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https://www.wikihow.com/Lower-Globulin-Levels | How to Lower Globulin Levels | Having too much globulin in your body can lead to health problems, but with a diet low in protein and daily exercise to improve your metabolism, you can lower your globulin levels to a healthy range. Try cutting out high-protein foods such as red meat, eggs, and dairy from your diet, which contain high levels of globulin. Focus on eating fresh fruits and vegetables instead since they're nutritious and low in protein. Add some healthy fats to your diet too so you're getting all the nutrients you need, like olive oil, almonds, and cashews. In addition to diet, try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day with aerobic exercises like jogging or cycling. You could also mix things up with some strength-training and weight lifting. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and clear liquids as well. | Cut high-protein foods out of your diet to decrease globulin levels. If your doctor has asked you to lower your globulin, avoiding high-protein foods is a great place to start. Protein contains high levels of globulin, so consuming protein-heavy foods will raise your globulin. The recommended daily maximum amount of protein that you should eat is 0.08 g/kg (0.36 g/lb.). Aim to consume slightly less than this amount daily to lower your globulin. Keep in mind that changing your intake of protein will most likely not change your total protein on the A/G test result, but it will affect your globulin levels. Avoid protein-heavy foods like: Red meat and eggs Milk, cheese, and yogurt Hemp seeds and soy Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your globulin levels low. Veggies and fruits tend to have low protein levels. This means that they can form the majority of your diet without increasing already-high globulin levels. Avoid eating many servings of canned or processed fruits or veggies, since these are less healthy than natural foods. Build your diet around foods like: Apples, pears, and berries Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits Root vegetables like beets, turnips, and carrots Broccoli, cauliflower, and peas Supplement your diet with healthy fats and nuts. If you were to consume a diet comprised only of vegetables and fruits, you wouldn't receive all the nutrients your body needs. To meet your nutritional needs without eating large amounts of proteins, consume foods rich in healthy fats. Eating nuts is also a great way to intake plenty of calories without eating too much high-globulin protein. So, supplement your diet with: Foods made with healthy fats like olive oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil Nuts including walnuts, cashews, and almonds Stop using globulin-boosting protein supplements or protein powders. As with most other sources of protein, protein supplements and protein powders are high in globulin. To decrease your blood globulin levels, stop using protein supplements immediately. If you'd like to still build muscle while decreasing globulin levels, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to do this. Protein supplements are especially popular among people who regularly lift weights and are trying to bulk up. Participate in both aerobic and strength exercises to lower globulin. Daily exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your high globulin levels. If your doctor has recommended that you lower your globulin, make exercising for about 30 minutes a part of your daily routine. You can do all of your daily exercise in, for example, a single 30-minute weight-training session, or do 3 separate 10-minute jogs throughout the day. Aerobic exercises (also called cardio) get your heart pumping and include things like running, swimming, jumping rope, or cycling Strength-training exercises are based around weights and include bench pressing, dumbbell lifting, and squatting Reduce stress in your life to lower your globulin levels. In addition to having a generally negative effect on your mental health, living with acute stress can increase your globulin levels. Focus both on destressing in the moment and on removing big-picture stressors from your life. Some great ways to destress and calm down include: Practicing meditation or yoga Spending time outdoors or taking a quick walk Listening to relaxing music Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. When your body gets dehydrated, your globulin levels will increase. Over time, this can result in chronically high globulin levels. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids (e.g., fruit juices or herbal tea) throughout the day to keep your body well hydrated. Adult men should drink 15.5 cups (3.7 L) of water each day, while adult women should drink at least 11.5 cups (2.7 L). Visit your doctor if you experience chronic inflammation on your body. While many underlying conditions can lead to high globulin, it presents relatively few symptoms. One of the main symptoms is inflammation, which is often caused by a buildup of fluids in the extremities. Also visit your doctor if you show signs of liver disease (which often causes high globulin levels). Symptoms of liver disease include: Vomiting and nausea Itching Frequent fatigue and a lack of appetite Agree to have your A/G ratio tested through laboratory bloodwork. An A/G test will allow doctors to measure the ratio of albumin to globulin in your body. Your doctor will draw blood from your arm and send the blood for lab work and analysis. Follow up with your doctor in 1–2 weeks if you haven't heard back about the A/G ratio test. Low albumin could suggest a liver disorder, a kidney disorder, a disorder in which protein is not digested or absorbed properly, severe malnutrition, celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. A high total protein level might suggest with chronic inflammation, infections, or multiple myeloma. If the doctor put on a tourniquet for too long or if you take estrogen or oral contraceptives, the A/G test results might not be accurate. Ask your doctor about a serum protein electrophoresis test. This is another type of blood test, in which your doctor will draw blood from your hand or arm with a needle and then send the blood sample to a lab for analysis. Unlike the A/G ratio test, which measures for all types of globulin, the protein electrophoresis test measures only for gamma globulins. Your doctor may suggest this test if they suspect that you have an immune system disorder. You may also need to take this test if your doctor thinks you may have multiple myeloma (a type of cancer). Discuss the test results with your doctor. In broad terms, too-high levels of globulin indicate types of cancer (e.g., Hodgkin's diseases or malignant lymphoma), while too-low levels are indicative of kidney or liver diseases. Your doctor will lay out the test results and explain what they mean. High globulin levels can also be caused by dehydration or certain medications. To rule out these possibilities, tell the doctor what medications you're taking. | Cut high-protein foods out of your diet to decrease globulin levels. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep your globulin levels low. Supplement your diet with healthy fats and nuts. Stop using globulin-boosting protein supplements or protein powders. Participate in both aerobic and strength exercises to lower globulin. Reduce stress in your life to lower your globulin levels. Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Visit your doctor if you experience chronic inflammation on your body. Agree to have your A/G ratio tested through laboratory bloodwork. Ask your doctor about a serum protein electrophoresis test. Discuss the test results with your doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-IAS-in-India | How to Prepare for IAS in India | To prepare for the Indian Administrative Service, or the IAS, exam in India, you'll need to become familiar with the syllabus for the General Studies Paper and the General Ability Test. You'll also need to choose an optional subject that you feel passionate about or familiar with. Since the exams cover a broad range of topics, like geography, history, economics, and culture, one way to prepare is to read the newspaper daily and always have a book that you're working on. You'll also want to review the exams from previous years and take practice tests online. | Become familiar with the syllabus for each exam. Read over the topics on the syllabus for each part of the preliminary exam. The General Studies Paper consists of 100 questions and the General Ability Test contains 80 questions. Understand the competitive nature of the exam. Each year 5-10 lakh aspirants register and sit for the exam. Less than 1% of the number of aspirants are chosen for the IAS. Begin your test preparation early. Check the current year's schedule for the dates of the preliminary exams. Several months of preparation should be done to ensure that you are ready for the variety of questions that may be asked. Choose an optional subject for which you have passion and familiarity. You will need to become intimately knowledgeable about your optional subject. Begin studying this topic early, and continue to keep up with the information through the end of the mains and interview. Read the newspaper every day. Stay informed about current events from the local to the international level. Focus on the economic and political sections without worrying about the entertainment news as much. Study a variety of subjects. The IAS exams cover a broad range of topics. You need to be well versed in a number of subjects to be successful. Here are a few focus areas included in the Preliminary Papers: Geography: both Indian and World Geography are important areas. History: knowledge of key events and social movements is required. Polity: the structure of the Indian Constitution, judicial processes, and international relations are all included. Economics: micro and macro aspects of the Indian economy should be understood. Environmental Science: Climate, agricultural issues, and pollution should be studied in depth. Arts and Culture: historical and contemporary study of Indian music, dance, literature, architecture, and painting are all covered during the exam. Review previous years' exam questions. Read over questions from old tests and familiarize yourself with the types of questions being asked. The content and distribution of questions will change from year to year, but the general format remains largely the same. Polish your language and communication skills. Although the mains can be taken in a number of languages, preliminary papers are given in Hindi and English. It is important for aspirants to be well studied in Hindi and English. Read as many books as you can find. Because the IAS exams cover so many varied topics, reading books on almost any subject can be helpful. Review book lists from previous toppers. Read classic literature. Study non-fiction books of various topics such as historical biographies or Take practice tests. Find practice tests online to prepare yourself for the time limits and formatting of the test. When you take a practice test, try to make the environment like the one you will experience on test day. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Set a timer. Take the entire test in one sitting. Review the answers when you are finished to learn from your mistakes. Read the syllabus for each of the papers in the mains exam. There are 9 essay papers required in the mains exam. Become familiar with the topic and language requirements for each essay. Understand how the Mains differ from the Preliminary Exams. While the preliminary exam was multiple choice, the mains are composed of multiple essays. Applying the knowledge you gained studying for the preliminary exam will be important composing your essays. Go over papers and essays written by previous year’s toppers. It is good to review what worked well in previous years to get an understanding for the type of writing and formatting used. Read several papers by different people to get a broad picture of what was successful. Study current events and happenings in detail. Continue reading the newspaper daily. Follow local, national, and international events online to stay current on what is happening around the world. Practice writing answers to last year's questions. Your writing style is just as important as the information you are writing about. Make sure that you practice composing, formatting, and editing your writing to be ready on exam day. Practice with a timer. Prepare yourself to write your essay in the limit of 3 hours per paper. Plan a strategy to format your essay: Brainstorming Creating an outline Writing a rough draft Editing Writing a final copy Ask family and friends to edit and review your responses. Seek out critical feedback on your writing. Review what you have written and compare your original responses against the feedback to incorporate the suggestions of others into your future practice. Review material in your optional subject in detail. Two of the mains exam papers will focus on your optional subject. Make sure that you are fully prepared by studying this informations of in depth. Practice with mock interviews. Prepare yourself to appear before the board by practicing answering questions with confidence and professionalism. Watch online videos of mock interviews. Practice answering questions in the mirror. Ask family and friends to interview you as practice. Dress in a professional manner for your interview. Your appearance is important when you appear before the committee. Be sure that your clothes are clean and fit properly to put forward your best impression during the interview. Make eye contact with the board member who is addressing you. Listen actively and make sure that you are attentive to the questions you are being asked. Be confident during your interview. The board members may try to make you uncomfortable with difficult questions. Stay calm and answer the questions as directly as possible. Answer questions honestly and directly. Be prepared to answer questions on any subject. Using the question in your answer shows the board that you are listening attentively and formulating detailed responses. Be honest and open with the interview board to show your best attributes. | Become familiar with the syllabus for each exam. Understand the competitive nature of the exam. Begin your test preparation early. Choose an optional subject for which you have passion and familiarity. Read the newspaper every day. Study a variety of subjects. Review previous years' exam questions. Polish your language and communication skills. Read as many books as you can find. Take practice tests. Read the syllabus for each of the papers in the mains exam. Understand how the Mains differ from the Preliminary Exams. Go over papers and essays written by previous year’s toppers. Study current events and happenings in detail. Practice writing answers to last year's questions. Practice with a timer. Ask family and friends to edit and review your responses. Review material in your optional subject in detail. Practice with mock interviews. Dress in a professional manner for your interview. Make eye contact with the board member who is addressing you. Be confident during your interview. Answer questions honestly and directly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Support-Kidney-Function | How to Support Kidney Function | To best way to support kidney function is by keeping yourself hydrated with water and eating a healthy, balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, lean meats, and beans. It's best to avoid consuming too much sodium, so skip the fast food and limit your consumption of salty snacks. Try to avoid alcohol and smoking altogether, because they can increase your risk for or worsen high blood pressure and kidney disease. Since regular exercise can counteract the dangers of kidney disease, aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. | Hydrate wisely. Because the kidneys help flush out waste products and drugs, some people might think that over hydrating can benefit their kidney function. But there are no studies that support this and instead recommend drinking four to six glasses a day. This amount should be sufficient to support your kidneys' function. Stick to water, which is the best option to keep you hydrated without added sugar, caffeine, or other substances to your diet. Drink more if you are active, especially in the summer. Add 8 ounces of water for every hour you're active. Maintain a healthy diet. The kidneys can generally tolerate a lot of different foods, but most kidney problems are related to other medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can be controlled by food. Eating a healthy and nutrient rich diet can help support your kidney functions and may also have the benefit of managing other conditions. Choose a balance of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, lean meats, and beans. Avoid too much sodium. Don't add salt when cooking or buy high-sodium processed foods. Eliminate fast food and limit salty snacks except for very rare occasions. Select foods with lower levels of potassium such as apples, carrots, cabbage, green beans, grapes, and blueberries. Limit or avoid high potassium foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach and tomatoes. Limit protein sources. Choose lean meats such as chicken or fish and trim off any fat you see. Bake, grill, or broil your meats instead of frying them. You can also get protein from sources like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain breads, and non-sugary cereals. Limit or eliminate alcohol and smoking. If you drink alcoholic beverages and/or smoke, either quit or limit your intake. Both can increase your risk for high blood pressure and kidney disease, or a worsening of the disease if you already have it. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one. Speak to your doctor about starting a program to quit smoking if you are having difficulties either going cold turkey or gradually weaning yourself off of tobacco. Exercise regularly. Getting exercise can promote your overall health, but can also help counteract the dangers of kidney disease. Getting some moderate activity most days of the week can support your kidney function and ward off weight that may cause kidney problems or other health concerns. Speak to your doctor before starting any exercise regimen. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. You can do a variety of activities such as walking, running, jogging, swimming, biking, or even dancing. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, which lowers your risk for kidney disease. Follow instructions on over-the-counter pain medication. If you are suffering from pain from your kidneys or any other area and want to use over-the-counter pain relievers, make sure to follow the packaging instructions. Taking too much pain medication can cause kidney disease or make existing kidney problems worse. Consider avoiding NSAID pain relievers if you already suffer from kidney problems. These include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Ask your doctor if these medications are safe for you to take. Control underlying conditions. Certain conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, can cause or increase your risk for kidney disease. By managing any underlying causes, you may be able to support your kidney function. Monitor your blood pressure regularly at home or a doctor's office. You target blood pressure should be less than 140/90 mm Hg. Check and control your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Watch your cholesterol levels to make sure they're within a healthy range. Your doctor can order blood tests to check your levels. Remember to take any medication for underlying conditions your doctor prescribes. See your doctor. If managing lifestyle and underlying conditions doesn't improve how you feel, if you're feeling worse, or if you suspect that you may have kidney disease , schedule an appointment with your doctor. She can run tests and come up with a treatment plan specifically for you. Tell your doctor any signs and symptoms you may have and describe how you feel. Let her know about any medications, supplements, or other substances that you're taking. Take a list of questions you may have. Answer any questions your doctor has about your condition. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Once your doctor has diagnosed what is causing problems with your kidneys, discuss your treatment options with him. Depending on the severity of your case or underlying causes, he may suggest continuing to support your kidney function with lifestyle, taking medication, or even undergoing dialysis. Treat complications with medication. Certain medications may help treat complications that arise from kidney disease. Take these to see if they help support your kidney function. Your doctor may prescribe medications that: Lower high blood pressure, such as an ACE inhibitor. Decrease water retention and swelling Lower cholesterol, such as statins Treat anemia, such as the supplement erythropoietin Protect bones, such as calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Your doctor may also suggest a lower protein diet to reduce waste products in your blood. Consider end-stage treatments. You may get to a point where your kidneys can't keep up with ridding your body of waste and fluid. If this is the case, you may have end-stage kidney disease, which will more extensive care. Speak to your doctor about what you need to avoid complete kidney failure. She may suggest: Dialysis, which can filter and remove waste from your blood or body fluids. Kidney transplant, which requires surgery to implant a donor kidney into your body. You'll have to take medication for the rest of your life to prevent your body rejecting the donor kidney. | Hydrate wisely. Maintain a healthy diet. Limit or eliminate alcohol and smoking. Exercise regularly. Follow instructions on over-the-counter pain medication. Control underlying conditions. See your doctor. Discuss treatment options with your doctor. Treat complications with medication. Consider end-stage treatments. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Silk-Press-Natural-Hair | How to Silk Press Natural Hair | To silk press natural hair, you'll need a flat iron and some leave-in conditioner. First, shampoo your hair a few times to remove any dirt and oil. Then, condition your hair. When you get out of the shower, apply a leave-in conditioner to protect your hair from the heat of your flat iron. Blow-dry your hair, combing or brushing it out as you go into large sections. When your hair is fully dry, take a 1/4 inch thick section from the bottom layer and slowly run your flat iron over it, starting as close to your scalp as possible. Ideally, you'll only want to move your flat iron over each section once to avoid heat damage. After you straighten the first section, continue straightening 1/4-inch sections until you've gone over all of your hair. | Shampoo your hair twice with clarifying shampoo, then once with moisturizing shampoo. Before beginning, you need to remove all the dirt and oil from your hair. Lather in a clarifying shampoo and rinse it out, and then repeat the process to ensure your hair is thoroughly clean. Then, shampoo your hair with a moisturizing shampoo to hydrate it and keep it from drying out your hair. Condition your hair. Using a wash-out conditioner is important because it helps add moisture back to your hair. Lather the conditioner in well, and then rinse until the water runs clear. Choose a conditioner made specifically for hair pressing. These conditioners have added silk to smooth out your hair. Steam the conditioner in if you can, meaning you leave the conditioner in for about 20 minutes while applying steam. At home, use the heat coming up from a hot shower to help steam it. If you don't want to stand in the shower, wrap your hair with a towel for 20 minutes, which helps the conditioner set in. Add a leave-in conditioner. A leave-in conditioner adds moisture to your hair, and it also helps protect against heat damage from the flat press. Separate your hair into sections, and spray it in before blow drying each area. Alternatively, use argan oil instead of a leave-in conditioner. Blow out your hair. While blow drying each section, comb or brush it out at the same time. Get your hair as straight as possible before you start using the flatiron, so the flatiron doesn't have to do as much work. Doing so prevents heat damage. If your blow dryer has a pick attachment, feel free to use it. Add a small amount of thermal protectant cream. If you're particularly worried about heat damage, a protectant cream can help. Use a small amount (about a pea size) of the cream. Rub into your hands first, and then apply it to your hair. It helps to comb or brush it in afterwards. Divide your hair into large sections. Clip back most of your hair so it doesn't get in the way while you're using the flatiron. Try clipping up both sides, as well as the top and the back. Only work with 1 section at a time. Pull out a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) layer. On 1 side of the head, pull out the very bottom part of your hair. Use a comb or clip to make a line across the bottom so you get an even layer. Create a very thin layer of hair, so you only need to run the flatiron over it once. Run it through the flat iron. Gather your hair together. Close the flat iron over your hair as close to the head as possible. Gently pull the iron down over your hair at a medium pace. Don't yank it through, but don't go so slow that you burn your hair. Run the iron all the way to the tips. Let that section hang down. Set your flat iron to 300–400 °F (149–204 °C). Give your hair 1 pass only to avoid heat damage. Place a rat tail comb beneath the flat iron as you run it down the length of the hair to get it super straight with 1 pass. Move up the section. As you finish each layer, move up a layer in the section. Iron each layer, and then let it join the other hair at the bottom. Keep going up until you've done all the hair in that section. Flatiron the rest of your hair. Moving section by section, use the flat iron over all of the hair Don't forget to go layer by layer, so you're only working on a small amount of hair at once. Wrap it in a silk scarf at night. Start by brushing out your hair. Then, wrap a scarf around your hair in a circular motion until it's no longer hanging down. A paddle brush is helpful for this technique. Tie your hair up in a scarf before you go to sleep each night. Skip the shampoo. To maintain this hairdo, you must skip washing your hair. As soon as you wash your hair, it will go back to its natural state. Go a week or 2 without washing, but don't go much longer than that. Keep in mind that very steamy showers also make your hair revert back to normal. If you need to, wear your scarf covered by a shower cap into the shower. Keep the scarf on to make it easier to wrap up in the shower cap. Plus, it will absorb some of the moisture that would have reached your hair otherwise. Opt for minimal curling. Bouncy curls all throughout your hair is a lot of fun, but often that hairstyle will only last a day or 2. If you want your hairdo to last longer, try just curling the very ends and leaving the rest of your hair straight. | Shampoo your hair twice with clarifying shampoo, then once with moisturizing shampoo. Condition your hair. Add a leave-in conditioner. Blow out your hair. Add a small amount of thermal protectant cream. Divide your hair into large sections. Pull out a 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) layer. Run it through the flat iron. Move up the section. Flatiron the rest of your hair. Wrap it in a silk scarf at night. Skip the shampoo. Opt for minimal curling. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Hemorrhoids-Fast | How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Fast | If you're already drinking more than 10 glasses of water a day, you can get rid of your hemorrhoids even faster by icing the area for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day. For best results, keep the area clean by gently washing with a warm washcloth daily, and try applying aloe vera cream or witch hazel pads to soothe your skin and relieve itching, burning, and inflammation. To prevent further irritation and promote healing, try wiping with a moist towelette instead of dry toilet paper. | Know the signs. If you suspect you have a hemorrhoid, it's important to know the symptoms of this condition. Here are the signs of internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids: The most obvious symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red rectal bleeding with your bowel movements. You will see bright red blood when cleaning yourself. In most cases, they do not cause pain. External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids can cause itching and burning in the anal area. They often cause pain, and sometimes bleed, especially when wiping after a bowel movement. Sometimes, external hemorrhoids make sitting very uncomfortable. Understand other possible conditions. While hemorrhoids are usually not serious, rectal bleeding can be caused by other serious health conditions, including anal, rectal or colon cancer; diverticulitis ; or a bacterial infection. If you experience any kind of new rectal bleeding, it's important to call your doctor so you can be properly diagnosed and treated. Understand what a hemorrhoid is. A hemorrhoid is a swollen and inflamed blood vessel in the anal or rectal area. It is caused by increased pressure in the pelvic and anal area. Chronic constipation and chronic diarrhea are common causes of hemorrhoids. Women in late stages of pregnancy are also susceptible, as are people who are overweight. Anal intercourse can sometimes cause hemorrhoids, and they can occur both internally or externally. Internal hemorrhoid: Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum. If they are large enough, or close enough to the anus, they may bulge out during a bowel movement. External hemorrhoid: External hemorrhoids occur in the area around the rectal opening. If they get severely irritated and clot under the anal skin, they can become a hard lump. This is called a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Learn about home treatments. In most cases, hemorrhoids can be treated at home, using methods that soothe or reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, itching and pressure. This section describes some of the steps you can take at home to feel better. Keep the area clean. Although it can be painful to wipe the anal area when there's a hemorrhoid present, one of the most important steps you can take to begin healing is keeping it as clean as possible. Gently wash it with a soft washcloth, warm water and mild soap. Rinse well, and pat dry using a clean washcloth or very soft toilet tissue. You might also want to try using moist towelettes, which are much more gentle than dry toilet tissue. Many brands include aloe or other soothing ingredients. Use a topical treatment. Several topical treatments can relieve hemorrhoid swelling and pain. Some can be purchased at the drugstore, and some are probably in your kitchen. Here's what to try: Creams and ointments: Preparation H, hydrocortisone creams, diaper rash cream, or products containing topical analgesics such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Witch hazel: Tucks Medicated Pads contain witch hazel, which is an astringent. You can also purchase witch hazel water and apply it to the anal area using a cotton ball or soft pad. Aloe vera: Aloe vera is lubricating and soothing. You can purchase aloe vera gel at the drugstore, just make sure it's not in a cream with other ingredients. If you have an aloe plant, break off a small piece, squeeze out the gel inside, and apply it to the area. Apply an Epsom salt and glycerin paste. Mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of Epsom salt into 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of glycerin. Apply the paste to a gauze pad and place it over the affected area. Leave the paste on for 15-20 minutes. You can reapply the paste every 4-6 hours until your pain subsides. Stay hydrated. Drinking water will soften your stools, making them easier to pass and reducing the urge to strain, which can potentially worsen your hemorrhoids. When you suspect a hemorrhoid, increase your water intake to 8 to 11.5 cups (1.9 to 2.7 L) glasses of water a day for women, or 8 to 15.5 cups (1.9 to 3.7 L) a day for men. Eat more fiber. Fiber is another excellent stool softener, and it helps keep your stool moving normally though your intestines. You can add it to your diet by eating high-fiber foods , by using a fiber supplement, or both. Eat more legumes, whole grains, seeds, vegetables and fruits. Or, you can try over-the-counter psyllium fiber supplements like Citrucel or Metamucil. Soak in a sitz bath. A sitz bath is a warm water bath for the perineal area. Warm water is soothing for hemorrhoids, provides relief and promotes healing. You can purchase a small tub (often called a sitz bath) that sits on top of the toilet seat, or simply use your bathtub. Here's how to find relief using a sitz bath: Fill the tub with a few inches warm water. If you are using a toilet sitz bath, fill it to the point indicated in the instructions. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. Add soothing and healing ingredients, if desired. Warm water alone will be soothing, but you may also find additional relief by adding known hemorrhoid healers such as table salt , epsom salts, chamomile, yarrow, and calendula. Soak for about 20 minutes. Take a 20 minute sitz bath after every bowel movement. If you can, also include another two to three soaks a day until the hemorrhoids have healed. Gently dry the perineal area with a soft towel. Apply an ice pack or cold compress. Cold will reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. Wrap the ice pack or compress in a cloth and place it on the anal area for 15 minutes. Repeat two to three times a day. Prevent hemorrhoids from returning. Once the hemorrhoids are healed, you can take measures to stop them from returning. Some treatment suggestions also apply to prevention, like maintaining a high-fiber diet and drinking lots of water. Here are some other ideas. If you have to go, go! Sometimes it just isn't the best time to make a bowel movement. However, waiting until later can cause problems. When you wait, your stools dry out and back up in your rectum, which can cause additional pressure. Then, when you do use the toilet, you may find yourself straining. So, when you feel the urge to move your bowels, don't wait. Find a bathroom and go! Don't spend too much time on the toilet. Spending long periods of time sitting on the toilet puts pressure on the anal area. Don't spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet at a stretch. If you are constipated, clean up, take a break, drink some water, take a walk, and try going again later. Lose weight. If being overweight is the cause of your hemorrhoids, losing weight may help. Talk to your doctor for recommendations about how much weight you might need to lose, and healthy ways to do it. Get more exercise. Exercise stimulates bowel function, which makes it easier to pass your stools. Try 20 minutes a day of moderate aerobic exercise; walking is a great place to start. If you have a sedentary job, make a point to get up and walk around some every hour. Getting more exercise can also help you with weight loss. Make dietary changes to help soften your stools. Softer stools mean less straining, less pressure on the anal area and less time spent sitting on the toilet. Dietary changes mean both adding and omitting or reducing your intake of certain foods. You may need to experiment with your diet before finding the balance that works for you. Here are some examples: Foods to add: lots of water, prunes or prune juice, ground flaxseed, foods with omega fatty acids, leafy greens, raw vegetables and fruits Foods to omit or reduce: fried foods, refined carbohydrates, dairy products, sodium Make dietary changes to support the health of your veins. Many foods and herbs contain compounds that support venous health by strengthening blood vessel walls. Some of these foods and herbs may also reduce inflammation, an added bonus. Examples include: Flavonoids (found in citrus fruits, blackberries, cherries and many other fruits and vegetables) Butcher's broom Horse chestnut Ginkgo biloba Calendula. Know when to call the doctor. Home treatments will heal most hemorrhoids. However, there may be times when helping yourself is not sufficient, and you need medical attention. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine whether you should seek medical help. Look for the following: Duration of symptoms: Bleeding and pain typically resolve after two to three days. Call your doctor if these symptoms last longer than one week. Timing of symptoms: Bleeding from hemorrhoids usually only occurs with bowel movements. If you are experiencing rectal bleeding at any other time, call your doctor. Changes in symptoms: Changes in your symptoms can mean your condition is worsening. It can also mean that something else is wrong. If the color of your hemorrhoidal bleeding changes from bright to dark red, call your doctor as soon as possible. Severity of symptoms: If you've been applying home treatments, your hemorrhoids should improve. If your symptoms worsen, or become severe, call your doctor. | Know the signs. Understand other possible conditions. Understand what a hemorrhoid is. Learn about home treatments. Keep the area clean. Use a topical treatment. Apply an Epsom salt and glycerin paste. Stay hydrated. Eat more fiber. Soak in a sitz bath. Apply an ice pack or cold compress. Prevent hemorrhoids from returning. If you have to go, go! Don't spend too much time on the toilet. Lose weight. Get more exercise. Make dietary changes to help soften your stools. Make dietary changes to support the health of your veins. Know when to call the doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-a-Fitbit-Flex | How to Set Up a Fitbit Flex | To set up a Fitbit Flex, start by inserting the tracker into the USB charger round-end first. If the tracker came in the wristband, remove it before inserting it into the charger. Next, plug the charger into a USB port and let it charge until all 3 lights are on. Once your Fitbit Flex is charged, download the Fitbit app on your phone and insert the tracker into your wristband. Finally, launch the app, wait for it to locate your device, and sign up for a new Fitbit account. | Locate all of your Fitbit items. You should have the following items when setting up your Fitbit Flex: Fitbit tracker (May be inserted in a wristband) USB charger USB Bluetooth dongle Two wristbands Charge your Fitbit tracker. Before you setup your new Fitbit, make sure it has a charge: Remove the tracker from the wristband if necessary. Insert the tracker into the USB charger, round end first. Push the tracker down and in until you hear a click. Plug the charger into a USB port or wall adapter. Charge until at least three lights are on. This indicates a 60% charge. Visit the Fitbit Connect download page. You can download the Fitbit Connect program for Windows or Mac by visiting fitbit.com/setup. This program will track your Fitbit information. Download the installer for your operating system. If you scroll down the page a little, you should see a button for downloading the setup program. The website will attempt to detect your current operating system and provide the correct link. If the wrong button is showing, select your operating system underneath the Download button. Note: If you're using Windows 10, the Download button will take you to the Windows Store. Windows 10 uses the same app as the Windows Phone, so follow the method below after installing it. If you'd prefer to use the traditional Windows program, select "PC" as your operating system. Run the downloaded installer to install Fitbit Connect. Once the download is finished, run the installer and follow the prompts to install Fitbit Connect on your computer. Run Fitbit Connect and select "New to Fitbit." This will allow you to create a new Fitbit account and setup your device. Note: If you have a previous Fitbit account, select "Existing User" to sign in with your existing account and setup your new Flex. Create a Fitbit account. You can enter in an email address and create a password, or you can sign in using your Facebook or Google account. Enter your personal information. Fitbit will use this to help track your performance. Enter your name, gender, birthday, height, and select your time zone. Select "Flex" from the list of devices. This will allow you to start setting up your Flex. Insert the tracker back in the wristband. Insert it into the wristband with the arrow facing out and pointing towards the black band. Put the bracelet on. Attach the wristband to your wrist using the clasp. The wristband should be snug but not constricting. Insert the USB Bluetooth dongle into a USB port on your computer. You won't be able to continue with the Setup process until it's been inserted. This isn't required for computer's that already have Bluetooth capability. Wait while your Flex tracker pairs with your computer. It may take a moment for your computer to find your tracker. Tap the flat part of your Flex twice when two lights appear. Once the tracker has connected, you'll see two indicator lights on the black band. Tap your wristband twice and you'll feel the tracker vibrate. Start using your Flex. Your Flex is now setup, and the initial goal of 10,000 steps will start. You can check your progress by double-tapping your Flex. Each light indicates 20% of your goal. Visit your dashboard. Once your device is synced, you can view your data from your Fitbit dashboard. You can use this to log activities, food, and track your progress towards your goals. You can open your dashboard any time at fitbit.com/login using your Fitbit account. Download the Fitbit app for your mobile device. This app is available for free for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. You can get it from your device's Play Store. Insert the tracker into your wristband and put it on. Insert the tracker so that the arrow is facing out and pointing towards the black band on the wristband. Launch the app and tap "Join Fitbit." This will start the account creation and device setup process. If you already created an account while setting up your Fitbit on your computer, log in with your Fitbit account instead. Wait for the app to find your device. This may take a moment. Tap "Fitbit Flex" in the list of available devices. This will start the setup process for the Flex. Tap "Set up your Flex." This will begin the account creation process. Create an account. You can enter an email address and password, or you can use your Facebook or Google account to create one. Enter your personal information. You'll be prompted to enter your name, birthday, height, weight, and gender. Your age, height, weight, and gender are used to calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate). Pair your device. Follow the prompts to pair your Fitbit tracker with your mobile device. Note: If you're using the Windows 10 app on a computer that doesn't have Bluetooth, you'll need to insert the USB Bluetooth dongle. If your phone is already paired with another device, such as a headset or your computer, you may not be able to pair the Fitbit. Wait while your Flex finishes setting up. This may take a while to complete. Make sure to leave the app open while it sets up. View your dashboard. Once setup is complete, you'll be taken to the Fitbit dashboard. This tracks your progress and allows you to adjust your goals. You can access the dashboard at any time by launching the Fitbit app. Make sure you have at least a 60% charge. Plug your tracker into the charger and make sure at least three of the lights are on. For best results, charge it until all five lights are on. Try restarting your tracker if you can't pair or sync. If your tracker stops functioning properly, a reset will usually fix it. This won't delete any of the data on the tracker. Plug the USB charging cable into a USB port. Insert the tracker into the charging unit. Use a paper clip to press and hold the pin hole on the back of the charger for about four seconds. Restart the setup process if it doesn't pair. If the setup process fails, you may want to try again from the beginning. Uninstall the Fitbit Connect program or app and then download and install it again. Follow the prompts to try setting up your device. Try another device. If you can't get your Fitbit to connect to your computer, try setting it up with a mobile device, or vice-versa. | Locate all of your Fitbit items. Charge your Fitbit tracker. Visit the Fitbit Connect download page. Download the installer for your operating system. Run the downloaded installer to install Fitbit Connect. Run Fitbit Connect and select "New to Fitbit." Create a Fitbit account. Enter your personal information. Select "Flex" from the list of devices. Insert the tracker back in the wristband. Put the bracelet on. Insert the USB Bluetooth dongle into a USB port on your computer. Wait while your Flex tracker pairs with your computer. Tap the flat part of your Flex twice when two lights appear. Start using your Flex. Visit your dashboard. Download the Fitbit app for your mobile device. Insert the tracker into your wristband and put it on. Launch the app and tap "Join Fitbit." Wait for the app to find your device. Tap "Fitbit Flex" in the list of available devices. Tap "Set up your Flex." Create an account. Enter your personal information. Pair your device. Wait while your Flex finishes setting up. View your dashboard. Make sure you have at least a 60% charge. Try restarting your tracker if you can't pair or sync. Restart the setup process if it doesn't pair. Try another device. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-a-Casio-Keyboard-(Beginners) | How to Play a Casio Keyboard (Beginners) | Casio keyboards are simple to use and usually have helpful features like audio recording and various instrument settings. To use your Casio, press the power button to turn it on and adjust the volume using the nobs to the left or right. You can also change the sound you play by using the number keypad. Since the features on Casio keyboards vary according to the model, check your manual to learn which ones are available. For example, you may be able to set a metronome or follow programmed lessons. As a starting point, try playing a scale of C, which is when you play 8 white keys beginning with middle C. Record yourself as you play so you can find out where you're making mistakes. The “Record” button on your Casio will likely be red and marked with “Rec.” | Turn it on and set the volume. The position of the power button will depend on your model. Usually you'll find this button on the left or right side, in one of the corners of the keyboard. Volume knobs or buttons are usually labeled and are positioned off to the left or right as well. Many Casio keyboards have a small LED near the power button. When the keyboard is on, this light turns on to indicate it has power. If your keyboard isn't turning on, check the power cord. The keyboard won't turn on if it's unplugged or the cord is loose. If your keyboard is battery powered and it won't start up, you may need new batteries. Replace these and see if the keyboard turns on. Choose the sound you want to play, if desired. The default for most keyboards when they're first turned on is piano, but electronic keyboards can synthesize many different sounds. Use the number pad (usually to the right) to change the sounds made when you press a key. Most keyboards will have an instrument directory written somewhere near the keypad. This will list instrument names (like organ, trumpet, and so on) and their number. If your keyboard doesn't have an instrument directory, look up the instrument numbers in your manual. If your manual is missing, Casio offers free electronic manuals online. Consult your manual to learn keyboard features. The features your Casio has will largely depend on its model. Older keyboards may have few features, but newer ones may have programmed lessons, auto-chord features, a metronome , and more. Programmed lessons often make use of a keyboard light-up feature, where keys change color to indicate which you're supposed to press to play a song. Auto-chord features will make simple chords off a single note. This can be a fun way to learn simple chord structure. Record yourself to improve your playing. Especially in the beginning, you'll be focused on hitting the right notes, hand position, and so on. You'll be coordinating a lot of new motions, so it may be difficult to get a good sense of how it all sounds together without listening to a recording. The record button on most Casios is red and will be labeled with "Rec.” Generally, press this button once to start recording and again to stop. Recording features will vary from model to model. Your keyboard may even have memory so you can save songs you're really proud of. Familiarize yourself with the names of the keys. Keys are named after the musical notes they represent. Musical notes use letters from A to G. Each white key is called by a single letter name, with letters repeating every eight white keys. Moving up the keyboard, the next white note after G is A, but then the pattern continues normally (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B…) and vice versa when moving down. One of the easiest notes on the keyboard to locate is C. Look for a grouping of two black keys (there will probably be several). The white key to the immediate left of these black keys is always C. The C at the center of the keyboard is called middle C. The C directly above is high C, and the C directly below low C. This pattern holds for other notes, too. Recognize fingering notation. As a beginner, you might not know which finger to use to play a note. This is why fingering notation is included with many beginner songs. Numbers above notes correspond to the finger you should use to play, as follows: 1 represents your thumb. 2 represents your pointer finger. 3 represents your middle finger. 4 represents your ring finger. 5 represents your pinkie. Sit at the keyboard with good posture. It's no joke, the better your posture is, the better your playing will sound. Good posture allows you to use your full body when sitting at the keys, which will create a fuller, richer sound. Keep your back and neck straight and in alignment. It may help you improve slouching if you set up a mirror to the side of your keyboard. You should be sitting high enough that your elbow and upper arm hang freely from your shoulder with your forearm parallel to the floor. Adjust your distance from the keyboard so that your elbows are a little in front of the center line of your body when playing. Keep your hands relaxed and press the keys smoothly. When resting fingers on the keys, hold your wrists so they are level with your hands and relaxed. Your fingers should be slightly curled. Press keys with a soft, fluid motion, similar to how a cat kneads. Some keyboards may not change volume when keys are pressed soft or hard. This feature is generally referred to as “key action” or “weighted keys.” Even if your keyboard doesn't have action, you should practice proper key attack anyways. This way, when you sit down at a keyboard with weighted keys, you'll still sound great. Read musical notes in piano sheet music. Keyboard music is generally represented with two sets of five lines. The top set represents notes played by your right hand and the bottom your left. Each line and space for each of these sets represents a note. In most beginner music, the leftmost area of the top set of lines will have a symbol that looks like an “&” sign. This is called a treble clef. Similarly, the bottom is usually marked with a backwards “C” and called the bass clef. Treble clef lines, from bottom to top, are E, G, B, D, and F. Starting again from the bottom, spaces represent the notes F, A, C, and E. Bass clef lines are G, B, D, F, and A, starting from the bottommost line. Moving up from the bottom space, the notes are: A, C, E, and G. Play an octave scale with your right hand. It's time to put all these basic skills together and play something. An octave is a span of eight notes on the keyboard, and you're going to scale up this distance on the keyboard. Middle C is a good central note to start your scale: Spread your fingers so each is on a single key, with your thumb on middle C. Press the keys smoothly. When you release one key, follow with the next white key up. When you reach the third note up (E), tuck your thumb under to play the next white key (F). Scale up, pressing notes until you reach your pinkie (high C). Move down from high C. At your thumb (F), cross your middle finger over to the next key (E). Finish the scale at middle C. Follow up your right-hand scale with one using your left. For this scale, you're going to start a little lower on the keyboard. Find the C right below middle C (low C). Remember you can find C notes easily on a keyboard by looking for groupings of two black keys. To scale with your left hand: Arrange your fingers one finger per key, with your pinkie starting on low C. Scale up, pressing keys one at a time until your reach your thumb (G). Cross your middle finger over your thumb to play the next white note (A). Stop scaling up at your thumb (middle C), then move down one white note at a time. At your third finger (A), tuck your thumb under to play the next white key (G). Scale down until you end at your pinkie (low C). Position your hands on low and middle C. Your left hand will start with its pinkie on low C and your right with its thumb on middle C. The fingers of both hands should each be on a single white key apiece. Your left will occupy low C, D, E, F, and G; your right middle C, D, E, F, and G. Coordinating the motions of two different hands, even when those motions are similar like in this song, can be difficult. Sing along to help your rhythm. It may be too difficult at first to play both hands together. Even talented pianists practice difficult music by playing hands separately, when necessary. Play the first phrase. Each syllable of this song will get a single note in each hand. In the following, a forward slash ( / ) represents syllable breaks. So the first phrase is broken up: twin / kle / twin / kle / lit / tle / star. The notes in both hands are: C / C / G / G / A / A / G Right hand fingering: 1 / 1 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 (you'll have to stretch your pinkie to A) Left hand fingering: 5 / 5 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 (you'll have to stretch your thumb to A) Follow with the second phrase. This phrase breaks down as: How / I / Won / der / what / you / are. The notes in both hands are: F / F / E / E / D / D / C Right hand fingering: 4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 2 / 2 / 1 Left hand fingering: 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 5 Play the last phrase. You're almost there! Good work so far. The last phrase is divided: up / a / bove / the / world / so / high. The notes in both hands are: G / G / F / F / E / E / D. Right hand fingering: 5 / 5 / 4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 2 Left hand fingering: 1 / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 Repeat the last phrase. Although the words are different, this phrase is played exactly like the previous one. The breaks for the words in this phrase are: like / a / dia / mond / in / the / sky. Finish with the first phrase followed by the second. Since this song opens and closes with the same two lines, these will be the same notes and fingering. Practice this song until you can play it perfectly. | Turn it on and set the volume. Choose the sound you want to play, if desired. Consult your manual to learn keyboard features. Record yourself to improve your playing. Familiarize yourself with the names of the keys. Recognize fingering notation. Sit at the keyboard with good posture. Keep your hands relaxed and press the keys smoothly. Read musical notes in piano sheet music. Play an octave scale with your right hand. Follow up your right-hand scale with one using your left. Position your hands on low and middle C. Play the first phrase. Follow with the second phrase. Play the last phrase. Repeat the last phrase. Finish with the first phrase followed by the second. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-With-Separators-in-Your-Mouth | How to Eat With Separators in Your Mouth | Separators can make your teeth feel sore and eating difficult, so you'll need to eat softer foods while you're getting used to them. Until your gums are less sore, eat foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and hot cereal. Instead of raw fruits and veggies, get your nutrients by making smoothies. It can also help to cut your food into small pieces, which will make chewing easier. Once your food is in smaller pieces, chew it slowly and gently since biting down can cause pain. You'll also need to avoid any sticky foods, which can pull your separators out. It's also important to minimize sugary foods and drinks, which can lead to tooth decay since you can't floss with separators. | Go for soft foods at first. In order to manage the pain, it's recommended that you go for soft foods until your gums are less sore. This can also make it easier to chew slower and softer, preventing pain associated with biting too hard. Soft foods are easier to chew and less likely to get lodged between your teeth. Go for foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and hot cereal. Instead of eating raw fruits and veggies, try making a smoothie by mixing some of your favorite fruits and vegetables in a blender along with some juice. As time goes by, you may feel less discomfort and be able to eat harder foods. Soft foods can help in the first few days as you're getting used to the feeling of separators. Cut food into small pieces. Before you begin eating, it can help to cut food into small bits. Chewing can feel awkward and painful when you're first starting out with separators. Preparing small, bite-sized food can lessen the work for your teeth. Cut harder fruits and veggies, like apples and carrots, into tiny portions before eating. Do not try to bite into a whole apple on its own, or any other hard fruit. You should remove meat from the bone before eating. It will be difficult to eat something like ribs or chicken wings from the bone with separators. You should also cut up meat into small bits before eating to make it easier to chew. Chew slowly. It can be hard to get used to eating with separators as they often cause discomfort. It's a good idea to chew gently. Biting down hard can increase discomfort and pain, especially early on. When eating with separators, take small bites and chew your food slowly and softly. Consider steaming or cooking hard vegetables. Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, but can be difficult to eat when adjusting to separators. As soft foods are generally better to eat, it's a good idea to steam or cook hard vegetables before eating. Go for steamed broccoli or cooked carrots as a side dish over raw varieties. Do not pick at your teeth after eating. After you eat, it can be tempting to pick at your teeth. At first, separators may feel awkward and can easily be mistaken for food caught between the teeth. Try to resist the urge to pick. Using your finger or a toothpick to pick at your teeth can cause a separator to fall out. In order to help resist the temptation to pick, try to avoid foods, like popcorn and raspberries, that often get caught in your teeth. Stay away from these kinds of snacks until you're used to your separators. Do not eat anything sticky. Sticky foods should be completely avoided when you have separators. Sticky food can glob onto separators and pull them out. Things like gummy candy, toffee, caramel, gum, and anything else with a sticky texture should be avoided until you're no longer using separators. Minimize your sugar intake. Sugary foods and beverages, like candy and soft drinks, are generally bad for teeth. Since you can't floss while wearing separators, these types of food are even more hazardous, and may cause more decay in your teeth. It's a good idea to minimize sugar intake until you separators or braces are removed. If you do have a treat with sugar in it, brush your teeth and rinse with water and mouthwash afterwards. If some of the spaces in your teeth do not have separators, you should floss those as you normally would. Stay away from hard foods. Hard foods are particularly difficult to eat when separators are in place. Pretzels, tortillas, hard candies, nuts, crusted bread, and other harder foods should be avoided until you're used to your separators. Do not chew ice. Many people habitually chew ice from a beverage. You should avoid this habit when you have separators in. Ice can dislodge separators, and may also increase pain. Take precautions with corn on the cob. Corn on the cob is a favorite side dish for many, but you should be careful when eating with separators. Chewing corn straight off the cob can easily dislodge your separators, and the hard biting motions can cause discomfort. If corn on the cob is being served, carefully cut the kernels off the cob with your knife before eating. Brush your teeth back and forth. Separators are usually not in for long. You will usually have your separators removed at your next orthodontist appointment, when your braces will be put in place. Up until this time, you should brush your teeth back and forth after eating. Brushing your teeth up and down can easily dislodge separators. Take precautions with flossing. Separators should not come undone during routine brushing. However, flossing can very easily dislodge a separator. After you eat, avoid flossing in the gaps between your teeth filled by a separator. Use over-the-counter painkillers to manage soreness. You may feel some soreness after eating when using separators. You can manage pain with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen. Take the recommended dose on the bottle. This should take care of some of the pain. Talk to your orthodontist if a separator falls out. Separators sometimes fall out. This can be normal. Remember, separators serve to create space in your teeth for braces. If a separator falls out on its own close to your braces appointment, this means the space has been made. However, if a separator falls out 4 days or more before your appointment, call your orthodontist's office. Losing a separator this soon means you likely accidentally dislodged it via flossing, brushing, or eating. You may need your orthodontist to add a new separator. | Go for soft foods at first. Cut food into small pieces. Chew slowly. Consider steaming or cooking hard vegetables. Do not pick at your teeth after eating. Do not eat anything sticky. Minimize your sugar intake. Stay away from hard foods. Do not chew ice. Take precautions with corn on the cob. Brush your teeth back and forth. Take precautions with flossing. Use over-the-counter painkillers to manage soreness. Talk to your orthodontist if a separator falls out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Hair-Growth | How to Stop Hair Growth | To stop hair growth, try drinking 2 cups of spearmint tea a day, which has been shown to reduce hormones that cause excessive hair growth. You can also try cutting red meat out of your diet, which increases hair-growth hormones, and replacing it with soy products, which can lower hair-growth hormones. Also, if you're overweight, try losing weight since excess body fat can lead to more hair growth. | Speak to your doctor. Hormonal shifts, such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause can cause a temporary increase in body hair. There hormonal shifts are completely normal and after they finish, the hair growth is likely to diminish. Hair growth can also be caused by medical conditions that you may be able to resolve through treatment. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adrenal gland tumors and Cushing's disease could each cause your body to produce too many male hormones. Check to see if you’re taking medications that can cause hair growth. There are a number of medications that may cause unusual hair growth as a side effect. Depending on the medication and the condition you are using it to treat, you may be able to prevent further hair growth simply by changing to an alternative medication. Look your prescriptions up online to check for side effects or contact your doctor to discuss it. Some medications that may cause hair growth are: Some anti-seizure medications Steroids like cortisone IFG-1 (a specific form on insulin) Some birth control pills Reduce testosterone with spearmint tea. Studies have shown that you can reduce the amount of androgen in your body while increasing the level of female hormones your body produces. Through consistent drinking of spearmint tea, you can produce a noticeable drop off in body and facial hair growth. Make tea using 1 heaping teaspoon or 1.5 teaspoons of chopped spearmint leaves. Brew the spearmint leaves with one cup of boiling water for ten minutes. Drink two cups of spearmint tea a day for a minimum of five days to begin to see results. Consider losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Dropping unhealthy weight has been shown to significantly reduce hair growth in some women. Having excess body fat can affect the way your body produces hormones, which can lead to excess body hair growth. Losing weight can help your body to better regulate your hormone levels, thus limiting your body's production of body hair. Women with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 25 have significantly higher levels of testosterone than women with a lower BMI. Make sure to pursue healthy methods of losing weight. Losing weight and limiting hair growth are just a few of the benefits of eating healthy. Replace red meat with soy. Diets that are high in red meat can increase androgen levels in your body, resulting in more hair growth. Cutting down the amount of red meat that you eat can affect how much hair your body grows. Soy products have been known to actually increase the levels or estrogen in your body, which can combat the effects of the naturally occurring androgens in your system. Reduce the amount of red meat in your diet to help control hormone production. Increasing the soy in your diet can help increase estrogen production to combat hair growth caused by hormones. Research has not definitively linked the ingestion of soy products with feminizing effects on men including gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) or reduction in fertility. Search for a licensed electrologist in your area. Most states require people performing electrolysis to be licensed or certified. Even if your state doesn't require it, look for a certification from an electrology school before undergoing treatment. Electrolysis is relatively non-invasive but there are some risks involved. Electrolysis involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and emitting an electric current to damage and ultimately destroy it. Electrolysis using a needle to kill hair follicles is the only electrolysis method that will prevent further hair growth in the future. Look online for reviews of local electrologists, then contact them to ask about their credentials. If the electrologist says they use electronic tweezers or photoepilators, you should choose someone else, because these methods have proven to not be permanent or last longer than normal tweezing. Get a consultation. Once you find an electrologist, make an appointment for a consultation. At your appointment, the electrologist should go over the procedure with you, answer any of your questions, and discuss how many sessions will be required in order to reach your hair removal goals. Make sure you feel comfortable in the environment and discuss any concerns you may have with the electrologist. Most electrolysis clinics offer free consultations. Ask how much each session costs, how long they last, and how long the practitioner or electrologist has been conducting these procedures. Refrain from temporary forms of hair removal for one to two weeks. Prior to your first electrolysis appointment, avoid shaving, waxing or plucking the hair you intend to have removed. The electrolysis procedure requires the hair to be at the surface in order to locate and penetrate each hair follicle. Removing your hair can make that difficult. Electrolysis is usually done in small areas at once, so you can continue to shave or wax areas that will not be treated until a later session. Complete your scheduled treatments. You will likely need to return for a number of treatments, depending on the amount of hair you are having removed and the area of your body. As you have the hair removed via electrolysis, it should be permanently arrested, preventing any further growth from the treated hair follicles. You will likely need to apply a cream with antiseptic to each treated area after your sessions to soothe it and prevent infection. Electrolysis can be mildly painful, but shouldn't be overwhelming. If you experience extreme discomfort, make sure to address it with the practitioner. Ensure laser hair removal is right for you. Laser hair removal is not considered a permanent method of preventing hair growth, but it can greatly reduce the amount of hair you see growing in specific areas after a number of treatments. Laser hair removal can be rather expensive and will require repeated visits for each portion of your body you hope to treat. Laser hair removal procedures can be quick. One laser can treat multiple hair follicles at once, and requires only an instant to work. Your skin may feel sunburned after the procedure for a few days, but there are few risks otherwise. Research licensed laser removal technicians in your area. In some states, this procedure can only be done by a physician. You can often find certified laser hair removal practitioners or physicians at cosmetic surgery practices. Use the internet to research local practices and look for reviews and credentials listed online. Ask questions about the physician overseeing the procedure and their credentials when looking for a laser hair removal clinic. Look for membership in professional organizations like The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) or the National Council on Laser Excellence (NCLE). Consult with the technician or physician. Discuss how many treatments you can expect to pay for before you see long-lasting results. It may take between three and seven treatments to permanently reduce hair growth. Laser hair removal is often not a completely permanent solution, so be wary of any clinic making such promises. Keep in mind that cost varies by the size of the treatment area and, depending on the luxury of the location, a session could cost several hundred dollars. Allow normal hair growth for six weeks prior to your appointment. Laser hair removal requires the targeting of hair follicles, which may be removed by waxing or plucking. Allow your hair to grow naturally for six weeks in order to ensure the laser can properly target and kill hair follicles. Do not wax or pluck hairs between laser hair removal sessions either. Schedule laser hair removal sessions every six weeks. Laser hair removal can remove hair for up to six weeks, but the hair will continue to grow back. After three to seven treatments in one area, hair growth can be permanently limited, but you still may experience limited hair growth in those regions. Wearing a cold compress after each procedure can soothe the affected skin and limit irritation. Anti-inflammatory creams or lotions can also increase comfort immediately after the procedure. | Speak to your doctor. Check to see if you’re taking medications that can cause hair growth. Reduce testosterone with spearmint tea. Consider losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Replace red meat with soy. Search for a licensed electrologist in your area. Get a consultation. Refrain from temporary forms of hair removal for one to two weeks. Complete your scheduled treatments. Ensure laser hair removal is right for you. Research licensed laser removal technicians in your area. Consult with the technician or physician. Allow normal hair growth for six weeks prior to your appointment. Schedule laser hair removal sessions every six weeks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Freeze-Green-Beans | How to Freeze Green Beans | To freeze green beans, start by trimming off the ends and cutting the beans to your desired length. Then, blanch the green beans in boiling water for 3 minutes, and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water so they stop cooking. Next, drain the water. Pat the green beans dry with a paper towel. Finally, place the green beans in a sealable freezer bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 9 months. | Pick green beans from the garden or buy them from the market. Only use beans that are blemish free. Look for green beans that have no small beans inside them. While the small beans don't hurt the taste or quality of the beans, they signify that the green bean is past its prime. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Use the freshest beans possible. Freeze them the day you pick them from your garden or as soon as possible after you purchase them. If you must wait to freeze green beans, store them in the refrigerator in the meantime. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Wash the beans thoroughly. Trim the beans. Use a paring knife to snip the ends off the beans. If the green beans have any bug spots or bruises, you can cut them out with the paring knife. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cut the beans to the length that you prefer. You can leave them whole, or you can cut the beans into pieces about one-inch long. A bean Frencher is a device that allows you to cut the beans into long, thin strips. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Prepare the cookware. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Leave room in the pot for the beans. Covering the pot with a lid makes the water boil faster and conserves energy. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Fill a second large pan or bowl with ice cubes and water. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-4Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Blanch the beans in the boiling water for 3 minutes. This process removes enzymes that break down the quality of the beans. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Be sure not to let the beans boil for too long, or they will overcook. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Transfer the green beans to the cold water. Use a slotted spoon to move the beans from one pot to the other. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Add more ice to the beans, if necessary. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Chill the beans at least three minutes. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fc\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet3.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-6Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Drain the beans. It's important to get as much moisture as possible off the beans. Otherwise, they may have ice crystals form on them in the freezer, which can cause the flavor to deteriorate. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/86\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Use a paper or dish towel to remove extra moisture from the beans. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/20\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-7Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Pack the green beans. Use freezer bags that zip or bags that seal with a vacuum sealer. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Put enough beans in each bag to make a meal for your family. This way you'll be able to defrost exactly as many as you need instead of the entire batch of beans. A rough measurement is one handful of beans per serving. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Close the zippered bag almost all the way. Insert a straw into the opening. Draw out the remaining air through the straw. Withdraw the straw as you finish sealing the bag. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet3.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Label the bags with the date you froze them. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet4.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-8Bullet4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Freeze the green beans. Rearrange the beans in the bags so the bags are lying as flat as possible. This allows the beans to freeze quickly and preserves the fresh taste. Frozen beans will keep for nine months in a conventional freezer, and longer in a deep freeze appliance. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and spread them in an even layer over a baking sheet. Some of the beans may be frozen together in clumps; separate them as much as you can using your fingers and a fork. Drizzle the green beans with oil. Olive oil, sesame oil, peanut oil and grapeseed oil are all good choices. Season the beans with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lightly with other seasonings if you wish, like cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, or any other spices that you like with vegetables. Toss the green beans to make sure they are thoroughly coated. Place the green beans in the oven. Cook them for ten minutes, then remove them from the oven and use a spatula to stir them around. Place them back in the oven and cook until parts of them look brown and crispy, about five more minutes. Remove the green beans from the oven. Add additional seasonings or grated cheese if desired. Serve hot. Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and place them in a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to separate beans that have clumped together. Drizzle some oil in a saucepan and place it over medium high heat. Allow the oil to heat up. Place the green beans in the saucepan. Stir them around using a wooden spoon until they are evenly coated in oil. They will start to thaw and release water. Cook the green beans until the water has evaporated. Season the green beans with salt and pepper. Add other seasonings like garlic, fresh ginger, lemon zest and red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Sauté the green beans until they are lightly browned and crispy. Remove them from heat before they get limp. Place the beans in a bowl. Serve hot as a side dish, or place over spinach and other salad greens for a great textural contrast. Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and place them in a strainer over a bowl. Allow them to thaw completely. Pat the green beans dry with a paper towel. Excess moisture will cause the beans to come out soggy. In a small bowl, mix a cup of beer, a cup of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Use a whisk to stir the mixture until it is smooth. Pour a few inches of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the oil to heat until it is ready to fry. Test whether it's ready by inserting the handle of a wooden spoon. When bubbles start to form around the spoon, the oil is ready. Don't use olive oil to fry, since it breaks down when heated to high temperatures. Peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil is a better choice. Place the batter in a large food storage bag. Put the beans inside the bag. Close it and shake well. Use a pair of tongs to transfer the battered green beans to the hot oil. Continue transferring beans until you have an even layer of beans. Don't overcrowd the skillet, or the beans will turn out soggy. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet1.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Avoid overlapping the beans. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet2.jpg\/aid1054064-v4-728px-Freeze-Green-Beans-Step-27Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cook the beans until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate made with paper towels to drain. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and serve hot. | Pick green beans from the garden or buy them from the market. Wash the beans thoroughly. Trim the beans. Prepare the cookware. Blanch the beans in the boiling water for 3 minutes. Transfer the green beans to the cold water. Drain the beans. Pack the green beans. Freeze the green beans. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Remove green beans from the freezer. Drizzle the green beans with oil. Season the beans with salt and pepper. Place the green beans in the oven. Remove the green beans from the oven. Remove green beans from the freezer. Drizzle some oil in a saucepan and place it over medium high heat. Place the green beans in the saucepan. Season the green beans with salt and pepper. Sauté the green beans until they are lightly browned and crispy. Place the beans in a bowl. Remove green beans from the freezer. Pat the green beans dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix a cup of beer, a cup of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pour a few inches of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the batter in a large food storage bag. Use a pair of tongs to transfer the battered green beans to the hot oil. Cook the beans until they are golden brown and crispy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-an-Arabian-Horse | How to Care for an Arabian Horse | To care for an Arabian horse, keep it in a large, dry pasture that includes adequate shelter, like trees, a shed, ravines, or rock overhangs. Next, use a fence to divide the pasture into one-acre sections and allow your horse to forage in one section at a time. Once your horse eats all of the grass and hay in one section, rotate it to the next section, and make sure it has access to fresh, unfrozen water at all times. Also, it's important for Arabian horses to get exercise and stimulation on a daily basis to keep them content and prevent obesity. | Provide a large pasture. Because of their high intelligence, Arabian horses require a large pasture to roam and forage in. Use metal or wooden fencing that is at least 5 feet (1.5 m) tall to keep your horse in the pasture. Avoid using barbwire or any other high tensile wire fencing. These can cause serious injury to your horse if they get their legs caught. The pasture must also have level ground and shelter for the horse to escape the elements. Make sure the pasture does not flood, or contain standing water or muddy areas. Adequate shelter includes trees, a shed, ravines, or rock overhangs. Remove feces from the pasture regularly. Remove poisonous plants and weeds such as ragwort, yew, deadly nightshade, buttercups, foxgloves, oak leaves and acorns, meadow saffron, and other poisonous plants from the area. Shelter your horse in a run. A run is a fenced, outdoor area that has a man-made shelter attached to it. The shelter must have a roof and three sides. You will need to clean the run of feces and other debris every day. House your horse in a barn stall. The stall that you keep your Arabian horse in must be at least 12 by 12 feet (3.7 m × 3.7 m). It should be equipped with bedding such as sawdust, wood shavings, or straw, and two buckets of fresh, clean water. Take your horse out of the stall for daily exercise, socialization, grooming, and stimulation. The bedding should consist of dry wood and straw shavings. Change the bedding once it becomes soiled or wet. Make sure there is a caretaker on hand if you keep your horse in someone else's barn. Feed your horse 1 to 1.5 percent of its body weight. About 80 to 90 percent of your Arabian horse's diet should consist of forage. Arabian horses require non-irrigated pasture and grass hay to forage in. However, you can supplement your horse's diet with a grain like barley, corn, and oats. Feed your horse grain according to the package instructions or per your vet's orders. For example, if your horse weighs 250 pounds (110 kg), then it should be eating 2.5 to 3.75 pounds (1.13 to 1.70 kg) of food daily. Use a fence to divide the pasture into four or more, one-acre sections. This way you can maintain the quality of the pasture for foraging. Allow your horse to forage in a section at a time. Once your horse has eaten all of the grass and hay in one section, rotate it to the next section. Rotating your horse in sections will allow the grass to regrow. If you only have an acre of land, then divide the land into two sections. Once your horse has eaten the grass down to 3 inches (7.6 cm), move it to the other section. Try to keep one or two horses per acre. More than that will overgraze the pasture. Provide clean, fresh water daily. Horses drink 5 to 10 gallons (19 to 38 L) of water per day. However, how much your horse drinks depends on its activity and the weather. Your horse should have access to fresh, unfrozen water at all times. It is a good idea to invest in a quality watering system. For example, during the summer months, you may need to provide more water. Prevent obesity with daily exercise. If you keep your horse in a barn, you will need to take it out for exercise and stimulation daily, especially Arabian horses. Maneuver your horse through traffic cones. Take it riding through pastures and on horse trails at least once a week. Provide toys like horse balls for extra stimulation. Consider lunging your horse from the ground to help it get extra cardio. Have the dentist visit regularly. Dental health is important for keeping your horse eating and healthy. If your horse is two to five years of age, have a dentist come and check its teeth every six months. If your horse is five years or older, have a dentist come and check its teeth once a year. If your regular veterinarian does not provide dental care, ask for a referral. Ask the dentist for certification to ensure that they have been properly trained in horse dentistry. Start by currying your Arabian horse. Currying brings dust and dirt to the surface. Use a high-quality, rubber curry comb. Working from the head to the hindquarters, curry your Arabian horse in circular motions. Gently curry over bony areas such as the hips and shoulders. Avoid using a metal curry comb. These can scratch your horse and cause discomfort. Remove additional dirt and dust with a medium stiff, flick brush. Working from the head to the hindquarters, use short strokes and flicking hand movements to remove additional dirt from your horse's coat. Brush your Arabian horse's entire body until all of the dirt and dust is removed. Use a smooth finishing brush to add shine to its coat. A high-quality, natural bristle brush works best. Using long, even strokes, brush your Arabian horse's coat from the head to its hindquarters. Make sure to brush its entire body, including the legs, knees, and the hock. Brush its face with a very soft brush. Brushing in the direction of the hair growth, gently brush your Arabian horse's face. Brush the top of the nose, forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. Use a finishing brush or a small head and face brush. Comb its mane and tail. First, separate the mane and tail hairs with your fingers, also known as hand combing. Pull out pieces of dirt and debris as you hand comb its hair. Then spray your Arabian horse's hair with a detangler. Holding the hair at the root, slowly comb it from the root down. Gently work through tangles and snags. Keep your Arabian horse's mane and tail long. You can achieve this by braiding them to keep them from breaking. Look into a tail bag to protect your Arabian's tail and keep it nice before shows. Lift up the hoof. Facing your Arabian horse's rear, stand next to the leg with the hoof that will be picked. Lean into your horse's body to shift its weight off of the hoof. Run your hand down its leg to its foot. Using one hand, lift up the foot and bend it at a natural angle. Use a hoof pick to clean the hoof daily. Working from the heel toward the toe, use the pick to remove dirt and debris from the bottom of the foot. After all of the dirt and debris is removed, use a stiff hoof brush to remove dirt from the sides of the hoof. Trim its hooves every four to six weeks. Every four to six weeks, have a farrier come and trim your Arabian horse's hooves. However, you may need to have the farrier visit more often. How often you have your horse's hooves trimmed depends on its age, environment, management, and nutrition. For example, younger and older Arabian horses may need to have their hooves trimmed more frequently. | Provide a large pasture. Shelter your horse in a run. House your horse in a barn stall. Feed your horse 1 to 1.5 percent of its body weight. Use a fence to divide the pasture into four or more, one-acre sections. Provide clean, fresh water daily. Prevent obesity with daily exercise. Have the dentist visit regularly. Start by currying your Arabian horse. Remove additional dirt and dust with a medium stiff, flick brush. Use a smooth finishing brush to add shine to its coat. Brush its face with a very soft brush. Comb its mane and tail. Lift up the hoof. Use a hoof pick to clean the hoof daily. Trim its hooves every four to six weeks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-Dead-Bug-Exercise | How to Do the Dead Bug Exercise | The dead bug exercise is a great technique to strengthen your core and ab muscles without putting a strain on your lower back. To do the exercise all you need is a clear space on the floor. Start by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Raise both of your arms toward the ceiling so they're in a straight line, with your wrists and hands directly above your shoulders. Then, raise your feet and bend your legs so your knees are above your hips and thighs. Keeping your core tight, lower 1 arm so it's just above the ground over your head and straighten the leg on the opposite side of your body so it's parallel with the ground. Repeat the motion with your other arm and leg and alternate back and forth to do the exercise. | Lie flat on your back. Sit down and then engage your abs by pulling them inward towards your back. However, keep in mind that some fitness experts see pulling your abs inward as counterproductive and instead recommend that you brace your abs. You can try both options and see which one feels like it is working better. Then, use your abs to gently lower yourself onto your back. Keep your back in its natural position without flattening it. This will help you do the dead bug in the most efficient and effective way. As you brace your abs, your back should be in its natural position with a slight curve in it. You should be able to fit a few fingers under the curve in your back. Extend your arms. Raise your arms toward the ceiling. They should be in a straight line, with your wrists and hands directly above your shoulders. This will allow you to perform the dead bug correctly and minimize your risk of injury. Raise your feet, knees and hips. Bend your legs so that your knees are above your hips and thighs. Keep your abs and core engaged as you slowly lift your feet off the floor. Continue to use your abs and core to raise your bent legs so they are in a 90-degree angle. Your knees should be directly above your hips, forming a straight line with your thighs. Lower opposite arms and legs simultaneously. Choose an arm to lower first. Keeping your abs engaged, lower it and the opposite leg at the same time. Bring your arm and leg to just above the floor and return to the starting position. Move slowly to ensure that you engage the proper muscles and don't use momentum. This also keeps you from raising your back off of the floor. Repeat with the other arm and leg. Once you've finished your first arm and leg, lift and lower the other side. This ensures that you develop both sides of your abs and core evenly. Complete three sets. Gradually work yourself up to three sets of five or ten reps of the dead bug. You may only be able to perform one to start or do reps until your abs start shaking because they're tired. Build onto your current sets as you are able. Lower different numbers of limbs. You may need to try easier or more difficult dead bugs depending on your fitness level. Maintain the core exercise, but try lowering combinations such as: Lowering one arm and no legs Lowering both arms and no legs Lowering one leg and no arms Lowering both legs and no arms Lowering both arms and legs Add arm or leg weights. Strap on a pair of light ankle weights or keep a pair of light dumbbells in each hand. The extra weight can challenge your muscles more and help strengthen your core and abs faster. Use resistance bands if you don't want to add weights. The bands can offer similar benefits to weights. Extend your limbs in different directions. Prepare yourself by getting into the base dead bug posture. Instead of focusing on lowering and raising your limbs, move each in a different direction. This really challenges your abs and core and can build strength and coordination. | Lie flat on your back. Extend your arms. Raise your feet, knees and hips. Lower opposite arms and legs simultaneously. Repeat with the other arm and leg. Complete three sets. Lower different numbers of limbs. Add arm or leg weights. Extend your limbs in different directions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Breed-Yorkies | How to Breed Yorkies | To breed yorkies, you should have your dog examined by a vet about one month ahead of time to make sure it's healthy. If you have a female yorkie, you can track her reproductive cycle so you know when she will next be in heat. Watch out for signs like her vulva swelling and a light, bloody discharge to tell you when she's going into heat. You should breed her 7-9 days later when her bleeding slows down, since this is the most fertile time in her cycle. Regardless of gender, you should try to breed your yorkie when it appears friendly and not fearful of people, so its fear isn't inherited by the litter. When you take it to mate, you usually won't need to do anything, as the dogs will breed naturally. | Determine if your Yorkie is old enough to breed. A female Yorkie should not be used for breeding until she is 2 years old. A male Yorkie will generally have viable sperm when he is over a year old. Assess whether your dog has the right physical traits for breeding. Does your dog have desirable breed traits? Does it meet breed standard minimums? According to the American Kennel Club a Yorkie should exhibit these traits: The Yorkie's body should be compact and well proportioned. In addition, a Yorkie's head should be “small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.” Assess whether your dog has the right temperament for breeding. It should appear confident but should be friendly towards people and not fearful. Fearfulness in dogs can be hereditary or a learned trait but you do not want to risk perpetuating a bad hereditary trait. Determine whether you have the financial stability to breed your dog. A dog pregnancy could result in complications, which could cost you a lot of money. Possible complications to consider include an emergency C-section or serious medical conditions occurring in the mother. These can include hypocalcemia, metritis, or mastitis. Are you prepared to raise any unsold puppies? All the puppies in any given litter do not always sell, so you need to be aware that you may be taking on a lifelong financial responsibility for a new puppy. Be realistic about whether you have the time to devote to breeding your dog. Raising puppies is a full-time job. You will need time for daily handling and socializing the puppies, as only puppies that are socialized to humans make good pets. The time spent playing and bonding with the puppies is in addition to the time it takes to care for them. Feeding and cleaning after puppies is no small job. Contact a breeder to adopt a Yorkie that you can then breed. If you are looking to adopt a Yorkie you can breed, you should get the name of a well-respected breeder that has a good track record with successful offspring. Good breeders will encourage you to visit them, have good looking and social dogs and puppies, give the dogs plenty of room to roam, will only breed one type of dog, and will interview you about how you will raise the dog they bred. Contact local Yorkie clubs for a list of local breeders that do not run puppy mills. If there are no well-established breeders in your area, you may need to travel to get a dog that has all the positive breeding traits you want. When you are interacting with a well-regarded breeder, pay attention to how the person conducts business and how he or she interacts with the dogs. You can learn a lot just from watching how a professional conducts business. Make sure to assess all aspects of the breeding process. Use a checklist to make sure you have covered your bases, like the one provided by the Humane Society. Understand the reproductive system of the male Yorkie. The external parts of the male Yorkie's reproductive system are the penis and the scrotum. The scrotum is a pouch that holds the dog's testicles. The sperm, which fertilize the female's egg, are produced in the testes. Male dogs should ideally have two testes, which move from inside the body down into the scrotum during puberty. A mature male's testes are located outside the abdomen because the internal body temperature is too warm for sperm to grow normally. Because of this, dogs with undescended testes (testicles that do not move down into the scrotum) do not make good candidates to breed, as the problem can be inherited. They should be neutered because undescended testicles can cause health problems later. Understand the reproductive system of the female Yorkie. Most of the female Yorkie's reproductive system is located inside her body. The only visible part is the vulva. Inside, the ovaries produce eggs and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. After eggs are fertilized by sperm, they attach to the uterine lining and grow into puppies. Get a physical veterinary examination of both dogs. About one month before you breed your Yorkie it should be examined by a veterinarian. The vet should make sure the female is healthy enough to carry a pregnancy to term and that the male is free of diseases and physical problems. Watch for signs that the female is physically ready to mate. Track the female's reproductive cycle so that you know when she will go into heat next. In general, a female dog generally goes into heat twice a year. The heat cycle starts with a preparatory stage, proestrus, when the vulva swells and a light bloody discharge occurs for 7-9 days. After this stage the bleeding slows down and the dog becomes receptive to breeding. This stage is called estrus or standing heat and is the most fertile time for breeding. Your veterinarian can determine if your dog is in heat by swabbing the inside of her vagina with a cotton swab. By examining the cells on the swab under a microscope the vet can determine if it is the right time for breeding. Place the male and female together. When the female is physically ready to breed, she will bow to him and back into him. The male will usually reciprocate this interest and mount her for breeding. This process usually occurs naturally, without any outside intervention needed. Advertise the puppies before they are born. You want to have people lined up who are going to adopt the puppies when they are born. The last thing you want is to be stuck with too many dogs. Advertise your puppies on local list-servs for Yorkie owners or with your local chapter of national dog organizations. Make a list of potential buyers. Since you won't know exactly how many puppies your dog will have, you need to basically make a waiting list. Let potential buyers know where they fall on the list, so that they know there is a chance they will not get a puppy in this litter. | Determine if your Yorkie is old enough to breed. Assess whether your dog has the right physical traits for breeding. Assess whether your dog has the right temperament for breeding. Determine whether you have the financial stability to breed your dog. Be realistic about whether you have the time to devote to breeding your dog. Contact a breeder to adopt a Yorkie that you can then breed. Understand the reproductive system of the male Yorkie. Understand the reproductive system of the female Yorkie. Get a physical veterinary examination of both dogs. Watch for signs that the female is physically ready to mate. Place the male and female together. Advertise the puppies before they are born. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Scratches-from-Sunglasses | How to Remove Scratches from Sunglasses | To remove scratches from sunglasses, start by putting a pea-sized amount of non-abrasive toothpaste on a cotton ball. Then, rub the toothpaste into the scratch in a circular motion for about 10 seconds. Next, remove the toothpaste residue by putting the glasses under a stream of cool water to rinse it away. Finally, use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry off the glasses and check to see if the scratch is gone. You can repeat this process until the lenses no longer have any visible scratches. | Purchase a non-abrasive brand of white-colored toothpaste. The toothpaste can't contain any mint, gel, and/or teeth-whitening properties. Regular white toothpaste is most effective at cleaning glass lenses, whereas toothpaste containing special properties can cause further damage to lenses. Baking soda-infused toothpaste such as Arm & Hammer's toothpaste is a great candidate for cleaning toothpaste because it cleans without using abrasive chemicals. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to a cotton ball. Stick with a smaller amount so your glasses don't become smudged with an excessive amount of paste. Cotton balls are the most effective as they leave little residue or stray fibers behind. Rub the cotton ball into the scratch. Move the cotton ball around in circular motions for about 10 seconds for each scratch. This movement will help buff the scratch from the lens. Rinse the toothpaste from the lens. Put your glasses under a steady stream of cool water in order to remove the toothpaste. Rotate the lens under the water to ensure all of the toothpaste is washed away. Pay special attention to any paste adhered to small crevices where your lenses meet the frame. Rub the toothpaste off with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don't use any coarse or dirty cloths as this can easily add another scratch to your sunglasses. Using your thumb and forefinger, carefully rub the cloth around the scratch to remove any remaining moisture or paste. Take special care not to apply too much pressure to your lenses so you don't accidentally pop them out. Inspect the lens. Put the lens under the light to verify the scratch has been removed. Place your sunglasses back on and look to see if any scratches are visible. If the scratch is still on the lens, clean the lenses with the toothpaste and cotton ball as many times as needed until the scratch is no longer visible. Gather water and baking soda. The alkaline properties of baking soda make it ideal for breaking down any acidic residue and restoring the clarity of lenses. When combined, water and baking soda form a thick paste that can be used to remove a scratch while cleaning the glasses. Combine one part water with two parts baking soda in a small bowl. The amount of water and baking soda you should use depends largely on the size and number of scratches on your sunglasses. Start with a tablespoon of water and two tablespoons of baking soda and add more for heavily scratched sunglasses. Mix the water and baking soda. Stir them together until the mixture turns into a thick paste. Make sure the mixture isn't too watery as it will be less effective in removing the scratches. Grab a cotton ball. Dip a portion of the cotton ball into the water and baking soda paste. You only need a pea-sized amount of the mixture for each scratch. Rub the paste mixture into the scratch. Take the cotton ball and rub it on the scratch in a circular motion for about 10 seconds. This movement will help buff the scratch from the lens. Rinse away the baking soda mixture from the lens. Use cool or room temperature water to wash away the paste. Take extra care to remove the paste from the crevice between the lens and the frame, or any other tiny areas where the paste could seep in. Clean the lenses with a soft, lint-free cloth. These types of cloths are crucial to ensure your glasses aren't further scratched in the cleaning process. Consider picking up a pack of Microfiber eyeglass cloth at your local drugstore or supermarket. Use this to wipe away any remaining traces of paste from the lens. Inspect the lens. Put the sunglasses under a light and carefully look for any remaining damage. Continue to clean the scratch with another cotton ball dipped in the water/baking soda paste if the scratch is still visible on the lens. Obtain car wax, furniture wax, or brass or silver polish. These types of polishes and waxes work the same way on lenses as they do on other surfaces. They are often highly effective at removing scratches from sunglasses, especially lenses made from plastic. Never use any abrasive or acidic cleaners as these will damage your glasses and leave residue that's harmful to your eyes. Apply a pea-sized amount to a cotton ball. A soft, lint-free cloth is also suitable in this situation. Don't use any coarse materials such as steel wool, brass wool, sponges, or plastic mesh pads. These only damage your sunglasses further. Rub the wax/polish on the scratch. Using the soft cloth or cotton ball, rub the liquid onto the scratch using gentle, circular motions for about 10 seconds. Polish and wax can help fill in any existing scratches on your lenses. Grab a different soft, lint-free cloth. Make sure it's dry, as this cloth will be used to remove the polish or wax. Using your thumb and forefinger, gently rub away any remaining traces of polish or wax from the lens. Look out for scratches. Place the sunglasses under a light and inspect for any remaining scratches. Put the sunglasses back on your face to make sure there aren't any scratches in your field of vision. If the scratch is still visible on the lens, re-apply the cotton ball or cloth with the wax/polish, and gently clean the scratch again until it is fully removed. | Purchase a non-abrasive brand of white-colored toothpaste. