url
stringlengths 27
124
| title
stringlengths 10
107
| summary
stringlengths 15
6.15k
| article
stringlengths 0
117k
| step_headers
stringlengths 0
5.75k
|
---|---|---|---|---|
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Beach-Waves-in-Your-Hair-With-a-Flat-Iron | How to Make Beach Waves in Your Hair With a Flat Iron | To make beach waves in your hair with a flat iron, you'll need to apply a heat protectant first to avoid damage. Then, take a 1-2 inch piece of hair and place it inside your flat iron close to the roots. Twist the iron upwards while pulling the end of your hair downwards. Next, move the iron a few inches down your hair and clamp it again. Rotate the iron downwards as you pull the end of your hair upwards. Repeat this process until you reach the bottom of your section of hair, then continue in the same way to make waves with all of your hair. | Apply a heat protectant to dry, brushed hair. Comb your hair first to remove any knots or tangles. Apply a heat protectant and comb through your hair once more to distribute the product. Pull your hair into a half-up bun, if needed. If you have very thick hair, you might find it easier to curl it if it is divided into 2 layers. To do this, simply gather the upper half of your hair, just like you would for a half-up ponytail. Twist the hair into a loose bun, then secure it with a hair clip. Clamp a flat iron over a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) section of hair. Gather a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide section of hair from next to your face. Clamp a 1 in (2.5 cm) wide flat iron over the section, close to your roots. Rotate the iron upwards and pull the rest of your hair downward. Hold the iron clamped shut as you rotate it upwards towards your roots. Use your other hand to gather the end of the section, and pull it straight down. Hold the iron there for a few seconds. Move the iron down, clamp it, and rotate it downward. Unclamp the iron and move it down a few inches/centimeters until you reach the next, un-straightened section of hair. Clamp it over that section and rotate the iron downwards, towards your jaw. Pull the rest of your hair upwards, and hold it like that for a few seconds. Repeat this process until you reach the end of your hair. Try to keep the motion fluid and rotating back and forth, creating a ripple or wave with your hand. You can also leave the bottom 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) untouched for a more natural look. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Continue to work in 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) sections of hair, from 1 side of your face to the other. If you split your hair into 2 layers, finish the bottom layer first, then do the upper layer. Work 1 section of hair at a time, rippling the iron through each section.. Let your hair cool before combing it. You can use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb for this. Do not use a hairbrush, or it will smooth out the curls too much and make your hair turn frizzy. Add some texture with dry shampoo, from roots to ends. This will also help give you a little extra volume while absorbing the excess oils. If you want a more authentic, beachy look, you can mist some sea salt spray or beach spray as well. This will give you that natural, dirty look your hair gets after a day at the beach. Be careful when using sea salt or beach spray, as these products are wet and can flatten your waves. Apply a heat protectant to clean, dry, combed hair. Wash your hair, if needed, then blow dry it. Brush out any knots or tangles, then apply a good heat protectant. Comb through your hair once more to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair. Clip the top section of your hair out of the way. Part your hair in half at ear-level, like doing a half-up ponytail. Twist the upper section of your hair into a loose bun and secure it with a clip or hair tie. Take a 1 in (2.5 cm) section of hair from next to your face. Instead of grabbing a horizontal section that is parallel to the floor, grab a vertical section instead. If you have thin hair, or if you want looser waves, you could try a 2 in (5.1 cm) section instead. Clamp a flat iron over the section. Make sure that the flat iron is oriented vertically so that it is perpendicular to the floor, not parallel. The hair will end up draped diagonally across the metal plate instead of straight down the middle. You can have the handle pointing up or down, whichever is more comfortable for you. Twist the flat iron away from your face while pulling it down. This should be a single, fluid motion. Twist the iron away from your face by about 180 degrees. While you are twisting it, pull it towards the end of your hair. Your hair should pass over the center of the iron and around one of the plates. For a more authentic beachy look, pull the iron only three-quarters of the way down. This will leave the ends of your hair their natural texture. This motion is similar to straightening your hair, except that you are twisting the iron instead of holding it straight and parallel to the floor. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Continue grabbing and curling 1 in (2.5 cm) sections of hair. Alternate between twisting the iron towards and away from your face. When you reach the other side of your head, twist the iron away from your face. Finish the bottom layer of hair first, then do the upper layer. For a final touch, consider straightening just the ends of your hair. This will help give your beach waves that natural, authentic look. Let your hair cool, then comb it. You can use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to do this, but don't use a hairbrush, or you'll end up with frizz! This will help break up the waves and make them look more natural. Set your style with hairspray. If you want more definition, then apply a styling cream as well. Alternatively, you can mist your hair with dry shampoo to give it texture and soak up excess oil. A quick misting of sea salt spray or beach spray will help give it a more authentic, beachy texture too. Brush your hair and apply a good heat protectant. Comb through your hair to remove any knots or tangles first. Next, apply a good heat protectant, and comb through it again to ensure that the product coats every strand. If your hair is thin, consider misting it with some volumizing spray as well. Let the spray dry before moving on, however. This method will give you waves that look similar to the curls created by a curling iron, except that they will be looser and more angular. Smooth out any kinks or frizz. In order for this technique to work, you need to start with a smooth base. If your hair looks frizzy or kinky, take a moment to straighten it with a flat iron. You don't have to get it perfectly straight--you can even focus on just the areas that need attention. Take a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) section of hair. If you have very thick hair, gather the upper half of your hair into a loose bun first, like doing a half-up ponytail. Next, take a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) section of hair from next to your face. Wrap the section around 1 of the prongs on your flat iron. Turn on your flat iron and open it to make a V-shape. Wrap the section of hair around 1 of the prongs of the flat iron, starting at the roots and leaving the ends out. Do not wrap the section around both prongs. You want to be able to open and close the flat iron. Avoid overlapping the hair in 1 place; cover the entire plate on the flat iron. Make sure that you are wrapping the section away from your face. Close the flat iron and hold it for a few seconds. This is just like using a curling iron : the first prong on the flat iron is the curling iron's barrel, and the second prong is the clamp. Simply close the flat iron and hold it for a few seconds. Open the flat iron and pull it out of your hair. Unlike a curling iron, the flat iron will only have curled the hair between the 2 prongs. This will result in a loose, chunky wave. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Work your way from 1 side of your head to the other. Alternate the directions that you wrap your hair in. When you reach the other side of your face, remember to wrap the section away from it as well. If you split your hair into 2 layers, do the bottom layer first, then the upper. Mist your hair with a volumizing spray, then comb it. Alternatively, you can use a texturizing spray, such as a sea salt or beach spray. Run your fingers or a wide-toothed comb through your hair to loosen the waves. Brush your hair and apply heat protectant. Comb your hair until it is free of knots and tangles, then apply a good heat protectant. Comb through your hair once more to evenly distribute the product throughout your hair. This method will give you waves that are either vertical (twists) or horizontal (braids). Pull the upper half of your hair into a bun, if desired. If you have very thick hair, it may be easier to curl it in layers. Simply part your hair at about ear level, like creating a half-up ponytail, then pull the upper layer into a loose bun. Secure the bun with a clip or hair tie. Take a thick chunk of hair from next to your face. Mentally divide your hair into thirds, like starting a braid. Take 1 of the outer sections from next to your face; leave the other 2 sections alone. If you have thin hair, part your hair down the middle like doing pigtails. Part the section in half again, and choose 1 of those sections to start with. If you plan to braid your hair instead of twisting it, it is better to do 2 sections instead of 3. If you do too many, your hair will look crimped instead. Twist the chunk away from your face into a tight rope. Twirl the section around your finger until it twists into a rope. Alternatively, you can split the section into 3 strands, then braid them together. Hold the rope or braid tightly at the end. Leave the bottom 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of your hair untwisted/unbraided. Clamp a flat iron over the rope and straighten it. Turn your flat iron to a setting suitable for your hair. Clamp it over the rope or braid, close to the roots. Slowly move the flat iron down the length of the rope or braid towards the end. Do this a few times until the rope or braid feels warm. Clip the rope or braid out of the way. Pull the end of your rope or braid towards your head to make a loop. Secure it to the start of the rope or braid, right at the roots, with a hair clip. A duckbill clip will work especially well here because it won't leave creases in your hair. Keep the rope or braid intact. Don't let it come untwisted or unbraided. Repeat the process with the rest of your hair. Work your way from 1 side of your head to the other. If you gathered the upper half of your hair into a bun, finish the lower layer first, then undo the bun and repeat the process with the upper layer. If you are twisting your hair into ropes, alternate the directions you twist them in. When you reach the other side of your head, twist the hair away from your face. Allow your hair to set until it is completely cool. How long this takes depends on your hair and how hot your flat iron was. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes. Take advantage of the wait time and continue to get ready for the day, such as putting on jewelry or make up. Remove the clips and undo the ropes or braids. Starting from the bottommost layer, remove the clips 1 by 1. Use your fingers to undo the ropes or braids, then do the upper layer. Mist your hair with dry shampoo and sea salt spray. Apply the dry shampoo to your hair first, then gently comb it through your hair with your fingers. This will help soak up any excess oils and give your hair some texture. Apply some sea salt or beach spray next to give it that final, beachy texture. | Apply a heat protectant to dry, brushed hair. Pull your hair into a half-up bun, if needed. Clamp a flat iron over a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) section of hair. Rotate the iron upwards and pull the rest of your hair downward. Move the iron down, clamp it, and rotate it downward. Repeat this process until you reach the end of your hair. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Let your hair cool before combing it. Add some texture with dry shampoo, from roots to ends. Apply a heat protectant to clean, dry, combed hair. Clip the top section of your hair out of the way. Take a 1 in (2.5 cm) section of hair from next to your face. Clamp a flat iron over the section. Twist the flat iron away from your face while pulling it down. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Let your hair cool, then comb it. Set your style with hairspray. Brush your hair and apply a good heat protectant. Smooth out any kinks or frizz. Take a 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) section of hair. Wrap the section around 1 of the prongs on your flat iron. Close the flat iron and hold it for a few seconds. Open the flat iron and pull it out of your hair. Repeat the process for the rest of your hair. Mist your hair with a volumizing spray, then comb it. Brush your hair and apply heat protectant. Pull the upper half of your hair into a bun, if desired. Take a thick chunk of hair from next to your face. Twist the chunk away from your face into a tight rope. Clamp a flat iron over the rope and straighten it. Clip the rope or braid out of the way. Repeat the process with the rest of your hair. Allow your hair to set until it is completely cool. Remove the clips and undo the ropes or braids. Mist your hair with dry shampoo and sea salt spray. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Food-Poisoning | How to Get Rid of Food Poisoning | If you have food poisoning, try to drink at least 16 cups of water each day while the symptoms persist. This will help flush the toxins out of your system and will help prevent dehydration. Get as much rest as possible, and limit your food intake to broth, bananas, plain white rice, or dry toast. If you suspect the cause of the food poisoning was due to poisonous fish or mushrooms, or if the symptoms are severe, seek medical help immediately. | Figure out what caused the food poisoning. Before treating the symptoms of food poisoning, it is important to figure out what caused it. Think back to the food you ate in the last 4 to 36 hours. Did you try something new? Did anything taste slightly off? Did you share food with a friend or family member who is also experiencing the same symptoms? Here are the most likely causes of food poisoning: Food that has been contaminated by E. coli, Salmonella, and other types of bacteria. Bacteria are usually killed when food is cooked and handled properly, so this type of food poisoning usually results from undercooked meat or food that was left sitting out without refrigeration. Poisonous fish, such as puffer fish, are also a common source of food poisoning. Puffer fish should not be consumed unless it has been prepared by staff at a restaurant that is certified to do so. Poisonous wild mushrooms, looking identical to edible mushrooms, can also cause food poisoning. Decide if immediate medical attention is necessary. Food poisoning that was caused by bacteria, especially when it strikes an otherwise healthy person, is usually treatable at home. However, depending on the source of the food poisoning and the age of the person who has it, it may be necessary to seek medical help immediately. Call a doctor under the following circumstances: If the food poisoning is due to poisonous fish or mushrooms. If patient is an infant or a young child. If the patient is pregnant. The person with food poisoning is over 65 years of age. Frequent diarrhea or vomiting The person with food poisoning is experiencing severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, or vomiting blood. Drink fluids. The first and most important thing that needs to be done in any case of food poisoning is to increase the fluid intake. It is easier for the toxins to get flushed out of your system if your water intake is good. Vomiting and diarrhea are the common symptoms in food poisoning and these lead to fluid loss, so it is important to drink water and other fluids to avoid dehydration. Adults should try to drink at least 16 cups of water a day. Limit eating any foods. Food poisoning causes vomiting and diarrhea, which are natural bodily functions that work to dispel the poison from the body. Eating solid foods will cause more vomiting and diarrhea, so it's best to avoid eating until you are feeling better. It should go without saying that you should avoid eating the food that caused the poisoning. If you aren't sure what caused it, forgo eating anything that hasn't been freshly prepared right before you consume it. Throw away any suspect food. If you get tired of subsisting on broth and soup, eat plain foods that won't upset your stomach, like bananas, plain boiled white rice or dry toast. Only start eating after the active vomiting stage of your food poisoning. Herbal tea, especially mint tea, contains properties that calm the stomach. Try drinking a few cups of peppermint tea to stay hydrated and reduce your nausea. Ginger ale and lemon or lime soda can also help with rehydration, and the carbonation helps to settle your stomach. Avoid having coffee, alcohol, and any other fluids that cause dehydration. Replace electrolytes. If you're losing a lot of nutrients through excess vomiting and diarrhea, buy an electrolyte solution from a pharmacy to replace them. Gatorade or Pedialyte will work fine, too. This method works best for adults, but not for small children. Get plenty of rest. You'll probably feel weak and tired after going through the symptoms of food poisoning. Sleep as much as you need to to help your body recover faster. Avoid medications. Over-the-counter medications meant to prevent diarrhea and vomiting can actually slow your recover by impeding the natural functions that eliminate the source of the food poisoning. Wash your hands, dishes and kitchen surfaces. Food poisoning is often caused by bacteria that get transferred to food by way of unwashed hands, dishes, cutting boards, utensils or work surfaces. Take the following measures to prevent getting food poisoning this way: Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before preparing food. Wash your dishes and utensils in warm, soapy water after they have been used. Use a cleanser to wipe down your counters, tables, cutting boards, and other kitchen surfaces after preparing a meal, especially one that includes raw meat. Store food properly. Make sure that raw food, such as packages of uncooked chicken or steak, is kept separate from food that doesn't need to be cooked, to prevent cross-contamination. All meat and dairy should be refrigerated as soon as you bring it home from the market. Cook meat thoroughly. Cooking meat until it reaches an internal temperature that kills bacteria can prevent bacterial food poisoning. Make sure you know the temperature to which your meat should be cooked, and use a meat thermometer to check the temperature before you finish cooking it. Chicken and other poultry should be cooked to 165 F (73.9 C). Ground beef should be cooked to 160 F (71.1 C). Beef steaks and roasts should be cooked to 145 F (62.8 C). Pork should be cooked to 160 F (71.1C). Fish should be cooked to 145 F (62.8 C). Avoid reheating meats multiple times since they could develop bacteria that cause food poisoning. Don't eat wild mushrooms. Foraging for wild mushrooms has become a trend in recent years, but unless you're looking for mushrooms under the guidance of an expert, eating freshly picked mushrooms should be avoided. Even scientists have trouble distinguishing some edible and poisonous mushroom species without the aid of biological tests. | Figure out what caused the food poisoning. Decide if immediate medical attention is necessary. Drink fluids. Limit eating any foods. Replace electrolytes. Get plenty of rest. Avoid medications. Wash your hands, dishes and kitchen surfaces. Store food properly. Cook meat thoroughly. Don't eat wild mushrooms. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cash-a-Check | How to Cash a Check | To cash a check, start by going to any branch of your bank with a valid photo I.D. and taking your check to the bank teller. Make sure to wait and sign the back of your check when you're in front of the teller for security purposes. Alternatively, you can deposit your check at your bank's ATM by inserting your debit card, typing in your PIN, and selecting “Deposit Check” on the screen. Then, insert the check into the deposit slot and confirm the amount on the check. | Bring a valid photo I.D. to any branch of your bank. If you hold an open account of any type with a bank, they will cash a valid check for you. However, when you cash a check in person, you may be required to show a valid photo I.D. Driver's licenses and passports are usually the best choices. In some cases, military or school I.D.s may be accepted. Many banks prefer that you have your bank debit card with you as well. If you do not have your debit card, you may be required to fill in additional forms to cash your check. Contact the bank branch with any questions about their I.D. requirements. You won't be required to show a photo I.D. if you cash the check at an ATM or via your smartphone. Cash your check with your bank teller. This is the easiest method for getting the money you have earned quickly and safely. Show the teller your I.D. or hand them your debit card, if requested. Never sign the back of the check before you arrive at the bank; instead, do it in front of the teller as you cash it for ultimate security. Deposit the check, then withdraw cash from your account, if necessary. Some banks may require you to deposit the check to your account rather than cash it. This is more likely if the check you are trying to cash is written on an account from another bank. If you need cash right away and already have sufficient funds in your bank account, you can deposit the check, then immediately make a withdrawal in the amount you need. If the bank on which the check is drawn refuses to pay your bank — in other words, the check “bounces” — your bank will reimburse itself from your bank account. Banks will also usually charge a fee for the trouble of dealing with a returned check. Deposit your check at one of your bank’s ATMs. Modern ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) make it easy to insert and deposit paper checks to your account. Depending on your bank, the funds may be available immediately, or you may need to wait up to three days for the cash to go through. But, if you already have sufficient funds in your account, you can just withdraw the amount you need in the meantime. Insert your debit card Type in your PIN and press Enter Select "Deposit Check" Insert the check into the check deposit slot Confirm the amount on the check Withdraw the money you need from the ATM. Use a mobile banking app to deposit the check. Many banks now allow you to deposit checks into your account using a smartphone. The process may vary between banks, but it usually involves downloading the bank's app and using your smartphone camera to take a photo of your check. Make sure to follow all the directions in the app. Endorse the check, then take clear, well-lit photographs of its front and back sides. Keep the check until you receive confirmation that it has been deposited, then destroy it. Once the check clears, though, you will have to leave the house to withdraw the money you deposited from an ATM or bank branch. Visit the bank that issued the check. You can find the name of the bank by looking at the front of the check. Most banks will (and may be legally required to) cash checks that are drawn on sufficiently-funded accounts at their bank. The bank may, however, charge you a fee if you're not an account holder with them. You must cash the check in person with a bank teller (not at the ATM) if you are not an account holder there. You may need to show a valid photo I.D., so bring one along. If the account the check is written on does not have sufficient funds to cover the check, the bank is not required to cash it. Some states in the U.S. have laws that require banks to cash checks drawn on their accounts without charging a fee. Cash your check at a major retailer. Large grocery store chains and general merchandise retailers (like Walmart) often let you cash business or payroll checks for minimal fees — some, but not all, may also cash personal checks. This can cost less that doing the same thing at a bank you don't hold an account with, or at a cash-checking service. Just like when you take a check to a bank, don't sign the back of your check until you are in front of the person who is cashing it for you. Some retailers may require you to be a member of their rewards or loyalty program, but these are nearly always free and easy to join. Deposit and withdraw funds at ATMs with a prepaid debit card. Many financial institutions now offer prepaid debit cards to people without bank accounts. If you have a prepaid card, you will usually be able to deposit checks at select ATMs. You may be charged a fee to deposit and withdraw funds, depending on the card. For example, Visa has a reloadable “Payroll Card” that you can get through your employer. You can deposit checks and withdraw money at any ATM that accepts Visa debit cards. Many large banks also offer prepaid debit cards. Chase offers a prepaid card that allows you to deposit checks at any Chase ATM, for a monthly fee of approximately $5 USD. Prepaid cards are usually available through large financial institutions such as MasterCard and American Express. Go to a specialized check-cashing company if you lack better options. You should only use this method as a last resort simply because these firms charge the most money for cashing personal and payroll checks. On the upside, these stores are often the quickest way to get most of your cash immediately. However, the commission that these check-cashing places take is hefty — often more than 10% — due to the extra risk they take by cashing nearly all checks brought to them. These places know that they are working with customers who need the money from the check ASAP, and therefore can charge them high fees. If you do not have a bank account and need cash immediately from a personal check, check-cashing services may be your only option. Sign the check over to someone you trust. By signing the back of your check over to someone you trust and know well, they can just as easily go into their own bank, cash it, and hand you the money. Of course, the stipulation here is that you should only ask someone you truly trust to do this for you. In most cases, you should probably accompany them to the bank when they are cashing your check, though it is not necessary for you to be present. To endorse the check to another person, write “Pay to the order of _______” on the reverse side of the check. Sign your name below this. In some cases, you may also be required to initial near the written and numerical amounts on the front of the check. Never ask someone you do not know very well to cash a check for you. Never cash a check for someone you do not know and trust extremely well. Make sure you trust the person who wrote you the check. If you end up with a bad check, you'll have a lot more trouble trying to retrieve the money that is rightfully yours. If you're asking for payment from someone you've never met before, it's better to ask for the amount of money in cash. But if you do have a check, make sure you have the following information: The correct first and last name and address of the person giving you the check. Contact information for the person who wrote you the check, so you can reach them if you have trouble cashing it. The name of a legitimate bank where the check is being drawn from. Check with the issuing bank to confirm that the person writing the check has an account with funds available to cover it. Many banks will verify the account the check is drawn from if you contact them. Make sure the check is properly written out to you. It is very important for your name to be written correctly on the check. Banks can deny payment if the name does not match that of the person attempting to cash it. Ask for the name on the check to be written to match the name on your valid photo I.D. (driver's license, etc.) Look for any check endorsement problems. All of the information on the check needs to be complete and accurate. This includes the date, amount of payment, and signature. If the information is invalid or missing, you probably won't be able to cash it. The date written on the check is the first date on which the funds may be withdrawn. The numerical amount box is located below the date. It represents the exact amount to be paid. Make certain that this is the correct amount you are owed and that it matches the written dollar amount located to the left of the box. For the check to be valid, it must contain the signature of the owner of the account from which the funds will be withdrawn. Endorse the check right before you're ready to cash it. To endorse the check, you just have to flip it over and sign the line with the "x" to the left of it. Do this right before you go to the ATM or the bank, so that your check cannot be cashed as easily if you lose it. If there is more than one payee — e.g., “Pay to the order of Jackson and Leanna Teller” — all payees must endorse the check in order to cash it. However, a check can be deposited into a joint account with only one of the joint owners signing it. Once the check is endorsed, unless there are written restrictions, the check becomes a "bearer" instrument that anyone (in theory) can cash. Cash the check as soon as you can. Some checks, like those that are paid by employers, have an expiration date on them. But even if they do not have an expiration date, banks are often not legally required to accept checks 6 months after their written date. So, you should cash them in a timely manner to make sure that you can get the money you deserve as quickly and easily as possible. | Bring a valid photo I.D. Cash your check with your bank teller. Deposit the check, then withdraw cash from your account, if necessary. Deposit your check at one of your bank’s ATMs. Use a mobile banking app to deposit the check. Visit the bank that issued the check. Cash your check at a major retailer. Deposit and withdraw funds at ATMs with a prepaid debit card. Go to a specialized check-cashing company if you lack better options. Sign the check over to someone you trust. Make sure you trust the person who wrote you the check. Make sure the check is properly written out to you. Look for any check endorsement problems. Endorse the check right before you're ready to cash it. Cash the check as soon as you can. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Handle-Police-Stops | How to Handle Police Stops | To pull over for the police, find a convenient place to park, like a parking lot or the shoulder of a road. If you are alone and feel in danger, turn on your emergency lights to show compliance and drive to a well-lit area, like a gas station, before pulling over. Once you've parked, remain calm, roll down your driver's side window, and move slowly when retrieving your license and registration. Then, remain in control of your emotions and follow the officer's orders to reduce the risk of a confrontation. | Know when an officer has the right to stop you. Any type of moving violation (which includes driving an unsafe vehicle) is considered legal grounds for a stop. Additionally, an officer can follow you and wait for you to commit a traffic violation. Understand when an officer does not have the right to stop you. A police officer cannot pull you over because of your age, race, or gender. However, this does not ever mean that you have the right to not stop. You should always comply and treat the stopping officer with respect. If the officer's conduct is ever questionable, you should raise any legal concerns at a later time. Look for a convenient place to pull over. Simply slowing down and activating your turn signal will usually be enough to indicate to the officer that you intend to pull over within reasonable distance. When determining a location, there are a few additional things to consider. Try to find a close parking lot or wide shoulder of the road. Many officers will appreciate the consideration. Also, if it is dark and you are alone, some attorneys recommend that you drive to a well-lit area, such as a gas station, before stopping. Turn on your emergency flashers to show that you are acknowledging the officer's presence and that you intend to comply. If you plan to drive until you find a safe place, you may want to telephone your locations emergency number, e.g. 911 or 999. and let them know that you are being pulled over by a police officer and that you are driving until you find a well-lit safe place to pull over. The emergency services operator will communicate this information to the police officer. For legal and safety reasons, you should dial with a hands-free device, or have a passenger dial for you. Stay calm. Even though getting pulled over by a police officer can be scary, you will be okay even if you get a traffic ticket. Take a deep breath and remember that the officer is probably concerned for his or her own safety. Even if you have been pulled over for no reason, do not argue with the police officer or act in a threatening or hostile manner. Acting in this way can escalate the situation, and could cause the officer to arrest you or treat you as a threat. Roll down your driver's side window. You may also want to roll down any tinted windows. Make sure to do so before the officer approaches the vehicle. If it is dark, turn on your interior lights. While this is not required by law, it will probably make the police officer feel more comfortable and additionally make it more likely that the officer will trust you. If you are willing to let him or her see the inside of your vehicle, it makes it less likely that you are hiding anything. Move slowly as the officer approaches. The officer will watch you carefully to make sure you're not drawing a weapon or hiding something. Do not reach for anything in the passenger compartment of your vehicle or under your seat. Generally, you do not need to shut off your car engine unless you are asked to do so by the police officer. Instead, you should place your vehicle in park or neutral. You can also shut off the ignition of your car while still keeping your keys in the ignition. As the officer approaches, put your hands on the steering wheel where the officer can see them. Allow the officer to take the lead. The officer will usually ask for your license and registration. The officer is not obliged to tell you why he or she pulled you over before you comply. When you move your hands, tell the officer that you are getting your license and registration. If you're in a dark area, the officer will likely follow your hands with a flashlight. The officer can ask you for a valid driver's license. However, the officer is not permitted to ask you for any citizenship documents. If the officer does ask for these documents, continue to cooperate, but consider contacting a lawyer if you believe that you were profiled. If you do not have a license or registration, the officer can arrest you for driving without them or can give you a ticket. However, if you have a good excuse for not having a license or registration, the officer may allow you to show another form of picture ID to use to look you up. What the officer does if you do not have the required documents is almost completely within his or her discretion. Try never to drive without your car registration stored in your car and your driver's license with you. While the officer checks your license and vehicle status via radio, keep your hands on the steering wheel. Consider the best way to respond. If you believe that you have been pulled over for an illegal reason, you may respectfully ask the officer why you were pulled over. Also pay attention to the following: The way in which the officer treats you. What kind of language does the officer use toward you? Is the officer's approach immediately hostile? What kinds of questions does the officer ask? For example, if the officer asks, “Do you have a weapon? Because your kind usually carry weapons,” that could be an indication that the police officer pulled you over for an impermissible reason (assuming, of course, that you did not commit a traffic violation). How long the officer kept you stopped and what the outcome was. Generally, the longer the officer kept you, the more likely it is that the officer pulled you over for a reason other than how you were driving. For example, it may be more likely that the officer pulled you over illegally if he questions you for 25 minutes and then doesn't give you a citation and never tells you definitively what law you broke. Comply with the officer’s directions. Refusing to comply with an officer's orders will make you seem resistant or rebellious. The officer may believe that he or she needs to use force to make you comply. Save yourself the trouble and comply with all orders given to you. However, you do not need to go out of the way to engage the officer in conversation. Answer any questions you are asked directly and briefly, but do not feel like you need to ask the officer personal questions or go into detail explaining your actions. For example, you do not need to explain in detail why you were speeding. Know how to respond if the officer suspects you have been drinking. If you were pulled over for driving erratically, the officer may ask "Have you been drinking?" If you have not been drinking, you should tell the truth, but you may also want to tell the officer if you take medications or have an illness that can cause driving problems. No matter your response, the officer can request that you participate in a field sobriety test or a road-side breath test. Be aware a US police officer cannot force you to take a breathalyzer test without first obtaining a search warrant, refusing to take the test is grounds for immediate arrest and license suspension. Other countries have different rules. If you do refuse the breathalyzer test and are arrested, you can be compelled to take the breathalyzer in jail if the officers get a warrant. If the arresting officer testifies that you violated any traffic laws, he or she will easily obtain a warrant. Understand when the officer can legally search your car. In the USA, under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, you have the right to be free from “unreasonable” searches and seizures. Therefore, if you are stopped by the police, the officers are not permitted to search your car if doing so would be considered “unreasonable.” Usually, an officer may search your car if they have a search warrant or have probable cause to search. Otherwise, you can say “no” when a police officer asks to search your car. Since officers cannot always legally search, you should know when you are allowed to say that you do not consent to a search. If the officer sees any illegal objects in plain view, he or she can search the part of the vehicle that the objects are in and arrest you if necessary. For example, if you have drugs in the passenger compartment of your car, an officer who sees the drugs can search the whole passenger compartment of the car. Keep in mind that in the United States, moving vehicles are subject by law enforcement to search with probable cause after a traffic stop. Probable cause may include observing occupants in suspicious activities and things that the officer can smell, see, or hear, such as safety violations, open containers, and items that could potentially appear to be weapons. Once an officer has probable cause, your entire vehicle is subject to search. An officer may also search a vehicle if given permission. However, if an officer asks you for permission to search your vehicle, you do not have to say yes. Refusing to give consent for a search cannot be used by the officer as probable cause to search your vehicle. However, if you do say no to a search, the officer may try to establish probable cause for the search by asking more questions and closely inspecting the areas of the vehicle that are in plain view. Additionally, if you are arrested as a result of a possibly illegal search of your car, tell your attorney that you believe the search was illegal. Do not argue with the officer. There is plenty of time later in traffic court to argue about your ticket. Instead, thank the officer and remain in control of your emotions. If you believe that you were pulled over for an illegal reason, or that the police officer did something that was illegal, do not address it with the officer while you are stopped. Instead, try to get or remember the officer's name for later. If you believe that the officer did something illegal, you can contact an attorney and see if you have a case, or file a complaint with the county or state where the police officer is based. Find legal remedies after the stop. If the police violated your rights, you can respond with a legal challenge later. If you believe that you were illegally pulled over because the officer was engaged in profiling, contact an attorney or file a complaint against that police officer. If you receive a ticket from the officer, his or her name and badge number should be listed on the ticket. If you did not receive a ticket, try to find out the officer's name by either looking for a name tag or asking directly. You can also try to get the license plate number from the officer's car. Understand when the police set up roadblocks. Police officers may only set up roadblocks and checkpoints for special situations beyond the normal needs for law enforcement. These “special situations” include when police officers are concerned with: Drunk drivers (the most common) Border security Apprehending specific criminal suspects Get to know how police operate typical roadblocks. If law enforcement officers set up a roadblock, they may stop all cars that drive to the roadblock, random cars, and/or cars matching a description of a vehicle involved in a crime. Officers are not supposed to profile the driver or passengers. If you are stopped and you believe that the officers are profiling you for any reason, continue to cooperate with the officers and call a lawyer as soon as you can. React calmly at a roadblock. If you are stopped at a roadblock, you should act the same way as you would have if you had been pulled over for a traffic violation. If law enforcement officers have set up a roadblock, they can stop every vehicle and ask for documentation or request that every individual take a sobriety test, road side breath test or drug check. In this situation, you cannot refuse to take the sobriety test without being arrested. While the officers do not have probable cause to suspect that you have been drinking, they do not need it in this situation because they are testing everyone. Be aware of traps. Sometimes, the police will set up a roadblock and not stop anyone. Instead, they will see who diverts and gets off the road at an exit right before the roadblock. If the police see you get off the road at an exit right before a roadblock, they may stop you. Avoiding a roadblock is probable cause for the police to stop you. However, because the police are not stopping you for the specific purpose of the roadblock (i.e. drinking), they may ask you why you avoided the roadblock without automatically asking you to take a sobriety test. Understand how a "stop and frisk" works. If a police officer has a "reasonable suspicion" that criminal activity is occurring, the officer can perform a "stop and frisk." A stop is a brief detention short of an arrest, and a frisk is a pat-down to check for weapons. Both the stop and the frisk must be justified by the circumstances to be legal. "Reasonable suspicion" is a lower standard than "probable cause."A stop is a briefer detention than an arrest, and a frisk is less invasive than a search. However, if the officer has a reasonable suspicion to do a stop and frisk, and then his or her suspicion develops into probable cause as a result of the stop and frisk, then the officer can arrest and search you further. Know when a stop is justified. Officers can stop people during an investigation or to prevent crime before it happens. An officer is justified in stopping you if the officer reasonably believes you: Don't fit the time or place; Match the description of a wanted suspect; Act strangely, or are emotional, angry, fearful, or intoxicated; Are loitering or looking for something; Are running away or acting evasive or secretive; Are at a crime scene; or Are in a high-crime area (which is not alone sufficient for a reasonable suspicion). Know when a frisk is justified. If an officer has stopped you, he or she can pat down your outer clothing to check for weapons. If the officer feels something that he or she reasonably believes is a weapon or some other contraband, the officer can take it from you. You may be frisked if the officer: Is concerned for his or her own safety or the safety of others; Suspects you are about to commit a crime involving a weapon; Is concerned by the behavior, emotional state, and/or appearance of the suspects; Asked questions and received evasive answers; or Factors in the location and time of day (which alone is not sufficient to justify a frisk). Stay calm and comply when stopped. If an officer stops you, you are not automatically under arrest. Even if you believe the officer lacks a reasonable suspicion to stop you, stay calm and comply with the officer's instructions. You can contact a lawyer later. A stop is only supposed to last as long as is reasonably necessary for the officer to investigation the situation. Make a mental note of how long you were detained and make a complaint if the detention was unreasonably long. Many have complained of officers abusing the stop and frisk process and harassing the public. Whether or not you believe your stop is justified, just assume that the officer is concerned for his or her own safety. You can file a complaint after the situation has resolved. Request a lawyer if you are arrested. If the officer finds a weapon or other contraband during the frisk, you will probably be arrested. Remain calm and request a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided to you. A lawyer may be able to challenge the constitutionality of the officer's conduct or negotiate a favorable plea deal on your behalf. | Know when an officer has the right to stop you. Understand when an officer does not have the right to stop you. Look for a convenient place to pull over. Stay calm. Roll down your driver's side window. Move slowly as the officer approaches. Allow the officer to take the lead. Consider the best way to respond. Comply with the officer’s directions. Know how to respond if the officer suspects you have been drinking. Understand when the officer can legally search your car. Do not argue with the officer. Find legal remedies after the stop. Understand when the police set up roadblocks. Get to know how police operate typical roadblocks. React calmly at a roadblock. Be aware of traps. Understand how a "stop and frisk" works. Know when a stop is justified. Know when a frisk is justified. Stay calm and comply when stopped. Request a lawyer if you are arrested. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Realtor | How to Become a Realtor | To become a realtor, start by taking pre-licensure real estate courses at a local college or online, which you'll need to complete before you can get your license. When you're done with your courses, pass your local real estate licensing exam. Once you have your license, you can find a broker to help connect you with clients, and you can apply to join a local real estate association. | Research the qualifications for becoming a real estate agent in your state. These qualifications are different in every state. The requirements may include being a certain age, completing required schooling, and being a legal citizen of your country. For example, in California, you must be 19 years of age, successfully complete 3 college-level real estate courses, and pass a background check. In Texas, you must be a resident of the state and at least 18 years of age. You'll also need 180 classroom hours in real estate and you'll have to submit to a background check. Take the pre-licensure courses. The better you do in your courses, the better you'll do on the exam. Depending on where you live, you'll need between 40-200 hours of coursework, which you can take at your local college or university. You may also be able to take the classes online. These classes might include Principals of Real Estate, agency, ethics, marketing, and economics. Have a clean record. In most states, you will need to submit your fingerprints and agree to a background check. Your record will need to be free from any convictions of fraud, theft, forgery, extortion, or similar crimes. Just because you have been convicted of a crime doesn't necessarily mean you will be denied a real estate license, but crimes related to defrauding people will usually disqualify you from a license. Start building a network. Making connections will make it easier for you to find clients when you start working. Real estate is a face-to-face business, so you should be comfortable talking to a variety of different people before you ever start working. When you meet new people, let them know you're going to school for real estate, and you'll be available soon if they're thinking of selling their house or buying a new one in the near future. For additional networking opportunities, check social media to see if there are any organizations in your area where young professionals can meet up. Use prep materials to study for the exam. Different states may have different formats for the exam, so make sure you know whether it's multiple-choice, essay section, paper-and-pencil, or computer-based. You should be able to obtain a study guide from the agency which administers the exam, or you can search online. You may also be able to sign up for a study course at your college. In general, these exams will test real estate practices and principles, real estate law, contracts, deeds, appraisals, and other subjects related to real estate. Apply to take your state's exam. Once you have met the requirements and finished your classes, you will need to apply to take the exam in your state. This process may vary, so check with the licensing agency in your state. For example, in Arizona , you must create an account with PearsonVue, pay a $75 exam fee, and schedule the date of your test. In Montana , you will have to register for the exam online with AMP at least 4 days in advance, and the exam costs $106. Get a passing score. The requirements to pass the exam will vary by state, but typically you'll need to score at least a 70%. In most cases, the score is displayed as a simple pass/fail. In California , you will need to score a 70% or higher on the CalBRE exam to pass. To pass the exam in Montana, you will need at least a score of 80% on the nation portion and 70% on the state portion. Study the market where you live. The type of work you will do can vary widely based on where you base your operations. For instance, the market in a resort town will likely have a lot of summertime rentals, whereas a large metropolitan area might require you to deal heavily in high-rise apartments. In addition, if your area is experiencing a time of slower economic growth, you'll need to be aware that it might take longer for you to build a strong customer base. Talk to multiple brokers so you find one you're comfortable with. You'll probably have a lot of questions at first, so you'll need someone who makes you feel at ease. A good broker will help you find customers while giving you guidance into your new career in real estate. Look for a broker who specializes in the area you want to specialize in. For instance, if your dream is to help new families find their dream home, you wouldn't want to choose a broker who specializes in commercial properties. Reach out to your personal network. In addition to the clients your broker helps you reach, you should also try to bring new clients into the brokerage firm. If you've been building your network, your first sales will likely come much more easily. Try asking the people you know questions like, "Are you planning to move soon? Do you know anyone who is?" You can also reach out to potential clients on social media. Renew your license when it expires. Your real estate license is usually good for 2-4 years depending on your state. When you obtain your license, you'll receive instructions on how to renew it. Find a local real estate association. There are over 1,400 associations, also called boards, across the United States. In addition, there are 54 state and territorial associations of realtors. You can browse a list of state and local boards by visiting https://www.nar.realtor/leadrshp.nsf/webassoc?OpenView&source=realtor. Once you find an association that is local to you, contact them to learn more about becoming a member. Talk to the principals in your firm about joining if they aren't members. The principals in any firm must be a member of a realtor association before their agents can join. If the owners, corporate officers, or branch office managers have not joined a board, encourage them to do so. If you are not a member of a firm and you know you intend to become a realtor, look for positions with firms where the principals are already members of an association. Send your paper application to the NAR. You will need your principal to sign your application for membership, and you will have to agree to abide by the NAR's Code of Ethics. You can view the Code of Ethics at https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/the-code-of-ethics. | Research the qualifications for becoming a real estate agent in your state. Take the pre-licensure courses. Have a clean record. Start building a network. Use prep materials to study for the exam. Apply to take your state's exam. Get a passing score. Study the market where you live. Talk to multiple brokers so you find one you're comfortable with. Reach out to your personal network. Renew your license when it expires. Find a local real estate association. Talk to the principals in your firm about joining if they aren't members. Send your paper application to the NAR. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-German-Shepherd | How to Take Care of a German Shepherd | To take care of your German shepherd, start by feeding it 2 or more meals a day of high-quality dog food according to the package guidelines for your dog's size and age. Additionally, give your dog low-calorie treats, like crunchy vegetables, and make sure it has access to clean water at all times. Then, walk your dog for 1-2 hours a day to keep it healthy. If you notice any changes in how your dog walks or moves its legs, take it to the vet right away since German shepherds are prone to joint problems. | Make sure your German shepherd is getting proper nutrition. Since German shepherds large, active dogs and are known to have hips that give out, it's important to make sure they have good nutrition throughout their lives. Make sure to buy healthy food that is not full of filler ingredients. For example, make sure you are feeding a quality food that contains animal protein and doesn't use corn for protein. You can feed your German shepherd dry or wet food, or a combination of both. If you choose to feed your German shepherd homemade meals , it's important to talk to your veterinarian about what they need to include. This will help ensure that the dog will get a balanced diet. Try to resist giving your dog table scraps, especially if it is begging for them. People food can be unhealthy for the dog and can impact its interest in its healthy food. Feed your German shepherd age-appropriate food. As your dog ages, it will have different nutritional needs. Feed your dog a food that is designed for its specific age, such as a puppy food when it very young, an adult food when it is in middle age, and senior food when it is in old age. There are also specific formulas you may need to consider at some point, for example, special foods for large breeds or weight control food for overweight dogs. Talk to your vet about what food will work best for your dog. Because your vet will understand your specific dog's health issues, they may want it to get specific nutritional needs met. When switching between types of food , for instance when you take your dog off puppy food, do not suddenly change the food. Instead, mix the foods together, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old food over the course of several weeks. Feed your dog the correct amount of food for its size and age. Look at the packaging of the food to determine the suggested serving size. This should be based on the size and age of your dog. You can also talk to your veterinarian about how much they think your dog should be eating. Divide food into several smaller meals throughout the day. It is best to divide your German shepherd's daily food into 2 or more smaller meals. Giving smaller meals helps to minimize the risk of bloat , which is a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen. When you feed your dog several times a day, your dog will need to relieve themselves shortly after each meal. Never exercise a German shepherd right after they eat since this could increase the risk of bloating. Give your German shepherd healthy treats. In addition to feeding it healthy food, the snacks you feed your German shepherd can have an impact on its health. Pick low calorie treats that are satisfying for dogs, including crunchy vegetables and kibble in a feeding toy that slows the dog's consumption down. Treats should only make up 5 to 10% of your dog's calorie intact, so control how many treats you give your dog. Provide access to water at all times. Dogs can drink a lot of water every day and it's important that they do to prevent dehydration. Fill up its bowl with clean water every day and leave it where your dog has access to it. Also, check up on the bowl throughout the day, if possible, to make sure there is plenty of water available. However, German shepherds should drink small amounts of water throughout the day, instead of drinking a large amount at one time. Gradually hydrating throughout the day will ensure that the dog doesn't get bloat. Dehydration can be a threat to your dog's health. Signs that it might be dehydrated and needs more water include excessive panting, loss of appetite, and dry nose or gums. If you see these symptoms, give your dog water immediately. Take your shepherd in for a checkup every year. When caring for a German shepherd, you need to make sure you are giving it preventative health care. If you have it looked at by a veterinarian every year, many health problems can be avoided and emerging problems can be treated quickly. Things your veterinarian will do during an annual exam may include: A general health assessment—The vet will check the general condition of your dog, including looking for common ailments, such as ear infections. Nail trimming—When your dog's nails get long, it is very painful for them to move about. The vet will clip them if they are too long. De-worming and heartworm test—All dogs must be wormed every month or so to prevent them from getting worms. First, your dog will need to be tested for worms, and then your vet can prescribe a medication to be taken monthly. If your dog already has worms, your vet can provide a medication for treatment. Vaccinations—Talk to your vet to determine which vaccines are necessary and what diseases they'll protect against. Get your dog spayed or neutered. Getting your German shepherd fixed is important for keeping pet populations under control. Unless you are planning on breeding your dog, talk to your veterinarian about when the best time to spay or neuter your German shepherd is. This surgery usually occurs between the ages of 6 months and 1 1/2 years old, although waiting until the dog is 1 year old may increase the health of its joints. Neutering or spaying your dog can also help eliminate aggressive behavior in the future. Get possible medical problems treated as soon as possible. For example, as soon as you see that your dog has a walking problem or is not eating as usual, take it to the vet. This specific breed of dog can get joint problems when they get old, so it's important to keep an eye out for physical and behavioral changes and start caring for them right away. In particular, watch for changes in how your dog walks and moves its legs. These changes could signal that your dog has joint problems, such as hip dysplasia, and that condition may require immediate medical treatment. Bathe and brush your German shepherd. Caring for a German shepherd's coat is relatively easy. They should be brushed once or twice a week. You only need to bathe them if you feel they need it. However, do not bathe it more than a couple times a month, as soap can disrupt their natural skin and fur oils. You can bathe your dog at home or take it to a groomer. Bathe your dog more frequently when it is very active. This will protect it from skin problems and rashes, especially in the summer. Make sure your German shepherd has enough space. Remember that a German shepherd is a large dog. This breed needs space to be comfortable in their home and in their yard. They do better in a house that has room for them to move freely about, as opposed to a small apartment or cramped space. German shepherds can benefit from having access to a lot of space to run around. Make sure that your yard is clear, uncluttered, and hazard-free. Exercise your dog. Without exercise, the German shepherd's amazing muscles and energy will be locked up inside with no outlet. Ideally, you would spend 1 hour or 2 every day playing fetch, taking it for a long walk or run, or even chasing it around the yard. German shepherds who don't get enough exercise are more likely to get joint diseases, like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as becoming destructive or depressed. However, beware of giving them too much exercise at a young age. Do not take your German shepherd jogging or running with you before they are 1 and a half years old, because its joints and bones are still developing. To keep a German shepherd outside in a yard, you need to make sure the yard is completely fenced off. If you don't have a big yard, then take your dog daily to the local park. You can also make use of any other appropriate open spaces accessible from your home. Avoid strenuous activity right after eating. Since German shepherds are prone to bloat, it's important to keep them calm before and after they digest their food. Do not engage them in strenuous activity, such as running, before or for several hours after eating. While you shouldn't run them after meal time, it is perfectly fine to take them on a leisurely walk after eating. Keep your German shepherd cool. German shepherds, especially long-haired shepherds, are susceptible to hot weather. If you have a shepherd and you live in a hot or tropical area, provide your dog with plenty of water and shade while outside. Also be sure that you don't demand too much physical activity on extremely hot days. Signs that your German shepherd is overheated include panting, extreme thirst, lack of coordination, and extremely red gums. German shepherds do better in cool or cold climates, as their coats insulate them well in lower temperatures. Socialize your puppy. German shepherds should be exposed to a wide variety of people, places, and other dogs when they are young. This will get them used to interacting peacefully with anyone they come into contact with. If not socialized properly in puppyhood, German shepherds can have aggression issues later in life. If you plan on training your dog to be a guard dog , you still need to socialize your puppy properly. This lays the foundation for a pleasant personality in addition to being a competent guard dog. Part of proper socialization is giving your dog lots of physical contact from the time it's a puppy. Regular touching and handling of the face and feet means that, when the puppy grows up, it won't mind having its nails clipped or mouth checked. Train your German shepherd. German shepherds are extremely smart and loyal dogs, which means that they are especially adept at learning commands and responding to obedience training. However, it's important to train them in a positive manner, using lots of praise, petting, and love to reinforce your commands. This will help you to build a relationship of trust and loyalty with your dog. When your dog is young, train for short amounts of time, just as you would your child. As your dog gets older and becomes better at responding to commands, your training sessions can get longer. Continue to teach your German shepherd new tricks and commands. Not only will a well-behaved German shepherd be more impressive and easier to care for with continued training, but you and your dog will develop a bond if you take the time to train it. As the bond gets stronger, your German shepherd will be more likely to listen to your commands and will be happier to have you as a master. German shepherds are great guide dogs, guard dogs, rescue dogs, and police dogs. If your German shepherd is very smart and needs lots of mental and physical exercise, consider training it for a specialized job. Give your dog love and attention. In order to build a lasting bond with your dog, it's important to give them physical affection and love, such as petting and cuddling them daily. Be friendly to your dog, love them, and they will love you back! You can't fake affection, even with a dog, you have to have expressions and gestures to prove how much you adore it, to make it feel lovable and loved. There has to be sincere and genuine love shared between the two of you. Never beat or yell at your dog. Never scold your dog unless you catch it in the act of doing something wrong. Otherwise, the dog will associate you with scolding and punishment and may lose trust in you. | Make sure your German shepherd is getting proper nutrition. Feed your German shepherd age-appropriate food. Feed your dog the correct amount of food for its size and age. Divide food into several smaller meals throughout the day. Give your German shepherd healthy treats. Provide access to water at all times. Take your shepherd in for a checkup every year. Get your dog spayed or neutered. Get possible medical problems treated as soon as possible. Bathe and brush your German shepherd. Make sure your German shepherd has enough space. Exercise your dog. Avoid strenuous activity right after eating. Keep your German shepherd cool. Socialize your puppy. Train your German shepherd. Continue to teach your German shepherd new tricks and commands. Give your dog love and attention. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Snob | How to Deal With a Snob | Dealing with a snobbish person isn't very fun, but with a bit of patience, you can get through it. The easiest way to deal with a snob is to ignore their behavior. Snobs often use material things or social status to make people feel inferior, but these things don't really matter, so don't let what they say get to you! If you can't help proving them wrong, try challenging them. For instance, if they're acting like a snob because they went to college and you didn't, engage in an intelligent conversation to prove your wits. Snobs can be hard to handle, so take breaks if you need them. Step away from the situation or make an excuse to go home early. | Don’t allow yourself to feel inferior. When someone is a snob, they work hard to make the people around them feel inferior, or less than them. If you refuse to allow anyone to make you feel like less of a person than you are, then their snobbish behavior won't have that effect on you. Snobs will often use material things or social status as a means of setting themselves above you. If you look at yourself as an equal to the snob, and don't let their bragging or snobbish behavior make you feel small, then they might recognize this, and move on to someone else, or lessen the behavior. Avoid overreacting. Rather than going with the instinct to be rude back to this person, or to get irritated around them, go out of your way to be polite to them instead. Smile and engage with them like you don't think they are snobbish at all. This will at least make time with them easier to handle. The saying “kill them with kindness” can apply when dealing with a snob. Someone might feel less inclined to be snobbish to you if all you are giving them is kindness and politeness. Prove them wrong. Sometimes, someone might act like a snob towards you because they believe stereotypes about you, regarding anything from your level of education to the neighborhood you live in. Of course, stereotypes are often untrue, so rather than getting mad, just prove the person wrong. Show them you are not what they believe you to be. For example, if someone is acting like a snob because they went to university and you went to a community college, engage with them in an intelligent conversation, and show them that you are not unintelligent just because of where you went to school. If you challenge the view someone has on you, they will be forced to reevaluate the ideas they have about you, and the stereotypes they have already formed about you. Change your own behavior. You absolutely do not have to change who you are just because of one person's bad behavior, but changing your behavior just on the short-term might help make time with this person more bearable, for your own sake. If this is a co-worker, for example, then just moderate your behavior while you are interacting with them at work. For example, if this particular person seems to go out of their way to put you down, avoid giving them the opportunity to do so. Avoid topics of conversation that usually lead to them bragging or talking themselves up. Take a break. If you have to be around this person on a daily basis, take breaks when you need them. Excuse yourself politely and take a few moments for yourself. You can say you need to make a phone call, use the restroom, or to step out for a moment. Sometimes the only way to deal with a snob is to distance yourself from them. If you avoid extra, unnecessary contact with this person, it might help make your interactions with them otherwise seem less overwhelming. Recognize that you are unique. The things this snob might look down on you for are things that make you special and unique. If a snob is making you feel inferior, remember that whatever it is that they are turning their nose up at is something that makes you interesting and different. Sometimes, it is feelings of envy that can result in snobbery, so remind yourself that this person might just be jealous of certain qualities you have, and feel the need to put you down to make themselves feel better. Whatever the snobbish person is putting down about you, find the good in it. If they are bragging about their fancy material belongings, be grateful for the things you have, regardless of their social status. Have sympathy for this person. A snob is only using this behavior to protect him or herself from the insecurities within themselves. They are putting others down because they are having troubles of their own. Rather than getting irritated, just be kind and feel sorry for this person. You don't have to be explicit about feeling sorry for them. Simply offering a kind smile and a nod when they start to speak to you in a snobbish way might turn them off to talking to you that way. Realize that this person likely feels insecure. If a person feels insecure about his or herself, they might try to use snobbery to keep others at a distance and protect themselves and what is likely a fragile ego from being harmed. Consider the fact that this person may have been treated poorly by someone just as snobby in the past, and now they have continued the cycle in order to keep from being treated that way again. Recognize that some people were raised to behave in a snobby way. The way people are raised has a profound effect on the way they interact with others once they are adults. You likely learned behaviors growing up that you might not recognize, just like this person might not notice his or her own snobbery. Don't always assume someone is being a snob just to be rude or hurtful or to put you down. They might have learned these behaviors from such a young age that they don't even realize they are doing it. It doesn't excuse the behavior, but it could be a reason for it happening. If the snob you are dealing with falls into this category, politely let them know that they are saying or doing things that are making the people around them feel inferior, and that they should consider taking more care with their words and actions in the future. Realize that this person may feel threatened. Again, if a person was raised a certain way, snobbery might be their defense mechanism against social groups that they have not had much exposure to. If someone was raised in a privileged environment, having to engage with people or activities they weren't raised around could make them feel threatened, and in order to protect themselves or keep themselves separate from the unfamiliar, they might act out in a snobbish way. Recognize issues with your own behavior. Purposefully talking up your belongings, accomplishments, family life, or any other aspect of your life in order to make someone else feel small is snobbish behavior. Make sure you recognize this behavior in yourself. As soon as you recognize the behavior in yourself, work to cease or correct it. Don't allow yourself to behave in a snobbish way, especially if this behavior in other people irritates or bothers you. Always treat others the way you would like them to treat you in return. Avoid letting the snob rub off on you. “Reverse snobbery” is when you behave in a snobbish way in response to someone acting that way to you. For example, if you work a blue-collar job and you talk poorly about wealthy people in white-collar positions, that is reverse snobbery. Rather than responding to snobbery with more snobbery, just let it roll off your back. Accept that this other person is behaving in an undesirable way, and try not to let it get to you. Realize that snobbery can stem from jealousy. If you find yourself jealous of someone else, you might feel the urge to be unnecessarily rude to them or to dislike them because of that envy or jealousy. Rather than falling on this kind of behavior, acknowledge that you are feeling envious, and try to correct it. Instead of feeling jealous of someone else's material belongings or social status, just look inward and be grateful for what you do have. Consider that there are a good number of people who would likely be jealous of you and your material belongings and social status. Remember that you have personal value and worth outside of personal belongings or social status. | Don’t allow yourself to feel inferior. Avoid overreacting. Prove them wrong. Change your own behavior. Take a break. Recognize that you are unique. Have sympathy for this person. Realize that this person likely feels insecure. Recognize that some people were raised to behave in a snobby way. Realize that this person may feel threatened. Recognize issues with your own behavior. Avoid letting the snob rub off on you. Realize that snobbery can stem from jealousy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drill-Holes-Through-Glass | How to Drill Holes Through Glass | To drill holes through glass, start by attaching a small piece of tape or cardboard to the glass where you want to drill the hole, which will prevent the drill bit from slipping. Then, insert a diamond drill bit into a drill and position it over the spot you want the hole to be in. When you're ready, start to slowly drill through the glass, regularly pouring water on the drill bit to prevent it from overheating. When it feels like you're close to drilling through the glass, lighten up on the pressure so the glass doesn't crack. | Take safety seriously by putting on appropriate protective gear. When done properly, drilling through glass is usually safe—but don't take chances! Put on protective eyewear to shield your eyes from any potential broken glass. Likewise, wear a dust mask, sturdy work gloves, a heavyweight long-sleeve shirt, long work pants, and work boots. If this is a one-time task, you can get by with a typical dust mask. If you're drilling multiple holes, however, make sure to wear a NIOSH-approved N95 mask. The dust caused by drilling glass, known as silica dust, can cause a certain type of lung cancer known as silicosis. Inspect the glass for damage and confirm it isn’t tempered glass. Don't try to drill a hole within 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of the edge of the glass, and keep at least the same distance from any cracks, chips, or nicks. In fact, 2 in (5.1 cm) is an even better distance. Look over the glass carefully to confirm there isn't any damage in the drilling area. While looking over the glass, confirm that you're not planning to drill through tempered glass. Tempered glass is designed to shatter into tiny pieces (instead of knife-like shards) upon impact, so it's no good for drilling! Tempered glass is always labeled as such, typically in a corner or along the side. Load a small drill bit made for glass and tile into a variable-speed power drill. Glass and tile drill bits have spear-shaped tips made of either carbide or diamond, and are available from any home improvement retailer. Load a 0.125 in (0.32 cm) diameter bit into your power drill to start out with, even if you intend to make a larger diameter hole. Starting with a small pilot hole reduces the chances of breaking the glass. Most battery-powered or plug-in home power drills are suited to this task, so long as they have a variable speed setting that goes below 400 RPM (revolutions per minute). Consult the product guide to confirm the slow-speed RPM setting for your drill. Put padding on the table if you're cutting through flat glass. The best way to cut a flat piece of glass is to put it on a flat table—but make sure to put some padding between them! A thick towel or old blanket are good options, but a sheet of small-cell bubble wrap will also do the job. If you're using a tabletop that you want to protect, lay down a sheet of particle board or plywood under the padding. That way, you won't accidentally drill into the tabletop! Create a padded "nest" in a bowl if you're cutting curved glass. Drilling a hole in a bottle (or other piece of curved glass) is essentially the same as drilling through flat glass—with this one exception. Instead of laying it flat on flat padding, nestle it into a bowl like a baby in a basket. Surround it with padding so it's snug in place at roughly a 45-degree angle to the tabletop the bowl is resting on. Secure masking tape or thin cardboard over the spot you want to drill. For the quicker option, create an X-shape with 2 strips of masking tape. For greater protection against glass breakage, cut a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) square of thin cardboard (such as from a tissue box or cereal box) and tape it over your intended drilling spot with masking tape. In either case, use a marker to create a small X right where you want to put the tip of the drill bit. Using tape or cardboard reduces the chance that the glass will immediately crack on the surface when you begin to drill. It also makes it less likely that the drill bit will “skip” or “walk” over the surface of the glass when you start up the drill. Apply water to the area to keep it cool throughout the drilling process. If you don't keep the glass cool while drilling, it will heat up due to friction and become more likely to crack. While you can use oil or lubricant as a coolant, water works quite well. Use one of the following methods—the first is probably the easiest: Fill a plastic spray bottle with cool water from the faucet. Give the area you just marked off several good sprays to wet it down. Once you start drilling, re-spray the area frequently—likely every 5-10 seconds—so it remains damp and cool. Fill a large plastic soda or milk bottle with water, then poke a hole in the side of it near the bottom. Aim it so that a thin stream of water falls on the cutting area continuously. Form a donut-shaped ring of plumber's putty and use it to make a “well” around the cutting area. Keep it filled with about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) of water throughout the process. Touch the tip of the bit to the drilling point at a 90-degree angle. For a flat piece of glass resting on a flat table, the drill bit should be completely vertical. Place your (gloved) free hand flat down on the glass, using mild, even pressure, to keep the glass in place. Make sure your free hand is about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) from the drilling point. For a glass bottle that's nestled at a 45-degree angle, make sure the drill is positioned perpendicular (90 degrees) to the bottle's surface—not to the surface of the table. Use your free hand for support while keeping it 4–6 in (10–15 cm) from the drilling point. Run the drill at under 400 RPM while pressing down very lightly. Start the drill at its absolute lowest speed in 2 or 3 short pulses, just until you cut through the cardboard or tape and make contact with the glass. Make 2-3 more pulses at the absolute lowest speed until you just start to etch the glass, then run the drill at an ever-so-slightly higher speed for about 5 seconds. Don't forget about keeping the area cool, here and throughout the drilling process! If you're using a spray bottle with water, give the area a spray every 5-10 seconds. Remove the tape or cardboard after you make a “dimple” in the glass. Once you've drilled through the tape or cardboard and have just started to cut into the glass, stop for a moment and remove the covering material. Take a quick look at the glass and confirm that you have made a tiny “dimple” in it. If you're using a spray bottle of water, give the area another good spray before continuing. If you see any cracks in the glass around the dimple, stop the drilling process. The glass will almost certainly break if you continue. Run the drill at 400 RPM until you make a hole through the glass. Set the drill bit into the dimple, start the drill at its absolute lowest speed, and slowly ramp it up to 400 RPM. Maintain this speed until you feel the bit fully puncture the glass. Once it does, lift the drill straight up and out of the way. If you're using running water or a water “well,” keep drilling continuously at 400 RPM until you're through the glass. If you have to spray on more water every 5-10 seconds, stop the drill, lift it away, spray on the water, return the drill, and slowly ramp it back up to 400 RPM. Your drill probably doesn't have a readout that tells you it's running at 400 RPM. Instead, use your ear! If, for example, your drill runs at up to 1000 RPM, squeeze the trigger until the drill sounds like it's running at nearly half of its maximum speed. Switch to a bigger drill bit and use it to enlarge the hold as desired. If you started with a 0.125 in (0.32 cm) diameter bit and don't need a larger hole, skip ahead! Otherwise, switch to a larger glass/tile drill bit that's no more than 0.25 in (0.64 cm) greater in diameter—for example, go from a 0.125 in (0.32 cm) to a 0.375 in (0.95 cm) bit. Once you've switched to the larger bit, follow the exact same process as before in order to enlarge the hole. Make sure to keep adding water! If the hole still isn't large enough, switch to another bigger bit, once again not increasing by more than 0.25 in (0.64 cm) in diameter. Smooth the hole with a diamond file and rinse away any glass powder. Once the hole is complete and to the size of your liking, take another quick look for cracks. If it checks out, pick up a diamond file and carefully scrape away any rough edges around the perimeter of the hole. If you're working on a flat sheet of glass, carefully lift it up and file the back side as well. Use running water to rinse away any remaining glass powder. If you plan to run a string through the hole—in order to hang a small mirror, for example—buy a rubber grommet from the hardware store and press it into the hole. The flexible, donut-shaped grommet, which can be size-matched to the drill hole, will reduce wear-and-tear on the string. | Take safety seriously by putting on appropriate protective gear. Inspect the glass for damage and confirm it isn’t tempered glass. Load a small drill bit made for glass and tile into a variable-speed power drill. Put padding on the table if you're cutting through flat glass. Create a padded "nest" in a bowl if you're cutting curved glass. Secure masking tape or thin cardboard over the spot you want to drill. Apply water to the area to keep it cool throughout the drilling process. Touch the tip of the bit to the drilling point at a 90-degree angle. Run the drill at under 400 RPM while pressing down very lightly. Remove the tape or cardboard after you make a “dimple” in the glass. Run the drill at 400 RPM until you make a hole through the glass. Switch to a bigger drill bit and use it to enlarge the hold as desired. Smooth the hole with a diamond file and rinse away any glass powder. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Girl-to-Fall-in-Love-with-You | How to Get a Girl to Fall in Love with You | To encourage a girl to fall in love with you, make friendly eye contact, smile, and move closer in a natural way when you're hanging out. Ask her open-ended questions, like “What would your perfect day be like?” Listen to her answers and join her in her favorite activities to show her that you care. Take care of yourself by dressing in well-fitting clothes, following your own passions, and showing her your kindness and intelligence. Remember to give her space and show her that you love her for exactly who she is. | Learn how physical attraction works. Underlying all the emotion, thoughts, and hopes about love is our basic biochemistry. We are hard-wired to love! Attraction is based in brain chemistry. A group of neurotransmitters called monoamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) creates the feeling we experience as attraction. Dopamine is one of your brain's “feel-good” chemicals (it's where the term “dope” comes from). It's also involved in your brain's motivation and reward systems. When you meet someone you're attracted to, dopamine starts sending feel-good chemical “rewards” to your system. Norepinephrine, sometimes known as noradrenaline (but not the same thing as adrenalin), delivers messages to your central nervous system. Norepinephrine is responsible for your ability to “block out” information that isn't as interesting as the smart partner in front of you. Serotonin regulates a lot of functions in your body, including sexual behavior and body temperature. When you are very attracted to someone, serotonin decreases your body temperature, which makes your skin slightly more able to conduct electricity. This is the reason that love can literally make your skin tingle. In fact, experts say that attraction stimulates the same chemicals in the brain that addiction does, such as dopamine and oxytocin. If a girl isn't attracted to you, it's nothing to do with you: it's all down to the chemicals in each person's brain. A researcher at Rutgers University suggests that it takes less than one second for the brain to decide whether it considers someone to be attractive or not. You may be able to overcome or cope with this split-second first impression, or you may not. If not, don't take it personally: people are not able to manage spontaneous impulses and what is judged may not have anything to do negatively with you. For instance, some women are drawn to men which are high risk-takers, some are more attracted to those who seem more cautious. There is nothing wrong with being either. Understanding how attraction works may seem to take some of the mystery and magic from this human emotion. However, what it does make clear is that love and attraction is a fundamental part of how we are hard-wired. And it is on a level that is not heavily rational. And sometimes the chemistry literally is right or wrong. Take care of yourself. Women are generally attracted to people who demonstrate that they are able to care for themselves. This includes good grooming and an overall healthy look. Keeping your body feeling and looking strong and healthy, is a big evolutionary sign of your “reproductive fitness” — basically, a sign that your genes are strong and healthy too. Keeping yourself well-groomed and healthy suggests self-confidence and a healthy respect for yourself, which most people find attractive. This does not mean you have to go overboard and become a marathoner or a bodybuilder. You may, however, want to consider join a gym or an ultimate Frisbee team to feel healthy and more confident about yourself, and thus be more attractive. Be the best version of yourself and be true to yourself, and remember that you do not have to be the best looking to be good looking. Groom yourself for success. Your physical appearance and presence is the biggest first impression. It is also usually the strongest. You can have a great online profile and interaction, but if you finally meet the girl in real life and you reek of body odor and wear unflattering clothing, that will make a stronger impression than any online chat room. Control odors. Generally, women are put off by strong and unpleasant body odors. Someone who does not bathe regularly, does not use antiperspirant, or wears clothes that stink will be unsuccessful. Take care of your body. It is entirely possible to find love if one is imperfect: obese, have eczema, balding...whatever. However, doing your best to maximize your appearance will both directly look more attractive and make you feel more confident. Wear attractive clothing. Every society has a sense of what sort of clothing is attractive, and puts forth social signals of virility, confidence, and masculinity. If your clothing is unattractive, off-putting, or really odd, that sends a signal that there may be something wrong with the wearer. Consider body language signals. Body language can be either conscious (like winking at someone) or subconscious (like your lips reddening or pupils dilating). People convey a variety of messages through body language, including the language of attraction. Most body language signs relevant to physical attraction communicate a few basic messages: I am available: Lack of a likely partner, and looks confident and emotionally balanced. I am interested: When a person says hi, a friendly and possibly flirty conversation strikes up. I am harmless: There is no aggressive or "strange" behavior. I am fertile: An overall healthy, youthful, energetic appearance. I am approachable: Body language appears to be open and relaxed. Look for open body language. Body language cues that say “I'm available” and “I'm approachable” suggest that the other person is in a state of mind that is receptive to your advances. Look for things such as: Smiling Making eye contact with you Looking up (instead of staying absorbed with a phone, etc.) Standing or sitting with the arms and legs relaxed and uncrossed Keeping her feet pointed toward you if you're having a conversation Glancing at you from a distance, looking away for a time, then looking at you--not staring. Look for signs of attraction. Some body language is unconscious and happens when we are attracted to someone. Others are more conscious behaviors. Looking for these cues can help you figure out if your tender feeling for the girl is reciprocal. Flushed or reddened cheeks Reddened lips or lips that appear to get plumper Dilated pupils The person moves a “block” from out of your way--such as shifting a bag that had been in between you. A suddenly racing heart or more rapid breathing Licking her lips Subtly echoing your body language. For instance, if you shift your weight from one side to the other, she does something similar a few moments later. Momentary touches. For example, light, brief touch on your arm, wrist, or knee. Remember: none of these behaviors will definitively mean she is attracted to you. While they are good signs, do not jump to conclusions. The girl with rosy cheeks and dilated pupils who moves her purse for you on the bus may just be a courteous and easily flushed girl who just came back from the eye doctor! Never assume her sexuality. In other words, do not work on the assumption that she automatically sees you as a romantic partner. You may come off as rude, arrogant, swarmy, and pushy. Confidence is fine, and flirting is fine, but aggressive "come ons" will likely be met with turned off females. Pay attention to the way she is smiling. A genuine smile from a woman may be a signal that she wants to make herself more attractive to you. (It may also just be a sign that she's friendly, so make sure to check out her other body language cues as well.) Watch to see what facial muscles she uses when she smiles to get a sense of whether it's real or not. Genuine smiles, also called duchenne smiles, use the muscles around the eyes as well as the mouth. Fake smiles usually only move the muscles around the mouth, and these smiles may look tight or empty. There's a reason Tyra Banks is always telling models to “smile with your eyes.” Signal your own attraction. Once you've determined whether you have a shot or not, you can do a few things with your own body language to tell the girl you're interested in her. Make eye contact with her and smile. Get a little closer to her. Maybe move to a closer table in the coffee shop, or go grab a napkin while she is at the condiment station. This can help her pick up on your pheromones, which help signal attraction. Tilt your head if you are talking to her or looking at her. Head-tilting is a sign of interest. Try an opening gambit. Also known as a “pickup line,” an opening gambit is how you initiate a conversation. Despite the general creepiness of the pickup artist community, you don't have to be a 'creepster' to use an opening gambit. Studies suggest that there are three types: The direct opener. These are honest and get straight to the point, like “I think you're really cute” or “I'm kind of shy, but I'd love to chat with you.” In general, men tend to prefer to receive these openers when others initiate conversations with them. The innocuous opener. These get a conversation going but don't go straight for a target, like “What do you think of this place?” or “Do you come here often?” In general, women tend to prefer these openers when others initiate conversations with them. The cute/flippant opener. These involve humor, but are often cheesy or even nasty, such as “Do you like your eggs scrambled or fertilized?” Sometimes these work to "break the ice" but you also risk coming off as sleazy, desperate, or weird. Both men and women in general rank these as the least attractive option. If you're looking to strike up a conversation with a girl, your best bet is to use an innocuous opener. Studies have also shown that honest and supportive gambits more often result in long-term relationships, whereas strategies that use manipulation or dishonesty (like the cute/flippant gambit) result in short-term relationships. Try a gentle touch if you sense that she is inviting you. Touching is a great way to signal physical attraction. If you have been talking for a while and the girl seems interested in you, you can try a light brush of her arm or touch her hand. Do not touch a girl unless she is giving you strong signals that she is into you. Even then, proceed with caution. It is usually a good idea to wait until she has initiated some type of touch. If the girl responds negatively to your touch, apologize, and do not try again for a while. Showing her respect and giving her space may well gain her good graces. Being overly aggressive will not. Make sure your physical touches are culturally-appropriate. What is acceptable in Colorado may not be in Morocco. Also, what is considered fine at a public university in Toronto may not be for a very conservative Christian school in Oklahoma. If you're unsure at all, ask for physical touching! For instance, holding out your hand to give it a friendly shake. Or asking, "May I give you a hug?" or, "Would you like some help putting sunscreen on your back?" This allows for physical touching in a way that respects her boundaries, and being straightforward about it. Do not get fixated on touching the girl. You do not have to physically touch a girl in the early stages of flirting. Trying too hard, or putting undue pressure to touch can backfire severely and make you come off as "creepy". The moment for a touch will often "just happen". If the connection and attraction is there, often a moment will simply organically happen. The two of you reach for the same tater tot at the cafeteria, or she puts her hand on yours at the movies, or something along those lines. Live your life. Who wants to get into a serious relationship with someone who just sits around all day? If you want her to fall in love with you, get out there and do things that make you interesting and confident. Go out and do the things that make you happy, fill your life with learning and exploration, and pursue your dreams. People often are more interested in others who appear to live full, happy lives on their own. Have you always wanted to make your own video game ? It is possible to do that! Write a book ? Go get 'em, tiger! Become a master spelunker ? You can do it! Follow your dreams and you'll find that girls are attracted to your passion and determination. Maintaining your own interests after getting into a relationship will also help keep you from becoming “codependent.” Codependent relationships happen when one or both partners feel like they can't be complete or happy without the other person. They're unhealthy, and you can avoid this model by staying true to yourself. This will attract people who are true to themselves, too. Show her your lovable qualities. People don't just decide with whom they want to fall in love. Love happens because the people involved have lovable qualities. Love often develops over time, so your job is to show the girl that you're worth being around. Let your personality shine through, and give her the chance to see who you really are and what you have to offer. It turns out that people often find traits such as humor, kindness, and honesty make you more physically attractive! Other qualities that can affect how people perceive your attractiveness include respectfulness, honesty, hard work, and intelligence. Studies also suggest that women are more likely to value personality and social traits such as kindness and intelligence over physical traits. Be funny. Get a sense of humor. It's no secret that girls love others who can crack a joke or be funny — in fact, it's science! Practice jokes on your friends every so often, and learn the jokes that work and the ones that don't work. When you're alone with a girl, telling a joke can be a great way to break the tension. Remember: if you're not good at jokes, you can still have a good sense of humor — you just have to love laughing and being around people who are funny. Being a good audience is as important as being funny yourself. Bitter or sarcastic humor isn't a great idea. Try positive, even slightly self-deprecating humor. For example, if you're at a coffee shop together, you might say something like “I hear there are two types of people: coffee people and sad people. What do you think?” Be playful. One of the most important things both girls and guys look for in a partner is playfulness. So you want to be playful because she probably thinks that playfulness is attractive. How can you be playful? Make a boring routine, like studying, interesting and funny by turning your math problem into a song, for example. Don't take things too seriously. And most importantly, be able to laugh at yourself. Being able to love fun, hang loose, and even poke fun at yourself suggests to girls that you aren't uptight or aggressive. It also puts everyone around you at ease, making it more pleasant to hang out with you. Have confidence. To be genuinely lovable, you have to believe that you are worth being around. Most girls aren't attracted to people who are constantly putting themselves down. So be confident, but not cocky. Know what you are good at. Don't brag about it or show off, but put these things into your routine and don't be afraid to let them shine every once in a while. The difference between real confidence and cockiness is in how you think about yourself. True self-confidence means you know who you are, and you're comfortable and happy with that. Cockiness often stems from a need to compete with or put down others to make yourself feel confident. Truly confident guys and girls don't need to belittle anyone or be a jerk to show that they know they're cool. If you do feel the need to take a jab at yourself, make sure you present it as a joke. Laugh at the mistakes you make and the stupid things you do, as well as the things you don't like about yourself. "Seriously, you DO NOT want me to ask you to dance. I'm a terrible dancer. Danger to myself and others. It's best for everyone." Get to know her. Getting to know her is more than just memorizing her birthday and birthplace. Spend time with her, build trust, and come to appreciate the things about her that she doesn't often show. Learn about her fear of water (and why she's afraid) or learn about her most embarrassing moment (and help her laugh it off). Understand how she thinks and what she believes. This will help you love her as a complete person, and she will appreciate that more than you can understand. One good way to start is by asking her an open-ended question. For example, social psychologist Arthur Aron has made headlines with his list of 36 questions to foster intimacy between people. They're creative and open-ended, and they ask about more interesting things than her favorite movie. For example, you could try asking “Would you like to be famous? In what way?” or “What would constitute a perfect day for you?” This will not only give you the chance to get to know her better, but it will also show her that you think she's smart and her opinions are worthwhile. Find out what she likes to do. Then do those things with her. Doing something that you know she likes has the added advantages that she feels comfortable and safe doing it. If she's comfortable when you're out on a date, she's more likely to get close to you, hold your hand, or even kiss you. Whether she likes surfing , horseback riding , shopping , or baking , it's a good idea to try to involve her in what she likes doing best. Ask her friend what she enjoys doing in her free time, or ask her yourself if you're feeling brave. (Fortune favors you.) That way, she'll know that you've taken the time to find out what makes her tick, and that you're ready to go that extra mile to make sure she's happy. Take her out on great dates. Bonding over something she likes doesn't need to be a date, but if you want love to blossom, you're going to have to ask her on a date at some point. When you're ready to take that step, try someplace familiar like the movies, a coffee shop, or a dance. Maybe try taking her to an amusement park or a haunted house; studies suggest that excitement or a sense of danger on a date helps release a chemical in the brain that bonds the two people together. Be strategic about whether you call it a "date." Generally, if you've already won the girl over, you want to make it clear that you're going on a date to make sure you're both on the same page. But if you haven't won the girl over yet, it's probably best to slow-play the courtship, and win her over as a friend before you move on to the romantic relationship. Sometimes, the girl will resist a romantic relationship if she's not sure about whether you're good friends. Be clear. You probably don't want to ask her to be your girlfriend the first time you meet her, or even the first few times you go out on a date. However, at some point you will need to tip your hand and declare your interest in her as romantic. If you wait too long, you run the risk of her considering you only as a friend. Ambiguity isn't your friend. You can also be clear when it comes to signalling your continuing interest. For example, if you had a great time, don't end your conversation on a wishy-washy note. Say something like, “I had a wonderful time tonight. Would it be okay if I called you tomorrow?” Avoid selling yourself too hard in the beginning. Sometimes it's tempting to tell a girl you're into everything about yourself to show what a great catch you are, or how much you like her. This isn't a great idea for two reasons: First, it means you're talking a lot about yourself, which means you are spending less time listening to her. Second, it means you may be talking about things too soon. The first few dates aren't the time to trash your boss or talk about how much your ex sucked. This type of self-revelation can actually make you look bitter, indiscreet, or like you don't have a good sense of personal boundaries. You don't have to remain a person of mystery, but start with your likes and dislikes and allow your conversations to grow organically. If she's interested in you, she'll ask you questions about yourself. Just be sure to keep a good balance between your sharing and hers. Give her space. This doesn't mean playing hard-to-get, but give the girl control over what happens next. Suffocating her and bullying her into a relationship will do the opposite of what you're hoping for. Show her you respect her life outside of you; when you give a girl room to breathe, she will often come to love you on her own terms. When you give her space, avoid being too distant. Keep calling her regularly and showing her that you're interested. If you're shy, don't give her too much space or she'll think you're not interested. You're going to have to come out of your shell a little bit if you want to get her attention. If you've just gone on a date with her, and everything has gone really well, tell her you'll call her before the weekend is up if it's Friday. Let her do her own thing on Saturday, and then give her a call on Sunday and tell her you had a really good time and you'd like to do something soon, perhaps next weekend. This would be a great time to ask her out to any parties or dances that are happening. Giving her space is all about showing her how confident you are. What you're basically saying is "I had a great time with you, and I like you, but I'm not going to come on super strong because I'm not desperate." Girls and guys are both attracted to people who are cool and calm, who don't jump the gun, and who aren't desperate. Do not judge her. Every woman is her own person, with her own qualities, just like you are. Be very careful that you do not get into a frame of mind in which you come to negative conclusions about her. She is not a new car, in which you can pick and choose options as you please. You have to decide if that quirk, personality, or other thing about her is something you can handle, or not--but not try to change her into something you want. If you decide you can live with whatever quirks she has, stick to that decision. Don't try to change her. Don't criticize or nitpick her for her quirks. Accept her as she is. Her personality doesn't make her a bad person. Even if you decide that something is a deal-breaker, there's no need to be mean to her about it. Avoid expecting her to change. In fact, if you can eliminate most of your “expectations” about her, you will probably be happier in your relationship. We often expect unreasonable things from other people that can make us feel anxious and unhappy when we don't get them. Now, this doesn't mean you shouldn't have certain expectations or that you let yourself be mistreated. It's perfectly okay to expect a person to show up when s/he says s/he will (unless something unavoidable happens), to treat you with kindness and respect, and to show compassion and kindness to others. However, if you expect your girl to read your mind about your needs, you will probably be disappointed because no one is a mind-reader. Furthermore, people's personalities tend to be pretty set. If your girl always seems to be running late and you've talked to her about it bothering you but nothing's changed, chances are this problem may not go away. You can decide that it's too big for you to deal with, or you can decide to let her be her (late and all), but you can't expect her to change. Open your eyes to the possibilities. Don't get too hung up on getting one particular girl to fall in love with you, and don't try to "force" love on a girl who just isn't feeling it! Desperation is never attractive. Get to know more girls and give love more opportunities to blossom. Go to school socials and functions. Don't be afraid to go to a different school's social if a friend invites you. You never know when you might meet that special someone who'll knock the wind out of your lungs. Sometimes, when you stop looking for love, it hits you right in the face. The universe works in weird ways. Especially if you've tried really hard recently, or you think you've just run out of