be respected at all times. If your parents play an active role in your life, you can show your children that you respect your parents, just as they should respect you. Tell your children to treat you with respect. You are a figure of authority and should be addressed and answered appropriately, even during tense situations. Make clear rules. Your children should have a strong sense of your expectations. You should avoid being temperamental or unclear so that they know what you actually want. Establish expectations for chores. Your children should know what work is expected of them, whether it is to wash their own dishes, help set the table, or do yard work. Rotating chores can also help mix things up and to ensure that no one member of your household is stuck with the unpleasant tasks, such as cleaning your kitty's litter, every time. Establish expectations for appropriate behavior. Make it clear that you expect your children to avoid foul language, have dinner at the dinner table, and to maintain a positive attitude when possible. Repeating these rules and others early and often will show your children that you have clear rules for what is and is not acceptable in your home. Be consistent. Though certain rules may change as your children reach a specific age, be clear about general household expectations. Make sure your expectations are the same for every sibling, so you don't look like you're playing favorites. Have a useful system of rewards and punishments. In order to be the head of your household, your children should be aware that they will be rewarded for good behavior and punished for not meeting your expectations. Have a reward for every occasion. If your child did well in school, passed a driver's test, kicked the winning goal in his soccer match, or reached an important milestone, such as a birthday, it's important to celebrate the occasion. Dinner at the restaurant of your child's choice, a trip to an amusement park or movie, or any other journey to your child's favorite destination, will help show that you care, and that you want him or her to keep succeeding. Have clear punishments to discourage bad behavior. The punishment of grounding, or not allowing your child to spend time with a friend or at a favorite event, can go a long way in motivating your child not to stay out past curfew, or to skip class. If your child is younger, then having a simple "time out" or keeping him or her from watching a favorite show will demonstrate that you mean business when it comes to breaking rules. Be a united front with your co-pilot. If you and your spouse or significant other share the head of your household, make sure that your expectations are very similar. Avoid making important decisions, such as letting your daughter go to a slumber party at a new friend's house, without your significant other. If he or she doesn't agree with your choice, then he or she will look like the bad guy. Be both good cop and bad cop. Avoid having your children view one of their parents as the lenient one. Both of you should have similar expectations about what is and is not allowed. Have fun with your family! Don't get so caught up in making rules that you forget to enjoy your precious time with your loved ones. Here are some tips for making sure there is more fun than rules in your household: Make time for family every week. Whether it's for cooking an Italian meal, watching a scary movie, or just having family board game night, it's important to carve out quality time for all the members of your family. Show your love and affection for your spouse and children. Though you may be an authority figure, you are also a mother or father, and it's important to tell your children how much you love them, to hug them, and to tell them they're special every single day. | Be a good role model. Be clear about your rules and expectations. Leave room for input. Reward employees for good behavior. Be liked. Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. Remind your teammates of your skills. Show your love for teamwork. Be a good friend to your teammates. Be a united front with your coach. Show your expertise in the subject matter. Establish your rules on day one. Have fair assessments. Be creative. Show your students you care. Establish yourself as an authority figure. Make clear rules. Have a useful system of rewards and punishments. Be a united front with your co-pilot. Have fun with your family! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calm-Down-a-Bird | How to Calm Down a Bird | To calm down a bird, start by checking its cage for stressors that could be causing the problem, like empty food and water bowls. If the food and water bowls are full, try giving the bird something to occupy itself with, like a treat or chew toy, to help it calm down. Covering the cage with a thin cloth at night can help your bird stay calm while you're trying to sleep. Since most birds crave social interaction, try to keep its cage in a room that gets a lot of traffic during the day. | Respond to a bird's calls if you're in another room. Parrots and other birds often call out when they are separated from their flock. That means if you go to another room, they may be making noise because they can't see or hear you. Use a consistent phrase or whistle to respond to your bird when it cries out, and you may be able to keep it from getting too loud. For instance, you could say, "I'm still here," or "I'll be back!" You could also try a certain repeated whistle. Give the bird something to occupy it when you leave the room. Hand it a treat or give it a chew toy. If it's busy with a toy or a treat, it can't scream at you, and you'll reinforce that you don't want it to scream when you walk out. Ignore a screaming bird if you're in the same room. Birds love to yell and scream, particularly with their flock, so if you scream back at them in the same room, they'll get excited. You're yelling with them, hurray! Instead, walk away from them to enforce the fact you don't want them to yell. If you're holding the bird and they start screaming, put it back in its cage. Cover the cage at night with a thin cloth. The cloth will help keep your bird calm through the night, as it helps block out distractions. In addition, it will keep your bird warmer, as it blocks out drafts in the air. Plus, your bird will be less likely to become noisy right when the sun comes up. Check the bird's cage for stressors. Make sure you are cleaning the bird's food and water dishes every day and changing the lining once a day as well. Do a full cleaning at least once a month. Also, ensure the bird has places where it can hide from perceived threats, which will make it feel safer. Perch tents, for instance, offer a place for your pet to hide away. Ensure the cage is big enough for your bird. In fact, you can't have a cage that's too big. Look at normal recommendations and double them for a truly happy bird. Add lots of entertainment. What kinds of toys you add really depends on the type of bird you have, but swings, rope toys, shiny toys, and mirrors are typically popular toys. You can also offer chew toys and foraging toys. Check your local pet store for some fun options. Many birds also like soft, cuddly toys or ones they can hide in, such as snuggle rings or tents for a perch. Provide plenty of social interaction. Keep your bird's cage in a room that gets a lot of traffic. Your bird wants to be around its flock, and its flock is you and other people in the house, particularly if it's the only bird around. Also, be sure to let it out of its cage when you can so that it has a chance to socialize with you even more. Put perches in various rooms in the house so it can come visit when it's out of the cage. Make it a point to visit with and talk to your bird if it seems to be stressed or bored. Move shyer birds away from noisy ones. Some birds, like parakeets, enjoy getting noisy with their flocks. Other birds, such as canaries, think that constant bird sounds mean there's a threat around, and these birds can be stressed out by the ones who enjoy making noise. Try to house them in separate rooms if you have breeds from each of these categories. That way, the shyer birds won't be stressed all the time. Take your bird to the veterinarian if you notice changes in behavior. If your bird becomes quieter or lethargic, that could be a sign of sickness. If it is sick, it may sleep a lot or have ruffled or dirty-looking feathers, and you may notice other symptoms. Other symptoms may include diarrhea, bloody feces, vomiting, weight loss, sneezing, bad posture, crusty nose or feet, puffing up feathers all the time, moving its tail while trying to breathe, sleepy-looking eyes, and bad/atypical posture. If your bird is sick, it may need medication, such as antibiotics. Drop a net or towel over the bird to capture it. The towel or net will help contain the bird as long as you use a gentle but firm grasp to hold the bird in place. A towel can also protect you from the bird while providing some calming darkness. Try to corner the bird first before dropping the net or towel over it. Hold small birds in one hand between your fingers. Grasp the head between your pointer finger and middle finger, holding it in the crook of your fingers up near your palm. Wrap your other fingers around the bird's wings to help keep it still. Be wary of the beak as you get the bird in this position. Use 2 hands with large birds if you must handle one. It's best to let an experienced handler or rescuer deal with a large bird if you're not accustomed it, as it can cause you serious injury. If you must handle one, wrap a hand around each wing to hold the bird in place. Try to keep the head in place by gently using your thumbs to steady it. Grip the bird firmly but don't restrict its breathing. When handling a bird, you do need to grasp it with a firm grip to keep it from struggling. However, make sure it's not having trouble breathing or squawking from pain due to your grip. Wrap the bird in a towel if you are having trouble restraining it. A towel can provide some protection for you from the claws, and it may calm the bird down. Be gentle but wrap the towel around the bird and hold it in place. You can even put a towel over a bird's head as long as it is light enough for the bird to breathe through it. Handle the bird as little as possible to reduce stress. The longer you hold and examine the bird, the more stressed the bird is going to be. Evaluate the bird as quickly as you can and release it or move it to a box. Put the bird in a well-ventilated box. Cut holes in the box to make sure your bird has room to breathe. Set the bird inside the box, and put the lid on. You don't need to add light, as the darkness will calm the bird down. A shoebox will work for smaller birds. Use darkness to reduce stress and shock. If the bird seems very agitated or even somewhat paralyzed, darkness will help it calm down. Once it's in the box, place the box in a dark, quiet area to let the bird have time to recover. Cover the holes with fabric when transporting the bird. A light fabric will provide semi-darkness, but it will also allow the bird to see out a little. That can help keep some birds calm when you are taking the bird to the veterinarian or a rescue. For instance, cut a small hole in the side so the bird can see but cover it with a thin t-shirt. Don't make the holes so big that the bird can get out. Take the bird to the veterinarian or call a rescue group. If the bird is wild, a local wildlife rescue group is a good option. Typically, they will come pick up the bird or ask you to bring it in. If it's a pet bird or you suspect it belongs to someone else, take it to your local vet for treatment. | Respond to a bird's calls if you're in another room. Give the bird something to occupy it when you leave the room. Ignore a screaming bird if you're in the same room. Cover the cage at night with a thin cloth. Check the bird's cage for stressors. Add lots of entertainment. Provide plenty of social interaction. Move shyer birds away from noisy ones. Take your bird to the veterinarian if you notice changes in behavior. Drop a net or towel over the bird to capture it. Hold small birds in one hand between your fingers. Use 2 hands with large birds if you must handle one. Grip the bird firmly but don't restrict its breathing. Wrap the bird in a towel if you are having trouble restraining it. Handle the bird as little as possible to reduce stress. Put the bird in a well-ventilated box. Use darkness to reduce stress and shock. Cover the holes with fabric when transporting the bird. Take the bird to the veterinarian or call a rescue group. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Gold-Leaf-to-Canvas | How to Apply Gold Leaf to Canvas | Applying gold leaf to your canvas will give it a glittery effect to take your art to a new level. In addition to gold leaf, you'll need wax paper, gilding adhesive, acrylic varnish, and a clean cloth. First, you'll need to apply the gliding adhesive to your canvas with a damp brush, then use a piece of wax paper to pick up gold leaf with static electricity. Lower the wax paper onto your canvas to transfer it and smooth it out with your palm. Once you've covered your canvas with gold leaf, you'll need to place a sheet of wax paper over it and apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to help it adhere. Wait 3 days for the adhesive to dry, then apply 2 coats of acrylic varnish to seal it. Let the varnish dry before you paint over it. | Choose a dark canvas. Opt for a deeper colored canvas to prevent small imperfections in your gold application from looking like mistakes. Due to the fragile nature of gold leaf, tiny bits of your background will likely show through your application. A darker background peeking through your gold typically looks more intentional than a light background, which may look more like an incomplete gold application. It's totally up to you though. If desired, you can use a small, flat soft-bristled brush to paint a white canvas another color with acrylic paints. What color you'd like peeking through your gold leaf is up to you. Let any background painting dry completely. If you paint your canvas, check that it has dried fully before moving on to other steps. Look at your canvas to gauge dryness. If it is cool to the touch, it is still curing. How long the canvas takes to dry will depend upon the thickness of your paint application. Lay your canvas on your work surface. Place your canvas flat on your work surface, a table is best, rather than on an easel. It's easiest to work with gold leaf while standing over the canvas. Wet a flat soft-bristled brush. Fill a container with plain tap water. Dip your brush into the container to thoroughly coat the bristles. Remove excess water by wiping each side of the brush against a clean paper towel until your brush is merely damp. Apply a thin layer of water-based gilding adhesive to your canvas. Unscrew the top from a container of gilding adhesive, and dip your dampened brush into it. Paint the adhesive in short strokes, spreading it over as large an area as you'd like to guild. Extend as much of the adhesive as you can before re-dipping for more adhesive if necessary. The adhesive should be spread thin enough to be translucent rather than milky on the canvas. Try not to go back over areas where you've already applied adhesive. This will help avoid undesirable rippling underneath your gold. Feel for tackiness after 2-3 minutes. Touch an inconspicuous area of your canvas with your knuckle. If it feels like the sticky side of a piece of scotch tape, it is ready for gold leaf application. No adhesive should come off on your knuckle if the canvas has reached the appropriate stage of tackiness. If the adhesive is still wet, let it cure for another minute and then check it again. Keep doing this until it reaches the desired stage of tackiness. Wash your hands and clean any adhesive drips off your work surface. Remove any adhesive residue from your hands by washing them with soap and warm water. Dry them thoroughly. Wipe up any errant drops of adhesive off your work surface with a dry paper towel. Gold leaf is very fragile and may stick to any available adhesive unintentionally. Cleaning up prevents gold leaf from getting all over yourself and your workspace. Close any windows and turn off any fans. Minimize airflow in the room where you're working to prevent your gold leaf from floating up into the air. The leaf is very light, and a small draft can cause it to get away from you while you're handling it. Smooth a square of wax paper against a piece of gold leaf. Open your gold leaf booklet, and peel back the protective tissue covering the leaf. Use your palm to smooth a piece of wax paper over an exposed piece of leaf. Press gently with a flat palm to remove any wrinkles in the leaf. Smoothing the leaf will also create more static and help it “stick” to your wax paper. Bring the gold leaf over to your canvas. Gently lift the edge of the wax paper. The gold leaf will be “adhered” to the wax paper with static electricity. Hold the piece of wax paper taut about 4 inches (10 cm) above your canvas and center the gold leaf over your tacky adhesive. If you prefer, you can handle the gold leaf directly with your hands. It's not dangerous or toxic, but it may break apart. Place the gold leaf on your adhesive. Gently lower your wax paper against your canvas to deposit the gold leaf onto your tacky adhesive. Lay the gold leaf so it overlaps the edge of your adhesive by about.25 inches (0.64 cm). Smooth the leaf onto the canvas by using your palm to apply pressure through the wax paper. Repeat this wax paper process to cover your adhesive area fully in gold leaf, slightly overlapping the gold leaves each time to cover the area fully. Gently remove any overhang or excess leaf with your hands. Use your fingers to gently tear free any excess overlapping pieces of gold leaf from your canvas. These can be saved for another project or discarded. There may still be some small hanging bits of gold leaf when you're done. That's okay; they will be neatened up in a later step. Use a clean soft rag or cheesecloth to burnish the gold leaf. Lay a piece of wax paper over the entire gold leafed area of the canvas. Apply firm pressure with your cloth, rubbing the gold leaf against the canvas through the wax paper. This will help secure the gold leaf in place. Touch up any areas the gold leaf did not adhere to your canvas. Use more gilding adhesive to fill in any areas where your gold leaf did not stick to the canvas successfully the first time. Wait for tackiness, and apply gold leaf as normal. This issue may occur if you waited too long to apply your gold leaf in the first place and rather than becoming tacky, the original adhesive dried out. Be sure to burnish any touched-up areas for the most lasting application. Clean up your canvas with a small stiff-bristled brush. Use short strokes to flick any hanging gold leaf gently off your canvas using a stiff-bristled brush. It's best to do this outside or indoors over a large trashcan, as small pieces of gold leaf will be released in the air. Keep doing this until your canvas is neat with any excess gold leaf removed. When finished, gently glide a clean rag or cheesecloth over the canvas to sweep away any loosened pieces of leaf that have settled on the canvas. Wait at least 3 days before sealing your gold leaf. Let your adhesive cure completely before attempting to apply sealant. For the best finish, it's best to wait 3 days at a minimum. Plan to use an acrylic varnish to seal your gold leaf. Purchase a varnish sealant and read the manufacturer's directions to familiarize yourself with it. Many sealants require you to mix them with solvents, which can be toxic. Ensure children and pets are in another part of your home being looked after when you work with varnishes that give off fumes. Look for a varnish with a UV protectant, such as Golden Varnishes MSA Varnish with UV protection, to keep light from damaging your gold finish. If mixing varnish and solvents is intimidating for you, opt for a spray varnish. These typically still require protective gear, but do not require any further mixing. Apply two coats of varnish per the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow the manufacturer's directions to brush apply or spray your canvas with varnish and seal your gold leaf. This will keep your gold leaf from tarnishing. Take all protective precautions your varnish recommends, such as a mask, protective gloves, or eyewear. These products are usually toxic, and most require masks that are specifically rated with a certain level of particle protection. A bandana over your face won't cut it. If you need help, call the manufacturer, and they can make specific safety gear suggestions to ensure you're protected. Let the varnish dry fully before handling your canvas. Let your canvas dry in a well-ventilated area away from pets and children. When it is completely dry, hang your work of art or paint more on the canvas as desired. Now that your gold is sealed, it will not be degraded by adding other art materials. | Choose a dark canvas. Let any background painting dry completely. Lay your canvas on your work surface. Wet a flat soft-bristled brush. Apply a thin layer of water-based gilding adhesive to your canvas. Feel for tackiness after 2-3 minutes. Wash your hands and clean any adhesive drips off your work surface. Close any windows and turn off any fans. Smooth a square of wax paper against a piece of gold leaf. Bring the gold leaf over to your canvas. Place the gold leaf on your adhesive. Gently remove any overhang or excess leaf with your hands. Use a clean soft rag or cheesecloth to burnish the gold leaf. Touch up any areas the gold leaf did not adhere to your canvas. Clean up your canvas with a small stiff-bristled brush. Wait at least 3 days before sealing your gold leaf. Plan to use an acrylic varnish to seal your gold leaf. Apply two coats of varnish per the manufacturer’s instructions. Let the varnish dry fully before handling your canvas. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Wife-Through-Labor | How to Help Your Wife Through Labor | The best way to help your wife through labor is to stay calm and supportive during this stressful and exciting time. When contractions begin, keep track of how many seconds pass between them, as this can provide doctors with important information. In the early stages of labor, follow the acronym SUPPORT, which stands for Support emotionally, Urination every hour, Position changes often, Praise and encouragement, Out of bed is better than laying down, Relaxation is key, and Touch: pressure and massage. During delivery, try to stay with your wife for as long as possible, but let the doctors handle the rest. | Take classes before the birth. The best way to help before labor is to educate yourself with antenatal (before birth) classes. There are many kinds of classes available to expecting fathers and parents. Look into the kinds of classes available near you. If you find the idea of child birth scary, research shows that men who went though antenatal preparation, such as a class, had a more positive childbirth experience. Check your community center or park district. Ask your doctor. Contact a nearby college or university. Look for a class online. Gather supplies. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies to make the birthing experience as positive as possible. You can have a maternity bag or suitcase. Don't just take stuff for your wife and the baby, bring some things for yourself as well. It is best to pack much of this in advance, so that it is ready before your wife goes into labor. Have you maternity bag ready at least two weeks in advance. For Her: Oil for massage, but be cautious with scents A gown, slippers, and robe if she prefers them to hospital clothes Rolling pin or camper's ice for pressure and cold on lower back Warm socks Relaxing music Personal focal point (a picture, flowers, a figurine) for her to focus on during contractions Favorite juice or electrolyte-balanced beverage (such as Gatorade) in a cooler Cosmetics Toiletries Her favorite snacks Nursing bras Money for incidentals Going-home clothing (which should still be maternity clothing) For you: Copy of the Birth Plan Watch with a second hand Grooming supplies (toothbrush, breath freshener, deodorant, shaver) Snacks and beverages (consider you wife may be very sensitive to the smell of your breath) Change of clothes Swimsuit so you can accompany the mother in the shower Paper and pencil Reading materials, or handwork, for slow times when the mother does not need your help Phone numbers of people to call during or after labor Camera (still or video) For the baby: Diapers, Receiving blanket Underclothing Outerwear (hat, warm clothes) Crib-sized blanket Car seat For the trip to the hospital: Full tank of gas Blanket and pillow in the car Make a birth plan. By making a birth plan, your wife might feel more confident about getting to the hospital once labor begins. Sometimes feelings of anxiety can be managed by rehearsing and planning what will happen. If you've gone over it again and again, you will know exactly what to do. Women who prepared their birth plans have also been found to be less likely to have a cesarean section. Make these decisions with your wife. Make a birth partner plan for yourself. You enable yourself then to also avoid mishaps in planning the quickest route, avoiding getting lost, and getting a feeling for the path you'll take. Consult with your doctor while creating your birth plan. There are many pre-made plans available online, but they are of dubious quality. It's best to plan this with your doctor. Be calm. This is the best thing you can do. More than anything, remain calm for your wife. This will help her to remain calm. Be your wife's advocate. This is your main job. You know what she wants. It may be important for you to convey her wishes in the case that she cannot. Time the contractions. After being calm, this is the second best thing you can do. Fathers can feel the need to do something, anything, and keeping track of how many seconds pass between contractions is a vital role to play. This will not only help you to remain focused and relieve your wife, it will provide important information to your doctors. Remember the acronym SUPPORT, during the early stages of labor. This will make it easy to recall all the things you can do to help your wife. Each of these can make a big difference in her comfort levels and the over-all positivity of the birthing experience.Take the time to memorize these helpful points. S – Support emotionally. Giving emotional support is crucial during labor. Listen actively, validate her emotions, ask questions, and reassure your wife to help her feel more comfortable. U – Urination, at least once an hour. Remind her to go to the bathroom. This will get her moving, which can aid during these stages. P – Position changes, often. P – Praise and encouragement, not sympathy, is needed to help her get through this. O – Out of bed (walk/shower) is better than laying down. R – Relaxation is key. T – Touch: pressure and massage. Leave it to the professionals. There comes a point during most labors when a father-to-be needs to take a step back. Delivery is way outside of most fathers' league. Depending on the means by which you choose to birth your child, the father may still be allowed to be with his wife during delivery. Ask to remain with your wife as long as you're capable. Do not abandon your wife in the later stages of labor if you do not have to. In some places, though not in the U.S., fathers are not allowed in the delivery room. If the mother is having an emergency cesarean under general anesthesia, then you will need to leave the delivery room. Be attentive to her mood. Both baby blues and postpartum depression are very real. Baby-blues are fairly normal, but be careful for signs of postpartum depression. These can be signals of a serious problem that may require professional help. Signs of baby blues: Mood swings Anxiety Sadness Irritability Feeling overwhelmed Crying Reduced concentration Appetite problems Trouble sleeping Signs of postpartum depression: Depression or severe mood swings Excessive crying Difficulty bonding with the baby Withdrawing from family and friends Loss of appetite or sudden, excessive eating Insomnia or hypersomnia (lack of sleep or excessive sleep) Overwhelming fatigue Intense irritability and anger Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions Celebrate, together. You may want to excitedly have everyone you know over to see the baby. Just make sure that you're not over-doing it. A new baby is stressful enough, without all the added chaos from celebrations. Clean up. Shoo people home before it gets too late. Share equally. Parenting is a two person (or more) job. Make sure you do your part, but don't go overboard. By becoming an equal partner in your relationship, you can make the time after labor more positive. Especially in the first few weeks after the birth, a new mom may need a lot of time to recover. She made need frequent naps, be sore, and generally fatigued. At this time, remember all the work she did in the delivery room, and help her out. Try to be as involved with the baby as possible. The mother shouldn't be the only one getting up with the baby all night – you should also be present. Be good to yourself. Treat her well, but make sure you take care of yourself, too. Fathers sometimes have such a strong need to help out, they forget to take care of themselves. Make sure you are rested and content, so that you can be there for your wife. Don't burn yourself out. | Take classes before the birth. Gather supplies. Make a birth plan. Be calm. Be your wife's advocate. Time the contractions. Remember the acronym SUPPORT, during the early stages of labor. Leave it to the professionals. Be attentive to her mood. Celebrate, together. Share equally. Be good to yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Fiberglass-Bumper | How to Repair a Fiberglass Bumper | To repair a fiberglass bumper, first remove the fasteners holding the bumper in place, then slide the bumper off your car. To clean the bumper, strip the surface from large cracks using a die grinder, sand down small cracks with 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper, and scrub the whole bumper with acetone. Using a precision knife, cut out strips of fiberglass matting the same size as your cracks. Then, fix them to the back of the bumper using a mixture of fiberglass resin and a hardening agent. | Disable the airbag if you’re removing the front bumper. To avoid accidentally setting off the airbag, you'll need to disable it before starting the front bumper removal process. To do so, open the hood of your car and disconnect the battery, negative side first. Then, pop off the steering wheel cover by pressing the wheel's eject button with a specialty removal tool. Inside, look for a small power box, take out the screws or bolts holding it in place, and remove the connected wires, thus disabling the airbag. If you cannot locate an eject button or power box, check your vehicle's driver manual for model-specific instructions. Take off any screws, nuts, or clips holding the bumper in place. For front bumpers, these are typically located directly above the bumper (under the hood), below it, and at the driver and passenger-side ends. For rear bumpers, look below the bumper, on the outer surface, and inside the trunk. To avoid problems when reattaching the bumper, take pictures showing where all the fasteners go. Slide the bumper off your car. Once you've removed all the outside fasteners, gently pull on the left or right side of your bumper until it pops out. Using a screwdriver or other flat object, go along the inside of the bumper any remove any additional clips holding it in place. Then, simply slide off the bumper. Depending on the model of car, you may need to take off other elements, such as fog lights, to fully remove the bumper. Grind down the raised surface along large cracks. Mount a flat grinding head on a handheld die grinder, then use it to remove the surface covering the front and back of large damaged areas. Make sure to grind down any sharp or loose edges along the cracks. So you can fix the bumper properly, use the edge of the grinder to create a thin, clear groove along each damaged spot. Stray fiberglass particles can damage your eyes, lungs, and any exposed skin. To avoid this, wear thick gloves, long-sleeved clothing, goggles, and a dust mask while working. Sand down the raised surface along small cracks. Unlike large cracks, small damaged areas may be difficult to grind without further damaging the bumper. To get around this, sand the areas down using 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper. Look for this specialty sandpaper at an auto repair, home improvement, or hardware store. Scrub the fiberglass surface with acetone. Acetone is a highly volatile chemical that serves as a great dirt and grease remover. When applied to your fiberglass bumper, it will remove pre-existing resin so your new materials have a surface to bond with. To strip the surface properly, carefully dampen a rag with acetone, then scrub it over every damaged spot. Acetone is highly flammable, so keep it away from fire and the combustion engine of your car. For safety, wear long-sleeved clothes, rubber gloves, and safety goggles when using it. Purchase resin, hardener, and cloth matting strips. To repair your bumper, you will need fiberglass resin, fiberglass matting strips, and a liquid hardening agent, along with plastic or wooden sticks to help mix the resin and a brush or other applicator to put it on the bumper. You can purchase these separately or in pre-packaged fiberglass repair kits. Look for the materials at auto supply stores. Cut the fiberglass matting to the size of each cracked area. Grab your cloth matting and hold it up to a damaged area. Using a fabric marker, make a line on top of the cloth indicating the crack placement. Then, take your fabric to a solid working table and cut it using a precision knife. So you have enough overlap to support the fiberglass, leave about 20 mm (0.79 in) of space around the marked area. Repeat this with each crack. Mix the resin and hardener together. Grab a small container and pour in the amount of resin you think you'll need to cover a specific piece of fiberglass matting. Then, check the instructions on the back of your resin container and apply the recommended amount of hardening agent. Using a plastic or wooden stick, stir the substances together until they are well mixed. Once combined, most resin mixes stay soft for 8 to 12 minutes, after which they become unusable. Apply the matting to your bumper using the resin mix. Cover the back of a damaged area with a sheet of fiberglass matting. Using a brush or other applicator, cover the entirety of the cloth and about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) of the surrounding area with the resin mix. Repeat this with each crack, then let the matting cure in a moderately warm area for about 2 hours. For extremely large cracks, you may need to apply matting to the front of the bumper as well. Sand down the repaired areas. Once the fiberglass is fully cured, sand down the fixed areas using 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper. Do this on both sides of the bumper until the fiberglass patches are smooth to the touch. To avoid breaking open the new seals, do not use your handheld grinder. Cover the fixed areas with auto body filler if necessary. If there are still cracks or grooves in the bumper after the initial sanding, you can fix them with body filler. Estimate how much body filler you need and squeeze it into a small cup. Mix in the amount of hardening agent recommended on the body filler container, then apply it to the cracks with a plastic squeegee. Smooth the surface if necessary, then let it cure in the sun for about 15 minutes. Sand down the entire bumper. Once you've successfully filled all the damaged areas, sand the entire bumper down with 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper. The goal is to get as uniform a coat as possible, with no random hills caused by the fiberglass strips or body filler. Repaint the bumper (optional). If you're not happy with how the bumper looks, try painting it to hide the repairs. Cover the bumper with a base coat of white spray paint, then let it sit for about 10 minutes. Apply base coats until you can no longer see the repairs, then spray paint the bumper a similar color to your car. Let the paint dry for 1 to 2 hours, then spray it with a layer of clear coat. Your bumper should be ready after 24 hours. Slide the bumper onto your car. Make sure the bumper is completely dry. Then, lift it up and slide it over the front or rear end of your car. Once you have it in place, push the bumper forward until it can sit on its own. Starting on the left or right side, walk around the car and push every section of the bumper in until it is flush against the vehicle. Replace and tighten any bumper fasteners. To keep the bumper from coming off, replace any screws, nuts, or clips needed to hold it in place. Then, make sure to secure the fasteners with a screwdriver or wrench until they're tight enough that you can no longer move the tool. Reconnect the airbag if necessary. If you disabled the airbag, make sure to reattach it before driving your vehicle. To do so, connect the steering wheel power cords to the power box, then replace any screws or nuts designed to hold the box in place. Put the steering wheel cover back on, then reconnect your car's battery cords, positive side first. | Disable the airbag if you’re removing the front bumper. Take off any screws, nuts, or clips holding the bumper in place. Slide the bumper off your car. Grind down the raised surface along large cracks. Sand down the raised surface along small cracks. Scrub the fiberglass surface with acetone. Purchase resin, hardener, and cloth matting strips. Cut the fiberglass matting to the size of each cracked area. Mix the resin and hardener together. Apply the matting to your bumper using the resin mix. Sand down the repaired areas. Cover the fixed areas with auto body filler if necessary. Sand down the entire bumper. Repaint the bumper (optional). Slide the bumper onto your car. Replace and tighten any bumper fasteners. Reconnect the airbag if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Shoes-to-Help-Reduce-Your-Back-Pain | How to Choose Shoes to Help Reduce Your Back Pain | If you're suffering from back pain, choose wider shoes, which can reduce instability and prevent back pain. Wait until the end of the day before buying shoes though, since your feet will be slightly larger from swelling. You should also opt for shoes with strong arch support to improve your gait. And while a flashy heel might be tempting, comfortable walking or athletic shoes with a roomy toe box and flexible sole will benefit your back much more. | Identify the cause of your back pain. Schedule an appointment with your family physician if you develop back pain that won't go away after a few days of taking it easy. Your doctor will examine your back (spine) and likely ask you about your family history, job and lifestyle. If your back pain is severe, then x-rays of your spine might also be taken. Your doctor will try to rule out the most serious causes of back pain, such as a herniated disk, spinal infection, bone fracture, arthritis and cancer. Once those are ruled out, then considering how your posture, foot shape and shoe choices may be causing your back pain is appropriate. Your family doctor is very likely not a back or spine specialist, so consider seeing an osteopath or chiropractor to diagnose your back pain as an alternative approach. Signs accompanying back pain that indicate you should immediately seek medical care include: muscle weakness and/or loss of sensations in your arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, sudden weight loss. Check your arches. After you understand your back pain is not caused by a serious condition or disease, then look at your feet (particularly your arches) for a possible connection. Flat feet are a common contributor to back pain, especially for people on their feet frequently, because arches act as shock absorbers and prevent force from being translated up to other joints of the body. A good objective test to see if you have flat feet is the "wet feet" test. Dampen the bottoms of your feet with water and walk across a large piece of cardboard or thick paper that clearly shows your wet footprints. Make sure to get prints of both feet and examine them closely. A foot with a healthy arch will leave a heel print connected to the front forefoot by a strip about 1/2 the width of the foot on the outside of the sole. If you have flat feet, you'll see a print that reflects the entire underside of your foot with no space between the forefoot and heel. Both feet usually leave very similar footprints, but in some cases differences exist due to previous foot / ankle injuries or leg length differences. A 2013 study revealed that American women with flat feet are 50% more likely than those with normal or high arches to develop low back pain. Look at your posture. Looking at your posture in a full-length mirror is another good method to gauge if the shape or positioning of your feet, ankles and knees is potentially contributing to your back pain. While wearing shorts and standing straight, look at the angles of your feet, legs and ankles. If your feet point outwards, your ankles roll in (termed over-pronation) and/or your knees are close together or touch (termed genu valgum) then you are at much greater risk for back pain because these postures put more strain on the hips and lower spine. People who are overweight tend to have all three postural issues, which partially explains why back pain is much more common in obese people. Over-pronation of the ankle, flat feet and genu valgum are sometimes hereditary (genetics control physiological development), but in many cases they are the result of the body carrying far too much weight. For reference, if your legs look fairly straight (at least a few inches between your knees), your ankles appear in a neutral position and don't collapse inwards (medially) and you can fit a few fingers underneath your feet while weight bearing, then likely other issues are causing or contributing to your back pain. Be aware of inequalities in leg length. It's actually quite common to have one leg that is longer than the other – according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one study found that 32% of 600 military recruits had a 1/5 inch to a 3/5 inch difference between the lengths of their legs. However, any difference in length greater than this can have serious affects on your health, which may include lower back pain. Correcting a leg length inequality is easy to do with a shoe insert. It's also inexpensive and can easily be stopped if no changes are seen. A foot doctor or health professional trained in assessing and treating the foot is the best option to assess your need for a shoe insert. Examine your shoes. For further clues as to the cause of your back pain, take a good look at the soles of your most commonly worn shoes. For people with normal posture and biomechanics while walking, their heels strike the ground slightly on the outside or lateral edge, which causes wear on that area of their soles. If the soles of your shoes appear to be worn directly in the middle of the heel area — or worse, on the inside or medial edge — then you likely pronate too much at the ankle while walking. As noted above, over-pronation and flat feet often go hand-in-hand and significantly increase the risk of knee problems, hip issues and low back pain. Wear patterns are easier to notice on well-used running shoes with rubber soles because they wear down quicker while walking / running on asphalt and cement. Keep in mind that wear patterns on the extreme outside (lateral) edge of the heels area indicate too much rigidity in your ankles and/or arches of your feet (termed over-supination). However, this type of posture is not linked to back pain nearly to the extent that over-pronation / flat feet are. Buy shoes that fit properly. A significant number of people wear shoes that don't fit well, perhaps because the shoes were on sale or they're hand-me-downs, or various other reasons. Regardless, always wear shoes that properly fit your feet, not just in terms of length, but also in terms of width. Wearing shoes that don't fit not only cause blisters, bunions and calluses, but they can reduce the stability and compromise the biomechanics of your feet and subsequently trigger back pain and other joint issues. Get fitted for shoes later in the day because that's when your feet are a little larger, usually due to swelling and slight compression of your arches. Most off-the-shelf shoes are regular (medium) width, so you may have to order shoes from the manufacturer if your feet are really narrow or wide. Some footwear may fit well, such as flip-flops, but they can still cause foot and other musculoskeletal problems due to the lack of arch and heel support. Buy supportive shoes. Regardless if you have flat feet or not, wearing shoes with strong arch support is going to benefit your feet and improve your gait during walking / running at the very least. Wearing more supportive shoes may also significantly reduce your back pain or relieve the symptoms entirely, depending on its cause. As such, when buying new shoes, look for a comfortable walking or athletic shoe with substantial arch support, roomy toe box, firm heel counter and a flexible sole. Buy quality and avoid trendy styles that look flimsy. Wearing flat sandals, flip flops and other slip-ons on the beach or around the pool is likely okay, but they shouldn't be used for extensive walking or any kind of exercise. Avoid shoes with heels higher than two inches because it changes the center of gravity and causes strain on the lower back. However, wearing completely level shoes may put too much pressure on your heels, so consider buying shoes that are elevated in the heel by about 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Get an evaluation done before buying runners. If you are a regular jogger and think that your feet, shoes or running style may be causing your back pain, then get an evaluation done at a reputable running store. High-end running stores often employ people who are qualified to assess your gait, examine your feet and check the wear patterns on your shoes. These employees are not doctors, but they are usually experienced runners who can give you sound advice on what types of running shoes to buy, which can make a positive impact on your back pain. If you're a serious runner, you should be replacing your shoes every 350 to 500 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. You may be asked to run over a force plate that's hooked up to a computer, or get video-taped jogging on a treadmill as part of your assessment. If you're an over-pronator, shoes with lots of medial support in the arch will likely be recommended to prevent ankle collapse. If you're an over-supinator, then more lateral (outside) support is needed to force your foot into a neutral position. Make sure the rigidity of the heel counter (back of the shoe) is vertical and not tilting to one side or the other. Shock absorption is also important for running shoes, which is why many brands have air pockets within the soles. Get a pair of custom made orthotics. If you have flat feet and over-pronate, then you may be better off with custom shoe orthotics instead of new shoes. Orthotics are semi-rigid shoe inserts that support the arch of your foot and promote better biomechanics while standing, walking and running. By providing cushioning and some shock absorption, orthotics will also reduce the likelihood of problems developing in other joints such as your ankles, knees, hips and spine. Health professionals who make custom orthotics include podiatrists, as well as some osteopaths, chiropractors, physicians and physical therapists. You should realize that orthotics don't reverse any structural deformities of the foot nor can they reconstruct an arch by wearing them over time. When wearing orthotics, you'll likely need to take the factory insoles out of your shoes first. Custom orthotics can be expensive without medical coverage, but off-the-shelf insoles may provide relief for back pain also. | Identify the cause of your back pain. Check your arches. Look at your posture. Be aware of inequalities in leg length. Examine your shoes. Buy shoes that fit properly. Buy supportive shoes. Get an evaluation done before buying runners. Get a pair of custom made orthotics. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Boring-Party | How to Survive a Boring Party | To survive a boring party, try to stay positive and look for opportunities to have fun. For example, you could offer to make everyone one of your signature cocktails, or you could ask the host if you can put on some upbeat music to dance to. You could also suggest a game, like charades or telephone, to make things a little more exciting. Alternatively, try to find a few guests that you can start a good conversation with so you're not as bored. If the party becomes unbearable and you've stayed for as long as you can handle, politely thank the host and leave. | Keep an open mind. Although you may be feeling bored, keeping an open mind and attitude can be helpful. Being open to conversation and other party guests will help you stay engaged and make the party seem a lot more bearable. Always try to stay open to new conversations and the possibility that the party isn't as boring as you first thought. Even if you aren't immediately interested in a conversation, try to give it a chance and see where it goes. Shutting down and deciding the party is dull will only make your time at the party even more boring. Stay positive. Although you may not be having fun at the party, it's important that you stay positive. Focusing on the negative aspects of the party will only make it seem worse than it is. Staying positive will allow you to have as much fun as possible and make the most out of the party. Focus on the things you are enjoying about the party. Keeping a positive attitude can help make the party more fun for everyone. Being negative will only bring the party down even further. Take responsibility for your attitude. Even though you may not feel that the party is exciting, you are still responsible for your own feelings of boredom. If there isn't anything fun at the party, you might have to make your own fun or change your attitude. Always keep in mind that it's ultimately up to you to make the most out of a boring party. Ask the host if there is anything you can help with. Try starting up a game of cards or other table game with your friends. Introduce people you know to help start conversations. Try making fun dishes out of the appetizers. If the party seems to have died down, you can keep yourself busy by playing chef. Head over to the appetizer table, grab a plate and get creative. Have fun trying to mix and match the appetizers to make new dishes. You might even try sharing some of your best creations with other party goers. Take on a new role. If you're bored at a party, it might be time to get to work. Keeping yourself busy by playing a new role at the party can help you stay engaged and pass the time. Helping out with the party might also bring some life back into it and make things fun for everyone. You could try playing bartender and serving people drinks. You might offer to be the party photographer and take pictures for everyone. Try being the party's waiter and deliver snacks to the guests. Ask to help the host out with whatever she might need. Hang out with pets. If you're at a dull party and the host has a pet, try playing with it to help pass the time. Throwing a ball for a dog or using a laser pointer with a cat can be fun ways for both you and the pet to get through the party. Remember to ask your host if it's okay to play with his pet before doing so. Try making up stories about the other guests. If you see two guests chatting, try to imagine what they might be saying to each other. Insert funny dialogue into their mouths (either mentally or very, very quietly to yourself) as their lips move. Or choose someone you don't know and try to make a creative backstory for him. You could also watch everyone's body language and try to guess their relationships to each other from these cues. Maybe you'll pick up that the girl at the snack table has a crush on the guy who is playing with the dog because she can't stop glancing over at him. Change up the music. If your host isn't playing any music during the party or the guests don't seem to like what's on, ask the host if you can change things up. Try to put something on that's a good fit for the type of party you're attending to help get things going again. Keep some of these tips in mind if you find yourself playing DJ at a boring party: If the party is a dinner party, you'll want to pick softer music with slower rhythms. If it's time to dance, pick some tunes that have a great beat and turn up the volume at bit. If the party is mostly drinks and conversation, try picking some smooth music styles like blues or light jazz. Start playing games. If the party you're at has gotten a bit slow, you can add some excitement by playing a few simple party games. These games will get everyone moving and talking, adding some much needed life to the party. Try looking over some of these examples to get an idea of which games you might want to play: You can try whispering a word to someone next to you and asking them to whisper a word they associate with it to the next person. It's a lot of fun to see what the original word ends up being. Try asking everyone to say a certain word without showing their teeth. You can play in teams and eliminate players who show their teeth when talking. You can always try playing the classic game of charades if things get dull. One person will try to act out a word while the other players try to guess that word. Meet new people. If the party is dying and no one is talking, it might be a good time to start up a few conversations. Forcing yourself to meet new people and get them talking can be a great way to bring some life back to a party. You can also try to introduce people to one another and get them going on their own conversations. Try to keep conversations open-ended. Although it may not always be easy, trying to keep a conversation going is a great way to pass the time and enjoy the party. You'll want to avoid topics that are considered “dead ends,” opting for subjects that can easily flow into another area. By discussing topics that are open-ended, you'll be able to keep a conversation going and help make the party a bit more interesting. Try to avoid topics like the weather, money or traffic. Instead, ask people about their hobbies and interests, what music they like, if they've seen any good movies, and so on. Keep topics broad at first and then narrow the subject down if the other person is interested. Asking questions is a great way to keep a conversation open and flowing. Pay attention to what the other person is saying. You'll likely find they have mentioned a few things that would be a good topic to focus on. Find someone you can connect with. Even if you think the party isn't as fun as it could be, you'll likely find someone that you can connect and chat with. Try talking to a few different people or approaching someone you think you'd enjoy a conversation with. Once you find someone you can easily talk with, the party should be a lot more fun for both of you. If you've already got a friend at the party, try sticking by her. Finding someone to talk with at a dull party can help make it much more enjoyable. Learn how to shift topics. Inevitably, there will come a time when a certain topic or conversational thread will start to come to an end. Knowing how to jump form one topic to another can help keep a conversation going strong. Keep some of these tips in mind whenever you need to change topics during a conversation: Generally, you'll want the new topic to be somewhat related to the last one. For example, a discussion about libraries could easily transition into a talk about e-readers and then onto new technology. Don't be afraid to abruptly change a topic if the old one should fizzle out. Feel free to explore topics that go beyond the usual small talk. For example, you might ask someone what he would do if he were trapped on a desert island. Avoid bad conversational habits. There are some conversational habits that can make a person lose interest in whatever it is you are saying. If a person gets bored or feels like she can't contribute to the conversation, she will likely look for something else to do at the party. Keep some of these tips in mind to keep a conversation going and avoid boredom at a lackluster party: Try not to drone on or speak in a monotone voice. Allow your personality to shine through in your conversation and express yourself. Avoid ranting or dominating the conversation. Always let the other person have a turn to speak. Don't interrupt. Talking too abstractly or too generally can cause people to tune out. Don't talk exclusively about yourself. Wait until it is polite to leave. Although you may want to leave as soon as you arrive, leaving too soon can hurt your host's feelings. To avoid appearing rude or causing trouble with your host, always try to stay for an appropriate length of time. Exactly how long you stay will vary depending on the host and the type of party; however, you can keep some of these basic tips in mind when considering when it might be appropriate to leave a boring party: If you are attending a dinner party, you should stay until dessert has been served. Ideally, you should stay for at least an hour after dessert. Other parties may require you to stay for a few hours before leaving. Start cleaning up. If the party is coming to a close or people seem ready to leave, you can start by cleaning up your tableware or other garbage you notice laying around. Rising from the table or starting to clean up can be a clear signal that you and the other guests are ready to leave. Cleaning up is a polite way to help the host and to excuse yourself or others from the party. Start by cleaning up your own area or tableware. If you notice loose cups, bottles or other party implements, try tidying them up. Don't be nervous about leaving. Leaving a party because you were bored can make you feel somewhat guilty; however, offering apologies to your hosts can make the situation worse than it has to be. Whenever you are ready to leave, do so confidently, thanking the host for the party and withholding any apologies or excuses. | Keep an open mind. Stay positive. Take responsibility for your attitude. Try making fun dishes out of the appetizers. Take on a new role. Hang out with pets. Try making up stories about the other guests. Change up the music. Start playing games. Meet new people. Try to keep conversations open-ended. Find someone you can connect with. Learn how to shift topics. Avoid bad conversational habits. Wait until it is polite to leave. Start cleaning up. Don't be nervous about leaving. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Keep-a-Baby-Warm-in-a-Crib | How to Keep a Baby Warm in a Crib | To keep your baby warm in their crib, set the temperature in the room between 68 and 72 degrees F, which is a safe, comfortable range for a baby. You can also dress your baby in some lightweight pajamas to keep them warm, but avoid dressing them in more than one layer so they don't get overheated. Alternatively, you can swaddle your baby in a lightweight blanket so they're warm and cozy all night. Avoid putting a loose blanket in your baby's crib since it can be a choking hazard. However, you can still cover your baby with a blanket by tucking it into the foot of their bed so it reaches no further than their armpits. If you notice sweat on your baby's chest or hairline, it's a sign that their room is too warm or that they're too bundled up. | Alter the temperature of the room. Your baby's nursery should be a comfortable and safe place to rest. You can help your baby rest well by setting the nursery's temperature to support a restful, healthy environment. It is recommended that your baby's nursery should be maintained at a temperature of 68-72 °F (°20-22.2 °C) in order to keep it safe and comfortable. Position your baby's crib in an ideal location. The position of your baby's crib in the nursery affects how much heat your baby experiences. Keep in mind the different factors that affect the temperature in his room when you are placing furniture in his nursery. Your baby's crib should be several feet away from drafty windows, air vents, fans, and heaters so that he is not directly bathing in the cool or hot air. Keep your baby away from drafty windows especially if there are curtain cords that might blow in the wind. These cords pose a potential strangulation hazard to your baby. Choose a certified crib. You should only use a certified crib that does not pose hazards to your baby. The bars should not be too narrow or wide so that any of the infant's body parts get stuck, and there should be no dangling objects that might pose a strangulation or choking hazards. Look for a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) when choosing a crib and only purchase used cribs that come with this certificate. According to the new regulations, cribs sold at stores after 2011 must comply with the new federal crib safety standards. The crib should also be stable with a firm sleeping surface that supports back sleeping. Your baby can sleep in a crib in your room, but should not co-sleep in a bed or chair with you or another person, as this increases your baby's risk of smothering and overheating. Use a firm mattress. Your baby should sleep on a firm crib mattress that is not too plush. Mattresses made of too soft material can present a smothering hazard. A firm mattress supports back sleeping, which has been linked to a decreased risk of SIDS. Your infant may choose to sleep on her stomach after she learns to roll over at six months. Keep your baby warm on her firm mattress by using a tight, fitted flannel sheet. The sheet should not bunch up, as it could cover your baby's nose and mouth and increase their risk of suffocation. Preheat the crib with a hot water bottle or heating pad. You may want to preheat the crib if it is very cold in the house. The best thing you can do is make the nursery warm enough so that your baby can comfortably sleep in lightweight pajamas without heavy blankets. Place a hot water bottle or electric blanket in the baby's crib for a small amount of time before he goes down to sleep. Make sure that you remove it before you place him in the crib to prevent overheating and burns. Do not leave an electric blanket in your baby's crib. This can cause him to overheat. Young infants are unable to regulate their own baby temperature, so you must be very careful. You should not use loose blankets in the crib at all to reduce the risk of SIDS. Dress your infant in pajamas. Your baby's pajamas should support warm and comfortable sleep, while being safe. Make sure that you are not dressing your infant too warmly, especially if the room temperature is elevated. Dress your baby in lightweight pajamas that cover most of her body if you are worried about keeping her cozy. These are sometimes known as “onesies.” According to the SIDS prevention guidelines, a baby should ideally not be dressed in more than one layer, or no more layers than an adult in a similar environment. If you will swaddle your baby, only use a thin onesie to prevent overheating. your baby. Swaddle Swaddling helps your baby maintain body heat and allows her to sleep comfortably on her back. You can purchase a swaddling blanket with easy-to-use closures or use a square light-weight blanket to make your own swaddle. Diagonally fold a square lightweight blanket into a triangle shape. Lay the baby in the middle of the triangle with her feet toward the bottom point. Pull one side of the blanket over the baby's chest. You may choose to leave your baby's arm free to suck on their fingers. Flip the bottom point over the baby's feet up toward the chest. Bring the last corner up over the baby's chest, wrapping it securely but not too tight. Set your baby in the crib in supine position. Sleeping position is a factor that increases the risk of SIDS. Placing your baby in supine position (on his back) is considered the best and safest sleeping position. Avoid putting your baby to sleep on his stomach or side. Putting your baby to sleep on his stomach or side increases his risk of choking or suffocating on his clothing and bedding. Keep the baby's crib clean and clear of clutter. A clear crib is a safe crib. Do not use blankets and other loose materials in the crib that may cause suffocation. You can keep your baby warm with a lightweight blanket that is tucked into the foot of their mattress and reaches no further than her armpits. Soft toys and loose blankets present smothering hazards for your baby and increase your baby's risk of SIDS. Your baby should not sleep with a pillow. If your baby turns her head in her sleep, she could smother on the loose edges of the pillow or pillowcase. Keep your baby from overheating. Your baby can become dehydrated if he overheats and sweats too much. Overheating has also been linked with increased risk of SIDS. Some cases of SIDS have been linked to infants overheating. Make sure you keep an eye on your baby's temperature to make sure it does not get higher than 100 °F (37.7 °C). Regulate the temperature in your baby's nursery and monitor your baby for signs of overheating, such as sweat on his chest or in his hairline. Do not cover your baby's face with a blanket or over-bundle your baby. The baby should be clothed or wrapped in no more than one layer than adults are wearing in the same temperatures. In warm weather, your baby may only need to sleep in a light onesie or even just a diaper. | Alter the temperature of the room. Position your baby's crib in an ideal location. Choose a certified crib. Use a firm mattress. Preheat the crib with a hot water bottle or heating pad. Dress your infant in pajamas. your baby. Set your baby in the crib in supine position. Keep the baby's crib clean and clear of clutter. Keep your baby from overheating. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sort-iPhone-Music-by-Song-Title | How to Sort iPhone Music by Song Title | # Open your iPhone's settings. | Open your iPhone's settings. It is an app with an icon that looks like a set of grey cogs usually located on the home screen. The settings icon might be in the "Utilities" folder instead of the desktop. Scroll down and tap Music. It is in the sixth group of options. Scroll down and tap Sort Songs & Albums. It is in the “Library” section of the menu. Tap By Title. A blue checkmark will appear next to “By Title” to mark your selection. Songs will now be sorted by title when you are browsing through the music library or through playlists. | Open your iPhone's settings. Scroll down and tap Music. Scroll down and tap Sort Songs & Albums. Tap By Title. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remember-the-Five-Great-Lakes | How to Remember the Five Great Lakes | If you need help to remember the 5 Great Lakes, use the mnemonic device HOMES, where each letter stands for a different lake. If you can remember the word HOMES, you can use that to remind you that the names of the lakes are Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. If it's easier, you can also rearrange the letters to spell “MOSHE,” which is the Hebrew name for Moses. | Learn HOMES. HOMES is the most popular mnemonic device used to remember the great lakes. Each letter in HOMES stands for a different lake. If you can remember HOMES (as in, the lakes provide HOMES for many species of birds and fish) you'll be able to remember the five lakes. Here's what each letter stands for: H is for Huron. O is for Ontario. M is for Michigan. E is for Erie. S is for Superior. Remember "Superman Helps Every One". If thinking about a super hero is likely to get your brain's wheels turning, this mnemonic might be the one for you. The first letter of each word in Superman Helps Every One stands for a lake. This lists the lakes geographically from West to East, which can come in handy if you're labeling a map. Remember, S is for Superior. M is for Michigan. H is for Huron. E is for Erie. O is for Ontario. Recall the Hebrew name for Moses, Moshe. The name Moshe means "to pull or draw out of water," just as Moses was pulled out of water as a baby. Since there's water involved, remembering the name Moshe might help you remember the lakes. As a reminder, M is for Michigan. O is for Ontario. S is for Superior. H is for Huron. E is for Erie. Learn about Lake Superior. It's called Superior because it is larger than all of the other Great Lakes combined. This gigantic lake contains 10 percent of all the world's fresh surface water. Lake Superior touches Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario, CA, and is the western-most lake of the five. A few more interesting facts: It's home to 88 species of fish. It can produce waves as high as 40 feet tall. Some of the world's oldest rocks can be found on its shore. Learn about Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is the only lake to be located entirely within US borders. It's the third largest lake of the group. Chicago and Milwaukee are two major cities located along the lake. In addition, The lake is home to a metallic eel species called sea lamprey. The Petoskey stone , a pebble-shaped coral, is located on its shores, and it's Michigan's state stone. Since in summer the water is warm enough to swim in, Lake Michigan is sometimes referred to as the United States' third coast. Learn about Lake Huron. This lake has the longest shoreline of all the great lakes. By surface area, it is the second largest great lake and the fifth-largest lake in the world. It is home to 30,000 islands. Also of note: More than 1,000 shipwrecks have taken place there. It is named for the Wyandot Indians, or Huron, who used to live there. The surrounding areas are remote and sparsely populated. Learn about Lake Erie. Lake Erie has the greatest temperature fluctuations of all the great lakes; it's the warmest in the summer, but it freezes over the most often in winter. Many major cities sit along the shore, including Buffalo, NY; Toledo, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; and Erie, PA. The lake's main outlet is Niagara Falls. In addition, The lake played a significant role in the war of 1812. It has it's own legendary lake monster, named Bessie. It's home to the Erie Canal, one of the gateways to the west. Learn about Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is the smallest and easternmost lake of the bunch. It lies right at the base of Niagara Falls. It has nearly 2,000 islands, many located in the Thousand Islands region near the US-Canada border. Also of note about this lake: It has a rich history of commerce and trade. The area around the lake has the perfect climate for growing fruit trees. The lake is home to a number of migratory birds. Test yourself by looking at a map. Now that you know the great lakes backwards and forwards, look at an unlabeled map and try to figure out which lake is which. Writing down the names and one or two facts about each lake will help cement the five lakes in your memory. | Learn HOMES. Remember "Superman Helps Every One". Recall the Hebrew name for Moses, Moshe. Learn about Lake Superior. Learn about Lake Michigan. Learn about Lake Huron. Learn about Lake Erie. Learn about Lake Ontario. Test yourself by looking at a map. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bake-in-a-Halogen-Oven | How to Bake in a Halogen Oven | Halogen ovens use a special halogen heating element to heat things faster than a conventional oven can, so you'll need to make a few simple changes when using them. Halogen ovens are much smaller than standard ovens, so you'll need smaller bakeware. For recipes that call for covering the dish with aluminum foil, make sure it fits securely around the sides so the fan inside the halogen oven doesn't blow it off. If you need to adapt a non-halogen recipe, lower your temperatures by 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat your oven for 3 to 5 minutes before putting your dish in. To begin cooking, turn the timer and temperature dial clockwise, then push down on the safety handle. | Choose a baking dish that fits inside the machine. Before you begin to prepare your recipe, make sure that the baking dish or baking tray you transfer the food to will fit inside of the halogen oven. Any ovenproof dish or tray should be fine, including most metal, silicon, and Pyrex dishes. The halogen oven is smaller than a standard oven, so you will need smaller bakeware. Make sure that the bakeware you choose is smaller than the oven itself to make removal easier. Follow your chosen recipe. Regardless of whether you use a halogen-specific recipe or a standard baking recipe, the preparation instructions can be followed exactly as written. A halogen-specific recipe can be followed straight through, from start to finish. For a non-halogen recipe, follow the preparation instructions but alter the baking temperature and bake time as needed. Be careful when using foil. You can wrap foil over your baking dish if the recipe calls for it, but only do so if you can wrap the edges of the foil securely around the sides of the dish. Aluminum foil can help prevent food from browning too quickly. The fan inside of the halogen oven is very strong, however, and loose foil will be easily blown off. If the foil becomes loose, it could float around the inside of the machine and could damage the heating element. Consider preheating the halogen oven. Set the temperature dial to the correct cooking temperature three to five minutes before placing the dish inside your halogen oven. Many recipes will not mention a preheating step since the halogen oven takes such a short amount of time to reach a high temperature. Nonetheless, preheating your oven will still produce the best results. Some machines have a preheat button. Pressing it will preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius) for six minutes. Other machines will require you to set your desired temperature to preheat them. Put the dish in your halogen oven. Carefully place the baking dish onto the lower rack of the halogen oven. Once the dish is securely inside, close the oven lid. Halogen ovens usually have a top rack and a bottom rack. Use the bottom rack for baking, roasting, defrosting, steaming, re-heating, and most other forms of cooking. Use the top rack for grilling, browning, or toasting. Leave at least 1/2 inch (1 cm) gap in between the bakeware and the sides, bottom, and top of the machine. Doing so will provide better air circulation and ensure proper heating. Set the time. Turn the timer clockwise until you reach the desired time. Push down on the safety handle after setting the time. A red power light should turn on. Most halogen oven timers can be programmed for times up to 60 minutes. Note that the oven will turn off as soon as the timer setting has been reached. As a result, a halogen oven is less likely to overbake or burn food than a normal oven if that food is left inside a little longer than intended. Set the temperature to start the machine. Turn the temperature dial clockwise until you reach the desired temperature. If the timer is already set, the power light should turn green and the oven should automatically turn on. Make sure that the lid is in position before turning on the machine. Usually, the machine will not work unless the safety handle is set in its down position. Removing the lid in the middle of the cooking process will usually stop the heater and the fan. To resume cooking, place the lid back on the machine and set the handle in the down position again. Remove the finished dish carefully. Most halogen ovens are sold with a tool designed to help you lift food out when done. If you do not have this tool or if you cannot use it to get a good grip on your bakeware, use a set of long-handled tongs. As with conventional ovens, the baking dish will be hot when you remove it. Wear oven mitts to protect your hands and wrists. Place the hot dish on a towel, cooling rack or other heat-resistant base after removing it from the halogen oven. Follow a halogen oven recipe as written. If you are following a recipe specifically designed for use with a halogen oven, you can follow the preparation guidelines, temperature setting, and baking time exactly as instructed. For non-halogen recipes, you will need to alter the baking times and temperatures. Follow either the general recommended cooking specifications based on the type of baked good, or alter the specifications mentioned in the recipe based on the alteration guidelines. Note the general recommended cooking times and temperatures. While each recipe can be different, there are a few guidelines to consider when baking certain types of food in a halogen oven. Brownies: 18 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) Buns: 10 to 12 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) Layer cakes: 18 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) Loaf cakes: 30 to 35 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) Cornbread: 18 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) Drop cookies: 8 to 20 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) Rolled cookies: 10 to 12 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) Muffins: 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius, 150 if you have a strong halogen) Pastries and pie crust: 8 to 10 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) Pies with filling and no top crust: 25 to 30 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) Pies with filling and two crusts: 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) Bread rolls: 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) Bread loaves: 25 to 30 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) Adjust the baking temperature when using a non-halogen recipe. When adapting a non-halogen recipe for use in a halogen oven, lower the cooking temperature. If baked according to the original instructions, the outside will likely burn while the center may remain partially uncooked. For cake recipes, lower the temperature by 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). For all other recipes, you will usually need to lower the temperature of uncovered dishes 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 40 degrees Celsius) in your halogen oven. Monitor the food as it cooks by looking through the glass bowl. Some foods may bake faster than instructed. | Choose a baking dish that fits inside the machine. Follow your chosen recipe. Be careful when using foil. Consider preheating the halogen oven. Put the dish in your halogen oven. Set the time. Set the temperature to start the machine. Remove the finished dish carefully. Follow a halogen oven recipe as written. Note the general recommended cooking times and temperatures. Adjust the baking temperature when using a non-halogen recipe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-a-Front-License-Plate | How to Install a Front License Plate | To install a front license plate on a car with an existing license plate bracket, use a screwdriver to remove the 4 corner screws that hold the license plate in place. If there is a frame, you should be able to easily pull it off once you remove the screws. Align the license plate with the holes in the bracket, then align the frame as well, if there is one. Replace the screws and tighten them with the screwdriver to secure the license plate. | Remove the screws in the bracket that secure the license plate. Locate screws at the corners of the license plate bracket on your front bumper. Turn them counterclockwise with a screwdriver to remove them, then keep them in a safe place so they don't get lost. If the bracket held an old license plate, it'll come off when you remove the screws. If your vehicle is new, the license plate bracket screws might be in the glove compartment. If you have no screws, you can pick up some license plate screws at a nearby hardware or automotive store. Check for a license plate frame. Some license plate brackets have a screw-mounted frame that fits over the license plate. If your bracket has a frame, just remember to align it over your license plate and insert screws through both during installation. You'll know you have a license plate frame if a separate rectangular piece comes off when you remove the bracket's screws. Align the license plate with the holes in the bracket. Locate the holes in the corners of the license plate and the bracket. Place the license plate into the bracket so the holes are aligned. If your bracket includes a frame that fits over the license plate, line its holes up with those in the plate and bracket. Drive the screws to secure the license plate. Insert your screws through the holes in the bracket and license plate (and frame, if applicable). Tighten the screws by turning them clockwise with your screwdriver to complete installation. Purchase a mounting bracket that fits your make and model. Look online or visit your local automotive store for a no-drill mounting bracket that fits your car's make and model. Many no-drill brackets use a strong adhesive and fit a variety of makes and models. Some brackets fit only a specific model and include special hardware to clamp the bracket onto the grill or bumper. Check your product manual for specific installation instructions. Clean the mounting site on your bumper with alcohol wipes. An adhesive-mounted bracket requires a clean installation site. Locate the center of your bumper where you'll mount the bracket, clean it with alcohol wipes, then let it air dry or dry it with a clean microfiber cloth. Some brackets attach to the front face of the bumper, while others stick to indentations or gaps unique to specific models. Check your installation instructions for details about the mounting location. Test the fit without removing the protective film. The adhesive is protected by a film, which you should leave in place while you test the fit. Place the bracket onto the mounting site to make sure it fits and matches your model. If it doesn't line up with your car's bumper, you might have accidentally bought the wrong kind of bracket. See if you can exchange it for the correct bracket. Remove the protective film and press the bracket to the bumper. After you've double checked your bracket's fit, peel back the protective film to expose the adhesive. Press the bracket firmly onto the bumper's front face, underside, or other mounting site specified in your product's instructions. Try to be precise when you mount the bracket, since you'll only get one shot. Screw the license plate onto the bracket. Once the bracket is in place, you can align its holes with the holes in your license plate. If your product includes a license plate frame, place it over the license plate and align its holes with those in the bracket and plate. Drive the screws clockwise through the holes to complete installation. Locate and remove the plastic panel that covers the tow hook anchor. Many models have a plastic plate in the front bumper that you can press and pop out. It conceals a tow hook anchor, and license plate brackets are available with a threaded stud that drives into the anchor. Make sure you have a tow hook anchor before you purchase a tow hook license plate bracket kit. Screw in your kit’s tow hook stud. Grab the tow hook stud included in your kit and insert the threaded end into the anchor slot. Turn it clockwise until it's tight. Drive the bolt through the holes in the bracket and tow hook stud. Align the hole in the bracket plate with the hole in the tow hook stud. Your kit includes a bolt that fits through these holes. Locate it and drive it through the holes to attach the bracket plate to the tow hook stud. Turn the bolt clockwise with your fingers to get it started, then use a ratchet to finish tightening it. Attach the license plate to the bracket. With the bracket in place, all that's left is to screw on the license plate. If your product includes a license plate frame, remember to place it over the plate and drive the screws clockwise through both the plate and the frame. Check if you have a fiberglass or metal bumper. Drilling into metal is more complicated than drilling into fiberglass. If you have a chrome bumper, you might want to try a no-drill method if you've never drilled into metal. If you do want to try drilling into a chrome bumper, you'll need to take a few more steps and use special tools. You'll need a center punch, a bit made for drilling into metal, a countersink bit, and safety glasses. Align the license plate bracket with the center of your front bumper. Use a measuring tape to measure your bumper's length so you can find the exact center. Mark the lengthwise center with tape or a felt-tip pen, then measure the bumper's height to find that center point. Once you've found the bumper's exact center point, place your license plate bracket over it. If you're not using a bracket, just place the license plate itself onto the bumper. Make guide marks through the holes in the bracket. Hold your license plate bracket over the bumper's center point and locate the pre-drilled mounting holes. Use a felt-tip pen to mark where you'll need to drill holes into your bumper to line up with the bracket's holes. Keep in mind the bracket's mounting holes are where it mounts to the bumper, not the holes at the corners that you'll use to screw on the license plate. If you're not using a bracket, just make marks on the bumper for the holes at the plate's top corners. Drill 1⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) pilot holes into the bumper. After you've marked your guide holes, set the bracket or license plate aside. Use a power drill and a ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) bit to drill shallow pilot holes into the bumper. Drill your pilot holes only about ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) deep into the bumper. If your bumper is chrome, you'll need to start your holes with a center punch before you can start drilling. Use a center punch and a special drill bit for chrome bumpers. After marking the spots on the chrome where you'll need to drill, hammer your center punch into the spots to make indentations. It's wise to add lubricating oil to the indentations to reduce friction and heat. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Placing masking or duct tape around the spot where you're drilling can help protect the chrome finish if your bit slips. Hold your drill (with a bit made for drilling into metal) perfectly perpendicular to the surface. Use firm, steady pressure to drill into the chrome. After you drill the holes, switch to a countersink bit and rotate it 3 to 4 revolutions to smooth sharp metal burrs from the hole's leading edge. Mount the bracket to the bumper. Line the bracket's mounting holes up with those you've just drilled into the bumper. Drive screws clockwise through the bracket into the bumper. Screw the license plate onto the bracket. After mounting the bracket, line the holes at the corners of the license plate with those at the bracket's corners. Drive screws clockwise through the holes to secure the license plate and complete installation. If you're not using a bracket, screw the license plate directly onto the bumper. | Remove the screws in the bracket that secure the license plate. Check for a license plate frame. Align the license plate with the holes in the bracket. Drive the screws to secure the license plate. Purchase a mounting bracket that fits your make and model. Clean the mounting site on your bumper with alcohol wipes. Test the fit without removing the protective film. Remove the protective film and press the bracket to the bumper. Screw the license plate onto the bracket. Locate and remove the plastic panel that covers the tow hook anchor. Screw in your kit’s tow hook stud. Drive the bolt through the holes in the bracket and tow hook stud. Attach the license plate to the bracket. Check if you have a fiberglass or metal bumper. Align the license plate bracket with the center of your front bumper. Make guide marks through the holes in the bracket. Drill 1⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) pilot holes into the bumper. Use a center punch and a special drill bit for chrome bumpers. Mount the bracket to the bumper. Screw the license plate onto the bracket. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Braise-Beef | How to Braise Beef | To braise beef, season an inexpensive cut of meat and place it in a pot over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, removing when it's browned. Over medium-high heat, brown a mirepoix of minced vegetables, and pour in 1 inch of braising liquid, such as wine, stock, or beer. Return the meat to the pot, cover, and cook in the oven at 325 °F. After 2-3 hours, add additional vegetables such as potatoes or greens. When the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 °F, remove it from the oven and serve! | Select an inexpensive cut of meat to braise. While it may seem contrary to usual meat-buying logic, tougher or less-tender cuts of meat are perfect for braising. Pot roast, chuck roast or any inexpensive cut may be used. The muscle fibers and connective tissue that make these cuts stringy or tough are broken down by braising, which gelatinizes the collagen into a more palatable texture. Low heat and long cooking times are used to make a tough cut of any kind of meat moist, tender, and delicious, when cooked properly. Common cuts of beef for braising include: top blade roast eye roast seven bone, or center-cut pot roast shank ribs or short ribs brisket It's unlikely that you would ever want to braise any kind of lean steaks or loin. You could, but because these meats are tender already, it'd be a bit of a waste. Select a braising liquid. Other than a pot and your cut of beef, the only other absolutely essential ingredient is a liquid in which to simmer the meat. Because this is an opportunity to add a dash of flavor to the dish, it's most common to use wines, stocks, or other flavorful liquid, as opposed to water. Common braising liquids include: Beef stock or broth. You can match the stock to the dish by using a beef-based broth or stock, although using chicken stock would is universal for braising any type of meat, and might add a nice complexity to your braised beef. Stock is just broth that hasn't been seasoned, so stock is generally better for braising, since it allows you to control the salt-levels, but either is acceptable. Just go easy on the salt if you use broth. Red wine. Dry red wine can add a nice acidic note to beef, especially when combined with another braising liquid, like stock. The alcohol cooks off, resulting in a rich and fragrant dark sauce. Especially fruity or sweet red wines would be less desirable, but fine if paired with an equal amount of stock to cut the sweetness. The fruitiness of a white wine would pair better with chicken or pork. Since it'll season your dish, make sure it's something you'd like to drink--pour yourself a glass for "research." Dark beer. English cooking at its finest. Stouts, porters, or black lagers all lend a rich sweetness to beef, and a malty depth of flavor. The darker the better, when it comes to beef. Some Belgian ales might also work nicely, but experiment and find a beer you with a nice flavor. In general, lighter pilsners and lagers are more appropriate for chicken or pork. How much liquid you'll need will depend on the amount of meat you're braising, and the addition of extra vegetables. As a rule of thumb, you'll want enough liquid to cover the vegetables at the bottom of the pot and come up just to the level of the meat. You're not boiling the meat, or stewing it, so you won't submerge it in the braising liquid. It won't take much, and you can always add additional water to the pot if you didn't have enough wine left in the bottle. Start with a mirepoix or some mix of finely minced vegetables. Sounds fancy, but it's not. In French cuisine, braised beef and many other meat dishes will always start with a vegetable base of finely minced carrot, onion, and celery, called mirepoix, which is used to pair with the meat and enrich the sauce. After searing the meat, the mirepoix is added and browned briefly before adding the braising liquid to the pot. For a proper braising, there needs to be something at the bottom of the pot other than the liquid, to give the sauce fragrance, substance, and character, as well as to keep it from drying out. When minced very small, the mirepoix will mostly disintegrate into the liquid over the course of the long cooking time, to flavor the sauce, though you could leave larger chunks to do more of a "pot roast" style braised beef. Depending on the cut of meat, you might use around 2-3 carrots, 2-3 celery stalks, and a small white onion. Choose additional vegetables to add as well. Depending on what you want to do with the beef you braise, you might elect to make a one-pot meal with the addition of vegetables. In most braising, some variety of aromatic vegetable will always be used to keep the moisture consistent in the bottom of the pot, as well as to release other flavors and aromas. Cooking beef low and slow is a great opportunity to cook vegetables as well. Other vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, peas, mushrooms, greens, leeks, or other root vegetables can be added to the pot later, about 45 minutes before the meat is done cooking. Some fruits, like apple or pear, can also pair nicely with braised beef, depending on the season. Use firm, slightly under-ripe fruit, if you want to experiment. Aromatic herbs like rosemary, sage, bay leaf, or thyme can kick your braised beef up several notches. If you've got access to an herb garden, or just want to buy some fresh herbs from the store, tie up a bundle of a few stalks in twine and add at the same time you add the braising liquid. Always use a heavy-bottom stew pot or dutch oven. Braising starts on the stove and moves into the oven, making it important that you start in a pot that's oven-safe. Enameled cast-iron pots are perfect for braising, featuring the heat-retention of cast iron and the hefty weight of a good baking dish. Skillets aren't generally big enough to hold all the braising liquid, meat, and vegetables required for a good braising, while thinner sauce-pans won't hold the heat as effectively as cast iron. If you don't have a cast iron dutch oven, though, anything you can cover and put in the oven will do in a pinch. If you don't have an oven-safe stew pot, but have a heavy-bottomed saucepan, it's perfectly fine to braise meat on the stove-top as well. Some cooks prefer the oven method because it more evenly-distributes heat throughout the meat, while others prefer the simplicity of braising on the stove. Both methods result in tender and delicious beef. Prepare the meat for braising. Season the meat on all sides with an even coating of salt and pepper. Go easy if you're going to braise the meat in broth, which will also be seasoned. If you want to add other spices to the dish, wait to add them until after the braising liquid has been added. Don't worry about trimming off fat or connective tissue, which will be broken down during the cooking process, providing great flavor. Some cooks like to dust the meat with a light coating of flour before browning it, while others choose not to. Flour can help to create a nice attractive crust on the meat during the browning, and it will work to thicken the sauce. Additionally, it helps to dry out the surface of the meat to promote browning. If you don't dust with flour, dry off the meat before you attempt to fry it. Damp beef won't brown. Depending on the cut of meat you're using, you may want to trim up the beef into manageable pieces, or leave it whole to braise the entire roast. Either method is perfectly fine, and will only majorly affect the presentation of the dish after it's done. In general, braised beef will be left whole, while "stewed" beef (which is submerged in liquid) will be cut into smaller chunks. The techniques are largely similar, so go with what you like best. If you'd like bite-sized chunks, go ahead and cut up your roast ahead of time. If you'd rather leave it whole and fork it apart later, that's fine too. Brown the roast and then remove it from the pot. Put your pot on the stove over a medium-high heat, coating the bottom with about two tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil starts to smoke, add your meat and let it brown on each side, until you've created a nice dark crust on the outside. Turn the meat periodically and be very careful not to scorch. You need to brown meat over high heat to cook the outside, not the inside. You'll cook the meat through in the liquid, so the browning is just used to create that tasty outer-layer of crust, as well as to season the bottom of the pot with drippings and little burned-on bits. The inside should still be very pink after you've browned it. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside. Add the mirepoix and sauté over medium-high heat. In the drippings and browned bits stuck at the bottom of the pan, add your finely-minced carrot, onion, and celery. Stir the vegetables around as they brown, taking care not to let them scorch. Add about an inch of your braising liquid. When your vegetable base is browned, add a small amount of braising liquid to deglaze the bottom of the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the stuff stuck to the bottom, which will help to flavor the sauce and the meat. Add enough liquid to cover the vegetables and bring it to a simmer. The difference between stewing and braising is the amount of liquid you add to the pot. Although they're very similar processes, technically-speaking, braised beef requires only the smallest amount of liquid, enough to cover the vegetables and create a humid environment in which to cook the meat. If you add a bit too much, don't worry, it'll be just as good. Return the meat to the pot, cover it, and place in the oven at 325 °F (163 °C). Once you've got the braising liquid up to a gentle simmer, add the beef back into the pot, settled gently on top of the vegetable/liquid mixture. Cover the pot securely and put it in the oven. If you want to braise on the stove, reduce the heat immediately to low and cover the pot securely. To keep things from drying out, it might be helpful to add a bit more liquid than you normally would, more like you would for a stewing, and to leave the cover on the pot as much as possible. Every time you remove it, the moisture will be released, causing it to get drier. As the meat cooks the liquid should condense and intensify, but the pot shouldn't dry out because you have the lid on. As it condenses on the top of the pot, it'll drip back down on top of the meat, basting it and keeping everything moist. Because you're creating a little cooking climate in the pot, you shouldn't remove it and mess with it. Let the pot and the heat do the work. The braising liquid should not be boiling. If the lid of your pot is rattling because the bubbles are aggressive, turn the heat down some. Anywhere between 250 and 350 F is appropriate for braising. The lower the temp, the longer the cooking time. Add additional vegetables 45 minutes to 1 hour before the meat is done. To make sure everything finishes cooking at roughly the same time, you should add vegetables to the equation later in the cooking process, depending on what you want to add. Root vegetables like parsnips, turnips, carrots, potatoes, and beets can and probably should be added earlier in the cooking process. Add root vegetables to the pot when you return the meat, and cut into uniform bite-sized pieces. Delicate vegetables like greens, mushrooms, beans or peas should be added quite near the end, no more than an hour before you remove the braised beef from the oven. These may be added whole. Defrost any frozen vegetables you'd like to add before adding them to the braising pot. Adding frozen vegetables can bring down the temperature considerably, and they won't need to be cooked for very long anyway. Remove the meat when fork-tender. Depending on the size and variety of the cut you're braising, it should cook between 2 and 4 hours to reach its most tender state, and reach an internal temperature of around 160 F. When the beef is done, it should literally fall apart with very little pressure from a fork. As the meat cooks, moisture will be forced out, drying it out. When it reaches 160 F, it'll technically be "done" at this point, but it won't be as good as it can and should be for a proper braising. Since you've gone to all the trouble to braise it, really braise it. After a bit more time in the oven, the fibers will relax and reabsorb the gelatinized collagen, making the meat very tender. You shouldn't need to worry about under- or overcooking a braised beef dish. Cooking it longer only makes it better, and there's almost no risk of over-cooking it. If you're in doubt, cook it longer. It's not a dish to rush. Remove the beef from the pot and let it rest. When the beef is done cooking, remove it from the braising liquid, set it on a plate or a carving board, and cover it with foil to retain the heat. Braised beef should rest for at least 10 or 15 minutes before you carve it. You can carve braised beef however you wish to serve it, depending on the particular cut. Slices are appropriate for brisket, while short ribs will likely be left whole. Fork-pulling some roasts might be appropriate, as well, if you want more of a BBQ-style dish. If you've added additional vegetables, you can remove them as well, if you want to reduce the liquid to create a sauce or gravy. Spoon into a serving bowl, cover, and set aside. Reduce the remaining liquid to create a sauce. After you've removed the beef, put the pot back on the stovetop over medium-high heat to reduce the amount of liquid by half, or until it reaches the consistency you desire. Season the sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire. If you want to make gravy, you can also thicken the sauce by mixing a slurry of about a tablespoon of flour and a quarter-cup of sauce in a separate bowl. When the slurry is mixed thoroughly, with all the lumps whisked out, add it to your sauce slowly, whisking as you go. If you dusted the meat with flour before browning it, the sauce might thicken on its own by reduction. Cook it down some to check for the thickness before you worry about starting a slurry. Other additional aromatics like ginger, lemongrass, grated citrus rind, or garlic can be added to the liquid as it reduces for the sauce. Pair with an appropriate side. Most commonly, you'll see braised beef paired with the vegetables it was braised with, if you chose to include any, and a potato dish of some sort. Braised beef is excellent with the following side dishes: mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes hash browns sweet parsnips turnips or "neeps" greens like mustard , collard , turnip , or beet Finish the dish with chopped herbs or other additions and garnishes. A bit of chopped flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, or fresh herb of your choice can liven up the braised beef. Arrange on a platter, spooning over the reduced sauce or gravy you made from the leftover braising liquid. In many parts of the world, braised beef is a common Sunday supper, especially in the cold winter and autumn months. After slowly simmering the meat in the oven, the whole house smells rich and warm. Marinade roast beforehand to braise sauerbraten. A German variation on a basic braised beef, sauerbraten involves marinating a browned round roast in a mixture of vinegar and aromatic spices for up to three days before adding sugar and braising the beef in the marinade. For the marinade , heat a cup of apple cider vinegar and red wine vinegar in a saucepan, with about two cups of water, over medium-high heat. To this, add one small chopped white onion and a half cup each of chopped carrot and celery. Toss in a teaspoon each of mustard seeds and whole clove, 2-3 bay leaves, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes while you brown the roast. After about 10 minutes, turn it off and let it cool to room temperature. Brown the roast in olive oil before removing and placing in a pot suitable for holding the meat and all the marinade. When the marinade has cooled slightly (you don't want it to cook the meat) pour it over the beef and let it sit in the refrigerator for about three days, turning it once a day to make sure the meat is equally submerged. After three days, braise in the oven at 325 F for about four hours after adding about a third of a cup of sugar to the marinading liquid. After braising, crushed-up gingersnaps and raisins are commonly whisked into the juice to thicken and add sweetness to the sauce, which is then poured over the sauerbraten. Use sliced bottom round to make braised swiss steak. While it has absolutely nothing to do with Switzerland, swiss steak involves the "swishing" process, by which one flattens fabric (in this case meat) with rollers or hammers. The tough meat is then braised in a rich sauce made from tomatoes, until fork-tender and delicious. Combined with mashed potatoes and fresh corn, there's nothing better than a properly cooked swiss steak. To prepare the meat , cut round roast along the grain to form steaks roughly one half inch thick. Dredge each steak in flour, then pound out with a meat tenderizer until the steak flattens by half. Dredge the steaks again in flour and brown them on the skillet, over medium-heat in your dutch oven, or other oven-ready pot, on both sides. When the steaks turn golden brown on both sides, remove them from the pot and set aside. To create the sauce , fry a small white onion, chopped, two or three cloves of garlic, and two large celery stalks in your pot. Sauté until the vegetables are browned slightly. To this, add a tablespoon of tomato paste and a can of diced tomato (or two medium fresh tomatoes, chopped), and about a cup of beef broth. Stir and bring to a simmer, adding some chopped oregano, Worcestershire sauce, and a tablespoon of lemon juice to the sauce. Return the meat to the pot and braise in the oven for about an hour and a half, covered, at 325 F. The meat should be done when it's fork-tender. Make carbonade flamande. Served with crusty bread, sweet-sour carbonade flamande is a deceptively simple Flemish flavor bomb, and a great way to mix up a traditional pot roast or braised chuck roast. Start the process by cubing the beef into bite-sized chunks and browning them in the dutch oven. Remove them from the pot, then crisp up about 3 or 4 strips of chopped bacon, turning down the heat when the fat renders out into the skillet. To the pot, add a whole white onion, chopped, and slowly caramelize the onion adding about 2 tablespoons of butter to the mix. Deglaze the pan with a bottle of Belgian ale , adding a cup of beef stock, and two tablespoons each of brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Season the braising liquid with chopped tarragon, parsley, thyme, or whatever green herbs you prefer, and salt and paper to taste. Return the meat to the pot , then cook on the stove over low heat, covered, for about two hours, until he beef is fork-tender. Some recipes call for the braised meat to be topped with slices of bread for the last bit of the cooking time, which is broken down and stirred into the sauce to thicken. Often, this dish is served beside Belgian fries , or french fries. Make the ultimate comfort food with beef bourguignon. The technique is easy and the flavor is classic French haute cuisine. It doesn't need to be complicated to be good. Brown cubed roast in bacon grease , then remove it and sauté the mirepoix. Stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste and add about 20 white pearl onions and a pound of white button mushrooms. Add salt and pepper to taste, while gently stirring the mushrooms and onions to coat. Deglaze the skillet with 2 or 3 cups of dry red wine, preferably Burgundy, and a cup of beef or chicken stock. Season with two bay leaves, and whole leaves of sage, rosemary, and oregano. Return the meat to the pot and braise at 325 F for about 3 or 4 hours until the meat is fork-tender. If the sauce is a little thin, remove the meat and cook it over medium-high heat on the skillet to reduce and thicken. Serve with roast potatoes. | Select an inexpensive cut of meat to braise. Select a braising liquid. Start with a mirepoix or some mix of finely minced vegetables. Choose additional vegetables to add as well. Always use a heavy-bottom stew pot or dutch oven. Prepare the meat for braising. Brown the roast and then remove it from the pot. Add the mirepoix and sauté over medium-high heat. Add about an inch of your braising liquid. Return the meat to the pot, cover it, and place in the oven at 325 °F (163 °C). Add additional vegetables 45 minutes to 1 hour before the meat is done. Remove the meat when fork-tender. Remove the beef from the pot and let it rest. Reduce the remaining liquid to create a sauce. Pair with an appropriate side. Finish the dish with chopped herbs or other additions and garnishes. Marinade roast beforehand to braise sauerbraten. Use sliced bottom round to make braised swiss steak. Make carbonade flamande. Make the ultimate comfort food with beef bourguignon. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Organize-Your-Home | How to Organize Your Home | To organize your home, start by going through every room in your house and sorting items by what you will keep, donate, or throw away. Next, get rid of the items you don't need by donating them to charity if they are still useable and if not, throw away or recycle them. Then, create storage systems for each group of items such as placing necklaces on coat hooks, earrings in ice cube trays, and purses on hangers. Additionally, consider getting a filing cabinet or filing boxes to store important files and papers. | Sort your items. Go through every room in your home and sort items by what you will do with them: keep, donate, or throw away. Keep items should be things you need and cannot part with, throw away items should be those which are completely useless to everyone, and donate items are those which you can't use but someone else would benefit from. Think critically about ‘keep’ items. Sometimes we feel like we need something but we really don't. These are the types of items which usually make homes cluttered and leave little space for the things we do need. Once you're done with the initial keep-donate-trash sweep, make a second sweep through your keep items and think about the last time you used them and if you actually need them. Find good uses for non-keep items. For the items that you will trash or donate, consider the best uses for those items. Certain types of donated items will do the most good if donated to particular organizations (old furniture to Goodwill, toys to the Salvation Army, clothes to refugee organizations, etc). Make sure that items you designate trash really are trash. Tattered clothing should not be donated but low-quality though functional and intact kitchen equipment could really help someone out. Sort items by function. Go through all of your keep items and decide what their primary function is. Like items should be grouped together so that you can decide how best to store them. They may be able to nest inside each other or otherwise be stored together efficiently. If they don't really have a function, you may want to consider putting them in the donate pile. Sort items by room and location. Once your items are sorted by function, separate and organize them by what room is appropriate for them to go in. Think about their function and locate them where they can be efficiently reached and used. Though items may share a similar function, they may need to be split up if one serves its purpose better elsewhere. For example, kitchen supplies should be kept in the area of the kitchen where they can be easily accessed when necessary. Items which are not used often can be stored up and out of the way, like infrequently used appliances (such as ice cream makers) or fancy or overly large dishes. Consider multiple purpose items. Consider items which serve multiple purposes and find a place to store them where both can be served without hindering the other. In some cases, you have multiples of that item, you can split them up between locations but this may not always be possible. An example of such an item may be small towels, which may be necessary to both the bathroom and the kitchen. Have a home for every item. Items left lying around will make your home look cluttered and unorganized so be sure to have a home set aside for every item. A good practice is to stand in a room and pick up every visible item and ask yourself if that is where that item should be at all times. If it's not, find a place for it to go. You will especially want a set home for items like your keys, phone and wallet. Keep a set spot for them near the door and develop a habit of always putting them in that spot. Doing this will keep you from constantly misplacing your items. Store items efficiently. Store items in a way which minimizes the amount of space they take while maximising how much use you can get out of them. With items organized efficiently, your home will have more space and look less cluttered. Small items in a 'junk' drawer can be sorted into labeled used Altoids tins, for example (to keep them from getting mixed up and wandering everywhere). Tension rods can be placed in a tupperware drawer to hold back and separate lids. Place metal sheets on the inside of cupboards so that you can use that space to store recipe clippings, instead of attaching them to your fridge. Organize necklaces on coat hooks, earrings in ice cube trays, and purses on hangers. Those plastic compartments, fishing or tool bins can be really handy for all kinds of miniatures like watches, fuses, cosmetic supplies, batteries, or accessories of many sorts. Put stock cooking ingredients (like sugar and flour) into tins or mason jars, to make them stackable and easier to store. Put spices into metal spice tins and store them on the side of your fridge. Use a filing cabinet to store laundry supplies and a shoe organizer on the inside of cabinet doors to store kitchen cleaning supplies. Create storage systems. For items of which you have multiples or large numbers, you will want to instigate a system of organization to help you find the individual items when needed. This will also help you use less space to store them to begin with, allowing for more storage space. Get a filing cabinet or filing boxes for files and papers. This is especially important for crucial documents like tax papers, birth certificates, and other sensitive information which you may need to find in a hurry or do not want to get lost. Have a set system for your clothes. You will have to devise a system which works best for you, but be sure you have a clear way of organizing both clean and dirty clothes. Dirty clothes can be separated by color into different baskets. Clean clothes should be hung neatly when needed and otherwise stored in drawers or baskets. Take a cue from frequent fliers and roll your clothes when storing them in drawers to minimize wrinkles and maximize storage space. Think about using wasted space. Think about spaces which go unused and how they may be turned into good storage space. Finding ways to use the extra space in your home will maximize your organizational options. A cubby space between a fridge and a wall could be home to a pull-out shelving unit for small items like cans and jars. An awkward spot in a hallway could be home to a small bookshelf and used for various items. The space under your bed can be used to store off-season bedding and large coats and sweaters (using boxes, bags, or roll-out storage). Think about vertical space. It's often a missed opportunity and can really give excellent solutions. That empty void between the clothes and the closet floor can be filled with shelves or hanging shoe, belt or tie racks. Many people purchase units that can hold tools, bikes, anything up against the wall. Just don't but things to high up Consider each new item you buy. Staying organized is about developing better habits. One good habit to develop is analyzing each new item you buy or otherwise acquire. Don't build up a whole bunch of things you don't need. This will make your home cluttered and disorganized all over again. Remember for that each item you acquire, you will have to find a home for it. Put things where they go. Get in the habit of always putting things away when you are done using them. Don't tell yourself you'll get it later or that maybe someone else will need to use it: just put it away. This habit will go the furthest in ensuring that your home stays organized. Make ‘giving away’ a regular habit. Always have a bag or box in your house which is a designated 'donate' location. Put items in there that you find you don't use anymore and try to put one or two items in every time you acquire a new item. | Sort your items. Think critically about ‘keep’ items. Find good uses for non-keep items. Sort items by function. Sort items by room and location. Consider multiple purpose items. Have a home for every item. Store items efficiently. Create storage systems. Think about using wasted space. Consider each new item you buy. Put things where they go. Make ‘giving away’ a regular habit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pumpkin-Puree | How to Make Pumpkin Puree | To make pumpkin puree, cut your pumpkin into wedges and roast them in a preheated 350 degree F oven for about 40 minutes. To prevent overcooking, pour some water into the baking dish with the wedges. Let the wedges cool, then peel the skin off the flesh and puree the peeled pumpkin in a food processor until it's completely smooth. If you don't have a food processor, use a blender or potato masher instead. | Get small pie or sugar pumpkins. You can make pumpkin puree out of any type of pumpkin, but for the most concentrated flavor (and the best for making pie), go for the smaller pumpkins that are intended to be used in recipes, rather than choose jack-o-lantern sized squash. Each pumpkin will yield a cup or so of puree. Look for pumpkins with bright orange flesh, no big bruises or gouges, and a relatively uniform shape. Heirloom pumpkins often have striated colors like yellow and green in addition to orange. These make great puree, too, but the color may not be the classic bright orange you're used to. Avoid decorative baby pumpkins - these don't contain enough meat to make much pumpkin puree, and they aren't grown to be eaten. Wash the pumpkins. Run them under cold water and scrub away any dirt or other debris, especially if you got the pumpkins from your garden or a pumpkin patch. Cut the pumpkins. Start by chopping off the stems, leaving as much of the body intact as possible. Next slice the pumpkins in half, revealing their seeds. Scoop out the seeds. Use a large spoon to scoop all of the pumpkin seeds from the halves into a bowl. Save the seeds for later, since they're delicious roasted. Scoop out as many of the orange strings as you can, too. Slice the halves into wedges. Finish processing the pumpkins by slicing the halves into quarters. You should now have 8 (or more, if you're using more than 2 pumpkins) wedges of pumpkin to work with. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place the pumpkin wedges on a baking sheet. Space them evenly along the baking sheet, skin-side down. Try not to let any of the wedges touch, since they won't cook as evenly that way. There's no need to drizzle oil on the wedges; the puree should have no ingredients aside from pure pumpkin if you plan on using it in a recipe later. Roast the wedges. Place the baking sheet in the oven and let the wedges bake for about 40 minutes. When the wedges are finished, you should be able to easily slide a fork through the flesh. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. Don't roast the wedges until they turn brown; this affects the flavor of the puree. They should be roasted until they're just cooked through. Pour some water into the baking tray with the wedges to prevent them from overcooking. The water will create steam as it heats up, helping the pumpkin cook evenly without browning. Peel the wedges. Once the wedges are cool enough to handle, it's time to peel the skin away from the flesh. Use your fingers to lift the skin off of the pumpkin meat. It should come off quite easily. You can use a fork to help you separate the skin if necessary. Put the pumpkin meat into a bowl and discard the skin. Puree the pumpkin flesh. Place it in a food processor and pulse it until it's completely smooth. Check to make sure there are no remaining lumps. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender or a potato masher instead. If the pumpkin puree seems too dry, add a few spoonfuls of water to moisten it. If the pumpkin puree seems too wet, strain it through cheesecloth before storing. Store the puree. Pumpkin puree can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several days. You can also place it in freezer bags and freeze it for a few months for later use. Make pumpkin pie filling. This is the classic use for pumpkin puree, and one of the most delicious. You've done the hard part by making the puree; all that's left to create a delectable pumpkin pie filling is adding the right spices and a few more ingredients. To make enough filling for one pie, mix 3 cups of pumpkin puree with the following ingredients, then pour it into a pie crust: 6 eggs 1 tablespoon cream 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 3 cups evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Make pumpkin bread. This wholesome fall dessert is a delicious way to use up extra pumpkin puree. Mix pumpkin puree with flour, baking soda, sugar, olive oil, eggs, and and chocolate chips, then pour the batter into a bread pan and bake. It's simple, and it will leave your house smelling wonderful. Make pumpkin soup. How about a savory use for pureed pumpkin? Making soup is a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner. Simply sauté a chopped onion and some garlic in a pat of butter in a large stockpot. Add 2 cups of pumpkin puree and stir until heated through. Add 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Top with a swirl of sour cream. | Get small pie or sugar pumpkins. Wash the pumpkins. Cut the pumpkins. Scoop out the seeds. Slice the halves into wedges. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Place the pumpkin wedges on a baking sheet. Roast the wedges. Peel the wedges. Puree the pumpkin flesh. Store the puree. Make pumpkin pie filling. Make pumpkin bread. Make pumpkin soup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Gladiator-Sandals | How to Wear Gladiator Sandals | To wear gladiator sandals, start by choosing a style that complements the shape of your legs, the width of your feet, and the style of clothing you want to pair them with. Be sure to try the sandals on before you make a final decision to check the fit and comfort level. Next, pair casual sandals with denim, shorts, sundresses, abstract prints, or wide-legged pants. Formal sandal styles with thin straps, heels, and metallic finishes work well with dressier outfits! | Dress for your leg type. If you have short legs, stick to simple styles of gladiator sandals. Ankle gladiator sandals are the best height for short legs, especially if your legs are full, so that you don't further shorten your legs visually. If your legs are long and thin, you can select styles with more details and colors, from ankle-high up to knee-high. If your legs are short and/or full, try nude ankle-height gladiator sandals that are close to your skin tone. Alternatively, any solid color with low ankles will work. Shoes with a long vertical strap and height to the heel will help to lengthen the appearance of your legs. Compliment the width of your feet. Gladiator sandals can make feet appear wider. If you have wide feet or thick ankles, select a style with diagonal straps instead of horizontal straps, which can visually widen your feet. If your feet are thin, you can opt for styles with thin straps and without a lot of detail if you want to widen the appearance of small feet. Know how to tie your sandals. Some styles of gladiator sandals have long straps that you tie around your legs. There are two ways to tie these sandals properly. You can tie them around your ankles, or just under your knees. Either way, wiggle your feet and legs around after tying the straps to make sure that they're secure. To tie around your ankles, keep all of the straps below your calves. Wrap one strap clockwise and the other counterclockwise around your ankle until you have enough tie left to finish it off with a knot. To wrap straps around your legs, make as few revolutions as possible – you may want to wrap it only once or one and a half times around your leg. The “X” of the straps should hug the back of your calf muscles so that the straps don't fall down. Tie the straps in a knot just underneath your knees. Choose fancier styles for formal occasions. Certain styles of gladiator sandals are more dressy than others. If you want to be able to wear your sandals for dressy occasions, you may want to choose a metallic finish and/or thin straps. You can also purchase gladiator sandals with stiletto heels! Choose shoes for vacation. The standard style of gladiator sandals – with flat soles and tie-up straps – are easy to make room for in your suitcase. Try them on first and walk around. Make sure that the soles are not so thin that your feet might hurt if you need to walk on pavement or other flat surfaces. If you plan to wear your gladiator sandals while travelling from place to place, you may want to select a zippered style so that you can take them on and off easily at airport security checkpoints. Wear prints. Gladiator sandals look good paired with large, abstract patterns. Select one patterned piece, such as a dress, top or shorts to wear with your sandals, and keep any other clothing pieces a solid color. Try not to choose micro prints, which can compete for attention with your sandals. Wear a solid black or white dress. Wearing gladiator sandals with a little black dress can add interest to your outfit. Wearing them with a white dress adds edge. With either option, you can transition from day to night styles using the same outfit! For this style, stick with neutral tones like white, black or brown to maintain the elegant, understated look. A solid metallic finish is also a great way to dress up a cocktail dress. Wear denim. Dress up denim shorts and a t-shirt with gladiator sandals and simple yet elegant jewelry, such as gold or silver necklaces and/or bracelets. Gladiator sandals also pair well with short denim skirts. You can elongate the appearance of your legs by wearing heeled gladiators with skinny jeans. Wear a casual dress. Gladiators pair well with short skirts. You can also wear a midi dress, which has a hem that falls mid-calf. Alternatively, you can wear a long dress or skirt with gladiators. Choose simple, flat gladiators if you want to wear them with a long skirt or maxi dress. Try gladiator sandals with a striped, printed or chambray midi dress. You can also wear your gladiators with a shirt dress! Style high sandals to your outfit. Mid-calf gladiator sandals look great with capri pants or a short skirt. You can pair mid-calf or knee-high sandals with a short romper or jumpsuit. These styles show enough leg to showcase the style of gladiators with higher straps. Try before you buy. Test gladiators before buying them by walking around in them first. They should feel comfortable. If your toes are slipping out or the shoe is rubbing the arch of your foot in an uncomfortable way, look for a different pair. Prep your feet. Don't wear socks with your gladiators. Make sure that your feet are in well-groomed condition. Aim for styles that make your feet appear smaller rather than larger. If you have large and/or wide feet, look for styles with diagonal or vertical straps rather than horizontal. Wear with shorts. Try shorts that fall just below the knee. You may want to pair your gladiators with slim, tailored shorts. Gladiator sandals tend to visually shorten the leg. If you have short legs, opt for sandals that stop below your ankles. For longer legs, you can wear styles with straps that go above the ankle bones. Choose neutral tones like black or brown for your sandals. Style the rest of your look with a smart-casual vibe. Wear wide-legged pants. If you don't want to draw too much attention to your gladiators by wearing shorts, try pairing them with wide-legged trousers such as linen pants, and a simple shirt. This is a good summer or vacation look, and you can also add a lightweight linen jacket. Try this look with leather sandals in dark shades or earth tones. | Dress for your leg type. Compliment the width of your feet. Know how to tie your sandals. Choose fancier styles for formal occasions. Choose shoes for vacation. Wear prints. Wear a solid black or white dress. Wear denim. Wear a casual dress. Style high sandals to your outfit. Try before you buy. Prep your feet. Wear with shorts. Wear wide-legged pants. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Live-Crickets-for-Reptiles | How to Care for Live Crickets for Reptiles | If you want to keep live crickets for your reptiles, keep them in a plastic storage container with holes poked in the top for ventilation. Place an old egg carton in the cage, and use an incandescent bulb to keep the environment in the container between 75° and 85°F. Give the crickets dechlorinated water and feed them dry cricket food and fresh fruits and vegetables. Once a week, clean the container to remove dead crickets, casings, and waste. | Buy a plastic cage. House your crickets in a plastic storage container. You can purchase a cricket cage from the pet store or you may use a Rubbermaid tub, garbage cab, aquarium, or an old plastic food container. Poke a hole in the top of the container to provide some ventilation. Use a smaller container if you have a few dozen crickets or less. If you have a larger number of crickets, you will need a garbage can or an aquarium-sized cage. The holes should be small enough for air to flow, but not big enough for your crickets to get out. Use a thumbtack to make small holes. You can also make a large hole in the top of the container and glue a mesh screen. Use a metal screen instead of fiberglass screen. Using a substrate is not recommended because it makes cleaning more difficult and produces more odor. However, if you do use substrate, sand, wood shavings, or coconut fiber is acceptable. Place an old egg carton in the cage. Your crickets need space to climb and to get away from the other crickets. If they remain on top of each other, they can suffocate. Stack an egg crate either vertically or horizontally in the cage. Depending on the size of your cage, you may need to cut the egg crate so it will fit. You can also use old paper towel or toilet paper rolls instead of egg crates. Keep the cage warm. Your crickets need a warm environment between 75°F - 85°F. You can use an incandescent bulb to provide heat. If you are trying to get smaller crickets (i.e. ½ inch or smaller) to grow, keep the temperature between 80°F - 90°F. Clean the cage weekly. Remove dead crickets, casing, and waste every week. Dead crickets release toxins that will kill the live crickets. Crickets are very sensitive to any fumes or chemicals. You should also clean the cage every time you get a new shipment of crickets. Tilt the cage to one side and move the egg crates to the other end. Your crickets will stay on the egg crates. You can then remove anything you need to from the cage. If you need to clean the entire cage, remove the egg cartons and place them in another temporary container. Clean the cage with hot water and a mild soap/bleach solution. Rinse the cage out until you can no longer smell the soap/bleach mixture. Give your crickets fresh fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet for your crickets will result in a healthy diet for your reptiles. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also a source of water for your crickets. The following foods are ideal for your crickets: Potatoes Carrots Greens such as romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli, and dandelion leaves Fruits such as apples, grapefruits, berries, mango, and papaya Avoid citrus, nightshade, banana, kale, iceberg lettuce, and watermelon Give your crickets dry food. A healthy diet consists of both fresh foods and dry foods. Your crickets will eat almost anything that you give them, including their fellow crickets. It is important that you always have a food bowl in their cage. Nutritious dry food includes: Cricket chow Alfalfa Wheat Bran Seeds and nuts such as unsalted raw sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, and peanuts Crushed cat food, dog food, or chicken feed that is vegetable based Gut load before feeding to your reptile. At least two days before you plan to feed the crickets to your reptile, feed them a mixture of all of the healthy foods that you have been giving them. Gut loading is different from regular feeding because you are giving them multiple foods at once. Gut loading makes sure that your reptile is getting the most nutritious cricket possible. Move the crickets that you plan to give to your reptile into a different container for gut loading. Dechlorinate the water. Only provide your crickets with dechlorinated water. You can purchase a dechlorinator from your local pet store for 5 or 10 bucks. It typically takes one or two drops of dechlorinator for every gallon of water. However always read the instructions. You can dechlorinate a gallon of water and keep it aside to give to your crickets. It should not take more than 5 minutes for the dechlorinator to work. Provide water in a safe way. While your crickets need water, you must be careful and not drown them. Use a damp sponge, paper towel, cotton ball or fresh fruit as water sources. Do not use a water bowl or any other type of standing water. It does not take much for crickets to drown. You can also purchase a feeder cricket watering device. Check the water supply multiple times a week to make sure that it is still damp. Buy crickets when they are young. Crickets have a short life span of 8-10 weeks. Try to buy young crickets so you can use them in time. When you purchase crickets, find out how old they are. The hotter you keep their cage, the shorter their lifespan. A temperature of 80°F - 90°F will cause your crickets to die more quickly. Try to keep it between 75°F - 80°F. Keep their cage clean. If you do not clean your cricket cage regularly, your crickets will not last as long. Remove a cricket as soon as it dies. Also, remove any uneaten food before it begins to rot. If you find that your crickets are not living for very long, you may need to clean more often. Provide adequate ventilation. A screen top is best for your cricket cage. If you are poking holes in your plastic lid, you will have to poke a ton of holes. The holes should cover the entire area of the lid. If your crickets are not living very long, poke more holes or switch to a metal screen. Your crickets will not get enough air if they are too crowded in their space either. Use egg cartons and make sure that you have a large enough cage. Use a safe water source. Apples are great as a water source for your crickets. If you do use a water dish, only fill it with ¼ inch of water. Also place a sponge in the water dish so that your crickets can easily climb out of the dish. Recognize the difference between male and female crickets. You can easily tell the difference between adult female and adult male crickets. Female crickets have an ovipositor (egg-laying appendage) that extends from their rear and smooth wings. Male crickets have ridges on their wings and use these ridges to make a chirping sound when they are trying to mate. It is difficult to tell the difference between males and females when the crickets are young. Breeding is not difficult with adult crickets. Have a separate container for egg laying. One container should be exclusively for breeding. Place substrate (e.g. moist sand, soil, coconut husk; damp cotton wool or paper towels) in a plastic tub. The substrate gives the female crickets a place to burrow before they deposit their eggs. Remove the container once eggs have been laid. You can also place one pint (500 ml) of nesting material on top of an egg carton for burrowing as well. The nesting container should be 2-3 inches deep so the eggs will not be disturbed. Check the nesting material every 2 or 3 days to make sure that it has not become dry. You should see eggs in 4-7 days. Allow eggs to incubate. Eggs are a whitish yellow color. Once they have been laid, move them to a different container that is between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the substrate stays moist, the eggs should hatch in about 10 days. Once the eggs hatch, move them to a rearing container. If the substrate dries out, your eggs will not hatch. Take care of the baby crickets. The rearing container should have small holes in the lid that are 1 inch apart. Place a water dish in the container and spray it with water every two days. Watch this container more carefully than you watch the breeding container. Keep the crickets in this container until they are a ½ inch long. Once they are a ½ inch long, you can feed them to your reptile. For breeding purposes, move some of the crickets to the breeding container when they are ¼ inch long. Adult crickets only live for a few weeks, and you will miss out on the breeding period if you do not set them aside. | Buy a plastic cage. Place an old egg carton in the cage. Keep the cage warm. Clean the cage weekly. Give your crickets fresh fruits and vegetables. Give your crickets dry food. Gut load before feeding to your reptile. Dechlorinate the water. Provide water in a safe way. Buy crickets when they are young. Keep their cage clean. Provide adequate ventilation. Use a safe water source. Recognize the difference between male and female crickets. Have a separate container for egg laying. Allow eggs to incubate. Take care of the baby crickets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Baked-Potato-Chips | How to Make Baked Potato Chips | To make baked potato chips, start by cutting potatoes into thin, even slices. Next, grease a baking sheet, add the slices in a single layer, and brush oil over the slices. Then, sprinkle with spices and bake for 15 to 30 minutes at 325°F, rotating the pan halfway through for even cooking. Make sure you check them frequently and remove pieces as soon as their edges turn golden brown. Finally, let them cool on paper towels. | Preheat your oven. Slow-cooked chips cook evenly and crisp up well. Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, or 160 degrees Celsius. Move the racks to the middle position. Prep the potatoes. Scrub the potatoes under running water to remove dirt, and cut off any green areas. You can leave the flavorful skin on, or peel it if you prefer a uniform appearance. Russets and Yukon Gold are two good options for this recipe. Avoid waxy or boiling varieties, since these tend to fall apart or cook unevenly. Cut into thin, even slices. Uneven slices are much more difficult to cook, since the thin slices will burn before the thick ones are ready. Use a mandoline set to ⅛ inch (3 mm), or a slicing disc attachment on a food processor. If you don't have either of these, sharpen a knife as much as possible and cut by hand. Keep the mandoline surface wet to keep the starch from sticking to the surface. Use a corrugated knife or mandoline blade if you prefer wavy chips. This size makes a thick-cut, crunchy chip, similar to store-bought kettle-cooked chips. You can cut the slices thinner with mandoline, but thin slices burn more easily. Parboil to reduce starch (optional). Starch molecules are essentially long chains of sugar, and just like sugar, they caramelize and turn brown when heated. If you prefer a light-colored potato chip with no burnt flavors, parboil the slices first to get rid of some starch: For every two large or three medium potatoes, combine 2 quarts (2 liters) water and 2 tbsp (30 mL) white vinegar in a large pot. The vinegar stops the potatoes falling apart. Bring to a boil. Add potato slices and cook for exactly three minutes. Cook for one or two minutes instead if slices are thinner than ⅛ inch (3 mm). Drain potatoes and transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Pat dry, then leave on paper towels for five minutes to finish drying. Move slices occasionally for even drying. Grease the baking sheets and potato slices. Grease heavy-gauge baking sheets or roasting pans with a light layer of olive oil, butter, or cooking spray. Thin, lightweight baking sheets may warp in the oven or burn the chips. If these are your only option, let the sheets warm in the oven as it preheats, and cover the entire surface with chips. Add the potato slices in a single layer. Brush or spray on a little bit more oil or butter over the slices, or just flip them over once on the greased pan. Sprinkle with salt and spices to taste. See below for additional flavor ideas. Bake for 15–30 minutes. Check on the chips frequently, since the cooking time can be unpredictable due to differences in potato variety. Rotate the pan halfway through for even cooking. Remove chips as soon as they are completely dry and the edges are starting to turn golden brown. You can leave them to brown a little more if you prefer them that way. If some slices brown more quickly than others, remove them with tongs and continue baking the rest. This cooking time is for ⅛" (3mm) slices. Thicker slices may take much longer to cook. Let cool on paper towels. Transfer your homemade baked potato chips onto paper towels to absorb the excess grease. Leave them uncovered to finish crisping as they cool. Eat within a couple days. Homemade potato chips will turn soft sooner than store-bought chips. Keep leftovers in airtight containers in a dry, cool location. Add dry seasonings. You can add just about any seasoning mix or dried spices to your potato chips, before or after cooking. Try paprika, pepper, garlic salt, or barbecue spice mix. Mix a Cajun spice blend or invent your own blend if you're feeling creative. Bake the chips with herb-infused oil. Rosemary or thyme are excellent flavors to pair with potato chips, but a pile of dried leaves is not too appetizing. You can buy them in powder form, or infuse dried herbs in olive oil instead. Toss the potato chips in the olive oil before cooking for an extra-crisp, extra-flavorful result. Also try dill, oregano, or chives. Add strong flavors to no-salt recipes. Toss the slices from two large potatoes in 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lime juice, a pinch of cayenne, a pinch of chili powder, and pepper to taste. These strong flavors pack plenty of kick and no sodium. Bake sweet potato chips. These take more time and effort to cook, but the basic process is the same. For best results, line the pan with foil and coat the foil and both sides of the chips with oil. Cook at 325ºF (160ºC) for about 40 minutes or until they start browning, flipping every five minutes. You can add sugar or cinnamon instead of salt to make sweet potato dessert chips. | Preheat your oven. Prep the potatoes. Cut into thin, even slices. Parboil to reduce starch (optional). Grease the baking sheets and potato slices. Add the potato slices in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and spices to taste. Bake for 15–30 minutes. Let cool on paper towels. Eat within a couple days. Add dry seasonings. Bake the chips with herb-infused oil. Add strong flavors to no-salt recipes. Bake sweet potato chips. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Jelly-Roll-Quilt | How to Make a Jelly Roll Quilt | To make a jelly roll quilt, you'll need to start by sewing quilt strips together to get a single long, thin strip. Then, fold the strip together at the short ends and sew along the long edge. Next, cut the short end open and spread the fabric out to its new, doubled width. Continue folding, sewing, and cutting, which will double the width of your fabric each time you do it, until you have 32 rows. After that, measure and cut the batting fabric and the fabric for the underside of your quilt, and sew them together with your quilt top. Finally, cut strips for the borders and sew them on. | Gather your materials. Making a jelly roll quilt is easy, but it does require some special materials. To make a jelly roll quilt, you will need: a jelly roll quilt strip roll (you can find one in any craft store) a sewing machine plenty of thread scissors a tape measure backing material batting for the inside of your quilt safety pins straight pins iron (optional) Separate the jelly roll quilt strips. A jelly roll quilt is named for the pre-cut strips that you use to make the quilt. These strips are usually arranged by color and come wrapped up in a roll. You can sew the strips together in the order they are in, or you can go through the stack and separate the colors a bit more. Separating the colors will result in a more random color pattern for your quilt. If you prefer a blocky color look, then do not separate the strips. Just sew in the order they are in. Unroll your strips and then divide the strips into piles of similar colors. Then, you can take one strip from each pile in a sequence as you sew the strips together. Begin sewing the jelly roll quilt strip ends together. Next, you will need to sew the ends of your strips together to start making the quilt top. Take two different color strips and sew the short ends together. Make sure that the right sides (print or color sides) of the material are facing each other. Then, take a third strip and sew the short end to the short end of the second strip. Then, take a fourth strip and sew the short end to the short end of the third strip. Continue sewing the strips together in this fashion until you have connected all of the strips. When you are done, you will have one long, thin strip made up of all of your small jelly roll strips. Do not worry about trimming the strings in between strips as you sew. It will be quicker and easier if you trim these strings after you finish sewing. Trim the strings between strip ends. After you have finished connecting all of the strips, go back through and cut the threads between each of the strip ends. Cutting this thread will allow you to extend the long strip you have created to its full length. Cut 18 inches off of the last strip. Cutting 18 inches off of your last strip will help to ensure that the seams are not side-by side when you sew your strips together. Measure from the end of the strip and then use your scissors to trim off the last 18 inches of the end strip. Discard the piece that you cut off. Fold and sew the two short ends together. Fold the right sides of your strip together so that the two short ends meet. Then, start sewing along the long edge of your strip. Sew about 1/4” from the edge. You will need to sew along the entire edge of the long strip. Make sure that the long edges are lined up and even as you sew. You can tug the fabric now and then to ensure that it is taut. Cut the fabric at the fold. After you have sewed along the entire edge of the fabric and reach the other short end, you will need to cut along the fold on the short end. Cut just until you reach the seam that you have just sewn. Then, open up the fabric to its new width. Continue to fold and sew the ends together. You will need to continue to fold the strip so that the two shortest ends meet, sew along the long edge, and cut along the fold until your quilt top has 32 rows and is about 50 inches wide. Each time you sew an edge, it will be half as short as the last edge you sewed, so after the first couple of edges, the sewing will start to go more quickly. Each time you fold and sew, you will be doubling the width of your quilt top. For example, you start with one row and then double to two rows, then four rows, then eight rows, then 16 rows, and, finally, to 32 rows. Lay out your quilt top. Place your quilt top right side down, which means that the colorful print side of your jelly roll quilt top needs to be facing down. Make sure that that the surface you use is flat, clean, and dry. Smooth out the quilt top. If the quilt top is bunching up then you can use some duct tape to secure it at the corners and ensure that it is fully extended. Measure the dimensions. Use your tape measure to find the dimensions of your quilt top. Your quilt's width should be about 50 inches, but this may vary. Measure the width and length of your quilt top to be sure how much fabric your will need for the batting and inner facing fabric. Cut your batting and additional fabric. Once you have the measurements of your quilt top, you can measure and cut your batting fabric, inner facing fabric, and border fabric to match your quilt top's dimensions. Cut the batting fabric and the inner facing fabric to the same dimensions as your quilt top. Cut two three-inch wide strips the same length as your quilt top and two three-inch long strips the same width as your quilt top. Your batting fabric will go inside of the quilt, directly behind the quilt top. Then, your inner facing fabric will be on the underside of your quilt, directly over the batting on the other side. Your border strips will go on the outer edges of your quilt. Place the batting and additional fabric over the quilt top. You will need to sandwich the batting between your quilt top and inner facing fabric. Lay the batting fabric down on the wrong side of the quilt top. Then, cover the batting with the inner facing fabric for the underside of your quilt. If your inner facing fabric has a print, then make sure that the print is facing upwards. Pin the materials together. It is a good idea to use safety pins rather than straight pins because you have to make sure that the materials stay put while you sew. If they shift while you are sewing then it can throw off the entire design. Pin through all three layers of your fabric. Start pinning in the center and move outwards. Make sure that you smooth out the fabric as you go. You can also place binder clips on the outer edges of the quilt to help keep the edges together. Begin sewing from the center out to the edge. Starting in the center will help to ensure that there are no lumps in the center of your quilt. Start in the center and sew in a straight line out to the edge of the quilt. Then, return to the center and sew out towards another edge. Smooth out the quilt often and hold it taut as you sew to prevent lumps and bumps. Continue to sew from the center out to the edges until you have covered all areas of your quilt with stitches that are about three to four inches apart. Sew around your safety pins or remove them right before you sew over an area that has a safety pin in it. Remove any remaining pins when you are finished. Add a border. Take one of your three-inch wide strips that is the same length as your quilt top. Then, fold over about ¼” to ½” of the border fabric on one of the long edges. If you want to ensure that this edge will be nice and straight, then you can iron it. However, you can also pin it straight onto your quilt edge and begins sewing. Pin the folded edge of your long strip to the long edge of your quilt beginning about one inch in from the edge. Use safety pins to do this and make sure that the fabric goes all the way through the materials. Then, start at one end and sew along the edge of the quilt to secure the border in place. Make sure that you hold the fabric tight and smooth it out as you go. Remove each the safety pins right before you sew over them. Repeat the same process on the other side of the quilt edge. Fold over the fabric, pin it, and then sew it into place. Add borders for the other three edges when you are done with the first edge. After you have added the borders, your jelly roll quilt is complete! | Gather your materials. Separate the jelly roll quilt strips. Begin sewing the jelly roll quilt strip ends together. Trim the strings between strip ends. Lay out your quilt top. Measure the dimensions. Cut your batting and additional fabric. Place the batting and additional fabric over the quilt top. Pin the materials together. Begin sewing from the center out to the edge. Add a border. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grill-Round-Steak | How to Grill Round Steak | To grill round steak so it's tender and tasty, season it well and cook it slowly. Put a liberal pinch of kosher salt on each side of the steak and season it with an even ratio of dried oregano, onion powder, and a clove of finely chopped garlic. After you season it, place the steak in a zipper-lock bag and let it rest in the fridge for an hour before you grill it. Sear the steak for 60 seconds on each side over high heat on the grill. Then, move the steak to the cool side of the grill so it's off of direct heat. Cover the grill and let the steak cook for 5-10 minutes, flipping it 1 time about half-way through. When they're done cooking, remove them from the grill, wrap them in aluminum foil, and let them rest for a full 10 minutes. | Trim off edge fat and silver skin in thin layers. Trimming off edge fat and silver skin will help your steak cook evenly and get rid of hard-to-chew bits. Gently slide the blade of a short, sharp knife under the unwanted pieces and slide the blade down to remove the fat in thin layers. Trim fat carefully and in thin layers. Trimming too quickly could end up taking chunks of meat off, too. Steak is marbled with fat, which helps keep it moist and tender. Trim away large chunks of fat around the edges, but don't worry about trying to pick out small veins of fat in the center of the steak. Those will render down as you grill the steak. Tenderize the meat to make it easier to eat. Round steak is a notoriously tough cut of meat, and tenderizing it can help cook it evenly and make it easier to chew. Use a meat tenderizer to pound your steaks until they look ragged but still together. The meat should be roughly 0.5 in (1.27 cm) thick once you're done. Tenderizing isn't strictly necessary, but it will help make a round steak more palatable once cooked. Season the steak. There are a number of ways you can season a round steak to help enhance the flavor. The most basic way is to sprinkle a liberal pinch of kosher salt on each side of the steak. Other seasoning options include: Mixing an even ratio of dried oregano and onion powder along with a pinch of salt and a clove of finely chopped garlic. The amount you need will depend on the amount of steak you have, and how much of the seasoning flavor you want to maintain. Experiment with different blends to find the right option for you. Combining a quarter cup (59 ml) of olive oil, a pinch of salt, a sprig of fresh rosemary, a sprig of fresh thyme, and 2 halved garlic cloves together in a plastic bag as a marinade. Rest your steak in the fridge for at least 1 hour. After you have seasoned your steak, place it in a zipper lock bag and compress out as much air as possible. If you'd prefer, you could also vacuum-seal it or cover it with cling-wrap. Then, place your steak in the refrigerator and allow it to rest for at least 1 hour. Depending upon your seasoning or marinade, you can leave your steak to rest up to overnight to get the best flavor. This works especially well with flavorful dry-rubs. Establish 2 heat levels on your grill. Make warmer and cooler sides to your grill to cook a round steak. If you are using a charcoal grill, rake all your coals over to one side. On a propane grill, simply set a single burner to a medium flame. The area next to but not directly over the burner serves as the cooler side. Once you establish your heat zones, allow your grill to warm up fully. This will take 5-10 minutes. Wipe away any large chunks from your marinade. You want your seasonings and salt to stay on the steak. However, larger bits like pieces of garlic cloves or full sprigs of herbs can burn and cause an acrid taste. Remove any large chunks of herbs or veggies from your steak prior to grilling, and drain off the excess liquid. Do not reuse your marinade to baste the steak while you cook. Sear your steak over high heat for 60-90 seconds on each side. Place your steak directly over the high heat area of your grill and allow it to cook for 60-90 seconds. Then, flip it with tongs and sear it on the other side. Repeat this process until a crusty brown layer forms on each side of the steak. Move your steak over to the cool side of the grill to cook the interior. Once your steak has a good sear on the outside, move it over to the cooler side of your grill and cover it to allow it to cook on the inside. Depending on how thick your steak is, this could take 5-10 minutes. Check it occasionally to make sure it is not burning or overcooking. Flip your steak once about half-way through the cooking time, when the internal temperature reads about 100° F (37.7° C). Check for an internal temperature of 120° F (48.9°C). Since round steak is naturally tough, it is recommended that you cook it to no more than medium rare. This keeps the steak from getting a rubbery texture. Use a meat thermometer stuck about half-way into the steak to check the internal temperature. It should be around 120-125° F (48.9-51.6°C). Remember that the ideal temperature range is around 130° F (54.4° C). Your steak will still cook a little while it rests, though, so you don't want bring it all the way up to the medium rare temperature on the grill. If you do want to cook your round steak to a medium temperature, bring it up to 145° F (62.8° C) before removing it from the grill. This will result in a steak that is cooked medium to medium well. Well done steaks should be cooked to 160° F (71.1° C), but this may result in a very leathery or chewy texture. Remove your steaks from the grill and allow them to rest for 10 minutes. Once your steak is at the right temperature, promptly transfer it from the grill to a cutting board. Allow it to rest there for 7-10 minutes. To help keep it warm, tent it with aluminum foil while it rests. Cut the steak into thin slices going against the grain. Look at the run of the muscle fibers in your steak. The direction those fibers travel is called the grain. Use a sharp knife to cut against the grain of your steak. Slice the steak up into several thin slices to keep it tender. This means that if your grain is running from left-to-right, you should cut your steak from top to bottom. Slicing against the grain keeps the fibers in each bite short so that your steak doesn't become overly chewy and hard-to-swallow. Plate your steak with garnish and/or sauce. Once your steak is cut, it's ready to go on the plate. You can serve it as-is, or opt to add some sauce and/or a fresh vegetable garnish. Grilled or pickled onions and bell peppers, or chopped shallots and herbs both make excellent toppers. Some sauce options include: Chimichurri Mango salsa A flavored butter A red wine reduction Serve the steak while it’s still hot. You want to serve the steak while it's still warm. Allowing a round steak to cool too much can compromise the flavor and texture. Serve the steak right after it is done resting for the best possible taste and presentation. You can store leftovers in an air-tight container placed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, repeatedly heating and cooling the steak will dry it out and make it tougher. | Trim off edge fat and silver skin in thin layers. Tenderize the meat to make it easier to eat. Season the steak. Rest your steak in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Establish 2 heat levels on your grill. Wipe away any large chunks from your marinade. Sear your steak over high heat for 60-90 seconds on each side. Move your steak over to the cool side of the grill to cook the interior. Check for an internal temperature of 120° F (48.9°C). Remove your steaks from the grill and allow them to rest for 10 minutes. Cut the steak into thin slices going against the grain. Plate your steak with garnish and/or sauce. Serve the steak while it’s still hot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Sand-Castle | How to Build a Sand Castle | To build a sand castle, start by choosing a spot on the beach where your castle won't get washed away. Next, scoop up clean sand and mix in just enough water to lightly dampen the grains. Squeeze the sand as hard as you can, since compacted sand is the strongest kind to build with, and create a sturdy, wide base to be the foundation. Then, build up a tall heap of wet sand and form the castle's general shape before adding the details, working from the top down. Don't forget to keep your sand moist! | Choose a spot that won't get washed away. You could happily spend an afternoon building a city on the beach. If the tide is on its way in, sit down near the tide line, the wet sand farthest from the water. Dig a well for easy water access (optional). Sand castles have just two ingredients: sand and water. For easy access to the second, dig a hole within arm's reach of where you want to build. Dig straight down until water pools at the bottom of the hole. You can skip this step if the sand is wet enough to mold on its own. Scoop up clean sand. Drop a handful of sand in a bucket of clear water. If the liquid looks murky or dirty, the sand has too much clay. It's much easier to build with fine, clean sand that leaves the water clear. The best sand for building is so fine it feels like a powder, and has grains with many rough edges. Most beach sand is too smooth to build truly giant sculptures, so don't feel bad if you miss out on the world record. Mix in a little water. Surprisingly, the strongest mix you can make is only 1% water and 99% sand. This is just enough water to cling to the grains of sand, forming "bridges" between the grains of sand to lock them together. But you don't have to get out the eyedropper — for a day at the beach, just mix until you can roll a ball of sand in your hand without it crumbling. Squeeze the sand as hard as you can. The more you compress the sand, the stronger it is. The best tools for the job are your bare hands. Trying to tamp the sand down with a shovel creates more cracks or loose spots where your castle could fall apart. Professional sand sculptors compact their sand in wooden frames, with no top or bottom. A bucket doesn't work for this because the sand gets stuck to the base. Listen for a "plop" or sucking sound when you empty tightly packed sand from a bucket — that's the sound of your hard work falling apart again. Start with a strong base. A sturdy, wide platform is a big help when you're trying to build a tall castle. Make a flat surface of wet sand larger than you think you need. Compress it by pushing it with your hands or stepping on it with bare feet. The perfect sculpture can get as tall as 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) on a base just 20 centimeters (8 inches) across. Build up a tall heap of wet sand. Don't try to make the base of your castle perfect from the beginning. Get the general shape you want first, even if it's just a big pile. Do this by stacking big handfuls of wet sand. Place them as gently as you can, without slapping or squeezing. Stop when the pile starts slumping or tipping over — you can always add more later. This can be much wetter than the sand you used for the base, as long as it mostly sticks together. If building a tower, lower your hand from above onto the heap. If building walls, place each handful from the side, smoothing out the wall slightly. Jiggle the heap of sand to drain out water. Place your hands gently on either side of the top of your heap. Very gently wiggle your hands back and forth to vibrate the sand. This will send the extra water dribbling down through the sand below. The sand left behind will settle into a dense, firm shape. Stop jiggling if you see any cracks appear. Shape your castle from the top down. Mold the top of your castle into the shapes of towers, buttresses, or anything you like. As you move down, jiggle the sand again wherever it feels loose or extra wet. Check out the ideas below for forming specific castle shapes. Keep your sand moist. If you see the sand drying out and crumbling, pour on a handful of water and pat it together again. It's safer to add too much water than too little, since the extra water will drain out over time. Bring along a spray bottle so you can quickly wet the castle surface as you sculpt. Build taller towers. The fastest way to build tall towers is with a stack of wet "sand pancakes." Mix together a large double handful of sand with almost as much water. Plop it down on the beach in a circle at least 20 cm (8 in) wide. Flatten the top a little. Working as quickly as possible, stack three or four more "pancakes," each one slightly smaller than the one below it. Once you get this high, stack even smaller handfuls gently on top, without trying to flatten them. Smooth out the walls of the tower before they dry. Jiggle the sand between cupped hands as you go to help the sand settle. Shape the castle walls. You can build these in almost the same way as towers. Just form roughly square "bricks" of wet sand. Set them on top of each other gently, shaping and jiggling the sides to settle them into a flat shape. Your walls will be more sturdy if you start building them against a finished tower. Make an arch. The easiest way to build an arch is to build two towers quite close together, leaning slightly inward as they go higher. As soon as the towers are close enough together, make a bridge between the tower tops with your hand. Pile more wet sand over your hand to connect the two towers, and wait a few seconds for it to dry. Heavy arches are more likely to collapse, so scrape off as much sand as you can from the sides and top before you move your hand away. Professional sand sculptors can connect towers quite far apart, just inserting a bridge of sand between them and smoothing it out. This is pretty difficult, but if you're up for a challenge, use the same approach recommended earlier for the base of your castle: slightly wet sand, very densely packed. Use small tools to shape the castle surfaces. A small rake, shovel, pencil, or any other handheld tool can carve into the sand. To make a flat surface, just drag the tool slowly and steadily across the sand. You can pack sand into funnels, small buckets, or other containers to shape it quickly into different forms. If you can, use containers that have a hole in the base. A solid base tends to stick to the sand, making it hard to force out. If the sand crumbles when you try to carve it, add more water. If it slumps, let it dry out a little. Carve the castle from the top downward. It's always easiest to carve the top of your castle first. If you move from the bottom upward, the falling sand from above will rub out your careful designs. Plan your moat carefully. If you decide to add a moat, carve the water channels a little distance away from your castle base. Water can seep into the nearby sand and cause your whole castle to slump into the foundation. Make sure there's plenty of space between the moat and castle to avoid this problem. If water flows down to the moat from higher ground than the castle, make sure it's not directly above your sculpture. Keep it to one side, so the water flowing through the sand doesn't collide with your hard work. | Choose a spot that won't get washed away. Dig a well for easy water access (optional). Scoop up clean sand. Mix in a little water. Squeeze the sand as hard as you can. Start with a strong base. Build up a tall heap of wet sand. Jiggle the heap of sand to drain out water. Shape your castle from the top down. Keep your sand moist. Build taller towers. Shape the castle walls. Make an arch. Use small tools to shape the castle surfaces. Carve the castle from the top downward. Plan your moat carefully. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Do-a-Health-Check-on-a-Guinea-Pig | How to Do a Health Check on a Guinea Pig | To do a health check on a guinea pig, try listening for heavy breathing or gasping for air, as respiratory problems are very common for guinea pigs. Also, keep an eye on your guinea pig's energy levels, since lethargy and difficulty moving can be a sign that something's wrong. Additionally, check your furry friend for any bleeding, which is usually a sign of infection. You should also watch out for discoloration in its urine or droppings, as this could signify digestive problems. If you think your guinea pig might have any health problems, you should take it to a vet as soon as possible. | Examine their eating habits. Are they eating their regular pellets and treats at the normal rate? If not, this can indicate a variety of digestive problems. If the guinea pig has not eaten anything for more than 8 hours you should see a veterinarian immediately. Otherwise, you might cut back some on fresh vegetable and fruit treats if you've been feeding them a lot to the pet. This can cause diarrhea. Usually, a couple of days of just feeding the guinea pig its normal pellet food and hay will help. You can then resume gradually introducing fresh fruits and vegetables on a smaller scale. If the lack of eating persists for any reason then you need to take the guinea pig into the veterinarian within 24 hours. Listen for labored breathing. Does the guinea pig sound like they are breathing heavy or gasping for air? Respiratory problems are extremely common for guinea pigs. If the guinea pig is breathing very heavily then seek immediate attention by a veterinarian. Notice if the guinea pig is sneezing, has discharge around the eyes, and/or has a runny nose. These are all signs of a respiratory infection and require quick attention by a veterinarian within 24 hours. Look for changes in their energy level. Is the guinea pig more lethargic, dragging itself around, and/or refusing to leave its hideaway? This could indicate several problems. If the guinea pig appears to barely be able to move or even stand then seek immediate attention by a veterinarian. Guinea pigs do like their quiet time to nap, but should also be fairly active the rest of the time. If you see the pet unable to walk without dragging itself around, unwilling to move around to eat or too infrequently leaving its hiding house then this could be more serious. There could be a physical ailment like pododermatitis ("bumblefoot"). This is an infection of the guinea pig's feet that can cause lameness and pain. Usually, this is quite visible as a swollen area on the feet of the pet, and it can bleed. See a veterinarian within 24 hours to begin treatment. Other problems could be indicated by lethargy including circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and parasitic. Seeking veterinary advice quickly is crucial to a timely diagnosis and treatment. Listen for frequent sounds of crying out. If the guinea pig is "wheeking" too often, especially during normal functions like urination, this could indicate a particular problem. Guinea pigs can make noises for food or communication frequently, but if they are doing it during normal bodily functions it could indicate a problem. If they are crying out when they are urinating, leaving droppings, or you touch a particular area then this might be a problem with that function or area. See a veterinarian with 24 hours. If they made the sound when you touched a particular area then you might inspect the area of the body following the later method to see if you can find more information on what might be wrong. Pay attention to other changes. There is no substitute for being observant to other changes in your guinea pig's behavior. And each guinea pig has different personality quirks that you will be more familiar with than others. It's difficult to predict all behaviors your guinea pig may normally have before a problem changes things. Use your judgment to notice if the pet is behaving differently, but defer to your veterinarian if you are the least bit unsure. Look for blood. This could be in patches on the guinea pig's body or oozing out of different areas like the mouth or rectum. Bleeding is usually the sign of an infection or sometimes in the case of excessive scratching can leave the guinea pig vulnerable to infection. Guinea pigs cannot fight infections on their own and require medical assistance to do so. Infections rarely cross-species, but you do not want to be careless. Clean any exposed surfaces thoroughly with a disinfecting product like Lysol and use medical gloves to handle the guinea pig. See the veterinarian immediately. Check for changes in appearance to urine or droppings. This can signify several problems not the least of which are digestive in nature. If the guinea pig is not urinating at all then you should see a veterinarian immediately. If you notice discoloration in the guinea pig's urine, softness or infrequent release of droppings, or a combination of these then see the veterinarian in the next few days. Sometimes the guinea pig may be suffering a vitamin deficiency, or suffer a problem with the effectiveness of the digestive tract itself. Comb through the guinea pig's coat. Check for hair loss, patches of missing fur, and/or irritated skin. Hair loss could indicate several problems such as skin irritations, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, toxins, parasites, infections, or other problems not readily apparent. If hair loss is the only symptom then you should try to see the veterinarian within the next few days. Increase bathing efforts and cleanliness around the cage. Feel around the guinea pig's eyes for crust or tenderness. Don't touch the eye itself, but also look for redness or dullness that could hint at other problems. Any discoloration on or around the eye can be a sign of infection. If the guinea pig doesn't seem too bothered by it then see the veterinarian in 24 hours. You can try using a cotton swab to gently rub off some of the crust to see if cleaning it off is sufficient to alleviate the guinea pig's discomfort. If the guinea pig is scratching or crying out from the eye irritation then see the veterinarian immediately. Swab the guinea pig's ears gently. Mites and infections can get in the ears too. Check the ears for a build-up of wax or a grey-black colored substance. Either of these insignificant amounts may be indications of an infection or presence of mites. Any of these conditions can be treated by your veterinarian. | Examine their eating habits. Listen for labored breathing. Look for changes in their energy level. Listen for frequent sounds of crying out. Pay attention to other changes. Look for blood. Check for changes in appearance to urine or droppings. Comb through the guinea pig's coat. Feel around the guinea pig's eyes for crust or tenderness. Swab the guinea pig's ears gently. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-CPA-Marketing | How to Learn CPA Marketing | The best way to learn CPA marketing is to get a degree in Internet marketing or enroll in an Internet marketing course at a community college or online. Download and read ebooks on the technical aspects of marketing. Gain experience by familiarizing yourself with Pay-Per-Click advertising and the different media channels, such as YouTube and Facebook, where PPC can help you earn money by driving traffic to your website. | Think about enrolling in an internet marketing course at your local community college or Lifelong Learning center. This is essential if you have never done Internet marketing before, as many of the terms associated with CPA marketing will likely be unfamiliar to you. In these courses, you will become acquainted with the major types of internet marketing, including affiliate marketing. You can also get an education in internet marketing online through a number of websites. Just make sure the website is reputable by searching for reviews from past and current users. Consider getting an Associate's Degree or Online Certificate in Internet, Digital, or Online Marketing. If you want to build up a good knowledge base and you learn best in an instructional setting, then signing up for a 1 or 2 year program may be your best option. In this program, you will learn how to start a career as an online marketer, including getting started with CPA marketing. Like most types of online marketing, CPA marketing is changing constantly. Those who are most successful are able to learn through trial and error and constant research into new techniques. It is not necessary to take a degree program in order to be successful. Download an ebook on CPA marketing. Relatively inexpensive (or free) in comparison to regular books, ebooks about technical aspects of marketing are common. Consider titles like "Newbies Guide to Mastering the Secrets of CPA Marketing," "Newbie 411: The Official CPA Marketing Beginners Guide" and "CPA Marketing Simplified." Try searching for these titles on a large eBook website, like Amazon. Understand how you'll make money. With all of the specific information involved with CPA marketing, it can be helpful to have an overall picture of how you can make money doing this. Essentially, you are creating traffic (a flow of visitors to your website) that you redirect to an advertiser. From there, if this traffic (now potential customers for the advertiser) decides to opt in to the advertiser offer, fill out a form, or buy the advertiser's product, you earn a set commission. In many cases, this commission can be anywhere from $1 to $6 per lead (customer action), but in some cases can be as high as $22. Set up a website. You may want to start with a blog in a subject of your choice. In order to become an affiliate and participate in affiliate marketing, you need to have a website with significant traffic. Many affiliate marketers start by creating content and posting affiliate links on their page. You'll have to make sure the website is yours and doesn't ban affiliate marketing by agreement with the hosting service. See how to make a website for more information. You will need to cultivate the ability to start new websites, buy domain names, host pages and make landing pages. These skills will become important as you begin CPA marketing. Learn the basics of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. PPC advertising allows you to drive traffic to your site by placing ads on other, relevant websites. You pay the ad provider a small amount for each time a web user clicks through your ad to your website. You can learn how this works through YouTube videos, online tutorials or by trial and error. Set up an account in Google AdWords and Microsoft adCenter, and pay for some ads that drive traffic to your website, in order to practice while you learn. Pay-per-click advertising can get expensive quickly, especially in a keyword bidding war (when another website or websites also wants to advertise for the same keywords). You also run the risk of routinely paying for clicks that don't lead to sales for you. Always analyze these risk before getting started in PPC. Learn how to use the channels that are often used for CPA marketing. The best way to become a CPA marketer is to learn how to drive traffic to websites. The following are ways that people learn to drive traffic. Practice creating and promoting fan pages and groups on Facebook. If you know how to get "likes," then you are on your way to driving traffic to a lead landing page. This usually takes a passion for staying in touch with followers and trying new creative social media strategies. Practice creating videos and YouTube channels. If you are an expert in a field or you can call on other people to create creative or instructive videos, this content grabs attention. Once you have traffic, you can post links to landing pages where you can gather lead information. Learn how to make and buy Internet ads. If you have graphic design skills and you don't want to create content on a blog or YouTube, then this may be the best option for you. You can find prime ad spaces, through services like BuySellAds, and purchase the ad space for a period of time. If the ad is targeted successfully, people will click on the link and type in their information, giving you leads. You will need to subtract the cost of the ad in order to figure out your return on investment. Become adept at using PPC advertising to get traffic to your landing page. Similar to buying ad space, you will need to bid on keywords in order to place the link to your landing page where you will get noticed. If you have a lot of experience with search engine advertising, this may be the best option for you. Practice driving targeted traffic to your website. Use all of the methods you have learned to try to increase traffic to your website. You'll want to try to bring on a specific type of traffic that is marketable to CPA networks. This type of traffic, that you can turn into leads for your advertisers, is called "targeted traffic." It involves targeting a certain need or type of person and offering what they need or or are looking for. You will not be able to gather leads if you don't know how to bring specific people to your website. For example, you might have a blog or website that reviews phone cases. You would want to target people searching for things like "best iPhone cases" or "durable phone cases." Build up an affiliate marketing "portfolio. " Launch some marketing campaigns and keep records on your most successful efforts. These can be PPC campaign or use any of the other strategies mentioned in the previous part of this article. To track your progress, keep a record of the number of visitors to your site and the turnover rate to other links you post on your website (the percentage of visitors that click through to other links rather than simply leaving). These other links can simply be ads you've sold on your website or any other affiliate program, such as Amazon Associates. Some CPA networks are competitive, so you should be able to talk, write about and prove your worth while applying. Amazon Associates is a program that allows you earn a percentage commission on sales of products on Amazon.com by posting links to those products. You earn a small commission each time a product you link to is bought. Pick out your niches. Also known as verticals, these are the specific markets in which you will be a successful CPA marketer. This is essentially what your targeted traffic is looking to purchase and a collection of their interests. Example niches include health and fitness, technology and business opportunities. Find a relevant CPA marketing offer. To get started with CPA marketing, you'll need to find an advertiser offering CPA that is relevant to your blog or website and, most importantly, to your traffic. The websites http://odigger.com/ and http://www.offervault.com/ both allow you to search aggregated CPA offers and find one that meets your criteria. Once you've found one you like, you'll have to join the posting's network to begin marketing for that advertiser. Be sure to check that the offer is available in your country and for your traffic type (email, website, etc.). You'll also want to look at the landing page (the page your link will direct traffic to) to be sure that it looks legitimate enough that your traffic will actually use it. Submit an application to the appropriate CPA marketing website. After you've found a good offer, you'll need to apply to the proper website to take advantage of that offer. These sites include MaxBounty, NeverBlue, C2M, ClickBooth, ROI Rocket, Azoogle, Affiliate and Hydra. Take time to fill out your applications carefully, since many first time CPA marketers get turned down. Be sure to include a phone number so that they can contact you, otherwise you might be immediately rejected. If you are just starting out in CPA marketing, you should note that on your application. You should also specify the ways that you are learning and your past affiliate marketing successes. Call the CPA network after submitting your application. This simple act will show that you have great follow through, and it may increase your chances of getting accepted. Incorporate the CPA marketing into your website. Once you are accepted by the CPA network, you're ready to begin marketing your advertiser's product or web page. Find a way to seamless integrate the new CPA material into your old website. That is, don't make it look overly commercial, like you're trying too hard to advertise. For example, you should avoid banner advertising whenever possible. | Think about enrolling in an internet marketing course at your local community college or Lifelong Learning center. Consider getting an Associate's Degree or Online Certificate in Internet, Digital, or Online Marketing. Download an ebook on CPA marketing. Understand how you'll make money. Set up a website. Learn the basics of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising. Learn how to use the channels that are often used for CPA marketing. Practice driving targeted traffic to your website. Build up an affiliate marketing "portfolio. Pick out your niches. Find a relevant CPA marketing offer. Submit an application to the appropriate CPA marketing website. Incorporate the CPA marketing into your website. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Jump-on-Horseback | How to Jump on Horseback | To jump on a horse, start by setting up a small obstacle, like a log or a rail. Avoid using tall obstacles at first since your horse might get scared. Then, when you're ready to jump, trot toward the obstacle in a straight line. In the last stride before taking the jump, lift yourself out of the saddle slightly and lean forward, which will make it easier for you to stay balanced as the horse jumps. Make sure to stay in this position until the horse lands. Then, shift back to your normal riding position. | Lift yourself out of the saddle. To jump, you must get yourself into position as the horse starts to jump. Start by lifting yourself out of the saddle in to 2 point. You should also lean forward while lifting yourself. Getting yourself into position should happen quickly, basically as the horse is changing from his final stride into a jumping position. You will be learning to do this transition so it takes you only a few seconds. Shift your weight. As you lift yourself, your weight should shift to the balls of your feet. This movement should come naturally as you rise in the saddle and move forward. Adjust your legs. It may be tempting to ride this position with your heels up. However, you need to keep your heels down, putting your full weight in the stirrups. In addition, make sure to bend your leg slightly. This keeps your leg from moving backwards too much. If your leg moves backwards too much, it can make your horse go too fast. Move your hands up. That is, you need to push your hands up the horse's neck a bit from where you normally keep your hands. Some riders even grab the horses mane. Moving your hands gives your horse a chance to really stretch out his neck as he takes the jump. Practice out of the saddle. It can be difficult to learn the proper position in the heat of the moment. Every jump only provides a little bit of time to get into position. Therefore, try practicing in front of a mirror at home. You can also practice on your horse when he is trotting or cantering to get a feel for the position. Basically, as soon as you get the feel for how to shift your weight, you can start trying it in the saddle. Apply a neck strap before trying. If you've never jumped a horse before, try using a neck strap. If you don't, you may jerk back on the reins at the wrong time, pulling the bit hard into the horse's mouth. Line up the horse properly. As you turn to take a jump, you must make sure the horse is in the correct position to take it. In other words, the horse needs to take it dead on, directly in the center, rather than slanted or off to the side. Part of lining up the horse properly means you are sitting up and looking straight at the jump, which helps to push the horse in the proper direction. Support your weight with your thighs and legs. You shouldn't be putting any weight on your hands as you prepare to take a jump. Also, make sure you are not holding the reins too tightly, giving your horse freedom to move his head. Get into position. As you feel the horse prepare for the jump, you must get into position, detailed in the previous section. Remember, you also must keep your leg around the horse, or else you could fall off. Also, look forward as you take the jump, not downward. Continue to lean forward. As the horse jumps, lean forward even more. Leaning forward helps you maintain your balance on the horse, as it shifts your weight. Return to normal position. You only return to your normal position as the horse lands from the jump. During the jump, stay in this position. As he lands, transition back into normal position as he transitions back into his stride. It should take about the same amount of time. During this time, you should keep contact with the reins and the horse's head, but let the horse balance himself as he will. Also, you can keep one leg in the jumping position as you head to the next gate. Move towards the next jump. Now that you've come out of the jump, it's time to be looking for the next one. Once again, make sure to approach it head on, rather to the side. Try bouncing. Bouncing is when you set up a series of small fences in rapid succession. Start with two at first. The idea is the horse never goes back into regular strides between fence. Therefore, you must stay in the proper position for jumping the whole time, giving you and the horse practice. Don't look down. It's important to look ahead through the jump. For one thing, it helps you plan ahead for the next jump. For another, shifting your head can shift your whole body. That can throw the horse off, which in turn can make you lose your balance. Trot first. While you generally canter a horse in competition, starting the horse on trotting helps acclimate him to jumping. It also helps him learn how to jump the best way, meaning leaning back on his hocks before he takes the jump. Start small. One of the best ways to teach your horse not to refuse a jump is to start with very small jumps. That way, the horse can jump it even if he stops in front of it. If you let him walk away and come back to it, you're only telling him he can refuse a jump at will. For instance, you can start with just rails on the ground. Another way to introduce a horse to jumping is trail logs. Because they're round, there's less chance the horse will hurt himself. In addition, let him jump in the way he feels like when he first starts jumping. That is, he's inexperienced and will not be jumping properly yet. In time, he will learn, but in the meantime, still try to get into position as he jumps. In addition, try using a neck strap to help you stay on the horse. Give your horse an example. Anytime you introduce your horse to something new, it helps to have an older horse around to show him what to do. Horses follow other horses' lead, so once the young horse sees the older horse do it, he'll be willing to give it a try. Move up slowly. Introduce higher jumps and trick jumps over time. However, every time you start, review what you've recently taught the horse to solidify it in his memory. Understand why a horse may refuse. If a horse starts refusing jumps, it's usually because of the rider. The rider may be inexperienced and not approaching the jump correctly, meaning the horse feels like he can't take it. Occasionally, it may mean mean the horse shouldn't be jumping anymore. If a horse decides to have trouble with a particular jump, have someone lower it for you to help the horse build confidence again. | Lift yourself out of the saddle. Shift your weight. Adjust your legs. Move your hands up. Practice out of the saddle. Apply a neck strap before trying. Line up the horse properly. Support your weight with your thighs and legs. Get into position. Continue to lean forward. Return to normal position. Move towards the next jump. Try bouncing. Don't look down. Trot first. Start small. Give your horse an example. Move up slowly. Understand why a horse may refuse. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Hiccups | How to Cure Hiccups | There are several effective ways you can get rid of hiccups. Start by using simple controlled breathing techniques. Inhale slowly, counting silently to 5. Then exhale for a count of 5. Repeat these slow breaths several times. Another effective breathing technique is simply holding your breath. Inhale until your lungs are full, then hold for 10-20 seconds, then exhale slowly. Breathing into a paper bag can also help stop hiccups. Slowly inhale and exhale into the bag to make it inflate and deflate. Don't use a plastic bag for this, and stop if you feel lightheaded. If controlled breathing doesn't cure your hiccups, you can try to stop your hiccups by eating or drinking. Drinking from the far side of a water glass works for many people. Bend over, and drink from the opposite side of the glass. This will simulate drinking upside down, and the combination of swallowing and pressure on your diaphragm from bending over may stop your hiccups. You can also try holding your breath while drinking ice cold water through a straw. If you don't have a straw handy, just take small sips from a glass while holding your breath. Some strongly flavored foods can get rid of hiccups, as well. Take a spoonful of sugar in your mouth, and hold it there for 5-10 seconds. Then follow with a big sip of water. | Breathe in and hold your breath 3-4 times in a row. Slowly inhale to fill your lungs with air. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, then exhale slowly to release the breath. Repeat 3-4 times, holding your breath for 10 seconds each time. Breathe into a paper bag. Hold the paper bag in front of your mouth, with the sides against your cheeks. Then, slowly inhale and exhale into the bag so that it inflates and deflates. Try to relax your body as you breathe into the bag, which may help relieve your hiccups. Don't put the paper bag over your head. Compress your chest by leaning forward as you exhale. Stand or sit in a straight-back chair. Breathe in deeply, then slowly lean forward as you exhale. Stay in this position for up to 2 minutes. This helps press down on your diaphragm and the muscles surrounding it, which might get your hiccups to stop. If you don't get relief after your first try, do it again 2-3 times. Use measured breathing by inhaling and exhaling to a 5 count. Slowly inhale, counting to 5 as your lungs fill with air. Then, hold your breath for a 5 count before exhaling to a count of 5. Repeat this up to 5 times to help relieve your hiccups. If you still have the hiccups after 5 breaths, rest for about 20 minutes and then try again. Stick out your tongue and gently pull on it as you exhale. Slowly inhale to fill your lungs with air. As you exhale, stick your tongue out. Then, use your fingers to gently pull your tongue forward, without causing yourself any discomfort. This should trigger a pressure point to help you stop hiccuping. You can repeat this technique up to 3 times if it doesn't work the first time. After that, take a break before trying again. Stop pulling on your tongue if it hurts. This shouldn't hurt at all. Pinch your nose as you try to exhale. Inhale slowly as you take a deep breath. Then, hold your breath as you plug your nose and close your mouth. Next, gently try to breathe out, which will trigger your diaphragm and muscles to think you're breathing. Finally, exhale slowly. If you still have the hiccups, you can repeat this technique 3-5 times. After that, take a break even if your hiccups remain. Sip a glass of ice cold water through a straw. Fill a glass full of cold water, then slowly drink it until it's gone. As you drink, try to hold your breath for as long as you can. Additionally, you might plug up your ears. This technique works best if your water is ice cold rather than just chilled. Drink from the far side of your glass or upside down. Add water to a glass until it's half full. Then, lean over your glass and drink from the side farthest away from you, which will simulate drinking upside down. As another option, you can lie upside down off of your bed or couch, then carefully drink the water. Stop every few sips to see if your hiccups have gone away. Be careful that you don't accidentally breathe in the water or pour it into your nose. Take a spoonful of sugar. Take a spoon and fill it with white or brown sugar. Then, hold the spoon in your mouth for 5-10 seconds. Finally, swallow the sugar and take a big sip of water. If this doesn't work straight away, it's not a good idea to ingest spoonful after spoonful of sugar. Instead, switch to a different technique. Bite or suck on a lemon wedge. Place a lemon wedge into your mouth. Then, either bite into the wedge and drink the juice, or suck on the wedge to get the juice. If the taste is too much for you, it's okay to add a little sugar to the lemon wedge to sweeten it. The taste of the lemon juice causes a similar reaction to someone scaring you. Sip on pickle juice for an easy way to consume vinegar. Vinegar may help combat your hiccups, but you may find its smell and taste to be unpleasant. Since pickle juice contains vinegar, you can drink it instead. Take a few sips of pickle juice or put a few drops of it onto your tongue. Then, repeat as necessary until your hiccups are gone. All pickle juice contains vinegar, no matter the type of pickle. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter. Scoop out a small spoonful of peanut butter, then place it onto your tongue. Hold it in place for 5-10 seconds to let it dissolve some. Then, swallow the peanut butter without chewing. Other nut butter like almond butter or Nutella can be substituted for the peanut butter, if you prefer. Lie on your back and pull your knees into your chest, then lean forward. Lie on your bed or couch, then bend at your knees. Slowly pull your knees up toward your chest, then lean forward in a crunching motion. Grasp your knees, then hold them in place for up to 2 minutes. This compresses your chest and may help push outgas. You can repeat this motion 2-3 times if your hiccups don't go away. Try bending forward in a chair while hugging your knees. Find a straight-backed chair and sit down with your back fully pressed into the back of the chair. Slowly bend over into a tucked position with your arms crossed over your body. Then, slowly squeeze your arms around your body and hold for up to 2 minutes before releasing. Repeat the movement 2-3 times if your hiccups don't go away. Ask a friend to tickle you if you’re ticklish. Although the tickling itself doesn't cure hiccups, the sensation will distract you from your hiccups. This may make you forget all about them, which might make them go away. Also, the laughter can alter your breathing, which might also help. Get them to tickle you for at least 30 seconds. If this doesn't work, you might try to go longer. Make yourself burp, if you can. If you can make yourself bump on command, then this talent may be the answer to your problems. Burping can relieve hiccups, so force yourself to burp a few times. Although gulping air or drinking fizzy drinks can cause burping, it's usually not a good idea to try these techniques, as they can trigger hiccups. If you can't make yourself burp, then try a different technique. Try coughing to stimulate your muscles. Coughing may disrupt your hiccups, which could make them go away. Make yourself cough, forcing the air out of your lungs in quick succession. Continue for up to a minute. You can repeat 2-3 times if coughing doesn't work the first time. If you can, cough right around the time you think you're about to hiccup. Eat slower to prevent recurring hiccups. For some reason, not chewing your food well enough can lead to hiccups. The theory behind it is that air gets trapped between pieces of the food, gets swallowed, and results in hiccups. Eating slowly means you'll chew more, eliminating this risk. Set your fork down between bites to help yourself slow down. Count the number of times you chew so you eat slowly. For instance, you might chew 20 times. Eat smaller meals. Big meals may trigger hiccups, especially in children. Control your portion sizes to help prevent hiccups. Additionally, space out your meals so you don't get too full. For instance, you might eat 3-5 small meals every 2-3 hours. Stop drinking fizzy or carbonated drinks. The gas in these types of drinks can cause hiccuping, especially if you drink them quickly. If hiccups are a common problem for you, cutting out fizzy and carbonated drinks may help. If a drink has bubbles in it, don't drink it. Avoid chewing gum so you don’t swallow gas. When you chew gum, it's normal to swallow a little gas with each chew. Unfortunately, this can trigger hiccups in some people. If you have hiccups often, it's best to skip the gum. Use mints or suck on hard candies instead. Cut out alcohol and spicy foods. Both alcohol and spicy foods can be a hiccup trigger, so it might be worth it to avoid them. This might help you stop your chronic hiccups. You might keep a food diary to figure out if you typically have hiccups after you have alcohol or spicy foods. If you don't, then you might not worry about this advice. Get immediate care if hiccups interfere with eating, drinking, or sleeping. You need to be able to eat, drink, and sleep in order to function and stay healthy. In rare cases, hiccups can prevent you from doing these things. If this happens to you, then you need to see your doctor immediately so that you can get relief. Your hiccups shouldn't be interfering with your daily life. See a doctor if the hiccups haven't gone away after 48 hours. Although most hiccups go away on their own within a few hours, sometimes an underlying condition can make the hiccups continue. Your doctor can determine what's causing your hiccups and treat them. Tell your doctor how long your hiccups have been happening, as well as any other symptoms you're having. Ask your doctor if a prescription medication is right for you. If you have hiccups that won't go away, your doctor might prescribe a treatment. However, medication isn't right for everyone, so your doctor will talk to you about the risks and benefits. They may prescribe one of the following medications: Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is one of the most widely used medications for hiccups, and it is suitable for short-term therapy. Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a drug most commonly used for nausea, but it works for hiccups as well. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant which can treat hiccups. | Breathe in and hold your breath 3-4 times in a row. Breathe into a paper bag. Compress your chest by leaning forward as you exhale. Use measured breathing by inhaling and exhaling to a 5 count. Stick out your tongue and gently pull on it as you exhale. Pinch your nose as you try to exhale. Sip a glass of ice cold water through a straw. Drink from the far side of your glass or upside down. Take a spoonful of sugar. Bite or suck on a lemon wedge. Sip on pickle juice for an easy way to consume vinegar. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter. Lie on your back and pull your knees into your chest, then lean forward. Try bending forward in a chair while hugging your knees. Ask a friend to tickle you if you’re ticklish. Make yourself burp, if you can. Try coughing to stimulate your muscles. Eat slower to prevent recurring hiccups. Eat smaller meals. Stop drinking fizzy or carbonated drinks. Avoid chewing gum so you don’t swallow gas. Cut out alcohol and spicy foods. Get immediate care if hiccups interfere with eating, drinking, or sleeping. See a doctor if the hiccups haven't gone away after 48 hours. Ask your doctor if a prescription medication is right for you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Distress-Wood | How to Distress Wood | If you want to distress wood with paint, sand the surface lightly so it will absorb the paint better. Then, paint the piece white, opal, or eggshell and let it dry. Paint a bolder color on top of that, but smudge it around while it is still a little sticky to reveal some of the paint underneath and make it seem old. You can even use sandpaper to make the effect more pronounced if you want. | Sand down the edges. Go over the angled edges of the piece with a sheet of sandpaper. Stick with a high-grit sandpaper and vary the amount of pressure you apply to each area for more natural-looking wear, or use sanders with different grits to change the character of each surface slightly. You might also choose to go over the flat face surfaces as well, especially in smooth, glossy areas that give away the newness of the wood. Some strategic sanding alone can instantly make untouched wood look well-aged. Distress wooden boards using gravel. Simply lay one board flat on the ground and cover it with gravel from end to end. Place a second board over the top, then stand on the upper board and walk back and forth slowly. Your weight will grind the gravel into the surface of both boards, leaving behind distinct marks in a random pattern. Don't just walk on the boards—rock forward and backward, jump up and down, depending on how pronounced you want the distressing to turn out. Be sure to flip the boards over and repeat on the opposite surface if both sides of the board will be visible in the finished piece. This method can be a big time saver if you're working with raw lumber rather than furniture or some other constructed item. Gouge the wood with a blunt object. Take a hammer, screwdriver, length of heavy chain, high-heeled shoe or similar tool and use it to strike the wooden surface all over. The impact will leave behind deep impressions that look like the result of bumps, drops and knocks collected over the years. Chains can be especially useful if you want the distressing to be as realistic as possible, since the links will hit a differently with every swing. Be careful not to overdo it—too many deep impressions may be a giveaway that the wood has been artificially distressed. Use wood screws to create wormholes. Drive half a dozen wood screws through a slender piece of scrap board so that the sharp ends stick out the other side. Hammer the wooden piece repeatedly using varying amounts of force. This will open up a series of small holes that look like insects have tunneled through them. Change the position of the screw board or strike the piece from multiple angles so the wormholes don't all have the same pattern. Chip the edges with chisel. Angle the flat tip of the chisel or awl against the side of the piece and tap it with a hammer. Go around the entire piece and repeat the chiseling process on all sides, making sure to notch the wood at irregular intervals. If you want the wood to look severely distressed, work the chisel deeper into the surface to take off entire chunks. Simulated nicks can give wooden accessories a lot of extra personality, particularly on hard-wearing pieces like beams, door frames, desks and coffee tables. Sand the wooden surface lightly. Before you jump straight into distressing, run a sanding block or sheet of high-grit sandpaper over the entire piece. A thorough sanding will open up the pores in the wood and help the paint hold better. This translates to a longer-lasting finish that, ironically, will have no problem standing the test of time. Sand with a gentle circular motion, starting in a central spot and gradually working your way outward. Fold the sandpaper over squared edges and slide the entire sheet back and forth using smooth strokes. Paint the piece in a light color. A shade like white, eggshell or opal will work best. Don't get too heavy-handed with the first coat—you just need to get the paint onto the piece, not achieve total coverage. Work the base coat into corners, grooves and other hard-to-reach areas using the tip of your brush. Lighter colors will be more visible under additional coats of paint, enhancing the effect. Allow the base coat to dry completely. Leave the painted piece in a cool, dry place as it dries. This will usually take 8-10 hours, but you might want to wait up to 24 hours to ensure that the paint has had ample time to set. Once it has fully cured, you can move onto the next phase of the project. Avoid handling the painted wood while it dries. If you'd rather show off the natural wood grain than a separate layer of paint, feel free to skip straight to the distressing phase. Brush on a second coat of paint. Choose a bolder color for the topcoat that will stand in contrast to the lighter base coat underneath. This time, paint the entire piece. Use multiple coats to reach the desired depth and smoothness. Change up the direction of your strokes to work the paint into tiny crevices and other textured areas. To underscore the vintage aesthetic, go with a topcoat in a faded-looking pastel shade, such as brick red, powder yellow or robin's egg blue. Wipe the paint with a damp cloth. Wet a rag or soft kitchen scrubber and wring out the excess water. Use the rag or scrubber to smudge the paint while it's still slightly sticky to the touch. Doing so will expose the lighter paint underneath, which creates the illusion that the piece has been repainted over the years. Work slowly and rub the paint with minimal pressure to avoid taking off too much paint at once. If you accidentally remove more paint than you intended, simply brush on a fresh coat and start over. For a more exaggerated finish, you can also use high-grit sandpaper after the paint has dried. Leave the wood as-is. If you'd prefer that a particular piece keep more of a raw look, you may choose not to stain it at all. A few scratches and dings can go a long, especially if you're working with salvaged wood that already has a bit of age on it. Go ahead and brush on a clear coat to put the finishing touches on the piece. Stain the piece to add tint. Dip a soft-bristled brush or the corner of a clean cloth into the liquid stain and blot it over the surface of the wood. Spread the pigment until it's evenly distributed over the piece, applying additional coats as needed. Be sure to select a stain that complements the natural grain of the wood you're working with and fits the sensibilities of the project. A rich chestnut or mahogany, for instance, will make a chest of drawers look like it's been handed down for generations, while softer hues can be used to produce a weathered effect on outdoor furniture and structures. The right stain will conceal the drab color of new wood and accentuate the distress marks you made, giving the piece a sense of timelessness. Distress the stain to create the appearance of age. Soon after applying the stain, use a dry cloth to wipe the wet areas and remove excess pigment. What's left behind will set into the grain, highlighting its attractive textures while still looking somewhat faded. For deeper tones, let the stain soak into the wood for several minutes prior to stripping it. It's better to add more stain a little at a time until you reach the desired depth than to start with too much and try to remove it through other means. Preserve your distressed finish with a final clear coat. Brush on an even coat of varnish or polyurethane over the entire surface, let it dry overnight, then apply a second coat. This will protect the wood from dust, scratches and exposure to the elements while locking in the modifications you made. Use weather-resistant varnish on pieces that are meant for exterior use or display. Allow the clear coat to dry for 4-6 hours. Wait until the varnish or polyurethane loses its tackiness before moving, mounting or otherwise handling the piece. Your patience will be rewarded by a much more durable and long-lasting finish. Afterwards, you can delight in the rustic elegance of your new (old) wooden decor! Clear coats can sometimes take up to 4 weeks to cure completely. During this time, it may be wise to store outdoor pieces inside to prevent moisture from interfering with the hardening process. | Sand down the edges. Distress wooden boards using gravel. Gouge the wood with a blunt object. Use wood screws to create wormholes. Chip the edges with chisel. Sand the wooden surface lightly. Paint the piece in a light color. Allow the base coat to dry completely. Brush on a second coat of paint. Wipe the paint with a damp cloth. Leave the wood as-is. Stain the piece to add tint. Distress the stain to create the appearance of age. Preserve your distressed finish with a final clear coat. Allow the clear coat to dry for 4-6 hours. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-Denim-Boots | How to Wear Denim Boots | The best way to wear denim boots is to go with a bold, trendy pair that is thigh-high, distressed, and have a peep toe. Wear your boots with an oversized white button-up or black graphic t-shirt and short cut-off jean shorts. Finish the look with a matching accessory, such as a denim choker or clutch. | Get a thigh-high pair for a trendy look. The most commonly worn type of denim boots is most likely thigh-high. These combine both vintage and modern styles, and so they appear interesting and different to many. Go with this type if you're wanting to incorporate trendy celebrity influences into your personal style. Wear denim ankle boots for a rocker chic vibe. If you don't think that a thigh-high distressed boot is quite your style, try going for a more subtle ankle boot. Whether you get one that has a stiletto heel or a thick, chunky heel, this boot can give your outfit a little bit of edginess without getting the entire room's attention. Buy a loose-fitting pair if you want to go along with the trend. If your main interest in denim boots stems from loving Hollywood style, wear loose denim boots like many of the celebrities do. Search for a pair that bunches around your legs to fit into the Hollywood scene. Show off your legs with a tight-fitting pair. If the slouchy vibe doesn't really match who you are, buy boots that are made of a stretchy denim material instead. This type of fit is also popular and can help to accentuate the curvature of your legs. Go for a belted pair of boots to keep them secure on your legs. If you're worried that your boots might fall down and you don't want to deal with pulling them up frequently while you wear them, a belted pair is a safe bet. Not only do these stay in place all day because they're belted at your waist, but they also stand out because of their structural originality. Go bold with a peep toe boot. Peep toe boots aren't as common as close-toed boots, so they tend to stand out more. Instead of getting a boot that looks like most other boots, commit to a bold look by getting a pair that shows a little skin in the toe area. Choose a distressed boot for an edgy look. Just like distressed jeans, distressed denim boots show that you aren't afraid to have style that's a little rough around the edges. Embrace your inner rebel by getting boots that have a disorganized, ripped pattern. If you want thigh-high boots, look for a pair that's distressed in the knee area. Express your sensuality with a pair that has unique closures. Instead of going with a pair that just slides on, look for some denim boots that lace up, zip-up, or buckle. Because they incorporate more than just 1 uncommon element and often show a little more skin, these demand attention and often give off a sexy vibe. Show off your personality with a boot that has embellishments. A more personalized boot can help you stay in tune with your authentic style. If you like glitz and glam, go for a pair that has rhinestone embellishments. If you love floral patterns, look for some denim boots that have floral embroidery or a couple of colorful floral patches. Get a light wash denim boot if your style is more casual. Light-wash jeans often look more faded, worn, and as a result, casual compared to darker washes. If you'd like to wear your boots with outfits that give off a laid back vibe, go for a pair that's made of a light wash denim. Pair your boots with light neutrals for a daytime look. Since your boots will likely stand out, it's best to keep the rest of your outfit relatively simple. Opt for light neutral, solid-colored shirts, shorts, skirts, and dresses when you wear your boots casually during the day. You can also pick light solid colors that go well with denim, such as pale yellow or lavender. When in doubt, stick with colors like white, cream, and tan. Consider wearing a solid-colored fitted baby blue sleeveless top with a pair of cut-off booty shorts and baggy denim thigh-high boots that have a thick heel. Dress down your thigh-highs with an oversized t-shirt and short shorts. Most commonly, people where this particular outfit with their thigh-high boots. Opt for a graphic t-shirt that's a few sizes too big. Wear this with tight-fitting shorts or a mini skirt that just barely peeks out from underneath the shirt. Try wearing light wash denim boots with a white t-shirt that has the name of your favorite band on it and a light wash denim mini skirt that has a frayed hem. Rock the double denim look with your boots. While it used to be considered a fashion faux pas, double denim is now a popular trend. When going more casual, don't be afraid to wear your boots with another piece of clothing, such as cut-off shorts or a button-up jacket, that's made of denim. This looks most stylish when then 2 denim pieces have a matching wash. When in doubt, try this with ankle boots to avoid including an overwhelming amount of denim in your outfit. Avoid wearing your boots with denim jeans, since this may make your boots and pants look connected. Tie your relaxed outfit together with a denim accessory. This is another way to incorporate denim into your outfit if you decide not to double down on the denim. Rock a thin denim choker or carry a clutch that's made of denim to make your outfit feel laid back and also cohesive. Go with a dark wash denim boot for a polished look. Dressing up denim is much easier if the denim looks crisp and polished. Purchase a pair of boots that is made of a dark wash denim if you intend to wear them with fancier outfits. Pair your boots with darker neutrals for a sleek look. Denim boots can clash with vibrant colors and busy patterns. Opt for solid-colored, dark neutral-colored clothes instead. Tops, dresses, skirts, and shorts that are solid black or charcoal can be paired with your boots for a daring dressy nighttime look. On a night out, consider wearing a solid black strapless bodycon dress with a stretchy, fitted pair of stiletto thigh highs. Dress your thigh-high boots up with an oversized button-up and short shorts. If you're going fancier, swap your t-shirt out for a button-up to bring in a classic, clean element. Let a pair of short shorts or a miniskirt peek out from underneath your button up to complete the look. Try Wearing a crisp white oversized button-up, a red leather mini skirt, and distressed stiletto thigh-highs. Wear your boots with a dress on special occasions. Dresses are typically a solid outfit choice if you're wanting to go formal. Form-fitting, baggy, long, and short dresses can all look great with a pair of denim boots. Contrast the fit and length of the 2 to get the best possible outfit. If you have tight, thigh-high denim boots, opt for a short swing dress. If you have baggy thigh-highs, go for a bodycon dress. If you have ankle boots, wear a dress that falls at or below the knee. Throw on a blazer to take your outfit to the next level. Blazers can add sophistication to nearly any outfit. Put on a classic, fitted blazer over a dress or fitted top to dress up your denim boots. Pair a dark-wash boot with a navy blazer. Wear a solid-colored bright yellow blazer with a light-wash pair of denim boots. Dress up your denim boots with a statement piece of jewelry. A statement piece of jewelry can take your outfit from relaxed to chic. Put on sparkly pair of chandelier earrings, a classic gold watch, or a long pendant necklace to go for a classier vibe with your denim boots. Cut off the legs of an old pair or jeans at about mid thigh. Lay a pair of jeans out flat and pick a spot between the knee and the crotch area where you'd like the top of your boot to be. Then, use scissors to cut a straight horizontal line across the pant leg at this point. Lay the cut pant leg over the other one and cut it in the same spot. After cutting one pant leg, lay it on top of the other and use it as a guide while you cut the other pant leg. This way, you can make sure that your boots will be the same exact height. Put on a pant leg and a stiletto shoe and glue the hem to the shoe. Pull 1 of the pant legs onto the leg that it's supposed to go on. Then, put on a black open-toed stiletto heel that will become part of your boot. Pull the hem of the pant leg just over your ankle and heel so that it's barely covering the top of your shoe in the back. Lift up the hem, squirt some hot glue around the back top edge of the shoe, and press the hem down. Be very careful not to get any hot glue on your skin, or else it may burn you. Wrap a strip of denim around the top of your foot and glue it to the hem. Cut a leftover piece of your jeans that's wide enough to reach from your ankle to your toe and long enough to wrap around your entire foot. Lay the piece centered across the top of your foot. Tuck 1 edge just underneath the hem of the pant leg, and glue them together all the way around. Glue the piece of fabric to the sides and bottom of the shoe. With the piece of fabric still centered, squirt hot glue along the edge of the sole on both sides of the shoe and press down. Fold the edges of the piece of fabric underneath the sole of the shoe and then glue the fabric to the shoe in this location as well. Take the shoe and pant leg off and glue a strip of denim around the heel. After the glue has dried, carefully pull the pant leg and shoe off. Cut another scrap piece of denim that's long enough to cover the entire heel of your shoe. Then, wrap the strip tightly around the heel and glue it to itself with the hot glue gun. Cut off the excess fabric once the glue is dry. Glue another extra piece of fabric to the toe area. Cut another piece of scrap denim that's about as wide as the toe area of your shoe. Fold the fabric over the front edge of the toe area so that one end of the strip is under the shoe and the other is underneath where you foot goes. Glue the edges down in these areas. Repeat this process for the other boot. Use your completed boot as a guide while you make your other boot. Go through the same process and use the same sizes of scrap fabric to ensure that your boots look identical. | Get a thigh-high pair for a trendy look. Wear denim ankle boots for a rocker chic vibe. Buy a loose-fitting pair if you want to go along with the trend. Show off your legs with a tight-fitting pair. Go for a belted pair of boots to keep them secure on your legs. Go bold with a peep toe boot. Choose a distressed boot for an edgy look. Express your sensuality with a pair that has unique closures. Show off your personality with a boot that has embellishments. Get a light wash denim boot if your style is more casual. Pair your boots with light neutrals for a daytime look. Dress down your thigh-highs with an oversized t-shirt and short shorts. Rock the double denim look with your boots. Tie your relaxed outfit together with a denim accessory. Go with a dark wash denim boot for a polished look. Pair your boots with darker neutrals for a sleek look. Dress your thigh-high boots up with an oversized button-up and short shorts. Wear your boots with a dress on special occasions. Throw on a blazer to take your outfit to the next level. Dress up your denim boots with a statement piece of jewelry. Cut off the legs of an old pair or jeans at about mid thigh. Lay the cut pant leg over the other one and cut it in the same spot. Put on a pant leg and a stiletto shoe and glue the hem to the shoe. Wrap a strip of denim around the top of your foot and glue it to the hem. Glue the piece of fabric to the sides and bottom of the shoe. Take the shoe and pant leg off and glue a strip of denim around the heel. Glue another extra piece of fabric to the toe area. Repeat this process for the other boot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Blades-from-a-Razor | How to Remove Blades from a Razor | If you want to remove a damaged blade from a razor start by holding the flame of a lighter to each side of the razor for 15-20 seconds to soften the plastic around the blades. Then, grip one of the blades with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and pull on the blade with the pliers until it comes out. Once the first blade comes out, repeat the process with the rest of the blades, reheating the plastic after you take out each blade. However, if you're thinking about removing blades from a razor in order to harm yourself, remember that you're loved. Try talking to someone you love about how you're feeling or, if you feel like you have no one to talk to, call 1-800-273-8255. | Replace the blade when you feel tugging or pulling as you shave. Sometimes, it's hard to tell when to change the blade in a safety razor. Pay attention to the first few strokes of your shave. If it feels like the blade is pulling on your hair, it's time to change the blade! If you notice that after you shave your face feels irritated or there are razor bumps and marks, this is a sign you should change the blades before you shave again. Never test the the blade on your hand, you can cut yourself or damage the razor if it isn't already dull. Twist the handle of the razor counterclockwise to expose the blade. Hold the handle in your dominant hand and use the other hand to hold the head of the razor. Then, rotate the handle to the left until the head begins to the separate from the handle or the top of the head opens up to reveal the blade, depending on the razor. There are a few different types of safety razors, and the blade comes out differently on some of them. Pay attention to the head of the razor as you're twisting the handle. Be careful not to tip the razor on its side or hold it upside-down. The razor can fall out of the head easily in those positions. Remove the current blade from the head of the razor. Carefully using your fingers or a butter knife, lift the side of the blade to take it out of the head. Try to avoid touching the sharp edges of the blade as you remove it. When you remove the blade, you can recycle it to reduce waste! Place a new blade into the open slot in the head. Select a new blade to replace the old one, and carefully slide it into the slot on the head. The blade will normally have words or arrows printed on it to ensure that it's facing the right direction. If you don't have a holder or cartridge for your extra blade, be very careful when handling the blade. Twist the handle clockwise to close the head and secure the blade. Once the blade is in the razor, replace any parts that might cover the blade, and twist the handle the opposite direction to tighten the head. Carefully tilt the razor onto its side to ensure that the blade is secure and won't fall out of the head. Some handles will lock into place once the head is completely secure, but most will not. Use the flame of a lighter to soften the plastic around the blades. Hold the sides of the razor over a flame for 15-20 seconds on each side to melt the plastic slightly. Be careful not to completely melt the plastic, as it can drip down the blades and coat them with plastic. Since most disposable razors are made out of cheap plastic, a simple flame will normally heat the plastic enough to remove the razor. Grip one of the blades with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Holding the pliers in your dominant hand and the handle of the razor in your other hand, position the pliers with 1 tip above the blade and 1 tip below the blade. If the razor has more than 2 blades, make sure you remove the blade at the top first because it will be the easiest to grip. If there's only one blade, try to wedge part of the pliers under the blade and rest the other nose on the top of the blade. Use a firm grip, but don't press too hard on the blade. The blades tend to be brittle and can sometimes break in half easily. Pull on the blade with the pliers until it comes out of the plastic. Since the plastic is softer, pulling on the pliers should cause the blade to come out. If the blade won't budge or the plastic is bending but won't release the blade, try heating the plastic again for another 10 seconds. Be careful not to pull too hard with the pliers. If the blade comes loose quickly, you can drop or damage it. Heat and remove the rest of the blades with the same process. If you need to remove more blades, work from the top of the razor to the bottom. As you're working, reheat the sides of the razor for 10 additional seconds when they harden. If you're planning to recycle the plastic of the razor, make sure you remove all of the blades. Sometimes, the blade on the bottom can be difficult to remove. Be patient and keep heating the plastic until the blade comes loose. | Replace the blade when you feel tugging or pulling as you shave. Twist the handle of the razor counterclockwise to expose the blade. Remove the current blade from the head of the razor. Place a new blade into the open slot in the head. Twist the handle clockwise to close the head and secure the blade. Use the flame of a lighter to soften the plastic around the blades. Grip one of the blades with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Pull on the blade with the pliers until it comes out of the plastic. Heat and remove the rest of the blades with the same process. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Small-Dog-Syndrome | How to Understand Small Dog Syndrome | Small dog syndrome is an attitude and behavioral problem that can develop in small dog breeds. Signs that your dog has small dog syndrome include poor social skills, frequent disobedience, and aggression. Keep in mind that small dogs don't inherently act this way. Instead, they develop small dog syndrome because they're coddled and held to different standards than large dogs are. | Watch how your dog interacts with other dogs. Poor social skills are a major symptom of small dog syndrome. Dogs who are overly coddled, or whose behavior is not corrected, never develop social skills. Pay attention to how your dog interacts with other dogs, whether in your home or when going out. A small dog may see himself as the boss. He may bully other dogs to get his way. He may, for example, chase other dogs away from the food bowl, or growl at dogs attempting to get on the couch with him. Your dog may be very aggressive on walks. He may bark, lunge, or growl at passing dogs. Look for frequent disobedience. Small dogs are often ignored when they disobey rules, leading them to have poor impulse control in the home. Your dog may behave poorly in general due to the double standard for behavior many owners have for small dogs. Does your dog beg for food? While many dogs beg for food, dogs with small dog syndrome are particularly persistent. They may whine, bark, and stare until they get their way, despite being told to quiet down. In extreme cases, a small dog may start refusing his own food in favor of table scraps. A small dog may have a general disregard for household rules. He may not listen when he's told to get down, get into things frequently, and have poor impulse control in general. Consider how your dog treats other people. How does your dog react to guests? A small dog may ignore guests who do not want to be jumped on or licked. A small dog may also be aggressive with guests. He may growl when guests come in, and may occasionally nip at people. Much like other problems, this stems from poor socialization and a lack of boundaries early on. Think about whether your dog is housebroken. Dogs with small dog syndrome may be particularly difficult to housebreak. Dogs generally pee to assert dominance and control in a home. As small dog syndrome can spoil a dog, urinating inside the home is a common symptom. Your dog will not just urinate in your home. Your dog will also pee when visiting the homes of friends or family members. Learn about the double standard for small dog behavior. Part of the reason small dog syndrome occurs is that small dogs are treated differently due to their size. Behaviors that would seem like a nuisance in larger breeds are ignored in small dogs as they're seen as less threatening. A small dog is not seen as a threat to people or other dogs, for the most part. If a large Labrador jumped on a guest, the dog would be told to get down. Its size may frighten someone. If a small terrier did the same thing, the behavior is less likely to be corrected. Small dogs are not seen as inherently threatening as larger breeds sometimes are. This leads to behavioral problems overall. When a small dog feels he can get away with certain behaviors, he's less likely to respect owner authority in the home. Consider whether you're guilty of coddling your small dog. Another factor contributing to small dog syndrome is that owners feel they must protect smaller breeds. You may, for example, pick your dog up quickly if you see a bigger dog on a walk. You may also not allow your dog to interact with larger breeds at all, even when larger dogs are well trained and generally friendly. This can lead to poor socialization, causing some of the problems associated with small dog syndrome. Small dog syndrome may cause excessive barking and aggression towards other dogs. Evaluate if the behaviors are encouraged. You may be reinforcing the behavior if your dog has small dog syndrome. Early on especially, behaviors that lead to small dog syndrome are often inadvertently encouraged. A tiny dog may bark at a larger dog on a walk or a park. Instead of correcting the behavior, you may be inclined to try to calm your dog down. You may say something soothing like, "Shhh, it's okay." Your dog can interpret this as praise, and feel aggression and barking are correct behaviors in the future. You may also be more inclined to let small dogs break household rules. A small dog jumping on someone may be seen as cute. A small dog hopping into your lap during dinner may also not be seen as a major issue. Therefore, the dog learns these behaviors are appropriate. The dog never learns to respect you as an authority figure in his home. Familiarize yourself with the risks associated with small dog syndrome. Small dog syndrome should be treated, as it carries certain risks. The biggest risk is behavioral problems. Small dogs may be harder to train, and may not obey as easily, as they're not held to the same standard. Small dogs also may develop problems with nerves. If you constantly feel the need to protect your dog from danger, he may learn to see the world as a dangerous place. Your dog may become nervous easily, which can sometimes lead to trembling when startled. There are some physical health problems associated with small dog syndrome. If you're carrying your dog around a lot to protect him, he may become overweight. This can lead to joint pain, as well as extra pressure on the organs. Ask a vet for advice. It can always be helpful to seek professional advice, especially if your dog's issues are becoming a real problem. A vet may be able to offer you some advice on how to reverse small dog syndrome. You can wait until your dog's regular appointment to ask questions. Small dog syndrome can often be treated at home, and is not usually a medical risk right away. However, excessive urination may be a symptom of other conditions. If your dog is urinating a lot, you may want to make a vet appointment early. Avoid picking up your dog too frequently. If your dog has small dog syndrome, you will want to take steps to correct the problem. You want to avoid long term health and behavioral problems associated with small dog syndrome. To start, avoid picking your dog up too often. A dog needs to walk for exercise. Do not pick your dog up on walks, even when he becomes aggressive or difficult. You should only pick your dog up when it's necessary for your dog's safety. For example, if an aggressive dog is running at your dog, it's appropriate to pick your dog up. Small dogs will also get spoiled when being carried all the time. Your dog may decide he or she is too good to walk, and start refusing to do so when taken out. Regular walking is necessary to a dog's well-being, so make sure your dog walks frequently. Hold your small dog to the same standards as a larger dog. Small dogs should be held to the same standards of behavior as larger breeds. While your small dog's jumping or aggression may not be that much of a nuisance, ignoring the problem leads to many behavioral issues associated with small dog syndrome. Do not let small dogs get on the couch or on someone's lap without an invitation first. Correct behaviors like barking, growling, or aggression. Never hand feed a small dog. While the occasional table scrap is okay for a treat, put the food in a dog's bowl. It's important your small dog can separate your food and eating area from his food and eating area. Reward positive behavior. In addition to correcting negative behaviors, reward positive ones. Give your dog a treat if he stays off the couch when told. Give your dog verbal praise if he stops jumping on a guest when instructed. Eventually, your dog should begin to understand appropriate versus inappropriate behavior. Encourage your dog to relax around larger dogs. Larger dogs who are socialized properly rarely pose a risk for small dogs. When a small dog becomes nervous around a larger breed, you want to correct that problem rather than inadvertently encouraging it by panicking yourself. When walking your small dog, start taking a bag of treats on walks. When you pass a larger dog, feed your dog treats. Talk to him in a soothing voice. Repeat this behavior every time you're passing a larger dog. Your dog will learn to associate larger dogs with good, happy things rather than danger. This can ease some of the anxiety and aggression associated with small dog syndrome. Inform others how to interact with your dog. You want to make sure a visit from a friend or family member does not undo your dog's progress. Let other people know the rules for your dog. Explain basic rules. Inform guests not to let the dog jump on them, and not to let the dog up on the couch uninvited. Let visitors know that table scraps are not okay for your dog unless they're placed in his bowl. Get help from a licensed trainer. A dog trainer can do wonders for a dog suffering from small dog syndrome. Seek out the aid of trainer in your area if your dog's issues are not improving. Go for a trainer that values positive reinforcement over punishing a dog. Punishment-based techniques have proven to be ineffective. Most trainers have a website that overviews their training process. You can also read reviews of trainers online, or contact past clients. This can help you make sure a trainer's techniques are effective. When meeting with potential trainers, make sure the trainer is friendly and listens to you. You do not want to hire a trainer who disregards client's concerns. | Watch how your dog interacts with other dogs. Look for frequent disobedience. Consider how your dog treats other people. Think about whether your dog is housebroken. Learn about the double standard for small dog behavior. Consider whether you're guilty of coddling your small dog. Evaluate if the behaviors are encouraged. Familiarize yourself with the risks associated with small dog syndrome. Ask a vet for advice. Avoid picking up your dog too frequently. Hold your small dog to the same standards as a larger dog. Reward positive behavior. Encourage your dog to relax around larger dogs. Inform others how to interact with your dog. Get help from a licensed trainer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Replace-a-Bathtub | How to Replace a Bathtub | To replace a bathtub, first you'll need to cut a hole in the wall behind your tub and turn off the water supply to your bathroom. Then, remove the tub spouts, drains, and drain shoe, and take out the tub surround and drywall around the tub. Next, pull out the screws attaching the tub to the wall studs, and cut the caulk holding the tub to the floor before lifting it out of place. Finally, once you've removed the old tub, install a new tub in the alcove where the old tub used to be. | Cut a panel behind your tub to access the drain pipes. Most times, the water supply valve for your tub is located in the walls behind the faucet. Go into the room adjacent to your bathroom to cut a hole in the wall where the drain and faucets are for your tub. Use a stud finder so you don't accidentally cut into one of the studs. Cut an 8 in × 8 in (20 cm × 20 cm) square in the drywall with a reciprocating saw to expose the pipes. If you can't access the room adjacent to the drain, cut a hole in the floor beneath the bathroom using a reciprocating saw. Make sure you're underneath where the tub drains. Wear safety glasses while working with your saw. Turn off the water supply to your bathroom. The water supply for your tub is either controlled by a valve in the wall behind your faucet or by the main water pump. Turn the valve so it's perpendicular to the pipes to turn it off. If your valve shut-off is circular, look for the directions printed on the valve head to figure out which way to turn it. If you cannot turn off the water for your tub or bathroom, you may need to turn it off for the entire home or building. Remove the tub spout. Locate the screw on the underside of the faucet or where it connects to the wall. Use a flathead or Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw. If it doesn't have a screw, tighten the jaws of a pipe wrench around the back of the faucet and twist it counterclockwise until it's loose. Then, pull it out. If you want to save the faucet, put a rag in between it and the wrench so you don't leave any scratches. Take out the main and overflow drains. A drain removal tool is a cylinder that fits into the drain to loosen its connection to the pipes. Put the end of a drain remover tool in the drain hole and turn it counterclockwise. Keep turning the tool until the drain is loose and you can pull it out by hand. Unscrew the overflow drain, located on the front wall of your tub, and pull it off of the surface. Drain removers can be bought from your local hardware store. Some tub drains have screens that you need to remove with a screwdriver before you can use the remover tool. Take out the drain shoe from the access panel you cut. The drain shoe is made up of the pipes that connect the overflow and the main drain to your tub. Look for the T-shaped connector holding the pipes together, and use a pipe wrench to twist the drain shoe off of the main pipes. If the joint is stuck or won't come out with a pipe wrench, cut through the pipes with a reciprocating saw or hacksaw. Remove the tub surround and drywall around your tub. The surround is the tile or fiberglass on the walls around your tub. Use a pry bar or the back of a claw hammer to rip the surround away from your tub. When you reach the drywall, use a razor knife to cut out the area around that extends 6 inches (15 cm) from the top of your tub until the studs are exposed. Wear safety glasses, work gloves, and a respirator to keep yourself protected. If your tub has a surround panel made from fiberglass, you need to take out the entire piece in order to install a new bathtub. Pull out the nails or screws connecting the tub flange to the studs. The flange around your tub is the raised edge that keeps water from draining into your walls. Use an electric screwdriver or the back of your claw hammer to remove the screws or nails from the flange. Make sure to check each stud around your bath for any nails. Some older tubs may not be nailed or screwed into the wall. Cut any caulk holding the tub the to floor. Run a razor knife through the caulk or sealant surrounding your tub. Cut through the line of sealant that connects the apron, or front of your tub, to the floor. Lift the tub out of place with a partner’s help. Grab the tub from the side opposite of the drain and lift it out from its place. Have a partner help slide the tub backward away from the drain pipes. Stand the tub upright and work together to carry it out from your bathroom. Check with your city's waste department to find out how to properly dispose of the old bathtub. Don't attempt to lift a cast-iron or steel tub out by yourself since they can be extremely heavy. Purchase a tub that matches the size and layout of your old one. Measure the size of the alcove and note the drain direction. Use a tape measure to find the maximum length and width of the alcove. Note whether your drain is on the left, right, or center of the tub Find a tub from your local home store that fits in the alcove and has a drain in the same place. Most standard tubs are about 5 feet (1.5 m) long and 2 ⁄ 2 feet (0.76 m) wide. Level the floor with an underlayment if it’s not already flat. Underlayment is a thin layer of concrete that smooths the surface of your floor. Check your floor with a level to see if it sits flat. If not, mix the underlayment following the package instructions and spread it across your floor with a flat trowel. Smooth the surface and allow it to dry for 1 day so it has time to set. Applying a layer of underlayment allows you to remove the tub easier if you need to fix any plumbing issues. Underlayment can be purchased from your local hardware store. Fit the new tub into the alcove and mark the height of the flanges. Set your new tub into the opening where the old one used to be. Make sure your tub sits level on the floor. Use a pencil or marker to trace a line on your studs at the same height as the flanges on your tub. Once you have each stud marked, take the tub out from the alcove again. If the tub isn't level, place hardwood shims underneath it until it sits flat. Attach ledger boards to the studs below your flange marks. Nail or screw 2 in × 4 in (5.1 cm × 10.2 cm) boards so the top edge is even with the marks you drew on the studs. Use flat, straight boards that are the same length as the sides of your tub. Ledger boards help support your tub, but they cannot hold its full weight. Make sure your tub has full contact with the floor after you install the boards. Dry-fit the drains and drain shoe on the new tub. Set your new tub on its side so you can easily access where the drains are placed. Feed the bottom drain through the hole on the tub and screw it into the L-shaped pipe fitting. Repeat the process with the overflow drain on the side of your tub. Cut the pipes to the length you need using a hacksaw. Tighten the nuts with a pipe wrench. Drain kits come with all of the plumbing and hardware you need in order to put it together. Use a sealant on the drains and pipes to secure the joints in place. ABS glue is a liquid plastic that seals your pipes together. Paint a layer of this glue on the inside and outside of the pipes where they attach on your drain show. Hold the pipes together for 90 seconds until they have time to set. Continue gluing all of the joints together until they are completely set. Use a clear sealant around the outer edge of the drain inside your tub and hold it in place to seal it. Sealant and ABS glue can be purchased at your local hardware store. Slide the new tub in place so the flanges rest on the ledger boards. Have a partner help you slide your new tub into place. Feed the drain shoe into the hole in the floor, and set the rest of the tub down. Make sure the tub is level one more time before securing it to the wall. Make sure the tub is in full contact with the floor so the ledger boards aren't supporting the full weight. Screw or nail the tub into the studs. Use screws or nails that are 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) long to secure the tub flange to the the studs. Work slowly so you don't accidentally crack your tub. Put 1 nail or screw into each stud to keep it in place. Connect the drain shoe to the pipes. Access your pipes from the hole you cut in the room adjacent to your bathtub. Use a pipe wrench to tighten the drain shoe to the P-trap until it's completely secure. Squeeze a ring of silicone sealant around the pipe and P-trap for another layer of protection from leaks. Reattach the faucet. If the faucet had a screw, put the faucet back on with a screwdriver and turn it clockwise. If the faucet screwed off by itself, twist it back on by hand and use a pipe wrench to secure the faucet in place completely. Fill the tub and test for leaks the day after it’s installed. Let the sealant on your tub dry for 1 day so it's completely set. Turn the water valve back on and let it fill the tub. Listen for any dripping noises and watch for any noticeable leaks near your drain or on your pipes. If you find any leaks, use more sealant around the leaking area. Check the drain shoe from the access panel you cut earlier so see if any water is leaking underneath your tub. Cover the exposed studs and flange with drywall or cement backerboard. Cut the pieces of drywall to the sizes of your gaps with a reciprocating saw. Hold the piece of drywall or backerboard against the studs so it covers the flange and there's a ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) gap between the board and the tub. Use nails to secure the boards in place. Drywall or backerboard can be purchased from your local hardware store. Don't forget to install new drywall on the access panel you cut out from the other room. Replace the surround. If you're using tiles, mix tile mortar in a bucket based on the instructions on the packaging. Stir the mortar with a flat trowel and spread it on the drywall. Press the tiles onto the backerboard and hold it in place for 30 seconds. Use tiles that match the existing ones in your bathroom. Otherwise, you'll have to retile the entire wall. For a fiberglass surround, set the entire piece in place so it covers the tub flange. Drive screws with an electric screwdriver into the divots along the sides and top of the surround so it's secured to the studs. Seal the gap between the tile and tub with silicone sealant. Once you've secured the tiles to the backerboard, place a thin bead of silicone around the bottom of the of the tiles to fill in the gap. Put the tip of the sealant dispenser into the gap, and pull the line slowly so it applies smoothly. Wipe any excess sealant away with your finger. | Cut a panel behind your tub to access the drain pipes. Turn off the water supply to your bathroom. Remove the tub spout. Take out the main and overflow drains. Take out the drain shoe from the access panel you cut. Remove the tub surround and drywall around your tub. Pull out the nails or screws connecting the tub flange to the studs. Cut any caulk holding the tub the to floor. Lift the tub out of place with a partner’s help. Purchase a tub that matches the size and layout of your old one. Level the floor with an underlayment if it’s not already flat. Fit the new tub into the alcove and mark the height of the flanges. Attach ledger boards to the studs below your flange marks. Dry-fit the drains and drain shoe on the new tub. Use a sealant on the drains and pipes to secure the joints in place. Slide the new tub in place so the flanges rest on the ledger boards. Screw or nail the tub into the studs. Connect the drain shoe to the pipes. Reattach the faucet. Fill the tub and test for leaks the day after it’s installed. Cover the exposed studs and flange with drywall or cement backerboard. Replace the surround. Seal the gap between the tile and tub with silicone sealant. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Your-First-eBook | How to Write Your First eBook | To write your first eBook, start by coming up with an idea that you feel strongly about or are an expert in, and make that the subject of your book. Next, organize the details by making an outline of the chapters you want to include. Then, write a first draft based on your outline, filling in the details as you go. After writing your first draft, get feedback and revise it until you feel the book is ready to publish. Finally, publish your book using Amazon's KDP or another eBook publishing service, such as Lulu or Booktango. | Come up with an idea. eBooks are no different from any other type of book except in their medium of publication, so the most important first step to writing one is to decide on, and develop, an idea for one. The basic way to do this is to sit down and write a brief phrase or sentence that encapsulates the information you'd like to put in your book. Once you have that, you can build on it to create a finished product. Writers who plan to create a book of fiction will have to spend considerably more time coming up with ideas and plot points. Read this article on how to write a novel for more relevant advice. The eBook format has the advantage of being not only open to self-publishers, but essentially free for them, which means that “books” too short to really be worth printing on paper can make perfectly valid eBooks. Therefore, feel free to use a simple idea. Expand your idea. Start with the basic idea you wrote down, and think about different aspects of it. It may be helpful for you to draw a web of concepts to do this. For example, let's say you wanted to write a book about how to sell real estate for beginners. You could write down things like “licenses and fees,” “selling techniques,” and “cost vs. expected returns.” Connect specifics that are related to each of them, and so on, until you have enough detail to see the structure of the words in your head. Different books call for different approaches. Memoirs and self-help books might do better with a vertical outline; a book of fixes for common household problems will probably come together faster using a web of ideas. Organize your details. After unpacking and expanding your core idea, you should have a lot of information about your basic topic written down. Rearrange and organize it in a vertical outline until it makes sense to you and matches the way you'd like your book to flow. Think in terms of what your audience will need to know first, and put basics at the beginning. Once those have been covered, more advanced concepts can follow without losing the reader. Each step along your line will end up being a chapter in your book. If you can break the chapters into groups as well (for instance, if your book on home repairs has chapters that can be divided by room or type of problem), feel free to turn those into larger sections that contain a few related chapters each. Write the book. Don't worry about a title, table of contents, or any of the other stylistic elements of the book yet. Just sit down and start writing it. You may find it's easier to “start in the middle” by writing a chapter of your choice first; you may prefer to start at the very beginning and write straight through. Just remember that you don't have to pick one method and stick with it. Use whatever techniques you need to complete the book. Writing a book – even a short book – takes time. The important thing is to persevere. Set aside time each day to write, or write until you hit a certain word count. Don't stand up from your desk until you meet your goal. Even if you feel stuck, the act of writing something down will help loosen up your mind, and before you know it your words will be flowing again. Keep at it for as long as it takes. Review and rewrite. Once your book is finished, let it sit for a week or so, and then come back to it with a critical eye. Look at the order of the chapters and sections first. Do they make sense to you? Often, you'll find that some pieces seem to make more sense in a different spot than where you'd originally placed them. After you're satisfied with the order of the book, read each chapter in order and edit and revise it. Like writing, editing takes time – not as much time, but still a significant amount. Pace yourself by editing a certain number of words or chapters each day. You will often find that words, like chapters, simply need to be rearranged. Do your best to keep related ideas together, and don't forget to alter connecting sentences so that the new order still fits the text. It has often been said that “deletion is the soul of editing.” If you find that a chapter is going down the proverbial rabbit-hole on a particular point, bring it back in line with the overall flow of that chapter by deleting the extra detail. If such information is absolutely vital, consider setting it aside in a sidebar instead, or try to more smoothly incorporate it into the text so that it continues to flow smoothly when you read it. Add the details. Once the body of your book looks solid, it's time to add a title, and any front or end material (such as an introduction or a bibliography) you'd like to add. Titles usually reveal themselves during the writing of the book; when in doubt, a plainspoken title (such as “How to Sell Real Estate”) is usually a safe choice. If you pick a very simple title, have a couple of alternates on hand in case it's already been used. Adding adjectives or even your own name (as in “wikiHow's Guide to Selling Real Estate”) are simple ways to do this. If you used information from elsewhere, always be sure to properly cite it in a bibliography. If your sources were friends, at least add in a page of acknowledgments so you can thank them by name. Add a cover. Like physical books, a major marketing tool for any eBook is its cover. Even though it's only a virtual cover, it's what potential buyers notice first. Consider springing for a professionally-designed cover, or go it alone if you think you can make something that looks good and will attract sales. Just be sure to get permission before you use any copyrighted images. Even sections and pieces of copyrighted images are off-limits. When in doubt, get explicit permission from the copyright holder first. Give ebooks to friends . Once you've written an awesome ebook, you should share some copies with friends, relatives, and neighbors. Make sure to ask: How was the book? What did you like the most? What did you not like? How can I improve it? Record the feedback and improve the ebook before you publish. Factor in all of the responses and try to address each of the issues that surfaced. Don't be afraid to stir everything into the mix and redo the entire ebook from top to bottom. The likely result will be a marked improvement on what you created alone. If not, you can always retool and back up to the previous draft. Gather pertinent information. The more clear information you compile about your eBook, the easier a time you'll have in both getting it published and promoting it successfully. On a separate document, write down the title of your book, along with any section and chapter titles, the number of sections or chapters, the word count of the book, and a page number estimate. Once you have all that, come up with a list of descriptive terms or “keywords” that are related to your book, and a general thesis statement if needed. Contrary to what you may have learned in high school, not every piece of writing needs a thesis statement to work. However, most nonfiction writing will have an obvious thesis statement by the time you finish writing it. Think about your audience. Try to gauge the types of people who will be interested in your book based on its title and description. Are they young or old? Do they own homes or rent? How much money do they make annually, and do they prefer to save or spend? You don't need to hire an expert; just make your best guesses. This information is only to help you market your eBook later. Choose a publishing platform. There are a few different ways to publish your eBook, which vary in terms of piracy protection, royalties paid to you, and audience scope. Consider each one of them and choose the one you think will make you the most money. Publish to e-Readers with KDP. One of the most commonly used is Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. KDP allows you to format and publish your eBook to the Kindle Marketplace for free. Anyone who owns the popular Kindle line of e-readers can then purchase your book from the marketplace and read a copy on their Kindle. Under this setup, you keep 70% of the price of every copy you sell of your book, provided you set that price between $2.99 and $9.99. The main downside is that KDP doesn't publish to people without Kindle readers, limiting your audience. Consider other eBook publishers. Services like Lulu, Booktango, and Smashwords are also available to take your manuscript and publish it for you in eBook format. Generally speaking, the basic service of these sites is free (and you shouldn't ever pay to publish your eBook, since it basically costs nothing), but they offer premium packages and services, like marketing and editing, for a fee. Be careful to avoid spending money when you didn't mean to if you go this route. On the plus side, these services can reach a much wider potential audience than KDP, and sometimes offer more royalties. Lulu, for example, pays a whopping 90%! Be aware of hidden costs. For any professional eBook publishing platform (including KDP), certain formats have to be used. There are services that will take care of the messy business of formatting your book for you, but they always charge a fee. It's much cheaper to do it all yourself, but you'll need to learn the rules of the service you plan to publish with, and then download and learn any necessary software programs to make the appropriate file conversions. If you do opt for a paid service, don't ever pay more than a few hundred dollars at most. Never work with a publisher that won't let you set your own price. Forcing a price can have detrimental effects on your bottom line in a few different ways, which essentially makes it another fee. As a general rule of thumb, eBooks turn the most profit when priced between $0.99 and $5.99 per copy. Self-publish with special software. If you'd prefer to publish your eBook on the Internet at large, and not use any specific site, there are a number of specially-designed computer programs that allow you to do just that. They vary widely in cost and features, but all of them allow you to create a finished eBook with no restrictions on where or how you sell it. Be aware that the anti-piracy measures you'll have access to with these programs are generally less effective than those offered by publishing services. Calibre is a newer program that is quick, powerful, and easy to use. It converts HTML files (and only HTML files) into EPUB (the industry standard) format easily, and costs nothing, though donations are appreciated by the creators. Most word processors can save your manuscript as HTML. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the gold standard program for creating PDF files, which can be read on nearly any computer or device. Acrobat allows you to password-protect your PDF file when you save it, though once you've given out the password, anyone who has it will be able to open the book. It's a powerful and flexible program, but it isn't free. OpenOffice.org is a popular free office suite that is similar to Microsoft Works. OpenOffice.org's Writer program (word processor) can save documents in PDF format just like Adobe Acrobat. Writer's tools aren't as advanced, particularly with regards to adding a cover, but the program can secure and encrypt your PDF just like Acrobat. There are many other programs available to help you self publish, both free and paid. If none of the above options sound perfect for you, explore online and find one that suits your needs. Promote your eBook. Once you've published your eBook and deposited it for paid download somewhere on the Internet, it's time to let the world know about it. There are many services you can pay for that will increase your visibility; these may be quite worth the investment if you suspect you have a book that could really take off. However, even with professional help, it will pay for you to promote the book yourself. Use social media for visibility. Post about the book (and link to a place it can be bought!) on every social media site where you have a presence: Twitter, Facebook, and so on. Even LinkedIn is a good place to add a link to your book on your profile page. Think laterally to maximize exposure. Don't just tell people about your book; be clever and thorough. Link to it on StumbleUpon, take a photo of your computer screen and post it to Instagram, or even [Do-a-Youtube-Video| record a short video] and talk about the book on YouTube. Use every user-created platform at your disposal. Rely on yourself. People love it when authors are accessible. Advertise times for virtual Q and A sessions about the book, or send complimentary copies to bloggers who review eBooks and ask to do an interview. | Come up with an idea. Expand your idea. Organize your details. Write the book. Review and rewrite. Add the details. Add a cover. Give ebooks to friends . Record the feedback and improve the ebook before you publish. Gather pertinent information. Think about your audience. Choose a publishing platform. Publish to e-Readers with KDP. Consider other eBook publishers. Be aware of hidden costs. Self-publish with special software. Promote your eBook. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Critical-Thinking-Skills | How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills | You can improve your critical thinking skills by questioning information that you hear instead of taking it at face-value. Double-check facts that you hear, regardless of whether you get your information from other people, on TV, from a newspaper or online. Reading great books is another way to improve critical thinking, as books encourage you to think more deeply and independently about subjects. If there's anything you don't understand, ask someone who's knowledgeable about the subject to explain it to you. With practice, you'll become more and more comfortable with critical thinking! | Question your assumptions. We make a lot of assumptions about almost everything. It's how our brain processes certain pieces of information, and how we get along in everyday life. You could say they are the foundation of our critical framework. But what if those assumptions turned out to be wrong, or at least not entirely truthful? Then the whole foundation needs to be re-built, from the bottom up. What does it mean to question assumptions? Einstein questioned the assumption that Newtonian laws of motion could accurately describe the world. He developed an entirely new framework for looking at the world by re describing what he thought had happened, starting from scratch. We can question assumptions in a similar way. Why do we feel the need to eat in the morning, even when we're not hungry? Why do we assume that we'll fail when we haven't even tried? What other assumptions are we taking for granted that might crumble upon further examination? Don't take information on authority until you've investigated it yourself. Like assumptions, taking information on authority can be useful. Instead of double-checking everything anyone says, we tend to label information as either coming from a trustworthy or not trustworthy source. This keeps us from double-checking every piece of information that comes our way, saving time and energy. But it also keeps us from getting to the bottom of things we perceive as coming from a trustworthy source, even when they don't. Just because it was published in a magazine or broadcast over TV doesn't mean it's necessarily true. Get in the habit of using your instinct to investigate questionable pieces of information. If your gut isn't satisfied with an explanation, ask the person to elaborate. If you don't question a fact, read about it or test it yourself. Soon enough, you'll build up a pretty good sense of what deserves more research and what you've determined to be true in your own judgment. Question things. You've already read about questioning assumptions and questioning authority figures. Now you're about to be told to question...everything? Asking questions is perhaps the quintessential act of critical thinking. If you don't know what questions to ask, or don't ask the questions in the first place, you may as well not get the answer. Finding the answer, and finding it elegantly, is what critical thinking is all about. How does ball lightning work? How do fish fall from the sky in the middle of Australia? How can we take meaningful steps to fight global poverty ? How do we dismantle production of nuclear weapons worldwide? Understand your own biases. Human judgement can be subjective, frail, and spiteful. One recent study found that parents who were given corrected information about the safety of vaccines were less likely to have their children vaccinated. Why? The hypothesis is that parents given this information accept that the information is true, but push back people it damages their self-esteem — something that is very important to most people. Understanding what your biases are and where they may affect how you deal with information. Think several moves ahead. Don't just think one or two steps ahead. Think several. Imagine you're a chess grandmaster who's dueling with someone with the capacity to think dozens of moves ahead, with hundreds of permutations. You have to match wits with him. Try to imagine the possible futures the problem you're working on may take on. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com, famously understood the benefits of thinking several steps ahead. He tired Wired Magazine in 2011: "If everything you do needs to work on a three-year time horizon, then you're competing against a lot of people. But if you're willing to invest on a seven-year time horizon, you're now competing against a fraction of those people, because very few companies are willing to do that." When the Kindle first hit stores in 2007 it was more than three years in development, at a time when e-readers were on nobody's radar. Read great books. Nothing beats the transformation of a great book. Whether it's Moby Dick or Philip K. Dick, great writing has the power to frame debate (literature), enlighten (nonfiction), or unleash emotion (poetry). And reading isn't only for bookworms. Elon Musk, the tech giant, said he mastered rocket science by pretty much "reading and asking questions." Put yourself in other peoples' shoes. Empathy can also help you develop your critical thinking skills. Whether it's improving your negotiation tactics or understanding literature better, putting yourself in the shoes of others will help you imagine their motivations, aspirations, and turmoils. You can use this information to get leverage, be persuasive , or just plain be a better person. Empathy doesn't need to be heartless. Set aside at least 30 minutes a day to improve your brain function. Carve out 30 minutes in your busy day to make your brain more sleek and powerful. There are dozens of ways that you can do this. Here are just a few ideas: Solve a problem a day. Spend a little bit of time figuring out a problem and then try to solve it. The problem could be a theoretical or a personal one. Find the time to exercise consistently. 30 minutes of aerobic exercise — as little as a walk around the neighborhood — can help improve brain function. Eat the right kinds of foods. Avocados, blueberries, wild salmon, nuts and seeds, as well as brown rice play an instrumental role in keeping your brain healthy. Understand all your options. When you want to use your critical thinking skills to act — because armchair philosophy can get old after too long — it helps to know what your options are. Lay them all out there, and then weigh the options. We often pigeonhole ourselves into believing that we're stuck with only one option, when other options are available. Surround yourself with people smarter than you. You want to be the big fish in the little pond, because it makes your ego feel good. Well, throw away your ego. If you really want to learn, get better at something, and develop critical thinking skills, hobnob with people smarter than yourself. Not only can you bet that the smart people themselves rub shoulders with people smarter than they are, you can also bet that some of that intelligence is going to permeate your perspective. Fail until you succeed. Be fearless in the face of failure. Failure is just another way of figuring out what doesn't work. Use failure to your advantage by learning from your lessons. The popular myth out there is that successful people never fail, when the truth is that successful people fail until they succeed, at which point their success is the only thing that's visible. | Question your assumptions. Don't take information on authority until you've investigated it yourself. Question things. Understand your own biases. Think several moves ahead. Read great books. Put yourself in other peoples' shoes. Set aside at least 30 minutes a day to improve your brain function. Understand all your options. Surround yourself with people smarter than you. Fail until you succeed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cry-Without-Looking-Unattractive | How to Cry Without Looking Unattractive | If you want to be able to cry without looking unattractive, be prepared. Wear waterproof makeup when you know there's a good chance you'll be crying, like at a wedding, funeral, or graduation. You'll also want to make sure to have some tissues handy to avoid smudgy makeup or a runny nose. Another way to avoid looking unattractive is to shield your face under a low-brow hat or sunglasses. When you're actually crying, try not to rub your eyes, which will make them turn red and puffy. Instead, gently dab your tears with your tissue. Try taking a few deep breathes as well to relax your face and slow down your tears. | Wear waterproof makeup. If you know you're going to an emotional event, (wedding, funeral, etc.) where you know you will have a high chance of crying, be sure to wear waterproof makeup, to avoid those panda eyes. Have tissues handy. A quick wipe-up can at least prevent you from crying even more about spoiled makeup or having a snotty nose. Have an item of clothing you can hide under. Most useful is a low-brow hat that can be tilted over the eye area. But you could try a scarf, sunglasses or a veil as well. If you're lacking clothing to help, shield your eye area with a magazine, book or clutch bag until the crying is over. Don't rub your eyes. If you rub them too hard, they will most likely turn red and puffy, and that does not look attractive. Instead, just let the tears flow down your cheeks. If you're crying because of a smaller reason(not a funeral or something where you'll cry a lot, but rather getting frustrated about something you know you'll get over quickly with only a few tears), then don't hold it in. If you do, then your eyes can become red, and eventually you'll have to let the tears out anyway, so your efforts will be wasted. If you don't try to hold it back at all(which can be very hard sometimes), then the tears will come out without any redness, or lasting effects. Then, gently wipe the tears away once they have fallen down your cheek. Use a tissue to gently dab away the wetness, if you need. When you wipe your tears, gently swipe them off your face. Or else your face will feel sticky and shiny, and yes, it makes your skin look worse. So, gently swipe the tears off, then smile! Try not to make a face. This is a common thing that lots of people, especially children, tend to do automatically. Screwing or scrunching up your face mars its natural attractiveness, so avoid this as much as possible. Don't purposely make an ugly face, although some people do it by instinct. Think positive thoughts, not negative. Smile and be happy. Breathe deeply. This can help you to relax and calm the belly sobs welling up. Breathe in, and out, in and out. Focus on trying to relax. Purse your lips together to contain yourself better. Try to be quiet. Try your best not to make any heavy, loud breathing sounds, (although it is hard to control for some people). Instead, take slow and steady breaths and just sob or sniffle every once in a while. Giggle a bit when you cry. If you act all serious and dark, you won't look cute. Although giggling does induce a few more tears, it makes you look prettier and happier, so giggle! Bury your face in your hands. If you are an ugly crier and you can't help but make an ugly face and sob really loudly, which is not uncommon, once you start crying, bury your face in your hands. Once you have slowed down your crying and you're just sobbing and sniffling, put your head back up and continue on. | Wear waterproof makeup. Have tissues handy. Have an item of clothing you can hide under. Don't rub your eyes. Try not to make a face. Breathe deeply. Try to be quiet. Giggle a bit when you cry. Bury your face in your hands. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cucumber-Salad | How to Make Cucumber Salad | To make cucumber salad, start by cutting a cucumber into thin slices and placing the slices in a bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, mix vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Next, pour the dressing over the cucumber slices, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Finally, refrigerate the cucumbers for 3 hours, and drain them before digging in. | Place the thinly sliced cucumbers into a small bowl. You can use the bowl you will be serving the salad in, or you can use a different bowl. You will eventually be chilling the salad for a few hours, then draining it. Try to use a seedless cucumber. If your cucumber has seeds in it, you will need to core it first. Prepare the dressing. Pour the vinegar and water into a jar. Add the sugar, salt, and pepper. Close the jar tightly, then shake it to combine the ingredients. If you don't have a jar, you can use a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. You can also prepare the dressing in a cup and stir it briskly with a fork or mini whisk. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers. Gently toss the cucumbers to help distribute the dressing. Cover and refrigerate the cucumbers. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap. Place the bowl into the fridge and leave it there for at least 3 hours. This will allow the cucumbers to soak up the flavors from the dressing. Drain the cucumbers. Peel the plastic wrap off of the bowl. Dump the salad into a strainer or colander. Shake the strainer or colander over a sink to get rid of any excess moisture. Place the cucumbers into a serving bowl. Toss them with some chopped fresh dill or parsley, if desired. Serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate it until you are ready to serve it. Toss the cucumbers with some salt in a colander. Place the thinly-sliced cucumbers into a colander or strainer. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt over them. Toss the cucumbers together to distribute the salt. Leave the cucumbers for 1 hour so that they can drain. If your sink is very clean, you can set to colander into it during this time. You can also set the colander or strainer into a large bowl instead. Do not refrigerate the cucumbers during this time. Drain the cucumbers. Lift the colander or strainer out of the bowl and shake it to dislodge any moisture. Pour any liquid that's in the bowl into the sink, then wipe the bowl clean. Pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels. Cover your work surface with paper towels. Spread the cucumbers on top in an even layer. Cover them with another layer of paper towels. Gently press on the paper towels to soak up any excess moisture. Prepare the dressing in the serving bowl. Place the sour cream into the bowl, then add the chopped dill or chives. Pour in the vinegar, then add in the pepper and the rest of the salt. Mix everything together with a fork or whisk. If you don't like vinegar, or don't have any, use lemon juice instead. If you don't like sour cream, or can't find it, try plain yogurt instead. Stir the cucumbers into the bowl. Add the cucumbers to the bowl first. Gently stir them in using a large spoon or rubber spatula. Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl often. Serve the salad immediately. If you prepared it ahead of time, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Toss the cucumbers with the salt in a strainer. Place a strainer or a colander into a bowl. Add the cucumbers and a generous pinch of salt. Toss the cucumbers and salt together. Don't use the serving bowl for this. Prepare the dressing. Pour the lemon juice and olive oil into a small bowl. Add the lemon zest, then whisk everything together with a fork or mini whisk. Set the dressing aside while you prepare the rest of the salad. Mix together the rest of the ingredients in a separate bowl. Place the feta cheese into your serving bowl. Add the oregano, garlic, and shallots. Toss them together with a pair of salad tongs until everything is evenly combined. Use the serving bowl for this strep. Drain the cucumbers, then add them to the bowl. Lift the strainer or colander out of the bowl. Jiggle it to shake off any excess moisture. Add the cucumbers to the salad bowl. Toss the salad with the dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad. Use a pair of salad tongs to toss everything together. Make sure that you gather the salad from the bottom of the bowl. Serve the salad immediately. If you won't be serving it right away, cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge until serving time. Toast the sesame seeds, if needed. If the sesame seeds you bought are already toasted, you can skip this step. Otherwise, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. After about 2 minutes, they will turn golden and fragrant. Pour them onto a small dish so that they can cool off. Peel the cucumbers. You can peel them completely, or peel them in alternating stripes for a nicer presentation. Core the cucumbers. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Scrape the seeds out with a spoon and discard them. You should do this even if you are using a "seedless" variety. Cut the cucumbers into very thin slices. You can do this with a sharp knife or a food processor. The slices need to be almost paper thin. Press the cucumbers between paper towels to soak up any moisture. Cover your work surface with a paper towel. Spread the cucumbers in an even layer on top, then lay another paper towel on top. Gently pat the paper towel to soak up any excess moisture. Prepare the dressing in the serving bowl. Pour the vinegar into a medium-sized serving bowl. Add the sugar and the salt. Stir everything together with a fork or mini whisk until the salt and sugar dissolve. Add the cucumbers the sesame seeds into the bowl. Toss everything together with a pair of salad tongs. Make sure that you grab the cucumbers from the bottom of the bowl as well. Serve the salad immediately. Japanese cucumber salad is a great accompaniment to many Japanese dishes, including sushi and sashimi. Prepare the dressing. Pour the vinegar into a small bowl. Add the sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and salt. Mix them together with a fork or mini whisk, then set the bowl aside. This will give the flavors time to blend while you prepare the rest of the salad. Peel and slice the cucumbers. Try to slice the cucumbers as thinly as you can. If they have large seeds in them, you will need to core them first. Place the cucumbers into a large serving bowl when you are done. Add the peanuts and the green onions into the bowl. If you can't find any chopped peanuts in the store, you can shell and chop regular peanuts using a sharp knife. You can also pulse them for a few seconds in a food processor instead. Stir the dressing into the salad. Pour the dressing over the salad, then toss the salad using a pair of salad tongs. Be sure to grab the salad from the bottom of the bowl so that everything gets evenly coated with dressing. If the dressing settle or separated, give it a brisk stir first. Serve the salad immediately. If you can't serve to right away, cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. You will need to toss it once more just before serving. | Place the thinly sliced cucumbers into a small bowl. Prepare the dressing. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate the cucumbers. Drain the cucumbers. Place the cucumbers into a serving bowl. Toss the cucumbers with some salt in a colander. Leave the cucumbers for 1 hour so that they can drain. Drain the cucumbers. Pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels. Prepare the dressing in the serving bowl. Stir the cucumbers into the bowl. Serve the salad immediately. Toss the cucumbers with the salt in a strainer. Prepare the dressing. Mix together the rest of the ingredients in a separate bowl. Drain the cucumbers, then add them to the bowl. Toss the salad with the dressing. Serve the salad immediately. Toast the sesame seeds, if needed. Peel the cucumbers. Core the cucumbers. Cut the cucumbers into very thin slices. Press the cucumbers between paper towels to soak up any moisture. Prepare the dressing in the serving bowl. Add the cucumbers the sesame seeds into the bowl. Serve the salad immediately. Prepare the dressing. Peel and slice the cucumbers. Add the peanuts and the green onions into the bowl. Stir the dressing into the salad. Serve the salad immediately. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Thicken-Chili | How to Thicken Chili | If you need to thicken chili, make a slurry by whisking together 1/4 cup of cold water and 2 tbsp of flour, then stir that into the chili and cook over medium-high heat until the liquid boils and thickens. This will keep the flour from clumping up when you stir it in. If you prefer, you can use a slurry made from 1 tbsp of cold water and 1 tbsp of cornstarch instead of the flour slurry. To thicken the chili without adding anything, let it simmer on medium heat for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. | Use flour. Alternatively use unflavored protein powder (available at drugstores, and some grocery stores) for thickening low carb chili. Add a slurry made from 1/4 cup (60 ml) cold water (or dip out some of the chili juice to use) and 2 Tbsp (30 ml) flour. Mix the flour and water in a separate bowl, beating well with a fork so that the resulting thickener is smooth and without lumps. Add the flour mixture to the chili and cook over medium to medium-high heat on the stovetop, stirring constantly, until the liquid boils and thickens. This should only take a few minutes. Continue cooking and stirring an additional minute after the chili thickens so that the flour is completely combined with the chili. Otherwise, you might be able to detect hints of flour in the flavor of the chili. For larger batches of chili in which the excess liquid equals 2 cups (500 ml) or more, double the amount of flour and water you use. While flour is a flavorless thickener, some believe that using too much flour and water in your chili can dull and dilute the flavor, making it less potent. Create a cornstarch slurry. Mix together 1 Tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch with 1 Tbsp (15 ml) cold water to add to the chili. Beat the cornstarch and water together thoroughly in a small, separate bowl before adding it to the chili. Make sure that there are no lumps. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the warm chili and heat over medium to medium-high heat until the mixture bubbles and thickens. You should see results within a few minutes. Add more cornstarch and water, if needed. If the chili is still not thick enough, you can create more of the slurry to add in. Large batches with more than 2 cups (500 ml) of excess liquid may need twice the amount of cornstarch slurry, if not more. Let the chili cook for an additional 2 minutes after it thickens so that the cornstarch breaks down completely. Otherwise, it could tint the flavor of the chili. Note that cornstarch gives liquids a slightly glossy appearance. Also note that cornstarch is flavorless and will not alter the taste of the chili, though if you add too much of the slurry, it can dilute the flavor and tone it down. Try cornmeal or masa harina. Adding 2 to 3 Tbsp (30 to 45 ml) of either cornmeal or masa harina straight to the chili will also thicken the liquid. Add the cornmeal or masa harina to the chili without mixing any water into it first. Mix it in thoroughly so that it absorbs some of the liquid, thickening it up. Let the chili simmer for an additional 5 to 7 minutes after adding the thickener. Fine cornmeal resembles flour but has a strong corn taste, as it is ground directly from corn. Masa harina also has a strong taste, since it is ground straight from dried hominy, which is a product of corn. Adding either cornmeal or masa harina will affect the taste of the chili. It can impart the taste of polenta or tortilla shells to the liquid. While many individuals may find that the added taste complements the flavor of the chili, others argue that it pollutes the taste, instead. Opt for arrowroot. Add 1 tsp (5 ml) of arrowroot mixed with about 1 tsp (5 ml) of cold water to the chili and let simmer until thick. Mix the water and arrowroot separately in a small bowl until smooth. After adding the slurry, allow the chili to come to a simmer, stirring constantly. The liquid should thicken quickly. Arrowroot refers to a starch obtained from the arrowroot plant. It can usually be found near the cornstarch. Arrowroot is flavorless and potent, so only a small amount is needed. Since a small amount is used, it should not dilute the taste too much, making it a favorite among many chili fans. Like other starches, arrowroot will add a slight gloss to the appearance of the chili liquid. Let the chili reduce. Remove the lid from your pot of chili and let it simmer for an additional 30 to 60 minutes. You can bring up the temperature to reduce the amount of time, bringing it closer to 30 minutes. Do not let the chili reach a full boil, though. If you keep the chili cooking on low at a slow simmer, it may take closer to 60 minutes before significant reduction is noticed. This process uses evaporation to reduce the amount of liquid in the chili. Removing the lid maximizes the effect by allowing more steam to escape. The remaining chili liquid will have a stronger, more concentrated flavor after the reduction is complete. Buy an emulsifier. An emulsifier, such as lecithin (commonly available in health food sections) will help disperse the fat throughout the chili, adding a slightly thicker, rich mouthfeel to every bite without actually increasing viscosity much. Discard excessive fat before emulsifying. This process makes the fat more appetizing, if you were going to keep it, but adds fat if you'd otherwise drain it off. Add the emulsifier conservatively: a teaspoon for a little pot, a tablespoon for a big one. Mix in tomato paste. Stir a 6-oz (180-ml) can of tomato paste into the chili during the final 30 minutes of cooking, stirring well to combine. Since the vast majority of chili is tomato-based, adding additional tomato paste to the chili does not introduce much new flavor to the chili. It can remove some of the "kick," however, so you may need to bump up the amount of seasoning you use to balance things out. Since tomato paste can be somewhat bitter, you may also want to add 1 tsp (5 ml) to 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of granulated sugar to the chili, as well. The sugar will balance out the bitterness and add a mild sweetness to the chili. If you only want the chili to become a little thicker, add the tomato paste slowly, using about 1/3 of the can every 10 minutes or so. Stir well after each addition. This will give you an idea of how thick the chili is becoming and can prevent your chili from becoming too thick. If your chili has beans in it, strain out about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the beans and re-fry, or puree them in a food processor or blender. Return these beans to the chili, mix in, and let cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until well warmed. Be careful when pureeing hot food, especially if using a blender. The puree can spin out of the blender and cause burns if you do not keep the lid held down with a thick towel. If you expect the chili to be too thin before you start making it, you can make the process easier on yourself by pureeing 1/2 cup (125 ml) or more of the beans before adding them to the chili. Add home-cooked or canned beans. They do not need to be mashed up in order to make your chili seem thicker. Use a can of pinto or kidney beans. Add quick oats. Inexpensive canned "No Beans" chili, thick and popular for hot dog topping, is not all meat. Its non-meat ingredient is oatmeal! (Really, read the label). Dried oats, for oatmeal, absorb a lot of liquid and form distinct moist kernels transitioning to soft but not completely mushy ones as they cook. Check the canister for the amount of finished oatmeal a certain amount of dried oats will make by absorbing liquid, and add conservatively. Cook for at least a few minutes for "quick" (parboiled) oats; at least a half hour for "old-fashioned" oats. Add other solid ingredients. Sometimes the liquid itself is thick enough, but the chili has too few solid ingredients and is not chunky enough. In these instances, feel free to alter the recipe simply by adding more solids. But bear in mind that many "solids" have a lot of liquid in them and will soften with or even release it in cooking. Adding precooked items like drained tomatoes, onion, corn, beans or okra, etc. toward the end of the cooking makes the chili chunky, but adding them midway through and cooking much longer can bring out additional juices and make the chili soupy. Add uncooked noddles to simmering chili to take-up liquid. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to heat and check the noodles until they are as tender or al dente (firm) as you like. Add diced tomatoes -- either canned or fresh. Let this to simmer gently for 10 minutes or so to heat well, or longer to soften the fresh tomatoes, if you wish. Use diced peppers, such as 1/2 to 1 bell pepper, diced, for a mild, sweet flavor. Use 1 chili pepper to add more heat to the chili, if desired. Let it simmer, gently, for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in minced or powdered, dried onion and let it simmer to absorb water. Onion adds a spicy-sweet flavor but does not linger on the breath like raw onion would do. Wait until the end for this method. If you have a thin chili pot that doesn't spread heat well, don't like to stir the chili, or want extra thick chili, it's best to wait until the end because thickening will decrease convection that spreads heat throughout the chili mass without creating hot spots that can scorch. Crumble a few saltine crackers and stir them into your individual serving of chili. Start with 3 or 4 crackers, adding more to bring the chili to your desired thickness. You could also use miniature oyster crackers, but it is still a good idea to break them up so that they can absorb more of the liquid. To add an interesting dimension of flavor, you could also use flavored gourmet crackers. Try garlic-and-cheese, green onion, or four-cheese flavored crackers, for instance. Try crushed corn chips. Add a layer of crushed corn chips into your bowl before ladling the chili in. Stir to combine. While corn chips do not thicken the chili quite as much as crackers do, many prefer the flavor of corn chips to the flavor of crackers for chili. While they do not thicken the liquid itself, they do thicken the overall texture of the chili by adding another solid to it. Stir in potato flakes. You can sprinkle 1 to 2 Tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of dried potato flakes into a large individual serving of chili while it is still hot. The potato flakes will lighten the color of the chili slightly. They may also alter the flavor, giving it a heartier taste, but the difference is not especially dramatic. Add crumbled cornbread, such as a single muffin or slice of cornbread into the chili and stir a little. The cornbread will absorb some of the liquid, making the chili seem thicker overall. Stir in grated cheese, chipped-up soft cheese or cheese dip/sauce. The cheese adds rich, creamy smoothness to the lucky partaker's palate. | Use flour. Create a cornstarch slurry. Try cornmeal or masa harina. Opt for arrowroot. Let the chili reduce. Buy an emulsifier. Discard excessive fat before emulsifying. Add the emulsifier conservatively: Mix in tomato paste. If your chili has beans in it, strain out about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the beans and re-fry, or puree them in a food processor or blender. Add quick oats. Add other solid ingredients. Wait until the end for this method. Crumble a few saltine crackers and stir them into your individual serving of chili. Try crushed corn chips. Stir in potato flakes. Add crumbled cornbread, such as a single muffin or slice of cornbread into the chili and stir a little. Stir in grated cheese, chipped-up soft cheese or cheese dip/sauce. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Letterhead | How to Make a Letterhead | To make a letterhead, start by opening a new Microsoft Word document and saving it as a template. Then, click "Insert" and "Header" in the top menu bar. Enter your letterhead text, like your company name, address, and phone number. You can also add a logo by clicking on "Picture" in the "Insert" tab. Finally, preview your letterhead and save it to your hard drive so you can access it in the future. | Open Word. When you open the program, a selection of different types of new Word documents will appear. Select the Letterheads category. This will open a list of Microsoft Word letterhead templates. These templates will help you easily create a professional letterhead. You can also download customizable templates from the official site of Microsoft Word. Go to the site, type "letterhead templates" in the search box, and download the template you want. You can find many options for free letterhead templates in Microsoft Word and on their websites. Customize your letterhead. Open your template in Microsoft Word and start customization. Update your business name, contact information, and logo design. Review your letterhead. Press the Esc key to close the Header and Footer sections. View your letterhead stationary in full screen mode or print a copy for review. Save your letterhead to your hard drive. When creating a new document on this letterhead, open the letterhead file and click "Save as" under the Office Windows logo button. Sketch your own letterhead design. Before you create your letterhead in Word, it's a good idea to sketch it out so you know how everything will fit together. Draw your letterhead design on a piece of plain white paper. If you're making a company letterhead, make sure to include a spot for your company's logo, name, address and any other contact information. You may also want to include the tag line for your company, if you have one. Tag lines are recommended for business names that do not indicate the company's main product or service. You might also include the company's logo design. You might just use a Microsoft Word template if you want a basic letterhead. Launch Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word has all the tools you'll need to make a great template. You'll find it easy to recreate your design elements for your custom letterhead. Open a new Word document and save it as a template. Name it "letterhead template 1" or something else that will enable you to locate it easily, and save it to your templates folder. You'll be able to pull up the document and print your custom letterhead whenever you want to use it. Insert a header. If you're working with Word 2007, click "Insert" and "Header." Create a blank header that will serve as the canvas for your letterhead. If you're working with Word 2003, you should be able to view the header by clicking the arrow below the Header command on the Insert tab. Click "Edit header" at the bottom of the dropdown list. Enter your letterhead text. For your own company letterhead, type the business name, address, phone number, fax number, website and general inquiry email address in the text box. For a personal letterhead, use the contact information you want to include. Make a hard return by pressing the Enter key after each section to make the elements of your letterhead stack. You can leave out the website address if it is incorporated into your logo design. Adjust the fonts, colors and sizes of the text for each element. Your company name should be approximately 2 points larger than the address and may be in a different font and color to coordinate with the logo for the letterhead. The phone, fax and email address entries should be 2 points smaller than the address, but keep the same font. Add your logo to the header. Click "Picture" on the insert tab. Browse to the digital copy of your logo, select the.jpg,.bmp or.png file and click the Insert button. Adjust the size and position of your logo. It should be clearly visible and in balance with the text of your letterhead. Hover you cursor over one corner of the logo. Your pointer will change to a Diagonal Resize cursor. Click and drag the corner of the image to make it smaller or larger. Your logo should be sized to balance the text of your contact information in the upper left corner of the header. Reposition your logo by clicking the logo to select the image and then clicking and dragging it into place. Consider adding other visual elements. For example, you could separate your company information from the rest of the page by inserting a solid line from the left margin to the right across the bottom of the header. You might also incorporate a color scheme to represent your company or your personal style. Click the Shapes dropdown arrow in the Insert tab and choose the first line option in the Lines section. Click and drag to draw the line. Right-click on the line and adjust the color and weight of the line to coordinate with your logo using the Format Autoshapes option. Select the Center radio button on the Layout tab. Right-click on the line again and create a copy of it. Paste the copy anywhere into the document. Consider inserting your tag line in the footer. If you'd like, you can balance the header by including information - your tag line, phone number, or logo - in the footer. Click the dropdown box under the Footer option in the Insert tab. Click the centered text option in the paragraph section of the Home tab. Type the tagline. Adjust the font and size. Taglines are often in italic type and may be in title case, where the first letter of every major word is capitalized. Review your letterhead. Press the Esc key to close the Header and Footer sections. View your letterhead stationary in full screen mode or print a copy for review. Save your letterhead to your hard drive. When creating a new document on this letterhead, open the letterhead file and click "Save as" under the Office Windows logo button. | Open Word. Select the Letterheads category. Customize your letterhead. Review your letterhead. Save your letterhead to your hard drive. Sketch your own letterhead design. Launch Microsoft Word. Open a new Word document and save it as a template. Insert a header. Enter your letterhead text. Add your logo to the header. Adjust the size and position of your logo. Consider adding other visual elements. Consider inserting your tag line in the footer. Review your letterhead. Save your letterhead to your hard drive. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-the-Length-of-Your-Pull-for-a-Rifle | How to Measure the Length of Your Pull for a Rifle | The length of pull (LOP) is the distance between the trigger and the back of your rifle's butt, and it's important to get it right so you can shoulder your weapon and use the scope. Take your measurements with an unloaded gun, since your finger will be on the trigger. Measure from the trigger to the back of the recoil pad or butt to determine whether you should trim the stock or get it replaced. To test the gun, hold it unloaded with your index finger on the trigger and your arm bent at 90 degrees. The butt should be able to rest on your shoulder when you bend your elbow. If you can't bend your elbow all the way, the butt is too long. However, if there's a gap between the butt and your shoulder, the stock is too short. Similarly, your LOP is too short if the thumb on your firing hand is less than 1.5 inches from your nose, and too long if the distance is greater. | Begin with an unloaded firearm. You'll be touching the trigger, so it's imperative that your rifle is unloaded for these tests. Remove all ammunition and clear the chamber before beginning. Measure the distance between the trigger and the butt plate or recoil pad. Use a tape measure to find the distance between the center of the trigger and the center of the back of the butt plate or recoil pad. This is the LOP of the rifle. Write down the measurement. In case the LOP turns out to be too long or short, you'll need to know the measurement to determine if your stock should be trimmed or replaced. Most factory rifles have an LOP between 13.00 and 13.75 inches (33.0 and 34.9 cm). Rest your index finger on the trigger face and bend your arm 90 degrees. Make sure the firearm is still unloaded before beginning. Hold the gun with the hand you generally shoot with. Extend your arm first, then, with your index finger resting on the trigger face, bend your elbow 90 degrees. Ensure the butt plate is nestled in your elbow. The LOP is too long if you are unable to bend your elbow. If there's more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between the butt plate and the crook of your elbow, the LOP is too short. Shoulder the firearm as though you are about to shoot it. Though you may take shots from many different angles or positions, choose the one that you use most often. With the gun still unloaded, set up as you normally would to take a shot. Check the distance from the thumb of your firing hand to your nose. The firing hand should be holding the wrist of the stock. Generally, the thumb of the firing hand should be 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) from your nose. The LOP is too long if the distance is greater, and too short if the distance is less than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Shorten the LOP by removing the recoil pad. If the LOP is too long for you, you can remove the recoil pad for a quick fix. However, this means your shoulder will absorb more of the impact when you fire the weapon. Lengthen the LOP by adding spacers or a thicker recoil pad. If the LOP is too short for you, you can easily replace the recoil pad with a thicker one. Or, you can add spacers between the stock and the buttplate or recoil pad. Get the stock trimmed or replaced by a gunsmith. For best results, take the rifle to a local gunsmith and ask them to trim the stock to the correct size or replace the stock with a longer one, depending on the intended LOP. They'll take into account the space to add a new butt plate or recoil pad, too. | Begin with an unloaded firearm. Measure the distance between the trigger and the butt plate or recoil pad. Write down the measurement. Rest your index finger on the trigger face and bend your arm 90 degrees. Ensure the butt plate is nestled in your elbow. Shoulder the firearm as though you are about to shoot it. Check the distance from the thumb of your firing hand to your nose. Shorten the LOP by removing the recoil pad. Lengthen the LOP by adding spacers or a thicker recoil pad. Get the stock trimmed or replaced by a gunsmith. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Feather-Earrings | How to Make Feather Earrings | To make feather earrings, start by gathering 2 feathers that are similar in size and shape. Next, use your fingers to remove some fibers from the end of each feather so that 1/2 inch of the quill is exposed. Then, slide a crimp bead onto the quill and insert an eye pin into the bead with the curved end sticking out. When the feather and pin are in place, crimp the bead with pliers. Afterwards, attach a French hook earring piece to the eye pin and repeat the process with the second feather to make the other earring. | Choose your feathers. There are lots of different kinds of feathers that you can choose from to make your feather earrings. You can get feathers that are naturally colored, dyed, shaped, fuzzy, long, or short. Select some feathers that appeal to you to create your feather earrings. Check your local craft store for feathers. Don't use feathers that you find on the ground or that came from a bird you found (dead or alive). Consider what kind of feather earrings you want to make as you choose your feathers. Try to choose colors and textures that will work well together. You can opt for natural color feathers or unnatural color feathers. Keep in mind that you may not be able to find identical feathers to create a pair of earrings. Look for feathers that look similar to each other and pair these up to use for your earrings. Strip the ends. You may need to expose some of the end of the feather to make it easier to attach the feathers to earring hooks. You can use your finger or a pair of tweezers to remove some of the feather fibers from the ends of the feathers. Make sure that you do not remove too many of the feather fibers. Just strip away a small amount, such as ½ inch (1.3cm), if the feather fibers are in the area where you want to secure them together. Bundle the feathers. If you want to use multiple feathers for each of your earrings, then you will need to create feather bundles. If you prefer to use just one feather per earring, then you can skip this. When you have stripped the ends of your feathers, match up the feathers that you want to combine into one earring. Match up the tips of the feathers so that the tips are even. You can use as many feathers as you like in each bundle, but make sure that you will be able to secure them with a crimp bead first. Your crimp beads may only be able to secure two or three feathers. You will use a crimp bead to secure the feathers when you are happy with your bundles. If desired you may add a crimp bead to each individual feather as a spacer to help fan them out. However, make sure that there is one central crimp bead connecting all of your feathers to each other. If needed, you can trim the ends to help even them out. Hold the feathers so that the areas where feather fibers are present are matched up and snip the tips to make them even with each other. Add a crimp bead or two. Crimp beads are beads that you can tighten around wire and other items, such as feathers, to secure them. Slide a crimp bead over your feather or feathers, but do not tighten it yet. If you like, you can add an additional crimp bead above the first one, or you can use a different type of bead to add decorative flair. You can also just use one crimp bead if you prefer. Insert an eye pin. You will need a way to attach an earring hook to your feather, and an eye pin is a great option. This is a pin that has a curved end, which is large enough to attach to a French hook earring. Insert the pin through the beads on your feathers. Make sure that the pin goes through the crimp beads because you will need these to secure the pin to the feathers. Crimp the crimp bead. Use a pair of crimp pliers to tighten the crimp bead. Squeeze the crimp bead with the pliers until it will not close anymore. Make sure that the bead is tight enough to hold the feathers and the eye pin together after you have closed it. Attach a French hook earring piece. After the feathers and eye pin are secured, use your pliers to open the loop on the bottom part of the French hook earring. Hold the edge of the loop with your pliers, and bend it to the side. Do not pull it open because this will loosen the loop. Then, slide the eye pin loop onto the French hook earring loop and use the pliers to close the loop. Your earring is complete! Make a matching one to complete your pair. Cut a piece of wire. Cut about 6” (15.2 cm) of 26 gauge wire using wire cutters or some strong scissors. Make sure that the ends are flat and not pointed when you cut the wire. Create a loop in the wire. Bend the wire at the center so that the two ends are almost parallel to each other. Grip the center of the wire (where it is bent) with a pair of chain nosed pliers and then hold onto the ends of the wire near the pliers with your fingers. Twist the pliers in one direction a few times to form a loop. The loop should form easily with this type of wire. However, if you have trouble gripping it, then you can also try holding the ends of the wire with another pair of chain nosed pliers instead of your fingers. Twist the ends of the wire around the feathers. Arrange your feather bundle so that the tips are lined up with the bottom of the twisted wire. Then, use a pair of chain nosed pliers to begin twisting one end of the wire around the feather bundle. After the first wire is wrapped around, begin overlapping it with the second end of the wire. Wrap the wire around the feather bundle as tightly as you can. This will help to ensure that the feathers are securely attached and will not come loose while you are wearing your earrings. Attach a French hook to the wire loop. When the wire is secured around the feather bundles, open the loop of a French hook and slide the wire loop onto the French hook loop. Then, use your pliers to close the loop again. Your earring is complete! Make a matching one to complete your pair. | Choose your feathers. Strip the ends. Bundle the feathers. Add a crimp bead or two. Insert an eye pin. Crimp the crimp bead. Attach a French hook earring piece. Cut a piece of wire. Create a loop in the wire. Twist the ends of the wire around the feathers. Attach a French hook to the wire loop. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Body-Language | How to Read Body Language | If you want to get better at reading body language, look for emotional cues that will tell you how someone is feeling, like v-shaped brows, wide eyes, and crossed arms, which may indicate that a person is angry. If a person is feeling anxious, their mouth may stretch into a thin line and they may fidget with their hands or tap their feet. If a person's posture is relaxed, they may be feeling open to the conversation, but if their limbs are tightly crossed, they are probably feeling closed off, and they may prefer to change the subject. | Watch for crying. Crying is considered to be caused by an explosion of emotion in most cultures. Oftentimes crying is considered a sign of sadness or grief, but crying can also be an expression of happiness. Crying can also come about through laughter and humor. Thus, when assessing crying, you'll need to look for other signals to determine the appropriate context of the crying. Crying can also be forced or manipulated in order to gain sympathy or to deceive others. This practice is known as "crocodile tears", a colloquial expression that draws on the myth that crocodiles 'cry' when catching prey. Look for signs of anger and/or threat. Signs of threat include v-shaped brows, wide eyes, and an open or down-turned mouth. Arms tightly crossed over the other is a common sign that the person is angry and is closing himself off to you. Look for signals of anxiety. When people exhibit anxiety, they display increased blinking and facial movements, and their mouth stretches into a thin line. Individuals who are anxious may also fidget and fiddle with their hands, unable to keep them in one spot. Anxiety can also be conveyed when people seemingly unconsciously tap their feet or have jittery legs. Look for expressions of embarrassment. Embarrassment can be signaled by averting the eyes or shifting them away, turning of the head, and controlled or even tense smiles. If someone looks down at the floor a lot, they are probably shy, timid, or embarrassed. People also tend to look down when they are upset, or trying to hide something emotional. People are often thinking and feeling unpleasant emotions when they are in the process of staring at the ground. Notice any manifestations of pride. People show pride by displaying a small smile, tilting their head backward, and putting their hands on their hips. Assess proxemics and haptics, or distancing and touching. This is one way to communicate the status of an interpersonal relationship. Physical closeness and touch signal liking, affection, and love.. People in close relationships require less personal space than with strangers. It is worth noting that personal space is culturally fluid; keep in mind that what is considered close in one country is considered far away in another. Read the person's eyes. Studies have found that when people are engaged in an interesting conversation, their eyes remain focused on their partner's face approximately 80% of the time. They don't only focus on the other person's eyes, however, but focus on the eyes for a few minutes, then move down to the nose or lips, then back up to the eyes. They may look down at table every once in a while, but they always return to meeting the other person's eyes. When people look up and to the right during a conversation, it usually means they're bored and have already dismissed the conversation. Dilated pupils mean that the person is interested in what is going on. Keep in mind, however, that many substances can cause the pupils to dilate, including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, and others. Eye contact is also frequently used as an indication of truthfulness. Overly persistent or even aggressive eye contact suggests that a person is very aware of what messages he is trying to send out. A person who tries to deceive someone, thus, may distort his eye contact so that he doesn't appear to be avoiding it, which is a widely recognized indicator of lying. However, keep in mind, as noted above, that there is a lot of individual variation when it comes to evaluating eye contact and lying. Look at the person's posture. If someone rests their arms behind their neck or head, the person is conveying that he is open to what is being discussed or may just laid back in general. Tightly crossed limbs are usually a sign of resistance and low receptivity to another person. In general, when the body is arranged in such a manner, this is a sign that a person is mentally, emotionally, and physically closing themselves off from another person. In one study of 2,000 negotiations, which were videotaped to assess the negotiators' body language, there wasn't an agreement in any case where one of the participants had his or her legs crossed. Evaluate eye contact. Making eye contact is a sign of attraction, as is blinking more than the average 6-10 times per minute. Winking can also be a sign of flirting or attraction. However, keep in mind that this may be culturally-specific; some Asian cultures frown upon winking and consider it rude. Watch for certain facial expressions. Smiling is one of the clearest signs of attraction. Make sure you know how to decipher a forced smile from a real one. You can tell fake smiles from real ones because the smile doesn't reach all the way to their eyes. Genuine smiles usually result in tiny crinkles around a person's eyes (crow's feet). When people fake smile, you won't see the wrinkles. Raising the eyebrows has also been observed as a sign of flirting. Consider the person's posture, gestures, and stance. Generally people who are attracted to each other try to close the distance to one another. This may mean leaning forward towards the other person more but can also be more direct, in the form of touching. A light tap or stroking of the arm can be a signal of attraction. Attraction can also be signaled by the person's feet staying pointed toward or facing the object of his interest. Palms turned up is another sign of romantic interest because it suggests openness. Be aware of gender differences in showing attraction. Men and women can show differences in demonstrating attraction via their body language. A man is likely to lead forward and turn his torso toward the person of his interest, whereas a woman reciprocating attraction turns her torso away and leans back. An interested man may lift his hands above his head, angled at 90 degrees. When a woman shows attraction, both arms may be open, and the hands may touch the body in the area between the hips and the chin. Notice eye contact. Eye contact, a channel of kinesics, is the primary way that people communicate dominance. People establishing dominance will take the liberty of staring at and surveying others while making direct eye contact. They will also be the last person to break eye contact. If you're looking to assert your power, keep in mind that constant eye contact can be intimidating. Assess facial expressions. A person asserting dominance will also refrain from smiling in order to communicate seriousness and may instead frown or purse his lips. Evaluate gestures and stance. Gestures can display dominance; pointing at others and using large gestures is a way to show others your status. In addition, when someone takes a wider and taller stance while also being relaxed, this is another show of dominance. Dominant individuals will also have a firm handshake. They will usually place their hand on top with their palm facing downwards; the grip will be firm and sustained in order to demonstrate control. Consider how the person manages their personal space. Those with high status will generally enable more physical space to exist between themselves and lower status people. High-status individuals will also take up more physical space to show their dominance and mastery of the situation. In other words, an expansive pose signals power and achievement. Power is also displayed through standing versus sitting. Standing - and particularly in the foreground - is seen as a more powerful pose. A straight back and strong shoulders kept back, rather than hunching forward, further conveys confidence. Slouching and slumping, by contrast, convey a lack of confidence. Dominant individuals will also lead from the front and walk ahead of the group or go through the doors first. They like to be up front. Watch how and when the person touches. People asserting their status will have more options when it comes to touch because they feel more confident in their position. Generally, in an unequal situation where one person has a higher status, he will touch the lower-status person with greater frequency. In social situations where both communicators have equal status, both people will reciprocate touch in similar ways. Know that reading body language is a complex task. Nonverbal behavior is itself complex since all people are different and present themselves differently. Reading body language can be challenging because when interpreting the signs people are sending you, you need to take into account the whole picture. For example, did that person already mention to you today that he had a fight with his wife or didn't a get a promotion at work? Or was he visibly anxious over lunch? When interpreting others' body language, it's important wherever possible to take into account their personality, social factors, verbal behavior, and the setting. While this information is not always available, it can be helpful to read body language. People are complex, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that how they convey themselves with their bodies is complex too! You could compare reading body language to watching your favorite TV show; after all, you wouldn't just watch one scene in your favorite TV show, but the whole episode in order to properly understand the meaning of that one scene. You'd also probably keep in mind past episodes, a character's history, and the plot as a whole. You need to look at this bigger picture also when it comes to reading body language! Remember to consider individual differences. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to body language. If you are invested in being able to read a person's body language accurately, you may have to 'study' that person for some time. What is true for one person may not always be true for another. For example, when lying, some people break eye contact, while others attempt to maintain even more eye contact than usual so that they won't be suspected of lying. Be aware that body language can differ according to culture. For some emotions and expressions of body language, the meaning of the messages is culturally-specific. For instance, in Finnish culture, when a person makes eye contact, it is a sign of approachability. By contrast, when a person makes eye contact, it is considered to be an expression of anger for the Japanese. To give another example, in western culture, a person who feels comfortable with you will lean forward toward you and square their face and body directly toward you. People with certain disabilities may have unique body language. For example, autistic people often avoid eye contact while listening, and fidget frequently. Note that while some physical expressions of emotion vary from culture to culture, some research suggests that certain expressions of body language are universal across cultures. This is especially true for the communication of dominance and submission. For example, across different cultures, a lowered posture indicates submission. Note that understanding differs according to nonverbal channel. The nonverbal channel is the means by which a message or sign is conveyed without words. Important nonverbal channels include those of kinesics (eye contact, facial expressions, and body language), haptics (touch), and proxemics (personal space). In other words, the medium determines the message. As a general rule, people are best at reading facial expressions, and then body language, and, finally, personal space and touch. Even within each channel, there can be great variation. For instance, not all facial expressions are equally easy to understand. People are generally better at reading facial expressions that are pleasant rather than unpleasant. One study found that individuals are better at accurately interpreting happiness, contentment, and excitement, compared to anger, sadness, fear, and disgust. | Watch for crying. Look for signs of anger and/or threat. Look for signals of anxiety. Look for expressions of embarrassment. Notice any manifestations of pride. Assess proxemics and haptics, or distancing and touching. Read the person's eyes. Look at the person's posture. Evaluate eye contact. Watch for certain facial expressions. Consider the person's posture, gestures, and stance. Be aware of gender differences in showing attraction. Notice eye contact. Assess facial expressions. Evaluate gestures and stance. Consider how the person manages their personal space. Watch how and when the person touches. Know that reading body language is a complex task. Remember to consider individual differences. Be aware that body language can differ according to culture. Note that understanding differs according to nonverbal channel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drop-Out-of-College | How to Drop Out of College | To drop out of college, start by letting your professors know about your decision, since you'll want to keep them updated throughout the process. You can also talk to a school counsellor to make sure dropping out is the right decision for you. Once you're sure you want to drop out, submit a withdrawal request to your college to officially start the process. If you're partway into a semester, consider finishing the term so you won't need to worry about it affecting your GPA. After you've submitted your withdrawal request, search for apartments or houses in your local area if you don't want to move back home. | Talk to your professors about your decision. A trusted professor or adviser will be able to help you clarify your reasons for leaving and offer prudent advice about what to do next. Even if you're not interested in hearing what they have to say, letting your instructors know that you'll no longer be participating in their class is common courtesy. Meet with your professors in person to explain your circumstances instead of sending them a cursory email or leaving them to guess what happened to you. Feeling like your classes are too hard is not a strong enough reason to justify dropping out—realizing that you don't need a formal education to do what you love is. Discuss the potential consequences with a counselor. Meet with an academic adviser from your school to talk about what will happen once you discontinue your education. Keep in mind that by dropping out, you might be forced to forfeit scholarships, grants or other benefits that you've managed to secure. It could also strain your relationship with your family if they don't agree with your decision. Some schools don't allow students who have dropped out to re-enroll, which could limit your opportunities should you make up your mind to go back later on. Repaying student loans after dropping out will leave you stuck with the financial burden of going to college and none of the advantages. Finish out the semester. If the term is already underway and you've missed the deadline to drop classes, it's good idea to just see it through. That way, you won't have to worry about ruining your GPA. When the following semester rolls around, you can tie up a few administrative loose ends and make a clean break. Completing a semester will leave you with a documented final grade and not a more ambiguous “W” or “I.” The more classes you have under your belt, the more experience you'll be able to show employers. Submit a withdrawal request. As part of the withdrawal process, you'll have to fill out a few forms and provide a reason for leaving. You may also be asked to meet with your academic adviser for exit counseling, which typically involves reviewing important school policies and discussing the options you have open to you. Once the paperwork goes through, your enrollment will be officially terminated. Inquire about deferred payment plans and other options that might make the financial burden easier to bear while you figure out your next move. Take advantage of your school's refund policy. Depending on when you drop out, you may qualify for a full or partial refund on your tuition. In most cases, students who drop classes or withdraw from the university before the first day of the semester are eligible to receive 100% reimbursement. You'll still be responsible for paying back student loans and other scholastic expenses, but putting what you paid for your classes back in your pocket can lighten the load significantly. The amount you stand to be refunded will usually decrease the later into the term you wait. Check with the bursar's office to see whether you need to make a formal request in order to receive a refund. Be prepared to pay off your student loans. Your loan payments will kick in following a six-month grace period after your dropout date. To ensure that you can meet the costs, you'll need to either find job with steady pay or have some other means of financial security in place, like an existing savings account. At this point, your primary focus should be doing everything you can to avoid the dreaded debt trap. Draw up a financial plan to determine how much you can afford to set aside to make your monthly payments. Defaulting on your loans can severely harm your credit, along with your chances of ever being accepted to another school. Find a place to live. Since you won't be able to continue living in the dorms after you drop out, you'll need to begin looking into alternative lodging options. Search for an apartment or small house somewhere near campus. Once you get set up, you can focus on working and getting ready to begin a new phase in your life. If money is tight, consider moving back in with your family until you make enough to get back on your feet. Moving in with a roommate can ease the financial burden of renting a place by yourself. Analyze your prospects. Take inventory of the options you have available to you now that you've put school behind you for the time being. It may be that you're curious about pursuing a career in the military, or you're already working an internship that promises to lead to a full-time position. No matter where your interests lie, having a goal to work towards will give you a sense of purpose and help you make better use of your time and energy. Find out whether (and how) it would be possible for you to land your dream job without a degree by researching the typical requirements on a job search board or career advice website. Be realistic about your other opportunities. Assuming that you'll find a way to make things work without a concrete plan could just end up putting you in a more difficult position. Consider taking a hiatus. Rather than giving up on academics once and for all, you might simply take an extended break. Inform your adviser and professors that you're planning on taking some time off from college. They'll be able to walk you through the steps needed to re-enroll in the future and explain what will happen to your grades and financial aid money when you pull the plug. If you're leaving school in good academic standing, it may be possible for you to be reinstated in the same program later on with your record intact. When you look at dropping out as a temporary measure, it can make the whole ordeal a lot less scary. Have a job lined up. If you weren't already working to put yourself through school, you'll definitely need to find employment to make ends meet once you're on your own. Even a part-time job will serve as a safety net and give you a chance to build up your funds while preparing for what may come—just be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up, since you'll be coming in with fewer credentials. Sales, retail management, customer service, office administration and waiting tables can all be lucrative jobs for those who don't hold graduate degrees. For some people, leaving school can actually be a plus, since it allows them to focus their time and attention on a job they're passionate about. Apply for an internship. The right opportunity can help you build valuable real-world work experience and attach your name to a reputable company, which will make you much more attractive to employers. Most companies don't require that their interns have a college degree, which means your chances are no worse than anyone else's. With a little luck, you could even be offered a permanent position once your internship comes to an end. Research internships that are directly related to your field of interest or area of expertise. If you want to get involved in nonprofit work, for instance, you could try volunteering with an organization that helps the indigent gain access to critical social resources. Don't be too quick to rule out unpaid internships. They have the potential to lead to steady, gainful employment. Be sure to mention your time in college when you're filling out your educational history. Take part in an apprenticeship. Find someone who does what you want to be doing and ask them to take you under their wing. Many trade and vocational schools offer apprenticeships for professions like carpentry, plumbing and automotive repair. Learning the ropes firsthand from an experienced craftsman is an excellent way to gain practical knowledge that will help you break into a new industry. Apprenticeship programs tend to be cheaper, shorter and more specialized than working towards a degree at a traditional university or community college. Run a search online to find out which companies and organizations offer apprenticeship opportunities in your area. | Talk to your professors about your decision. Discuss the potential consequences with a counselor. Finish out the semester. Submit a withdrawal request. Take advantage of your school's refund policy. Be prepared to pay off your student loans. Find a place to live. Analyze your prospects. Consider taking a hiatus. Have a job lined up. Apply for an internship. Take part in an apprenticeship. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Trademark-a-Phrase | How to Trademark a Phrase | If you want to trademark a phrase, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. Find the Trademark Electronic Application System, or TEAS, and choose the form that applies to you. Include a description of the goods or services the phrase will be used to describe, and pay the filing fee when you send in your application. Once your application has been filed, it will be assigned to an examining attorney, and then it will be published so anyone who disputes your right to the phrase can come forward. If no issues arise, your trademark will be granted! | Create your phrase. You can't trademark a phrase that doesn't exist. Know the brand or idea you are trying to promote. Keep your slogan short, memorable, and appropriate for your audience. The most valuable trademarks are those with inherent distinctiveness, such as newly made up words or the use of words not normally associated with each other, such as "APPLE COMPUTER". You can use a common word or phrase, but be aware that to obtain a trademark, you need to show that the phrase has a “secondary meaning” that makes your use different from the usual meaning of the phrase. You will also need to show how that secondary meaning is connected with your product or service. You should also be able to describe the representation, or how your phrase will look. If you want to add any specific design element to your slogan, that becomes part of the trademark. A combination mark may be more restrictive when your needs change over time. Generate search terms. Using your phrase, generate a list of trademark search terms. Choose search terms that match your phrase exactly, but also use those that are similar in appearance, sound or meaning. For example, if your phrase is “The Bestestestest Chicken of Your Life,” you may choose search terms that vary the spelling of the word 'best' or that add words to the beginning or end of the phrase, like “We Serve the Best Chicken of Your Life.” You might also search for things similar to chicken, such as "rooster" or "fowl" or "hens". Keep in mind that the goal of the search is to determine whether the phrase that you wish to trademark, or anything very similar to that phrase, is already being used, especially in any related field. Type your search into a search engine. Repeat this for each of your search terms and take note of the results of each of your search terms. Pay special attention to those results that are very similar or identical to your phrase. You may wish to print out your results to keep track of any similar marks. Use several different search engines (Ask, Bing, Google, Yahoo) to make sure you cover what is out there as fully as possible. They will probably give similar results, but it's best to be thorough in your search. Keep track of the type of product or service that your search results represent. Note any mark that is similar to the way that you intend to use your phrase and represents a similar product or service to your company. For example, if your phrase is “The Bestestestest Chicken of Your Life,” and you use the phrase in conjunction with a fried chicken restaurant, take note of any restaurant or food services company using a similar phrase. You might also search for domain names with your words in them and search trade journal articles related to your industry. Conduct a Trademark Electronic Search System (“TESS”) search. Search for similar terms just as you did in other search engines. Take notes of your searches in TESS as you did in the previous step. TESS uses the US Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) searchable, online database of applications and registered trademarks to see if anyone has registered your phrase or has attempted to. TESS is available through the USPTO's website ( [1] ). Pay particular attention to any applications that were denied involving variations on your proposed brand. They may indicate that others already had trouble for some reason. Consider hiring a Trademark Attorney. If your searching finds someone else using a phrase similar to yours, and you still want to use the phrase yourself, a trademark attorney can help you with the rest of the process. If you find no other company using your name as their own mark, you may still want to hire a trademark attorney to ensure that your search was accurate and sufficiently complete. Decide whether to register your brand in one or more US states or to not register it at all, giving you only limited protection of your brand against infringement by others. Know your basis for filing. The USPTO will ask what you intend to use the phrase for, and when you intend to start using it. Depending on the answer, your basis will either be "use in commerce" or "intent to use." "Use in commerce" basis involves slogans already in use on goods or services. You will need to provide the approximate date that you began using the phrase and a clear example of you using of the phrase on the goods or services you are registering. "Intent to use" basis is for phrases that you intend to use in the future, but have not yet used. This basis requires an additional form and fee before registering. Consider the ownership carefully. If you file in the name of someone who is not actually using the brand or who does not have the "intent to use", your application may be deemed void and you'll have to start over. You cannot transfer ownership of an "intent to use" application. Describe the goods or services to which the brand will apply. The USPTO has a manual of acceptable identification of goods or services that will also assist you in identifying the classifications in which you want registration. A separate filing fee or application is required for each classification. For example, making computers is class 9, computer books are class 16, and programming computers services is class 42. You may be allowed to amend your goods and services descriptions later, but only to narrow and refine them. Your specimen of use must show the brand in use on goods or services in each class for which you request registration. Complete an online application form. Use the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). There are three different forms, the TEAS Regular, TEAS Plus, and TEAS RF (Reduced Fee). TEAS Plus applicants agree to file additional forms, which will ask about identification taken from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual, additional mark-related information, and a valid e-mail address for correspondence. TEAS RF applicants agree to file additional forms and provide a valid e-mail for correspondence. If you file a TEAS RF application, but fail to meet the requirements, you will have to submit an additional $50 processing fee. The USPTO website ( http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/filing-online/initial-application-forms ) has sample PDFs to view. You should look at these before filing to make sure you have all the proper information. You cannot submit these PDFs, they are for reference only. Pay the filing fee. The filing fee will be $225 (TEAS RF), $275 (TEAS Plus), or $325 (TEAS Regular) depending on the form you file. This fee is non-refundable. Be sure to spell all parts of the phrase exactly as you intend to use the phrase. The examining attorney that reviews your application to determine if it is valid will look at all similar brands, but will only allow you to register the one you submit. Make a copy of all of your materials before you submit them and retain it for your records. You will need to file a separate form for each individual phrase you wish to trademark. Work with assigned USPTO examining attorney. Once you have met all the filing requirements, your application will get a serial number and be assigned to an examining attorney. The attorney will review your phrase to make sure it complies with all applicable laws, and search for conflicting marks. Assuming your brand is not "illegal" for registration, the standard for distinctiveness is whether your brand creates a "likelihood of confusion" with any other brands currently registered in the USPTO, which can be highly subjective. If there is a change to your application, the attorney will send written confirmation, called an "examiners amendment." Unless you disagree with the change, you don't need to respond. If there are issues with your application, the examiner will send you a letter, either a priority action or office action. This letter should explain the issue and what you can do to resolve it. You may be given up to 6 months to respond to a priority or office action. For any of these letters, the USPTO recommends filing a response electronically through their website: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp. In some cases the examiners can be persuaded to withdraw an objection if you narrow your goods or services to avoid possible overlap in areas already occupied by others. In other cases they will simply refuse registration due to one or more legal considerations. See your trademark published. Once the attorney has no objections, or you resolve all issues, your phrase will be published in the "Official Gazette," a weekly publication from the USPTO. At this point, anyone who wants to challenge your phrase has 30 days to do so. If they don't, or their opposition fails, you can move on to the next stage. Any challenge will be heard by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, a part of the USPTO. An opposition is very much like a court litigation and may take years and cost thousands of dollars. Many applicants choose to abandon the application and start over with something else. This is why you need to pay close attention to WHY any similar applications were already rejected. File statement of use form. Once your phrase gets past any challenges, the USPTO will send you a notice of allowance. If you had filed with "intent to use", and have not yet amended your application for "actual use", you will have 6 months to file a statement of use form and fees, or to request a 6 month extension (up to 36 months), with more fees. From there, the USPTO will review your form, and issue letters as during the initial review. Once your application is approved, the USPTO will issue you a registration. Congratulations, you have a registered trademark on your phrase! You should begin using the circle-R ® mark on your brand when used on the goods or services listed in your registration. Maintain your registration. You must file additional documents to keep your registration current. If your registration lapses at any point, you will need to repeat the application process, so keep an eye on it. Check the USPTO's Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system to track your registration status. The system is available through their website: http://tsdr.uspto.gov/ The USPTO says that you should make any necessary filings between the fifth and sixth year, and the ninth and tenth year following registration. Enforce and protect your registration. The USPTO will try to prevent others from registering a brand similar to yours as long as you maintain your registration. However, you have the obligation to patrol your industry and make sure nobody else is violating your trademark rights or misusing your brand. If you stop using your brand for several years, without a valid business reason, you may lose your legal right to enforce it, even if the registration has not expired. Anyone can still challenge your registration if they had previous rights of priority and your use will create a likelihood of confusion, or if your registration was issued in violation of the law. The Washington Redskins had their 1967 registrations cancelled in 1999 after the TTAB heard complaints that they were "disparaging", in violation of the federal law, although they had been in use since 1933. The US Supreme Court eventually ruled that the law was unconstitutional and the registrations were reinstated. | Create your phrase. Generate search terms. Type your search into a search engine. Keep track of the type of product or service that your search results represent. Conduct a Trademark Electronic Search System (“TESS”) search. Consider hiring a Trademark Attorney. Know your basis for filing. Consider the ownership carefully. Describe the goods or services to which the brand will apply. Complete an online application form. Work with assigned USPTO examining attorney. See your trademark published. File statement of use form. Maintain your registration. Enforce and protect your registration. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Lawn-in-the-Summer | How to Care for Your Lawn in the Summer | To care for your lawn in the summer, make sure to mow it twice a week, and cut the grass to around 3 inches tall to keep it in good health. Additionally, leave the clippings on the grass after you mow to help fertilize the lawn. Then, water your lawn once a week in the early morning or late evening, so that the water can soak in to the roots before the sun dries it. Alternatively, turn your sprinklers on for a full night once a week. | Mow your lawn once or twice a week. Mowing your lawn regularly is one way to keep it in good health. Mow your lawn twice a week if you have been getting the usual amount of rain for your area, and once per week if your area has been experiencing a drought. Keep your lawn at about 2.5 to 3 inches (6.4 to 7.6 cm). This is an ideal height for most types of grasses. Measure your grass with a ruler to check the height. If you prefer your lawn to be a little shorter or taller, that is fine, too. Cut no more than one-third of the total growth each time you mow. It is important to avoid cutting the grass too short, especially when the weather is very hot. During hot weather, your lawn has to put a lot of energy into regrowing grass shoots. For example, if the lawn is 6 inches (15 cm) tall, then cut no more than 2 inches (5.1 cm). Even if your lawn is growing quickly, don't cut more than one-third of the growth. Cut it more often, such as twice per week instead of once per week. Sharpen the blade in your mower if it is dull. You can check the ends of the grass after mowing your lawn to determine if your mower blade is dull or sharp. If the ends of the grass look yellow or white, then your mower blade is likely dull. Take the blade to a hardware store to get it sharpened. You can sharpen a lawnmower blade yourself, but you will need some special tools and mechanical knowledge of lawnmowers, such as where the spark plug is located and how to remove it. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, then taking the blade to a professional is the safest option. Leave grass clippings on your lawn to fertilize it. A free, effective way to ensure that your lawn is getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy is to leave grass clippings on the lawn after you mow. Don't collect, rake up, or sweep the grass clippings into the streets. Just leave them where they fall as you mow. Use rainwater to water your lawn, if possible. Watering a lawn can use up a lot of water, especially if you are using processed tap water. Instead of using the hose, try to capture rainwater in a rainwater collection barrel and use this to water your lawn in the summer. Rainwater is soft, so it is ideal for watering your lawn and other plants and trees in your yard. Get a food grade, 55 gallons (210 L) barrel that has a spigot at the bottom of it and place it outside to collect water when it rains. Skip watering after it rains because enough water will fall directly onto your lawn. Wait to use the rainwater until you hit a dry period. You can connect a hose to the spigot on the barrel and use the rainwater to water your lawn. Wait until your lawn starts to turn yellow or brown to water. If you have to water your lawn, water just enough to keep it from turning brown and avoid running sprinklers too regularly. For example, you could turn the sprinklers on for a full night once a week, rather than misting your lawn every night. Your lawn will usually recover from turning brown. Although, grass can turn yellow or brown quickly during dry periods, this does not mean the grass is dead or dying. It is only becoming dormant. Water your lawn during the cooler parts of the day. Watering your lawn when the sun is shining or when it is hot will not do your lawn much good because the water will evaporate quickly. Water your lawn early in the morning or after the sun goes down. This will allow the grass to soak up the water before the sun dries it up. For example, you could set your sprinklers to go off first thing in the morning, or water your lawn with a hose right before you go to bed at night. Watch the weather reports too and try to water your lawn on a day that is supposed to be cooler than other days. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to your lawn once every 6 to 8 weeks, if desired. Applying fertilizer to your grass is optional for a healthy lawn, but fertilizer can help to keep your lawn healthy. Choose a slow-release lawn fertilizer and follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to apply it. Wait until the soil temperature reaches 55 °F (13 °C) to apply the first layer of fertilizer and then apply the fertilizer once every 6 to 8 weeks through the summer and into the fall. Look for a granular fertilizer that you can just sprinkle onto the lawn. Check the drainage of your lawn to see if aeration might be necessary. Aerating your lawn helps to improve the soil's drainage, absorption of nutrients and oxygen, and rooting. It can also help to prevent the pesticides and fertilizers that you apply to your lawn from running off into the sewer or ending up in rivers, streams, and lakes. Some ways to tell if you need to aerate your lawn include: The grass looks thin or patchy. The lawn is heavily used, walked on, or driven on. The soil is a heavy clay type. The thatch layer (combination of living and dead grass) of the lawn is more than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) tall. The lawn is more than 1 year old. Do not aerate a newly seeded or sodded lawn. Dig up a patch of soil to check the root depth. If you are still unsure if you need to aerate your lawn, then dig up a 1 square foot (0.093 m ) section of lawn that is 6 inches (15 cm) deep. Then, measure the roots of the grass. If the grass is only 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) deep, then you should aerate your lawn. Check the roots early in the summer because this is when they will be the longest during the season. The roots will gradually shrink as the summer goes on. Purchase or rent a mechanical core aerator. If you decide to aerate your lawn, the best way to do so is to purchase or rent a mechanical core aerator. A core aerator has hollow tubes or times that punch into the ground. Avoid aerators with solid tubes or spikes because these will compact the soil. Core aerators are expensive to purchase and rent, so you may want to band together with your neighbors to rent one for a weekend. An aerator is a heavy duty piece of equipment, so you will also need some help using the machine, such as someone to help you transport it to and from your property. You can always hire a landscaping company to aerate your lawn for you if you do not want to deal with the equipment yourself. Aerate when the lawn is moist, but not soaking wet. Water your lawn thoroughly, and then wait a day or two after watering your lawn to aerate the lawn. The lawn should not be soaking wet, but it should be moist to get the best results. If your area has been experiencing excessive or prolonged rainy weather, then you may need to wait until the soil dries to aerate it. Before you aerate, the lawn needs 1 inch (2.5 cm) of watering to ensure it is moist. Measure down into the soil to make sure that the moisture extends down by 1 inch (2.5 cm) and then wait 1 to 2 days before aerating. Go over your lawn multiple times in different directions. It is important to go over your lawn several times with the aerator to ensure that you end up with at least 20 to 40 holes for every 1 square foot (0.093 m ). Also, do not aerate the lawn in 1 direction only. Go back and forth across the lawn so that each section of your lawn is aerated from at least 2 different directions. This will help to improve the air, water, and nutrient flow of the lawn. For example, you could aerate the lawn in straight lines going from left to right, and then aerate over those lines again going from right to left. Identify weeds in your lawn by sight. You'll be able to spot lawn weeds if you notice flowers (especially dandelions) growing out of your lawn. You might also see the lawn has slightly inconsistent patches where the color or texture looks different than the rest of the lawn. Keep in mind that it is easier to spot weeds if the lawn hasn't been mowed recently. You can look up common weeds online and look at picture to help you identify the type of weed you are dealing with. This may be helpful if you are dealing with something invasive or persistent, or if you'd just like to know what weeds are common to your lawn. Refrain from mowing the lawn before applying weed killer. If using a targeted weed killer, make the job easier for yourself by applying it when the lawn hasn't been mowed in a while. Doing this will help you to spot the problem areas, as weeds are easier to see when the lawn has been allowed to grow out a bit. At the same time, try to avoid mowing right after you have spread your weed killer. Wait a day or two to allow the weed killer to spread through the entire weed. Sprinkle or spray the weed killer in the morning when the lawn is dewy, but not wet. Don't apply weed killer when the soil is very dry or very wet. Try to apply a weed killing chemical when the soil isn't too dry, such as in the morning when the lawn is dewy. Avoid spraying weed killer on your lawn right after a heavy rainfall or if it is supposed to rain that day or the following day. Choose a weed killer that is meant for use on lawns. When you choose a weed killer, look for a product that is meant for use on lawns and that will not kill your lawn. Read and follow the package's instructions carefully. Avoid using “weed and feed” products. These might not work for your lawn type and they may even cause damage. Alternately you can try targeting the individual weeds you spot. This targeted weed killer usually comes in a spray or gel form. Apply a chemical weed killer when weeds are actively growing. When you notice multiple broadleaf weeds in your yard, this is a good time to apply a granular weed killer or to spray the individual weeds. Apply the granular or spray weed killer directly to the weeds. Try to avoid applying weed killer right at the end of summer as weeds may be going dormant and a weed killer may be less effective. You may need to apply weed killer once in early summer and once later in the summer. Try digging up the weeds as an alternative to using weed killer. If you prefer to avoid using chemicals then you can try digging up the weeds you spot. To do this, you can use a variety of tools, including a hori hori blade or a weed puller. Use a garden spade to dig down into the roots of the weed and pull the whole weed out, roots and all. You can also put on a pair of gardening gloves and pull weeds by hand. Pulling weeds by hand is time consuming, but you may prefer this option if you do not want to spray chemicals on your lawn due to children and pets playing on the lawn. You can slow down the growth of some weeds, like dandelions, simply by removing their heads. Tear them off by hand or mow over them. You may need to do this several times over the summer, however, to keep them from growing back. | Mow your lawn once or twice a week. Keep your lawn at about 2.5 to 3 inches (6.4 to 7.6 cm). Cut no more than one-third of the total growth each time you mow. Sharpen the blade in your mower if it is dull. Leave grass clippings on your lawn to fertilize it. Use rainwater to water your lawn, if possible. Wait until your lawn starts to turn yellow or brown to water. Water your lawn during the cooler parts of the day. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to your lawn once every 6 to 8 weeks, if desired. Check the drainage of your lawn to see if aeration might be necessary. Dig up a patch of soil to check the root depth. Purchase or rent a mechanical core aerator. Aerate when the lawn is moist, but not soaking wet. Go over your lawn multiple times in different directions. Identify weeds in your lawn by sight. Refrain from mowing the lawn before applying weed killer. Sprinkle or spray the weed killer in the morning when the lawn is dewy, but not wet. Choose a weed killer that is meant for use on lawns. Apply a chemical weed killer when weeds are actively growing. Try digging up the weeds as an alternative to using weed killer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-a-Stink-Bug | How to Kill a Stink Bug | The easiest way to kill a stink bug is by using liquid dish soap and warm water. Start by putting enough soap in a jar to cover the bottom and filling the jar halfway with warm water. Then, stir the mixture, and drop your stink bug into it so it will drown. Alternatively, mix 32 ounces of water with ¾ of a cup of soap in a spray bottle and spray the stink bug to kill it. You can also use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or bleach in your jar, or put hot sauce in your spray bottle. However, consider trying soap and water first, since it's simple and effective. | Fill a jar with water and dish detergent. Add enough liquid dish soap to the jar to cover the bottom. Fill half of the jar with warm water and stir to mix. Any liquid dish soap will work, regardless of how mild it is or what additional chemicals it may contain. The right size container will depend on how many stink bugs you intend to capture. A small custard cup or ramekin is enough if you only plan on killing a few of the pests, but a larger jar or small bucket should be used if you plan on taking care of a major infestation all at once. Knock the stink bug into the jar. When you come across a stink bug, flick it off its post with a popsicle stick or chopstick and down into the soapy solution. Work quickly. Some species of stink bugs can fly and may escape if you do not manage to flick it off in one fell swoop. Stink bugs should drown within 20 to 40 seconds. The bugs breathe through pores beneath their waxy exterior shells, and when soap plugs these pores up, the bugs suffocate. You could also wear disposable gloves and pick up the stink bugs by hand. Similarly, you could pick them up with tweezers. Picking them up directly ensures that they will not be able to escape, but they may release their odor if you do not work quickly. Flush the dead bugs. After you collect a few stink bugs in your soapy water, flush the contents of the jar down the toilet to dispose of the bugs and the dirty water. Wait until you collect a few stink bugs instead of flushing them individually in order to save water. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water. Combine 32 oz (1 liter) of warm water with 3/4 cup (180 ml) liquid dish detergent. As before, any liquid dish detergent will work regardless of potency or added chemicals. Shake the bottle well to make sure that the soap and water are combined. Spray the solution on bugs and along cracks. Douse any bugs you cannot knock down with the spray and apply the solution along any area you suspect the stink bugs might come in through. Even though this does not work as quickly as drowning the insects does, the soap with react with the waxy coating on the exterior of the stink bug, breaking that coating down and ultimately dehydrating the pest. Stink bugs usually sneak in through cracks, windows, doors, and vents. Spray a heavy coating of this solution around those areas so that invading stink bugs will walk through it and eventually die. Be aware of the risks. While traditional insecticides may kill stink bugs, there are health risks and other potentially negative consequences involved. Insecticides are poisonous to humans and pets as well as stink bugs. Keep them out of reach of small children and pets, and strictly follow the application instructions on the label. Residual dust treatments can kill many stink bugs, but the bugs may die in hard-to-reach places as a result of the delayed effect. Carpet beetles and other pests may invade your home to feed on the dead bugs afterward. Aerosol foggers will kill stink bugs, but the effect only lasts for a limited amount of time, and any stink bugs that enter the area after the room is aired out will not be killed. Only use insecticides that are labeled to kill stink bugs. Otherwise, you run the risk of choosing a chemical that is not effective against these particular pests. Spray the stink bug as you see it. Use a "kills on contact" aerosol insecticide to attack stink bugs as you see them. Understand that "on contact" is not necessarily as instantaneous as the term would imply. These chemicals usually begin to attack the stink bug's nervous system after they dry, but it could take several hours after initial contact before the bug dies. Apply residual insecticides. Following label instructions, sprinkle or spray the product in any area you suspect the stink bugs to be hiding in. Residual sprays tend to work best when sprayed along window sills, doorways, and baseboards. Residual dusts tend to work better when dusting the attic, crawl spaces, or interior wall space. Use a perimeter insecticide outdoors. Spray an outdoor residual pesticide along the ground around your home's foundation. Stink bugs always invade from the outdoors, so any stink bug entering your home for the first time will be affected and killed. Use a nicotine solution. Soak a pack of shredded cigarettes in 1 gallon (4 liters) of warm water. Strain the solution and mix in 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of dish detergent. Fill a spray bottle with this solution and thoroughly coat the stink bug with it. The liquid dish detergent allows the solution to stick to the insect more effectively, and the nicotine poisons the stink bug. Wear disposable gloves as you work with the nicotine solution to avoid accidentally absorbing the poison through your skin. Paralyze stink bugs with hairspray. Attack each stink bug with hairspray as you see it to stop the pest from moving around. The hairspray alone will not kill the stink bug, but it will immobilize it, preventing the bug from roaming about freely and making it easier to apply a chemical that will kill the bug. Make sure to use the stickiest hairspray possible. Thankfully, cheap brands are usually stickier than expensive brands. Kill the bugs with rubbing alcohol, bleach, or ammonia. Fill a glass jar halfway with one of these chemicals and knock or drop the stink bugs into the jar as you come across them. Do not mix these chemicals for any reason. Combining these chemicals can produce fumes that are deadly to humans. Knock the stink bugs into the solution using a popsicle stick or gloved hand, or pick the bugs up with tweezers. You could also dilute one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water inside a spray bottle. Attack stink bugs with this solution as you see them. The alcohol will wear away at the exterior of the insect, drying it out and eventually destroying it. Kill the bug with wart remover. Buy a can of freeze away wart remover and spray it directly on the stink bug. The bug will freeze instantly and all you need to do is flush them down the toilet. Spray the stink bug with hot sauce. Fill a spray bottle with hot sauce or liquified hot peppers. Squirt each stink bug with the spicy insecticide as you see it. Hot peppers are capable of burning human skin and eyes if handled improperly. Similarly, the peppers can burn away the waxy exterior of the stink bug, ultimately destroying it. Wash your hands after handling hot peppers and hot sauce to avoid accidentally irritating your eyes. Drop candle wax remover on the stink bug. Place a single drop of candle wax remover on the back of an individual stink bug. The insect should die within one or two minutes. You might be able to apply the candle wax remover to the stink bug without capturing it, but be aware that accidentally getting the remover onto carpet or other surfaces may create a stain. For best results, immobilize the insect with hair spray or trap it inside a glass jar before applying the remover. The candle wax remover strips away the waxy coating on the outside of the stink bug's shell, thereby breaking down interior membranes. Use white vinegar. Place a tablespoonful / teaspoonful of white vinegar in a container; use a container that is not too large. Capture the stink bug using tweezers, an empty medicine container with cap, and/or use gloves. Put the bug or bugs into the vinegar. They die immediately without releasing their bomb. Flush the critters down the toilet. Vacuum the stink bug up. When you see one or more stink bugs, suck them up using an upright vacuum with a bag. The stink bugs will release their odor inside the vacuum, causing the machine to stink for several weeks. Sprinkle the interior of the vacuum with a strong deodorizer to minimize this effect. Avoid using bagless vacuum cleaners. Use vacuums with bags and dispose of the bag after you finish sucking up the bugs. Alternatively, wrap a knee-high stocking around the outside of the vacuum tube and secure it in place with a rubber band. Stuff the rest of the stocking into the tube and suck the stink bugs up as usual. This will prevent the bugs from passing through the vacuum filter. Set up an insect electrocution system. Place a bug zapper in a dark attic or closet. Like most insects, stink bugs are drawn to sources of light. By placing the device in a dark room, the light of the electrocution system becomes more appealing to the stink bugs. As they approach the light, they are instantly electrocuted and die before they have the chance to release their stink. Make sure that you sweep up or vacuum up the dead stink bugs after several days pass. Lay out glue traps. Spread flypaper or other sticky traps near windows, doorways, vents, and cracks. The stink bugs will get caught on the traps as they pass over them. Without being able to search out food, the insects will starve to death. Throw out the glue trap after you have gathered several stink bugs. Be aware of the fact that stink bugs may release their odor upon becoming stuck to the trap. Freeze the insects to death. Trap the stink bugs in a resealable plastic freezer bag or airtight, freezer-safe container. Place the container in a freezer for several days to kill them. Make sure that the container or bag has a tight seal. Otherwise, you run the risk of contaminating the contents of your freezer. Put a glass over the bug and leave it till it kills itself on its own toxic emissions. Quickly pick up the glass. Sweep the dead bug into the garbage. Make sure you do this outside because the chemical will build up and you can actually see the brown fumes. | Fill a jar with water and dish detergent. Knock the stink bug into the jar. Flush the dead bugs. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water. Spray the solution on bugs and along cracks. Be aware of the risks. Spray the stink bug as you see it. Apply residual insecticides. Use a perimeter insecticide outdoors. Use a nicotine solution. Paralyze stink bugs with hairspray. Kill the bugs with rubbing alcohol, bleach, or ammonia. Kill the bug with wart remover. Spray the stink bug with hot sauce. Drop candle wax remover on the stink bug. Use white vinegar. Vacuum the stink bug up. Set up an insect electrocution system. Lay out glue traps. Freeze the insects to death. Put a glass over the bug and leave it till it kills itself on its own toxic emissions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yogurt | How to Make Yogurt | To make your own yogurt at home, all you need is milk and some store-bought yogurt. Make sure the yogurt contains live active cultures, which are what turns the milk into more yogurt. First, pour 8 cups (2 liters) of milk into a Dutch oven. Then, heat the milk over medium-high heat, stirring it continuously so it doesn't scorch. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of the milk. Once it reads 200°F (93°C), turn off the heat and let the milk cool to around 115°F (46°C). Now, add 1 cup (235 milliliters) of the warm milk and ½ cup (120 grams) of store-bought yogurt to a bowl and whisk until they're well blended. Whisk the thinned yogurt into the rest of the warm milk, then cover the Dutch oven and place in a turned-off oven to keep the milk warm while it sets. Let the yogurt set for at least 4 hours, or until it reaches the taste and consistency you like. Finally, transfer the yogurt to a separate container and store it in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. | Heat the milk to 185ºF (85ºC). Using two large pots that fit inside one another, create a double boiler. This will prevent your milk from burning, and you should only have to stir it occasionally. If you cannot do this, and must heat the milk directly, be sure to monitor it constantly, stirring all of the while. If you do not have a thermometer, 185ºF (85ºC) is the temperature at which milk starts to froth. It is highly recommended that you obtain a thermometer in the range of 100 - 212ºF, especially if you plan to make yogurt on an ongoing basis. You can use any kind of milk, including whole milk, 2 percent, 1 percent, nonfat, pasteurized, homogenized, organic, raw, diluted evaporated, dry powdered, cow, goat, soybean, and more. UHP, or ultra-high pasteurized milk, is processed to a higher temperature, which breaks down some of the proteins that the bacteria need to make the milk into yogurt. Some have reported difficulties in making yogurt from UHP. Cool the milk to 110ºF (43ºC). The best way to do this is with a cold water bath. This will quickly and evenly lower the temperature, and requires only occasional stirring. If cooling at room temperature, or in the refrigerator, you must stir it more frequently. Don't proceed until the milk is below 120ºF (49ºC), and don't allow it to go below 90ºF (32ºC); 110ºF (43ºC) is optimal. Warm the starter. The starter is the bacteria that you add to the milk, which in turn cultivates more bacteria--bacteria that is necessary for the creation of yogurt. Let the starter yogurt sit at room temperature while you're waiting for the milk to cool. This will prevent it from being too cold when you add it in. All yogurt needs "good" bacteria. The easiest way to add this is to use existing yogurt. The first time you make your own yogurt, use store-bought plain (unflavored) yogurt. Be certain it has "active cultures" on the label. Yogurt cultures die over time so try and find the freshest yogurt that has a tart flavor, but no added flavors or other additives. Taste various plain yogurts before you get started. You will find that different kinds taste a bit different. Use one you like for your own starter. The different flavors are due to other bacteria than the two main bacteria needed to create yogurt. Alternatively, instead of using existing yogurt, use freeze-dried bacteria cultures (available in specialty stores or online), which are more reliable as a starter. In a pinch, you can use a flavored yogurt, but the taste of the resulting cultured yogurt will not be exactly the same as using plain yogurt. Add nonfat, reduced fat, or whole dehydrated milk, if desired. Adding about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup dry milk at this time will increase the nutritional content of the yogurt. The yogurt will also thicken more easily. This is especially helpful if you're using nonfat milk. Add the starter to the milk. Add 2 tablespoons of the existing yogurt, or add the freeze-dried bacteria. Stir with a whisk or use a blender (such as a stick blender) to evenly distribute the bacteria throughout the milk. If you still have stringy ropes you may be heating your milk too fast or too long (scalding). Use a double boiler in that case, or at least stir regularly and check temperature with a thermometer. At high altitudes this can be more of a problem. Put the mixture in containers. Pour the milk into a clean container or containers. Cover each one tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. You could also use Ball jars if you are so inclined, but these are not necessary. Allow the yogurt bacteria to incubate. Keep the yogurt warm and still to encourage bacterial growth, while keeping the temperature as close to 100ºF (38ºC) as possible. The longer the mixture incubates, the thicker and more tangy the yogurt will be. Keep the yogurt still during incubation. Jiggling won't ruin it, but it makes it take a lot longer to incubate. After seven hours, you'll have a custard-like texture, a cheesy odor, and possibly some greenish liquid on top. This is exactly what you want. The longer you let it sit beyond seven hours, the thicker and tangier it will become. Pick your method for incubating your yogurt.There are many methods available for incubating yogurt. Use a thermometer to make sure the temperature stays consistent. Choose the method that is most convenient and consistent for you. The most common way is to use a yogurt maker. The proper way to use a yogurt maker is detailed in the following steps. You could also use the pilot light in your oven, or preheat the oven to the desired temperature, turn it off, and then leave the oven light on to maintain the temperature.Turn your oven on periodically, as needed to maintain the temperature. This method is tricky; make sure that it doesn't get too hot. Or, you could use the bread proof setting if your oven has one. Other methods include using a food dehydrator, a rice cooker's warm setting, a heating pad set to low, or a crock pot set on its lowest setting. If you have none of these things, you could use a sunny window or a car in the sun. Note that light exposure may degrade the nutrition in the milk. It is best to maintained the temperature below 120ºF (49ºC), don't allow it to go below 90ºF (32ºC); blood temp to 110ºF (43ºC) is optimal. Additionally, you could place the container of yogurt in warm water in a sink, large bowl, or small picnic cooler. Choose a yogurt maker. There are several categories of retail yogurt makers available today, if you decide to use a yogurt maker (which is recommended.) Yogurt makers allow for the safest and timeliest incubation of the yogurt bacteria. The untimed, resistance heated yogurt makers are generally popular because of their low cost. They tend to be less expensive because they are designed with no control over the temperatures needed to properly incubate the yogurt bacterial culture(s) in the dairy product used. They are designed for average home temperatures but higher or lower environmental temperatures can change the time it takes to make the yogurt and quality of the yogurt produced. They generally come with smaller cups and must be used repeatedly throughout each week to provide for daily consumption of yogurt. With larger families, they can become impractical because of the time it takes to make a given quantity of yogurt. The temperature regulating yogurt makers are more expensive as they require more electronic components to be able to maintain temperature settings. There are two types within this category: Another type has an (optimal) factory temperature setting which is maintained regardless of environment. You cannot adjust the temperature setting in this type. There are yogurt makers which combine some of the features found in some of the above categories. For example, one yogurt maker provides a factory set regulated temperature with a time - display and cut-off feature. This unit is capable of producing a quality yogurt result in as little as 2 hours as the temperature setting is well above popular home yogurt culturing temperatures. It allows the user to use more than cup-sized containers, although they are supplied in several sizes with the yogurt maker. You can use a gallon size container or 4 wide-mouth quart containers to make as much as a gallon at a time. However, with the taller jars, either a larger cover may be needed or towels may be used to cover the gap between the supplied cover and bottom (heating and control) unit. Know the benefits of a yogurt maker. The user can adjust the temperature setting of the yogurt maker to maintain the proper temperatures associated with the bacterial strain(s) used in the culturing of the yogurt. Once set, they will maintain the setting, regardless of how warm or cold your home or kitchen may be. Yogurt makers which allow the user to set the amount of time the yogurt maker applies heat to the containers. While this time setting may be handy should you need to leave the yogurt maker unattended, it is suggested the user remain in the general area (home) so that if anything should go wrong (like the unit failing to shut off) - granted a rare occurrence - may deal with the situation. Place the containers of the cooled milk and starter in the yogurt maker. Make sure they are evenly spaced out and standing up straight (you wouldn't want them to tip over or the yogurt could leak out.) Supply a cover to keep in the heat. That maintains the containers at a temperature which, hopefully, allows the bacteria in the tempered dairy product in the containers go grow and thrive to make yogurt. Check to see if the yogurt has firmed up. In due time - depending on bacterial strain(s) used, temperature and food available in the dairy product - the dairy product will firm up to a yogurt consistency. This can take as little as 2 hours and can last 12 hours or longer. The shorter times usually result in less tart yogurts and longer times provide completion of the bacterial growth. For those lactose intolerant folks, the longer times may produce a more digestible yogurt. Remove the containers. Once the yogurt has gotten to the consistency and time desired, the containers are removed from the yogurt maker and placed in a refrigerator to cool for storage until consumption. The containers, which may be supplied with the yogurt maker, can be small cups so that the user can eat the yogurt right out of the cups. Containers as large as a gallon or more can be held by some yogurt makers for those who need large amounts of yogurt on a regular basis. Make sure your yogurt is ready. Try gently jiggling one of the containers - the yogurt will not move if it is ready and you can take it from the yogurt maker and put it in the refrigerator then. Or you can wait and let it get more tart for 12 hours or more. Strain the yogurt through cheesecloth for a thicker consistency. Put the cheesecloth in a colander and put the colander in a large bowl to catch the whey, which is a thin yellow liquid. Put the yogurt in the colander, cover the colander with a plate, and put it all in the refrigerator. Strain for a couple of hours for greek yogurt. Strain overnight for a very thick yogurt, almost like soft cream cheese. Refrigerate the yogurt. Place the yogurt in your fridge for several hours before serving. It will keep for 1 to 2 weeks. If you're going to use some of it as starter, use it within 5 to 7 days, so that the bacteria still have growing power. Whey will form on the top. You can pour it off or stir it in before eating your yogurt. Many commercial yogurts include a thickening agent, such as pectin, starch, gum, or gelatin. Don't be surprised or concerned if your homemade yogurt has a somewhat thinner consistency without these thickeners. Putting the yogurt in the freezer to cool it before to moving it to the refrigerator will result in a smoother consistency. You can also stir or shake in the lumps. Add optional flavorings. Experiment until you develop a flavor that your taste buds fancy. Canned pie filling, jams, maple syrup , and ice-cream fudges are good flavorings. For a healthier option, use fresh fruit, with or without a small amount of sugar or honey. Use the yogurt from this batch as the starter for the next batch. Finished. | Heat the milk to 185ºF (85ºC). Cool the milk to 110ºF (43ºC). Warm the starter. Add nonfat, reduced fat, or whole dehydrated milk, if desired. Add the starter to the milk. Put the mixture in containers. Allow the yogurt bacteria to incubate. Pick your method for incubating your yogurt.There are many methods available for incubating yogurt. Choose a yogurt maker. Know the benefits of a yogurt maker. Place the containers of the cooled milk and starter in the yogurt maker. Supply a cover to keep in the heat. Check to see if the yogurt has firmed up. Remove the containers. Make sure your yogurt is ready. Strain the yogurt through cheesecloth for a thicker consistency. Refrigerate the yogurt. Add optional flavorings. Use the yogurt from this batch as the starter for the next batch. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-a-Relaxing-Bath | How to Prepare a Relaxing Bath | To prepare a relaxing bath, start with a clean tub and fill it with steamy, hot water. Add some bubble bath or a bath bomb to the water for some soothing aromatherapy. You can also add a few drops of essential oils like lavender for extra relaxation, or eucalyptus and peppermint to clear your sinuses. If your body is sore, pour in 2 cups of Epsom salts, which can loosen your joints and relax your muscles. To create a relaxing atmosphere, turn off the lights in your bathroom and light some candles instead. | Start with a clean tub for the best experience. You won't feel very relaxed if you get into a grimy tub. Even if your tub has been cleaned recently, take a moment to wipe it down with a damp towel to clear away any dust or hair that may have accumulated. It's a good idea to wipe down the tub after you take a bath, too, so that there isn't a build-up of soap scum over time. Fill the tub with hot water while you get the rest of your bath ready. Use water that is steamy and hot to the touch, but don't get it so hot that you can't hold your hand under the stream. Make sure to plug the tub's drain! You can always add more hot water while you're in the tub if it needs a warm-up. Add some bubble bath or a bath bomb for some aromatherapy. You could make your own bubble bath or bath bombs or buy some from the store. Bubble bath gives you the experience of bathing in bubbles, which can be fun and relaxing, and bath bombs are famous for creating beautiful colors for you to enjoy in the tub. If you're using bubble bath, pour about ⁄ 8 cup (30 mL) into the tub while the water is still filling up. The stream of water will help mix and distribute the bubbles. Use essential oils to relax your body or clear your sinuses. Combine 6-8 drops of essential oils to 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil. After the water has finishing filling, add the mixture to the tub. Eucalyptus and peppermint are great if you have a stuffy nose. Lavender is a relaxing scent. Lemon and rosemary can boost your mood. Relax your muscles with epsom salts. Use 2 cups (473 grams) of epsom salts in your bath. Pour the salts in while the water is filling up to help it dissolve a little faster. You can also stir the water with your hand to dissolve whatever remains. Soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes or more for the best results. Your body will absorb the magnesium and sulfate from the salts, which can loosen your joints and relax your muscles. Create a playlist filled with relaxing tunes to play during your bath. If you want to wind-down, avoid playing anything with a fast or heavy beat. Opt for instrumental or background music for a pleasant, calming effect. Many music-streaming services have pre-made playlists or stations specifically made for relaxation. Just search for “relaxing music” and see what pops up. Clear away clutter so the space is visually appealing. Move dirty clothes, cosmetics, toys, and anything else that is taking up space on the bathroom counter. Put them away in drawers if needed, or set them out in the hall. The last thing you want is to look up from your bath and feel stressed about what needs to be cleaned up! If you can, take 10-15 minutes to clean your bathroom before taking a bath. It might help you relax more easily. Use a bath caddy to keep your things dry. With a bath caddy, you'll have space for a drink, snack, book, or anything else you'd like to have with you. Set up the caddy while the water is filling and put your things in place so that it's ready to go once the bath is done. You can buy bath caddies that have props to hold up books or magazines, slots for the stems of wine glasses, and more. Dim the lights and light some candles for a relaxing aesthetic. Bright overhead lights could keep you from de-stressing, so opt to turn them down or completely off. Put candles on the countertops and around the edge of the tub if there is room. Use unscented candles if you are using essential oils or a scented bubble bath. If not, light one of your favorite scented candles to enjoy while in the tub. After your bath, double-check that all the flames have been extinguished. Tell your family that you’re not to be disturbed when you’re in the bath. If you live with other people and want to guarantee that you won't be interrupted while you're trying to relax, let them know ahead of time what your expectations are. If you have little kids, ask a partner or friend to watch them for 1/2 an hour so you can have some alone time. If you have pets, you may want to keep the bathroom door shut during your bath. Otherwise, they might come in and beg for your attention and disturb the peace! Give your skin some TLC with a face mask before you get in the tub. You can make your own or buy a mask from the store. If you have long hair, pull it back so it doesn't get in the way. Avocado, honey, olive oil, coconut oil, and even egg whites can be used to make a hydrating mask right in your own home. Enjoy a glass of wine and an indulgent snack while you soak. Take this opportunity to savor a special treat that you've been saving. While chocolates or candies are probably the most popular bath-time indulgence, you can choose anything you'd like! It's probably best to avoid anything that might get crumbs in the bathwater, though. If you don't drink wine, choose something else! Sparkling water can feel special and there are tons of great flavors to choose from. Even coffee or tea can be enjoyable as long as it doesn't make you too hot. Read a good book or magazine for some indulgent me-time. Bring along the book you've been meaning to read forever or grab a fun magazine the next time you're at the grocery store. Whatever you choose, enjoy taking some personal time to do something relaxing for yourself. Keep a towel nearby to dry off your hands so that the pages of the book or magazine don't get wet. Use a body scrub to exfoliate and soften your skin after a long day. Buy a scrub from the store or make your own at home. While you're in the tub, scoop out about 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 mL) of the scrub and rub it over your arms and legs with a circular motion. Rinse off the scrub when you're finished. You can use body scrub at any stage during your bath, but if you don't like the idea of bathing in the rinsed-off scrub, just wait until you're about to get out to do this. Dry off after your bath with a clean, fluffy towel. Before you get into the bath, take a moment to pick out a clean towel from the cupboard and set it beside the tub. That way, you won't have to use an old, damp towel from your morning's shower. Consider having a special towel that only you use for your relaxing baths. This will keep the towel in great condition and it'll make your self-care time feel even more special. | Start with a clean tub for the best experience. Fill the tub with hot water while you get the rest of your bath ready. Add some bubble bath or a bath bomb for some aromatherapy. Use essential oils to relax your body or clear your sinuses. Relax your muscles with epsom salts. Create a playlist filled with relaxing tunes to play during your bath. Clear away clutter so the space is visually appealing. Use a bath caddy to keep your things dry. Dim the lights and light some candles for a relaxing aesthetic. Tell your family that you’re not to be disturbed when you’re in the bath. Give your skin some TLC with a face mask before you get in the tub. Enjoy a glass of wine and an indulgent snack while you soak. Read a good book or magazine for some indulgent me-time. Use a body scrub to exfoliate and soften your skin after a long day. Dry off after your bath with a clean, fluffy towel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Chrome | How to Clean Chrome | To clean chrome, wipe it down with hot, soapy water using a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Use an old toothbrush to scrub any hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. When you're finished, dry the chrome by wiping it with a clean cloth, which will prevent water marks. For tough dirt and grime, wipe the chrome down with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. Then, rinse it off with water and dry it with a clean cloth. | Fill a bucket with hot water. As with any type of cleaning, you'll have an easier time cleaning your chrome if the water is at least warm. Fill a bucket two-thirds of the way full with warm to hot water. If there's only a small bit of chrome that needs cleaning, you can do away with the bucket, and apply the water and soap directly to a towel. Add soap to your water. Once you have a bucket of hot water, add soap to it until the surface is filled with bubbles. The type of soap you use for cleaning chrome depends on the application. Although any non-abrasive soap is fine to use with chrome, choose a soap that can be used with the surrounding area as well. For example, you should use a car-specific wash when cleaning your car's exterior. A simple household cleaner should be fine for use on chrome. If in doubt, check the label of the cleaner you're going to use. It should have some indication for materials it can and can't be used on. Rub the chrome with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Take a non-abrasive sponge or cloth and dunk it partway into the soapy water. Rub the chrome gently in a smooth, circular motion. Focus on cleaning a section of chrome before moving onward. In order to prevent marks or streaks, dry the area with a separate cloth when you're done with each area. In case the water is hot to the touch, you should only put the end of your cloth in. When the water and soap run out, you can simply dip it in again. Clean nooks with an old toothbrush. Certain pieces of chrome, like car tires, will have hard-to-reach areas that require a new approach. For the vast majority of them, applying your soapy water to an old toothbrush and scrubbing the nooks will get the dirt off. Although the toothbrush can be old, make sure that the majority of the bristles are still intact. Scrubbing chrome with a worn-down toothbrush is inefficient and could risk scratching the chrome if you scrub hard enough. Dry the chrome once you're finished cleaning it. Leaving the chrome wet will result in unsightly water marks. After you finish washing the chrome, dry it off with a clean hand towel. Dry it in soft, circular motions to prevent streaking. Rub chrome using aluminum foil. Because aluminum is a softer metal than chrome, it can be used to polish your chrome. Many kitchens stock aluminum foil. Tearing off a strip and scrubbing it over the chrome once you've cleaned off the dirt is a great DIY method to bring the shine back. Choose a cleaning solution. Because chrome is a relatively soft metal, appropriately lightweight cleaning solutions are the best choice for it. Most of the dirt pileup on chrome won't need more than soap and water to dispel. Here are some of the most common cleaning solutions used on chrome: Baby oil. Ethanol or rubbing oil. Cola. Lemon and baking soda. You can also use a chrome-friendly cleaning spray. Commonplace household cleaners like Vim Bathroom cleaning spray are well-suited to cleaning chrome. Use your lightest available cleaner first. If you have a variety of cleaners to choose from, pick the lightest solution first. Generally speaking, chrome does not require a lot to get the grime off. Due to chrome's fragility, you should only use heavier cleaning solutions if the lighter ones don't work to clean the surface. Apply your cleaner to a towel. As you would with soap and water, dab the edge of your towel into the cleaning solution. If you're using a spray bottle, spray directly into the towel, and apply from there. This method will allow you the most control over how much cleaner is used. Paper towels also work in lieu of a cloth hand towel, although you'll probably have to go through quite a few in order to clean any large chrome surface. Rub the chrome gently in circles. Once the cleaner is on your towel, apply it to the chrome surface in a gentle smooth and circular motion. In spite of the soap, some grime may take a bit of pressure to wipe away properly. You may exert some force without needing to worry about the chrome being damaged. Rinse and dry the chrome once you're finished cleaning it. After using a cleaner, give the chrome a quick once-over with a towel damp with hot water to remove any cleaner. Following that, take a fresh towel and dry the surface completely, working in a circular motion. If you don't dry it, it may result in residual water marks in the chrome finish. Apply polishing aluminum oxide. Polishing aluminum oxide will remove micrograins from the surface of the chrome, leaving it smooth and shiny. Apply this polisher to a towel and scrub it in using a circular motion. Rub off rust with steel wool. In the case of dilapidated chrome finishes, like you might find on the bumper of a frequently-driven car, you may have a build-up of rust on part of the surface. A cleaner will not scrub this rust away. You'll need to use something mechanical like steel wool to try to fix this problem. Use steel wool to scrub as much of the rust away as you can. Although the chrome may never be perfect after rust sets in, you can drastically improve the look of it once the rust is removed. Waxing and polishing the freshly de-rusted surface will help to further improve the chrome's appearance. Wax your chrome surface. Wax is a great choice if you want to polish a chrome surface. Shake wax, and apply it to the chrome with a fresh cloth. Once it has been applied evenly to your chrome, take another cloth, and wipe it away. Dab, and dry with water for an extra finish. Quickly cleaning it with water is easy and effective when it comes to reinvigorating the look of a surface. If your chrome lacks shine due to streaks, dirt, or fingerprints, taking a wet towel to it and drying it after should result in an immediate improvement. | Fill a bucket with hot water. Add soap to your water. Rub the chrome with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Clean nooks with an old toothbrush. Dry the chrome once you're finished cleaning it. Rub chrome using aluminum foil. Choose a cleaning solution. Use your lightest available cleaner first. Apply your cleaner to a towel. Rub the chrome gently in circles. Rinse and dry the chrome once you're finished cleaning it. Apply polishing aluminum oxide. Rub off rust with steel wool. Wax your chrome surface. Dab, and dry with water for an extra finish. |
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