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to a cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball into the scratch. Rinse the toothpaste from the lens. Rub the toothpaste off with a soft, lint-free cloth. Inspect the lens. Gather water and baking soda. Combine one part water with two parts baking soda in a small bowl. Mix the water and baking soda. Grab a cotton ball. Rub the paste mixture into the scratch. Rinse away the baking soda mixture from the lens. Clean the lenses with a soft, lint-free cloth. Inspect the lens. Obtain car wax, furniture wax, or brass or silver polish. Apply a pea-sized amount to a cotton ball. Rub the wax/polish on the scratch. Grab a different soft, lint-free cloth. Look out for scratches. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Conure-Groomed | How to Keep a Conure Groomed | To keep your Conure groomed, mist it with a spray bottle in a warm area. Alternatively, you can fill a shallow bowl with an inch of lukewarm water and allow it to bathe itself. No matter how you bathe your Conure, allow it to dry off by itself, and never use a blow dryer on its feathers. You should also trim its toenails with clippers when they become too long, or when you see its toes are elevated off the ground while standing. You should also give it chew toys like rope or untreated wood blocks to keep its beak healthy. | Give them a misting in a warm place. Hold a spray bottle above your bird's head and give them a light spritz down onto their head and body. They'll let you know they enjoy it by spreading their wings and lowering their heads. You can buy spray bottles in your local grocery store or beauty supply store. If your bird starts squawking or tries to fly away, stop misting them. Leave the spray bottle near them for a few days to let them get used to it, then give a few sprays in their general direction for the next few days. Then, you can try spraying their head and body again. If your bird is enthusiastic about getting spritzed, you can even let them shower with you. Set up a bird bath. Fill a shallow bowl with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of room temperature or lukewarm water and allow your feathered friend to do the rest. You could also buy cage-mounted bird baths in your local pet store. Avoid using soap for routine cleanings, as it can remove the natural oils from your bird's feathers, dries out its skin, and can take months to wash out. Take your bird to the vet if it gets a toxic substance in its feathers. They may submerge the bird in water and wash them with a degreasing soap, like liquid dish soap. Expect to wait a few months before your bird's plumage returns to normal after this kind of intensive washing. Toxic substances that warrant a trip to the vet's include paint, glue, oil, grease, wax, or other materials that stick to the bird's skin or feathers. If your bird gets a toxic substance on its feathers, prevent it from cleaning its feathers with its beak by making a cone out of cardboard and tape and putting it around its head. You can also put your bird in a sock so just its head is sticking out until you take it to the vet. Let your bird dry off. Place your bird in a warm spot with no drafts to let them finish preening. A warm, steamy bathroom is a great place to let your bird dry off, as the high humidity is good for their nares and sinuses. Your bird can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but to avoid chilling, you should avoid washing them when their surrounding temperature is significantly colder (10 or more degrees colder) than they're used to. Never blow dry your bird's feathers. The non-stick coating on the dryer coils is very dangerous for birds and could even kill them. Give your bird a grooming perch. Place it near their regular perch to encourage them to use it often. Stick to something with a rough texture to keep their nails nicely filed. This will cut down on how often you have to have their nails clipped. Look for a grooming perch at your local pet store. It should look about the same as a regular perch, but with a rougher surface. Help your conure get comfortable with having their toes handled. You can sneak this in during playtime if you're strategic about it! Teach them how to shake hands by extending your pinky and allowing them to grab hold of it. Give them millet or another treat with the other hand as a reward. Repeat this several times per week. Make clippers less threatening. Leave the clippers in your bird's view. Clip your own fingernails or toenails in front of them while you explain what you're doing. The more they see the clippers in action, the less likely they'll be to freak out when they have their own nails clipped. Bring your bird to an avian vet or professional groomer. When you notice that your bird's toes are elevated off the ground even when standing on a flat surface, it's time for a nail trimming. Though this may seem like a small task, clipping your bird's toenails is important and can have serious consequences if done wrong. Cutting a bird's quick, for example, can cause them to bleed heavily and could even lead to their death. A vet or groomer will know how to keep your bird steady and avoid harming them. Set up a regular clipping schedule based on the advice of the vet or groomer. Give them things to chew on. Chewing helps to keep your bird's beak at a healthy length. Provide them with things they'll want to tear into. A few good ideas include: A diet consisting of 65-80 percent pelleted food and 15-30 percent fruits and vegetables. 3-4 chew toys like rope, untreated wood blocks, or pieces of coconut. Treats hidden in a toilet paper roll or untreated wood. Give them these hidden treats at least once a day. Provide them with a conditioning perch. Birds rub their beaks against conditioning perches to keep them properly filed and clean. These perches often come in different sizes and colors to keep birds stimulated, and may even include a flavored coating to encourage your bird to nibble at it, keeping its beak healthy. Place one near their regular perch to encourage frequent trips. You can buy a conditioning perch at your local pet store. Have an avian vet do the trimming, if necessary. Trimming is only necessary if your bird's beak grows too long or at an abnormal angle. Just don't do it yourself! You could cause your bird a lot of pain and even harm their ability to eat. Leave trimming to a professional. It can be hard to tell when your conure's beak is overgrown, as some have long beaks to begin with. Examine your bird's beak on a regular basis to get an idea of what its normal length is. If the beak starts growing very long and tilting towards your bird's neck, or starts to look asymmetrical, take your conure into the vet for a checkup. | Give them a misting in a warm place. Set up a bird bath. Take your bird to the vet if it gets a toxic substance in its feathers. Let your bird dry off. Give your bird a grooming perch. Help your conure get comfortable with having their toes handled. Make clippers less threatening. Bring your bird to an avian vet or professional groomer. Give them things to chew on. Provide them with a conditioning perch. Have an avian vet do the trimming, if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Like-a-Cowboy | How to Look Like a Cowboy | The cowboy style is fun, comfortable, and unique, and there are plenty of clothing options you can choose from. To dress like a cowboy, wear a long-sleeved button-down, durable jeans, leather boots, and a cowboy hat. Keep in mind that cowboy boots usually take a little time to break in. If you want to spruce up your look, try adding a belt with a large belt buckle. You can also wear a long leather jacket or chaps to complete your look. | Get a pair of boots. One of the most identifiable elements of the cowboy style is a good leather boot with a hard wooden heel (Not actually wooden, is stacked leather). They can take some getting used to, since the heels and sharp toes are designed for fitting a [stirrup] on horseback. If you're the kind of cowboy who doesn't use his boots for much more than walking down the street, there are plenty of intricate and comfortable designs available. Slip on a pair of jeans. When a cowboy is working, he needs pants that are both comfortable and durable. Most cowboys favor simple jeans, with straight legs or boot cuts. Don a hat. A hat is more than just an accessory for a cowboy – it performs essential functions. A cowboy hat is traditionally worn to keep a cowboy's head cool, to keep the sun off of his face, and to keep flying dirt out of his eyes. Fancy designer hats are readily available, but a real cowboy prefers an old, worn in hat, whose shape has been formed only over years of hard and constant use. For a true cowboy hat, look for the Stetson or Bailey brands. Choose a beaver fur felt hat for cold weather, and a straw hat for the warmer seasons. Wear a Western style shirt. To advance your cowboy look, find a long-sleeved, button-down shirt, preferably with a plaid pattern. Thicker shirts, of course, can be worn in winter, and thinner shirts when it's warm. Some cowboys do opt for a simple T-shirts, but rarely while working in the sun. Either way, the look should be rugged. Designer cowboy shirts might include some light embroidery, or a chest flap that snaps closed on one side. Get a good belt and an even better buckle. Many cowboys prefer wide leather belts with large metal buckles, which are often made of silver or brass. These may have "western" themes, or the cowboy's initials, or they may just advertise for a favorite tobacco or beer company. Grow a mustache or a beard. Cowboys are like any other group of people - some wear facial hair, some don't. But working cowboys, who are often on the job from sun-up to sundown, don't have much time for shaving. Go outside. Cowboys work outdoors, not in corporate offices, so their skin is tan, leathery, and coarse from wind and sun, which they often see twelve hours a day, six or even seven days a week. Skip the manicure. Cowboys don't spend a lot of time working on their fingernails, or trying to keep their hands baby-smooth and soft. Cowboy work makes for rough callouses and dirty nails. Cuts, bruises, and scars are regular sights on hands that spend their time working with fences, lassos, horseshoes, and other rough materials. Get a duster. A duster is a long leather jacket, usually with large buttons, and sometimes with fringe in various spots. The duster is most appropriate during cold weather or while traveling. Like most things cowboy, the larger buttons are practical – they're much easier to use with gloves on. A sturdy leather vest is a good substitute when the weather is warm. Strap on the chaps. Chaps are perhaps the most extreme of all the cowboy wear. Chaps provide extra protection and while working on horseback and at the rodeo. It's not advisable to wear chaps in many other settings. The same probably goes for spurs. Finished. | Get a pair of boots. Slip on a pair of jeans. Don a hat. Wear a Western style shirt. Get a good belt and an even better buckle. Grow a mustache or a beard. Go outside. Skip the manicure. Get a duster. Strap on the chaps. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Zebra-Finches | How to Raise Zebra Finches | To raise zebra finches, fill their feeder with bird seed mixes found at pet stores. On occasion, you can also feed your finches vegetables and breadcrumbs. You'll also want to make sure to give your finches clean, fresh water daily. In addition to feedings, your bird will need exercise, so once it's used to its cage, allow finches to fly freely around the room daily. Finally, since zebra finches are very delicate, so give them time to get used to you before you hold them. | Make sure your home is suitable for a finch. Before raising finches, think very carefully about every aspect of what this involves. Having a pet is a big responsibility. For instance, when you go away from home, you need to arrange care of the birds in your absence. Do you know of someone who is capable of caring for the birds whilst you are away? If you travel as part of your job and are regularly away, ask yourself if it's fair to leave such sociable birds alone and without your company for long periods of time. Ensure you have a safe environment for your bird. You need to consider practical matters, such as whether you are a smoker. Also consider if you like to burn scented candles in the house. Finches are very sensitive to atmospheric pollutants. Cigarette smoke in particular is an absolute no-no when you keep birds. The odors from scented candles gets onto the birds' feathers, which they can find distressing. This results in frantic grooming activity to get rid of the smell. Consider if you or your family have any health issues. People with suppressed immune systems are at risk for picking up infections easily. These include the very young or old, people on chemotherapy or those with health conditions which suppress the immune system. Some birds carry diseases such as salmonella or chlamydia. Although the birds themselves are not ill, they could pose a possible risk to vulnerable people. Obtain a finch cage. A finch cage is specially made for small birds. It has very small holes between the bars so that the birds can't escape. The bars must be less than 12 mm apart in order to stop the birds escaping. Canary cages or other larger holed cages are unsuitable for keeping finches. Visit your local pet store to find the proper cage. Aim for a cage that is long rather than tall (like a parrot cage), since zebra finches prefer to fly horizontally. Put some perches in the cage. Perches placed at different heights in the cage will allow the birds to hop from one perch to another. Have perches of different diameters. The finch will need to use different leg muscles to stand on a smaller perch than on a larger perch. Don't have too many perches in the cage. You don't want your finch to hop so much from perch to perch that it never flies in the cage. Some types of perches include: branches, rope, plastic perches, natural plants, artificial plants, and clothesline perches. Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper. Use newspaper or used printer paper to line the bottom of the cage. This will catch droppings, spilled food and dropped water. Special cage lining paper is available but not necessary. It is typically expensive. Sandpaper should not feature in a bird's cage as it damages the bird's feet. Don't use corn cobs, walnut shells, kitty litter or cedar shavings. These can be dangerous if the bird ingests them. Try a swing or another bird toy. Experiment with bird toys and decorations to keep your bird occupied. Swings, bells and ladders are good choices. If you have one finch, try a mirror so the bird thinks it has company. But if you already have 2 or more birds, a male bird might think it's looking at another male and be threatened. Don’t include any strings in the cage. Strings in cages can tangle around a bird, resulting in serious, or even fatal harm. This is the case with all birds, not just zebra finches. Look for a healthy bird. Go to a pet store or bird specialist. Pick out bright eyed, active, smooth feathered birds that are obviously healthy. Zebra finch breeders tend to have healthier birds than pet stores. One clue to good health is to examine the droppings in the cage. Healthy droppings have white and brown parts, and they are semi-formed. Any droppings that are completely liquid, yellow, or green are abnormal. Avoid buying birds in that cage. Watch the birds breathing at rest. A normal respiratory rate is about one breath every two seconds. Sick birds often breathe very rapidly and their tail bobs up and down with the effort. They also tend to be fluffed up and sit resting on a perch or at the bottom of the cage. These birds are likely to be sick and are best avoided. Listen to the bird singing. Zebra finches can be quite talkative, singing throughout the day. Make sure the singing is not an irritating sound for you. Decide on male or female birds. Male and female birds have different coloration. The males have more elaborate features, including orange patches on their cheeks, stripes on their throats, and white spots along their sides. Male beaks are bright red. Females are plainer in decoration, and are mostly gray. Females have orange beaks. Young birds are mostly gray in coloring, with black beaks. They will achieve their adult coloration when they are about 90 days old. Pairs of males or pairs of females can form very close bonds, and can be very happy together. Get a pair of finches. Finches are very social birds and can benefit from having a companion in the cage. It is also necessary if you are planning to breed your finches. However, it is recommended to only have one pair per cage, to minimize fighting. If you may want a small colony of birds, make sure they have enough flight space. They should not be crowded. You will need multiple cages, you can set up an outdoor aviary. Provide pellets as your finch's main source of food. Finches should be fed a diet of nutritious pellets as their main source of food. Feeding them seed mixes can lead to malnutrition because finches will select their favorites and avoid other seeds, so they will not get the proper balance of vitamins and minerals needed to thrive. Instead, offer your finch pellets as 75 to 80% of their daily diet. Seeds should be considered a treat item. Do not give your finch seeds as their main source of food. Feed your finches some fruits and vegetables daily. Offer your finches a variety of fruits and vegetables. About 20 to 25% of your finches' diet should come from fruits and vegetables. Remove any untouched perishable food daily. Avoid avocado because it is toxic to finches. Provide clean, fresh water daily. Give your finches two different areas to drink water. Try an open dish, which is the type that typically comes with the cage. Also use a clear drinker, which is a bottle that attaches to the side of the cage. This type has a spout or mini-dish at the bottom that the birds can drink from. This will train the finches to drink from different types of water sources. This is important in case you give your birds to someone else. If the new owner doesn't use the same type of water dispenser that you used, the bird may not know how to drink. It can easily become dehydrated in this case. Change the water every day to ensure that it is clean and fresh. Provide goodies like cuttle-bones. Cuttle-bones are taken from cuttlefish and provide minerals like iron and calcium for your bird. Your bird will dig his beak into the soft side of the cuttlebone to get the calcium. This action will also keep his beak in good shape. Allow your finches to fly freely around the room. Even when they live in a large indoor cage, the birds still need daily exercise in the form of freely flying in a room. Do this once the birds are used to their cage and its location. Be sure to close all windows and doors before letting the birds out of the cage. An alternative is a large outdoor aviary in a sheltered spot, where the birds can fly free. Make sure the birds have boxes and sheltered areas where they can roost and sleep at night. Also, make sure that they are not exposed to direct rain or harsh winds. If you live in a harsh climate, an indoor cage might be the better option. Don’t make sudden movements or noises around your finches. Most finches are very excitable and do not do well with sudden movements or noises. Zebra finches are pretty hardy in this regard. But you should still treat them with care by providing a calm environment for them. Take care if handling your zebra finch. Zebra finches are very delicate. Give the bird time to get used to you before you hold it. Then you can gradually build up the amount of time you hold the bird. Always handle with care and handle very lightly. Watch out for illness or a change in behavior. If your finch gets injured or sick, place it in a separate cage in a warm room. Call your vet immediately. Signs of ill health include being withdrawn, being fluffed up, resting more than usual, breathing more rapidly, tail bobbing, loss of voice, weight loss, liquid droppings, and lack of appetite. Provide nesting material only if you want your birds to breed. Zebra finches are physically mature enough to start breeding from around 3 months of age. But it is advisable to wait until the finches are more mature at 6 months of age before breeding. If you have the space to keep several birds, its fine to keep more hens than cocks. But if you are using indoor cages, then one pair of finches (one of either sex) in the same cage works best. A happy male zebra finch uses a special song to woo the female, and will "bounce" on the perch to impress her. Make sure your cage is large enough. The mother finch will lay around 8 eggs. This means that when the eggs hatch, there may be 10 birds all in the same space. If it is cramped, they will be stressed. This can result in poor health or even fatalities. Provide a nesting area. Provide several clean, new nests so that your zebra finches can choose the one they want to raise their family in. Zebra finches like an enclosed nest box with a single entrance hole. Zebra finches prefer wicker nest boxes. These types of nests are not great for disinfecting afterwards, however. If you opt for wicker, consider it as a single-use box. Throw it out after each clutch of eggs and replace it with a new one. Check out your local pet store for suitable nests. The nest box should contain a substrate that is warm and comfortable. Dried grass (hay) works well. Use caution with man-made substrates made of cotton (such as those sold for hamster bedding). These contain fibers which could get tangled around your birds' legs or necks. Place the nest box as high as possible. Zebra finches want to feel safe while nesting. Consider attaching the nesting box to the side of the cage as near to the top as possible (rather than resting on the floor of the cage). Keep the cage in a quiet place. Your finch cage should be situated in a quiet place in your house. You don't want the nesting birds to feel threatened by potential predators, such as the house cat or dog. Monitor the eggs. Take inventory of the number of eggs that have been laid without disturbing the nest. The mother will lay a clutch of about 8 eggs, at a rate of about one egg per day. The female bird starts to incubate the eggs as soon as they are laid, but both birds will take turns in keeping the eggs warm. The eggs will hatch after about 2 weeks. Remove infertile eggs. If three weeks have passed and the eggs have not hatched, they are infertile. Remove them quickly. Then the mother will lay new fresh eggs. It is impossible to distinguish new eggs from the infertile ones, so it's important to keep them separate. Separate the mating pair between clutches. Make sure to give your birds a rest before the breed again. Watch the chicks develop. After 21 days, the chicks will leave the nest to explore the rest of the cage. They also start to eat on their own at around 4 weeks of age. After 6 weeks, they will develop their adult plumage and colors. Most Zebras are very good parents. They won't need any help from you. Separate the chicks from the parents after 6 weeks. When their adult colors start to show in the plumage, the chicks should be moved to a separate cage. Talk to your local bird store about selling the chicks. The pet store may also allow you to trade the birds for seed and supplies. Identify the chicks with leg bands. If you intend to breed birds regularly, then identify the chicks by using permanent bands on their legs. Use a color-coded system so you can identify who their parents are. This avoids accidental inbreeding of closely related birds in the future. These bands should be put on the right leg once the bird is around 8 days old. There are specific bird ringing kits available from specialist avian shops, or you can find them online. | Make sure your home is suitable for a finch. Obtain a finch cage. Put some perches in the cage. Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper. Try a swing or another bird toy. Don’t include any strings in the cage. Look for a healthy bird. Watch the birds breathing at rest. Listen to the bird singing. Decide on male or female birds. Get a pair of finches. Provide pellets as your finch's main source of food. Feed your finches some fruits and vegetables daily. Provide clean, fresh water daily. Provide goodies like cuttle-bones. Allow your finches to fly freely around the room. Don’t make sudden movements or noises around your finches. Take care if handling your zebra finch. Watch out for illness or a change in behavior. Provide nesting material only if you want your birds to breed. Make sure your cage is large enough. Provide a nesting area. Place the nest box as high as possible. Keep the cage in a quiet place. Monitor the eggs. Remove infertile eggs. Watch the chicks develop. Separate the chicks from the parents after 6 weeks. Identify the chicks with leg bands. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Salamanders | How to Find Salamanders | To find salamanders, wait until the spring since that's when salamanders come out from underground to breed. Search in damp locations, like streams, rivers, ponds, and swamps, which are where salamanders spend most of their time. When you're searching, look under logs, rocks, leaves, and branches, but move slowly so you don't scare the salamanders away. If you find a salamander, avoid handling it since the oils from your skin can be toxic to it. | Visit the salamander’s home. Travel to a geographical region where salamanders generally reside. One-third of all salamander species can be found in North America, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains region. Salamanders also reside throughout Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe. Know what to look for. There are over 700 different species of salamanders in the world, and they all come in a variety of sizes and colors. Salamanders have long, smooth bodies and four limbs, and they can be a small as 2 inches long, while others can grow to 4 feet long! Some species of salamanders are brightly colored, which can indicate that they are poisonous. The hellbender is a type of large salamander found in North America, which can grow up to 2.5 feet in length! Northern red salamanders are typically found in Maryland and live in natural springs. They are a bright, beautiful red with black flecks. Some salamanders, such as the axolotl or the Mexican salamander, are pale pink or white. These types of salamanders live underground and are rarely exposed to sunlight. Wait for spring. Most salamanders live underground but will move out of dormancy in the spring to breed in vernal pools, which are shallow depressions in the ground that contain water during this time of year. This is the best time of year to search for these critters in the wild. Visit damp locations. Locations near wetlands, streams, rivers, ponds, marshes, and swamps are ideal locations for salamanders to make their home. Most salamanders have a long larval stage and spend most of their early life in the water, much like frogs do. These moist environments are ideal for catching a glimpse of these animals in the wild. Look in edge environments. Edge environments, or eco tones, describe areas where two different habitats meet. Salamanders can often be found in these environments, so be sure to look near the shorelines of streams or near shrubs and bushes near shallow water. Salamanders may also be found around seeps, which are areas where ground water slowly moves toward the surface. Keep an eye out for springs, seeps, and other boggy areas where these amphibians often make their home. Look for their food sources. Salamanders are carnivorous and eat a variety of insects and worms. In the wild, a salamander will eat crickets, worms, larvae, spiders, slugs—pretty much anything that it can easily swallow! If you know where to find their favorite meals, you may have a greater chance of spotting a salamander scurrying about. Many of the insects in the salamander's diet can be found under logs, rocks, and branches, so you may spot a salamander lurking around these areas. Larger salamanders will often eat frogs and smaller salamanders, while aquatic salamanders will eat small fish, crayfish, and other small aquatic creatures. If you come across a pool of still moving water with lots of rocks and tree roots, take a closer look! Crayfish are often found there, so your chances of spotting a salamander are greater. Search at night or on rainy days. Make plans to search for salamanders at night or when the weather is overcast and rainy. Salamanders are nocturnal and can usually be found at night; however, they may also venture out during daytime hours when it is cloudy or raining. Look under logs, rocks, and piles of leaves. Search for debris on the ground near wetlands and pools of water. Rocks, fallen logs, branches, and piles of leaves make ideal hiding places. Salamanders must keep their skin moist in order to breathe and hide under these types of objects to shelter themselves from direct sunlight. Slowly lift debris. Slowly flip over pieces of ground debris to find salamanders. Slow, gentle movements may prevent salamanders from becoming alarmed and scurrying away quickly to find another hiding place. Being careful while lifting the debris will help protect other living organisms that may have made their home there. Return the debris. Always return ground debris to its original position. Any major disruption to rocks, logs, and other debris could alter the humidity levels, the safety of a salamander's habitat, and the safety of other living creatures in the area. Don’t spend too much time in one area. Looking for salamanders in the wild can be a lot of fun, but be sure you don't stay in one place too long. Disturbing leaves and logs and trampling through the grasses in a concentrated area can cause habitat degeneration and may upset the salamander breeding populations. Stay away from breeding pools. If you stumble upon a salamander breeding pool, avoid disturbing it. Watch from a distance so that you do not harm the salamanders or their eggs. Don’t handle the salamanders. If it isn't necessary to handle a salamander, opt not to. The oils on human skin can be toxic to salamanders, and the salt and heat from human hands can be harmful to them. | Visit the salamander’s home. Know what to look for. Wait for spring. Visit damp locations. Look in edge environments. Look for their food sources. Search at night or on rainy days. Look under logs, rocks, and piles of leaves. Slowly lift debris. Return the debris. Don’t spend too much time in one area. Stay away from breeding pools. Don’t handle the salamanders. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dread-Hair | How to Dread Hair | To dread your hair, start by washing it with a clarifying shampoo, which will help your hair stay knotted during the dreading process. Next, separate your hair into 1 inch sections with small rubber bands. Then, comb each section using a fine tooth comb, starting from the bottom and working your way towards your scalp. Finally, place a small rubber band at the root and the end of each dread until they can hold their shape on their own, which usually takes about 3 months. | Start with clean, dry hair. Use a clarifying shampoo and don't follow it with conditioner in the weeks leading up to your dreading session. Forego products that are designed to moisturize your hair or make it sleek and shiny, since these make it harder for your hair to stay knotted during the dreading process. Separate your hair into squares. Use a comb to separate your hair into even sections, and then keep them separated with small rubber bands. Each section will become a dread, so make them or small or as large as you want according to the finished look you have in mind. One-inch squares create medium-sized dreads. Go a little larger for big dreads, or smaller for many little dreads. The smaller the dreads, the more time it takes to create them. If you don't want it to look like you have even rows of dreadlocks, created a zig-zag or brick lay pattern of squares instead. When the dreads form, these patterns will look more natural than even checkerboard rows. Backcomb the hair sections. Take a section of hair and place a dread comb or another fine tooth comb about an inch above your scalp. Comb the hair down toward your scalp, teasing it until some hairs get packed around the roots. Continue until the hair is tightly packed, then insert the comb an inch higher, and backcomb again. Keep doing this until the entire section of hair has been backcombed. Use your free hand to twist the section of hair as you backcomb it. Continue backcombing each section until your entire head of hair has been backcombed. Have a friend help if you get tired. Secure the dreads. Place a small rubber band at the root and the end of each individual dread. Make sure the rubber bands are tightly secured, since they will need to stay in place until the dreads have "matured," which takes about 3 months. Gel the dreads. Use a gel containing a natural ingredient like aloe to tame frizz and loose strands of hair. Smooth it onto each section of hair until all your hair has been covered. Maintain the dreads. Over the course of three months, the dreads will begin to lock into place. Aid the process in the following ways: Shampoo regularly. Use a clarifying shampoo and forego the conditioner. Moisturize your hair with essential oil, such as lavender. Don't use food-based oils, which can cause your hair to smell. Tuck in the loose hairs. Use a crochet hook or tweezers to keep your dreads looking neat. Change the way you wash your hair. Using a clarifying shampoo and skipping the conditioner creates the right conditions for dreads to begin forming. If your hair has too much oil or conditioning present, it won't begin to knot, or lock, into dreads. Avoid shampoo that is marketed as "moisturizing," since this shampoo usually contains conditioning agents that remain in the hair after rinsing. Stop using conditioner for at least a few weeks before you want to start dreading your hair. Stop straightening your hair. If you use chemical straighteners or another straightening technique, it will be much harder for your hair to start dreading. Let your hair be as natural as possible so your hair has the ability to knot. Stop combing your hair. Dreaded hair is simply hair that has knotted together into clumps. Every time you comb your hair, you prevent this from occurring by detangling it. When you're ready to dread your hair, put aside combs brushes and other implements you use to untangle your hair. Separate your hair into sections. You can facilitate the formation of neater dreads by separating your hair into even sections as your hair reaches the point where dreads will begin to form. The sections don't have to be completely even, since the beauty of the natural neglect method is that it requires little effort. Roll the sections. If you want to help your dreads along, roll them between your palms so they stay together. Rolling a few times a week will help create neater, more uniform dreads - but again, this step isn't necessary if your goal is to go completely natural. Maintain the dreads. Once the dreads have formed, continue shampooing your hair regularly to keep them in good shape. If you plan to go camping or participate in an activity that could get the dreads dirty, wear a hat to keep them clean. Divide your hair into sections. Create a small section for each dread you want. The size of the section will determine the size of the dread. Use a small rubber band to keep the sections apart. Twist a section and split it. Lift a section from your head and twist it, then use both hands to divide the end into two. Grasp one end in each hand and pull them in opposite directions. This action causes hair to ride up the shaft and get tangled and knotted. As you pull the hair apart, the knots will move toward the roots and begin to pack there. Continue twisting the section, dividing it, pulling it, and twisting it again until the entire section of hair has become tangled and knotted. Repeat until all sections of your hair have undergone the twisting, splitting and pulling from tip to root. Secure the dreads. Place a rubber band at the root and the end of each dread. Keep these rubber bands in place for a few months while the dreads mature. After 3 months, remove the rubber bands; the dreads should be tight and smooth, and will no longer need to be kept secure. Maintain the dreads. Use clarifying shampoo and an essential oil spray to keep your dreads in healthy shape. If you plan to spend time outside or in an area where your dreads could get dirty, wear a hat to keep them clean. | Start with clean, dry hair. Separate your hair into squares. Backcomb the hair sections. Secure the dreads. Gel the dreads. Maintain the dreads. Change the way you wash your hair. Stop straightening your hair. Stop combing your hair. Separate your hair into sections. Roll the sections. Maintain the dreads. Divide your hair into sections. Twist a section and split it. Secure the dreads. Maintain the dreads. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Limestone-Stains | How to Remove Limestone Stains | If you need to remove stains from limestone, vacuum or sweep the area to remove any dirt particles that can scratch the limestone, then wet the surface with a damp soapy rag. Apply a limestone poultice, or thick paste made of ground chalk and hydrogen peroxide, and leave it on for 48 hours. When you rinse away the poultice, the stain should have disappeared. Remove soap scum stains from a shower by gently scrubbing the area with a sponge coated with baking soda, then rinse the area thoroughly. | Vacuum the limestone. Your vacuum can be utilized to care for your limestone, especially if you can turn off the spinning brush. If you can't turn off the brush, you can still do a quick vacuum of the dust and dirt of the affected area. The vacuum removes and dislodges dirt and dust in between cracks of the limestone. If you have a limestone table or other surface that isn't flooring, use a handheld vacuum if available. Some vacuums come equipped with an attachment hose. This will also work for an elevated surface like a kitchen counter. Use a dry mop or broom. After removing or dislodging some of the grime off the floors, mop the area. Do not wet your mop, but instead use it dry to sweep the area of unwanted dust or dirt. You can also use a broom for this. There are several “dust mops” available that would work efficiently for the limestone. Wet the area with a damp rag. It's important to remove any dirt particles before using liquids because they can scratch the surface. Fill a bucket of warm water and add a couple tablespoons (14 mL) of mild soap. You can use common hand soap or use a smaller proportion of dish soap. Dampen a rag by submerging it into the mixture and remove as much water as you can. Gently wipe down the area with the rag. Take your time and don't hesitate to spend extra time going over the stain with the rag. Soak the rag as many times as you need to. Use a commercial poultice. A poultice is a mixture of ground chalk (whiting) and hydrogen peroxide. Some versions will use a different chemical from hydrogen peroxide. Follow the instructions provided with the product but as a general guide: Wet the poultice with distilled water. Apply the poultice to the stain or stained area. Leave it in place for 48 hours. During this time it will dry. The drying process enables it to absorb into the limestone. Rinse it off. The stain should have disappeared. Clean soap scum stains on limestone showers with baking soda. Soap scum buildup can be gently scrubbed off by using baking soda on a sponge in a circular motion. Then rinse with water. Non-acidic soap scum removers or a stone cleanser can also be used if necessary. Dry your shower after each use to prevent soap scum buildup. Clean spills immediately. Rub off stains immediately either with a damp cloth and gentle soap or brush off (if it's soot, dirt, etc.). Some stains can be removed using a bristle brush, especially when they're new. The sooner the item is attended to, the better. If not, proceed with deeper cleaning techniques. Do a regular cleaning. Every two weeks, you should dry mop your limestone floors. If you have limestone countertops, you should also clean them with a dust absorbent fabric every other week. There are plenty of cleaning supplies that specialize in efficient, dry cleaning. You could use a dust mop on a table or countertop as long as the mop is clean. Use doormats and runners. For areas around the house that get heavy foot traffic, use rugs, mats, or runners. Consider spots near doorways or hallways leading to a door. Most stains occur from dirt and mud tracked onto the floor. You should also have outdoor mats to wipe your feet off before entering your house. Use coasters and pads. For the limestone table and countertop users, use coasters! Limestone is susceptible to ring stains and watermarks. Prevent any damage by having plenty of coasters available for you or your guests. Place hot cooking supplies on protective mats. Similar to the condensation cups, the heat produced off hot plates can stain and damage your surfaces too. | Vacuum the limestone. Use a dry mop or broom. Wet the area with a damp rag. Use a commercial poultice. Clean soap scum stains on limestone showers with baking soda. Clean spills immediately. Do a regular cleaning. Use doormats and runners. Use coasters and pads. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Watermelons | How to Grow Watermelons | If you want to grow watermelons, choose a location in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day, and make sure each plant will have a 4-ft by 6-ft plot to grow. Using a tractor or a hoe, form mounds of earth, then poke several holes about 1 inch into the soil. Place 1-4 seeds in each hole, then rake the dirt flat over the top of the seeds and lightly pack the soil. Water the soil each day, and mulch the plants once the sprouts reach about 4 inches tall. When the plants start to bloom, cut back the watering to once every 3 days. | Choose the variety of watermelon you want to grow. These fruits come in sizes ranging from 3 pounds to over 70 pounds (1.3kg to 32kg), and with either red, orange, or yellow flesh. Jubilee, Charleston Grey, and Congo are large, cylindrical varieties, while Sugar Baby and Ice Box are two smaller, globe shaped types. Decide whether to plant watermelon seeds or transplants. Watermelon seeds need to germinate at a temperature over 70 degrees. If you live in a cool climate, it might make sense to start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost, so you'll be able get the seedlings underway at the beginning of the growing season. Otherwise, plan to plant the seeds directly in the ground well after the last frost, when the temperature is holding steady at above 70 degrees. Watermelon seeds and transplants are available at nurseries in early spring. Choose a planting location. Watermelon plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sun every day. They produce large vines that spread and take up a lot of space; plan on allotting a 4 by 6 foot plot for each plant, unless you're planting a mini-watermelon variety. Till the soil. Use a tiller to work the soil for the beds thoroughly, breaking up large clumps of packed earth. Remove any vegetative matter or deeply incorporate it into the soil. Watermelons like loamy, fertile, well-drained soil. To determine whether your soil gets good enough drainage, take a look at it after a heavy rain. If you see puddles in the dirt, the soil isn't draining well enough. To further enrich the soil, till compost into the top of layers. Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Test the pH of your soil and determine whether the levels are appropriate for watermelon plants. If not, you can change the balance by adding compounds available for purchase at a plant nursery. Create mounds. Using a tractor or hoe, form mounds of earth (hills) to plant seeds in. Space these 2-6 feet (60cm-1.8m) apart, depending on the amount of space you have. Building the soil up at individual planting locations helps assure that the soil is loose enough for the roots to grow, allows oxygen to each them with ease, and lets excess moisture drain away from direct contact with the roots of your plants. It also helps to conserve available moisture in dry weather. Plant the seeds. Form a flat, slightly concave surface on the top of the hill, then poke three or four holes in the soil with a tool or your finger, about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep. Place one to four seeds in each hole, then rake the dirt flat over the top of the seeds, and lightly press the soil to pack it sufficiently to keep the moisture from quickly evaporating around the seed. Watch for sprouts to appear. The seeds should germinate and plants will emerge in about 7-10 days, depending on the soil temperature and the depth they are covered when planted. Keep the soil moist around the seeds during the germination period; water close enough so that the water reaches the small roots forming. When the seedlings grow, thin to the two strongest, to give the strong one room to grow. Don't let the soil dry out; you should water at least once daily. Mulch each hill with a suitable material after the plants have reached a height of about 4 inches (10cm). You can choose pine straw, lawn fabric, or compost. Try to apply the mulch as close to the plants as possible to help prevent weeds, to retain moisture, and to keep the soil from being overheated from direct sunlight around the shallow, new roots. Another option is to lay black landscaping fabric or plastic cloth down after you have made the hills, and then cut holes on top of each hill where you will plant seeds. You can also lay mulch on top of the cloth. This method helps to retain soil moisture and keep weed pressure down. Water less when the flowers bloom. After the flowers bloom, water approximately every 3 days if dry. However, don't over-water, as watermelons have a low water requirement. Keep the foliage and fruit dry. You can place fruit onto a clean piece of wood, large smooth pebble, brick, etc. On very hot days, the leaves will probably wilt even in moist soil. If this limpness can still be seen in the evening after a hot day, water deeply. Sweetness in watermelons can be increased by holding off watering for a week prior to harvesting. However, don't do this if it causes the vines to wilt. Once that crop is harvested, restore the usual watering to enable the second crop to come through well. Weed regularly. Be sure to weed around the base, along and ahead of the vines. Maintaining a thick layer of mulch around the plants can also help to keep weeds down. Make sure they're ready. Under perfect conditions, watermelons will mature to full sweetness in about four months of warm weather. Harvesting them before they're ready will result in less flavorful watermelons. To test the ripeness of a watermelon, thump it. A dull noise sounding back means that it has ripened. Also, check the underside––it is ready when it has turned from white to pale yellow. The curly tendril near the watermelon's stem should also be dried out when it's ready to harvest. Cut the watermelons from the vine. Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut the watermelons cleanly from the vine near the fruit. Freshly harvested watermelons will keep for about 10 days. | Choose the variety of watermelon you want to grow. Choose a planting location. Till the soil. Create mounds. Plant the seeds. Watch for sprouts to appear. Mulch each hill with a suitable material after the plants have reached a height of about 4 inches (10cm). Water less when the flowers bloom. Weed regularly. Make sure they're ready. Cut the watermelons from the vine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Documentary | How to Make a Documentary | To make a documentary, start by choosing a subject that interests you, making sure it's something you can get footage and interviews on easily. Then, write an outline that covers how you want to present the material to your audience. Next, use the outline to come up with a shooting schedule for your interviews. Once you have all your footage, use a computer program, like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie, to edit and format your documentary. | Find a captivating, accessible subject. Documentaries are films about real-life subjects, bringing together interviews, documents, footage, and narration to tell the story of a person, place, or event. Is there a story you believe needs to be told? Is there an interesting person in your area with a captivating tale? Since documentaries are grounded in fact, you need to choose a subject that you can get information and interviews on easily. Thus, a filmmaker with limited means will have a hard time filming a documentary about the Revolution in Syria, even though is is a captivating subject. Keep your subject small -- the best documentaries delve deeply into one topic instead of trying to cover many topics briefly. What sorts of documentaries do you enjoy watching? What sorts of subjects are captivating to you. There is very little that can't be examined closely, including people, cultures, and events: The Fog of War, one of the decade's biggest documentaries, is almost completely filled up by an interview with one man, ex-Secretary of State Robert McNamara. Happy People by famed documentary Werner Herzog explores the daily life of Siberian fur hunters throughout the course of one, "normal" year. Inequality for All is an accessible but comprehensive look at the 2007 financial crisis as narrated by UC Berkeley Professor Robert Reich. Supersize Me was shot with one man and one camera, asking what would happen if you ate McDonalds for every meal for a month. Do as much outside research as you can. Before you pick up a camera, you need to be as much of an expert as humanly possible. Conduct some early interviews for practice and send informal emails asking for advice to relevant professors, spokespeople, or friends of your subject. Go to the library and read as much as you can about your subject. This will help you ask good, informed questions and find the most interesting bits of the story to explore. Keep a notebook with all your notes in it and make sure you list your sources so that they can be accurately cited in the credits. Look at both sides of divisive issues, not just the one you agree with the most. You need to understand everyone's opinions to interview well. Research everything you can when you start out -- your subjects, people you want to interview, the historical background of your site. There are a lot of facts that, when brought together, can tell a story no one has ever heard. Watch a lot of documentaries, especially those related to your subject. What do they do well? What can you do better? Who do they talk to? Decide on an "angle" for your documentary. The angle is the way you want to take the story. Who do you want to interview? What do you want to focus on? It is impossible to say everything about a subject in a few hours of film. You need to think about where you focus is going to be as you start filming. This will help you develop questions, write out a script, and choose how to spend your money when you start filming. This angle may change as you start interviewing people. The documentary Queen of Versailles, for example, was originally about one woman's daily life. But when financial ruin suddenly hit the main "character," filmmaker Lauren Greenfield shifted her angle to focus on the effects of the financial crisis on the billionaire class. Get a camera, several microphones, and a few lights. The needs of every documentary are different. Though a huge nature chronicle, like Planet Earth, requires helicopters, HD cameras, and thousands of crew members, smaller shoots like Marwencol can get by with one decent camera and several lapel microphones. When in doubt, spend your money on a microphone -- audiences will notice bad sound much faster than bad video. Lapel mics are small microphones that attach to a shirt or collar and are needed for interviews. Clamp lights, which are $5-$10 at most hardware stores, are versatile and cheap alternatives professional lights used on many low-budget projects. If you can afford a 3 or 5 piece lighting kit, however, get one. Be inventive getting your equipment. The doc My Date with Drew was shot for almost nothing on a camera from Circuit City that the director returned after 30 days to get his money back. Write out a shooting script for your documentary. This may change, but it is still essential to help you plan out your shoot and spend your budget wisely. Even if you don't want to use a narrator, write out the story as if you are talking through it. While there are a lot of ways to structure a story, you should always remember that a documentary is a film. It is not a lecture, a lesson, or a commercial. Thus, it needs to be entertaining. Think of your documentary in three parts, then find the interviews, clips, or facts that are needed to make each part successful: Act 1 -- The Problem. Why is this documentary important? What is compelling, interesting, or unique about your subject? What history, facts, or backstory is essential to your documentary? Act 2 -- The Obstacles: What is getting in the way of success/happiness/resolution. What conflicts or issues have evolved because of The Problem? Is your subject changing, and how does that affect the world around them? Why does this problem exist, and is anyone trying to fix it? Act 3 -- The Resolution: Does the problem resolve? Is it possible to resolve? What can the audience, narrator, hero, or subject do in the future? How have the subject(s) changed since the beginning of the documentary? Draft a budget and shooting schedule. Once you know where you need to go, who you need to interview, and how long you have to shoot, it is time to make a plan of action. Contact the people you want to interview and schedule a time that works well for them. Once you know your interviews, budget out the cost of each interview accordingly (any crew members, rental of lights/camera, etc.) and figure out how much money you need and how long you have to shoot. Set aside money to buy music and film rights. Shooting recreations, where you get actors to act out historical events, gets expensive quickly. You should expect to drop $5,000 or more for a weekend of shooting, especially if you're paying actors and/or need to rent equipment. Remember, you need to provide some food, work lights, pay actors/crew, and more. Apply to local grants, ask relatives or friends if they want to help finance the movie, or find ways to shoot your movie on a smaller budget. Documentaries rarely win back the money cost to shoot them. You need to shoot this because you want to, not because you think it will get you rich. Keep in mind that if there are any real-life developments in the story you're telling, you'll need to adjust your shooting schedule if you want to include them in your documentary. Put together your crew. You can film the entire documentary yourself, but it will be slow, difficult, and often amateurish. Enlist your friends to help run cameras and lights as you interview people so that you can focus on asking good questions. Head to Craiglist and ask local filmmakers if they want to help work. However, you should always be upfront and honest in your posting -- if you can't afford to pay someone, say so. There are still a of students who just want film experience. Some positions to consider hiring include: Cameramen Lighting Specialists Researchers Film Editors Actors (for scripted sequences/recreations) Make sure any people in the documentary sign release forms if they appear on camera. A release form legally allows you to show someone on screen, and forgetting them can lead to costly lawsuits. In addition, most distributors won't show or buy your movie if you do not have this basic legal protection. When thinking about release forms, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If they say something on camera you need to have a release form, always. You may also need location release forms for any public locations and release forms for archived documents. You can download and customize basic release forms online for free. Prepare your interview set before the person arrives. You do not want your subject sitting around while you fiddle with lights, cameras, and microphones. You and your crew should have everything ready to go in advance so that they can sit down and start talking without a lot of hassle. Make sure the sound is clear and perform a quick microphone check with your subject so that you can adjust them to their speaking volume. Have a friend do a "practice run" with you, where you light them, set up the microphones and record 3-4 minutes of talking to make sure everything is set properly. If you are doing the interview, place a camera over your shoulder, roughly centered on the interviewee's face. Place another over their shoulder pointing back at you. The interviewee should, in general, not be looking right at the camera. Remove distractions from the backgrounds. The focus is on the interview, not the scenery. Write out a list of questions in advance. Trying to show up and "wing it" is a recipe for disaster. You never know how someone will act in front of the camera, and someone you think is well-spoken and articulate could resort to one-word answers when you record. You need a plan for the interview and have several questions to fall back on if the conversation begins to stall. Keep your questions short and open-ended whenever possible. "What did you think of that?" is much better than "Walk me through your emotions right after you heard the news?" Never try and lead people to the "right" answer. "You were feeling really sad, weren't you?" doesn't give your subject any room to tell their side of the story. Sit and talk with the interviewee before turning the cameras on. You want them to feel comfortable with you, and you want a "dry run" of some of your questions to get a feel for their answers. Unless you are planning a "gotcha" interview it is always best to get someone acclimated to the interview process before recording. Be pleasant and cordial at first, you don't need to jump right into your topic the minute they arrive. Get to know them a bit to make them feel comfortable talking to you. This will make for a more natural interview on camera, and can lead to more candid answers. Email, call, or meet the person to give them an outline of the documentary before they arrive so they know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. Let the film speak for itself, instead of trying to speak for it. A good interviewer actually says very little, instead letting the subject speak their mind. Your job as a documentarian is to expose, illuminate, and call attention to stories that would otherwise fall through the cracks. So let the story tell itself. Don't try and sound smart, force the story in the direction you want it to go, or overpower your subject. Many documentaries never show the interviewer or director. Michael Moore, who appears in most of his own documentaries, reportedly has a sign in the editing room labeled, "When in doubt, cut me out." He is not the center of his movies, his subject is. Find the points of view you disagree with. Go talk to the "villains," the naysayers, and the opposing sides. Challenge yourself to find people who you or your subject don't agree with and let them talk. You'll be surprised what they can illuminate about your subject, and you never know the reasons for their opposition until you ask. Leave your own personal preferences out of the discussion. Simply begin with "I'm making a documentary about _______ and I would love your opinion on the subject." Make them feel comfortable and respected. Shoot B-Roll at every location you visit. B-Roll is the footage that plays during transitions or between scenes. It is any shot that is not directly displaying "story" or an interview. Think of any documentary or Hollywood movie and imagine the shots before someone starts talking, often exploring the location or theme of the movie. You will need many hours of B-roll to put together your final movie. Shoot much more than your think you'll need -- it will come in handy. Leave your camera on before and after the interview, or have a second camera moving around getting interesting shots while you talk. Try and get B-roll that supports your movie. For example, in the documentary Blackfish the filmmakers use underwater shots of the whales, old SeaWorld commercials, and training videos to give the feel of the park and whales between interviews. Spend a day or two at every location going out with your camera, shooting everything you can that relates to your subject. If there is news footage of your subject, call all the local news channels and ask about buying the rights to the footage. Still photos, like those used in Ken Burn's Civil War, can be an effective slide-show underneath a narrator's voice. Keep any recreations simple and faithful to the source material. Unless you have a killer budget you aren't going to recreate the feeling of the Vietnam War on camera. You are much better off shooting for something simple and elegant -- one "soldier" writing a letter back home, two arguing diplomats, etc. Decorate a small set and keep your costumes simple. Having a ton of okay props and sets doesn't look as good as having 2-3 really nice bits of scenery. When possible, use actual dialogue from the scene (as recorded in letters, old footage, interviews, etc) instead of writing what you "think" they would say. Make a backup of your footage shortly after shooting. You never want to lose a great, candid moment just because you lost a hard drive or dripped a camera. As soon as possible, transfer all of your audio and video to a spare hard drive that you do not move or edit off of. This small, inexpensive step can save your 100s of hours if something goes wrong. Use a non-linear editing system to splice together your footage. Non-linear editing is just a fancy way to describe a computer editing program. For longer movies, you will likely need an industry standard editing program, like Avid, Final Cut Pro X, or Adobe Premier Pro. For smaller documentaries, or those just starting out, a simple program like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie should have enough features to get you started. If you don't know how to use editing software, there are thousands of free tutorials available online. You can often hire editors online through Craigslist or EntertainmentJobs.com who will work with you to turn your footage into a film. Use credits, titles, and text to give your audience the basic information of each scene and interview. Whenever you change locations, a small piece of text giving the location and year is crucial. If you cut to a new interview with someone you need to show their name and title somewhere on the screen, frequently on the bottom right or left corner. Focus on the subject, not the "grand significance" of it all, when editing. It is admirable to try and explore big topics and themes. But best way to illustrate something powerful is, paradoxically, though something small. A documentary is non-fiction, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't tell a story. You need to find a story that illuminates the bigger themes and ideas, not try and cram a bunch of ideas at the viewer and hope they stick. Individual stories are always more compelling: The Academy Award-nominated doc The Square, though exploring the Egyptian Revolution, gains power because it is focused more narrowly on Tahrir Square. Virunga, though it talks about all the struggles of The Congo, locates itself almost completely in the titular nature park, telling the story of the last mountain gorillas. Hoop Dreams is a powerful meditation on hope and expectations in high school sports, but it only works because it examines just two basketball families. Consider adding a narrator. Narrators allow you to get large chunks of information to the audience quickly and efficiently. They can also distract from your subject, over-explain, and simplify your documentary to just one viewpoint. The decision to have a narrator or not is largely artistic. Yet there are definite pros and cons to each. Narrator: Good narration illuminates subjects quickly and succinctly, still allowing the footage and interviews the majority of the screen time. If your subject has a lot of facts and figures that need explaining, it can be easier to narrate than convince an interviewee to explain everything. No Narrator: The more common modern approach, this allows the interviews and clips to speak from themselves. The story is more organic, but it can be harder to get cohesive or complicated points across. The "meaning" is often more open-ended. Watch the movie as you edit it with trusted friends. What was the point, to them? Where was the movie clear, and where did it get confusing? Was it entertaining? Avoid trying to explain things and instead ask their opinions. It is easy to get lost in the movie as you work because you know it better than anyone else. You'll need trusted outside opinions to make sure your documentary tells the story you want it to. If you hear the same complaints or criticisms over and over, you need to think of ways to address them. Is it an editing issue, or will you need another interview or two? | Find a captivating, accessible subject. Do as much outside research as you can. Decide on an "angle" for your documentary. Get a camera, several microphones, and a few lights. Write out a shooting script for your documentary. Draft a budget and shooting schedule. Put together your crew. Make sure any people in the documentary sign release forms if they appear on camera. Prepare your interview set before the person arrives. Write out a list of questions in advance. Sit and talk with the interviewee before turning the cameras on. Let the film speak for itself, instead of trying to speak for it. Find the points of view you disagree with. Shoot B-Roll at every location you visit. Keep any recreations simple and faithful to the source material. Make a backup of your footage shortly after shooting. Use a non-linear editing system to splice together your footage. Use credits, titles, and text to give your audience the basic information of each scene and interview. Focus on the subject, not the "grand significance" of it all, when editing. Consider adding a narrator. Watch the movie as you edit it with trusted friends. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Snails | How to Care for Snails | To care for snails, start by providing them with a tank that is well-ventilated and has a lid that can be securely fastened so the snails don't escape. Then, line the tank with moist peat or soil and replace it at least once a week so it stays fresh. Next, add objects to the tank for the snails to climb on and hide under to keep them active and happy. Additionally, leave a cuttlefish bone or egg shells in the tank to provide the snails with calcium. Every few days, provide your snails with fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a small dish of water for them to drink. | Choose a snail tank. Snails need to live in a moist environment free of danger, and it's easiest to facilitate their needs by setting up a home for them in a glass or plastic container. The container you choose should be well-ventilated and escape-proof. It should be large enough for the snails to live comfortably, and portable enough that it's easy to clean often. Consider these factors when you choose a container: Snails need plenty of space to move around. A container the size of a small or medium fish tank will usually work. If you have more than one snail, or if you have Giant African Land snails, which are larger, consider getting a tank that's around 30 to 40 litres; be aware that this species can grow up to 20cm in length. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet1.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>"} Snails can lift 3 times their own weight. This means the container you choose must have a lid that can be securely fastened, rather than weighted down. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet2.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>"} Snails need plenty of ventilation. Don't choose a container that's airtight. If you use a plastic food storage-type container, poke plenty of small holes in the top. If you can, cover any holes with mosquito net, this helps to keep any pests such as fruit flies or earwigs out while keeping your snail safe and secure. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet3.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>"} Snails need light. Don't use an opaque container. Find a clear plastic or glass container instead. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet4.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet4.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>"} Snails can eat through cardboard. Don't choose a container made of materials that are easy for snails to chew up. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet5.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet5.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-1Bullet5.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 sure you don't leave the terrarium in direct sunlight as this can cause your snail to dry out. Line the tank with substrate. Recreating the type of terrain that snails naturally live in is crucial to keeping them healthy and happy. Make sure the substrate is sterilized and pesticide-free; digging up dirt from your yard won't work, since it may contain substances that could harm the snail. Here are a few different substrate choices: Loam. This is a loose substrate that retains moisture well but also drains efficiently. If you want to include live plants in your tank, make sure you choose a loam that is conducive to growing the plants you want to grow. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/94\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet1.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet1.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>"} Humus. Also referred to as compost, this is a nutrient-rich substrate that provides nourishment to both the snail and live plants. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet2.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet2.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>"} Peat. Snails like to live in peat, but it can also be home to pests, so don't use it if you're worried about bugs living in the tank. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet3.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet3.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>"} Potting soil. This is a cheap option that is ideal for snails to burrow in. Be sure to choose one that is labeled pesticide-free. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet4.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet4.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>"} Coir. This is a cheap substrate that is a popular choice for snail tanks. It holds moisture well, but it is prone to harboring mites and insects. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet5.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/98\/Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet5.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-2Bullet5.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>"} Add features to the tank. Snails like to crawl, explore and hide, so make them happy by including interesting objects for them to climb on. Avoid hard objects made from ceramic and heavy stone, since snails can slip on these and damage their shells. Choose some of the following options: Wooden sticks and branches. Sticks made from durable wood are available for purchase at pet stores since they're often used in aquariums for turtles, snakes, and amphibians. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet1.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>"} Cork bark. This is a soft substance with hollow areas that provide a great hiding place for snails. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet2.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet2.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>"} Resin. This is a heavy yet soft material that is perfect to use as a food or water tray. If a snail falls on this material they won't damage their shells and they can't overturn the dish either. Plants. Choose live plants that do well in the same climate snails thrive in. You could also choose plastic plants, which are easier to keep clean. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet3.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-3Bullet3.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>"} Create the right climate. In addition to having a tank that's well ventilated, snails also need a warm, moist environment. They do best at temperatures between 19-25°C (66-77 °F), but they are usually fine at temperatures that are slightly higher or lower. The substrate at the bottom of the tank must be kept moist at all times. If you're concerned that your snail might get too cold in a certain room, consider buying a small heating pad. It should only cover about 2/3 of the floor of the tank, so the snail is able to move away if it gets too hot. Keep the substrate moist by spritzing it (and the snail) with water every day. Use purified, spring or distilled water to ensure the snail stays healthy. If you aren't able to obtain these, leave normal tap water in the sun for 48 hours; this breaks down Chlorine, ensuring your snail's safety. Give the snail calcium. Snails need plenty of calcium to keep their shells strong and healthy. You should provide a source of calcium in the tank at all times. Cuttlefish bones are available for purchase at pet stores, but you could also use eggshells. The snails will run their bodies over the calcium source and wear it away over time. Provide snail food. Snails eat a great variety of different foods, many of which you might have in your refrigerator or pantry to feed your family. Place some food in the snail's tank every day. You can use a small food dish to keep the food separate from the substrate. If you notice the food there a few days later, remove it, since letting food rot in the tank will cause mold to grow and attract insects. Keep these tips in mind when it comes to feeding your snail: You can buy a snail food mix or turtle food to feed your snails. Fresh food contains more nutrients and is healthier, but it's good to have dry food on hand in case of an emergency. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ad\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet1.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>"} Feed snails fruits and vegetables. Snails will eat almost any type of produce. If they don't like something, they simply won't eat it, so experiment with different fruits and vegetables until you find a combination your snail likes. Try berries, squash, lettuce, cabbage, apples, pears, broccoli, beans, cucumbers, kale, and all kinds of other fruits and vegetables. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet2.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>"} Feed snails small quantities of crushed seeds. Oats may also be fed to snails after soaking. You can also feed snails small quantities of milk powder, raw meat, and crushed dog bones. Snails also enjoy bloodworm as an occasional treat, remember snails are omnivores and also indulge in raw meats on occasion. Make sure the meat doesn't contain salt. Avoid foods that are dangerous for snails to eat. Rice, millet, pasta, and other starchy foods can cause the snails to get bloated and die. Avoid foods that contain salt. Finally, don't feed snails food that has been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet4.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-6Bullet4.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>"} Provide a water dish. This isn't mandatory since snails get the moisture they need from the substrate, but snails like to drink water and bathe every now and then. Choose a very shallow water dish that will allow the snails to easily climb in and out. If you use one that's too deep, the snails may drown. Change the substrate often. Once a week should be sufficient, but change it more often if it looks dirty before then. Change the substrate right away if it gets completely soaked or if it seems to be harboring mites. Clean the tank every few weeks. Wash the tank with hot water and a sterilizing solution, then rinse it carefully again to remove all traces of the chemicals. It's important to wash the tank fairly frequently so that mold doesn't grow in the tank and harm the snails. While you're washing the tank, keep the snails safe in a plastic container with a lid; make sure it has plenty of holes in the top for ventilation. Wash the decorations and food and water dishes as well. If certain decorations seem to have degraded over time, replace them. Bathe the snails. It's a good idea to bathe the snails every so often to prevent disease and pests from taking over. Set the snail in a shallow dish of room temperature water, then pour more water gently over the snail's body. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell; don't scrub too hard or you may damage it, and don't use soap. Never use cleaning fluids to clean the snail or its shell. These are extremely harmful and could lead to the snail's death. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet1.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>"} You can rub a bit of sesame oil over the shell to give it some shine. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet2.jpg\/aid646861-v4-728px-Care-for-Snails-Step-10Bullet2.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>"} | Choose a snail tank. Line the tank with substrate. Add features to the tank. Create the right climate. Give the snail calcium. Provide snail food. Provide a water dish. Change the substrate often. Clean the tank every few weeks. Bathe the snails. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Leeks | How to Grow Leeks | To grow leeks, start by sowing your seeds indoors in a warm, sunny room a few weeks before the end of winter. Then, once your seedlings reach 6 inches tall, transfer them into 6-inch deep trenches in the ground outside. After you plant the leeks in the ground, pat the soil around them into a mound that reaches the point where the leaves spread apart. While the leeks grow, keep the soil moist, weed the surrounding area regularly, and periodically pat the dirt back into a mound. | Plant in the fall or spring, depending on your climate. If you live in a mild climate (growing zone 7 or warmer), you can plant leeks in the fall for a spring harvest, then plant again in the late spring for a fall harvest. Leeks planted later in the year will overwinter and grow in the spring. If you live in a climate with harsh winters, leeks should be planted in very early spring, as soon as the ground is workable. Different leek varieties are meant for different planting times. Ask an expert at your local nursery to inform you what varieties work best in your climate. Sow the seeds in a warm, sunny location. Fill seed trays with a seed starting mix (not potting soil) and sow the seeds about 6 weeks before the last frost of the winter. Leek seeds germinate best at a temperature around 77 °F (25 °C), so keep them in a warm, sunny room. If you're starting seeds in the fall, you can keep them outdoors in a sunny spot. Keep the starting mixture moist. If you wish, you can direct sow the seeds instead of starting them in trays. Prepare a planting bed with plenty of compost. Plant the seeds ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) deep and several inches apart. The seedlings are ready to transplant when they grow to be at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) long. Prepare a planting bed for the transplants. Prepare a permanent bed for the seedlings. Choose a spot in the sun that has well-draining soil. Work compost into the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches (20.3 cm). Dig a trench 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep. Leeks must be planted deep in the soil so that the base of the stem stays out of the sun and becomes "blanched." The blanched part is the white, tender, edible part of the leek. Transplant the leeks. Plant the leek seedlings at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep and 6 inches (15.2 cm) apart. Pat the soil around the base of the leak so that it covers the roots and reaches the cleft where the leaves spread apart. The process of slightly mounding the dirt in this way is called "hilling." Instead of hilling, you can help the leek stems blanch by putting a cardboard tube over each plant, so that it rests around the base. This serves the dual purpose of keeping the sun away and keeping dirt out of the leek's leaves. Mulch the leek bed. The leeks' roots are shallow, and must be protected so that they stay moist. Water the leek bed thoroughly after planting, then mulch the leek bed with straw to protect it throughout the growing season. Keep the ground moist. Water the leeks frequently to keep them growing healthy and strong. Do not let the soil dry out. Leeks need to be given a good soaking at least twice a week, and more often if you live in a dry place with little rain. Hill the soil periodically. About halfway through the growing season, hill the soil around the base of the leeks again, so that it reaches the place where the leaves cleave apart. The higher the hill, the larger the edible white part of the leek will be. However, hilling too high can cause the leeks to rot. Weed the leek bed. Since leeks have shallow roots, it's important to weed frequently so they don't have to compete for nutrients. Weed the leek bed frequently throughout the growing season. Harvest leeks when their stems are 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Leeks are generally ready to eat when their stems are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. However, if you have a taste for young leeks, they can be harvested at any time. Younger leeks are less flavorful but they are more tender, and may be eaten like scallions. You can leave leeks in the ground until they get quite large if you don't want to harvest them all at once. Plan to remove them all before the ground freezes in the fall. Dig around the leek bases and pull them out. Keep the roots intact when you harvest the leeks. Use a spade to dig around the base of the leek, then gently pull on the leaves to remove it from the ground. Wash the stems to remove dirt. The leeks will need a good scrubbing to remove the soil from their stems. Wash away all of the dirt using a vegetable scrub brush. Store the leeks in a fridge or cool cellar. Leeks can be stored in the refrigerator if you plan to eat them within the week. Wash and dry the leeks and place them in a plastic bag or in your vegetable crisper. When you're ready to cook them, remove the roots and the green part of the leaves, and process the white portion of the stem to use in a recipe. For longer-term storage, keep the roots attached to the leeks and trim back the leaves until just 1 inch (2.5 cm) of green remains. Store them upside down in a wooden box, and back them with sawdust. Place the box in a cool cellar for up to 8 weeks. You can also freeze leeks. Remove the roots and leaves and blanch the white stems. Place the blanched stems in freezer bags and store them for several months. | Plant in the fall or spring, depending on your climate. Sow the seeds in a warm, sunny location. Prepare a planting bed for the transplants. Transplant the leeks. Mulch the leek bed. Keep the ground moist. Hill the soil periodically. Weed the leek bed. Harvest leeks when their stems are 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Dig around the leek bases and pull them out. Wash the stems to remove dirt. Store the leeks in a fridge or cool cellar. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Lamb-Shanks | How to Cook Lamb Shanks | Before you cook lamb shanks by braising them, wash the shanks and use a sharp knife to remove some of the larger deposits of fat. Heat some oil over medium-high heat in a large dutch oven, then brown the shanks for about 4 minutes on all 3 sides. Add your vegetables, seasonings, and wine, and bring the pot to a boil for 3 minutes, then cover the dish and transfer it to a 350°F oven for an hour and a half. Strain the mixture and reduce the braising liquid, then serve the reduced sauce over the shanks. | Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Wash and trim the shanks. Wash the shanks and use a sharp knife to remove some of the larger deposits of fat, but don't trim the shanks of all visible fat. The fat will render and contribute to the flavor of the final dish. Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a large dutch oven or another oven-safe dish and place it over medium high heat. Allow it to heat completely, until it begins to smoke just slightly. Brown the lamb shanks. Season the shanks with salt and pepper on all sides. Place them in the hot oil and brown them on all three sides. Brown each side for about 4 minutes, enough to get a good sear on each side. Don't cook the lamb shanks all the way through. Browning them will bring out the deep flavor of the shanks, but longer cooking will bring about the soft, fall-apart texture you want. Make sure the oil is nice and hot before you put the shanks in the pot. Add the vegetables, peppercorns and wine. Arrange the vegetables and garlic cloves around the lamb shanks, and drop in the peppercorns. Pour the wine over the entire contents of the pot. Let the red wine come to a boil, and boil it for three minutes. Add the water and reduce the heat to bring everything to a quick simmer. Boiling the wine for three minutes will lower the alcohol content a bit, leaving the deep flavor of the wine behind. With the addition of the water, the shanks and vegetables should be fully submerged in liquid. If they aren't, add a little more water. Cover the dish and transfer it to the oven for braising. If you don't have a tight-fitting lid for the dutch oven, cover it tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the oven and braise it for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Every half hour, remove it from the oven and turn the shanks so they cook evenly. After 1 hour and 30 minutes, the shanks should be quite tender. If they aren't, return them to the oven and continue braising, checking every 15 minutes until they've reached the correct texture. Strain and reduce the braising liquid. Transfer the cooked lamb shanks to a serving platter. Pour the braising liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out the vegetables and keep the liquid. Pour the liquid into a saucepan and cook it over medium heat, stirring often, until it has reduced and become a thick sauce. Season it with salt and pepper to taste. To make the sauce thicker, add a teaspoon of cornstarch. Serve the lamb shanks. Pour the braising liquid over the lamb shanks and serve the dish with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Each shank is enough for one serving. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Wash and trim the shanks. Wash the shanks and use a sharp knife to remove some of the larger fatty areas, but don't remove too much of the fat. It will render and contribute to the flavor of the final dish. Blend the butter and herbs. Remove the leaves from the rosemary sprigs. Place the rosemary leaves, sage and butter in a blender or food processor, and process until fully blended. Season the mixture to taste with plenty of salt and pepper. If you like thyme, add the leaves from two sprigs of thyme as well. Add extra rosemary or sage according to taste. Make pockets in the lamb shanks. Use a sharp knife to slightly separate the meat from the bone at the base of each lamb shank. Put your finger into the holes you've created to make a small pocket in each shank. Don't completely remove the meat from the bone. Just separate it enough to create a little pocket. Stuff the pockets with the butter mixture. Divide the mixture between the four shanks, using a spoon to stuff it deep into the pockets. As the shanks bake, the butter will melt and flavor them from the inside out. Season the shanks. Rub the outside of each lamb shank with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place each lamb shank on a folded piece of aluminum foil. Tear off four large pieces of aluminum foil and fold each one in half. Place one lamb shank in the middle of each piece of foil. They should each be in an upright position, with the bones pointing up. Gather the edges of the aluminum foil around the shank and toward the bone, so that each shank is sitting in a sort of bowl shaped from aluminum foil. Make sure you use enough foil so that it won't rip. You need enough to gather the ends over the bone before putting the packets in the oven. Add vegetables and wine to each packet. Divide the vegetables evenly among the packets. Divide the garlic cloves evenly among the packets, too. Finally, divide the wine evenly among the packets, pouring a few glugs into each. Close the packets. Twist the aluminum foil around the bones so that each packet is tightly sealed. Arrange them on a baking sheet so they won't drip as they bake. Bake the packets. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the packets for 2 1/2 hours. Check the meat to make sure the lamb shanks are soft and fall-apart tender; if not, return to the oven for a few more minutes. Serve the lamb shanks. Place each packet on a plate so each person can open his or her own packet of goodness. Serve with vegetables, potatoes and salad. Combine the vegetables, herbs and stock in the slow cooker. Put the vegetables, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and chicken stock in the slower cooker. Stir the mixture so everything is combined. Heat the oil. Pour the olive oil into a frying pan and place it over medium high heat. Heat the oil until it just begins to smoke. Don't overheat the oil or it will burn. Brown the lamb shanks. Season them with salt and pepper, then place them in the hot oil. Cook each lamb shank on all three sides, for four minutes on each side. Don't cook the shanks all the way through; just cook them long enough to brown them and bring out their deep flavor. Add the lamb shanks to the slow cooker. Place them bone-side up in the slow cooker among the vegetables, herbs and stock. Keep the pan in place, since you don't want to waste the drippings. Add the wine to the drippings. Pour the cup of wine into the hot pan and let it come to a simmer. Scrape off the brown bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the wine to the slow cooker after 1 minute of simmering. Cover the slow cooker and cook the shanks. Cook them on high for 6 hours according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the shanks are ready, they should easily fall apart when poked with a fork. Serve the shanks. Place each one on a plate and ladle some of the vegetable and wine sauce over each one. Serve with potatoes, vegetables or rice. | Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C). Wash and trim the shanks. Heat the oil. Brown the lamb shanks. Add the vegetables, peppercorns and wine. Cover the dish and transfer it to the oven for braising. Strain and reduce the braising liquid. Serve the lamb shanks. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Wash and trim the shanks. Blend the butter and herbs. Make pockets in the lamb shanks. Stuff the pockets with the butter mixture. Season the shanks. Place each lamb shank on a folded piece of aluminum foil. Add vegetables and wine to each packet. Close the packets. Bake the packets. Serve the lamb shanks. Combine the vegetables, herbs and stock in the slow cooker. Heat the oil. Brown the lamb shanks. Add the lamb shanks to the slow cooker. Add the wine to the drippings. Cover the slow cooker and cook the shanks. Serve the shanks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Guy-That-Is-Mad-at-You-Like-You-Again-Through-Text | How to Make a Guy That Is Mad at You Like You Again Through Text | If you want to make a guy that is mad at you like you again through text, start by apologizing, and being specific about what you're sorry for. For example, start off with "I'm sorry I was late to our meeting.” Then, take responsibility for how your actions affected him and assure him that it won't happen again. Show him that you understand his perspective by saying something like, “I know you had to wait 45 minutes for me and it probably felt like I wasn't making you a priority.” Finally, ask how you can make it up to him. | Think about what may have happened. He may not be talking to you or hanging out because he's either angry about something you did or he's made new friends and is busy with other things. If he's changed how he acts around you because he's no longer interested in being friends (or partners or whatever), there's not much you can do to change that. In those situations, it has to do with him, not with you. If you think he may be angry, think about why. People get angry when they feel like you did something that had a negative impact on them. So the first step on the road to reconciliation is figuring out what you did to trigger him. Remember that sometimes what seem like minor actions or decisions to us can have big impacts on others, so think not only about what you've done recently but about which of your actions might have had negative effects on him. Once you have an idea of what you did that upset him, you can start working on de-escalating the situation. Step into his perspective. Key to getting someone past their anger or upset is showing them you understand their perspective and recognize how what you did affected them. Put yourself in his position and imagine how whatever you suspect upset him must have made him feel. Empathize with those emotions and approach him with that empathy in mind. For example, to you, you were just late picking him up because traffic was crazy and you realized you forgot your phone halfway there. It wasn't a big deal, it just happened that way. But to him, he had to stand out on the curb for 45 minutes when it was dark and cold, even though he told you what time to be there three times, and you promised you would be. Empathize. Once you have a sense of what may have upset him, make a genuine effort to empathize with how he may be feeling. If you were late picking him up, in addition to thinking about how it might have appeared from his perspective, imagine what it may have felt like. For example, to him, it may feel like you didn't make him a priority, you didn't care about his discomfort or whether he had other things to do, and you broke a promise. Think about how you would feel about those things and empathize with him. Apologize. Apologize early and often; admit that you were wrong (if you were) and take responsibility. Tell him that you were wrong and that you won't do it (whatever it was) again. And then don't do that thing again. Don't use the sorry-not-really-sorry line of “I'm sorry you got so upset.” It shifts the responsibility onto him and makes it sound as if you're not sorry for your actions, you just wish he wouldn't get mad about it. If he responds with a--potentially justified--angry text, apologize again. Continue apologizing if he comes at you with more angry responses. Simply say something like, “I'm sorry--I was wrong.” Show that you understand the impact your actions had on him. Just apologizing or trying to explain that your intentions were good won't work. Saying you're sorry isn't enough--you need to show you recognize the negative consequences your actions had on him and that you sincerely regret it. If he feels like you genuinely understand why your actions made him mad, he's more likely to feel validated and begin forgiving you. Even if you don't necessarily think his feelings or reaction is justified, apologize anyway. If you want him to like you again, you want him to see you understand how he's feeling. Avoid escalating the situation. Even if you say you're sorry, it won't be enough to make him like you again if you then start saying things that will escalate the situation. Don't, for example, say anything about thinking his reactions were irrational or unjustified. It will make him feel like you aren't really sorry and don't really understand the situation--and he'll go back to being mad. Don't bring up things he's done to upset you in the past. Turning the conversation into a tit-for-tat about who did what to who isn't going to diffuse the situation. It will only make it drag on longer and make him less likely to forgive you. Ask what you can do to make it up to him. Asking for his input on what you can do shows that you're listening to him and genuinely want to know what would make things better from his perspective. For example, you might say something like, “I know you had to wait 45 minutes for me and that it probably felt like I wasn't making you a priority. How can I make it up to you in the future?” Make him smile. Humor is disarming. If you can make him laugh, or even smile a bit, you can get your foot in the metaphorical door. Try being humorously self-deprecating. If humor is disarming, affable self-deprecation is doubly so. So try poking a little fun at yourself or acknowledging one of your endearing flaws. You might text him something purposefully ridiculous, like, “I'm really sorry I was late picking you up--we both know I'm a klutz, and I must have walked into at least five walls trying to get here.” Or you could text something more honest but still gently self-deprecating, like, “You know how I look at the time on the clock as a challenge instead of a warning? Well...the clock won.” Let him know you’re thinking about him. Particularly if the guy's mad because he feels like you ignored him or his needs in some way, remind him that you do think about him--often. For example, you might text him with an affectionate reference to something you saw that reminded you of him (bonus if it relates to a private joke between you), like, “I just saw a car with a Florida license plate and it reminded me of all the stories you tell about growing up there. It made me smile.” Know when to back off. Don't text him excessively. Apologize, and if he doesn't immediately respond or forgive you, back off. If you keep texting him, you're going to undo any potential good you've done by irritating him rather than charming him. If he needs time to get over it, give him that time. Let him come to you when he's ready. Don’t press him if he won’t tell you why he’s mad. If he won't tell you what's upsetting him, it's either because he's so mad he can't talk about it or it's a ploy for attention. In either case, you need to let the issue rest and let him come to you. If he seems truly angry but can't or won't tell you why, he probably needs time to process and let the worst of the anger pass. Even if you don't know what you did and it's driving you crazy not to know, let it be. Don't insist that he tell you; let him take the time he needs. When he's ready, he'll come to you and you can work things out from there. If his anger doesn't seem entirely genuine, he's probably acting angry to get attention, and the more you ask what's wrong and what happened, the more he'll prolong the situation to get as much out of it as he can. Just tell him you don't know what's angering him and that you're sorry if it's something you've done. Then leave it at that and let him come to you when he's done trying to manipulate your attention. Know when to give up. If he's so mad about something that none of your attempts to empathize or apologize are working, step out of the situation. There's nothing else you can do or say at this point to make him like you again, so it's best just to back off. After some time has passed, he may be feeling less upset and may come to you when he's ready to talk. You can't force him to talk to you before he's ready, so your best option is to wait. Know when it’s not worth it. If he's constantly getting angry with you over things you either don't understand or feel are unreasonable, consider whether the relationship is really worth it. If being around him causes you more grief than pleasure, maybe it's time to just let the relationship go. If he verbally, emotionally, or physically abuses you when he's mad, get out of the relationship immediately. Get some satisfaction. If all else fails and the guy probably isn't going to give in no matter what you do, you might as well have a little fun. “Makeup apps” allow you to choose the gender of the person you're trying to make up with and which excuse you want to use to win them back. Obviously, if your sincere efforts were unsuccessful, an app probably isn't going to do any better, but if you've got nothing left to lose, you might as well. Worst case scenario, you'll be entertained by the messages the app sends on your behalf saying you were kidnapped by Russians. Try coming up with clever responses to his non-responses. If he won't text you back and you know he's probably never going to, you might as well go out on a high note. Be hyperbolic (“I spent so long waiting for you to text back that feral cats ate my face and hands and now I'm texting you with my toes and will soon be dead.”) or incorporate some spot-on memes or gifs into your final sign-off. Move on. Don't dwell on the situation or stay up nights thinking about what you should have said or what a jerk he is. Accept that he's upset and that the relationship might have to end. Start to go on with your life. | Think about what may have happened. Step into his perspective. Empathize. Apologize. Show that you understand the impact your actions had on him. Avoid escalating the situation. Ask what you can do to make it up to him. Make him smile. Let him know you’re thinking about him. Know when to back off. Don’t press him if he won’t tell you why he’s mad. Know when to give up. Know when it’s not worth it. Get some satisfaction. Move on. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Cat%27s-Coat | How to Care for Your Cat's Coat | To care for your cat's coat, start by brushing it once per week if you have a short-haired breed, and every other day if you have a long-haired breed. Work a metal comb through your cat's fur from head to tail to dislodge dirt and other debris. Then, use a rubber or bristle brush to brush with the grain of the fur, focusing on one area at a time. If you have a long-haired kitty, follow up by brushing its entire body again, this time against the grain of the fur. Finally, lift the cat's tail and check its behind for matted fur. If you see any, gently cut away the mats with scissors. | Check your cat’s coat often. A cat's fur coat is a gauge of his overall health and should have a natural gloss and “spring.” However, dirt, oils, and other things can cause its condition to deteriorate. Give your cat a once-over 1 or 2 times a week. You shouldn't find any bald patches, bumps, wounds, or signs of flea infestation. Take note of any signs of an unhealthy coat. These include dryness, greasiness, dandruff, thinning hair, or a dull appearance. Long-haired cats need extra attention because their coats tend to mat. Look for tangles when checking them. Make grooming a good experience. Since your cat needs occasional care, make sure that he is used to and enjoys being handled. Start slowly, be patient, and ensure that the experience is pleasant. Only do grooming when your cat is in a good mood and relaxed, such as after exercise or feeding for the best results. Make sure that you are at ease, too! Try not to handle your kitty when you are stressed or in a bad mood, or he will associate grooming with aggression or fear. Keep your first sessions to 10 to 15 minutes until you get into a routine. Pet your cat all over so that he gets used to the attention – pet his head, ears, tail, feet, and belly. Be patient. Try again later if he is difficult and give him a treat after successful sessions. Brush a short-haired cat once per week. Short-haired varieties like Bengals, American Shorthairs, and Abyssinians have less hair and don't need as much attention. You can brush their coat once every week or perhaps even less. First, take a metal comb and work through your cat's fur from head to tail. This will dislodge dirt and other debris. Brush along the lie of a short-haired cat's fur. In other words, go with the grain of the fur rather than against it. Brush all part of the cat's body, focusing on one area at a time to loosen any tangles. Cats tend to be sensitive on the belly and chest. Be gentle when brushing there. Use a bristle or rubber brush next to remove loose or dead hair. Brush a long-haired cat more often. Long-haired breeds like Persians, Himalayans, and Balinese will need to be brushed more often than shorthairs. This is because their coats are more likely to mat and because they are more likely to get fur balls. Long-haired breeds need to be brushed every day or every other day, loosening tangles and removing dead hair. The more loose hair you remove, the fewer fur balls your cat will develop. Start by brushing the cat's belly and legs. Tangles tend to form in these areas especially, so be sure to untangle any knots there. Next, brush the whole cat's body against lie of the fur with a bristle or rubber brush. Push the hair upward toward his head and, when you are finished, back down. To get the tail, make a part down the middle and brush the fur out on either side. Shake some talcum powder over difficult tangles and try to loosen them with your hands. Or, consider using a mat-splitter. Severe mats should be removed by a professional groomer or your vet. Feel and look for irregularities. During each grooming session, keep your eyes open and run your hands along the cat's body to feel for things that shouldn't be there. This is both for good grooming and for health. Feel for hidden tangles, but also for bumps or signs of ticks or fleas. Specks of blood can be a giveaway. Lift the cat's tail and check its behind. You can cut away any fur that is matted with feces with scissors. Look particularly for tan, rice-sized objects near the anus. These are tapeworm segments and indicate that your cat has a tapeworm infection. Don’t over-bathe. Cats self-clean and are usually more than able to take care of themselves. Your cat may need some extra cleaning if she's gotten into something dirty or smelly, but you should usually limit her baths. Bathing can dry out your cat's skin. Frequent baths can also change the oil gland levels, which may worsen her coat condition. When you do give a bath, go easy on your pet by using mild, cat-safe shampoo. Use good sense and timing. Cats famously do not like water. That said, pick a time as with brushing when your cat is in an easy, relaxed mood. Often the best time is after some play or after a brush-down. Some groomers recommend trimming a cat's claws before you bathe her, which can save you some pain if she does not take to the water. You may also want to wear rubber gloves. Lay down a rubber mat in the sink or rub. This will help the cat keep her footing and prevent slipping. Draw the bath. You can use a plastic tub for the bath or a sink, depending on your cat's size. Fill the basin with 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of water. Then, carefully lift your cat and set her in the tub. Make sure that the water is not too hot. It should be lukewarm and not uncomfortable to the touch. Don't over-fill the basin with water. The cat should be standing (not swimming!) in the water. Wet and lather. Begin to wet the animal all over its body. You can use a spray hose if your sink has one. Otherwise, you might also try a spray bottle or even scoop water over the cat with a plastic pitcher. Apply some shampoo to the cat's coat and start to work up a lather. Massage the shampoo into her fur from head to her tail, avoiding the eyes and face. To ensure a mild solution, mix one part cat shampoo with five parts water. Many cats do not like being splashed with water in the face. To avoid a tense situation, use a wet washcloth to clear your pet's head. Rinse and dry. Once you've got a good lather, it's time to rinse. Flush out the shampoo with plain water, again lukewarm, from a spray nozzle or pitcher. Be sure to get all of the solution as leftover shampoo can irritate the skin and attract dirt. Wrap the cat in a large towel to dry and put her in a draft-free place. Long-haired cats will probably need a combing or brushing after a bath, to prevent tangles. Be sure to give your cat a treat after a bath to reinforce the experience. Reduce her anxiety and fear as much as possible. Look closely. Note any signs of movement on your cat's fur or any changes in behavior, like frequent scratching. These and other factors can signal that he has a case of fleas. Flea bites feel itchy. A cat with fleas may scratch or bite at its coat frantically in an effort to get relief. Your cat might also groom more than usual, show hair loss, act agitated or restless, or have red lesions or bumps (bites marks). Fleas also leave feces, which will look like black pepper in your cat's coat. Comb your cat with a fine-toothed comb. Find a metal, fine-toothed comb and slowly work your way through the cat's coat. The combing will weed out fleas and relieve the cat's itching somewhat. The comb treatment will remove many of the fleas and their eggs. Dip the comb into a bowl of soapy water as you go, to get rid of them. Repeat the treatment in the following days until the animal is no longer infested. Wash the fleas away. Another option is to give your cat a bath and to flush the fleas out of the coat. Proceed like you are giving the animal a normal bath, but use a shampoo that kills fleas. Fill a basin with a couple of inches of cool, soothing water and place the cat in it. Apply a shampoo, ideally one that is known to repel fleas like cedar, eucalyptus, lavender, or citrus. Some people also think that apple cider vinegar is effective in getting rid of fleas. Comb the cat with a flea comb after the bath and repeat the process daily until the fleas are gone. Use spot treatment medication. Spot-on flea meds are pesticides and should get rid of a pesky flea infestation. Since cats clean themselves by licking, they are safer than sprays or dusts that have to be applied to the whole body. Talk to your vet about spot-on products. She will be able to advise you and maybe provide a brand like Frontline, Advantage, and Stronghold/Resolution. Ask for instructions about how to use the product – where to put it, how often to apply it, and how much to use. Prevent future infestations. You cat is normal, healthy, and happy. Why worry about fleas or other parasites? Well, even a healthy cat can become a host. There are steps you can take to protect him from a future infestation. Give him periodic flea baths. There are medically treated shampoos that kill fleas on contact. You'll have to re-bathe him about every two weeks. However, keep in mind that flea shampoos will not protect your cat against fleas after your cat's coat has dried. Get your cat dewormed. Fleas are natural carriers of tapeworms. Your cat can easily swallow a flea infected with a tapeworm larva and end up with a bad case of worms. Clean your house and carpet, especially if you are dealing with a bad case of fleas. Vacuum the floors, carpets, and furniture every day and wash sheets, fabrics, and covers that the pet touches at least once a week. Use hot water. | Check your cat’s coat often. Make grooming a good experience. Brush a short-haired cat once per week. Brush a long-haired cat more often. Feel and look for irregularities. Don’t over-bathe. Use good sense and timing. Draw the bath. Wet and lather. Rinse and dry. Look closely. Comb your cat with a fine-toothed comb. Wash the fleas away. Use spot treatment medication. Prevent future infestations. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Trim-Shrubs | How to Trim Shrubs | To trim a shrub, start by cutting in smooth, even strokes near the bottom of the shrub and working your way to the top. Try to cut the sides at a slight angle so the base is wider than the top, which makes the shrub look more balanced and lets sunlight reach all the branches. As you work your way up, make shallow, 1-3 inch cuts to start with, then go back and trim more if you want. You should also keep as much of the shrub's natural shape as you can, so it stays healthy after the trim. | Examine your shrub for blooms to determine when you should trim it. For blooming shrubs, trim them in the winter when they're dormant to prevent stunting flower growth. You can trim non-flowering shrubs anytime except late autumn when any new growth the plant has after trimming won't have time to mature before it goes dormant. If you're growing a hedge, trim it when the branches look overgrown until about 6 weeks before your area's usual first frost. Avoid doing extensive trimming when it is not your shrub's trimming season. Light trimming to keep it from looking overgrown is fine, but too much may damage your plant. Lay a tarp around the shrub you trim. This will make cleanup easier and catch any small branches or leaves that fall on the ground. If you're trimming multiple shrubs, clean the tarp off and move it around as you work through the different shrubs. Use 2 stakes as a guide while you level the shrub. Set up 2 stakes on each side of the shrub and tie a string between them. Keep the string taut and use it as the height that you'll trim the shrub to. If you want an especially precise measurement, use a level to position the strings to make sure they are even. If the shrub is small and close to your home or siding, you could also use either as a leveling guide as you cut. Use your shears or a hedge trimmer to cut along the top. Avoid cutting below the guideline to keep your leveling job even. When you've finished trimming along the top, examine your work. Check for and cut away any remaining branches that seem out of place. A hedge trimmer is ideal for cutting the shrub's height because running it over the top will give you a smoother finish. Keep the top narrower than the base. The base of your shrub should be the widest part of the plant. Examine the shrub after you have made the top even. If your shrub seems top-heavy, use your shears or hedge trimmer to make it thinner. Keep the shrub's sides 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) inches away from your home. This will keep the plant from rubbing against your home's walls, which prevents scratches in your siding. If your shrub currently brushes against your home, measure 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) out and mark the distance you will cut it away from your home. Because plants need water to survive, any shrubs touching your home could cause water damage over time. Begin cutting near the bottom of the shrub and work your way to the top. Cut in smooth, even strokes to keep the shrub's sides even. As you cut, keep the base wider than the rest of the shrub to help the plant look balanced. Cut the sides at a slight angle. This will help keep the plant narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. If the plant is widest at its bottom, sunlight will be able to reach the lower branches and maintain the leaves' green color. Make shallow cuts as you work your way up. Avoid cutting too deeply as you work. Remove 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) at a time, particularly from the base, to prevent trimming away too much. You can always cut more later if you're unsatisfied with the shrub's shape. Try to retain the shrub's natural shape as much as possible to keep it healthy. Examine the sides for uneven areas when you're finished cutting. Check the shrub's overall shape and look for any branches that stick out. If you spot unruly branches or feel that the shrub looks uneven, make adjustments with your shears until the plant looks even and balanced. Cut away the thickest overgrown branches first. Use your shears or a hedge trimmer to cut unruly branches back from the base. This will prevent overgrown branches from sticking out too far and promote new side growth. Clear out some limbs near the center. If your shrub has multiple overgrown branches around the center, cut several back to the base with your trimmer. As you clear limbs, try to retain the plant's natural shape and keep the base the widest part. Thinning out the center will help light reach the bottom branches. Avoid cutting center branches that aren't overgrown, as trimming too many main branches can harm shrubs. Remove diseased or damaged branches or branch segments. Inspect your shrub for sick-looking or broken branches, which must be removed to retain the plant's health. Cut away any rotten parts of the branch until you reach healthy wood. If part of a branch is healthy, you do not need to remove it in its entirety. Just remove as much of the dead or unhealthy section as possible. Research common pests or diseases your shrub might suffer from and keep an eye out for early signs of damage. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the shrub. Cutting more than 1/3 of the plant makes it weaker and vulnerable to pests or diseases. If you feel like you might be over trimming the plant, smooth your work out as best as you can and finish trimming the shrub. | Examine your shrub for blooms to determine when you should trim it. Lay a tarp around the shrub you trim. Use 2 stakes as a guide while you level the shrub. Use your shears or a hedge trimmer to cut along the top. Keep the top narrower than the base. Keep the shrub's sides 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) inches away from your home. Begin cutting near the bottom of the shrub and work your way to the top. Cut the sides at a slight angle. Make shallow cuts as you work your way up. Examine the sides for uneven areas when you're finished cutting. Cut away the thickest overgrown branches first. Clear out some limbs near the center. Remove diseased or damaged branches or branch segments. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the shrub. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Pi | How to Calculate Pi | Pi is roughly 3.14, but it's actually an infinite number that never slips into a repeating pattern. If you want to calculate pi, first measure the circumference of a circle by wrapping a piece of string around the edge of it and then measuring the length of the string. Then, measure the diameter of the circle, which is the distance between one side and the other that runs through the center. Once you've got the circumference and diameter, plug them into the formula π=c/d, where "π" is pi, "c" is circumference, and "d" is diameter. Just divide the circumference by the diameter to calculate pi! | Make sure you are using a perfect circle. This method won't work with ellipses, ovals or anything but a real circle. A circle is defined as all the points on a plane that are an equal distance from a single center point. The lids of jars are good household objects to use for this exercise.You should be able to calculate pi roughly because in order to get exact results of pi, you will need to have a very thin lead(or whatever you are using). Even the sharpest pencil graphite could be huge to have exact results. Measure the circumference of a circle as accurately as you can. The circumference is the length that goes around the entire edge of the circle. Since the circumference is round, it can be difficult to measure (that's why pi is so important). Lay a string over the circle as closely as you can. Mark the string off where it circles back around, and then measure the string length with a ruler. Measure the diameter of the circle. The diameter runs from one side of the circle to the other through the circle's center point. Use the formula. The circumference of a circle is found with the formula C= π*d = 2*π*r. Thus pi equals a circle's circumference divided by its diameter. Plug your numbers into a calculator: the result should be roughly 3.14. Repeat this process with several different circles, and then average the results. This will give you more accurate results. Your measurements might not be perfect on any given circle, but over time they should average out to a pretty accurate calculation of pi. Use the Gregory-Leibniz series. Mathematicians have found several different mathematical series that, if carried out infinitely, will accurately calculate pi to a great number of decimal places. Some of these are so complex they require supercomputers to process them. One of the simplest, however, is the Gregory-Leibniz series. Though not very efficient, it will get closer and closer to pi with every iteration, accurately producing pi to five decimal places with 500,000 iterations. Here is the formula to apply. π = (4/1) - (4/3) + (4/5) - (4/7) + (4/9) - (4/11) + (4/13) - (4/15)... Take 4 and subtract 4 divided by 3. Then add 4 divided by 5. Then subtract 4 divided by 7. Continue alternating between adding and subtracting fractions with a numerator of 4 and a denominator of each subsequent odd number. The more times you do this, the closer you will get to pi. Try the Nilakantha series. This is another infinite series to calculate pi that is fairly easy to understand. While somewhat more complicated, it converges on pi much quicker than the Leibniz formula. π = 3 + 4/(2*3*4) - 4/(4*5*6) + 4/(6*7*8) - 4/(8*9*10) + 4/(10*11*12) - 4/(12*13*14)... For this formula, take three and start alternating between adding and subtracting fractions with numerators of 4 and denominators that are the product of three consecutive integers which increase with every new iteration. Each subsequent fraction begins its set of integers with the highest one used in the previous fraction. Carry this out even a few times and the results get fairly close to pi. Try this experiment to calculate pi by throwing hotdogs. Pi, it turns out, also has a place in an interesting thought experiment called Buffon's Needle Problem, which seeks to determine the likelihood that randomly tossed uniform elongated objects will land either between or crossing a series of parallel lines on the floor. It turns out that if the distance between the lines is the same as the length of the tossed objects, the number of times the objects land across the lines out of a large number of throws can be used to calculate pi. Check out the above WikiHow article link for a fun breakdown of this experiment using thrown food. Scientists and mathematicians have not figured out a way to calculate pi exactly, since they have not been able to find a material so thin that it will work to find exact calculations. Pick a large number. The bigger the number, the more accurate your calculation will be. Plug your number, which we'll call x, into this formula to calculate pi: x * sin(180 / x). For this to work, make sure your calculator is set to Degrees. The reason this is called a Limit is because the result of it is 'limited' to pi. As you increase your number x, the result will get closer and closer to the value of pi. Pick any number between -1 and 1. This is because the Arcsin function is undefined for arguments greater than 1 or less than -1. Plug your number into the following formula, and the result will be roughly equal to pi. pi = 2 * (Arcsin(sqrt(1 - x^2)) + abs(Arcsin(x))). Arcsin refers to the inverse sine in radians Sqrt is short for square root Abs is short for absolute value x^2 refers to an exponent, in this case, x squared. | Make sure you are using a perfect circle. Measure the circumference of a circle as accurately as you can. Measure the diameter of the circle. Use the formula. Repeat this process with several different circles, and then average the results. Use the Gregory-Leibniz series. Try the Nilakantha series. Try this experiment to calculate pi by throwing hotdogs. Pick a large number. Plug your number, which we'll call x, into this formula to calculate pi: Pick any number between -1 and 1. Plug your number into the following formula, and the result will be roughly equal to pi. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Earbuds | How to Fix Earbuds | To fix your broken earbuds, first put them in, play some music, and slowly twist the cord around to figure out what position they work in. Oftentimes an electrical short can happen in the section of the cord that gets the most wear and tear, so check the sections of the cord next to the jack and earbuds. When you get the earbuds cord into a position where you can hear sound, stop moving it and tape the wires into place with electrical or duct tape. Since this is just a temporary fix, you may want to consider buying a replacement pair of earbuds if you keep having issues. If your earbuds aren't working because of water damage, immediately put them in a container of rice for a couple days to help dry them out. | Identify the problem area. Slip the earbuds in your ears and play some music. When they begin acting up, pay attention to where the issue seems to be coming from. If they're only cutting out on one side, it most likely means there's a short in that earbud. If you're not hearing any sound at all, the split may be near the jack, or the short metal prong that plugs into your device. If you have another pair of earbuds lying around, try plugging them in to make sure it's not the headphone jack on the device that's the issue. For example, if neither set of earbuds work when plugged into your iPhone, you may need to fix the headphone jack on your iPhone instead of the earbuds. Twist the cord until the earbuds begin working. Bend, straighten, and adjust the cord around the damaged site. As you do, you might hear music again as the severed ends of the wires brush against one another. When you get the cord into a position that allows the earbuds to function correctly, hold it steady. Twist the cord slowly so you can stop it as soon as you get it in a working position. In less common instances, the broken wires will be closer to the center of the cord. Be sure to test the entire length of the cord to find out where the disconnect is. Tape the cord to hold it in place. While keeping pressure on the cord with one hand, use your free hand to wrap a stiff piece of electrical or duct tape around the section where the short is. The tape will compress the sheath around the wires, keeping them in contact with one another. As long as you don't remove the tape, you should be able to continue using your earbuds. If possible, bend the cord over on itself at the site of the short and tape it together at the kink. This will prevent it from moving around as much. Consider purchasing a replacement pair of earbuds. Taping your earbuds may get them working again, but it's only a temporary fix. If you keep experiencing technical difficulties, you may need to invest in a new set or make some manual repairs. Fortunately, earbuds tend to be fairly inexpensive these days. You can buy a brand new pair of earbuds for as little as $10-20 at most electronics stores and online retailers. If your earbuds are under warranty, it may also be possible to send them back to the manufacturer in exchange for a functioning set or refund. A quick peek at the user's manual or product receipt for your earbuds should tell you whether or not they're under warranty. Pinpoint the source of the issue. Put your earbuds in and listen closely to determine where the sound is cutting out. If only one earbud is dead, it usually means there's a short in that section of the wiring. If there's no output whatsoever, the damage may be located around the jack. Pry open the plastic housing of a defective earbud. To do this, you'll need to use a small, thin tool, such as a flat blade screwdriver or pocket knife. Wedge the tip of the tool into the groove where the two halves of the housing fit together, then push down and twist sharply to force them apart. Unless your earbuds are designed to be opened up, you may need to super glue them back together once you're done with your repairs. Inspect the earbuds for faulty wiring. Inside the earbud, you should see two copper wires, each running to a different terminal around the edges of the circular circuit board. You're looking for wires that have broken or come loose from their terminals. If both wires seem to be in their proper place, the broken connection may be lower down the cord near the jack. Remove the barrel from the jack if that’s where the issue lies. Sometimes, the loose wire isn't in one of the earbuds, but in the jack that plugs into your phone, laptop, or car stereo. In this case, you'll need to remove the protective plastic barrel and peel back the rubber coating in order to expose the wires underneath. With the barrel out of the way, you'll be able to apply solder freely as needed. Some headphone jacks have barrels that screw off. Others can be pulled away using a little bit of force. Clean away the old solder inside the earbuds before resoldering them. Lay the end of the desoldering braid flat over the blob of solder where the shorted wire has pulled away from the terminal. Heat the braid with your soldering iron where the two materials meet. The tightly-woven copper will wick up the remnants of the old solder, clearing the way for the new. Desoldering braids (sometimes known as “desoldering wicks”) can be found at any hardware store or home improvement center. Once you're done removing a blob of solder, cut the end off of the desoldering braid and repeat the process for each of the remaining blobs where the wire has come loose using a fresh section. Solder the broken wires back to the terminals inside the earbuds. Now that the faulty solder is out of the way, reattach the loose wire to its terminal and press a length of.032-diameter electronics solder into the joint. Heat the solder with your soldering iron to melt it and resecure the wire. Proceed to solder each broken wire. If both wires are broken, you can reconnect them to either of the terminals on the circuit board. It may help to use a table clamp or pair of pliers to hold the cord and earbud together while you're working. Reconnect each colored wire to its respective terminal to fix the jack. When soldering split wires at the jack, it's important to first make sure they're running to the right terminals. On most pairs of earbuds, the copper wire should go to the large central terminal, the red wire to the smaller righthand terminal, and the green wire to the left. Connecting the wires to the wrong terminals could fail to solve the problem. If you had to cut off the jack to uncover the broken wires, purchase a replacement jack and solder the wires to the color-coded terminals as described in the included instructions. On some replacement jacks, you can simply wind the broken wire through the small hole in the terminal a few times rather than soldering it on. Test the earbuds to make sure they work. Plug in your earbuds and play some music to confirm that you're getting sound out of both sides. Once you've repaired the damage to the internal wiring, they should be as good as new. Happy listening! If you're still not getting any sound, it may be because the solder didn't hold, or you've accidentally run the colored wires to the wrong terminals. You have to try again in order to correct your mistake. It's hard to justify the difficulty and expense of repairing shorts in the middle of the cord. If you suspect that's where the issue lies, you may be better off simply buying a new set of earbuds. Pull earbuds out from your device by the base rather than the cord. Whenever you plug in or remove the earbuds from your device, grab the thick plastic base around the metal jack. That way, you don't disconnect any of the wires when you pull it out. Always pull slowly rather than yanking it out in a quick motion. Keep your earbuds wrapped or in a case while you’re not using them. Unplug the cord from your device and wrap them in a loose circle around your hand. Once your cord is wrapped, either set the earbuds on a flat surface so they don't get tangled. If you want an additional layer of protection, put the earbuds in a soft or hard case so you can carry them around easily. Never leave your earbuds in your pocket or wrapped around the device since it puts strain on the cord or it could get tangled. You can buy earbud cases online or at electronics stores. Clean your earbuds frequently. If your earbuds have removable rubber tips, take them off and wipe them with soapy water to remove any wax or dust from them. Use a dry toothbrush to scrub the small speakers to remove any buildup that may be blocking the speakers. Let the rubber tips dry completely before putting them back on your earbuds. Never get your earbuds completely wet or else they will stop working. | Identify the problem area. Twist the cord until the earbuds begin working. Tape the cord to hold it in place. Consider purchasing a replacement pair of earbuds. Pinpoint the source of the issue. Pry open the plastic housing of a defective earbud. Inspect the earbuds for faulty wiring. Remove the barrel from the jack if that’s where the issue lies. Clean away the old solder inside the earbuds before resoldering them. Solder the broken wires back to the terminals inside the earbuds. Reconnect each colored wire to its respective terminal to fix the jack. Test the earbuds to make sure they work. Pull earbuds out from your device by the base rather than the cord. Keep your earbuds wrapped or in a case while you’re not using them. Clean your earbuds frequently. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Forest-Ranger | How to Become a Forest Ranger | To begin the process of becoming a forest ranger, enroll in a college program geared toward life and environmental sciences. In college, register for courses such as forest management, environmental engineering and wildlife management. Then, sign up for volunteering opportunities to get first-hand experience on what it's like to be a forest ranger. When you're ready to apply for a position, look for openings on official government websites. | Discover what a forest ranger does. Learning more about the details of the position can help you to learn if the role of forest ranger is right for you. Understanding as much as you can before you pursue the position will also help you best direct your efforts if you do decide to become a forest ranger. The main role of the forest ranger is to protect and preserve publicly owned lands. Forest rangers will work with and educate the public about conservation of the wilds. Enforcing the law is part of being a forest ranger. Working with and supporting conservation efforts are also part of a forest rangers duties. Some specific tasks a forest ranger may be required to perform include planting trees, applying pesticides, operating machinery, fighting forest fires, and collecting GPS points. Understand where a forest ranger might work. The obvious location for most forest rangers to work in is the forest. However, a forest ranger may not always be out in the wilds. Learn about what environments and conditions you can expect to be working in as a forest ranger. Forest rangers will work in districts and will often be required to live within that district. Most national forests are in the western United States, so you may have to relocate. Often times, a forest ranger will work outdoors, regardless of weather. Occasionally, forest rangers will work alone and in isolation. Forest rangers should also be comfortable with public speaking as they may be required to lead public education programs regarding conservation. Learn what the governmental requirements are. There are three main government levels that you can apply for forest ranger at: local, state and federal. Each will have it's own specific requirements that you will need to learn more about. In general, you will need at least an associates degree in wildlife or environmental sciences. Each level will have its own requirements. State requirements will vary between states. Local governments are similar in this regard, each may have their own specifications. Enroll in the right program. Most all forest ranger positions will require some college level education, with a minimum of an associates degree. Many require these credit hours be directed towards areas of study relevant to the position such as wildlife management or environmental science. The major areas of study that you will need are environmental/life sciences. Specific courses may include forestry and forest management, environmental engineering and education, or fish and wildlife biology and management. Round out your studies with other useful courses such as natural and earth sciences, law enforcement, and business or public administration. You may also be required to complete a field test or internship during your coursework. Make sure you meet any additional requirements. Some additional requirements may be demanded by your local or state governments. Make sure you are either able to or have completed these additional requirements. You must be in good physical health and may be required to pass an examination or test of ability. Most forest ranger positions will require you have a valid drivers license for the state you are applying in. Some positions will require you to be between a certain age range when you apply. You may have to live in the district you are assigned, should you obtain the position. Volunteer. By volunteering you can get first hand experience which can help you obtain a paid position later on. You will also be able to better understand exactly what the job requires and what it might be like to be a forest ranger, before you fully pursue it. You can look for open volunteer positions at “www.nps.gov” You can also find internships at “www.nps.gov” Seek out seasonal work. Seasonal work can be a great first step in becoming a forest ranger. It may offer you experience that is applicable to the position of forest ranger and allow you to learn if the role of forest ranger is one for you. Search for open positions. Begin your search for open forest ranger positions that are in an area you would like to work. Forest ranger positions are at the government level, so beginning your search with official local, state or federal offices or websites is a great place to start. You can try searching for open jobs at “www.fs.fed.us” Interview for the position. After you have found a position that seems like a good fit and you have applied, you will want make your interview perfect. Interviews can be difficult, so prepare properly to help your interview go smoothly. Prepare for the interview before hand. Plan your route and prepare some questions for your interviewer. Arrive on time. Arriving late can cause you to no longer be considered for the job. Be honest during your interview. Take your time and provide your most accurate and best answers. Dress appropriately for your interview. Don't be afraid to ask questions either during the interview or before it. Review the average salary for a forest ranger. Before you accept the position as a forest ranger, it can be helpful to know the average pay rate. With this information, you can best negotiate your salary and make sure your are earning a fair rate of pay. As of December 2014, the average national income for a forest ranger was between $25,000 and $26,000 a year. Pay will vary between state, what level your position is, and any previous experience you bring to the position. Job growth is slow, with 2,300 new positions likely to be added by 2022. | Discover what a forest ranger does. Understand where a forest ranger might work. Learn what the governmental requirements are. Enroll in the right program. Make sure you meet any additional requirements. Volunteer. Seek out seasonal work. Search for open positions. Interview for the position. Review the average salary for a forest ranger. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Savings-Account | How to Open a Savings Account | To open a savings account, start by gathering all of the documents required to open an account. Generally, you'll need a government-issued ID and basic personal information, as well as your residential address, email address, and phone number. Check with the bank you plan to open an account with so you have all of the documents they need. Fill out an application online or visit a local branch of the bank you've chosen to fill out a paper application. Make sure you complete all of the fields and answer any questions they may have. From there, you can make your initial deposit into the savings account by transferring funds from another account or by depositing cash or a check. | Look at student accounts if you're still in school. Most banks offer special student accounts to help young people get started with savings. These accounts typically have lower minimum balance requirements (or no minimum balance requirement at all) and no fees. Some banks offer additional incentives. For example, a bank may offer $100 if you make an initial deposit of $500 or more. This makes it worth shopping around to find the best account for you. Check available options at a bank you already use. If you already have a checking account, opening a savings account at the same bank may be your easiest option. You can also connect the two accounts so that your checking account is protected against overdraft. Many banks also offer additional incentives or benefits for existing customers who want to open more than one account. For example, your bank may waive fees or the minimum balance requirement if you also have a checking account. Connecting your savings account to your checking account gives you maximum access to the money in your savings account. However, this may not be the best thing for you if you lack discipline in spending. Choose an online-only savings account for a higher interest rate. If you're comfortable with online banking, you may want to go with a savings account from an online bank. These accounts often require no minimum balance, with little to no fees, and offer higher interest rates than savings accounts from traditional brick-and-mortar banks. With online banks, explore the bank's interface and mobile app. Make sure it's intuitive and easy for you to navigate. You'll be less likely to save if your bank's interface is confusing or frustrating to navigate. Open a joint account if you want someone else to have access. If you anticipate that a family member or significant other will also be contributing to your savings, it makes sense to give them access to the account as well. That way they can make deposits when they want. A joint account doubles the amount of money insured against bank failure. In the US, bank deposits of up to $250,000 are insured by the FDIC. If you have a joint account, deposits of up to $500,000 are insured. If you open a joint account, the joint owner will have the ability to make withdrawals as well as deposits. Make sure any joint owner is someone you trust, and someone who understands and shares your savings goals. Research the reputation of banks you consider. Not all banks are created equal. While traditional banks may all offer the same basic types of accounts, some may not get high marks for their customer service. Read reviews carefully before choosing a bank. Banking regulations set standards banks must maintain for deposits to be insured. Having your deposit insured means you won't lose your money if the bank collapses. At a minimum, make sure your deposits are insured. The bank will state up-front on its website whether deposits are insured. Online-only banks are newer, and it may be more difficult to find information about them to accurately assess their reputation. If the online-only bank is associated with a traditional bank, research the reputation of that bank as well. Evaluate interest rates and fees. Generally, the best savings account would be the one that earned you the highest interest rate and had little to no fees. However, other factors may come into play depending on your goals and available resources. Most banks explicitly state their interest rates and fees for the savings accounts they offer on their website. If you're interested in getting an account at a particular bank, you may also want to go in and talk to a banker in person to get help finding the best account for your needs. Online-only accounts tend to have higher interest rates than traditional banks, but you may not be able to access your money as easily as if you opened a savings account with a traditional bank that has branches near you. If you have more money available to open an account or can afford to maintain a minimum balance, you'll be more likely to find the highest interest rates and minimal fees. Gather the required documentation to open the account. Typically, you'll need a government-issued ID and basic personal information, including your residential address, email address, and phone number. The bank you choose will have a list of the documents you'll need to open your account. In the US, you'll typically need to provide your Social Security number, if you have one. If you don't have a Social Security number, talk to someone in customer service at the bank about alternative forms of ID that may be accepted. Read the terms and conditions carefully. Before you begin the process of opening your account, the bank provides you with information about your rights as an account holder and the fees that may be charged. Make sure you understand all of this information before proceeding. If there's something in the terms and conditions that you don't understand, ask a customer service representative. The bank will have a toll-free number you can call. If the bank is local, you may feel more comfortable going and speaking to someone in person. If you're on the bank's website, there may also be a way for you to chat with a representative online and get the clarification you need. Fill out an application with the bank you've chosen. Most banks allow you to fill out an application and open a savings account online. If the bank has a local branch, you can also go in person and fill out a paper application. The application will ask for basic personal information and may ask for financial information such as where you have other bank accounts open. If you complete an application online, you may still need to go to a local branch in person to complete the process of opening your account or to make your initial deposit. Complete your signature card. Many banks have a signature card they keep on file with their records. If the bank where you open a savings account has a signature card, you may have to go to a local branch in person to sign it. If you have an online-only account, they may mail you the signature card. You are responsible for filling out and signing the card and mailing it back to the bank. Make your initial deposit into your account. Most banks allow you to make your initial deposit by transferring funds from another bank account into your new savings account. If you prefer, you can also deposit cash or a check at a local branch. While you may not need to make an initial deposit immediately to open your account, most banks require you to make that deposit within 30 days or your account will be closed. Link your new savings account to your checking account. If you opened a savings account in the same bank as your checking account, you can link the two accounts together for easier access. You may even be able to set up your savings account so that it acts as overdraft protection for your checking account. Be careful linking accounts, as the ease of access may tempt you to transfer money back and forth between the accounts too often. This would defeat the purpose of having a savings account. Create a realistic budget that makes savings a priority. Now that you have a savings account, draft a budget that takes your income and expenses into consideration. Trim expenses where you can and set your budget up to save as much as possible. Setting up an automatic transfer from your checking account into your savings account is an easy way to accomplish this. Have the money taken from your checking and put into your savings on the same day your paycheck is deposited. Make modest deposits into your savings account. Financial experts typically recommend that you put at least 20 percent of your income into savings. Don't worry if this isn't feasible for you right now – start small and work your way up. For example, you might start by putting just 5 percent of each paycheck into your savings account. After a year, you could increase that percentage to 10 percent. Whenever you get a pay raise, distribute the extra income evenly between your checking and savings accounts. That way you're saving more without even noticing it. Limit withdrawals from your savings account. The point of having a savings account is to allow your money to work for you and earn you interest. If you want to earn the maximum interest, don't take money out of savings any more than absolutely necessary. Some banks charge excessive transaction fees if you make too many withdrawals (usually more than 5 or 6) in 30 days, or one billing cycle. Review your statement carefully each month. Your bank will send you a statement for your savings account each month. Check the statement against your own records and make sure all of your deposits are correctly accounted for. If you see any transactions or withdrawals that seem suspicious, contact your bank as soon as possible. You do have remedies if your account has been compromised, but you have to act quickly and let your bank know about the disputed transaction. Open additional savings accounts for different savings goals. Once you've got your first savings account working well with your budget and your other accounts, think about other goals you have. Separate savings accounts can help you budget towards those goals. For example, suppose you want to plan for an international vacation. Decide when you want to take your vacation and how much money you'll need for the trip. Then calculate how much money you'd have to save per week (or month) to meet that goal. Set up a separate savings account dedicated solely to your vacation, and enable automatic transfers to fund the account. | Look at student accounts if you're still in school. Check available options at a bank you already use. Choose an online-only savings account for a higher interest rate. Open a joint account if you want someone else to have access. Research the reputation of banks you consider. Evaluate interest rates and fees. Gather the required documentation to open the account. Read the terms and conditions carefully. Fill out an application with the bank you've chosen. Complete your signature card. Make your initial deposit into your account. Link your new savings account to your checking account. Create a realistic budget that makes savings a priority. Make modest deposits into your savings account. Limit withdrawals from your savings account. Review your statement carefully each month. Open additional savings accounts for different savings goals. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Bell-Peppers | How to Grow Bell Peppers | To grow bell peppers, start by planting bell pepper seeds indoors 2 months before the last expected frost. Then, once the seedlings sprout and grow their first true leaves, transplant them into containers. Keep the containers in a sunny spot, and fertilize them with a slow-release granular fertilizer to help them grow. Once the bell peppers grow and ripen, you can start to harvest them. | Consider growing bell peppers from seed. While a number of garden centers sell specimens ready for transplanting, bell peppers are relatively easy to grow from seed. Although green, red, yellow, and orange are the most common colors, gardeners also have the option of growing dark brown and purple pepper varieties. Some fast ripening varieties can produce fruit in as little as two months but others may need over three months before they begin to flower. Choose a starting time depending on your local climate. Most bell pepper plants should be started indoors about two months before the frost-free date. Southern gardeners, and gardeners in warm climates with a lengthy growing season, may choose to wait and start their plants outside instead. However, this will naturally affect how soon the plants start producing fruit. Plant the seeds in a light-layer of soil. The bell pepper seeds will need to be lightly covered with soil, then watered. The seedlings should make an appearance within a week or two. Ensure that the seeds are warm enough. Bell pepper seeds do need a warm period in order to germinate. Ambient air temperatures of over 80° Fahrenheit (26.6° Celsius) and slightly warmer soil temperatures are recommended for good results. Seeds that are slow to sprout may benefit from the use of heating mats. Gardeners should note that the plants will not sprout at all if temperatures are below 55° Fahrenheit (12.7° C). Try to prevent the seedlings from growing too tall and spindly. Seedlings grown indoors need strong light to keep them from becoming tall and spindly. Bad growth at a young stage can affect their overall health and lead to floppy transplants. If this is the case no matter what you do, these tiny seedlings can be staked using thin bamboo or wood skewers and tied in place using plain string. Harden off indoor seedlings before re-planting outdoors. In areas where pepper plants cannot be directly started outdoors, it is a good idea to harden them off once temperatures are regularly over 60° Fahrenheit (15.5° C) at night. Replant the seedlings into containers once they have grown their first true leaves. Bell peppers do well in containers. They can reach up to 3 feet (0.9 m) in height and width, so gardeners should select a pot that measures about 10 inches (25.4 cm) in depth to keep them from being overcrowded. Ensure that the seedlings are exposed to the correct growing conditions. These plants require full sun growing conditions and well-drained, fertile soil. They are relatively drought resistant if they are not grown in very small pots. Use black plastic or mulch to control weeds. The former material is also a good way to speed pepper growth in cool climate areas. Gardeners in warm climates will want to stick to mulch because it helps conserve moisture and protects the plants' roots from hot temperatures. Fertilize the bell pepper plants. These plants benefit from an addition of slow release granular fertilizer, such as Osmocote, or organic varieties, like those made with fish meal or alfalfa. However, if one has leafy green plants and no peppers, gardeners should probably cut back on the nitrogen fertilizer. This element is known for producing lush, fruitless plants. Wait for the bell peppers to ripen before picking. Almost all bell peppers start off green and eventually ripen to the desired color in about two weeks, though some types can take as long as a month for the right color to develop. Tall varieties may need to be staked to support the fruit and keep the plants from falling over while the fruit grows and ripens. Protect the bell pepper plant from sudden drops in temperature. Wire cages wrapped with plastic were mentioned in Mother Earth News article the author read as a good way to insulate tomato seedlings against sudden drops in temperature. Another way to prevent seedling from getting too cold is to use bell jars (hot caps). These devices were originally made from glass but now are more likely to be made from leftover plastic milk or soda bottles. Save the pepper seeds for future planting. Pepper seeds can be saved for up to two years under ideal conditions. This means that growers will not have to purchase seed annually if they store the leftovers in a dark, dry location to keep them from sprouting prematurely. Get rid of used plants. Once the first chill of winter sets in, gardeners can harvest the remaining fruit and then dig the plants up. Specimens that are not diseased are good candidates for the compost bin. Diseased plants can be bagged up and left with the trash to prevent the disease from spreading. Use Epsom salts to encourage the plant to bear fruit. Peppers that are having difficulty bearing fruit in warm weather may benefit from being spritzed with a combination of 1 quart water and 1 teaspoon Epsom salts. Another idea is to place a tablespoon of Epsom salts in the ground at the base of the pepper plant and cover the material over with dirt so that it can soak in. Use calcium to deal with blossom end rot. Should gardeners end up with fruits that are black at the ends, a condition known as blossom end rot, they will need to find a way to add more calcium to their soil. The simplest way to do this is by watering affected pepper plants with any milk that expires in the fridge. Small amounts of soured milk can be mixed up with water if there wouldn't be enough to use on every plant. Spray the plant with water or insecticides to get rid of aphids. Aphids are a typical garden pest that can be removed temporarily by a hard spray of water. Organic gardeners may want to try these bugs with neem or pyrethrum based sprays. Repeated applications may be necessary as these garden menaces are especially hard to eradicate. Protect your plants from cold or hot temperatures. Temperatures below 65° or above 95° can keep peppers from producing fruit. If it is just a minor cold spell or heat wave, they will resume production once it has passed. Keep in mind that cold temperatures are especially bad for the health of peppers. Those exposed to extremely chilly weather may not recover from the experience, so it may be advisable to bring them indoors until the temperatures have warmed back up. | Consider growing bell peppers from seed. Choose a starting time depending on your local climate. Plant the seeds in a light-layer of soil. Ensure that the seeds are warm enough. Try to prevent the seedlings from growing too tall and spindly. Harden off indoor seedlings before re-planting outdoors. Replant the seedlings into containers once they have grown their first true leaves. Ensure that the seedlings are exposed to the correct growing conditions. Use black plastic or mulch to control weeds. Fertilize the bell pepper plants. Wait for the bell peppers to ripen before picking. Protect the bell pepper plant from sudden drops in temperature. Save the pepper seeds for future planting. Get rid of used plants. Use Epsom salts to encourage the plant to bear fruit. Use calcium to deal with blossom end rot. Spray the plant with water or insecticides to get rid of aphids. Protect your plants from cold or hot temperatures. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Style-Short-Hair-(Men) | How to Style Short Hair (Men) | To style short hair as a guy, start by working some styling product, like putty or pomade, into your hair while it's damp. Then, push the hair on top of your head into a peak with your fingers while you blow dry it. For a more casual style, use a comb to part your hair to one side before you style the hair on top up, back, and away from the part. Then, flatten the sides and back and let your hair air dry. Alternatively, do a vintage comb up by combing the hair at the sides of your head back and away from your face. Then, comb the hair on both sides of the crown of your head so it meets in the center. | Apply putty to damp hair. Place a small amount of styling putty in the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together to distribute it. Evenly work the product into your hair from end to root. Choose a matte putty instead of a glossy one. If your hair is notably fine, the putty may weigh it down too much. Consider using a lighter pomade or similar product that can supply texture and be applied to damp hair. Push the hair upward while drying. Begin drying your hair with a blow dryer set to low. As you operate the dryer, use the fingers of your free hand to position the hair. Starting at the edge of the crown, direct the hair straight up and toward the center of your head. The hair at the top front should meet in a point aligned to the middle of the crown. As your progress toward the back of the crown, make this peak less dramatic. The hair at the sides and back of your don't need much styling. Depending on personal preference, you can let them remain flat or subtly push them toward the crown. Sharpen the ends with a flat iron. Sporadically pass a skinny flat iron over the tips of your hair. Choose random sections along the crown, but try to keep the hair moving in the same general direction. Secure with styling mud. Place a small amount of the product into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together so that the mud gets onto your fingers. Pinch the styled ends of your hair to apply the product. Waxes can also work, but if you opt for a wax, try to find one with a matte finish instead of a glossy one. Continue working the product into your hair until you're satisfied with the results. Apply mousse to wet hair. Squeeze a small amount of volumizing mousse into your palm, then gently rub the mousse over your hands. Evenly the product into your hair from root to end. The product you use doesn't have to be a mousse, but it must be something that you can apply to wet hair for the purpose of adding volume. Guide the top upwards while drying. Blow dry the hair at the top of your head using a low setting. Simultaneously use a brush to style the hair, drawing it upward and to the back. Focus on giving the hair height during this step. Once the roots of your locks dry vertically, your can ease the ends of the hair toward the back of your head. Make sure that you're positioning the hair straight up and straight back. Do not move it to either side since doing so could create a definable part. Dry the sides flat. Move the blow dryer toward the sides of your head. Use a brush to guide the hair at your sides toward the back. Try to keep the hair at your sides relatively flat, too. Apply styling mud to the top. Once the hair dries, place a small amount of styling mud in your palm, then rub your hands together until it spreads. Work the mud into your hair from end to root. If you have fine hair, consider using pomade. If you have notably coarse hair, you may want to use wax. Work the product into your hair, but do so carefully to avoid disturbing the previously set direction. Guide your fingers upward, back, and slightly to one side while working the product in. Note that you should still avoid creating any notable part. Add detail with a comb. Flatten the sides backward using a comb, then add any desired detail to the top of your head using a comb, as well. Avoid pinching out sections of the hair. The hair at your crown should move in the same general direction, so piecing out certain sections could ruin the overall look. Spray it down. Once you're satisfied with the way your hair looks, apply a light coat of hairspray to help hold it in place. Apply pomade to damp or wet hair. Place a dab of pomade in the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together until the product warms up. Evenly distribute it over hair, working it in from end to root. Pomades work well for this type of style, but if you don't have pomade, you could try using any product that adds a moderate amount of texture to your hair. Part the hair to one side. Draw a part on either the left or right side of your head using a standard comb. The part should be positioned to the far edge of the crown. Style the top upward and back. Using your fingers, arrange the hair at the top of your head into place. Draw the hair upward, back, and slightly off to the side in the direction opposite your part. Work with the hair starting at the top side of your part. Continue arranging it in this manner until you reach the opposite side of the crown, at a point roughly mirroring the placement of your part. Flatten the sides and back. Use your palms to flatten the hair at the sides and back of your head while simultaneously directing the hair backward. Start with the hair at the sides of your head and next to your face. Push it back, then continue moving your hands back to help guide the rest of the sides backward, too. When you reach the back of the hair, direct it downward so that it flows naturally with the sides. Air dry the hair. Allow the hair to dry naturally instead of using a hair dryer. If you used a strong enough hair product, the style should remain secure without additional work. Check on it periodically as it dries, however, and touch up any wayward locks while they're still damp. Apply styling cream through damp hair. Squeeze a small amount of styling cream into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together to spread it. Smooth the cream evenly over the entire head of hair. This style requires the use of lightweight hair products, so you should avoid anything heavier than hair cream. Hair mousse may work instead of cream, but make sure that your hair can still move freely after application. Part the hair to one side. Draw a part into one side of your hair using a standard comb. Position the part to the edge of the crown. It can rest on either the right or left side. Guide the locks sideways while drying. Set a blow dryer to low speed and begin drying your hair. As you operate the dryer, use the fingers of your free hand to position your locks. Starting at the part, work the hair at the top of your head in the direction opposite the part. Continue over the entire crown and toward the side of your head. Guide the hair at the other side of your part in the opposite direction, pushing the sides straight down. Paste the pieces in place. If desired, use a flexible defining paste to help hold the style in place. Work a small amount of paste over both hands, then smooth the paste onto your hair in the direction of the style. If you have fine hair, skip the paste and apply a light mist of hairspray, instead. Apply mousse and shine serum to wet hair. Combine small, equal parts of hair mousse and shine serum in the palm of your hand. Rub the product over your hands, then work it into your hair from end to root. The shine serum adds pizazz to this look, but you can skip it if you don't have it. You must use a mousse or cream, however, to give your hair more holding power. Comb the sides upward and back. Use a comb to push the hair at the sides of your head back and away from your face. For the lower half of each side, focus on directing the hair back. For the upper half of each side, start directing the hair upward and toward the top of your head. If the hair at your sides is long enough to reach the top of your head, you should direct it so that it does. Comb the top toward the center of your head. Guide the hair on either side of your crown toward the center of your head. Both sides should meet together at this center. Keep the hair relatively flat, allowing it to somewhat naturally over the crown. Do not direct the hair upward, back, or into a point. Dry the hair naturally. Allow the hair to air dry. Do not use a blow dryer. Air drying the hair should allow any natural waves and curls to set in place, which is desirable for this type of style. Using a hair dryer, on the other hand, could cause the hair to dry too straight. Lock the look in place. After the hair dries, use your fingers to make any final adjustments to the style, then spray the entire thing with extra-hold hairspray. | Apply putty to damp hair. Push the hair upward while drying. Sharpen the ends with a flat iron. Secure with styling mud. Apply mousse to wet hair. Guide the top upwards while drying. Dry the sides flat. Apply styling mud to the top. Add detail with a comb. Spray it down. Apply pomade to damp or wet hair. Part the hair to one side. Style the top upward and back. Flatten the sides and back. Air dry the hair. Apply styling cream through damp hair. Part the hair to one side. Guide the locks sideways while drying. Paste the pieces in place. Apply mousse and shine serum to wet hair. Comb the sides upward and back. Comb the top toward the center of your head. Dry the hair naturally. Lock the look in place. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Roll-Sushi | How to Roll Sushi | To easily roll sushi without a mat, start by holding a sheet of edible seaweed flat in the palm of your hand. Then, place a small ball of rice in the center of the seaweed and make an indent in the top of the ball with your finger. Place your sushi ingredients in the indent so that it's full but not overflowing. Finally, roll the sheet of seaweed over the ingredients inside and use a couple grains of sticky rice to glue the edge of the roll together. | Place a sheet of nori on your sushi mat. Sheets of nori have a rough side and a smooth side. Place the nori so that the rough side is facing up. You can find sushi mats and packages of nori at most Asian food markets. You can order both of them online as well (nori is dried and is easily shipped). Spread a ball of sushi rice on top. It should evenly cover from the near edge to about an inch from the far edge of the sheet. Start by placing the ball in the middle of the sheet of nori, and spread it out evenly. Use your fingers to spread the rice onto the nori. Keep your hands wet with a mixture of water and rice vinegar. Do not press or mash the rice, or it will not stick properly when rolling. Start placing your filling ingredients. Place your ingredients in a line, starting on the near edge of the rice layer. Each ingredient should be in its own line, with each row placed a small space from the one before. Some common maki ingredient combinations: Basic tuna or salmon roll: These rolls typically just have just tuna or salmon rolled up, without any other ingredients. Ahi roll: Yellowfin, cucumber, daikon, avocado. Shrimp tempura roll: shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber. Phoenix roll: salmon, tuna, crab sticks, avocado, tempura batter (fried). If raw fish is to be used, it is important to use only expertly prepared fish to avoid food poisoning and tapeworm parasites. Hold the edge of the mat with your thumbs. Start with the edge that has your first ingredient next to it. Lift the nori and fold it over the first ingredient. Make sure to keep the ingredients in place and that the rice sticks together. Continue to roll the sushi. Tuck the front edge of the nori into the roll, and remove the mat as you continue to roll the sushi. Roll slowly so that you ensure that the sushi is coming out even. Tighten the roll. You will need to tighten the roll to keep ingredients from falling out when you cut it. Remember to tighten the roll with your sushi mat often, but not too tightly. Roll the sushi roll back and forth in the mat to tighten and seal it. Allow the roll to sit for a minute before cutting it. You can use this time to make your next roll. This waiting period allows the nori to slightly moisten from the rice, which makes it less likely to tear. Cut the roll into sixths or eighths using a sharp, wet knife. The thickness of the slices is determined by the number of ingredients. If you have more ingredients in the roll, the slices should be thinner. Serve your sushi immediately. Sushi is best when eaten freshly-made. Avoid refrigerating it for a later date. Experiment with different ingredients until you find your favorite combinations. Place a sheet of nori on the sushi mat. Nori should have a rough side and a smooth side. Place the nori so that the rough side is facing up. Spread a ball of sushi rice on top. It should evenly cover from the near edge to about an inch from the far edge of the sheet. Remove the nori and rice from the mat temporarily. Start by placing the ball in the middle of the sheet of nori, and spread it out evenly. Use your fingers to spread the rice onto the nori. Keep your hands wet with a mixture of water and rice vinegar. Prepare a sheet of plastic film about the size of your nori sheet. Lay it out on a flat surface and moisten it with a damp cloth. Lay the prepared plastic film over the rice spread on your nori. Flip the nori, rice, and plastic stack. Rest one hand on top of the plastic film and use your other hand to grab and flip the sushi mat from one edge. The stack should then rest on your palm. Lay the sushi mat back on your work surface and lay down the stack on top of it with the plastic side down. Start placing your filling ingredients. Place the ingredients in a line, directly onto the bare nori starting at the nearest edge of the sheet. Each ingredient should be in its own line, with each row placed a small space from the one before. Some common California roll ingredient combinations: Classic California roll: cucumber, crab stick, avocado. Philadelphia roll: salmon or smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber. Butterfly roll: eel, crab stick, cucumber, topped with avocado. Sushi is a very visual food. Try experimenting with different colored ingredients to make a finished sushi that is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. Start rolling. Hold the edge of the mat with your thumbs. Start with the edge that has your first ingredient next to it. Lift the plastic film and fold it over the first ingredient. Make sure to keep the ingredients in place. Fold until the rice has folded over and stuck to the nori. Start removing the plastic. Once the rice has stuck, gently pull the plastic out of the roll. Keep pulling the plastic out as you continue to fold the roll over. Keep tightening the roll as you fold it. This will keep the inside ingredients in place. Top your roll. Depending on your recipe, you may want to top your roll. You can use avocado, sesame seeds, fish, tobiko (fish eggs) or anything else you can think of. Cut the roll into sixths or eighths using a sharp, wet knife. The thickness of the slices is determined by the number of ingredients. If you have more ingredients in the roll, the slices should be thinner. Serve immediately. Cradle a sheet of nori in your hand. You should hold it in your non-dominant hand. Make sure to hold it with the shiny side down. One end of the sheet should be in your palm, with the opposite end extending up past your fingers. Place a ball of sushi rice in the nori directly over your palm. Dip your hand in water mixed with rice vinegar to keep the rice from sticking. Spread the rice so that it covers the bottom third of the nori sheet. You should aim to use about 1/2 cup of rice per roll. Make an indentation in the center of the rice. Place your ingredients into the indentation, and don't overstuff it or you'll have a difficult time rolling it up later. Some of the more popular combinations for hand rolls: Spicy tuna roll: Chopped tuna, mayonnaise, chili sauce, cucumber, carrot Rock 'n Roll: eel, cream cheese, avocado Tamago roll: pan-fried rolled omelet, lettuce, avocado. Start rolling. Lift the bottom corner of the nori, and fold it over the ingredients, creating a cone shape. Continue rolling, making sure that the roll is tight as possible. Press several single grains of rice into the bare end of the nori. These will act as "glue" as the sushi forms a roll. You do not need to cut hand rolls. Dip the corner that you are planning to eat in the soy sauce, instead of pouring soy sauce on the whole thing. This will keep it from falling apart. Finished. | Place a sheet of nori on your sushi mat. Spread a ball of sushi rice on top. Start placing your filling ingredients. Hold the edge of the mat with your thumbs. Continue to roll the sushi. Tighten the roll. Allow the roll to sit for a minute before cutting it. Cut the roll into sixths or eighths using a sharp, wet knife. Serve your sushi immediately. Place a sheet of nori on the sushi mat. Spread a ball of sushi rice on top. Prepare a sheet of plastic film about the size of your nori sheet. Lay the prepared plastic film over the rice spread on your nori. Flip the nori, rice, and plastic stack. Start placing your filling ingredients. Start rolling. Start removing the plastic. Top your roll. Cut the roll into sixths or eighths using a sharp, wet knife. Serve immediately. Cradle a sheet of nori in your hand. Place a ball of sushi rice in the nori directly over your palm. Make an indentation in the center of the rice. Start rolling. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Guitar-Strings | How to Clean Guitar Strings | To clean guitar strings, start by resting your guitar on its back so you have both hands free to work. If your guitar has nylon strings, use a dry or slightly damp towel to wipe off any dirt or grime. For guitars with steel strings, put 70 to 90% rubbing alcohol, pre-shaving gel, or a commercial cleaner on your towel. Then, slide half of it under the guitar strings near the bridge. Next, fold the other half over so the entire cloth covers both sides of the strings. Finally, slide the folded rag along the strings while applying a bit of pressure. | Position your guitar. Free up your hands to do work by resting your guitar on its back. You can use a table, a box, your guitar case, even your own lap. Alternatively, if your guitar has a neck strap, wear the neck strap and turn the guitar face up. Make sure the guitar's head is not touching anything to ensure that your tuning pegs don't get messed with in the process, and ideally place it on a block to stabilize it. Select a rag and cleaning solution. Some people prefer to use a paper towel, microfiber cloth, or dry dish towel that they fold into eighths; other people prefer to use a clean cotton diaper. Any number of cloth or paper products will work, you just want to make sure that it's clean, dry, and relatively soft. Instead of applying the cleaning solution directly to the strings, which will also result in your guitar being sprayed, spray the solution onto your rag first. This will prevent any excess cleaning solution from gathering and being difficult to remove. For a guitar with nylon strings, a non-dampened towel or one slightly dampened with water will suffice. For guitars with steel strings, there are guitar string cleaners that are manufactured for use like Fast-Fret String Cleaner, Dunlop Ultraglide, Dr.Stringfellow, and the like. However, you do not have to use these products if you cannot afford them. 70-90% rubbing alcohol can also be effective, as can pre-shaving gel. Position the rag. With your rag now wet and ready to clean your strings, slide half of the sheet underneath the guitar strings near the bridge or bottommost portion for the strings. Then fold the remaining half of the cloth over so that the entire cloth covers both sides of the strings. Slide the folded rag along the strings. You want to make sure that you go all the way from the bridge/saddle area up to the nut of your guitar. Pay special attention to the portions of string located on the fingerboard as you most assuredly touch these every time, and, if you finger pick your instrument, the portions over the soundhole. Apply downward pressure to clean the top portion, and pull upward some to be sure that you get the underside as well. It is important to clean both sides of the strings just as it is important to clean both sides of your teeth. Don't worry if the head gets lifted off its mount; even if the tuning pegs get a little messed up you can always retune your guitar. You will probably notice that your guitar strings change color a little, or that the cloth comes away with grey streaks. This is a sign that your efforts are working. Determine what your strings are made of. For guitars that use nylon strings, lubricating your strings is unnecessary. Nylon strings are already corrosion resistant. If you have a guitar that has steel strings, however, you'll want to use some lubricant to keep them from getting sticky, dirty, and corroded. You can check the product packaging for the strings you have to find out what they're made of. If you do not have the product packaging anymore, a good rule of thumb to follow is to consider the kind of guitar you have and the genres it's made to play. Acoustic and flamenco guitars that focus on classical and folk music usually possess nylon strings; electric and bass guitars associated with blues, country, and rock and pop music are more likely to have steel strings. Spread some lubricant onto a rag. You can use the same rag that you used to clean the grime off from before by flipping it over and using the clean side. If you feel it's too dirty and the oils from your hands have sunk into the "clean" side, then you can use an entirely new rag for this portion of the cleaning process. You will want to select a lubricant that doesn't contain a petroleum base when treating your guitar; these can have penetrating properties which may cause damage to your guitar over time. Dunlop Lemon Oil, Tone Finger-Ease String Lubricant, or GHS Fast Fret are all commercial oiling products you can buy that are made specifically for guitars. If you need something cheap and readily available, you can try olive oil, baby oil, or Vaseline. You never want to apply the lubricant directly to the strings as there is a good chance you'll get excess grease on the fretboard which will be difficult to clean up. Run the rag across the strings. Position and fold the rag the same way you did when removing the grime and run the cloth or towel from the bridge and saddle area to the the nut. Apply pressure to both sides of the strings using your fingers. When done properly, the strings should end looking noticeably shinier. They should also be oily and smooth to the touch. | Position your guitar. Select a rag and cleaning solution. Position the rag. Slide the folded rag along the strings. Determine what your strings are made of. Spread some lubricant onto a rag. Run the rag across the strings. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Red-Snapper | How to Cook Red Snapper | To cook red snapper fillets in the oven, preheat your oven to 425 °F to ensure the fillets have a good texture. Then, line a baking sheet with lemon slices and place each fillet skin-side down onto a pair of lemon slices to keep the fish moist. Finally, season the fillets with salt, pepper, and any other herb you like, and bake them for about 15 minutes, or until they are opaque and flake easily when poked with a fork. | Pick out a whole fish. There are many varieties of snapper, but red snapper has distinctive bright red metallic skin that fades into pink near the belly. When you're picking out a whole snapper, look for eyes that are clear and red. The flesh should be firm to the touch. Snapper has become so ubiquitous that it's often used as a catchall term for any kind of white fish. For this reason it's commonly mislabeled as a similar but less desirable fish, like rock cod. When you buy snapper, be sure to do so from a trusted fishmonger so you'll know you're buying the real thing. Ask for the fish to be gutted and cleaned, unless you want to do so yourself. You'll need about ¾ of whole snapper per serving. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Be sure it's completely preheated before you put the fish in the oven. Prep a baking pan. Choose a metal, glass or ceramic baking pan or dish that's just large enough to hold the fish. Line the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the fish from sticking. Season the fish. Red snapper is delicious with light seasonings that complement its fresh flavor. Sprinkle salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste inside the fish's cavity. Add pieces of butter inside the fish to keep it moist while it bakes. Season the outside with more salt and pepper. If you want the dish to have an herbal taste, add sprigs of thyme, rosemary or basil inside the fish's cavity. For a complete meal, place sliced carrots, onions or potatoes around the fish in the baking dish. The vegetables will cook along with the fish. Bake the fish. Place the baking dish in the oven and cook the fish for 45 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. It can be a little tricky to tell whether the fish is ready, but you know it's done with the flesh is no longer translucent. After 40 minutes or so, check the fish to see if it's done. You can gently pull back some flesh with a fork. If it looks white and easily flakes off, it's ready. If it's still a little rubbery, it needs more time. Return it to the oven if it needs more time, then check again in five or ten minutes. Transfer the fish to a platter and serve. Whole red snapper looks impressive on a platter surrounded by fresh herb sprigs. To serve, use a serving fork or spoon to heap fish on individual plates. Choose fresh red snapper fillets. Red snapper fillets should be purchased with the skin on, since it yields a delicious flavor and helps keep the fish together while it cooks. Look for fillets with metallic pink skin and firm flesh. You will need 1/4 to 1/3 pound per serving size. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (218 °C) This high cooking temperature helps the fillets roast quickly so they have a flaky, moist texture. Line a rimmed baking sheet with lemon slices. Baking the fillets on top of lemon slices helps them retain moisture. First lightly oil a baking sheet that has a rim. Slice a lemon into thin discs and lay them out on the baking sheet. Place a fillet on top of each pair of slices. One fillet should fit neatly over two slices, but if you're roasting large fillets, you might need three. Position each fillet skin side down. Season the fillets. Sprinkle the top of the fillets with salt and pepper. You can also add a little cayenne, garlic powder, thyme, or any other herb to taste. Bake the fillets. Place the baking sheet in the oven once the oven is completely preheated. Bake the snapper fillets for about 15 minutes, or until they are no longer translucent. When they're done, the flesh should be opaque and it should flake easily when poked with a fork. Make a sauce. Red snapper fillets can be dressed up with a simple butter sauce that brings out the best in their flavor. The sauce is quite easy to make, and it will take the dish up a notch. While the fish is baking, melt together the following ingredients in a saucepan: 2 tablespoons butter ¼ teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary Salt and pepper to taste A teaspoon of lemon zest Serve the filets with the herbed butter. Place each fillet on a plate atop two lemon sliced. Pour a little melted butter over each fillet. Buy fresh red snapper fillets. Pick out fillets with the skin on, since it becomes deliciously crispy when you sauté fillets. Buy fillets with metallic pink skin and firm flesh. You will need 1/4 to 1/3 pound per serving size. Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Pat the fillets with a paper towel to make sure they're completely dry, then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Heat the oil until it's hot, but not smoking. Add the fillets skin side down. When the oil is hot, slip them into the pan. Cook them until the skin is golden brown, about three minutes. Monitor the heat while they cook to make sure the skin isn't getting burned. If it turns brown right away, reduce the heat. Flip the fillets and finish cooking them. The fillets should cook on the other side for about three more minutes. The fish is done when it's no longer translucent and flakes easily when poked with a fork. Serve the fillets. They're excellent with melted butter and lemon juice. Use skinless fillets. You may not be able to find skinless red snapper, but you can remove the skin once you get it home. The fillets will fry more evenly without the skin. Slice the fillets into finger-sized pieces to help them cook more quickly and evenly. Prepare the batter. Red snapper is so versatile that it tastes great with any type of breading or batter. You can use a classic dry seafood breading, Japanese Panko breading, or a beer batter. To make a dry breading, mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add black and red pepper to taste. Panko is a popular choice as well. This breading is sold in canisters available in the breading aisle in the grocery store. If you like the taste of beer batter, mix 2 cups flour and one 12-ounce beer. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste. Heat the oil. Pour enough oil into a stockpot to rise up the sides by two inches. Heat it over medium high heat until it reaches 365 degrees. Check the temperature with a kitchen thermometer before you proceed, since the fish won't fry correctly if the oil isn't hot enough. Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil or peanut oil. Olive oil and other low smoke point oils will break down when they're heated to a high temperature. Dredge the fillets in the batter. Be sure each piece is well coated on all sides. Try placing the fillets and batter together in a bag and shaking it to coat the fillets evenly. Fry the fillets. Place them in the oil a few at a time. Fry them for one or two minutes, or until the pieces float. Don't crowd the pan or they won't cook properly. The fish will fry very quickly, so monitor the pieces carefully to ensure they don't burn. Remove the fillets and drain them on a paper towel. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them from the pot to a towel-lined plate. The fried fish pieces are excellent when served with lemon wedges and tartar sauce. Finished. | Pick out a whole fish. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep a baking pan. Season the fish. Bake the fish. Transfer the fish to a platter and serve. Choose fresh red snapper fillets. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (218 °C) This high cooking temperature helps the fillets roast quickly so they have a flaky, moist texture. Line a rimmed baking sheet with lemon slices. Place a fillet on top of each pair of slices. Season the fillets. Bake the fillets. Make a sauce. Serve the filets with the herbed butter. Buy fresh red snapper fillets. Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the fillets skin side down. Flip the fillets and finish cooking them. Serve the fillets. Use skinless fillets. Prepare the batter. Heat the oil. Dredge the fillets in the batter. Fry the fillets. Remove the fillets and drain them on a paper towel. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Know-How-Many-Hours-to-Run-a-Pool-Filter | How to Know How Many Hours to Run a Pool Filter | If you need to know how many hours to run a pool filter, determine your pool's volume by multiplying the length, width, and depth of the pool. Next, divide the pool volume by the filtration rate, which you can get from the pump's manufacturer. Then, multiply that answer by 2 to calculate how many hours you need to run your pool's filter! | Determine the volume of your pool. How long you run the filter depends on the pool size to filter ratio. Calculate the volume of your pool by multiplying the length by the width by the average depth in feet. Multiply this number by a standard multiplier, which is 7.5 for rectangular and square pools and 5.9 for other shapes. Example: 16*32*5*7.48 = 19,149. This would give the volume of the pool in gallons for this 16x32 inch pool that has an average depth of 5 feet. If your pool has different areas of depth to it, calculate the volume of each area of depth before adding them all together to find the total volume of your pool. Find out the flow rate of the pump. Include the resistance to flow in your plumbing system. You can estimate your pool plumbing resistance to be 20ft/lbs for small pools, and 40ft/lbs for large pools or installations where the pool pump is far removed from the pool area. The pump manufacturer can tell you the flow rate for certain resistances. An average 1 HP pump will move about 50 gallons per minute. This would be 3,000 gallons per hour. Calculate the turnover rate for your pool. The minimum recommended turnover for a pool is 2 complete turnovers in any 24 hour period. Use this equation to see how long you should run your filter: (Pool Volume ÷ Filtration rate) x 2 = Hours to run filter. This will tell you how many hours to run your pump to filter the water a full 2 times. For example, using a pool volume of 19,149 gallons and a filtration rate of 3,000 gallons per hour: (Pool Volume ÷ Filtration rate) x 2 = Hours to run filter (19,149 ÷ 3000) x 2 = 12.766, or about 12 hours and 45 minutes for a full 2 cycles. Run your filter 1 hour for every 10 °F (−12 °C) it is outside. A general rule of thumb you can follow year-round is running your filter dependent on the temperature. In the winter, you'll be running it 6 or fewer hours, while in the summer, you might have to go a full 12. If you're experiencing temperatures of 80 °F (27 °C) or greater, you should be running your filter about 10-12 hours regardless. Run your filter during the daytime when your pool water is hottest. These warm temperatures are when algae is most likely to start growing in your pool water. Run the filter with chlorine the entire length of the day in these cases to avoid any chances of algae turning up in your pool. Although running your filter at night may save you energy, it does nothing to prevent the algae from forming during the day when it's actually got a chance to, unlike at night. Feel free to safely run your filter 10-12 hours a day. Your pool filter is intended to be run for up to 12 hours a day consistently. You can run it on its lower settings normally, and then on the higher settings when you're adding the chlorine or other cleansers to the water. This way, you'll be ensuring you're filtering out the entire contents of your pool at least 2 times a day. If you have a small filter, you will need to run the filter longer depending on how many gallons the filter can process in a given time. Don't worry about running it for too long, it's better to overrun your filter than not run for long enough. Clean out or replace pool filters after long periods of use. Over the course of a pool's life, you'll need to have the filters cleaned out if they're dirty or clogged with debris. Otherwise, you may find you're having to run your filters for longer to achieve the same effect. Here are instructions detailing how to Clean a Cartridge Type Swimming Pool Filter. | Determine the volume of your pool. Find out the flow rate of the pump. Calculate the turnover rate for your pool. Run your filter 1 hour for every 10 °F (−12 °C) it is outside. Run your filter during the daytime when your pool water is hottest. Feel free to safely run your filter 10-12 hours a day. Clean out or replace pool filters after long periods of use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-That-Your-Beloved-Dog-is-Aging | How to Accept That Your Beloved Dog is Aging | It can be really hard to accept that your beloved dog is aging, but it's important to make the most of the time you have. Try playing games with your dog, like tug-of-war, fetch, or Finders Keepers, where you hide treats around the house and tell the dog to find them. You can also just enjoy your dog's playful antics, such as laughing when they bark at another dog on the TV. By enjoying the time you spend with your dog, you'll build strong, happy memories that can help comfort you as the dog ages. | Exercise! Dogs, both big and small, do not enjoy being cooped up inside the house or apartment all day. Besides being a great source of company, your dog can actually help keep you healthy because they need to be exercised. It is also a great bonding time. As your dog ages, regular exercise is important in keeping them from becoming obese, as well as preventing arthritis. Short, frequent walks are recommended in place of long walks, to keep your pet from tiring. A sign that your dog is getting too much exercise, or is over-exerting, can be observed by noting their respiration (counting the breaths your dog takes). A dog's respiration of should be between 25 to 35 breaths per minute when exercising. When respiration rises to over 35 breaths per minute, this means the dog is over-exerting his/herself. As your pet ages, and combined with any health issue, over-exercising can be detrimental to their health. Enjoy the mutual health benefits. It is suggested that as well as providing entertainment and companionship, dogs also provide many health benefits for their human companions. Pet owners who spend 15 to 30 minutes a day with their dog can benefit from a feeling peace and tranquility, as a result of the rise of associated chemical levels in the brain. Spending time with your pet can help to improve your mood and reduce depression in both men and women. Visit the vet annually. Every dog needs an annual checkup and vaccines. Using the the same veterinarian helps both your vet and dog to get to know each other. In addition, the vet will be able to give advice on caring for your pet as they age based on their history with your pet. Common age related ailments include: Eye problems, including vision loss Increased frequency of urination or strained urination Oral problems, including bad breath and bloody gums Skin problems, including the formation of lumps, moles, and bumps Arthritis and joint difficulties Weight loss or gain Behavioural issues and memory Heed your vet's advice. Based on the annual examination, your vet may make suggestions regarding diet, dietary supplements, and exercise. Heeding this advice is important in order to ensure that your canine companion remains happy and healthy. Your vet knows how much you love your dog and the emotions that are involved when a pet enters their senior years. As a pet parent, never be afraid to ask your vet any questions you may have. Age together; keep each other young. While adults age once every calendar year, our canine friends age seven years in that same period. A dog is considered to be a senior when he or she reaches the last 25% of their life expectancy. While the life expectancy varies by breed and size, generally giant dogs , such as Great Danes, St. Bernard's and breeds of Mastiffs, have a life expectancy of up to ten years. In the case of small breeds, including Beagles, Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terriers, almost 40% reach an age in excess of ten years. Your dog can aid in protecting your health: While you take care of your dog's health with annual trips to the vet, your pet has been found to aid in the health of their pet parent in other ways: Along with companionship and aiding in feelings of depression, dog owners have been noted to have lower cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as having a lower risk of heart attack. Some breeds are even able to detect cancer in their owners. This includes colon, bladder, lung, breast, ovarian, and skin cancer. Some dogs have been reported to have sniffed out a mole on the skin of there owner and bitten it off. Have feeding time where your dog gets "people food". While the last thing that you want to have at the dinner table is a begging dog, single person households and busy family lifestyles can mean many meals sitting on the couch in the living room. Most pets have been taught that begging is a no no , but that is typically at the dinner table. Even well-trained dogs, while rarely attempting to look you in the eye, may sit in a spot that is within your reach, should you happen to want to share. For those of us who cannot resist the guilt, here is some people-food that is safe to share with your aging dog: Plain, low fat (or no fat) yogurt provides probiotics that can aid with any digestive issues. Cooked eggs are easily digested and do not carry any cholesterol issues. They can also be used to provide half of your dog's daily diet. Liver is packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It can be used to make up to 5% of your pet's diet. Various types of fish are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids contribute to a healthy coat and skin, along with supporting the immune system and reduce inflammation. The best sources are pink salmon, mackerel and and sardines. Skinless, dark "meat" of chicken provide more nutrition than the low fat white parts. Types of red meat, such as beef, provide nutrients including iron and zinc. To provide a wider variety of fatty acids, consider combining both red meat (beef and lamb) and poultry. In limited quantities, cooked cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, provide nutrients and antioxidants that prevent cancer. Note that cooking the above vegetables is important, as thyroid issues can result if eaten fresh or raw. Cooked sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries provide fiber, as well as potentially reducing the risk of cancer. Whole grains, including oatmeal, offer a variety of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They also adding fibre to your pet's diet. Have a feeding time for commercial dog food. When your dog enters his or her senior years, it is important that their diet consists an adequate amount of fat and protein, while ensuring it is lower in calories and higher in fibre. Take into consideration any health issues, such as heart, kidney or constipation issues, when deciding on senior pet food. These conditions will require a change in diet. Dogs prone to arthritic joints, especially in the cold of winter months, will benefit from a food supplement of glucosamine chondroitin. Dry dog food will help with tartar buildup on teeth if your dog is able to chew it. If your dog is still active, in good health and of appropriate weight, you can continue to feed your senior pet the same adult food as always. If activity level changes, you will want to keep an eye on their weight. Move to senior food if weight gain becomes an issue. Treat ing your dog: As your dog ages, their taste for particular treats may change. Also, with possible and/or impending medical conditions, treats including particular ingredients and supplements are advisable. You should also take your pet's size into consideration. Below are some suggestions for treats, based on the size and build of dogs: Large/giant dogs. Wedges of cooked potato, or a large jerky-type chew, is appropriate. It's also something that will take them a longer time to consume. Medium-sized dogs. One-ingredient treats, specially designed for digestion, such as freeze-dried liver bites, are a good choice. You can also look for treats that include pumpkin, sweet potato and probiotics, all of which are gentle on the stomach. Small/toy dogs. Soft, probiotic, cookies, with a filling of fruits and vegetables, help to keep the calorie count low and are easy on little jaws. You can also try filling the inside of a small, hollow toy with peanut butter, for a special treat. Share the love. The bond between pet and pet parent(s) is strong. When a pet owner is single, where the dog has one-on-one attention from their owner, it is especially strong. In family homes, your dog will always have a closer bond with one particular member; perhaps the one who spends the most time with them, feeds them, or exercises them. Pamper your pet. If your pet sleeps with you on your bed, consider building a ramp or a couple of steps in order to make climbing into bed easier. You should also provide pee pads. If you giving supplements for conditions related to aging, ensure that you are giving them to your dog on a consistent, regular basis. Puppy training pads are a good idea as your dog becomes a senior. Retraining them to the pee pad will save on middle of the trips outside, or a wet spot on the carpet when you wake up. Doggy diapers are also available if bladder control is a major health issue. Treats and snacks: As weight gain is a concern with senior dogs, ensure that you are giving age-appropriate treats, like those mentioned above. It should also be noted that treats should not be a major source of your dog's diet. Providing treats two to three times a day is ample; ten to 15 is going overboard. Also remember that, while the brightly colored treats made to resemble human food may look appealing, they are full of additives and artificial coloring. It is best to choose treats that are natural. Enjoy being loved. Dogs are loyal companions; they can be sweet, affectionate, protective, and loving to their owners. Every breed comes with their own personality and traits, but no matter the breed, your dog will always be loving and loyal to his/her master. There are five signs that your dog uses to show you their love: Meeting you at the door, wagging your tail, and being happy to see you. Looking at you with round and relaxed eyes. Studies have shown that this gaze between pet and pet parent can raise the mutual levels of the love hormone oxytocin in both the dog and the owner. Comes to you for cuddles, just because! They are looking for the attention without expecting something in return. Consistently wants to be near you. This does not mean that they want to be cuddling all of the time, but they want to be in the same vicinity. You might move to another room. When your dog notices, he/she will come to find out where you went, and curl up in a new spot close by. If your dog decides it is play time, he/she will bring a toy over to you as an invitation for fun. Enjoy playtime. It is not just kids that want to have fun! Your pet wants to have fun too. Here are some suggestions to amuse both you and your dog: Try out the canine version of 3-Card Monte. This is called Ante Up. To play it, take three paper cups and poke a hole in the bottom of each. Place the cups in front of your dog, having hidden a treat under one, then ask: "Where's the treat?". This is a great game, especially for pets that have mobility issues. Let your hunter find the prize with Finders Keepers. Secretly (okay, not too secretly) hide a small amount of treats in locations around your home. When the treasure is hidden, tell your dog to "find the treats"! Tug-of-War is always fun for any dog, regardless of the size or age. You do have to consider any infirmities or health issues your pet has, including loose or missing teeth or a weaker jaw. Playing Fetch is another of those timeless activities. Again, it is important to take your pet's health into consideration. While it will help to keep your dog's weight under control, keep in mind conditions like arthritis. Ensure that your do not overdo it. Maybe cut it down to five throws, instead of the 10 or 15 from a few years ago! Taking your dog swimming is wonderful fun. It is a low impact, aerobic workout that is easy on the joints, as well as working muscles and ligaments. Just like water aerobics is a great workout for us, it provides the same benefits for our pets. Plus, watching your pooch do the dog-paddle is so fun to watch. For those who do not have a place to take dogs swimming, small or toy dogs can go for a swim in the bathtub. You may also use a rigid (polyethylene) swimming pool! Pet stores often carry them in the spring and summer seasons. Take delight in antics. Our four legged friends are a wonderful source of amusement. Sometimes dogs react to the TV. Have you ever wondered if your dog can watch television? The answer is yes and they actually can have favourite shows too! Here are some factors can that draw your pet's attention to the TV: {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/From-My-Phone-013.jpg\/460px-From-My-Phone-013.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/From-My-Phone-013.jpg\/728px-From-My-Phone-013.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Your dog may commence barking the split second he or she sees an animal on the television. They become territorial, barking at the perceived threat as vehemently as they would if the animal was standing in the same room. They become protective of their home and family! Dogs become familiar with particular shows or commercials. For some, just a few bars of a theme song or the melody of a bark-able commercial can be enough to send them into a tail spin. Taking a dog on a play-date can be particularly amusing. There can be multiple dogs sleeping in a recreation room where a TV is on. It takes just one to spy a dog on the TV to turn quiet time into a ruckus of barking. It is as if they take turns patrolling, a nonverbal pact to wake the others in the event of an intrusion! Build memories. Take your pal to smell the flowers in the spring! Soak up the summer sunshine! Play together in the fallen leaves and watch your dog prance and frolic in the snow! Commemorate the special times with pictures and home movies through the wonders of modern technology. Celebrate birthdays. You may not know the exact date your furry pal was born, but you can celebrate the day they came into your life. There are many recipes on the internet for canine-friendly birthday cakes to help with the festivities. Savor the little things. Remember the day your dog clawed and scratched their way up onto your brand new bed to wake you with kisses? Remember how disheartened you were at the scratch marks that now gave your bed a "new look"? How about your new shoes that became a tasty treat before you even had a chance to wear them? As upset and frustrated you may have been at that moment, they will turn into memories that will make you smile over the years. You will run your fingers over the scratches on your bed and feel the love that you and your best pal always shared ! | Exercise! Enjoy the mutual health benefits. Visit the vet annually. Heed your vet's advice. Age together; keep each other young. Have feeding time where your dog gets "people food". Have a feeding time for commercial dog food. Share the love. Enjoy being loved. Enjoy playtime. Take delight in antics. Build memories. Celebrate birthdays. Savor the little things. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Milanesa | How to Make Milanesa | To make milanesa, start by preparing an egg wash by whisking together eggs and milk, and preparing a mixture of bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Dip pieces of meat in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumbs, then fry in a skillet with ½ inch of oil over medium-high heat, flipping occasionally. Once both sides are crispy and golden brown, rest them on a paper towel to absorb excess oil, then top with tomato and cheese. | Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make standard Milanesa: 1-2 lbs beef, chicken or veal, cut no more than 1/2" (1.25 cm) thick 2 eggs 3 Tablespoons (45 g) milk 3 cups (600 g) bread crumbs Salt and pepper (to taste) Garlic, parsley (to taste) Parmesan cheese (to taste) Tomato, lemon and your choice of cheese (as a garnish) In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and milk to create an egg wash. Lightly beat the eggs until they fully combine with the milk. In a different bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. This is where your originality can shine -- your Milanesa can be garlic-y, cheesy, or peppery -- it's all up to you. Dip steak in the egg wash and coat with the crumb mixture. Cut up the meat into 8 or so sections, depending on how many mouths you have to feed. It will be quicker to cook and easier to eat. And, of course, if you didn't get the meat tenderized, do so before you throw it on the stove. In a large skillet, heat 1/2" (1. 25 cm) of oil. Brown the steaks over a medium high heat for 2-4 minutes. Put as many on as you like, but make sure not to crowd them. The steaks should be cooked through on both sides; they're done when they're crisp and brown. If you keep the finished steaks warm in a 250°F (120° C) oven while you cook your remaining steaks, they'll all be ready for serving simultaneously. Rest on paper towels and transfer to a baking sheet. If you have more cooking to do, you can slide that baby into the oven. But if you're done, transfer to a plate for enjoying. Once they're assembled, top the steaks with tomato and cheese (sliced or shredded). If they're not warm enough, throw them in the broiler about 4" from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with lemon wedges. Gather your ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make Uruguayan Milanesa: A cut of beef, chicken, or fish of no more than 1/2" (1.25 cm) thick 2 eggs 3 cups breadcrumbs Garlic and salt to taste Prep your egg mixture. Beat your eggs lightly until a uniform liquid. Add your chopped garlic (in pieces as small as possible) and salt. If you like a garlic-y, salty, dish, go nuts. For salt, a starting point is a teaspoon (5 g). Dip the steak. First with the egg mixture and then with the breadcrumbs. Make sure the crumbs surround the steak evenly. If they're not sticking on certain places, baste on more of your egg mixture, then add on more breadcrumbs. Grab a frying pan. With cooking or olive oil, fry your steak on med-low heat until it shows a golden color. This will take 6-10 minutes. If the stove isn't your thing, place it in the oven on LOW bake and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake until melted. Serve it up. In addition to a garnish of mozzarella, serve it with white rice. Fries, salad, mashed potatoes and vegetables are good, too. You could also top with a lemon or lime wedge. Finished. | Gather your ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and milk to create an egg wash. In a different bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. Dip steak in the egg wash and coat with the crumb mixture. In a large skillet, heat 1/2" (1. Rest on paper towels and transfer to a baking sheet. Gather your ingredients. Prep your egg mixture. Dip the steak. Grab a frying pan. Serve it up. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Perform-Lymphatic-Drainage-Massage | How to Perform Lymphatic Drainage Massage | To perform a lymphatic drainage massage, start by taking a few deep breaths to help you relax. Then, gently pinch and pull your skin wherever it feels tender, which will help stimulate the lymphatic vessels attached to your skin. Unlike deep tissue massages, you want to press lightly so that you can't feel anything beneath the skin. Stretch each part of your skin for about 3 seconds and then pause for another few seconds before moving to the next part. Massage in the direction of your lymph flow, which is from your limbs towards your torso and heart. This is to match the normal rhythm of your lymph flow. | Use a light touch. When you are doing lymphatic massage, you want to make sure that you don't press too hard. The lymphatic vessels are located right under the skin, so if you press too hard, you are going to go deeper than the vessels. Press down enough so that your fingers are not sliding over your skin, but make sure that you can't feel anything beneath the skin. You may feel like this is too light, especially if you are used to deeper tissue massages. Stretch the skin instead of moving along it. You may be used to giving or receiving massages where you glide along the skin. A lymphatic massage needs to stimulate the lymphatic vessels, which are elastic and attached to the skin. You need to lightly stretch your skin to massage them. Massage with the normal lymph flow. The direction of your stretch of the skin is important. You should stretch the skin in the direction that the lymph flows naturally. You want to help stimulate the natural flow. If you stretch the skin the wrong way, you are doing nothing. The lymph flow goes towards your trunk and heart. Make sure to take your fingers off the skin after each stretch. If you move your fingers back and forth, you are just moving the lymph and not helping to drain it. Use the correct rhythm. As you massage the lymph vessels, you should go slow. The normal rhythm of their flow is slow, so try to take around three seconds to perform each stretch of the skin. Release and wait for a few seconds before beginning again. Get in a comfortable position. Lymphatic massage works best if you are relaxed. Start in a room that is quiet and free from distraction. Listen to soothing music like ocean sounds or rain noise. Get into a position that is comfortable for you. Many people lie on their backs. Some people sit up and others stand. Choose what works for you since this is supposed to help you feel better. You may want to experiment with different positions to see what works for you. Begin with deep breathing. Before you start your massage, spend a few moments relaxing. You want to get your mind and body relaxed to help the massage be as effective as possible. Take around five deep breaths. Inhale slowly, hold for a moment, then exhale slowly. Try to keep up this slow, steady breathing through the massage. Remember, focus on getting to a calm state. Start with your collarbone. You want to start at the top of your body and go down. Start by massaging both sides of your neck. You can do one side at the time, or you can cross your arms and massage both sides at the same time. Place the pads of the second and third fingers on the outer edge of your neck, just above the collarbone. Shrug your shoulders. Your fingers should be in the dip. Stretch the skin gently with light pressure towards the sternum. The stretch should last for three seconds. Keep the fingers above the collarbone. Repeat 10 times. Massage the side of the neck. Next, you should massage the side and back of your neck. Once again, you can do one side at a time or together. Position your palms flat against the side of your neck, right under your ears. Stretch the skin back and down, towards the back of your body. Repeat 10 times. Stretch the back of the neck. Gently rest your fingers on the back of your neck. They should be underneath your hairline and on each side of the neck. Using gently pressure, stretch the skin downwards towards your shoulders. Release. Repeat 10 times. You can do the same stretch on the front of your neck. Massage your underarm. Hold your arm in a comfortable position. Move it away from your body so your underarm is exposed. Position your fingers under your arm. Stretch the skin up and in, towards your chin. Do this between 5 to 10 times. Make sure to repeat on the other side of your body. Move on to the hip. Keep your arm lifted. Start low on the outside of your hip. Use your fingers to stretch the skin upwards towards the armpit. After stretching the skin at the hipbone, move your hand higher and repeat. Do this three times along the side of your body. Repeat around 10 times. Address your abdomen. Make sure your abdomen muscles are relaxed before performing this massage. Hold the tips of your fingers in the middle of your belly, between the ribcage and navel. Your hand should not touch your skin. Massage in towards the middle and up towards the heart. Use a slightly harder touch here, but the same rhythm. Next, place both hands on the V of your hips. Press in towards the middle and upwards towards your heart. Repeat each massage 5 to 10 times. Massage the leg. Start at the bottom of the leg and move all the way up with the stretches. Use both hands, one on the back of the leg and the other on the inside of the leg. Move the hands towards each other and up as you stretch the skin. Release. Move your hands lower on your leg and repeat the stretch. Massage the knee. Position your fingers behind your knee. Stretch the skin upward, towards your thigh. Release. Repeat this 10 times. | Use a light touch. Stretch the skin instead of moving along it. Massage with the normal lymph flow. Use the correct rhythm. Get in a comfortable position. Begin with deep breathing. Start with your collarbone. Massage the side of the neck. Stretch the back of the neck. Massage your underarm. Move on to the hip. Address your abdomen. Massage the leg. Massage the knee. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-Naruto | How to Watch Naruto | If you're curious about the popular anime series Naruto, check some free streaming websites to see if they have any episodes. If you don't mind paying a little bit of money, you may be able to get higher-quality video if you sign up for a streaming service with a monthly subscription fee. Once you've found a site with some Naruto episodes, decide whether you want to stream the videos or download them to your computer. | Look for free streaming sites. You can do a search online for a specific Naruto television episode or for all the Naruto films on one streaming site. Once you click on the site and open it, it should specify if there is a fee to use the site or to access the content on the site. If you are trying not to spend any money on your Naruto viewing, you may opt for sites that are free for use. Be wary of sites that ask you to sign up for service or register for service. These sites will often later request a form of payment to subscribe to the content on the site and access it. Subscribe to a streaming site for a higher quality video. If you are planning on watching several Naruto films, you may want to subscribe to a streaming site. You will likely need to pay a subscription fee every month to have access to the films, which are often higher quality than those found on free sites. The subscription fee may also give you access to other content on the streaming site, such as other manga films and shows. Make sure you read the fine print on the subscription before you sign up for the site. This will ensure you know exactly how much you are paying each month to watch content on the site. Confirm the link is correct and functional. If you are using a free site, you may want to try several different links for the Naruto film. Some of the links may appear broken or not load properly so always check that they open before settling in to watch the film. If you are using a subscription service, you will likely have access to links to the film that are confirmed by the service. These links should function properly. You should also confirm the link has English subtitles or subtitles that are in a language that you understand. Often the link will note "English subtitles" or "dubbing available", which indicates the link has subtitles or dubbing in English. Decide if you are going to stream or download the episodes. Streaming online content is considered less legally dubious than downloading online content. This is because when you stream content from an online site or service, you are accessing the data for consumption but you are not keeping it or storing it anywhere on your computer. When you download content from an online site or service, you are in fact storing the data on your computer and can potentially redistribute or sell this content to others. Many online sites offer a streaming option or a downloading option. If you are planning to watch the Naruto episodes once and then move on, you should choose the streaming option. Plus, with streaming there is a lower risk of breaking the law when you watch content online. Set up several links in different browsers. If you are using a free streaming service, you should maximize your chances of loading a good link to the film by loading several links in different windows of the same browser or in different browsers. This will allow you to determine which link is loading fastest and use that link. If you are using a subscription service, you do not need to worry about loading different links to the film. However, you may want to load more than one film at a time in different windows if you are planning on watching several Naruto films in a row. Allow the film to load. The film will likely take time to load fully. Letting the film load will ensure the film plays through properly and does not become choppy or lag. You may need to wait fifteen to twenty minutes to allow the film to load once you open it, depending on how big the file is. Do this by pressing the play button and then press the pause button to allow the bottom bar on the screen to load fully to the end. Reload the page if the film is choppy or stops loading. You may find that the film becomes choppy or pauses and tries to load as you watch it. You can adjust this by reloading the entire page, including the link, to allow the streaming service to reconnect to its server. If reloading does not work, you can try closing the link and then re opening it. You may want to note where the film stopped so you can pick up where you left off when you re open it. | Look for free streaming sites. Subscribe to a streaming site for a higher quality video. Confirm the link is correct and functional. Decide if you are going to stream or download the episodes. Set up several links in different browsers. Allow the film to load. Reload the page if the film is choppy or stops loading. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-for-CO%E2%82%82 | How to Test for CO₂ | To test for carbon dioxide, start by diluting some calcium hydroxide with water to make a limewater solution. Then, fill up a test tube halfway with the limewater and bring it to a boil. Next, use a delivery tube to pipe the contents of your sample into the boiling limewater. If the limewater turns cloudy and milky white, your sample has carbon dioxide in it. If no change occurs, there's no carbon dioxide in the sample. | Collect a CO2 sample. To begin your test, you will need a sealed test tube filled with collected gas. You can collect carbon dioxide in a gas jar, a boiling tube, or another airtight container. Collection is usually performed over water in a beaker. CO 2 gas is denser than air, so you can collect it using "downward delivery" or a gas syringe. Mix calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid (HCl). The simplest way to collect carbon dioxide is to react calcium carbonate (or limestone chips) with hydrochloric acid. First, pour 20 mL of HCl into a conical flask. Add a spoonful of calcium carbonate (or limestone chips) to the HCL. When the reaction starts, cover the conical flask with a bung and delivery tube: you will collect the gas through the delivery tube and into an upturned test tube (which is immersed in bowl of water). If the water in the test tube is displaced, then gas is being collected. You can continue to collect the gas for as long as the reaction occurs. For classroom demonstrations, you only need a small amount of hydrochloric acid, which is diluted to 1 M; a 2 M concentration works best, but should be used with extra care because it's a strong acid. The equation is: CaCO 3 (s) + 2HCl(aq) ==> CaCl 2 (aq) + H 2 O(l) + CO 2 (g). Be very careful when working with hydrochloric acid – wear gloves, a lab coat, and protective goggles, and do not let the acid touch your skin! It's best to only perform this reaction if you have access to a lab environment. Cover the test tube with a bung. Put the tube on a rack to keep it safe until you perform the test. The "bung" is essentially a small cork or cap that allows you to pipe the contents of the test tube elsewhere through a connected delivery tube. It's important to seal the CO 2 gas into the container. If you leave it open, the gas will mix with the air, and your test will be much less effective. Bubble the gas through limewater. The most effective way to test for CO 2 is to bubble the gas through "limewater", a diluted solution of calcium hydroxide (slaked lime). When you bubble carbon dioxide through the solution, it forms a solid precipitate of calcium carbonate – chalk or limestone. Calcium carbonate is insoluble in water. Thus, if there is CO 2 present in the sample, the limewater will turn milky, cloudy white. Limewater is also called "white wash" or "milk of lime." If you see these terms, you'll know they mean limewater. Make a limewater solution. The process is simple: dilute calcium hydroxide with water. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) is a colorless white powder that you can buy from most chemistry suppliers. Pure limewater, once mixed, is clear and colorless, with a slight earthy smell and the bitter, alkaline taste of calcium hydroxide, as its pH is 12.3. Follow these steps to make your own limewater: Put 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of calcium hydroxide into a clean 1 gallon (3.8 L) or smaller glass jar. Limewater is a saturated solution, which means there will be some extra chemical that doesn't dissolve. A teaspoon will result in a fully saturated solution, whether you use a gallon jar or a smaller container. Fill the jar with distilled water. It's best to use distilled water for this experiment, as it will give you a purer solution. Put a lid on the jar. Shake the solution vigorously for 1-2 minutes, then let it stand for 24 hours. Pour the clearer solution off the top of the jar through a clean coffee filter or filter paper. Be very careful not to stir up the sediment. If necessary, repeat this filtering step until you obtain a clear limewater solution. Store in a clean jar or bottle. Bubble the gas through the limewater. Half-fill a test tube with limewater – then boil it. Use a delivery tube to pipe the contents of the CO 2 sample test tube directly into the boiling limewater. You can use a flexible pipe or a (metal) straw as a delivery tube, if nothing better is around. Let the captured gas "bubble" through the liquid, and wait for the reaction to take place. If you don't want to boil anything, you can use a gas syringe to discharge the CO 2 gas directly into the half-filled limewater test tube. Stopper the test tube, then shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes. If there is carbon dioxide in the sample, then the solution should grow cloudy. Look for cloudy water. If CO 2 is present, the limewater will turn milky white with calcium carbonate particulates, as the calcium carbonate solution is insoluble and will precipitate out of the solution. If the limewater is boiling, and the gas is piped directly into the limewater, then the reaction should begin immediately. If nothing happens after a minute or so, you can safely assume that there is no carbon dioxide in your sample. Know the chemical reaction. Understand what exactly is taking place to indicate the presence of CO 2. The equation for the test is: Ca(OH) 2 (aq) + CO 2 (g) ==> CaCO 3 (s) + H 2 O (l). In non-chemistry language: liquid limewater + gas (which contains CO 2 ) react to solid lime (the particles) and liquid water. If you bubble the CO 2 through the limewater for an extended period of time, your water will eventually turn clear. That's because of a chemical reaction! Here's why: CO 2 + H 2 O ==> H 2 CO 3 (carbon dioxide + water = carbonic acid) H 2 CO 3 + CaCO 3 ==> Ca(HCO 3 ) 2 (carbonic acid + calcium carbonate = calcium hydrogen carbonate) Calcium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water, making your solution clear! Try using the sample to extinguish fire. Carbon dioxide extinguishes fires, in high concentrations. You'll simply need to hold a small lit flame inside a test tube that you suspect contains CO 2. If the gas is present, the flame should go out immediately. Combustion (creation of a flame) is the reaction of oxygen with another substance; it is a rapid oxidation of the organic compound and a reduction of oxygen. The fire goes out because the oxygen is replaced by the CO 2 , which is not a combustible gas. Bear in mind that any oxygen-free gas will also extinguish a flame in this manner. Thus, this is an unreliable test for carbon dioxide, and it may lead you to misidentify the gas. Collect the gas in an upside-down test tube. Make sure that the sample has been properly stored and stoppered before you try to test for CO 2. Be reasonably certain that the test tube does not contain any flammable or explosive gases; in this case, the introduction of fire could be dangerous, or at least very frightening. Place a small flame inside the test tube. Use a splint or any long, thin strip of wood. In a pinch, a match or a lighter will do – but the further your hands are from the opening of the test tube, the safer your experiment will be. If the flame immediately goes out, there's likely a high concentration of CO 2 in the test tube. Alternately, try using a gas syringe to put out a candle. Fill a syringe with carbon dioxide. Then, use a drop of molten wax to affix a short candle to the surface of a coin. Next, place the candle and coin into a wide-mouthed cup – and light the candle. Equip the syringe with the tubing, and push the syringe to transfer the CO 2 to the bottom of the cup. If you push out the entire contents of the syringe within a second or two, the flame should go out. | Collect a CO2 sample. Mix calcium carbonate with hydrochloric acid (HCl). Cover the test tube with a bung. Bubble the gas through limewater. Make a limewater solution. Bubble the gas through the limewater. Look for cloudy water. Know the chemical reaction. Try using the sample to extinguish fire. Collect the gas in an upside-down test tube. Place a small flame inside the test tube. Alternately, try using a gas syringe to put out a candle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Redness-After-Waxing | How to Reduce Redness After Waxing | To reduce large red spots caused by waxing, soak a cloth in a mixture of cold milk, water, and ice, then press it to the affected skin for 5 minutes. For smaller spots, soak a cotton ball in witch hazel or green tea mix and apply it to the red area. After waxing your face, put thin slices of chilled cucumber or a mixture of 100% pure colloidal oatmeal and water to the area. For a store-bought solution, try covering the spot with 1% hydrocortisone cream. | Make a cool compress of milk, water, and ice. Combine equal parts cold milk, water, and ice in a bowl. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture, then apply to affected area for five minutes. Repeat the application three times. The inflammation of your skin after waxing is similar to a sunburn, and a cool compress will ease constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling to lessen the appearance of redness. The protein in the milk will aid in healing and will also protect your skin. Apply a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel. Pour approximately three tablespoons of witch hazel into a small bowl and soak either a clean cloth or cotton balls in it. Apply lightly to the area of redness as needed. The tannins and oils in witch hazel lessen inflammation and, therefore, reduce redness and discomfort. Make a cooling cucumber mask. Cucumber has long been noted for its analgesic, or pain relief, properties, as well as antioxidant qualities, which encourage healing of red and inflamed skin. Slice a chilled cucumber and apply the slices to the red areas of your skin. Turn the slices over as they warm to your skin, in order to keep the cool side next to your skin. To make a cucumber mask for lasting effect, use a food processor or grater to create a paste and apply to the affected area. For a thicker paste, add cornstarch or aloe vera gel. Make a calming colloidal oatmeal mask. Colloidal oatmeal, made from finely ground oatmeal, soothes inflammation and moisturizes skin. Mix a few teaspoons of 100% pure colloidal oatmeal with just enough water to create a paste. Apply to the redness and allow to dry for 10 minutes before rinsing off. Use this treatment up to four times per week. Make a bath using colloidal oatmeal if your redness is your body rather than on your face. You can purchase bath packets containing 100% colloidal oatmeal in your local pharmacy. Make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding stone ground or rolled, but not instant, oats in a food mill or food processor. Apply healing apple cider vinegar. Vinegar has some healing properties for mild burns, which the redness might indicate. Add one cup pure unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a spray bottle and apply to red areas after a lukewarm shower. Let the vinegar dry on your skin. You can also soak cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and pat gently onto the affected areas. Apply a soothing mint and green tea mix. Mint is a natural cooling agent, and green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine which help relieve pain and heal damaged skin. Pour 1 US-quart (950 ml) of boiling water over a pot containing 5 green tea bags and 3 cups of fresh mint leaves. Cover and let the mixture steep and cool for at least one hour. Soak a cotton ball in the liquid and apply to the areas of redness. Black tea also contains tannins for healing, so you can substitute it for the green tea if necessary. You can also pour the cooled liquid directly over the burn if you wish. Apply anti-inflammatory manuka honey. This honey from New Zealand comes from bees that feed on the manuka tree, and has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a small amount to the affected area, let it rest for a few minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Be sure to purchase manuka that has a UMF/OMA rating of 15 or above. Scientists in New Zealand developed this system to rate the antibacterial activity level of the honey. The antibacterial properties of this honey make it useful as a daily cleanser, too. Apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone can be used without a prescription for the temporary relief of minor skin irritations. An anti-inflammatory agent, hydrocortisone also constricts blood vessels, thus reducing redness. Wash the affected area, then gently rub in a thin film on the affected areas, up to four times a day. Try applying a moisturizer with ceramides or the antioxidants feverfew or licorice extract before the hydrocortisone, in order to protect and soothe your skin. To apply hydrocortisone in spray form, shake well and hold the container 3–6 inches (7.6–15 cm) away from your skin to apply. Don't inhale the vapors, and cover your eyes if you're spraying near your face. Consider an essential oil to reduce redness and protect your skin. As steam-distilled plant extracts, essential oils are highly potent, and should be used with attention to all warnings for potential side effects and allergic reactions. Any essential oil you are working with should be diluted in a “carrier oil,” such as olive oil, to around 1–3% for use in skin care. Certain essential oils can be disruptive to medical conditions like pregnancy, high blood pressure, or epilepsy. Ask your doctor before using any herbal remedies. While many essential oils can be combined, take care not to use too many remedies at once, as the side effects and interactions may cause skin irritation or health problems. Apply rose geranium essential oil to reduce swelling. Research has confirmed that rose geranium essential oil restricts the skin's inflammatory responses to a significant degree. Blend 6 to 15 drops of rose geranium per ounce of “carrier oil” and apply to the affected skin in a thin layer. Repeat as needed. Use chamomile oil to ease inflammation. Chamomile oil is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, which is significant for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although the scientific evidence is not certain yet, anecdotal evidence supports the use of chamomile for treating mildly burned and irritated skin. Add a few drops of chamomile essential oil to an ounce of jojoba oil and apply a small amount to the redness on your skin. Make a paste of chamomile by grinding dried flowers in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Add water and some whole oats until you've reached a paste-like consistency. Apply to the areas of redness and let rest for 15 minutes. Rinse off gently with cool water. Repeat as needed. Add lavender oil to your skin cream. Lavender oil has antiseptic and antifungal properties, and it improves healing for minor burns and sunburns because it promotes scar tissue formation. A combination of lavender oil and chamomile is often used to treat eczema, another skin condition that results in inflammation and redness. Never ingest lavender oil, as it may cause serious health complications. Apply soothing calendula oil. Calendula has antioxidant properties and is often used to reduce pain and swelling, as well as the overall appearance of skin. Dilute calendula oil in a “carrier oil” or mix with a few drops into a fragrance-free cream or ointment and apply to the affected area. Don't confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds of the Tagetes genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens. Apply pure aloe vera. Aloe vera, a gel that comes from the aloe vera leaf, has been used for thousands of years as a topical pain-reliever and ointment. Studies show that application of pure aloe vera gel can reduce inflammation and pain of burns and minor abrasions. Apply a small amount of the gel to redness and let it absorb into your skin. Many after-sun lotions contain aloe vera, but be sure to choose one with close to 100% aloe vera and no alcohol products. Choose a qualified aesthetician to perform your waxing. Make sure that the salon is clean and follows all state safety regulations. Lack of hygiene or access to high-quality skin products may lead to more irritation of your skin, as well as the potential for infection. Purchase a hair removal wax. You can conduct your own waxing at home, if you feel confident about your ability to apply and remove the product. There are a wide variety of waxes available, usually at your local pharmacy, that offer a range of methods and tools for self-waxing regimens. Be sure to read all labels before using, so that you're aware of any potential side effects or irritating ingredients. Make your own waxing product. If you don't have the time or the budget to visit the salon for a hair wax, then find a simple recipe using water, lemon juice, and sugar to make your own wax. A sugar wax is all-natural, containing no unnecessary chemical agents that might cause irritation. Use warm water to open your pores. If you're waxing at home, first open your pores to allow for easier hair removal. Either press a warm wet cloth to the area to be waxed, or take a warm shower. Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser. Bacteria and dirt on your skin can lead to redness if not removed before waxing, as the procedure can temporarily open pores wider and allow those irritants access. Pat your skin with witch hazel after waxing. Witch hazel has antiseptic properties, and so it will keep your skin clean after waxing. Additionally, witch hazel is an anti-inflammatory agent, and so it may sooth irritation and redness before it becomes a bigger problem. | Make a cool compress of milk, water, and ice. Apply a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel. Make a cooling cucumber mask. Make a calming colloidal oatmeal mask. Apply healing apple cider vinegar. Apply a soothing mint and green tea mix. Apply anti-inflammatory manuka honey. Apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone. Consider an essential oil to reduce redness and protect your skin. Apply rose geranium essential oil to reduce swelling. Use chamomile oil to ease inflammation. Add lavender oil to your skin cream. Apply soothing calendula oil. Apply pure aloe vera. Choose a qualified aesthetician to perform your waxing. Purchase a hair removal wax. Make your own waxing product. Use warm water to open your pores. Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser. Pat your skin with witch hazel after waxing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Win-More-Scratch-Offs | How to Win More Scratch Offs | Before buying your scratch-off tickets, compare the odds listed on the back of the tickets and buy the ones that have the highest odds of wining. If you're planning to buy many scratch offs, try buying the whole roll so you can increase your chances of getting a big winner. Even if you don't think you won, make sure you turn your scratch-offs in, since you never know when you might have missed something. | Pick a price point. Scratch-off lotto tickets are sold with varying odds, styles, and designs, but the easiest way to compare them is by price. Typically, scratch-off tickets cost between $1 and $20 a piece, depending on the game and the area in which you live. The cheaper tickets have a low percentage of overall winners, lower payouts, and a smaller spread between the top prize and interval prizes. More expensive tickets $5 and up, yield a higher overall percentage of winners, with a more even spread of higher-payouts, and usually a higher jackpot. In other words, a dollar ticket may win more often, but the top prize may be a few hundred dollars, and the average prize will be much lower, while any given $20 ticket will win less often, but there is a very low probability that you could win several thousand dollars. Understand the odds of the game in your price point. The odds listed for any particular game are the odds that any given ticket will be a winner. Just because some games present higher odds of winning than others doesn't mean you're more likely to win the jackpot, but it does make it a more valuable ticket for the price, given a large spread of lesser prizes. Buy tickets at your price point with the highest odds of any winner. For a serious lottery player who wants to buy in bulk, the lower-price cards with higher odds is usually a better choice, while the occasional lottery player might do better to buy a more expensive ticket every now and then. Study the small print on the back of the scratch card to find the odds of winning. Compare the odds of a few games before making an educated guess as to which card to buy. Typically, the odds are listed as a comparison of numbers: 1: 5, or 1: 20. This means that 1 out of every 5 or 20 tickets will be a winner. It doesn't mean that every fifth ticket in a row wins, and it doesn't mean that in a random sampling of 20 tickets, one will definitely be a winner. It means that in the total number of tickets allotted, in all the stores across the state, that percentage of tickets are winners. Buy in bulk, or else stagger your ticket buying. There are rarely two winning tickets in a row, but there are at least a few winners in every roll of tickets. Therefore, if you know that a winning card has already been purchased from a given pack, stop playing for a couple days and come back, go to a different store, or buy a different game. This will ensure that you don't spend money on an almost guaranteed loser. Scratch-off tickets are sold with a guaranteed number of winners and losers in each pack, which is usually about 30 or 40 tickets. One way to guarantee that you'll win is to buy an entire pack. Now, you might end up not making a profit, but you'll end up winning something. Hang out and wait for losers. Like slot machines and other games of chance, long streaks of losses mean that the odds get much more friendly when you swoop in with a well-timed purchase. Try talking to the cashier at a particular lotto shop to get good tips on which games have paid out and which haven't lately. You won't necessarily be able to know whether or not a particular ticket has a better chance than another, but you can know whether or not a game's already played out. If someone in front of you just bought ten tickets and lost on them all, buy a few. It's not a guarantee of a winner, but there's a better chance the next ticket in the roll will win if the previous ten didn't. Check to see prize levels before you buy a game. Unfortunately, it's perfectly legal to sell tickets for a scratch off game after all of the top prizes have already been claimed. Sometimes the store will post a flyer with that information, but it is sometimes several weeks out of date. Checking with the state lottery homepage is the simplest way to make sure you aren't wasting money on a loser. If you have a favorite game at your price point and are considering buying some tickets, check out the top prize first before you head to the store. If it's lower than usual, because the top prizes have been claimed, think about switching to a different game in the same price point. Save your losing tickets. Many places will run second-chance lottos, in which you can send in the old tickets from particular games for a drawing. Keep old tickets organized by game in an envelope, and go through it for second-chance opportunities when they're announced. Send them in and hope for the best. That losing ticket might still win you money. Sometimes, the lottery commission will advertise these second-chance drawings when the top prizes have already been paid out, to try to drive the sales of essentially useless tickets. Buying tickets that will surely be losers just to have the second-chance opportunity isn't a great idea. Only use it for tickets you've already bought. Don't play a game just because it will be collected as a second-chance lotto ticket later. Turn in all losing tickets. After you collect a few winners and want to turn them back in to collect your winnings, bring back your losing tickets too. Always have the computer at the retailer check the winnings to make sure you haven't missed anything. In games where there are several different ways to win prizes, it can be easy to overlook winnings. Having the computer check will ensure you don't accidentally throw away any winnings. If you want to save tickets for second-chance opportunities, ask for them back and save them somewhere safe until the second-chance lotto is announced. Avoid "Mystery Packs" or any other package promotions. Another technique some retailers use to repackage and clear out old stock is discounting ticket packages, made up of games in which the top winners have already been paid out. While it may seem like you're getting a deal, understand that the probabilities of a given ticket being a winner are completely skewed when the top prizes have already been claimed. It's better to focus on active games in which the numbers are more friendly and you actually stand the chance to win some real money. Examine the tickets before you play them. One Canadian professor was able to "plunder" tic-tac-toe scratch-offs by noticing a recurring pattern printed on winning tickets. If the printing on the outside of a scratch-off varies from card to card, pay attention to it. The "singleton method" involves looking at the grid of printed numbers immediately to the left of a tic-tac-toe style scratch-off game, and analyzing the each matrix for patterns. If a single number appeared once on this game, it indicated a winner around 60% of the time. Most states in which this manufacturing abnormality occurred have corrected the issue. Since most retailers and machines don't let you examine the tickets before you've purchased them, it's difficult to say there's much practical application of this skill, though it's still worth examining the ticket for any signs of tampering, or any patterns you might pick up on later and find your own manufacturing error. Set a scratch-off budget and stick with it. Decide how much you can afford to spend on a scratch-offs every week. This absolutely has to be money you can afford to lose, because you will lose money playing the lottery longterm. It's a guarantee. When you've set a weekly budget , take money for scratch-offs from the leftover cash, not used for rent, groceries, or other necessary expenses. If you've got a fund set aside for fun stuff, you could take it out of there if you enjoy playing scratch-offs. Never spend more than your budget. Resist the temptation to chase your losses. The statistics won't change in your favor. Pick a game you like and stick with it until the prizes are paid out. Lotto tickets may award consistency in the long run. Keep playing the game at your price point with the odds you like, until the top prize is paid out, then switch to another game. This helps to manage the psychological impact of winning and losing. Make it a rule: you can't play another game. Some serious players differ on their philosophy regarding this. Alternatively, you could pick a store to always buy from, and buy different sorts of games from that store. Make one part of your buying routine consistent. Since there's always a higher-percentage chance of losing over winning, regardless of what you do, playing consistent is just one way of staying sane. Quit while you’re ahead. If you win on a ticket, put the money in your wallet and leave the store. Don't spend it on more scratch-offs beyond the budget you set, no matter how little. This alone will increase your income from scratch off wins, as using the winnings to invest in more money will most likely cause you to just lose them again. The numbers aren't your friend in the long-term. | Pick a price point. Understand the odds of the game in your price point. Study the small print on the back of the scratch card to find the odds of winning. Buy in bulk, or else stagger your ticket buying. Hang out and wait for losers. Check to see prize levels before you buy a game. Save your losing tickets. Turn in all losing tickets. Avoid "Mystery Packs" or any other package promotions. Examine the tickets before you play them. Set a scratch-off budget and stick with it. Pick a game you like and stick with it until the prizes are paid out. Quit while you’re ahead. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Answer-when-Someone-Asks-How-You-Are | How to Answer when Someone Asks How You Are | To answer when someone asks how you are, say “Fine, thanks” or “I'm good, thanks” if you're responding casually. If you want to come across as positive or friendly, try something like “Not bad” or “Can't complain.” Make eye contact when you respond to show that you're focused on them. When a friend, partner, or family member asks how you are, give a more detailed answer about how you feel. For example, if you're having a tough time, say, “You know, I've not been feeling too good lately. I think I might be struggling with stress and anxiety.” After you've explained how you are, end your response positively by thanking the other person for asking, which shows that you appreciate they care. Additionally, ask them how they are to let them know you're interested in their feelings. | Respond with “Fine, thanks” or “I’m good, thanks. " You can use these responses if you are speaking to someone in a social situation you do not know well, such as an acquaintance at a party or someone you have just met while out and about. You can also use these responses if you are talking to someone at work, such as a coworker, a client, or your boss. Answer with “Not bad” or “Can’t complain” if you want to come across positive and friendly. You can also say “Not too shabby” or “Things are good.” These responses are a good way to present a positive demeanor to a coworker, a client, a boss, or an acquaintance. Say “I’m okay, thanks” if you aren’t feeling well but want to be polite. If you are feeling ill or a little sick, you can use this response to let the person know this in a polite way. The person can then move on with the conversation or ask you more probing questions. This is a good response if you do not want to lie about how you are feeling, but you do not want to be too honest or personal with the person. Make eye contact with the person when you respond. Engage with them by looking them in the eye when you answer their question, even if you are trying to be polite or brief with your response. Keep your arms relaxed by your sides and your body turned towards them to demonstrate positive body language. This will make them feel more at ease in the conversation. You can also smile or nod if you want to appear friendly. Give a detailed answer when responding to a close friend, a family member, or your partner. These are likely individuals you are close with and trust on a personal level. Tell them how you are feeling in a more meaningful and detailed way. You may also be honest and tell a coworker or peer you are close with how you are actually feeling. Express how you are feeling. Respond by saying, “Actually, I've been feeling…” or “You know, I have been feeling…” If you are feeling depressed or going through a tough time , you could also mention that so that your loved ones can help you. For example, you may respond, “Actually, I've been feeling a little down lately. I think I might be struggling with stress and anxiety” if you have not been feeling well or like yourself. You may respond, “You know, I've been feeling great. I finally have a job I love and I'm feeling more confident these days” if you are feeling positive and happy. Provide a detailed response when your doctor asks “How are you? ” Let them know if you are not feeling well or have a health issue that has been bothering you, as this will allow them to treat you properly. You should also give an honest answer to any other medical professionals, such as a nurse or a paramedic. If you are not feeling well, they need to know that so they can help you to feel better. Say “Not great” or “I think I’m coming down with something” if you are feeling ill. This response will allow you to be honest and let the person know you are not feeling well. They may then ask you more questions and show sympathy for how you are feeling. Only use this response if you want to talk about your sickness or illness with the person. It is usually a prompt for the other person to find out more and try to make you feel better. Wrap up your response with “Thanks for asking. ” Let the person know you appreciate their question and their willingness to listen to your long answer. This is a good way to end your response on a positive note, even if your response was about how you are feeling negative or not well. You can also say, “I appreciate that you asked how I was, thank you” or “Thanks for listening.” Ask the person how they are doing. Show the person you want to engage in deeper conversation by asking “How are you?” once you have responded to their question. For example, you may say, “I'm fine, thanks for asking. How are you?” or “I'm okay, thanks. How about you?” For some people, if you ask them the same question, they may nod and say "I'm good" or "I'm fine" and then be on their way. Don't be discouraged; asking how someone is doing is sometimes not taken as a real invitation to say much. Take into account your relationship with the person. If you are close to the person and have spoken to them about personal experiences or feelings before, it may make sense for you to give them a detailed answer. If you do not know the person well, such as someone you work with or know through a friend or family member, you may keep your response brief and polite. You may give a detailed answer if you want to develop your relationship with the person on a deeper level and become closer to them. Be cautious about opening up just because you feel awkward and don't really feel close to the person. Notice when and where the person asks “How are you? ” If the person asks you at work at the coffee machine, they may expect a brief, polite answer that is appropriate for an office setting. If the person asks you over drinks or dinner after work or school, you may give them a more detailed, personal answer. If you are around others in a group setting, you may opt for a brief, polite response as you it may not be appropriate for you to give a long winded or personal answer in front of others. In most cases, if you are among friends or family, giving a detailed response may be okay. If you are around coworkers, peers, or authority figures, a more polite, short response may be the way to go. Pay attention to the person’s body language. Notice if the person maintains eye contact with you and stands still, with their body turned towards you. These are usually signs the person wants to connect with you on a deeper level and have a conversation with you. If the person does not make eye contact or brief eye contact and is walking by you, they may not be interested in a long chat. In this case, you may opt for a brief, short response so the situation does not become awkward. | Respond with “Fine, thanks” or “I’m good, thanks. Answer with “Not bad” or “Can’t complain” if you want to come across positive and friendly. Say “I’m okay, thanks” if you aren’t feeling well but want to be polite. Make eye contact with the person when you respond. Give a detailed answer when responding to a close friend, a family member, or your partner. Express how you are feeling. Provide a detailed response when your doctor asks “How are you? Say “Not great” or “I think I’m coming down with something” if you are feeling ill. Wrap up your response with “Thanks for asking. Ask the person how they are doing. Take into account your relationship with the person. Notice when and where the person asks “How are you? Pay attention to the person’s body language. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Life | How to Get a Life | If you are working to get a life, spend some time reflecting on what "a life" means to you. Consider whether it means more friends, more outings, more time with family, or something else. Once you have specific goals in mind, start trying new things each week to help you reach your goal. You could try hiking, biking, or finding something fun to do in your city. Invite your friends or family to come with you. If you can, practice living in the present by only doing 1 thing at a time so you can enjoy your life more. | Define what a life is to you. This notion of "a life" is subjective. You need to reflect on what is important to you. What do you want to achieve in life? What makes you happy? Only once you think about those kinds of things will you begin to realize how to attain a life. Don't let others define a meaningful life for you. While it is true that many people will tend to see certain things as more indicative of "a life" than others based on human universal needs, such as having kids or family, having fun experiences, or having meaningful work, ultimately, what matters most is what you personally find to be important. Write in a journal. Write about the things that are bothering you in your own life or that excite you. Keeping a journal has been found to increase well-being and can help you find patterns in your life both positive and negative. More specifically, writing in a journal can help you clarify your thoughts and feelings, allow you to get to know yourself better, reduce stress, or solve problems by looking at them in a new light. Figure out whatever kind of journal works best for you. You could write with pen and paper or keep a digital journal on your laptop. What matters most is getting your thoughts on paper and reflecting on them. Discuss your life with others. Sometimes, the act of expressing yourself to another can give you an in depth view into what you want and need. In addition, other people may have insight into your life that you may be blind to. Consider booking an appointment with a counselor, if you do not want to talk to family or friends. Talk therapy can be very effective both at treating underlying emotional issues but also at giving your thoughts life and helping you sort through them. Break your life down into domains. List the main areas of your life, such as social, work, spiritual, family, leisure, health, community and charity. Once you have broken your life down into these domains, reflect on whether you are happy with these aspects of your life. Getting a life usually means creating a balance among the domains of life you find to be important. Take to heart the phrase "everything in moderation." Reduce activities that are not done in moderation to achieve a more balanced life. Brainstorm ways to create more time for areas that are lacking. Say, for example, that you identify that you are not doing enough for your community and for your health. Spend some time thinking of ways to create more time to improve your life in these specific domains. For example, you could make a list of a few charities you would like to inquire about. Regarding your health, you could take some time adjusting your budget to see if you can afford a gym membership. You could spend some time researching local sports teams you could join. If you are particularly busy, you may also have to think about where to cut back on to gain the extra time or resources. The best places to start are domains you think you are spending too much time on (e.g., work). Reassess your life every few months. Review the state of your life (you can do this in part by reading your journal) and decide if your life is more fulfilling with the changes you have made. The best way to decide is if you personally feel happier about your life. Remember not to think too much about what others may think about your life. You are the one living it, after all. Give yourself time to change your life, as it won't be easy. Try to focus on making small changes over a year. After a year is over, you should have a better idea of what makes you happy. Practice letting go of the things you cannot control. Inevitably, things will come up in your life that are largely or entirely out of your control. This is just part of life. While you cannot change certain circumstances, you can change your attitude towards them. Trying to control the things you can't can often backfire and make you more stressed out. Every time you think of something that you cannot control, write it on a piece of paper. Place it in a box and move on. Letting go of stressful situations or people will allow you to work on the things you can control. Live in the present. Think about how you will make today better, instead of always working toward a future goal. If you live too far ahead in the future all the time, you are missing out on life. Life only happens in the present moment. While this isn't a recommendation to live every day like it is your last, because every day is not actually your last, it is a good idea to spend some time each day enjoying the present moment. To live more in the present, you can: Do only one task at a time; avoid multitasking. Put some space in between your day to day tasks to give you some time to reflect and not feel too rushed. Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to do absolutely nothing at all but sit in silence. Eat slowly and focus on the flavor and texture of your food. Do something new every week. Get an activity guide for your city, ask some friends, or dig around online for fun things to do near you. Take a risk and try some new activities. Go by yourself or ask a friend or your significant other. What matters most is that you are trying something novel and being open-minded about it. Trying something new can have a number of benefits, such as: Giving you courage by facing the unknown. Fighting off boredom. Allowing you to grow via new experiences. Learn something new. Take a class online or in person or watch some free lectures online. A lifelong learning center can provide an inexpensive opportunity to learn photography, social media or another skill you've been wanting to master. You can try these websites to search for classes or lectures that interest you: https://www.coursera.org/ http://oyc.yale.edu/ https://www.edx.org/ Do not work on weekends. Make sure you have two days per week to devote to yourself and/or your family. Make the working weekend something that is abnormal, not normal. If you can cut down time in the work domain, you will find more time for other important life domains. Try to keep in mind that work is like a gas, it will continue to expand if you let it. It will take up more and more of your time. You can always work more. There will always be more work to be done. Just save it for a weekday! Turn off electronic devices when you get home. Ask your family to do the same for several hours per day, so that you can connect. Studies show that checking your email less can make you happier, so turn your phone off and spend some quality time with those you love. Take a risk at work. Volunteer for something or go the extra mile on a project. Showing initiative and using more of your intellect can make work more fulfilling. That said, keep in mind that balance in your life is important, too. You will have to ask yourself whether it is worth putting in that extra work time to do something fulfilling even if it means taking time away from other important life domains. Only you can answer that question for yourself. Remember why you work in the first place. Most of us work in order to be able to enjoy life. If you are spending all your time working and you are not having any time to spend with your family or to do the things you love, then you need to find ways to cut back. Keep in mind, however, that if you get lots of meaning out of your work and view your job as giving you the life that you want, then it is totally fine to work a lot. What matters is what you view as important in defining your life. Get exercise. Working your heart and muscles for at least 30 minutes a day will actually help you live healthier and longer. Try some of these ideas to improve your physical life: Plan outdoor and adventurous activities with your family. Make exercise fun several nights a week or on the weekend. Go hiking, biking, explore your local city on foot or play a sport. Join an adult sport league or active hobby group. If you miss being part of a team, join a soccer, kickball or basketball league. Most cities and suburbs have many options, and they schedule games after work and on weekends. Try a new workout. If you usually go to the gym, try new classes or get outside to walk or run several days a week. Break up your routine. Walk in nature. Experiencing the beauty of nature can lead to feelings of awe and make you feel more wondrous. So, get out in nature whenever you can for your health and for getting a sense of wonder. Get plenty of sleep. Give yourself 8 hours plus an hour to get ready and an hour to wake up. The result can be a relaxed, happier self. Make sure to stick to a routine; falling into a typical pattern of sleep can help you fall asleep each night. Make sure to create a dark, noise free room that can help you sleep. Also, avoid drinking caffeine close to when you go to sleep, or you may have trouble falling asleep. Volunteer for a charity. Donate your time and connect with people who need your help. Studies have shown that volunteering for a charity can make you happier, improve empathy and make you feel fulfilled. To find a charity, search online, ask around in your neighborhood, or look in your local newspaper for opportunities to volunteer. Build your relationships and support system. Pick at least an hour a week where you can interact with people who are important to you without distractions from work. This will increase your mental wellbeing and decrease your stress; social support is very important for health. | Define what a life is to you. Write in a journal. Discuss your life with others. Break your life down into domains. Brainstorm ways to create more time for areas that are lacking. Reassess your life every few months. Practice letting go of the things you cannot control. Live in the present. Do something new every week. Learn something new. Do not work on weekends. Turn off electronic devices when you get home. Take a risk at work. Remember why you work in the first place. Get exercise. Walk in nature. Get plenty of sleep. Volunteer for a charity. Build your relationships and support system. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Laziness | How to Overcome Laziness | If you're struggling to overcome laziness, come up with a solution to fix the cause of your laziness. For example, if you're lazy because you feel tired, devote 30 minutes to taking a nap and then start on your to-do list. In the mornings, get out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off, and make a checklist of all of the things you need to accomplish during the day. If you become frustrated or overwhelmed by a task, take a step back to go do something easier, and then revisit the task again to finish it. | Figure out the real issue. Every time you start being lazy, stand back and do a little assessment of what's been really happening. Laziness is generally a symptom and not the problem itself. What's the cause of your lack of motivation? Are you tired, overwhelmed, afraid, hurting, or just plain uninspired and stuck? Most likely, the sticking issue is smaller than you think, and you can get past it more easily than you realize. Whatever it is that is holding you back, do your best to unearth it. In most cases, it'll be one single specific problem or detail. Finding the cause is the only way you can actually address it. Address it like you want it to happen. Once you address it, you can deal with it effectively. Focus on the actual problem. Now that you're thinking about the cause of your laziness, start focusing on it. It can be tough to break old habits, but look for small steps you can take so you get used to being productive. It may not be the quick fix you were looking for, but it'll be permanent. Consider the following: If you're tired, start devoting some time to relaxing. Everyone needs down time. If your schedule doesn't allow for it, you may have to make some sacrifices. But your output will be all the better for it. If you're overwhelmed, take a step back. How can you simplify what's on your plate? Can you parse it into sections and make it smaller? Can you make a list of priorities and tackle them one at a time? If you're afraid, what are you afraid of? Obviously this is something you wish you were doing. Are you afraid of reaching your potential? Of finally hitting your goals and being unhappy? How can you see that your fear is irrational? If you're hurting, maybe the only answer is time. Grief, sadness, all those negative emotions won't go away at will. Our wounds need time to heal. Putting less pressure on yourself to stop hurting may be the catalyst for change you seek. If you're uninspired, what can you change about your routine? Can you put yourself in a different environment or is a mental demon you have to conquer? How can you vamp up everyday life? Think in terms of your senses. Music, food, sights, sounds, etc Get organized. Having clutter around us -- even when it's just visual -- can be a huge downer to our motivational skills. Whatever it is that could do for some organization, organize it. Whether it's your desk, your car, your whole house, or your routine, clean 'er up. There's a lot that's going on in our subconscious that we don't account for. Whether it's an unpleasant color palette or an inadequate amount of light or a lack of balance in some way, shape, or form, somewhere we know about it. Get rid of that tiny-but-powerful deterrent by getting organized. Monitor that self-talk. Sometimes behaviors cause thoughts and sometimes thoughts cause behavior. Cover your bases and get rid of the negative inner dialogue. Thinking, "God, I'm so lazy. Ugh. Worthless," isn't going to get you anywhere. So stop it. Only you have control of that ticker tape going on behind your eyes. Every time you find yourself not performing up to par, twist it around to the positive. "It was a slow morning, but now it's time to fuel up. Now that it's afternoon, I'm buckling down!" You'll be surprised that the surge in mental positivity could actually change your outlook. Practice mindfulness. So many of us don't take time to stop and smell the roses. We scarf down a great meal just to get to dessert, just to get to the wine, just to get to bed with an overly full stomach. We're always thinking about the next great thing instead of living in this wonderful moment that is right now. When we start living in the moment, we want to take advantage of it. Next time you find yourself thinking about the past or the future, draw yourself back into the present. Whether it's the scene around you, the food on your fork, or the music in your ears, let it show you how cool it is to be walking Earth and living. Sometimes stopping and slowing down can give us the energy to take advantage of what we have at our disposal. Think of the benefits. Alright, so we got you focused on the present. Now let's focus on a better present. What would happen if you took advantage of right now? What would happen if instead of wasting away the morning in bed you got up and did yoga, finished your work, or cooked a great breakfast? What would happen if you did that practically every day for the next six months? It'd be wonderful, that's what. Let these positive ideas take over your train of thought. And be sure to realize that once you get going and develop the habit, everything will come that much easier. Jump out of bed. Research tells us that hitting the snooze button is bad for us. You'd think lying there and enjoying the warmth of the covers would make you more energized later, but the opposite happens. We're actually more tired throughout the day. Instead, jump out of bed and start a consistent morning routine. Your mind will follow the cues your body is giving it. If you jump out of bed, you must be ready and raring to go. Try placing your alarm clock on the other side of the room so that you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. This makes pressing the snooze button or falling back asleep much more difficult. Literally jump if you can master it. Get your blood circulating. It may be the last thing you want to do, but if you can make yourself, you'll be all that more alive after. Set some achievable goals. By setting yourself some worthy yet attainable goals, you have something to look forward to. Pick goals which really inspire you and that make the most of your talents and skills. Make a to-do list, both of large and small things, and prioritize each one in terms of time needed and importance to you personally. It may prove useful to keep a personal journal for each day of your target activities, with a record of what exactly may have helped or hindered you with regard to reaching your target as part of your practical logistics for self-development. Consider creating a vision board to post all your goals and dreams on. Be creative and use pictures, magazine articles, etc. Such a board can be used to fully map out your dreams. Each day upon waking, look at your vision board and focus on where you want to be. This will provide an inspired start to your day, and push you to your dreams. Not everyone finds the vision board approach inspiring but there are other ways, such as mind maps, journals, creating a vision statement and telling others about it, making public pledges online to do something, etc. Make a checklist of the desires, goals and motivations you want to move towards. As you power through them, check! Keeping the goals forefront in your mind requires actually focusing on them and a list can keep you energized through its ease of checking. Place copies of your goal sheet or routine everywhere: one on the fridge, on your night stand, by your computer, on your bathroom mirror, even on the bedroom door. Just place them where you look or go to often. Once those checks start accumulating, you won't want to stop. You'll literally see what you've been working towards and what you're capable of and that momentum will feel so good you'll have to keep going. You'd be disappointed and feel worse if you didn't. Make daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plans so you have smaller, more achievable goals. Regularly revisit the importance and value of the problem or goal. Once you've settled on a goal or faced the problem in need of tackling, it doesn't miraculously direct you without effort on your behalf. Part of the success behind having a goal or finding a solution depends on reminding yourself of why it matters. If you lose sight of the goal or solution, it's easy to become embedded in distractions and dead-ends that make it seem too hard to continue, allowing laziness to set in. Regular reassessments of both the importance and value of the problem or goal will help to keep you focused and refreshed. Some things to ask yourself include: Is this something that I can actually afford to ignore or allow to go on unsolved for more time? Is this something that could be improved by having somebody else help me or share insights with me about? Am I using the right approach to solving this issue or pursuing this goal? (Sometimes it's time to follow a new approach than to keep pursuing the same old path.) Am I being perfectionist in my expectations? (Perfectionism can lead to procrastination, which can soon lead to nothing getting done because nothing is ever going to be good enough. The end result? Laziness sets in because it's "all too hard". Avoid falling into this vicious spiral by always doing your best, rather than focusing on aiming for nothing-but-perfection.) Tell yourself you can do something. Action changes everything. One moment you're passive and frozen; the next you're digging in and changing things simply because you moved, decided something or got out there. You are not defined by what went on before –– you are always in a position to reinvent yourself and make change happen. You just gotta think it and believe it. If you do feel stuck, try jumping up, doing the task, and telling yourself "Despite that old habit of freezing up, I am up right now and I am productive!" Keep your language in the present –– no conditional, future or past language should form part of your action statements. And definitely no "if only" statements –– those are for people who truly don't want to be fulfilled in life. Iron your clothes. Let's say you're sitting on the couch, staring at your computer and all the would-be spreadsheets you wished would create themselves right now. Give it up. Instead, do something teeny, like ironing your clothes. You'll get out the iron, get out the board, get out your shirt, and five minutes into it you'll think, "Why am I wasting time ironing my clothes?" You'll put it down, be a little more awake from the activity, and get going on what you actually wanted to get done. And the other upside? You'll have a pressed shirt. It doesn't have to be ironing, obviously. It could even be showering. Just getting up and doing something is sometimes the hardest obstacle -- when it's something small, it greases the tracks for us, making all activity smoother sailing. Exercise. The benefits of exercise are innumerable, really, but one of the main ones is to feel more energized 24/7. It gets your blood flowing, your metabolism up, and your body in an energized state that lasts practically all day. If getting going in the morning is an issue for you, exercise for even 15 minutes. You'll feel more lively through the afternoon. Did we mention it's also a huge part of being healthy? When we're healthy, we feel better on the whole. If you're not currently exercising (especially aerobic, but anaerobic, too), make efforts to put it into your routine. The goal should be around 150 minutes a week, but whatever you can muster, do it. While we're at it, eat healthy, too. Junk food doesn't give your body the nutrients it needs to be active. A body lacking in energy can easily cause you to feel lazy and apathetic –– it's a good idea to get a doctor's check-up if you're worried about your nutrient intake or energy levels. Dress the part. Sometimes we lack motivation for life. Just life. We become complacent in our jobs, our living situation, our relationships, and we just sort of fester in our own little world, knowing we should be trying harder to expand. The easiest way to start on that path to change? Dress differently. Whether you're a pizza delivery guy wishing you were on the floor of the Stock Exchange or a couch potato wishing you were running the Boston Marathon, changing your clothes may change your behavior. If you don't believe it, think of it this way: How would you address a guy in a suit? After a while, that guy in a suit starts living in a world that addresses him like a guy in a suit. So get your jogging pants on. Eventually you'll end up wondering why you're not jogging. Start. Everything begins somewhere, even if it's pulling the staples out of the piece of paper you have to get on with reading or wiping the fog off the windshield so you can drive the car out of your driveway. Overcoming the initial inertia that is natural for most human beings faced with difficult situations or tasks will immediately ease the pain of avoiding it. It will also highlight how to keep tackling it further. Eating the elephant one bite at a time will create momentum and you'll accumulate the confidence to stay motivated and find things less intimidating. Expecting life to be easy street is unrealistic –– life is often difficult, and sometimes, it's really difficult. But life is also wonderful, surprising, exciting and filled with hope. By being lazy, you excommunicate yourself from the possibilities of life and that's self-destructive. By improving your own attitude toward daily discomforts and learning to tolerate things that impact you, your resilience grows and you will find yourself becoming more constructive. Whenever something seems mammoth, hard and undesirable, just start it. Don't argue about it, don't make excuses, don't fight it––just get stuck into it with small steps. To help motivate yourself, try using the 5-second rule. When you start to feel stressed or get the urge to procrastinate, give yourself 5 seconds to start the activity. This keeps you from sitting around and rationalizing it, and gets you going. Take your time. It's vital to break down your job into small steps. The smaller things are, the more accessible they are and the more doable they seem. When you actively seek a way to do a task or reach a goal that involves a sense of control and takes a relaxed approach, you'll feel capable rather than threatened. Often laziness is about feeling overwhelmed by everything and giving up because the mental hurdle before you seems too huge. The answer is to trust in the power of small. This doesn't mean you can't switch between tasks –– you most certainly can, and variety is the spice of maintaining interest. What it does mean though is that each small task must be done separately, with clean breaks between each one rather than fiddling here and there at the same time. Also, when moving between each task, find clean breakpoints so that it's easy to resume when you return to the task after a break. It is often said that those who complain they have no time are wasting it in inefficient ways, like multi-tasking. The human brain works inefficiently when there is constant pressure to do several things under tight deadlines –– in other words, multi-tasking dumbs us down. Free yourself by doing what matters in neat order, without guilt. Give yourself pep talks. You are your own coach, your own source of inspiration. You can gear yourself into action by telling yourself inspiring things and affirming your actions. Tell yourself such things as: "I want to do this; I am doing this now!" and "I can take a break when this is done and that break will be deserved all the more for completing this task." Say these things out loud if needed. You'll feel motivated by giving voice to your actions. It may help to regularly recite an empowering mantra to yourself throughout the day, such as "I can do this, I know it." You can also visualize certain activities as already completed and anticipate the sense of accomplishment that you will experience when it's done. Ask for help when you need it. Many people carry around an unwarranted fear that it's wrong to ask for the help of others. Whether this has developed as a result of an earlier unkind encounter, a stifling educational experience or a fiercely competitive workplace, it's an unhealthy attitude toward life. We are social beings and part of our existence is about sharing and helping one another. Getting from "me to we" takes a little practice but it's an important part of growing and ceasing to struggle alone. Sometimes having another person hold us accountable is the impetus to action we need. If you're struggling with weight loss, get a workout buddy! That other person puts a pressure on us we can't put on ourselves (in a good way). Make sure to surround yourself with people that support and drive you. When all we know are draining relationships, it's easy to see why laziness is a problem. Find your inner circle of people that make you feel good and channel them for guidance. Get real with yourself. Stay off the couch until you're ready to take a break. Even when you do sit, set a time when you'll return to your task or other activities such as reading a textbook, running a load of laundry or writing to a friend, etc. Self-discipline involves doing what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not. No matter how early your training begins, this remains the most difficult lesson to master. Strike a healthy balance between being lenient and strict with yourself and prioritize business over pleasure. Rewards are sweetest when you have to wait for them and when they're deserved. You'll just end up being hard on yourself if you end up watching TV for two hours after 10 minutes of work. Resist. You'll feel better in the long run. Compliment yourself every step of the way. Before you gulp at the possible arrogance of this, remember that this isn't a vanity-fest –– it's about maintaining your motivation. Whenever you finish a step, a small goal, a signpost along the way, find ways to cheer yourself on. Completing a task or effort will feel remarkably good each time. Celebrate the achievement by telling yourself that you've done well. Say something like: "Good stuff! You're on a roll; keep this up and you're going to make it to the end of this". Since big successes are made up of many little continuous successes (each small achievement is heroic), acknowledge your diligence accordingly. Learn to reward yourself for the very small things you complete or try. Occasional rewards will sweeten the tasks and help keep you on track. If you manage to do something that you didn't the day before or that you were absolutely dreading, you deserve a nice treat. By rewarding yourself after completion of small milestones along the way to the big one, you build in automatic reinforcement that you're doing the right thing. Keep most rewards simple but effective, such as extended breaks, catching a movie, splurging on a calorie-laden snack (once in a while!) or similar things. Leave really large rewards for the overall achievement or endpoint. By using self-rewards, you'll train your mind to actively seek working before the reward. Breaks are rewards and necessities. Don't confuse the need to take regular short breaks to restore creativity and freshness with laziness. Clearly, the flip side to rewards is punishment. People respond best to positive reinforcement and it's best to stick to the rewards. Punishing yourself for not achieving things will simply backfire, confirming your worst-held beliefs about yourself that you're lazy and good-for-nothing. That's a pointless exercise if ever there was one. Write down your goals each week. A list of weekly goals will help you stay focused and motivated. As you go, it's inevitable that your goals will change. You'll also pinpoint the ways that are most effective for achieving them. As they morph, so should your list. Post the list everywhere and anywhere. Try making it your lock screen on your device or phone. To do this, simply write them in your notes, take a screenshot and make it your background. Create daily goals, monthly goals, and even yearly goals to keep looking at every day differently. Realize that life is about trading costs and benefits. To enjoy any benefit, there is usually a cost to be suffered. The pain/suffering cost is usually emotional, often physical and sometimes psychic. Often that pain involves a feeling of being left out or going without while others don't seem to be putting up with the same challenges (usually they have their own challenges which you don't see though). And that pain can cause you to avoid, distract and seek safety in a comfort zone. To push past your comfort zone, you'll need to face the pain before you can reach the possibilities. Assess whether a potential benefit is worth the cost to you. If it is worth it (and most times, it will be), draw on your ever-evolving maturity to generate the required courage, endurance and discipline that will give you the strength to achieve brilliant outcomes. Nobody achieves anything without effort and pain. Know that the work is worth it. Most experts, professionals and geniuses will readily admit that most of their achievements are 99 percent sweat and one percent talent. Undisciplined talent gets few people anywhere –– excellence in academics, financial autonomy, sports, the performing arts and relationships demands steady and consistent thoughtfulness and work that strains even the best of us emotionally and physically. Your will to survive and flourish needs to translate to your will to work and suffer when to do so is both necessary and useful. You won't be a great businessman, a great runner, a great cook, or even great at your job overnight. You'll fail and fail and fail and fail. This is normal. This is good. This means you're still going. Declutter your schedule. Having too many activities or distractions in your daily life can make it easy to avoid the things you need to do. Try to declutter your schedule by delegating important tasks and removing non-necessary ones. Turn off distractions, and focus on your goals. For example, if you are trying to write 1,000 words every weekend but find you keep falling short because of your extracurricular activities, consider getting rid of one of them. By cutting out even one one-hour meeting a week, you'll have more time to reach your goal. Stay on track. There will be times when it gets harder and post-reward you can sometimes feel a bit flat about returning to the task at hand. In such times, you'll need to draw on inner reserves to remind yourself of the goal or solution sought to stay focused. Make the most of feeling that you're on a roll –– when you're in that state (often termed "the flow state"), use it to leap to another task or goal as soon as you're done rewarding yourself. The longer that you delay restarting after finishing one element in your tasks or goals, the harder it becomes to restart. Remember the feelings of being deeply involved in getting things done, and how good it feels to achieve things. And the sooner you restart, the more confident you'll feel and the sooner these good feelings will be restored. Consider asking someone to be your accountability partner. If, for example, you have a goal of going to the gym every day, ask a friend to hold you accountable. Text them every day after you go. If you don't go, have them text you to remind you of your goal. Don't give up. It's one thing to find your motivation. But it's quite something else to keep it going when the going gets tough, especially in the face of unforeseen problems. Realize that interruptions happen, often for no reason, and they'll upend your efforts. Rather than letting setbacks demotivate you, see them for what they are and refuse to be flattened by them. You're not alone and staying focused on working through challenges is one of the best ways of coping and bouncing back. Remind yourself how much you want to achieve your goal or task, seek help where needed, take stock of what you have already achieved and then refuse to give up. You got this. | Figure out the real issue. Focus on the actual problem. Get organized. Monitor that self-talk. Practice mindfulness. Think of the benefits. Jump out of bed. Set some achievable goals. Make a checklist of the desires, goals and motivations you want to move towards. Regularly revisit the importance and value of the problem or goal. Tell yourself you can do something. Iron your clothes. Exercise. Dress the part. Start. Take your time. Give yourself pep talks. Ask for help when you need it. Get real with yourself. Compliment yourself every step of the way. Learn to reward yourself for the very small things you complete or try. Write down your goals each week. Realize that life is about trading costs and benefits. Know that the work is worth it. Declutter your schedule. Stay on track. Don't give up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Your-Dad%27s-Birthday | How to Celebrate Your Dad's Birthday | To celebrate your Dad's birthday, plan a celebration that makes him feel special. You could give him a relaxing day at home if he needs to unwind or take him out to dinner for a more formal event. You can also organize a surprise party with family and friends to give him an unexpected celebration. Try to make his birthday special on the actual day by doing nice things for him. For example, bring him breakfast in bed, decorate the house before he gets home from work, or bake his favorite dessert. Another important thing to think about is getting the right birthday gift for your dad. Get him a gift based on his hobbies, film him a birthday video, or make him a thoughtful card. | Ask your dad what he wants to do on his birthday. See if he wants to do anything special. He may want to have a relaxing day with the family or go out and do something. Take what he says into consideration as you plan his birthday. If he doesn't mention anything specific, it's still okay to plan something fun for him! Asking your dad ahead of time also shows that you haven't forgotten his birthday and will let him know you truly care. Give your dad a relaxing day at home if he wants to unwind. For a more laid-back approach, let your dad have some down time on his birthday. Rather than him doing household chores or yard work, volunteer to do them instead so he can relax. Give him a book or his favorite movie and tell him to rest. He'll be sure to appreciate it! Light candles and keep his slippers right next to the door so he can relax immediately when he gets home. Take a trip for a milestone birthday. If your dad is turning 40 or 50, consider taking a trip together to celebrate his milestone! Think about where your dad has always wanted to visit. Whether you get there by car or plane, surprise him on his birthday with tickets or a hint of where you're going! Take a day trip in the car somewhere nearby if you only have the day to spend together. Plan the trip in advance of his birthday, especially if you're going for a prolonged period of time. Remember you and your dad will have to request off for work and places to stay. Organize a surprise party for an unexpected celebration. Who doesn't like a good surprise? Communicate with your family and friends to help prepare the event. Make different plans with your dad on the day of the party to lure him into the surprise. If everyone has kept quiet about the party, he'll have no idea it's coming! If your dad's birthday falls on a weekday, plan the party for the weekend after since more people are available then. If you throw a surprise party on a different day, still plan on doing something special with your dad on his actual birthday! Plan a dinner outing if he wants to spend time with the family. For a more formal and intimate event, have relatives you're close with come enjoy dinner as a family. You can eat in or go out to your dad's favorite restaurant. Have fun conversations and share loving memories about your dad. If you're out to eat, don't forget to tell the wait staff that it's your dad's birthday. They may come sing and celebrate or they could bring out desserts! Wake your dad up with breakfast in bed. Get up early enough to prepare food and surprise your dad while he's still in bed. Make him his favorite meal and put some extra effort into it. If he usually has eggs, make them into the eyes of a smiley face and make a smile out of bacon. If he eats oatmeal, put extra goodies in it like fruit with sugar and cinnamon. Don't forget to wish him a happy birthday right away. Surprise him at work around lunchtime if you’re able. If it's a weekday and your dad has to work, bring a lunch to his place of business and spend time with him. Go when he has a lunch break so you aren't interrupting his work or distracting his coworkers. Ask a family member to take you if you need help getting there. Decorate before he gets home. Hang streamers and blow up balloons to fill your house with color and celebration. Purchase a happy birthday banner or make one yourself with pieces of construction paper. When he gets home, he'll be surprised by the amount of work you've put in. Bake his favorite cake or dessert. Either purchase a box of cake mix or make one from scratch. Decorate the cake with icing and candles once it's finished. If his favorite dessert is a pie or something else, make that instead. Call your local bakery to ask for a specialty cake. Many bakeries can customize a message in the frosting for a more professional look. Play a game together. Take the time to sit down and enjoy each other in a cooperative or competitive game. It doesn't matter whether it's a board game you both love or a video game you can play together. Puzzle and strategy games help promote conversation and problem-solving. Don't be too competitive. Have fun with your dad. Go for a walk with each other. Going for a long walk is a great way to spend time outdoors and to talk to your dad. Hold conversation and listen intently to show that you care about his day. Find a nature trail near you or walk around your neighborhood. Go out for dinner. Treat your dad to a meal at his favorite restaurant. Tell him to get whatever he wants on the menu. Let the wait staff know that it's your dad's birthday. You never know if they have special deals, if they'll come out and sing to him, or if they'll give him free dessert! Make your dad a homemade meal. Your dad probably has a favorite meal that your family makes at home. Take some time to learn and prepare the meal for him. Cooking your dad a meal will show him how much you care. Ask your dad to cook with you to spend time together in the kitchen. Make him a card. Fold a piece of construction paper in half to form the basic card shape. Write a poem or a message for your dad inside in your neatest handwriting. Decorate the outside of the card with other pieces of paper, glitter glue, or a picture of your dad. Practice the message you plan on writing on a separate piece of paper first. That way, you can make sure the spelling is correct and you'll know exactly what to write. Find printable templates for birthday cards online. Film a birthday video for your dad. Record yourself talking about the reasons you appreciate him and wishing him a happy birthday. Do a dance, sing a song, or just do something that will make your dad smile. Include others in your video talking about what they love about your dad to make a commemoration for him. Post the video as private on YouTube so you can view the video anywhere and at any time without posting it to the public. Listen to your dad for gift ideas. Be attentive for the months leading up to his birthday. Listen for the phrases “I wish I had…” or “I really could use...” so you have an idea of what he could use. He'll be happy that you paid attention to what he was asking for. Make sure to stay aware of his purchases up until his birthday. If he needed something specific, he may have gotten it for himself. Buy him a gift based on his hobbies. If your dad likes to golf, buy him golf balls or a new club. If you and your father enjoy doing a certain hobby together, buy him something that you both can use. If your dad is a handyman, purchase him a tool he doesn't have. A new tie is a classic gift that a dad will appreciate. Take your dad to a sporting event or concert. Does your dad have a favorite sport? Does he like a specific band? Purchase 2 tickets so you can go with him to spend time together. If the event isn't on the day of his birthday, give him the tickets as a present and tell him what you'll be going to. Even if you don't enjoy an event that your dad would like to go to, he'll appreciate you spending time with him. | Ask your dad what he wants to do on his birthday. Give your dad a relaxing day at home if he wants to unwind. Take a trip for a milestone birthday. Organize a surprise party for an unexpected celebration. Plan a dinner outing if he wants to spend time with the family. Wake your dad up with breakfast in bed. Surprise him at work around lunchtime if you’re able. Decorate before he gets home. Bake his favorite cake or dessert. Play a game together. Go for a walk with each other. Go out for dinner. Make your dad a homemade meal. Make him a card. Film a birthday video for your dad. Listen to your dad for gift ideas. Buy him a gift based on his hobbies. Take your dad to a sporting event or concert. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Small-Portions-During-Meals | How to Eat Small Portions During Meals | To eat smaller portions during meals, portion out your food on small-sized plates to reduce the amount of food you'll eat. During meals you can set a timer for 20 minutes to help you eat more slowly, which will give your body time to become full, reducing the urge to overeat. A good way to space out your meal is to put down your fork between bites and to take sips of water. Finally, remember to stop eating when you're satisfied, not full, as this will ensure you don't overeat. | Read the labels. Reading the food labels on food packages will allow you to figure out exactly how many or how much of the food is in one portion. For example: 15 chips, 1/2 cup or 1/2 the package. This information will also help you figure out how many calories, fat or carbohydrates are in one serving of the food. This can be helpful if you're dieting or following a particular eating pattern. It's particularly important to follow the serving sizes for calorie-containing beverages like juice or sports drinks and snack foods. Sometimes the "individual" sizes are actually 2 servings. Eat larger portions of fruits and vegetables. Aim for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. These low-calorie powerhouses provide essential nutrients to your diet. About 1 cup of raw vegetables and 2 cups of leafy greens counts as 1 serving of vegetables. About 1 cup of fruit or 1/2 cup dried fruit counts as 1 serving of fruit. The amount of fruits and vegetables you need each day may depend on your age, gender and level of physical activity. Eat smaller portions of grains and starches. High carbohydrate foods like grains and starches can be a healthy part of your diet. However, compared to fruits, vegetables and lean protein, they contain fewer nutrients and more calories. It's important to monitor your portion sizes of these types of foods. 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of cereal or 1/2 cup of pasta, rice or barley is considered one serving. Allot 2-3 servings of grains daily. Always try to choose 100% whole grains when possible. These have higher amounts of fiber and nutrients compared to refined grains. Measure how much you eat. Serve yourself the amount you'd normally eat and measure it. This will give you a definitive amount that you're consuming. Are you eating 5 oz of chicken, 1 cup of salad and 1 cup of rice? Understanding how big or small your normal portion sizes are can help you figure out how you're going to decrease their size. Purchase a food scale or a set of measuring cups so you can accurately determine how much you're eating. These are also great tools to keep you on track long term with your smaller portions. Really analyze how much you're consuming at each meal. Then, think about which parts you could reduce without diminishing your enjoyment of it. Buy smaller silverware and utensils. Many studies have shown that the larger sized dishes and serving utensils you use, the more food you consume. Avoid this slip up by purchasing smaller plates and bowls and using a soup spoon instead of larger serving spoons. Use an appetizer or salad sized plate for your entrees. These are a great size for small portions. Try using the salad fork or a toddler fork to help decrease the amount of food per bite. This will slow you down and force you to take your time with your meals. Keep using a large water glass to help you consume a good quantity of water throughout your meal. This can also help keep your portions smaller. Start journaling. Keeping a food journal can give you a lot of insight into your eating habits. You can keep track of the types of foods you eat, the portions and your progress over time. Journaling can also give you insight to when and what times you're hungry. Knowing this information can help you plan ahead for a snack. You may also be able to notice eating and mood patterns. Maybe most of the time you eat an appropriate portion, but when you're stressed portion sizes increase. This is good information to help plan for portion control. Buy a journal that's pretty and you will get excited about using. Having something you enjoy writing in can help make sure that you stay consistent. Rate your hunger level. Check in with yourself throughout the day and rate your hunger level. Allowing yourself to get too hungry may lead to overeating at your next meal. It's much harder to stick to smaller portions if you're feeling completely famished. If you notice yourself getting hungry in the afternoon and you know dinner isn't until later in the evening, have a snack. A small snack can help tide you over until your next eating time and may prevent overeating later. Try to choose a snack that has lean protein and produce (fruit or vegetable). This healthy combination will keep you satisfied longer compared to a carbohydrate based snack. Examples include: a low-fat cheese stick and a small apple, 2 tbsp of peanut butter and celery sticks or 1/4 cup of hummus and carrots. Eat breakfast every day. Start your day off with a good breakfast. Eating breakfast has been shown to help you control your appetite throughout the day which may make it easier for you to stick to small portions. Ideally, include some lean protein and a fruit or vegetable for a more complete meal. For example, you might have scrambled eggs with vegetables, whole grain oatmeal with fruit or greek yogurt with fruit. Breakfast can be any time of day. However, try to eat within an hour or so from when you first wake up. Measure your portions. Using your measuring cups or food scale, always measure each of your meals. Aim to have 4-6 oz of lean protein and at least 1-2 servings of vegetables or fruit. After you have served yourself your portion, put the leftovers away. It'll be less tempting to go back for seconds. Use portion controlled tupperware containers for meals at work. You'll be able to know exactly how much you're eating even when you don't have your food scale handy. Drink 8 oz of water. You may feel hungry, but are actually just thirsty! Try drinking water or another clear, sugar-free beverage (like diet iced tea) shortly before meals. When you sit down to eat, you'll find that it takes less food to fill you. To prevent these common symptoms of dehydration, aim to drink 64 oz of clear, sugar-free liquids all day. Always have a water bottle close by and sip all day long! It can also be helpful to drink flavored water, diet tea or zero-calorie sports drinks. These may help you quiet down your hunger temporarily before your meal. Exercise for 15 minutes. A short bout of aerobic exercise (like a jog or bike ride) may help suppress your appetite and help you control your portion sizes. If you can, participate in at least 15 minutes of cardio prior to eating a meal. Try scheduling your daily gym session right before dinner or take a walk with co-workers before your lunch break. No time for cardio? Just try to do a few jumping jacks or squats. Even a modest amount of physical activity may help put you in a healthy mindset at your next meal. Turn off technology. Whether it's your cell phone, tablet, laptop or TV, turn it off! If you're checking emails or watching your favorite sitcom, this type of distracted eating can lead to the consumption of larger portions - you're unaware of how much you're eating in one sitting. Make a rule to only eat at the table when you're at home. At work, shut off your computer or log out of your email and other work programs. Try to focus on your food. Eat mindfully and fully enjoy all aspects of your meal. This will allow you to feel more satisfied after you've finished your meal. Eat lower-calorie foods first. Prior to eating your meal, have a serving of lower-calorie foods like vegetables or vegetable based soups. This can help decrease your hunger and fill your stomach with lower calorie foods allowing you to have more controlled portions. Keep cleaned and cut raw vegetables in your fridge. Set out a small serving for yourself as you cook or prepare your meals. Sip on broth or low-calorie vegetable soup. A hot mug of savory soup will help decrease your hunger and manage your portions throughout your meal. Time your meal. It should take you at least 20 minutes to complete your meal. It takes this amount of time for your brain to signal satisfaction and fullness. If you eat faster than this, you may end up consuming a lot more food than necessary to make you feel satisfied. Set a stop watch or timer for 20 minutes so you can clock yourself throughout your meal. Practice putting your fork down between bites, taking a sip of water or talking to friends/family while you eat. Take a deep breath and try to mentally center yourself before you eat. Stress and busy schedules can rush you through meals. Take time to really enjoy your meal time. Stop eating when you're satisfied, not full. Understanding the difference between satisfied, full and stuffed is important. An appropriate, small portion size should leave you feeling just satisfied. Satisfaction typically means you're no longer hunger. You may also notice you lose interest in your meal or are just beginning to feel a very faint stretching sensation in your stomach. Another way to think of satisfied is to think of your stomach as a gas tank. Aim to "fill" your stomach about 70% of the way up with food - not 100%. Eat more vegetables. Sometimes it can be hard to follow a smaller portion size. If you feel like you really need something else, eat more vegetables. They are low in calories and high in nutrients like fiber and vitamins. A few extra servings of veggies won't hurt. Try having a salad along with your meals. It's light, satisfying and can help make you feel a little more full if you need to. Double up on your veggie sides. Instead of having a starch (like rice or potatoes) and a vegetable, cook up two different types of veggies! Again, going back for seconds or doubling up on these low-calorie foods is OK. Pack more vegetables into your recipes. If you're making pasta or a stir fry, double the amount of vegetables the recipe calls for. It won't hurt to have a slightly bigger portion if most of your meal consists of vegetables. Print or buy a portion size guide. Most people won't pull out a set of measuring cups or a food scale at a nice restaurant. To keep you on track with portion sizes, have a guide on hand like this one from WebMD Keep a copy of this guide in your wallet or purse. Pull it out once your meal arrives and compare what you're served with and the appropriate portion size listed. Divide your plate by the "correct portion" size and "leftovers." Ask to box the leftovers immediately so they're no longer a temptation. Choose your meal before you go. Do a little research before you head out to eat. Knowing what options are available prior to ordering helps you stay away from temptations and stick to your smaller portion size. Check out the menu and nutrition information online if available. Choose 1-2 items that seem good and will fit into your small portion. Call ahead and see if they're able to half or smaller portions. It can help you prepare for whether you will need to take home leftovers. Leave food on your plate. Learning to leave a little bit of leftovers on your plate is a good habit to get into. You can almost guarantee that restaurant portions are much larger than recommended. Plan on having leftovers. When you eat out, ask the waiter to box a quarter—or even half—of your meal before you get it. You'll have the perfect leftover portion for the next day. Ask your server if they have half or petite portions if it's difficult for you to leave items on your plate. Split an entrée with a friend or family member. This is another good option if you have a hard time not finishing the whole portion. If you split it, it's automatically portion controlled! Order an appetizer for your main course. This is a great way to manage portions. Starters are usually smaller (and cheaper!) than entrées. There's also a low risk of finishing "more than you should" which can happen with larger entrée sized meals. Try tapas too! Some restaurants serve tapas which are very small portions of dishes. You can order 1-2 small tapas and overall still maintain a small portion size. It's great for those who like to try a variety of dishes. If you don't order an appetizer, try order a child's size portion. Again, these are much smaller than an adult entrée and make portion control a lot easier. Beware of "kid foods" - sometimes portions are smaller but the choices might not be very healthy. | Read the labels. Eat larger portions of fruits and vegetables. Eat smaller portions of grains and starches. Measure how much you eat. Buy smaller silverware and utensils. Start journaling. Rate your hunger level. Eat breakfast every day. Measure your portions. Drink 8 oz of water. Exercise for 15 minutes. Turn off technology. Eat lower-calorie foods first. Time your meal. Stop eating when you're satisfied, not full. Eat more vegetables. Print or buy a portion size guide. Choose your meal before you go. Leave food on your plate. Order an appetizer for your main course. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cupcakes | How to Make Cupcakes | To make vanilla cupcakes, first preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Then, add ¼ cup (55 g) of softened butter, ¼ cup (60 mL) of vegetable oil, and ¾ cup (150 g) of sugar to a large bowl. Cream everything together with a hand mixer until well blended. Next, beat in ¾ cup (175 mL) of buttermilk, 2 eggs, and 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of vanilla extract. Gradually mix in 1 ¾ cup (225 g) of flour, then add 2 teaspoons (8 g) of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon (1 ½ g) of salt. Mix until all of the ingredients are just combined, and pour the batter into the muffin pan so each cupcake liner is half full. Bake the cupcakes for 14-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Finally, let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them. To make your own vanilla frosting, first beat 1 cup (220 g) of softened butter in a bowl until it's smooth. Then, add 3 cups (360 g) of confectioner's sugar and 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of vanilla extract, and mix until well blended. Finally, gradually beat in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of heavy cream. | Preheat your oven to 325ºF (162ºC). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. Set the pan aside. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Combine 1 3/4 cups of cake flour (not self-rising), 1 1/4 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour, 2 cups of sugar, and 1 tsp. of baking powder together in a bowl. Mix the ingredients until they're combined, for about 3 minutes. Add 4 sticks of unsalted cubed butter to the mixture. Mix it in until the butter is just coated with flour. Add 4 large eggs to the mixture, one at a time. Add the eggs one by one until each egg is incorporated into the mixture. Add 1 cup of whole milk and 1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract to the batter. Mix the ingredients together until they're completely mixed, taking the time to scrape down the bowl so no ingredients are stuck. Fill each baking cup 2/3 full with the batter. This will give the cupcakes enough room to expand. Bake for 17-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, start inserting a toothpick into the cupcakes. Once it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done and should be taken out of the oven. Check back every 2 minutes until they're ready. Make the frosting. You can do this while the cupcakes are cooking. To make the frosting, just cream 2 sticks of softened butter, 3 cups of confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup of milk, and 2 tsp. of vanilla extract together. Beat the mixture with a paddle until it's smooth and gradually add the other 3 cups of sugar until it's rich and creamy. Cool the cupcakes. Cool them for at least 3-5 minutes so they don't melt the frosting. Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting. Use a spoon or paddle to place the frosting generously over the tops of the cupcakes. Serve. Enjoy these tasty cupcakes any time at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC). Line 24 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper baking cups. Set them aside. Combine the chocolate milk, oil, eggs, and cake mix in a large bowl. Combine 1 1/3 cups of chocolate milk, 1/2 cup of canola oil, 3 large eggs, and 1 19.5-oz. package of dark chocolate cake mix together in a bowl. Mix the ingredients. Mix them together with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat the mixture on medium for 2 more minutes. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Spoon the batter so the cups are 2/3 full, which will give the cupcakes enough room to expand. Bake the cupcakes for 18 - 24 minutes. After 15 minutes, start inserting a toothpick into the cupcakes. Once it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done and should be taken out of the oven. Check back every 2 minutes until they're ready. Then, remove the cupcakes from the tins and leave them to cool on wire racks. Make the marshmallow filling. You can do this while the cupcakes are baking. Microwave 3 tbsp. of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe covered bowl. Then, stir in 1 1/2 7-oz. jars of marshmallow cream to the butter. Then, microwave the crème and butter for 1 more minute. Cool this mixture for 2 minutes and then beat it with an electric mixer for at least 1 minute, until it's nice and smooth. Make a 1/2-inch slit in the bottom center of each cupcake. Spoon the marshmallow filling into a pastry bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe the filling into the slits in the cupcake. Combine 2/3 cup of heavy cream and 1 tbsp. of light corn syrup in a small saucepan. Cook the ingredients over medium heat until they're boiling. Then, pour 1 10-oz. bag of dark chocolate chips into the mixture and stir it until it's completely smooth. Let the mixture cool until it thickens, for 4-5 minutes. Dip the cupcake tops into the chocolate mixture. Smooth out the tops with a knife if necessary. Then, place the cupcakes into another paper liner and let the chocolate harden a bit. Spoon the vanilla frosting into a pastry bag. This bag should have a small round tip. Pipe a line of small loops around the center of each cake -- the loops should all intersect a bit. Then wait a few minutes for the chocolate mixture to set. Serve. Enjoy these tasty treats on their own or with a glass of milk. Preheat your oven to 325ºF (162ºC). Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift 1 1/4 cups of sifted cake flour (not self-rising), 3/4 tsp. of baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. of coarse salt. Halve one vanilla bean lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds and save them. Heat 1/4 cup milk and vanilla-bean pod and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat it just until bubbles appear around the edge. Then, remove it from heat. Whisk in 4 tbsp. of unsalted butter until it's melted. Then, let the mixture stand for 15 minutes to thicken. Strain the milk mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Discard the vanilla-bean pod. Whisk together the whole eggs, yolks, and sugar. Use an electric mixer set on medium to whisk together 3 whole eggs, 3 egg yolks, and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Place the mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk the ingredients by hand until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm. This should take about 5-6 minutes. Then, remove the bowl from heat. Whisk the mixture with an electric mixer on high heat. Continue to whisk it until the mixture is pale yellow, fluffy, and thick enough to hold a ribbon on the surface for a few seconds when the whisk is lifted. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in three batches. First, stir 1/2 cup of the batter into the milk mixture to thicken it, then fold the milk mixture into the rest of the batter until you've just combined all of the ingredients. Fill each cup 2/3 full with the batter. This will give the cupcakes enough room to expand. Distribute the batter evenly among the cups. Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes. Rotate the tins halfway through. Continue to cook the cupcakes until the centers are solid -- you can test them by sticking a toothpick in the center of the cupcakes -- and the edges of the cupcakes are light golden brown. Then, transfer the tins to wire racks to cool the cupcakes completely. Make the syrup. To make the syrup, stir together 1/3 cup of very strong coffee, 1 oz. of marsala wine, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Let this syrup cool. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the syrup. Continue to do this until you've used all of the syrup. Let the cupcakes stand to absorb the liquid for 30 minutes. Make the frosting. Set an electric mixer on medium speak and whisk together 1 cup of heavy cream. Whisk together 8 oz. of mascarpone cheese and 1/2 cup of sifted confectioners' sugar until the mixture is smooth. Then, fold the whipped heavy cream into the cheese mixture until it's blended. Dollop the frosting onto the cupcakes. Refrigerate the cupcakes overnight in airtight containers to settle them. Serve. Dust these tasty treats with cocoa powder and enjoy them at any time. Gather your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC). Put in your butter and sugar. Mix until fluffy and well stuck together. You may want to start with a wooden spoon because butter gets stuck to the hand mixer very easily. Pour in your eggs in small portions and mix every time you pour them in. The batter should get a little more runny than before. Put in the flour mixed with baking powder in small portions and mix. When you're done the batter will get chunky. Don't worry about that, just make it a little more soft by mixing it on a faster speed. Put the prepared batter in small sized cupcake shells and leave it to bake in the pre-heated oven for around 20-25 minutes. Spread icing or frosting over the cupcakes and serve. Make chocolate cupcakes. Make these tasty simple chocolate cupcakes with a healthy dose of chocolate chips. Make vanilla cupcakes. Make these yummy vanilla cupcakes with eggs, flour, a few other ingredients, and the frosting of your choice. Make vegan cupcakes. Make these delicious vegan cupcakes if you're a vegan with a sweet tooth. By substituting soy milk for regular milk and making a few other adjustments, you'll have vegan cupcakes in no time. Make Smore cupcakes. If you love the tasty ingredients of Smores, such as chocolate and graham cracker, then you'll love making this cupcake. A rich marshmallow frosting tops it off. Make unicorn cupcakes for a fun children's party. These cupcakes are a lot of fun, filled with a rainbow of colors and topped with a unicorn horn. | Preheat your oven to 325ºF (162ºC). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add 4 sticks of unsalted cubed butter to the mixture. Add 4 large eggs to the mixture, one at a time. Add 1 cup of whole milk and 1 tsp. Fill each baking cup 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Make the frosting. Cool the cupcakes. Decorate the cupcakes with the frosting. Serve. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC). Line 24 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper baking cups. Combine the chocolate milk, oil, eggs, and cake mix in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Bake the cupcakes for 18 - 24 minutes. Make the marshmallow filling. Make a 1/2-inch slit in the bottom center of each cupcake. Combine 2/3 cup of heavy cream and 1 tbsp. Dip the cupcake tops into the chocolate mixture. Spoon the vanilla frosting into a pastry bag. Serve. Preheat your oven to 325ºF (162ºC). Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Halve one vanilla bean lengthwise. Heat 1/4 cup milk and vanilla-bean pod and seeds in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 4 tbsp. Strain the milk mixture through a sieve into a bowl. Whisk together the whole eggs, yolks, and sugar. Place the mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk the mixture with an electric mixer on high heat. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in three batches. Fill each cup 2/3 full with the batter. Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes. Make the syrup. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the syrup. Make the frosting. Dollop the frosting onto the cupcakes. Serve. Gather your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (176ºC). Put in your butter and sugar. Pour in your eggs in small portions and mix every time you pour them in. Put in the flour mixed with baking powder in small portions and mix. Put the prepared batter in small sized cupcake shells and leave it to bake in the pre-heated oven for around 20-25 minutes. Spread icing or frosting over the cupcakes and serve. Make chocolate cupcakes. Make vanilla cupcakes. Make vegan cupcakes. Make Smore cupcakes. Make unicorn cupcakes for a fun children's party. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Acupressure-Points-for-Migraine-Headaches | How to Use Acupressure Points for Migraine Headaches | To use acupressure points for migraine headaches, gently press the point between your eyebrows, where the bridge of the nose connects to the forehead, for about 1 minute. Next, use both index fingers to apply pressure at the inner corners of both eyes, just above the eyelids, for 1 minute. Then, use your thumbs to massage the 2 hollows on the sides of your neck, near the base of the skull, with deep, firm pressure for 4-5 seconds. Remember to relax and breathe deeply as you massage pressure points for the best results! | Stimulate the Third Eye Point. Each acupressure point has many different names, those based in its ancient use and the more modern name, which is often a combination of letter and numbers. The Third Eye Point, also called GV 24.5, helps relieve headache and head congestion. This point is found between the eyebrows, where the bridge of the nose connect to your forehead. Press this point with firm, but gentle pressure for one minute. You can try simple pressure or apply a circular motion. See which works best for you. Try Drilling Bamboo. Drilling Bamboo, also called Bright Lights Points or B2, helps headaches that are located more in the front of the head. These pressure points are located at the inner corners of both eyes, just above the eyelid and on the bone surrounding your eye. Use the tops of both your index fingers and apply pressure to both points at the same time for one minute. You can stimulate each side separately if you want. Just make sure to do it for one minute on each side. Press Welcome Fragrance. Welcome Fragrance, also called Welcome Perfume and LI20, helps migraine headaches and sinus pain. This point is located on the outer side of each nostril, near the bottom of your cheekbone. Apply a deep, firm pressure or use a circular pressure. Do this for one minute. Press Feng Chi. Feng Chi, also called GB20 or the Gates of Consciousness, is a common pressure point used for migraines. GB20 found just below the ear. To find the point, find the two hollows on the sides of the neck at the base of the skull. You can thread your fingers, gently cup your skull with your hands, and place your thumbs in the hollows at the base of the neck. Use your thumbs to massage the point with a deep and firm pressure. Press it for four to five seconds. If you know where the hollows are, you can try massaging them with your index or middle finger, or use your knuckles. Relax and breathe deeply as you massage GB20. You can massage and press this point for up to three minutes. Manipulate the points along your temple region. The temple region features a group of points that curve around the outer ear on your skull. They are located one index finger width from the edge of the outer ear. The first point, Hairline Curve, starts just above the tip of your ear. Each point is one index finger width behind the previous point, curling down and back around the ear. Apply pressure to each point on both sides of the head. You can apply simple pressure or circular pressure for one minute. Stimulate each point right after the previous one for best results. The points are in order from front to back Hairline Curve, Valley Lead, Celestial Hub, Floating White, and Head Portal Yin. Stimulate Wind Mansion. The Wind Mansion point, also called GV16, helps with migraines, stiff necks, and mental stress. It is located in the center of the back of the head halfway between your ears and spine. Find the hollow under the base of the skull and press into the middle. Put a deep, firm pressure against the point for at least one minute. Press on Heaven's Pillar. Heaven's Pillar is located on the neck. You can find it two index finger widths below the base of your skull. Just slide your finger or fingers down from the base or from one of the points located in the hollows. You can find it on the cords of muscle on the side of your spine. Apply simple pressure or circular pressure for one minute. Massage He Gu. He Gu, or Union Valley or LI4, is located in your hands. This point is in the web between your thumb and index finger. Use your left hand to apply pressure to your right LI4 and your right hand to apply pressure to your left LI4. Use a deep, firm pressure to press the point for at least one minute. Try Bigger Rushing. Bigger Rushing is another point that is located on your feet just between your big toe and second toe, in between the foot bones. Start at the webbing between your toes and slide back about an inch, so you can feel between the foot bones, to find the point. You can apply simple pressure or circular pressure for one minute. It may be easier for some people to use their thumbs on your feet. This is a good way to stimulate these points. Learn what acupressure is. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupressure is an approach that utilizes various points along 12 basic meridians. These meridians are energy pathways that are believed to carry “qi” or “chi,” which is the Chinese term for life energy. The basic concept in acupressure is that if there is a blockage in qi, illness is a consequence. The application of pressure in acupressure can unblock these energy pathways and restore the easy and unimpeded flow of qi. Acupressure has been shown to benefit migraine headaches in a number of clinical studies. Use the correct amount of pressure. When you do acupressure, you should try to use the right amount of pressure. Press the points with a deep, firm pressure when you stimulate the points. When you press the points, you may feel some soreness or pain, but it shouldn't be unbearable. It should feel somewhere between pain and pleasure. Your overall health determines the amount of pressure you place onto the pressure points. Some pressure points will feel tense when pressed. If at any time you feel extreme or increasing pain, gradually decrease the pressure until you feel a balance between pain and pleasure. You should not try to endure any pain during acupressure. If something feels so painful that it's uncomfortable or excruciating, then stop applying pressure. Choose the proper pressing aids. Since acupressure requires the pressing of pressure points, you need to make sure you use the right things to help you press the points. Most commonly, practitioners of acupressure use their fingers to massage and stimulate the pressure points. The middle finger works best to apply pressure to the pressure points. This is because it is the longest and strongest finger. You may also use the thumb. Some smaller, hard-to-reach pressure points can be pressed using a fingernail. Other parts of the body, such as the knuckles, elbows, knees, legs, or feet can also be used. To correctly press a pressure point, you should press with something blunt. For some pressure points, the tip of the finger may be too thick. You can try a pencil eraser for small points. You may also consider using an avocado pit or golf ball. Talk to your doctor about using acupressure. You can try these acupressure points on your own or you can go see an acupressurist or a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. If you decide to try these acupressure points, you should always let your physician know what you are doing to help yourself. These points will not interfere with any medication or any other approach your physician may recommend. If these acupressure points provide relief, make certain you let your physician know. However, make sure to see your physician if these points do not provide relief. Identify the two different types of headaches. There are two basic types of headaches: a primary headache that is not caused by any other disorders, and a secondary headache that is caused by another disorder. A migraine is a primary headache. Other types of primary headaches include tension headaches and cluster headaches. A secondary headache can be caused by strokes, very high blood pressure, fever, or a problem in the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint). Recognize the symptoms of migraines. Migraine headaches generally are only on one side of the head. Most commonly, they occur at the forehead or the temples. The pain can be moderate to very severe and may be preceded by an aura. Most people with migraines also get nauseous, are sensitive to light, odors, and sounds. Moving around generally makes the headache worse. An aura is a temporary disturbance in how you process environmental information. Auras may be visual, like flashing lights, blinking lights, or zigzags of light, or they may be the detection of smells. Other auras may be numbness that marches up either arm, speech disturbances, or confusion. About 25% of people with migraines also have auras. Migraines can be triggered by all sorts of things and vary from one person to another. Potential triggers include red wine, missing meals or fasting, environmental stimuli such as flashing lights or strong odors, changes in weather, lack of sleep, stress, hormonal factors, particularly a woman's period, certain foods, head trauma including traumatic brain injury, neck pain, and TMJ dysfunction. Recognize the red flags for headache medical emergencies. Headaches of any kind should always be evaluated by a physician. In some situations, a headache may signal a medical emergency. The red flags for medical emergencies are: A severe headache that occurs along with a fever and a stiff neck. This might be a sign of meningitis. A thunderclap headache. This is a sudden and very severe headache that can signal a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding under the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. Tenderness, with sometimes a pulsating blood vessel, at the temple. This can, especially in older people who have lost weight, signal a condition called giant cell arteritis Reddened eyes and seeing halos around lights. This can be a sign of glaucoma, which if left untreated can lead to permanent blindness Sudden or severe headaches in people with cancer or a weakened immune system, like post-transplant patients and those with HIV-AIDS. See your physician. Headaches can be symptoms of very serious conditions. You should go see your doctor to determine if you have a problem with primary headaches or a secondary condition that causes headaches. If you meet one or more of the following conditions, make certain you see a physician within a day or two, but no later: Headaches that occur with increasing frequency or severity Headaches that begin after the age of 50 Changes in vision Weight loss Treat migraines medically. Medical treatment for migraines include the determination and elimination of triggers, along with managing stress and treatment. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe medications such as triptans (Sumatriptna/Imatrex or Zolmitriptan/Zomig), dihydroergotamine (Migranal), and a drug to control nausea and vomiting, if these are present. Triptans and dihydroergotamine cannot be used in people with coronary artery disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure and must be used cautiously in elderly patients or those with cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, high levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides, or who have been diagnosed with diabetes. | Stimulate the Third Eye Point. Try Drilling Bamboo. Press Welcome Fragrance. Press Feng Chi. Manipulate the points along your temple region. Stimulate Wind Mansion. Press on Heaven's Pillar. Massage He Gu. Try Bigger Rushing. Learn what acupressure is. Use the correct amount of pressure. Choose the proper pressing aids. Talk to your doctor about using acupressure. Identify the two different types of headaches. Recognize the symptoms of migraines. Recognize the red flags for headache medical emergencies. See your physician. Treat migraines medically. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Clothes-Creasing-During-Wear | How to Avoid Clothes Creasing During Wear | With a bit of preparation, you can avoid your clothes becoming creased as you wear them. Make sure that your clothes are completely dry before you put them on. Damp or warm clothes crease more easily. It can also help to iron your clothes inside-out before you wear them. Make sure to read the care label for each garment to determine the correct heat setting. You can also change how you sit while you're wearing your clothes to avoid creating creases. When you sit down, pull your clothes down so that they rest flat. For example, if you're wearing a dress or dress shirt, pull it down slightly on the tail as you sit so that it doesn't wrinkle against your body. Try not to cross your legs while you sit to avoid wrinkling the fabric on your legs. | Wait until your clothes have cooled to wear them. Fabrics most easily crease when they are still damp or warm. Be sure that your clothes are room temperature and completely dry before putting them on. Just as you don't want to put on clothes that are still warm from the dryer, try to avoid getting wet or sweaty during the day. This will cause your clothes to crease. Iron your clothes properly. Before you wear your clothes, be sure to iron them inside-out, and along the seam lines. This will help minimize the amount of creases that form throughout the day. Be sure to read the clothing labels to determine the proper heat setting for your iron. Ensure that you are wearing the proper size. Trousers that are too baggy have a tendency to bag and bunch, causing rumples and wrinkles to appear. Trousers that are too tight, on the other hand, have a tendency to pull and buckle which creates a different sort of wrinkle that will reappear every time you wear them. If you are not sure how your trousers should fit, get professional advice from a tailor. Choose your fabrics wisely. If you know that you have a long meeting that requires you to sit for several hours, do not choose fabrics like silk that crease quickly. Try to choose stiffer fabrics for days that you can't have any creases in your clothing, or will be doing activities that cause creasing. Purchase wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Cotton clothing will wrinkle more than clothes that have a mix of synthetic fabric in them. A shirt that has 50% polyester and 50% cotton may wrinkle less than a full cotton shirt. When buying clothes, look for tags that say they are wrinkle-resistant, or purchase higher quality clothing. Clothes made of wrinkle resistant fabric are available in a wide variety of colors, styles and cuts, and can be found in both formal and informal styles. Spray your clothes lightly with starch or fabric finish spray. The product label will give further instructions on how to spray your clothes. These sprays work to increase fabric crispness and support the fabric's ability to hold shape all day. Invest in a bottle of wrinkle-releasing spray. These products are not as effective as ironing, but they do work to reshape fabrics back to their natural shape. These sprays can also prevent creases from forming throughout the day. Pull your clothes flat when you sit. One of the most common places for clothes to fold and crease is near your bottom and thighs when you sit. The fabric may get folded and permanently crease after you stand up. For dresses or dress shirts, pull down slightly on the tail when you sit so you are sitting on it flat, as opposed to pressing wrinkles into it with your body. In the car, unbutton the bottom button of your shirt and lay it over the lap belt. This will help prevent creasing along the area where your seat belt rests. Avoid crossing your legs. If you are in the habit of crossing your legs when you sit, be careful, as it will crease your pants. Just like when you sit, crossing your legs creates small folds in the fabric of your clothes that press down to create creases and wrinkles. Try sitting with your legs uncrossed on days you are avoiding creases. When you are sitting at a desk or table, if space permits, stretch your legs out and keep them outstretched. Don't put pressure on your clothes. The more contact and pressure your clothing receives, the more it will crease. Try to let your clothing hang loose and not be pressed up against your body by your hands, folded arms, bags, or jacket for long periods of time. Stand as much as possible. If you are at a party or other event where sitting is not required, stay standing. Sitting is mostly responsible for pant creases in the legs and the seat. If you are able to stand, you will minimize the opportunities for your trousers or dress to wrinkle. Invest in a bottle of wrinkle-releasing spray. These products are not as effective as ironing, but hanging your garment, spraying it with the product and then using your hands to remove wrinkles can be very effective. A spray bottle filled with fabric softener has pretty much the same effect and would be far less expensive. Get the crease wet and pull. If you do find yourself with a crease, get it wet with warm water and gently pull at the fabric. This should reshape and release the creased fabric back to the original shape. Use a blow dryer. Heat helps to release creases. If you find yourself with light creases in your clothing, try to hold a blow dryer to the crease to soften the wrinkle and smooth out the fabric. Hold the blow dryer about ten inches away from the fabric and keep it set on low. Don't hold the blow dryer in the same spot because it may burn the fabric. Instead, wave the blow dryer around from side to side. | Wait until your clothes have cooled to wear them. Iron your clothes properly. Ensure that you are wearing the proper size. Choose your fabrics wisely. Purchase wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Spray your clothes lightly with starch or fabric finish spray. Invest in a bottle of wrinkle-releasing spray. Pull your clothes flat when you sit. Avoid crossing your legs. Don't put pressure on your clothes. Stand as much as possible. Invest in a bottle of wrinkle-releasing spray. Get the crease wet and pull. Use a blow dryer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Deaf-Cat | How to Help a Deaf Cat | If you live with a cat that's already deaf, you can communicate with it using body language and visual cues. For example, to tell your cat “no,” try standing where it can see you and waving your arms above your head. It's important to encourage good behaviors as well, so use a visual command, such as a hand signal, to ask your cat to do something. You can then reinforce the behavior by rewarding it with a treat. If your cat is beginning to lose its hearing, keep it indoors to protect it from dangers it can't hear. You can also avoid startling your cat by warning it that you are approaching. Try flashing the lights in the room on and off or stomping your feet so the cat feels the vibrations. | Keep deaf cats indoors. Cats are safer indoors, anyway, but once a cat loses its hearing, being outdoors is particularly dangerous. They can't hear approaching dangers, so they're more likely to run into trouble, such as a car on the road. Tag your cat. Your cat should be tagged anyway, in case it gets outside, but tagging is especially important for deaf cats. Buy a collar and tag. On the tag, include your contact information, as well as a note about the cat's deafness. Be sure to attach the tag to a cat-safe collar. These collars are designed to break away if they get caught on something like a tree branch. This helps keep your cat from strangling or becoming seriously injured if they are caught. It's also a good idea to have your cat microchipped, as collars can come off. A microchip is a small chip inserted under your cat's skin that provides your contact information when scanned. Give the cat warning you're nearby. If you have a deaf cat, it will likely startle more easily. Help keep it calmer by alerting it to your presence. One approach is to stomp the floor so the cat can feel your vibrations before you come closer. You can also flash the ceiling lights to let your cat know you're nearby. You don't want to just swoop in and scoop up a cat who didn't know you were coming. It will scare the cat, who may lash out. Clap your hands for partially deaf cats. If your cat is losing its hearing but isn't completely deaf, clapping your hands nearby may be enough to get its attention. Put a bell on the cat. If your cat is wandering around somewhere in your home, it's obviously not going to hear you calling if you need it. Place a bell on the cat's collar so it makes noise when it walks, helping you pinpoint where it is in your home. Tell your cat "no" by waving your arms. Just like with any cat, you're going to have to tell your cat "no" sometimes, such as when it jumps somewhere it's not supposed to be. One way to do that with a deaf cat is to raise your arms above your head (to make yourself taller) and wave them as you approach the cat. Use a treat and a visual cue to teach your cat to come. Although most cats won't come every time you call them, you still want to teach your cat a visual cue for "come." When your cat is looking at you, hunch down on the floor, and create a hand signal, such as tapping the floor. Use a treat to entice it over. Reinforce this behavior until it gets the idea. Deter bad behavior with counter conditioning. Most cats respond to training, and a deaf cat is no different in this regard. If the cat is on top of something you'd rather it not be, place them on the ground and distract them with some play, then give them a treat. Your cat will begin to associate being on the ground rewards. Similarly, if your cat tries to run out the door whenever it is open, try directing them to a special spot away from the door and giving them a treat whenever you enter. Soon, your cat will learn to run to that spot and get a treat rather than trying to run out of the door. Look for ear mites. Ear mites can lead to some hearing loss. Fortunately, they are treatable, but you'll need to take the cat to the vet. Look in the ear to check for mites. You may notice dark colored discharge and coffee-like bits. Your cat's ears will likely itch, and you may also notice a rotten smell. Check for an infection. Another problem that can lead to hearing loss is an ear infection. Look for redness and inflammation inside the cat's ears, both the flaps and the canal. If you notice an issue, the cat could have an ear infection that needs to be treated by a vet. Visit the vet. If your cat suddenly loses its hearing for any reason, it's a good idea to visit the vet. As noted, it could be ear mites or an infection, but it could also be something like a tumor that needs to be removed. Trauma and nerve damage can also cause hearing loss. Some hearing loss is treatable, though, so make sure you visit the vet. | Keep deaf cats indoors. Tag your cat. Give the cat warning you're nearby. Put a bell on the cat. Tell your cat "no" by waving your arms. Use a treat and a visual cue to teach your cat to come. Deter bad behavior with counter conditioning. Look for ear mites. Check for an infection. Visit the vet. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Simplify-Algebraic-Expressions | How to Simplify Algebraic Expressions | To simplify algebraic expressions, start by identifying the like terms, which are terms that have the same variables and exponents. Then, combine the like terms by adding them together to get the simplified expression. You can also simplify the expression further by finding the greatest common factor and then dividing all of the terms in the expression by that number. After you've done that, put the expression in parentheses with the greatest common factor on the outside. | Define "like terms" by their variables and powers. In algebra, "like terms" have the same configuration of variables, raised to the same powers. In other words, for two terms to be "like", they must have the same variable or variables, or none at all, and each variable must be raised to the same power, or no power at all. The order of variables within the term does not matter. For example, 3x and 4x are like terms because each contains the variable x raised to the second power. However, x and x are not like terms because each term has x raised to a different power. Similarly, -3yx and 5xz are not like terms because each term has a different set of variables. Factor by writing numbers as the product of two factors. Factoring is the concept of representing a given number as the product of two factors multiplied together. Numbers can have more than one set of factors - for instance, the number 12 can be formed by 1 × 12, 2 × 6, and 3 × 4, so we can say that 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 are all factors of 12. Another way of thinking of this is that a number's factors are the numbers by which it is evenly divisible. For example, if we wanted to factor 20, we might write it as 4 × 5. Note that variable terms can also be factored - 20x, for instance, can be written as 4(5x). Prime numbers can't be factored because they are only evenly divisible by themselves and 1. Use the acronym PEMDAS to remember the order of operations. Sometimes, simplifying an expression means nothing more than performing the operations in the expression until no more can be done. In these cases, it's important to remember the order of operations so that no arithmetic errors are made. The acronym PEMDAS can help you remember the order of operations - the letters correspond to the types of operations you should perform, in order. If there is multiplication and division in the same problem, you must complete those operations from left to right when you get to that point. The same goes for addition and subtraction. The image above gives the incorrect answer. The last step did not work the addition and subtraction from left to right. It did the addition first. It should show 25-20 = 5 and then 5 + 6 = 11. P arentheses E xponents M ultiplication D ivision A ddition S ubtraction Write your equation. The simplest algebraic equations, those involving just a few variable terms with whole number coefficients and no fractions, radicals, etc., can often be solved in just a few steps. As with most math problems, the first step to simplifying your equation is to write it out! As an example problem, for the next few steps, let's consider the expression 1 + 2x - 3 + 4x. Identify like terms. Next, search your equation for like terms. Remember that like terms have both the same variable(s) and exponent(s). For example, let's identify like terms in our equation 1 + 2x - 3 + 4x. 2x and 4x both have the same variable raised to the same exponent (in this case, the x's aren't raised to any exponent at all). In addition, 1 and -3 are like terms, as neither has any variables. So, in our equation, 2x and 4x and 1 and -3 are like terms. Combine like terms. Now that you've identified like terms, you can combine them to simplify your equation. Add terms together (or subtract in the case of negative terms) to reduce each set of terms with the same variables and exponents to one singular term. Let's add the like terms in our example. 2x + 4x = 6x 1 + -3 = -2 Create a simplified expression from your simplified terms. After combining your like terms, construct an expression from your new, smaller set of terms. You should get a simpler expression that has one term for each different set of variables and exponents in the original expression. This new expression is equal to the first. In our example, our simplified terms are 6x and -2, so our new expression is 6x - 2. This simplified expression is equal to the original (1 + 2x - 3 + 4x), but is shorter and easier to manage. It's also easier to factor, which, as we'll see below, is another important simplifying skill. Obey the order of operation when combining like terms. In extremely simple expressions like the one dealt with in the example problems above, identifying like terms is simple. However, in more complex expressions, like ones that involve terms in parentheses, fractions, and radicals, like terms which can be combined may not be immediately apparent. In these cases, follow the order of operations, performing operations on the terms in your expression as necessary until only addition and subtraction operations remain. For example, let's consider the equation 5(3x-1) + x((2x)/(2)) + 8 - 3x. It would be incorrect to immediately identify 3x and 2x as like terms and combine them because the parentheses in the expression dictate that we're supposed to do other operations first. First, let's perform the arithmetic operations in the expression in accordance with the order of operations to obtain terms we can use. See below: 5(3x-1) + x((2x)/(2)) + 8 - 3x 15x - 5 + x(x) + 8 - 3x 15x - 5 + x + 8 - 3x. Now , since the only operations left are addition and subtraction, we can combine like terms. x + (15x - 3x) + (8 - 5) x + 12x + 3 Identify the greatest common factor in the expression. Factoring is a way to simplify expressions by removing factors that are common across all the terms in the expression. To start, find the greatest common factor that all of the terms in the expression share - in other words, the largest number by which all the terms in the expression are evenly divisible. Let's use the equation 9x + 27x - 3. Notice that every term in this equation is divisible by 3. Since the terms aren't all evenly divisible by any larger number, we can say that 3 is our expression's greatest common factor. Divide the terms in the expression by the greatest common factor. Next, divide every term in your equation by the greatest common factor you've just found. The resulting terms will all have smaller coefficients than in the original expression. Let's factor our equation by its greatest common factor, 3. To do so, we'll divide each term by 3. 9x /3 = 3x 27x/3 = 9x -3/3 = -1 Thus, our new expression is 3x + 9x - 1. Represent your expression as the product of the greatest common factor and the remaining terms. Your new expression isn't equal to your old one, so it isn't accurate to say that it's simplified. To make our new expression equal to the old one, we'll need to account for the fact that it has been divided by the greatest common factor. Enclose your new expression in parentheses and set the greatest common factor of the original equation as a coefficient for the expression in parentheses. For our example expression, 3x + 9x - 1, we would enclose the expression in parentheses and multiply by the greatest common factor of the original equation to get 3(3x + 9x - 1). This equation is equal to the original, 9x + 27x - 3. Use factoring to simplify fractions. You may now be wondering why factoring is useful if, after removing the greatest common factor, the new expression must be multiplied by it again. In fact, factoring allows a mathematician to perform a variety of tricks to simplify an expression. One of the easiest of these involves taking advantage of the fact that multiplying a fraction's numerator and denominator by the same number gives an equivalent fraction. See below: Let's say our original example expression, 9x + 27x - 3, is the numerator of a larger fraction with 3 in the denominator. This fraction would look like this: (9x + 27x - 3)/3. We can use factoring to simplify this fraction. Let's substitute the factored form of our original expression for the expression in the numerator: (3(3x + 9x - 1))/3 Notice that now, both the numerator and the denominator share the coefficient 3. Dividing the numerator and denominator by 3, we get: (3x + 9x - 1)/1. Since any fraction with "1" in the denominator is equal to the terms in the numerator, we can say that our original fraction can be simplified to 3x + 9x - 1. Simplify fractions by dividing through by common factors. As noted above, if the numerator and denominator of an expression share factors, these factors can be removed from the fraction entirely. Sometimes this will require factoring the numerator, denominator, or both (as was the case in the example problem above) while other times the shared factors are immediately apparent. Note that it is also possible to divide the numerator terms by the expression in the denominator individually to obtain a simplified expression. Let's tackle an example that doesn't necessarily require drawn-out factoring. For the fraction (5x + 10x + 20)/10, we may want to divide every term in the numerator by the 10 in the denominator to simplify, even though the "5" coefficient in 5x isn't bigger than 10 and thus can't have 10 as a factor. Doing so gets us ((5x )/10) + x + 2. If we like, we may want to rewrite the first term as (1/2)x to get (1/2)x + x + 2. Use square factors to simplify radicals. Expressions under a square root sign are called radical expressions. These can be simplified by identifying square factors (factors that are themselves squares of an integer) and performing the square root operation on these separately to remove them from under the square root sign. Let's tackle a simple example - √(90). If we think of the number 90 as the product of two of its factors, 9 and 10, we can take the square root of 9 to give the whole number 3 and remove this from the radical. In other words: √(90) √(9 × 10) (√(9) × √(10)) 3 × √(10) 3√(10) Add exponents when multiplying two exponential terms; subtract when dividing. Some algebraic expressions require multiplying or dividing exponential terms. Rather than computing each exponential term and multiplying or dividing manually, simply add exponents when multiplying and subtract when dividing to save time. This concept can also be used to simplify variable expressions. For example, let's consider the expression 6x × 8x + (x /x ). In each occasion where it's necessary to multiply or divide by exponents, we'll subtract or add the exponents, respectively, to quickly find a simplified term. See below: 6x × 8x + (x /x ) (6 × 8)x + (x ) 48x + x For an explanation of why this works, see below: Multiplying exponential terms is essentially like multiplying long strings of non-exponential terms. For example, since x = x × x × x and x = x × x × x × x × x, x × x = (x × x × x) × (x × x × x × x × x), or x. Similarly, dividing exponential terms is like dividing long strings of non-exponential terms. x /x = (x × x × x × x × x)/(x × x × x). Since each term in the numerator can be canceled out by a matching term in the denominator, we're left with two x's in the numerator and none in the bottom, giving us an answer of x | Define "like terms" by their variables and powers. Factor by writing numbers as the product of two factors. Use the acronym PEMDAS to remember the order of operations. Write your equation. Identify like terms. Combine like terms. Create a simplified expression from your simplified terms. Obey the order of operation when combining like terms. Identify the greatest common factor in the expression. Divide the terms in the expression by the greatest common factor. Represent your expression as the product of the greatest common factor and the remaining terms. Use factoring to simplify fractions. Simplify fractions by dividing through by common factors. Use square factors to simplify radicals. Add exponents when multiplying two exponential terms; subtract when dividing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Glucose-Screening-Test | How to Prepare for a Glucose Screening Test | The right way to prepare for a glucose screening test will depend on the type of screening your doctor has prescribed. Some screenings, like the A1C test and the gestational glucose test, don't require fasting, but the oral glucose test and the plasma glucose test do. If your doctor wants you to do a fasting plasma glucose test to measure your blood sugar levels, you will need to avoid eating and drinking for about 12 hours before the test is taken. Luckily, since these tests are usually done in the morning, most of that time will be taken up by sleep. Before heading out to the laboratory for the test, make sure you bring any forms your doctor gave you that has the details for your appointment. You should also mentally prepare for a venipuncture, which is where a needle is inserted into a vein in your arm and blood is drawn into a test tube. If your results turn out positive for diabetes, be prepared to start a treatment plan laid out by your doctor soon after. | Eat normally before the test. The A1C test measures your blood sugar control over the past two to three months and aids in the detection of Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. This blood test is not affected by recent food intake so you don't have to fast before the test. Bring the form you received from your doctor to your appointment. If your doctor has recommended an A1C test, she will give you a form detailing what test should be conducted. Bring the form to the laboratory you will be testing at. You may also want to make an appointment for the test. Some laboratories or testing centers will take appointments, which should reduce the time you need to wait in line. Be sure to use a laboratory that is the primary provider for your health insurance. Prepare to give blood. The A1C test is a simple blood test that can be done by two different ways, either using a venipuncture or a finger prick test. During venipuncture, a needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm and blood is drawn into a test tube. During a finger prick test, the tip of your finger will be punctured with a needle (lancet). The laboratory technician may also gently squeeze your finger to form a blood drop that she will then collect. Once the blood is drawn, a sample is sent to the laboratory for testing Understand the results. The A1C test measures what percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with sugar, also called glycated hemoglobin. When your A1C level is higher than normal, it indicates a poor blood sugar control, which translates to a higher risk of diabetes. A normal A1C level ranges from 4.5 to 5.7% glycated hemoglobin. A 5% A1C level translates to 97 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L) blood sugar level. Results ranging from 5.7 to 6.4% are considered to be in the prediabetic stage and indicates a higher risk for developing diabetes. Results showing an A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher are considered diabetic. If your results are positive for diabetes, your doctor may confirm the results with an oral or plasma glucose test (see below) and/or will initiate a treatment plan for you to begin. People who are diabetic are often told to try to keep their HBAC1 under 7%. Know the limitations of A1C test. You should be aware that the effectiveness of an A1C test may be limited, including: Falsely low A1C may result due to a recent heavy or chronic bleeding, blood transfusion or if you have an uncommon form of hemoglobin or hemolytic anemia. Falsely high A1C may result if your bloodstream doesn't contain enough iron or you have an uncommon form of hemoglobin. The normal range for A1C results may also vary among laboratories. Fast between eight and 14 hours. The fasting plasma blood test is used to measure blood sugar levels to diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose test is normally performed in the morning, after the patient has gone approximately 12 hours without eating or drinking. Fasting is required because: A person without diabetes produces insulin in response to increased glucose levels. After an overnight fast, the blood sugar levels would be low. A person with diabetes won't produce insulin, leaving their glucose levels still high after an overnight fast. Go to the laboratory for the test. If you have fasted overnight, go to the testing center in the morning. Remember to bring the form your doctor gave you that details what test should be conducted. If the laboratory takes appointments, you may want to make one to reduce the time you need to wait in line. Also, check your insurance and use a laboratory that is the primary provider for your health insurance. Prepare for a venipuncture. In order to measure the fasting plasma glucose level, you need to give a blood sample. During the blood sample: A needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm. Blood is drawn into a test tube. Once the test is done, you can go home and the blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. Understand the results of fasting plasma glucose test. Your test is considered normal (non-diabetic) if your glucose level is below 100 mg/dl. A test result of 100–125 mg/dl is considered to be in the prediabetic stage and you are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. A test result of 126 mg/dl or higher is considered diabetic. If your results are positive for diabetes, your doctor will initiate a treatment plan for you to begin. Know the limitations of fasting plasma glucose test. You should be aware that the effectiveness of this test may be limited, including: Falsely low plasma glucose levels may result if blood is drawn in the afternoon instead of in the morning or if too much time passes between when the blood is drawn and when the lab processes the blood sample. Results can also be affected by medical conditions, smoking, and exercise. Make an appointment. As the oral glucose test lasts an hour after you have consumed a glucose solution, it is recommended you make an appointment to reduce the time you wait in line before the clock starts ticking (see next steps). Call a few days ahead when you want to take your test and make the appointment. Then, fast the night before your appointment. Be sure to use a laboratory that is the primary provider for your health insurance. Fast between 10 and 16 hours. This type of glucose test is used to understand how your body processes glucose. This test requires you to fast, usually 10–16 hours before the test is given. Eat normally several days before the oral glucose test, then fast the night before. The only thing that you can consume during the fast is water. Please note that if you take medications, ask your doctor if the medicine will affect the test results. Take a book or a smartphone with you. Oral glucose test will take a few hours to complete. Thus, you may want to bring along a book or play a game or watch a movie on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Also remember to bring the form you received from your doctor to your appointment so the laboratory personnel knows which test to perform. Prepare to give a baseline blood test. The first blood sample is collected when you arrive to give a baseline reading (before sugar is added into the bloodstream). The laboratory technician will perform a venipuncture to draw your blood. Drink the glucose solution. After your first blood sample is taken, you will be asked to drink 8-ounce glucose solution. The solution resembles a soda drink with a higher sugar content (about 75 grams). After you drink the solution, you need to sit and wait. Relax by reading a book or watching a movie on your smartphone. Prepare to give blood several times after the glucose solution. Your blood will be drawn three to four times after the glucose solution is absorbed into the bloodstream. This will give your doctor a better picture of how your body processes the glucose in the drink. The first venipuncture is done 30 minutes after you consume the solution. The remaining two or three tests are done one and two hours, and sometimes even three hours after you consumed the solution. Each test is analyzed to show the rise and fall of blood sugar levels over time. Please note that you should remain calm and not be active during the test. You may also feel nauseated, sweaty, light-headed, experience short of breath, or faint during the test. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to the laboratory personnel and ask if you can lay down. Understand the results of an oral glucose test. A normal test result will have your glucose levels decline during the test. A normal fasting value is between 60 to 100 mg/dL. A normal glucose level after one hour is less than 200 mg/dL A normal glucose level after two hours is less than 140 mg/dL If your results are higher than the above values, you are positive for diabetes and your doctor will initiate a treatment plan for you to begin. Know the limitations of an oral glucose test. Your test results may be false for some reasons, including: Higher glucose levels are possible due to certain medications, stress or a trauma, such as stroke, heart attack, or surgery. Lower glucose levels may be due to exercise or certain medications. Eat normally before the test. A glucose-screening test is a routine procedure done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. This test helps check your glucose levels to determine if you have gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, your hormones increase the amount of insulin needed to control glucose levels. If your body can't handle this increased need for insulin, you can develop gestational diabetes in the late stages of pregnancy. Your doctor might instruct you to eat at least 150 grams of carbohydrates per day for three days prior to the test. Call and make an appointment. The test takes an hour after you have consumed the glucose solution (see next steps) and thus, in order to reduce time waiting, it is better to make an appointment. Choose a laboratory that is the primary provider for your health insurance and call a few days before you want to take the test. Bring the form you received from your doctor to your appointment. As with the other glucose tests, bring the form detailing what test should be conducted to the laboratory where you will be testing at. Drink the glucose solution. When you arrive on the test day, you will be given a sugar solution containing 50 grams of glucose. The solution tastes similar to a soda drink and you can often even pick your flavor from cola, orange, or lime. You must drink the solution in 5 minutes. Wait for one hour. You will be asked to wait for one hour after you have consumed the glucose solution to allow it to absorb into your bloodstream. The test will help your doctor understand how efficiently your body can process sugar. Allow the technician to draw your blood. After one hour, the laboratory technician will draw a blood sample using venipuncture: A needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm and blood is drawn into a test tube. Ask your doctor if you need to take the three-hour glucose test. If the 1-hour blood test indicates your blood sugar is too high, you will be asked to return for a three-hour glucose test to determine if you have gestational diabetes. You will need to take the three-hour glucose test if your glucose level is above 140 mg/dl (see next step). If your one-hour glucose test result was below 140 mg/dl, you don't need to return for further testing. Make an appointment. The three-hour test takes (as the name indicates) a whopping three hours after you have consumed the glucose solution. Thus, it is better to make an appointment so you can get started immediately when you arrive to the testing center. Call a few days before you want to take the test. Then, fast the night before the test. Fast between eight and 14 hours. This is imperative before you take the three-hour glucose test because your sugar levels need to be dormant in order to compare your results after you've taken the glucose solution. Fasting while you are pregnant may seem harsh but it is needed. Make an early morning appointment for your test to get it over as soon as possible. Bring a book or a movie to the appointment. Because the three-hour gestational glucose test takes so long, you may want to bring along a book or play a game or watch a movie on your smartphone or tablet to make the time go by faster. Have your blood drawn. Your first blood test will be drawn before you drink the glucose solution to measure your baseline fasting blood glucose level. This test result will be used as a controlled variable against the other blood tests. The technician will draw your blood using a venipuncture. Drink the glucose solution. After you've had your fasting blood glucose level tested, you will be instructed to drink a glucose solution similar to the one you drank during the 1-hour test. However, this solution will be greater in volume and contains twice the sugar (100 grams) than the previous solution. You might feel nauseated during the three-hour test because the solution is sweet, has higher volume and is taken into an empty stomach. If you feel nauseated, ask to lay down. Prepare to have your blood drawn every 30 to 60 minutes. After you've consumed the glucose solution, your blood will be drawn three to four times every 30-60 minutes. Each time your blood glucose level will be checked. Understand the results of the three-hour glucose screening test. Your blood levels are considered abnormal if more than one of the test results are higher than normal, indicating that you have gestational diabetes. Results considered abnormal for the three-hour glucose-screening test are: Fasting results are > 95 mg/dl. One-hour results are > 180 mg/dl. Two-hour results are >155 mg/dl. Three-hour results are >140 mg/dl. If only one of the test results is higher than normal, your doctor may instruct you to change your diet. | Eat normally before the test. Bring the form you received from your doctor to your appointment. Prepare to give blood. Understand the results. Know the limitations of A1C test. Fast between eight and 14 hours. Go to the laboratory for the test. Prepare for a venipuncture. Understand the results of fasting plasma glucose test. Know the limitations of fasting plasma glucose test. Make an appointment. Fast between 10 and 16 hours. Take a book or a smartphone with you. Prepare to give a baseline blood test. Drink the glucose solution. Prepare to give blood several times after the glucose solution. Understand the results of an oral glucose test. Know the limitations of an oral glucose test. Eat normally before the test. Call and make an appointment. Drink the glucose solution. Wait for one hour. Allow the technician to draw your blood. Ask your doctor if you need to take the three-hour glucose test. Make an appointment. Fast between eight and 14 hours. Bring a book or a movie to the appointment. Have your blood drawn. Drink the glucose solution. Prepare to have your blood drawn every 30 to 60 minutes. Understand the results of the three-hour glucose screening test. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-Bias-Binding | How to Sew Bias Binding | Bias binding is a narrow piece of pre-folded fabric used to cover the edges of a garment. To add a single bias binding to cover 1 side of a fabric's edge, unfold one of the bias binding edges and line it up with the edges of the fabric. Open the folds up and sew along the crease with a sewing machine to secure it. Fold it over the edge of the fabric and sew along the other edge of the binding. To sew a double-fold bias binding so half of it appears on each side of the fabric's edge, pin the binding to the edge of your fabric and trim off the excess fabric with scissors. Sew along the crease with your sewing machine, then fold the binding over so half is on each side of the fabric's edge and sew along the other edge of the binding. | Mark your fabric where you want to sew the bias binding. The bias binding will need to cover the raw edge of your fabric, but placing it too close to the raw edge may result in a weak seam. To ensure a strong seam, you will need to place the edge of the binding slightly in from the edge of your fabric. Mark the fabric about 6 millimetres (0.24 in) from the raw (cut) edge to indicate where you will place the edge of the binding. Pin the bias binding to the fabric. Unfold one edge of the bias binding, and line up the raw edges of the bias binding with the chalk line you have marked onto the fabric. The right (front) side of the bias binding and the right (front) side of your fabric should be facing each other. Insert pins through the bias binding and fabric to hold them together. Make sure to fold under the ends of the bias binding so that the raw edges will not be visible. You can also use clips to hold the bias binding in place. These will prevent you from making holes in the bias binding or fabric, which may be a concern especially if the fabric or binding are made from a delicate material. Sew along the crease of the bias binding. The bias binding should have folded edges that run the length of the binding. When you open the folds up, you will see that the binding has a crease. Use your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch into this crease to secure your bias binding and fabric together. Press the binding over the seam allowance. After you have sewed the bias binding to the fabric, fold over the bias binding so that it covers the seam allowance of your fabric. The, use an iron to press this seam and make the bias binding lay flat over the seam allowance. Use your iron on a low setting or one that is appropriate for your fabric. If you are worried about damaging the fabric, then place a t-shirt or cotton cloth over the fabric before you iron it. Fold the bias binding over to the other side of the fabric. Next, fold the bias binding over the edge of your fabric again. Fold the bias binding at the seam you created so that the bias binding will be completely hidden on the opposite side of your fabric. Iron the seam to flatten it. After you have folded the bias binding, use your iron to press the seam. This will help to keep the bias binding on one side of the fabric and create a nice neat edge for your work. Sew along the other edge of the bias binding. To secure the bias binding, sew a straight stitch about 3 millimetres (0.12 in) from the edge of the bias binding. Use your sewing machine to do this. Make sure that the bias binding edge is folded under so that it will be hidden. After you finish sewing, trim off the excess threads. Pin the binding to the edge of your fabric. Line up the raw edges of your bias binding and fabric and pin the edges together. Make sure to unfold your bias binding first and pin the bias binding and fabric together so that the right (front) sides of the materials are facing each other. Make sure to fold and pin under the ends of the bias binding so that they will not be visible when you are finished. Trim off any excess fabric. If there is any excess fabric that goes beyond the edge of the bias tape, then trim this fabric off. Do not trim off any of the bias binding. Only trim off the fabric that extends past the edge of the bias binding. Sew along the crease. Locate the creased area of your bias binding. Use your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch down the length of the crease. When you get to the end, backstitch by a few stitches to secure the stitches. To backstitch, press the lever on the side of your sewing machine while you are applying gentle pressure to the pedal. After making a few stitches in the opposite direction of the others, take your foot off the pedal and remove the item from the sewing machine. Press the seam allowance towards the binding. Next, fold over the bias tape so that it is covering the seam allowance. This is the raw (cut) edge of your bias tape and fabric. Use an iron to flatten out the seam. Fold the binding over so that half is on each side of the fabric’s edge. Then, fold over the bias tape again so that half of the bias tape is on each side of the fabric's edge. Make sure that the free end of the bias tape is folded under to prevent the raw edge of the bias tape from showing. Press the binding to crease the edge. To create a flat edge along the bias tape, use an iron to press along the folded fabric. This is the area that wraps around the edge of the edge of the fabric. Sew along the edge of the binding. After you have pressed the edge, use your sewing machine to sew a straight stitch along the free edge of the bias tape. Make sure that the raw edge of the bias tape is folded under so that it will not be visible. Sew the stitch so that it is right along the edge of the bias tape. Cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) more bias binding than you will need. When you cut your bias binding for the project, make sure that you cut a little more than you will actually need to cover the edges. This will allow you to sew the edges together in a way that will hide the ends of the bias binding. For example, if your project calls for 20 inches (51 cm) of bias binding, then cut 21 inches (53 cm) to ensure that you will have enough to hide the ends. Join the ends before you sew the rest of the bias binding. Make sure to sew the bias binding edges first. You need to sew the ends under the rest of the bias tape to hide them, so it is necessary to secure and fold over the ends before sewing any other parts of the binding. Pinch and mark the bias tape where the ends meet. The ends of the bias binding will be raw, so it is important to hide these. With the right sides of the bias binding and fabric together, pinch the ends of the bias tape together to identify where they will meet. Use a piece of chalk to mark the areas where the right (front) sides of the bias binding meet. Pin the marked areas in place. After you have marked the bias binding, place a pin on each end to hold the pieces together where you marked them. Make sure the pin goes through the ends of the bias tape and the fabric underneath it. Sew a few stitches into the crease at each of the marks. To secure the bias binding together where you have marked it, use your sewing machine on the straight stitch setting to sew a few stitches into the crease up to the areas you have marked on each side of the bias binding. Do not sew across the bias binding pieces. Make two separate sets of stitches. Be careful not to sew through the pins and remove them as you sew. Fold down the excess bias binding. After the bias binding is secured at the ends, fold down the excess bias binding on the ends. Fold each end towards the rest of the bias binding and away from the stitches you just made. This will ensure that the bias binding will be hidden under the rest of your seams. Sew the rest of the bias binding as desired for your project. After you finish securing the ends of the bias binding, sew the rest of the bias binding as desired for your project. You can either sew the bias binding single-sided, so that it will be hidden under one side of your project , or you can sew the bias binding double-sided so that half of the binding will be visible on each side of the edge of the fabric. | Mark your fabric where you want to sew the bias binding. Pin the bias binding to the fabric. Sew along the crease of the bias binding. Press the binding over the seam allowance. Fold the bias binding over to the other side of the fabric. Iron the seam to flatten it. Sew along the other edge of the bias binding. Pin the binding to the edge of your fabric. Trim off any excess fabric. Sew along the crease. Press the seam allowance towards the binding. Fold the binding over so that half is on each side of the fabric’s edge. Press the binding to crease the edge. Sew along the edge of the binding. Cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) more bias binding than you will need. Join the ends before you sew the rest of the bias binding. Pinch and mark the bias tape where the ends meet. Pin the marked areas in place. Sew a few stitches into the crease at each of the marks. Fold down the excess bias binding. Sew the rest of the bias binding as desired for your project. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Pasta | How to Cook Pasta | To cook pasta, first add 4 quarts (4 liters) of water to a pot for every 1 pound (0.5 kilograms) of pasta you're making. Then, add 1 tablespoon (17 grams) of salt, which will give the pasta more flavor, and bring the water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, and stir it for 30 seconds so it doesn't stick together. Cook the pasta according to the time on the package, or until it's “al-dente,” which means it's cooked but firm in the center when you bite into it. Finally, drain the pasta in a colander and serve. | Fill a large pot about 2/3 full of water. Since the pasta needs lots of room to move around as it cooks, use a big pot. For example, if you'll be cooking a 1 pound (450 g) box of pasta, get out a pot that's at least 4 US quarts (3.8 L) in size. Then, pour in enough water to come 2/3 up the side of the pot. If you use a pot that's too small, your pasta is more likely to clump together as it cooks. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Set the pot of water on the stove and put a lid on it. Turn the burner to high and let the water come to a boil. You'll know the water is boiling when you see steam escaping from under the lid. Covering the pot with a lid will make the water boil faster. Add salt and 1 pound (450 g) of pasta to the boiling water. Once the water boils vigorously, remove the lid and add 1 tablespoon (17 g) of salt and 1 pound (450 g) of pasta. If you're cooking long noodles, such as spaghetti, that don't fit in the pot, wait about 30 seconds and then push them into the water using a spoon or pasta fork. The salt will season the noodles as they cook, which will give you flavorful pasta. If you're unsure how many servings of pasta to cook, check the side of the box for recommended serving sizes. Set a timer for 3 to 8 minutes. Stir the noodles with a pasta fork to break the noodles up and leave the lid off the pot. Then, check the pasta package for a recommended cooking time and set a timer for the minimum time that's suggested. For example, if the box says to cook the noodles for 7 to 9 minutes, set a timer for 7 minutes. Thin pasta, such as angel hair, will cook faster than thick or long noodles, such as fettuccine or penne, which take closer to 8 or 9 minutes. Stir the noodles occasionally as they boil. The water should continue to bubble as the pasta cooks. Stir it every few minutes to prevent the noodles from sticking together. If the water looks like it might boil over the sides of the pot, turn the burner down to medium-high. Bite into a noodle to see if it's cooked enough for you. Carefully scoop a noodle out of the water when the timer beeps and set it aside to cool a little. Bite into the noodle to tell if it's still hard in the center or if it's as soft as you like. Most people prefer to cook pasta until it's al dente, which means it's still a little firm in the center. If the pasta is still too hard for your liking, boil it for another minute before checking it again. Scoop out about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water and set it aside. Carefully lower a mug into the pot and scoop some of the pasta water into it. Set the mug aside while you drain the pasta. You can also use a ladle to spoon 1 cup (240 ml) of the pasta water into a mug instead of lowering the mug into the water. Set a colander in the sink and put on oven mitts. Place a large colander in the bottom of the sink and wear oven mitts to protect your hands from the boiling water. Even though the burner is turned off, the water can burn you if it splashes your skin. Pour the pasta into the colander and shake it. Slowly pour the pasta directly into the colander so the water drains into the sink. Hold the sides of the colander and shake it gently back and forth so excess water drips into the sink. Avoid adding oil or running cold water over the pasta if you plan on using sauce. You may have heard people recommend tossing the cooked pasta with some olive oil or running cold water over the noodles to stop them from sticking together. Unfortunately, these can prevent sauce from sticking to your noodles. Put the pasta back into the pot and toss it with your choice of sauce. Take the colander of pasta out of the sink and transfer the noodles into the pot that you cooked them in. Then, pour in as much of your favorite sauce as you like and use tongs to combine it with the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the pasta water you reserved until the sauce loosens and coats the pasta. Toss short noodles with pesto or vegetables. Cook a pot of penne, fusilli, or farfalle pasta and stir in basil pesto. To add even more fresh flavor to the pasta, add chopped cherry tomatoes along with shredded bell peppers and zucchini. To serve this as cold pasta salad , refrigerate the pasta for at least 1 hour before you serve it so the flavors can develop. If you don't like the taste of traditional pesto, give sun-dried tomato pesto a chance. It has a more mellow flavor that works well with rich cheese, such as parmesan. Mix cheese into macaroni or shells to make a creamy pasta. For the richest macaroni and cheese, stir together butter, flour, milk, and cheese to make sauce. Then, stir in cooked macaroni or shells and serve it or bake it to make it extra-bubbly. Play around with using different cheeses to find what you like. For example, use monterey jack, feta, mozzarella, or smoked gouda. Serve meaty sauce over tubular or wide pasta. Boil a pot of pappardelle, penne, or bucatini and place it in a serving bowl. Spoon meat sauce, such as bolognese , over the noodles and stir them very gently so the meat sauce coats the pasta. Sprinkle a little parmesan over the top and serve the pasta while it's very hot. Remember to thin the pasta with a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Stir creamy alfredo sauce into long pasta. To coat the strands of long pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccini, and angel hair, use tongs to mix them with rich alfredo sauce. Heat heavy cream with butter and garlic to make classic alfredo sauce and consider serving the pasta with grilled chicken or smoked salmon. For a slightly lighter sauce, melt butter with garlic and parsley. Then, toss the noodles in the simple sauce. | Fill a large pot about 2/3 full of water. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Add salt and 1 pound (450 g) of pasta to the boiling water. Set a timer for 3 to 8 minutes. Stir the noodles occasionally as they boil. Bite into a noodle to see if it's cooked enough for you. Scoop out about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water and set it aside. Set a colander in the sink and put on oven mitts. Pour the pasta into the colander and shake it. Avoid adding oil or running cold water over the pasta if you plan on using sauce. Put the pasta back into the pot and toss it with your choice of sauce. Toss short noodles with pesto or vegetables. Mix cheese into macaroni or shells to make a creamy pasta. Serve meaty sauce over tubular or wide pasta. Stir creamy alfredo sauce into long pasta. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Amoxicillin | How to Take Amoxicillin | To take amoxicillin, take the recommended dosage at the same time every day. If you don't like the taste, try taking it with water or juice so it's easier to get down. Continue to take amoxicillin until your prescription runs out, even if you start feeling better, since you need a full course to prevent your symptoms from coming back. | Discuss your medical history with your doctor. If you have a history of allergies, asthma, hay fever, or hives, tell your doctor. You should also disclose if you have liver or kidney disease. Amoxicillin can interact negatively with your immune system if you have these conditions. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor. They may prescribe a lower dosage of amoxicillin to ensure it does not affect your unborn baby. If you are on birth control, tell your doctor. Amoxicillin can reduce the effectiveness of birth control, so you may need to use another form of contraception while on the medication. Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Disclose all the medications you are on, such as pharmaceuticals and other antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you are taking nutritional supplements, vitamins, or herbal medicines. This can help them monitor your progress on amoxicillin and watch for any adverse side effects. If you are on a lot of other medications, make a list and give it to your doctor. They can then use the list to determine your dosage of amoxicillin. Confirm you are not allergic to penicillin. If you have had any type of allergic reaction to penicillin in the past, even as an infant or child, avoid taking amoxicillin. Because these medicines are similar, you may be allergic to amoxicillin in addition to penicillin. Discuss your dosage of amoxicillin with your doctor. Your doctor should be very clear on how much of the medication you should take each day. The standard dosage is 3 times a day, every 8 hours. However, your dosage may be more or less depending on your condition, age, and weight. Your dosage should be printed on the label of the medication so you know exactly how much to take each day. Get amoxicillin in tablet form if you don’t mind swallowing pills. Look for chewable tablets if you prefer breaking up the tablets before swallowing them. You may opt for tablets or capsules if you do not want to take the time to measure and pour out liquid amoxicillin. Amoxicillin capsules are often recommended for adults who are comfortable swallowing pills several times a day. Choose amoxicillin in liquid form if you don’t mind measuring out the medication. You will need to use a dosing syringe or a dose-measuring spoon to ensure you are taking the correct amount of amoxicillin. The liquid can be placed right on your tongue or mixed into water, juice, or milk. Liquid amoxicillin is often recommended for children, as it is usually easier for them to swallow than tablets or capsules. Take amoxicillin at the same time every day. Schedule in a time to take amoxicillin in your calendar or day planner. Try to have the medication at the same time each day so you take the correct dosage. Set a reminder on your phone or computer so you don't forget. For example, if you are supposed to take amoxicillin every 8 hours, 3 times a day, you may set a timer for every 8 hours so you can take the medication at 6 am, 2 pm, and 10 pm. Have amoxicillin with water or juice. If you are taking amoxicillin in liquid form, shake the bottle well before measuring out the dosage. Consume tablet or liquid amoxicillin with water or juice to mask the taste and make them easier to digest. Swallow the tablets whole, unless they are chewable. If they are chewable, chew them completely before swallowing them. Check the label to determine if you can have amoxicillin with food. Some brands of amoxicillin are okay to take with a small amount of food or within 1 hour of eating. Other brands should be consumed on an empty stomach. Read the label on the medication to determine if you should have it with or without food. You can also ask your doctor for advice on whether or not you can have amoxicillin with food. Have any missed doses as soon as you remember. If you forgot to take a dose of amoxicillin and it is close to the time for your second dose, skip the first dose. Do not double up or take more than recommended to make up for missing a dose. Take amoxicillin until your prescription runs out. Do not stop taking amoxicillin if you start to notice your symptoms are going away. Take the medication until you have had all the prescribed doses. If you stop too soon, your symptoms may come back. Also, taking less than a full prescription may cause you to be resistant to amoxicillin and other common antibiotics. Store the amoxicillin correctly. Keep amoxicillin tablets at room temperature in a dry spot in your home, such as a high shelf or a cupboard. Make sure the tablets are not exposed to heat, moisture, or direct light. Keep liquid amoxicillin in the fridge. Make sure it stays cold, but does not freeze. You should also keep the tablets in a cupboard or high shelf so they are out of reach of children and pets. Throw out any unused liquid amoxicillin after 10 days in the garbage in a sealed bag. See your doctor if you experience upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. Amoxicillin can cause you to experience stomach issues and mild diarrhea. But if your symptoms become severe, see your doctor for guidance. They may reduce your dosage to keep your symptoms mild and manageable. Seek immediate medical care if you have hives, seizures, or severe fatigue. These are all symptoms of a possible overdose of amoxicillin. Your doctor may suggest lowering your dosage or switching you to a different medication. Have probiotics after you are finished taking amoxicillin. Probiotics can help to balance your gut after you have taken antibiotics. It can also help to prevent thrush on your mouth or vaginal yeast infections. Ask your doctor for advice on how to take probiotics once you are finished taking amoxicillin. You can buy probiotics over the counter at your local pharmacy or health food store. You can also add foods to your diet that contain probiotics, like yogurt or kefir. | Discuss your medical history with your doctor. Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. Confirm you are not allergic to penicillin. Discuss your dosage of amoxicillin with your doctor. Get amoxicillin in tablet form if you don’t mind swallowing pills. Choose amoxicillin in liquid form if you don’t mind measuring out the medication. Take amoxicillin at the same time every day. Have amoxicillin with water or juice. Check the label to determine if you can have amoxicillin with food. Have any missed doses as soon as you remember. Take amoxicillin until your prescription runs out. Store the amoxicillin correctly. See your doctor if you experience upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea. Seek immediate medical care if you have hives, seizures, or severe fatigue. Have probiotics after you are finished taking amoxicillin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Preserve-Insects | How to Preserve Insects | To preserve insects, start by filling a small jar half full with rubbing alcohol. Then, pick up the insect with a pair of tweezers so you don't break the body with your fingers, and place it carefully in the jar. Next, fill up the rest of the jar with rubbing alcohol, seal the jar, and put it somewhere safe away from animals and children. If you're not sure what kind of insect it is, look it up online and write the name on a label on the jar. | Fill a small glass jar halfway full with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will preserve the body of the insect and prevent it from decaying, drying out, or breaking into pieces. The jar should be larger than the insect, but not unnecessarily so. If you put a small insect in a large jar, you'll waste rubbing alcohol. Most rubbing alcohol is a 70% solution—this should work well for preserving your insects. Stronger rubbing alcohol—at 80 or 85%--is also appropriate, as some insects are better preserved with a stronger alcohol. Examples of insects that should be preserved in stronger alcohol include: spiders, scorpions, earthworms, and small insects including lice and silverfish. Make sure that the glass jar has a tight-fitting lid and does not have any cracks. Find a dead insect. Keep in mind that soft-bodied insects are most commonly preserved in alcohol. The insect could come from anywhere: a window inside your house, the environment near where you live, or even from a nearby spider's web. You'll want to preserve an insect that is still in decent shape. If the insect has been dead for days and is already decaying and breaking apart, preserving it will be less effective. You can also trap insects yourself through a variety of methods: for example, catching moths and butterflies in a butterfly net. While some would object to the ethics of killing insects simply to preserve them, traps are an effective way to make sure you have dead insects available. Identify and label your insect. When preserving insects, it's important to know which specific species you are dealing with. This is an especially important part of the procedure if you are preserving insects for scientific purposes. The label should include: the genus and species of the insect, the date and location on which the insect was found, and the name of the collector. Tape the completed label to the outside of the alcohol-filled jar. There are many helpful websites that can help you identify the dead insect. Start by checking BugGuide.net or InsectIdentification.org. If these sites aren't helpful, try to contact a local entomologist. Carefully put the insect in the jar. Be delicate, and handle the insect carefully: its body will be very fragile and could easily be crushed. It's best if you handle the insect with forceps or a pair of tweezers, as your fingers could break or damage part of the insect. If the insect has a stinger (bees, wasps) or is known to be poisonous, wear latex gloves when handling the body. Fill the jar the rest of the way with rubbing alcohol. Only do this once the body of the insect has settled to the bottom of the jar. Pour the rest of the alcohol in slowly. If you pour too fast, the liquid may damage or break the insect's body. Close and seal the jar, then store it in a safe location. If you're planning on starting a large insect collection, it may be prudent to dedicate an entire tabletop to the jars. Store the insect jars far from food, children, and animals. Fill a jar 2/3 full with hand sanitizer. Much like rubbing alcohol, the hand sanitizer will preserve the insect's body and keep it from breaking or decaying. However, unlike alcohol, the thick consistency of hand sanitizer will suspend the dead insect, making for a more attractive display and facilitating easier viewing. Use a jar that is large enough to contain the suspended insect, but one that will not require a wasteful amount of hand sanitizer. Place your dead insect in the hand sanitizer. Avoid handling the insect directly; use a pair of forceps or tweezers to pick the body up. Gently press the insect's body down into the hand sanitizer, until it is suspended in the gel. If you're suspending a delicate insect, such as a bee or wasp, take care not to break the wings or body when pressing it into the gel. Larger hard-bodied insects—such as butterflies—may be difficult to preserve in hand sanitizer, since the gel may snap off part of the body. While it's OK to preserve other hard-bodied insects in hand sanitizer, look for ones that do not have delicate protruding wings or antennae. Boil the jars to remove air bubbles. To remove the unsightly air bubbles from the hand sanitizer, fill a sauce pan with 1–2 inches (2.5–5 centimeters) of water. Boil the water and place the jars (still 2/3 full of hand sanitizer, with the insect on top) into the boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes. Remember to leave the lid off of the jar, or it will explode. Avoid getting water into the jars, as it could weaken or dissolve the hand sanitizer. Many will consider the air bubbles aesthetically unpleasant and a distraction from observing the preserved insect. If you are not bothered by the air bubbles in the hand sanitizer, you can skip this step. Fill the jar completely full with hand sanitizer. Once you have removed the jar from the boiling water and let it cool to room-temperature, pour or pump the hand sanitizer gel over the insect's body until the jar is full. Once the jar is full, you can reach into the jar with tweezers or forceps to reposition the insect's body until it's displayed in the desired pose. Place a label on the outside of the jar, screw on the lid, and the preservation is complete. These jars can be handled by children (with adult supervision) and are excellent for museums or outreach events. Purchase insect pins and mounting foam. Insect pins are a specific variety of push-pin, made of tempered steel and are typically 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) in length. They are quite thin, to avoid damaging the insect's body. If you are pinning a thicker-bodied insect, use a thicker pin (vice versa for smaller or thinner insects). Any type of foam should work to mount insects, as long as the foam is dense (so that the pinned insect won't fall over). It is also common to mount insects on cork instead of foam. Both insect pins and mounting foam (or cork) can be purchased at a hobby store or through a biological supply company such as BioQuip. Pins and mounting foam can also be purchased through online retailers, including Amazon. Rehydrate your specimen. If you plan on posing your insect, you will need to rehydrate it. If you can still move your insect's limbs with little to no resistance, you may skip this step. Find a sealable container. Dampen a rag or a few paper towels with rubbing alcohol and lay it on the bottom of the container. Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and even nail polish remover will work here. Do not lay your insect directly onto the wet towel. Place a folded piece of fabric or dry paper towels on top of the wet towel and place your insect on top of the dry surface. Your goal is to keep the insect dry while exposing it to the fumes from the alcohol. The key to doing this correctly is using lots of dry layers. Most hard-shelled insects take at least three days to rehydrate. Larger bugs need a minimum of five days to rehydrate. You may check on your insect every day, once you can move the limbs easily it is ready. If you add too much alcohol, use only paper towels, or leave the specimen to rehydrate too long, the specimen may get wet. This can cause the insect to deteriorate or rot. Avoid this by separating the insect from the wet towel with more dry layers. If your insect begins to deteriorate, you may be able to salvage it. Do not pick up the insect. Remove the dry surface it is lying on and set it out to dry, then try again once it is no longer wet. Impale the insect’s body on the pin. It is most effective to preserve hard-bodied insects by pinning. Stick the pin through the thorax (middle section) of your dead insect. Insert the pin until it is roughly 2/3 through the insect's body; the idea is to be able to pick up and handle the pin without touching the insect. If you're pinning a beetle, insert the pin through the middle of the right wing sheath. Mount the insect and label on the foam. Press the pin down into the foam until it is about half an inch (1.3 centimeters) deep. Be careful not to disturb or break the insect's body in this process. You may leave the specimen as you found it or use more pins to pose the body. If you are posing an older body, make sure it was rehydrated so you can move the limbs without breaking them. When posing the limbs, do not pin through the insect. Instead, place pins in the foam so the limbs lie against the pin. As the insect cures, the limbs will freeze in place. If you are struggling to keep the limbs from moving, you may place two pins in an X formation with the limb held in the top V of the pins like a hammock. Leave the insect to dry. Depending on the size, this could take anywhere between one day to two weeks. Small insects like ladybugs will take about a day, bees take up to three days, and larger insects can take a week or more to dry. You can test if the insect is cured by gently pressing a limb with a pin. If the limb moves, it needs more time to dry, but if it is frozen in place, the insect is cured. Once your insect is cured, you may remove the posing pins and pin your finished insect in a shadowbox frame. Create a label for the insect. Determine the insect's genus and species, and print these clearly on a piece of paper. Also note the location and date on which the insect was found, and the individual who collected the specimen. Some collectors also note the environment from which the insect was collected: feeding on a leaf, found under a log, etc. Pin this slip of paper with the main pin in the body of the insect, or affix it nearby the specimen when you frame it. While the insect is not in a frame, protect your specimens by storing them in a cabinet or a set of drawers, or even by placing the pinned insects in a wooden cigar box. Adding mothballs to the box will protect from scavengers. Purchase supplies. You will need insect pins and flat-tipped tweezers. Butterfly pins are thinner than insect pins. They range from.25 mm to.75 mm. If you are pinning a thicker-bodied insect, use a thicker pin (vice versa for smaller and thinner insects). They are typically 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) in length. DO NOT use regular tweezers. If they are not flat-tipped, they will rip the wings. Prepare a spreading board. To make your own foam spreading board, take an even-surfaced piece of foam and cut a linear trough down the middle large enough to fit the full body of your butterfly or moth. Any type of foam should work to mount insects as long as the foam is dense (so that the pinned insect won't fall over). Make sure your board is large enough for the butterfly or moth when its wings are outspread. It is also common to mount insects on cork or balsa wood instead of foam. You may make or buy spreading boards that have a V-shaped surface so your butterfly 's wings will be at an angle. It is best to buy these types of boards, but it is possible to make them. If you choose to make a wooden board this way, be careful that the wood glue will not get in the way of the fragile insect pins. Both insect pins and mounting foam (or cork) can be purchased at a hobby store or through a biological supply company, such as BioQuip. Pins and mounting foam can also be purchased through online retailers, including Amazon or The Butterfly Company. Prepare wax paper strips. Cut four wax strips the length of your butterfly's wings (from top to bottom) plus one inch. Since butterflies and moths are so fragile, it is easy to tear their wings. Because of this, the wings will be held in place by these wax paper strips so no pins can damage the wings. You may want to prepare some extra strips just in case. Rehydrate your specimen. Unless you have a freshly dead butterfly, you will need to rehydrate it. If you can still move your insect's limbs with little to no resistance, you may skip this step. Find a sealable container. Dampen a rag or a few paper towels with rubbing alcohol and lay it on the bottom of the container. Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and even nail polish remover will work here. Do not lay your insect directly onto the wet towel. Place a folded piece of fabric or dry paper towels on top of the wet towel, place a square of wax paper on that, then place your insect on top of the dry wax paper. Your goal is to keep the insect dry while exposing it to the fumes from the alcohol. The key to doing this correctly is using lots of dry layers. Small butterflies (1-5cm) can take as little as a day to rehydrate. Medium-sized butterflies (1-8 inches) can take a few days, and larger butterflies may take up to five days. You may check your butterfly by attempting to spread the wings. To do this, use tweezers to separate the two wings from the gap right above the head. If there is resistance, your specimen needs more time. If you begin the pinning process and the top wings are resistant and will not lay fully flat, it needs more time to rehydrate. If you add too much alcohol, use only paper towels, or leave the specimen to rehydrate too long, the specimen may get wet. This can cause the insect to deteriorate or rot. If this happens, it is likely the specimen will be too damaged to pin. Avoid this by separating the insect from the wet towel with more dry layers. If your insect begins to deteriorate, you may be able to salvage it. Do not pick up the insect. Remove the dry surface it is lying on and set it out to dry. Evaluate the butterfly. If the wings have stuck together, you may try to separate the wings with tweezers and place a wax paper strip between the wings until it dries. Try rehydrating again once it is completely dry. Impale the insect’s body on the pin. Once it is rehydrated, hold the butterfly by gently pinching the thorax. Holding it by the abdomen may cause it to break off. Your hand should be underneath and the butterfly's wings should be pointing upwards. Insert a pin in the middle of the thorax. This pin should be sticking straight up, not at an angle. Slide the butterfly down the pin until it is roughly 2/3 through the insect's body; the idea is to be able to pick up and handle the pin without touching the insect. Pin the butterfly into the trough of your spreading board. It should sit deep enough that the bottom of the wings are parallel to the surface of the board. It is okay if your pin is at an angle as long as the wings will be able to lie flat. Separate the wings. Hold the wings open with your tweezers. While they are closed, slip them between the wings and let them open. Take a wax paper strip and slide it between the two wings. It should be long enough to stick out from both sides. Use this strip to pull the wings separate and place another strip on the other side of the pin. These will be used to hold the wings flat. If you can't separate them with tweezers, do not try to push the wax paper down through the top. This will most likely result in folding or tearing the wing tips. Try sliding the wax paper from the front (right above the head) as there is normally a gap between the wings at the shoulder joint. Pin the wing down. Grab the wax paper and pull the wing down until it is flat on the spreading board. Do not place a pin through the wing , put pins through the wax paper. Make sure the paper is pulled tightly or the wings will not stay. Do this for both wings. If you begin the pinning process and the top wings do not lay fully flat, it needs more time to rehydrate. Do not press on them anyways, it will cause the wings to snap. You can leave the strips in between the wings while the butterfly continues to rehydrate for convenience. If the wings are slipping, pull the wax paper strips tighter and pin at an angle. Place the pins so that they lean away from the butterfly. This should keep the wax paper down more firmly. Position the wings and pin them into place. Start with the top wing. Temporarily unpin the top part of the wax paper strip. Do not remove the wax paper or the wing will close again. Do not touch the wing directly , instead hold the wing in place through the wax paper or with tweezers. Move the wing by releasing pressure and dragging it into place with your tweezers. Grab from the top of the wing, towards the middle. Do not grab it from the tip. When everything looks good, pin the wax paper down again. The bottom wings are more delicate. Grab from the side and drag up or down. Do not pull away from the body, the wing will tear. Pin it down. Remember to hold the wing you are not moving down while you position the other wing on the same side. Some butterflies have a thick vein towards the top of the wing. If you do not have flat-nosed tweezers, you may drag the wing with a pin with this vein. Do not point the pin downwards when you do this as you will likely puncture the wing. Hold it sideways and pin the wing in place with the paper as usual. Wearing gloves is advised, as the oils on the skin can remove scales. If your hands are sweaty, this may also pull scales off the wing, even through gloves and wax paper. Dry your hands frequently. Finalize. If there are any areas that are not lying flat, cut some extra wax paper strips and pin the problem area down. If you somehow still have legs and antennae intact (they are super fragile), you can try and position them with extra pins. This step takes a lot of practice. Create a label for the insect. Determine the insect's genus and species, and print these clearly on a slip of paper. Also note the location and date on which the insect was found and the individual who collected the specimen. Some collectors also note the environment from which the insect was collected: feeding on a leaf, found under a log, etc. Pin this slip of paper with the main pin in the body of the insect. If you plan to develop a large collection of pinned insects, you may wish to start with a large piece of foam or cork, so the collection has room to expand. Protect the pinned insects by storing it in a cabinet or a set of drawers, or even by placing the pinned insects in a wooden cigar box. Adding mothballs from the box will protect from scavengers. | Fill a small glass jar halfway full with rubbing alcohol. Find a dead insect. Identify and label your insect. Carefully put the insect in the jar. Fill the jar the rest of the way with rubbing alcohol. Fill a jar 2/3 full with hand sanitizer. Place your dead insect in the hand sanitizer. Boil the jars to remove air bubbles. Fill the jar completely full with hand sanitizer. Purchase insect pins and mounting foam. Rehydrate your specimen. Impale the insect’s body on the pin. Mount the insect and label on the foam. Leave the insect to dry. Create a label for the insect. Purchase supplies. Prepare a spreading board. Prepare wax paper strips. Rehydrate your specimen. Impale the insect’s body on the pin. Separate the wings. Pin the wing down. Position the wings and pin them into place. Finalize. Create a label for the insect. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-If-a-Person-Has-a-Concussion | How to Tell If a Person Has a Concussion | To tell if a person has a concussion after they hit their head, ask them basic questions, like “What is your name?” or “What day is it?” Listen for slurred speech or signs of confusion, which may be a sign of a concussion. In addition, watch them carefully for signs of dizziness, nausea, or disorientation. If you suspect a person has a concussion, stay with them for about 3-4 hours in case they need medical assistance, and bring them to a doctor within 1-2 days. If the person loses consciousness, they almost certainly have a concussion and may need emergency medical treatment. | Determine if the victim has lost consciousness. Not everyone who gets a concussion will lose consciousness, but some people do. This is the most obvious sign that someone has a concussion. If the person has blacked out after a blow to the head, seek emergency medical treatment. Watch for slurred or unclear speech. Ask the person some basic questions such as, “What is your name?” and “Do you know where you are?” If their answers are delayed, slurred, don't make sense, or are hard to understand, they may have a concussion. Find out if the victim is confused or doesn’t remember what happened. If the person has a blank stare, seems confused, or doesn't know where they are, it could be a sign of a brain injury. If they seem dazed, don't remember what happened, or appear to have memory loss, they likely have a concussion. Watch for nausea or vomiting. If someone vomits, especially repeatedly, after being hit in the head or involved in another type of accident, this usually indicates a concussion. If they haven't vomited, ask them if they feel nauseated or have an upset stomach, which may also be a sign of a concussion. Look for impaired balance or coordination. People with concussions often have problems with their motor skills, such as being unable to walk in a straight line or catch a ball. If the person is having trouble with these things or has a delayed reaction time, they likely have a concussion. Ask the victim if they have a headache, blurred vision, or feel dizzy. A headache that lasts more than a few minutes is a common sign of a concussion. Blurred vision, “seeing stars,” and/or feelings of dizziness or fogginess may also indicate a concussion. Watch the person carefully for 3-4 hours. If you suspect a concussion, the person should be carefully monitored for the next several hours. Symptoms of a concussion often change over a period of time. It's not a good idea to leave them alone, in case they end up needing emergency medical treatment. If possible, arrange for someone to stay with the person for at least a few hours after the incident and monitor their behavior. Look for symptoms over the next several days or weeks. While some concussion symptoms show up immediately, some don't appear until days or weeks afterwards. Even if the person seemed fine after the incident, they may begin to show signs of a concussion later on. The victim may exhibit signs such as slurred speech, confusion, nausea or vomiting, impaired balance or coordination, dizziness, blurred vision, or headache. These symptoms could indicate medical issues other than a concussion, so it's important to have the person examined by a healthcare provider. Watch for changes in mood and behavior over the next month. Sudden changes in behavior or mood often indicate a concussion. If the person seems grouchy, irritable, angry, sad, or otherwise emotional, seemingly without a reason, they may have a concussion. If the person becomes violent, acts out, or loses interest in their favorite things or activities, this can also indicate a concussion. Determine if they have sensitivity to light or sound. People that are suffering from concussions are often more sensitive to bright lights and loud noises. If these things make the person cringe or complain of pain, or if they have ringing in their ears, they may have a concussion. Recognize changes in eating or sleeping patterns. Look for behavior that contradicts their usual patterns or habits. If the person has lost their appetite or is eating much more than normal, it could be a sign of a concussion. Similarly, if the person has trouble sleeping or is sleeping excessively, they may have a concussion. Find out if the victim has problems with memory or concentration. Even if the person seems clear-headed after the incident, they may develop issues later on. If they seem unfocused, unable to concentrate, or have trouble remembering things that happened either before or after the incident, they likely have a concussion. Watch for excessive crying in children. If the person that you suspect may have a concussion is a child, determine if they seem to be crying more than usual. Though most of the concussion symptoms are the same in children and adults, children may cry excessively because they are in pain, feeling off, or don't know how to express what is wrong. Seek emergency medical care for seizures, difficulty breathing, or fluid leaking from the ears. If the victim doesn't respond or wake up after losing consciousness, experiences worsening headaches, vomits repeatedly, has blood or fluid leaking from the ears and nose, has a seizure, difficulty breathing, or slurred speech, take them to the emergency room immediately. These symptoms could indicate a very serious brain injury. Get a medical evaluation for anyone with a suspected concussion within 1-2 days. Even if emergency medical treatment isn't required, all head injuries should be evaluated by a licensed healthcare professional. If you suspect someone has a concussion, take them to the doctor within 2 days of the incident. A neurological specialist will be able to rule out other problems, like cervical injury, that can have similar symptoms to a head injury. Get immediate medical attention if the victim’s symptoms worsen. In general, the symptoms of a concussion decrease over time. If the opposite is happening and the person experiences worsening pain, such as headache, and/or increased fatigue, seek immediate medical attention. These signs could indicate a more serious injury. Follow the prescribed treatment plant. Usually, bed rest is prescribed for people with concussions. This includes both physical and mental rest, meaning the person should avoid physical activity (like exercise) as well as strenuous mental activity (such as playing video games or doing crossword puzzles). Be sure to rest for as long as the doctor recommends, and always follow any other treatment plan as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Avoid exercise and activity until cleared by a doctor. If the victim got a concussion while playing a sport, exercising, or doing another physical activity, remove the person from the game or activity. They should not resume the activity until evaluated by a doctor, especially if it is a contact sport in which they may get hit again. | Determine if the victim has lost consciousness. Watch for slurred or unclear speech. Find out if the victim is confused or doesn’t remember what happened. Watch for nausea or vomiting. Look for impaired balance or coordination. Ask the victim if they have a headache, blurred vision, or feel dizzy. Watch the person carefully for 3-4 hours. Look for symptoms over the next several days or weeks. Watch for changes in mood and behavior over the next month. Determine if they have sensitivity to light or sound. Recognize changes in eating or sleeping patterns. Find out if the victim has problems with memory or concentration. Watch for excessive crying in children. Seek emergency medical care for seizures, difficulty breathing, or fluid leaking from the ears. Get a medical evaluation for anyone with a suspected concussion within 1-2 days. Get immediate medical attention if the victim’s symptoms worsen. Follow the prescribed treatment plant. Avoid exercise and activity until cleared by a doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Scientific-Paper | How to Read a Scientific Paper | To read a scientific paper, start by skimming the title and section headings to get a feel for the structure of the paper. Next, read the abstract and introduction for more information about the subject matter and the questions the author sought to answer in the paper. Then, skim for keywords and phrases, taking notes and underlining important terms as you go. Pay attention to raw data and any figures included and consider checking out the references to gain a better understanding of the context. | Determine the paper is a review paper. Review papers summarize the data and conclusions of many other papers to give you an overview of a specific topic or field. Typically, you'll see the word "review" in either the title or the abstract of the paper. If you aren't familiar with a particular field, a review paper can give you a better understanding. Review papers can also help you identify empirical papers you need to read or use as sources in your own work. Identify whether the paper is a narrative review or a systematic review. A narrative review is typically easier to read and provides a broad overview of a particular field of scholarship or area of research. Systematic reviews are more detailed and may evaluate the methods and data of the papers reviewed. The authors typically state the type of review in the title or the abstract of the paper. Systematic reviews are most common with medical studies. Read through the abstract and introduction of the paper. The abstract is a summary of the review paper, including the question asked and the answer found by the authors of the paper. The introduction explains the reason the authors chose to undertake the review. After reading the abstract and the introduction, if you determine that the paper is not relevant to your interests, there's no need to read any further. Assess the design of the review critically. A systematic review combines the results from several different studies to produce a more comprehensive understanding of the area of research. However, this is only effective if the review includes both published and unpublished studies that used the same methodology. In some areas of research, the outcomes of published studies differ from the outcomes of unpublished studies. A review that only includes published studies does not present the full picture of the state of research in that area. Some review papers may consider studies of different types, particularly in an emerging area of research where there haven't been a lot of studies completed. Jump to the results section of the paper. Reading the results section first lets you know what to look for as you read through the rest of the paper. Once you know what the authors concluded, you can focus on the data in the studies reviewed that support that conclusion. The results section should be logically organized and relatively easy for you to follow. It also typically includes a summary of the number of studies of any given type that were reviewed by the authors. Analyze the methodology of the review carefully. For a review paper, the methodology section will discuss how studies were selected for inclusion in the review. This includes the criteria used by the authors of the review and the data sources they searched for studies to include. The authors typically will include a discussion of criteria they used to determine whether a study should be included in their review. Think about whether these criteria introduced any bias into the review. Methodology also includes a description of how the results of the studies reviewed were synthesized by the authors of the review. Through synthesis, the review comes to a new (typically broader) conclusion than any of the individual studies reviewed. Study the graphs that present the synthesized data. A systematic review paper makes use of graphs known as "forest plots" to evaluate all the results from all the studies included in the review. Once you know how to interpret them, you may find forest plots easier to read than other statistical graphs. Along the horizontal is the condition or treatment being analyzed by the review. The vertical axis represents no effect. To the left of this axis, studies concluding treatment was effective will be plotted according to how extreme their results were. On the right of the axis, studies are plotted that favored the control, rather than the treatment or intervention. With most reviews, you should be able to tell at a glance whether the majority of the studies favored the treatment or intervention. Go back through the paper from beginning to end. Now that you have a strong understanding of the review and its methodology, you'll be better able to make sense of the rest of the paper. Read actively, taking notes as you go. Make notes of individual empirical papers included in the review that you might want to read on your own. If you see anything you don't understand, highlight it or make a note of it. You can look it up online later, or check a scientific dictionary. Taking notes as you read can help you paraphrase information from the paper in your own writing later, without worrying that you're plagiarizing the original source. Glance over the title and section headings. The title and section headings of the paper give you a basic understanding of what the paper is about. They also help you get a feel for the structure of the paper and how it's organized. Take note of any sections that appear longer or denser in relation to the other sections of the paper. It may take more of your time to read through those. The title and the section headings also give you an idea of whether the paper is relevant to your interests and how difficult it will be to comprehend. If the title and section headings include terminology you don't understand, you may want to do some background reading and then come back to it. Read the abstract to determine whether the paper will be useful for you. The abstract is a summary of the paper as a whole. It will tell you what questions the authors sought to answer, the experiments they conducted, and the answers they found. Typically you can access the abstract of a paper, even if you can't read the whole thing. For example, you may find an article published in a journal you can't read without a subscription. The abstract will let you determine whether the full article is something you should read. If after reading the abstract, it doesn't seem like the paper would be beneficial for you to read, there's no need to read any further. Continue with the introduction if the paper seems relevant. The introduction places the paper in context. It will let you know what is already known about the general topic, and how this paper fits in with the broader line of scholarship. The introduction gives you a little more information about the questions the authors sought to answer, and how those questions fit into the larger field of scholarship. If the paper falls into a field of study that you're not familiar with, the introduction may point you towards resources you can use to gain enough information to properly understand the paper. Review articles about the topic as necessary. If you're not familiar with the topic of the paper or the questions the authors are trying to answer, you may need to do a little background reading before you'll be able to understand the paper. For example, if you're confronted in the introduction with a lot of terminology you don't understand, look for a general overview or review article that will provide you with the background you need. You may also want to use scientific dictionaries or other reference books to get a better understanding of words and phrases you aren't familiar with. Look at the paper's conclusions. Reading the conclusion before you dig into the meat of the experiments gives you a better ability to analyze the data and evaluate the data in context. Skip forward to the end of the paper and read the conclusion section that summarizes the authors' findings. Take note of the conclusions the authors made so you can refer to them as you read through the data. If you don't understand the conclusion, you may want to do additional background reading before digging into the data. Study the materials and methods sections carefully. Assuming you've gotten this far and have decided that you need to read the paper, move forward to the paper's methodology section. If the authors used a method you're not familiar with, you may want to do a little background research on that method before continuing. Make sure you understand what the authors did, and how they did it. Look for potential holes or biases in the authors' method. If the method doesn't seem like the best possible method to answer the questions, compare the methods you thought would work better. Jot down why you think your method would work better than the method used in the study. Evaluate the figures included in the paper. Most scientific papers include tables, charts, and graphs that summarize the data collected in the study. These figures allow you to look at all the data together and form your own conclusions on that information. Depending on the methods used, the figures may allow you to analyze the data more easily than you would by simply reading the paper. By looking at the figures, you get a general idea of how the study was conducted without even reading the paper. Think critically about the way the data is presented in the figures. Ask yourself if the data could have been represented in a clearer way. You can also consider if the figures chosen represent a bias on the part of the authors, or if they are attempting to present the data in a way that supports their conclusions. Read the narrative sections that discuss the raw data. Once you've looked at the figures, dig into the narrative sections of the paper that present the data and describe how it was gathered. Look for potential flaws in the gathering of the data that might affect the results. Typically, the authors use the text to highlight the data they felt was most important in the study. This is the data they used to support their conclusions. Compare the data described in the text with the data in the figures. Ask yourself if they left out important data that may have led to a different conclusion. The data may raise additional questions not discussed by the authors. Formulate a hypothesis as to why that data was ignored. Go through the whole paper again from beginning to end. After focusing on each section, read the paper actively. Take notes in the margins or on a separate sheet of paper as you read. Highlight or underline key phrases in the text. Be on the lookout for words such as "surprising" or "unexpected," which will give you clues as to how the authors interpreted the data they gathered. Phrases such as "in contrast with previous work" or "has seldom been addressed" help you put the paper in the context of the overall field of scholarship. Words such as "propose," "suggest," or "hypothesize alert you to conclusions the authors are making. They may also point to unanswered questions that invite further research. Check references to gain a better understanding of the paper's context. The previous scholarship the authors reference can help you place the paper in a continuous line of research. These prior researchers paved the way for this paper, or may have raised questions this paper seeks to answer. Some fields may have competing theories – especially in a new or developing area of study. If the authors have chosen one theory over another, consider how the competing theory might relate to this study. If the paper's conclusions differ from conclusions in similar studies, compare the methodology of the two different studies. Try to determine why the two studies came up with different conclusions. Relate the paper's findings to your knowledge of the field. If you already have a basic familiarity with the field of study, figure out how the paper relates to what you already know. Try to connect the paper to other resources you've already evaluated. For example, if you've studied neurology, you might relate an article on the plasticity of the brain with another article you've read about recovery from traumatic brain injury. Consider how the study's findings may affect the findings of other studies. They may be considered shocking or disruptive in the field, or may overturn previously held beliefs. Look at citing articles for other interpretations of the paper. If the paper is more than a year old, it's likely that other scholars in the field have cited the paper in their research. The more citing references a paper has, the more reliable the results potentially are. However, you have to look at the context within which the paper is cited. Pull up the articles that cite the paper you just read. Determine if they cited it favorably or unfavorably. If other papers have pointed out flaws in the methodology or in the authors' conclusions, it may not be a paper you want to rely on. If other authors have cited the paper approvingly, or appear to accept the result, this potentially gives the paper more weight. The authors and their conclusions are generally accepted by other scholars in the field. Include an appropriate citation if you mention the paper in your own work. Proper citation lets your readers know that you've done the appropriate research for your own paper. You also give your readers information to read the papers themselves. Citations are made up of a footnote or parenthetical citation in the body of your paper, as well as a full list of references at the end of your paper. The format depends on the citation style you're using. Include an in-text citation every time you mention the paper in your own work, or talk about any conclusions drawn by the authors of the paper. | Determine the paper is a review paper. Identify whether the paper is a narrative review or a systematic review. Read through the abstract and introduction of the paper. Assess the design of the review critically. Jump to the results section of the paper. Analyze the methodology of the review carefully. Study the graphs that present the synthesized data. Go back through the paper from beginning to end. Glance over the title and section headings. Read the abstract to determine whether the paper will be useful for you. Continue with the introduction if the paper seems relevant. Review articles about the topic as necessary. Look at the paper's conclusions. Study the materials and methods sections carefully. Evaluate the figures included in the paper. Read the narrative sections that discuss the raw data. Go through the whole paper again from beginning to end. Check references to gain a better understanding of the paper's context. Relate the paper's findings to your knowledge of the field. Look at citing articles for other interpretations of the paper. Include an appropriate citation if you mention the paper in your own work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Control-Mice | How to Control Mice | To control a mouse infestation, start by boarding up any holes, cracks, or gaps in your home so the mice can't keep getting inside. You should also remove their food source by moving food up to higher shelves, storing food in sealed containers, and keeping your garbage outdoors. Also, try to keep your floors clear of items like cardboard boxes, clothes, and books since mice can nest in them. As an extra line of defense, try putting natural mice repellants around your home, like mint or bay leaves and peppermint oil. | Use a snap trap. The classic snap-trap works by releasing a compressed bar at high speed, which snaps the spine of the mouse and kills it instantly. Place some food, such as peanut butter or a piece of cheese, on the lever that operates it. When the mouse comes to get the food, it will trip the lever and be killed by the bar. Use a stick trap. Sticky traps trap a mouse in a sticky substance, preventing them from moving further. These are less useful, because the mouse does not die from the trap, but is merely immobilized. Some mice will gnaw off their own legs to escape, making these rather inhumane to use. You will also most likely have to kill the mice yourself once you have discovered the trap. Use a mouse catcher, which will trap the mice without causing their deaths. Be careful not to touch your skin to the catcher, as mice have very keen senses of smell and will refuse to enter a trap that has been handled by humans. If possible, use latex lab or surgical gloves while handling it. Understand that this might not be the best option, especially if you have a large infestation. You will need to release the mice far away from your home for the traps to be effective in keeping them out, which could result in a lot of trips out of town for you. Release a cat. Cats are natural predators of mice, and are highly effective - and highly motivated - in tracking them down and killing them. Cats may perform better if they are a little underfed. Obviously, do not starve your cat, but give them the incentive to hunt mice instead of hunt kibble by limiting their meals. Cats also love to bring their owners dead things. Whatever the reason for this, know that if you depend on your cat to control the mice, you may have find one or more lying at your feet in the future. Cats are long-term commitments, however, so if you buy one be prepared to keep it for up to 20 years. If you just want a cat for pest control, there are certainly better and shorter-term options to consider, such as borrowing a friend's cat. Call a professional exterminator. Exterminators companies like Orkin or Terminix are still allowed to use commercial poisons, and are actually trained in their use. This is a good option for people who do not want to kill the mice, for in addition to killing the animals, they also offer more innovative solutions, such as one-way escape routes that allow intruding animals to leave, but not reenter. However, it is a bad option because it also may be quite expensive. Really, use this only as a last resort. Cautiously consider the use of various poisons. These often come in the form of loose bait or pellets, placed around areas where the mice might hide. Poisons such as brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and difenacoum work by acting as second-order anti-coagulants, causing the mice to bleed out by preventing the blood from coagulating. However, these have severe downsides and should almost certainly be avoided. The above-mentioned poisons have been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for homeowners, as their improper use of these poisons has directly caused the deaths of thousands of wild animals. Plus, leaving loose poison around is a terrible idea, especially if you have pets or small children; the poisons are equally effective on humans and pets, as well as mice. Learn how and why this problem developed. You've eliminated your mouse infestation, and you need to make sure that things stay that way. Mice don't just spontaneously show up in a home, and there are several factors that come into play as to why one house has a mouse infestation, and another does not. Holes in the walls, shingles, or insulation allow for mice to enter through the walls, gaps between windows and windowsills allows them to enter through windows, and the space between the door and the doorjamb allow them to get underneath your doors. Sources of food, whether open containers of dry ingredients or bags of garbage, are rich sources of food for scavengers like mice. If you habitually leave your food and food waste out in the open, you could be providing meals fit for kings for a population of mice. Research the appropriate pest control methods. There are multiple ways to deal with this, some smarter than others. You could use poisons, call a professional exterminator, lay traps, or try to eliminate the reasons for why mice have entered your home. Only you can know which method will work best for your specific infestation, so take a look below and read each method carefully before you decide on which one you should take. Consider the environmental implications. Some forms of extermination are more environmentally friendly, or less environmentally damaging. Poisons may not be the best option if you are eco-conscious, but snap traps are generally made out of more sustainable resources like hardwood and steel. Weigh your options against your moral commitments. Maybe you are uncomfortable with actually killing the mice in your house. Luckily for you, it isn't necessary to actually exterminate your pests. You can also trap them and let them loose, or make it impossible for them to continue living in your home. Even if you don't plan on employing a professional exterminator or pest controller, talking with one might be helpful. They are professionals at what they do, and will know all the ways - effective or not - for eliminating pests. None of these methods are mutually exclusive. If you find that one method is only partially effective, you can combine it with others. Boarding up your walls works well in conjunction with laying traps, for example. Board up any holes or cracks in your walls, gaps in your windows, or space between entryways. As previously mentioned, mice get into your home because you have, in some way, allowed them in. Find all the holes, gaps, and potential entry points into your home and have them sealed. For inside walls, depending on the size of the hole or crack, there are multiple useful methods for fixing it. If your wall is made out of drywall, there are more specific ways for fixing that as well. For outside walls, you might want to fill in the area with concrete, or patch it up with steel. For kitchen floor, you may have to retile or regrout the floor, depending on the extent of any damage. If you have an attic, or even if you don't, check your roof for any holes or gaps in the shingles where mice might be able to enter Find and fix any gaps in your windows or your doors. Keep your house clean. Mice thrive in messy areas, which are often neglected and full of useful material with which to make their nests. Once you've eliminated your mouse infestation, be sure to keep your house as spotless as possible Keep all inaccessible areas, such as corners, broom closets, or the attic, clean and free of debris. Don't leave useful items, such as cardboard, old books, garments, or cloth lying around. Mice can use these to make their nests. Remove their indoor sources of food to inaccessible places. Mice are in your home because it is easier to be there than it is to be outside. Eliminate that consideration and you will go a long way to preventing any future recurrence of mouse infestation. Place food that is on the ground or low to the ground on higher shelves, or in sealed cabinets Store food in sealed containers, especially food stored in soft cardboard boxes such as cereal, or in paper bags such as flour. Make sure garbage is removed outside, with the bin lid tightly closed, as soon as the bag is full. Ensure your refrigerator door is not opening unbidden, and so is sealed to any potential mouse interlopers. Eliminate their outdoors sources of food. Mice are wild animals, after all, and they do have natural diets. A mouse in the wild will eat fruits, nuts, and grains, and so any source of these on your property is a potential attractant for mice. If you have fruit trees or berry bushes, do yourself a favor and pick the fruit. This will simultaneously eliminate a source of food for mice, as well as give you something delicious to eat at the end. Make sure to pick up and throw away anything that has fallen on the ground as well. If you have grasses or grains and you do not plan to harvest them, take some time to mow your lawn and to throw away the debris in your yard waste bin. In general, the less places there are to hide, the less mice will be able to live on your property. Set up natural deterrents. There are many substances known to repel mice, and so it doesn't hurt to place some of them around your house to deter them from entering. Some of these substances include: Mint leaf Bay leaf Strong oils such as tea tree or peppermint Snake or cat feces. Stay alert. Even after you've fixed all the problems with your home and eliminated your mouse infestation, that doesn't prevent you from having the same problem again. Listen for strange noises. Mice squeak, scratch, and make all sorts of noises in the walls. This may be your first indication that you have a mouse problem, so if you hear any strange noises or bumps in the night - the time that mice are most active - then start looking around your house for other signs that mischief is afoot. Search for mouse feces or urine. Mice eat a lot, and so they eliminate a lot of waste. Look for their droppings along walls, near suspected nests, and around your food and garbage. Mice also urinate a lot, and may develop "urine pillars," piles of grease, dust, and urine, which they leave around the house. Discover bite marks on food or furniture. You will generally find these on sources of food, such as boxes of cereal or bags of flour, as well as around your garbage bin. You may also find them on furniture. You can distinguish new bite marks on wooden furniture by the color of the mark: lighter colors mean newer, darker colors mean older. However, if you have a pet, make sure this isn't their work instead. Find greasy smears on walls, windows, and doors. Mice have a lot of oil and other filth in their fur coats, and will leave some of it behind when they squeeze under doors and window frames. Generally, mice leave a smaller amount of residue, but if you find a large amount, you may be dealing with a rat rather than a mouse problem. Look for nesting areas. Mice like to sleep in comfort, just like we do. You may find their nests in out-of-the-way areas of the house, such as the corners of walls, in the attic, or in a rarely used broom closet. You may also find them embedded in the walls, if you are able to search there. Notice abnormally excited pets. Other animals, especially prey animals, will get your dogs and cats very excited. If you suspect an infestation of mice and you notice Fido is a little more jumpy as of late, investigate and see where he gets excited. He may have done your legwork in finding their nesting areas. Know your enemy. Mice are a diverse bunch, and when you are dealing with a mouse infestation, it is always best to know which species is to blame. Once you know the species, you have access to information on their feeding, sleeping, and mating habits, which will in turn help you eliminate the problem infestation. Here is some general information that may help you discover which species is at the root of your pest dilemma. There are hundreds of different species of mice, categorized broadly into Old World and New World subfamilies. The most common species to consider are the deer mouse, house mouse, field mouse, wood mouse, dormouse, spiny mouse and zebra mouse. Mice range in size, from a low of one inch to a high of seven inches. This measurement does not include tail length, which may be as much as twice the length of the mouse's body. Mice vary in color, from light brown bodies with lighter-colored underbellies, to dark brown, to grey. Keep a lookout for all different types, especially if you don't know which species you are dealing with. You can tell a rat from a mouse based on size, speed, and coloring. Rats are larger, darker, and slower than mice, which are generally smaller and nimbler than their cousins. | Use a snap trap. Use a stick trap. Use a mouse catcher, which will trap the mice without causing their deaths. Release a cat. Call a professional exterminator. Cautiously consider the use of various poisons. Learn how and why this problem developed. Research the appropriate pest control methods. Board up any holes or cracks in your walls, gaps in your windows, or space between entryways. Keep your house clean. Remove their indoor sources of food to inaccessible places. Eliminate their outdoors sources of food. Set up natural deterrents. Stay alert. Listen for strange noises. Search for mouse feces or urine. Discover bite marks on food or furniture. Find greasy smears on walls, windows, and doors. Look for nesting areas. Notice abnormally excited pets. Know your enemy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Whether-to-Go-Out-or-Stay-In | How to Decide Whether to Go Out or Stay In | To decide whether to go out or stay in, first consider whether anybody is counting on you to go. If you're strongly committed to going to an event, or if a friend might be hurt because you don't show up to something like their birthday party, it might be a bad idea to skip. In contrast, less important social events can probably be avoided with little trouble. Also think about what happens if you stay in. If the event is for work or school, you might miss out on making valuable connections. However, if your budget for the monthly is tight and you'd only be going to a weekly bowling club, the consequences probably won't be too bad if you skip! Don't forget to tune into your feelings. If you know spending time alone will make you feel unhappy, or that interacting with others will stress you out after an already draining day, you should take that into consideration. | Think about what is at stake. In some social events, it's a bad idea to skip out. An event for work or school, for example, could help you make connections. If your career or relationships with colleagues depend on an event, you should make an effort to attend. For example, look at events like a boss's birthday party or a mixer with members of your graduate program. These events allow you to make connections and keep up good relationships at work and school. It's probably a bad idea to miss such events. However, other events are low-key. If your friends are having a bowling night, for example, it won't hurt your career to skip out. Consider how important your presence is to others. Consider the feelings of other people involved. Is anyone counting on you to go? Did you make a strong commitment to an event? How disappointed will people be if you don't show up? For example, your friend may be hurt if you skip their birthday party. Friends may also be hurt if you made a strong commitment to something. If you and your friends have been planning a camping trip for months, for example, it may be a bad idea to skip it at the last minute. Social events that are less important can usually be avoided without too much trouble. For example, if your friends have a movie night every week it's unlikely anyone will feel too bad if you stay at home one day. Reflect on the kind of interactions you have. People tend to be happier when they have meaningful interactions with others over small talk. An event may be more worth your while if you're going to have interactions that matter there. If you're very close to some of the people attending, you're more likely to have meaningful interactions that will help you feel refreshed upon leaving. However, if it's mostly strangers and acquaintances, you may not have as much fun. Look at your financial situation. Be honest about whether you can afford to go out. Think about how much money you'll be spending and consider other expenses you have for the month or week. If your budget is looking tight, stay in the for the night and save some money. If you want to go out even though money is tight, try limiting how much you spend. Bring cash instead of relying on a debit card and only spend as much cash as you have on you. Think about how you feel about going. Ask yourself honestly how you feel about the prospect of going out. Do you feel excited and invigorated about getting out of the house? Do you feel anxious and a little exhausted with the idea? Tune in to your feelings and try to listen to them. If going out does not sound appealing, stay in. Evaluate your feelings about spending time alone. In some cases, alone time can increase productivity and boost mood. However, if you're spending time alone when you want to connect with others, being alone can have negative effects. You may end up feeling lonely, stressed, and unhappy. Think about whether you genuinely want to spend time alone. Think about your interactions with people lately. Have you been craving human connection? Have interactions been sparse or negative? If you're craving interactions with others, spending time alone could make you unhappy. It may be best to go out and see others. However, if you've been spending a lot of time with people lately, you may benefit from a night alone. If you're not strongly craving companionship, going out may just stress you out more. In this case, you may want to stay in and do something on your own, like reading a book or watching a movie. Note your energy level. If you've had a long week, you may be feeling tired. If you're already exhausted, you may not last long at an outing. If you're just going to end up turning in early, going out may not be worth it. However, if you're relatively energetic, you may enjoy spending an evening outside of your home. For example, if you've been working overtime you may not have the energy to get dressed and go out. If it's a been a normal week, however, it may not take too much motivation to throw on some clothes and head out the door. Contemplate whether you're in the mood to meet new people. Going out can be a wonderful opportunity to make new friends. Meeting people is one of the major draws of leaving your apartment. Think about whether you're in the mood to mingle. Have you been stuck in a rut lately in regards to your social circle? If you've been craving new friends and new experiences, try going out and chatting with new people. However, you may not be looking to make new friends right now. You may also simply not be in a very social mood. If you're not feeling social, you're unlikely to interact with new people even if you want to. In this case, it may be best to stay in for the night. Think about whether you want to get dressed. Going out requires getting dressed. Depending on the type of event, you may have to spend a lot of time getting ready. A formal event, for example, may require you to dress up. Think about what it will take to get ready and whether you feel like putting in that effort. You may be inclined to stay in if an event is very formal and you're not in the mood to dress up. If you don't feel like doing your hair and makeup and putting on your best clothes, stay in. However, if you're feeling in a dressy mood, you may relish the excuse to dress up. If an event is more casual, it may be easier to motivate yourself to throw on jeans and a t-shirt. However, if you prefer to stay in your pajamas for the night, it's okay to stay in even for a casual event. Try just making a brief appearance. If you can't decide whether or not to go, try showing up for a brief amount of time. Show up for one drink or a single hour. This can work if you can't afford a full night, but want to go out. It can also work if you don't want to go out, but it's important you attend as people are expecting you. Have people come to you. If you can't afford to go out, see if you can get people to change their plans. Instead of going to a bar, for example, invite people over to your place for drinks. Be sure to be polite when proposing this. It may be considered impolite if plans have been set for awhile. Stay in while interacting via social media. More and more people are plugged in to social media at all times. If you can't afford going out, or simply don't feel like putting in the effort, use social media to interact with others. You can video chat with a friend, make a phone call, talk to someone online, or text someone. | Think about what is at stake. Consider how important your presence is to others. Reflect on the kind of interactions you have. Look at your financial situation. Think about how you feel about going. Evaluate your feelings about spending time alone. Note your energy level. Contemplate whether you're in the mood to meet new people. Think about whether you want to get dressed. Try just making a brief appearance. Have people come to you. Stay in while interacting via social media. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Beach-Scene | How to Draw a Beach Scene | To draw a beach scene, start by drawing a horizontal line across the middle of your paper to make a horizon. Next, add a wavy line below the horizon, near the bottom of your paper for the edge of the water. Since the waves should look like they're coming at you, draw little horizontal squiggles in the water. Add some clouds and the sun or moon to finish the rough sketch of your scene. When you're ready to draw some details, try adding trees, beach umbrellas, or boats. Finally, go over the pencil lines you want to keep with a pen, then erase any mistakes or extra lines. | Draw a horizon line in pencil. Draw a straight, horizontal line across the middle of your piece of paper. This will be the horizon line, the line where the sea meets the sky. You can use a ruler to help you draw a straight line. Add a wavy line for the edge of the water. Below the horizon line, but not quite at the bottom of your paper, draw a wavy line across your whole page. This will mark the tide-line, where the water reaches the sand. Make the curves of the line different sizes to make the waterline look more realistic. Draw little squiggles in the water to look like waves. Your scene will have the beach in the bottom part of your page, then the water, and then the sky. Make it clear that the ocean is water by adding little squiggles to look like waves. Don't worry too much about making it look perfect. You are just at the pencil stage, and can fix it up later with colors. Draw clouds in the sky. To draw a cloud , sketch short, connected curved lines. You can make the clouds as big or small as you want, and can also add swirls in the middle of the cloud for a more realistic effect. If you want your beach scene to be perfectly sunny, with no clouds, then feel free to skip them! Draw a sun or a moon. If you want your beach scene to take place at sunrise or sunset , then draw the sun as half a circle, sticking out of your horizon line, in the middle of the page. If you want your beach scene to take place in the middle of the day, then draw the sun as a full circle floating in the sky. If your scene is at night, add a moon by either drawing a circle or a crescent. Don't worry if the circle isn't perfect! Most of the time people don't look directly at the sun, so they don't really see a perfect circle. If you want, you can give your sun a friendly smiley face. Draw a palm tree for a tropical scene. Use 2 long, vertical, slightly curved lines to draw the trunk of the palm tree. Draw the leaves like big feathers: make a curved line, and then a bunch of short lines coming off of it, all pointing downward. You can add as many palm trees as you want. Of course, if your beach is somewhere that doesn't have palm trees, you don't have to draw them. Draw a little wiggly line under the palm tree to make it clear it's standing on sand, not just floating. Add a beach umbrella to make it look like people were there. It might be tricky to actually draw people, but you can make the beach look full of life by adding in a beach umbrella. Use a slightly diagonal line to draw the pole coming out of the sand. Draw a curved line facing down for the umbrella, and a bunch of little connected curves for the bottom of the umbrella. You can add a beach towel underneath the towel by drawing a diamond. This will look like a tilted towel. Sketch a boat in the water to add some fun detail. Draw the hull of the boat by drawing a half circle, and then erasing the part that would be underneath the water. Then draw a straight line for the mast, and a triangle for the sail. If you want your boat to be really far away, you can draw it really tiny on the horizon. Go over your pencil lines with pen and erase the pencil. Take a pen or a marker and go over the lines that you want to keep in your drawing. You probably made a lot of extra wiggly lines when you were sketching with a pencil, and you don't need to keep those in. Once you go over the pencil lines with pen, you can erase all the pencil lines. Make sure the ink has dried before you erase the pencil or your eraser will smudge the ink. Color your picture with colored pencils, crayons, pastels, or markers. You can use yellow or brown for the sand, brown for the palm tree trunks, and green for leaves. If your scene is in the day, color the sky a light blue and the ocean a slightly darker blue-green. If your scene is at sunrise or sunset, color the sky with stripes of color, and make those colors reflect a bit off the water too. Your ocean will look more realistic if you color it with multiple colors, like blue, green, and purple, instead of all one color. You can color in your beach umbrella and beach towel bright colors like pink or yellow for some fun contrast! Finished. | Draw a horizon line in pencil. Add a wavy line for the edge of the water. Draw little squiggles in the water to look like waves. Draw clouds in the sky. Draw a sun or a moon. Draw a palm tree for a tropical scene. Add a beach umbrella to make it look like people were there. Sketch a boat in the water to add some fun detail. Go over your pencil lines with pen and erase the pencil. Color your picture with colored pencils, crayons, pastels, or markers. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Ingrown-Toenails | How to Get Rid of Ingrown Toenails | If you have an ingrown toenail, soak your foot in a mixture of cool to warm water and Epsom salt for 15-30 minutes twice a day. This will soften the toenail and help prevent the ingrown nail from becoming infected. Lift the corner of your toenail with a pair of disinfected tweezers and place a small amount of cotton beneath the nail to keep it from growing into your skin. Replace the cotton daily. However, if the nail bed is swollen or red, you should see your doctor in case of an infection. | Check with your doctor or podiatrist first if you are diabetic. It is important to keep your feet clean and to check for problems, such as ingrown toenails, if you are diabetic. However, your doctor may prefer that you do not try to treat an ingrown toenail yourself for safety reasons. Call your doctor and ask before you attempt any home treatments. Soak your foot in a mixture of cool to warm water and Epsom salt. Hot water will cause the area around your ingrown toenail to swell, so don't use hot water. Do this for 15-30 minutes at least twice daily. The goal here is twofold: to soften the toenail and prevent the ingrown nail from becoming infected. Gather your tools and get ready. Get a cotton round, cotton ball, or any unflavored or unwaxed dental floss ready, a pair of disinfected tweezers, and a toenail lifter. Keep your toenail slightly raised. Using a disinfected tool to place a small piece of cotton or unflavored dental floss between your toenail and the skin should keep the ingrown toenail from coming back. If you are using a cotton round or cotton ball, remove a small piece of cotton with the tweezers. If you are using unflavored dental floss, cut a 6 inches (15 cm) piece of dental floss. Lift the corner of the ingrown toenail with the disinfected tweezers and gently work the cotton or dental floss under the nail. If desired, you may apply an antiseptic ointment, such as Neosporin , to the cotton or floss before sliding it under the nail. Do not try to put the cotton or dental floss under the nail if the nail bed looks swollen or red. Remove the cotton or dental floss daily, cleanse the area, and replace with new cotton or dental floss to reduce the risk of infection. Give your toe some air! Don't wear socks or shoes when you're at home. Check back. If you keep the cotton or dental floss splint in place and treat your feet well, your ingrown toenail should grow back out within a few weeks. Replace the cotton every day to keep the toe from becoming infected. If the toenail is painful, replace the cotton every other day, checking daily for infection. Ask your healthcare provider about taping. If your nails are still cutting into the skin, then you may also consider trying taping. Taping is when you secure a band-aid to the bottom of your toe and pull the skin away from the location where the nail is cutting into the nailbed. The trick is to move the skin away from the offending nail with the help of a band-aid. This can decrease pressure in the area, and if done properly, promote drainage and drying. However, you may want to ask your healthcare provider to show you the proper way to do this because it can be difficult to master. Soak your foot in cool water that's been treated with a povidone-iodine solution. Put one or two teaspoons of povidone-iodine into cool soaking water instead of Epsom salts. Povidone-iodine is an effective antiseptic. Keep in mind that this will not treat an ingrown toenail, but it may help to prevent an infection. Apply lemon juice and honey and bandage the toe overnight. Apply some fresh lemon juice and honey or Manuka honey to the toe. Then wrap the toe with gauze and leave the bandage on overnight. The lemon and honey may help to fight the infection overnight. Lemon has antimicrobial effects, but it will not get rid of an ingrown toenail. Use oils to soften the skin around the toenail. Oils applied to the toenails can help moisturize and soften the skin, reducing the pressure put on the toenail when you have to wear shoes. Try the following oils for fast relief: Tea tree oil: this essential oil is both an antibacterial and an antifungal agent that smells great. Baby oil: another great-smelling mineral oil, this doesn't have the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil, but works great for softening the skin. Keep toenails at a moderate length and trim them straight across. Nails that are rounded have a higher chance of growing into the skin around the toes, creating problems. Use toenail clippers or nail scissors to trim toenails. Ordinary nail clippers are small enough that they tend to leave sharp edges near the corner of the toenail. Optimally, try to cut your toenails once every 2-3 weeks. Unless your toenails grow extremely fast, cutting your toenails often won't give them a good chance to become ingrown. Avoid getting pedicures while your ingrown toenail is still bothering you. Pedicures can aggravate the skin underneath the nail; pedicure instruments can be less than sanitary, worsening or causing an infection. Make sure your shoes are the right size. Shoes that are too small and press on your toenails can easily cause them to become ingrown. Opt for roomier, bigger shoes instead of smaller, tighter ones. Try to wear open-toed shoes to prevent pressure on your toe. Since your toe should also be covered, use bandages or wear socks with sandals. Although this is unfashionable, it is better than having to get surgery. Be on the lookout if you regularly get ingrown toenails. If you get an ingrown toenail and do not care for it properly, then you are likely to get it again. However, you can take steps to prevent that from happening. Apply antibiotic cream to your feet twice a day. After you get out of the shower in the morning, and once before going to bed, apply antibiotic cream to the ingrown toenail and surrounding area. Antibiotic cream will help reduce the risk of infection, which can lead to complications and increased pain. Soak your feet in cool to warm, soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes. After soaking your feet, rinse them well to get all the soap off. Then, dry them well with a clean towel. You may also apply some Neosporin and a bandaid to protect the ingrown toenail area. | Check with your doctor or podiatrist first if you are diabetic. Soak your foot in a mixture of cool to warm water and Epsom salt. Gather your tools and get ready. Keep your toenail slightly raised. Give your toe some air! Check back. Ask your healthcare provider about taping. Soak your foot in cool water that's been treated with a povidone-iodine solution. Apply lemon juice and honey and bandage the toe overnight. Use oils to soften the skin around the toenail. Keep toenails at a moderate length and trim them straight across. Avoid getting pedicures while your ingrown toenail is still bothering you. Make sure your shoes are the right size. Be on the lookout if you regularly get ingrown toenails. Apply antibiotic cream to your feet twice a day. Soak your feet in cool to warm, soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Teeth-Whitening-Strips | How to Use Teeth Whitening Strips | Before you use teeth whitening strips, brush your teeth to get rid of any food or bacteria that could prevent the whitening gel from getting to all parts of your teeth. Then, remove the backing from the strip and apply the side with the gel to your teeth, making sure to smooth out any uneven areas. Next, wait for the amount of time indicated on the box, which is usually around 30 minutes, before peeling the strips off your teeth. Finally, brush your teeth or rinse them with water to remove any excess gel. | Read the instructions carefully. Although most whitening strips are applied and used in a similar manner, some brands may have different instructions. Always read the instructions fully and be aware of any side effects before using any whitening strip or whitening product. Misuse can cause damage to your teeth, gums, and health. Instructions can vary between brands, always fully read the instructions before use. Brush your teeth. Before you apply your whitening strips, you will need to brush your teeth. If you apply them without brushing your teeth, you may inadvertently trap food or bacteria under the strip and the surface of your teeth will not be in contact with the whitening substance, which can lead to an unappealing looking result. Brushing your teeth can also help remove any plaque that may block the whitening effects of the strip on the enamel. Brushing your teeth will allow the hydrogen peroxide in the whitener to penetrate your enamel better. Brush your teeth at least a half hour before you apply the strips to let saliva clean away any excess fluoride and get the enamel ready for whitening. Prepare your strips. Before you apply the strips to your teeth, take a moment to make sure you are applying the right strip to the correct location. Some whitening strips will have special strips for top and bottom teeth and all will have a certain side of the strip that must contact the teeth. Take a moment and learn which strip goes where. Apply the side with any gel to your teeth. This gel is the whitening agent and must contact the entire surface of your teeth except the gums to work properly. The smooth side of the strip will have no whitening gel and is there only to help you apply the strip. Apply the strips to your teeth. Having determined which way your strips need to be applied, place them over your teeth, with the gel coated side making contact with the surface of your teeth. Make sure the strip covers your teeth entirely, working out any bumps or uneven areas. Try drying the surface of your teeth with a napkin or towel before applying the strips. This will help increase the whitening effect. You can also use a cheek retractor to spread your lips and control the flow of saliva during the whitening treatment. Less moisture in your mouth will give you a better result. A tooth brush can be used to smooth the strip out if needed. Completely covering your teeth without any irregular areas will help evenly whiten your teeth. Avoid allowing the strips to reach up and cover your gums, as this can cause irritation or even slight burns that will make your gums look white. Wait for the strips to finish working. Once you have applied the strips you will need to patiently wait as they work on your teeth. Most brands will have a slightly different amount of time they recommend you wear the strips, so carefully read your instructions. Avoid touching the strips to allow them to work uninterpreted. In general, you will wait for around 30 minutes, before removing the strips. In order to keep your teeth dry during the whitening procedure you can try lying in bed on our back, keeping your mouth a little bit open. This will reduce the quantity of saliva, which may interfere in the whitening process. Try breathing through your mouth for a while as well to help dry out your mouth. Take the strips off. After the amount of time that your specific strips have instructed you to wear them has passed, you will need to remove the strips. Peel them away from your teeth and throw them away when it is time to remove them. Don't leave them on longer than specified as this can cause irritation and sensitivity in the teeth and gums. Leaving the strips on for a longer amount of time won't increase the whitening results. Clean your mouth after using the strips. Try rinsing with water or brushing your teeth to ensure that all the whitening gel is out of your mouth. Try not to swallow too much of the gel as it can be toxic. For the best results, avoid eating anything for an hour after your treatment. Repeat the process. Whitening strips work over time, utilizing slow exposure to the chemicals responsible for the whitening process. You will need repeated use of the strips before you see any noticeable difference in how white your teeth are. Keep using the strips for the recommended amount of time to get the most out of them. Use twice daily for 30 minutes at a time. Once you get the shade you desire, use the strips once a month as a refresher to maintain them. Sustained results can be expected at around four months, but they also work well after a professional teeth whitening in a dental office. Don't swallow any gel from the strips. Some whitening strips contain hydrogen peroxide, which is poisonous if swallowed. Try to avoid swallowing any of the gel or saliva that is produced when wearing the whitening strips. Don't worry if you accidentally swallow a small amount of gel. Small amounts will likely not produce any symptoms. Stop if sensitivity occurs. The chemicals in whitening strips can cause some sensitivity in the teeth and gums to occur. This may be the result of the gel coming into contact with the gums directly, applying the strips for too long or too much, or a sensitivity to the gel. Take a break from whitening strips if you notice your teeth or gums becoming sensitive. Ask your dentist if you are able to use whitening strips safely. Ask your dentist before using any whitening product. Not all tooth whitening strips use the same chemicals and processes to achieve results. Some may actually exacerbate preexisting dental issues or cause new ones to arise. Ask your dentist if whitening strips and other whitening products are a good fit for you. Brush your teeth regularly. Keeping up with regular brushing of your teeth is a great way to help keep them white and healthy. Make sure you are brushing your teeth properly and often enough to get the full benefit. Remember to take your time when brushing and reach every tooth completely. Brush twice daily, for around two minutes each time. Don't brush too hard as this can remove enamel or damage the gums. Also try to avoid using a toothbrush that is too hard (always use soft) and do not use a new toothbrush immediately after the treatment or after drinking a soda as the enamel is weakened and very sensitive to abrasion. You can try using whitening toothpaste in addition to your whitening strips but make sure you are also using toothpaste with over 1100 ppm of fluoride, which may help with any sensitivity. Try using strips and whitening toothpaste for two weeks to start, but alternate the whitening toothpaste with the fluoride toothpaste (best used before bed). Use mouthwash. Using mouthwash in addition to regular brushing and flossing can help improve the health of your mouth and teeth. Mouthwash is used to kill bacteria as well as wash away any loose debris knocked loose by brushing or flossing. Try to swish your mouthwash for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out. If the mouthwash is too strong, you can water it down, or dilute it with water from the start using a 50:50 dilution. You may want to use whitening mouthwashes in addition to your whitening strips. Floss daily. Although flossing can be difficult and takes time, it is an important step in maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. Flossing works by removing built up plaque and tartar that brushing might have missed. Keep in mind that it is better to prevent any future problems than spend loads of money to repair the damage. Start with a long piece of floss, about arms length. Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, spanning the gap between your hands. Work the floss down in between teeth on both sides of each gum papilla (the gum triangle which is located between teeth). Pull the floss to one side of the tooth, forming a “c” shape. Move the floss up and down the length of the tooth to clean it. Avoid certain foods. Some foods can cause your teeth to become stained, resulting in a yellowish coloration, which is more likely to produce results much faster than normal if you are using strips. Other foods can cause your enamel to wear down, which can lead to tooth damage and pain. Try to avoid some of the following foods and drinks as you work to whiten your teeth: Coffee, tea and wine can cause your teeth to become stained. Sugary foods or highly acidic drinks, like orange juice or soda, can wear the enamel away on your teeth. This can cause cavities or other dental issues. Visit with your dentist. Making regular appointments with your dentist is a great way to keep your teeth healthy. Your dentist can help you to catch small dental issues before they become serious, as well as maintain regular care practices. Your dentist may be able to provide whitening services for you and help you to track their progress. | Read the instructions carefully. Brush your teeth. Prepare your strips. Apply the strips to your teeth. Wait for the strips to finish working. Take the strips off. Repeat the process. Don't swallow any gel from the strips. Stop if sensitivity occurs. Ask your dentist before using any whitening product. Brush your teeth regularly. Use mouthwash. Floss daily. Avoid certain foods. Visit with your dentist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Model-Castle | How to Make a Model Castle | If you want to make your own model castle, sketch your design to scale, writing down measurements for each separate section of the castle. Measure and cut the pieces of your castle from your building medium, then cut out any windows, turrets, or doorways. If you have a lot of repetitive shapes, it may help to cut out paper templates that you can use to trace the shape multiple times. Build the larger sections of the castle first, then the smaller sections, adhering the pieces with spray adhesive, glue, tape, or nails, then paint your castle. | Decide whether or not to use cardboard. Cardboard is an excellent building medium for beginners. It's also great if you're on a budget as many of your building materials can be found around your home. However, models built from cardboard won't be as durable or sturdy as models built from other materials. Empty cereal boxes, paper towel tubes, and toilet paper tubes are great cardboard building materials. Adhesives include masking tape, craft glue, and spray adhesive. Other household materials such as tin cans and scrap paper can be used as well. Consider using craft foam. Craft foam, also called foam core, is sold in thick sheets at craft stores. This medium will create sturdy and lightweight structures. However, some beginners have difficulty cutting the foam. If you've never used foam before, buy extra sheets to practice on. To work with foam, you will need: A sharp craft knife for slicing the foam A heated foam wire cutter for cutting large pieces of foam (optional) Tacky glue, a hot glue gun, or a liquid adhesive Choose wood as your building medium. Wood is the best choice for large, sturdy castles. These castles can last years if they're built properly. However, beginners may find woodworking difficult and expensive. Tools for woodworking include: A circular saw for cutting the wood A hammer A screwdriver Wood glue Nails and screws of various sizes Consider your limitations. Before designing your castle, consider any factors that will affect your design. For example, consider your space limitations. This includes your workspace and the display space. If your design is too large, you won't have anywhere to put your castle. Other things to consider include: What are the limitations of your building medium? For example, paper castles won't last as long as wooden castles. How big is your budget? Paper castles are cheaper than foam or wooden castles. How much time can you devote to your project? Wooden castles are very sturdy, but they will take weeks to complete. Decide whether or not to create your own design. There are many excellent model castle designs available online and at craft stores. These designs are good for beginners or for those working with unforgiving mediums such as wood. However, if you have a specific design in mind, it may be best to design your own castle. Sketch the castle to scale. When a drawing is “to scale,” it is drawn with accurate proportions. To create accurate proportions, scale the measurements of your castle down. For example, if your castle will be three feet by two feet (.9 meters by.6 meters), your drawing could be three inches by two inches (7.6 cm by 5.08 cm). It may be useful to use graph paper to sketch your castle. Include any small details such as turrets or a drawbridge. Separate the large and small sections. Your castle will be composed of several large sections with many small sections mounted on top. For example, if you're building a simple square castle with towers on each corner, your large section would be a square shape and your small sections would be cylinders. Sketch each section separately to help you visualize the building process. Measure and plan each section. Use your sketch as a guide. Create measurements for each separate section of the castle. Visualize building the castle with these different sections to help check your measurements. Make sure you include any accent features. For example: Turrets Towers Roofs A large base for your castle Consider making paper templates. This step is optional, but it may be useful to create paper templates of any repetitive forms. For example, if you're making a foam castle with a lot of towers, create a paper template of a tower. Next, lay the template on each piece of foam to cut out the tower. Each tower will be the same size and shape. This method is also useful when creating paper castles. Instead of drawing and measuring each repetitive section, make a paper template to use. Cut out each piece. Depending on your building medium, you may need a saw, craft blade, or heated wire foam cutter. First, use a ruler and a pencil to mark the places you need to cut. Next, carefully cut out each piece of the castle, using your design as a guide. It may be tempting to begin building after the first few pieces. However, if you cut all of the sections out before starting, it will be easier to finish the project. It may be useful to number each piece to help you keep track of where they belong. Cut any accents into the building pieces. Before you assemble the castle, cut out any windows, turrets, or doorways. Use your template as a guide. Otherwise, you may cut in the wrong places. If needed, use your ruler to measure any accents before cutting them out or create a paper template. For example: Measure out and draw small 1 x 1 inch squares (2.5 x 2.5 centimeters) along the top of the wall. Next, cut out every other square to create turrets. Create a paper template of a window. Use this window as a guide to ensure that all your windows look the same. Craft the larger sections. These sections are the foundation of your castle. Use an adhesive such as tape or glue (or a hammer and nail if you're working with wood) to assemble each large section. After they're assembled, place each section in its proper spot. Remember to use the correct adhesives for your medium. For example: For foam, use spray adhesive, hot glue, or tacky glue. Use wood glue, screws, and nails to connect pieces of wood. For cardboard, use white craft glue, glue sticks, and masking tape. Assemble the smaller sections. These sections are the structural accents, such as towers, rooftops, and large gates. Completely assemble each section before connecting it to the larger base sections. When you have finished assembling these sections, your castle will be ready to decorate If you use tacky glue, spray adhesive, or wood glue, let the structure dry for a few hours before decorating it. Attach the castle to a base. If you want to create a large, complex landscape around your castle, you will need a large base. Alternatively, use a small base as a simple mount for your castle. You won't be able to add a landscape, but the base will help keep all of the pieces together. Attach the castle with an adhesive if you're building with cardboard. If the castle is wooden, attach it with nails or screws. Use a strong foam board base for foam or paper castles. Use a strong wood sheet as a base for wooden castles. Paint the walls of the castle. Most castles are painted gray. However, there are many castles that are beige, white, and brown. Additionally, consider using a darker shade of the same color to outline any bricks or embellishments. Each medium works best with specific kinds of paint. For example: You can use almost any kind of paint on wood. However, spray paint and water based acrylic paint work best. Any water based acrylic or latex paint works well on foam. However, avoid using spray paint as it will dissolve the foam. You can use water and oil based paints on paper and cardboard. However, use spray paint sparingly as it may make these mediums soggy and weak. Paint any accents. Once the walls of the castle are dry, you can begin painting any embellishments. Use a variety of colors to paint accents on your castle. For example, use a deep burgundy to paint any rooftops. Other accents include: Window sills Window panes Doors and gates Create your landscape. If you're building a simple foam or cardboard castle, consider painting the landscape. This is a quick, easy way to give your castle a colorful backdrop. If you want to create a realistic landscape, visit a craft store for fake grass and small stones. Other realistic touches include: Creating small hills with foam and covering them with grass Lining a small pathway with stones Creating a moat and filling it with clear epoxy to create “water” Add accessories. Place small accessories around the castle or on the landscape. Accessories can include small human figures, trees, shrubbery, bridges, and gates. Many of these items can be purchased at a craft store. However, if you're on a budget or if you're feeling inspired, you can make your own at home. For example: Make your own trees by gluing a shredded green sponge to some copper wire. Craft a drawbridge using tongue depressors and hot glue. Create small bushes by crumpling small pieces of green tissue paper. Use a small jewelry chain to create a realistic drawbridge. Finished. | Decide whether or not to use cardboard. Consider using craft foam. Choose wood as your building medium. Consider your limitations. Decide whether or not to create your own design. Sketch the castle to scale. Separate the large and small sections. Measure and plan each section. Consider making paper templates. Cut out each piece. Cut any accents into the building pieces. Craft the larger sections. Assemble the smaller sections. Attach the castle to a base. Paint the walls of the castle. Paint any accents. Create your landscape. Add accessories. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Breasts-Perkier | How to Make Your Breasts Perkier | To make your breasts perkier, keep your shoulders back and head up, since a slouching posture can make your breasts appear droopier. Being overweight can make your breasts droop as well, so try an exercise like swimming to build your chest muscles and make your breasts appear firmer. Alternatively, perform chest strengthening exercises such as push-ups or peck flies to tone your muscles. Make sure you're wearing the correct sized bra by getting your chest measured at a department store, because bras that are too large won't support your breasts. If you enjoy yoga, try doing the bow pose or cobra, which are great positions for working on your chest muscles. | Do pushups. First, lay down. Then put your hands palms down near your shoulders. Lift your body up with your arms. Keep your head in line with your spine. Raise your body up and down. Try to do ten pushups at first. Then, increase your repetitions gradually. You can modify pushups by pivoting on your bent knees rather than on your feet. Lean forward to find the correct push up position. Raise and lower your body. You can also hold the push up position as a plank. Squeeze your abdominals together. Complete the chest press exercise. Collect two dumbbells. If you are an inexperienced lifter, try 5 lb. dumbbells. If you have lifted more often, start with 10 lb. weights. Lay down on the floor or on a weight bench. Bring the dumbbells downwards to your chest and rest them there. Then lift them upwards while breathing out. Do not let the weights touch each other. Do two or three sets of fifteen repetitions. Stop if you experience any pain. Consider working with a personal trainer or taking a lifting class before starting any intense weight regimen. Try pec flyes. Lie flat on your back, either on the ground or on a bench. Bend your knees if you are on the floor and make sure your back does not lift off the ground at any time during the exercise. Lay your arms out to form a "T" with your body, with a dumbbell in each hand. Lift your arms and bring your hands toward each other above your chest. Do not touch the dumbbells — keep your arms straight and in-line with your shoulders. Do the standing press. Find space on a flat wall (e.g. without windows). Face the wall. Stand with your forward foot twelve inches from the wall. Keep your other foot a step behind you. Place your hands (palms up) against the wall. They should be in line with your shoulders and about two feet from one another. Bend your elbows. Press against the wall for ten seconds. Repeat two times. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or yo-yo dieting (gaining, then losing, then gaining significant weight) can cause breasts to sag. When you gain a lot of weight, your breasts will stretch and grow heavier. If you then drop that weight, you will be left with excess skin that may cause your breasts to appear droopy. Maintaining a healthy weight and BMI can help prevent your breasts from sagging. Breasts are more likely to sag if there is a higher ratio of fat to breast tissue. The denser your breasts — that is, the more breast tissue they have, as opposed to fat — the less likely they are to sag. Use different yoga positions. Yoga can work to strengthen many parts of your body including your chest muscles. Consider taking a class to get a full-body work out. Otherwise, there are particular stretches you can try: Bow pose: Lay on your stomach. Arch your back and place your arms behind your body. Pull up your legs so that your hands can grab your feet. Cobra: lay on the floor on your stomach. Place your hands near your armpits, palms down, fingers pointing towards your toes. Gently raise your body so that your back arches. Your hips should stay on the floor. Hold the pose for five seconds. Swim. Swimming and especially doing the breast stroke can strengthen your chest muscles. Be sure to stretch before and after swimming. Swimming also will help your overall physical fitness, which will improve your appearance. Wear the correct bra size. One thing that will help your breasts be and look perkier is to have a good bra. Visit a department store or lingerie store to have a professional measure you. Many women wear incorrect bra sizes and that can lead to back pain too. In comparison to bras with soft cups, underwire bras can give you extra support. Maintain good posture. Keep your shoulders back and do not slouch. This will not cure drooping, but hunching can make your breasts look heavier and droopier than they are. Do mirror checks to make sure you are standing straight. Massage your breasts. Use Vitamin E or shea butter to stimulate circulation in your breasts. This will also help the texture of your skin. Ayurvedic pomegranate breast oil is another option for firming purposes. Try hydrotherapy. While in the shower, wash your breasts first with warm water for one half minute. Then douse them in cold water for ten seconds. Repeat this process for a few minutes. End with cold water. This method can improve your blood circulation, which may improve your elastin and collagen levels. Consider surgery. If you are not happy with your breasts, you can get a breast lift. There a number of different methods a surgeon may use, depending on your existing breast tissue and how much skin needs to be removed. Interview several different surgeons before making a choice. Find out how often the surgeon performs breast lifts, ask to see before and after photos, and how many procedures the doctor has performed. Make sure the surgeon you choose is board certified and the surgery will be performed in an accredited facility. Be aware that surgery may cause scarring or loss of sensation in your breasts. | Do pushups. Complete the chest press exercise. Try pec flyes. Do the standing press. Maintain a healthy weight. Use different yoga positions. Swim. Wear the correct bra size. Maintain good posture. Massage your breasts. Try hydrotherapy. Consider surgery. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Stolen-Cars | How to Find Stolen Cars | If your car has been stolen recently, there's a chance you can find it if you know where to look. Make sure you report the theft to the police as soon as possible so they can keep an eye out for your car. If there are businesses or public cameras in the area where your car was stolen, ask if you can review the footage. Try showing them your police report to prove the theft. Check resale websites like Cars.com, Craigslist, and Autotrader for your car or any of its parts. For around 40 dollars, you can also buy a vehicle history report for your car on the AutoCheck website. If you check this regularly, you'll see if your car or any parts using your Vehicle Identification Number get registered. | Confirm your car wasn’t towed. When you realize your car is gone, check to see that it hasn't been towed. Look around and confirm you didn't park under a “No Parking” sign or in front of a fire hydrant. If you did, then the city might have towed it. If necessary, contact towing companies in your area and ask if your car was towed. Also walk around the parking lot. It is easy to forget where you parked, and you want to make sure the car has been stolen before taking next steps. Gather identifying information about the car. Sit down and write out the following information, which the police will need to find your vehicle: Year, make and model. Car color. License plate number. If you can't remember it, call your insurer and explain that your car was stolen. Ask for the license plate number. Vehicle identification number (VIN). Your VIN should appear on your car title. However, you probably left it in your car. (It's a good idea to make copies of car documents and keep them at home precisely for this situation). Call your insurer to ask for the VIN. Call the police. The police will probably have better luck finding the car than you will, so call them as soon as possible. Tell them you want to file a stolen vehicle report and provide the necessary information. Make sure to get a copy of the police report and the case number. You will need them. Ask if the police report can be mailed to you. If not, take public transportation to the police station or ask a friend to drive you. Report to your insurance company. Within 24 hours, you should report the stolen car to your insurance company. Don't delay. Provide your insurer with the following information: date and time of theft where your car was located where the keys were located names of anyone with access to the vehicle detailed description of the car description of personal items in the car police report number contact information for the financing company (if your car is financed) Check security footage. Many businesses now have security cameras recording their parking lots. Also, your community might have installed cameras that record streets, schools, and other government buildings. You should try to access this security footage, which could help identify the thief. Stop into your town office or city hall and ask about checking security footage. Have a copy of your police report with you. Tell them the day and time you think the car was stolen. You can also stop into private businesses and asks. Also show them a copy of your police report. Avoid delay. Sometimes, businesses delete or film over security footage. Contact cab companies. Cab drivers are almost always on the road, so they are good “eyes” to have looking for your car. You can call up local cab companies and offer a reward for information leading to the recovery of your car. Make sure to provide a detailed description and offer a sweet enough reward so that cab drivers have an incentive to find the car. Some people think $100 is enough, but you should probably offer closer to $500. Track your car using the VIN. Whenever someone registers, titles, or services your car, the VIN will be entered into a database. You can purchase a vehicle history report at the AutoCheck website for $30-40. Check this report for any entries after the date your car was stolen. In the United States, you can also use the VinCheck feature at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) website. This website finds cars that are reported as stolen or salvaged. Contact the police in the area where the car has been registered or serviced. Explain that your car was stolen and share your copy of the police report and your vehicle history report. Check your city’s transportation website. If the thief parks your car and gets a ticket, then that information is entered into your city's database. Go online and search your car's license plate number. If you find that it has been parked somewhere, call the police and tell them where. Search cars for sale online. The thief might try to sell your car online. Often, they will post a picture and other identifying information, so you can scroll through pictures and see if any look like your car. Popular online marketplaces for automobiles include the following: Cars.com eBay Motors Craigslist Autotrader.com Report when the car is found. Make sure to contact both the police and your insurer if you find the car. Should your car need repairs, your insurer will cover it. Insurers wait about 30 days before declaring your car lost. At that point, they pay out the fair market value of the car. This is the amount your car would fetch on the open market. If you find your car after receiving payment from your insurer, then the insurance company gets the car. Lock your car. About half of all thefts result from mistakes an owner can make. One of the biggest is not locking your car when you leave it. Remember to do so. Also roll up your windows completely so that no one can open a door by reaching in through an open window. Close any sunroof as well. Take your keys with you. You should not leave your car running with your keys in it. You are inviting someone to steal your car. Instead, turn the car off and take the keys with you. Also avoid leaving a second spare set of keys hidden in the car. For example, some people hide a second set of keys in the wheel well or underneath a floor mat. A thief can easily find these keys, which makes stealing the car a breeze. Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Someone might be tempted to steal your car if they see your purse or another valuable in the seat. Once they break into the car, some might be tempted just to take off with the entire vehicle. Accordingly, hide valuables underneath the seats or lock them in the trunk. Use an anti-theft device. There are several anti-theft devices on the market. Choose the one that works best for you. Two of the more popular are the following: Ignition cut-off systems that will prevent your car from being started. A mechanism that locks onto the steering wheel. This device prevents the wheel from being fully turned. Install a tracking system. Many cars already come with a GPS tracking system. For example, General Motors has OnStar and Toyota has Safety Connect. If so, you can ask the service provider to track your car's location (so long as the thief doesn't disable the tracking system). You can also purchase a tracking system and have it installed. LoJack is a popular tracking system. Although only 55% of stolen cars are recovered, 90% of cars with LoJack are recovered. Purchase comprehensive auto insurance. Comprehensive insurance will cover a stolen car. Talk to your car insurer to ask about comprehensive coverage, including the cost. Also ask about any discounts available. | Confirm your car wasn’t towed. Gather identifying information about the car. Call the police. Report to your insurance company. Check security footage. Contact cab companies. Track your car using the VIN. Check your city’s transportation website. Search cars for sale online. Report when the car is found. Lock your car. Take your keys with you. Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. Use an anti-theft device. Install a tracking system. Purchase comprehensive auto insurance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Spray-Lacquer | How to Spray Lacquer | To spray lacquer, use aerosol cans if possible since they're easier to work with and require less preparation. However, if you're trying to cover a large area, you may want to use a spray gun instead. Whichever method you use, make sure you work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside, since lacquer is toxic to inhale. Before you get started, sand the wood you'll be spraying to remove any imperfections. Then, apply several coats of lacquer to the wood, letting it dry and sanding it in between coats. | Opt for cans for simplicity's sake. Lacquer can be applied either with disposable, pre-filled aerosol cans or spray guns, which require you to mix your lacquer, load the gun yourself, and adjust settings and attachments. To reduce prep- and guesswork, go with aerosol cans. However, be sure to factor in the surface area(s) of the wood to be sprayed when choosing between the two methods, since aerosol cans are not ideal for very large surface areas. When applying each coat, you want to cover all of a given surface area before the lacquer starts to dry anywhere. However, lacquer dries very quickly, which makes doing large surface areas with aerosol cans problematic. For instance, coffee tables and chests are probably too large for aerosol cans. Boxes and cabinets, however, are more ideal. Choose spray guns for large or numerous projects. If spraying lacquer is something you're going to be doing repeatedly, invest in a spray gun. Also use these for projects with surface areas four feet (1.2 m) long and over. There are numerous brands and models on the market to choose from, but spray guns are mainly divided into these categories: Air assisted airless sprayers (AAA): ideal for very large projects, with less labor needed for each piece of wood. Gravity feed guns: easy to clean and operate, making them perfect for DIY beginners. High-volume, low-pressure guns (HVLP): also suitable for DIY projects, although they require some precise setup beforehand for best results. Pressured guns: adjustable pressure allows for more varied results if you like to tinker with your finishes. Suction feed guns: lacquer can be used in these by practiced hands, but are not advised for beginners. Purchase thinner for spray guns. Aerosol cans are ready to use straight off the shelf, but spray guns require you to mix your lacquer with thinner before filling the gun. How much to add depends on your project, climate, and current weather conditions, so purchase both your lacquer and thinner from a local brick-and-mortar store. Ask the staff what ratio is recommended based on the type of lacquer to be used, your current weather, and the nature of your project. For instance, colored lacquers may require equal parts thinner and lacquer, while clear lacquers use substantially less thinner. In areas with constant high humidity, staff may also advise that you add a retarder. Decide between working indoors or outdoors. Working indoors allows you more control over the elements (which can affect the quality of your finish), but always prioritize safety over results. Lacquer is toxic to inhale, so base your decision on the amount of ventilation that your workspace receives. Only work inside if your workspace is constantly replenished with fresh air. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and work outside. For instance, a two-car garage with both doors open and industrial fans set up to circulate air should be fine. A basement with shoebox windows, on the other hand, should not be used. Whether you work inside or outside, always wear a full-face respirator with carbon filter cartridges. Create a safe, clean work area. Lacquer and other materials used are highly flammable, so do not use near open flames or heat sources. Inform family or other housemates to keep themselves and any pets away from the area while you are spraying, since the mist created by spraying lacquer is dangerous to breathe. Additionally, do the following, depending on whether you are working indoors or out: Indoors: Clean the work area of dust and bugs, both of which can become trapped in lacquer as it dries. Cover your worktable, floor, and any other nearby surfaces with drop cloths or other protective covering. Open all windows and set up exhaust fans. Outdoors: Pick a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight, which can ruin your finish. Always choose a calm, windless day to work, but also pick an area shielded from wind just in case. Cover your work surface and the surrounding ground with drop cloths to reduce fire hazards caused by over-spray. Wait for optimal temperature and humidity. Both temperature and humidity can adversely affect the quality of your finish, so only spray when conditions are right. Remember the number 65. Avoid spraying when the temperature dips below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) or when the humidity rises above 65%. Wet lacquer can absorb the moisture in the air, which will cloud the lacquer as it dries, a defect known as “blushing.” Choose the right wood. Lacquer doesn't work well with all woods, so make sure you're not about to use it on an unsuitable type. For the best finishes stick with cherry, maple, mahogany, and walnut. Refrain from using it on: Woods with coarse, open grains, like ash. Soft woods, like cedar and redwood. Oily woods, like cocobolo. Sand your wood. Sand each piece of wood to be sprayed to get rid of any imperfections. Begin with P120-grit paper and then go over each piece again with P150-grit. Then use a damp cloth to moisten the surface, which helps highlight any remaining irregularities. Finish with P180-grit to smooth the surface down. Sanding is necessary because lacquer will highlight defects once applied. However, the dust created is a problem, since it could end up settling in the lacquer when wet. Sand everything to be sprayed first to get it out of the way so you can clean your workspace thoroughly afterward. Then allow time for any airborne dust to settle. Breaking your project up into two days (one for sanding, one for spraying) will help keep the air clear of sawdust. Prevent build-up in pre-cut areas. With furniture, cover any areas that have been pre-cut for joinery and later assembly (such as the slots for shelf pegs in a bookcase). Avoid filling these keys and slots with spray, which can build up and block the pieces that will eventually fit into them. Do the same with any rabbets, where the face or edge of the wood has been trimmed so that another piece can line up with it there. If your furniture is already assembled, it's always best to break it back down into individual pieces, rather than spray it as is. Read and follow the can or gun's directions. Whether you're using aerosol cans or spray guns, always read the instructions before operating. These may vary between types and manufacturers, especially with spray guns. Ensure safe and efficient use by following its recommended use. Keep a consistent distance between nozzle and wood. Again, with spray guns, the distance that you should maintain between the gun's tip and the wood may vary. However, expect it to be between 8 and 12 inches (20 and 30 cm). Maintain this distance from start to finish to ensure that the lacquer disperses consistently over the entire surface area. Start spraying before you reach the wood. Instead of starting at the very edge of your wood, start spraying a little bit past it, directly over your dropcloth. Then move over the edge and down the length of the wood. Similarly, go right over the opposite edge before stopping your spray. Spraying well past either end will ensure a consistent spray over the whole length of the wood, including the very edges. Overlap half of each row. If your wood is too wide to cover in a single spray from end to end, spray cross its narrowest edge first. Then, as you apply a second row below that first spray, aim so that half of it covers the first row of spray. Prevent unsightly build-ups along the edges of each row by applying an even amount of spray throughout. Keep each coat light and consistent. Thicker coats may cause build-up and runs, so plan on applying three to four light coats instead of one big thick one. Maintain a consistent speed as you spray without slowing down (which can cause build-ups) or speeding up (which will result in an uneven coat. Don't worry if the first coat appears blotchy despite your consistent speed, since the following coats will correct this. Sand after each coat. Again, always refer to directions since drying times between products may vary, with some advising a 20-minute wait for each coat to dry, while others advise two hours. Then sand the wood down with P320-grit paper to smooth the finish. Wipe the wood down with a tack cloth to remove the dust and wait for any particles in the air to settle before continuing with the next coat. You can also use 0000 steel wool instead of sandpaper. Repeat. First, if you're using a spray gun, follow the gun's directions regarding cleaning, since some may require you to clean it in between each coat if you are using a water-based lacquer. Also, a different ratio of thinner to lacquer than you used for your first coat may be recommended for additional coats. Apply three more coats, sanding after each one. After your last coat, buff it with P400-grit sandpaper dampened with mineral spirits, then finish with 0000 steel wool. | Opt for cans for simplicity's sake. Choose spray guns for large or numerous projects. Purchase thinner for spray guns. Decide between working indoors or outdoors. Create a safe, clean work area. Wait for optimal temperature and humidity. Choose the right wood. Sand your wood. Prevent build-up in pre-cut areas. Read and follow the can or gun's directions. Keep a consistent distance between nozzle and wood. Start spraying before you reach the wood. Overlap half of each row. Keep each coat light and consistent. Sand after each coat. Repeat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Manicotti | How to Make Manicotti | To make manicotti, you'll need to start by mixing together your cheeses, eggs, and seasonings and placing them in a plastic bag. Next, spread some marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. When that's done, pipe the cheese mixture from the bag into either cooked or uncooked pasta shells. Once the shells are filled, place them in the baking dish and cover them with marinara and shredded cheese. | Smooth together 15 oz. (444 ml) of ricotta cheese and 4 oz. (118 ml) of cream cheese in a large bowl. Stir in 8 oz. (236 ml) of mozzarella cheese and 4 oz. (118 ml) Parmesan or Romano cheese. Fold in 2 large eggs. Stir in 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) of salt and 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) pepper. Depending on your preference you can add a 10 oz. (296 ml) of package of frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed dry. You may also add 1 lb. (473 ml) of browned ground beef or Italian sausage to your cheese mixture. Even a small package of sliced pepperoni can be added at this point for a spicier manicotti recipe. Spoon the cheese mixture into a plastic storage bag and cut one corner. Spread approximately 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) of marinara sauce, from a jar or homemade, into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Open 1 box of 12 to 14 uncooked manicotti shells. Pipe the cheese mixture into each uncooked shell by squeezing the plastic bag, forcing the cheese mixture through the hole that you cut. Place each filled shell into the sauced baking dish, arranging them into 2 even rows. Boil the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted water for approximately 4 to 6 minutes until they are slightly softened, but still firm. Drain the shells through a colander, taking care not to tear any of them. Leave the shells in the colander and allow to cool slightly. Remove 1 shell at a time and pipe in the cheese mixture. Place each filled shell into the sauce lined baking dish, arranging them into 2 even rows. Cover the filled shells (both uncooked and cooked methods) with 1 1/2 cups to 2 1/2 cups (355 ml to 591 ml) of marinara sauce. Sprinkle 4 oz. (118 ml) of Parmesan or Romano cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F (176 degrees C. ) Bake the uncooked shells covered with foil for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Bake the cooked shells uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm. | Smooth together 15 oz. Stir in 8 oz. Fold in 2 large eggs. Stir in 1/2 tsp. Spoon the cheese mixture into a plastic storage bag and cut one corner. Spread approximately 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) of marinara sauce, from a jar or homemade, into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Open 1 box of 12 to 14 uncooked manicotti shells. Pipe the cheese mixture into each uncooked shell by squeezing the plastic bag, forcing the cheese mixture through the hole that you cut. Place each filled shell into the sauced baking dish, arranging them into 2 even rows. Boil the manicotti shells in a large pot of salted water for approximately 4 to 6 minutes until they are slightly softened, but still firm. Drain the shells through a colander, taking care not to tear any of them. Leave the shells in the colander and allow to cool slightly. Remove 1 shell at a time and pipe in the cheese mixture. Place each filled shell into the sauce lined baking dish, arranging them into 2 even rows. Cover the filled shells (both uncooked and cooked methods) with 1 1/2 cups to 2 1/2 cups (355 ml to 591 ml) of marinara sauce. Sprinkle 4 oz. Bake at 350 degrees F (176 degrees C. Serve warm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Blow-Dry-Hair | How to Blow Dry Hair | To blow dry your hair, start by rubbing it with a towel to get rid of some of the water and stop it from dripping. Once you've towel-dried your hair, apply any heat protection and other hair products you want. Then, separate your hair into a few sections using hair clips. For each section, work a brush slowly through your hair starting at the roots. While you move your brush, aim your hairdryer at it. Make sure you use a medium or low heat to avoid damaging your hair. Repeat the process for each section until your hair is all dry. | Wash your hair. There are as many ways to wash your hair as there are hair types. Generally, you do not need to wash your hair every day. Also, you don't need to use shampoo every time you wash your hair. Your hair can become damaged if it is washed and shampooed too frequently. Fine hair can look or feel greasy if you do not wash it daily. If you do not want to risk damaging your hair with a daily wash, use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. If you have thick hair, you can go several days without needing to wash it. Make sure you use conditioner when you wash your hair. Use shampoos infused with argan oil or keratin to get some extra shine. No matter your hair type, you should avoid shampoos with sulfates and alcohol. These ingredients can cause damage, dry your hair out, and make your hair frizzy. Dry your hair using a towel. Make sure that water stops dripping from your hair before you stop drying with a towel. The more you can dry your hair with a towel, the less time you'll spend blow drying it and the less damage it will take from the heat of the hair dryer. Be gentle when drying your hair. Rough and rapid drying can cause damage to your hair. The softer your towel, the better it will be for your hair. You can even get towels that are specifically designed to dry your hair. You can even use a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber cloth to towel dry your hair gently! If you want to speed this process along, you can use your hair dryer on a low or medium heat to quickly reduce moisture. Remember that heat damages hair, so use the hair dryer with caution and moderation. Apply your heat protectant and other hair products. Make sure to apply a heat protectant to help prevent damage to your hair. If you are using hair products, check the instructions before you start drying your hair. Many products need to be applied to the roots of your hair while it is still wet. Leave-in conditioners can protect your hair, especially your ends. It takes a very long time for your scalp's natural oils to travel all the way to the tip of your hair follicles if you have long hair. To avoid split-ends and other damage to your hair, make sure to evenly distribute leave-in conditioner from mid-follicle to your hair ends. If you are looking to add some thickness to your hair, consider using some styling mousse. Shine cream is used to smooth out your hair and give it gloss. If you need to set your hair and give it some lift, get some hair spray. You can also use heat-resistant hair spray to help prevent damage from using a blow dryer. If you want to straighten wavy or curly hair when you blow dry it, you should use a straightening cream. Use hair clips to separate your hair into manageable sections. It is often easiest to begin by gathering the hair on the top of your head and clamping it with a hair clip. Allow the hair on the sides and back of your head to hang down naturally. If you like to wear bangs, leave them outside of the clip. Dry them into place first to avoid problems with shaping them later. This will help you to shape them and ensure that they lay how you want them to. If you hair is thick or you are having a difficult time keeping it all separate, use more clips to create additional segments along the sides and back of your head. This can help you collect a more manageable section of your hair with your hairbrush. Pick a section of your hair to dry first. Remove any clips within the section of your hair you have chosen. Smaller sections of hair are easier to manage and will dry faster when you use a low or medium heat setting. The hair on the sides of your head will be the easiest to brush and dry, so you might want to start with them first. As an alternative, start by blow drying the back of your head first. Brush your loose hair. Get all of the tangles out of the hair that you do not have in the hair clip. Try to make your hair as straight and smooth as you can using the brush. Use two mirrors to see the back of your head. Face away from a wall-mounted mirror and use a hand mirror to look at the reflection of the back of your head in the wall-mounted mirror. Choose the best dryer for your hair. You will want a blow dryer that has a variety of heat and air settings so you can control your look. Temperature will affect the shape of your hair, while airflow will help set a style. Most hair dryers come with an assortment of attachments. Use a diffuser nozzle if you have curly hair. A concentrator nozzle will help you direct the flow of air so you can dry specific sections, like your bangs or roots, without affecting the rest of your hair. You may also consider using a diffuser if you have curly hair and want to keep it curly. However, this is not a good option if you plan to straighten your hair after you blow dry it. Many people will want a hair dryer that utilizes around 1,800 watts. If you have curly hair, you will only need a hair dryer with around 1400 watts. If your hair is especially thick, you might consider purchasing a hair dryer that goes as high as 2000 watts. Select a medium or low heat for your hair dryer. Higher heats can cause damage and make hair frizzy, so it is usually best to start on a lower setting and increase the temperature gradually. Don't use the cold setting though, or it will set your hair into place! Using your hair dryer without an attachment can cause damage to your hair. The air that comes directly from the hair dryer is often too hot. Use those attachments for happy, healthy hair! Separate a section of your loose hanging hair with your hairbrush. Remove any hair clips from that section you may have been using. If you are using a round brush, you can even wrap this section of your hair around the brush. Start at the back of your head if you are using a round brush. Avoid gathering too much hair with your brush. Collecting smaller segments of hair with your brush will allow you to dry it faster with less heat. This will help prevent damage to your hair. Pull on the brush to keep your hair taut. Most people find that it is easiest to manage their hair when it is pulled at a slight downward angle. This will help your hair dry faster and prevent frizziness. Aim your blow dryer at the segment your hair on the brush. Continue slowly brushing that segment as you dry it. If you point your dryer nozzle at a downward angle, you will help smooth and shine your hair. Continue this process for all of the hair on the sides and back of your head. For the best effect, brush and dry your hair from root to end. Gather and bind the dry hair from the sides and back of your head. Twist them into a clip or bun to create a wavy effect. Alternatively, you can tie them into a loose ponytail to help straighten your hair. Remove the clip