energy, don't be afraid to pull back from the fray. It sounds counter-intuitive, and it's frustrating to do, but it works: when you stop trying, girls tend to find you. Be adventurous for her. Maybe the girls you know all have boyfriends, or maybe you aren't interested in your friends. Plenty of people these days are finding love outside of their immediate circles. If you're old enough, try Internet dating. If you're interested in extracurriculars, get involved on a wider basis so that you could potentially travel. When looking for that girl of your dreams, it helps to keep an open mind and try as many different adventures as life throws at you. Respect her thoughts, feelings and emotions. Try to see things from her point of view. Show her you appreciate her opinions, even if you disagree with them. It helps to ask her about these things, rather than making assumptions. When she talks to you about her thoughts or feelings, listen. If you're having trouble seeing things from her point of view, use “I”-statements to ask her to explain: “I really want to understand where you're coming from, but I'm just not getting it. Could you explain what you're feeling right now?” Be honest and genuine with yourself and with her, always. Honesty builds trust , but once the trust is broken, it never returns. From that moment on, your words will be suspect. Be yourself, and be honest. Show genuine intentions. Be honest and open about your plans, wants and desires. If she is not OK with these, you have, at least, established a starting point which can then be adjusted in order that you come to know each other more closely. There's a difference between being open and honest and being manipulated. For example, you don't have to show someone your texts or emails to “prove” that you're trustworthy. You don't have to report on where you are at every minute of every day. This is intrusive behavior that doesn't belong in healthy relationships. Be willing to listen and communicate. The most important aspect is to learn to listen patiently and actively. The understanding that you gain will help to communicate in a caring and helpful way. In a healthy relationship, both people feel acknowledged and respected. Listen to what she says. Don't work out what you're going to say in response while she's still talking. Ask her to clarify anything you don't understand by saying something like, “I'm not sure I understood you correctly. I heard _____. Is that what you meant?” These kinds of clarifications will also help prevent misunderstanding and hurt feelings. Avoid passive aggression. Passive aggression happens when your girlfriend asks you if something's wrong and you say, “No, why would anything be wrong?” when you're actually really upset. It's a way to express anger or hurt without confronting it directly, and it can destroy relationship communication. Talk about your feelings openly and honestly, but stay respectful. Use “I”-statements, such as “I feel hurt that you didn't call me on Tuesday when you said you would,” rather than “You forgot to call me and you hurt my feelings.” “You”-statements can make people feel defensive and shut down. Communication isn't a one-way street. You should also feel like she listens to you and acknowledges your needs, too. Accept her individuality. Work to understand what make her unique. Actively celebrate her uniqueness and work to promote and enable her to pursue and develop the core activities which bring her happiness and satisfaction. It's great if you can find something you both love doing to pursue together. Occasionally, one or the other of you will have to compromise. For example, you may want to see an action movie while she wants to see the latest Pixar (or vice versa). Take turns giving the other person space to pursue what makes them happy. Help her achieve her dreams. Much like giving her space, you should help her do the things that she wants to do for herself. This will usually mean letting her spend time working on the things that she wants to work on, like school or a skill, or doing those things with her. When she sees that you are someone who supports her in the things she wants for her life, she'll know that you're exactly what she needs. Show dedication and commitment. Be there for her always, as a friend and a confidant. Forgive her weaknesses quickly and work to fortify the best in her. Similarly, be open to her making you into the best person you can be. Committed love is a partnership, where you both bring out the best in each other. Hold yourself to that standard, as you get her to fall for you and beyond. Understand that she has no obligation to fall in love with you. People talk about "friendzoning" when a person does not reciprocate the affection another feels. But remember that you can do and be everything right, and that does not mean that she will fall in love with you. She is an individual with free will, not an object to be won in a video game. | Learn how physical attraction works. Take care of yourself. Groom yourself for success. Consider body language signals. Look for open body language. Look for signs of attraction. Pay attention to the way she is smiling. Signal your own attraction. Try an opening gambit. Try a gentle touch if you sense that she is inviting you. Live your life. Show her your lovable qualities. Be funny. Be playful. Have confidence. Get to know her. Find out what she likes to do. Take her out on great dates. Be clear. Avoid selling yourself too hard in the beginning. Give her space. Do not judge her. Avoid expecting her to change. Open your eyes to the possibilities. Respect her thoughts, feelings and emotions. Be honest and genuine with yourself and with her, always. Be willing to listen and communicate. Accept her individuality. Help her achieve her dreams. Show dedication and commitment. Understand that she has no obligation to fall in love with you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Back-Your-Eyelashes-After-They-Fall-Out | How to Grow Back Your Eyelashes After They Fall Out | While you can't make your eyelashes grow back faster after they've fallen out, there are things you can do to keep them healthy as they grow back in and prevent more of them from falling out. If you're unsure why your eyelashes fell out, you may want to avoid wearing makeup around your eyes, since some people can be allergic to certain products and makeup can introduce bacteria that causes eyelash loss. Make sure you wash your face every day with a gentle cleanser to keep bacteria away from your lashes. Try to keep your hands away from your face, since this can spread bacteria to your eyelashes. You should also eat a healthy, balanced diet so you're getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need for healthy hair growth. | Expect normal growth. There is very little you can actually do to make your eyelashes grow faster. Your best bet will be to simply keep the eyelashes from falling back out again, which means your focus should be on prevention and maintenance. Expect that it will take awhile for your lashes to grow back in and that in the mean time, you will need to work to maintain that growth. Avoid wearing makeup. If you know the cause of your eyelash loss was from something like chemo or hormone problems, don't worry about this. However, if your loss was unexplained, you will want to avoid wearing makeup around your eyes. There are two reasons for this. The first is that makeup does expire after awhile and the bacteria it grows can cause your eyelash loss. Another reason is that some people are allergic to the ingredients in makeup and this make have aggravated your skin enough to cause the hair loss. Wash it off every night if you do wear makeup. This will keep it from irritating your skin and lashes any more than necessary. Wash your face regularly. Eyelash loss is often caused by an overgrowth of bacteria around the eyelids and face. Wash your face every day with gentle soaps designed for the face in order to keep bacteria under control. You also don't want your skin to dry out, since the micro cracks that can form can cause even more infections. Eat a healthy diet. If you are eating a particularly limited diet, this can have an effect on hair growth and health. Not getting enough vitamin D , vitamin A , and complete protein can cause or worsen hair loss. Eat a well balanced diet with a wide range of foods in order to make sure that your body has what it needs to make healthy hair. Foods rich in these nutrients include fortified cereals, milk, carrots, kale, fish, and nuts. Let your natural shape come in. Overusing or incorrectly using an eyelash curler can accidentally pull out your eyelashes, especially if the hair is already weak. Don't use your eyelash curler for awhile and see if this helps keep your eyelashes in place. Keep your hands away from your face. There is a sea of bacteria on your hands and when you touch your face (to scratch, pick, wipe, etc), you're introducing this bacteria to your skin. Your eyes are very sensitive to bacteria and can easily become infected. By keeping your hands away, you'll help ensure that your eyes (and thus your eyelashes) can stay healthy. If you find that you have trouble breaking this habit, try keeping a piece of tape towards the end of your main fingers. This will make you more aware of when you're doing it and help you to break the habit. Find other ways to keep your hands occupied, such as playing with a rubber band on your wrist. Make sure makeup isn't causing your problem. Before using makeup and other products to cover your lash loss, make sure that these products are not causing your lash loss to begin with. Talk to your doctor or experiment by not using any makeup for several weeks and then slowly introducing one type of makeup at a time, with about a week's worth of use for each product before moving on to another. Use eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner, applied thickly and right at the lash line, can make it look like you have lashes when you do not or when you only have very little. Try to use a color that compliments your natural coloring. For example, black will look best with dark coloring, where brown will look best if you have light-colored hair. Use mascara. If you have some lashes, you can use mascara to make the lashes you have look thicker and longer. Try to use a conditioning mascara to keep your lashes as healthy as possible. You can even add extra volume by applying baby powder between coats of mascara. Apply false lashes. If you don't have lashes you can add to, try using false eyelashes. These are cheap and readily available at drug and beauty stores. All you need to do is apply the lash glue (which may be included) and then place the eyelashes with a pair of tweezers. You can even use false eyelashes if you have some eyelashes already. This is particularly useful if you lost eyelashes in just one small spot. Cut just a piece of the false eyelash and glue it where needed. Draw attention to the other parts of your face. Use makeup and makeup techniques that draw attention to other parts of your face. This will draw attention away from your eyes and toward your other features. For example, you can wear really bright lipstick to draw attention to your mouth instead. Another option is to use blunt bangs right at the level of your eyes. The bushy hair around your eyes will make it appear that you have more lash than you do. You can use props too. Try wear bright, thick framed glasses to distract from your eyes on the other side of the frame, or a bold necklace to draw attention down to your chest. Keep your face clean. One of the common causes of eyelash problems is an infection called blepharitis. This is an overgrowth of bacteria on the face and can have many causes, from poor hygiene to parasites. The best thing that you can do to prevent this problem is to wash your face regularly. If your face is exposed to bacteria, such as if an animal licks your face or you wipe your face while preparing food, wash your face immediately. Do not pull your eyelashes. There is a relatively common disorder, similar to OCD, in which people feel compelled to pull their own hair. For most sufferers that means pulling the hair on their head, but some also pull their eyelashes or eyebrows. This disorder is called "trichotillomania". If you think you might have this, talk to a therapist. There are medications and behavioral tricks which can help you stop and feel more relaxed. Even if you don't think you have this disorder, it's best not to pull your own hairs out for any reason. If you find you can't stop, reconsider if you have trich. Get tested for thyroid and hormone problems. Sometimes loss of eyelashes can be the result of physical problems far below the skin's surface. You might be affected by thyroid or hormone problems that limit or inhibit hair growth. Usually, you will see hair loss in other areas of your body as well, but it isn't guaranteed. If you are young, you might have a serious health condition that is causing problems with your hormones. However, if you are older, above your 40s or 50s, this is probably normal. Even for normal hair loss, however, there are medications you can take so talk to your doctor. Look for hair loss elsewhere. If you have hair loss only on your lashes, you probably have an infection. However, if you notice patches of hair loss elsewhere on your body (especially at the sides of your head), you may have a condition called alopecia. This is a relatively common disorder and causes hair loss all over the body. Talk to your doctor about treatments that might be right for you. Talk to your doctor. If this problem is ongoing or reoccurring, you should absolutely talk to your doctor. Some eyelash loss is normal but excessive loss of lashes is usually a sign of other health problems. Some health problems can be very serious, such as problems with your thyroid. Because of this, it's best to talk to a doctor if the problem returns or goes on for a long time. | Expect normal growth. Avoid wearing makeup. Wash your face regularly. Eat a healthy diet. Let your natural shape come in. Keep your hands away from your face. Make sure makeup isn't causing your problem. Use eyeliner. Use mascara. Apply false lashes. Draw attention to the other parts of your face. Keep your face clean. Do not pull your eyelashes. Get tested for thyroid and hormone problems. Look for hair loss elsewhere. Talk to your doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Think-Positively | How to Think Positively | If you'd like to think more positively, try replacing negative thoughts like, "I'll probably fail this test,” with positive ones, like, “I'm going to prepare and do the best I can.” You should also avoid jumping to conclusions, like assuming your coworker is upset with you because they didn't smile at you when you said hi. Additionally, surround yourself with positive influences, like upbeat music and positive people, and limit your exposure to negative things, such as people who sap your energy. | Take responsibility for your attitude. You are solely responsible for your thoughts, and your outlook on life is a choice. If you tend to think negatively, you are choosing to think that way. With practice, you can choose to have a more positive outlook. Understand the benefits of being a positive thinker. Choosing to think more positively will not only help you take control of your life and make your everyday experiences more pleasant, but it can also benefit your mental and physical health as well as your ability to deal with change. Being aware of these benefits can help you be even more motivated to think positively on a regular basis. Here are some benefits of positive thinking: An increased life span Lower rates of depression and distress Greater resistance to the common cold Better mental and physical well-being Better coping skills during times of stress A more natural ability to form relationships and cement bonds Keep a diary to reflect your thoughts. Recording your thoughts can enable you to step back and evaluate patterns in your thinking. Write down your thoughts and feelings and try to spot any triggers that lead to either positive or negative thoughts. Taking just twenty minutes to follow your pattern of thinking at the end of every day can be a valuable way to identify your negative thoughts and make a plan to change them to positive thoughts. Your journal can take on any form that you like. If you don't care to write long-winded reflective paragraphs, you can just make a list of the five most prevalent negative thoughts and positive thoughts you had that day. Be sure to give yourself the time and opportunity to evaluate and reflect on the information in the journal. If you write every day, you may want to reflect at the end of every week. Identify your automatic negative thoughts. In order to shift away from the negative thinking that is holding you back from having a positive outlook, you'll need to become more aware of your "automatic negative thoughts". When you recognize them, you're in a position to challenge them and give them their marching orders to move right out of your head. An example of an automatic negative thought is, upon hearing that you have an upcoming test, you think, “I'll probably fail it.” The thought is automatic because it's your initial reaction to hearing about the test. Challenge your negative thoughts. Even if you have spent most of your life thinking negatively, you don't have to continue being negative. Whenever you have a negative thought, particularly an automatic negative thought, stop and evaluate whether the thought is true or accurate. One way to challenge negative thoughts is to be objective. Write down the negative thought and think about how you would respond if someone else said the thought to you. It's likely that you could offer an objective rebuttal to someone else's negativity, even if you find it difficult to do for yourself. For example, you may have the negative thought, “I always fail tests.” It is unlikely that you would still be in school if you always fail tests. Go back through your files or grades and find tests that you received a passing grade on; these challenge the negative thought. You may even find that you have tests that you passed with As and Bs, which would further confirm that your negativity is exaggerated. Replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Once you're feeling confident that you can spot and challenge negative thoughts, you're ready to make active choices about replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. This doesn't mean that everything in your life will always be positive; it's normal to have a variety of emotions. However, you can work to replacing the daily unhelpful thinking patterns with thoughts that help you to flourish. For example, if you have the thought, “I will probably fail the test,” stop yourself. You've already identified the thought as negative and evaluated its accuracy. Now try replacing it with a positive thought. A positive thought doesn't have to be blindly optimistic, such as “I will definitely get a 100 on the test, even if I don't study.” It can be something as simple as, “I am going to take time to study and prepare so I do as well on the test as I can.” Use the power of questions. When you ask your brain a question, it tends to find the answer for you. If you ask yourself, "Why is life so terrible?" your brain will try to answer your question. The same is true if you ask yourself, "How did I get to be so lucky?". Ask yourself questions which draw your focus onto positive thoughts. Minimize external influences that stimulate your negativity. You may find that certain kinds of music or violent video games or movies influence your overall attitude. Try minimizing your exposure to stressful or violent stimuli and spend more time listening to calming music or reading. Music benefits your mind really well and books on positive thinking can provide good tips for being a happier person. Avoid "black-and-white thinking. " In this type of thinking, also known as “polarizing,” everything you encounter either is or it isn't ; there are no shades of gray. This can lead people to feel as though they have to do something perfectly or not at all. To avoid this type of thinking, embrace the shades of gray in life. Instead of thinking in terms of two outcomes (one positive and one negative), make a list of all of the outcomes in between to see that things aren't as dire as they seem. For example, if you have a test coming up and don't feel comfortable with the subject matter, you may be tempted to not take the test or to not study for it at all, so if you fail, it's because you didn't even try. However, this is ignoring the fact that you're likely to do better if you spend more time preparing for the test. You should also avoid thinking that the only outcomes of your test-taking are an A or an F. There is a lot of “gray area” between the A and the F. Avoid "personalizing". Personalizing is making the assumption that you are personally to blame for anything that goes wrong. If you take this type of thinking too far, you can get paranoid and think that no one likes you or wants to hang out with you, and that every little move you make is going to disappoint someone. Someone who is personalizing may think, "Betty didn't smile at me this morning. I must have done something to upset her." However, it's more likely that Betty was just having a bad day, and her mood had nothing to do with you. Avoid "filter thinking. " This is when you choose to only hear the negative side of a situation. Most situations have elements that are both good and bad, and it helps to recognize both. If you think this way, then you'll never see the positive in any situation. For example, you may take a test and receive a C, along with feedback from your teacher saying that your performance improved greatly from the last test. Filtering can cause you to only think negatively about the C and ignore the fact that you have shown improvement and growth. Avoid "catastrophizing. " This is when you assume that the worst possible outcome is going to happen. Catastrophizing is usually related to anxiety about performing poorly. You can combat catastrophizing with being realistic about possible outcomes of a situation. For example, you might think that you're going to fail an exam you've been studying for. A catastrophizer will then extend that insecurity to assume that you'll then fail the class and have to drop out of college, then end up unemployed and on welfare. If you're realistic about negative outcomes, you'll realize that even if you were to fail a test, it's unlikely that you would necessarily fail the course, and you would not have to drop out of college. Visit a peaceful place. It can help to have a personal escape when you need to turn your attitude around. Many people find that spending a little time outdoors improves their mood. If your workplace has an outdoor area with benches or picnic tables, schedule yourself a little down time to be outside and refresh yourself. If you are unable to physically visit an outdoor peaceful place, try meditating and visiting a pleasant outdoor area with perfect weather in your mind. Give yourself time to change. Developing a positive outlook is actually the development of a skill. As with any skill, it takes time to master, and it requires dedicated practice and gentle reminders about not falling back into negative thinking. Be physically positive. If you change your physical or bodily habits, your mind will follow suit. In order to feel happier in general, approach your physicality in a positive way. Practice good posture, standing up straight and keeping your shoulders down and back. A slump will make you feel more negative. Smile more often. Not only will others smile back at you, but the act of smiling may convince your body that it is happier. Practice mindfulness. Being more aware of your actions and your life will make you feel happier. When you simply go through the motions of your life like a robot, you will likely forget to find the joy in everyday things. By being mindful about your surroundings, your choices, and your daily activities, you can gain greater control of your life and your happiness. Consider taking up meditation as a way to center yourself and learn excellent focus. By meditating every day for 10 to 20 minutes at a time that's convenient for you, you can increase your awareness of self and the present, helping you to corral the stinking thinking with greater consciousness. Try taking a yoga class. Yoga can also help you become more aware of the world as you get in touch with your breathing. Even just stopping to take deep breaths and rest your mind for a few moments can make you feel happier. Explore your creative side. If you haven't had a chance to explore your creative side, now's the time. Taking the time to be artistic and to work with your hands or explore your most original thoughts can do wonders for your power to think outside the box and to therefore think positively. Even if you don't think you're naturally inclined toward creativity, there are a number of ways you can express yourself to become more positive. Take a class to learn about something you've never done before: consider pottery, painting, mixed-media collage, poetry, or wood working. Try learning a new craft such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, or needlepoint. Craft stores and online tutorials are great resources for beginners who do not want to take a class. Doodle or draw in a sketchbook every day. Try revisiting older drawings and turning them into something new. Be a creative writer. Try penning a poem, short story, or even try your hand at a novel. You can even perform your poetry at an open mic night. Try role-playing, dressing as your favorite TV or comic book character, or trying out for a part at a community theatre. Surround yourself with positive people. We are often influenced by the people around us. If you find that people around you tend to be negative, look to surround yourself with more positive people. This will feed your own positivity. If you have a close family member or a significant other who is constantly negative, encourage her to go on a journey towards positivity with you. Avoid people who sap your energy and motivation. If you can't avoid them, or don't want to, learn how not to let them get you down and keep your connection with them brief. Avoid dating anyone with a negative outlook. If you're already prone to negative thinking, you'll be falling into a trap. If you do wind up in a relationship with someone who struggles to think positively, though, seeking counseling together might be your best option. Set meaningful goals. Whatever your goal may be, you should keep yourself busy working on it and believe in the cause you've set for yourself. Once you reach the first goal, you will be inspired to continue with the remaining goals, as well as adding new ones to your life. With each goal you achieve, no matter how small, you will gain confidence and your self-esteem will increase, feeding more positivity in your life. Working towards achieving your goals—even if you're just taking small steps—can make you feel happier. Don't forget to have fun. People who allow themselves regular fun in their lives tend to be happier and more positive because it isn't all drudgery and never-ending monotony. Fun breaks up the hard work and challenges. Remember that fun does not look the same for everyone, so you may need to spend time finding an activity that is fun for you. Always make time for laughter. Hang out with friends who make you laugh, go to a comedy club, or watch a funny movie. It'll be hard to think negatively when your funny bone is being tickled. | Take responsibility for your attitude. Understand the benefits of being a positive thinker. Keep a diary to reflect your thoughts. Identify your automatic negative thoughts. Challenge your negative thoughts. Replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Minimize external influences that stimulate your negativity. Avoid "black-and-white thinking. Avoid "personalizing". Avoid "filter thinking. Avoid "catastrophizing. Visit a peaceful place. Give yourself time to change. Be physically positive. Practice mindfulness. Explore your creative side. Surround yourself with positive people. Set meaningful goals. Don't forget to have fun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Wine-for-a-Gift | How to Buy Wine for a Gift | If you want to buy wine as a gift, choose a bottle that's mid-range to high end so you don't end up gifting something that tastes cheap and makes you look bad. Remember, the more special the occasion, the more expensive the bottle should be! Since choosing a wine based on the season is always a safe bet, go for white wines in the summer, fuller bodied whites or light reds in the fall, heavy reds in the winter, and fruitier wines in spring. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of wines for sale, and if you're stumped, don't hesitate to ask the person in charge of wine at the store for their advice. | Go mid-range to high end. It's tempting to buy a cheap wine to give as a gift, particularly if you don't know much about wines. However, cheap wine will taste cheap. That's not to say that you can't get a decent wine for a reasonable price. You just don't want to pick the cheapest wine, especially if you've never tasted it yourself. Also, consider who you're buying the wine for. Buying a very cheap bottle of wine for your boss won't endear you to them. Similarly, you may not want to buy the cheapest bottle you can find for a close friend (unless you have a habit of drinking cheap wine together). In addition, if you're known as someone who appreciates wine, buying a cheap bottle for someone else can come off as you underestimating their taste or simply not appreciating them as much. Also, how much you spend can depend on the wine. For instance, you can get a very tasty Cotes du Rhône (pronounce it "Coats Do Roan") for about $15. However, with a Burgundy, you'll need to spend more to get a better wine, usually upwards of $50. Another relatively cheap option is a Cabernet Sauvignon, as even cheap versions of this wine are fairly decent. For Pinot noir, go for at least a $20 bottle, as anything less won't be very good. Consider the season. If you don't know where to start, picking wines by the season is a good bet. You don't necessarily want the same wines in the summer that you do in the winter. In the summer, you want something lighter, for instance, than you do in winter. White wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are good summer choices. Rose and Merlot are also a good bet. These wines are a bit lighter. For fall, you want fuller bodied whites, such as oaked Chardonnay or Viognier. You still want a somewhat lighter red wine, so stick with Pinot noir, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or a sparkling variety. During the winter, you can go with heavier wines since you'll have heavier dishes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Malbec are fine in the reds. For whites, choose oaked Chardonnay. You can also go for a sparkly wine. In the spring, you want lighter, fruitier wines, such as Chenin Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Unoaked Chardonnay, or Rose. You can also choose Riesling, Moscato, or Pinot noir. Ask questions. If you're not a wine connoisseur yourself, gazing at a liquor store's collection of wines can be quite daunting, as you may be faced with hundreds of different bottles of wines. If you're a bit lost, don't be afraid to ask the person in charge of wines for advice. Many will work within your price range to help you find a good, drinkable wine, especially if you can specify a few parameters, such as whether you want a sweet or dry wine. Don't be afraid to pick something unusual. If you know your wines, a unique wine is a good choice because you can introduce your friend or friends to something new. However, don't pick something so obscure that they won't be able to find it again. You don't want to whet their appetite for a wine they can't buy. Know the person's tastes. If you're buying wine as a gift, it's best to know what the person likes to drink. Most wine drinkers have particular tastes, whether they like a dry white wine or a fun and fruity sparkling rose. Consider what you've seen the person drink in the past, and then go for something the same or similar. If you're not sure what the person drinks, consider their general tastes. If they have a sweet tooth, they might prefer a sweeter wine, while if they like to avoid sugar for the most part, they may prefer something drier. If you're still not sure, ask someone at the store to recommend a reasonably priced popular wine. Pick a pretty label or bottle. Of course, you don't want to pick a wine solely on what the label looks like. However, when you're giving a wine, the packaging matters. A pretty, well-designed label will be more appreciated than a subdued, boring label, especially since many people will associate the latter with cheaper wine. Consider a wine subscription. If you're looking for a substantial gift for someone, think about buying the person a subscription to a wine delivery service. Usually, you pay one price (or a monthly price) for the service to deliver wine for a specified period of time. Some just send a curated selection, while others base the delivery on the person's preferences. Some also include food with the subscription that pairs with the wine. Check to make sure wine can be delivered in the state where the person resides, as some states don't allow alcohol to be shipped to people's homes. Consider a magnum for a party. A magnum is a double bottle of wine or champagne. One reason it works well for a party is it's fairly impressive to look at. Plus, because it's double the size, it will last much longer than a single bottle of wine. Your host will appreciate your thoughtfulness. When choosing a wine for a party, sparkling is usually a good option. If you insist on bringing a standard bottle of wine to a party, give it to the hosts before the party, and let them decide whether they want to serve it at the party or not. Buy standard bottles for dinner. On the other hand, when you've been invited for dinner to a small gathering, such as a dinner for about four people, a regular bottle is appropriate. A regular bottle will provide enough wine for each person at the dinner, which is why it's appropriate. Ask the hosts ahead of time what they will be serving. Then you can get a wine that matches the dinner, such as a white wine for fish. If you're not sure what goes with what type of food, ask at the store. Go more expensive for special occasions. When it comes to weddings or other big special occasions, such as birthdays or Christmas dinner, plan to spend a bit more on the bottle. Weddings especially call for a more expensive bottle. If you don't want to spend that much, skip the wine. You'll be safer buying something off their registry. Make sure it's appropriate. That is, you don't want to buy wine if the host doesn't drink wine. For instance, maybe the host enjoys alcohol, but they don't like wine. Another situation you may run into is the host may not drink at all, due to personal choice, health reasons, or religious reasons. If you're not sure, ask. Make the wine the package. That is, a wine doesn't necessarily need to be wrapped or put in a bag or box. If the bottle is pretty enough, adding a bow or ribbon is pretty much all you need to do. Besides, most wine packaging doesn't actually hide the fact that you're giving a bottle of wine, which defeats the purpose. In addition, putting wine in boxes can heat them, which can be a problem for more expensive wines. It's much better to try to keep the wine cool. If it's a particularly expensive wine that should be kept in a cellar, consider holding it in a cooler until you give it to your friend. Think about adding an accessory. If you want the gift to be extra special, include a gift that goes with the wine. You could pick a funky and fun corkscrew or carafe, for instance. You could also choose a wine thermometer, so the person can serve the wine at the proper temperature. Other options include fancy or unique wine glasses or a wall rack. Wait for a good time. If you and your friend are both wine connoisseurs, pick a moment when you can tell the person a little about the wine. Of course, you don't want to bore someone who's not interested in all the details about the wine, but if you know the person will be interested, wait until they aren't busy doing something else. | Go mid-range to high end. Consider the season. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to pick something unusual. Know the person's tastes. Pick a pretty label or bottle. Consider a wine subscription. Consider a magnum for a party. Buy standard bottles for dinner. Go more expensive for special occasions. Make sure it's appropriate. Make the wine the package. Think about adding an accessory. Wait for a good time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hide-Wrinkles-Under-Eyes | How to Hide Wrinkles Under Eyes | Undereye wrinkles can sometimes make you feel tired or old, but a good makeup routine can help you reduce them. After you wash your face, apply a face lotion with hyaluronic acid, which will keep your skin moisturized and lighten any lines. For the makeup, first, apply a pea-sized amount of silicone-based primer, which will help fill in your wrinkles. Then, blend a little cream concealer under your eyes to mask the lines. When you apply your foundation, make sure to use a light layer, since using too much can actually make wrinkles more obvious. To highlight your eyes, try using a smoky, dark eyeshadow and some dark mascara. It's best to avoid shimmery eyeshadows or liquid eyeliner, as these can make wrinkles more obvious. | Choose a silicone-based primer. Silicone foundation primers are excellent for filling in wrinkles and creating a smoother surface as you apply the rest of your makeup. Using your hands or a small brush, apply a small amount of primer below each eye. Rub the primer into your skin, focusing on areas with visible wrinkles. A pea-sized amount is usually enough primer for both eyes. Too much can make your foundation clump. Let your primer dry for a few minutes before applying the rest of your makeup. Use a cream concealer to mask your wrinkles. A reflecting concealer pen or cream applied directly under the eyes can cover up eye bags and wrinkles nicely. Buy a concealer that matches your skin tone and apply a pea-sized amount directly below your eyelids. Blend the concealer in around the edges to give it a smooth, natural appearance. Avoid rubbing the cream under your eyes to prevent irritation. Instead, dab it gently under each eye using a makeup sponge. Apply your foundation lightly. While applying more foundation may seem like it would conceal your wrinkles, too much can make them more obvious. Apply a light-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone to the center of your forehead, under your eyes, on the tip of your nose, and on your chin. Spread it around your face, particularly underneath your eyes, with a damp sponge to soften its overall look. Makeup brushes tend to make foundation look too thick or caked on. Avoid powder-based makeup. Powder foundations and blushes tend to set in the lines under your eyes and make them stand out. Avoid applying powders to the area under your eyes or any spot with lots of wrinkles. Use liquid or cream-based makeups instead, which are smoother and conceal wrinkles better. Highlight your eyes with mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. Shift the attention from your baggy eyelids to your eyes themselves. Apply a dark black eyeliner and mascara to your top eyelids so they can draw attention from your under eye wrinkles. Top off the look with some smoky matte eyeshadow to accentuate your eyes and minimize your wrinkles. Your technique for applying eye makeup (like how you apply your mascara and eyeliner) can depend on your personal preferences. The bolder your makeup is, however, the more it can distract from your wrinkles. Avoid liquid eyeliners or shimmery eyeshadows, both of which can highlight creases. Remove your makeup carefully to prevent worsening your wrinkles. When you remove your eye makeup, gently rub your skin and lashes up and down with a makeup removal wipe. Avoid tugging on your eyelids or forcefully removing your makeup to keep your eye wrinkles minimal. Instead of a wipe, you can use a makeup removing cream as an alternative. Apply a thick layer of the removal cream to your skin, let it sit for several minutes, and gently rub it off with a warm washcloth. Check the ingredients in your makeup wipes before using them. Stay away from alcohol-based wipes, which can dry out and age the skin. Apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid once a day. Introducing moisture to the skin under your eyes can keep it from drying out and lighten hard lines. Before you put on makeup, dab moisturizer beneath both of your eyes and rub it into your eyes in a circular motion. Moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid are ideal, as they are most effective at pulling water into your skin and keeping it plump. Use a retinol-based skin cream. Retinol-based creams increase collagen production in your skin, which can minimize wrinkles. After moisturizing your face, apply a retinol cream to your eyelids daily, using it as directed to maximize the results. Try an over-the-counter retinol cream for persistent wrinkles. Wear 1 or 2 eye creams maximum. Too many eye creams can irritate your skin, which ultimately makes aging more visible. Wear sunscreen every day. Sunlight can age your skin and deepen your wrinkles over time, and retinol-based skin creams can make your skin sensitive to UV lights. Apply sunscreen to your skin before you put on makeup at least 15 minutes before you plan to go outside, and reapply it every 2 hours for as long as you'll be in direct sunlight. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week. A skin exfoliator can remove dead skin from your face while keeping it young and glowing. Apply the exfoliator to a washcloth or scrubber and rub it into your skin with circular motions. Rinse your face with warm water, then pat it dry with a towel. Choose an exfoliator based on your skin type. Those with dry skin may find mild exfoliators helpful, while those with oily skin may need a stronger exfoliator. Exfoliating your skin too often can dry it out. Doing it 1-2 times a week is enough. Try light-emitting diode (LED) treatment. When your skin is exposed to certain LED lights, it can promote collagen production and alleviate wrinkles. A dermatologist may use an LED-emitting device to introduce these lights to your face and repair skin damage. Schedule a LED light therapy appointment with a local dermatologist to lift lines around your eyes. LED light therapy generally costs between $150-300 per appointment. The number of LED appointments you may need varies. Some may need a single appointment while others may need routine appointments. At least 3-4, however, is normal. Get 8 hours of sleep every night. Sleepless nights can make eye bags heavier and worsen wrinkles around your eyes. If you have trouble sleeping, drink less caffeine before bedtime, avoid stating at phone or laptop screens, or try other treatments for insomnia. Plan to avoid caffeinated beverages and electronic screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Drink 8 8-oz (0.23 L) glasses of water each day. When your skin is dry, it looks more aged and any wrinkles can look accentuated. Drink water through the day to keep your skin soft and plump. How much water you drink per day depends on a variety of factors. As a general rule, however, aim for 8 8-oz glasses (0.23 L) of water per day. Include omega-3 and vitamin E in your diet. Both of these can keep your skin supple and reduce bags under your eyes. Introduce foods rich in these vitamins to reduce wrinkles around your eyes or ask your doctor about taking an omega-3 or vitamin E supplement. Do not add new supplements to your diet without asking your doctor—when in doubt, eating vitamin-rich foods is safer. Foods high in vitamin E include almonds, swiss chard, mustard greens, spinach, eggs, kale, hazelnuts, avocado, broccoli, papaya, and olives. Foods high in omega-3 include flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, beef, soybeans, tofu, shrimp, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and sardines. How much vitamin E and omega-3 you need a day varies, but the average adult should aim for 15mg of vitamin E and 1.1 g of omega-3. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Cigarettes lessen the oxygen levels reaching your skin cells, and alcohol can cause skin inflammation. Both can age your skin and deepen the lines in your face. Reducing your alcohol and cigarette intake can soften your skin and may reduce eye wrinkles. | Choose a silicone-based primer. Use a cream concealer to mask your wrinkles. Apply your foundation lightly. Avoid powder-based makeup. Highlight your eyes with mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. Remove your makeup carefully to prevent worsening your wrinkles. Apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid once a day. Use a retinol-based skin cream. Wear sunscreen every day. Exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week. Try light-emitting diode (LED) treatment. Get 8 hours of sleep every night. Drink 8 8-oz (0.23 L) glasses of water each day. Include omega-3 and vitamin E in your diet. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Hair-Fast-Naturally | How to Grow Hair Fast Naturally | To grow your hair fast naturally, massage coconut oil or castor oil into your scalp every day and leave it on for 2 hours. You can also take a daily biotin supplement, which will give your hair the vitamin B it needs to grow. To prevent your hair from drying out and breaking while you're waiting for it to grow, drink lots of water and avoid shampooing your hair every day. Also, don't brush your hair when it's wet and avoid using heat styling tools, which can damage your hair and make it harder to grow out. | Massage your scalp. Massaging any part of your body improves circulation by increasing blood flow to the area, and your scalp is no exception. When you massage your scalp, the increased blood flow stimulates your hair follicles to grow. Scalp massage is a simple and easy technique for helping your hair grow in healthy and fast. Try massaging your scalp every time you take a shower. Use the tips of your fingers to gently rub your scalp in a circular motion. Be sure to cover the front, back and sides of your head. Repeat the process as much as you like. It has the added benefit of reducing tension and helping you feel calm. Rub your scalp with essential oils. Certain essential oils have been shown to help stimulate new hair growth. Increase the benefits of your scalp massage by working in a small amount of essential oil. Pour five to ten drops of oil over your fingertips and massage the oil all over your scalp. Try one of these essential oils: Peppermint, which improves circulation. Tea tree oil, which soothes the scalp and helps improve dandruff. Lemon oil, which promotes healthy hair growth. Do an oil conditioning treatment. This serves the dual purpose of helping promote hair growth and keeping the hair you have strong and soft. Coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and castor oil are all thought to help hair grow in thick and strong. To do a conditioning treatment, follow these steps: For olive oil, have damp hair and distribute it throughout your hair. Then flip your head upside down and massage your scalp for 2-3 minutes. Wet your hair and massage one to two tablespoons of oil into your scalp for five minutes. Run your fingers through your hair to distribute the oil from your roots to the tips of your hair. You can also use a wide-tooth comb. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the oil soak in for one to two hours. Shampoo your hair as normal. You may have to wash it twice to remove excess oil. Make a restorative hair mask. If your hair is dry or thin, treating it with a nutritious mask can help restore its luster. A restorative hair mask may not help your hair grow quickly, but by protecting the hair you have, it will keep you from having to trim off split ends and take a step backward on your journey to having longer hair. Here's how to make a hair mask: Crack one egg into a bowl and beat it lightly. Mix in two tablespoons of plain yogurt and one tablespoon of honey. Apply to wet hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Shampoo your hair as normal to wash out the mask. Use a boar bristle brush. This is a special type of brush made with natural fibers that closely resemble the texture of human hair. It is used to pull sebum, the natural oil secreted by your scalp, all the way to the tips of your hair. This protects your hair from roots to tips and keeps it healthy and strong. Here's how to use one: Place the brush against your scalp and rub it back and forth to massage your head and pick up your natural oil. In one long stroke, pull the brush from your roots to the tips of your hair. Keep stroking the same section of hair until it looks glossy and smooth. Continue this process section by section until you have massaged your entire scalp and brushed out all of your hair. Make sure you get a boar bristle brush. This doesn't work with plastic or metal brushes. Know what not to use on your hair. When your goal is to grow your hair out fast, it's important to pay attention to the products you use. Many products contain chemicals that can damage your hair and cause it to be dry and brittle. Aim to use products that are composed of mainly natural ingredients. Avoid products that contain the following: Sulfates: found in shampoo, these are harsh cleansers that strip your hair of natural oils and dry it out. Parabens: found in shampoo & conditioner, these are irritant to the skin, cause swelling and mimics estrogen to the body along with other factors like causing obesity, disrupting endocrine system and increase chances of breast cancer. Silicones: found in conditioner, these build up in your hair and cause it to look weighed down and dull. Alcohols: found in hairspray, gel and other styling products, these dry out your hair and cause it to get brittle. Phthalates (Synthetic Fragrance): Found in most hair care products, they make the scent last longer. Like parabens, they're endocrine disruptors and mimic estrogen. They reduce the cracking allowing them to form a flexible film. Propylene Glycol: found in shampoo & conditioner, it causes dehydration to the hair. Synthetic Colors: found in most shampoos & conditioners, many are linked to various diseases including cancer. Eat plenty of protein. Hair is mostly composed of protein, making it the most important component of a hair-healthy diet. Examine your diet and make sure you're getting plenty of protein every day. When your diet is protein deficient, your body doesn't produce as much hair. Eat lean meats, fish, eggs and dairy products high in protein. Beans, leafy greens and tofu are good sources of protein for vegetarians. Eat biotin. This is a B vitamin essential for hair growth. Since it is mostly found in animal products, vegetarians and vegans often find that they have a b vitamin deficiency. To make sure you get plenty of b vitamins in your diet, eat the following foods: Eggs, nuts, salmon, avocados, meat products and wheat bran. If you feel you aren't able to meet your b vitamin needs with food alone, consider taking a biotin supplement. Eat Vitamins A and C. These vitamins help hair stay glossy and healthy. When you aren't getting enough vitamin A or C, your hair can become weak and dull. Make sure you're eating plenty of the following: Sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, butternut squash and pumpkin, which are all rich in Vitamin A. Broccoli, leafy greens, peppers, and citrus fruits, which contain high amounts of Vitamin C. Eat omega 3 fatty acids. These "good" fats support your scalp's health and promote healthy growth of hair and skin cells. Omega 3 fatty acid is found in salmon, sardines, mackerel, flax seeds and walnuts. You can take fish or flax seed oil supplements if you don't enjoy eating foods that are rich in omega 3s. Stay hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, it shows in your hair. Your hair can become dry, brittle and more prone to breakage. When your hair breaks and frays, it's more difficult to grow it into the longer style you're after. Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Try replacing coffee, soda and alcoholic drinks with water whenever possible. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day so you'll never have to go thirsty. See a doctor if your hair is falling out. Sometimes hair loss or extremely slow growth has an underlying cause that can't be fixed using at-home methods. If you believe that your hair loss may be a symptom of a more serious illness, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Once you get the underlying problem treated, your hair should start to grow faster. Here are a few conditions that cause hair loss: Scalp infections or skin disorders Alopecia areata, a disorder that causes patchy hair loss Trichotillomania, a disorder that leads you to pull out your hair Certain medications cause hair loss Hormonal changes can cause hair loss Shampoo your hair less often. Washing your hair every day can cause it to get dry and brittle. Each time you shampoo your hair, you wash away the protective oil that keeps it healthy and strong. When you're trying to grow your hair fast, it's best to wash your hair no more than once or twice a week. In between washes, use dry shampoo to keep your roots from looking oily. When you wash your hair, handle it gently. Don't scrub it or wring it out. Rinse with lukewarm or cool water instead of hot. Don't use heat styling tools. Air drying is really the healthiest choice when it comes to growing out your hair. Drying your hair with a hairdryer eventually weakens the hair shaft and leads to damage. The same goes for other heat styling tools like curling irons, flat irons and hot rollers. After your shower, pat your hair dry with a towel. Don't roughly towel it dry. Comb it out with a wide tooth comb. Apply product, such as leave-in conditioner, then let it fully air dry. Never brush your hair when it's wet. When your hair is wet, it stretches and breaks much more easily than when it is dry. That's why brushing your hair when it's wet is so damaging. It leads to breakage, frizz and split ends. Instead, use a wide tooth comb to gently detangle your hair. Begin near the tips and work your way up to the roots, rather than dragging the comb down through your hair to pull out tangles. Avoid harsh hair treatments and styles. Dyeing, bleaching, and chemically straightening your hair can cause a lot of damage. It's better to leave your hair in its natural state while you're trying to grow it out. You should also avoid hairstyles that can pull out the hair, like tight weaves or braids. If you're determined to lighten or color your hair, use a natural method that doesn't cause damage. Try lightening your hair with honey or dyeing it with henna. Learn to love your natural look. If your hair is curly or kinky, there's no natural method that will make it look perfectly straight. Fast-growing, free-flowing hair is beautiful. Protect it from the elements. The sun, air pollution, and pool chlorine are among the environmental elements that can damage your hair. If your hair is particularly fragile, it's a good idea to protect it, just as you would your skin. When you go out in strong sun, wear a hat to cover your hair. If you live in a place with high air pollution, cover your hair with a scarf or hat while you're out on the city streets. When you swim in pools, wear a swim cap to protect your hair from chlorine. | Massage your scalp. Rub your scalp with essential oils. Do an oil conditioning treatment. Make a restorative hair mask. Use a boar bristle brush. Know what not to use on your hair. Eat plenty of protein. Eat biotin. Eat Vitamins A and C. Eat omega 3 fatty acids. Stay hydrated. See a doctor if your hair is falling out. Shampoo your hair less often. Don't use heat styling tools. Never brush your hair when it's wet. Avoid harsh hair treatments and styles. Protect it from the elements. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Toothbrushes | How to Clean Toothbrushes | To clean toothbrushes, just rinse the bristles with tap water before and after using them. You can also wipe down the handle of the toothbrush once a month with 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Avoid using disinfectants or bleach on the bristles themselves since it's not necessary and it may damage the toothbrushes. Also, don't store your toothbrushes in closed containers, which can trap moisture and lead to the growth of bacteria. It's best to let your toothbrushes air dry after each use. | Rinse your toothbrush with tap water before and after brushing your teeth. This will help get rid of any toothpaste residue and rinse out any bacteria. It's not necessary to use cleaner on your toothbrush each time you use it. Simply turn the tap water on and run your brush under the water for a few seconds. Make sure to get any old toothpaste residue out of your brush before brushing your teeth again. You can use warm or cold tap water to rinse your toothbrush. Warm water may soften your toothbrush bristles and make them feel smoother when you brush. Wipe down the toothbrush's handle once a month. Sometimes, the handle of a toothbrush gets clogged with gunk. If you want, you can clean your toothbrush's handle about once a month. You can create a mixture of one parts bleach with ten parts water or even a chlorhexidine mouthwash can do the job. Use a clean cloth to wipe down your toothbrush's handle. Some people advocate disinfecting your whole toothbrush in a bleach/water solution. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevent advises against soaking a full toothbrush in disinfectant, as this can actually damage the toothbrush. Stick to cleaning the handle over the whole brush. Limit use of disinfectants. It is okay to occasionally clean gunk off the toothbrush's handle, but regular use of disinfectants can be damaging and you may develop allergies on your skin or mucosa if the substance is too concentrated It is not necessary to store a toothbrush in a disinfectant solution. For regular cleaning, tap water is sufficient to safely clean a toothbrush. Select toothbrush cleaners approved by the Food and Drug Administration. If you want to use disinfectant solution for any reason, make sure to choose a disinfectant approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An FDA approved solution should be generally safe for use. When using a disinfectant on the brush itself, opt for an FDA approved solution over something made at home. For the most part, however, it's unnecessary to disinfect toothbrush bristles. If your brush becomes contaminated, it's safer to buy a new toothbrush than it is to try to disinfect an old one. Do not store toothbrushes in closed containers. Many people feel the need to protect toothbrushes from bathroom contaminants by storing them in closed containers. However, toothbrushes need exposure to air to dry out because oxygen can destroy a large amount of bacteria. A moist toothbrush is a breeding grounds for bacteria. In order to keep your toothbrush clean, store it in an open container in your bathroom. Make sure to keep your toothbrush in a protected area, such as up on a high counter to make sure it will not fall onto the floor. Let your toothbrush air dry after use. It's unnecessary to try to dry your toothbrush after cleaning it. If you want, you can give the toothbrush a few quick shakes to get out excess water. Other than this, however, your toothbrush will not require drying. You can simply put the toothbrush in its regular container after rinsing it. Store your toothbrush in an upright position. You should always store toothbrushes upright. This will allow the toothbrush to dry easier and remove airborne debris. You should have some kind of cup in your bathroom where you store toothbrushes. You can also use a toothbrush holder with a suction cup that can be placed on your mirror. If you're storing multiple toothbrushes in the same container, make sure they don't touch one another. Regardless of what you use to hold your toothbrushes, you should regularly clean your toothbrush holder to prevent bacteria from growing there. Throw out old toothbrushes. Toothbrushes should generally be replaced every two to three months. Even with proper care, toothbrushes get old with time. After two to three months have passed, discard your toothbrush and purchase a new one. Do not share a toothbrush. You should always have your own toothbrush. Never share a toothbrush with another person, as this can spread disease or viruses and bacteria. Dispose of toothbrushes that have been contaminated. Sometimes, accidents happen. You may drop your toothbrush on the floor, in the sink, or in the toilet. Disinfecting toothbrushes is difficult, and can actually do more harm than good. In the event a toothbrush gets contaminated, throw it away and buy another brush. This is much safer than attempting to disinfect the brush on your own. | Rinse your toothbrush with tap water before and after brushing your teeth. Wipe down the toothbrush's handle once a month. Limit use of disinfectants. Select toothbrush cleaners approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Do not store toothbrushes in closed containers. Let your toothbrush air dry after use. Store your toothbrush in an upright position. Throw out old toothbrushes. Do not share a toothbrush. Dispose of toothbrushes that have been contaminated. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-an-Owl | How to Draw an Owl | "To draw an owl, start by lightly sketching a small oval for the head and a larger oval for the body. Next, draw two small, round shapes for the feet, the wing shape, a tree branch for the owl to stand on, and a slightly curved line behind the branch for the tail. Add details to the owl's head, like the eyes and beak. Then, create curved lines and feather texture for the body. Lastly, add shading and color to bring your drawing to life! " | Sketch the owl. Lightly draw a small oval for the head. Continue with a mango-shaped oval for the body. Next, draw vertical and horizontal lines inside the head oval, into 4 sections. Continue with the feet, drawing two small round shapes. Draw the shape for the wing, and add a tree branch where the owl is standing. For the tail, make a slightly curved line behind the branch. Sketch the details of the owl’s head. Draw the chin, beak, eyes, and ears. Continue with curved lines to shape the owl's body. Add more details to the owl’s head. Sketch short jagged lines for texture along the outline of the owl's body as “guiding lines”, and draw two talons for each foot. Draw feather texture. Draw additional short lines all over the owl's body, following the guiding lines. Add the texture by quickly stroking the pencil downwards, repeatedly. Continue with short strokes that follow the guiding lines and shape of the body. Add light strokes over the areas of the owl that would likely be shaded. Finish the drawing with important last touches. Shade the pupils solid dark, while lightly shading the iris. Draw additional tiny strokes around the eyes to enhance the feathers around it. Continue this motion for the entire body. Erase the guiding lines. Add some details to the tree branch. Draw a large oval. It doesn't have to be perfect, but try to make it about twice as tall as it is wide. Draw a circle on top for the head, followed by vertical and horizontal lines inside the circle. making 4 sections. Sketch the details of the owl’s head. Draw the chin, beak, eyes, and ears. Have fun with the eyes, if you want—you can make a serious owl, with in the middle straight ahead; an owl looking at something, by drawing the pupils pointed left or right; or a goofy, cross-eyed owl. Add “guiding lines” for the body, feet, and wings. Guiding lines create the basic shape of the drawing. Trace over the owl sketch with a darker brush to make the outline more neat and visible. Omit or add more details to the drawing as you go, for example a tree branch the owl is standing on. Experiment with backgrounds using a different layer. Make few short lines using a smaller brush to create a feather texture. Add optional lines for details to the tree branch or other background. Select the colors you want for the owl. Color in the owl on another layer of the drawing. Add shades and highlights to add depth to the drawing. Finish the drawing by adding colors or other figures to the background. | Sketch the owl. Sketch the details of the owl’s head. Add more details to the owl’s head. Draw feather texture. Continue with short strokes that follow the guiding lines and shape of the body. Finish the drawing with important last touches. Draw a large oval. Sketch the details of the owl’s head. Add “guiding lines” for the body, feet, and wings. Trace over the owl sketch with a darker brush to make the outline more neat and visible. Make few short lines using a smaller brush to create a feather texture. Select the colors you want for the owl. Add shades and highlights to add depth to the drawing. Finish the drawing by adding colors or other figures to the background. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fried-Dough | How to Make Fried Dough | To make fried dough, start by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, and butter together with an electric mixer. Then, mix in warm water to soften the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes. Next, divide the dough into small pieces and roll them out until they're about 5 inches across. Finally, deep fry the pieces of dough in oil for around 1 minute, flipping them over once so both sides get brown. | Preheat a deep-fryer. Set it to 375ºF/190ºC. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cool butter together. Mix using a pastry blender or an electric mixer. Add warm water in generous amounts to soften the dough. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Pull apart the dough, so that it forms 8 pieces. Roll these pieces, one at a time, until each piece is approximately 5" (12.5cm) round. Drop the dough rounds carefully into the deep fryer. Cook these dough rounds for 45-60 seconds. Use a cooking utensil to flip the dough over, when you notice the other side start to turn brown. Make sure both sides are brown. Remove the fried dough rounds from fryer immediately after they begin to brown. Allow the fried dough rounds to dry off on a paper towel and to cool somewhat to room temperature. Reheat slightly to serve, using heat from a regular (unset) oven. Top off the dough with some confectioner's sugar and/or cinnamon seasoning or topping of your choice. Finish making the dough piece. . | Preheat a deep-fryer. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cool butter together. Add warm water in generous amounts to soften the dough. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes. Pull apart the dough, so that it forms 8 pieces. Roll these pieces, one at a time, until each piece is approximately 5" (12.5cm) round. Drop the dough rounds carefully into the deep fryer. Cook these dough rounds for 45-60 seconds. Use a cooking utensil to flip the dough over, when you notice the other side start to turn brown. Make sure both sides are brown. Remove the fried dough rounds from fryer immediately after they begin to brown. Allow the fried dough rounds to dry off on a paper towel and to cool somewhat to room temperature. Reheat slightly to serve, using heat from a regular (unset) oven. Top off the dough with some confectioner's sugar and/or cinnamon seasoning or topping of your choice. Finish making the dough piece. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-to-Behave-Socially | How to Learn to Behave Socially | It can be hard to know how to socialize in different situations, but with some practice, you'll be able to get along well with people. When you speak to people, make eye contact and stand up straight to show that you're open to talking. While it's good to share things about your life, take time to listen to what the other person has to say as well. When someone shares something, ask them more about it to keep the conversation going. For example, if someone says they just got a new dog, ask them what kind of dog it is. Keep in mind that you may need to act differently around different types of people. For instance, while you may goof around with your family members, you probably need to be more serious around your boss. | Think about who you’re around. An “audience” doesn't necessarily mean a group of people watching you perform (literally), but in many ways, our social interactions are a type of performance. You may find that you act differently around close family members or friends than you do around people you don't know very well. You may act differently around co-workers alone than when your boss is around. Or, you may act differently around kids than around elderly people. Consider the reasons for this. Be sensitive toward those around you. Take into consideration who you're talking to before you say something. Watch for vague statements that could be taken the wrong way by certain people. Notice how others interact. This is especially helpful in new environments, like a new job or a new social circle. By hanging back and observing for a bit, you can get an idea of appropriate ways people interact in different types of situations. Be open to new and different people and experiences. This may be especially helpful if you are young or if you have not been around many differences in your lifetime yet. Be accepting of unfamiliar cultures and of differing levels of abilities. Be friendly and respectful toward all people, regardless of how they are different from you. If they seem uncomfortable at first, it may be because you are just as different to them as they are to you. Take the first step and be polite. You may end up learning much about the many differences in the world. In the words of Dale Carnegie (author of How to Win Friends and Influence People) try to, “Focus outward, not inward.” Avoid statements that generalize certain groups of people. For instance, statements that generalize all women or men, all people of various races or sexual orientations, or all people of an age group. Stereotyping, or making racist or sexist comments, can be quite offensive, even if you're talking to a group that doesn't include the people you're commenting on. Read social cues. Social cues are things we pick up on from others that they haven't directly told us. Example: You are busily working on a project and someone approaches you to talk. You quickly acknowledge them but then continue working. If they continue trying to have a conversation with you, they have not read your social cue, which is that you are too busy right now to talk. Another example: You're at a party, or a bar. A person you don't know approaches you and starts flirting. You turn away and continue talking to your friends. The person who approached doesn't leave, and instead repeatedly tries to get your attention. This person has not read your social cue, which is that you're not interested. The importance of reading social cues is that it can be frustrating for the person who has given the cue if it is not interpreted. Reading social cues is often something that we learn as children. Cultural differences can sometimes interfere with the reading of social cues, as can certain disabilities such as autism, ADHD, and depression. Use everyday manner words. Regardless of who you're around, saying basic words like “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me,” shows the respect that everyone deserves when you are talking to them. Play it safe and be polite. If you're not sure what to say in a certain situation, saying as little as possible in a polite manner is best. Making small talk is fine, especially with people you don't know very well. Sit and stand up straight. Lean in slightly toward the person you are talking with. Slouching back and/or crossing your arms sends out a signal that you are bored or perhaps upset by a conversation. Make eye contact. When you're talking to someone, or they are talking to you, looking in their eyes shows confidence and that you are fully engaged in talking with them. If someone isn't making eye contact with you, don't jump to conclusions. Cultural differences sometimes deem eye contact inappropriate, or it could be a sign that someone is intimidated by you. Give it time and see if you can figure out the cause. Avoid staring. There is a difference between making eye contact and staring at someone. You definitely don't want to watch what someone else is doing if you are not directly having a conversation with that person at that time. It may be intimidating to that person, and is considered rude and sometimes creepy by most people. Smile. People feel much more at ease around someone who smiles. We don't mean plaster a fake smile on your face at all times, but during a conversation, it helps to smile occasionally – especially if someone said something interesting or funny. Think before you speak. This is also covered in the first section, but it's always good to think about what you're going to say before you say it. Avoid statements that are heavy with value-judgments. For example, instead of saying, “The mayor sure is a moron, huh?” say, “What do you think of the mayor's rebuilding proposals (or whatever the topic is)?” Control your pitch while speaking. Getting too loud or high in pitch can be startling to others, or they can easily misread your emotions. Take your turn. Listen and don't interrupt others. This can be difficult if you suddenly get really excited to say something, or if there is one person in a group dominating a whole conversation, but try to resist the urge to cut someone off mid-sentence. Avoid yelling and swearing if you’re angry. Everyone gets angry sometimes, and if you're angry with someone the best way to handle it is to calmly explain to them why you are angry, or to walk away from the situation and discuss it when you are less angry. No one, neither close friends and relatives nor casual acquaintances, responds well to being yelled at. It is frightening and most likely will only make the conflict worse. Ask questions and show interest. If someone tells you something, ask them more about it. For instance, your friend says he was out of town last week. Ask where he went and if he had fun. Questions also go really well together with compliments. If you compliment someone, follow it with a question. Examples: Those are cool shoes! Are they new? Or, Where did you get them? He's such a cute dog! What's his name? What kind of dog is he? It's easier to keep conversation rolling with someone if you contribute, ask questions, are interested in the answers, and then add more it. Don’t show off. Sometimes people who are naturally funny or good at many things are tempted to dominate conversations with jokes or stories of their own achievements. Don't be that person! Many people may be turned off by it. Again, the more interested you act in the other person, the more likely that person is to want to have more conversations with you. Even if you don't care about having more conversations with that person, you probably want to avoid making them think you are self-centered and vain. Some types of humor or jokes are not appropriate for most situations. Making others feel bad, or jokes at the expense of others, will most likely make others uncomfortable, especially if you don't know them very well. Be positive. People naturally gravitate toward those with a positive outlook and upbeat personality. Instead of always just complaining or criticizing, think of the positive things about a situation or about constructive ways to help solve a problem. Look at that glass as half full! Think about where you are going. Are you going to a nice restaurant? To a ball game or a picnic? To a wedding or holiday party? The type of clothes you wear to a certain event tells others that you care about your appearance and will help you feel more confident. If you're going to a restaurant, try looking it up online to see if you can tell how fancy it is. For casual places, and for picnics or ball games, jeans and t-shirts or business casual clothes are just fine. For fancier restaurants, weddings, or holiday parties, you'll want to dress up a bit more (a nice dress or skirt and blouse for women; a suit or dress shirt and dress pants for men) keeping in mind the exact location of the event to determine how “dressy” to be. Always have good hygiene. Wear clothes that are clean and ironed, regardless of where you're going. Shower each day, wash your hair, brush your teeth, and wear deodorant. Keeping up with hygiene may sound obvious, but letting it slack can be pretty detrimental to your social interactions, as well as put you at higher risk for getting sick. Ask someone else’s opinion. If you're unsure, it never hurts to ask a trusted friend or relative what they think regarding an outfit you're deciding on. You can get some helpful advice, especially if you're going to a new place and your friend has been somewhere like it before. Or, if you're just unsure how formal a certain occasion is (ex. weddings can be either extremely formal or quite informal) it's a good idea to ask someone. | Think about who you’re around. Notice how others interact. Be open to new and different people and experiences. Avoid statements that generalize certain groups of people. Read social cues. Use everyday manner words. Play it safe and be polite. Sit and stand up straight. Make eye contact. Avoid staring. Smile. Think before you speak. Control your pitch while speaking. Take your turn. Avoid yelling and swearing if you’re angry. Ask questions and show interest. Don’t show off. Be positive. Think about where you are going. Always have good hygiene. Ask someone else’s opinion. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Estimate-Distances-(by-Using-Your-Thumb-and-Eyes) | How to Estimate Distances (by Using Your Thumb and Eyes) | If you've ever wondered how far away you are from a given object, you can estimate the distance with your thumb and eyes. Start by holding your right arm out in front of you, pointing it toward the object you're measuring to. Point your right thumb up and close your right eye. Keeping as still as possible, line up the left edge of your right thumb with the right edge of the object. Then, close your left eye and look through your right eye, which will make your thumb appear to have moved to the left. Estimate how far it looked like your thumb jumped. For example, if it looked like it jumped 3 times the length of a building that you think is 100-feet-long, then it moved 300 feet. Next, multiply the number from the jump by 10 to get the approximate distance you're looking for. So, if your thumb jumped 300 feet, you can conclude that the building is about 3 thousand feet away from you. | Place yourself at a good vantage point. To estimate distance, you need a clear line of sight. Try to stand in a high place, like atop a hill or a few floors up in a building. If this isn't possible, try to find a spot where no other objects are in between you and the object you are focusing on. Estimate the horizontal length of the object. Here are some standard lengths that may help you: Most average-sized cars are between 12 and 15 feet long. Mailboxes are usually around 1.5 feet long. Mature tree trunks are typically between 1 and 2 feet wide. The standard length of a trailer pulled by a semi-truck is 50 to 65 feet long. Hold your right arm out in front of you. Aim your arm toward the object, and try to keep it as straight as possible. Point your thumb up. Close your right eye. Keep standing as still as possible. Align the left edge of your right thumb with the right edge of the object. Try to keep your head and arm perfectly still. Switch eyes. Keeping perfectly still, close your left eye and look through the right eye. Your thumb will appear to have “jumped” to the left. This “jumping” phenomenon is called “parallax.” Estimate how far the left edge of your thumb jumped. Did your thumb jump 3 times the length of the object? Half the length? Keep this number in mind. For example: If your thumb jumped 3 times the length of a building that you believe is 100-feet-long, then it jumped 300 feet. If your thumb jumped half the length of a 14-foot-long car, then it jumped 7 feet. Multiply that number (the jump) by 10. This will give you the approximate distance you're looking for. For example: If your thumb jumped 3 times the length of a 100-foot building, or about 300 feet (91 m), then you would multiply 300 by 10 to conclude that the building is about 3,000 feet (914 m) away from you. If your thumb moved half the length of a 14-foot-long car, or about 7 feet (2 m), then you would multiply 7 by 10 to conclude that the car is about 70 feet (21 m) away from you. | Place yourself at a good vantage point. Estimate the horizontal length of the object. Hold your right arm out in front of you. Close your right eye. Align the left edge of your right thumb with the right edge of the object. Switch eyes. Estimate how far the left edge of your thumb jumped. Multiply that number (the jump) by 10. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Nonviolent-Communication | How to Practice Nonviolent Communication | Nonviolent communication is a simple method that's used to resolve conflicts and connect with others. To practice nonviolent communication, focus on observations, feelings, needs, and requests. Begin by stating the purely factual observations that are leading you to feel the need to say something. Next, name the emotion or feeling that the observation has triggered in you or guess what the other person is feeling. For example, first observe that “I see your dog running without a leash and barking.” Then, name your feeling, which is “I'm scared.” After expressing your feeling, state your need and request, like ”I need to walk down this street to get home, so could you please leash your dog?” | State the observations that are leading you to feel the need to say something. These should be purely factual observations, with no component of judgment or evaluation. People often disagree about evaluations because they value things differently, but directly observable facts provide a common ground for communication. For example, "It's 2:00 a.m. and I hear your stereo playing" states an observed fact, while "It's way too late to be making such an awful racket" makes an evaluation. "I just looked in the refrigerator and saw that there's no food, and I'm thinking that you didn't go grocery shopping" states an observed fact (with an inference explicitly stated), while "You wasted the whole day" makes an evaluation. State the feeling that the observation is triggering in you. Or, guess what the other person is feeling, and ask. Naming the emotion, without moral judgment, enables you to connect in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. Perform this step with the aim of accurately identifying the feeling that you or the other person are experiencing in that moment, not with the aim of shaming them for their feeling or otherwise trying to prevent them from feeling as they do. Feelings are sometimes hard to put into words. For example, "There's half an hour to go before the show starts, and I see that you're pacing (observation). Are you nervous?" "I see your dog running around without a leash and barking (observation). I'm scared." that is the cause of that feeling. State the need Or, guess the need that caused the feeling in the other person, and ask. When our needs are met, we have happy, pleasant feelings; when they are not met, we have unpleasant feelings. By tuning into the feeling, you can often find the underlying need. Stating the need, without morally judging it, gives you both clarity about what is alive in you or the other person in that moment. For example, "I see you looking away while I'm talking, and you've been speaking so quietly, I can't hear you (observation). Please speak up so I can understand. "I'm feeling uncomfortable (feeling) because I'm needing connection right now. Is now a good time to hang out?" "I saw that your name wasn't mentioned in the acknowledgments. Are you feeling resentful because you're not getting the appreciation you need?" Note that "needs" have a special meaning in NVC: they are common to all people and not tied to any particular circumstance or strategy for fulfilling them. So, wanting to go to a movie with someone is not a need and a desire to spend time with a specific person is not a need. The need in that case might be companionship. You can meet your need for companionship in many ways, not just with that specific person and not just by going to a movie. Make a concrete request for action to meet the need just identified. Ask clearly and specifically for what you want right now, rather than hinting or stating only what you don't want. For the request to really be a request—and not a demand—allow the other person to say no or propose an alternative. You take responsibility for getting your own needs met, and you let them take responsibility for theirs. "I notice that you haven't spoken in the last ten minutes (observation). Are you feeling bored? (feeling) " If the answer is yes, you might bring up your own feeling and propose an action: "Well, I'm bored, too. Hey, how would you like to go to the Exploratorium?" or perhaps, "I'm finding these people really interesting to talk with. How about we meet up in an hour when I'm done here?" Make sure a person is open to nonviolent communication. NVC uses a type of emotional intimacy that not all people are comfortable with all the time, and they have the right to set boundaries. If someone is not open to expressing their feelings, do not push or manipulate them into doing so. Do not start psychoanalyzing someone without their consent. If at any time someone no longer wants to talk about their feelings, they have the right to do so and can leave the conversation. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, especially when stressed, may have trouble speaking in and interpreting NVC style. If this is the case, use clear and direct communication. Recognize that no one is responsible for someone else's feelings. You are not required to change your actions just because someone else doesn't like them. If someone is asking you to bend over backwards or ignore your own wants and needs, you are allowed to say no. If someone is behaving aggressively, you can ask yourself what they need. However, this can be emotionally draining work, and it is okay to walk away and say "their negativity is not my problem." People are not obligated to cater to your feelings. If someone says no to your request, avoid getting angry or guilt-tripping them. Be aware that nonviolent communication can be abused. People may use NVC to hurt others, and it is important to be able to recognize when this happens. Sometimes you don't need to meet someone's "needs." It's important to remember that tone is less important than what the person has to say, and some feelings should not be shared. Abusers can use NVC to control others. For example, "I feel disrespected when you don't check in with me every 15 minutes." Criticism of tone can be used to derail a conversation about someone's needs (e.g. "I feel hurt when you say you're upset with me" or "I feel attacked when you use that tone"). People have a right to be heard, even if they can't say things in a way that will please everyone. No one should be forced to listen to deeply negative feelings about them. For example, it is not appropriate for a parent to tell their autistic child how horrible it is to put up with them, or for someone to tell a Muslim that they feel all Muslims should be deported. Some ways of expressing feelings can be abusive. Recognize that some people may not care about your feelings. Saying "I feel humiliated when you make fun of me in front of my peers" isn't going to do anything if the other person doesn't care how you feel. Nonviolent communication can work wonders when people are accidentally hurting each other, but not when it is done on purpose, or when one party doesn't care whether they are hurting someone or not. In these cases, it's better to be clear by saying "stop it," "leave me alone," or "that hurts." Sometimes, if someone is upset with you, it isn't because you are doing something wrong. If one person is attacking another, both sides are not equally valid. Placing value judgments like "she is being mean" or "this is unfair and not my fault" is sometimes necessary, especially for abuse victims, oppressed people, bullying victims, and other people who need to protect themselves from others. Decide upon the solution together, if possible. When you do something together, you want it to be because you both voluntarily consent to it, as a way of fulfilling your own genuine needs and desires, not out of guilt or pressure. Sometimes you can find an action that meets both your needs, and sometimes you just have to amiably go your separate ways. If you're not ready to ask in this spirit, maybe you need more time, or more empathy. Or perhaps your instincts are telling you that this person does not care about your feelings. Reflect on what is stopping you. Listen closely to what the other person says. Don't assume that you know how they feel or what is best for them. Instead, let them express their thoughts and feelings. Validate their feelings , slow down to ensure they feel heard, and make it clear that you care. If you spend too much time labeling their needs, they might feel like you are trying to play therapist instead of actually hearing what they have to say. Put the focus on what they are telling you, not on what you have decided they "actually" mean. Take a break if one or both parties are too stressed to handle the conversation. If you're getting too upset to speak thoughtfully and clearly, the other person is unwilling to talk openly, or either one of you wants to end the conversation, stop. You can have it at a better time, when both parties are willing and able. If conversations consistently end badly with someone, take a close look at the situation, because there may be a deeper problem. | State the observations that are leading you to feel the need to say something. State the feeling that the observation is triggering in you. that is the cause of that feeling. Make a concrete request for action to meet the need just identified. Make sure a person is open to nonviolent communication. Recognize that no one is responsible for someone else's feelings. Be aware that nonviolent communication can be abused. Recognize that some people may not care about your feelings. Decide upon the solution together, if possible. Listen closely to what the other person says. Take a break if one or both parties are too stressed to handle the conversation. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-White-Chocolate-Mocha | How to Make a White Chocolate Mocha | To make a white chocolate mocha, start by melting 3 tablespoons of white chocolate chips in a double boiler with 2 tablespoons of milk. Then, pour the melted mixture into a mug along with 1 cup of heated milk. Next, add a shot of espresso or 4 shots of strong coffee to the mug and stir everything together. Finally, top your white chocolate mocha with whipped cream before serving. | Melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler with milk. If you don't have a double boiler, you can make one out of a pot and a glass bowl. Fill the pot with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water and place it on the stove. Place the glass bowl on top of the pot, and put the 3 tablespoons (30 grams) of white chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of milk into it. Turn the burner to medium-high, and stir the white chocolate chips and milk with a spatula as they begin to meld together. If you're using white chocolate sauce rather than chips, you don't need to worry about making a double boiler. The steam from the boiling water will heat the glass bowl and melt the chocolate chips—this prevents the chocolate from burning! Pour the white chocolate sauce into a 12 ounces (340 g) mug. If you used the double boiler, carefully spoon the hot, melted white chocolate into your mug. If you're using a prepared white chocolate sauce, simply measure out 3 tablespoons (30 grams) into your mug. Putting the white chocolate sauce in the bottom of the mug will help it incorporate more easily with the rest of the ingredients. You can buy white chocolate sauce at specialty food stores or you could order it online. Heat 1 cup (240 mL) of milk and add it to the mug. Put the milk into a microwave-safe dish and heat it up for 1 to 2 minutes. If you have a frother , you could use that to make the milk more silky smooth. Once the milk is heated, pour it carefully into the mug with your white chocolate sauce. Use caution when transferring the milk from the microwave to your mug—it'll be really hot! If you are lactose intolerant, you could use almond, coconut, soy, or other milk alternatives. Add 1.5 ounces (43 g) of espresso to the mug. If you have an espresso machine, simply pour 1 shot and add it to the mug. If you don't, you can use 1 tablespoon (4 grams) of instant espresso powder and mix it with 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of hot water. If you don't have espresso powder or an espresso machine, you could also use really strong coffee. Sub out the espresso for about 4 ounces (110 g) of hot coffee—the caffeine content may be a little less, but the flavor will still be good! If you are caffeine-free, you can still enjoy this drink by switching out the espresso or coffee for decaf. Mix together the ingredients, and top with whipped cream if you want. Carefully stir the white chocolate sauce, hot milk, and espresso for about 30 seconds so that everything is completely mixed together. For an extra-decadent treat, top your drink with some whipped cream. Drink and enjoy immediately! For a fun holiday variation, use a candy cane to stir up your drink—the peppermint flavor goes really well with the white chocolate. Enjoy an iced white chocolate mocha when the weather is warm. Simply mix 3 tablespoons (30 grams) of white chocolate sauce, 1 cup (240 mL) of cold milk, 1.5 ounces (43 g) of espresso, and a large handful of ice. You can still top the drink with whipped cream if you want to! Mix the liquid ingredients first to get the white chocolate sauce fully incorporated, and then gently add the ice to prevent the drink from splashing. Incorporate other flavors, like raspberry or pumpkin, for a fun variation. You could simply use a flavored coffee creamer, or add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of your preferred syrup to your white chocolate mocha. Raspberry, pumpkin, peppermint, and cinnamon are all great complements to the creaminess of white chocolate. Look online or at a specialty food store to find different flavored syrups. Swap out traditional milk for dairy-free options. Coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, walnut milk, macadamia milk, soy milk—there are lots of dairy-free options to choose from. Check out your local grocery store to see what you can find. Some non-dairy milks are even flavored, like vanilla almond milk, which could make a nice addition to your white chocolate mocha. Trade the sauce for powder for a quickly-accessible beverage. If you like to drink white mochas often, try out a powder so you don't have to make white chocolate sauce every time you want to enjoy your favorite drink. Simply follow the instructions on the container and use the recommended amount of powder along with milk and espresso. You can buy white chocolate mocha powders online, or you may be able to find them at a local specialty food store. | Melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler with milk. Pour the white chocolate sauce into a 12 ounces (340 g) mug. Heat 1 cup (240 mL) of milk and add it to the mug. Add 1.5 ounces (43 g) of espresso to the mug. Mix together the ingredients, and top with whipped cream if you want. Enjoy an iced white chocolate mocha when the weather is warm. Incorporate other flavors, like raspberry or pumpkin, for a fun variation. Swap out traditional milk for dairy-free options. Trade the sauce for powder for a quickly-accessible beverage. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Detox-Bath | How to Take a Detox Bath | To take a detox bath, start by drinking plenty of water, since the detox process can be dehydrating. Next, fill the bathtub with comfortably hot water and add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt, 1 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup of sea salt to the water. Then, swish the water around with your foot to mix the ingredients and soak in the tub for 20-40 minutes. Finally, get out of the tub slowly and rehydrate yourself thoroughly. | Prepare your body. The minerals in a detox bath will help pull toxins from your skin in a process that can be quite dehydrating, so be sure you are well hydrated going into your detox bath. It is recommended that you drink one full glass of water at room temperature before your detox bath. Gather your ingredients. Everything you will need for this detox can be purchased at a grocery store. You will need: Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate/bicarbonate of soda) Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt Unfiltered and unprocessed Apple Cider Vinegar Favorite essential oil if desired Ground ginger (optional) Skin brush Dry brush your skin. Your skin is your largest organ and the first line of defense from chemicals and bacteria. By helping your body shed dead layers of skin, you are also removing these harmful agents. Dry brushing also speeds up your lymphatic system's ability to eliminate waste. Use a dry brush with a long handle so you can reach all areas of your body. When choosing a brush, pick one that feels nice on your skin. Dry brushing should not be painful. Start with your skin dry and begin brushing your skin at your feet and work up your legs one at a time. Move in sweeping motions toward your heart and make your way up your mid-section (front and back) and across your chest. Finish by moving the brush up your arms toward your armpits. Your skin should feel smoother after just one session. Give yourself a lymphatic massage. The lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and organs make up the lymphatic system, which is a part of your body's defense system. Your lymph nodes are responsible for removing microorganisms and filtering bacteria from the bloodstream. With just five minutes, you can stimulate your lymphatic system to help your body detox more effectively. Place your fingers under your ears on either side of your neck. With relaxed hands, gently pull your skin downward toward the back of your neck. Repeat 10 times by gradually starting your movement lower down from your ear, eventually ending with fingers placed on top of your shoulders on either side of your neck. Gently massage your skin toward your collarbone. Repeat 5 times or as much as you like. Know what to expect. Any detox process can subject your body to flu-like symptoms like headache and nausea. These symptoms may result from the toxins leaving your body. Bring a liter of water to the bath with you and drink it slowly during your bath. You can add lemon to your water to help settle nausea. Pick the right time for your bath. Prepare your bath on a day when you have at least 40 minutes available. Pick a time when you can relax and focus on your detox bath without feeling rushed. Create a relaxing atmosphere. Dim the lights and light candles if you desire. You can also play some music you enjoy. Take smooth deep breaths to help your mind enter a relaxed state. Fill your bath. Use a chlorine filter if possible to fill your tub with comfortably hot water. Add Epsom Salt (magnesium sulphate). Soaking in Epsom Salt helps replenish your body's magnesium level, combating hypertension. The sulfate flushes toxins and helps form proteins in brain tissue and joints. For children under 60 lbs, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath. For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1 cup to a standard bath. For people 100 lbs and up, add 2 cups or more to a standard bath. Add 1 to 2 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Baking soda is known for its cleansing ability and anti-fungal properties. It also leaves skin very soft. Add 1/4 cup Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt. Composed of magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride, and bromides, Sea Salt helps to replenish minerals critical to our skin's metabolism. Magnesium is important for combating stress, fluid retention, slowing skin aging, and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation, and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body and helps to balance skin moisture. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). Add 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar. Packed full of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the best ways to cleanse your body of bacteria and boost your immune system. Add aromatherapy oils if desired. Some oils, like lavender and ylang ylang, have therapeutic properties. Tea tree and eucalyptus oils can assist in the detoxification process. Around 20 drops is sufficient for a standard bath. If you prefer, you can use fresh herbs. Add mint leaves, lavender flowers, chamomile, or anything else that suits your mood. Adding ginger can help you to sweat out the toxins. Ginger is heating, so be careful with the amount you add. Depending on your sensitivity, anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cup can be added. Swish all of the ingredients around. You can use your foot to swirl the water in the tub. When the baking soda and vinegar mix, a bubbling reaction will occur. You don't need to mix until all the salt crystals dissolve before beginning your bath. Soak for 20 to 40 minutes. Hydrate during your soak and take care not to overheat. Drink water during the first 20 minutes of your soak. You will notice yourself start sweating after just a few minutes in your detox bath. This is your body expelling toxins. If you start to feel too hot during your soak, add cool water to the tub until you are comfortable. Relax. Meditation is a great way to calm your body during a detox bath. Breathing through the nose, loosen your neck, face, hands, and stomach area. Relax and soften each part of your body. Consciously releasing body tension will help you relax in your detox bath. Once you close the bathroom door, leave all unwanted thoughts outside. Let go of worries and stress. Visualize the toxins exiting your body and the vitamins and nutrients entering in their place. Get out of the tub slowly. Your body has been working hard and you may get lightheaded or feel weak and drained. Oils and salts can also make your tub slippery, so stand with care. Wrap your body in a soft blanket or towel immediately after getting out of the tub, you can continue to detoxify through perspiration for another couple of hours. Rehydrate. Any time your body detoxes you need to replace fluids. It is recommended that you drink an additional liter of water following your detox. After the bath, brush your skin down again. You can use your hands, a loofah, or a vegetable bristle brush. This can further aid with the release of toxins. Use long, gentle sweeping strokes aimed toward the heart. Relax for the rest of the day and allow your body to continue to detoxify. | Prepare your body. Gather your ingredients. Dry brush your skin. Give yourself a lymphatic massage. Know what to expect. Pick the right time for your bath. Create a relaxing atmosphere. Fill your bath. Add 1 to 2 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Add 1/4 cup Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt. Add 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar. Add aromatherapy oils if desired. Swish all of the ingredients around. Soak for 20 to 40 minutes. Relax. Get out of the tub slowly. Rehydrate. After the bath, brush your skin down again. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Brief-a-Law-Case | How to Brief a Law Case | To brief a law case, start by briefly summarizing the facts of the case, including relevant information about who was involved and what they did. After the summary, present the main issue in the form of a question, such as, “Did the police have the right to search the Defendant?” Next, state the court's decision and the reasoning behind it, using your own words. Finally, present another way of interpreting the case that could lead to a different decision. For example, if you're briefing an old case, think about how the case may be decided today. | Read the case. Read the opinion all the way through before beginning your brief to get a basic understanding of what happened, how the case got to the particular Court, and what the Court ruled. Make note of the plaintiffs and defendants, as well as whether it was a criminal or a civil suit. If one citizen has taken another to court, then it is a civil suit. If the government is seeking prosecution, it is a criminal case. Title the brief. The name of the case (e.g., Roe v. Wade) and the full citation should be first in any case brief. The citation includes the date, and information about the court(s) that the case passed through. Franks v. Delaware, Supreme Court of the United States, 1978, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L. ed. 667 is an example of a title and citation. Be sure that your citation includes the year of the decision and the Court that rendered it. Determine whether the brief is for an appeal or a petition for certiorari. When a case is decided in trial court, the loser often has the right to appeal the decision to a higher court, called the appellate court. If this is the case, the loser from the original trial who is filing an appeal will be known as the Appellant in your brief and the winner from the trial will be known as appellee. If the loser does not have this right, because the appeal fails in the appellate court, and a request for appeal is denied by the Supreme Court, then a writ of certiorari is filed. This requests a hearing so that the lawyers can state their case as to why it should be reopened. In this case, the filer of the writ is known as the petitioner and the person who must respond to that petition is the respondent. Learn the procedural history of the case. Which Court decided what? Determine which party appealed the ruling. Say the Minnesota Superior Court upheld the search of a Defendants car and then the defendant appealed to the Appellate Court, which upheld the trial Court's ruling. The defendant then appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, where the case stands partially on the argument presented in your brief. Summarize the facts. The first section is generally called "Facts of the Case." Briefly describe what happened that led to the parties being in Court. In order to be brief, you will need to decide which facts are legally relevant and which are not. Think about who, what, and how. Who did something, what did he or she do, and how did he or she end up in Court over it? These questions should all be answered in your summary of facts. "The Defendant walked into the 29th Street Liquor Store, pointed a gun at the cashier, and demanded money. He was arrested 3 blocks from the store, with the cash in his pocket.” Re-read the case, this time looking for any facts the Court specifically mentions or refers to in any way. If the Court mentions it, it is important and should be included in your summary of the facts. Leave out unimportant dates and disputed evidence. For example, the fact that the Defendant robbed the liquor store on July 16 is irrelevant to the case. You can leave that date out of your summary of the facts. Identify the issue or issues. What is the question before the Court? You should state the issue(s) as a question in your brief. For our case, the question might be “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk?” Your issue statement should also include the specific facts relevant to that issue, for example, “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk when he was not under arrest and did not give consent?” When there is more than one issue, each issue should be stated separately in your brief. Also include the applicable rule of law. What rule, statute, or ordinance must the court interpret to make this decision? For example, in the case of a search of the Defendant's trunk, which may or may not be legal, the applicable law would be the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. If more than one rule of law was used, state each of them separately. State the decision. Also called the holding, this is the Court's answer to the issue question. The holding should be stated as a yes or no answer, with an additional sentence or two to explain the legal principle upon which the Court relied when reaching that decision. For example, if the issue is “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk when he was not under arrest and did not give consent?” the holding might be, “Yes. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution does not provide the same protection to a vehicle that it does to a home, and a warrantless search was justified.” Describe how the Court arrived at its decision. What facts did it consider and how did it apply the law to those facts? Walk the reader through the Court's reasoning, one-step at a time. Organize your brief. Present a systematic play of the Court's logic. Your analysis should be organized so that the reader can follow the Court's reasoning from beginning to end. Why the Court ruled the way it did is the most important part of the case, and the reader must be able to understand it by reading your brief instead of the case, especially in the case of an appeal. Describe any dissenting or concurring opinions. Oftentimes a Justice who is not in agreement with the majority will write a dissenting opinion or case analysis. Sometimes a Justice who is in agreement with the majority will write his or her own case analysis. If there is a dissenting or concurring opinion, a summary should be included in your case brief. Use your own words. Your analysis should avoid simply repeating the Court's words, except in cases where the exact language is important. In those cases, use quotation marks, and make it clear that you are quoting the Court. Use citations. Your analysis should include all relevant citations to other cases, statutes, and rules the Court considered when arriving at its decision. More often than not, all of the citations contained in the opinion are relevant and should be used in your brief. If you are unsure, include it. Consider alternatives. Here's your chance to present another way of interpreting the case, whether you're doing it for school or for real. What's another way of interpreting the rule of law? What conclusions might the Court come to regarding this case? If this is for a law school assignment involving an old case, consider how the case may be decided today. What newer measures are in place that might have kept the trunk from being searched? Are there any? Presenting an alternate method of interpretation is the key to the brief. | Read the case. Title the brief. Determine whether the brief is for an appeal or a petition for certiorari. Learn the procedural history of the case. Summarize the facts. Identify the issue or issues. State the decision. Describe how the Court arrived at its decision. Describe any dissenting or concurring opinions. Use your own words. Consider alternatives. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-Blame-when-You-Deserve-It | How to Accept Blame when You Deserve It | To accept blame when you deserve it, try to remember that recognizing you're wrong and being accountable makes you mature and responsible, not weak. If you did something wrong, talk to the person or people involved as soon as possible, and admit that you made a mistake. For example, you could say something like, "I was wrong to yell at you yesterday. Even if I'm upset, that's not OK." Then, apologize if the situation warrants one. After you've accepted the blame for something, try to offer a solution to make up for your mistake. For example, if you messed up at work, you could offer to stay late to fix the problem. | Recognize you're wrong. To accept blame, you must acknowledge your wrongdoing. Reflect on your words or actions and know what you did poorly or wrongly. Gain some clarity about the event and why you may have done what you did. Admitting you were wrong doesn't mean that you're weak or inept. In fact, being able to own up to your mistakes takes a lot of courage and self-awareness. It is a sign of maturity. For example, if you said you would pick up the dry cleaning but didn't, don't make an excuse. Just own that you said you would do something and you didn't pull through. Don't try to shift the blame. Keep the focus on you. You might share the blame and the other person may have said or done wrong things as well, but focus only on your part. Just because you accept your own blame doesn't mean you're free to blame other people for their parts. If you own up to your part, the other person may not own up to theirs. Even if they don't, know that you did the right thing by admitting your wrongs. Remember that you can only control your own actions, not anyone else's. For example, if a project didn't get finished and you were part of the problem, own up to your part. Don't start blaming other people, even if they were part of the problem. Say something sooner rather than later. Waiting to see how things shake out is a bad idea. As soon as a situation starts being unpleasant, own up to your responsibility in creating it. The sooner the problem is identified, the sooner a resolution is possible, and that minimizes consequences. For example, if you let someone down, talk to them as soon as you can and let them know how you feel. Say, “I was going to go to your event, but I didn't make it and it's my fault.” Admit that you were wrong. Admitting you were wrong shows that you're willing to accept that you are imperfect and make mistakes. It can be difficult to admit your wrongs, but doing so shows others that you're willing to take responsibility for what you do. For example, say, “I was wrong to yell at you yesterday. Even if I'm upset, I don't want to yell.” Apologize. If the situation warrants one, make a sincere apology. Accept your wrong and make it clear that you are sorry for whatever hurt or problem it caused. Be gracious in your apology and willing to admit your fault. For example, say, “I'm sorry I messed up the project. It's my fault, and I take responsibility for things going wrong.” Validate the person's feelings. If the other person is upset, be understanding. Validate how they feel and what they might be experiencing. Start by reflecting their words or feelings to show that you understand, and let them know that you understand their feelings. For example, say, “I can tell you're disappointed. I would be, too.” Propose a solution. Part of accepting blame and taking responsibility can include making up for your mistake. Come up with some solutions to right your wrong. This might mean putting in some extra work or promising to do better for next time. Whatever it is, show that you're willing to change to make things better. Making amends can help to restore justice and put people back on equal grounds. For example, if you're to blame for something at work, offer to stay later and fix your mistake. If you mess something up with your family or friends, say that it will be different next time and mean it. Accept consequences. Accepting responsibility for your behavior may be scary, especially if you know there will be consequences. Take your consequences as courageously as possible, and when it's done, it's really over. You'll have learned your lesson and maintained personal integrity in the process. Try to grow from the experience and avoid repeating your mistakes. For example, coming clean might mean you face consequences at work or school. Or, you may have to fess up to something to your family or partner that you know will make them upset. You might know some backlash will happen, but do the right thing. Reflect on your behavior. Recognize your mistake and reflect on what may have contributed to it. Perhaps you had a stressful day and lashed out at someone. It is easy to displace your anger onto people who really had nothing to do with your bad mood. Perhaps you jumped to conclusions and were wrong. Whatever it is you did, think about it and try to make any necessary changes as a result. For example, if you forgot something because you were rushed, try to slow down or allow more time for activities. Get accountable. Have someone in your life who can help keep you accountable for your words and actions. This might mean you have a friend who calls you out or you meet with someone to talk about accountability. Having someone to talk to about taking responsibility can help you deal with it better and faster. For example, meet with someone each week and talk about what you're doing well and what you're struggling with. Let each other know when the other needs to accept responsibility for wrongs. Move on from the situation. Nobody's perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Don't linger on a mistake or continuously try to make it up to the person you hurt. Once you've admitted your mistake and made amends , do your best to move on from the event. Even if you made a big mistake, don't guilt yourself forever. Accept what happened, learn from it, then move on. Once you've taken all the steps to make things right, don't live in guilt or shame. Let go of what happened. If your guilt over what happened is causing you a lot of distress, or you just can't seem to move on, consider seeing a counselor to help you work through it. | Recognize you're wrong. Don't try to shift the blame. Say something sooner rather than later. Admit that you were wrong. Apologize. Validate the person's feelings. Propose a solution. Accept consequences. Reflect on your behavior. Get accountable. Move on from the situation. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grill-Corn | How to Grill Corn | To grill corn on the cob, start by peeling off the first few layers of the husk, leaving a few layers on so the corn doesn't burn. Then, soak the corn in water for 15 minutes so it doesn't dry out on the grill. Next, pull the husks back to expose the top half of the corn, and pull away any silk threads on the husk. When you're finished, brush butter or olive oil over the kernels, and place the corn on a grill over medium heat. Finally, close the grill cover, and let the corn cook for 15 minutes. | Peel off most of the husk, but not all of it. If the corn cobs have thick layers of husks attached, peel off the first few layers, leaving only a few left to protect the corn and prevent it from burning. Soak the corn. Fill a large pot with cold water and dunk the cobs of corn inside. Make sure that the corn is completely covered with water. If the cobs of corn float, turn them occasionally to make sure that all sides get exposed to water. The water provides extra moisture, which prevents the corn from drying out as it gets grilled. You should let the corn soak for a minimum of 15 minutes, but it can sit in the water up to 3 hours. Preheat the grill as the corn soaks. The grill should reach medium heat. If using a grill with a thermometer, allow the grill to reach roughly 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Partially husk the corn. After it has soaked, pull the corn out of the water and shake off excess water. Pull the husks back to expose the top half of the corn, but do not remove the husks completely. Remove the silk. After exposing the corn, pull away the silky threads from the side by grasping them and yanking them up. Butter the kernels. You can use melted butter or olive oil. Roughly 1 Tbsp (15 ml) per cob should be sufficient. Place the corn on the preheated grill. Position it so that it sits on direct heat. Allow it to sit on the grill for 30 to 60 seconds on each side in order to brown but not burn. Rotate as necessary to prevent the corn from burning. Move the corn to indirect heat. This can either be the side of your grill or along a top shelf. Close the cover and allow the corn to cook for 15 minutes. Remove the corn when the husks get dark. The kernels will also pull away slightly from the tip of the cob. If the corn begins to bend in your hands or if the kernels feel soft and mushy, it has cooked too long. Use tongs and oven mitts to prevent yourself from getting burned. Clean off the cobs. Grab the uncovered portion of the corn cob with one hand, using an oven mitt or clean dish towel to prevent yourself from getting burned. Peel the remaining husks off and pick off the remaining silk threads. Rinse the corn under warm, running water to remove any ash that has fallen onto the cob. Serve hot. Allow the corn to cool just enough to prevent yourself from getting burned as you eat it. Season with salt, pepper, and additional butter to taste. Prepare your corn by making a marinade. Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, chives, and basil in a 9-inch by 13-inch (23-cm by 33-cm) baking pan. Stir with a spoon or fork to thoroughly combine. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet1.jpg\/aid2428234-v4-728px-Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet1.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>"} Allow the corn to marinate in the mixture. Add the corn to the baking pan and toss, using a fork or spatula, until evenly coated. Cover the pan with plastic cling wrap and keep in the refrigerator for approximately three hours. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet2.jpg\/aid2428234-v4-728px-Grill-Corn-Step-12Bullet2.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>"} Preheat the grill. You can you a gas grill or charcoal grill, but a charcoal grill generally works better for use with wood chips. Pre-soak wood chips, if desired. The right kind of wood chips can enhance the flavor of the corn as it grills. Soak the chips in clean water for one or two hours before you plan to start the grill. To add a sweet flavor to the corn, try applewood, alder wood, cherry wood, or maple wood. Maple wood has a mild sweetness, while applewood is moderately sweet and also contributes a fruity smell. For a bold, smoky flavor, try hickory wood or pecan wood. Hickory wood is considerably stronger. Drain the chips before starting the grill. You do not want them completely dry, but if they are dripping wet, they will hinder the fire. Place the chips in a colander to drain or pat off excess water with a dry dish towel. Sprinkle the still-damp wood chips over the grill. Only use a handful of chips unless you already know what sort of flavor to anticipate with that type of wood. Allow the wood chips to begin steadily smoking. Uncover the corn. Stir the corn to redistribute the coating. Transfer the corn to grill-safe cookware. You might be able to keep the corn in the baking pan you marinated it in, but more of the smoky grill flavor will be transferred to the kernels if you remove them to a fine-mesh grilling basket or grilling griddle with small perforations. Alternatively, you can also transfer the corn into aluminum foil packets. Distribute the kernels evenly between six sheets of aluminum foil, laying the kernels in a pile at the center of each sheet. Bring the sides together and fold to seal. Make sure that there are no loose or open gaps in the seal. Poke the foil with the tines of a fork. Doing so creates small perforations that the corn cannot escape through, but it also allows the smoky flavor to seep in. Place the cookware or foil packets on the grill rack. Cover the grill. Keeping the grill covered allows the corn to cook faster, but it also traps the smoke from the wood chips inside, giving the corn a stronger flavor as a result. Allow the corn to cook for 3 minutes. After this time has passed, open the grill and stir the corn. If the corn is wrapped in foil packets, use an oven mitt to gently grab the packet and give it a quick, light shake. Put the lid back on the grill and continue cooking. Cook the corn for an additional 3 minutes. At this point, the corn should begin to sizzle. Uncover the grill and remove the corn. Serve hot. Allow the corn to cool slightly, but for the strongest flavor, serve it while it is still fairly hot to warm. | Peel off most of the husk, but not all of it. Soak the corn. Preheat the grill as the corn soaks. Partially husk the corn. Remove the silk. Butter the kernels. Place the corn on the preheated grill. Move the corn to indirect heat. Remove the corn when the husks get dark. Clean off the cobs. Serve hot. Prepare your corn by making a marinade. Preheat the grill. Uncover the corn. Transfer the corn to grill-safe cookware. Alternatively, you can also transfer the corn into aluminum foil packets. Bring the sides together and fold to seal. Poke the foil with the tines of a fork. Place the cookware or foil packets on the grill rack. Allow the corn to cook for 3 minutes. Cook the corn for an additional 3 minutes. Serve hot. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Make-Your-Own-Bubble-Bath | How to Make Your Own Bubble Bath | To make your own bubble bath, first pour ½ cup of a soap of your choice into a mixing bowl. Add a tablespoon of honey and the egg white of 1 egg, which will help create the bubbles. If you have dry skin, you can also add a tablespoon of light oil, like olive, jojoba, or almond. To make your bubble bath smell nice, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like chamomile, lavender, or vanilla. Gently stir the ingredients together so the egg white doesn't start to foam. Then, transfer your mixture to a mason jar, glass bottle, or other container. Store it in the fridge and use it within a few days. | Choose a soap and add it into a bowl. Soap is the foundation to any good bubble bath. After all, that's where the bubbles come from. You will need ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) of any liquid hand or liquid body soap , so long as it is mild. You can choose a scented one or an unscented one. If you use an unscented soap, you can customize the scent later with essential oils. If you don't have any liquid hand or body soap, here are some other options: Dish soap, scented or unscented Liquid Castile soap, scented or unscented Mild shampoo, such as baby shampoo Add some honey into the bowl. Honey not only smells sweet, but it also helps moisturize your skin. You will need 1 tablespoon of honey. Be sure that it is the transparent, runny type. Consider adding some light oil. If your skin is very dry, consider adding 1 tablespoon of light almond oil. If you do not have any light almond oil, you can substitute any of the following: Olive oil Jojoba oil Milk Add an egg white into the bowl. Egg whites in a bath may sound strange, but they will help create fluffier, longer-lasting bubbles. To get the egg white, you will need to separate it from the yolk first, and then add it to the rest of your ingredients. Here is how you can separate the egg white from the egg yolk: Crack open an egg and let the yolk settle into one of the shell halves. Hold both halves of the shell over a bowl, and pass the yolk back and forth between each one. Each time the yolk lands in a shell, a little bit of the egg white dribbles into the bowl. Do this until all of the egg white is in the bowl. You can discard the egg yolk or you can save it and use it for something else, such as cooking or a hair mask. Consider adding some essential oils. If you want the added benefits of aromatherapy during bath time, add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. Your bubble bath will smell divine and help you de-stress after a long day. Here are a few great bath oils: Chamomile Lavender Rose geranium Sandalwood Vanilla Combine all ingredients. Once you have put all of your ingredients into the mixing bowl, stir them together gently. Do not over-mix your ingredients, or else the soap and egg white will start to stiffen and foam. Transfer your ingredients into a container. You can store your bubble bath in any container you want, so long as you can close it tightly. You can use mason jars, glass bottles with screw on caps, or glass bottles with corks. Consider making a label for your container. Embellish your container by tying some string around it or decorating it with stick-on gems. Store the bubbles properly. Your bubble bath contains egg white, which means that it is perishable. When you are not using your bubble bath, store it in your refrigerator and try to use it within a few days. Consider making vegan bubble bath. Egg whites help keep the bubbles firm and honey helps moisturize the skin, but they are not absolutely necessary to make bubble bath; it is still possible to make bubble bath without them. This section will show you how to do it. Find a mixing container. You can use a pot, a bowl, or even a jar to mix all of your ingredients. You will be pouring the ingredients into another container later. Pour the soap into the bowl. You will need 1 ½ cup (337.50 milliliters) liquid Castile soap. You can use scented or unscented soap. If you choose to use unscented soap, you can add your own scent later with essential oils. If you do not have any liquid Castile soap, you can use other liquid soaps and shampoos instead, but they may not be olive-based or vegan. Here are some options: Mild, unscented dish soap Baby shampoo or other mild shampoo Liquid hand soap, scented or unscented Liquid body soap, scented or unscented Add the glycerin and sugar. Measure out 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin and ½ tablespoon of sugar. Add both to the bowl. The sugar and glycerin help create larger bubbles and make them last longer. Note that your homemade bubble bath will not create bubbles as large and frothy as a store-bought one. Consider adding some fragrance with essential oils. Essential oils are not necessary, but they can help make your bath more aromatic, pleasant, and relaxing through aromatherapy. Here are some ideas: Chamomile Lavender Rose geranium Sandalwood Vanilla Combine all of the ingredients. Using a fork or spoon, gently stir your ingredients together. Do not over-stir your ingredients, or the soap will begin to bubble and foam. Transfer your ingredients into a seal-able container. Pour your bubble bath mixture into a seal-able container—use a funnel if you can to. You can use anything for your container that can be closed tightly, such as: mason jars, glass bottles with screw on caps, or glass bottles with corks. Personalize your bubble bath bottle by making a label for it. Embellish your bottle by decorating it with stick-on gems or tying string around it. The glycerin may settle to the bottom of the container. This is normal, because it is heavier than both the soap and water. Simply give your bottle or jar a little shake and swirl before you use your bubble bath. Let the bubble bath cure before using it. You will need to wait 24 hours before using your bubble bath. This allows the mixture to cure. Add a note of sweetness with vanilla and honey. Vanilla-honey bubble bath is popular, and it is not difficult to see why. It combines the sweetness of both honey and vanilla extract. It also uses almond oil, making it rich and nourishing. Here is what you will need: ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) light almond oil ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) mild liquid hand soap or body soap ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) honey 1 egg white 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Add lavender to your bubble bath. You can add some dried lavender inside your bubble bath bottle. It will help add a relaxing aroma and color the bubbles. Here's what you will need to make some lavender bubble bath: 1 cup (225 milliliters) clear, unscented dish soap 2/3 cup (150 milliliters) liquid glycerin 4 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons salt 5 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil (consider using a scent that compliments lavender) Several stems of dried lavender Make a sweet-smelling bubble bath. You can create a bubble bath that is reminiscent of orange creamsicles using a combination of orange-scented soaps and extracts. After you have mixed all of the ingredients together, you will need to let the mixture rest for 24 hours before using it. Here is what you will need: ½ cup (112.50 milliliters) Castile soap (consider using an orange-scented one) ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) distilled water ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) glycerin 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon orange extract 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Consider mixing essential oils . You can create your own, personalized scent by combining essential oils and adding them to your bubble bath bottle. Be sure to stir the bubble bath mixture before using it to combine all of the essential oils. Here are some blends: Lavender-Lemon: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops lemon, and 1 drop chamomile Citrus-Floral: 5 drops bergamot, 4 drops orange, and 1 drop rose geranium, ylang ylang, or jasmine. Lavender and Spice: 5 drops lavender, 4 drops patchouli or sandalwood, 1 drop clove (not recommended for sensitive skin) Rose Dream: 3 drops rose absolute, 2 drops palmarosa, 1 drop rose geranium Cool and Refreshing: 5 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops peppermint Relaxing Lavender: 5 drops lavender, 5 drops bergamot Calming Rose: 6 drops lavender, 3 drops geranium, 3 drops rose Start filling your tub with water. Put the plug into the drain and start running the water. Use a temperature that you are comfortable with. Let the water run for a few minutes. Do not fill the entire tub just yet. Pour the bubble bath into the stream of running water. Measure out about ¼ cup (56.25 milliliters) of your bubble bath mixture and pour it into the tub. Be sure that you are pouring it under the running water; this will help the bubble bath to foam up. You should see rich, frothy bubbles taking shape in your tub. Fill the tub to your liking. Let the water run until it is as deep as you like it. Remember, the deeper the water is, the longer it will retain its heat. Agitate the water if necessary. To help fluff the bubbles up even more, stick your hand into the water and move it back and forth quickly. It is okay if you splash the water about. After a while you should see the bubbles begin to foam up even more. Keep in mind, however, that your homemade bubble bath may not produce as many bubbles as a store-bought one. Step into the tub and soak. Lean back against the wall of the tub and sit in the water. You can choose to read a book or simply close your eyes and relax. Do this for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. | Choose a soap and add it into a bowl. Add some honey into the bowl. Consider adding some light oil. Add an egg white into the bowl. Consider adding some essential oils. Combine all ingredients. Transfer your ingredients into a container. Store the bubbles properly. Consider making vegan bubble bath. Find a mixing container. Pour the soap into the bowl. Add the glycerin and sugar. Consider adding some fragrance with essential oils. Combine all of the ingredients. Transfer your ingredients into a seal-able container. Let the bubble bath cure before using it. Add a note of sweetness with vanilla and honey. Add lavender to your bubble bath. Make a sweet-smelling bubble bath. Consider mixing essential oils . Start filling your tub with water. Pour the bubble bath into the stream of running water. Fill the tub to your liking. Agitate the water if necessary. Step into the tub and soak. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-Dirty-on-the-Phone | How to Talk Dirty on the Phone | If you want to talk dirty on the phone, make sure to speak to your partner in a lower, sexier voice than usual. Using your “dirty talk” voice, give them a few compliments to get the ball rolling, like “I've been thinking about your toned arms all day” or “I miss you and your body so much.” You can jumpstart their imagination by describing what you're wearing, making sure to focus on the parts of your body your partner likes. To make the conversation steamier, tell your partner what you would do if they were there. Start slowly by talking about foreplay before ramping up into hot and heavy stuff. If you're comfortable with it, touch yourself as you dirty talk and describe every touch to your partner. | Pick the right time to talk dirty. If you want to have a flawless dirty talk phone date, then you have to make sure that both you and your partner are alone and ready to start having a sexy conversation. Your dirty talk won't go very far if you're ready in bed while your partner is having dinner with his mom. Plan your dirty talk date in advance so both of you are free and alone at home or in your rooms. Look and feel sexy. Take a nice warm bath and put on some sexy lingerie and a hot outfit. Even if your partner won't be able to see what you're wearing, you'll be more easily turned on if you look ready for some action. You can even rub some scented oil or lotion on the nape of your neck to get you in the mood. Set the mood. Would you have sex with your dirty laundry all over your room and empty takeout containers all over your desk? Hopefully not. You shouldn't talk dirty until you're in a romantic atmosphere either. Just clean up your space, dim the lights and light some candles, and lie in your clean, welcoming bed. Do whatever you would do to prepare to get it on for real. Don't overthink it. Before you pick up the phone or start getting turned on, don't stare at yourself in the mirror or analyze every last thing you'll say to your lover. Even if you're a dirty talk virgin, the process will feel more natural if you just sit back, relax, and get ready for what's to come. Start getting turned on. This doesn't mean you should touch yourself -- unless you want to -- but it does mean that you should start getting in a sexy mental space. Close your eyes and think of your most illicit sexual fantasy, or remember the last time it got really hot and heavy between you and your lover. If it helps, you can lightly caress your body to get in the mood. But you should save most of that for your phone conversation. Find your "dirty talk" voice. It should still sound like you -- but like a sexier, slower-talking version of you. Don't use the same voice you would use to ask your honey how his day went. Instead, talk a bit lower and more slowly -- you can even lower your voice to a near-whisper if you want to. Just make sure it still sounds like you to an extent. Give your lover a few compliments. You don't have to say anything X-rated right away. Just start with a few basic compliments. Tell your special someone how much you've missed him, and how amazing his body is. You can even remind him of the last time you had sex and how hot it was. Just start saying nice things to your lover to get into the mood. Here are some things you can say: "I've been thinking about your toned arms all day." "I miss you and your body so much." "I love hearing your voice." Talk about what you're wearing. Tell your lover what you're wearing and describe it in great detail. Talk about how your body looks in your clothes, and mention any parts that are exposed. Ask your lover what he or she is wearing and close your eyes and imagine him or her in those clothes. Here are some ways to describe what you're wearing: For women: "I'm wearing your favorite bra." "I'm not wearing any underwear." "My dress is really tight around my chest." For men: "My shirt is tight around my biceps." "I'm wearing that belt you love to take off." "I'm wearing a button-down shirt. It comes off pretty easily." Talk about what you would do if your lover was there. Start slow. Just say a few things that you wish would happen if your lover was there. You can get as graphic as you want, but you can start with the basics as you build toward your more elaborate fantasies. Here are some things you can say: "I wish your arms were around me right now." "I wish I could kiss your neck right now." "If you were here, I'd start nibbling on your ear. You wouldn't be able to stop me." Touch yourself -- and describe how it feels. You can do this at any point while you're talking dirty. But the earlier you do it, the more turned on you'll be. Start gently stroking your own body and let your lover know what you're doing. Then, ask him or her to touch his or her own body and be detailed about what you want him to do. Just like real foreplay, you don't have to touch yourselves anywhere too untoward -- just start with a light touch that turns you on. As you keep talking, you can start touching yourself in your erogenous zones. Let your lover know exactly what you're doing to your body. If you're caressing your breasts or stomach, tell him. Describe all of the sensations you feel to your lover. If you start to feel a sexy shiver after lightly caressing your neck, describe it. Tell your lover how you'd want him to touch you. Start talking about all of the things you wish your lover would do to your body until you're both bursting with excitement. Take turns telling each other what you wish you could do to each other. This can get more graphic than just saying what you want to do to your lover. Talk about what you want to do to your lover. Let your lover know exactly what you would do to his or her body if you were there. Now that you're starting to get excited and to touch your own body, you can kick it up a notch and say whatever you want to do to his body, no matter how dirty it is. Talk about how turned on you are. Don't be shy -- tell your lover how turned on you are just from talking to him and thinking about him next to you. Let him know that you're excited and that you feel it all over your body. If you're so turned on that you feel it in your toes, tell your lover. Reveal your greatest fantasies. Once you're really excited, share your fantasy with your lover, no matter how dirty it may be. He'll play along and talk about it with you, helping you get more turned on as you picture yourselves enacting the fantasy together. Don't be afraid to put it all out on the phone line -- just close your eyes and start talking. Take off your clothes -- and talk about it. Don't just start stripping -- let your lover in on the peep show, button by button. If you're taking off your shirt, let him know that it's sliding over your head. If you're taking off your belt, let your lady know that you're dropping your belt to the floor. Paint a picture of your body that will turn on your lover even more. You can also ask your lover to take off his clothes. Ordering him or her around will be extra hot. You can just say, "Now take off your shirt" or, "I want you to pull down your skirt." When you start taking off your clothes, you can ask your lover for validation. As you're taking off your shirt, you can ask, "Are you sure you want me to take off my shirt?" This will help paint a visual image for your lover. Masturbate. If you just want to talk dirty just for fun or practice, then you can get off the phone and get off on your own. But if you really want to commit to talking dirty, then you and your lover should touch yourselves until you orgasm. If you want to keep things hot and heavy, you can announce your orgasm, and tell your lover that you're about to come. This will build anticipation and will turn both of you on even more. Once you've both orgasmed, you can say goodbye and look forward to your next dirty talk date. Don't be shy -- tell your partner when you're touching yourself, and let him or her know how it's making you feel. Be as graphic as you want. As in real sex, it's pretty difficult to climax at the same time as your partner. If you climax first, just keep talking dirty to turn on your partner. Don't stop and ruin the mood. Keep talking dirty until both people are satisfied. Have a sexy goodbye. Don't start transitioning into talking about how your days went; don't start telling goofy jokes, either. Just as you would cuddle after real sex, say some sweet, soft words to your lover and let him know how amazing he makes you feel. Get off the phone after a little while -- if you want to have a normal conversation with your lover, do it a bit later, so you can enjoy the sexy feeling after your dirty talk date. | Pick the right time to talk dirty. Look and feel sexy. Set the mood. Don't overthink it. Start getting turned on. Find your "dirty talk" voice. Give your lover a few compliments. Talk about what you're wearing. Talk about what you would do if your lover was there. Touch yourself -- and describe how it feels. Tell your lover how you'd want him to touch you. Talk about what you want to do to your lover. Talk about how turned on you are. Reveal your greatest fantasies. Take off your clothes -- and talk about it. Masturbate. Have a sexy goodbye. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Select-Safe-Dog-Toys | How to Select Safe Dog Toys | If you want to pick a safe toy for your dog, go for a stuffed toy that is labeled safe for children. Just make sure it is small enough for your pup to carry it around in their mouth, yet big enough that it can't be swallowed. If your dog uses the toy frequently, make sure to keep an eye on how chewed up the toy gets, and throw it out before your dog has a chance to eat the innards. You can also give your dog other types of active toys, like rope or tennis balls. Just make sure to throw them out if they get too chewed up or else they become a choking hazard. | Don’t give your dog toys that are too small. Toys should be appropriate for your dog's size. Small dogs might require somewhat smaller toys than their larger counterparts. But toys should never be so small that they can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your dog's throat. Similarly, keep out of reach household products that are thin and easily consumed. These include ribbon, rubber bands, and string. Because dogs vary so much in size, it is difficult to say what a safe size is. It is important, however, that the dog not be able to swallow it. Thus, it should be large enough that you couldn't imagine your dog getting it down its throat. Check the chemicals in plastic toys. Plastic toys can be safe. Some toys, however, include dangerous chemicals. Often labels will not include a comprehensive list of ingredients, but they will advertise if they are free of dangerous chemicals. Look for labels that indicate toys are “phthalate free” and “BPA free.” You can also use your senses to assess the risk associated with plastic toys. Be careful if the toy has a strong chemical smell. Bright colors are also sometimes created with dangerous dyes. To follow up, research the product online. Good manufactures ought to include information on their website about the manufacturing process and toy safety. Watch your dog closely with squeak toys. Squeak toys are a favorite of dogs and are not necessarily dangerous. However, your dog may feel that he must find and destroy the source of the squeaking. In the process, he could ingest the toy or the squeaker. Squeak toys are not dangerous on their own, your dog might just be unusually aggressive with them. Just watch them carefully to ensure that your dog does not seem to be tearing out the insides or trying to eat parts of the toy. Stick to sturdy soft toys. Any soft toy can be torn up. However, you should try to purchase toys that are durable to prevent your dog from getting to the dangerous innards of the toy. Look for toys that are labeled as machine washable. Avoid rawhide. Rawhide might seem like the natural choice, but it is often treated with dangerous chemicals. When chewed up, it can also become small and easy to swallow. This poses a particularly significant risk to your dog. Many rawhides also come from an international fur trade that is morally questionable. If you do give your dogs rawhide watch carefully when your dog is chewing on rawhide. Make sure that the piece has not gotten so small that your dog could swallow it. Be careful if your dog is pulling off small pits that could be swallowed. Take away any small bits of rawhide that could be swallowed. Give your dog rawhide only if it is not around other dogs. Around other dogs, they can get competitive and will begin eating the rawhide more quickly. If they are calmly consuming the rawhide, there is less risk of injury. Avoid natural bones. Dogs can break their teeth on rib bones, cow hooves, and pig bones. Pig ears and bone marrow are less dangerous but can cause issues with digestion. Dental bones are a safer alternative. Bones from cooked foods are particularly dangerous. They can break teeth, scratch tongues, and cause damage throughout the digestive system. Raw, uncooked bones can be safe. Leg bones and bones that have been cut are also likely to break, causing damage. If you do feed your dog bones, watch it carefully to make sure that it has not broken off any small pieces that could be swallowed. Do not give bones to dogs that have had dental work. Do not give bones to dogs when there are other dogs in the vicinity. They will compete for the bone and can hurt themselves when playing with it. Use tennis balls. Tennis balls are a great active toy for your dog. Your dog should not be at any risk of swallowing a tennis ball, unless he has been able to chew much of it up. Be mindful of any damage to the ball and replace frequently. Play with rope toys. Rope toys are also a good active toy. You can play a good game of tug of war with a rope. Your dog might particularly appreciate a bone shaped piece of rope. Buy Kong or Busy Box toys. They are toys that are filled with treats or a combination of broken treats and peanut butter. They are less active toys, but they will occupy your dog for a long time. Your dog will have to work, possibly for hours, to get the treats out from inside the toy. This makes for a good, lazy day activity. Buy soft toys. Soft toys are comforting to dogs. Some dogs like to carry them around, so make sure that the toy is small enough for that purpose. Other dogs like to try to kill soft toys, so make sure the toy is large enough that it can not be ingested by your dog. Buy stuffed toys that are labeled safe for children. These should not contain especially dangerous fillings. Some fillings like nutshells and polystyrene beads are particularly unsafe, but no filling is truly safe to eat. You should monitor your dog with soft toys to make sure that they have not penetrated the exterior and reached the innards. These are unsafe to eat. If a soft toy has serious scratches and tears, throw it away before your dog reaches the innards. Your dog will be particularly comforted by soft, personal items. Shirts, pillow cases, and towels can carry your smell and thus will make your dog feel at home. Be prepared, however, to have these items torn up by your dog. Circulate your toys. To make sure that your dog doesn't get tired of its toys, try to rotate them in and out of circulation once a week. Keep a few toys out and put the rest away somewhere your dog can't reach them. If, however, your dog has one favorite toy, you can consider leaving it out all the time. This is particularly the case with a soft toy that your dog has become emotionally attached to. Play hide and seek. When you put new toys out, don't just leave them in the middle of the room. Put them behind couches and under tables. Your dog will appreciate toys that it needed to work to find. Your dog will also expend a lot of energy running around trying to find its toys. Keep different types of toys out to play with. Keep out toys that serve different functions. For example, keep one that is used for fetching, one that is carried, one that is babied, one that is rolled, and one that is killed. Periodically put out a toy with treats inside. Spice them up. You can make your toys more attractive to your dog by introducing edible treats. To make a toy smell better, marinate it in bouillon. You can also spread peanut butter on toys, or put frozen Kool-Aid inside. Play with them. Toys shouldn't just be a way for dogs to occupy themselves, they should be an opportunity for you to bond with them. Playing with your dogs is a good way to socialize them. Playing fetch in a confined environment can make your home feel bigger than it is, because your dog will be able to run back and forth for great distances in a small space. This will make your wild friend feel comfortable inside. | Don’t give your dog toys that are too small. Check the chemicals in plastic toys. Watch your dog closely with squeak toys. Stick to sturdy soft toys. Avoid rawhide. Avoid natural bones. Use tennis balls. Play with rope toys. Buy Kong or Busy Box toys. Buy soft toys. Circulate your toys. Play hide and seek. Keep different types of toys out to play with. Spice them up. Play with them. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Provide-High-Resting-Spaces-for-Your-Cat | How to Provide High Resting Spaces for Your Cat | To provide high resting spaces for your cat, which can reduce its stress levels and keep it relaxed, consider allowing your cat to hop up onto your high cupboards. You could also provide your cat with some shelving to climb on by setting up an open pathway to your bookshelf and adding a small cat bed to one of the shelves. If you don't already allow your cat on tables and couches, these can be easy options for your cat to use, as well, as long as they are not left too cluttered. In addition to letting your cat on your furniture, invest in a climbing post or cat tree with at least two or three resting spots, so your cat has its own place to go. | Allow your cat to rest on high cupboards. Cats usually gravitate to high places like the top of cupboards. Being up high helps to reduce stress and keep your cat calm and relaxed. Provide an open pathway to high cupboards so they are easy for your cat to access. For example, if your cat likes to climb the high cupboards in your kitchen, make sure there is no clutter on the top of the cupboards and that there is a lot of room for your cat to lie down or sit down in this area. Make sure your cat has enough room to leap up onto the high cupboards. You can also provide steps or other flat surfaces that your cat can step on to get up to the high resting spot. Provide high shelves for your cat to rest on. You can also provide high shelving for your cat to climb and rest. Set up shelving, such as book shelves, in your living room or bedroom and leave the top shelves empty so your cat can rest on them. Make sure there is an open pathway leading to the shelves so your cat can get on them easily. You can also create a rising pathway made of shelving so your cat can climb and rest on different levels. Put shelving of different sizes together to create an ascending row of shelves. Or use shelving of different sizes throughout your home so your cat has different levels it can rest on. Add some towels or a small cat bed to the shelves to encourage your cat to perch on them. Allow your cat to rest on tables and couches. Table tops are good spots for cats to rest on. Try designating one high table in your home as your cat's resting spot. Make sure there is no clutter on the table so your cat can access it easily. You can also allow your cat to rest on the back of high couches, such as couches in your living room or bedroom. Let your cat rest on stairwells and window sills. Stairwells and window sills can act as great resting places for your cat. They provide different levels for your cat to climb, making them ideal high spots for resting and relaxing. Window sills are also good options, especially if your home has wide window sills. Keep the these areas clean and empty so your cat can rest on them as it sees fit. There are also commercial attachments for window sills that can add more space for your cat to sleep on. Invest in a climbing post for your cat. A climbing post usually has a least two to three shelves or resting spots, like branches of a tree. Most cats enjoy climbing and resting on a climbing post. Some climbing posts also double as scratching posts and are made of material that can be scratched or pawed by your cat. You can find climbing posts for your cat online or at your local pet store. If you have more than one cat, you may want to invest in more than one climbing post. This way, your cats will not need to fight over the same post and can have equal access to high resting places. Many climbing posts also function as “cat hotels,” which allow your cat to hide away and sleep out of sight if they want. Place the climbing post in an accessible spot. To ensure your cat uses the climbing post for resting, place it in a spot in your home where your cat hangs out. This could be the living room by a window or in a spare room. If you have a large home, you may get more than one climbing post and place them throughout your house. This way, your cat can have access to resting spots in several rooms in your home. Give your cat affection and praise when it is on the post. Encourage your cat to hang out and rest on the climbing post by giving verbal praise and heavy pets when it is on the post. If you notice your cat on the climbing post, go over and give it a few good pets or verbal praise like, “Good kitty” or “That's a good cat.” Put cat toys on the post so your cat can play with the toys when it wants to. This can encourage your cat to hang out on the climbing post for playing and for resting. To help train your cat in the beginning, you should place treats in various locations on the post. For most cats, however, there is a natural instinct to climb, and they won't need incentives. Put double sided tape on inappropriate spots. Though you want to create high resting spots for your cat in your home, there may be places that you do not want your cat to rest on. For example, maybe you have a shelf of collectibles you want to keep your cat away from or you have an antique bureau that you'd rather not have your cat rest on. To deter your cat from resting in these spots, try putting double sided tape on them. If you are worried the double sided tape will ruin furniture, try putting the tape on a piece of cardboard and then placing the cardboard on the item. This way, your cat is deterred from resting or climbing on the item and the item's surface does not get damaged. Place shallow dishes of water by inappropriate spots. You can also deter your kitty from resting on inappropriate spots by placing shallow dishes of water by these areas. Cats usually don't like being close to water or stepping in water. The dishes of water can prevent them from climbing or resting on spots you want to keep cat-free. Be careful when trying this option because your cat may accidentally knock over the water, which could damage whatever is on or under the shelf or ledge. This is especially true if your cat can't easily see the bowl. You can also try spraying your cat lightly with a spray bottle when they are on surfaces you don't want them to be on. However, only do so lightly and intermittently. Over time, your cat will likely learn not to go on spots where they are going to get sprayed. Get your cat to go on their climbing post instead. Try to encourage your cat to climb or rest on their climbing post instead of inappropriate spots in your home. Place treats on their climbing post so they go to there instead. Pet your cat when they are on their climbing post so they know it is a good spot to be. | Allow your cat to rest on high cupboards. Provide high shelves for your cat to rest on. Allow your cat to rest on tables and couches. Let your cat rest on stairwells and window sills. Invest in a climbing post for your cat. Place the climbing post in an accessible spot. Give your cat affection and praise when it is on the post. Put double sided tape on inappropriate spots. Place shallow dishes of water by inappropriate spots. Get your cat to go on their climbing post instead. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Curls-With-a-Flat-Iron | How to Make Curls With a Flat Iron | To make curls with a flat iron, start by pinning up the top layer of your hair and combing out a 1- or 2-inch section of the bottom layer. Next, clamp the flat iron on that section about 1-2 inches from your roots. Then, hold the iron horizontally and move it down your hair quickly if you want loose curls. Alternatively, for tight curls, hold the iron vertically and move it down your hair slowly. Finish curling the bottom sections of your hair, then unpin the top layer of your hair and repeat the curling process. | Select a skinny flat iron. You need one no wider than one or two inches. A paddle iron will be too wide. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Lightly spray your hair from about 6 inches (150 mm) away with a heat protectant. Comb it through thoroughly. When you use a heat protectant, the hair should be lightly misted but not damp. A gentle spray will be enough. Separate your hair into sections. Start with one side of your head. Gather up the top layers of your hair, leaving just the bottom layer, and pin them back with a butterfly clip. Comb out a one- or two-inch section (the smaller the section, the tighter your curls will be and the more curls you will produce). Clamp the section of hair you separated into the iron. Start about an inch or two from the roots. At this point, you will basically just rotate the iron, and move it down the length of your hair. The direction you rotate it and the speed you move it will depend on the kind of curl you want. For tight curls, hold the iron vertically, and move down your hair slowly (not so slow that you burn your hair, of course). Depending on the length of hair, spend about 20 to 30 seconds slowly moving down the strand. For loose curls, hold the iron horizontally, and move down your hair more quickly. For curls that turn away from your face, twist the iron up, toward the top of your head. For curls that turn toward your face, twist the iron down, toward the ground. Unclamp the iron when you get to the end of your hair. Use your finger to twirl your hair in the same direction as the curl. This will help set it in that shape. Continue on to the rest of your hair. Work from the bottom to the top, and then do the other side of your head the same way. Mist it with hairspray to set it. Select a skinny flat iron. You need one no wider than one or two inches. A paddle iron will be too wide. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Spray your hair with a heat protectant about 6 inches (150 mm) away from your head. Comb it through thoroughly. Separate your hair into sections. Start with one side of your head. Gather up the top layers of your hair, leaving just the bottom layer, and pin them back with a butterfly clip. Comb out a one- or two-inch section. Clamp the section of your hair you separated into the iron. Start about an inch or two from the roots. Rotate your wrist toward your head, angling the iron down. Slide it an inch or two down at this angle, and rotate your wrist in the other direction, so the iron is angled up. Slide it an inch or two down at this angle, and rotate your wrist again. Repeat until you reach the end of your hair. Keep going. Continue through the rest of your hair, until it is all nice and wavy. Mist it with hairspray to help it keep its shape. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Lightly mist your hair with a heat protectant from about 6 inches (150 mm) away. Comb it through thoroughly. Make a loop with a section of your hair. Wrap a one or two inch section of hair around your finger. Carefully slide it off your finger, being careful to maintain the loop. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the loop of your hair. It should be tight enough to stay there on its own when you let go. Repeat until all your hair is wrapped in foil. Clamp the iron over one of the foil-wrapped loops of hair. Hold it for two or three seconds and release. Give the foil a few moments to cool down, then unwrap it. See how your hair looks. If it has the amount of curl you're looking for, simply repeat the exact same process with the rest of the foil on your head. If it's not quite as curly as you'd hoped, loop and wrap it again, and try a couple seconds longer. Proceed with caution. Aluminum foil cools relatively quickly, but it's still easy to burn your hands or your scalp during this process. Err on the side of ironing for too little time at first, to avoid burning your hair. | Select a skinny flat iron. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Separate your hair into sections. Clamp the section of hair you separated into the iron. Unclamp the iron when you get to the end of your hair. Continue on to the rest of your hair. Select a skinny flat iron. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Separate your hair into sections. Clamp the section of your hair you separated into the iron. Keep going. Prepare your hair for exposure to heat. Make a loop with a section of your hair. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the loop of your hair. Clamp the iron over one of the foil-wrapped loops of hair. See how your hair looks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hang-Clothes-to-Dry | How to Hang Clothes to Dry | To hang clothes to dry, start by shaking them out after the wash is finished, which will remove wrinkles. Then, hang each item on a separate clothes hanger. If you don't have clothes hangers, drape your clothes over the shower curtain rod, the back of a chair, or a door. Try to hang your clothes in an open area, such as near a window or door, because they'll dry quicker with plenty of air circulation. To speed up the drying process, turn on the heating or a nearby fan. Remember to flip your clothes after an hour or so, which will prevent them from getting musty and help them dry quicker. | Shake out the clothing after removing it from the wash. Hold the clothing by the end and give it a quick shake. It helps unfold the clothing after washing, eliminating wrinkles. The more you can prevent the clothing from bunching up, the easier it is to dry. Turn dark clothing inside out to prevent fading. If you live in a sunny area, turn dark shirts and jeans inside out. Your clothing will still fade over time, but this slows the process. Also, if you hang dark clothing in direct sunlight, move it out of the light as soon as it finishes drying. White clothing is okay to leave out. The sun brightens it. Pin folded sheets at the ends. Starting with the larger items is recommended since these take up the most space and dry slower. These large items should be folded in half first. Bring the folded end up, draping it slightly over the clothesline. Pin the corner, then move across the line to pin the middle and other corner. Keep the top of the sheet flat and straight against the clothesline. Do this with every article you hang to prevent wrinkles. Keep towels unfolded while hanging. Unfold the towels, then bring them to the clothesline. Drape 1 end slightly over the clothesline. Pin both corners to hold the towel in place. Hang the towel vertically and unfolded so it dries faster. To save on clothespins, hang the towels next to one another and clip the ends with the same pin. Hang shirts by the bottom hem. Bring the bottom hem up to the line. Clip 1 corner, then stretch the hem out over the clothesline and clip the other corner. The hem should be straight and flat against the line so the shirt doesn't sag at all. Let the shirt's heavier end dangle to encourage drying. Another way to hang shirts is with hangers. Slide the clothing onto the hangers, then hook the hangers onto the clothesline. Pin pants by the leg seams to facilitate drying. Fold the pants in half, pressing the legs together. Hold the bottom hems against the clothesline and pin them in place. If you have 2 clotheslines side by side, separate the legs and pin 1 to each line. It will reduce the drying time even further. The waist end is heavier, so it's better to let it hang lower. However, you can hang the pants by the waist hem if you wish. Hang socks in pairs by the toes. Keep your socks paired together to save on space. Set the socks side by side with the toe end curled over the line. Place a single clothespin between the socks, fastening both in place. Repeat this with any other pairs of socks that need drying. Fasten small items at the corners. For items like baby pants, small towels, and underwear, hang them like you would with a towel. Stretch them out on the line so they don't sag. Clamp the clothespins on both corners. Hopefully, you have enough extra space to stretch these items out on the line. If you're short on space, try to find spots between the other articles and fit them there. Dry your clothes in an open space. Clothing has to be exposed to air circulation to dry effectively. Heat and sunlight also help. No matter how you dry your clothing, keep it out of closets or other enclosed area. Place it near open doors, windows, and heat vents. The clothing doesn't have to be placed in direct sunlight. Placing it out in the open helps a lot. Turn on nearby fans and heating vents. Hopefully, your room has some natural heat flow and air circulation to speed up drying. Turn on any heat and air sources nearby. This includes fans and your home heating system. Any heat or air blowing towards the clothing helps. If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier also speeds up the drying process. Be cautious when using heat. Never place the clothing right next to the heating source, as you could start a fire. Drape clothing over a wall-mounted rod. Most likely you already have a bath or curtain rod you can utilize for drying clothing. Sling the items over the rod and position them so they aren't bunched up against one another. If any of your clothing drips, set towels or buckets underneath it to collect the water. Larger items, including towels and sheets, benefit from having space on the rod. However, it can be used to dry most clothing. Larger items can also be draped over doors or chair backs. Use hangers to hang non-stretchable clothing from the wall-mounted rod. Clothing hangers are useful for hanging non-stretchable clothing such as jeans and T-shirts. Place them between any clothing you have draped over the rod. Slip the clothing on the hangers, then spread them apart so air reaches all parts of the fabric. Again, leave space between each article so moisture doesn't get trapped. Set up a drying rack for extra hanging space. You can get a relatively inexpensive drying rack at a general store. Drying racks are basically smaller versions of bath or curtain rods. Set the rack up near a breezy window or heat source, then drape clothing over the rack's bars. Racks have the advantage of mobility. You can move the rack to wherever you need it. They also tend to have a flat surface on top for laying delicates. Avoid hanging delicate, stretchable clothing. Clothing such as knit sweaters stretch out when hung up to dry. You are better off laying these items flat. One way to do this is to purchase a drying net from a nearby general store. The net hooks onto a wall-mounted rod like clothing hangers do. Then, lay the delicate item flat inside the net until it dries. Another way to dry these items is to lay them out on a dry towel. You can also use the top part of a drying rack, if you have one. Space out the clothing as much as possible. Before leaving the clothing to dry, check its positioning again. Make sure each item has plenty of space around it. Spread them out as much as you can to facilitate drying. No items should be pressed together. Flip the clothing halfway through drying. Wait between 15 and 30 minutes, then flip your clothes. When clothing is wet for too long, it can get musty. Flipping prevents that gross smell by speeding up the drying process. Larger items like blankets benefit from being flipped, but other clothes may need it too depending on how much heat and air flow you have in your environment. | Shake out the clothing after removing it from the wash. Turn dark clothing inside out to prevent fading. Pin folded sheets at the ends. Keep towels unfolded while hanging. Hang shirts by the bottom hem. Pin pants by the leg seams to facilitate drying. Hang socks in pairs by the toes. Fasten small items at the corners. Dry your clothes in an open space. Turn on nearby fans and heating vents. Drape clothing over a wall-mounted rod. Use hangers to hang non-stretchable clothing from the wall-mounted rod. Set up a drying rack for extra hanging space. Avoid hanging delicate, stretchable clothing. Space out the clothing as much as possible. Flip the clothing halfway through drying. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Abnormal-Vaginal-Spotting-Between-Periods | How to Identify Abnormal Vaginal Spotting Between Periods | To identify abnormal vaginal spotting between periods, look for any blood outside of your normal menstrual pattern. If you notice blood, between your periods, inspect the blood to make sure it's not discolored vaginal discharge, residue from reddish-colored urine/feces or an excreted medicinal stain, which are nothing to worry about. You should also pay attention to any other unusual symptoms that appear alongside your spotting, like an extremely low or high blood pressure, fever, fainting spells, and a sharp pain in your hips or abdomen. If you notice any of these symptoms in addition to abnormal vaginal bleeding, seek medical attention immediately. | Check if your period is expected in a few days. Noticing blood on your toilet paper or underwear can be scary if it's not time for your period. However, it's totally normal to notice spotting within a week of your period. Check the calendar to see if your period is coming soon. If it is, your spotting is probably normal. It's helpful to track your period so you can tell what's normal and what isn't. You may have spotting every month in the days before your period, which could be normal for you. If you've never had spotting before your period, it's possible that something is wrong. You likely don't need to worry, but call your doctor to be sure. Determine if you might be ovulating, which may cause spotting. It's totally normal to see a little spotting after you ovulate. Ovulation spotting happens when your egg drops out of your ovary. Usually, it'll look pink because it's blood mixed in with your cervical discharge. Check the calendar to see if you're in day 10 to 16 of your menstrual cycle, which may mean you're ovulating. Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period. Normal ovulation will occur sometime around day 14. This will usually be a few days or about a week after your period ends. Expect spotting in the first few months of using a new birth control. Both birth control pills and an intrauterine device (IUD) can cause spotting between periods. This is a normal side effect of the hormones from oral contraceptives or the implantation of an IUD. If you've started a new birth control in the previous 3 months, consider that it may be the cause of your spotting. Consider if you've recently used emergency contraception. While emergency contraception is safe, it may potentially cause spotting after you use it. This is usually nothing to worry about unless it continues. If you're feeling concerned, see your doctor to make sure everything is okay. For instance, you may experience light spotting after taking Plan B. While bleeding is a rare side effect of emergency contraceptive, it can happen because of the hormones in the pill. Notice if you're experiencing other symptoms. You may have abnormal spotting due to a pelvic infection, medical condition, or cancer. Try not to worry because there are many harmless causes of spotting. Instead, monitor yourself for other possible symptoms of a medical condition. See your doctor if you notice these symptoms: Easy bruising Fever Dizziness Abdominal or pelvic pain Abnormal discharge Determine if your spotting could be a symptom of PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that commonly causes irregular periods, among other symptoms. As part of your irregular periods, you may experience spotting. If you know you have PCOS, consider if it might be the reason behind your spotting. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, acne, male-pattern baldness (hair thinning at your temples or your crown), and enlarged ovaries. See your doctor if you suspect you may have undiagnosed PCOS. Consider if the spotting happened after sexual intercourse. You might have bleeding after sex due to scratching inside your vagina or because of a medical issue. Sometimes this is no big deal, but it can be a cause for concern. If you've only experienced spotting once, it's likely nothing is wrong. However, it's best to talk to your doctor if you have spotting after sex more than once or you're very concerned. If you have vaginal dryness, you're more likely to have spotting after sex. If this is the case, using a lube may help you avoid spotting in the future. Take a pregnancy test if you could be in the early weeks of pregnancy. Spotting can happen in the early days of pregnancy when your baby attaches to the lining of your uterus. However, it may also happen in the first few weeks. If you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test to find out if this could be the cause of your spotting. If the results are negative but you don't get your period, take the test again or talk to your doctor. Get checked by your doctor if you're pregnant. Try not to worry, but it's possible that spotting can be a sign that something is wrong with your pregnancy. Go to your doctor to make sure you're not have an ectopic pregnancy, which means your baby is growing in your fallopian tubes. Additionally, your doctor can make sure you aren't experiencing early symptoms of a miscarriage. If something is wrong, your doctor will begin treatment immediately to help you and your baby. While this is scary, it's possible that nothing is wrong. Just make sure you see your doctor immediately to be on the safe side. Evaluate your risk for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some STDs can cause vaginal spotting. You're more likely to get an STD if you've had unprotected sex with a new partner or if you or your sexual partner has more than 1 partner. Consider getting tested for an STD, and talk to your partner to find out if they may be at risk. If you do have an STD, you can likely get treatment to help you recover quickly. Check the side effects of the medications you're taking. If you're taking any medication, it may be the cause of your spotting. Don't stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. Instead, make an appointment with your doctor to ask about your medication and find out if it's causing your bleeding. In addition to birth control pills, blood thinners, antidepressants, and antipsychotics can all potentially cause bleeding between periods. Your doctor might tell you that your spotting is nothing to worry about. Alternatively, they may change your medication. See your doctor if spotting recurs or if you have signs of infection. Try not to worry, but you may need medical treatment if your spotting happens often or occurs with other symptoms. Go see your doctor to find out what may be causing your spotting. Then, ask your doctor if you need to undergo treatment. Your doctor may confirm that your bleeding is normal or no cause for concern. However, you need to get an official diagnosis to be sure because some causes of abnormal bleeding can be very serious. Get diagnostic tests to find out what's causing your abnormal bleeding. Let your doctor do a series of diagnostic tests that will be painless but may cause discomfort. Then, your doctor will make a formal diagnosis so you get treatment if you need it. Your doctor will likely do 1 or more of the following tests: A pelvic exam to look for signs of an infection, fibroids, abnormal growths, or cancer. Vaginal cultures to check for abnormal cells or an infection. Simple, painless blood tests to check for an infection or a hormone imbalance. Imaging tests to look for a fibroid, abnormal growths, or a problem with your reproductive system. An STD test to rule out these types of infections. Call your doctor immediately if you're pregnant to be safe. You likely don't need to worry, but it's best to check with your doctor. Sometimes spotting can mean that something is wrong, but your doctor can make sure that everything is okay. Get a same day appointment with your doctor or visit the emergency room to get prompt treatment. Try not to worry because it's likely that nothing is wrong. However, it's important to make sure you and your baby are okay. Talk to your doctor if you've been through menopause and are spotting. After menopause, you shouldn't experience any vaginal bleeding. If you do, it's possible that something is wrong. Visit your doctor to find out the cause of your spotting so you can get treatment if you need it. For instance, it's possible that you could have a hormonal imbalance or signs of cancer. However, it's also possible that your body is just having 1 last ovulation, which may not be a cause for concern. | Check if your period is expected in a few days. Determine if you might be ovulating, which may cause spotting. Expect spotting in the first few months of using a new birth control. Consider if you've recently used emergency contraception. Notice if you're experiencing other symptoms. Determine if your spotting could be a symptom of PCOS. Consider if the spotting happened after sexual intercourse. Take a pregnancy test if you could be in the early weeks of pregnancy. Get checked by your doctor if you're pregnant. Evaluate your risk for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Check the side effects of the medications you're taking. See your doctor if spotting recurs or if you have signs of infection. Get diagnostic tests to find out what's causing your abnormal bleeding. Call your doctor immediately if you're pregnant to be safe. Talk to your doctor if you've been through menopause and are spotting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Feed-Chickens-during-the-Winter | How to Feed Chickens during the Winter | When feeding chickens during the winter, make sure to provide them with about 1.5 times the amount of food you would give them in warmer months, since they'll be resting from spring and summer egg production. It's also important to give your chickens more protein to encourage feather growth to keep them warm. One way you can do this is by laying down a wooden board in the chicken coop, which will attract lots of bugs for your chickens to eat. You should also give your chickens leafy greens like kale or spinach since natural plants will have died off from the cold. | Feed your chickens more food than you would in the spring and summer. Over the winter, chickens need more food as they're usually resting from summer and spring egg production. Aim to feed your chickens around 1.5 times what you would feed them in other months. Feeding your chickens over the winter is not an exact science. It's okay to roughly guess how much is 1.5 times the normal amount. In general, chickens will not overeat. If you're upping their food intake too much, you will probably notice as they will be leftover food in the feeder in the morning. Make warm snacks like oatmeal. Carbohydrates are very important in the winter, for hens especially as they're recovering from laying eggs over the warmer months. Oatmeal is a good source of carbohydrates, and can be served to chickens warm. This can be a nice treat on particularly cool mornings. Be careful how you feed your chickens oatmeal. It does not spread as easily as grains and other forms of chicken feed. If oatmeal is confined to one space, chickens may fight over the food. When spreading the oatmeal in the trough, make sure to spread it evenly throughout. If you want to add some variety, try adding maple syrup and bananas to your oatmeal. Get your chickens more protein in the winter. Protein helps chickens grow the added feathers needed to stay warm during the winter months. Also, egg production slows down in the winter. If you want your chickens to continue laying eggs during these months, added protein may encourage them to lay a few eggs over the winter. Try switching from regular chicken feed to game bird grower feed. These types of food generally have extra protein. Try laying a board down in your chicken coop, as long as the material the board is made from is chicken safe. Bugs may crawl under the board, which chickens may capture and eat. Bugs provide extra protein for your birds. If you have a cat, try adding a bit of cat food to your chickens' diet. Cat food is rich in protein and safe for chickens in moderation. Just make sure the cat cannot get into the chicken coop. If your cat goes into the coop searching for his food, he may behave in a predatory manner towards your chickens. Feed your chickens extra leafy green vegetables. It's a good idea to add leafy greens from your own kitchen to your chickens' diet during the winter. Winter will likely kill most natural plants near your chicken coop, so you'll have to supplement your chickens' diet with leafy green vegetables. Kale, collard, chard, and spinach provide a lot of essential nutrients for chickens. Avoid iceberg lettuce, as it has very little nutritional value. Make sure to use a trough when feeding in the winter. Do not feed chickens by sprinkling the pellets on the ground during the winter. This is not safe for your chickens and could result in food contamination. If you do not already have a trough for your chickens, purchase one at a hardware store and use it to feed your chickens during the winter months. If the ground is frozen, pellets will get wet and soggy when thrown on the ground. Chickens are unlikely to eat soggy pellets. Troughs are much easier to clean. It takes a lot less of an effort to clean a trough than to clean food off the ground. This makes lessens the likelihood of rats and other predators entering the chicken coop due to the smell of food. Store extra food safely to keep mice and rats out of the coop. Rats and mice are tempted to enter warm places over the winter. If they can smell food, they're much more likely to enter a chicken coop. As rats and mice prey on chickens, store excess food in sealable containers if you store it in or near your chicken coop. Never store food in a bag. Not only will this attract rats, your chickens may get into the bags. Instead, use a metal container with a lid, like an old trash can, to store bags of food. If you have a garage, you may want to store food here so it's away from your chicken coop altogether. Hang a "green piñata" in the chicken coop's run. A green piñata is simply a head of leafy greens, like a head of romaine lettuce, you tie up in the run. This will give chickens something to snack on during the winter months that's rich in the vitamins they need to thrive. If you hang it up, it will be off the ground and will not get too cold and wet for the chickens to eat. Make sure your chickens are properly hydrated. Food is not the only thing that's important for chickens during the winter months. You want to make sure your birds get adequate water. Make sure your chickens have access to water at all times, and that you take measures to make sure the bowl does not freeze. You can use a heated water bowl, which you can find at most pet stores. You can also place small rubber balls in the water, as long as you clean them first, if you live in an area with a slight breeze. The breeze will move the balls around, preventing the water from freezing. You should also check the water each time you check on your chickens. If it's frozen, or has been knocked over by wind, replace it with fresh water. Consider adding supplements to your chickens' water. It may be a good idea to add supplements to your chickens' water during the winter, as this can help your chickens get the increased vitamins they need for their coats and feathers. You can use leftover vegetable stock, add dried herbs to the water, or ask your vet about any nutritional supplements you can add to your chickens' water. Watch for signs of sickness. With proper care, chickens should thrive even in winter. However, keep an eye out for signs of sickness. Chickens may get colds or flus during the winter. Listen for heavy or labored breathing, as well as wheezing or coughing. Watch for changes in movement, like limping. You should also keep records of food consumption and water consumption. If your birds are suddenly consuming less food or water, one or all of them may be sick. See a vet if your birds get sick in the winter. If one of your chickens gets sick, remove her from the flock and contact an avian veterinarian in your area. You do not want the sickness to spread to the other birds. You may have to quarantine a sick chicken and give her antibiotics until the sickness passes. | Feed your chickens more food than you would in the spring and summer. Make warm snacks like oatmeal. Get your chickens more protein in the winter. Feed your chickens extra leafy green vegetables. Make sure to use a trough when feeding in the winter. Store extra food safely to keep mice and rats out of the coop. Hang a "green piñata" in the chicken coop's run. Make sure your chickens are properly hydrated. Consider adding supplements to your chickens' water. Watch for signs of sickness. See a vet if your birds get sick in the winter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-School-Teacher | How to Become a School Teacher | If you want to become a school teacher, start by building your experience with kids. One way to do this is to volunteer in a classroom or join a mentorship program such as Big Brother/Big Sister. This will also help you decide if teaching is the right career for you. Once you've decided on teaching as a career, you'll need to finish high school and attend college, preferably somewhere that offers a teaching program. After graduation, you should complete a teaching certification and find a student teaching position. | Graduate secondary/high school. You will need to at a minimum have a secondary/high school degree in order to get the further education necessary to become a teacher. In some countries, certain grades from these school years are necessary. In other words, the better you do, the better your chances. Get experience working with kids. Most teaching programs won't even consider admitting you if you don't have a reasonable amount of experience working with kids. Volunteer in a classroom, doing Big Brothers, Big Sisters, or get a job at a daycare or other child-friendly facility. Graduate from university. You will need to get a higher degree beyond the basic secondary/high school degree. This should preferably be a degree in education, but some countries and states have a bit of a leeway on that. Find out the requirements for your area. Again, the better your grades, the better your chances. Get teacher certification. There are usually a series of tests you will need to complete in addition to your degree, which will allow you to become a teacher. Complete these tests and anything else necessary to get your certification. Complete other requirements. Usually, a period of student teaching is necessary before you can get your certification. There may also be other requirements as well, however. Most areas will require, for example, a background check and fingerprinting. All necessary requirements will be made clear to you upon completion of your certification. Teach at a public school. This is the basic, state-funded school where the majority of students will be found. This requires the most amount of effort and training but tends to lead to more secure employment and benefits. Teach at an at-risk school. At-risk schools are low-income schools where the students are at risk of falling into a life of drugs or crime, never finishing school, and generally going on to very hard lives. Often times, these schools have students who are second-language learners (ELLs). Teaching at schools like these can be more rewarding but is also more challenging and dangerous. If you go on to teach at schools like these, there is the possibility of your student debt being forgiven. Many programs like these are in-place across the world. Teach at a private school. Private schools are those run by companies or churches which often require perhaps a better education but often fewer hoops to jump through. A formal certification may not be necessary, but a high degree often is. These teaching jobs can pay better and the students will generally be better behaved. Teach at a college. If you find that perhaps children aren't right for you, you can teach at a college instead. This usually requires at least a Masters degree, and most times a PhD. The pay is sometimes better, but the teachers have fewer resources available to them. Teach at an online school. If you want to avoid getting proper credentials but you have a degree in an appropriate field, you can get a job as a teacher at an online school. This will probably not pay as well, there will be less job security, and you may not have access to benefits, but you can work from home and your schedule may be more flexible. Be a private tutor. If you find that these routes are all too challenging for you, you can also just be a private tutor. You can join a tutoring center or you can work for yourself. This does not pay well but provides much more flexibility and one-on-one contact. Have practice as a teacher, how you plan to handle problems and other information about your process. Write a letter of intent. This is a letter you write stating your wish to apply for a particular position. Only include this if it is asked for. Have a list of references. These are crucial for getting a job. Have your references written out and formatted properly. Also, make sure that all of your references know you're using them as a reference! Compile samples of your work. Get samples of lesson plans you've written, your students' work, sample items you've used in lessons, and books you like to work with in your classroom. The schools will wish to see this material. Watch out for other requirements. Every school, area and country have different requirements for applying teachers so look out for other materials that may be called for in the application. Apply for positions. You can find positions through the district website, non-profit organizations, job fairs, and other places as well. It depends on the type of position you're looking for. Most teaching programs will have resources to help you find a job when you graduate. Ace your interviews. This is important. Go in looking like a pro and make a great impression. You can be the most qualified teacher in the world but if you have a giant stain on the front of your shirt and you show up late, you're not getting the job. | Graduate secondary/high school. Get experience working with kids. Graduate from university. Get teacher certification. Complete other requirements. Teach at a public school. Teach at an at-risk school. Teach at a private school. Teach at a college. Teach at an online school. Be a private tutor. Have practice as a teacher, how you plan to handle problems and other information about your process. Write a letter of intent. Have a list of references. Compile samples of your work. Watch out for other requirements. Apply for positions. Ace your interviews. |
https://www.wikihow.mom/Bathe-a-Newborn | How to Bathe a Newborn | You don't need to bathe newborns often, and a sponge bath is usually sufficient for the first 3 weeks. To give your baby a sponge bath, undress them and wrap them in a soft towel, then dip a soft cloth in plain water and wring it out. Gently wipe down the baby's face with the cloth, then wipe down the rest of the baby's body. If you need to, you can use a baby-safe moisturizing soap, although plain water might be enough to get your newborn clean. | Use a sponge bath for the first three weeks. The stump of a newborn's umbilical cord stays attached for up to three weeks. The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends waiting until the stump falls off before submerging a newborn in water. During this time you should stick to sponge baths. You do not need to bathe your newborn every day during her first weeks. In fact, too much washing may be harmful to her skin. The face, neck, and diaper area are the areas that truly need washing and can be attended with burp cloths and clean diapers. Do not wash your newborn more than a few times a week. Talk to your pediatrician if the stump does not fall off after three weeks. This may be a sign of a larger problem or it may just need to be removed. Gather your supplies. You will need to a variety of supplies ready in order to give your newborn a sponge bath. Make sure you have supplies laid out before you begin the bathing process. Find a warm place where there is a flat surface. Aim for a kitchen or bathroom counter. If the room is warm enough, even a blanket laid out on the floor will do. You need a soft towel or changing pad for the baby to lie on during the process. You'll need a sink or shallow plastic basin to hold the water for the bath. You will also need a washcloth, cotton balls, baby soap, baby wipes, and a clean diaper. Bathe your newborn. Once your supplies are all in one place, you can begin bathing your newborn. Always have one hand on your baby. Newborns do not have much control of their movements and you need to keep one hand on your baby to make sure he does not hurt himself by squirming. First, undress your baby and wrap him in a towel. Lay him down on his back on a blanket or towel. Start with the face. Wet a towel and wring it out. Do not use soap for this part, as you don't want soap getting in your baby's eyes. Gently wipe down the baby's face. Use a damp cotton ball or clean cloth to wipe your baby's eyelids so they're free of crust and residue. Move from the inside to the outside. Plain water might be okay when bathing the rest of your baby's body. However, if your baby is dirty or producing a smell, use a baby-safe moisturizing soap. Make sure to wash creases under arms and ears thoroughly, as well as between the fingers and toes. Only expose the areas of your baby that you are washing. You want to make sure your newborn stays warm. Choose a tub or sink. Once your newborn's umbilical cord stump has fallen off, you can bathe her in a tub or sink. Make sure you choose a sink or tub that's safe for the baby. Free-standing plastic tubs, made specifically for bathing newborns, can be purchased at most baby stores or online. They also sell inflatable tubs that fit inside a bathtub or sink. As long as you line a bathtub or sink with a rubber mat to prevent slipping, this can also be a viable option. Fill the tub with only 2 to 3 inches of warm water. Keep one hand on your newborn at all times. Figure out how to hold your newborn in the tub. You want to make sure your baby is secure and safe in the tub. Figure out to hold him so he's comfortable and does not move around too much. Keep a secure hold on your baby, but one that doesn't make him feel uncomfortable. Support your baby's head and torso with your arm, using the other hand to wash him. You can do this by wrapping your arm around your baby's back. When the time comes to wash his back and buttocks, shift your baby so he's leaning forward on your arm. You can also buy a bath seat at a baby store or online. However, even when using a bath seat, you still need to keep a hand on your baby at all times. Wash the newborn. A newborn's bath should take no longer than 10 or 15 minutes. Before putting your baby in the tub, undress her down to her diaper. Wash her face and eyes the same way you would during a sponge bath, with a damp, soap-free cloth and damp cotton balls for the eyelids. Once you are done, remove your baby's diaper. If there's feces in the diaper, clean her bottom and genitals before putting her in the bath. When you lower her into the tub, do so feet first. You can use your hand, a sponge, or a damp wash cloth to gently clean your baby. You can use baby-safe soap. If your baby's skin is dry, try a moisturizing cleanser. You can gently pour water over your baby during the bath to keep her warm. Washing your baby's hair might not be necessary. However, if the hair seems dirty, or your baby has a common condition called cradle cap that produces scaly patches on her scalp, it's a good idea to give her hair a quick wash. Gently massage shampoo into the baby's scalp. Rinse the hair with a washcloth or run it under the faucet. Always cup your hand over your baby's forehead to prevent soap from getting in her eyes. When you're done washing your baby, remove her from the tub and quickly wrap her in a towel. Gently pat her dry and dress her in clean clothes. Check the water temperature. Water temperature is important to a newborn's well being. Make sure you know the proper water temperature to keep your baby safe and comfortable. It's best to put cold water in the tub first and then add hot water. Mix the water well and eliminate any hot or cold spots. It might be a good idea to invest in a thermometer to make sure the temperature is a safe level for a newborn. The ideal temperature should be around 98°F (36.6°C). This is around normal body temperature. If you don't have a thermometer, use your elbow instead of your hand to test warmth. If your baby has access to water taps during the bath, discourage him from touching them. As he ages, he'll be strong enough to turn the water on and could potentially scald himself. Find the right soaps and lotions. While soap is not always necessary when bathing a newborn, if you choose to use soap make sure it's baby safe. Never use scented soaps or bubble baths. These can be drying and irritating to a baby's skin. Plain water is usually fine. If you feel soap is needed, choose a mild, moisturizing soap specially made for babies as not to dry out a baby's skin. Usually, a newborn should not need lotion after a bath. Drying the folds of a baby's skin after each bath prevents rashes well enough. If you end up needing lotion, choose one that's hypoallergenic in case your newborn has allergies you do not know about yet. Never leave a baby unattended in a bathtub. Even if you're just leaving the room for a few seconds, it's extremely dangerous to leave a newborn unattended in a bath. Always have everything for your baby's bath ready before putting your baby in the water so you aren't tempted to leave the room to grab something. If you absolutely need to leave the room, take your baby out of the tub first. Newborns can drown in only 3 centimetres (1.2 in) of water. Leaving a baby alone, even for a moment, can be disastrous. If you are bathing the baby on an elevated surface such as a counter, he can easily fall and get hurt. | Use a sponge bath for the first three weeks. Gather your supplies. Bathe your newborn. Choose a tub or sink. Figure out how to hold your newborn in the tub. Wash the newborn. Check the water temperature. Find the right soaps and lotions. Never leave a baby unattended in a bathtub. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Body-Pop | How to Body Pop | If you want to body pop, hold one of your arms straight out from your body with your palm flat, keeping it relaxed and loose. Bend your wrist so your hand is pointing down at the ground, then raise your elbow until it's even with your shoulder. In a smooth motion, lift your hand until it's flat again, then bring your elbow down until your arm is nearly straight, making it look like a wave is running from your wrist up to your shoulder. At the very end of the motion, raise your shoulder up in a popping motion, and bring your arm toward your body. | Hold one of your arms out straight from your body. It doesn't matter which arm you start with. You might want to start with your dominant arm. Just remember to keep it relaxed and loose. If you're too tense, then you won't be able to pop; you can think of "popping" as a releasing some of that tension. Don't lock your elbow -- keep it relaxed. Make sure to keep your hand flat and your chest high, with your neck loose. Know that releasing the tension from your body is essential to any kind of dancing, especially popping. You can even stretch before you begin, if you think that this will help you loosen up a bit. Don't stand there with stiff legs. Instead, keep your feet shoulder width, or even a little further apart, and keep a bit of a bend in your knees. Though the pop requires strong isolation, focusing on one area of your body, the energy should actually come from your legs, popping out the top of your body. You'll need that spring in your legs to help you generate the energy in your arms. Bend down the wrist of that arm. To do this in the most effective way possible, imagine that there's a string tied to your fingers. While keeping your arm taut, pretend that someone is pulling on the string, bringing your fingers and your hand down until your wrist is at a 90-degree angle to the ground. Try to do this without moving the rest of your arm or body. Keep facing forward; resist the temptation to look at the moving hand. Keep your knees slightly bent, springing a bit on your legs with every slight move in your arms. You can use this little bounce to set up a nice rhythm for yourself. Raise your hand and elbow. Now, raise your elbow until it's even with your shoulder, and raise your hand so it's back to being flat again, nearly parallel to the floor. The idea of popping is to pop one part of your body at a time while the rest of your body remains stationary. When you pop with your arm like this, the popping action runs from your hand up to your shoulder. So once your wrist is 90-degrees, you raise your elbow with the same idea, popping it up toward the air, while bringing your hand back to its original position -- flat, while your chest is high. Really, you're letting a wave of energy travel from your shoulder to your fingertips, and back up through your arm again. Straighten your arm. Now, bring your elbow down until your arm is nearly straight and parallel to the floor. The wave of energy has run fully from your hand, through your elbow, and is making its way up to your shoulder. That's why it's important to slip your arm back to its original position. Keep your hips centered, your head and neck nice and tall, and your look focused in the center as you do this. Pop your shoulder. As you transition from your elbow up in the air and back down to your arm's original position, you should raise your shoulder up while you bring the rest of your arm in toward your body. The raising motion of your shoulder is the "pop" you are looking for. When you pop your shoulder, the movement should look unexpected, almost as if it were a reflexive jerk or shiver. You can even slightly pop your other shoulder, to help the move transition to the other side of your body. Repeat the actions in reverse with your second arm. Now, begin by popping your shoulder, and then straighten your arm, raise your hand and elbow, bend down the wrist of your arm, and work backwards to get your arm into the original straight position you began with your other hand. Then, let the wave run through your outstretched arm and back into the shoulder, and then move the "pop" in the other direction starting with your other shoulder, and so on. The wave should travel from the tips of the fingers of one arm, up the arm, and then over to the other side, so the popping motion flows from one side of your body to the other. Do a chest pop. To pop your chest, stand with an exaggerated stance, with your feet about half a foot out each past your shoulders, with a good bend in both knees. Stay bouncy with your legs, bend down slightly, and then isolate your ribs, coming forward and up with your chest, and then dropping back down, with a slight hunch. You should not use your shoulders or roll them during this process, which is a common mistake. Repeat this motion, keeping those feet bouncy, bending down slightly, and then popping your chest up. Think of it as doing a "chest bump" with the air. It's a similar gesture, putting everything into the chest while developing just a slight bounce and upward motion in the arms and elbow. For an exaggerated movement, you can place one hand on your chest to mimic a heartbeat when you're popping. Place a flexed hand in the middle of your chest, flatten your hand as you pop your chest forward, and then flex it again as you drop back. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Body-Pop-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Body-Pop-Step-7Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Body-Pop-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/aid1108884-v4-728px-Body-Pop-Step-7Bullet2.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 even add more moves to this technique by bending down and moving slightly to the right, popping your chest, then swooping over to your left side, popping your chest, and going back and forth between the left and the right. Do the walk and pop. To walk and pop, simply act like you're just walking down the street, moving your feet and arms at a count of one or two. Every time you count, take a step, slightly popping your knees, letting the motion travel up your leg and down again, while also popping your arm with every slight movement. Keep your arms out at your sides, in an exaggerated motion, as if you were still doing the arm pop, while incorporating your feet and popping your feet and knees out in the process, too. It can take a little while to get the coordination down, but once you get used to popping with every count, the rest should be cake. Pop your legs. You can pop your legs on their own, or add a pop to your legs while you're popping your arms, chest, or other parts of your body. To pop your legs, just practice flexing and releasing your quads. Then, move back slightly with one leg, flexing your quad as you move back, and then release the muscle in your legs once you move your leg back to its normal position. You shouldn't come forward with your leg, only backwards, and then back to the standing position. You also shouldn't bend down or get low to do this. Once you've mastered the pop on one leg, learn to pop both legs at the same time, not moving your feet but pivoting on them to the right and left as you pop your legs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Body-Pop-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Body-Pop-Step-9Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Body-Pop-Step-9Bullet1.jpg\/aid1108884-v4-728px-Body-Pop-Step-9Bullet1.