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https://www.wikihow.com/Date-a-Girl-That-Is-Taller-Than-You | How to Date a Girl That Is Taller Than You | If you're dating a girl whose taller than you, treat her like you would anyone else and don't pay too much attention to her height. Avoid making jokes about her height, because they will make her uncomfortable. Try not to talk about her height until you get to know her better, since this will show her that you want to get to know her as an individual rather than judge her superficially. When you spend time together, make her feel feminine by putting your arm around her or encouraging her to wear heels, since tall women sometimes get told they're not ladylike. Additionally, act confidently to show you feel secure in who you are, which is one of the most attractive qualities in a partner. | Accept that she's taller than you. There is nothing either of you can do to change the fact that she's taller. Think about what is really important in a relationship--Do you get along? Do you have chemistry? Do you have similar interests? Don't let something superficial and beyond your control ruin what could potentially be a wonderful, fulfilling partnership. Think about who actually cares about your height difference. Are you afraid people are going to laugh or make comments? Don't let other people's pettiness stop you from finding happiness. If you truly can't get over the fact that she's taller than you, you may have some soul-searching to do. Ask yourself why it matters to you and if it truly makes a difference in the quality of your connection with someone. If she turns you down because you're not tall enough, then forget about her. If she's not willing to see beyond a superficial difference, you're better off finding someone else. Don't mention it. You may think it's cute or cheeky to tease her about her height--opening with a line like "What's the weather like up there?" or "Wow, do you play basketball? Can you dunk?"--is going to make you look insecure and make her feel awkward or even angry. She knows she's tall, and she's probably heard those lame jokes a million times. Make it clear you're interested in getting to know her and her personality and that you're not hung up on something superficial like her height. One tall lady suggests treating a tall woman's height as you would a woman with an ample chest--even if it's part of her appeal, you would never walk up to a woman with large breasts and ask about her bra size. Unless she brings it up first, don't mention her height until you've gotten to know each other. Then you can tell her how her long legs are super sexy. If she addresses your height difference, tell her you don't think it's an issue. Let her know you think it's an asset, but it's not something you spend a lot of time worrying about. Own your masculine energy in other ways. You can still be strong, kind, considerate, and chivalrous. You can also make a woman feel safe, respected, and desired. The most attractive characteristic of a man or woman is self-confidence and feeling good about who you are. If you are insecure about your height and constantly remind her of how much taller she is, or if you ask her not to wear heels because it makes you feel uncomfortable, you're going to look like you're not secure with who you are. It may also make her feel like you think something is wrong with her. Dating a tall woman will actually make you appear more confident. If you're a short guy and you're comfortable with your tall lady wearing heels, it will be clear that you feel good about yourself and your relationship, and that you have a great connection that is greater than stupid taboos. Don't try to always stand somewhere so you're taller than her--like on a curb or one step above her on an escalator. She will notice what you are doing and it will suggest to her that you are not comfortable with yourself or the fact that she's taller. Appreciate her height. The height difference is not something to just put up with, it's another quality to appreciate in your amazing partner. Even if you are comfortable being shorter than your girl, she may still feel awkward or worry that you are self-conscious about it. Once she knows you like her for her awesome personality, let her know that you think her height is just as cool as her wicked sense of humor, her ability to quote your favorite movies, her incredible math skills, and all the other things that make her special. Don't try to get her to slouch so she appears shorter or ask her to wear only flats. Compliment her height and her long legs. Remind her that her stature only adds to her appeal. Treat her like a lady. Most women will say they prefer a taller man because it makes them feel more feminine since she's probably heard most of her life that to be bigger than a man in any way is a turn-off. If a tall woman has any insecurities about her height, it usually boils down to feeling like she's intimidating or "mannish." Make her feel feminine by putting your hand on the small of her back or around her waist. Put your arm around her when you're sitting next to each other. Don't discourage her from wearing heels if she wants to. She may appreciate it if you behave with a certain classic masculinity. Be assertive (but not rude or controlling). Make the first move and kiss her first. You can still be the big spoon while cuddling, you may just need to adjust how you would normally lie next to her. Or why not take a turn as the little spoon? Remember that she likes you. Certainly you are both aware that you're shorter than she is, but if she's going out with you, it means she doesn't care about that. She sees something in you that is more important than your physical appearance. The fact that she's not about to let the opinions of others stop her from dating you should make you feel confident in your relationship. Dress to look taller. You should only do this if you and your girlfriend have discussed the height difference and you both still feel uncomfortable with it. If you start trying to be sneaky and wear shoes that make you look taller just so you feel better, she's going to notice and think you're insecure. Wear boots or sneakers with a thicker sole. You can also get lifts to put inside your shoe, which makes you appear taller without having to wear a heeled shoe. Wear tailored clothes with vertical stripes. Loose, baggy clothes can make you appear smaller or shorter in stature, and vertical stripes will make your body appear longer. Style your hair in a pompadour or spike it up with gel. The key is to keep it short on the sides but leave lots of volume up top. Stand up straight! Not only does good posture just look better, but you may find you're not that much shorter than your girlfriend after all. Keep your shoulders back and your head high. You'll even look more confident. | Accept that she's taller than you. Don't mention it. Own your masculine energy in other ways. Appreciate her height. Treat her like a lady. Remember that she likes you. Dress to look taller. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Bicycle | How to Choose a Bicycle | To choose a bicycle that's right for you, look for one that has the features you'll need and that's designed for the type of riding you want to do. If you mainly ride your bike in the city, choose a road bike with a low number of gears so you can cycle easily along flat streets. You may prefer a mountain bike if you enjoy biking on trails or off-road, since it offers more stability for uneven surfaces. If you'll be using your bike to get to work or go shopping, pick 1 that allows you to mount a basket on the back or front so you can carry your bags. Remember to ask the bike store about padded saddles or suspension if comfort is important to you, since these features reduce the impact when you drive over kerbs or bumps. | Learn how to ride if you don't already know. That's the first and most important step. You can do this on practically any bike that is the right size for you. Starting on a basic single speed bike with coaster brakes is usually best. Since you don't have to worry about shifting gears and front/rear braking sequences, these bikes offer an easy learning curve. Learn about the basic types of bikes. There are many different types of bikes that offer a wide range of capabilities. If you live in a city, you probably want a bike that's built for roads. If you live somewhere where you can bike on trails, then a mountain bike might be more your speed. Standard bikes. These are old-fashioned, single speed bikes with coaster brakes (pedal backward to brake). Good for leisurely riding around town if there are no serious hills or other obstacles. BMX bikes. Low profile bikes with 20 inch (50.8 cm), usually knobby tires. These are for "competition" biking on trails or courses and have cable operated caliper brakes on the front and rear. These bikes are single geared bikes. Road bikes. This is a general term for traditional looking, and racing like bicycles designed for good performance on pavement. There is a wide range of options within this category. Road bikes can often be classified into two broad groups of racing/performance or touring. Racing bikes are designed for pure speed with an emphasis on light weight, and place the rider in an aggressive posture. Touring bikes are designed for sustained comfort and carrying loads. They have heavier components for durability, mounts for rack and fender attachments, and have a more upright riding position. Road bikes traditionally have "drop" or "aero" handlebars. These handlebars allow the rider a range of hand placements for comfort or for achieving an aerodynamic riding position. Mountain bikes. Bikes designed for off-road use, with compact frames, stable handling, clearance for wide and knobby tires, and higher handlebars for a more upright position. For hilly terrain, these bikes will generally come with low-range gearing. There are many types designed for specific purposes, such as downhill versus cross-country racing. Mountain bikes can be equipped with sophisticated suspension and disc brake systems. Mountain bikes are also very popular as all-around bicycles due to versatility. Tandem bikes. These bikes have an extra seat and set of pedals for two people to ride together. Recumbent bikes. These bicycles seat the rider in a "reclining" position with the pedals positioned forward, which is a more natural position requiring less flexibility than upright bikes. These bikes can be fitted with windshields for good aerodynamic performance. However, these are generally heavier and can't match the performance of upright racing style bikes. Think about your intended usage. If you intend to ride your bike on trails and unpaved roads, a mountain bike is a good fit. If you don't intend to ride on unpaved trails and live in a city, a road bike will be more efficient. Racing style bikes will not be as comfortable or practical for casual riders. Depending on where you live, shops may be limited to mostly racing and mountain bikes. A popular middle ground that you may find is the "hybrid" style bike. Hybrid bikes often mix elements of both road and mountain bikes. Hybrid bikes typically have thicker wheels and a wider seat. Frames are usually fairly light and most use caliper hand brakes. When deciding on a bike that will work for you, ask yourself a few questions to get started. What will your average riding time be? How often will you use your bike? Are you getting a bike for fun or more for transportation? What have you ridden in the past? Being able to answer these basic questions will give you a good picture of what kinds of features you need in a bike. If you plan to ride your bike to work every day, you probably want more of a road bike that is fast and light. If you want a bike you can attach extra components to like a basket and ride around, a hybrid or cruiser might work. And if you plan on exercising and riding trails, then a mountain bike is what you're looking for. Decide between quality and price. Bicycles will vary in price depending on what type you're looking at, where you're looking, and the quality of materials. Road bikes will be better for commuting and speed, but can get expensive depending on the quality of materials. Cruiser or hybrid bikes sometimes offer more room to add accessories like baskets and saddle bags. If you intend to mount a basket, saddlebags, or a baby seat, you will want to be sure the frame is compatible with these devices. Many bike shops have complete assemblies with these attachments already mounted. If you plan on attaching a lot of accessories, avoid bikes from big box stores. These bikes, while less expensive, don't typically offer suitable construction for attachments. Because the materials aren't as good, adding too much weight can cause your bike to break down or not perform. Think about how long and how often you plan on having and using your bike. If you are planning to commute to work most days, invest in a higher quality bike. While more expensive, higher quality bikes will last longer and are constructed with durable, lightweight materials that will make performance better and last longer. Know what types of terrain you’ll be biking on. Road and mountain bikes usually have gears and shifters, often operated by some kind of trigger. Bikes that can shift gears are very useful for most riders, especially in hilly terrain, or for high performance. Fixie bikes don't have shifters, are lighter and faster, good for flat commutes, but require some skill. Bikes that have gears let you adjust your pedaling effort to account for hills, wind, or your own fatigue. However, these systems also add significant cost, complexity, and weight. Many riders commuting on busy, mostly flat, streets who want speed choose a bike with a single gear ("single speed" or fixie bikes). Most bikes can be converted to a single speed. Unless the frame is designed for it, a chain tensioner will be required. A fixie is good for riders who want a minimal, fast bike. However, these bikes require practice and skill to get used to. Fixies don't have freewheel, so you have to pedal constantly to move. Single speed bikes are similar to fixies, except a single speed does have a freewheel and lets you coast. Decide on your desired comfort level. Comfort on a bike goes beyond how you feel on the seat. Depending on where you'll be biking and your average commuting time, you want a bike that makes you feel comfortable and in control. Cruiser bikes typically have a bigger seat and let you sit upright. Touring bikes allow for good carrying capacity and typically have drop handlebars for a more aerodynamic position. Road bikes also allow for an aerodynamic position but can be uncomfortable due to smaller, light parts built for speed over comfort. Choose a mountain bike if you like going over large bumps and dirt. Many mountain bikes have at least a front suspension to improve comfort and steering control on rough surfaces. Mountain bikes can also be good for general urban riding, due to stability and for going over curbs and the like. Beginners may find mountain bike handlebars and controls easier to use. Choose a road or touring bike if you're riding on mostly flat roads and terrain. These bikes typically have drop handlebars that allow for several hand positions and postures. Touring bikes provide more comfort if you plan on carrying a lot with you because these bikes are outfitted with the necessary mounting bolts for cargo. Touring and road bikes also offer different gears which help you change resistance if you encounter a hill or strong winds. Hybrid bikes are good if you find more comfort in sitting upright and want a more padded saddle. Tires on hybrid bikes are wider and more durable than both road and touring bikes, and can be ridden on different terrains with ease. Find a bike that fits you well. The fit of the bike is essential to consider. Different bikes have different dimensions for varying body types. Make sure the straddle height isn't too high for you. Mounting and dismounting should be comfortable and easy. Make sure you have a good reach to the handlebars. When gripping the handlebars, you want a slight bend in your elbow. You should be able to easily grip your handlebars without having to bend over too much, even on road or racing bikes. When riding you want to be able to keep your head up without straining your neck. If you're reaching too far forward and looking at the ground, your handlebars are too far away from your seat. Frame size and seat height will affect comfort as well. Look for a bike that you can easily adjust the seat height on. You should be able to easily touch your feet on the ground and maintain control over your bike. While you can make adjustments to most bikes, you want to look for one that provides you with a good saddle position. You want your knee to be directly above the ball of your foot when your pedal is in the 3 o'clock position. This will provide consistent movement and make it easier on your knees. Check wheel size. Bikes come equipped with tires from 12" for children's bikes, up to a standard 26 or 28 inch (66.0 or 71.1 cm), for adults, and even higher for specialized racing bikes. Larger wheels may improve your speed, but if your wheels are too large for your body, riding will be more difficult. Test ride a bike before you buy it. If you can't get the bike shop to let you try a bike out, go to another shop, or borrow one from a friend. It is easier to get a bike that fits than to adjust and get acclimated to one that doesn't. Ride the bike around the block to get a good feel for it. You should feel comfortable and in control at all times. Make sure you can easily reach the handlebars and all the components, like shifters and brakes. Test the gears and brakes. See how easy it is for you to shift gears and brake quickly. The bike should be responsive and shouldn't take too much effort to adjust gears or brake. Practice turning corners. You want to be comfortable with maneuverability. Some bikes are lighter than others and require more precision when maneuvering. If you don't feel comfortable on the bike, try out other ones to find something that feels natural. Test the weight and materials. No matter the type of bike, there are different weights and materials in every one. If you're looking at a mountain bike, ask about the frame weight and how it affects performance. Though mountain bikes will typically be heavier than road bikes, you may find that for you, a heavier one will be harder to operate on the terrain. Check out the quality of the suspension. Full suspension mountain bikes are meant for serious off-road riders. You may not need the best suspension of you're not solely riding over extremely rough terrain. Road bikes and touring bikes offer a lot of options in the way of frames and frame construction. The more performance-based options might use a carbon frame. Carbon is a very lightweight material that helps with performance and speed. However, carbon frames can be more expensive. The material and shape of your frame can affect your comfort and speed, but might not be necessary for your type of riding. While carbon is popular for its lightweight nature, it's easily damaged. Aluminum frames may be heavier, but are more durable and often less expensive. Get a bike with the right tires for your needs. Thinner tires, often on road bikes, are fast and lightweight. However, thinner tires aren't good on rocky terrain and puncture easily. Touring bikes have slightly thicker tires with more tread, which allows for more versatility in terrain. The tread also helps grip on wet or slippery roads. Buy or have your bike professionally assembled. This is especially true with derailleur equipped bikes, the components that keep your chain on your bike. Having a bike built professionally ensures all the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened correctly, as well as the accessories. If you're newer to cycling, you will have an easier time getting on the road with a professionally built bike. Bike shops will ensure that your bike is properly tuned and that the wheels are properly aligned. By getting a professionally assembled bike, you will also make sure that every component, from the position of the saddle to any accessories, has been outfitted for you. A bike shop will be able to take your measurements and tailor any bike to fit your body perfectly, allowing for the best, safest riding conditions. | Learn how to ride if you don't already know. Learn about the basic types of bikes. Think about your intended usage. Decide between quality and price. Know what types of terrain you’ll be biking on. Decide on your desired comfort level. Find a bike that fits you well. Test ride a bike before you buy it. Test the weight and materials. Buy or have your bike professionally assembled. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Goldfish-Tank-Mates | How to Buy Goldfish Tank Mates | Before buying your goldfish a tank mate, keep in mind that goldfish make a lot of waste, so they need more space to stay healthy and will require a 55-gallon tank for two fish. Once you've found a large enough tank, proceed by looking for fish compatible with the goldfish's water requirements of a 7 to 8 pH balance and temperature of 65 to 75 degrees. Prevent fights by avoiding fish much bigger than your goldfish, fish shorter than 2 inches, and other species of goldfish. Instead, opt for a Hillstream loach or white cloud minnows for a better pairing. | Consider your wishes—and limitations. Are you hoping for a tankful of goldfish or other color fish? Consider what your optimal tank looks like and if you can accommodate it. This can help guide you to get the right tank mates for your gold fish. Ask yourself some of the following questions when considering buying tank mates for your goldfish: How many fish do I want? Can my tank house this many fish? Can I afford to properly care for so many fish? How much time will I need to devote to my fish? What types of fish do I want? Are the types of fish I want compatible with goldfish? Keep in mind goldfish behavior when considering mates. You might think your goldfish wants a mate, but they are actually perfectly happy to be on their own. You may also simply want to enjoy the beauty of multiple fish. Thinking about goldfish behavior can better inform you on what types of tank mates to buy. Remember that goldfish make a lot of waste and require at a 55-gallon tank for two fish. As you add more fish, you'll need more space to maintain the health and wellbeing of your fish. Be aware that goldfish require a steady water temperature of 65 to 75 degrees. Tank mates should have the same temperature requirements. Consider that goldfish need plenty of space to swim in order to maintain their health. Other types of bigger fish may crowd your goldfish and cause aggression. Be aware that goldfish will nibble at or eat fish smaller than 2 inches in length. Larger fish may nibble at goldfish and cause them stress which can lead to fights between fish. Recognize optimal mates. Although it can be tricky to figure out what tank mates to buy, there are many different options for your goldfish. Consider adding the following to your tank with goldfish: Hillstream loach Weather or Dojo loaches Corys White cloud minnows Rosy red or fathead minnows Zebra danios Apple snails Goldfish of similar breeds Rubbernose and bristlenose plecos Rosy barbs Ghost shrimp Red cherry shrimp Avoid potential mismatches. Just as there are great tank mates for goldfish, there are also some that may cause problems. This includes fish smaller than goldfish and other species of goldfish. House goldfish of similar species together. Don't keep narrow-bodied and fat-bodied goldfish, sometimes called “fancy goldfish,” in the same tank. The narrow-bodied goldfish will eat all of the food before their fat-bodied or fancy fellows. This can harm the fat-bodied or fancy goldfish. Remember that potential tank mates should also require water temperatures between 65 and 75. Likewise, fish sensitive to ammonia and other types of waste are also probably not compatible with goldfish, which produce a lot of waste. Look to find fish that can thrive in a pH balance of 7.0 to 8.0, which is also optimal for goldfish. Compare different retailers. There are a large variety of places that you can buy fish. From big box stores to specialty fish breeders, visit different retailers and compare what they offer. This can help you buy the best quality tank mates for your goldfish. Find out if the store has captive-bred or wild fish. In general, captive-bred fish are hardier than their wild counterparts. Be aware that captive-bred fish may cost more, but have a higher survival rate. This means you won't have to spend as much replacing dead fish. Examine how well maintained the store and potential tank mates are. You want to ensure that the fish are healthy and if they're in the back of a filthy store, that could indicate that the fish were not well taken care of or maintained and may. This may lead to lower life span. Ask the retailer about refund or return policies. If fishes die within a certain time after you've purchased them, some retailers may refund your money or give you a replacement fish. Consult online reviews of potential retailers to spot any potential problems with them. Check the health of potential tank mates. Before you buy a tank mate and introduce it to your goldfish, it's important to make sure the fish is healthy. This can prevent the introduction of illness and even death to your goldfish. Look for obvious signs of disease by examining the fish's body and watching its behavior. Signs of physical disease include: white spots or velvety patches on the body, missing scales, incomplete fins, cloudy or bulging eyes, ulcers or other lesions, rapid breathing and shaking. Behavioral signs of disease may include: scraping against the tank, erratic swimming, listlessness, gasping at the surface, or sulking in a corner. Make sure you check the other fish in the tank as well. Even if your potential tank mate doesn't show obvious signs of disease, other diseased fish in the tank could indicate a potential problem. In these cases, even a healthy-looking potential tank mate could introduce disease to your goldfish. Watch the fish feed. A fish that refuses to eat is a clear sign of illness or stress. This can be a potential problem if placed in a tank with your goldfish. Don't be bashful in asking the retailer to feed the fish in front of you. If the retailer refuses, consider buying at another place. Be aware that eating in front of you is not a guarantee that you will not have problems with the tank mate down the road. Make your final selection. Once you've had a chance to consider all of the variables of giving your goldfish tank mates and assessed their health, select a few options that you'd like to buy. Consider trying one or two different types to add to the tank to see how your goldfish reacts. Ask your retailer any final questions you have about putting your selections with goldfish. Discuss any feeding and maintenance requirements and ask any questions you may have about this. Give yourself time. There is no rush when introducing new tank mates. The longer you take to introduce new tank mates to your goldfish, the more likely you are to avoid disease, rejection, or other problems. Quarantine new tank mates. Any time you buy a new tank mate for your goldfish, you will need to quarantine the fish from each other for a couple of weeks. This will help the tank mates get used to new water and ensure that no diseases are transmitted to your goldfish. Provide the new tank mates a separate quarantine tank. Use the same water in which your new fish came to keep it comfortable. Make sure the quarantine tank has plenty of hiding spaces and keep the water quality clean. This will help maintain the wellbeing of the new fish during this stressful time. Watch to make sure the new fish isn't exhibiting any signs of disease or stress. If this happens, consider taking it back to your retailer for a new fish. Get your goldfish ready for its new mate. Just as the new tank mates need to get used to their new surroundings, your goldfish will also need to get ready for a new tank mate. Taking steps to distract your goldfish and prevent aggression can prevent potential problems between the fish. Rearrange any decorations in the tank. This can distract the goldfish and remove any established territories. This can help the fish get along better because they will be on equal footing. Feed your goldfish before acclimating the new tank mates and setting them free. This can help reduce any aggression your goldfish may feel towards its new tank mates. Acclimate the new fish to the water. Once you've ensured that your new fish is healthy and ready for its new tank, you'll need to acclimate it to the new tank water. This can help ensure a smooth transition for your new fish and the goldfish or any other fish you have in the tank. Float a sealed bag in your tank. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes before opening it so that the temperature in the bag adjusts gradually. Then cut open the bag and allow your new fish to swim free. Observe fish closely. For the first couple of weeks, make sure to watch how your new tank mates and goldfish are doing. Check to see if you can detect any diseases or behavior issues between the fish. If there is a problem, consult your retailer to see how to deal with them or consider returning the new tank mates if you can for an alternative. Watch for symptoms of of physical disease such as parasites, white spots or velvety patches on the body, missing scales, incomplete fins, cloudy or bulging eyes, ulcers or other lesions, rapid breathing and shaking. Look for behavioral signs of stress or disease such scraping against the tank, erratic swimming, listlessness, gasping at the surface, or sulking in a corner. | Consider your wishes—and limitations. Keep in mind goldfish behavior when considering mates. Recognize optimal mates. Avoid potential mismatches. Compare different retailers. Check the health of potential tank mates. Watch the fish feed. Make your final selection. Give yourself time. Quarantine new tank mates. Get your goldfish ready for its new mate. Acclimate the new fish to the water. Observe fish closely. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-Your-Dress-Size | How to Determine Your Dress Size | To determine your dress size, start by getting a soft measuring tape that you can use to take your measurements. First, measure your bust by holding the tape snugly but not too tightly around the fullest part of your bust. Then, measure around your waist by holding the tape about 2 inches above your belly button or at the smallest part of your waist. Finally, measure the widest part of your hips. Once you have your measurements, find a dress size chart online to see what size you are. | Measure your bust. You'll need to measure the fullest part of your bust to get the proper measurement. Make sure that the measuring tape (a dress maker's soft tape measure for preference) goes under your arms. Keep the measuring tape snug but not too tight. If you do it too tight (if your bust is popping out over the tape) then you'll get the wrong measurements and your dress won't fit properly. Measure your waist. Bend to one side (doesn't matter which) and find your waist's natural crease. At the crease, measure around your waist, making sure that the measuring tape is a bit loose. You can also find your natural waist by measuring 2 inches up from your belly button. It's usually the smallest part of your waistline. Measure your hips. Stand with your feet together. Measure around the fullest part of your hips and rear. This is typically midway between your crotch and your belly button. Again you'll want to keep the measuring tape somewhat loose, so that your dress size doesn't end up being too small. Look at a size chart. Keep in mind that size charts tend to be different for different stores and that even with your measurements and the size chart, you may be surprised by the wide array of sizes you will seem to fit into. However, you can use this size chart as a basic guide. Always choose the larger size if your measurements come between two sizes, especially if you're ordering online. Avoid the dress size generators, as they tend to give you the wrong sizes. Dress size generators claim to be able to tell you your dress size in each store (since so many stores size their women's clothing differently). If you are looking at European sizes, you'll want to check out this chart, which converts American sizes into European sizes. Convert numbers to letters for sizing. Some stores don't use the typical 6, 8, 10, 12. Instead they use letters like XS, S, M, etc. Fortunately these letter sizes tend to correspond to specific numerical sizes and you can figure your size out based on that. In American Sizes; Size 2 is XS, Size 4 is S, Size 6 is M, Size 8 is L, Size 10 is XL, Size 12 is XXL. This is what it usually is, although sizes may still vary depending on the store. Always check the sizing guide when shopping online. Most, if not all, online clothing websites have a chart that explains their sizing measurements. Sometimes dresses will run bigger or smaller than your typical size, so you will want your measurements handy to check against the website's sizing guide. It's a good idea to shop at the same websites, because you're more likely to already know what size works best for you. Check the sizing at each store. Once you know your measurements you'll need to check out the different sizing at different stores. Many stores and many brands operate on their own sizing when it comes to dresses. A lot of times you can check the label to find where your measurements fall. At Target, for example, a small at Target (in numeric size: 0 or 2) has the bust of 85.09 cm to 86.39, waist measurements of 66.04cm to 67.31cm, and hip measurements of 91.44 cm to93.98 cm. At Top shop, an American size 6 has a bust of 87 cm, a waist of 69.2 cm, and a hip measurement of 91.5, which is smaller than the generic size chart. Ask. Sometimes the best way to find out the dress sizes at different stores is to ask a salesperson. You won't be the first person to be confused and salespeople know that most stores have a different sizing method for dresses. As long as you know your measurements they should be able to help you. Pick the right dress for a straight body. If you've got a straight body (narrow hips, no bust, no rear) there are certain dresses that will flatter your body better than others. Fitted sheaths and classic shift dresses work well for this body type. Empire waist or A-line skirts on a dress help to give you some curves, if you don't have much in that area. You can also create a more dramatic effect by having an off-the-shoulder dress. The neckline of a dress like this draws more attention to the collarbones and arms. Choose dresses than enhance your upper body if you have a pear-shaped figure. Pear-shaped basically means that you're fuller at the hips and rear and smaller around your bust. Open-neck and strapless dresses are good for drawing attention to your upper body, highlighting your assets. Empire waists, full and A-line skirts also enhance your hips and help you look fabulous! Enhance your form if you've got an hourglass figure. This means that you've got a full bust and full hips, with a narrower, defined waist. You'll want to go for dresses that nip in at the waist and show off your figure. Wraps, knit dresses, and sheaths that have a waist are good bets for showing off your figure. Draw the eye up if you have an apple-shape. This basically means that your narrowest point is at your ribs, above your natural waist. Empire waists are a good bet for drawing attention upwards, since their waistline sits right below the bust. Choose a dress with details around the neckline, because this will draw attention upwards. Full skirts or A-line skirts on a dress can give you the appearance of an hourglass figure. Draw attention downwards if you have a full bust. When your bust measurement is fuller than your hips and rear measurement, a good look is to draw attention away from your bust and even out your top and bottom by the dresses you choose. V-necks and halter tops can create a slimming effect (and look good with fuller busts). A-line and full skirt dress styles will help create a balance between the top and bottom. Choosing dresses with details at the bottom can also help draw attention downwards. | Measure your bust. Measure your waist. Measure your hips. Look at a size chart. Convert numbers to letters for sizing. Always check the sizing guide when shopping online. Check the sizing at each store. Ask. Pick the right dress for a straight body. Choose dresses than enhance your upper body if you have a pear-shaped figure. Enhance your form if you've got an hourglass figure. Draw the eye up if you have an apple-shape. Draw attention downwards if you have a full bust. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-EPUB-Files | How to Open EPUB Files | Windows: Double-click the epub to open it in Edge. macOS: 1. Right-click the file. 2. Click Open with. 3. Click iBooks. iPhone: 1. Tap the file to open it in iBooks. 2. Tap My Books. 3. Select the epub. Android: 1. Open Play Books. 2. Open the menu and tap Settings. 3. Select Enable PDF uploading. 4. Tap the epub to read it. | Consider using Microsoft Edge. If you're using a Windows 8 or Windows 10 computer, Microsoft Edge—a pre-installed browser—can be used to open EPUB files. To do so, simply double-click an EPUB file, then scroll through as needed. Microsoft Edge's user interface isn't very sophisticated. If you'd prefer to use a dedicated program to open your EPUB files, skip this step and read on. Open the Calibre website. Go to http://calibre-ebook.com/ in your computer's web browser. Calibre is a program which allows you to open and collect EPUB files. One of the benefits that Calibre has over Microsoft Edge is that you can create and access a library of EPUB files from within the Calibre program. Click DOWNLOAD. It's a tab in the upper-right side of the page. Doing so takes you to the Downloads page. Click Windows. This option is on the left side of the page. Click Download calibre. It's a link near the top of the page. The Calibre setup file (which is an EXE file) will download onto your computer. You may be prompted to select a save location or verify the download before the setup file actually downloads. Install Calibre. Double-click the Calibre EXE file, then do the following: Check the "Accept" box. Click Install Click Yes when prompted. Launch Calibre. When prompted, make sure that the "Launch calibre" box is checked, then click Finish at the bottom of the window. This will start the Calibre reader. You can also launch Calibre at any other time by opening Start {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , typing in calibre , and clicking calibre - E-book management in the results. Navigate through Calibre's setup. Click Next at the bottom of the first two pages, then click Finish at the bottom of the third page. This will complete the Calibre installation and open Calibre's user interface. Skip this step if Calibre opens to the user interface. Click Add books. This green button is in the upper-left side of the window. A File Explorer window will open. Add an EPUB file to Calibre. Click the EPUB file that you want to add to your library, then click Open in the bottom-right corner of the window. You can select more than one EPUB file at once by holding down Ctrl while clicking each EPUB file that you want to select. Open an EPUB file. Double-click a book's title in the main window to open it. The book's text and images will appear in a new window; you can scroll up or down to page through the book as needed. Select an EPUB file. Go to your EPUB file's location, then click the EPUB file that you want to open. Click File. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu. Select Open With. This option is near the top of the File drop-down menu. Selecting it prompts a pop-out menu to appear. Click iBooks. It's in the pop-out menu. Doing so will both open iBooks and add the EPUB file to the iBooks library. You can also open iBooks and then click and drag the EPUB file into the iBooks window. Open your EPUB file. Double-click the EPUB file's book title in the main iBooks window to open it. Your EPUB file's book will open in a new window, at which point you can scroll up or down through the book as needed. You may first have to click the All Books tab in the upper-left side of the window. Make sure that the EPUB file is on your iPhone. In order to open the EPUB file on your iPhone, it will need to be in your iPhone's Files app. You can add the EPUB file to your Files app by selecting the EPUB file wherever it is (e.g., in your email), tapping the "Share" icon {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/03\/Iphoneblueshare2.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Iphoneblueshare2.png\/23px-Iphoneblueshare2.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":600,"bigWidth":"23","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iPhone icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , tapping Save to Files , and selecting a file location. Some storage locations, such as Google Drive, will have a slightly different save process (for example, if your EPUB file is in Google Drive, you'd tap the EPUB file and then tap Open in in the resulting menu before tapping Save to Files ). Open the EPUB file's location. Open {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/6\/62\/Iphonefilesapp01.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Iphonefilesapp01.png\/30px-Iphonefilesapp01.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iOS icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Files , tap Browse , select the proper storage option (e.g., On My iPhone ), and select the folder in which you saved the EPUB file (if applicable). Tap the EPUB file. Doing this will prompt the EPUB file to add itself to iBooks, which is a free app that came installed on your iPhone or iPad. If you deleted iBooks from your iPhone or iPad, you can re-download it from the App Store. Tap the My Books tab. You'll find it in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Doing so brings up a list of your current books, one of which should be your EPUB file's book. Open the EPUB file. Tap the name of the EPUB book to do so. Once the EPUB file is open, you can scroll through it by swiping left or right. Once the EPUB file is in your iBooks library, you can re-open the EPUB file at any time by opening the iBooks app, tapping My Books , and selecting the title of the book that you want to read. Install Google Play Books. Google Play Books is a free e-book reader for Android that can read EPUB files. Open {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/1\/1e\/Androidgoogleplay.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Androidgoogleplay.png\/26px-Androidgoogleplay.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":531,"bigWidth":"26","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Google Play Store Tap the search bar. Type in google play books Tap Google Play Books Tap INSTALL Tap ACCEPT when prompted. Open Google Play Books. Tap the Google Play Books app icon, which resembles a blue triangle. Tap ☰. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. A menu will appear. Tap Settings. This option is in the middle of the menu. Doing so opens the Settings page. Check the "Enable PDF uploading" box. This makes it possible to add both PDF and EPUB files. Send the EPUB file to your Android. If the EPUB file is on your computer, you'll need to get it onto your Android. The most effective way to do this is to email yourself the file : Open your email inbox. Create a new email with your email address in the "To" text field. Select the "Attachments" {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/6\/6e\/Android7paperclip.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Android7paperclip.png\/30px-Android7paperclip.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} icon (usually represented by a paperclip). Select your EPUB file. Send your email. Open your Android's email app. In most cases, this will be Gmail. Open the EPUB email. You should see the EPUB file attached at the bottom of the email, though you may need to scroll down first. Tap the EPUB attachment. Doing so will prompt Google Play Books to open and import the EPUB file. You can also tap the "Download" {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/7\/78\/Android7download.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Android7download.png\/30px-Android7download.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} icon on the EPUB file and then tap the downloaded file's name to do this. Read your e-book. When the book is finished uploading to Google Play Books, you'll arrive at the EBOOKS folder in your library. Tap the book's title to start reading it. To see a list of your uploaded EPUB books next time you open Google Play Books, tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap EBOOKS at the top of the screen. Convert the EPUB to a MOBI file. Before an EPUB file can be read on a Kindle Fire or Paperwhite, you'll need to convert the file to the MOBI format. You can do this by going to the EPUB Converter site at https://www.epubconverter.com/epub-to-mobi-converter/ and then doing the following: Click Add File... Select your EPUB file. Click Open Click Start Upload Click the MOBI file's link in the "Download Link" column. Copy the MOBI file. Click the MOBI file to select it, then press Ctrl + C (Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (Mac) to copy the file. Connect your Kindle to your computer. Plug the charging end of your Kindle's charger cable into the Kindle, then plug the USB end of the cable into your computer. If you're using a Mac, you may need a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter in order to connect the cable to your Mac. Open the Kindle. To do so: Windows - Open Start {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , click File Explorer {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/0d\/Windowsstartexplorer.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Windowsstartexplorer.png\/30px-Windowsstartexplorer.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , click This PC , and double-click your Kindle's name. Mac - Open Finder {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/1\/1d\/Macfinder2.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1d\/Macfinder2.png\/32px-Macfinder2.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":431,"bigWidth":"32","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a macOS icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} , then click your Kindle's name on the left side of the window. Open the "Documents" folder. Double-click the "Documents" folder that's in your Kindle's folder to do so. You may first need to unlock the Kindle and/or double-click the "Internal Storage" folder. If you're using a Kindle Fire, you'll open the "Books" folder instead. Paste in the MOBI file. Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (Mac) to do so. Wait for the MOBI file to finish transferring. When the indicator light on your Kindle's cable stops blinking, you can proceed. Eject your Kindle. This will ensure that your files are saved before you remove the Kindle from your computer: Windows - Click {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/7\/70\/Android7expandless.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Android7expandless.png\/30px-Android7expandless.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an Android icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} in the lower-right corner of the screen, click the flash drive-shaped icon, and click Eject in the resulting menu. Mac - Click the "Eject" triangle to the right of the Kindle's name in Finder. Save your EPUB file to a familiar folder. You can convert your EPUB file into a PDF file, which can be opened on most platforms without special software. If you have several EPUB files, you may want to move them all to the same folder to make it simple to convert multiple files. Open the EPUB Converter website. Go to http://www.epubconverter.com/ in your computer's web browser. Click EPUB to PDF Converter. It's a link below the "EPUB Converter" heading in the upper-left corner of the page. Scroll down and click Add File…. This yellow button is near the middle of the page. Doing so will open a window in which you can select your EPUB file. Select your EPUB file. Go to the location in which you saved your EPUB file, then click the file in question. Click Open. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Doing so uploads your file to the EPUB Converter site. Click Start Upload. You'll find this yellow button to the right of the EPUB file's name. The file will begin to upload to the EPUB Converter site; once you see the file name turn into a blue link with ".pdf" at the end of it, you may proceed. The file may take a few minutes to upload. Download the PDF. Click the blue PDF's name link in the "Download Link" column to do so. The PDF will download onto your computer, where you can double-click it to open it in your computer's default PDF reader. Depending on your browser's settings, you may first need to select a save location or verify the download before the PDF will download. | Consider using Microsoft Edge. Open the Calibre website. Click DOWNLOAD. Click Windows. Click Download calibre. Install Calibre. Launch Calibre. Navigate through Calibre's setup. Click Add books. Add an EPUB file to Calibre. Open an EPUB file. Select an EPUB file. Click File. Select Open With. Click iBooks. Open your EPUB file. Make sure that the EPUB file is on your iPhone. Open the EPUB file's location. Tap the EPUB file. Tap the My Books tab. Open the EPUB file. Install Google Play Books. Open Google Play Books. Tap ☰. Tap Settings. Check the "Enable PDF uploading" box. Send the EPUB file to your Android. Open your Android's email app. Open the EPUB email. Tap the EPUB attachment. Read your e-book. Convert the EPUB to a MOBI file. Copy the MOBI file. Connect your Kindle to your computer. Open the Kindle. Open the "Documents" folder. Paste in the MOBI file. Wait for the MOBI file to finish transferring. Eject your Kindle. Save your EPUB file to a familiar folder. Open the EPUB Converter website. Click EPUB to PDF Converter. Scroll down and click Add File…. Select your EPUB file. Click Open. Click Start Upload. Download the PDF. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Angina | How to Prevent Angina | To prevent angina, which is a condition where blood flow to the heart is constricted due to a blocked artery, try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day, since they are good for your heart. You should also try to avoid fatty foods containing lard, meat fat, and butter, as excess fat can clog your arteries. Additionally, you can lower your blood pressure by adding less salt when you cook. If you smoke, you should also try to cut down and quit, since cigarette smoke hardens your arteries. You can find help with quitting by seeing a counselor, joining a support group, or using nicotine replacement therapy. | Don’t smoke. Smoking contributes to hardening your arteries. This raises your risk for angina, hypertension, heart failure, and having a stroke. Quitting will significantly improve your health. If you need help quitting there are many resources for social support and getting medical assistance: Get social support by seeing a counselor, joining a support group, or calling hotlines. Get medical help by talking to your doctor, using nicotine replacement therapy, or trying medications. Be active. Consult your doctor before you start a new exercise regime. For some people exercise can bring on an episode of angina. This means that it is very important to check with your doctor before you start a new exercise program. If you think exercise might trigger angina for you, consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. There are several options the doctor might suggest. The doctor might advise that you take medications before exercising to prevent angina. Another option may be for you to start easy and then slowly increase the amount of exercise you do as you get in good enough shape to avoid an angina attack. Talk to your doctor about what forms of exercise are compatible with your health condition. The doctor may suggest that you start with activities that are less strenuous like walking, swimming, or biking. It is important not to do too much too soon because angina is a sign that you may be prone to heart attacks. Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories. Drinking a lot can make you prone to obesity and increase the strain on your heart. If you do drink, stay within the recommended limits: Women should consume one or less one servings per day. Men should consume to two or less. A drink is one beer, a glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are healthy for your heart because they are low in calories and fat, yet have the fiber and nutrients to satisfy your appetite. Most people don't eat nearly enough fruits and vegetables. The recommended daily amount is two to three servings of each. Eating many different fruits and vegetables will keep your meals interesting and give you the vitamins you need. Eat fruits for dessert. A fruit salad with bananas, apples, grapes, and orange slices will satisfy any sweet tooth at the end of the meal. Eat vegetables as snacks. They are usually less juicy than fruits and easy to take with you to the office or to school. Tuck a carrot or green pepper slices into your bag in the morning. Scrutinize the canned items you purchase. Fruits that are canned in sugary syrups will be higher in calories than fresh fruits. Similarly, many vegetables are often canned in salt water. Look for canned foods that don't have sugar and salt added. Reduce your fat intake. Ideally you should eat no more than about 3 tablespoons of fats, such as butter, per day. Most people eat more fats than they need, so there are lots of ways to lower your fat consumption and make the fats you eat less harmful to you. When you do eat fats, it matters which ones you choose. Avoid saturated fats, trans fats, and dietary cholesterol. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature, like butter. It's a little more difficult to avoid trans fats, but you can check on the packaging of processed foods. “Partially hydrogenated” fats are usually trans fats. Opt for heart-healthy fats such as margarines designed to reduce your cholesterol like Benecol, Promise Activ, or Smart Balance. When you cook, instead of using butter, try olive, canola, vegetable, or nut oils. The following fat sources are generally less healthy for you: Lard, cream sauces, bacon fat, butter, palm, cottonseed, and coconut oils, chocolate, cocoa butter, hydrogenated margarine, and nondairy creamers. Avoid fatty meats. Steaks are tasty, but they are generally higher in fat than poultry and fish. Meat and fish are good sources of protein, but be careful not to overdo it. Eat, at most, 6 ounces of meat per day. Make your protein consumption as healthy as possible by: Cutting off any fat you see around the edges Removing the skin —there is usually a layer of fat underneath Baking, roasting, or grilling instead of frying Substituting with plant-based sources of protein, such as beans or tofu Reduce hypertension by eating low-sodium foods. Hypertension is also called high blood pressure. A high-sodium diet can make you prone to developing hypertension. This increases the strain on your heart. Try cutting down on sodium by: Using less salt when you cook. Instead of adding a large pinch of salt, just add a light sprinkle. Checking the sodium content on pre-packaged or canned foods. Many have salt added as flavoring. Try replacing salty snacks with healthier alternatives like fruits or vegetables. A green pepper or an orange is just as easy to pack into your bag as a bag of chips. Eating out less. Someone else preparing your food means you can't control the amount of salt added. Restaurants may use more salt than you would at home. Call an ambulance if you might be having a heart attack. Angina can be a heart attack symptom. If you have an episode of angina and are unsure about whether you could be having a heart attack, it is better to be safe and call an ambulance. People experiencing angina and heart attacks often report: Chest pain Pressure or tightness in the chest Pain that may radiate to your back, shoulder, arms, and/or up to your neck and jaw Dizziness Nausea Sweating Difficulty breathing Exhaustion Call an ambulance if you are a woman with unusual symptoms. Women do not always experience the classic symptoms that men do. Women are less likely to experience chest pain, but they are still in need of immediate care. Women may report: Discomfort in the back, neck or jaw. This may occur without chest pain. Discomfort that feels like a sharp, stabbing pain rather than a feeling of pressure Feeling nauseous Abdominal pain Feeling like you can't catch your breath Fatigue Identify an unstable angina. Unstable anginas are frequently symptoms or precursors to heart attacks. If you are having an unstable angina, it is vital that you call an ambulance and get medical care as soon as possible. Indications that you are experiencing an unstable angina are: New, worsening or persistent chest discomfort Discomfort that does not subside within five minutes of taking angina medication. If the medication does not help within five minutes, call an ambulance. | Don’t smoke. Be active. Reduce your alcohol consumption. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Reduce your fat intake. Avoid fatty meats. Reduce hypertension by eating low-sodium foods. Call an ambulance if you might be having a heart attack. Call an ambulance if you are a woman with unusual symptoms. Identify an unstable angina. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Bone-Density | How to Increase Bone Density | To increase bone density, add more calcium to your diet by eating dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and cow's milk. Additionally, increase your magnesium levels by including almonds, spinach, and avocados in your diet. You should also get plenty of vitamin D through fortified milk or 5-10 minutes of sun exposure a day, which will help your body absorb more calcium. Along with dietary changes, aim for 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercises each day to build bone mass. If you'd like to maintain bone density, try muscle strengthening exercises, like yoga or Pilates. | Make sure you’re getting plenty of calcium to keep your bones strong. Calcium is the single most abundant mineral in your body, and about 99% of it is found in your bones and teeth. Getting sufficient calcium will help you grow healthy bones and maintain bone density. Focus on eating foods that contain lots of calcium to maintain bone density. The recommended daily intake of calcium varies depending on your age and sex. Adult men under 70 and women under 50 should get at least 1,000mg of calcium per day. Men over 70 and women over 50 should get at least 1,200mg per day. Pregnant or lactating women should consume at least 1,300mg of calcium daily. Many dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, are very rich sources of calcium. If you choose soy milk, almond milk, or other dairy substitutes, look for ones that have been fortified with calcium. Vegetable sources rich in calcium include turnips and collard greens, bok choi, black-eyed peas, kale, and broccoli. Sardines and salmon are also excellent sources of calcium and omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for brain health. In addition, they contain vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. Choose whole-grain breakfast cereals that have been fortified with calcium and other nutrients and are low in sugar. Because many people eat these cereals daily with milk, they're a good, consistent source of calcium. Calcium is also available in dietary supplements. The two main forms are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. But don't take calcium supplements without first talking to your doctor because too much calcium can have unpleasant side effects, including the possibility of kidney stones. Add vitamin D rich foods to your diet to help your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D helps improve your body's ability to absorb calcium. It's also a crucial component in bone rebuilding. People under the age of 70 should get at least 600IU of vitamin D daily; people over 70 should get at least 800IU daily. Make sure you're adding foods that contain vitamin D to your diet to help with calcium absorption so you can build strong and healthy bones. Fatty fish, such as swordfish, salmon, tuna, and mackerel are the best sources of natural vitamin D. Beef liver, cheese, some mushrooms, and egg yolks contain small amounts of vitamin D. Milk is commonly fortified with vitamins A and D. Many beverages and cereals are also enriched with vitamin D. Spending time in the sunshine is another great way to get vitamin D. Ultraviolet rays trigger vitamin D synthesis in your body, but people who have darker skin produce less vitamin D this way. Use a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF factor of at least 15 whenever you spend time outside. Vitamin D is also available as a dietary supplement, but talk to your doctor before you take any supplements to make sure they're safe for you. Help your bones repair themselves by eating enough magnesium. Magnesium is an important mineral for every part of your body and plays a key role in new bone formation. Eating foods rich in magnesium will make sure that you have enough and will help keep yoru bones dense and strong. Adult men should get at least 400-420 mg per day, and adult women should get at least 310-320 mg per day. Rich sources of dietary magnesium include: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, and peanut butter Green leafy vegetables like spinach Whole grains and legumes, especially black beans and soybeans Avocados, potatoes with their skins, and bananas Reduce bone loss and fractures by eating foods rich in B vitamins. A vitamin B12 deficiency may reduce your number of osteoblasts, cells that are responsible for forming new bone. People with vitamin B12 deficiencies are more likely to suffer bone fractures and more rapid bone loss. Fortunately, you can keep your bones strong and healthy by adding foods with vitamin B to your diet. Good dietary sources of Vitamin B12 include: Organ meats, such as liver and kidney Beef and other red meats such as venison Shellfish, especially clams and oysters Fish, fortified cereals, and dairy products B12 can also be taken as a nutritional supplement as a capsule or sublingual liquid, which makes it easier for vegetarians and vegans to get enough of it. Consume between 75-90 mg of vitamin C a day. Vitamin C stimulates procollagen and enhances collagen synthesis, which helps your body build bone. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet can increase your bone mineral density, especially if you're a postmenopausal woman. Adult men should get at least 90mg of vitamin C per day, and adult women should get at least 75mg per day. Good dietary sources of vitamin C include: Citrus fruits and juices, red and green peppers, tomatoes, kiwifruit, strawberries, cantaloupe, and Brussels sprouts Cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, spinach, and peas Fortified cereals and other products Most people get enough vitamin C through foods. However, if you need more vitamin C, you can take supplements in the form of a pill or as a powder that can be added to water. Get between 90-120 mcg of vitamin K a day. Vitamin K increases bone density and may even reduce your risk of fractures. Adult men should get at least 120 mcg per day, and adult women should get at least 90mcg per day. Vitamin K is found in many foods, but good sources include: Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard and turnip greens Vegetable oils, especially soybean oil, and nuts Fruits such as berries, grapes, and figs Fermented foods and cheese Avoid taking vitamin E supplements. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. However, you should be careful about vitamin E supplements; these usually provide more than 100IU per dose, far more than the recommended daily intake of 15mg/22.4IU per day. Consuming too much vitamin E may decrease bone mass and reduce new bone formation. Getting sufficient vitamin E from dietary sources is unlikely to pose a threat to your bones, and can provide many health benefits. Good dietary sources of vitamin E include seeds, nuts, plant oils, spinach, broccoli, kiwifruit, mango, tomato, and spinach. Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol that you consume. Caffeine and alcohol may affect how your body forms new bone and both disrupt the quality of your sleep, which is important for regulating bone mass and density. Avoid drinking too much caffeine or alcohol to help improve the health of your bones and increase their density. If you do decide to drink alcohol, drink in moderation and avoid drinking more than 3 drinks in a 24 hour period. Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day to improve bone health. Regular aerobic exercise will help you increase and maintain your bone density while also improving your overall health. Try to get at least half an hour of exercise each day to keep your bones healthy and to minimize bone loss. Use cardio exercises like running, swimming, an cycling to work your muscles and build up your bones. Mix up your routine with exercises like brisk walking, hiking, tennis, or even dancing. Build up your bones by doing weight lifting exercises. Both aerobic and weight lifting exercises are good for you bone health, but resistance training, or weight lifting, can build up your bone mass and muscles in site specific locations. For example, you can use squats to build up the bone density in your legs. Do 2-3 weight lifting workouts a week to help build up your bone density. Weight lifting also builds up your muscles, which help keep your bones in place and maintain bone density. Weight training, elastic exercise bands, and exercises that use your own body weight like pushups are excellent for strengthening. Yoga and Pilates can also improve strength and flexibility. However, people who already have osteoporosis should not do certain positions, as it may increase the risk of bone fracture or breakage. If you're concerned about your risk factors, consult with your doctor or a physical therapist to see what exercises will be best for you. Use plyometric movements to help increase bone density. Plyometrics are exercises that involve a lot of jumping around, and the impact helps your body build denser, stronger bones. When you're planning your workout routine, add a few plyometric exercises to build up the density of your bones. Skipping rope is a great way to burn calories and strengthen your bones. You could also try jumping jacks, or using a trampoline. Quit smoking to keep your bones strong. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of bone disease including osteoporosis. Smoking also affects how the density of your bones, so quitting can help improve your bone health. If you're around others who smoke, try to avoid breathing in the secondhand smoke. If you smoke, quitting quickly decreases your risk for many diseases. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk is of low bone density and fractures. Secondhand smoke exposure during youth and early adulthood may increase your risk of developing low bone mass later. Smoking also reduces the production of estrogen in women, which can also lead to weaker bones. Talk to your doctor if you have bone pain that won’t go away. If diet and exercise don't appear to be improving your bone health, make an appointment to see your doctor. They can test to see if you have an underlying medical condition and can recommend treatment options and prescribe medications to help improve your bone density. Estrogens and progestins help maintain bone density in both men and women. The aging process decreases the amount of these hormones your body produces. Hormone supplements including estrogen products may reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. Medications that can help treat or prevent osteoporosis include ibandronate, alendronate, risedronate sodium, and zoledronic acid. | Make sure you’re getting plenty of calcium to keep your bones strong. Add vitamin D rich foods to your diet to help your body absorb calcium. Help your bones repair themselves by eating enough magnesium. Reduce bone loss and fractures by eating foods rich in B vitamins. Consume between 75-90 mg of vitamin C a day. Get between 90-120 mcg of vitamin K a day. Avoid taking vitamin E supplements. Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol that you consume. Get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day to improve bone health. Build up your bones by doing weight lifting exercises. Use plyometric movements to help increase bone density. Quit smoking to keep your bones strong. Talk to your doctor if you have bone pain that won’t go away. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Patience-in-a-Relationship | How to Learn Patience in a Relationship | To learn patience in a relationship, try buffering your responses so you have more control over them, which you can do by taking 3 deep breaths before you say anything. Additionally, if you know that a specific situation will make you impatient, like your partner sleeping in on the weekend, try visualizing beforehand how you'll deal with it. This way, you can prepare in advance how you'll react, which will make the situation less frustrating or stressful for you. | Consider your partner’s feelings. If you are patient and kind with your partner, they will feel loved and adored. If you are impatient and intolerant, your partner is likely to feel rejected by you. Your actions and reactions can have a direct effect on how your partner feels, so think about this when you're feeling impatient or frustrated. Remember that you care about your partner deeply and don't want to hurt them. For example, if your partner forgets to stop and buy milk, saying “That's okay, we'll just get it later,” shows that you understand it was a simple mistake. If you instead say something like “I can't believe you did this again. You always forget everything,” you are implying that your partner is flawed and that their mistakes are unacceptable. Remember, a little mistake like this isn't the end of the world. Buffer your responses. It's normal to turn immediately to an impatient response; many people assume that mistakes or inconveniences are the result of other people's incompetence and carelessness. This is a pretty bleak outlook to have on those around you, though, and may lead you to say hurtful things before you even realize it. A great way to break this habit is to use a buffer to force yourself to think before responding. For example, you could make it a personal rule that when something frustrating happens, you take three deep breaths before you say anything at all. This will give you time to process the situation and respond appropriately. You'll probably realize that what you thought was a huge mistake actually isn't that big of a deal, and you can downgrade your response from angry to understanding. In a more serious situation, you could leave the room or go for a walk. This will allow you time to cool down and think about your reaction. Have realistic expectations. Patience will come along with understanding, and one of the most important things to understand about your partner is that they're not perfect. They can't be! When you set unrealistic expectations for your partner or decide that things absolutely must go a certain way, you will inevitably be disappointed. This disappointment will lead to impatience and frustration in the relationship. You can avoid this by simply having reasonable expectations for your partner. An example of an unreasonable expectation might be thinking that your partner should be home at exactly 5:30 every day, even though they have a 25-minute commute and work until 5:00. This leaves little to no time to account for things like walking to the car, or changes in traffic, and ultimately sets your partner up to fail. Try instead to hold a more reasonable expectation, like expecting your partner to let you know if they get held up or will be late getting home for some reason. Another example: expecting your significant other to always want to watch the same shows as you. Instead, you could expect that they allow you to choose some of the time, and you allow them to choose other times. Compromise and understanding are keys in any relationship. Look at your partner as a whole. Remember that no relationship will ever be perfect. There will inevitably be points of tension between you and your partner from time to time, and that's okay. Instead of letting this tension define your relationship during those times, always keep in mind the things you love about your partner. When you see your partner as a whole, it is easier to be patient through stressful times. For example, if your partner does something that really annoys you, like tapping their foot, do not let that pet peeve take precedence over all of the good qualities that you love in your partner. You might also notice that some expressions your significant other uses often seem repetitive to you. Keep in mind that you are likely around them more than anyone else, and that you hear their stories and phrases more, too. Remember that these things are part of the whole person that you fell in love with, and aren't such a big deal in the long run. Give it time. Learning to be patient takes--wait for it--patience. If you are easily frustrated, that isn't likely to change overnight, and being hard on yourself will only add to your frustration. Instead, recognize that you are working toward being more patient and forgive yourself for any mistakes that you make along the way. If you're putting in sincere effort, you deserve to be given a break once in a while, especially from yourself. For example, if you get frustrated sitting in traffic, recognize that you are frustrated and try to calm down. Take some deep breaths, then let it go. There is no need to be frustrated about being frustrated! Set goals. This will give you can a clear definition of how you are succeeding. Each goal you reach will help motivate you to reach the next. Be proud of the progress you make when you hit each goal and use that energy to push you to your next one. Some examples of goals that lead to being more patient might be things like: Waiting in line without being frustrated. Keeping a positive attitude with co-workers. Overlooking things that your significant other does that you find annoying. Remind yourself that patience will pay off. Because it will! Being patient benefits you in many ways. First, it helps keep your relationships more loving and respectful and allows you to be calmer and more at peace in general. When you start to feel frustrated, keep in mind that responding with patience will help you live a more satisfying life. You're in this for the long haul, so don't get distracted by minor frustrations along the way. Practice positive self-talk. Listen to the inner dialogue that plays out in your mind all day long. This is your “self-talk.” Your self-talk can tear you down just as easily the things other people say, or it can boost your confidence. When you analyze yourself and think (or talk) to yourself about being patient, focus on your progress in a positive way. It's easy to get frustrated when you're angry, but positivity will help you calm down and approach things rationally. For example, avoid thoughts like “I'm just not patient enough to deal with that.” Instead, frame it in a positive by thinking or saying something like “Dealing with that is going to require a lot of patience. I can do it if I take my time and control my emotions.” Be aware of your stress. Understand your stress levels and what stressors affect you the most. Try keeping a journal of these top stressors and how they make you feel. As you come to understand your triggers, you can better control your stress. Having your stress under control will allow you to focus on being a more patient person. Some of your common stressors might be: Traffic Long lines Excessive phone calls Deadlines Remain positive. Most situations can be looked at in a positive and negative light. How patient you are in a given circumstance will depend on how positive or negative your outlook is. If you focus on the positive aspects of a situation, you'll find yourself being much more patient. For example, if you view time spent sitting in traffic as time wasted, you will be frustrated and impatient. Instead, reframe the situation. Sure, you spent a long time in traffic, but it was a great opportunity to have a conversation with your significant other. With this subtle twist, the experience becomes a positive one and you will both be more patient. Have a plan for tough situations. Being caught off guard is stressful, regardless of the situation. You can be more patient if you prepare yourself for difficult situations. One of the best ways to prepare for a situation is to visualize yourself dealing with it before it happens. Close your eyes and think about how the situation will play out, then how you want to react to it. Breathe deeply and tell yourself that you can do it. For example, if you get irritated when your significant other sleeps in on the weekend, visualize yourself doing something you enjoy in the morning. Include in the visualization how you will greet your significant other warmly when they wake up, maybe with a plate of pancakes ready or a bowl of fresh fruit prepared. Keep your body healthy. Exercise and a healthy diet can keep your body healthy. This will make you feel better, raise your self-confidence, and help to balance your hormones and neurotransmitters (the chemicals that send messages throughout your brain and body). All of these things will make your hormones work for you to reduce your stress level and help you to be more patient. Focus on your mental health. Of course, physical health is not the only factor to remaining happy and stable. If you practice good mental hygiene, you will find that you have much more capacity to be patient with yourself and your significant other. Practicing yoga, meditation , deep breathing techniques , and talking in support groups can help you relieve built up stress and maintain your cool at all times. | Consider your partner’s feelings. Buffer your responses. Have realistic expectations. Look at your partner as a whole. Give it time. Set goals. Remind yourself that patience will pay off. Practice positive self-talk. Be aware of your stress. Remain positive. Have a plan for tough situations. Keep your body healthy. Focus on your mental health. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Linoleum-Floors | How to Clean Linoleum Floors | Before you clean your linoleum floor, sweep or vacuum to remove excess dirt. Then, make a 1:1 vinegar-water cleaning solution, or add 6-7 drops of dishwashing liquid to a gallon of warm water to make your solution. Next, dip your mop into your cleaner, wring it out, and mop your floor. Mop your floor a second time with clean water to remove any residue if you've used a dishwashing-liquid solution on your floor. Finally, wipe your floor dry. | Clean up excess bits of dirt. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum your linoleum floor to remove excess dirt on the floor's surface. Focus on collecting dirt from areas underneath cabinets, cupboards, and appliances. If you vacuum your linoleum floor, be sure to change the vacuum settings to clean hard surfaces rather than carpet. Try mixing a natural cleaning solution. Fill up a large bucket about ¼ - ½ of the way with lukewarm water. Mix in equal parts of white vinegar. The exact measurements on the water to vinegar ratios are rather loose, because most linoleum floors do not need an entire bucket's worth of cleaning solution to clean the floor surface. Besides, standing water can damage linoleum, so you never want to use more water than necessary. Try mixing a chemical cleaning solution. Use a cleaning product specifically intended for cleaning linoleum floors. Linoleum-specific cleaning products can be found in most flooring and home department stores. Most linoleum floor cleaners need to be diluted with water, so follow the manufacturer's instructions by mixing in the appropriate amount of cleaning detergent in a large bucket filled with the correct measurements of water. If using a chemical cleaner, make sure that your cleaning area is well ventilated. Alternatively, you could mix about 6-7 drops of a mild detergent (such as dish soap) with approximately one gallon of warm water as your cleaning solution. Bear in mind that this solution will clean and disinfect your floors, but a linoleum-specific cleaner might remove dirt a little better. Chemicals that have high pH levels can be extremely damaging to linoleum flooring, so stay away from cleaning products like ammonia when cleaning your linoleum floors. Mop the floor. Dip a mop into your cleaning solution, and thoroughly wring out excess solution. Your mop should be damp, rather than dripping wet. Mop the floor in sections, working in about 4-6 square foot areas for each dip of the mop. If you want to clean you floors more thoroughly, you can use a soft bristled scrub brush instead of a mop. This method would most likely require you to work on your hands and knees. If you are cleaning your floor with a vinegar and water solution, you don't need to rinse off your floor. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and the vinegar and water will evaporate along with the vinegar smell. Rinse the floor. After you have mopped the whole floor, dump out the bucket of cleaning solution and water, and thoroughly rinse out the mop with clean water. Refill the bucket of water with cool, clean water. Dip the clean mop into the clean water, wring out any excess water, and rinse the cleaning solution from the floor. Again, work in areas approximately 4-6 square foot areas for each time you dip the mop into the water. When you are finished rinsing the floor, dump out the bucket of water. If chemical cleaning solutions are not rinsed from the floor, they will attract tiny particles of dust and dirt, that will be harder to remove later. Dry the floor. Wipe down the entire floor with a towel, cleaning cloth, or a terry cloth covered mop head. Allow the floor to completely dry being moving back furniture or allow traffic on the floor surface. Wash your floor. Before you polish your floor, it has to be thoroughly cleaned. Vacuum and wash your floor as you normally would, using the basic cleaning method. Make sure that the floor is completely dry before proceeding to add polish. Be sure to rinse the floor thoroughly after washing. Any leftover cleaning residue could negatively affect the polish. Pour the polish into a bucket. Do not pour the polish directly on the floor. Instead, use a clean bucket to contain the polish. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instruction on the back of the polish to know how much you should be using. Add the polish to the floor. Apply linoleum polish to the floor, using a clean, damp mop. Apply 1-3 coats of polish in approximately 3-4 square foot areas. Allow each coat to thoroughly dry by wait approximately 30 minutes in between coats. Let the final coat of polish dry for approximately an hour before moving back furniture and walking on the floor surface. Try to restrict the number of times you drag your mop over a given area. Moving your mop over an area more than once or twice runs the risk of leaving streaks in the polish. | Clean up excess bits of dirt. Try mixing a natural cleaning solution. Try mixing a chemical cleaning solution. Mop the floor. Rinse the floor. Dry the floor. Wash your floor. Pour the polish into a bucket. Add the polish to the floor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Promote-Your-Online-Store-Online | How to Promote Your Online Store Online | To promote your store online, build a strong social media presence by posting regularly and linking your posts to new products on Facebook and Twitter. Run contests and sweepstakes for those who join a mailing list, then use the list to send out newsletters with deals and promotions. Paid ads are another great way to expand your social media presence, as long as they're linked to a high quality landing page. | Consider pay-per-click advertising. One way to quickly increase your web presence is by using pay-per-click advertising to have your business appear prominently in search engine results. This is probably the quickest way to promote your business, but is also probably the most expensive. You will need to budget carefully and ensure you make the most of any paid ads. Pay-per-click ads are sold by auction so they can get very expensive very quickly. If you do get one, create a strong landing page for people who click through. Ensure you have the systems in place to analyse the amount of traffic and custom you receive through your ad. You need this information to evaluate whether it was worth the investment. Join listing sites. Listing sites are essentially online databases which make large numbers of companies easily accessible and searchable.There are a number of major listing sites which are likely to appear higher up in search engine results than your own site. For this reason it's important to maximise your presence on these heavily frequented sites. Many listing sites are free to join and can direct a lot of traffic your way so you should take advantage of this. You may already have been added to listings and review sites by a customer, but by taking charge of your presence you can control how your business is presented. See which listings sites are most prominent in your field of business simply by searching online and writing down which ones come high in the results. Connect with web affiliates. You can join up with other businesses and develop mutually beneficial relationships. Web affiliates will typically provide links to each other's stores on their web pages to help direct traffic to your affiliates. This can be particularly effective when the online stores have something in common or sell complementary goods. For example if you sell hair care products you could share links with a store that sells skin care products, and recommend each other's goods. Only do this with a company you like and trust who share a similar ethos to you. You can expand these relationships into shared offers and deals if they prove effective and bring in traffic. As well as sharing links, affiliates can agree a deal to sell each other's products on their site. Understand search engine optimisation (SEO). SEO is a collection of techniques which increase the chances of your site being high up in search results on search engines. Rather than paying for a more prominent position, the practice of SEO can drastically help increase the profile and presence of your online store. It's free and effective, but it does take a little time to understand the principles of SEO and apply them to your website. Major search engines provide guides to how they work for those wishing to optimise their results. SEO is necessary primarily because of the ubiquity of search engines. Think about how you search for something online. Ask yourself how often you click through past the first couple of pages of results. Find out the popular key words for your area of business. You probably think you already have a decent idea of the key words that bring traffic to your website, but it's best not to leave any stone unturned when doing SEO. Use online tools to determine which words bring traffic to your store. There are a few different ways to measure key words. Key word frequency refers to how often a word appears in the title or description of a website. Be aware though, if you have stuffed your site full of key words it may be judged spam. The key word weight is the number of key words in comparison to the total number of words. By having less text on a page, you can achieve a heavier key word weight. The positioning of words in relation to each other is known as key word proximity. For example, if you are selling "black socks", you will outrank someone selling "black cotton socks" if the search term is "black socks". Having your key words high up on a page and prominent in headings and the first paragraph of text gives you a good key word prominence score. Similarly, having the words in titles or links can equal good key word placement. Include key words in your web copy. Once you have a clear picture of the best key words for driving traffic to your site, and how to include them in your web copy and site design it's time to put this into practice. Give your website a thorough audit revising main sections to make sure they are optimised for key words in frequency, weight, position, prominence and placement. Remember to do this in a considered and careful way. If you load it down with key words out of context your site may be deemed spam and ignored. Put key words in tags, titles, links and high up in copy. Have a strong social media presence. Social media has become an essential element of marketing strategies for most businesses. For an online business it is even more important given the ability to link directly to products and deals on your site, and communicate with a large number of people quickly and effectively. Start your social media marketing campaign with Facebook and Twitter. Ensure you have a good presence and a clear page with links to your products. You will need to post regularly to keep up interest and be generally active following people and events, as well as liking things to make your store more visible. Post links to new products and special offers frequently and engage with your customers. Run contests or sweepstakes. Running promotions and contests through social media can help you to build up your register of contacts, and create a buzz about your business. It's important to have a clearly defined objective and audience for your contest, you need to know what you will get from it. You could have a sweepstakes for for those who join a mailing list, offering something for free. In turn you get contact details which you can use for targeted marketing. Before you undertake a contest you need to be fully clued up on all the relevant rules and regulations. The specific terms "contest", "sweepstakes" and "lottery" have clear definitions which you need to abide by. A contest must have a winner chosen on merit, a sweepstakes winner chosen at random, and for a lottery you must buy a ticket and pay to play. Use paid ads on social media. On the major social networks you can also buy advertising space to promote your business. This can be cheaper and quicker than more traditional modes of advertising. As with any online ad you need to ensure it is concise and attractive as well as bringing the customer to a good landing page on your store. Be sure you read up on all the specific rules for advertising on before you begin. Promoted tweets can increase your company's exposure, but it's important to present these well and include relevant hashtags. As with other online ads, make sure the link you include goes to a landing page with featured products clearly visible. Expand your social media presence. As well as Facebook and Twitter, there are an increasingly large number of social media outlets that have a huge number of users. Develop a presence on video and photograph-based social media to highlight your products and engage with your customers. If you share a picture of a great new product on Instagram you can get it seen by a lot more people than who would otherwise happen across it. As always it's crucial that you structure your social media well and it is all connected together across the various platforms. Have an integrated social media strategy. Have clear links from all the different sites to your actual store where customers can buy the goods you have highlighted on social media. Be creative and open-minded about how you present yourself, but ensure there is a common approach that reflects your company and your brand. Use the social media icons and buttons on emails and postings to provide plenty of links and make it easy for people to reach your store. Write a blog. Having a prominent and well-maintained blog can be a very good way to position yourself as a major player and public voice in your area of business. Not only that, but it is a way to promote your business without paying for advertising. Don't overdo it on the plugs, but be sure to include a relevant link back to your store in each post. Remember, to get people to read the blog it needs to well-written, informative and interesting. Promote your blog through social networks, and consider it an important part of your social media marketing strategy. As well as writing your own blog, take time to connect with other bloggers. Having links between blogs will only increase the potential traffic to your site and raise your profile. Try to write guest blogs on other forums to reach out to more people, and invite others to do the same on yours. Maintain a register of customers. Whenever a customer makes an order you will collect their email address so it's important to keep a good and safe register of your customers' contact details. In addition to this, you should make it possible for potential customers to easily register with your website using their email address even if they don't buy anything this time. A register of users is a very useful resource for marketing and surveying your customer base and should be treated as such. You need to guarantee that your customers' personal and financial details submitted through your website are kept secure. Send a regular email newsletter. A regular email to all your registered customers can be a very effective way to promote specific products or time-limited special offers. It's important to exercise careful judgement when sending out unsolicited communications to your customers, as nothing will turn people off as much as spam. You should tightly control your email newsletters, and only send out messages when you have something important to promote. Too frequent emails will be annoying, but too few will mean that they might forget about your store. Ensure that the email is well-crafted and matches the visual theme of your website and branding. Be active in relevant online discussions. Increase your presence and brand-awareness by getting involved in online discussion groups around relevant topics to your store. For example, if you sell specialist teas you can contribute to forums for tea lovers and enthusiasts. But be sure to tread lightly when you do this. Don't engage in any hard selling or explicit advertising as it will not go down well. Keep your online store's URL in your signature, but don't over-promote your business. Don't just think of it advertising, but connecting with potential customers. It could give you ideas for new product lines or avenues to explore. Follow your feedback. Keep a close eye on any feedback you receive on review websites as well as in direct contact with customers. It's important to know what people are saying and what the perception of your company is. If appropriate, respond politely to feedback and try to resolve any issue quickly and amicably. With social media it's possible for a minor problem to quickly escalate and gain you unwanted publicity. | Consider pay-per-click advertising. Join listing sites. Connect with web affiliates. Understand search engine optimisation (SEO). Find out the popular key words for your area of business. Include key words in your web copy. Have a strong social media presence. Run contests or sweepstakes. Use paid ads on social media. Expand your social media presence. Write a blog. Maintain a register of customers. Send a regular email newsletter. Be active in relevant online discussions. Follow your feedback. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Contact-Google | How to Get Help with Google Accounts | To contact Google, visit support.google.com and click the name of the product you want to talk about, such as Google Chrome. On the next page, select the category or option that best suits your query and select a more specific support topic. When the topic article appears, follow the instructions in it to try and resolve your problem. If the article doesn't fully answer your issue, look through the related articles on the right-hand side for more information. Remember that Google doesn't offer real-time support for most of its products, so Google Support is your only option. Additionally, never call a number claiming to be Google listed on another site, since it's common for scam numbers claiming to be Google to be listed online. | Understand how Google's support center works. Since Google can't provide customer service for things like password resets or account recovery, they have a comprehensive list of common help topics and walkthroughs for frequent problems. While the support center doesn't constitute contacting Google, it's the only Google-based alternative for issues for which you might feel the need to contact Google. Open Google Support. Go to https://support.google.com/ in your computer's web browser. Select a product. Click the name of the product with which you're having trouble. For example, if you're having issues with Google Chrome, you would click the Google Chrome option. Review the available support resources. You'll see a list of common topics in the middle of the page, so look for your question or issue there. Select a support resource category. Click the category of question or issue that you'd like to use. You should see the category expand to show more specific options. If clicking the category opens a support page, skip the next step. You can also type your question or issue into the search bar at the top of the page. Select a support resource topic. Click one of the topics below the expanded category. Doing so will open the topic's support article page. If you typed your question or issue into the search bar, you'll click the topic that appears in the drop-down menu below the search bar. Follow the support article's instructions. Read carefully the support article that opens, then follow the instructions in the article to attempt to fix your problem. You may have to follow several articles' instructions in order to fully address your issue. Most support articles have a list of related articles on the right side of the page. View support numbers for your Android phone. If you want to receive support for a non-Pixel model of Android, you can view the list of support number to call by doing the following: Click Pixel Phone on the Google Support page. Click Contact us in the upper-right side of the page. Click Android Device Support. Review the drop-down list of phone numbers. Request a conversation for your Pixel phone. If you have a Pixel 1 or Pixel 2 Android phone, you can receive chat- or phone call-based support from Google by doing the following: Click Pixel Phone on the Google Support page. Click Contact us in the upper-right side of the page. Click Pixel Device Support. Select your Pixel model. Click Request callback for a phone call or Request chat for an instant message conversation. Follow the on-screen instructions. Request a conversation for Google Drive issues. Google Drive is the only app-based service for which Google offers real-time support. To request a chat with or email from Google, do the following: Click Google Drive on the Google Support page. Click Contact us in the upper-right corner of the page. Select a topic, then select a category if prompted. The Request a refund option won't work for this step. Click Request chat or Email support. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate a chat or an email conversation. Understand that there are only a handful of ways to contact Google directly. Unless you're a member of the press or a G Suite administrator, your ways of contacting Google are limited to sending old-fashioned snail mail and applying for a job. The only exceptions to this rule—Android support, Pixel support, and Google Drive support—are listed in the previous method. Never call a number that isn't explicitly stated by Google. Several scam numbers claiming to belong to Google are currently in circulation. To avoid getting scammed (or just wasting your time), only call a number that is specifically listed on a Google document. For example, you can call a number listed on a G Suite form, but not one found on a non-Google site. The same idea goes for email addresses and regular addresses. Google staff will never ask for your password in a phone or chat conversation. Email Google's press team. If you're a member of the press and you want to contact Google for an inquiry, you can email them at [email protected]. Depending on the subject of the email, you may or may not receive a response. Google will only accept and respond to emails from established members of the press. Send mail to Google's address. If you don't mind sending a piece of snail mail and not receive a response, you can address your mail to 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043. Google is exceedingly unlikely to respond to snail mail, so don't do this with an urgent or sensitive item. Contact G Suite support. Regular Google account users can't do this, but G Suite administrators have access to 24/7 customer support. To use G Suite to contact Google, make sure you're a G Suite administrator and then do the following: Go to https://gsuite.google.com/support/ in your web browser. Select a method of contact (e.g., click Phone Support if you want to call Google). Click SIGN IN TO G SUITE. Log in using your G Suite administrator account information. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you're calling Google, you'll have to follow the spoken instructions on the hotline as well. Apply for a job with Google. The final way in which you can contact directly Google is by applying for a job with them. You can view and apply for available jobs on Google's Careers page: Go to https://careers.google.com/jobs in your computer's web browser. Change the location in the right-most text box to fit your preferred location. Click the "Search jobs" text box, then press ↵ Enter. Scroll through the results. Select a result, then click APPLY in the top-right corner. Fill out the application and follow any on-screen instructions. | Understand how Google's support center works. Open Google Support. Select a product. Review the available support resources. Select a support resource category. Select a support resource topic. Follow the support article's instructions. View support numbers for your Android phone. Request a conversation for your Pixel phone. Request a conversation for Google Drive issues. Understand that there are only a handful of ways to contact Google directly. Never call a number that isn't explicitly stated by Google. Email Google's press team. Send mail to Google's address. Contact G Suite support. Apply for a job with Google. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Teasing | How to Handle Teasing | If you're being teased at school, you could try to make a joke out of what they're saying to show you're not going to get upset. For example, try saying something like: “Yep, that's me, best ever teacher's pet!”. If being funny seems too hard though, ask them to stop when others can hear too, like: “I don't think that's funny, it's just mean.” Sometimes it's easier to avoid the bullies, so try to find new places to hang out until they grow tired of teasing you. Whatever way you choose to cope, don't fight them because you can get hurt and might get into trouble too. | Laugh it off. Some teasing isn't as bad-natured as it may seem. Actually, people who tease other people tend to think it's less harmful than it feels. If the person teasing you is a friend or someone you know doesn't want to actually hurt you, try to laugh it off. Sometimes, teasing is even a way of showing affection. It isn't always meant to be taken too seriously, so roll with the punches. You can come up with a funny response, or try saying things like: "That was a good one!" Very funny. Ha ha." "Nice try." "You'll have to try harder than that." Hone your problem solving skills. One strategy to handle being teased is to brainstorm your options. This can be anything from planning your routes to coming up with a plan if you get cornered by someone who teases you. Make a list of two or three things you could do to handle the teasing better. Here are some examples: Stay within sight of adults at school. Stay out of unsupervised places where a lot of teasing happens, such as the locker room or bus stop. Prepare some quick responses you can throw out to the teaser to get him off your back. Practice not responding to the teaser. Learn to control your anger so that you don't give him any ammunition. Ask the person teasing you to stop. Standing up for yourself is a good way to get people to stop teasing you. If you assert yourself and give consequences for teasing, many teasers will back off. It's much easier to tease a target who doesn't defend himself than it is one who decides to stand his ground. This may not work in all situations, but asserting yourself is a good first step to deal with someone who is teasing you. For example, you can say "You can't tease me like that. Leave me alone, or I'll do whatever it takes to defend myself." Train in a martial art. Taking classes in kickboxing or jiujitsu are good ways to learn how to defend yourself. You shouldn't pick fights, and they will teach you in these classes to only use violence as a last resort, but even training in a martial art will make you more confident. It will also cause your teaser to second-guess messing with you. Work on your self-presentation. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask if you look and feel confident. If not, ask what you could do to change that. Would a hair-cut make you feel more confident? New clothes? Standing up straighter? You can also work on things like practicing your "strong voice." You don't need to yell, just practice putting a lot of power behind what you say. You've probably heard people use this firm tone before, such as parents or teachers. Try to speak from your stomach rather than your throat. Walk away. Sometimes the easiest way to handle being teased is to get away from the person teasing you. Since teasing is usually not as physical or mean as bullying, it shouldn't be too hard to walk away. Here are some things you can say to the teasing person while you leave: "I don't have time for this. I've got better things to do." "I don't have to put up with this." "Find someone else to tease." Avoid the person. Another strategy is to avoid the teaser in the first place. Learn his schedule of classes or how routine in order to figure out what you should do to avoid crossing his path. For example, s/he may sit at a certain table at lunch, or s/he might take a particular route home. Find out where s/he goes and plan different routes. You can enlist help from friends who may have seen him/her around. Tune them out. Ignoring someone who teases you can take the ball out of his court. If you come across your teaser, look straight ahead and pretend not to hear anything he says. If you have an mp3 player and earbuds, listen to music so that you don't have to hear her/him. Avoid seeming frightened and never looking in his/her direction, which can make you seem like an easy target, but don't give him/her the time of day either. Distance yourself emotionally. Pretend he/she is talking to someone else. If she/he is not your friend then he doesn't really know you, anyway, so he/she might as well be. Practice putting a protective shield around yourself by realizing that his/her words don't have to affect you. They're just words and he/she is not an important person in your life. It can help to understand why people who tease other people do what they do. If the teaser is more of a bully, he/she has probably had a difficult life. He/she may attribute hostility to the people around him and have a lot of paranoia. Understanding that he/she is a hurt, fragile human being can help you put the behavior into context. Change the topic. You may be able to distract and redirect your teaser by changing the topic of discussion. Think of this as a magic trick to fool people who try to tease you. If you don't give the person teasing you anything to work with, he won't be able to keep going. In a way he/she needs your involvement in order to tease you. Here are some techniques you can use: Pretend like you didn't hear the teasing comment and continue on with whatever you were saying before. Forcibly change the topic. If someone is teasing you, act like you don't care and start talking about something else, such as homework or what you're going to do when you get home. This will take the steam out of his/her sails. Ask a friend to back you up. Having a friend with you is a strong deterrent for people who tease and bully others. It's a lot harder to deal with two people than one person. If you're worried about being teased on the way home from school or in-between classes, plan it out so that you'll be with a friend at these times. Say to your friend, "Hey, will you walk with me to class so [teaser's name] won't mess with me?" Seek help from a teacher or principal. If the teasing is bad, enlist help from a teacher or principal at your school. It's their job to protect you. You don't need to feel like you're "telling" on the teaser; he/she is the one at fault and all you're doing is taking care of yourself -- and others, most likely, since he probably teases multiple people. There are things that teachers and principals can do to stop the teasing and make you feel safe. Don't be afraid to involve them. You can tell her/him , "This guy/gal is teasing me and I need help. Can I talk to you about it?" Get your parents to intervene. If your teacher isn't doing anything about the teasing, or if it's out of her control, talk to your parents. They can talk to someone higher up in the school's administration and get the situation fixed. It may not seem "cool" to ask your parents for help, but it will be worth it in the long run. Harsh teasing can disrupt your academic achievement and your self-esteem. Try telling your parents, "This guy at school is teasing me. Is there anything you can do to stop it from happening? Can you talk to the school?" Talk to the school counselor. Some school counselors are actually trained in dealing with teasing and bullying. Going to a school counselor is a great option if you're having a hard time handling the effects of being bullied. They can help you cope with the teasing, and what you say to them is confidential. The meeting will be private and the person or people who tease you will never know. Tell your teacher that you want to see the school counselor. S/he can help you find the right person to talk to. Call a teasing help-line or find a support group. If you need someone to talk to or want additional support, try a help-line or support group for teasing/bullying. Talking to people who are going through similar difficulties can help you feel understood. You can also discuss strategies together for dealing with being teased. Here are links to an online support group and a crisis hotline that you can call: Click here for an online support group. Click here for a crisis services hotline you can call. | Laugh it off. Hone your problem solving skills. Ask the person teasing you to stop. Train in a martial art. Work on your self-presentation. Walk away. Avoid the person. Tune them out. Distance yourself emotionally. Change the topic. Ask a friend to back you up. Seek help from a teacher or principal. Get your parents to intervene. Talk to the school counselor. Call a teasing help-line or find a support group. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Trim-a-Mustache | How to Trim a Mustache | To trim your mustache, start by combing it so the hairs are straight, which will make it easier to trim. Then, use trimming scissors or an electric trimmer to trim the ends of your mustache, following along your upper lip line. When you're finished, use scissors or a razor to trim the hairs at the top of your mustache to make a clean line. If you want to thin out your mustache, comb up and away from your mustache and use scissors to trim the ends of the hair coming out of the comb's teeth. | Comb through your mustache with a fine-toothed comb. Combing helps straighten your facial hair so you can trim it evenly. Use a smaller comb meant for facial hair for the most convenience. Keep your mustache dry while you do this so you know the true length of your facial hair. Shampoo and condition your facial hair before you trim if you want to make your mustache softer and easier to manage. Beard shampoo is preferable, but you can use regular hair shampoo if that's all you have. Just make sure you completely dry your face after. Cut along your lip with a pair of trimming scissors or electric trimmers. Keep your face expressionless as you trim so you can easily see if you're trimming your mustache evenly. Hold the trimming scissors parallel to your lips and make small cuts following your lip line. The length is dependent on your preference. If you're using electric trimmers, gently press the edge of the trimmer to the top of your lip line and pull it away. Work from the outside of your mustache towards the center. Once you reach the center from one side, start from the end of your mustache on the opposite side. Trim the top of your mustache to make a clean line. Use your trimming scissors or a precision razor to cut off any unruly hair. If you're using a razor, use short strokes pulling up and away from the rest of your mustache. You can cut the top of your mustache so it goes at a 45-degree angle towards your lips or leave it so it looks fuller. The shape of the top of your mustache all depends on your own personal preference. Trim the area where your mustache meets your nose so it doesn't look like long nose hair. Reduce the volume of your mustache with a comb and scissors. Comb up and away from your mustache so the ends of your facial hair extend past the comb's teeth. Use your scissors or electric trimmers to trim the hair. This helps control the length and bulk of your mustache. Some electric trimmers come with guides that will work as a replacement for a comb. Start on the longer settings first and work your way to a shorter length. Avoid using electric clippers without a guard or comb since you could easily cut off too much hair. Start by trimming only a little at a time. You can always trim more off, but you have to wait for it to grow back if you cut too much. Check for any hairs you missed. Comb your beard again to straighten your mustache and look for any long hairs that you missed the first time. Use your scissors to trim them back to their desired length. Turn your head to the side and check if any hair sticks out more than the others. Lift the ends of your mustache and shave to the corners of your lips. The ends of your mustache will be the longest since they will be twisted to form the classic handlebar look. Pinch the long hair between your fingers and pull it up to reveal any stubble underneath. Use a precision razor to shave any hair underneath. Leave a little extra volume in your mustache while you're trimming. The hair will make your handlebar mustache look fuller and give you more hair to curl. Twist the ends of your mustache and trim them for length if needed. Use your index finger and your thumb to twist the hair together so it's easier to trim. Work on one side of your mustache at a time and make sure they are even in length. Pull each side of your mustache out to ensure they are the same length when you're finished trimming them. Cut a little bit at a time so you don't remove too much from your handlebar. Rub a fingertip-sized amount of mustache wax between your fingers. Warm the wax in between your fingers using a circular motion. Start with a little bit of wax since you can always add more later if your curls don't hold. Mustache wax can be purchased online or in most haircare sections of local stores. Work the wax into your mustache. Start in the center of your mustache and pat it towards the ends. Continue working the wax into your mustache until it is completely clear. Comb your mustache from the middle toward each side so all of your facial hair is going in the same direction. Combing your mustache will also help evenly distribute the wax so it isn't bunched up in one place. Pinch the ends of the mustache and twist them away from your face. Rub another fingertip-sized amount of wax between your index finger and your thumb and grab the ends of your mustache. Pull the hairs from the middle of your mustache to the ends, and twist the hair away from your cheek. Repeat the process for the other end of your mustache until it curls how you want it. Use more product if you have long hair since it will be more difficult to control. Use extra-hold gel to keep the curls in place. Use a small bead of clear gel and rub it into the ends of your mustache. This will secure the curls so they last throughout the day and will glue it in place. You can also use more of the mustache wax to hold it in place, though it is more likely to droop after time. | Comb through your mustache with a fine-toothed comb. Cut along your lip with a pair of trimming scissors or electric trimmers. Trim the top of your mustache to make a clean line. Reduce the volume of your mustache with a comb and scissors. Check for any hairs you missed. Lift the ends of your mustache and shave to the corners of your lips. Twist the ends of your mustache and trim them for length if needed. Rub a fingertip-sized amount of mustache wax between your fingers. Work the wax into your mustache. Pinch the ends of the mustache and twist them away from your face. Use extra-hold gel to keep the curls in place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-Scars-Fast | How to Heal Scars Fast | Although there are no miracle cures when it comes to healing your scars, there are a few things you can do to help your skin recover. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera or Vaseline to your scar up to 3 times a day to hydrate your skin and help it heal. Cover your scar with an adhesive bandage after applying aloe vera or Vaseline, which will keep your scar moist and promote cell growth. Alternatively, cover your scar with a silicon gel sheet and change it every day. Try to avoid going out in the sun while your scar is healing since sun exposure can actually make a scar worse. If you do go outside, always apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your scar. This will protect your skin from discoloration. If your scar doesn't look any better after a few months, talk to your doctor about corticosteroid injections, which can help your skin heal quicker. | Apply silicone gel sheets. Silicone gel sheets have been shown to be very effective in healing scars quickly. These can be purchased over-the-counter from a local pharmacy. Follow the instructions on the box to apply them to your scar. In most cases, silicone gel sheets should be left on the site of the scar for 12 hours or more. You'll have to reapply another sheet the following day. Healing time will vary from person to person. You may see your scar reduced in days, weeks, or months. Use Vaseline. Vaseline (petroleum jelly) has the effect of moisturizing skin and scars. Moisture on skin will increase skin growth and regeneration. This may, in some circumstances, decrease the appearance of scars and help them heal quickly. Put sunscreen on the scar. By applying sunscreen, you'll help reduce the chance of red or brown discoloration occurring around the cut or scar. In addition, sunscreen will protect the skin, keep it moist and promote new skin growth. Rely on a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher. You should continue to apply sunscreen for several weeks. If you have dermatological issues, you may want to consult your dermatologist. Use corticosteroid injections. Talk to your doctor about getting corticosteroid injections. By injecting corticosteroids into the site of a scar, you may be able to heal it or reduce its appearance. Steroids undermine the bonds of collagen fibers in your skin, which will help break down scar tissue. Once the scar tissue is broken down, new skin will grow in its place. Apply aloe vera. Aloe vera is widely believed to help heal cuts and scars. By applying aloe vera to your scar, you'll promote quick healing. To use aloe vera, simply take some and rub it on your wound or scar. Apply it up to three times a day to help it heal quickly. Avoid using Vitamin E. While many people believe that Vitamin E helps scars, it can actually cause rashes or irritation. To be safe, don't put Vitamin E oil, gel, or capsules on your scar. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has the effect of destroying skin cells. By using hydrogen peroxide, you'll inhibit the growth of healthy cells and prolong the longevity of a scar. Instead of using hydrogen peroxide to clean a wound, try antibiotic ointment or aloe vera. Cover your cut. Many people recommend allowing a cut or scar to “breathe.” Unfortunately, this has the impact of inhibiting cell growth. Instead, cover your cut and keep it moist with aloe vera or something similar. Use an adhesive bandage or gauze to cover the cut or scar. Avoid frequent sun exposure. Whenever a wound or scar is healing, you should stay out of the sun. Sun exposure could undermine the ability of the skin to heal correctly. It could make the scar worse. As a result, if you must go outside, make sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, long clothes, and sunscreen. | Apply silicone gel sheets. Use Vaseline. Put sunscreen on the scar. Use corticosteroid injections. Apply aloe vera. Avoid using Vitamin E. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide. Cover your cut. Avoid frequent sun exposure. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Health-Visitor | How to Become a Health Visitor | To become a health visitor, start by enrolling in a nurse or midwife training program so you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery council. Next, enroll in the specialist community public health nurse program to become a health visitor, which typically takes 1 year of classes to complete. Once you're certified, prepare to discuss health issues with the elderly, teach new parents how to care for their infants, and work with vulnerable populations. | Enroll in a nursing program. To become a health visitor, you must be trained as a nurse (or midwife). Although entry requirements will be different depending on the school or university you attend, you'll probably need 5 GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) of Grade C and above. This should include English literature or language and a science subject. If you're taking a degree program, you'll probably need to have at least 2 A-Level qualifications. Become a registered nurse. Once you've completed any pre-registration programs, you'll need to move forward to become a registered nurse. You can choose any nursing specialty (such as adult, child, learning disability or mental health) after you complete your nursing requirements. If you have any previous medical experience, talk with the admissions office about whether any credits will apply towards your program. Most nursing programs take about 3 years to complete. Consider becoming a midwife. You can sometimes fulfill the health visitor requirement of becoming a trained nurse by becoming a midwife. Some schools that offer medical degrees offer degrees in midwifery. You can enroll in a midwifery training program if you have at least five A through C GCSEs. If you have three A-Levels, you can immediately apply for a midwifery degree. Most midwifery degrees in the UK take 3 years to complete (if doing it full-time). Midwifery degrees in Scotland take 4 years to complete. Register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). After you've finished your program, your university will automatically send the NMC your basic information and the course details. You'll be notified about a week after the NMC confirms this information. Once you've received confirmation, you can then pay the registration fee of £120 and declare any criminal cautions or convictions. After the NMC approves your application, you should be on the register within 2 to 10 days. If you wait more than 6 months after completing your program to register with the NMC, you'll need to fill out a separate application to the NMC. Enroll in a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (HV/SN) program. As soon as you've registered as a nurse or midwife, you can enroll in the program to become a health visitor. An SCPHN/HV program typically lasts one year if you take full-time classes. You can also take part-time courses, although it will take you longer to complete. Many part-time programs allow you to complete the degree program in two years instead of one. Consider enrolling in a fast track program. If you already have a degree in a health-related field, you might be able to take a fast track program (also known as a "2+1" program) to register as a nurse and get health visitor training. Find out if fast track programs are available at your university. Fast track programs are typically completed one year sooner than if you train as a nurse and then enroll in a health visitor program. Keep in mind that if you're already a nurse or midwife, you'll need to renew your certification with the NCM every 3 to 5 years. Complete pre-employment checks. Be aware that in order to become a health visitor, you'll need to pass criminal records checks done by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Once you've passed their checks, you'll be allowed to register with the NHS trust. You won't need to send in any forms for the checks. The health visitor program you enroll in will work with DBS to run their safety checks. Discuss health issues with older people. You might visit with people in the community over age 60 who live at home. During your visit, you'll assess any health issues they might need to address and you can refer them to services that are available. You might also ensure that the person has an adequate environment, including heating, cooling, food, and appropriate clothing, as well as assess their ability to care for themselves. For example, you might remind someone that free or low-cost flu vaccinations are available at a clinic in the community. You might work alongside other caregivers when visiting with older people. If the person needs assistance to live on their own, they might be primarily cared for by a relative or professional caregiver. Meet with new parents. One of your primary responsibilities as a health visitor will be going to the homes of new parents. You can answer questions the parents may have about caring for their newborn and assess the safety of the baby in the home, ensuring the families has the food and supplies it needs. Health visitors tend to visit high-risk homes more often than other homes. They can also recycle items families don't need anymore to needy families. New parents may need advice on how to baby-proof their home so the baby is in a safe environment. You also might discuss how to feed the baby or how to wash and care for the baby. Raise health awareness in the community. As a health visitor, you'll help organize special clinics or centers where people can drop in for medical advice. For example, you may organize a clinic for adolescents to drop in and talk about emotional troubles they're having. These specialty clinics are usually designed to deal with specific issues that the community is facing. You may also be responsible for setting up child immunization programs in the community, especially if there's an outbreak of communicable disease. Support children with special needs. You may work with a family that has a special needs child. In this case, you might coordinate with members of other medical or social agencies. You'll need to focus on the child with special needs to ensure they're getting the care and attention they need. You'll also need to make sure that the needs of the rest of the family are being met. In some cases, you may be working with other specialists to serve the same family. This way, one of you can focus on the child with special needs while the other can meet the needs of the family. Work with vulnerable groups in the population. As a health visitor, you might need to work with people who struggle in the community (such as setting up a clinic for homeless people or people with addictions). You should have good communication skills in order to help people who may have trouble interacting with members of the community. You will also be required to watch for cases of abuse or neglect within the community, especially when visiting with children. You may visit prostitutes to ensure they are practicing safe sex and be an educational resource for the community. | Enroll in a nursing program. Become a registered nurse. Consider becoming a midwife. Register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). Enroll in a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (HV/SN) program. Consider enrolling in a fast track program. Complete pre-employment checks. Discuss health issues with older people. Meet with new parents. Raise health awareness in the community. Support children with special needs. Work with vulnerable groups in the population. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Transplant-a-Jade-Plant | How to Transplant a Jade Plant | Transplanting your jade plant is relatively easy, but it's important to do it the right way to keep the plant healthy. Wait until early spring if you can, since it will recover more easily then. You'll need a pot 2 inches bigger than your old container with drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom 2 inches with a peat-based potting mix and perlite or builder's sand to help the soil drain quicker. You'll need to slide your plant out on its side and trim any long roots that stick out, then place it in the new pot. Fill in the spaces with more potting mix. Water it with room temperature water whenever the top soil gets dry and keep it out of direct sunlight. | Transplant the jade plant in early spring. This is the time when they are just entering a season of vigorous growth. They recover from the stress of being repotted more easily and quickly during this season. Use a heavy clay, terracotta or ceramic container. This will help to keep the plant upright. Jade plants tend to become top heavy and fall over easily. Make sure the container has at least one drain hole in the bottom. This will allow excess water to drain from the pot. If the excess water cannot drain away, it will keep the potting soil too moist and restrict air movement which can cause root rot and kill the plant. Find a container that is only 1 to 2 inches deeper and wider than the old container. Larger containers will encourage excessive root growth or hold too much soil around the roots which will keep them wet for too long. Use a peat-based potting mix with extra coarse builder’s sand or perlite added in. This will allow the soil to drain more quickly. You can mix the perlite or sand into the potting mix at a ratio of two-thirds potting mix and one-third perlite or sand. Put the new potting mix into the container at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. The top of the jade plant root mass should be about 1 inch below the top of the container after it is transplanted. Remove the jade plant from its old container. Do this by laying the pot on its side, grasping the base of the stem in your hand and sliding the roots out. Disinfect a pair of sharp scissors with a household disinfectant like Lysol. Soak them in the disinfectant for five minutes, rinse them in tap water and dry them off with a clean towel. This will kill fungal spores and bacteria that may infect the jade plant. Trim off any roots that are much longer than the root mass. Then, cut the roots off so they are even with the rest of the root mass. Trimming off these long roots will cause the plant to develop a healthier root system within the root mass. Put the jade plant in the new container. Then, fill in the spaces around the roots with potting mix. Water the jade plant with room-temperature water until it drains from the bottom. This will settle the soil around the roots and give the plant some moisture. If there is a saucer beneath the container to catch the water that drains from the hole, empty it after watering the plant. Water left in the saucer could leach back up into the potting mix and keep the roots too wet. Take special care of the jade plant for four weeks after transplanting it. The jade plant will be stressed from being transplanted and should be cared for a little differently while it recovers. Water the plant with room-temperature water when the top of the potting mix begins to dry. The jade plant needs to be watered more often than usual because the root system has been compromised and cannot absorb water efficiently. Room-temperature water will not shock the roots like cold tap water. If the jade plant is not getting enough water, its succulent leaves will begin to shrivel and may develop brown spots. Do not overwater the plant. Too much water will cause the leaves to turn yellow. Avoid giving the plant any fertilizer while the root system is recovering. The jade plant does not need fertilizer during this time and it could burn the roots. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight. As the leaves are not receiving moisture as efficiently as usual, they could be burned by too much sunlight. | Transplant the jade plant in early spring. Use a heavy clay, terracotta or ceramic container. Make sure the container has at least one drain hole in the bottom. Find a container that is only 1 to 2 inches deeper and wider than the old container. Use a peat-based potting mix with extra coarse builder’s sand or perlite added in. Put the new potting mix into the container at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Remove the jade plant from its old container. Disinfect a pair of sharp scissors with a household disinfectant like Lysol. Trim off any roots that are much longer than the root mass. Put the jade plant in the new container. Water the jade plant with room-temperature water until it drains from the bottom. Take special care of the jade plant for four weeks after transplanting it. Water the plant with room-temperature water when the top of the potting mix begins to dry. Do not overwater the plant. Avoid giving the plant any fertilizer while the root system is recovering. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-the-Area-of-a-Rhombus | How to Calculate the Area of a Rhombus | To calculate the area of a rhombus, start by multiplying the lengths of the diagonals. Then, divide your answer by 2 to get the area of the rhombus. If you don't have the lengths of the diagonals, you can find the area by multiplying the base of the rhombus by the height. | Find the length of each diagonal. The diagonals of a rhombus are the lines that connect the opposite vertices (corners) in the center of the shape. The diagonals of a rhombus are perpendicular and form four right triangles through their intersection. Let's say the diagonals are 6 cm. and 8 cm. long. Multiply the length of the diagonals. Just write down the length of the diagonals and multiply them. In this case, 6 cm x 8 cm = 48 cm. Don't forget to square the units since you're working in square units. Divide the result by 2. Since 6 cm x 8 cm = 48 cm , just divide the result by 2. 48 cm /2 = 24 cm. The area of the rhombus is 24 cm. Find the base and the height. You can also think of this as multiplying the altitude of the rhombus with the length of the side of the rhombus. Let's say the height of the rhombus is 7 cm and the base is 10 cm. Multiply the base and height. Once you know the base and height of the rhombus, all you have to do to find the area of the shape is to multiply them. So, 10 cm x 7 cm = 70 cm. The area of the rhombus is 70 cm. Square the length of any side. A rhombus has four equal sides, so it doesn't matter which side you choose. Let's say the side is 2 cm long. 2 cm x 2 cm = 4 cm. Multiply it by the sine of one of the angles. It doesn't matter which angle you choose. Let's say one of the angles is 33 degrees. Just multiply sine (33) by 4 cm to get the area of the rhombus. (2 cm) x sine (33) = 4 cm x 0.55 = 2.2 cm. The area of the rhombus is 2.2 cm. | Find the length of each diagonal. Multiply the length of the diagonals. Divide the result by 2. Find the base and the height. Multiply the base and height. Square the length of any side. Multiply it by the sine of one of the angles. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Better-Yourself | How to Better Yourself | To better yourself, start by choosing something that you want to change about yourself. Next, break the goal down into smaller, more achievable goals. For example, if your goal is “I want to stop smoking,” start with “I want to smoke less often.” Then, decide on a deadline for making that change in order to keep yourself motivated. Along with setting goals, make yourself a more interesting and well-rounded person by learning a new skill or hobby. | Break out of your norm. The very first thing you should do is break out of your normal routine. Routines make us stagnant and keep up from changing as people. How you break out of your routine will depend on you, but even small changes can help you get used to doing new things so don't be afraid to start. Practice positive thinking. Thinking negatively, about ourselves, our abilities, and the world around us, can cause us to shy away from experiences and opportunities. Stop harping on yourself and instead remind yourself of all the good things about you. Stop thinking the worst of others or only focusing on the bad things in your life and start focusing on the good things. Control your emotions. Don't let negative emotions like sadness, anger, fear, or envy ruin your life. Some experience of these emotions is natural, but letting them guide every action that you take is unhealthy and will reduce the quality of your experience of your life. Train yourself to calm down and find the good in things. Get some perspective. Sometimes we forget how good we have things. Look around you an identify people who are worse off than you. Now look at your own life and identify the good things about it. Did you find lots of examples? Look for more! Research about how other people live, either by reading or by watching tv programs or documentaries. Bring creativity into your life. Being more creative and the act of creating things can be a profoundly positive experience in your life. This lets you contribute to the world while also changing how you look at things. Draw pictures, make sculptures, write, dance, sing, sew your own clothes or find other creative outlets. No matter what it is that spurs your creativity, you only get better with practice. Be a good people person. Be nice. Don't lie. Consider the feelings of others. Be generous. Be forgiving. Basically, be a good human being. This one can be hard to do sometimes, but this is really one of the best things you can do it improve yourself and the world around you. Maya Angelou once said: "I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." Try a new hobby. Learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. This will give you something to get out and do, making you and your life more interesting and well-rounded. Pursue something you've always wanted to do and you'll be happier and more satisfied than you thought you could be. Get active. Start by getting up off the couch! Stop the sedentary lifestyle, even if you aren't going to the gym or anything. Go on walks with someone you love. Play with your kids or your younger siblings. Experience the life beyond your living room. If you feel up to the task, exercise! All of these things are good for you and will improve you as a person as well as your quality of life. Volunteer when you can. Helping other people will give you perspective, make you more respectful, increase your enjoyment of life, give you a sense of fulfillment, and (obviously) provide some good to the lives of people who really need it. You can volunteer for whatever cause speaks to you, volunteering locally, or even abroad. There are lots of options. Volunteering at homeless shelters and youth centers can provide a lot of good with a huge impact on the future and society. Habitat for Humanity is another good way to volunteer. If you have special skills, find places or ways that you could volunteer and make use of your skills. Travel to gain experience. You will change profoundly as a person when you travel and experience the different ways in which people live. If you can only travel within your country, that's okay, just make sure you're experiencing a very different kind of life than the one you're used to. Travel abroad if you can, especially in a place where you don't speak the language. Educate yourself. Another great way to better yourself is to get more education. Now, this doesn't mean going back to school. There has been a veritable revolution of free learning resources on the internet. You can pick up a skill, like computer programming or another language, or you can educate yourself on broader topics, like politics or education. With Coursera you can take entire college courses from top universities for free! You can get bite size lessons to open your mind by watching TEDTalks! WikiHow offers all sorts of learning resources. You can even spread the learning around by writing or improving an article on which you are an expert! Identify qualities you admire. Find qualities that you admire in others and that you want to learn. If you can't think of any right away, think of people that you wish you were like and think about what it is about them that you like. Are they kind? Ambitious? Hard working? These are qualities you should look for. Identify your flaws. Think about the things that you don't like about yourself. Don't focus on things like your weight, because your body is really just the container you're in, it's not who you are. Things like weight should be tackled after changing stuff like your attitude towards others, your work ethic, and your skills. Decide what you want to change. Think about what you want to change. These have to be things that you really do want to change. It's true what they say: the first part of solving a problem is admitting that you have one. Figure out what really means the most to you and what would be motivating enough to change your lifestyle. Get input. Talk to others that you trust, like lovers, friends, and family members. Tell them what you want to change about your life and why. They might have some good insight that can help you in bettering yourself, as well as a clearer view of who you are as a person. Start small, work up. Start with small goals. Don't start with something like "stop smoking". Instead, try "smoke less". Breaking goals up into smaller goals will help keep you motivated and make your goals more realistic. Decide on a timeline. Think about where these goals sit in your life priorities. This can really change how much effort you put into bettering yourself. If you don't set a deadline for a change, the goal will feel unreal and intangible, and you'll be less likely to complete it. Follow through. Start! Don't just think about goals or what you want to do, go out and do them! Want to change. Like we said, you have to really want these changes in your life, otherwise they'll never stick. You can pretend to be better in one way or another for a little while, but it will catch up to you if you don't mean it. Make changes that you want for yourself, rather than changes that someone else is forcing on you. This is the only way to really change. Have realistic expectations. Don't think that changing who you are will make your life instantly better and that everything will be perfect. That's not how life works. And changing won't be easier, either. If you go in with reasonable expectations, you'll have a much easier time sticking through the challenges. Recognize your triggers. Recognize the things that make you do things you don't like or that you want to change. Do you eat when you're stressed? Lash out at loved ones when you're angry? Find your triggers so that you can find better ways to deal with them. Set up barriers. Erect barriers to keep you from doing the things that you don't like. If you want to spend less time on the internet, get a plan that allows slower or less traffic, or only allow internet on your phone but not your computer. Basic barriers will keep you from automatically falling on old habits, as they'll ensure that doing the wrong thing would be a conscious effort, rather than an accident. Find replacements. Find something else to do instead of the thing you're trying to stop. The activities listed in the first section can work, but you can also employ smaller tricks. If you tend to get angry a lot, try singing a song inside your head. This works even better if it's a song that makes you laugh. Reward yourself. Give yourself rewards to further motivate you. Keep these small, just enough to trigger positive feelings. You don't want to be dependent on the rewards, just let them make you feel good about all the work you're putting in. Give it time. Be patient! Change takes time. It won't happen overnight and if you expect it to, you'll be very disappointed in yourself. Wait, just keep trying, and you'll get there eventually! | Break out of your norm. Practice positive thinking. Control your emotions. Get some perspective. Bring creativity into your life. Be a good people person. Try a new hobby. Get active. Volunteer when you can. Travel to gain experience. Educate yourself. Identify qualities you admire. Identify your flaws. Decide what you want to change. Get input. Start small, work up. Decide on a timeline. Follow through. Want to change. Have realistic expectations. Recognize your triggers. Set up barriers. Find replacements. Reward yourself. Give it time. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Get-in-Shape-Fast | How to Get in Shape Fast | To get in shape fast, aim to do at least 150 minutes of cardio per week, like walking, running, or swimming. Additionally, do interval training 1-2 times per week, where you alternate between short bouts of high intensity cardio with longer bouts of moderate intensity cardio. For example, alternate between sprinting and jogging to increase the amount of calories you burn. You should also do strength training at least 2 days per week, performing exercises that work the muscles in both your upper and lower body. | Set an aerobic goal. Getting in shape quickly is a vague goal. It mostly includes a desire to get in shape both aerobically and to build muscular strength. Start by setting an aerobic or cardiovascular goal. Make sure to be specific and realistic with your goals. An example of a goal could be: “I want to be able to run a 5k in two months” or “I want to be able to jog continuously for 30 minutes without walking.” Give yourself a monetary or physical reward if you reach your goals. Rewards can help keep you motivated and positive. Aim for at least 150 minutes of steady-state cardio each week. Regardless of your specific aerobic goal, you should aim to include 150 minutes of cardio exercise each week. This is the minimum amount found to have a significant benefit on your health and get you into shape. Cardio will help you reach part of your goal to get in shape. It can help you to control your weight, strengthen your heart and lungs, improve your circulation, improve your mood, and increase your chance of living a longer, healthier life. If you are just starting with exercise, do low-intensity activities for short amounts of time, like 20 to 30 minutes. Try walking, using an elliptical machine, or swimming. Once exercises become easier, increase the intensity, frequency, or duration to continue to keep your body challenged. If you currently exercise, try to do more moderate or higher intensity exercises. You can jog or run, use a stair master, do the rowing machine or take high intensity aerobic classes for periods up to 60 minutes. Always warm-up and cool down for aerobic exercise. Spend 5 minutes doing a lower intensity version of whatever exercise you plan on doing. For example, walk briskly for about 5 minutes if you plan on jogging for your workout. Do interval training one to two times a week. Whether you run, use the elliptical, sprint or do other types of cardio, you can increase the number of calories you burn by changing the intensity or alternating between higher and lower-intensity exercises. Higher intensity interval training is typically beneficial for those who currently exercise. These exercises can be very difficult and are a great way to increase your aerobic fitness quickly. In addition, these exercises are known for increased calorie burn, increased fat burning and increased metabolism. They are great for weight loss in addition to getting you in shape. Interval training is a type of exercise that alternates short bouts of high intensity exercise with longer bouts of more moderate intensity activities. You can use any aerobic activity and turn it into interval training. You can alternate between sprinting and jogging, switch up between low and high intensity cycling, or increase the intensity on an elliptical machine. Reduce the amount of time you are sedentary each day. There is more and more evidence that increased sitting during the day also increases the risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. Try to increase your activity levels during your entire day. If you want to get in shape, then moving more or walking more during the day in addition to your planned and structured activity can help to improve your fitness levels. Try walking an extra 30 minutes each day. If you do not have time to walk 30 minutes continuously, then walk for 10 minutes after each meal, or walk during your lunch break. Try to stand more at work. Invest in a sit/stand desk that allows you to raise your computer screen and keyboard. Standing burns more calories, and it can give you more energy. Remember to slowly incorporate standing, since your feet and legs can become sore. Avoid sitting in front of a television on nights and weekends. If you do watch TV, then try doing something active during this time. Do exercises during the commercial breaks or walk in place for a portion of this time. Buy a pedometer. Aim to reach the doctor-recommended goal of 10,000 steps during the course of your day. Set a weight training goal. In addition to your cardiovascular goal, set a weight training or resistance training goal. Think about whether or not you want to build muscle mass, build strength or just tone your muscles. Building bulk requires a specific weight lifting regimen. In addition, it will require a different type of diet to help support the increase in muscle mass. Building strength and toning uses different types of exercises and weights compared to when you want to build bulk. Include strength training. In addition to your cardio exercises, include a couple of days of strength training. This will round out your workouts and help get you in shape. Strength training exercises are ones that will help build strength, bulk and provide definition to your body. In addition, strength training helps increase your metabolism and body's ability to burn calories and reduce your risk for osteoporosis. Take adequate amounts of rest days. With strength training specifically, it's important to rest your muscle groups. Take a day off in-between strength training days or alternate between different muscle groups. You do not want to work the same muscle groups more than one day in a row. Improve strength in your lower body. The best lower body exercises to include to get in shape fast are compound exercises because they work multiple muscle groups all at once. Include some of the following exercises to help build strength in your lower body quickly: Squats Lunges Deadlifts Leg press Hamstring curl Calf raises Improve strength in your upper body. It is important to include compound exercises for your upper body as well. This can cut down on training time and help you get multiple muscle groups into shape more quickly. Try: Bench press Front, lateral and rear flyes Dumbbell overhead press Pushups Lat pull Power clean Rows, such as bent over dumbbell rows or barbell rows, resistance band pulls, seated rows on a machine, or cable pull rows. Include flexibility training. Stretching and flexibility training is equally important part of an exercise plan. Stretch every time you work out to help complete your workout plan. Stretching can help relieve aches and pains, improve range of motion, increase athletic performance, decrease your risk for activity-based injuries, and prevent postural problems including joint misalignments. When you're stretching, do not bounce in the position. Hold your stretch steady and only push slightly - don't push to the point where you feel pain. Hold each position for a minimum of 20 seconds. Some stretches to include are the standing side stretch, forward bend, low lunge and the seated back twist. Eat a balanced diet. Regardless of your health or wellness goal, eating a balanced diet will play a key role. This helps to ensure that you're eating enough food for your body and activity level. Eat foods from each food group every day. Choose a wide variety of foods from within each food group over the course of a week. Protein will play an especially important role in your diet when you're trying to get in shape. It will fuel your workouts and maintain your lean muscle mass. Include a 3 to 4 oz serving of protein at each meal. Also include 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. These foods are low in calories, but they will provide your body with a large quantity of essential vitamins and minerals daily. Try to include 100% whole grains in your diet. These high fiber grains are much more nutritious that refined grains like white flour. Measure out a few 1 oz or 1/2 cup servings daily. Don't skip meals. It's never advisable to skip meals. When you're trying to get in shape and increasing your physical activity levels, you'll need adequate fuel from your diet to maintain your lifestyle. You need to maintain your blood sugar and energy levels by eating healthy foods regularly, rather than skipping meals. Skipping meals regularly can result in unwanted weight loss or loss of lean muscle mass. This will make getting in shape more difficult. Include a pre- or post-workout snack. If you've increased the amount of time, duration or frequency of your workouts, you might find that you're more hungry and need to have either a pre or post workout snack. Snacks can be a healthy addition to your diet. Regardless of whether or not you're watching your weight, well-planned and nutritious snacks can fuel workouts and help improve recovery. Pre-workout snacks should be somewhat small and be mostly simple carbohydrates. These help give your body the immediate energy to get you through your workout. Try a piece of fruit, a slice of whole grain bread with jam, or a glass of low-fat milk. Include a post workout snack to help your body repair and recover. You'll need to include carbohydrates and protein. Try an apple with peanut butter, a protein shake, or just have a healthy meal. Drink adequate fluids. Like eating regular balanced meals, you'll also need to ensure you're consuming enough fluids each day to help maintain proper hydration. With increased physical activity, you will lose more water and fluids from your sweat. In addition to drinking adequate fluids for your body, you'll need to make sure you drink enough to replace the fluids lost through your activities. Most health professionals recommended consuming at least 8 to 13 glasses daily. You want to make sure your urine is light or pale yellow by the end of the day. Only drink fluids that will hydrate your body without added calories. Try water, flavored water, decaf coffee and decaf tea. | Set an aerobic goal. Aim for at least 150 minutes of steady-state cardio each week. Do interval training one to two times a week. Reduce the amount of time you are sedentary each day. Set a weight training goal. Include strength training. Improve strength in your lower body. Improve strength in your upper body. Include flexibility training. Eat a balanced diet. Don't skip meals. Include a pre- or post-workout snack. Drink adequate fluids. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-From-Being-So-Easily-Offended | How to Keep From Being So Easily Offended | The best way to keep from being so easily offended is to stay calm and say something positive to change the topic. For example, you might say, “We're all just doing our best.” Additionally, try to give the person the benefit of the doubt by considering other possible meanings for what they said or did. You can even ask them, “Did I understand this correctly?” As an alternative, you can take control of your reactions by confronting the reason why you feel offended, which allows you to work through it. | Consider your role as the offense taker. Oftentimes, taking offense is a choice. This means that our reactions to what we consider offensive should be the focus of change. If you're not sure whether or not you really are easily offended, take this test for a quick answer. How has taking offense easily shaped you? Do you expect to be offended often, causing you to be very defensive? Do you find it difficult to trust others? Avoid the trap of thinking that you're a sensitive person, and that taking offense is a hard-wired part of your personality. You may indeed be very sensitive to outside influence—most people are. But, sensitivity is different from taking others' actions personally. Ask yourself what you’re really responding to. Most often, being easily triggered involves letting lots of one's own assumptions (of motivation and aggression) color perceptions of others. Unless the world really does revolve around you, it is just an assumption that others are acting out of hatred or disdain for you. So, where do these assumptions come from? Examine your relationship with yourself. The easily bruised egos that result from feeling vulnerable and defensive usually mask fundamental insecurities and mistrust of self. Do you feel insecure about your identity or uncomfortable in your skin? Are you finding what you feel inside out in the world, in the form of an offensive comment or slight? Just because you have an intense experience of your feelings does not mean that people are being purposely malicious toward you. In fact, others can rarely tell when people around them are highly sensitive even if they wanted to purposely harm sensitive people. Question the influence of your past. Another major trigger for taking offense is seeing a behavior or hearing a phrase that reminds us of a negative past experience. We make associations between certain actions and our hurt feelings or discomfort that emerged with them at the time. Even if the person doing it means no harm, just seeing the action may cause us to become defensive and feel victimized. It is important to remember that while an action may have carried a particular meaning at some other point does not mean that this will always be the same in the future. For example, say while growing up, a school teacher scolded you for wearing a revealing shirt to school, making you feel frightened and ashamed. Upon a current friend's neutral suggestion that you bring a sweater to wear over your halter top, you could take offense and lash out at her, not quite knowing why. Recognize the role of your ideals. As humans, we all have basic emotional needs--to feel connected, safe, purposeful, and attended to. Many of us are lucky enough to grow up with the expectation that other people will be support our needs (just like our parents did). While this expectation helps us feel safe and trusting of others, it can backfire and create unrealistic ideals about how we should be treated. This is especially problematic since growing older usually involves being increasingly responsible for our own needs. Often, working on this issue means that the fulfillment of emotional needs requires better balance between yourself and others. Do you work to manage your emotional needs or expect others to conform to your ideal way of being treated? Separate your feelings from the dictates of social norms. Sometimes it's easy to get offended if you see a socially acceptable opportunity to do so. For instance, we know that talking in a library is against the rules. So, even if you are casually reading a magazine, taking offense to the talking can serve the function of getting you attention. If someone says something potentially offensive, question if you really do feel burned because their take is that important to you. You might just be martyring yourself to illuminate a faux pas or rude remark just for the hell of it--out of self-righteousness or a desire to control who says what. Lay out your values. Since there are appropriate times make issue of something that happened, journal about your values to determine which problems you really consider worthwhile. This will make you better able to know what's worth raising a fuss about and what can be let go and forgotten about. Additionally, having a stronger sense of your own values will help you feel less threatened when they are challenged. Trusting your values makes others' opinions less important. Confer with yourself. Breaking habitual ways of acting is extremely difficult. Talking yourself through your own feelings and using yourself as a springboard to consider alternative ways of thinking is an invaluable tool. You might develop little mantras to tell yourself, like "Everyone is doing the best they can to be compassionate" or "If each person doesn't prioritize her own needs, who will?" Remain calm. Allow time to pass before responding to someone you feel is offending you. If you are too easily offended, it has probably become an automatic response for you. This means that there is no time between feeling offended and responding as if you've been hurt. So, make time to pause and question whether or not you want to take offense. If the emotions are running too high to just pause, try counting to ten in your head. Learning and practicing mindfulness exercises regularly will make this step easy as pie. Mindfulness involves learning how to strategically detach from strong emotions so that more measured responses can be formulated. One mindfulness exercise is to spend time focusing on your breath. When you attend to the sensation of your breath coming and going, you gain a stronger connection to your feelings rather than pesky, automatic thoughts. Acknowledge the possible offense in order to let it go. When letting go of a habitual response like taking offense, there's no use trying to shut out your knee-jerk thoughts. Instead of ignoring what your mind is telling you, listen to it. That way you can determine for yourself whether or not to purse the offense and make a scene. If someone says that your haircut might not be the best style for you, your head might be screaming “Oh no she didn't! Give her a piece of your mind!” Hear this anger and feel your urge to lash out in response. This way you can see that as just one of many possible ways that you could respond. It's also important to see how angry you feel inside so that you can gauge your next move. For example, if you feel enraged then you may not want to respond humorously (since humor in your state might not be perceived as humor at all). Resist passing judgment. Being certain of our interpretation of what a person means or where she is coming from can turn anything into an offense. Consider great works of art; their beauty comes from the possibility of many different interpretations. No interpretation is right , but each one has the power to make us feel differently. Imagine that an acquaintance just told you that they decided to stay in instead of accepting your invitation to go together to an event. You may be tempted to make the snap judgment that the person could only have done that because he thinks you make bad choices about what events to attend. Resisting this judgment requires an open mind that is willing to ask "what might this have been about that I am not taking into consideration at this moment?" Search for alternative meanings and motivations. This can be a helpful exercise to remind yourself that even though you see and experience lots of different things from people, they are not centered on or tailored to you. You may not get to the bottom of why someone did something, but that's okay. The point is to begin to put yourself in the offender's shoes to see that taking offense too easily is needlessly detrimental for everyone involved. If someone refuses an invitation of yours, there are tons of possible reasons why he doesn't want to leave the house. He could have just received bad news, be feeling down and is too embarrassed to explain that, or just treasure his alone time (which of course has nothing to do with you). Be aware of your energy level. When we are anxious and full of energy, we tend to be less forgiving of mild offenses. This is simply because we are looking for new material in the world to “pounce on” or to attend to because, well, we can! Don't let habitual offense taking spring up and drain energy that could be put to better use, say, marveling at how differently different people express their opinions. Reply with grace. There are many different ways you might respond after someone says or does something that doesn't sit well with you. Here are some possibilities: Re-route the conversation. Let the matter drop and find a new focus. This is a good option if you feel that attempting to clear up the matter would just create more opportunities to be offended Try using your sense of humor. Even if you are not quite at the point of being able to laugh off potential offenses, try throwing your whole self back into the equation. Calmly ask for clarification. If you hear a comment that you find offensive or rude, think about asking for the person to clarify what they mean. They may have misstated what they meant, or you may have heard incorrectly. Try saying something like, "I'm not sure I understood you, can you make that comment another way?" Consider outcomes. Before you react to a slight, think about the consequences. Remember that one consequence of taking offense often is that people may begin to walk on eggshells around you or feel a little nervous discussing their thoughts or feelings. What's more, you are keeping yourself in a place of increased tension and anxiety--a harmful state for your body, even if you see other benefits to taking offense. You are also blocking yourself Use positive self-talk. Try replacing your negative thoughts with self-affirmations and positive frames of whatever situation you're going through. Letting unchecked negative thoughts stew in our minds is often the direct cause of flying into offense mode. This means letting go of situations that you are tempted to take be offended by. Ruminating over negative feelings is like making an investment in sadness. Your time is valuable, and you don't need to spend it re-living moments of fleeting discomfort. Reflect upon past situations. To cultivate an ongoing understanding of situations that tend to offend you, try journaling about some of your most memorable moments of victimhood. List 3 or 4 incidents with as much detail as possible. Push yourself to think deeply about these moments, expressing how you felt and why you took offense. Don't assume that the offense requires no explanation or is "obviously" offensive. Write why you were offended, not why anyone would take offense at the same thing. Then, write these moments down as if you are a journalist reporting an incident. Instead of writing about how you feel, try writing about what an outside observer saw. Look for patterns. Is there anything you notice across these situations? Does a particular way of being treated frequently make you indignant with consistency? Look for the deeper reasons you were offended. For example, say you are offended by someone explaining something to you that you already know. Perhaps you are offended because your ego is bruised because the person doesn't see your smarts. Can you reasonably expect that this person should spend their time keeping track of what you know and don't know? These patterns are your triggers. When something like this happens to you in the future, you will know that the moment is ideal for trying out other responses. Explore the thoughts that justify offense-taking. We typically justify or "prop up" our actions and beliefs with thoughts that rationalize them. What thoughts about what should and shouldn't be the case allow you to claim offense? What makes you think it's a proper response? Maybe you are offended because someone comes to your house-warming party without bringing a gift. The thoughts that might support taking offense could be ideas like: "Bringing a gift is the only way to show warmth." "A gift for me should be this person's priority regardless of other financial obligations." "I need to receive tokens from others to know that I am loved and supported". Choose to privilege yourself over the “offender”. When it comes down to it, we can either spend our time trying to get others to adjust their behavior or work on our own reactions. Trying to change others is a weighty task because people are always changing, surprising us—not to mention how many there are out there. What's more, trying to change others amounts to controlling others. Ethical issues abound. When you work on your reactions, you are making yourself a more flexible and joyous person who can handle more of the world with ease. Taking the “high road” is not just more noble, but actually more beneficial to your ability to cope with everyday life. | Consider your role as the offense taker. Ask yourself what you’re really responding to. Question the influence of your past. Recognize the role of your ideals. Separate your feelings from the dictates of social norms. Lay out your values. Confer with yourself. Remain calm. Acknowledge the possible offense in order to let it go. Resist passing judgment. Search for alternative meanings and motivations. Be aware of your energy level. Reply with grace. Consider outcomes. Use positive self-talk. Reflect upon past situations. Look for patterns. Explore the thoughts that justify offense-taking. Choose to privilege yourself over the “offender”. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Unfinished-Wood | How to Clean Unfinished Wood | With a gentle hand and the right tools, you can easily clean your unfinished wood without damaging it. All you'll need is a soft brush, vacuum cleaner, and a microfiber cloth. Use your brush to gently wipe any debris from the cracks and crevices of your wood. Then, vacuum up the dirt and wipe your wood with a microfiber cloth to pick up any surface dirt. Avoid using water, since this can damage your wood. You should do this at least once a week to keep your unfinished wood clean. To remove any grime or stains, try using a stiffer brush. You can also use an adhesive rubber, which will pick up dirt as you roll it over your wood surface. | Use a soft brush. A soft brush is good for brushing away small pieces of debris trapped inside the grooves and ridges of the unfinished wood. Use the soft brush to gently wipe away anything caught in the crevices and then vacuum it up. For best results, use a gentle flicking motion with the bristles of the brush on the surface of the wood. A soft brush will also prevent damage to the wood because it employs a gentle touch. Additionally, you can use a microfiber mop or broom. Wipe the wood with a microfiber cloth. Using a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface of a piece of unfinished wood is a simple and easy technique for cleaning the wood. This method is best for surface dirt that is not ingrained very deeply. Just run the microfiber cloth along the surface of the wood to pick up any excess dust and dirt. Make sure the microfiber cloth is clean ahead of time. You can wash it in the sink with soap and water (and then let it fully air dry) or you can wash it in the washing machine and toss it in the dryer before use. Perform routine cleaning. In order to keep your unfinished wood from needing more aggressive cleaning techniques, it's best to perform regular cleaning maintenance. If you let the wood remain untreated, you will eventually be forced to do more potentially damaging treatments to get the wood clean. This means that you should dust or sweep your unfinished wood often (at least once a week), as well as wiping it down with a microfiber cloth a couple of times each month. Clean with a vacuum and a stiff brush. Using a stiffer brush on the surface of your unfinished wood may be more useful for wood that has dirt and other debris more deeply ingrained in the grain of the wood. Wipe the unfinished wood and vacuum up any fragments that become loose. Be careful not to rub the stiff bristles on the wood to harshly, as this may damage the wood. This method is most effective on unfinished wood that is already in good condition. Use adhesive rubber. This natural rubber product is often used to clean unfinished wood. It is very sticky and pliable, meaning that it can be forced into the smaller crevices on the surface of the wood and the dirt will be attracted to it and stick to the rubber. Apply the rubber to the surface and gently knead it to work it into the grain of the wood. As it becomes darker (this means it is attracting a lot of dirt), you can tear off the top layer to reveal fresh layers to do more work. This method is especially effective for areas that are harder to reach with other cleaning techniques. Employ erasing compounds. Erasing compounds are elements used to remove dirt from bare wood surfaces. Simply apply a small amount of the erasing compound on the surface of the unfinished wood and use some cotton balls to work the cleaning material into the grain of the wood. Gently swirl the cotton balls in circular motions for best results. Once finished, vacuum up the remnants of the erasing compound from the surface of the wood. Be sure to avoid rubbing the wood too harshly as this could cause damage. Once the erasing compound turns grey in color, it is no longer effective and you should reapply. Apply mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are a kind of solvent that painters often use when cleaning their used painting brushes. Dampen a towel with the solution and gently wipe the surface of your unfinished wood. Be sure to wear gloves while you are handling the mineral spirits and avoid directly inhaling the fumes. Because this is a type of liquid treatment, you must be very careful and apply the mineral spirits sparingly to avoid damaging the wood. Avoid wet cleaning methods. Water can be extremely damaging to unfinished wood. Being exposed to water can cause unfinished wood to swell or become warped in size and shape. At the very least, it will most likely leave you with a finished product that is different from what you expected or intended to happen. Using a wet cleaning method can also cause the wood to become harder to finish later, if that is part of your eventual plan for the unfinished wood. Test your cleaning method. In order to avoid potentially damaging your unfinished wood, you should try to test your proposed cleaning method beforehand. Choose a small, inconspicuous piece of the wood that won't be too noticeable if you do accidentally damage the wood. Try to choose a piece that is on the backside of the wood or otherwise less visible for your testing. Additionally, choosing several small pieces to test ahead of time will also help ensure that your chosen cleaning method will result in an overall consistent surface for the finished product. Be gentle. When you are cleaning unfinished wood, it is very important to work slowly and to use a gentle hand. The finish or varnish applies to many types of wood protects it from the elements and from being damaged very easily. Without this, unfinished wood is quite susceptible to scratches and other kinds of destruction. Use cation when brushing the surface of the wood or using the vacuum on the wood. Being too rough can cause visible and lasting imperfections. | Use a soft brush. Wipe the wood with a microfiber cloth. Perform routine cleaning. Clean with a vacuum and a stiff brush. Use adhesive rubber. Employ erasing compounds. Apply mineral spirits. Avoid wet cleaning methods. Test your cleaning method. Be gentle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Motivated | How to Stay Motivated | To stay motivated, break up your goals into smaller, achievable tasks so you can check stuff off your to-do list as you go and feel like you're accomplishing things. Also, decide on a reward for yourself that you'll get when you complete your to-do list, like a meal at your favorite restaurant or spending time with friends. You should also schedule yourself regular breaks, even if they're just for 10-15 minutes. Breaks will keep you from getting overwhelmed, and they'll give you something to look forward to so you stay motivated! | Remind yourself of your goals. Usually before devoting time to any specific endeavor, we tend to make short- and long-term goals. Remember to keep your goals realistic, that way you wont be disheartened if you don't reach them. That doesn't mean you can't push and challenge yourself though, if you don't challenge yourself, then it's not really a goal. If you start to lose sight of your goals, then you may be less motivated than if you were always checking to see how much closer you are getting throughout the whole process. Keeping track of your goals and checking your progress can help keep you motivated day in and day out. Make weekly checkpoints to track your progress. Everyone needs to see how they are keeping up with their goals if they want to stay motivated. If you see that you are on track or even excelling every time you check your progress, you will be motivated and happy that you are getting there. If you see that you are lagging on your goals, it may be the kick start you need to help get you back on track. Make sure to reward yourself every time you achieve your weekly goals. This could be as simple as a bowl of ice cream after a long, hard week of working out or as rewarding as a trip to the spa for all your hard work. Whatever rewards will keep you going are the ones you should be giving yourself. Give yourself breaks. Sometimes even the most determined people get overwhelmed. You may be burning yourself out, and a much-needed break might be just what you need. If it is a fitness goal, maybe take a three- or four-day rest instead of your normal one or two-day rest. If it is at school, don't try to do all your work in one sitting, but stretch it out over the course of the day or week, if possible. Don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone falls short sometimes. If you fail to meet your goals for the week, take it as a lesson. Try to complete your next target before time, so that you can use the saved time to complete the pending work. This way you stay right on schedule even if you have taken a hit. It's not always about how hard you hit, but how well you can take a hard hit and keep moving on. Don't dwell on failure; just accept it as a human occurrence, and continue working towards your goals. Watch and read motivational stories or speeches. Everyone deserves a great pep talk every once in a while. Stay elevated by watching YouTube videos of inspirational moments so you can suddenly feel a new sense of motivation to keep striving. Here are just a few example of easily-found inspirational media: Mary Schmich's famous "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" speech. Almost any Hollywood sports movie. Much rap music - "rags to riches" is a common lyrical theme. Historical stories of bravery or courage (see: Jack Churchill, Audie Murphy, etc.) Eliminate your distractions. Identify anything that's causing you to procrastinate, then get rid of it. Sell it or put it in a storage locker. Move away from it. Throw it away. You can't become motivated if you're squandering all of your time. If you're spending too much time aimlessly browsing the internet, install a "productivity" extension in your browser. These free extensions allow you to block certain sites and/or set time limits for recreational browsing. Raise the stakes for yourself. Hold yourself accountable in your own eyes and the eyes of others. Set personal penalties for yourself if you don't act throw out some delicious cookies you've been saving or make a donation to charity. Tell your friends and family about things you plan on doing. If you don't do these things, they'll know, and you'll be embarrassed - now you have a great reason to get started! Write yourself little notes to keep you motivated or set a reminder on your phone that reminds you every 20 minutes of a task you need to accomplish. This might get annoying enough to make you actually do it. Take some caffeine. Only you know where to draw the line in terms of dosage - one person's typical morning brew might make another jittery and unfocused all day. A low to moderate dose can make you feel alert, oriented, and focused. If you've already got a caffeine addiction - that is, you need caffeine just to function normally - you might be out of luck! Stay away from more powerful stimulants unless a doctor has prescribed them for a specific condition. They can be extremely habit-forming if used carelessly. Move your body. Go for a short run, do some jumping jacks, or shadowbox. Even light physical exercise can affect our moods, making us feel more active and dynamic. Exercise has even been shown to thwart depression and low self-image - both hurdles to personal motivation efforts. Break your task into manageable pieces. If you're having serious motivation problems, breaking one large task into many small tasks can make it much easier to approach psychologically. Because we get a feeling of accomplishment from completing each step of the task, this trick can increase motivation substantially. Sometimes, all that's needed to gain the momentum to tackle the whole project is to complete the first simple step. Surprise yourself. Even tremendously motivated people can be driven to lethargy and inaction if they have to perform tedious, repetitive tasks for weeks or months on end. Break up the monotony with spontaneous and out-of-the-ordinary activities. Try to create an internal sense of unpredictability - even you don't know exactly what you'll do tomorrow. This can ease the psychological tedium of work that is the same day after day. Here are just a few ideas you might want to experiment with: Spend a lunch break at a scenic place outdoors. Have an impromptu soccer game with friends or coworkers. Surprise your workplace with some home cooking. Take a friend or significant other out for a night on the town, even if there's no special occasion. Change your personal style. Cultivate a drastically different look, then wait for reactions from your friends and coworkers. | Remind yourself of your goals. Make weekly checkpoints to track your progress. Make sure to reward yourself every time you achieve your weekly goals. Give yourself breaks. Don't be too hard on yourself. Watch and read motivational stories or speeches. Eliminate your distractions. Raise the stakes for yourself. Take some caffeine. Move your body. Break your task into manageable pieces. Surprise yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Relax-Your-Eyes | How to Relax Your Eyes | The easiest way to relax your eyes is to close them for 3-second intervals 5 times in a row. After you've closed them 5 times, close them again and keep them shut for 1 minute. While your eyes are closed, focus on your breathing. Gently rub your closed eyes with your fingertips to soothe them and cover your eyes to block out the light around you. | Close your eyes. Do this sitting up to prevent yourself from falling asleep. Close them as tightly as you can to help your eyes relax. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then quickly open your eyes. Repeat it three to five times to help your eyes relax. After doing it quickly a few times, close your eyes very tightly and hold the pose for about a minute. Focus on your breathing to help you relax even further. Rub your eyes while they are closed. Rub your eyes very gently with your fingertips, as if almost tickling them. Then, cover your eyes completely with the palms of your hand to block out any light. Make sure your hands are clean before doing this, and wash them if necessary, to prevent picking up an infection. Rubbing your eyes can help to relax them, and following this with total darkness can have a very soothing effect. Use your palms to apply heat to your eyes. Your eyes are very sensitive so not much heat is required to have a noticeable impact. Simply rub the palms of your hands together to create friction, and then gently place your warm hands over your eyes while they are closed. The heat can have a very soothing effect. Note to always wash your hands first to prevent the spread of infection (as touching your hands to your eyes without washing them first is one of the fastest ways to catch a cold). Try relaxation eye exercises. There are a number of exercises you can try to help your eyes relax. Not all of these work for everyone, but by trial and error you can see which ones work for you. Try blinking. Particularly when looking at a computer screen, which can be straining on the eyes, practice blinking every four seconds. See if this helps to relax your eyes. Roll your eyes. Close your eyes, and then roll your eyes in all directions. This can provide a very relaxing sensation, almost like a massage, and also can ease the tension in your eye muscles. Try "visual scanning." Especially if you have been focusing on close-up objects like a computer screen for a long time, spend some time focusing on far away objects. Look to the corners of the room and take note of the visual detail of your surroundings (this is called "scanning"). Take a break. Especially if you do large amounts of computer work during your day, it can take a toll on your eyes. It is exhausting for your eyes to focus on the screen for long periods of time, but unfortunately, it can be hard to escape in today's day and age. Stand up and take a walk around during lunch break to give your eyes a chance to look around and focus on other things without having a screen right in front of them. This will make it much more manageable to get through your day with less strain on your eyes. Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Limit screen time. Since the main culprit for eye strain is today's culture is time spent in front of a computer, a TV, a cell phone, or another device with a screen, finding alternatives such as reading a paper book rather than reading on your iPad can be a huge help. Also, to reduce the harmful effects of screen time that cannot be avoided (such as on your computer at work), try positioning the screen lower and using an anti-glare screen to diminish the strain on your eyes. Wash your eyes with cold water frequently. Try this once in the morning, once in the evening, and any time during the day that you feel your eyes are particularly sore or strained. Cold water has a soothing effect that can help your eyes to relax. Another option is to apply cold cucumber slices over each eye, and to leave them on for 5-10 minutes. The coolness, as well as the chance to relax your eyes by keeping them shut, can make a noticeable difference. See a doctor. If you are having continued eye strain that is bothering you in your day-to-day life, consult your physician. It is possible that you have a vision problem, or another eye condition, that may be contributing to the discomfort and/or tension you feel. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry, and to see a doctor to ensure that nothing more serious is going on (as well as to obtain appropriate medical treatment if needed). | Close your eyes. Rub your eyes while they are closed. Use your palms to apply heat to your eyes. Try relaxation eye exercises. Take a break. Limit screen time. Wash your eyes with cold water frequently. See a doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Metaphor | How to Write a Metaphor | To write a metaphor, think about what you're trying to describe and the tone you want to create. Next, spend a few minutes brainstorming and write down whatever imaginative descriptions and associations come to mind. Then, write a few sentences comparing your original topic to some of your brainstormed descriptions. Focus on the ideas and imagery that stand out to you, then transform your comparisons into metaphors. Play around with the language and see where your creativity leads you! | Understand what a metaphor is. The word “metaphor” derives from the ancient Greek word metapherein , which meant “to carry over” or “to transfer.” A metaphor “carries” meaning from one concept to another by stating or implying that one of them is the other (whereas a simile compares two things by saying one is “like” or “as” the other). To know what to aim for, it may help to look at a few famous examples. The last line of The Great Gatsby contains a very famous metaphor: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The poet Khalil Gibran used many metaphors in his poetry, including this one: “All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.” William Gibson's cyberpunk novel Neuromancer opens with the line: “The sky above the port was the color of television, turned to a dead channel.” Sylvia Plath's poem “Cut” uses metaphor to convey a painful experience in a curious tone: What a thrill— My thumb instead of an onion. The top quite gone Except for a sort of hinge Of skin.... A celebration this is. Out of a gap A million soldiers run, Redcoats every one. Understand what a metaphor isn’t. There are many other figures of speech that create associations of meaning between two concepts, including simile , metonymy , and synecdoche. However, while these are similar to metaphor, they work a little differently. A simile has two parts: the “tenor” (the thing being described) and the “vehicle” (the thing/s used to describe it). In the simile “the brownie was so overcooked that it tasted like charcoal,” the brownie is the tenor and the charcoal is the vehicle. Unlike metaphors, similes use “as” or “like” to signal their comparisons, and thus they're usually considered a little weaker in effect. A metonymy substitutes the name of one thing for the idea of another that is closely related to it. For example, in many countries the system of royal power invested in a monarch is simply called “the crown,” and in the United States the presidential administration and its authority are often just called “the White House.” A synecdoche refers to a larger concept by using a part of that concept, as in the use of the phrase “hired hands” for “laborers” or referring to one's car as “my wheels.” Understand the types of metaphors. While the basic idea of a metaphor is quite simple, metaphors can operate on a variety of levels from very simple to very complex. Simple metaphors may state the comparison between two things outright, as in the example “He may seem mean, but he's really a cupcake.” In literature, however, metaphors are often extended across sentences or even scenes. Sustained , or extended/telescoping metaphors span across several phrases or sentences. Their accumulative nature makes them very forceful and vivid. The narrator of Dean Koontz's novel Seize the Night uses a sustained metaphor to describe his wild imagination: “Bobby Halloway says my imagination is a three-hundred-ring circus. Currently, I was in ring two hundred and ninety-nine, with elephants dancing and clowns cartwheeling and tigers leaping through rings of fire. The time had come to step back, leave the main tent, go buy some popcorn and a Coke, bliss out, cool down.” Implied metaphors are more subtle than simple metaphors. Whereas a simple metaphor might say that a person seems mean, but is really “a cupcake,” an implied metaphor would attribute cupcake-like characteristics to the person: “He can seem mean until you get to know him, and then you find out he's all gooey and fluffy inside.” Dead metaphors are metaphors that have become so common in everyday speech that they've lost the power they once had because they're too familiar to us: “raining cats and dogs,” “heart of stone,” “tie up loose ends,” “red tape.” Clichés, on the other hand, are phrases often used to convey significant meanings. In the case of “red tape,” legal documents used to be bundled with red tape (or ribbon) before being sent away to various offices, so a process getting caught up in “red tape” referred to a document that was still waiting to be examined. Recognize mixed metaphors. A “mixed” metaphor combines elements of multiple metaphors into a single unit, often with awkward or hilarious results. The example, “Wake up and smell the coffee on the wall,” mixes two familiar metaphorical sayings that contain similar commands to pay attention to something: “Wake up and smell the coffee” and “Read the writing on the wall.” Catachresis is the formal term for mixed metaphors, and some writers use them intentionally to create confusion, impart a sense of the absurd, or express a powerful or inexpressible emotion. The poem somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond by e.e. cummings uses catachresis to express how it's impossible to put his love for his beloved into words that make sense: “The voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses -- / nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands….” Catachresis can also be used to demonstrate a character's confused or contradictory state of mind, as in the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy from William Shakespeare's Hamlet : Hamlet wonders “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them?” Obviously, you can't really take up arms to fight against a sea, but the mixed-up metaphor helps communicate how troubled Hamlet feels. Understand how metaphors work. Used wisely, metaphors can enrich your language and enhance your meaning. They can communicate a world of meaning in just a few words (like this sentence just did with “world of meaning”). They also encourage active reading and ask your reader to interpret your writing in his or her own way. Metaphors can communicate emotion behind actions. For example, the phrase “Julio's eyes blazed” is more vivid and intense than “Julio's eyes looked angry.” Metaphors can convey immense, complex ideas in a few words. In one version of his long poem Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman tells his readers that they are actually the greatest poetry: “your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face.” Metaphors can encourage originality. It's easy to rely on everyday language to convey ideas: a body is a body, an ocean is an ocean. But metaphors allow you to convey a simple idea with creativity and expressiveness, something that the ancient Germanic people known as Anglo-Saxons were very fond of: “body” becomes “bone-house” and “ocean” becomes “whale-road”. Metaphors show off your genius. Or at least, Aristotle says so (and who are we to argue?) in his Poetics : “But the greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor. It is the one thing that cannot be learnt from others; and it is also a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an intuitive perception of the similarity in dissimilars.” Read as many examples as you can find. There's no better way to understand how metaphors work, and decide what metaphors make the strongest connection with you, than to read works that use them well. Many authors use metaphors, so no matter what your literary tastes are, you can probably find some excellent examples. If you don't mind difficult reading, very few writers in English used metaphor as well as the 16th-century poet John Donne: poems like “The Flea” and his Holy Sonnets employ intricate metaphors to describe experiences like love, religious faith, and death. The speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., are also famous for their skillful use of metaphor and other rhetorical devices. King's “I have a dream” speech uses metaphor extensively, such as the idea of Black Americans living on “a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.” Think imaginatively about what you're trying to describe. What characteristics does it have? What does it do? How does it make you feel? Does it have a smell or taste? Brainstorm by writing down whatever descriptions come to mind. Don't get bogged down by obvious details; metaphor is all about thinking outside the box. For example, if you want to write a metaphor about "time," try writing down as many characteristics as possible: slow, fast, dark, space, relativity, heavy, elastic, progress, change, man-made, evolution, time-out, timer, race, run. Don't self-edit too heavily in this step; your goal is to generate a bunch of information for yourself to use. You can always scrap ideas that don't work later. Free-associate. Jot down lots of other things that share some of these qualities, but again, don't be too linear; the less obvious the association, the more interesting the metaphor. If you're writing a metaphor about a concept, flex your brain by trying to equate it with an object. For example, if your topic is justice, ask yourself what kind of animal it would be. Avoid clichés. As Salvador Dalí said, “The first man to compare the cheeks of a young woman to a rose was obviously a poet; the first to repeat it was possibly an idiot.” The goal of metaphors should be to convey your meaning with impact and originality in a compact package: the single intense bite of sea-salted caramel chocolate gelato vs. a whole bowl of bland vanilla froyo. This is a brainstorming activity, so let your imagination run wild! For the "time" example, free-associations could be ideas like: rubber band, space, 2001, abyss, enemy, ticking clock, weight, wait, loss, adaptation, changes, stretching, returning. Decide what kind of mood you’d like to set. Is there a particular tone you'd like to set or maintain? Does your metaphor need to suit the larger context of whatever it is you're writing? Use this to weed associations out of your list. For the "time" example, let's go with "celestial/spiritual" for the mood. Eliminate ideas that don't fit with that mood as you develop your ideas: for the "time" example, you might scratch out enemy, 2001, weight, and ticking clock, as these are all fairly "earthly" ideas. Try to keep the nuances of your chosen topic in mind. For example, if you're comparing the concept of justice to an animal, a “prowling leopard” conveys a very different idea of what you mean by “justice” than an image like a “weary elephant.” Both of these are probably still more apt than using a “newborn kitten,” though. Run with it. Write a few sentences, a paragraph, or a page comparing your original topic to some of the associations you came up with. Don't worry about forming metaphors just yet; focus on the ideas and see where they take you. For the "time" example, this step could generate a sentence like the following: "Time is the rubber band, shooting me out into the unknown then bringing me back to center." This sentence has taken one of the ideas from Step 2 and has started attributing concrete actions and characteristics to it -- the starting-place of a metaphor. Read everything aloud. Since metaphor draws attention to the mechanics of the language, it's important that your phrasing literally sound right. A metaphor conveying softness shouldn't have a lot of harsh consonants; one describing depth might include deeper vowel tones ( ohh and umm ); one conveying redundancy might include alliteration (i.e. repeated sounds); etc. In the example sentence generated in Step 4, the basic idea is there, but the words don't have much power behind them. For example, there's very little alliteration, which might be useful to employ if you want to convey a sense of repetition. The idea of the "rubber band" also suggests something or someone firing the rubber band, which detracts from the metaphor's focus on Time performing the action. Transform your comparisons into metaphors. Write a metaphorical sentence equating your original topic with one of your other objects or concepts. Does it make sense? Is it original? Does the sound match the feeling? Will a different one sound better? Don't accept the first thing that works; be willing to discard an idea if a better one comes to mind. For example, adding in alliteration and providing an action for Time that is more independent could result in a sentence like this: "Time is an endless rollercoaster ride; it stops for no one." Now, the focus is entirely on time, and the alliteration of the repeated r sound adds to the sense of repetition that the metaphor's getting at. Stretch your ideas. Metaphors are often used as nouns -- “her face was a picture,” “every word was a fist” -- but they can also be employed as other parts of speech, often with surprising and powerful effects. Using metaphors as verbs can give actions more punch (sometimes literally!): “The news clutched her throat in its iron fist” expresses a more intense feeling than “She felt like she couldn't breathe.” Using metaphors as adjectives and adverbs can vividly characterize objects, people, and concepts in just a few words: “The teacher's carnivorous pen devoured the student essays and belched up the occasional bloodstained comment” conveys the idea that the teacher's pen (itself a metonym for the teacher) is tearing these essays apart and eating them, leaving only a mess of blood and guts once it's finished. Using metaphors as prepositional phrases can describe the feel of actions as well the thoughts behind them: “Emily examined her sister's outfit with a surgeon's eye” suggests that Emily believes she's a trained expert in fashion, that she has a meticulous eye for detail, and that she sees her sister's outfit as a potential disease to be cut off if necessary (perhaps not something that makes her sister happy). Using metaphors as appositives (nouns or noun phrases that rename a nearby noun) or modifiers can add literary polish and creativity to your work: “Homer Simpson sidled onward, a yellow-domed pear wearing pants.” | Understand what a metaphor is. Understand what a metaphor isn’t. Understand the types of metaphors. Recognize mixed metaphors. Understand how metaphors work. Read as many examples as you can find. Think imaginatively about what you're trying to describe. Free-associate. Decide what kind of mood you’d like to set. Run with it. Read everything aloud. Transform your comparisons into metaphors. Stretch your ideas. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-Defeat-Gracefully | How to Accept Defeat Gracefully | To accept defeat gracefully, shake hands with your opponent and congratulate them, whether you've lost a fight or a debate, which shows you respect them. You should also try to avoid blaming yourself or someone else, or letting emotions, like anger or frustration, take control of you. If you get into a discussion with your opponent, focus on their strengths by praising them for a particularly effective move or technique to show you rate their performance highly. Afterwards, remember to continue pursuing your favorite game or passion, since you can use the experience of failure to improve your abilities. | Become aware of your emotions. Think about what you just experienced, and try to understand how you are currently responding to it. If you are angry, ask yourself why you are angry. If you are disappointed, ask yourself what you hoped to achieve. Before you accept or control your emotions, you must first understand them. Think about how you would have felt if you had not been defeated. Compare the two states, and consider what remains the same between the two outcomes. Consider writing your thoughts down. Speak to a trusted friend or family member about your feelings. You probably know how you best process emotions – so do what you need to do to come to terms with the situation. Validate yourself. Tell yourself that there is no way to "feel wrong". No emotion is inherently good or bad. They simply are, and it's healthy to embrace them. Acknowledge the fact that whatever you are feeling is entirely acceptable. Bear in mind that while it is important to embrace emotions, it may be unwise to follow certain feelings (such as anger or self-loathing) to their logical conclusions. Keep perspective. You may not have been able to prevent your defeat, but you can control your reaction towards it. Take a deep breath, and try to be as levelheaded as possible. Remind yourself that what has happened has happened, and that you cannot change it. This attitude will allow you to be flexible and adaptable – and you may find yourself better at handling negativity and loss in future situations. Remember that life goes on one defeat may not be important in the larger scheme of things. Don't take yourself too seriously. A situation can always be worse. Consider whether there is a silver lining that you haven't yet seen. Try to find the humor in what has happened, and keep a smile on your face – even though it may be hard for you to crack a natural smile. You may find that the situation is funnier, smaller, or more absurd once you take a step back from your personal investment. Let go of defeat. When you fail, your emotions can distort your perspective. Do not linger on what happened, and do not let your defeat continue to defeat you. You might feel yourself welling up with anger, frustration, or indignation: feelings that, in this case, will only feed themselves. Learn to recognize these non-accepting emotions, catch hold of them, and cast them aside. You can move on by letting go, or you can move on by seeking retribution. Letting go will release you from your defeat, while the quest for retribution will only tie you to the defeat. Let go of self-judgment. Accept that failure is merely a part of life. People have and will always deal with defeat – it is a matter of perspective. If your opponent is being a poor sport, don't lash out. It doesn't change the fact that they won, and it damages your image. Lose with grace. Show respect to whomever or whatever has defeated you. Shake hands with your opponent, and congratulate her on a job well done. Whether you lost a fight, a debate, or a competition, try not to resort to pettiness. You won't be able to reverse the results by complaining about them, or by acting bitter toward the winner. Be as polite and gracious as possible. Thank them for their time and congratulate them on their skills and their win. If you are a gracious loser, the victor will likely feel uncomfortable boasting about their win in front of you. This changes the situation from a winner-loser game to a moment between two people who respect each other and have just finished an enjoyable pastime. Don't let judgment get to you. If others will judge you for being defeated, let them do so. You know who you are, and you don't need to justify yourself to someone else who doesn't know your heart. Be your own center. Losing with class turns your loss into a much bigger victory than any win would. Others have a responsibility to encourage everyone to participate. If they forget their role, you must not forget yours. Be excited about pursuing your interests. If your opponent is mocking you, that means they're worried that you might be motivated by your loss. Ignore them; the more you listen to them, the more you accept their words as fact. Do not lay blame. If you blame another person, group, or set of circumstances for your defeat, you will keep yourself from accepting what happened. If you blame yourself, you will make yourself miserable, and you'll miss out on the chance to grow from the experience. Try to take the situation exactly as it is: what happened, happened, and no amount of blaming will reverse that. Think about what happened. Did practice prepare you for the situation you faced? Did your team communicate well? Whatever the case, try to address it at the next practice. Focus on admiring how well your opponent played rather than your own defeat. Praise them for a particularly clever or effective move. This has the added benefit of letting you take effective strategies from them and figure out flaws in their strategy. If your opponent cheated, wait until you've calmed down; then, talk to those in charge. Don't make a scene; after all, you're supposed to be the honorable one, and you may ruin your case if you act rashly. Admit that you were wrong. If you lost a debate or an argument, you can improve your image by admitting that you were wrong or defeated. Consider apologizing, acknowledging your mistake, or explaining how you were wrong; after all, it's more shameful and immature to cling to what's wrong than admitting someone else is right. Consider that we all make mistakes and are wrong at many points in our lives. It's part of our development, and a large part of what helps us mature. You will lose credibility if you handle the situation in a petty and immature way. If you respond positively, onlookers and your opponent will see that you can accept when you're wrong. Try to learn from what happened. If you can take loss as a learning experience rather than an abject failure, then you can transcend what happened and move on with your life. You may have been defeated, but you need not be defeatist. If you finish tall, reflect and learn, and move on with a smile on your face, you haven't been defeated. You've grown, and you've been taught a lesson. If you carry yourself in the same way any other time you are defeated, you'll find it easier and easier every time – and you may come to realize that you've won in a different way: by improving yourself, and by learning. Try to take it as a premise that failure has a role in your journey. Ask yourself about the purpose of this failure; what you can learn from it; and why it happened. Think about why you failed, and whether you could have done anything. Ask yourself whether you unconsciously forced yourself to fail because you are unsure of the goal you're trying to reach. Improve on your mistakes. Think back on what happened, and look for lessons. Analyse the situation objectively. Figure out what you can realistically do to stop this from happening again – and make it actionable. Focus on the future. The more you focus on your next win, the better you may feel about your last defeat. Not all winners have won their first match. If you don't accept defeat gracefully, you will act rashly. People may notice if you don't handle your loss in a mature way. Keep playing the game. No matter what led to your defeat, make sure that you don't let it stop you from doing what you love. Most people come up against failure at one point or another – including (and perhaps especially) winners. You'll never improve if you don't keep trying, and you may regret it later if you quit based on this one defeat. Failure is an important part of growing and getting better at what you do. Many people fail their way to success. Thomas Edison failed many times before inventing the light bulb, but he was able to persevere forward. When you finally do win, take some time to reflect. How have your failures helped you? You'll feel far more satisfied when you have all that struggle behind you. | Become aware of your emotions. Validate yourself. Keep perspective. Don't take yourself too seriously. Let go of defeat. Lose with grace. Don't let judgment get to you. Do not lay blame. Focus on admiring how well your opponent played rather than your own defeat. Admit that you were wrong. Try to learn from what happened. Improve on your mistakes. Keep playing the game. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Get-Enough-Protein-As-a-Vegetarian | How to Get Enough Protein As a Vegetarian | If you're worried about getting enough protein as a vegetarian, try to incorporate protein-rich vegetables, like green peas, kale, broccoli, and cooked mushrooms, into your meals. When you eat rice, bread and pasta, stick to the whole grain versions instead of refined ones, since these contain much more protein. You can also get plenty of protein from legumes, such as split peas, lentils, kidney beans, and tofu products. When you fancy a protein-rich snack, go for nuts and seeds, like almonds, cashews, pistachios, and walnuts. Another protein-rich option is eggs, which you can include in lots of popular dishes. However, avoid eating more than 7 eggs a week to avoid high cholesterol. | Determine your protein needs. How much protein you need on a daily basis depends on your calorie requirements. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 g of protein for every kilogram of body weight. This RDA is for adults with a sedentary lifestyle. For an RDA that is tailored to your body and activity level, use an online calculator ( http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/fnic/interactiveDRI/ ) or use the equations below. If you have your weight in kilograms, simply multiply it by 0.8 to find your protein RDA. For example, if you weigh 63 kg, you need to consume 50.4 g (63 x 0.8) of protein per day. If you have your weight in pounds, you must first convert to kilograms. Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. For example, if you weigh 145 pounds, that converts to about 66 kg (145 ÷ 2.2). Multiply that amount by 0.8 to find your RDA of protein: 66 x 0.8 = 52.8 g of protein per day. For sedentary adults, it is recommended that you get 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight per day (0.4g/lb). Strength athletes (those who regularly strength train, like bodybuilders or linemen) should usually get 1.2 – 1.7g/kg of body weight per day (0.5 – 0.8g/lb). Endurance athletes (such as cross-country runners) should usually get 1.2 – 1.4g/kg of body weight per day (0.5 – 0.6g/lb). Learn what's allowed on a vegetarian diet. Vegetarians traditionally do not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but some types of vegetarians may eat dairy products and eggs. Vegans only eat food that comes from plant material. Anything that comes from an animal (meat, dairy, eggs, honey) is strictly off limits to vegans. Some vegans follow this diet for health reasons, and others do it for ethical ones. Either way, it can be hard to get enough protein on this diet, so you have to plan your meals well. The major food sources from which the vegetarian diet draws are: Vegetables Fruits Grains (bread, pasta, rice, quinoa) Legumes (beans) Nuts and seeds Soy substitutes for meat and dairy products Eggs (omit if vegan) Dairy (omit if vegan) Consider eating complementary proteins. It used to be recommended that all vegetarians eat "complementary" proteins, such as rice with beans, in order to get all the necessary amino acids that meat protein contains; however, health experts now advise simply eating a wide variety of protein sources every day. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) indicates that eating an assortment of plant-based proteins throughout your day provides all the essential amino acids and also ensures adequate nitrogen retention for healthy adults. If you have a health condition or weakened immune system, consult with your doctor or a registered dietician to see whether you should use complementary proteins at meals. If you are a vegan, you should make sure that you incorporate plenty of beans and soy into your diet to make sure that you get enough of the amino acid lysine. Lacto and lacto-ovo vegetarians appear generally to meet protein and lysine requirements with their diets. Learn about possible diet deficiencies. Certain animal products supply most people with certain nutrients as well as protein (most people get their zinc from red meat and poultry, for instance). Make sure that when you eliminate animal proteins you are making up for any lost nutrients as well. Diets that don't include fish or eggs are generally low in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are fatty acids vital to your heart, eye, and brain health. Eating algae or taking algae supplements can help make up for this deficiency. You can also find soy milk and other products that are fortified with DHA. Lack of protein can cause a zinc deficiency. This can cause things such as a weakened immune system and even an increased risk of cavities. Eating soy, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and cheeses can help boost your zinc. Animal proteins often contain iron that is more easily absorbed by the body than the iron in plant proteins. Vegetarians need about 1.8x as much iron as non-vegetarians. Iron deficiencies can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, headache, and a weakened immune system, among others. Eating sprouted or fermented beans, grains, and seeds can help improve your iron intake. Lacto-ovo vegetarians usually get enough B-12, but lacto vegetarians and vegans may not get enough B-12 in their diets because of the limited sources of protein they consume. Fortified foods and beverages, as well as dietary supplements, can provide extra B-12. B-12 deficiency can cause symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite, among others. Vegans are at particularly high risk of a vitamin D and calcium deficiency, but several brands of soy and rice milk are fortified with vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D is synthesized by exposure to sunlight. Eat vegetable sprouts. We often eat the vegetable and toss out the plant's nutrient-rich sprout or shoot, but a plant that's sprouted has grown into a deeper nutritional state. In fact, sprouts have the highest protein content of any vegetable. Eat sprouted beans, lentils, and peas that are low in calories but dense with protein. Try cutting the sprouts away and adding them to your salads and sandwiches. Choose protein-rich vegetables. Most people consume far too much protein in their diets. Humans only need to get about 10 – 35% of their calories from protein. Most whole (not processed) vegan food sources provide 10 – 20% of their calories from protein. Consuming whole, unprocessed foods is always best to obtain adequate, optimal sources of protein. Good examples of plant-based proteins include: Cooked lima beans, which have 11.6 g per cup (170 g) Green peas, which have 7.9 g of protein per cup (145 g) Kale, which has 0.7 g of protein per cup (16 g) Other rich sources of vegetable protein include broccoli and broccoli raab, cooked mushrooms, yellow corn, and green leafy vegetables like spinach and collard greens. Stick to whole grains instead of refined ones. The refining process strips whole grains of their bran and germs, which contain the most protein in these plants. Refined grains like white bread and white rice are easy to find and often cheap, but whole grains will provide you with a better ratio of protein to carbohydrates. This ensures you don't have to gorge on calories from unwanted carbs to get enough protein, and will also help keep your blood sugar from spiking. Avoid "white" versions of common grain products like rice, bread, and pasta. Look for words like "brown," "unrefined," "whole," or "whole grain" on packaging. Uncooked wheat germ has 26.6 g of protein per cup (115 g). Cooked oat bran has 7 g of protein per cup (219 g). Uncooked rice bran has 15.8 g of protein per cup (118 g). Other rich sources of grain protein include raw oats, wheat bran, soba noodles, oatmeal, quinoa, wild rice, semolina, couscous, and millet. Work protein-rich legumes into your diet. The great thing about beans is that they pack a nutritional punch without bloating you with carbs. They're also much cheaper than whole grains, which can hurt the pocket. Though you may not think of tofu and other soy products as a legume, they pack the soybean's protein punch. Boiled soybeans have 28.6 g of protein per cup (172 g) and tofu has 9.4 g per 1/4 block (116 g). Tempeh can provide 30.8 g protein per cup (166 g), and roasted soybeans provide 36.8 g cup (93 g). Soy milk also can help you meet your protein requirements, especially if you're vegan. But there are plenty of protein-rich legumes other than the soybean: Split peas Lentils Mung beans White beans Fava beans Kidney beans Lima beans Black beans Snack on nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds are more than just dense with protein. Nuts, especially, can also lower your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and improve overall heart health. Along with protein, they provide unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin E. You can either snack on nuts and seeds in between meals, or add them to your entrees and salads for a little protein punch. The best seeds for protein are pumpkin, hemp, chia, sunflower, and sesame seeds. Look for nuts like almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. You can also use a variety of nut milks, such as almond milk and cashew milk, to help boost your protein intake. Don't ignore the basic protein sources from the vegan diet. A vegetarian diet isn't as strict as a vegan one, in that it allows eggs and dairy products. That doesn't mean you should dismiss plants as a protein source, though. Most of your protein should still come from whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and seeds. Eat eggs in moderation. A single chicken egg can provide 6 g of protein with just 71 calories and no carbohydrates. You can start your day off with boiled or scrambled eggs, or add boiled eggs to your salads. You can also add scrambled eggs to a soba noodle stir fry or fried brown rice dish with vegetables and tofu. Overindulging in eggs, though, can lead to high cholesterol. Eating up to 1 egg each day is healthy for people who have otherwise normal cholesterol levels. If you have diabetes or heart disease, don't eat more than 3 egg yolks a week. Consider eating only the whites of the egg. If you love eggs and want to eat more than seven a week, you have an out! Luckily, all the cholesterol is found in the yolk, which you can avoid while still getting protein from egg whites. The whites from one chicken egg provide 4 grams of protein with only 16 calories and no carbohydrates. You can eat egg whites or substitutes made from egg whites in larger amounts without worrying about cholesterol. Drink milk. You'll find a variety of milk products in the dairy section of your grocery store. The most common milk, of course, is cow's milk, but you have to choose between whole, 2%, and skim. Surprisingly, there's more protein in low-fat milks than in whole, full-fat milk. Whole milk has a little under 8 g of protein per serving, whereas 2%, 1% and skim milk have 8 g or slightly more. If you're not worried about fat content, non-cow milks provide even more protein, but with more fat: Goat's milk has 8.7 g of protein and 10. g of fat per serving. Sheep's milk has 15 g of protein and 17 g of fat per serving. If you are lactose intolerant, soy and nut milks can help you boost your protein intake. Indulge in cheese, but in moderation. While cheese is high in protein, it can also be incredibly fatty and caloric, and lead to high cholesterol. You definitely shouldn't eat grilled cheese sandwiches and nachos every day. In small amounts, though, cheese is a good way to bump up your protein intake. Parmesan cheese has the highest protein content, with 10 g per ounce. Sprinkle a serving over your pasta dishes, or shave a serving into your salads. Most cheeses, like cheddar, brie, or gouda, have 6 – 7 g of protein per ounce. Cottage cheese provides 23 g of protein in just a single cup! But that protein also comes with 206 calories and 9 g of fat, so indulge in moderation (and look for low-fat dairy). | Determine your protein needs. Learn what's allowed on a vegetarian diet. Consider eating complementary proteins. Learn about possible diet deficiencies. Eat vegetable sprouts. Choose protein-rich vegetables. Stick to whole grains instead of refined ones. Work protein-rich legumes into your diet. Snack on nuts and seeds. Don't ignore the basic protein sources from the vegan diet. Eat eggs in moderation. Consider eating only the whites of the egg. Drink milk. Indulge in cheese, but in moderation. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Observe-Mars | How to Observe Mars | If you want to observe Mars, track its orbit with a sky map, chart, or an app for your smartphone, to find out when it will be visible where you live. Mars appears the brightest on the date of opposition, an event which occurs every 26 months. Obtain a telescope with a mount and an aperture of 4 inches or more, and set it up in a dark area with a clear view of the sky. If you don't have a telescope, you can see Mars with your naked eye in the weeks surrounding the date of opposition. | Track Mars’ orbit. For optimal viewing of Mars, track its orbit with a sky map or chart to keep track of its distance from Earth. A sky map is a map of the night sky that indicates the location of planets, stars, constellations, and other celestial bodies. Interactive versions are available online (for example, visit http://www.sky-map.org/ ), or you can download an app for your smartphone. Make sure to get the right map for your current location, and for the current date. View Mars on the date of opposition. Mars' closest approach to Earth occurs every 26 months, but it appears the brightest eight days earlier, on the date of opposition. This date marks the point in the planet's orbit when it rises in the east as the sun sets, which makes it visible in our sky overnight. While there are many other opportunities to view Mars in the night sky, this biennial event should not be missed if you are truly interested in observing the planet. Aim for ideal weather conditions. Ensure that the weather will be favorable and the skies will be clear for the night and time when you intend to observe Mars. Cloudy skies, and certainly precipitation, will impede your viewing. Consult a local weather report, or a clear sky chart online to predict weather conditions for the near future. Research telescopes. A telescope is a pricey but integral part of observing Mars, so you should put a good deal of thought into choosing one. As a general rule, you should be focused on finding a telescope with good optics and a sturdy mount that moves smoothly. With this in mind, read reviews online and look for beginner telescopes that have these features and have good ratings. Choose from 3 types of telescopes. While any telescope can facilitate your observation of Mars, there are three kinds of telescopes on the market to choose from. These three types use different optics to enhance distant objects and make them look larger to the eye. The options are: Refractors, where you have a lens at the front of the tube; these are popular and low-maintenance, but can be expensive depending on the model. Reflectors, which gather light with a mirror at the back of the tube; these are less expensive but require more adjustment when used. Compound telescopes, which use a combination of lenses and mirrors. Look for a telescope with a higher aperture. As a general rule, the bigger the telescope, the better. Look for telescopes with a higher aperture, which refers to the diameter of its light-gathering lens or mirror. Opt for a telescope with an aperture of 4 inches (10.2 cm) or more, which can pick up greater detail on a planet or other celestial body. Purchase color filters. If you opt to buy them, color filters can add a lot to your experience of viewing Mars. These filters screw onto the tip of your telescope and work by controlling the type and quantity of light that your eyes receive by either reflecting or transmitting it. Some specific filters that might enhance your Mars observation are: Orange (#21): increases contrast and penetrates clouds and haze Red (#25, #29): enhances surface details Yellow (#12, #15): brightens desert regions, darkens blue and brown features Green (#57): darkens red and blue features Blue (#80A, #38, #38A): shows clouds and darken reddish features Set up your equipment. Find a spot that is unobstructed, dark, and on level, solid ground to set up your telescope. Leave your telescope outdoors for an hour or two before using it to allow the equipment to adjust to the climate; the shift from indoor to outdoor temperatures could cause the telescope's optics to fog up, affecting the view. To make your viewing more efficient later, align your finderscope (i.e. the aiming device in your telescope) ahead of time; focus on a distant object and adjust the settings to fix the view. Bring a flashlight with you to set up and later pack up your telescope in the dark. Focus on different elements of the planet. A lot of the excitement about viewing Mars is due to the notable features of the planet's surface; these features are more distinguishable than Earth's due to Mars' smaller size, thin atmosphere, and lack of erosion. Some key features that observers look for are: Mars' polar ice caps the pale haze that forms over polar regions albedo markings (i.e. variations of light and dark on the surface of the planet, marking an alternation of bedrock and desert sands) clouds in the planet's atmosphere Sketch what you see. Sketching Mars during your observations is an excellent way of making yourself think about what you are seeing; experienced observers spend years sketching the planet to note any intriguing details on its surface or in its orbit. Be patient in order to capture fine details accurately; draw the foremost features first (e.g. the polar ice caps) and then add finer details (e.g. clouds, haze). Be sure to note the date, time, and filters used (if any) to establish the full context of your observation. View Mars with your naked eye. While using a telescope is the ideal way to view Mars in great detail, the planet can also be an impressive sight for the naked eye. The weeks surrounding Mars' opposition with the Sun and its closest approach to earth are the best times to view the planet without equipment. Track the dates with a sky map; Mars should be viewable throughout the evening during this time period. Use an app like Sky Map to track where the planet is. Join an astronomy club. If your interest in viewing Mars is keen enough, consider joining a local astrology club to meet others with the same passion. This is a great way to interact with experienced group members who can offer advice about equipment and other important aspects of astronomy. Group meetings may involve learning new techniques and trying new equipment, which will enhance your astronomy skills and make your observations of Mars even better. Your local planetarium may also offer resources for advancing your astronomy skills, including lessons on how to use a telescope and relevant shows about Mars. | Track Mars’ orbit. View Mars on the date of opposition. Aim for ideal weather conditions. Research telescopes. Choose from 3 types of telescopes. Look for a telescope with a higher aperture. Purchase color filters. Set up your equipment. Focus on different elements of the planet. Sketch what you see. View Mars with your naked eye. Join an astronomy club. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ask-for-a-Recommendation-Letter | How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter | To ask for a recommendation letter for a job, ask a former supervisor, co-worker, or subordinate, and avoid using a letter from a friend or family member since it won't look professional. If they agree to write the letter, give them the name and title of the individual who will be reading the letter, as well as a description of the job you're applying for. Also, make sure you give your reference plenty of time to write the letter so they don't feel rushed. | Write out a complete list of possibilities. Try to think of everyone who might be willing to write you a positive letter of recommendation in your particular field. Generally, places requesting letters of recommendation will ask for at least two and no more than three, but it's a good idea to think of a larger list, in case any of your ideal candidates don't work out. Try to come up with at least 5-7 possibilities. Order the list. How you choose to assign "strength" to the candidates will be relative, but in general you want to find a balance between the familiarity of the letter writer with you and your work, and that letter writer's standing in the field. While you might have had a better relationship with a co-worker or a TA for one of your classes, a letter from them may be less desirable than from a supervisor or a Professor who also knows your work, but may need some reminding. Aim high. Consider collecting profiles or portfolios of your work to share with potential recommenders who may be less familiar with you and what you do. This is a good way to make contact with a successful person in your field and shows initiative. The easier you make their job, the more likely the candidate will be to do you the favor. Collect all the information about both the institution and the application to provide to your letter writers. This means you should be nearly complete with the application and be able to provide the supplementary materials to the letter writer for reference. This may include: Copy of your transcript Writing sample or portfolio of work Statement of purpose or cover letter Curriculum Vitae or resume Name of the institution Degree or fellowship program applying for Name of the contact at the institution receiving the letter Address and dates for sending the letter Any necessary letter forms, prompts, or the URL to complete and upload the letter Make contact. Tell the most desirable candidates on your list that you hope to use them as a reference, in person if possible. Inform them of the general guidelines, due dates, and provide them with the necessary resources at this time. Gauge their willingness. Ask directly whether or not they're willing to write you a positive letter of recommendation. If not, or they're unsure of whether or not they'll have time to complete it, move to other candidates on your list. Be timely. Professors and academic advisors are generally happy to provide recommendations and consider doing so part of their professional responsibilities. However, because of the sheer volume of requests they receive, you should be sure to request the letter of recommendation well in advance of any admissions application or other deadlines. A good rule of thumb is making first contact a semester ahead of time to gauge their willingness to write a letter, and then making sure they have all materials at least a month or two before the deadline. Follow up and keep in touch. Thank your references for providing letters with a note or phone call. Also, it's a good idea to keep them updated on your progress. They have a stake in your success, so let them know if you've been offered a spot at the university or program. This will also keep the door open if you need more letters somewhere down the road. Provide only the names of professional references to potential employers. This may include former supervisors, co-workers, or subordinates as appropriate. Potential employers do not want personal references, such as from friends or family. If you are a recent graduate with little related professional experience in your field, recommendation letters from former professors and academic advisors will carry more weight than letters from former supervisors or co-workers in jobs you may have held that are unrelated to the position you seek. Give your reference the information that they will need to prepare a well-organized letter of reference. Make sure your reference has the name, title and full address of the individual to whom the letter of reference will be directed. You may also want to provide your letter writer with a work sample or portfolio, if necessary. Give your reference a description of the job for which you interviewed so that he or she can tailor the recommendation letter to address the qualifications and expertise necessary for the position. If a hard copy of a letter of recommendation will be submitted rather than an electronic version, provide your reference with a pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelope as a courtesy and to expedite the mailing of your letter of recommendation. Keep references aware of potential calls. If the hiring manager for the job for which you are applying will be calling your references rather than requesting a recommendation letter, then give your reference a heads up to expect such a call, including the name of the person who will be calling. If you've already interviewed for the position, let your references know what kinds of questions were asked of you, so they might know what to expect from the call. Be sure to give your reference enough lead time to prepare a well-crafted letter of recommendation. Even if you're just starting to think about applying for a new job, you'll know ahead of time this will be a necessary step in the hiring process. Make contact as soon as possible and get back in touch when you have firm dates. Follow up. Thank your recommender for giving you a good reference with a lunch date or small gift. Keeping them abreast of your successes also ensures that you've got a good business contact in your field, someone who has a stake in your success. | Write out a complete list of possibilities. Order the list. Aim high. Collect all the information about both the institution and the application to provide to your letter writers. Make contact. Gauge their willingness. Be timely. Follow up and keep in touch. Provide only the names of professional references to potential employers. Give your reference the information that they will need to prepare a well-organized letter of reference. Keep references aware of potential calls. Be sure to give your reference enough lead time to prepare a well-crafted letter of recommendation. Follow up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Go-Grocery-Shopping | How to Go Grocery Shopping | Before you go grocery shopping, make a list of what you want to buy, and check store flyers for coupons for the items on your list. When you get to the store, look for fresh fruits and vegetables that are firm and ripe, and buy only what you plan to eat over the next week to avoid wasting food. Additionally, ask questions about the quality and freshness of deli and seafood items, and request a sample before you buy if you're trying something new. As you go through the store, try to put heavier items in one section of your cart, so lighter items don't get crushed. | Make a list. The best way to be prepared for your trip to the grocery store is to have a list of all the items you need to buy. That way, you know exactly what you need, can avoid impulse items, and won't leave the store having forgotten something you need. To make a comprehensive list: Go through your cupboards to see what staples you're running low on. This could include flour, sugar, canned goods, rice, spices, tea, and coffee. Check your refrigerator to see if you need any fruits, vegetables, juice, or other beverages. Create a planned menu for the next week or two. Look over the recipes you'll be making and ensure you have all the necessary ingredients. Look through your storage closets and pantries to see if you need any bathroom or facial tissue, soaps, dish detergents, or other household goods. Check flyers for sales and coupons. If you're looking to save a few dollars at the grocery store, look through store flyers or online for the items that are on sale for the week. If you find coupons for any items on your list, clip them out or make a note of the brand that's on sale. If you have a few grocery stores nearby, compare the prices of items listed in the flyers, and make lists of what items you intend to buy at each store to get the best price. To avoid spending extra money, only use coupons and flyers for items you were already going to buy. Get to the store. Because you may be buying a large quantity of food, it's always best if you can take your own vehicle or get a ride to the grocery store. Otherwise, determine a route you can walk or bike, or find what public transit routes will get you to the store you wish to shop at. Don't forget to take your reusable shopping bags with you. If you're taking public transit or walking, consider using a rolling cart or large backpack that you can use to transport your groceries back from the store. Grab a cart or hand basket. When you get to the grocery store, locate a shopping cart (if you need a lot of items) or a hand-basket (if you only need a few items). This will make your shopping experience much easier. Shopping carts and baskets are often located near or just inside the doors. Place items in your cart or basket as you shop. If you brought reusable bags with you, don't use them to carry your groceries: most stores prefer that you use the carts or hand-baskets. Make sure you don't crush smaller, delicate, or fresh produce items with larger items as you shop. If you're using a cart, use the upper section near the handle for delicate things like fruit and eggs. Get fresh produce. The produce section is where you'll find all the fresh fruits and vegetables on your list, such as apples, oranges, bananas, lettuce, carrots, and other produce items. While each fruit and vegetable has a different indicator of ripeness, you generally want to look for firm fruits and vegetables that aren't bruised, dented, or otherwise damaged. Try to buy fruits and vegetables in all colors to ensure you're getting the maximum vitamins and nutrients from your food. Remember that fresh produce won't last as long as frozen, so only buy what you and your family will eat over the next week or so. Ask for help at the deli, butcher, and seafood counters. If you want to purchase fresh or specialty meat or seafood items, line up at the various counters. Wait your turn in line if there is one, and when it's your turn, the person behind the counter will ask if you need help. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the products. You can even ask for samples if you aren't sure you'll like something. Remember that meat and seafood have short shelf lives if they aren't frozen, so only buy what you'll be able to eat. Get baked goods from the bakery section. The bakery section is where you'll find items like bread, buns, and baked desserts like pies and cookies. Depending on your grocery store, you may even find fresh pizza dough, bread crumbs, crackers, and other baked goods in this department. Sometimes, bakery departments will bake their own bread, and these loaves are often uncut. If you want the loaf sliced, take it to the bakery counter and ask them to slice it. Many bakery departments also make fresh cakes that are baked to order, and you can have these customized and decorated for birthdays and other events. Talk to the people behind the bakery counter to find out what services they offer. Locate grocery items in the aisles. All your dried, canned, and baking goods will be located in the aisles in the center of the store. This includes pasta, rice, sugar, flour, spices, crackers, and cookies, plus canned beans, soups, sauces, vegetables, and other staples. When buying canned goods, avoid cans that are dented, punctured, or bulging. Canned goods are great to have on hand, because they last much longer than fresh staples like produce, meat, and bread. These center aisles are also where you'll find household items such as toilet paper and dish soap. Stop by the freezers and refrigerated sections. In the freezers, you'll find frozen meat, prepared foods (such as burgers or meat pies), fruits and vegetables, and side dishes and snacks (such as ice cream and French fries). The refrigerators will hold dairy products, juices, prepared foods, packaged foods, and prepackaged meats. Frozen foods like fruits and vegetables that don't have added ingredients (like salt or oil) are just as nutritious as fresh produce, and they are typically cheaper and will last longer. Just make sure you're going right home, otherwise your frozen items may start to melt! Check out the bulk section. Some grocery stores also have items available in bulk, and this could include spices, candy, snacks, dry goods like grains and pastas, and dried fruits and staples. If you take any of these items, make sure you write down the bin number for each item. There will often be white twist ties you can use to seal your bags and write the bin numbers on. Look for pens located near the bags. When buying items in bulk, pay attention to the price per weight. Sometimes things will be price per gram, pound, or another unit of measure, and this can add up quickly. Some stores will have scales that you can use to weigh your produce or bulk items, and weighing your bags will give you an idea of the final cost of your bulk items. Try to avoid the junk food aisles. These tend to be located in the very middle of the store, right in the center of all the healthy grocery staples. This is where you'll find pop, chips, candies, and other unhealthy snacks. If you can avoid going down these aisles, the junk food will be out of sight and out of mind, so you won't be tempted to buy it. While it's ok to indulge once in a while, junk food is not part of a healthy meal plan, and these types of foods tend to be very pricey. Locate the checkout counter. For convenience, checkout counters are usually located in between entrances or near exits. Each checkout counter will likely have a number above it, and if the number is lit up, that means the lane is open to use. Most checkouts usually have express lanes that are reserved for customers who only have a few items. The express lanes will say how many items you can take through that lane. If you have more than the limit, use a regular checkout. If you're in a hurry and looking for the quickest line, look for the line with the fewest people, regardless of how many items each person has in their cart. Paying takes longer than ringing items through, so the more people have to pay, the longer checkout will take. Place your items on the belt. Line up behind the last person in the checkout lane you've chosen, but make sure you don't crowd them with your cart or basket. Move toward the conveyor as the line shortens. When space frees up on the conveyor belt, grab a rubber divider from the side of the checkout and place it on the belt to divide your groceries from those of the person ahead of you. Start placing your items on the belt, but don't crowd your food so that things get squished, bruised, or dented. More room will become available to you as the cashier rings through items ahead of you. Place large items and boxes on the belt first, and leave delicate items and fresh produce until the end so that it doesn't get crushed. Leave hand baskets under the conveyor. Usually, grocery store conveyor belts have an open section underneath at the end of the conveyor (farthest from the cashier) where you can leave your hand basket. Once you've emptied all your items, place the basket here. If there are others there already, stack yours inside. If you're using a cart, however, push it through the line with you as you go. Provide your reusable bags. If you brought your own bags, now's the time to use them! Some grocery stores require the customers to bag their own groceries, and in others the cashier will provide this service.. If the cashier is bagging the groceries, hand over your reusable bags. If you're bagging your own food, place larger items in the bottom and smaller and more delicate items on top. Separate raw meats from the rest of your food by putting them in their own dedicated bag. If you are buying eggs and loaves of bread, place the carton of eggs in the bottom of one of the bags and carefully place the bread on top. It's a good idea to put this bag in the "seat" of the cart so you know to place it in your car last in a safe place that won't have items placed or fallen on top of it. Make sure the cashier rings items through before you bag them. Provide any points cards and pay. When the cashier has rung through your last item, hand over any points cards you have that apply to that grocery store. This could include loyalty cards for that grocery store or other points you collect. Tell the cashier how you intend to pay. This could include with cash, with a debit card, or with a credit card. Give the cashier enough to cover the bill if you're paying with cash, and don't forget your change. Otherwise, complete the transaction on the machine. Place your bags in the cart. If you're using a cart, you can place the full grocery bags back in the cart to get them to your vehicle. When you've paid, take your receipt and leave the store via the exit. Place your groceries into your car if you have one, or find an out-of-the-way spot where you can pull over and put your groceries into your wheeling cart or backpack. When you're done, return the cart to one of the outdoor cart corrals located in the parking lot. | Make a list. Check flyers for sales and coupons. Get to the store. Grab a cart or hand basket. Place items in your cart or basket as you shop. Get fresh produce. Ask for help at the deli, butcher, and seafood counters. Get baked goods from the bakery section. Locate grocery items in the aisles. Stop by the freezers and refrigerated sections. Check out the bulk section. Try to avoid the junk food aisles. Locate the checkout counter. Place your items on the belt. Leave hand baskets under the conveyor. Provide your reusable bags. Provide any points cards and pay. Place your bags in the cart. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Design-Brochures | How to Design Brochures | To design brochures, try using a free design program like Microsoft Word or Adobe Spark, which often have free brochure templates that you can use. When you're designing your brochure, choose a light color for the background so it's easy to read, and try to stick with no more than 3 fonts so your design isn't overwhelming. Also, use high-quality images to make your brochure stand out. When you add text to your brochure, break it up into small sections or bullet points so your brochure doesn't look overcrowded. | Choose a target audience for your brochure. A brochure targeted towards children, for example, looks much different than one advertising to adults. Aspects like color, language, images used, and even the layout design will vary depending on the audience. For example, in a brochure about museum events for children, bright colors, cartoon characters, and cool images like a T. Rex skeleton are appealing. Let's say you decide to make a brochure about a business seminar. The front page could announce the event with a title and date. The remaining pages could describe the event, including the speakers, their credentials, and their profile photos. Settle on a purpose for your brochure. Ask yourself why you're making the brochure and what you need your target audience to know. All brochures are a call to action. The goal is to get the audience to do something, whether that's attending an event, buying a product, or learning something new. This purpose needs to be the central focus of the brochure. For example, you decide to make a brochure promoting tourism in your city. The front page says, “Explore Cleveland” in big letters, letting the reader know exactly what the brochure is for. If you're designing a brochure for someone else, ask them what they want the brochure to accomplish. Understanding their vision allows you to customize the brochure to fit their cause. Select a format for the brochure. The format you choose determines how the brochure folds. Consider which format is best for conveying the brochure information in a clear and accessible way. View various templates and experiment with them to find out what works for your project. The most common choice is a classic tri-fold design, where the paper is folded twice to create 3 panels per side. Tri-fold brochures are inexpensive and able to fit in envelopes. Some brochures fold in half or accordion-style into 4 to 6 panels. Others have 2 front flaps that open like a gate. Many of these alternative formats are better for open spread presentations than mailing purposes. Use a graphic design program to create the brochure. Open your favorite design program and use its settings menu to select a brochure template. Programs like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop have lots of different tools and layouts that will help you turn that template into the perfect brochure. For a free option, use a program like Microsoft Word or Adobe Spark. Working from a template simplifies the design process. Many design programs have templates that put some text and image boxes in automatically. If you don't find one you like, try searching online for example templates to borrow. Place a call to action on the front page to draw the reader’s attention. The front page is what most readers see first, and it needs to show them what the brochure is about. The call to action is usually the brochure's title, which you write in big letters at the top of the page. Then, include a relevant image, like a logo or picture, underneath it for visual appeal and additional information. Make the title succinct and pair it with a striking image. For instance, an art museum brochure might have the museum's name in big letters, followed by the museum's most impressive piece of art. Many times, an image serves as the call to action. For example, if your brochure is about home repair services, you can put the company's name and logo at the top of the page, then an image of a beautiful home interior at the bottom. Readers will understand what you're selling. For an informational brochure on healthy eating, write a title like “Are You Getting Enough?” and include an image of a plate divided into the main food groups. Describe the brochure’s purpose in short, simple words. Devote the middle pages of the brochure to telling the reader what they need to know. Remember that the brochure is an advertisement, so it needs to be as straightforward as possible. List important details about the product, service, business, or event the reader needs to know about. Avoid industry jargon unless it is relevant to your audience. For instance, if you're advertising a festival, list the food, merchandise, and entertainment visitors can expect. Then, include a brief section about the festival and its history, such as “The fair has been delighting visitors across the country for over a hundred years.” Pick out vibrant words to create memorable descriptions. To advertise a new energy source, mention the sleek product that illuminates rooms for a fraction of the cost, for instance. Tailor your tone to your audience. If you're advertising consultation services to businesses, using industry jargon like “Our services increase consultant productivity by 25% on average” is fine. Most of the times, brochures are for wider audiences and need to be simplified. Include client testimonials to promote products, services, and events. Positive testimonials lend legitimacy to goods and services. For a good testimonial section, take a few short but impactful quotes from real customers. Edit them for grammar and spelling mistakes, then put them in a list behind any pages devoted to the brochure's purpose. Remember to include an attribution after each quote, such as the customer's first name. Ask customers for permission before using quotes. Many quotes come from written reviews, but asking a customer about a verbal quote is also fine. Testimonials usually go after a description of the product, service, or event, but there are ways to customize this section. Try spreading short testimonials out throughout the brochure or using 1 longer testimonial. An example of a good testimonial quote for a pest removal service is, “I'm so glad for the quick response time. It was the middle of the night and that bat was huge!” Spread relevant images across the brochure’s interior pages. Use your best images strategically to illustrate important text and divide up long paragraphs. Make sure they're relevant to the brochure and its theme. Most images go above or below a box of text. Sometimes, putting them between text is an effective way to make a page look more dynamic. For example, if you're advertising a wildlife park, pictures of exotic animals and colorful habitats tell the reader what to expect. For a hotel, include pictures and descriptions of aspects like the pool, the exercise room, and the food service. Also, images of smiling employees suggest friendly, attentive service. Remember any background images you choose. They add visual weight to a brochure and may clash against pictures placed on top of them. You don't need an image to accompany every block of text. Be prepared to cut out some of the images you have collected. If they aren't adding to the brochure's design, remove them. Write contact information on the last page of the brochure. Including contact information invites readers to explore and learn more about the product. List details like a website link, a phone number, social media accounts, the office location, and hours when a business is open. Keep the information short, small, and easily visible. The exact location for the contact section varies depending on the brochure design. Most of the time it will be on an outside panel that viewers see right away, so you keep the text small and supplement it with a big image. Include quality images that reinforce your brochure’s message. Graphics include artwork, a company logo, charts, and photographs. Make sure that all of the images are high-resolution , about 300 dpi. Pixelated, blurry images will defeat the purpose of a quality brochure. Gather enough images to spread throughout the brochure, approximately 1 per page. Images are attention-grabbers. Pictures of happy dogs, for instance, stand out. Any reader drawn to the brochure will assume it's about pets, pet supplies, or a similar topic. Brochures advertising products often feature customers using the product. A picture of a smiling customer using a vacuum cleaner in a pristine home, for instance, suggests that the product is high-quality. Stock images are okay to use, but make sure they are high-quality and suit your brochure. Search online to find databases filled with free images. Select a light color for the brochure’s background. White and pale blue are a few colors commonly used in brochures. Light colors brighten up pages without obscuring text. Use dark colors more sparingly, reserving them for background graphics or specific sections in the brochure. Most design programs have the ability to implement different backgrounds for each section of a brochure, allowing you to add more customization and color. Remember that colorful backgrounds use more ink and cost more to print. For brochures aimed at businesses such as consultant advertisements, select a few cool or neutral colors like blue and white. Choose no more than 3 fonts for the brochure. Most brochures stick to a limited number of fonts, using 1 for the header or title, 1 for the subheaders, and 1 for the main text. Stick to simple fonts that are easy to read, like Helvetica, Verdana, and Ariel. Fonts need to be presentable and readable from a distance. The header is the main title of the brochure. Subheaders are titles for sections such as “Our Mission” and “Workforce Solutions.” Remember what fonts you choose. Keep them uniform throughout the brochure for consistency. Write the brochure’s title in capital letters. These words are a reader's introduction to your brochure, so they need to stand out. Make the title short and to the point, positioning it where it will stand out on the front page. Capitalize the first letter in each word or type in all uppercase letters so the title is readable from a distance. Keeping the title black is acceptable, especially if you have a colorful logo or other graphics nearby. Black text pairs well with white backgrounds. Some examples of quality titles are “You Can Fly” for a skydiving advertisement and “Pure Water, Healthy Life” for a water filter advertisement. Break up long paragraphs into smaller sections or bullet points. The middle pages are easy to overcrowd with lots of text and images. To avoid this, keep blocks of text as short and to the point as possible. Distribute the important parts across the pages, pairing them with relevant images that will keep the reader engaged. Create section titles to break up long blocks of text. For example, dedicate a page to the company's mission statement followed by another section listing products and services the company provides. Bullet points are a great way to break up lists. For example, an art museum might list, “100 modern art exhibits,” “children's activities,” and “art classes on weekends.” Separate the bullet points with a little bit of blank space. Longer text boxes are a better choice in some situations, such as when you're advertising to business professionals or conveying legal information like a new drug's side effects. Devote no more than half a page to each image and block of text. That way, you get a chance to use 1 striking image and a decent amount of text on each page. Spread out your images and text as much as possible in the brochure. Avoid overcrowding a page with lots of text or several large images, since your readers will have a hard time figuring out what you want them to learn. Images and text boxes don't have to be large. Make use of the white space on a page to make the brochure feel less busy. Using multiple smaller images on a page is possible, but make sure they are distinct and recognizable. Balance them out with text and blank spaces. Put a logo on the front page if the brochure is for a company. A good logo is a prominent part of advertising. Make it prominent so readers know who is responsible for it. It often needs to be on the front page near the title and on the back page near the contact information. Many big events and non-profit organizations have logos. Logos are marketing tools for more than businesses. Use the colors in the logo to create a consistent theme. For example, if the logo has black and green in it, make some of the text green and some of the backgrounds black. Establish a consistent text and color theme throughout the brochure. Read back through your brochure after you finish designing it. Make sure all of the fonts look the same and are aligned the same way on every page. Also, check that the primary colors of the brochure carry through on every page. A consistent theme makes a brochure more visually appealing. A good way to choose colors is by looking at the business' logo. Make the logo's colors into background colors and compliment them with white space. Take advantage of blank space. White space in the brochure breaks up blocks of text and color. If the brochure looks off, you may be using too many colors. Try making the background white and the text black. Simplicity is key. Photographs are colorful, so you don't need to make other elements as bright. Keep the text aligned to the left like you would for any other document. Center-aligned text tends to look clunky in a brochure and ruins its consistency. Pick a paper type that is durable but within your budget. Thicker paper holds up better but is more costly. Brochures made with thinner paper are more disposable but easier to fit into envelopes. Choose paper according to the purpose of the brochure and how many you need to make. Most print shops have a wide range of paper available and will help you select the kind you need. Paper is labeled by GSM, or grams per square meter. Regular brochures are typically between 130 to 170 GSM. Use paper with a GSM between 170 and 300 for corporate brochures. Regular computer paper is fine for low-budget brochures. You can even print small quantities out at home and mail them. Thicker paper is better for large presentation brochures or ones that will end up in someone's pocket. For example, advertisements for zoos and other big city attractions are often printed on thicker paper and set out in public locations. Choose coated paper to give a brochure a glossy finish. Regular brochures are printed on untreated paper. To make your brochure shiny, purchase coated printer paper or ask a printing service for it. Printing services charge an extra fee to use this type of paper, but sometimes the cost is worth it to make a brochure stand out among the competition. For a standard mailing brochure, you don't need the extra finish. Your customers will receive the brochure directly. Glossy finishes work better for business brochures and company advertisements. Many printing services also offer paper that gives brochures a matte finish. It makes colors look duller and flatter than normal. It isn't used often, but it can make some brochures look unique. Send the finished brochure to a printer. To get professional results, you need a professional printer. There are many online and brick and mortar companies to choose from. Read reviews from other customers to find an experienced company willing to work with you to design the perfect brochure. Compare their prices before committing to a final print. Before sending a file, contact your printer to find out what file format they require. Most companies prefer that you send your fonts and image files along with the design file so they get the final print perfect. Get a sample print to see how your final product will turn out. Brochures are a lot of work, so you may overlook some mistakes. A sample print gives you the chance to make corrections before printing a large order. Finished. | Choose a target audience for your brochure. Settle on a purpose for your brochure. Select a format for the brochure. Use a graphic design program to create the brochure. Place a call to action on the front page to draw the reader’s attention. Describe the brochure’s purpose in short, simple words. Include client testimonials to promote products, services, and events. Spread relevant images across the brochure’s interior pages. Write contact information on the last page of the brochure. Include quality images that reinforce your brochure’s message. Select a light color for the brochure’s background. Choose no more than 3 fonts for the brochure. Write the brochure’s title in capital letters. Break up long paragraphs into smaller sections or bullet points. Devote no more than half a page to each image and block of text. Put a logo on the front page if the brochure is for a company. Establish a consistent text and color theme throughout the brochure. Pick a paper type that is durable but within your budget. Choose coated paper to give a brochure a glossy finish. Send the finished brochure to a printer. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Gear-Up-for-a-Nerf-War | How to Gear Up for a Nerf War | To gear up for a Nerf war, first choose your weapons, like a primary gun, secondary gun, and a backup gun as well as a melee. Then, modify your weapons as much as you can to make your blasters a lot more powerful, but make sure that you don't damage the weapons. Next, plan some strategies in advance with your team like making sure never to charge directly into a group of enemies. You could also take off your shoes so it's easier to quietly sneak up on your opponents. | Select a minimum of useful guns as weaponry. Have a primary gun, a secondary gun, and a backup gun. Your loadout should maybe include a melee. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-13.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} For example, Nerf blasters, Recon, Raider, Longstrike, Stampede, anything from BuzzBee, or anything from Lanard. If you really want to snipe, get your hands on a Longshot. If you can mod it, that makes sniping a breeze. (Note, it's rare and expensive.) {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a6\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Modify as much as you can without ruining the weapon. The mods will make your blasters a lot more powerful. Bring a backpack for ammo and blasters. Pack your small blasters in it. You can also add food. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-12.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Bring ammo to put into your backpack. Know how to set up a Nerf grenade. Have walkie-talkies to communicate with your team. Bring water and food. These will be useful if the war gets dragged out for a while. Keep your strength up. Bring along bottled water and two or three energy bars. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-11.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Get in shape. You'll need to be fit, able to run and get into hiding spots with ease. Decide who will be on your team. If you want to, have ranks such as Trooper, Defender, and Sniper. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-8.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Divide and group into squads of three. The more people you have, the stronger you are. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-5.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Ensure that you have backup persons designated and that they know what to do. You'll need them. Do your research ahead of time. Know what your opponent's strengths are and find ways to prevent or block them. Understand the difference between cover and concealment, as they are two different things. Cover hides and shields you, concealment only hides you. Do not be loud unless your Nerf gun is. Little noise is good for sneaking, as you won't be heard as easily. Preferably wear socks for this. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-10.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Make plans. Some of the strategies that you can discuss and analyze with your team ahead of the Nerf war include: Do not charge directly into a group of enemies. It's just that simple. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-3.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Have a camp to fall back to if you get in a jam. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Gear-up-for-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-up-for-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Gear-up-for-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-up-for-a-Nerf-War-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you see someone with a Vulcan that isn't on your side, sneak up from behind and ambush 'em. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-6.jpg\/aid1890684-v4-728px-Gear-Up-for-and-WIN-a-Nerf-War-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Practice often before the event. Everyone should be totally comfortable with the weapons, with concealment and stealthy movement and with the strategies devised. Break your own team into smaller teams for practice, and play against each other. That way, you can see different perspectives and begin to understand how the opponents are probably thinking. Have fun and keep safe.This is the best and most important step of all. | Select a minimum of useful guns as weaponry. Modify as much as you can without ruining the weapon. Bring a backpack for ammo and blasters. Bring ammo to put into your backpack. Know how to set up a Nerf grenade. Have walkie-talkies to communicate with your team. Bring water and food. Get in shape. Decide who will be on your team. Ensure that you have backup persons designated and that they know what to do. Do your research ahead of time. Understand the difference between cover and concealment, as they are two different things. Make plans. Practice often before the event. Have fun and keep safe.This is the best and most important step of all. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-for-Not-Being-Able-to-Attend-Court | How to Write a Letter for Not Being Able to Attend Court | To write a letter if you can't attend court, start by including your contact information and date at the top of the page, followed by the name and address of the judge. Open your letter with “Dear Judge (Name),” then briefly explain the circumstances that are causing you to miss court. Also, mention any documentation you are including, such as medical records. Request a new court date that you are sure you can attend and conclude the letter by thanking the judge for understanding. Finally, sign your name and submit the letter the the proper address. | Understand the consequences of missing court. It is very important to make all scheduled court hearings. Failure to appear can carry many negative consequences. For example, if you are scheduled to appear at a trial, then a default judgment could be entered against you. With a default judgment, the other party wins because you didn't show up to court. You can sometimes get default judgments set aside, but it usually takes a considerable amount of work. In traffic court, failure to appear could result in you receiving a fine, having your license being revoked, or possibly being arrested. Determine if a letter is appropriate. Not all courts will accept a letter. Instead, the court might grant a continuance over the phone, or the court could require that you have a representative appear before the judge in your place. As soon as you realize that you can't make a court date, you should immediately call the court clerk to talk about your situation. Some courts have strict deadlines for granting continuances. For example, in California divorce cases, you need to request the continuance no later than five business days before the scheduled court date. In DuPage County traffic court, you must request the continuance at least four business days before the court date. Get supporting documentation. If you can't attend a court date, then you should try to document the reason why. For example, you might have suffered a debilitating injury or your supervisor wouldn't let you off from work because of an emergency. If you can document the extenuating circumstances, then you will make yourself more sympathetic to the judge. Call the other side. If you need to miss a court date, then you should also inform the other side in the lawsuit. In some courts, you need the other party's consent to get a continuance. If you cannot secure it, then you will need to file a motion in the court to ask for a continuance. Consider hiring an attorney. You have the option of hiring an attorney to make an appearance in court for you. The attorney will relay whatever information you were intending to tell the judge at the hearing. Alternately, an attorney can ask the judge for an extension and cite your personal difficulties. If you are in a bind and don't have time to send a letter, then you should contact a lawyer immediately. You can find a lawyer by calling your state's bar association, which should run a referral program. You can find the phone number to your bar association by typing “your state” and “bar association” into a search engine. An attorney will charge to make an appearance. It could cost you a couple hundred dollars for even a brief appearance. However, if you miss the court appointment and the judge issues a bench warrant for your arrest or imposes some other sanction, then you might end up spending even more than that in legal fees to clean up the mess. An attorney can be a good investment. Insert your address and the date. After opening up a blank word processing document, you should insert your name, address, and the date in a block. This block can be left-justified or right-justified. You should try to type the letter, as it looks more professional than a handwritten letter. Add the judge’s name and address. Two lines down from the date, you should insert the judge's name and his or her address at the court. If you do not know this information, then you should call the court clerk and ask for it. Open the letter with a salutation. Two lines below the judge's address, insert “Dear Judge [Name]”. You can also type, “The Honorable Judge [Name]” instead. Instead of addressing the letter to the judge, you may have been instructed to send the letter to a clerk or another member of the court's staff. You can address the letter to that person by using, “Dear Mr. [Name]” or “Dear Ms. [Name].” If you weren't given a staff member's name, then simply address the letter to “Dear Clerk of Court.” Explain why you will miss the court date. Begin the body of the letter two lines down from the salutation. Explain the extenuating circumstances that will force you to miss court. For example, you might have pressing medical needs to attend to, or you may have lost a family member recently. Whatever the reason, try to be brief. “I am writing to request a continuance for my hearing scheduled on October 12, 2015. Unfortunately, an unforeseen medical emergency has confined me to the hospital for the next several weeks. The diagnosis of extreme pneumonia surprised me, and I would not have missed my court date but for the illness.” Mention any supporting documentation. For example, if you have become hospitalized, then you should mention that fact and state that you are including a copy of your medical record with the letter. Do not send originals of any document, as they will not be returned. Sample language could be: “I was admitted to the hospital on September 22, 2015, as is shown by the copy of my hospital records attached.” Request a new court date. You should also request a new court date. Make sure it is a date that you are absolutely certain you can attend. Judges may forgive one missed court date, but two or more could land you in hot water. Conclude the letter. In the final paragraph, thank the judge or court clerk for their understanding. Also add your contact information, including a phone number. Sample language might be: “Thank you for your understanding. I appreciate how much of an inconvenience this is. If you have any questions, you can reach me at [insert phone number] or at the address printed above.” Add your name. Two lines below the conclusion, type “Sincerely,” and space down four or five lines before typing your name. Sign the letter in blue or black ink. Understand motions. Unlike letters, motions are formal documents submitted to the court. Copies are sent to the other parties in your lawsuit, who might have an opportunity to respond. If the court does not accept letters, then you might have to file a formal motion to ask for your continuance. Ask for a form. Some courts have blank motion forms. You simply fill in the blanks and then submit the motion to the court. You should ask the court clerk if a blank motion form is available for you to use. Maricopa County, Arizona, for example, has a blank motion form available for download at http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/sscdocs/pdf/gn10f.pdf. You should only use blank motion forms if they have been created by your court. Otherwise, you must create your own motion. Draft your own motion. Open a blank word processing document and set a comfortable font and type size (e.g. Times New Roman 12 point). At the top of the page, insert the header information. The header information consists of the court's name at the very top, the names of the parties on the left, and the case number on the right. You can find the header information from another motion or pleading filed earlier in your case. Title the motion. Underneath the header information, you can insert the motion's title in all caps, bold. You should title your motion “Motion for a Continuance.” If the court date is fewer than five business days away, then you should title the motion “Emergency Motion for a Continuance.” Introduce yourself and ask for the continuance. In the first paragraph, you should state your name, whether or not you are representing yourself “pro se,” and that you are requesting a continuance. Also identify yourself as the plaintiff or defendant. Sample language could read, “NOW COMES Plaintiff Joanna Keys, representing herself “pro se,” and asks this Court for a continuance of the hearing scheduled for November 10, 2015 at 1:30 PM. In support of the motion, Plaintiff states:” Explain why you need the continuance. In the second paragraph, lay out the facts explaining why you cannot make the court date. As you would in a letter, you should refer to any documentation in support of your motion. Unlike in a letter, however, you need to refer to yourself in the third person. List all relevant facts in numbered form. For example, the facts can be laid out like this: “1. The status hearing is scheduled for November 10, 2015 at 1:30 PM.” “2. Plaintiff Joanna Keys was recently admitted into the hospital on November 1, 2015.” “3. According to her medical diagnosis (see attached Exhibit A), she has….” Conclude with a prayer for relief. In the final paragraph, ask the court for the continuance again. You could type, “WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Joanna Keys respectfully requests that the above-entitled action be removed from its present hearing date of November 10, 2015.” Add a signature block. Two lines below the conclusion, you should type “Respectfully submitted” and then type your name underneath. A few lines below that, you should add your signature. Beneath the signature, include your contact information (address, phone number, telephone, and email). Have the motion notarized, if necessary. Depending on your court, you may need to sign the motion in front of a notary. If you needed to notarize the other motions in your case, then you should have this one notarized as well. Notaries may be found in most courthouses and large banks. To find a notary, you can visit the American Society of Notaries website and use their search engine. File the motion. Make several copies of the motion and take them all with you to the court clerk's office. Tell the court clerk that you want to file the original. Have the clerk stamp the other copies as well. Serve a copy on the other party. You probably will need to serve the other party with a copy of your motion. However, some courts do not require that notice be given if the motion is an emergency motion (i.e., filed fewer than five business days before the court date). You should ask the court clerk if service is necessary. Also ask about acceptable methods of service. If you need to make service, then attached a “Certificate of Service” to the motion. The certificate can be on a separate piece of paper. You can create it before going to the court to file. If you find out that you don't need to make service, then you can remove that sheet from your packet. For the certificate of service, you can type something like the following: “I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing was served on all parties or their counsel of record on [add the date] in accordance with the [state] Rules of Civil Procedure.” Then type and sign your name above it. Determine if a personal appearance is required. If you are unable to attend a court hearing in-person, you might consider requesting a phone appearance instead. With a phone appearance, you will call in to court on the day of your hearing and participate as required. In some states (e.g., California), phone appearances are favored in order to promote court access. Therefore, in a state like California, you should have no trouble making a phone appearance unless a personal appearance is required by law. In California, a personal appearance is required for the following: Trials, hearings, and proceedings at which witnesses are expected to testify; Hearings on temporary restraining orders; Settlement conferences; Trial management conferences; Hearings on motions in limine; and Hearings on petitions to confirm the sale of property under the Probate Code. Fill out the required form. If you think you qualify to make a telephone appearance, find the required court form online and fill it out. You should be able to access court forms on your local court's website. If you are unable to find the required court form online, go to your courthouse in-person and ask for help. In California, the court form can be found online. The form will ask you for your personal information and information about the case you are a part of. Most importantly, you will be asked to explain why you are requesting a telephone appearance. Valid reasons include: Not residing in California; Being disabled; Being the victim of domestic violence; or Being incarcerated. File the form and pay the required fee. After completing your form, you will take it to the court where your current case is pending. You will take it to the clerk of courts and have it filed. In general, you must file your request a certain number of days before the applicable hearing. In California, you must file your request no later than 12 days before the hearing. In addition, once you file your request, you will be required to pay a filing fee. In California, the fee is $86.00 for each telephone appearance. If you cannot afford the fee, you may be able to request a fee waiver. In general, you will have to be able to convince the court of your inability to pay the required fee. To do this, submit pay stubs, bank statements, and statements of public benefits. Notify the other party. Every party in your case must be served with your request in a timely manner so they may respond. To serve the other party, you will need to have someone other than yourself personally deliver your request to the other party. You can also serve the other party through the mail. Once the other party has been served, you will file a proof of service with the court, which simply states you have notified everyone of your request. | Understand the consequences of missing court. Determine if a letter is appropriate. Get supporting documentation. Call the other side. Consider hiring an attorney. Insert your address and the date. Add the judge’s name and address. Open the letter with a salutation. Explain why you will miss the court date. Mention any supporting documentation. Request a new court date. Conclude the letter. Add your name. Understand motions. Ask for a form. Draft your own motion. Title the motion. Introduce yourself and ask for the continuance. Explain why you need the continuance. Conclude with a prayer for relief. Add a signature block. File the motion. Serve a copy on the other party. Determine if a personal appearance is required. Fill out the required form. File the form and pay the required fee. Notify the other party. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Box-Knot-Scoubidou | How to Make a Box Knot Scoubidou | To make a box knot scoubidou, start by placing 1 strand horizontal and the other vertical on top of it. Make sure the strands intersect in the middle. Next, put your finger on top of the intersection, take the ends of the horizontal strand, and cross them over your finger to bring them to opposite ends. Then, cross the vertical ends over your finger and under the horizontal strand. Finally, pull all 4 strands to tighten the knot. | Link the strings together at the middle. Put the bottom red string over the top red string. Do the same with the green string, except use the top string. Put the red string, (the one at the side), over the red loop. Then thread it through the green loop. Do the same with the side green loop. Pull it tight. Put the green strings over, as shown in the picture. Thread the red strings through the green loops. Pull tight. Keep knotting to desired length. Place one strand horizontal and another vertical on top of it. Make sure they intersect at the middle of each strand. Put your finger on top of the intersection. Take the ends of the horizontal strand and cross them over your finger. Bring them to the opposite ends. Weave the vertical strands through the horizontal. Let the vertical ends cross over your finger and under the horizontal strand on the farther side. Pull all four ends to tighten into a knot. Make two loops over the center with the horizontal strand. Bend the strand nearest opposite you to make one loop. Bend the other strand nearest to you to make another loop opposite you. Pass one vertical string over the horizontal loop nearest it. Then thread it through the second loop farthest it. Pass the second vertical string over the horizontal loop nearest it. Then thread it through the second loop farthest it. Pull all four strings together. Continue for as long as you need the knot to be. Finished! | Link the strings together at the middle. Put the bottom red string over the top red string. Put the red string, (the one at the side), over the red loop. Do the same with the side green loop. Pull it tight. Put the green strings over, as shown in the picture. Thread the red strings through the green loops. Pull tight. Place one strand horizontal and another vertical on top of it. Put your finger on top of the intersection. Weave the vertical strands through the horizontal. Pull all four ends to tighten into a knot. Make two loops over the center with the horizontal strand. Pass one vertical string over the horizontal loop nearest it. Pass the second vertical string over the horizontal loop nearest it. Pull all four strings together. Finished! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lead-a-Happier-Life | How to Lead a Happier Life | There's no simple formula to leading a happy life, but you can take steps to be more positive and appreciate the things you already have. For example, try taking 10 minutes each day to write down everything you're grateful for in that moment, which will help you focus on what you have rather than what you don't have. You should also make time for activities you really enjoy, since doing what feels good is an easy way to feel satisfied and happy. When you have to do things you don't like, focus on the positive, like how getting through a stressful work project may result in a promotion later on. To stay focused and motivated, make sure to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise, which will regulate your mood and help you fight off feelings of anxiety and stress. | Decide that you want to be happy. Achieving a state of overall happiness requires that you first have an active desire to actually be happy. It also requires a commitment to being happy regardless of external factors. It is important to focus on consciously choosing attitudes and behaviors that promote happiness rather than sadness or discontent. Some professionals who specialize in positive psychology believe that creating an intention to be happy is the very first choice that is made by happy people. Once the intention is made, there are specific things that you can do to nurture that intention. For instance you can choose to spend time in environments that make you happy while avoiding places that are more of a challenge for you. Practice gratitude. Write in a “Gratitude Journal” every day. Set aside 10-15 minutes every day to write down everything that you're thankful for in that moment. Gratitude tends to magnify positive emotions while blocking negative ones. This is because it's difficult to experience incompatible emotions in the exact same moment. Although you can have rapidly fleeting conflicting emotions that occur in such close proximity that it feels like they are occurring simultaneously, it's hard for them to actually occur at the same exact time. Therefore, the more that you focus on one emotion the less you will focus on the other. So, if you spend more time being thankful about your life then it becomes more and more difficult to feel envy, resentment, or other negative emotions. Another way to practice gratitude is to text a friend something you're thankful for each day. Gratitude allows you to focus on positive features which helps you to feel happier and creates a more pleasurable life experience. Some studies have even shown that people who have higher levels of gratitude recover from illness and psychological trauma quicker. Look for the good in people and situations. Happy people try to focus on the positive aspects of the people and situations that surround them. Remember, even the most frustrating of people have some good traits. When you are painfully aware of someone's negative personality trait, take a moment to think of all of the other good characteristics about her. For example, if you find that it is annoying how Susan obsessively talks about herself, it might be useful to remind yourself of how helpful she is when other people ask her for help. Do your best to surround yourself with other positive people. Research has found that people who spend time with happy people are more likely to be happy in the future. When you are around an ornery person, it may be tough to find the good in that person in the moment. However, here are two things that you can do to stay centered when dealing with an ornery person: Use deep breathing: Breathe in deeply through your nose so that you're drawing air into your midsection. Then slowly release the air through your mouth. Intently focus your attention on each breath that you take. Repeat this as often as you need until you feel centered and unaffected by the ornery person. Use an anchor word: Choose one word to focus on to help you stay in your happy place. You can visualize that the word is written on a white wall in your mind's eye and focus on looking at it with your imagination. Or you can actually say the word to yourself. You might want to choose words like “compassion” or “love” to remind yourself that ornery people are generally ornery because they are unhappy. These powerful reminders can help you to remain more compassionate. Do things that you really enjoy. People who are satisfied with their life tend to experience greater overall happiness. Simply doing what feels good will often result in increased feelings of life satisfaction and happiness. So, whether it's something as simple as turning up the radio in your car when your favorite song comes on or doing something more extravagant like driving cross country over the course of a month in the summer; commit to doing things that make you happy. Instead of worrying about doing "the right thing" just try to have fun and try new things. Doing so will open yourself up to new opportunities you may have never considered. Although doing things that you already know that you enjoy increases happiness, stepping out into the unknown can increase your life satisfaction too. To really experience greater satisfaction in life, try something that you've always wanted to do but is a bit out of your comfort zone. Whether that means finally participating in karaoke night or going zip lining at an amusement park; if you've always wanted to do it, then try it. Make sure that your favorite activities are legal and constructive to avoid unwanted consequences. Avoid things that don’t bring you happiness. Whenever possible choose to do what you like and avoid doing what you don't like. Happy people understand that they have choices and they choose to focus on creating an experience that they enjoy. Of course there will be times when you may have to engage in activities that are less than exhilarating for you. Although your ultimate goal should be to eventually move on to something more pleasant, it's important to learn how to manage how you feel until you can make the necessary changes. Remember, happiness is a choice. Here are a few things that you can do to stay happy even in less than desirable environments: Use humor. When you can see the funny side of things, it is much easier to enjoy life. Find someone to talk to so that you can release tension and stress. Also, be sure to talk about what you want to accomplish during these conversations. Most happy people are very optimistic. Sharing your vision can help increase your happiness levels too. Be sure to do more things that you actually enjoy when you're not involved in the activities that you dislike. Keep in mind that this isn't a license to behave recklessly. For instance, to quit a job that you don't like without an alternative income would likely result in even more unhappiness. Instead, be intentional about looking for a different job. The key is to move closer and closer toward what you love through intentional action. Just avoiding important obligations that you find undesirable could lead to harmful consequences. Help at least one person every day. Altruism toward others actually results in higher levels of happiness in your own life. In fact, studies in neuroscience have shown that the areas of the brain that are associated with pleasure are activated when people do nice things for others. So when you engage in acts of kindness toward other people, you are actually creating a happier life experience for yourself. Keep in mind that how you help a person doesn't really matter that much. In other words, you don't have to do something significant or extravagant for this to work. Even doing small favors can give your happiness a boost. Consider volunteering, donating money or items, buying someone a small token of appreciation, showing compassion, or any other altruistic gesture. Be careful not to make the acts of kindness something that is done out of obligation. Also, be sure that your kind gestures don't become overwhelming. If either of those conditions exist, then the altruistic behavior becomes a burden and no longer increases your happiness. Practice forgiveness. Forgiveness allows you the opportunity to release any bitterness that you may be harboring about a situation or person. When you're no longer experiencing that emotional burden then you are open to experiencing more joy in your life. Remember, the forgiveness is not for the person who has wronged you; it is so that you can release the negative emotions that are causing you psychological and physical pain. The result is that you can experience more happiness. Here is a good strategy to help you practice forgiveness: First acknowledge that you are angry. In order to practice forgiveness, you have to first acknowledge that you are angry. You can even try writing down why you are angry so that you get a clear picture. Consider how the incident has helped you to grow. Every situation is a learning experience. When you're able to acknowledge that you have learned something from the experience, even if it was the hard way, it makes the actual process of forgiving other people easier. Try asking yourself the question, “What have I learned from this experience?” and take a few minutes to reflect on the answer. For example, did you learn to always have an alternative plan? Think about the person that you are angry with. Remind yourself that she is human and that everyone makes mistakes and demonstrates poor judgment at times. Reflect on why she did what she did. When you see her as a person who is struggling in some areas, rather than as a person who just doesn't care, then you may be more willing to forgive. Show compassion to decrease anger. Try to find things that you have in common with the person that you are angry with. Maybe you both like the same music, live in the same neighborhood, have a similar fashion style, go to the same church, like the same movies, or have kids that go to the same school. Seeing similarities will help you experience more compassion. Research shows that even something as simple as tapping your fingers to the same rhythm boosts compassionate behavior. So focus on what is similar about you and the other person rather than the differences. Release any grudges. Make the conscious decision to let go of your grudges. A life free from grudges allows you to experience greater life satisfaction. Decide whether you want to tell the person aloud or if you want to release the grudge privately. Remember, the alternative to forgiveness results in ruminating thoughts. When this happens, you will spend an extravagant amount of energy thinking about the wrongdoings that have been inflicted upon you by others which will cause emotional distress. Therefore, it is wise to release grudges. Forgiveness and releasing grudges has many health benefits to include improved heart health, a better immune system, less anxiety, and fewer symptoms of depression. Nurture your relationships. Be sure to make time for those who are closest to you. One of the dominant findings of happiness research indicates that being socially connected is crucial to happiness. So be sure to make healthy friendships and relationships a priority. Here are some reasons that relationships make people happier: Relationships give people a sense of identity. People tend to feel more sociable when they around other people. People experience more positive emotion from relationships than from material things. Engage in meaningful work and activities. People tend to be at their best when they're in their “flow” or zone of genius. You should pursue undertakings that you enjoy that bring you a sense of satisfaction. Most people feel more fulfillment in life when they are involved in activities that allow them to grow. In fact, one study showed that people who saw their jobs as a “calling” rather than as just a job reported more life satisfaction than their counterparts. Write down what will make you happy. Reflect on what you think will make you happy in life. Most people say that they want to be happy but are unable to identify exactly what happiness means for them. Happiness is relative and is different for everyone. Reflecting on your values is a great way to determine what will make you happy. Here a couple of questions you could ask yourself to help you determine what your values are: If you could change one thing in your community or environment, what would it be? What was one moment in your life that you can say was truly satisfying for you? If there was a fire in your home what three items would you save (i.e. all people and animals are safe.) Consider if you see any themes emerging among the answers to this question and that is likely a clue to what goals will make you feel the most fulfilled and happy. What issues are you the most passionate about? What issues do you find yourself being fired up about when you talk about them? Establish your goals. Once you know what will make you happy, then it time to set some goals. Goals are like the roadmap that will get you from where you are to where you want to be. They help you to stay focused so that you can actually accomplish what you believe will make you happy. Don't be afraid to dream big at first. You can always go back and break your goals down into more manageable steps. Make sure that your goals are specific so that they are measurable. You should also include a time frame. For instance, instead of saying, “I'm going to make myself more of a priority” you might instead say “I will get a massage once per month, beginning this month.” Make sure that you word your goals positively rather than negatively. For instance, it's better to say “I'm going to maintain my weight” rather than “I'm not going to gain any weight.” Try to avoid discussing what you're 'not' going to do. Positively worded goals are actually accomplished more often than their counterparts. Identify benchmarks. When your goals are large, they may seem overwhelming and unattainable. The best way to make these goals feel more attainable is to create benchmarks. You can set benchmarks by breaking large goals into smaller action steps. Smaller goals or action steps can help you stay on track so that you don't get overwhelmed and give up. For instance, let's say that you decide that taking your family on a vacation every year would make you happy. Your goal may be to have at least $5,000 in your savings account by July of every year. Rather than waiting until June 1st to try to come up with $5K, you could instead set monthly or weekly benchmarks. A reasonable benchmark might be to put $100 dollars in savings every week. Another example might be that you want to lose 20 pounds in 10 months. A reasonable benchmark might be to lose 2 pounds per month. This method of creating benchmarks is sometimes called chunking down the goal. Create an action plan. Developing goals and then actually taking action on those goals are two very different things. However, once your goals have been identified, it's time to act. Remember, your decision to be happy should always be an absolute priority to you. Write down step-by-step what you will do every day to meet your goal or bench mark. It's important to identify any potential barriers that might prevent you from accomplishing your goals. Try to figure out how to overcome these barriers in advance. Consider getting help from family and friends when needed. For example, say your goal is to lose three pounds per month and a morning walk is included in your action plan. If you know that you like to sleep in, then perhaps you could adjust the plan to include an evening walk instead. Alternatively, you could solicit help from your family and make the morning walk a fun family affair. Write your goals down. Solidify your goals and action plan by writing them down. Research shows that when you actually write down your goals then you are you are more likely to to accomplish them. Don't underestimate the power of writing down your goals. Numerous outlets reference a study that was reportedly conducted in 1979 at Harvard University. Although the actual study is difficult to locate, it is said that the three percent of participants who actually wrote down their goals earned ten times more than the other 97 percent of the class. Be sure to review your written goals everyday so that they stay fresh in your mind. Silence your inner critic. As you move toward achieving your goals, your inner critic will inevitably emerge. You will recognize this inner voice because it is usually critical and self-defeating. When you find yourself experiencing doubt about accomplishing your goals and being happy, your inner critic is probably to blame. Be sure to prompt yourself to immediately think more positive thoughts whenever your inner critic starts to talk. For instance, instead of saying “I'm so awful because I didn't meet my benchmark this week” you could say “I learned something new this week. This was a small setback that turned into a learning experience.” Your inner critic is not an actual voice that you hear with your ears but is instead a collection of thoughts that you hear in your mind. This critic results from unconscious fears that you have been gathering since childhood. Exercise on a regular basis. Exercise is known to be an instant happiness booster due to the endorphins that are released when you are engaged in physical activity. Regular exercise increases happiness and self-esteem while decreasing anxiety and stress. In fact, one study shows that consistent exercise can same the same level of impact on increasing happiness as antidepressant medication. Get enough rest. Getting enough sleep is very important to achieving happiness. In fact, lack of sleep might alter the brain and cause problems with controlling your emotions and anger. Some research even suggests that sleep deprivation is linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior. Allowing yourself adequate time to sleep will help with emotional regulation and ultimately allow you to experience greater happiness. Eat healthy. The modern American diet often consists of sugars, refined carbohydrates, and vegetable oils. However, research is beginning to see a correlation between this diet and increased unhappiness, depression, and other mental health concerns. In order to experience a greater level of happiness, your food choices should promote mood regulation. Here are some things that you should consider when making food choices: Nutrient dense food like seafood, nuts, and whole grains do wonders to stabilize blood sugar levels which impacts mood. Healthy fats such as Omega-3 fats, DHA, and EPA help protect your brain against mood disorders. Choose chicken and beef that are free from antibiotics and other harmful hormones that can impact your happiness. Be sure to read the labels. Surround yourself with happy sounds and positive scents. Your senses have an impact on your happiness, particularly the senses of smell and hearing. Play music that you enjoy to keep a happy atmosphere in your home or office. Also, try keeping a stash of essential oils on hand to smell when you need a quick happiness booster. Understand the goal of mindfulness. Mindfulness is the process of observing situations and circumstances from an objective perspective. It allows you to pay attention to all of the good that is going on in your present environment without focusing on the anxiety of the future or rehashing the negative past. These techniques have been shown to be quite effective in increasing positive emotions and decrease stress. In fact, one study found that mindfulness based therapy was just as effective for treating depression and preventing relapse as antidepressants. Stay in the moment. Spend time savoring the things and activities that you enjoy. Whether it's eating that delicious pastry or relaxing in a luxurious bubble bath, take time out to really bask in it. Individuals who take a few minutes each day to actively savor an activity that they normally complete in a hurried fashion, such as eating breakfast, drinking a cup of tea, or walking to the train, tend to experience more happiness and fewer symptoms of depression. Spending a few moments reminiscing and expressing gratitude about the positive things happening in your life also results in a happiness boost. The present reality is right now. Anything that is not happening right now is either in the future or in the past. Even if an event is scheduled to happen just ten minutes from now – that event is not occurring in the present. Focusing on the present allows you to find solutions to problems or enhance the pleasurable feeling that you're currently experiencing. Try to stay in-the-moment even when you're having a tough day. Instead of trying to get away from the difficult experience, focus on savoring the goodness in the present moment. From this relaxed place you can reflect on the changes that you need to make to improve the situation rather than become distracted with wishing things were different. Accept negative interactions without judgment. There will be times when you have an unpleasant experience, and that is okay. However, it's important to learn how to allow the experience to occur without judgment. Will you feel some anger or sadness? Perhaps. However, you should not berate yourself or blame others for what happened. Purposefully going into a nonjudgmental stance is a great way to approach the process: Stop what you are doing and observe the situation at hand. Use very concrete words as you observe. You can think or say things like “I observe that my heart is beating faster as I talk to my husband” or “I observe that I just missed my train.” Try not to attach any emotion to it. Then describe what you are experiencing. Again, you are reaching for a detached description. For example, you might say “I notice that my face is hot and I have an urge to yell back at my husband.” Remember, you are not making a judgment so avoid saying “My husband is wrong for yelling at me.” You're not focused on why your husband is yelling or what you think that means to or about you. You are just focusing on what is actually happening. Finally, participate in the interaction in a nonjudgmental way. Describe what you are experiencing to the other person and ask questions if necessary. For example, you can say “I'm noticing that you are raising your voice. Why is that?” Make mindfulness meditation a part of your daily lifestyle. This may be difficult to do at first but as you continue to practice mindfulness, it becomes very useful. There are many different mindfulness techniques that you can practice. However, here is one great meditation technique for beginners: Sit in a quiet place and only pay attention to your breathing. Whenever a thought begins to emerge, make a mental note and refocus on your breathing. Start with five to ten minutes and then gradually increase the time that you practice this technique. You may experience frequent intrusive thoughts when you first begin practicing this exercise. However, the more you practice the easier it will be to focus only on your breathing. Mindfulness techniques such as this teaches you how to focus on the present without letting other thoughts intrude. Once you master this simple technique then you'll be able to apply the same strategy when you're faced with a difficult situation. You can focus on the solution rather than the problem. This will make decision making easier and less stressful, even when the situation seems quite daunting. | Decide that you want to be happy. Practice gratitude. Look for the good in people and situations. Do things that you really enjoy. Avoid things that don’t bring you happiness. Help at least one person every day. Practice forgiveness. Show compassion to decrease anger. Release any grudges. Nurture your relationships. Engage in meaningful work and activities. Write down what will make you happy. Establish your goals. Don't be afraid to dream big at first. Identify benchmarks. Create an action plan. Write your goals down. Silence your inner critic. Exercise on a regular basis. Get enough rest. Eat healthy. Surround yourself with happy sounds and positive scents. Understand the goal of mindfulness. Stay in the moment. Accept negative interactions without judgment. Make mindfulness meditation a part of your daily lifestyle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Pretty-at-School | How to Look Pretty at School | One of the best ways to look pretty at school is to be confident. Since true beauty comes from within, feeling confident on the inside will help you look better on the outside. Another easy way to look prettier is to just smile. A smiling face is more attractive, and people will be drawn to your happiness! Along with having a happy, confident mindset, you should wear clothes that flatter your body type so you can play up your best features. For example, if you have a pear-shaped body, you can wear a decorative shirt with bootcut pants so you highlight your waistline and downplay your hips. It's normal to have blemishes, and if you do, you can cover them with a concealer to even out your skin tone and have a prettier face. | Tone and moisturize your face. Toner and moisturizer help to achieve a glowing complexion. Toner goes onto a cleansed face first. It tightens your pores and reduces the oil that builds up on skin and makes it shiny. Moisturizer goes on after. It keeps the skin hydrated, reducing flakes and scales. If you have oily or combination skin, use a moisturizer made for oily or combination skin. This way, it won't make you break out. If you have dry skin, look for a toner made for sensitive or dry skin. You could also try a natural toner, such as rosewater. Apply basic facial makeup, such as concealer and blush if desired. Face makeup helps to even out your skin tone and make your face look smooth and flawless. A basic makeup routine each morning before school may help you look your best all day long. Use a concealer that matches your skin tone to cover up blemishes, then blend it in with a makeup sponge. Use powder makeup brushes to apply powdered blush or powdered bronzer. Use a makeup sponge for cream or liquid products. Be sure to blend well. Set your makeup and help it last longer with translucent setting powder or setting spray. Make your eyes pop with the right color of eyeshadow. Wearing eye makeup highlights one of the most mesmerizing features of your face. Basic eye makeup consists of eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara. Choose which of these, if any, you want to use. Wear eye makeup that works best with your eye color. Blue Eyes: Use eyeshadow in neutral colors, such as rose, terracotta, or light purple. Extend your eyeliner past the outer corner of your eyelid to create a "cat-eye" look. Brown Eyes: Choose deep colors like plum, charcoal, or forest green for dark brown eyes. For medium brown eyes, try purple, green, or bronze shadow. If your eyes are light brown, try bronze or champagne. Wear dark brown eyeliner instead of black. Green Eyes: Try different shades of purple shadow, copper, or gold eyeshadow. Skip black eyeliner and try chocolate brown or espresso eyeliner instead. Accentuate your lips. Adding color to your lips makes them look fuller while slimming the rest of your face. Basic lip makeup consists of lip liner, lipstick, and lip gloss. If using all three, carefully line your lips first. Follow with lipstick and top with gloss. Use colors on your lips that complement your features. Blonde Hair/Light Complexion: Wear hues that look light and natural, such as pale pinks, peach, or rose. Red Hair and Light Complexion: Try nude and beige shades and avoid pink or red shades. Brown or Black Hair/Light or Dark Complexion: Stick with deep, rich tones, such as spicy reds or bright corals, regardless of your skin tone. Skip pale, neutral shades. Style your hair. Different kinds of faces look best with different hairstyles. Choose the style that will best fit your face shape. Round Face: Wear your hair down with long layers, especially in the front. Try a middle part, and avoid bangs, bob cuts, and side parts. Oval Face: Experiment with any length or texture. You can also try bangs and different parts. Long, voluminous layers would look great, however. Heart-Shaped Face: Wear bangs that are cut straight across or swept off to one side. Keep your layers around your cheeks. Shoulder-length and chin-length hair looks best. Slicked-back or sleek, straight looks don't work as well. Square Face: Wear hair wispy and falling in front of your face at your jawline. Side-swept bangs and hairstyles that are high (teased) at the crown work well. Avoid blunt haircuts and bobs. Oblong Face: Straight-across bangs with a side part look best, along with layered, wavy styles. Avoid middle parts, and hairstyles that are high at the crown. Triangle Face: Try layered hairstyles that taper at the jaw line. Stay away from longer hairstyles, but don't go as short as a bob cut. Dress for your body type. Wear clothing that flatters your bodies and instills a sense of confidence when you put it on. Decide what kinds of clothes accentuate the best features of your body, while downplaying other areas you're not as comfortable with. There are certain clothes that look universally great on different body types. Hourglass Body: Draw attention curves and a thin waistline with a wrap dress, pencil skirt, belted jacket, or high-waisted, wide legged pants. Apple Body: Accentuate thin legs while de-emphasizing the waistline with a flowing top, low-waisted straight leg pants, circle skirt, or shift dress. Pear Body: Highlight a small waistline and downplay hips, butt, and thighs with an A-Line skirt, fit and flare dress, embellished shirt, bootcut pants, or structured jacket. Rectangle Body shapes: Create the appearance of curves and highlight thin areas with a ruffled top, mini skirt, side cutout dress, skinny jeans, or cropped jacket. Choose a color palette. Decide which colors best complement your skin-tone and features. Choose clothes within that color palette to underscore your natural beauty. Warm Skin Tones: Try warm reds (like tomato), peach, golden yellow, golden brown, olive green, gold. Cool Skin Tones: try cool reds (like cherry), pink, blue, teal, turquoise, purple, mint green, silver. Accessorize, but don't over do it. Accessories add pizzazz to an outfit. Even the most basic of clothing can look great when dressed with the right accessories. Consider the kinds of accessories that will complement your outfit and reflect your personal style. Draw attention to your face with big earrings, or emphasize your top with a long necklace. Don't be afraid to mix metals when wearing jewelry, as long as jewelry is allowed at your school. Break up monotony with a belt. Wear a belt around your waist to make it appear smaller, or around your hips to make them appear broader. The simpler the outfit is, the more accessories you can wear. The more complex or patterned the outfit is, the fewer accessories you should wear. Wear accessories that say something about your personality or interests. Consider boho, gothic, punk, or vintage/retro accessories. Shower or bathe daily. Each morning before school or the night before, take a shower or bath and wash yourself thoroughly with soap or body wash. Cleanliness is key in achieving a comely appearance. Remember to wash your face with a gentle face wash that is suitable for your skin type. There is more to being pretty than just looks; you have to smell good too! Wash your hair. Frequency of hair washing is an individual preference, depending largely on your hair type. Figure out how often you need to wash your hair for it to maintain a clean look. For some, this may be every day, for others a couple of times a week. Use shampoo every time, and conditioner if desired. If you have naturally curly, dry, or brittle hair, consider using a hair mask every so often to keep your hair looking soft and healthy. Brush and floss your teeth. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. No exceptions. This will help maintain a healthy-looking smile. If you have to wear braces, take a toothbrush with you to school so that you can brush your teeth after eating lunch. Wear antiperspirant or deodorant. While not necessarily affecting the way you look, wearing an antiperspirant or deodorant will make you feel and smell fresh throughout the day. An antiperspirant will also help to eliminate sweat stains on your clothing, adding to your hygienic appearance. If you are a young school girl, aged 7 or 8, you might not need deodorant. Not every product will work for you, so you may have to try a few different before you find the right one. Smile. Studies have shown that people find a smiling face more attractive than one with a scowl. People are naturally drawn to happiness and will gravitate toward you if they see your happy, smiling face. A smile will also make you look more approachable to others. Remember to smile with your eyes as well; this will make your smile look genuine. This doesn't mean that you have to smile all the time like a doll. Smile whenever you feel like it, or when you meet people. Be confident. True beauty comes from within. If you feel beautiful on the inside, it'll be reflected in how you look on the outside. As celebrity makeup artist Bobbi Brown once said, "Feeling confident, being comfortable in your skin — that's what really makes you beautiful." If feeling confident doesn't come easily to you, try this: each day, look in the mirror and say one compliment to yourself. Start small, then move onto bigger things. There's a difference between being confident and arrogant. You're confident if you know that you draw well; you're arrogant if you think you're the best artist ever. Focus on what you have, rather than what you don't. We all want the perfect body, thick lustrous hair, pouty lips, and impeccable skin. Very few people have all of these qualities. Be thankful for the things about yourself that you love, and learn to embrace the imperfections. For example, you might choose to focus on your pretty eyes or gorgeous hair. You might look great in hats or glasses, or maybe you pull off the retro style incredibly well. Don't forget about the non-physical traits, such as your talents and personality. If you're a good singer, show it off! | Tone and moisturize your face. Apply basic facial makeup, such as concealer and blush if desired. Make your eyes pop with the right color of eyeshadow. Accentuate your lips. Style your hair. Dress for your body type. Choose a color palette. Accessorize, but don't over do it. Shower or bathe daily. Wash your hair. Brush and floss your teeth. Wear antiperspirant or deodorant. Smile. Be confident. Focus on what you have, rather than what you don't. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-Carnival-Games | How to Win Carnival Games | To win the basketball toss game at a carnival, throw the ball farther and higher to account for the smaller hoops and over-inflated balls. Alternatively, if you're playing the milk bottle game, aim to hit the center bottom bottle to knock them all down. Additionally, in the balloon-dart game, focus on the most inflated balloons since the ones that are under-inflated are harder to break. | Beat the basketball game by throwing farther and higher. Try to ignore your instincts and give your shot a little more power than you're used to. Many carnivals overinflate the basketballs to make them bouncier, use oval-shaped hoops, and place the hoop a few feet higher and further back than the normal 3-pointer distance to make the game even more difficult. Since most carnival basketball hoops only have a ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) margin of error, the only way to win is to gauge the distance and aim with perfect accuracy. To counteract the bounciness of the balls, aim only for the net and avoid any shots that need to bounce off the rim in order to land in. Carnivals also use sloped tarps and block off the base of the hoop so no one can stand directly under it and make the height difference obvious. Hit the center bottom bottle to win the milk bottle game. Go for accuracy over force to knock down all of the bottles. Carnivals often use heavier or bottom-weighted bottles that are harder to knock down, but by hitting the center bottle on the bottom, you can take out all of them. If there's an even number of bottles on the bottom row, go for the space between the 2 middle bottles. Make sure to give your throw a lot of force. If you're curious about how the bottles are weighted, ask the carnival employee if you can hold one of the bottles before you play. If they refuse, you can still play with the same tactics. Aim for the most inflated balloons in the balloon-dart game. Some carnival employees actually let the air out of the balloons, making them much harder to pop with the dart. Look over the board of balloons and identify the balloons with with the most air. These will be the thinnest and, therefore, the easiest to pop. There's no pattern to where these balloons are placed, so scope out the board before you play. However, the good prize tags are generally placed in balloons on the outer edges, so try aiming for several of those. Try to hit the balloons at a downwards 45 degree angle for the best chance at popping them. Use accuracy instead of strength in the “ring the bell” game. Hitting the center of the base is key to winning this game. Grip the mallet with both hands as far down the handle as you can, then hold it up with your arms fully extended. Swing the mallet down onto the base, aiming for dead-center. With some strength and enough accuracy, the weight should shoot up and ring the bell. Do a couple of practice swings first if you want to be sure of how far away to stand. This will help you gauge where the center of the base will be. Shoot a circle around the star in the BB gun shoot-out game. This game can be rigged in many ways, including inaccurate guns, extra-sensitive triggers, thick paper, and not enough BBs. However, you can still win if you shoot a circle around the star in the paper. Many people make the mistake of shooting directly at the star, but that won't let the paper tear away completely. Drop the metal discs in order to win the cover-the-spot game. Drop the first metal disc on left side of the spot, lining up the side of the circle through the middle of the disc. Drop the second disc above and slightly to the right of the first disc. Then move downward and to the left to drop the third disc. Drop the fourth disc slightly above and to the right of the third, then the fifth disc below that one. Hold the discs with one hand, putting your thumb and finger on either edge. Steer clear of ring toss games. These are almost impossible to beat. Generally, the plastic ring you use to toss is only slightly bigger than the necks of the bottles. Any imperfection in your throw will make the ring bounce off of the bottle, making this game one of the most difficult to win. If you do try the ring toss, though, snap your wrist when you throw. This will give the ring more spin, which helps stabilize it. Increase your chances at low-chance games by tossing correctly. Low-chance games, such as the basket or coin toss, often yield the same results as random-chance games because they're so difficult. When tossing balls into the basket, aim for the inside upper lip to decrease the ball's bounce. Toss coins with a high arc and little spin for more accuracy. Avoid the inaccurate radar gun at the baseball throw game. These guns can easily be rigged and incorrectly measure the speed of a throw. In once case, a carnival radar gun was even proven to be about 15 mph (24 km/h) too slow. Because this is nearly impossible to prove in person, just avoid this game altogether. Don’t go for the rope ladder game unless you have perfect balance. The rope ladder game, although beatable with enough practice, is deceptively hard. Because the ladder is only secured by one point at either end, it requires the same balance as scaling a single line of rope. If you don't have perfect balance, you'll fall every time. If you do want to win this game, avoid holding the rungs and instead use the outer ropes to climb. Move opposite limbs at the same time, such as your left arm and right foot, in order to maintain your balance. Avoid any booths with the largest prizes. If you want to play to win, make sure to check the prizes around the booth first. Huge stuffed animals or expensive prizes hanging around a game booth indicate that the game will likely to be very difficult or nearly impossible to win. Don’t count on winning random-chance games. Games such as the fishing game or the duck pond, where you choose an object at random, are fun to try your hand at, but you should avoid wasting too much time or money trying to win. You may be able to win these ones once in a while without any skill, but because these games are completely based on random chance, they're impossible to master consistently. | Beat the basketball game by throwing farther and higher. Hit the center bottom bottle to win the milk bottle game. Aim for the most inflated balloons in the balloon-dart game. Use accuracy instead of strength in the “ring the bell” game. Shoot a circle around the star in the BB gun shoot-out game. Drop the metal discs in order to win the cover-the-spot game. Steer clear of ring toss games. Increase your chances at low-chance games by tossing correctly. Avoid the inaccurate radar gun at the baseball throw game. Don’t go for the rope ladder game unless you have perfect balance. Avoid any booths with the largest prizes. Don’t count on winning random-chance games. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Breed-Leopard-Geckos | How to Breed Leopard Geckos | To breed leopard geckos, start by putting 1 male and 1 female in a long tank that's at least 20 gallons. Include a shallow dish with calcium and vitamin D powder for the female, which will replace the calcium she'll use to make eggs. You should also make sure she has water and calcium-dusted insects, since she needs her strength to produce babies. Then, give the geckos about a week to mate, and another 4-5 weeks for the female to lay eggs. Once that happens, be prepared to incubate the eggs for about 60 days, or until the babies begin to hatch. | Get a male and female leopard gecko. The males have hemipenal bulges below the vent whereas females do not. Males and females both have a V-shaped row of scales above the vent but only the male's scales here are hollow and produce wax. This wax is for scent marking their territory. It's best to check yourself to ensure you have a male and female, rather than trust people at a large pet store. Smaller specialists or Reptile show people typically will know their stuff. Never house two males together or they will fight to the death. Get a large cage for the male and female to live in together. Geckos can be kept together without the need to separate them unless you see major aggression. It is sometimes normal when first introducing a male and female for there to be a little squabbling but this usually stops within the first week. For a pair you will need at least a 20 gallon (75.7 L) long tank. You may also choose to house one male with 4-5 females, add 10 gallons (37.9 L) of space for each additional gecko. Get the incubator ready for the eggs and provide a lay box. You can use a plastic sandwich container with a lid for this purpose. Cut an entry hole on one side and fill it with damp moss (This can be used as the moist hide too). Ensure you have customers who will buy your babies when they are ready. Introduce the female to the male. You can introduce them into the same cage right away, usually.