holding the hair on the top of your head. Allow it to fall forward over your face. Keep the wet hair on the top of your head from mixing with the hair you just dried. Pull the hair from the top of your head forward using your brush. Extend your hair outward, above your forehead for easiest access. Try to keep your wet hair from mingling with the hair that you have already dried. This can be the trickiest part of drying long hair because of the awkward angle you might have to hold your hair and dryer. You should use a large mirror to help you see what you are doing. Target the roots of your hair on the top of your head with the blow dryer. Use high heat to quickly raise your roots. This will help add volume to your hair. Pull your hair forward with the brush as you target it with the dryer. Slowly unfurl your hair as you dry it from root to end. Repeat this process until your hair is dry to the touch. Remember that you should continue to hold the hair dryer so that it blows air on your hair at a downward angle. This will help your hair maintain a smooth and glossy look. Reunite the segments you have created in your hair. Remove any clips or ponytail holders and flip your hair back. Give your hair a good tussle if you want to add some volume. Manage your ends. There are many options for styling your ends. The ends of your hair are the most susceptible to damage and frizz, so paying special attention to how they are styled can really improve your look. Curl the ends of your hair by rolling them with a round brush. Dry the rolled ends with the hair dryer on high heat. After they have dried, blow cold air on them for a few minutes using the hair dryer. This will set your curls. Straighten your ends by pulling your brush through while drying. Use a warm heat on your hair dryer as you simultaneously brush. Apply a mist of shine spray or a drop of shine serum for a glossy look. Distribute the shining product evenly starting at the mid shaft of your hair, down to the ends. You can also spray your hair brush with shine serum to create a light, even distribution of product. Tamp down unruly hair with some styling cream or hair gel. Sometimes a cowlick or flyaway will defy your best efforts and stick out. There are several ways you can tame cowlicks , depending on their severity. In most cases, you can apply a bit of styling cream or gel to the affected area and use a brush or comb to spread it throughout the trouble spot. Set your hair into place using the cool setting on your hair dryer. Make sure your hair is completely dry before setting it with cool air. Cool your hair from root to end the same way you dried your hair using a higher temperature setting. The longer you allow your hair to cool, the more it will set into place. If you do not let it cool down much, you will have to repeat the process the next day. For a lasting set, let your hair cool down for at least 10 to 15 minutes. | Wash your hair. Dry your hair using a towel. Apply your heat protectant and other hair products. Use hair clips to separate your hair into manageable sections. Pick a section of your hair to dry first. Brush your loose hair. Choose the best dryer for your hair. Select a medium or low heat for your hair dryer. Separate a section of your loose hanging hair with your hairbrush. Pull on the brush to keep your hair taut. Aim your blow dryer at the segment your hair on the brush. Gather and bind the dry hair from the sides and back of your head. Remove the clip holding the hair on the top of your head. Pull the hair from the top of your head forward using your brush. Target the roots of your hair on the top of your head with the blow dryer. Pull your hair forward with the brush as you target it with the dryer. Reunite the segments you have created in your hair. Manage your ends. Apply a mist of shine spray or a drop of shine serum for a glossy look. Tamp down unruly hair with some styling cream or hair gel. Set your hair into place using the cool setting on your hair dryer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Dish-Soap-Slime | How to Make Dish Soap Slime | If you want to make dish soap slime, try using craft glue, dish soap, and baking soda. First, combine 1/2 cup of craft glue and 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl. If you want a specific color of slime, add several drops of food coloring. Then, add 1 cup of baking soda and stir it into the mixture until there are no clumps left. Continue adding baking soda and stirring it until the slime is no longer sticky to the touch. Alternatively, you can make slime using corn starch. Start by stirring 1/2 cup of corn starch with 1/3 cup of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of water. If the mixture seems too chalky, add some more water. Add more corn starch if it's too sticky. | Mix together craft glue, dish soap, and water in a mixing bowl. Use ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of craft glue, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap, and 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 44 mL) of water. Use a medium-sized mixing bowl so you'll have enough space to work once the slime starts to puff out. Stir everything together until it becomes foamy. When working with kids, give them their own bowls so they can enjoy making their own slime. Squeeze 4 to 5 drops of your favorite food coloring into the bowl. Add more drops for a deeper color or fewer drops for a paler shade. Mix and match primary colors to teach kids how different shades are made. For example, mix together yellow and blue to create green. You can use either gel or liquid food coloring. Stir in 1 cup (180 grams) of baking soda. Measure out the baking soda and use a long-handled spoon to mix it in with the soap and glue. Don't use your hands yet! Stir the mixture until there are no visible clumps of baking soda left. The mixture will be super sticky at the beginning, and it will stick to your hands and get under your nails. Continue adding baking soda until the slime isn't sticky to the touch. Add the baking soda in 1/4 cup (45 grams) increments until it becomes pliable and smooth. Test the slime by pressing down on it with your fingers—if it clings to them, continue adding baking soda. If you accidentally add too much baking soda, add ⁄ 2 to 1 tablespoon (7.4 to 14.8 mL) of dish soap to return its elasticity. Keep your slime in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. After you've finished playing with the slime, put it into a plastic container with a lid. Enjoy it for the next couple of days, and throw it out once it gets runny. This is a great slime for kids who have sensitive skin! And it makes your hands smell great, too. Mix together cornstarch, dish soap, and little bit of water. Use 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch, ⁄ 3 cup (79 mL) of dish soap, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Use a spoon to mix things at the beginning, but once the cornstarch has mostly been incorporated to the dish soap, feel free to use your hands! The water makes the soap get a little sudsy, which gives the slime a foamy texture. Add in glitter or other small objects to create a sensory experience. Add 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of glitter for some sparkly fun. Add in dry rice or beans to create a cool sensory experience for your kids. Even beads, small action figures, or jelly foam cubes can be fun additions to slime. Just make sure the child who will be playing with the slime is old enough to not swallow any of the small items. Use more cornstarch for too-sticky slime or more water for chalky slime. Depending on the humidity where you live, you may need to adjust the proportions of the recipe slightly. Fix sticky slime by adding another tablespoon (9 grams) of cornstarch. Combat chalky or crumbly slime by adding 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Of course, if you prefer sticky slime, just add more water until it gets to the consistency you'd like. Store the slime in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks. When you're done playing with your slime, put it into a plastic container that has a lid. When you want to use it again, just massage it with your hands a few times to work out any stiffness, and enjoy! Once the slime has dried out, it's time to throw it out and make a new batch. Combine dish soap and toothpaste until all the toothpaste is dissolved. Use 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of dish soap and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of toothpaste. Mix them together with a spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the toothpaste has completely dissolved in the soap. Don't use your hands at this stage, as the mixture will stick to your skin and will be hard to get off. Add a pinch of salt to the mixture and stir it for 1 minute. Use about a 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of table salt. Stir it into the soap and toothpaste mixture for at least 1 minute so that it can start to react with the other ingredients. The ions in the salt thicken the mixture and make it gel together, which creates the characteristic slime texture. Squeeze in 1 to 2 drops of food coloring if you want colored slime. You could even separate out your slime into separate batches and made multiple colors for a cool effect. Add in more drops of food coloring for a darker shade, or mix and match primary drops to create other colors. Glitter also makes a cool addition to slime. Cool the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour. After you mix in the salt, put the entire bowl into the fridge and set a timer for 1 hour. There's no need to cover the slime, but it won't hurt anything if you do. Cooling the slime makes the mixture congeal together. If you skip putting it in the fridge, the slime won't have the right consistency. Mix the slime with your hands one more time and enjoy! Take the slime out of the fridge and loosen it from the edges of the bowl with your fingers. Massage the slime and then remove it completely from the bowl. Try to keep this slime away from your clothes, furniture, and carpet. It has a looser structure than some other slimes and it stains and sticks to things more easily. Store the slime in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days. Use a plastic, airtight container to store your slime. Enjoy it for a few days, but get rid of it once it doesn't hold together anymore. You could always try incorporating the old slime with a batch of new slime to see if you can give it new life. | Mix together craft glue, dish soap, and water in a mixing bowl. Squeeze 4 to 5 drops of your favorite food coloring into the bowl. Stir in 1 cup (180 grams) of baking soda. Continue adding baking soda until the slime isn't sticky to the touch. Keep your slime in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Mix together cornstarch, dish soap, and little bit of water. Add in glitter or other small objects to create a sensory experience. Use more cornstarch for too-sticky slime or more water for chalky slime. Store the slime in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks. Combine dish soap and toothpaste until all the toothpaste is dissolved. Add a pinch of salt to the mixture and stir it for 1 minute. Squeeze in 1 to 2 drops of food coloring if you want colored slime. Cool the mixture in the fridge for 1 hour. Mix the slime with your hands one more time and enjoy! Store the slime in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Maintain-Joint-Health-in-Senior-Dogs | How to Maintain Joint Health in Senior Dogs | To maintain joint health in your senior dog, manage your pet's weight with specially formulated senior dog food to relieve any joint pressure or pain. Additionally, take it for daily walks to keep your dog flexible and strong. Once a week, incorporate hills on your walks to give your dog a wider range of motion. If you notice that your dog is panting excessively or limping, stop exercising and contact your vet since it may be overexerting itself, or suffering from joint inflammation or another injury. You can also protect your dog's joints by adding glucosamine and chrondroitin or green lipped mussels to its diet, which help with inflammation. You'll also want to give your dog a thick, supportive bed to relieve pressure from its joints. | Consult your veterinarian. You should ask your veterinarian to determine if your dog is overweight and if they have any specific medical conditions that impact the joints. As your dog ages, they are more at risk of developing joint problems such as osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is seen commonly in German shepherd, golden retriever, and Labrador retriever breeds. Osteoarthritis is seen a lot in older dogs and can impact any joint in the body. If your dog is overweight, they will suffer even more from these or other joint conditions. As such, it is necessary to tackle joint problems holistically in relation to both weight and illness. If your senior dog becomes overweight, their joints will suffer. Use diet to manage your senior dog’s weight. As your dog ages, they have less energy requirements and are more at risk of getting overweight. As such, it can help to feed them a low calorie diet. You can purchase a senior dog food formulation with appropriate nutritional content at most pet food stores. Ask your veterinarian if there is an appropriate diet that is well suited to your dog's weight loss goals. Make sure your senior dog gets plenty of water. If you feed your senior dog snacks, they should be healthy, low-fat, and low sodium treats. Supplement their diet with glucosamine chondroitin. Glucosamine is the nutritional building block for cartilage, which is a crucial part of your dog's joints. To improve the health of your senior dog's joints, you should supplement your dog's diet with extra glucosamine chondroitin. These supplements can help with joint inflammation, which is also important if your senior dog has arthritis. They come in a variety of forms such as chewable tablets, mini pellets that you put in their food, or as a syrup. Use canine-specific glucosamine supplements. Although it is possible to use a human glucosamine supplement for a dog on the condition that there are no other ingredients in it, it is generally better to use the canine version. Canine tailored supplements are more digestible for your senior dog, whereas a human supplement may not be absorbed at all. Glucosamine chondroitin supplements derive from shellfish, so avoid this supplement if your dog has a shellfish allergy. Side effects are rare but you should watch for any symptoms of an allergic reaction to the supplement such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or appetite loss. Disguise the supplement so they eat it. If it is pellets or a syrup, you can mix it into their food. If it is a chewable tablet, you can wrap it in a treat. Feed them green lipped mussel supplements. Green lipped mussels are native to New Zealand, where Maori Indigenous groups have used them for a long time. Recent studies have shown the efficacy of feeding dogs green lipped mussels, with joint health and inflammation significantly improved for those who took the supplement. You can purchase a variety of green lipped mussel supplements for dogs, which should help with their joint health, mobility, and any arthritic conditions. Use a green lipped mussel supplement designed specifically for canines, as opposed to human versions of the supplement. Retailers like Pure Pets, for example, sell a green lipped mussel supplement. Give your senior dog a combination supplement. You can find a variety of combination supplements for senior dogs with joint issues. These supplements typically combine glucosamine chondroitin with MSM, a sulfur for connective tissue, and other ingredients to improve the digestibility of the supplement. For example, Krill oil may be used. You can find combination supplements in a variety of forms such as pellets, liquids, or chewable tablets. Natur vet combines glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM in a chewable tablet. Grizzly Pet sells a joint aid for dogs that combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and krill oil. It comes in pellet and liquid form. Get your dog a good bed. Sleeping on the floor is bad for your senior dog's joints. To ease the pressure on your senior dog's joints, you should buy them a comfortable bed. Choose a bed that is thick and supportive. The most popular type of bed for senior dogs with joint issues is the orthopedic memory foam bed. Prices can range from $50 - $200. Get a dog ramp for the car. If your dog is having a tough time getting into the car these days because of their joint trouble, you should consider getting a ramp. A ramp will make the whole process a lot easier on you and your senior dog. If you don't have a ramp, try using a footstool. They can jump from the footstool to the back of the car. Mr. Herzher's pet ramp is telescoping, which makes it adjustable for different vehicles. It also has rubber ends and treading that prevents slipping. Install dog stairs in your home. If you see your dog avoiding the couch because it is too difficult to climb up, perhaps you should get them some stairs. Similarly, if your dog is having trouble getting from one part of the house to another because of climbing difficulty, you should consider purchasing some dog stairs. If your dog is having trouble getting onto beds or couches, consider getting the solvit pup steps pet stairs. These stairs are foldable, secure, and offer a good amount of stability. Set up your home so that your dog can stay on one level. If it is possible in your home, try to keep your dog's toys, bed, and food all on one level so that they don't have to use the stairs. If necessary, move your dog's bed from one room to another so that they do not have to climb the stairs to sleep at night. Give your senior dog regular exercise. To help prevent weight gain and associated joint issues in senior dogs, it is important to give your dog regular exercise. Take your dog for a walk around the park once a day. If you are unable to give your dog exercise, you should consider asking a neighbor, friend, or a dog walker. If you hire a dog walker, remember to get a police check and appropriate references. You might find this article helpful, which explains how to find a good dog walker. Walk your senior dog up a hill. To properly exercise the back legs, remember to walk your dog up a hill. Walking your senior dog will ensure a wider range of motion, which can help your dog maintain mobility. If your senior dog is having a really difficult time, give them a break or take them on a route that is less hilly. Try incorporating a hilly walk once a week. Take your senior dog for a swim. Swimming offers fantastic cardiovascular exercise. It is also very easy on your senior dog's joints. By taking your dog for a swim, you can help maintain their cardiovascular health, keep their weight down, and lower pressure on their joints. Take your senior dog for a swim at a local lake. Take your senior dog for a swim in a backyard swimming pool. Identify signs of overexertion. If your senior dog is panting excessively or limping during exercise, you should stop and see what the problem might be. If your senior dog is limping, it is likely a sign of joint inflammation or another injury. You should stop exercise and see the veterinarian. | Consult your veterinarian. Use diet to manage your senior dog’s weight. Supplement their diet with glucosamine chondroitin. Feed them green lipped mussel supplements. Give your senior dog a combination supplement. Get your dog a good bed. Get a dog ramp for the car. Install dog stairs in your home. Set up your home so that your dog can stay on one level. Give your senior dog regular exercise. Walk your senior dog up a hill. Take your senior dog for a swim. Identify signs of overexertion. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-Neck-Pain | How to Fix Neck Pain | To fix neck pain, try lying on your back with your legs up and against a wall for 5 minutes to help stretch your neck muscles. Or, you can try getting on all fours and letting your head hang forward for a few minutes to relieve tension in your neck. For persistent neck pain, try sleeping on your back if you don't already since sleeping on your sides or stomach puts pressure on your neck. Also, make sure you sit up straight and all the way back in your chair while you're working. | Lie on your back with “cactus” arms. Lay down on the ground. Keep your feet on the floor with your legs bent, or stretch your legs out straight. Bend your elbows, keeping your arms on the floor and your palms facing up. Your arms should frame your face, and look kind of like a cactus (or goalposts). Stay in this position for 5-10 minutes to allow your neck and shoulders to release. In order to get neck relief, you will need to stretch out your shoulders, back, and legs. Perform these five moves in a sequence. If you are in severe pain, consult your doctor before starting any kind of exercise. Let your head hang in a half-plank position. Get into a “tabletop” position on all fours. Make sure that your knees are directly under your hips and your wrists are under your shoulders. Walk your hands out so they are 6 inches (15 cm) in front of you. Lean your hips forward, so that your shoulders are over your wrists again, putting you into a “half-plank” position. Bring your shoulder blades together on your back, and allow your head to hang forward. Hold this position for 2 minutes. Allowing your head to hang forward may seem counter-intuitive, but this position allows your shoulder girdles to release. This will reduce the tension in your neck. It can be difficult to hold this position for the full 2 minutes at first. Just try to hold it for as long as you can. Work up to the full 2 minutes. Lie with your legs up the wall. Sit down facing a wall, and recline down onto your back. Scoot your bottom right up next to the wall, and lift your legs up against it. Keep your feet hip-distance apart. Tuck your shoulder blades underneath you and bring them together on your back. Hold this position for 3-10 minutes. It can help to place a little bit of weight--such as a sandbag--on the bottoms of your feet, to get a deeper release. Ask someone else to place the weight on your heels to prevent yourself from straining your neck. Sit with your back against the wall. Turn so that you are facing away from the wall, and press your back up against it. You can sit cross-legged, or with your legs out straight. Gently press your back and the back of your head into the wall. Pull your shoulder blades together gently, and engage your core. Hold this for 3 minutes. Lie on the floor in a “frog” position. Lie down on the floor on your back, with your knees bent and your feet on the floor. Bring your feet together so that they are touching, and then allow your legs to fall out to each side. This will help loosen your lower back, hips, and neck. Hold this for 5-10 minutes. Try to relax deeply in this position. Check your posture. Poor posture can have a negative effect on your whole body, causing nagging pain in your neck. Improving your posture is a process that will take time. Make a point of checking in with your posture regularly. It can help to set reminders on your phone every hour. To set yourself up for good sitting posture: Sit up tall, lifting your chest forward and up. Pull your shoulder blades together. Relax your shoulders so your shoulders blades move down your back. Engage your abdominal muscles to hold your pelvis in place. Tuck your chin slightly and lift the crown of your head toward the sky. Sit back in a supportive chair. Sitting is not a very natural position for our bodies. All the time we spend sitting in chairs--at work, in the car, and at home--can cause a lot of tension in our necks. You can mitigate this strain by making sure that your chair is supportive for your neck, and by sitting all the way back into it. Look for a chair with a headrest. Press your head gently into the headrest while you sit. If you need to sit for long periods at a time, set a reminder on your phone to help you remember to sit back. If you work at a computer, try bringing your monitor in closer, so you don't lean forward. Take a break every hour. Get up from your seat and move around. Change your sleeping position. The way you sleep can have major effects on the way your body feels, particularly your neck. In terms of neck and spine health, the worst position for you to sleep in is on your stomach, and the best position is flat on your back. Sleeping on your side is somewhere in the middle. Try using a thin, firm pillow. Try a pillow that molds to the shape of your head and neck, like a memory foam or water pillow. If you are a side sleeper, place a pillow between your legs to keep your spine in alignment. Change the way you use your phone. Your phone might be causing tension and strain in your neck in two ways: causing you to lean to one side to talk, and causing you to crane forward to browse and text. If you spend time talking on the phone regularly, try using earbuds or talking on speaker phone instead. If you spend a lot of time messing around with apps or texting, try holding your phone up higher in front of your face to avoid leaning in. Be sure to take breaks from your phone. Stretch your neck after a long session of looking down at your phone. Phone compatible earbuds can be purchased online or at any store that sells electronics. Drink plenty of water. It might not seem like the amount of water you drink would have any effect on your neck. However, the discs in your spine require water in order to maintain space between your vertebrae. Staying hydrated helps your spine stay in proper alignment, and slows down the degeneration of your discs as you age. Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. Try to drink 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) 8 times a day. Make sure you’re getting enough magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that helps control the contraction and relaxation of muscles. If you are chronically low on magnesium, you are more likely to experience muscle strain. Try to incorporate more magnesium into your diet to help improve the health of your neck. Magnesium-rich foods include spinach, pumpkin seeds, and yogurt. You can purchase magnesium supplements. Adding Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) or magnesium chloride flakes to your bath water is a great way to absorb magnesium. You can also try giving yourself a massage with a magnesium chloride oil. Talk to your doctor. If you are experiencing severe, chronic, or persistent neck pain it is a good idea to discuss this with a medical professional. Your doctor can examine you, assess any other symptoms, and take x-rays to help determine what's going on. If your doctor thinks you should see a specialist--such as a physical therapist, osteopath, or chiropractor--they can refer you to another physician they trust. Your doctor may recommend using ice or heat therapy. While ice therapy is good for recent injuries, it's best to use it short term. Heat can help relieve chronic pain and muscle tension, so you may want to try a microwaveable neck wrap. Get a massage. A professional massage is an excellent way to reduce stress, release tension, and help your neck feel better. Make an appointment with a massage therapist ahead of time. When you show up for your massage, let the therapist know that your neck is bothering you, so they can focus on that area of your body. You might try: Swedish massage, for general relaxation and release Deep tissue massage, for deep knots and muscle tension Sports massage, to address injuries Visit a physical therapist. A physical therapist will examine your body and evaluate your movements to determine what it going on with your neck. They will guide you through a series of exercises to help strengthen your muscles and address underlying issues. You'll also be asked to perform some movements at home. It is a good idea to get a referral from your physician for a good physical therapist. Try acupuncture. Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles into specific locations in the body. Although it may seem strange, acupuncture has been proven effective at treating and managing neck pain.. Make an appointment with a licensed acupuncturist in your area, and give this traditional medical approach a try. | Lie on your back with “cactus” arms. Let your head hang in a half-plank position. Lie with your legs up the wall. Sit with your back against the wall. Lie on the floor in a “frog” position. Check your posture. Sit back in a supportive chair. Change your sleeping position. Change the way you use your phone. Drink plenty of water. Make sure you’re getting enough magnesium. Talk to your doctor. Get a massage. Visit a physical therapist. Try acupuncture. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Box-Styled-Gimp | How to Make a Box Styled Gimp | To make a box styled gimp, start by taking 2 equal lengths of gimp from 2 different colors and placing 1 on top of the other to make a cross. Hold 1 of the strands and twist it around the other strand twice, making 2 loops over the straight piece. Take the other piece and weave it above the first one. Then, do the same thing to the other side of the strand. Weave the second color over and under the 2 loops, go straight across, and gently pull each stitch so they're even. Use this stitch to make additional stitches down the length of gimp, and leave some extra length at the end so you can attach it to a bracelet or object. | Obtain two colors of gimp lacing from a craft store. You can do this with two strands of one color, but it's easiest to keep track of what you're doing with two colors, especially if you're just starting. Choose any colors you like. Cut two pieces of gimp from two different colors. Place one on top of the other to make a cross. Make sure the pieces lay flat. When cutting the material, cut an equal length. The lacing isn't very expensive, and it's much easier to trim a bit at the end than to add more later. Make sure you use a flat surface to start, after you started it, don't use a flat surface- pick up the strands to work with them. Make a twist. Hold one of the strands. Twist it around the other strand twice, making two loops over the straight piece. Weave the second piece. Take the other piece and weave it above the first one. Do the same to the other side of the strand. Move to the second color. Weave the second color over and under the two loops. Go straight across. Weave the other strand, repeating the stitch with the second color. If using a flat material, avoid twisting the strands as you loop them over and pull them through. Pull tight. Make a gentle, slow pull to avoid twisting. Try to pull each stitch to a consistent tightness so that they will come out even. An easy way is to hold the center of the stitch and pull one strand at a time. Leave some extra length. You'll want to have about three inches at the end for attaching as a bracelet or to tie to an object. Repeat. Use this stitch to make additional stitches, adding to the length of your bracelet or lanyard. Make two loops of one color, straight across the stitch you just made. Leave some extra length. You'll want to have about three inches at the end for attaching as a bracelet or to tie to an object. Finish when desired. A box styled gimp can be as long or as short as you wish. No knotting or tying off is necessary on the ends; simply be sure the last stitch is tight, and it should hold the whole length of stitches in. Start off as normal. Begin in the same way as in the Double Loop method. Use the Double Loop method for the first stitch, then begin using the Single Loop method. This technique is more advanced; it is trickier, but quicker once you're used to it. The red arrow shows what you will do in the current step. Your result should match the next image at the beginning of this step.The four parts of the cross are now Strands A, B, C, and D. Fold Strand A over. Leave a loop. Hold it with one finger while you prepare to make the next fold. Take your time making the folds and loops, and make sure they're nice and even. Repeat with Strand B. Fold Strand B (the one on the same side as Strand A) over Strand A. Hold it down with one finger. Fold Strand C over the top of Strand B. Repeat the first step with the second strand. You can hold this fold down with the same finger you used for the second fold. Fold Strand D. Put Strand D over the top of Strand C, but underneath Strand A. Pull each strand tight. As with the Double Loop method, be sure to pull slowly and evenly to avoid twisting the strands, and to ensure an even, flat stitch. Rename the strands. Strand A is now Strand C and Strand C is now Strand A. Repeat. You will be back at the beginning, only the pattern will be flipped. Make a bracelet. One of the most common uses is for friendship bracelets. From young kids to teenagers to adults, friendship bracelets are worn around the world, and they are commonly made form the simple box gimp stitch. Make the gimp as long as it needs to be (use a measuring tape on your wrist and add an inch). Super glue or melt the ends together and then slip it around your wrist. You could also use metal clasps. If you don't have super glue you can tie the ends together, or you can also use a match to melt the ends together. Make a keychain. Add a keyring to one end of your gimp and you've got a keychain! Having a nicely stitched gimp as your keychain holder is a nice look, and since gimp lacing and the stitch itself are highly durable, it's ideal for applications such as keeping your keys in place. Add the key ring first, as you begin the stitch if your intent is to make a keychain. You can make a keychain out of a gimp you've already woven- simply use a match to melt the ends of the two strands together around your keyring for a permanent connection. Make a lanyard. A box gimp is ideal for making a long, sturdy lanyard. The gimp lacing can withstand being pummeled about on a lifeguard's neck as he or she jumps in and out of the water. You'll need two extra long strands of gimp. Attach the two pieces by tying, using superglue, or melting together to form the attachment to hang around your neck. Attach whistle or other item in a similar fashion as a keyring to the other two ends. | Obtain two colors of gimp lacing from a craft store. Cut two pieces of gimp from two different colors. Make a twist. Weave the second piece. Pull tight. Repeat. Finish when desired. Start off as normal. Fold Strand A over. Repeat with Strand B. Fold Strand C over the top of Strand B. Fold Strand D. Rename the strands. Make a bracelet. Make a keychain. Make a lanyard. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Clematis-in-Pots | How to Grow Clematis in Pots | To grow a Clematis in a pot, you'll need to plant it in a large pot with drainage holes. Line the bottom of the pot with crocks or gravel. Then, add a layer of rotted turf, and fill the pot with compost. Before you plant your Clematis, soak its root ball in water for 10-20 minutes to make sure it's thoroughly soaked. Plant it 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Place your pot somewhere it'll get 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Check its soil each day to make sure it's damp. Fertilize it once a month with a granular 10-20-10 fertilizer. | Choose a slow-growing variety. Vigorous varieties, like the "Montana," require too much room for their roots to grow, making container planting a disaster. Look for varieties including "Bees Jubilee," "Carnaby," "Dawn," "Fireworks," "Lady Northcliffe," and "Royalty," among several others. Select a large pot. Conventional wisdom states that clematis need a container with a minimum diameter of 18 inches (45.7 cm). Even small clematis can reach heights of 6 feet (1.8 m), and the roots that accompany such a tall plant need plenty of room to spread out. Use a pot that offers plenty of drainage. Clematis need to have cool, moist roots, but too much water can quickly turn into a problem, especially during cooler weather. If the pot you select does not have at least three drainage holes already, drill a few into the bottom. Be mindful of the material your pot is made of. Each material has its own pluses and minuses. Terra cotta pots keep the soil well drained, but they are also heavy and likely to crack during the winter until kept indoors. Stone pots can last through a variety of temperatures, but they are often even heavier than clay pots. Plastic pots do not drain water quite as well, but they are light and fairly durable. Containers made of treated wood offer a good balance between durability, weight, and drainage, especially if they have an inner lining made of tin designed to preserve the wood longer. Plan on planting your clematis during the late summer or early autumn. This will give the plant plenty of time to get comfortable before becoming dormant over the winter. By summer of the following year, it should produce a few flowers. Place a layer of broken clay pots, also known as crocks, in the bottom of the pot. Stones or gravel may also be used. These materials prevent the drainage holes from getting clogged with potting mix, creating better drainage conditions as a result. You can find most of these materials at a garden supply store, but if you are unable to locate them, you can also collect stones from a nearby creek or use a hammer to break an old clay pot into pieces. If collecting these materials from nature, though, you should sterilize them by soaking them in hot soapy water, or in a solution made with one part bleach and four parts water. Add a nutrient-rich layer of rotted turf. Rotted turf can be obtained by digging up a patch of grass and soil, dumping it into a spare pot, and soaking it for several days. Place the turf upside-down on top of the crocks. Alternatively, you can also use rotted farm manure or garden compost. These materials may be easier to find at garden or farming supply stores. Regardless of what you choose, these materials should all be kept away from the clematis root ball, however, since bacteria and insect eggs could be lurking inside the rot and could cause problems to the newly growing plant. Fill the rest of the container with potting compost. Loam-based compost works best because it retains moisture more effectively than loam-free compost. Moreover, clematis need a rich soil filled with nutrients, making a compost-based potting mix essential. Pack the compost down firmly. Clematis roots can grow in tightly packed soil, and the firmer you pack it in, the less it will sink upon being watered. Ideally, the top of your soil will only be 2 inches (5.1 cm) below the rim of the container. Drench the root ball in water. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and allow the root ball to soak in the water for 10 to 20 minutes. You will need to fill the bucket with around one gallon of water for every inch in diameter of the root ball. This should be done before you plant it, since you want to make sure that the root ball is thoroughly drenched. Dig out enough compost to fit the root ball using a garden trowel. When the hole seems just big enough for the root ball to fit, dig out an additional 2 inches (5.1 cm) of compost. The root ball needs these extra few inches of "wiggle room" in order to thrive. Place the root ball in the hole. Verify that the top of the root ball is two inches below the surface. Fill the hole in with compost. Tightly pack the compost around the root ball, making sure that it remains firmly fixed in place. Drench the soil. The compost does not need to be saturated to the point of puddling, but it should feel notably damp upon being touched. Check your clematis every day to determine whether or not the soil is moist enough. Stick your finger into the top inch of the soil. If it feels dry, give your plant another healthy dousing of water. Place the pot in a location that receives partial sun. Clematis only need about six hours of direct sun per day, and they prefer to have their roots in shade. Placing the clematis near an eastern or western window, or in a shady spot on your deck or patio, should provide sufficient light. Fertilize your clematis in the spring with high quality compost or a granular fertilizer like 10–20–10. The amount of fertilizer you add after that will vary based on the type you use. A rose fertilizer a month or two apart should provide enough nutrients, or you could give the plant a liquid fertilizer high in potash two to three times a month. Too much fertilizer can cause harmful salts to build up in the soil, however, so you must monitor your plant to determine if it is still healthy. The label "10-20-10" refers to the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen produces leaves, phosphorus strengthens the roots, and potassium helps flower growth. The fertilizer you choose should be balanced in nitrogen and potassium with a slightly higher content of phosphorus. Provide the clematis with ample support. Once the vine starts growing, insert a bamboo cane or thick stake at a slight angle into the pot, getting it as close to the side of the pot as possible to avoid disrupting their roots. As the vines grow, gently tie them onto the cane using twine or yarn. Proper vertical support will allow your clematis to become bushier and taller, leading to more foliage and a greater amount of flowering. Prune your clematis accordingly. There are three types of clematis, and each has its own pruning requirements. For clematis that bloom early on the previous year's growth, you should remove all the dead and weak stems as soon as the plant flowers. For clematis that bloom between mid and late summer on old and new growth you should only remove dead growth once the plant gets crowded. For clematis that bloom between mid and late summer on new growth alone, you should remove all growth from the previous year, only leaving the lowest pair of buds. Watch out for signs of fungi. Clematis wilt and leaf spot are the two most common diseases faced by this plant. Infected stems should be removed, and the remaining plant should be treated with fungicide. | Choose a slow-growing variety. Select a large pot. Use a pot that offers plenty of drainage. Be mindful of the material your pot is made of. Plan on planting your clematis during the late summer or early autumn. Place a layer of broken clay pots, also known as crocks, in the bottom of the pot. Add a nutrient-rich layer of rotted turf. Fill the rest of the container with potting compost. Pack the compost down firmly. Drench the root ball in water. Dig out enough compost to fit the root ball using a garden trowel. Place the root ball in the hole. Fill the hole in with compost. Drench the soil. Check your clematis every day to determine whether or not the soil is moist enough. Place the pot in a location that receives partial sun. Fertilize your clematis in the spring with high quality compost or a granular fertilizer like 10–20–10. Provide the clematis with ample support. Prune your clematis accordingly. Watch out for signs of fungi. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Grapefruit-Smoothie | How to Make a Grapefruit Smoothie | To make a pink grapefruit smoothie, slice 3 pink grapefruits in half, discard the seeds, and squeeze the juice from each into the blender. Then, add 4 cups of fresh pineapple chunks, half of a peeled and pitted avocado, and 4 cups of baby spinach to the blender. Put the lid on the blender and let it run for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is smooth and creamy. Serve the beverage in chilled glasses and enjoy! | Peel 1 ruby red grapefruit and remove the segments. Rinse a grapefruit and use your fingers or a knife to remove the peel. Then take a sharp knife and cut out the segments of grapefruit in between the white pith. Avoid including the white pith because this will make your smoothie bitter. Put the grapefruit, 1 banana, strawberries, and juice into a blender. Place the grapefruit segments into a blender and pour in ⁄ 3 cup (160 ml) of orange juice. Add 1 peeled banana and 1 to 1 1/2 cups (150 to 228 g) of frozen strawberries. The frozen strawberries will thicken the smoothie. Use less of them for a thinner smoothie. Put the lid on the blender and combine the smoothie for 1 to 2 minutes. Use your blender's smoothie setting or turn it on to blend until the ingredients are mixed. The smoothie should be completely smooth. If you still see chunks of frozen strawberries, you may need to turn off the blender and scrape down the sides before blending the mixture again. Serve the strawberry banana grapefruit smooth. Remove the lid and pour the smoothie into 2 serving glasses. Consider garnishing the smoothies with sprigs of mint and serve them immediately. To store leftover smoothie, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind that it may separate as it's stored, so you'll need to shake, stir, or blend it again. Peel and remove the segments from 1 red grapefruit. Rinse the grapefruit and pull off or cut away the peel. Hold the grapefruit over a bowl and use a knife to cut the segments of grapefruit from in between the white pith. Put the segments into the bowl with the juice that drips down. If you want to garnish the smoothies with fresh grapefruit, reserve 2 to 3 segments. Put the grapefruit, juice, pineapple, yogurt, oil, and ginger into a blender. Put the segments with the juice into the blender and add 2 cups (490 g) of frozen pineapple chunks, 1/3 cup (94 g) of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil, and a 1/4 inch (6 mm) knob of peeled fresh ginger. If you don't have Greek yogurt, you can use any type of yogurt you have on hand. Keep in mind that if you use a low-fat or non-fat yogurt, the smoothie won't be as thick and creamy. Blend the covered smoothie for 2 to 3 minutes. Put the lid on the smoothie and turn it on to blend. Keep blending the smoothie until the frozen pineapple and ginger are incorporated. If the smoothie is looking too thick, pour in your choice of milk or non-dairy milk to make it as thin as you like. Pour the smoothie into 2 glasses and serve them. Remove the lid from the blender and pour the grapefruit detox smoothie into 2 serving glasses. Consider garnishing the smoothies with the reserved grapefruit segments, granola, or berries. Serve the smoothies immediately. Refrigerate leftover smoothies in an airtight container. Store them for up to 24 hours and blend or stir them before drinking them. Peel and segment 1 grapefruit. Rinse the grapefruit and cut away the peel or pull it off with your fingers. Place a bowl under the grapefruit and hold it with one hand. Then use a sharp knife to cut the segments away, leaving the bitter white pith behind. You'll use the juice that you catch in the bowl. This will help to blend the smoothie. Place the grapefruit, juice, yogurt, berries, and dates into a blender. Put the grapefruit segments with their juice into the blender and pour in ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of pomegranate juice. Add ¼ cup (71 g) of Greek yogurt, 2 cups (200 g) of blueberries or blackberries, and 5 chopped Medjool dates. If you prefer, substitute your favorite type of yogurt. If you don't have Medjool dates, use figs, raisins, or prunes instead. Blend the smoothie for 3 to 5 minutes. Put the lid on the blender and turn it on to the blend setting. If you don't have a smoothie setting, use the blending button. Blend the ingredients until they're completely smooth and there aren't chunks of dates visible. If the smoothie sticks to the side of the blender, you may need to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally. Pour the smoothies into glasses and garnish them. Remove the lid and divide the smoothie between 2 serving glasses. To garnish the smoothies, sprinkle 1½ tablespoons (21 g) of chia seeds over them and top each with a sprig of fresh mint. The chia seeds will add a slight crunch to the smoothies. Leave them out if you prefer. Store leftover smoothie in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Cut 3 grapefruits and squeeze the juice into a blender. Get out 3 large pink grapefruits and rinse them. Then slice each in half and juice them. Pour the juice into a blender. Discard the seeds before you pour the juice in the blender. If you'd like to make a smaller batch of smoothies, halve the recipe. Put the pineapple, avocado, and spinach into the blender. Add 4 cups (900 g) of fresh pineapple chunks along with 1/2 of a peeled avocado, and 4 cups (900 g) of baby spinach. If you can't get fresh pineapple, used canned pineapple, but drain it first. The avocado will make the smoothie taste creamy. Blend the smoothie for 3 to 4 minutes. Put the lid on the blender and turn it on. Blend the smoothie ingredients until they're completely smooth and it's a uniform green color. Serve the pink grapefruit green smoothies. Remove the lid and get out 3 to 4 serving glasses. Pour some of the smoothie into each glass and serve them immediately. To store leftover smoothie, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Blend the smoothie briefly before serving it again. | Peel 1 ruby red grapefruit and remove the segments. Put the grapefruit, 1 banana, strawberries, and juice into a blender. Put the lid on the blender and combine the smoothie for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the strawberry banana grapefruit smooth. Peel and remove the segments from 1 red grapefruit. Put the grapefruit, juice, pineapple, yogurt, oil, and ginger into a blender. Blend the covered smoothie for 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the smoothie into 2 glasses and serve them. Peel and segment 1 grapefruit. Place the grapefruit, juice, yogurt, berries, and dates into a blender. Blend the smoothie for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the smoothies into glasses and garnish them. Cut 3 grapefruits and squeeze the juice into a blender. Put the pineapple, avocado, and spinach into the blender. Blend the smoothie for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve the pink grapefruit green smoothies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Knickerbocker-Glory | How to Make a Knickerbocker Glory | To make a knickerbocker glory, start by chopping some colorful fruit, like peaches, grapes, and strawberries, into small pieces. Then, add the pieces of fruit to a tall glass, followed by 2 scoops of ice cream. Next, pour fruit sauce, like raspberry or peach sauce, over the ice cream before topping it with some whipped cream. Finally, put a cherry on top before serving. | Get a tall glass (like the type traditionally used to serve milk shakes). Chop fruit into small slices or pieces. Ideally use colorful fruits like peaches, grapes, strawberries, melon or banana. Place these in the base of the glass. Add three scoops of ice cream on top of the fruit. A minimum 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream is the usual amount. Pour a fruit sauce over the ice cream - Melba (peach) or raspberry sauce is traditional. Top this with Clotted cream (or thick whipped cream). Put a cherry on top and add an ice cream wafer. Other toppings include nuts, jelly, fresh fruit. Serve chilled along with a long ice cream spoon and a large napkin. | Get a tall glass (like the type traditionally used to serve milk shakes). Chop fruit into small slices or pieces. Add three scoops of ice cream on top of the fruit. Pour a fruit sauce over the ice cream - Melba (peach) or raspberry sauce is traditional. Top this with Clotted cream (or thick whipped cream). Serve chilled along with a long ice cream spoon and a large napkin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Model-if-You%27re-Short | How to Become a Model if You're Short | To become a model if you're short, make yourself stand out by including some personal photos in your portfolio. These could be pictures of yourself engaging in a hobby to show how you can add personality to pictures, or they could be of you demonstrating a skill like being able to portray a variety of emotions with just your eyes to show your skill as an actor. You should also look for jobs that want small or petite models, or consider becoming a make-up model since they won't be able to tell how tall you are. | Connect with a photographer. Before getting out there as a model, you should research available photographers in your area. It is best to find a photographer that does headshots and can handle makeup. You will need to have a mild layer of makeup applied for your headshot. Look online for photographers who meet this criteria. You might also have luck finding a good photographer through an agency you're in contact with. Pay for headshots. Yes, you will need to pay for a good photographer to do your headshots. It is a vulnerable part of the process, but being a model is a vulnerable job. You want the highest quality you can afford. It is best if your photographer or agency can do make up. A good photographer will take several photos, sometimes up to a hundred. Then they'll communicate to you which one you'd like to use. Some headshots are taken outside, and others are shot indoors at a studio. Both of these can be effective, if done by the right photographer. Research modeling agencies. Talk to friends in the modeling world to find out if they have any connections to a modeling agency. If not, go online and research nearby modeling agency. It is better to pick an agency that is close to you as opposed to commuting over an hour. If the closest modeling agency is an hour or two away, consider if this is what you truly want for yourself. If you do, then go for it. Distance cannot stop dreams. Many times your photographer will have contacts with a modeling agency. Some agencies will even look through your photographer's headshot portfolio if they need someone urgently. Contact a modeling agency. Go into the modeling agency if it is convenient. It is best to make physical contact with a modeling agency. Go into their office with your headshot in hand. Be confident, but open for what type of advice they may give you. Send a few emails as well to agencies you think might sign you to do a few gigs. Seek out an agency that is known for parts modeling or other types of modeling that are more open to different body types. Be professional when contact the agency. If you are drafting an email, be sure to include an attachment of your headshot. Include any relevant information about previous jobs or something associated with acting/theater. It doesn't hurt to contact multiple agencies. Create an online model profile. There several websites that act as databases for models and businesses looking for models. You can join one of these websites, usually for free. All you need to provide is some basic information about what your modeling goals are and physical descriptors. Be honest about your height and proportions when creating a profile. You might feel as though you are limiting yourself by including information about your height, but this agencies will appreciate your honesty. There is always work to be done for a variety of body types. Check out http://www.modelmanagement.com/ for a good interface and an abundance of resources. Move to a big city. While it might not be convenient, big cities are the epicenters of the modeling world. This is where you will have your “big chance,” if you will have one. You don't have to move to L.A. or New York to become a model, although it doesn't hurt. If you live in a small or rural town, research the nearest city. For example if you live in Carbondale, Illinois, you could move to St. Louis or Chicago. Take any job in the beginning. While you're first starting out, it is important to take modeling jobs to add to your portfolio. Unless the job offends your moral outlook on life, you should take the job. Having modeling experience will also show future employers that you know what it means to be a model. It might be easiest for you to start as a parts model. Parts modelling focuses on a zoom in of a part of your body like your hands. Another popular form of modeling that is open for different models is catalog work. Catalog modeling is becoming more popular to represent multiple body sizes to represent the common person flipping through a clothing catalog. Determine what type of modeling interests you. There are several different types of modeling jobs that are inclusive to shorter people. While the high fashion modeling world is reserved for the tall and skinny, but there's still plenty of other options. Consider some of the following options while complying your portfolio: Editorial print Commercial print Catalogue modeling Plus size modeling Glamour modeling Body parts modeling TV commercials Real life modeling (TV/film extras) Assemble a group of photos. For a beginner model, you should include 5-8 photos for your portfolio. The key to having a successful portfolio is it's ability to convey the range of modeling you can do. If you have a few photos using one photographer, reach out and work with other artists. The beauty of photographs is that they rarely convey your height, unless you stand next to something that shows a scale. Avoid any photographs with other people if they are much taller than you. You should show your ability to demonstrate different characters. One way is to try an array of different wardrobes and makeup styles. If one of your photos is in black and white, but you think it is a great picture that is different from the rest, include it to the portfolio. Help yourself stand out. There are several examples you can find online of modeling portfolios. Examples will help guide you in your presentation, but will also show where you can add more personality. Consider adding a high quality photo of you engaging in a hobby of yours. For example, if you are passionate about cooking, include a tasteful photo of you in the kitchen. You should make sure to include a wide array of photos, but don't feel like you can't include any personal photos. Include a unique attribute about yourself that isn't inhibited by being short. For example, you can portray a range of faces. This type of attribute will show your skills and agencies might be less concerned with your height. Sometimes personalized photographs will stand out more for agencies. Present the information in a packet. Print the photos in high definition in your preferred size. Most metropolitan markets accept the standard size of 8x10” or 8.5x11”. Some firms require smaller prints, while others ask for large prints (9x12”). Include on the first page some of your information: Your name, local address, and contact. Brief information about your work and goals. Any relevant skills like second languages, acting, singing, etc. Increase the health of your body. Focus on a healthy lifestyle and diet. There is plenty of room in the modeling world for short people, but there isn't any room for models without work ethic. To keep a high level of work ethic and determination, you'll need to be in good health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Exercise at least twice a week. Limit the amount of alcohol and drugs you consume. Consume plenty of vegetables, grains, and eat organically as much as possible. Develop a range of faces. Concentrate on your eyes, and learn how to project different emotions without moving the rest of your face. Follow other models on social media and see the range they can portray. Spend time in front of the mirror practicing different looks and body poses. You should be able to portray an emotion if a photographer asks for it on the spot. Work on developing faces that express some of the quintessential emotions like being happy, sad, frustrated, confused, or awe-struck. Develop subtle and exaggerate versions of each emotion to widen your range as a model. Attend a modeling convention. Instead of going to modeling school and spending money, attend a convention full of agents and talent scouts. Do a quick search to find the closest one to you and prepare for the convention. Before going to the convention, bring several copies of both your portfolio and headshot. A credible convention you can attend is ''Faces West''. This is a good convention for an aspiring model without an agent. Become discovered as a short model. If you market yourself properly, you find jobs that are seeking small and petite models. Some firms will hire you as a teen model, even if you're 25 years old because of your height and proportions. Some other avenues you can choose are body parts modeling and face/beauty modeling. Evaluate what parts of your body you find the most appealing. For example, if you think you have above average feet, market them. If you are constantly being complemented for your eyes and beauty of your face, market your face as a platform for make-up modeling. Be realistic in your pursuits. Even after working as hard as you can, sometimes your height will truly limit your options. You need to seek out realistic jobs instead of striving for the runway. The runway is not as realistic for a model under 5'6. There is, however, plenty of other types of jobs doing commercial, catalog, and print based modeling. Strive for your goals as a model, but if certain avenues don't pan out, seek out more attainable jobs. | Connect with a photographer. Pay for headshots. Research modeling agencies. Contact a modeling agency. Create an online model profile. Move to a big city. Take any job in the beginning. Determine what type of modeling interests you. Assemble a group of photos. Help yourself stand out. Present the information in a packet. Increase the health of your body. Develop a range of faces. Attend a modeling convention. Become discovered as a short model. Be realistic in your pursuits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-Water-Slide | How to Make a Homemade Water Slide | Water slides are great fun for the whole family during the warmer months, and it's pretty easy to make one at home using plastic sheeting. First, choose a gentle, grassy hill for the location of the water slide. Try to pick a hill with plenty of flat space at the top and bottom so that there is enough room to run up to the slide and then to land safely at the end. Next, choose heavy plastic sheeting for the water slide that's at least 6 millimeters thick. This ensures that the water slide is durable and less susceptible to damage. Finally, use garden staples to secure the water slide once it's rolled out on the hill. Pick U-shaped staples and insert these through the plastic and into the ground at even intervals down the slide. When the water slide is ready to use, pour some inexpensive dish soap onto the slide to make it more slippery. Then, turn the hose on and direct it at the start of the slide so that it easily flows down. | Choose a gentle hill for the slide. Find a soft grassy hill to begin creating your own water slide. The best location is a hill with plenty of flat space to get a running start at the top, as well as more flat space to slow down at the bottom. Use measuring tape and help from a friend to determine how long the space is that you'll be using. This will help you to buy the right length of plastic for the slide. Note that the steeper the hill is, the more material you will need to extend past the hill, where sliders can slow down on a flat surface. Note that you will also need the slide to be positioned somewhere close enough for access to a garden hose. Purchase thick plastic at the right length. Based on your measurements, buy a length of heavy plastic sheeting for your slide. Opt for a width of about 6 feet for a good amount of sliding area, and plastic thickness of 6 millimeters for the most durability. Look or ask for plastic sheeting at a hardware store. You can use a heavy-duty contractor drop cloth, a long tarp, or other plastic sheeting available. It's best to buy clear or light-colored plastic, as black will absorb more heat and become very hot in the sun. Roll out the plastic over your hill. Spread out your plastic sheeting over your grassy hill. Get assistance from friends or family to help unroll or unfold and adjust the plastic. Use sandbags or other heavy objects on the corners or sides of your plastic to help hold it in place, especially if it is windy. Remember to position your plastic so that there is a flat portion of the slide at the bottom of the hill you set up on. Otherwise, sliders will come to an abrupt and painful stop on the grass after building up speed from sliding on the hill. Add pool noodle buffers if desired. Create a soft barrier to prevent slipping off the edges of the slide if you wish to. Wrap foam pool noodles in the edges of the plastic and secure them with velcro to make the buffers. Lay out pool noodles end to end on both long sides of your plastic, as well as the end if you want a stopper. The number of pool noodles will vary depending on your plastic length, but you can calculate based on a typical pool noodle length of 5 feet and a suggested 1 foot of space in between each noodle. Wrap the edges of the plastic all the way around the pool noodles so that the plastic touches itself again. Place 2 inch pieces of velcro where the plastic overlaps, at the ends and middle of each pool noodle, to keep them wrapped securely. Flip the whole slide over once all the pool noodles are secured in the plastic with velcro. This will create a smooth surface for sliding and prevent the velcro from coming undone. Stake down the plastic with garden staples. Use U-shaped garden staples to stake down the plastic for your slide. Push the staples through the plastic and into the ground at intervals along each long side of your slide to hold it in place. Make sure the plastic is pulled very taut before staking. Cover each garden staple with a piece of duct tape to protect them from being stepped on or slid over. Use a bright color for the tape so that it's highly visible. If you have enough material, fold over a small portion of your plastic once or twice at the top of the slide to double or quadruple it before staking it down. This will reinforce against tears at the beginning of the slide, which will get the most pull when sliders run and jump onto it. Set up a garden hose. Place a garden hose at the top of your slide so that the water runs down the length of the plastic. Use a sprinkler or multiple water sources for a greater spread of water. Use a sprayer attachment on your hose, or a full sprinkler, to create a spray or mist of water so that it covers the whole slide. Use several sprinklers if you have them. You can also purchase a long sprinkler hose to run down the whole length of the slide to keep it wet. Turn the hose on and add dish soap. Add inexpensive dish soap or shampoo to the surface of your slide to make sliding easier and faster. Then turn on your hose or sprinkler to get water flowing down the slide. Add more of the dish soap/shampoo to the slide periodically to keep it slippery. Keep the water from running down just the middle or one part of the slide by making sure there are no major creases or wrinkles in the plastic, or using multiple hoses/sprinklers. Get a running start to slide. Give yourself enough room to get a running start at the top of the slide to gain speed. Then jump on the plastic on your stomach, back, or rear end to slide all the way down. Make sure to wear a bathing suit or clothing that will slide easily and that you don't mind getting dirty or grass stained in the event that you slide off the plastic. It will help to get yourself wet or even lightly covered with the dish soap/shampoo before your first run on the slide for the best results. Roll up the slide after use. Take down the slide after one or two uses to prevent the death of the grass underneath if that's a concern. Grass will easily get ripped up by the friction of sliding and/or browned by the accelerated heat of the plastic over it. There is also the chance of the plastic getting dirty, ripped, or even melted by environmental factors if left out between uses. If you used pool noodles, simple roll up the slide over the noodles at either edge, removing the stopper noodle if you have one, and fold it at the breaks in between noodles. At the end of the season, you can take all the noodles out to store the slide more compactly. You should be able to get several uses, even the whole summer, out of your homemade water slide with durable plastic and normal use. This can be a cost savings over store-bought water slides, which often have to be replaced after the first use. | Choose a gentle hill for the slide. Purchase thick plastic at the right length. Roll out the plastic over your hill. Add pool noodle buffers if desired. Stake down the plastic with garden staples. Set up a garden hose. Turn the hose on and add dish soap. Get a running start to slide. Roll up the slide after use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-a-Pimple | How to Get Rid of a Pimple | To get rid of a pimple, take a hot shower or apply a warm compress to the pimple so it comes to the surface of your skin. Then, pop the pimple with clean hands and apply a spot treatment like benzoyl peroxide so the pimple doesn't come back. You can also hold an ice pack over the pimple for 5 minutes, which will reduce redness and swelling. If ice doesn't help with the redness, try crushing up some aspirin tablets, mixing them with water, and then applying them to your pimple for 10-15 minutes. | Apply a hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone cream is the next-best thing to cortisone injections. Directions will vary depending on which hydrocortisone cream you use. Generally, though, you can apply the cream directly to your pimple up to twice daily. Hydrocortisone cream can, if used excessively, thin the skin and lead to more breakouts. Follow the manufacturer's directions closely to avoid overuse. Pop your pimple with an extraction tool. Use a sterile pimple extraction tool (most look like small metal nooses) to empty your pores. Disinfect the pimple and the surrounding area using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Place the round end of the tool over your pimple and drag it slowly across your skin using firm, consistent pressure. Only attempt to pop the pimple if it has a yellow white, or black “head.” If the pimple doesn't have a head, extraction will be painful and could lead to scarring. Avoid popping the pimple if possible. Popping can cause scarring or worsen your breakout. Use a blue light device to get rid of your pimple. Blue light is clinically proven to heal the skin and get rid of pimples. Apply the light device to your pimple for 6 to 20 minutes, depending on manufacturer directions. Specific directions vary depending on the device you use, so read them carefully before you begin using the device. Blue light devices cost anywhere from $40 to $170 USD. Blue light devices are not typically recommended for people with rosacea or other skin conditions. Use an acid-based solution. Salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for getting rid of pimples. These acid-based products might be available as creams or lotions. Specific directions for use vary depending on the product you use. Typically, you can just apply a dollop of the lotion to your pimple, then rub it in using a gentle, circular motion. Salicylic or glycolic acid wipes are also available. Simply pull a wipe from the container and gently massage it over the affected area, then dispose of it. You can also use a facial soap that contains salicylic acid to help reduce future acne outbreaks. Once your pimple is gone, try using a daily lactic acid treatment. This can help prevent acne from returning. Put a benzoyl peroxide-based treatment on your pimple. The specific technique necessary to get rid of a pimple varies depending on the product you use. Check manufacturer directions before beginning a benzoyl peroxide-based treatment. You can generally apply the treatment (a gel, cream, or lotion) once or twice daily until your pimple has disappeared. Benzoyl peroxide-based treatments destroy the bacteria that are associated with pimples. Pimple treatments containing benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, so if you suspect it might come in contact with your clothing, use it right before bed and put an old t-shirt on. Exfoliate your skin after washing. An exfoliant is a skincare product designed to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. Directions for use will vary depending on the exfoliant you've decided to use. Generally, however, you can simply shake a bit of your exfoliant out onto a cotton pad and press it into the affected skin. You can wash your face with a moisturizing wash, mild soap and water, or even just water. Use a sulfur treatment. Sulfur has a high pH level, which can help your skin attain the balance it needs to get rid of pimples. Sulfur gels, soaps, and creams will vary depending on the product you use. Generally, however, you can simply clean the affected area and apply a dollop of the sulfur product to the pimple. Try an aspirin mask. One of the primary uses for aspirin is to bring down inflammation and swelling, and these properties work in combating pimples, too. Grind up 5 to 7 uncoated aspirin tablets and two or three tablespoons of water. Apply the paste to the pimple for 10-15 minutes. For added antibacterial and moisturizing benefits, add a teaspoon of honey, tea tree oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil to the paste, too. Because children and young adults are at risk of developing Reye's Syndrome, talk to a doctor before doing an aspirin mask on a young person. Ice your pimple. Like aspirin, ice is often used to bring down swelling and redness on irritated skin. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, then rinse it with warm water and pat dry. Wrap an ice cube or an ice pack in a towel, and hold it over your pimple for 5 minutes, then remove it for 5 minutes. Continue alternating in this way for about 20-30 minutes. Repeat up to 3 times daily. This will cause the pore to tighten and constrict. Applying ice in this way will also reduce the size and color of the pimple, giving your skin a nearly normal texture and appearance. This method may also help if the pimple is causing you pain. Use a 5 percent solution of tea tree oil to get rid of your pimple. Dab a cotton swab into the solution and rub it gently on and around the pimple. Repeat once daily until your pimple is gone. If you cannot buy a 5 percent solution of tea tree oil, just combine undiluted tea tree oil with water in ratios that produce a solution of 5 percent tea tree oil (and 95 percent water). Add more water if you have sensitive skin. Shake the solution before use. You could substitute neem oil for tea tree oil. If used too often or in doses that are too highly concentrated, tea tree oil can damage your skin. Talk to your doctor about how much and how often you can safely use tea tree oil to get rid of a pimple. Use a warm compress or steam to bring your pimple to the surface. Taking a long, hot shower will open your skin pores and promote the pimple's growth. Applying a warm compress to the affected area will have the same effect. Once the pimple has emerged a bit more, use an extraction tool to get rid of it. Alternately, apply a spot treatment containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid to it. | Apply a hydrocortisone cream. Pop your pimple with an extraction tool. Use a blue light device to get rid of your pimple. Use an acid-based solution. Put a benzoyl peroxide-based treatment on your pimple. Exfoliate your skin after washing. Use a sulfur treatment. Try an aspirin mask. Ice your pimple. Use a 5 percent solution of tea tree oil to get rid of your pimple. Use a warm compress or steam to bring your pimple to the surface. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Lose-Weight-Fast-on-the-5-Bites-Diet | How to Lose Weight Fast on the 5 Bites Diet | If you want to lose weight fast, try the 5-bite diet, but know that this isn't a healthy long-term solution since your body won't get the proper vitamins and nutrients it needs to function. An important part of the diet is drinking as much of any beverage you want, as long as it doesn't have any calories. This will help you feel full and hydrated. Try to stick to these zero-calorie drinks for breakfast to speed up your weight loss. Then, for lunch, you can have 5 bites of any foods that you like, from an apple to a candy bar. Just make sure that your bites aren't so big that they take more than 1 swallow. At dinner, you can take another 5 bites of anything you like, but aim to have 2 bites over the course of the day be from a protein source. Since you'll be eating so little, you'll need to supplement with a multivitamin and an omega-3 fish oil capsule daily to help your body function properly. | Drink as much of any beverage as you want as long as it doesn’t contain calories. Dr. Alwin Lewis, says that drinking plenty fluid is an important part of his diet: It will help you to keep feeling full and hydrated. Even if it's diet soda, it's okay – just keep those calories to a big fat zero.. He recommends a breakfast every morning of a big cup of black coffee and a "juicy" multi-vitamin. His school of thought points out that the body goes into a fasted mode at night, and the longer you can extend this state, the more weight you'll lose. Take 5 bites of any food at lunch. This is where it comes down to you, as this is a modified fasting technique. You could eat 5 bites of lettuce, 5 bites of lobster Thermidor, or you could eat 5 bites of a Snickers bar (Dr. Alwin explains that a Snickers is the easiest way to set your 'hungerstat'). To see the most healthy success, vary these five bites as a meal – three bites of a hamburger, plus two bites of an apple, for example. Bite sizes will vary per person- General rule of thumb, if your bite takes more than 1 swallow it is too big of a bite. Taking a multivitamin daily will help your body receive the nutrients you might miss from eating less food. On average people do not get the recommended daily vitamins, so taking a vitamin is always best! Make sure that you have at least one bite of protein a day. Take 5 bites of anything at dinner. Dinner has the exact same stipulations as lunch: 5 bites of any variety of foods. One of the goals of this diet is to make your choices fairly monotonous, eat your five bites and move on. Find other activities to fill your time. Your stomach will adjust to the amount of food you are now eating, your hunger stat will be set!,. One of the reasons people tend to like this diet is that it allows anything. You could eat five bites of cheesecake, cookies and ice cream, if you so desired, as long as you stick to your 5 bites per meal! Take one multi-vitamin with minerals, and take a purified, concentrated omega 3 fish oil capsule every day. Dr. Lewis acknowledges that the low amount of food does not furnish your body enough of the vitamins and mineral micro-nutrients it needs to maintain and to function, especially over a long period of time. Because of this, he advocates that all dieters take a multi-vitamin every day. To keep going, this stipulation needs to be adhered to. This may seem like an unnecessary part of a balanced diet, but ''do not'' skip it. A gummy vitamin is delicious and can seem like a sweet treat amid the pangs of hunger – as an additional, free bite, if you will. Avoid dehydration by keeping your hydration levels balanced. Making sure a few of your bites are loaded up with protein. Get about two bites of protein food every day (a medium sized Snickers has several grams of protein for instance). It is far too easy to get all of your calories from carbohydrates and fat – The easiest way to do this is with nuts, meat; chicken, turkey, beef and fish are – all jam-packed. Tofu also has some protein. Take a one-bite snack between meals, if you’d like. Dr. Lewis does say that 12 bites total per day is fine; so, if you'd like, you can have a bite of something between meals. This diet follows the idea of the kind of diet that Weight loss surgery patients must follow- eating small amounts of food two to 3 times a day. This diet allows for rapid weight loss without the complications of surgery. This is not meant to be a lifestyle change, but a rapid way to get the unhealthy weight off as quickly as possible. The idea being that the risk of staying overweight (and added health complications that arise from extra weight) is WORSE than limiting your bites. Realize that the only source of energy in the body is glucose sugar, meaning no matter what you eat your body turns it in to this 'fuel' so whether it is 5 bites of ice cream or five bites of a protein bar your body will use both for fuel equally. The goal is to turn the body into a lean mean fat burning machine.. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Lose-Fast-on-5-Bites-Diet-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Lose-Fast-on-5-Bites-Diet-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Lose-Fast-on-5-Bites-Diet-Step-8.jpg\/aid4469245-v4-728px-Lose-Fast-on-5-Bites-Diet-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>"} After you've reset your 'hungerstat' you will find that you get full quicker on a limited amount of food. This is not a starvation diet, but portion control. You can modify the diet to add more bites, start by counting how many bites you take at a normal meal, then throughout a whole day. slowly start limiting yourself per meal/day until you reach 5 bites per meal. Dr. Lewis recommends people aim for a BMI of 18.5.. The idea being that it is better to be right at a perfect weight for your body (even on the low side) than to risk being higher and suffering the complications of excess weight. Visit theslimmingstation.com for personalized advice from Dr. Lewis as well as forums. Also, check out Facebook for any motivation groups. Dr. Lewis' book is available at Lulu.com in digital format. 'Why Weight Around' Maintain bite size! Keep your bites as evenly sized as possible to eliminate 'stretching' out your stomach 1 tablespoon is often equal to 1 bite for most. Taking larger bites or 'binging' will stall or slow your weight loss progress. This is not a lifestyle change but a rapid way of losing weight Try sugar-free gum to help keep your mouth busy. Or chicken broth if you are feeling light-headed or weak. It is not recommended to exercise heavily while on this diet Eat your bites and throw away (or give away!) or food. Do not try to stretch your bites out- eat your meal and move on! The better you adhere to this diet the quicker you will lose the weight! Think of the money you’re saving! By only taking 5 bites you are forgoing spending $5+ on lunch and dinners. The first two days will be the roughest. After the 3rd day- if your bites have stayed constant- it will become easier. Your body gets used to ingesting less food and the stomach shrinks. The more and more you do it, the easier it will be. Find new activities to occupy your time! Take a walk around at lunchtime or pick up a new hobby to stay busy. | Drink as much of any beverage as you want as long as it doesn’t contain calories. Take 5 bites of any food at lunch. Take 5 bites of anything at dinner. Take one multi-vitamin with minerals, and take a purified, concentrated omega 3 fish oil capsule every day. Avoid dehydration by keeping your hydration levels balanced. Take a one-bite snack between meals, if you’d like. This diet follows the idea of the kind of diet that Weight loss surgery patients must follow- eating small amounts of food two to 3 times a day. This is not a starvation diet, but portion control. Dr. Maintain bite size! Try sugar-free gum to help keep your mouth busy. Think of the money you’re saving! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Host-a-Two-People-Sleepover-(Girls-Only) | How to Host a Two People Sleepover (Girls Only) | Hosting a two people sleepover should be all about having fun and getting to know your friend better. Ask your parents 1 or 2 weeks ahead of time so you can invite your friend with plenty of notice. You should also gather all of the supplies you'll need, like enough bedding for the 2 of you, some movies to watch, or a board game to play. Baking something with your friend can be a great way to pass the time, so organize ingredients to make s'mores in the oven or homemade pizza. Other fun activities you can try include giving each other a makeover, making friendship bracelets, or just talking to get to know each other better. Remember to have plenty of snacks on hand to keep you going through the night, such as fruits and vegetables, chips, and nuts. Avoid eating too many candies, since you can end up with a sugar crash, which will cause you to feel really tired. | Get your parents' permission. Let your parents know you want to ask them about something. Pick a space free of outside distractions and a time when your parents are not busy. For example, you could ask them in the family room after dinner one night. Explain the sleepover calmly. Let your parents know who you want to invite, what you want to do, any money you'll need. For example, "Mom, Dad, I really want to have Maya sleepover Friday night. I want us to be better friends because we have so much in common. I want us to stay up, play board games, and watch movies. All I need is money for pizza and snacks." Keep in mind, your parents may say no. Be respectful of this, as complaining will make you seem immature. Ask them why they said "No," so you can better understand, and ask again in a month or so. They may change their mind with time, especially if you maturely accept their answer. Choose a day for your sleepover and invite your friend. When you're planning a sleepover, you want to make sure that you pick a day that works well for both you and your friend. If it's during the school year, plan your sleepover for a Friday or Saturday night, as you don't want to wake up tired for school. Talk about the dates with your friend, in case she has any morning activities that might conflict with your sleepover. Invite your friend at least a week in advance. Depending on how old you are, you might need to have your parent or guardian call theirs to set up the sleepover times. Set up the sleeping area. Before your friend comes over for your sleepover, you want to create a cozy area to hang out in. This will make your night feel magical and make your friend feel more at home. Make a blanket fort. Drape up blankets over chairs and couches in one area of your house to create a fort that you and your friend can crawl inside. Fill it with plenty of cozy blankets, cushions, and pillows. This can also be a great activity to do with your friend. Stringing up fairy lights can also add a magical touch to your room or your blanket fort. If you have a large bed, both you and your friend can sleep in your bed. If you don't, however, consider sleeping on the floor or in the same room as your friend to make it more fair and fun. Gather supplies. Even if you tell your friend what to bring to your sleepover, chances are good that she will forget something. Make sure you have enough sleepover supplies at your house. Set out enough towels, sheets, and blankets for both you and your friend to use. Have an extra toothbrush on hand, as this is one of the most forgotten items at a sleepover. If you and your friend are near middle school age, you should also have some feminine products just in case. Prepare for problems just in case. Hopefully, your sleepover should run smoothly. However, make sure you prepare for potential problems. You want to avoid conflict or drama at your slumber party. Know your parents' rules. You do not want the party to end with your friend getting sent home as the two of you violated a household rule. If you're not allowed to use the computer, don't use it. If a certain room is off-limits, stay out of it. Make sure you know what to do if your friend gets scared. Nightmares and homesickness do happen. Your parents should have your friend's phone number on hand, in case she needs to go home. Bedwetting does sometimes happen, so have a change of sheets or spare sleeping bag handy. Do not make fun of your friend if she has an accident. It's a very common problem and your friend should not feel ashamed. Watch a movie. This is a great two-person sleepover activity. Before your friend comes over, have a few options for you to choose from. Then, discuss with you friend which movie she'd like to watch. Stick to something light-hearted and fun. If your sleepover is near a holiday, you might want to watch a holiday-themed movie. Some great sleepover movie options include: The Princess Diaries The Parent Trap Mean Girls Enchanted 13 Going On 30 Pitch Perfect The Sound of Music 10 Things I Hate About You Ever After The NeverEnding Story She's the Man What a Girl Wants If you're younger, you can go for things like Frozen, Pocahontas, or other princess films. Play games. Even if you only have one friend at your sleepover, you can still have fun playing a variety of two-person games. Have a pillow fight. As long as your parent or guardian allows it, you and your girl friend can have lots of fun throwing pillows at each other and ducking behind couches. Just make sure not to swing your pillow too hard or near your friend's face. Give each other a blind makeover. In this fun activity, you and your friends will take turns putting on a blindfold. While you're wearing your blindfold, you will try to do your friend's makeup. Play a board game. Many board games, like Monopoly, checkers, and Life, have two-person options. If you don't want to play a board game but you have a gaming console, you could play a multiplayer video game. Games like Mario Kart are perfect for sleepovers. Play a two-person game of truth or dare. This can be a fun way to get to know your friend even more and have a few laughs. If you don't want to do any dares, you can also just play truth or truth, and take turns asking each other questions. Give each other a makeover. Makeovers are a classic sleepover activity and a great option for two people. First, do a facemask with your friend to prepare your skin. Lots of masks can be made with ingredients straight from your kitchen. Create an area for your makeovers. Lay out all your makeup on a table or the floor. Take turns giving each other a new look. If you want, you can also style each other's hair, and paint your nails. Do some crafts. Getting creative with your friend is a great way to pass the time during your sleepover. Since it's just the two of you, you can do slightly more elaborate craft projects. Some possibilities: Make friendship bracelets. Paint on canvases. Decorate a bandana with fabric paint. Make a rag rug with old t-shirts and a hoola hoop. Write and illustrate your own story. Gather wildflowers, and make a bouquet to display in your sleepover area. Tell stories or just talk. Sometimes, a simple conversation can be as fun as any game. Also, talking will allow you to get closer to your friend. Spend some time just sitting around talking. Ask about your friend. Ask about her hobbies and interests and listen to her responses actively. Allow the conversation to go a bit deeper. Ask about your friend's opinions on things like school, friendship, and other interesting topics. You can also share stories. Talk about your most memorable moments, family vacations, and embarrassing stories. Talk about your menu or cooking ideas with your parents. You or your friend may have special dietary needs. Before you begin cooking, talk things over with an adult. You want to make sure you create a menu everyone can safely eat. Be aware of any food allergies. If your friend has a food allergy, encourage her to bring some snacks from home that are safe for her to eat. You could also have your mom contact her parents and ask about safe foods. Let your parents know in advance about any restrictions on your friend's diet. This will give them time to prepare. Cook or bake something with your friend. This is a great combination of a fun activity and a tasty treat. Make something fun that you wouldn't normally make, but always ask before using the oven or stove. Make sure you keep any food allergies in mind. Some possible recipes sleepover recipes: Oven-baked s'mores Homemade pizza Fresh-squeezed lemonade Sugar cookies Chocolate cupcakes Order in. A sleepover can be a great opportunity to order all your favorite junk foods. Something like pizza can be a fun and simple way to feed you and your friend. Order different dishes to share, like two pasta dishes. This works well with Chinese food. Try eating it with chopsticks for added fun. Stock up on snacks. When you're having a sleepover, you want to make sure you have plenty of snacks to munch on throughout the night. These should be in addition to your main meal. Fruit plates and vegetable plates with dip are great healthy options to help offset the sugar rush of junk food. Also have salty snacks like chips, crackers, nuts, or pretzels. You can also set out some of your favorite candies. Just make sure not to eat too much sugar late in the night. | Get your parents' permission. Choose a day for your sleepover and invite your friend. Set up the sleeping area. Gather supplies. Prepare for problems just in case. Watch a movie. Play games. Give each other a makeover. Do some crafts. Tell stories or just talk. Talk about your menu or cooking ideas with your parents. Cook or bake something with your friend. Order in. Stock up on snacks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Internet | How to Use the Internet | To use the internet, start by signing up with an email service provider like Gmail or Outlook to get a personalized email address. Once you have an email address, you can use it to sign up for social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, which many people use to stay in touch and communicate on the internet. If you have ideas or opinions that you'd like to share, you can start a blog using a free platform like Wordpress or Blogger. You can also use the internet to video chat with friends and family using a free service like Skype. If you want to watch entertainment, check out Youtube or sign up with a streaming service like Netflix! | Use email. Email is a lot like regular mail and you can use it in many of the same ways. You'll need to sign up with an email service in order to get an address, though. Many email services are free and good ones include GMail and Outlook.com. When you go to check your email, you will go to the website for the service you signed up with and only the service you signed up with in order to read your mail. Email addresses don't look like street addresses. They are in a format like [email protected]. For example, the email to reach us here at wikiHow is [email protected]. If your name is John Doe and you sign up with Gmail, your address could look like [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or even something totally different like [email protected]. Use Social Media. Social media is a term that encompasses a lot of different kind of websites, all for connecting and communicating with other people. Commonly used forms of social media include: Facebook , which is used for lots of different purposes, from messaging to sharing pictures and videos. Twitter , which is used for sending very short updates and thoughts about your life. Instagram , which is used for sharing pictures. |Pinterest which is for sharing items you find on the internet. Read or write blogs. A blog, which was derived from the term web log, is an online journal. You can put text, pictures, and even videos in a blog. You can write your own or you can read someone else's. Blogs cover all sorts of different subjects, and are starting to replace certain sections of the newspaper in their function. Chat! You can use the internet to talk directly with people you know (or even people you don't know). If you want to talk face-to-face or with voice like a phone, you can use services like Skype, which is often free or a low price. You can also type-chat, which is like talking but with just text, using a number of different services (like AOL's Instant Messenger service AIM). Start dating! You can also date online! There are sites that are free, as well as sites that you pay for, all with the goal of helping you meet someone that's right for you. There are even specialty dating websites, for people in particular professions or with special interests. Match and eHarmony are the most common. Meetme is a popular free dating site and app for smartphones, tablets, and computers. Read the news. You can read the newspaper online, often for free or cheaper than what you would pay for print. Most major newspapers include an online edition. These often may pair with videos for a multimedia experience. Try searching for your favorite newspaper! New York Times and CNN are common news sites. Watch the news. You can also watch the news online. Go to the website for your local TV station to see what they offer, or watch clips from major news networks, like the BBC. Get opinions and analysis. You can get op-ed style articles as well as financial, sports, and political analysis easily online, from blogs, news sites, and other websites. One popular source of online analysis is Nate Silver, through his FiveThirtyEight blog., Twitter. Twitter, while a common form of social media that is mainly used for telling all your friends about something weird you just ate, can also be used to keep up-to-date on important events. Follow Twitter feeds for official offices, like the White House or major news networks, to get the latest on events as they happen. Do online banking. Many major banks allow online banking, in which you can get your statements, make deposits and withdrawals, order checks, and do other common bank activities. Check the official site for your bank or call them to find out more information. Pay your bills. You can also often pay your bills online or even set up automatic payments, so you don't have to worry about paying a particular bill each month. You can set this up through your bank's website (sometimes, depending on the bank) or you can go to the website for the company that you have to pay (if they have online bill-pay set up). Call them for more information. Balance your checkbook. You can use free services like Google Spreadsheets to set up a tracker for your monthly expenses. This will be easier if you have experience with programs like Microsoft Excel, but you can also get templates that are easy to fill out. This service is free, as long as you have a Google Account. Invest your money. If you love playing the stocks, you can even invest your money online, using websites like ETrade to buy, sell, and track your stocks. This is easy to do and gives you much more control over you trades. Keep a calendar. You can keep a calendar with all of your appointments, birthdays, and anniversaries using tools like Google Calendar. You can even share your calendar with friends and family, so that they know where to find you and what's going on in your life. Find a new job! If you want to get a paid job or even a volunteer position, you can find many opportunities online, using websites like Monster.com. You can search by what you want to do, where you are, how often you're available, etc. You can even do things like make resumes. Find professional services. The internet is quickly becoming like a giant directory. Most professional services these days either have a website or at least a Google listing, so that you can easily get addresses and contact information, as well as hours and pricing. You can even use some websites to get recommendations, like AngiesList.com. Take classes. You can take full university courses or even just free courses online, if you want to learn a new skill or keep your brain active. You can find free courses from major universities on websites like Coursera, but actual degree programs online usually cost money. Learn new things. If you're in the mood for more of a lecture than a full class, you can also find this kind of bite-size info on the internet. Go to websites like TED to see interesting lectures from some of the best minds in the world, for free. You can learn loads of basic skills (and not-so-basic ones!) on websites like this one, wikiHow. You can also find websites like Wikipedia, which is a free online encyclopedia and contains a vast wealth of information.. YouTube has lots of information and entertainment in video format. Learn about your family history. If you're interested in your family history, you can do research about where you and your family come from. There are lots of ancestry websites which can provide not only information but also sometimes things like pictures or draft cards. Try Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and EllisIsland.org. Many publicly available census records are also online. Watch television and movies. You don't have to have cable any more if you don't want to. Many popular TV shows and movies can be watched through services like Netflix or Hulu, which can even stream right to your TV. These usually cost money, but it's much, much cheaper than paying for cable. Watch YouTube. Youtube carries all sorts of different video content. You can watch funny clips, family movies, full TV shows, full movies, clips of either of those things, or even just do things like listen to songs. Play games. You can play games online (or even gamble!). Websites like Games.com offer lots of free, classic games that you can play. Another option are games like fantasy football: a number of league are available online that you can enjoy for free. Read comics. If you loved reading comics when they were in the newspaper, you can read many of those same comics online. Try a search for your favorite comic...you might be surprised! Read Garfield here. Read Family Circus here. Find new comics. There are lots of new comics that have never been up in the newspapers but can be read for free online. These are called webcomics, and cover a huge range of topics. Listen to music. You can also listen to music online. There are many free websites that let you listen to music that you like. Pandora is a free internet radio that lets you choose what kind of music to listen to. Slacker.com is similar to a satellite radio service with a wide variety of music of all genres. You can also try to bring up specific songs or artists using websites like YouTube. | Use email. Use Social Media. Read or write blogs. Chat! Start dating! Read the news. Watch the news. Get opinions and analysis. Twitter. Do online banking. Pay your bills. Balance your checkbook. Invest your money. Keep a calendar. Find a new job! Find professional services. Take classes. Learn new things. Learn about your family history. Watch television and movies. Watch YouTube. Play games. Read comics. Listen to music. |