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>"} | Hold one of your arms out straight from your body. Bend down the wrist of that arm. Raise your hand and elbow. Straighten your arm. Pop your shoulder. Repeat the actions in reverse with your second arm. Do a chest pop. Do the walk and pop. Pop your legs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Someone-Is-Using-You | How to Tell if Someone Is Using You | To determine if someone is using you, think about how the person treats you. Are they being evasive or are they giving you mixed messages? If they are, or if they talk about themselves without listening to what you have to say, it could be a red flag. If you're still unsure, the best thing to do is ask them. Try saying something like, "What does our relationship mean to you?" | Consider your own role in the situation. Someone can only use you if you let them, so ask yourself if this could be the case for you. If you have low self-esteem, then it's likely that you will be too nice to people and easily go along with what they want. This can make you feel used. Don't give yourself a hard time for letting people use you. Instead, focus on the future. Ask for clarification on the relationship’s status. Sometimes in relationships, you may feel uncertain about where things truly stand because the other person is either resistant to labeling the relationship or doesn't consistently differentiate his or her feelings for you from others. This might occur when a man or woman is reluctant to call the other his or her “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” – to others, in front of others and to the other. In cases such as this, there's a good chance you're being used. This might also occur when, for example, your “best friend” calls several others her “best friend” as well, causing you to wonder about the true nature of your friendship. Often this happens because the person is happy with the situation as it is, wants to leave his or her options open, or doesn't want to lose the benefits of being special to you. If you find yourself in this situation, ask how the other person defines the relationship and, if applicable, where he or she would like to see the relationship go in the future. If this doesn't align with what you want, you might consider either severing ties or modifying your expectations of the other person and the relationship. Observe when you spend time together. You would be wise to question the motives of another person if you find a) that you typically spend time together when the other person is bored or wants or needs something (like someone to listen as your mother-in-law rants about how little she sees your husband), b) that the time is generally spent alone (like late at night), or c) that it's time spent to fill a spot (like as a date to an event or as a last-minute bowling partner). In doing this, the other person's needs and wishes not only disregard yours but also dictate one of the most fundamental aspects of any relationship – when you see the other person. If this is the case, you must decide if what you're getting out of the relationship compensates for this, assuming it upsets you. And you must choose whether or not to discuss your feelings and/or your decision with the other person. Note when you don’t spend time together. Conversely, pay attention to when you're not together. For instance, are you rarely invited to dinner parties at your supposed friend's home? Does a woman at work stop by your desk religiously after office meetings to make copies of your notes but fail to include you every day for lunch with “the girls”? When you need something, can you never track down the other person? While occasional oversights happen, repeatedly avoiding or not including you indicates the relationship might not be what you thought or wanted. Just as the other person dictates when you spend time together, the same is happening when you don't spend time together. Here, too, you must decide on a course of action – to talk with the other person and see if things change or emotionally detach from a relationship you may have wanted but do not have. Reject all talk and no action behavior. When someone says he or she will do one thing but doesn't follow through, it can become aggravating, especially if it becomes a pattern. This ultimately leads to you not trusting in the person or the relationship. In many cases, the commitment was made while also asking something of the other person. So, pay attention to whether anything is asked of you (or wanted from you) when a commitment or plans are made, but dropped. If you find they are, refuse to do what's being asked or discuss the problem directly with the other person. Don’t accept broken promises. Users perpetually break promises and, in the process, are perpetually choosing to put something or someone else ahead of you. Often it's that person. It's also a good sign that he or she may not be very serious about you, that you're not particularly significant or that you're viewed as a push-over who won't cause trouble even when taken advantage of. If you find yourself in this situation, express your feelings to the other person. If nothing changes, it may be time to say goodbye. More reliably green pastures do exist where friends, relatives, colleagues and romantic partners do actually keep their word. Reflect on any mixed messages. Determine if what's said to you is different from what's said about you. Does your sister shower you with affection and tell you how important you are but then complain to your mother about how you're never around when she needs you? Has a co-worker praised you for doing a great job on a project you helped him with but then grouched to other co-workers, saying you were so computer illiterate he might as well have done the work himself? If a person tells you 1 thing but then does something else, then they are disrespecting you. Remember that actions speak louder than words. If a person gossips about you or acts differently to you than he or she would when you're around others, red flags with the words “ulterior motive” and/or “jealousy” imprinted on both sides should be waving in your mind's eye. Think about who this person is to you really and decide how to best let go of (you don't have to be friends with everyone) or handle (you do have to work with some people) a relationship with a person you cannot trust. Steer conversations away from the other person. Four words: It's all about them. They talk about their families; their jobs; their problems; their triumphs; and what they want and what they believe they need, generally from you. Often they care little about imposing on your time, or what you might be doing, so they can drone on and on about themselves. When you find this happening, change the subject to something that would still interest them but not be about them. Or cut the conversation short; hopefully they'll eventually get the picture. Scrutinize how little they listen to you. Pay attention to how much the other person knows about you. Does your “boyfriend” know why you hated growing up in Buffalo? Do you find that your neighbor, who's always running out of something, rushes out the door as soon as you bring up something that's been worrying you about work or your kids? That's because of the four words – it's all about them. If a person has no interest in getting to know you or about your life, he or she has another interest in you that is typically not to your benefit. Discuss this issue with the other person and point it out when it happens. Press for consistent communication. A person who is using someone else frequently won't return phone calls, text messages and emails unless he or she wants to do so. When your communication happens at times of the other's choosing, making you feel like Plan B, it's a sign that you really are Plan B. Either that or you're needed for something, such as being the designated driver for a semi-buddy's bachelor party perhaps. When this happens, explain that you find his or her behavior rude and ask that your communication is returned. If this doesn't work, refuse to do whatever the person wants when he or she finally gets around to contacting you. Explain that your opinion matters. Does the person in question take your needs and thoughts into consideration before making decisions? Or before making decisions for you? For instance, does your roommate assume you'll be the one to drive everywhere, even though you have needs, too, such as saving money on gas and not adding miles to your car? If your desires, needs and opinions aren't factored into the relationship, you're getting the short end of the stick. Tell the other person that you feel you're being taken advantage of and taken for granted. Insist on discussing things before either of you make decisions that affect the other. Confront evasiveness. You ask questions, but you don't get answers. Or you don't get clear answers. The whole time, in whatever situation, you're uncomfortably trying to figure out exactly what's happening and where things are going. It's time to be direct. Ask your romantic partner why he always has some reason that you're never invited to the Friday night dinner and drinks he has every week with his circle of friends and their significant others. Invite your business partner to lunch and discuss your concerns about the project that's not materializing because he won't reply to certain emails. Counter comparisons and one-upmanship. Some people are insecure and seek to dominate others in an effort to feel better about themselves and their lives. They always have a much better version, brand, method, experience, etc. These types are often “with” you romantically or spend time with you platonically (to teach you the proper way to fold clothes and linens, for ex.) to boost their self-esteem; they use others for emotional benefits and gains. If you notice this happening a lot, you might ask the other person why he or she wants to be around you if you, your things or the way you do things are clearly lacking in their opinion. Pay heed to betrayal. True friendship, in which you each have the other's best interests at heart, depends upon trust. “What we say here, stays here” either is or is not in the other's vocabulary. If you cannot confidently confide in someone, be wary. If you cannot confidently confide in someone without the fear of judgment, don't reveal it in the first place. Unfortunately, you typically have to learn this lesson the hard way – by having your confidence betrayed. Nonetheless, you can decrease the chances of future damage by remembering who can and cannot be trusted and then not confiding in those people. Cut back on how much you help. Do you find yourself running a lot of errands for your boss that are not in your job description, constantly babysitting your cousin's children, bailing your son out of trouble every time you turn around, doing your “study” partner's work just so you can be done? Do you cancel plans because the other person had a rough day and needs to talk? If you're doing these types of things for someone on a regular basis – for free – consider yourself being taken advantage of, unfortunately. It's important to set boundaries when dealing with someone you think is taking advantage of you. Your boundaries should limit the impact their behaviors have on you. For example, you might tell them that you won't answer your phone after 9:00 p.m., even if it's an "emergency." Be sure to follow through with consequences if they violate your boundaries. Unless they are doing as much for you, even if in other ways, pull back on your support. You will likely meet resistance, so kindly explain your reasons. It's in their hands at that point. Try to ensure that what's borrowed is returned. Rent is due in three days, but your friend still hasn't returned the $300 you lent her three weeks ago. A colleague “borrows” an idea, then basks in the glory when others rave about his or her brilliance. If someone is constantly borrowing from you but not returning (or crediting) what's borrowed, that person is, essentially, stealing from you right under your nose. Stealing from you and using you are on the same side of the coin, which is not heads up for you. In the case of borrowed items, ask the person to return what's been borrowed before you lend anything else. If nothing's returned, don't loan again. In the case of borrowed ideas, decide if addressing the issue would create a bigger issue. If not, talk about it and in the future be careful about what you share and with whom. Don’t spend more than you can afford on the other. Pull out your calculators and add up how much the person is costing you. Is your partner living with you for free, or only paying the utility bills, for instance? Do you find yourself always picking up the restaurant bill when you're out with your family? If your final calculation reveals a high figure, at a minimum your relationship isn't balanced (maybe right along with your checkbook). At the most, you're being used, both financially and emotionally. Now decide what you can afford, or if you want to continue assisting the other person at all. For the big things like living expenses, let the other person know what you've decided, why you made the decision and both how and when you will implement the changes. For smaller things like picking up a bar tab, simply pay only your portion. If your friend conveniently “forgot” her wallet, the next time you meet for drinks slip in a sly, “Hey, don't forget your wallet if you're swapping purses again.” Stop coming to their rescue so frequently. Now tally the number of dire emergencies, such as needing a truck to move furniture, that only you're able to help with and the number of last minute but critical needs, such as pet sitting while the other person is on vacation, that only you can handle. Add to that the frequency at which the other is in the midst of some kind of drama and needs you, right now. Subtract how often he or she is there for you when you need someone to talk to or need help (particularly serious help), and the result will strongly correlate with whether or not you're being used. In fact, think back to the last time that person did you a favor without you asking. Or surprised you with a present, card or dinner. Now determine if your return on investment, or ROI, is paying off for you. Resist the desire to try harder. Because you feel a need to be in the relationship, you might find yourself working harder to make it work, in spite of being and feeling used. Often you do so much that you fail to take care of your own needs. At times you convince yourself that it doesn't bother you because you love the person or you feel the person needs you. Yet this feeling is typically fleeting because healthy relationships require a give and take. Other times you feel stuck because it's a relationship you can't easily avoid, like those at work or even those with certain family members. Be careful that you don't adopt the persona of a caretaker or martyr. Taking care of other people may make you feel valuable and needed, and it can even meet some of your unmet needs. However, it's harmful for you in the long-run. When you find yourself wanting to please the other person, write down what you're feeling, why you're feeling this way and if doing what you planned to do for the other person will a) take away from what you need, b) go unappreciated and c) fail to solve the problem. If the answer to all three questions is yes, do something for yourself instead. Discuss your feelings of resentment. When you recognize the imbalance in the relationship, and are no longer able to brush it off, you often begin feeling resentful. This may lead to feeling irritated with the other person. Depending upon your personality, that irritation can show itself in a variety of ways, some of which could result in consequences you may not want to pay, that could make you feel poorly about yourself or cause you to live with regret. To avoid reaching this point, talk calmly in a neutral environment with the other person about how you're feeling resentful. And, remember: It may not go the way you want, but it wasn't going well prior to the discussion, either. | Consider your own role in the situation. Ask for clarification on the relationship’s status. Observe when you spend time together. Note when you don’t spend time together. Reject all talk and no action behavior. Don’t accept broken promises. Reflect on any mixed messages. Steer conversations away from the other person. Scrutinize how little they listen to you. Press for consistent communication. Explain that your opinion matters. Confront evasiveness. Counter comparisons and one-upmanship. Pay heed to betrayal. Cut back on how much you help. Try to ensure that what's borrowed is returned. Don’t spend more than you can afford on the other. Stop coming to their rescue so frequently. Resist the desire to try harder. Discuss your feelings of resentment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drink-Chia-Seeds | How to Drink Chia Seeds | Drinking chia seeds is an easy way to take advantage of their healthy antioxidants, calcium, fiber, potassium, and Omega-3s. To make chia detox water, first mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in a sealable jar or bottle filled with water. Then, shake the container and let it sit for 10 minutes. If you don't like the taste of chia water on its own, add some lime juice and agave nectar to flavour it. You can also mix chia water with your favourite drinks. Start by mixing 3 tablespoons of chia seeds with a cup of warm water. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes, but for best results, leave it covered in the fridge overnight. Then, mix it in a larger glass with 1 cup of your favourite drink, such as iced coffee, almond milk, or pomegranate juice. | Microwave 1 cup (250 mL) of water for 30-60 seconds. Fill a microwave-safe container with drinking water. Heat it for 30-60 seconds or until warm. Alternatively, you can use warm tap water. Add 3 tbsp (43 g) of chia seeds to the container and stir well. You can increase or decrease the amount of chia seeds you add, if desired. Be sure to stir the chia seeds thoroughly into the water. Cover the container then place it in the refrigerator overnight. Cover the container with a tight-fitting lid or with plastic wrap held in place by a rubber band. Allow it to sit in the refrigerator overnight in order to give the chia seeds time to completely absorb the water and transform to a gel-like consistency. If you don't have time to soak the chia seeds overnight, allow them to soak for at least 10 minutes before adding them to your drink. Mix 1 cup (250 mL) of the desired liquid into the chia seed water. Remove the container from the refrigerator in the morning and take off the lid. Transfer the chia seeds and water to a larger vessel, if necessary. Add 1 cup (250 mL) of your favorite beverage—anything from iced coffee to pomegranate juice to almond milk—to the chia seed water and mix it thoroughly. Enjoy! Fill a lidded container with 12 oz (355 mL) of drinking water. The container needs a lid as you will be shaking the drink to mix the chia seeds and water. A glass Mason or Ball jar works well for this, but you could also use a water bottle or Tupperware, then transfer the drink to a cup or glass. You could use coconut water instead of plain water, if desired. Add 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of chia seeds to the container and replace the lid. The chia seeds will absorb the water and swell significantly. You can increase or decrease the amount of chia seeds you add based on your personal preferences. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed so the container doesn't leak. Shake the container, then let it sit for 10 minutes. Shake the container thoroughly to distribute the chia seeds. Allow the chia seeds to soak for 10 minutes to absorb the water. Add lime juice and agave nectar to the container. Remove the lid from the container. Roll one lime on the countertop with your palm to break the sections inside it. Cut the lime in half and squeeze each half over the jar. Then add ¼ tsp (1 mL) of agave nectar, honey, or another sweetener, if desired. Shake the container, then drink the contents. Be sure to replace the lid before shaking the container. The chia seeds will have a gel-like consistency, which may take some getting used to. Add chia seeds and almond milk to a jar or cup and stir. Use 2 tbsp (28.6 g) of chia seeds and ½ cup (125 mL) of almond milk. Be sure to stir the mixture thoroughly so that the chia seeds can absorb the almond milk. Allow the mixture to set for 10 minutes, or refrigerate it overnight. If you're in a hurry, allow the mixture to set for only 10 minutes to let the chia seeds absorb the almond milk. If you have more time, you can cover the mixture with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate it. It will last for up to 4 days in the fridge. Blend almond milk, blueberries, vanilla, coconut butter, and cinnamon. Put 1 cup (250 mL) of almond milk, 1 cup (227 g) of blueberries, 1 tsp (5 mL) of pure vanilla extract, 1 heaping tbsp (15 mL) coconut butter or coconut oil, and a pinch of cinnamon into a blender and blend it well. You can substitute these ingredients for others, if desired. Simply blend the chia seed and almond milk mixture into your own favorite smoothie. Add the chia seeds and almond milk, then blend. Use a spatula or spoon to transfer the chia seeds and almond milk from the cup or jar to the blender. Blend the concoction until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the liquid is smooth. Sweeten the drink with honey, and enjoy. If desired, you can add 1 tbsp (15 mL) of raw honey to your smoothie. Mix it in thoroughly with a spoon, or blend the drink again. | Microwave 1 cup (250 mL) of water for 30-60 seconds. Add 3 tbsp (43 g) of chia seeds to the container and stir well. Cover the container then place it in the refrigerator overnight. Mix 1 cup (250 mL) of the desired liquid into the chia seed water. Fill a lidded container with 12 oz (355 mL) of drinking water. Add 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of chia seeds to the container and replace the lid. Shake the container, then let it sit for 10 minutes. Add lime juice and agave nectar to the container. Shake the container, then drink the contents. Add chia seeds and almond milk to a jar or cup and stir. Allow the mixture to set for 10 minutes, or refrigerate it overnight. Blend almond milk, blueberries, vanilla, coconut butter, and cinnamon. Add the chia seeds and almond milk, then blend. Sweeten the drink with honey, and enjoy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Defrost-Sausage | How to Defrost Sausage | To defrost sausages, place them on a plate in the bottom of your fridge, still in their packaging. Leave them there until they're soft to touch, which can take up to 24 hours. Once they've thawed, use them within 5 days. If you want to defrost your sausages quicker, take them out of their packaging and place them on a microwave-safe plate. Put them in the microwave for 3-4 minutes on the defrost setting. Then, separate your sausages to help them thaw and put them back in the microwave. Check them every 2 minutes until they're fully thawed. | Test to make sure the temperature of the fridge is below 5 °C (41 °F). Temperatures higher than this allow bacteria the chance to grow and multiply. Use a thermometer to test the temperature if your fridge doesn't have an inbuilt thermometer. Place the thermometer in the fridge and leave the door closed for 5 minutes. Take the thermometer out after the 5 minutes are up and check the reading. Leave the sausages in their packaging. There's no need to remove the packaging for this step as it actually helps the sausages defrost faster and more evenly while in the fridge. If you already removed the packaging, you can wrap the sausages in plastic wrap before placing them in the fridge. Place the sausages on a plate at the bottom of your fridge. The plate will prevent your fridge from being soaked by the thawed ice on the sausages. Make sure that you place the sausages in an area of the fridge where they are isolated from ready-to-eat foods. If frozen pork comes into contact with other foods, you could get sick eating the other foods. Leave the sausages in the fridge until they feel soft to the touch. Once the sausages feel soft to the touch and you can't feel any ice or frost on them, they should be fully defrosted. The fridge is possibly the easiest method to use but is also the slowest. If you have a large batch of sausages, it could take up to 24 hours for the sausages to fully defrost. When the sausages are thawed, you can keep them in the fridge for 3 to 5 days before you cook them. If you do take the sausages out of the fridge before this time, cook them immediately. Place the sausages on a microwave-safe plate. Leaving the wrapping on the sausages, place the batch of them on a microwave-safe plate. If you don't know if your plate is safe to use in a microwave or not, there are a few ways to tell: Some plates will have a label on their back which will specify whether or not they are safe to use in a microwave. A symbol of a dish with wavy lines above it indicates that the plate is safe for microwave use. A symbol of wavy lines also means that the plate is microwave-safe. Microwave the sausages using the defrost setting until you can separate them. If your microwave does not have a defrost setting, use the 50% power setting. Open the microwave after 3-4 minutes and check with a fork if you can separate the sausages from each other. If the sausages are still stuck together, turn the microwave on again and check after another minute or so. Place the sausages in the microwave for 2 minute intervals. Once the sausages are defrosted enough to separate, place them back in the microwave and turn it on for 2 minutes. Leave a gap between the sausages on the plate to allow every part of the sausages to fully defrost. Check every 2 minutes until the sausages are fully thawed. Once the sausages have fully defrosted, cook them immediately to prevent bacteria from forming. Remove the wrapping from the sausages and place them in a bowl. Sausages are sold with a protective wrapping which needs to be removed to defrost them with this method. Get a bowl large enough to fit all of the sausages you want to thaw and put the sausages in the bowl. If you don't have a big enough bowl to fit all of the sausages you want to defrost, use 2 different bowls. Fill the bowl with lukewarm water. Lukewarm water is usually around 110 °F (43 °C) in temperature. Use a thermometer to test the temperature of the water once the bowl is filled. Any temperature within 5 °F (−15 °C) of 110 °F (43 °C) should be okay. Put the bowl in a sink below a dripping faucet. Slightly turn the faucet on to ensure a quick stream of dripping water. The water should be dripping and not flowing from the faucet. The water should feel cool to the touch. This helps to make sure that the water around the meat stays at a constant temperature. The dripping faucet also ensures that the water in the bowl is constantly moving. This prevents bacteria from growing while the sausages are thawing in the bowl. Keep the bowl under the faucet until the sausages have fully thawed. The time it takes for the sausages to thaw depends on the amount and size of the meat in the bowl. If you have 1 or 2 small sausages, they might be fully thawed in 25 minutes. If you have 6 or more large sausages, it might take an hour or more. Don't leave the bowl of meat under the tap for longer than 4 hours as bacteria will start to grow. Wash the bowl and your sink with bleach. Now that your sausages have fully thawed, you need to thoroughly clean the bowl and the sink. If you don't clean the bowl or the sink, bacteria or diseases like salmonella can thrive on these surfaces. | Test to make sure the temperature of the fridge is below 5 °C (41 °F). Leave the sausages in their packaging. Place the sausages on a plate at the bottom of your fridge. Leave the sausages in the fridge until they feel soft to the touch. Place the sausages on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave the sausages using the defrost setting until you can separate them. Place the sausages in the microwave for 2 minute intervals. Remove the wrapping from the sausages and place them in a bowl. Fill the bowl with lukewarm water. Put the bowl in a sink below a dripping faucet. Keep the bowl under the faucet until the sausages have fully thawed. Wash the bowl and your sink with bleach. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Razor-Burn-Fast | How to Get Rid of Razor Burn Fast | If you need to quickly get rid of razor burn, apply a cold compress to the area for 5-10 minutes at a time, several times a day to soothe your skin. Using an aftershave product immediately after you shave can help ease and prevent razor burn, especially those containing ingredients like vitamin E and chamomile. For a natural way to soothe and exfoliate razor-burned skin, make a mixture of 2 parts oatmeal and 1 part honey and pat it onto your skin, then rinse it away after 30 minutes. | Apply a cold compress immediately after you shave or notice the burn. Wrap some ice cubes in a small towel or run a washcloth under cold water and squeeze it until it is damp but not dripping wet. Apply to the razor-burned area for five to ten minutes several times per day until the razor burn has subsided. Apply an oatmeal mixture to your skin. Oatmeal naturally soothes and exfoliates the skin. Mix two tablespoons of ground oatmeal with one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to razor-burned skin and keep it there for thirty minutes. If you find the honey-oatmeal mix is too thick and difficult to apply in a smooth, even layer, you could add one teaspoon of water to it. Applying the mixture just after shaving could maximize its efficacy. Cover the razor burn with honey and apple cider vinegar. Honey has many natural antibacterial agents and moisturizing properties. Using a small spoon or spatula, cover the razor burn with a thin layer of honey. Let the honey sit for about five minutes. Wash the area off under cold water and dry your skin with a small rag or towel. Next, splash a small amount of apple cider vinegar over the affected area. For a more even application, you could fill a small spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and squirt the affected area once or twice. After applying the vinegar, allow it to air-dry. The anti-inflammatory qualities of apple cider vinegar will cool the skin and relieve your razor burn. Apply black tea bags to the razor burn. Go to your local supermarket and obtain some black tea bags. They are typically sold in small boxes of ten to twenty. Any brand will do, but make sure to obtain only black tea. Dip the tea bag in water to moisten it. Rub it gently over the razor burn. The tannic acid in the black tea can reduce redness and inflammation caused by razor burn. Repeat two to three times each day, or as needed. Do not rub the bag too vigorously over the razor-burned area, as the tea bag is very thin and easily torn. Mix a baking soda treatment. Add one tablespoon of baking soda to one cup of water. Stir until you get a smooth paste. If your solution remains liquidy, add more baking soda. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and spread it across the razor burn. Allow it to sit for about five minutes. Remove the cotton ball and wash the area off with cold water. Repeat two to three times each day, or as needed. Apply aloe vera to your razor burn. Aloe vera is a plant whose leaves contain a gel with moisturizing properties. Cut an aloe vera leaf along its edge to squeeze out the gel within. If you have trouble squeezing the gel out, use the knife or your fingers to scrape it out from within the leaf. Rub the gel on your razor burn in a circular motion with the tips of your fingers. Continue massaging it into your skin for about two minutes. Let it sit on your skin until its soothing properties subside. Then, rinse the affected skin with cold water. Repeat this application two to four times each day, or as needed. If you don't have an aloe vera plant or can't easily obtain aloe vera leaves, you can use the same technique with store-bought aloe vera gel. Apply cucumber and yogurt to your razor burn. Cucumber contains many hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, and yogurt contains lactic acid which exfoliates the skin. Together, they can help you get rid of your razor burn quickly. Blend half a cucumber with one to two tablespoons of plain yogurt in a blender or food processor. Scoop some of this cucumber-yogurt mix out and apply to the razor-burned area in a thin layer with a spoon or spatula. After twenty minutes, wash the mixture off with lukewarm water. If you're applying the mix to a larger area of razor burn, you should add two tablespoons of yogurt rather than one, and use a whole cucumber, rather than just a half. If you don't have any yogurt on hand, raw cucumber slices can also be applied directly to the razor burn for fast, soothing relief. Cut some thin cucumber slices and place them in the fridge for about thirty minutes. Apply them for twenty minutes. Use witch hazel on your razor burn. Witch hazel is an extract made from the bark and leaves of a small shrub. Witch hazel contains many astringents that help heal and sooth your razor burn. Dip a cotton ball in a small volume of witch hazel and rub it on the razor-burned area. You could also choose to fill a spray bottle with witch hazel and spray two or three squirts of it on the razor burn. Whatever method you choose, apply the witch hazel two or three times per day, or as needed. Apply essential oils to the razor burn. There are many essential oils that can help you get rid of your razor burn fast. Lavender, chamomile, and calendula essential oils are useful for soothing razor burn. Mix six to eight drops of any oil of your choice with a quarter cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in the oil-water mixture. Apply the cotton ball to your razor burn two to three times each day, or as needed. Treat your razor burn with tea tree oil. Tea tree oil contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can quickly relieve your razor burn. Mix three drops of tea tree oil with one tablespoon of olive oil or four to five drops of tea tree oil to two tablespoons of water. Massage the mixture gently into the affected area with the tips of your fingers and let it work on your skin for about ten to fifteen minutes. Wash the oil off with lukewarm water. Repeat twice a day or as needed. Use coconut oil to soothe your razor burn. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a compound with healing, moisturizing, and antiseptic properties. Pour a small amount of coconut oil on the razor-burned area and rub it over the skin. Do not apply a heavy layer. Repeat two to four times each day, or as needed. Use an aftershave. Aftershave is a product specifically designed to care for skin after you've finished shaving. There are two kinds of aftershave: aftershave splash and aftershave balm. Aftershave splash is a scented, alcohol based astringent. Aftershave balm is a hydrating lotion with a more mild scent. Experiment with a variety of aftershave brands and products to find one that soothes your razor burn. Aftershaves with vitamin E, provitamin B5, and chamomile are especially good for razor burn. Shea butter and birch wood are also ingredients you should look for in an aftershave product that is effective against razor burn. Use a lotion. There are a variety of moisturizing lotions that can effectively get rid of razor burn fast. The best lotions for razor burn will contain glycolic acid, which encourages healing in razor-burned skin. Lotions containing alcohol, salicylic acid, or both are also useful, but could dry out your skin. If you have sensitive skin, check the ingredients label on your lotion to ensure it contains glycolic acid instead. Use petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly can relieve irritation caused by razor burn, and keeps moisture on the skin. Rub a thin layer of petroleum jelly across the razor-burned area. Your skin will absorb it, so you don't need to wipe or rinse it off. After about two hours, apply another layer. Continue until your razor burn has subsided. Make an aspirin paste. The anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin work wonders on your skin. Take two or three aspirin tablets and crush them in a small bowl. To crush them, you could use the flat bottom of a cup or a wide spoon. Add a few drops of water to the bowl and mix the contents with a fork to make a creamy paste. Four to five drops of water is usually sufficient, but add more if necessary. Rub the paste on the bumps and wait ten minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Apply this treatment twice per day until the bumps heal. If you are pregnant, allergic to aspirin, have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, or have a history of intestinal bleeding, do not use aspirin. Additionally, do not use aspirin while nursing or taking blood thinners. Apply an itch-relief cream containing hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is a topical medication that reduces itching, swelling, and redness of irritated skin. It can help calm itchy areas and speed up healing time. Don't apply hydrocortisone cream for more than three days at a time. Avoid applying it to open cuts. Don’t shave too often. Shaving too often will not allow your skin the time it needs to heal sufficiently from previous shaving sessions. Try not to shave more than once every four to five days. Use a sharp razor. Razors should be disposed of after five to seven shaves. This way, you're always using a sharp blade, and less likely to irritate the skin. Use shaving cream. Wet your skin with mild soap and warm water before shaving, then apply shaving cream or shaving gel. Shaving cream helps you get a smoother shave and reduces the likelihood of getting razor burn. Perfect your technique. Shave in short strokes. Don't apply excess pressure; the weight of the razor should be enough to help you shave with the proper pressure. Always move the blade in the direction the hair is growing. If you pull the razor in the direction the hair is not growing, you might end up pushing hair into your follicles. Try not cover the razor-burned skin. Allowing your razor burn to be exposed to fresh air can help you get rid of it more quickly. If you must cover the razor burn, wear only loose-fitting clothes to allow your pores to breathe. Wear cotton clothes. Synthetic clothes can irritate razor-burned skin. Wool, similarly, can exacerbate your razor burn. Cotton, on the other hand, is a more breathable material and will accelerate the razor burn healing process. | Apply a cold compress immediately after you shave or notice the burn. Apply an oatmeal mixture to your skin. Cover the razor burn with honey and apple cider vinegar. Apply black tea bags to the razor burn. Mix a baking soda treatment. Apply aloe vera to your razor burn. Apply cucumber and yogurt to your razor burn. Use witch hazel on your razor burn. Apply essential oils to the razor burn. Treat your razor burn with tea tree oil. Use coconut oil to soothe your razor burn. Use an aftershave. Use a lotion. Use petroleum jelly. Make an aspirin paste. Apply an itch-relief cream containing hydrocortisone. Don’t shave too often. Use a sharp razor. Use shaving cream. Perfect your technique. Try not cover the razor-burned skin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Give-a-Back-Massage | How to Give a Back Massage | Although different people like different techniques, a good basic place to start is long, smooth motions with gentle to medium pressure. Avoid pressing directly on the person's spine, focusing instead on areas with a lot of muscle, like around the person's shoulders and neck. Then, occasionally, break up the smooth motions by moving your hands in a circular motion. If you feel an area that seems especially tense, spend a little extra time massaging it with the heel of your hand or your thumbs. | Choose a comfortable location. Using a massage table will give you the best access to somebody's back, and it's built for comfort, complete with a face cradle for alignment of the spine. However, if that's not available, there are a few alternatives. If you don't have access to a massage table, then you can try using the floor, a couch, a bed, or even a kitchen table if it's sturdy enough for the person to lie on. Each option has drawbacks that make it less ideal than a massage table, mostly due to comfort issues for the person receiving the massage and height issues requiring the person giving the massage to lean over in uncomfortable ways. If a bed is the best option available, make sure that the suggestion doesn't come across as inappropriate. Consider the relationship you have with the person and discuss that the massage will take place on a bed beforehand. Place a soft mat down. If you don't have access to a massage table, and you're opting for one of the harder-surfaced alternatives, then lay down a soft mat. Use a mat that is at least two inches thick to provide the proper comfort for the person receiving the massage. Spread a sheet over the table or mat. Since the person will dress down most or all of the way for his or her massage, a clean sheet over the mat or table will be both more hygienic and more comfortable for the person. It will also catch any excess oil. Prepare the room. Make sure the room is warm without being hot. This is the ideal atmosphere for the person to relax the muscles you're trying to massage. Play some uneventful music. New age, ambient music, quiet classical music, or even soundscapes will help the person relax to their fullest. Pulsing, driving music won't help. Keep the volume low. Turn the lights down just enough so there's no glare in the room. Light scented aromatherapy candles. This is optional, and you should ask the person before lighting the candles since some people enjoy the smells while others are too sensitive to them. Have the person undress to his or her comfort level. Massage is best given and received without clothing on the area being massaged, especially if you are using oil or lotion. Request that the person undresses as much as he or she is comfortable with. Always provide an additional towel or sheet above and beyond the one covering the table. This way the person can lie down and cover the parts of his or her body not being massaged. This will make the environment both more comfortable and warmer, which is relaxing. If privacy is a concern, step out of the room as you have the person dress down and cover himself/herself with the additional towel or sheet. Knock and ensure that the person is ready for reentering the room. If the person left pants or underwear on, you could tuck the edge of the towel or sheet into the waistband to ensure no oil from the massage stains the material. Have the person lie face down. If you have a proper massage table, this means the person's face will rest in the face cradle. If it's comfortable for the person, you can also use a pillow or folded towel beneath the ankles. This will support the person's lower back. Expose the person’s back. If the person wrapped a towel while undressing or pulled the additional sheet all the way up, then fold the material down to expose the person's back. Tell the person you are about to begin. Tell them to let you know if anything you are doing is painful or uncomfortable. Part of them being comfortable is having a feeling of trust in you. This is not the time to make jokes or suggestive comments. Ask them where they usually feel tension or pain, if they've gone to physical therapy or seen a chiropractor in the past, and if they have any diagnosis before you get started. This will give you a better picture of their situation so you're able to better help and not make their pain worse. Periodically remind the person to take a slow, deep breath. It will help with relaxation. Pour massage oil in the palm of your hand. Start with about one teaspoon, which is roughly the size of a quarter. Warm it by rubbing it between your hands before applying it to the person. Good oils to use are organic coconut oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil. There are many expensive scented and speciality massage oils on the market you can try too. Spread the oil around. The main technique for spreading the warmed oil across the person's back is called effleurage, which means “light friction.” Use gliding movements in long, even strokes. Use the whole of your hands and start at the bottom of the person's back, moving upward. Always upward toward the heart (the direction of blood flow) while applying pressure, and then lightly bring the hands down the outside of the back lightly. Maintain contact without applying pressure as you bring your hands back down. Repeat this technique for 3-5 minutes while gradually increasing from light to medium pressure to warm up the back muscles. Don't forget the shoulders and neck area. Use petrissage techniques. Petrissage uses shorter, circular strokes with more pressure than effleurage. You can think of this as a kneading technique that uses rolling and pressing to enhance deeper circulation. This technique can use the palm, fingertips, or even the knuckles in the short, circular motions. The movement should come from the waist—your core—rather than from the shoulders. This will help keep you from becoming fatigued. Go across the entire back for 2-5 minutes. You can alternate between this and lighter effleurage movements to diversify techniques. Without professional training, use only light to medium pressure while applying petrissage movements. Apply percussive strokes. Percussive strokes (also known as tapotement) are collections of brief, repetitive contacts with parts of the hand. You can use your cupped hands, your fingertips all gathered to an even point, or even the flat of your fingers on the knuckle side of your hands to make the contacts. These movements have a stimulating, compressive effect on the tissue. Keep your wrists relaxed and flex at the wrists, using quick movements to perform tapotement techniques. This ensures that you don't apply too much pressure. Spend 2-3 minutes applying the techniques across the person's entire back. Use muscle-lifting techniques. To perform this, close your fingers and hold out your thumb (in a “lobster claw” shape). Apply pressure in a twisting, lifting motion. Keep alternating hands in a “windshield wiper” movement. Move up and down the back 2-3 times. Use a fanning technique. Position yourself at the head of the table. Position your thumbs at the top of the back, just below the neck and on either side of the spine. Using a "fanning" motion with your thumbs extended, push gently down toward the lower back with your pressure angled at the person's feet, not down towards the ground. Alternate your pressure on either thumb, moving from the top of the back all the way down to the person's hips. Make sure you are massaging the muscles on either side of the spine, not directly on the spine itself. Massaging over the spine can be very uncomfortable and dangerous if you are not trained properly. Apply twists. Come back around to the person's side. Reach around the far hip with one hand, while the other hand rests on the near hip. With a fluid motion, pull one hand towards you as the other one pushes away; in the middle, they should slide against each other, in opposite directions. Repeat this stroke up the back until you reach the shoulder area, then come back down. Repeat three times. | Choose a comfortable location. Place a soft mat down. Spread a sheet over the table or mat. Prepare the room. Have the person undress to his or her comfort level. Have the person lie face down. Expose the person’s back. Tell the person you are about to begin. Pour massage oil in the palm of your hand. Spread the oil around. Use petrissage techniques. Apply percussive strokes. Use muscle-lifting techniques. Use a fanning technique. Apply twists. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Get-Stains-out-of-Wood | How to Get Stains out of Wood | To remove white rings from a wooden table, put a towel on the table and go over it with an empty iron. Remove the iron, wipe away any moisture, and repeat if necessary. Alternatively, gently rub the area with a fine steel wool pad soaked in lemon oil before dabbing the wood with a cloth and denatured alcohol. Another option you can try is to heat the area with a hairdryer on high for between 10 and 30 minutes. For food or nail polish stains, mix dish detergent with warm water and wipe the area with a cloth. | Go over the stain with an iron. Empty the iron of all water. Lay a towel, t-shirt, or other cloth over the stain. This acts a barrier between the table and the iron. Turn the iron to low and rub it slowly over the fabric for a short period of time. Then lift the cloth to see if the stain has disappeared. If it hasn't, replace the cloth and repeat. Make sure the iron is set to no steam. Act as quickly as possible. Dry as much of the table surface as you can before you begin. Wipe away any moisture or water on the surface each time you remove the iron. White rings are caused by steam or liquid. The white color means they have only penetrated the wax or finish, which means they will be much easier to clean than a darker stain. Rub with a steel wool and lemon oil. Buy a fine steel wool pad. Soak the pad in lemon oil. Very gently, rub the wool over the white ring. Then, rub over the stain with a cloth dabbed with denatured alcohol. The lemon oil is a lubricant and helps prevent the wood from scratching. Try toothpaste. Place toothpaste on your finger or a cloth. Rub the toothpaste with the grain of the wood until it heats. Dampen a cloth with water and then wipe away the toothpaste. Dry the water. Make sure the toothpaste you use is white and non-gel. You don't need a lot of toothpaste. Just a small dab will work. Don't scrub too long. Try not to scrub outside of the stain area. This might wear the finish and top layer of wood. Repeat until the stains are gone. Dry it with a hair dryer. Take a blow dryer and turn it on high. Hold it close to the stain. The stain should start disappearing as the dryer dries the moisture. Make sure to move the dryer back and forth over the area. This will probably take 10-30 minutes. Put a little olive oil on the wood afterwards to moisturize it. Rub with oil-based products. Products with oil, like mayonnaise, butter, and petroleum jelly, help seep into the wood and break up the moisture. Place the mayonnaise or petroleum jelly on the stain. Leave for an hour up to overnight. Make sure to put more mayonnaise on the stain if it dries out. To add some abrasive stain removing power, mix cigarette ashes with the mayonnaise or petroleum jelly. Use baking soda. Mix baking soda with either toothpaste or water to remove the stain. If using water, mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Use a rag to gently scrub the stain. If using baking soda with toothpaste, mix equal parts together. Rub over the stain with a rag. Rinse with a damp cloth afterwards. Use baking soda on dye stains. Baking soda is a great cleaning agent. To get rid of the dye, mix baking soda with distilled vinegar or lemon juice. Make a paste that is the consistency of toothpaste. Spread it over the stain. Use a sponge to gently rub it into the wood. When you're finished, wipe the paste from area. When you're finished, rinse with a rag and plain water. You can use your fingers instead of a sponge. Add some more vinegar or water if the stain is being stubborn. Repeat the process until the stain is removed. You can also try a magic eraser to remove dye. Use dish detergent for non-greasy stains. For food and nail polish stains, try using dish detergent. Mix the soap in warm water, soak a rag in the solution, and then rub over the spot. This method works best with non-greasy stains. Rub greasy stains with ammonia. For greasy stains on wood, try using a little bit of ammonia mixed with cold water. Cover a rag with the solution, and then gently rub over the stain. Clean pet stains with a bacteria killing solution. When pets mess on wood floors, bacteria must be removed. Bacteria causes stains and odor. To remove stains and bacteria, use a 5 percent phenol solution, which can be bought at hardware and home improvement stores. Clean the area by using a damp, soft cloth. If your floor has a wax finish, use fine steel wool and mineral spirits to clean the area. Clean the area in a circular motion. Wax and buff the area afterwards. Use isopropyl alcohol for permanent marker stains. Place a small amount of isopropyl alcohol onto a rag. Gently rub the stain to remove it. Wipe off with a damp rag afterwards to rinse. Test on the underside of your table first to make sure it doesn't damage the table. Try toothpaste on the permanent marker stain, too. Use bleach to get rid of black stains. Use Oxalic Acid, which is found in wood bleach and some household cleaners. You can buy it at home improvement stores and some grocery stores. First, you need to strip the area with the stain of the finish so you can treat it. Mix the Oxalic Acid mixture with water to make a thick paste. Make sure not to do this in a metal bowl since Oxalic Acid can cause discoloration in metal. Apply to the stain with a rag or disposable paint brush. Let it sit until it dries. Add multiple applications. Rinse the area between the applications. If the bleach doesn't remove it, the stain may be from something else, like food or wine. Try hydrogen peroxide or household bleach then. Refinish the spot. Don't refinish the whole piece unless you have to. Black stains are water stains that have penetrated deeper into the wood. They are much harder to get rid of. | Go over the stain with an iron. Rub with a steel wool and lemon oil. Try toothpaste. Dry it with a hair dryer. Rub with oil-based products. Use baking soda. Use baking soda on dye stains. Use dish detergent for non-greasy stains. Rub greasy stains with ammonia. Clean pet stains with a bacteria killing solution. Use isopropyl alcohol for permanent marker stains. Use bleach to get rid of black stains. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Backflip | How to Do a Backflip | A backflip is an advanced and potentially dangerous move, so make sure you have an experienced spotter that can guide your body through the motions the first time around. Additionally, make sure you have a soft mat to stand on to protect your head if you fall. Then, when your spotter is ready, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and raise your arms above your head. Bend your knees into a squat, bring your arms down, then sharply swing your arms back over your head. As you're swinging your arms, jump up as high as you can. Once you're off the ground, engage your core to tuck your legs in towards your chest, and use that momentum to rotate backwards. Finally, untuck your legs and land on the ground with your knees bent and your chest raised. | Stretch your muscles before you jump to prevent injuries. After a quick 2-5 minute cardio warmup, stretch your arms, legs , chest, and back. You can do any stretches, as long as they target the right muscle groups. Here are some stretches for you try: Do a forward bend to stretch all of your muscles. Stand up straight with your feet together, then bend slowly down toward the floor. Reach out to touch the floor with your fingers. To stretch your arms, bring one arm up over your head, reaching toward the sky. Bend your arm at your elbow so it's parallel to the back of you head. Then, use your other hand to pull your elbow gently toward your head. Repeat on the other side. Find a soft surface, such as a gymnastics mat or foam pit. A backflip is an advanced move, so it usually takes time to master it. You need to be on a soft surface to minimize your risk of injury. A gymnastics mat or foam pit is the best surface, but sand or grass may also work. As another option, you may prefer starting on a trampoline, which provides some give and helps you build momentum. However, don't try your flip on a trampoline if you have trouble controlling the height of your jumps. If you're new to backflips, don't attempt to do one on a hard surface, especially concrete. Use a spotter for maximum safety. Since a backflip is an advanced move, it can be dangerous to complete, especially at first. It's important that you have someone there who can watch your jump and potentially help you. At the very least, make sure someone is with you to call for help if you get hurt. If you lose your balance and fall, it's possible that you will not be able to get yourself help. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms stretched overhead. Keep your back straight and neck straight, with your gaze directed forward. Check that you feel stable and balanced up through your core before you enter your takeoff. If you aren't balanced, then you likely won't be able to complete your backflip with good form, which increases your risk of falling and injuring yourself. Focus your gaze on an object in the distance. This will help you keep your head facing forward in a neutral position. It doesn't matter what you look at or if you can see it in detail. You just want to avoid looking at the ground, which can make you feel distracted or nervous. It's important that you don't look around as you try to do a backflip because you can easily lose your balance, which may result in injury. Bend at your knees into a high squat. Sit back as you bend at your knees, keeping your back straight. Your chest should be in line with your knees but pointed up, and your arms should be raised above your head. Don't bend too deeply. If you're bending like you would for a normal squat, you're bending too much. Similarly, don't bend too far forward, as this will throw off your balance. Instead of doing a backflip, you'll likely end up doing a back handspring or not completing your flip. Swing your arms behind you, stopping when they’re just behind your back. Extend your arms in a straight line, but don't lock your elbows. Your palms will be facing slightly toward the sky and turned slightly inward toward your body. Don't raise your arms too high, as this can cause your jump to go backwards too much rather than upwards. Bring your arms forward and over your head as you leap upwards. Make a backward arc with your arms to help propel yourself backwards as you jump high into the air. As your arms swing up, push through your thighs to leap backwards. Swinging your arms helps give you the momentum to complete the jump. Keep your arms straight the whole time—don't allow them to go flailing about. You should be jumping upwards, not backwards. Your arm motion will help carry you backwards, but you won't get enough momentum if you don't jump straight up. Pull your knees toward your chest at the peak of your jump. Your chest should be about parallel with the sky (or ceiling) when you pull in your knees. This will begin your tuck. Grab your knees with your hands to secure your tuck. Bring your arms back in toward your legs as you tuck. You can grab the back of your thighs or your knees as you tuck, if you prefer. If you feel yourself turning to the side as you tuck, this is caused by a rear reflex. You likely need to do more conditioning exercises, such as jumps and stretches. Keep your eyes open during your flip so you can see to stick your landing. As you flip, try to spot the object in the distance that you were staring at before you began your jump. This can help you time your landing. Once you see the object come into view, you'll know you completed your rotation. It's okay if you don't see the object you were staring at before. You can still stick your landing as you complete your backflip. Stretch out your legs about 3/4 of the way through your rotation. Release your tuck and extend your legs outward. Then, let them carry you down toward your landing as you return to the floor. Keep your knees bent as you come in for your landing. A slight bend is all you need to properly stick your landing. This helps you absorb some of the shock in your landing, which protects your body. Don't bend too far down, as you could lose your balance. Land with your hips under your chest and your knees aligned with your ankles. Your body will be nearly in a straight line as your feet hit the floor, aside from the slight bend in your knees. This is proper form, which will help you avoid injury. If your body is out of line, it can put too much strain on your joints, like your ankles or hips. Bring your chest up as you land to help you stay balanced. You'll be in a near-standing position when you land, but your chest will likely be tilted forward. Complete the flip by pulling your back up straight as you stick your landing. If you feel like you are falling forward when you land, it's okay to reach forward to try to steady yourself with your hands. However, be careful not to fall forward onto your hands or arms, as you could injure yourself. Your goal is to land in the same spot you started in, but it's good if you land within 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) of your starting place. | Stretch your muscles before you jump to prevent injuries. Find a soft surface, such as a gymnastics mat or foam pit. Use a spotter for maximum safety. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms stretched overhead. Focus your gaze on an object in the distance. Bend at your knees into a high squat. Swing your arms behind you, stopping when they’re just behind your back. Bring your arms forward and over your head as you leap upwards. Pull your knees toward your chest at the peak of your jump. Grab your knees with your hands to secure your tuck. Keep your eyes open during your flip so you can see to stick your landing. Stretch out your legs about 3/4 of the way through your rotation. Keep your knees bent as you come in for your landing. Land with your hips under your chest and your knees aligned with your ankles. Bring your chest up as you land to help you stay balanced. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-Duck-Eggs-Are-Dead-or-Alive | How to Tell if Duck Eggs Are Dead or Alive | To tell if a duck egg is alive, place it in your hand and see if it moves, which is a sign the embryo is still alive. Additionally, inspect the egg for cracks or dents, since embryos inside damaged eggs are usually dead. Alternatively, shine a flashlight onto it in a dark room and look for signs of life, like veins or a reddish color. You should also be able to see the embryo moving inside the egg if it's still alive. | Get a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter flashlight. The flashlight should be small enough for you to hold comfortably in your hand and be bright enough to shine into the egg. For an old school approach, you can use a candle to check the eggs. However, be careful when holding the candle, as you do not want it to become a fire hazard. Make the room or area very dark. Turn off all the lights in the room or area so you can shine the flashlight into the egg and look at it. You can also drape the incubator with a black out curtain or a dark blanket so it is dark inside. Shine the flashlight on the eggs. Hold the flashlight in one hand and the egg in the other, with your thumb resting on the back of the egg. Place the egg against the flashlight so all the light enters the egg. The flashlight should illuminate the entire egg. Make sure there are no shadows cast on the egg. You want a clear view of the inside of the egg using the light of the flashlight. Check for veins and a reddish coloring. Look for distinct veins and a warm reddish coloring to the egg, especially on day 6 or more of incubation. This is a sign that the embryo is living and developing. Towards the end of incubation, you may also see the duck's bill developing inside the air sac in the egg. This means the duck egg will soon hatch. Look for movement in the egg. When you shine the flashlight on the egg, you should notice the embryo moving in the egg. It may wiggle or shake. The embryo should be stimulated to move by the bright flashlight. Remove any eggs that are white, with no veins or movement. If the egg does not have any distinct veins and it is white when you shine the light on it, it is likely dead. The egg may not move and you may not see anything in the egg when you examine it with the light. The duck eggs may appear dead during any stage of development, from day 1 to day 27. Make sure the eggs have no cracks. Before you perform the float test, confirm the eggs are free of cracks, dents, or other damage. You do not want to put cracked eggs in water, as this will drown the embryo, if it is still alive. If you know the incubation period of the eggs, you should also wait until day 24 or 25 to do the float test. This will ensure the eggs are developed enough for the test. Put warm water in a clear plastic container. The water should be no hotter than 100 °F (38 °C). Pour it into a deep plastic container that you can see into. The container should be ½ to ¾ full. Lower the egg into the water with a spoon. Carefully place the egg in the water. Do one egg at a time. Notice if the egg sinks to the bottom. If the egg sinks to the bottom of the container in the water, it may not be alive. This is a sign that the egg has a yolk, not a developed embryo. Check if the egg floats at an angle. If the egg floats with the big end above the water and the narrow end pointing downward, it may not be alive. If it floats at an angle, where the egg is almost horizontal, it may contain a live embryo. If the embryo is alive, the egg may also move around on its own in the water. If the egg floats at an angle, remove it from the water and wipe it dry. Place it in an incubator and allow it to hatch on its own. Touch the eggs to see if they feel warm. If you find duck eggs in the wild, use the back of your hand to see if the eggs are warm to the touch. The eggs may have fallen from a nearby nest and still be warm from their mother. Just because the eggs are warm does not mean they are alive. You will need to perform additional checks to confirm they are alive. Make sure there are no cracks or flaws on the eggs. Look at the shells of the eggs. Check there there are no hairline fractures, dents, or cracks in the eggs. If so, the eggs may be damaged and no longer alive. Check to see if the eggs move. Place the egg in your hand and notice if it shifts or tilts around. This may be a sign that the embryo is still alive in the egg. Duck eggs that are far along in the incubation process and still viable will shake or shift slightly on their own. Put the eggs in an incubator. If you believe the abandoned duck eggs are alive, rinse them off in lukewarm water so they are clean and place them in an incubator. You can buy incubators for duck eggs online or at your nearest pet store. Make sure the incubator stays at 99 to 101 °F (37 to 38 °C). You will also need to turn the eggs once a day so they stay warm. Candle the eggs with a flashlight as they incubate to confirm they are developing well. Depending on how far along the duck eggs already are, it will take 27 to 28 days for the eggs to hatch in the incubator. | Get a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter flashlight. Make the room or area very dark. Shine the flashlight on the eggs. Check for veins and a reddish coloring. Look for movement in the egg. Remove any eggs that are white, with no veins or movement. Make sure the eggs have no cracks. Put warm water in a clear plastic container. Lower the egg into the water with a spoon. Notice if the egg sinks to the bottom. Check if the egg floats at an angle. Touch the eggs to see if they feel warm. Make sure there are no cracks or flaws on the eggs. Check to see if the eggs move. Put the eggs in an incubator. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Store-Batteries | How to Store Batteries | If you want to store batteries, try to keep them in their original packaging to prevent exposure to humidity. For batteries you've already removed from the packaging, sort them into different types to reduce the risk of them reacting with each other. Place your batteries in a vapor-tight container, then keep them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. To avoid losing charge and causing a fire risk, don't store coins or other metal objects with your batteries. | Keep batteries in the original packaging if possible. Storing batteries sealed in their packaging ensures that they remain protected from environmental factors such as humidity. It also ensures that you do not confuse new, fully charged batteries with older ones, and it prevents the terminals from coming into contact with other metals. If you don't have the original packaging, keep your batteries in a plastic container. Separate batteries by make and age. Batteries of different types or from different manufacturers can react with each other, causing leakage or other damage. If you are storing disposable (non-rechargeable) batteries, avoid storing new and used batteries together. Separate containers are ideal. If you plan to use one container, place each type of battery in its own plastic bag. Check the charge levels on rechargeable batteries. Many rechargeable batteries will permanently damage themselves if kept in a discharged state. The ideal level of charge depends on the technology: Lead Acid Store at full charge to avoid sulfation, which lowers capacity. Lithium Ion (Li-ion) For best results, store at 30–50% maximum charge. If you will be unable to recharge within a few months, store at full charge instead. Nickel-based (NiMH, NiZn, NiCd) Can be stored at any state of charge. Store your batteries at room temperature or below. In most cases, any cool room away from direct sun is fine—just avoid storing your batteries in high temperatures. Even at relatively warm temperatures of 77ºF (25ºC), a typical battery only loses a few percent of its charge capacity each year. Storing batteries in the refrigerator (or anywhere between 34–60ºF / 1–15ºC) causes minor improvements in this area, but is not necessary unless you have no good alternative or maximum performance is vital. For most consumers, the refrigerator is not worth the risk of water damage and the inconvenience of waiting for batteries to warm up before use. Do not put a battery in a freezer unless the manufacturer recommends it. Traditional nickel-based batteries lose their charge quickly even at low temperatures. They recharge faster at cool temperatures, but not below 50ºF (10°C) for consumer-grade chargers. More recent LSD (Low Self-Discharge) NiMH batteries are designed to maintain their charge at room temperature. Control humidity. Keep your batteries in a vapor-proof container if they are in a high-humidity environment or if there is risk of condensation (including in the fridge). Alkaline batteries can be safely stored in moderately humid conditions (35 to 65% relative humidity). Most other batteries prefer drier environments. In addition, don't store your batteries down on the ground. Prevent electrical conduction. Your batteries may start conducting electricity if they come into contact with metal. This will drain your batteries quickly, and create heat. Take steps to prevent this problem and reduce fire risk: Do not store batteries in a metal container. Use a sealed plastic container or a specialized battery storage box. Do not store coins or other metal objects in the same container. Align batteries so the positive terminals cannot contact the negative terminals of other batteries. Cover the terminals with masking tape or plastic caps if you cannot guarantee this. Recharge lead acid and lithium-ion batteries periodically. Storing a lead-acid battery at a very low charge state can cause permanent crystal formation (sulfation) that reduces capacity. Lithium-ion batteries at low charge can develop copper structures that short the battery, making it dangerous to use. The exact recharge instructions depend on the battery design. Follow these guidelines if you do not have access to manufacturer instructions: Lead Acid Recharge to full whenever voltage drops below 2.07 volts / cell (12.42V for a 12V battery). One charge every six months is typical. Lithium Ion (Li-ion) Recharge to 30–50% capacity whenever voltage drops below 2.5 V/cell. Do not recharge if voltage drops to 1.5V/cell. One charge every few months is typical. Restore discharged batteries. If your rechargeable batteries drop to low charge levels for more than a few days, they will likely require special treatment before you can use them again: Lead Acid The battery will usually recharge, but with permanently reduced capacity. If a small lead acid battery fails to recharge, apply a very low amount of current at a high voltage (~5V) for two hours. Anti-sulfation devices are not recommended without an experienced operator. Lithium Ion (Li-ion) The battery may enter "sleep mode" and fail to recharge. Use a charger with a "boost" feature, taking care to apply the voltage with the correct polarity. Never boost a battery that falls below 1.5V/cell for a week or more, as it is permanently damaged and dangerous to use. Nickel-based (NiMH, NiZn, NiCd) No major issues. Some types may require charging and fully discharging a couple times to return to full capacity. For large scale use, consider a battery analyzer that can "recondition" the battery. | Keep batteries in the original packaging if possible. Separate batteries by make and age. Check the charge levels on rechargeable batteries. Store your batteries at room temperature or below. Control humidity. Prevent electrical conduction. Recharge lead acid and lithium-ion batteries periodically. Restore discharged batteries. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Drain-and-Refill-Your-Swimming-Pool | How to Drain and Refill Your Swimming Pool | To drain and refill your swimming pool, start by renting a submersible sump pump from a home improvement store, if you don't already have one. Then, you should connect the clean out pipe from the sump pump to the sewer, if your municipality allows that amount of drainage, or direct the water to irrigate your plants. After the pool is drained with the sump pump, clean the pool with a hose and scrub brush. Finally, refill the pool using 1 or 2 hoses and wait for the water to settle before adding chemicals. | Go to a home improvement store and rent a submersible sump pump. Sump pumps can be rented for about $36/24 hours. Do this early in the day so your pool is empty before dark. Your rental should include rubber fire hoses in 50 feet (15.2 m) lengths. Two should be enough for most homeowner, but check to make sure the pool is not more than 100 feet (30.5 m) from your clean out/sewer access point. Set up the sump pump and discharge hoses, connecting the hoses to a clean out. This step is very important. Most municipalities won't let you drain your water directly into the street or a neighbor's yard, for example. That leaves you two options of where to drain the water: Directly into the clean out. This is usually a 3 to 4 inch (7.6 to 10.2 cm) plastic pipe on your property, usually outside a bathroom or the kitchen, with a screw cap on it which leads directly into the sewer. The city will reuse this water. On older homes, one clean out usually exists and is elevated on a wall. On newer homes, two clean outs usually exist, and they are ground-level — sometimes obscured by landscaping. Using a clean connected to a wall is risky and could cause water damage to the house. If your clean out is connected directly to your house. Consult a pool specialist or general contractor before proceeding. Irrigate the lawn, plants, or other shrubbery. This is not recommended if you are draining the entire pool, nor is it a great idea on certain lawns or plants that don't react well to excessive salt or chlorine. Certain grasses and Oleander species can take pool water, but citrus, hibiscus, or other salt-sensitive plants should not be irrigated in this fashion. Lower the pump into the pool and plug it in. Make sure the hose is properly attached and make sure the other end of the hose is stuck into the clean out before plugging in the pump. Some hoses will go down about 3 feet (0.9 m) into the clean out before hitting something; make sure to lodge it in properly. Watch your water disappear, monitoring the discharge carefully. The time it takes to drain your pool water will depend on the municipality laws, the pump speed, and the total size of the pool. Although it may sound strange, check your municipality's laws concerning the discharge rate. In some municipalities, the discharge rate is capped quite low — Phoenix, for example, sets theirs at 12 gallons (45.4 L) per minute (or 720 gal/hr). This ensures safe disposal of the water into the sewer. Most good pumps will far exceed the municipality's maximum discharge rate. They'll function safely at 50 gallons/minute, and top out at about 70 gallons/minute. Your pool size will also determine how long it takes. If you're pumping at 30 gallons/minute, or 1,800 gallons/hour, and you have a 25,000 gallon (94,635.3 L) pool, it will take roughly 14 hours to drain the pool. Every foot or so of water level decrease, spray the perimeter of the pool's previous water line with a hose. Do this especially if your water is dirty, as this will save you time in the end. Try some brushing while you are at it. Wait as the pump removes almost all of the water, draining the last bit manually. How much water the pump is able to remove will depending on your pool's contours at the deep end. Drain the last foot or so manually with two buckets. This is where a helper comes in handy. Blast debris out of the pop-ups with your hose. If you have an in-floor cleaning system, this is a great option for you to use. Alternately, you can contact the manufacturer of the pool for specific servicing/repair tips. Clean away any calcium or scale rings. Now is also a good time to clean away calcium or scale rings (if any exist). Calcium, Lime, and Rust remover, also known as CLR, usually works pretty well. Work at the tougher buildups with a putty knife, being careful not to damage the lining of the pool. Lesser buildups can usually be dispatched with rubber gloves, a scrubbing pad, and the aforementioned CLR. To keep the rings from reappearing, you can buy some "stain and scale inhibitor." Check the manufacturer's instructions for applications, as well as for repetitions. Some inhibitors need to be reapplied every month to be effective. Perform an acid wash on your pool (optional). A good acid wash will clean the walls of your pool, keep the water looking bright and transparent, and make the whole shebang an altogether more pleasant experience. If your pool is already fairly clean or you don't have time, you may skip this step. Estimate the amount of time it will take to fill the pool with your current pumps. You don't want to go to sleep and wake up with a lake in your backyard. Do a little bit of homework to avoid needing to damage-control in the end. Fill up your pool. Connect one or more garden hoses to available spigots and drop them into the side of the pool. Turn them on. If your pool was newly plastered for example, you probably want to tie on some socks to the spout of the hose and secure with a couple rubber bands. That way, the force of the water doesn't mess with the plaster. Water should not be expensive. If you need to, call your city and inquire about how much they charge. Wait for the water to settle a few hours before adding any chemicals or additives. You're almost there. All you need to do now is test the alkalinity of the water, pH, and calcium hardness. After you've performed these tests, adjust the alkalinity, pH, and hardness of the water appropriately before adding chlorine, CYA (Cyanuric Acid), or salt. | Go to a home improvement store and rent a submersible sump pump. Set up the sump pump and discharge hoses, connecting the hoses to a clean out. Lower the pump into the pool and plug it in. Watch your water disappear, monitoring the discharge carefully. Every foot or so of water level decrease, spray the perimeter of the pool's previous water line with a hose. Wait as the pump removes almost all of the water, draining the last bit manually. Blast debris out of the pop-ups with your hose. Clean away any calcium or scale rings. Perform an acid wash on your pool (optional). Estimate the amount of time it will take to fill the pool with your current pumps. Fill up your pool. Wait for the water to settle a few hours before adding any chemicals or additives. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Toe-Fungus | How to Get Rid of Toe Fungus | To get rid of toe fungus, apply 100% tea tree oil to the affected area with a cotton swab twice a day. You can also try applying Vick's VapoRub to your toe every night before you go to sleep, which may make the fungus go away. Another home remedy you can try is snakeroot leaf extract, which may clear up the fungus if you apply it to the affected area every 3 days. If home remedies aren't helping, talk to your doctor about getting an oral or topical antifungal medication. | Recognize the signs. Before you can treat toenail fungus, you need to know what to look for. Nail fungus does not necessarily have consistent symptoms. The most common sign that you have nail fungus is tenderness or pain in the nail. Signs of a fungal infection include thickened, discolored, or brittle nails. The nail will usually get yellow or white streaks on the side of the nail. There is usually due to a buildup of debris under or around the nail, a crumbling and thickening of the outside edges of the nail, a loosening or lifting up of the nail, and nail brittleness. Although treatment is usually sought for cosmetic reasons, nail fungus can be serious and should be treated. For example, if it is a severe infection, it can cause permanent damage to your nails. The infection can also spread beyond your nails, especially if you are in a high risk group, such as people with diabetes or impaired immune systems. High-risk people can develop cellulitis, a skin tissue infection, if toe fungus isn't treated. Toenail fungus is caused by fungi such as trichophyton rubrum. It is also caused by non-dermatophyte molds and yeast, most commonly from the Candida species. Don't use over the counter options. Nail fungus is hard to treat and repeat infections are very common. Contrary to common belief, over the counter antifungal creams are usually for athlete's foot and do not effectively treat toenail fungus. This is because they cannot penetrate the nail. Take oral medication. The most effective way to get rid of nail fungus is systemic treatment with oral prescription antifungals. Treatment with oral medications can take 2-3 months or longer. Oral antifungal prescription medications include Lamisil, which is usually prescribed with a dose of 250 mg a day for 12 weeks. Side effects can include rash, diarrhea, or liver enzyme abnormalities. This medication should not be used if you have liver or kidney issues. You can also try itraconazole (Sporanox), which is usually prescribed with a dose of 200 mg a day for 12 weeks. Side effects can include nausea, rash, or liver enzyme abnormalities. It should not be used if you have liver issues. Sporanox also has interactions with over 170 different drugs such as Vicodin and Prograf. Check with your doctor to ensure any medication you are taking does not interfere with it. Before getting any prescription, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a history of depression, a weak immune system, or an autoimmune disorder. These medications may cause liver toxicity. Try topical antifungal prescription medications. Topical medications are not recommended alone, but they can be used in addition to oral therapy to decrease the duration of your treatment. However, if you have reservations about oral therapy or are hesitant to start long-term oral therapy, topical medications are a good option. You can try Ciclopirox, which is an 8% solution is usually applied daily for 48 weeks. You can also try the more recent medication Jublia, which is a 10% solution that is also applied daily for 48 weeks. Topical prescriptions may be effective if the infection does not involve the nail matrix, the layer of cells at the base of the nail. Your doctor will let you know if your infection has expanded to include the nail matrix. Talk to your doctor about surgical treatment. If you have a severe case of toenail fungus, you may need to have surgery to fix it. The options include partial or complete nail removal. After the infected nail is surgically removed, antifungal cream is applied to the area to prevent reinfection of the new nail. Total nail removal is not commonly needed. Consider non-pharmacological, non-surgical treatment. These methods don't require you to take drugs or get surgery. These include nail debridement, which is the removal of dead or infected tissue and trimming of the nail. This option is used for severe infections or for infections that cause abnormal growths. Generally doctors apply urea ointment and cover it with a dressing. This softens the nail over a period of 7-10 days after which the doctor can easily remove the diseased portion of the nail. It is usually a painless procedure. Try laser treatment. Laser treatment options are available but are generally very costly. They use a high focus beam to eradicate the fungus in the affected area. It can take several treatments to clear the infection, which means you have to pay even more each time you go. This treatment is still largely experimental. Until further studies are conducted, laser treatment is not recommended for routine use. Apply Vick's VapoRub. You can get over the counter vapor rub from Vick's to help your fungus. A study showed that daily application of Vick's VapoRub for 48 weeks can be as effective as topical treatment options such as Ciclopirox 8% for nail fungus. To treat nail fungus with Vick's VapoRub, first make sure your nail is clean and dry. Apply a small amount of Vick's VapoRub on the affected area daily with your finger or a cotton swab, preferably at night. Continue treatment for up to 48 weeks. Your infection may go away before 48 weeks, but continue for a few weeks after signs of your infection go away to ensure it is cured. Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural anti-fungal. One study showed that tea tree oil may be effective for nail fungus. 18% of patients who used tea tree oil twice daily for 24 weeks were cleared of the infection. To treat nail fungus with tea tree oil, use a 100% solution because lower concentrations have not been proven to be effective for this particular infection. Make sure your nail is clean and dry before application. Apply a small amount tea tree oil solution with a cotton swab to affected area twice a day for up to 6 months. Try snakeroot leaf extract. In a study that included 110 people, snakeroot extract was shown to be about as effective as topical treatment options. To use this method, apply the extract every third day for 4 weeks, twice a week for the next 4 weeks, then once a week for the next 4 weeks. Snakeroot leaf extract is not commonly available in the US. It is a traditional Mexican remedy and is more commonly found in Mexico. Prevent future occurrences. There are many situations that make you more at risk for infection. You are at a higher risk if you are older, have diabetes, have an impaired immune system, or have poor circulation. If you are at high risk, you should take extra care to prevent infection. Preventative measures include wearing shoes or sandals when you are at damp public areas such as swimming pools or gyms, keeping your toenails clipped and clean, making sure your feet are dry, and drying your feet after you shower. You should wear clean, absorbent socks. Wool, nylon, and polypropylene are materials that help keep your feet dry. You should also change your socks often. You should discard old shoes after you get rid of your fungus. They can contain remnants of the fungi. You can also wear open toe shoes to help reduce humidity. Do not share nail clippers or tools used for manicures and pedicures. Choose nail salons carefully. Use antifungal powder or spray to help reduce your chances of infection. Avoid wearing nail polish or using artificial products on your nails. This can trap moisture and provide a damp area for fungus to grow. | Recognize the signs. Don't use over the counter options. Take oral medication. Try topical antifungal prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about surgical treatment. Consider non-pharmacological, non-surgical treatment. Try laser treatment. Apply Vick's VapoRub. Use tea tree oil. Try snakeroot leaf extract. Prevent future occurrences. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Watch-a-Horror-Movie | How to Watch a Horror Movie | If you're not the biggest fan of horror movies, there are a few tricks to help you keep your cool and even enjoy the flick. Consider reading the movie synopsis before you watch it so you'll know what to expect and relieve some of the suspense. Just don't tell your friends if you're watching the movie with them! If you can, watch the movie during the day or with the lights on so you won't be so immersed in the action. While you're watching the movie, remind yourself that it's not real and just out of shot, there are microphones, cameramen, and set pieces that you can't see. You can also imagine funny things happening to the characters to relieve some of the tension. For example, if someone's walking down into a creepy basement, imagine them tripping and rolling down the steps. | Read the movie synopsis beforehand, if you're nervous. Knowing the major plot points beforehand can make the movie less scary and prepare you for the intense parts. Find the synopsis online and read it thoroughly, checking for any frightening moments. You can also check the rating or parental guidance section on most film websites to prepare you for particularly scary scenes. If you enjoy the thrill of not knowing what comes next, avoid reading the full synopsis beforehand. Instead, check the rating or parental guides to decide whether you can handle the scary moments. Remember that, no matter what, the movie is fictional. When preparing to watch a scary movie, separating reality from fiction can help you feel less nervous. Remember that scary stories are just that—stories—and that, no matter what, you'll be safe. If this method helps you cope best, avoid movies that claim they are "based on a true story." Try reading movie reviews or a "Behind the Scenes" video of the movie to remind yourself that it's fictional. Avoid movies with overly triggering material. If you're sensitive to certain themes or scenes in horror movies, you may want to choose a horror movie that avoids these topics. After checking the parental guides, choose a horror movie that doesn't contain any themes you find disturbing. Most horror movies contain frightening scenes, but avoid movies that you think could negatively affect you for more than a few hours. Talk about your concerns with your friends. If you've been preparing for the movie and are still a little nervous, voicing your concerns can help you feel less anxious. They may validate your emotions or suggest things that can help you cope when you're worried. Try to talk to a friend who is comfortable with, or even enjoys, horror movies. Expressing your fears to someone who also is afraid of scary movies might worsen your concerns. Talking with a friend who loves horror movies can also help you see what makes watching scary movies enjoyable. Watch the movie at home, not in a theater. Although the theater atmosphere can be fun, you'll have more control over the movie at home. Pick a movie that's already been released or one that you have recorded so you can pause, fast forward, or skip scenes as needed. If you have to watch the movie in a theater, choose a seat near the exit so you can sneak out if you feel overwhelmed. Watching the movie in a theater, however, can be fun if you want to immerse yourself in the horror movie experience if you don't typically get scared. Watch the movie during the day, if possible. Horror movies are scariest at night, when any shadow or unexplained noise might make you jump. If you can, watch the movie while the sun's still out so that afterward, you can distract your mind with other things before nighttime. If you're watching a horror movie at night, turn on a few lights in a nearby room to make the atmosphere feel less scary. Avoid watching scary movies before you go to bed, as you may be more likely to have nightmares or struggle with insomnia. Watching a horror movie at night, however, can be fun if you enjoy feeling frightened while watching scary movies. Keep a few pillows or squeezable objects on hand. During scary scenes, having something soft to hold can help calm you down. Set a few pillows, stuffed animals, therapy balls, or other soft objects near wherever you're watching the movie just in case you're feeling nervous. If you're watching the movie with a friend, ask beforehand if you can hold their hand during the scary parts as reassurance. Invite some friends over to watch the movie. Watching a horror movie alone can make everything seem scary. If you want, ask a friend to watch the movie with you or invite several friends and host a scary movie party. If you have to watch the movie by yourself, try to watch it when others will be home. Having other people nearby can help you feel less afraid. Invite friends who enjoy scary movies to create a light, fun atmosphere and help you feel more excited to watch it. Get some snacks to eat during the movie. Sweet or salty snacks can help distract your mind and remind you that you're watching a movie. Before you watch the movie, pop some popcorn or buy some candy to have on hand during the film. Crunchy foods, like veggies, chips, or cookies, are especially useful for calming your nerves because they can prevent you from being mentally absorbed in the movie. Make fun of the movie, if you feel scared. Humor can help put the movie into perspective and remind you that you're not in danger. Think about an aspect of the film that scares you and try to reimagine it in a hilarious light. If the movie has an evil clown, for example, try to picture the clown slipping on a banana peel. Share your humorous thoughts with your friends if all of you are scared to keep the atmosphere light and comfortable. Remind yourself that nothing you're seeing is real. If you feel overwhelmed by the movie, reassure yourself that you're watching actors and that the movie is fiction. Being scared is okay, but remember that watching the movie does not make it real. Try looking for small details that shows you the movie is fake, like a supposedly "dead" body breathing or the shadow of a microphone. Let your friend know if you're scared so they can give you reassurance or remind you that it's fake. Mute the movie during especially scary scenes. Part of what makes horror movies so frightening is the sound effects and unsettling music. Muting the movie should put the film into perspective and make it significantly less frightening. If you still want to know what's going on but feel afraid, try lowering the volume instead of muting it. Distract your mind with something else, if nothing else seems to help. If you feel overwhelmed by the horror movie, try distracting yourself with snacks or a calming activity. Something that distracts your mind and your body, like knitting or playing with a puzzle, can be especially effective for calming you down. You could also leave the room for a few minutes and take a breather, then come back when you're ready to watch it again. If you don't want to watch the movie anymore, there's no shame in turning it off or leaving the room until it's over. | Read the movie synopsis beforehand, if you're nervous. Remember that, no matter what, the movie is fictional. Avoid movies with overly triggering material. Talk about your concerns with your friends. Watch the movie at home, not in a theater. Watch the movie during the day, if possible. Keep a few pillows or squeezable objects on hand. Invite some friends over to watch the movie. Get some snacks to eat during the movie. Make fun of the movie, if you feel scared. Remind yourself that nothing you're seeing is real. Mute the movie during especially scary scenes. Distract your mind with something else, if nothing else seems to help. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Pregnant-Dog | How to Care for a Pregnant Dog | To care for a pregnant dog, start by taking it to the vet to confirm the pregnancy and determine the due date so you know how many weeks pregnant your dog is. Around the 5th week of pregnancy, switch your dog to a high quality puppy food and feed it 25% more than you usually would. After the 8th week, increase the amount of food by another 25% so that your dog is getting enough protein, fat, and minerals to grow healthy puppies. Finally, continue daily walks with your dog, but avoid strenuous activity after the 6th week of pregnancy so it doesn't overexert itself. | Ensure that your dog is a good breeding candidate. Many canine diseases can pass from a mother dog to her puppies. Have your veterinarian examine your dog before you breed her to minimize the risk of passing a genetic disease to the puppies. Heritable diseases can affect the bones, joints, heart, teeth, skin, blood cells, kidneys, liver, nervous system (brain and spinal cord), digestive tract, reproductive organs, and the immune system. Some common examples include hip dysplasia, allergies, cryptorchidism, and hernias. Certain breeds have an increased risk of heritable diseases. Think about your dog's (and the male dog's) personality and behavior. Some scientific studies show that aggression can be genetic. You should breed friendly dogs that do not have aggressive tendencies. Feed your dog a high-quality dog food that has passed the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding tests. Foods that have passed the AAFCO feeding tests will read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______.” Feeding your dog high-quality food prior to pregnancy can improve her and her puppies' health. Know the facts before breeding. Although puppies are very cute, they also require a lot of time, attention, and clean-up. Puppies typically stay with their mother for 8 weeks after birth, longer if you have trouble finding them a home. Raising multiple puppies will take a lot of your time and energy, not to mention it can be expensive. If your dog has trouble delivering her puppies, emergency veterinary treatment will be necessary. Cesarean sections (C-sections) can be very expensive, so be prepared to shell out some cash if there is an emergency. Consider adopting a shelter dog instead of breeding. There is a dog overpopulation problem in the United States, meaning that there are more dogs than there are homes for them. According to the ASPCA, 1,200,000 dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. For each puppy that your dog delivers, there could be one less home available for a shelter dog. Get your dog proper prenatal care. Your dog should be vaccinated before she gets pregnant. This will protect your dog and your dog's puppies. Newborn puppies have an increased risk getting serious (and even fatal) diseases if their mother is not vaccinated. Most experts advise against vaccinating pregnant dogs, so vaccines should be given ahead of time. Get your dog dewormed. Internal parasites (such as roundworms and hookworms) can pass from a mother to her puppies. Your dog's veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate medication that will protect both your dog and her puppies. Have a heartworm test performed by your vet and start an appropriate heartworm preventative. Heartworm microfilaria can pass from a dog to her unborn puppies through the placenta. See your veterinarian if you believe that your dog may be pregnant. Your veterinarian can help you verify the pregnancy, determine the due date, discuss any medication changes, and even estimate the number of expected puppies. Your veterinarian can also help you determine if your dog is having a false pregnancy, a condition in which she looks and acts pregnant when she's not. Ultrasound machines can visualize puppy embryos approximately 3 weeks into the pregnancy. Your veterinarian may be able to feel the puppies inside your dog's belly 20-30 days into the pregnancy. Unborn puppies can be seen on x-rays after 45 days (5 weeks) of pregnancy. Your veterinarian will count the fetal skeletons to determine the number of expected puppies. This way, you will know if all the puppies have been delivered successfully when your dog gives birth. If you are expecting 6 puppies but only 4 are born, you will know to take your dog in for emergency medical care. Talk to your veterinarian about ALL medications and treatments that you give your dog. Some medications can be dangerous to the unborn puppies and can cause birth defects and even death. For instance, veterinarians typically recommend that you keep your dog on their monthly heartworm preventatives, but talk to your veterinarian to be certain. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog's flea and tick treatments and her risk for these parasites. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate product if treatment is indicated. Examples of products that your veterinarian may recommend for your pregnant dog include FrontlineⓇ Plus Topspot (but not FrontlineⓇ Spray), RevolutionⓇ, ProgramⓇ, and CapstarⓇ. Your veterinarian may recommend a dewormer during the last third of your dog's pregnancy. Fenbendazole is typically considered safe for pregnant dogs and can treat worms that can be passed from a dog to her puppies. Do not give any over-the-counter medications, treatments, or supplements to your dog without asking your veterinarian whether they are safe during pregnancy. Do not vaccinate your pregnant dog. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations if your dog is pregnant and is overdue on vaccines. If your dog is on long-term medications for a chronic disease, talk to your veterinarian immediately to determine if you should continue or stop the medications. Make sure you know where the nearest Vet Emergency hospital is located. This should be a 24 hr clinic, not your regular vet office. It is best to be prepared for an emergency, just in case your dog is giving birth in the evening and she has serious complications. Check the label on the food you feed your dog. Ensure that the food has passed an AAFCO feeding test. The label should read, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that _____ provides complete and balanced nutrition for ______.” Feed a normal amount of high-quality commercial dog food for the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Commercial dog foods are sold at pet food and grocery stores. These foods typically contain all necessary nutrients in the correct amounts and ratios. Homemade foods often do not contain the proper balance of the necessary nutrients and should be avoided. Switch to a high-quality puppy food during the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy. At this point in the pregnancy, your dog will have higher nutritional demands. Puppy food contains higher amounts of protein, fat, energy and minerals. At this point you should also increase the amount that you feed your dog by 20-25%. Do not feed large-breed dog or large-breed puppy foods, even if you have a large-breed dog. These foods typically do not contain enough energy or calcium for a pregnant dog. Increase the amount that you feed your dog by another 25% for the end of her pregnancy, during the 8th and 9th week. At this point your dog will be eating 50% more than she did before pregnancy. For example, if your dog ate 2 cups of food twice daily before she was pregnant, she will need 6 cups of food per day by the end of her pregnancy. Because the puppies will be pushing on her stomach, she may not be able to eat this much food in one meal. Dividing her food into smaller, more frequent meals will ensure that she gets all of her nutritional requirements. Some dogs need to be “free fed” at this point, meaning that their food is left down throughout the day to allow them to eat as needed. Do not supplement your dog’s food with vitamins, minerals, or meats unless directed by your veterinarian. You may think that additional calcium is required, and some inaccurate websites even recommend it, but do not give your dog any additional calcium. Additional calcium can affect your dog's internal ability to regulate calcium and can put your dog at risk for a life-threatening drop in calcium (called eclampsia). Adding meats to your dog's food can cause them to eat fewer carbohydrates and decrease her energy intake. Do not overexert your pregnant dog. This is particularly important after the 6th week of pregnancy. Allow her to rest as long as she needs to, as pregnancy can be exhausting. If you have a working dog, talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate exercise plan. Continue daily walks. Daily walks are a great low-intensity exercise for your pregnant dog. Most dogs can continue daily walks throughout their pregnancy. Choose an appropriate time of day for the weather in your neighborhood (ie, early morning during the summer or mid-afternoon in the winter). If your dog jogged regularly before getting pregnant, she can continue to do so for the first 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. After the 6th week, however, discontinue jogging in favor of daily walks. Keep your dog away from other dogs during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and for the first 3 weeks after she gives birth. This means that you should avoid taking her to the dog park or on routes in your neighborhood that are heavily populated with dogs. This will help keep her protected from infectious diseases that could seriously harm both her and her puppies. Also, pregnant dogs and dogs with young puppies can have behavior changes. Your dog may become aggressive towards other dogs if she feels that they are threatening her puppies. Buy or make a whelping box. The whelping box will serve as a safe place or “den” for your dog to deliver her puppies. It consists of a soft bed area surrounded by relatively high walls. You can make one out of plywood or firm plastic, or you can buy a commercially available box. The whelping box needs to be large enough to allow your dog to fully stretch out and still leave room for all of the puppies. The walls of the box need to be high enough to prevent the puppies from climbing out when they are 6 weeks old, but short enough that their mother can leave as she desires. The walls need to be firm and secure enough that they will not collapse and squish the puppies. If you don't provide a box, your dog may choose a less-than-desirable location on her own. Make the box comfortable for your dog and her puppies. Line the bottom of the box with towels. Replace and wash the towels frequently after the puppies arrive. Both delivery and the puppies can make a mess, so plan accordingly. Lining the box with newspaper is not recommended because it is neither soft nor warm, and newspaper ink can transfer to the puppies' fur. Keep the floor of the box is around 75°F by using low wattage light bulbs. For your dog's and the puppies' safety, make sure that the floor doesn't get too hot or too cold. Place the box in a familiar yet private location. You will need to access the site frequently to assist your dog, but it should be tucked away from distractions and other pets. Allow your dog access to her whelping box for at least 1-2 weeks before she delivers. This will help her become comfortable with box when it is time to have the puppies. | Ensure that your dog is a good breeding candidate. Feed your dog a high-quality dog food that has passed the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) feeding tests. Know the facts before breeding. Consider adopting a shelter dog instead of breeding. Get your dog proper prenatal care. See your veterinarian if you believe that your dog may be pregnant. Talk to your veterinarian about ALL medications and treatments that you give your dog. Make sure you know where the nearest Vet Emergency hospital is located. Check the label on the food you feed your dog. Feed a normal amount of high-quality commercial dog food for the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Switch to a high-quality puppy food during the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy. Increase the amount that you feed your dog by another 25% for the end of her pregnancy, during the 8th and 9th week. Do not supplement your dog’s food with vitamins, minerals, or meats unless directed by your veterinarian. Do not overexert your pregnant dog. Continue daily walks. Keep your dog away from other dogs during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy and for the first 3 weeks after she gives birth. Buy or make a whelping box. Make the box comfortable for your dog and her puppies. Place the box in a familiar yet private location. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Renaissance-Costume | How to Make a Renaissance Costume | To make a Renaissance costume out of thrifted female garb, start by finding a plain, long sleeved, cotton or linen blouse. Next, for the bodice, look for a sleeveless, earth-toned button up top or vest. Finish off the outfit by wearing an ankle-length skirt and plain, leather flats or sandals. Alternatively, for thrifted male garb, start by finding a baggy shirt with large, long sleeves, which you can top off with a simple vest. Then, get some cotton trousers in a dark brown or black color that can easily be tucked into a pair of plain, dark boots. | Find a blouse. First, go to a thrift store near you. The basic female Renaissance garb is the wenches outfit, and the top portion will consist of a blouse and a bodice. For the blouse, you want to look for something long sleeved and plain. For the best look, go for something light colored, preferably white or off-white. When it comes to fabrics, if you want to be more authentic looking, try to find completely natural fabrics, or blends with small amounts of polyester. Common fabrics used in Renaissance fashion include wool, cotton, leather, and linen. Fabrics like silk, satin, and velvet were reserved for the upper classes. Women can use poet shirts instead of blouses as well. Poet shirts are baggy shirts with large long sleeves. Stick to the same fabric and color guidelines as the blouse. Look for a vest that can be made into a bodice. For the bodice, you want to look for a sleeveless button up top or a vest. The bodice has more flexibility when it comes to color. Stick to earthy, muted tones, and avoid bright colors, especially purple, as that was reserved for royalty. Find a skirt or fabric that can be made into a skirt. Women in the Renaissance wore long skirts that went down to their ankles. Look for one in a muted, earthy color, like brown, olive green, or off-white. Two skirts is better than one, if you can find two, as it adds more texture and shape to the garb. Make sure their colors don't clash. Alternatively, you can look for a dress, rather than a skirt and blouse. Just make sure the dress goes down to ankle or floor level, and isn't in a loud color or modern fabric. Wash everything. Throw everything you thrifted for your garb into the wash. Let them get and stay a little wrinkled to make them look more worn in. Alter the tops optionally. You can wear the blouse and the vest as is, or you can alter them to look more Renaissance-like. Here are some ideas: If you got a white blouse and you want to make it less bright white, you can throw it in a pot of boiling water with some tea bags. Let it sit for five minutes. Then throw it in the dryer. Renaissance women wore low necklines, so if the blouse has a neckline that's too high, you can cut it down to size. Lay it out flat then mark where you want the new neckline with a pencil. Cut it carefully, then stitch the new neckline with either a thread that matches the color of the blouse or something like olive green or brown. You can do the same with the vest or button up sleeveless top. The over blouse should have a little lower neckline so that the neckline of the blouse shows through. Add some basic leather sandals or flats. When it comes to the shoes, they should be plain and leather. Flats or sandals will work, as long as they're as simple as you can find. Find a shirt. Lower class men in the Renaissance often wore what's called a poet shirt. This is a baggy shirt with large long sleeves, almost always white or off-white. Think of a classic pirate shirt. Look for one made of a natural fabric like cotton or linen. You can choose a different color if you want. Brown and olive green work well. Instead of a poet shirt, you can opt for a tunic if you wish. These are long-sleeved shirts that go lower than normal shirts. Look for something in a natural color and of a natural material. Look for pants. You might already own some cotton trousers that will work for the garb. If not, look for some in a dark color, dark brown or black. They should be long enough to tuck into boots. Fabric is the most important factor here. They didn't have denim back then, and plain khaki pants won't look right either. Look for a light fabric, preferably cotton or linen, or something that looks like cotton or linen. Alternatively, you can look for pants that come down to just past or just above the knee. If you can sew elastic into the openings to make them resemble bloomers, even better. Find a vest. The vest will make your basic male garb complete, besides the shoes and accessories. The vest should be dark colored like the pants, and simple and plain. A leather vest would be ideal, but you have a lot of freedom with fabrics here, so just look for something that you like the look of. Get some boots. Boots will complete your look, as your trousers should be tucked into them. Look for the most nondescript, basic black or brown leather boots you can find. Something like cowboy boots will not fit in. If you've chosen to wear pants that go to the knee instead, you could wear some leather sandals instead. Purchase inexpensive accessories. The accessories can add a lot to your look. Here are some ideas of things to add to your garb. Belts are a must for men. Simple brown belts work just fine. If you've chosen a tunic for your top, the belt will go over the tunic. Large leather belts or sashes tied around the waist can add a lot to female garb. Drinking vessels and pouches are both convenient and period appropriate. Look for leather or faux-leather. Bandanas pair well with peasant garbs. The same fabric and color guidelines as the rest of your garb apply. Include under-layers. Men's and women's Renaissance garb can optionally include layers of under-clothing appropriate for the time period. This usually includes an undershirt to go under men's vests or coats, and chemises and petticoats or under-dresses to go under bodices and skirts for women. The lack of under-layers won't hurt your garb's look though, so if you can't find any while thrifting, don't fret. Find a head covering. It was considered improper to be seen in public without a hat or head covering during Renaissance times, so be sure to include one when making your costume. Head coverings can vary a lot, so feel free to get creative here. You can stick with the simple bandana or you can include a hat on top of it, or instead of it. Examples of proper head wear during the Renaissance include: muffin caps, biggins, flat caps, felt hats, and straw hats. | Find a blouse. Look for a vest that can be made into a bodice. Find a skirt or fabric that can be made into a skirt. Wash everything. Alter the tops optionally. Add some basic leather sandals or flats. Find a shirt. Look for pants. Find a vest. Get some boots. Purchase inexpensive accessories. Include under-layers. Find a head covering. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Between-Two-Girls | How to Choose Between Two Girls | To choose between two girls you like, start by making a list of each girl's good qualities, such as being a good listener, being trustworthy, and getting along well with your friends. When you've finished, compare the lists and decide which qualities fit best with your idea of a healthy relationship. This can be a good guide to help you analyze the situation, however, you should also take your gut feeling into account, since the list won't necessarily reflect how you feel about the girls. Once you've made your choice, stick with it and forget about the other girl so you can focus your energy on your relationship. | Evaluate your relationship with each girl. Think about what they have in common, and try to understand how they're different. Ponder all of the wonderful things each girl has to offer, and consider how each relationship might look in the long run. Before you make your decision, give yourself plenty of time to think things over. For instance, you may really enjoy the late-night talks you have with one girl, while enjoying the adrenaline rush you have with the other. Trust and communication are also big factors to consider as you make your decision. Draft down the “pros” of each girl on a piece of paper. Think about the best elements of each girl and write them down in 2 separate charts. These qualities can be serious or light-hearted—just jot down the first things that come to mind. Good qualities might include: fun to hang out with; great conversations; amazing lover; good listener; trustworthy; intelligent; jaw-droppingly beautiful; gets along well with your friends; lives in the same area; loves to travel; makes you smile. Jot down the “cons” of each girl on the charts. Dig a little deeper and think about some negative qualities. These cons don't have to be anything huge—just anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unhappy. Write down as many as you can think of so your list is as accurate as possible. Bad qualities might include: quick temper; different values; not a resounding "Yes!"; not your "type"; lives far away; poor physical connection; and stresses you out. Pros and cons lists are often used when you're trying to get out of a relationship, but they can also be a great tool when you're testing the waters. Separate the less important qualities from the long-term qualities. Sort your list into “wants” and “needs,” which may help you narrow down your decision. Place superficial qualities in the “want” category, like “plays video games” or “makes a lot of money.” Move long-term qualities into the “needs” category, like “takes time to listen to me” and “gives me space when I need it.” If one girl satisfies a lot of your wants but not a lot of your needs, you may be a step closer to making your decision. Take a few days to choose the girl you’d like to go out with. Give yourself several days to really think about and consider your own needs and desires. Although there's no need to rush, you don't want to take weeks and months to make a decision. While it's important to prioritize your own happiness, be considerate of the girls' feelings as well. It may help to give yourself a set amount of time, like 3 days or so. Imagine what you’d like your long-term relationship to look like. Ask yourself if you're looking for something serious, or if you'd prefer something a little more casual. Do you want a hookup situation, or a steady girlfriend, or a long-term partner? Think about where you are in life, and what your goals are beyond these two girls. As difficult as it is, try to separate yourself from your current feelings and view things in the long-term. For instance, if you're focusing on your career, you may be looking for a stable, long-term relationship. Think about which girl can better offer you the stability that you're looking for. Reflect on how you feel about yourself when you’re with each girl. Notice how each girl makes you feel about yourself. Keep tabs on your emotions and thoughts after you spend time with each girl. Look for the changes in your own personality when you spend time with each of these girls and really consider which aspects of yourself you want to feed. For instance, if one girl tends to correct or nitpick you a lot, you may not want to pursue a long-term relationship with her. Be honest with yourself. Don't put pressure on yourself to start a relationship right then and there. If you can't bring yourself to give a definitive "Yes!" to either girl, you may want to give yourself some breathing room. There's nothing wrong with taking some time to yourself! Both girls will prefer to hear the truth than be part of a half-hearted relationship. Identify any negative feelings that are holding you back. Try to dig a little deeper into your current emotions. This can be a little tricky, but do your best to pinpoint a couple of specific emotions. These feelings may provide some valuable insights into your decision, or may help you realize that you aren't really looking for a relationship at all. For instance, you may be blaming your indecision on a specific reason, like neither girl feeling like your ultimate soulmate. Think about what both girls want in a future relationship. Imagine what both girls are looking for in a relationship, and consider their interest levels in you personally. There's a chance that neither girl is looking for an exclusive relationship, or that they aren't interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you. Keep in mind that any potential relationship should revolve around open communication, emotional support, and cooperation. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. There are many ways to make relationships work. The important thing is that everyone's on the same page, and that you aren't hurting anyone's feelings. Talk to a friend or family member if you’re struggling. Explain your situation to a loved one, describing your relationship with each girl. Ask your close friends and family members about their thoughts and opinions. While you don't have to listen to their feedback, they may help you narrow down your decision overall. For instance, a friend might share a negative experience they had with 1 of the girls that you never even knew about. Choose the girl you’d like to go out with. Make your final decision, even if it's difficult. Remember, there's no right or wrong answer—you just need to focus on what's best for you and your own life. The honest road can be the hardest road, but it may also be incredibly rewarding. Let down the girl that you didn't choose. It's important to tell this girl first if you want to make a clean break. Try to clearly express that you still care about the girl and value her feelings, even if you don't want to take things to the next level. Remember that her feelings are just as valid as yours, even if you're dealing with some tough emotions. Letting this girl down will force you to confront your feelings for both girls. No matter the situation, this may help keep you from breaking any promises to the other girl. For instance, you can say something like: “I really care about you and value your friendship, but I don't think it'd be a good idea for us to go out together.” Inform the girl that you chose that you’d like to go out with her. Communicate your choice clearly, letting the girl know about your true feelings. After you share your feelings, give the girl time to react to your decision. Even if she doesn't share or reciprocate the same feelings, it's important to get your thoughts out in the open. Consider writing down your thoughts beforehand or practicing your speech with a friend. If you aren't sure what to say, it might help to prepare. For instance, you can say something like: “I really like you, and I'd love to try and make this work. Would you want to go out with me?” Remember, if you've been dating around, the girl you decide to stay with may not realize you want to be exclusive unless you tell her outright. Stand by your final choice. Stick with the decision you make, and don't waste time second-guessing yourself. Don't be wishy-washy or try to change your mind after you've made your final decision. Instead, commit to the girl you've chosen and focus on your new relationship. | Evaluate your relationship with each girl. Draft down the “pros” of each girl on a piece of paper. Jot down the “cons” of each girl on the charts. Separate the less important qualities from the long-term qualities. Take a few days to choose the girl you’d like to go out with. Imagine what you’d like your long-term relationship to look like. Reflect on how you feel about yourself when you’re with each girl. Be honest with yourself. Identify any negative feelings that are holding you back. Think about what both girls want in a future relationship. Talk to a friend or family member if you’re struggling. Choose the girl you’d like to go out with. Let down the girl that you didn't choose. Inform the girl that you chose that you’d like to go out with her. Stand by your final choice. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Surf-on-a-Longboard | How to Surf on a Longboard | To surf on a longboard, start by renting or borrowing a surfboard that's 8 feet or longer. Next, check the local surf report for 1-2 foot waves for beginners. Then, walk your board out until the water is waist-high, then lay flat on your stomach, cup your hands, and paddle out. Once you're out in the water, sit on your board and watch for a good wave. When you see one, lay back down on your board and paddle hard toward shore, kicking your legs in an eggbeater motion. As you feel the lift of the wave at the back of your board, stand up quickly and ride it to shore. | Rent or borrow a surfboard 8 foot (2.4 m) or taller. This height is classified as a longboard. These tall boards are great for beginners, since they're typically more stable and better for catching small waves. Rent your board at a local surf shop or find a friend with an extra board you can borrow. Wax your longboard to make it less slippery. Apply a basecoat first to make sure the wax sticks, then rub wax overtop in circular and side-to-side motions. Cover the entire top surface of the board, then finish with a topcoat. You can also apply wax to the center area of the board's rails, where you'll be holding on when you turtle dive. This will help you grip the board more securely. Check the local surf report for 1–2 foot (0.3–0.6 m) waves for beginners. Use a reliable resource with up-to-date and accurate tide/surf reports, such as https://www.surfline.com. This website covers many regions and also has live web cams that show you current conditions. Check the website before you head out for the day and look for middle level tides, which usually yield good waves. Checking the weather report for the day can help keep you from being caught in a storm and experiencing rough surf conditions. Walk your board out and start paddling when the water is waist-high. Climb onto your board and lay flat on your stomach, positioning yourself lengthwise along the center. Cup your hands and pump your arms through the water, one at a time, with powerful, decisive crawl-strokes to propel yourself forward. Adjust your timing and position along the center of the board. Find your “sweet spot,” or the specific position and timing that makes it easiest to paddle by adjusting yourself forward and backward along the center of the board. Usually, the most efficient place to paddle from is when the nose of your board is just out of the water. You'll know you've found the sweet spot when you feel how little effort it takes to make you and the board move. Arch your shoulders and press your abs to the board as you paddle. Good posture raises your leverage and helps conserve energy, letting you propel yourself more powerfully with fewer strokes. Keeping your shoulders back also gives you a better view of what swells are coming your way. Keep your board perpendicular to oncoming waves as you paddle out. These waves are known as “whitewash,” since they'll appear white as they roll toward you. Keep your paddling consistent and straight, and look up every few seconds to check your positioning. If you accidentally paddle out sideways, the force of the wave can hit the rails and pull the board right out of your arms. To correct your positioning, scoot to the back of your board so the nose pops out of the water. Kick your legs in an eggbeater motion, grip the rails with 1 hand, and use the other hand to push yourself around. For example, if you want to turn the board to your left, grip the left rail with your left hand and paddle hard with your right hand. Grab the rails when you see a huge series of waves coming toward you. Stop paddling and grip the sides of board (or the “rails”) solidly with both hands, bending your elbows. Position your hands around the center of the board for the most stability, and push down slightly so the nose of the board isn't sticking out of the water. Never grip the rails at the top, or the “nose” of the board. Positioning your grip there could make the board cartwheel backwards toward shore. Push your body up with 1 knee and take a deep breath. As the wave approaches, prepare yourself for the moment you'll flip over. Plant your knee against the board and push up, raising your body and giving yourself extra leverage for when you need to roll. Roll and flip the board over before the wave reaches you. Timing is essential for a good turtle roll! Moments before the wave passes over you, lean your body to the side and go underwater, gripping the board and bringing it with you. Now you should be laying underwater, facing up, with the board on top of you, fins up. Hold on tight and wait for the wave to pass over you. Hold your underwater position as the water pushes past, keeping a good grip on the rails. Pull the board down to keep it sealed against the water, while your vertical position beneath it acts as a sea anchor so you don't get pushed too far back toward shore. While underwater, let your legs dangle or keep 1 foot resting against the board as leverage. Don't wrap your legs around the surfboard, since this can make the board cartwheel backwards and doesn't let your body work as a sea anchor. Flip back over and climb onto the board once the wave passes. Push the board up and over, flipping it back to its normal face-up position. Keep gripping the sides of the board and let it pull you up with it as it flips over. Kick your legs and push yourself back up onto the board to return to paddling position. Practice your turtle roll on smaller waves before using it on large swells. Paddle out just far enough to meet some small waves and practice your timing and technique. This will help you get used to the movement of the turtle roll and prepare you for larger waves. This move can also be useful for avoiding crashes! If you think someone is about to hit you as you paddle over a wave, quickly flip over into a turtle roll. Position yourself on the outside of the lineup. If you paddle out to a group of surfers waiting for a wave (also known as the “lineup”), try to stay out the way and keep to the edges. Longboards can paddle more quickly and catch smaller waves than normal surfboards, so your outer positioning won't hurt your chances at catching an amazing wave! Be sure not to hog the waves, though. Experienced surfers generally don't mind surfing with beginners, as long as they're not being rude or stealing all of the good waves. If this is your first time surfing, you may want to pick an area beyond the break where there are fewer surfers. This way, you'll have less obstacles and people to worry about while you get the hang of your longboard. Sit on your board as you wait to observe and enjoy the water. This anticipation is one of the best parts of surfing! Feel the water as you lean back on the tail and make wide, sweeping strokes through the water with your cupped hands. Note the rhythm of the waves coming in and out, watching for sets and lulls, and take in the beauty of the ocean. Keep an eye on the horizon for a wave while you wait. Turn around and paddle hard once you spot a wave. Lay back down on your board and kick your legs in an eggbeater motion while paddling with 1 arm to turn back to face shore. Once you're facing directly away from the wave, paddle hard with long, deliberate strokes. Keep paddling until you feel a slight lift of a wave at the back of your board, then give a couple more strong paddles. While you're paddling, keep your body toward the back of the board so the nose stays out of the water. If you're a beginner, ask a friend to help push you into a wave or work on your paddling until you can catch a wave. Stand up quickly to catch the wave and keep your body relaxed. Once you've caught the wave, all you have to do is ride it toward shore! Don't tense up or go rigid—instead, bend your knees and keep your body limber and relaxed. Lean slightly back and forth, adjusting your footing, to get the feel for the stability of the board and the power of the wave. Keep practicing your technique and don't get discouraged. Get in the water as often as you can. If you practice every day for a week, you'll be able to see yourself improving! Keep perfecting your paddling, turning, balance, and speed at popping up to standing and you'll be a pro in no time. One of the best ways to make surfing low-pressure is to bring a friend and just have fun practicing together! | Rent or borrow a surfboard 8 foot (2.4 m) or taller. Wax your longboard to make it less slippery. Check the local surf report for 1–2 foot (0.3–0.6 m) waves for beginners. Walk your board out and start paddling when the water is waist-high. Adjust your timing and position along the center of the board. Arch your shoulders and press your abs to the board as you paddle. Keep your board perpendicular to oncoming waves as you paddle out. Grab the rails when you see a huge series of waves coming toward you. Push your body up with 1 knee and take a deep breath. Roll and flip the board over before the wave reaches you. Hold on tight and wait for the wave to pass over you. Flip back over and climb onto the board once the wave passes. Practice your turtle roll on smaller waves before using it on large swells. Position yourself on the outside of the lineup. Sit on your board as you wait to observe and enjoy the water. Turn around and paddle hard once you spot a wave. Stand up quickly to catch the wave and keep your body relaxed. Keep practicing your technique and don't get discouraged. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-an-Imaginary-Boyfriend-or-Girlfriend | How to Have an Imaginary Boyfriend or Girlfriend | If you want to convince people that you have a boyfriend or girlfriend when you actually don't, the key is to come up with a good backstory for your imaginary partner. Make up a backstory for your partner that includes details about their childhood, their hobbies, and where they work so you can easily answer questions people have about them. People will also want to know when they can meet your partner. Be ready with an excuse whenever somebody asks where your boyfriend or girlfriend is. Maybe they have a demanding job with weird hours or they live in the next town over. Stick to your stories so you don't give people different answers and you can fool pretty much everybody. | Create your partner beforehand. Have a firm grasp of who they are, where they're from, what they do, etc. before sharing them with anyone. Know exactly how you met and what the two of you have done together since then. Rehearse your story until you know it backwards and forwards. Don't give yourself away by taking the time to think up lies on the spot. Keep your partner believable. Expect people to ask questions about them. Keep your answers grounded in what you know for sure. Invent a backstory for your partner based on places and cultures you're already familiar with. Either give your imaginary partner an upbringing similar to your own so you can speak about it with authority, or model them on someone you know well enough to "borrow" a plausible background, like a best friend, roommate, or cousin. For instance, if you're Irish Catholic and know nothing about Asian cultures, don't have an imaginary partner who's Asian, since other people would expect you to have learned at least a little something about your partner's beliefs and practices. Instead, use someone you know fairly well to fill in all those gaps. Say you have a good friend who's Italian and also Catholic. Since you share the same religious background, make your partner a Catholic Italian, too. Then use what you know about your friend's family life as a template for your imaginary partner's. Use the truth whenever possible. Bolster stories about your partner with real details. If you tell people about a date or day-trip that you went on with your partner, use places that you've actually been to. Misdirect their attention by talking more about the places you've gone together, rather than the person who went with you. For example, if you're telling a story about a dinner date, shift the focus away from your partner by talking about the food you ate or something funny that really happened at another table. If you claim to have gone together to some event that you actually went to by yourself (like a movie, show, or concert), talk more about the event itself. Let your partner "borrow" your own honest reactions. For instance, if you've telling someone about a really bad sci-fi movie that you saw together, say something like, "The special effects were so bad, Rick almost choked on his popcorn because he was laughing so hard," if that's really how bad they were. Establish that "Rick" was with you, but keep the focus on the movie that the two of you went to instead of on him. Give a good reason for their absence. When you create your imaginary partner, think of why no one else in your life ever has a chance to meet them. Give your partner a demanding job with odd hours. Have them live near enough for the two of you to have a relationship, but not close enough to come hang out just because your friends or family asked you to invite them. Give your partner a large demanding family of their own, for whom they have to do this on Saturday, that on Sunday, and the other thing next weekend. Be consistent. Come up with one story (“The Tale of My Amazing New Partner”) and stick to that one story with everyone you know. Even if you don't expect, say, your work-friends to ever meet your school-friends, remember the world's a small place. One of your work-friends might have a sister who dates the roommate of one of your school-friends, or something like that. Assume everyone you know will meet everyone else you know at some point, so don't spread any inconsistencies for them to piece together later on. Keep a diary of your imaginary relationship! Track what the two of you did and when. Add as much detail as you like. Use it for reference in case you become fuzzy on the details later on. Either keep it on the computer so you can go back and add new details as they come to you, or create new entries in your journal about how you're remembering a certain day with your partner. Either way, writing stuff down will help you remember it in the long run. Keep your partner up-to-date. Think of the background that you've already given to your imaginary partner. Now think of how current events might affect them. Prepare yourself for any random questions people may ask you. Of course you probably wouldn't be able to answer every single question on your partner's behalf, even if they were a real person, but have an idea of how their life may change when certain things happen. Let's say you're with your family for the holidays while your partner went back to their hometown of Boston to be with their own. Check the weather and such in Boston, just in case there's a freak blizzard. Or say you've told everyone that your partner's a real estate agent. Keep an ear out for any news of a crash in the housing market or anything like that. Enlist someone you trust to help. If you're only trying to fool a small audience (like your parents or an ex), ask people you know and trust to back your story up. Coach them on who your partner is: what they look like, how they interact with people, what they like and don't like to talk about. Come up with shared memories of times you all went out together as a group. Give your partner a real witness who will claim to have actually met them. Give your partner an online presence. First, create an email account for your partner, since a lot of other social media will require one to open an account with them. Then open other accounts with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or whatever else is used by people you wish to fool. Create profiles with your partner's information. Then connect their account with yours (“friend” each other, “follow” each other, etc). Start a dialogue between the two accounts for others to see. Be inventive with photos. For your partner's profile pic, use images of their interests. If they're a surfer, use a photo of a monster wave, or if he's a horror fan, use a pic of Bela Lugosi as Dracula. When you want to share photos of your dates, post pictures of the sites you see: a sunset, a lighthouse, the marquee of the theater you're going to, etc. Distinguish their text from yours. Don't write in the same “voice.” Have them use abbreviations that you don't use (“r” vs. “are”), or vice versa. Give them a simple catchphrase or two (“Whaddup”) or a signature name they call everyone (“bud” or “peeps”). Link your partner's account with other people's. Don't raise red flags by being the only person who's connected to your partner. If you're only trying to fool certain people like an ex or your parents, ask friends you trust to “friend” or “follow” your partner's account and interact with it online. If not, stick to platforms like Twitter, which links people with common interests, and avoid others like Facebook, which is more for connecting with people you already know. Create your partners' accounts sooner rather than later. Build some history for other people to see before telling anyone about it. Let other people see this new person in your life on your own page before you announce that you have a new partner. Deflect suspicion with sarcasm. Since it's always easier to tell the truth than tell a lie, use the truth to maintain your story if anyone doubts it. Should they come right out and ask if you really have a partner, roll your eyes and say incredulously, "Oh yeah, of course, I sat in my room, dreamed this person up, created a backstory for them, invented dates we never went on, etc, etc," as though the truth is simply too impossible to believe. Avoid giving away any tells or signs of guilt that usually come with lying. Tread lightly if your secret is found out for sure. Depending on who you've told this story to and why, explain why you felt it was necessary to try and fool them. For example, if you've told your family you have a partner just so they would stop asking if you had found someone, open a conversation about how much they pressure you to find someone, to the point that making someone up seemed like the best solution to you. Imagine what they look like. Pretend they're standing right there in front of you. Build their face and body in your mind's eye. Start with the basics: hair color, eye color, height, weight, etc. Then add more distinct features that make them unique, like a snaggle-tooth, a freckle pattern, or a faded scar If you need to, use photos or other images of random people for inspiration. Resist basing your imaginary partner on someone whom you know personally. You may end up feeling guilty, frustrated, and confused when they don't act like your imaginary partner. Identify them. Give them a name. Come up with other basic information about them, like their birthday. Think of answers to typical questions that people ask each other when they first meet, like: Where did they grow up? Where do they live now? Where do they work or go to school? Do they have any siblings? Flesh out their backstory. Imagine their personal history. You know the name of their hometown–now ask yourself what happened to them there. Fill in the details of their background, such as: Were their parents ever married? Are they divorced? What sort of friends did they have growing up? What were they like in school? What sort of interests and activities did they pursue? What if any religion were they brought up in? Define them as a person. Build an inner life for them. Give your imaginary partner their own imagination and tastes. Ask yourself what sort of thoughts occupy them now: What are their current interests? What are their hopes and dreams? What do they worry about? What do they wonder about? What values and beliefs do they hold dear? See yourself through their eyes. As you build their inner life with their own wants, needs, and beliefs, measure yourself by their standards. Imagine what they see in you. Ask yourself what it is about you that sets you apart from everyone else in their eyes. What do you both believe in? Where do you disagree? What needs of theirs can you fulfill? Meet your imaginary partner for the first time. Think of where and how you meet. Take their backstory and merge it with yours. Build on their personal history so that it leads them to you. Did you meet by pure chance? Or did your shared interests bring you together somehow? If you're unsure, play out different scenarios in your head until you find one that just feels right. Experience life together. When you're alone, either at home or out and about, pretend that your imaginary partner is with you. Watch TV together, share a meal, go for a walk–anything that couples do. Build memories with each other so that your partner becomes a true boyfriend or girlfriend instead of someone who just has a “first date” with you again and again and again, as if they had amnesia. See the world through their eyes. Based on their tastes and interests, look around you to see what would catch their attention instead of yours. Open yourself to new ideas. If you go to a store, wander down the aisles that they would browse. If you hear something on the news about their hometown, think of how they would react. Watch movies you've seen a hundred times before and imagine how it would play to your imaginary partner, who may have never seen it before. Disagree. Since no two people are exactly the same, think of how the two of you differ. Ponder how those differences might lead to disagreements. Then ask yourself how serious that disagreement would be. Would it just be a casual conversation with no hurt feelings, or could it build into an actual fight? Play the scene out just like it was happening for real, with no way to rewind or erase it. Say you're both watching a testosterone-fueled action movie that you love, but your partner doesn't like the way all of the female characters are sidelined as cheerleaders and sex objects. How strongly does your partner object to this? Are they just making an observation? Are they a little disappointed about this one aspect of a movie they otherwise enjoy? Or are they really, really offended by the whole thing? Embrace having an imaginary partner. Recognize them as a way to help you deal with real people and situations. Have them echo thoughts and concerns that people in your life have shared with you. Practice your ability to empathize and put yourself in other people's shoes. Strengthen your relationships outside of your pretend one. | Create your partner beforehand. Keep your partner believable. Use the truth whenever possible. Give a good reason for their absence. Be consistent. Keep your partner up-to-date. Enlist someone you trust to help. Give your partner an online presence. Deflect suspicion with sarcasm. Imagine what they look like. Identify them. Flesh out their backstory. Define them as a person. See yourself through their eyes. Meet your imaginary partner for the first time. Experience life together. See the world through their eyes. Disagree. Embrace having an imaginary partner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remember-to-Take-Medication | How to Remember to Take Medication | If you need help remembering to take your medication, start using a pillbox with separate compartments for each day of the week. Since a pillbox is convenient to take around with you, you can easily check if you've taken all the pills you need to that day. You can also leave little reminders for yourself around the house in places you often look, such as a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. If you'd prefer to get an electronic reminder rather than using physical notes, set an alarm on your cellphone or computer. | Talk to your doctor about how to take your medication. In order to be more proactive about taking your medication, you need to understand what you're taking and why. Talk to your doctor when your meds are prescribed and make sure you understand the proper regimen for taking them. Understand exactly what you're being treated for and how each medication affects your mind and body. Do not passively accept the prescription slip. Ask your doctor what the medication does. Talk to your doctor about side effects. You should always know what side effects to watch for and when and if you should discontinue use. Ask about how to take the medications. Some medications need to be taken with lots of water. Some need to be taken with food. Some must be taken every day, while others are taken multiple times a day. Make sure you know how to properly take your medication to get the best results. Use one pharmacy for all medications so the pharmacist can check for interactions with new prescriptions. Understand what to do if you miss a dose. Despite your best efforts, you will likely miss a dose of your medication at some point. This happens to even to the most vigilant and there is different protocol for different types of meds. Sometimes, you should double the dose the next day. Other times, you should simply continue with regular doses and watch for side effects. Make sure you know what to do in the event you miss a dose of medication. Know how to safely store your medication. Medications need to be stored in different ways. Oftentimes, the medication bottle will have instructions for storage. Talk to your doctor about storing your meds if you have any questions. Some medication, such as birth control, needs to be taken every day and some meds need to be taken around the same time. You may be tempted to keep your medication on hand, in your purse or wallet, but make sure this is safe first. Sometimes, medication needs to be kept at room temperature and is less effective if exposed to intense heat or cold. Medication might need to be kept at a specific temperature, which might mean it needs to be refrigerated or kept in a cool room of the house. Make sure you know what temperatures are appropriate for storing your medication. Use a pillbox. A pillbox is a storage device sold at most drug and department stores. It can be a great tool to keep track of what medication you need and when. Pillboxes have separate compartments for each day of the week. At the beginning of each week, separate your pills into the proper dosages. Put those dosages in the pillbox, on the correct day they need to be taken. A pillbox is particularly great if you need to manage multiple medications, each with its own schedule. Simply place different medications in different sections, corresponding to the day of the week they need to be taken. Place reminders in a visible place. Leave reminders throughout the house in places where you know you'll look often. Get a calendar. Large calendars are sold at most drug and department stores. Calendars can be used to jot down when to take your meds. Some calendars are sold with magnets so they can be displayed on the fridge, meaning you'll see reminders every time you want something to eat. You can also jot down any side effects on the calendar so you can track them. If these interfere with your daily activities, you should call your physician as soon as possible. Sticky notes are also a great investment. You can buy them at any department store or print shop. Write down when you need to take your meds. Leave them places where you'll notice them throughout the day, like near the coffee pot, in the bathroom mirror, or on your front door. Small notes, written on notepad paper or index cards, are also a great tool. These can be used in a similar way as sticky notes. If you work at a desk frequently, having an index card propped up by your computer each week advising you when to take your meds can be a great reminder. Incorporate your medication into daily activities. You're more likely to remember your medication if it's part of an established routine. Adding taking your meds into an existing daily ritual can serve as a great reminder. Try to take your medicine the same time each day and do so while you're doing other daily events. For example, take your medication before you brush your teeth. (But don't store your meds by the sink or you could knock over the bottle and spill them down the drain!) If you have medication that needs to be taken with food, always take it with breakfast or lunch. Many people incorporate a self-care ritual into their daily lives. Self-care is a simple, daily activity in which you take time to relax and reflect. For example, you could have hot tea, walk around the block, take a relaxing bath. If you practice self-care each day, try taking your pills just before or after your ritual. Have family members or friends remind you. Friends and family members care about your health as much as you do. Having a trusted friend or family member remind you each day to take your medication can be helpful. Select someone who is non-judgmental and positive. You do not want someone who is going to be hard on you if you forget. Aim for someone who's known for having a good attitude. If you live with someone, it's easy for them to remind you each day. If you do not, however, you can ask for a simple text or phone call as a reminder. Set electronic reminders. Technology can be used to your advantage in regards to remembering medication. Try setting reminders using your watch, clock, phone, or computer. Most modern cell phones and computers have a system in place where you can set reminders. If you're not sure how to use your phone or computer to set reminders, simply google instructions. You can have a song or alarm play when the time comes to take your meds. If you have an alarm clock, you can set it to go off each day at a certain time as a reminder to take your medication. Many digital watches are equipped with alarms that can buzz or ring at specific times throughout the day. Use electronic medicine schedules online. There are many electronic medicine schedules that can be set up using the internet. The internet in general can provide a lot of helpful tools in regards to medication. Daily emails or other reminders can be sent through an online server. There are also many websites that make automated medication schedules for you that can be generated by entering your medications, how often you need to take them, and their dosage. Schedules can be accessed online or printed out for your reference. You can also access forums or groups on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites that allow you to discuss medications and any issues you're having with other patients. Be aware that such sites should never replace medical advice ; however, they can be a good place to go for emotional support and tips on how to remember to take meds. The primary conversation regarding medication should be with your doctor. If you hear about something online that you'd like to try (from herbal supplements to altering your dosage to anything else regarding your health) speak with your doctor before proceeding. Sign up for a text, call, or e-mail reminder service. You can find many sites online that allow you to enter your phone number or email address alongside information about your medication schedule. They use this information to send texts, phone calls, or emails reminding you to take your pills. Some fees may apply, depending on the service. Check with your healthcare provider. Some hospitals provide reminders, free of charge, for their patients. | Talk to your doctor about how to take your medication. Understand what to do if you miss a dose. Know how to safely store your medication. Use a pillbox. Place reminders in a visible place. Incorporate your medication into daily activities. Have family members or friends remind you. Set electronic reminders. Use electronic medicine schedules online. Sign up for a text, call, or e-mail reminder service. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Productive-at-Work | How to Be Productive at Work | To be productive at work, prioritize your assignments at the beginning of each day so you're working on the most important or time-sensitive tasks first. You should also try to avoid multitasking since juggling multiple assignments at once can take a toll on your efficiency. Instead, focus on one project at a time, preferably for an hour or two, and then move onto something else. Don't forget to take a break and go on a short walk or grab a cup of coffee every couple of hours to help stimulate your brain. | Prioritize your assignments. Complete the most urgent assignment first. Don't put off an important assignment for easier projects. If you start to put off a tougher project, you'll continue to use excuses why not to finish the task at hand. Productivity doesn't always mean completing a large pile of work. Completing one project can surmount to a productive day as long as that project was at the top of your to-do list. You'll feel energized by completing the tougher project and have momentum to stay productive. Take a stimulating break. Instead of going to the break room to cruise through your phone on your breaks, take a 5-10 minute walk. Go out to get a cup of coffee from across the street. Whenever you feel mentally fatigued, you can help stimulate your brain activity by moving your body and by drinking more water. Avoid social media during short breaks. Even on your break, social media can cause a major distraction from your productivity at work. Strike up a chat with a co-worker. It is healthy to take a small break every two hours to retain a productive focus. Reduce your multitasking. Many people think they are good at multitasking, but multitasking in the work environment causes more harm than help. Many jobs require you to handle multiple projects or assignments at one time, but you aren't meant to juggle four assignments in an hour's worth of time. When you attempt to lend your focus to multiple tasks, your work's quality suffers. Focus your attention on one task for around two hours. Take a break and then move on to a different assignment. You can benefit by breaking up assignments into different time slots. Resist the urge to stare at the clock, but instead dedicate your energy to working. Cut out digital distractions. Our culture is wired-into social media and technology. Some interruptions in the workplace are unavoidable, but attempt to limit those interruptions for the sake of your productivity. Set your phone to silent instead of vibrate. Avoid your social media profiles while at work. If you boss finds you checking Facebook, it won't look professional. Many people claim they can work better by listening to music. Take off the headphones while in the office, unless you truly are getting quality work completed. Deal with distracting coworkers. Reflect if you have chatty coworkers who may take up a lot of your time. Sometimes it is best for you to be honest with this type of coworker by telling them. Say your colleague starts chatting you up about the Oscars. Instead of nodding along to their banter, say: “Listen Todd, I really need to edit the Horowitz Report. Can this wait?” “Cindy, could we talk about this later? I am piled up with files right now.” ”Hey, I just got an idea and I need to get it out before it goes. See you at lunch.” Monitor your amount of coffee. Caffeine is how our society goes to work and operates, but there is a line you don't want to exceed. If you drink too much coffee or energy drinks, you could experience an upset stomach, nervousness, restlessness, and irritability. Around 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is considered safe for healthy adults. This translates to about four cups of coffee or two energy drinks. Four cups of coffee is too much for some people. If you drink coffee too late in the day, it could cause insomnia and result in an unproductive workday. Avoid a large lunch. We cannot stay focused on an empty stomach because of our food is broken down into glucose, or energy for our brain. Some foods release glucose at a quicker rate and cause a crashing slump afterwards. These are meals to avoid: pasta, bread, cereal, soda, cheeseburgers, and BLTs. Instead of eating indulgently, plan out your meal before you get hungry. Pack a bag of food that helps your brain like fruits, vegetables, and almonds for snacking at the desk. Eat a light lunch that nourishes you more than it “fills” you. Plan a to-do list the night before. A great way to prepare for a productive day is to close work with tomorrow morning in mind. Take a moment to review what you've accomplished and what you haven't completed. Write out a to-do list for tomorrow morning. By reviewing what you need to do tomorrow, you'll gain a sense of accomplishment and determination for when you walk up to your desk the following morning. Place the physical to-do list on your desk. A great way to follow this system is by keeping the list visible for you to use as an organizer. Organize your work space. Don't leave work with your desk or work space in shambles. Before leaving to go home, take a couple minutes to organize your space and clean up any sort of clutter that has accumulated. A clean work space will cause you to begin work on a cheerful note instead of having a lazy-aura looming over your desk. Prep all tools for tomorrow morning. After compiling a to-do list for your next day of work, take a couple of minutes to prepare any necessary tools for your day. Print off documents that you know you'll need to start work on in the morning. If you have a meeting in the morning, review the material before leaving the office. It is best to hit the ground running as opposed to wrapping your head around the work ahead of you. Watch what you eat and drink. After a long day of work it is tempting to eat and drink glutinously. Keep in mind your productivity of the following work week as you consider your dinner options. Instead of a steak and potatoes, eat salmon, brown rice, and broccoli. There are plenty of dinner options that aren't fatty. Don't drink too much if you work the following day. It is nearly impossible to be productive with a hangover. Limit your time in front of screens. Don't go home and binge watch Netflix or consistently bring up your Facebook feed. It's okay to relax after a day of work, but limit the amount of time you spend in front of screens. Instead spend time with your family, volunteer, or read a book. Play a board game with your friends. Stimulate your brain by not staring at too many screens on your time off. This type of stimulation will help you sleep better, and cause you to feel better at work. Don’t check work emails. Don't worry too much about work at home. Home should be your time for yourself instead of the company. It's okay to do a little bit of work at home, but don't stress about the amount of assignments you need to complete. When you're in bed, don't check your work emails. Leave the emails for the morning. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Avoid eating donuts or other foods with high amounts of sugar for breakfast. Certain foods will boost your productivity at work by fueling your brain to work consistently without your focus crashing. Try some of these beneficial breakfast options: Eggs Bananas Yogurt Blueberries Exercise before work. Exercising before work will give you a head start on productivity. You don't need to do anything extensive, but a quick 20 minute run or swim can keep your body awake and alert at work. You can also reap the benefits of a healthy mentality by exercising after work. | Prioritize your assignments. Take a stimulating break. Reduce your multitasking. Cut out digital distractions. Deal with distracting coworkers. Monitor your amount of coffee. Avoid a large lunch. Plan a to-do list the night before. Organize your work space. Prep all tools for tomorrow morning. Watch what you eat and drink. Limit your time in front of screens. Don’t check work emails. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Exercise before work. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Entertain-a-One-Year-Old | How to Entertain a One Year Old | To entertain a one year old at home, try stacking several small objects, like toy blocks, on top of each other and letting your baby knock them down. Bath time is also a great opportunity to entertain your baby as long as you're there to watch them constantly as they splash around! Reading a book like "Goodnight Moon" aloud can also be very entertaining, especially if you read in different tones of voice and use lively gestures to keep your baby engaged. | Play the stacking game. A favorite game for many babies and toddlers, this game can be played anywhere with no extra baby toys needed. To play this game, simply take any small objects you can, stack them together, and then knock the stack down. Baby will have fun knocking the stack down on their own too! This game is best done with toy blocks, but you can use any items you can find (so long as they won't break when you knock the stack over). You can use plastic cups, small boxes, soft sponges and food items, among other small objects that can be found in your house. Toy blocks are cheap, easy to find (sets can be frequently found at garage sales for about a $1), and also easy to store so if you think you'll be entertaining babies on occasion then you might want to consider keeping a set just as a backup option. Let them play in the bath. As long as you're willing to watch them vigilantly, a sink or bath-full of water is an easy way to keep a baby entertained for about an hour. You might not want to actually wash them, since too much soap can be irritating for their skin, but you can let them splash in the water with a couple of toys. Again, this can be very dangerous. Babies can drown if you turn your back for even a second. Even just a little water in their lungs can be dangerous. If you want to take this route, you'll need to be really serious about paying attention. It's also important to regularly clean any bath toys your baby plays with to prevent mold from developing. Empty out excess water after each use. Then, let them soak in a solution of 3 parts hot water to 1 part white vinegar for about 10 minutes, before rinsing with plain water and drying completely. If you don't have bath toys for babies, you can make a hand puppet out of a washcloth or a boat out of a Tupperware container. Read a book. Babies can usually understand much more language than they are able to communicate. They'll be especially easy to engage if you read the books in the right way for a baby. Don't just read the text like you would for a child who can understand the words: take a more lively approach. Move your hand around the page, bouncing and sweeping, as you tell the child what's happening in the picture. Keep your voice energetic and show lots of exaggerated emotion. Baby will be fascinated! "Goodnight Moon" comes highly recommended for babies (it is, for some reason, almost addictive for small children), as do "Brown Bear, Brown Bear", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", and "Pat the Bunny". Babies especially like stories that are familiar to them, so make sure to check with their parents to find out their favorite books. Do an art project. Babies don't have a lot of fine motor control but that doesn't mean that they're not hiding a little inner Van Gogh. Art is great at not only keeping them entertained but it's also an excellent way to stimulate their brains, give them important sensory experiences, and help them build those motor skills that they'll need to keep developing. An easy project to do is to make a card for one of baby's family members. This can be a just-because card for mom, a birthday card for grandma, or a thank you card for brother or sister. Take a sheet of printer paper and fold it in half to make the card. Then, paint baby's hand and make a hand print on the front of the card. Another good option is your old friend the coloring crayon. You'll probably need to pay attention to make sure it doesn't just go straight into baby's mouth, but a crayon and paper should be more than enough to get baby's interest. You can also try a baby-safe finger painting option. Put the baby in a high chair and mix some plain yogurt with a few drops of food coloring, and let the baby create on the high chair table. Play shadow games. Babies are just starting to get the concept of shadows, so find a way to get them interested in this new concept by playing a game with shadows. The easiest way is to cut a butterfly shape out of a piece of paper and then shine a flashlight at it. Get your baby to try to chase the butterfly! If you have the time and materials, you can also make full shadow puppets , which can be useful for making baby-safe "TV" that keeps your baby entertained. Bring out the bubbles. Bubbles is to babies as video games are to teenage boys. They will go nuts for bubbles. This is an easy way to fill up an hour and keep your baby feeling happy and energetic. It's also useful for motivating your baby to move around and do things you ask, making it a great way to teach them how to say things like "more". If you don't have any bubble blowing equipment on you, don't worry. WikiHow can show you how to make bubble solution and a makeshift bubble wand ! Try to time car and stroller activity with nap time. Your best bet, of course, is to try to time anything you have to do out and away from home with when your baby takes a nap. By making sure that they're sleeping while you're out, this will reduce how much you have to worry about keeping them entertained. For example, put them in a baby carrier right before naptime and then do your grocery shopping. They'll fall asleep on your chest and let you get your shopping done without a shouting match. Another example is if you have to go on an airplane or a car trip. Schedule the travel to coincide with baby's nighttime sleep routine. Get them ready for bed but instead of putting them in bed, put them in the car. They sleep and let you drive in peace. Keep attachable toys. For strollers and car seats, the thing that will help you the most is getting and keeping on hand some toys which can attach to where your child will be sitting. Babies love to throw their toys over the side or down onto the ground or floor, making them cry and creating more work for you. By keeping toys which latch onto the seat, you make sure that baby can get their toy back whenever they want. Keep food on hand. For keeping your junior happy and entertained while you're out and about, food can be crucial. They might not be really hungry, but taking the time to pick through a bowl of Cheerios can buy you just enough time to get through the line at the post office without a boredom meltdown. Try to choose snacks that baby can eat alone. Small items that take a lot of time to eat are a great choice here. Cheerios, raisins, apple chips, and seedless grapes (halved lengthwise or quartered for safety) are all good options here. Avoid hard foods, unhealthy foods, and foods which are difficult to chew and swallow (like peanut butter). This is especially important when you're in the car, since it's harder for you to notice when baby chokes. Also avoid messy foods like peas, which easily roll away from baby. Try the transfer game for plane rides. Bring a series of nesting tupperware containers and a bag of dried peas or beans. Put baby to the task of transferring beans from one tupperware and into another. This will easily keep them entertained for hours. If you didn't bring these materials with you or if you can't, you can use stuff that's found on the airplane in a pinch. Ask for some empty coffee cups and stack them. The child knocks them down. Or play the "shell game". Use a mirror for car trips. Many parents use a rear-facing car seat (which is the safest method for a one year old), but this can leave your baby feeling stressed because they can't see you. Get a mirror which attaches to their seat. Not only will this reduce their stress by helping them see you, they can also entertain themselves by looking at their reflection. Make some silly faces at the baby in the mirror. This will be fun for them and they might even try to imitate you. Make a toy out of your keys. As long as you pay a little attention and are sure to remove items that might be very dangerous for them (like sharp beer bottle openers), keys are a great emergency toy for a baby. You can jingle the keys in front of them and watch as they shake them around. They're also a great candidate for baby's favorite game: dropping things and making you pick them back up. Again, you'll really need to pay attention here. Make sure baby doesn't get those keys too close to anyone's eyes (including their own)! Give them paper to rip. Ripping scrap paper is a great game for a baby and a great way to prove that you don't need a lot of fancy toys to keep a baby entertained. Pull some old newspapers out of the recycling and show baby how to rip them. Then, let her give it a try! Make a "bank". Find a box, an old coffee can, or any container which you can cut a slot into with scissors or a box cutter (only cut into the plastic lid of a coffee can). Now find items that can be fit into the slot and are safe for baby. Plastic lids from Tupperware or canned items are good. You can also fold up think paper squares or even use food items, like biscuits. Baby will be thrilled with the "thunk" sound and the fun task of getting the object into the slot. Sing children's songs, especially those that include movements. You don't need anything but your voice to entertain a baby if you're willing to sing some songs. Try singing some nursery rhymes, such as “Old Macdonald” and “Patty Cake.” Babies may not understand the words but they'll love watching you move your fingers and your hands to act out any song with a lot of energy. Learn how to sing The Wheels on the Bus. Learn how to sing If You're Happy and You Know It. Learn how to sing The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Play Peek-a-Boo. Peek-a-Boo is such a basic that many people don't realize just how much children love this game. Your baby will scream with laughter as you hide behind your hands or other objects in the room and then pop out with a big smile. Towels or other pieces of fabric are particularly useful for playing Peek-a-Boo. Download an app, with caution. The World Health Organization strongly discourages any use of screen time for one-year-olds. In a real pinch, though, babies are entranced by cell phones. If you have nothing else, you can at least keep a baby entertained for a while by giving them your cell phone. Just be sure to pay attention and make sure they don't drop it. Try Peek-a-Boo Barn, Bubbles (which just lets your baby pop bubbles), or any one of a number of flashcard apps for small children. Try sitting the baby on a soft surface on the ground. This will make it easier to keep your phone safe. | Play the stacking game. Let them play in the bath. Read a book. Do an art project. Play shadow games. Bring out the bubbles. Try to time car and stroller activity with nap time. Keep attachable toys. Keep food on hand. Try the transfer game for plane rides. Use a mirror for car trips. Make a toy out of your keys. Give them paper to rip. Make a "bank". Sing children's songs, especially those that include movements. Play Peek-a-Boo. Download an app, with caution. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Act-Around-Girls | How to Act Around Girls | If you feel nervous and aren't sure how to act around girls, do your best to remind yourself that they are human and try to focus on simply being yourself. To help build up your confidence, keep yourself clean and dress well in clothes that fit you so that you look and feel your best. When you talk to a girl, maintain eye contact with her to display confidence and show interest in what she has to say. Keep in mind that you can talk to girls the same way you'd talk to anybody else! Simply say hello and bring up an appropriate topic, like her opinion on clothing or the homework assignment from a class you share. Then, listen to what she says and show genuine interest by asking questions. | Be yourself. As much as you want to gain the approval of a girl, altering your personality to do so isn't the way to go! Even if it works in the short-term, you'll feel fake and happy, and chances are she'll eventually find out who you really are. Know who you are. Own up to your thoughts and feelings in life. Being genuine and self-assured is appealing to girls and will make you feel good about yourself, too. Avoid becoming overly generous or aggressive in an attempt to win her over. This can come across as fake or even offensive--not the way you want to portray yourself! Put less attention into pleasing girls, too. Appreciate your flaws and don't let them distract you. If you like yourself and become comfortable with who you are, then you will be more comfortable around other people. And even if things don't go well, it won't matter as much! Only you can make yourself happy. If you like yourself, that's the most important thing. Clean yourself up. Maintaining proper hygiene makes you look and feel better. Take a shower in the morning. Wash your hair. Put on deodorant and clean clothes before you go outside. When you're around girls, the last thing you want to worry about is how you smell! Keep yourself clean to make sure it's never a problem. You may choose to put a little perfume or cologne on your neck and shoulders. If you do, use it sparingly! You don't want to overwhelm the people around you. Dress well. If possible, go out and find some clothes that are right for you. They don't have to be expensive, but they should fit well and feel comfortable on you. Besides making you look good, clothes that you like wearing make you feel more confident and able to focus on girls instead of your appearance. Try observing those around you for ideas on what's fashionable, but remember that a good outfit is one that reflects your own unique style. Ask store employees for feedback. Ask politely and they'll be happy to guide you to a proper fit. Do what you enjoy. You can have fun with girls doing what they want to do, but remember to take time out for yourself and continue to do what makes you happy. If that's watching science fiction and reading comics, go ahead and do it. Never feel ashamed of your interests! Pursuing them is what makes you happier, more genuine and more pleasant to be around. It's natural to find yourself getting completely absorbed in a girl you like. Remember to take a step back some days and give yourself some space to focus on doing something you love, like playing sports or a videogame. Relax. Being tense around girls makes them tense too. If you're looking around trying to figure out what to say or how to escape the situation, you aren't focusing on the girl. Breathe deeply before approaching and when not speaking. Stay present and focus your attention on the girl, instead of on an anxious feeling. Stay positive and remind yourself that nothing bad will happen, because chances are, everything will be just fine. Most people are absorbed in their own lives and aren't out to embarrass you or make you feel bad. If you think you've made a mistake or embarrassed yourself, don't worry about it; chances are, everyone else will forget it ever happened. Be honest with your intentions. Starting out befriending a girl you're interested in is a good idea, but if you have feelings for her, don't hide them. Work towards starting a relationship, paying attention to her. If you hide your feelings, she won't know how you feel and can feel betrayed or in a bad position when she does find out. Conversely, don't lead on a girl if you only want to be friends. Remember the tried and true (if somewhat cheesy) saying: Honesty is the best policy! Remember to respect her boundaries. Don't push your feelings upon her if she doesn't return your interest. She'll be grateful and will be more likely to want to be friends, even if she doesn't return your feelings. Maintain eye contact. As you approach a girl to start a conversation, look her in the eyes. This displays confidence and, when she is speaking, an interest in what she is saying. Don't stare, however, especially when you're not having a conversation with her. Look at her enough to show that you're paying attention, then look away. Don't worry if this is difficult at first; eye contact can feel a little awkward for everyone! To practice eye contact, start with a mirror, then move on to friends and strangers. Eye contact is difficult but it prevents you from getting caught looking at the rest of her body. Plus, it's polite, engaging, and a great way to show your interest and respect in a girl. Engage girls in conversation. Greet girls just like you would greet anyone else: say hello and bringing up appropriate topics. Some great icebreakers include asking for opinion on clothing, talking about a class you share, complimenting a girl on making a good point, or offering to help her. Do this at times to gain confidence around girls and build towards deeper conversations. Everyone enjoys a good conversation, and girls will be impressed with your confidence and outgoing personality. Listen actively. Truly listening to what she says and means will be appreciated by a girl. Put down your phone and try to grasp the complete meaning of what she's saying. Don't interrupt. Show interest by nodding and responding when she's finished. No one likes having a conversation with someone who doesn't listen to them, so make sure to extend this common courtesy to any girls you talk to. Respond by paraphrasing the message, such as by saying, “So what you're saying is…” to show that you get the important point of the girl's message. When you respond, be respectful and nonjudgmental no matter how you feel. Really consider her thoughts and opinions before you answer to show your thoughtfulness. Show genuine interest in people. To grow trust between you and a girl, communicate on a deeper level with them. Ask a girl about herself, her interests, and her desires. Show that you're interested in learning about her as a person. This makes you appear more confident and helps girls feel more comfortable around you. As an added bonus, this takes a lot of the pressure of maintaining the conversation off of you: all you have to do is ask questions and listen! A good question, for example, is to ask her what kind of music she likes. If she likes the same music, you can share that interest. Even if you have different tastes, you can say, “I've never really listened to that genre. Can you give any recommendations to a newbie?” Be attentive to her feelings. When you show a girl that you're interested in her life, she may open up to you about something that's troubling her. This is a huge show of trust, so it's important to listen with interest and respond to her empathetically. Never make her feel judged or ridiculed--you wouldn't want to feel that way, so you know she wouldn't, either. For example, you can say, “That's okay, the test was really hard. You did your best.” Encourage her in her goals, too. If she wants to be a photographer, encourage her to do it no matter what you think of the idea. Say, “That's awesome you have such big dreams!” Make her laugh. Humor is an effective way of being charming and charismatic. Engaging in banter with girls will make things less awkward as you learn about each other and paves the way to talk about more serious issues. You don't have to be a natural comedian, and definitely don't force it! Try to make some witty observations or recall funny tales from your past to make her laugh and ease any awkwardness. Not all humor is appropriate in every situation. For example, avoid telling crude or sexist jokes around a girl you've just met. As you spend more time with a girl, you'll learn what she finds funny and develop inside jokes between you and her. Be patient and see how your senses of humor play off each other. You'll be cracking each other up in no time! Respect personal space. When first meeting a girl, a handshake is enough. Be relaxed and always use common sense: such as don't crowd up against her, bring your face near hers, or touch inappropriate areas such as the face. As you build your relationship, use your judgment as to how much physical contact is welcome. Start with gentle hand and shoulder brushes during conversations and standing close during opportune times such as parties and concerts. If you desire a relationship, ramp up your contact, slowly and naturally, as you go. Then you can try hugging and flirting if she is okay with it. Don't touch a girl if it's not desired. Respect her personal boundaries and pull back if she feels uncomfortable. Display good manners. Behave with grace around girls. Inappropriate actions including swearing, farting, or telling rude jokes are sure to make a girl not want to be around you. Show respect and good manners by holding open the door and saying please and thank you. Treat everyone the same. Talk to everyone — boys, trans people, and so on — the same way you'd talk to a girl. Show everyone respect and kindness and listen to what they have to say. Avoid starting fights--violence isn't a good way to impress anyone! When girls are around, they'll see how genuine and mature you are. This is hard to do when arguing or encountering someone you don't like, but try to avoid outbursts of emotion. Breathe deeply and control what you say. When all is said and done, you'll be proud of yourself for taking the high road, even if a girl isn't around to be impressed by it! Don’t talk about people behind their backs. Talking badly about someone who isn't present has the same effect as an unpleasant confrontation in-person, and sometimes it can be even worse! Avoid gossiping. Sharing negative information will make you look immature to girls and cause them to wonder if you talk about them too when they're not around. Continue to be respectful as much as possible. In return, don't speak negatively about girls or share their secrets with your friends. This information may get back to them and give you a bad reputation. Show them your trustworthiness and they'll soon consider you a loyal friend. | Be yourself. Clean yourself up. Dress well. Do what you enjoy. Relax. Be honest with your intentions. Maintain eye contact. Engage girls in conversation. Listen actively. Show genuine interest in people. Be attentive to her feelings. Make her laugh. Respect personal space. Display good manners. Treat everyone the same. Don’t talk about people behind their backs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-Hot | How to Become Hot | While good looks play a part being hot, it's even more important to have the right frame of mind. To become hot, stick out your chest and stand tall to appear naturally confident. As you go about your day, move steadily and don't talk too fast or be in a hurry, because that will make it seem like you're nervous or anxious. Consider doing simple exercises to improve your posture during the day, like straightening your back while sitting, walking more, or stretching out any tight muscles. By correcting your posture and keeping your back straight, arms back, and head and neck aligned with your shoulder, you'll naturally exude confidence. Because of social pressures, you might feel like you need to look like a model to be hot, but being happy with your body shape is an important part of being confident and hot. | Allow yourself to want to be hot. Maybe you want to look like a hot guy or girl, but you're afraid you'll be judged or looked down on. For some, wanting to be hot has negative connotations of someone being too vain or shallow. Don't let these stereotypes and misconceptions stop you from achieving hotness. Give yourself permission to become hot. Being hot should be something you want and not something you feel pressured to be. Today's society puts a lot of importance in looking attractive in a certain way, but it's not necessarily the only way to be attractive Exude self-confidence. In order to be hot, you have to believe you're hot. Have confidence in your decisions, in the way you look, and in who you are or want to be. It will also help you bounce back from setbacks and accepting difficult challenges that come your way. Remind yourself of what you've already achieved and enjoy these successes. Don't forget how much you've accomplished and the goals you've reached in the process of trying to reach a new one. Don't put too much importance on how others perceive you. If looking hot makes you feel happy, then that's more important than what others might think. Have realistic body image goals. You don't have to look like a model. You should be the shape you're happy with. Half of that means changing your body through exercise and eating healthy, but the other half is accepting your body's own uniqueness. It's understandable to want to reach a healthy weight level, but it's not realistic to achieve a tiny waist if you're naturally top-heavy or try to make your butt bigger if it's naturally petite. Don't ignore your own assets in the process of trying to mimic someone else's. Avoid labelling a certain body type as the “perfect” body. There are many kinds of bodies that are beautiful in their own way. Figure out what body shape you have and dress to flatter it (for women). A great outfit should accentuate your best features and minimize unflattering parts of your body. Here are some ways to dress some common body types: Apple or circle shaped: Counter the roundness and softness of your body by adding structure to your outfit, especially on top. Wear a fitted blazer or wrap dresses that create asymmetrical lines across your body. Straight-legged pants help elongate your legs and draw attention to your body vertically. Large prints and patterns will flatter you better than small prints, especially if worn on top. Avoid covering yourself up with large or loose shirts – instead, wear more form fitted items or clothes drape down your body. Pear or triangle shaped: Balance out your great hips by creating layers on top. A cardigan or a jacket cropped at the waist helps even out your slender top half with your curves at the bottom. Show off those great shoulders by wearing one-shouldered shirts or shirts with embellished collars. Boot-cut or slightly flared pants paired with high heels will elongate your legs. Hourglass shaped: You've got the shape everyone is looking for! To better show off those sought-after curves, dress simple. Items in solid colours with cinched waists show off your small stomach. Avoid prints that take away the spotlight from your silhouette. Athletic or ruler shaped: Your slender body can sometimes look too boxy so avoid stripes or cropped shirts. Try fitted tank tops with smaller straps, or halter-tops that enhance the look of your bust. High-waist pants and skirts give the illusion of that hourglass shape. Stick with soft fabrics that flow off your body to counter the hard lines of your athletic build. Invest in clothes tailored for your body (for men). Learn what fit suits your body best or go to a tailor to have your clothes fitted for you. There's nothing worse than wearing clothes that are too baggy or too tight in all the wrong places. Shoulders: The seam where the sleeve attaches to the body should rest on top of your shoulders. They should not hang down onto your arms. Arms: The fabric under your armpits should be tapered to your skin but still allow motion for your arms. Chest: Your chest should fill out the front of your shirt so that its shape can be seen through the fabric. You should also have a full range of motion in your arms. Try reaching up, back, and forward. If you can't do those things, then your shirt is too tight. Buttons that looked pulled and cause wrinkles are another tell tale sign that your shirt is too tight. Sleeves: If you're wearing long sleeves, the cuff of your shirt should stop just at the base of your thumb. Pants: If you're opting for a slim-cut or skinny pant, make sure there is a straight cut from your knees to your ankles. The cuff of your pants should never create flaps or pool at your feet. They should stop just at the ankles or little past your shoes. Belts: They should really only be a way to accessorize and should not actually be holding up your pants. If a belt is the only thing keeping your pants on, then they're probably too big. Shoes: Many stylists claim shoes are the foundation of men's looks. An outfit is dependent on the colour and type of shoe you're wearing. So dress from the shoes up. Polish your look by matching simple colours with bold statement pieces. Solid coloured clothing items make statement pieces pop. Choose statement pieces like large earrings, patterned shoes, a colourful bag, or a fancy hat. Black is always hot and matches with almost anything. An all black outfit gives you a clean look but also gives you a little edge and mystery. Use the power of contrast to your advantage. Darker coloured clothing can help you achieve a more slender look or mask unappealing features. While patterns or light coloured items can highlight areas of your body you'd like to show off. Follow fashion trends. Fashion is always changing so keep up with the latest trends to stay hot. Although, not every trend is worth following or is flattering on everyone so pick what will look good on you and what fits with your style. Avoid age-inappropriate fashion trends. Being hot doesn't mean looking younger or more mature. Show off a little skin or wear a form-hugging outfit. A bit of sexiness can go a long way when you want to look hot. However, make sure it's an appropriate amount of skin. You'll know when you're being too revealing when: It gets in the way of forming meaningful relationships. We live in a sex-fuelled society, so it's not surprising when people can't help but look at bare skin. It can make people perceive you differently or draw focus away from what you have to offer and more towards what you look like to them. If this type of attention is not what you want, then it's not the right moment to show off too much skin. It prevents you from furthering your career or getting hired. In most work environments, showing off too much skin is discouraged. You receive negative or dangerous attention. It's difficult for many people, especially women, to show off skin without attracting negative attention. And since you can't control other people's reactions and actions, your safety and comfort should always come first. Radiate confident body language. It's not always enough to just dress the part, but you have to appear hot. And a few tricks to improve your body language can help: Stand tall and with purpose. Stick your chest out and keep your hands from fidgeting. The power position is often described with the image of Superman with his hands at his hips, chin high, and legs apart. Move steadily with your actions. Talking too fast or doing things in a hurry shows that you're nervous or anxious. Have a variety of expressions on your face and body. Confident people are able to express themselves naturally but won't overdo it. This makes you more approachable and open. Get in shape. Whether you want to achieve a certain body weight goal, or just become more physically healthy, getting in shape is a great step towards becoming hot. Invest in a gym membership or a personal trainer. With a trainer's guided advice and encouragement, you can start to work on areas of your body and achieve weight goals in a safe and effective way. Eat healthy. Cut down on junk foods and start eating a better balanced diet. Exercising and eating well will make you feel more comfortable in your own skin and improve your overall mental health as well. Have good posture. Improving your posture not only makes you look more confident, but also has many health benefits. Fixing your posture can reduce head and back pain, inflexibility, and prevent compromised muscles. Assess your posture so you can work on your body's problem areas. Generally, your shoulders should be balanced and one shouldn't appear higher than the other. They should also be aligned with your ear so your neck and head aren't jutting forward. Your back should not be rounded and your arms should relax at your sides. Do posture-improving exercises everyday. They can be simple exercises like straightening your back while sitting, walking more, or stretching out those kinks. Or they can be more complicated exercises that stretch and form your back to the correct posture. Be conscious of how you hold yourself. It's easy to start slumping forward when you're working at your desk or sitting down and relaxing. Make an effort to sit in the correct position with your back straight, arms back, and head and neck aligned with your shoulders. Choose a trendy haircut that compliments your look and face shape. Try dyeing your hair, cutting it extremely short or getting extensions to mix it up every once in a while and give off a dynamic appearance. Take care of your hair. The simplest thing you can do is wash your hair and condition it. Invest in hair products or natural remedies to fight problems such as frizzy, dry, or greasy hair. Get a haircut every month or two to avoid split ends and the unkempt look. Develop a skin care routine. Your skin is the foundation of your look. Keep it clean and clear of blemishes and other problem factors by treating and protecting it. Try out different products to make sure they're right for your skin. Wear sunscreen. It's the easiest thing to forget but a little sunscreen every day can prevent wrinkles and skin discoloration. Moisturize your skin. Use lotion, cream, or body butter for your hands, arms, legs, and face. Lip balm helps with chapped or cracking lips. For oily skin, use oil-free products to cleanse your face. For acne prone skin, avoid touching your face or popping your pimples. Instead, wash your face with an acne cleanser or warm water and hypoallergenic soap and keep your skin well moisturized. Acne develops when oils, either from your fingers or overactive hormones and glands, mix together with dirt to clog up your pores. Show your cool side. Ironically, being hot means being cool. It's a likeable quality to have that attracts people to you because of your laid back demeanour. A few cool things to do: Don't try so hard. Or at least look like you're not trying so hard. It gives the impression that you're so smooth, you can get want you want without even trying. If you fidget a lot, bite your lip, stumble in your speech or am just generally nervous, try feeling cool. It's hard to monitor or stop the nervous little ticks our body does when we're nervous so the best way to go about it is from the inside out. Feel cool and your body language will follow. Be a little rebellious. Sometimes a little rule breaking or risk-taking is very cool and makes you appear powerful. But don't do anything illegal! Play up your sex appeal. There are many ways to be sexy and look sexy. Try: Wearing red. There have been numerous studies that the colour red is the sexiest colour. Something in our human brains are highly attracted to the colour. Smiling. Looking happy and approachable is very sexy. So flash does pearly whites! Making strong eye contact. This is a highly confident move that draws people in. Pair it up with a smile or flirtatious look to amp up the sexiness. Flirting. It's a sexy and fun way to communicate with someone you're interested in. Subtly draw attention to your body or tease your target with flirtatious looks or bold compliments. Be humble. The worst thing you can do is brag about how hot you are. Modesty and being gracious to others are attractive qualities. The most confident people are those who are able to build others up. Give compliments. If you want to attract someone's attention, pay them a genuine compliment. Don't brag and look down on others. The attention that comes with being hot can easily develop into a large ego. Your friends, family and other people will be turned off by someone who constantly needs to prove they're hot or thinks too highly of themselves. | Allow yourself to want to be hot. Exude self-confidence. Have realistic body image goals. Figure out what body shape you have and dress to flatter it (for women). Invest in clothes tailored for your body (for men). Polish your look by matching simple colours with bold statement pieces. Follow fashion trends. Show off a little skin or wear a form-hugging outfit. Radiate confident body language. Get in shape. Have good posture. Choose a trendy haircut that compliments your look and face shape. Develop a skin care routine. Show your cool side. Play up your sex appeal. Be humble. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-a-New-Pair-of-Shoes | How to Break in a New Pair of Shoes | To break in a new pair of shoes, wear them for 10 minutes before you take them off and bend them up and down to stretch them. Then, use a hair dryer to heat your shoes for 2-3 minutes, which will expand the material. Right after you heat your shoes, wear them for another 10 minutes so they'll retain the size and shape of your feet as they cool. Alternately, you can use the natural expansion of water as it freezes to break in your shoes. Just fill sealable plastic bags with water, put them in your shoes, and put your shoes in the freezer for 3-4 hours before you wear them. | Wear your new shoes around the house . Before you go out in them, try walking up stairs, standing around (cooking dinner, playing with kids, etc.), sitting down, and even running. This is the most trusted method for easily and lightly breaking in your new shoes. If you have nice leather or dress shoes — shoes that you would be frustrated to see scuffed, altered, or even discolored — this method is the safest to try. Wear your shoes little and often at first. When you try out new shoes before you've bought them, you rarely walk away with sore feet, right? That's because you haven't donned your shoes for long enough to cause any pain (or alter the frame of the shoe to fit your foot). So, when breaking shoes in at home, wear early, wear often, and don't feel like you need to put your shoes on for hours at a time to notice a difference. In fact, start with wearing your shoes 10 minutes at a time in the beginning. Try this for a couple days. Gradually, wear your shoes for 10 minutes more, every couple of days, until you're wearing the shoes for an hour at a time. By this time, the shoes should be tamed! Bring your shoes to work. Wear some old shoes to work, but when you're sitting at your desk, bust out your new ones and simply get in the habit of having them on your feet. This is a simple way to break in your new shoes while saving time. Wear them with socks. This way, you can tell if you need socks when you wear them. This can also prevent blistering when getting used to new shoes. Wear your shoes with socks that are a little bigger than you normally would use. Try thick cotton socks, and squeeze into the shoes. Don't do any heavy walking, or you'll give yourself blisters. Just keep your feet in the shoe. The size of the sock will help stretch out the frame. Fill up two sandwich bags halfway full of water. Make sure the bags are big enough so that they'll put pressure on the shoe when they expand in the freezer. When you seal the plastic bag up, remove any air from the inside of the bag. This will make it easier to mold the water inside the bag to the contour of your shoe. This method will involve placing your shoes in the freezer for an extended period of time, during which time they may get wet. Be sure that the shoes you are using with this method aren't irreplaceable or susceptible to water damage. Place one of the baggies in each shoe. Make sure that the seal is tightly locked. You don't want your shoes covered in ice when you remove them from the freezer. Put the shoes in a bigger, sealed plastic bag and place into freezer. Your shoes should contain a smaller plastic bag inside the cavity and a larger one protecting it from outside moisture. Wait 3 to 4 hours. When the water inside the shoe freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the cavity in the shoe and breaking them in. The advantage of using water as opposed to a shoe stretcher is that the water will adjust to the contours of the inside of your shoe perfectly. Take the shoes out of the freezer. The water filled baggies should now be solid ice. Take the baggies out of your shoe. You may have to wait a few minutes in order to slide them out easier. Try on your shoes. Once the shoes have warmed up a bit, try walking in them and even running and jogging in them if they are athletic shoes. Wear the shoes for 10 minutes. Get the shoes on your feet, preferably with socks, and walk around for no more than 10 minutes. This is just to get them prepped. Take the shoes off and stretch manually. If the shoe permits, bend it upwards and downwards a few times. Blast the shoe with heat. Heating the shoe will expand the material, especially if it's leather, making it more supple. Use a hair drier, turned to a hot (but maybe not hottest) setting, and heat the shoe up for 2 to 3 minutes. If you don't have a hair drier, try placing your shoes next to an indoor heater, or even directly out in the sun. Some heat is better than no heat. Immediately after heating, wear the shoes. Wear them around for another 10 minutes, walking, sitting, or even running. Repeat at least one more time. Your shoes will be tangibly more comfortable after a couple heat treatments. If possible, buy a shoe stretcher. These can help your shoes get a little less tight. If you don't want to buy a stretcher (though they can be cheap online), taking the shoe by the heel and the tip and flexing it back and forth works just fine. Make sure you wear your shoes after using the flex method or your shoes will lose their shape! Use a potato. Peel a large potato and leech some of the moisture off with a paper towel. Place the potato inside the cavity of the shoe and leave overnight. Remove in the morning. Make sure the potato is slightly bigger than the opening of the shoe, but not so big that it warps the toe box out of shape. You may need to carefully remove a portion of the potato so that it follows the shape of the shoe while still giving the material a little stretch. Purchase some stretching spray. Spray the shoes with some stretching solution, following instructions on the packaging. Most of the time, instructions will recommend that you manually stretch the shoe back and forth in between sprays. Get a cobbler to machine-stretch shoes for you. Americans spend nearly $2 million on shoe stretching per year. A cobbler will spray the shoe with a stretching solution and then stretch the shoe over a machine for a couple hours while it dries. This shouldn't cost more than $20. Avoid these gimmicks. Some shoe-stretching techniques plain don't work or are bad for your shoes, especially nice leather ones. Avoid the following breaking-in techniques: Applying rubbing alcohol on your shoes. Alcohol can leave unsightly marks on nice leather shoes, as well as rob the leather of its natural oils. Hitting the shoes with a hammer or another hard object. Hammering the backs of shoes could work, but at what cost? Is it worth it to have broken-in shoes that are actually broken? Having someone with bigger feet break your shoes in. Having someone with bigger feet break your shoes in is immoral and ineffective. Not only are you placing the burden of pain on another person (poor, poor person!), you're also letting the shoes conform to his or her feet, not your own! Avoid. | Wear your new shoes around the house Wear your shoes little and often at first. Bring your shoes to work. Wear them with socks. Fill up two sandwich bags halfway full of water. Place one of the baggies in each shoe. Put the shoes in a bigger, sealed plastic bag and place into freezer. Wait 3 to 4 hours. Take the shoes out of the freezer. Take the baggies out of your shoe. Try on your shoes. Wear the shoes for 10 minutes. Take the shoes off and stretch manually. Blast the shoe with heat. Immediately after heating, wear the shoes. Repeat at least one more time. If possible, buy a shoe stretcher. Use a potato. Purchase some stretching spray. Get a cobbler to machine-stretch shoes for you. Avoid these gimmicks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/File-a-Police-Report | How to File a Police Report | To file a police report online, visit your local police department's website and follow the prompts to fill in the report with specific information, like names and dates. You can also file a report in person by going to your local police department during business hours. Make sure to have your ID and any important information relating to your report, like photos or paperwork. To file a report over the phone, use 311 to find your local non-emergency number and describe the incident to the dispatcher. | Locate the nearest police department. The police department nearest you, or nearest to the place where the incident occurred, will likely have jurisdiction over the incident. To identify the correct police department, you can search online, or call 311 (information) if that service is available in your area. City or metropolitan police departments typically have jurisdiction within the city limits, while the county sheriff's department will have jurisdiction over incidents that take place in the county or outside the city limits. There may be dual jurisdiction in some areas, such as if you live in a metro area where city and county governments have been consolidated. In that case, just find the precinct office the shortest distance from you. If you're in the wrong place, they'll tell you where to go. Gather information about the incident you want to report. When you file a police report in person, you'll typically need information or evidence about the incident itself. If you took photos or video on your phone, take your phone with you to the police station. The police typically won't have to confiscate your phone. They can download your photos or video to their computer system. In cases of property loss or damage, gather any financial statements, insurance claims, or other documents to take with you. Bring your ID to confirm your identity. When you file your report, you'll need to provide a name and address to the officer who takes your report. A government-issued photo ID serves to prove to the officer that you are who you say you are. If your identification has been lost or stolen, bring whatever documents or information you have that might prove your identity. You also might want to bring a friend or relative along to vouch for you. Visit the police department during regular business hours. Check online or call the police non-emergency line to find out when the precinct office is open. While you typically can file a police report at any time, individual precincts may not be open to the public after business hours. Typically you'll have a shorter wait time if you go earlier in the morning, as opposed to in the afternoon. If you have been the victim of a crime, such as a break-in or assault, you can also call the police and have them come out to you. In addition to collecting your statement, they will gather evidence. Call the station before you go down there to see if they will come to you. Talk to an officer about the incident. When you enter the precinct, introduce yourself to the desk officer and explain that you want to file a police report. They may take some information from you at that time or give you paperwork to complete while you wait for an available officer. When an officer comes to take your report, give them all of the information you know about the incident. Include as many specific details as you know, but stick to the facts. If you have any documents or other information, let the officer know. They may want to take your originals or make copies. The officer may ask you questions to attempt to get more information about the incident. If you don't know something or don't remember, say so. Avoid making assumptions or engaging in speculation. Get a copy of the report. When the officer finishes talking to you, they may have a written report available immediately. If the written report isn't ready, they'll give you the report number and let you know when you can pick it up. If all you have is the report number, keep it safe. Depending on the type of incident you report, you may need to provide that number to others. For example, if you filed a report for property damage, you may need to provide the police report number to your insurance company when you file a claim. Follow up on your report within a week. Once your report is filed, it will typically be assigned to an officer, who will begin an investigation. If they uncover any information or identify a suspect, they may be in touch with you. If you don't hear from the police within a week, call the non-emergency number and tell the dispatcher that you want to follow up on a report you filed. Give them your report number, and they'll connect you to the appropriate officer who can give you an update. You also may learn additional information about the incident after you file your report. If you do, call and ask to speak to the investigating officer. Let them know the additional information. Find the local police department's website. You typically can find your local police department's website by doing a quick internet search with the word "police" and the name of your city, or the city where the incident occurred. Once on the website, look for a link that will allow you to file a police report online. Not all police stations will allow you to file a police report online. In that case, you will need to do so in person. Check the types of reports you can file. From the initial reporting page, the police department typically provides information about the types of incidents you can report online. Make sure your incident fits into one of these categories. You shouldn't file an online report for a violent incident or a crime in progress. Call 911 if people's lives are in danger, or call the police non-emergency number. Incidents involving lost or stolen property, damaged property, or vandalism typically can be reported online. You also can file an online report for financial crimes, including theft or identity theft. Gather information before you start your report. Some police departments only allow you a limited amount of time to enter your information before the form resets. Organize anything you'll need before you start to avoid having to start over. You may want to write down notes with specific facts and details related to the incident, so you don't have to type in your information off the top of your head. For example, you might write a list of names of others who were involved or who witnessed the incident. You also might make note of the date and time the incident occurred and the street address of the specific location. If you have any documents or other files related to the incident, you may be able to upload them along with your report. Enter your information. In most cases you can't file an anonymous report online. You typically want to provide contact information even if you can. This will allow you to follow up on the report, and police can contact you if they have any questions or information for you. Provide an email address and phone number so police can contact you if they have any questions or need additional information to process your report. Provide details about the incident. Some online report forms may ask for specific details separately, such as the location of the incident and type of incident you're reporting. Then you'll have a field to describe the incident. Stick to the facts, including as many specific details as you can remember. Don't include any description of your feelings, emotional reactions, or speculative thoughts. The field you have to enter details may be limited to a certain number of characters. Include as many details as possible, but be brief. Make every word count. Submit and print a copy of the report. When you click submit to send your report, you typically are given the opportunity to print a page that contains the information you submitted. If you're given the opportunity to preview your report before you submit it, look it over for typos or errors. If you're not able to print a copy of your report, write down any confirmation number or report number that you're provided. You may need these to follow up on the report later, or to share with an insurance company. Follow up on your report a couple of days later. When you file a police report online, you typically will hear from the police department within a day or two. They'll let you know if an officer has been assigned to investigate, and any further action you need to take. If you don't hear from the police department, call the non-emergency number. Let the dispatcher know that you want to follow up on a police report you filed online. Find out the name of the investigating officer, if any, in case you gain new information about the incident and need to update your report. Check if your police station allows telephone reports. Many police stations do not allow telephone reports, as this is a security issue. Since filing a false report is a crime, they need to have the filer sign a document and verify that they are who they say they are. Call the police dispatch office. Police departments have a non-emergency number that you can call if you want to file a police report over the phone. Do not call 911 unless there is an active crime in progress or people's lives are endangered. You typically can find the non-emergency number through an online search, in a telephone book, or by calling 311 (information), if that service is available in your area. Provide your name and location. Identify yourself to the dispatcher who answers the non-emergency number and let them know that you want to file a police report. They will ask for your name and address, as well as the address of your current location if it differs from your place of residence. You may be able to file a report anonymously over the phone. However, if you don't provide your name and contact information, police will not be able to follow up with you about the report. You should always provide your name and contact information if you suffered a loss as a result of the incident you're reporting, such as if your property was damaged. Describe the incident you want to report. Let the dispatcher know what happened, and when and where the incident occurred. Provide as many factual details as you can remember. Remain calm and stick to the facts. If you have any photo or video, or documents related to the incident, let the dispatcher know. They will tell you what you need to do with them. The dispatcher may ask you some questions if there is specific information they need that you failed to mention in your description. Meet with an officer if necessary. Once the dispatcher takes your report, they'll determine if the situation necessitates sending an officer to your location to talk to you further. This may happen if, for example, you're reporting damage to your property. If an officer is dispatched, the dispatcher will give you a time frame of when to expect them. The officer will confirm the information in your telephone report and ask questions to get any additional information they may need to further investigate your report. You may not get a written copy of the report immediately. The officer typically will give you a receipt with the number assigned to your report so you can get a full copy later. Request a copy of the report. If an officer isn't dispatched to your location to talk to you, ask the dispatcher for a report number. Find out when the full written report will be available and how you can get a copy for your records. In some cases, the police department may mail a copy of the report to you. Otherwise, you may need to make a trip to the precinct to pick up your copy. | Locate the nearest police department. Gather information about the incident you want to report. Bring your ID to confirm your identity. Visit the police department during regular business hours. Talk to an officer about the incident. Get a copy of the report. Follow up on your report within a week. Find the local police department's website. Check the types of reports you can file. Gather information before you start your report. Enter your information. Provide details about the incident. Submit and print a copy of the report. Follow up on your report a couple of days later. Check if your police station allows telephone reports. Call the police dispatch office. Provide your name and location. Describe the incident you want to report. Meet with an officer if necessary. Request a copy of the report. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Net-Force | How to Find Net Force | To find net force, start by drawing a diagram of the object being acted upon, including arrows to represent all of the forces acting on it that are listed in the problem. Then, make all of the arrows pointing upward or to the right positive, and the arrows pointing downward or to the left negative. Next, label all of the forces in the problem, as well as the force of gravity, which is equal to -20 newtons, and the normal force, which is equal to 20 newtons. Finally, sum the magnitude of all the forces to find the net force. | Draw a free body diagram. A free body diagram is a quick sketch of an object that illustrates all of the forces acting on it and the direction these forces are acting. Read through the problem and draw a simple sketch of the object in question and the arrows representing every force acting on that object. For example: Calculate the net force of an object weighing 20 N sitting on a table being pushed towards the right with 5 N of force, but staying still because of a friction force of 5 N. Establish the positive and negative directions of forces. The standard is to set arrows pointing upward or to the right as positive and arrows pointing downward or to the left as negative. Remember, you can have multiple forces working in the same direction. Forces that oppose each other will always have opposite signs (one positive, one negative). If you are working with multiple force diagrams, make sure you keep the directions consistent throughout. Label the magnitude of each force with a “+” or “-“ sign based on the direction of the arrow you've drawn on the force diagram. For example: The force of gravity is a downward force making it negative. The normal force is upward making it positive. The push force is to the right making it positive, while the friction force acts to oppose this force towards the left (negative). Label all forces. Be sure to label all of the forces that are acting on the object. When an object is resting on a surface there is a downward force of gravity (F g ) and an equal force in the opposite direction called the normal force (F n ). In addition to these two forces, label the rest of the forces stated in the problem. Write the magnitude of each force in Newtons next to the given label. A standard way to label forces is with a capital F and a subscript of first letter of the force. For example, if there is a force due to friction, label it F f. Force due to gravity: F g = -20 N Normal force: F n = +20 N Friction force: F f = -5 N Push force: F p = +5 N Sum the magnitudes of all the forces. Now that you have labelled all forces with both a direction and magnitude, you just need to add all of them together. Write an equation for net force (F net ) where F net is equal to the sum of all the forces acting on the object. For example: F net = F g + F n + F f + F p = -20 + 20 -5 + 5 = 0 N. Because the net force is 0 N, the object is stationary. Sketch a force diagram. When you have a diagonal force acting at an angle on the object, you need to find the horizontal (F x ) and vertical (F y ) components of the force to find its magnitude. You'll have to use trigonometry and the directional angle (usually θ "theta"). The directional angle θ is always measured counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis. Draw the force diagram including the angle of the diagonal force. Sketch each arrow in the proper direction the force is acting and label it with the proper magnitude. For example: Sketch the diagram for a 10 N object experiencing a 25 N force up and to the right at an angle of 45°. There is also a friction force to the left of 10 N. Forces include: F g = -10 N, F n = + 10 N, F p = 25 N, F f = -10 N. Calculate Fx and Fy using the three basic trigonometric ratios (SOH CAH TOA). Using the diagonal force (F) as the hypotenuse of a right-triangle and F x and F y as the legs of that triangle, you can calculate each in turn. Remember, CAH: cosine(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse. F x = cos θ * F = cos(45°) * 25 = 17.68 N. Remember, SOH: sine(θ) = opposite/hypotenuse. F y = sin θ * F = sin(45°) * 25 = 17.68 N. Note that there may be multiple diagonal forces acting on an object simultaneously, so you'll have to find F x and F y of each force in the problem. Then sum the F x values to obtain the total force in the horizontal direction and sum the F y values for the total force in the vertical direction. Redraw the force diagram. Now that you have calculated the individual horizontal and vertical components of the diagonal force, you can sketch a new force diagram representing these forces. Erase the diagonal force and instead, draw the arrows for the individual horizontal and vertical magnitudes. For example, instead of one diagonal force, the diagram will now have one vertical force pointing up with a magnitude of 17.68 N and one horizontal force pointing to the right with a magnitude of 17.68 N. Sum all of the forces in the x and y directions. Once you have drawn a new force diagram, calculate the net force (F net ) by adding all of the horizontal forces together and all of the vertical forces together. Remember to keep all of the directions of the vectors consistent throughout the problem. For example: Horizontal vectors are all forces along the x axis: F netx = 17.68 – 10 = 7.68 N. Vertical vectors are all forces along the y axis: F nety = 17.68 + 10 - 10 = 17.68 N. Calculate the magnitude of the net force vector. At this stage, you have two forces: one in the x-direction and one in the y-direction. The magnitude of the force vector is the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by these two component vectors. Simply use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the hypotenuse: F net = √ (F netx + F nety ). For example: F netx = 7.68 N and F nety = 17.68 N Plug into equation: F net = √ (F netx + F nety ) = √ (7.68 + 17.68 ) Solve: F net = √ (7.68 + 17.68 ) = √(58.98 + 35.36) = √94.34 = 9.71 N. The magnitude of force is 9.71 N in a diagonal up and to the right. | Draw a free body diagram. Establish the positive and negative directions of forces. Label all forces. Sum the magnitudes of all the forces. Sketch a force diagram. Calculate Fx and Fy using the three basic trigonometric ratios (SOH CAH TOA). Redraw the force diagram. Sum all of the forces in the x and y directions. Calculate the magnitude of the net force vector. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sing-High-Notes | How to Sing High Notes | To sing high notes, start by relaxing your muscles with slow breathing and a few neck and shoulder rolls. Once you're feeling loose, warm up your vocal cords with easy octave exercises. Then, move into practicing your high notes. You can sing the word "yawn" to get your mouth in the correct position, then start at the middle of your range and work your way up to the higher notes. Practice every day to develop your vocal cords! | Take slow, relaxed breaths to release tension. Your breathing needs to be relaxed to hit high notes. Otherwise, that tension goes right into your voice. Take a normal breath in, then exhale. Keep your breath slow and even. Relax your shoulders, neck and chest as you continue to breathe in and out. This helps release tension from those areas. Massage your face and jaw muscles to release jaw tension. Put the heels of your hands on either side of your face, right below your cheekbones. Push them gently into your cheeks, then move them slowly down into your jaws. Let your mouth hang open a little bit. Repeat this several times. Do some neck and shoulder rolls to loosen up the muscles. Slowly roll your neck from side to side. Once your neck feels stretched out, roll your shoulders gently and slowly, backward and forward. Then let your arms hang loosely at your sides. Try to keep your arms loose as you practice. Avoid the urge to ball up your fists or strain your arm muscles when trying to hit high notes. Use a personal humidifier before and after singing. A personal humidifier brings warm, moist air to your vocal cords. Using one before and after each practice session or performance will help keep your vocal cords in good shape. Drink a glass of warm water to relax throat muscles. It also helps hydrate the vocal chords, allowing you to reach the higher registers. Add honey to your water to decrease and/or prevent their throat from swelling. Don't drink ice water, caffeine or milk before warming up your voice. These can have a negative effect on your singing voice. Trill with your lips to warm them up. Press your lips together loosely. Release air through your mouth in a steady stream, so that your lips vibrate and make a raspberry sound. Move on to doing this with “h” sounds, maintaining a steady voice as you move the air past your lips. Once you've got that, try it on “b” sounds. Then continue doing “b” sounds, but go up and down the scales. Lip trills help you strengthen your breath control while reducing pressure on your vocal cords. Stretch out your vocal chords with “sirens. ” Round your mouth into an “o” position and inhale. It helps to imagine you're sucking down a spaghetti noodle! When you exhale, make a “woo” sound. Keep your “woo” steady and repeat this 2-3 more times. After that, start going up and down the scales as you “woo.” Do two-octave scales to warm up for higher notes. Starting in a low pitch, sing a “me” sound as you go up the scale. Reverse and go down the scale as you sing an “ee” sound. Keep going, up and down, gently increasing your range each time. Once you're feeling pretty loose, switch to an “oo” sound and repeat. During warm-up, don't push your voice to go higher than what's comfortable for you. This can actually decrease your range over time. Use an app like Singscope to help you warm up your voice. Breathe from your abdomen for a stronger sound. As a singer, you've probably heard this advice countless times. It's important, though! It helps you hit and maintain high notes, and helps to relax your muscles. When you inhale, your stomach should rise first, followed by your chest. If you have trouble with this, try putting your hand on your abdomen as you breathe. It'll remind you to focus on breathing from that area. High notes require a ton of breath control, so sing from your diaphragm and practice controlling the amount of air you use to support your vocal cords. Start in the middle of your range and sing higher and higher. This can be a continuation of the “oo” and “ee” sounds you used in warm-up. Once you get your voice up into the high register that you want, open up those vowel sounds to sound more like “oh” and “uh.” As you practice this over time, you'll notice that the higher notes are getting easier and easier to reach. Don't neglect your lower range, though. Practising low notes helps strengthen your vocal cords so you can hit the high notes as well. Experiment with your vowel sounds. Each voice has certain vowels that work best when singing high notes. Others are harder to hit. You should experiment to determine which vowels work and sound best for you. Once you have an idea of which vowel works best, modify (gradually) towards that vowel as you ascend the scale. For example, you might have a hard time hitting a long "e" (like in "meet"), but you can easily hit a short "i." You could modify the long "e" in "meet" by singing "mitt" and subtly adjusting the "i" into the long "e" as you get higher. Start putting a consonant in front of vowels. Consonants, like a hard “g,” can help you get better at cord closure. After practicing vowels for a while, put a hard “g” in front of them. This helps you maintain a steady sound by keeping your vocal cords vibrating steadily. Also work on consonants like “m” and “n” in front of vowels. Cord closure is when your vocal cords come together to create a sound. If they aren't “closed” all the way, it's difficult to maintain steady air flow. Sing the word "yawn" on the high notes to get your mouth in position. When rehearsing, never hesitate to sing the word "yawn" for one of those notes in your upper range. When you sing that word, it positions your mouth and throat in exactly the right place to hit high notes. This is a handy trick to help you get used to the proper mouth positioning; don't do this during a performance, though! Keep your sounds smooth and connected. Steady airflow allows you to hit and maintain your high notes. As you work on your range, keep your breath flowing in and out steadily. Strive to make smooth, connected sounds. Think about the whole phrase that includes the high note, then support your voice continuously from the beginning. This connects the high note to the notes before it. Forcing out air on certain notes can strain your throat and voice. Cool down after each session to prevent injury. Working on high notes is hard on your vocal cords. To keep those muscles operating well, cool them down after you work them out. To do this, hum gently while making an “m” sound. Move up and down the scales as you make the “m” sound. Focus on how the sound feels coming out of your lips. It will vibrate and tickle a little bit! Give your vocal cords a rest for 30 minutes after each session. It's important to let your voice rest and recover after working on high notes. Spend 30 minutes in total silence--no singing, talking, or humming--after each singing session to give your vocal cords a full rest. | Take slow, relaxed breaths to release tension. Massage your face and jaw muscles to release jaw tension. Do some neck and shoulder rolls to loosen up the muscles. Use a personal humidifier before and after singing. Drink a glass of warm water to relax throat muscles. Trill with your lips to warm them up. Stretch out your vocal chords with “sirens. Do two-octave scales to warm up for higher notes. Breathe from your abdomen for a stronger sound. Start in the middle of your range and sing higher and higher. Experiment with your vowel sounds. Start putting a consonant in front of vowels. Sing the word "yawn" on the high notes to get your mouth in position. Keep your sounds smooth and connected. Cool down after each session to prevent injury. Give your vocal cords a rest for 30 minutes after each session. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Crack-Your-Neck | How to Crack Your Neck | To crack your neck, start by resting your chin in the palm of your left hand, with your fingers going up the left side of your face. Reach around the back of your neck with your right hand, then gently push your chin to the left with your hand until your neck cracks. Repeat on the other side. If you experience any pain when you're cracking your neck, stop immediately so you don't injure yourself. You should also see your doctor if you experience pain regularly when you crack your neck, since it could be a sign that something is wrong. | Crack your neck only for temporary relief of moderate pain or tension. Many people like to crack their neck, as it can relieve stiffness, soreness, and feelings of tension. Cracking your neck can also help relieve the symptoms of migraine headaches and lower back pain. However, this pain relief is only temporary and doesn't treat any deeper, underlying problems that your neck may have. People often find that to deliver the same amount of relief to the neck area, they have to crack the area more and more often. Cracking tends to stretch out the ligaments in the surrounding area, making them less stable. Ligaments that are less stable are less likely to support the weight of your head adequately, leading to more pain. Stop cracking your neck immediately if you feel acute pain. Properly done, neck cracking should bring you relief from minor pain, not cause pain. If you're cracking your neck and feel a burst of sharp pain along either side of your neck or down your spine, stop what you're doing right away. If you continue putting pressure onto your vertebra, you could damage the bones or your spinal column. Fortunately, the chances of you doing serious damage to yourself by cracking your neck are very low. See your doctor if you experience pain when you crack your neck. While cracking your neck often relieves minor pain, repeated wear and tear on your vertebrae can lead to health problems and bone damage. So, if you find that you neck is in pain every day, or if you're almost constantly cracking your neck, make an appointment with your general practitioner. Describe your symptoms and pain level to the doctor. Also mention how long you've experienced neck pain for, and show them the way you typically crack your neck. In short, it is better to correct the problem that's causing your neck to hurt rather than simply trying to alleviate the symptoms. Visit a qualified professional for safe neck treatment and advice. These include chiropractors, osteopaths, and physical therapists/physiotherapists or physicians with specialist training in spinal manipulation. Chiropractors are a popular choice and have plenty of experience in treating stiff and sore necks and backs, but their approach doesn't suit everyone and there are many others who can help too. Depending on where you live, you might choose an osteopath (outside the US) or osteopathic physician (US only), or a physical therapist/physiotherapist or medical doctor with specialist training in spinal manipulation. Massage therapists and myotherapists typically don't crack necks but will use a range of gentle techniques to mobilize the joints in your spine. (Massage and manipulation, together with the right kinds of stretching or other exercise, may prove just as helpful as joint cracking.) All of these professionals can help address the root cause of your pain and discomfort, including advising you on specific exercises and posture. It's usually best to try gentle stretching and self-massage before getting into the habit of neck-cracking, and best to visit a trained professional if your symptoms persist or worsen. A professional should also answer any questions you may have about the potential side effects of spinal manipulation and recommend cost-effective treatment. Your family physician or general practitioner should also be able to refer you to a qualified back and neck specialist. They can also make sure your neck pain or stiffness doesn't have a more serious cause. Never let someone other than a qualified professional (i.e. chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist/physical therapist) crack your neck. When you crack your own neck, you can sense how much pressure is enough and tell if you're using too much pressure or starting to cause pain. If someone else is cracking your neck, they won't be able to tell when they're using too much pressure. For this reason, never attempt to crack anyone else's neck, either. The only people—other than yourself—who should crack your neck are professionals, i.e. chiropractors and osteopaths, and those physical therapists/physiotherapists and medical doctors with specialist training in spinal manipulation. Letting another person crack your neck could cause serious damage if they accidentally wrench your neck too far in 1 direction. Loosen up the muscles of your neck before you begin. It's a good idea to have had a neck rub, massage, or even a few good neck stretches before you begin to help stretch and loosen the neck. Lean your chin down towards your sternum and hold it in position for 20 seconds, then pull your head back and look up at the ceiling for another 20 seconds. Do this 3–4 times to loosen up your neck muscles. If you try to crack your neck without loosening up first, you could pull a muscle. Cup your chin in the palm of your left hand. Bend your fingers to make a “cup” with your hand, and place the hand so your chin is in the hollow of your hand. Your fingers should be reaching up the left side of your face, almost touching your cheekbone. You can let your thumb rest along the length of your jawbone. Reach around the back of your head with your right hand. Bend your right arm so that you can comfortably position your right hand on the back of your head. Get a good grip and hold your head behind your left ear. Your grip shouldn't be painfully tight, but should be firm enough that your head can't slip out of your right hand. Push your chin to the left to rotate your head counterclockwise. Gently but firmly rotate your head to the left between your hands. In addition to pushing your chin around to the left with your palm, pull your head around to the left with the hand on the back of your head. Continue to lightly stretch the neck muscles until they are at full stretch but not overstretched. You will often hear and feel a series of cracking sounds as the neck muscles pull tight. To make sure you're getting all of the air out of your neck joints, add just a little extra pressure to trigger the full sequence of cracks. Crack the right side of the neck in by switching your hand positions. Cup your chin with your right palm and hold onto the back of your head with your left hand. Push forward on your chin with your right hand and pull back with your left hand to rotate your head to the right. This will result in a few more cracking sounds as you loosen up the other side of your neck. As before, don't twist your neck too hard or roughly. Stretch and crack your neck in a controlled manner. Use only as much pressure as is required to stretch the neck tight. '''Stop''' if you experience any pain. Lie down with a foam roller beneath the curve in your neck. Place a small, firm foam roller on the floor in a large room. Recline on your back so that your neck is resting comfortably on the foam roller. Keep your arms flat on the ground, and lie with your back and head at rest. If you don't have a foam roller in your home already, you can purchase one at any store that sells yoga supplies or exercise equipment, or simply use a rolled up towel. Lift your back and rear off the ground to put weight on your neck. Gently push your hips upward until they're about 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) high. Lift your rear without changing the position of your neck or head. As you lift up your lower body, start rolling your neck left and right on top of the foam roller. As you keep your hips in the air and turn your head back and forth, you'll feel the muscles in your neck begin to relax If you need to stabilize your neck, clasp your arms together behind your head as you move over the roller. Roll your neck over the roller until you feel your neck relax. Keep your back arched and your hips in the air. Push your body forward with your legs so that your neck slides up and down over the roller. Continue to slowly turn your head left and right on the roller, so that all of your neck muscles and vertebrae have a chance to loosen up. Keep rolling until you feel the muscles relax. This should also stop any neck pain you're experiencing, even if you don't hear a cracking sound. Try to keep your head and shoulders as relaxed as possible while you're rolling your neck. This will keep the muscles loose and allow you to fully crack your neck. Stop rolling your neck if you feel any pain. Move the foam roller down your back if you feel tension. Some people may find that the tension in their neck moves down to their upper back while they're using the foam roller. If this happens to you, move the foam roller down until it's under your shoulder blades. Lower your hips and chest until you're lying flat on the roller. Use your legs to move your body back and forth until your lower back relaxes. This step is optional. If your lower back feels fine after you've cracked your neck, you may skip this step. | Crack your neck only for temporary relief of moderate pain or tension. Stop cracking your neck immediately if you feel acute pain. See your doctor if you experience pain when you crack your neck. Visit a qualified professional for safe neck treatment and advice. Never let someone other than a qualified professional (i.e. Loosen up the muscles of your neck before you begin. Cup your chin in the palm of your left hand. Reach around the back of your head with your right hand. Push your chin to the left to rotate your head counterclockwise. Crack the right side of the neck in by switching your hand positions. Lie down with a foam roller beneath the curve in your neck. Lift your back and rear off the ground to put weight on your neck. Roll your neck over the roller until you feel your neck relax. Move the foam roller down your back if you feel tension. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Believe-in-Yourself | How to Believe in Yourself | To believe in yourself, start by making a list of your past accomplishments, then look for patterns or common threads in the activities so you can identify your natural skills. Develop realistic goals for yourself that are in line with your skills and work to achieve them. Try to stay focused on the positive things in life and surround yourself with supportive people who build you up rather than tear you down! | Make a list of your past accomplishments. Writing out a list of your accomplishments will help you begin to believe in yourself. Sit down and make a list of all of the things that you feel you have excelled at during some point in your life. Include even the most minor activities, like putting together furniture from IKEA or organizing a party for a friend or family member. After you've compiled a short list, try to find patterns in the activities. Identify what you have done well over and over again to understand your skills. As you identify the skills that helped you accomplish things, begin to list those skills in a separate column. You can also make a list of stuff that you admire about yourself in a third column. For example, if you notice that you've been successful at caring for dogs or cats, this could mean that you are naturally a compassionate person. In which case, try to find more activities that will help you to use this skill--such as volunteering at a local animal shelter. Talk to people who love you. If you're having trouble seeing all the wonderful things about yourself, you can always talk to someone who loves you. Sometimes we have difficulty seeing the best things about ourselves, but the people who love us will never struggle to see those things. Say something like, “Lately I have felt like I am not good at anything, but I am trying to move past that and identify my skills. What do you think I am good at?” Find a cause that you believe in. It may be difficult to believe in yourself if you are always trying to please others. Make sure that you look for causes and projects that appeal to you and that you actually believe in. The passion that you feel for these causes and projects will help you to work harder and see how much you can achieve. Set realistic goals. Setting realistic goals boosts your self-efficacy and helps you to believe in yourself and your ability to accomplish things. Make sure that you develop goals that are in line with your skills and that are attainable. For example, if you have decided that you want to work towards a long-term goal of becoming a veterinary assistant because of your animal handling skills, start by setting a small attainable goal of applying to a veterinary assistant program. Once you accomplish that goal, you can move on to another small, attainable goal that helps to get you closer to your long-term goal. Be prepared to go outside of your comfort zone now and then. Even though you are setting realistic goals, you might need to do things that you don't normally do to accomplish your goals. After you set a goal, work hard until you achieve it. Don't abandon a goal because it becomes too difficult. If a goal seems too difficult, try breaking it into a series of smaller goals and focus on one at a time. Reflect at the end of each day. Self-reflection is an important component of self-improvement. It helps you to take stock of what you are doing well and what you still need to work on. Take a few moments at the end of each day to reflect on your experiences. If you have a day where you don't accomplish as much as you hoped you would try to learn what you can from the situation to avoid repeating any mistakes you might have made. For example, if you can't seem to get yourself up in the morning to go on a hike as planned, you may have learned that you have trouble getting motivated in the morning. Try setting multiple alarms, and maybe even place one of them a few feet away from your bed, so you have to get up and turn it off. Or, you could try to find a different time to hike, instead of forcing yourself to do it in the morning. Be persistent. Sometimes we feel like giving up because failure is a possibility, but it's perfectly natural to struggle with something the first time you do it. Instead of blaming yourself for doing something wrong, give yourself permission to experiment without worrying about the consequences. Some of the most successful innovators have found that improvisation requires a sort of “playful” mindset as opposed to one that is fixated on a single goal. Connect with people. New perspectives in neuroscience are emerging that emphasize the importance of persistently forging and reworking our relationships with others to support functional brain processes. As such, we will likely be unsuccessful at changing our habits without first realizing the degree to which our behaviors are conditioned by, or in some way dependent on, others around us. If you find that other people are constantly coming to you for advice, but you rarely feel like you have someone to talk to yourself when you're unhappy, it could be the case that you've come to serve the role of nurturer in your group of friends. There's nothing wrong with helping others, but it's also necessary to take care of yourself. In fact, sometimes we help others more than ourselves because we've gotten used to doing so. Think about why you are inclined to help others and consider the effect it has on you. Build you up. Work on thinking positively about yourself and your behavior. Fight the urge to be negative by identifying two of your strengths every day. Make sure that you challenge any unproductive thought that enters your head. If you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts like “I am a loser,” “no one likes me,” and “I can't do anything right,” stop yourself and challenge the thought. Counter it with productive thoughts, identifying two positive things about yourself. The more that you practice this positive thinking, the easier it will become. For example, if you catch yourself having a negative thought like, “I am terrible at math,” reframe the thought in a more productive way by saying something like, "I find math challenging, but I am working hard and improving." Find ways to keep moving forward. Sometimes you might feel stuck in a rut, with no idea how to keep going. In these cases, take a deep breath and try to put the present moment in perspective. People too often focus on the negative, which can lead us to ignore good things. Sometimes all that's required is a change of scenery, or perhaps a disruption in your everyday routine. If feelings of dread or hopelessness last for an extended period, you might want to consider talking to a therapist or mental health counselor. Find a way to disrupt your usual routine or behavior. For example, if you feel that you are surrounded by negative people, you could join a sports club or other local group to meet some new people. Be proactive. Procrastinating, or putting things off because they are difficult, sets you up for failure. When you have less time to do a task, you'll rush and miss things. Instead, do things on time so that you have the extra time to do your best! Experiencing the small successes of completed tasks can contribute to believing that you can accomplish greater tasks. For example, you might have a sink full of dishes to clean but decide to put it off so that you can watch your favorite T.V. show. But before you know it, several other demands might arise, such as the T.V. going out and needing to be fixed or a problem arising with a bill you received, which might end up forcing you to put off the dishes even longer. Instead of letting everyday life demands pile on top of each other, tackle them as soon as you think about it. It might be unpleasant at first, but after a while it will become second nature and your day-to-day affairs will seem to take care of themselves. If you are a chronic procrastinator, you might want to consider talking to a therapist or mental health counselor. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you to stop procrastinating. Focus on the positive. Psychologists have found that we often focus on negative comments about ourselves while ignoring the positive ones. We also tend to assume people are focusing on us more than they are. Try to remind yourself to focus on the positive more than the negative. If you find either yourself or those around you being extra critical, think about making some changes. Do things that are hard. If we only take the easy route, it can be easy to think that we aren't capable of doing things that are hard. Prove to yourself that you can take on challenges by doing just that: take on challenges. Do things that will be rewarding, even though they'll be hard work. You can do it! Remember that you can always break down a difficult task into a series of small, easier tasks. Practice speaking up for yourself. When things are happening around you, and you have an opinion or know a better way to do something, speak up! Don't just accept things the way they are. Take an active part in the situation. This shows others that you are capable of taking control and expressing your needs or desires to them. Speaking up will also help you to surround yourself with people whose aspirations and concerns are in line with your own. These are all things that are essential to becoming more comfortable in your environment, which research has shown a necessary step towards developing confidence in your ability act on your needs and desires. For example, if one of your co-workers often makes inappropriate jokes about women, try to come up with a way to bring your concerns about his jokes to his attention in a productive manner. You could simply say, “I am offended by your jokes because they make light of a very serious issue.” The discussion might become heated, but the more you practice speaking up for yourself on important issues, such a gender equality, the easier it will become. If you tend to worry about how others will interpret what you have to say and that often stops you from speaking up, try to break that habit. Practice expressing your thoughts and feelings to others without worrying about how they are interpreted, which might mean having to deal with misunderstandings arising when communicating with other people. If a miscommunication happens, don't be afraid to share your personal history, especially how you've learned to communicate with others because of where you are from. It's important for everyone involved to realize that such instances of miscommunication are not anyone's fault in, but they can be opportunities for everyone involved to grow and learn more about each other's unique modes of expression. Help others. In helping others, we can often get a better view of what we're capable of and feel better about ourselves in the process. Helping others through volunteerism or everyday acts of kindness brings a wonderful sense of fulfillment. It also provides extra opportunities for you to use and develop your skills. By helping others, you will find yourself feeling more confident than ever. Pay attention to your appearance and hygiene. Believing in yourself may be easier if you feel confident in the way that you look as well. You can make sure that you are looking and feeling your best by keeping a good daily hygiene and grooming routine. Make sure that you: Shower or bathe Style your hair Trim or file your nails Shave or keep your beard well groomed Brush your teeth (2X daily) Maintain a pleasant body odor by using deodorant, scented lotions, and perfumes Wear clothes that fit well and make you feel good Wear makeup that accentuates your best features Nourish your body with healthy food. The food that you eat each day will affect the way that you feel physically and emotionally. If you take the time to prepare a nice meal for yourself, you will feel better than if you just eat a bag of chips and a can of soda for dinner. Make sure that you contribute to your overall well-being by only putting healthy food into your body. Exercise every day. Exercise has long been noted for its ability to help reduce stress and make people feel happier, but some studies have also shown that exercise may help improve one's confidence levels. Make sure to include at least 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine to reap the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. Get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation can aggravate self-consciousness and other negative emotional tendencies, so it is important to get plenty of sleep every night. Feeling self-conscious and negative will make it harder for you to believe in yourself. Try to get about 8 hours of sleep per night to avoid these adverse effects. Relax every day. Make sure that you take a little time to relax every day. Incorporating activities like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, aromatherapy, and other soothing techniques will help you avoid negative thoughts and find it easier to believe in yourself. Find something that works for you and add it into your daily routine. Maintain a pleasant environment. Your surroundings may also affect the way that you feel about yourself, so it is important to maintain a clean and pleasant home for yourself. Keep your house (or at least your room, if you live with others) clean and inviting. Place meaningful objects around the room to help you feel encouraged. | Make a list of your past accomplishments. Talk to people who love you. Find a cause that you believe in. Set realistic goals. Reflect at the end of each day. Be persistent. Connect with people. Build you up. Find ways to keep moving forward. Be proactive. Focus on the positive. Do things that are hard. Practice speaking up for yourself. Help others. Pay attention to your appearance and hygiene. Nourish your body with healthy food. Exercise every day. Get plenty of sleep. Relax every day. Maintain a pleasant environment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Outspoken | How to Be Outspoken | To be outspoken, remember that you don't need to be loud, rude, or critical. You just want to try your best to share your perspective during conversations more and be honest about your feelings with the people around you. Sharing your opinions with others can be scary at first, so try starting out with close friends and family members until you get more comfortable. Then, you can work on expressing your feelings more at places like work and school. Just remember to consider people's feelings and not put anyone down so you don't come across as rude. | Gain self-knowledge through journaling. Knowing who you are, what you believe, what you think, feel and want are the beginnings of knowing yourself, and journaling is a great way to establish that knowledge. Practice journaling for 15 minutes or more each night before bed. Not only can you know yourself better, journaling is an excellent tool to improve self-confidence. Self-confidence is the foundation of being outspoken. Try these journal topics to start your journey to greater self-knowledge: What would be your ideal birthday present and why? What is the most courageous thing you have ever done? Who do you most admire and why? How would you like to be remembered? Be confident. In order to be outspoken, you have to believe that your voice has worth. You have to believe that your input will make any conversation better. And it probably will! It's different opinions that make conversations or debates interesting. If you struggle with confidence, an easy way to start is on a specific topic that you are very familiar with. The more thoroughly you know a topic, the more comfortable you'll be talking about it. For example, if you are an avid martial artist, talk about martial arts. If you love maintaining a perfect garden, talk about gardening. Become comfortable talking about things close to your heart first. Getting practice in your area of expertise will help you branch out to more abstract topics, like government, ethics, or religion. Overcome shyness. Just because you're confident doesn't mean you like hearing your own voice. The next step is overcoming your shyness. Overcoming a natural tendency towards shyness can seem daunting, but doing the opposite of your natural instinct can open up a whole new set of choices: bolder choices. The popular sitcom Seinfeld aired an episode called “The Opposite.” In this episode, George decides that every decision that he has ever made has been wrong. He concludes that if he did the opposite of his natural instincts, he would get better results. George then decides to do the complete opposite of what he would normally do in every situation. By the end of the show, he goes from being unemployed and living his parents, to getting a job with the New York Yankees organization and being able to get a place of his own. Find your strengths. Our strengths usually follow our interests; interests reveal passions. It is easy to be outspoken when talking about your interests and passions. Once you identify your strengths, feel confident in expressing your views or even taking the lead in a project or activity where these strengths are used. Ask yourself these questions to discover your strengths: What am I interested in? What are my hobbies? What are my best subjects in school? In what areas do I excel at my job? Develop your opinions. You don't want to sound like you don't know what you're talking about -- or soon enough no one will listen to you. Plus, it will make becoming outspoken very hard if you don't have anything to say! Think about how you feel about the hot button topics in your social circle. Only you have the answer, after all -- and you can't be wrong! If you don't really have an opinion about something, do a little research about it and decide what you think. Know that lacking an opinion on a matter can be a stance too; you just don't view it as important and worth arguing. For example, you may find yourself unengaged with celebrity gossip because you simply don't care. It's okay to say “I have other priorities right now,” or “I do not have an opinion about that.” Back up your opinion with facts. Some people feel uncomfortable having or expressing an opinion because they don't know much about a topic. You can combat this feeling and have more confidence about your opinion if you learn facts that can support your opinion. For example, if your friends and family talk about healthcare reform all the time, read a few articles about it and decide what you think. If you can back up your opinion with facts, you will feel even more comfortable expressing yourself. Choose your battles. You don't want to be the person who's shoving your opinion in everyone's faces at all times, who seems to be outspoken only for the sake of being outspoken, or the one who takes pride in getting the last word in. Instead, know what you feel passionately about and stick to those things. Wait to speak out until you care about an issue. If you give out opinions or contradictions constantly, you may seem belligerent and annoying. The idea is to make people notice and care about what you think, not to hit them over the head with it. Know that being reserved has its place. Western society generally pushes us to be extroverts. The workplace values the person who speaks up, gets conversations going, and forms meaningful work relationships. However, there is nothing wrong with being reserved. Sometimes taking a step back can be the most diplomatic and effective option for communicating. As with most things, it's healthiest lying somewhere in the middle. Being outspoken 24/7 shouldn't be your goal -- you should aim to be outspoken when you feel and only when you feel your stance is being underrepresented or needs defending. If it doesn't, reserve away. Open your mind. This is just general good-arguing etiquette. In order to state your opinion and come across as rational and someone who should be listened to, you can't come across as bigoted, closed-minded, or arrogant. Allowing the other parties to make their points fully can help you seem more reasonable and level-headed. This is important before, during, and after you speak your mind. It's just as impressive saying, "You know -- you're right. I didn't think of that," as it is to bombard someone with a milieu of facts that are inarguable. Many people can go off on an unstoppable rant-- fewer can stop and admit they might be wrong. Practice with a trusted friend. It's easy to misunderstand being outspoken for being rude and opinionated. To learn the fine art of being outspoken, pick a friend who knows you and cares about you. Practice speaking your mind honestly and with boldness. A trusted friend can help you practice being outspoken until it feels more natural by giving you feedback. Being outspoken might sound like this, “I love astronomy and I think we can learn a lot from studying the night sky”. Being rude or opinionated would sound like this, “Anyone who cannot appreciate the night sky is an idiot”. Try to let go of your fears. It can be easy to be intimidated if you are worried about what other people will think or say about you. However, you have to let that go. By expressing yourself well when you have researched and formed a clear opinion about something, you can feel more confident about what you're saying and worry less about the judgment of others. Be tactful. You can be outspoken, still have tact, and be sensitive to others' feelings. Knowing when to be outspoken, as well as knowing what you wish to say, can often be a matter of tact. If you are an avid atheist, a church memorial service for a recently deceased family member is probably not the best place to express your opinion that people who die simply die and don't go anywhere. Keeping your opinion to yourself in that context is far more tactful. Be well-spoken. It is a shame to allow a good argument to be undermined by improper expression. Many people will focus so much on how things are said that they miss what is being said; you can avoid that problem by doing your best to be well-spoken. Think about how other well-spoken people, such as news anchors, tend to speak and arrange their thoughts, and try to emulate them. Sometimes part of being well-spoken is not just speaking in large words. It can be just as effective to be short and to-the-point as long as you are presenting thorough information. For example, saying, "The tuna industry is an abomination. Anyone who eats tuna is being injurious to the ecosystem," is insufficient. Instead, back up what you're saying: "The tuna industry is completely unsustainable. It'll be off the shelves in 10 years if we don't stop. Humans are completely messing up the circle of life." Know when to let it go. Along with picking your battles, you should be able to assess when to let the battle end. When you've said your piece, let your words and ideas speak for themselves. No need to beat a dead horse! Take cues from your peers, too. If someone is starting to get offended, exasperated, or is displaying any other negative emotion, back off. You can revisit the point later if need be. Practice and repeat. Any personality trait is learned. Once you start being outspoken on a regular basis, the reaction will become automatic. Hearing yourself talk won't faze you. Seeing others react to your opinion won't be scary. It's just a natural part of human socialization. Aim to state your opinion once a day, to start. Slowly work your way up to every time you find yourself thinking something pertinent and not saying it. If you go too far, it'll be easier to draw yourself back. And if anyone asks why the change of heart, be honest! You're working on being outspoken. That's all. Be outspoken at home and at the workplace. It's easy to tell your family how you really feel about the world around you. It's a lot harder to walk into a meeting, raise your hand, and put yourself on the line. But the hard stuff is what really matters most. And it could mean that promotion you've been wanting! The more you do something, the more it becomes comfortable -- regardless of what it is. So tomorrow, start. When a thought occurs to you that you could say, say it. That's all you need to do. Do it once a day until being a vocal part of the team feels less scary. You can beef it up from there. Don't aim to convince. Intellectual, open-minded debates can be invigorating and tons of fun. However, talking to someone who's shoving their opinions down your throat, unrelenting until you admit your unenthusiastic conversion is not. Don't be the person who won't stop until everyone in the room agrees with you. That's not the goal here. Know your opinion isn't the only one. Some people have a hard time keeping their opinions to themselves and not aiming to convince the other party. This is often because they firmly and steadfastly believe that they are 100% right. The other person is just being ridiculous -- why can't they see it? Because the other person believes the exact same thing. The odds are that if you're on this page, you're not the "I'm right and you're wrong" kind of person. However, you're probably going to have to deal with this type of person once you're the one going against their opinion. Let them know that their one-sided view isn't conducive to a fun, intellectual debate. There's no point in arguing with someone like this, so don't do it! Don't put others down. Once you start voicing your opinion, you're going to run into other people that feel compelled to voice theirs, too. You're also going to run into people that state their opinion and it'll leave you thinking, " Did he really just say that...? I must have misheard." When this happens, don't tarnish your rationale by adding in comments like, "You're acting crazy," or "That's so dumb." That doesn't put you in a better position, nor them in a worse one. It just makes you look kind of mean. Try your hardest to make your outspokenness non-judgmental when it comes to people. If you don't feel like going to a certain movie with your friends, outright say so -- but if, say, someone is talking about their struggle with weight loss, be a bit more diplomatic about the topic. Listen to other people. Follow Nelson Mandela's model; he once said, "I have always endeavored to listen to what each and every person in a discussion had to say before venturing my own opinion. Oftentimes, my own opinion will simply represent a consensus of what I heard in the discussion." Listening first is so important -- maybe your point has already been addressed -- or maybe someone had a better one! The only way you can really make sure your outspokenness is fulfilling its purpose is if you listen before you open your mouth. It'll save you a lot of grief later, too! | Gain self-knowledge through journaling. Be confident. Overcome shyness. Find your strengths. Develop your opinions. Back up your opinion with facts. Choose your battles. Know that being reserved has its place. Open your mind. Practice with a trusted friend. Try to let go of your fears. Be tactful. Be well-spoken. Know when to let it go. Practice and repeat. Be outspoken at home and at the workplace. Don't aim to convince. Know your opinion isn't the only one. Don't put others down. Listen to other people. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Pickled-Eggs | How to Make Pickled Eggs | To make pickled eggs, start by hard-boiling 6-8 eggs, then submerge them in an ice bath for 5 minutes. Next, remove the shells and place the peeled eggs inside a sterilized glass jar. Combine water, apple cider vinegar, and the seasonings of your choice to create the brine and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, pour the hot brine over the eggs in the glass jar, screw the lid on, and refrigerate them for 3 days before serving them! | Choose your eggs carefully. The following guidelines will help improve the taste of your homemade pickled eggs. Try to get farm fresh or free range eggs. The higher quality of the eggs, the better the yolk will taste. Visit your local farmer's market to buy farm fresh eggs. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/aid2780840-v4-728px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-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>"} Since the eggs will be stored in the refrigerator before eating, you should choose eggs that are fairly fresh. However, make sure they are at least a few days old, since peeling fresh eggs can be difficult. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet2.jpg\/aid2780840-v4-728px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-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>"} Choose small to medium eggs. The spices will penetrate the eggs more easily, resulting in a better taste. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet3.jpg\/aid2780840-v4-728px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-1Bullet3.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>"} Place 6 to 8 eggs in a medium saucepan. Cover them with water. Make sure there are 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5cm) of water above the eggs. Pour a splash of distilled white vinegar into the water. This will help to keep the eggs inside their shells if they break. Heat the eggs to a low boil, using medium-high heat. A roiling boil may crack the eggs. Cover the pan, turn off the burner and move them to another burner. Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 15 minutes. Some people prefer to hard boil the eggs by placing them in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. This depends upon your taste preference, since some people believe slightly softer yolks taste better. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/aid2780840-v4-728px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-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>"} Remove any eggs that cracked during the boiling process. These will not pickle well and should be used or eaten immediately. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Make-Pickled-Eggs-Step-7Bullet2.jpg\/aid2780840-v4-728px-Make-Pickled-Eggs-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>"} Wash a large glass jar and lid with hot soapy water. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). Place the jar, open side up on a cookie sheet. Place the lid with inside out beside it. Stick the cookie sheet in the oven for 35 minutes. Remove it and allow it to cool on the counter. Fill a large bowl of water with several cups of ice. Pour cold water into the bowl. Transfer the boiled eggs to the ice bath. Allow them to sit submerged for approximately 5 minutes. Remove an egg from the ice bath. Crack it against the counter and peel it carefully. Repeat with the other eggs. Dip the egg back in the ice bath to remove any small bits of shell that have accumulated. Place the peeled eggs in your sterilized jar. Pour 6 cups (1.4l) of water into a large saucepan. Add 1/2 cup (0.1l) of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup (49g) of granulated sugar. You can also substitute canned beet juice for part of the water to increase the intensity of the brining color. Add the seasonings of your choice. If this is your first time making pickled eggs, try 1 tbsp. (18g) of salt, 3 tbsp. (18g) of pepper flakes and 6 peppercorns. For curried pickled eggs, try 1 tbsp. (6g) of yellow curry powder, 1 tsp. (2g) of mustard seeds, 3 cardamom pods and 1/2 cup (100g) of sugar. You may choose to increase the amount of vinegar in your pickling brine to a ration of 1 cup water to 1 cup vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Add 1 small chopped red beet. You can use a fresh beet or a canned beet. Turn down the heat. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the brine from heat. Strain it through a mesh sieve. Pour the mixture into the glass jar, over the eggs. Fill the container as full as you can. Screw on the lid tightly. Place the container in the refrigerator for 3 days before serving. The eggs will be good for 1 to 2 weeks. Finished. | Choose your eggs carefully. Place 6 to 8 eggs in a medium saucepan. Cover them with water. Pour a splash of distilled white vinegar into the water. Heat the eggs to a low boil, using medium-high heat. Cover the pan, turn off the burner and move them to another burner. Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 15 minutes. Wash a large glass jar and lid with hot soapy water. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). Place the jar, open side up on a cookie sheet. Stick the cookie sheet in the oven for 35 minutes. Fill a large bowl of water with several cups of ice. Pour cold water into the bowl. Transfer the boiled eggs to the ice bath. Remove an egg from the ice bath. Dip the egg back in the ice bath to remove any small bits of shell that have accumulated. Place the peeled eggs in your sterilized jar. Pour 6 cups (1.4l) of water into a large saucepan. Add the seasonings of your choice. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Add 1 small chopped red beet. Turn down the heat. Remove the brine from heat. Pour the mixture into the glass jar, over the eggs. Screw on the lid tightly. Place the container in the refrigerator for 3 days before serving. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Virgin-Coconut-Oil | How to Make Virgin Coconut Oil | To make virgin coconut oil, start by getting some dried coconut flakes from the grocery store. Then, run the coconut flakes through a juicer 2 times to extract all of the coconut oil from them. Put the juiced coconut in a jar and let it sit for 24 hours so the oil and cream separate. After 24 hours, scoop the separated oil out of the jar and put it in a new container. | Split a coconut with a sharp cleaver. Use a mature, brown coconut, rather than a young green one. Scrape the meat of the coconut from the shell. Use a coconut scraper, sharp paring knife, or a sturdy metal spoon. Removing the meat is tricky. A butter knife is much better than a sharp paring knife. You can slide it in between the meat and the shell and 'pop' pieces off, rather than slip, and cut your hand. Cut the coconut meat into small pieces or shred the coconut flesh with the scraper. Place the pieces into a food processor. Turn on the food processor to medium speed and blend until well shredded. Add a little water to help it blend if necessary. Filter the coconut milk. Put a coffee filter or cheesecloth over a wide-mouth jar. Pour or spoon a small amount of the coconut mixture onto the cloth. Wrap the cloth around the coconut mixture and squeeze the milk into the jar. Squeeze hard, to make sure you get every last drop. Repeat this process until all of the coconut mixture has been used. Leave the jar unattended for at least 24 hours. As it sets, the coconut milk and oil will separate and a layer of curd will appear at the top of the jar. Refrigerate the jar so the curd hardens more quickly if you'd like. If you'd prefer not to refrigerate it, leave the jar in a cool room. Scoop out the curd with a spoon and discard it. The pure virgin coconut oil is left in the jar. Start with dried or dehydrated coconut. You can buy dried unsweetened coconut flakes from the grocery store. Be sure the only ingredient the bag contains is coconut. If you want to start with fresh coconut meat, cut the meat into pieces and use a dehydrator to dry it out over the course of 24 hours. You can use the oven at its lowest temperature to dry coconut meat. Cut it into small chunks, place it on a baking sheet, and cook it at a low temperature for 8 hours, or until its completely dry. If you're using store-bought coconut, go for the coconut flakes, rather than shredded coconut, which tends to clog the juicer. Put the coconut in your juicer. Juice the dried coconut in small batches, since placing a lot of coconut in the juicer will cause it to clog. The juicer will remove the oil and cream from the fiber. Continue processing the coconut until all of the flakes have been run through the juicer. Process the coconut again. The juicer won't be able to extract all of the oil the first time around, so run the coconut flakes through it once more to make sure you get every last drop. Place the coconut oil in a jar and store it in a warm place. Wait 24 hours for the coconut cream to settle at the bottom of the jar. The pure coconut oil will rise to the top. Spoon the oil into a new container. Once the oil has separated from the cream and solidified, use a spoon to remove it from the first container and place it in a new container. It is now ready to use. Heat 4 cups of water. Place the water in a saucepan and put it on a burner. Turn the burner to medium-high and heat the water until it starts steaming. Grate the meat of 2 coconuts. Use a fully developed brown coconut instead of a young green one. Open the coconut, scoop out the meat and grate it into a bowl. Blend the coconut and water. Put the grated coconut in a blender. Pour the hot water over the coconut and close the lid of the blender. Hold the lid of the blender in place and puree the coconut and water into a smooth mixture. Don't fill the blender more than halfway full with hot water. If your blender is on the smaller side, blend the coconut and water in two batches. Filling the blender too high may cause the lid to fly off. Hold the lid in place while you're blending the mixture; otherwise, it could come off while you're blending. Strain the coconut liquid. Place cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour the pureed coconut over the cloth or strainer so that the coconut milk drips into the bowl. Use a spatula to push the pulp and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. If it's easier for you, you could pick up the cheesecloth and squeeze it over the bowl with your hands. To extract even more liquid, pour more hot water over the pulp and squeeze it again. Boil the coconut liquid. Place it in a saucepan on a burner and turn the heat to medium-high. Bring it to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, until the water has evaporated and the cream has separated from the oil and turned brown. The process of boiling the liquid until it reaches the right state could take over an hour. Be patient, and stir constantly. If you'd rather not boil the mixture, you can allow it to separate on its own. Place the liquid in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Leave it at room temperature for 24 hours, then place it in the refrigerator so the oil solidifies and floats to the top. Strain the oil from the liquid. | Split a coconut with a sharp cleaver. Scrape the meat of the coconut from the shell. Cut the coconut meat into small pieces or shred the coconut flesh with the scraper. Place the pieces into a food processor. Turn on the food processor to medium speed and blend until well shredded. Filter the coconut milk. Leave the jar unattended for at least 24 hours. Scoop out the curd with a spoon and discard it. Start with dried or dehydrated coconut. Put the coconut in your juicer. Process the coconut again. Place the coconut oil in a jar and store it in a warm place. Spoon the oil into a new container. Heat 4 cups of water. Grate the meat of 2 coconuts. Blend the coconut and water. Strain the coconut liquid. Boil the coconut liquid. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-Room-(Teens) | How to Clean Your Room (Teens) | Cleaning your room can seem like a long, boring chore, but by making the task more enjoyable and decluttering as you go, it will be done before you know it. Before you begin cleaning your room, turn on some upbeat music so that you can dance around as you clean, which also helps the time to pass quicker. Ensure that your bed is made, as this is an easy task to accomplish and it makes your whole room look better. Remove any trash that you have laying around in your room and search your desk and drawers for any hidden trash. Begin decluttering by sorting everything that's misplaced into piles on your bed. For example, have one pile for school supplies, one for clean clothes, and one for books. Then you can focus on putting the items in each pile away neatly. | Put on comfy clothes so you feel relaxed while you’re cleaning. Choose a comfortable shirt and pair of pants that you don't mind getting dirty when you clean. Find something that's loose-fitting so you can easily move around and clean hard-to-reach places in your room, such as under your bed or behind a dresser. Avoid wearing any tight clothes that prevent you from bending or kneeling to reach something you need to pick up. For example, you may wear a loose-fitting T-shirt or a large sweatshirt as a top, and choose sweatpants or athletic shorts as bottoms. Avoid wearing your street shoes in your room since you could track in more dirt. Play music you like to make cleaning more fun. Put in headphones or play music on speakers in your room so you can have fun and dance while you're cleaning. Choose a playlist with upbeat music that you like listening to so you stay motivated to keep cleaning. Keep the music playing the entire time you're cleaning to make it go by quickly. Don't get too distracted choosing what music you want to listen to, or else you'll procrastinate cleaning your room. Set timers while you clean to motivate yourself to finish quickly. Goals can help you finish cleaning your room faster and make it so you don't spend all day cleaning. Use a timer app on your phone or set a kitchen timer for 30-60 minutes and start cleaning immediately. That way, you can work quickly and efficiently. You can set shorter timers for specific tasks if you want to. For example, you may give yourself 5 minutes for vacuuming your room or 10 minutes to sort through your clothes. Don't feel rushed if you aren't able to clean everything before the timer goes off. Try to be more efficient or give yourself a few extra minutes the next time you clean. Open your windows to let fresh air into your room. If you have a window in your room, sunlight and fresh air can help motivate you to clean faster so you can go outside. Open windows also help bad odors escape if you have something smelly in your room. Keep your blinds or shades open and keep the window open the whole time you're cleaning. Don't open your window if there's bad weather or if you're heating/cooling your home. Choose a reward to give yourself when you’re done. Cleaning your room can be a lot of work, so treating yourself to something when you're done can make you feel accomplished. You may pick something like eating a sweet snack, hanging out with a friend, or spending time outside. That way, you have something to look forward to when you finish cleaning. You can also set rewards for yourself for completing tasks. For example, you may take a 5-minute break after you finish sorting your clothes or eat a piece of candy after you organize a shelf. Make your bed when you start cleaning. A made bed can immediately make your room seem cleaner and it feels more comfortable to climb into at night. Pull your sheets and comforter so they tightly cover your bed. Then organize your pillows so they lay flat at the head of your mattress. Strip the sheets off your bed once a week so you can wash them and keep them clean. Make sure loose sheets are tucked in under your mattress to make your bed look cleaner. Throw away all of the trash lying around your room. Carry a garbage bag through your room and look for food wrappers, loose papers you don't need anymore, and empty containers. Search for items on your floor, desk, shelves, and dresser to make sure you've found everything. Fill up the garbage bag with any trash you have before putting in a large outdoor bin. Check underneath your bed to make sure trash didn't get underneath. If you can't see under your bed easily, use a flashlight to help you find waste. If you have a garbage can in your room, be sure to empty it and change the liner inside. Put the clutter from your floor on top of your bed. A lot of teens leave clothes, backpacks, papers, and many other items on their floor, and it can create a big mess if they haven't been cleaned in a while. Scoop up an armful of the things you have on the floor and set them on your bed. Continue clearing the items from your floor and setting them on your bed so they're easier to sort through and pick up later. Putting items from your floor onto your bed forces you to organize and clean, or else you won't be able to get in bed when it's time to sleep. Clean off windows and mirrors with glass cleaner. Check around your home for glass cleaning spray and apply a few squirts onto your windows. Wipe the glass cleaner in back and forth motions with a paper towel to wipe off streaks and any dust. Then repeat the process with any mirrors you have in your room. Only use glass cleaner on your windows and mirrors since other cleaning solutions could leave streaks. If you don't have any glass cleaner, wipe the windows and mirrors with a damp paper towel followed by a dry cloth so it doesn't streak. Clean up sticky messes or spills with a multipurpose cleaner. If you have stuck-on residue, such as spilled drinks or rings from drinking cups, you'll need to scrub them off. Spray a multipurpose cleaner onto a rag until it's wet, and work it in circular motions to scrub the residue. Test the spot again with your finger to see if it still feels sticky, and continue cleaning until it's clean. In the future, clean up spills as you make them so they don't leave a sticky residue. If you don't have a multipurpose cleaner, try using water with a squirt of dish soap. Dust and wipe the flat surfaces in your room. Use a furniture polish or dusting spray with a clean, lint-free rag when you're dusting. Apply a few bursts of the dusting spray to the rag and wipe off flat surfaces, such as tabletops, shelves, and dressers. Clean with a different part of the rag with each wipe so you don't put dust back onto the surface. You can also use a microfiber duster to help pick up dust. Take your items off the tables or shelves while you're dusting them so you can clean them completely. If you have a ceiling fan, stand on your bed and wipe the top of the blades since they can collect dust easily. Wipe down the tops of the baseboards along the walls as well as the top of your door frame. Sweep or vacuum your floors. If you have hard floors in your room, then sweep them clean with a broom and dustpan. If you have carpeting, then use a vacuum instead. Start in the corner of your room furthest from the door and work toward the doorway. That way, you don't get dirt in areas that you already cleaned. Use the hose attachment of your vacuum to work in tight corners so you can clean your room completely. If you aren't sure how to work your vacuum, ask a parent or guardian to show you how it works. Try to sweep and vacuum underneath your bed as well since dirt and dust can collect there. If there are stains on your carpet, ask your parent or guardian how to wash them. Use air fresheners to make your room smell better. If your room has a bad odor, you may want to spray an air freshening spray to make it smell better. Choose an air freshener that also kills bacteria or else it may just mask the odor. Spray the air freshener toward your ceiling so it can float down to your floor. You can also use plug-in air fresheners or candles to help get rid of strong smells. Sort the pile of things on your bed into like groups. Now that all of the things on your floor are on your bed, separate them into separate piles so you're able to see what you need to clean. For example, you may set school supplies near one corner of your bed, clothes in another, and accessories somewhere in the middle. Keep your piles organized so you're able to clean each group of items separately. If you don't have room on your bed for everything, it's okay to put some piles back on your floor or a table. Just make sure you actually put the things away rather than leaving them there. Take any plates or drinking glasses you have back to the kitchen. There's a chance that you may have eaten a meal or snack in your room and you forgot to bring the dishes back out. Look for any dining ware or cups that you have around your room and stack them up. Take the dishes into the kitchen and wash them by hand or put them in a dishwasher. Don't leave your unwashed dishes in the sink because your parent or guardian may get upset if you don't clean them. Sort through your clothes to check if they’re clean or dirty. Hold the clothes you picked up off the floor to your nose and smell them. If they smell musty or dirty, put them in your laundry basket so you can wash them. If they still smell clean, either fold them or hang them up so you can put them away. Continue going through your clothes until you don't have any left in the pile. If you aren't able to tell if clothes are clean or dirty, then put them in your laundry basket just to be safe. Look at your clothes to make sure they don't have any visible stains or dirt on them before you put them away. Straighten out your closet so it doesn’t feel as cluttered. Your closet can be an easy place to hide clutter, but it needs to stay organized as well. Separate your hanging clothes into similar groups, such as jackets, sweatshirts, dresses, and pants. If you're able, use a closet organizer to stack shoes or clothes so they don't look like they're just thrown inside. Try to clear as much of your closet floor as you're able so it doesn't look cluttered when you open it. Keep your closet door shut to make your room seem like it's cleaner. Look for clothes that you don't wear often and see if you're able to donate or sell them. Don't throw things in your closet without hanging them up or straightening them out or else it will just get messy again. Organize the objects on your nightstands or desk. Desks and nightstands can gather lots of random objects if you don't keep them clean and organized. Sort loose papers and notebooks into folders so you can easily keep them together, and find a spot in a drawer or cabinet for them. If you have random knick knacks or small items, store them in small boxes or crates that you can pull out when you need them. It's okay to leave some things on your desk that you use often, such as your wallet, headphones, or a planner. Put loose items into organizers so they’re less likely to make a mess. There's a chance that you have jewelry, coins, pens, or other knick-knacks somewhere in your room that are cluttering up your space. Use tiny bowls or baskets to store your items so your shelves and surfaces stay organized. Put items that are similar in the same container so you know exactly where to look the next time you need them. For example, you may keep a cup on a desk to store pens and pencils, or you may use a folder to put important pieces of paper in. | Put on comfy clothes so you feel relaxed while you’re cleaning. Play music you like to make cleaning more fun. Set timers while you clean to motivate yourself to finish quickly. Open your windows to let fresh air into your room. Choose a reward to give yourself when you’re done. Make your bed when you start cleaning. Throw away all of the trash lying around your room. Put the clutter from your floor on top of your bed. Clean off windows and mirrors with glass cleaner. Clean up sticky messes or spills with a multipurpose cleaner. Dust and wipe the flat surfaces in your room. Sweep or vacuum your floors. Use air fresheners to make your room smell better. Sort the pile of things on your bed into like groups. Take any plates or drinking glasses you have back to the kitchen. Sort through your clothes to check if they’re clean or dirty. Straighten out your closet so it doesn’t feel as cluttered. Organize the objects on your nightstands or desk. Put loose items into organizers so they’re less likely to make a mess. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Mirror-Is-Two-Way-or-Not | How to Tell if a Mirror Is Two Way or Not | To tell if a mirror is two-way, start by placing your fingernail against the mirror. If it appears that there is a gap between your fingernail and its reflection, it's likely that you're looking at a normal mirror. However, if your fingernail seems to be touching the reflection, it may be a two-way mirror. If you're still unsure, think about where the mirror is, because they're uncommon in public places like a restroom or hotel room. | Observe how the mirror is installed. Notice if the mirror seems to be hanging on the wall or if it's part of the wall itself. If it appears to be hanging, try to look behind it and see a wall. If the mirror seems to be part of the wall itself, there's a good chance it's a two-way mirror, which must be set into the wall rather than hung onto it. That way, people standing on the other side of the wall can observe someone looking in the mirror. A two-way mirror is a piece of glass coated with a substance called micro pane. If you stand on the treated side, you see your reflection but the untreated side looks like a tinted window. If you see a wall behind the mirror, it's a good bet that it's nothing more than a regular mirror. Check out the lighting. Look around and determine whether the lighting seems extraordinarily bright. If so, you might be looking at a two-way mirror. However, if the light in the room is relatively dim, and you can't immediately see through the mirror, it's probably just a standard mirror. For a two-way mirror to be effective, the light on the mirrored side needs to be 10 times brighter than the light on the other side. If the lighting is any dimmer, it's possible to see through the glass to the observation area. Consider where you are. If you're in a public place and in an area where you'd expect privacy, such as a restroom, it's unlikely and illegal to have a two-way mirror. On the other hand, two-way mirrors are frequently used by law enforcement. For example, two-way mirrors are used in interrogation rooms and for lineups. The use of two-way mirrors is closely tied to issues of personal privacy and Constitutional rights. Most states have passed additional legislation preventing the use of two-way mirrors in rest rooms, locker rooms, showers, fitting rooms and hotel rooms. If a location has chosen to use two-way mirrors for surveillance, they are required to post signs that notify you. Many places, such as gas stations, will use one way metal mirrors because glass mirrors can be destroyed by users. If the mirror in question is metal, then it is not a two-way mirror. Try to peer through the glass. Press your face up to the mirror and cup your hands around it, creating a dark tunnel to block out as much light as possible. When you do this, if the light in the observation room is at all brighter than the light on your side of the mirror, you should be able to see something beyond the glass. Shine a light on it. If you're still not convinced, turn off the lights, then hold a flashlight to the mirror (it can even be the "flashlight" on your smartphone). If it is a two-way mirror, the room on the other side will be illuminated and you'll be able to see it. Sound it out. Tap on the surface of the mirror with your knuckle. A normal mirror will produce a dull, flat sound, since it's placed in front of a wall. An observation mirror will produce an open, hollow and reverberating sound because there is an open space on the other side. The sound of tapping a two-way mirror has also been described as bright or sharp as opposed to a thud from an everyday mirror. Perform the fingernail test. While it is not completely accurate, you can use your fingernail to determine if the mirror is a first or a second surface mirror. Simply place your fingernail on the surface of the mirror. When you touch your fingernail to a second surface mirror, you can't touch your own reflection; instead, you will see a gap caused by a second layer of glass over the mirrored surface. When you touch your finger to a first surface mirror, you can touch your own reflection, since there's no additional layer of glass in between. First surface mirrors are very rare, so if you find one there's likely to be a very specific reason and it's very possible that it's a two-way mirror. Second surface mirrors are your ubiquitous everyday mirrors. Due to variables like lighting and the material with which the mirror is manufactured, it can be really difficult to tell whether you are truly touching your reflection or not. You might think you're touching a first surface mirror when you're actually not. Also, it's possible for a two-way mirror to be a second surface mirror. If other aspects of the situation, like the mirror's setting and lighting, have indicated that what you're seeing is a two-way, don't let the fingernail test be the deciding factor. Consider the extreme measure of breaking the glass. If it's a regular mirror, it will shatter and you'll see the mirror's backing or a solid wall. If it's a two-way mirror, you'll see the room behind the mirror. You should probably only consider this option if you feel threatened or are in danger. Breaking the glass will cause damage and create a safety hazard. | Observe how the mirror is installed. Check out the lighting. Consider where you are. Try to peer through the glass. Shine a light on it. Sound it out. Perform the fingernail test. Consider the extreme measure of breaking the glass. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Come-Up-with-Good-Conversation-Topics | How to Come Up with Good Conversation Topics | One way to find a good conversation topic is to delve into “life story” subjects, such as where your conversation partner is from, how they grew up, or if they have any siblings. Moreover, you can ask about hobbies, like favorite sports teams or books. If you want to talk about work, don't feel confined to what someone does currently. You can also ask about a person's first job or what they would do if money wasn't an issue. Listen actively to your partner's answers and ask follow up questions to extend the conversation. | Talk about the other person. The biggest secret to being a good conversationalist is simply allowing other people to talk about themselves. Why? It's a subject they are familiar with and that they probably feel comfortable discussing. Try these tactics: Ask for his opinion. You could tie it to what's currently happening in the room, current events, or whatever else you may want to discuss. Delve into "life story" topics. Ask where your conversation partner is from, how he grew up, and so on. Have a few different starters for people you know to different degrees. The kinds of questions you will ask someone depend on how well, or whether, you know him. Here are some openers for two other types of people you'll converse with: People you know well : ask him how he is, whether anything interesting has happened this past week, how his project or study is coming along, how his children are and whether he's seen any good TV shows or movies lately. People you know but haven't seen for a while : ask him what has happened in his life since you last saw him, find out if he's still working in the same job and living in the same area, ask about his children and whether he's had more (if relevant); perhaps ask if he's seen a mutual friend lately. Remember what to avoid. You know the old rule: never talk about religion, politics, money, relationships, family problems, health problems, or sex with people you don't know incredibly well. The risk of saying something offensive is too high, so just stay clear; these are often emotional charged issues as well. Find out about interests and hobbies. People are complex, with different interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. There are several different kinds of questions you can ask about interests and hobbies, many of which will themselves will near-automatically lead to further follow-up conversation. Questions you could ask include: Do you play or follow any sports? Do you like to hang out online? What do you like to read? What do you do in your spare time? What kind of music do you like? What kinds of movies do you like to watch? What are your favorite TV shows? What's your favorite board game or card game? Do you like animals? What's your favorite animal? Bring up family. Your safest bet here is siblings and general background information (such as where he grew up). Be sure to respond enthusiastically to encourage him to share more information. Parents can be a touchy subject for people who had troubled upbringings, have estranged parents or whose parents have recently passed away. The topic of children can be uncomfortable for couples who are having fertility issues or disagreements about whether to have children, or for a person who wants to have kids but hasn't found the right person or situation. Some questions you might ask include: Do you have any siblings? How many? (If he has no siblings) What was it like being an only child? (If he has siblings) What are their names? How old are they? What do your siblings do? (Modify the question based on how old they are. Do they go to school/college or have a job?) Do you look alike? Do you all have similar personalities? Where did you grow up? Ask about past travel adventures. Ask your conversation partner where he's been. Even if he has never left his hometown, he will likely be happy to talk about where he would want to go. Specifically, you could ask: If you had a chance to move to any other country, which one would it be and why? Of all the cities in the world you've visited, which one was your favorite? Where did you go on your last vacation? How did you like it? What was the best/worst vacation or trip you've ever been on? Inquire about food and drink. Food is a little better to talk about because there's always the chance of bumping into someone who has had issues with alcohol abuse or doesn't drink. Be careful that the conversation doesn't stray into someone going on about their diet or how they're trying to lose weight. That can take the conversation in a negative direction. You might instead ask: If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Where do you like to go when you eat out? Do you like to cook? What's your favorite kind of candy? What's the worst restaurant experience you've ever had? Ask about work. This one can be a little tricky because the conversation could end up sounding like a job interview. Still, if you can handle it carefully and keep it short and sweet, it can lead to an interesting discussion. And don't forget that the person may be studying, retired or "between jobs". Here are some suggested starters: What do you do for a living? Where do you work (or study)? What was your first job ever? Who was your favorite boss in the past? When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? What do you like best about your job? If money was no object, but you still had to work, what would be your dream job? Find out why you are both in the same place. If you've never met him before, there are plenty of unknowns to explore just surrounding why you're both at the same event. Ask such questions as: So, how do you know the host? How did you get involved in this event? (Or, when relevant) In fundraising? In triathlons? How do you find the time to be involved in events like this? Offer a genuine compliment. Try to make it a compliment that involves something he did rather than something he is. This will allow you to carry the conversation forward by asking him about that skill. If you tell your conversation partner that he has beautiful eyes, he will thank you and the conversation will likely end there. Be sure to remain enthusiastic when you give a compliment so that you come across as sincere. Here are some good lines to use: I loved your piano performance. How long have you been playing for? You seemed really confident during your speech. How did you learn to put together such great presentations? Your run was absolutely amazing. How often do you train each week? Keep it light. You can't expect miracles to take place in the initial interactions with someone. All you can hope for is an initial rapport to be created. Your best chance at this is to stick to topics that are interesting and entertaining to talk about; it can help to interject some light humor into the conversation as well. Avoid talking about problems in your life or other negative situations. If you've experienced people's eyes glazing over when such topics are raised, it's simply because few people expect to have to deal with heavy situations or problems in a casual, conversational context. Most people are looking for polite, interesting, and lighthearted topics to discuss and a negative insertion can really put a blight on the moment, bringing to a halt any further conversation. Allow for silence. Silence doesn't have to be awkward — it allows you to gather an opinion on the other person or to think up conversation topics he would enjoy. It gives both of you a breather and a moment of refined pause. Silence can become awkward, however, if you get nervous or try to cover up the silence because you're worried about it. Share common interests. If you find that you both like running, for example, spend more time talking about this shared interest. However, do be aware that you will eventually have to move on from the topic at a certain point. A 45-minute conversation about running would be awkward for most people. Discuss others who share your interest and their achievements. For example, you might both know the marathon winner from last season and one of you might be able to expand on what this person has been up to since winning. Talk about new gear, new equipment, new insights, new tactics, etc. to do with your shared interest. Suggest new things that you could both try in your shared interest, perhaps even making a date to catch up and try something new together. Spark a new direction with hypotheticals. This may feel foreign at first, but give it a go and see just how the conversation opens up dramatically. Here are some thought-provoking questions to inspire more conversation: Given all you have accomplished so far, what do you think has been the most important to you/beneficial to your community? If you could be rich, famous, or influential, which would you choose and why? Is this the best time of your life? If you could only own 10 things, what would they be? If you had to choose only five foods and two drinks for the rest of your life, what would they be? Do you believe people make happiness or stumble across it? What would you do if you could wear an invisibility cloak? Do you believe in free will? What sort of animal do you think you would be if someone could change you into one? Who is your favorite superhero and why? Which five people out of all history would you choose to invite to an intimate dinner party at your house? If you won a few million in the lottery tomorrow, how would you spend it? If you could be famous for a week, what would you be known for? (Or which celebrity would you choose to be?) Do you still believe in Santa? Could you live without the internet? What's your dream vacation? Keep a note of what gets good responses in your conversations. Return to these "winning" conversation tactics time and time again as long as they continue to work for you. Equally, remember the topics that seem to make people feel uncomfortable or bored and avoid these in the future. Read up on current events. Dig around into what's going on in the world and try asking your conversation partner his thoughts about the latest big incident in the news (remember though, in most cases it is best to avoid politics). Keep in mind funny new stories that could get you a laugh as well as remind your conversation partner of funny news stories he has read recently. Practice conciseness. Coming up with good conversation topics is part of what makes for good conversation, but how you convey the topics of conversation that you do come up with matters also. Be sure to get to the point of the topic without meandering about aimlessly. Try to not digress into tangents as you are bringing up a conversation topic or you risk losing your conversation partner's attention! | Talk about the other person. Have a few different starters for people you know to different degrees. Remember what to avoid. Find out about interests and hobbies. Bring up family. Ask about past travel adventures. Inquire about food and drink. Ask about work. Find out why you are both in the same place. Offer a genuine compliment. Keep it light. Allow for silence. Share common interests. Spark a new direction with hypotheticals. Keep a note of what gets good responses in your conversations. Read up on current events. Practice conciseness. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sharpen-an-Axe | How to Sharpen an Axe | To sharpen an axe, start by rubbing the edge of the axe with honing oil or sewing machine oil. Next, rub the tip of a coarse whetstone along the edge in a circular motion. Make sure to sharpen both sides alternately, and periodically run your finger along the edge to ensure that both sides are perfectly straight and smooth. Finally, wipe the blade with machine oil, then rub in a mixture of beeswax and machine oil to protect the blade from rust. | Protect your hands and face. Take these steps to avoid injury while sharpening an axe: Wear thick leather gloves. If your file does not have a finger guard, cut a slit in a piece of leather and fit it onto the file. Wear safety goggles to protect against metal dust. A dust mask is optional for hand sharpening. A respirator is recommended if you use power tools (but see Tips below.) Clean and polish the head of the axe. If there is any rust on your axe, clean it off with a rust eraser or steel wool. Further polishing is mostly a matter of aesthetics, but not too difficult to accomplish: Sand with coarse-grit aluminum oxide or silicon carbide sandpaper. Rub the axe head with even pressure, moving from the poll (hammer end) to the blade. Repeat with finer-grit sandpaper. For excellent polish, repeat with extra-fine sandpaper and/or finish by applying a metal polish with a rag. (You may wait on this step until after sharpening.) Clamp the axe in a vice. Clamp the axe horizontally for easier filing, or vertically for a more even edge (as this allows you to alternate sides). If clamping horizontally, you may wish to tilt the axe to the angle of the bevel (usually 20 or 30º), so you can hold the file parallel to the table. This is easier than judging the correct angle by sight. Select a bastard file. A 10–12" (25–30cm) bastard mill file (coarse, single-cut, and slightly tapering) is the best choice for most axes. Shorter bastard files do not have the same density of teeth, so the length is not just a matter of convenience. You may use a smaller mill file for hatchets. Clean clogged file teeth with a file card. If the file is new, rub soft chalk over it to prevent clogging. Inspect the bevel of the axe. Most axes have a slightly convex edge, about 20–30º. Broader, more convex edges are more suitable for hardwood or frozen wood, as the curve pushes wood out of the way to protect the edge. Carving axes have a straight, triangular point. Decide on your axe's shape before you begin sharpening, and keep a close eye on the edge as it develops. In most cases, you'll want to match the existing bevel, following the curve of the blade to remove an even layer of metal. File with a steady motion into the blade. Hold the file handle in the palm of your dominant hand, with your thumb resting on top. Curl the fingers of your other hand around the tip of the file. Stand with one foot well in front of the other so you can use your shoulders to push the file. To prevent the file from rocking back and forth, lead with your forward hand, then transfer smoothly to a push with the handle by the end of the stroke. File repeatedly along a fan-shaped area. File into the edge in steady strokes. Create a fan-shaped curve on the blade by varying the starting point of your stroke: start close to the edge at the top of the axe head, start about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) when at the center, and curve back down to the edge again at the bottom of the axe head. Do not make contact with the blade on the return stroke, as this will not sharpen the axe and may ruin your file. Use a file card or wire brush to remove metal particles from the file when buildup occurs. Switch to the other side when you can feel a burr. Once you feel a burr on the side you are not sharpening, turn the axe over and repeat the same steps on the other side of the edge. Continue sharpening until the burr returns to the first side. Switching sides more frequently throughout the process may result in a more even edge. Measure the edge with a bevel gauge. Also called a sliding bevel, this is simply two hinged arms which you can tighten to any angle using a nut. You can easily make this yourself out of scrap lumber. Set your bevel gauge to the desired angle using a protractor (usually 25º or so), then slot it over your axe edge. If the angle is off, file further to remove material where needed. Sharpen the edge with a coarse whetstone. Apply honing oil or sewing machine oil to the extreme edge, then rub the tip of a coarse whetstone along it in a circular motion. Sharpen both sides alternately to move the burr from one side to the other, until it is nearly gone. This burr is the "feather edge," or a very thin, bent end. Run your finger along the edge to track its shape. "Water stones" made from clay or sandstone hone more quickly, but also wear down faster. They require water instead of oil to float away the metal particles. Sharpen with a fine whetstone or a leather strop (optional). To remove the feather edge completely, repeat the same honing process with a finer whetstone, or strop it away from the edge with a strap of leather. A perfectly sharpened edge will not reflect any light, but a couple small nicks are not a big deal. Most whetstones are two-sided, with a coarse and a fine side. Examples with a finger groove in the middle are safer. Repeat the honing (at least with the coarse stone) each time you're about to use the axe. Protect the blade from rust. Wipe the blade with light machine oil, then rub in a mixture of beeswax and more oil. This works best when the steel is warm. | Protect your hands and face. Clean and polish the head of the axe. Clamp the axe in a vice. Select a bastard file. Inspect the bevel of the axe. File with a steady motion into the blade. File repeatedly along a fan-shaped area. Switch to the other side when you can feel a burr. Measure the edge with a bevel gauge. Sharpen the edge with a coarse whetstone. Sharpen with a fine whetstone or a leather strop (optional). Protect the blade from rust. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Brush-Your-Teeth-With-Braces-On | How to Brush Your Teeth With Braces On | To brush your teeth with braces on, consider using an electric or sonic toothbrush designed for cleaning around braces. Alternatively, pick a regular toothbrush with an angled head to maneuver around your braces. Next, move the brush in small circles on the outer sides of your teeth, angling the brush to dislodge any food particles. Then, brush the inner sides and crowns of your teeth by moving the brush back and forth, then in circular motions. Finally, use the brush to massage your gums and clean your tongue to get rid of germs. | Choose your toothbrush. Though a regular toothbrush will work, you might consider an electric or sonic toothbrush designed for cleaning around braces, and make sure you are using the right amount of pressure, allowing the head to rotate completely. This will provide a more effective cleaning and save you time. Use an interdental brush with an angled head and brush that can fit around your braces. Oral-B has an Interdental Brush System with a triangular replaceable brush head that will work well. If you choose a regular electric or sonic toothbrush, know that it can be very difficult to maneuver the brush well enough in your mouth with braces on. The bristles will also likely wear down a lot faster because they will catch in your braces. If you use a regular toothbrush, you will need to brush your teeth with the bristles angled both upwards and downwards to get a good clean over your braces. Remember that you have several sides to your teeth — outer (near your cheek or lip), inner (facing your tongue), crown (on the bottom teeth, it's the part of the tooth facing the top of your mouth and on the top teeth, it's the part facing your tongue). All sides must be cleaned, so get a toothbrush small and flexible enough to move easily around your mouth. Brush the outer side of your teeth. This is the front side of your teeth that is seen when you smile. Don't forget to remove the plaque along the part of your tooth closest to the gum line. Begin on the outside of your bottom teeth. Bite your teeth together. Rub the toothbrush back and forth across your teeth while gradually moving the toothbrush across your bottom teeth. Make sure you reach all the way back to your molars. Spit if necessary. Now brush the outside of your top teeth. With your teeth still together, gently brush in circular motions. Make sure you move the toothbrush across all your front teeth and back to the outsides of your molars as well. It may be easier to reach the back of your mouth if you open your mouth a little. If you are using a regular toothbrush, you will want to slant the brush both towards your gumline and toward the top of your tooth as well. This helps dislodge any food particles stuck directly on the top or bottom of your brackets. Use small circles to brush the braces. Spend at least 25 – 30 seconds on each bracket. You can also use your interdental brush to brush over the tops of your brackets. Most brackets have holes in them (very hard to see) so try wiggling the interdental brush down into each bracket Brush the inner side of your teeth. Move the toothbrush back and forth, up and down and then with circular motions on the inside of your top and bottom teeth. When you have braces, the inner side of your teeth are usually the easiest to brush because they are not crowded with braces. Brush the crowns of your teeth. Turn your toothbrush perpendicular to the spaces between your teeth. Rub the brush back and forth and also use a circular motion. This helps get the hard to reach crevices that can harbor plaque and food particles. Focus on other areas of your mouth. Your mouth is full of germs and plaque that feed gingivitis. You need to brush and massage your gums, cheeks and tongue as well. Spit if necessary before you begin. Using your toothbrush, start to gently brush the gums above (or below) your teeth. Do a gentle, vertical brushing in the direction of the brackets. After this, turn the brush 180 degrees to face your cheek. The cheek is harder to brush. Secure it with your other hand if it gets too difficult. Spit. Turn the brush downwards and brush the soft bottom and gums where your tongue lays. Brush underneath your tongue, and then the roof of your mouth. Finally, stick your tongue out and brush it. Be sure to breathe out of your mouth, otherwise you'll start gagging. Spit and rinse your mouth and toothbrush. Check your teeth. Do they look clean? If you see any plaque or food, take your rinsed toothbrush and brush it away. If you feel like it, brush them over (any way you'd like) really quickly to get rid of anything you might have missed. Rinse your mouth. It can be helpful before you brush your teeth to swish some water around in your mouth. Spit, and repeat. This gets some of the loose particles of food out of your mouth. You'll also want to rinse with water after brushing. Warm water can soothe teeth and soften bristles when you have the bands on your braces changed. Remember to not brush too hard or the brackets could get damaged. Floss your teeth. Flossing can seem like a difficult task to do with braces. You may want to consider Plackers, which are like floss on a stick, Platypus Orthodontia Flossers or water flossers. These flossing tools are much faster and easier to use than regular flossing and can be purchased at most stores. Take a long piece of string floss (about 18 inches or 46 cm), wrap it around your index finger on each hand, and wiggle it between each tooth space. Try to bend the string around the teeth on each side of it, forming a "C" shape, instead of flossing straight. That will remove any plaque stuck there. If you have finishing wires, it can be almost impossible to get the floss underneath or over your double sets of wires, so just push the floss down, as described, into the tooth space; however, if you do not have your finishing wires, it's recommended to thread the floss underneath or over your wires because this is the most effective way to get rid of gingivitis and clean your teeth. Consider using a water flosser — a device with an electronic water jet ideal for those with braces. These items work like flossing by getting rid of food and plaque in crevices toothbrushes can't reach. Use mouthwash. After flossing, put a capful of mouthwash (or follow directions) in your mouth and swish it around for at least 30 seconds. Use mouthwash that specifically states it helps rid your mouth of gingivitis. A fluoride mouthwash rinse may also be beneficial. The rinse can get into spaces that a toothbrush is not able to reach and help protect against cavities. Try filling the tank of your water flosser with half mouthwash, half water. This allows you to get mouthwash in the crevices of your teeth. Spit the mouthwash out and do a quick rinse with some warm water. Gargle with salt water twice a day. Gargle once in the morning and once in the evening. It may sting at first if you have a sore, but can actually be soothing to minor mouth injuries. This also works to prevent gingivitis. Rinse your toothbrush before and after brushing. The last thing you need to do is feed gingivitis with bacteria and food particles left on your toothbrush. Always rinse your toothbrush under hot water. Run your finger up and down the bristles to rid of any food particles you left behind from last time. Store your toothbrush upright and where it the bristles can air dry. Consider soaking your toothbrushes in chlorhexidine mouthwash to kill more germs. Replace your toothbrushes regularly. It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three months or more often if the brush becomes worn down. When the bristles are frayed, the toothbrush won't clean your teeth as well. If you have an interdental toothbrush, you will also want to replace the head often. If your orthodontist doesn't give you a replacement, they are available at some stores. It's great to carry one around with you! Watch what you eat. The best way to protect your teeth to damage is to keep food that damages teeth or braces out. Avoid foods that are hard or difficult to chew, like apples, taffy, caramels, corn on the cob, hard pretzels, popcorn, nuts, carrots or bagels. Don't chew on ice or bubble gum. Cut back or avoid sugar completely. Sugary foods and soda rot your teeth and cause plaque that can lead to gingivitis. Eat a well-balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals found in a healthy diet of fiber, protein, good fats and some carbohydrates will help you fight and keep gingivitis away. Eating well also sustains good health overall, which is just as important. Look for nutritious, high fiber foods like raspberries, whole grains, bananas, greens, squash and other soft fruit. Clean your teeth after every meal. It may seem like a pain, but it is crucial! Gingivitis forms in 48 hours. It can happen from lack of brushing, flossing or improper technique. Not brushing after eating can also cause stains on your teeth when you get your braces off. Get regular cleanings with your hygienist/orthodontist. You should have a yearly exam and cleaning at minimum and more often if you have bleeding or a history of gingivitis. If you can, get an appointment after your tightening. Chances are, you'll have to get the hydro-cleaning as it is sometimes tricky for hygienists to manipulate around your device. The use of water instead of the pick by dental personnel is very helpful for those with gingivitis. Ask if they can use the water jet or do air polishing, which involves baking soda. | Choose your toothbrush. Brush the outer side of your teeth. Brush the inner side of your teeth. Brush the crowns of your teeth. Focus on other areas of your mouth. Check your teeth. Rinse your mouth. Floss your teeth. Use mouthwash. Gargle with salt water twice a day. Rinse your toothbrush before and after brushing. Replace your toothbrushes regularly. Watch what you eat. Eat a well-balanced diet. Clean your teeth after every meal. Get regular cleanings with your hygienist/orthodontist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Raise-Ferrets-Together | How to Raise Ferrets Together | To raise ferrets together, it's usually best to adopt a pair that's already bonded together or that's similar in age so they're more likely to get along. If you already have a ferret and you want to get a new one, bring it to the shelter with you so you can see which ferrets it gets along with best. When you bring your ferrets home, make sure you have a cage that's at least 40 inches by 20 inches so they have enough room. However, if you're raising more than 2 ferrets, you should get a ferret hutch instead since they're bigger. Additionally, if both of your ferrets are male and they haven't been neutered, you should keep them in separate cages, since they can be territorial. You should also keep your ferrets in separate cages if you notice them acting violently toward one another. | Pick out a bonded pair. If you're purchasing or adopting multiple ferrets at once, visit a pet store or shelter to choose a bonded pair. These ferrets will already get along, so you won't have to deal with introductions or socialization issues. Ask an associate to point out ferrets that are already bonded. If you can't find anyone knowledgeable about the ferrets at a facility, look for a pair that's cuddling or playing together. Ask if your older ferret can come along to choose the new one. If you already have a ferret at home, call shelters and ask if you can bring your ferret along to pick out the new one. You'll be able to see which ones your ferret is naturally drawn to and gets along with. Bringing your ferret along will likely not be allowed at pet stores, so stick to shelters if you want to do this. Look for playful wrestling or innocent chasing. Ferrets are very playful, and they like to wrestle and chase each other. Watch the way your ferret interacts with the others and choose one that your ferret chases or wrestles with. Just be sure they're being playful rather than aggressive with each other. Signs of aggression or incompatibility include clamping down and biting the other ferret's neck, or running away and cowering in fear. Ferrets love to chase each other though, so watch to see if the one being chased turns around to play eventually, or if it only runs and hides. Select ferrets that are close in age. If your ferret is three years or older, pick out a ferret that is of a similar age. Young ferrets may have too much energy for your older ferret to tolerate, so try to find one that is in the same stage of life as yours. Take your new ferret to the vet before introducing it to your other ferret. It's important that your new ferret gets a checkup and all its vaccinations before it meets the other ferret. If you can't go to the vet immediately, keep your ferrets separated until you're able to bring your new one to the vet. Keep your ferrets separated for 2 weeks before you introduce them. There's a chance your new ferret could have a disease that you're not aware of. Keeping the ferrets separated will prevent any unknown diseases from spreading to your old ferret. After 2 weeks of keeping your ferret's separated, it should be safe to start gradually introducing them. Allow your new ferret to roam the house before letting the old one out. Give your new ferret a few days to get used to its new home before you try to introduce it to any other pets. Keep it in a separate cage in a separate room from your other ferrets, and only allow it into main living areas when your other ferrets are safely shut away in another room. Swap the bedding between the cages for a few days. While your new ferret is getting accustomed to your home, swap some of the bedding amongst all the ferret cages you have. Let your new ferret sleep in its own bedding for a day, then move some of it over to your old ferret's cage, and vice versa. This will get them all used to each other's scents before being introduced. Give your ferrets a bath before you introduce them so they smell alike. Bathe them separately but use the same ferret-safe product on both of them so they smell the same. Having your ferrets smell the same when they meet will make the introduction easier since they won't seem so different to each other. Introduce them in neutral territory. When it's time for introductions, choose a neutral territory in your home. The living room or kitchen works well, but avoid being anywhere near a cage or hutch that one of the ferrets considers its own. Supervise short play times. Start with short, 30-minute play times for all of your ferrets once or twice a day. Supervise them the entire time to watch their behaviors. If things are going well after about a week, allow them to play together whenever they're out of their cages. Spray their necks with Ferretone if playtime gets too rowdy. If your ferrets are wrestling, nipping, and getting rowdier than you would like, you don't have to separate them right away. Spray the back of their necks with some Ferretone oil. Since they love the taste of it, the biting should turn to licking and they should calm down a little. Separate the ferrets if you see signs of fear or violence. Allow them to sniff, wrestle, hiss, and even urinate on the floor to mark territory as they adjust to each other. Step in to separate them only if one continuously runs away in fear or one is clamping down and biting the other's neck. Start the process over if you see this happening. Swap bedding for a few more days and then try the neutral-territory introduction again. Be patient. The introduction process can take as little as a week or as much as six months. Don't give up and take a ferret back to a shelter or pet store just because it's taking a while for your pets to adapt to each other. Give it time and try not to stress out about it since your ferrets will pick up on your emotions. Select a cage that's at least 40 inches (100 cm) by 20 inches (51 cm). Once you spot your ferrets curling up together to cuddle outside the cage, you can move them in together. Find a wire cage that is at least 40 inches (100 cm) wide and 20 inches (51 cm) long, with a height of about 20 inches (51 cm). Bigger is always better though, so buy a larger cage if your space and budget allow for it. If you're raising more than two or three ferrets, consider purchasing a ferret hutch, which is a large enclosure that gives your ferrets extra room to run and climb around. Keep unneutered males in a separate cage. It's best to neuter and spay all of your ferrets, but if you have an unneutered male in your group, keep him in his own cage. He can become territorial, especially during the breeding season, and may harm your other ferrets. They can still play together, but keep play time away from his cage as he may see this as encroaching upon his territory. Serve the prescribed amount of food for your number of ferrets. If you offer your ferrets dry food, follow the serving instructions on the packaging carefully. Servings will typically be about 3/4 cup (96 g) per ferret per day. Dole these out once a day into the same dish (or separate ones if your prefer), and don't be concerned if the food disappears quickly. Ferrets are scavengers, so they hide their food to eat later. Clean the cage regularly. The more ferrets you have, the dirtier the cage will get. Scoop or replace the litter once a day to remove feces, and change out the bedding once a week. When you change the bedding, wipe down the bars, ramps, and bottom of the cage with a baby wipe or damp paper towel. Give the cage a deep cleaning at least once a year. Spray it down with a diluted bleach solution and then rinse it thoroughly. Provide a variety of toys for your ferrets to play with. Ferrets are great at playing together and entertaining themselves, but they still like to play with toys. You can buy toys at pet supply stores, or give them things you already have at home. Offer them empty paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, golf balls, or plastic balls with bells inside. Supervise them while they play with toys to be sure that they're not ingesting any shredded materials. Keep separate groups if your ferrets don’t get along. There's a chance that, no matter how hard you try, one of your ferrets won't get along with the others. If one ferret is too violent or too fearful to create a safe, comfortable bond with the others, keep them separate. House them in separate cages in different rooms of the house. Continue to periodically try supervised playtimes, but don't force a relationship that stresses your pets out. | Pick out a bonded pair. Ask if your older ferret can come along to choose the new one. Look for playful wrestling or innocent chasing. Select ferrets that are close in age. Take your new ferret to the vet before introducing it to your other ferret. Keep your ferrets separated for 2 weeks before you introduce them. Allow your new ferret to roam the house before letting the old one out. Swap the bedding between the cages for a few days. Give your ferrets a bath before you introduce them so they smell alike. Introduce them in neutral territory. Supervise short play times. Spray their necks with Ferretone if playtime gets too rowdy. Separate the ferrets if you see signs of fear or violence. Be patient. Select a cage that's at least 40 inches (100 cm) by 20 inches (51 cm). Keep unneutered males in a separate cage. Serve the prescribed amount of food for your number of ferrets. Clean the cage regularly. Provide a variety of toys for your ferrets to play with. Keep separate groups if your ferrets don’t get along. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Cat-That-Swallowed-String | How to Help a Cat That Swallowed String | To help a cat that's swallowed a string, start by taking it to the vet's, since the string can get tangled in your cat's intestines. Be prepared for the vet to look in your cat's mouth and under its tongue, and to take x-rays to figure out where the string is. In order to remove the string, your vet may recommend treatments, such as intravenous fluids, induced vomiting, or surgery. After the procedure, follow your vet's instructions on how to care for your cat once you bring it home. | Lay out the problem to the vet. Once you're at the vet's, you'll need to give them as much information as you can. Let the vet know when the cat swallowed the string, how long you think the string was, and what type of string it was. The vet will best be able to tell you how to move forward. Be ready for a physical exam. The vet will perform a physical exam first. Often, string will wrap itself around a cat's tongue, while the rest of it is swallowed, so the vet will check inside the cat's mouth and under the tongue. Keep in mind that the vet will need to gently restrain your cat to examine it. Some cats may be frightened need to be sedated for a more thorough exam. Doing this will help your vet fully explore the extent of the problem. Ask about x-rays. With this condition, your cat will usually need x-rays. An x-ray will tell the vet where the string is in the cat, allowing them to make a judgment about treatment. The vet may use barium to enhance the x-ray, as often strings may not show up clearly on a plain radiograph. Expect fluids and pain management for your cat. If your cat has been vomiting a great deal or had diarrhea, the vet will likely need to give your cat fluids intravenously first thing. Also, if the cat is in a great deal of pain, the vet will attend to that need by giving the cat pain medications. Know the vet may induce vomiting. One way objects like strings are removed is to make the cat vomit it up. Usually, this method is used if the object hasn't gotten too far in the cat's digestive tract. However, you should not try this method at home without explicit directions from your vet, as you can do more harm than good. Ask about an endoscopy. This treatment is where a tube is inserted into your cat through its mouth. The vet will use the tube to pull the string out. However, this treatment might not always be appropriate, depending on where the object is. If your veterinarian is part of an emergency practice, they may be able to perform the endoscopy. Alternatively, they may refer you to a clinic that does perform this specialized procedure if they do not have the ability to do it. Understand surgery may be the only option. If the string has gotten into the cat's intestines, it may have bunched up the intestines or lacerated them. In many cases, the only treatment is surgery to remove the string and to fix any problems with the intestines. If the string has damaged your cat's intestines, your cat may face a long and difficult hospitalization and recovery. Strings can be deadly to cats, and there is a possibility that the internal damage is so severe that the cat may need to be humanely euthanized. Don't yank a string sticking out of your cat's anus. If you see a string protruding from the rear end of your cat, you may be tempted to pull it out to help the cat along. However, if the other end is stuck somewhere inside the cat, you could cause more damage. You can tug very, very gently on the string while another person holds the cat. If it comes out, that's good. However, if you feel any resistance, stop immediately. You can also cut the string so it's not too long, leaving an inch or two. Be careful not to catch any of the skin. Don't pull on the string if it's in the cat's mouth. Similarly, if you see a string under the cat's tongue or wrapped around the back of the cat's tongue, don't try to yank it out. You don't know how long the other end of the string is, and it could be entangled in the cat's intestines. Monitor the cat's bathroom habits if you don't take the cat in. If you do keep the cat at home, keep an eye on the cats bathroom breaks. If your cat seems upset while going to the bathroom (crying out, for instance), that's a good sign you need to take the cat in to the vet. Check on your cat's behavior if you don't take the cat to vet. Vomiting and loss of appetite are also good signs it's time to take the cat in to vet. Similarly, if your cat seems lethargic, particularly in connection to stomach problems, it is time to take your cat in. Take a look at your cat's tongue. If your cat develops a purple tongue, that's another sign it's time to go to the vet. A purple tongue indicates the string has wrapped around the back of the tongue, cutting off the blood supply. | Lay out the problem to the vet. Be ready for a physical exam. Ask about x-rays. Expect fluids and pain management for your cat. Know the vet may induce vomiting. Ask about an endoscopy. Understand surgery may be the only option. Don't yank a string sticking out of your cat's anus. Don't pull on the string if it's in the cat's mouth. Monitor the cat's bathroom habits if you don't take the cat in. Check on your cat's behavior if you don't take the cat to vet. Take a look at your cat's tongue. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decorate-a-Flower-Vase-with-a-Ribbon | How to Decorate a Flower Vase with a Ribbon | To decorate a flower vase with a ribbon, tie the ribbon around the neck of the vase and make a bow. Then, cut the ends of the tails off to your desired length. You can also wrap the ribbon around the top of the vase, cross the tails, and then keep wrapping it like this down the vase to create a corset. When you reach the bottom of the vase, tie the ends of the ribbon into a simple bow to hold everything in place. | Choose a ribbon that complements the vase and your bouquet or cut flowers. If the flowers are all one color, consider a patterned ribbon with that color highlighted. If your bouquet is full of colors and textures, consider a solid-colored ribbon. Choose a width of ribbon that mirrors the proportions of the vase. If your vase is dainty, choose a thinner ribbon. If the vase is stout, go for a wider ribbon. If your flowers were presented in a bouquet or hand-tied arrangement, you may be able to utilise ribbon used on the arrangement - even if the type of ribbon isn't suitable, the color will likely be a good source of inspiration. This is best suited to vases with a neck. For square, rectangular, or pillar vases, consider gluing your ribbon down. Add a complementary ribbon for a pop of color or texture. Try adding raffia ribbon or twine to your first-pick ribbon for a rustic look. Organdy ribbon is transparent and makes a great second ribbon. Try a lush, velvet ribbon to help accent a fall or winter bouquet with rich colors. Be sure to use a complementary ribbon that's thinner than the main ribbon! That way, it emphasizes without overpowering it. Cut your ribbon(s) with room to spare. Experiment with wrapping the ribbon around the vase multiple times and decide if you want to make a large bow or small bow. Do a test run while the ribbon is still on the reel to decide on your desired length. Cut the ribbon end on a diagonal line for the cleanest edge. Stiffer ribbons like organdy and raffia ribbon make nice large bows. Ribbons that are made of fabric, like silk or velvet, end up looking droopy if the bow is too large. Tie the ribbon around the neck of the vase and make a simple bow. If you have 2 ribbons cut, line them up together so that the thinner ribbon is stacked on top of the thicker ribbon. Loop them around the vase together and tie them in a bow as if they were a single ribbon. If the 2 ribbons are different in texture, you may want to adjust the size of the bows individually. Adjust the length of the tails as desired. If you have 2 ribbons, consider letting their tails be noticeably different lengths. You can also change the shape of the tails if you want to. For example, you could cut the tail of a wide, flat ribbon, into a V-shape to create a banner look. To cut a V-shape, place your scissors at the bottom corner of 1 ribbon tail. Snip up and diagonally, stopping at the center of the ribbon. Place your scissors on the other tail corner and make an identical cut toward the center of the ribbon on that side to create the V. Use a 6 to 18 ft (1.8 to 5.5 m) piece of double-sided satin ribbon. You may need to adjust the amount of ribbon you use depending on the height and diameter of your vase. Choose a satin ribbon that is at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide in a color that will complement your bouquet. Double-sided ribbon is shiny on both sides -- both sides look identical. If you are unsure about how long a piece of ribbon you should use, follow the directions using a piece of inexpensive twine as a dry run and then cut your ribbon accordingly. Find the approximate center of your piece of ribbon. Place the center flat against the back of the vase, right below the top rim. You should have a length of ribbon extending on each side of the vase. Your left hand should be holding the left side and your right hand should be holding the ribbon extending out on the right side of the vase. Wrap the ribbon around to the front and cross 1 side over the other. Twist the side that is on top so that it is underneath the other piece. Then, switch hands, and bring the ribbon around to the back of the vase again. Situate the ribbon right beneath your original starting point. You don't want the ribbon to overlap as you wrap the ribbon around the vase; line up the ribbon just beneath it. Repeat the same crossover and twist motion in the back of the vase. Bring the ribbon back around to the front. Repeat wrapping around and crossing over multiple times, moving lower down the vase with each wrap, until the ribbon is at the bottom front of the vase. You can create a very tight corset that covers most of the vase's surface by increasing the amount of times you wrap the ribbon around the vase. at the bottom of the vase. Tie a simple bow Go around the back of the vase one last time, and then tie the ribbon into a bow in the front. Trim any excess ribbon until the tails are the length that you want. Be sure to cut the tails of your ribbon diagonally or cut a V-shape out of the end for a banner trim. Paint a plain glass vase if you want an extra pop of color. Use enamel paint to coat the inside of your glass vase if you want to retain the reflective surface of glass but add some color. Coat the outside of your vase to imitate a ceramic surface. Use a small household paintbrush or a large artist paintbrush to apply the paint. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours before moving to the next step. If you paint the inside of your vase, use it for dried flower arrangements instead of fresh. The paint will come off into the water. Cut out images to create a decoupaged collage for your vase. Decide how you'd like to arrange the images before you begin attaching them to the vase. Apply dishwasher-safe Mod Podge or a clear-drying tacky glue to the back of each image. Then, attach your cut-outs to the vase in the arrangement you planned. You can cut out fun images or words from magazines and books, or find images or words online and print them out. Once your collage is complete, allow the vase to dry for 30 minutes before using it. Consider applying a top coat of Mod Podge to seal and protect the decoupage. Add feathers, beads, buttons, and bling if you want a more ornate look. You could glue craft feathers onto the body of the vase, for example. Self-adhesive rhinestones are a simple option if you want to add some bling, or wrap colorful strings of beads around the vase. Get creative with inexpensive add-ons! Use dishwasher-safe Mod Podge or a clear-drying tacky glue to attach beads, buttons, or bling directly onto the vase. Cut small pieces of ribbon and crisscross them into star shapes with a shiny bead at the center. Place glass beads in the bottom of your vase for an added touch. Use stones or shells collected from the beach or purchase glass craft beads in your favorite colors. Finish the look by adding your ribbon to the finished vase. If you added a lot of embellishments, stick with a simple bow in a single color to keep the look clean. Add a little more flair by tying a corset or belted bow around the vase. Have fun with color combinations, patterns, and layering ribbons! | Choose a ribbon that complements the vase and your bouquet or cut flowers. Add a complementary ribbon for a pop of color or texture. Cut your ribbon(s) with room to spare. Tie the ribbon around the neck of the vase and make a simple bow. Adjust the length of the tails as desired. Use a 6 to 18 ft (1.8 to 5.5 m) piece of double-sided satin ribbon. Find the approximate center of your piece of ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around to the front and cross 1 side over the other. Repeat the same crossover and twist motion in the back of the vase. at the bottom of the vase. Paint a plain glass vase if you want an extra pop of color. Cut out images to create a decoupaged collage for your vase. Add feathers, beads, buttons, and bling if you want a more ornate look. Finish the look by adding your ribbon to the finished vase. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-a-Fitness-Ball | How to Measure a Fitness Ball | To measure a fitness ball, start by getting a flexible measuring tape that will fit all the way around the ball. Then, measure the circumference of the ball and divide this by 3.14 to calculate the diameter, making sure to convert to centimeters. Another way to measure a fitness ball is using your body and sitting on the ball with your feet flat on the floor. If you have the right size, your hips and knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle. | Sit down on the fitness ball. Distribute your weight evenly and keep your feet flat on the floor. If the ball's the right size for you, your hips and knees should both be bent at about 90 degrees, and your thighs should be horizontal. Your upper body should be vertical with your ears, shoulders and pelvis aligned. Don't lean in any direction to avoid creating a counterbalance. Check for proper compression. It's not enough for the ball to fit your body; it also needs to be properly inflated. A properly inflated fitness ball should compress about 6 inches when you sit on it. If the ball fits your body but compresses more than 6 inches beneath you, it's not the right size ball for you; it's a larger ball that's been under-inflated. You can exercise on such a ball, but may find that the extra-soft ball feels awkward and makes balancing too easy. Don't over-inflate a smaller ball to make it fit your body; the extra pressure makes it more likely to burst. When fully inflated, you should be able to press 2” into the fitness ball with your finger. Fitness balls lose pressure with use and age. As your ball ages, you may need to inflate it more often. Check a sizing chart. Manufacturers provide fitness ball sizing charts that correlate ball diameter with body height. These are only estimates and vary widely between the various ball manufacturers. Give how the ball actually fits your body higher priority than the sizing charts. You may be able to successfully use a smaller or larger sized fitness ball as you gain experience. Wrap a flexible measuring tape all the way around the inflated fitness ball. Some fitness balls have concentric rings marked around the ball; use the widest of these rings around the ball's “equator” to help you align the tape correctly. Measure the circumference of the fitness ball. Fitness ball sizes are listed in diameter (the distance straight from one side of the sphere to the opposite side, passing through the center), not circumference. Divide the circumference by pi, or 3.14, to get the diameter. For example, if your ball has a circumference of 172 centimeters, its diameter is 172 / 3.14 = 55cm. Your exercise ball may stretch up to 24 hours after you inflate it. Measure your fitness ball when it's fully inflated to ensure it's the right size for your body. Convert your measurement. Fitness ball sizes are always measured in centimeters, even in countries that usually use Imperial measurements. If you measured in inches, you'll need to make the appropriate conversion. The most common ball sizes, translated to centimeters and rounded up to the nearest inch, are: 45cm = 18 inches, 55cm = 22 inches, 65cm = 26 inches, and 76cm = 30 inches. Check the ball's packaging for the ball's intended diameter. If you don't have the ball's packaging, check the ball itself; the intended size is often printed near the air valve or on the ball's "equator." Place a large box away from the wall at a distance equaling the ball’s diameter. Use a yardstick or tape measure and make sure this distance is exact. The box you use should measure at least as high as your fitness ball. Roll the ball between the box and the wall. If it passes through without brushing either, it's underinflated. When correctly inflated, the edges of the ball should just graze the box and the wall. If you don't know the ball's intended diameter but need to know its actual size, place the ball against the wall. Position the box so that it just touches the opposite side of the ball. Then remove the ball, and measure from the box to the wall to calculate the ball's diameter. Measure the height of your fitness ball against a wall. Alternatively, you can use your ball's height to determine whether it's inflated correctly. Use painter's tape and make a mark on your wall at the same height as the fitness ball's diameter. Then, inflate your fitness ball until it's level with this mark. The diameter of your fitness ball is the same as its height. | Sit down on the fitness ball. Check for proper compression. Check a sizing chart. Wrap a flexible measuring tape all the way around the inflated fitness ball. Measure the circumference of the fitness ball. Convert your measurement. Check the ball's packaging for the ball's intended diameter. Place a large box away from the wall at a distance equaling the ball’s diameter. Roll the ball between the box and the wall. Measure the height of your fitness ball against a wall. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Look-Cool-in-Glasses | How to Look Cool in Glasses | Looking cool in glasses is about being confident and blending them into your style. It can feel strange wearing glasses in public at first, but the more you wear them, the more confident you'll feel. Remember that a lot of attractive people wear glasses, including many celebrities. Use jewelry to offset your glasses. Stick to small, dainty earrings and try matching them with your frames. Black frames go with any color jewelry, but clear frames go best with silver, blue, or green jewelry. You can also use your hairstyle to complement your glasses. If you have small frames, go for a bold hairstyle or match wide frames with a subtler hairstyle. | Choose frames that sit well. The line at the top of your frames should be in line with your eyebrows as much as possible. If you're wearing sunglasses, they should cover your brows. But if you're wearing regular glasses, your eyebrows should show above the frames, without a lot of extra space in between. Your eyes should be at the center of the frame. Whatever style you choose , make sure they don't overwhelm your face. Choose a neutral frame color. If you're getting glasses for vision correction and you'll only have a pair or two, you may want to avoid bold looks like very thick frames, busy patterns, or bright colors. Keep in mind that you will probably wear them a lot, and you want them to be easy to pair with your outfit. Also some days you may feel like standing out and other days you may not. You may want to consider getting a pair of glasses that shows off your fun side, and one or more frames for everyday. Go with a color that compliments your face and skin tone. Try to select frames that mirror one of your best features. For example, if you have striking blue eyes, you may want to choose blue frames. Your skin tone is the main element that will determine the best color for you. If you have a cool complexion (olive, blue or pink undertones) look for frames that also have a cool color scheme, such as black, blue-gray, silver, or purple. If you have a warm complexion (yellow or peach), look for frame colors in those tones – for example, gold, orange, tortoise, or khaki. If your face is long, widen its appearance with frames that have color or decoration on the temples which differ from the front of the glasses. This will visually break up and widen your face. Select a frame shape. Choose a frame style that complements your face shape. If you have an angular face shape, you can balance that out with rounded frames. To the contrary, if your face is round, you can visually lengthen its appearance with angular frames. For a square face, keep frames slim and avoid rectangular lenses. If you have an oval face, you can wear many different styles as long as they aren't extreme. However, avoid frames that are very thin, which can make your face appear longer than it is. Heart shaped faces look good with thick-bottomed frames. If you have a large forehead and a small chin, try frame styles without rims, butterfly frames, and oval-shaped frames. If you select butterfly frames – where the outside edges are wider than the edges near your nose – make sure the corners are square instead of round. If your forehead is wide but you also have a prominent jawline, you can soften those features with oval or round frames. Pick a frame material. Metal is the most popular type of frame material, and there are many metals to choose from. Titanium is hypoallergenic and lightweight. Stainless steel is also lightweight, as well as strong and flexible. Aluminum is often used in high-end eyewear. Plastic frames are lightweight, available in many colors, and less expensive than other alternatives. Nylon is a great choice for sporty glasses. Compare materials and choose the one(s) you feel will benefit you the most. Factors to consider are hypo-allergenic, strong, light-weight, flexible, corrosion resistant, and the variety of patterns, colors and textures available. Test new glasses. If your glasses are new, you should test them by moving around in them. Make sure that they don't slide down your nose, leave indents on the sides of your nose, or cause an ache behind your ears. Any of these problems require a professional adjustment so that your frames aren't too tight but won't slide off. Take selfies. Before wearing your glasses out in public, take video or photos of yourself in them with different facial expressions. Review the video or photos to help you become accustomed to the way they look on you. Think of your glasses as an extension of your personality! It's important to use positive thinking about your glasses. Find inspiration. Be confident when you're wearing your glasses by finding inspiration in other people who know that wearing glasses is cool. Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Lebron James, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Alicia Keys are just handful of public figures who wear glasses. Acknowledge the benefits of glasses. If your glasses have corrective lenses, you will look much better with a clear-eyed look than if you're squinting to see close-up or far-away objects. Eye strain simply isn't cool: it can further damage your vision and cause other symptoms like dry eyes and headaches. Ignore critics. Be cool in the face of criticism, if you encounter any. Any negative stereotype that exists about glasses can be outweighed by considering the real and positive statistics about eyeglass wearers. If someone is immature enough to call you a label like “four eyes,” there are many reasons not to let it bother you! In general, people who were glasses are actually perceived as more trustworthy than those who don't wear glasses. Job candidates who wear glasses are more likely to get hired. Approximately 75% of people in the US wear something on their eyes to better their vision. That statistic doesn't include those who wear eyeglass frames without corrective lenses, either! Keep your glasses in good condition. Clean your glasses. You'll look trendier if your glasses aren't cloudy or full of cracks. Be careful not to drop them, and don't set them aside with the lenses down to avoid scratching them. When you aren't wearing your glasses, keep them in a sturdy eyeglasses case. Never set your glasses down somewhere you can sit on and break them. Use glasses as a complement to your style. Your glasses shouldn't be the main focus of your look; they should add to your look. Otherwise your glasses can look costumey instead of fashionable. Your eyeglasses shouldn't look like an afterthought, though; they are a purposeful accessory that should add interest to your appearance. Try choosing your glasses in steps. Start out with frames that aren't overly dramatic. As you become accustomed to wearing your frames with confidence, you can slowly move up to bolder styles that still feel complimentary to your personality and style. Choose jewelry to compliment your frames. Small, dainty earrings will add polish to your look. Avoid long, bulky, and dangly earrings. Your glasses are a fashion accessory and you don't want your earrings to compete with them. Consider the color of your frames when selecting your jewelry. For example, try round or square stud earrings that give off a nice sparkle. Eyeglasses with black frames can go with any color of jewelry. If your frames are tortoise or brown, consider wearing gold jewelry, If your frames are clear, silver, or a cool tone like blue or green, opt for silver metals and jewelry with stones. Style your hair to go with your frames. Consider taking your glasses with you when you visit your hair stylist for a cut or style, so that you can make sure it will compliment your frames. As a rule of thumb, think in opposites: if you have soft frames, go with a bold hairstyle, and vice versa. If you have wide frames, avoid hairstyles with a lot of volume on the sides – go for height on top instead. If your frames are large, avoid long, low-volume hairstyles. Try layered styles with volume on the sides. For small frames, don't wear your hair in a style that will box in your facial features. If you have bangs that touch the top of your frames, make sure to maintain the right length of your bangs by getting them trimmed every three weeks. Avoid wearing large, floppy, overwhelming hats with glasses, unless you're wearing sunglasses and going to the beach. Keep your eyebrows groomed. Glasses can draw attention to unkempt eyebrows. If you shape your eyebrows , you may want to stay on top of that if you wear glasses. You can also arch or fill in your eyebrows. Apply concealer to flaws. Use concealer on any flaws that can be seen through your lenses. For example, if you have dark circles under your eyes, wrinkles around your eyes, or blemishes near your eyes, use a liquid concealer that is close to your skin tone. You can top it with face powder. Consider mascara and an eyelash curler. You can use volumizing mascara to give your eyelashes oomph behind your lenses. Avoid lengthening mascara, though, as it can get your glasses dirty if your lashes are rubbing up against your glasses. Apply the first coat of mascara normally, and the second coat at the roots of your eyelashes only. Putting more pigment closest to your eyes will frame them. Wear colored eyeliner and light shadow. Avoid black eyeliner, wingtip styles, and heavy eyeshadow. You can add more definition to your eyes behind spectacles with a colored eyeliner like navy blue. Choose a subtle eyeshadow, like neutrals with just a hint of metallic or sparkle. As a rule of thumb, choose eyeliner one shade darker than your natural eye color. Wear lipstick and blush. Consider warming up your face with blush. You can compliment thick frames with a strong lip color. If your frames are colorful and busy, or if you just want a more natural look, consider using bronzer and a neutral lipstick hue instead. | Choose frames that sit well. Choose a neutral frame color. Select a frame shape. Pick a frame material. Test new glasses. Take selfies. Find inspiration. Acknowledge the benefits of glasses. Ignore critics. Keep your glasses in good condition. Use glasses as a complement to your style. Choose jewelry to compliment your frames. Style your hair to go with your frames. Keep your eyebrows groomed. Apply concealer to flaws. Consider mascara and an eyelash curler. Wear colored eyeliner and light shadow. Wear lipstick and blush. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Beef-Heart | How to Cook Beef Heart | To cook a beef heart with herbed vinaigrette, start by trimming away the fat, veins, and connective tissue, then rinsing the heart and slicing it into strips. Using olive oil, shallot, salt, and pepper, season your beef heart and leave it to marinate in your fridge for at least 1 hour while covered. To create your vinaigrette, stir together oil, vinegar, shallot, salt, oregano, parsley, and chives in a small bowl, and leave it to rest for 5-10 minutes. When you're ready to start grilling, arrange the beef heart onto a gas or charcoal grill that you've set to high heat. If you like your meat medium rare, let it grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, then plate it with your vinaigrette. For medium or medium-well done beef, grill each side for 2-3 more minutes. | Trim the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Get out a 1 1/2 pound (0.7 kg) to 2 pound (0.9 kg) beef heart. Use a paring knife to trim away squishy connective tissue, fat, and valves. The valves will look like tubes. Discard all of these trimmed bits. If the heart has a tough silverskin, peel it away with your knife. Rinse the heart to remove any blood. Silverskin is translucent membrane that's tough. Pull away as much of it as you can. You should be left with purely muscle meat. Slice the trimmed beef heart and season it with salt and pepper. Place the beef on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice the meat into strips about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) thick. Try to slice against the grain so the meat is easier to chew. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the slices of meat. Combine the beef heart with shallot and oil. Transfer the slices of beef heart to a shallow dish and drizzle 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the olive oil over them. Add half of the minced shallot and toss the mixture so the meat is coated with the oil and shallot. Marinate the beef for at least 1 hour. Cover the dish and put it in the refrigerator. Chill it for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Combine the rest of the oil, vinegar, shallot, and salt. Pour the remaining 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of olive oil into a small bowl along with 3 tablespoons (44 ml) red wine vinegar. Whisk in the remaining half of a minced shallot and 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of salt until they're combined. Rest the vinaigrette for 5 to 10 minutes and stir in the herbs. Let the flavor of the shallot mix with the vinegar and oil for 5 to 10 minutes before you stir the fresh herbs into the vinaigrette and set it aside. You'll need: 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of chopped oregano 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of chopped parsley 1 tablespoon (2.5 g) of chopped chives Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat. Turn on a gas grill to high or heat a chimney full of charcoal briquettes. Dump the hot and ashy coals in the center of the grill grate. Arrange the beef heart on the grill. Remove the marinaded beef heart from the refrigerator. Lay the slices of beef heart directly over the hot coals or in the center of the gas grill. Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each slice. If you're concerned that the meat will fall through the grate or be difficult to remove, you can place the beef strips in a metal grill basket. Set the basket on the grill grate. Grill the beef heart for 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Put the lid on the grill and cook the beef heart until it's browned on the bottom. For medium or medium-well done, add 2 to 3 more minutes of cooking time to each side of the meat. Flip and grill the beef heart for 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove the lid and use tongs to flip each beef heart slice over. Put the lid back on the grill and cook the meat until it's as cooked as you like. If you like, you can insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. Cook the heart to a minimum of 160 °F (71 °C). Serve the grilled beef heart. Transfer the grilled beef heart from the grill to a serving platter. Spoon the reserved herb vinaigrette over each slice and serve the meat with fresh arugula. Store the leftover beef heart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Remove the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Get out a 1 1/2 pound (0.7 kg) to 2 pound (0.9 kg) beef heart. Trim away squishy connective tissue, fat, and valves (which look like tubes) using a paring knife. Throw away all of these trimmed bits. If the heart has a tough silverskin, pull it away before rinsing the heart to remove blood. Once you've trimmed the heart, you'll be left with muscle meat. Rinse and trim the parsnips, carrots, and onion. Trim the ends from 4 to 6 carrots, 4 to 6 parsnips, and 1 large onion. Discard the ends or save them to make vegetable stock. Slice the onion into 4 or 5 thick slices. Place the vegetables in the slow cooker with the beef and garlic. Scatter the trimmed vegetables in the bottom of a slow cooker that's at least 4-quarts (3.78 liters) in size. Smash 2 peeled cloves of garlic and add them to the slow cooker. Set the trimmed beef heart directly on the vegetables. Pour in the beef broth and seasonings. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of beef broth into the slow cooker and sprinkle the following spices and herbs over the meat and veggies: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) sea salt 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper 1 tsp (1 g) dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) dried basil Turn the cooker on to LOW and cook the beef heart for 7 to 8 hours. Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn it to the lowest setting. Cook the beef heart until the meat is completely tender. To ensure that it's done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer to see if it's reached 160 °F (71 °C). Slice the beef heart. Remove the hot beef heart from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the meat into strips as thick as you like. Try to slice against the grain so it's easier to chew. Serve the beef heart. Transfer the beef heart to a serving plate and spoon the cooked vegetables around the meat. Serve them immediately. Wrap the leftover beef heart in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it for 3 to 4 days. Cut off the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Take 1 beef heart and use a paring knife to trim away squishy connective tissue, fat, and tubular valves. Throw away all of these trimmed bits and cut off any tough silverskin that's on the heart. Rinse away any blood. You should have at least 1 ⁄ 2 pounds (680 g) to 2 pounds (910 g) of muscle meat. Cut the trimmed heart into cubes. Make the cubes about ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) wide. The small cubes will get tender as they braise and be easy to chew. Combine the beef with a red wine marinade. Transfer the beef cubes to a dish and pour in 1 (25-ounce or 750-ml) bottle of red wine. Add 6 peeled cloves of garlic and a bouquet garni made up of fresh thyme, sage, parsley, and rosemary. Add a few grinds of salt and pepper. If you're using the pink peppercorns and chili flakes, you can add them to the marinade. The meat should be submerged in the red wine. Cover and marinate the beef heart for at least 24 hours. Put the dish with the marinating meat in the refrigerator and chill it for 1 to 2 days. It will become more flavorful the longer it marinates. Preheat the oven to 250 °F (121 °C). When you're ready to begin assembling the braised beef heart, turn your oven on to low heat. Chop and sauté the bacon for 3 to 4 minutes. Cut ⁄ 2 pound (230 g) to ⁄ 4 pound (340 g) of smoky bacon into ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) to 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Place the bacon in a heavy Dutch oven and set it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium and cook the bacon just until it softens and releases a little grease. Chop and sauté 2 onions with the bacon for 5 to 6 minutes. Peel and chop the onions into chunks or small pieces, depending on your preference. Scoop the chopped onion into the bacon and stir to combine. Cook and stir the onions with the bacon until the bacon becomes browned. Turn off the burner. Add the beef heart and red wine marinade to the Dutch oven. Remove the dish of marinating beef heart from the refrigerator. Transfer the meat and marinade to the pot with the onions and bacon. Stir in a little salt and pepper. Cover the oven with aluminum foil and a lid and place it in the oven. Tear off enough aluminum foil to lay directly on the meat and braising liquid. Set the lid on the pot so it's firmly sealed. Put the pot in the center of the oven. Cook the beef heart for 3 hours and then check it. Carefully remove the lid and aluminum foil. Insert a fork or knife into a chunk of beef heart to see if it's tender. If it's still tough, put the foil and lid back on the pot and return it to the oven to cook for 1 more hour. Serve the braised beef heart. Once the beef heart is as tender as you like, remove the pot from the oven. Serve slices of the meat with the braising liquid and your favorite sides. Braised beef heart goes well with mashed potatoes, dumplings, noodles, and green salad. To store leftovers, put the lid on the pot and refrigerate the braised beef heart for 3 to 4 days. The flavors will intensify as the meat is stored. | Trim the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Slice the trimmed beef heart and season it with salt and pepper. Combine the beef heart with shallot and oil. Marinate the beef for at least 1 hour. Combine the rest of the oil, vinegar, shallot, and salt. Rest the vinaigrette for 5 to 10 minutes and stir in the herbs. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high heat. Arrange the beef heart on the grill. Grill the beef heart for 2 to 3 minutes for medium rare. Flip and grill the beef heart for 2 to 3 more minutes. Serve the grilled beef heart. Remove the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Rinse and trim the parsnips, carrots, and onion. Place the vegetables in the slow cooker with the beef and garlic. Pour in the beef broth and seasonings. Turn the cooker on to LOW and cook the beef heart for 7 to 8 hours. Slice the beef heart. Serve the beef heart. Cut off the fat, veins, and connective tissue from the heart and rinse it. Cut the trimmed heart into cubes. Combine the beef with a red wine marinade. Cover and marinate the beef heart for at least 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 250 °F (121 °C). Chop and sauté the bacon for 3 to 4 minutes. Chop and sauté 2 onions with the bacon for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the beef heart and red wine marinade to the Dutch oven. Cover the oven with aluminum foil and a lid and place it in the oven. Cook the beef heart for 3 hours and then check it. Serve the braised beef heart. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Recognize-Distemper-Symptoms-in-Dogs | How to Recognize Distemper Symptoms in Dogs | To recognize distemper symptoms in dogs, monitor your dog for sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge. Also, examine your dog's eyes to see if there's thick mucus around them, which could be a sign that it has distemper. You should also keep an eye out for changes in behavior, like increased lethargy, a loss of appetite, or a reluctance to go on walks. If you suspect your dog has distemper, take it to see a vet as soon as possible. | Look for respiratory tract signs. The first symptoms usually affect the respiratory tract. Your dog may sneeze, cough, or have thick mucus in his nose. Your dog may have labored breathing if the infection is in his chest. Oftentimes, the dog will develop inflamed and infected nasal passages, which causes snotty nasal discharge. Dogs with poor immune systems may develop pneumonia soon after becoming infected. Inspect the dog's eyes. When a dog has distemper, her eyes usually have a thick mucus around them. This could look like a gummy, sticky discharge. Eyes with mucus and a snotty nose in a dog not vaccinated more than likely points to distemper. Check for a fever. Distemper can be accompanied by a fever. The fever is usually extremely high (over 103.5 °F or 39.7 °C). The fever tends to make most dogs lethargic, listless, and lacking in energy, so the dog may be reluctant to go for walks or prefer to sleep and rest. Look for a lack of appetite. Dogs with distemper may stop eating. This may be caused by the fever or because they feel unwell. They also may stop drinking, which can cause dehydration. Dogs may suddenly start vomiting or have diarrhea shortly after becoming infected. This can also lead to dehydration. Check the dog's pads. Distemper can cause abnormalities to the pads of the dog's feet, like enlargement or thickening. This may cause him to walk strangely or avoid walking, running, or standing. This is a late stage development, so be alert for other signs first. Be careful when you examine. The pads may be tender and he may snap at you because of the discomfort. You may notice pad abnormalities weeks or even months after becoming infected. Look at your puppy's teeth. For puppies who have not received their adult teeth, distemper can affect their permanent teeth. The adult teeth can be weak or misshapen because the enamel doesn't form. This can also cause discolored teeth. This is also a symptom that may arise in the later stages of distemper. Be mindful of more severe symptoms. In more severe cases, or in later stages of the disease, the virus can attack the dog's bodily systems, especially the nervous system. This can lead to seizures, fits, hysteria, and paralysis. Know that some symptoms may overlap with other conditions. Many of the symptoms are nonspecific, which means that other conditions apart from distemper can cause similar signs. Usually dogs with distemper are extremely ill. If you are unsure, take your dog to the vet immediately. If you see any of these symptoms and you did not vaccinate your dog, see the vet immediately. Vaccinate your dog. One of the most commons ways a dog gets distemper is through exposure to the virus without having an immunity to it. This means that both unvaccinated puppies and unvaccinated older dogs are at risk for the disease. Some dogs have a natural immunity to the disease, but you should not rely on that. Vaccinating helps keep your dog from getting distemper. If the dog contracts the disease, she could die or have lasting neurological or retinal damage. Keep your dog away from infected fluids. Distemper can be spread through contact with contaminated fluids, like urine, blood, mucus, or saliva. This can happen through physical exposure or contaminated food and water bowls. The disease can also be spread through sneezing or coughing. Try to separate your dog from infected animals. In very young dogs, keep them away from any areas likely to exposure, like kennels. Clean the dog's living area. Keeping your dog's kennel or home area disinfected can help get rid of the virus. This is especially important if your dog interacts with other dogs at public places, like pet stores, parks, or kennels. Know how distemper is treated. No medication will cure distemper. Instead, dogs are cured through supportive care. Dogs are given antibiotics to fight secondary infections and fluids to help with dehydration. If the dog recovers, an unfortunate late development can be seizures because of the virus in the dog's brain. Some dogs may recover but develop an old dog encephalopathy in later life, which means they develop a form of dementia brought on by long term low grade inflammation in the brain. | Look for respiratory tract signs. Inspect the dog's eyes. Check for a fever. Look for a lack of appetite. Check the dog's pads. Look at your puppy's teeth. Be mindful of more severe symptoms. Know that some symptoms may overlap with other conditions. Vaccinate your dog. Keep your dog away from infected fluids. Clean the dog's living area. Know how distemper is treated. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Oversized-T-Shirts | How to Cut Oversized T Shirts | To cut an oversized T-shirt, try turning it into a racerback tank. Cut off the collar and sleeves, then pinch the back to form the racerback shape. Tie the collar around the back of the shirt to hold it in place. You can also cut the sleeves and collar off the T-shirt for a casual look. Alternatively, cut the whole sleeve off at the seam to create a sleeveless shirt. Another option you can try is cutting the front hem off the T-shirt at an angle to give yourself a longer back. | Cut the collar off at the stitching. Begin cutting the collar at the front-left side, and work your way towards the right side. Continue cutting along the back of the collar until you are back where you started. Use the stitching line as a guide. It's best to cut just below the seam. Do not cut through both layers of fabric at once, or the back of the collar will be too low. Snip the cut-off collar apart to make a long strip. Take the collar that you just cut off from your shirt. Cut it apart to make a long strip of fabric, then set it aside for later. You will use this to bind the racerback in the end. Cut the front of the collar lower if you want a more feminine touch. Fold the front of the shirt in half lengthwise so that the back is still loose. Make sure that the cut edges of the front collar are lined up. Begin cutting about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the cut edge of the collar, and finish cutting at the side edge. Unfold the shirt when you are done. Follow the curve of the collar as much as possible. You are cutting more of the collar off in the beginning and less towards the ends. Cut the sleeves off, starting a least 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the armpit. Begin cutting the sleeve off 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the armpit and finish cutting at the shoulder seam, right where the sleeve connects to the shirt. Do the left sleeve first, then fold the shirt in half, and use the cut edge as a guide for the right sleeve. You can start cutting the armpits as low as you want. The lower you cut, the more revealing the top will be. If you want narrower shoulders, finish cutting closer to the collar. Pinch the back of the shirt to create a racerback shape. Keep the shirt with the back facing you. Slide your fingers through 1 armhole and your thumb through the other. Close your hand to gather the fabric between the 2 armholes together. Wrap the cut-off collar around the pinched fabric at armpit-level. Take the end of your cut-off collar strip, and place it against your gathered fabric. Make sure that it is level with the armpits of your shirt, then begin wrapping it tightly. The more you overlap the collar strip, the narrower the binding will be. Secure the end of the collar strip. Once you reach the end of the collar strip, you'll need to secure it somehow. There are a few ways that you can do this: Glue the end of the strip to the inside of the shirt with fabric glue, then let it dry. Hand sew the end of the strip to the inside of the shirt with a few simple stitches. Thread the end of the strip under the wrapped strip to secure it. Try on your shirt. If you want to step things up a little, you can cut the bottom hem off to complete the cut-off look. For an even nicer finish, gently pull along all of your cut edges. This will cause the fabric to curl and conceal any jaggedness. Get a T shirt that is a few sizes too big for you. The length of the shirt does not matter because you will be cutting it. The shirt should fit you well in the shoulders, but it needs to be loose in the waist and hips. Cut off the collar. If you want a larger collar, cut through both layers of fabric, using the front collar's seam as a guide. If you don't want a larger collar, then cut all the way around the collar from left shoulder to right, then back to the left again. Cut the bottom hem off. Spread the shirt out on a flat surface, then cut straight across the bottom. Cut right above the stitching on the hem if you like the length. If you want to make the shirt shorter, then cut it shorter. Figure out how tight you want the shirt to be. Measure around your waist, then divide that number by 2. Add 3 inches (7.6 cm) to this new number to make the ties. This will be the new width of your shirt. For example, if you measure your waist and get 28 inches (71 cm): 28 inches (71 cm) divided by 2 = 14 inches (36 cm). 14 inches (36 cm) plus 3 inches (7.6 cm) = 17 inches (43 cm). 17 inches (43 cm) = your new shirt width. Transfer the new width measurement to your shirt. Mark the new measurement on your measuring tape with your finger. Place the measuring tape on your shirt at about waist-level. Make sure that the tape is centered, then make a mark at each end with a pen or a piece of chalk. Make the first mark at the beginning of the measuring tape. Make the second mark at the measuring tape where your finger is. Cut the sides of the shirt from shoulder-to-hem. Begin cutting at the bottom corner of the left hem, right next to the side seam, and finish cutting at the shoulder seam. Curve the line inward as you cut so that it touches the first mark that you made. Once you finish the left side, repeat the process for the right. If you want your shirt to have some sleeves, finish cutting 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) away from the shoulder seam, on the actual sleeve part. You can also fold the shirt in half after cutting the left side, then use the cut edge as a guide for cutting the right side. Cut evenly-spaced slits into the side of the shirt, from hem to armpit. Make these slits about ⁄ 2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) wide. If you want the shirt to be super tight, make the slits 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. If you want the shirt to be fitted but somewhat loose, make the slits 1 ⁄ 2 inches (3.8 cm) long instead. Tie the strands in the front of the shirt to the strands in the back. If you want the tassels to be visible, keep the shirt turned right-side-out. If you don't want the tassels to be visible, turn the shirt inside-out first. Tie the strands in the front of the shirt to the matching strands in the back in a tight, double-knot. Trim the tassels if you tied them inside the shirt. You don't have to do this, but it will help the shirt lay smoother. You also don't have to worry about them tickling your sides. Simply cut them as close as possible to the knots. Turn the shirt right-side-out when you are done. Skip this step if you tied the strands on the outside of the shirt. Cut the hem off the sleeves to complete a cut-off look. If you cut the collar and/or bottom hem off, you might want to cut the hem off of the sleeves as well. This won't change the length of the sleeves by much, but it will help make them look more consistent with any other alternations that you did to your shirt. Create a cap-sleeve look by cutting the sleeves off at an angle. Begin cutting 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) from the top of the shoulder seam, and finish cutting ⁄ 4 to 1 inch (0.64 to 2.54 cm) from the armpit seam. Fold the shirt in half so that the shoulders match up, then use the cut sleeve as a guide for cutting the second sleeve. Do not cut into the shirt. You only want to cut the sleeve. Pull along the cut edges of the sleeves to make the fabric curl inward. This will hide any unevenness. Cut the sleeves off at the seam for a sleeveless look. If you cut just inside the seam, toward the body of the shirt, the fabric will curl inward when you pull on it. If you cut just outside the seam, the fabric will fray a little instead. This is great if you want an edgier look. Do 1 sleeve first, then the other. Extend the cut below the armpits for a trendy look. Begin cutting the shirt just inside the shoulder seam and finish cutting a few inches/centimeters below the armpit. Fold the shirt in half, then use the cut edge as a guide for cutting the other side. How far down you cut is up to you. If you finish cutting a few inches/centimeters from the bottom hem, pair the shirt with a tank top or bandeau. Pull on the cut edges to curl them in and hide any jaggedness. T shirt material does not fray, so you don't have to hem it. The cut edges can look uneven, but you can fix that by gently tugging apart the cut edges. This will cause the fabric to curl inward and give you a cleaner look. Cut the collar off at the seam to complete any cut-off look. If you like the size of the collar, but want it to match your cut-off sleeves and hems, all you have to do is cut it off. Begin cutting at the left side of the collar, then work your way around the front towards the right. Continue cutting along the back of the collar until you're back where you started. Create a scoop neck by cutting the front collar lower. Cut the entire collar off first. Next, fold front of the shirt in half lengthwise so that the back is still loose. Begin cutting about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the collar, and finish cutting at the top edge of the collar. Don't lay the shirt flat and cut the collar through both layers of fabric. If you do that, the back will be too low. Follow the curve of the collar for a traditional scoop neck. Cut in a straight line for a V-neck. Extend the collar towards one shoulder for an off-the-shoulder look. Cut the entire collar off first. Choose a shoulder that you want to expose. Find the center of your collar, then cut towards that shoulder seam. Make sure that you cut through both layers of fabric. Remember, your left shoulder will be the shirt's right shoulder, and vice-versa. Cut the bottom hem off to finish any cut-off look. Spread your shirt on a flat surface. Make sure that the bottom hems in the front and back match up. Cut the hem off just above the stitching. Start cutting on one side of the shirt and finish on the other. If you want a crop top , then decide how short you want the shirt to be, and cut the hem off at that point. Belly-button level is ideal. Cut the front of the shirt shorter than the back to create a high-low look. Flatten the shirt so that 1 of the side seams is visible, and you have a fold along the front-center and back-center of the shirt. Begin cutting along the back folded edge at an upward angle towards the front folded edge. How high up the front folded edge you cut depends on how short you want the shirt to be in the front. Begin cutting about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the back hem. This way, you won't retain any of the original stitching and create a more consistent look. Cut the hem shorter along the side seams for a scooped look. Cut the entire bottom hem off first, then fold your shirt in half so that the side seams match up. Begin cutting at the side seam, about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the bottom hem. Cut in a curve towards the folded edge, stopping at the hem. Open up your shirt to reveal a rounded hem that's longer in the middle and shorter on the sides. Pull along the cut edges to make the fabric curl inward. You don't have to do this at all, but it will hide any unevenness and give you a nicer finish. Simply tug apart the fabric along the cut edges to make the fabric to curl inwards. | Cut the collar off at the stitching. Snip the cut-off collar apart to make a long strip. Cut the front of the collar lower if you want a more feminine touch. Cut the sleeves off, starting a least 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the armpit. Pinch the back of the shirt to create a racerback shape. Wrap the cut-off collar around the pinched fabric at armpit-level. Secure the end of the collar strip. Try on your shirt. Get a T shirt that is a few sizes too big for you. Cut off the collar. Cut the bottom hem off. Figure out how tight you want the shirt to be. Transfer the new width measurement to your shirt. Cut the sides of the shirt from shoulder-to-hem. Cut evenly-spaced slits into the side of the shirt, from hem to armpit. Tie the strands in the front of the shirt to the strands in the back. Trim the tassels if you tied them inside the shirt. Cut the hem off the sleeves to complete a cut-off look. Create a cap-sleeve look by cutting the sleeves off at an angle. Cut the sleeves off at the seam for a sleeveless look. Extend the cut below the armpits for a trendy look. Pull on the cut edges to curl them in and hide any jaggedness. Cut the collar off at the seam to complete any cut-off look. Create a scoop neck by cutting the front collar lower. Extend the collar towards one shoulder for an off-the-shoulder look. Cut the bottom hem off to finish any cut-off look. Cut the front of the shirt shorter than the back to create a high-low look. Cut the hem shorter along the side seams for a scooped look. Pull along the cut edges to make the fabric curl inward. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Sent-Home-from-School | How to Get Sent Home from School | If you make out like you're sick, you can easily get yourself sent home from school. One easy way is to go to the bathroom once or twice during class. Then, when you come back tell the teacher you're not feeling well and you need to go home. If you get sent to the school nurse, tell them you have diarrhea. This might be a bit embarrassing, but that's exactly why they won't question you. Alternatively, say that you were sick and you still have an upset stomach. | Choose an embarrassing sickness. You'll want to choose something that is common, but something that most people would be embarrassed to admit. This will give more credibility to your story, as your school nurse or office worker will think it unlikely that you would admit to something embarrassing if it weren't necessary. Some examples include: Diarrhea Bad gas Prepare to talk to your teacher. You'll have to convince your teacher to tell her that you aren't feeling well, but before you do, make your story more believable by going to the bathroom several times. Space out your bathroom breaks by about 20 to 30 minutes, and if your teacher questions you, tell her that you've been feeling, "A little funny." Approach your teacher privately. After making a few trips to the bathroom, you're ready to talk to your teacher about getting sent home. Be sure that you are appropriately embarrassed about your condition and try to talk to your teacher one-on-one. Don't come right out and admit that you have diarrhea or gas. Instead, describe it in a different way, like: "I've been having to go to the bathroom a lot today and my stomach's hurting. I keep having to go and it's really bad. I just want to lay down for a little bit." "I'm sorry I keep having to go to the bathroom. I'm really embarrassed, but I keep passing gas. It's really bad and I don't want anyone to laugh at me." Stick to your story. You'll likely have to jump through one more hoop before you are sent home. The last obstacle before you get sent home will likely be your school nurse or an office worker. As long as you don't change your story and continue being embarrassed about your condition, you'll likely be sent home before too long. Stress the fact that your stomach is upset and that you want to lay down for a little while. You may want to get a false scent that imitates bad gas and spritz some of this around you when no one is looking. These kind of sprays can be bought at novelty stores, magic shops, and online. Master your symptoms. A convincing sign that you are ill will put you in arm's distance of a thermometer, which is key to faking a fever. If you claim too many symptoms, like a headache, dizziness, and nausea, that is usually a dead giveaway you are faking. It's better to pick a single symptom, like a headache, and one feeling associated with that symptom. For example, you might say: "I have a headache and every time I stand up I feel a little dizzy. This has never happened to me before. Is this normal? I don't feel good." "My stomach's upset. I don't know why, it just started hurting last night and this morning I had to go to the bathroom real bad. Can I go lay down for a while?" Earn access to a school thermometer. Once you have gained access to the nurse's office of the waiting area of your school's office, you are in reaching distance of the school thermometer. The thermometer will be your key to getting sent home. Stick to your symptoms. Now that you're out of class, you should tell the adult watching you that you feel warm and ask for a thermometer. Find a heat source or raise your body temperature. This will require some stealth or planning. You must be careful the adult in charge of taking your temperature doesn't even suspect that you are artificially raising your temperature. If he does, you're chances are getting sent home are next to nil. When faking out the thermometer, you'll have to be careful not to raise the temperature too high. The ideal fake-sick temperature is between 99.5°F (37.5°C) and 100°F (37.78°C). To fake out the thermometer, you might: Do some light exercise on your way to the office/nurse's room. This can artificially raise your body temperature. Drink hot water before going to the office or the nurse's room. Hold the thermometer close to a heat source, like a desk lamp. Repeat your symptom and feeling. Consistency is key; repeating a thing makes it more believable. By telling the nurse or a school office worker that the same thing, over and over again might get you sent home, even if your temperature is normal. Stay calm in the final stretch. When you hear those sweet words, "We're calling your parents," it's easy to lose perspective. If you tip your hand and reveal that you're not really sick by celebrating, you may never be able to use this trick again, or you may even get in trouble. Understand school policy. Though some schools may differ, generally, where infectious illnesses are concerned, a student will be sent home if he is infectious rather than risk infecting other students. Pink eye is ideal for these purposes, as it is highly contagious and easy to fake. Gather your pink eye faking materials. These should be kept in your locker and applied at some point during the day, like when you take a bathroom break or in between classes. To fake pink eye, you'll need: Red lipstick OR Hair gel Apply your phony pink eye product. If you are using red lipstick, you'll only need a small amount; too much will be spotted immediately as a fake, so you may want to apply your pink eye product in the bathroom. Rub the lipstick along the lids of a single eye. If you are using hair gel, again, take only a very small amount and rub it along the lids of your eye. Have a patsy. If you claim, out of the blue, that you have pink eye, your teacher or the school nurse might doubt you. Instead, have a person on which you can blame your condition, like a cousin you visited over the weekend, or a younger sibling who is still in pre-school. Buy some ipecac syrup at your local pharmacy. Most local pharmacies sell this vomit inducing agent over the counter as a syrup. Ipecac syrup is made from a plant that contains chemicals that irritate your digestive tract and cause your brain to believe that you need to throw up. This is a convincing way to get your teacher to send you home from school. The teacher will likely think you are sick and send you home right away. Observe label directions. Depending on the brand of ipecac syrup you buy and the way in which it is administered, there may be special instructions that you need to keep in mind. Taking too much ipecac syrup may have serious health effects, including possible damage to your heart and muscles. Take with a full glass of water. Generally, you should take one to two full glasses of water (8 to 16 ounces) to help the ipecac syrup induce vomiting. It may be an effective strategy for you to keep some ipecac syrup in your locker. This way you can excuse yourself from class for a drink of water or to retrieve a notebook and take your ipecac then. Avoid milk and carbonated beverages. Milk and even milk based products may reduce the effects of ipecac syrup, so you should avoid these before taking it. Carbonated beverages, on the other hand, can cause your stomach to swell, which may cause discomfort. Take a second dose if vomiting does not occur in 20 to 30 minutes. Generally, ipecac syrup should take effect and cause you to vomit in less than a half hour. If it does not, you can take a second dose with another one to two glasses of water. Do not exceed the label recommendations for how much ipecac syrup you take. Plan your spew location for greatest effect. While you might be able to get sent home simply by vomiting in the bathroom, if you want to guarantee being sent home, you should vomit in class and in sight of your teacher. Since ipecac syrup can take effect quickly, be sure you have quick and easy access to a garbage can. | Choose an embarrassing sickness. Prepare to talk to your teacher. Approach your teacher privately. Stick to your story. Master your symptoms. Earn access to a school thermometer. Find a heat source or raise your body temperature. Repeat your symptom and feeling. Stay calm in the final stretch. Understand school policy. Gather your pink eye faking materials. Apply your phony pink eye product. Have a patsy. Buy some ipecac syrup at your local pharmacy. Observe label directions. Take with a full glass of water. Avoid milk and carbonated beverages. Take a second dose if vomiting does not occur in 20 to 30 minutes. Plan your spew location for greatest effect. |
https://www.wikihow.tech/Delete-Empty-Rows-on-Google-Sheets-on-PC-or-Mac | How to Delete Empty Rows on Google Sheets on PC or Mac | To delete a row in Google Sheets, right-click the row number and select Delete row. | Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. If you are logged into Google, this brings up a list of Google Sheets documents associated with your account. Log in to Google if you have not already done so. Click a Google Sheets document. Right-click the row number. Rows are numbered in the grey column to the left. Click Delete Row. Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. If you are logged into your Google account, this will open up a list of the Google Sheet documents associated with your account. Click a Google Sheets document. Click and drag to select all of your data. Click the Data tab. It's in the menu bar at the top. Click Filter. Click the green 3-lined triangle icon in the top-left cell. Click Sort A → Z. This will move all your empty cells to the bottom. Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. If you are logged into your Google account, this brings up a list of the Google Sheet documents associated with your account. Click a Google Sheets document. Click the Add-ons tab. It's in the menu bar at the top. Click Get Add-ons. Enter Remove Blank Rows in the search bar and press ↵ Enter. Click + Free. It is across from "Remove Blank Rows (and More)". This add-on has an image of an eraser. Click your Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, you may be asked which account to apply the Add-on to. Click Allow. Click the Add-ons tab again. It's in the menu bar at the top. Select Remove Blank Rows (and More). Click Delete Blank Rows/Columns. This will open the add-on options in a column on the right. Click the blank gray cell in the top-left of the spreadsheet. This will select the entire spreadsheet. You can also press Ctrl + A to select everything. Click Delete. This is found in the add-on options for "Remove Blank Rows (and More)". | Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. Click a Google Sheets document. Right-click the row number. Click Delete Row. Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. Click a Google Sheets document. Click and drag to select all of your data. Click the Data tab. Click Filter. Click the green 3-lined triangle icon in the top-left cell. Click Sort A → Z. Go to https://sheets.google.com in a web browser. Click a Google Sheets document. Click the Add-ons tab. Click Get Add-ons. Enter Remove Blank Rows in the search bar and press ↵ Enter. Click + Free. Click your Google account. Click Allow. Click the Add-ons tab again. Select Remove Blank Rows (and More). Click Delete Blank Rows/Columns. Click the blank gray cell in the top-left of the spreadsheet. Click Delete. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grill-Burgers | How to Grill Burgers | If you're using a gas grill, pre-heat your grill by turning it on and closing the lid for 10-15 minutes. To cook a medium-rare patty, place your patty on the grill for 3 minutes on one side, flip, then cook for 3 1/2 minutes on the other side. Avoid squeezing them or you'll remove the juices! If you don't have a grill, you still cook juicy patties on the stove! To get started, pour a small amount of cooking oil on a frying pan and wait for the oil to separate which will mean the pan is ready. Then, sear the patties for 4 minutes on each side, and serve. | Buy quality meat. Start with the right kind of meat and you're well on your way to making a delicious burger. For any type of grilling, you want to start with fresh quality meat. If possible, ask your butcher to grind the meat for you while you wait. Look for 75 to 80 percent lean for the juiciest burgers. You can choose leaner meat if you prefer. Leaner meat isn't ideal for burgers as they are often cooked at very high temperatures. Meat with a low fat content can become dry when grilled. If you can't get freshly ground beef, choose beef with a bright pink color. Ground meat that is starting to turn gray has likely been sitting on the shelf longer. Try ground chicken or turkey if you are looking to avoid beef. You can also use pre-formed frozen burger patties. Season your fresh ground beef. Crumble 2 lbs (32 ounces) of ground beef into a large bowl and sprinkle in about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Use your hands to mix the ground beef and take care not to overwork the meat. Gently toss the ground meat until the seasonings are just combined. Handle the meat as little as possible. The heat from your hands can actually melt the fat of the burger resulting in a denser patty. Vary the amount of seasoning based on your preference. Try adding some ground sage or chili powder. If you have started with frozen patties, you can season them as they cook. Form your patties. Grab about 1/4 pound (6 ounces) of ground beef and shape it into a ball in your hands. Carefully flatten it between your palms until it's about 3/4 of an inch thick (1.3 cm). Flattening your patty evenly as possible. Use your thumb or a spoon to make a shallow indentation (about 1 and 1/2 inches wide) in the center of your patty. This can help your patty cook more evenly and prevent it from puffing up in the center. Your patty will shrink a little when cooking. Use your hamburger buns as a reference and form the patties to extend just a little bit past the diameter of the buns. This will create even patties that better fit your buns when cooked. Arrange the coals. Configure your coals into a two-zone fire. This means that you will cast your coals to cover about half of the grill to produce medium to high-temperature zones. You can use any coals for grilling. Self-lighting coals are generally easier to work with. Light your charcoal. Use a match or lighter to light the edge of a few of the coals. The flame will spread to the other coals in the pile. Light your coals with lighter fluid (optional). If your coals call for lighter fluid, carefully squirt lighter fluid on the top and sides of the charcoal mound. Squirt the lighter fluid gently and wait a minute or two for the fluid to sink into the coals. This will prevent all the lighter fluid from burning off immediately. After waiting a minute, squirt a second layer, followed by a third before lighting your coals. Avoid squirting lots of lighter fluid into your coals during each application. Less fluid is better than more. Lighter fluid can add a chemical taste to your burgers if you use too much. It doesn't take a lot of lighter fluid to get your fire going. You will only need about 1.6 ounces of lighter fluid per pound of charcoal. Let the coals heat up. Your coals need time to produce heat and won't be ready immediately after lighting them. Wait for the flames to subside and the edges of the coals turn a light gray. Your coals should be covered completely with gray ash after about 10 minutes. Now you can grill your burgers. Grill your burgers. Add your patties to the grill and sear them directly over the pile of coals. This is the hottest part of the grill. Cook your patties for about 5 minutes or until they are brown and crispy at the bottom. Avoid charring the meat and pressing it down with a spatula. This will squeeze all the delicious juices out. During the cooking process, you will see flare-ups. Don't be alarmed. Flare-ups result from fat dripping into the flame. Move the burgers to the cooler side of the grill if the flames get too high. Move them back when the flames go down. Flip your burgers. Use a long-handled metal spatula to flip your burgers once. Sear the other side on the hot part of the grill for about 1 minute to lock in the juices. Make it a cheeseburger (optional). Now that your burgers are in their final stage of cooking, it's the perfect time to add a slice of cheese and allow it to melt to perfection. Place your cheese slice centered on each patty and continue to cook your patty as the cheese melts. Toast your buns (optional). Toasting buns is quick and easy. Simply split your buns open and place them on the grill with the cut side down. Make sure to place them on the cooler side of the grill to keep them from burning or cooking too quickly. Grill your buns for about 10 seconds and flip if desired.. You can lightly butter the inside of your buns before toasting if you'd like. Watch the buns closely as they can burn easily. Cover and cook. Once you have seared your patties, move the burgers onto the cooler side of the grill, so they are no longer over direct heat and cover the grill with a lid. Continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until done. Here are two ways to check your burgers: Remove one burger and cut into it. For medium-rare, the inside should be pinkish, but not bloody. Use an instant-read meat thermometer. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C). Enjoy! Take your burgers off the grill as soon as they are done to avoid overcooking. Remember that they will cook a little bit after they are taken from the grill. Serve your burgers with a variety of condiments Preheat your grill. Ignite your grill and turn the heat to high. Close the lid and give your grill about 10 to 15 minutes to get hot. Scrape the hot grill rack clean with a wire brush. Brush the hot rack of your grill with oil to prevent sticking (optional). Grill your burgers. Place your patties into the grill and sear on one side for about 3 minutes. Avoid pressing down on your burgers while they are grilling. You may see flare-ups during cooking. Flare-ups are caused by the burger fat dripping into the flames below. Carefully move your patties to a higher rack or cooler side of the grill until the flames subside. On a gas grill, you will find the cooler areas on higher racks, or along the edges of your grill, away from the flame. Flip your patties. Using a metal spatula with a long handle, flip your patties and sear them on the other side to lock in the juices. Continue grilling until you have reached your desired doneness. Here are some guidelines to consider: Cook for about 3 1/2 minutes for medium-rare. Your burger is done when you reach an internal temperature of 130 to 135° F (55 to 57° C). Cook for 4 minutes for medium. Your burger is done when you reach an internal temperature of 135 to 150° F (57 to 65° C). Cook for 4 minutes or longer for medium well. Your burger is done when you reach an internal temperature of 150 to 165° F (65 to 74° C). Your burger is well done when it's internal temperature reaches 165° F (74° C) or greater. Serve immediately. Add cheese to your burgers in the last minute or so of the cooking process so the cheese has sufficient time to melt. Toast your buns on a cooler side of the grill or a higher rack during the last minute of grilling. Lightly butter the inside of the buns if desired. Preheat your skillet. Cast-iron skillets are recommended for the best results, but you can use any frying pan you have. If you are using a cast-iron pan, you can speed up the heating process by placing it into a preheated 350° F (176° C) oven for about 20 minutes and removing it with an oven mitt. Starting with a piping hot cast-iron pan is key. Test the heat of your pan. Add a small amount of cooking oil to the pan. Don't use more than 1 tablespoon (0.5 ounces). If your oil smokes, your pan is a little too hot. Take it off the burner for a couple minutes and try again. When the beads of oil spread evenly and shine, the pan is ready for cooking! Grill your burger. Place your patty in the middle of the pan and let it cook. Your burger patty will sizzle once it hits the pan and it might even smoke. This is good. Cook it for about 4 minutes. Resist the urge to poke and prod at your patty. Don't push it down into the pan. Leaving your patty alone will allow for it to form a delicious thick crust that will seal in the flavor. Flip your burger. Once and only once, when you see the underside starting to turn brown, flip your burger. Cook for an additional 4 minutes on the other side. The last few minutes of cooking is the perfect time to add a slice of cheese. Place a slice of cheese onto your patty and let it get perfectly melted in the last minute or so of cooking. Your burger is medium-rare at an internal temperature of 130 to 135° F (55 to 57° C). Your burger is medium at an internal temperature of 135 to 150° F (57 to 65° C). Your burger is medium well at an internal temperature of 150 to 165° F (65 to 74° C). Your burger is well done at an internal temperature of 165° F (74° C) or greater. Get creative with the meat. You can try ground turkey, chicken, or even buy an Italian sausage; cut it open, and use the seasoned meat mixture inside to form your patties. If you are using chicken, turkey, or extra lean meat, mix a few bread crumbs into the patties to help them hold together better on the grill. You can even mix diced onion, garlic, or bell pepper into your patties. Get as creative as you want! Season the meat. Add sauces or other seasonings to the patties before cooking. Experiment with plain burgers or try adding your favorite flavors before cooking. Here are some classic burger seasonings many people enjoy (try adding just a few tsp. or 0.5 ounces when learning how much you like; you don't want to over-season): Salt and pepper Finely chopped onion Soy sauce Worcestershire sauce Barbecue sauce Steak sauce Go crazy with toppings. Make sure you have the usual toppings, like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Don't stop there. Try grilling some mushrooms, bell pepper, or onions. Add some sliced avocado or jalapeño peppers. The options are almost endless. Get as creative as you want. Experiment with a variety of condiments. Condiments can make the same burger patty into a totally new taste experience. Popular choices for a beef burger include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, or even steak sauce. Use wood chips in your charcoal grill. Toss a handful of Black Cherry chips onto your charcoals once they get hot. This will give your burgers a smoky taste. If you are using a gas grill, place Black Cherry chunks on the grilling surface, not the flame. Or, using an aluminum pie plate with holes punched in it, fill with black cherry chips and put on grilling surface. Many people prefer the flavor or meat grilled over hardwood charcoal to traditional briquettes. Finished. | Buy quality meat. Season your fresh ground beef. Form your patties. Arrange the coals. Light your charcoal. Light your coals with lighter fluid (optional). Let the coals heat up. Grill your burgers. Flip your burgers. Make it a cheeseburger (optional). Toast your buns (optional). Cover and cook. Enjoy! Preheat your grill. Grill your burgers. Flip your patties. Preheat your skillet. Test the heat of your pan. Grill your burger. Flip your burger. Get creative with the meat. Season the meat. Go crazy with toppings. Experiment with a variety of condiments. Use wood chips in your charcoal grill. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Pomegranate | How to Eat a Pomegranate | You can only eat pomegranate seeds, but to do so, you have to get to them! First, cut off the crown at the top of the pomegranate with a knife. Then, cut the pomegranate's skin into quarters. Soak the pomegranate in cold water, then gently peel the skin to reveal the seeds inside. Pick out the seeds with your hands and put them in a container, or eat them as you go. | Pick a pomegranate that has thin, tough, and unbroken skin. The heavier the pomegranate is, the juicier it will be. Cut off its crown with a sharp knife. Score the pomegranate with cuts as if you are going to break it into quarters. Soak it in cold water. The water will loosen the seeds to make them easier to collect. While the pomegranate is under water, gently pull fruit apart into quarters. Run your fingers through each quarter slice to start separating the seeds. Scoop the seeds up which should mostly be floating on the top of the water. Then let dry for 5 minutes. Store the seeds if you don't want to eat them right away. You can lay them flat in a container and refrigerate them for up to three days, or freeze them for up to six months. Enjoy the pomegranate by itself. You can have it as a morning treat, as an afternoon snack, or as a late-night treat. There are two main ways to eat pomegranate on its own: Eat the arils with a spoon, like you would eat a bowl of cereal. You can eat the hard seeds, or spit them out. You can also cut the pomegranate into large chunks, pick them up, and bite down on the seeds. This is a messier method and will require lots of clean up. Also, the skin of the pomegranate can be a bit bitter so you should avoid biting into it too much. This method is for people who like a more active eating experience. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over a variety of ordinary foods. If you don't have time to cook but want to spice up the ordinary foods you eat, there are a few ways you can transform your ordinary meals into exotic taste treats. Here are a few things to try: Sprinkle the seeds in your morning oatmeal or cereal. Stir the seeds into your orange juice or apple juice. Stir the seeds into your black tea for a tangy taste. Sprinkle them on top of mango cubes and enjoy. Add the pomegranate seeds to a variety of soups. These seeds can add the right kick to an ordinary soup, and can take your everyday soup to the next level. Here are a few soups that you can make with pomegranate seeds: Make a pomegranate soup. Make a vegetarian pomegranate soup. Add pomegranate seeds to a variety of salads. Pomegranate seeds will add a bite to a variety of salads, from fruit salads to traditional green salads. Here are a few things to try: Add pomegranate seeds to a salad of roasted butternut squash, spinach, and feta cheese. Add pomegranate seeds to a salad of walnuts, goat cheese, and spinach, using a light honey-based dressing. Make a fruit salad of papaya, pomegranate seeds, and mango. Add some lemon juice for zest. Make a fruit salad of grapes, pomegranate seeds, and ripe pears. Make a fruit salad of pomegranate seeds, blueberries, and persimmons. Add the pomegranate seeds to a variety of drinks. Pomegranate can add a unique and tangy taste to a variety of smoothies, alcoholic beverages, and juices. All you have to do is put the seeds in a blender until they are liquified and then pour the liquid through a strainer. Here are a few drinks to try: Make pomegranate juice (which you can then use to make a pomegranate mojito!). Prepare for a relaxing evening with a bottle of pomegranate wine. Create a healthy treat by making a mango smoothie. Use pomegranate seeds to spice up your dessert. Pomegranate seeds can help add variety and flavor to a number of desserts. Here are a few things to try: Make lemon bars. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over yogurt or ice cream. Sprinkle them over a chocolate cake. You can sprinkle a few raspberries along with them. | Pick a pomegranate that has thin, tough, and unbroken skin. Cut off its crown with a sharp knife. Score the pomegranate with cuts as if you are going to break it into quarters. Soak it in cold water. While the pomegranate is under water, gently pull fruit apart into quarters. Run your fingers through each quarter slice to start separating the seeds. Scoop the seeds up which should mostly be floating on the top of the water. Store the seeds if you don't want to eat them right away. Enjoy the pomegranate by itself. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over a variety of ordinary foods. Add the pomegranate seeds to a variety of soups. Add pomegranate seeds to a variety of salads. Add the pomegranate seeds to a variety of drinks. Use pomegranate seeds to spice up your dessert. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Azaleas | How to Prune Azaleas | Before you prune your azaleas, make sure to disinfect your pruning shears by wiping them with down with some bleach or rubbing alcohol. In the spring, cut off any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. A week or 2 after the flowers have fallen off your azaleas, go in for a more thorough pruning by carefully trimming areas that seem crowded or damaged. Don't go overboard; just make a few selective cuts to keep your plant healthy. | Know your azalea. Azaleas are available in two main classes: native azaleas and Asian azaleas. Native azaleas grow like vines, and they don't need pruning. If you have an Asian azalea shrub, it could be one of two main evergreen varieties: Kurume hybrids are usually bright red and don't tend to grow very large - no more than 3 or 4 feet (0.9 or 1.2 m). They do well with some maintenance pruning, but they may never need much pruning at all. Southern Indian hybrids grow very large and fast, and are most likely to need pruning - especially if you have one planted near your house. Take note that when you're picking out azaleas to plant, choosing a Kurume instead of a Southern Indian will be your best bet if you don't want to worry as much about maintenance. Disinfect your pruning tools. Wipe down the shears to make sure that you do not spread diseases between plants. You can use a household disinfecting spray, bleach, or rubbing alcohol. Let it dry before you prune. Clip out dead stems in the spring. Even though both varieties of evergreen azalea should survive the winter, you'll probably see a few dead or diseased looking stems and branches in the shrub come spring. Use hand trimmers (or loppers, for thicker branches) to remove dead or damaged stems where they connect with healthy wood. Try to make as clean and small of a cut as possible, so that the healthy wood isn't left with a large cut in it; this can be an entry point for fungus and disease. Trim the bush carefully after the flowers are gone. When spring comes and goes and the bright flowers begin to die, it's time to do your annual light pruning. Use hand trimmers to carefully trim back long stems. Make careful cuts in order to improve the shape of the bush. Trim back areas that seem too crowded, and don't overdo it in the thinner areas. Don't take hedge clippers and shear the bush into shape. Make precise, carefully selected cuts instead. Otherwise, you're needlessly creating spots on the plant where no flowers will bloom. Don't prune beyond three weeks after the flowers have died. In general, you should not prune after July. If you wait too long and prune in late summer or fall, you'll be taking off the maturing buds that will turn into next spring's flowers. If you forget to prune, it's best to just wait until the following spring, unless you don't mind having gaps in your blooms. Assess your azalea. You probably don't need to do a drastic pruning unless you have a Southern Indian azalea that has gotten quite large. If your bush has started to obscure windows and take up room you'd like to use for other plantings, you can trim it back drastically without causing long-term harm. Decide how much you want to trim back your azalea, and have a shape in mind when you start making cuts. Cut each branch to within a foot of the ground. You can safely cut it back this much without worrying that the shrub will die. Use loppers or a hand saw if necessary to cut back the individual branches. Aim for a rounded shape on top. above the ground and cut the remaining branches to about 2 feet (0.61 m) in length. Fertilize the azalea. Use slow release fertilizer labeled 12-6-6 to keep the plant healthy while it restores itself. Keep it watered until the following spring. You won't have to wait an extra season to see more flowers; your drastically pruned azalea should produce plenty of leaves and flowers in the spring. | Know your azalea. Disinfect your pruning tools. Clip out dead stems in the spring. Trim the bush carefully after the flowers are gone. Don't prune beyond three weeks after the flowers have died. Assess your azalea. Cut each branch to within a foot of the ground. Fertilize the azalea. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Siphon-Water | How to Siphon Water | To siphon water, start by submerging one end of a hose or tube in the water you want to siphon out. Then, put the other end in your mouth and gently suck in. When the water is about halfway through the tube, remove the tube from your mouth and put it into an empty container lower than the original water source. If you're siphoning something other than water, like gasoline, use a clear hose and make sure to stop before the liquid reaches your mouth. Finally, let the water drain out, making sure the other end stays submerged in the water. | Position the empty bucket. You'll need to use gravity to siphon water from one spot to another. The object that the water is coming from must be higher than its final destination. So, if you are siphoning water from a full bucket to an empty bucket, place the destination bucket on a stable, lower surface. Position the tube. Stick the end of your siphon tube into the empty destination bucket. It should almost reach the bottom of the bucket to prevent it from coming back out. Then, place the other end of the siphon into the full bucket. You may want to use a weight to keep the end of the hose in the water. You can use almost any type of hose or tube for siphoning. However, it really helps if the hose is clear so that you can see the progress of the water. Suck lightly on the end of the tube. Pick up the end of the siphon tube from the lower destination bucket or container. Lift it just above the container of water, which will help you avoid getting water in your mouth. Then, place your lips around the tube's end and suck like a straw. Pull the water just over the rim of the container of water. Once the water reaches the arc of the tube, it will start to come down the tube. Move your mouth and insert the tube into the bucket. If your hose isn't long enough for you to weigh it down in the water and hold it up over the container, then you likely need a bigger hose. Be careful to watch the location of the water in the tube or you might end up swallowing some as it comes out of the end. This is a reason why it is not a good idea to siphon other liquids, like gasoline, with your mouth. Let the water pour into the empty bucket. Take the end of the halfway full siphon tube away from your mouth and quickly place it into the lower container. The water will start to run into the bucket through the siphon. It will continue until the upper container is emptied or you pull the siphon end out of either container. Immerse the tube in a container of water. Coil the siphon tube into a circle and place it into a container full of water. Gently push the tube down until it is completely covered, working from 1 end to the other. You will see air bubbles pop up to the surface of the water, as the air escapes from the inside of the tube. Go slowly to allow the air bubbles to escape as you submerge the tube. Once the bubbles stop, the tube is full of water and ready to be drained. To make sure that the bubbles are completely out of the tube, shake it a bit before pulling it out. Place your finger over the end of the tube. Now that the tube is full of water, you'll need to stop up the end that you plan to pull out of the container. Fold or crimp the tube in on itself toward the end, creating a barrier. Then, place your finger or thumb over the end, blocking off the flow of water out of the tube. The tube must stay totally under the water during this process or you'll end up with bubbles in it. Move the plugged end of the tube to the empty container. Slowly and carefully lift the blocked tube end out of the water. Keep your finger covering the end of the tube. And, make sure the other, unblocked end stays securely under the water. Place the blocked end into the lower, empty container. Unplug the tube. Pull your finger away from the end of the tube. Hold the tube down slightly with your fingers to keep it from flailing around as the water starts to come out. Watch the water move from the higher container and into this new one. If the water flow seems to stall, give the tube a small, quick shake to start it up again. Position the first garden hose. Put the end of your hose in the bottom of a higher container that the water will move out from. If you choose to anchor the hose down with an object to keep it from moving, just make sure that it doesn't block the water flow. Then, place the opposite end of the same hose into a container that is the destination for the siphoned water. This is a great method to use if you need to siphon water over a longer distance or if you need to move a large amount of water. Attach the shut-off valve. Screw on the valve to the end of the hose that is at the bottom of the higher container. Make sure that the valve is set on the open position. You can purchase a shut-off valve at your local garden store. Attach a second hose. Get the unused hose and screw one of its ends into the empty side of the shut-off valve. Then, attach the other end of the second hose into a nearby faucet. Double-check that all of your connections are secure and tight. Fill the siphon hose. Turn your faucet until it starts to send water out through both hoses. Watch to see when the first hose is full. Then, turn the shut off valve into the off position. You can then disconnect the second hose from both the faucet and the valve. This will leave you with one hose that is full of water and connected to both containers. Open the shut-off valve. As soon as you move the valve into the open position, the water will rush out of the hose and into its final container. You can hold the end of the hold somewhat upright to guide the flow of water if you like. | Position the empty bucket. Position the tube. Suck lightly on the end of the tube. Let the water pour into the empty bucket. Immerse the tube in a container of water. Place your finger over the end of the tube. Move the plugged end of the tube to the empty container. Unplug the tube. Position the first garden hose. Attach the shut-off valve. Attach a second hose. Fill the siphon hose. Open the shut-off valve. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Neon-Tetra | How to Care for Neon Tetra | To care for neon tetra, feed them 2-3 times every day. Make sure your tetra have a balanced diet by feeding them a mix of pellet food and insects, like freeze-dried bloodworms and wingless fruit flies. You should also give them thawed and shelled frozen peas from time to time, which will help with their digestion. On top of feeding your tetra a healthy diet, remember to replace half of the water in their tank every other week so they don't get sick. | Buy a large aquarium. Neon tetras need at least an aquarium that will hold at least 10 gallons (38 L) of fresh water. This will provide enough space for hiding and swimming. Estimate about 10 gallons (38 L) for every 6 fish you want to keep. Too many in an unsuitably small tank and the ammonia and nitrate levels will get to high and could kill your fish.Any less your neon tetras might start getting stressed out depending on how small the group is.Stress is a big reason why fish die after being introduced to a persons tank. Cycle your tank without any fish. Do this a few weeks before bring your tetras home. This will clean the aquarium and remove any harmful bacteria that could kill your fish. Buy a water testing kit at the pet store. Make sure the water reads 0 parts per million (ppm) of ammonia (NH3), nitrite (NO2-), and nitrate (NO3-) before adding your fish. To cycle your tank, fill the tank with fresh water and run the filter. Add enough NH3 to raise its measurement to 2 ppm. Test the water daily and keep track of how long it takes for the NH3 to break down into NO2-. As NO2- levels rise, add more NH3 to bring them down. Eventually, the process will encourage the growth of NO3-forming bacteria. This will cause the NO2- level to fall. Continue to test the water until all three compounds fall to 0 ppm. Cover the filter intake. Neon tetras are small, delicate fish whose bodies can get sucked into a filter with deadly results. Use mesh or foam to cover the intake. This will protect your fish while allowing the filter to regulate the bacteria in the water. Add organic matter. In the wild, neon tetras are used to waters rich in plant life. Install aquatic or semi-aquatic plants from the pet store. Leaf litter and driftwood will also replicate tetras' natural habitats. Plants and driftwood also provide tetras with the hiding places they enjoy in the wild. Monitor the pH. Tetras thrive in mildly acidic water, with a pH of about 5.5 to 6.8. Buy pH testing strips in your local pet supply store. Follow the instructions on the label to properly read the test results. Test the pH each time you change the water. If you want to breed your tetras, keep the pH slightly lower, between 5.0 and 6.0. Make a peat bag to lower the pH if needed. Buy nylon pantyhose and a bag of organic peat (also known as sphagnum moss) from your local big box store. After washing your hands, stuff the peat into the foot of the panty hose. Tie off the hose after it's stuffed and cut off the foot. Lower the bag into the water and squeeze it to release some peat-filtered water. Then, drop it in the tank. Replace it every few months. Peat bags will also help to soften the water, which tetras require for survival. Peat may discolor the water slightly; however, this is not harmful, and regular partial water changes (which are required anyway) will make sure your water does not look like it came from a swamp. Dim the lighting. In the wild, tetras live in dark waters. Keep the aquarium in a relatively dark corner of the house. Buy low-wattage bulbs in your pet supply store to create a dim effect. The plants and other hiding places will also help to shade the inside of the aquarium. Control the temperature. Generally, your tank should stay around 70–80 °F (21–27 °C). Purchase an adjustable aquarium heater that you can find in most pet supply stores. To monitor the temperature, buy an aquarium thermometer. For breeding , maintain the temperature at about 75 °F (24 °C). regularly. Clean the tank Neon tetras need clean water low in nitrates and phosphates to resist diseases. Replace 25-50 percent of the water in the tank at least every other week. Scrub out any algae growing on the tank, filter, or décor. Add tankmates. Neon tetras need to be in groups of six or more. Otherwise they'll get stressed and become ill. Avoid adding larger carnivorous fish whose diets might include tetras. Some acceptable tankmates include other tetras, algae-eating fish like otos and cories, and African dwarf frogs. Quarantine new arrivals. You'll have to buy an additional tank, if you don't have one already. Keep them in the quarantine tank for at least two weeks. This will prevent contagious diseases like Neon Tetra Disease and Ich. Feed your fish a varied diet 2-3 times daily. Neon tetras are omnivorous fish that live primarily on insects in the wild. Feed them wingless fruit flies and live or freeze-dried bloodworms. You should also supply them with algae (live or in wafer form), live or freeze-dried brine shrimp, and fish pellets. Collect these foods in the wild or buy them in a pet supply store. From time to time, tetras need frozen peas that have been thawed and shelled. This will aid in digestion. Neon tetras may be scared to come up and eat, or they may not notice their food. If they aren't eating, use a dropper to put the food near them. Quarantine fish with Neon Tetra Disease. This is the most common disease among neon tetras. The first sign is swimming away from tankmates. Affected tetras will also lose their neon stripe and develop spots or cysts on their dorsal fins. As soon as you recognize early symptoms, relocate the sick fish to a quarantine tank immediately. The disease is almost always incurable, but it never hurts to ask the vet for advice. It's normal for neon tetras to become dull in color at night. This is the result of special skin cells called chromatophores taking a rest. However, if the dullness continues during the day for several days in a row, the fish may be ill. Treat Ich through environmental changes and medicine. Ich is a highly contagious parasite that takes the form of small white cilia-covered spots on the fish's body, which look like salt. To fight it, slowly raise the tank temperature to at least 86 °F (30 °C) for three days. This should kill the parasite. If the spots don't disappear after three days, put your fish in a quarantine tank and add cupramine (copper solution) to the water. Follow the instructions on the label. Keep the copper levels at 0.2 ppm. You can measure copper levels with a salifert test kit that you can buy in hobby stores. Kill the Ich in the original tank with aquarium salts, which you can buy in pet supply stores. Add one teaspoon (5 g) per gallon (4 L) of water every 12 hours for 36 hours. Let the salt remain in the tank for 7 to 10 days. If you have plastic plants, aquarium salts will melt them. For the sake of your tetras, toss the plants. Research other diseases. Unhealthy neon tetras can also develop skin flukes, bacterial infections and diseases, and parasitic infections. Talk to your vet or read books that detail the symptoms and treatments of all diseases your fish might develop. In many cases, catching the early symptoms and taking immediate action can save your fish. | Buy a large aquarium. Cycle your tank without any fish. Cover the filter intake. Add organic matter. Monitor the pH. Make a peat bag to lower the pH if needed. Dim the lighting. Control the temperature. regularly. Add tankmates. Quarantine new arrivals. Feed your fish a varied diet 2-3 times daily. Quarantine fish with Neon Tetra Disease. Treat Ich through environmental changes and medicine. Research other diseases. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Hair-from-Your-Throat | How to Remove Hair from Your Throat | To remove hair from your throat, first, see if you can swallow it, which is the easiest and safest way to get it out. Alternatively, eat some soft foods, like bananas or bread, to carry the hair down your throat. You can also try pulling the hair out of your throat with your fingers, especially if it's a long hair. If the sensation is really bothering you, or if it becomes painful, make sure to see a doctor for treatment. | Try to swallow the hair. If you suspect that you have one or two hairs stuck in your throat, try to just swallow them. The hair will travel through your digestive tract like food does and your body will excrete them. Your body will not break down the hair because it's made of keratin, a dense protein. If it feels like the hair is long, see if you can use your clean fingers to pull the hair out of your throat. Eat soft foods. You may be able to get the hair out of your throat by swallowing a large mouthful of food. Choose foods that are soft and gentle on your throat. For example, eat a few bites of banana or soft bread. You should only try to swallow a bite that fits comfortably in your mouth. If you try to swallow too big of a bite, you could choke. The hair will travel through your digestive tract with the food, if you managed to swallow it. Contact an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. If you can't get the hair out of your throat and the sensation is bothering you, schedule an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. If you're experiencing any other signs of a sore throat, like painful swallowing or pus on your tonsils, you should be thoroughly examined. The specialist may need to run tests or get x-rays. Ensure that you give a complete medical history and explain all of your symptoms. Gargle with warm saltwater. You might feel like you have hair stuck in your throat although there really isn't anything there. Other issues can cause the uncomfortable feeling. To soothe your throat, fill a glass with warm water and stir in salt until it dissolves. Gargle with the salt water to make your throat feel better. Studies also suggest that gargling can prevent or reduce common cold symptoms. Stop smoking. Toxins and particles from smoking can irritate the lining of your throat. This irritation might feel like hair that's trapped in your throat. Try to cut back on how much you smoke every day to reduce throat irritation and smoker's cough. Treat your acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, acids from your stomach move back up into your throat. This acid can irritate your throat, especially if it reaches your vocal cords. When this happens, the acid can make it feel as though something is stuck in your throat. Ask your doctor about the best treatments for your acid reflux. If you're also experiencing hoarseness, coughing, or you clear your throat often, you may have a type of reflux called laryngeal pharyngeal reflux. Take allergy medication. If you're having an allergic reaction to something you've eaten, you may have trouble swallowing, feel like there's something stuck in your throat, or your tongue might feel hairy. Follow your allergy treatment plan or contact your doctor immediately. The doctor may recommend that you take an antihistamine to block the allergen. | Try to swallow the hair. Eat soft foods. Contact an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Gargle with warm saltwater. Stop smoking. Treat your acid reflux. Take allergy medication. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Release-Wild-Baby-Birds | How to Release Wild Baby Birds | To release wild baby birds, you can place uninjured fledglings on limbs that are out of reach of predators and let the fledglings take it from there. If you discover an injured baby bird that's fallen from its nest, you can scoop it up gently and place it back into the nest. If you can't find the nest or if you don't know what to do, the best course of action for you and the bird is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. | Confirm the bird is injured before you try to help it. When you see a baby bird on the ground, your instinct may be to bring it inside and nurse it back to health. However, unless the bird has an actual injury, you'll probably do more harm than good this way. Look for the following signs of injury or illness in both nestling and fledgling baby birds: bleeding or open wounds; lifelessness, with very little movement; appearing exhausted or dehydrated. If the bird is sitting calmly or is moving around, it probably isn't injured. If you're not sure, call a wildlife rehabilitator for guidance (see the step later in this section). Scoop up the bird gently with clean or gloved hands. Whenever possible, wash your hands and/or put on gloves to limit the transfer of bacteria or viruses. Then, place one thumb against the back of the bird's neck and scoop your other fingers beneath and around the bird. If the baby bird is too big for one hand, use both thumbs and scoop with both sets of fingers on opposite sides. Grip the bird only tightly enough to prevent it from falling or escaping. Don't squeeze it. Also wash your hands thoroughly after you're done handling the bird. Line a shoebox with a T-shirt or paper towels, and poke holes in the lid. Any standard cardboard shoebox will do. Stick a folded-up T-shirt or several paper towels in the bottom to create a soft base. Use a pen or screwdriver to poke at least 12 holes in the lid. Ideally, you'll either have someone else prepare the box while you keep holding the bird, or create an emergency nest box ahead of time for just such an occasion. Otherwise, you'll have to work on the box with one hand while you hold the bird with the other, or find a soft, secure temporary spot (e.g., a deep bowl lined with paper towels) while you work. Create a facial tissue nest in the box, and nestle the bird in the middle. Fashion about 12 tissues into a donut shape in the center of the shoebox. Make the hole in the middle just large enough for the bird to fit. Then, gently lower the bird into the center of the tissue nest and release your hold. The sides of the tissue nest should not be higher than the bird's head—press them down some or remove a few tissues if necessary. A fledgling bird might move out of this spot and around the box—that's OK. If the bird is unable to sit squarely over its legs with its head upright, try to position the tissues around it to prop it up. Tape the lid onto the box and lay it on a warm heating pad. Especially if you're dealing with a feathered fledgling bird that could potentially escape, put the lid on right away and secure it with tape. But, in any case, put a lid on to keep the temporary nest dark, quiet, and cozy. If you have a heating pad, place it on its lowest setting and set the shoebox on top of it. If you don't have one, place the box in a warm, quiet spot in your house. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator and take the bird to them. Time is of the essence here—if you can get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator within 1-2 hours, its chances of survival will be much greater. Once you make contact with a rehabilitator, put the shoebox in your car and drive to their location as soon as you can. Call your government's environmental, natural resources, wildlife, or similar department to find local wildlife rehabilitators. Or, try websites such as https://ahnow.org/#/ and http://wildliferehabinfo.org/index.htm. Do not try to give the bird food or water unless specifically directed to do so by the wildlife rehabilitator. It's very easy to unintentionally drown, choke, or poison a baby bird. Identify a fledgling by its feathers and adult-like features. Unlike nestlings, which are either bare-skinned or have a downy coating, fledglings have typical bird feathers—although perhaps with a bit of residual “fluff.” They essentially look like slightly-awkward adult birds, as they are in the early stages of learning to fly and will soon leave their parents' nest for good. So, if it looks like an adult bird but can't quite yet fly, it's almost certainly a fledgling and can be left alone unless it's clearly injured or in imminent danger. Leave the bird alone if it appears healthy and safe. Fledglings are commonly found on the ground beneath their nests, and this is completely normal. Hopping and/or fluttering down from the nest is part of their transition to independence. The bird's parents will continue to care for it until it is ready to care for itself. If the fledgling is uninjured and in the vicinity of its nest, it has a fair chance of avoiding predators (by running, hopping, or flying short distances) and reaching adulthood. The bird is actually less likely to reach a healthy adulthood if you take it into your home, try to care for it, and then attempt to release it back into the wild. Place it on a low branch to protect it from a predator. There's really only one time you should consider picking up an uninjured fledgling that's near its nest—that is, if it is in obvious danger. For example, if you know there's a cat lurking around, you may want to pick up the bird and quickly deposit it on a low branch—higher than the cat is likely to reach, but not all the way up to the nest. Using one or both hands (which should be washed, gloved, or both), place your thumbs on the back of the bird's neck and use your fingers to scoop under and around the bird. Deposit the bird on the low branch, then wash your hands and leave the immediate area so the parents can continue their care. Call a wildlife rehabilitator only if no nest is in sight. If you see scattered nest debris or have other reasons to believe the nest has been destroyed, then it is appropriate to contact a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Based on your description of the bird and its situation, they may advise you to bring the bird to them, or may tell you that the bird is likely ready to make it on their own. To find wildlife rehabilitators, contact your local government authority that deals with wildlife or natural resources, or search online. Identify a nestling by its fluffy coating or bare skin. Nestling birds either have bare skin, a fluffy down-like coating, or a mix of down and some very thin pin-feathers. They usually look pear-shaped with undersized wings, they can't fly, and they are helpless outside of the nest and their parents' care. If you find a nestling on the ground, look straight up—the nest will almost always be somewhere directly above. If possible, take a quick peek into the nest to confirm that the nestling on the ground looks like the ones still in the nest. If you cannot find a nest in the immediate area, treat the nestling as injured and get in touch with a wildlife rehabilitator. Scoop up the nestling carefully, and place it gently into the nest. Wash your hands and/or put gloves on, then pick up the bird by putting your thumb on the back of its neck and scooping your fingers under and around its body. Deposit it into the nest as quickly and calmly as possible. Don't risk you own safety trying to reach a nest that is too high or is otherwise inaccessible, though. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator in this case. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the nestling. Watch quietly from at least 80 ft (24 m) away until the parents arrive. The nestling's parents won't return if you—a large predator—are still in the area. Relocate to a spot where you can still see the nest but are well out of the way—80 ft (24 m) is a good minimum distance. Birds rarely leave their nestlings alone for more than a few minutes, unless there are potential predators (like you) in the area. So, you probably won't have to keep an eye on the nest for long. Once you spot an adult bird returning to the nest, you can rest assured that the nestling will be cared for. It is a myth that birds will reject a nestling that has a human scent on it. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if the parents don’t return or the bird falls again. Give the parents at least 30 minutes, and ideally 1 hour, to return to the nest. If you don't see them return during this time period, you can assume they aren't coming back at all. In this case, contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area and follow their guidance. Use a web search to find wildlife rehabilitators, or call your government agencies charged with overseeing the environment and/or wildlife. | Confirm the bird is injured before you try to help it. Scoop up the bird gently with clean or gloved hands. Line a shoebox with a T-shirt or paper towels, and poke holes in the lid. Create a facial tissue nest in the box, and nestle the bird in the middle. Tape the lid onto the box and lay it on a warm heating pad. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator and take the bird to them. Identify a fledgling by its feathers and adult-like features. Leave the bird alone if it appears healthy and safe. Place it on a low branch to protect it from a predator. Call a wildlife rehabilitator only if no nest is in sight. Identify a nestling by its fluffy coating or bare skin. Scoop up the nestling carefully, and place it gently into the nest. Watch quietly from at least 80 ft (24 m) away until the parents arrive. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if the parents don’t return or the bird falls again. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Orange-Roughy | How to Cook Orange Roughy | Before you cook orange roughy, season the fish with a small amount of salt and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of lemon juice, if you like. Heat your grill to high heat, then place the orange roughy in a grilling basket. This will protect this delicate fish from falling apart on the grill. Cook the fish for 4 minutes on each side or until the meat is white and opaque. | Purchase the orange roughy. Orange roughy is growing in popularity, and now can be found at most grocery stores or fish markets. When choosing orange roughy, look for a fish that has moist skin, clear eyes, and does not present a fishy odor. While orange roughy is most commonly sold in fillets, some locations may still sell the whole fish. If this is a problem, ask the fishmonger to clean the fish for you before you purchase it. Most grocery store or fish market experts will be willing to do this free of charge. Season the fish. Orange roughy, which is to be grilled, should be seasoned with a small amount of salt and pepper on both sides before starting the cooking process. Drizzling the fish with a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice is also a good choice. Prepare the grill. A grill that is being used to cook orange roughy should be quite hot. Start the grill at least 20 minutes before applying the fish for best cooking results. Place the fish in the grilling basket. Orange roughy has a relatively delicate texture. Because of this, grilling can be quite hard on the fish physically. To prevent tearing or damaging the flesh of the fish, consider placing it in a grilling basket. These are small "cages" which can be placed directly on top of a grill, and are effective at cooking a variety of foods which otherwise might not fare well on a grill. Cook the fish. In general, 4 minutes per side on the grill for the orange roughy is plenty of time to ensure complete cooking. Season the fish. Like during grilling, orange roughy which is to be broiled must also be seasoned before cooking. In this method, consider sprinkling the fish with a small amount of Cajun seasoning to enhance the cooking process. Prepare the equipment. To broil orange roughy, you will first need to set the oven to broil. In addition, spraying a large baking sheet or broiling pan with cooking spray is necessary to prevent the delicate flesh of the fish from sticking to the pan during cooking. Place the fish in the oven. Place the prepared fish on the greased baking sheet or broiling pan, and place in the oven. Ideally, the fish should be about 3 inches (7.6 cm) away from the heat source for best results. Cook the fish. Orange roughy should be broiled for approximately 6 minutes. Test with a fork to ensure the fish is tender before removing from the heat. Season the fish. A light seasoning of lemon, salt, and pepper is ideal while microwaving orange roughy. Cook the orange roughy. Place the fish in a microwave-safe bowl, and place in the microwave. Cook with general heat for approximately 4 minutes, and check for doneness. If the fish does not flake easily with a fork, continue cooking for 30 second intervals until the fish appears to be completely cooked. | Purchase the orange roughy. Season the fish. Prepare the grill. Place the fish in the grilling basket. Cook the fish. Season the fish. Prepare the equipment. Place the fish in the oven. Cook the fish. Season the fish. Cook the orange roughy. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Entertain-Your-Guinea-Pig | How to Entertain Your Guinea Pig | If you want to entertain your guinea pig, try making a chew toy by stuffing an old sock with some of the guinea pig's clean bedding material and tying off the end. For a simpler solution, you can crumple up a piece of paper and throw it in the cage for it to chew on. You should also let it out of its cage at least once a day to let it get some exercise and break the monotony. Just make sure there are no cords on the ground where it can chew on them. | Crumple up a piece of paper. Use plain paper and crumple it into a ball. Put it into your guinea pig's cage, or let them play with it when they're out. It sounds too easy, but guinea pigs like the crumpling noise and will likely gnaw on it. Create cheap cardboard tunnels. Cut up a wrapping paper tube into short lengths. Your guinea pig will toss it around and play with it. Just be sure to cut down the side so that your guinea pig doesn't get stuck inside. Make a stuffed sock. Find an old sock, and stuff some of the guinea pig's hay inside. Tie off the sock on one end. Cut off the end of the sock. Your guinea pig will pull the pillow around her cage and chew on it. Use a ping-pong ball or a tennis ball. While you're technically not making these toys, you likely have a few laying around the house. Just toss them in the cage, and let your guinea pig have fun. Add tunnels and hiding spaces. Guinea pigs enjoy burrowing into their own personal cave or running through tunnels. You can use simple items such as cardboard tubes and small paper bags to keep your guinea pig happy. You can also use rodent igloos, which are made of plastic. Keep your guinea pig in an active area. When you bring your cage home, consider placing it in the most active room in your house, such as the living room. Your guinea pig is a social animal, and they'll want to be near people. By placing their cage in an active area, you'll keep them from getting bored. However, make sure not to stick your guinea pig near a noise source, such as a stereo or television. The noise can hurt their sensitive ears. Provide chew toys. Your guinea pig needs to chew on things to keep her teeth short. You can use cardboard boxes or untreated wood, or you can simply buy chew toys specifically designed for guinea pigs or other rodents. Make the room safe. Before you let your guinea pig out of their cage, you need to make the room safe. Make sure you have nothing around the room that your guinea pig can get into, such as chemicals or cleaning supplies. Remove or pick up cords out of your guinea pig's reach. They may chew on them if they finds them on the floor. If you're worried about your guinea pig going to the bathroom on your carpet or flooring, lay down a layer of plastic or newspaper to catch any accidents. Put house plants out of reach. Many of them are toxic to guinea pigs. Remove plastic bags, as guineas like them, but they are not safe to play with. Don't forget to provide food and water for the time your guinea is out of her cage. Shut off the room. Close any doors so the guinea pig can't escape. Also, keep any other pets, such as dogs or cats, out of the room while you have your guinea pig out of their cage. Also, warn family members you are letting the guinea pigs out, as they may open the door while they are on the floor. Create an obstacle course. Guinea pigs like a challenge, so try making an obstacle course or maze out of cardboard. You can use a large piece of cardboard for the base or simply tape walls to the floor. Put in twists and turns, and have a treat ready at the end. Add interesting obstacles such as cardboard tubes or bridges. Tunnels are also a fun addition. Give your guinea pig time to roam. Guinea pigs need exercise every day to keep from getting bored in their cages. Pull them out of their cage with two hands, and set them in the room you've made guinea pig-proof. Throw out a few toys to play with. If you want to socialize at the same time, get down on the floor with your guinea pig so that they can come investigate you. Avoid exercise balls. Even if they say they are for guinea pigs, these balls are not really designed for guinea pig use, and they can be dangerous for your pet's back. Catch your guinea pig. If your guinea pig does escape into the rest of your house, keep a cool head. Put your other pets away. Close any other escape routes, especially ones leading outdoors. Try to herd your guinea pig into a corner to catch her. If she holes up somewhere, know she will eventually come out to find food. Just be ready to catch her. Give your guinea pig fresh fruits. Providing your guinea pig with fresh fruits once in a while will help spice up her diet. However, just like humans, guinea pigs shouldn't have too much sugar, so only feed her fruit two or three times a week. You can provide your guinea pig fresh fruit such as oranges, pears, strawberries, seedless grapes, and blueberries. Offer vegetables. You can be a bit more liberal with vegetables, since most of them have less sugar than fruits. You can offer a small handful to your guinea pig once a day. Some vegetables to try include cucumbers, peas, carrots, and corn. Give your guinea pig your food trash. That is, parts of vegetables you might normally throw away are fine to feed to your pet, such as strawberry tops and celery leaves. Always make sure that the fruit or vegetable is on the safe list before feeding it to her, though. Know what snacks are off limits. Your guinea pig can have some human foods, but many foods are off-limits, such as salty snacks, chewy snacks, sugar-filled snacks (including chocolate), and other processed foods. You also want to avoid rhubarb, garlic and onions, raw or dried beans, and seeds. Chips or pretzels are too salty for your pet. Additionally, chips can be sharp and cut your guinea pig's mouth. | Crumple up a piece of paper. Create cheap cardboard tunnels. Make a stuffed sock. Use a ping-pong ball or a tennis ball. Add tunnels and hiding spaces. Keep your guinea pig in an active area. Provide chew toys. Make the room safe. Shut off the room. Create an obstacle course. Give your guinea pig time to roam. Avoid exercise balls. Catch your guinea pig. Give your guinea pig fresh fruits. Offer vegetables. Give your guinea pig your food trash. Know what snacks are off limits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hold-a-Harry-Potter-Party | How to Hold a Harry Potter Party | To hold a Harry Potter party, start by sending out some Harry Potter-themed invitations, like coffee-stained invites rolled up and sealed with red wax so they look like they came from Hogwarts. Then, on the day of your party, hang up drapes in the different Hogwarts' house colors and Harry Potter posters. You can also make everyone gift bags filled with things like chocolate coins, toy dragons, and Harry Potter collectibles. Also, prepare Harry Potter-themed snacks, like butterbeer, pudding, and jelly beans. | Check with your parents that it's okay to have a party. They may love the idea, though - it'd be fun for everyone, plus you have a guide (this article) telling you everything you need to know. Make a guest list. Try to invite people who know a lot about Harry Potter. Make Harry Potter-themed invitations. Here are different ideas for making the invitations: Idea number 1: Invite friends to Hogwarts with an official looking invitation in a large, handmade envelope with red wax seal. Write your invitation on white paper with green ink, stain with a cooled coffee or tea mixture (try staining your paper before you write on it, and dry it flat), and roll up when dry. Tie with red ribbon or seal with red wax. To make this look even fancier, get your parent to mark an H for Hogwarts. Idea number 2: Print some Hogwarts house ties and use them as invitations - or cut them out and send them as they are in a big envelope, with instructions for your party guests to color them in in their favorite house's colors and wear them to the party! Idea number 3: Put the Hogwarts crest/badge at the top of the page on the right-hand corner where the address goes on muggle letters. You can find this in images online if you type in "Hogwarts badge". Then type out your official invitation underneath. Idea number 4: Send your friends a letter, inviting them to Hogwarts, for an end of O.W.L. party. Instead of your friend's name, write the name of their favorite Hogwarts character (such as "Dear Luna"). Make sure you have an equal number of students from each House. Then, print of some pictures of owls and stick them on top. Add specifics to the invitation. Besides the date, place and time, here are some other things you might like to add: Dress up as your favorite Harry Potter character (Harry, Hermione, Ron etc). Ask your guests to bring their own wands. State that everyone gets 20 House points to start off with. Make sure all guests understand what House points actually are. Idea number 5: Use your email to send your friend a Hogwarts acceptance letter style invitation, this is really easy just compose a new message, add images and the party information and click send.They can reply to your email if they are coming or not.This idea is easy to make and if you are only inviting a couple of people and don't want to hurt anyones feelings just send them a quick email (To make sure they get it, tell them in person to check there email for your invitation!) Ensure that the place the party will be held is tidy, so that it is easily manageable. Make a map of your house. You may want to include your backyard or garden, too. Label the places differently. For example, your backyard or garden is the Hogwarts grounds or the black lake. This grabs people's interest, and you can play Find the Sorcerer's Stone, or something similar. Decorate your house. While you don't really need decorations to have a great Harry Potter party, if your party is themed on a particular part of Harry Potter, they can be useful for getting the mood right. Handmade posters, the "paintings" that hang up around Hogwarts and drapes in house colors are all possible ways to decorate for your Harry Potter party. Stick stars on the ceiling if it's okay with your parents, so that your room looks like the Great Hall. Make Harry Potter loot bags. These can be made as follows: Stuff inside the party bag: At the end of the party, have a hunt to see if kids can find the following objects. Whatever object that is on the list that they find, they get to take home. It may be a good idea to do this in the backyard. Here is a list of things you may want to use: 2 chocolate gold coins 2 Harry Potter collector cards 2 Harry Potter badges 1 toy mini dragon Organize music. Set up a music playing device and organize playlists. Play some different Hogwarts songs at the party to set the mood. Some good bands are Swish and Flick, Draco and the Malfoys and The Parselmouths. Choose the party food. You can use anything referred to in the book series, as well as related food items that you think would have been appreciated in a Harry Potter context. Harry Potter party food is really easy to come up with. Just think of a food or drink you and your guests would like and come up with a creative Harry Potter name for it. Some suitable foods include: Treacle tart. This has a Harry Potter feeling to it, as Hagrid serves it to Harry multiple times. Roast potatoes. Baked, fried, and mashed are okay too - they have these at the start-of-term feast. Pumpkin juice. You can use orange juice, or learn how to make pumpkin juice. This is a nice addition to any party. Chocolate frogs. Use chocolate in the shape of frogs. You can buy frog molds at cooking stores and online, or buy ready-made chocolate frogs from candy or sweet shops. Pudding. Luna Lovegood says that you cannot have a party without pudding. Well, your party wouldn't be a party without pudding, either! Butterbeer. There are loads of recipes, so look it up! Most people suggest microwaving a tiny bit of butter and some butterscotch syrup for a minute and then adding cream soda. Bertie Botts' every flavor beans. Jelly Belly beans come in almost every flavor and make a good substitute. Make party food. Here are some additional ideas for things you can make at home fairly easily: Strawberry acid pop drinks: All you need is strawberries and fizzy strawberry drink. Cut the strawberries up into little bits and tip into a glass, pour a reasonable amount of a fizzy strawberry drink into the glass and dilute. To make this into a dessert, simply add some strawberry ice cream. Spark wands: This is easy; all they are is bread sticks. The bread sticks are the wands, and if you want your"'wands" to shoot "sparks", then get ones with seeds on them. Crumpet faces: If you like crumpets and pizzas, you and your guests will be excited to get to one of these delicious morsels. Get two crumpets and cover with cheese, olive oil, tomatoes, and olives if you like them. Make into faces or throw on. Heat in your oven for about 10 minutes. Eat and enjoy! Consider having the Hogwarts Express. To get to it, you must run through a brick wall. To do this, place two curtains in your foyer with the words "Platform 9 and 3/4" pinned to it. Ask your guests to "run" through it. Next, have your living or family room look like a compartment. Get off the train to go to "Hogwarts." Sort the party guests. The Sorting is a celebrated feast at the beginning of a school year. The first years find what house they're in, and so can your guests! Find or buy a witch's hat, and dirty it up a little, so that it looks old. Place the "Sorting Hat" on a stool in the "Great Hall." Ask a family member to call out names. For example: "Weasley, Rose!" Have someone in the background shout out the house, depending on what the person's characteristics are (decide this in advance). Are they bold and brave? Gryffindor would be their house. If they're sharp with smarts, Ravenclaw is theirs. How about if they have a green thumb and a kind heart? Try Hufflepuff. If they're clever and proud, choose Slytherin. Remember, Slytherin isn't that bad of a house to be in! Use House points. If a guest does something really well, the party organizer (an adult) will award the relevant House 1, 5, 10, 20 or 50 house points. But beware! Each guest can lose House points, too! In each game mentioned below, there is a note of House points and how many a guest should get. An adult should be placed in charge of the House points. If you have a mom and a dad, try having your mom dress up as Minerva McGonagall and your dad as Snape! (Be prepared - they may have a few objections about this!) Hold a Great Feast. The "Great Feast" comes right after the Sorting. So can yours, or you can delay it until later in the party. Any dish will work, though for specifics, see the "Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook" and the suggested foods above. Have four tables, or only as many as you need for the Houses. Perhaps no Slytherin? No need to make a table then. Have someone be headmaster and say a few words before serving. Perfect. Add whatever you'd like to make the feast more fun. Make sure everyone is informed that good behavior earns points, and naughty behavior loses them. Give out schedules as well. Play Harry Potter games. Here are just a few ideas to inspire you: Astronomy: Print and cut out a picture of each of the planets. Each student at Hogwarts has ten minutes to find all the planets hidden around the house. Award ten House points to everyone who finds the planets, and take ten away from anyone who doesn't find them. Create your own spell: This game is bound to be a big hit. Before the party, find a Latin dictionary (online or a book) and compile a list of Latin nouns and verbs to give the "students", which they can combine into their own spells. Latin is the best language to use, because it is the one used in the Harry Potter books (e.g., the Lumos spell, which means light in Latin). Let them practice by having Wizard Duels with each other. Use glow sticks as wands, as they give off light. Race to dinner: This little game is good fun. Create a course around your house to get to your dinner. Everyone can shoot a spell, although all spells are restricted except Stunning spells and Disarming spells. If you are hit by a Stunning Spell, then you have to stay still for 5 seconds. If you are hit by a Disarming spell, you're not allowed to shoot a spell at anyone for 5 seconds. You're not allowed to shoot a spell unless you have counted two seconds from the last spell you shot. This is a bit complicated, so practice before dinner, or this could end in chaos! You may also want to check with a parent, since they may think you've gone mad if you want to race around the house with your friends waving sticks at each other, and you could knock over some valuables. Harry Potter board games: There are a lot of great Harry Potter games out there, so if you or any of your friends have any, make sure you include them in your party! Harry Potter make-a-food: Give all the guests a selection of the basic foods. All they are doing is picking a Harry Potter food each, or making one together, getting the food they will need, cooking it and finally tasting. You can get suggestions of Harry Potter foods if you can buy/read the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. You get five House points if Snape thinks it is yummy. But will it come out as sour? Sweet? Tasty? Yucky? Potions class: Get lots of fizzy drinks, sweets and berries. Split into pairs and take a "cauldron" (a large bowl or toy cauldron) for each pair. Now have fun mixing it all together. Make your dad/brother/uncle dress up as Snape and taste each pair's potion. His favorite potion is given ten House points, the second favorite gets five, and third is awarded three. (Specifics on potions are offered below.) Crosswords: There are thousands of Harry Potter Crosswords on the net, but making your own is much more fun. If you find this too hard, just make a word search instead. Guests will then find a partner and they will swap crosswords and try to figure them out. The crosswords should be Harry Potter-related. Read your favorite lines out of your favorite Harry Potter books. It's actually really fun! But don't stay inside while you're doing this if it's a nice day, or your dad might think you're up to something. Care Of Magical Creatures: Using "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", each draw up a bingo grid. Write down a magical creature in each slot. Now ask an adult to flick through and call out random names. First one to get every creature called wins. Instead of shouting bingo, shout "Hagrid!". Play Quidditch! Have your guest bring a broom, (or you will have the brooms)and play Quidditch outside. Remember, there are two beaters, one seeker, a keeper, and three chasers. On the web, you can find plenty of variations of Quidditch. Try Mugglenet's official college Quodpot. Have a scavenger hunt. The Marauders' Map can be your guide! Provide quiet time. Everybody needs a quiet time after all the fun stuff, and this is perfect. Don't worry, it won't be boring - you'll be watching a Harry Potter Video/DVD. If you have multiple movies, do a vote. Make spells and potions. For spells, start with Wingardium Leviosa. Use wands and balloons. Last one's balloon to drop wins 10 points for their House. First one loses 5 points. Next, transfigure buttons into bobby pins. Have the "students" close their eyes. Make up a spell for them to say and switch them. Hide the buttons. If they can transfigure them, 5 points. Potions. No foolish wand-waving. So, wands away please. Make five types of potion: Felix Felicis, Babbling potion, Truth potion, Silence potion and Polyjuice potion. For Felix: pour four drops of yellow food coloring in a cup with ice. Then, add Sprite. Tada! You're lucky. For Babbling: pour four drops of blue food coloring in a cup with ice. Then, add Sprite. Now you can't stop talking! For Truth, pour only Sprite. Have someone ask you a question, and you can't lie. For Silence: pour four drops of red food coloring in a cup with ice. Add Sprite. Take a sip and zip! For Polyjuice, follow the steps for Silence, but with green food coloring. Hold a Tri-Wizard Tournament. If you have a pool, you can put obstacles and challenges in there. For the dragons, you could have them chase dogs with something on them that they have to get off, or for the maze, you could get some tall inflatable walls and put them in your backyard. Do a calmed down version of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Have additional preparations if you're also holding a Harry Potter sleepover party. Here are some things to consider: Bedtime: Make a dormitory out of your bedroom. Deck in Gryffindor colors (red and gold), tidy up and put some beds/sleeping bags on the floor. You could divide up the sleeping room for the four houses. Also, have a picture that you need to have a password to. Breakfast: Usually at a sleepover you will all have breakfast together. Think up something Harry Potter-ish for breakfast. Dress your breakfast place like Dumbledore's office and have some nice crumpets with butter while having an enjoyable talk with your dad (Dumbledore) about favorite Quidditch teams. | Check with your parents that it's okay to have a party. Make a guest list. Make Harry Potter-themed invitations. Add specifics to the invitation. Ensure that the place the party will be held is tidy, so that it is easily manageable. Make a map of your house. Decorate your house. Make Harry Potter loot bags. Organize music. Choose the party food. Make party food. Consider having the Hogwarts Express. Sort the party guests. Use House points. Hold a Great Feast. Play Harry Potter games. Read your favorite lines out of your favorite Harry Potter books. Play Quidditch! Provide quiet time. Make spells and potions. Hold a Tri-Wizard Tournament. Have additional preparations if you're also holding a Harry Potter sleepover party. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Your-Heart-Rate | How to Calculate Your Heart Rate | To calculate your heart rate, gently press your index finger and middle finger to the inside of one of your wrists, right between the bone and tendon, until you can feel your pulse. Next, count the number of heartbeats for 15 seconds, using a clock to measure the time rather than trying to simultaneously count your pulse and the seconds. Then, multiply that number by 4 to calculate the number of beats per minute, which is your resting heart rate. | Check your pulse at your radial artery. This is one of the easiest places to measure your heartbeat because you have a large artery right below the skin. Each time your heartbeats, you will feel a pulse as the blood rushes through your artery. Hold out one arm, palm up. Gently press your index finger and middle fingers to the inside of your wrist between the bone and tendon near your radial artery. This will be approximately one inch below your wrist on the same side as your thumb. You should feel soft tissue beneath your fingers, not bone. You may need to move your fingers around or press slightly harder until you feel it. Count the number of beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get the number of beats per minute. Use a clock to measure the 15 seconds rather than trying to simultaneously count your pulse and the seconds. Take your pulse underneath your jaw. This is another location where you should be able to easily and quickly find a strong pulse. Put your index and middle finger to the left of your windpipe where your neck connects to the tissues underneath your jaw. You should be able to feel your pulse on either side of your windpipe, but it might be easier to find on the left side. You may need to move your fingers around and press a little harder until you feel it. Use a clock or stopwatch to keep track of 15 seconds, count the pulses you feel, and then multiply by four. You should get about the same result when you measure your pulse at your wrist or your neck. See a doctor if you detect any abnormalities in your resting heart rate. Your resting heart rate is the number of beats per minute when you are inactive for at least five minutes; however, if you were exercising, it may take longer for your heart rate to slow down. A person's resting heart rate naturally varies based on how active you are, how fit you are, how warm or cold it is, whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down, your emotional state, your body size and what medications you are on. Consult a doctor if: Your resting heart rate is usually over 100 beats per minute. This is called tachycardia. Your resting heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, if you are not an athlete. This is bradycardia. Other symptoms that may accompany this condition include fainting, dizziness, or being out of breath. If you are an athlete, a low heartbeat may mean you are in good shape. However, it should not be below 40. Your heartbeat is irregular. Calculate your maximum heart rate (HRMax). HRMax is the theoretical maximum maximum speed at which your heart can beat. It varies with your age and is used to determine how fast your heart should be beating during exercise of differing levels of difficulty. Subtract your age from 220. For example, a 20 year old should have a maximum heart rate of about 200 beats per minute. Some blood pressure medications may lower your maximum heart rate. If you are on blood pressure medications and using your heartbeat to monitor your exercise, contact your doctor to see how you should determine your maximum heart rate. Consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise routine if you have a health condition, particularly high blood pressure, diabetes, or a heart condition. Use your pulse to determine when you are doing moderate exercise. Moderate exercise for 2.5 hours per week should help your heart stay healthy. You are considered to be doing moderate exercise if: Your heart rate is 50-70% of your maximum heart rate. That means that a 20 year old with a maximum heart rate of 200 beats per minute should have a target heart rate of 100–140 beats per minute during moderate exercise. You are dancing, hiking on the flat, biking slower than 10 miles per hour (mph) (16 km/hr), walking at about 3.5 mph (5.6 km/hr), downhill skiing, swimming, gardening, playing doubles in tennis, or playing golf. These activities should produce a heart rate that is 50–70% of your maximum heart rate. If they do not, you may need to push yourself a little harder. Take your pulse to determine when you are doing vigorous exercise. Doing vigorous exercise for 75 minutes per week or more will improve your heart's health. You are considered to be doing vigorous exercise when: Your heart rate is 70–85% of your maximum heart rate. For a 20 year old, this would be 140–170 beats per minute during vigorous exercise. You are walking at 4.5 mph (7.2 km/hr) or faster, biking at 10 mph (16km/hr), hiking uphill, walking up stairs, cross-country skiing, playing soccer, running, jumping rope, playing singles in tennis, playing basketball, or doing heavy yard work. Identify signs of elevated heart rate. If you don't have a monitor or want to stop and take measurements, familiarize yourself with the signs of an elevated heart rate. These include breathlessness or heavy rapid breathing, perspiration, and the inability to carry on a conversation. Get serious about monitoring your heart rate with a heart rate monitor. If you do not like calculating your pulse in your head while exercising, you can purchase a heart rate monitor or a fingertip pulse oximeter, which is a little more affordable. Wearable, strap on heart rate monitors are widely available on the internet or at sports stores. You can purchase them and wear them like wrist watches. Most have an electrode that you put on your chest which sends information on your pulse to the monitor on your wrist. Look for one that is easy for you to use while you are exercising. Reading reviews online or talking to experts in sports stores will help you decide what is most practical for your particular sport. | Check your pulse at your radial artery. Take your pulse underneath your jaw. See a doctor if you detect any abnormalities in your resting heart rate. Calculate your maximum heart rate (HRMax). Use your pulse to determine when you are doing moderate exercise. Take your pulse to determine when you are doing vigorous exercise. Identify signs of elevated heart rate. Get serious about monitoring your heart rate with a heart rate monitor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Nettle-Tea | How to Make Nettle Tea | To make nettle tea, start by washing the leaves in a sieve under running water to remove any dust or bugs. Then, cook 1 loose cup of nettles in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes until the water turns light green. Next, strain the tea before serving with sugar, if desired. You can also turn your tea pink by adding lemon juice. | Gather young, spring nettles. Plan your expedition in the spring, before they've flowered. Some think that nettles taste bitter and unpleasant after they've flowered. Others claim that cystoliths (microscopic stones) in the adult plants can irritate the urinary tract. Both of these claims are disputed by some nettle harvesters, but most stick to the young plants. Some subspecies of nettle will flower in late fall. Protect yourself from stings. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and long trousers to avoid the stinging hairs. Bring along a pair of scissors or garden clippers to make harvesting easier. Many experienced foragers pick barehanded, but they often contradict each other when giving advice. This may be due to variation between subspecies of nettles. The key is to look closely at the plant and figure out where the hairs are. They're usually angled the same way, so you can avoid most stings if you move along the plant from the opposite direction, or pinch the leaves from straight above and below. Identify the nettles. Nettles are common weeds throughout much of the world, and they should be easy to find in partial shade, such as a fence line or forest edge. The plants are dark green, with leaves growing in pairs opposite each other. The leaves are heart- or lance-shaped, with a toothed ridge around the perimeter. There are other, less common edible plants called "nettles" because they cause a similar sting. These may have a different appearance. Pick healthy leaves. The shoots are edible, but there's no reason to put them in tea. Check the top bud and leaves for holes or black specks, which are signs of pests. If they're healthy, clip them off and toss them in your bag. Grab the stem and run your gloved hand upward to remove all the leaves at once. To keep the plants alive, harvest just the top two or three pairs of leaves. Nettles are hardy weeds, though, so this may not be a concern. A very young plant, if the top is clipped, will grow outward into a bushy nettle good for later harvesting. Dry the leaves (optional). You can use fresh or dried leaves to make tea. Each has its own flavor. To dry them, just leave them in a paper bag in a well-ventilated room until dry, but still green. Dry leaves usually don't sting, but they may still cause splinters or minor irritation. Know the medical risks. Nettle is safe for most people, but may have dangerous interactions with some disorders and drugs. While more studies are necessary, most medical organizations give the following advice: Avoid nettle tea if you are pregnant, as it may cause contractions or miscarriage. Children and breastfeeding women should not drink nettle tea, as the effects on children are unknown. Talk to your doctor first if you have issues with blood sugar (including diabetes), blood pressure, blood disorders, or if you are on any medication — even an over-the-counter painkiller. Start with small quantities, especially if you have any medical ailment or history of allergies. Wash the nettles. Sift through your collection and remove any stowaway bugs. Wash the leaves in a sieve under running water, rubbing off dust or other contaminants with gloved hands. Boil the nettles. Put the leaves in boiling water for 10–15 minutes, or until the water turns light green. One loose cup (240 mL) leaves is enough for two glasses of tea, although you can make it stronger or weaker. If you don't want to get your kettle mucky, just pour boiling water over the leaves and let steep. Drink plain or with sweetener. The leaves will no longer sting you. You may still want to strain the tea through a mesh sieve to make the tea easier to drink. Turn it pink with lemon juice. Lemon juice or any other acid will turn the nettle tea pink. This will likely be more dramatic if the stems are boiled as well, since they contain more of the color-changing chemicals. Some folk medicine traditions use this alteration for different health benefits. This has not been scientifically studied. The chemicals responsible are anthocyanin and the related anthocyanin glucosides. | Gather young, spring nettles. Protect yourself from stings. Identify the nettles. Pick healthy leaves. Dry the leaves (optional). Know the medical risks. Wash the nettles. Boil the nettles. Drink plain or with sweetener. Turn it pink with lemon juice. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Color-Metal | How to Color Metal | Coloring metal can be done by spray painting, anodizing the metal with metal dye, or creating a patina film. To spray paint metal, first soak your metal in bleach and water solution to kill any mildew and remove any discoloration. You can also remove any rust with a wire brush or clean it with mineral spirits, if needed. Once your metal is clean, spray a coat of primer in a smooth, even layer. When possible, pick a spray primer that's the same color as the finish and is rust-resistant. After the primer dries, apply an even coat of paint, allow it to fully dry, then apply a second coat to increase the life of your paint job. | Treat any mildew. Start by soaking the metal in bleach to kill the mildew and remove discoloration. Make a solution of water and bleach in a 3:1 ratio. Let the metal soak in the solution for approximately 20 minutes. Rinse your metal with plain water after you've finished. If the metal is new or free from any mildew, you can proceed without soaking the object in bleach. Remove any rust. Rough up the surface with a wire brush. You can also use an electric sander with coarse sandpaper, a power drill, or a rotary tool to remove all debris. Choose a grit between 36 and 100 to remove rust and smooth flaws. Wear eye protection and a dust mask to avoid getting metal fragments in your eyes or lungs. Use a pair of work gloves to avoid injuries. For large objects, you can remove rust, debris, and old paint with a liquid commercial rust remover. Clean the metal object with mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are a type of turpentine-free paint thinner. Wipe the metal down with a rag dampened with mineral spirits. Remove any dust and debris that may be left behind from sanding. Make sure the surface is completely clean and dry so that the primer will stick to the object. Keep in mind that mineral spirits will strip any existing fresh paint. Also remember that mineral spirits will only strip away paint that is still fresh. If you want to remove existing paint that won't come off with mineral spirits, try cleaning your metal with turpentine instead. Apply a coat of primer. Spray the primer on the surface in a smooth, even layer. You should coat the metal with primer as soon as the surface has been prepared to avoid dirt or rust accumulating on the surface again. Choose a primer specifically recommended for the type of metal you are painting. Choose a spray primer in the same color as the finish when possible. Try to purchase a primer in the same brand as the paint you will buy, as colors are more likely to be better matched and chemically compatible. Purchase primer that is rust resistant. Priming with a paint brush is very difficult to do without leaving streaks. Use a spray primer for best results. Read the directions on the product to determine the necessary time for the primer to dry. Apply an even coat of paint. Be sure to shake the can first. Hold down the nozzle and coat the desired areas. Use masking tape or painter's tape to cover any areas you want to avoid painting. Hold the can approximately a foot away from the object. Start spraying off to the side of the object and move the can with a continuous motion across the metal object without pausing. Allow paint to dry. Control your environment. If you are painting a smaller object, you can place it in a cardboard box and apply your paint. If you pause while spraying, you may notice a splotch appear. Use a cloth to wipe away the wet paint immediately before it can dry. Allow the remaining paint to dry before starting again. Galvanized metals have a thin layer of zinc chromate. The biggest reason for paint chipping or not adhering to galvanized metal is that the paint bonds to the zinc coating, or the residue collected on the surface, rather than the metal itself. If you have a piece of galvanized metal, look for a paint that doesn't contain any alkyds, as these oil-based binders can react with the zinc coating. Apply a second coat of paint. Once the first coat of paint has dried, you will want to apply a second coat of paint to the surface. Adding a second coat of paint will increase the life of your paint job. Allow the paint to dry. To get the best results, always wait 24 hours between applying coats of paint. Understand the anodizing process. Anodizing converts the surface of a metal object into its oxide form. Anodized aluminum oxide is incredibly tough and resistant to corrosion. It is also porous compared to unoxidized aluminum, allowing it to absorb a variety of metal dyes. The conversion process uses an electric current and a strong acid bath. The metal being anodized is connected to a circuit and placed in the acid bath where it acts as an anode (positive electrode). Negative hydroxide ions within the bath are attracted to the positive anode where they react with aluminum to form aluminum oxide. A scrap of aluminum is also placed in the bath, connected to the other wire. This serves as the cathode (negative electrode), completing the circuit. Aluminum is the typical metal of choice for this method, but other non-ferrous (non-iron) metals like magnesium and titanium can also be anodized. Gather your materials. You will want to start by finding a space that you can work without causing any potential damage. You can gather these items individually, or you can purchase a commercial anodizing kit that should include everything you need. Select your metal. Any aluminum or aluminum alloy can be anodized. Other types of metal, like steel, won't work. You will need three plastic tubs. Each tub should be large enough to hold your metal object. One will be used for the cleaning process, one for the acid, and one for the dye bath. Large, plastic paint buckets will work well for most jobs. Get a plastic jug to hold your neutralizing solution. For reagents, you will need sulfuric acid, baking soda, lye, metal fiber dye, and distilled water. Find an adequate power source. You will want a power supply that is capable of producing a consistent flow of electricity up to a minimum of 20 volts. A car battery is ideal. Get two power cables to connect the car battery to the acid solution. They should be strong enough to use to grip and lift the metal object in and out of the solutions. You will also want a spare piece of aluminum to act as the cathode in the solution. Have a large pot and stove to boil the metal object. Always wear a pair of large rubber gloves. Since you are handling strong chemicals you will need to handle your materials safely to avoid contact with your skin at all times. Prepare a neutralizing solution. The neutralizing solution uses a baking soda base as an alkaline to neutralize the pH of the sulfuric acid. You should keep a neutralizing solution handy to neutralize sulfuric acid in an emergency and to clean equipment. If your skin should come in contact with the acid, always use the solution to neutralize the burn instead of making it worse with water. Add 2 cups (0.83 pt.) of baking soda to 1 gallon (3.79L) of distilled water. Prepare the metal. You can use any piece of aluminum alloy to anodize using this process. Put on a pair of rubber gloves before cleaning. Anything, even fingerprints, left on the surface can impact your results. Clean the parts with water and dishwashing detergent. Immerse the parts in a bath of water and lye. Add 3 tablespoons of lye for each gallon of water. Using your rubber gloves, lower the metal object into the solution for about 3 minutes. Rinse the object in distilled water. If the water does not bead, the aluminum is clean. Prepare the sulfuric acid solution. Add sulfuric acid to distilled water in a plastic container at a ratio of 5 parts water to 1 part acid. Do not use a container that is breakable like glass. Always add acid to water so the solution doesn't fizz. Adding water to acid can cause it to splash up out of the container. Set up the power source with positive and negative poles. With the power supply off, connect one cable to the positive output and the other cable to the negative. Connect the other end of the negative cable to the metal object and submerge it in a container of sulfuric acid solution. Connect the other end of the positive cable to a scrap piece of aluminum and submerge it into solution without touching the metal object. Turn on the power. The voltage you use will depend on the surface area of the metal you are using. Check the power supply. Start with a low voltage of about 2 amps, then increase the voltage up to 10-12 amps after a few minutes. Anodize aluminum for 60 minutes. Negatively charged aluminum will attract positively charged sulfuric acid. You will notice a lot of bubbles around the piece of scrap metal, but very little bubbling around the metal you are anodizing. Remove the metal piece and rinse thoroughly with water. Be careful not to let any acid drip off the piece. You may want to the hold the container containing your neutralizing solution beneath the metal as you move it to the sink. Hold the metal beneath the water for several minutes while rotating to clean each side thoroughly. Prepare the dye. Prepare a solution of fiber dye and distilled water in portions to reach the color you want in a separate container. Follow any manufacturer instructions for the particular dye you have purchased. Place the metal object into dye bath for up to 20 minutes. Depending on the desired color, you may only need to leave the metal in the bath for a minute or two. You can also gently heat the dye bath to help speed up the process. At first, you may have difficulty getting the precise color, so plan on trying out the process on a few practice pieces made of the same material first. The dye can be reused several times, so if you want you can store the dye in a plastic container after you've finished this dyeing session. Boil the object in water for 30 minutes to seal the color. Heat the water in a pot. Then immerse the object into the boiling water. The process will seal the dyes, but it will also cause them to fade slightly. This is another reason why it's a good idea to do at least one test piece first. Allow the object to cool. Remove the object from the hot water. Set it on a towel to cool for several minutes. Once the object is completely cool, the metal will be at its permanent new color. Clean all tools and containers with baking soda neutralizing solution. Rinse everything and be sure that none of the acid remains on anything that was in contact with it throughout the process. Create a patina mixture. There are many different recipes to create different patinas. Patinas change the color by creating a chemical reaction with the metal to create a colored film over the surface. You can use a patina on any copper or bronze metal to give the surface an aged color and appearance similar to the green coloring of the Statue of Liberty. Depending on the material, you can search for a patina recipe to create the color you are looking for or purchase one over the counter. For a green verdigris patina, add three parts apple cider vinegar to one part salt. For a black patina, add sulfur of liver (sulfurated potash) to warm water. Some patina recipes will require the metal to be heated before applying the patina, so you may need to purchase a torch to heat the metal. Fill a container with your patina mixture. You can use a regular paint bucket for cold mixtures, but you may want to use a large metal pot if the patina mixture needs to be heated. The bucket should be large enough to immerse your object in the solution. Patina mixtures may need to be heated or cooled, so use a container that will work for the temperature of your recipe. Some chemicals can give off hazardous fumes. Always use a workspace that is well-ventilated. If you are coloring an object that is too large to put in a container, you can put a patina solution into a spray bottle and spray it all over the metal. You can also wet a rag with the solution and rub it on the metal, or use a paint brush to apply it to the surface. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves when using harsh chemicals to avoid contact. Soak the piece in the mixture. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and place the metal object in the container filled with a patina mixture. Depending on your patina recipe, you may need to let the piece sit for anywhere from a few minutes up to several hours. Set a timer and wait. Remove the metal. Check on your piece after the allotted time. If you want a more intense color, let the metal soak longer. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and remove the metal once your metal has taken on its desired appearance. Let the metal dry completely. The patina will continue to change while the piece dries, so be patient. If you want to color the piece further, place it back into the mixture and repeat the process. Coat the metal with a varnish. Use a spray-on acrylic clear coat varnish to help protect the surface and coloration. Clean the metal. Remove all dust, dirt and fingerprints from the metal before beginning. Wash the metal with soap and water. Let the metal soak in a degreaser. Place it on a clean surface to dry. Do not handle the metal with your hands after cleaning. Even the grease from your fingers can impact the formation of the colors. Heat adds color to metals in a fairly unpredictable way that varies based on temperature, humidity, time, and the composition of the metal. Turn on a heat source. You can use this method on any metals containing copper or iron, such as steel. A smaller, focused flame, such as a Bunsen burner or torch, will provide a more dramatic variation of colors. An open flame will create more of a subtle variation. Depending on the temperature that the metal reaches you can create a color from pale yellow to blue. Use some tongs or a wrench or similar tool to grip the metal to avoid contacting the heated metal after exposing it to the flame. If you have an oven you can also heat the metal that way to provide a more even coloration. Expose the metal to the flame. There is not much you can do to control the pattern or formation of the coloration. You can only somewhat control the color by how long you heat the metal. You will notice that the piece doesn't remain the same color as it cools from the heat. For example, reds may cool to bluish purples. Be sure to heat metal only in a well-ventilated area. Use caution not to burn yourself. Wear some work gloves. If your flame is fine and your metal piece large enough, you can trace patterns onto your metal. Allow the metal to cool. Turn off the torch or heat source. Set the metal down somewhere safe, like a concrete floor, to cool. You may want to have a bucket of cold water on hand to dip the hot metal in and cool it quickly. Coat the metal with a varnish or wax. If you are working a piece of jewelry or art, you may want to apply a sealant to protect and give the metal a glossy finish. After the metal cools, apply a coat of beeswax or an acrylic clear coat to protect the colors and the surface. Allow the finish to dry. | Treat any mildew. Remove any rust. Clean the metal object with mineral spirits. Apply a coat of primer. Apply an even coat of paint. Apply a second coat of paint. Understand the anodizing process. Gather your materials. Prepare a neutralizing solution. Prepare the metal. Prepare the sulfuric acid solution. Set up the power source with positive and negative poles. Remove the metal piece and rinse thoroughly with water. Prepare the dye. Place the metal object into dye bath for up to 20 minutes. Boil the object in water for 30 minutes to seal the color. Allow the object to cool. Clean all tools and containers with baking soda neutralizing solution. Create a patina mixture. Fill a container with your patina mixture. Soak the piece in the mixture. Remove the metal. Let the metal dry completely. Coat the metal with a varnish. Clean the metal. Turn on a heat source. Expose the metal to the flame. Allow the metal to cool. Coat the metal with a varnish or wax. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-an-Old-Friend | How to Find an Old Friend | To find an old friend, try doing a Google Image search of their first and last name and then clicking on any pictures of them that come up to see if they lead to your friend's contact information. You can also try using a search engine specifically designed for finding people, like Pipl or ZabaSearch. If you still can't locate your old friend, try looking them up on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. | Write down as many details as you can remember. If your search ends up dragging on or producing unclear results, you'll be thankful for as much detail as possible. Try to remember your friend's hair color, height, maiden name, family members' names, and the names of all towns he lived in and places he worked for. Get in contact with other people that knew the specific person you're searching for. Ask them questions about when they've last seen them, talked to them, or any personal information like last known email addresses or phone numbers. If you and your friend had a major falling-out, some of your contacts may not cooperate. It's worth combing your address book to see if you have written down any connections to them that you have forgotten about. Know how to search online. A simple search engine attempt often doesn't lead anywhere, but it's worth a try. Whether you're using Google or one of the more specialized services described later, it pays to know how to make your search more effective: Search for nicknames as well, even if your friend didn't have one when you knew her. For instance, an "Elizabeth" might now go by "Beth," "Betty," or "Liza." Search for just the first name, in case your friend's last name changed with marriage or divorce. On search engines, enclose your friend's name in quotation marks, then add more information such as the school she went to, the city she lived in, or the business she worked for. Search for your friend's name on Google Image search. If you see a face that may be your friend, follow the link to the website the image showed up on. Even if this doesn't lead to contact, you might find a more up-to-date photograph of your friend, which can help you identify him in later search results. Use social media sites. Search for your friend's full name on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social websites, as well as Google or other search engines. On Facebook, type in a name in the top search bar and hit enter. On the left-hand pane, select People. A list of filters should appear at the top of your search, where you can enter possible locations, workplaces, or schools. Use dedicated people-search websites. Pipl is one of the more impressive free search services out there. You can also try ZabaSearch , or purchase a search for a few dollars on Intelius , radaris , peekyou , Veromi.com, or Spokeo.com. You can often take the free partial results from several commercial search sites and patch together phone numbers and addresses, without actually paying for the data. Every site has different information, though most of it tends to be pretty stale. Spokeo tends to have the freshest data. Make sure to scroll all the way through the Pipl results. An email address may be buried in an old blog post, online survey, or forum comment. Sign up for friend-finding websites. This works best if you suspect your friend may be looking for you as well, since these websites leave public messages for people to find. Try Lost Friends Be very cautious with sites that require a credit-card sign up, as they may be scams, or end up being more expensive than you anticipated. All the options above are free. Check your Spam or Junk Mail folder for the confirmation email while signing up. Search by alma mater, military service, or business. Many alumni sites require paid memberships to use, or will ask your friend to pay in order to view your message. Still, some of these sites can be useful resources, if you know where your friend went to school. ZoomInfo's search is a great resource for people in the corporate world. BatchMates is a free alumni reunion site. It is focused on India but includes members worldwide. If your friend served in the US military, check its online Buddy Finder. Search marriage records. Search online for "marriage records" and the name of the country your friend last lived in, or her state if she lived in the US. These records are often only available in person, but your state or county website should direct you to the office where you can check these in person. If you do find a marriage record, but no accompanying contact information, you still have the name of a new person to search for (the spouse), as well as a potential change of name to take into account. Check US political contributions. In the United States, if your friend donated more than $200 to a political campaign within 10 days of an election, her name is recorded on the Federal Election Committee website, often with an address as well. Search court records. Again, you'll need to search for "court records" along with the name of the country or state your friend lived in, as there is no single database where you can look these up. In many cases, you'll need to file a request with a specific court to get more information, so this method can take a fair amount of time. Do not be fooled by scam sites that charge you money to search government databases. Use the UK electoral register. To search this database for free, inquire of your local Electoral Registration Office , or ask your local library staff whether the service is available. You can also pay a few pounds to a private company to perform this search for you. | Write down as many details as you can remember. Get in contact with other people that knew the specific person you're searching for. Know how to search online. Search for your friend's name on Google Image search. Use social media sites. Use dedicated people-search websites. Sign up for friend-finding websites. Search by alma mater, military service, or business. Search marriage records. Check US political contributions. Search court records. Use the UK electoral register. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Longhair-Dachshund | How to Groom a Longhair Dachshund | To groom a longhair dachshund, divide the dog's coat into sections and brush each section with a slicker brush every day to keep the fur in good condition. Brush your dog's teeth and wipe the eye area gently with a moistened rag or cotton ball daily. It's also important to trim the inner ear hair, belly fur, and the fur between its toes periodically to prevent tangles, mats, and dirt buildup. | Gather your materials. Before you start brushing your dachshund, make sure you have everything you need. Grab some hair clips, a fine-toothed comb, and a slicker brush. You may also want to get a towel or small drop cloth to catch any hair that is shed as you brush your dog. Prepare your dog for grooming. Place your longhair dachshund on a comfortable spot on the floor or on a portable grooming table. You can also use a countertop or kitchen table. If you choose to be on the floor, lay out a soft, large towel to catch any hair. Remove any accessories your dog may be wearing, such as a harness or collar. If your dog will not stay still during grooming, enlist another person to help hold the dog while you groom it. Divide the dog’s coat into sections using hair clips or barrettes. You want to be able to focus on one section of the coat at a time. This will help you brush each section thoroughly and to detect any tangles or mats. Brush each section, starting at the head. Using a slicker brush, begin to brush each section of the coat. Start at the head and make your way down the dog's body. Always brush in the direction that the hair grows. Never go against the growth pattern. Brush down the coat towards the legs. As you finish the first few sections, brush down towards your dachshund's legs. Continue brushing in the direction that the hair grows all the way down its legs. Be extra careful when brushing its tail. This hair tends to be very fine and longer than the other sections of the coat, and can become easily tangled. Check for any debris, like chips of wood or dust, before you brush it. Comb each section gently. After brushing, go through each section and gently comb the hair. This will dislodge loose hair and untangle smaller knots. Use a fine-toothed comb so you can untangle knots more easily. While you are combing, keep an eye out for any skin irritation. Dachshunds aren't any more predisposed to have skin problems than other longhaired dogs, but they do occur. Grooming regularly will help you to notice any skin irritation or problems early on. Look for any redness, flaking, or scabbing on the skin. Brush your dachshund’s coat daily. Daily brushing helps to remove any loose hair that can get trapped in the dog's fur. Dachshunds have double coats, and longhaired dachshunds are more likely to become tangled and matted when they are not thoroughly brushed daily. Trim inner ear hair. Longhaired dachshunds are prone to ear problems. The warm, moist environment inside the ear is a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. If needed, use clippers to trim their hair on the inner flap of your dog's ear. This helps to prevent tangles, and allows for good circulation so moisture and dirt don't build up. You'll need to trim your dog's ear hair whenever the hair becomes fluffy or bushy, or when it is long enough to reach into their ear canal. Use clippers instead of scissors to reduce the risk of cutting your dog's ear. Trim the hair on your dog’s stomach. In show terms, this is called the “flag.” Longhaired dachshunds tend to accumulate debris and tangles in this area of their coat. It's a good idea to keep this hair trimmed. Not only will it be easier to brush and keep clean, it will help your dog to get around more easily. Using clippers, trim the hair so it does not reach the ground. It is a good idea to keep this area trimmed. Owners may even want to keep the hair fairly short in this area, especially if they are not using the dog for shows. Clean the dog’s ears. Using a cotton ball and a dog ear cleaner solution, gently wipe the inside of your dog's ears. According to the solution's directions, place the correct amount in the ear and let it soak into the canal. Gently massage the base of the ear between your index finger and thumb for a few minutes, then let go and allow your dog to shake its head. This will help dislodge debris in the ear and expel the excess cleaning solution. Next, gently wipe the area around the outside of the ear canal to dislodge any wax. Check for any discharge from the ear canal. It's a good idea to check your dog's ears each time you groom it. Since dachshunds are prone to ear problems, this helps you catch conditions early on. Clean your dog's ears any time you bathe or groom the dog to prevent infections caused by moisture in the ears. You can find ear cleaning solution for dogs at pet stores and large retailers. Examine your dog’s teeth and gums. Dental health is very important in dachshunds. Regularly examine your dog's mouth to look for any broken teeth, red or irritated gums, and brownish teeth. Dogs that are hesitant to play with chew toys, eat, or drink cold water may have a periodontal disease. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these problems. Brush your dachshund’s teeth. Using toothpaste specially designed for dogs and a soft toothbrush, brush your dog's teeth. Gently hold back its lips so the teeth are exposed and gently brush each tooth. Ideally, you should brush your dog's teeth each day. Many dogs are uncomfortable with having their teeth brushed. Start by putting a small amount of dog toothpaste on a bit of gauze or a washcloth. Wrap the cloth around your finger and gently rub the toothpaste on your dog's teeth and gums for a few seconds. Gradually work up to using a toothbrush when your dog becomes used to having you manipulate its mouth. Gently wipe the dog’s eyes. Using a piece of soft cotton fabric or a cotton ball that has been dampened with warm water, wipe around the rim of the eyes. You can also use dog eye wipes, which can be found at pet stores and large retailers. Hold the dog's muzzle while you're wiping to avoid accidentally poking its eye. Trim the dog’s nails. Your dachshund's nails are very small, so use a small dog nail clipper, not a regular nail clipper. Clip only the very tip of the nail, avoiding the quick. The quick is a vein that runs through the nail, and will bleed if nicked. Getting cut in the quick is also a very painful experience, and may cause your dog to be frightened of having its nails clipped again. It can be difficult to see the quick, especially with black nails. If you do happen to cut the quick, have a styptic powder and some gauze or cotton balls handy. This will help the blood clot and will stop the bleeding. If you exercise your dachshund on concrete or pavement, its nails will not need to be trimmed as frequently since they will naturally become worn down. Trim the fur between your dog’s toes. Longhaired dachshunds tend to have very fuzzy feet. It is especially important to keep your dog's foot hair trimmed if you live in a snowy area, since snow can accumulate on the fur and hurt the dog's feet. Check your dog's feet regularly and trim any excess hair with clippers. Put your dachshund in the bathtub or a deep sink. Dachshunds only need to be bathed once a month, unless they've rolled in something smelly or muddy. The water should be warm, but not hot. The water doesn't need to be too high, just to under its belly. A non-slip bath mat will help keep your dachshund from slipping in the water. If you don't have a mat, you can place a small towel on the bottom of the tub or sink. Choose a shampoo. The products you use to bathe your longhaired dachshund should be specifically formulated for dogs. Use a high-quality non-detergent shampoo. Ideally, use a shampoo and conditioner that are fragrance free since these added chemicals can irritate your dog's skin. Hypoallergenic shampoos and conditioners formulated for dogs are good as well. Some shampoos are marketed as tearless, but you should always avoid getting shampoo directly into your dog's eyes. You can find quality pet shampoos online, at a pet store, or at a grooming salon. Wet the dog and massage in the shampoo. Using a cup filled with water, a spray nozzle, or your hands, wet your dog's body. Pour a small amount of shampoo into your hand and rub your hands together. Then, begin to massage the shampoo into your dog's coat. Cover its entire body, working your way to the head last. Avoid the face and ears. Massage the shampoo into a lather in their coat. Make sure that you pay special attention to the tail and stomach, since these areas tend to get dirtier. Rinse out the shampoo. Starting at the head, use warm water to rinse the shampoo out of your dog's coat. Make sure that you get all of the shampoo out of its fur, or your dog may experience some skin irritation later on. Gently wipe the dog’s face and ears. Using a soft washcloth, now is the time to wash the face and ears. Wet the washcloth with warm water and work in a small amount of shampoo. Cover your dog's eyes with one hand while you gently wipe its face and ears. You'll need to rinse off this shampoo as well, but be very careful with getting water around their ears. Water can get trapped inside your dog's ear canal and cause an infection. Blow dry your dog’s coat. Using a blow dryer on the lowest setting, begin to dry the dog's coat. Make sure the air is not too hot so you don't burn or irritate its skin. You can gently brush while you dry. Use a dry piece of cloth to wipe the dog's inner ears. You want this area to be very dry after their bath to help prevent any infections. You can use a towel to dry your dachshund, but this will cause the hair to poof out and won't be as aesthetically pleasing. If you do use a towel, pat the hair instead of rubbing it to prevent tangles. | Gather your materials. Prepare your dog for grooming. Divide the dog’s coat into sections using hair clips or barrettes. Brush each section, starting at the head. Brush down the coat towards the legs. Comb each section gently. Brush your dachshund’s coat daily. Trim inner ear hair. Trim the hair on your dog’s stomach. Clean the dog’s ears. Examine your dog’s teeth and gums. Brush your dachshund’s teeth. Gently wipe the dog’s eyes. Trim the dog’s nails. Trim the fur between your dog’s toes. Put your dachshund in the bathtub or a deep sink. Choose a shampoo. Wet the dog and massage in the shampoo. Rinse out the shampoo. Gently wipe the dog’s face and ears. Blow dry your dog’s coat. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-the-Easter-Bunny | How to Draw the Easter Bunny | To draw the Easter Bunny, draw a round, fluffy bunny that's wearing a shirt and jacket and is standing up on its back legs. Don't forget to include a short, fluffy tail. When you're drawing the face on your Easter Bunny, make the cheeks big and round, draw a tiny button nose, and sketch 2 big eyes. Also, make the ears on top of its head long and floppy. | Draw a stick figure to begin. Remember that you'll be drawing a bunny, not a human, so create an initial sketch or perhaps look at a sketch of a rabbit which someone else has done which is similar to the type of picture you aim to draw and pay attention to the proportions and the shape of the legs. Add shapes and guidelines to round out your drawing. Add detail to the head. This is a good time to also fill in detail to the ears. Draw front paws for your rabbit. Add a tail and feet. Round out the legs if you haven't done so already. Add detail as desired. Consider drawing clothes, eggs, or a basket to your bunny. Outline the drawing with permanent media. Use anything you like (for example, ink or paint). Wait a few moments and erase all the unnecessary pencil guidelines. Color your Easter Bunny and you're done! Add gradients or texture as you see fit. Draw a big circle in the center upper part of the page. Sketch the cheeks. On each side of the big circle draw a smaller circle. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/c\/cb\/Draw-the-Easter-Bunny-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Draw-the-Easter-Bunny-Step-10.jpg\/v4-393px-Draw-the-Easter-Bunny-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":418,"bigWidth":"393","bigHeight":"357","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\/2.5\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Sketch the floppy bunny ears. On top of each side the circle draw two long and thin overlapping ovals. Under the head circle sketch the upper paws. Draw two, long and curved at the middle, teardrop shapes. Make a basket in his arms. Over both sketched arms draw a big oval. Under the basket sketch, add the lower part of the body. Draw a semicircle a bit flat, starting on left and right sides of the basket. Finish the sketch with the lower paws. Under the lower body's semicircle draw two unfinished ovals. Outline the outer shape of the bunny and add details like facial features, some hair tufts on the forehead and inside the ears and a bigger one as a collar, a few eggs in the basket. Carefully erase the sketch lines and start adding color. Sketch the head. Draw a big oval, in the middle to the part of the page. Sketch the floppy bunny ears! On top of each side of the oval draw two long and thin ovals. Draw the body. Draw over the right part of the head and right ear a big oval. Sketch the back paws. Under the lower part of the body oval draw a flat and long oval. And a semicircle, facing down, inside the right part of the body oval. Add a small oval at the right side of the body oval. This will be a cute and fluffy tail. Sketch the front paws. Under the left side of the body semicircle and in front of the back paws, draw two sets of overlapping ovals. Sketch a flat oval, that later will become a basket full of Easter eggs. Outline the outer shape of the bunny and add details. Don't forget the big eye, cute little nose, little paws, the fluffy little tail, and some hair tufts all over the body. Shape the basket and draw a few Easter eggs inside it. Carefully erase the sketch lines and start adding color. Finished! | Draw a stick figure to begin. Add shapes and guidelines to round out your drawing. Add detail to the head. Draw front paws for your rabbit. Add a tail and feet. Add detail as desired. Outline the drawing with permanent media. Color your Easter Bunny and you're done! Draw a big circle in the center upper part of the page. Sketch the cheeks. Sketch the floppy bunny ears. Under the head circle sketch the upper paws. Make a basket in his arms. Under the basket sketch, add the lower part of the body. Finish the sketch with the lower paws. Outline the outer shape of the bunny and add details like facial features, some hair tufts on the forehead and inside the ears and a bigger one as a collar, a few eggs in the basket. Carefully erase the sketch lines and start adding color. Sketch the head. Sketch the floppy bunny ears! Draw the body. Sketch the back paws. Add a small oval at the right side of the body oval. Sketch the front paws. Sketch a flat oval, that later will become a basket full of Easter eggs. Outline the outer shape of the bunny and add details. Carefully erase the sketch lines and start adding color. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-BBQ-Pit | How to Build a BBQ Pit | To build a shallow pit bbq, dig a square hole in your garden to a depth of 1 brick or cinderblock turned vertically. Next, line the sides of the hole with bricks and mortar to make the pit more secure. When the sides are finished, check the pit is even by placing a spirit level across the top. If you want to turn your pit into a feature, surround the sides with slabs or gravel, which will also help prevent the spread of fire. Finally, place your grill into position, and you're ready to start cooking! | Decide on a good location. It's important to have a great location for your BBQ pit. You don't want it too far away from your house so you have to carry all the food and utensils too far, but you don't want to put it somewhere where the smoke will blow straight into your or your neighbour's house. More important than convenience elements, however, are the safety factors which you should bear in mind. Be sure you place it away from overhanging trees, buildings and fences which could be damaged by the smoke or catch fire. If you are building it on the surface, it should be placed on level ground. Decide what kind of pit to go for. There are a huge variety of potential barbeque pits , and you can even be creative in your design. Find one you like and you have the right space for. Check you can afford all the materials and you have the time to work on it. There's nothing worse than leaving something half-finished. Rope in a few friends or family members to help, especially if they are quite good with their hands. You can pay them back with grilled meat. Draw out your plan. Barbecue pit plans vary from the very simple, to the very complicated and ornate. If you are building it from scratch, you can find some plans to follow on the internet. If you are not so experienced in building, it might be a good idea to start off with a relatively simple plan. You can lay it out on the ground to get a clear picture of the size and shape. A rectangular shape with sides that reach up to around waist-height is fine. You can add more elements, such as a cooling rack, or a smoker. Get your tools. For this most simple of Barbecue pit options, you need little few tools. But before you start, be sure to have gathered up a shovel, some bricks or cinderblocks (optional mortar), a grill, a spirit level, and something that you can use to cover the pit when you are not using it. You can also use some gravel, sand, paving slabs or excess bricks. Dig a hole the depth of one brick turned vertically. The first step to making a basic Barbecue pit is digging a hole (not larger than you can cover with your grill) at an appropriate and safe place in your backyard. A basic pit could be the depth of one brick or cinderblock (whichever you are using) turned vertically. You can make it bigger or smaller depending on your requirements, and you can use it as a smoker too. A rectangle or square is the easiest shape to use. Use bricks or cinderblocks to secure the sides. Once you have the hole, knock in the bricks around the edges to give it a solid structure. It's best to use some mortar to fix it in place and be sure that the bricks will not become dislodged and fall into the hole. You can look at some pictures online to see how it ought to look. You could even make a pit without putting bricks along the sides, but this is a good idea to make it more secure and lasting. Check it is level. Lay a spirit level over the top of the pit to check that it is level. If it is too large for your spirit level, you can place a longer plank of wood over it the hole and put the spirit level on top of that. Try laying your grill over the top of the pit to check that it sits on it nicely and does not slide off to one side. Use slabs and gravel for optional extra touches. You can place some slabs around the edges of the pit on the grass to give you an area to place your grill and clearly demarcate the area where the Barbecue is. This is an excellent way to make it more of a feature, and you can be creative with how you lay out it. The fire shouldn't come in contact with any grass (a wildfire is the last thing you want when having a barbecue). If you don't do this you should clear away the grass from the edges of the pit for safety reasons. You can spread some gravel, or masonry sand in the base of the pit to so you are not burning wood directly on the soil. Set up the grill. The gridiron is now ready to be added to your project. Now that you have your formation set up, you can lay your grill across the hole. You can add some bricks or cinder blocks around the edges to hold it in place more securely. Get your tools and equipment. To make an above-ground pit that you can take down again with little fuss, all you really need are some bricks or cinderblocks, and your grill. A steel sheet will be necessary if you are building it up fairly high above the ground. This is a job that is very easy to quick to do, but you still need to take care with the construction and follow the safety precautions as you would with a more complex Barbecue pit. As always, how many cinder blocks or bricks you need will depend on the size of the pit you want to construct. Preparing the site. Once you have chosen a safe place to put it, you need to do a bit of work preparing the ground. The main job is to clear the space and make sure that the ground is level and flat. If it isn't level you will end up with a wonky grill, which could end in disaster. Build up your layers. Now lay out the bricks or cinderblocks according to the size you want and the plan you have drawn up. Be sure to measure everything carefully and check the stability of it all as you go. If it doesn't seem stable you need to step back and have a rethink. This will most likely be because the ground isn't sufficiently level for the blocks to sit easily on it. You can build them up in a simple regular-sided shape, or try a circle. This might require you to cut the blocks, which will require more tools, like a chisel and hammer. Add an optional shelf. If you building it up quite high, you don't want the coals to be too far away from the grill. Think about how low you drop the grill down over the coals when you use a regular stand-alone Barbecue. A good way to take account of this is to add a steel shelf two bricks below where you will be putting the grill. Add the extra layers of brick and secure the grill. Once you have installed the shelf build up two more layers on the same pattern you have been using. You can just lay the grill on top of your top layer, but you could add another layer of bricks around the edges to help keep it in place. Get a plan you are confident with. If you decide to build a serious brick Barbecue pit, you will need some good plans and plenty of time and material. You will need to use mortar to fix the bricks or blocks you use, so be sure you are comfortable taking this on. Once you build a fixed aboveground Barbecue pit, it's not so easy to knock it down again. Get together everything you need. These pits require quite a lot more equipment, expense and technical skills to construct. You will a shovel, mortar mix, cement mix, bricks or cinderblocks, a fire tray (depending on the height of your Barbecue), a grill, as well as a spirit level, water and hand tamps. You will also need metal braces to attach you grill to the bricks. Lay out the foundations. A big brick Barbecue is a heavy thing that needs good foundations to support it. It is possible to use a base of stone and sand like the more simple versions, but it is recommended that for a large fixed pit, you prepare you solid foundations. To do this, you will need to dig down around four inches inside the area where you are building the Barbecue, and pour in concrete. You will need to leave for around 48 hours to set. It's also a good idea to have a slight slope so rainwater will run off the concrete rather than collecting on top of it. Build up the bricks. When the foundations are set, you need to start building up the bricks around the sides using the mortar, trowel, and hand tamper. Take time over this, and keep it nice and neat. Mortar dries relatively quickly, so be sure to have all your bricks or cinderblocks to hand before you start. Put bricks in the corners first, and work out from there, removing the excess mortar that is squeezed out from between bricks as you go. Fill any gaps with excess mortar. Each new layer of bricks should begin with a layer of mortar on top of the previous layer on bricks, which the new bricks are placed onto. Be sure to look at a brick laying tutorial first, if you haven't done this before. Attach the metal braces for the grill. Once you have got your bricks up to the height you want, add one more layer of mortar and affix the metal braces at the appropriate places on the top layer of bricks. This should set fairly quickly, but don't walk off and leave it. Once it is set attach the grill across the top. Finished. | Decide on a good location. Decide what kind of pit to go for. Draw out your plan. Get your tools. Dig a hole the depth of one brick turned vertically. Use bricks or cinderblocks to secure the sides. Check it is level. Use slabs and gravel for optional extra touches. Set up the grill. Get your tools and equipment. Preparing the site. Build up your layers. Add an optional shelf. Add the extra layers of brick and secure the grill. Get a plan you are confident with. Get together everything you need. Lay out the foundations. Build up the bricks. Attach the metal braces for the grill. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Those-Who-Have-a-Disability | How to Help Those Who Have a Disability | If you want to help people with disabilities, watch for things they seem to struggle with and ask them if they need any help. However, always respect their answer and don't help them if they don't want you to. They know what they need and being too insistent can come off as rude. If you want to help more people than you can on your own, try volunteering in your area at places like Ability First or a Teaching Tolerance workshop. You can also volunteer to train a service dog, which usually takes about 18 months. | Learn the proper terminology. Make sure you use the right terms when discussing people with disabilities. Certain terms that were once considered the norm are now outdated and even offensive. The first step to helping people with disabilities is educating yourself about the right words. When speaking about someone with a disability, it's often polite to place their personhood before their specific condition. For example, do not say "mentally ill person" or "the mentally ill." Instead say, "person who has a mental illness." Do not say "wheelchair-bound." Identify them by another means (like you would anyone else), and if you're talking specifically about the use of a wheelchair, say, "person in the wheelchair" or "person who uses the wheelchair." Keep in mind there are a few noteworthy exceptions to this; many people in the Deaf, Blind, and Autistic communities prefer identity-first language, meaning they want to be called an "autistic person" or a "Deaf person" (with the capital D indicating they identify as part of the Deaf culture). Certain terms were once considered politically correct are now outdated and can offend. The terms "mute" or "dumb" used to be appropriate for referring to people who cannot speak, but now terms like "nonverbal" or "nonspeaking" are preferred. Lame or crippled were once used to describe those with a physical disability that limited mobility, but now terms like physically disabled are preferred. The terms "retarded" and "mentally defective" are considered very offensive by today's standards. Person with an intellectual, developmental, or cognitive disability is the preferred term. While "retarded" was once considered politically correct, as so many people use in a derogatory fashion this is no longer the case. Refrain from using the term in this way, as it's extremely unkind to people with cognitive disabilities. Communicate directly. Oftentimes, people with disabilities are assisted by interpreters, nurses, or friends during their day-to-day lives. It's important that, when communicating with someone with a disability, you talk directly to that person. Do not filter conversation through someone else. Look at the person with a disability, and not their interpreter or assistant. Oftentimes, people who are deaf look to their interpreter while another person talks as they need to do so in order to follow the conversation. You should still look at the person who is deaf, however, as that is who you're communicating with, not the interpreter. If you are communicating with someone in a wheelchair, sit down so that they don't strain their neck looking up at you. Avoid bending down like you would to a child; this usually looks awkward. Ask before providing assistance. If you see a person with a disability struggling with something, your first instinct may be to jump in and help. However, without knowing that person's specific needs or intentions you may be doing more harm than good. Always ask before offering your assistance. Sometimes, a person with a disability may seem to be struggling when they are actually fine. It may simply take them longer to do certain tasks, but that does not necessarily mean they need a helping hand. If you think they might need help, just ask. If you see someone with a disability struggling, simply say "Would you like any help?" or "Do you need assistance?" You do not have to say any more than this. If someone declines your offer of assistance, do not be offended or insist on helping. Simply go on with your day. They know their needs better than you do, and pushing them would come off as rude. Do not offer medical advice, especially if you are not a doctor. While suggesting yoga for someone who suffers from chronic pain may seem helpful, remember that person already has a doctor who knows his specific medical history and giving out advice without solicitation comes off as condescending. Be respectful in your words and actions. When interacting with someone with a disability, always be respectful in both your words and actions. When introduced to someone with a disability, always offer to shake hands. Even someone with limited hand use can usually manage this and refraining from offering a handshake, a typical gesture of courtesy, calls attention to a person's disability. Speak in your normal voice and tone. People often feel they should speak slower or louder, especially if they're interacting with a person who is hearing impaired, but this can come off as rude or infantilizing. Simply talk in your normal voice. It is okay to do things to make communication easier. For example, if interacting with someone who is hard of hearing, make sure to look directly at them so they can read your lips and follow other visual cues. Sitting down to make eye contact with someone in a wheelchair can be a polite gesture. If someone has a speech impediment, rather than pretending you understand something they said when you did not you can politely ask them to repeat it. Be yourself during any conversation. If you accidentally use a common expression that does not apply, like saying "see you later" to someone who is visually impaired, do not panic and apologize profusely. That person will understand this is a colloquialism and not meant to be taken literally. Ask questions, if they're relevant. Oftentimes, people worry about inadvertently offending someone with a disability and end up acting off or nervous during interaction. This can be alienating for someone with a disability so be sure to be yourself and stay calm. If you have any questions, it's fine to ask them if they're relevant to the situation. For the most part, people with disabilities would rather you simply asked a question politely rather than remaining confused. For example, it's completely appropriate to ask someone who is deaf if they can read lips and would therefore prefer if you faced them each you time you talked. If you're planning an event and you know the wheelchair ramp is in the back room, it's fine to say to someone in a wheelchair, "Do you know where the wheelchair ramp is? It's hard to find, and I just want to make sure you know." People are wary to ask questions as they do not want to call attention to someone's disability. However, avoiding an obvious question can sometimes call more attention to the issue than simply addressing it. As long as questions are relevant to the situation at hand, they will likely not come off as prying or insensitive. Find volunteer opportunities in your area. You can find volunteer opportunities in your community. A variety of organizations strive to provide assistance to people with disabilities. Ability First is an organization that provides programs for children and adults with disabilities via employment, recreation, and socialization programs. Ability First has different branches throughout the country and they offer opportunities for volunteers. Depending on the route you take, you may work with people with disabilities hands-on or perform clerical and office duties to help facilities, events, and programs run smoothly. You can browse the Ability First website to find volunteer opportunities in your community. The Southern Poverty Law Center has a program called Teaching Tolerance, where an instructor conducts workshops with college and high school students to teach young people how to interact with people with disabilities. You can browse the SPLC's website to see if there's a Teaching Tolerance seminar being conducted in your area and contact the leader to see if they need volunteers for set-up, advertising, or other tasks. The United Disabilities services is a non-profit organization that strives to help people with disabilities, including veterans and the elderly, live more independently. They help make homes more accessible, provide medical equipment, custom wheelchairs, and service dogs. The UDS takes volunteers for a variety of fields, from office work to community relations to fundraising and more. While the organization is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania they do have branches elsewhere. You can also look for opportunities through organizations specific to your area. Call local hospitals and nursing homes to ask about where to volunteer or talk to someone you know works professionally with people who are disabled. Some organizations, such as Autism Speaks, are considered to do more harm than good. Check with the disability community to make sure it is a good group. Raise or donate money. Sometimes, fundraising is very helpful. People with disabilities often need extra funds to cover medical costs, home renovations, and other expenses. All the organizations listed above periodically conduct fundraisers. Donating money, even a small amount, can help. You can also ask friends and family members to donate as well. If you're having a birthday party, wedding shower, or other big even where it's custom to bring gifts, you could ask for donations instead. If you know a disabled person who needs money for an issue related to their disability, you can help that person raise funds. You can throw an event, like a dinner or party, when entry fees are collected to pay for that person's medical costs. You can raise money via online campaigns, using sites like GoFundMe. You can have some kind of contest or raffle, charging submission fees or charging for tickets. There are a variety of ways to raise funds for someone you know in need. If you're in school, certain organizations hire college students as fundraisers over the summer months. If you can find an organization that helps people with disabilities, applying for a job fundraising with them can both allow you to help people with disabilities and gain professional experience. Help with accessibility. Oftentimes, people with disabilities need assistance getting around. You can volunteer to help in this regard. If a person's disability means they are unable to drive, you can volunteer to help with transportation. You can either drive someone directly or help people navigate public transportation. Many volunteer organizations recruit people for this purpose specifically. Some organizations seek to make the world in general more friendly to people with disabilities related to mobility by installing ramps and other wheelchair friendly devices in public places. You can help by writing letters to congresspeople, signing petitions, collecting other people's signatures, and raising awareness of buildings or structures that limit access to those with mobility-related disabilities. Volunteer to train a service dog. If you're a dog person, volunteering to help train a service dog can be a great way to help people with disabilities. Service dogs are dogs trained to assist people with cognitive or physical disabilities. Before they can be placed with an owner, they need special training and are usually placed with a volunteer owner until they are 18-months old. If you volunteer to raise a service dog, you will be required to attend regular training sessions and train the dog at home in between. While training a service dog can be rewarding, it is also a difficult experience. It can be hard to give up a dog or puppy after becoming attached. Make sure you are emotionally prepared to do so before committing to the task. This is a great option for college students. First, many colleges students want a pet but cannot commit for too long of a period. Second, university is one of the best ways to socialize a dog as there is such a wide array of activity on campus. Use social media to your advantage. As so many people actively use social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, it's easy to spread awareness through such platforms. Post links to articles about various disabilities, educating people on a range of physical or cognitive disabilities. Do not just share factual information, however. Provide links to article on how to talk to people with disabilities and how best to help and volunteer. If you're tying to raise money or collect signatures for a petition, social media is a powerful tool. Posting links that show people where to donate or sign is the quickest and most convenient way to help your cause. Choose articles people are likely to read on their computer or phone. In general, internet users are more likely to select shorter articles, especially those that are in the form of a list or make heavy use of bullet points. Address prejudice. If you hear people making derogatory comments, intentionally or not, about people with disabilities you should speak up. Oftentimes, a person will unintentionally use the wrong word or phrase. If this is the case, you can politely correct. For example, if you hear someone say "Down Syndrome girl" you could say, "Actually, the preferred term is 'girl with Down Syndrome.'" The words "retarded" and "retard" are used a lot, even in some forms of media, as a catchall term for something frustrating or otherwise unpleasant. People will often defend their use, saying they do not mean it "in that way" but you can step in here and explain that, regardless of how they mean it, the word carries associations that are hurtful to many. If you see discrimination against disabled people happening in a work or school environment, report the discrimination to the proper authorities. If you're unsure who to speak to, you can contact an organization that advocates for disabled people and ask them for advice. Direct people to the proper resources. Many people do not mean to be hurtful or offensive and are simply unaware of how to interact with people with disabilities. If someone seems confused or uncertain, direct them to relevant websites and organizations that can help them learn how to interact with people disabilities. Education is a powerful tool in fostering social change and creating a more hospitable, tolerant world. | Learn the proper terminology. Communicate directly. Ask before providing assistance. Be respectful in your words and actions. Ask questions, if they're relevant. Find volunteer opportunities in your area. Raise or donate money. Help with accessibility. Volunteer to train a service dog. Use social media to your advantage. Address prejudice. Direct people to the proper resources. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.