(If you have a female that isn't healthy, do NOT try to breed her. She could die.) Females should be at least one year old and have a healthy weight. Provide a shallow dish full of calcium plus vitamin D3 powder that the female can lick up as needed. Females use their calcium reserves to make eggs and if those reserves should deplete she will end up dying from metabolic bone disease. You must also take care to feed her generously with calcium dusted insects and make sure she always has access to water. Producing eggs takes a lot out of a female. Let nature take its course. Breeding should occur within a week. If you see major drama/fighting, separate the pair. You'll want to confirm they are not both males. If one male and one female, you can reintroduce them again later. Ready the laying box to put in the cage. Females dig to lay their eggs, so you will provide a place for them to dig. In about 4 to 5 weeks, the female will lay her eggs. Normally, you will see her digging in the laying box and laying the eggs in pairs. It will be easy to tell she has laid the eggs, particularly since she will be much thinner. Place the eggs in the incubation medium. Remove them from the laying box and be careful not to rotate or jiggle the eggs. After 24 hours of being laid, the embryo inside attaches itself to the side wall of the egg. Rotating or jiggling this egg could cause the embryo to come loose and drown inside, killing it. Take a deli cup filled two inches high with incubation medium and make a dent in the medium with a finger right where you are going to put an egg. Carefully place the egg in this indentation and mark the top with a sharpie or pencil with a dot so you know what is right side up. In the event the egg gets moved, you will be able to place it right side up and hope for the best that it didn't drown. If you want girls, set the incubation temperature 80 to 85 degrees, if you want males, set the temperature 90 to 95 degrees, and if you want a mix, set the temperature in the middle! Observe the developing embryos. After a few weeks, you will be able to "candle" the eggs using a small flashlight. You don't have to touch the eggs, just take them into a dark room and shine the light as close to the shell as you can. You should see pink inside with red blood vessels. The further along the eggs are, the more you will also see the baby inside as a dark mass. After around 60 days, give or take depending on the incubation temperature, the eggs should hatch. Set up the cages for the babies. Before they hatch, set up each individual with it's own small cage. You can also use a 10 gallon (37.9 L) tank with plastic dividers so each baby is housed by itself. Each cage should have a small water bowl as well. Have tiny crickets readily available. Babies will start eating insects within a day or two of being hatched. Most importantly and before you breed your leopard geckos, make sure you have homes for all the babies. A single female can lay 12 to 20 pairs of eggs a year, that's 24 to 40 babies! | Get a male and female leopard gecko. Get a large cage for the male and female to live in together. Get the incubator ready for the eggs and provide a lay box. Ensure you have customers who will buy your babies when they are ready. Introduce the female to the male. Let nature take its course. Ready the laying box to put in the cage. In about 4 to 5 weeks, the female will lay her eggs. Place the eggs in the incubation medium. Observe the developing embryos. After around 60 days, give or take depending on the incubation temperature, the eggs should hatch. Set up the cages for the babies. Have tiny crickets readily available. Most importantly and before you breed your leopard geckos, make sure you have homes for all the babies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt | How to Design Your Own T Shirt | To design your own t-shirt, start by picking a color scheme, and decide which color will be the fabric of the t-shirt and which will be the font or image. Use a software like Adobe Photoshop to draw out your design on a t-shirt shape and determine where the design will fit best. Be sure to account for the size of the shirt when picking the placement, and choose where you want the design on the front or the back. Before you send your shirt to be printed, make a prototype by printing the design and ironing it onto a plain shirt. | Think about what your design is going to represent. Maybe you are advertising your cleaning company, your rock band, or your favorite sports team. Maybe you're using a personal illustration. The purpose of the design will determine the design. If you are advertising a company, band, sporting team, or brand, you will likely need to focus on logo. The Nike swoosh logo, for example, is a very simple but effective design. A design for a sporting team might feature the team colors or the team's mascot. A design for your band might focus on an image of the band or a graphic that represents the band's style or sound. If you are making a t-shirt to showcase a personal illustration or drawing, you will need to focus on how it will look on a t-shirt. Think about how original the illustration is and how the colors are working in the illustration. Consider using a photo in your design. Use your own photo. You may use a picture made by someone else, but only if you have acquired the legal rights to use that image. You can also buy a stock image. Pick a color scheme. When designing a t-shirt, its important to think about color contrast. This means how certain ink colors in the design will appear against a lighter colored shirt or a darker colored shirt. Certain ink colors look more vibrant on a lighter or darker shirt on the computer screen than they actually do when printed. When using lighter shirts, avoid pastel colors like yellow, light blue, or light pink. These colors will be visible on the shirts but may not be legible at a distance. And if you are designing a shirt with a logo, you want to make sure that logo is legible from far away! If you decide to use pastel colors, add an outline of a darker color to the lighter color to highlight the text and make it easier to read. Darker colored shirts look good with lighter ink colors, such as pastels. But be careful when using darker ink colors on darker colored shirts like cardinal (dark blue), maroon, or forest green. These colors may look great on the computer or in a drawing, but when they print, the shirt color sometimes distorts the ink color. As a result, they can appear more brown or dull. If you decide to use Adobe Illustrator to create your design, the Global Colours settings can help immensely with color schemes. Add dimension to the design. Once you've added your colors to the design, it may look good but still a bit flat or one dimensional. To create more depth to a certain area of the design, add a color that is the shade of the color beneath it. This will brighten up the design and give it some dimension. If you plan to use software with a high capacity for manipulation (such as Adobe Photoshop , InDesign, Gimp , Adobe Illustrator , or Paint Shop Pro ), you can use a standard image and radically transform it to fit your needs. Creating a vector outline on Inkscape is an especially effective way to resize a photo if necessary. Balance your design. This means combining all the parts or elements to form a whole. How you do this depends on the composition of your design. Maybe your design has a lot of smaller elements, like stars, plants or animals. Or may it is one large design with one main figure or image. Think about how you can make the design look cohesive, so that all the parts or elements fit well together. A balanced image will immediately draw the eye in rather than away from an image. Determine the placement of the design on the t-shirt. Would your design work better as a centered image, an image on the top left of the t-shirt or as a wraparound image? If you are designing a t shirt for a brand or company, a simple design in the center of the shirt may be the most effective. Don't forget you can also use the back of the t-shirt to include a branding slogan (“Just Do It”). Or a song lyric from a song by the band you are designing the shirt for. Complete a final mock up of the design. It's best to sketch your ideas out before putting them on your t-shirt. Try out several different designs and color combinations. Keep in mind color contrast and dimension. Make sure the image is balanced and cohesive. When in doubt, get a second opinion. Ask friends, family, or coworkers what design and color scheme they like best. Use Adobe Photoshop to touch up your paper sketches. If your paper sketches are not high quality or drawn with clear lines, this option may not work. If your sketch is high quality: Scan the sketches to your computer. Then, retouch them in Photoshop. Clean up the lines. Play with the filters, colors, brightness, contrast, saturation, or any other effects at your disposal. Add lines, flourishes, splatter effects, and other embellishments that might make the design more dynamic and balanced (where appropriate). Make sure that the entire layout is internally consistent by keeping proportions reasonable, styles consistent, and colors cohesive. Use computer software to create the design. If you aren't happy with the quality of your paper sketches, use computer software to draw line art on Photoshop. If you have a computer drawing tablet, you can color and draw straight onto Photoshop or a similar program. Add text to the design, if desire. Look for a font that complements your overall design, rather than overwhelm it. The font should work with the image(s) in your design to create a balanced design. Think about the fonts on some of the more well known logos or designs. The font should relate back to the company or brand's overall style. Nike's Just Do It's slogan, for example, is in a bold and simple font, just like their bold and simple swoosh logo. In contrast, the font used for a sports team or a garage rock band may be more elaborate or ornate. Make sure any filters you are using on the design are also applied to the font. If you are working with layers on Photoshop, you will need to drag your font layers below the photo effects layers. Use free fonts from an online site like defont.com. You can also access free brush designs from brusheezy.com. Look at how to add fonts to your PC , Illustrator , or Photoshop if necessary. If you're feeling adventurous with design, you can make your own. Create a prototype. The easiest way to do this is to print the design and iron it onto a plain shirt. However, if you want to test the quality of your design, you can hire a printing company to create a professional prototype. Produce the shirt(s). For a small-scale operation, you can continue ironing on the design. If you'd like to make shirts at a larger scale, however, you can pay a printing company to make them for you. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid49532-v4-728px-Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Gather your supplies. To screen-print your design at home, you will need: A plain t-shirt 50 ml bottle of degreaser (available at your local art store) 1 liter cold water A large brush 500 ml of emulsion A small bottle of sensitizer A bottle of screen printing ink A squeegee or a coating tray A small wooden stick A hair dryer A transparency A printing screen You can purchase a printing screen at your local art store. Or make your own by buying a mesh screen and a canvas stretcher frame. Stretch the mesh across the frame and staple the edges down so that the mesh is taut. For standard designs on a light shirt, a 110-195 mesh works best. For fine designs with multiple colors, use a 156-230 mesh. Prepare the printing screen. Mix the degreaser and the cold water together. Place the brush in the mixture and then brush the mixture on to the screen. Make sure you brush both sides of the screen. You just want to give the screen a light brush so don't worry about putting too much of the mixture on the screen. Let the screen dry. Mix the emulsion and the sensitizer together. Take 20 ml of water and pour it into the bottle of sensitizer. Mix the sensitizer well by shaking for an about a minute. Add the sensitizer into the emulsion. Use the small wooden stick to mix the sensitizer and the emulsion together. The color of the emulsion should change from blue to green. There should also be small bubbles forming in the emulsion. Place the lid loosely back on the emulsion and place it in a dark area or room for an hour. After an hour, check that all the small bubbles in the emulsion have disappeared. If they do not disappear after an hour, leave the emulsion to sit for another hour until the bubbles are gone. Apply the emulsion on the screen. In a very dim room or with a low red light, drip a line of photo emulsion across the screen and use a squeegee to spread it around. The emulsion will leak through the screen, so be sure to squeegee both sides of the screen. You can also use a coating tray to apply the emulsion to the screen. Do this by placing the screen on a clean towel and tilting it away from you slightly. Place the coating tray at the bottom of the screen and carefully pour the emulsion on the screen as you move the tray up the screen. Leave the emulsion to dry in a completely black room for about twenty minutes. Use a fan to help the screen dry. Place the transparency down backward on the screen. Now you're ready to burn your image into the emulsion. Do this by placing the screen flat, placing the transparency down backward, and placing a piece of glass over the transparency to ensure that it doesn't move. Burn the design into the emulsion. A 500-watt lightbulb will burn the transparency image into the emulsion in roughly fifteen minutes. The exact times for this process depend on the light and emulsion you use. Specific directions for the light needed should be on the packaging of the purchased emulsion. Rinse the screen. Let the screen soak in a thin layer of water for about two minutes. Then rinse any excess emulsion off with a hose or in the shower. Place waterproof tape around the edges of the underside of the screen. The flat side of the screen will go facedown on the shirt, and the side with the frame is where you will use the ink. To make sure no ink ends up leaking around the frame, use waterproof tape to secure around the edges where the screen stretches over the frame. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-19.jpg\/aid49532-v4-728px-Design-Your-Own-T-Shirt-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface. Make sure there are no wrinkles. Place the screen on top of the t-shirt, where you would like your design to be. Place the screen on top, making sure that the screen and design are aligned. Clip your shirt down to a firm piece of cardboard. Doing this will ensure your t-shirt remains flat and unwrinkled. It will also make it easier to move your t-shirt to a safe spot later to dry. If possible, have a friend hold the screen down tight while you spread the ink. Spread a tablespoon of screen printing ink on the top of the screen. Using your squeegee, coat the screen by spreading the line of ink from top to bottom. The mesh is actually quite thick, so this step is more of a primer. Use very light pressure so you don't push any ink through the screen. Squeegee the screen. With the screen flooded, you're ready to transfer the design to the shirt. Use the squeegee at a 45° angle in both hands to evenly distribute the pressure. If possible, ask a friend to hold the screen in place. Drag the ink back up across the flooded screen over the design. Cure the ink. Using a hairdryer, apply even heat to the design for several minutes. Cure the ink before using the next screen to add additional layers of the graphic in different colors. If you use the proper screen-printing technique and cure it, your t-shirt will be washing machine safe. Wash your screen once you are done making your shirts. Use cold water and scrub it with a sponge to get the ink out. Let the screen air dry. Gather your materials. To stencil your design onto a t-shirt, you will need: A black and white print out of your design. Its important to use a black and white printout of your design so it will be easy to trace. A piece of contact paper, or a transparency A craft knife, or exacto knife A plain t-shirt A piece of cardboard big enough to cover the front area of the shirt Tape the design to a piece of contact paper. Contact paper is clear paper used for covering books. It has a normal side and a sticky side that peels off. You want to tape your paper to the peeling side so that the design is visible through the front of the contact paper—the non-sticky side. You can also use a piece of transparency or clear paper. Attach it to the printout of your design with tape. Use a sharp craft knife to cut out the black parts of the design. Lay the attached papers on a flat surface, like a table. Trace the lines with the craft knife or an exacto knife. Keep in mind the black parts you cut out are the parts of the design that will be filled with paint. Peel the sticky side off the contact paper. Remove the normal paper with the design from the contact paper as well. Place the sticky stencil onto the t-shirt, making sure it is straight and not wrinkled. If you are using a transparency or clear paper instead of contact paper, attach the transparency to the shirt with tape. Place a piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt. Doing this separates the front and back so the ink doesn't bleed through to the other side. Use a sponge brush to paint on the fabric paint. Only put paint on the spots that have been cut out of the contact paper—the spots that will be painted in dark on the t-shirt. Let the paint dry. Test the paint by gently touching the painted spots. If paint comes away on your finger, it is not fully dry. Peel the contact paper off of the t-shirt when the paint is dry. You will now have a stenciled on t-shirt. You can use the stencil to make another shirt if you want more than one stenciled t-shirt. Use bleach safely. Bleach painting is a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to create a design on a t-shirt, especially text based designs. But, remember bleach is toxic, so keep it out of reach of children. Always protect your eyes, clothing, and any open cuts from coming into contact with bleach. If you have sensitive skin, you should wear thin kitchen gloves while bleach painting. Gather your supplies. You will need: Fabric safe household bleach A synthetic bristle paint brush (go for an inexpensive one, as you'll just be bleaching it anyway!) A glass or ceramic bowl A white towel or rag White chalk A piece of cardboard A dark colored cotton blend shirt You can try this method on a lighter colored shirt, but the bleach painting will show up better on darker colors. Place your shirt on a flat surface. Then, slide the piece of cardboard inside your shirt. It will act as an even surface as you write your design. It will also stop the bleach from bleeding through the back of your shirt. Use the white chalk to sketch out your design on the shirt. This could be your favorite saying (“Bazinga!” “Reach for the Stars”), the name of your band, or the logo of your brand. Don't worry if you need the smudge out the chalk lines and re-sketch the design. The chalk lines will wash out once you've completed the bleach painting. Fold the sides of the shirt under the cardboard. Secure the shirt to the cardboard with elastics or small clips. This will keep the cardboard from slipping while you bleach paint. Prepare the bleach. Pour a few cups of the bleach into the glass or ceramic bowl. Use a towel to wipe up any drips. You don't want any drops of bleach to end up on your clothing. Dip your brush into the bleach. Drag it on the edge of the bowl to eliminate any dripping. Use steady strokes to trace the chalk lines of your design. For an even bleach line, reload your brush every two inches. The fabric will quickly soak up the liquid so work quickly, but with a steady hand. Finish tracing your design. Then, take a break to allow the bleach to react with the fabric of the shirt. Look over the shirt. Are there any uneven spots or light areas? If so, go back in with your bleach filled brush and even out the design. Let the shirt sit in the sun for at least an hour. This will allow the bleach to process and lighten. Depending on the cotton content of your shirt, the color of your design will range from dark red, to orange, to pink, or even white. Rinse and hand wash your shirt. Hang it to dry. Admire your new permanent bleach design. Wash the shirt with like colors. The chalk lines should wash out, leaving only the bleach design. | Think about what your design is going to represent. Pick a color scheme. Add dimension to the design. Balance your design. Determine the placement of the design on the t-shirt. Complete a final mock up of the design. Use Adobe Photoshop to touch up your paper sketches. Use computer software to create the design. Add text to the design, if desire. Create a prototype. Produce the shirt(s). Gather your supplies. Prepare the printing screen. Mix the emulsion and the sensitizer together. Apply the emulsion on the screen. Place the transparency down backward on the screen. Burn the design into the emulsion. Rinse the screen. Place waterproof tape around the edges of the underside of the screen. Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface. Spread a tablespoon of screen printing ink on the top of the screen. Squeegee the screen. Cure the ink. Wash your screen once you are done making your shirts. Gather your materials. Tape the design to a piece of contact paper. Use a sharp craft knife to cut out the black parts of the design. Peel the sticky side off the contact paper. Place a piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt. Use a sponge brush to paint on the fabric paint. Peel the contact paper off of the t-shirt when the paint is dry. Use bleach safely. Gather your supplies. Place your shirt on a flat surface. Use the white chalk to sketch out your design on the shirt. Fold the sides of the shirt under the cardboard. Prepare the bleach. Dip your brush into the bleach. Use steady strokes to trace the chalk lines of your design. Finish tracing your design. Let the shirt sit in the sun for at least an hour. Rinse and hand wash your shirt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Leave-a-Group-of-Friends | How to Leave a Group of Friends | If you have a group of friends who you no longer mesh with or who have become bad for your wellbeing, you may have to leave them behind. The most direct way to leave a group of friends is to talk to them about your choice, though this can be awkward if your friends have a lot of questions. If you're uncomfortable talking to them directly or don't want to hurt their feelings, then slowly wind down your friendship by not answering calls or texts immediately and bowing out of get-togethers. You can also use this time apart from your friends to make sure that this is the right decision for you. If you find that you're happier during this separation, then extend it to a full break. Otherwise, use this time away to remind yourself why your friends aren't so bad and reconnect with them when you can. | Tell the group your decision. The most direct way to leave a group of friends is to talk to them about your choice to leave. You can tell the group all at once or on an individualized basis that you'll be ending your friendship with them. This method of leaving a group of friends can be awkward because the group might have lots of questions. If you are very close with all members of the group of friends, you should probably tell all of them at once. If you're closer with certain friends in the group than others, you might choose to tell the friends you are closest with first, then inform the rest of your decision afterwards. Prepare carefully if you intend to address the whole group of friends about your leaving. Use note cards or a written page to help you express everything you need to. Wind it down. Instead of addressing your friends directly about leaving the group, it's sometimes best to make a slow, steady exit from a group of friends. Unless your friends are engaged in something dangerous or illegal, there's usually no need to leave a group of friends all at once. If you don't want to hurt your friends' feelings, you could just choose to spend less time with them until eventually you're spending no time at all with them. Stop sharing intimate details and events in your life. Invest the time you used to spend with the group of friends with other friends, or take up a new hobby. Don't answer calls and texts immediately. Over time, your friends will become casual acquaintances, then (if you wish) disconnect from you altogether. Be aware that your friends may have questions. They may ask why you are so distant, what is wrong, if you are okay, etc. Prepare yourself to answer these questions honestly. Cut off all contact. This method of leaving a group of friends may seem cold and heartless, but it may be appropriate if the friendship group is abusive or harmful and you need to cut all ties with them. This is not a good way to leave a group of friends just because you don't want to deal with the awkwardness of being honest with them or answering questions. Parting with empathy, integrity, and honesty will be better in the long run than burning bridges in this way. Plus, you have a lingering feeling of having to "dodge'" people or avoid them later in life if you find them in your circle again. Do not offer an explanation or respond to their calls, texts, or emails. Block the group of friends from your social media accounts. Throw a party. If you're moving away for a job or to attend university, you might be leaving a group of friends you love and who care about you. In this case, you should throw a party with your group of friends. Do something you all love — go to your favorite water park or dine at your favorite restaurant, for instance. Use the party to celebrate your shared friendship and reminisce about all the good times you've had together. Use social media, texts, and emails to stay in touch with friends you really care about. Visit them when you get the chance. Write each friend in the group a letter telling them how much you care about them. Thank them for their friendship, and cite specific instances in which they demonstrated what a good friend they were. Be honest. If your friends insist on an explanation as to why you're leaving the group, be honest no matter what your reasons are. Do not, for instance, tell your friends that you are moving out of state just to avoid them or leave the group. Instead, be open and honest about why you want or need to leave the group of friends. If it's easier for you to express yourself in writing, there's nothing wrong with sending an email or letter to a group of friends (or the ringleader of a group of friends) explaining your grievances. Be respectful of your friends’ feelings. Sometimes the truth hurts. Try to find a way to be honest and respectful at the same time. For instance, if you're leaving a group of friends because they no longer share your interests or if you find that they are very boring, try a diplomatic approach by explaining to them that, “I just have a hard time relating to you.” Don't rub the fact that you're leaving the group in their faces. Emphasize your own feelings and point of view, and avoid accusatory “you” statements like, “You are very boring.” Lies will only lead to more lies. It's best to be honest about your reasons for leaving a group. Sometimes vague answers work best, since they can be both honest and respectful. For instance, “I'm busy,” or “I've been traveling,” may work as explanations for friends who want to know why you aren't spending as much time with them. Stand your ground. Friends — especially friends of long standing — will often try to pull you back into the group. Be firm in your decision to leave the group. Don't give in to group pressure or bullying. For instance, if someone tries to get you to remain in the group of friends, say, “I'm sorry, I am very busy.” Or “We've had some great times but I need some time apart from the group right now.” Be calm and graceful when declining invitations to hang out with the group of friends you wish to leave (or have already left). Discuss concerns with your group of friends. Try talking to your group of friends about the behavior(s) that you find unacceptable. For instance, if your friends consistently exclude you, try talking to at least one friend in the group privately. Perhaps they were not deliberately excluding you, and when you alert them to your feelings, they will correct their behavior and include you more often. Take a break. Sometimes you can use a long trial separation from your friends to see if you're truly happy leaving your group of friends. Use the time apart from your group of friends to see how you feel without them in your life. Look for new friends, explore your hobbies, and spend time with close family members. If you find you are happier during the separation, you can extend it into a full break from the group of friends. If, on the other hand, you find that you miss your friends, you should use the brief period of reflection to remind yourself why your friends aren't so bad, and reconnect with the group when you have a chance. Tell them that you've missed them and can't wait to see them again. Inspire change among your friends. While it is good to abandon friends who are engaging in negative behaviors, it is also worth trying to steer them away from their negative choices and help them see the error of their ways. Before leaving a group of friends engaged in illicit or immoral behavior, take proactive steps to help them reform. If your friends are abusing drugs or alcohol, encourage them to join Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and seek counseling for their addiction. If your friends want you to join them in stealing or vandalizing property, discourage them from doing so. Remind them of the trouble they could get in if caught, and propose an alternative activity like seeing a movie. Look out for controlling friends. If your friends are constantly trying to make the group your only social outlet, you should think about leaving the group of friends. They might also badmouth your other friends, family, or significant other in an effort to pressure you into spending less time with them. Leave groups of friends like this as soon as possible. Beware of friends that are a bad influence. People often do what they see others do. Whether for good or ill, friends are a major influence in your life. If your friends engage in negative behaviors, you should leave the group of friends before you get yourself into trouble with them. You should consider leaving your group of friends if they: Steal goods from stores Abuse drugs and alcohol Vandalize public or private property Engage in other immoral or illegal acts Leave groups of friends that don’t invite you out. If your friends often ignore you when arranging outings, you should think about leaving them. This might be an indirect form of bullying (bullying by exclusion). Friends who do this do not value your company, and are not friends at all. Avoid needy friends. If you have a group of friends who only want to spend time with you when they need something, they are bad friends. If you're providing money, food, or a place to crash for your group of friends and your generosity is not being reciprocated, you are being taken advantage of and should leave the group. Beware of friends who try to compete with you. If your friends are always trying to one-up you, it's time to leave that group of friends. Avoid friends who try to minimize your accomplishments. They are bad friends and not worth keeping. For example, if you tell your friends that you got a 93% on your test, and they brag that your score is not that great because they got an even higher score, they are bad friends. Conversely, if you say that you're having a bad day, and your friends insist that they are having even worse days, consider leaving the friend group. Leave friend groups that drain your energy. Spending time with friends should make us feel invigorated, refreshed, and energized. If you find yourself making excuses to avoid your group of friends, they are probably not good for your mental health. Friends that wear you out with their complaints, drama, or criticism should be left behind. | Tell the group your decision. Wind it down. Cut off all contact. Throw a party. Be honest. Be respectful of your friends’ feelings. Stand your ground. Discuss concerns with your group of friends. Take a break. Inspire change among your friends. Look out for controlling friends. Beware of friends that are a bad influence. Leave groups of friends that don’t invite you out. Avoid needy friends. Beware of friends who try to compete with you. Leave friend groups that drain your energy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Tiddlywinks | How to Play Tiddlywinks | To play tiddlywinks, first choose the color of winks you want to play with. Then, stand at a corner of the playing mat, diagonally across from your opponent, with your winks behind the baseline. Decide who starts by using the squidger to propel a wink towards the pot in the middle of the mat and seeing whose wink gets closest. Next, set a timer for 20 minutes and take it in turns to try to pot your winks. Whoever pots the most winks within the playing time, wins. | Make sure you have all of the pieces you need to play Tiddlywinks. These should be in the game itself upon purchase, and you will need all of them to play it right. Winks are small plastic discs that you try to get into the pot. The squidger is a larger piece of round, thicker plastic that you use to propel smaller discs into the pot. Winks come in yellow, red, green, and blue. There are 6 winks of each color. The pot is the container that you try to put the winks into. The mat is basically the playing field. It's usually 6 feet by 3 feet. Place the mat on a flat surface in order to play. The mat has lines etched on both ends. This indicates the field's boundaries and baselines. The mat is usually made of felt. Understand the game’s object. The goal of Tiddlywinks is to propel as many winks into the pot as you can. You can either play Tiddlywinks in two-person teams or against another player. It's also possible to play the game with three people. Only 2 to 4 people can play Tiddlywinks. The verb “to squidge” means you propel or flick the smaller plastic discs toward (and hopefully into) the pot using the squidger. The way you squidge a wink is by putting your squidger on a wink. Apply pressure to it, and it should pop the wink forward. It can be difficult to squidge a wink when someone else's wink is on it. The wink below another wink is said to be “squopped.” You must only touch the top wink in your color sequence. If all the winks are squopped, the game is over. Use the right squidger. Some people sandpaper their squidger down. This will make it so they have less sharp edges. Some people use different size squidgers for different shots. Squidgers must be round and between 25 mm and 51 mm across and no thicker than 5 mm. They cannot damage the winks. You may only use one per play. However, you can use different squidgers throughout the course of a game. Choose a partner if you want. Partners use blue and red winks or they use green and yellow winks. Once you have a partner, you should stand diagonally across from your partner on the mat's opposite corners. Blue winks are put in the corner diagonally positioned across from red; the same is true of green and yellow. If you're playing in a team, each player should take one of the two colors of the pairs above. Team play in Tiddlywinks is called “pairs.” If you just playing against another person, one player will use blue and red winks and the other green and yellow winks. This is called “singles.” It's possible to play with three people. In that instance, one of the people controls both colors and the other two each control one other color. Start with a squidge-off. This means that you see whose winks get closest to the pot or into it. If yours makes it into the pot or is closest, you get to start. Place the pot in the middle of the mat. Place the winks behind the baselines. Each corner of the mat should contain winks of only one color. Arrange the colors clockwise in alphabetical order from the English language (blue first, and then green, etc.) Tiddlywinks turns then move in clockwise rotation after the squidge-off. Play a wink of each color from behind the baseline in the direction of the pot. You always want to make sure you stay behind the baseline when you play a wink. The wink in or closest to the pot is the winner. Then, put the winks back behind the baseline. Time the game. Generally, games of Tiddlywinks last 20 minutes for single matches and 25 minutes for pairs. Start the clock after the squidge-off. The game can end before the time runs out, though, if someone squidges all the winks of their color into the pot. Games with three players usually run 22.5 minutes. You can also choose to play until all winks are potted. There is usually a round limit period after the ending of the time period if all the winks are not potted. That means you continue playing until the turn of the color that won the squidge off. Five further rounds of the color are played, with each ending after the turn of the color that won the squidge-off. Begin play. Start with the color that won the squidge-off. The colors take turns in alphabetical order of the English language. Use the squidger to propel the winks toward the pot when it is your turn. If you get the wink inside the pot, that is called a potted wink. If the wink stops on all or part of another wink, the top wink is the squopping wink and the lower wink is the squopped wink. Winks that are not potted or squopped are called free winks. When it is your turn in the clockwise rotation, see how close you can flip one of your color's Tiddlywinks toward the pot. Be careful. If you send it off the mat, you lose your turn. If you get your color in the pot, you get another shot. If a person's shot causes a wink of the same color to go off the mat, the next shot with that color is forfeited. Pot out. Potting out means you empty out the pot to see how many winks are inside of it. You “pot out” if all of your winks are in the pot. If all six winks of a single color are potted, that color is “potted out.” The person controlling that color then wins the game. If you pot out, you also get an extra point and your opponents score one less point. If all of the colors are not potted when the time runs out, add up the score for each color. Every potted wink is three points. Every uncovered wink is one point. Squopped and unplayed winks don't count. So, for example, if blue has 3 potted winks and 2 free, the score is 11. If yellow has 4 winks in a pot and 1 free, the total is 13. The top scorer gets 4 points, the second scorer gets 2 and the third gets 1 point. Be strategic. Tiddlywinks is not just blind luck when it's played well. Some people will squop another person's Tiddlywinks in order to stop another person who has potted colors. For example, if a player has five of his color in the pot but the sixth is squopped, he or she can't do anything until his or her partner frees it up. There are many possible game plans, but a standard strategy is to try to build an area of friendly winks close to the pot, and to squop as many enemy winks as possible. Trying to put winks in the pot too early may end in disaster as your remaining playable winks become captured. Hold the squidger with a firm but relaxed grip. Hold it high up so your fingers don't get in the way of the flick. Place the edge of the squidger on the middle of the wink, about 45 degrees to it. Handle squopped winks right. You cannot play a squopped wink. This means that a wink is covered even a tiny bit by another wink. You can, however, play the top wink of any pile if it is yours and follow through to any wink directly under it. If someone pots out, the time limit no longer matters. The game continues until all winks of a partnership are in the pot. All squops must be squidged. Covering winks are moved to 2mm away from all other winks. Play continues in the regular order. First color to pot out wins. To play a squopped wink, you first play the upper surface of the unsquopped wink. Winks vertically below the wink you first touch can be hit by the squidger. The shot has to be short and continuous from start to finish. You could play a pile shot in which you send the enemy wink far away. This is called a boondock. | Make sure you have all of the pieces you need to play Tiddlywinks. Understand the game’s object. Use the right squidger. Choose a partner if you want. Start with a squidge-off. Time the game. Begin play. Pot out. Be strategic. Handle squopped winks right. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Your-Child-Is-Overweight | How to Tell if Your Child Is Overweight | To tell if your child is overweight, start by measuring their height and weight in order to calculate their BMI. Then, divide your child's weight in pounds by their height in inches squared and multiply this number by 703. Once you know your child's BMI, compare it to an online chart to see if your child is overweight. Alternatively, use an online calculator specifically for children and teenagers to figure out your child's BMI. If your child's BMI is on the high side, avoid criticizing their appearance, which can damage their self-esteem. Instead, talk to your child about healthy eating habits and being more active, like how to eat more fruits and vegetables throughout the day and finding a form of exercise they enjoy. | Figure out your child’s weight-to-height ratio (or body mass index). Body mass index (BMI) is age and sex specific, so it is often called BMI-for-age. Use a bathroom scale to measure your child's weight. Then, measure your child's height with a tape measure. Have your child stand against a wall, mark the top of their head with a pencil, and measure their height with a tape measure. Finally, divide the child's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. If you prefer working in feet and inches, you can divide the child's weight in pounds by their height in inches squared and then multiply it by 703. You can also use an online BMI calculator, but make sure it is specifically for children and teenagers— such as the one here: https://nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/calculator.aspx — and not for adults. Simply fill in the required information on size, weight, age and all other fields. Then press calculate. Download charts that show BMI-for-age. Go to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and search BMI-for-age. You will see charts that are available for free to download for both boys and girls. Compare your child's BMI to what is normal for their age, height, and sex. A child whose BMI is equal to or greater than the 5th percentile and less than the 85th percentile is considered a healthy weight for their age. Most pediatricians also measure and track BMI at regular check-ups and can provide you with the information and/or charts. Have your doctor measure your child’s waist circumference. Your doctor will measure the fat around your child's belly. They will measure the circumference at the natural waist, which is in between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone. This method is inexpensive and fairly accurate; however, some doctors may not be able to tell you whether your child is overweight from this information alone. Ask your doctor to measure your child’s waist-to-hip ratio. Your doctor will measure your child's abdominal obesity. They will measure the circumference of your child's waist and then their hips. They will then divide your child's waist by hip measurements. There are two places where your doctor could possibly measure wrong but they should be able to do it fairly accurately. Request a skinfold thickness measurement. Your doctor will use a caliper to measure the thickness of a pinch of skin or fat in various parts of the body. They may measure the trunk, thighs, front and back of the upper arm, and then under the shoulder blade. Doctors will then use an equation to predict overall body fat percentage. It is a fast and easy method, which is safe and inexpensive. However, it is not as accurate as other methods. Ask your doctor to perform a bioelectrical impedance test. Your doctor will send a safe electrical current through your child's body. The current encounters more resistance passing through fat than through water and muscle. Your doctor will use an equation to measure body fat percentage. It is convenient, safe, and relatively inexpensive. It relies on relatively normal ratio of body water to fat, but this can change during illness or otherwise. It is not as accurate as some other methods. Your doctor may use one or more methods to measure body fat, alongside the body mass index, to determine whether or not your child is overweight. Talk to your doctor about emerging patterns. looking at the pattern of growth, including weight, is more important than looking at one value. Looking at how the weight has changed over time can be very important when determining if your child is overweight. Certain factors, such as entering puberty, can have a bearing on whether your child is at a healthy weight. Your doctor can look at BMI measurements from previous visits to determine whether your child may be at risk for becoming overweight. Talk to your child about healthy eating habits. You should focus on having an upbeat and informative conversation about healthy eating habits such as relatively small and diverse portions. Throughout the conversation, you should communicate your love and support. Make sure they know it is not their fault and that obesity is a complex issue. Avoid words like greedy, fat, or lazy, which will erode self-esteem. If the child is under nine years of age, make changes to the family diet as a whole. You don't need to talk to your child. Rather, change what the family eats. If your child is 10 or older, you may want to talk to them directly about food and weight. They will likely already be thinking about these topics so now is the time for open dialogue. You must still make changes as a family, however, even for older children. Praise your child for healthy eating and lifestyle choices. If you see your child making good food decisions such as finishing their healthy dinner or skipping a sugary snack, you should offer praise. Encourage them to continue making wise food choices. For example, if you see your child make a healthy salad for lunch, you might say: “That looks both healthy and delicious. It is great to see you figuring out recipes that work for you. You'll have to teach me how to make it!” Avoid criticizing your child’s appearance. If you notice your child gaining weight and want to say something, it is best to avoid saying negative things to your child. For example, if you pick your child up from school and you notice their weight in comparison to their peers, try to avoid making negative comments. Avoid saying things like, “Wow, you really have put on some pounds these last few months!” These kinds of negative statements harm your child's self-esteem. Focus on choices and habits, rather than looks or numbers on a scale. Criticizing or fretting over your child's weight/appearance won't help their mental health, and it may lead to a defeatist "I'm fat and awful" attitude. Instead, talk about good habits. Emphasize that people of all sizes can make good choices and take good care of their health. Avoid equating looks to health. Some Olympic athletes are very heavy, and some thin people have bad habits. If your child is heavy, let them look at pictures of athletes who are heavy too. This shows them that people who look like them can get fit and make healthy choices. Discuss healthy recipes and food choices with your child. You can talk to your child about weight and health while making home recipes or visiting the grocery store. Throughout these conversations, try to empower your child to make healthy food choices. Discuss food preparation with your child. For instance, you might bring them to the grocery store and talk about the different options for weekly meals. Talk to your child about healthy recipes. Ask your child, "How do you think we could make this recipe a little bit healthier?" If you raise the issue in this manner, it shifts the focus from their body to a common recipe. Use articles or news stories to talk about the importance of a healthy diet. If you see a magazine article about a healthy recipe or diet, you can use the article as an opportunity to talk to your child about healthy eating habits. Start a new family meal plan. Prioritize family eating in the home. You should aim for eating fewer calories and reducing unhealthy things like salt and saturated fats. You should also aim to increase the number of fruits and vegetables in your family dinners. Feed your children fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Children who eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes will grow up healthier and live longer. Base your diet on plant foods as opposed to animal products. While you don't want the emphasis to be on animal products, it is still important to include lean proteins in your family's diet. Prepare lean cuts of meat (such as white-meat, skinless poultry) and choose low-fat dairy products. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian if you need help planning a healthy diet for your child and family. Involve the whole family in improving the family's meals. Causes of childhood obesity include inappropriate diets with excessive saturated fats, and simply too much food. For some, there is a genetic or metabolic component behind their obesity as well. Once you have determined a new family meal plan, you will need to involve everyone in the changes. It will be easier to make the changes when everyone is involved, including you, and when everyone understands the importance of dietary change. It can be hard to change old habits, so stick with it until the new, healthier habits feel normal. Be fair. Don't subject one child to tougher standards than another child, or they will resent you. Cut down on sugary snacks. Sugary snacks are widely available in schools and in many homes. Reducing childhood sugar consumption leads to major health benefits, including obesity reduction. Be mindful of juice purchases. Some juices have a lot of added sugar, which isn't a good choice. Look for 100% juice, if any. Start new family activities that get the whole family outside. Engaging your whole family in a healthy lifestyle will create the conditions for your children to develop into healthy adults. Encourage activity to happen as a family, or for smaller groups. For example, maybe you'd like to take your daughter out for walks after lunch every day. Visit the local park or swimming pool. Dance to music. Take walks around the neighborhood. Go for family bike rides. Play backyard sports. Find types of exercise that your kids actually enjoy. Different children have different tastes, and your goal is not to force them into whatever exercise plan you created, but to find a type of exercise that is fun and healthy. Extroverted children may prefer group sports, while introverted children might like one-on-one or individual activities. Don't keep score if it stresses out your child. Some kids find it more fun to play without keeping track of who is winning. Children, especially heavy children, may get bullied in organized sports. If your child has an awful time, they might start hating exercise altogether. Listen to your child, and take them seriously if they say they're being bullied or they want to quit. Buy games that involve physical activity. Children love to play, so if you can find toys that get them moving, they can have a lot of fun exercising. Consider both outdoor and indoor opportunities. If you have the financial resources, try buying things like these: Video games like Dance Dance Revolution Indoor trampolines Balls for sports (kickballs, basketballs, baseballs and bats; department stores sell cheap colorful balls that work for different sports) Scooters/skateboards (with the appropriate safety gear) Step counters (challenge them to beat a certain number) Model a healthy lifestyle for your children. Your children will follow your direction. You are a role model for them in life, so you should take care of your own health. Start a daily exercise program with your children. Children who regularly exercise tend to perform better academically and have lower levels of stress. Sign your children up for sports teams, if they're interested. Sign your children up for swimming lessons. | Figure out your child’s weight-to-height ratio (or body mass index). Have your doctor measure your child’s waist circumference. Ask your doctor to measure your child’s waist-to-hip ratio. Request a skinfold thickness measurement. Ask your doctor to perform a bioelectrical impedance test. Talk to your doctor about emerging patterns. Talk to your child about healthy eating habits. Praise your child for healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Avoid criticizing your child’s appearance. Focus on choices and habits, rather than looks or numbers on a scale. Discuss healthy recipes and food choices with your child. Use articles or news stories to talk about the importance of a healthy diet. Start a new family meal plan. Involve the whole family in improving the family's meals. Cut down on sugary snacks. Start new family activities that get the whole family outside. Find types of exercise that your kids actually enjoy. Buy games that involve physical activity. Model a healthy lifestyle for your children. Start a daily exercise program with your children. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Boil-Vegetables | How to Boil Vegetables | If you want to boil root vegetables on the stove, wash and peel them to remove the pesticides and bacteria. Then, cut them into similarly sized pieces and put them in a pot. Cover the vegetables with water and simmer them until they are easily pierced with a fork. To boil vegetables in the microwave, add the chopped vegetables to a microwave safe bowl and fill the bowl 1/8 full of water. Next, cover it with plastic wrap and microwave it for 4 to 5 minutes. | Peel and clean your vegetables. Run your vegetables under cold running water to prevent you from getting sick from pesticides or bacteria. Although boiling water will remove most of the bacteria that can be found on vegetables, you can still be exposed to it by handling them. If you don't plan on peeling a vegetable, make sure you scrub it with a produce brush to remove dirt. Dry off any vegetables you've peeled or washed with a paper towel or clean cloth. Cut your vegetables into uniform pieces. Cutting your vegetables into comparable sizes will ensure that they all cook at the same speed. While you don't need to get the size of your vegetable pieces exact, try to get as close as you can. If you cut different sizes, smaller pieces will overcook, while larger pieces will remain raw. Root vegetables typically take longer to cook. If you want to cut down on cooking time, cut smaller pieces. Put your pieces of vegetable into a pot. Take your pieces of vegetable and place them into a deep pot that has an accompanying lid. If you don't have a big enough pot to boil all your vegetables, you can cook 2 batches of vegetables individually, in a smaller pot. Fill your pot with cold water, completely submerging your vegetables. Root vegetables such as beets, turnips, carrots, radishes, and potatoes cook better when they start in cold water. The gradual heat-up makes the vegetables resistant to overcooking, and ensures the outside and inside of your vegetable cooks uniformly. Fill your pot so the water rises a half-inch above your vegetables. Seasoning with salt at this stage will add more flavor to your vegetables. Set your stovetop on high and bring the water to a boil. Bring the water to a rolling boil. You'll know you've achieved this when numerous bubbles begin to break on the water's surface. You can cover your vegetables while the water comes to a boil to quicken the rate of boiling. A full rolling boil can not be dissipated by stirring. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover your pot with the lid. Different vegetables require different cooking times. Root vegetables take longer than all other types of vegetable because of the starch that can be found in them. Often root vegetables are also larger than regular vegetables, which can also increase boiling times. Check on your vegetables often to ensure that you don't overcook them. Beets need to be boiled for 45 minutes to an hour. Turnips will take around 25 minutes if cut into smaller pieces. Typically potatoes will take 10-15 minutes to boil. Carrots will usually take 8-10 minutes, with smaller pieces taking anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. Look online for specific boiling times for the root veggie that you want to cook. If you continue to boil at the highest temperature, you'll have water loss and run the risk of your water overboiling, or spilling out of the sides of your pot. This is why reducing the heat is so important after the water begins to boil. Test if your vegetables are done by poking them with a fork. You can check on your vegetables every 5 minutes if you're unsure how long you should cook them. If you're having a hard time getting through the vegetable with your fork, or the fork gets stuck in the vegetable, you need to cook it longer. If your fork goes in and out, then your vegetables are adequately cooked. Frequently check back so you don't overcook your vegetables. Over boiled vegetables get mushy. Drain the pot of water. You can either use a strainer or a colander to drain your pot of water. Make sure that you begin draining as soon as you turn off your stove, because the vegetables will still be cooking while sitting in the water, and you don't want to overcook them. Trim your vegetables and clean them. Vegetables like broccoli or green beans must be trimmed to remove tough and inedible portions of the veggie. For broccoli, this would entail removing the thick bases at the bottom of their stems. For green beans this would include snapping off the inedible ends. Rinse your vegetables under cold water after trimming them. For vegetables with tough stems like broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus, you can use a knife to cut off the bottom parts of the vegetable. For corn, you want to remove the thick stem and husk it, or remove the green outer leaves. Most frozen vegetables can be boiled before they are thawed. Leafy greens also posses thick, fibrous stems that should be removed before boiling. If you are cooking leafy greens like lettuce or cabbage, you will need also need to remove the core. Cut your vegetables into similar sized pieces. All pieces of your green vegetables should be a similar size to ensure even cooking among different greens. If you are cooking leafy greens like cabbage, cutting the leaves into smaller pieces will help you fit more of the cabbage into the pot. For some vegetables like green beans or broccoli, you may have to cut down larger pieces, to accommodate the varying sizes of each piece. Bring a pot of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Boiling softer green vegetables is more effective if you are starting off with boiling water. Because they are not as thick as root vegetables, and don't posses a hard exterior, green vegetables usually cook faster. Salt raises the boiling point of water and can also help season your boiled vegetables. Carefully place vegetables into the boiling water. Once your water is a at a rolling boil, gently place the vegetables into the boiling pot of water. You can use a slotted spoon for this. Cabbage typically takes 5-10 minutes to fully cook through. Green beans will take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on how they are cut. Broccoli only takes 3-4 minutes to boil in water. Corn on the cob takes 5 minutes to fully cook through on the stovetop. It's advised you don't boil frozen vegetables because they may become mushy. However, if you must it should only take 3-5 minutes, depending on the vegetable. Make sure to read the back of the package for boiling times. Be careful not to plop your vegetables into the water or it may splash you. Let the water start boiling again and then reduce heat. When you put your vegetables into the pot, it will likely stop boiling. Wait for the water to fully boil again, and reduce the heat. You can prevent this by placing smaller portions of vegetables in at a time, instead of dumping them all in. Put the lid on the pot and check the vegetables every 3-5 minutes for firmness. You can test your vegetables by poking them with a fork or knife. Putting the lid on the pot and reducing the heat will prevent your pot from overboiling. Drain vegetables of water once cooked to preference. Once your vegetables reach the desired firmness, drain the excess water out of the pot. Leaving your vegetables in water can make them mushy. Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. You begin blanching and shocking vegetables in the same manner that you would normally use to boil them. Make sure that before you boil your vegetables, you peel, trim, and cut them. You should have enough water boiling to fully submerge your vegetables. You can blanch and shock nearly every vegetable, whether it be a root or green veggie. Place vegetables into the pot of boiling water and reduce the heat. Lower your vegetables into the pot of boiling water carefully once your water has reached a rolling boil. Use a heat resistant spoon to lower your vegetables into the water. Stir vegetables with a wooden spoon until they become softer or greener. A great sign of your veggies being boiled is if they get softer or greener. Make sure that your vegetables are still a little firm so they retain their crunch. Asparagus takes 2-4 minutes to blanch. Green beans, rutabaga and turnips take 3 minutes to blanch. Watch your pot while your vegetables are cooking so that you don't overcook them. Fill up a large bowl with water and ice and set it aside. This bowl of water will be used later to shock your vegetables so that they immediately stop cooking and retain their crunchy texture. Don't place your ice water too close to the stove or your ice may melt. Plunge your boiled vegetables into the bowl of ice water. Putting the boiled vegetables into ice cold water will stop the vegetable from cooking internally, and is a way to prevent them from getting mushy even after you take them out of boiling water. This step is also known as “shocking” the vegetables. You can use tongs or a slotted spoon to get your vegetables from your pot to the bowl of ice water. Drain the vegetables well, and allow them to dry. Once your green vegetables have been cooled, you can drain them using a strainer or colander. They should retain their firmness, but taste cooked through. You can buy a strainer or colander at most home goods or department stores. Put your vegetables into a microwaveable-safe bowl. After cutting and peeling your vegetables, place them in a microwaveable-safe bowl. Make sure to avoid any bowls that have metals or that can crack under extreme heat. This is one of the best methods to use when boiling frozen vegetables. Certain plastics may leach into food when heated and could be detrimental to your health. You can use glass or ceramic bowls in the microwave. Add water to the bowl. Add enough water so it is 1/8th up the side of your bowl. This will help boil and steam your vegetables. You can use either cold or hot water for this. Apply plastic wrap over the bowl and create ventilation holes. Make sure that there is proper ventilation on the surface of your plastic wrap. You can poke holes through the top with a fork or a knife. You can also use a ceramic plate and place it over the cover of your bowl. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes. Make sure that you have a rotating plate inside of your microwave. This will ensure that all your vegetables are cooked evenly. Set the power on your microwave to high before you input the time. Certain microwaves have higher or lower power levels. This may have an effect on the consistency of your vegetables. Broccoli will only take 3-5 minutes. You can put less time on your microwave and stir to ensure that your vegetables aren't getting mushy. Take the film off the bowl and stir the vegetables. Your vegetables may need extra time in the microwave if they are too tough or hard. If that is the case, then you can repeat the steps, but set the timer to 1-1.5 minutes. Be careful of the steam that will escape your bowl once you remove your plastic wrap. | Peel and clean your vegetables. Cut your vegetables into uniform pieces. Put your pieces of vegetable into a pot. Fill your pot with cold water, completely submerging your vegetables. Set your stovetop on high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover your pot with the lid. Test if your vegetables are done by poking them with a fork. Drain the pot of water. Trim your vegetables and clean them. Cut your vegetables into similar sized pieces. Bring a pot of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Carefully place vegetables into the boiling water. Let the water start boiling again and then reduce heat. Put the lid on the pot and check the vegetables every 3-5 minutes for firmness. Drain vegetables of water once cooked to preference. Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Place vegetables into the pot of boiling water and reduce the heat. Stir vegetables with a wooden spoon until they become softer or greener. Fill up a large bowl with water and ice and set it aside. Plunge your boiled vegetables into the bowl of ice water. Drain the vegetables well, and allow them to dry. Put your vegetables into a microwaveable-safe bowl. Add water to the bowl. Apply plastic wrap over the bowl and create ventilation holes. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes. Take the film off the bowl and stir the vegetables. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Grill-Grates | How to Clean Grill Grates | To clean grill grates, start by mixing 1 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of baking soda in a large container or trash bag. Then, submerge your grill grates in this mixture overnight to remove rust and other grime. The next day, remove the grates and scrub them with a nylon brush if they are porcelain or a wire brush if they are cast iron or steel. After you've scrubbed off all of the debris, rinse off the grates with hot water and pat them dry. | Read your owner's manual. Porcelain coating is very fragile and easily damaged from scrubbing and scraping. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Otherwise, you could void your warranty. Use a nylon scrubber brush while the grill is still hot. Avoid a brass brush, which can scrape the coating off the grate. Opt for a curved brush that can get in between the grating. Gently scrape in a diagonal motion. Start at the point closest to you and move upward. Move in one direction to minimize the risk of damage to the coating. If you have built-up gunk like barbecue sauce, wet the brush before scrubbing. Clean the underside of the grill. Flip the grill over after it has cooled. Scrape away excess food and gunk with the brush using a diagonal motion. The underside will take somewhat longer to clean because of the drippings that accumulated during cooking. Scrub until the grate is completely clean. If your grate comes in multiple sections, flip and clean each part separately. Opt for a stainless steel grill brush. The bristles are soft enough to protect the surface of the grate. Choose between a roll brush or a straight brush. Both will clean the grill effectively, but the roll brush will more easily clean the sides of the grates. Keep the grill hot. This will soften any leftover grease and make it easier to clean up. Turn the grill to its “high” setting if it's not at that setting already. Let it heat up for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the temperature gauge reaches 500 to 600 °F (260 to 316 °C). Then, turn off the burners. Scrub the grate. Scrub using a back-and-forth motion along the first bar. Continue until the bar is free of grease and food particles. Repeat the process on the rest of the grate. Apply vegetable oil to the grate. Dip the towel into a container of the oil to pick up about a teaspoon (5 mL). Place the towel in a pair of tongs and wipe it along each bar. This will prevent your grate from rusting. Don't apply more than a teaspoon of oil. Too much can cause a dangerous flare-up if it drips onto any smoldering food particles below the grate. Soak the grates in a vinegar solution. Mix one cup (237 g) of vinegar and two cups (474 g) of baking soda. Pour the solution into a garbage bag or container large enough to fit the grates. Place the grates in the solution and allow them to soak overnight. Place a cover on the container. If you use a garbage bag, fasten it with a rubber band. Remove and rinse the grates. Untie the rubber band or remove the cover from the container. Lift the grates out of the solution. Then, rinse them down with a garden hose. Most of the stuck-on food should fall off. Scrub off any remaining gunk, if necessary. Use a nylon brush for porcelain-coated grates. Move in gentle diagonal strokes. Cast iron or stainless steel grates can handle stainless steel bristles. Move in a gentle vertical direction. Rinse and dry the grates. Hose the grates down one last time. Pat the surface dry with a microfiber towel. Then, replace the grill. | Read your owner's manual. Use a nylon scrubber brush while the grill is still hot. Clean the underside of the grill. Opt for a stainless steel grill brush. Keep the grill hot. Scrub the grate. Apply vegetable oil to the grate. Soak the grates in a vinegar solution. Remove and rinse the grates. Scrub off any remaining gunk, if necessary. Rinse and dry the grates. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Negative-Attitude | How to Change a Negative Attitude | To change a negative attitude, you must take responsibility for your negativity. No one is making you think negatively, so take the first step and let go of any unrealistic expectations you have of yourself or others. Then, let go of any grudges you may have to prevent negative thoughts from coming up in the first place. Next, make a list of all the things that are going well for you and focus on those. If you need extra support, surround yourself with positive people and let them rub off on you! | Take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. You alone are in control your life and many of the negative situations and negative thoughts you harbor are influenced directly by you. By taking responsibility for your actions, you can begin to remove negativity in your life and create positivity. Negative thoughts cultivate negative actions. If you decide to have a positive attitude, you'll cultivate positive changes. For example, if you are passed over for a promotion at work, it is not because your boss doesn't like you and probably related to your work performance. Instead of blaming your boss, talk to him about how you can improve at your job and actively make these changes. List negative things in your life and begin to change them. Acknowledging what is negative in your life will allow you to see what you can control and change. Burn the list to symbolize letting go of negativity. On a piece of paper, list anything in your life that you consider negative. Read the list and check off what you can change. For example, you can change negative relationships with others by removing them from your life or you can change bad finances by taking steps to save money. Once you've thought about how to change the negative influences in your life, burn the paper to symbolize letting go and write a new list with positive things in your life. Let go of expectations. Negativity often begins with expectations of yourself or others. Letting go of unrealistic or negative expectations will not only help you change your attitude, but will also create a positive environment. Accept that nothing is perfect. Imperfection adds character and letting go of any expectations of perfection will help you focus on the positive in any person or situation. Whenever something bad happens, forget it as much as possible and then actively imagine things you want to happen. Likewise, if a person says something negative, consider it briefly and then let it go. Dwelling on negativity will only make you feel negative. Forgive yourself and others. Holding grudges and dwelling on your imperfections will only emphasize a negative attitude. Being able to forgive and let go will allow you to focus on the positive in yourself and others. The act of forgiveness will remove negative attitudes and create space for positive attitudes. But it will also decrease stress and increase peace and calm in your life. Limit or remove negative people from your life. The people with whom we surround ourselves have a significant impact on our attitudes. Limiting or removing negative people from your life will start helping you change your attitude. If you can't remove a person from your life entirely, or you don't want to hurt him, you can limit your exposure to him. You can also counteract his negative attitudes and viewpoints by pointing out the positive in what he says or does. This way, you don't get drawn down his negative path. Respond to change. Negative emotions often accompany change and the best way to handle change is to respond and not react to it. Make the decision to respond positively in every situation and you'll be able to keep negativity at bay. You can't control all situations or people, but you can choose how you'll respond to them. Meeting a negative situation or person with positivity will keep your attitude positive and may also result in a positive resolution to anything. For example, if someone sends you a nasty email, don't react to it immediately. Draft a response and wait 24 hours to send it. Revisit the email the next day and you will likely tone down your response, which can keep a situation from escalating. If something bad happens, such as losing your job, thank your employer for the opportunity and say “this is a change to find something better that I truly love.” Keep moving forward. You'll occasionally have negative thoughts, which is normal and acceptable, but learn not to dwell on them. By always moving towards the positive, you will be able to change your negative attitude. See the positive in everything. Negative thoughts and attitudes are draining and if you give in to them, they will become stronger. Seeking out the positive in any person or situation will help shift your mindset to a positive one. Even in the worst situations, there is always something positive. It might take some time to recognize, but being able to see the positive aspects in anything will help you avoid negativity. One study showed that a positive attitude contributes to success more than anything else, including knowledge or skills. Make a list of everything for which you’re grateful. Being grateful will help cultivate a positive attitude. Listing all of the things for which you're thankful will help you counteract any negative thoughts that may arise. In situations where you feel negative, read the list of things for which you're grateful. This will remind you to stay positive. Use positive words. The language you choose significantly influences your attitude and emotional outlook. Using positive words and statements throughout the day will help you stay positive and counteract negativity. Use phrases like "I am hopeful” or "we will find a resolution". These will help you—and others around you—stay positive. Giving yourself a positive affirmation every morning when you wake up will set off your day on a positive path. For example, you can say to yourself “today is going to be a great day. I feel good and I'm ready to make a difference.” Write positive quotes and put them in strategic places. If you have reminders of positive things, you'll be more likely to have positive thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Surround yourself with positive people. Having supportive people around you who can put things in perspective is important to cultivating a positive attitude. Surrounding yourself with positive people will counteract negativity and help you change your attitude. Help others. Simple acts of kindness and helping others can do wonders for your attitude. Not only can put things in perspective about your life, but it can distract you from problems and generally make you feel more positive. Consider volunteering at a hospital or soup kitchen. Realizing that you are healthy and have the means to support yourself will put your life in perspective. Doing this can also help you to actively choose to change negativity in your life. Helping friends and family members can also help you change a bad attitude because you're making someone else feel good, which in turn will make you feel good. Giving and receiving love and support will make your perspective on life increasingly positive. | Take responsibility for your thoughts and actions. List negative things in your life and begin to change them. Let go of expectations. Forgive yourself and others. Limit or remove negative people from your life. Respond to change. Keep moving forward. See the positive in everything. Make a list of everything for which you’re grateful. Use positive words. Surround yourself with positive people. Help others. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Design-a-Car | How to Design a Car | To design a car, start by making a rough sketch of the car's shape, then divide the shape into 3 or 4 squares, with 1 on top and 2-3 on the bottom. Next, change the size and location of the squares to reflect how the car is intended to be used. For example, if the car is meant to be a sports car, the top square should be short and placed closer to the rear axle. Then, make sure every surface of the car is curved horizontally in the same direction. Finally, work out any remaining details, like interior functionality, to complete your rough sketch. | Select the proportions of the car based on car’s main purpose. Draw the rough shape of the car using straight lines and right angles instead of curves. Then, divide this block-shaped car into 3 or 4 squares, with 1 on top and 2-3 on the bottom. Finally, change the size and location of the squares to reflect how the car is intended to be used. For example, if the car is meant to be a sports car, the top square should be short and placed closer to the rear axle. If the car is meant to have lots of storage space, stretch the top square to cover most of the bottom squares, starting from the rear of the car and moving forwards. Make sure every surface of the car is curved. This is the first major principle of automotive design and is extremely important for making a car aerodynamic. Most cars are designed with all of the surfaces curved horizontally and with all of these curves running in the same direction. Typically, all of the curves will run front to back, since this is the direction of airflow when a car is moving. Design the shoulder of the car to be as horizontal as possible. The shoulder of the car, also known as the “catwalk,” is the surface directly below the side windows. Although the shoulder should wedge slightly upward near the rear of the car, it should generally be perfectly horizontal along the length of the car. Combine practicality and comfort when designing the interior. Place all the components of the interior, such as the steering wheel, gear shift, and even the air conditioning buttons, within reach of the driver. At the same time, make sure these interior components look stylish and that there's symmetry to the interior as much as possible. For example, don't put all of the radio and A/C buttons on 1 side of the center console. Instead, try to put an equal amount on both sides. To make these components stylish, give them a design that matches the overall aesthetic of the car. For instance, if it's a sleek sports car, make them relatively small and sleek as well. Make sure that the colors of all your interior components either match or directly complement the color of the car. For example, if the car is red, have these components either be red or a complementary color such as green. The interior needs to include the steering wheel, gear shift, center console, airbags, and seats. It should also include air conditioning vents, cup holders, and other items necessary to keep the interior comfortable. Keep the wheels the same size, unless you’re designing a racecar. If you're designing a typical road car, have all 4 tire wheels be about 2 feet (0.61 m) wide. Make sure as well that the front 2 tires have enough empty space surrounding them to turn; the rear 2 tires do not have to turn with the steering wheel. If you're making a racecar, make the rear tires a bit larger than the front tires. Be aware of packaging requirements for the car you design. “Packaging” refers to what needs to or is planned to be inside the car, such as the engine, passengers, and storage space. When you go to design your car, be sure to take these factors into consideration and leave enough space in your design to accommodate everything you plan to eventually put in the car. Although you technically only need to accommodate 1 person (the driver) and the engine, most commercially designed cars are made to fit up to 4 or more people. Keep safety laws and regulations in mind when making your design. If you're planning to bring your car design to market, it will inevitably have to adhere to certain Type Approval regulations that govern product designs. Make sure you're aware of these regulations as they pertain to whatever market you're thinking of participating in. These regulations govern aspects of the car such as its weight, its safety features, whether it includes certain pieces of equipment, and sometimes even specific aspects of its design. Do some basic planning of your concept on a whiteboard. Use the board to make tiny notes and very rough, imperfect drawings of the parts of the car you're most interested in. This is your opportunity to brainstorm and let your creative juices flow with the least amount of constraint. For example, if you're most excited about a new way of designing a car's windshield, focus on that aspect of your car's design. You can worry about the other parts later. If possible, have other people join you during this brainstorming so you can talk out your ideas and get input from extra sets of eyes. Start by drawing a rough sketch of the car from 1 perspective. The easiest way to do this is usually by drawing the rough shape and outline of the car from its driver side. Don't worry about making the car perfect; just do your best to create a rough but complete drawing of the actual body of the car. This is also the best opportunity for you to start figuring out how the different components of the car you're designing can realistically fit together. For instance, if you focused on the windshields earlier, now you can figure out how to actually fit the windshields onto the chassis. Fine-tune the smaller details of the car per your design ideas. Once the rough sketch of the body of the car is complete, now's the time to focus on the more minute aspects of your car's design. Draw things like the design of the side mirror, the curvature of the side of the car, or any other details you overlooked in your rough sketch. You may find that some smaller details (e.g., the curvature of the car's side) don't fit with the rough sketch that you drew. That's ok! If this happens, go back and create a new rough sketch to work with. This process helps you to figure out what works and what doesn't with your design. Repeat this process for several different perspectives on the car. Draw rough sketches for the top view of the car, the front view, the rear view, and some diagonal views as well. Then, add the smaller details to these sketches just like you did with your original sketch. Use a paint program to make a 2D drawing, if necessary. You should make a two-dimensional drawing of your car before you move on to making a three-dimensional rendering, just to get a rough sense of what you want your car to look like. If you've already made physical sketches of your car, you can skip this step. A program like Windows Paint is perfectly adequate for making a 2D digital drawing of a car, so don't feel like you have to spend money on a fancier program at this stage. Create a 3D rendering of your car with a car design program. In a 3D modeling design program, plug in the different proposed measurements of your car's dimensions to create a visual model of your car. Then, use the program's more minute design features to shape the car's details to your design. These measurements include dimensions like height, width, and proposed weight. Use the program's modeling tools, such as slide tools, insets, grids, meshes, and more, to make changes to the body of your 3D car in order to make it look like the 2D drawings that you've made. There are lots of different computer programs out there that designers frequently use to create 3D models of their car designs. Some of the most popular design programs used by automotive designers include Alias, 3Ds Max, and Blender. Print a model of your car if you have access to a 3D printer. This will give you a physical model of your design that you can use to examine your design “in person” or show it off to someone in the automotive design industry. If you don't own a 3D printer, you may be able to access one at your local library or university. Craft a clay model of your car design if you don’t have a 3D printer. Use a knife and a block of Styrofoam to create the general shape of your car on a small scale. Then, use your hands to apply plasticine clay to the Styrofoam block. Finally, smooth out the clay and draw the specific design features of your car using plaster carving tools. Make sure you completely cover the styrofoam block with plasticine clay. The clay will be infinitely easier to manipulate than the Styrofoam. When carving the specific design of your car, remove small layers of clay in the appropriate places in order to create the curved surface of the car, its particular window, windshield, and tire frame designs, and any other design features you added to it. You can buy plasticine clay and plaster carving tools at most art supplies stores. | Select the proportions of the car based on car’s main purpose. Make sure every surface of the car is curved. Design the shoulder of the car to be as horizontal as possible. Combine practicality and comfort when designing the interior. Keep the wheels the same size, unless you’re designing a racecar. Be aware of packaging requirements for the car you design. Keep safety laws and regulations in mind when making your design. Do some basic planning of your concept on a whiteboard. Start by drawing a rough sketch of the car from 1 perspective. Fine-tune the smaller details of the car per your design ideas. Repeat this process for several different perspectives on the car. Use a paint program to make a 2D drawing, if necessary. Create a 3D rendering of your car with a car design program. Print a model of your car if you have access to a 3D printer. Craft a clay model of your car design if you don’t have a 3D printer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Freak-a-Black-%26-Mild-Cigar | How to Freak a Black & Mild Cigar | To freak a Black and Mild cigar, cut off a small bit of the paper wrapping near the tip and roll the cigar between your palms to loosen the tobacco. Pour all of the loosened tobacco into the outer plastic wrapper and set it aside. Then, pinch the paper near the top of the cigar and roll it back and forth until the filter paper is loose enough for you to pull it out. Once the paper is out, pour the tobacco from the plastic wrapper back into the cigar. | Cut a small portion of the wrapper near the tip. Put a piece of paper down to catch your tobacco in the event that you drop the cigar or the plastic wrapper falls off. Hold the Black and Mild vertically with the end of the cigar facing down. Use a pair of scissors to snip off the top ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) of the wrapper and throw it out. Black and Mild cigars come with a wood or plastic tip. The process is the same for both versions of the cigar. If you don't have a pair of scissors, you can peel the wrapper where it's sealed at the top. This will make it harder to pour the tobacco back in though. Roll the cigar between your palms to loosen the tobacco. With the plastic wrapper still on, point the open end of the cigar down and begin to rub it lightly between your open palms near the end of the cigar. This will loosen the tobacco, which will begin to fall out into the bottom of your wrapper. Be careful not to crush the paper and damage the cigar. Start rubbing gently and slowly to remove the tobacco. Move the plastic wrapper down as you roll the cigar to create space. As the tobacco begins to fall out of the cigar, you'll run out of space at the bottom of your wrapper. To create more room for the tobacco, slide the wrapper down your cigar a little bit without fully removing it. Continue moving the wrapper down as you need to make more space. Because the wrapper is bigger than the cigar itself, you shouldn't need to fully remove it from the plastic wrap to make enough space. Use your thumb and index finger to roll the section near the tip. Once you've gotten all the way to the top of the cigar, roll the sensitive section near the tip with your thumb and index finger. The paper is glued into the tip, so if you squeeze too hard, you'll risk breaking the glue and separating the cigar from the tip. If the tip does fall of, you can pinch the cigar back into the tip. The quality of your smoke won't be as good though. Pinch the plastic or wood tip to remove the tobacco stuck in the tip. There's going to be a little bit of tobacco stuffed in the opening of your cigar where the tip is. To dislodge it, pinch the upper portion of the tip between your thumb and index finger on each side and then flick the tip lightly with your fingernail to knock it out. Set the wrapper aside once the tobacco is fully removed. Once you're confident that you've removed almost all of the tobacco, slide the wrapper off and put it down on your piece of paper. Fold it down at the top to prevent loose tobacco from falling out. You can cut a 45-degree angle into the end of the wrapper that you initially cut to make it easier to pour back in later on. Tap your cigar and hold it with the end facing up. Give your cigar a final tap on the tip to knock out any remaining pieces of tobacco. Turn your cigar over so that you're looking down the hollowed-out paper. If you look closely, you'll see an additional layer of paper lining the inside of the cigar. This is the filter paper that you're going to remove. Blow on the tip of the cigar to get out any remaining shreds of tobacco. Keep the tip on the cigar. You don't need to remove it to remove the paper. Pinch the paper near the top of the cigar with your fingers and roll it. Hold the body of the cigar loosely in your nondominant hand. Pinch the top of the paper with your free hand, using your thumb and index finger to close the opening. Roll it back and forth between your fingers by rubbing your index finger to the right as your thumb rolls to the left. Reverse the direction quickly and repeat the process until the filter paper becomes loose. Use your nondominant hand to keep the cigar stationary as you roll. Loosen your grip and continue rolling to separate the filter paper. As soon as you see a separation between the filter paper and the cigar, open your fingers up a little and continue to roll the tip of the cigar. You will see the filter paper begin to separate from the Black and Mild. Continue rolling the paper for an additional 45-60 seconds until the filter paper is visibly loose. Pinch the filter paper and pull it out carefully. Turn your cigar sideways and carefully pinch the top of the filter paper between your dominant thumb and index finger. Slowly remove the paper by pulling it straight out of the cigar. If the paper isn't loose enough, you may need to roll the cigar in the middle. If you do, avoid crushing the cigar paper by rolling it delicately. You can use a pair of tweezers if you aren't confident that you can pull the paper out without breaking the cigar. Discard the filter paper. If you're removing the filter paper for flavor or because you believe that it is unhealthy, throw the paper in the trash. If you're removing it to slow the rate that the cigar burns, you can still use the filter paper as a filter without burning it by sticking a piece of it back at the bottom of the cigar. Cut a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece off and roll it into a very tight ball. Insert it into the cigar and let it fall into the tip before packing the tobacco back in. Adding a ball of filter paper back to the cigar will prevent the tobacco from getting into your mouth while smoking, and will create a kind of filter without having to burn it. Tap the tip on the table and pick your wrapper up. Tap the plastic or wood tip on the table to knock the cigar paper all the way down in the tip. Take your plastic wrapper and undo the fold at the top. In your nondominant hand, pick up the cigar and tilt it a 45-degree angle to make tobacco pouring easier. Make sure that you're holding your cigar and wrapper over the sheet of paper that you put down in the event that you accidentally pour some of the tobacco out. Pour the tobacco back into the cigar from the plastic wrapper. Lift your wrapper over the edge of your empty cigar to add the tobacco. Raise the closed end slowly without moving the mouth of the wrapper to avoid losing control as your pour. Tap the wrapper with a finger as you pour it to dislodge any tobacco that is stuck to the sides of the plastic. It's hard to get all the tobacco in, so don't force it or you'll risk ripping the paper. Some people like to leave a bit of room at the tip and fold the paper over until they're ready to smoke. Pack the tobacco down with your finger or a pen before smoking. Push the tobacco down a little bit to get a more consistent smoking experience. To pack the tobacco down, press on the area near the tip with a pen or your index finger while bracing the body of the cigar in your nondominant hand. This will push the tobacco down while keeping the paper intact. Keep an eye on the cigar paper while you pack the tobacco. If it starts to bend or crease, stop packing so you don't break it. | Cut a small portion of the wrapper near the tip. Roll the cigar between your palms to loosen the tobacco. Move the plastic wrapper down as you roll the cigar to create space. Use your thumb and index finger to roll the section near the tip. Pinch the plastic or wood tip to remove the tobacco stuck in the tip. Set the wrapper aside once the tobacco is fully removed. Tap your cigar and hold it with the end facing up. Pinch the paper near the top of the cigar with your fingers and roll it. Loosen your grip and continue rolling to separate the filter paper. Pinch the filter paper and pull it out carefully. Discard the filter paper. Tap the tip on the table and pick your wrapper up. Pour the tobacco back into the cigar from the plastic wrapper. Pack the tobacco down with your finger or a pen before smoking. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Move-Heavy-Furniture | How to Move Heavy Furniture | To move heavy furniture, tilt the piece of furniture backwards so one person carries the top of it while the other carries the bottom, as this will fit the angle of stairs and save you from having to lift it all the way up when setting it upright. Additionally, you should bend from the knees and hips when lifting heavy furniture so you're using your core and legs to lift. You can also take legs off tables or drawers out of chests to make the furniture lighter to carry. Alternatively, if you're trying to lift a heavy chair, turn it onto its side to make it into an L shape so it can be moved through doors more easily. | Invest in furniture sliders. You can buy the sliders of appropriate size at your local hardware or home goods store. National chains like Home Depot or Lowes will definitely sell furniture sliders. If you are planning to move your furniture over carpet or grass you should buy sliders that specialize in that movement. If you don't have any sliders you can also try using Frisbees. Place your sliders under the corners of the furniture. Lift each corner and put a slider underneath so that the smooth edge is towards the floor. This will reduce the friction and make moving much easier. Push the furniture. Once you have the sliders under the corners of the furniture you can begin to push it. Having another person would be helpful to ensure that the furniture does not tip. Push the furniture from a lower section rather than the top to minimize the risk of tipping. The friction is almost eliminated with sliders and the furniture should move very easily. Use a shoulder dolly. These are lifting straps that connect to your shoulders and help take the weight off your back. They help you utilize your stronger muscle groups while also giving you added leverage. You can buy a shoulder dolly online. Shoulder dollies are not recommended for moving furniture up or down stairs – the weight will shift almost completely to the person on the bottom. Use moving blankets. Instead of sliders, you can also use the moving blankets that are generally used to keep furniture safe during a move. Moving blankets work in a similar way to sliders, although you will put the entire blanket under the piece of furniture. Once the entire blanket is under the furniture you can start pulling the blanket in the direction you want to move. The furniture should slide along with it. This is much easier than trying to lift the whole thing. If you need to move heavy furniture upstairs you can fold up a bunch of moving blankets and place them on each step to turn your stairs into a makeshift ramp. Once you've done that you can place another blanket under the piece of furniture and pull the edge to move the furniture up the steps. If your steps are particularly steep it would be a good idea to have a friend steady the back of the furniture. Use a moving dolly. A hand truck or a square moving dolly could be good options depending on the type of furniture you're moving. A hand truck is a piece of metal moving equipment that stands upright with wheels on the bottom. The handle is at the top and a platform to hold the furniture is at the bottom by the wheels. Moving dollies are small square platforms with four wheels. You can find moving dolly's of all different sizes. Use a hand truck to move furniture by wheeling the platform under the piece of furniture you're trying to move. A hand truck will work well for smaller bookcases, tables, and dressers. Lean the furniture against the hand truck and tilt the handle toward you. The furniture will lean with the hand truck and you'll be able to wheel it around. This is much easier than pushing it. Be very careful with hand trucks. If you try to move a piece of furniture that is too large it could fall and crush you. Your strength will be keeping the furniture upright. Moving dollies are very easy to use. All you need to do is place the furniture on top of them and then you'll be able to use the dolly's wheels to push it around. Make sure you find a dolly that is large enough for the piece of furniture you plan to move. Having a friend to help you pick up the furniture would make the process of getting it on the dolly easier. Place a glossy magazine under the corners. Glossy magazines can help reduce friction with the floor and allow you to drag the entire piece of furniture. You won't damage the floor and you won't feel the weight of the furniture nearly as much. However, you will probably destroy the magazine. Having someone to help you lift up each corner of the furniture while you place the magazines would make the process much easier. You can also try placing the magazines on the floor, lifting the corners by yourself, and then pushing the magazine under the corner using your foot. Use a high-low method. You will need two people to use this method, but it works well if you have to manually move large pieces of furniture like a large dresser or bookcase. Tilt the furniture backward so that one person carries the top of it while the other side stays low and the second person carries the bottom. Maintain this angle as you move. This way you don't have to lift the furniture all the way back up when you are ready to set it upright. It will also fit the angle of stairs more easily. Bend from the knees and hips when lifting furniture. Use your core and legs to lift heavy furniture rather than bending from the waist and using your back to lift. You can really hurt yourself if you try to use your back. Your thighs are strong and less prone to injury. Hook chairs around corners. Turn the chair on its side in an 'L' shape. This will make it much easier to fit the chair through doors and sharp corners. Moving heavy furniture is difficult enough as it is without having to maneuver your way through doors with trial and error. Move the back of the chair through the doorway or corner first and then curl around the door frame to get it through easily. If you're confused about how to bend from your hips, start by squatting. Pick up the furniture from the squatting position using your legs to propel you upward. Take the legs off heavy tables and the drawers out of dressers. The lighter you can make a piece of furniture before you move it, the better. Taking the legs off of a heavy table will make it much less unwieldy. If the table can be broken up into separate sections then move each section one by one. Separating a piece of furniture into component parts is always a good tactic. Remove each drawer from your dresser prior to moving it. That way you can transport the drawers individually and then come back for the dresser itself. Remove everything from a bookshelf before you move it. Trying to move a bookcase filled up with books will be a very challenging task. It's going to be a lot heavier and you'll have to worry about balancing the bookcase correctly so nothing falls out. Take the time to remove the books. It will save you time and energy in the long run. Consider hiring movers. If you are unable to find anyone to help you it is probably not a good idea to try to move a massive dresser down a flight of stairs. You might damage your house, break the furniture, or seriously injure yourself. Hiring movers can be pretty affordable if you're only moving a few items. Research moving companies in your area and call the company to get a quote. | Invest in furniture sliders. Place your sliders under the corners of the furniture. Push the furniture. Use a shoulder dolly. Use moving blankets. Use a moving dolly. Place a glossy magazine under the corners. Use a high-low method. Bend from the knees and hips when lifting furniture. Hook chairs around corners. Take the legs off heavy tables and the drawers out of dressers. Remove everything from a bookshelf before you move it. Consider hiring movers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-to-Sleep | How to Get to Sleep | If you're struggling to get to sleep, try lowering the thermostat or using a fan to cool down, since most people have an easier time falling asleep when it's cool. Additionally, do your best to block out any outside light, which will keep you awake. For an even better sleep setting, try using a fan or a phone app to create white noise, which will make it easier for your brain to relax and drift off. Once you're in bed, avoid checking your phone or opening your eyes, since any distractions will make it harder for you to fall asleep. It may be boring, but if you let your mind and body relax, you'll fall asleep in no time! | Make the room as dark as possible. Pick a good sleeping position. Light suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone your brain secretes to make you sleepy. Eliminating as much light as possible can boost melatonin production and help you get to sleep. Draw your blinds or curtains to block out any street lights. If it's still too bright you can wear a sleep mask (or even drape a t-shirt over your eyes if you don't have one). Keep the room cool, between 16-19° C (60-67° F). Just like animals going into hibernation, our body temperature lowers as we fall asleep. A cool environment can help ease your body into a state that is optimal for slumber. If you have control of your thermostat, make sure you adjust the temperature at night to a comfortable, cool setting. If you don't have air conditioning, or if you share a house or apartment and can't adjust the temperature of your room, try cracking a window or using fans to lower the temperature if it's too hot. If it's too cold you can use a hot water bottle, heating pad, or an extra blanket to warm things up. Eliminate sound pollution. Traffic, rowdy neighbors, snoring partners and barking dogs are just a few of the things outside of your control that may keep you awake. Combat distracting sounds by blocking them out with earplugs or drowning them out with another, more calming sound. Turn on a fan, turn on a sound machine, or tune your radio between stations to create white noise, a steady, monotonous sound that can effectively mask the noises that stimulate our brains and disturb our sleep. If you don't have a fan or sound machine, there are many phone apps you can download with sounds like waterfalls, thunderstorms, or ocean waves to lull you to sleep. Practice breathing techniques that promote relaxation. Breathing deeply is a simple, quick way to calm your body and soothe anxiety. Inhale deeply through your nose an exhale through your mouth. Write down anything that is bothering you. If you find you are having obsessive, circular, or anxious thoughts, try getting them down on paper. Eat a small snack, like a slice of bread. Eating before bed can affect people in different ways, but if you find yourself kept awake by gnawing hunger, it's probably better to have a snack. Foods containing carbohydrates and tryptophan, such as whole grain bread, turkey, and bananas, can help make you sleepy. Stick to mild foods. Spicy, acidic foods can cause indigestion. Fatty, rich foods take longer to break down, and the work your body must do to digest them could prevent sleep. Stay away from sweets with sugar or caffeine will stimulate your body and keep you awake. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. By keeping to a routine bedtime, you are effectively training your body and avoiding nights spent tossing and turning. Go to sleep at the same time every night. Aim for a time when you naturally start getting tired. Wake up at the same time every day. While it's tempting to get a few more hours of shut-eye on the weekends, this will throw off your sleep schedule and you may have difficulty falling asleep at the right time. Exercise regularly. You only need 20-30 minutes total of exercise each day to see a change in your sleep habits. While vigorous exercise is best, anything that gets you on your feet and moving is a great start. Choose an appropriate time to exercise. If you go for a run right before bed, chances are you'll be too wired to sleep. Give yourself a few hours to wind down before trying to sleep. If you're short on time, try breaking up your exercise throughout the day. Even choosing to take the stairs over an elevator can give you a quick workout. Use your bed for sleep or sex only. While it's comfortable and fun to hang out on your bed and watch movies on your laptop, the action can confuse your body. You want to train your body to get into sleep mode as soon as you climb into bed. If you want to do a relaxing activity before bed, such as reading or knitting, try going into another room with soft light. Try taking an over the counter medicine like Advil pm, or unisom. Try a herbal remedy like Valerian root or melatonin. Avoid bright light, especially from television, computer, and phone screens. It seems like a natural solution--you're trying to unwind so you flip on the TV, or your phone is charging on your beside table so you take a last peek to see if there's anything new on social media. The light will stimulate your brain and disrupt the process of quieting down for sleep. Use an alarm clock instead of your phone to wake you up in the morning, and keep your phone out of reach. Keep the TV and computer in another room, not your bedroom. Quit caffeine after 2pm. The effects of caffeine can extend for hours after consumption. So enjoy your morning coffee, but try to leave it at that. Try drinking milk or decaffeinated tea in the afternoon and evening instead of coffee or soda. Quit smoking. Not only does nicotine act as a stimulant and keep you awake, you may begin experiencing powerful, disruptive withdrawal symptoms as you sleep. | Make the room as dark as possible. Keep the room cool, between 16-19° C (60-67° F). Eliminate sound pollution. Practice breathing techniques that promote relaxation. Write down anything that is bothering you. Eat a small snack, like a slice of bread. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Exercise regularly. Use your bed for sleep or sex only. Try taking an over the counter medicine like Advil pm, or unisom. Try a herbal remedy like Valerian root or melatonin. Avoid bright light, especially from television, computer, and phone screens. Quit caffeine after 2pm. Quit smoking. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Persian-Cat | How to Groom a Persian Cat | To groom a Persian cat, start by brushing your cat's body with a wide-toothed metal comb, paying special attention to the armpits and belly. Then, carefully comb your cat's face using a fine-toothed comb. When you're finished combing your cat, brush its body with a steel-bristled brush to thin out the undercoat, which will leave the topcoat nice and healthy. Next, brush your cat's face with a soft-bristled toothbrush, making sure you remove any buildup underneath its eyes. Finally, use clippers to cut the fur around its hindquarters. | Buy clippers designed for cat's claws. Nail clippers for cats look like scissors at first glance but have a specially curved edge to accommodate feline claws. Buy them in any pet supply store. Because Persians are large cats, you might have to buy slightly larger clippers. Ask a staff member for assistance. Never use scissors or anything with a straight blade. This can be extremely uncomfortable, if not painful. Keep styptic powder on hand, just in case you accidentally clip the nail too short or if it starts bleeding. Choose the right time and place. Opt for a time when your cat is calm and relaxed. Right after a meal or before a nap is usually a good choice. Make sure the room is quiet without any distractions, such as a view of the bird feeder. If you share your home with other animals, close the door so that they can't enter. Practice before you clip. Hold your cat's paw in your hand. Do this slowly and gently. Start massaging it for one to three seconds. If your cat pulls away, don't fight them. Keep a gentle hold of the paw while allowing your cat to guide the motion. After they calm down, massage toe and give it a gentle squeeze. You will see a claw emerge. Give your cat a treat for their cooperation. Practice this on a different toe every other day until your cat gets used to it. Get your cat used to the sound of clippers by practicing on an uncooked piece of pasta. Sit near your cat, put the noodle in the clippers, and trim it. Let your cat sniff the clippers if they want. Get to the point where you can massage and gently squeeze the toe while you clip the pasta. Always reward your cat with a treat after each practice session. Recognize the parts of the claw. Only clip the white part of the nail. The pink area is the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Always stay away from this part of the claw. If you clip it, you can cause your cat a great deal of pain and put them at risk for an infection. If you accidentally cut the quick, apply styptic powder to a moistened cotton ball and hold it against the wound for 5 to 10 seconds. Buy it in any pet supply store. Clip the nails. Massage each toe until the claw emerges. Clip only the white part of the claw. If your cat seems unfazed, proceed to the next claw. Don't forget the treat after each clipping session! If the cat struggles, try asking another person to hold the cat while you clip their nails. Make nail clippings a multi-day event. This is especially helpful if your cat isn't used to having their nails clipped. Schedule clippings based on your cat's preferences. You could clip the front paws one day and the back paws the next. Alternatively, you could focus on a different paw each day. Comb first. Use a wide-toothed metal comb. Start at the back of your cat's head and work your way to the tail. Pay attention to the armpits and the belly, where hair gets tangled easily. Move the comb with the grain of the hair. Use quick, yet gentle, strokes. This will remove excess fur and help you to detect matting. Use caution if you decide to comb against the grain. It might help to remove the undercoat more efficiently, but it can also cause your cat great discomfort. Do this only if they don't seem to mind it. Otherwise, comb only with the grain. Comb the face. Use a fine-toothed metal comb. Comb with the grain of the hair. Be careful to avoid your cat's eyes, nose, and ears. Avoid nylon combs, which can generate static electricity and literally shock your cat. Detangle mats. Avoid pulling on tangled hair. If you find a mat, start combing in downward strokes at the bottom. Gradually work your way up as you detangle the area beneath it. If the metal comb doesn't work, try using a mat splitter, which you can buy in any pet supply store. Begin brushing. Use a brush with steel bristles to thin out the undercoat, which leaves the topcoat healthy. Start at the head and gradually move toward the tail. Move with the grain of the fur. Keep brushing your cat until the undercoat is gone. Usually you can figure this out by how much fur is on brush. Check the brush after a few strokes. Remove the hair from the bristles and continue brushing. Keep doing this until you pick up little to no hair. When there is hardly any fur on the brush, the undercoat is removed. Remove the undercoat every three weeks. As you brush the fur, check for any unusual lumps, growths, scabs, rashes, or flaky patches. If you find one, visit your vet to have it checked out. Use a child's toothbrush with soft bristles. You'll need this for brushing around your cat's eyes. Sometimes Persians get a buildup of eye secretions that can affect their field of vision. A toothbrush with soft bristles will allow you to sweep away the buildup without harming your cat's eyelids. Use quick, gentle strokes. Brush away from the eyes. Use grooming clippers around the hindquarters. Persians often get feces stuck in their fur. This makes them prone to infections. Cut the fur around the back area of the legs near the anus. Repeat this process every 3 weeks. Avoid using scissors, which can pose a stabbing hazard. Bathe your cat once to twice a month. Persian cats' fur tends to get greasy, but frequent baths can remedy that. If your cat is young, start with two baths a month to get them used to the process. Afterward, depending on how oily their coat gets, you could cut back to once a month. Buy a shampoo that matches your cat's coat color. If you buy a clear shampoo for a dark-haired cat, you'll end up lightening their fur. Dark shampoos will darken the fur of a light-haired cat. When the shampoo and fur colors match, it will enrich the color of your cat's coat. Stick to shampoos specially formulated for cats, which you can buy in your local pet supply store. If you have a multi-colored cat, buy a shampoo that matches the dominant color in their coat. For example, you should buy a brown shampoo for a calico whose fur is mostly brown with smaller black and white patches. Make sure the shampoo is a tearless formula so that it won't irritate your cat's eyes when you wash their face. Fill the sink or tub. Run warm water so that you don't burn or shock your cat. Turn off the tap when the water level reaches about 4 inches (10 cm). Just use water at this point. Don't worry about shampoo, conditioner, or degreaser just yet. Start at the tail. This is especially important if you don't know how your cat will react to getting wet. As you wet your cat's tail, watch their reaction. If they don't seem to mind, continue to wet more of their fur. If they put up a fuss, remain calm and talk to them in a soothing voice. Pet them as you wet their fur. Hold them firmly, but be careful not to hurt them. Don't panic or get angry if your cat bites you, scratches you, or runs off. Let them stew in their anger. You can always try again tomorrow. It might take a while to get your cat completely wet. This is perfectly normal with thick and/or coarse hair. Watch out for facial features. Don't spray water directly into your cat's mouth, nose, or eyes. Place large cotton balls at the opening of your cat's ears. This will prevent water from getting into the ear canal. Degrease your cat. Use an organic degreaser to remove excess oils from your cat's fur. Follow the instructions on the label to prevent any irritation to your cat's skin. Dilute the substance, if necessary. Then, apply it to your cat's fur. Add water, bring it to a lather, and rinse thoroughly. You can buy degreaser in pet supply stores. Float the coat. This involves letting the water float the coat hair up. When this happens, it penetrates the undercoat to ensure all the shampoo is rinsed out. Gently urge your cat to place their body (except their head) under the water. Hold them in place for a minute or two. Repeat this step after shampooing and conditioning, as well. Shampoo your cat. Work the shampoo into your cat's fur. Keep it away from your cat's face to prevent irritation. Lather up the shampoo and rinse completely. Clean your cat's ears. Use an ear cleaner made for pets. Do NOT use shampoo. Apply the ear rinse to the ear. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. If you cat shakes it out, that's okay. Take a cotton ball and gently wipe the inside of the ears to remove wax and debris. Clean only the area that you can see. Never stick a cotton swab deep into the ear. If you need to have your cats ears cleaned more deeply, contact your vet. Apply the conditioner. This will give the fur a healthy soft texture and make de-matting easier. Use a product specially formulated for Persian cats. Work the conditioner into the fur. Keep the conditioner away from the face. Rinse until the conditioner is completely washed out of the fur. Wrap your cat in a towel. Use a thick, absorbing towel to soak up as much water as possible. Make sure the towel is large enough for the cat's entire body. Wrap the towel completely around their body, as if you were swaddling them. Run your hands up and down your swaddled cat to quicken the absorption process. Don't rub the cat's fur with the towel, as this could cause the fur to get tangled. Blow dry your cat's fur. Most cats are sensitive to loud noises. If your cats hides when you vacuum, they might not like this step. Start at the tail if you've never used a hair dryer on them before. This way, they can run away without scratching you. If they don't seem to mind, gradually move the blow dryer up their body. Dry the fur as you would your own hair until it's completely dry. Always use a warm or medium setting. Hot or high can frighten your cat or burn their skin. If you can get someone to help you, have them hold the blow dryer while you comb your cat's hair. This will speed the drying process and prevent new mats from forming. | Buy clippers designed for cat's claws. Choose the right time and place. Practice before you clip. Recognize the parts of the claw. Clip the nails. Make nail clippings a multi-day event. Comb first. Comb the face. Detangle mats. Begin brushing. Use a child's toothbrush with soft bristles. Use grooming clippers around the hindquarters. Bathe your cat once to twice a month. Buy a shampoo that matches your cat's coat color. Fill the sink or tub. Start at the tail. Watch out for facial features. Degrease your cat. Float the coat. Shampoo your cat. Clean your cat's ears. Apply the conditioner. Wrap your cat in a towel. Blow dry your cat's fur. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Cat-is-Pregnant | How to Tell if a Cat is Pregnant | To tell if a cat is pregnant, check her for enlarged nipples. Starting at about 15-18 days into the pregnancy, the cat's nipples will become pink or red and enlarged. Her back may start to look swayed, while her abdomen will begin to bulge. A few days before she gives birth, a pregnant cat will show signs of nesting, when she will start seeking out a quiet place to have her kittens. If you suspect your cat might be pregnant, take her to the vet for verification and advice on prenatal care. | Determine if your cat is fertile. If your cat is fertile and has recently been in heat, it's possible that she may be pregnant. Female domestic cats become sexually active as the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, typically between spring and fall. A female cat may start her estrus cycle (go into heat) once the weather becomes warmer and she has reached about 80% of her adult weight. This means a cat may go into heat as early as four months of age in unusual cases. Watch for mating behaviors. When a cat goes into heat, she displays clear behavioral changes meant to attract a mate that will last about four to six days. A cat about to go into heat will initially display signs of restlessness, become more affectionate, begin making low calls, and have increased appetite. When a cat enters into heat, she will begin “calling”--meowing or mewling frequently and insistently--and may lose her appetite. A cat in heat will become much more affectionate towards people, will roll around, and will prop her hind quarters up in the air while treading her back paws and holding her tail to the side. Understand the implications of a cat in heat. If your cat has gone into heat, the effects can extend much further than odd behavior--your cat could have gotten pregnant. If you determine your cat has recently been in heat, pregnancy is a definite possibility. After being in heat, a cat will enter into a “quiet phase” lasting about 8-10 days, during which her behavior will calm down. Following the quiet phase, however, your cat will go into heat again and continue to go into heat through the period between April and September. To prevent your cat from going into heat and/or inadvertently getting pregnant, have her spayed as soon as it's safe to do so. Check for enlarged nipples. About 15-18 days into the pregnancy, a queen's nipples will “pink up,” or become red and enlarged. Her breasts may enlarge, and she may express a milky fluid. Enlarged nipples are also signs of being in heat, so bear in mind that growing nipples are not exclusively indicative of pregnancy. Look for a characteristic "burro" shape. From the side, pregnant cats frequently look somewhat swaybacked, with a slightly round and bulging abdomen. Many female cats assume this burro shape later in pregnancy. If your cat is merely overweight, she'll be heavier all over, including her neck and legs, and not just in her abdomen. Notice any nesting behavior. A few days before she'll give birth, your cat will begin showing nesting behaviors as she prepares for the arrival of her litter. Your cat may go to a quiet place like a closet and start arranging blankets, towels, or other fabric to create a place to give birth to her kittens. If you notice nesting behavior and you hadn't previously realized your cat was pregnant, take your cat to the vet as soon as possible for a prenatal checkup. Take your cat to the vet if you think she may be pregnant. The vet can confirm the pregnancy and advise you on caring for the cat. Ask your vet about caring for the queen and preparing for the birth. Have the vet examine the queen's stomach; after about 17-25 days, an experienced veterinarian can usually feel the embryos. Leave feeling for embryos to the vet--your prodding could lead to a miscarriage. Ask for an ultrasound. If the vet is unsure after feeling your cat for embryos, they can instead use an ultrasound to determine whether or not your cat is pregnant and, if so, with how many kittens. The vet will be able to detect fetal heartbeats by 20 days into the pregnancy with an ultrasound. Ask the vet to take radiographs (X-rays). At approximately 45 days of gestation, the skeletons of the kittens can be seen with an x-ray, which will confirm the pregnancy and the number of kittens in the litter. The vet will typically take two x-rays in order to get views of the abdomen and count kittens while also looking for potential problems. These x-rays will not hurt the queen or the kittens. An X-ray is better for counting fetuses than an ultrasound, though it still isn't 100% accurate. Avoid getting vaccinations, deworming, or giving medications to your cat if she's pregnant. Vaccines in particular may be dangerous to the queen or her kittens during gestation. Consult your vet before giving the any medications, including dewormer, to the queen or, after she gives birth, to the kittens. Increase her caloric intake in the last few weeks of her pregnancy. You may notice your cat consuming more food and gaining weight as she gets closer to giving birth. Because the kittens are developing rapidly during the last third of pregnancy, you should feed your cat a growth (kitten) formula diet to provide sufficient calories. Keep the queen inside during the last few weeks of pregnancy. As your cat gets closer to giving labor, be careful to keep her inside so that she won't find a place outside to give birth to the kittens. It's best if you prepare a nest or whelping box for her inside the house. Place a box in a warm, dry, quiet place in the house and line it with newspaper or an old towel or blanket. Set your cat's food, water, and litter box nearby and encourage her to sleep in the box in the days leading up to the birth. | Determine if your cat is fertile. Watch for mating behaviors. Understand the implications of a cat in heat. Check for enlarged nipples. Look for a characteristic "burro" shape. Notice any nesting behavior. Take your cat to the vet if you think she may be pregnant. Ask for an ultrasound. Ask the vet to take radiographs (X-rays). Avoid getting vaccinations, deworming, or giving medications to your cat if she's pregnant. Increase her caloric intake in the last few weeks of her pregnancy. Keep the queen inside during the last few weeks of pregnancy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Poison-Ivy | How to Identify Poison Ivy | To identify poison ivy, check to see if the plant you're looking at has clusters of 3 leaves, which is a defining characteristic of poison ivy. You can also look for white, translucent fruit on the plant, which is another sign that you're looking at poison ivy. If you're still not sure, carefully observe the stems the leaf clusters are attached to. If the center leaf is attached to a long stem that the 2 side leaves branch off of, you're probably looking at poison ivy. | Look for the vine with clusters of three leaves. Poison ivy always has clusters of three leaves. Use this as the defining characteristic, as this plant is not so obvious in most other ways. Poison ivy is remarkable with its ability to grow in a variety of ways. Although it is called "poison ivy" it can not only grow upwards clinging to surfaces like an ivy, but can also grow as a bush or single plants. If growing in rocky places, it tends to take over from all other vegetation. If growing near something like a tree or a fence, it will twine itself around the object as it grows, creating a dense mass of vegetation which cannot be crossed. Recognize more of poison ivy’s identifying features. Beyond clusters of 3 leaves, there are several other identifying features of poison ivy. They include: Check for fruit. Both poison ivy and poison oak plants produce small clusters of fruit. If either plant has berries, do not touch or consume them for any reason. Don’t touch any part of the plant. All parts of the plant contain the irritating urushiol oil, so avoid any contact with all parts of the plant. Urushiol is a colorless (or sometimes slightly yellow) oil that can remain on objects for months. The oil content is highest on the plants in the spring and summer months. Teach children rhyming phrases to help them avoid poison ivy. There are a number of fun, rhyming catch-phrases that you can teach to children to help them identify and stay away from poison ivy. Here are some of them: Inspect vines before touching, brushing against them or walking through them. When growing as a vine, poison ivy can snake its way along trees. When it grows like this, it is tons of little poison ivy plants growing out of a vine. Always inspect a vine if you need to go near it, and see if it has plants growing out of it. Remain vigilant even during the winter months. Poison oak drops its leaves in winter, leaving a bare stem of a vine hanging down. But for sensitive individuals, this can still cause a rash. Avoid confusing poison oak with other plants. Some other plants have two or three similar-looking leaves. Such other plants may have spines on the leaf tips (holly or Mahonia) or thorns on the stems (blackberry). However, it is better to avoid plants that resemble poison ivy. If you see a plant that has all the characteristics, but have regular, uniformly shaped leaves, or sharp tips on the edges, it's not likely to be poison ivy. Poison ivy has tips that are more randomly spaced and somewhat curved between the tips along the edges. Even if other animals eat an unidentified plant, that does not mean it is safe. Toxic plants are not poisonous to all creatures. Deer and other grazing animals may happily eat poison ivy. | Look for the vine with clusters of three leaves. Recognize more of poison ivy’s identifying features. Check for fruit. Don’t touch any part of the plant. Teach children rhyming phrases to help them avoid poison ivy. Inspect vines before touching, brushing against them or walking through them. Remain vigilant even during the winter months. Avoid confusing poison oak with other plants. Even if other animals eat an unidentified plant, that does not mean it is safe. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Negotiate-a-Salary | How to Negotiate a Salary | To negotiate your salary, start by researching online and asking coworkers what their salaries are so you don't start bargaining too low. When your employer makes an offer, reject it politely and present a counter-offer. Explain confidently why you deserve a higher salary, but avoid sounding aggressive or demanding. After the employer makes a final offer, ask for 1-2 days to consider it. If it is below your minimum, be prepared to walk away, but also consider if you can get other benefits since the salary is lower. | Research salaries. Before you can negotiate, you need to know how much people in comparable positions make. You can find this information in a variety of ways. Talk with colleagues. Co-workers may be hesitant to talk about their salaries. Nevertheless, you can still ask. If you are negotiating a pay raise at your company, then your coworkers remain your best resource for finding out your company's pay scale. Research at Glassdoor or PayScale. Both of these website provide salary information for particular companies. You can find out what the average salary is for the position at your target company. Research companies of comparable size. If no information exists about the company you are interviewing at, then you will want to find salary ranges for companies of comparable size in the same city or geographic area. You can also find this information on Glassdoor or PayScale. You may also want to do a general web search. Look online if you are working for a government agency. Many states will post this information online. For example, you can view California's state worker salary database by clicking here. Decide on your salary range. Effective negotiation requires that you know two numbers: how much you would ideally get, and the least amount you would settle for. You negotiate with the first number in mind, and you walk away from the job (or stop negotiating) if the employer cannot meet the second number. Don't set the range too low. Research shows that women in particular tend to undervalue their worth. Instead, look at the salary ranges already offered in the field and location and consider what unique skills or experiences you can bring to the company that will increase your worth. Also think through any trade-offs that you might settle for. For example, you might be willing to accept a slightly lower salary for increased vacation time or personal days. List reasons why you deserve the salary you want. Effective negotiation involves more than simply spouting out a number to someone across the table. You also want to give a few short reasons why you think that you are worth the amount that you are asking for. You should come up with your reasons ahead of time. Prepare for different types of negotiators. There are a couple different kinds of negotiators. One is hard-style and likely to say, “No.” The other type is a “soft-style” negotiator who comes across as agreeable. You need to prepare for both, because both present different challenges as you negotiate. To negotiate effectively with the hard-style negotiator, you have to be in the right frame of mind. Do not get rattled by an assertive “No.” Instead, be prepared to justify the amount that you are asking for. You must also maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of resistance. To negotiate effectively with a “soft-style” negotiator, you must focus on not trying to get the negotiator to like you. Instead, you must approach the negotiation as a bargaining opportunity. Soft-style negotiators can be problematic especially when you already know the negotiator—for example, she may already be your boss and you are negotiating a raise. You need to stop worrying that you might harm the relationship and instead focus on getting a salary you deserve. In some cases, you may be asked by email to send an indication of your desired salary amount. This removes the face-to-face negotiation but can be just as difficult to know how to respond appropriately, so check out How to Answer Expected Salary in an Email for some guidance. Practice. If you don't like to negotiate, then you should practice various scenarios before speaking to the employer. One way to practice is to look in a mirror and state out loud what your ideal salary is and why you think you are worth it. Imagine the employer saying “No” and practice your counter-offer. You can also enlist the help of a friend. He or she can pretend to be the boss. Work out different scenarios. For example, have the friend be a firm negotiator, saying “No” repeatedly, so that you can become accustomed to hearing that kind of resistance. Then alternate, and have the friend be open to negotiation. Focus on keeping your enthusiasm up during the process, which is critical for your success in negotiations. Delay discussion of salary. If you are interviewing for a job, then postpone for as long as you can any discussion of salary. The key is to make sure that prospective employers fall in love with you before you begin to discuss money. If the employer asks you what your salary requirements are, try to re-direct the conversation. Say, “Before getting into that, I'd like to hear a little more about…” You should certainly wait until you have a job offer before discussing salary. However, the employer may require that applicants put their required salary in a cover letter. If required to do so, then follow the directions. But be sure to list your preferred salary as a range, e.g., $40,000-50,000. If you subsequently discover that the salary you listed on your cover letter is too low, then you can adjust it during the negotiations by stating that you didn't realize the full job responsibilities when you wrote your cover letter. By saying this, you can give yourself a reason for increasing the amount you want. Let the employer offer the first number. By following this strategy, you can avoid naming a number that is too low. If the employer asks you to give a number, you can counter in several ways: ask what the typical range is for employees in this position at the company ask how much has been budgeted for the position say you'll consider any reasonable offer say that they have better information as to what would be a reasonable offer Make a counter-offer. Once an initial offer is made, you should not accept it. Employers expect negotiation, so their initial offer typically includes some room for them to move up. Instead of accepting the first offer, counter-offer by asking for your ideal amount. If your ideal is $48,000 but the initial offer is for $35,000, then ask for $48,000. The employer is not going to move up to $48,000 on his or her own. You need to be prepared to ask for it. Justify your counter-offer. You can benefit by offering a few quick reasons why you think you are justified in asking for the salary. For example, you may have led your prior company to record growth in the previous year. You can say, “I appreciate the offer and am really excited to work for you. But given my drive and history of performance, I was expecting something in the $50,000 range.” Also be direct. If you want more money, then say that. Do not try to convey that you want more money by talking about your expenses. For example, don't state, “Well I just bought a new car, so my expenses are really high.” Instead, say, “I need more than that” or “I need a higher salary.” Don’t make demands. You should negotiate with confidence, sure of your worth. If the employer cannot meet at least your minimum, then you should be willing to walk away. However, you do not need to boast of that fact or issue ultimatums. Don't say, “Forty thousand is my final offer!” Instead, say, “I need at least $40,000 to make switching jobs worthwhile.” Always negotiate with professionalism and respect. Often, salary negotiations are initiated after an informal offer has been made but before a formal offer has been extended. You don't want anything you do in the salary negotiations to cast doubt on the employer hiring you for the job. Negotiate more than just salary. Remember that base pay is only one topic of negotiation. After you have taken care of it, move on to the following: minimum severance pay performance expectations perquisites and benefits the schedule for future salary increases Do not take negotiations personally. To effectively negotiate, you need to mentally separate yourself from the process. Remember that you don't know everything about the business's financial health, so perhaps the company is constrained in what it can offer you. Also, companies are under pressure to reduce overhead, and salaries are a big part of expenses. A salary offer that is lowering than what you would hope for is not a judgment on you personally. Always remember that negotiating a salary is a business transaction. You would not be terribly offended if someone offered you less than you wanted for vegetables that you grew in your garden or a craft that you made in your spare time. Similarly, don't be offended if the employer is resistant to offering you the salary that you want. Ask for time to consider a final offer. Once you receive a final offer, you should ask for a couple of days to review. You want the time to clear your mind and look at the offer objectively. Most employers should give you a few days to a week to consider the offer. Even if your first instinct is to decline because the salary is too low, you should take the time to review the offer. Maybe an increase in benefits will help offset the low salary. Only by giving yourself time to review the whole offer can you make a sound decision as to whether to accept or reject the offer. Get the offer in writing. Once you have agreed to a salary and a benefits package, ask for everything in writing. Your employer should have no problem memorializing the offer in writing. If the employer does resist, then you should reconsider working for this company. It is standard business practice to reduce contract offers to writing. | Research salaries. Decide on your salary range. List reasons why you deserve the salary you want. Prepare for different types of negotiators. Practice. Delay discussion of salary. Let the employer offer the first number. Make a counter-offer. Justify your counter-offer. Don’t make demands. Negotiate more than just salary. Do not take negotiations personally. Ask for time to consider a final offer. Get the offer in writing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Word-Search | How to Make a Word Search | After you've decided what words you want in your word search, use a ruler to draw a grid on a piece of graph paper. Fill in your word search by writing your words in the grid, but make sure to spread them out and vary writing them so words are written vertically, diagonally, backwards, and forward. Once you've added all of your words, add other letters in the blank squares. Finally, write out a list of your words next to the grid so the person doing the word search knows what they're looking for. | Decide on the theme of your word search. Picking a theme for the words you want to put in your word search will make the word search seem more professional. If you are making this word search for a child, picking a theme will make the puzzle more understandable. Some example themes include: country names, animals, states, flowers, types of food, etc. If you do not want to a have a theme for your word search, you don't have to. It is up to you what you decide to put into your word search. If you are making the word search as a gift, you could personalize the word search for the person you are making it for by using themes like, 'names of relatives' or 'favorite things.' Select the words you want to use. If you decided to go with a theme, pick words that match that theme. The number of words you choose depends on the size of your grid. Using shorter words will allow you to include more words in your puzzle. Word searches generally have 10-20 words. If you are making a very large puzzle, you could have more than that. Examples of words for the theme 'animals': dog, cat, monkey, elephant, fox, sloth, horse, jellyfish, donkey, lion, tiger, bear (oh my!), giraffe, panda, cow, chinchilla, meerkat, dolphin, pig, coyote, etc. Look up the spelling of words. Do this particularly if you are using more obscure words or the names of foreign countries. Misspelling words will lead to confusion (and someone potentially giving up on your puzzle.) Leave space at the top of your page. You will want to add a title to your word search once you have drawn your grid. If you have a theme, you can title your word search accordingly. If you don't have a theme, simply write 'Word Search' across the top of your page. You can also make your grid on the computer. To make a grid in versions of word prior to Word 2007: Select 'View' at the top of the page. Select 'Toolbars' and make sure the 'Drawing' toolbar is selected. Click on 'Draw' (it looks like an 'A' with a cube and a cylinder). Click 'Draw' and then click 'Grid'. A grid option box will pop up--make sure you select 'Snap to Grid' and then select any other options you would like for your grid. Click 'OK' and make your grid. To make a grid in Word 2007 : Click 'Page Layout' at the top of the page and click the 'Align' list within the 'Arrange' grouping. Click 'Grid settings' and make sure 'Snap to Grid' is selected. Select any other options you want for your grid. Click 'ok' and draw your grid. Draw a grid by hand. It is easiest to make word searches when using graph paper, although you do not have to use graph paper. The standard word search box is 10 squares by 10 squares. Draw a square that is 10 centimeter (3.9 in) by 10 centimeter (3.9 in) and then make a line at each centimeter across the box. Mark each centimeter going down the box as well. You do not need to use a 10x10 grid. You can make your grid as big or as small as you like, just remember that you need to be able to draw small squares within your grid. You can make your grid into the shape of a letter (perhaps the letter of the person's name who you are making it for?) or into an interesting shape. Use a ruler to draw lines. Use a pencil to draw the lines evenly and straightly. You need to create small, evenly-sized squares within your grid. The squares can be as big or as small as you like. If you are giving the word search to a child, you might consider making the squares larger. Making larger squares will make the puzzle a bit easier because each individual square and letter will be easier to see. To make your puzzle harder, make smaller, closer together squares. Make a list of your words. Place the list next to your grid. You can label your words #1, #2 etc. if you want to. Write your words out clearly so that the person doing the word search knows exactly which word he or she is looking for. Write all of your words into your grid. Put one letter in each box. You can write them backward, forward, diagonally, and vertically. Try to evenly distribute the words throughout the grid. Get creative with your placements. Make sure to write all of the words that you have listed next to the grid so that they are actually in the puzzle. It would be very confusing to be looking for a word in the word search that isn't actually there. Depending on who you are giving the puzzle to, you may wish to make your letters larger or smaller. If you want your puzzle to be a little less challenging, like if you are giving it to a child, you might consider writing your letters larger. If you want your puzzle to be more challenging, make your letters smaller. Create an answer key. Once you have finished writing in all the words, make a photocopy of it and highlight all of the hidden words. This will serve as your answer key so whoever does your puzzle will be able to see if they got everything right (or can get help if they are stuck on one word) without the confusion of the extra, random letters. Fill in the rest of the blank squares. Once you have written all of your chosen words into the puzzle, fill the still empty squares with random letters. Doing this distracts the person from finding the words in the search. Make sure that you do not accidentally make other words out of your extra letters, especially other words that fit into your theme. This will be very confusing for the person doing the puzzle. Make copies. Only do this if you are planning on giving your word search to more than one person. | Decide on the theme of your word search. Select the words you want to use. Look up the spelling of words. Leave space at the top of your page. Draw a grid by hand. Use a ruler to draw lines. Make a list of your words. Write all of your words into your grid. Create an answer key. Fill in the rest of the blank squares. Make copies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Girlfriend-to-Move-Out | How to Get Your Girlfriend to Move Out | If living together with your girlfriend isn't working out, it will probably be easiest to help her move out. Calmly and clearly tell her that you want her to move out. Say something like, “I know that we thought that moving in together would be a good idea but it just doesn't seem to be working." Try to come to a compromise about how long she'll stay. If she needs money to hire a van or make a down payment on a new place, consider lending her it so she can move out sooner. You can also offer to help her pack her things and make arrangements to move out to make things easier for her. If she refuses to leave after you've tried to compromise with her, pack her things while she's out and tell her she needs to leave. | Have a face-to-face conversation. Your first step should be to try to work out a solution to your living arrangements by talking face-to-face. Be honest with your girlfriend about wanting her to move out. If there are problems in your relationship, chances are she feels this tension too and will not be too surprised to hear that you want her to move out. Discuss reasonable options with her and try to come to a consensus. Take some time before initiating the conversation to brainstorm a few ideas to present. Think about if she has a friend or family member she could stay with, or if you're willing to continue living together until she finds a new living situation. Don't tell her what to do — rather, offer a few possibilities. Say something like, “I know that we thought that moving in together would be a good idea but it just doesn't seem to be working. Since the apartment was originally mine, I was thinking it would be best if you were the one to move out.” You will likely need to have a few conversations about how you will proceed. If the first conversation about moving is taking place right when you break up, it will likely be difficult for her to make decisions. Allow her some time to process and come to terms with what is happening. If there are children involved, this is definitely the preferred method. You should consider the best living situation for the kids. Offer her financial assistance. There is a huge financial burden in moving. She may need a security deposit on a new apartment and utilities. She may also need a moving truck and some furniture. Since this was a mutual relationship, it might be unfair to lay the entire financial obligation of a separation on your girlfriend's shoulders. Consider splitting the financial costs of moving. To determine if such a financial split is fair or necessary, think about how much the two of you make. If you make the same or more money than her, it might be unreasonable to ask her to bear the entire burden of a move. If she makes considerably more money than you, there may be no need to help financially. Another option is to allow her to continue living with you while she saves up money for a security deposit and other expenses. Be willing to provide physical assistance. The act of moving things out can be difficult to deal with. She might even need help to physically move some of the bigger items out (like a couch). She will need manpower to make the move happen. Offer to help her move large pieces of furniture and boxes to her new space. If you are breaking up, your physical assistance may not be welcomed. If you are on good terms, however, asking a few friends to help out may make things less awkward and speed up the process. Be direct. If you and your girlfriend are unable to come to an agreement, you may try to make it clear that she is no longer welcome in your home. She may be trying to hold onto your relationship long enough for the troubles to blow over. If you are serious about wanting her to leave, make it clear by being honest and upfront with her. Once you've been clear, you might want to be absent from the home a little more. Give her the time/space to move out, and avoid falling back into your previous relationship roles. If she keeps pushing the issue, gently remind her that you've made up your mind and you are no longer willing to discuss it. Pack her bags. Packing her bags sends a very clear message that you want her to leave. This method is pretty harsh and will more than likely upset her. If you do choose to pack her bags, do so neatly and carefully. Do not break her things. If the two of you own things together (like a couch or bed), it may be difficult to just pack her things. You might need to reach some agreement as to who keeps what. Consider moving out yourself. You might have good reason for asking her to leave, like you own the home and she doesn't. If that's not the case, you should consider moving out of the home yourself. She may have just as much claim to the home as you, and the two of you will have to come to some sort of agreement. If your girlfriend is refusing to accept the breakup, then moving out may be the best solution. Decide if keeping the place yourself is worth this dragging out. Check your lease agreement. If you are the sole tenant on the lease and you are not married, you have the right to make the decision. In fact, if her name is not on the lease you may be violating your lease altogether. However, if both of your names are on the lease, she has every right to remain in the home. Give her a request in writing. If she does not have the legal right to remain in the home, consider giving her a written request to leave. This can be done by you or your landlord. The request should give a moving deadline. If she does have rights to stay (e.g. she is on the lease), you might still consider giving her a written request to leave. This will give you proof of an exact date that she was asked to leave if things go to court. Most states require you to give a certain amount of notice when you ask someone to move out, such as 30 days. Follow your state's eviction laws to ensure things go smoothly and you don't run into legal trouble down the line. Take legal steps if you fear for your safety. If your girlfriend is abusive or you fear she will become violent, aggressive, or retaliate against you, then you need to protect yourself. It may be best for you to give your girlfriend a formal eviction notice and stay somewhere else temporarily while she moves out. You may also need to contact the police or request a temporary restraining order against your girlfriend. Make sure you are never alone with your girlfriend and change the locks once she has moved out. Go to the police. If you have followed all of the previous steps but she is still unwilling to move you can go to the police. They may evaluate the lease agreement and make a determination themselves. Or, you may have to go to court to settle the dispute. This should only be used as a last resort. If she is on the lease or deed, the police are unlikely to remove her from the house. | Have a face-to-face conversation. Offer her financial assistance. Be willing to provide physical assistance. Be direct. Pack her bags. Consider moving out yourself. Check your lease agreement. Give her a request in writing. Take legal steps if you fear for your safety. Go to the police. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Elope | How to Elope | The simplest way to elope is by taking your identifying documents to the local courthouse, and having a government official register your marriage. Alternatively, hire an officiant and head someplace special, such as your favorite beach or the place you met. If you want to get married immediately, go to Las Vegas, where the chapels are open 24/7. However you choose to elope, make sure to get a marriage license and arrange for any witnesses ahead of time, depending on your state's requirements. | Elope at a courthouse for the simplest route. Choosing to elope by registering with the government is not only the most straightforward way but also best if you want to avoid all the fuss of weddings. If you want, you can make it just between the two of you. Plus, you won't have to fuss around with all of the legal documents. Make sure you bring all necessary documents with you: take government-issued IDs, birth certificates, social security cards, and (depending on your country) blood test results. Hire an officiant if you'd prefer to elope at a specific location. Most countries will require an officiant of some sort, but that doesn't have to consign your wedding to the courthouse. If you'd like, you can choose a scenic location or a spot that means a lot to both of you. As long as you have an officiant to verify the vows, the world is your oyster. If you're hiring an officiant, you don't have to stick to the classic vows. Make them unique to your relationship: don't be afraid to get sentimental, sweet, or even silly. Some officiants will complete all of the marriage paperwork for you, after charging a fee. Ask your prospective officiant whether they offer this service. Do the paperwork yourself to elope over time. If life is busy right now and, in all ways except legally you consider yourself married, you can skip the ceremony altogether. Fill out the paperwork on your own and send it in when you're both ready. Ask a certified officiant to send the paperwork in for you to officially seal the deal. Some countries don't require an officiant but just need witnesses present while filling out the paperwork. In this case, you may be able to send in the paperwork by yourself. Invite your family to the elopement for a "quasi-wedding. " You don't have to elope alone; in fact, elopement is the perfect opportunity to organize a close-knit ceremony. Invite your closest friends and relatives as you commit to your vows and have a small but fun get-together afterward. Go to Vegas for the novelty. Where's the only place in the world you can hire Elvis (impersonators) as wedding officiants? Vegas, baby! For U.S. citizens, eloping in Las Vegas, Nevada is a wedding and honeymoon all in one, and wedding licenses are easy to procure: no waiting periods or blood tests required. Most wedding chapels in Vegas are open 24/7, every day of the year. Allow for at least four hours when marrying in Vegas. Unless you make wedding reservations, the lines can be long. Budget your money to cover legal costs. Between weddings and elopements, the latter is cheaper but that doesn't make it free. Court fees, license costs, and payment for your officiant can all add up. Decide on an the amount you're willing to pay with your partner and avoid going over-budget. Eloping can cost as little as $100 to several thousand dollars. Compared to the average wedding cost ($26,000), this is by far the budget-friendly way to get married. Make sure you're old enough to marry. While you can get engaged at any age, most countries only allow couples to marry after both are of legal age (between 17-22). The age that you can get married with parental consent varies between countries but can range from 12-17. Obtain a marriage license. Your country will require different documentation depending on their policies. Some even require waiting periods up to three days before your marriage is considered legal. Contact your local legal department to acquire all necessary documents for a marriage license. If you live in a location that requires a blood test, you can usually get the requirement waived via informed consent. Check if your government requires a marriage officiant or witness. Most countries require a marriage officiant, and many have set requirements for who can officiate a wedding. Licensed ministers, clergymen, ship captains, or justices of the peace are all typical officiants. In locations that do not require officiants, a witness will be required to verify the marriage. In the United States, the exception to this rule is Florida, which does not require a witness. In a pinch, have a close friend register as an ordained minister online. This process can require as little as several hours' time and a nominal fee. Fill out a prenuptial agreement. If your elopement is sudden, you might want to file a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse. Prenuptials are legal documents that determine what will happen to your incomes, possessions, and children (if applicable) if the marriage does not work out. Have a lawyer draft or look over your prenuptial agreement to make the document official. Hire a professional photographer or videographer. Your marriage, whether you have a wedding or elope, is a moment you and your spouse will want to look back on. Ask a professional to document your vow ceremony or the ring exchange. If you really want to keep the wedding intimate, ask a friend or family member to take photos. Wear whatever clothes make you feel happiest. You can wear the traditional wedding dress or tux, or you could wear something fun that expresses your personality (like a button-down with suspenders, a frilly knee-length dress, or an outfit with personal meaning). Eloping doesn't have to mean jeans and a t-shirt at the city clerk's office. Have an "I Do" party in lieu of a reception. If you've chosen to elope, you might not be up for the usual reception party. Instead, treat a few friends to a party after the ceremony. You can make a small registry, or you can ask guests to just bring themselves. Order a wedding cake, pop open a few bottles of champagne, and relax at your own mini-reception. Alternatively, go to dinner with your loved ones at a fancy restaurant after the ceremony. Go on a honeymoon. After the ceremony and after-party, go on a romantic getaway with your new husband or wife. Because elopement is so inexpensive, you can use some of the money you might have spent on a really nice honeymoon. If you're under time or cost restraints, spend a weekend in a nearby bed-and-breakfast or plan a staycation. | Elope at a courthouse for the simplest route. Hire an officiant if you'd prefer to elope at a specific location. Do the paperwork yourself to elope over time. Invite your family to the elopement for a "quasi-wedding. Go to Vegas for the novelty. Budget your money to cover legal costs. Make sure you're old enough to marry. Obtain a marriage license. Check if your government requires a marriage officiant or witness. Fill out a prenuptial agreement. Hire a professional photographer or videographer. Wear whatever clothes make you feel happiest. Have an "I Do" party in lieu of a reception. Go on a honeymoon. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Train-Great-Danes | How to Train Great Danes | To train your Great Dane, start by limiting training sessions to 5 minutes and gradually increasing them, since Great Danes have short attention spans. Additionally, end each training session by giving your dog a command it already knows, so you always finish on a positive note. You should also give it a variety of rewards, like treats, verbal praise, and play time, to keep it excited and motivated to learn. | Start early. Great Danes have an innate need to please, so your puppy will be easy to train. Since your Great Dane is so large, it is important to start as early as you can to help him learn good behavior. This will ensure that, as he grows, he will listen to you and follow your lead. This will be easier for you because he will be harder to convince to do things the older and larger he gets. The earliest you can start to train your Great Dane is at around eight to10 weeks old. Never beat your dog. Punishing or beating your Great Danes when he is not acting in the way you want him to is out of the question. Instead of learning from your punishment, your Great Dane will learn to be scared of you or learn to hate you. If your Great Dane behaves out of fear of punishment from you, your dog may become frustrated or anxious. This may lead pent up anger which may cause your Great Dane to become aggressive. Given the size of a Great Dane, you could be a danger if the aggressive behavior is turned on you. This means that it is even more imperative for such a large dog. Reward your Great Dane for proper behavior. Training through rewards is the best method to get your Great Dane to train properly. It is more constructive as a training method because your dog will associate your training with pleasant things. Whenever you give a particular command, reward your Great Dane's behavior with a treat or other positive reinforcement. This will connect your dog's behavior with the pleasant feeling. Begin with easy commands, such stay or sit. Express dissatisfaction firmly and calmly. If your Great Dane is behaving badly or is engaging in behavior that he shouldn't, you should give short, sharp commands in a calm voice. This should be a phrase, such as "No" or "Uh oh", that you say firmly to him. Once your Great Dane corrects his behavior, you can praise him for that behavior. Even if your Great Dane does not respond right away, do not get upset, yell, or hit your dog. This will only make him fear you. Be patient. No portion of training your Great Dane will happen over night. You just have to keep with all the different types of training. Your dog will eventually catch on as long as you stick with it. If a particular treat is not working, mix it up. If the training method is not working just right, switch up how you are approaching it to ensure that you are reaching your dog and training them as successfully as possible. Socialize your dog early. Your Great Dane needs to be introduced to other dogs and people early in his life. This will ensure that your Great Dane acts accordingly around other dog and people. To do this, take him to a dog park, invite people to your house, or enroll him in socialization classes, which are given by professionals. This is especially important for your Great Dane because, if he attacks other dogs or people, he can do major damage. Be sure that your Great Dane has all his shots before you take him around other dogs. Keep training sessions short. When you are training your Great Dane puppy, you should keep your sessions short. They should last no longer than five minutes at first. Your Great Dane puppy will have a very short attention span, so you need to make sure you can keep his attention by having short training sessions. As he gets older, you can increase the length of your sessions. End on a positive note. Make sure you stop your training sessions on a positive note. Once you notice your Great Dane puppy getting distracted, go ahead and quit your session. End it by requesting him to do a simple command that you know your Great Dane can perform. This way, you will be able to praise him at the end of the session. This will leave your puppy feeling happy with himself, which will make him a happier dog. Make treats less predictable. Your Great Dane will eventually get used to the treat and reward schedule that you developed in the beginning. When this happens, you should make your schedule and methods much less predictable. Instead of giving a treat every time you Great Dane does something right, skip a few to keep him guessing. This makes him wonder why he didn't get a treat and will make him work harder in the future to get the next treat or reward. Over time, skip two or three instances that you would typically reward until you are only rewarding every fourth or fifth behavior. This will be far enough apart for him to work for it but close enough together to encourage good behavior. Change up the rewards. When you reward your Great Dane, try to vary the types of treats you give him. These treats don't have to be food related and can vary depending on your or your dog's mood. Try bites of food, dog treats, praise, or play time with his favorite toy. Your Great Dane will let you know which activities he likes the best. This may be tugging on his favorite chew toy or eating a bite of his favorite treat. You should also use different treats on different days. Potty train your dog. When you are potty training your Great Dane puppy, you need to start as early as possible when you bring him home. Start by designating a specific place in your back yard that will be his toilet place. Take him there every 20 to 30 minutes at first, changing to once an hour as he gets older. When he uses it, praise him and give him affection and attention. This will help your Great Dane think about your praise of him when he needs to use the bathroom, which will make him more likely to repeat his good behavior. Make sure you praise him every time he potties in the right place. To properly potty train your Great Dane, keep a watch on him all the time while he is indoors. This means you need to follow him around, keep him in his crate while you go out, or keep him on a leash. If your dog does mess in the house on accident, make sure you clean the area extremely well to remove the smell. This will make sure he will not return to mark the same territory again. Use clicker training for your dog. Clicker training is a great way of designating desired behavior for your Great Dane. It will also help him know what he is being rewarded for. Clicker training works by linking the click-clack of the clicker to him getting a reward for his behavior. When you get the desired action from your Great Dane, use the clicker to reinforce it. For example, when teaching your Great Dane to "sit", press the clicker as soon as your dog's bottom hits the ground. . Train your dog for a crate Crate training will give your dog a small room of his own. Start with a crate large enough for your Great Dane puppy to walk around. Put a comfortable bed in his crate along with a water bowl and some toys. Keep your puppy in here when you have to leave to discourage messing in the house or chewing things he shouldn't. To get your Great Dane used to the crate, close the door when he goes inside. Leave him in the crate for short periods of time, gradually increasing them until he can stay there for hours without whining. Give him lots of praise when he sits in there well. To help him associate his crate with happy things, give him treats or a toy when you keep him in there. As he grows, the crate will need to be bigger. If you don't want to buy another crate as he grows, buy a large crate to begin with. It should be large enough for him not to bang his head and long enough for him to lie down. Teach simple commands. To ensure your Great Dane behaves himself, he needs to learn to obey basic commands such as "Sit", "Stay", and "Come". If your Great Dane obeys these as soon as you give them, you can control him in pretty much any situation. Try using food, small treats, or other foods to help train your dog. For example, put a treat in your hand. Let your Great Dane know you have it. Use the hand with the treat to lure his head upwards until his bottom naturally hits the ground.. As you put his bottom on the ground, say firmly and calmly "Sit". You can also press the clicker as soon as his bottom hits the floor. Then give him the treat. Similar methods work for other basic commands. | Start early. Never beat your dog. Reward your Great Dane for proper behavior. Express dissatisfaction firmly and calmly. Be patient. Socialize your dog early. Keep training sessions short. End on a positive note. Make treats less predictable. Change up the rewards. Potty train your dog. Use clicker training for your dog. . Teach simple commands. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Select-and-Store-Kiwifruit | How to Select and Store Kiwifruit | To select and store kiwifruit, start by choosing plump kiwis that have a goldish or dark brown skin, which is a sign that they're juicy and sweet. Avoid kiwis that have bruises, cuts, or a shriveled appearance. Once you've selected your kiwis and you're ready to store them, put them on a shelf in the fridge where they'll stay good for up to 2 weeks. If the kiwis aren't ripe yet, let them ripen at room temperature before you store them. | Choose kiwi based on the skin color. Although the fruit inside a kiwi is green (or yellow), you should avoid kiwis that have a greenish hue to their skin. Instead, pick kiwis that have goldish or dark brown skin. Kiwis with gold skin will be slightly firmer, and ones with dark brown skin will be softer. Look for fruit that’s plump. Kiwis are supposed to be juicy and sweet, so look for fruit that looks full, round, and full of juice. Avoid kiwi that looks shrivelled or withered. Inspect kiwis for bruising, blemishes, and wrinkles. The skin of the kiwi should be uniform in color, and not have any dark spots, cuts, or bruises that indicate damage to the fruit. Also look over the fruit for wrinkles, which indicate moisture loss. Kiwi with bruises, cuts, or blemishes is still safe to eat. Simply cut out the blemish before eating the rest of the fruit. Press the fruit gently to test ripeness. Delicately press your thumb into the outside of the fruit. When the kiwi is ripe and ready to eat, the fruit will yield to your squeeze. The fruit should be firm but not mushy or overly soft. If the kiwi doesn't give when you press it, then it's not ripe. Unripe kiwi will be tart and hard if you try to eat it, but it will ripen if you leave it at room temperature for a few days. Overly soft or mushy kiwi is likely bruised, damaged, or overripe, so avoid these kiwis. Do not purchase or eat kiwi that's oozing juice or moldy. Mold on a kiwi may appear as a black, fuzzy green, or brown spot. Smell the kiwi. Unripe kiwi has no scent, so you can tell when a kiwi is ripe by the aroma. Bring the kiwi to your nose and inhale deeply. A mild fragrant scent indicates that the kiwi is ripe and ready to eat. Store kiwis on the counter to ripen them. Kiwi is one of those fruits that will continue to ripen after it's harvested. When you buy unripe kiwi, leave them on the counter at room temperature, and they will ripen over the next three to seven days. Other fruits that continue ripening after harvest include apples, bananas, plums, and apricots. There are even a few fruits, like avocados, that won't ripen unless you pick them. Transfer unripe kiwis to a paper bag to ripen them faster. Kiwi is a fruit that produces a gas called ethylene, which helps to ripen fruit at an accelerated pace. When you store kiwi in a paper bag, the bag traps the ethylene and ripens the fruit faster. Kiwi ripened in a bag will generally ripen twice as quickly as kiwi that's left to ripen on the counter. You can also ripen other fruit faster by storing it in a paper bag with kiwi, or another ethylene-producing fruit. Other ethylene-producing fruits include apples, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, honeydew, mangoes, peaches, pears, potatoes, and tomatoes. Eat ripe kiwis immediately. Kiwi is ripe when the fruit gives to gentle pressure when you press the fruit with your thumb. Ripe kiwi will also smell fragrant, and have a darker brown skin. Eat the sweet and juicy fruit right away, or store it properly for an extended shelf life. Transfer kiwis to the refrigerator for longer storage. Once the kiwis have finished ripening, place any leftovers into the refrigerator to preserve them. Ripe kiwi will only last on the counter for a couple of days, but will keep in the refrigerator for one to two weeks. You can also store unripe kiwi in the refrigerator for an extended period of time. Place the kiwis in a plastic bag and transfer them to the refrigerator for up to six weeks. When you want to eat the kiwis, place them on the counter for a few days to ripen. Dehydrate them for a longer shelf life. Dehydrated foods can last for years, because all of the moisture gets removed. Kiwis are best dehydrated when they are ripe but still quite firm, as they will retain a better texture. To dehydrate kiwis: Wash, scrub, and dry the fruit Peel off the skin with a vegetable peeler, and remove the top and bottom stem scars Slice the kiwi into one-eighth to one-quarter inch (3 to 6.3 mm) slices Arrange the slices in single layers on dehydrator trays Dehydrate them for eight to 10 hours at 130 F (54 C) Store the slices in an airtight container Signs that your dried kiwi has spoiled include discoloration, mold, chewiness or extreme hardness, a bad odor, and flavorless. Freeze ripe kiwi for extended periods. Rinse the kiwi under running water and scrub it with a brush or cloth. Pat the fruit dry. Remove the hard top and bottom stems from the fruit. Slice the kiwi into bite-sized chunks and spread them out on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer overnight. Transfer the slices to an airtight container or freezer bag and return them to the freezer. Kiwi will last for up to nine months in the freezer. Eat them on their own. To eat kiwi, rinse the fruit under running water and scrub it with a brush or cloth. Cut out the top and bottom stems. From there, you can peel the skin off with a vegetable peeler, or leave it on. Eat the kiwi like an apple, or cut it into chunks or slices. You can also eat kiwi by scooping out the flesh. Just cut the fruit in half widthwise, and use a spoon to scoop the flesh from the two halves. Add them to smoothies. Kiwis are great in smoothies, especially when paired with fruits like strawberries and bananas. To make your own smoothie recipes, wash the kiwi, peel the skin, and cut the fruit into quarters. Add the kiwi to a blender, along with other prepared fruits, milk, yogurt, orange juice, ice, or spices if desired. Blend the mixture until smooth and serve immediately. You can also make a berry kiwi smoothie by blending together: 1 banana 6 strawberries 1 kiwi ½ cup (72 g) vanilla frozen yogurt ¾ cup (176 ml) pineapple and orange juice blend Sprinkle them on breakfast foods. You can use peeled chunks or slices of kiwi to top French toast, pancakes, waffles, cereal, oatmeal, and other breakfast foods. Because kiwi is so sweet and juicy, it's an excellent alternative to syrups and the sugary toppings that people often put on grain-based breakfasts. Top desserts with kiwi slices. Fresh kiwi is also an excellent addition to many desserts. Wash, peel, and slice the kiwi into thin disks. Layer the slices onto the top of your favorite desserts, such as cakes, pies, cheesecakes, ice cream, and sorbet. Kiwi pairs well with vanilla, berry, and citrus flavored ice creams and sorbets. It's also an ideal topping for New York cheesecake, custard-based desserts, and fruit breads. Mix them in with salads. Kiwi can be used in place of tomatoes in a salad, or added to any salad along with tomato and other fruit. Kiwi goes especially well in salads that have ingredients like goat cheese, candied nuts, and balsamic vinaigrettes. | Choose kiwi based on the skin color. Look for fruit that’s plump. Inspect kiwis for bruising, blemishes, and wrinkles. Press the fruit gently to test ripeness. Smell the kiwi. Store kiwis on the counter to ripen them. Transfer unripe kiwis to a paper bag to ripen them faster. Eat ripe kiwis immediately. Transfer kiwis to the refrigerator for longer storage. Dehydrate them for a longer shelf life. Freeze ripe kiwi for extended periods. Eat them on their own. Add them to smoothies. Sprinkle them on breakfast foods. Top desserts with kiwi slices. Mix them in with salads. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sweat-More | How to Sweat More | To sweat more, try eating spicy foods like peppers and hot sauce to activate your sweat glands. Alternatively, drink hot beverages such as coffee or tea to elevate your core temperature and open up your pores. If you use antiperspirant, switch to a regular deodorant that won't interfere with your natural ability to sweat. Additionally, wear less breathable synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester to trap heat close to your skin. | Stay hydrated. Before you hit the gym or head out for a jog, chug a large glass of water (or two). Simply put, the more fluids that are in your body, the more you'll have to lose through sweat. Most health experts recommend drinking 15-20 ounces (around half a liter) of water prior to a workout. Don't forget to replenish your water while you're exercising, as well. About 8 ounces (.25l) every 15-20 minutes is optimal for feeling and performing at your best. Do more cardio. Unlike other forms of exercise like lifting weights, which is often done in short, intense bursts, cardiovascular training forces you to expend more energy for longer periods of time. This exertion elevates your body temperature, causing you to begin sweating in an effort to cool off. If you usually work out at a gym, hop on the treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike at a moderate intensity for at least 20-30 minutes to keep your heart rate and body temperature up. Research suggests that as your level of fitness improves, you may actually begin to sweat more (and more readily). Get outside. Weather permitting, escape the comfort of your climate-controlled gym every now and then and go slog it out under the sun. There, both you and your sweat can run freely. Practice a sport, do a few rounds of wind sprints, or focus on activities like yoga and calisthenics that you can engage in anywhere. Schedule your workouts for the late afternoon hours when temperatures are highest. Make sure you're properly hydrated before you get moving, especially on scorching summer days. Throw on a sweatsuit. They're not called “sweats” for nothing. Ditch the revealing, ventilated materials like neoprene for future workouts and go with a basic close-fitting cotton ensemble instead. Insulated clothing keeps the heat your body releases during exercise close to the skin, which can quickly induce perspiration. Look for “sauna suits” made from PVC and other waterproof materials. These are specifically designed to prevent heat from dissipating and get athletes sweating buckets. Take frequent rest breaks during your workout and strip off excess clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Eat spicy foods. Chowing down on hot ingredients can get your sweat glands working overtime. It also stokes your metabolism and can even strengthen your immune system, making it a win-win. Cuisines like Mexican, Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese are famous for their fiery fare. Kick up any meal with a handful of diced hot peppers, a splash of hot sauce, or a dash of cayenne. Have a glass of milk on standby to neutralize the heat if it starts to become unbearable. Sip a hot beverage. Fix yourself a steaming mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and down it while it's fresh. The heat will elevate your core temperature from the inside. If you're already in a warm environment, it won't take long to get those pores opened up. Hot drinks are a very effective way to warm up in a hurry—that's part of the reason they're so popular with skiers, mountain climbers and other cold weather athletes. Consume more caffeine. Make energizing items like coffee, soda, and chocolate a staple of your diet. Caffeine directly stimulates the central nervous system, and sweating is a nervous system response. Just be careful not to overdo it, or it could give you the jitters. If you don't do well with coffee, stick to offerings with less-concentrated amounts of caffeine like green tea. When all else fails, grab a canned energy drink. These products often contain as much as 200mg of caffeine per serving. Pour yourself a drink. Unwind at the end of a long day with a couple beers or a few ounces of red wine. Even a small amount of alcohol can quickly get your blood pumping. Over time, this can lead to flushing, hot flashes, and (you guessed it) perspiration. Needless to say, this will only be an option if you're above the legal drinking age. Avoid drinking to excess. It won't help you sweat more, but it can impair your judgment and potentially cause embarrassment. Stop wearing antiperspirants. As their name implies, antiperspirants are designed to do just that—keep you from sweating. So if your goal is to let the fluids flow, the first thing you should do is cut them out of your daily hygiene routine. Your underarms and other other high-heat parts of your body will be pouring in no time. Make the switch to an ordinary deodorant that blocks unpleasant odors but won't interfere with your body's ability to sweat. You can also dab a couple drops of a potent natural fragrance like peppermint oil or patchouli onto sensitive areas if you're worried about how you'll smell after a few days without applying anti-perspirant. Drop the temperature in your home. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees lower than normal. This will keep you from getting acclimated to high temperatures as quickly. Once you step into a warmer environment, you'll find yourself breaking into a sweat when performing even basic tasks. A chilly living space can be pretty uncomfortable. Work your way up to more frigid conditions gradually, reducing the temperature a few degrees at a time for the first week or so. Assuming you live in somewhere with mild winters, consider simply turning off your heat during the colder months. Not only will you perspire like a champ when it comes time to work out or hit the sauna, you'll also save money on your utility bill! Wear heavy fabrics. For best results, pull on thick, long-sleeved garments such as vests and sweaters. Synthetic materials like nylon, rayon and polyester especially aren't as breathable as natural fibers, which causes them to trap heat close to your skin. To make this strategy even more effective, try bundling up in multiple layers. Avoid wearing stuffy clothing for more than a few hours at a time. When that excess moisture has nowhere to go, it starts to build up on your skin, which can eventually lead to icky complications like skin infections. Visit a sauna. If nothing else gets you glistening, a sauna will. The sweltering, moist air in the room envelopes you, clinging to your skin and pulling out the sweat. The water you shed then evaporates and gets cycled back into the room's atmosphere. Staying in a sauna too long can be dangerous. Limit yourself to 20-30 minutes at a time, and drink plenty of water before you go in. If you're planning on spending any longer inside, rinse off in a cool shower between sessions to lower your body temperature. | Stay hydrated. Do more cardio. Get outside. Throw on a sweatsuit. Eat spicy foods. Sip a hot beverage. Consume more caffeine. Pour yourself a drink. Stop wearing antiperspirants. Drop the temperature in your home. Wear heavy fabrics. Visit a sauna. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Newton-Disc | How to Make a Newton Disc | To make a Newton disc, start by cutting out two circles of the same size from a piece of cardboard and a piece of paper and gluing them together. Next, divide the circle into 7 equal triangles and color each section a different color in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Then, slide a pencil thorough the center of the disc and wrap some tape around the pencil above and below the disc so it doesn't slide around. Finally, spin the disc quickly with your hand to see the colors blend together and appear white. | Collect the materials that you will need for the project. You will need a standard piece of printer paper, an equivalent sized piece of cardboard, glue, tape, scissors, hole punch, a ruler, a no.2 pencil, and a coloring source. Choose your coloring source. You can choose to color your disc with crayons, markers, colored pencils, or paint. You will need all of the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Alternatively, you could choose to print a color wheel from the internet. Try searching online for "color wheel" or "printable color wheel." Cut the piece of paper and cardboard into equal size circles. To do this you could trace something round with a pencil, use a drawing compass, or print a circle off of the computer. Though it does not matter what size circle you use, it is best to use a circle that would comfortably fit on a standard sheet of notebook paper. The larger your circle is the harder it will be to create the effects of the disc. Glue the piece of paper to the cardboard. If you printed a color wheel from the internet, be sure to glue the color side up. Let the glue dry completely before moving on to the next step. Divide the circle into seven equal triangles. Use the ruler and pencil to make the lines on the circle. Think about this step as though you are “cutting into a pie.” You are creating a color wheel. Color each of the seven sections a different color. Start at the top of the circle and work clockwise. Color the sections in with the following colors in this order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Fasten the disc to the pencil. You will need to punch a hole in the middle of the disc. Slide the disc onto pencil. This will give you a way to hold the disc and spin it rapidly. Hold the disc in place. Put tape around the pencil an inch above and below the disc. This will prevent the wheel from wobbling off of the pencil as it spins. This way, you can spin the disc faster without it flying off of the pencil. Spin the disc around the pencil. At first you will see the colors quickly spinning. As you spin the disc faster, you will start to see the colors blending, and they will blend together and appear white. If you aren't seeing this happen, try spinning the disc even faster. Adjust your technique. If you are still able to see most colors, try spinning the wheel faster. Be aware that you may not see a perfectly white wheel. You are trying to spin the wheel faster than your eyes can process the colors. Look at a prism. A prism is used to split visible light. It separates the light by different frequencies, which appear different in color. Shining a white light through a prism will yield all of the colors of the rainbow (the visible light spectrum). If you do not have access to a prism, water can also split light. This can be observed in rainbows. Study the visible spectrum. Visible light is the small range of electromagnetic energy that the human eye can detect and translate into an image. When the entire spectrum is present, the light appears white in color. When particular frequencies are absorbed, reflected, or otherwise not present, the eye sees different colors, for example red or green. Consider color combinations. The frequencies that make up the visible spectrum are present on your color wheel. This is why spinning the wheel fast enough to blur those colors together makes them appear white. The light from all of the colors is hitting your eye at almost the exact same time. This tricks the eye into thinking you are seeing white light. | Collect the materials that you will need for the project. Cut the piece of paper and cardboard into equal size circles. Glue the piece of paper to the cardboard. Divide the circle into seven equal triangles. Color each of the seven sections a different color. Fasten the disc to the pencil. Hold the disc in place. Spin the disc around the pencil. Adjust your technique. Look at a prism. Study the visible spectrum. Consider color combinations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Diarrhea-in-Finches | How to Treat Diarrhea in Finches | If your finch has diarrhea, provide it with clean water at all times to keep it hydrated. If you notice that it's not drinking, you can add a little honey to the water to encourage it to drink. You should also disinfect the entire cage and change the floor lining to get rid of any germs. Make sure to quarantine your sick finch, if you have more than one bird in the same cage, to stop its illness from spreading to the other birds. If its diarrhea continues for longer than 24 hours or it shows other symptoms like vomiting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, coughing, or sneezing, you should take it to a vet for a diagnosis. | Wear disposable gloves and wash your hands frequently. Wear gloves whenever you clean the cage, come into contact with droppings, or handle food and water bowls. Wash your hands well after performing cage maintenance or handling your birds. While you should always use proper hand hygiene, wearing gloves and washing your hands is especially important if one of your birds is sick. If your sick finch has a communicable disease, hand hygiene will help you prevent it from spreading. Transfer the sick bird to a quarantine cage immediately. Isolate the sick finch as soon as you notice something's wrong. Keep it in a smaller cage with a towel draped over one half and a heat lamp propped over the other. Make sure it has food and water at all times, but change and clean the bowls frequently. The heat lamp should be labeled for small animals and shouldn't generate any light. Constant light could prevent the sick bird from getting enough rest. Try to keep the bird hydrated. Provide fresh, clean water at all times, and try to notice if your finch is drinking. If necessary, add honey to the water to encourage drinking or replace the water with Pedialyte. You'll need to clean and change sweetened water more often to prevent bacterial growth. If the bird is too weak to drink on its own, take it to the vet immediately. Soak perches and bowls in hot, soapy water. If you have other finches, secure them wherever you keep them during routine cage maintenance. Remove all perches, bowls, toys and other items from the cage. Soak them in a bucket filled with hot water and a teaspoon of antibacterial dish soap. You can also use equal parts hot water and white vinegar. Scrub and rinse the items thoroughly and then let them air dry. Any buckets, sponges, soap bottles, and other cleaning supplies used for cage cleaning should not be used for any other purpose. Do not wash the cage, perches, bowls, or any other items in a kitchen or bathroom sink, especially if you have a sick bird. It's best to take them outside to wash them. Make sure to wear disposable gloves during cage maintenance. Wash your hands well when you're finished. Clean the main cage with antibacterial soap. Remove and discard the liner at the bottom of the cage. Use a sponge, hot water, and antibacterial dish soap to clean all surfaces and between the bars, and make sure to scrub away any stubborn deposits. Rinse away suds, then dry the cage well with clean paper towels. Disinfectant products won't work properly if you leave behind any organic matter, so make sure to scrub away caked on seeds, droppings, and other residue. Instead of antibacterial soap, you can use equal parts hot water and white vinegar to clean the cage. Disinfect and thoroughly rinse the cage, perches, and bowls. Spray the cage, perches, bowls, and other items with a store-bought cage disinfectant or a bird-safe cleaner. Thoroughly cover all surfaces with the disinfectant and work it between the cage's bars and into the corners. Allow the disinfectant to sit for five to ten minutes, then rinse it away with hot water. You can also disinfect the items with boiling water. Distinguish between true diarrhea and watery droppings. In addition to feces, bird droppings consist of urine, or the clear liquid portion, and urates, or the white portion. Excess urine and urates can cause watery droppings that can easily be confused with diarrhea. In true cases of diarrhea, the feces are unformed and loose. In finches, normal feces are solid and tube-shaped or coiled. Excess urine is often due to eating more fruits and vegetables or drinking more, so keep track of any recent dietary changes. Look for color changes, bubbles, or odor. Any color changes that accompany loose feces can help you identify a potential cause. Red or black feces can indicate internal bleeding, and yellow could be a sign of liver problems or infection. Bubbles or foam are also signs that your finch might have an infection. In addition, foul-smelling diarrhea is a sign of infection. Note any related symptoms. Your bird is likely sick and will need to see a vet if it exhibits unusual symptoms in addition to diarrhea, or if diarrhea continues for longer than 24 hours. Other symptoms might include: Lethargy or weakness Vomiting Difficulty breathing Coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharges Fluffed or matted feathers Lesions or pox on non-feathered body parts Get help if symptoms persist or are severe. If diarrhea occurs once or twice, it might just be a sign of stress and go away on its own. Call the vet if it or any other symptoms persist for more than eight hours. Get help immediately if your finch has difficulty breathing or if you observe blood or any deformities at the vent (where it releases droppings). Find a local avian veterinarian. If you don't already have a vet for your finches, find one in your area who has experience treating birds. Try searching online for “avian vet” near your location. You can also use the search tool on the website of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Have tests taken to make an accurate diagnosis. In order to identify a specific cause, the vet will need to do tests on a stool sample. They might also need to run other tests, such as blood tests. A variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can cause diarrhea, and each requires a different treatment method. Administer medications according to the vet’s instructions. Depending on the type of pathogen the vet discovers, they'll prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal medication. They'll either inject the drug or instruct you how to mix it into your bird's food. Always administer any medication according to the vet's instructions and for as long as they direct. You should also ask the vet if your other birds need any medication to prevent infection. Ask the vet if they recommend an antacid. The vet might also recommend diarrhea medications such as Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol. Use a dropper feeder to administer two to three drops per day, or according to the vet's instructions. | Wear disposable gloves and wash your hands frequently. Transfer the sick bird to a quarantine cage immediately. Try to keep the bird hydrated. Soak perches and bowls in hot, soapy water. Clean the main cage with antibacterial soap. Disinfect and thoroughly rinse the cage, perches, and bowls. Distinguish between true diarrhea and watery droppings. Look for color changes, bubbles, or odor. Note any related symptoms. Get help if symptoms persist or are severe. Find a local avian veterinarian. Have tests taken to make an accurate diagnosis. Administer medications according to the vet’s instructions. Ask the vet if they recommend an antacid. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Bail-Bondsman | How to Become a Bail Bondsman | To become a bail bondsman, start be researching the rules and regulations in your state, since they can vary from one state to another. In most states, you'll need at least a high school diploma or GED for this job. Next, complete the pre-licensing courses required by your state and take the written examination administered by the State Department of Insurance. Once you pass the exam, you can apply for your bail bondsman license. Then, start looking for an open position with a bail bond company! | Find out your state's private bail bond policy. Check to see if the state where you plan to work as a bail bondsman allows private bail bonds for posting bail. Some states do not allow private bonds, and a few other states have special guidelines regarding private bonds. Check with your state's Department of Insurance to find out your state's policies. States, such as Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin do not allow commercial bail. Massachusetts allows it but has rigorous requirements for new bail bondsmen when it comes to licensing. Texas and Georgia also have special guidelines pertaining to bail bondsmen. Gain information pertaining to being a bail bondsman in your state. Each state may have different rules and regulations for licensing. Even if you are already licensed in one state, do not assume you can operate in another. Most states only require a high school diploma as a prerequisite to becoming a bail bondsman, but an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in finance, business, economics, or law would be helpful. You may not be able to be a bail bondsman if you have a felony conviction on your criminal record, so expect a background check. In states where there is no certification or licensing of bondsman, a felony conviction does not preclude your from becoming a bail bondsman, though it may still be difficult to find a firm that will hire you. Ask your state's State Department of Insurance for information about bail bondsman schools and licensing requirements. Keep in mind that while there can be a lot of benefits to being a bail bondsman—mostly having to do with the financial gain—there is also considerable risk. If you serve as the recovery agent for offenders who do not report to their court dates, you could risk violent encounters. Some bail bondsman hire bounty hunters from outside their business for this reason. You may also be held accountable for the balance of bail fees should a client miss his or her court date. Complete any pre-licensing courses or requirements. Your state may require you to complete a pre-licensing course in order to be eligible to become a bail bondsman. Such courses are designed to help with preparation for the licensing exam and the rest of the licensing process. Again, your state's Department of Insurance should be able to give you the information you need about pre-licensing courses or requirements. Your state may offer but not require a pre-licensing course, but it is a good idea to complete it anyway. Take a written examination if required by your state. The examination may last an hour and include 50-60 multiple-choice questions. You may have to pay an examination fee of between $40 and $100 to take the test. Check with the State Department of Insurance to find out where and when the test is being given and how to sign up. You may also have to get your fingerprints recorded at the time of the exam, which may incur a separate fee. Apply for Your license with the state. Once you have passed your examination and met all other eligibility, you may apply for your bail bondsman license. You will likely have to submit an application with the State Department of Insurance and pay a fee via check, money order, or credit card. You will also need your score from the state licensing examination. Other requirements may vary by state. Join or start a bail bond company. Joining an existing company may help you get the experience you need should you ever want to open your own bail bond business. This may also help you to create a network of financial partners. Starting your own business may require a separate license and other requirements including a surety bond, and incorporation. Take continuing education courses. Continuing education courses may be necessary to renew your license. Licenses may be valid for between one and three years. Some states require 6 or more hours of educational classes each year. Be certain to check with your state when you apply for your license. | Find out your state's private bail bond policy. Gain information pertaining to being a bail bondsman in your state. Complete any pre-licensing courses or requirements. Take a written examination if required by your state. Apply for Your license with the state. Join or start a bail bond company. Take continuing education courses. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Dress-Length | How to Measure Dress Length | To measure dress length, all you'll need is a flat surface and a measuring tape. Lay the dress out flat on the surface, making sure all straps and ruffles lie flat. If your dress has straps, place the measuring tape on top of the uppermost strap. Extend it to the bottom of the dress and note the measurement. However, if your dress is strapless, you'll need to measure it while you have it on. Stretch the measuring tape from your collar bone to the bottom of the dress to get the right length. | Lay the dress flat on the floor or a countertop. Use your hands to smooth out the dress so it as flat as possible, with the front of the dress facing up. Make sure any ruffles or details on the bottom and straps of the dress lay flat. Place the measuring tape on the top strap of a dress with straps. Take a measuring tape made for garments and place one end on the top of one of the straps. Measure from the top to the bottom edge of the dress. Extend the measuring tape horizontally from the top of the strap to the bottom edge. Note where the bottom edge hits on the measuring tape and record the measurement. For a dress with sleeves, measure from the top of the shoulder seam down to the hem of the dress. Most dresses are at least 30 inches (76 cm) in length and can be as long as 62 inches (160 cm) in length. Put on the dress and measure from the hollow of your neck if it is strapless. Measuring a strapless dress must be done when you have it on. Place one end of the measuring tape at the center of your collarbone and then extend the tape down to the bottom edge of the dress to get the correct measurement. You may need a friend to help you hold the measuring tape in place. Notice if the dress length is between 30 to 35 inches (76 to 89 cm). If the total length of the dress falls within these measurements, it is a very short dress that will sit on the upper to mid thigh, known as a micro or mini dress. Check if the dress measures between 36 to 40 inches (91 to 102 cm). This means the dress will sit just above the knee or just at the knee, known as a cocktail length dress. If you are very tall or very short, the dress may hit you differently in the knee area depending on your height. Notice if the dress length is between 41 to 45 inches (100 to 110 cm). This means the dress will fall just below the knee or at the calves, known as a midi dress. Check if the dress measures between 55 to 62 inches (140 to 160 cm). This means the dress will be fairly long, falling at your ankles or to the floor, known as a maxi dress. | Lay the dress flat on the floor or a countertop. Place the measuring tape on the top strap of a dress with straps. Measure from the top to the bottom edge of the dress. Put on the dress and measure from the hollow of your neck if it is strapless. Notice if the dress length is between 30 to 35 inches (76 to 89 cm). Check if the dress measures between 36 to 40 inches (91 to 102 cm). Notice if the dress length is between 41 to 45 inches (100 to 110 cm). Check if the dress measures between 55 to 62 inches (140 to 160 cm). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-White-Jeans | How to Clean White Jeans | To clean your white jeans, sprinkle a thin layer of salt on the dirty area and blot it gently with soda water, dish soap, and a white cloth, which will preserve the fabric longer than using the washing machine each time. Then, turn the fabric inside out and rinse it with water. If you want to launder your jeans, only wash them with other white items. Set your machine to a cold cycle and add some whitening detergent, but avoid fabric softener or bleach, which may cause your jeans to yellow. It's best to air dry your jeans after washing them, since high heat dryers can damage them. If you need to get coffee, ink, or grass stains out of your jeans, blot them off with a mixture of cold water and dish soap. For a stronger cleaner, try an inexpensive vodka instead. | Spot clean your jeans. The sooner you can treat a blemish, the more likely it can be removed. Sprinkle a thin layer of salt on the dirtied area. Blot the area lightly with soda water, dish soap, and a clean, white cloth. If possible, rinse the fabric from the reverse side of the stain. Avoid using too much pressure or a scrubbing motion when spot cleaning. This can entrench the blemish deeper into the fabric. Spot cleaning will cut down on the wear and tear of machine washing and drying, preserving the condition of your jeans for longer. Launder your jeans in a washing machine. Only wash your white jeans with other white clothing. If your jeans are lightly dirty, use a cold cycle. Jeans that need a more thorough cleaning will benefit from a warm cycle. Avoid fabric softener and bleach. Wash the jeans in a white brightening detergent. Bleach can cause some jeans to yellow. Additionally, this harsh cleaner may cause your jeans to deteriorate more quickly. To best protect against yellowing, after washing your jeans in detergent, run them through another rinse cycle. Dry jeans on a low heat cycle or air dry them. High heat can also cause your white jeans to yellow. When machine drying white jeans, only use a low heat cycle. Air dry your jeans to avoid the damaging heat of a dryer. Hanging jeans in sunlight can also have a lightening effect on blemishes. Use dish soap to remove coffee, ink, and grass stains. Add a few drops of dish soap to a small container of cool water. Dampen a clean, white cloth in the solution and blot coffee and grass stains from the outside moving inwards to its center. Turn the fabric inside out and rinse the stain with cool water. For severe stains, clean the stain as described using inexpensive vodka in place of dish soap and cool water. Lift red wine stains with hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a clean, white cloth with hydrogen peroxide. Blot the stain with the cloth from the outside. Continue to blot inward toward the center of the stain. When you've lifted as much of the stain as you can, rinse the stain from its opposite side with cool water. Pour a layer of salt on fresh red wine stains. Wait a few minutes for the salt to absorb the wine. Scrape the salt away, and blot remaining wine with a clean, white cloth and hydrogen peroxide or soda water. To prevent the stain from spreading, when your white cloth absorbs the red stain, switch to a clean part of the cloth. Clean sudden stains with an on-the-go cleaner. Many companies sell pens or wipes that contain cleaners specially formulated to erase stains. Buy products like these at your convenience stores, grocery stores, and general retailers. Follow the product's instructions for best results. Keep these portable stain treatments in your purse, backpack, or desk. This way you'll be prepared if your jeans get dirty. Treat old stains with lemon and boiling water. You may be able to remove stains that have been on your white jeans for a long time. Add several lemon slices to a large pot of boiling water. Pour this mixture into a suitable container, like a tub. Submerge the stained jeans in the hot water, then wait for the mixture to cool. After that wash the jeans as you would normally. To prevent burns, use a tool, like a wooden kitchen spoon, to push the jeans beneath the hot water if necessary. Use a fabric protectant on your jeans when suitable. Fabric protectant, like Scotchguard or Stainshield, will make your jeans more resistant to stains. Purchase these kinds of products in the homecare or laundry section of your local general retailer or grocery store. Only use protectant on clean jeans. Some fabric may negatively react to protectant. This information should be clearly indicated in the label care instructions. Different brands of protectant may have different methods of application. Always follow the label instructions for best results. Avoid color rubbed off from other clothing and accessories. New clothing, especially, is likely to transfer dye to your white jeans if it rubs against them. New purses and similar accessories, like satchels, can rub against your jeans and leave behind their color. Avoid wearing white jeans with items like these. Be on the lookout for colors that are especially dark, like indigo. These have a tendency to transfer easily. Refresh jeans with shower steam. While showering, hang your jeans in the bathroom. The steam from the shower will refresh the fabric and may even remove light blemishes. Allow the jeans to air dry after the steam treatment. After your jeans have dried, the fabric should also regain some of its original tightness. This can improve the fit of your jeans, making them look even more flattering. Wash your jeans only when necessary. Washing and drying your jeans takes its toll on their fabric. The more you clean the fabric, the more likely it will be to dull, rip, or tear. Spot clean your jeans as much as possible to remove blemishes. Try to only wash the jeans once every five weeks. Choose a specially formulated denim detergent to keep your jeans in the best condition for the longest time. | Spot clean your jeans. Launder your jeans in a washing machine. Dry jeans on a low heat cycle or air dry them. Use dish soap to remove coffee, ink, and grass stains. Lift red wine stains with hydrogen peroxide. Clean sudden stains with an on-the-go cleaner. Treat old stains with lemon and boiling water. Use a fabric protectant on your jeans when suitable. Avoid color rubbed off from other clothing and accessories. Refresh jeans with shower steam. Wash your jeans only when necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Leaky-Toilet-Tank | How to Fix a Leaky Toilet Tank | To fix a leaky toilet, start by running a few simple tests to figure out what's causing the leak. For example, the source of your leak might be the flush valve, fill valve, or gasket, and the fix for each type is different. Once you know what kind of leak you're dealing with, you can address it! Flush valves usually need to be replaced, which you can do easily with a wrench. Gaskets typically need to be tightened with a wrench, but you'll also need a screwdriver to complete the job. Finally, a leaky fill valve can be fixed with a replacement valve. Be sure to turn the water supply to the toilet off before you attempt any repairs! | Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Locate the shutoff valve in back of the toilet, connected to a pipe coming out of the wall. Turn this valve clockwise as far as you can to turn the water off. Mark the water level in the tank with a marker or a pencil. Make the mark at the highest point where the water in the back of the tank reaches. This will help you to determine whether the water in the tank rises or falls over time. For best results, use a sharpie; a pencil mark will work, but it may be washed away if the water rises. Add coloring or food dye to the water and wait 10 minutes. Add 1 dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. Dyeing the water this way will allow you to see whether the water in the tank is leaking into the toilet bowl. You can normally purchase water dye tablets from your local water provider. Be sure to wait at least 10 minutes so that the water in the tank will completely change color. Check the water in the toilet bowl to see if it’s changed color. If the water in the bowl has any trace of the dye you put in the tank, the water in the tank has leaked into the bowl. This means the cause of your leak is a faulty flush valve. If you have a damaged flush valve, it will have to be replaced. Look to see if the water level in the tank has gone up or down. If the water has risen, this means there's probably something wrong with the fill valve. If the water has gone down, there's a probably a leak in your flush valve. If the water level has gone up, check to see if there's any water in the overflow tube. This would also indicate that the fill valve is leaking and overflowing the water in the tank. Check if the dyed water from the tank has leaked onto the floor. If dyed water has seeped out from the bottom of the tank and onto the floor, this means it's probably a leaky gasket. If dyed water has come out of the body of the tank, the tank itself may be cracked. Unfortunately, if the tank is cracked, it will have to be completely replaced. Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it. This will drain all of the water out of the tank and down the commode. If you can't flush the toilet for some reason, you can also use a cup or a hose to remove the water from the back of the tank. Remove the nuts attached to the supply tube and to the toilet bowl. The tank is attached to the wall by the supply tube and attached to the toilet bowl by two bolts underneath the tank. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and remove these nuts so you can remove the tank. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to hold the bolts in place as you turn the nuts under the tank. Lift the tank off of the bowl once the nuts have been loosened. Place the tank upside down next to the toilet bowl on a stable surface. If you want to avoid water getting on the floor, put some towels down and place the tank on top of these. Placing the tank upside down will give you direct access to the flush valve on the bottom of the tank. Unscrew the locknut on the bottom of the tank and remove the valve. This is the large nut in the middle of the tank that holds the flush valve in place. Once you've unscrewed the locknut, simply push on the flush valve to pop it out. For best results, use a plumber's wrench to unscrew the locknut. Place the new flush valve in the spot where the old valve was. Push the new flush valve down against the tank opening to install it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure you install the new valve properly. You can buy a new flush valve at any retailer that sells home improvement supplies. Tighten the locknut with a monkey wrench to complete the installation. Reattach any parts of the flush valve that you disconnected when you were removing the old one. Be sure to replace the gasket over the locknut, as well. Place the tank back on the toilet and tighten the bolts. Tighten the nuts that you previously loosened that affix the tank to the supply tube and to the toilet bowl. Once the tank has been reattached, you can turn the water supply back on and refill the tank. Once the installation is complete, flush the tank to ensure that the leak is fully gone. If it isn't gone, check to make sure the leak isn't coming from somewhere else. If water is still leaking into the toilet bowl, go back and make sure you've fully tightened the bolts attached the flush valve. Turn off the toilet’s water supply and remove the water from the tank. Turn the water supply valve in back of the toilet all the way clockwise to turn off the supply. Remove the water from the tank by flushing the toilet once the water's been turned off. You can also use a cup or a shop vac to get the water out of the tank. Disconnect the water supply tube behind the tank. This is the tube immediately beneath the location of the fill valve underneath the tank. Use a wrench to turn this tube counterclockwise to disconnect it. Depending on your toilet model, the supply tube will either be a long, rigid pipe or a short tube connected to the water supply shutoff valve. Unscrew the locknut attached to the fill valve on the bottom of the tank. This is the nut located underneath the tank that holds the fill valve in place. Use a small wrench or pair of pliers to loosen and remove the locknut. The locknut is most likely located right next to the supply tube. Remove the old fill valve through the top of the tank. Take the lid off of the top of the tank, if you haven't already. Pull the old valve directly upwards in order to remove it from the tank. Be sure you've removed all the water from the tank before you do this. If you remove the fill valve with water still in the bottom of the tank, that water will fall out of the hole where the fill valve used to be and end up on the bathroom floor. Place the new fill valve in the tank and install it per its instructions. Put the new fill valve in the spot where you just removed the old valve and screw the locknut onto the bottom of it. Be sure to attach the refill tube to the side of the fill valve and orient it over the overflow tube in the tank. Note that the instructions will also include guidelines for how high the fill valve's float will need to be. Reattach the water supply tube behind the tank and turn on the water. Once the water supply has been turned back on, flush the toilet to test the new fill valve. If it fills correctly and doesn't overflow, it's fixed. If you're still experiencing problems with water leakage, your toilet may have a more serious problem. Call a plumber to have them diagnose the problem and see if it can be repaired. Turn off the water and empty the water out of the tank. Turn the water supply valve behind the toilet clockwise to turn off the water supply. Once the water's been turned off, flush the toilet to empty out the tank. You can also use a cup or a shop vac to get the water out of the tank. Locate the bolts in the tank that connect the tank to the bowl. These are the 2 or 3 bolt heads surrounding the flapper in the bottom of the tank. You'll recognize the bolts by the rubber washers underneath them. Use an adjustable wrench and screwdriver to tighten these bolts. Use a flathead screwdriver to hold the bolts in place. Then, with the adjustable wrench, turn the bolts clockwise underneath the tank to tighten them. Tightening the bolts should prevent water from seeping out from underneath the tank. Refill the tank and check for leaks coming from the bolts. Turn the water supply back on to allow the tank to refill. Wait a few minutes, then look underneath the tank to see if it's still leaking. If there's no more leak, the gasket has been fixed. If there is still a leak, the washers underneath the bolts in the tank will need to be replaced. | Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Mark the water level in the tank with a marker or a pencil. Add coloring or food dye to the water and wait 10 minutes. Check the water in the toilet bowl to see if it’s changed color. Look to see if the water level in the tank has gone up or down. Check if the dyed water from the tank has leaked onto the floor. Turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it. Remove the nuts attached to the supply tube and to the toilet bowl. Lift the tank off of the bowl once the nuts have been loosened. Unscrew the locknut on the bottom of the tank and remove the valve. Place the new flush valve in the spot where the old valve was. Tighten the locknut with a monkey wrench to complete the installation. Place the tank back on the toilet and tighten the bolts. Turn off the toilet’s water supply and remove the water from the tank. Disconnect the water supply tube behind the tank. Unscrew the locknut attached to the fill valve on the bottom of the tank. Remove the old fill valve through the top of the tank. Place the new fill valve in the tank and install it per its instructions. Reattach the water supply tube behind the tank and turn on the water. Turn off the water and empty the water out of the tank. Locate the bolts in the tank that connect the tank to the bowl. Use an adjustable wrench and screwdriver to tighten these bolts. Refill the tank and check for leaks coming from the bolts. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Navigate-by-the-Stars | How to Navigate by the Stars | To navigate by the stars, try locating the North Star. Also known as Polaris, it is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear. You'll find it in the tail. Once you can see the North Star, you know that you're facing north and can work out other directions. Alternatively, work out which direction you're facing by using any star you like. First, drive 2 stakes into the ground and line up your chosen star with the tops of the stakes. Wait for the star to move, which happens due to Earth's rotation. If the star rises, your facing east, but you'll be facing west if it falls. If it moves to the left, you're facing north, and you'll be facing south if it moves to the right. | Look for Polaris, the North Star. Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. It can be found in the bear's tail. (The ancient Greeks, and many other peoples, saw bears as having long tails.) The star is called Polaris because it appears within a degree of the Celestial North Pole and so appears not to move in the night sky. Today, because the seven stars of Ursa Minor look like a small water dipper, most people refer to Ursa Minor as the Little Dipper instead of the Little Bear. Use pointer stars to help you find the North Star. Although Polaris is visible in the northern sky at most locations north of the equator, it can be hard to spot if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. You can use stars in other constellations to point the way to Polaris. The most commonly used pointer stars are Merak and Dubhe, the two stars on the edge of the Big Dipper opposite its handle. By following these stars in the direction of the Big Dipper's mouth, you can find Polaris. If you go five times the Merak-Dubhe distance away from Dubhe you will be within three degrees of Polaris. If Polaris is clouded over, you still know where it is. During the times of night when the Big Dipper is below the horizon, such as the early hours of fall, you can use another method. Find the Great Square of Pegasus. Measure the distance from Alpheratz (visually a part of Pegasus but actually part of the constellation Andromeda), to Caph, the star at the rightmost edge of the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. In line with Alpheratz and Caph, measure another of these distances. You will be less than three degrees from Polaris. And, like the previous method, you do not need to see Polaris. Locate Polaris. Use either of the pointer star methods to help you. Determine the angle in degrees between Polaris’ position and the northern horizon. The most accurate way to do this is with a quadrant or sextant, which lets you read the angle off its curved section. This angle measure is the same as your latitude north of the equator. If you don't have a quadrant or sextant, you can approximate the angle by extending your fist to the horizon and stacking fists hand-over-hand until you reach the North Star. Your extended fist is approximately 10 degrees of angle measure. Look for the constellation Orion. The constellation Orion, the Hunter, bears a resemblance to a bent hourglass. The stars Betelgeuse and Bellatrix represent its shoulders; the stars Saiph and Rigel represent its knees (or feet). The three stars in the middle, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka, represent Orion's belt. In the Northern Hemisphere, Orion is visible chiefly in the winter and early spring, but can be seen late at night in the fall or before sunrise in the summer. Find Orion’s sword, if you can. Look for one moderately bright, one dim, and one fuzzy star hanging down from Alnilam, the middle star in Orion's belt. This represents Orion's sword, which points to the south. The fuzzy “star” is actually the Great Nebula of Orion, an interstellar nursery where new stars are being formed. Look for Crux, the Southern Cross. While there is a star near the South Celestial Pole, Sigma Octantis, it's too dim to do you much good for finding south. Instead, look for the bright constellation Crux, the Southern Cross, which consists of four stars that form the ends of the cross' upright and crosspiece. The Southern Cross is so important a constellation that it is depicted on the flags of Australia and New Zealand. However, it not particularly large. (It is only one degree longer than the distance between the pointer stars in the Big Dipper.) That's what makes the pointer stars (Rigel Kentaurus and Hadar) so important. They keep you from locking in on the False Cross, which is nearby and just a little bigger. Extend a line through the long axis of the cross. The point along this line, about four-and-a-half times the length of the long axis is directly above south. (optionally) Improve your accuracy by finding the two "pointers" to the southern cross and drawing a line through them. Then take a line perpendicular from the middle of that and extend it to intersect with the line drawn from the Southern Cross. Where they intersect is directly above south. Drawing a line through the two stars of the crosspiece will point you to the star Alpha Centauri, the closest star to Earth after the sun. Look for the constellation Orion. As noted before, the torso of the constellation looks something like a bent hourglass. Then, look for the rightmost star in Orion's belt. This star, Mintaka, rises and sets within a degree of true east or west. Drive 2 stakes in the ground. The stakes should be about 1 yard (91 cm) apart. Pick any star you see in the night sky. You can use any star for this, although you'll probably want to pick one of the brighter stars. Line the star up with the tops of both stakes. Wait for the star to move out of position with the stakes. Earth's rotation from west to east causes the stars in the sky, as a whole, to rotate from east to west. Which way the star has moved with respect to its original position where you sighted it tells you which direction you're facing. If the star rose, you're facing east. If the star sank, you're facing west. If the star moved to the left, you're facing north. If the star moved to the right, you're facing south. | Look for Polaris, the North Star. Use pointer stars to help you find the North Star. Locate Polaris. Determine the angle in degrees between Polaris’ position and the northern horizon. Look for the constellation Orion. Find Orion’s sword, if you can. Look for Crux, the Southern Cross. Extend a line through the long axis of the cross. Look for the constellation Orion. Drive 2 stakes in the ground. Pick any star you see in the night sky. Line the star up with the tops of both stakes. Wait for the star to move out of position with the stakes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Spinnerbait | How to Tie a Spinnerbait | To tie a spinnerbait using a trilene knot, start by measuring 30 centimeters of fishing line. Then, pass 1 end of the line twice through the eye of the bait to make 2 loops. Holding the loops still, pass the end of the line over and around the rest of its length, 6 times. After the sixth pass, feed the end of the line through both loops you made earlier and pull the knot tight. Alternatively, tie an improved clinch knot by threading the end of your line through the bait's eye. Then, loop the end back over the rest of the line 6 times. After the 6th loop, pass the end of the line back through the eye of the bait and pull the knot taut. | Measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line. To make sure you have enough line to tie the knot, measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) with a ruler and cut the line. Fold the line over so you have 15 centimetres (5.9 in) of double line. Pinch 1 end of the line between your thumb and index finger, then fold the other end of the line towards the starting end. Pinch both ends together so that you now have a line that's effectively halved in size. Create a small loop and pass it through the eye of the bait. Run your thumb and index finger down the line until most of it is flat except a small loop at the end. The loop needs to be just big enough for it to latch onto a hook. Aim for a 1 centimetre (0.39 in) sized loop to give you enough slack later on. Pass the line through the eye of the spinnerbait and feed it through until the line is halfway through. Grab both ends of the line with both hands and let the spinnerbait dangle loose below. Tie an overhand knot on the line. Once you are holding both sides of the line and the spinnerbait is dangling beneath, tie an overhand knot with the double line above the spinnerbait. As you're tightening the knot, leave enough slack in the loop so that it can pass over the entirety of the bait. Bring the spinnerbait through the loop of the overhand knot. Once you have finished the overhand knot over the spinnerbait, you should have 1 large loop in the line. Gently pull the loop over the entire bait, making sure not the tighten the entire knot yet. If the overhand knot you tied doesn't have a big enough loop, go back a step and retie it so that you can complete this step. Tighten the knot with the loose ends. Pull the 2 loose ends of line that you have remaining firmly so that the knot begins to tighten. Keep pulling until the loop you put over the spinnerbait secures onto the eye and the knot is secured. Cut 1 of the loose pieces of line. Because you doubled the line over to begin, you will now have 2 pieces of line dangling off the spinnerbait. Cut 1 of them as short as you can, leaving you with 1 piece of line that can be tied onto your rod. Measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line. With a ruler, measure out at least 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line. The more fishing line you have, the easier it will be to tie the knot. If you have too much line by the end, you can just cut off what you don't need. Pass 1 end of the line through the eye of the bait, twice. Using both hands, gently thread the end of the line through the eye. Thread through most of the line, but leave enough so that the loops you are making are still visible. Then, loop it around and thread it through the eye once more. Keep these loops loose, as you'll need the slack later on. Wrap the looped end of the line around the standing line. The rest of your line, which will be roughly 25 centimetres (9.8 in) at this point, is known as the 'standing line.' With the end of the line that you've looped through the eye of the bait, start to loop it around the standing line 6 times. Thread as much line through the eye of the spinnerbait as needed to have enough to wrap around the standing line. The bait remains where it is and does not need to be wrapped around the standing line. Again, don't worry if the line is loose, just keep track of where the end of the line you're threading is. Feed the end of the line through both loops. You will now have set up 2 loops for the end of the line to pass through. Keeping careful track of your loops, pass the end of the line under both of them and out the other side. The first loop is the part of the line that goes from the eye of the bait to the standing line. The second loop is the 1 made by the line around the bait eye. Pull the knot tight. Take the end of the line and pull it firmly. This will cause the whole line to tighten on the bait eye, resulting in a pretty but firm braid over the top. Cut roughly 30 centimetres (12 in) of line. Use a ruler to measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line, then cut it. If you don't have a ruler with you, cut yourself plenty of line to work with, as you can always cut excess line at the end. Thread the end of the line through the bait eye. Lay the spinnerbait out on a flat surface. Keeping the line parallel to the bait, thread most of the line through the eye. Keeping the thread parallel will help your orientation when completing the next steps. Loop the end of the line back over the standing line 6 times. With the end of the line that has passed through the bait eye, wrap it over the standing line (the part of the fishing line that has not entered through the bait eye) then pull it under, then wrap it over again, then pull it under once more. Repeat this process 6 times until the end of the line has wrapped around the standing line evenly. The loops should be equally spaced from each other and resemble each other closely in shape. Keep the line as loose as possible through this process to create natural loops. Pass the end of the line through the eye again. Down by the eye of the bait there will be a small loop from where the end of the line threaded through the eye to where it wrapped around the standing line. Pass the end of the line through this loop. Pull the knot taut. Once you pass the line through that loop, pull the end of the line taught until no slackness remains in the knot. | Measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line. Fold the line over so you have 15 centimetres (5.9 in) of double line. Create a small loop and pass it through the eye of the bait. Tie an overhand knot on the line. Bring the spinnerbait through the loop of the overhand knot. Tighten the knot with the loose ends. Cut 1 of the loose pieces of line. Measure out 30 centimetres (12 in) of fishing line. Pass 1 end of the line through the eye of the bait, twice. Wrap the looped end of the line around the standing line. Feed the end of the line through both loops. Pull the knot tight. Cut roughly 30 centimetres (12 in) of line. Thread the end of the line through the bait eye. Loop the end of the line back over the standing line 6 times. Pass the end of the line through the eye again. Pull the knot taut. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Plantar-Fasciitis-Pain | How to Relieve Plantar Fasciitis Pain | Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. To relieve the pain, apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to your foot for 20 minutes a few times a day. This will help reduce any inflammation. Try doing some gentle squats or stretch your leg while leaning against a wall. This will help to stretch your Achilles' tendon and relieve your pain. It's also important to rest your foot as much as possible while it heals. If you need to move around, use crutches for a few days. You can also get arch support inserts for your shoes to take the pressure off your plantar fascia. If it still hurts, try wrapping your foot and ankle in a bandage, which keeps your foot stretched and reduces pressure and inflammation. | Rest your foot. One of the best ways to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis is to rest it. This means staying off of it as much as you can. When you are home or at work, try to stay seated and only walk on it if you have to. You might consider using crutches for a few days to take all pressure off the foot. If you usually do exercises that use your foot, consider doing something different, like swimming or weight lifting. Use a foot support. An arch support can help distribute the pressure of your foot in an even way, which can take the extra stress off your plantar fascia. You can also use a heel cup. You can get an arch support without a prescription at many drug stores, medical supply stores, and pharmacies. Examples of arch supports that come with a soft cushion are Spenco and Cross Trainers. For some people, a custom-made support may be needed. These can be acquired through your doctor. You can also see a podiatrist to get a custom orthotic that will support your arch and foot ligaments. When you're choosing shoes, look for a sturdy shoe with a modest heel, maybe 1–1.5 in (2.5–3.8 cm). Make sure the shoe doesn't twist and turn—if the shoe bends, it should only be at the widest part of the shoe, near the toe box. Use an ice pack. Ice is helpful with plantar fasciitis pain because it works to reduce inflammation. You can use an ice pack on the bottom of your foot for 20 minutes three to four times a day. You can also try using an ice bath, which is where you soak your foot in an ice and water mixture for about ten to fifteen minutes. Make sure to place a cloth or towel between the ice pack and your skin. Heat generally doesn't help plantar fasciitis pain, but if the ice doesn't help, you can try a heating pad after a couple days to see if it will relieve pain. Do a wall stretch. This stretch helps to lengthen and stretch your arch and Achilles tendon. Start by leaning forward against a wall, keeping one knee straight and the same leg's heel flat on the ground. Bend your other knee. You will feel the Achilles tendon and foot arch on the straight leg stretch as you lean forward. Hold this pose for 10 seconds. Then, relax and straighten up. Repeat 20 times with both legs. Plantar fasciitis pain is actually caused by tight muscles in your calf, which is where your Achilles tendon originates. Stretching your Achilles tendon can help relieve your pain, especially if you do it before and after you exercise. Perform a squat stretch. This stretch also focuses on your arch and tendons. Lean forward onto a counter top. Spread your feet shoulder width apart, keeping one foot in front of the other. Bend your knees and slowly squat down. Try to keep your heels on the ground for as long as you can. You will feel your Achilles tendon and foot arch stretch as you squat down. Hold the squat for 10 to 15 seconds. Then, relax and straighten up. Repeat 20 to 25 times. Stretch the sole of your foot with your hands. This stretch helps to lengthen the plantar fascia and is similar to what you will do if you wrap your foot. Cross whichever leg is affected over your other leg. Using the hand on the same side as the hurt foot, grab the sore foot and gently pull your toes back towards your shin. This creates some tension or stretch in the arch of the foot and at the plantar fascia. Hold this stretch for 10 to 20 seconds and repeat 10 times. You can also massage the arch with your thumb, which can help break down any scar tissue that's causing you pain. You can also try laying on the bed with your knees straight and your legs extended. Put a towel, belt, or band underneath your forefoot and gently pull your foot upward to stretch your Achilles tendon. Do all foot stretches gently. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society recommends doing stretches that target your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia to help treat plantar fasciitis and reduce the risk of a recurring injury. For these exercises, make certain you move slowly, gently, and smoothly. Don't make any quick movements because this may re-injure the plantar fascia. Repeat these exercises at least three times a day. Do these stretches especially after you have been sitting for a long time and when you get out of bed in the morning, when plantar fasciitis pain tends to be worst. Look for other times that you can incorporate stretching into your schedule, as well, like when you're having a meal or brushing your teeth. Sit in a comfortable position. The first thing you need to do when wrapping your foot is to get into a comfortable position. You can rest the affected foot on the opposite knee if that is comfortable. Make sure you have good access to your foot so you can stretch it and wrap it properly. Wrapping your foot can reduce the pain in your foot by keeping it stretched. It also helps minimize any stress and inflammation. There are night splints available at most medical supply stores, but you can often replicate these for much less money. Wrap the bandage around your ankle. Gently pull your toes up toward your head. You should feel a light stretch, but no serious pain. Place one end of the elastic bandage on the top of your foot. Keeping your foot flexed, wrap the elastic band around your foot. Then bring it around your ankle. The main goal of wrapping your foot is to keep the foot flexed with the toes pointing or pulled toward your head until you feel a stretch in the bottom of your foot. Remember this should only be a gentle stretch. Continue wrapping the bandage around your foot. After one wrap around your ankle, loop the elastic bandage back to your foot. Fold the bandage and slip the folded bandage between your big toe and first toe. Then pull the bandage back to the ankle. Continue wrapping around your ankle, tucking the end of the elastic bandage under the wrapped bandage when you are finished. Make sure you keep your foot flexed with toes pointed toward your head during the entire process. You don't have to wrap tightly. The point of the elastic bandage is not to compress but to keep your foot flexed and the plantar fascia gently stretched. Be careful when standing up or getting out of bed. Do this slowly. Use OTC pain medications. A common way to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis is to take over-the-counter pain medication. You can use OTC anti-inflammatory medications to help decrease the inflammation and the pain in your foot. These medications include Ibuprofen, such as Advil and Motrin, and Naproxen, like Aleve. Use the medication only as directed on the package. You can take these medications for up to two weeks. You can also use a topical balm for muscle pain each night before you go to sleep, like Tiger Balm or Icy Hot. Try corticosteroids. If you have plantar fasciitis pain that doesn't respond to any of the home treatments, you may want to see your doctor. Your doctor may suggest corticosteroids if you have pain that just won't go away. Usually, these injections work better if done early; however, doctors usually only administer them in more severe cases. Your doctor will probably suggest other at-home methods before giving you these injections. Multiple shots are not recommended. This can weaken your plantar fascia or diminish the pad that covers your heel bone. Before you get an injection, you will have to get a radiograph of the food. Undergo surgery. In the most severe cases where the pain doesn't decrease and the plantar fascia doesn't heal with other treatments, a physician may suggest surgery. In the surgery, a surgeon will release your plantar fascia from the heel bone. This is the last resort option for pain. If you undergo this surgery, you may end up with a weakened foot arch. | Rest your foot. Use a foot support. Use an ice pack. Do a wall stretch. Perform a squat stretch. Stretch the sole of your foot with your hands. Do all foot stretches gently. Sit in a comfortable position. Wrap the bandage around your ankle. Continue wrapping the bandage around your foot. Use OTC pain medications. Try corticosteroids. Undergo surgery. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Beer-Pong-Table | How to Make a Beer Pong Table | To make your own beer pong table, all you need is an 8 by 4 foot piece of plywood and some duct tape. Once you've bought supplies from your local hardware store, place the plywood on top of a table or counter and secure it with strips of duct tape so you don't need to attach legs to it. If you want to reuse your beer pong table, paint the surface with some waterproof stain or paint. You can also add a coat of regular paint to make it look cooler. Then, get your guests to decorate it with fun sketches and messages. | Purchase an 8x4 foot (2.43x1.22 meter) piece of plywood. Retailers and hardware stores typically sell plywood for framing and home use, in 8x4 foot (2.43x1.22 meter) sized pieces. You can also use leftover plywood that you have from a housing project, or you can contact a lumber or hardware store to see if they have extra scraps they are willing to give away for free. If the plywood is cut to a slightly different size like 9x3 feet (2.74x0.91 meters), it's still suitable to use for your beer pong table. The average cost of a cheap, 8x4 foot (2.43x1.22 meter) piece of plywood can be anywhere from $13 to $20. If the sales associate tries to get you to buy a more expensive type of plywood say, "I'm only using this as a beer pong table. Give me your cheapest stuff because I don't need a high-quality plywood." Place your plywood over a tabletop or countertop. Place your plywood over a table or countertop. Longer tables work best because the plywood has something to rest on, rather than floating in the air. If you have a thicker or heavier plywood, there will be less of a chance of it tipping over and falling. Advise people not to lean or stand on the beer pong table because it can quickly collapse. Fold up tables or dining room table tops are usually the most commonly used beer pong tables. Secure your plywood to the table. You must make sure that your plywood is steady on top of the table or it may topple over. Use duct tape to attach the plywood to the table by wrapping it around the table and your piece of plywood. Use as many pieces of tape that you need until your table feels secure to the table. You can also place heavy objects in the center of the table to hold it down. Do not use an expensive table when doing this because the duct tape could pull away some of the table's finish. To test the security of your table, softly push down on either end of the table to see if it tips over. Waterproof your beer pong table. Waterproofing your table will prevent the plywood from becoming damaged if beer or other liquids get spilled on your table. Go to the hardware store or look online for waterproofing sealants, stains, or paints that you can purchase. Once you get them, apply a thin coat of the sealant to the surface of your beer pong using a wide painters brush. Allow the stain or sealant to dry fully before using the table. Sealing your table will make cleaning it much easier and reduce the bad scent that often comes with spilled beer. Not sealing your pong table could result in mold growth if you don't clean up spills well. When using a waterproof sealant or paint, do it outside or make sure that the windows are open. Purchase a thick plywood. A thick piece of plywood will add stability to your table. Buy a 4x8 foot (1.2x2.4 meter) piece of plywood, which will become the surface of your table. When looking for plywood, look for variations that are a 1/2 an inch (12.7 millimeters) or 3/4 of an inch (19.05 millimeters) thick. Cut the plywood in half. Measure four feet from the end of either side of the table, lengthwise, and make a mark with a pencil in the center. Use a straight edge to draw a line width-wise on the plywood. The line in the center of your plywood will be where the table folds. Use a circular saw, miter saw, or table saw to cut your plywood in half. Arrange eight pieces of wood to form a frame under your tabletop. Set your two tabletops on the ground with the top of the table facing down. Arrange planks of wood around the outer edges of your plywood to create the frame. Because each piece of your table top measures 4x4 feet (1.2x1.2 meters), the frame under your plywood must also be 4x4 feet. Create two frames for each side of your tabletop. Make sure that the plywood and the planks of wood run flush on all four sides. Once your frame is the right size, you can set your plywood to the side. If your wooden planks are too long, then you may need to cut them down with a saw. The frame will look like a shallow wooden box on top of your plywood. You can purchase the framing lumber at most hardware stores. For this project, a 2" x 6" (38 x 140 mm) piece of lumber could work for framing material. Nail your frame together. Once the frame is set up, nail the pieces together so that it forms two frames that are 4x4 feet (1.2x1.2) meters big. Put two nails in each corner of your frame, attaching the two pieces of wood together to form an L. Once all sides of your frame have been nailed together, you should have a square made out of your lumber. Nail the frame to the plywood. Position the plywood over your frame and make sure that the edges run flush. Once it's in the correct position, put nails or screws into the surface of your plywood, attaching the frame to the plywood. You may need to put multiple nails along the surface of the plywood to safely secure the top of the table to the frame. Repeat the process on the other piece of plywood. Attach a four foot long piano hinge to the center. A piano hinge is a metal hinge that can be used to connect both sides of your table together. Flip the table over, so that the surface of the table is facing the ground. Bring the two piece of tables together so that the frames are flush with one another. Place the piano hinge to both sides of the frame and center it. Once the hinge is flush, put screws into each of the holes to firmly attach it to the table's frame. Mount folding legs to the bottom of the table. Purchase folding table legs at a hardware store or online. This will make it so that your folding beer pong table has something to stand on when deployed. Lay the legs under the table, inside of the frame. Test the legs and fold them out to see how they will function. Once you're satisfied with the placement, screw them in with an electric drill. Folding legs allow your table to be folded up and transported easily. Do not get legs that are longer than 3.5 feet (1 meter), or they may not fit inside of your wooden frame. Create your design before you begin work. Think of ideas for how you want to decorate your beer pong table. Talk to your roommates and think of something that represents the house or an inside joke that you all share. You can also add to the functionality of your pong table with the design by designating where each player should put their cups. You can do this by drawing or painting round circles that are the same size as the cups that you'll be putting out. If you're designating where players put their cups, make sure to trace the top of the cup because your cups will need to fit next to one another when you play. If you trace the bottom of the cup, the circles will be too close together. Good ideas for designs include a favorite sports team, the university that you attend, or the fraternity, sorority, or club that you all belong to. . Paint the surface of the table Purchase paint at a hardware store and use a flat brush to paint the surface of the table. Laying down a colored base coat may make whatever you're painting on top of it pop. Before painting on top of another layer of paint, make sure that it dries. If you want more accurate straight lines, lay down painters tape in the places that you want to make your line. Using a stencil is also another great idea to get more detailed images by using paint. Let your guests decorate the table. Another idea is to allow your guests and party members to decorate the table over time. Start the fun by using some thick markers to draw all over the surface of the table. Encourage people at the party to join in and draw something of their own. Over time, your beer pong table should fill up and have a personality of its own. Get creative with your table. There are other ways that you can alter or change your beer pong table. One example is a group that used LED lights to illuminate their table during games. You can also engrave a wooden table, or can use graffiti paint to create a unique design or tag. Get creative and think of different methods that you can use to enhance the look of the table. | Purchase an 8x4 foot (2.43x1.22 meter) piece of plywood. Place your plywood over a tabletop or countertop. Secure your plywood to the table. Waterproof your beer pong table. Purchase a thick plywood. Cut the plywood in half. Arrange eight pieces of wood to form a frame under your tabletop. Nail your frame together. Nail the frame to the plywood. Attach a four foot long piano hinge to the center. Mount folding legs to the bottom of the table. Create your design before you begin work. . Let your guests decorate the table. Get creative with your table. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-the-North-Star | How to Find the North Star | To use other constellations to find the North Star, or Polaris, find the Big Dipper in the northern sky. The Big Dipper is made up of 7 stars and looks like a bowl with a handle. Draw an imaginary line between the two stars that form the side of the bowl away from the hand, then extend that line about 4 or 5 times. It should point to another bright star, which is the North Star. You can also imagine that the middle 3 stars of the constellation Cassiopeia are an arrow pointing to the North Star. | Use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. You can easily locate the North Star by using the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper contains stars known as "pointer stars," which can be used to locate the North Star. To start, locate the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a constellation made up of seven stars. The constellation is found in the northern sky. In the spring and summer months, the Big Dipper will be somewhat high in the sky. In the autumn and winter months, it'll be lower in the sky. The Big Dipper is given its name because it's shaped somewhat like a bowl with a handle. Four stars form a trapezoid-like shape, the bowl portion. Stemming off of these four stars are three more stars, forming the shape of a slightly bent handle. Once you've located the Big Dipper, you can use it to find the North Star. To do so, look at the two bright stars that form the side of the bowl farthest away from the handle's tip. These are the "pointer stars." Draw an imaginary line connecting the pointer stars. Extend that line five times the distance between the pointer stars. You should eventually reach a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star. Note that you do not actually have to see the North Star with this method. If clouds or trees or mountains are in the way, the North Star is still there near the end of the fifth pointer length. That point is less than three degrees from the North Star and the North Celestial Pole. Locate the tip of the Little Dipper's handle. The Little Dipper is the constellation that contains the North Star. The tip of the Little Dipper's handle is the north star. If you're able to locate the Little Dipper, you can easily spot the north star. You can use the Big Dipper to find the Little Dipper. Once you find the Big Dipper, look away from it as if water was coming out of the "open" part of the dipper. The Little Dipper will appear as a mirror image of the Big Dipper. It is also a constellation made up of seven stars. Four stars form a trapezoid base, and three extend out from this base to form a handle. The last star extending outward is the North Star. If you live in an urban area, it can be difficult to locate the Little Dipper. It is also difficult to discern on bright moonlit or hazy nights. You may be better off trying another method. Rely on the arrow in the Cassiopeia constellation. Using the Big or Little Dipper are the most common means to locate the North Star. However, if the Big Dipper is low in the sky it can be difficult. Fortunately, you can use the constellation Cassiopeia to locate the North Star. Cassiopeia is a constellation that consists of five stars. They form an "M" or "W" shape. Cassiopeia is located in the north sky. In earlier hours, the constellation looks more like an "M." Between midnight and dawn, the constellation looks more like a "W." In the months of February and March, Cassiopeia is especially likely to appear as a "W." The three stars that form the middle portion of the "M" or "W" can be used to roughly locate the North Star. Look at this point as if it were an arrow. Follow the direction of the arrow forward. You should eventually land on a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star. Note that you will have to actually see the North Star for this method to work. Locate the North Star with your smart phone. There are many smart phone applications that work something like a telescope. You enter your location, or allow the phone to find your location, and then point your phone to the sky. The phone acts as interactive map, identifying stars and constellations for you. Some applications can also enhance visuals, allowing you to see stars more easily. Sky Guide is an application for iPhones. The app can track your location and time. Then, you can hold your phone up to the sky and it will provide you a map. It can identify different constellations and stars. For an Android, there is an app known as Stellarium Mobile. It works the same as SkyGuide, but with a slightly higher resolution. You can better see stars and constellations through your phone when using Stellarium. Invest in a star atlas. Star atlases have been around for a long time. If the idea of carrying your phone around while stargazing kills the fun for you, consider buying a star atlas instead. You should also always take an atlas with you when hiking in the event your phone battery dies. A star atlas is a book that breaks down the night sky by the region and time of year. You can use the graphics and charts provided in a star atlas to locate the North Star on any given night. Every star atlas is slightly different. There's usually a guide in back that provides information on how constellations are labeled. For example, small stars may be labeled by dots. Major stars, like the North Star, may be marked by large, red dots. A star atlas will provide a map, much like a map of a town or city, guiding you across the night sky on any given night. Select the map for your specific region and time of year and use that map as a guide. Bring a flashlight with you as you go out to stargaze so you can consult the map as needed. Practice using the star atlas before you go camping. It can take a while to get proficient at using a star atlas. Make sure you get lots of practice so, if you need to find the North Star in a pinch, you're well-prepared to use your atlas. Of course, where a star atlas really proves its worth is if it makes you familiar enough with the night sky that you don't need the atlas. Learn the characteristics and locations of The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Orion, Leo, Pegasus, and Crux. Be able to find directions when the need arises unexpectedly and you're without your compass, or GPS, or atlas. Plan ahead with your computer. You can use desktop applications for your computer to know how the sky will look on a given night. These devices can help you plan ahead. You'll go outside with a rough idea of where you can expect to find the North Star. In addition to phone applications, Stellarium also provides a desktop application you can download on your computer to locate the North Star. It's available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Your background would be the night sky, adjusted for your region and time of year. It will show you what you can expect the night sky to resemble on a given night, locating the North Star for you. You'll know where in the sky to look when you go out. If you have a Mac, PhotoPills is a photography planning application. You can use this if you're planning on photographing the night sky. Based on your location and the time of year, PhotoPills will simulate the galactic arch for you. This will form a map you can use later to locate the North Star. Figure out which direction is north using two sticks. If you don't know what direction you're facing, finding constellations can be a struggle. This can inhibit your ability to locate the North Star. Determining which direction is north can allow you to locate the North Star more easily. You can use two sticks to do so. First, find two sticks. One stick should be slightly bigger than the other. Place the sticks in the ground vertically. Place the taller stick slightly ahead of the shorter one. Lie down in front of the sticks. Line up one eye, forming a straight line between your eye and the two sticks. Wait for a star to appear in your line of vision. Stare at the star for a few minutes and wait for it to move. It if it moves up, you're facing east. If it moves down, you're facing west. If it moves right, you're facing south. It if moves left, you're facing north. Create a shadow with sticks. If it's daytime, you may still be able to see the North Star. However, you'll be unable to rely on constellations as they're very difficult to see during the day. Instead, you can create a shadow with sticks and use that to locate north. Place a stick in the ground. Take a stone or other object and place it where the end of the stick's shadow falls. Wait about an hour. The shadow will move, either growing shorter or longer. Place another stick at the end of the new shadow. Then, stand at a perpendicular angle to the shadow. You are now facing north. Pay attention to how moss is growing. If you're in an area where moss grows, you can use moss to help you locate north. Look for moss on vertical structures, such as trees. Moss requires a damp atmosphere to grow. This means moss usually grows on the north side of vertical structures, as the north side gets less sun. | Use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper. Locate the tip of the Little Dipper's handle. Rely on the arrow in the Cassiopeia constellation. Locate the North Star with your smart phone. Invest in a star atlas. Plan ahead with your computer. Figure out which direction is north using two sticks. Create a shadow with sticks. Pay attention to how moss is growing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Glasses-Clean | How to Keep Your Glasses Clean | To keep your glasses clean, keep them in their case whenever you're not using them, and put a microfiber cloth in the case with them so you can easily wipe them off whenever they get dirty. If your glasses are particularly dirty, run them under lukewarm water and then rub dish soap into the lenses. Then, rinse and dry the lenses with a microfiber cloth. Avoid cleaning your glasses with products that contain ammonia, bleach, glass cleaner, or vinegar since they can strip the protective coating on your glasses. | Wash your hands before handling your glasses. This is especially important if you've been touching dirty or greasy objects. Even your fingers have natural oils on them, which will leave streaks and smudges on your lenses. Only touch your glasses and lenses when you need to, and always wash your hands first. Common sources of dirt and oils that get on eyeglasses include: The fur and skin of household pets Food products that include flour, oil, grease, or spices Workplace objects, including stair railings and elevator buttons Do not touch the lenses while adjusting your glasses. If your glasses have slipped down your nose and you need to push them back up, grip the frames to do this. Never push directly on the lenses, as this will transfer grease and oils from your hands onto the lenses. Adjusting your glasses by gripping the frames will become a habit over time if you do it consistently and never adjust your glasses by pressing on the lenses. Remove or protect your glasses while cooking on a stove. If you are cooking greasy foods on high heat, the hot oils will spray out of the pan, and can splatter high enough to smudge your glasses. If you need to wear your glasses while cooking, put a lid over the pot to protect yourself and your glasses from being sprayed with hot oil. If your glasses have been smudged by grease, clean them as soon as possible. Foods that are likely to splatter grease and oil while being cooked include: Bacon or other pan-fried meats Eggs Anything sautéed, especially onions Prevent oils from your face and hair from smudging your glasses. The skin on your face will naturally build up oils during the day, and these can transfer to your lenses if you push your glasses up high on your face. Similarly, natural oils from your hair can leave streaks or smudges on your glasses. Wash your face regularly—at least once a day—to prevent oils from building up and smudging your lenses. If you have long bangs, these can carry oils as well, and potentially transfer that oil to your lenses. Pin your bangs back to prevent them from smudging your glasses. Protect your lenses from inclement weather. Windy, rainy, and dusty weather all present unique challenges for individuals who wear glasses. Be aware that your glasses will be smudged and speckled with dirt after being in a dusty or dirty environment, and will be streaked with water after a rainstorm. Take your glasses off in these environments, or avoid spending much time outdoors when the weather is windy or rainy. Although rainwater will evaporate from your glasses, it will leave behind a residue which smears the lenses. If small dust particles get stuck to your glasses, do not try to rub them off without first rinsing the lenses. Dust can permanently scratch your lenses if rubbed or pressed farther into the glass. Take your glasses off before going to sleep. It's important that you never sleep while wearing your glasses. While sleeping, you'll roll over and move around, and this poses a threat to your glasses. They can easily become smudged by oils from your face and pillow. Worse, you're at risk of breaking the frame if you roll over while wearing glasses. Even if you're only lying down to rest, take off your glasses. It's not worth the risk of rolling over and snapping the frames. Prevent your makeup from smudging your glasses. When putting on makeup, determine where your glasses' nose pads contact the bridge of your nose. Lightly wipe that spot on your nose clean from makeup. Otherwise, the makeup on the bridge of your nose is likely to smudge your glasses. Once you've cleaned off the makeup from the spots of contact on the bridge of your nose, clean your glasses and gently scrub your nose pads. Because of its high oil content, makeup can be difficult to remove from your lenses. Run the lenses under lukewarm water. At some point, your glasses will inevitably get dirty, whether from contact with your fingers, dirt in the air, or other incidental contact. If the lenses are smudged, moisten them to loosen the dirt and by running the lenses under water. It's a good idea to wash your hands as well, so that you're not smearing oils from your fingers onto the lenses. Hot water can damage anti-glare treatments. Rub dish soap onto the lenses. Put a small drop on each of your glasses' lenses, and rub the soap around to cut through the oils and dirt on each lens. Make sure to clean both sides of the lenses, not only the inner side. You can also use hand soap to clean your lenses. Make sure that it is a lotion-free soap, though; otherwise you'll smudge the lenses with the lotion in the soap. Rinse and dry the lenses. After you've washed them, re-rinse the lenses under lukewarm water. Then dry them using a clean, dry, lint-free cloth (microfiber is preferable), taking care not to rub any more dirt or grime on the lenses. Avoid products that contain ammonia, bleach, or vinegar. These substances are abrasive and will strip away the protective coatings on your glasses. For the same reason, do not clean your glasses using Windex or window cleaner. You should use only commercially-made or homemade eyeglass cleaners to clean your glasses. Be sure the cloth used to dry the lenses has not been laundered with fabric softener or a dryer sheet. Doing so can leave streaks behind. Never spit on your glasses, or clean your lenses using saliva. Saliva is not sanitary and often contains germs and oils which will smudge your glasses. Keep your glasses in their case. When you're not wearing your glasses, keep them safe by placing them in an eyeglasses case. Without a case, glasses can easily get smudged or damaged. Keep your glasses in their case whenever you're sleeping. If they're reading glasses, keep them in a glasses case (when you're doing an activity other than reading) to prevent dust from getting on them. Keep a clean, soft cloth in your glasses case. Optometrists will often give you a soft microfiber cloth with your purchase of glasses. Keep this in the case, and it will provide 2 benefits: keeping your frames cushioned (should you drop the case), and giving you an easy way to wipe the lenses if they become dirty. If you get dust and water or smears of some sort on them, you can just grab your cloth out of your case and clean the lenses. Avoid cleaning the lenses with your shirt, as the fabric will not be as clean as the microfiber cloth. Remove your glasses before physical activities. Since participating in sports can involve running, flying dust and dirt, falling, and colliding with other players, it's best to remove your glasses so they do not become smudged or even broken. If you don't take them off, you risk damaging the lenses and frame. Many people who wear glasses also have backup contact lenses, and choose to wear these when they're playing sports. Never lend your glasses to other people. Not only is your prescription meant for you alone, but you also lose control of what happens to your glasses if someone else is wearing them. Other individuals may not know how to handle glasses delicately, and may smudge your lenses or crack the frames. | Wash your hands before handling your glasses. Do not touch the lenses while adjusting your glasses. Remove or protect your glasses while cooking on a stove. Prevent oils from your face and hair from smudging your glasses. Protect your lenses from inclement weather. Take your glasses off before going to sleep. Prevent your makeup from smudging your glasses. Run the lenses under lukewarm water. Rub dish soap onto the lenses. Rinse and dry the lenses. Avoid products that contain ammonia, bleach, or vinegar. Keep your glasses in their case. Keep a clean, soft cloth in your glasses case. Remove your glasses before physical activities. Never lend your glasses to other people. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Stay-Safe-in-the-Sun | How to Stay Safe in the Sun | The easiest way to stay safe in the sun is to apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outside. Make sure you use sunscreen that has SPF 30 or higher so you're well protected, and choose sunscreen that's water-resistant if you're planning on going swimming. When you're out in the sun, don't forget to reapply your sunscreen often according to the package's directions since sweat and water can wash it away. Along with sunscreen, you can protect your face, neck, and eyes by wearing a hat with a brim and sunglasses. | Select an appropriate SPF level. Contrary to popular belief, the SPF, or "sun protective factor" number, does not signify how strong the SPF is. It tells you how long it will keep you protected from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays––at least theoretically. It is calculated by how many minutes it would normally take for your skin to burn multiplied by the number (SPF value) that tells you how long it should last. So, if you burn in 5 minutes of sun exposure without any protection, SPF 30 will keep you protected for 150 minutes (in theory). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of 30 or higher. It is not recommended to use higher SPF formulas because they give a false sense of security in the sun and a higher dose of chemicals on your skin. In fact, experts now say that sunscreen with values above SPF 50 do not provide any more real protection than sunscreen with values below SPF 50. Look for both UVA and UVB coverage. UVB rays are what cause sunburn. However, UVA rays also cause skin damage, including signs of aging like wrinkles or spots. Both types of UV light increase your risk of skin cancer. Look for sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection, meaning that the sunblock will protect against both kinds of damaging ultraviolet light. The SPF factor refers only to the sunscreen's ability to block UVB rays. The “Broad spectrum” label refers to the ability to block both. Look at the ingredients. Some chemicals are allergens (like parabens), potential hormone disruptors (such as oxybenzone), or just plain unnecessary (like fragrances and other inactive ingredients). Retinoids (a form of vitamin A) are a common inactive ingredient in sunscreens. Canadian studies suggest that these additives can increase your sensitivity to UV light from the sun. Oxybenzone is believed to be a hormone disruptor. It can mimic estrogen in the body and has been shown to alter sperm production in males and may cause endometriosis in women. Octinoxate is another ingredient believed to be a hormone disruptor. Octinoxate can mimic hormones and has been shown to affect the reproductive system and the thyroid in laboratory studies. It can also cause an allergic reaction on some users' skin. Homosalate is a commonly-reported hormone disruptor that may also be toxic when broken down inside the body. Octocrylene has a relatively high rate of reported skin allergies in some users. Paraben chemicals are commonly used as preservatives in sunscreen. Butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-parabens are believed to be linked to allergic reactions, hormone disruption, and toxicity in the body. Look for a PABA-free sunscreen. Para-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, was used in sunscreens for a long time, but it can cause an allergic reaction in some people, and has been linked to severe liver toxicity at high doses. Avoid sunscreens with added insect repellent. Added insect repellent can actually reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen, and added sunscreen can increase the toxicity of chemicals in an insect repellent. For this reason, experts recommend using two separate products: an effective sunscreen and a safe insect repellent. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen if you're going to be swimming or sweating a lot. Remember, no sunscreen is truly waterproof, so you should reapply the sunscreen frequently, according to package instructions. Recent updates to FDA regulations have changed the way water resistance may be labeled on sunscreen in the United States. Labels must now indicate water resistance according to one of two categories: 40-minute protection or 80-minute protection. Choose a sunscreen form that suits you. Wearing sunscreen need not be unpleasant, so try different sunscreen brands and styles to find the one(s) that are best suited for you. Some daily sunscreens aren't as gooey or smelly as some of the heavy-duty outdoor sport formulations. Some sunscreens come in spray-on, roll-on, and stick formats. However, experts warn that spray-on and powdered sunscreens may cause lung irritation due to the risk of inhalation of the chemical contents. Additionally, these formats may not be as effective at protecting your skin as a liquid-based sunscreen. However, spray sunscreens may be helpful for hairy areas, such as the chest or head. Alcohol or gel-based sunscreens may be more effective for people with oily skin. For those who wear moisturizer, many daily moisturizers contain sunscreen protection. However, if you are using both a moisturizer and sunscreen, add the moisturizer first, then add sunscreen. This helps maximize absorption and protection. Choose sunscreen appropriate for children. Mineral-based UV filters like zinc and titanium are considered least likely to cause an allergic reaction in children and people with sensitive skin, but they may be less effective than chemical-based UV filter sunscreen. Most sunscreens are fine to apply on children older than 6 months. It's generally recommended that you avoid using sunscreen for babies under 6 months of age. Experts say that shade is the best preventative measure (natural, or from an umbrella). If you must use sunscreen on a baby under 6 months of age, consult with your child's pediatrician to decide a safe course of action. Spot test any sunscreen on children. Children's skin is more sensitive and likely to react to sunscreen, so make sure that your child won't have an unpleasant reaction to a tiny amount before applying it all over. Check the expiration date. In the US, sunscreen must remain effective for at least 3 years after it is manufactured. However, you should always note and follow expiration dates to ensure that you get the best protection. If the bottle does not have an expiration date when you buy it, write the date of purchase on a label and put it on the bottle. That way you will know when it's time to buy new product. Apply sunscreen before you head outdoors. It takes about 30 minutes for the chemical agents in sunscreen to fully bind to your skin and offer protection. Apply sunscreen before you go outside, about 30 minutes before you'll be exposed to the sun. Don't forget your lips! Apply a lip balm with SPF 45-60 minutes before going outdoors. Apply the sunscreen generously. If you're using a cream, the amount of sunscreen you should use is about the size of a regular golf ball, or 1 ounce (about the quantity it would take to fill a shot glass). Use more than you think you need. During an extended beach outing, you should plan on using between a quarter to half of an 8-ounce bottle. Be sure to cover the most vulnerable areas of your body––the entire face and forehead, especially the nose and tips of your ears, as well as your scalp, the back of the neck, backs of your knees and hands, and arms. Don't forget the tops of your feet, if you're wearing sandals - sunburned feet can be very sore! Any skin that will be exposed to sunlight should be covered. Don't just grease it on. Put a little on and rub it in. Then do it again and again, until you have a deep, penetrating layer of sunscreen. Do it right and you won't notice it at all, and it will truly protect you from the sun. Have a friend help with hard-to-reach spots like backs and shoulders. Reapply sunscreen often. Factor in conditions like sweating and/or swimming. As sweat or water washes away the sunscreen you've applied, you will usually need to reapply more sunscreen more quickly than the quoted SPF value would indicate. Cover up. Light layers of clothing with a tight weave work best. Try a shell or tank top, and then wear a light long-sleeved camp shirt open over that. Long pants will offer more protection than shorts. Natural fibers like cotton are coolest. Although light clothing does not absorb heat as much as dark clothing, dark clothing offers more sun protection. Very thin clothing, such as a white t-shirt, does not offer much sun protection. Apply sunblock under your clothes if you're wearing light, loosely-woven clothes. If you're going swimming, consider a long-sleeved swim shirt, or “rash guard.” These can help you avoid burning while you're in the water. Choose clothing with a rated ultraviolet protection factor. A lot of clothing, especially that from outdoor activity stores, will carry a label indicating the UV protection level of the clothing. Wear the right hat. Choose a hat with at least a 3-inch (8 cm) brim all around. Baseball caps leave the ears and neck exposed, so they're not the best choice for sun protection. A hat will also help to protect your eyes from glare. Make sure children wear sun hats as well. Choose hats that shade the face and the neck. Wear sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block UV light and wrap around to block light from the sides, too. Long term exposure to UV light can lead to cataracts and may expose the skin of your eyelids to UV radiation. Wear sunglasses in conjunction with a hat to optimize your eye protection. If you're not sure whether your old sunglasses adequately block UV rays, ask an optometrist to have them checked. Stay hydrated. Water is the best choice for keeping hydrated on warm and hot days (and cold days too!). Experts recommend that males consume around 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids per day, and females should consume about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluids per day. Experts recommend that you drink about 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes if you are doing moderate activity outside in the heat. Experts advise that water can usually hydrate you better than sports drinks, despite the touted benefits of electrolytes. That's because most sports drinks have high levels of sugar and sodium. Although these are electrolytes, sugar also contains a lot of calories and salt can dehydrate you. If you're concerned about your electrolyte levels, grab a handful of pretzels or nuts to help restore them. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both can dehydrate you, and are best avoided. The occasional cold soda is unlikely to cause dehydration, but it's best to stick to water for hydration purposes. Additionally, alcohol can impair your judgment and increase response time. Up to 70% of deaths in adults and teens that occur during water recreational activities are linked to alcohol. If you do have the occasional summer beer, make sure to drink at least twice as much water as alcohol. Drink water even if you're not thirsty. Thirst occurs in the human body after dehydration has already occurred, so it's important to sip water throughout the day to avoid thirst altogether. Remember that babies get dehydrated too. If you have an infant, make sure s/he stays well hydrated by giving him or her at least the usual amount of breast milk or formula while you're outside. In addition, check with your doctor to see when your baby can have small amounts of water, juice, or infant oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte or Enfalyte in addition to formula or breast milk. Because babies don't sweat the same as adults, they are at greater risk of becoming overheated and dehydrated when outside. Keep a careful eye on your child to make sure s/he is safe and comfortable. Check the UV index. The National Weather Service uses weather forecast information to create a daily index that assesses the risk of damage caused by UV exposure. Knowing in advance what the index predicts for that day can help you avoid getting burned. Stay out of the sun. This is especially important between the peak hours of 10 AM and 2 PM; UV is at its highest around the middle of the day, when the sun is directly overhead. If you are outdoors during this time, stay in the shade. You can still sunburn in the shade (or even on overcast days), but shade will help protect you. Create your own shade. As well as using a hat, carrying an umbrella or parasol and making use of it to keep off the sun is a very good way of keeping you safe. If you have heavy physical activity to perform outside, try to do it in the morning or evening, not the heat of midday. If you do have to work midday, take plenty of breaks and drink at least 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes. When walking babies and children outdoors, choose the coolest parts of the day. Use a shade canopy over a baby's stroller and ensure that children are adequately covered with clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen when out in the heat of the day. Watch your shadow. UV intensity is correlated with the angle of the sun relative to your position on earth. If your body is casting a short shadow, you may want to retreat into the shade. Cool off if you start to feel overheated. Spending too much time in the sun can cause heat exhaustion in addition to sunburn. Wet a towel with cool water and place it on your forehead or neck to help you cool down. Take a swim. Submerging your body in cool water can help lower your body temperature--but don't let it drop too low. Body temperatures can drop 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air, and if your body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, you may experience hypothermia. Knowing the water temperature and air temperature forecasts in advance can help you avoid extreme swings in body temperature. Be cautious of sun exposure while driving. Roll up car windows and run the air conditioning rather than dangling your arm out the window. Glass blocks UV light reasonably well, but you should still apply sunscreen to yourself and any passengers. If you're lucky enough to drive a convertible, make sure to apply sunscreen and wear a protective hat. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get out of the sun (preferably someplace cool) and drink plenty of fluids: skin that is hot to the touch excessive sweating dizziness or disorientation fatigue nausea or vomiting rapid heartbeat dark and/or infrequent urination If symptoms do not improve after a half hour, seek medical attention immediately. | Select an appropriate SPF level. Look for both UVA and UVB coverage. Look at the ingredients. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen if you're going to be swimming or sweating a lot. Choose a sunscreen form that suits you. Choose sunscreen appropriate for children. Check the expiration date. Apply sunscreen before you head outdoors. Apply the sunscreen generously. Reapply sunscreen often. Cover up. Choose clothing with a rated ultraviolet protection factor. Wear the right hat. Wear sunglasses. Stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drink water even if you're not thirsty. Remember that babies get dehydrated too. Check the UV index. Stay out of the sun. Watch your shadow. Cool off if you start to feel overheated. Be cautious of sun exposure while driving. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Photographs-to-Fabric | How to Transfer Photographs to Fabric | To transfer photographs to fabric, start by brushing some acrylic gel or photo transferring medium onto the front of your photograph. If you use acrylic gel, your photo will need to have been printed with a laserjet printer. Next, press the coated side of the photo down onto the fabric and let it sit overnight. Finally, wet the back of the photo and use your fingers to rub the paper off until you're left with just the photograph on the fabric. | Choose your medium. Liquitex acrylic gel medium is cheap, and can be found near the paint at any craft store. You can also search for Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium. This is a specific kind of Mod Podge-- regular Mod Podge will not work for fabric. On the internet, you might find more specialized mediums. If you have trouble finding what you are looking for at a craft store, ask someone who works there. Choose your fabric. Most people want to use photo transfers for T-shirt fabric or canvas, which is pretty foolproof. Synthetic fabrics are a little bit more difficult to transfer to. If you are planning to transfer to synthetic fabric, make sure that you test it out with similar fabric first. Your transfer will probably not fare well on stretchy fabric. The stretchier the fabric, the more wear and tear your transfer will have to endure. This is why transfers are often on linen or canvas. Choose your image and cut it out. If you use a gel medium, you will need a laserjet image. You can also use old magazine pages or newspaper images. Some people say that if you use Mod Podge transfer medium, you can use inkjet images as well as laserjet images. If your image has text, you need to flip it horizontally on the computer in order to get the image to transfer correctly. Most programs that you use to open an image have this option; you do not need to use Paint or Photoshop. Cover the front of your image with your medium. You can use a regular bristle brush to do this. The coat of medium should be quite thick. You don't want to be able to see the image when you are done coating. Press your image onto the fabric. Make sure that all of it is touching the fabric, and smooth out any air bubbles. Let it sit over night. Some people say that it is not necessary to let your image sit overnight if you use gel medium. If you peel off the paper before it has dried completely, your transfer will appear faded. Wet the back of the image, and rub the surface with your fingers. The paper will start coming off. Continue to rub it until all the paper is gone. If you are using the transfer for display, you can use another coat of gel medium to protect it. Take care when washing. It is best to wash your transfer by hand. If you do have to machine wash your transfer, turn the fabric inside out and don't use your dryer. Don't dry clean your transfer. The harsh chemicals will take a toll on the image. Purchase a package of fabric transfer paper. This is available at Best Buy, Walmart, Michael's, and other craft and office supply stores. Make sure that the paper that you choose matches the kind of printer you have, so that you are not using an laserjet printer to print on inkjet transfer paper.. Pay attention to details listed on the package. Most iron-on transfers require cotton or cotton blend fabrics. If your garment or item is dark colored, look for 'Transfer to Dark' paper. Print and cut out your transfer. Upload your photo to your computer, and use Paint or a photo program to adjust the size of the photo to suit your needs. When you cut out your image, round the corners of the photo. That way, the corners will not peel after multiple washings. If you have a graphic, cut as close to the edges as possible, and round your corners. Never have sharp edges on your transfer. Keep in mind that any white spaces in the photo will be the color of your garment or item. Take the backing off of your paper. Apply the transfer face-down on the fabric, so that the printed side is against the fabric. Take care not to tear the image as you peel the backing off. Iron your image onto the fabric. Make sure that your iron is very hot, and is not emitting any steam, as this will ruin the transfer. Iron on a hard, non-porous surface instead of an ironing board. Most irons have a setting that you can alter to stop them from emitting steam, but you can also make sure there's no water in the iron. Peel off the paper. You can peel one corner to check your image first. If it is spotty, you can carefully put it back and iron some more. Some people like the distressed look of half-transferred images, so feel free to experiment if this is something you might like. Do not wash your item for 24 hours. Try again. If your iron-on transfers did not work as well as you hoped, try doing things differently the next time. You may have printed on the wrong side of the paper. If your image faded, you may have washed before waiting 24 hours. If your image peeled off, you may not have rounded your edges very well. You need to iron on a hard surface, keep your iron at maximum heat, and apply a great deal of pressure when ironing. Transfers require a lot of heat and pressure in order to stick, so if you do not apply enough hot, even pressure, parts of your transfer may not stick. Turn your garment inside-out to wash it. Hand-washing your transfer is best, but if you must wash it in a machine, turn it inside-out so that other clothes don't wear on it. Letting the garment air-dry also preserves the transfer. Use a gentle soap. Don't mix any bleach into your wash. | Choose your medium. Choose your fabric. Choose your image and cut it out. Cover the front of your image with your medium. Press your image onto the fabric. Wet the back of the image, and rub the surface with your fingers. Take care when washing. Purchase a package of fabric transfer paper. Print and cut out your transfer. Take the backing off of your paper. Iron your image onto the fabric. Peel off the paper. Try again. Turn your garment inside-out to wash it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Trap-Cats | How to Trap Cats | Before trapping a cat for spaying or neutering, get a box-style live trap with a slanted trap door at one end. Next, place the open, unset trap in your yard with a dish of food right next to it. After several days, start placing the food inside the open trap so that the cat gets comfortable with it. Then, set up the trap in a flat, secure area with a small dish of food placed behind the pressure plate. Throughout the day, check on trap as often as you can to ensure that the cat isn't left inside it for too long. | Ask your neighbors not to leave food out. Trapping feral cats is a community effort. You have the best possible chance of catching cats if you can get them to develop a routine of coming to your house (and no one else's) for food. This way, by the time you decide to start trapping cats, they'll feel safe around your house and won't suspect your trap. Ask your neighbors to cooperate by not leaving food out for the feral cats — you don't want the cats to be at a neighbor's house when your trap is out. You may also want to alert your veterinarian that you intend to trap a feral cat (or cats) and will bring them in for treatment. However, since you don't know exactly which night you'll be catching a cat, don't commit to a firm date. Start leaving food out each evening. Leave a dish of food in an easy-to-access spot each evening. Remove the dish and clean it every morning, then repeat the following night. To encourage the cats to develop a habit of coming to your house for food, put the food out at the same time, in the same place every night. In terms of food, you ideally want something both that tastes good to the cats and has a strong scent. Canned fish work well — tuna, mackerel, or sardines in oil are all good choices. Chicken, liver, and other meats also work, as does canned cat food. Set an unset open trap near the feeding area for several days. Cats generally aren't stupid animals — they'll be wary if their food suddenly appears one night in the middle of a metal cage. To get the animal accustomed to seeing and smelling the trap, leave it out for several nights right next to the food. You can even eventually put the food inside a trap that is tied open. Be patient — taking the time to get a cat used to this trap now will make it much easier to trap the cat in the long run. You will want to use a standard, box-style live trap for this task. See the section below for more information on which types of traps are (and aren't ) appropriate. If possible, monitor the cats as they feed one or more nights. If you get the chance, try waiting about 20 feet away the trap one night (or, if possible, behind a nearby window.) Take notes on the cats as they arrive and begin to feed — assign each one a name or number so that you can keep track of them. Look for signs that might tell you whether each cat is a feral or a stray (i.e., a cat that was raised outside versus one that at one point had a home.) Identifying signs of a stray cat will help the animal agency that it winds up at find it a new home. Stray cats (cats that used to have a home) generally: Feel more comfortable approaching humans Are more likely to be by themselves Are more likely to have a friendly, open appearance (tail up, eye contact, etc.) May make more noise Feral cats , on the other hand: Will usually stay away from humans Are more likely to live in packs or colonies Are more likely to have a guarded, tense appearance (low, slinking posture, tail down, etc.) Are usually silent Will often have fairly clean coats Do not leave food out the night before trapping. Even if your feral cat eventually gets used to feeding at your house, they can still be wary of food left inside a trap. To give the cat extra incentive to go for the bait, skip one day of feeding him. This will leave him extra hungry the following night, which will make him more eager to take risks (like crawling into your trap) to get food. If you don't have one, buy a live trap. The sort of trap you should generally use for cats is the same sort that's often used for skunks, raccoons, and other small pests. The trap should look like a long rectangular wire cage with a slanted trap door at one end. The door swings shut when the cat steps on a pad at the rear of the trap while trying to eat food. These traps are commonly sold at hardware and hunting goods stores — make sure you buy one that's big enough to fit a fully-grown cat. Depending on their size, live traps can retail for anything from $20 to about $100. Generally, for a reliable trap, this money is worth it. Don't try to save money by improvising your own trap unless you're an experienced trapper — there's a risk the cat may escape or be injured. Set your baited trap out in a flat, secure area. The evening after you skip feeding your cat, put your trap out with a little food on a small dish or paper towel behind the pressure plate. Ideally, the site of the trap should be perfectly flat so that the trap doesn't shake or rattle when the cat walks into it and scare the animal away. You may also want to put something heavy (like a rock) on top of the trap so that it is weighed down and won't move when the cat enters. Though it's not required, you may also want to place a piece of newspaper or a towel on the floor at the front of the trap to make the cold metal floor of the trap more inviting. This will also prevent the cat's feet from slipping through the bars when you pick the trap up. You will want to put a very small amount of food at the front of the trap as a teaser. Cover the trap with a towel or sheet so the cat feels confined and safe after being trapped. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Trap-Cats-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Trap-Cats-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Trap-Cats-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid1354995-v4-728px-Trap-Cats-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Some people like to put a flattened cardboard box underneath the trap for easy clean-up. This isn't essential, but it can keep food bits from the bait trail from working their way into the ground. Optionally, cover the trap. Trappers are somewhat divided on the issue of whether or not it's a wise idea to cover the trap with a towel before leaving it out. Those in favor believe that the towel helps to camouflage the trap and comfort the animal once it's caught. On the other hand, those against it believe that being able to see through the trap makes it seem like less of a threat to the cat. Whether or not you cover your trap is up to you — if you follow the rest of the steps, it's not likely to make a major difference either way. If you do cover the trap, ensure that the towel you use doesn't interfere with the mechanism of the trap before you leave it out. Check your trap at least semi-frequently. Now, all you need to do is wait. If you want to stay near the trap, make sure you're far enough away that the cat won't be threatened by your presence. Assuming you set your trap out at dusk, you'll want to check your trap at least once before you go to bed. After that, you'll want to check on the trap as soon as you wake up in the morning to see whether your trap has caught anything. Note that some animal societies even recommend keeping constant surveillance on the trap. Note also: It is inhumane to leave a cat (or any other animal) in a trap for prolonged periods of time. Inside a trap, an animal has no access to food or water (unless you provide it), no room to stretch out, and no way to move away from its urine or excrement. In addition, in weather that is very hot or cold, staying in a trap for any length of time can be dangerous and may even lead to the animal's death from exposure, so it's extra-important to check the trap as soon as you can. Don't use inhumane alternative traps. Up to this point, we've only mentioned standard box-style live traps in terms of options for trapping cats. While there may be other effective options available, you will never, ever want to use a trap that has a chance of hurting or maiming the cat. Traps you should definitely avoid include: Steel jaw traps (i.e., bear traps) Wire or rope snares Traps that grip or crush the body Any trap that hangs the animal by a limb Assess the cat's condition. As soon as you notice that you've caught a cat, carefully remove any towels you may have laid over the trap and check to see that the cat is healthy. Use caution here — though some cats may be docile, feral cats that are not accustomed to people may become agitated. Look for obvious injuries or signs of malnourishment and contact a vet right away if you find any. Cover the cat again as soon as you can — this will calm it and keep it from thrashing and yowling. If you notice that your trapped cat is a lactating female, you will need to take it to the vet and release it as soon as possible. Lactation is a sign that a mother cat has kittens, who can not generally survive on their own for long periods of time. If you end up trapping a neighborhood pet or a wild animal, simply release it according to the directions below. Move the trap to a safe area until you can take the cat to the vet. If you can't immediately take the cat to the vet, put it in a safe but secluded spot away from children and other animals, like a garage or basement. Keep the trap covered while you do so to keep the cat calm. Most importantly, wear hand protection (especially if you're dealing with a feral cat) to protect yourself both from scratches and microorganisms that may be present on the cat. You may also want to elevate the trap on pieces of wood or bricks so that waste will fall through the wire. Place newspaper under the elevated trap. If you intend to trap more than one cat you should put 1-2 more traps than cats you expect to trap out when you start the process. Avoid feeding the cat. Opening the trap gives the cat an opportunity to lunge for the exit or scratch you. In addition, if the vet ends up recommending surgery (such as spaying or neutering) for the cat, the procedure will be easiest if the cat has an empty stomach. Take the cat to a vet at the earliest chance. Even if the cat you've trapped appears perfectly healthy, it's important that you take it to the vet as soon as you can. Feral cats can sometimes be carriers of diseases, though the risk of a seemingly healthy cat having an extremely dangerous disease like rabies is very, very small. More likely, however, is that the feral cat will breed if released without seeing a vet. As mentioned above, large feral cat populations can quickly become nuisances to the neighborhood, so it's wisest to have the cat spayed or neutered. Note that some vets offer discount rates for spaying or neutering feral cats as a service to the community. If the cat is unhealthy or requires serious medical care, be prepared to make a decision with your vet about whether or not to humanely euthanize it. For a feral cat in the wilderness, a major medical condition can mean a slow, painful death. Release the cat. After the cat has seen the vet, simply take it to the place where you originally caught it and open the trap. Use hand protection as you handle the trap. Allow the cat to leave on its own — don't give it a goodbye petting. Do not take the cat to someplace unfamiliar when you release it. The cat will usually become disoriented, get lost, and eventually die if you do this. After you release the cat, wash both the trap and your hands with bleach, soap and water. | Ask your neighbors not to leave food out. Start leaving food out each evening. Set an unset open trap near the feeding area for several days. If possible, monitor the cats as they feed one or more nights. Do not leave food out the night before trapping. If you don't have one, buy a live trap. Set your baited trap out in a flat, secure area. Optionally, cover the trap. Check your trap at least semi-frequently. Don't use inhumane alternative traps. Assess the cat's condition. Move the trap to a safe area until you can take the cat to the vet. Take the cat to a vet at the earliest chance. Release the cat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Documentary | How to Write a Documentary | To write a documentary, start by choosing a topic that people will have strong opinions about, like the drug trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Then, plan out your documentary with a logical progression that builds up to a clear message, and make sure to start with an introduction that hooks the viewer right off the bat. For example, start your documentary by showing the path that a drug shipment takes from Mexico to the U.S., followed by background information, like the creation of the U.S.'s War on Drugs policy. | Tackle a hot-button civic or social issue. Some documentaries try to persuade their audience to feel a certain way about a contemporary issue in society by presenting real information that proves the maker's point. This classic approach to writing a documentary gives you the benefit of virtually guaranteed relevance, since it's about something that people probably already have strong opinions about. In addition, the controversy that can be generated from this type of documentary can give you the bonus of added publicity. As an example of this type of documentary, check out one of Michael Moore's early documentaries, Roger & Me. In this documentary, Moore paints a tragic picture of corporate greed and the devastating effects that the actions of giant companies can have on local communities by investigating the closure of a GM plant in Flint, Michigan that resulted in the loss of about 30,000 jobs. Regardless of your opinion of the now-controversial filmmaker, it's impossible to deny that the film takes a serious look at the state of modern American capitalism. Shed light on a little-known subculture. Some documentaries aim to cast light on a small or relatively unknown group of people whose community is quirky, bizarre, gripping, or otherwise fascinating. The subcultures that are the subjects of these documentaries may be made up of people with a common hobby, similar life circumstances, a common background, or some other connection. There's virtually no limit to the types of stories you can tell with these sorts of documentaries — some are funny, some are sad, some are exciting, and some are a mixture of all three. As an example of this type of documentary, check out The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. This movie dives into the bizarre world of professional video game players by following the story of a newcomer who hopes to unseat the current champion. This documentary is able to create a compelling story out of the actions of a small group of people who, to most, don't matter at all — quite a feat of documentary filmmaking. Show the intimate side of a famous person. Some documentaries are about the lives of famous or influential people who shaped the world. These documentaries often try to expose the "behind the scenes" trials and tribulations of someone who has a larger-than-life reputation in the public consciousness. The best of these sorts of documentaries use extensive research and interviews with experts or people close to the subject of the documentary to show the audience a side of this person that they're not already familiar with. One great example of this sort of biographical documentary is the film Tupac Resurrection. Using home movies and interviews with dozens of people who knew the rap icon (including some with the rapper himself), this documentary humanizes the figure who has since become almost legendary, showing him as a sensitive, intelligent, often conflicted individual. Document an important event as it happens. Some documentaries give the audience an insider's view into an important event with audacious on-the-ground footage and interviews with the people directly involved in the event. Sometimes, for this type of documentary, the filmmakers "embed" themselves with the people participating in an event. For instance, for a documentary about a war, the filmmakers may travel with a platoon of soldiers, filming day-to-day life on the front and documenting dangerous confrontations with the enemy as they happen. Note, however, that these types of documentaries don't necessarily need to be about grim, serious events. For instance, concert documentaries like Stop Making Sense simply document a band performing live on stage (in this case, The Talking Heads). If well-made, these types of documentaries can be just as captivating. Expose the dirty secrets of those in power. Some documentaries aim to take on the status quo by exposing the corruption, hypocrisy, and evil actions of powerful people or organizations. These muckraking documentaries generate outrage by showing how the stated goals of those in power differ from the actual outcomes of their behavior. Often, these documentaries will use the stories of individual people negatively effected by the actions of those in power to give a face to the harm caused by the actions of the powerful person or organization. This type of documentary can be especially difficult to make because powerful people will naturally use their resources to resist being painted as greedy, stupid, or evil. However, with determination, lots of research, and daring reporting, it's possible to make a documentary that sparks righteous anger in the audience. As an example of this type of documentary, see Hot Coffee. This documentary investigates the infamous story of the woman who sued McDonald's after spilling hot coffee on herself and several other similar stories to show how the media, wealthy corporate interests, and the politicians they bankroll work together to erode the power that ordinary citizens have in the civil justice system. Dig up new information on historical events. Some documentaries tackle people, places, and events from history, rather than recent or present ones. Because the subjects of these documentaries are often already gone, these types of films rely more heavily on research and interviews with experts (like professors, authors, and so on) than other documentaries. However, it's still possible to tell a compelling story about the past that's relevant to the present by illustrating the link between the two to the audience. One recent documentary that does this well is the 2012 film The Act of Killing. This documentary makes powerful statements about the human capability to commit evil by covering the filmmaker's attempts to get the perpetrators of an Indonesian genocide to reenact the mass-killings they participated in. Show the world something it hasn’t seen before. Some documentaries simply try to capture something exceptionally unique. This can be an event that most people aren't aware of, a person who isn't famous but still has a fascinating life story, or an interesting piece of history that's been lost to time. The best of these types of documentaries make statements use their unique subjects to illustrate larger points about the way the world works or the way people are are. One great example of this sort of documentary is Werner Herzog's Grizzly Man. By telling the story of Timothy Treadwell, a man who voluntarily lived in the wilderness of Alaska with grizzly bears and was eventually killed by the bears, Herzog paints a picture of one man's odd relationship with nature that resonates even with audiences that would never consider doing something similar. Use research to build your documentary’s foundation. The first step to writing your documentary is to educate yourself about your subject as much as you can. Use books, online writings, and especially primary sources (which have the benefit of providing information directly from the people involved in the subject of your documentary) to become an expert on the people, places, and things your documentary is about. Knowing all about your subject makes it much easier to find a compelling "angle" for your documentary to take. In addition, having a good knowledge of your reference material will allow you to know what information you want to present in your documentary (and the sources you should attribute it to). If you're unsure of where to start, try going to a local university and contacting a professor who's an expert in the subject of your documentary. Though they may not know everything you want to find out about your subject, they will usually be able to tell you where to look to find this information. Make your point with a lean, logical progression of information. In their own way, documentaries tell stories with characters, settings, and plots, just like narrative films. Your documentary should have a beginning, middle, and end that work together to convey some sort of logical message or "point" to the audience. In short, your audience should tell a "story" as directly and efficiently as possible. This requires deciding what order to present the information in your documentary to the audience. For example, if you're making a documentary about the drug trade between the U.S. and Mexico, you might want to start by establishing a background for your documentary — discussing the creation of the U.S.'s War on Drugs policy, for instance, or showing the path a package of cocaine takes from South America through Central America and Mexico to the United States. You probably wouldn't want to start with an interview with a stuffy professor — just like a normal movie, a documentary should aim to hook the viewer off the bat. Storyboardthe progression of your movie. Though documentaries don't generally have scripts, they should be well-planned. Having a basic outline for the story you want to tell with your documentary can help you plan and schedule your shooting and give you a sense of purpose and direction. A storyboard can also help you visualize the sorts of shots you'll want to use for your documentary. Like an ordinary movie, documentaries can use visual storytelling techniques to make their point to the audience. While a storyboard can be a great tool for a documentary filmmaker, it's worth noting that, for some documentaries, some of your footage may come from events that spontaneously occur in front of you. Be open to the possibility of shooting footage without a plan — surprise moments that are captured on camera can make a documentary. Write an organized schedule. Like ordinary films, most documentaries need a schedule to ensure that shooting stays on-track and that all of the goals the filmmakers are aiming to achieve are met. Your schedule should incorporate any traveling you'll need to do to complete your filming as well as an outline of any important events you'll need to be present at. Your schedule should also definitely include a timeline for any interviews you hope to conduct. You'll need to contact the people you want to interview as early as possible to have the best chance of getting their time, so plan the interviews out well in advance of when you plan to begin shooting. Scrip any narration that will be used for the movie. One part of a documentary that is scripted is any sort of narration in the movie. Voice-over narrators need a script that clearly and efficiently explains the information that the documentary can't convey visually. Even textual narration without a voice-over needs to scripted in advance so that your editor or animator will know what to include in the text. Script any re-enactments. Some documentaries, especially those about historical figures or events, will include re-enactment segments featuring actors. If these re-enactments include any dialog, the actors will need scripts in advance so that they can practice their line delivery. If there isn't any dialog in your re-enactments, your actors will still need stage directions, which you'll need to write as well. Be a merciless editor. Don't be afraid to cut anything that doesn't help your documentary prove its point as effectively as possible. If your audience is bored by your film, it will be less receptive to the message you're trying to convey and may "tune out". Keep your documentary as short, snappy, and to-the-point as possible. Anything you edit out can be included in your film's "deleted scenes" on the DVD release, so be picky about what to include and what not to include! Note that documentaries don't necessarily have to be feature-length. With the internet, documentaries that are too short for a theatrical run can still be offered as streaming or downloadable video, ensuring your film still reaches an audience. Tell a story with your documentary. As noted above, the best documentaries tell stories that are just as compelling as those you might find in an ordinary movie. This storytelling approach can be used to great effect regardless of the subject of your documentary. The way you write, shoot, and edit your film will affect the way your audience sees your "characters" and reacts to your "plot". Use your movie's narrative to prove your point to your audience. Try asking yourself the following questions as you write and plan your documentary to ensure your film tells the story you want to tell: "How do I want my audience to feel about the people and events I'm portraying?" "What sort of message am I trying to convey with each scene?" "What's the best way to order my scenes to get my desired message across?" "How can I use the sounds and visuals of my movie to make my point?" Aim to persuade the audience. Ideally, your documentary should inspire your audience to act or feel differently than they did before they watched it. Even relatively light-hearted documentaries can benefit from taking this sort of persuasive approach, so never lose sight of the sort of reaction you're trying to create in your audience. For some documentaries, like those that tackle controversial social issues, the sort of persuasion you're trying to go for is usually obvious. For others, it may be a little more subtle. For instance, if we're writing a documentary about a strange subculture of people who like to get together and pretend to be unicorns, we might set the goal for ourselves of convincing the audience that even though the hobby these people share is very strange, it still gives them a valuable sense of community that they may not find elsewhere. Strike an emotional chord. When you get the chance, go for the audience's heart! Proving your point with logic is, of course, highly desirable. However, not every member of the audience will be receptive to pure, unemotional logic. Even the members of your audience who do agree with your film's logic can be further persuaded if they get a serious emotional reaction from the film. Look for opportunities to show the tragedy or humor in the events you're portraying. A truly great documentary will engage the audience's heart as well as its mind. For instance, in the example from earlier where we're making a documentary about the U.S.-Mexico drug trade, we may want to include the heartbreaking story of someone who has lost family members to drug-related violence along the border. This gives a human face to the point we're trying to make by showing how a real person's life has been affected by the subject of our documentary. Sell your audience on the subject matter. Remember, your subject matter is important, even if, in the grand scheme of things, it's actually not! You're making a film about something that has excited, intrigued, or captivated you, so make it your goal for your film to have the same effect on the audience as the subject matter has on you. For instance, in The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters , the central conflict between the newcomer to the world of competitive video gaming and the reigning champion is something that seriously matters only to a tiny, insignificant group of people. However, because the filmmakers portray it as a quirky underdog tale, it's actually surprisingly exciting to watch. The audience gets wrapped up in the competition even though, in the end, the only thing at stake is bragging rights in a ragtag group of video game aficionados. | Tackle a hot-button civic or social issue. Shed light on a little-known subculture. Show the intimate side of a famous person. Document an important event as it happens. Expose the dirty secrets of those in power. Dig up new information on historical events. Show the world something it hasn’t seen before. Use research to build your documentary’s foundation. Make your point with a lean, logical progression of information. Storyboardthe progression of your movie. Write an organized schedule. Scrip any narration that will be used for the movie. Script any re-enactments. Be a merciless editor. Tell a story with your documentary. Aim to persuade the audience. Strike an emotional chord. Sell your audience on the subject matter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-up-a-Snake | How to Pick up a Snake | To pick up a snake, start by putting on thick gloves in case the snake bites you, even if the snake is not venomous. Next, use a long tree branch or yard stick to wave near the snake's head, which will keep it distracted as you approach it. Once the snake is distracted by the stick, grab its tail with your other hand and lift it quickly. You can also use the branch or stick to lift the front part of the snake's body. Finally, remove the snake to the desired location or place it in a secure container to transport it. | Ensure it's not venomous. You should never attempt to pick up a venomous snake under any circumstance. If, however, you're absolutely certain that a snake is not venomous, it may be safe to catch the snake by hand. Never attempt to handle any snake you cannot identify with 100 percent certainty. Wear thick gloves. If you're intent on picking up a snake that you've confirmed is not venomous, you should wear a thick pair of gloves (sturdy garden gloves may suffice). Just because the snake's bite will not kill you doesn't mean you should chance getting a painful bite. Even a non-venomous snake's bite can be dangerous. All snakes have bacteria in their mouths which, if you are bitten, could penetrate the skin and lead to an infection. Distract the snake. As you approach the snake, you should distract it to ensure that it will not turn and strike you. Try to distract the snake away from your reaching hand with a long, sturdy object, like a long tree branch, a wooden yard stick, or a household fire poker. Keep the tool low to the ground and near the snake's head. This should distract the snake, as it will think the object is a potential threat. Pick up the snake. Using your other hand (which, again, should be gloved), grab the snake's tail and lift it quickly. You should keep the majority of the snake's body flat on the ground until your grip is secure. Then you can use the long tool to lift the front part of the snake's body. Alternately, you can drop an old shirt, towel, or thin blanket over the snake, scoop it up in the fabric, and gently drop the whole bundle into a pillowcase. You can then relocate the snake to a safe outdoor area away from people. This method is more dangerous, though, since you cannot see where the snake's head is, and it may bite you through the fabric. If using a pillowcase, gently shake the pillowcase by the opening to ensure the snake is at the very bottom. If you must set the snake down, be sure you either twist the opening or flip it over on top of the rest of the pillowcase so that the snake cannot easily escape. Confirm it's not venomous. No matter how you intend to pick up a snake, you should always ensure that it is not venomous. A venomous snake can strike quickly, and if you're anything short of a professional you could fall victim to its dangerous bite. Have your tool on-hand. Whether you're using a snake hook or snake tongs, you should have the tool ready and on-hand before you approach the snake. You should also have a temporary container ready and close by so that you can gently place the snake inside once you catch it. Some snakes are fast-moving and will not stay on a snake hook for more than a few seconds. If you cannot safely catch the snake and deposit it (gently) into the temporary container, you may want to consider using tongs, or leaving it to a professional. If you feel comfortable using an intact pillowcase as a transport container, that should suffice. If the snake is outdoors, or is too large or aggressive for a pillow case, you may want to use something sturdier like an empty garbage can. Be cautious if using snake tongs. These tools can be difficult for an inexperienced catcher to use, and could result in the snake being injured or even killed. Lift the snake. If you're using a hook, carefully slip the hook underneath the snake's body. If using snake tongs, you should be able to simply grasp the snake using the tongs. No matter which tool you use, you should move quickly and carefully for both your own safety and the snake's. For smaller snakes, grab or lift the snake around the middle of its body or lower. For larger snakes, grab or lift the snake approximately 1/3 of the way down its body from the head. You should never grab a snake by the neck, as this could cause serious injury and may make the snake struggle and bite you. Move or contain the snake. If you're trying to move the snake a short distance, you may be able to simply carry it to the desired location. Otherwise, you should put the snake into a container to transport it or await for professional animal control personnel. For smaller snakes, an intact pillowcase may suffice. Otherwise, use a deep bucket or, even better, a sturdy (and empty) garbage can. Recognize a rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are fairly easy to recognize. Not all venomous snakes have a rattle, but rattlesnakes - one of the four most common venomous snakes in North America - do have this distinctive feature. A rattlesnake will typically warn you when you get too close by shaking its tail, producing the distinctive "rattle" sound. There are over a dozen distinct species of rattlesnake across North America alone. Knowing which species inhabit which geographical regions in the country will help you narrow down which species you're dealing with. Rattlesnakes also have a triangle-shaped head, which may make them fairly recognizable. Depending on the species and its environment, fully-grown rattlesnakes can range from one foot in length to eight feet in length. Rattlesnakes can live in forests, grasslands, swamps, deserts, and can also swim across bodies of water. Identify a cottonmouth/water moccasin. The cottonmouth snake (also known as a water moccasin) is the only venomous water snake in North America. However, they are semi-aquatic, meaning cottonmouths can inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial habitats as needed. The most distinctive features of the cottonmouth are its head and mouth. The head is blocky and triangular, and the mouth (should you see it open) has white coloration on the inside. Many cottonmouths also have a distinct white, raccoon-like "mask," and an elliptical eye shape. Cottonmouths can range in a number of colors, from copper/brown to black to green. Their coloration may be solid, spotty/blotchy, or in distinct bands. The native range of cottonmouth snakes is confined to the southeastern United States. Spot a copperhead. Copperhead snakes have a similar appearance to cottonmouths, but their colors tend to be brighter. Many copperheads have a burnt copper to bright orange coloration, but some are silvery, pink, or even peach-colored. Copperheads have a triangular head, whereas their look-alike the corn snake has a more oval-shaped head. Recognize a coral snake. Coral snakes are from the cobra family. They typically have long, slender bodies, and their heads are marked by large scales. There are two species of coral snake commonly found in North America: the eastern coral snake and the western coral snake. The western coral snake has a distinct banded color pattern: red on white on black, running the length of its body. The eastern coral snake has a similar coloration, only its pattern is red on yellow on black. | Ensure it's not venomous. Wear thick gloves. Distract the snake. Pick up the snake. Confirm it's not venomous. Have your tool on-hand. Lift the snake. Move or contain the snake. Recognize a rattlesnake. Identify a cottonmouth/water moccasin. Spot a copperhead. Recognize a coral snake. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Suede-Purse | How to Clean a Suede Purse | To clean your suede purse, use a clean toothbrush or suede brush to brush the suede in one direction, which will help get rid of any dirt and debris stuck in the nap. Definitely avoid using water to clean suede since it can cause discoloration. Instead, you can pour a little vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wipe down your purse with it to brighten it up. If you're dealing with stains or scuffs, try rubbing a clean pencil eraser over the area to restore it. After you clean your purse, it's a good idea to apply a suede sealant to protect your bag from moisture and stains. | Keep your suede purse dry. The first rule of cleaning a suede purse is to avoid using any water on the suede fabric because the water will discolor your suede. Don't wet the suede at all or even use a damp cloth on it. If you feel like a little moisture is necessary, then you can hold your suede purse above some steam. For example, you could hold the suede purse above a mug of hot water for a few seconds and then brush it clean. However, do not allow the purse to become wet. Brush the suede to remove fibers and dirt. A brush is the best tool for cleaning suede. You can use a brush to do a basic cleaning on your suede purse, or use it as a spot treatment for stains. Brush the suede going in one direction to clean away dust and dirt from your purse. You can also use small back and forth motions to take care of stains. You can use a nail brush or get a special suede cleaning brush. Rub a clean eraser over stained and scuffed areas. A clean pencil eraser can also be a useful item for cleaning a suede purse. You can rub a pencil eraser over any minor stains, scuffs, or discolored areas to help restore them to normal. Make sure to use a clean, never used eraser to do this. If the eraser is dirty then you might end up transferring the dirt to the suede material. Use a suede leather cleanser on your bag. You can get specialty cleansers meant for cleaning suede. These are great for the general maintenance of your suede purse. However, do not use a cleanser that is meant for regular leather or another material because it may damage your suede purse. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using a suede cleanser. Apply some vinegar or rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth. Vinegar and rubbing alcohol are safe to use on suede, and they can help to brighten up the look of suede that has gotten dingy or dirty over time. To use vinegar or rubbing alcohol to clean a suede purse, pour a small amount onto a clean cloth. Use just enough to make the cloth damp. Then, begin to rub the suede with the cloth to clean the suede. You may need to do several applications, depending on how dirty the purse has become. Let the suede dry completely after applying vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Blot fresh spills. When you first spill something on your suede purse, be sure to blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. This will help to remove excess moisture and minimize the damage of the spill. Take a clean cloth or paper towel and press it over the area of the spill. Do not rub the area! Use multiple towels or cloths if necessary. Use cornstarch or talcum powder on fresh stains. If you have just spilled some oil or liquid on your purse, then blot it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel and then sprinkle some cornstarch or talcum powder onto the area and let it sit overnight. This will help to soak up the residue left by the liquid. The following day, tap off the powder and use a brush to remove the excess. Remove the rest of the stain by cleaning the area with an eraser, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol. Allow mud to dry before trying to remove it. If you try to clean mud off of a suede purse while it is still wet, you will only make matters worse. As hard as it might be to leave the mud on your purse, you are better off waiting for it to dry completely before trying to remove it. After the mud dries, use a brush to remove the dried dirt from your purse. Freeze the purse before trying to remove wax or gum. If you end up getting wax or gum on your purse, then you can remove it by freezing your purse first. This will harden the wax or gum and then you can pull or chip it off in pieces. Don't use any sharp objects to remove the wax or gum from your suede purse. Use your fingers or a brush. Use a suede sealant. You can buy suede sealants to help protect your bag from moisture and keep it looking nice. These sealants are often available in shoe stores and you simply spray the sealant on your purse and let it sit until the sealant is completely dry, usually overnight. Keep in mind that a sealant will not make your suede purse waterproof or immune to stains. It will just help to repel some of the moisture. Store your suede purse in a dust cover or pillow case. Using a dust cover or pillow case can help to keep your suede purse looking its best. If your suede purse came with a dust cover, then use it to store your suede purse when you are not using it. If your suede purse did not come with a dust cover, then store it in a pillow case when you are not using it. You can also use a plastic bag or an old shoe box to protect your suede purse. Keep your suede purse out of the sun. Leaving your suede purse in the sun can cause the color of the suede to fade and change color. Make sure to store your suede purse somewhere away from the sunlight to prevent it from becoming discolored. Storing your suede purse in a closet or dark drawer is best. Just make sure that you do not pile a bunch of other items on top of your purse because this can cause your bag to become misshapen. | Keep your suede purse dry. Brush the suede to remove fibers and dirt. Rub a clean eraser over stained and scuffed areas. Use a suede leather cleanser on your bag. Apply some vinegar or rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth. Blot fresh spills. Use cornstarch or talcum powder on fresh stains. Allow mud to dry before trying to remove it. Freeze the purse before trying to remove wax or gum. Use a suede sealant. Store your suede purse in a dust cover or pillow case. Keep your suede purse out of the sun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-Zoning-Laws | How to Check Zoning Laws | It's important to know zoning laws before you make changes to your property. Many cities have their complete zoning code available online, but if yours doesn't, you can visit your municipal clerk's office or the local library to find it. Keep in mind that there are different categories of zoning laws, like residential, mixed-use, and commercial, and you'll need to know which type of zone your property is in to find the right ordinances. If you don't find a clear cut answer from reading the zoning laws, call your municipal planning department to get a second opinion. You could also attend a homeowner's association meeting in your area and ask them for advice. This is an especially good idea if you haven't bought the property yet and want to get a feel for the procedures and the people in charge. | Determine which laws apply to your property. Depending on where the property is located, you may have to evaluate county or city zoning laws. City zoning laws typically override county laws if the property is located within city limits. In addition to zoning ordinances, be sure you're looking at any other laws that might apply to your particular use. For example, if you're thinking about running a daycare out of your home, you may have to comply with health and sanitation codes, safety, or fire codes. Check at the lowest level and work your way up. You'll have to comply with all of them, so it's more efficient to start at the bottom. For example, if you rent and your landlord won't approve of your use, it doesn't matter whether it's permitted under city zoning regulations. Particularly if you're thinking about starting a home-based business, be aware that using your home for a commercial purpose may subject you to other commercial regulations that don't typically apply to residences. Most states allow certain home-based businesses, although the zoning laws may restrict the number of employees you can have or whether clients or customers can come to your home. The Small Business Association has a list of the permits and licenses required to operate a home-based business in each state at https://www.sba.gov/content/what-state-licenses-and-permits-does-your-business-need. Search city or county ordinances to find out the allowed uses for your property. Many jurisdictions have their entire zoning code available online, or you may have to make a visit to the county or municipal clerk's office, the library, or the city attorney's office. Most cities are organized generally into zoning categories. The category of the property where your house is located is the first piece of information you need. For example, if your neighborhood is a mixed-use residential and commercial zone and you plan to open a home business, you likely don't need to look any further – you're clearly allowed to operate a business in that zone. However, keep in mind things will seldom be that simple. Your house may be located in a mixed-use zone, but there may be further restrictions regarding the type of business you could have or the hours that business could be open. Residential zones also may be subdivided according to the types of dwellings and occupancy levels allowed. For example, if you planned to rent out the apartment over your garage for some extra income, that use might not be allowed if your house is in a single-family residential zone. A zoning ordinance may allow certain types of home-based businesses, but the specificity will differ. Some may be so vague that you can't get much guidance out of it at all, in which case you would have to call someone in the municipal planning department for clarification. Call your municipal planning or building department. The planning department typically executes the zoning laws for a particular location. Even if you think you understand how the laws work in your area, it's always best to call and get an official opinion regarding the specific property before you rely on it. Keep in mind that zoning laws don't always give a clear answer to questions regarding home businesses or other uses of property. For example, if you work at home but don't have clients or customers coming to your house and aren't increasing traffic in the neighborhood, there likely wouldn't be any problem with your use. At the same time, it can sometimes be a mistake to call attention to your planned use before you've determined whether it is allowed. If you're worried about attracting undue attention to your property, consider getting a friend to call for you, or avoid providing your exact street address to anyone in the office. Research previous uses of the property. If a prior owner was able to get a variance or exception to the law, you may be able to do the same. However, you also should keep in mind that just because a previous owner put the property to certain uses doesn't mean you will be able to do the same. Your neighbors may have changed, or the regulations may have become more strict since that owner lived on the property. When a zoning law is passed, previous activities typically are excluded. However, if that owner moved away and you bought the property, you must follow all zoning laws that currently apply to that property. If the previous owner was able to get a variance or exception to the same zoning law that's keeping you from doing something you want to do, you may have a better chance of getting a variance yourself. Consider consulting an attorney. If you have any questions or concerns, you may want to talk to a local land use attorney. If you're interested in buying a house, your real estate agent also will have information on local zoning regulations that may help you. Just make sure you're honest with your agent about what you intend to do with the property you buy. If you have questions about a vaguely worded zoning ordinance or other restriction on your property, an attorney may be able to help you parse the language and determine whether your use would be permitted. A real estate attorney also can familiarize you with local zoning requirements and help you determine your options. Attend a homeowner's association meeting. Going to a meeting will give you a chance to familiarize yourself with the association members and figure out who you can talk to about your situation. If you haven't yet purchased the property, you may want to attend a meeting before you buy to make sure you're comfortable with the procedures and the people in charge. The homeowner's association meeting typically will provide you an opportunity to discuss any issues or questions you have with the officers of the association. Get a copy of the planned development rules. A development's covenants, convictions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) typically will regulate property use far more strictly than municipal zoning regulations do. If you haven't already purchased the property, make sure you read the CC&Rs carefully before you buy. If you have a planned use for your property that is forbidden by the CC&Rs, it may make more sense for you to find a home someplace else. Keep in mind that you typically must comply with city zoning rules in addition to the CC&Rs, so even if your use isn't explicitly forbidden by the CC&Rs, it still might not be allowed under city zoning regulations. Contact the homeowner's association. If your property is located in a planned community, land use typically is governed by the homeowner's association rather than the municipal planning department. Keep in mind that homeowner's associations tend to enforce their CC&Rs far more strictly than city or county planning offices do, and it may be more difficult for you to get an exemption. If you live in an area governed by CC&Rs, you should contact the homeowner's association as soon as possible regarding your planned use – ideally long before you've set your plans in motion. Talk to your neighbors. If the covenants that govern your property prohibit the use you have in mind, your neighbors may be able to help you get an exception. For example, your CC&Rs may prohibit home-based businesses. However, if you know you won't be meeting any clients at your house, and will have few deliveries, these details could help convince your neighbors that your home-based business won't be disruptive to the neighborhood or affect their property values. Search for forms. Most cities and homeowner's associations have forms you can fill out if you need a variance or exception from the restrictions on your property. Check the application form for times your application can be submitted and deadlines for filing any information or documentation required to be submitted with the application. You may have to attach a metes and bounds description of your property with your application. This description typically will be found on your deed. When seeking a variance, you generally must prove to the zoning board or homeowner's association that the variance is necessary for you and that your proposed use won't change the character of the neighborhood or infringe on your neighbors' property rights. Request a hearing. When you turn in your form, find out the procedure for requesting a hearing. Public notice of the hearing will be made to your neighbors and others in the general area surrounding the property, and your hearing will be open to the public. You typically will be charged a fee for filing an application or request for a variance. These fees vary widely among cities, counties, and homeowner's associations. If you're concerned about the fee, call ahead of time and find out how much it is before you file your form. The process varies greatly among cities and counties. In some locations, a zoning department officer first makes a decision on your application. Only if he or she denies your request for a variance do you have the opportunity to be heard by the full zoning board. Keep in mind that there may be additional costs as the process continues. All told, you may pay several thousand dollars just applying for a variance – and your application still may be denied. Gather information. Prepare for your hearing by collecting documents and information about the use you have in mind for your property and its potential impact to your neighborhood. Think about the purpose of the particular restriction or regulation. If you're not sure what purpose was intended, you may want to look back into the regulation's history and find out why it was first proposed. If you can prove your use won't cause the problems the regulation was supposed to prevent, you typically will be more likely to get a variance. If you're seeking an exception from a CC&R, keep in mind that most such rules are created with the purpose of enhancing the value of the property. Thus, your information regarding your planned use should focus on how it won't detract from the value of your home or the homes around it. Typically, the less your use will impact the value of homes and the surrounding neighborhood – including exterior appearance and traffic flow – the greater your chances of having a variance approved. Get letters from your neighbors. If you're already engaging in a use that violates zoning restrictions, your neighbors might be willing to write letters on your behalf if the use isn't bothering them. If you know your neighbors reasonably well, talk to them about your proposed use for your property. As long as they're okay with it, ask them to write letters for you detailing their approval and how they don't anticipate your use impacting their lives. Attend your hearing. Your request for a variance will be dismissed unless you appear at your hearing and argue your case. You will be given an opportunity to explain why you need the variance and demonstrate what will happen if you are granted the variance. If you have neighbors who support you, they typically may come to the hearing and testify on your behalf. Anyone who saw the public notice of the hearing and objects to your variance also will be given the opportunity to express their objections to the board. Appeal a negative decision. If the homeowner's association or zoning board doesn't rule in your favor, you typically can appeal to a higher authority. Typically, a planning or zoning board decision can be appealed to your city council or county board of supervisors. While it can be difficult to get approval on appeal, it will help to have support from your neighbors. Even if the board grants you a variance, anyone opposed to it also typically has the opportunity to appeal the decision. If anyone opposed your variance, they have a specific period of time to file an appeal, which means you may have to wait before you can act on your variance. | Determine which laws apply to your property. Search city or county ordinances to find out the allowed uses for your property. Call your municipal planning or building department. Research previous uses of the property. Consider consulting an attorney. Attend a homeowner's association meeting. Get a copy of the planned development rules. Contact the homeowner's association. Talk to your neighbors. Search for forms. Request a hearing. Gather information. Get letters from your neighbors. Attend your hearing. Appeal a negative decision. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Parole-Letter | How to Write a Parole Letter | A parole letter is written to inform the parole board why an offender should be let out of prison. To write a parole letter on behalf of someone, start by identifying yourself and your relationship to them. Then, explain why you support the inmate being granted parole. For example, you might need them to be there for your children. Or, you might be providing a job or a place for them to stay when they get out. Write something like, “I support Jeffrey Smith's application for parole. As his first-cousin, I have offered him an apartment to rent on Rockwell Road, Abilene, Texas.” Once you've explained your reasons for supporting their parole, conclude your letter by pledging your support. For instance, write, “I assure you that Jeffrey has a healthy support system in place to help him live an honest and productive life.” | Understand what you must say. Offenders write letters in support of their own parole for a variety of reasons. One common reason is that the inmate fears getting nervous at the hearing or doesn't express himself well orally. If this is the case, then you should write a letter. Parole boards are looking for offenders to say certain things in their letters: Take responsibility. You can't plead your innocence or try to minimize your role in the crime. Express remorse. You must express heartfelt sorrow at the pain you have caused the victim and the victim's family. Explain how you have changed. Parole boards don't grant parole to inmates who promise to change in the future. Instead, you need to explain how you have changed your life while in prison. Describe your future. The parole board wants to see that you have realistic, concrete plans for leading a productive life outside of prison. Search for templates. You can try to find sample letters written by other inmates. You can ask your lawyer if he or she has examples you can read. There are also templates on the Internet, however these are not usually real letters. Even if you find a sample to use, remember that you must write the letter yourself. You should not have the lawyer draft it for you to sign. Instead you want the letter to feel genuine. Open a word processing document. You should type the letter instead of writing it by hand. A typed letter is more professional and will be easier to read. Set the font to a readable size. Times New Roman 12 point font is fairly standard. You should adjust it if you find you can't read font that small. Insert the date. At the top of the page you should insert the date on which you are writing the letter. Two lines beneath the date you should type in the address of the parole board. This information should all be included in the packet of information you have received from the parole board. Two lines beneath the address, include your salutation: “Dear Parole Board”. Begin by identifying yourself. In the first paragraph, you should state your name and your prison identification number. Also specify the date of your parole hearing. For example: “My name is Jeffrey Smith, and I am writing in support of my application for parole. My hearing date is April 22, 2016 and my identification number is 12345.” Describe the crime and your role in it. In the second paragraph, you will need to explain the crime you committed. You should be sufficiently detailed so that the parole board does not think you are shirking responsibility for the crime. For example, you should write “I shot the gun” instead of “the gun went off.” You should write “I stabbed him three times in the back” not “we got into a fight and I defended myself by stabbing him a couple times.” You also shouldn't complain about the quality of your attorney or that the judge was biased. Also don't try to blame the crime on drugs or alcohol (although you should certainly state if you were high or drunk during the crime). Express remorse. In the third paragraph you need to express remorse for the crime and the pain you caused the victim and the victim's family. You may need to spend some time thinking over this paragraph. Often, it is difficult for people to put into words their sorrow at what they have done. You might write, “I never stop thinking about the people whose lives I ruined. That is guilt that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. At night I pray that the family has managed to rebuild their lives. When I pray, I feel sorrow for the pain I have caused them. If I could go back in time and not commit the crime, I would.” List the steps you took to reform yourself. In the fourth paragraph, explain how you have managed to rehabilitate yourself. Mention specific things: religion, earning a degree while in prison, meeting a mentor, etc. Do not simply assert that you have changed; instead, describe the process. A short summary might read, “When I came to jail I had a seventh grade education and no interest in learning about anything or anyone else. The first year I was sent to work in the library. Bored, I sometimes leafed through magazines but realized I could barely read what was written in them. At that point, I decided to try to earn my high school diploma….” Then you can describe how education opened your mind and helped you confront the reality of your crime. Describe your future and how you will achieve it. In order to grant parole, the board wants to see that you have thought out your future. A promise to keep your nose clean is pretty empty unless you can point to specific steps that you will take once released. You could write, “I have a support system in place for when I get out. My job, at the Stop and Top, is waiting for me. I am confident that I will do a good job as I have managed to get several commendations for the work I have done around the prison. I also have a rental available, which is close enough to my job that I will be able to walk to work. It is also close to my parents, who will stop in to visit me once a week just as they have while I have been in prison.” Conclude the letter. End the letter by promising the parole board that you will not commit more crimes once released. Unless they are convinced that you will stay crime-free, they will see little reason to release you back into the general population. “If given parole, I can promise the board that I will make the most of my opportunity and not re-offend. I now have the tools to build a meaningful life for me and my family.” Include your signature. Write “Thank you for reading this letter” and then move down a couple lines to insert “Sincerely.” Sign using a pen. Inquire as to why you were asked. Generally, offenders request letters from people who can show the parole board that he or she has a support system waiting outside the prison. This support system typically includes family, friends, faith leaders, counselors, and employers. Feel free to ask the offender or his attorney why you were selected to write the letter and if there is anything that you should include in the letter. Outline what to say. Before writing the letter, you will probably find it helpful to sit down and think about the points that you want to make. Writing them down in bullet point format will help you remember to touch on everything as you draft your letter. Get the deadline. Ask the offender when the letter needs to be submitted. Some offenders will want all letters submitted to the parole board before a certain date. However, the offender may find it beneficial to have letters submitted throughout the year. This will signal that the offender's support is continuous and substantial. Use letterhead. If you are writing in support because you are an employer, then you should use company letterhead. If you are an employer but do not have letterhead, then you should have the letter notarized. All others can print off their letter on regular paper. However, if you are a business owner or a professional who has letterhead, then you can certainly use it for your own letter. Identify yourself and the inmate. In the first paragraph, you should identify who you are and also who the inmate is. Be sure to identify the inmate by name and prison identification number. If you do not know this number, then ask the inmate. Sample language could be: “My name is Melissa Jones. I am the former employer of Jeffrey Smith, who is an inmate in your prison. His inmate number is 12345. I request that you grant him parole at his hearing, which has been scheduled for April 22, 2016.” Explain why you support parole. In the second paragraph, you should explain the reasons you support the inmate receiving parole. Use your own language. For example, you might support parole because you are the inmate's spouse and you and your children need the inmate back in your lives. You could write, “As I have visited Jeffrey with the children over the past two years, he has never failed to express remorse for what he did. When talking to the children, he asks them many questions about whether they are following the rules at school, and he always reminds them how important it is to listen to their teachers. The children need this fatherly presence at home.” If you are offering a home to the offender, then you will need to include particular information: the address, phone number, whether the home is rented or owned, and the names of other people in the home. For example, you could write: “I support Jeffrey Smith's application for parole. As his first-cousin, I have offered him an apartment to rent. The apartment is in an apartment building that I own at 1212 Rockwell Road, Abilene, Texas. He will pay $450 a month in rent. The phone number to his unit is XXX-XXXX. My personal number is….” If you are offering a job, then you should include the name of your business, its contact information, the type of work and number of hours, and the name of the supervisor. Sample language could include, “I have offered Jeffrey a job at my grocery store, Stop and Top, located at 445 Smithson Street, Jonesport, Maine. Our number is XXX-XXXX. The job is a full-time, 40-hour a week position unloading trucks and shelving goods. I will serve as his direct supervisor.” Conclude by pledging support for the offender. You need to end the letter in a way that gives the parole board confidence that the offender will not commit more crimes if released. You could say, “I assure you that, should Jeffrey be granted parole, he has a healthy support system in place. I, along with his family, will give him all the support he needs to continue to build a productive life.” Have the letter translated. If you are not confident writing in English, then you should write the letter in your native language and then get it translated. Make sure that the translation is done by a professional and not a family member. You should attach a letter of translation. This letter will be signed by the translator, often in front of a notary public. A sample certificate of translation is available at http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2013/09/30/certoftranslation.pdf. Mail the letter. You should send the letter to the parole board or to the offender's attorney. Ask the inmate who you should send it to. Some state parole boards have an online system you can use for submitting letters. New York, for example, has one such system. New York's system, however, severely limits the length of any letter and might be best used by members of the general public. If the offender has requested that you write the letter specifically, then you should still print off a hard copy letter and submit it. Think about testifying instead. If you were the victim of the crime, then you might want to write a letter opposing parole. You can certainly do so. Nevertheless, you should give some thought to actually going to the parole hearing and testifying in person. Live testimony can be much more dramatic—and effective. Letters can be “distancing”; that is, they obscure the human costs of the crime. Your heartfelt testimony in person will bring home how damaging the offender's crime has been. Not everyone can deliver a live statement. However, in certain situations, the victim of the crime can often deliver a victim impact statement in person. You should check with the parole board to see who can testify in person, if this is an option that interests you. Introduce yourself. If you choose to write a letter, then you should identify who you are and your relationship to the victim. For example, “My name is Kathy Johnson, the mother of April Johnson, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Smith, on November 15, 1999. Jeffrey Smith is coming up for parole this April, and I am writing this letter to explain why I oppose his petition for parole.” Offer your version of the crime. If you are the victim of the crime, then you can explain what happened. If you are a family member of the victim, then you can offer your own summary of the crime based on what you heard at trial. Be as graphic as you need to be. You want the parole board to be outraged by the crime. Describe the victim. You should make sure that the parole board has a strong image of the victim in their mind as they are considering whether to grant an offender parole. If the inmate killed the victim, then only you can speak for him or her. Describe the victim so that the parole board has a sense of the life that the victim snuffed out. Be detailed. You want to make the victim seem like a living, breathing person. Explain his or her hobbies, hopes for the future, and achievements. Explain the impact the crime has had on you. You should also explain to the parole board the toll the crime has taken on you physically and emotionally. For example, a rape victim might write, “I wish I could say that the pain I felt ended when he finished raping me. But I have suffered emotionally and physically for a long time since then. I have been in counseling for several years and have difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight, problems directly attributable to the sexual assault.” Point out why you think the offender is not rehabilitated. You should also bring to the parole board's attention any facts that show the offender has not really rehabilitated himself. Cast doubt on the offender's claim that he has turned his life around. You might write: “Though I am sure that Jeffrey is claiming to be a changed man, I seriously doubt that he has learned anything at all. Only last year, he gave an interview to the local paper where he tried to minimize his role in the crime. He also couldn't even say my daughter's name.” You also may have received threatening letters or phone calls from the inmate. If so, the parole board needs to know this information as well. Request that parole be denied. You should close the letter with a powerful request that the inmate be denied parole. Talk about the fear his or her release would create. “For months after my daughter's death, I was unable to sleep. The fact that Jeffrey was locked up provided little comfort. If he is released out of prison, then I am sure that all of the old nightmares will return. I can only hope that you will deny him parole so that another mother will not have to suffer what I have gone through over the past several years.” | Understand what you must say. Search for templates. Open a word processing document. Insert the date. Begin by identifying yourself. Describe the crime and your role in it. Express remorse. List the steps you took to reform yourself. Describe your future and how you will achieve it. Conclude the letter. Include your signature. Inquire as to why you were asked. Outline what to say. Get the deadline. Use letterhead. Identify yourself and the inmate. Explain why you support parole. Conclude by pledging support for the offender. Have the letter translated. Mail the letter. Think about testifying instead. Introduce yourself. Offer your version of the crime. Describe the victim. Explain the impact the crime has had on you. Point out why you think the offender is not rehabilitated. Request that parole be denied. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Stressing-over-Exam-Results | How to Stop Stressing over Exam Results | To stop stressing over your exam results, try not to ask your friends or classmates what answers they chose since there's no way to know for sure who was right or wrong. Instead, focus on doing things you enjoy to help distract yourself, like going for a walk, shopping, or reading a book. While it isn't always easy, try your best to remember that getting a low score isn't the end of the world and you can always do better next time. | Spend a quiet moment alone. After you finish taking the test, do not immediately talk to your friends about the test. Instead, take a quiet walk--outside if possible. Calm down and breathe deeply. Remember that you did the best you could in the present circumstances. For example, say to yourself: I prepared as well as I could with the time and resources I had. I demonstrated the knowledge I hold in the present moment. I am proud of my work. Do not compare answers. After you finish taking the test, do not ask your friends what their answers were. They could be wrong or right so comparison is not helpful. Additionally, you might stress over not matching their answers but be right all along. Instead, congratulate yourself for the things you did well and learn from the areas where you think you could have done better. Visit a good friend. After an exam, it is nice to meet with a friend, preferably not one who has taken the exam. Your friend can help support you and reduce your stress. You also can do a fun activity together that can take your mind off the test. When meeting your friend, agree to only discuss the exam for five minutes or not at all. It is important for you to release your stress rather than dwelling on the exam. Avoid ruminating about your performance. Rumination means that you keep replaying or obsessing about negative situations. Unfortunately, rumination can lead to depression and anxiety. If you are ruminating about your performance, try the following steps: Identify your fear. What scares you? Are you afraid of failing the test? Are you afraid your performance will impact your college entrance possibilities? Journalling can help you pinpoint your fear. Ponder the worst-case scenario. Can you handle failing? Usually the answer is yes. Realizing you could handle the worst-case scenario removes the power from your initial worry. Realize what you cannot control. You cannot control your results. Stop trying. Turn mistakes into learning moments. Maybe you did not write your essay well. What can you do to improve? If you're in university, visit the writing center. Additionally, you could check out books on how to write essays. You also could ask your teacher for feedback. Practice mindfulness. Try to keep your mind in the present. Look around you while you walk (versus at your smartphone). Breathe in the scents. Try therapy. If you find yourself ruminating without stop, see a counselor. Counselors can help you learn additional strategies to stop rumination. Reward yourself for your hard work. After the exam, do something you enjoy. This will help take your mind off the exam. Visit a favorite cafe or shop. Alternatively, you could take a relaxing walk or buy yourself a treat. You also take a soothing bath or read a non-academic book. For parents: Avoid discussing the results: Discussions about the marks you expect your child to score can increase your worries, stress and anxiety levels. It can also make your child feel that you will love and value him only if he meets your expectations. Don't have unrealistic expectations and don't be over-excited: Although your child may be good in studies, the fact is, not every child can be a topper. So, don't get over-excited by expecting your child to be among the toppers. It is okay if your child secures good marks, as academics is one of the many facets of life. Stop worrying about social norms and expectations: Your child's exam results do not define your social status or standing in the society. So, don't fret and worry about what your friends and relatives will say if your child doesn't score well. Don't indulge in comparison: Don't compare your child with his peers, or his own achievements of the current year with previous performances to come to a conclusion about the marks he may obtain. For students: Engage in conversation while waiting for the results: Post-exam discussions and thinking about how you answered the questions can dent your confidence and cause you to worry. In such a situation, instead of keeping your fears to yourself, try to speak with family members or friends about how you are feeling. Don't be embarrassed to tell them the causes of your distress. In case you don't feel comfortable revealing your feelings to others, you can seek help from numerous online resources. The day prior to the announcement of the results: Stress levels are highest on the day before, and the few hours prior to the announcement of results. During this period, avoid taking stimulants like coffee or energy drinks, which can increase the stress level. Also, try to stay away from social media and other sites where there is a lot of excited discussion about results, as reading what others say may sometimes perturb you. Read your favourite book, watch a movie, go for a walk or engage in some physical activity to take your mind off the results and relax. If things don't go as planned: 'DO NOT PANIC'. Scoring low marks is not the end of the world. You can appear in exams again the next year and achieve a better result. Speak to your parents and teachers, or those you confide in, and find out what you should do next. There are many famous achievers who didn't succeed in their first attempt, but that did not dishearten them. They kept trying until they succeeded. So, motivate yourself and pull up your socks for a better result the next time. Exercise. Take a brisk walk or jog. Consider swimming. Exercising is not only helpful for your physical health; it also can reduce stress. Doing some form of low to moderate intensity exercise can reduce fatigue, improve alertness and concentration, and enhance overall cognitive function. This is very helpful after an exam when stress has depleted your energy. As few as five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects. When stress affects the brain, with its plentiful nerve connections, the rest of your body feels the impact. If your body feels better, your mind will as well. Physical activity produces endorphins, chemicals in your brain that act as natural painkillers. Exercise also helps you sleep. Consider getting a massage. After an exam, it is very possible that your back and neck will be sore from studying so much. Getting a massage can relax your muscles, calm your mind, and also produce endorphins. You can visit a massage therapist or ask a friend to give you a back rub. Acupuncture is another option for relieving stress and producing endorphins. Eat a healthy, balanced meal. After a stressful exam, you might be tempted to celebrate with pizza or ice cream. Unfortunately, high-fat foods will make you feel tired and less able to cope with stress. Plus, because stress can increase your blood pressure and raise cholesterol levels, high-fat foods will make your body feel worse. To prevent stress, your body needs a balanced, healthy meal. Low-fat meals with high fiber, rich carbohydrates, and many fruits and vegetables are best. They will calm you and supply nutrients to strengthen your immune system. Good food choices would be: High-fiber, carbohydrate-rich foods. Carbohydrates cause your brain to produce more serotonin, a hormone that relaxes you. Consider baked sweet potatoes, minestrone soup, or sautéed vegetables over rice. Sushi also is a fun, healthy option. Fruits and vegetables. High stress can weaken your immune system. Have you ever noticed that you get sick around exam time? Stress could be a factor. By increasing your consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you can boost your immune system. Healthy choices are acorn squash and carrots or citrus fruits. Recognize stress symptoms. Sometimes, despite trying your hardest to stay relaxed, you might still feel stressed about your results. If this is the case, talk to a trusted adult or counselor about your feelings. Ask about ways to reduce your negative feelings and stress. Symptoms of stress include: Sleeplessness Fatigue Forgetfulness Unexplained aches and pains Poor appetite Loss of interest in activities Increased anxiety and irritability Increased heart rate Migraines or headaches Blurred vision Dizziness Remind yourself of your positive qualities. Our brain has a negative bias. This means it tends to have greater activity when we are thinking about negative things. Depressing thoughts can impact our mood more than positive thoughts. To prevent negative thinking, make a list of all the things you like about yourself. What do you do well? What do you enjoy? How are you a nice person? By considering the positive things about you, you will begin to feel better. Receive your results. When you receive your results, take deep breaths. If you did as well as you wanted, celebrate. If you feel you could have done better, there are many ways to improve. Remember, your test results do not define who you are or how valuable you are as a person. They are a marker of one day's performance in your life. Stay calm. Remember that while your exam results are important, you always have additional options. You might be able to retake the exam. If the exam is part of a class, there might be other tests or papers that contribute to your grade. Putting your test in perspective can help you relax. Prepare for future exams. If you performed well, repeat the same study techniques for your next exam. If you did not score as well as you hoped, be proactive for the next exam. First, think about how you prepared for this exam and what you could do differently. Consider the following alternatives: Talk with your instructor. Ask him or her what you could do better next time. Your teacher will have insight into your strengths and weaknesses. Hire a tutor. If you need to take this or a similar exam again, consider getting professional help. Having personalized attention can improve your confidence and and help you learn more quickly. Start a study group. If there are other people taking this exam again, consider studying together. Pool your study books and flashcards. Quiz one another. Having peer support can make you feel less overwhelmed. Ask a parent or friend to help you study. If you need a study partner to quiz you, ask a parent or friend to help. They can do flashcards with you or ask you to explain essay answers. | Spend a quiet moment alone. Do not compare answers. Visit a good friend. Avoid ruminating about your performance. Reward yourself for your hard work. For parents: For students: Exercise. Consider getting a massage. Eat a healthy, balanced meal. Recognize stress symptoms. Remind yourself of your positive qualities. Receive your results. Prepare for future exams. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Mold-in-a-Bathroom | How to Prevent Mold in a Bathroom | To prevent an infestation of mold, dust your bathroom at least once a week. Disinfect the bathtub, sinks, and toilets using an all-purpose cleaner, and disinfect the mirrors and windows using a glass cleaner. Make sure to machine wash your shower curtains, bathroom rugs, and towels often. To keep moisture from building up, fix any leaks around your toilet or sinks and, once a year, reseal the grout lines in tile flooring. Keep loofahs, bath toys, and bath products in a dry area. | Dust your bathroom at least once per week. Since dust is a food source for mold and mold spores travel by air to settle on any surface, you must dust everything in your bathroom regularly to prevent mold growth. Use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth to wipe all surfaces, starting high and working your way down to lower areas. Spray all-purpose bathroom cleaner on all the surfaces in your bathroom weekly. Go over your bathtub, sinks, and toilet thoroughly with a microfiber cloth and all-purpose bathroom cleaner. Follow the directions on your cleaning product and allow the cleaning properties to disinfect bathroom surfaces completely before rinsing it down the drain or wiping it away. Clean bathroom mirrors and windows with glass cleaner. Spray glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth and wipe your mirror and windows from top to bottom using an “s” pattern. Afterward, buff out any streaks left behind. Wipe everything dry. Use a few paper towels to quickly retrace your cleaning steps to rid the bathroom of all moisture. Additionally, wipe any water lingering in the sink basin, in the tub, or on any other surfaces. Wash shower curtain liners and bathroom rugs often. These items get wet every time they're used, so it's necessary to wash them and let them air dry every one or two weeks. Throw your plastic liner in the washing machine along with a load of whites, detergent, and a dash of baking soda. After it's clean, hang the liner out so it can air dry. Wash your bathroom rug in the washing machine with cold water and a gentle laundry soap. Tumble the rug dry on the coolest heat setting possible. Keep bathroom towels hung up. Avoid tossing towels onto the bathroom floor when you're done using them. Doing this keeps your towels from drying and contributes to the moist environment which encourages mold growth. Install a towel rod, wall hooks, or door hooks, if you don't already have designated hanging areas. Find and fix leaks in your bathroom. Feel around pipes and seals attached to the toilet and sinks in your bathroom for leaks. Make sure to do this regularly, because time makes all the difference when trying to prevent mold growth. If leaks are present, contact a plumber to repair them or take matters into your own hands by fixing them yourself. Don’t keep loofahs, bath toys, or bathing products in the bath tub or shower. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, washcloths and similar items can give mold a potential place to hide. Wipe these items dry or squeeze all of the water out after each use and store them in a towel closet or somewhere else dry between showers. Squeegee away excess water after showering. After each shower, go over the walls of the shower in a vertical swiping motion with a squeegee so that you can quickly and easily get leftover water into the drain instead of allowing it to cling to the walls. Keeping shower walls dry contributes greatly to creating a low level of moisture in the bathroom. Seal grout lines in tile flooring annually. Apply a standard grout sealer to the spaces between your bathroom tiles each year to waterproof them. If at any point you have a particularly difficult time keeping your grout mold-free, you can also scrub it with bleach and a toothbrush or replace it completely by scraping it out with a flat screwdriver. Keep the exhaust fan on during and after your showers. The fan will help circulate air and reduce steam while you shower in addition to helping the bathroom to dry faster when you are finished. Open your bathroom windows and shut the door. Allowing fresh air to enter your bathroom will provide a better air flow and assist with drying the room more efficiently. Close the bathroom door to contain the moisture produced and open the bathroom windows while you bathe to naturally disperse it. Lower the humidity with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are a great choice for creating ventilation and preventing mold growth, especially if you live in a hot, humid climate. Dehumidifiers can make a huge difference by significantly reducing the amount of moisture in the air. Turn on the air conditioner. Air conditioners not only cool down the air but also condition it by removing moisture. Install a window AC unit and keep the temperature a little cooler to create ventilation and prevent growth. Leave the shower door or curtain open after showering. Leaving your shower open promotes evaporation and helps your shower dry out more quickly. Closing the door or curtain slows down the drying process, creating the kind of moist environment where mold and bacteria flourish. | Dust your bathroom at least once per week. Spray all-purpose bathroom cleaner on all the surfaces in your bathroom weekly. Clean bathroom mirrors and windows with glass cleaner. Wipe everything dry. Wash shower curtain liners and bathroom rugs often. Keep bathroom towels hung up. Find and fix leaks in your bathroom. Don’t keep loofahs, bath toys, or bathing products in the bath tub or shower. Squeegee away excess water after showering. Seal grout lines in tile flooring annually. Keep the exhaust fan on during and after your showers. Open your bathroom windows and shut the door. Lower the humidity with a dehumidifier. Turn on the air conditioner. Leave the shower door or curtain open after showering. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Work-Plan | How to Write a Work Plan | To write a work plan, start by defining a specific, measurable goal that you want to accomplish, like increasing sales by 50% by the end of the year. Then, list the resources that are available to help everyone involved accomplish the goal. You'll also want to mention any constraints or obstacles that might get in the way and how you plan on dealing with them. Also, make sure you clearly explain to everyone involved what they're accountable for. Finally, come up with a strategy for how you and your team are going to be successful. | Identify the purpose for your work plan . Work plans are written for various reasons. Determine the purpose up front so you can prepare properly. Keep in mind that most work plans are for a certain period of time (i.e., 6 months or 1 year). In the workplace, work plans help your supervisor know what projects you will be working on over the next several months. These often come right after an annual performance review or as teams undertake large projects. Work plans can also be the result of strategic planning sessions your organization holds at the beginning of a new calendar or fiscal year. In the academic world, work plans can help students create a schedule for a large project. They can also help teachers plan their course material for the semester. For a personal project, work plans will help you delineate what you intend to do, how you intend to do it, and by what date you intend to have it done. Personal work plans, while not strictly necessary, will help the individual keep track of his/her goals and progress. Write the introduction and background. For professional work plans, you may have to write an introduction and background. These provide your supervisor or manager with the information they need to put your work plan into context. Writing an introduction and background is often unnecessary for an academic work plan. The introduction should be short and engaging. Remind your superiors why you are creating this work plan. Introduce the specific project(s) you will be working on during this time period. The background should highlight the reasons you are creating this work plan. For example, recite details or statistics from recent reports, identify problems that need to be addressed, or build off of recommendations or feedback you received during previous work projects. Determine your goal(s) and objectives. Goals and objectives are related in that they both point to things you hope to accomplish through your work plan. However, remember the differences, too; goals are general and objectives are more specific. Goals should focus on the big picture of your project. List the desired ultimate outcome of your work plan. Keep it broad; for example, make your goal be to complete a research paper or to learn more about writing. Objectives should be specific and tangible. In other words, you should be able to check these off your list when you accomplish them. For example, finding people to interview for your research paper would make a good objective. Many work plans break down objectives into short- , middle- , and long-term objectives if they vary significantly. For example, a company's short-term goal to increase viewership 30% in three months may vary significantly from its long-term goal to strengthen brand visibility in social media outlets over the next year. Objectives are generally written in the active voice and use action verbs with specific meanings (e.g. "plan," "write," "increase," and "measure") instead of verbs with vaguer meanings (e.g. "examine," "understand," "know," etc.). Consider ordering your work plan by "SMART" objectives. SMART is an acronym used by individuals searching for more tangible, actionable outcomes in work plans. Specific. What exactly are we going to do for whom? Lay out what population you are going to serve and any specific actions you will use to help that population. Measurable. Is it quantifiable and can we measure it? Can you count the results? Did you structure the work plan so that "health in South Africa would increase in 2020?" or did you structure it so that "cases of HIV/AIDS in newborn South African babies would decrease 20% by 2020?" Remember that a baseline number needs to be established to quantify change. If you don't know the incidence rate of HIV/AIDS among South African newborns, it's going to be impossible to reliably say that you decreased incidence rates by 20%. Achievable. Can we get it done in the time allotted with the resources we have available? The objective needs to be realistic given the constraints. Increasing sales by 500% is reasonable only if you're a small company. Increasing sales by 500% if you dominate the market is near impossible. In some cases, an expert or authority may need to be consulted to figure out if your work plan objectives are achievable. Relevant. Will this objective have an effect on the desired goal or strategy? Although it's probably important for overall health, does measuring the height and weight of high-schoolers directly lead to change in mental health procedures? Make sure your objectives and methods have a clear, intuitive relationship. Time bound. When will this objective be accomplished, and/or when will we know we are done? Specify a hard end date for the project. Stipulate which, if any, outcomes would cause your project to come to a premature end, with all outcomes having been achieved. List your resources. Include anything that will be necessary for you to achieve your goals and objectives. Resources will vary, depending on the purpose of your work plan. At the workplace, resources can include things like financial budget, personnel, consultants, buildings or rooms, and books. A detailed budget may appear in an appendix if your work plan is more formal. In the academic arena, resources may include access to different libraries; research materials like books, newspapers, and journals; computer and Internet access; and professors or other individuals who can help you if you have questions. Identify any constraints. Constraints are obstacles that may get in the way of achieving your goals and objectives. For example, if you are working on a research paper for school, you may find that your schedule is too crowded to allow you to research and write properly. Therefore, a constraint would be your overwhelming schedule, and you would need to cut something out during the semester in order to complete your work plan effectively. (Planning is needed if you are taking more than one hard class per-semester.) Who is accountable. Accountability is essential for a good plan. Who is responsible for completing each task? There can be a team of people working on a task (see resources) but one person has to be answerable to a task being completed on time. Write your strategy. Look over your work plan and decide how you will use your resources and overcome your constraints in order to reach your goals and objectives. List specific action steps. Identify what needs to happen each day or week for you to complete your objectives. Also, list steps other people on your team will need to take. Consider using project management software or a personal calendar to keep this information organized. Create a schedule. Though you can create a tentative work schedule, realize that unexpected things happen and you need to build space into your schedule to prevent falling behind. | Identify the purpose for your work plan Write the introduction and background. Determine your goal(s) and objectives. Consider ordering your work plan by "SMART" objectives. List your resources. Identify any constraints. Who is accountable. Write your strategy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Friends-With-Your-Ex-Boyfriend | How to Be Friends With Your Ex Boyfriend | Being friends with your ex-boyfriend can work well if you're clear about your boundaries and take it slow. You'll both need time to recover from your breakup, so give each other some space for a while. In the meantime, focus on doing the things you love and building your confidence. When you feel like you're over the breakup, you can make contact with your ex. Make sure you're clear with him about only being friends and don't give any signs that you have feelings for him, since this can be confusing. After you've talked a few times, consider hanging out in groups or on small social outings, like a trip to a café or museum. Avoid drinking or going to dinner together, since this can bring back old memories and make things awkward. | Recognize that not all exes are friend material. There are are a variety of reasons for not becoming friends with an ex-boyfriend. He may still have his heart set on you - in this case, hanging out with him as a mere friend is cruel. The opposite may be true - if you're still into him, you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment. Finally, your breakup may have been because of something so serious that it's impossible to look at each other without resentment. If either of you has been deeply hurt, give each other a wide berth. Even if he's calm, emotionally stable, and your history doesn't contain any gaping wounds, you simply might not want to see your ex again. This is fine. Exes don't necessarily have to be friends. Give him time. Even the cleanest breakups can be the cause of hard feelings for both parties. Immediately after a breakup, there's a chance he'll be sad or angry. This is no time to approach him as a friend. Wait for his emotional waters to settle before proceeding. Similarly, listen to your own heart. If you've still got lingering anger or you're a little depressed, give yourself some time to settle before you make contact. The length of time you spend apart from each other after a breakup will likely depend on the circumstances of the breakup itself. "Messier" breakups can require months or even years before your feelings have calmed to the point where a normal, friendly relationship is possible. Work on yourself. The period after a breakup is a great opportunity for reflection and self-improvement. After you've given your emotions some time to normalize, spend the time you previously spent with your boyfriend on yourself instead. Devote yourself to your hobbies or schoolwork. Spend time learning a new skill. Do things you like to do, alone or with friends. By improving yourself, you're also restoring your self-confidence and your sense of self-reliance, which will make it much easier to start new friendships (and, coincidentally, romances.) After a few weeks of self-improvement, you may find that you don't even think about your ex anymore! This will make it much easier to either start a new friendship with him or ignore him entirely - whichever you choose. Make contact. After you've spent some serious time on yourself and you feel ready to take the plunge, call, text, email, or otherwise contact your ex. Test the waters gently - you may want to talk to one of his friends first to get a sense of his emotional state beforehand. Keep things as light as possible - don't talk about your old relationship or your break up. Just say that you haven't seen him in a long time and you'd like to casually meet up. If you're truly "over it", this should be the truth! If your ex doesn't immediately respond to your attempts to make contact, don't try again right away. He may not have progressed past the relationship as quickly as you have. Give him more time. Whatever you do, don't leave dozens of messages on his phone! If you feel the temptation to do this, you're almost certainly not ready for a friendship yet. Spend time with him (cautiously. ) Hang out with your ex on small social outings. At first, keep hang outs short and modest - a trip to a cafe or an art museum, for instance. Keep a full schedule (or at least pretend to.) If things get awkward, you can always use the excuse that you're running late for something else to get out of there! Definitely don't do anything together that can be construed as a date. Don't stay out late, drink alcohol, or go dancing. You could find yourself falling for each other again, and if you haven't fixed the things that led to your breakup, you'll be setting yourself up for future heartbreak. Worse, you could ruin any new romances either of you has started with other people. Tell him directly that you want to be friends. Your ex might be confused about your intentions if you're not perfectly clear with him about what you want. Simply say, "I hope we can still be friends" or ask the question "We're still friends, right?" Don't leave this issue unaddressed - if you're vague about what you want from your new relationship, he might think you're trying to get back together with him. Spare yourself some terrible drama by being open and honest with him from the get-go. Don't pretend that nothing's changed. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to act like nothing's happened after a breakup. Doing so gives off the impression that you never cared. It can really hurt his feelings - at this point, that shouldn't be something you're trying to do. After you make contact, acknowledge your breakup without dwelling on it. You might try using phrases like these: "I'm so glad I got to see you again." "I really hope you're doing better. I am." "I want to move on and start over as friends." Tell other people that you're just friends. If his friends knew about your old relationship, they'll be curious to know what's going on. If you have any reason to suspect he won't be honest with his friends, don't let him spin them a lie. Tell them you're looking to be friends with him and nothing more. If they hear from him that you're desperate to get back together but they hear from you that you're not, they'll probably (correctly) assume that he's the desperate one. This has an added benefit - he'll probably talk to his friends, and they'll tell him that you said your relationship is only a friendly one. If he sees that you're defining your relationship in platonic terms in front of other people, he'll have a greater incentive to respect your opinion. If you have a new boyfriend or he has a new girlfriend, be sure to make your friendly intentions clear to these people right away. Even if you do, feelings of jealousy may be unavoidable - if so, you'll have to weigh these against your new friendship with your ex. Show that you still care about him. Make sure that he knows he can still turn to you when he's feeling down. If he is having a bad day, talk to him. Show him that you still care for his feelings. However, do this as a friend would - don't hold him, hug him, or do anything else that might rouse old feelings. Instead, offer to talk to him - often, he'll appreciate being able to talk about his problems to someone who understands him well. Conversely, let him (respectfully) show that he cares about you. He probably does. Accept his good wishes and talk to him if you need to, but don't let him use your vulnerability as an excuse to get into your heart again. Know the signs that show he's still into you. It's difficult for anyone to suddenly view someone they used to love as a mere platonic friend. Some people simply can't do it. If your ex boyfriend is showing any of the following behavior, you may want to consider giving him more time to move on: Calling or texting you regularly without a specific reason Constantly talking to your friends Making inappropriate, overly-intimate jokes or references Bringing up things about your old relationship Touching or brushing up against you, accidentally or otherwise Explain things very clearly to a new BF. If you've gotten a new boyfriend since you broke up with your ex, the situation becomes substantially more complex. Even the most understanding boyfriends will likely be a little jealous at first. Some may never stop being jealous. The best you can do is to clearly and calmly explain that you're not "into" your old ex. Explain to your current boyfriend that you love him only and that you're just looking for harmless, inconsequential fun with the ex - nothing more. Make it very, very clear that you don't (even better if you say that you can't ) think of your ex in "that way" any more. Your ex will also need to have this conversation with his new significant other, if he has one. Don't do anything to give your new boyfriend any reason to suspect foul play. For instance, don't stay out later than you said you would until he becomes comfortable with you hanging around your ex. However, if your new boyfriend is acting very paranoid about your new friendship (constantly texting you for updates while you're hanging out with the ex, etc.), it's OK to dress him down. If you've given him no reason not to trust you, you deserve his trust. Don't fall into old patterns. If you want to be friends with an ex, do not do the things you used to do when you were dating. If you do, you're inviting inappropriate feelings of infidelity (if you have a new boyfriend) and setting yourself up for a "relapse" and possible heartbreak. Start anew - take the opportunity to experience new sights and activities as friends. Avoid locations you used to visit - don't go to the restaurant you used to get breakfast at or the bar where you first met. Refuse to participate in the activities you used to do together - if he invites you to feed the ducks at the park like you used to do every Sunday, tell him you'd rather meet for coffee. Make sure your ex and you aren't still hurting. Initial interactions with your ex can be tense, but, with luck, this will soon give way to cordial politeness. Once you've let your guards down, however, you may discover that one or both of you still harbors emotional wounds. Deep-rooted feelings of betrayal and heartbreak can take time to emerge. If you encounter these things, they may be signs that you and your ex aren't ready to be friends yet. If you get sad or angry around your ex despite both of you projecting a happy exterior, or if you always feel that you want to say more to him than you can politely say, your problems might not be sorted out yet. Take some time off from your friendship. Conversely, if he seems moody or irritable or he won't talk to you about anything meaningful despite his willingness to meet, he's probably thinking about your old relationship and/or the things that led you to break up. You can ask him if he is, but be warned that this can push him towards irrational anger or sadness. Allow your relationship to gradually deepen. Over time, you may grow close to each other again. Take things slowly - only allow your friendship to mature when doing so seems natural. Establish boundaries for yourself early on - things you won't do or talk about with this person - and only lift the boundaries when you're sure you can trust him Equally likely is the possibility that you find you don't like being friends with your ex! In this case, just stop hanging out with him, but be warned - he might not give up as easily. Awkward feelings of clingy-ness are, unfortunately, a very real possibility when trying to start a friendship with an ex. | Recognize that not all exes are friend material. Give him time. Work on yourself. Make contact. Spend time with him (cautiously. Tell him directly that you want to be friends. Don't pretend that nothing's changed. Tell other people that you're just friends. Show that you still care about him. Know the signs that show he's still into you. Explain things very clearly to a new BF. Don't fall into old patterns. Make sure your ex and you aren't still hurting. Allow your relationship to gradually deepen. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Ex-to-Fall-for-You-Again | How to Get Your Ex to Fall for You Again | Getting your ex back might not be easy, but you can give yourself the best chance by playing it cool and finding ways to reconnect with them. To avoid scaring your ex away, act casual if you bump into them, and give it some time before you try to contact them again. Once you get back in touch with them, keep things light by chatting about daily events or things that are happening at school or work. If you decide to meet up, ask your ex if they'd like to have coffee or lunch, which seems less serious than evening plans. During your time together, show off your best qualities, like your quirky sense of humor or your empathy, to remind your ex why they fell for you to begin with. | Keep your distance. While you are deciding whether or not you want to get back together with your ex, you should not be in contact with them. It is important to have no contact with your ex to deal with your emotions, process the breakup, and prepare to move on. Even if you decide that you want to get back together, you will still need time to yourself and so will your ex. Determine if your ex is available. Before you try to determine if getting back together with your ex is the right decision, you may want to find out if your ex is even available. If it has been a while since the two of you broke up, then your ex may be seeing someone else. In this case, you may be better off pursuing relationships with other people instead. Don't try to reunite with your ex if they are seeing someone else. Just pursue your own interests, see other people, and be patient. Consider why you want your ex back. While the relationship may have been great, sometimes it really is better to let a relationship or former partner go. Before you start trying to get your ex back, consider your reasons for wanting to do so. Some good reasons to get back together include: your timing was off the first time you were together, you needed more time to get over a previous relationship, or you have developed a new appreciation for what your ex provided for you. Some bad reasons to try to get back with your ex include: you're scared of being alone (of course you're lonely after a relationship goes south, but that doesn't mean you should plunge right back into that relationship); you miss the familiar (again, there's no issue with this feeling, but it doesn't mean you should get back together); you're jealous of their new relationship (again, a totally allowable feeling, but not a good basis for a fresh relationship attempt). You should enlist a trusted friend, family member, or therapist, to consider why you want to get back with your ex. They will help you tease out some less-than-stellar reasons and maybe help you move on. Decide if the relationship was healthy and worth reviving. In addition to considering your reasons for wanting to reunite with your ex, you should also consider the relationship overall to decide if it is worth reviving. If you broke up because the relationship was bad for one or both of you, then you may want to take some more time to consider whether it is worth reviving. For example, if you fought all of the time and did not enjoy spending time together, then the relationship is probably not worth reviving. Make a list of pros and cons if you are unsure. If you have a lot of mixed feelings about why you want to get back together and if the relationship is worth reviving, try making a list of pros and cons to help you decide. Be honest with yourself as you make this list and don't omit anything because it seems small or insignificant. List everything you can to get a good picture of the relationship and make a decision. Focus on yourself. Even if you are 100% sure that you want to get back together with your ex, it is important to take time to focus on yourself first of all. Use the extra time that you have to improve yourself and getting back with your ex may come easier as a result. Some things you might do to focus on you include: Taking up a new hobby. Improving your health with a new exercise and diet regimen. Starting a journal to record your thoughts and feelings. Spending more time with your friends. Act casual. It is important not to seem desperate if you want to get your ex back. Therefore, you should not let them know right away that you are interested in getting back together. Doing so may frighten your ex off and ruin your chances of reviving the relationship. Reestablish contact. Send your ex a text message to reestablish contact with them. Texts are ideal because they are more casual than a phone call or email. Texts are also less likely to be shared or discussed, so it is a more private way to communicate with your ex. Keep the message light and casual. Don't say anything intense like, “I can't live without you.” Tell your ex about something funny that happened to you or something interesting that reminded you of your ex. Make sure that you are sober when you reconnect with your ex. Drunk texts or calls are a recipe for disaster. Meet up for coffee or lunch. The best time to meet up with an ex again is during the day because it will seem less serious than a nighttime meeting. Ask your ex if they would like to meet up with you for coffee or lunch. This will give you a chance to catch up, break the ice, and decide if you want to keep pursuing a reconciliation with your ex or not. Don't say anything about getting back together during your first meeting. Just have a nice, fun chat together and leave it at that for now. Make sure that you look fantastic when you first meet up again. Looking your best will help you to feel confident and it will make it more likely that your ex will want to get back together with you. Remind your ex of happy memories. Talking about happy memories is a good way to rekindle an old flame. By reminding your ex of happy time that you shared, you will help them to see the good in your relationship and feel more open to reconciliation. Put your best assets on display. As you attempt to get your ex to fall for you again, you should consider the things that attracted them to you in the first place and look for ways to showcase them. For example, if your ex was first attracted to you because of your sense of humor, find ways to make them laugh. Or, if your ex always admired your cooking skills, find a way to casually mention something you cooked recently. Be patient. Although it may be hard, you need to be very patient when you first start talking to your ex again. If your ex does not respond to your first text, don't keep texting in an effort to get them to respond. Just wait and see if they respond. If not, then try again in a few days. Watch for signs of interest. If your ex has not responded to any of your texts and/or seems cold other times that you have talked to them, then it is safe to assume that reuniting is not an option right now. But if your ex seems warm, friendly, and excited to hear from you, then you may have a shot. Say what is on your mind. At some point, you will have to tell your ex how you feel and what you want to do about it. Having this conversation may be awkward, but if your ex has not brought up the possibility of getting back together, then you may have to do it yourself. Make sure that you indicate a willingness to work on things and a clear interest in getting back together. Be prepared to talk about what went wrong the first time you were together. It is inevitable that you and your ex will discuss the reasons why you broke up in the first place. Your ex may be skeptical of your growth or willingness to change, so you may have to reassure them. Make sure that you are prepared to talk about what you have done or will do to make sure that the relationship does not hit the same snags the second time around. Commit to change. If you say that you are going to work on certain things or commit to change yourself in some way, be prepared to actually do the things that you promised you would do. If you do not follow through, then the relationship may soon end again. Make sure that you and your partner are clear on what you both need to work on and that you follow through. Anticipate rejection. In some cases, reconciliation is just not possible. If your ex is unwilling to give it another try, respect them for being honest with you and don't pressure or harass them to get back with you. Chances are that you both need more time or that the relationship just is not worth reviving. | Keep your distance. Determine if your ex is available. Consider why you want your ex back. Decide if the relationship was healthy and worth reviving. Make a list of pros and cons if you are unsure. Focus on yourself. Act casual. Reestablish contact. Meet up for coffee or lunch. Remind your ex of happy memories. Put your best assets on display. Be patient. Watch for signs of interest. Say what is on your mind. Be prepared to talk about what went wrong the first time you were together. Commit to change. Anticipate rejection. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Kombucha | How to Drink Kombucha | Kombucha is a fermented tea with an acidic, effervescent flavor. When you add kombucha to your diet, start with 3 to 4 fluid ounces or less 2 to 3 times a day to allow your body to get used to it. Kombucha changes your gut bacteria, so if you drink too much at once you can get an upset stomach. You might also notice that you have some bloating or gas, which you can ease by drinking some water. Once your body gets used to kombucha, drink up to 12 fluid ounces a day to experience the health benefits without the side effects. | Start off drinking small amounts of kombucha. It's best to start slow whenever you add something new to your diet, especially fermented items. Start with a few sips to get used to the flavor. The first few times you drink kombucha, stick to 3 or 4 fluid ounces (89 or 118 mL) or less 2 to 3 times per day. Kombucha changes your microbiome, or gut bacteria. Drinking a large amount without easing yourself into it can cause an upset stomach. Note any unusual side effects, such as bloating or gas. Some people experience mild, temporary stomach upset, nausea, or changes in bowel movements. Serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, are rare. Signs of an allergic reaction include rash, swelling of the hands or face, trouble breathing, and an itchy sensation in the mouth or throat. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of a food allergy. If you get an upset stomach, drinking water may help you feel better. If you want to keep drinking kombucha, limit your daily intake to 4 fluid ounces (120 mL) and drink a full glass of water after consuming kombucha. Drink up to 12 fluid ounces (350 mL) of kombucha per day. The U.S. American Nutrition Association advises limiting consumption to 4 fluid ounces (120 mL) at a time up to 3 times per day. Drinking any more than that doesn't offer any extra health benefits. Other authoritative agencies suggest capping daily consumption at 4 fluid ounces (120 mL), so start from there and see how it affects you. Kombucha is generally considered safe for healthy people to drink. Just keep in mind consuming too much kombucha or other fermented products can lead to undesired side effects, such as mild gas or bloating. Take claims of health benefits with a grain of salt. Fans of kombucha argue that it can help treat medical conditions ranging from high blood pressure to cancer. However, there's not much evidence for most of the health benefits attributed to kombucha. If it makes you feel good, drink it, but try not to think of it as a cure-all. There is evidence that the healthy bacteria found in kombucha and other fermented products are good for the digestive system. It also may contain small amounts of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. Try tasting different flavors of kombucha. Kombucha comes in a variety of flavors, such as ginger, lemon, mango, raspberry, and strawberry. Buy bottles of different flavors at your local grocery or health food store, and see which ones you like best. You could also look online for nearby kombucha taprooms or tasting rooms. If there's one nearby, you can order flights of assorted kombuchas, and talk to brewers about their techniques and flavoring agents. Go for glass-brewed kombucha with natural ingredients. Check the label, and make sure it notes the kombucha was brewed in glass. Read the ingredients, which should list tea, water, sugar, and culture, along with natural flavorings, such as ginger or citrus. Finally, unless you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant, choose unpasteurized kombucha. Pasteurization kills the good bacteria along with the bad. Since kombucha is acidic, it's safe to drink unpasteurized. Note that pasteurized products are the safest choice if you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant. Brewing kombucha in plastic or steel can cause leeching, so products brewed and stored in glass are the best choice. Dark glass is also preferable to clear glass. Dark glass helps filter light, which can damage probiotic bacteria. Avoid drinking kombucha if you have a weakened immune system. Kombucha and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, can cause infections in people with compromised immune systems. Talk to your doctor first if you have an immune condition, such as HIV/AIDS, are sick, have recently had surgery, or take a medication that affects your immune system. Medications that weaken the immune system include corticosteroids, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It's especially important to avoid home-brewed kombucha if you have an immune condition. Pasteurized commercially brewed products are the safest choices. Don't drink kombucha if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant women have weaker immune systems and are at a greater risk of getting sick. Additionally, kombucha contains caffeine and alcohol, which should both be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It's especially important to avoid unpasteurized and home-brewed kombucha. Home-brewed kombucha is more likely to contain harmful bacteria and higher amounts of alcohol. Consult your doctor first if you have a preexisting condition. Kombucha may also cause undesirable effects for people with conditions other than weakened immune systems. For instance, it can affect blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes and take insulin. Don't use kombucha to treat any medical condition or use it in place of medication prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Don't stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting your prescriber. Check a product's label for information about its alcohol content. As a result of the fermentation process, kombucha contains small amounts of alcohol. Store-bought products that contain less than 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) are not legally considered alcoholic beverages. However, be sure to check product labels, as some contain levels of 2.5% or greater. If you're a recovering alcoholic or can't drink alcohol, avoid drinking kombucha or go for products with an ABV less than 0.5%. If you like trying out new alcoholic beverages, you can find kombucha beer that contain 5 to 8% ABV. Remember to always drink responsibly. Even if it seems like a healthy drink, kombucha beer is an alcoholic beverage with the same content of alcohol as a standard beer. Acquire a safe SCOBY online or from a kombucha-making friend. See if you can get a SCOBY from a knowledgeable, experienced friend. Alternatively, search online for a local fermented food co-op or a health store that carries SCOBY. SCOBY is an acronym that means “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.” These are microscopic organisms that ferment tea and sugar, which turns these ingredients into kombucha. Get your SCOBY from a reliable source. It's a colony of bacteria and yeast, so you want to make sure it's been properly cultured. Always inspect your SCOBY for mold, fungal growth, or strange discoloration before using it. A SCOBY looks like a filmy, light-brown, beige, or deep yellow mat. It's typically stored in the fridge or at room temperature in a small amount of already-fermented kombucha. To avoid contaminating it, wear non-latex gloves when handling a SCOBY. For help in keeping SCOBY safely stored, see How to Store SCOBY. Wash your hands and sanitize containers and utensils. Unsanitary conditions can lead to a contaminated batch, which can cause serious illness. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot water and soap before brewing kombucha. Wash containers and utensils with hot, soapy water, then wipe down all surfaces with a paper towel dipped in distilled vinegar. Wear non-latex gloves while you prepare your batch to further reduce the risk of contamination. Boil 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled water, then add sugar and the tea bags. Bring the filtered or distilled water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup (198 g) of white granulated sugar, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat, add 8 to 10 black or green tea bags, and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Use only black or green tea to make kombucha. Herbal teas or teas with added flavors can affect the health of the culture. Cool the tea to room temperature, then pour in the remaining water. Remove the bags after you've steeped the tea for 10 minutes. Pour the sweetened tea into a 1 gallon (3.8 L) glass jar or container. Once it has cooled to about 70 to 80 °F (21 to 27 °C), add 3 ⁄ 2 US quarts (3.3 L) of room temperature filtered or distilled water. The ideal temperature to ferment kombucha is 72 to 84 °F (22 to 29 °C). Add the SCOBY and cover the container with a coffee filter. Your SCOBY will most likely be stored in a small amount of already-brewed kombucha. When the sweetened tea has cooled to 72 to 84 °F (22 to 29 °C), pour both the SCOBY and the already-brewed kombucha into it. Then cover the top of the jar with 1 to 2 coffee filters, and secure them tightly over the rim with rubber bands. The starter liquid that the SCOBY is stored in will help hasten the fermentation process. Generally, SCOBY are stored in about 1 cup (240 mL) of already-fermented, unflavored kombucha. If your SCOBY isn't stored in kombucha, you should still add unflavored kombucha to the sweetened tea help encourage fermentation. Allow the kombucha to ferment at room temperature for 7 to 10 days. Keep the jar out of direct sunlight during the fermentation process. Do your best to keep it in a spot that stays at a constant temperature between 72 and 84 °F (22 and 29 °C). The pantry or a cupboard above your stove could be good storage options. If you like to bake bread, think of spots around the house where you like to proof your dough. Warm, dark environments that promote yeast growth in bread dough would similarly encourage your kombucha to ferment. Test the pH after fermentation. Use a digital pH reader or a home kit with pH test strips, which you can find online and at many major retail stores. Make sure your fermented batch has a pH between 4.2 and 2.5. It needs to be acidic in order to prevent harmful bacterial growth, but too much acidity isn't good for you. The lower the number, the higher the acidity. A pH of 2.5 is more acidic than a pH of 4.2, and 7 is pH neutral. If the pH doesn't reach 4.2 in 7 days, discard the batch and start over, preferably with a new store-bought culture. Pour most of the brew into a separate container to add flavorings. After you've reached a pH under 4.2, pour out the jar's contents, leaving behind the SCOBY and about 1 cup (240 mL) of kombucha. Pour the batch into smaller separate containers, and try flavoring your kombucha with varied ingredients. Add flavoring agents to 6 cup (1.4 L) portions of your kombucha, and use a wooden spoon to muddle them into the liquid. Try adding 2 ounces (57 g) of fresh sliced ginger and 2 cups (470 mL) of apple cider vinegar to 6 cups (1.4 L) of your kombucha. For a fresh citrus flavor, mix ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) each of lemon and lime juice with 6 cups (1.4 L) of kombucha. Add ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of thawed, muddled frozen berries and 2 ounces (57 g) of fresh sliced ginger for a berry kombucha. Strain your kombucha, if desired, and store it in the fridge. Strain your kombucha through a fine sieve if you want to remove pieces of ginger or yeasty residue. Store your kombucha in airtight containers in the fridge, and try to drink it within 6 months. Refrigerated kombucha doesn't truly expire, but the alcohol content will slowly increase and the flavors will change over time. Reserve about 1 cup (240 mL) of the batch to store the SCOBY. Transfer the SCOBY and the remaining 1 cup (240 mL) unflavored kombucha from the large jar to a smaller, sterilized lidded container. To pause the fermentation process, store the sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Within 3 months, use the stored SCOBY to make a new batch of kombucha. Repeat the fermentation steps, and add the SCOBY and the 1 cup (240 mL) of kombucha you've stored it in to freshly brewed sweetened tea. You can continue to reuse the SCOBY to brew batches of kombucha, as long as you refrigerate it to pause the fermentation process and make a fresh batch within 3 months. Just make sure it doesn't have any unusual growths or discoloration. It'll grow larger; if you'd like, cut off 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) slices and give them to a friend. Finished. | Start off drinking small amounts of kombucha. Note any unusual side effects, such as bloating or gas. Drink up to 12 fluid ounces (350 mL) of kombucha per day. Take claims of health benefits with a grain of salt. Try tasting different flavors of kombucha. Go for glass-brewed kombucha with natural ingredients. Avoid drinking kombucha if you have a weakened immune system. Don't drink kombucha if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor first if you have a preexisting condition. Check a product's label for information about its alcohol content. Acquire a safe SCOBY online or from a kombucha-making friend. Wash your hands and sanitize containers and utensils. Boil 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled water, then add sugar and the tea bags. Cool the tea to room temperature, then pour in the remaining water. Add the SCOBY and cover the container with a coffee filter. Allow the kombucha to ferment at room temperature for 7 to 10 days. Test the pH after fermentation. Pour most of the brew into a separate container to add flavorings. Strain your kombucha, if desired, and store it in the fridge. Reserve about 1 cup (240 mL) of the batch to store the SCOBY. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Begin-A-Home-Sewing-Business | How to Begin A Home Sewing Business | Starting a home sewing business can give you more freedom over your work hours and projects, but it will take some effort and knowledge to set up properly. Before you start your business, you'll need professional-level sewing skills, a dedicated space for sewing and meeting clients, and high quality sewing equipment. You'll need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service to start trading. Then, decide on which services you'll offer and how much you'll charge for them. Research what other local seamstresses offer to help you plan this. You'll also want to create a portfolio of your work to highlight your style to clients. | Assess your abilities as a seamstress. Before you begin planning to establish a home sewing business, you first need to honestly assess your abilities as a seamstress. Taking an objective view of your skills can help you decide if starting a sewing business is the right option for you. An excellent way to assess your skills is to compare your work to other seamstresses in your area. Is your work comparable or better? You can't expect to be successful if you can't compete. Do you frequently have people asking you who sewed your clothing? If so, this might be a good sign that your skills are in demand, especially because word of mouth can be a powerful advertising tool. Think about how a home sewing business will fit into your lifestyle. Consider how having a home sewing business will fit into your lifestyle and even that of your family. Knowing whether or not the time, emotional, and physical demands of being a seamstress fit in with your lifestyle is important if you want to run a successful business. Are you able to handle the physical demands? Sewing for money may mean you are sitting or hunched over a sewing machine for long hours. Think about if being a seamstress with a home business fits your personality. Client management is a significant part of the job and if you don't like working with people, this may not be the right choice for you. You will need to allot a specific space in your home for your business, especially if you are going to meet with clients. Are you willing to give up space in your home? You may also want to consider your location. If your home is in an isolated region, it may be difficult for potential clients to reach you. Examine if a home sewing business meets your financial needs. Seamstresses earn on average about $29,000 per year. This amount can change depending on how often and where you work. Only proceed with your plans if the average pay or below meets your financial needs. The average salary for seamstresses in general works out to $13.85 per hour, which is above the minimum wage. For home seamstresses, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an average annual income of 23,430, or $11.26/ hour. An excellent way to gauge prices is by checking the prices of comparable services in your local area. You want to stay competitive with your prices while making sure you're compensated fairly for your work. A mentor may be able to help you figure out fair prices for you and your clients. One aspect to consider when assessing your prices is how quickly you sew. If it takes you a longer time to sew or you are quick, you'll want to adjust your prices based on your speed to help ensure you're getting paid an amount commensurate to your skills and work. Remember that you will have to pay taxes and other fees for your business. Check your current sewing equipment. You'll need to have a high-quality, heavy duty or industrial sewing machine to withstand repeated use. You'll also need a supply of fabrics, threads and needles. If you need to invest significantly in starting your home sewing business, it may not be the right decision for you. You will need a second sewing machine on hand in case your first needs repair. Remember that quality equipment is the core of your business and will allow you to garner income. Start your home business. You may need to found a legal entity to legitimize your business. Starting your business as a legal entity, including having a marketing strategy and billing structure, can help show potential clients that you are a serious businessperson. If you have any questions, consult the Small Business Administration, which was set up to help smaller companies. Check with local authorities to ensure you have all of the correct licenses, certificates, and any insurance you need to start your business. The Small Business Administration can also help if you have any questions. In some cases, you may not have to set up a legal entity for a home business. However, it may be advisable to establish a proper business to limit your potential personal liability if problems with your business arise. Make sure to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other tax authorities. You may want to hire a local accountant to help you navigate the financial side of your business, from registering with the IRS to budgeting. Create short and long-term business plans. Write out short and long term plans to guide your business. This is important to help develop your business and accommodate for any contingency such as an illness or a lawsuit. Be as detailed in your plan as possible. List owner and any employees' responsibilities. Create a working list of services and prices that you can tailor to demand. Finally, make sure to calculate any costs you may have to take on for supplies and payroll. Designate a space for a home sewing studio. You will need to have a designated space in your home to run your sewing business. Set aside a room or rooms where you can do your work without interruption. You will need sufficient space to meet with clients, complete your sewing projects, and store your materials. Make the space warm and inviting to your clients. It should be clean and tidy. You will also want to make sure that potential clients have privacy to try on garments. If possible, set up a separate entrance to your sewing studio for your clients. Otherwise, you will have customers walking through your home, which will require you to have it tidy, clean, and presentable at all times. Purchase supplies. You should have listed your various sewing supplies in your business plan. Once you've established your company, purchase any additional supplies you may need to get started. In addition to having a high-quality sewing machine and a backup machine, make sure you have sufficient thread, needles, and embroidery supplies. It's also important to have a high-quality pair of scissors that will not damage fabric. If you have a computerized sewing machines, you may want to purchase additional software for making patterns. Find a mentor for you and your business. Seek an experienced mentor who understands either small businesses or the sewing business. She will help grow your business and guide you through difficult times or situations. This person can offer invaluable advice on everything from pricing to dealing with difficult clients or continuing your education as a seamstress. Offer different sewing services. Most seamstresses will offer different services such as repairing clothing, hemming, and sewing new garments. The more diversified your services, the more likely you are to be successful. If you decide to offer additional services, you'll need to make sure you're aware of different clothing trends and sewing methods. You can find this information by reading trade publications and fashion magazines. Even if you offer several different services, it's a good idea to have a type of sewing on which you specialize to help attract clients. For example, maybe you work very well with delicate fabrics such as lace. Consider specializing in sewing wedding dresses. It's important to not be too diversified. Offer several different services that you do well instead of dozens that you do marginally. Set up a pricing structure. Set up pricing structure for your services. Knowing how much you want to charge in advance can make you appear more professional when you meet with potential clients. You may want to set base rates and tailor them according to how much work each individual job will cost. Looking at what other seamstresses or companies charge will give you a point of reference. Make sure your prices are commensurate with your experience and the location in which you're offering sewing services. For example, sewing jobs in places such as Michigan won't cost as much as Nevada. Install an invoicing and payment system. Once you know your price structure, install an invoicing and payment system. Consider the types of payment you will accept and how you will write receipts, which will help legitimize your business and make it easier to report income. Make sure to have a separate bank account for your business than you do for personal finances. Likewise, have separate credit lines for your business than you do for yourself. Make sure every aspect of your pricing and billing is transparent to clients and vendors. Maintaining fair business practices is vital to your success. Make a portfolio of your work that shows your signature style. This will be one of your many calling cards that you can show potential and actual clients. You can also use your portfolio to advertise on the web and social media. Having a special or signature style that distinguishes you from other seamstresses will attract clients to your business. Take pictures of any services you complete and consistently update them on your web presence. Make sure to include a different types and styles of sewing jobs to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and budgets clients may have. Set up a marketing strategy. Ads are often the first impression potential clients have of you and you'll want to consider different media to attract clients. Hooking your potential customers and keeping the message simple and concise can help attract a wide array clients. If you decide to design your own ads and website, research local businesses advertising to guide your design. You want your brand to be simple, distinctive, and attractive to your clients and potential customers. Design your ads to complement your brand. Use similar color and design schemes so that clients and potential customers associate these elements with you. Small businesses rely heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. Build clientele through referrals and maintaining strong business relationships with your clients. Partner with other businesses to advertise your home sewing business. You can work out a system where other local businesses display your business cards in their office in exchange for putting theirs in your home studio. Getting involved in community activities is a type of free marketing. Donating a service or making a contribution to a charity gets your name out in the public you want to serve. Guarantee your products and services. Guarantee the quality of your products and services. If you believe in them enough to guarantee satisfaction, potential clients may be more likely try out your business and current clients may be more likely to keep coming back. Stay on top of sewing methods and garment trends. Clothing and other garments are a very trendy business. Staying abreast of current sewing methods and clothing trends can help your business succeed. Read trade publications, attend sewing conventions, and network with other seamstress to help you stay current in your skills and styles. Sell your products at different sales venues. If you sew original pieces in your home, consider selling your products in different sales venues. There are options to sell your products at festivals and online, which can help increase your profits. Online venues for craft projects including sewing are one good place to get broader exposure for your sewing talents. Local craft fairs, farmer's markets, and festivals may also provide an option for your to sell your products and increase your profits. These venues will also increase your exposure to potential clients in your area. | Assess your abilities as a seamstress. Think about how a home sewing business will fit into your lifestyle. Examine if a home sewing business meets your financial needs. Check your current sewing equipment. Start your home business. Create short and long-term business plans. Designate a space for a home sewing studio. Purchase supplies. Find a mentor for you and your business. Offer different sewing services. Set up a pricing structure. Install an invoicing and payment system. Make a portfolio of your work that shows your signature style. Set up a marketing strategy. Guarantee your products and services. Stay on top of sewing methods and garment trends. Sell your products at different sales venues. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Javanese-Cat | How to Identify a Javanese Cat | To identify a Javanese cat, look for a cat with a medium build, bright blue eyes, and fur that's red, cream, lilac, or brown. Additionally, a Javanese cat's fur will be medium length, silky and soft to the touch, and the longest on its tail. You can also identify the breed by its triangle-shaped head and large, triangle-shaped ears. Generally, the coloring on a Javanese cat's ears is darker than the rest of its body. | Recognize a medium body size and weight. The Javanese is a medium sized cat with a long body. Male cats tend to weigh about 8-12 pounds (approximately 3.5 kg to 5.5 kg) while female cats are smaller in size, weighing under 8 pounds. Both male and female cats are very slender and deceptively muscular. Seek out medium-length, soft hair. Look for soft, medium-length hair when trying to identify a Javanese cat. Cats of this breed have longer hair than their Siamese relatives. This hair is silky and does not have any undercoat, which makes grooming fairly simple. Check out the coloring. Javanese cats typically share coloring with their Balinese relatives. Look for shades of red, cream, lilac, chocolate, or seal brown. The Javanese may also have Tabby or Shaded patterns in their coat. Examine their eyes. Look for medium-sized, almond-shaped eyes. Javanese cats typically have bright, blue eyes, but they can sometimes appear green. Crossed eyes are a health problem with the breed. Look for a triangle-like head. Look for the Javanese's distinctive head shape. The breed is known for its triangle-like head shape, formed by large ears, a wedge-like skull, and a face that tapers to the narrow tip of the nose. The angular shape is especially pronounced given the slenderness of the body. Note the large ears. Javanese cats have especially large ears, particularly in proportion to their slender frame. Look for triangle-shaped ears that are wide at the base and pointed at the top. In addition, the coloring of the ears is often darker than the rest of the Javanese cat's body. Check the tail. Javanese cats have very distinctive tails. Look for a long and thin tail that tapers towards the tip. The cat's hair is longest on the tail, which makes for an especially striking physical feature. Look for similarities with related breeds. When identifying a Javanese cat, look for similarities to Siamese, Colorpoint, and Balinese cats. The Javanese was developed from a foundation of these breeds and shares physical and behavioural similarities. For instance: The Javanese has an almost identical build to the Siamese. The Javanese shares the Colorpoint's coloring. The Javanese is alright being alone during the day but seeks companionship at night, like the Balinese. Note friendliness with people. Javanese cats are incredibly social and very inclined to be around people. Observe the level of friendliness and interest in your activities. Javanese cats not only like to be around people, but to involve themselves in whatever they are doing. A Javanese cat is likely to shadow you and perhaps even emulate you by copying your actions (such as opening cupboard doors). See how easy it is to train. Javanese cats are highly intelligent and known for being easier to train than other breeds of cat. For instance, you might be able to train a Javanese cat how to play fetch or retrieve things for you. Additionally, it may adapt easily to being walked on a leash. Listen for a distinctive voice. Listen for frequent and friendly vocalizing to identify a Javanese cat. Javanese cats love to communicate, but tend to be quieter than their Siamese relatives. This breed is likely to “talk” to you regularly, and not just out of perceived necessity (e.g. hunger, fear). Watch for jumping. Javanese cats are athletic, agile, and curious, and they can jump to great heights. Watch for a cat of this breed to jump onto countertops, bookcases, refrigerators, and other high surfaces with very little effort. Its slender, muscular body allows it to leap with ease. Expect some mischief. Javanese cats are friendly, well-tempered cats, but their curiosity and ability to get themselves into just about anything can lead to some mischief. Look for incidences of rambunctious curiosity or exploration (e.g. removing all the items from a purse, or emptying a tissue box). The breed's dexterity, mobility, and intelligence make tasks like opening doors, getting into cupboards and drawers, and climbing tall furniture very easy. Find a reputable breeder. If you are looking to buy a Javanese cat, it is important to find an upstanding, reputable breeder. Make a list of breeders in your area who deal with Javanese cats and look into their reputations with vets, friends with cats, or cat societies. Breeders should be knowledgeable about Javanese cats and should be registered with a cat society. For instance, visit the Cat Fancier's Association, Inc.'s website for breeder referrals (by state and breed) at http://secure.cfa.org/Search.aspx. Ask for breeding papers. A guaranteed way to identify a Javanese cat is to look at its breeding papers, which a responsible breeder should be able to produce. Breeding papers are registration papers issued by a cat registry attesting to the fact that the cat or kitten in question is a purebred. Good breeders should be registered with a cat registry and produce breeding papers as well as pedigree papers, which show a cat's direct lineage. Use DNA testing. DNA testing is a reliable way to identify a Javanese cat. Home DNA testing kits will allow you to collect DNA from a cat (usually by means of a cheek swab) and mail it to a laboratory for analysis. Look online to comparison shop for DNA testing, which can range between $50-$150 and usually produce results in a few weeks after your sample is mailed. Note that mid-priced test kits can distinguish between more breeds than the less expensive ones, so investing more money may yield better results. | Recognize a medium body size and weight. Seek out medium-length, soft hair. Check out the coloring. Examine their eyes. Look for a triangle-like head. Note the large ears. Check the tail. Look for similarities with related breeds. Note friendliness with people. See how easy it is to train. Listen for a distinctive voice. Watch for jumping. Expect some mischief. Find a reputable breeder. Ask for breeding papers. Use DNA testing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Nail-Polish-out-of-Fabric | How to Get Nail Polish out of Fabric | To get nail polish out of your clothing, start by placing the stained fabric facedown on a layer of paper towels. Then, dip a cotton ball or paper towel in acetone and rub it against the backside of the stained area. Once you've soaked the fabric thoroughly, rinse the clothing in your sink and check to see if the stain is gone. If it is, launder the clothing item as you normally would; if it is not, repeat the stain removal process. | Place the stained fabric facedown on a few paper towels. The part of the fabric that is stained should be against the paper towels. Use this method whether the nail polish is wet or dry. This method works effectively on cotton, linen, silk, denim, and most other fabrics. Proceed with caution if the item in question contains acetate or triacetate since the nail polish remover melts fabrics containing these chemicals. Blot the stained area with acetone. Use a cotton ball or paper towel saturated with acetone (available in drugstores in the nail polish remover section) to blot the backside of the fabric. This action transfers the stain to the paper towel. Rinse and repeat. Take the clothing item to the sink and rinse out the stained area, then place it face down on a clean set of paper towels. Repeat the blotting action to finish transferring the stain to the paper towels. Continue rinsing the fabric and applying more acetone until the paper towels no longer turn the color of the nail polish after blotting; this indicates the stain has been removed. Check the stained area one final time for traces of nail polish. If you see a little color left, dip a cotton ball in acetone and gently remove it. Launder the clothing item. Use a stain remover product on the previously stained area, and then launder the item according to the washing instructions on the tag. The stain should be completely gone and the item ready to wear once it is dry. Wipe off wet polish immediately. If you can catch wet nail polish before it dries on upholstery, you'll have a much easier time removing it. Use a paper towel or cloth to wipe off as much of the wet polish as you can. Don't smear the polish so it covers, even more, surface area on the upholstery; rather, use the paper towel to wipe it off with short swipes that don't spread the polish around. Use the most absorbent cloth or paper towels you can, so you're leaving as little polish as possible to soak into the upholstery. Dab the area with acetone. Use a cotton swap or another tool that allows the precise application to put a few drops of acetone on the stained area. Be sure to apply it only on the stained area. You may want to do a test dab on a part of the upholstery that's usually hidden. Acetone reacts with some types of fabric, including those containing acetate or triacetate, and could make the stained area look worse if you aren't careful. Do not pour the acetone onto the stained fabric since it's harder to control where it flows if you don't use an applicator like a cotton swab or the corner of a paper towel. Use a clean cloth to blot the polish. Blot it over the stained area carefully, and then use a clean section of the towel to blot it again. Apply more acetone and continue blotting until the stain has been removed. Rinse the area with warm water. Use a sponge to wash the area to remove traces of acetone or hydrogen peroxide. Let the upholstery dry completely before using. Use hydrogen peroxide. Some fabrics that don't react well with acetone may perform better if you use the same strategy with hydrogen peroxide. Dab the area with peroxide, blot it with a clean towel and repeat until the stain is gone. Hydrogen peroxide can act as a bleaching agent, so test it on an unnoticeable area of the upholstery before using it on the stained area. Try hairspray. Spray it on the bristles of an old toothbrush, and then use a circular motion to remove the stain from the fabric. Use bug spray. Some say that bug repellent, the type you spray on your body and clothes to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away, works like a charm to remove nail polish stains. Spray it on an old toothbrush, then apply the brush in a circular motion to gently scrub away the stain. Rinse and wash. No matter what method you use, be sure to rinse the previously stained area well to get rid of the traces of the substance you used to remove the nail polish. | Place the stained fabric facedown on a few paper towels. Blot the stained area with acetone. Rinse and repeat. Launder the clothing item. Wipe off wet polish immediately. Dab the area with acetone. Use a clean cloth to blot the polish. Rinse the area with warm water. Use hydrogen peroxide. Try hairspray. Use bug spray. Rinse and wash. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Convince-Your-Husband-to-Have-a-Baby | How to Convince Your Husband to Have a Baby | If your husband's reluctant to have a baby, there are a few different angles you can take to help convince him. Try casually asking what his objections are to having a baby so you can think about your counterarguments. If he's concerned about money, compare your finances with the cost of having a child and show him that you can afford it. If he thinks it's too soon, explain about your biological clock and how women have a certain window when it's best to have children. You can also mention exciting things he'll do with your child, like teaching them to ride a bike, hearing their first word, and watching them walk for the first time. Try to be patient and space out conversations about children so you don't overwhelm your husband. | Think about any prior discussions you have had about children. One thing you may want to think about before you talk to your husband about having a baby is any previous conversations you have had about them. This may be information you can use to help your case. Did he say he wanted children before you got married? Did he say he never wanted children? If he said he wanted children, you can discuss this knowledge with him. If he said he never wanted to have children, you should discuss how you believed he would change his mind after being married for awhile. Set aside a weekly discussion time. During the process of convincing your husband to have a baby, schedule a block of time each week to discuss the prospect of a child. This achieves a few different things for both of you. You both have time to step away and collect your thoughts before you talk again. You can even write down points to make, counterpoints, or new reasons to try to convince him. Stepping away gives you both a chance to get your emotions and anger under control. This helps you be able to think logically and convince him calmly and rationally instead of getting emotional and angry and pushing him away from the idea. Talking about it during a set time helps you refrain from nagging him. If you keep pushing him all day every day, you may convince him not to have a baby instead. Discuss your husband’s fears. If your husband is hesitant about having another child, ask him about his reservations. Figure out why he is hesitant. His fears may be valid, like if you are not in a financially stable place. Talk to your husband and find out what he's scared of. Make sure to listen to what your husband says. Though you may want to have a baby, his feelings are just as valid as yours. Don't dismiss his thoughts just because you want a baby. If you believe you can have a baby despite his fears, discuss this with him. Come up with ways to make it work for your current situation. Listen to his reasons for not wanting a child. During your discussion about having a child, you should listen to your husband. While it may be hard to listen when he's so against something you want, you are both partners for one another. He is one-half of the marriage and deserves to be heard. Ask him why he doesn't want children. Don't argue, but listen to his reasons without interruption. Be polite to each other when listening to each other's wants and feelings. Be respectful and don't be judgmental about your husband's opinions. It may be difficult to stay calm when you are emotional about having a child. If you get too upset and start crying, that's okay. Take a few deep breaths before speaking. If needed, get up and take a brief walk around the house to diffuse your anger. Share your fears about having a child. Let your husband know that you have concerns about having a baby. Even if you want a baby, there are still concerns about bringing another member into the family. Sharing your fears may help reassure your husband and make him not feel so alone. Tell your husband if you are worried about how it will change the family dynamic, affect your other children, or how it will affect your finances. Bring up all the other changes that may happen in your marriage, such as changes in your relationship. Bring your husband details of your finances. You need to show your husband that the two of you can successfully have a baby. One thing that may hold people back from expanding a family is finances. When you are broaching the subject with your husband, show him evidence that you are financially sound. Show your husband that you have looked at your savings and annual income and adjusted expenses to accommodate the new addition. Bring up your careers. Talk about how you both are in good positions at your jobs. Explain to your husband that a baby won't interfere with your jobs. Mention your biological clock. Unlike men, women have a limited amount of time to have babies. For some women, it's longer than others. Explain to your husband that time is a factor where babies are concerned. Tell your husband what you feel about your age and your biological clock. Do you think you are too old? Do you think there are a limited number of years left for you to get pregnant? Discuss the difficulties you may have getting pregnant, or the length of time you may have to try. Mention your future child during activities he loves. Most men have dreams of teaching their children how to play their favorite sports. Others may dream of taking their kids hunting and fishing or working on cars together. Whatever your husband's interests, use it to your advantage. Mention your future kids to him while he's participating in his favorite activity to get him thinking about passing it on to his kids. For example, if your husband is into baseball, watch a baseball game with him. During the game, mention how great it would be to teach your children how to play baseball, dress them in a onesie with his favorite team's logo on it, or take them to games. Talk with your husband about your future possibilities. If you want a child, start discussing with your husband the exciting possibilities your future holds. Talk to him about what you're looking forward to about having a child. Come up with stories and ideas about what you think your family will be like and what you think your child will be like. Ask him how he might feel teaching his kid to drive or watching his baby start walking. Talk to him about what it might feel like to hear his baby say “Da-da” for the first time. Ask him about how it will feel to have a daddy's girl or a son to bear his name. Be patient. Give your husband time to adjust to the idea of having a child if he is reluctant. Having a child is a huge decision, even if you have children already. People come to huge life decisions at different speeds. You may be ready, and he may be in the future. Be supportive and understanding as you continue talking about having a kid. If you love your husband no matter his decision about kids, tell him that. If you want to give him an ultimatum because you don't want to be with him if you don't have a baby, you should think about consulting a marriage counselor. Avoid deliberately skipping birth control. Though you may want to have a baby despite your husband's wishes, you should never skip birth control so you accidentally get pregnant. This type of behavior can lead to a lot of problems in your relationship, and further convince your husband not to have a baby. Lying about your birth control or manipulating your husband can lead to trust issues. The risk of getting pregnant is not worth potentially serious problems in your marriage. Refrain from talking about babies all the time. If you want to have a baby, you need to discuss it with your husband. However, try not to bring it up every second of every day. Nagging your husband about the baby is going to accomplish nothing but pushing him farther away from the idea. If your husband is resistant, leave it alone for a bit, then return to it later. Enjoy the family you have at the moment. Pressuring your husband for a baby won't make anyone happy. Obsessing about wanting a baby when your husband doesn't may lead to resentment or feelings of pressure that may lead him to never wanting a baby. Instead, focus on the family you have at the moment. Having a good, strong family now may convince your husband that he wants to expand it in the future. If you already have one kid, enjoy the child you have. Let your husband enjoy that child. He may eventually decide he wants to add to the family. If you don't have children yet, having a strong marriage and being happy may lead him to wanting to expand the family. | Think about any prior discussions you have had about children. Set aside a weekly discussion time. Discuss your husband’s fears. Listen to his reasons for not wanting a child. Share your fears about having a child. Bring your husband details of your finances. Mention your biological clock. Mention your future child during activities he loves. Talk with your husband about your future possibilities. Be patient. Avoid deliberately skipping birth control. Refrain from talking about babies all the time. Enjoy the family you have at the moment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Masturbation-Addiction | How to Stop a Masturbation Addiction | To stop a masturbation addiction, one of the best things you can do is to find a new hobby or interest, like painting, playing a sport, or learning a new instrument to fill your time. You can also plan ways to distract yourself when you get tempted to masturbate, such as doing pushups or reading a comic book. If you spend a lot of time alone, try to make plans with friends and family so you can stay busy and distract yourself. Alternatively, you can go for a walk or go to a coffee shop so you're not sitting at home all the time. If you feel like you really can't control yourself and your situation isn't improving, don't be afraid to reach out to a counselor or psychiatrist for support. | Know when to seek help. Masturbation is a natural and healthy behavior. Even if you masturbate often, you may not have an addiction. If you cannot control your thoughts or urges or if masturbation is preventing you from participating in school or work, it may be time to reach out for help. Don't feel ashamed, and remember that many people have similar problems. Seeking help is a brave action, and most people you ask will see it as such. Make an appointment with a medical professional. Counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists are all trained to help people with varying levels of addiction. Start by seeing a therapist in your area, who can assess your addiction and refer you to more specialized help if necessary. Discuss how masturbation affects your life with the therapist. Some people may use masturbation as a way to distract them from other feelings, emotions, and problems. Try to be open with your therapist as you discuss the impact that masturbation has on your life. It may take a few sessions for you to feel comfortable with your therapist. This is natural. Take the time you need. If you feel empty, sad, or angry before or after masturbation, share these details with your therapist. They can help you determine the source of your feelings. Discuss your treatment options. Masturbation addiction is considered by some to be a form of sex addiction. Your therapist may recommend a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy to help you work through it. Find another outlet for your time and energy. Fill your life with engaging activities. The excitement of doing something different can help replace the urge to masturbate, and you'll have a go-to distraction next time you're tempted. Try some of these options: Be creative. The process of turning sexual urges into creative output (called sublimation) is something on which monks and sages have relied upon for centuries. Start writing, learn to play a musical instrument, paint, draw, or do whatever else makes you feel like you're doing something productive. Play sports. It takes discipline and persistence to excel at a sport. Develop an interest in running or swimming, or a group sport like soccer, football, basketball, or tennis. Also, any form of exercise will help you relieve tension, feel happier, and make you focus on your physicality in a positive way. Yoga is another form of exercise that can help you feel more relaxed and less likely to feel the sudden urge to masturbate. Eat a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables have healthy effects on the body and provide nutrients necessary to increase your energy to make you more active throughout the day. Minimize consumption of aphrodisiac foods, such as oysters, salmon, chili peppers, coffee, avocados, banana, and chocolate. Find a new hobby, or cultivate a skill. Learning something that takes a while to master can refocus your brain on the delayed gratification of achieving goals instead of the instant gratification of masturbation. Try skills like cooking, woodshop, archery, baking, public speaking, or gardening. Volunteer your time. Devote your energy to helping teens who've been less fortunate than you, such as working at a shelter, tutoring low-income students, cleaning up blighted areas, or raising money for a good cause. You'll get an altruistic feeling from helping others, and you'll have less time to stray from your goals. Get enough sleep. Urges to masturbate can be exceedingly strong, so make sure you have enough energy to fight those urges. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep. If you frequently forget to go to bed at a reasonable hour, set an alarm to remind you. Make a plan for avoiding masturbation during your go to times of the day. If you have problems before going to bed or in the shower, refrain from any temptation to masturbate. For instance, if it's a problem late at night, drop to the floor and do push-ups until you're too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep. If you find shower time too tempting, start using ice cold water only — you won't want to be in there for long; cold shower will offer the added benefit of saving you time and water. If you always masturbate when you get home from school, make sure to have a solid plan to stave off any boredom you may feel. If you have so little to do that your mind frequently wanders to sexual thoughts, occupy your schedule. You'll find it gets easier to avoid masturbation if you're too busy or tired to spare any energy for distractions. If you're tempted to masturbate in the morning, try to sleep with more than just one layer of clothing so touching yourself is more of an effort. Limit your solitude. If you masturbate frequently because you feel lonely, find ways to be as socially engaged as possible. This means that you should join as many clubs or activities as you can, accept and give more invitations to people, and go out of your way to make more friends. If you want to date someone, consider asking a friend to set you up or join an online dating site. Another thing you can do is to limit the times when you are likely to be home alone. If you tend to masturbate in the hour or two before your parents get home from work, go for a walk during that time, or do your homework in a coffee shop. Even if all of your friends are busy, you can still limit your impulse to masturbate by going out in public. For instance, instead of watching the game at home by yourself, watch it at a sports bar. Even if you're not hanging out with friends, you will not be alone, ultimately having no time for masturbation. . Stop watching porn on your computer One of the reasons you may be masturbating so much is that you know that you can access porn within seconds if you desire. However, if you don't have the willpower to stop looking at the porn on your own, then you may have to take other measures to get the job done: Consider installing porn-blocking software on your computer. Of course you will know the password to bypass the blocking function, but just having it pop up will remind you of your priorities. You can also type a random password in a text file, copy and paste it when you enter your password and verify it, then delete the text file. Then, you will not be able to know the password of your own porn-blocker. This is the best way to keep you strong and spare you the struggle. If you have the tendency to masturbate looking at porn on the computer, try moving your computer into a room where others can see you. If you have a physical collection of porn, dispose of it ASAP (as soon as possible). Be persistent and patient. Stopping a masturbation addiction won't hit you like a lightning bolt. It's a process that requires commitment, and you might make mistakes or relapse on occasions. The real struggle is persevering, so commit now that you won't let little mistakes stand in your way. Set up a reward system. Bribe yourself to stay on-track with rewards for good behavior. For instance, if you can go two whole weeks without masturbating once, treat yourself to a small indulgence like a new game or an ice cream cone. Stop punishing yourself. Remember, you're human, and humans masturbate. Some studies show that up to 95% of males and 89% of females admit that they have masturbated. Masturbation is normal and healthy for all ages and genders. Don't believe the myths about the harms of masturbation. If you want to stop your masturbation addiction, then you should do it for reasons that are personal and moral, not for reasons that are health-related. Here are some things that masturbation will not do to your body: Masturbation will not cause infertility, premature ejaculation, or impotence. Masturbation will not cause insanity. Masturbation will not cause blindness or even eye floaters. Masturbation will not cause frequent urination. Masturbation does not affect facial hair, growth, facial features, kidneys, testicles, cause skin problems, or cause any major physical issues! These are all myths. Know that it will get better. If you believe that you can really find a way to stop your masturbation addiction, then you'll be able to do it. Maybe your goal isn't to stop masturbating completely, but just to limit your masturbation to a healthy amount, such as once or twice a day. That's perfectly fine, too. If you have the belief that you really can win this battle, you'll be much more likely to succeed than if you're constantly second-guessing yourself. That being said, there may be days when you have relapses. This is a normal part of the recovery process. Don't become discouraged. Believe in yourself. | Know when to seek help. Make an appointment with a medical professional. Discuss how masturbation affects your life with the therapist. Discuss your treatment options. Find another outlet for your time and energy. Make a plan for avoiding masturbation during your go to times of the day. Limit your solitude. . Be persistent and patient. Stop punishing yourself. Don't believe the myths about the harms of masturbation. Know that it will get better. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Nice-Things-for-Your-Parents | How to Do Nice Things for Your Parents | If you want to do nice things for your parents, show appreciation for them and help them out around the house. Whenever your parents do something for you, like drive you somewhere or cook dinner, say thank you. Giving them a hug and telling them you love them can go a long way too! Make an effort to ask them how they're doing and ask about the things they're interested in. For example, if your dad's into football, ask him how his team is doing or watch a game with him. You should also try to keep up with your chores so your parents can relax at home. You can even surprise them by doing some extra cleaning or making a meal for them. | Say thank you. Let your parents know that you appreciate everything they do for you. This includes not just the big stuff, like putting a roof over your head and feeding you, but also smaller everyday things, like giving you a ride to your friend's house. A simple "thank you" goes a long way. Let your parents know when they gave you good advice. It will make them feel so good to hear "You were right" or "I was wrong" every now and then. Apologize when you do something wrong. No one is always perfect. If you did something that upset your parents or said something you didn't mean, tell them you're sorry. It's never too late to say you're sorry! Make time for a conversation. Your parents want to feel involved in your life, so set some time aside to talk to them every day if you can. Ask them how their days were and tell them about yours. Discuss any problems you have and ask them for advice. Try not to do this when they are in the middle of something. Dinnertime is ideal for family conversations. If you don't live with your parents, call them regularly. Visits are always appreciated too! Try to see their perspective. It's inevitable that you will disagree with your parents about some things, but try to be mature about it and understand where they are coming from. Even if you think they're wrong, don't start an argument. Keep in mind that your parents have a lot more life experience than you do. Take a moment to consider if your parents' religious beliefs, cultural background, or upbringing may have something to do with their opinions. Be understanding of this even if you do not share the same values. If you don't understand why your parents disagree with you about something, ask them to explain their thoughts. Give them a hug! Your parents probably miss the days when you were a little kid and used to give them hugs all the time. Show them you still love them by giving them a big hug every now and again. Telling them you love them will make the hug even better. Do your assigned chores. If you have a list of chores that you're expected to complete on a regular basis, make sure you do them. Don't start an argument with your parents over your chores every single week. If you really want to be helpful, do them without being asked. If you think you have a ton of chores, try reminding yourself of all the chores your parents have! You'll probably realize that your share is relatively small. Clean up after yourself. Along with your regular chores, you should make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of household work your parents have to do. This means not making a mess whenever you can avoid it, and cleaning up your mess whenever you do make one. Wash your dirty dishes or put them in the dishwasher. Take off your shoes so you don't track mud in the house. Put your dirty laundry in the hamper instead of throwing it on the floor. Clean up spills right away. Pitch in when they're stressed. Parents have a ton of responsibilities, and that can cause a lot of stress. If you notice that they seem especially overwhelmed, ask them what you can do to take a little bit of work off their shoulders. Pitching in may mean offering to do some extra chores, like doing the laundry or mowing the lawn. You can also help your parents relax by offering to give them a massage. In some cases, the best thing you can do is just give your parents some space when they are stressed. Do something unexpected. Every once in a while, it's nice to show your parents you care by doing a chore around the house that they never expected you to do. Consider cleaning up the house for them while they're out. Another great surprise would be to have dinner waiting for them one night (as long as you clean up the mess as well). Be responsible about money. If your parents are stressed about money, it will be a real help to them if you learn to be fiscally responsible. If you have a job, consider offering to contribute money towards household expenses. If you don't have a job, try to be cautious about spending money unnecessarily. Plan a party. If there's a special occasion coming up, consider planning a surprise party for your parents. It doesn't have to be elaborate: just invite friends and family over, have some food ready, and prepare some simple decorations. Even if you don't plan a party, make a point out of always remembering your parents' birthdays and anniversary. Buy or make a gift. Whether it's your mom's birthday or you just feel like doing something nice for your parents for no reason, a thoughtful gift is always appreciated. If you choose to buy something, you don't have to spend a lot of money! Remember, it's the thought that counts. Make sure the gift is something your parents will enjoy. If your parents love the movies, for example, you could buy them tickets. If your dad is a big sports fan, you could get him a T-shirt or hat that displays the logo of his favorite team. If you want to do something crafty, try making a list of nice adjectives that describe your parents (nice, helpful, loving, thoughtful, etc.) Then incorporate these words into your gift. You could paint them on a picture frame or write them out on homemade cookies with icing, for example. Don't underestimate the power of a homemade card! Parents love gifts that incorporate family memories. Consider making a scrapbook or creating a slideshow using old family photos. Leave them a note. A really simple way to surprise your parents and make them smile is to leave them an unexpected note that lets them know you appreciate them. Try putting the note on their pillows before bed or tucking them into their lunch bags so they will find them at work. If you want to be even nicer, leave them a homemade treat with the note. Do something together. Your parents value the time you spend together, so show them you do too! Take the initiative to plan an outing for you and your parents. There are lots of fun and inexpensive things you can do close to home. Go to the beach Have a picnic at the park Visit the zoo or aquarium Go to a museum Go shopping together See a movie or show Go out to dinner | Say thank you. Apologize when you do something wrong. Make time for a conversation. Try to see their perspective. Give them a hug! Do your assigned chores. Clean up after yourself. Pitch in when they're stressed. Do something unexpected. Be responsible about money. Plan a party. Buy or make a gift. Leave them a note. Do something together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Trebuchet | How to Build a Trebuchet | If you want to build your own trebuchet, first cut and sand the frame pieces and the swing arm. You'll need 2 long base pieces, 2 uprights about the same length as the base pieces, and 3 cross braces the width of the trebuchet, and 4 support braces for the uprights. Your swing arm should be 1 and 1/3 times the length of the base. Assemble the base and the support braces, then attach the uprights and braces to the base pieces. Finally, attach your axle, swing arm, sling, and counterweight. | Lay a 12 in (30 cm) piece of wood horizontally on a surface. You can use a table, desk, or even the ground to lay out the piece of wood. Lay the wood so it's flat and even and won't wobble. Work in a safe area such as an open room or outside. Trebuchets launch projectiles that could break a window. Measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the left end and mark a line. Use a ruler or tape measure to measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the left side of the piece of the 12 in (30 cm) piece of wood. Use a pencil or marker to make a line indicating the measurement. Place a 10 in (25 cm) piece of wood vertically at the marked line. Line up the left edge of the wood with the line you marked on the horizontal wooden board. Line up the bottom edge of the verticle board with the edge of the horizontal board. Cut 2 triangles out of a 5 by 5 in (13 by 13 cm) square of wood. Lay the square of wood flat on a surface. Use a ruler and a pencil or marker to draw a straight line from 1 corner of the square to the corner across from it. Cut along the straight line to create 2 even triangles of wood. Use a square piece of would about 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) thick. Use a circular saw to cut the most even line. Glue 1 of the triangles onto where the 2 pieces of wood meet. Place the triangle so the left and bottom edge are flush against the edges of both pieces of wood. Apply super glue to the wood where they will be covered by the triangle and press the triangle against the 2 pieces so it adheres to them. Use super glue for a stronger bond. Nail 1 inch (2.5 cm) nails through the triangle into the wood. Take 3 nails and use a hammer to nail them into the triangle at the 2 bottom corners and the top. Drive the nails into the triangle so they penetrate through the pieces of wood behind it and form a secure connection. Tap lightly and aim carefully so you don't damage the wooden boards. Make a mirror image of the upright so you have 2 of them. Lay a 12 in (30 cm) piece of wood flat and measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the right end of the wood and place a mark. Then, place a 10 inches (25 cm) wooden board vertically at the marked line, and glue the other triangle you cut out to the 2 pieces of wood. Drive 3 nails into the triangle. You need 2 frame pieces to form your trebuchet, but they need to be mirror images so they align correctly. Stand the 2 uprights so they’re side by side. Hold the 2 uprights next to each other. Try to line them up as evenly as you can. Both supports should be facing the same direction so they're lined up correctly. Nail 3 5 in (13 cm) pieces of wood across the 2 sides. Place 1 crosspiece at the very front of the 2 uprights and align them so they're even. Use a hammer and nail the crosspiece to the 2 uprights. Then, nail a crosspiece just behind the posts of both uprights. Nail 1 more piece of wood at the very end of the 2 uprights to connect them together. Aim carefully and use small hammer strokes to drive the nails without bending them or cracking the wood. Screw an eye hook into 1 end of a 16 in (41 cm) piece of wood. Take an eye hook and use your hands to twist it into the wood. Use constant pressure and rotate it clockwise. Continue twisting it until only the loop of the hook is exposed and the entire screw is inside of the wood. Don't yank or force the eye hook too hard or it could crack the wood. Mark 3 distances from the end of the 16 in (41 cm) piece of wood. Use a ruler or tape measure and mark 3 inches (7.6 cm), 4 inches (10 cm), and 5 inches (13 cm) from the eye hook at the end of the wood. Mark the locations with a pencil or marker. Make the lines dark so you can clearly see them. Drill holes through the wood at the marks. Use a small drill bit, such as a 40mm, to bore holes through the marks on the wood. Start the drill before you press it onto the wood and maintain steady pressure as you drill through them. The 3 distances allow you to adjust the trebuchet to launch projectiles different distances. Remove any sawdust or splinters so the swinging arm will be able to rotate smoothly. Insert an eye hook and a nail at an angle on the other end of the wood. At the opposite end of the piece of wood, screw in an eye hook at an upward angle so the look as on the side of the piece of wood and the screw is near the end of the wood. Then, take a nail and insert it into the end of the wood at a downward angle so it's pointing towards the loop of the eye hook. Leave about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) of the nail sticking out of the end of the wood. Use a small nail that doesn't have a thick head on it. Measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the top of the uprights and drill a hole. Use a ruler or tape measure to measure from the very tops of the uprights. Mark the location with a pencil or marker and place a dot at the center of the line. Then, take a power drill and use a small drill bit to bore through both of the uprights. Hold the uprights steady with 1 hand when you drill them so you don't snap or crack the crosspieces. Cut a 6 in (15 cm) length of wire hanger with wire cutters. Untwist a wire hanger and measure out a segment of straight wire. Use a pair of wire cutters to clip the hanger and remove the piece. You can also use a smooth metal rod that fits inside of the holes. Slide the wire hanger through the uprights and swinging arm. The 16 inches (41 cm) piece of wood with the eye hooks will serve as the swinging arm of the trebuchet. Push the wire through 1 upright, then slide it through the bottom-most hole of the swinging arm, then insert it into the other upright. You will now have a straight bar that the arm can swing around. Test the arm by rotating it back and forth to make sure it moves smoothly without any sticking or wobbling. Wrap a battery or a roll of coins in tape to form a counterweight. The counterweight is what will launch the projectile from your trebuchet. Take 2-3 AA batteries or a roll of coins and wrap it in tape so there isn't any movement when it swings. If the parts move around while the trebuchet swings, the projectile won't fly in a straight line. Use electrical tape or duct tape to secure the counterweight. Tape a twist tie to the counterweight. After you wrap the counterweight with tape, place a twist tie on top of it and wrap it with more tape to secure it. Leave a small length of the twist tie exposed so you can attach it to the swinging arm. Position the twist tie on the counterweight so it's pointing up. Connect the twist tie to the eye hook on the swinging arm. Loop the twist tie through the hole of the eye hook on the swinging arm. Then, twist it so it's tight and secure on the hook. If necessary, wrap more tape around the weight and twist tie so it won't come undone. When you connect the counterweight, the swinging arm will be held pointing straight up. Cut 2 pieces of string 12 inches (30 cm) long. Use a pair of scissors or a knife to cut 2 even lengths of string. Set them aside so you can form your pouch. You can use any type of string or twine. Fold a 6 by 6 in (15 by 15 cm) piece of cloth in half. Fold the cloth onto itself and line up the corners and edges. The cloth will form a long rectangle. Trim off any fraying or loose strands from the cloth with a pair of scissors. Tie the ends of the cloth with the strings to form a pouch. Use the ends of each of the 2 strings to tie off a knot on each side of the cloth about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from the edge. The rectangle of the cloth will resemble a bow and form a little pouch to hold the projectile that the trebuchet will launch. Make sure the knot is tight and secure so the pouch doesn't open up. Tie the knots evenly so the 2 pieces of string are still the same length. Attach the non-looped string to the eye hook on the swinging arm. Take the end of 1 of the strings connected to the pouch and tie it around the angled eye hook at the end of the swinging arm. Tie a sturdy knot so the string will not come off. Give the string a good tug to make sure it's tied securely. Form a loop at the end of 1 string and slide it over the nail. Tie a knotted loop or connect a metal ring at the end of the remaining string connected to the pouch. Then, slip this knot or loop over the angled nail at the end of the swinging arm. The trebuchet is now ready to be launched. Put a small projectile like a grape in the pouch and release the counterweight to launch it across the room! Pull back the swinging arm and release it to launch the projectile. With the projectile loaded into the pouch, pull back the swinging arm until it's nearly touching the ground. When you're ready to fire, release the arm. The counterweight will swing the arm forward and launch the projectile. Try setting up a target to aim for. Pull the swinging arm back different distances to see how it affects the projectile's trajectory. Don't launch hard objects like marbles or rocks or you could potentially break something or hurt someone. | Lay a 12 in (30 cm) piece of wood horizontally on a surface. Measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the left end and mark a line. Place a 10 in (25 cm) piece of wood vertically at the marked line. Cut 2 triangles out of a 5 by 5 in (13 by 13 cm) square of wood. Glue 1 of the triangles onto where the 2 pieces of wood meet. Nail 1 inch (2.5 cm) nails through the triangle into the wood. Make a mirror image of the upright so you have 2 of them. Stand the 2 uprights so they’re side by side. Nail 3 5 in (13 cm) pieces of wood across the 2 sides. Screw an eye hook into 1 end of a 16 in (41 cm) piece of wood. Mark 3 distances from the end of the 16 in (41 cm) piece of wood. Drill holes through the wood at the marks. Insert an eye hook and a nail at an angle on the other end of the wood. Measure 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the top of the uprights and drill a hole. Cut a 6 in (15 cm) length of wire hanger with wire cutters. Slide the wire hanger through the uprights and swinging arm. Wrap a battery or a roll of coins in tape to form a counterweight. Tape a twist tie to the counterweight. Connect the twist tie to the eye hook on the swinging arm. Cut 2 pieces of string 12 inches (30 cm) long. Fold a 6 by 6 in (15 by 15 cm) piece of cloth in half. Tie the ends of the cloth with the strings to form a pouch. Attach the non-looped string to the eye hook on the swinging arm. Form a loop at the end of 1 string and slide it over the nail. Pull back the swinging arm and release it to launch the projectile. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Total-Cholesterol | How to Calculate Total Cholesterol | To calculate your total cholesterol, have your doctor draw your blood and order a blood panel to see your lipid profile. Once the results of that test are back, find out how many triglycerides you have and divide that number by 5. Then, add that number to your “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterols to get your total cholesterol. | See your doctor. Your doctor will have to order the blood panel (lipid profile or lipoprotein profile) needed to test your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels—the three components that combine to form a complete cholesterol reading. LDL refers to low-density lipoprotein, and it is actually a combination reading of LDLs and VLDLs (very low-density lipoproteins). Over time, LDLs form a plaque buildup in your arteries, narrowing them and increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. They are often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. HDL refers to high-density lipoprotein. HDLs transport cholesterol in the bloodstream back to the liver and reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This is why they are commonly called “good” cholesterol. Triglycerides are another form of fat molecule found in your blood that can contribute to the narrowing and hardening of your arteries. Like LDLs, high levels of triglycerides can increase your risk for cardiovascular diseases and complications. Fast before your appointment. For an accurate reading of the various components, you'll need to fast for nine to twelve hours before you have blood drawn. This is because an accurate reading requires minimum values that haven't been elevated by a meal. You can still drink water the entire time before fasting. Wait for your results. The lab will have to run the proper tests on your blood sample before returning the results. Your doctor will typically ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment a week after you've had your blood drawn to go over your results. Read the measurements. Your cholesterol level will be provided as a concentration of cholesterol in your blood. The number refers to milligrams of cholesterol in a deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The lab may omit the unit of measurement on your results, but this is to what the numbers refer. Assess your LDL level. Your doctor will consider an LDL level lower than 100 mg/dL ideal. The complete guidelines for LDL levels, for a person with no other medical conditions, are as follows: Ideal - Less than 100 mg/dL Near optimal/slightly elevated - 100 to 129 mg/dL Borderline high - 130 to 159 mg/dL High - 160 to 189 mg/dL Severely high - Higher than 190 mg/dL Examine your HDL level. You will see a separate number that indicates your HDL measurement. Your doctor will consider an HDL of 60 mg/dL (or greater) ideal. A breakdown of HDL measurements, for a man with no other medical conditions, is as follows: Ideal - At least 60 mg/dL Borderline risk factor for heart disease - 41 to 59 mg/dL High risk factor for heart disease - Less than 40 mg/dL Women's HDL ranges are not given here. Women should see their lab test or speak to their doctor to assess their proper ranges. Assess your triglyceride level. Like high levels of LDL, high triglyceride levels can also increase your chances of atherosclerosis (artery narrowing and hardening), raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor will consider less than 150 mg/dL ideal, assuming you have no other medical conditions. The full breakdown of your triglyceride measurement is: Ideal - Less than 150 mg/dL Elevated - 150 to 199 mg/dL High - 200 to 499 mg/dL Extremely high - Higher than 500 mg/dL Plug your numbers into the equation for total cholesterol. Once you have these three numbers, you can use them in a simple equation to calculate your total cholesterol. The equation is: LDL + HDL + (triglycerides/5) = total cholesterol. For instance, if you had an LDL of 100, HDL of 60, and triglyceride level of 150, then the equation would read: 100 + 60 + (150/5). Calculate your total cholesterol. With all of your numbers plugged into the equation, you can simply perform the division and addition components to reach your total cholesterol level. For instance, calculating the previous example would be 100 + 60 + (150/5) = 100 + 60 + 30 = 190. You can also find online calculators that will tally your total cholesterol from the individual numbers. Assess your total cholesterol level. Similar to the individual components, your total cholesterol will fall into a range of readings from ideal to high. Your doctor will consider a total cholesterol reading of less than 200 mg/dL ideal, assuming you have no other medical conditions. However, the full range of readings is: Ideal - Less than 200 mg/dL Elevated - 200 to 239 mg/dL High - 240 mg/dL or greater Have your doctor go over the results with you. While total cholesterol is a useful tool to have, you should still go over the component parts with your doctor because the number can be misleading. For instance, 99 LDL + 60 HDL + (200/5 triglyceride) = 199 total cholesterol. A total cholesterol level of 199 is not cause for alarm, but 200 is high for a triglyceride reading, and your doctor would still want to discuss options to help control your triglycerides. Take steps to lower your cholesterol. If any of your individual readings or your total cholesterol is out of the optimal range, then your doctor will likely recommend making lifestyle changes to help reduce your cholesterol. These steps include: Reducing saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and sugar in your diet Choosing healthy food options, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean meat protein Getting at least thirty minutes of cardio exercise each day Quitting smoking (if applicable) Maintaining a healthy weight You can find complete information with steps for lowering your cholesterol at How to Unclog Arteries Naturally. | See your doctor. Fast before your appointment. Wait for your results. Read the measurements. Assess your LDL level. Examine your HDL level. Assess your triglyceride level. Plug your numbers into the equation for total cholesterol. Calculate your total cholesterol. Assess your total cholesterol level. Have your doctor go over the results with you. Take steps to lower your cholesterol. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Heaves-in-Horses | How to Treat Heaves in Horses | While there is no short-term cure for heaves, you can treat your horse's heaves throughout its lifetime by increasing its pasture time, so it gets more fresh air and is less exposed to allergens. You can also improve the airflow in your horse's stable by opening the windows and adding a ventilation system or large overhead fans. Since hay is a common cause of heaves in horses, make sure to cover any hay you store in your barn with a large tarp, so the allergens stay mostly contained, or keep hay in another building entirely. To further protect your horse, talk to your veterinarian to see if it would be safe to eliminate hay from your horse's diet completely, or try soaking it in water before feedings to remove excess dust. | Increase your horse’s time out on pasture. The key to treating heaves is reducing your horse's exposure to allergens. Since a stable has dust and other allergens in the air, increasing your horse's pasture time would give him more fresh air and less exposure to allergens. More time at pasture would also give your horse a chance to eat fresh grass, which does not have heaves-inducing allergens. Heaves that is made worse by stabling is called barn-associated RAO. If your horse has this form of heaves, leave him out on pasture as much as possible. Another form of heaves, called pasture-associated RAO, can actually get worse with pasture time. If your horse has this type of heaves, limit his pasture time to only the winter months. If you are not able to increase your horse's pasture time, house him in a part of the stable that doesn't have a lot of airborne allergens. This could be a stall located closest to the stable entrance or near a window. At the time of diagnosis, your vet will be able to tell you the form of heaves affecting your horse. Keep your horse’s stable well ventilated. Whenever you bring your horse back in from pasture, the stable should be well ventilated. Keep the stable's windows and doors open as often as possible. Fresh air coming in from the outside will decrease the amount of allergens in the stable. If you keep the windows or doors open during the colder months, place a blanket on your horse to keep him warm. Make sure the blanket fits him—the straps of an ill-fitting blanket can leave rub marks and sores on a horse's body. Use large overhead fans to promote airflow and circulation throughout the barn. You can also use box fans to increase the airflow within your horse's stall. Either way, make sure clean air is flowing into the horse's stall. Store hay properly. Since hay contains allergens, storing it overhead could increase the level of those allergens in the air. Rather than storing the hay overhead, keep it in an area completely removed from your horse, such as a storage trailer or other weatherproof building. If you must store hay in the barn, cover the hay with a large tarp to decrease the amount of circulating allergens. Use low-dust bedding in your horse’s stall. Low-dust bedding is crucial to treating heaves in horses. Examples of low-dust bedding are chopped paper and chopped cardboard. Straw is extremely dusty and is not recommended for bedding. Particles in straw are fairly large and may not get far enough into the lungs to cause airway inflammation. Nonetheless, you would be better off not taking the risk of worsening your horse's heaves with straw bedding. Clean your horse’s stall. Cleaning your horse's stall will also reduce your horse's exposure to allergens, as long as it's done correctly. After putting your horse out to pasture, use a metal pitchfork to remove the manure and dirty bedding. Then, use a shovel to pick up whatever fell through the slats of the pitchfork. If you see any damp spots on the floor (indicating urine), spray them with an absorbent deodorizer to remove the scent of ammonia. Ammonia, which comes from decomposing urine, can irritate your horse's airways. It can take up to an hour for air particles to drift back down after cleaning, so do not return your horse to his stall until several hours after cleaning it. Do not sweep the stable frequently. Frequent sweeping will increase the level of airborne allergens. Before sweeping, consider wetting the floor to reduce the amount of dust flying into the air. If you decide to sweep or use a blower to clean the stalls or barn aisle, do so when all the horses are turned out and the barn is empty. Wet down indoor arenas or arenas with little to no window or ventilation. Spraying down the arena will minimize, to a small degree, the amount of dust flying around while working your horse. Wetting down the arena should keep your horse more comfortable while exercising. Eliminate hay from your horse’s diet. Making changes to your horse's diet will also treat his heaves. Since eating hay is a common cause of heaves in horses, you should take hay completely out of your horse's diet. In particular, do not feed your horse round bale hay, which has a high dust content. Avoiding hay is especially important if your horse has severe heaves. When a horse eats hay, especially round bale hay, he buries his nose in it. Moving his nose through the hay causes dust to fly up into the air, causing him to breathe it in, which severely exacerbates heaves. Soak your horse’s hay before feeding it to him. If removing hay from your horse's diet is not possible, consider soaking it in water before feeding it to him. Soaking the hay overnight will reduce the hay's nutrient content, so soak it for only about 15 minutes. Make sure your horse eats the immediately. If not, the wet hay will dry out and grow mold. Soaking hay can be helpful for mild cases of heaves. Unfortunately, soaking hay can worsen a severe case of heaves. Discuss the pros and cons of soaking hay with your vet. They can recommend whether it would be a good treatment strategy for your horse. Consider getting a large commercial soaker that will steam your hay in big batches if you are feeding a lot of horses. Hay steamers wash the hay and kill mold and bacteria. Feed your horse a complete pelleted feed. While out on pasture, your horse will have access to grass, which is one of the best things your horse can eat. In the winter, when there is not much grass on the ground, feed your horse a complete pelleted feed, which is low in dust and provides the nutrients your horse needs to stay healthy. Consider feeding your horse the pelleted feed as a supplement to grass. Follow the label instructions to determine how much feed to give your horse. Talk with your vet if you are not sure which pelleted feed to purchase for your horse. Add low-dust foods to your horse’s diet. Other than grass and pelleted feed, several other low-dust foods are good for horses with heaves. Examples of these foods are silage, alfalfa pellets, and alfalfa cubes. Alfalfa is a type of hay, but is low in dust when in pelleted or cubed form. Your horse may actually prefer hay cubes or silage over the complete feed. Feed your horse at chest level. Feeding your horse off the ground keeps his airway open and keeps him from inhaling dust and allergens off the ground. It also allows for any bits of hay and dust to settle on the ground below where your horse won't eat. Give your horse systemic corticosteroids. If your horse has mild or moderate heaves, then changes to his diet and environment could be all that he needs for treatment. Many horses with heaves, though, require additional treatment with medications. Corticosteroids (steroids, for short) reduce inflammation, making them very effective for heaves treatment. Steroids can be given either intravenously or by mouth. Intravenous dexamethasone, one type of steroid, is effective in treating severe cases of heaves. Prednisolone, another steroid, has fewer side effects than dexamethasone. It is usually used to treat less severe cases of heaves. Prolonged steroid use can have serious side effects in horses. To prevent these side effects, your vet will gradually taper your horse's steroid dosage. Administer a bronchodilator. A bronchodilator relaxes the airways, allowing a horse to breathe more easily. This type of medication can provide immediate relief to airway obstruction. Bronchodilators come in several formulations: injectable, oral, and aerosolized. Aerosolized bronchodilators, which a horse can breathe in, are especially useful for horses with severe heaves. Bronchodilators can also clear mucus from the lungs. Their effects last about 1 to 3 hours. Clenbuterol and albuterol are types of bronchodilators that are available a local drugstores with a veterinarian's prescription. Because bronchodilators do not treat inflammation, they cannot be the sole treatment for heaves. They must be given with steroids. Consider aerosolized steroids. If your horse needs long term steroid use, your vet may recommend a low-dose, aerosolized steroid. An aerosolized steroid has fewer side effects than a systemic steroid. Be aware that aerosolized steroids are expensive, since you would have to purchase the mask to administer the medication. Despite the cost, this formulation would provide targeted relief of your horse's airway inflammation. Aerosolized steroids are not given when beginning heaves treatment because the airways may be too obstructed for the medication to work effectively. Avoid certain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines have not shown much benefit in horses with heaves. Do not use these medications to treat your horse if has heaves. | Increase your horse’s time out on pasture. Keep your horse’s stable well ventilated. Store hay properly. Use low-dust bedding in your horse’s stall. Clean your horse’s stall. Wet down indoor arenas or arenas with little to no window or ventilation. Eliminate hay from your horse’s diet. Soak your horse’s hay before feeding it to him. Feed your horse a complete pelleted feed. Add low-dust foods to your horse’s diet. Feed your horse at chest level. Give your horse systemic corticosteroids. Administer a bronchodilator. Consider aerosolized steroids. Avoid certain medications. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yourself-Smarter | How to Make Yourself Smarter | If you want to make yourself smarter, try doing simple chores with your non-dominant hand, which will force your brain to be active and alert. You can also learn to play a musical instrument or practice writing 7-word stories that will challenge your brain. If you want to do well on a test, study by making acronyms, or words like NASA where each letter stands for something else. To improve your brainpower overall, make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and include nuts, blueberries, and fish into your diet. | Practice doing simple chores with the “wrong” hand. Try brushing your teeth or eating your breakfast with your non-dominant hand. Routine behaviors are run by the brain's sub-cortex, which control automatic functions of the body. If you make a point of mixing up your routines, your brain will be forced to be active and alert. For any activity to help exercise your brain, it must be both novel and complex. The simple act of switching to a new hand for easy chores allows for both qualities in everyday activity. Learn to play a musical instrument. Research suggests a strong correlation between learning to play musical instruments and the development of executive function skills. Executive functioning is the brain's ability to organize and act on perceived information, which is a critical component in the application of intelligence. Learning to play a musical instrument requires the coordination of multiple parts of the brain and body.. The particular musical instrument you choose to learn doesn't appear to make a difference in intelligence level. Choose an instrument that you enjoy, and one to which you have easy access. Lessons are often a good way to find a local music community that will help support your new hobby. Take a dance class. The best activities to improve your intelligence are those that require split-second, rapid decision making. Scientists have found that people who take social dance classes improve their intelligence no matter what age they are. Frequent dancing was the only physical activity that seemed to offer any protection against the development of dementia in people aged 75 and older. Doing activities that use rote memory, no matter how complex, does not require the development of new neural pathways, which improve intelligence. Learn about dual n-back exercises. Research has suggested that dual n-back exercises increase fluid intelligence. Fluid intelligence is one of the most important factors in IQ. It refers to the brain's ability to reason and problem-solve without relying on previously learned information. N-back is a memory test. N refers to a certain number of previous stimuli that must be recalled by the player. For example, in a 1 = n sequence, you have to recall stimuli 1 item back; with a 2 = n sequence, the stimuli must be recalled 2 items back. In dual n-back exercises, two independent sequences are presented simultaneously and usually using two different modalities. For example, a sequence of numbers would be read, while a colored sequence was also present. You can find open-source software for dual n-back software online at brainworkshop.net. Write a 7-word story. Being able to consolidate a narrative into only 7 words will help keep your brain alert and active. This activity relies on the brain's ability to sift through a wide range of knowledge, and distill in in a particular way. Generating both the narrative and the words used relies on multiple functions of the brain, including fluid intelligence and executive functioning. These word-limit constraints will also give you practice in writing clever social media updates! Create acronyms to aid your memory. Acronyms provide a word to help you remember a larger set of information. They help your brain encode and recall the information. Acronyms are a shorthand way to remind yourself of complex information through a simple image or word. One of the most common single-word acronyms people use is ASAP, which stands for as soon as possible, or NASA, which stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Many times acronyms become so well known that the meaning of the acronym becomes a new word itself, such as with SNAFU or Taser. Use mnemonic devices. An acronym is the shortest form of a mnemonic device, but you can also make a sentence that helps you to remember a stream of words or information. Developing your own mnemonic devices that are specific to your interests and knowledge will be the most effective way of using this memory aid. For example, a simple sentence that helps children remember the order of the 4 directions on the compass might be: Never Eat Soggy Worms. You can see how the first letters of these words (N, E, S, W) align with the first letters of the 4 directions (North, East, South, West) in an easier-to-remember fashion. Build a memory palace. For people with strengths in visual and spatial memory, the imagined construction of a location (such as a house or “palace”) with mnemonic devices throughout can help to develop a strong memory of even detailed events or information. You can start by using your own home as a tool to memorize something commonplace, such as a shopping list. In your imagination, place the items you'll need at the store in a variety of places throughout the house. For example, consciously imagine placing a bunch of bananas on the coffee table, a loaf of bread on the chair nearby, and a bag of coffee on top of the television. Then, at the store, visualize walking through the created image of your home with these items in it. Try adding items, adding rooms, as your ability to remember increases. You can also try this process by placing your mental attention along a familiar walking route, fixing items along with landmarks of your walk. Try mind mapping. Mind mapping is a visual tool to write down details of a larger project. Mind mapping can help at the start of a project to generate ideas or to increase comprehension of learned information. The way it's sometimes represented is as a trunk of a tree (the main idea) as seen from above, with branches (details) coming from all directions. Start by writing the central idea in the center of a blank, unlined sheet of paper. You can also draw an image if this helps you better focus on your project. Next, draw a line from the central idea to represent each one of the main topics within this idea. Label these topics with your pencil. From these lines, draw smaller lines, or branches, representing even more detailed ideas. Use colored pencils if this helps engage your attention and comprehension. Continue to illustrate with pictures if you prefer. Add aerobic exercise to your daily routine. Regular aerobic exercise has been connected to the growth of new neurons. Exercise stimulates the hippocampus, which is associated with both learning and memory. Most experts recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. This means at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week. Moderate aerobic exercise includes jogging, walking, biking, dance classes, swimming, or any activity which requires regular heavy breathing over a period of time. Make sure to check with your healthcare provider before adding physical activity to your daily routine. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. When you don't get enough sleep, your mind becomes functionally impaired as if you were under the influence of alcohol intoxication. Needless to say, this doesn't do wonders for your cognitive performance. One of the simplest paths to making yourself smarter is simply to ensure that you get enough sleep at night. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Teens require 8-10 hours of sleep per night, while school-aged children (ages 6-13) require 9-11 hours. Develop a meditation practice. According to studies done by UCLA, the brains of people who engaged in regular meditation practice were both larger and contained more gray matter than the brains of people who did not have such a practice. Not only does meditation appear to prevent a person's brain from losing key neural connections, but the brain size actually increases in a few critical areas. Evidence suggests that meditation can make a person smarter, and more resilient. People who meditate are better able to handle stress, and this helps to block the development of the hormone cortisol, which impedes brain function. Include plenty of brain-rich nutrients in your diet. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are vital to healthy brain functions, while higher levels of vitamin E are correlated with slower cognitive decline in the aging brain. Include plenty of omega-3 essential fatty acids by including deep-water fish, such as salmon. Fish oil supplements might also be tried, at the level recommended by the American Health Association (1 gram daily of EPA and DHA). Blueberries, high in antioxidants, help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may also help guard against age-related dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Try adding an 8-ounce cup of blueberries to your daily diet to improve your brain functioning. Nuts and seeds are a good source of vitamin E. Consider adding a handful of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or a tablespoon of unhydrogenated nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini to your daily diet. | Practice doing simple chores with the “wrong” hand. Learn to play a musical instrument. Take a dance class. Learn about dual n-back exercises. Write a 7-word story. Create acronyms to aid your memory. Use mnemonic devices. Build a memory palace. Try mind mapping. Add aerobic exercise to your daily routine. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Develop a meditation practice. Include plenty of brain-rich nutrients in your diet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Crochet-the-Moss-Stitch | How to Crochet the Moss Stitch | If you want to crochet a moss stitch, start by chaining an even number of stitches. For your first row, do a single crochet stitch into the fourth chain from your hook. Chain the next stitch, then skip the following stitch, and perform a single crochet stitch on the next chain. When starting your next row, chain 2 stitches, single crochet into the chain 1 space you created in the first row, and chain 1 on the next stitch. Repeat this pattern and finish the row with a single crochet stitch. | Choose your yarn. You will need at least one ball of yarn to work the moss stitch. You can choose any yarn texture or color. You can work the moss stitch in a single color or you can alternate colors as you start new rows to create a colorful pattern. Consider your desired results for your project to determine if you want to use one yarn color or multiple colors. For example, you could work a project using only red yarn, or you could alternate red, yellow, and blue yarns for a colorful result. Select a crochet hook that is appropriate for your yarn type. You may use any type or size of yarn to work the moss stitch, but you will need to ensure that the crochet hook you choose is appropriate for the yarn. Check the label on your yarn for hook size recommendations. For example, if you are working with a medium worsted weight yarn, then a hook within the range of an I-9 (6.5 mm) through a K-10 (9 mm) will yield the best results. Chain an even number of stitches. Start with an even number of chained stitches. To make a chain, loop your yarn around your finger twice, and then pull the first loop through the second loop. Transfer this loop to your hook and tighten it by pulling on the tail. Then, loop your working yarn over your hook and pull this yarn through the loop. This will create your first chain. To make another chain, yarn over the hook again, and pull through again. Keep making chains until you have the desired number. You may chain as many stitches as you like, as long as you chain an even number. For example, you might only chain 10 stitches if you just want to practice the moss stitch, or you might chain 120 stitches if you want to make a moss stitch blanket. Single crochet into the 4th chain from the hook. To begin your 1st row, work a single crochet stitch into the 4th chain from your hook (not counting the chain that is on your hook). Insert your crochet hook into the 4th chain from your hook and then yarn over the hook. Pull the yarn through the chain and then yarn over again. Pull the yarn through both stitches on the hook to complete 1 single crochet stitch. Chain 1. Next, chain 1 stitch. This stitch will form your first chain 1 space, which you will work into in your second row. Skip 1. Skip the next stitch in your starting chain. This will be the chain next to the chain you just worked a single crochet stitch into. Single crochet into the next chain. After skipping a chain, you will need to single crochet into the next chain. Work 1 single crochet stitch into this chain. Repeat ch1, sk 1, sc to the end of the row. Keep repeating the sequence of chain 1, skip 1, and single crochet 1 all the way to the end of your starting chain. This will complete your first row. Turn and chain 2. To begin your second row and all other rows that you work in the moss stitch, turn your work around and then chain 2. This will serve as your turning chain. Single crochet in the first chain 1 space. You created several chain 1 spaces when you worked the first row and you will need to single crochet into all of them. Locate the first chain 1 space in your row and single crochet into it. Chain 1. Next, make a chain of 1. This will form one of the chain 1 spaces for your next row, which you will continue to work into as you continue the moss stitch. Single crochet in the next chain 1 space. After you chain 1, single crochet into the next chain 1 space, just as you did the first time. Repeat chain 1 and single crochet to the end. To continue working your second row, repeat the sequence of chaining 1 and single crocheting 1 to the end of the row. Finish the row with a single crochet stitch in the chain 2 space. Your last stitch in the row should be a single crochet stitch into the last chain space in the row, which will be a chain 2 space. Repeat row 2 until your project is the desired length. To continue working the moss stitch, keep repeating the sequence for row 2. You can continue to work the moss stitch for as many rows as you want or need to for your project. Tie off the final stitch when you are done. When you are happy with the length of your project and finish the last stitch in your last row, simply chain 1 and tie off the final stitch. To do this pull, out the loop so that it is several inches wide. Then, cut it in the center. Tie the end of the yarn through the last stitch you made and cut the excess. Weave in the tail. If desired, you can also weave the tail into the edge of your work using a yarn needle. Thread the tail through the eye of the yarn needle and then weave the yarn in and out of the edge of your project. Tie the end of the tail through one of the stitches and cut the excess when the yarn gets too short to weave it through any more. | Choose your yarn. Select a crochet hook that is appropriate for your yarn type. Chain an even number of stitches. Single crochet into the 4th chain from the hook. Chain 1. Skip 1. Single crochet into the next chain. Repeat ch1, sk 1, sc to the end of the row. Turn and chain 2. Single crochet in the first chain 1 space. Chain 1. Single crochet in the next chain 1 space. Repeat chain 1 and single crochet to the end. Finish the row with a single crochet stitch in the chain 2 space. Repeat row 2 until your project is the desired length. Tie off the final stitch when you are done. Weave in the tail. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Fat-in-Arms-(for-Women) | How to Reduce Fat in Arms (for Women) | Reducing arm fat can be challenging if you're a woman, but with the right exercises and a healthy diet, you can eventually reduce the size of your arms. During your workouts, focus on strengthening your triceps and pecs with push ups, tricep dips, and bicep curls using free weights. This will increase the muscle mass in your arms, which will burn fat while giving your arms definition. If being in the gym gets boring, try arm-building sports, like tennis, kayaking, or boxing. To get you through your workouts, eat lots of lean protein, such as low fat yogurt, eggs, chicken, and lentils, as well as fruits and vegetables. Make sure to avoid sugary and starchy foods, like cookies, potato chips, and soda, which will add even more fat to your arms. | Strengthen your triceps and your pectorals with tricep push ups. Tricep push ups are simple exercises that can really work your tricep muscles, your pectoral muscles, and your shoulder muscles. If you are new to push ups, you may want to modify this exercise by dropping your legs to the ground so you can build strength in your arms over time. To do tricep push ups, place your hands underneath your shoulders on an exercise mat. Make sure your fingers are spread wide and weight is distributed evenly between the 2 hands. Squeeze your abdominal muscles and straighten your legs behind you, coming up on the balls of your feet. Activate your leg muscles and push out from your heels. Your body should feel well supported and your lower back should be straight, not dipping or swaying from side to side. If you cannot hold the starting position, modify it by dropping to your knees, keeping your arms and shoulders straight. Keep your head in alignment with your back and lower your chest towards the floor. Your elbows should be tucked into your sides as you hover over your fingertips. It's completely fine if you can only lower your body a few inches. The more often you do tricep push ups, the easier they become. Exhale as you press back up to the starting position. This is 1 rep. Do 3 sets of 8 tricep push ups to start to build up your tricep muscles. Challenge yourself with 2-2-2 push ups. If you feel comfortable with tricep push ups, you may want to try a variation on tricep pushups. The “2-2-2” push ups refer to 3 sets of 2 push ups using different hand placements: narrow, regular, and wide. The narrow push ups will work your tricep muscles and the wide push ups will work your chest muscles. Start in a plank position, with your shoulders directly under your hands and your hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your core engaged and activate your leg muscles so your plank is strong and straight. Do 2 push ups with regular hand placement. Then, move your hands wider so they are on the edge of your exercise mat. Do 2 push ups with this wide hand placement. Finally, move your hands into the center of the mat so your hands form a triangle directly under the middle of your chest. Do 2 push ups with this narrow hand placement. Repeat this sequence 3 times, doing 2 push ups of each hand placement. Do tricep dips with a chair. This exercise only requires access to a chair but it will help to strengthen your tricep muscles and give them more definition. Start by placing a chair on a sturdy surface against a wall with the seat facing towards you. You can also do tricep dips on the edge of a staircase (such as the 2nd or 3rd step from the bottom) or a workout bench. Stand 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) in front of the edge of the seat of the chair. Place your hands behind you, shoulder width apart with your fingers gripping the edge of the chair. Bend your knees so they are at a 90-degree angle and your knees are directly above your ankles. Make sure there is an equal balance in your arms and legs. Inhale as you bend your elbows and bring your butt towards the floor. Look forward as you lower your body and make sure your arms bend at a 90-degree angle. Only bend your arms until you feel your arm muscles activating and working. Exhale as you raise your body back to the starting position. Do this gently and slowly so you do not hyperextend your shoulders. Be sure to retract your shoulder blades and keep your shoulders square and stabilized (not rolled forward or up). As soon as it is difficult to hold your shoulders still and pulled back, stop the range of motion. This is 1 rep. Repeat this exercise for 2 sets of 10 reps. You should feel your tricep muscles working after 2 sets of this exercise. Use free weights to do dumbbell tricep kickbacks. To do this arm strengthening exercise, you will need access to free weights and a workout bench or chair. If you are new to weightlifting, start with 1 to 5 lb (0.45 to 2.27 kg) weights so you can build your arm strength without hurting yourself. Begin with a free weight in your right hand. Rest your left hand and bent left leg on the exercise bench. Your left hand should be directly under your left shoulder so it supports your body. Bend your right hand while holding the free weight, making sure your back is straight and your torso is almost parallel to the floor. Form a 90-degree angle between your forearm and your upper arm. Keep your head up and your neck straight. Exhale and use your triceps to lift the weight until your right arm is fully extended behind you. Supinate by turning your palm up as your arm moves back, so that your palm faces the ceiling. Move only your forearm and do not use your left hand or your legs. Pause once your right arm is fully extended, exhale, and then inhale as you bring the free weight back to the starting position. Repeat the dumbbell tricep kickbacks on the right side 10 times, then switch to the left side. Do 2 sets of 10 reps on both sides. Try bicep curls. This exercise will work the muscles on the front of your arms, known as your biceps. You will need a set of 5 lb (2.3 kg) dumbbells to do this exercise. Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart, keeping your knees soft and equal weight in your feet. Hold a 5 lb (2.3 kg) dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing forward. Exhale as you curl the dumbbells towards your chest. Keep your gaze forward and your weight equal in your legs. Inhale and then lower the dumbbells until they are 3/4 of the way down. Activate your biceps muscles as you do this. This is 1 rep. Repeat this exercise for 2 sets of 10 reps. Do uppercuts with free weights. Tone your upper arms and strengthen your shoulder muscles by doing weighted uppercut punches. You will need a set of 1 to 2 lb (0.45 to 0.91 kg) weights to do this exercise. Begin with your feet hip-width apart and a 1 to 2 lb (0.45 to 0.91 kg) weight in each hand. Hold your fists in front of your face with your palms facing each other. Keep your left fist stationary as you inhale and punch your right fist up as high as possible. Make sure your arm is slightly bent and do not lock your elbow as you punch. Exhale as you bring your right fist back to the starting position. Then, inhale as you punch your left fist upward as high as possible. Alternate from your right hand to your left hand for 60 seconds. Gradually increase speed until you are punching upward as fast as you can. Repeat this exercise for 1 to 2 minutes a day. Try side plank with dumbbell raises. This exercise will work your arm muscles and your core muscles at the same time. You will need a 1 to 5 lb (0.45 to 2.27 kg) dumbbell or free-weight for this exercise. Start in side plank on your right elbow with your elbow stacked directly below your shoulder and your feet stacked on top of each other. Lift the dumbbell in your left hand. Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Squeeze your right hand into a fist to find your balance and activate your arms muscles. Then, inhale as you extend your left arm so it is directly above your right shoulder. Grip the dumbbell as you raise your left arm. Exhale as you lower your left arm back down so it is parallel to the ground and in front of your body. Keep your hips lifted as you lower your left arm. Repeat this exercise 10 times on each side. Try tennis or another racket sport. Racket sports like tennis or squash are great for building arm muscles and for a total body workout. Join a recreational tennis league in your area or take tennis lessons from the tennis pro at your gym. If a family member enjoys playing squash or racquetball, ask them to give you lessons and practice your skills. You should notice marked improvements in your arm strength and better arm muscle definition the more you play racket sports. Take up rowing or kayaking. Doing a sport that activates your arm muscles will help you to tone your arm muscles. Consider taking up an arm focused hobby like rowing or kayaking, which requires arm strength and good core engagement. You can start by doing the rowing machine at the gym and then work up to taking classes in rowing or kayaking. You can also join a recreational rowing team in your area to get better at rowing and be more active on a weekly basis. Try boxing lessons. Another high-intensity arm sport is boxing, which requires solid arm muscle strength and good overall fitness. Take boxing lessons at your gym or hit a hanging bean bag on your own. Punching a bean bag can help to build your arm strength and punching drills with a sparring partner can also allow you to tone your arm muscles. Adjust your daily calorie intake. Adjust your calorie intake so you are not overeating or eating empty calories that can only add more fat to your arms. Once you calculate your calorie intake per day , which is based on your age, your weight, and your fitness level, try to consume enough calories every day to do exercise. Eat more vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein. Each meal should include a serving of protein, 1 or 2 vegetable/fruit servings, and 1 complex carbohydrate serving such as a whole grain serving. Make sure your carb intake is in the recommended range of 20 to 50 grams (0.71 to 1.8 oz) per a day. Reduce your consumption of carbs, sugars, and animal fats. Consuming foods high in carbs and sugars will cause your body to secrete insulin, which is a main fat storage hormone in your body. When your insulin levels drop, this allows your body to burn fat. Lower insulin levels also help your kidneys shed excess sodium and water, which will help you reduce any water weight you are carrying. Cut out foods that are high in starch and carbs like French fries, potato chips, and white bread. Avoid foods high in artificial sugars like soft drinks, cakes, candy, and junk food. Commit to a 7-day meal plan. Create a 7-day meal plan that covers 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), scheduled at the same time of day, and 2 small snacks (between breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner), scheduled at the same time of day. A set meal plan will ensure you eat at a consistent time every day and do not skip or miss a meal. Consuming about 1,400 calories a day, combined with exercise, can help you to achieve healthy weight loss. Write up a grocery list based on your meal plan and go food shopping at the beginning of the week. Keep your fridge stocked with all the necessary ingredients to make your meals for the week so you can prepare each meal easily and are not tempted to cheat or skip a meal. Stay hydrated with water instead of sugary drinks. Staying hydrated with water will keep your immune system healthy and ensure you are hydrated during your daily workout. You can substitute sugary drinks like soda with water flavored with slices of lemon or lime. Try unsweetened green tea as a healthy substitute for sugary drinks. Unsweetened green tea has a healthy amount of antioxidants and promotes overall health. Eat well before and after you exercise. To maintain your weight loss, you should always eat healthy before and after you do any exercise. Have a small light snack 1 to 2 hours before you work out so you have enough energy during your workout. Your post-work meals should be high in protein and carbohydrates and you should always eat within 2 hours of your workout. A meal like low-fat Greek yogurt with a few tablespoons of granola and fruit or a peanut butter and banana sandwich made with 1 slice of whole grain bread can help your body to recover after a workout and improve your muscle strength. | Strengthen your triceps and your pectorals with tricep push ups. Challenge yourself with 2-2-2 push ups. Do tricep dips with a chair. Use free weights to do dumbbell tricep kickbacks. Try bicep curls. Do uppercuts with free weights. Try side plank with dumbbell raises. Try tennis or another racket sport. Take up rowing or kayaking. Try boxing lessons. Adjust your daily calorie intake. Commit to a 7-day meal plan. Stay hydrated with water instead of sugary drinks. Eat well before and after you exercise. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Pain-After-Knee-Replacement-Surgery | How to Manage Pain After Knee Replacement Surgery | If you've just had knee replacement surgery, you can reduce pain and inflammation by resting and elevating your knee. It might also help to wear a compression stocking. During the first couple of days after the surgery, apply an ice pack to your knee every 2 to 3 hours for 20 minutes at a time. If you have to walk around, use crutches to minimize the weight on your knee. You can also keep pain in check by taking prescription or over-the-counter painkillers as recommended by your doctor. Once your doctor says it's safe, try soaking in an Epsom salt bath. | Rest and elevate your leg. Once you're discharged from the hospital, you'll be told to rest and elevate your leg for the first few days or so in order to help decrease swelling and inflammation, which also reduces pain. While sitting on the sofa or a chair, prop your leg up with some pillows, but try not to hyperextend your knee and risk straining it — keep some flexion in the joint while resting. Consider putting a pillow under your knee at night while you sleep on your back to elevate the extremity. Total bed rest is not a good idea post-surgery because some movement (even in surrounding joints such as the hip and ankle) is needed to stimulate blood flow and healing. Wearing compression stockings can be another effective method for reducing achy pain and swelling, and preventing blood clot formation. Start wearing them day and night, then after a few weeks, switch to just while you sleep. There are two types of knee replacements: total knee replacements and partial knee replacements. Recovery from a total replacement takes longer — generally three to five days in the hospital and a recovery period lasting from one to three months. Apply ice to your knee initially. While your knee is still in the acute phase (significant inflammation and pain), apply ice to it. The application of ice is an effective treatment for essentially all acute musculoskeletal injuries. Cold therapy should be applied to the area around the incision in order to reduce the swelling and pain, particularly in the muscles. Ice should be applied for 20 minutes every two to three hours for a couple of days, then reduce the frequency as the pain and swelling subside. Compressing the ice against your knee with a bandage or elastic support will also help control the inflammation, but don't tie it too tight because complete restriction of blood flow could cause more damage to your knee joint and lower leg. Always wrap ice or frozen gel packs in a thin towel in order to prevent frostbite on your skin. If you don't have any ice or gel packs, then use a frozen bag of veggies from your freezer. Use crutches to move around. For the first few weeks post-surgery, try to use your crutches (which are typically supplied by the hospital) while walking around so as to not inflame your knee. Some knee mobility after a few days post-op is a good idea, but total weight bearing while walking should be postponed for a week or two until the muscles surrounding the knee have started to heal and gain their back strength. You should be able to resume most normal activities of daily living (including walking and bending) within 3-6 weeks following knee replacement surgery. Some pain with walking and other knee movements, particularly at night , is common for several weeks after you've had knee surgery. If your right knee was replaced, then don't try to drive a car until you're fully recovered, which may take a few months. Your orthopedist will clear you when it is safe for you to drive. Take your medications as advised. You'll likely receive pain medication (either orally or intravenously) while in the hospital and then given strong prescription drugs to take home. These medications may include strong opioids, such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone, which may have to be taken for a few weeks. Medication is an important part of managing your pain, so follow your doctor's instructions carefully and be aware that abuse of pain medications can lead to dependency. Alternatively, you may be given prescription-strength nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, or painkillers such as Tylenol #3. After a few weeks, you may be able to wean yourself to weaker over-the-counter offerings. Be careful not to take any medications on an empty stomach, as they can irritate the lining of your stomach and increase the risk of stomach ulcers. Pain-relieving creams containing capsaicin, menthol and/or salicylate may be of benefit also. Your doctor may also prescribe short-term antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. Consider moist heat after the acute stage. After the inflammation and pain in and around your knee has largely subsided, then consider applying some moist heat. The application of heat causes mild dilatation of blood vessels and helps to alleviate any stiffness. Microwaved herbal bags work well and are often infused with aromatherapy (such as lavender) that has relaxing properties. With the permission of your doctor, soak your leg in a warm Epsom salt bath, which can significantly reduce pain and swelling, especially within muscles. The magnesium in the salt helps the muscles relax. However, avoid soaking the wound in water until it has completely sealed and dried. Seek out physiotherapy. Physical therapy is an extremely important part of rehabbing after knee surgery and can begin as soon as 48 hours post-op. after surgery. A physical therapist can show you specific and tailored stretches, mobilizations and strengthening exercises for your recuperating knee. Knee immobilizers are often used to stabilize the knee while undergoing physical therapy. Physiotherapy is usually required 2-3x per week for 6-8 weeks to positively impact a knee that's undergone surgery. It will include a graduated walking program and knee-strengthening exercises. If need be, a physical therapist can stimulate, contract and strengthen your weakened leg muscles with electrotherapy, such as electronic muscle stimulation. For pain control, a physical therapist can use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit on your knee. Use a continuous passive motion machine. A device that can help speed knee recovery and reduce stiffness is the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. The CPM machine is attached to the recuperating leg and automatically moves the knee through various motions for up to an hour or so while the patient relaxes. This type of passive exercise can improve circulation and reduce the risk of scarring / contracture of the soft tissues surrounding the knee. CPM exercise machines also help to prevent blood clot formation in the legs. Some physical therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists (rehabilitation physicians) have CPM machines in their office, but not all of them. Consider infrared therapy. The use of low-energy light waves (infrared) is known to be able to speed up the healing of wounds, decrease pain and decrease inflammation. Use of infrared radiation (either through a hand-held device or within a special sauna) is believed to penetrate deep into the body and improve circulation because it creates heat and dilates blood vessels. In most cases, significant pain reduction can start within hours after the first infrared treatment. Pain reduction is often long lasting, weeks or even months. Practitioners most likely to use infrared therapy include some chiropractors, osteopaths, physical therapists and massage therapists. Try acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture involves sticking very thin needles into specific energy points within the skin / muscle in efforts to reduce pain and inflammation and to potentially stimulate healing. Acupuncture is not commonly recommended for pain control post surgery and should only be considered as a secondary option, but anecdotal reports suggest it can be helpful for many different types of musculoskeletal injuries. It's worth a try if your budget allows for it. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation by releasing a variety of substances including endorphins and serotonin. Acupuncture is practiced by a variety of health professionals including some physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists and massage therapists — whoever you choose should be certified by NCCAOM. Get a deep tissue massage. Knee replacement surgery involves cutting into the muscles surrounding the knee joint in order to clean it up and resurface the ends of the bones. As such, the muscles experience severe trauma, which leads to inflammation and spasm post surgery. A deep tissue massage is helpful starting a few weeks after surgery because it reduces muscle spasm, combats inflammation and promotes relaxation. Start with a 30 minute leg massage, focusing on your thigh and hamstring muscles. Allow the therapist to go as deep as you can tolerate without wincing. Always drink lots of water immediately following a massage in order to flush out inflammatory by-products and lactic acid from your body. Failure to do so might cause a headache or mild nausea. Experiment with vibration therapy. An interesting alternative option in managing musculoskeletal pain is vibrational therapy. Vibrating frequencies seem to relax and strengthen musculature while stimulate nerves to reduce pain. In terms of knee pain, you can vibrate primarily the knee area or the entire body — both have proven effective for reducing knee pain. Full-body vibrating machines are difficult to find in rehabilitation facilities and likely too expensive to buy for home use, so consider smaller machines that vibrate your feet and/or lower legs. A hand-held vibrating massage device is another option that may work well to stimulate and reduce pain in the muscles around your knee. | Rest and elevate your leg. Apply ice to your knee initially. Use crutches to move around. Take your medications as advised. Consider moist heat after the acute stage. Seek out physiotherapy. Use a continuous passive motion machine. Consider infrared therapy. Try acupuncture treatments. Get a deep tissue massage. Experiment with vibration therapy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Houseplants | How to Prune Houseplants | To prune houseplants that are overgrown, wait until the beginning of their growing season and after they've already bloomed. Then, use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to cut back half of the longest branches on the plants so they're a third of their original length. You should also cut back any long, leggy stems to one-third of their length. If you have any soft-stemmed houseplants, like English ivy and philodendron, pinch the tips off the stems, just above a node, to help maintain the plant's busy shape. | Use sharp scissors or garden shears. Make sure the scissors or garden shears are very sharp, as dull shears can damage the plants. If you notice any dirt on the shears, soak them in water with a teaspoon of bleach and then wipe them dry. A clean tool will ensure your plants are not exposed to bacteria or pests when you prune them. You can find garden shears for pruning online or at your local hardware store. If you are worried about scratching your hands while you prune, wear gardening gloves. Prune the plants at the beginning of their growing season. If you have houseplants that do not flower, prune them in late winter. For houseplants with flowers or blooms, wait until they have bloomed before you prune them. Do not prune houseplants when unopened buds are present on the stems. Remove dead leaves and limbs at a 45 degree angle. Look for any leaves or limbs on the plant that are brown or discolored. They may also appear limp or dry. Use the shears to cut them off just below the brown or dead area at a 45 degree angle. This will ensure you leave as much of the healthy foliage on the plant as possible. Do not cut off any leaves or limbs that still appear green and vibrant. If a large section of the leafy area appears dead, you can cut off the entire branch. Leave the main stem intact and remove branches shooting off of the stem at a 45 degree angle. Trim off any dead flowers. If you have houseplants that are flowering, make sure you check them over for any dead flowers and remove them. The flowers may appear brown, discolored, and limp. They may also feel dry to the touch. Cut the dead flowers off with the shears at the base of the flower's head. Removing dead and dying flowers on the plant will encourage the growth of newer, more vibrant blooms. Prune back half of the longest branches on the plant. Use the shears to cut them back about a third of their length. Trim the branches off at a 45 degree angle. If there are any side shoots on the branches further down the base of the plant, you can prune a few of these shoots. Do not cut off any nodules on the plants as you prune, which are new buds that have not bloomed or opened yet. Remove leggy stems. Check the plant for any stems that are unusually long. They may appear loose or straggling, falling off different areas of the plant. Pruning leggy stems will help the plant to grow in a fuller, more even pattern. Use the shears to cut the leggy stems back to one third their length, cutting at a 45 degree angle. Pinch off the stems. If you have soft-stemmed houseplants like coleus, heartleaf philodendron, and English ivy, make sure you pinch them regularly. Use your thumb and forefinger to remove the tip of a stem. Pinch above the node, which is the growing point where the leaf is attached to the plant. Pinching off the stems can help maintain the bushy shape of the plant and encourage even growth. It also helps to prevent the growth of leggy stems. Remove 10-20% of the plant’s foliage at a time. Do not over prune the plant, as this can make it difficult for it to grow properly. Make selective cuts to the plant, removing only 10-20% of the foliage at a time. Wait a few weeks to one month to prune the plants again. Always leave some foliage on the plant when you prune. If you are in doubt, under prune the plant and then reevaluate it a few weeks later. Fertilize the plants after pruning. Use soluble, all-purpose fertilizer on the plant after you prune it. Dilute the fertilizer in water so it does not burn the plant. Apply the fertilizer according to the instructions on the label. Wipe dust or dirt off the leaves. Houseplants with wide, large leaves can accumulate dust and dirt. Maintain the houseplants by using a damp sponge or rag to wipe off the dust and dirt. Do this on a regular basis so the plants stay vibrant. Always use a new sponge or rag on each plant so pests are not transferred from one plant to another. Do not overwater the plants. A big part of caring for houseplants is watering them when needed. Thin, delicate houseplants will need more water than hearty succulents. Check if the plants need water by sticking your finger one inch into the soil. If the soil does not feel damp, the plants need water. Watch for signs of overwatering, such as young and old leaves that fall, mushy, brown roots at the bottom of the pot, moldy flowers, and leaves with brown, soft patches that do not grow. | Use sharp scissors or garden shears. Prune the plants at the beginning of their growing season. Remove dead leaves and limbs at a 45 degree angle. Trim off any dead flowers. Prune back half of the longest branches on the plant. Remove leggy stems. Pinch off the stems. Remove 10-20% of the plant’s foliage at a time. Fertilize the plants after pruning. Wipe dust or dirt off the leaves. Do not overwater the plants. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Jewelry-Appraised | How to Get Jewelry Appraised | Getting your jewelry appraised will allow you to find out exactly how much it's worth. To find a reliable appraiser who can give you an accurate appraisal, contact the American Gem Society. Alternatively, you may find an appraiser who is a member of the national Association of jewelry Appraisers. Once you find an appraiser, review their CV to see if they have accreditations in the field. You may also want to check if they have liability insurance, which will mean you'll be compensated if they make any errors in appraising your item. After they've completed the appraisal, expect them to provide a full description of the item, including the size and quality of any gems, the types of precious metals used, and the type of mount used. | Look for a description of all characteristics of the piece. Characteristics should include weights, grades and measurements of components. The color grade of the gemstone should be determined by using comparison gemstones. Expect notes on gemstone treatment. If any atypical treatments were conducted on your gemstone or if your gemstone is untreated, this should be noted on the appraisal. Watch for a statement of whether the gemstone is natural or synthetic. Expect notes on the type of setting. Look for an appraisal of the jewelry’s value. The value depends on whether you want to insure your jewelry for its actual cash value, its replacement value or its agreed value. Cash value is the value of your jewelry at today's market rate, not at the purchase price. Replacement value means the insurer will pay you a specific amount according to its current market value at the time of the loss. Agreed value means that you and your insurer settle on a specific value that you will receive in the event of a loss. Expect the appraisal to include a photograph of the gem. Make sure that your jeweler uses the proper forms. If your appraisal is for an insurer, then your appraiser should use one of the following forms from the Jewelry Insurance Standards Organization: JISO 805—Jewelry Sales Receipt for Insurance Purposes. This form is used when you are purchasing jewelry and can be completed by the retailer who sold the jewelry to you. JISO 806—Jewelry Document for Insurance Purposes. This form is used when you're obtaining a second appraisal. JISO 78—Jewelry Insurance Appraisal—Single Item. This form must be completed by a Certified Insurance Appraiser and is a highly detailed description of the item. JISO 79—Jewelry Insurance Appraisal—Multiple Items. This form is also completed by a Certified Insurance Appraiser and is used for the valuation of multiple items of jewelry. Look for both gemological and appraisal education. In addition to understanding gem identification, appraisers need to know valuation theory so that they can appraise the jewelry according to the intended use of appraisal documents. Review your appraiser’s resume or curriculum vitae. Look for professional certification and continuing education to show that the appraiser is keeping his or her skills current. Verify any certification or membership credentials. If the appraiser claims to be certified by the American Society of Appraisers, then double-check the certification by calling the organization or by checking the organization's website. Check for errors and omissions insurance. Also called liability insurance, errors and omissions protects the appraiser in case an error is made on your appraisal so that you can be compensated appropriately. Contact the American Gem Society to find an appraiser in your area. The AGS is a nonprofit dedicated to the education and protection of consumers. Appraisers who are AGS members take an annual Recertification Exam. Find a jewelry appraiser who is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. NAJA labels members according to their level of experience in the industry, and Certified members have reached the apex of education in appraisal studies. Look for certification from the American Society of Appraisers. ASA-accredited jewelers have thorough training in areas including Appraisal Review and Management, Business Valuation, Gems and Jewelry, Machinery and Technical Specialties, and Personal and Real Property. They also complete examinations and submit evidence that they can handle complex appraisal assignments. | Look for a description of all characteristics of the piece. Expect notes on gemstone treatment. Watch for a statement of whether the gemstone is natural or synthetic. Expect notes on the type of setting. Look for an appraisal of the jewelry’s value. Expect the appraisal to include a photograph of the gem. Make sure that your jeweler uses the proper forms. Look for both gemological and appraisal education. Review your appraiser’s resume or curriculum vitae. Verify any certification or membership credentials. Check for errors and omissions insurance. Contact the American Gem Society to find an appraiser in your area. Find a jewelry appraiser who is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. Look for certification from the American Society of Appraisers. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Plant-Flower-Bulbs | How to Plant Flower Bulbs | If you want to plant flower bulbs, find a dry, sunny spot in your garden. If water tends to pool on your soil after it rains, build a raised bed or add compost to your soil to improve the drainage. Rake out any rocks and weeds and make sure the soil is loose. If you're planting flowers to bloom in the spring, plant the bulbs in the fall, or plant summer-blooming bulbs in the spring. Dig a hole about 2-3 times deeper than the height of the bulb, then plant the bulb in the hole with the pointed side up. Cover the bulbs with soil and mulch, and water the area. | Browse a catalog to see your bulb options. There are hundreds of varieties of bulbs to choose from, and most of them grow well in any region if you know how to care for them properly. You can buy them from your local nursery or order some from a catalog. Choose crocuses or daffodils for an early-blooming garden. Crocuses are usually white or purple. Daffodils are typically yellow with a trumpet-like shape and sometimes have an orange starburst in the middle. Both are drought-resistant and bloom early, heralding the arrival of spring for your garden. Plant hyacinths to enjoy their lovely scent. These low-maintenance flowers come in pink, purple or blue varieties, and have a clutch of round petals surrounding a central spike. Go with tulips for a classic, colorful look. You can't go wrong with these long-lived bell-shaped flowers. They come in an endless variety of colors, so you can choose shades that complement your other flowers or your backyard decor. Choose dahlias for a pop of color late in the season. Plant dahlias in the spring. With a rich range of colors and sizes, dahlias bloom beautifully in the summer and fall. Their spiky spray of petals make an angular, arresting addition to any garden. Plant Dutch irises for elegant, intricate blooms. These tall, beautiful flowers come in many colors and will naturalize easily, multiplying rapidly each year. The plant combines three upright petals with three drooping ones for a unique, colorful flower. Choose a hardy bulb for colder climates. Hardy bulbs are more common and need cold winter temperatures to thrive, so they are planted in the fall before the ground gets too hard. They'll survive in the ground through the winter and will bloom again the following spring. Examples include crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Select tender bulbs for a brilliant but higher-maintenance bloom. Tender bulbs will also flower year after year but will stop growing at the first frost. In a cold climate, you can dig up your tender bulbs in the fall and store them through the winter, replanting them the following spring. Tender bulbs include dahlias as well as less common bulb varieties. Mix and match bulb species and colors. When you're deciding what bulbs to buy, mix and match varieties and colors. Choose bulbs that flower at slightly different points in the season so you'll be able to enjoy the blossoms throughout the spring. Find a sunny, dry spot. Your bulbs will need plenty of sunlight to bloom, although some, like tulips, should be protected from the full heat of the sun around noon. Check your seed package for any other sunlight conditions your bulbs might have. If your bulbs need to be protected from the sun during the hottest part of the day, buy a garden shade structure to hang over your garden. You can also make your own garden shade by stringing a light-colored sheet up over your garden. Your bulbs will start blooming before new tree leaves grow in spring, so shady areas under trees can work just fine. Avoid areas shaded by your house or another building. Choose a well-drained area. Waterlogged bulbs won't grow, so you want to plant in soil that sifts through water quickly. To figure out how well your soil drains, dig a hole that's about 12-18 in (30-35 cm) across and deep, then fill it with water. If it drains in 10 minutes or less, you have fast-draining soil. A soil that takes any longer than an hour to drain the water would be considered poor-draining. Improve your soil’s drainage by using raised beds or adding compost to the soil. If you find that your soil doesn't drain well, buy or construct your own raised garden beds with wood, making sure there are holes in the bottom to allow drainage. You could also add compost, mixing it into the soil well with your fingers or a small shovel. Prepare and loosen the soil with a hoe. Rake out any rocks and weeds and make sure the area is clear and the soil loose. Increase or decrease the soil’s pH as needed. Bulbs grow best in soils with a neutral pH around 7.0. To increase your pH level, use a limestone spread, either in powder or pellet form. To lower your pH level, use a pelletized sulfur product. You can mix the products into the top 6 inches (15 cm) of ground, or simply lay them on top and allow them to percolate down naturally. Bulbs are hardy and will grow well in nearly all types of soil. You shouldn't need to add any specific nutrients to your soil, although you can add a bit of compost as you cultivate the soil, especially if it's especially dry or sandy. Consult your seed packet or local gardening store if you have any questions. Sketch out a rough plan for your garden. Do you want to place particular colors by each other, like in a rainbow or flag pattern? Do you want a spray of tulips by your mailbox, or a curving row of daffodils along a stone walkway? Use a pencil and paper to design a pattern before you start laying down your bulbs. Plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall. Once the soil and temperatures have cooled down, start planting your spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths. Plant summer-blooming bulbs in the spring. These late bloomers are more tender and less likely to survive the frost. Wait until winter has passed to start planting summer-blooming bulbs like dahlias and gladioli. Dig holes for the bulbs and plant them at the right depth. A general rule of thumb is to plant in a hole that is 2-3 times deeper than the bulb's height. Check the seed package for any specific instructions or exceptions. If you have a bulb that measures 3 in (7.6 cm) tall, for example, you'd need to dig a hole about 6-9 in (15.2-22.8 cm) deep into the soil. Space your bulbs properly. Bulbs can generally be planted quite close together, and they tend to look better that way, too! If you want them to grow in clumps, dig a larger hole to accommodate more than one bulb. For large patches of bulbs, space the holes a few inches apart, and plant as many as you want. For a natural grouping effect, try tossing a handful of bulbs on the ground and planting them right where they fall. Don't worry if the spacing isn't all even, or if some bulbs seem quite close together, as this will only add to the easy, natural look. Plant the bulbs pointy-side up. Tear-shaped bulbs should planted with their pointy side facing up, while flat bulbs can go into the ground with the flat side up. Planting them correctly will ensure that the roots grow down into the ground instead of up towards the surface. Fertilize with bone meal or superphosphate. Mix a bit of one fertilizer into the bottom of each hole. Once the bulbs are in their holes, you can add about 5 tablespoons (73 mL) of soluble fertilizer or bulb fertilizer, as well as two cups (0.5 L) of bone meal for each ten square foot plot. Fertilizing will encourage healthy flower growth year after year, but don't worry if you can't get to it before you plant. Bulbs are hardy and are still likely to grow even without any fertilizer. Cover the bulbs with soil and mulch. Refill the holes with soil and pat them gently to make sure the soil is packed. Water the area, then cover the soil with a layer of leaves or another type of mulch to protect the bulb beds. Wait for spring. If you plant bulbs in the fall, you can forget about them until spring. You won't need to water them through the winter unless you live in an area with low precipitation. Keep an eye out once the ground thaws and the weather starts to turn warm; they'll be sprouting soon! Water the flowers as they bud and start to bloom. Water well when the flower buds first appear on the plant; the water will have to reach down to the bud, about 6-8 in (15-20 cm) in the ground. Through the budding, blooming and early foliage stages, give the bulbs about 1 in (2.5 cm) of water per week, if they don't receive that amount in rainwater. Let them grow or cut them to enjoy indoors. Bulbs are abundant but have a relatively short growing season. They look beautiful outside, or you could cut them for an indoor bouquet that will last a few days in a vase of water. Avoid trimming the green foliage after the bloom. Fight the temptation to mow the leftover foliage once the flower has bloomed, because the flower will need it to grow successfully in the following year. The leaves will allow the plant to continue creating and storing energy for next year's bloom. Enjoy them again next year. Many varieties of bulbs grow for several years in a row. Rest up, because in 2-3 years, it will be time to plant new bulbs once again! To promote annual growth, fertilize the bulbs after their first year in the ground. Use specially made bulb fertilizer and follow the bulb fertilizer package directions. You can also work cow manure into the soil, or sprinkle it over the flower bed. | Browse a catalog to see your bulb options. Choose crocuses or daffodils for an early-blooming garden. Plant hyacinths to enjoy their lovely scent. Go with tulips for a classic, colorful look. Choose dahlias for a pop of color late in the season. Plant Dutch irises for elegant, intricate blooms. Choose a hardy bulb for colder climates. Select tender bulbs for a brilliant but higher-maintenance bloom. Mix and match bulb species and colors. Find a sunny, dry spot. Choose a well-drained area. Improve your soil’s drainage by using raised beds or adding compost to the soil. Prepare and loosen the soil with a hoe. Increase or decrease the soil’s pH as needed. Sketch out a rough plan for your garden. Plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall. Plant summer-blooming bulbs in the spring. Dig holes for the bulbs and plant them at the right depth. Space your bulbs properly. Plant the bulbs pointy-side up. Fertilize with bone meal or superphosphate. Cover the bulbs with soil and mulch. Wait for spring. Water the flowers as they bud and start to bloom. Let them grow or cut them to enjoy indoors. Avoid trimming the green foliage after the bloom. Enjoy them again next year. |
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