https://www.wikihow.tech/Share-Apple-Music | How to Share Apple Music | To share your Apple Music account with family members, you can set up Family Sharing on your iPhone or iPad and send them an invitation. Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen and tapping your name at the top of the screen. Next, hit "Set Up Family Sharing" and tap "Apple Music" under "Shared Features." Then, tap "Go to Apple Music" and hit "Family" to upgrade your plan to share with up to 6 people. Finally, tap "Done." | Set up Family Sharing on your iPhone or iPad. If you haven't already set up Family Sharing: Open the Settings {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/7\/7e\/Iphonesettingsappicon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Iphonesettingsappicon.png\/30px-Iphonesettingsappicon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","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>"} app on the home screen. Tap your name at the top of the menu. Tap Set Up Family Sharing. Follow the on-screen instructions to add members to your family. Ask the person you want to share with to accept the Family Sharing invitation. Once the invitation is accepted, you'll be able to share Apple Music with them. Open your iPhone’s Settings . It's on the home screen. Tap your name. It's at the top of the screen. Tap Family Sharing. A list of your family members appears at the top of the screen. Tap Apple Music. It's under ″SHARED FEATURES.″ Tap Go to Apple Music. Tap Family to upgrade your plan. You'll need a Family Plan in order to share Apple Music with your family. This plan allows you to share with up to 6 people. Tap Done. Now Apple Music is shared with all members of your Family Sharing. Open Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad. It's the pink, purple, blue, and white music note icon typically found on the home screen. Tap the song or playlist you want to share. Tap the menu icon or long-press the song/playlist to open the menu. Tap Share Playlist or Share Song. A list of sharing options will appear. Select a sharing method. You can share through Messages , Mail , or AirDrop by default. To share with a different app, tap More , then select the app. If sending through AirDrop , the song or playlist will play immediately once your friend accepts the transfer. Enter a recipient and send the song or playlist. The steps vary depending on the app you selected, but you'll typically enter or select a contact's information and then tap the Send button. | Set up Family Sharing on your iPhone or iPad. Ask the person you want to share with to accept the Family Sharing invitation. Open your iPhone’s Settings . Tap your name. Tap Family Sharing. Tap Apple Music. Tap Go to Apple Music. Tap Family to upgrade your plan. Tap Done. Open Apple Music on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the song or playlist you want to share. Tap the menu icon or long-press the song/playlist to open the menu. Tap Share Playlist or Share Song. Select a sharing method. Enter a recipient and send the song or playlist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-Natural-Swimming-Pools | How to Build Natural Swimming Pools | With just a few steps and some solid planning, you can build your own natural swimming pool, which uses plants and other natural details to filter the water and keep the ecosystem of the pool more balanced. Pick a spot for your pool, including an adjacent space for the plant zone. Plan to use a small water pump and PVC tubing to help move the water towards the plants. You'll also need an underwater aerator to add oxygen to the water. After all of your pumps and tubing are in place, you'll need to line the pool to prevent leaks or cracks and add rocks to secure the liner. | Pick a spot that has even ground and lots of shade. Avoid a spot with tree stumps or shrubs that you will have to move. A shady spot will ensure the pool is not exposed to direct sunlight. Sun can encourage algae to grow in your natural pool, forcing your filtration system to work overtime to keep the water clean and clear. Section out a hole for the pool. The hole should be at least 45 to 50 square metres (480 to 540 sq ft) and 1 to 2 metres (3.3 to 6.6 ft) deep. Try not to make the pool too deep, as a deeper pool may require steel reinforcements. Make the pool a square or rectangle so it is easy to line and fill. Use tape or chalk to mark out the dimensions of the pool so you have a guideline for when you dig. Create an adjacent hole for the plant zone. The hole should be 10 to 20 square metres (110 to 220 sq ft) and 1 metre (3.3 ft) deep. This hole is for the plants and other natural elements that will help to filter the water in the pool. It should be right beside the larger hole for the pool. The hole for the plants should take up or be equivalent to 30-50% of the main pool area. The plant zone will be separated from the pool by a piece of black liner that you will put in later. This will allow the water to flow from the plant zone into the pool, but keep the plants from floating into the pool area. Dig the holes with an excavator. Using an excavator will make digging the holes much easier and faster. Dig the holes so they have sloped sides, as this will ensure they do not cave in. The holes should also have an even, flat bottom so sealing and filling them are easier to do. Save any large rocks that you come across as you dig, as you can use them later when you seal and fill the pool. You can rent an excavator from your local hardware store at an hourly or daily rate. Digging the holes should take no more than a few hours. Place a small water pump on the far end of the pool. Though the natural pool will use plants to filter the water, you will need a pump to move the water towards the plants. Buy a small water pump at your local hardware store or online. Place it at the far end of the pool and run electricity to the pump so it can run. You can bury the water pump in the ground if you do not want it to be seen. Running a water pump in or around water can be dangerous, so exercise caution when you set it up and make sure the wire you use is water safe. When in doubt, consider hiring an electrician to set up the water pump for you. Run PVC tubing from the pump to the plant zone. Bury the tubing at least 18 inches (46 cm) deep in the soil as you run it from the pump to the hole for the plants. Run the PVC tubing underground beneath the entire pool from the far end to the plant zone. Make sure the piping touches the plant zone so the water flows into this area. If you are unsure of how to do this, you can hire a plumber or a contractor to assist you. Attach an underwater aerator to the pump to add oxygen to the water. Aerating the water will ensure the water has enough oxygen to feed the plants and other organisms in the pool. Place the aerator in the deepest part or corner of the pool so it is not disturbed. Make sure the aerator is properly connected to the water pump. Underwater aerators can range in price from $1,000-$1,200 USD. Protect the pump and the aerator with a skimmer. Place the pump and aerator in a plastic container or bucket with a skimmer. Then, cover the bucket with a steel-mesh filter mat to keep debris out of the equipment. Use synthetic liner to smooth out the bottom and sides of the pool. Place the liner tight to the bottom and sides of the pool. Cut the liner to fit the sides correctly, making sure it sits right at the top line of the pool. Line both the main pool and the hole for the water zone so they are protected. The synthetic liner is a good way to prevent leaks or cracks in the pool due to rocks or other objects. Apply bentonite clay if you do not want to use a synthetic liner. Another option is to apply a layer of bentonite clay over the holes for the swimming pool and the plant zone. You will need at least 6 pounds (2.7 kg) of clay per square foot to seal the pool. Spread a 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) layer of clay with your hands. Wear gloves and a face mask to protect yourself. If the soil is very sandy, you may need to double the amount of clay per square foot to ensure the pool is properly sealed. Pack the clay down with a tractor or a plate compactor to really seal it into the soil. Lay black liner on the bottom and sides of the pool to reflect the sun. Use synthetic liner that is black over the base liner or the clay so it can trap the heat of the sun, heating up the pool naturally. It will also help to protect the pool from leaking. Leave a piece of liner hanging between the pool and the plant zone. Cut the piece so it sits 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the top edge of the pool. This piece of liner will act as a barrier between the pool and the plant zone. Use scissors to cut the liner so it just drapes over the sides of the pool. Place large rocks on the walls of the pool to keep the liner in place. Use smooth slabs or rocks to secure the liner and create an extra barrier. Lay them against the walls of the pool so they sit flush to the top edge of the pool. You can then fill in any gaps between the large rocks with smaller rocks or slabs. You can also use stone slabs that have been cut to fit together if you want a smooth, even surface for the sides of the pool. The stone slabs will be heavy to lift so you may need someone to help you lift them in place. Fill the pool with 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) of gravel or pea rock. Cover the bottom of the pool with gravel or pea rock to create a good habitat for microorganisms. This will also keep the bottom soft and easy to walk on. Make sure you use gravel or pea rock that has been washed so there is no dust or particles in the pool. Line the edge of the pool with rocks or pebbles. Finish off the pool by placing small rocks or pebbles on the edge so they cover up the black liner. Make sure the liner is completely covered and there is a clear perimeter around the edge of the pool with the rocks. Reinforce the rocks with gravel and soil so there are no leaks. Make sure there is a clear pathway between the pool and the plant zone, as water will need to flow between these 2 areas. Put water in the pool and let it rest for a week. Use fresh water to fill the pool to the top edge. Then, let it sit and monitor the pool for any leaks or issues. Test the water with a home water testing kit to ensure the pool levels are safe and not contaminated with any chemicals or biological substances. Do not fill the plant zone until you are ready to add plants to the pool. Put 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) of aggregate or gravel in the plant zone. Use aggregate or gravel that does not contain any additives or large portions of organic matter that has not decomposed. Make sure the aggregate has not been in contact with animals, as you do not want germs or bacteria to get into the water. Fill the plant zone with water 1 foot (0.30 m) below the top edge. Use fresh water to fill the plant zone. Make sure the water runs into the pool area easily so the plants can help to filter the water. Check that the piece of black liner you are using as a barrier sits upward in the water, preventing the plants from drifting into the pool area. Place oxygenating plants in the plant zone to keep the water healthy. Waterweed and hornwort are both great options, as they release a lot of oxygen into the water. You can also put in aquatic plants like sedges and rushes on the perimeter of the plant zone to keep the area oxygenated and contained. Add in floating plants to provide shade to organisms. Water lilies and other floating plants are great options for the plant zone, as they encourage the growth of microorganisms that will keep the water healthy and clean. Anchor the plants with gravel. If you are using plants that have roots, shovel gravel onto the bottom of the plants so they stay in place in the plant zone. | Pick a spot that has even ground and lots of shade. Section out a hole for the pool. Create an adjacent hole for the plant zone. Dig the holes with an excavator. Place a small water pump on the far end of the pool. Run PVC tubing from the pump to the plant zone. Attach an underwater aerator to the pump to add oxygen to the water. Protect the pump and the aerator with a skimmer. Use synthetic liner to smooth out the bottom and sides of the pool. Apply bentonite clay if you do not want to use a synthetic liner. Lay black liner on the bottom and sides of the pool to reflect the sun. Place large rocks on the walls of the pool to keep the liner in place. Fill the pool with 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) of gravel or pea rock. Line the edge of the pool with rocks or pebbles. Put water in the pool and let it rest for a week. Put 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) of aggregate or gravel in the plant zone. Fill the plant zone with water 1 foot (0.30 m) below the top edge. Place oxygenating plants in the plant zone to keep the water healthy. Add in floating plants to provide shade to organisms. Anchor the plants with gravel. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-the-Harmonic-Mean | How to Calculate the Harmonic Mean | To calculate the harmonic meaning, start by determining the number of values in your set of numbers. For example, if you're working with 10, 12, 16, and 8, you have 4 numbers, so the value is 4. Then, rewrite the numbers you're working with as denominators over the number 1. For example, if you're working with 10, 12, 16, and 8, write them as 1/10, 1/12, 1/16, and 1/8. Then, divide 4 by the sum of the fractions to find the harmonic mean. | Set up the formula for the harmonic mean. The formula is n 1 a 1 + 1 a 2 + 1 a 3 +... + 1 a n {\displaystyle {\frac {n}{{\frac {1}{a_{1}}}+{\frac {1}{a_{2}}}+{\frac {1}{a_{3}}}+...+{\frac {1}{a_{n}}}}}} , where n {\displaystyle n} is the number of values in the set of numbers, and a 1 {\displaystyle a_{1}} , a 2 {\displaystyle a_{2}} , a 3... {\displaystyle a_{3}...} are the values in the set. Determine the values you need to find the harmonic mean for. This can be any set of numbers. For example, you may need to find the harmonic mean for the numbers 10, 12, 16, and 8. Plug the value of n{\displaystyle n} into the formula. This will equal the number of values in your set. For example, if you are finding the harmonic mean of the numbers 10, 12, 16, and 8, you are working with 4 values, the numerator of your formula will be 4: 4 1 a 1 + 1 a 2 + 1 a 3 +... + 1 a n {\displaystyle {\frac {4}{{\frac {1}{a_{1}}}+{\frac {1}{a_{2}}}+{\frac {1}{a_{3}}}+...+{\frac {1}{a_{n}}}}}} Plug the values your are averaging into your formula. You will take the reciprocal of each number and add them in the denominator of the formula. Remember, when you take the reciprocal of a whole number, you turn the number into a fraction by placing a 1 in the numerator and the whole number in the denominator. For example, if the values in your set are 10, 12, 16, and 8, you would place the fractions 1 10 {\displaystyle {\frac {1}{10}}} , 1 12 {\displaystyle {\frac {1}{12}}} , 1 16 {\displaystyle {\frac {1}{16}}} , 1 8 {\displaystyle {\frac {1}{8}}} in your denominator: 4 1 10 + 1 12 + 1 16 + 1 8 {\displaystyle {\frac {4}{{\frac {1}{10}}+{\frac {1}{12}}+{\frac {1}{16}}+{\frac {1}{8}}}}} Add the fractions in the denominator. You can use a calculator, or add them up by hand. If you are not using a calculator, remember to find a common denominator first. To learn more about adding fractions, read Add Fractions. For example: 4 1 10 + 1 12 + 1 16 + 1 8 = 4 89 240 {\displaystyle {\frac {4}{{\frac {1}{10}}+{\frac {1}{12}}+{\frac {1}{16}}+{\frac {1}{8}}}}={\frac {4}{\frac {89}{240}}}} Divide the numerator by the denominator. Remember that dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. For example: 4 89 240 {\displaystyle {\frac {4}{\frac {89}{240}}}} = 4 × 240 89 {\displaystyle =4\times {\frac {240}{89}}} = 4 1 × 240 89 {\displaystyle ={\frac {4}{1}}\times {\frac {240}{89}}} = 960 89 {\displaystyle ={\frac {960}{89}}} Convert to a decimal to find the harmonic mean of your set of numbers. To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator. For example: 960 89 {\displaystyle {\frac {960}{89}}} = 960 ÷ 89 {\displaystyle =960\div 89} = 10.79 {\displaystyle =10.79} So, the harmonic mean of the numbers 10, 12, 16, and 8 is 10.79. Enter the values into your spreadsheet. Make sure to only place one value in each cell. For example, if you need to find the harmonic mean of 10, 12, 16, and 8, you might type each of these values into a separate cell in the spreadsheet, cells A1-A4. Enter the function for the harmonic mean. The function is HARMEAN(number 1, [number 2]...). To select the function, begin typing “=HARMEAN” into a blank cell of the spreadsheet, then double-click on the function when it pops up. For example, type “=HARMEAN” into cell A5 of your spreadsheet and double-click on the function. Highlight the cells containing the values you are averaging. Hit the enter key. Excel will calculate the harmonic mean for you and display it in the spreadsheet. For example, highlight cells A1-A4 of your spreadsheet and hit enter. Excel will calculate 10.78652 as the harmonic mean. | Set up the formula for the harmonic mean. Determine the values you need to find the harmonic mean for. Plug the value of n{\displaystyle n} into the formula. Plug the values your are averaging into your formula. Add the fractions in the denominator. Divide the numerator by the denominator. Convert to a decimal to find the harmonic mean of your set of numbers. Enter the values into your spreadsheet. Enter the function for the harmonic mean. Highlight the cells containing the values you are averaging. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-Friends-Again-with-Someone-You-Told-You-Like | How to Become Friends Again with Someone You Told You Like | If you want to become friends again with someone you told you like, wait a few weeks until you've gotten over your feelings for them. When your romantic feelings have faded, tell your friend that you'd like to be friends again, like you were. For example, say something like, “I think I've gotten over my feelings for you and I'd like to try to be friends still, even if it's a little awkward at first.” When you hang out with them, try to act like you do around your other friends, so things will start to feel normal again. You can also make some new friends and consider dating other people, which will take your mind off your other friend. | Ensure you’ve given yourself enough time. Once your friend has rejected you, make sure to give you and your friend some time to process and readjust. You both probably feel uncertain about what the two of you now have, so give some time to think things through. If you usually spend every weekend with them or talk to them frequently via text, give yourself a few days apart and decrease your communication during that time. Keep in mind there's no set time limit for getting over someone. Go with your instincts on how much space or time you both need, but don't avoid each other for too long. If after a few days or weeks you feel you've processed your initial sadness, reach out to them to see if they're open to talking and spending time together. If they're still uncomfortable, ask them how much longer they need and let them know you'll be there for them when they're ready to talk again. Affirm the importance of your friendship. Acknowledge that your friendship probably won't ever be quite the same again, but affirm how important it is for you to still be their friend. Let them know that no matter the rejection, you still value them as a friend. Communicate how being their friend means a lot to you. You can say, "You still mean a lot to me as a friend and I'd like to try to be friends still, even if it's a little awkward at first." Accept responsibility. Accept responsibility for trying to change the boundaries of your friendship. Acknowledge that you know it may have been awkward for them to hear your changed feelings. Show that you can handle the rejection well by accepting your friend's feelings and not trying to fight with them or change their mind. You can say, "I know this is probably awkward for you and I'm sorry for putting you in this position. Thanks for listening." Explain yourself. Explain your reasoning behind confessing feelings to your friend. Let your friend know that you had to tell them the truth because your friendship has always been based on openness, honesty, and trust. If you've been good friends for awhile, have spent a lot of quality time together, and have developed this openness and honesty with each other, your friendship will have a better chance of restarting. You can say, "I would regret it if I never told you how I really felt, and I'm glad we're such good friends that I could be honest with you." Ask what your friend needs. Together, discuss specific ways you can return to your friendship. Check-in with your friend about what they need or want from you now that you've confessed your feelings. Check-in on how they see the situation and ask if they have any ideas for making things better between the two of you. Return to normal. The earlier you return to your normal pattern of interaction with your friend, the easier and less awkward it will be between the two of you. Returning to the normal way you spend time with them will show you've accepted and moved on from the rejection. Avoiding each other will only increase awkwardness and keep you both from returning to friendship. Create new, healthy boundaries. You'll want to return to your normal ways of communicating and spending time with your friend, with a few exceptions. Now that you're trying to rebuild your friendship, you might want to do some things differently so as to avoid catching feelings again. If there's too much pressure to act differently around each other, you may not be able to rekindle the friendship. Some boundaries to set include: Avoid flirtatious behavior, touching, and sexual innuendo. Be careful when talking about their love life and dating other people. Avoid holding out hope that they'll change or fall in love with you later. Develop other relationships and interests. Make sure you make time for other interests and activities. Explore other friendships and dating other people. This will help you move on from any feelings you had for your friend. Be sure to develop other friendships where you can discuss love and dating more openly than you might with your friend. Look at your patterns. Explore what made you decide to try to take your friendship beyond its current status. Reexamine if you read too much into their behavior, if you typically fall for friends or others who aren't really available to you, or if you developed too much intimacy with your friend too soon. Talk about these patterns with a counselor or a friend who knows you well so that you can prevent falling for your friend again, or falling for another friend. These patterns could occur because: You've been hurt in the past and are scared of real commitment. You want to protect yourself from future rejection in a relationship by choosing someone who is already unavailable or uninterested. You don't believe you're deserving or worthy of love. Learn and move on. Take heart in the fact that your crush on your friend has taught you what you value in a relationship. You've learned what you appreciate in a significant other and what's attractive to you. Apply that knowledge to other relationships. Learn to grow the intimacy you've shared with your friend in other relationships. | Ensure you’ve given yourself enough time. Affirm the importance of your friendship. Accept responsibility. Explain yourself. Ask what your friend needs. Return to normal. Create new, healthy boundaries. Develop other relationships and interests. Look at your patterns. Learn and move on. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Pornography | How to Avoid Pornography | If you want to avoid pornography, start by deleting any sexual material you've saved on your computer. Then, clear your cache and browsing history, and set up an Internet censor that restricts your access to certain websites. Once your computer is free of pornography, start spending time in an open space with your family rather than alone in a room, and reward yourself for staying away from pornography rather than punishing yourself if you slip up. | Clean up your computer. If you find that pornography is ending up on your computer, either willingly or unwillingly, you'll want to start avoiding pornography by cleaning up your computer. You'll want to start by deleting any pornography saved onto the computer itself. After that, there are a few other things you can do, depending on the problem that you're having: Clear your browser. Clear your browser's cache, history, as well as your Google search history. If your computer remembers you visiting porn sites (even if it was by accident), it will think you want more porn and display more advertisements for pornography and unsafe sites. Check for viruses. If you notice that you get porn pop-ups even when you're visiting trusted sites or maybe even as soon as you open your internet browser, you might have a computer virus. Call an expert to get the virus removed and then install anti-virus software that can protect you for the future. Be careful about what search terms you use and websites you visit. Some phrases are frequently attached to pornography and some websites are more likely to give you viruses and lead to pornography. Turn on Google Safe Search to protect from unsafe searches and try to only visit sites that you absolutely trust. Set up an internet censor. There are a number of ways in which you can set up a censor that will keep you and others safe from pornography on the internet. You can block all but a few sites, only sites that are marked for adults, or you can just block certain sites. Choose a method that is right for your needs: Use StayFocused. StayFocused is a browser add-on for Chrome browsers that allows you to control what websites you can access and how much time you can spend on those sites. It's great for policing your own behavior, if you're the one struggling with porn. Alternatively use Stop Procrastinating App that allows you to block internet access or filter websites on all web browsers, not just Chrome. It is impossible to get around and also offers users goal setting options to help them focus psychologically on breaking their addiction. Use Microsoft's built-in content filter. If you're trying to protect your family and you have a Windows Computer, take advantage of Microsoft's built in parental controls. These are powerful controls that you can set to whatever the needs are for your family. Set up OpenDNS to block all objectionable content across all devices in your home. You can set up the OpenDNS software, which is available for free, to block all objectionable content in your household. This is the program frequently used by schools and it functions very well for protecting your family. Cultivate your media. Certain types of media will be more likely to subject you and other people to objectionable or dangerous material. Because of this, you might want to limit how much you use certain kinds of media. Movies are easy to choose because of their ratings, but TV might be harder to control. Limit the channels you receive and make sure to do your research on a show before deciding if it's right for you and your family. Internet is the hardest of all to regulate, so make use of a censor or significantly limit how much your family uses the internet and where that internet usage happens. For example, did you know that YouTube has a content filter that can help you protect yourself and your family from adult content on that site? Scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and you'll see a button that says “Safety: Off”. Click on that and YouTube will be instantly safer! Spend recreational time in a space with your family, rather than alone. Move any computers in your home into family spaces and keep an open door policy for any private rooms where computers will be staying. This open policy will help keep all family members, yourself included, honest and allow them to better control urges and bad habits. So, for example, move your son's computer from his bedroom and into a corner of the living room. Adjust where you spend your time in public. Certain public spaces may be more prone to displaying offensive material in readily visible places. For every area this will be different, but if you find that you're exposed to the materials while out in public, it might be a good idea to think about how you can change your where your time is spent. For example, downtown areas and city-outskirts are known for attracting more objectionable material than other parts of cities. If you know you tend to see this problematic material while driving or walking to work, for example, try changing your route. Avoid negative reinforcement and physical punishment. We'll often hear the advice to snap a rubber band at our wrist when trying to stop our own bad habits or that we should physically punish our kids if they don't stay away from material we find objectionable, but at least when it comes to watching pornography, you're going to want to stay away from these practices. They work because they cause the person being punished to associate pain, discomfort, shame, and humiliation with whatever they're being punished for. When these feelings are applied to sex, however, they create unhealthy feelings and may even prevent the person from having normal sexual interaction in the future. Avoid the negative reinforcement of any kind of sexual practice as much as possible, as it doesn't teach healthy behaviors and could even lead to addictive tendencies. Create positive reinforcement. Whether you're trying to keep yourself away from pornography or you're trying to help your family, using positive will be much more effective at creating the behaviors you want to see. For example, reward your teenage son with extra spending money for very week where he spends less than 5 hours on the computer. You can give yourself positive reinforcement too: try giving yourself a piece of candy every day that you don't view pornography. Evaluate the problem. It's also important to really understand the problem that you're having. Sometimes, viewing pornography might not be as bad as you think it is. You should look at your situation from an outsider perspective and really decide if you want to go to really great lengths to control the situation. For example, if your son is having trouble with viewing pornography, it might be that this is just a phase. Increased sexual feelings at a young age are normal and pornography might be a safer outlet for releasing those feelings than if he stopped and then went looking for release elsewhere. You might want to just let him be, but at least offer him some advice about why pornography can give you bad ideas about sex and why it's important not to let it control your life. If it's distracting him from schoolwork and friends, you may want to step in. Learn to recognize the signs of addiction. If you believe that porn is interfering with your daily life, it may be a larger problem. Feelings of guilt, lying to hide your usage, dissatisfaction with real life sex, and anger when porn is not acceptable are all potential signs of a larger problem. Replace the bad habit with a good one. For most people that look at a lot of porn, the impulse is simply a habit. One of the best ways to overcome a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit; you need to give yourself something else to do when you would normally be looking at porn. What that is will depend on who you are, but you can try: Exercising. When you reach the time of day when you would normally start looking at porn, go out and get some exercise instead. Go for a jog around your block or do some jumping jacks. You can even do some more involved but fun exercises, like going swimming at your local pool. Cleaning your home. You'll probably know the basic things to clean (dishes, laundry, etc) but don't forget about all the cleaning that a lot of people forget about, like cleaning around the toilet and scrubbing the bathtub. Get too busy for porn. Pornography is easy to fall back on if you've got a lot of free time. By keeping your day booked solid, you'll easily be able to keep yourself away from porn because you'll have too much other stuff to do! Try taking on a new hobby (editing on wikiHow is good), teach yourself a new skill (learning a language is useful and fun), or finding another way to occupy your time (spending more time with your friends and family is always good). For example, you can begin teaching yourself a new language online using free services like DuoLingo. Learning a new language will help fill up your time and keep you busy (and away from pornography) but it will also help you for the rest of your life too! If you want to try something away from the computer so that you're not tempted, try martial arts. The Japanese martial art of Aikido is designed for people who might not be all that strong and uses minimal movements to achieve the greatest effect, making it a good one for people who don't have much experience or aren't in very good shape. You can usually find Aikido classes as local community centers, universities, and community dojos. Look for guidance and support. If you're really having trouble getting your habit under control, you should consider seeking guidance from a counselor, spiritual advisor, or community of people who are going through the same thing. Support can come in a number of forms, so look for the one that works best for you. If you are religious, go to the local place of worship for whatever religion you believe in and ask to talk to a priest, imam, or rabbi. You might need to set up an appointment, but someone should be available to talk to you. You can also join online communities of people who are trying to beat the same addiction. They can offer support, empathy, and maybe even some techniques that you haven't tried to help keep you accountable. Find a better sexual release. It shouldn't be the first thing you try, but finding another way to get a satisfying sexual release might help you kick your habit. Find a sexual partner that you can be on the same page with about what you expect from your relationship and try to develop a more satisfying sex life. By keeping your sex life varied, mutually satisfying, and fresh, you should kick a lot of your desire to look at pornography. If you're already in a relationship, do what you can to spice up your sex life with your partner. You'll probably have to make some real effort, but it will be worth it. Think of all the reasons to stop. For some people, keeping in mind all the reasons why they should stop is enough to curb the bad behavior. With significant enough motivation, if you can find it, you should be able to control your urges. However, this will work best if you also take into account the reasons you watch porn, to begin with. Generally, it serves to fill in for some unmet need. Find out what porn is filling for you, and you can better think of reasons and ways to quit. Consider the impact on your family. For some people, the effect that their porn habits have on their wives, girlfriends, or the fear of what their children might see is enough to deter them and help them control their habits. The same goes for if you're young and still living with your family. What would your little sister think if she saw what you watch? Consider your own feelings and free time. For some people, it's easier to be motivated knowing the negative impact that pornography has on yourself. Survey's have shown among men who stopped watching porn, 60% saw in increase in their sexual performance. Almost two thirds felt more energetic and productive. Porn can be very time consuming for those with really bad habits, so just imagine what you could do with all that reclaimed time. Get counseling if this problem continues to bother you. If you really can't control yourself, think about talking to a doctor or psychologist. You may have larger problems that need to be addressed and if this has a negative impact on your life then that alone makes it important enough to deal with. Talk to your family doctor about your problem. Even if they can't help you themselves, they should be able to refer you to someone who can help. You can also find specialized resources, like Sex Addicts Anonymous. Groups like this one deal specifically with this problem and they will know what you're going through and how to help you. Remember your parents, what will be their reaction when they knew about your bad habit Don't be judgmental. The first thing you should do when trying to help other people stay away from porn is to stop being judgmental. Do not see or portray the situation in a way that makes them bad for what they do. Sexuality is very normal and human. Even most religions teach that it is not anyone's place to judge their fellow man (but is instead the job of the Creator). It's also bad to judge people because it tends to turn them off from what you're trying to do. Many people that might be open to change will become defensive if you judge them and become even more set in their ways. Stay calm when you talk to them and avoid any judgmental language like “Why can't you be more like Michael?” or “Watching pornography will turn you into a pedophile!”. Don't make assumptions about how they think or compare them to other people, since language like this tends to shut people down. Talk to them about your concerns. The best place to start is to talk to the person you're concerned about. Tell them why you're concerned. Sometimes, people might not realize that they even have a problem or how their problem might affect other people. If you're open and honest, you'll be much better able to reach them and connect with things that they can understand. Say something like, “Will, I know that this is something that you enjoy, but I'm worried about what it's doing to you. There is so much more to life and so much more that you could be doing right now to make yourself happy, but you're spending all your free time in your room. I want you to get more out of life than just this.” Help them see how the behavior is hurtful. Talk to them about the negative effects of pornography. Make sure to use lots of different types of evidence and reasoning though Use real-world evidence, logical arguments, emotional arguments, and whatever else you can. Using a combination of argument types will be best if you don't know how the person will think about the problem. Just remember to avoid making them feel guilty. They may already be dealing with shame, and you want to ultimately build an environment of support, not make things worse. For example, make a logical argument like, “Think about what this is doing to how you think about sex! You're becoming accustomed to being able change who gets you off by just pressing a button. That's going to make it very hard to have a satisfying relationship later in life.” Give them a new focus. Using a new behavior or a new activity is the best way to stop an old behavior in its tracks. If you want to help someone to stop looking at porn, give them something else to do instead. You can try: Offering to take a class with them at the local community center. Consider paying for you both to take a cooking class together at the local community center during the time of day you know they're most vulnerable. Give them something to do around the house. Give them a responsibility to take care of around the house. For example, if your son spends a lot of time in his room towards the end of the day, task him with taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood every day instead. Plan for failure. This is a difficult behavior to overcome and it may take time and a few mess ups before things feel right. You need to plan for failure so that both you and the person you're trying to help don't become disappointed with the events that happen. Disappointment can lead to harsh feelings and judgement, which might derail the whole effort. Expect that it will take some work and that a change won't happen overnight. Enlist the help of others to keep you accountable when you don't feel strong enough on your own. Release your feelings of responsibility. Realize that at the end of the day, you can't be responsible for everything that someone else does. Whoever you're trying to help, they're either already an adult or they're getting to the point where they really just have to make decisions on their own. This is a part of the world that they'll be exposed to one way or the other and they'll need to find their own way to cope with it. You can't control other people and it's not your responsibility to. If they feel negative consequences after you've done what you can to help them, that's their responsibility. You did what you were capable of and no one can ask anything more from you. | Clean up your computer. Set up an internet censor. Cultivate your media. Spend recreational time in a space with your family, rather than alone. Adjust where you spend your time in public. Avoid negative reinforcement and physical punishment. Create positive reinforcement. Evaluate the problem. Replace the bad habit with a good one. Get too busy for porn. Look for guidance and support. Find a better sexual release. Think of all the reasons to stop. Get counseling if this problem continues to bother you. Don't be judgmental. Talk to them about your concerns. Help them see how the behavior is hurtful. Give them a new focus. Plan for failure. Release your feelings of responsibility. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Sore-Muscles | How to Get Rid of Sore Muscles | To get rid of sore muscles, try soaking in a warm bath for 20 minutes. You can also ice the sore muscles for 15 minutes several times a day using a bag of frozen vegetables or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. To give yourself an at-home massage to relieve sore muscles, lie on the floor with a foam roller under you and gently roll back and forth. Do this for 15 minutes every day to help alleviate soreness. | Practice R.I.C.E. R.I.C.E is a treatment method for sore muscles that stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Following the principles of R.I.C.E can help with muscle soreness. Resting simply means taking a break from your normal activities. If your muscles are sore, take it easy for a few days and allow them to heal. Ice the sore area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time three times a day. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables, ice cubes placed in a plastic Ziplock bag, or an ice pack from the supermarket. Never place a store bought ice pack directly on your skin, however. You should always wrap it in a towel before application. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling of the sore area. You can buy such a bandage at a local drugstore. Apply as directed. You may want to check with your doctor if you have a family history of blood clots before using a compression bandage. Elevate the sore area, if possible. It's best to elevate a sore muscle above the heart whenever you have the opportunity to do so. Soak in the tub. Heat can help with sore muscles. Soaking in a warm tub of water for about 20 minutes can help ease sore muscles. Some people claim Epsom salt helps ease sore muscles. You can add a handful of Epsom salt to a warm bath and allow it to dissolve. You can find Epsom salt at most local pharmacies. Apply heat after 48 to 72 hours. If your muscles are still sore 2 or 3 days after treatment, consider applying heat. You can use a heating pad or run warm water over a washcloth. If you use a heating pad or a heated blanket, make sure you do not fall asleep with it on as this can be a burn hazard. Try over-the-counter pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be used to treat sore muscles. Take any medications as directed on the label. If you're on any prescription medications currently, you may want to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter pills to make sure they do not interact poorly with your existing medications. Try foam rolling. Foam rolling is an inexpensive technique to get an at-home massage. A foam roller , which can be purchased at many sports good stores, is a foam cylinder that's 6 inches in diameter. To use a foam roller, lie on the floor with the foam roller beneath you. Gently roll your body along the foam roller where the muscle is sore. Do this 5 to 6 times a week for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. You can look up more specific foam rolling techniques online. Websites like YouTube may provide tutorials. You can also check out How to Use a Foam Roller. Eat a proper diet. A diet full of protein and fatty acids will help your muscles. Aim for 20 grams of high-quality protein every few hours throughout the day. Fatty acids can be found in nuts, seeds, and fish. If you are having trouble getting your fatty acids, ask your doctor about fish oil supplements. Include foods from the four major food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. Aim for low-fat dairy products, lean meats like fish and poultry, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole wheat breads and pastas, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Make sure to eat a lot of leafy greens like spinach and lettuce. Try to cook at home when you can. Avoid fast food, eating out, and frozen meals. Sticking to the basics, items easily found at the local grocery store can help make eating healthy easier. Drink enough water after working out. Dehydration can cause a variety of problems including muscle soreness. Make sure you hydrate adequately before working out in order to avoid muscle soreness. You should aim to drink 20 to 24 ounces of water for each hour you work out. Drink water before, during, and after a workout. A good way to test your hydration is observing your urine color. Within a few hours of your workout, your urine should be clear or light yellow. Dark urine indicates possibly dehydration. Warm up before exercise. A proper warm-up increases muscle temperature. When the muscle temperature is warm, it contracts more forcefully and relaxes more quickly. This helps you get more out of your workout and reduces your chance of injury and muscle soreness. If you're doing a leg workout, try a 10-minute run to warm up. If you're focusing on upper body, try a lightweight shoulder circuit to warm up. Ask a trainer at the gym if you're not sure which workout will cater to you best. You can also talk to your doctor about ways to warm up before exercise. Stretch. Stretching throughout the day or after working out can greatly relieve muscle soreness. Work on incorporating stretching into your day-to-day routine if you want to prevent sore muscles. Always cool down after exercise. You should spend 10 minutes or so after a workout doing light aerobics, walking, or stretching. You can find stretching techniques online or talk to your doctor or trainer on how to best stretch after a workout. Soreness in the neck and shoulders, sometimes caused by using a computer at work, can be treated with occasional stretching. Try rolling your shoulders backward and down 10 times, squeezing your shoulder blades together 10 times, or bringing your ears to your shoulders 10 times. Such exercises are quick and can be done on the car on the way to work or during downtime at your office. Workout routines like yoga and Pilates focus on stretching the muscles. You can look for yoga and Pilates classes in your area. You can also find easy to follow routines online. Know when a doctor's visit is necessary. Sore muscles are usually not a major medical concern and will heal on their own with rest. However, under certain conditions, you should see a doctor for evaluation. You should go to the ER if sore muscles are accompanied by trouble breathing, dizziness, extreme muscle weakness, or a high fever and stiff neck. If you have a tick bite or rash accompanied by sore muscles, see your doctor for evaluation. Soreness around the calves after exercise should be evaluated by your doctor. Signs of infection around a sore muscle, like redness or swelling, should be looked at by a doctor. If your muscles suddenly became sore after you started taking a new medication, talk to your doctor. Any muscle soreness that lasts longer than a week should be evaluated by a doctor. Make an appointment with your physician. If you think your muscle soreness requires medical attention, make an appointment with your physician. He or she should be able to evaluate your muscle pain and make a plan for treatment. At your appointment, your doctor will ask you a variety of questions regarding your pain. He or she will want to know when your pain started, how long it's lasted, its location, any medications you're taking, and whether you have any other symptoms. Depending on your medical history, your doctor may order certain tests. He or she may want to do x-rays, a blood count, or other blood tests. This can help check for certain medical conditions that can cause sore muscles. Get a professional massage. Therapeutic deep-tissue massage can help relieve muscle soreness, especially if it's done after you exercise. If you have consistent muscle soreness, talk to your doctor about the possibility of a medical massage referral. Often, insurance companies will cover medical massage if it treats a medical condition. Attend physical therapy if necessary. If your sore muscles are the result of an injury, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. The type and duration of physical depend on your current health, medical history, and the specific cause of your muscle soreness. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a referral to a physical therapist. | Practice R.I.C.E. Soak in the tub. Apply heat after 48 to 72 hours. Try over-the-counter pain relievers. Try foam rolling. Eat a proper diet. Drink enough water after working out. Warm up before exercise. Stretch. Know when a doctor's visit is necessary. Make an appointment with your physician. Get a professional massage. Attend physical therapy if necessary. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Ear-Pain-at-Night | How to Relieve Ear Pain at Night | To relieve your ear pain at night, try putting a warm, damp washcloth over your ear, which should provide some relief. If that doesn't work, try using cool water instead, or alternate between the 2. You can also sleep with an extra pillow or 2 under your head, which can relieve some of the pressure on your ears. If your ear pain comes from a tension headache, gently massage the area behind your ear, rubbing down toward the back of your neck. Over-the-counter painkillers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also help to relieve ear pain. | Put a warm washcloth over the affected ear. Run a washcloth under warm water. Wring out the excess water from the cloth and lay it over your ear. The warmth from the water will provide some relief. Re-warm the washcloth as often as needed. Place a cool washcloth over your ear if warmth doesn't work. Warm or cool compresses can both help relieve pain, so if one isn't working, try the other. For a cool compress, dip a washcloth in cold water and wring it out. Lay it over the ear and leave it there to help with the pain. You can re-wet the washcloth as needed. You can also use ice wrapped in a washcloth. However, do not leave ice on for more than 20 minutes. You can leave cool compresses made with just water on as long as you want. You may find that alternating heat and cold is helpful. Avoid secondhand cigarette smoke if you or your child has an earache. Cigarette smoke decreases the ears' ability to drain fluid, which can make earaches and infections worse. Ask smokers to go outside if anyone in your household has an earache. This tip is also helpful for preventing earaches. Prop your head up with a few pillows. Sleeping a bit more upright may help the fluids drain, relieving pressure. Simply put an extra pillow or 2 under your head or lift your child's head up the same way. Only do this if your child is old enough to use pillows. Try a gentle massaging motion for tension-related earaches. Sometimes, earaches arise due to tension headaches. Massaging the area behind the ear may help. Place your fingers just behind your ear and rub down toward the back of your neck. Then, repeat the same downward motion as you go under your ear, eventually moving to just in front of your ear. This motion may help drain fluids. It may also provide relief when earaches arise from conditions like temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders. Suck on a piece of hard candy or a cough drop. Eating something using a sucking motion can relieve pressure in your ears. Older children can also suck on hard candy for pain relief. For younger kids, try a pacifier or even a bottle or breast. Keep in mind that hard candies are a choking hazard for children, particularly under the age of 7. If your children are under 7, you might try something else that uses a sucking motion, such as a popsicle before bed. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve pain. Use these over-the-counter medications to help ease earaches by taking them or giving them to your child at bedtime. If you're treating a child, make sure to give them the children's version and always read the package to give the child an appropriate dose. Avoid giving aspirin to kids as it puts them at risk for Reye's Syndrome. Also, don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months. Always talk to your doctor before starting a medication. With many pain relievers, you can give another dose in 4 hours, so check the package. Medicate with ear drops if your doctor recommends them. To use analgesic or pain-relieving ear drops, lie down on your side or have your child lie down with the affected ear facing up. Place the dropper just above the ear canal and drip a few drops in. Stay in this position for a few minutes to give the ear drops a chance to sink in. These typically are prescribed for the pain, though some may have antibiotics in them. Ear drops are available over-the-counter, but you should talk to your doctor first before using them. Give a full round of antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor. Antibiotics will help clear the infection if it's bacterial, relieving pain. If you've already seen a doctor who's given you or your child antibiotics, make sure to take all of the prescribed medicine, even if it seems like you're better. Otherwise, the infection could return. Call the doctor immediately if the earache is accompanied by other symptoms. Look for swelling in or around the ear, a stiff neck, and unsteady balance. Also, if your child seems confused or has a fever over 104 °F (40 °C) with the earache, you should visit the doctor. Also, call if the earache seems severe and doesn't respond to an over-the-counter pain reliever in 2 hours. If you have a compromised immune system due to conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, or HIV, see the doctor with an earache. Organ transplants or oral steroids can also cause issues with the immune system. It's also important to see the doctor immediately if a sharp object in the ear caused the pain. See the doctor if your child is under 2 with pain in both ears. If you're caring for a child under 2 with ear pain in both ears, that could be a sign of a more serious condition. Check their temperature; if it's over 102.2 °F (39.0 °C), see the doctor. Go to the doctor if the pain lasts more than 2 days. This is especially true in kids. Most of the time, the doctor will want to wait it out a bit anyway. Ear infections and earaches are not always caused by bacteria, so antibiotics aren't helpful all the time. However, if it persists, you should talk to your doctor so that it doesn't develop into a worse infection. Ask if a specialist is appropriate for frequent ear infections. If you or your child are getting ear infections constantly, it may be time to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Talk to your family doctor about a referral. An ENT doctor can help decide if further treatment is needed, such as inserting tubes in the ears. Tubes help open up the ear, allowing fluid to drain, which is particularly helpful in children. | Put a warm washcloth over the affected ear. Place a cool washcloth over your ear if warmth doesn't work. Avoid secondhand cigarette smoke if you or your child has an earache. Prop your head up with a few pillows. Try a gentle massaging motion for tension-related earaches. Suck on a piece of hard candy or a cough drop. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve pain. Medicate with ear drops if your doctor recommends them. Give a full round of antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor. Call the doctor immediately if the earache is accompanied by other symptoms. See the doctor if your child is under 2 with pain in both ears. Go to the doctor if the pain lasts more than 2 days. Ask if a specialist is appropriate for frequent ear infections. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Focus-More-in-Class | How to Focus More in Class | To focus more in class, listen for and write down the objective of the class, which your teacher will probably tell you at the beginning of the class. Use that objective to stay focused on the main topic and take effective notes. Note taking will help you understand the lesson better, so make sure you listen for key phrases like “The point is” or “This will be on the test” as they come before important points. If you still have trouble focusing, involve yourself in the class more by asking and answering questions during class. | Look at the teacher. Your teacher is not just standing up for their health; they are trying to educate you. Give them respect. Show them that they have your full attention, by looking them in the eye, and listening. Try your best to look alert. If you feel your eyes averting to something else in the room, catch yourself and focus back on your teacher. Your teacher should have your full attention at all times during class. Your eyes should not be drifting elsewhere. Understand the objective. Most teachers tell you the subject of the class and the objective they are aiming for you to learn. If possible, write down this objective the minute you hear it. What is it that needs to be done today? What will you be learning about? How can you remain alert and focused during this time? Set goals for yourself, and remind yourself of the objective throughout class. This way, you know exactly what you have to do. Take notes. By taking accurate notes, you'll be able to "get into" the lesson. Recognize key points as your teacher speaks, and listen for key phrases such as "This is important," "This is the main idea," and "This will be on the test,", for example. This can alert you to listen more intently; you'll have something to do and focus on. Objectives: If your teacher normally writes down the lesson's objective at the beginning of the class, keep it in your head and make sure you've achieved it by the end of the lesson. Don't try to finish up old notes or homework in class. Do that later, when you have free time or else you might miss key points. Get involved in class discussions. This is a wonderful way to become a more focused, successful student. When a teacher asks a question, offer to answer it. If she/he asks for an opinion, share your own. This shows that the teacher that you're listening intently during the class and that you know your stuff. This can also help you avoid those embarrassing moments, when you get called on and you happen to not be paying attention. Also, teachers will note to college officers that you are actively contributing in class. Ask a question. If you don't understand something, never be afraid to ask. This really shows your teacher that you want to learn and can recognize the things you're having difficulty with. Chances are, someone else in the class has the same question and may have been afraid to ask. Do your best. When you walk into that classroom, put a smile on your face and some confidence in your pocket. Be the best that you can be at all times, and show your true potential. Sit at the front of the class. This helps you focus on the teacher. This also allows you to hear your teacher clearly, making it easier to understand more what she/he is talking about. Avoid sitting with friends. Although the urge to sit with your buddies may be appealing, try your best to avoid the temptation. Chatting with friends is will distract you and cause you to lose. This will not only get you trouble, but lower your concentration rate for the class altogether. If you feel the urge to speak with a classmate, yet are seated in an assigned location, talk to your teacher about getting your changing seats. Failing that, let the friend know (outside of class!) that this is not meant to insult them; you just need to focus. Rid yourself of any other distractions. Some of us get distracted very easily and distractions keep us from learning. For example, if your water bottle is catching all your attention, immediately remove it from your desk. Eliminate any distractions (even if you don't want to) and you'll soon find your attention immediately going to the teacher each class. Get a good night's sleep. Students between the ages of 6 and 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep every night, while those ranging in age from 13 through 18 need 8 to 10 hours. However, it's hard to maintain those good sleep habits. Set a bedtime routine, and go to bed at the same hour each night. Your mind will not be able to concentrate if it's not rested...it needs a break! . Eat a healthy breakfast Although this may seem irrelevant to focusing during class, eating a nutritious meal in the morning gives you fresh energy for the day. Remember: a healthy breakfast does not mean a big breakfast. Two simple slices of toast, fresh orange juice (with pulp, if possible) and serving of a hard boiled egg (s) is an example of a good breakfast. Listen to music during your break. It is very refreshing and it can clear your mind between subjects, which could improve your productivity, but don't get too carried away. Upbeat music without lyrics is less distracting than songs with lyrics, as your brain will try to focus on the words being sung. Visualize your future. Before you go to bed at night, be sure to use your childhood gift of imagination and think about where you see yourself in the future. How likely you will be able to achieve that dream without having sufficient focusing skills. Even if your dream isn't academic based, perhaps you are interested in sports and music, remember that you still need good focus skills to be, for example, a football player. Don't get distracted at school. Be a smart person and do the right things. | Look at the teacher. Understand the objective. Take notes. Get involved in class discussions. Ask a question. Do your best. Sit at the front of the class. Avoid sitting with friends. Rid yourself of any other distractions. Get a good night's sleep. . Listen to music during your break. Visualize your future. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Mosquito-Breeding-in-Rain-Barrels | How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding in Rain Barrels | To prevent mosquitos from breeding in your rain barrels, try using mosquito deterrents and not storing water in them for too long. Place a double layer of window screen material over the top of each barrel, making sure it also covers the overflow hole so insects can't get in. You can also pour 1 to 2 cups of cooking oil into the water. The oil will collect on top and prevent any larvae from getting oxygen, causing them to die. If you want to stop mosquito larvae from hatching, try using mosquito dunk, which is a safe, natural bacteria that kills mosquitos. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions to add the correct amount to your barrel. Try to use the water in your barrel within a week after it rains so insects don't have time to breed. Remember to fix any loose fittings on your barrel, since they could enable mosquitos to get into the water. | Cover openings with a double layer of window screen material. Mosquitos will get into your rain barrel and breed if there is nothing covering the openings. To prevent this, place a double layer over the top of the rain barrel and over any openings on the side, such as over the overflow port. You can also purchase mosquito-proof screen material in a hardware store, which is a special type of screen that is only ⁄ 16 in (0.16 cm) thick. If the rain water barrel is filled by a downspout coming from a roof, make sure to cover the top of the down spout with window screen material. Mosquitos can enter here as well. Pour 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of cooking oil into the water. Cooking oil will coat the top of the water and prevent any larvae that get into the barrel from getting oxygen. This will suffocate them and cause them to die. A thin layer of vegetable oil will not have a negative effect on any plants you water with the rain water either. You will only need ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm) of oil at the top of the barrel for this to be effective. Add mosquito dunk to the rain water to prevent larvae from hatching. Mosquito dunk, or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), is a commercially available product that you can add to your rain water barrel. This product is safe to use in rain barrels. It's made from a naturally occurring soil bacteria that kills any larvae that end up in the water. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how much of the product to add to your rain water barrel and how often to use it. Use the collected rain water as soon as possible. Don't allow the water to sit for more than 1 week after it rains. This is the average amount of time that it takes for eggs to develop into mosquitos in warm weather, and once this happens it can be very difficult to control the mosquitos. If you need to store the rain water for longer than 72 hours, cover the barrel with a tight-fitting lid. You may also want to use another deterrent to prevent mosquitos from breeding if you cannot use the water right away, such as mosquito dunk or vegetable oil. Scoop water out of the barrel with a white cup to check for larva daily. Mosquito larvae will be easily visible against a white backdrop so scoop a cup of the water out of the barrel daily and inspect it. You will see black or brown squiggly lines if larva are present or C-shaped brown or black shapes if there are pupae in the water. Repeat this once per day after collecting water in the rain barrel. Dump all of the water out of the barrel if you find mosquito larvae. If the barrel is infested, dump it immediately or the mosquitos will continue to grow and breed. Do not allow animals to drink this water or use it to water a vegetable garden. Dump it into a field or other space away from where humans and animals are present. Try using the water on a patch of well-draining soil well away from your home, people, and animals. Make repairs to the barrel right away if needed. If any of the fittings are loose or broken, fix them immediately. These loose fittings could serve as entry points for mosquitos. Tighten any loose screws or replace fittings completely if they are not fixable. Make sure to check the screen for any cuts, holes, or tears where mosquitos might enter the rain barrel and repair the screen right away. You can patch smaller holes with extra screen material, but larger tears might require a totally new piece of screen. Scrub out the barrel with warm, soapy water once per month. Pour 2 to 3 US gal (7.6 to 11.4 L) of warm water and ⁄ 4 c (59 mL) of dish soap into the rain water barrel after you empty it. Then, scrub the inside of the barrel with an abrasive sponge and rinse the barrel thoroughly with clean water. This will remove any mosquito eggs that may be attached to the sides of the barrel. Try to clean the barrel this way at least once per month while your rain water barrel is in use or any time you detect an infestation. Sanitize the barrel with a diluted bleach solution after you wash it. Combine ⁄ 4 c (59 mL) of bleach with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water and swish it around inside the rain water barrel. Ensure that the bleach solution gets over all of the surfaces inside of the barrel and then dump out the excess. This will disinfect the barrel and help to kill any bacteria that mosquitos or their larvae might feed on. Sanitize the inside of the rain water barrel in this way every time after scrubbing out the inside of it. Store the barrel upside down indoors when not in use. After you have thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the barrel and you no longer need it for collecting rain water, turn it upside down. Store the barrel in a shed, garage, or other indoor location until you need it again. This will prevent mosquitos from getting into the barrel and infesting it while it is not in use. | Cover openings with a double layer of window screen material. Pour 1 to 2 cups (240 to 470 mL) of cooking oil into the water. Add mosquito dunk to the rain water to prevent larvae from hatching. Use the collected rain water as soon as possible. Scoop water out of the barrel with a white cup to check for larva daily. Dump all of the water out of the barrel if you find mosquito larvae. Make repairs to the barrel right away if needed. Scrub out the barrel with warm, soapy water once per month. Sanitize the barrel with a diluted bleach solution after you wash it. Store the barrel upside down indoors when not in use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Basketball-Hoop | How to Make a Basketball Hoop | To make your own cardboard basketball hoop, start by cutting a 7 inch by 23 inch strip of corrugated cardboard. Score the strip into 3 7-inch segments so you can fold it into a rectangular hoop. Leave a 1-inch section on each end to use as tabs for attaching the hoop to your backboard. To make the backboard, cut a 12-inch by 18-inch cardboard rectangle. Use colored masking tape to add a square target 4 inches from either side edge and 6 inches down from the top edge. Complete your basketball hoop by hot gluing the hoop to the backboard. | Cut a 7 in (18 cm) x 23 in (58 cm) strip of corrugated cardboard. Measure out the strip with a ruler on a piece of corrugated cardboard that is at least 20 in (51 cm) x 42 in (110 cm) and mark the strip out with a sharpie or marker. Use scissors to cut the strip out. You can also use a craft knife to make the cuts. Just be careful to cut on a safe surface that you won't damage. Adjust the measurements as needed based on the size of the ball you plan to use. Score the cardboard strip to create sections to glue and shape into the hoop. Use a ruler and a sharpie to mark lines on the strip at 1 in (2.5 cm), then every 7 in (18 cm) to create 3 sections, then you will have 1 last section of 1 in (2.5 cm). Use a craft knife to score the cardboard, but don't cut all the way through. The end sections of 1 in (2.5 cm) are just to glue the hoop to the backboard. It is more important to make the 7 in (18 cm) sections perfectly even because these will form the hoop. Cut cardboard for a backboard that is 12 in (30 cm) x 18 in (46 cm). Measure out the backboard on your remaining cardboard and cut off any excess cardboard with scissors. Cut the top corners with scissors to round them like a real basketball hoop backboard. The backboard will be 12 in (30 cm) high and 18 in (46 cm) wide. Add a square target to the backboard with masking tape. Use masking tape or another colored tape that stands out from the color of the cardboard. Mark the square right in the middle of the cardboard, 4 in (10 cm) from each side, and 6 in (15 cm) from the top middle. You could also draw the square in with sharpie or marker. Use a ruler to get the lines perfectly straight. Shape the hoop and attach it to the backboard with hot glue. Bend the strip of cardboard that you scored into a square hoop and fold in the shorter 1 in (2.5 cm) tabs. Attach the short tabs to the backboard about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the backboard. Make sure to line up the hoop right in the middle of the square target. You can now decorate the hoop if you wish. Wrap tape around the top of the hoop to make it look like a rim. Use a sharpie or marker to draw a net on the side of the hoop. Cut a piece of plywood to 72 in (180 cm) x 42 in (110 cm). Use clamps to securely attach a piece of plywood to a work bench or saw horses and measure out the regulation-size backboard. Mark the dimensions using a large ruler and a sharpie, then use a saw to cut the plywood. If you don't have all the necessary tools, you can get the plywood pre-cut to the regulation backboard dimensions at a home center. Always wear safety glasses and exercise caution and proper technique when you use a saw. Paint the backboard white and make a square target in the middle. Wait for the white paint to dry, then measure out a box that is 24 in (61 cm) wide by 18 in (46 cm). Use masking tape to outline the box and create a 2 in (5.1 cm) strip. Paint it black or any other color you want, then paint a 2 in (5.1 cm) strip around the edges of the whole backboard. Make sure the box is a perfectly even distance from each side of the backboard, and 2 in (5.1 cm) from the bottom of the backboard to leave room to attach the hoop. Look at pictures of regulation backboards to get a good idea of how the completed product should look. Buy a prefabricated regulation-size basketball hoop at a sports store. Most sports department stores will sell basketball hoops that come with the necessary screws and fittings. Make sure the hoop is 18 in (46 cm) in diameter. If you can't find a premade hoop, then see if you can find a metal worker who can make you one. Attach the hoop to the backboard with a drill and screws. Line up the hoop with the bottom of the target box on the backboard. Hold the backboard in place and mark where the screws will go. Drill small pilot holes then attach the hoop with the screws it came with. You can attach this basketball hoop anywhere outside, like to the side of your house or a garage. Just keep in mind that the hoop should be exactly 10 ft (3.0 m) off the ground to be at regulation height. | Cut a 7 in (18 cm) x 23 in (58 cm) strip of corrugated cardboard. Score the cardboard strip to create sections to glue and shape into the hoop. Cut cardboard for a backboard that is 12 in (30 cm) x 18 in (46 cm). Add a square target to the backboard with masking tape. Shape the hoop and attach it to the backboard with hot glue. Cut a piece of plywood to 72 in (180 cm) x 42 in (110 cm). Paint the backboard white and make a square target in the middle. Buy a prefabricated regulation-size basketball hoop at a sports store. Attach the hoop to the backboard with a drill and screws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-Kanji | How to Learn Kanji | To learn Kanji, start by investing in books, using apps, and listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and webinars on the subject so that you can fully submerse yourself in the Japanese language and this specific form of writing. Practice writing and using the correct stroke order every day to build your skills. It can also help to find a pen pal so you can practice writing Kanji conversationally. | Visit your local library. Libraries are a great resource because they not only provide free books but may also offer free, online learning programs to help you learn a new writing system. While you may not find a specific program offered at the library, there may also be community lead tutorials or tutors posting at the library bulletin board. Both books and personal tutorials can teach stroke order, basic grammar, character identification or translation. Purchase an app. There are a variety of language apps available for free or purchased download. Functions you may be looking for are whether the app can create flashcards to help learn new characters and words. Flashcard apps can be searched for Apple, Windows or Android phone. Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or webinars. Submerse yourself in the language system by listening to specific tutorial podcasts and audiobooks as you practice each lesson. Read reviews of podcasts and audiobooks to ensure that they are at an appropriate level. Understand the kanji is a form of Japanese writing. Kanji is commonly known as Chinese characters. Kanji characters differ from the English alphabet because they describe an idea rather than represent a specific letter. This is unlike the other two Japanese language systems, Hiragana and Katakana, which do not have meaning on their own but rather are used for grammar and to write non-Japanese words. Learn to read and write. Many people may assume you only need to learn to speak Japanese, without learning to write kanji. Understanding kanji increases your vocabulary and can familiarize yourself with the nuances of the Japanese language. For example, kanji is similar to some English affixes. For example, a word starting with “re-” in English, like reunite, means “again” or united again. Similarly, when seeing specific kanji characters you will come to understand that the meaning of the word may change based on the kanji. Repeat and utilize flashcards until you have committed to your memory. Flashcards are a great tool to drill new information. For example, commit 30 minutes everyday to learning at least 7 new kanji characters. Don't forget to quiz yourself on the previous lessons to ensure the information stays fresh Remember to learn the meaning of the word, how it is said, and how it is written. Utilize mnemonics. When possible, use mnemonics to glue a word to memory. Mnemonics works by associating a word with a funny, silly, or memorable story. While you can create your own mnemonics there are also numerous apps and online resources to help if you feel your creativity waning. Have a practical endgoal in mind. Learning another writing system can be daunting so it is important to clearly define your endgoal in order to map out the appropriate steps you'll need to attain it. Learning how to write in another language is a vague goal so perhaps a more specific goal can be learning how to write a one page letter in Kanji to your favourite Japanese television. Defining an appropriate timeline may also help you reach your goals faster and stave off frustration. Make your goals according to your everyday schedule. Choose an appropriate end date that won't be pushed back or interfered with by other, more important, events. Find familiar images within the kanji characters. Kanji characters may seem foreign but if you look closely you may be able to associate more familiar images within a kanji character to help you remember it. For example, the kanji character for “person” looks like a person. Similarly, the kanji character for “stop” looks like a person motioning with his arm to stop. There are a few resources including the books Remember the Kanji by James Heisig and Kanji Pict-O-Graphix by Michael Rowley that can help decode kanji characters into more recognizable image association. Practice Kanji every day. Use flashcards and change the order of the cards everyday to ensure that you're memorizing the words and not the order of the words. Additionally, do not simply randomize your cards by changing the order of a few new ones each day. You must continue to learn the writing system by building on words that you have already learned, which is best done every day. If you don't have energy, motivation, or time to review on a given day, simply go over what you do remember. Whether you have access to your flashcards or not, your motivation and energy will increase as you both confirm what you've already learned and wonder what you could be missing. Whether walking to your car or using the bathroom, there's always time to review. Find an email or real life pen pal to practice kanji. There are many sites where you can find a language partner that you can easily write to everyday. Even 3 sentences a day can help you learn kanji. Learn proper stroke order. Stroke order can not only help you write efficiently but may also help you memorize characters. Stroke order for most kanji stays consistent and can be relatively easy. While there may be difficult kanji characters such as 飛 or 鬱 where you'll need time to master the stroke order, ensure that you don't develop any bad habits when you first master the less complex characters. Write, write, and keep writing. Learn new vocabulary and practice verb construction as you continue to write. While it's easy to learn words individually, it's more difficult to write them fluidly into fully formed sentences and paragraphs. Writing also gives you time to completely express your emotions and construct full ideas. Writing allows you time to think and practice as conversation doesn't give you the same opportunity to process your thoughts. You will be able to refine your communication style the more often you write. Watch television programs. Immerse yourself in the culture and language by checking out what is trending on Youtube for Japan. You can also buy a popular Japanese television series to watch at your own pace. Depending on how popular the program, you may be able to easily find English manuscripts, dubbing or subtitles so you can follow along. News outlets may also provide their programming and content in alternate languages. Check the site of your local news outlet for a Japanese alternative. Learn the right words first according to the Pareto principle. You do not have to learn every single word to become fluent in another language. More importantly, you only need to learn the most frequently used words to understand most of a language. For example, there are just 300 words that make up 65% of all written English material. For example, learn colloquialism over formal forms of words if you are trying to learn conversational Japanese. Find a partner willing to chat over skype. While learning to speak a language is easiest when forced into a conversation, having visual aids may also quicken your reading comprehension. Being able to speak to someone over video can help you associate the spoken word with the written word if they are willing to read along with you or provide visual aids. Search online for tutors or conversation partners. You may be able to trade a lesson in English for a lesson in Japanese. Skype allows you to have multiple windows and apps open as a safety net in case you feel lost in your conversation. You can use translation tools while you chat to make sure you don't feel too far behind. Don't rely too heavily on anything other than your memory. Depening on your partner, you can always ask to take a break because you are lost in the conversation. Visit local Japanese cultural centers or plan a trip to Japan. There's no better way to learn about Japan than visiting the country; however, travelling can be very expensive so turn to local cultural centers. If you do not have a local Japanese cultural center, look to establish a club so that you and other community members interested in the culture may share resources. If travelling in Japan, many directions, menus, and signs will be read in kanji. | Visit your local library. Purchase an app. Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or webinars. Understand the kanji is a form of Japanese writing. Learn to read and write. Repeat and utilize flashcards until you have committed to your memory. Utilize mnemonics. Have a practical endgoal in mind. Find familiar images within the kanji characters. Practice Kanji every day. Find an email or real life pen pal to practice kanji. Learn proper stroke order. Write, write, and keep writing. Watch television programs. Learn the right words first according to the Pareto principle. Find a partner willing to chat over skype. Visit local Japanese cultural centers or plan a trip to Japan. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-a-Cairn-Terrier | How to Care for a Cairn Terrier | To care for your cairn terrier, figure out a schedule in which it doesn't spend too much time alone at home, since they are social dogs and can be destructive if left alone too long. You'll also need to feed your terrier 2 smaller meals a day rather than 1 large one, which will prevent it from over-eating and becoming overweight. Make sure to brush your terrier with a soft brush at least once a week to keep its coat healthy. Besides taking care of its basic needs, you should be aware that some terriers can develop health issues, so make sure to visit your vet regularly to ensure your pup is healthy. | Get a crate for your terrier. You might want your dog to learn to sleep in a crate at night. Get a crate appropriately sized for your dog (but as big as your house can accommodate) and line it with a dog bed and a water bowl. Make a plan so that your Cairn Terrier is not home alone all the time. These dogs dislike being alone; they are often more destructive when they are by themselves. Talk with your roommates or family members to make sure that you leave your Cairn Terrier at home for as little time as possible. Feed your Cairn Terrier. You should purchase a high-quality dog food for your Cairn Terrier. There are specialized dog foods for small dogs and terriers. Refer to the feeding guide on the dog food package as a starting point for how much to feed your dog. Then alter the amount based on whether the dog loses or gains weight. You should feed your dog two meals a day, rather than leaving food out all the time, because Cairn Terriers are prone to obesity. Determine if your dog is a healthy weight. You should be able to see his waist and feels his ribs easily if you put your hands on his body. Consult your vet if you think your dog is consistently overweight or underweight. Groom your Cairn Terrier. Every week, you should plan to groom your Cairn Terrier for about an hour. You should have a comb as well as a softer brush. Comb and brush your Cairn Terrier thoroughly every week to prevent shedding and keep his coat healthy. Give your Cairn Terrier a full bath about every three months. You can also bring your dog to a professional groomer to get his coat stripped and trimmed, but this is not necessary unless you want to show them at a dog show. Check your Cairn Terrier’s ears every week. Make sure that they are not dirty or waxy. If they are, clean them gently with a wet cloth. Trim your dog’s nails regularly. Once every couple of weeks or month (depending on your dog's nail growth) should be sufficient. However, if there is cracking or splitting on some of your dog's nails, start trimming more frequently. Brush your terrier’s teeth regularly. You can find dog toothbrushes and toothpastes at pet stores or online. If you can, try to brush your dog's teeth daily. Walk your Cairn Terrier. You should give these dogs a moderate amount of exercise. They enjoy playing and walks. Give your terrier at least one walk every day. You can also play with them inside or in a yard that's fenced in. Unless your yard is entirely fenced in, you should not let your Cairn Terrier “run free.” They should always be on leashes because, if not, they might run into a dangerous place chasing after a squirrel or chipmunk. Cairns are also confident (perhaps sometimes over-confident) dogs. Train your Cairn Terrier. Start training your dog as soon as you bring him home. There are several parts to training him, including teaching him tricks and making him respect your authority as his owner. There are many ways to train a dog, but here are some tips specific to Cairn Terriers. Start training early. These dogs are smart and independent, so you want him to immediately respect you and see you as someone he must obey. Avoid repetitive training techniques. Many dog trainers will tell you that repetition is key, but Cairn Terriers will often be bored and not respond well to extremely repetitive ways. For example, telling them to sit ten times in a row is not as effective as telling them to sit, and then to lie down, and then to play fetch. Be positive, and don't be afraid to give your Cairn Terrier a hard task. They are smart dogs! You can also take your Cairn Terrier to a puppy kindergarten class, where an instructor will teach you how to train your dog and help you with any issues you might be having. House-train your Cairn Terrier. You should definitely start house-training your Cairn Terrier as soon as you obtain them. There are two main ways that you can in combination house-train your Cairn Terrier: Make sure that your dog does not go to the bathroom in the wrong place. This means confining your dog from the wrong places unless you're supervising him constantly. Unless you're playing or interacting with him, put confine him to a place where it's either okay for him to go to the bathroom or where you can see when he looks like he needs to relieve himself. Take your dog to the right place to relieve himself frequently, and praise your dog for relieving himself in the correct place. The sooner he realizes that the praise is associated with going to the bathroom in the right place, the sooner he will become house-trained. Be aware of the breed’s health potential problems. Like any breed of dog, the Cairn Terrier has a specific host of health problems that frequently affect them. Even if your dog has been bred with utmost care and its parents have no prior health issues, you should be aware of the potential health problems that could befall your terrier. Ask your breeder about any health problems that your puppy's parents or relatives have had. Lysosomal storage disease. This disease stems from an enzyme deficiency that causes nerve cell death. You can get your dog genetically tested to see if it is a carrier for this disease. Cairn Terriers (and most other small dogs) can also develop Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD). In order to cope with this bone disorder, your dog will need surgery and portosystemic shunts. It also usually comes with a liver defect that requires surgery, too. You can't test for this disease in advance. Craniomandibular osteopathy, a bone disease that affects the bones growing in the skull. Allergies. You can't test for allergies in advance of getting your puppy, but they still could affect your dog. Diabetes. If your dog has diabetes, they most likely will need insulin injections every day to keep them healthy. There's no way to test for diabetes in advance, either. Obesity. Cairn Terriers are especially prone to obesity, and keeping your dog at a healthy weight is the best way to prevent other health issues. Be aware of the breed’s temperament and behavioral issues. Like any dog breed, the Cairn Terrier has a distinct personality that comes with the good as well as the not-so-good. Make sure that you're aware of your Cairn Terrier's potential flaws so that you can try to prevent them and cope with them more effectively. However, these behaviors cannot be eliminated entirely from the dog. They are a part of who he is. Digging. Don't get attached to your flower beds or your lawn if you have a Cairn Terrier; if you leave them outside, they will dig. You can try to train this behavior out of your dog, but you should also protect any ground (like your garden, etc.) that you don't want ruined. Barking. Cairn Terriers can bark a lot, especially if they are unhappy or bored. Chasing. Because they are terriers, Cairn Terriers have the instinct to chase things that are running away from them. Be careful, and always walk your dog on a leash so that he doesn't chase something into a dangerous place. Appreciate the good things about your Cairn Terrier. There are also lots of wonderful things about the Cairn Terrier that you should appreciate! You picked this dog for a reason, and you should pay attention to the things about him that are special. Cairn Terriers are excellent watchdogs. They will be cognizant of anyone coming into their territory. They are active dogs, but don't need a lot of exercise. They will happily play with children, but they will not be stir crazy hanging out with you indoors. Cairn Terriers are smart and independent. They are active dogs that have minds of their own, but they are also capable of learning many tricks. | Get a crate for your terrier. Make a plan so that your Cairn Terrier is not home alone all the time. Feed your Cairn Terrier. Groom your Cairn Terrier. Check your Cairn Terrier’s ears every week. Trim your dog’s nails regularly. Brush your terrier’s teeth regularly. Walk your Cairn Terrier. Train your Cairn Terrier. House-train your Cairn Terrier. Be aware of the breed’s health potential problems. Be aware of the breed’s temperament and behavioral issues. Appreciate the good things about your Cairn Terrier. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Cheating-Boyfriend | How to Catch a Cheating Boyfriend | To catch a cheating boyfriend, start by looking for recent changes in him, like dressing up often, following a different schedule, or acting emotionally distant. Also, pay attention to his cell phone use to see if he's getting calls and texts at weird times or if he's being unusually private about his phone in general. If the signs are there, consider checking to see if he's changed passwords on his devices and look through his room for any unusual gifts. At this point, you may want to just be frank and ask your boyfriend what's going on before going any further down this road. He may have a legitimate explanation for this behavior, or he may decide to tell you the truth about his cheating. | Consider if he is more concerned with his physical appearance than usual. Has he started working out more, dressing better, grooming himself with more care, or using a new musky cologne? While self improvement through physical fitness and grooming are healthy life choices, consider if he is trying to improve his physical appearance for someone else. Notice if his sleeping habits or daily schedule start to change. If your boyfriend is usually in bed by 9 and is suddenly out all night or sneaking around the house late at night, this may be a sign of cheating. Similarly, if he usually sticks to a set routine of going to the gym in the morning or heading home from the office by 5, but he is now sleeping in or staying at the office late, these adjustments in his daily schedule could hint at time spent elsewhere, possibly in the company of someone else. Ask yourself if he seems more distracted or distant. If he is usually a very attentive, supportive partner who asks you how your day is and enjoys having long conversations with you over dinner, and then suddenly appears uninterested in your day or bored by long conversations with you, this may be a sign his interest or engagement is focused elsewhere and not on you. Your partner may also lose interest in domestic activities like spending time with the kids, fixing up the house, mowing the lawn, etc. He may also spend more time on his phone texting or on the computer in private chat rooms or social media pages. If his phone or computer use goes up dramatically or if he becomes secretive about his phone or computer use, this may be a red flag. Note any changes or shifts in your sex life. Perhaps there has been a decline in the amount of sex you are having or a strange, sudden increase in sexual activity, with new sexual preferences or tastes that you did not experience with him previously. You may start wondering where he learned a certain sexual move or what caused him to develop a certain preference in bed. One possible reason is he may be trying out new moves with someone else. He may also have a lower sex drive or spurn off your attempts at being intimate with excuses like “I'm tired,” or “Maybe another night.” Notice if he gets defensive or angry at you easily and more often. If he seems to be picking a lot of fights, get angry at you for something small he would usually not be upset about, or gets defensive when you ask him about his night out with the boys, these may be signs of cheating. Changes in his normal behavior that involve anger towards you could in fact be a reflection of his guilt for cheating or fear that you may find out about his affair. Pay attention to how he handles the aftermath of a fight. Does he leave, get some space, and then return to apologize? Or does he neglect to apologize or show remorse for hurtful words he said to you? If he is usually good at forgiving and forgetting after a fight and this is not happening anymore, this may be a red flag. It's important to remember that your boyfriend's inner turmoil has nothing to do with you and is a reflection of his own anxieties and fears. Try not to take his anger towards you personal or put pressure on yourself to try to make him forgive you or feel better, as this could also mean he is actually feeling guilty about an affair. Write down any suspicious changes in your boyfriend's behavior. This will help you compile evidence of his cheating and determine the times, dates, excuses given, etc, that helped him lie to you about the affair. A cheating spouse is likely to change their story, question your memory or deny your accusations, so keeping a record of their activity is critical. Read How to Detect Lies. This article will help give you the skills to determine if your boyfriend is lying. Most people are bad liars, so if you use the right technique to detect his lies, you may be able to get him to confess to his affair. Keep in mind that once he knows you're suspicious of his behavior, he might work overtime to cover his tracks. If so, you'll need to be more vigilant and work harder to get evidence of his cheating. Consider talking to him about your suspicions. If you are noticing shifts or changes in his behavior, it is possible he may be treating you this way not because he's cheating, but because he is dealing with other internal issues like depression, grief, severe anxiety, etc. Talking to him about your suspicions rather than resorting to drastic measures like snooping around or encroaching on his privacy, will show that you care about the relationship and about making it work. Take note of his cell phone activity. Notice if he has been making long phone calls at strange times of night or receiving text messages from other girls. He may also have new phone etiquette where he needs privacy or space when talking to someone, he hangs up as soon as you walk into the room or he brushes you off when you ask him who he is talking to on the phone. If you can get your hands on his cell phone bill (on paper or online), you can look at every call made for that month, which will give you a chance to check for any long conversations at odd times, or lots of calls to one particular number that you don't recognize. You can also try to check his phone messages and voicemail, though this may be an easy way to get caught snooping around. A good time to check his phone is when he is in the shower or out for a walk and has placed it on the charger. If your boyfriend tends to misplace his phone, another thing you can do is simply take it and let him assume he lost it. This way you can see who is calling or texting him on a daily basis. Notice if he has changed all the passwords for his computer or moved his computer to a private area or room. Be wary if his computer activity becomes sneaky or secret and if he gets defensive or distant if you use his computer or ask to see what he is looking at on his screen. This may be a sign he is trying to limit your access to his computer and hiding something on his hard drive or browser history. Try to get access to the computer when he is out and check the hard drive for hidden folders with images of other girls or partners, as well as love notes. See How to Find Hidden Files and Folders in Windows for how to do this. Check his social media accounts. This could be his email, Facebook, Instagram, and instant messaging accounts. Many times, cheaters use the Internet to carry on their sneaky business, especially if they are worried about you checking their phone or monitoring their calls. Some cheating partners may be using cheating websites like meet2cheat or ihookup. Search the computer's browser history to see if he has visited any of these cheating sites. Some cheaters may also create different Facebook profiles to then find other people online to message or meet up with and have an affair. So check if he bookmarked or viewed any Facebook profiles or pages multiple times. You can also search for your spouse's hidden online profiles using a service like Spokeo or Rapleaf. There are websites that set out to expose “liars, cheats, and bastards” by posting stories about cheating men as warnings to others about a bad spouse. Look through his apartment or his side of the bed for love notes, gifts, and photographs. Consider where he would hide personal items or things he doesn't want you to see. Examine any physical evidence of cheating closely to make sure you are not misinterpreting a note or item that may have sentimental, rather than romantic value. Just because he kept his ex girlfriend's picture or his first love's note doesn't necessarily mean he is cheating on you. It's important to get solid evidence of his cheating before you confront him, so look at any notes, gifts, or photographs with a discerning eye. Download spy software to his computer. Keyloggers spy software, like SpyPal, are available for download online and can be installed in a computer without the person knowing they are running in the background. These types of programs can record information like passwords, emails typed, pages visited, or even record a video of the screen as your boyfriend uses the computer. Keep in mind, however, that many of these types of spyware are highly illegal, so be very careful when downloading them. Also, a watchful boyfriend can find a key logger or screen recorder, so download a high-end logger that keeps its files hidden and under password. Some of these can still be found, but with great difficulty. However, some spyware can be made completely invisible both to the user and to the operating system. You probably won't need this last option unless your boyfriend is a professional computer engineer or a professional hacker. Attach a GPS monitor to his car or track him with his phone. If you're looking to catch your partner red handed, place a GPS device on the underside of his car and track his movements so you can pounce on him if his pants end up around his ankles in a sleazy roadside motel. The “Find Your Phone” app can also be used to “Find Your Cheating Boyfriend”. If you have access to your boyfriend's iCloud, you can log in and watch his phone move in real time right into the immediate proximity of someone else. Create a fake social media profile. You can then use the profile to log onto websites that promote cheating on spouses to see if your partner has a profile on the site or is using one of the sites to arrange hook ups. You could also bait your boyfriend by using the fake account to friend him on Facebook. You could then start flirting with him over a period of time and see how he responds to you. If he starts sending your fake profile naked pictures or inquire about a meet up at a hotel, he is clearly not being monogamous with you. Set up the ideal opportunity for him to cheat. While this may be the most elaborate option, as it requires some planning and setup on your end, it is another way to catch your boyfriend red handed. Provide an excuse like a hair appointment or a meet up with a friend and then watch from across the street or in your car down the block to see if your boyfriend uses your absence as an opportunity to meet up with someone. Keep in mind this is also the riskiest option as it involves lying convincingly to your partner and then staking out his movements until he slips up. Consider hiring a private investigator. Private investigators are licensed to do surveillance and are knowledgeable about the best and most legal tactic to uncover evidence of infidelity. If you are in a long term relationship where your finances are tied or if you are married, so your finances are legally bound, it's a good idea to hire a PI. Look for a PI that specializes in infidelity investigations. | Consider if he is more concerned with his physical appearance than usual. Notice if his sleeping habits or daily schedule start to change. Ask yourself if he seems more distracted or distant. Note any changes or shifts in your sex life. Notice if he gets defensive or angry at you easily and more often. Pay attention to how he handles the aftermath of a fight. Write down any suspicious changes in your boyfriend's behavior. Read How to Detect Lies. Consider talking to him about your suspicions. Take note of his cell phone activity. Notice if he has changed all the passwords for his computer or moved his computer to a private area or room. Check his social media accounts. Look through his apartment or his side of the bed for love notes, gifts, and photographs. Download spy software to his computer. Attach a GPS monitor to his car or track him with his phone. Create a fake social media profile. Set up the ideal opportunity for him to cheat. Consider hiring a private investigator. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Arrange-Silk-Flowers | How to Arrange Silk Flowers | To arrange silk flowers, start by adding floral foam to the bottom of a vase or bowl to help keep your flowers in place. Next, cover the foam with moss or grass to add greenery to your arrangement. Once you've covered all the foam, trim the flower stems and arrange your flowers by placing a few large blooms in the center to serve as your focal point. Then, arrange the small flowers around the larger ones, and fill in the gaps between the stems with greenery, such as grass or leaves. | Choose a vessel to hold your flower arrangement. You can use a vase, bowl, or glass jar to hold your flowers. You can also choose something a bit more out of the ordinary, such as a pair of rain boots, a large spool, a colander, a tin can, a pitcher, or a decanter. The vessel you choose will determine both the height and the number of flowers you will use. Get foam or clay to hold the flowers in place. Floral foam or clay can be used to hold your flowers in place so your arrangement holds its beautiful shape indefinitely. Clay works better with heavier arrangements. Both can be found at your local craft store as well as at most garden shops. Foam can start to break down if you rearrange the flowers a lot, so make sure you commit to an arrangement when you use it. Acquire moss or fake grass to cover the foam or clay. If your vessel is clear, such as a crystal vase, you'll want to cover the floral foam or clay with greenery. Get moss or grass from the same shop you choose your silk flowers from. Choose floral tape or cling clay to anchor your foam. To secure your foam in the vessel, you can place small pieces of cling clay (a gummy, adhesive, clay-like substance) underneath your foam. You can also use floral tape to anchor your foam, as well as to bind items, like a loose leaf, to a stem or to bind an extension to a stem that is too short. Select your flowers. Choosing beautiful silk flowers to use in your arrangement is a fun and creative experience. You can choose a variety of flowers and colors, stick to a single color, or choose several colors of the same flower. Consider the placement of the arrangement in your home to help you decide on the best size and color for your flowers. Choose flowers that look the most like the real thing. Study your favorite flowers so that you will know which are the most similar when you are shopping. Add floral foam or clay at the bottom of your vessel. To anchor your flowers and keep them in place, put floral foam or clay in the bottom of your vessel. Put cling clay underneath the foam, or use floral tape to secure it. Cover the foam or clay with moss or grass. Break up the moss or separate the grass so that it looks loose and natural. Cover all of the foam or clay completely with moss or grass. You want the flowers and greenery to be the stars, so be sure there aren't any pieces of foam showing through your arrangement. You may want to dampen the moss to make it easier to shape and mold. Spritz it with water from a spray bottle or soak it in water for a few minutes. Shape petals and leaves as desired. Most silk flowers have wire in the edges of the petals as well as in the stems and leaves. Spread out the branches and blossoms, then apply a gentle pressure with your thumb and first two fingers to the wired parts to shape them as desired. Avoid making harsh angles or sharp curves, or your flowers will look unnatural. Trim flower stems to the desired length. Use wire cutters to cut the flower stems so that they fit in your vase. The center flowers should sit just above the rim of the vase, while other elements may stand higher or lower, depending on the look you wish to create. Place larger flowers in the center. Choose a few large, beautiful blooms to be the focal point of your arrangement. Try using three flowers in the center of the vase and building outward. Arrange smaller flowers around the larger ones. Cut the stems on these flowers shorter or choose flowers with smaller blooms. Place them around the focal point of your arrangement at different levels and groupings. You can use floral tape to secure stems or situate leaves if you are having trouble getting your arrangement to sit just so. Fill in gaps with greenery. You can add greenery, grass, or leaves to fill out your floral arrangement. Put the greenery in between flower stems so that your arrangement alternates between flowers and greenery. For a realistic look, add three different types of greenery to your arrangement so you have a variety of textures. | Choose a vessel to hold your flower arrangement. Get foam or clay to hold the flowers in place. Acquire moss or fake grass to cover the foam or clay. Choose floral tape or cling clay to anchor your foam. Select your flowers. Add floral foam or clay at the bottom of your vessel. Cover the foam or clay with moss or grass. Shape petals and leaves as desired. Trim flower stems to the desired length. Place larger flowers in the center. Arrange smaller flowers around the larger ones. Fill in gaps with greenery. |
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